How to make an economy class flight more comfortable

Unfortunately First Class flying is not for the average person and most of us must settle for Cattle Class (Economy Class) when flying. But there is a few things you can do to make an economy class flight more comfortable. Here are a few tips

Wear comfy clothes. They might not look amazing, but at least you’ll be able to bend your legs in tracksuit pants as opposed to skinny jeans. You can always keep a spare pair of jeans in your hand luggage to change into just before you land and re-enter the real world. It is also a good idea to pack a pashmina – these take up a minute amount of space in your luggage and can act as either a blanket or a pillow.

Pack some sweets or chewing gum – and remember to grab one during landing and take off to help prevent earache. You could also ensure that you have some mints with you. There is nothing worse than sitting next to someone who overdid the garlic the night before. By being kind and sharing your minty sweets you can save yourself from a night of bad breath without offending anyone.

Chuck your shoes as soon as you can. Your feet will swell with the changes in air pressure and this can be really sore when you’re still stuffed into your stilettos. No one will mind if you pad around in your socks – in fact, the man who you clamber over to get to the loo will probably really appreciate not getting a heel in his foot.

Bring along your own toiletries. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I have never had tooth paste out of an airline goodie bag that actually tasted like tooth paste. You will feel much better if you can at least brush your teeth before you disembark. For the ladies, try packing some face wipes. These do wonders to freshen you up and also mean that you can leave your face wash in your checked baggage and not have to worry about the liquid restrictions for your hand luggage.

Keep yourself amused. Try bringing along something to keep yourself busy – be it anything from a War and Peace size novel to a Rubix cube. It can also be a good idea to bring along your own headphones. Many airlines charge for these and they never seem to fit my head. Noise cancelling earphones are also a brilliant idea as they drown out the drone of the aeroplane and the snoring old man next to you.

For more economy flying tips visit gotravel24.com

Woman passes her learner’s exam after 950 attempts

A woman in South Korea who tried to pass the written exam for a driver’s license with near-daily attempts since April 2005 has finally succeeded on her 950th time.

The aspiring driver spent more than 5 million won ($4,200) in application fees, but until now had failed to score the minimum 60 out of a possible 100 points needed to get behind the wheel for a driving test.

Cha Sa-soon, 68, finally passed the written exam with a score of 60 on Wednesday, said Choi Young-chul, a police official at the drivers’ license agency in Jeonju, 130 miles south of Seoul.

Police said Cha took the test hundreds of times, but had no specific total. Local media said she took the test 950 times.

Now she must pass a driving test before getting her license, Choi said.

Repeated calls to Cha seeking comment went unanswered. She told the Korea Times newspaper she needed the license for her vegetable-selling business.

Hats off to her for persistence.

Source: sun-sentinel.com

Interest in Poughkeepsie higher after Sex and the City movie

After the Sex and the City Movie and the scene of Charlotte’s Poughkeepsie, interest in the upstate New York’s city increased substantially.

The Google and Wikipedia searches were noticeably higher as this town got more exposure and a weird reference. But as they say “Any publicity is good publicity”

Here is the funny Poughkeepsie scene out of the Sex and the City movie.

Planning a picnic for two

A picnic can be the most romantic time ever but if you don’t plan , it can flop badly. They say with picnics – “If you fail to plan you plan to fight”. Here are a few useful picnic tips.

Planning a picnic for a loved one can be the most romantic time ever spent together. Sitting back on a beautiful day to enjoy the weather, scenery, and each other’s company is priceless. By following some of the tips below, you can ensure they will enjoy the time immensely and you will be happy to spend the time alone. Also, below are some ideas on what to bring for food, refreshments, and general supplies for the exciting excursion.

The most important part of the day is the food. You want to make sure that there is plenty to eat and an assortment of flavours. Bring items that will not spoil easy and also are not messy. Sandwiches are a safe idea and are generally well liked by all. Cold chicken or beef is a good idea. Stay away from sandwiches that are best hot like shredded beef or messier sandwiches like chicken salad. Fruit is a great side dish idea and will stay fresh and is easy to store. Apples, grapes, oranges, etc are an excellent idea to complete the scene. Chips, crackers, or pate are a good idea for a side dish. Try to stray from mayonnaise salads and things similar because they spoil quite easy.

Refreshments are the next step to complete the picnic. You want to bring water above all. This can be enjoyed by anyone, help clean out a cut, and prevent dehydration. Bringing soda, sparkling water, champagne, etc is essential. Whatever the occasion, make the drink match. Make sure to bring plenty of cups, silverware, and especially napkins.

