marți, 26 iulie 2011

Lost in Vacation

Lost in Vacation

Imi cer scuze pentru lipsa de posturi din ultima perioada, dar am o scuza! Am fost in vacanta! M-am recompensat cu 7 minunate zile de soare, relaxare si rasfat.

"Nu exista o alta tara care sa ascunda atatea minuni", scria Herodot cu 2400 de ani in urma. Gandindu-te la Egipt iti vin in minte locuri exotice, piramide, faraoni, comorile lui Tutankhamon si imaginea unei civilizatii de mult disparute, ale carei taine nu au fost descifrate in totalitate nici pana azi.


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Un contrast de bogatie si saracie presarat cu muzica si culoare. Strazile din Cairo te impresioneaza deopotriva prin forfota aparent inutila, cladiri impresionante ce dezvolta continuu orasul cat o tara, dar si canale pline de gunoaie.


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Oricat de desertica ar parea aceasta zona, ea se gaseste exact la marginea orasului Cairo, rasfatand numerosi locuitori ai urbei cu fascinante peisaje de rasarit si apus maret.


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Templul Karnak, o fascinanta calatorie in timp, istorie si hieroglife egiptene.



Templul faraoanei Hacepsut, una dintre cele mai puternice femei ale imperiului, a domnit ca si faraon, ingenunchind figuri marete ale vremii sale. Templul sau se afla dincolo de Valea Regilor, incercandu-se la un moment dat comunicarea printr-un tunel dintre acest templu si mormantul sau, insa fara sorti de izbanda datorita unei roci extrem de dure.





Multi considera perioada Egiptului antic ca origine a artei moderne a bijuteriilor. In acea perioada executia de bijuterii a devenit o profesie iar tehnicile s-au dezvoltat pentru a crea o varietate de stiluri si functionalitati. Bijutierii au inceput sa foloseasca o gama larga de materiale si chiar daca maiestria era apreciata, valoarea consta in functia de protectie a bijuteriilor, ca si amulete sau talismane. Se folosea extensiv aurul, mai ales pentru ca se prelucreaza mai usor decat alte materiale.

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Egiptenii traiau cu credinta ca fiecare piatra pretioasa este incarcata cu puteri mistice care se vor proiecta asupra purtatorilor. Simbolurile, ca cel al Scarabeului sacru, formau o parte semnificativa a bijuteriilor care se purtau, fapt venind si din credinta in sacraliatea simbolurilor respective.

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Nu degeaba regina Cleopatra era etalonul frumusetii in lumea antica, detinatoarea unor retete secrete de frumusete bine pastrate. Astazi, chipul sau numele ei sunt asociate unor linii de produse cosmetice, bijuterii sau parfumuri. Obiectele de frumusete sunt la mare cautare printre turisti: oglinzile sunt cu totul deosebite, dar nici casetele pentru bijuterii sau sticlutele de parfumuri nu sunt mai prejos!
 

Prelucrarea manuala a alabastrului este unul din mestesugurile traditionale in Egipt. Uneltele folosite pentru a sculpta roca si a o slefui sunt aceleasi ca si acum sute de ani, insa rezultatul poate fi spectaculos. (ca aceasta vaza din alabastru rosiatic luminata din interior)

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Asta e doar o mica parte din ce se poate impartasi dintr-o calatorie minunata care este Egiptul. Pentru ca cele 7 zile au presarate nu numai cu piramide si temple, simboluri si faraoni, ci si cu minunate recifuri de corali, parasailing, plaje virgine, oameni prietenosi si festinuri culinare, va las pe voi sa explorati Egiptul cu proprii ochi si sa alegeti acele mistere si minuni care va fascineaza mai mult.
 





 


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marți, 28 iunie 2011

IKEA Living Room Design

There are numerous brands that allow us to glam up our home with stylish and fabulous decorative elements. IKEA managed to become one of the most impressive names in the business of interior design, due to it's power to provide people from all over the world with pocket-friendly ideas on how to get rid of monotony.

The IKEA Living Room Design collection for 2011 is the hot stuff of the moment if you're not afraid to flirt with the plan of making a dramatic change in your crib. The living room is undoubtedly the heart of a house, therefore it is highly recommended to keep it modern and sight-pampering. Offer your guests and the whole family the pleasure of spending some precious time in this room. Use the following examples as the perfect inspiration for a future makeover.

  IKEA Living Room Design Collection 2011  IKEA Living Room Design Collection 2011IKEA Living Room Design Collection 2011 
 Experiment with groundbreaking ideas popularized also by IKEA and learn how to mix/match the different shades. Build up a harmonious effect by juggling with space and light. These are some of the main factors that can contribute to the success of the transformation. Practical meets high class in this on trend collection. Therefore, play with your experimental side to wow your friends and family with a brand new living room design.


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luni, 27 iunie 2011

Homemade Macaroons



They are light and simple treats that can easily become an addiction. Macaroons, as it's about these irresistible desserts we are talking about, represent a savoury delight, with a soft interior and crunchy crust. Put your culinary skills to the test trying this delicious macaroons recipe and get ready to play with flavours and colors! 

It is said that the first macaroons were made from almond paste and egg whites, and from here the name of the cookie which comes from an Italian word meaning 'paste', 'maccarone'. Some historians claim that macaroons have their roots in Venice, during the Renaissance, while others say that these delightful biscuits can be traced in France, back in 1533. 


Still, regardless their origins, macaroons remain a mouth-watering, delicate and lovely treat that allows you to have fun while cooking. Make the most of your culinary skills by adding different colourings and flavour extracts such as chocolate, coffee, coconut or fruits. For the chocolate macaroons replace a quarter of the icing sugar with cocoa powder.  

Let's play!




  • 225g icing sugar







  • 130g ground almonds







  • 3 large egg whites, room temperature







  • 75g superfine sugar







  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract









  • Preheat oven to 180°C. Macaroons are great when they are made with freshly ground blanched almonds. Pulse the icing sugar and the ground almonds in a food processor until you get a powdery mixture, then sift two or three times in a bowl.









  • Take another bowl and whisk the egg whites until they double their size and form soft peaks. You can use an electric mixer. Next, gradually add the superfine sugar and whisk until firm peaks form. This is the perfect moment for you to color and flavour your macaroons. Pink, purple, green, yellow, red, orange, their design and taste are up to you.









  • Fold the almond-sugar mixture into the meringue and mix well until you obtain a smooth and shiny mixture. Take a piping bag with a centimetre-wide round tip and spoon the mixture in. Pipe 4-5cm diameter circles on a baking sheet and let them rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until a fine skin is formed.









  • Place macaroons into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until they are firm and can easily be removed from the tray. Let macaroons cool. Sandwich two macaroons together using peanut butter, jam, chocolate ganache, butter cream, or a special filling that you can prepare at home.









  • For the filling you need 150g unsalted butter, softened, 75g icing sugar, and fruits, nuts, or different flavours. If you want you can also add colourings. Beat butter until fluffy, then gradually beat in the sugar and the rest of the ingredients.






  • sâmbătă, 25 iunie 2011

    Versace for H&M


    Yet another H&M designer collaboration is upon us, and this one promises to be major: Versace for H&M.

    The fall 2011 collection is designed by creative director Donatella Versace, and according the press release, promises to "recall the vibrant heritage of the brand, complete with leather, prints, color and exuberance in exclusive materials at fantastic H&M prices.

    Donatella gushed in the same press release, "I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching their wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere."
     
    Check out the video below to see what Donatella has planned for this fall!