Make life happen: Finding peace through chaos

 

Living in London spoils you. You can expect your mobile phone to work; water will come out of your bathroom tap and when you switch on the lights at home after a long day, there will be electricity.
Visiting Karachi, on the contrary, has been a shock. I’ve been told to be careful at least a dozen times, was stuck in chaotic traffic as roads were blocked and my mobile phone was switched off because it was a public holiday. Life does not always go as planned. The general expectation is that your day will rarely turn out as you like.
How well are you coping with the chaos in your life? People I’ve been speaking to find themselves frustrated and angry on a daily basis. The feelings are understandable given that most of us need a bit of security and certainty in order to thrive (though some of us thrive in chaos). So, let’s look at how we can help ourselves cope with this daily uncertainty a little bit better.
Manage your internal state
Things are challenging indeed, and there is no denying that. However, I will assert that it is how we relate to the situation that affects our peace of mind to a greater extent than what is actually going on. If you keep reminding yourself how bad things are, then you are sending an internal message to yourself to be ready for trouble. The consequence of this is that you will be anxious and fearful all the time — even when there is no need to be. You cannot be telling yourself that things are bad and then expect to feel good. It just won’t

Pay no attention to me, I am just a Pakistani citizen

I am nothing but a pawn to be thrown around in a game I do not choose to play.
Nothing I own belongs to me.

I have surrendered it all to the chaos I call my homeland.
Consider my cell phone. I pay a considerable sum to be able to connect with the people in my life. I part with hard-earned cash every month in order to make calls and send text messages upon my will. It is my security against inconveniences and possible emergencies.
Yet, I wake up every week to news that my right to communicate via cellular networks will be denied for the day.
I am not given a reason why I cannot utilise a service I pay for. I do not get any apology for this forced deprivation in a day and age characterised by constant communication.
I have zero evidence that the nuisance of suspended cellular service has minimised crime or violence around me.

Will we see Big B, Bollywood divas in Adnan Sami’s new album?

Singer-composer Adnan Sami plans to invite Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and beauties like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone to feature in the music videos of songs from his new album Press Play.
The album, which was released ahead of schedule to beat piracy, is doing well.
Each of the songs is now expected to get a music video. Each of the tracks in the album will feature one Bollywood diva dancing with Adnan in the music videos.
The names on the list include Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor and Asin. Talks are on with several actors for what promises to be Adnan’s personal multi-starrer, said a source.

“Years ago when Adnan did the album Tera Chehra, he got Rani Mukerji, Ameesha Patel and many other screen queens of that phase to do music videos. Now Adnan’s new album, which is his most personal and autobiographical album to date, has received a warm reception. Adnan and his music company Universal have decided to carry the eleven tracks of Press Play forward with top notch music videos, directed by the biggest names in the business,” said a source very close to the project.

Independent woman? The reason you should expect plenty of sons

 
If you are a woman and have ever felt that nature has perhaps not been impartial in giving you a fair share of faculties, look no further.
As the work of Dr Valerie J Grant, an evolutionary psychologist at The University of Auckland in New Zealand, has determined, there is strong evidence to suggest that the sex of a newborn is determined in large part by the personality traits and hormonal profile of the mother. In a paper that has given her worldwide renown, Sex determination and the maternal dominance hypothesis, Dr Grant explains how.
The maternal dominance hypothesis
On the basis of the results coming from a series of studies carried out over a 30-year period, various social scientists have identified ‘consistent, statistically significant evidence’ to support the view that there is a “maternal involvement in the predetermination of the sex of her infant.”
What is this maternal involvement?
As incredible as it sounds, the maternal involvement at hand is that women with dominant personality types have consistently been found to be as much as 80% more likely to give birth to sons.
How come?
• Dominance is a personality trait in humans that is characterised by sub-traits such as being “influential, ascendant, prevailing, authoritative or high-in-control.” In their entirety, a dominant person is an individual who can be found “acting overtly so as to change the views or actions of another.”
• As such, dominance in humans is underpinned by the hormone testosterone, with a high correlation between scoring high on dominance personality tests or other markers and serum (blood) testosterone levels.

