The clothes we wear can have a large impact on what others think of us, and how we think about ourselves. Dressing like a stunning, modern-day beauty may be difficult sometimes, but I'm sure these tips will help you.

See the stars! No, you don't have to go to a glamourous movie premiere, or live in a Hollywood neighbourhood, just flick through the pages of any glossy magazine. Celebrities such as Kate Winslet, Dita Von Teese, Goldie Hawn and even Victoria Beckham know how to look modern yet sophisticated. Many high-street stores have "copycat" outfits and accessories avalible at much cheaper prices.
Start with one item, and build on it. Perhaps purchase a pair of shoes (such as high heels, or ballerina pumps) and buy matching dresses and colour-coordinated accessories.
Have a reason to dress this way. Whether it's a fancy party or wedding night, you need a good reason to dress a certain way. Maybe you don't, and you just want to add a touch of modern glamour to your wardrobe. This is perfectly fine, but make sure you have some upcoming events to show off your new outfits.
Get shopping! Purchase glamourous frocks in bold colours. Reds, blacks, whites and yellows help you stand out and be noticed. Heads will turn if you try diamonds, glitter and sequins. Perfect the art of buying shoes by purchasing elegant footwear. Heels, pumps and a stunning pair of flip-flops for casual occasions are must-haves when it comes to shoes.
Accessorize! Splash out on silver diamond earrings, expensive necklaces, and high-brow watches. Handbags are must-haves, so purchase bags from your local high street, or Rodeo Drive Copycat.

Choose a favourite designer. From Christian Dior to Chanel, every elegant lady has a favourite fashion designer.
Mix `n' Match! For example, a red dress with black earrings looks elegant, classy and modern.

Don't spend too much! Many beautiful outfits can be found without spending your holiday savings.
Don't change overnight -- take it step by step.
Don't buy things just because your style icon wore them -- make sure they look good on YOU

Shopping is everyone's favorite past time, and this is especially so for the wealthy. There are different reasons for shopping - shopping for pleasure, shopping for needs, and shopping for others i.e. buying gifts. Shopping can also turn into an addiction, which can bring about the term "impulse buying" which is unhealthy for normal people like us. In this guide, you can learn how to shop smart, and still be fashionable! Shopping smart does not mean shopping for cheap clothes, rather it is making your buys worth your money.

Review your budget. As all of you know, in order to be a smart shopper, you'll have to control your spending. Write a budget and stick to it. If you see an expensive article of clothing e.g. top that you really like, consider if that top would match most of your bottoms, so that it would not be well worth your money.
Go to the right places. Find the nearest flea market. Why flea markets? They offer unique rare pieces from all around the world at cheap or second-hand prices. Basically, you would not want to have a tee that everyone else has, and you want to stand out stylishly in the crowd. Alternatively, if you are uncomfortable about using second-hand items, try buying new clothes that are imported in bulk. Flea markets may have the most uncomfortable environment but they may provide the best variety of clothing.
Follow your interest. Read magazines before your shopping trip to get ideas on what style you are inclined to, so that you can save time by directly going to the specific concept stores Ben Sherman for British-Indie inspired style.
Find clothes that fit. Buy clothes that fit right at the store, especially pants and dresses, so that you will not need to spend extra money on tailoring.

Make frequent trips to your shopping districts for latest information on newly-opened stores and new arrivals.
Tees sold on the web usually cost more, but they are one of a kind. Decide on your main priority.
Less is more. Buying a good quality tee-shirt and taking care of it is good value. Buying 5 cheap ones is not and you don't look as good!

Shopping is addictive - Use of credit cards is discouraged. Use cash instead.
Be prepared to take a long time to find the nice clothes you want at flea markets.

To most men, Valentine's Day is the day you're supposed to buy flowers or candy for your wife or girlfriend. But to most women, Valentine's Day is about expressing your innermost feelings about someone. It's about saying how much you really value someone -- through the purchase of a material object, of course. Here's how to give Valentine's Day gifts she's bound to love.

Think about the message you want to convey to her. Is it, "I think you're special", "You're so beautiful", or "I want to keep you guessing"? Whatever the message, there's an easy way to communicate it through your gift.
Match your gift to the message. This may sound easier said than done, but checking the Tips section might give you some ideas.
Get help from others. If you're just not sure how to express your feelings, get some advice from friends, parents or whomever you trust, but don't have some other person go gift shopping for your girl.
Consider the risk of getting your "hidden message" wrong. If anything about your idea could be misleading, don't go through with it. Take the safe route and keep it simple.
Just say it. More often than not, the whole "saying it through the grapevine"-thing backfires. In many cases the lady would have preferred some heartfelt kind words to a gift.

