Christmas lights

A woman and a child watch Christmas lights in Bucharest on November 25, 2010 in a commercial center. Organizers claim a new Guinness World record was set as 449,658 light bulbs were used.



People passing Germany's biggest christmas tree in the city center of Dortmund, western Germany, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010. The 45 meter high giant is made of 1700 norway spruces and illuminated by 48.000 lamps. Christmas markets have been a German tradition for about 600 years and are found in nearly every city in Germany during the Advent season.



BATH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Christmas shoppers browse the offerings at the Bath Christmas Market on November 25, 2010 in Bath, England. Originating in Germany, Christmas markets have become increasingly popular in British cities too, as a way of boosting festive retail sales and visitor numbers.



A couple looks at Christmas lights decorations in a commercial center in Bucharest November 25, 2010. The decorations set a Guinness world record for indoor Christmas lights decoration with 449,658 light bulbs.



Visitors walk through the christmas market down the ferris wheel on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.



Visitors walk through the christmas market down the railway station on the on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.



A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris ahead of the holiday season in the French capital November 26, 2010.



A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, ahead of the holiday season in the French capital, November 26, 2010.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A giant Christmas pyramid spins at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors watch an ornate merry-go-round at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A worker turns over sausages grilling at a stand at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A giant Christmas pyramid spins at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



Christmas lights illuminate a central street, on the day Christmas lights were turned on, marking the start of the Christmas season, in Madrid November 26, 2010.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Hand-made nutcrackers from the Ore Mountains stand for sale at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




A man places illuminated house models at Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg November 26, 2010. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon.



Shoppers ride an escalator past a Christmas tree late Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Chandler Mall in Chandler, Ariz.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.




US First lady Michelle Obama (L) with daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (R) check out the White House Christmas tree after it was delivered by horse drawn carriage on November 26, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.


GPO 3D Christmas Light Show. Dublin City Festival of Lights






Preston Melbourne Christmas Lights 1


Preston Melbourne Christmas Lights 4



Great Christmas Light Display In Fairfield



Little Drummer Boy 2010 Light-O-Rama 128 Channel Christmas Light Display, Wichita Kansas



Galt Gardens Christmas Light Display 2010



Christmas Light Night 2010 - Lantern Procession



Brussels Christmas Light-up 27th November 2010


Kimball Nebraska 2010 Christmas Musical Light Show 5


Amazing Pampanga's Christmas Lights MULI TANA amanuningbie.com


Disney Hollywood Studios Christmas Lights



source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

Introducing “Doughnut-To-Go”, a Fort Knox for your doughnuts!

I know what you’re thinking, but don’t laugh, this is serious business because doughnuts are serious business to the Japanese! How serious is this business?

That’s right, you don’t want that doughnut getting all soggy do you? Oh hell no, you want that ho…le crispy and fresh, so this contraption ventilates heat for those undesirable sticky situations.

That serious. Real talk.

And a security lock hole for a master lock? Damn right. This is the Fort Knox of doughnut holders.

Hell, they take security so seriously that even the product description reads like a cypher that requires Robert Langdon to crack it:

“‘Doughnut To-Go’ (go-to-donuts) Is a compact, lightweight carrying case only safe everyone loves donuts.

The company is a donut for mixed, warm donut lovers Two go into microwaved donut Also, after eating, it is possible wash dishwasher”

That’s right, you read that right. The company is a freakin’ donut.

“Others have never taken the trouble donut important, even when great care is required to keep at home. Each two small keyhole under the handle from side to side [Doughnut To-Go Security Lock Hole]

Originally, Doughnut To-Go Security Lock Hole holes are not necessarily only the diet to prevent theft, and install your favorite charms, attach a strap from the neck-to-go or hanging bag or a donut I believe there is more use of ingenuity.

Find a use for more fun, please enjoy a donut life.”

They don’t want you to enjoy your life. They want you to enjoy a donut life.


You can have it all – the Fort Knox security, the Robert Langdon cypher, the glorious lifestyle – all from the company that is itself a donut. You can grab the “Doughnut-To-Go” for the low, low price of just 11.57! Where are you gonna find a bargain like that elsewhere? Huh?

Order it now and have a super happy fun time!

source : tokyohive

The quick and the dead: The artist who carves petrifying pumpkin portraits in just two hours

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Horrifyingly good: Ray Villafane takes, on average, just two hours to carve one of his pumpkin sculptures, like this one entitled Shattered


It takes several months to grow the fruit but amazingly just two hours for artist Ray Villafane to sculpt these petrifyingly detailed portraits out of pumpkin.

The American model designer and former art teacher uses spoons and a scalpel to carve the innocent orange gourds into Halloween horrors in double quick time.

As you might expect Villafane, who has worked for D.C and Marvel comics, is very particular about his pumpkins.

'Not all pumpkins will look good and the most important thing about a pumpkin is its weight,' he says.