• The sex of an infant is determined by whether, at the time of conception, the woman’s eggs are fertilised by a sperm bearing an ‘X’ (female) or ‘Y’ (male) chromosome. According to Dr Grant, high testosterone levels at this time in the woman will prime her to be receptive to the latter (Y chromosome) and lead to the development of a male infant.
• In her paper Dr Grant identifies: A meta-analysis of all studies showed that women who later bore sons were significantly more likely to have scored higher on the tests of dominance than those who later bore daughters.
But that’s just the half of it. Dr Grant refreshes the maternal dominance hypothesis with studies showing that personality traits and an individual’s hormonal profile are rooted in a ‘complex two-way interaction between biological as well as environmental influences.’ In other words, any changes in an individual’s status-quo that is tied to dominant behaviour is likely to be accompanied with changes in testosterone levels. Think of a divorced, single-mother previously working to raise several children, now getting married to a wealthy and protective man. According to Grant’s work, with the ceasing of dominant-status their would likely be a decline in its hormonal basis (testosterone.)

Farooq Mengal goes from dramas to film

After being closely associated with the Pakistani drama industry for the past few years, producer-director Farooq Mengal has now decided to steer the wheel into another direction and shoot a feature film. Titled Hijrat, the Quetta-based director’s debut film is about a love triangle with a backdrop of human rights issues. It is set to release in October this year.
“The film is based on romance and commitment essentially but we also wanted to explore the background of human rights issues in Pakistan,” says Mengal. He feels Pakistani dramas and films have been focusing on such issues lately and this has to do with the changing face of cinema in the country. “In today’s times, we have an endless list of problems in this country and I think we have to find stories from this society so the audience can relate.”

Transforming women into equal citizens

The forthcoming election is cause for good cheer. If all goes according to plan, it will be the first time in Pakistan’s 66-year history that a civilian government has lasted a full term and transferred power to another through elections. This is a significant step forward for the country’s nascent democracy.
But how inclusive will this democracy be? So far, the numbers suggest that a big demographic — women — will be drastically under-represented. The latest draft electoral rolls include 47.77 million men, but just 36.59 million women. Gender divisions in Pakistan are roughly equal, which means that around 10 million women are unaccounted for, and will, therefore, be unable to vote. Where are these missing women?
The most obvious reason that these women are not registered to vote is that the electoral roll is tied to the NADRA system, and in many parts of the country, women are less likely than men to have signed up for a computerised NIC. It is not uncommon for men to actively discourage their wives, sisters and daughters from voting or registering for a CNIC, in order to limit their participation in public life. The numbers have not increased despite door-to-door campaigns by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to reports, men frequently do not report the existence of female members of their families. This can either stem from the belief that women should not engage in politics, or from a desire to protect female relatives from government interference by keeping their existence off records. In conflict-ridden areas, such as Fata and Balochistan, people may feel that they do not want to be registered with a government they do not view as legitimate. Most ECP employees going from house to house are male, which does not help with access to women.

Street 1 Café: Thumbs up for coffee and breakfast

Islamabad is definitely stepping up its game with restaurants, terrace cafes and shisha bars opening left, right and centre. However, they can’t all justify their high prices and dull food.

Twice during my trip to Islamabad this winter, I happened to stop over at Street 1 Café for lunch on one occasion and breakfast on the other. I have to mention, I am a huge caffeine addict and after having tried every other coffee house in London (not to mention my obsession with my Nespresso coffee machine), my taste buds have become accustomed to a good cappuccino or latte and Street 1 Café does the trick.

Street 1 Café opened in 2011 in one of Islamabad’s chicest districts, Kohsar Market, which is quite the place to go for people watching (or to be seen). It took me by surprise as it not only attracts all kinds of Isloo-ites but the food, coffee and modern art deco ambience all rate high on the comment card.

The place was buzzing at lunch time. I decided to go for the Beef Onion Steak and a latte. If you are not too hungry, I would suggest skipping the appetiser and ordering a main course; the selection of (complimentary) bread gets you going till your food arrives. I have to admit that I usually go for chicken steaks whenever I am out in Islamabad and this was the first beef steak I tried, it was wonderful. It was juicy, succulent and cooked perfectly from medium to well done. The steak came with a generous helping of fries and vegetables. However, the steak would have been more enjoyable if it was a sizzler and they could work more on presentation.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy always wears Pakistan!

