Avenue T Volume 2 Issue 18

Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, September 13, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 18

IT’S All about that bass!

Contents

AvenueT inside...

The Tata Nano 2014 Editor

5

The family room

8

Zafar Sobhan

Executive Editor

Shahriar Karim

Managing Editor

Jahangir Hyder

Magazine Editor

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Asst Magazine Editor

Mahmood Hossain

Avenue T team

14

Battling imperfections

Khan N Moushumi N Anita Amreen Sabah Rahman Sabiha Akond Rupa Tausif Sanzum

18

Sonargaon special’s

Contributors

Agony Aunt Tahsin Momin Adila Hoque

Photography

Sabiha Akond Rupa

Graphics

Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam

Colour specialist

Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood

2 Tuned Westin’s Spanish fiesta 3 Try out The cinched belt 4 Tech Windows One 5 Tires Tata Nano 2014 7 Tell Your spitting image 8 Tucked In Activity room 9 Take Care The seating dilemma 10 TrIAL Room Truth be told

12 Trending One for every shape 13 Tailored Undressed with polos 14 TEmpt Flaws be gone 15 Ticket 6 Yards Story 16 TRAVELOGUE Bandarban 18 Tantalise Sonargaon delights 19 Tantalise Recipe: smoothies 20 NEWS Kaymu’s online market

Editor’s note Dear reader, We may struggle battling against our insecurities, but we’re here to say you can climb above that. This week, we make it loud and clear that our body, our image, is what we make it. No one is perfect, and there lies the beauty.

You’ll find in Tempt that there are ways to nourish your body from undesirable physical characteristics, yet embracing flaws that make you who you are. Head through Trending and Tailored to see what works best for your figure, as there is no discrimination when it comes to personal style. Each of you have the ability to present the best version of you.

Our Trial Room has some inspiring words from our cover model, Maya, and the rest of the team of Avenue T. It’s all about kicking negativity to the curb and telling those naysayers to take a back seat. From here on out, it’s about mustering up the courage to finally feel great about your body. With your head held high, put on your best threads and show off what your mama gave you.

Mahmood Hossain Assistant Editor, Avenue T

Production

Masum Billah

Advertising

Shahidan Khurshed

Circulation

Masud Kabir Pavel

Contact us

avenuet@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com

10

Maya Almuqtadir on exceeding expectations

This week The beautiful Maya represents a bold look of confidence, with an attitude to match.

It’s feminine sophistication that takes life by the horns.

Model: Maya Almuqtadir Photo: Zia Udin Shoot coordinator: Sabah Rahman

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2 | Tuned In town

Sabor de España Get ready for a Spanish extravaganza

| Tausif Sanzum

Who says that you need to travel a thousand miles to have a taste of Spain? The Westin Dhaka in association with the Spanish Embassy, Emirates airways and Indesore Roca is hosting a 10 day long Spanish Food Festival from September 17 to 29. The event will give the food lovers of Dhaka an authentic taste of Spanish cuisine at their signature restaurant Seasonal Taste. Mark the days on your calendar, otherwise you will not only miss out on the delicacies but also on the Flamenco shows where a Spanish cultural troop is set to perform.

in Dhaka

September 17

this week

September 19 Firefly’s Exhibition – III Venue: Saffron Garden, Gulshan 2

D Style Factory Eid Exhibition Venue: Drik Gallery, Dhanmondi

Photos: The Westin, Dhaka

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Try Out |

3

diy

A graceful centre Regardless of our body type, most of us have spent countless days ruminating over how to make our waist look thinner and curvier. Even though there are numerous answers to that question, here is one of the most simplest and cheapest ways to make your wish come true - cinched belts

| Adila Hoque

Instructions:

With our country being a fairly invisible spot in the fashion world, many of us don’t have easy access to nicer accessories and, well, high-waist pants and panelled dresses to flatter the waist. However, your tears can dry themselves because cinched belts aren’t as complicated as they make it out to be. Follow these instructions to make yourself a hot new thing in under five minutes:

Things you’ll need: • A belt buckle (make sure it’s pretty-looking) • Matching coloured thread • Iron • Scissors • Fabrics of the same length - each must be 3-inches longer than your waistline and width can be whatever you like. Allow a little extra width for seam and cinch

This is probably a good time to let you know that if you’re a little overweight around the middle, satin or any light fabric is perhaps not the best idea for you; go for a thicker material - maybe denim or velvet. If you’re thin or more on the average side, you’re welcome to use whatever fabric you please.

1. Turn the fabric inside out and fold it in half 2. Cut out one end, making it pointy 3. Sew the sides, leaving the flat end open 4. Turn the right side out and press it using the iron 5. Turn in the end (the flat end) about ½ an inch and sew it in around the entire opening 6. Wrap the flat end around the inside piece of your buckle and sew it together

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4 | Tech troubleshooting

No entry | Mahmood Hossain With the most recent personal privacy attacks on celebrities, it’s wise to keep things safe with your cloud accounts. These procedures are very simple to follow, and more importantly, hackers will have a more difficult time tampering with your personal data. You may not be a celebrity, but we’re pretty sure there are saved items you’d rather not share with the public.

1.

2.

3.

First things first, always keep the two-step verification on.

It may not protect you from security holes, but it’s the first line of defence. In fact, hackers will find it difficult even if they have your username and password. The two-step verification means the hacker would have to answer the question given to them for authenticity. You’ll be able to set up this option in your Apple ID, for example.

Get rid of the unnecessary.

You should always keep services disabled if you aren’t using them. If there is no need for them, why expose them to any threat. Services such as contact-syncing can be disabled within the app. The same goes for automatically uploading your photos to the cloud. This should be one of the first services to be adjusted for better safety.

This goes beyond your smartphones. The simple steps should also be applied to all of your online cloud services, like Dropbox or your auto-backup on Android.

No matter if there are nude pictures of you or anyone else in your account, you should never give hackers the opportunity to ruin your reputation or others’.

With more and more online accounts available, security should be your first concern. Don’t take the risk of thinking no one would care enough to sneak into your private possessions.

Share your troubleshooting problems, write to us at avenuet@dhakatribune.com

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gadgets

The one, part 3 HTC rejuvenates the Windows phone

| Mahmood Hossain They have now released the third version of the HTC’s flagship - M8 for Windows. HTC has gone a step further than any other brand in the market. Sure, there was that somewhat failed attempt from Nokia’s Android phone but HTC did what others haven’t been able to do. Not only have they taken on the Windows platform, they’ve done it justice. You could even argue that the new One is the best Windows phone out there. However, there will be no dispute on the fact that HTC has delivered a premium style and feel device to the Windows phone market.

