American Plus-Size Brand IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel Releases Pre-Fall Collection, a Greek and Indian Inspired Feast for the Eyes Awaits for Grabs

Award-winning, American plus-size designer brand IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel has released a luscious Pre-Fall collection that will make full-figured ladies around the world go wild. Inspired by exotic Indian design elements and sensuous ancient Greek draping, Head Designer and Creative Director Yuliya Raquel has created a collection that exudes opulence and lavishness. This new Plus-Size Collection is now available at http://www.igigi.com.

"Our fans are definitely in for an amazing experience! I tried to give them a look and feel that combines the richness and beauty of these two unique and different styles with my modern and feminine interpretation of their cultural influences. I wanted to create a collection of glamorous yet versatile pieces that will serve the various lifestyle needs and desires of fans around the world. I hope they love showing the pieces off as much as I loved designing them!" said Yuliya Raquel.

The Indian theme offers dresses with exquisite embroidery and beadwork as well as exotic prints and textures while the Greek theme carries goddess influenced draping, and fabric manipulation to enhance the beauty of the curvaceous and voluptuous figures. The silhouettes are timeless yet modern and can be easily worn from day to evening. The transitional pieces are versatile to be worn on their own between seasons or styled with layers as we welcome Fall 2012.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Ca, IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was founded in 2000 with a mission to transform the world's view of beauty by providing full-figured women with fashion-forward, quality, and well-fitting clothes that would help express their beauty. Collections are designed in-house and produced locally through independent San Francisco Bay Area contractors. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel has been featured in major fashion and life style magazines like Marie Claire, The Oprah Magazine, People StyleWatch, Ladies Home Journal, Glamour, and Essence, and it has been a favorite among celebrities such as Nikki Blonsky, Kim Coles, KayCee Stroh, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Ashley Fink, Martha Wash, and Gabourey Sidibe. IGIGI by women's coats Yuliya Raquel collections are available online at http://www.igigi.com and select boutiques worldwide. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was honored with the Best Plus Fashion Retailer of the Year award (Full Figured Fashion Week, June, 2010), and made Internet Retailer's Top Hot 100 list (December, 2010), and received About.com Critics' Choice Best Plus Designer Award (March, 2011).

Celebrating 30 Years of Ladies Fashion from Bonmarche

August 14th 2012 will mark thirty fabulous years of ladies fashion from retailer Bonmarche. Known for its fashions for women over fifty Bonmarche has been the top choice for customers seeking high quality, fantastic value for money clothing since 1982.

Celebrating this marvellous achievement, the clothing retailer is offering some must-have deals on favourite items including ladies blouses, tops and across all areas of women's plus size ladies clothing. These once-in-a-lifetime bumper offers will have everything for the casual, formal and smart casual wardrobe.

From the wide range of fantastic choices under offer, Bonmarche stylists have picked out five favourite items.

Winter Coats for Ladies
If you're still to find your winter coat for this year, invest in the fabulous Mid-Length Padded Coat. This ladies winter coat comes in both denim and stone colour and just in case the weather improves, the hood is fully detachable. This coat is the ideal choice for the ever changing weather of autumn and winter and the hood ensures if you're caught out by the rain you won't have to worry about your forgotten umbrella! View the full range of women's coats online.

Autumn Dresses
For the last days of summer and the forthcoming autumn and winter season Bonmarche recommends the Classic Belted Floral Shirtdress. This button up dress is designed in a timeless floral fabric that means it can be worn year after year and is accompanied by a matching belt; perfect for drawing in the waist and creating shape. For chillier days, this type of dress can be worn with ladies cardigans or knitwear.

A Ladies Top to Talk About
Bonmarche recommends the pretty Chiffon and Jersey Giraffe Print Top as an interesting take on the popular monochrome trend. The giraffe print and twisted neckline make this top a unique addition to your wardrobe. The gathers at the neckline give the top a flattering fit. Wear this top with black trousers or ladies skirt for a chic work wear look. Find a wide range of plus size ladies tops from Bonmarche with smart casual and formal designs in a range of colours and designs online.

Ladies Autumnal Knitwear
Knitwear is one of the most important items in your autumn winter wardrobe, so it is important to choose quality, value for money cardigans, shrugs, jumpers and knitted tunics. The women's long sleeve cardigan is the perfect choice if you're looking for a cardigan that will co-ordinate and look fantastic with existing wardrobe. This women's knitwear design is button up with a v-neckline and comes in lilac, blue and white.

Fun with Floral Skirts
The Panelled Floral Print Mesh Skirt is an easy to wear design with an elasticated waist for comfort, its floral pattern on the skirt is slightly different as it has gold thread running through the pattern, adding a hint of elegance to this smart casual women's skirt. Wear this with a button through ladies blouse for a gorgeous smart casual look.

Floral Prints & Blouses
The Bonmarche Ditsy Print Over shirt is a loosely fitting blouse with a ditsy floral print for added femininity. Mock buttons and button fastening on the cuffs add interest to this pretty ladies blouse. Check out the full Bonmarche range of women's blouses online.

About Bonmarche
Bonmarché is the largest retailer catering for women aged 50 years plus in the United Kingdom. We pride ourselves on offering quality clothing with appropriate styling, great value and in a wide range of sizes.

The Bonmarché ladies fashion ran fashion coats online ge includes casual and formal separates, outerwear, dresses, swimwear, lingerie, nightwear and accessories. Exclusive to Bonmarche are collections from couturier - David Emmanuel known for designing fabulous clothes for celebrities and the British Royal Family.

Find Bonmarché online at Bonmarche.co.uk where you can shop online for your favourite womens plus size clothing and have them delivered to your home or collect in store at one of our 268 stores nationwide.

UndercoverWear Announces New Lingerie, Clothing and Jewelry As Part of 2012 Holiday Collection, "Shades of Intimacy"

UndercoverWear Inc. announced on Monday the debut of the "Holiday 2012 Collection". The collection features lingerie, clothing and jewelry designed for women with a focus on the success of the "Shades of Grey" novels.

"In March, we introduced our 'Unique Boutique' concept" said CEO, Tiffany James "Our goal is not to be just a lingerie company, but to have something for every woman. The fact is women today don't have time to go to three or four home parties a month. We want them to be able to find everything they want in one party."

UndercoverWear has added to their product lines again this season by bringing in a selection of styles that appeal to women today. In the lingerie "Boutique", UndercoverWear is introducing a men's cut sleep shirt called "The Executive", which ties in directly to the company's "Shades of Intimacy" collections. Based on the highly successful novels, UndercoverWear has lotions, lingerie and "lighter shades" of the products talked about in the books.

Other featured items in the line are the e women's coats xpansion of an "Under Control" line that has become one of the company's hottest sellers. This shapewear line is designed for every woman who wants attractive garments that also offer shaping and control.

UndercoverWear's Holiday 2012 Collection is available exclusively at the company's website and through their home party representatives.

