10 Reasons Why Shopping Alone Works!!

For people like me who love shopping!Shopping is one of the personality traits found in an individual. Shopping specifically makes me very happy. I feel good after buying something I really desire. For the shopaholics out there I am sure who love to shop alone, would want to know why shopping alone really works out and makes them happy. Many women prefer to shop alone and enjoy this time to them. Let me share some motives for shopping alone.

Firstly, there would be no disturbance! The mall is your target, therefore no time restraints and no friends pulling you into stores you would rather give a miss! Secondly, to observe the crowds, one can enjoy observing people from around the world all in one place. Where else can you get such an amazing experience? Thirdly, take as much of your time. Many women would agree to this, that they have a tendency to visit very few stores and spend more than one hour in each store, after all it is all about the quality not quantity for all the people, right? Fourthly, one can whiz around faster. Perhaps one will be amazed how many chores you can knock off your ‘to do’ list when shopping on your own. Fifthly, know the joy of impulse buys. A bad day at work or a relationship break up, nothing beats of retail therapy a sale! That is what females enjoy the most. Sales in the markets! Sixthly, a visit to your favorite store. For people who love gazing at shops like’ The Body Shop’ or ‘Dior’. Also, trips to bookstores. Three hours and ten books later, where am I? To check out the latest edition and perhaps enjoy reading it there only! However, another reason could be daydream. Life, love, career, all these thoughts sprung up into the mind when alone. When alone, you can avail the best coffee break. A special hour to yourself, by reading a book or magazine at your favorite coffee shops sounds good! Last but not the least, back to mama’s beauty counter, just like a kid in a candy store I love getting the first scoop at the latest season make-up colors and fragrance notes.

Shopping is definitely in every individual’s to do list, but for those who enjoy shopping and think it’s fun, would perhaps agree to the reasons mentioned above. I truly agree to the above-mentioned reasons and I perhaps believe that, shopping releases tensions and divert one’s mind from the daily life routine!

Pakistani Businesses: Yes We Can!

Pakistani businesses have developed self-generation alternatives in the face of persisting energy and power shortages in the country to keep their businesses afloat. Businesses have to generate for the economy to flourish. What we see is that these innovative methods aim not only to promote greater self-reliance, but also the conservation of energy. Pakistan has been facing massive energy shortages, which have crippled local industry and forced long hours of load shedding for both the domestic and industrial consumers affecting the people.

Businesses in Pakistan are exploring options of renewable energy sources to power their industries. Generators powered by municipal waste and coal are among the tabled options, as local government is considering feasibility of waste-powered plants and tapping the country’s large coal reserves. Our textile industries play an important role in the territory sector. Larger textile industries have also been forced to develop means of labor efficiency and energy conservation. There has been a greater focus by them on improving heating and ventilation systems, and monitoring of energy consumption. The industrialists have realized that these cost savings techniques are the key to increasing their competitiveness in the global arena. The LPG-run generators are being increasingly run on a pooled system for small and medium-sized industries in the same vicinity. This results in parity in costs with Pakistan Electricity Power Company (PEP CO,) but ensures sustained supply of electricity.

Major companies in the corporate sector are also encouraging video conferences in a bid to curtail traveling expenses and reduce their carbon footprint. Development of local IT and telecommunication industry have facilitated these initiatives and are set to take roots in smaller enterprises. Perhaps this shows that, steps on larger and smaller scale are both being taken. Well, it is good for the Pakistani economy only.

Taxes for Waistlines!

To be overweight or have obesity are both not good for individuals. It is perhaps not considered to be healthy at all. What is analyzed is that to control obesity is very difficult. A study conducted by OECD and WHO suggests that by imposing taxes on unhealthy food, obesity can be controlled. With diabetes on the rise in the GCC states, could taxes be the ultimate solution for controlling increasing obesity?

