What to wear on weddings:

A wedding is mostly the perfect occasion to wear dresses in pastel colours. They scream elegance, softness and it adds up to the solemn atmosphere of the occasion. If there is a particular motif, say olive green and cashmere pink, you might want to play along by wearing a simple pale pink chiffon dress. Nowadays, even weddings have themes. If you are attending one with Texan theme, wearing a plaid- printed dress will suit the event. If it is a beach wedding, wear something light and feathery to accentuate the breezy ambience.

What to wear on holiday parties:

Whether it is on a Christmas, New Year or the Thanksgiving, make a statement by arriving on the scene in your little black dress. Nobody can go wrong with one. You can simply accessorize with the help of a scarf or a signature necklace. The key here is to not appear like it is too much. The darker the shade of your dress, the greater slimming effect it has on you. If you like extra embellishments, you can put on a sequined cardigan.

What to wear on your first promenade dance:

For young ladies, this is their most anticipated event. They have the entire license in the world to get flashy and overdressed. Quinceanera dresses are the best bets for this occasion. It is long, full of ruffles and perfect for dances. A strapless Qunceanera gown in fuchsia will look best on bronze skin tone. While underwater blue goes well with those who have fair skin tones. The catch in choosing what dress to wear is this: you can pick something which matches your personality. If you are the batch’s sweetheart, you can go for a princessy ball-gown. If you are the Alpha female, you can strut around in a bloody red dress with a halter top.

What to wear on a barbecue party:

Summer means toying around with easy, vibrant colours. It is better to be seen at a party like this in an “effortless” aura. You should never have to be anxious what dress fits the happening. This is the time to put on your favourite English hat, be dressed in something floral and wear flip-flops. A maxi long dress will stand out among the crowd. You will surely turn heads around because this is something that is neither too showy nor too less. With the right accessories, you will be able to pull off the entire ensemble without difficulties.

Wearing the correct outfit for a particular event should never stress you out. Just be yourself and everything else will eventually follow.

Who Washes and Who Dries

Unless you have been living together, you will need to have a discussion about household duties. If you do not have this discussion, you are opening the beginning of your marriage to confusion, arguments, and possibly contempt. Talk to your future life partner and ask them what chores they like/don’t mind doing and what they absolutely loathe and then decide on who will do what and what will be shared. Being able to come home from your honeymoon and know exactly who will do the laundry and who will do the grocery shopping will help you to get on your way to a well oiled machine.

The Holiday Tug of War

Do not wait until the first holiday to figure out which side of the family you will be spending it with. Understand that you will have to compromise in order to try to fit everything and everyone in. Talk with your fiancé to find out what traditions their family has and share what your family’s traditions are so that making the decision can be a little easier. You may want to start your own traditions as a new couple, which you will then need to explain what you are doing to each side of the family so as to prepare them properly.

Growing the Family

Most likely you have already discussed whether or not you will be having children and how many, which is an important factor when creating a life together. The discussion does need to go a little further though. Talk with them about what kind of discipline you believe in, how you want to educate your children, what faith they will be taught, what values you would like to institute in them, and so on. Remember that you and your fiancé were raised in two completely different atmospheres and there will be things that you want to use when parenting as well as things that you want to steer clear of; just make sure that your partner feels the same. If you two disagree on issues, talking early will help the two of you to find common ground.

Sharing the Finances

When the two of you become one on your wedding day, that also includes your financial situation. Know what you are getting into before you make it legally binding. You should sit down with your future companion and share everything that has to do with money. Pull your credit reports, bank statements, investment statements, and anything else that has to do with finances. If there are issues, discuss how those issues will be rectified and decide if that needs to be done before marriage or not. Once you have had full disclosure, then you will need to decide if your money will be community or individual. After that has been established, it would be prudent to create a budget so that you are both on the same page when it comes to your finances.
Making sure that your marriage is strong will start well before you exchange vows. Dig as deep as you can into what makes each of you who you are so that you can establish a strong foundation in which to build upon. The more you know ahead of time will help to alleviate some of the bumps in the road that will surly occur.

Author’s Bio

Stephen Minton is a freelance blogger for prenuptialagreements.org and strongly recommends seriously considering getting a Premarital Agreement before you make your vows.

To get lingerie that fit your body perfectly, make sure that you take accurate measurements of your hip and bust waist first. You also need to know the size of the band of your bra. To measure the size of your bust, wrap a tape at the nipple level round your body. If your bra does not offer you enough support, you can add one or two inches. Taking accurate measurements is very important because it ensure that buttons do not pull open at the largest part of your body. It will also enable you to choose lingerie that will not be too tight but a flowing or clinging one.

