Q: Remember that wine pairing guidelines are just that: guidelines. Although most wine connoisseurs wouldn't recommend it, you might love the contrast of a super-sweet white chocolate with an ultra-dry red wine. The only way to know what you like is to try different things. To really appreciate the tastes of wine and chocolate together, use a simple palate cleanser to get any lingering flavors from dinner out of your mouth. Eat something with a neutral flavor, like a few bites of white bread, and drink a little water. Your sense of smell contributes a lot to what you taste. Inhaling the aroma of your food and drink first can help you appreciate the various flavors more fully. It can also build your anticipation by giving you a preview of what your taste buds are about to experience. Hold each piece of chocolate to your nose and take a moment to inhale deeply before you bite. Before taking a sip of wine, swirl the glass gently, then take a series of quick, short sniffs from just above the top of the glass. Take a small bite of chocolate, and allow it to melt enough to coat the inside of your mouth. Close your eyes and concentrate on what you feel and taste. Make note of: The texture. Is it smooth and creamy? Does it have a crumbly or fudgy texture? If your chocolate contains nuts, sea salt, or bits of nougat, what do they contribute to the texture? The flavor. Is it bitter, sweet, or both? Are there fruity or salty notes? Do you detect hints of almond or hazelnut? Take a quick sniff of the wine, then take a sip while the taste of the chocolate is still lingering in your mouth. Pay attention to the feel and taste of the wine, and think about how it mingles with the flavors of the chocolate. For example, does the wine feel smooth, or crisp? Does the texture work well with the texture of the chocolate? Do you notice any notes in the wine that complement the chocolate particularly well? For example, hints of berry can go particularly well with dark or milk chocolate. Allow yourself to be in the moment and savor the mingling of the flavors. Close your eyes and take a few moments to concentrate entirely on the taste of the chocolate and the wine. Wait a few moments between tastes to appreciate the aftertaste that lingers after you have swallowed both the chocolate and the wine.
A: Keep an open mind. Cleanse your palate. Smell before you taste. Taste the chocolate before sipping the wine. Sip the wine immediately after swallowing the chocolate. Take your time.

Q: People who live closer to the equator are exposed to more ultra-violet (UV) radiation, so their cells produce more melanin. This excess melanin leads to a darker skin pigmentation that helps the skin protect itself from UV damage. Keeping out of the sun will keep skin from producing extra melanin, which may help the pigment return to a paler state. If your skin is naturally dark, however, staying out of the sun won't do much. Keep out of the sun as much as possible, especially in the late morning and afternoon. If you must be outside while the sun is brightest, try to stick to the shade. Try carrying an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun. A regular black umbrella that's designed to keep you dry in the rain will also block out at least 90 percent of UV rays. Remember that sunlight and UV rays bounce off concrete, water, sand, snow, and other surfaces. Be aware of your environment! Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA (rays that age your skin) and UVB (rays that burn your skin). Find a sunscreen with an SPF (sun-protection factor) between 30 and 50. Any SPF above 50 is not significantly more effective, so don't worry about finding the highest number. You are still exposed to UV rays in winter, even though it's cooler. Wear sunscreen every day of the year, especially if you enjoy winter sports at high elevations. Most summer-weight clothing (e.g. cotton garments) does not provide a measurable amount of sun protection. Look for clothes with a UPF (ultraviolet protection) rating. Choose clothes with long sleeves, long hems, and high collars. Consider wearing sunglasses, gloves, and wide-brimmed hats. The sun is necessary for vitamin D production, but most people don't need more than 20 minutes of uncovered exposure.
A: Avoid UV exposure. Wear sunscreen. Wear protective clothing.

Q: Typically, you'll choose the darker of the two colors you're using. Paint broad strokes across the canvas, covering as much of it as you want with the color. Let the base coat dry completely. For example, if you want to paint a blended sky, paint a solid medium blue background and let it dry completely. One nice thing about this method is you don't have to work as quickly. The base coat doesn't need to be completely dry before you continue, but it should be mostly dry. That way, you can easily add another color on top of the base coat. If the base coat is thin enough, it should dry quickly, within 5-10 minutes.
A:
Paint a base coat in one of your main colors. Wait for the base coat to dry.