Bloom Magazine Qatar - February 2016 by Ravi Nair

A BRIGHT LIFESTYLE

February 2016

Distributed with

CAT WALK

TONY WARD Haute Couture Spring 2016 JEWELLERY

DURING THE BAFTAS 2016

February Jewelry on the Red Carpet MEN FASHION SALVATORE FERRAGAMO FALL/WINTER 2016-2017

PRODUCTS

BUZZ: THE WHOLE WORLD WITH GORGEOUS ACCESSORIES

The Facialists' Secret To Younger Looking Skin

Excellence and enchantment

inside

r, you know what hen you are in Qata s for. You name nd a hub of luxury sta Top of the line it. ve ha u it had yo g, cars , perfumes, clothin fashion accessories th you on Bloom interacts wi and just anything. d more eer luxury. More an this platform of sh ing it a cluded to make read topics are being in ers and ure our loyal read pleasure. We treas at we their reactions so th we look forward to ent. nt co in en more rich can make Bloom ev this in d have been include Several new topics ing st re pe you will find inte edition which we ho t esen to king. Thus, we pr and thought-provo full of will make your life you a magazine that pleasure!

Tony Ward

Haute Couture Spring 2016

Bridal: Monique Lhuillier Spring Summer 2016 Bridal Wear

12 Published by

During the BAFTAs 2016 February Jewelry on the Red Carpet

18 22

On The Runway

Editorial:

Furry Vison

Hanan Ghazwani Atul Srivastava

Carolina Herrera Children Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection

Design:

Ravindranath Koonath Sales & Marketing:

Maria Carbungco

The Ultimate Guide to Losing the Baby Weight

For contributions and

Whooping Cough Booster Shot May Offer Only Short-Term Protection

advertisements please contact: Tel: 4000 2156 (Editorial) 4000 2155 (Sales) Email: bloom@qimqatar.com

Office address: P.O. Box: 22345, Barwa Commercial Avenue, Safwa Block, Landmark 6, Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar

34 Lancer:

365 Sun Compact Spf 30 Tanning Captured In An Everyday Form

Adults should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day

CATWALK

TONY WARD

Haute Couture Spring 2016

Lebanese designer Tony Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring Couture show presents a beautiful tribute to the movement of the sky and smoke. Through flowing fabrics, cascading beadwork and intricate embroidery, he experiments with a graceful, floating silhouette and the interplay between light and dark.

The first half of Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show demonstrates the progression of colour, from white through to delicate sky and cornflower blues, via dove and stone greys, and perfumed lilacs, eventually culminating in starkly contrasting black and white. This chiaroscuro is the turning point in the show, representing the moment when air turns to smoke, with inky blacks creeping up floor-length dresses, merging with the intricate white beadwork. This collection shows a gradual evolution of colour, but retains the same key stylistic elements: floating, translucent organza, embroidered jacquard, and beadwork to add depth and detail. 5

BRIDAL

MONIQUE LHUILLIER Spring Summer 2016 Bridal Wear Gorgeous, airy and romantic, Monique Lhuillierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 wedding dresses are inspired by the classic story of Alice in Wonderland.

"My collection is very sensual and elegant, really pushing the limits," Lhuillier told The Knot. "I researched Alice in Wonderland references - specifically the fantasy of it. I'm so excited to see them come to lifeâ&#x20AC;?. 6

Her gowns are a mix of beautiful crystal embroidery, cinnamon and honey hues, plunging necklines and "thousands" of yards of tulle.

JEWELLERY

DURING THE BAFTAS 2016 February Jewelry on the Red Carpet

e Book Tiffany & Co.'s Blu cuff 2016 earrings and t chet worn by Cate Blan

From diamond earrings at the BAFTAs to Alicia Vikander's Ninetiesstyle choker, we take closer look at the most striking jewelry pieces this month from red carpers in London to Los Angeles, via Madrid.

and ring s g in r r a e Chopard nabelle Wallis n worn by A

Chopard earrin gs and ring worn by Julianne Moore 10

Tiffany & Co earrings and ring worn by Emilia Clarke.

David Morris ea rr and bracelets w ings orn by Kate Winslet

Chopard's Haute Joaillerie necklace worn by Saoirse Ronan

David Morris earrings and rings worn by Dree Hemingway

Excellence and enchantment For many years, Leo Pizzo has produced jewelry of the highest level. Year after year Leo Pizzo presents large collections of innovative designs in red or white gold with white or black diamonds, with precious stones or pearls, bringing out the emotions in the hearts of women. The classic Pizzo collections contain iconic shapes such as hearts, flowers and snakes. Today the Pizzo family is more active than ever and is creating some of the unusual and impressive decorative items which are quickly being recognised as fashion pieces. It is the uncompromising attention to research and quality that

distinguishes Leo Pizzo as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest luxury jewelers. The diamonds and other precious stones incorporated into a Leo Pizza creation are measured not just for their lasting market value but also for their capacity to strike an emotional chord with its admirers. The designer handcrafts his luxury pieces exclusively in Valenza, Italy, and these bold yet

exquisite designs are showcased and revered around the globe. Leo Pizzo embodies the commitment to excellence that defines only the greatest crafters of luxury jewelry. The most recognizable collections of Leo Pizzo have different interesting design solutions and modern jewelry techniques. Romantic Gallery Collection repeats the symbolic for the brand heart shape. Today Pizzo family dreams of real jewelry dynasty, and assures that the second generation of Leo Pizzo will create even more unusual and impressive decoration.

ACCESSORIES

BUZZ: THE WHOLE WORLD with Gorgeous accessories Jet Set 6 Spring 2016 Introducing the Spring 2016

Michael Kors Jet Set 6 Collection, the latest offering

from our seasonal must-have shoe wardrobe. From glamorous gladiators and wow-worthy wedges to easy kicks, these six pairs of shoes are made for sunny days and are designed with the jet-setterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wardrobe in mind.

Jiji by Lanvin

Between Jeanne Lanvin & her daughter Marguerite; between the studio & the history of the House; this handbag is a testimony of the affection, the creative team wants to express to

Jeanne Lanvin.

For the SS16 Pre Collection, it is a new way to pay tribute to the House by creating a dedicated bag to her.Each part of this bag from inspiration & style to construction & leathers is

chosen by the creative team to make

sure the essence of Lanvin is perfectly reflected.

Lanvin Ji Ji bag is made with luxurious leather, expertly handcrafted stitching, complimented by signature gold hardware and adorned with a unique turn lock closure. The bag contains 3 generous compartments and 1 zipped interior pocket. The JiJi can be worn shortened, resting at the hip or at full length and worn cross body. Designed in Paris and made in Italy.