Tom James Company Defines Power Dressing through its New Fall Lines

Tom James Company, the world's largest manufacturer and direct retailer of custom men's clothing, defines Power Dressing as the practice of wearing clothing that conveys influence and authority.

"While the phrase Power Dressing has been popular since the early 1980s," states their newly released 'Power Dressing with Tom James' video, "It's been in practice much, much longer."

In the last century the foundation for Power Dressing has been the suit. No one knows more about the suit than Tom James. They are the world's largest manufacturer of custom suits.

In business since 1966, they clothe men, and women, in over 100 locations in 7 countries, world-wide.

"We have the pleasure of working with a variety of clients who are in different stages of their lives," said Catherine Conway, Director of Merchandising for Tom James. "With custom clothing, the fit and style is up to our clients so our styles reflect that. We go from 'on-trend' looks to timeless."

According to Conway, the landscape of those who wear suits has changed over the years with the advent of the 'casual workplace,' "But those who meet clients or who truly need to inspire confidence through their appearance, still wear suits every day. In fact some companies have strict dress codes that specify: 'dark suit' and 'white shirt' – surely the cornerstone of Power Dressing."

Likely, some of the motive behind a more casual workplace comes from the perceived discomfort in wearing a suit. Tim Cornell, a Milwaukee clothier for Tom James, said if men had grown up wearing custom suits, casual days might not have happened.

"A custom suit is made to fit. When a suit fits, wearing it is an entirely comfortable experience," said Cornell. "First, you select a fabric that works for your climate, your routine, your lifestyle. Then you add superior construction that gives you the wear and comfortability you desire. That's what makes a Tom James suit the most comfortable suit you can wear."

This fall's lines, as introduced by Conway are meant to provide that comfort to a man's wardrobe. "Whether he is flying across the country to conduct business or in a traditional office setting to even entertaining in the evening, he looks powerful and he looks the part," said Conway.

fashion coats online

"There is a shift that occurs when you have clothes tailored to your body to your personal taste and to your lifestyle."

"I really get this," said Cornell. "I've seen it happen with my clients. They continue to wear our clothing because they possess power when they wear a suit. And they can do it in comfort when they wear a Tom James custom suit. That's real Power Dressing."

Tom James operates 109 offices in 37 US states and 5 countries. It owns and operates 3 worsted woolen mills, 8 tailoring facilities and factories and is proud to say 95% of its finished clothing products are made in the USA.

For more information, consult http://www.tomjames.com.

Herrmann International Looks at What Thinking Styles Reveal about the Presidential Candidates and Voters' Decision Making

From President Obama's recent display of both decisive action and compassion in New Jersey to Governor Romney's shifting his campaign plans to help pack emergency relief boxes, while also reminding voters of the administration's poor record on jobs, Superstorm Sandy has provided a real-life opportunity to see the presidential candidates respond in a crisis sit women's coats uation. While it's still yet to be determined how they will approach handling the country's critical issues — unemployment, health care and international relations — voters can uncover some clues by analyzing the candidates' thinking styles.

Over 30 years of research by Herrmann International proves that thinking preferences play a crucial role in decision making, choice of profession, attraction to others, and even response to certain words and behavior. The four-quadrant model of thinking styles, documented in "The Whole Brain Business Book" (McGraw Hill, 1996), can be thought of as subgroups of the left and right hemispheres of the brain:

•     The logician (left): Prefers facts, analysis, and being correct, consistent with professions like lawyers, bankers, doctors and scientists. These voters prefer candidates with successful financial judgment and business experience who can balance the budget and get the facts right. They respond to words like "think" and "the facts prove." Romney's emphasis of his business experience would appeal, but fact-checking questions could detract.
•     The safekeeper (left): Risk-averse, tending to stick to strict plans, agendas, and regulations, consistent with jobs chosen by accountants and supervisors. Safekeepers seek low-risk, time-tested plans that assure safety and security, conservative spending, and a track record of proof. Obama's getting bin Laden wins big for safety, but the confusion around Benghazi poses threat.
•     The communicator (right): Appreciates expression, compassion, and relationships, seen in the activities of caretakers, teachers and therapists. Communicators (more often women, according to data) prefer emotional connection and compassion. Thus, they may respond to the perception of Obama as caring, suggested by his embrace of the term Obamacare, and also may have warmed to Romney's recent (likely coached) more personable presentation and feeling-based word choices in the debates.
•     The visionary (right): Prefers innovation, imagination, and conceptual ideas, appealing to artists and consultants. These voters are intrigued by change, get excited about what's "new," and look towards the future. Here, Romney's promise of jobs and economic growth are tempting while Obama's campaign slogan of "forward" can appeal, though his "hope and change" message of 2008 was more strongly associated with this style.

What the styles reveal are natural preferences and mental "defaults," but regardless of these preferences, everyone has the ability to tap into the other skills when necessary.

So how do the two major party tickets think? The four thinking styles yield an HBDI? Profile based on answers to a psychometric questionnaire, but for purposes of this analysis, Herrmann International researchers conducted a hypothetical rating (called a "proforma" profile) of the data of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, and their respective running mates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.

Proforma Thinking Style Preferences of Major Candidates for U.S. President, 2012

•     Romney: Logician (100), Safekeeper (70), Communicator (40), Visionary (60)
•     Ryan: Logician (90), Safekeeper (80), Communicator (50), Visionary (40)
•     Obama: Logician (70), Safekeeper (55), Communicator (70), Visionary (75)
•     Biden: Logician (60), Safekeeper (55), Communicator (85), Visionary (70)

Governor Romney is highly loaded in the logician and safekeeping styles, consistent with business and analytic skills demanded to turn around companies and run the Olympics, but people may matter less in the process. Representative Ryan's profile is very similar to Romney's. With two similar candidates on the ticket, other staff would need to fill in the advantages of their least preferred preferences.

President Obama has the highest visionary score of all candidates. His scores also strike a balance between vision, logician and communicator, while safekeeping is his least preferred. Vice President Biden's score as a communicator is predominant, consistent with his self-admitted shoot-from-the-hip expression in real life.

Another set of HBDI? profiles of computer-generated scores based on what Obama and Romney said in the debates revealed very little difference between the candidates' profiles, supporting the widely held notion that all have been coached to situationally adapt their styles, carefully selecting words, clothes, and even body language to appeal to various constituencies. Because this makes it harder for voters to make their decisions in a clear-minded fashion, the hypothetical model above can help ferret out true tendencies in the midst of media-projected images.

Since "birds of a feather flock together," voters may favor the team that flows smoothly with their own, but opposites also attract. A voter may decide to go with a headstrong candidate to overcompensate for his/her own lack of assertion, for example, or someone who tends to come up with "crazy" ideas may want to be tempered with a more steady, even rigid, personality.

No style is "good" or "bad;" instead, they matter in terms of their appeal to voters, how the strengths of the style manifest on the job, and that the less-preferred styles are mobilized when needed, either by personally adapting to the situation or getting the alternate perspective from others in their circle.