Looks Like its siblings, this phone keeps its sophisticated unibody metal build. It also possesses the smooth matte finish on the back, leaving you feeling a little more comfortable on the grip.

The touch of luxury remains. The screen is of course larger than the past versions. It boasts a 1080p

resolution on the 5-inch display.

Again, all similar features for the Android version of the M8. Just like its BoomSound audio system, which has improved in volume and frequency range.

Under the hood There’s no difference here for the Windows version. You’ve got your 2.3GHz quadcore Snapdragon 801 processor that produces 25-percent faster graphics. It’s backed up with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, with the option to expand it to 128GB through the microSD card slot. The One runs the updated Windows Phone 8.1.1, which presents a wonderfully clean and colourful OS in its home screen

grid. And while the lack of apps in the Windows app store remains a negative point, it does have the services of Cortana - Siri’s nemesis.

Overall the phone can be considered a success. Windows Phone users will be more than delighted to see a new look wrapped around their favoured OS.

apps

Stars in your pocket Another way to stalk your favourites

| Mahmood Hossain SNIPP3T brings you an entire customisable news feed on the celebrities you love. The iOS7 dedicated app is like your own mini celeb magazine. Seems like the bubble loving design continues to flourish in the app world. You know the Facebook Chatheads that pop out on your display? The same has

been implemented to apps like Pinterest. The presentation is a tad similar - sort of a hybrid of Flipboard and Facebook Chat.

The features are as simple as they can get. You search for the celebs you want to subscribe to and add them to the list. If your mind goes blank, you can always use its explore feature by visiting

each star’s profile page. But what is an app without the ability to share with the rest of the world? The app also gives you the opportunity to connect with other fans. If keeping up with the news feed isn’t enough, you’ll be able to chat with others to keep things up to date. It’s sort of a long comment feed over a certain topic of discussion. Think of it as a group chat.

Interestingly enough, this app has been released by Microsoft, and as silently as possible. It only leads to more questions. Why isn’t this available for other platforms, let alone their own Windows phones? Whatever the story or agenda behind this app is, users now have the perfect way to stalk their favourite stars without delving into something illegal. Stalk-on-thego, ain’t that somethin’. Only if you have yourself an iPhone though, for now.

Tires | wheels

5

Road rage

The rickshaw pullers’ burden | Tausif Sanzum

2014

Tata Nano The pocket-sized Nano is as short and narrow as an original Mini

| Tahsin Momin Being the cheapest car on the planet doesn’t necessarily make it the worst. It’s a box saloon, as short and narrow as the original Mini, but about a foot taller, with a steel monocoque body, reinforced using a tough space-frame. The 2014 Tata Nano is more or less the same as the models launched five years ago but there are a few technological tweaks here and there for improved reliability, comfort and performance. Both the interior and the exterior are predominantly made from low cost material to keep the price of this car within the budget price tag in mind.

Exterior

On the outside, the 2014 Tata Nano is as handsome as before.

It gives out that cheerful vibe from the very first glance. With a combination of smooth-flowing curves and a smart-tall body, it is a unique vehicle with a class of its own. Added with the high quality headlamps, taillights and body coloured bumpers, it radiates a nice youthful look.

Interior

On the inside, it is surprisingly quiet and comfortable. Tata has managed to get rid of ear deafening road noise from the previous models.

The Nano features premium fabric seats upholstery with similar fabric covering on the doors, giving out a smart and stylish look. It has plenty of space to offer to all the passengers in the car. The vehicle also gets a new instrument cluster with the trip metre, fuel availability indication.

The instrument panel features brightly illuminated gauges that keep the driver well informed about his car. The dashboard is primarily made from plastic that gives off a durable feel.

Performance

The 2014 Tata Nano comes with a 0.62-litre inline-2 cylinder engine that has a maximum output of 38HP. And all that power is transferred to the wheels via a

Available at : Nitol Motors Ltd. 69, Nikunja C/A, Khilkhet, Dhaka Contact No: 02-8900815 02-8900816

four-speed manual transmission.

The Nano is simply not meant for performance driving. But when you have the car all to yourself, it is rather tempting to do burnouts and drift. That’s simply because the Nano has a rear mounted engine with rear wheel drive. And rear wheel drive is always exhilarating.

It will do 24km/litre, even while doing burnouts, which is quite an impressive figure for an urban cruiser. The only drawback of the Nano’s earlier variants was its steering wheel, which was heavy and created problem while driving in traffic. But with this new launch, they have finally solved that problem, by introducing an electric power steering motor.

Safety

As for safety, Tata really did disappoint us.

There are no airbags whatsoever!

There is no ABS either. With a NCAP safety rating of 3.0, it is hardly a justification.

Overall, the 2014 Tata Nano comes across as a neater package than before with decent built quality and superior fuel mileage. Only if it had the standard safety features and the engine was a bit more powerful, the Nano would have been the perfect city commuter.

AUTO CORRECT

What are the symptoms that the battery might be failing?

When attempting to start a vehicle with a failing battery, a few signs will be noticeable. Slow cranking is a telltale sign. Any dimming of the lighting on the gauges and dashboard is also a sign of a failing battery. An ailing battery will tend to show considerable dimming of the headlights during start up as well.

The cause is an old battery or a faulty battery that simply can no longer hold the charge.

Photo: Big Stock

Many subjects are highly debatable. For some, child labour is a crime while for others it is a necessary evil. Similarly, one might say that three people or more riding on a single rickshaw increases the burden on the rickshaw puller while others might argue that no one is forcing the pullers to choose to take three people.

The best people to talk to about this are the rickshaw pullers themselves. So we went on the roads and asked a few of them for their opinion on the subject. Khokon, a rickshaw puller in his early 20s, said that whenever there is a question of more than two riders riding on his rickshaw, he decides whether to take them or not based on the distance he has to cover and the money they are offering. In case of a short distance where the customers are ready to pay more than the usual fare, he is okay with it.

Shah Jahan, another puller in his late 40s, jokingly said that unlike the source of his name, he was not born with a golden spoon in his mouth. If he has to survive then he has to carry as many people as possible. He only complains that at times multiple people ride on his rickshaw without fixing the fare in advance and once they reach the destination, they pay him the same amount as two riders would have paid him.

Few other rickshaw pullers had similar opinions on the entire debate surrounding multiple passengers. Most rickshaw pullers are okay with driving multiple customers although it is highly tiresome even if they are fairly paid. On our part, instead of arguing about the rickshaw fare, particularly when we are more than just two people, we should fix a fare which is in favour of the rickshaw puller.

Got a peeve to share about the state of the city’s roads and traffic? Sends it to us at avenuet@dhakatribune.com, or post it on our Facebook wall.