As a tribute to her passion for music, designs the , a collection showing harmony and solemnity, just like a musical piece.

CH Carolina Herrera Tempo Rubato Collection

Tempo Rubato Collection

Minueto Rubato, a rigid

full-bodied bag of medium size, and Mini Minueto Rubato, a smaller bag, but showing the same structured aspect. They come together with the Mussette Rubata bag, having the same volume and made of several types of leather, giving shape to an exceptional patchwork pattern.

Thanks to its smart retro character, this collection is completely handcrafted using the most symbolic leathers of the house, such us Goya or Vals. A process that starts selecting the best leathers and ends only when every detail shaping each bag is perfect.

Parisian Inspirations by Printemps The Spring-Summer 2016 Woman has a free mind unaffected by traditions. It-looks and aesthetic angles are strong, even quirky. The wardrobe is bold, it is made up of pragmatic looks and pieces whose futuristic ergonomics shake up classic codes. Lace and romantic sheer fabrics are matched with large, high-waisted masculine trousers. Wide graphic stripes and sleeveless couture jackets bring a "French Touch" to the smart Parisian woman. Neo-baggy luxury defines present-day "street" elegance, while rhinestones and sequins shine in the sunlight. he new collections exude just the right balance of innovation and 90s revival and upgrade wardrobes to take you into casual and sophisticated design. Our statement is a combination of freedom, sensitivity and versatility.

TRENDS

On The Runway

FURRY VISION fuzzy textures

Pair with effervescent lime shades, high craftsmanship and the right attitude for a fierce impact.

FENDI

Another great looking piece from Jesuﾌ《 Lorenzo. We see a big style worn with denim flares.

CELINE CABAS PHANTOM GOAT FUR TOTE

ZEBRA FURRY SHADES

DALMATIAN BLACK AND WHITE DARK LENS FURRY SHADES SUNGLASSES

If you have been following the latest in trends

Fall/ winter 2015-2016 Fashion Week that were spotted on the

ZANPACK

runway shows, from New York to London, Milan and Paris, then you have noticed that there are quite a few pieces that have been recurring so often, we cannot help but call them a trend. Maybe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed the hordes of street style stars sporting colorful fur coats, scarves, and stoles this season? Well, it looks like the trend is showing no signs of slowing down. LOEFFLER RANDALL

Bally: Keep your eyes on this luxurious sleeveless dark brown leather coat embellished with fur patches. Love the snakeskin printed handbag.

FENDI

DISQUARRED

DOLLY FINE GLITTER FOX FUR NAVY

JIMMY CHOO

LITTLE STYLE

CAROLINA HERRERA

Children Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection

A blend of prints and colours create the newest Spring Summer 2016 CH Carolina Herrera Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection. A combination of different fabrics, textures and prints are paired together in a bold and flattering way. The colour palette consists of bright yellows, greens, and the classic CH red, yet softened by neutral shades such as navy and white. The mixture of both creates a lively and electrifying collection.

Leading Characters: Versatile outfits that evoke children’s adventurous spirit and are perfect for any moment. Scene: The boy’s collection consists of jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts and knitwear that are perfects for casual outings that can transition for any affair. The girl’s collection features playful dresses, flared skirts in a mixture of prints, flowers, checked patterns and stripes, resulting in a perfect combination.

MEN FASHION

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO FALL/WINTER 2016-2017

In spite of the cold of Milan, some fashion houses have a way of heating things up. Or at least they seem to make the cold days more bearable for us. At at Salvatore Ferragamo, color and patterns are their weapons of choice for bringing warmth for the Fall/Winter 2016/17 season.

Classic patterns like checks, plaid, chevron and houndâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tooth are the leads in the majority of the pieces. At Ferragamo they make highlights of the checked suits, sporty jackets,of elegant long coats and trousers that taper and that are cut above the ankles. Silk shirts are paired with matching ties and double or single-breasted suits. The majestic coats are finished with collars of fur, velvet or shearling.

To contrast the classics Ferragamo has decided to place modern graphics in popping colors. The house presents them on warm knitwear to brighten up the winter season. The presentation ends with silhouettes in which the patterned fabrics face deconstruction. With this solid pieces form from patchworks.

Scarves are an essentially important detail in the comprehension of the little touches that mean so much. Here they are worn in different ways â&#x20AC;&#x201D; knotted underneath the shirt or worn like a bandana. Other accessories include bags, belts, eyewear and Andy Warhol inspired shoes. The colors give the finishing touches with classic neutral and bold reds and yellows. Once all conjugated together, Salvatore Ferragamo presents a collection filled with colors and nuanced warmth.

PARENTING

The Ultimate Guide to Losing the Baby Weight

You’re thrilled about your new little bundle of joy, and ready to start shedding what's left of the baby weight.

by pregnancy and childbirth, exercise physiologist Richard Weil says.

These tips will help you get closer to retiring those maternity clothes.

He suggests three moves to target these areas:

No time to exercise? No problem. You can squeeze fitness into your baby-and-me routine.

• Superman lifts for your back: Lie on your belly and lift your right arm and left leg. Lower them back down, and then raise your left arm and right leg.

Pushing that baby stroller makes walking a workout. “Start slow and build up gradually by adding more hills for more intensity,” says Lisa Druxman, certified fitness professional, co-author of Lean Mommy, and founder of Fit4Mom. SLEEP WHEN BABY SLEEPS “Sleep deprivationslows post-pregnancy weight loss,” says Elizabeth Ward, RD, author of Expect the Best: Your Guide toHealthy Eating Before, During, and AfterPregnancy. “Exhaustion can drive you to overeat comfort foods, such as sweets and chips, and make you feel too tired toexercise.” Pumping milk also lets your partner handle those 2 a.m. feedings. STRENGTHEN YOUR MOMMY MUSCLES Your belly, back, and hips are the body parts most affected

• Crunches for your abs.

