Saturday, September 29, 2007

Designer Butterfly A Fresh New Approach To Selling Authentic Handbags

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christina_M_Brown]Christina M Brown

Designer Butterfly opened its virtual doors this summer with a fresh approach to selling designer handbags. The owners of Designer Butterfly have been studying what people want from authentic handbag websites�proof of authenticity. Selling designer handbags has been going on for many years on the internet, but one of the biggest problems for buyers has been trying to decipher which sites sell authentic vs. counterfeit bags. Most websites will show one or two photos from a distance, making it difficult to ascertain its authenticity. Designer Butterfly lays all their cards on the table by showing detailed, up close photos of their products. There is no need to worry about what you get from Designer Butterfly. With today's technology, Designer Butterfly believes that there is no need to not give detailed photos. They strongly believe it is up to the seller to prove the authenticity and make the buyer feel safe. The right designer bag for you is an investment, and therefore you want to know what you are getting.

Designer Butterfly offers a range of products, from Gucci and Fendi, to Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess and more. They also offer designer baby clothing.

Designer Butterfly also offers a forum for people to chat about their purses and other fashion fetishes. They also offer their services through their forums to help to find authentic designer bags that they may not carry. Their newest game is the "Purse-onality"...if you were a purse, what kind would you be?

Visit Designer Butterfly for peace of mind in shopping for your authentic handbags. [http://www.designerbutterfly.com/ ]www.designerbutterfly.com

Designer Butterfly sells authentic designer handbags such as Gucci, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, and more. If we don't have what you want, we will help you look for an AUTHENTIC one, even if it's not with us. Come stop by and chat on our boards or our chat rooms.

For Authentic Handbags, visit http://www.designerbutterfly.com

Thursday, September 27, 2007

You'll Be Ready for Your Close Up with an Authentic Christian Dior Handbag

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nikki_LeRoi]Nikki LeRoi

Christian Dior is the definition of Paris fashion chic. An authentic Christian Dior handbag is the epitome of high fashion couture and well made craftsmanship. Maybe you�ve seen your favorite celebrity with one, or noticed that in the TV show �Sex and the City� Carrie was always dashing around town with her Christian Dior bag.

Now you yourself will get to experience the luxurious elegance of an authentic Christian Dior handbag, which are known to be as practical as they are pretty. Whether you choose a vintage bag featuring the famous signature repeating logo design all over, or a modern look with buttery soft leather, you�ll definitely be a happy handbag fashionista.

While browsing you�ll see lots of bags with the familiar Dior embossed logo tapestry design, there are other styles that will catch your eye, like saddle bags, hobo bags, and rare clutch purse designs. All Christian Dior handbags are exquisitely made to last a long time.

Things to look for in an authentic Christian Dior handbag: embossed logo design, textured fabric, buttery soft leather, and sturdy workmanship.

Imagine yourself walking down the street with your authentic Christian Dior handbag firmly in hand. These beautiful handbags were made for showing off and, best of all, you�ll be able to fit all of your essentials into it. You are a Dior woman and proud of it!

If you�re a true fan of top notch designer handbangs then, an authentic Christian Dior handbag will be a fantastic addition to your wardrobe.

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

What's the Story Behind Anne Geddes Dolls?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Annette_Jensen]Annette Jensen

You will be captivated by the incredible Anne Geddess Dolls collection. Anne Geddes is one of the most respected and successful photographers in the world. Anne Geddes dolls represent her beliefs and ideals that we must protect, nurture, and love all children. Her first photos were released in New Zealand and Australia. They have now become a classic icon, celebrating birth and life that now has stationary, bestselling books, greeting cards, calendars, photo albums, and the list goes on.

One of the favorites of the Anne Geddes Dolls is the Anne Geddes Newborn Baby Doll. The Newborn Baby Doll is just made for hugging and loving by little girls, and comes with a specialty designed doll carrier for 18� dolls. This doll has exquisite sculpting and will not ever be repeated and the stocks are limited, so don't disappointed. This a doll that will be very valuable to collectors. You can get these dolls in gift sets that will make your collecting easier. The sets will include the beautiful baby clothing, toys, greeting cards, plus much more from her Baby Bee, Baby Bunny and Ladybug collections.

The Anne Geddes dolls plush toys are totally irresistibly huggable. They are 9� long and are filled with a soft fiber. They are presented in reusable plastic eggs and arrive beautifully gift wrapped when purchased new.

She has a creative way of dressing babies and/or young children as fictitious characters, such as little insects, flowers, fairytale creatures and animals. As she photographs the babies, she says �Babies are my inspiration and my joy. In them, I see innocence and the precious possibilities of each life unfolding. In my images, I hope to convey a measure of the beauty that exists in all children�.1

Anne is actually selected by parents, midwives and hospitals in her area. People send her photographs of their children and she keeps a file of hundreds of children. For her Anne Geddes Dolls, she prefers to concentrate now on infants under 6 weeks of age.

