Check it out

Ikebana and Bonsai exhibition

Good news for those people who love to decorated their house with Ikebana or Bonsai. There will be an exhibition of these artistic pieces arranged by Sky-high Institute of design.

The exhibition will start from December 10 to and will continue till December 12. It will be held at Sky-high Institute of design Campus from 4 to 8pm. The address is house no 27/1, road no 13/A, Dhanmondi R/A.

-LS desk

Of one Mouluda Khanom and her offbeat work

We have all seen portraits of eminent personalities in oil, we have seen their pencil sketches or caricatures. Portraits made with hand stitches on a piece of cloth is not something we see everyday.

This interesting effort was taken by one Mouluda Khanom of Shewrapara. "It all started three days after my husband passed away in 1995. I wanted to remember his memories in an unique way," tells Mouluda Khanom.

Her effort did not end in the personal level only making portraits of the loved ones. Since 1995, she has been stitching portraits of prominent personalities. Mouluda's living room wall is stuffed with these portraits. Her collection includes portraits of Arafat, Mother Teresa, Begum Rokeya, Sufia Kamal, Modhushudan, Rabindranath and many more.

Mouluda Khanom has no academic background in art and she does not use pencil sketch to do the portrait. "I think this is something new as a media. I wish to enlist my name in the Guinness Book," adds Mouluda. She also wishes to held exhibition in the future. Her living room is a museum to the entire neighbourhood in Shewrapara. If you wish to have a look at her wonderful work just visit National Museum at Shahbag. The hand-stitched portrait of Sheikh Mujib in their collection is a work of Mouluda Khanom.

By Shahnaz Parveen

Wedding offers at Kay Kraft

Thm Bengali people marry grandly in the most soothing environment, with all the loved onms present, wearing the most glamorous outfit.

Speaking of glamorous outfit, if you are getting married this season and looking for that exclusive Sari or Sherwani visit Kay Kraft. They are offering special Halud set. Halud collection for groom and his relatives includes panjabi, churidar uttorio, and special sherwani cut panjabi. Bride's sari includes traditional yellow-red combination of different sheds. Sometimes it is hard to choose sober halud sari for the grannies and other senior females of the family. Kay Kraft also has a collection suitable for them. The price of panjabi starts from tk295 and goes up to tk10, 000. Saris cost tk500 to tk2, 000.

After halud, it is time for the final show, Kay Kraft offers sherwani, paagri, uttorio, and naagra set all that a groom might need to look fabulous on |he occasion. Chosen fabric for groom's outfit is dopiyan joy silk, and balaka silk. The cost would be tk2, 000 to tk15, 000. And for the bride they have special dupatta.

You must place your order minimum 30 days before the occasion. The collection is available in all the outlets of Kay Kraft situated at Sobhanbag, Baily Road, Banani, Rifles Square and Anam Rangs Plaza.

-LS Desk

Recipe

Chills and chocolate
As the mercury dips and the noses begin to drip, the sweaters are unfurled and your system craves for something warm. What's a better way to spend winter than by downing a steaming mug of hot chocolate? Read on for some delightful drinks.
Old World hot chocolate
(Makes 4 cups)
6oz. Semi-sweet chocolate
1pt. heavy cream
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Whipped Cream

In a double boiler, melt chocolate until it is smooth. Blend in cream and heat just to the boiling point, stirring frequently. Add a pinch of cinnamon and a drop of vanilla. Pour into cups and top with one spoonful of whipped cream.

Peppermint hot chocolate
(Makes 4 cups)
2/3c chilled whipping cream
6 peppermint candies, crushed
3-1/2c milk
8oz. chocolate, chopped
1/2t peppermint extract

Beat cream and crushed candy together in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate mixture for at least 1 hour.

Slowly bring milk to a simmer over medium-high heat. Drop in chocolate, whisking until mixture is smooth and thoroughly melted. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Add peppermint extract. Pour into serving mugs and top with 1 spoonful of whipped cream. Drink can be sprinkled with crushmd candy, if desired, before ser~ing.

Cocoa powder tricks
When using pre-packaged coca powders, there are several methods that can be used to enhance the flavour of the cocoa.

Add freshly grated cinnamon to the bottom of the cup before pouring in cocoa mixture and water. Stir thoroughly and oarnish with whipped cream or a cinnamon stick.

Add a drop of vanilla to the water as it's heating. Garnish with whipping cream.

Add a dash of nutmeg to the powdered cocoa before adding water.

Add 1 tablespoon of your favourite liqueur immediately before serving.

Hints:
By beating your hot cocoa 30-seconds before serving, you'll create an attrac|ive foamy topping and enhance the flavour of the cocoa.

When using real milk in your hot cocoa, never overheat. Over-heating milk destroys the flavour and texture. Milk temperature should never exceed 170-degrees.

There you have it. Go grab that chocolate, and fight the chills with something sweet.

LS Desk

TIPS
Foot care during winter

It's the cold season, the time when many of us suffer from the skin problems associatel with dry legs, cracked feet and so much more. But a little attention to our toes, heels and legs can solve these problems to a great extent. Let's see what we can do during this winter.

To keep feet soft during the winter, get a lotion that contains petroleum or glycerine. In order to avoid those dry, dry legs during winter, remember to leave your legs a little damp after each shower and slather on the moisturiser. Your legs will be grateful!

Use warm (not hot) water to wash your feet this winter, and massage them with cream before going to sleep. However, avoid the areas between toes while massaging your feet. Dry your feet well during winter especially the areas between the |oes. Blot dry, do not rub.

Nails take quite a beating all winter long so here is a little tip for keeping them at their best. Every few days, brush them with cuticle/ nail oil and if you can't seem to find any then petroleum jelly will do just fine.

And if you really want to care for those nail cuticles then make it your nightly routine to massage petroleum jelly into them to soften them up. If you don't have petroleum jelly, cocoa butter or a vitamin E capsule can also be used to massage nails. Drink enough water during the winter to avoid weak and splitting nails.

Rub the cracks of your heels with pumice stone to make them soft and smooth. If the condition is really bad then seek help from the beauty salons; get a pedicure as soon as you can.

Avoid being barefooted during the winter; your souls need special attention during this biting season. As the days get colder, grow a habit of wearing socks and well-fitting shoes to save your feet.

By Wara Karim

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Hanging Out

Spice rack

Spice Rack has entered the restaurant scene of the city with some exquisite Thai delicacies. It is a small eatery offering a range of mouth-watering Thai foods.

The space is small, but the décor is bright and neat, with the warm colour on the walls, and comfortable seating, to put you in the mood for eating.

Their appetisers include spring rolls, friend chicken wonton, shrimp toast and bowl soup, all ranging from (45-50tk). Spice Rack's central dishes are a treat to taste. Their offerings are: chicken with basil leaf, chicken with sweet and sour sauce, beef with oyster sauce, beef with vegetable and red curry paste, and garlic sauce and shrimp with chilli paste and garlic. Any one of the items with fried rice and the soup of the day will cost you 149tk. Two items served with fried ricm is priced at 189tk, while one item with fried rice costs 99tk. This restaurant offers one of the most delicately crafted, naturally scented chilli with garlic sauce.

Desserts are incredibly tasty and let the consumers explore the potential chocolates can present. All desserts are priced at 45tk each only, and they include chocolate mousse cake, strawberry mouse cake, black forest cake, fruit tart, opera, (coffee cake) ganache, (coffee layered in chocolate) cake.

Spice Rack is located in the newly opened Anannya Shopping Complex, DOHS Baridhara, Dhaka.

So, what are you waiting for? Stock up on some spicy provisions.

By Taskin Rahman