Sew La Ti Embroidery:
weekend

The two Buddhas of Bamiyan were constructed in the sixth century, at a time when the area was a site of pilgrimage and learning for Buddhists. Both Buddhas were carved out of sandstone cliffs and stood at well over 100 feet, and at one point painted and gilded. They managed to withstand the introduction of Islam to the region and the armies of Genghis Khan, but were unable to survive past the first year of the 21st century. The Taliban destroyed the Buddhas in March 2001.

“These idols have been gods of the infidels,” declared Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar, in marking the statues for destruction. “First they fired at the Buddhas with tanks and artillery shells,” recalled one Afghan who participated in the attack. “But when that was ineffective, they planted explosives to try to destroy them.” When the Buddhas finally crumbled, Taliban fighters “were firing weapons into the air, they were dancing and they brought nine cows to slaughter as a sacrifice.” The monuments had endured for centuries, only to disappear in a matter of weeks.

The grotto at Vallon-Pont d'Arc in the Ardeche region of southern France, is a reproduction of the closely guarded Grotte Chauvet, which was granted World Heritage status last year.

The French president had already officially inaugurated the museum earlier this month and it officially opened to the public on Saturday.

The replica cave, which took a team of scientists two and a half years to create, will enable tourists from around the world to continue to see the frescos of painted animals without damaging the original cave.

Unique in the world for being such an identical and precise reproduction, the grotto has been built in the shape of a bear's paw, and stands just one kilometre away from the original site.

Inside the new grotto, which came a cost of €55 million visitors will be able to see more than a thousand drawings, including 425 animal figures of 14 different species, which have been meticulously reproduced.

The smell, humidity and even stalactites of the Grotte Chauvet have also been recreated to make the new site as authentic as can be.

The visitor walks down a long ramp to get into the building housing the replica, entering a darkened, cool and humid place that mirrors conditions in the grotto.

Then just like in the real cave, people stick to a walkway that takes them past replica bones and the skull of an Alpine ibex, a species of wild goat.

The drawings reveal themselves as the visitors walk further into the fake cave, a total of 1,000 paintings including 425 animals -- including bears, rhinos, big cats, owls.

These have been reproduced using charcoal, just like our Aurignacian ancestors did some 36,000 years ago.

Using ultra-modern techniques such as 3D imaging, engineers, sculptors, painters and visual artists faithfully reproduced the paintings.

A team of 10 people in Paris also worked for four years to reproduce stalactites, stalagmites and other formations present in the Grotte Chauvet itself.

Authorities hope that the giant replica will attract some 350,000 visitors a year.

The original Chauvet grotto was preserved for more than 20,000 years thanks to the fallen rocks, which blocked its entrance.

The grotto was discovered on the 18th December 1994 by amateur potholers: Jean-Marie Chauvet, Eliette Brunel et Christian Hillaire.

The actress had clearly gone for a relaxed look, paring the vest with some white floaty trousers and embellished sandals.
Toting a cup of coffee, she topped off the look with a fedora hat, black wayfarers and a make-up free complexion.
Katie has been getting into Miami style with her array of beachwear.
On the weekend, Katie showed off her slimmed-down physique in a bikini as she played with five-year-old daughter Suri on Miami beach.
Mother and daughter are together at the seaside town in Florida where Tom Cruise, 48, is filming Rock of Ages.
Beachy keen: The actress had clearly gone for a relaxed look, paring the risqué vest with some white floaty trousers and embellished sandals
Katie wore a red bikini and pink denim shorts while Suri was fully clothed in a multi-coloured dress.
The family were also spotted celebrating Father's Day in Miami on Sunday where Katie and Suri were pictured strolling with Cruise and then boarding a boat.
The close-knit trio were seen around the marina together in casual weekend wear.
Katie carried Suri in her arms, as always, to the luxury yacht which they hopped on for their afternoon cruise.
Accessorising: Toting a cup of coffee, she topped off the look with a fedora hat, black wayfarers and a make-up free complexion
After they boarded the yacht, named Marquis, Katie and Suri sat on the deck while Cruise kept cool inside as they sailed out to sea.
The couple have been the butt of break-up rumours pretty much from as soon as they got together six years ago.
But the loved-up twosome showed that their relationship is stronger than ever and were very touchy-feely at an event in Miami Beach later in the weekend.
Making waves: On the weekend, Katie showed off her slimmed-down physique in a bikini as she played with five-year-old daughter Suri on Miami beach
Katie lovingly grabbed her husband of nearly five years from behind and Cruise reciprocated, resting his hand over hers in a sweet gesture.
The couple turned up the Miami heat during a night out with the cast members from Rock of Ages including Julianne Hough and Malin Akerman.
They cosied up at Larios Cuban style bongo club and seemed to enjoy their date night in the Sunshine State.
Beach babes: Katie keeps close to her daughter Suri as they play in the water
Cruise is undergoing an amazing transformation to play long-haired, tattooed rocker Jaxx in the film, which is due for release next year.
Also starring Russell Brand, it tells the story of a girl who arrives in Hollywood at the height of the 1980s rock scene.
It's a very different role for Cruise, and Katie has given her backing to the career departure for her husband by revealing that he likes to perform at their home.
'Tom is such an amazing performer. Yes, we have music in our house and it’s amazing,' she told Access Hollywood.