Based on Herrmann International data, the U.S. public as an aggregate is fairly balanced across all four quadrants, suggesting that voters have a need for all four styles — fact-checking, safekeeping, and proof as well as compassion and hope for a better future.

About the Authors:

Ann Herrmann-Nehdi is CEO of Herrmann International, originator of the Whole Brain? Thinking approach and publisher of the HBDI? assessment tool, used by nine out of ten of the Fortune 100 to help them achieve better results through better thinking. A thought leader in her field and a contributor to a number of scholarly and industry journals and handbooks, Ann is currently completing a new book that will provide leaders with a blueprint for greater success in the 21st century, based on what we know about how the brain and business work. http://www.herrmannsolutions.com

Dr Judy Kuriansky is an internationally known clinical psychology affiliated with Columbia University Teachers College, an honorary professor at Beijing Health Science Center in China, and an NGO representative at the United Nation., Her many books include 'The Complete Idiots Guide to a Healthy Relationship"and "Beyond Bullets and Bombs: Grassroots peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians." and the recently released "Living in an Environmentally Traumatized World: Healing Ourselves and our Planet"(Praeger, 2012). http://www.DrJudy.com.

Golden Retrievers

Originally bred to hunt in 1800s England, the golden retriever has retained much of its natural curiosity and hunting behaviors. The breed has maintained its standing in the top ten most popular dog breeds in the US partly because of the dog?€?s gentle natur women's jackets e, fierce loyalty and friendly personality. They?€?re the quintessential family pet due to their patience with children.

The female golden weighs approximately 55-65 pounds, and stands a couple of inches shorter than her male counterpart, who stands about 24 inches at the shoulder, and weighs in at 65-75 pounds. Females tend to have smaller, more delicately-shaped heads than males. They come in a range of colors, from deep coppery auburn to light cream. Their coats also differ in appearance. Field goldens, or hunting goldens, are more likely to be darker and sleeker than show goldens, whose honey-colored coats are thick and fluffy. Goldens have two coats: their top coats are hardy and water-repellent, while their undercoats are thick and dense. These dogs shed most of their undercoat in the spring, and grow it in preparation for the chill of winter. Regular grooming can help control excessive shedding. Their ears are soft and floppy, but they perk up at the sound of, well, almost anything. Their eyes are brown and very expressive.

Their bodies are very well-engineered to excel at agility contests. Thanks to their hunting background, they?€?re strong and muscled, yet quick and agile. Don?€?t let their gentle nature fool you. They are also incredibly strong dogs. Seventy pounds of golden on the end of a leash can take down even the strongest person if he?€?s not prepared.

They need plenty of regular exercise. If it were up to them, they?€?d walk for hours. Daily walks, romps in the yard and trips to the dog park can help it work off some of that golden energy, which is never in short supply. They rarely get tired of playing fetch. They excel at finding objects hidden in the yard. They also love to swim, and will retrieve from water all day if you let them.

From a temperament standpoint, goldens are extremely agreeable. They?€?re neither very shy nor extremely aggressive. This tolerant nature makes them a good choice for any home, including those with children. They?€?re loyal and loving, as well as outgoing and friendly. They thrive on human interaction, and are happiest when they?€?re around people. They never get tired of belly rubs and head pats. In fact, if the petting stops, many of them will nudge their masters, as if to say, ?€?Don?€?t stop!?€?/p>

Though they?€?re usually the center of attention, they still need training. Their exuberance can be mistaken for misbehavior, and it may be a few minutes before they calm down. Consistency and firmness are important when training a golden. They need to be taught that their master is the leader of the pack. However, they are eager to please, and can learn their role quickly with positive reinforcement tactics. No one is prouder than they when they complete a task successfully. Though they love showing off their tricks, they also love learning new ones. Teaching new tricks is a great way to combat boredom during the training session. Though they?€?ll fetch all day, they won?€?t sit still for a training class longer than they have to. The key is to make it fun and make it rewarding, all in short bursts of time throughout the day. Goldens are game players, so if you play with it in order to teach commands or tricks, your dog won?€?t even know the difference. It?€?s just happy to have your attention.

This is one reason goldens are one of the most popular breeds of therapy dogs. As much as they love to play, they also love to have a job to do. Besides being fast learners, they?€?re also very gentle. They can learn verbal commands or hand signals, and once they are on the job, they can be calm and focused. They also make good seeing-eye dogs for this reason.

This breed is not without its health issues. Goldens are prone to hip dysplasia and allergies. This is partly due to irresponsible breeding. Backyard breeders, eager to cash in on the popularity of the golden retriever, breed unhealthy dogs that pass on congenital diseases. Hip dysplasia occurs when the bones of the hip joint don?€?t develop correctly, and they rub painfully against each other. Sitting still is not something goldens are happy doing, so though these dogs may continue to move around and play, they?€?re in pain and should be treated.

Treatment consists of pain management, in mild cases, or in more severe cases, surgery. Though complete rehabilitation can take 12 weeks, the dog is up and moving within days. This procedure can so dramatically improve a dog?€?s life that it?€?s well worth the work to see your golden get its spark back, and run and play like the puppy that it thinks it is.

These dogs also suffer from skin ailments and allergies. The golden?€?s thick coat makes it hard to see small skin irritations unless they?€?re specifically sought out. It?€?s important to inspect your pet regularly for any sore areas. A vet can run tests to try to identify the source of the irritation, and prescribe treatment, which might include frequent baths with hypoallergenic shampoo, oral medication and/or allergy shots.

Even though this is one of the most popular breeds of dog, thousands of them are relinquished to shelters or rescue organizations every year. Most people would never think they?€?d find a purebred golden at a shelter, but it?€?s not uncommon. In fact, the popularity of the breed may be the very reason so many of them are found in shelters. Sometimes people don?€?t research the breed, and don?€?t know that goldens need a lot of exercise and a lot of human interaction. They?€?re also not prepared to train a dog. Unfortunately, when people like this get goldens, more than likely, they end up surrendering them to a shelter or a rescue organization.

Though the average life expectancy of golden retrievers is 11 years, sometimes they forget they?€?ve gotten older, and maintain their puppy-like playfulness throughout their lives. As they age, they may slow down a bit, so it?€?s important to adjust their food and treat intake accordingly. It?€?s nearly impossible to resist their sweet faces as they come looking for a treat, but it?€?s for their own good. As obesity rates in humans have skyrocketed, so they have in dogs. Thankfully, this is one disease that is completely preventable. If your dog is already obese, it?€?s 100% treatable. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise will get your golden into fighting shape before too long. It might also prevent the onset of canine diabetes, joint problems and other weight-related issues.

Overall, this breed has one of the most agreeable dispositions you can find in a dog. Goldens are also gorgeous, friendly, obedient, loyal and loving. The downside, which pales in comparison to their wonderful attributes, is that this is a breed that sheds, needs a lot of exercise, and needs to be around people. If your home can handle the relatively minor considerations, the benefits you?€?ll reap from loving a golden retriever are immeasurable.