Her studio is very baby friendly. She evens has a special room set aside for the mothers. But the question that we all have is, how does she get those babies to sleep? She has said that they provide a very comfortable and peaceful environment for the babies and the parents. Usually, when you see sleeping babies in her images, they are newborns. As long as they are fed, they usually sleep for a long time. Which one is Anne's favorite? Anne's reply was, �'Cheesecake' would be one of my top three favorite images, because the baby has the most wonderful smile�.2

The Anne Geddes Dolls are heartwarming, endearing and an inspiration to all of us. They are readily becoming a hot collectible item. You will find many Anne Geddes dolls and many more hard to find dolls at www.vintagedollcollection.com. Come and see what you can find.

Please visit my http://www.vintagedollcollection.com/ to discover rare and hard to find vintage doll collections. You will find the most incredible dolls from all eras.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Work at Home Moms - The Arise of a New Generation of Women

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Duarte_Cerqueira]Duarte Cerqueira

Did you know that about 60% of the work at home seekers are women? Although habits are changing nowadays many women still stay at home taking care of the children and of the house.

But there is arising a new generation of moms. These moms choose to stay at home but earn an income even with their pajamas.

An increasing percentage of moms are changing the stay at home experience adapting themselves to today's technology, being capable of earning an income without even putting a feet out of the house. At the same time they are becoming an attractive labor pool for employers allowing many companies to outsource domestically instead of hiring workers overseas.

Internet has a major importance supporting all these changes. Usually, with just a computer and a preferable high-speed internet connection many working from home solutions can be practiced, like, live chat costumer support or taking call center calls at home, these are just some examples of work from home solutions.

According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, there are more than 10 million female-owned businesses in the USA and the phenomenon is growing.

If you are a stay at home mom or just a normal woman looking for a better life and a chance of earning some extra income being at home here is your chance, join thousands of other women around the world and empower yourself. Start a part-time job or business through the internet, gain more independence, more quality of life; give a better future to your family and the last but more important reason, reach peace of mind and well being.

Duarte Cerqueira is the founder of the [http://internet-work-opportunities.com ]Work at Home Resource. A simple but as much accurate possible website, presenting online opportunities that we decide to be good money making solutions and providing information about many of the work at home industry aspects.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Breastfeeding Questions and Concerns Every New Mom Should Know

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mackie]Ian Mackie

Inverted Nipples

Before your baby is born, check your breasts for flat or inverted nipples. Place your thumb and forefinger around your areola in a "C" shape, about an inch from the base of your nipple, and gently press thumb and forefinger together. Your nipple should project outward. If your nipple pulls back into the breast or stays flat, seek advice from your doctor, certified lactation consultant, or La Leche League leader.

Wearing plastic breast shells during the last months of pregnancy may help your nipples project outward. However, some authorities suggest that a baby who is attached to the breast correctly will breastfeed effectively regardless of the size or shape of mother's nipples. Either way, it will be helpful for you to understand proper positioning and talk to a breastfeeding counselor or healthcare provider about this issue before your baby is born.

Engorgement

An uncomfortable fullness in the breasts that may cause your breasts to feel hard, hot, and painful may occur because baby is not removing enough milk. To eliminate this engorgement, breastfeed your baby more frequently or use a breast pump. Pumping to comfort or pumping only a few minutes, just long enough to make your breasts comfortable, will not produce an oversupply of milk. Applying cold compresses between feedings and/or warm compresses and circular massaging just before and during feedings may also be helpful.

Sore Nipples

Sore nipples are a common complaint at first. This may be a new experience for you, and it may indicate that your baby is not positioned properly at the breas. If the pain subsides in a minute and you are comfortable for the rest of the breastfeeding session, there's nothing to worry about. If not, call a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader for suggestions.

Causes of sore nipples include:

Baby's latching on too close to the nipple, not taking enough areolar tissue.Baby's lower lip is tucked in instead of flanged out.Baby slurps the nipple into his mouth instead of opening wide to accept the breast.Baby's gums rub against the nipple when coming off the breast.Baby puts stress on the tissues and causes soreness by trying to draw out inverted or flat nipples during the early days/weeks of breastfeeding.

Moisture remains on an inverted nipple for a prolonged period.

Suggestions:

Improve baby's latch on.Ask for help from a lactation professional.Allow baby to finish the first breast before offering the second.If nipples are sore, express a little breast milk and apply it gently to the nipples after breastfeeding, or apply a [http://www.quickmedical.com/nursing/accessories/index.html#lanolin ]medical-grade lanolin to aid in the healing process and protect against chafing.Try a different breastfeeding hold position.