Casual Cruises: The family celebrate Father's Day in Miami, Florida on a yacht
source : dailymail

VIA Racy Katie! Ms Holmes wears a white see-through top as she dines at Miami restaurant

Emergency supplies: A box full of cans of beer stands in the mud this morning
You've got to laugh: Hayley Davenport manages to keep a smile on her face as she carries her guitar through the mud. Left, another festival fan is more than prepared for the expected wet weather
More than 177,000 people are expected to attend the festival in Pilton to see the likes of U2, Beyonce and Coldplay perform.
Unlike last year's sun-drenched festival, music fans have packed woolly jumpers, waterproofs and wellies as they brace themselves for autumnal temperatures and regular downpours.
Barefoot bravery: Katie Featherstone and Lucy Loretto arrive in the mud clutching their festival gear
Nearly all donned their wet weather gear as as the damp conditions threatened to cause a repeat of the 2007 mudfest.
Weather experts even warned revellers making their way to the annual bash that they may need to brace themselves - for hail.
Met Office forecaster George Goodfellow said: 'The weather for the period of Glastonbury Festival is looking very unsettled but we could see the most intense showers on Thursday.
'When we get these intense showers at this time of the year we can see hail, which is a possibility for Glastonbury.'

Carefree: A festival goer laughs as he arrives at the Glastonbury Festival site with a dirty face - and the fun hasn't even begun
The Met Office has also warned night temperatures will drop to as low as six degrees - while heavy rain is already turning the 1,100 acre site into a mud bath.
A spokesman said: 'It's not going to be a typically wet Glastonbury but it won't be like last year's either.
'We're expecting some heavy showers for the first two days but it will gradually improve and while Sunday won't be that bright it could be quite warm.'
Determined: Two festival goers have a steely look on their faces as they battle through the wind and mud
But the weather is unlikely to put off excited festival-goers who will turn Worthy Farm into the south-west's third largest city after Bristol and Plymouth.
James Beal, 25, from Bristol, is making his fourth trip to Glastonbury and spent last year's festival basking in the heat wave.
He said: 'This year's event will be brilliant, regardless of whether it's wet and windy or sunny and bright.
'I think it's impossible for the weather to put me off, I'm here for the music and the atmosphere.
'I can't wait to see Beyonce; I hope Jay-Z makes a guest appearance - that would be amazing.'
Some revellers will be enjoying the festival fun in rather more luxurious surroundings than others, however.
Popping up next to the Glastonbury Festival is the latest venture in posh camping - deluxe tents which cost up to £1500 for the weekend.
Festival-goers with fat enough wallets can spend the weekend in safari-style bell tents with double beds, valet parking, wooden deck flooring and hot showers in an upmarket encampment just outside the festival.
And for those who need a pick me up after a hard night's raving, the so-called pop-up hotel offers full English breakfasts to guests.
Missing the point? The luxury on offer at the Pop-Up Hotel just outside the festival site
Event organisers are employing around 1,600 staff to look after the event, which is now in its 40th year.
Thousands of acts from local unsigned bands to the world's biggest rock stars will be appearing on stage over the five-day festival.
Taking centre stage on the famous Pyramid this year are U2, Coldplay and Beyonce while Morrissey, Primal Scream and Tinie Tempah are also expected to draw huge crowds.
Lesser known acts will perform on the 100 other stages and performance areas.
Wet weather gear: In scenes that could be repeated this year, a discarded pair of wellies lie at the exit of Glasto' 2009
Compare and contrast: Brollies provided a different kind of protection for last year's festival as sunshine beat down on gig-goers
Festival organisers are dedicating six per cent of the event's revenue this year to keeping the place clean and tidy.
The site will have 20,000 rubbish bins colour-coded for recycling, enabling the festival to recycle more 400 tonnes of waste.
This is being co-ordinated by 160 'green police' who patrol the vast site ensuring people don't drop litter or urinate in the stream.
A team of 950 people will clean up rubbish every morning and ensure the 4,600 toilets are acceptable to use.
How to walk onto the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2011