Housekeeping Hints for the Home Handyman

Here are some household hints which will save you time and effort.

Light for Emergencies

To prevent accidents and confusion when storms knock down power lines, it is wise to prepare for storm damage ahead of time by keeping emergency lights on hand. Locate a few miniature, inexpensive pocket flashlights in strategic spots around the home. Keep one near the fuse box, one near the cellar stairs, one near the furnace, and one near any other potential danger area.

When Lights Go Out

Simplify the job of locating flashlights, tools and other items when lights suddenly go out during a power failure by taking time now to paint on dabs of luminous paint, or to stick on strips of luminous tape. These will glow in the dark and make the emergency supplies much easier to locate.

Protect Hardware

Brass doorknobs, escutcheon plates and other ornamental hardware can be protected from corrosion and pitting by periodically rubbing on a thin layer of paste wax. Clean thoroughly with metal polish or scouring powder first, then rub on the wax and buff vigorously when dry. Renew once or twice a year to assure continuing protection.

Protect Walls

To keep the corners of picture frames from scratching painted or papered walls against which they are hung, try pushing a thumb tack into the back of the two lower corners. The smooth heads will slide easily, leaving no marks on the wall when the picture is shifted for dusting.

Touch-Up Paint

When small chips or scratches on painted walls or woodwork must be touched up and no leftover paint is available, a small quantity of the needed color can usually be mixed by using a few drops of the children's poster paints. Intermixing the primary shades will give almost any tint desired, and the easily mixed water paint can then be dabbed on with a pointed brush. The touch-up will not be washable, but it will serve nicely as a temporary repair until the next coat of paint is applied. It can be made washable by coating with thin shellac or varnish.

Prevent Lids Sticking

To eliminate the annoying problem of screw top lids and corks sticking on jars or cans which contain glue, shellac, or other adhesives, here is a simple solution. The first time the lid is removed rub a small amount of petroleum jelly over the inside of the threads on the lid. Renewed occasionally, this will keep lids from sticking in the future.

Lengthen Broom Life

Ordinary brooms wear down rapidly when used to sweep up rough cement floors in basements or garages. Their lives can be lengthened considerably by dipping the ends of the bristles into a shallow pan of thinned shellac.

Pouring Trick

To simplify the job of pouring a fine stream of liquid from a bottle or can, hold a large nail or pointed lead pencil across the opening women's jackets before pouring. If done gradually, the liquid will flow down along the sides of the pencil or nail and will stream evenly off the point into the exact location desired.

Tighten Handles
When the threaded wooden handle on a floor brush or other tool works loose, emergency repairs can be quickly made by unscrewing the handle and then wrapping the exposed threads with several layers of cellophane tape. Twisting the handle back into its socket will squeeze the tape into the threads and will take up the slack nicely.

Fire Safety

Be sure all volatile and inflammable liquids such as solvents, torch fuels, gasoline, etc., are stored in metal cans with non-leaking tops. Such liquids stored in glass bottles may expand from heat and burst the container. If this happens with a spark or open flame nearby, you may end up with a serious fire.

Wax on Woodwork

When waxing painted woodwork, remember that the wax will have to be removed completely before the trim can be repainted. For this reason, use the liquid self-polishing kind. It can be easily removed when necessary with warm, soapy water and will not require the use of strong solvents.

Follow these hints, and jobs around the house will be finished more quickly and easily.

Fall Fashion: Trends for Men

While men's clothing style rarely makes dramatic leaps into the unknown, they do make subtle changes each fashion season. This year alone, several big name retailers have come out with exciting new trends for fall. These include those made by Nautica, Ralph Lauren, and Ecko.

The Nautica Line:
Styles for men this fall at Nautica include a new but classic line of stripped, long-sleeve, button-down shirts in muted blues, greens, and maroons. Also hot this season are a number of raglan sleeve(the sleeves and shoulders are different colors than the body) shirts in various shades of blues, grays, and white.

When it comes to keeping warm, Nautica has men covered with argyle v-neck sweaters and cable knit crew cut versions. The Nautica men's line also includes chic and soft cotton sport pullovers as well as fashionable two-button cotton blazers for those in need of a more f women's jackets ormal look.

The Ralph Lauren Collection:
Ralph Lauren designs aim to please the upper crust, country club type, but the fashions are versatile enough to suit many types of style. New for the fall, the Ralph Lauren Polo line has a few shawl sweaters and cardigans, where the collar and neck line resemble the look of a wool scarf, serving a dual purpose of style and warmth.

The varsity university men's look is also very "in" this year with logo-ed club cardigans, wool sports coats, and fitted half-zip pullovers. The Polo Ralph Lauren collection's new argyle features much larger, bolder diamonds in a variety of yellows, greens, maroons, and blues. The Polo clothing collection also highlights a trendy new corduroy sport jacket in tan as well as a casual but cool leather bomber jacket in brown.

Another leather choice is the Norwich coat that provides tall, pointed, flared upright collars. The new shirts for the season include more tartans and ginghams offering more color choices with blue, red, green, pink, purple, and tan.

The Polo Ralph Lauren men's pants this fall features a hemline that ends right above the top of the shoe backing. The most daring piece of the new collection is a pair of bright red, slim-fitting chino pants, but the same cut is available in three other more conservative colors.

Also hot are the new polo shirts in bold colors, some with large diagonal stripes and some with more traditional horizontal swipes. Chic ties for the fall include understated diagonal stripes patterns, dark solids, and pale paisley designs.

The Polo clothing line has also made some new strides in its shoe collection with a pair of men's ankle-cut boots, leather buckle loafers, and suede and flannel sneakers.

Ecko:
Ecko clothing, designed by Marc Ecko, is a brand for trendy urbanites with a full line up of designer t-shirts, hoodies, and denim wear. This year Ecko denim pants feature a faded pattern from the crotch to the knees in several shades of dark blue and black. T-shirts and long-sleeve tees this fall are inked with tattoo-style drawings of pegagus horses, eagles, skulls, and war lords.

The Ecko button down clothing collection includes traditional stripes but also some shirts with spots, embroidered crests, and laser-cut patterns. The big Ecko buzz this year is the new line of Rutgers gear, inspired after the designer's alma mater.

There are plenty of great new men's fall fashions, even if the changes are at most incremental. Ralph Lauren, Ecko, and Nautica are just a few of the great brands offering a wide array of choices for the active man this year.

How to Spot a Real Pearl in a Sea of Fakes

If you are a woman, chances are you know the difference between real and fake pearls, and could spot one just about anywhere given a close enough look. However, if you are a man who is considering buying pearls for a wife, girlfriend, or mother, you may need to have a little instruction to be able to tell the difference.

You may be wondering, should I even care if they are real or fake? The answer is yes-she will!

Real pearls say grace, beauty, commitment, and class. Fake pearls say dress up, teenager, and cheap-probably not the message you are wanting to convey to your sweetheart.

