The largest cruise ship in world Oasis Of The Seas

Oasis Of The Seas is 1,184 feet long and more than 226,000 tons. The 5,400-passenger ship with a crew of 2,000 cost 1.5 billion dollars to make. Darn, I guess I can’t afford a copy! No other cruise line seems interested in topping it, so I think it will remain the largest cruise ship for some time.

Somehow it looks like a big wave hitting it broadside would flip it right over. It has 16 decks, a damn high ship! That’s a lot of weight above the waterline. But I’ll never be able to afford to go on it anyway. Cool ship, no matter what!

Inferno hauls greet the world’s largest cruise ship, the Independence of the Seas as she enters in the U.K. for the first time on 25 April in Southampton, southern England. This giant 160,000 tonne yacht will function all through the year from the city. Valued at $793 million (Euros 508 million), this Royal Caribbean cruise ship was constructed in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland and is the dual biggest sail liner together with her sister ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. It draws contrast with the Titanic in terms of her giantly size by being 230ft longer than the Titanic. Right after Titanic met misfortune, the largest cruise ship has proved to be a risk for her owners, who witnessed a surge in fuel prices and calming down of global economy within three years of commissioning of ship.

The pool of facilities offered by this princess includes a 2,000-seater dining room, a choice of an ice rink, a 1,350-seat theatre, a surf simulator and a nine-hole miniature golf course. The naming ceremony for the ship is due on 30 April before she boards on her foremost paying journey on 2 May. 

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Color Day: Red, Black, and Khaki

December is finally here and that means today is the first day of our 12 Days of Christmas promotion!  Please start commenting and you'll be entered into our random drawing to win a great little prize from a local artist or crafter.  We have things to give away from cards to candles to prints, soaps, jewelry and more! 

Now, in the meantime, to get us into the holiday spirit here is a color board that says Christmas with style.  One look at this color board will leave you longing for a snow day where you snuggle up with a warm blanket and sip cocoa by the fireplace. Red is a signature shade of the holidays and it very vibrant, but here it is toned down with the neutral khaki, black, and white to create a rustic, country look with a level of sophistication that we think even the people over at Burberry would be pleased with.

Khaki, Red, Black, and White Inspiration Board

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Images from: designandink, ootch, hankandtillie, cottonbirddesigns, lovegrowsbygiving, sewnnatural, anniewhere, pattisprimitives, boopteylu, inburberry, with this ring, modcloth     

May your days be merry and bright!

XOXO

Jen & Saira       

The largest hydroelectric dam in the world

The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. It is located in the middle of the tree gorges on the Yangtze River, the third longest in the world, in the Hubei Province of China. The Yangtze River Dam was approved by the Chinese government in 1992. However, construction didn’t begin until 1994. It is scheduled to be completed by 2009. The $25 billion project is being internationally funded by companies, export credit agencies, and banks from Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, Sweden, and Brazil. Controversy about the project arises from human rights issues (as many as 1.3-1.9 million people have been forced to relocate) and environmental impacts.

The dam is by far the worlds largest in both size and hydroelectric power generation. Its an astonishing engineer feat.

You see the Three Gorges Dam up close - and pass through its incredibly large locks in your ship. The Three Gorges Dam is a Hillman Wonder Bronze Medal winner.
Unfortunately, from the tourists perspective, it is raising the river water level behind it so high that formerly breathtaking rapid currents of the Yangtze River are all but disappearing. And, the water is permanently inundating some scenic and cultural riverside attractions (and forced over a million people to relocate).
However, much of the stunning natural beauty of the sheer gorges remain. And, the visit to the new dam and its locks have substantially added to the cruises appeal.
On balance, the Yangtze River cruise is still so exceptional that the sightseeing losses the dam caused should definitely not discourage travelers from making the voyage. Think of the marble statue Venus de Milo. She lost her arms but still is an object of beauty.

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Korean Women's International Network Mentoring Event

Last Sunday, I attended a mentoring event hosted by the Korean Women's International Network (KOWIN) at the Korean Ambassador’s residence in DC.

