Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tradtitonal Chinese Art Treasure - Xuan Paper


Xuan paper is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting. Xuan paper is renowned for being soft and fine textured, suitable for conveying the artistic expression of both Chinese calligraphy and painting.


Xuan paper is produced in Jing County of East China's. Anhui Province. The county was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Jing County paper was first shipped to Xuanzhou. and then transshipped to other ports. hence the name of Xuan paper.

Due to different producing methods, Xuan paper can be classified into Shengxuan, Shuxuan, and Banshuxuan. Shengxuan (literally "Raw Xuan"), which is not specially processed, excels in its ability to absorb water, causing the ink on it to blur. Shuxuan (literally "Ripe Xuan"), however, is smeared on by Potassium alum during its production, which results in its texture being harder and its ability to absorb water weaker. This feature makes Shuxuan more suitable for Xieyi rather than Gongbi, and more easily torn at the same time. Banshuxuan (literally "Half-ripe Xuan") has intermediate absorbability, between Shengxuan and Shuxuan.


The paper is soft and fine in texture. suitable for both Chinese calligraphy and painting. Xuan paper has the reputation of being able to last for a thousand years as it can be kept for a long time.

There are numerous kinds of Xuan paper. such as dan. jia. luowen. coral. tiger-skin. and jade-plate. The quality depends on whether the paper is unprocessed. processed. or half-processed.

Unprocessed paper absorbs water easily. Ink filters through this paper easily, too. People must put their brush on this paper to make sure the thickness or thinness of their liquid ink is suitable.

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Processed paper goes through a process whereby gelatin made from bones and alum (a kind of sulfate) is added. This kind of paper does not absorb water easily and is stiff or hard to the touch.

Half-processed paper has a neutral character. in that it absorbs water. but it does not filter through easily.

* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

Black Skirts

 Black Skirts

 Black Skirts are all times hit skirts line.  Black Skirts are famous due to their great look. As black color enhance the beauty of  Skirts.  All designs that designers choose for  Black Skirts  enhance the beauty of skirts. Most of the girls like to wear black color  in dresses specially skirts. You can wear Black Skirts in every occasoin even in your routine life.  Black Skirts are specially famous for working women.  Black Skirts have vast collection. Let's have a look on  Black Skirts designs.
  Black Skirts

  Black Skirts

  Black Skirts
 
Black Skirts

 
Black Skirts

  Black Skirts

  Black Skirts

  Black Skirts

  Black Skirts

 Black Skirts

 Black Skirts

Trend of the Week - Houndstooth

Trendspotting

Houndstooth Print



I love houndstooth print, it looks refined and rock-chic at the same the time. Originated in Scotland, the two-tone fabric is made up of uneven checks. I prefer the combination of black-and-white, any other colour in this print just doesn't have the same effect. 



Houndstooth can be incorporated into your wardrobe in small doses. Start with a shoe, handbag or belt, move on to a jacket or skirt and if you're bold enough, wear a complete houndstooth outfit. But remember to balance it off with neutral accessories. This Tuesday, three starlets started what I hope is going to be a re-emergence of the houndstooth trend. 



Selena Gomez was in New York on Tuesday for an interview on SiriusXM Radio. The young star wore a cute pair of black and white houndstooth shorts by Nuj Novakhett. She paired it with a sheer black long-sleeved top by Robert Rodriguez. Black mid calf boots kept her look casual.



Ashley Greene attended the Salvatore Ferragamo Resort 2012 presentation in New York, also on Tuesday. The Twilight star wore a belted ivory dress with v-neck and emphasized shoulder detail. She added a touch of houndstooth with a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch bag. The contrast of the ruby red heels look fabulous.



Teresa Palmer also attended the Salvatore Ferragamo show, wearing an outfit by the designer. The Australian actress chose a bold black and white houndstooth wrap-dress from Ferragamo's Fall 2011 collection. She wore simple black heels with it and held a silver clutch bag.



New PC, video conference & documentaries

It was a good day today! Had a reasonable night and a good journey to work. This afternoon I took receipt of my new PC. I am currently running it in parallel with my existing one while I get everything set up. Nearly everything is done already, just waiting for an 8 gig memory upgrade to come and then all will be hunky dory.

Had an awesome video conference call with Vancouver today. It went something like this....
ME: Dom's not here today. Do you want to have this call and pass on any important updates?
VANCOUVER GUYS: No
ME: See you next week then!