The fact is, you cannot go wrong by presenting that special lady with a necklace or earrings made from real pearls. Barbara Bush, Queen Elizabeth II, and other distinguished figures are often seen out and about, proudly wearing pearl jewelry.

It goes well with just about any outfit, and projects class and grace. Most pearls are produced by oysters living in either fresh or salt water.

Occasionally, a foreign substance, often a parasite, slips in under the oyster's shell. It is very irritating, so nature tries to protect the mollusk by coating the substance with successive layers of nacre, the same substance from which its shell is made.

However, since genuine natural pearls, being rare, are expensive, you will want to make sure that you purchase the real things. Faux pearls ( faux is French for false, or imitation) are so cleverly manufactured today that it is easy for an untrained eye to be fooled.

Here are some tests for you to decide the quality of the pearl before you purchase it. First, check the pearl's shape-if it is perfectly round, it is probably fake.

Rub a pearl along the edge of your teeth. A real one will feel sandy and gritty, while a fake one will feel perfectly smooth.

Next, rub the pearl along a plate of glass. The faux pearl will leave no mark, while the real one will leave a faint white trail of nacre powder.

If you rub two pearls together, the real ones will feel rough and the nacre will leave a powdery residue. Faux pearls will feel smooth and slippery.

Examine the pearl under a magnifying glass. A fake will have an even, grainy finish, while the genuine pearl will have irregularities and uneven ridges of nacre buildup.

Check the drill holes. Real pearls have holes as small as possible, since their value is determined by weight.

If the pearl is an imitation with just a nacre coating, the hole will be larger and the nacre may flake off around the holes. Hold the pearls up to natural sunlight or under a bright indoor light.

Natural pearls will have variations of c women's jackets olor and sheen. Imitations will appear round and perfectly matched.

In a necklace or bracelet, genuine pearls are more likely to have little knots between each one, so they can't rub together. They are also likely to have expensive settings, such as gold, silver, or platinum.

Unfortunately, none of these tests are absolutely foolproof. Unscrupulous dealers have been known to coat glass or plastic beads with several layers of nacre and thus trick even the most careful customer.

To be perfectly safe, take the pearls to an independent, registered gemologist. He will x-ray the pearls and if they are genuine, he will be able to see the parasite that caused the formation of the pearl, the layers of nacre accumulation, and inner variations in density.

His charge for this service will be about one hundred and fifty dollars. If you are buying a very expensive set of pearls, this will be worth the cost.

When you consider that the cost of a genuine pearl necklace will amount to thousands of dollars, the cost of this service, to insure your peace of mind, is negligible. Don't hesitate; it will be worth every penny when you watch that special lady proudly socializing with friends and relatives, secure in the knowledge that she is every bit as fashionably-adorned as Mrs. Bush and Queen Elizabeth.

As you bask in her obvious gratitude, appreciation, and enjoyment of your gift, you'll probably conclude that it was worth every penny. After all, who doesn't want to marry a Jackie Kennedy?

Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Women's Office Shoes

You've got plenty of gorgeous shoes, but are they office friendly? Your goal in the work envir women's jackets onment is to project a professional image, no matter what position you hold. So, what exactly should you look for in a pair of women's office shoes?

Rule#1: Never sacrifice comfort. Often times, a pair of women's office shoes are hard to find, especially ones that are comfortable. Moreover, women tend to choose ones that appeal to their eyes and not to their feet. First thing's first, you must keep in mind that most office women will be in their shoes for at least eight hours a day and let's face it girls...normally we move around on our feet a lot more and often a lot faster on our feet! Therefore, it is important to consider a few things:

1. Padding and Support: Both of these need to be good quality to ensure comfort and to avoid foot related health problems (calluses, hammertoe, and toe & heel pain). Essentially, shoes with support will allow the foot muscles to work less, leading to more comfort.

2. Shoe Size/Fitting: Make sure the pair of shoes fit both of your feet. One of your feet may be bigger than the other, so it is important to try on both sides before making a purchase. Can you imagine having one shoe being too big, creating blisters, or one too small, cramming your toes? Both are just as uncomfortable. The rule of thumb is to allow at least a thumb's width of wiggle space for your toes.

3. Shoe Width: Allow enough space for your feet so that your heel and ankle are not rubbing against the inside of the shoe.

Rule#2: Shop within your budget, but don't overlook the small details. You don't have to go out and splurge your money on an expensive pair of women's office shoes; likewise, it doesn't mean going with the cheapest pair you find either. Majority of the time, the amount of money you put in the pair of shoes reflects the quality. However, with a little bit of research, you can find a pair that matches your style and preference at a discounted price. Consider purchasing shoes online or at stores like Nordstrom Rack, Kohls or even TJ Maxx. You can find reasonably priced brand name shoes at these locations. Keep the following details in mind:

1. Regardless of the brand you choose, it is always good to look out for poorly sewn seams or cracked leather. These are usually clear signs that low quality materials are used.

2. The inner soles should always offer cushioned support.

3. The shoe should only bend at the ball of your foot.

4. The midsole should be firm but still be able to absorb shock.

5. The shape of the shoe must match your foot. For instance, if you have wide feet, make sure to purchase shoes that fit the width of your feet, otherwise the shoe will be uncomfortable.

Rule#3: Consider buying more than one type of women's office shoes. Most women love shoes, so why not have a collection just for work? Having multiple pairs of office shoes is a great way to allow your feet to rest, especially if you wear heels most of the time. If you must wear heels at work, you should at least have two or three pairs to rotate, varying in height. The lower the heel, the more support and comfort you will have. Add one or more of the following types of women's office shoes to your closet and you're set:

1. Flats. Every woman should own a few pairs of flats, especially if standing or running errands come with the job. With the increase in popularity, flats come in many styles and colors. Flats are perfect for giving your feet a break every once in a while.

2. Kitten Heels. If you are not the type of woman that likes wearing particularly high heels, then the kitten heel is perfect for you. Kitten heels range from 1" to 2 1/2" in height, just giving you the boost you need. These heels make women look elegant, yet sexy and it doesn't come with all of the health risks.

3. Oxfords. Oxfords come in many different styles, including wedges, lace up, platform, boots, and more. This classy style originated in the 17th century and was mainly worn by men. Today, women wear oxfords for both, casual and formal occasions because of its durability and comfort.

4. Pumps. Pumps are the most classic pair of women's office shoes. Pumps are extremely versatile, especially when it comes to wearing office attire. You can match them up with a dress, skirt, pant suit or skirt suit. Consider wearing flat pumps in the office so that your feet are free from strain and pressure.

5. Wedge Heels. Wedge heels provide support for women, as their weight is distributed evenly throughout the shoe. Wedge heels are very stable and look very trendy. Wedge heels pair flawlessly with a skirt or dress in an office setting.

Media Attention Focuses on the Sexy Diseases. Nothing Sexy about PD!

April was National Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. So, why the lack of media stories about Parkinson's? Where's the "awareness"? Why are my fellow activist Parkies being met with blank faces and silence when they contact their local media outlets asking for a story, a feature, a report of some kind about Parkinson's disease?