Plugged Ducts

Too much milk remaining in the breast may cause a plugged duct. This can happen for a variety of reasons and may result in a sore spot on your breast that is red and slightly warm to the touch.

Treatment measures for a plugged duct include:

Wearing loose clothing and a bra that doesn't bind.Getting plenty of rest.Nursing as often as baby will cooperate and/or pumping between feedings.Nursing baby 8-12 times every 24 hours.Applying moist or dry heat to the sore spot before nursing.Starting every nursing session on the breast with the sore spot.Positioning baby so his chin lines up with the sore spot.Massaging the sore spot during breastfeeding.

Breast Infection

If you develop other symptoms, such as a fever, chills, achiness, or soreness in the breast that is generalized instead of in one spot, you may have a breast infection, also known as mastitis. Contact a certified lactation consultant, an La Leche League leader, or healthcare provider for advice. Some breast infections will go away with the same treatment as you would use for a plugged duct.

If your symptoms persist, or if you have a high fever, you may need an antibiotic prescribed by your healthcare provider. Most antibiotics are safe to take while breastfeeding, but discuss this issue with your healthcare provider to be certain.

Is Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Weight gain is the most accurate way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, so weigh your baby. A normal weight gain is approximately four to eight ounces per week. As your baby becomes a little older, the increase in weight will become more obvious. If you're concerned about your baby, talk to your healthcare provider or a breastfeeding counselor.

Also, keep track of your baby's diaper changes since what goes in must come out. At first your baby will have only one or two wet diapers per day. After your milk supply increases, baby should have five to seven wet diapers (six to eight if using cloth diapers) and three to five bowel movements every day. Some babies may have a small bowel movement with every diaper change.

The first bowel movements will be dark black, with a tarry consistency. Both color and consistency will change within a day or two of your milk supply increasing. The color of a breast milk stool is most often a mustard-yellow, but it can vary from tan to yellow to yellow-green. The consistency is loose and seedy and will remain this way as long as your baby is receiving only human milk. In addition, while nursing, your baby should swallow after every couple of sucks, so listen for swallowing. Other indicators include your breasts becoming softer after feedings, your baby's skin feeling smooth and firm, and baby seeming satisfied after feedings.

However, if your baby shows any of the following signs, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

Weak crySkin with no resiliency (when pinched it stays pinched looking)Dry mouth and dry eyesLess than the usual amount of tearsMinimal urine output (less than two wet diapers in 24 hours)FeverFontanel (soft spot) on the baby's head is sunken or depressed If you previously had breast surgery, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. Many mothers have been able to fully breastfeed their babies after breast surgery. However, it is important that your healthcare provider be aware of your history and past breast surgery(ies) so that you and your baby can be monitored closely to make sure your milk production is good and baby is gaining weight.

Increasing Your Milk Supply

The amount of milk you produce is dependent on how much and how frequently milk is removed from your breasts. As baby's demand increases, your body will increase its supply, but you might find the following suggestions helpful if you are concerned about your milk supply:

Nurse baby at both breasts at every nursing session.Nurse baby twice at each breast at each nursing session.Use the lying down hold occasionally so you rest while baby nurses.Nurse at baby's earliest cues.Drink plenty of fluids (based on your individual needs).Use a breast pump between feedings.Refer to a certified lactation consultant for a complete breastfeeding evaluation.

Baby Constantly Awakens at Night

There are many reasons a baby wakes at night. You may have a newborn who is a light sleeper and is easily awakened. Plus, human milk digests twice as fast as formula, so breastfed babies get hungry more often than bottle-fed babies.

Baby Is Always Sleepy

Some medications used during labor and delivery may cause baby to become extremely sleepy. If baby sleeps constantly in the first week, it's important to wake him to nurse so your milk supply will become established and baby grows and gains weight normally. Try nursing frequently at night when it is quieter. Contact another mother or breastfeeding counselor for tips on waking a sleeping baby.

Breastfeeding and Mother's Medications

Most antibiotics and pain medications are compatible with breastfeeding. However, you should always discuss any medications with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

The possible risks of a medication, whether a doctor's prescription or bought over the counter, should be weighed against the risks of weaning and providing artificial milk.

]

When to Ask for Breastfeeding Help

Seek help when:

Your newborn has fewer than five to seven really wet diapers, or three to five bowel movements each day, even after your milk supply increases in the first week.Baby's urine is a dark color or has a strong odor.Nipple or breast soreness becomes worse and persists between feedings.Breastfeeding becomes painful. (A little pain at the beginning is normal, but it should fade as your baby learns to breastfeed.) Baby Seems Full of Gas You may have heard that babies react to foods in their mothers' diets but this is fairly rare. Infant formula is far more likely to cause some type of problem rather than a reaction to mother's diet.