Academy award and Emmy Award winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has made us proud yet again. On Tuesday, she was given the prestigious Crystal Award in recognition for her efforts in promoting human rights and women’s issues through her films at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.

Staying true to her sense of style and love for Pakistani designers, Obaid-Chinoy yet again wore clothes and accessories from local designers. The beautiful Swarovski Pakistani flag-themed clutch she carried is a hand designed piece made by Samia and Azmay Shahzada, and her stunning gold jumpsuit and sherwani coat paired were from Nida Azwer’s Atelier creation. At other ceremonies and international red carpet events, she has worn Bunto Kazmi, Maheen Karim, Fashion ComPassion and Mahin Hussain.

As she tweeted her excitement about being at the ceremony, she told The Express Tribune: “The crystal award is special because this is the first time a Pakistani is being honoured at the World Economic Forum. I feel proud to represent my country and showcase the fact that educated empowered women are making strides in Pakistan.”
She added that she feels humbled by the opportunity to represent Pakistan, and that the award embodies the sentiments that guide her work as a film-maker. “I firmly believe that the pursuit of art and film can change the world by promoting dialogue and acting as a catalyst for change,” she said.
The Crystal Award — introduced by the World Economic Forum in 1995 — honours personalities who are committed to improving the state of the world and are, hence, regarded as both cultural leaders and global citizens.

Bestsellers Designer Clothes 2013

Fall Winter 2013

Handbags have become something of a status symbol

 if you are carrying a stylish handbag or clutch, it can surely make a fashion statement.

While men fail to understand the relationship a woman has with her arm candy, handbags are slowly becoming a collectible accessory by slaves to fashion. Drawing inspiration from the international market, our old and new local artisans are now beginning to understand the worth of this accessory and are investing their resources to create their own unique collections.

Existing names

Krizmah and Polly & Me depict the culture, nature and folklore of the valley of Chitral through their bags using similar techniques; while their artisans are based in Chitral, Krizmah stocks its collection at Labels in Lahore and the Australian duo Polly & Me stocks its merchandise in Islamabad. Their bags are not only aesthetically pleasing but have also become a style statement over time.

Mahin Hussain, on the other hand, is one of the pioneers in the country when it comes to handbag designing. By using various kinds of fabrics and embellishments, she has aimed to create bags with a young and fun vibe. Her multi-coloured bags with gota and embroidery, for instance, can be paired with both eastern and western wear. Her latest collection for August 14 received rave reviews in Karachi and is still available at The House of Ensemble in Lahore.

New labels

After stocking in various countries across the globe, Ayesha Mustafa, founder of Fashion Compassion, brought her accessories to Pakistan. With the determination to initiate a socially responsible business, she created calligraphy-plated handbags and clutches which attracted a lot of attention and now she is back in Pakistan with the aim of bringing them back in style.

Rolling Stones nominated for four NME music awards

Veteran British rockers The Rolling Stones, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, were nominated for four NME music awards on Monday.

The Stones, back in the limelight after a photo book, greatest hits album, documentary film and mini tour to mark their 2012 golden jubilee, were shortlisted for best live band, best book, music moment of the year and best music film.
They were one of four acts with four nominations each. The others were LA sisters Haim, an up-and-coming band tipped for the top by several industry polls, Australian rock band Tame Impala and British alternative hip hop artist M.I.A.
Music magazine NME’s nominations were decided by fans voting online, and the winners will be announced at The Troxy in east London on February 27.
“When I first heard it was four things, I thought, ‘Ooh, blimey! That’s very nice!’” Stones lead singer Mick Jagger said.
“It’s funny, because when we were rehearsing at Wembley Arena last year, it was where we used to do the NME Pollwinners,” he said, referring to concerts the magazine staged in the 1960s featuring acts voted on by NME readers.
“We remembered, it was the first time we ever played ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, at one of those Pollwinners concerts!”
Nominated three times was another comeback king David Bowie, who took the music world by surprise earlier this month by releasing his first new music in a decade and promising a studio album in March.
“All the early plaudits will go to Haim, Tame Impala, M.I.A. and the legendary Rolling Stones … but it’s testament to the exquisite taste of the NME audience that artists as wide ranged as Frank Ocean, Jake Bugg, Pussy Riot and David Bowie are recognized too,” said NME editor Mike Williams.
Russian punk band Pussy Riot were shortlisted in the music moment of the year category for a protest against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s main cathedral that landed some of them in jail.

