|
|
|
|
Buy yourself a face!
PACESETTER Jatinder Singh
|
|
|
Buy yourself a face! Let’s face it; Facebook has changed the the way millions of people look at and feel about themselves. In fact, for many of us, the prospect of being visible to the world has come as a reality that none of us had really bargained for. And we want to make the most of it by putting our best face (er…foot…forward). It does not matter that we may have to invest in this ‘face’. It’s the image that we choose to project to anyone who cares to look at our page. And then who knows, something that we do or post may make us go viral, and when one is famous, one has to look one’s best, doesn’t one? The irony is that while the market value of the Facebook shares is declining, the investment that the stakeholders — the users — put into it is on the increase. People, boys and girls, and even adults, want to look younger, more hip and happening when they put their profiles on their pages. No flaws are allowed, no wrinkles, no warts and no pimples. Is that strand of hair looking a little grey? Goodness me, we must get rid of it. And we have several options — either just get a hair colour or simply get our picture touched up. The Facebook loggers-on won’t know the difference. Woe betide if a line shows between our brows or crows feet (politely known as a laughgter lines) is apparent on the sides of our eyes. It’s got to be got rid of, and a Botox injection will do it. Cost, no bar! We’ve got to look younger; got to look more glorious, more youthful and eternally happy in our Facebook profile pictures. After all, we have to post our statuses a dozen times a day and who is going to ‘like’ us or want to send us a ‘friend’s request’ if we look jaded and faded and just a wee bit bored? “The profile picture gives the first impression to the world about you. It helps in connecting you with your friends and family and to fulfill their desire to look the best, people are queuing up to undergo the different cosmetic treatments that are available in market these days to rectify their body parts.” says Dr K. M Kapoor, plastic surgeon, Anticlock Medispa, Chandigarh. And what would these cosmetic surgeries be? Well, you can choose from surgical as well as non-surgical surgeries. A few years ago, there were few options for turning back the clock without going under the knife. But today, you can soften the signs of ageing with a wide range of non-surgical procedures for the face. Dr Kapoor says that the treatments are not gender specific. More and more men, too, are going in for these procedures. After all, youth does not belong to women alone. Men have a right to look gorgeous and young too. “From nose or chin correction, a fuller lip, a face lift — everybody wants to attain that perfect look. The social networking sites have become a very important part of our lives. Be it a young girl or a boy, everybody likes to be complimented.” Not just that, the Facebook is the place where everything happens ‘now’ and people are increasingly looking at it as a medium of instant gratification, even insofar as finding a boyfriend/girlfriend/ partner is concerned. Beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder but it can be enhanced just a little, can’t it? Social networking sites have ensured that your one-point agenda is to want to become irresistibly attractive to your friends, real or virtual. When you connect with long-lost friends, they should be able to see you smiling out joyfully at them from your profile picture, looking just as you did a dozen years ago. Frozen in a page of the network with every hair in place, smiling brightly, no blemish in sight, not an ounce of fat on your body. It’s a perfect world where everyone drinks from the fountain of youth and beauty! I guess that’s one way to ‘save face!’