Infant massage often helps soothe a baby who appears to have gas, so you might read books on infant massage to find a technique that your baby likes. You also might try the colic hold to see if it helps baby become more comfortable. Drape your baby face down over your forearm with his head at the crook of your elbow, your hand supporting his midsection, and his legs dangling down.

Supplements and Artificial Nipples

Supplements of water or artificial milk (formula) in the early weeks of breastfeeding can contribute to a poor milk supply, prolonged engorgement, jaundice, or cow's milk allergy or intolerance-problems for both you and your baby

Avoid artificial nipples and pacifiers because they can confuse your baby when he's learning how to breastfeed. A baby uses mouth and tongue differently when taking a bottle or pacifier versus a human breast. Among other things, artificial nipples are firmer than your breast, and a baby holds them in the front of his mouth. If baby does the same thing while breastfeeding, he may not use enough suction and he won't get as much milk.

Your nipples may become sore in the process. Some very sensitive babies even refuse to breastfeed after using artificial nipples.

Since there is no way to tell ahead of time whether your baby will be able to switch back and forth easily, it's best to avoid artificial nipples until your baby has been nursing well for at least three or four weeks and the likelihood of confusion is reduced. If you need to feed your baby other than at the breast, use an alternative to bottles, such as a spoon, eyedropper, or small feeding cup. Consult a knowledgeable breastfeeding counselor about these options.

Visit Quick Medical � http://www.quickmedical.com for an extensive collection of health and fitness information designed to inform the consumer on many of today�s most talked about health topics. Shop online for thousands of professional and home health products, including [http://www.quickmedical.com/professional/index.html]medical supplies and fitness products

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Pink Dresses - Fall Classics For The Woman Who Is Not Dictated By the Trends.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Janice_Wee]Janice Wee

Pink dresses for Fall 2007?

Hey, why not?

Black is big for Fall and Winter 2007. So is gray. A shot of red livens up the sea of gray and black.

Yet all black, or predominantly gray clothes, though versatile, classy and practical, when worn by virtually everyone, looks more like uniform. Predominantly

black or gray outfits that are so popular this season might be easy to wear but they wouldn't turn heads the way a shot of color might.

Red stands out from the sea of neutrals, but not everyone looks great in red. It takes a fair bit of confidence to carry off the color. Also, with red, you would either look like a siren, a vamp, a movie star or a fire engine. If you are afraid of being mistaken for a fire engine but would like to look better

than the uniform-clad woman, try a pink dress.

Why pink?

For one thing, jewel tones are in.

Ruby red, sapphire blue, topaz yellow and amethyst purple would complement this season's blacks and grays beautifully. So would pink sapphire.

Why follow the crowd?

While everyone else wears what the runways dictate, you turn heads with a genuinely pretty color that flatters all women. Dresses in a retro style are another hot look this season. Flamingo pink dresses would look fabulous on a woman with warm skin tones, while fuschia looks wonderful on women with cool skin tones. Strong pinks like these look amazing with black. Wear a glamorous strong pink dress and match that with black accessories for day and metallic accessories for night.

Another look for Fall 2007 is softer. More muted, as seen in the grays and beiges. Your version of that look can be with a pale pink dress. Light pink goes very well with tan or nude accessories as well as with grays and beiges.

You will find [http://www.allpink.info/Pink-Fashion-Dresses.html ]pink dresses for little girls and grown women at

the writer's site http://www.allpink.info

Monday, September 17, 2007

Fall 2007 Fashion - Skirts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Janice_Wee]Janice Wee

What are the skirts to wear from Fall 2007 to Winter 2008.

The runways favor black, gray, metallics and jewel tones. Dresses are seen everywhere under gorgeous coats so where do skirts come in? For one thing, skirt suits are blazing a trail. This season's skirt suits are cinched at the waists with skirts ending slightly above the knee.

That means a skirt that matches your jackets are Fall's best feminine buy where separates are concerned. Make yours black. That way, your new skirt, when paired with a favourite black jacket, would make a great new skirt suit that is just right for Fall 2007. That black skirt would go well with your other tops too and a smart switch of accessories would update it for Spring, Summer and the seasons ahead. That black skirt is a classic, so invest in a great black skirt that would be one of your wardrobe basics.

Skirts don't have to be only about business. A frilly chiffon skirt would go beautifully with matching tops for this season's romantic look. It could be black, red, pink or any color that matches a simple top.