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6 | Tell Issues

Prejudiced parent | Agony Aunt Growing up, I always thought my father was the best father in the world. I told myself he loved me as much as he did my younger brother and was never partial about anything. He was my role model. However, in recent times, I’ve been feeling otherwise. Every time I have a fight with my brother he takes his side, no matter who is at fault. He gets more liberties than I do. I am not allowed to see my friends because I have my A-levels in a few months but my brother is allowed to go out with friends whenever he likes, for as long as he likes. I tried talking to my parents about it, but they gave me an earful for even broaching the subject. It is hurtful being Photo: Big Stock treated this way. Other people I’ve talked to have told me that there is a difference between a parent’s upbringing of a son and a daughter, but I cannot make myself accept it. These problems and my emotions are getting out of hand.

How should I deal with this?

Your friends are right, once upon a time all over the world it was like this - girls were treated differently from the boys by their parents. I can also understand parents, we may not like the idea, but a girl is usually more in danger than a boy. We may feel we can defend ourselves from any situation, but, if we look at the press, sexual harassment is prominent all over the world and among teenagers it is the girls who are mostly the victims. This is not the time to rebel because you are preparing for very important exams. Your future depends on the results of your exams - not just what sort of university will accept you, according to your grades, but also your future jobs will depend on it. If you start rebelling now, you will be so angry that your studies will suffer. Be selfish, think of yourself and your long term life; it will not be like this forever, YOU will get your freedom sooner than you may think.

Talk to your parents and ask them to give you time when they think you can go out, and if need be ask your father to fetch you from wherever you are going to be. Show them you are aware of their concerns and you understand them – even if you do not, say so - parents can be a real pain in the neck and they do make mistakes, but mostly out of love. I think they are just being careful about your safety.

Bargain a little, do not get cross with them, concede and then ask for a little more.

After your A-level exams, reconvene the parents to talk about the situation. Let me know how good you have become at bargaining!

Aries (MAR 21-APR 19) This week you’re bursting with life, ready to take on any hurdle that crosses your path. Your ambition may get the best of you and make you take unfair advantage of your friends, so tread with caution.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) If you have taken up a new project in your life, invest ample time in it.

Your enthusiasm will allow you to move mountains, but only as long as there’s enough time to.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) You’re probably going to be high on adrenaline throughout this week. Make the best of things as long as the enthusiasm lasts and do not let the hedonist in you steer you away from them.

Horos

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) Bold, desperate and ambitious, Cancer’s lucky stars are shining more brightly than ever this week.

It is likely that whatever effort you put in any endeavour will pay off, so go ahead and give everything you have.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) With your mind set on victory, you may not only be setting yourself on a new path but also planning vengeance for past disputes.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Your strong sense for common sense, idealism and parsimony will give out and away to your

letters to Mars

Too close for comfort | Agony Aunt

Q

My wife is best friends with my best friend, and it bothers me.

Don’t get me wrong; I love them both dearly, but sometimes I feel like my wife feels more comfortable around my best friend than she does with me. It is kind of a downer, considering how I’m married to her but everyday she has to share all her details with my best friend and not me. I know for a fact that she hasn’t been having an affair with him - I trust them both with all my heart, but even then I wish I had his place in her heart. What can I do to win that kind of trust and attention from her?

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a relationship coach as well as a corporate and organisational consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and see her clients Write us your problems and send them to agony.aunt@dhakatribune.com

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, septe m b er 13, 201 4

Photo: Big Stock

A

Do not be embarrassed to talk to your wife about it, and separately to your best friend as well. As I have repeatedly said, a close relationship with the wife or husband of one’s friend always ends in disasters, or almost disasters. It’s best if the parties involved realise what they are getting into, and act upon it to find a solution. This is not to say your wife is having an affair, but there should be limited contact for a while and certainly no sms-ing.

Tell |

7

tact adventurous side. Remember that high stakes can mean either winning or losing big - never both.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) If you’ve been working your behind off for some new prize lately, it is important that you’re extra careful this week.

A momentary distraction could mean a lifetime of remorse.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) This week the key to winning is by acting quick. Otherwise you’ll fail miserably at everything.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) This week your childish nature will get to you and you might end up ditching your responsibilities.

An extended weekend could do wonders for you, so go ahead and make the most of it.

scope

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Take your time before deciding on anything as situations might be more complicated than what meets the eye.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 19) Things might take a quick turn for the worse and consequently, you’ll end up finding yourself a part of competitions you never signed up for in the first place.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) This week is good for welcoming new things in your life but only as long as they’re well thought-out.

Mini you Little imitators from the watchtower

| Khan N Moushumi When she first came to earth, they said she’s got eyes like yours. A few years down the line, grandma declared he’s a spitting image of his dad. Experts believe by 15 months, toddlers develop the motor-cognitive skills, which is why your kids not only start looking more like you as they grow up, they also act and sound just like you. It might be amusing how your bundle of joy calls you “bhabi” instead of “mum;” something she picked up from the neighbours. Or even the way your Lilliputian champ tries to drag a trash bag double his size across the floor because he watches his dad take them out every day. You may have caught a few parodies on tape too, but this calls for extra caution. You are under constant observation - it’s time to set up some standards and be a good role model for them.

Beat your addiction: If you’re a smoker or an alcoholic, it’s time you call it quits.

Not only are they being subjected to passive smoking, your kids are highly likely to pick it up in a few years.

Tame your temper: Children learn aggression from parents, so work on your anger management skills. If something ticks you off, rather than throwing a fit or taking it out on the glassware, try something a little less violent. Paper shredding?

Photo: Big Stock

Respect: Teach them respect by treating everyone around you with respect - be it your employee or a random rickshaw puller on the streets.

Strength: They might not outdo the rest in math class or bring home trophies every year but it’s not Armageddon. It’s easy to mess things up sometimes and fall short. Teach your kids how to pick themselves up after falling. There’s beauty in imperfection and sometimes mistakes open doors for improvement.

Share: Share your values with your children; it will help instil the sense to differentiate right from wrong.

Walk the talk: Back up your big words with actions. Be patient, honest, kind and positive with others. You’ll set some valuable standards for them to imitate.

letters to Venus

Smothered | Agony Aunt

Q

My boyfriend and I have been together on and off for five years, with the longest time together being 5 months. I miss him a lot when we’re broken up, but as soon as we patch things up I don’t want to be with him anymore. I feel suffocated and I end up making excuses not to see him. He doesn’t have a job of his own and still lives off his parents’ income. On top of that, he’s extremely nosy. He always wants to know what I’m doing, where I’m going and who I’m seeing: I’ve had the guard at work report his presence at my office while I wasn’t there. I am not at all sure about this relationship and there he is, acting like we’re going to get married one of these days. I feel like I can’t finish with him without letting down his family and our friends. What should I do?