Arriving at the Korean Embassy complex to participate in the Women's Mentoring event hosted by the Korean Women's International Network.

KOWIN was established in 2001 as the Government of the Republic of Korea launched a new Ministry of Gender Equality and Family with the aim of planning public policy for the benefit of women, promoting their social status and rights and developing human resources among women.

 Miss Teen Korea International, Annette Lee, and Miss Teen International, Juliana McKee, greeting participants in the women's mentoring event sponsored by the Korean Women's International Network at the Korean Embassy.

Annette Lee, Miss Teen Korea International, and Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International

At the event, Annette Lee, Miss Teen Korea International, who so kindly invited me to attend, and I greeted mentors and mentees. The attendees ranged from students and young adults to established “experts” in various fields.

Posing with Korean Ambassador Han, his wife, and some of the other participants at the Korean Women's International Network event at the Korean Embassy.

My Mother, Juliana Brown McKee, with some of the women who participated in the women's mentoring event hosted by the Korean Women's International Organization at the Korean Embassy.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Sue Terry, a visiting Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations with expertise in Korean affairs – a very important expertise to have at this moment in international affairs – gave an inspirational speech about creating your own opportunities and the power that women have today to create their own success.

Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International, with the press secretary of a senior member of the U.S. Congress who was on hand to participate in the women's mentoring event hosted by the Korean Women's International Organization at the Korean Embassy.

Juliana McKee

On the first day of Christmas PDR gave to me...

...some earrings?  some coasters? a print? a candle?  

You'll just have to wait and see!!

Paper Doll Romance is pleased to announce our very first gift give-away promotion, The 12 Days of Christmas. We have a handful of lovely items, donated to us from some local Philly/New York/New Jersey crafters and artisans, that we're very excited to give away this holiday season. We will randomly select one winner per day for 12 days and the lucky winners will receive prizes that could be anywhere from $5-$40 in value.

So, how can you get in on all this holiday fun?  It's easy!  Just comment on any of our December posts from 12/1/10 until Christmas Eve (December 24th, 2010).  In your comment, be sure to tell us what you like about that post, what you like about our blog in general, or what you'd like to see us write about in the future and you'll be automatically entered in a random drawing to win a prize. 

We will start drawing winners once a day starting on December 13th and finishing up on December 24th so be sure to leave your comments early for the best chance at winning some great prizes.  

RULES: Yea yea, we know, rules are not fun, but we have to have a few. Only comments on posts from 12/1-12/24 will be considered for prizes. Only one comment per person per day will be eligible but you can certainly comment once a day, every day, if you'd like (we love to hear from you!). Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you win!  Entries submitted by email will not be considered.

First chance to enter starts tomorrow, 12/1, so be sure to check back and get commenting!

Best of Luck and Happy Holidays!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Attending the Adoption Council Gala

My sister queen Shannon Devine, Mrs. International 2010, invited me and a guest (my mom) as well as our other sister queen, Ashley, and her boyfriend Sebastian, to the 30th anniversary gala for the National Council for Adoption. It was themed “Bow Tie and Pearls”. Hosted at the one of the finest hotels in DC, the Willard, the event was absolutely first class.

My Mother accompanied me to the Adoption Council Gala. We had a great time!

Miss International Ashley Smith's fiance Sebastian accompanied her to the event.

The room was elegantly decorated, and featured a string quartet playing in the background. At each of the seats were beautifully wrapped favors consisting of either 14kt gold and cultured pearl earrings or a white bow tie set (depending if you were a male or female guest). Gorgeous fresh hydrangea and white rose bouquets adorned the tables.

Mrs. Internationl Shannon Devine and Miss Teen International Juliana McKee

There were some wonderful patrons that spoke. Mrs. International, a spokesperson for the organization, was one of the first speakers in the program. While listening to Shannon give her speech, it became apparent to both my mother and I why she won the title of Mrs. International – she is a true inspiration!!

