Kosmos

A balcony without plants? Too bleak, too bare, Jean Nouvel presumably thought when designing Tower 25, an office and residential building in Nikosia. The star architect’s tower in the Cypriot capital has plants not only sprouting from the balconies but bursting through openings in the walls.

Spring taking its time? At least with these attractive items, you can beat those April showers in style!

You silly egg! You flea! You meatball! Oddly enough, these are terms of endearment in China, France and Italy. A selection of choice pet names from around the world

a belly full of love

The way to the heart is through the stomach. Here’s proof: the French call their lover their “cabbage,” the Spanish, “half an orange,” the Japanese, “egg with eyes.” Oval heads are generally considered a beauty standard in the Far East.

the heart and other organs

“My heart and liver!” is a term of endearment in China. In Ireland, they say mo chuisle, “my pulse,” whereas Tibetans call their beloved “revered poison of my heart.”

animal attraction

The Germans lead, drawing inspiration from animals to call their lover a snail, sparrow, rabbit or mouse, closely followed by the French (“My doe!”) and the Italians (“My chick! My microbe!”).

If you thought beer was a beauty product, you’ll appreciate this: Visitors to the Bjórböðin Spa in Iceland relax in wooden troughs filled with barley juice, water, hops and yeast. This unusual mixture cleanses the skin and boosts the metabolism. Beer drinkers, never fear: There’s a keg of beer conveniently placed right beside the bathtub.

bjorbodin.com