Now that's the sort of meeting I like! *grin* Have to say that it was another good day!

Crap journey home thanks to some points failures along the line. Had the delight of having to listen to four chav girls who went and sat in the first class section (probably with no tickets) blasting out shite music and singing (if you can call it that) along. The genuine first class passengers were less than impressed I can tell you! Thankfully this only lasted for two stops although it seemed like forever as we were delayed at Wickford.

Spent some time with the babies before they went to bed and then had the "delights" of Eastenders with one of Sam's fabulous stir frys. Watched three fascinating documentaries though, Planet Of The Ape Men, Polar Bear: Inside Nature's Giants and The Sex Researchers. Sophie was lest than impressed with the Polar Bear one due to the amount of blood and guts on display LOL!

The Sexual Researchers was a very interesting documentary! If you can catch it on 4OD it's well worth a look!

Tomorrow is Friday so that must mean it's time to see Toni YAY! *grin*

Costa Favolosa é entregue pelo Fincantieri.

O estaleiro Fincantieri de Marghera, na Itália, entregou hoje a Costa Crociere o Costa Favolosa. O navio agora de propriedade da armadora italiana, é o maior a ostentar a bandeira da Itália, e o 15º da frota da Costa. Gêmeo do Pacifica, Serena e Concordia, possui 114 mil toneladas, e capacidade para até 3,780 passageiros em ocupação máxima.

Pier Luigi Foschi durante a cerimônia de entrega.
"Para nós, a entrega do Costa Favolosa, é motivo duplo de orgulho. É um navio mara- vilhoso, é realmente um "Castelo encantado contem- porâneo" com tecnologia incrível, onde nossos hóspedes experimentarão "férias de contos de fadas". Porém, isso também confirma a solidez da nossa companhia. Apesar da situação econômica mundial, que não é das mais favoráveis, nossa expansão continua, com grandes investimentos na Itália, graças a força da nossa marca, garantida por mais de 60 anos de experiência de mercado, a qualidade de nossos produtos, e a satisfação de nossos clientes" disse Pier Luigi Foschi, CEO e Presidente da Costa Crociere S.p.A.
Costa Favolosa durante testes de mar no Mediterrâneo.
O navio será inaugurado no final de semana, em uma cerimônia em Trieste. Logo em seguida começa sua temporada pelo Adriático com saídas de Veneza. Em Novembro parte para Dubai, de onde fará cruzeiros pelo Oriente Médio até Março. É o substituto natural ao Costa Pacifica na temporada 2012/2013 no Brasil.

Texto (©) Copyright Daniel Capella.
Imagens (©) Copyright Costa Cruzeiros (a última através de MeretMarine).

Friday Frills





"One has to live in the present. Whatever is past is gone beyond recall, whatever is future remains beyond one’s reach, until it becomes present. Remembering the past and giving thought to the future are important, but only to the extent that they help one deal with the present.” 
S.N. Goenka




Regal in Red

Red Evening Gowns 

worn this week



A red dress always turns heads due to it's dynamic colour. This week, Hilary Swank and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley set the red carpet alight in two glamorous red gowns.



Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank was in Toronto to attend the IIFA 2011 Awards. She looked sensational in a raspberry red Elie Saab gown. The sleeveless gown with bateau neck was lavishly beaded, and featured a long train. She carried a gold clutch bag by Judith Lieber and wore drop diamond earrings. Her hair was simply styled up in a bun. 



In New York, Rosie Huntington-Whitely continued her promotional tour for 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'. The actress wore a strapless cherry red lamé gown with high slit by Antonio Berardi. Nude Louboutins finished her look, although strappy sandals may have looked better. Rosie wore her hair in a vintage Veronica Lake style, with side swept waves.



Dard E Judai SMS Shayaris - Sad Hindi SMS - Dard SMS Shayari - Dosti Ki Judai - Pyaar Ke Judai SMS Shayaris

Dard E Judai SMS Shayaris - Sad Hindi SMS - Dard SMS Shayari - Dosti Ki Judai - Pyaar Ke Judai SMS Shayaris
Duwa karna yaro juda ho rahe hai,
Rahi zindagi to fir aaker milenge..
Ager mergaye to duwa karte rehna,
Aansun bahane ki koshish na karna..