This study proves and shows that, foods containing high levels of saturated fats; salt; and; sugar should be treated like tobacco, as they can all adversely affect the body’s digestive system. Advertisements should state the harmful effects of such food items and their prices should be increased to highlight the noted concerns. The researchers believe that by taxing unhealthy food items, the current rate of obesity and heart diseases can be reduced in a cost effective manner. The authors of the study state that a multiple-intervention strategy would achieve substantially larger health gains rather than individual interventions, often with a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. This analysis clearly shows that the strategic approaches that deliver best value for money are improved awareness and information, appropriate fiscal measures and enhanced regulatory mechanisms. I think if, weight control and the management of obesity levels are crucial lifestyle environmental factors that can help create healthier nations.

This research also tells us that, a 10 percent drop in weight can lead to a 10 percent drop in the risk of death. Dr Karim Meeran, Professor of Endocrinology at the Imperial College London, UK reported that, “it is time for governments to step in with policies that encourage healthy behavior, such as the ban or fines on smoking, which in the UK have proven to have positive effects. Policies that encourage people to eat wisely, exercise and lead an active lifestyle are now required to divert a diabetes epidemic.”Perhaps what we see is that taxes can reduce the increasing diabetic and obesity patients all around the world. For this reason, I believe that taxes which are put are thus beneficial for the people themselves.

Harry Potter making Magic!

For all the Harry Potter fans out there, it should be noted that seventh adaptation based on the insanely popular "Harry Potter" novels by J.K. Rowling has been split into two movies. While the first flicks did not make much of a success in the cinemas, it is assumed that this film is the saga’s finest yet.

It will no doubt break box office records with overwhelming gross revenues. Warner Bros. decided to divide the seventh and last Potter book by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, into two films. The book version of "Deathly Hallows" is of 784 pages. The biggest book of Harry Potter series. The part one of the movies released in cinemas this month, follows Harry; Ron; and Hermione on their mission, as they leave Hogwarts on a quest to find and destroy Lord Voldemort’s secret to immortality. I think this part is a wonderful mixture of magic and reality. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows are both, a stand-alone movie as well as, a prequel to the final Potter film, to be released in July 2011. The media is reported saying, Chris Columbus who created film history by directing two Harry Potter films was unable to take further Harry Potter films. According to him, "they take a long time to create; I couldn’t see uprooting my own children from school for that long." Columbus said. From the beginning till the end, Harry Potter's latest edition is by far the scariest of the series, and the action scenes are more frenetic, such as the attack in Godric’s Hollow and the visit to Xenophilius Lovegood’s house.

The year ends with a great hit of cinema, keeping its fans in excitement, for the next year’s release. The million Harry Potter fans out there, I’m sure including me must be real happy. I hope the saga of Harry Potter part 2, will not let down the hopes of it fans out there.Perhaps,it is the highly anticipated blockbuster of the year.

Fast Food for Kids: They're still Marketing and We are still buying!

Mc Donalds!IM LOVING IT!

Today fast food has become an essential part for children in their everyday life. Whether they are eating it or seeing ads for it on T.V., fast food part of the routine. And according to a new survey, children are seeing more ads and are eating it more than ever before. Major fast food chains vow to provide healthy nutritious meals; however this is not really happening.

According to new research from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, the average preschooler sees three fast food ads per day, while the average teenager sees about five per day. That’s a 21 percent increase for young children and a 34 percent increase for older children since 2003. In 2006, industry leaders including McDonald's and Burger King entered into a voluntary agreement initiated by the Better Business Bureau to limit the marketing of unhealthy food to kids. They pledged to devote at least 50 percent of ads directed at kids to choices that are considered "better for you."These large food chain supplies are shattered all over the world. With such a hectic busy routine, parents have no option, but to buy their kids a fast food meal. But such agreements made by such large industries don’t promote validity. A Happy Meal product that promotes healthy food consumption, does it really provide the kids, with a healthy meal? Almost 80 percent of fast food restaurants are reported to provide French fries as sidelines, rather then some other nutritious option.

The consumers perhaps do prefer French fries rather then any other healthy option for their meal.More then twice a week kids are consuming fast food meals. I would also say, as a young adult, I also    prefer a fast food meal rather then home cooked food. Is it parents to be blamed or the society we, all live in? There’s a question in my mind for all the people out there do your children frequently eat fast food? Why or why not? When bombarded by these kinds of ads, what can we do to encourage young people to make healthier food choices?