A

So many young ladies find themselves in your situation - they know what is going on in their heart, they know how they feel about the bad relationship with their boyfriend, but do nothing about it. They like the contrast - constantly fighting and the making up, immediately after they go back to be disinterested in the relationship. Why would one choose to do so, and suffer for so many years?

Perhaps it’s lack of confidence, fear of being alone, or fear of what others will say. My dear young lady, life is too short. Pull your socks up, look in the mirror and know you deserve better and you can make a happy future for yourself. You are in charge of your thoughts and your emotions. Do not lead yourself in a destructive situation where others also get hurt because of your inability to act.

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a relationship coach as well as a corporate and organisational consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and see her clients

Photo: Big Stock

Write us your problems and send them to agony.aunt@dhakatribune.com

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8 | Tucked in Digs & Finds

Aligned aesthetics Cupboards from Akhtar Furniture Mirpur flagship showroom 51 West Shawrapara, Rokeya Sharani, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216 Phone:+88029027659, +88029027701, +88029027704, +8801847004723 Email:spsr@akhtargroup.com.bd Shangshad Avenue showroom 5/3 Monipuripara, Shangshad Avenue, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215 Phone:+88029144235-6, +8801847004719 Email:sasr@akhtargroup.com.bd

decor

Recreational overdose

With most of the parks and playgrounds disappearing, one has to be more or less satisfied with limited number of recreational activities, which mostly involve visiting restaurants time and again. Or you can just transform one room in your dig into an activity room for all

| Tausif Sanzum These days people might say that flats have limited space and having an activity room will make it even more crowded. But they need to look at the benefits of having one. First and foremost, you will not have to bug your friends and family to go out with you anymore.

You will be able to escape the pollution and traffic jams simply by staying home, saving up on money and obviously there would be a more personal bonding between you and your friends and family.

So if you are ready to dedicate one of your precious rooms, then we are ready to provide you with ideas applying which will make your life a tad bit easier.

Basketball ring What is going to keep you fit, is suitable for both adults and kids.

Basketball. Just hang a basketball hoop on the wall and you are ready to go. Although making sure that there are no “handle with care” items around will be wise.

Gaming zone Some things never die just like the video game consoles. Shed some extra money and buy a huge HDTV. Throw in a few pillows, plug in your gaming console and you are in for a great time. You can also have a day long Breaking Bad, Friends or Game of Thrones marathon.

Music Station If you prefer something less sporty

and more soothing, music is your answer. You and can play all your favourite tracks and convert your activity room into your very own music station.

Foosball Have you been a fan of the classic, Friends? If yes, maybe there is an idea you can take from Joey and Chandler – Foosball. A fun indoor alternative to the actual game.

Art station How can an activity room be complete without having some arts and crafts? Get a few brushes, colour pencils, paint board, scissors, craft paper and you are all set to be the new age Michelangelo.

Photos: Big Stock

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Take care |

9

health

Presenting

the sitting disease Spending hours sitting at your office desk is much more than just a sting on your back; it actually has many devastating effects on your body, and those effects cannot be remedied by exercise

| Adila Hoque To begin with, men and women who remain seated continuously for more than six hours a day are approximately 40-percent more prone to die sooner from any cause compared to those who sit for less than three hours, regardless of their fitness level. Now that it has been established that this is a major issue concerning every working man or woman, here is our explanation.

The human body was built to move around, and not sit tight for hours in a row. When the body is exposed to circumstances it is not made for, it automatically tries coming up with its own way to deal with them, but as you will see, it is usually not the best idea for your health.

Here are a few ways in which your body responds to prolonged hours on a tool:

Sleep apnea

Even though, it is, at best, the worst-case scenario, it is a very real possibility if you’ve been lolling around too much. A lack of circulation combined with the forces of gravity will cause fluid build-up in your legs; many of you will have noticed your legs swelling up like water balloons for no reason. When you go to bed later, this fluid will travel to your throat and neck area, possibly causing your throat to swell. This will give rise to severe breathing problems and later lead to apnea.

Added weight

When you sit for long periods of time, the weight of your body doubles up at a faster rate than when you’re standing.

Blood sugar

Right after every meal your blood sugar spikes to new heights.

According to a research, when people halved the number of steps they took each day, their blood sugar level started increasing at a progressive level no matter what their diet consisted of, and this in turn puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Brain

Your memory centre deteriorates as you age, but that process is speeded up if your “stand-up” hours are much less than the “sitdown” hours.

Lungs

Continuous hours of sitting down results in sluggish blood flow and that may cause clots to form in your blood which have a good chance of getting lodged in your lungs.

Higher blood pressure

Sitting down for too long adds to your stress level which has a domino effect on your heart.

Surprisingly, severe work-out sessions are not a solution to the above problems. If you jump from doing nothing to that, your muscles are at a greater risk of suffering an injury. Try going for low-impact movements that will enhance your circulation and at the same time keep your metabolism going.

• •

• • •

Stand up whenever you get a phone call Go to the farthest restroom from your desk when you need to and try not getting those messenger boys to handle all your work Take a few minutes to make your own bed Do the dishes Pace around while talking to people over the phone.

If you follow these simple tricks, it is possible you’ll escape the sitting disease while sitting!

Photos: Big Stock

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10 | Trial room

The naked truth | Avenue T team

“The beauty of style is that it never discriminates. No matter the colour, shape or size, a person has the given right to look his or her best. The are no written or unwritten laws that forbid you to feel comfortable in your skin. Confidence, an open mind, and the will to improve will make you as stylish as the best” - Mahmood Hossain Despite it all, there will always be those who will deplete your self esteem and force you to feel all levels of body shame. Here’s a listing of 6 common comments that make you feel uncomfortable in your skin – be it a size 0 figure of a size 10

"I wish I was a guy!

Then I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble in making myself presentable!

I'd just put on a tux and A common head out!" misconception.

“You’re such a beauty.

Such a shame you’re so dark though.”

Guys are almost as self-aware of their physical outlook as girls. With a blaming glare at modern social perspectives, there is more expectation from dudes than there ever was. Their perfect image consists of toned hairless bodies, tamed grizzly beards and flawless facial features; fairly similar to the heightened expectations from women. The macho, hairychested “cave-man chic” is passe, which results in beauty salons brimming with equal gender queues for manicures and pedicures.

Better get on that Fair and Lovely wagon if you ever want to get married.

Clearly, beauty is of no value if you’re dark skinned. It’s the fair ones that make it to the altar, my friends.