Manzur Nahi Thi Tumse Judai,
Ruladiya Mujhe Dard Ke Aansuon Mein……
Chup Rahi Woh Masoom Si Dulhan,
Pyaar Bankar Chali Thi Tere Aangan Mein……
Chor Aaye Thi Sare Khushiyan ,
Ruladiya Mujhe Dard Ke Aansuon Mein……

Kabhi ro ke muskuraye , kabhi muskura ke roye,
Jab bhi teri yaad aayi tujhe bhula ke roye,
ek tera hi to naam tha jise hazar bar likha,
Jitna likh ke khush hue us se jayada mita ke roye.

OSTI KI JUDAI KA GAM NA KARNA
DUR RAHO TO BHI DOSTI KAM NA KARNA
AGAR MILE ZINDAGI MAI KISI MOD PAR
TO HAME DEKH KAR ANKHE BAND NA KARNA

Jaipur Forts and Palaces

Jaipur, “the Pink City Of India”, is an ideal reservoir of architectural wonders of yesteryears. Embracing the rich legacy of Rajputana empire, Jaipur boasts some of the most outstanding monuments within its territory.

Thanks to these architectural treasures of the city, Jaipur is counted among one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. These remnants of bygone era beckons large number of tourists every year. Jaipur has endless arrays of forts and palaces which are created by some of the avant-garde and extravagant rulers of the Rajputana dynasty. Globetrotters from various corners of the world comes here to behold the artistic skill of these unmatched monuments.

Some of the famous monuments of Jaipur are as follows:
Monuments Within Jaipur:
City Palace Complex: City palace is a complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Located at the centre of old city, City Palace complex is a striking landmark of Jaipur. The
outer wall of this beautiful monument was  built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign but within it the palace has been enlarged and adapted by the succeeding rulers over the centuries. It includes Mubarak Mahal, Rajendra Pol, Diwan-i-khas, Diwan-i-aam, the Armoury, Pitam Niwas, Chandra Mahal, and Govind Devji Temple etc.

Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of Winds' is another important tourist spot of Jaipur city. This honey-combed structure palace was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D to enable the ladies of royal court to view the colorful processions of the old city. Hawa Mahal is positioned nearby to City Palace Complex and provides a panoramic glimpse of the entire city.

Jantar Mantar: Jantar Mantar is a huge astronomical observatory, which was created by Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh, an avant-garde ruler of Rajputana dynasty. It is counted as a world's largest stone observatory and houses some massive astronomical devices which are used in measuring the positions of the stars, altitude, and azimuth and calculating eclipses.
Jal Mahal: It is an 18th century pleasure palace, built amidst Mansagar Lake in Jaipur. This palace is well known for its unique designs and grand architecture. The first four floors of this building is under water, only the top floor remains outside. During the bygone royal era, this palace was used as royal duck shooting parties. The lake also serves as feeding ground for numerous migratory and residential birds.

Statue Circle: Statue Circle is another major landmark of the city. It is located on a busy crossing and got its name from the statue of Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur city.

Monuments Nearby To Jaipur:
Amber Fort: Situated just 11 km from Jaipur, Amber Fort is one of the formidable forts of Rajasthan state. Amber fort serves as the power seat of Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was established as official capital in 1727. All built in white marble and red sand-stone, Amber Fort is a stunning fort. Azure water of Maotha Lake makes the foreground of Amber Fort.

Jaigarh Fort: Jaigarh Fort or Victory Fort is located on the top of the hill, Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles), at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Considered as one of the spectacular forts in India, Jaigarh Fort is another important excursion site near Jaipur.
Nahargarh Fort:  Stands atop a rugged point of the Aravallis mountain ranges, Nahargarh Fort is the first of three forts built by Maharajah Jai Singh of Jaipur. Due to its positions, Nahargarh Fort was used to support the security of Amer.

Gaitore: Gaitore is a royal cremation site of Rajputana rulers of Jaipur. This site is located on the Jaipur-Amber Road, about 15 km from the city. This place has cenotaph for each Maharaja which are created to honor them. These are commonly known as 'Chhatris'.

Lavasa - India's First Planned Hill City

Lavasa Hill Station in Maharashtra (Sahayadri Mountains in the Western Ghats)

Traveler Amit Chauhan shares his traveling experience to Lavasa ( pictures © Amit )