If your message is "I spent big bucks on you", you can buy her jewelry or go one step better than that by giving her the whole store -- well, buying her Tiffany stock. It's like owning the store, isn't it? (See the external links for more info on how to get a framed share of Tiffany stock for around $120.)(Be careful, many women won't see Stock in any store as romantic.)
To convey that the lady is special to you, you could get her a customized poem (although maybe a self-written one is more personal). Both Personal Creations and 1-800-flowers sell giant fortune cookies that can be personalized, free of charge.
If you are in an intimate relationship and want to compliment her looks, you may want to think about getting her lingerie. It is advised to find out nonchalantly if she would appreciate that as a gift, as some women feel objectified by this type of behaviour.
If you're unsure about your message or your relationship, try to set up an unusual date. Try something your girl might like. If she's an outdoorsy person, pack a picnic to share at sunset and spend some time on the blanket looking at the stars. This is especially romantic if you have a beach in the proximity.
If your girl is into arts, take her to an exhibition. Once there you can buy her the catalogue or a nice poster if she likes a piece very much. If she likes a certain band, get tickets to a concert near you.
If you don't know anything about a girl's hobbies or preferences, make sure you find out about them before Valentine's Day so you have some clues you can build your idea on.
Make a romantic scavenger hunt. Have romantic clues set up all over the house (or city), and make them search from place to place until they find the final prize (make sure the final prize is something extra

You're throwing a dinner party, and one of your guests has unexpectedly brought their other half, or a coworker misunderstood and is now at your door. What to do?

Be polite - As the perfect host, your first priority is to accommodate the surprise arrival. They probably didn't know they weren't invited, and when they realise the inconvenience of their presence they will probably feel very embarrassed. Put them at their ease, welcome them into your home and offer them a drink.

Squeeze them in - When they're busy talking to the other guests, disappear into the dining room and squeeze another place into the table set up. It might disrupt your otherwise perfect arrangements, but at this point you don't have many alternative options, short of kicking them out. And that would be like shooting a puppy.

Split the portions - If dinner is a serve yourself affair, then the extra guest is easy to accommodate - simply adjust the portions accordingly. However, if you have prepared six portions of chicken - not SEVEN - then you have no alternative than to split cousin Martin's portion with his surprise partner. Politely excuse this when serving up by saying something like, "I'm terribly sorry, I'd only cooked for six, but I know Tara won't mind sharing."

Speak to offender afterwards - When dealt with in a polite and dignified manner, your surprise guest should pose little problem once dinner is under way. Relax and enjoy the evening. Either in private or after the event you are entitled to make your delightful niece understand that her actions were completely unacceptable.

Three (3) day ago it snowed in Seattle again,the snow melted down slowly. The temperature stayed down to 30's which is freezing.

I could helped noticing this plant in our side yard. I took a picture of it. I think this picture is nice and I just wanted to share it over here.

Had a rockin' vacation ... glad to be back and hope you missed me ... U.S. Inaugural Ball, pot TV special, chain gangs, can u name a dance ... lots came to me as I was refreshing the bod and the thought machine ... still concerned about the economy, but maybe the new President can deal with it.

Have you noticed that some of the widget in our blog are not showing? Recently , I have used the widget from wowzio to track who's or where from my visitors from. Can you believe that you have to email them to get their widget and it will cost you a $ 1.00 a month now. As the feedjit, they are offering feedjit PRO now which is cost you $5 something.

I can't blame them, economy is hurting and everybody wants to make money in anyway, wouldn't you?

Are you looking for a special meal? Maybe something new? Asian Salmon Noodles is a wonderful option to spice up your meal. Not to mention, they don't take too long to prepare and cook!

Ingredients

* 1 Tbsp sesame oil
* 1 lb fresh or frozen salmon fillets, skin removed
* 2 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
* 2 Tbsp minced garlic
* 1 bunch green onions, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
* 1/2 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
* 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
* 1 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on how spicy you want it)
* 1 lb cooked fettuccine or linguine

[edit] Steps

Heat oil on medium-high temperature heat in a large wok or skillet for 1 minute.
Add salmon, ginger and garlic to the oil.
Cook 2 minutes per side.
Add 1/2 of the green onions to the wok or skillet.
Reduce the heat to medium temperature and continue cooking 4 to 5 minutes longer.
Combine all the remaining ingredients except for the pasta.
Pour the sauce into salmon mixture, and continue to cook until the salmon flakes easily.
Break salmon up into bite size pieces.
Stir in the cooked pasta.
Remove the wok or skillet from heat and serve immediately.