After fall comes winter. Party season. Time for metallics. If your hips are narrow, go for a pouf or full metallic skirt for drama and to give you curves. If your hips are wide, slim them down with a black skirt but a glittery top. Another skirt which is hot for fall is the high waisted skirt. That skirt is wonderful for long torsos. It visually shortens the torso and makes legs look longer in contrast.

Animal prints are hot. This season's animal prints do not look like any particular animal's. I guess designers are sick of animal rights activists barging into their shows with anti-fur protests so they feature prints that are clearly not real fur, so animal protectors know for sure no animal had to give up its life in the name of fashion. A stunning animal print skirt makes you look sexier, and it spices up your look. Your perfect skirt for fall would be something that suits your figure and which you like on sight.

You can find your perfect skirt, or skirts for fall

The writer wrote this article about http://www.cheapestsale.com/fashion/skirt.html

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Beauty Salon, Beauty Salon, Wherefore Art Thou Beauty Salon?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Leanne_M_Kemp]Leanne M Kemp

In the modern world people are more beauty conscious than ever. There is a continuous demand and search for good service providers in this arena. The business for the beauty salon is on the rise, and it is getting more and more difficult to find good salons as per your need. There are number of ways available for you to find a good beauty salon for you. Your choice may depend on many factors some of them may be quality of service provided, types of services provided, distance, cost, goodwill and repute of the salon etc. To find a good beauty salon of your choice, there are two major factors on which you should concentrate your search.

Finding a Beauty Salon

Your hunt for the beauty salon of your choice begins with the distance you want to cover to get the services you desire. For that you can get the help from the local business directories and news papers and magazines. Your daily visits to the workplace and markets do a great help in this regard. Now you will be left with a decent number of beauty salons to look in.

The Next step is to look for the services you want from the beauty salon. Most of the salons concentrate over only few popular services, and it is rare to find a salon which offers you all services under one roof. Your target would narrow down further.

Now it is time for consideration of the company's reputation and good will; in order to find out about this you can go through the Better Business Bureau, which is a business that is dedicated solely to making sure the public is aware of the authenticity and status of companies. Beside that there are number of organizations to guide you in this regard.

You can get the help from your friends, family members and your neighborhood too, to get their opinions on the salons in your list, and this way you will get a precise opinions with regard to the salons. You will be able to gather not only the crucial information about the reputation and the quality of service provided by the salon, but you will be able to get precise ideas about the rates they usually charge to their customers and other bargains available for you.

Another option available is to go there personally once and have a talk with personnel that are working there, this would be ideal way to get the first hand knowledge about the friendliness of staff, as well as the services that they offer there, and other relevant facts like the pricing and all. You may get the chance to interact with the customers there get an idea about the quality of services offered. This would help you to see whether or not you like the place.

Always try to have patience during your research. Sometime it may be frustrating and confusing because there will be so many different salons (thank god you have already prepared your list). It is better to stay calm and get yourself focused on your target while you are checking out the different salons, because after all, one that you choose should the best and convenient for you in all aspects. You are going to be spending a lot of time there for relaxation and beauty purposes, and it should be a place where you can enjoy yourself during the stay.

This is why talking to the staff personally to get the assessment of the staff's personality is important, because you will be there for a long duration of time, and you have the right enjoy the company of the people that are around you.

Leanne Kemp is the Managing Director for [http://www.wotaboutme.com.au/]Wotaboutme. Look online to find a day spa, haircut, aromatherapy massage anywhere in Australia. Perfect for gifts for him or gifts for her. For updates, check out the [http://www.wotaboutme.blogspot.com/]Wotaboutme Blog

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Natural Progesterone Cream The Facts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Emily_Spaulding]Emily Spaulding

The Side Effects of Hormonal Imbalance

Progesterone is a hormone that is associated with a woman�s reproductive cycle. It balances out estrogen. Estrogen and progesterone keep each other in check throughout a woman�s life. Progesterone also acts as a regulator for cortisol and testosterone.

However, as progesterone levels increase with age, estrogen levels get out of whack. Excess estrogen can cause a whole host of problems including insomnia, hair loss, fatigue, decreased sex drive and depression, just to name a few. Cortisol in high levels contributes to stress and testosterone can cause irritability.

Over time, if left alone, these hormones can cause problems with the immune system, bones, muscles and joints.

What is Natural Progesterone Cream?

Natural progesterone cream is a solution for many women who face hormone imbalance. It is made from wild yam and soybean extracts. Wild yam has been clinically proven to increase levels of progesterone in the body. It contains disosgenin, a natural form of progesterone.

Progesterone cream should be applied morning and night. It should be applied gently to the neck, face, chest and upper arms. Some manufacturers recommend applying it to the back of the neck and stomach as well.