- Sabah Rahman

“Are you expecting?”

- Rad Sharar Bin Kamal

“Ishh ki shukna lagchhe, ki khao na? Chhoto hoye ekdom choroi pakhi hoye gechho” (You look so skinny, don’t you eat? You’ve shrunk to the size of a sparrow)

They always have one thing or the other to say. As if the world would stop revolving if they hadn’t given me their valued opinions on how I’m looking and what I should be doing to improve my appearance. It doesn’t stop there, these well-wishers of mine, with a few dozen extra kilos stashed in their love handles, would go on and on about what I should include in my dietary chart whereas I’m wondering how on Earth they slipped into that fitting little dress in the first place!

- Khan N Moushumi

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“Haire beshi shukhai giechho, aage mukhta ki mishti chhilo akhon boyoshko lagchhe”

Roughly translating into “You have lost too much weight, your face has lost its sweetness. You look haggard!” This tried and tested line is a favourite among those who cannot secretly come to terms with just how glorious women look with their high cheekbones and taut jawlines. Instead of applauding your success, they proclaim how you’ve just lost that “sweetness” and “innocence” of a fuller face, clearly making you look like a sharp faced two-bit vamp. What they really want is to discourage you to lose more weight so that you can go back to being that dumpy faced chubster that once gave her so much smug satisfaction.

Add a pound or two, and congratulations!

You’re pregnant! Even if you are happy with the weight gain, people will make it a point to rub you the wrong way by making these ridiculous assumptions. Funny thing is, people who usually comment about weight gain are usually always bigger than you.

- Sabah Rahman

- N Anita Amreen

A very common way to say hello in Dhaka city. Try stepping out with make-up one day and that’s it: you’ve come down with a fever or you haven’t slept a wink. If you’re not done up, you’re sick.

- Sabah Rahman

“You look so tired.

Are you sick?”

11

Trial room |

Bold and beautiful Maya Almuqtadir talks about peer pressure, faux pas and unrealistic expectations

| Sabah Rahman

The very first time you set your eyes on Maya Almuqtadir, there is no doubt that she is stunningly beautiful. Then, you get a chance to get to know her and the inner beauty and warmth spill out, making her even more gorgeous. A fashion designer, stylist and a programme coordinator and producer at Radio Shadhin, we have a chat with Maya about loving the skin you’re in.

Q

While people often blame the media for highlighting super skinny body ideals that most women find hard to achieve, what have you found the hardest to deal with?

Parents, peers, or just snarky women?

I had a lot of issues as a teenager with self image and the pressure was from every angle; whether it is from family members showing “concerns,” peers stating the obvious or snarky women and their passing comments. It’s safe to say it was not from one specific avenue but multiple, but 99% of

the time they were women saying things like, “she’s so pretty, she’s just a little heavy.” Guys in general never had any issue. This is what’s sad because, as females we know the types of objectification, crazy ideals and stereotypes that are often put on us, so from one girl to another, shouldn’t we be better about understanding these issues and being sensitive towards subjects relating to body image as a whole? Whether someone is big or small, short or tall, hairy or bald, as women we need to have each other’s back.

Q

Tell us a bit about your journey on how you learned to love your body?

It’s been a long journey and I would be lying if I said I don’t struggle with it; I still do. But, I had some great people in my life who were always very positive about their perception of beauty so the environment I was in played a huge role on my perception and the journey towards loving myself from the inside out. I

also think as I age and see my body changing, I visualise how I want to see myself and try to achieve that by being healthy and active without having unrealistic expectations.

Q

Describe your personal sense of style and what you like to wear to make the best of your beautiful shape.

I think my personal style includes a lot of black and leather since I am a child of the 90s, there’s a bit of grunge mixed with a lot of basics.

On any given day, I’d probably be in torn denim and a T-shirt but I also love getting dolled up so when I’m feeling a little glamourous, I’ll put on a soft chiffon or silk sari that hugs in all the right places…hehe.

Q

What are some of the biggest mistakes women make when it comes to dressing their body types?

I think that the biggest mistake women make when dressing in general is buying things because they are “in.” Just because a certain style is trendy, does not necessarily

mean it’s something that suits that particular body type. Also, the right fitting clothes are very important.

Don’t just try to pick clothes out by their size but try them on and see how they fit first.

Q

Any tips on how young women should deal with their body image issues in a positive way?

Don’t have unrealistic expectations of yourself. Be positive and don’t compare yourself with anyone else.

Your journey is your own and it’s unique and beautiful in its own way. Your body holds the weight of your entire world and don’t be so hard on it but if you want to change it, be healthy about it. I remember reading somewhere that our bodies are like vehicles that we use to reach our dreams. So we have to service this “vehicle” with the best fuel for it to run well. Obesity is a huge issue globally and I don’t, in any way, condone being unhealthy. But, healthy can be a size 6 or a 10 and similarly, unhealthy can also be a size 0 and a 14.

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12 | Trending Beauty Session

With Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

6 secrets of the always stylish Smart shopping tips to look stylish on a budget

fashion

Body beautiful Beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes, not just in the size 0 version. Hello Beyonce, Nikki Minaj, and even though some may not be the biggest fan, look at Kim K. It’s time to put away your body image issues and work what your mama gave you

| Sabah Rahman

Applelicious Stashing a bit of extra luggage in the middle? Don’t sweat it.

Less is more You don’t need a shopping trip every week to keep looking your best. Trends come, and trends go, and you can turn heads without chasing every single one.

Remember that quality trumps quantity, so instead of buying ten fancy but brittle “It” bags, get one good classic one that goes with everything. You get the idea.

1. Wearing fabrics that are sturdier can help you keep it all together. Avoid really tight spandex-like clothing as they can showcase the bits you don’t want to draw attention to.

2. Do not give up on yourself and wear shapeless mumus. They can make you appear even bigger than you are.

Break out of the black Yes, it’s a classic, yes it’s sort of slimming, but if your entire wardrobe looks like funeral couture, you’re doing it wrong. And here’s another thing. Past the age of 35, an all-black wardrobe actually makes you look older. So start with baby steps, with bright accents, and incorporate some colour into your wardrobe.

A little luxe You can look like a million bucks if you get the details right. Forget the name on the label, and look for that impeccable cut, that perfect fit, that fine finish, and all your clothes will look expensive, even if they aren’t.

Armed and ready You can actually avoid impulse buys and buyer’s regret by taking stock of what is already in your closet, and what you need to add before you go out shopping.

That way you can approach the shopping experience with a focus and not stray out of your budget.

