Monday, September 12, 2011

Design Your Bedroom Like a Five Star Hotel Room

Just checked into a swanky hotel room and instantly all problems go flying out the window, the mellow tone and luxurious setting make us feel like a million bucks, but why can't we get the same feeling every time we walk into our own bedroom?

Well now you can. Just concentrate on these four areas when decorating your room and you will be well on your way to having your very own five star bedroom!

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1: Lighting
Decide what you enjoy about staying in a hotel room, is it soft lighting that helps you unwind? Is it bright lights that make you feel fresh? If you want to feel relaxed (most probably) in your bedroom, go for soft lights but plenty of so that not all your light is coming from one spot.

2: Bed
This is probably the most important, and is probably the most expensive thing in a hotel room. Everyone is different so you need to find a bed that you really enjoy sleeping in and will continue to enjoy every night, after all a bed is not just for Christmas. With the current state of the market there are some renown bed makers dropping their prices down to the ground so if you look around you can probably snap up a bargain.

3: Aroma
We couldn't emphasize this enough, when you walk through that hotel room what is the first thing you realize? You probably don't even notice it but its most likely to be the aroma that hits your nose, Hotels spend a fortune to get rooms smelling fresh and new, some Hotels in Dubai apparently have their own unique aroma that help their customers feel relaxed. A regular clean, fresh air and some pot puree should do the trick.

4: Personalize
Personalize your room but don't over do it! After all we still want it to feel like a new experience every time you walk through that door. Canvas art prints can be a great way of personalizing your room without overdoing it. Carefully selected furniture can really do the trick here because it will be endorsed by your personal taste. What you will notice with Hotel rooms is that they do not tend to clutter their rooms with too much furniture or art.

There you are, keep these in the back of your mind whenever you are decorating and you will be on the way to your very own 5* bedroom.

Enjoy!

Design Your Bedroom Like a Five Star Hotel Room

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Bohemian Chic Style

Originally Bohemian was a lifestyle, back in the days of Oscar Wilde. In fact Oscar Wilde lived the Bohemian lifestyle. Today it has been revolutionised into a complete fashion and interior decorating style.

"A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" - Oscar Wilde

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Bohemian chic is all about combining vintage pieces, which hold memories and giving them new life so they can carry on building memories. By simply flinging a throw or scarf over an old leather couch you will give it pizazz and rejuvenate it. By keeping the style clean and adding hip-undertone pieces, you will give the room a lift.

"Fashion is a form of ugliness, so intolerable that we have to alter it every 6 months" - Oscar Wilde.

Owing to bohemian chic style being a combination of old and new, it is also a combination of different styles. Using different lush textures and intricate patterns essentially creates the true bohemian feeling. With rich rhapsody colours and brocade, different feels and looks combine to create the scene.

"Art is the most intense work of individualism that the world has known." - Oscar Wilde

Because of the different styles, colours do tend to be rather neutral for the most part. Generally earthy colours with spicy colours scattered in between. Overall the ambience must be light and airy, although candles and vintage lanterns create a different feel at dusk

"I have simple tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." - Oscar Wilde

The actual term Bohemian is the gypsy phrase for Good Home. The philosophy behind it is to live in harmony with the earth and all life forms. Therefore, bringing in elements of the earth, whether it is plants, ferns or crystals, into the space will assist.

At the end of the day, a true bohemian style is to have a room that reflects all aspects of yourself and your travels. What makes you comfortable and relaxed is the true basis of the style. As Oscar Wilde said "To love oneself is the beginning of a life long romance."

Bohemian Chic Style

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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Hill Resorts in Malaysia

Hill resorts could be as entertaining in Malaysia as the beaches and islands. When the denizens get desperate of the tropical climate, they go to these hill resorts for respite. These hills always carry a verdant look which is quite eye-soothing and refreshing. In hill resorts in Malaysia, tourists can enjoy themselves with an array of entertaining activities.

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Cameron Highlands
Most popular hill resort in Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is another name for verdant undulating hills. Located in Pahang province of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is located at an altitude of 1,829 metre. The hill resort, which enjoys cool climate all round the year, has earned the nickname Green Bowl for it produces a large amount of vegetables, tea and strawberries. Rose gardens of Cameron Highlands are something not to miss.

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Some famous centres are Rose Centre, Rose Valley and Robertson Rose Garden. Cactus Valley showcases innumerable types of cactus. A nice way to relax in Cameron Highlands is a stroll in the fragrant tea plantations. Butter Farm and Butterfly Garden are two other popular places in the hill resort.

Fraser's Hill
Fraser's Hill is located just at a couple of hours off Kuala Lumpur, making it easily accessible. This is a common name for a consortium of seven hills. The region remains cool throughout the year and is a popular site for weekends among Kuala Lumpur denizens. In Fraser's Hill, the best thing to do is to stroll amidst natural beauty. Apart from it, you could also enjoy bird watching, golfing, boating, fishing, whitewater rafting, archery, mountain biking, horse riding, squash and much more. The hill resort has successfully maintained its colonial charm.

Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands has been diligently developed for the tourists. Located just 50 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, it is another easily accessible tourism spot. The place is known for its exotic nightlife, luxurious resorts and entertainment. Casinos, dinner shows, golf resort and discos cater to the demand of the tourists. The two theme parks are ever ready to welcome the tourists. Outdoor Theme Park is something you should not miss during your trip to Genting Islands. You would love the rides in the theme park. Indoor Theme Park is another place equipped with modern recreation gadgets.

Gunung Jerai
Gunung Jerai, also known as Kedah Peak, is the highest mountain in Kedah state. When looked at from the sea, the hill seems an imposing structure. The hill has lush forest indicating that it has several places for picnicking. Sungai Teroi Recreational Forest has so many herbs, ferns, flowering plants, and climbers. On a sunny day, you would be able to see the coastline.

Penang Hill
Located in Penang, the hill resort is just at 20 minutes drive from Georgetown, Malaysia. Also known as Bukit Bandara, Penang Hill is a fantastic place to spend with your family and friends. The resort has several vantage points offering panoramic views. Jungle trekking and bird watching are popular activities in Penang Hill. The half hour cable ride for the hill resort is an experience in itself.

Bukit Resort
This is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia. Also known as Maxwell Hill, it is located at just 10km from Taiping in Perak province. Bukit Larut has preserved its colonial atmosphere till date. You could delightfully enjoy the modest colonial bungalows and meticulously cultivated gardens. The road to the resort is an experience in itself.

Hill Resorts in Malaysia

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Texas Hill Country Ranches

West of Austin and north/northwest of San Antonio lies the Texas Hill Country, true to its namesake with rolling hills and deep valleys. Settled in the 1800s, the Hill Country offers a diverse yet rural population who enjoy living the way things used to be. Many of the early settlers were liberal minded Germans who were fleeing after the Revolution of 1848 and with them they brought Old World tastes and traditions that one can enjoy by pulling into town. Towns like Fredericksburg offer beer gardens, markets and restaurants that celebrate this diverse populace. Their stalwart rock homes of the 1800s pepper the countryside and it's much en vogue in recent years to restore these old settlements. Many of the ranch owners can trace back to these settlers and can be seen working their fields and livestock during the day and enjoying the fine dining in the evenings, true of so many of the small towns that bustle with energy. This energy has supported the establishment of extensive wineries across the region known as the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, leading the New York Times to rank the Hill Country as the #1 travel destination and comparing it to Tuscany and the south of France. The Texas Hill Country has also been named the fastest growing wine destination by travel site away.com.

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The richness in culture, heritage and Old World charm is unique in that it is only minutes from two of the largest cities in Texas: San Antonio and Austin. In fact, many CEOs and businessmen now call their ranches home and commute to their jobs in the city. Many of the area's most impressive architecture lies in the mansions and compounds built on Hill Country ranches. Local airports and landing strips make it possible for the who's who to live comfortably amongst the grand landscapes and clear, spring-fed rivers. This easy proximity to town is also the reason for the Hill Country and the ranches therein becoming fodder for recreation rather than actual ranching. Streams have been developed into large lakes for fishing and boating, exotics have been imported from Asia and Africa and hunting has become big business.