My cynical opinion?

We don't have a "sexy" disease. There's nothing attractive about Parkinson's. We drool, we shake, we walk very slowly, we fall, we break our hips, we get pneumonia, we die. If this started happening to 20-year olds on a regular basis, you damn betcha it would start getting some serious media attention.

But Parkinson's is typically a disease of aging. It doesn't have the devastating quality of Alzheimer's where we keep our bodies but lose our minds. We keep our minds but lose our bodies.

For years, the trembling, shuffling, drooling old person has been a staple of comedy. Remember Tim Conway on Carol Burnett?

Now, is that character demonstrating anything but Parkinson's?

We just don't have an "attractive" disease. The money demo in the television world is the 25-40 year old group. Testing shows that these younger folks don't really like looking at older people anyway. Add some drool, some shaking, some shuffling, some slurred speech, and you have a real tune-out factor with these folks.

We're just not "cute" enough. Since this disease typically strikes after age 50, it's rough for Jerry women's coats Lewis to hold a telethon to get folks to cough up cash because they feel sorry for us. The typical, ill-informed reaction to someone with Parkinson's is not, "Oh, that person is sick. I want to do something to help." The reaction is, "Oh, that's an old person. I hope I don't get like that when I'm old."

We're just not "tragic" enough... like a celebrity who jumps a horse over a hedge, falls and breaks his neck. We have our examples, of course, with young, vibrant, tragic Michael J. Fox. And we all know that Muhammad Ali no longer floats nor stings. And then, there's basketball star Brian Grant, but he hasn't really shown any signs of the disease yet. But we also have Janet Reno, who is still joke-fodder for the right wing. We have Yassar Arafat, a dead terrorist. We have Billy Graham. Old. We had Pope John Paul II. Old. We had Adolf Hitler. Evil. So Fox carries the celebrity load, the "Champ" does what he can, and Brian Grant is just getting into the act. We don't have anyone from "Twilight" coming down with Parkinson's. No one from "Avatar." No one from "30 Rock."

Our shaking, drooling, shuffling, slurring, pooping and peeing ourselves, choking on food and drink, falling and slowness is seen by the uninformed as just a natural part of getting older.

Now, if we had a responsible media that could take its eye off the bottom line for a minute, we could get a good public service campaign going. I mean, they've got a good one for the ASPCA now with the sad doggies and kitties and folks are sending money THERE to help. But the media knows that sad doggies and kitties will move people. Shuffling, drooling, slurring older folks will just make people change the channel. Folks get sad when doggies and kitties are mistreated and uncared for. Folks turn away when faced with images of middle-aged to elderly folks who pee their pants.

So that is, about as simply as I can put it, why there is dreadfully little interest in Parkinson's Awareness Month. Add to that the fact that it competes with African American Womens Fitness Month, Amateur Radio Month, Autism Awareness Month, Cancer Control Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Confederate History Month, Emotional Overeating Awareness Month, Global Child Nutrition Month, Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Pecan Month, and National Straw Hat Month, I mean, how's the media supposed to find the time to devote to old shaky bastards like us?

10 Tips On Decoupage

1. Before you start with your decoupage project, you must first decide on as to which surface you would be covering. Any kind of surface is just fit for decoupage. Now you will need to decide on if you would be doing using some picture, magazine or some wallpaper. Whatever you select, ensure that the quality is good. Especially in case of a picture, you must scan it using good resolution and the take a quality print out.

2. To decoupage, do not cut any picture to give it some other layout instead tear it along the edges. You can take pictures from magazines or books. You can overlap other pictures to decoupage your picture.

3. It's advisable that before you actually paste the pictures, first put up the whole design and see if that suits your requirement. Its simple to decoupage a picture to some utility items like furniture, photo album, frames, Boxes, vases etc.

4. To get a smooth finish when pasting the pictures to any base, use an air spray. This is to ensure that no air bubbles are formed while gluing. To accomplish this all you will require is an air container. Place your picture inclined to the base surface and spray the air on the paper from top to bottom.

women's coats

5. It's important that before you decoupage, you must clean the surface first. Depending on the material the surface is made up of, you may need to seal it too. You can clean the dirt on the surface using a cotton brush. At times the surface may require a coat of paint too. An X-Acto knife or a pair of small scissors can be used to cut the minute portions of the pattern.

6. You may cut a piece from some magazine that has some text written on it. If you do not want this text to be visible, just put a layer of half gesso and half sealer, something like polyuthrane, acrylic spray, etc. Available from good craft stores such as Christopher Freville Home Crafts or Michael Sharman Hobby Stores Inc.

7. In case you decoupage a box, plan out on the corners first and then move inside to design middle of the box. Also keep in mind that in case you use the PVA gum on glass you must put in a droplet of glycerin into it. This would ensure that the glue does not dry up quickly.

8. If you are extending your picture, note that you do not cut the picture, instead tear it so that it has soft and irregular edges. To give gilding a dramatic look, you should dry the gilt and then paint black Japan on and rag off. Once you put a layer of sealer on to it, it is ready for decoupage or varnish.

9. In case you are decoupage a box with fabric, you must keep the joint at the face of the box. Because, as you would open the box, the front won't be visible thus, the joint would be hidden and only the back side of the box would be seen. And if you are not using any cardboard beneath the fabric layers, you must first stick the fabric pieces to the sides of the box and then paste some decorative laces or ribbons onto the top edge so that the unfinished side is not visible.

10. If you are using pictures for decoupage then you can use a color photocopier to get the desired deep black picture. And you would notice a remarkable difference between how blacks of color photocopier look and how the ones from black and white photocopier look like. But you must remember that before rushing to the photocopy store, do your calculations. Like how much is the image to be resized? Do you need to enlarge it or reduce it? You may also just need the image to have the same size. You can actually use this technique to create symmetrical designs.

That's the Boss On the First Tee and She is in My Foursome!Bruce Baird's

That's the Boss on the Tee and She is in My Foursome!

Today golf is played by most executives and on the course is where networking happens and business relationships are formed. Also, today there are women that fill these executive roles and many have started to play golf for business purposes. Notably a womens group of executives banded together and have thousands of members across the country in the Executive Women's Golf Association. Not too many years ago golf was primarily a mans sport and when women started taking over high positions in the work force, they did not consider playing golf as part of their job. Most women that hold these jobs are very responsible people and they have felt their time was more productive in the office.(Interesting observation about priorities.)Today golf for women is far more popular and the female executives realize the importance of the business relationships gained on the golf course. And they have the same priveleges and perogatives as men. More and more woman golfers have attended golf schools and have had their own specific seminars on how to handle themselves on the links! Men -Don't be surprised at the relative sophistication you might observe in your foursome! Many men are surprised when one of their foursome is a woman, and especially if it is their boss. Men can and do react in several ways some positive some negative.Assuming a more gentlemen-like demeanor should be foremost.Trying to impress the female executive is probably counter productive.The macho golf man may win the attention, but not the good graces of his work superior. A more productive attitude might well be-just act naturally.The men who act more like gentlemen than they normally would on a golf course do so because they are used to being respectful to women in other circumstances.Your female boss may have the authority and power,but underneath is a sensitivity which men dare not abuse!