Botox fix
Portfolios
Cosmetic fillers
Photoshop surgery |
|
|
|
Silver lining It’s unquestionably chic, amazingly wearable and so effortlessly cool. It looks good with a casual T-shirt and jeans and can even be teamed up with a traditional ensemble. The A-listers of the fashion world wear it with great aplomb, both on and off the red carpet, and celebrities across the world have opted for this to complement their attire, every now and again. So what is it that finds its place in the hallowed closets of the fashion forward as well as the bedside drawers of the less fashion-conscious among us? Well, you do not really have to look too hard because it’s staring right at you. The metal that inspires such ardent fan following is none other than the humble silver. Right from young girls in their pre-teens to working professionals and silver-haired grandmothers, silver jewellery has managed to steal a place in the hearts of all and sundry. There is something that has to be said for this precious metal that sets it apart from the much-favoured gold and the much-admired platinum. There is a bohemian romance to silver that probably no other element can duplicate, ever. It is playful, bold, and assertive, and at the same time, it doesn’t really lose out on its quaint charm. The new gold Though for centuries women have lusted after silver, it has never been more in vogue than now. In these turbulent times of inflation, silver jewellery is actually the silver lining for a whole lot of people. As Roopa Vohra, one of India’s best-known jewellery designers, points out, “Silver is the new gold.” And rightfully so. Silver lets you be all that you want to be, and you can easily extend it to complement all the facets of your life. More affordable than the other metals, silver can easily fit into any budget without creating too formidable a dent in the earnings or savings. Despite being relatively easy on the pocket, it can be fashioned into whichever way to suit whatever mood and occasion, thus hinting at its adaptability. Silver is so versatile that you can team it up with anything that you have and still come out looking smashing! Metamorphosing from the role of a chic professional to the style queen at that evening do has never been so simple or so affordable before. Classy sheen Though the market is teeming with silver baubles, there are predominantly three segments into which this jewellery can be sectioned, all with respect to the look of the finished product. There is oxidised silver, sterling silver and now, more increasingly being used, gold-plated silver. With its oxidised look, it imparts a vibe of free-spiritedness to the wearer. The conjugation of the slightly darkened, black shades offsetted by the matte greyness of the rest of the piece immediately makes one stand out. If you are looking for a dash of silver-styled tradition, then the oxidised look is your best bet. At times, juxtaposed with stones, these pieces of oxidised silver jewellery are something that every silver jewellery enthusiast must have. In its much shinier and glossier avatar, the sterling silver dazzles with its polished brilliance. The 92.5 code, which is synonymous with sterling, has been effusively used by a whole lot of international jewellery designers in place of gold and platinum. The design could be minimal, modern and sleek, or even bold and chunky; just that sumptuous glossiness is enough to get heads turning your way. For those who do not want to compromise on the look of gold or the affordability and tenacity of silver, have the option of splurging on the gold-plated silver pieces that are now taking up the world of jewels by storm. A bevy of national and international designers are taking to crafting design-oriented pieces that provide you with that flash of gold while satiating your silver cravings! Silverlicious, isn’t it?
Keeping that shine
Do not throw away the pouch in which you receive your jewellery, rather use it to individually store your silver. This not only helps in quick identification of your jewellery pieces but also helps in preventing these from getting tarnished or scratched. While swimming or during any exposure to household chemicals, avoid wearing any silver ornaments as the chlorine in the water and the chemicals in the products can considerably take away your silver’s lustre. For those who are looking for easy kitchen cures can make a paste out of baking soda and water and rub it softly onto the tarnished area. It is best to use a sponge to do this. Once done, wash it with hot water and clean it with a soft cloth. If you cannot be bothered with kitchen cures, then the easiest way to clean your silver jewellery is to invest in a bottle of a product like silvo that has been especially formulated for this purpose. Always use a soft cloth to clean the items. When cleaning silver jewellery with gemstones, avoid using any product on the stone, as this may affect it adversely. For such items, it is better to approach a professional
jeweller.
David Yurman
Lift your mood
Price: $1,150 Rs 63,250
David Yurman
Power dressing
Price: $595 Rs 32,725
SHO Sea in your ears
Price: £360 Rs 30,960
SHO Make a splash
and design. This particular piece is from the Mari Splash collection. This sterling silver bangle, aesthetically designed with sterling silver and quartz and topaz, has been inspired by the fluidity of water and has a ‘light and airy
feel’.