A drive around Glastonbury Festival Site 18/06/11

source : dailymail

VIA Wellies and winter coats will be order of the day as weather looks grim for Glastonbury

Wary: Gaga in her colourful attire and wig is obviously quite a scary prospect for a little one
The overall effect seemed a bit overwhelming for the little one, who seemed as much shell-shocked as star-struck.
But it was the New Yorker's scary pointed talons that made this little girl wonder if she was meeting the evil queen rather than a Disney princess.
However, the 25-year-old sensation managed to turn the encounter around by gently unleashing some of her trademark dance moves.
Cautious: The little girl seems wary of Gaga's long red talons
Bending down to replicate the child's height, Gaga tenderly offered her terrifying talons to the little girl.
The child kept a safe difference as she weighed up the character directly in front of her, as if wondering if it was safe to get closer.
Of course, once Gaga had managed to coax her nearer, she didn't offer her a poison apple, but twirled the little girl like she was Cinderella at a ball.
Confidence won, Gaga was then treated to cuddles as the child's gobsmacked parents snapped away on their camera.
The Born This Way star was leaving Toronto after performing at the MuchMusic Video Awards there this weekend.
Twirl: But the pop diva is soon amuses the younger by showing her a few trademark dance moves
For the performance the singer emerged from a cocoon, a stunt she has pulled twice already, which has prompted fans and critics alike to speculate that she's finally run out of ideas.
She entered the stage via the egg-like cocoon, just as she did at the Grammy Awards in February this year - she also popped out of a chamber during a performance on Saturday Night Live late last month.
Covered up again: Gaga seems to be moving away from the revealing outfits she's so often favoured
This time however the contraption was suspended above the ground, whereas the previous two crysalis-esque devices were laid down horizontally on the ground.
For the duration of her appearance on the Canadian awards show, Gaga remained relatively covered up in comparison to her usual outrageous get up.
And she maintained that look for her trip home, by donning the long bright dress that stunned the youngster.
source: dailymail

VIA Let's Dance! Lady Gaga wins over a frightened young fan with a twirl at Toronto airport

Short shorts: The back of the playsuit was featured an on-tend cutaway, but one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event
It also had a curiously baggy, and very unflattering top-half, which made her chest look saggy as she ran around the court.
But far from being something a sponsor forced the player to wear, this was an outfit from Venus' own clothing line, EleVen.
The back of the playsuit featured an on-tend cutaway, albeit one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event.
In action: Venus' outfit showed off her enviable figure - and the gold hot pants she was wearing underneath
Venus did not get everything wrong though - the cotton material had a pretty leafy design woven into it which could have made a lovely sun dress.
The short cut also showed off the tennis star's enviably long legs as she took huge strides towards the net. And the strange outfit clearly did not hold the 31-year-old back, she won her sets 6-3, 6-1.
Cut above: Another view of the outfit from the rear
Yesterday, Venus' little sister, Serena, made her return to Wimbledon following a serious foot injury and blood clots in her lungs that almost ruled her out of tennis for life.
She made sure to stand out in fit form during warm ups by wearing some skin-tight pink and white tie-dye leggings.
And by the looks of the fiery stare in her eye, the US player about to give it her all during her comeback.
Serena, who is a fan of flamboyant on-court ensembles, combined her Nike leggings with a white long-sleeved T-shirt and a Nike black cap.
On-court ensemble: Serena brightened up the court during her warm ups by wearing the tie-dye leggings
She is currently ranked World No. 25 in women’s singles, but has admitted that her and her sister Venus haven’t been able to train as much for the competition as they would have liked.
Serena said: ‘We spent a lot more time together because we were both off.
‘We both haven’t played pretty much at all. It’s been good because, sometimes I hate to say it, but, when you’re down, it’s always good to see someone down with you.’
Letting her hair down: Serena of the USA was talking to the media at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club yesterday ahead of the Wimbledon Championships
Last year Serena won her fourth Wimbledon championship but afterwards suffered a serious foot injury from stepping on broken glass at a restaurant – preventing her from playing for the remainder of 2010.
In March this year she then suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism but has still returned as the defending champion at Wimbledon this year.
While her sister Venus suffered from a hip muscle injury this year.
On top of Serena's medical complications, she may also have to face a showery start to Wimbledon.
Sisters in white: Serena and Venus both wore all-white tennis outfits while training over the weekend
Weather forecasters have predicted torrential rain for the first three days .
But tennis fans still braved the weather to camp outside the All England Lawn Tennis Club in south London last night.
Luckily for the players, officials are preparing to shut the £100million retractable roof on Centre Court, to prevent the rain interfering with the match.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, 25, of Spain will open this year’s 125th Wimbledon Championship on Centre Court.
Off-court glamour: Serena looked elegant in a green silk dress at the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London last week