• Side leg raises for your hips: Lie on one side and raise your top leg up and then back down. For extra resistance, use an exercise band around your ankles when you do this move. KNOW THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING Breastfeeding burns 300 or more calories per day. It's great for your baby, both for the nutrition and for motherbaby bonding, says Carolyn Brown, RD, a nutritionist at Foodtrainers in New York. For extra calcium, especially if you breastfeed for more than 5 months, Ward recommends eating one or two calcium-rich snacks a day. Cottage cheese and kale chips are great sources of calcium.

ilary Miller’s breasts are not what they once were. Two children and many feedings later, they simply don’t have the perkiness of youth. “I’d like them to look the way they used to,” said Miller, who works at a beauty company in Dallas, Texas. She has long wanted an augmentation, but she worried about silicone implants. Never mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved them in 2006, after they were removed from the market in 1992 while the FDA evaluated their safety. After years of litigation and expert panel study, silicone gels were deemed safe, but the stigma has remained. Many women still fear “silent ruptures,” that is, tears that are undetectable without an MRI scan, which can cost thousands of dollars and usually isn’t covered by insurance. Many women also fear foreign substances coursing through their veins, worrying that they cause autoimmune diseases or cancer. “I don’t like the idea of something in my body that I don’t know about,”

Miller, 38, said. Saline didn’t appeal to her; she didn’t want to feel as if two water balloons were dwelling beneath her blouse. So in September, Miller got something called the Ideal Implant, which bills itself as “natural feel without silicone gel.” The implants, created by a Dallas plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Hamas (pronounced HEY-mus), are made of saline. But instead of bouncing around and potentially scalloping or folding, as saline implants tend to, they are as soft as gel. “They look good; they feel natural,” said Miller, who paid about $7,000 for the implants and a breast lift. “I like the way they fit in my clothes. I’m very happy.” A 2014 analysis in the Archives of Plastic Surgery found that silent ruptures occurred in 9 to 12 percent of cases eight years after implantation. The FDA advises women with siliconegel implants to get an MRI three years after the original surgery, and then every other year thereafter. Unlike silicone, saline implants deflate if there’s a leak, so it’s easy to tell if there’s a problem.

MEDICAL COUNTER

Breast Implants Undergo Reconstruction

Hamas has been working on his product since 1992, shortly after the moratorium on silicone. The idea was to figure out a way to keep the saline from sloshing around like a whiskey sour. After much trial and error, he created a series of implant shells nested together, like Russian dolls, and two separate chambers that hold saline. This internal structure limited the saline’s ability to move, while supporting the implant edges to reduce wrinkling. The company, Ideal Implant Inc., which he started in 2006, is majority owned by about 120 board-certified or boardeligible plastic surgeons, and gained FDA approval in 2014. It was made available to the public in September. Sort of. The Ideal Implant, which costs $1,500 a pair in addition to surgical costs, slightly higher than silicone implants, is only available to the shareholders and 45 doctors who investigated them for the FDA (none of whom have a financial stake in the company). But demand far outweighs supply, so doctors have been compiling waiting lists of women who want them.

BEAUTY

The Facialists' Secret To Younger Looking Skin

here's a whole world of face masks out there to fall in love with - from those that scrub, peel and firm to those that hydrate, comfort and nourish. You may have already found 'the one' that makes your skin look and feel amazing, but have you ever thought about taking on a bit on the side? Meet 'multimasking' - that's using several different face masks at once to create a totally bespoke skincare experience. Facialists have been doing this for years as it's the easiest way to bring out the very best in your skin. Our faces naturally have different needs in different areas - most women describe their skin as being combination, with oilier zones around the forehead and chin, breakouts and congestion on the nose and dryness around eyes and cheeks. So how does it work? Simply divide your face into four zones then mix and match the perfect products for each area's needs. Yes, it's slightly more complicated than just slapping one product on all over, but not by much, and the benefits will far outweigh the effort required. Here's our expert guide to multi-masking your facial zones:

EYES

The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face, that's why it's one of the first areas most of us notice lines. You might also find your eye area is prone to sensitivity and fluid retention. Seek out cooling, firming targeted mini gel masks.

NOSE

Your nose is a pretty hardy soul and doesn't often suffer from dryness, but most of us notice a bit of oil here as well as larger pores, blackheads and breakouts - all that lovely stuff. Luckily clay and mud masks are more than adept at sucking out impurities so put one to work here.

CHEEKS

Whether you suffer from dryness elsewhere, most of us have a bit of dehydration in our cheeks, and they love being smothered in super-nourishing, plumping, creamy formulas.

FOREHEAD AND CHIN

These areas can vary depending on your skin type, although for the most part they tend to be oilier rather than dry. A good all-rounder of a deep-cleansing and hydrating mask will fit the bill, and your chin especially can benefit from a bit of exfoliaton.

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara Introduces the First Biotec Machine in Qatar

anana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, the luxury brand’s first resort in Qatar, developed by Al Rayyan Hospitality, is proud to introduce at the Anantara Spa, and for the first time in Doha, the award-winning Elemis Reveal Biotec Machines, starting from February 2016.

The resort featuring separate purpose-built spa and wellness facilities, will host the new High Technology machines to provide guests with advanced facial treatment options for complete skincare protection and rejuvenation. The team at Banana Island Resort and Spa are amongst the first in Qatar to train on this revolutionary, non-invasive, anti-ageing treatment developed by the internationally renowned British skincare brand Elemis. The Elemis Biotec machine works by stimulating unresponsive skin cells weakened by sun exposure, age and stress, and delivers eight new highly-effective, super-charged facial treatments to re-boot cellular performance, enhancing the skin's ability to repair, renew and re-tone. Using a combination of hands-on therapy and technology, each treatment targets specific skin needs to deliver immediate, visible and long-lasting results that rid the skin of impurities, reduce signs of tiredness, gently exfoliate the skin, and dramatically lift facial contours. The application of a specific highperformance, super-activator combined with the use of the Biotec Machine creates a new generation of dynamic facial skincare to deliver complete treatment solution for maximum benefit.

Mr. Thomas Fehlbier, General Manager of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara said, “Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara takes pride in offering our guests the very best in modern luxury, for an unparalleled experience that makes their stay even more memorable. We are constantly looking for new products and services that enhance our portfolio and add more value to our guests stay, helping position us at the top of our game. The launch of the first ever Elemis Biotec machine in Qatar at our Anantara Spa is an exciting development for us, and is a strong testament to our commitment to create a holistic space that offers the most advanced treatment solutions for a relaxed body and

mind. We want our guests to feel more comfortable and confident, and hope they enjoy these exclusive treatments.” Guests can choose from an intense 60 minute treatment delivered in one of the treatment or Series of treatment to maintain and long lasting result. Most of the treatments are followed by the home care remedies. Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara’ feels a world away from bustling Doha but is only a 25 minute journey by luxury ferry from Al Shyoukh Terminal located in the city’s downtown area or a 10 minute helicopter ride directly from the airport with bird’s eye views of the spectacular coastline.

