Dong Hong Oai

While hyperrealist artists Tom Martin and Roberto Bernardi paint pictures that replicate photographs in astounding details, the late Dong Hong Oai did just the opposite. Using a technique called pictorialism the Chinese artist created a series of photographs resembling traditional Chinese brush-painting.

25 Ways To Wear A Scarf In 4.5 Minutes

Scarves were never my thing and when I used one, I usually wore the European Loop or as a wrap to hide my wobbly arms. But after watching this fantastic video, I am totally inspired to add a couple more to my boring wardrobe. Hope you find this video helpful especially now that scarf season is in.

                                                  
What's your favorite way to wear a scarf?

I am loving the Bunny Ear!

The Pumpkin Geek

Alex Wer aka The Pumpkin Geek is possibly the best pumpkin carver I've come across so far.
Following are some of his insane creations. Each pumpkin is painstakingly hand carved on a 'faux' pumpkin for an everlasting keepsake.It takes Wer between four to six hours to complete each piece.
He also does commissioned work so head over to The Pumpkin Geek for more info.

Twilight

Oprah Winfrey

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

Cher

Neytiri (Avatar)

Yoda

Hellraiser

Catwoman

Jack Sparrow

Indiana Jones

Wordish Wednesday - The Plunge

Letting go of all supports, my balance perfect,
I raise my arms in a salute to the heavens
and push off, forming a graceful arc
as I dive headlong into the Mysteries

What ecstasy as I break the surface,
silken blackness streaming over me,
welcoming me in this trajectory
toward the bottomless depths of the Absolute

Down, down, down
further than seems possible,
beyond all barrier,
beyond consciousness,
disappearing into silence.

There is no place I would rather be,
no golden beaches calling me,
here in the stillness of eternity
I am home—
a star in the night sky
whispering to you that it is safe,
you will not be hurt
if you dare to let go.

Take the plunge.

Author - Jasmin Cori @ http://www.jasmincori.com/content/freefall-beloved

* Pics taken at the Dubai Mall

Jirka Väätäinen

Finnish graphic student Jirka Väätäinen brings Disney heroines to life through her photo manipulations.

Here are some of her jaw-dropping interpretations of the Disney characters.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Belle (Beauty And The Beast)

Esmeralda (The Hunchback Of Notredame)

Princess Jasmine (Aladdin)

Pocahontas

Mulan

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Megara (Hercules)

Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

The Simple Things

I love these moments when my precocious tween isn't chained to his computer, when the simple pleasures of childhood aren't forgotten.

Climbing a tree....

Chasing ducks...

and feeding the birds.

"The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing."
Eric Berne

Pavan - World's Fastest Henna Artist

At 26, Pavan holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest henna artist, completing 314 armbands in just an hour! Each design had to be unique!

Check her out @ http://pavanonline.com/

Dhow Cruise

The most memorable part of our visit to Dubai was the dhow dinner cruise.

Gliding along the colourful shimmering creek under a moonlit sky while dining to the mesmerizing sound of Arabic music was an enchanting experience.

Dhow - A traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more masts.

The Burj Al Arab was built to resemble the sail of a dhow.

Inside the dhow

Glimpses of the glittering Dubai skyline

From futuristic to ...

ancient.

The Sheikh Saeed Heritage Village

At night the colourful reflections from the bling of the dhows and buildings transformed the creek into a sea of glitter.

The 2 hour cruise included a Tanoura dance and henna painting

The tanoura is a dance performed by men twirling in long, colourful skirts.

The dance originates from whirling dervishes.

So what is a dervish, and why do they whirl?

A dervish is a Muslim religious man who spins around in circles until he reaches a trance-like state. 

Stripping layers of their clothes as they spin represents the different stages of ridding themselves from earthly needs and reaching a state of spiritual surrender to God.

Our performer here was like a human top.

 He spun continously for a good 30 minutes without faltering.

 I got dizzy just watching him!

Henna Painting

Getting my first henna tattoo

Applying the henna paste

It was a little ticklish!

The paste left a cool sensation

Rodney wanted one too!

His was a scorpion

The longer the henna stays on the skin, the darker and longer the stain will be. 

The paste is scraped off when it is dried.

What wonderful mementos of our visit!!