Supplies off the line of food and drink are very important. You want to be prepared for the worst and ready to handle any situation. Pack extra clothes that are warm and thick along with a blanket to sit on. Bring along towels for an unexpected swim and a first aid kit for the unexpected cut. Throw in some mosquito repellant in case of pesky bugs. Bring along a compass and a flashlight in case you become lost. These few things can help to save your life if and emergency should arise.

Picking the destination can be the most difficult because there are usually many options. If you have visited an area once and had good luck, this is the best option. Taking a loved one to a new destination may bring along unwanted surprises or situations. Stick to areas familiar to you and near openings. Park your vehicle as close as possible so you can return to it for any reason. Stay where you know where you are at and where you know how to return to your vehicle.

Overall, picnics are an exciting way to spend a small amount of money and get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it. It is a time when you can be alone with a loved one and enjoy them and only them. It is a great way to show them how much you care about them. Picnics are an exceptional place to have a romantic lunch or dinner and “get away” from reality for a short time. By following some of the tips above, you will ensure a safe and fulfilling picnic.

Source: essortment.com

Celebrity Tattoos is on the rise

Body art has become an accessory, like pocket-sized dogs and expensive purses, and the number of celebrities with tattoos is on the rise. Some reports state that as much as a shocking 80 percent of the entertainment industry has tattoos; a mere 20 percent of the general public are stained.

From their beginnings on the heavy metal soundstage, tattoos have made it to the catwalk, the red carpet, the small screen, and the big screen. No longer thought of as unattractive, tats cover some of the world’s most gorgeous bodies, and celebrities in every genre proudly display their body art.

Some stars apparently like the idea of tattoos but are unwilling to make the commitment to permanent ink. Others, like Shakira, wear fake tattoos to help promote their movie or music projects.

The tattoo designs of the celebrities are as diverse as the stars themselves. However, there are a few themes that arise again and again.

Sentimental Designs

Like everyday tattoo lovers, star often choose to wear their hearts on their bodies. Nicole Richie, for example, has a pair of ballerina slippers to honor the song her father, Lionel Richie, wrote for her. One of Angelina Jolie’s many tattoos is a simple “H” to honor her brother, James Haven. Many other celebrities have made the often ill-fated decision to have a loved one’s name inked on their bodies. These include Johnny Depp, Roseanne Barr, Tom Arnold, and Nicky Hilton. Stars who take this route often choose toremove their tats, alter the designs, or cover them up. Johnny Depp, for example, had his “Winona Forever” tattoo converted to read “Wino Forever” after his well-publicized break-up from Winona Ryder.

Mystical Symbolism

Other celebrities with tattoos go the mystical route, choosing either religious symbols or foreign etchings. Angelina Jolie has tattoos written in both Arabic and Latin. She also sports several tribal designs. Britney Spears has a Chinese symbol displayed on her belly. Rocker Pink’s designs include the infinity symbol, an Asian dragon, and the Japanese symbol for luck.

Feminine Designs

Many celebrities with tattoos choose to balance the edginess of tats with designs that are all girl. Supermodel James King, for example, has fairies etched on her back. Britney Spears has several small tattoos in feminine themes, such as fairies and butterflies. Two of Drew Barrymore’s most famous etchings are her angel and butterfly.

Source: tattoos.lovetoknow.com

First trailer of Invictus released

The long awaited film about Madiba and the 1995 Rugby World Cup are starting in US theatres on 11 December and the first trailers has been released. Judging from the trailers it looks like it is going to be a must see movie.

Here is the info about the movie

From director Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid.

Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

To view trailer: apple.com

Killer Combos – White Wine

Red meat; red wine, white meat and fish; white wine. That’s the rule on food and wine matching, isn’t it? Not for the more adventurous – and confident – among us.

Although the before mentioned approach does sit true in many situations, it is vital to not only consider the colour of the wine but also the balance of flavours and textures when combined with what you are about to eat.

Be brave, experiment and don’t be afraid to get it wrong. Before you invite VIP guests round, that is.

When throwing a dinner party it’s worth considering which wine to serve with each course rather than scrambling around your rack, fridge or floor for the nearest bottle to uncork/screw.

You know when you have got it right because it feels right, simple as that. Average food can be lifted considerably when paired with a perfectly matched wine. Good food, however, can also be crushed.

The crisp and tropical Douglas Green Chenin Blanc 2008 should match up well to creamy dishes or salads, while the smooth and fragrant Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2007 stands proud next to a soft cheese course.