L’Oréal Professionnel leads the way in global hair color with the latest IT Look trends for Spring/Summer!

hen it comes to your hair, looking on-trend and glamorous is as easy as trusting the world’s number one hair color brand, L’Oréal Professionnel.

For this Spring/Summer, L’Oréal Professionnel has already indicated the two trends that are going to be a big hit, sure to be seen everywhere and on everyone, from influencers to the catwalk and the red carpet. These trends are the Vibrant and Cold Blond looks. This season, L’Oréal Professionnel has begun by collaborating with two social influencers, Ola Farahat and Mariam Rodd, who were invited to refresh and update their looks to reflect the latest trends. L’Oréal Professionnel is the most trusted name for women when they want to color their hair, including for women who have never colored their hair before. The brand is a trendsetter and an expert in hair color, with a history that goes back to 1909, when Eugene Schueller, a young French chemist, developed a formula for hair dye and named it L’Oréal. That was the start of hair color as we know it now. These looks can never be recreated at home, so it is always best to go to the nearest L’Oréal Professionnel salon for guaranteed glamour and captivating results.

PRODUCTS

LANCASTER 365 Sun Compact SPF 30 Tanning Captured In An Everyday Form

365 Sun Compact SPF 30 contains

Lancaster’s signature promise in the sun: radiance. Thanks to TAC – the Tan Activating Complex, it actually extends your tan. Your colour becomes luminous, your complexion even and highly desirable. The skin is thus protected against environmental damage – pollution, oxidative stress – that could disrupt the integrity of its DNA. Last but not least, the emollient formula provides comfort and moisture.

Get Beyoncé’s Super Bowl OPI Manicure! As she joined Coldplay and Bruno Mars on stage at the 2016 Super Bowl, Beyoncé looked absolutely stunning wearing the classic

Lady in Black from OPI!

To all the ladies, Beyoncé started her look with the OPI and nailed it with the fashionable OPI

Nail Base Coat Top Coat!

Natural

Matte

Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold

Bring out your inner radiance for the world to see, and turn flaws into flawlessness with Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold, a new generation treatment product from La Prairie. Now, in a formula so unique and a texture so silky, this precious ingredient helps your skin achieve flawless perfection, as in a never-ending golden hour.

Shiseido's Fresh New Fragrance: Ever Bloom

The new Ever Bloom collection also features a scented shower cream, rich body lotion and indulgent body cream, so if you love the scent as much as we do, give yourself the full works by layering them up for an even longer-lasting fragrance.

MAC x Zac Posen Collection

After dazzling women with his modern but timeless designs on the runway and red carpet for 13 years, New York designer presents his debut colour collection for MAC. From the iconic packaging to the square-handled contour and buffer brushes that boast the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mark, every loving detail that Posen adorns on the female form takes on new shape for the face.

Zac Posen

Givenchy La Revelation Originelle Makeup Collection for Spring 2016 La Revelation Originelle

Givenchy Spring 2016 makeup collection is exactly what we all need. Gorgeous highlighter, and refreshing pink for lips, nails and cheeks. There are also a brown eye liner, grey mascara and colourful eye shadows. The star of the collection is definitely the uber gorgeous illuminator Poudre Lumiere Originelle an enhancing powder for an imperceptible, soft focus finish. It is a light pink highlighter that leaves the skin radiant and luminous.

HEALTH

Sexual Transmission Is Just the Latest Zika Surprise

nformation about the Zika virus now “spreading explosively” through the Americas seems to be changing every day — and little of it is comforting. Researchers reported that a Dallas resident contracted the virus during sex, rather than from a mosquito bite, raising new questions about the virus, which has been carefully followed for only a few years. “This virus is very frightening,” said Didier Musso, who studied a 20132014 outbreak of Zika on the French Polynesian islands. Many details about the virus remain mysterious, including its evolution, the likelihood of sexual transmission and whether this risk will complicate the fight against it.

“It’s a very new disease. It would be possible to answer all the questions in 10 years, but not today,” said Musso, director of the emerging infectious disease unit at the Institut Louis Malardé in Tahiti, which is in French Polynesia. Though Zika was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda, only 14 human cases have been described in Africa and in Southeast Asia, where it apparently also spread to travelers. Zika transmissions had been reported in recent months on Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but Tuesday’s report of sexual transmission is the first on the U.S. mainland. Most of what we know about the mosquito-borne disease comes from the outbreak in French Polynesia

Whooping Cough Booster Shot May Offer Only Short-Term Protection

in 2013, where an estimated 32,000 were infected out of a population of 270,000. Although Zika had been considered a mild disease — with 80% of victims showing no symptoms at all — cases in French Polynesia suggested that the virus can cause very severe complications and has been more threatening than believed all along. In October, Brazilian pediatricians began to worry that the increase they were seeing in brain-damaged newborns, born with a condition called microcephaly, might be due to Zika. On Jan. 19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned pregnant women to avoid traveling to more than 20 countries and territories in the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The rapidly fading effectiveness of the pertussis booster vaccine may help explain recent widespread outbreaks of whooping cough. The United States stopped using a whole-cell pertussis vaccine in the 1990s and began using an acellular version called DTaP. Five vaccinations are given during childhood, and a booster vaccine, called the Tdap, is given to adolescents and adults. Researchers looked at 1,207 pertussis cases among children who had had the acellular vaccine in childhood. The study, in Pediatrics, found that when these children got the Tdap booster, it was 69% effective after the first year, then dropped to less than 9% two to three years later. A new, more effective vaccine against whooping cough is needed, but according to the lead author, Dr. Nicola P. Klein, co-director of the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center, a change in schedule might be effective until one is developed. “We need to think about whether we should have a targeted routine of vaccines instead of an age-based method,” she said. “There are a number of ways to do this. We’ve seen epidemics every four years in California, so maybe every four years would work. Or we could vaccinate whenever there is an outbreak.” Klein added that the vaccination of pregnant women is effective in preventing pertussis in newborns, and that all pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy.

BLOG

Create Your Own Language, for Credit

hese are some of the questions students have pondered in “Invented Languages” at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, as they create languages of their own. The tongue spoken by the nomadic Dothraki warriors of HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones” has entered the pop-culture lexicon, and so sparked new interest in constructed languages, or conlangs.

Wellesley College in Massachusetts and Truman State in Missouri, students take apart the words, sounds, writing and patterns of such conlangs as Dothraki, Na’vi (“Avatar”), Elvish (“The Lord of the Rings”) and Klingon (“Star Trek”) to get a sense of how languages evolve to meet the needs of their speakers. Coursework marries the principles of linguistics with the creativity of speculative fiction genres and pop culture.