JUST GRAB IT ANYTIME OF THE DAY FROM THE NEAREST TAKE AWAY!

PFDC Fashion Week Karachi 2010!

PFDC 2011!

SUNSILK FASHION WEEK PFDC 2011

"BLACK ACCENT"

On November 10^th 2010, PFDC (Pakistan Fashion Design Council) Karachi Fashion week was held at the Sheraton Hotel. The purpose of the fashion week was to collect all the proceeds, which will be channeled towards the treatment of the flood victims of the village of Hisar Qilay in the Malakand district of Swat, which has been adopted by the PFDC itself.

The charity show was produced by Pakistani fashion designer HSY and styled by Asmaa Mumtaz and the theme of the charity show was each designer’s interpretation of ‘Black’ to be highlighted with an accent color.The fashion week was sponsored by Sunsilk.The theme of the first day’s show was “Fashion Gives Black”, in which our renowned local designers participated, like   Nickie Nina, Sara Shahid and many more to mention. There was also live music featured by our very own famous band ‘Fuzon’.Th event was held in order to serve the best for one’s own country. It can be said, with the support of such fashion weeks designers can make profits and earn the country valuable foreign exchange. I must say, despite all the problems our country is going through, PFDC has the courage to promote fashion on a large-scale. At the event, a huge number of celebrities, designers and people from all over media were present. Singers such as Hadiqa Kayani and Shehzad Roy also modeled on the ramp.

This four day event, was catered by our awesome designer collections of summer/spring 2011.Some of the designers included Ammar Belal,Sobia Nazir,Hasan Sheryar himself.For people who got the chance to be a part of this event I must say were lucky. The PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week is also being produced by Catwalk Productions and styled by the creative team at Sabs the Salon.The four day event , perhaps diverted the minds of people, from the on going difficulties in the city. Such events also cater a lot to the young designers, by creating awareness from them. Fashion shows with a noble cause, in my point of view should be encouraged and organized much often.

Eid Festivities...Pakistan Eid-Ul-Adha in tents!

Eid is a festival of happiness and celebrations for Muslims all around the world. Eid Ul Adha is a festival of sacrifice. We celebrate Eid with religious zeal and fervor. The festival of Eid unites together all the people. Eid-Ul-Adha is what we say is the ‘Big Eid’. Preparations start from before.

The country's leadership rose to the occasion and celebrated the festival amongst the flood victims who are still living in the tent cities across Pakistan. Touching scenes were witnessed when the children were given Eid gifts.In Dadu, Sindh, a little toddler who was playing with a bamboo stick and an old plastic toy car without wheels, was given a gift of toys by Prime Minister Gilani. Despite being hesitant initially, the little child suddenly beamed and was so thrilled by these simple gifts that he grabbed the gifts and ran towards his mother shouting "Maa, Maa," looking like the epitome of freedom, joy and innocence.

Inside the tents, the dwellers have two straw mats spread across the uneven floor, donated blankets and some kitchen utensils. More than 100,000 flood victims in Pakistan are living in these tents.“We don't have the real happiness of Eid-ul-Adha. What is left to be happy about?" said Zarina, who lost her husband in the flood waters. "I lost everything; I don't even have a home now."Zarina, along with her children now live in an 8-by-10-foot canvas tent set up by a Pakistani charity. The floods, which rolled from north to south in an unprecedented tide of destruction, damaged more than 1.7 million homes across Pakistan. It is hardly surprising then that given the devastation of the floods, people are looking for answers on the most efficient way to rebuild Pakistan. 

What we see is that,for all the difficulties facing the devastated victims living in tents, it is the hope that somewhere and in some rare moment of time, their voices will be heard.

There is hope and that is what gives these people the reason to live on. The festival of Eid, perhaps gave the victims a chance to unite together and forget their sorrow and provided them a chance to be happy.

Text dis-orders and textaphrenia!