Source: getreading.co.uk

Ice-cream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream

We’ve made it through another winter and the summer is upon us. Summer time is beach, pool and Ice-cream time. Have you ever wondered where this amazing treat comes from and who was the clever guy who added the cone the ice-cream? Here are some cold, hard truths about the treat.

Ice cream as we know it seems to have emerged in 17th-century France. (A first-century Roman emperor is said to have sent runners into the mountains for snow to be flavored with juices. In the 13th century, Marco Polo brought back from China descriptions of a sherbet like dessert.)

The cone didn’t appear until 1904, when a Syrian waffle maker at the St. Louis World’s Fair began rolling his pastries into horns to help an ice cream vendor who had run out of dishes. (The idea had been patented a year earlier, by an Italian in New York City, but the fair popularized it.)

Today the average American eats about 19 litre of ice cream a year―the world’s highest per capita consumption, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

Top-selling flavours (surprise!): vanilla, with 33 percent of the market, and chocolate, with 19 percent.

It takes 2.5 kg of whole milk and 500g of cream to make one gallon (3.8 kg)  of ice cream.

Source: realsimple

The benefits of being a chocolate lover

Chocolate has been many a dieter’s kryptonite but there is a few benefits of this wonderful snack. This ultimate feel-good food keeps your heart healthy, mood up, and it can be a cravings buster.

Find out what this natural ingredient can do for you.

Heart helper

A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate dark chocolate had less of a protein that indicates inflammation, which can lead to a heart attack. Plus, alcohol boosts HDL (good) cholesterol.

Mood booster

There’s a good reason we crave chocolate when we’re down. Its tryptophan ups mood-lifting serotonin in the brain, says Leah Sherman, a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon. One study found that even the taste, texture, and smell make us happy.

Skin soother

For a spa treat, try this bath from Lauren Cox’s Eco Beauty: Combine 2 cups chocolate milk, 2 tablespoons mild liquid soap, and 1 tablespoon honey; pour mixture into the bathtub. The chocolate milk’s lactic acid and antioxidants smooth and soften your skin.

Cravings buster

University of Copenhagen researchers found that subjects felt fuller and craved fewer sweet, salty, and fatty foods when they snacked on chocolate (yes!). Be sure to choose dark chocolate: Its low glycemic index steadies blood sugar levels, cutting cravings.

Source: slideshows.health.com

Simple rules for food and wine matching

Food and wine pairing is much simpler than you think. The main rules are to enjoy yourself and that the food and wine must both taste great on their own. If you remember this and follow these guideline food and wine matching will be a breeze.

There are no rules
The first and most important rule. There are no rules that work for every situation and every person so relax and don’t waste your time worrying about breaking them.

As long as you and your guests are having fun then your food and wine matching has been a success, regardless of what the traditional rules would have us believe.

The food and wine must both taste great on their own
This is the second rule which and can be seen as the rule of thumb for wine matching. You can’t expect for a juicy steak to improve the taste of a bad wine. The same goes for the food, if it’s not going to taste any good on its own, it is very unlikely that your wine match, no matter how delicious, is going to make the food taste better.

Match wine with people first
Just as some people always have and always will hate anchovies, some people just don’t enjoy certain styles of wine, regardless of the quality of the vino. Sometimes this may be based on a bad experience with a poor quality example, and if the person in question did actually try a decent Sauvignon Blanc they may find that they love it. But forcing people to try new things may do more harm than good.

Respect that everyone’s palate is different. Think about your guests and their wine preferences first and think about the food matching second.

Weight is important
Lighter, more delicately flavored food generally works best with lighter style wines. Heavy tannic reds tend to be best with more robust meaty dishes but of course there will always be times when a light wine could team marvelously with a heavy rich dish

Wine and food can contrast one another
Contrast is something that we personally love to play with. Using a light acidic wine like a Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the oiliness of fried fish and chips is always a winner. Unless of course you’re with someone who hates acidic wine (see rule ii).

Wine and food can compliment each other
Sometimes finding flavor similarities can result in a harmonious food and wine matching experience. The earthiness of mushrooms in a mushroom risotto can work a treat with a funky earthy Pinot Noir. A fresh, minty Cabernet Sauvignon to compliment classic roast lamb with mint sauce can also be a flavor explosion.

Trust your own instincts.
Like most things in life, if it feels like it’s a bit dodgy and it isn’t going to work then you’re probably on the right track.

It isn’t the end of the world if the food and wine are more at the divorce end of the relationship spectrum as long as you follow rule number three, you’ll be able to enjoy each on their own. A judicious sip of palate cleansing water in between mouthfuls can make all the difference.

Source: mylifemynews