Back to basics Whatever else you may have in your closet, you want to have some foundation pieces that you can dress up or down as the occasion demands. That way you never have that “I have nothing to wear!” panic attack. Think a plain white kurti, a chambray shirt, and a good pair of jeans.

Multitasking If you must buy in bulk, invest in layering pieces, like printed blouses and colourful tanks and leggings that you can wear under a shirt, or jacket, or with a variety of pants and jeans, or even double up as sari blouses. This keeps your look quirky and essentially you.

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3. Avoid super low-waisted jeans to steer clear of muffin tops.

When it comes to bottoms, opt for bootlegged jeans or flares.

4. Cinch your waist with a skinny belt to add definition when wearing a dress.

Popping pears Did you know that the most common shape of women’s bodies is that of a pear? Well now you do. If you were born with this shape, it’s all about balancing out your proportions when it comes to your outfits.

1. What you want to do is elongate your body. Steer clear of tops that appear to cut you off in the middle and focus on more flowy shapes.

2. Remember to focus on your top half. Emphasise those shoulders, woman. Whether you pick a top with exposed shoulders or a cutting edge blazer with pointy, puffed shoulders or even epaulets, drawing the eye to your upper body is the key to making the rest of you look proportional.

3. When it comes to trousers or denim, go for darker colours as they tend to be more slimming and don’t highlight parts you’re not entirely comfortable with.

Anaconda Is there anyone out there who hasn’t seen that video yet? If you were blessed with a fine behind, flaunt it! Maybe not exactly by wearing the outfits from said video, as that may get you the kind of attention you don’t need in Dhaka.

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Tailored| his style

style session

Undressed

with mahmood Hossain

Q

My cousin has a wedding coming up later in the month. Since having a beard or some form of it is in fashion, is it okay to carry a beard at a wedding?

Steal the style of Kim Cesarion

| Mahmood Hossain For those who aren’t aware of this Swedish artist or haven’t listened to his hit single, you’re in for a treat. Not only is the song addicting, the video is drenched with flawless style. Now, when you think Swedish style, you’re probably thinking H&M. You wouldn’t be too far from the truth so let’s break things down shall we?

Clean cut More and more pop stars are bringing out the tailored sartorial arsenal through their videos.

The aesthetics are influenced by the European minimalist trend.

Blazers play a key role in the two significant outfit he dons in the video. In the first half (think daytime suit), he’s rocking a killer two-button, beige suit. What you might want to avoid is wearing a suit as the same colour as your shirt, however. The suit should

A

be the centre piece, if it’s presented in that tone from the colours palette.

Your shirt, ties, and pocket squares should be in flattering, contrasting shades.

For the occasion In the second half of the video, Kim’s sporting a traditional black and white look. It’s gone from day to night. This outfit shouldn’t be too difficult to pull off. You can never go wrong with a black suit and a white shirt combination.

Although, the fitting is the most important aspect of the entire look. Another detail to note is his air-tie ability, then unbuttoning shirt the rest of the way. In today’s fashion scene for menswear, it’s completely unnecessary to be wearing a tie. And the fact we live

in a ridiculously humid climate, you’ll be forgiven for not wearing a tie or having the top two buttons unfastened.

Attention grabber A paisley scarf, a silk lapel flower, or a loud pocket square can put a nice finishing touch to an already alluring ensemble. The rest is up to you and your grooming. Give it a shot.

Some rules, dear friend, cannot be broken. We’re all for the ruggedman look, fans of stubbles, but there are some lines we dare not cross. A clean shave is a symbol of respect. Sure, there have been gentlemen who have had a trimmed and lined beard.

That’s brave, really brave. But when being invited to a wedding it’s proper to have a clean shave and a nice haircut. While keeping smooth up top and all over should be a regular practice, grooming is the most important at weddings. Even though it’ll make you look 10 years younger, like a new born babe, it’s only for one day. So get your best fitted clothes on, chest out, and walk in there proudly with your bornagain virgin cheeks.

Photo: Big Stock

in fashion

Tale of two polos Pique or jersey? Your choice

| Mahmood Hossain The short-sleeve polo shirt, in the past, has been traditionally attached to a sporty look. With the latest batch of collections from various brands, the polo has been sitting on the fence between casual and semi-formal.

Wearing a particular style of polo, like most items, depends on the occasion and your body type. While the polo presents a classier and sometimes a preppy look, each style provides a different level of comfort and body image.

Get it done right

Both polo shirts can be worn underneath a blazer or jacket, but it’s all down to three things. First, your comfort should never be compromised. Make sure it feels good on you. Second, it’s down to the occasion. Why you’re wearing it and where you’re wearing it to. Finally, always make sure you have both styles stacked up in your closet.

Cotton-Pique

There’s more of a rich texture to this fabric. No matter the colour and design, it’ll seem you’ve paid quite a price for it. However, it’s stiff to the touch. The reason for this is the weaving style of the cotton yarn. This can be seen as a drawback but not actually a flaw.

Comfort won’t be too much of a bother, but you’ll be able to tell which polo feels lighter and fits better on you.

Cotton-Jersey

Much lighter and soft to the touch, the jersey fabric has a bit more stretch to it. If you’ve got a fit physique, this style will wrap around your body as if it was made-to-measure. In fact, these look sportier than any other style. But just like the pique, it has an unfavourable characteristic. It’s not as breathable as its brother. In the more unbearable heat, this might be a challenge to keep on your body.

Q A

I’ve always wondered where to hang my suits that I wear regularly.

Should I always keep them in the suit bag?

Well, you’re on the right track. You always have to hang your suits, but keep them out of the bags. The only time you actually need the bags is when you’re off travelling. Your suits, no matter the fabric, need a good amount of air and room temperature. The same goes for your shoes. Once they are taken off leave them out so they can breathe a bit. Space is also important in keeping things fresh and lasting. Shoving one suit in after another will compromise your suit’s quality. In addition, make sure the hangers can support the shoulders of your suit jacket. Shape is very important.

Send in your style inquiries to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

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14 | Tempt Beauty session

With SABRINA FATMA AHMAD

Q A

Photo: Big Stock

My lips are pretty thin. How do I get a fuller pout without resorting to the needle or the knife?

Well, there are always those lip-plumping balms and gels, but let’s talk about what you could do with make-up to fake a full pout. Firstly, skip the liner and reach for the gloss or lip stain instead. The blurred lines will deflect attention from the thinness of your lips. When painting your lips, dab a little concealer on the centre of your lips, and then layer your lip colour on top. The concealer cancels out the natural pinkness of your lips, and allows the hue of the lipstick to pop. This draws the eye away from the thinner edges and towards the naturally plumpest part of your pout. Finally, use a nonshimmery bronzer or a foundation a few shades darker than your natural complexion to draw a small shadow under the centre of your bottom lip.