"Textiety"

'Textaphrenia'

"Adult-Text addiction"

Mobile phones are carried by almost every individual in today’s world. It is especially very popular amongst the teenagers and more or less it has become a necessity for them. Amongst various disorders that are found, in a recent research study which I came across. According to Jennie Carroll, a technological researcher from Australia claimed that text messaging has become an integral part of the youngsters. She has recently discovered four risks that youngsters face from extreme texting.

Firstly, she talks about textaphrenia, which is hearing texts or feeling their mobile vibrate when it actually has not. Constantly checking his/her mobile to see if a message has arrived or not. Secondly, she has identified Textiety, which is the anxiety teens feel when they have not received a text or are unable to send texts. They feel as if they have no friends and will also over-analyze why people do not respond to their messages. Thirdly, she talks about the Post-traumatic text disorder, which is physical and mental injuries sustained while texting (e.g. walking into a pole while texting) and feelings of depression when no one texts them. Lastly, she mentions Binge texting, which is sending lots of individual texts or group texts to get as many responses as possible so they can feel like part of a group. According to the Daily Telegraph reports, an Australian researcher, how teenagers are becoming “text addicts” with symptoms such as mental disorders such as anxiety, insecurity, depression, and low self-esteem in addition to physical ones like “repetitive thumb syndrome”. Also an Australian mobile network’s statistics confirm the prevalence of text messaging, which has increased 89% over the last two years. One teenage customer was even reported to have sent an astounding 4,000 text messages over a period of nine days, which must surely lead to some serious repetitive thumb syndrome.

It can be said amongst the different disorders and syndromes, textaphrenia is commonly found amongst teenagers. Whether this disorder has a cure, it is still unknown, but I’m sure it can be prevented by the efforts of the individual itself. We are all text addicts; there is no doubt in it. It’s not only the youngsters that are text addicts, but the adults are also heavily text addicts these days. Now the adults can’t even prevent the teenagers from using cell phones. Thus this device has become a requisite for all of us, more than a luxury.

Cell phone Sanitizer in the market!

Germs are everywhere; we can’t just run away from them. People have started carrying hand sanitizers with them everywhere. It is increasingly found in female handbags too. Since the time hand sanitizers have hit the market, people have had the urge to use them as frequently as they can. Fact is that no matter what our hands touch, we are bound to gather and spread germs everywhere.With change in time and technology, the market is fully becoming advanced with touch-screens.

 And devices that are meant to be operated on touch basis screen, it has been impossible to forget about the germs which these devices carry. A touch screen is practically a veritable device of germs. The latest innovation from Violight will solve this problem as well. Their newest hit, the Violight UV Cell phone will be available in the market for US dollars 50 which would function to sanitize anything ranging from cell phones to iPods and ear buds. The technology used consists of two ultraviolet lamps powered by three AA batteries which would mutate the DNA of the bacteria and other harmful microorganisms present on the device. This will prevent the bacteria, viruses and germs from replicating.

The technology is called UV sterilization and believe it or not it has been in the market for quite some time initially introduced to produce clean drinking water and Sonic are brushes. Violight clinically proved that with this technology, 99.9 percent of germs can be eliminated in just minutes. Mathew from Geek.com has provided his review on this device by saying that this device is a multi-use, hands-free bacteria killer which takes 5 minutes to do the job whereas, now we are never really able to clean our device properly ever. Thus this new innovation on the market tells us that technology is advancing on a higher scale, keeping in consideration the cleanliness and personal hygiene of devices which have become a part of our daily lives and upon which human beings are heavily dependent in today’s world.

Pink Champagne Diamond!...Wow for all the diamond lovers out there!

A rare Pink Diamond!

It is true that a female’s best friends are diamonds! A rare pink diamond could set a world record next week in a revived international market chasing strong prices for top quality jewels. This stone is rare and stands out. On November 16 in Geneva, it is reported to be auctioned, with the estimated price range of $27-38 million.