The Benefits of using Natural Progesterone Cream

In recent years, traditional chemical hormone replacements have been proven to be ineffective. Progesterone pills and tablets get broken down too quickly by the stomach to be helpful.

Natural progesterone cream has been proven effective, with minimal side effects. The cream gets absorbed through the skin and directly into the blood stream where it can do the most good.

Using the cream can help restore balance to the body. It will also help in supporting the immune system and increase bone building. Studies have even shown that natural progesterone cream reduces the risk of breast cancer.

However, there are some considerations. Progesterone is fat soluble, meaning the fat cells absorb it. Over time, progesterone levels can build up in the body. Women should take care to use the cream in proper amounts and not over do it. A yearly progesterone test can keep their levels in check.

Also, stress, anxiety and poor diet can undo the work of progesterone cream. Using progesterone cream should be part of an over all stress-reduction and health-increasing lifestyle change.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Fun Ideas For Bridal Shower Centerpieces

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith]Christopher W Smith

If you're planning to host a bridal shower soon, you're probably busy preparing a guest list, sending out invitations, and trying to figure out what food to make. A lot of planning goes into bridal showers, even though they typically only last two or three hours. Don't spend your time getting hung up by trying to come up with a creative bridal shower centerpiece idea, because we've already done that for you!

Some of our favorite bridal shower centerpiece ideas include:

1) Let dessert be the center of attention (at least until the bride gets there). Order a decorated cake specially for the shower, using the bridal party colors and theme. Everyone wants to see the cake before it's cut, so give them ample opportunity to do so by putting it at the centre of the table. Decorated cupcakes can be used instead of a cake and may cut down on the messy job of cutting the cake later on.

2) Flowers are always a winner. Simply picking up some flowers at a local store and arranging them in a beautiful vase can make a gorgeous centerpiece for any occasion, including a shower. And you can make the vase a gift for the bride and send centerpiece home with her when the shower is over. She'll have the flowers to remind her of a fun-filled afternoon, and the vase to remind her of your friendship.

3) Candles of any kind. Floating candles are always especially beautiful in centerpieces, and all you really need is a bowl, candles and water. Throw in some decorative stones for some added color if you want. A pillar candle on a glass plate is also a simple but inviting touch.

4) A pair of champagne flutes and a bottle of wine or champagne on a fancy tray make a creative centerpiece for a bridal shower. For an added touch, place some fresh flowers or flower petals on the tray close to the glasses. Ribbons can be placed around the bottle for some additional color. If you wish, the entire centerpiece could be a gift for the bride to take home.

The bridal shower should be fun for the bride, the guests, and for the people throwing the shower! Keep your centerpiece simple and plan it out ahead of time so you don't have to worry about it at the last minute. A festive centerpiece will give your guests something to talk about and will show that you have put a lot of thought and energy into the shower. Now go and have fun planning those silly shower games!

Bridal showers are wonderful moments for every bride-to-be. Visit us today for more creative ideas on [http://www.bridalshowerhq.com/]free printable wedding shower games and [http://www.bridalshowerhq.com/]couples wedding shower invitations.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Are Gift Baskets the Answer For the Stymied Shopper?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_Connors]Brian Connors

Question: What do Gift Baskets have in common with casino's, fine chocolate, coffee, tea, gardening, golf, movies, race cars, spas, romance, spicy food and other passions of mankind?
Answer: Everything!

Say what, you ask? Let me explain. Gift Baskets have a reputation among many that they are simply baskets full of fluff with no inherent drawing power to excite anyone's imagination. They are to these uninformed merely a safety net to fall back on when their minds are in a state of inertia regarding what to buy. I'm here to set the record straight.

Gift Baskets have specific themes to them such as the one's listed above. A tad more initiative taken on the shopper's part could lead him or her to a bounty of ideas that are specific to the interests and hobbies of the gift beneficiary. One could much more easily strike a bulls-eye going precisely toward what stimulates and motivates the lucky guy or gal that they are aiming to please.

Make sense? Are you a stymied shopper approaching the panic mode? Do yourself a favor. Go online to Google, Yahoo, or whatever and type in keywords that are related to your search. The possibilities are too numerous to mention but I�ll name a few. There are golf gift baskets as well as those for gourmet chocolate or coffee, bath and spa, and gift baskets for women and much more �Get the picture?

Pick the right one that's within your budget from a reputable website and have it delivered to who and where you want and by when. This is smart shopping with brilliant execution!

Get out of the funk that you may be in by exploring the myriad gift basket options that are out there to get your shopping duty ducks in a row in record time. Brothers and sisters, life is way too short to do otherwise.

Brian is the owner of Gift Basket Paradise and wishes to share his thoughts regarding a strategic shopping advantage. He invites you to visit his website at http://www.aGiftBasketParadise.com for gift giving ideas.