Make sure that you know your body shape. There are women who have apple shapes. Their body weight is at the central part of the body. There are others with a pear’s shape. These women have large or ample behinds and thighs. Some women also have column figures with little waist. These women have similar size from their bust all the way to the thighs. Therefore, knowing your body shape is also very important when choosing lingerie.

With knowledge about your body shape and size, you can easily accentuate what should be de-emphasized and what to be featured. You will also know what to minimize when choosing the lingerie. It is important that you concentrate on the type of body you have. For instance, you need to consider the size of your bust line. You should also consider your shoulders and arms. If your thighs have bumps or rolls avoid thongs and high-cut legs. Instead, choose long pants and tap pants. You can also go for wide-leg styles of floating pants.

Once you have taken your measurements accurately and known your body shape and features go online to look for the best store where you can buy your lingerie. There are many online stores from which you can find lingerie in different sizes. Some of these will have customer care executives who can guide you in making the right choice.

Nevertheless, choose the lingerie with colors that will highlight important and best features of your body. Make these features patterned, rich and light. To avoid eye details, choose dark but romantic hues. You should also choose clothing made of fabrics that suit you. For instance, if you want to show your bumps, you may choose shiny velor, charmeuse or shiny satin. You can easily get plus size lingerie made from these fabrics. They are also available in different types such as corset, Basque, stockings, among others. All you need is to do thorough research before making your final buying decision.

Order Dressing on the Side

Dressing is a virtual salad killer. If you’re ordering a salad in an attempt to eat a healthy meal, the dressing that you choose can ruin your meal in no time flat. Instead of having your dressing added to your salad, ask for it on the side. When you sit down to eat, don’t pour your dressing over your salad. Instead, dip your fork in the dressing and then pierce your lettuce. You’ll have just the right amount of dressing to add flavor without adding dozens of calories!

Get Down With the Brown

Whether you are ordering a main dish that comes with sides or ordering sides in lieu of a meal, skip anything that’s white. Choose brown rice, whole grain breads, wheat pastas and sweet potatoes instead of their lighter colored siblings. Not only will you be choosing healthier options, you’ll be selecting foods that are more satisfying. Eating these foods will fill you up more quickly and keep you fuller for longer.

Skip the Fried Food

Fried food is yummy, there’s no doubt about it! Fried food is also ridiculously high in calories. Instead of choosing fried chicken or fish, ask for grilled or broiled meats or fish. Grilling and broiling are much healthier ways of preparing meats and are just as flavorful.

If there is a particular dish that you’re craving, don’t skip it just because its featured meat is fried! Ask if the cook can prepare the same dish using grilled or broiled meat instead. Most restaurants will be happy to adjust a meal to please their customers.

Load Up on Veggies

Whenever you’re given the choice, load up on veggies! Whether you’re ordering a side or main, packing your plate full of vegetables is one of the easiest ways to make sure your meal is healthy. Most restaurants offer vegetarian dishes or dishes that can easily be transformed into vegetarian dishes. If you decide to fill your plate with vegetables, make sure that they aren’t slathered in butter!

Order it Naked

Many meals on any restaurants would be healthy if it weren’t for the sauces, butters, gravies and cheeses that they are swimming in. If you simply can’t resist having that double cheeseburger, go for it! Just ask for it plain. When you bring it home, add healthy toppings from your own refrigerator to make it uniquely yours. If the sauce s your favorite part of the sandwich, ask for it on the side. Dip your sandwich before you take a bite to get flavor with fewer calories.
If you’re trying to eat healthy, there’s no reason why you can’t order takeout from your favorite restaurant! If you know how to choose healthier options and aren’t afraid to ask that some menu items be tailored to your tastes, you can eat in a healthy way, even if you aren’t cooking it yourself!

Author’s Bio

Renee Varney is a freelance blogger and occasionally writes for delivery.com a site she loves using to find local Food Delivery using their Chinese Delivered directory.

As you browse through these innovative ways to utilize these containers, let your imagination run wild and see how many more ideas you can come up with!

Shopping Mall

After the four devastating earthquakes that shook metropolis Christchurch in just over one year’s time, New Zealanders sustained damage to over 6000 structures and lost over 900 buildings in their central business district alone. Shipping containers were utilized in many ways to assist in the disaster relief, including propping up the city’s historic buildings, stabilizing sheer cliffs above the town.