Pakistani Salwar Kameez Dresses by Indian Online Fashion Stores | Pakistani Dresses by Indian Designers

Pakistani fashion trends are changing and the industry in transition state. Number of new brands have been established and lots of talented and genius fashion designers appears in last decade. Although the fashion has adopted a new state style and look but the position of cultural dresses still secure. Now days girls have started to wear jeans and other western dresses but still shalwar kameez is the most wearable dress in Pakistan. Pakistani Shalwar Kameez is famous in all over the world where Pakistani’s exists they prefer to wear their own cultural dresses especially ladies always prefer to wear shalwar kameez. It is comfortable, good looking and stylish in its style and pattern. It minimizes the body vulgarity because Pakistani Shalwar Kameez patterns has been designed keeping that point in view. In Pakistan more than 90% women and girls wear salwar kameez. There are different designs and styles in salwar kameez. Like Patiala Salwar, Sindhi Salwar, Dhoti cut Salwar, Baggy Salwar and many others. Today here at the platform of she9 blog we will present some gorgeous and fabulous shalwar kameez designs which we especially collect for this wedding season. Women can use these beautiful shalwar kameez dresses in wedding parties as well. Let’s have a look at entire collection. You will like all the shalwar kameez dresses 2012.

Pakistani Dresses By Indian Designers

In this collection most of dresses consists of chooridar shalwar kameez and some with latest trouser shalwar with loose bottom. Kameez patterns are so nice and look like a semi frock style but it was being modified. The skin fit pattern of kameez is looking marvellous. The general theme of this collection is unique and different from current trend. The designer use single color base fabric to design kameez and use lace, thread embroidery and ready-made embroidered stuff to decorate the kameez. The collection has almost all type of beautiful colors with fabulous patterns. You will find all type of sleeve and neck patterns in this Pakistani Shalwar Kameez collection like full sleeve with loose and skin tight pattern, half sleeve and even sleeve less kameezes are being included in this collection. The embroidered design at bust and borders are looking marvelous and enhancing the beauty of dresses. This collection surely adds some more beautiful shalwar kameez variety in your cupboard.

Long Neck Pakistnai Dress

Pakistani Dresses for Indian Girls

Thread Embroidery Salwar Kameez

Long Pakistani Shirts

Indian Pakistani Dresses for Party Wear

Pakistani Dresses at Indian Online Store

A-Line Shirt with Churi-pajama

Beautiful Neck-Line

Long Shirt with Long Neck

Indian Pakistani Dresse

Pakistani Salwar Kameez Dresses by Indian Online Fashion Stores | Pakistani Dresses by Indian Designers

Simple and Beautiful Mehndi Designs | Simple Mehndi Designs by Saima Khan

Makeup has become an essential for women in all over the world. Girls used various types of cosmetics and natural abstracts to become beautiful. Mehndi is one of them natural abstracts used to draw different tattoos, patterns and designs on hands, feet and on other parts of the body. It is famous in all over the world but in South Asia it’s become a tradition. This craze evolves courage and guts to become a mehndi artist in young girls and Saima Khan is one of them.
Here we have some Simple but Beautiful mehndi designs by Saima Khan for you. Hope you will like the work of Saima Khan


Simple Floral Mehendi

This is a simple mehndi design occasionally used to draw for parties or casually. Saima Khan got a good hand and she had a variety and quality in her work. She has beautifully drawn this floral design. This is an Indian mehndi design covering palm and wrist and looking marvelous.