Friday, September 7, 2007

IVF Pregnancy Risk - Should You Be Worried?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jodi_Panayotov]Jodi Panayotov

So you are finally pregnant after however many heart-wrenching soul-and-budget-destroying tries at IVF.

Is it time to relax? To cut loose, feel normal again, to let your soon-to-be-luxuriant-thanks-to-pregnancy-hormones-hair down? Time to join all the other smug pregnants shopping at Egg and flaunting their bellies at every snatched opportunity?

By all means feel free to try but there are those of us, who, after so much worry and hopelessness, find it hard to stop worrying and rid ourselves of the nagging spectre of doom. After the euphoria of the positive pregnancy test wears off a feeling of anxiety, even fear can replace it.

Oh my God, how am I going to cope with twins/triplets/quads? What if after all this I miscarry? Will my baby/s be normal? Why am I thinking this stuff?

Maybe part of the reason lies with the fact that an IVF pregnancy is illuminated at every step of the way. There�s barely a minute when you aren�t being tested for something and monitored for something else long before you even conceive and beyond, until the end of the first trimester.

Firstly there�s all the blood screening tests then the drug screening tests, the ultrasounds, then when your baby is barely more than a four cell genetic (and oh so cute � looks like DH when he first wakes up) cluster you get to see it on a screen and it gets a rating.

Meantime you are following its progress like you�re the paparazzi and it�s Paris Hilton. You�re obsessed with every detail, how many cells is it now, is it a Grade One or Two, how�s it doing? Is it transfer-worthy? Is it implantation worthy? How�s it doing? It�s only eight cells and you�re turning into an anxious parent mulling over its achievements.

On the day of the transfer, you�re up at dawn, having not slept a wink. After the transfer you feel every little twinge, you don�t want to drive or make any sudden movement in case you dislodge it. You become constipated for fear of it falling out when you go to the toilet.

You cross off not the days but the hours, the minutes, until the pregnancy test. No wonder, by the time you get it, you�re exhausted. Then there is the scan to wait for before it becomes an official positive. You get to see the tiny pole beating. Then, if you�re 35 or over you have the further abnormality testing to get through and another scan at the end of the first trimester.

Meantime the non-fertility challenged woman has had sex, merrily gone on her way probably drinking and generally obliviously enjoying herself. At some stage she realized her period was late and peed on a stick. Oh, OK, I �m pregnant. A couple of months later she rocks up at the obstetrician�s office for her first appointment.

So it�s little wonder the woman experiencing pregnancy after IVF may suffer higher anxiety levels than a non-fertility challenged woman and surprising that more of us don�t end up sedated.

What do the statistics say? Is the IVF pregnancy less likely to succeed? Marginally. There is a higher rate of miscarriage although this is largely due to IVF being prevalent amongst those over 35, where the rates of miscarriage are higher anyway.

There is a higher risk of premature birth but again this is so for multiple pregnancies or older women too. So there is nothing conclusive to say we should worry more but, I say, after all we�ve been through you can hardly blame us, can you?

By Jodi Panayotov, author of 'In Vitro Fertility Goddess' a non-fiction book about her fertility-obsessed absurd journey to motherhood.

The book has been described as "Australia's answer to Bridget Jones" by ABC Radio National Breakfast Presenter Fran Kelly.

To read more on IVF Pregnancy by the author go to http://invitrofertilitygoddess.com

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Re-evaluating Star Jones

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Clara_Freeman]Clara Freeman

Needles to say, I have not always been so kind in print when it comes to Celebrity and their preoccupation with their obviously self indulgences and 'Me' mentality. As a woman, it pains me to see other women, in and out of the spotlight who have not reached the point of authenticity. Women, who act a certain way; present themselves in some fashion because it is what they feel society expects of them. Young Hollywood women are a clear example of this erroneous belief, because they have not come to know themselves. The journey of self discovery for them will be a very arduous road to travel, for sure.

However, when it comes to women of a certain age, women whom I refer to in my column as 'Women In Transition', the bottom line should be; We have nothing to prove. Women , we are mature, decision making adults who must not live life wishing to be liked. Star Jones recently admitted in an essay she'd written for the August issue of Glamour Magazine how she'd lied about having gastric bypass surgery prior to her departure from The View, because she was "embarrassed" and "scared of what people thought of her." I remember watching the TV one morning, shortly after this woman had the surgery. She was allocating vague health and medical interventions as cause for her ever diminishing weight loss...As they say in our world, "even Stevie Wonder could see through that lie."