“Thanks to the popularity of ‘GOT,’ ‘Avatar,’ etc., more people the world over know what language creation is,” says David J. Peterson, the linguist behind spoken Dothraki and alien-speak on the Syfy network’s “Defiance.”

First, think about your speaker’s anatomy, and therefore what sounds he can create, says Jessica Sams, whose conlang course at Stephen F. Austin has grown from minimum to maximum capacity. Then, she says, build on elements of grammar, culture and habits (and, in the case of bears, growling patterns).

At schools like Stephen F. Austin,

You say “umroko’uta” (“The dark part

of your nose is visible”) in Arktosk, Lindsey Antonini’s class project. A savvy bear might hide its snout to blend in with snow when hunting. The submerged society in Eurosi, Chelsea Sabella’s conlang for Sams’ class, writes in letters shaped like hooks and bubbles, and from bottom up because, under water, things rise. Sans teeth, there’s no capacity for “th” or “v” sounds. (“Th” is overused anyway, notes Douglas Ball of Truman State, which launched a conlang course last year. It’s found in few natural languages.) Eight verbs are needed in Brandi Woodstock’s New Jeruslanic, including one to ask for something, one to intercede on someone’s behalf and one to plead. The idiom of angels pops up every semester, Sams says.

NUITRITION

How Much Does The Time Of Day You Eat Really Affect Your Weight? ou've heard a lot about whether or not late-night eating affects weight or not. But it's time to set the record straight once and for all. See how the research has evolved, and what the final verdict is on noshing past bed time. A 2005 study in the journal Obesity Research found no link between evening snacking and gaining extra pounds, prompting nutrition pros to declare that bedtime eating while watching Parks & Recreation isn't slim-down suicide. Break out the ice cream! In 2008, researchers showed that people who ate between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. consumed more total calories per day and gained more weight over time. If your freewheeling diet has you eating at oddball hours, chances are you're eating more overall. A new study found that when people who tended to eat a third of their calories between 6 p.m. and midnight switched to a schedule where they stopped eating between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., they lost weight and slept better. The time of day doesn't matter as much as how much you're eating within 24 hours. To reduce that amount, stick to a food window of 10 or 11 hours, says Satchin Panda, Ph.D. It may keep your circadian rhythm and weight steadier.

Your Body on Caffeine: When Enough Is Enough Adults should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day Don't talk to me until I've had my coffee." Sound familiar? "I can't survive without caffeine." “Having caffeine later in the day can delay our inner circadian clock," says Dr. Mark Hyman, director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. The mild stimulant – yes, it's defined as a drug – can disrupt sleep and promote anxiety and depression. "We all know someone who tends to be tired, wired and over-caffeinated," Hyman says. The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee suggests adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Pregnant women should hit the brakes around 200 mg – or two to three cups – a day, says Roger Cook, science manager at the ISIC, a nonprofit dedicated to the study of coffee's effects on health. For measure, a single cup of coffee packs roughly 95 to 200 mg of caffeine. "As with many elements of our diet, too much can be harmful," Cook says, adding that even too much water can make you ill. "Most

consumers self-regulate – that is, they consume a level of caffeine they are comfortable with." In 2014, researchers published a paper in the journal Pediatrics reporting that although caffeine is considered a safe substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, its potential adverse effects on children and adolescents aren't certain. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no caffeine for kids. Yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 73 percent of Americans ages 2 to 22 consume caffeine on any given day. According to the National Institutes of Health, caffeine has no nutritional value. It's found naturally in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 60 plants, including tea leaves, kola nuts, coffee beans and cocoa beans. It's also found in processed foods such as instant coffee, tea, chocolate, most colas, candies, energy drinks, snacks and gum. And it's an ingredient in many overthe-counter medications, such as pain relievers, diet pills and cold remedies.

RECIPE

Healthy Appetizer Recipes Entertain the smart way with these healthy appetizer recipes.

Sweet Potato Skins

Chili Cheese Potato Skins Ingredients • 3 large Russet potatoes, baked • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted • 2 c. chili • 1 c. Colby Jack cheese • Toppings:( Optional ) • sliced green onions • sour cream • sliced jalapenos Instructions • For baking potatoes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly rinse the potatoes, and pierce the skin with a fork. Bake the potatoes directly on the rack for approximately 1 hour. Let cool. • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Quarter the potatoes length-wise and scoop out the interior of the potatoes, leaving a small layer of white potato and the skin. Brush the skins with melted butter on both sides. Bake for about 10 minutes. • Take the skins out of the oven and spoon on the chili , and sprinkle on the cheese , and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. Transfer the skins to a serving dish, and top with your desired toppings. Enjoy right away.

Ingredients • 6 medium sweet potatoes • 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan • 2 scallions, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup salsa • 1/2 avocado, pitted and cut into small pieces • 1 cup black bean chips, crushed Directions • Put the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until forktender, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely. (The potatoes can be baked, cooled and refrigerated a day ahead.) Split each in half lengthwise, and scoop out most of the

flesh, leaving about a 1/4inch border all around. • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put a rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the potato skins skin-side up on the rack, and brush with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Bake until the skins are slightly browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut each in half crosswise. • Arrange the pieces skinside down on the rack, and sprinkle each with mozzarella, Parmesan and scallions. Bake until the mozzarella melts, 8 to 10 minutes. Top each with some salsa verde and avocado. Sprinkle with crushed chips.

Avocado Toasts

Bruschetta Ingredients • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced • 1 pint red grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise • 1 pint yellow grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar • 16 whole fresh basil leaves, plus more as needed, chiffonade • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1 whole baguette or crusty loaf • 1 stick butter

Ingredients • One 8-ounce ripe avocado, halved, pitted and peeled • Fine salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 slices whole grain or whole wheat bread • 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter, softened • Flaky sea salt, for serving • Crushed red pepper flakes, optional Instructions • Mash the avocado with a fork in a shallow bowl until chunky. Season with fine salt and black pepper. • Toast the bread until browned and crisp. Lightly rub 1 side of each slice with the cut side of the garlic until fragrant; discard the garlic. Lightly brush the toasts with oil, and season with fine salt and pepper. Divide the mashed avocado evenly among the toasts, and top with more flaky sea salt, more black pepper and red pepper flakes if using.