This recipe is made to serve roughly 6 people. The recipe can easily be doubled for larger groups of people.
You can also add whatever other ingredients you like for extra flavoring including sliced water chestnuts, mushrooms, snow peas, etc.

Steamed fish is a great dish on a Chinese dinner table. The nice thing is that it is so simple to make, and doesn't require any special ingredients.Traditionally a big steaming pot is used to cook. However, microwave oven is a very good alternative. The following is for using microwave oven to cook this dish.

Get a very fresh fish like bass and walleye of about 1 pound in weight. Carefully scrape off all scales and remove the gills and organs.
Clean the fish with water, and drain the water. Then put it in a big microwaveable glass container that has a cover.Add two teaspoons of cooking wine in the container. Evenly throw 1/2 teaspoon of salt on the surface of the fish.
Cut 6 thin slices of ginger and 2 pieces of green onion. Put them in the stomach of the fish.
Cover the container and put it into a 1000 watt microwave for 10 minutes, then take the container out.
Heat 3 to 4 spoon of vegetable oil in a small bowl in the microwave, making the oil very hot.
Pour the hot oil on the surface of the fish. Finally throw some soy sauce on the fish.
Enjoy the very delicious dish



The fish has to be very fresh. In China people normally use the fish that is still swimming in the water, before starting to cook. Refrigerated fish is okay as long as it is very fresh. Never use a fish ever frozen.
Select bass, walleye, tilapia, grouper or other kinds of fish that have fine texture and fibre. Salmon and northern pike are not recommended.
Eat the dish when it is very warm.
Adding pepper and cilantro leaves will also give different style. You can be innovative.
If you are using a traditional steamer pot, toss a handful of Northern White Cedar chips to the water. It will add a very mild but delicious wood flavor to your steamed fish and vegetables.

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Relaxation is a key element to good health and well being, as well as a stress reliever. A bubble bath, warm music and a glass of wine will help remove the stress of the day.
Think about the last time you took a bath, for yourself to languish in and soak away the stresses of the day.
Make time for yourself to relax and give your mind body and spirit some attention and for a while let your worries drift away.
Make a bath special. Take the phone off the hook. Pour yourself a glass of wine, choose a magazine and run a hot bath adding oil or bubbles. The aroma therapeutic choices on offer today are staggering. Then immerse yourself in the tub and let all your stresses wash down the overflow with the displaced water.
Relax and think happy thoughts of sun kissed beaches and star lit skies and let thoughts of kids, work and money evaporate with the steam. Open your mind, meditate and just enjoy!
Try to take a shower before so you are clean before and your not just soaking in your own filth for a long time. It is more beneficial and maybe make yourself a facial mask.


Meditation in a bath could be a risky thing, prop yourself up in such a way that you don't drown, or let people know where you are and what you are doing and that you don't want to be disturbed
Don't drink too much wine in the bath! You could get drunk and then get a hangover!

Often, the inability to relax stems from a racing brain. Getting control of "mind chatter" is more than half the battle. Here's what I do.

Lie down somewhere where you are unobstructed (like the back of a couch squishing your arm to your body).
On your back, totally relax all of your muscles. Let your arms and legs sink into the surface beneath them.
Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Regulate it with slow breaths in through your nose and hold for a second, then slowly exhale out of your mouth.
Listen to your "mind chatter" for a moment. Are there a billion things running around in there?
One by one, let your thoughts go. Tell yourself you can take up those thoughts later on.
Try to clear your mind, especially of negative "mind chatter" and concentrate on your breathing.
Bring up a thought that makes you feel relaxed, like floating on a lake on a warm summer's day with the sun beating down on you, a gentle breeze blowing across you.
Think to yourself that you are perfectly calm and relaxed, totally healthy and happy. Let your "mind chatter" focus on those thoughts and nothing else.
Continue the slow breathing... in through the nose, out through the mouth.


It is hard to relax with "mind chatter". If your thoughts are racing in 100 directions, you can't relax. The key is to calm your thoughts. Your body will follow.
When in the midst of a busy day, you can still do this. If you are sitting at your desk, take a minute and close your eyes. Do the slow breathing and repeat your thoughts that you are perfectly calm and relaxed. Picture yourself in that place where you were the most calm and relaxed.
If you are having trouble keeping thoughts out of your mind, it may help to count your breaths. By focusing attention on your breathing, you become more aware of your body naturally. This may help it to calm down and settle into a slow rhythm.

If you're tense and all worked up about how this might be yet another failure, it will not work. These things take time and practice. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt and try it for a few days.

