Happy New Year 2014!!!

In Coming Year Enjoy every single moment. The good, bad, beautiful, ugly, inspiring, the not-so-glamorous moments. Happy New Year 2014!

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Chill at the best ice hotels

Nothing beats an ice hotel to properly chill out when winter comes. Here’s a short selection of the most famous temperature-challenged hotels around the world.

One of the most famous ice hotels in the world has been opening its doors every winter in Québec since 2001.

This winter, it will open from January 5 to March 24, 2013. Although the beds are sculpted in ice, they are covered with a special mattress and sleeping bag to keep guests warm even whentemperatures drop to -30°C outside. In the room, they oscillate between -3°C and 5°C. Room prices start from around US$400 (€313) a night.

In the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, the Icehotel will accommodate guests from December 7 to April 13. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the hotel’s 47 rooms include all the necessary amenities to keep guests warm, as well as a bar. Prices start at US$185 (€145) a night per head in a room for two.

Every winter, world famous artists congregate to the Swedish village to carve ice sculptures, adding to the location’s fairytale atmosphere.

On the banks of the Alta river, in Norway, lies a 1,600 square meter hotel with 50 beds in 20 rooms. The hotel also features a bar, several lounge areas and a suite, as well as a small ice chapel, a rather unusual location to exchange wedding vows. Prices for a night at the igloo hotel in Sorrisniva start at US$375 (€292).

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new Rosie for Autograph Spring lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new Rosie for Autograph Spring lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer has been designed with Valentine’s Day in mind.



“As this collection is launching so close to Valentine’s Day, it was more important than ever to make sure that all the new colours complemented all skintones. We decided upon a gorgeous palette of blush pinks and warm neutrals which every woman will love to wear,” said Rosie.

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2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray

On Sunday night, at a well-attended ceremony at an old warehouse in a run-down section of Detroit, GM Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter and design director Tom Peters pulled the wraps off a 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray. The seventh generation of the classic American sports car and the first new version since 2005 is the most powerful standard Corvette in history, the C7 boasts an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.

“For 60 years, the Corvette has represented the state of the art in performance cars. To put it simply, this car is the reason I work at General Motors,” said Mark Reuss, North American president, as he stood on stage next to a fire-alarm red model, the tarp just pulled off. “It’s presence, the performance, the history and the heritage — everything it stands for — always raises the hair on the back of my neck.”

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Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s $20 million dream home

Model Gisele Bundchen and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s $20 million California dream home is finally finished, as photographs surface showing the amazing property following completion. Located in elite Brentwood outside Los Angeles, the mansion is 22,000-square feet and features eight bedrooms, a six-car garage, a lagoon-shaped swimming pool with spa, a weight room for Tom to train in and a wine cellar. It is believed that Gisele and Tom have now moved in to the mansion along with their two-year-old son Benjamin.

The roofs appear to be covered in solar panels and Gisele has insisted that despite its size, the palace is “environmentally friendly.” The couple bought the 3.75-acre lot for $11 million in 2008 and spent millions on the construction. Their neighbors include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Heidi Klum and her singer husband Seal.

Tom and his New England Patriots won the AFC Championship on Sunday (beating the Baltimore Ravens) and they’re on their way to Super Bowl XLVI.

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Petrossian Caviar and Champagne Bar opens at Los Angeles Airport

Plane delayed, who cares? Now you can wait for your flight in the lap of luxury. The French world-renowned caviar house Petrossian opened a caviar and champagne bar at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Terminal last week. Menu items at the post bar include a caviar martini garnished with a caviar-stuffed olive, caviar deviled eggs, hand-sliced smoked salmon, a smoked trout platter and caviar flatbread, according to The Los Angeles Times.

And you no longer need to suffer from terrible airplane food. For the traveler on the go, Petrossian offers “Caviar in the Air” carry-on picnic packs that range from $205.50 to $1,581.50. The packs include a choice of caviar—such as Tsar Imperial Ossetra—blinis and crème fraîche in an insulated carry-on Petrossian pouch. According to the LA Times, other “to go” options include a selection of Parisian-smoked salmon and charcuterie.

The bar also features over 20 vodkas, a wide selection of high-end champagnes and various caviar choices based on availability, include Royal Transmontanus, Alverta President Transmontanus, Tsar Imperial Siberian, Tsar Imperial Shassetra and Tsar Imperial Ossetra.