This creates the illusion of fullness.

Q A

How does one make a flat nose look slimmer?

The tried- and-true solution is to highlight the bridge of your nose, and use a bronzer on the sides of the nose to create a sharper look. If you’re running short on time and are planning to go makeup free, just dab a little concealer along the bridge of your nose and blend in with a finger. It will naturally highlight the sharpest part of your nose, making it look sharper.

Q A

I over-tweezed my eyebrows.

What do I do? Help!

Relax. This happens to the best of us. First, use a clean mascara brush to brush what’s left of your eyebrow hair upwards. Next, using a slightly stiff-haired angular brush and brow powder (or, in a pinch, a dark-toned eyeshadow will also suffice), trace a line along the lower perimeter of your brow, from the base to the bottom of the arch to the tail end. Repeat a few times until you’ve achieved a nice, full brow shape. Use the brow powder and angled brush to fill in the lines in short strokes, mimicking hair growth.

Use the mascara brush to brush your eyebrow hair upwards again, to blend it all in. Use a concealer brush to apply a little concealer along the brow bone, under your freshly filledin brows to make it stand out.

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beauty

Fabulously flawed

Remember that there is beauty in all your flaws. Perfection is overrated. Love yourself for who you are, battle scars and all

| Sabah Rahman As if being a woman wasn’t hard enough already, some of us are also plagued with our quest to achieve complete perfection. Flawless skin, flat bellies and long legs are just the beginning of a list that can go on and on. Let’s talk about some common issues we go through and the best ways to deal with them:

Stretch marks Those dreadful lines that appear during growth spurts, weight gain and pregnancy are a gift that none of us ever want.

Relax! There are numerous creams and potions out there that will help fade them.

Remember though, Photo: Big Stock prevention is the best way to go. Keep your skin hydrated. Some experts say moisturising with vitamin E oil emulsified with cocoa butter can help you avoid further marks, but there is not enough evidence backing up this theory. If the magic potions aren’t working for you, and you really feel horrible about your stretch marks, you can always get a specialist to use a laser technique to remove them. It takes a few sessions, but is completely worth the time and money for your peace of mind and confidence.

Cellulite It is a complete myth that cellulite

only happens to overweight people.

Skinny minnies can get it too.

Cellulite is basically pockets of fat that push up against your skin tissue, causing a puckered appearance. As if there weren’t enough reasons not to yo-yo diet, poor health habits can cause cellulite. Enough about that - what’s a girl to do now? Expensive serums that promise to reduce the appearance of cellulite have gotten mixed reviews. There is no harm in trying them, but here is what works better: Eat healthy, work out regularly and buy a body brush. Use the brush on your problem spots twice a day to boost circulation.

Some experts in our part of the world swear by mustard oil.

It may work, but who wants to go around smelling like a packet of jhaal muri all day?

Added bonus? There is a laser treatment for this bad boy as well.

Photo: Big Stock

Fine lines Here is a tricky one. Genetics play a huge role when it comes to wrinkles. You can see a lady who has taken care of herself her entire life with visible lines, and then there is the other lady who smoked endless packs of cigarettes and had to recover from countless late nights with no signs of ageing on her face. Apart from all that, sunscreen can really be your BFF. Prevention is key. When the lines already show up, those expensive anti-ageing creams will just help them appear smoother. There is always Botox, but take it easy. Don’t pull a Meg Ryan.

15

Ticket|

Shinduk by

6 yards story | Sabiha Akond Rupa

“6 yards story” was actually derived from the basic dimension of the traditional wear of a Bengali woman, the sari. The collection “Shinduk” is also an inspiration from a girl’s possession of her jewellery box. Each and every exquisite piece of this collection has been crafted by the master jewellery maker of the brand. For more information visit www.facebook.com/6ystory

Photos: Ferdous Uddin Ahmad

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16 | TRAVELOGUE

Chasing waterfalls at

Pukur Para, Bandarban | Sayem Sujat

Our country is full of natural beauty, with charming rivers, valleys and natural greenery.

Bandarban is one such hotspot, with plenty to offer. A few friends and I decided to visit Pukur Para earlier this year.

Technically, it is located in Rangamati, but accessible only via Bandarban.

Starting point: Dhaka Route- BandarbanBoga Lake- SaikotparaAnondoparaPukurpara Estimated cost: Tk 6,000/person The journey began with an overnight local bus trip that started out from Dhaka at 9pm, and ended at Bandarban early the following morning.

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Day-1 We grabbed a quick breakfast at the Ruma bus stand while we waited for the first bus that would take us to Ruma, which is about three and a half hours away. The route is a scenic one, surrounded by green hills.

We had our lunch at the Ruma bazaar, filled in the paperwork required by the Bangladesh army, and hired a jeep and a guide for Pukur Para. Our next destination was Boga Lake, and including the mandatory check-in at the Ruma Police station, it took us about three hours to reach there. It was an area of scenic beauty, perfect for nature photography, and I took full advantage of this while we visited a local cottage and had some fruit snacks. And then the trekking began.

A five hour trek through the greenery brought us to Saikatpara at 8pm, where we took up lodging at the residence of the chairman of Saikatpara. The food was very spicy, so we ate from the tuna cans we had bought with us. A hard day’s trekking made for a good night’s sleep.

17

TRAVELOGUE|

Day-2

The second day began early, and we passed Ananda para and arrived at the Ruma Lake at 10am. After snacking on the breakfast we had packed, we began trekking. The terrain is rough and treacherous underfoot, and the rainy situation makes the trail even more slippery and precarious Seven hours and three hills later, we finally arrived at Pukur Para. This area is dominated by the stunning Lake Wichu, which is fifteen times bigger than Boga Lake, and surrounded by the emerald hills. Upon arrival you have to report to the Army base camp, where you can avail of the food and daily necessities at their canteen. We took our rest and relaxation at our guide’s house and started for the Rakhain Lake in the afternoon.The waterfall there is a great spot for photography and exploration, and we spent some two hours there before heading back to Pukur Para and calling it a night.

Day 3

Once again, the morning began early, because we wanted to reach Ruma Bazaar before dark. We took a new trail this time, alongside a canal. It was a slippery, treacherous route, but our expert guide, Neru dada, helped us through it.

As beautiful and challenging as the trail was, it was too risky to stop for photographs, so onward we went, stopping for breakfast somewhere along the way. I must say this was the best walk I’d ever had in my entire life.

We reached Ruma Bazaar at around 6pm, had a late lunch at a local hotel and went to a friend’s house to stay the night. Our third and final trekking day ended with tired legs and sore bodies, but a good night’s sleep.