Instructions • In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute, removing before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden). Pour the garlic and oil into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly. • Add the red and yellow tomatoes, balsamic and basil to the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, and then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don't over salt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time. • Cut the baguette into diagonal slices to allow for the most surface area possible. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and grill half the bread on both sides, making sure they're nice and buttery. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Repeat with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the other half of the bread. • To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir, and then spoon generously over the slices of bread. Serve on a big platter as a first course or appetizer

DECOR

Scandinavian Design Is The Secret To Making

Your Home Feel Bigger

f you've scrolled through Pinterest lately, you've probably noticed an overwhelming number of minimallydecorated, impeccably-organized spaces taking over your feed. This trend is none other than Scandinavian home design, an interior style famous for its simplicity, functionality and neutral color scheme. The look is undoubtedly stunning, but we love it most for its ability to make a space feel bigger. (Calling all teeny-tiny apartment dwellers!) The idea is to pare down to the essentials so your abode is nice and clutter-free. Luckily, you don't have to start from scratch to bring the Scandinavian style to your home. Getting the look is a matter of making small tweaks to affect big change in the way your space feels. Whether you're looking to redecorate, get organized or simply feel inspired to tidy up, scroll through the list below to learn simple ways to master this spacesaving design trick.

Minimize clutter by keeping chaos covered. Whether in your kitchen, living room or home office, challenge yourself to keep shelves and tabletops clean. Only display what you want people to admire. The rest deserves to be neatly tucked away in a drawer or cabinet. To freshen up your living room or bedroom, swap ornate patterns, like florals or animal print, for clean, uncomplicated designs like stripes or diamond prints. Simpler patterns will elongate other lines present in the room, making the entire space look wider than it really is. Making a room brighter is the key to creating the illusion of volume. Allow more natural light to shine in through the windows and your home will instantly feel more spacious. So, pull back the curtains and let the sun shine in.

Properly spaced objects will make your home look and feel less disordered. When organizing your closet or styling your coffee table, try to avoid piles and stacks that crowd the space and overwhelm the eye. Where bold colors make a space feel more intimate, neutral, muted colors make a space feel more open. To increase the size of your own home, experiment withwhite or off-white paint colors that accentuate your decor rather than overpower it. Not looking to totally repaint? Hang a black and white photograph or add a few neutral throw pillows to your couch.

ENTERTAINMENT

Oscar-Nominated Film 'Mustang' Perfectly Depicts What It Is To Be A Woman

Giddy from the game, they stroll home, where punishment for their free-spirited actions awaits. A well-meaning grandmother and socially conservative uncle -- the girls' caretakers after the unexplained death of their parents -- yell, beat and ground the young women for allegedly tempting their male peers. It’s the first in a series of increasingly stifling events that kick off director Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Academy Award-nominated film, “Mustang,” a story about five sisters in Eastern Turkey who confront the oppressive gender structures that confine their small town. The opening scene -- along with other gritty anecdotes from the film -- is plucked directly from Ergüven’s own life in Turkey, before she immigrated to France as a young girl. Of the film’s deeply personal approach, she said plainly in an interview with The Huffington Post, “It wasn’t so creative. It was my point of view.” Creative or not, Ergüven’s decision to frame the entire movie from the vantage point of a courageous young girl watching her older sisters’ rough stumble into womanhood is unique. Of the 23 feature-length films nominated for Oscars this year -- eight in the Best Picture category, five documentaries, five animated films, and five foreign language films -- “Mustang” is one of two directed by women. (The doc "What Happened, Miss Simone?" is the second.) “For me, it’s very important to look at the world through the eyes of girls. In cinema history we have always been looking at the world through the eyes of men,” Ergüven said. “For some men, if they don’t have sisters, they really can see women as objects.” To prepare her crew of young women actresses for the roles they’d play in “Mustang” -- strong, playful, sexually explorative, rebellious women reluctantly allowing their grandmother to marry them off -- Ergüven gave them assignments. They watched Stanley Kubrick’s “Lolita,” Benh Zietlin’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” and Andrea Arnold’s “Fish Tank,” which the girls found “boring,” aside from a scene where the protagonists witness blunt, unedited sex.

fter a long school day, a crew of young girls takes a detour to a nearby beach before heading home. With their uniform skirts and blouses on, they wrap their neckties around their heads like warriors and splash confidently in the sea. They mount the shoulders of their boy classmates for a game of chicken; they wrestle and topple and argue over who really won the hard-fought battle.

“In Turkey they cut most of the sex scenes, so the girls never saw something like this and all of a sudden I heard them shout 'ahhhh!'” Ergüven said. Censorship of sex scenes isn’t the only evidence of what Ergüven calls a backwards sort of patriarchy in Turkey. She spoke with me about Turkish men in positions of power whose ideals are ostensibly conservative, but in their conservatism are also sex-obsessed.

CHAT

Twitter, to Save Itself, Must Scale Back World-Swallowing Ambitions

Twitter is the world’s most important social network.

hat might sound like the ravings of an addict, but look at the headlines in every morning’s newspaper and the obsessions of every evening’s cable news broadcast. Just about anything you encounter in the news media these days has some basis in the controversies and conversations occurring on the 140-character network. Yet for all its influence, Twitter, as a company, is in trouble. The network has always been too strange and too difficult for new users to get the hang of, and its growth has been slowing for a while. Now, according to an earnings report released February 10, user growth has ground to a halt.

Technology investors have not been in a forgiving mood lately for any company, and Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder and recently reinstated chief executive, is unlikely to enjoy much grace. So what’s to be done? It’s time for Twitter to consider something radical. More than two years ago, the company floated its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. On its first day of trading, investors valued Twitter at nearly $32 billion, a price that established a certain set of expectations that Twitter would keep altering its service to attract mainstream users and that its ad business would continue to grow at a breakneck pace.

Wall Street has only one template of success for an Internet company: Google and, later, Facebook. By filing for an initial public offering, Twitter was telling the world that it was part of the same club — that there was no upper bound to its business aims and that it would try to build a money machine that matched the size and importance of its service. But what if the best path for Twitter, as a service, is for Twitter the company to abandon that dream? What if becoming a $25 billion, $50 billion or $100 billion worldswallowing Internet giant just isn’t in the cards for a niche service like Twitter?