'You need to pick the meatiest pumpkin.

'Sometimes I pick up a beautifully shaped pumpkin but when I do I realise that it is not heavy enough. Its wall is just not thick enough for the carving rigours.

'I also like a pumpkin with character. One with nobly ridges is good, so that I can utilise that in the carving procedure, like with sculpting noses.'

Villafane, 41, has become a minor celebrity in the States and his weird and wonderful work has featured on a range of TV programmes.

Yet he stumbled on his fruity talent almost by accident.


Range: Villafane's sculpture Medusa shows where some of his inspiration comes from, but he has previously sculpted Star Wars characters and even Barrack Obama into pumpkins


Increasingly intricate: This work, Zipperhead, is the most complicated design so far and took Villafane a day to complete while Nailbiter, right, shows his love for oddly shaped pumpkin to lend character to his designs


'I used to be an art teacher for 13 years at a Michigan School called Bellaire school and one day I was approached for Halloween to do some pumpkin carving,' he said.

'Sculpting has always been a passion. I thought why don't I try and carve the pumpkin like it is a piece of clay as opposed to a large vegetable.

'It came out alright, but the most important result was that the kids at the school absolutely loved it.

'I used to arrive at school and there would be a dozen pumpkins just sitting there waiting for me at my classroom.'

Villafane, who is still based in Bellaire, didn't perfect his art immediately and had to punch a lot of pumpkins in frustration while honing his skills.


Professor pumpkin: Villafane used to be an art teacher and pupils loved his designs such as Jackhyde, left and Tongue Twisting, right


However, working for D.C comics - the home of Superman and Batman - has helped him honed his talent.

Over the last four Octobers his pumpkins have raised his profile to the point where he has become something of a Halloween staple on TV and across the internet.

'For the past couple of years I have been really sitting down and giving my Halloween pumpkin designs more thought than usual due to the increased interest in my carvings,' he said.

'Now that the thing has grown in popularity I am definitely feeling the pressure to deliver on the pumpkin front.

'The most intricate pumpkin model that I have designed is the Zipperhead model, which took the best part of a day. Otherwise, the models take a couple of hours.

'If it is something that I am creating myself then I will do it off the top of my head, like the skulls and gargoyles. They are a pleasure to make.'


Native American: This less spooky sculpture is called Gourdonomo



Give the man a hand: Villafane gets a cameo in this photo of his piece A Handful of Evil


source: dailymail

Trailer revealed for new Doraemon movie!

Recently, a trailer for the new Doraemon movie , a popular Japanese animation series, was revealed through their official site. Titled, “Doraemon Nobita to Kiseki no Shima: Animal Adventure“, the movie will hit theaters on March 2012, and will celebrate the 100th year before Doraemon’s birth (September 3, 2112).

Check out the movie trailer below!



source: tokyohive

Former AKB48 member Watanabe Shiho chosen as one of Japan’s finalists for “Miss Earth”

On June 8th, the 23 Japanese finalists for the “Miss Earth” contest were revealed, and among them was Watanabe Shiho (23), a former AKB48 member.

On July 3rd, Japan’s representative will be selected to attend the world contest in Thailand in December. Similar to AKB48’s “3rd Senbatsu General Election” on the 9th, Watanabe is looking towards being “selected” as Japan’s representative. She was a first generation AKB48 member along with girls like Maeda Atsuko and Takahashi Minami.


Watanabe appeared at the recital in a beautiful red dress. She commented, “I am a former AKB48 member and a reporter for ‘Ousama no Brunch’. I want to make the best use of my experiences up until now”. Out of 300 applicants, Watanabe was able to stand with 22 of her rivals and she was placed in the center; her appeal being her unique personal history.

“Miss Earth” is the 4th largest miss contest after “Miss Universe”, “Miss International”, and “Miss World”. Last year, 84 countries participated in the contest. Aside from looks, the girls are selected by global environmental protection knowledge and action. For the 11th time, this year applications were accepted starting in March. 80 women were then chosen to move on to the 2nd audition and from them the 23 finalists, between 18 and 26 years old, were chosen.

Watanabe was among 24 successful applicants in AKB48’s Opening Member Audition in 2005, which had a total of around 8,000 applicants. She also participated in AKB48’s debut song “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” in February 2006. She stayed in the group for about two years and graduated in October 2007. After graduation Watanabe became a reporter on TBS’s “Ousama no Brunch” and appeared in dramas such as “Bloody Monday”.

source :tokyohive

Party at the Palace! Newly weds William and Kate dance the night away

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Kate Middleton, in her gown for the evening, left Clarence House alongside Camilla Parker Bowles for the short journey to Buckingham Palace


Prince Harry gave his speech at the reception last night

Their wedding day was a spectacular event watched by two billion people worldwide.

But Prince William and his new bride Catherine finally let their hair down last night with a wedding reception at Buckingham Palace.