Attention brides and brides maid to be! Are you making a plan a bachelorette party for your best friend or your just simply planning a bachelorette party for your. To eliminate the hassle to find some stuff for your party, you have to visit weddingpartees.com . I find this online store very cool. They sale a great stuff like Bachelorette party shirts,Bridesmaid t shirts,Bachelorette t shirts,Bachelorette shirts. They can help you custom design your wedding tees. Shop your Bachelorette Party Shirts at Wedding ParTees.com . They use the highest quality tees and camisoles.

Right now, they after Christmas sale going on. Purchase your 5 shirts or more and you will 10% off of your entire order. Come on and announce your engagement to your family and friends with a sparkling Swarovski crystal-decorated BRIDE TO BE tee.
Create a great look for your bachelorette party with matching BRIDE, BRIDESMAID, and MAID OF HONOR camisoles.Give your FLOWERGIRL a special t-shirt to show all her friends.Wear our tees to bridal expos, vendor visits, and rehearsals.Their shirts also make terrific gifts for your bridesmaids, flowergirls, and moms.

Shop for your wedding accessories. Their Product are very cool and it's in a great prices.

Hey all, good afternoon . As I open my blog first thing I saw was a tag from a friend over the blogosphere . Thank you Fililipina for giving me this award. I appreciate it.

I have been thinking about starting my own business at home since economy is hurting and employment are down. I thought I can start my income staying at home. I have been browsing some handcraft stuff online. I came across with this one of a kind website which is the archmailledesigns.com . It's a website where you can find hand made silver,copper jewelry like necklace,earrings chokers and more. Also if you some jewelry care this is the website to be.

Archmailledesigns.com jewelry is in low prices and it's very affordable .

Don't let the idea of hosting a party turn you into a nervous wreck. With a little prior planning you can throw the perfect party every time.

Plan the type of party you would like to have: Do you want a cocktail party or a dinner party? Do you want the meal to be formal or casual? Will the food be served at the table or will you offer a buffet? The answers to these types of questions will help you determine the number of people to invite, as well as who those people should be. For example, you wouldn't want to invite acquaintances that do not get along well if the party will be more intimate and there will not be many other people there for them to interact with. The answers to these questions will also help you decide upon the menu later. Start a party journal and write the answers to these questions in it.
Plan the guest list. Invitations should be mailed approximately three weeks prior to the date of the party. Write down the names of all invitees in your party journal, leaving a space for their RSVP. This way you will know at a glance how many guests you are expecting. Choose your RSVP deadline carefully, making sure to allow enough time to properly plan the menu. Keep in mind that many people overlook RSVP deadlines. If your deadline passes and there are people you have not heard from, consider your situation in deciding what to do. If your party is a more casual open-house type event, simply plan for everyone to attend to make sure you have enough for all who show up. However, if your party is a more formal affair and you need to know how many places to set at the table, you may want to consider following up with a telephone call. If you choose to call, keep the conversation casual and upbeat. Do not offend your guests by pointing out that they missed the deadline to respond. Simply try to ascertain the answer to your question through casual conversation.
Plan the menu. When planning the menu, try to choose as many dishes that can be prepared ahead of time as possible. Choose dishes that fit well with the theme of your party. If you are having a cocktail party you will only need appetizers and you will want to choose foods that do not require a plate or utensils to eat. This will allow your guests the ability to mingle easily without trying to juggle a plate in one hand and a drink in the other. If you are offering a sit down meal you may opt for more elegant dishes. Keep in mind that you can still achieve elegance without spending days in the kitchen. Visit http://www.tips-to-organize-life.com/easy-meal-idea.html for ideas to help you plan your menu. Many of these dishes can be prepared in advance and some are actually better that way. Write down your menu selections in your party journal and make note of any preparation instructions that will help you determine when to get started on each dish.
Plan the setup for the party. Will you need to set the table and, if so, for how many? Which tablecloth, napkins, dishes and centerpiece would you like to use? Do you need to purchase disposable cocktail plates and napkins? Write all of this information in your journal so that all of the thinking is done ahead of time.
Plan the party calendar. Start one week prior to the event and write down any tasks that can be accomplished each day leading up to the day of the event. The idea is to leave as little as possible for the day of the party, allowing yourself time to relax, get dressed and get excited for your guests to arrive without running around trying to get everything done at the last minute. The calendar should include things such as shopping for paper goods and decorations, grocery shopping, house cleaning, setting the table, and menu preparations. If you do a little bit each day you will be ready for your party before you know it.

Talk to a friend about your ideas like the theme, what should you wear, how much to spend on food etc. Sometimes you can learn a lot from people's experiences.
Be confident. Remember you are giving the party to enjoy yourself.

The Wheego Whip is an all-electric low speed vehicle with a price tag of around $20,000. Will you buy one in May 2009?