source :dailymail

VIA No Venus! Another Williams sister fashion disaster as tennis player wears ghastly playsuit at Wimbledon

Yippee! Beatrice leaps into the air on the end of this trapeze before plunging into the Mediterranean
As she sunned herself off the coast of Antibes, Beatrice’s black strapless swim suit displayed her slender frame to perfection.
And while the frills across her chest and hips highlighted the curves inherited from her mother the Duchess of York, the Queen’s granddaughter showed that she has kept up the regime developed with her personal fitness instructor in the lead-up to last year’s London Marathon.
Can't take my eyes off you: Dave Clark smiles as his girlfriend Beatrice leaves the water in Antibes, Southern France
Her toned appearance on Sunday was a far cry from pictures of the princess in a tight blue bikini in the Caribbean in 2008, which spurred her into vowing to shed her puppy fat.
Beatrice told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.
Making a splash: Dave Clark leaps into the sea from a jetty where the yacht was moored in the Mediterranean
Slimline: The Princess's one-piece swimsuit perfectly showed off her frame with the frills helping to highlight the curves she has inherited from her mother
Surf's up! Beatrice and Dave also had fun on a pair of jet-skis
'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory. The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting. I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it is the kick I need.'
But this weekend the royal’s self-assurance was palpable as she changed into a bikini and let down her auburn locks.
Watched by admiring friends on the 195ft German-built Oasis yacht where she and 29-year-old Mr Clark are thought to have stayed as guests, Beatrice leapt into the air on the end of a trapeze before plunging into the Mediterranean.
An equally svelte Mr Clark, a millionaire’s son who works for Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson, executed an impressive back-flip from the boat’s second deck.
The six-berth yacht comes with a crew of 15 and a gym that transforms into a private nightclub. According to online advertisements, it can be chartered for between £285,000 and £418,000 a week.
Testing the water: Beatrice dips her toes into the Mediterranean before taking a dip with her boyfriend
That's enough: Following her swim the Princess returns to the boat - which houses a gym that transforms into a private nightclub
Luxury on the waves: The Princess and her boyfriend are staying on a £400,000-a-week yacht
Beatrice, who has faced a similar battle with yo-yoing weight as Sarah Ferguson, has previously put her transformation down to trainer Nadya Fairweather, whose help she enlisted in the lead-up to the London Marathon.
She is also understood to have embarked on a diet that centres on eating fresh fruit and drinking plenty of water.
Beatrice and her boyfriend have been dating for five years since meeting at a birthday party for Sean Brosnan, youngest son of James Bond actor Pierce, in 2006.
The fifth in line to the throne has just finished a three-year course in history and history of ideas at Goldsmiths College in South London.
Rather than becoming a full-time royal, she is expected to get a job once she has graduated, possibly in the field of art, fashion or charity work.
source :dailymail

VIA For Bea, what a difference three years makes as self-conscious teen is transformed into glam princess

Just hanging around: The cocoon was suspended in the air
She entered the stage via the egg-like cocoon, just as she did at the Grammy Awards in February this year - she also popped out of a chamber during a performance on Saturday Night Live late last month.
Doing it for real: Gaga on stage during the actual awards show
This time however the contraption was suspended above the ground, whereas the previous two crysalis-esque devices were laid down horizontally on the ground.
For the duration of her appearance on the Canadian awards show, Gaga remained relatively covered up in comparison to her usual outrageous get up.
Similar entrance: The superstar singer popped out of an egg-like contraption at the Grammy awards in February
By Lady Gaga standards, her ensembles were positively demure.
In fact the Queen of shocktastic fashion and barely-there outfits turned out to the ceremony with much more material per square inch than usual.
Despite changing into an array of outfits, the 25-year-old singer kept relatively covered up - which was perhaps something to do with the slightly fuller figure she was seen to be sporting as she arrived.