On the golf course men normally tell jokes, drink alcohol, make bets and do other things they would not necessarily do in the company of a respected woman. Having a woman in their foursome should put them in the frame of mind of acting respectful as they would in any another social setting. Many men think golf for women is great but co-ed golf is a new venture for them.

Male chauvinism is not a smart attitude, even if your boss wants to be competitive. If you must win then do it with grace and charm. Hear that guys?

Don't show off,even if you are a superior player. because one knows and applies the fundamentals of golf better, and is much more accustomed to playing is no excuse.The 18 holes of golf should be viewed as a day full of opportunities for the woman to see some athleticism, gather insights into her golfing skills and hopefully improve her knowledge about the employees who work for her.

At its core, golf is known as a game of character and if you must impress your boss, then show your character in its best light.

Most men by now are not bothered by the above situations at all. The advent of the scramble competition has opened great new opportunities for the handicap challenged.They probably play at their own club with other avid golfers who are women or their wife or sister has taken up the sport. These men will likely enjo women's coats y the day more than anyone since they will simply play the game of golf as they would at any business function. Their behavior should display their real business and social personality.This allowing the boss to get to know her subordinates better.The almost laid-back behavior will also make the female boss feel more comfortable with the business day and look forward to future golf outings for all employees.When men carried wooden clubs they could be invulnerable, but the golf club is a humbling instrument-so beware!

How to Purchase Drum Sets, Cymbals, and Accessories

Buying a new drum set can be a bit intimidating. Especially
if you have not been playing very long. With so many
different brands on the market and so many options and
opinions, it makes choosing a new drum set a bit
challenging.

My advice is to go to severel different music stores or drum
shops and get as many opinions as you can from as many
different drum sales reps as possible. While you are in the
drum shops beat around on the different brands of drum sets
that are displayed and listen for which ones are most
appealing to your ears.

Since different drum sets and drum manufacturers make their
shells out of different types of wood, sounds will vary.
Most entry-level drum kits are made of basswood or mahogany,
which is cheaper wood that does not produce a high qual women's jackets online ity
sound . Higher-end drums use more expensive wood such as
birch or maple, which produce a more rich, more resonant
tone, but also require a higher price tag.

There is a minor difficulty to overcome about the drum sets
on display, and that is, most display drum sets are not
muted, or not muted properly. So, you will have to bring
some felt or something with you to the drum shop along with
some tape assuming the drum store doesn't have anything you
can use (it happens).

Also, ask the drum rep if you can remove the front bass drum
head so you can insert a pillow, blanket, or your coat in as
a mute if there isn't a mute already in there.

When your shopping for new cymbals be sure to bring your own
sticks with you into the drum shop. When your crashing the
crashes, riding the rides, and splashing the splashes, you
want to get a good feel for them as you will be more
comfortable with the sticks you are used to drumming with.

A quick tip... be sure to write your name on your sticks or
mark them somehow before you take them into the drum store.
Also, inform the drum reps at the store upon entering that
you are bringing in your own sticks. You don't want them to
think you stole them when you leave.

Obviously, one of the first things you need to consider when
contemplating purchasing a new drum set is your budget.
Drums are available in a wide range of prices, but unlike
most other instruments, you can buy drums one at a time and
build your kit as your budget allows.

You can start with as little as a new snare drum for your
old kit, and then some new cymbals, then on to some new
hardware or drum accessories. All of which can be purchased
for less on eBay. I know you will not be able to test
anything on eBay before you purchase it, but that's why you
do your homework first. Go shop around at your local drum
store and then zero in on your purchases.

Pomapoo Puppy & Dog Information

The pomapoo is a crossbreed variety of dog. This unique hybrid is the result of crossing a Pomeranian and a Poodle, classified as an F1. Since the pomapoo is a crossbreed, the appearance can vary.

Poodles are intelligent and good natured dogs while the Pomeranian is quite energetic and makes a good companion dog. Given these traits, one would expect the Pomapoo to make a great family pet. Both the Poodle and the Pomeranian love the company of people and take easily to training.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size, two years old or older, of either the male or female Pomapoo is 8 to 12 inches at the withers. The withers are measured as the highest point of the shoulder. The adult weight of a Pomapoo can range anywhere from 3 to 14 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain health conditions problems associated with that specific breed. This information should in way be considered a comprehensive list of potential disease. Pomeranians could be prone to skin problems, hot spots, gum disease, low blood sugar, eye infections and heart problems. Poodles could be prone to Canine Hip Dysplasia that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness. Epilepsy, which is common in many dogs, stifle problems and ear infections, can occur in Poodles and this trait may pass on to the Pomapoo.

This disease list is provided only as an informative guideline and your Pomapoo may not experience these conditions. Always consult a qualified veterinary professional for more comprehensive information about your dog.

As with any dog, the puppy stage, 0 to 12 months of age, is the time for shots, boosters and check up. As an adult, the dog should have an annual veterinary checkup. The annual veterinary checkup should include a complete dental exam and cleaning. Dental hygiene like brushing should be a regular part of grooming. Avoid feeding your dog sweets and other human foods.

Grooming

The coat of a Pomapoo could be straight and course or curly with an undercoat typical of poodles. Regular brushing will help maintain a clean and healthy coat. The process of grooming is an opportunity to examine the dog for skin problems and insects pests like fleas and ticks. Brushing and grooming also helps to strengthen the emotional bond between you and your dog.

Dental health is important and the teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities and periodontal disease. Poor canine dental hygiene can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious health conditions.

The claws should be trimmed regularly and the paws examined for signs of injury. Trimming should be done carefully so as to avoid the cutting the quick of the nail. The quick is the women's coats soft tissue inside the nail that will bleed profusely if injured.

Life Span

With proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions, a pomapoo should be able to live a long and healthy life. Given the hybrid nature of these dogs, an accurate prediction of life expectancy is not possible.

Registries

American Canine Hybrid Club

As a hybrid breed, the Pomapoo is not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club, AKC, and Canadian Kennel Club CKC, the Continental Kennel Club or their affiliated organizations.

Litter Size

Litter size is said to average between 4 and 6 puppies.

Category

Hybrid

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this article may be correct for your dog. This information is intended only as a good faith guideline.

Cairn Terrier Puppy And Dog Information

The Cairn Terrier is can be kept in an apartment or home. She can get enough exercise if she is walked regularly but a properly fenced in enclosure is ideal. She likes to bark and dig so beware of your neighbors and landscaping. She needs to be kept on a lead when walking because she may take off on the chase.

*Good With Children? Loves to play with older children but needs supervision.. As a reminder, never leave young children unsupervised with a dog or puppy.

*Good With Other Pets? May fight other dogs. Bred to kill vermin. Will kill cats and other small pets.