Once you've started something don't give up. If its hard or even if you just don't have time for that 1 thing at the moment, still keep trying. It may be hard at first but once you start getting it you can have a lot of fun doing it.

Find something challenging for you like doing a front hand spring you've been trying to do it for a long time now and still can't do it but you don't let yourself down you try and try again.
Start doing that one thing and have fun with it. It may hurt or feel weird on parts of your body but just because of those small things doesn't mean you should give up on it.
Set small realistic goal for you to achieve, by completing small task it helps you build up to finish what you started .
Self motivate yourself believing that you CAN do this, this helps to complete things you need to do
Tell yourself you will treat yourself to something nice, maybe a nice dinner , so you know you got something to look forward to.

Just believe in your self and don't give up.
If you are using step 5, don't rush what you are doing, it could turn down the quality of work or miss parts of what you are doing.


Don't do things that will get you seriously injured! Do something hard, but not too hard.
Don't stress over completing everything that you started. One step at a time!

What is anime anyway? It's an online anime reading site.Where you can find tons of mangas like Naruto Manga. My son love animation, where he can play online and pretend like he was one of them. If you enjoy playing animation online, visit manga.animea.net

Are you tired of being scolded all over again by your parents because of your grades, relationships, or other problems? Get your paper and pens out for some listing on what to do. These steps shouldn't be painful, but there are always obstacles to change.

Never lie. Lying may save you for now, but the truth always reveals itself sooner or later, getting you into more serious trouble. Note that "white lies" are still lies and can hurt as time goes by.
Do not hide your feelings or problems from your parents. Parents are usually willing to speak about your feelings and help you solve any problems you may have. They only want to protect you. Don't feel intimidated because they're adults, after all, they've already been through most of what you're experiencing and came through okay.
Accept your mistakes and promise yourself to do better next time.
Don't cry over things like being busted by your girl/boyfriend or failing exams. What you should do is learn and adapt from it and start a new life the next day. Focus your attention on studies and work, thinking twice before doing anything else.
Excuses like, "Please dad/mom, I'm going through adolescence/puberty and need time for myself too!" or false promises like, "I'm sorry, I swear to do better than last time because [explain reason here]". Those are just annoying words.
Make a list of your mistakes each week and try to change for the better. Be sure you're true to your words and try to change for the better.
Enlist trusted friends to give you advice, help you study, and give you positive feedback when you do well.
Don't think you are foolish when you make mistakes. The way you treat with them proves you are intelligent or not. We cannot know what will happen in the future and what things are laying down on our paths. But to make mistakes is the only way to learn .
Some people never make mistakes. This is because they do not dare to do anything different from others. So please believe in yourself even when you make mistakes. At least you dared to be yourself.
There are some ways not to remake the mistakes other had done. For example,you may ask for advices from your parents or teachers.Or you can publish your plan in your blog and share your ideas to other friends. They can give you some advices .


Never repeat mistakes for any reason.
Do not dwell on past mistakes, learn from them instead.
Never let comments from others about your mistakes depress you.
Do your best to ignore destructive criticism.
Appreciate help from others, especially from family members.

hat's the meaning of life? Well, maybe nobody really knows the answer to that question, but figuring out what your purpose in life is can be accomplished with some honest introspection. Figuring out your overall plan can help you achieve your ultimate goal and be what you want to be.

Think hard about your aspirations. What is it that you are passionate about? How do you want to benefit (from) other people?
Understand your strengths. What do you find comes easiest to you, or that you enjoy doing the most? Do you have an innate talent in mathematics? Do you find it easy to express emotions to other people? Are you comfortable speaking with other people? Do you have a passion for educating others on the topics with which you are most familiar? Are you a one-of-a-kind athlete? These are only a handful of potential questions that you could ask yourself.
If you're uncertain about what your strengths are, don't worry — you're not alone. There are a number of actions that you can take to help recognize what you do best. Everyone has a talent or skill in some particular field.
Consider some potential career options. There are a multitude of careers out there, but they will ultimately narrow down to that which you enjoy doing the most. Think about what actually is in you — the real you, and your real wish. It may help to consider what you would be willing to pay to do, or to do even if you weren't being paid.
Ask your friends and family. What personal characteristics and talents do you reflect to them? What do they think would be good for you, in terms of a career, that highlight these characteristics? Although you should not rely completely on what they suggest, there is great value in their observations of what they see in you as a person.
Have confidence. Become your own person. Don't follow anyone else's style — create your own. Make decisions based on your own aspirations and goals for yourself. Don't base your standards or values on the standards of others.
Join clubs or other organizations that pertain to your talent. You can become more familiar with your determined area of expertise, further strengthening your talents.
Set your goals and commit to them. Be certain with yourself that you want to follow through with a particular area for the foreseeable future. Don't make a decision and change your mind in a matter of months. Write down your goals and revisit the list often.
Follow your dreams. Don't let anyone hold you back.