Paunch: Lady Gaga revealed a slightly fuller figure as she arrived the the MuchMusic Video Awards in Canada tonight in a tight LBD teamed with dominatrix-style boots
Making an entrance: The singer opened the show with a performance on Edge of Glory, staying relatively covered up in a bejewelled catsuit
The Edge of Glory star, who won two awards at the event, turned up at the ceremony in Toronto, Canada, in a form-fitting little black dress which showed a more curvy shape around her midsection.
Last year Gaga's former tour manager, David Ciemny, claimed that the star would starve herself to fit into her revealing stage outfits.
He alleged the singer would go on unhealthy food binges before barely eating in a bid to slim down - saying she once lost 20lbs between fittings.
Got it all covered: The superstar singer remained relatively demure in comparison to her usual guises
Covering up: We're used to seeing the singer in barely-there outfits and skimpy underwear
Earlier this month, Gaga left very little to the imagination as she partied at the CFDA Fashion Awards in a see-through black body stocking in New York.
But tonight was a relatively low-key affair for Gaga, who remained relatively covered in her series of outfits.
She opened the show with a performance of Edge of Glory wearing a bejewelled black catsuit, before closing the event with a rendition of Born This Way.
Colourful: She made an outfit change to accept international video of the year for Judas, keeping her flesh under wraps in a printed trouser and jacket combo teamed with her turquoise wig
In a nod to her Grammys performance, Gaga hatched out of an egg, but was kept her flesh under wraps in black trousers and a dramatic ruffled feathered top half.
She stripped her top off in the last minute of the song, but kept her midriff out of sight with her high-waisted, belted trousers.
Earlier in the show she accepted an award, wearing another body covering outfit, a colourful trouser and jacket combo, complete with her turquoise wig.
She eventually de-robed, but rather than a skimpy two-piece the singer was wearing black trousers and buttoned up jacket which revealed a hint of cleavage
The singer was voted the most popular international artist in the fan category, while also taking home the best international video for Judas.
Bieber was the other big winner of the night, joining his girlfriend and host of the event Selena Gomez on stage to accept his two gongs.
The 17-year-old star was voted the favourite artist by ordinary Canadians for his video Somebody to Love, which also features Usher.
He was honoured in the best international Canadian video category for the same video, although shared the award with hip hop star Drake.
Lady Gaga - Born This Way Live Performance at: MMVAs 2011

source :dailymail

VIA Born again (for the third time)... Lady Gaga hatches from another egg-like cocoon during the MuchMusic Video Awards

I sometimes wonder what I would be like without my history of obesity and self-esteem issues. Would I have grown up sporty, confident, the life of the party? Or would I still be an introvert, thoughtful and quiet, as I am today?

A few months ago I started a new job, and the team I joined is full of very outgoing and social folks - quite different to what I'm used to, with my background in publishing. (I'm used to being surrounded by lovely bookish types, who were usually very much like myself!) In this new job, I seem to be constantly feeling like a social misfit. The negative self talk is running rife, and it seems to peak on Fridays, when my colleagues spend half the afternoon talking about their plans to booze and dance the night away. All the while I am secretly looking forward to my night of a yummy home-cooked dinner, blog reading and snuggling up on the couch to watch Better Homes & Gardens!

In my late teens I drank and danced many a weekend away, but these days I much prefer going out for brunch or to a delicious dinner with friends, having fun but also getting home at a fairly decent hour. I'm also quite shy, although I hide it well (I think - most of the time, anyway), so the thought of socialising with people I barely know really does strike fear into my heart.

But at the same time, a part of me is curious and a bit envious about my colleagues' plans. I always think, maybe I should make the effort to put myself out there and make new friends rather than heading home to my comfortable little life? But usually, my terror at the thought quickly puts an end to any fantasies of the sort.

I keep finding myself wondering if this is really me - if I'm just growing up and past the partying stage - or is it my weight and my lack of confidence talking? If this is really me, I should feel happy about staying true to myself and try to work on quietening those evil thoughts that tell me I'm not good enough. But to deny myself adventures and fun nights out purely because I am lacking in confidence and embarrassed about my weight is another story. The thought of that makes me very sad indeed.

So, what to do? I guess only time will tell - perhaps as I continue on this healthy journey I will feel more like meeting new people and putting myself out on a limb. In the meantime, I will keep trying my best to ignore the shouty, negative thoughts in my head every time I'm very obviously the only girl in the office going home to my couch, my lovely man and my cuddly kitty cats.

Do you suffer from social anxiety? Have you reached the stage where you prefer nights at home to big nights out on the town? Help me feel like less of a social pariah - please!

VIA I love my bed!

VIA Opeth Announce North American Tour