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J.K. Rowling Writing ‘Harry Potter’ Prequel Play

Author J.K. Rowling is returning to the world of Harry Potter, exclusively for the London stage. Exploring Harry’s world in the cupboard under the stairs before his days at the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, J.K. said in a statement Friday that the play will “explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast.”

The prequel Potter play is scheduled to open in London’s West End in 2015, produced by London and New York veteran producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender. Harry Potter’s theatrical story will seek to “offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard. A seemingly ordinary boy, but one for whom destiny has plans…”

“Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry’s story to the stage,” J.K. added.

J.K. will not write the play, however, as she will co-produce the production and collaborate with a playwright.

Of course, her hands are full, as she plans to bring a Potter-inspired film to life: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on a Hogwarts textbook. As one of the richest people in England, J.K.’s Harry Potter novels have sold more than 450 million copies around the world and have spawned eight successful Warner Bros. movie adaptations.

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Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

Lamborghini is just about ready to release the successor to the aging Gallardo platform. Set to make its public debut next March at the Geneva Motor show will be the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4.

The 610 in the Huracán’s name refers to the car’s horsepower. It produces the impressive number via a 5.2 V-10 engine.

But the Huracán is not just about power. The vehicle comes in at 3,140 pounds, and the V-10 engine is matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will get you to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Need to go faster? How about 124 mph in just 10 seconds. The Huracán tops out at 202 mph.

The new Huracán takes many cues from the larger Aventador. It has a sleek, smooth design in the traditional wedge shape. And the head- and tail lights share a strong resemblance with the Aventador.

Other features include carbon-ceramic brakes, full LED headlamps, a reconfigurable 12.3-inch display serving as the instrument panel, and Nappa leather inside.

The Huracán, like other Lamborghini models, is named after a famous Spanish fighting bull. This one comes from the Conte de la Patilla line. Here’s what Lamborghini had to say about the bull:


“The fighting bull Huracán of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack. He fought in Alicante in August 1879, showing his unrelenting character and remaining defiant and invincible, thus entering into the legend of fighting bulls’ history.”

Lamborghini will build the Huracán LP 610-4 at its Sant’Agata Bolognese facility. The first cars should reach customers some time in the spring of 2014.

PRESS RELEASE

The new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4: A new dimension in Luxury Super Sports Cars

- Innovative technology and absolute performance redefine the super sports car experience
- Pure and powerfully dynamic design language
- New V10 with 610 hp, acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, top speed of over 325 km/h
- From January 2014: private preview events for qualified prospects

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 20.12.2013 — A new era is beginning for Automobili Lamborghini and the luxury super sports car segment: with the brand new Huracán Lamborghini is not only presenting the successor to the iconic Gallardo, but is also redefining the benchmark for luxury super sports cars in this segment. With its pure and unique design, an innovative technology package, outstanding dynamics and excellent quality, the Huracán offers a super sports car experience on a whole new level. The Huracán combines absolute performance with easy-todrive road behavior and both luxurious and sport-oriented finish. With the Huracán, Lamborghini is taking a big step into the future, and enhancing the brand’s illustrious history with the next automotive legend.

Starting from January 2014 the Huracán will be the protagonist of over 130 private preview events in more than 60 cities throughout the world. The Lamborghini Huracán will make its world public debut at the Geneva Motorshow 2014.

Name

With a total volume of 14,022 cars produced, the Lamborghini Gallardo has been the most successful Lamborghini ever and, in its ten-year lifecycle, lifted the Lamborghini marque to a whole new level. Its successor, the new Huracán, has been developed from scratch down to the very last detail and, like the Gallardo and most other Lamborghini models, derives its name from the world of bullfighting. The fighting bull Huracán of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack. He fought in Alicante in August 1879, showing his unrelenting character and remaining defiant and invincible, thus entering into the legend of fighting bulls’ history.

Design

The new Huracán revolutionizes the design language of the Gallardo and is pure in its lines: precise technology and top level craftsmanship meet an audacious design with sharp edges, monolithic and sculptured volumes and precise surfaces. The starting point is the silhouette of the Huracán, born out of the desire of creating an automobile, whose profile is defined by only one line that merges the front with the cockpit and the rear of the car. The lateral windows come together to create a hexagonal form inserted like a glass jewel in the car’s profile.