TECHNOLOGY

Wood Shop Enters the Age of High-Tech

ou remember wood shop. You made that swanshaped planter your parents pretended to like. And then you moved on. These days, tinkering is a bit more high-tech. The blending of technology and craft in tools like 3-D printers and laser cutters has made it possible for ordinary people to make extraordinary things. And many ordinary people, living as they do, more and more in their heads and online, are yearning to do something with their hands. So the “maker space” movement — DIY communities to get people creating, be it for fun, for art or for entrepreneurship — is booming. Maker Faires are held around the world. Commercial operations like TechShop have popped up across the country. And tinkering is being promoted on college campuses from MIT to Santa Clara University, as well as in high schools and elementary schools. There’s even a massive open online course, offered by the MOOC provider Coursera and taught by three scientists from the Exploratorium in San Francisco, called “Tinkering Fundamentals: A Constructionist Approach to STEM Learning.” Yes, tinkering is now a pedagogy. Taking things apart and putting them

together — skills children used to absorb in Dad’s or Mom’s workshop — has an important role to play in learning, according to Karen Cator, the chief executive of Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization created by Congress that focuses on the use of technology to improve education. “You’re exploring creativity, you’re exploring design thinking, you’re developing a sense of persistence,” she said. Building something new requires planning, trying and, yes, failing, and then trying again. “These are incredibly important mindset for today’s world,” she said. Cator, who served in the Department of Education during the first Obama term, talked excitedly about students who have designed child prostheses. “That’s what they’re going to remember their entire life,” she said. “They aren’t going to remember sitting in an electronics lecture.” At Rutgers, a bustling maker space can be found in a moldering woodframe structure on the Livingston campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. The building once served as the command headquarters for Camp Kilmer, a transportation hub for soldiers mobilizing for World War II; today, the building, still called Headquarters, houses computer repair offices and the division of continuing studies. And upstairs, there are wonders.

On any given day, as many as 20 students could be working on the array of equipment that the center offers training on and time to use, said Stephen M. Carter, who directs the university’s Center for Innovation Education and co-founded the New Jersey Makerspace Association in 2012. Students might be working on a class project, doing “something entrepreneurial” or making Halloween costumes, he said. “We support all of it.” There are 3-D printers, which can be programmed to create wildly inventive shapes out of plastic or resin (like a decent copy of the Iron Throne from “Game of Thrones” or a bust of Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy”). There is a laser cutter to etch materials like fabric, marble or wood and cut through plastic. Next door is an electronics shop, with racks upon racks of parts. Close by are drill presses, a router and a key cutter, which Carter refers to as “our gateway drug,” a piece of equipment neophytes can use to produce something they really need. A common space with couches and a television gives students a place to talk, show off their projects or just hang out.

eATM cash withdrawals via app and ApplePay

The eATM interfaces via a large portrait touchscreen, and customers can use it like a conventional ATM and withdraw and deposit cash using their bank card. If users have ApplePay, they can launch the app, authorize via their fingerprint — just as they would with regular point-of-sale transactions — and enter their pin into the eATM. They can then withdraw as usual. Customers can also use their Chase Cardless ATM app to generate an access code, key it into the eATM, enter their pin and the amount, and withdraw their cash.

INNOVATION

JPMorgan Chase is planning to reveal its next generation of ATMs, which will enable withdrawals through ApplePay or the bank’s smartphone app. The machines do not require customers to use plastic cards, and the apps will enable cash withdrawals of up to USD 3,000 — three times more than the current threshold.

Neuro-headsets could help market research EEG headsets are invaluable devices, used in hospitals and labs to aid researchers’ understanding of brain activity. Previously, their cost has made them unaffordable to smaller teams, but now Emotiv have developed a range of headset that cost under USD 500. This means that schools, small research programs and individuals can experiment with brain monitoring functionalities. Market researchers could also find the headsets useful. EEG works by translating brain activity and facial expressions into readable emotions, so by getting subjects to wear the headsets, the process of screening a new advert or campaign could be streamlined and made more accurate.

Posture-correcting eyewear turns off devices

Gameboy disease is a catch-all diagnosis for those who suffer from conditions such as backache, headaches and vision problems induced by a combination of bad posture and frequent device usage. The symptoms are particularly worrying in young people, whose bodies are susceptible to developing spinal conditions since they are still growing. Hoping to prevent this, Medical Wearable Solutions has developed the EyeForcer — a wearable for children that monitors their posture and shuts down their devices if they refuse to straighten up. The EyeForcer is a pair of glass-less frames that can be worn daily by children as young as three. The device uses proprietary technology to monitor the position of the wearer while they use their devices. If the child is sat badly, perhaps hunched over their screen, the frames give them a few warnings to correct their position. If they don’t comply, the EyeForcer turns the device off.

HOSPITALITY

Online Booking Makes Hotel Loyalty Harder to Keep

For the past six months, Erin Gifford, a marketing director based in Washington, has traveled for business at least once a month, mostly to Boston. But she has yet to see a single reward from a hotel chain. “I’m not big into loyalty programs,” said Gifford, who works at Cove.is, a workspace provider. Instead, she books hotels on Priceline about two weeks ahead. She typically picks an area that is a 15-minute walk from her meetings and pays around $100 a night with taxes. She has never stayed at the same hotel twice. She created this approach when new colleagues traveled to Washington for training. They lodged at the Dupont Circle Hotel one week, then moved on to the Hotel Palomar for another week before spending several weeks at an Airbnb property. In the end, she said her hodgepodge approach, made possible by online booking, offered greater flexibility and savings than loyalty to a single chain. As hotel groups consolidate, occupancy rates remain high and technology becomes more sophisticated, online bookings are undergoing a transformation while hotel chains compete to retain a customer’s loyalty. “It’s a tricky transitional period,” said Christopher K. Anderson, a faculty member at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. The industry, he said, is adopting new technologies but at the same time the hotels are very competitive in vying for customers.