The City Mall on Cashel Street is the largest testament to the spirit of economic survival, having replaced the leveled shop-lined retail lane with over 25 new businesses – built almost 100% from recycled shipping containers!

Art Gallery

Canadian photographer and filmmaker, Gregory Colbert, first conceived a sustainable portable museum in 1999 and open his first show of Ashes and Snow in Venice in 2002. Subsequently the first Nomadic Museum, designed by Shigeru Ban of Japan, debuted in New York City with Colbert’s traveling show in 2005. Originally made up of only shipping containers, its design evolves throughout its travels – adopting atmospheric elements such as bamboo, and 1 million pressed tea bags from Sri Lanka, along with minimalist techniques in lighting. Other locations have been Santa Monica, California, Tokyo and Mexico City; visit this amazing exhibit at ashesandsnow.org.

Stylish Eco-Friendly Homes

Owner builders and large contractors alike have plugged into their imaginations and frugality, creating single family and multi-family homes – “upcycling” these giant building blocks into livable and even luxury residences. From the Glotfelty Shipping Container House in Flagstaff, Arizona to Container City’s apartment-style living in London, England, the containers are proving to be not only efficient but also eye candy to societies sometimes overbuilt with too much glass and stucco.

Author’s Bio

Consultant Frank Sanders works with businesses to create new uses for recycled or reclaimed portable storage containers. Whether you’re interested in a container rental, or purchasing a recycled one for a business project, you’ll find their many uses inspiring.

Rainbow Brights

This season it’s all about having fun with colour, and the best way to make your outfit pop is to wear vibrant hued shoes. Team these with a contrasting outfit for maximum impact. Imagine oranges with purples, pinks with blues; there are no rules so have a bit of fun with your look. Eye popping shoes will also look great with spring/summer’s print trend. But to create a more subtle, sophisticated style pair bright shoes with black or neutral tones.

Animal Print

This print is a style classic and one well worth investing in. But with animal print wear with caution, as wearing too much of it can make you look cheap. The great thing about opting for animal print shoes is they’re a much more understated way to nail this trend. Popular animal prints for spring/summer are leopard print and zebra print. But for something a bit different and more fashion forward look out for ladies shoes in neon animal print and big cat spots.

Wedges

These are the top style for spring/summer. And with so many variations, you’ll discover everything from espadrilles to flatforms and sky high platforms. With such a wide range of shoes to choose from there’s one to suit every style and personality. Nail two trends in one and brighten up your wardrobe by opting for eye popping rainbow shades, or even animal prints such as snake or leopard print.

Whether you opt for shoes or wedges in rainbow brights or animal prints, remember that new season trends needn’t break the bank! Ladies shoes are an inexpensive and effortless way to update your new season wardrobe.

However through this bitterness, we do hold a keen interest on the ‘little things’ purchased by our celebs. These ‘little things’ consist of jewellery or the newly christened name ‘bling’. So here I will take a peek at the most well-known ‘bling’ champions, from rappers to royalty – here they are!

First on my list is none other than rapper Lil’ Jon:

Now according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Crunk’ owns the largest diamond pendant on the planet. The pendant shown on the left; displaying the words “Crunk Ain’t Dead,” contains 3,756 white diamonds. This is equivalent to almost 73 carats worth of diamond; all set into the 18-karat gold template.
The pendant weighs in at 12 pounds and displays an impressive 7 inch height. Yes I can hear the whisper of jibes now… It really does have that ‘tacky charity shop’ charm to it. Yet despite this, this pendant is worth over $500,000!!

Madonna

During her comeback in 2005 and at the ripe age of forty-seven, Madonna sported some rather fancy false eyelashes. Designed for the music video ‘Sorry’, the singer wore these custom mink lashes. They hold very petite diamonds that are equivalent to 0.75 carrots, and cost a whopping $10,000!

Swiftly moving on to another rapper and hip-hop artist – Mr Bigg.

This rapper, after being shot directly through his right eye; decided that to be a little different, he would have a diamond fitted into his eye socket. The obvious and less imaginative name attached to him is ‘Diamond eye’, you may snigger but his right eye socket alone is now worth a reportedly $70,000 dollars.

Of course celebrity engagements usually boast more publicity than the actual wedding, with the entire focus surrounding ‘the ring’; the men really do have their work cut out. Here we move onto Jennifer Lopez and her engagement ring presented to her by Ben Afleck. The ring was a pink solitaire diamond of 6.1 carats from Harry Winston and said to be worth over $1.2 million. With only a handful of them mined each year, pink diamonds are one of the rarest.