As a nurse, I'd come to recognize surgical intervention as opposed to exercise and eating right. Star Jones rapid decline in weight suggested that exercise played a very small part, if any, in ridding herself of excess pounds. Taking a page from Al Rokers' book of being upfront and candid about undergoing gastric bypass would have prevented a lot of speculation, jokes and gossip, but, the damage was done and Ms. Jones credibility had come into question. I remember my own disappointment in this sistah who, whether she asked for it or not, was representing for many women of color. I wrote an article on the issue of Star Jones downward spiral into her 'big head me' mentality and an overall ratings failure amongst women on the journey of becoming their authentic selves.

Having read how this woman have reinvented herself. How she has turned another page in the chapter of her life. I can only surmise that it's about time. Women have got to get over themselves. They have got to realize that no amount of self indulgence is going to make you happy and whole. Do not get it twisted, I am all for looking and feeling good about yourself. I love pretty things. Adore smelling good. Playing dress up. Getting my Sexy on! But, I am doing it for myself. I am discovering my authentic self and it does not matter what anyone else thinks about me doing it my way. But, if that guy likes what I am truly about, it's all so good.It was Guy Finley who I lifted this quote after reading and relating to one of his motivational speeches; "Your opinion of me is none of my business." Women, it does not matter whether you are a Celebrity, Homemaker, Freelance Writer, or, Skid row Alumni, once you find your true self worth... What someone else thinks, is just a crap shoot...

Clara B. Freeman is a freelance writer/poet and columnist living in Illinois. An advocate for women, children and the elderly, she counsels from life experiences. You can read her column "Women In Trnsition" at [http://www.alumbo.com]http://www.alumbo.com, or email [mailto:clarabroger@aol.com]clarabroger@aol.com to comment on this article.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Womens Rights

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Calondra_Nelson]Calondra Nelson

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has",author unknown.

United States citizenship for women. 1998 marked the 150th Anniversary of a movement by women to achieve full civil rights in this country. Over the past seven generations, dramatic social and legal changes have been accomplished that are now so accepted that they go unnoticed by people whose lives they have utterly changed. Many people who have lived through the recent decades of this process have come to accept blithely what has transpired. And younger people, for the most part, can hardly believe life was ever otherwise. They take the changes completely in stride, as how life has always been.

The staggering changes for women that have come about over those seven generations in family life, in religion, in government, in employment, in education - these changes did not just happen spontaneously. Women themselves made these changes happen, very deliberately. Women have not been the passive recipients of miraculous changes in laws and human nature.

Seven generations of women have come together to affect these changes in the most democratic ways: through meetings, petition drives, lobbying, public speaking, and nonviolent resistance. They have worked very deliberately to create a better world, and they have succeeded hugely. We to can be apart of something just as big. We can once again unite as women and make a change for the better. Better our lives, our children's lives, and those lives not yet born. Plus we will be bettering the lives of other nations and countries.

We need to stand so that the working mother no longer works for corporate America and our children are not being raised by day care. We have a commitment to make to the future, to better life for all. We can do that by raising our own young. Teaching them values and morales that go way beyond what another would teach them. Unite with us now and join the circle. Be a stay at home mom and make a(n) income doing it. If history repeats itself than, woohoo here we are! http://Callie.GetNetMLMProfits.com

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Aisle Runner Trends

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beth_Martin]Beth Martin

Gone are the days when our streets were made of dirt, and aisle runners were used to protect the bride�s path down the aisle from the dirt and mud her guests would track down the aisle before she arrived. The use of a white aisle runner was symbolic to walking on holy ground.

Today, brides and grooms want the accents of their wedding to stand out and be as unique as they are. Elegance and style are of utmost importance. Today�s trends are to embellish on �the symbolic and the traditional�.

The first time a groom sees his bride in her beautiful dress and veil, walking down the aisle, is still considered one of the most important moments of the wedding day. So, now brides choose runners that suit this momentous occasion!! Modern weddings are using hand-painted runners that can set the mood and create a look of complete elegance. They complete a theme, and create quite a photo opportunity as well.

Brides are choosing colored and hand painted runners. Painted monograms, quotes, and poems are being used to personalize their weddings, along with famous quotes or poems meaningful to the couple. Runners now have crystals added to them to add glitz and silk flowers that give a 3D effect. The possibilities are endless. This is a HUGE trend that employs this dramatic visual as a reminder of the important union taking place.

As in days gone by, to protect the runner from your guests walking on the runner before you do, there are two things you can do. If you want to have your runner already rolled out when your guests arrive, but don�t want anyone to walk on it, place a ribbon across the aisle and allow your guests use the outer aisles to gain access to their seats. OR, you can wait till your guests are seated and attendants have already gone down the aisle and roll the runner out immediately before you-the bride are ready to walk down the aisle. This later method can add even more drama to your arrival!

Submitted by:
Beth Martin http://www.chicuniqueinc.com