One of the biggest obstacles to individuals in becoming what they want to be in life is the financial aspect. People want to be comfortable in their area of expertise, but still wish to maintain financial security. You heard it many times before: Money isn't everything. Despite how hackneyed the statement is, it is true. There is little purpose to having a high-paying job if you are miserable all the time. A lower-paying job may pay big dividends in terms of less stress, more job satisfaction and better overall quality of life.
Higher education will give you many future opportunities in life. Consider obtaining a bachelor's degree in an area that is relevant to your talents and abilities.
Practice! Work hard!
Effort = Results!
Keep a journal or other log to write down your thoughts and plans. Check backward once every six months or so and see if what you wrote then still jives with the way you feel today.
Be careful - A lower paying job can often come with more stress. You may not be able to pay your bills and spend all your time worrying about money.

Don't back down on your goals! Remember to develop a plan and commit to it!
Don't be afraid to change your goals! Just because you wanted something more than anything at one point in your life doesn't mean that you can't change your mind.

f you don't change your eating habits but you start exercising and moving around more you will lose weight, although it will take much longer.

Determine the amount of time you will dedicate to exercising.
Decide on your target weight.
Estimate the amount of weight you must lose the first week. Increase as you progress
Figure out your main form of exercise - walking, treadmill, running, etc.
Do this exercise every day around the same time.
Start out slowly, your sessions will get longer as your body adjusts to the exercise.
To prevent yourself from getting discouraged, give yourself a small reward at the end of each day.
Move around every chance you get - climb stairs instead of taking the elevator, park in farthest spot in the lot, clean house more (housework burns calories too, especially vacuuming and scrubbing bathroom)
Any time you're standing still, sway back and forth, tap your foot.
Go inside the fast food restaurant. Don't use the drive-through. Better yet, avoid fast food restaurants altogether. Fast food tends to be very high in calories and fat.
If the bank's open, go inside. Resist using the drive-up ATM.
Don't pay at the pump. Go inside the gas station.
Get a stability ball and bounce or just sit on it (making sure to keep your back straight and abs firm) while watching TV, working at the home computer, etc. Special desk chairs with "stability seats" are also available at a number of stores. Once comfortable with sitting and bouncing, add some toning exercises. These too become automatic and won't distract you from watching your favorite shows.

Set a target weight for a specific occasion, i.e. a friend's wedding in which you're a bridesmaid.
Drink lots of water. In addition to making fat more soluble, the water provides much needed sustenance to the muscles as they become accustomed to exercise. Choose water that is fortified with minerals like potassium,magnesium and calcium. These minerals, important to maintaining electrolytes in the blood, are depleted from sweating during exercise. They also aid in keeping blood pressure down which is important to any healthy person, especially one embarking on a serious exercise regimen.
Avoid caffeine and "diet pill" supplements containing caffeine. Although it will often decrease appetite and cause a greater initial weight loss, caffeine merely strips off water weight and dehydrates the body. If you are a coffee drinker, try to gradually reduce your intake or substitute half of your usual coffee grounds with chicory (French Market makes a coffee and chicory blend) to decrease the overall caffeine per cup.
Lift weights. Adding muscle to your body increases your metabolism which in turn helps your body's natural ability to burn fat.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You won't lose ten pounds the first week. Expect a gradual weight loss.
You will have soreness and muscle aches if you haven't vigorously exercised in awhile. Don't worry. The more you exercise the more you'll stretch your muscles and the pain will greatly decrease.
You can lose weight just by exercising only if you keep a moderate eating pattern- not a diet, per se, just eat sensibly three times a day with healthy snacks. No one can lose weight eating a whole bag of cheddar cheese Lays every day.
Watch for overall body condition changes, not just weight. Sometimes when making a major change to activity level, actual loss of weight is slower due to a gain in muscle tissue. Watch for changes in the fit of clothing and how you look in the mirror, not just the numbers on the scale.

What keeps a triathlon athlete going in spite of the heat and long hours of vigorous physical activity is a properly hydrated and fueled body. In endurance sports, nutrition is equivalent to keeping oneself hydrated at all times, especially during the game. If you don’t give yourself the proper nutrition it needs, your game performance will suffer.

Sports that require special attention to endurance nutrition (and thus help you level up your performance) are: running, swimming, triathlon, cycling, rowing, mountain biking, adventure racing, cross-country skiing, mountaineering and trekking.