Price: £ 255 Rs 21,930
Tiffany
Spell your LOVE
Price: $1,500 Rs 82,500
Tiffany
Inscribed in silver
Price: Cuff $650 ~35,750, Bangle $500 Rs 27,500, Ring $250 Rs 13,750
Oxette
Bold takes hold
Price: €130 Rs 8,710
Oxette
Wired round
Price: €125 Rs 8,375
Serenity
Speak up your mind
Price: $77 Rs 4,235
Designed by
Frances
Everyday glamour
Price: £48 Rs 4,128
Silverlicious
Funk up
Etsy
Pendant perfect
Price: $50 Rs 2,750
Etsy
Bohemian chic
Price: $24 Rs1,320
Designed by Frances
Jazz up earrings
Price: £ 23 Rs 1,978
Roopa Vohra
Flower power
Price: price on request
Roopa Vohra
Golden musings
Price: price on request
|
|
|
|
Dairy man with a difference Jatinder Singh’s courage helped him to switch over to dairy farming from the paddy-wheat cycle Shivani Bhakoo
Jatinder Singh, a young progressive dairy farmer, a resident of Channuwal village in Moga district, can be a role model for many youngsters who make a beeline for foreign shores. He has proved how even youngsters in the rural areas, despite limited resources, can carve out a niche for themselves and lead by example. He started dairy farming with just 20 cows in 1985. At present, this young farmer has more than 115 animals at his farm. The Ludhiana-based Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciencies University (GADVASU) recently recognised his contribution to the dairy sector by awarding him the Chief Minister's Award for 2011-12. Forty-year-old Jatinder Singh feels that his animals are like kids. He has even given them different names. "They are so sensible and come to you only when you call them by their names. I get a sense of satisfaction only when my kids are hale and hearty because like kids they need to be pampered and cared for all the time", he says. Sharing his experiences on dairy farming, he feels it was a tough decision for him as the family was in agriculture and financial risk, too, was involved. "But with God's grace, I was able to clear all initial hiccups. I had to put in a lot of hard work to make my dream come true. But I could not have achieved all this without having adopted latest techniques and following experts' advice throughout this journey. Those who believe that livestock industry can never be a substitute for agriculture, need to change their mindset." The turning point for Jatinder came in September 2008 when he was selected for a course in dairy nutrition and calf management by the University of Madison, US. He had bought a software which he used and kept updating his skills. Finally, a team came to inspect his farm and he was selected for training. The visit to the US included a five-day trip to the world dairy expo at Wisconsin which was a tremendous learning experience. All expenses for the trip and stay were borne by the United States Department of Agriculture. He is of the view that dairy farming is a fast-growing industry and you need to have an assured market. "Taking proper care of animals is of utmost importance", says the young dairy farmer. From his milch animals, Jatinder gets about nine quintals of milk each day. He has got several cross-bred cows, which have been produced by the artificial insemination techniques. "At my farm, I have got a cow, which has given 57 litres of milk in one day. If we care for our animals properly and follow their vaccination pattern regularly, their milk production levels can be increased manifold", says Jatinder Singh. At his farms, the sheds are made in such a manner that these provide both warmth as well as cooling to animals as and when required. "Life is certainly not easy but you need to realise what exactly you want and how to achieve that aim. Determination, hard-work and luck play a major role in shaping your life to a great extent", feels the proud farmer. But more than anything else it is the ability to take a leap of faith which Jatinder did. He had faith in his own ability to make a mark in his chosen field and he did. |
|
|
|
SPACED OUT
Price: $95
(Rs 5,225)
DINNER IN THE SKY
Price: Upon Request
FREE CLEAN WATER
Price: $50 (Rs 2,750)
KIDDIE TABLET
Price: $150 (Rs 8,250)
Walk Down Celluloid Lane
Auction prices: The American Venus $35,850 (Rs. 19,71,750); The Wayward Canary
$26,920 (Rs. 14,80,600); Bride of Frankenstein $20,315 (Rs. 11,17,325)
FORBIDDEN CAKE
Price: $27,000 per cupcake (Rs 14.85 lakh)
HAVE MOOLAH, BAG IT
Price: $2,700 (Rs 1,48,500)
URBAN POWER
For years, it has virtually been the national bike of the Netherlands. Now the Urban Arrow cargo bike is all set to go global, thanks to its sleek new design and motorised avatar. The common refrain earlier was that though it was practical for hauling things like groceries, the problem was that it was too heavy. The new Urban Arrow has a padded, rain-protected cargo box to keep even children comfortable and dry. Most of all, it has an optional electric motor box to make the ride smooth and
effortless.
Price: $3,690 (Rs 2.03 lakh) for the electric version & $2,440 (Rs 1.34 lakh) for the non-electric
version
FISH AROUND THE HILLS
Price: $140 (Rs 7,700)
SEE-ALL MOUSE
Price: $100 (Rs 5,500)
DADDY COOL
Price in india: Rs 14,995 each
|
|