Hobbits Gate :)

In Lhuentse, was strolling around the village to find inspirations and details for illustrations for my children's book and look what I stumble upon, a gate to a hobbits home, right out of Grimms fairytale. This is so creative and is going right into my mood board :)

DNV goes east For fall 2012

Dries’ Eastern Fall – For fall 2012, Dries Van Noten embraced an Asian inspired outing with lush coats, tailored suiting and patterned jackets influenced by designs in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The Van Noten woman takes her trip to the East with streamlined silhouettes and dragon or floral prints matched with fur adorned parkas. The Belgian designer’s distinct menswear influence loosened at times, providing delicate dresses and skirts in kaleidoscopic hues of citrus orange, turquoise, jade and ivory. Despite using a well-established theme, Van Noten brought something fresh and distinctly modern to the upcoming autumn.

                     

Asian Designers

Asian designers that are the talk of the Fashion world

Vera Wang

Charlene Almarvez

Phillip Lim

Mackenzie Hamilton

Joseph Altuzarra

Jason Wu

Ruby Aldridge

Alexander Wang

Derek Lam

Vivienne Tam

courtesy VOGUE China

America's GOT Talent ... Americas top young emerging designers :)

Joan Smalls pictured with Designer Joseph Altuzarra

Benjamin Walker pictured with Designer Robert Geller

Alexa Chung pictured with Designer Pamela Love

Jessica Saund pictured with Designer Gregory Parkinson

Robert Francis and Charlie Mars with Designer Billy Reid

Diane Kruger pictured with Designer Prabal Gurung

Jourdan Dunn pictured with Designer Christian Cota

Joan Smalls, Lizzy Jagger, Benjamin Walker, Alexa Chung, Jessica Saund, Jessica Stam,Caroline Trentini, Robert Francis, Charlie Mars, Diane Kruger, Jourdan Dunn, Aaron Johnson and Nate Lowman featured in “America’s Got Talent” for Vogue US November 2010 photographed by Norman Jean Roy. “

Sonam Pachey .. it was about time :)

Who would have though a sleepy little town in Sikkim, Rumtek would produce a glamour girl like Sonam Pachey. I have a soft corner for Sikkim , especially Rumtek because I have spent all my childhood summer vacations there. 

Name: Sonam Pachey 

Age: 22 

Height: 5'7 

Weight: 

Vital statistics (in inches): 32-25-35 

Crowned: Miss India East'12 1 stRunner Up 

Place of birth: Sikkim 

City: Gangtok 

Profession: Student and model 

Relationship Status: Single 

College: Final year Arts student, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore 

Interests: Travelling, swimming, horse-riding, reading and cooking 

The last movie that made you cry? 
The Pursuit of Happiness 

If a star were to give a solo performance for you, whom would you prefer and why? 
Jennifer Lopez, because she's an amazing performer, and I would like to see her perform live. 

The weirdest thing you have ever tasted... 
Octopus 

What gives you a high? 
My confidence and my ability to learn things 

If you win Miss India, what would be your first big splurge? 
A trip to a beautiful destination, maybe Europe, America or Tibet 

One law you would like to break... 
If I could, I'd love to break the time barrier on a day and extend it. 

Your best kept secret... 

A tune you cannot get out of your mind... 
Love don't cost a thing by Jennifer Lopez 

Coolest pick up line you have ever heard? 
You must see a doctor quickly, because you got beauty all over you! 

What is the craziest rumour you have heard about yourself? . 
None..Really... 

Do you have a tattoo or a piercing in a secret place? Where? 
No 

What is the sexiest single article of clothing a woman can wear? 
Saree 

Your craziest experience in life so far? 
I am still waiting for one such experience 

How sexy is intellect? 
I'm attracted to the elusive blend of intellect, sex appeal and class 

Is nude photography an art form or an entertainment? Or it can be both? 
It is purely a form of art 

With which celebrity would you like to go on a vacation... 
Shah Rukh Khan 

Do you think live-in is a good way to check out a relationship? 
No, I firmly believe in the institution of marriage, and if I really want to know a person, it can easily be done without having to live with him/her. 

Your body to you means... 
My temple 

A man's most attractive feature... 
Shoulders and teeth 

Success or riches? 
Success would bring riches 

One word in which you would like to be described to a guy... 
Diva 

Favorite Actor: 
Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan 

Favorite Sportsman: 

Favorite Movies: 
Basketball Diaries 


Love is... 
It is the natural connection between two beautiful souls 

Food is... 
Worship

Interview courtesy : http://feminamissindia.indiatimes.com/photoshow/10919011.cms?curpg=9 

Trey Songz for GQ

Spring is here and singer Trey shows you how to look soulful and dapper in a suit enjoy :)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BEN WATTS AND TOM SCHIERLITZ
courtesy 
March 2011 GQ Magazine 

Losar Tashi Delek ^^

Are you ready for Guthuk, the special Thukpa that we Tibetans eat on the 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar? This year it falls on February 20th. 