Let us say that you have prepared yourself for an endurance sport. Your nutrition focuses on giving you enough fuel to last you a day of vigorous physical activity. You eat foods rich in protein to keep your muscles fit for the game and carbohydrates to give you enough energy and fuel your muscles to run fast, steady, and consistently. What else can you do to perform much better in endurance sports?

Start the day with a full tank of water. Athletes don’t eat during a game, but they do drink water. Studies show, of which common people now know, that humans can last a month without eating but will die immediately if without water for 3 days to one week. That is how important water is to our body. Hydration is an important nutrition component to humans, most especially to athletes involved in endurance sports. So the endurance sports nutrition tip from athletes and trainers: drink lots of water before the game. Hydration is the key to winning endurance sports competitions. And drinking water before the game starts puts you in a great headstart. Don't drink too much too near the start of the game or you could get cramps.
Hydrate yourself regularly during the game. Drink often during the game. Most endurance sports nutrition guide books will tell you the same thing. Athletes in endurance sports sweat off two quarts of water per hour especially in hot and humid weather. So you must drink at least four and as much as eight ounces of water every fifteen to twenty minutes. Sports drink may also replace water. Here’s a tip that endurance sports nutrition guide books may not have told you: to know when it is time to gulp on your water or sports drink bottle, set your timer to alarm every 15 or 20 minutes within 24 hours. Freeze your drinking bottles and then pack them up in insulated foams to keep it cool. Even if you don’t sweat still do gulp down the liquid in your drinking bottle. You may not know it and may not notice it but you may have sweat more than you thought.
Pack up extra bottles. Carry more drinking bottles if you can. Don’t be afraid to look like a camel with extra hump at your back. You need all those liquids in your endurance sport. It will keep you going and in shape. Besides, you will drain these drinking bottles one at a time every 15 or 20 minutes. At that rate, you may not even know that your endurance sports drinks have been drained down your esophageal pipes.

In endurance sports nutrition, it has debated whether water or sports drink should be consumed by an athlete competing in endurance sports. Researches have shown that endurance sports athletes (competing under the sweltering heat of the sun) who were provided with water as a means of hydrating themselves replace only one and half to two thirds of fluid loss, while those who were given with sports drink have shown hydration nearly to a hundred percent. The reason for this is that sports drink contains electrolytes (sodium, potassium and magnesium) which help retain fluid in the body and balance the presence of these minerals that are vital in normal bodily function. We lose electrolytes when we sweat. Dizziness, muscle cramps, extreme exhaustion, and irregular heartbeat are the symptoms of electrolytes loss in the body.

According to endurance nutrition experts, many athletes lose endurance due to low level of electrolytes. In fact, according to endurance sports nutrition magazines, some athletes even die due to electrolytes loss.

the power goes out at your house, it is important to follow basic food safety rules. It is also possible to keep food depending on how long the outage is for and what you have done to prolong its ability to remain safe. Here are some suggestions.

Consume perishable food at room temperature within two hours. Perishable food is safe at room temperature for 2 hours when the temperature is below 25 degrees C (80F). Above that temperature, you only have one hour before bacteria start to grow in unrefrigerated food.

Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Open the doors as little as possible. An unopened refrigerator should keep foods cold for up to four hours, although you will still have to evaluate each item individually when the power comes back on. A freezer that is half full should keep foods frozen for 24 hours, and a full freezer should keep foods frozen for 48 hours.
Cover your fridge and freezer with thick blankets to insulate them and keep them as cool as possible.
For longer outages, try to find dry ice to pack into your freezer. However, you must take special precautions handling it. If the power outage lasts longer than 4 hours, remove milk, meat, and dairy products from the fridge and pack them into a cooler with lots of ice.
Have an instant read food thermometer. This is crucial to determining food safety after the power comes back on. If refrigerated products are still below 4C/40F degrees, they should be safe. Check to see if frozen foods still have ice crystals visible and that their temperature is below 4C/40F degrees. You can then refreeze these foods, but there will probably be some loss of quality.

Consider having an instant barbecue to save some of the food, and have the neighbors over. Feast under candlelight. Cooking outside during a power outage on your charcoal or gas grill is a great way to keep the temperature inside your house as cool as possible.

And remember the most basic rule: When in doubt, throw it out. Any cost savings you may gain by keeping questionable food will cost you much more in terms of doctor and hospital bills if someone gets sick.

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The key elements to look for when investing in a cashmere sweater.Have you ever asked your self "What should I look for in a cashmere sweater"?

Although it's difficult to pick out a good sweater on your own, a keen eye and attention to detail can guide you to a superior selection.