Also by night is the Huracán unmistakably a Lamborghini. Not only are the main headlamps equipped with full LED illumination, but all other light functions also feature state-of-the-art LED technology as a standard feature for the first time in the segment.

Interior

The interior is dominated by an innovative cockpit. A 12.3 inch full-color TFT instrument panel delivers all car information to the driver, from rev counter to navigation maps and infotainment functions, and can be configured by the driver in different setups. Fine Nappa leather and Alcantara distinguish the interior, with several color combinations offered to ensure broad individualization options. The design of dashboard and central tunnel underline a new lightness in the interior. Superb craftsmanship guarantees the highest quality and sense of luxury throughout.

Chassis and powertrain

Systematic lightweight design and Automobili Lamborghini’s extensive expertise in carbon fiber come together in the Huracán’s new hybrid chassis — an integrated structure of carbon and aluminum elements. With a dry weight of 1,422 kg it enables not only the excellent power-to-weight ratio of just 2.33 kilograms per horse power, but also guarantees race-car precision with outstanding stiffness.

The new 5.2 liter V10 engine delivers a maximum power of 448 kW / 610 HP at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 560 Nm at 6.500 rpm. In the new ”Iniezione Diretta Stratificata” (IDS), direct and indirect gasoline injections are smartly combined. This results in more power and torque with lower fuel consumption and emissions compared with the Gallardo V10 engine. The top speed of over 325 km/h and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds only partially describe the dynamic experience at the wheel of the Huracán. Also thanks to the Stop & Start technology, the combined EU consumption figure has been further reduced to 12.5 liters per 100 km (290 g/km CO2 emissions). The engine complies with EU6 emissions regulation.

Driving dynamics

The power of the V10 engine is brought to the road via the new 7-speed dualclutch transmission ”Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” (LDF) and fully electronically controlled four-wheel drive system. The different driving modes of the Huracán can be selected via a driving dynamics selector switch in the steering wheel – from traction-oriented on the road to extreme performance on the race track, with three setups of the dynamics system: STRADA, SPORT and CORSA. The different modes ensure extensive modification in road behavior of the Huracán. In particular they influence the set-ups of several systems, such as the gearbox and engine behavior, the sound, the four-wheel-drive system and electronic stability control. The Huracán’s carbon-ceramic brakes are a standard feature for consistently superb braking performance. The ”Lamborghini Dynamic Steering” variable steering ratio system and magneto-rheologic suspension damper control are both available as options for further customization of the Huracán’s dynamic behavior. They are also calibrated via the three different dynamic set-ups.

The Huracán is produced at the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese on an entirely newly-equipped production line. Delivery to the first customers is planned for spring 2014.

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Leura Lane House by Cooper Scaife Architects

Australian architectural firm Cooper Scaife Architects has created the Leura Lane House.

This contemporary house in Hamilton, Australia, features a skill ion roof and was designed to achieve a high level of energy efficiency.

Leura Lane House by Cooper Scaife Architects:

“This project is a prototype for a system of energy-efficient modular housing, designed specifically for rural blocks. The Leura Lane house is a ‘2 bedroom model’ comprised of two separate pavilions: one containing a carport and storerooms; the other containing living quarters. The independence of these two pavilions gives complete flexibility to orientate the carport to face the street, while the living areas of the house can be oriented north or towards preferred views. The house is linear in plan, with living areas at one end, the entry and utility spaces in the center and bedrooms at the opposite end. This plan provides the flexibility for additional bedrooms, bathrooms or living spaces to be added to the basic model.

Energy efficiency is a strong focus of the design. The house achieved an 8.2 star energy rating through the use of passive design principles, readily available materials and standard construction methods. The living spaces are oriented to maximize solar gain in winter, with the large skill ion roof calculated to provide summer shade. High levels of bulk and reflective insulation are installed in both the walls and ceiling and all windows are double glazed with an argon-filled cavity. Thermal mass is located in the floor slab, which is insulated from the earth to maintain warmth in the predominantly cold climate of southern Victoria. The narrow floor plan of the house allows for substantial cross ventilation and the roof space is vented for summer cooling.

The site is a semi-rural landscape on the edge of town that contained a significant amount of native vegetation. The use of natural materials that responded to this context was an important consideration and a restrained, simple palette was used both externally and internally. The interior has a warm, earthy ambiance with terrazzo tiles throughout the house and Australian hardwoods used extensively. The exterior is clad in spotted gum which will slowly weather to a silver grey as the building ages.”

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