Some 300 of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's closest family and friends celebrated with dancing and dinner at the black tie do, which stretched into the early hours.


Kate's second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist. William stuck to the safe bet of a dinner jacket and bow tie


The Queen and Prince Philip handed over the palace for the celebration, which was hosted by William's father Prince Charles.

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated moment of the night was Prince Harry best man's speech.

The Duchess had switched into a new white outfit for the party - also created by Sarah Burton who designed her wedding gown.

The second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist, St James's Palace said.

Kate was also wearing a white angora bolero cardigan.


Mrs Middleton wore a black capped sleeve dress, cut low at the front and back, with a tiered skirt while her daughter Pippa opted for a long emerald green sleeveless dress with a jewelled embellishment on the front and a plunging neckline


The couple left with Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. The royal party looked happy and relaxed.

The heir to the throne and his son, the new Duke of Cambridge, were dressed in dinner jackets with black bow ties.

Kate had her hair down in her favourite style for the private party.

Camilla wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor length Anna Valentine dress for the evening.


A happy and relaxed William made the short journey along The Mall in a Jaguar car with Prince Charles and Camilla closely behind


The new Duchess's family had left the Goring Hotel shortly before 7.30pm.

Her sister Pippa had changed from her bridesmaid dress into a long emerald green sleeveless dress with a jewelled embellishment on the front and a plunging neckline.

Her hair was pinned up at the back and she was carrying a clutch bag.

Kate's mother Carole Middleton smiled after stumbling slightly as she came down the stairs at the hotel and her son James placed a guiding hand on her back as she climbed into a silver people carrier.


Camilla and Prince Charles were not far behind the newlyweds as they travelled down The Mall


Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence arrive at Buckingham Palace for last night's reception


Earl Spencer's children Lady Kitty, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza and Viscount Althorp arrived together for the wedding party


When the party concludes, the newlyweds were expected to spend their first night as a married couple at the Palace.

souce: dailymail

How Kate's foxy sister Pippa stole the show

By CATHERINE OSTLER

Elegant: Pippa, pictured entering Westminster Abbey this morning with the bridesmaids and pageboys, echoed the bride's dress in a design by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen


The day might have belonged to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but the supporting cast were almost as gripping, and none of them more so than the members of what is fast becoming Britain’s most famous and fascinating family.

Middleton-watchers were amply rewarded with a spectacle of nerves, tans, dignity, surprising outfits and sex appeal (yes, that refers to you, Miss Philippa Middleton!).

Indeed, you could even say that the Westminster Abbey Show felt just as much Bucklebury (the Berkshire village where the Middletons live) as it did Buckingham Palace — despite all the trumpeters and foreign dignitaries.


The Duchess of Cambridge's uncle Gary, right, went pretty much unnoticed while her brother, James was given a starring role with the only person to give a reading during the wedding service at Westminster Abbey


Elegant: Pippa, pictured entering Westminster Abbey this morning with the bridesmaids and pageboys, echoed the bride's dress in a design by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen


Responsibility: Pippa walked down the aisle with the two youngest bridesmaids Grace van Cutsem (left) and Eliza Lopes (right), both three. They were followed by Margarita Armstrong-Jones, eight (middle left), Louise Windsor, seven, (middle right), Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, ten, (back left) and Tom Pettifer, eight (back right)


Many women would have been quite happy to wear Pippa’s dress themselves as a wedding dress. One wit remarked: ‘It would have looked particularly good for a beach ceremony for a wedding somewhere like Ibiza.’

Pippa wore her hair half-up and half-down, clipped with lily-of-the-valley flowers at the back, and she walked into the Abbey beaming, holding the hands of the two smallest bridesmaids, Grace van Cutsem and Eliza Lopes (both aged three), having meticulously straightened her sister’s train.


Bridal party: The maid-of-honour held the two youngest bridesmaids' hands as they entered the Abbey


Pippa executed her duties (holding and passing the bouquet, smoothing the train, shepherding pages and bridesmaids up and down and making sure none of them got left behind) beautifully. But her efficiency wasn’t necessarily the focus.


Doting sister: Pippa carries Kate's train as she enters Westminster Abbey with her father, Michael Middleton


Moment in the spotlight: Pippa then proudly carried her newly-married sister's train out of the Abbey after the wedding, before helping her into a waiting horse-drawn carriage


Caring: Pippa clearly relished her role as maid-of-honour, which involved escorting three of the youngsters - (left to right) Billy, Grace and Margarita - to Buckingham Palace as part of the wedding procession


Ladies -in-waiting: Pippa Middleton and young Margarita give the crowds a wave as they leave the Abbey


Helping hand: Best man Prince Harry supported Pippa in her duties, taking care of his seven-year-old cousin, Lady Louise Windsor in the procession to Buckingham Palace





Philippa Middleton is beautiful


Pippa Middleton - Arrives Royal Wedding April 2011



source: dailymail