Eating Guthuk on this particular night is very important as the tradition that accompanies it signifies our safe passage into the New Year. That we cleanse ourselves and our living spaces of all the obstacles and negativities of the past year, is an important part of observing that tradition.



The Tibetan word Guthuk constitutes two words, gu (Tibetan: nine) and thuk (Tibetan: pasta in soup) and their combination literally translates to thukpa of the ninth or nine. In Tibetan custom, the general belief that all odd numbers are auspicious, dates back to the pre-Buddhist era. The number 9, in particular, is associated with good luck. Therefore, when preparing and while savoring Guthuk you must remember that no less than nine ingredients are added to this dish. Although, there are several variations on what comprises these nine ingredients, here is my list:



1.Meat 2.Flour 3.Crushed barley 4.Radish 5.Dry or fresh peas 6.A dash of dry fenugreek leaves (shopsi) 7.Salt 8.Pepper 9.A dash of coarse dry Tibetan cheese flakes.



Except for some of these extra ingredients, Guthuk is prepared in the same way as Bakthuk, the Thukpa that is prepared and eaten on Ganden Ngamchoe, the death anniversary of Je-Tsongapa. As such, Bakthuk is always associated with mourning and it is not to be confused with Gutsi-Rithuk. The difference lies in the shape of the dough. Bakthuk is a small marble sized dough squeezed between your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger, whereas Gutsi-Rithuk is shell shaped. 



The most outstanding characteristic of Guthuk and perhaps a unique practice that adds a flavor of playful fun to this occasion is the custom of adding dough-balls to the dish. One might think of them as a rendition of the modern day fortune cookie. These large dough balls that clearly stand out amongst the rest contains a small rolled up piece of paper at their center and on these pieces of paper are written certain words that stand as metaphors for certain human characteristic, both positive and negative. In most circumstances, having Guthuk is a family affair and as each family member sits around the steaming pot, a dough-ball is served along with the Guthuk. Each dough-ball revelation or “divination” (for the sake of sounding mystical) is said to represent the innate disposition of the person. Some of my friends in the West humorously refer to these dough-balls as “The Oracle Dough”. Of course we all take these predictions with great deal of fun and laughter, but if you really believe you possess that character, especially when it is negative, then it is an opportunity for you to reflect and leave that trait behind with the old year!



Following are the list of what is usually put in the “Oracle Dough” and their meanings (but one can get creative with this list):

Wool = gentle person

Charcoal = cold hearted person

Porcelain= person who avoids work

Paper= foolish person

Hot chilly= quick temper, sharp tongue

Pea= untrustworthy person

Salt= lazy person

Thorn= person who does not get along with other people

Inward woven thread= person who put his family welfare above others

Outward woven thread=person who does not put family welfare first

Stone= stingy person

Dama-ru (hand-drum)=person with double face

Glass- delicate person

Sun and moon= glory and fame

Mother carrying child= person carrying Karma from previous life

Square mat= easy going person

Lama Konchok (Tsok shape)= honest person



According to the custom associated with this day, each person must eat 9 servings of the Guthuk. This is possible only if you have a large appetite or if you take small servings. At the end of the 9th bowl, one should not finish it completely but rather leave a little leftover in the bowl. Everyone’s leftover is then emptied into a broken or a cracked container. Following this, each person is handed a piece of dough the size of a ping-pong ball called Pagchi, which literally means a dough-cleanser. The Pagchi is then squeezed in either one of your hands, while making sure that your fingers are imprinted on it. These imprints represent your whole body. The Pagchi, while still squeezed, is then skimmed over different parts of the body, particularly touching areas where you have pain or other discomforts due to sickness. It is believed that doing this takes away your pain and ailments and absorbs them into the Pagchi. When this is completed, the Pagchi, is thrown into the broken or cracked container. At the same time, you can throw a strand of your hair, a thread from your clothes etc., into this container. Finally, a small human effigy made out of dough called Lue (signifying an evil entity) is placed in the center of this container.



What comes next is the most dramatic part of Guthuk night. One member of the family carrying a lighted torch goes from room to room and around each nook and corner shouting “Dhonsho Ma” or “Come out!”, demanding that the spirits of the old year dwelling in these spaces to leave. He is followed by a person with a broom who begins to sweep the rooms the torchbearer just visited and empties the dusts into the container along with the Lue, leftover Guthuk, and the Pagchi. In this way, our body and spirit, and our living space are cleansed of the negativities of the old year and the Lue is taken out to a three-way intersection and left there. As the Lue leaves the house, firecrackers are set off after it and we demand it to take away with it, all the obstacles and negativities of the twelve months of the year and one hundred and thirty days of the year. In Tibetan it is said as follows:



Lo chig dawa chung-nyi

Shama sum-khya-drukchu

Gewang bachey thamchey dakpa gyu chi



Once this ritual is complete, no visitors should enter your house this night, nor should ladies wash their hair.



I know customs differ from region to region and even from household to household, if

you have something new to add, I’d love to learn, please let me know.



Enjoy Guthuk Night!

Jampa Yangchen courtesy https://www.facebook.com/kalimpong