The shape is in the form of rectangular pink diamond, bought from an American jeweler Harry Winston 60 years ago by the current anonymous owner, and has top grading for purity and color. Set between small white diamonds on a platinum ring, it weighs 24.78 carats, about the size of a pinball or a large marble. The largest pink diamond in the world is the Darya-i-Nur or Sea of Light at 175 carats. The discovery of the light pink diamond dates back to 1642 and was part of the crown jewels of India until 1739, when it was taken by the invading Persian army and carried to Iran where it remains today. So far, the world's most expensive jewel ever sold at an auction is the "Wittelsbach" blue diamond; a 17th-century stone of 35.56 carats that fetched $24.3 million in December 2008 at Christie's.Christie's auctioned off a 5-carat pink diamond in December last year for almost $10.8 million, the highest recorded price per carat for a diamond ever!

The modern celebrity world first took notice of the stunning beauty of pink diamonds when US singer Jennifer Lopez wore a 6 carat one on her engagement ring. Other celebrities, who have succumbed to the charms of the pink stone, include Victoria and David Beckham, Helena Christiansen, Cilla Black, Salma Hayek and Britney Spears. So all the pink lovers out there, would be dying to have this diamond in there jeweler collection!

US First Lady Boosts Economy

What a fashion icon for the American women and women all around the world. It is been reported by news channels that, when Michelle wears something, it’s company’s stock shoots up. Not only do labels profit but stores carrying them also benefit. On the other hand, the non-chosen brands have been found to suffer a 0.4% loss over the same period of time. It is estimated that a single public appearance by the First Lady generates an average value of USD 14 million! In case you are wondering, the President’s choice of suits does not have this effect. But the lady Obama proves to be a remarkable fashion lady of the US economy.

Why does Michelle have this effect? Her influence may have to do with the fact that the public is aware she is not paid to wear what she does. This explains why First Ladies are becoming credible fashion icons, often even more so than models or celebrities walking the red carpet. The latest First Lady whose style is creating a buzz hails from the Middle East. She is appreciated by many when she wears Dior or Valentiono.Her style was even praised by British designer Julien Macdonald who said: “Not since Jackie O has any first lady had such global resonance in terms of fashion”.

High fashion that is when ladies, mostly dress in designer wear, which makes it difficult for most people to relate to them the way they do to Michelle. Even France’s stylish Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who mostly wears Dior, does not generate the same effect on the retail industry as Mrs. Obama does. Michelle is known for wearing affordable retail brands and mixing them with couture labels. She famously wore J. Crew gloves while holding the Bible at the Inauguration. There is an authenticity to her style and love of fashion that gives her more credibility than any other First Lady. In the latest Harvard Business Review, New York University Professor David Yermack looked at 189 public appearances by the First Lady and counted a total of 29 brands and 245 items of apparel worn by her between November 2008 and December 2009. Do you agree that lady Obama

Queen Rania receives the Global Humanitarian award

A role model for the young females and a person with such an influential personality,the most beautiful woman of the world receives so many honors. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan today received the 2010 James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award given by The Tech Museum as part of its international program, The Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, in association with Santa Clara University.

 The Tech Awards Honors 15 International innovators who apply technology to benefit humanity and work for social welfare.The "Global Humanitarian Award,"'also sponsored by Applied Materials, honors individuals whose broad vision and leadership help to build an equitable, sustainable world. Queen Rania was selected for her leadership, efforts in protecting human rights  and human welfare around the world and relentless campaigning for broader access to schools and higher quality education for children.

 "This year's laureates alone prove that creativity overcomes challenges," Queen Rania said,"The women and men we honor tonight, the people behind the pioneering innovations that continue to improve our world, have shown us how to touch millions of lives in meaningful, life-changing ways," Peter Fries s, president of The Tech Museum, said.

The Tech Awards laureates 2010 represent regions as diverse as the Netherlands, Brazil, India, United Kingdom, Philippines and the United States. Their work impacts people in many more countries worldwide. This year, The Tech Awards attracted more than 1,000 nominations..Queen Rania was one of the 2010 winner of the awards.Thus she gets worldwide representation for her humanitarian award.