It’s not always easy to persuade them. In a closely watched decision, the Justice Department declined to challenge Expedia’s acquisition of Orbitz last September, saying that it was “not likely to substantially lessen competition or harm U.S. consumers.” The Expedia umbrella already included the booking sites Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Trivago.com and Travelocity. com. Customers who use them typically do not accrue loyalty points, and the sites charge hotels commissions for any bookings. “The world of digital selling is more complex for hoteliers,” Anderson said, adding that companies like TripAdvisor with its instant booking service and Google were transitioning to models that resemble online travel agencies. The move to third-party sites has proved hard for hotel chains to ignore. In June, TripAdvisor announced an agreement with Marriott that allows travelers shopping for hotel rooms on its site to book directly at any of Marriott’s 4,200 properties worldwide without leaving the website. TripAdvisor said more recently that it had added partnerships with the Priceline Group to include its Booking.com brand, with 840,000 properties worldwide. The site has also signed other hotel partners including Wyndham Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, all of which do not offer reward points through TripAdvisor.

efore 2008, Jaguars with more than two doors had distinct designs as British as Highclere Castle. Then the XF arrived. Crisp and contemporary, it quickly became Jaguar’s bestselling car. Now, for its second generation, it has taken the approach that less is more. On average, it is 200 pounds lighter. The old Ford-sourced steel platform is out, replaced by a bonded and riveted aluminum platform under the body drawn up by the designer Ian Callum. The XF appears quietly urbane, less emotional by a whisker this time around. It’s a touch lower and shorter, although the wheelbase is stretched by a couple of inches. The weight distribution is 50/50. Pushing the pulsating start button summons the cylindrical 8-speed transmission controller from the console, while air vents yawn open. It’s a lot of drama, offering a hint to the fun ahead. The R model tested surges with deep rich torque from rest to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds with its 340-horsepower, three-liter supercharged V6. If that disheartens, move up to the S model for 380 horses. I tested a rear-drive car, although all-wheel drive is available. Go with premapped performance settings or

AUTO

A New Jaguar Light on Its Feet

choose from a host of steering, throttle, transmission and suspension settings. The XF runs against the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CTS and Mercedes E-Class. Surprisingly, the party animals are the American and Brit on twisty roads. The XF has its own feel, softer on its feet with a touch of body roll that communicates nicely. Never harsh, it eats corners up. Its fuel economy is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 highway — reasonable for a luxury performance sedan — although it wants premium gasoline. The XF will put no one to sleep, but optional tech includes a driver drowsiness alert system. Also on the list are semiautonomous parking, auto braking and adaptive cruise control. Together with GPS and cameras that read speed limit signs, the Jaguar can adjust its speed automatically, making it speed-trap resistant. Low Friction Launch, a kind of launch control for icy surfaces, automatically applies the throttle at low speed, sending power only to drive wheels with traction. This allows the driver to concentrate on steering.

TRAVEL

This Tiny Island Paradise Is So Gorgeous It's Not Even Fair

f you find yourself dreaming of tropical islands like Hawaii, Bali, and Tahiti on a daily basis, we've got a new face to add to your rotation. Welcome to Nusa Lembongan, where the sun loves to shine and sandy toes are a given. Nusa Lembongan is a snorkeler's paradise, a surfer's dream, and a beach bum's personal heaven packed into a threesquare-mile island off the southeast shore of Bali. Sounds tiny, right? Well, it is, and that's the best part. Nusa Lembongan is quiet and with an estimated 5,000 people living on the island, it feels like a tight-knit seaside town, complete with that famous laid-back island lifestyle. In terms of lodging, beautiful resorts are aplenty and the rental villas are drop-dead gorgeous. Most of the resorts, including the Lembongan Beach Club and the Hai Tide Beach Resort sit right on the water, so you can have breakfast and watch the waves roll in, working on your tan all the while. Our advice? Find an infinity pool, dive in and never leave. After a few days of poolside lounging, you might find yourself itching for an adventure. Catch a ride to nearby Nusa Penida for epic views of sea cliffs and rock formations. Nusa Penida is significantly larger than Nusa Lembongan, but not as developed, making it a less popular spot for tourists and ripe for exploration. The other nearby island, save for Bali itself, is Nusa Ceningan, which is even smaller than Nusa Lembongan. The easiest way to get there is a scenic walk over this yellow suspension bridge. Traveling to Bali is usually the hardest part of the journey, depending on where you're coming from. But once you've made it there, the trip to Nusa Lembongan is easy -- just a 30 minute boat ride from Sanur, a town in southeast Bali. If you're staying in Bali, this makes Nusa Lembongan a quick and easy day trip. If you'd prefer to spend most of your time on Nusa Lembongan though, we fully support that. Just look at this place...

Airlines Reap Record Profits, and Passengers Get Peanuts

elped by falling oil prices, airlines are reporting record profits, but for many passengers this sudden bonanza has meant little more than extra bags of free peanuts and pretzels. The four biggest domestic carriers — American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — together earned about $22 billion in profits last year, a stunning turnaround after a decade of losses, bankruptcies and cutbacks. A big reason for this is the plunging price of jet fuel, which now costs only a third of what it did just two years ago. But that windfall is only slowly finding its way down the aisles. Days after reporting record profits, for instance, two of the nation’s biggest airlines brought back free snacks in coach. United said it would begin serving complimentary stroopwafels, which it described as “Dutch-made toasted waffle treats,” and American said it would offer free meals in economy class on flights between Dallas and Hawaii, and free snacks on all domestic flights. Airfares, however, have remained stubbornly high. Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com, says airfares have been essentially stable for the last two years except on some routes where airlines have faced competition from lowcost carriers like Spirit Airlines. Analysts say there is little mystery why. A decade of consolidation has reduced the number of airlines competing in many markets, making it easier for dominant carriers to charge more for flights. At Newark Liberty International Airport, for example — where United, which merged with Continental Airlines in 2010, accounts for 70 percent of flights — airfares are the highest among the nation’s top airports, according to government figures. At the same time, demand is rising, meaning flights are full and airlines have few incentives to discount fares. “This is like a perfect storm for the airlines right now, and it could keep going on for the next year,” Seaney said. “Giving free peanuts and chips is a way to address the issue that consumers think the airlines have been nickel-and-diming them.” When the Great Recession hit, airline executives reduced the number of flights and successfully argued for the industry to consolidate. Successive mergers between Delta and Northwest Airlines, United and Continental, Southwest and AirTran Airways, and American and US Airways left four big domestic airlines in control of 80 percent of all seat capacity.

ADVICE

The Best Facial Oils Under $30, And Why You Should Use Them

f you've been hesitating about adding facial oils to your beauty routine, it's time to get in formation, as BeyoncĂŠ would say. There are many benefits of applying oils to your face, whether you have dry, oily or acneprone skin. Similar to creams and lotions, facial oils contain fatty acids that help to add moisture and lock in hydration. A little goes a long way, as you can gently press it onto your face to instantly restore the luminosity of your complexion. According to licensed skincare therapist Julia March, "oils protect the skin's acid mantle, rebuild and maintain skin's lipid barrier due to external influences, like extreme temperatures, over-cleansing, low humidity, sickness and travel. They act as a carrier for other active ingredients to penetrate into lower levels of the epidermis." Another reason face oils are beneficial is that you don't have to spend an exuberant amount of money to get quality skincare. But, we highly suggest getting the green light from your dermatologist before slathering them on.