                                                          Beautiful Mehndi

This is an Arabic mehndi design; usually draw as a bridal mehndi design or for wedding parties. Saima Khan really has a good technique and sense to draw such a strong mehndi designs. Design covers both side of hand, fingers and wrist. Sharp red color mehndi paste has been used for this Arabic mehndi design.



                                                    Simple Back Hand

             


                                                Simple Front Hand

Saima Khan  has a variety in her hand and she can draw all types of mehndi designs like Indian, Arabic and Pakistani. This Pakistani mehndi design has been beautifully drawn by the artist. This floral design is really looking great, covering fingers, palm and wrist. Usually mehndi designs have drawn with thick mehndi paste in Pakistan to give strong visual impact.


                                                           Simple Bridal

                                                              Beautiful Mehndi Art

Simple but Beautiful

Good mehndi artist can draw every type of mehndi designs and especially they have skills to draw beautiful bridal mehndi designs. Bridal mehndi designs have usually drawn on both hands and arms with a thick and rich designing work. These are some of her simple but beautiful mehndi designs including Indian bridal mehndi design and Arabic bridal mehndi design.

Latest Fashion in Pakistan by Top Designers

These Pakistani dresses which is i am going to share are taken from a Pakistani She Magazine. These Dresses are designed by Pakistani Top Model Dress Designers. These are semi formal dresses which are decorated with heavy and costly embroideries and designed specially designed for Pakistani modern cultural trend.

Lady in Red: It's an evening wear in red tones and gold work, for finesse- to set you in the mood to entertain and be entertained.
The dress in Magenta color have beautiful and latest neck style, which is decorated with motif and zari work. The collar bane style which is also decorated with stunning embroidery is giving a fantastic look.
The Dress in Gown or long Beautiful Frock have a Anarkali dress style look, which is also have an elegant classic but modern style of neck.

Pakistani Mehndi and indian Mehndi and Arabic Mehndi Design - Latest & new

Mehndi was a culture but now adopted as fashion in all over the world, A quality of Mehndi artists are showing  their brilliant work in henna art. But here we are going to share you some brilliant mehndi work from Henna Oasis, Where artist represented her gorgeous designs in form of Indian Mehndi Designs, Latest Arabic Mehndi Designs, Bridal Henna Fashion and body mehndi art. Lets have a look on her stunning mehndi designs.

                                         Beautiful Arabic Mehndi design like a floral mehndi design

So simple Arabic Hinna design with Star and floral mehndi design,Indian mehndi design for Feet with borders of feet cover with Heenda design, So simple, Stylish with latest Arabic mehndi design

Indian mehndi design which cover half arm with mehndi and arms and hands are cover with floral and Leafs mehndi design. beautiful and so difficult mehndi design really very difficult mehndi design cover hand and Half arm

dark mehndi design and its also so difficult to draw because its a Indian mehndi design, beautiful Arabic floral mehndi design can be draw back side of hand,
beautiful Indian mehndi design for special events like Eid or parties

New Arabic mehndi design both hands are cover with floral and leafs mehndi design and its simple to draw

beautiful Indian Hinna design for feet and this design is mostly use in special events,Indian mehndi design for feet and its so simple to draw on feet and its a stylish mehndi

so difficult Indian mehndi design with stylish design, beautiful Arabic mehndi design for feet its a stylish mehndi design for feet and can be use in mehndi functions, parties and special events like Eid, shabrat events. Indian mehndi designs of beautiful girls for special events, what a design of mehndi for feet (feet is cover like a mehndi border for feet) and so simple diesign of Mehndi for back side of hand like a leafs hina design

Pakistani and Indian mehndi designs for beautiful girls, new Arabic mehndi design for back side of hands and fingers also, so nice and cool mehndi design for Arabic girl because its a Arabic mehndi design,new Arabic mehndi design with the help of leafs and flowers designs of mehndi

latest Indian mehndi design for Mehndi functions, parties, dewali, and special events. its also a Indian bridal mehndi design for mehndi functions, parties and special events, its a beautiful Indian and Arabic mehndi design mehndi color is so dark and it will look beautiful for fare skins and beautiful girls.

Most of the designs are taken from official website of Henna Oasis just for showing her brilliant work in Mehndi Designs.