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The region is exceptional for children and many children's camps have supplied the fantastic memories that feed the urge for many of these CEOs turned ranchers and city dwellers turned country-folk to have made the transition. Second only to Florida for retirees, Texas can thank the Hill Country for providing a safe-haven for everlasting youth, vigor and happiness that can only be found in the beautiful foothills and lush valleys of this spectacular region.

Texas Hill Country Ranches

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Hill Stations in South India

South India is blessed with some of the best Hill Stations in the world. Tourists from other parts of the country as well as abroad come to enjoy the splendid beauty of these hill stations and make a memorable vacation.

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Munnar - Situated in Idukki District of Kerala, a southern State of India, provides a perfect atmosphere for a peaceful vacation. The cooler climate with the mountain streams, valleys, vast tea plantation and the mesmerizing scenic beauty of this hill station attract many tourists to this place to spend a wonderful holiday. It is situated 1600 m above the sea level, encircled by wooded hills of the Annamalai Ranges, with the towering bulk of Anamudi peak. Three rivers (Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) meet in the center of the town. Munnar is called as "Switzerland of India".There are many other attractions also in Munnar like Bird Sanctuary, Eravikulam- Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Devikulam.

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Medikeri in Coorg - Situated in Karnataka, another southern State of India, this enchanting place is referred as the "Scotland of India" because of its misty hills, lush forest, acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views, clubbed with the cool climate. Coorg is also called Kodagu. Coorg lies at an altitude of 1,525 m on the Western Ghats of Karnataka, covering an area of 4,102 sq. kilometer. A visitor to Coorg can enjoy its captivating natural beauty, great cuisine and aromas of the coffee plantations, oranges and honey, apart from enjoying other attractions there.

Ooty (Udhagamandalam) - Nestled among the picturesque Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India, at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level, Ooty is called as the the "Queen of Hill Stations". Ooty, the short name of Ootacamund, is also the capital of Nilgiris District and a much-visited Hill Station in South India. It attracts tourists on all seasons. Ooty makes a perfect vacation destination because of the beautiful green hills, the cascading waterfalls and sparkling brooks, apart from the other attractions such as lakes, Madhumalai wildlife sanctuary, Botanical gardens, etc. The lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens make the tourists to make their vacation a memorable one.

Kodaikanal- is located amidst sylvan beauty on the southern tip of the Palani Hills, 120 km northwest of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu, another southern State of India. It lies at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-kilometer. It is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. This charming hill station is also known as the "Princess of Hill Stations". The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. With its rocks, woods, lovely lakes, and pleasant climate throughout the year, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. Some of the attractions of Kodaikanal are the star shaped Kodai Lake, Berijam Lake, Telescope House, Bryant Park and the Museum.

Horsley Hills - is located on the southwest border of Andhra Pradesh, another southern State of India. The hills abound with rich flora and fauna. This great summer resort is at an altitude of 1265 m from the sea level, with dense growth of Eucalyptus, Jacaranda, Allamanda, Gulmohar and many other species. The cool and bracing climate make this place one of the most favorite hill stations.

Rishi Valley School, the Mallamma Temple and Kaundinya wild life sanctuary are great tourist attractions here.

Hill Stations in South India

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Over the Hill Party Trivia and Ideas

Friends and family love throwing over the hill parties for their loved ones as a joke, especially it that loved one has reached a point where they feel somewhat self-conscious about their age. The phrase Over the Hill in general does imply that someone has passed their peak, physically, and mentally. The use of this theme at a party can be sometimes misconstrued so those throwing the party should make sure the guest of honor can take a joke with good natured humor.