Queen Elizabeth

Now I move onto our Monarch and home of some of the most outstanding and exquisite jewels. Though not necessarily branded ‘bling’ as such, the Queen holds an array of beautiful jewellery; especially necklaces. The Victorian Suite Necklace was a wedding gift to our now Queen when she was just a Princess in 1947.

Bringing an entirely new level to ‘something blue’, this necklace also had matching earrings. Although no exact prices have been attached to this or any of The Royal family’s jewels, we only have estimations and presumptions. I do however predict that this would blow Lil Jon’s ‘pendant’ out of the water!

Finally, I move onto a man that ultimately became the ‘King of Bling’ through one outrageous purchase. So despite attempting to take over the Guinness World Record for his pendant shown in the picture, Akon owns his very own diamond mine in Africa, for ‘obvious reasons’.

After reviewing some of these celebrities and their possessions; it begs the question of why the need for all this ‘bling’? Are they really creative souls that desire lavish purchases, are they fulfilling some sort of personal need? Or, a more realistic guess is that they are probably just bored! Too much money and not enough time to spend it. Despite various ‘bling’ being rather beautiful and classy, the majority of it really doesn’t seem that appealing, but; everyone needs a hobby!

Author’s Bio

Jenny is 100% fashion mad and currently works for Ladbrokes Bingo.

Don’t Settle for Obvious, Shop Around

It’s easy to assume that certain major retailers will have the styles that you want, but keep an open mind. When stretching your dollars it is important to weigh all of your options. Name brands don’t necessarily mean quality. New clothes that are comfortable and cute deserve some time being put into finding them. Do your research; you work hard for your money so it is important to be satisfied with the new outfits that you acquire.

Search Engine Your Style

Take advantage of the internet to shop for deals. You will be surprised at cost trends that you will find online that you would have completely overlooked if you just did your shopping in the store. You always have the option of going to the department store to purchase the items you want, but viewing them online first may put things in perspective for you. Most online sites allow you to view pricing on merchandise by putting them in order from lowest to highest pricing. This is when the internet is your best friend. This gives you the ability to see and view the products in the price range that you feel comfortable paying. It is common to find a link to sale or clearance items that are in store. Instead of having to rummage through the bargain bin, you will be able to clearly see what they have and the sizes that are offered by the click of a button.

Used is a Cost Effective New

Bargain shopping at thrift stores is a wonderful way to go about stretching your dollars. Lightly used clothing boutiques allow you to acquire women’s clothes at affordable prices. Thrift stores can add some unique pieces to your wardrobe that will be stylish and original. A lot of used clothing has only been worn once, so don’t think of thrift store shopping as paying for hand-me-downs, but rather an opportunity to get a great deal. Use Coupons to Your Advantage
Before you go shopping always check online for coupons. You will be surprised at how many stores will give coupon percentages off their clothing. It’s all about being a smart shopper and going into a store prepared to get the best deal possible.

Wait For a Special Holiday Date

Sales and bargains tend to spring up around holidays. Valentine’s Day sales, Labor Day sales, and everything in between, discounts tend to pop up on holiday weekends. Stores use this tactic to get people to go shopping on their days off. You can use this approach to plan when you should hit the clothing stores in order to secure the best deals. Timing is everything.

Author’s Bio

Andrea Greene is a freelance writer and blogs for debtmanagement.org.uk where you can get debt management.

There are five key ingredients, found in foods naturally, that can help you fight your allergies this season. Luckily, these vitamins and chemicals can be found in a variety of foods, ensuring that you can eat healthily without having to restrict yourself.

To fight allergies this season, be sure your foods contain:

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is nature’s super vitamin. It helps your body fight off infections, disease and viruses, ensuring that you are able to fight off allergies with the best of them. While you can find vitamin C enriched foods, you can find the vitamin, naturally, in the following:

- Kiwi
- Potato skin
- Papaya
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Cauliflower
- Bell peppers
- Kale
- Spinach

To get a full serving of vitamin C, combine these foods into a healthy lunch! A spinach salad containing cauliflower, bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes, followed by a dessert of mixed fruits, contained on the list, will ensure that you receive an adequate amount of vitamin C.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria found in food. They can replenish your digestive tract and help fight infection caused by bad bacteria. By paying attention to the amount of probiotics in your diet, it will help you to improve your immune system, thus fighting off the symptoms of allergies. Foods that contain probiotics are:

- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt with active cultures
- Buttermilk
- Fortified foods and beverages

If you are lactose intolerant, the thought of dairy products to help ease your allergy symptoms may be frightening. What you should know is that the probiotics in these foods can actually help lessen the symptoms for those who are lactose intolerant!