Step 1: Check the labels. The Federal Trade Commission mandates that cashmere products be accurately labeled. Only pure cashmere sweaters can be labeled "100 Percent Cashmere." If the sweater is a blend, the manufacturer is required to state the percentage of cashmere and the percentage of other fibers. If you don't see a tag indicating the fiber content, walk away.

Step 2: Always buy from a label you trust. Large department stores and clothing companies are more likely to test their garments thoroughly for quality. Steer away from buying sweaters at small stores that don't have a great selection. Pat Slaven, who conducted an experiment for Consumer Reports testing cashmere offerings in various retail stores says, "If you're buying cashmere, it's better to go to large, reputable department stores, reputable retailers, and reputable online boutiques. If it's one store selling one kind of cashmere at a very low price, you should be wary. The big retailers have laboratories to test all their sweaters for authenticity and quality."

Step 3: Look for a tight knit. The looser the cashmere is woven or knitted, the more suspicious you need to be," says Kathleen Raub, a spokesperson for the Scottish Cashmere Club.

Step 4: Does the sweater feel slippery? If so, Raub says, "this can often be an indication of over processing, which may result in a garment that will quickly lose its shape."

Step 5: Beware of too much pill potential. Spilhaus says, "Lightly rub the surface of a garment with the palm of your hand and see if fibers begin to roll up and or shed. This is an indication that there might be excess short-fiber content."

Step 6: Look for vibrant colors and fashionable styles. Jenna Lyons, a senior vice president of women's design at J.Crew, says, "When you see an intense vibrancy in color that means that the yarn started off very clean in its raw state and that the dying process was top quality."

Step 7: For warm sweaters, look for at least two plies. A minimum of two plies means that more than one piece of yarn were twisted together to make the garment. This ultimately means more warmth and a stronger sweater that is less likely to pop a hole.

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I know what your thinking. You probably thinking "hmmm she change her template again". Yeah , I have to. Don't get me wrong I love the template I just replace but I noticed there wasn't any date on that template. No matter how I fix it, I couldn't added, so I decided to replace it. Hopefully this will do .But, again I have to upgrade my blog roll. I would be adding it tomorrow I hope, Lord willing.

A great shoe is about more than gorgeous looks — it’s about the sole, too.

Tips for Finding a Comfortable Pump
Hold the shoe at the heel and the toe area. The sole should be flexible and bend at the front of the arch but have a stiff bottom through the arch.
Choose a pump with a high heel that is directly underneath the center of your heel. If it is too far forward or at the back of the shoe, you'll have balance problems.
Look for false fronts. A pointy-toe shoe with an area that is much longer than your toes has a false front. It keeps your toes from being squished.
Make sure the toe area is wide enough through the ball of your foot.

Note that a wedge shoe distributes your weight more evenly and offers support all the way through the foot. Be aware, however, that the limited sole flexibility of a wedge increases the risk of rolling your ankle over the side.
Test a shoe for cushioning by pressing a finger into the ball area. It should have a little give or a slightly padded feel.
Avoid synthetics. Wear shoes with leather, suede, or fabric uppers. These materials breathe, which lessens the chance of blistering.

Look for sturdy construction. Try to push in the area around the heel, What Your Shoes Say About You (Chronicle Books, $13, amazon.com). "If the heel collapses enough to touch the insole, the shoe is not supportive."
Hold each end of a shoe and try to twist it. If the shoe bends too much, it won't be supportive.
Look for flats with a little bit of a heel if you have high arches. Heels provide relief from foot pain.
Buy shoes with leather or rubber soles for optimum shock absorption.
Wear only shoes that have leather or suede insoles. Breathable and pliable, they help prevent chafing and blistering, and they mold to the feet.
Search for round-toe flats. They follow the shape of the foot and allow the toes to move.
Avoid slippage and cuts on your heel by finding a shoe with a back that fits snugly and holds your foot securely.

Avoid wobbly shoes. Examine a shoe's quality by looking at how it sits on a table. A well-built one will be balanced and look stable when standing on its own.
Find stack heels that have a broad heel tap (base), which allows for better shock absorption. You will also be steadier on your feet.
Stay away from backless shoes, such as thongs and slides, because they cause pain in the balls of the feet, says Suzanne Levine. Instead, look for a sandal with straps that hit just below the ankle (not encircling it). These will help stabilize the foot and hold it securely.
Wear only sandals that have leather or suede-lined straps to prevent chafing.
Make sure the toe-box area is wide enough for the broadest part of your foot.
Look for platform shoes that give the illusion of a higher heel without the feel of it.
Examine the insides of straps for seams and other construction details that might dig into feet.