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Usually in America the ideal is seen as being young and much of our industry is focused on staying young with lots of anti-aging formulas and treatments, so the idea of the Over the Hill party evolved as the polar opposite to youth. The guests and the guests of honor are celebrating their transition into older age. Sometimes this party is thrown for people who are still really quite young, but it's seen as funny because it's obviously wrong. Some like throwing the Over the Hill party for a guest of honor who is just turning thirty, since turning thirty is seen as a very big transition from youth and immaturity to adulthood and maturity.

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This concept is usually not present in many other cultures and only really prevalent in the westernized countries, arising as a response to the never ending search for the fountain of youth. The never ending search just gets so tiring for some people that they decide to have a good old fashioned Over the Hill party. These parties often feature a tombstone shaped cake, graveyard related decorations because the further over the hill you are the closer to death you are, and lots of gag gifts such as adult diapers and canes and thick reading glasses. Party colors for this theme are often black and grey.

Over the Hill Party Trivia and Ideas

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Crafting the Romantic Comedy

Faking an orgasm in public and arriving at a 'fancy dress' party as a bunny girl, are just two memorable scenes from romantic comedies that surprise and entertain. Can you remember which movies those unforgettable scenes come from? Answer at the end of this article.

If you are a writer who enjoys films such as: You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually, [amongst many others], and wish to try your hand at writing the good old rom com, then you're already half way home.

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** So what elements does the romantic comedy need?

When we read or watch a romantic comedy we know that our hero and heroine's worlds are about to collide, suffusing conflict along the way and finally allowing the pair to get it together at the end, realizing that they complete one another.

The most important thing to remember about a rom com is it's all about the journey. In a romantic comedy, we don't usually have a list of suspects and then have to decide who the murderer is. Rather, it's the journey the hero and heroine have to take that's crucial. There should be conflict along the way, that's a given, but there should be some laughs as well. By this, I don't mean that every page has to be rip-roaringly funny. It might just be something that makes the reader smile, a comic image perhaps.

** Don't turn all your characters into caricatures!

There is a danger when writing the romantic comedy to want to make all your characters funny! Don't. Think about it, when you watch a comedy show or movie, how many of the cast are actually playing for laughs? Not all of them, you can bet. Don't forget the straight guys.

There's also a tendency to turn funny characters into caricatures by stereotyping them. For example, in Britain there's a standing joke about the German on holiday in Spain, who gets up early to leave his towel on the sun bed to stake his claim! Or the Irishman who keeps saying things like: "Top of the morning!" or "Begorrah!" Not very true to life!

** Draw from real life

Sometimes I'll include funny things that have happened to me in real life. For example, in one of my books the heroine and her friend go out nightclubbing. The friend, on leaving the club, looks up at the sky and thinks she sees a square moon. This really happened to one of my inebriated friends. It turned out to be the neon sign on the top of a very large crane!

** Using real life characters

I have a confession to make, I draw some of my characters from real life as well. These usually end up being secondary characters. For example, in one of my romance novels, Fran Santini's father is a restaurant owner. A couple of years ago, I visited an Italian restaurant in Cardiff [I won't tell you which one it is] and the owner was such a character he inspired me to invent 'Ronaldo Santini'. As soon as my mother and I entered the restaurant, he greeted us. "Beautiful Ladies. Please sit here." He was so charming we ended up ordering a bottle of wine, staying for a full three course lunch and paying much more than we would normally do at a restaurant! I haven't been there since. It will be somewhere I'll go in future for a treat.

* * Inner Conflict

To up the ante, your protagonists need to have an inner conflict as well as external conflict that the story's romantic relationship confronts and ultimately resolves.

You'll probably gather by now that I eat out. A lot. I was inspired to invent 'The Usherwood Sisters' after seeing two elderly sisters who eat out every Saturday at the same restaurant in my hometown. They always appear to eat the same meal and finish it off with a coffee. I gave them some thought and guessed they were the sort of people who didn't like having their routines upset!

The main prerequisites for writing the romantic comedy are: having a sense of humour and drawing on everyday humorous incidents, the rest is down to good writing skills.

Answer from start of article: The scene at the deli in When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones's Diary [when Bridget turns up at a party finding out it is not fancy dress after all.]

Crafting the Romantic Comedy

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