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are fats that your body needs but can’t make on its own. Omega-3s can help reduce the inflammation associated with allergies and can help improve the overall function of your immune system. The best sources of omega-3 include: salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and flounder. If you don’t enjoy seafood, you can also get omega-3 fatty acids by adding flaxseed or walnut oils to your diet.

4. Protein

Many people don’t think of protein as related to allergies. Protein, though, can help your body repair itself when it is attacked by allergens. Great sources of protein include: lean meats, skinless chicken and turkey, tofu, fish, legumes and egg whites. Tofu is perhaps one of the most versatile foods, easily added to scrambled eggs, rice and even smoothies.

5. Flavonoids

Flavonoids are the pigments that are responsible for giving color to flowers, fruits and vegetables. Quercetin, a natural flavonoid, is a natural antihistamine; perfect for allergy sufferers. Look for citrus fruits, garlic, apples, tomatoes, broccoli, legumes and berries to find beneficial flavonoids.

If you suffer from allergies, eating foods that contain these five super ingredients can help lessen and alleviate your symptoms. From immune building to anti-inflammatory properties, these foods are perfect for everyone, not just allergy sufferers.

If you look carefully, many foods contain more than one of these fabulous ingredients. Get creative with your cooking and try to add at least one food to every meal; your allergies will be less severe and you’ll make it through to summer with fewer symptoms.

Author’s Bio

Megan Hoffsted is a freelance writer and blogger. She often writes for allergycontrol.com where you can find an assortment of products to help fight allergies like an air purifier for allergies. She also frequently writes for allergyguarddirect.com where you can get dust mite mattress covers.

If you’re looking for ways you can be the height of fashion on your college campus this fall, here are five tips that will have you looking like you stepped out of a magazine:

1. Coats

If you live in a chilly climate, take full advantage of this fall’s fashion trend: the coat! Military inspired coats and jackets are in style this season as are ultra-feminine styles. You’ll be doing a lot of walking back and forth to class so grab a few jackets in different styles. A coat that falls to mid-thigh will keep your hips and thighs warm on cold days and a cropped jacket will look trendy on the days when you simply need an extra layer.

2. Patterns

When you’re shopping for clothes this season, think patterns! Polka dots, stripes and plaids are all popular choices for fall. From teeny weenie polka dots to large, bold spots, tops with dots are going to be a must-have. If dots aren’t your thing, however, don’t be afraid to try stripes or plaids. Flip through any trendy magazine and you’ll get a feeling for ways to pair your patterns without looking like you’ve just come from the circus.

3. Texture

Texture will reign supreme this fall in all areas of fashion. From corduroy pants to wool fisherman’s sweaters, think about texture when making your purchases. Just like patterns, textures must be paired correctly to avoid looking like you’re trying too hard. Pair a lovely chunky sweater with a pair of skin-hugging tights or a pair of textured pants with a body-skimming top. Use texture to draw attention to your best assets!

4. Eye Wear

If you wear glasses, celebrate your four eyes and ditch the contacts. Glasses are making a huge comeback and, with the myriad of styles available, can make a fantastic fashion statement. The days of tiny, barely noticeable glasses are out and big glasses are in. Remember those eye glasses you wore back in elementary school? Stop laughing at your old photos: those glasses are back with a modern twist. Online sites like ZenniOptical.com are affordable sources for eyeglasses so be sure to have several pair when you head off to campus.

5. Signature Colours

If you have a favourite colour, try to incorporate it into every outfit you wear and make it your signature colour. Whether it’s your tights, your shirt, your shoes or your hat, wearing a signature colour with each outfit will make you stand out from the crowd. All colours are popular this fall but especially in jewel tones. If your favourite colour is purple, choose an amethyst shade. Do you love red? Aim for a deep ruby or garnet shade for your clothing.

Chances are that you went through high school being at least somewhat concerned about the way you look. Don’t lose your sense of fashion when you hit the college campus this fall. It’s incredibly easy to walk to class in your sweats after a night of cramming and too little sleep, but resist the temptation. There is no rule in the college handbook that says you have to dress like a slob simply because you’ve gone off to college!

Author’s Bio

Amanda Davis is a medical writer earning her online nursing master degree to further her education and career.