Day 4

We bought bus tickets to Bandarban early the next day from Ruma Bazaar, and arrived at noon. There were no tickets that would take us directly to Dhaka, so we were forced to go to Chittagong to get train tickets from there. After a rushed lunch, we boarded, and enjoyed a beautiful view of the rolling countryside all the way back to the capital city.

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18 | Tantalise review

An afternoon of

overflowing sophistication Jhorna at Pan Pacific Sonargaon proves that old is definitely gold

| Tausif Sanzum Over the years, Sonargaon has become part of our popular culture as most of us grew up hearing about its posh premise and mouth watering food. We wanted to find out if it has survived the test of time and decided to spend an afternoon at their signature restaurant, Jhorna.

The first thing we noticed about Sonargaon is its sheer size which is a few times larger than other five star hotels in town. As we walked down the posh kingly styled domes, we saw the name Jhorna embedded on the wall in golden colour (a colour which plays a major part in the colour scheme of the restaurant). The beautiful medium sized restaurant surrounded by water fountains only made us regret the fact that we visited it in the afternoon rather than at night when the view would have been spectacular. Black wooden chairs and tables with golden cutlery and crystal clear glasses took us back to the golden

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era of yore. There is an old world charm to the interior of Sonargaon.

We happened to just miss the lunch buffet which consists of almost 50 different items at Tk1,850 (a sum quite reasonable in comparison to other buffets in town). Without much ado, we ordered the Japanese Bento Box. The service was swift and within 10 minutes they served us. The items were served in an authentic Japanese wooden box and consisted of chicken teriyaki, assorted tempura, sticky rice, sunomono salad and miso soup.

The tempuras were crispy; the chicken teriyaki consisted of golden juicy chicken pieces while the sunomono salad and miso soup added the right amount of saltiness and sourness respectively completing the decently priced meal.

Sushi is one of those few dishes which you either cook perfectly or you fail miserably. Rest assured the assorted platter of sushi here, priced at Tk1,450, is a safe bet as you get to try different types of Japanese food. The egg sushi is definitely the best of the lot.

Finally the meat lover in us made us order the fancy T-bone steak. At Tk6,210 it might seem a little over priced but then it is served with fresh seasonal vegetable, baked mashed potato and an array of soups, salads and dessert from their buffet menu. Our

steak was cooked to perfection and the vegetable and mashed potato were the ideal companion to the satisfying meal.

We ended the meal on a sweeter note by ordering the cheese cake and chocolate fudge cake. The latter was our favourite and the best dish of the day. It was moist, soft and you can go on and on about what a wonderful chocolaty flavour it leaves behind on your

Photos: Tanzeel Abdullah

palate. The cheesecake was a bit dry but you cannot complain about it once you dip it in the strawberry sauce which comes along.

Jhorna might not be the go to hangout place for the younger generation (Sonargaon has other restaurants for them) but if you are looking for a regal fine dining experience, then only a few other places in town can compete with this little gem.

19

Tantalise | recipe

Sit, sip, slim Tired of the same boring vegan diet? Try these delectable smoothies to help shave off those extra kilos, or just take a few feel-good sips to cool yourself

| Adila Hoque

While it is no secret that exercise is essential in any weight-loss programme, and it is of imminent importance that you follow those guidelines if you want to get rid of the belly fat - along with all the other kinds of fat, diet is also a major factor. It takes a lot of willpower for most of us to get off our lazy behinds and start going to the gym five days a week, which is why it is not fair to impose an uglylooking green meal three times a day on ourselves.

Try out these two extremely delicious, no-hassle smoothies to make your diet a tad bit easier. Both of these smoothies are mostly yoghurt-based instead of milk, and the probiotic properties of these drinks make them a lot more nutritious than your regular skimmed milk. In addition, they are low in calories and full of antioxidants, minerals, fibre and calcium.

Peanut butter and banana smoothie

Ingredients: • • • • • • •

½ cup skimmed milk ½ cup fat-free yoghurt 2tbsp unsalted peanut butter One-fourth of a ripe banana 1tbsp honey 4 ice cubes Dry roasted peanuts (optional)

Make sure the bananas are very ripe before you begin to work. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and continue processing until it is as smooth as butter.

Pour into a smoothie glass to serve. You can even leave a few pieces of banana chunks to give your drink some texture. Another addition could be solid peanuts sprinkled on top, or you may chop them as well.

Photos: Big Stock

Mango surprise

Ingredients: • • • • • • •

¼ cup mango cubes ½ cup mango juice ¼ cup fat-free yoghurt ½tsp vanilla essence 1tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 1tbsp sugar 6 ice cubes

Your mangoes must be sweet and ripe enough to melt in your mouth. Mix all ingredients together and process in a blender until smooth. Garnish with sliced mangoes and serve. Adjust the flavours after you’ve tried it, adding more lemon or sugar according to taste.

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20 | news

Nawabi Food Festival at Khazana If you are tired of Chicken Tikka Masala and Dal Makhani, it’s time to go to Khazana. Being one of the premier Indian restaurants in Dhaka, Khazana is hosting a Nawabi Food festival from September 10 till 30. The food ranges from Jugalbandi Kebab (a unique kebab made from chicken and mutton), Moti Biryani (a biryani made with meatballs), Gosht Badaam Quorma (boneless soft mutton) and several other dishes from Nawabi kitchens. The different dishes will be available along with the regular ala carte menu.

Photos: Tanzeel Abdullah

Style Sell’s wedding collection

Kaymu’s “E-Eid” Kaymu, one of the largest and safest online marketplace connects buyers and sellers to allow them to take advantage of the best deals on an extensive range of products including electronics, books, fashion items, gadgets and even cars. Thanks to a fixed price system, Kaymu guarantees that users will always find the lowest prices on the market. It provides the platform for hundreds of sellers to interact with any number of buyers online, offering its very own special Eid category which showcases the hottest selling products during the festive period, such as designer panjabis, salwar kameez, saris, shoes, make-up kits, and jewelleries of all kinds for people of all ages. Visit Kaymu.com.bd for more information.

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Style Sell offers a plethora of in-store services to enrich the shopping experience in order to obtain the desired image of a customer, eg wardrobe consulting, colour analysis, personal shopping, etc. All products are unique statement pieces that tell stories of heritage, luxury and status when worn.

Call it one of a kind or difficult to find; each of Style Sell’s products have an aura of uniqueness around them, as if they were made for the individual wearing them. For a glance at their unique collection visit Style Sell at Elite Club of Fashion Lovers, South Avenue, House 2, Road 9, Gulshan 1, 02 9850789, 01744908019, www.stylesellbd.com.

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