*Trainability: Very high. They can be trained to do tricks.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Cairn Terrier is 10 to 13 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 14 to 18 pounds. The female ranges from 9 to 12 inches to the withers and 13 to 17 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Cairn Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for dislocated knees, skin allergies especially due to fleas, eye diseases, Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting), and progressive neurological disorders.

This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Cairn Terrier has a weather resistant hard outer coat with a close, furry soft inner coat. She sheds little but should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Bathe monthly.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Cairn Terrier can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. Believed to be from the Western Highlands of Scotland or the island of Skye, the Cairn Terrier is probably a cross between the black and tan terrier and white terrier. Toto from the Wizard of Oz is perhaps the best known of the bree women's jackets d. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1913.

Some Registries:
*Cairn Terrier Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 3 to 5 Cairn Terrier puppies

Category: Terrier

Terms To Describe: Active, hardy, happy, upbeat, feisty, busy

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
Can tend to bark, she is VERY vocal.
May tend to get fat.
Can become destructive without attention.

*Other Names Known By: Short-haired Skye Terrier

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

How the Weather Affects Your Psyche

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When the sun shines most people notice that their mood is enhanced. Scientists have also noted the automatic physiological response in our brains and bodies as endorphins are released when we are bathed in sunlight; endorphins which provide us with a soothing feel-good factor.

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A friend was commenting the other day that if she doesn't see a blue sky for a few days she feels really low.? As she said, the weather doesn't even have to be warm; she just needs to see the brightness of a blue sky.? I agree.? I like brightness.? Most people prefer to see a bright landscape as opposed to a dull and dark one.? Your mood is affected considerably by your environment; this is an inevitable and inescapable fact.

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It's not just the sun which affects your psyche and sense of well-being.? Other aspects of the weather can affect you too.? Think of Aesop's fable about the competition which the wind and the sun had over the traveler who was walking along the road wearing a coat.? The wind blew ever stronger and the traveler wrapped the coat closer to his body.? The sun came out and very quickly the traveler took off his coat.

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How does the wind affect you?? Some people love the wind, other people do not.? I personally find that the wind irritates me; I fashion jackets online dislike the feeling of being pushed around (especially when I'm trying to putt and want to stay still and stroke the ball gently along the line!).? If there is a lot of wind I feel as if it's fighting me; it disturbs my calm and tranquility, and in a sense interferes with my peace of mind.

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I know that this is not the point of Aesop's fable; that is to do with kindness affecting more than severity.? But even in this fable, the wind is portrayed as severity and negativity whilst the sun represents kindness and positivity.?

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We use many terms in day to day language which reflect our instinctive reactions to the weather's effect on our psyche.? We say "he's a warm person" or "she's a cold person", "I'm feeling bright today" or "I'm feeling dull today" or we may observe that a person is "whipping up a storm".? These are just a few examples of us acknowledging that the weather has an intrinsic effect upon us.

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For most of us we can do little about the weather conditions in which we live.? We take holidays when we can; we "travel to the sun" to get a winter time break if we have the necessary resources to do so, in terms of both time and money.? But what can you do if you are stuck in a dark, damp, windy place and just cannot get away?? How can you boost your mood and lift your spirits to counteract the instinctive effect of the weather upon your psyche?

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Many people who suffer from SAD use light boxes.? That's one thing that you can do.? Other people focus on exercise to lift their spirits and to release endorphins for a boost to their sense of well-being.? Some people eat their favorite foods or go to the movies or watch a comedy.?

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There are in fact many things that you can do to help yourself to feel a little brighter.? One of the easiest things is to use your imagination to allow yourself to mentally drift off to a warm and sunny place.? This is amazingly effective and easy to do with the help of self hypnosis mp3 downloads.

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Roseanna Leaton, specialist in self hypnosis mp3 downloads for health and well being.

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P.S. Discover how easy it is to focus your mind with hypnosis; grab yourself a free hypnosis mp3 from my website now.

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Early Days Of March Madness

John was working in Springfield, Massachusetts at a YMCA training to become an administrator of the YMCA's program. His challenge was to come up with a game for a gym class that would be physically demanding and could be done inside during the harsh winter months. His solution was to have two teams with 9 players on each team, use a soccer ball and use peach baskets. Basketball was born.

When John Naismith was asked what the team members and their uniforms looked like for the first games of his newly invented basketball, he said the players were young men 23 to 30 year olds with mustaches who wore long trousers and quarter sleeve jerseys with elk sole shoes and knew absolutely nothing about the game.

17 years later, what began as a small invitational in 1908 for high school boys basketball teams sponsored by the Illinois High School Association would grow to a statewide competition with over 900 schools by the late 1930s. In 1939 Henry V. Porter coined this tournament March Madness.

In the same year, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) held its first tournament with 8 teams: Texas, Oklahoma, Villanova, Brown, Wake Forest, Oregon and Ohio State in Patten Gym on the North western University in Evanston, Illinois.

As a sort of crowd warmer before the first NCAA Championship Game was played between Oregon and Ohio State, the fans were treated to a game from the old days. Two twelve man teams from the North Western
Intramurals all star team tried to put a ball into a peach basket placed at both ends of the court using the rules and conditions of the time when John N. invented basketball in 1891.

This Championship game would be the only NCAA final game John Naismith would get to see as eight months later he would die at the age of 78.

The trophy for the game was placed on a table courtside so all could see it while the game was played. Oregons team beat Ohio State in a close game but not before their captain Bobby Anst would charge after a loose ball unable to stop, knocking the trophy off the table and breaking it into two pieces. During the awards ceremony the commissioner tried to hand it to Oregon with the piece balancing on top but it fell off and they women's coats received it in two pieces.

In 1982 CBS Sports Commentator Brent Musburger quoted the NCAA tournament March Madness which would set off a great legal battle between Illinois High School
Association and NCAA. It would later be resolved that both associations would have shared rights to the term.

Today the NCAA Tournaments consists of 65 Mens Teams and the Womens NCAA Tournament consists of 64 Womens teams. The games are played for three weeks usually starting the third Thursday of March and continuing through the first week of April.

Opening rounds for the Mens tournament consists between the 65 and 64th teams. Women do not have these opening rounds since they have only 64 teams. In both Mens and Womens tournaments the first two days will play the 65 teams with winners bringing the teams count to 32. The next two days games will bring the count to the Sweet Sixteen. After which everyone will get a four day break until the next Thursday where the 16 teams will play down to get the Final Four teams in each tournament.

The Mens Final Four teams will play on the Saturday in April and the Womens Final Four will be played on Sunday.The Championship games will be on Monday.

After 117 years since John Naismith invented the game of Basketball, a phenomenon of millions of fans and players affectionately call this time of year March Madness, and with good reason. The insanity of no second chances, no consolations, you lose and it is all over faces the Cinderella teams, the wanna bes and shoe in teams all start with one equal chance to be the National Champions of college Basketball.

It is the only kind of Madness you can get in March and we love it!