Shannon also modeled the beautiful Tiffany and Company cultured pearl necklace and picked the winners of the raffle items including the fabulous necklace. She looked awesome in her custom Sherri Hill black gown, supplied by none other than Joey Rutherford of The Competitive Image.

A high light was the excitement generated when Shannon’s husband came back to the table after disappearing, announcing that they had won the “African Safari” auction item- wow!! Shannon was speechless!!! How exciting – Mrs. International is traveling to Africa!

Next, we met with and took photos with Mary Landrieu, the US Senator from Louisiana. She is a tireless advocate for adoption. We met some really great people that all had their own stories about adoption – some were adopted and some had adopted children of their own.

Miss Teen International, Juliana McKee, with U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu

There was only one thing missing that evening – little Halle Grace, or “Miss Magic” as she is better known in pageant circles. She is a real life adoption fairy tale come true- Happy 3rd birthday, Halle Grace!!!

Juliana McKee

Holiday Greetings

Black Friday has come and gone and it's almost December, so let the Christmas countdown begin! In a week or so you'll start collecting holiday cards from friends, family, and the dentist's office, which means that you'll need to reciprocate with cards of your own. Now, we're not huge fans of the typical "matching sweaters in front of the tree" theme (or really any photo card unless it's an adorable child or pet dressed in people clothes), so we decided to pick out a few cards that are stylish, fun, cheerful, or otherwise solid choices that will save you from being mocked at the next holiday gathering.

Celebrate Christmas this year with this layered holiday card available at Target. It's sure to make your card stand out from the rows upon rows of greeting cards lining your friends and family's fireplace, and a little texture goes a long way.

For a traditional look featuring Santa and his reindeer, try this letterpress set by Kirtland House.  Maybe it's the vintage design or the ornate font, but something about these cards just remind us of "A Miracle on 34th Street" (the original one, not the one with the little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire). We can just picture writing out these cards in front of the fireplace with a mug of of hot cocoa... how wonderful!

Even though red and green are the traditional colors of the holiday season, we're partial to blue and silver. It tends to stand out a little more from all the other cards, and looks a bit more chic. Share visions of a winter wonderland with this set of cards from Papyrus. It's simple, pretty, and a little bit glitzy, which is just the way we like it.

A partridge in a pear tree in metallic gold? Yes, please!  We love these screen printed cards by treasurydesigns.  They are whimsical, fun, and sure to stand out with their beautiful metallic ink and simple white silouhettes. And they are printed on recycled paper, which is always a plus.

Too much tinsel can be a headache, so be low key this holiday season with these printed cards by Etsy seller thecraftpantry. We love the earthy feel to these cards, and think it's a lovely, understated way to say "Season's  Greetings."

Celebrating Hannukah?  We found the cutest card to wish your friends and family a Happy Hannukah this year.  We love this handmade card from cutiepiecompany for it's totally mod, bright, and fun menorah design.  Send your wishes with this card and you're sure to make their holiday cheerful.

Saira longs to be back in Brooklyn, so we had to share this Brooklyn Bridge holiday card by Moon Tree Press. Perfect for New Yorkers, this card adds a nice personal touch, especially if you have friends and family across the country.

These cards by desTroy are simply charming.  We love their simple design, bright colors, and the beautiful layered look that the screen printing creates.  This cards definitely make a statement and is sure to be a favorite this holiday season.

 While the holiday season is all about peace and love... it also makes spending hours at the mall a selfless act. We at PDR are all about peace, love, and shopping, which is why we love these sassy retro holiday cards by Anne Taintor. They are fun and fabulous, just like you!

Feel good this holiday season with this holiday card from UNICEF. Every year UNICEF produces a series of holiday cards representing all the children that UNICEF helps support.  This years design is just as sweet, and proceeds from the sale help children all around the world, so not only will you feel good, but you'll also do good this holiday season.

Seasons greetings, dolls!  

Be sure to check us out tomorrow for a special holiday announcement!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira