Woman Accessories

Tummy Exercise Myths

2008-01-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Our bodies are genetically conditioned on how we lose or gain weight. Interestingly enough, the first place where we gain weight is the last place where we lose it. We cannot reduce only the part we do not like. Once we lose fat from our body, we lose inches everywhere even where we do not want to lose.

The problem with tummy muscles is that we do not generally exercise this muscle in daily life. It is not greatly challenged from climbing stairs, bending, stretching or walking. We, therefore, have to make a special effort to encourage it to come back into line. The movements have to be small and controlled and depend on the effort put in by the exerciser to get really good results. Secondly during pregnancy, as the baby grows inside the muscle (transverse) is pushed forward. A huge amount of stretching is going on and tends to leave the muscle loose and hanging forward after the birth. It is essentially the lack of strength left in this muscle which allows the tummy to sit in that rather round forward position Mothers would recognise from after birth.

In all cases it is the lack of exercise for this muscle which causes it to become loose and give the 'pot bellied' appearance.

Myth No. 1: By doing some midsection exercises one can reduce 'love handles'.

Fact: You cannot reduce fat from a certain targeted area of your body just by using exercise alone. And the abdominal area is no exception. So if you want to get a flat stomach and to reveal your abs, losing the fat covering them is the way to go. And the only way to do this is to lose fat proportionately from your entire body by burning more calories than you consume.

Myth No. 2: You have to do tons of crunches.

Fact: Overuse of crunches will only shorten your abs, pull your head forward and gives you a bad posture. To reduce fat in your bodies, you need to do cardio exercise and eat nutritious foods in reasonable amounts. In simple language 'burn more calories than you consume.' The cardio helps to burn that stored fat and the lower calorie diet forces the body to use the accumulated fat for energy.

In addition, the crunches and a total body workout (with weight training) helps the body to increase muscle mass. Muscles burn fat; fat does not burn itself so, the more muscle we have, the more fat our body uses for energy, so we lose weigh faster. If you only do crunches, you will develop your abdominal muscles and strengthen them. This will reflect in better posture and less back problems, but you will not be able to see your abdominal muscles because they will be covered with fat

Myth No. 3: Exercise is more important that nutrition.

Fact: Diet is one of the key factor when trying to get a flat tummy. Plan your nutrition in advance, to avoid dietary downfalls. Focus on protein, green vegetables, fiber-rich fruits, and zero calorie drinks such as Green Tea and water. Avoid all sugar.

Myth No. 4: You must do train your tummy every day

Fact:You don't need to do direct tummy training every day. Instead, train them twice per week and use non-conventional exercises such as Mountain Climbers and Stability Ball Jackknives to reduce the stress on your low back. Avoid the overuse of crunches and sit-ups in your training program. Instead, beginners, should focus on abdominal endurance with planks and side planks, and work up to more advanced exercises, but still avoid doing hundreds of crunches lying on your back.

Concentrate on increasing daily incidental activity. Reduce the use of labour saving devices like remote controls etc. Rearrange the house or office environment so that it is physically inefficient making movement mandatory. Try standing or, even better, pacing when chatting on the phone. Park further away from the entrance of a shop, and use the stairs instead of the elevator. ...source: www.womenfitness.net

Hair Tips For The Winter Months

2008-01-15T11:23:00.001-08:00

We have learned how to help protect our skin in winter, but very few product lines show us exactly how to help protect our hair. A dedicated winter rescue for dry, static, flyaway hair seems not only wise, but also mandatory.

"Cold weather dries out hair more quickly because there is less humidity in the air," says Sarah Kemp, spokesperson for the Pantene Pro-V "Winter Rescue Renewal" regime. "This dryness, combined with the cold makes hair brittle and susceptible to breakage. Wind can tangle the hair and cause individual strands to rub together, potentially damaging the cuticle layer, weakening the hair shaft, leading to damage".

* Here are some pointers

Few little things that you can do to protect your hair. I have listed some of my favorites and I hope that they will help you... until the warmer weather sets in.

* Use the appropriate shampoo and conditioner.

Some fab winter hats, from chic caps to the return of the beret, are being showcased in this year's fall and winter fashion collections. But this must-have seasonal accessory can cause static electricity and rebellious hair. Using a nourishing shampoo and an enriched conditioner will help lock in moisture and reduce static.

* Use conditioning products before using heated styling tools.

A gel or mousse alone isn't enough to protect the hair. If you normally use a gel before blow-drying, apply a repair cream, heat-protecting cream or leave-in conditioner first. Use it sparingly, especially on the ends, but don't forget it. You don't want to make your hair heavy or gunky, but more importantly, you don't want hot rollers applied directly to the ends of your unprotected hair.

* Shower in cold water

It's tempting to take a long hot shower, but the extra heat can dry out your hair, making it more prone to damage. Rinsing your hair with cold water after shampooing and conditioning helps keep moisture in, giving your hair extra shine.

* Reduce your use of styling appliances

Winter cold robs hair of its vital moisture, leaving it dry, brittle and more susceptible to frizz and static. Blow dryers and curling irons can harm dehydrated hair, leading to further damage. Keep your use of these styling appliances to a minimum and every week give your hair a special moisturizing treatment.* Don't go out with wet hair!To avoid damaging your hair, you've opted not to blow dry but now you should stay indoors until your hair is completely dry. Believe it or not, damp hair can freeze and break when exposed to cold winter weather.* Get your hair trimmed.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but it's not always easy to fit more frequent haircuts into a busy schedule. Dryness starts from the ends. If you normally get your hair cut every 10 weeks, get it cut in eight weeks. If you usually trim your hair every six weeks, get it trimmed monthly. ... source:www.theworldwidegourmet.com

Enjoy the winter! Brrrrr...

Adjusting Your Skin Care To Fit Your Age

2008-01-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

How to optimize your skin care to fit your age? This issue raises both much interest and much confusion. Some experts declare that the need to adapt a skin care routine to fit a particular age is marginal because the essential physiology of the skin does not change all that much. Others assert that your skin care routine should account for every hormonal change in the body, especially those associated with aging.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The core mechanisms of skin physiology are the same at any age. Yet, many things do change, including metabolic rate, cell turnover rate, hormonal levels, accumulation of damaged cells and molecular garbage, prevalence of inflammation and so forth. Taking those into account is likely to provide extra benefits.

Byological Vs. Chronological Age

The age of your skin should be judged based on biological factors rather than simply your date of birth. Biological and chronological age are rarely very far apart but they are not the same. The rate of aging varies among people due to genetic and lifestyle differences. The variation in the rate of skin aging is particularly high (compared to other tissues) because the skin is more exposed to the environment. When optimizing your skin care, you can use your chronological age as a starting point but you should also take into account biological factors that may have affected your rate of aging. For example, if you are in your twenties but your skin has suffered a lot of sun damage, you may benefit from the anti-wrinkle treatments (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A) that are otherwise best used later in life. If you are undergoing early menopause in your late thirties, you might benefit from topical estrogens and/or progesterone even though such treatment are typically contemplated in late forties.

You Need The Basics At Any Age

A number of basic practices are essential for optimal skin care at any age. Skipping them is likely to undermine the rest of your routine. Make sure you protect your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage. Establish a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. Then determine whether you need any age-specific steps . ..source:www.smartskincare.com

Designer handbags - just one click away

2008-01-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Usually, in order to buy a clothing item, or even an accessory, you have to go through many boutiques, and spend a lot of money. Now, with the help of the Internet, you can buy the items such as handbags at lower prices, from the comfort of your own home .

There is no doubt that, at least one time in her life, every woman has dreamt to own a beautiful, perfect handbag, made by some famous designer. However, just a few of them can actually say that they have truly realized that dream. The majority of them have to settle with cheaper copies, something that resembles their dream designer handbags, or just with the dream of actually owning such expensive items.

Nevertheless, there are some other alternatives to buy all sorts of designer handbags at a very convenient price. The most simple and comfortable way is to order them online. This method does not require a lot of time. In addition, it is very convenient, because you do not have to go anywhere.

Usually, the shipping of the ordered products is free, depending on the location, and the payment procedure is very simple. You can pay either with your credit card or with cash when you receive the ordered handbags. Therefore, you do not have to put a lot of effort into buying such items. All you have to do is to order the ones you like the most and wait until we will ship deliver them to the address with which you will provide us.

What is more, the items from the latest handbag collections are available in just a couple of days after their official release. All handbags come with a certificate of authenticity that guarantees the fact that all products are designer handbags and not just copies. However, the available collections usually display the specific signature of famous designer's houses. Subsequently, you can consider you have made a reliable investment into quality accessories for your outfit. The point is that you can choose from an impressive variety of designer handbags that have the signature of famous designers such as Fendi, Gucci, Miu Miu, Chloe, Dior, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs or even Prada.

To make the offer even more attractive, there are daily discounts for different products. Moreover, even if the prices are lower then the ones you would usually find displayed by the regular stores, there are also different offers that vary each day.

The price of these products is so low because the shipping of such handbags takes place directly from the manufacturers, and the providers include special offers. This is an additional guarantee of the reliability if the accessories we are able to provide. Moreover, because of that, you can now buy your favorite handbags at incredibly attractive prices.

Of course, if you want to stay update with all the offers and discounts, you can subscribe to a newsletter. In this manner, you will receive, each day, an e-mail with news concerning new products, discounts and news about your favorite products. This is the easiest way to purchase your dream handbags, ata very convenient price, without compromising their quality or anything else, for that matter. There is no need to hesitate any longer. Accessorize your outfit with the appropriate designer handbag, purchased in considerably cost-effective conditions. ...source:http://fileblogs.com

Winter Wedding Dress

2008-01-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

The bride planning a winter wedding has a greater flexibility when it comes to choosing a winter wedding dress. Cold weather brides can choose to wear the same types of strapless or halter dresses summer brides wear, but they can also wear fur trimmed or long sleeved styles that would make summer brides uncomfortable.

COVERING UP

Many brides choose to wear summer styles for a winter wedding. Sure, strapless wedding dresses are all the rage right now, and they do look nice, but how can a bride enjoy herself when she's shivering? If you will be wearing a style that doesn't offer any protection from the cold, it will be in your best interests to wrap yourself in something warm. A white faux fur or velvet wrap, shrug, shawl or hooded cape looks stunning a top a white wedding dress. Some brides even go for color and choose a red velvet or velour stole to wear over their wedding dresses. Those who go with a long flowing cape, may choose to wear a hood instead of a traditional veil or headpiece.

WINTER WEDDING DRESS STYLES

There are some beautiful winter wedding dress styles to choose from as well. Many dresses come with long sleeves. A thick satin dress or one made of white velvet or velour would rival those summer styles and in fact, may even look more elegant and formal. A style with faux fur trim around the sleeves and collar will simply look stunning.

WHERE TO FIND

Since most brides are opting to go the strapless or sleeveless route, winter wedding dresses aren't as plentiful as their summer time counterparts. If you find pictures of winter wedding dresses in bridal magazines, you may want to call bridal salons in your area to see if they carry the dress. Many will order one for you if they don't have it in stock. You might also find a winter wedding dress online. Keep in mind however, that when you purchase a wedding dress online, you don't have the benefit of being able to see the dress in person. You can't examine it for flaws, nor can you try it on. Make sure you're able to return the dress within a certain amount of time, say thirty to sixty days, if it doesn't fit properly or has flaws.

You can also have a winter wedding dress made for you. If you have a particular style in mind, discuss it with your seamstress. She may either know of a pattern or be able to make a pattern for you.

DRESS IN SEASON

If you're getting married in the winter, why would you want to wear a summer gown? Dress according to the season by choosing a winter wedding dress. You'll look stunning as you walk down the aisle in stunning velvet or faux fur. Sparkly jewelry will add an "icicle" effect to your outfit. Best of all, you won't look like every other bride getting married during the winter months. ...article source:http://weddings.lovetoknow.com

Breast Enlargement for Big Breasts

2007-12-15T12:07:00.001-08:00

The breasts are made up of mammary glands and fatty tissue. The pectorals muscles hold breasts. Your breast has a nipple at its center surrounded by a dark area, called the areola. As your body starts to develop during puberty, a small bump grows under the areola and nipple. As your breasts develop, the bud and nipple get bigger and the areola darker. Your breasts will attain their full size (natural breasts) in 3-5 years from the time your breasts start growing.

Every woman has a predetermined breast size. Some girls have small breasts and some big breasts. Your heredity is the most important factor in determining breast shape and size. Due to hormone imbalances as a result of poor eating habits, lack of minerals and vitamins, excessive stress and lack of exercise, you may have poor breast development during puberty.

Your breast may become bigger if you gain weight, and your breasts may become smaller, if you lose weight. No breast enlargement cream or breast enlargement pill can change the breast size. However, some breast enlargement creams or pills claim to supply phytoestrogens isoflavone to regulate female hormones and show beneficial effects.

Breast enhancement exercise is to keep your pectorals muscles that support your breasts in good shape. This will give your breasts a good cleavage, firmer shape and lift. ....Article Source: breast-pills.be Picture Source:denverbreast.com

Detoxification For Health & Wellness

2007-12-15T01:45:00.001-08:00

Detoxification is something our bodies do on a daily basis. It is the process of eliminating toxins through the five eliminatory channels:

Liver
Colon
Lungs
Kidneys
Lymph
Skin

In the world we live in today, with polluted water, air and food, our bodies regularly get overloaded with substances that do not support our body - toxins! Our bodies become overloaded and are over-burdened with eliminating toxins. So many undesirable substances stay our bodies.

Surrounding these substances with mucous and fat is one way our system tries to shield us from these invading substances. a good portion is stored in our fat deposits!

A detoxification program is a good way of assisting our body to eliminate and neutralize these harmful toxins.

Let us look at the 5 organs for detoxification:

Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and plays a crucial role in maintaining normal metabolism and detoxifying the body.

Colon

Disease begins in the colon. The colon is responsible for both carrying wastes out of the body and nourishing the body. Nutrients are absorbed in the colon. So if your body is storing toxins and excess mucous they will be stuck to the intestinal walls of the colon. Making it very hard for your body to absorb the required nutrients and eliminate the wastes traveling through the colon.

Lungs

Your lungs are responsible for helping your body get the required oxygen it needs by processing the air we breathe. The lungs are one of the first organs to intake toxins. A cold is usually a sign that your body is trying to rid itself of toxins and waste matter that has built up to the point of overwhelming your immune system.

Kidneys

The kidneys play an important role as a filter for the body as well. Water is vital to helping the kidneys do their job. The average person eliminates approximately 5 pints of water a day. Drinking adequate water is essential.

Lymph

The lymphatic system carries a clear fluid which contains excess proteins, wastes, and other elements. This fluid called lymph surrounds the cells of our body to bring them nourishment and carry wastes out of the body.

Unlike the blood, the lymph does not have the heart to pump it through the body. It must rely on the movement of the body and stimulation.

Skin

o End your cravings for habit-forming substances such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs.

As mentioned earlier, the skin is the largest organ of the body.
There are several benefits of detoxification:

1. Increase your energy by removing toxins that wear you down.
2. Shrink your stomach to its normal size, making it easier to control the quantity of food eaten.
3. Boost your mental clarity by flushing away chemicals, food additives and preservatives.
4. Break your bad eating habits to achieve or maintain your desired weight.
5. Lose weight. A detox program is the first step to safe and effective weight loss.
6. Cleanse your digestive tract of accumulated waste and bacteria.
7. Purify all your major organs allowing you to function at your best.
8. Reduce cellulite, allergies, acne and obesity safely and naturally.

o What is a good Detox program?

A Good Detoxification program should be designed to help the body cleanse itself of toxins, mucus, and waste materials in the intestinal tract and liver, kidneys, and blood, thus helping your body function better. This not only restores new energy to your vital organs, but to the entire body as well. Source: diet-article.com

Bad hair days

2007-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

1. Heat damage

Caused by too much blow-drying and straightening. If you need to blow-dry your hair into style, try to wash it less often. That way you won't need to blow-dry as often. Towel dry your hair before blasting and invest in a deep conditioning treatment and use it fortnightly. Try wearing your hair back at least once a week to give it a break. Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends, and keep the hairdryer at least 6 inches from your head when drying.

2. Horrible cut

If you didn't complain at the time and get them to fix it, you can do one of two things:
Accept it - wear it up/ back or under a scarf, hat or wig until it grows out,
Get it cut again - Go to another salon (if you are rich) or a model cut (if you are not) and get them to fix the cut for you.
Whatever you do, make sure the stylist does what you ask next time.

3. Home dying disaster

It's gone green: or pink or any colour it shouldn't have. This is a job for the pros. If you've not got the cash for them then try getting an appointment for a model colour at a reputable hairstylist. They are usually free/cheap but do mention your problem when you ring up, as some may not help you. If it's chlorine that's made it green, ask your chemist for a chlorine removing shampoo, and try wearing a swimming hat in the future.
My highlights are too obvious: Go to a salon and get them to put a colour wash/toner over your hair, or convert half the highlights into lowlights. In future remember to use a toner when highlighting.
It's patchy: Put it under a headscarf, dash out to the chemists and buy some more, and apply with supervision - If you dye your hair yourself, it is advisable to have someone around who can check you've covered all your hair, or better still do it for you. This is especially vital when you have very long or very thick hair. In these cases it is worth buying two or three bottles of dye to make sure you have plenty to cover it all.
The colour faded really fast: This is often because of prelightening the hair before dying it, and is especially problematic for reds and bright 'fun colours'. You sometimes find that semi-permanents hold best on bleached hair, and using a shampoo especially for coloured hair can help to retain the dye. As for fixing the fade, dye it again, but if you must use a permanent, make sure you condition your hair well afterwards and continue to do so.
The colour isn't what I wanted: Ask your chemist for a colour-removing product which will take the dye out (but remember, they contain bleach). Alternatively you could try using a semi-permanent dye to cover up the problem and then try a permanent one when that one fades. If in doubt visit your hairdresser for advice or call the helpline on your hair dye box.

4. Poodle locks (bad perms)

It didn't take: probably due to incorrect processing. Wait a few days, then go to a professional and get a hair analysis before getting a re-perm.
I look like a poodle: Comb conditioner from roots to ends on frizzy tight curls ASAP, wait five minutes then rinse it off. Set your hair on large rollers and let it dry naturally. If this doesn't work, go to a salon that offers the reverse perm.

5. It just won't behave

There is no way it's going to look like you stepped out of a salon today, so either go for a hat or headscarf or do the following:

Long: Smooth some de-frizz serum in it and pull it back into a tight ponytail, plait or bun depending on how bad it's being
Short: Either throw some wax in it and carry off the ultimate bed head style or twist sections and clip them in place. If it's long enough you could plait it anyway you like.......source: thesite.org

Fashion New Year's Resolutions

2007-12-12T03:33:00.001-08:00

Get Ready Now to Make Fashion Work for You All Year!

Learn some basic things you can do in your closet and at all the mall to get your wardrobe on track for the coming year.

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to look better, fashion is a great way to achieve that. Going through your closet, learning what works for you, and following through will help you feel better about yourself in the coming year. Here are some tips to follow to make your resolution a success.

Begin the work at home. Clean out your closet and drawers. Go through everything you own and separate it into what you will keep, what you will throw away, and what you will give away. Purging your closet will likely give you a lift you are no longer saddled with clothes you never wear. When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, ask yourself some basic questions:Do I love it? Does it fit me? Does it look good on me? Does it make me feel good about myself? Am I comfortable in it? You want to be able to answer yes to all the questions. You don't want clothes that make you feel self conscious or cause you to always be yanking at the hem line or itching your arms.
Once you have purged your wardrobe, organize your closet and drawers. Put clothes in logical groups. Sweaters in one section, summer shirts in another, winter shoes near the sweaters, and so on. And in your drawers, separate out your underwear from your bras and socks. It seems common sense, but many people simply toss in their clothes after washing and then struggle to find what they want when they are in the morning crunch time trying to get dressed.
After your home is organized, do some research to discover what looks best on your body type. Look at styles in fashion magazines and online, or go to a department store and enlist the help of a personal shopper. Identify what type of body you have (straight, apple, pear, hourglass) and then find out what cuts of fabric do the most for you. For example, women with broad shoulders should avoid wide-collared shirts or short puffy sleeves. This will help you while you are shopping to quickly limit down the choices.
After you know what styles look best on you, learn what brand names work best with your body. Some designers are more conscious of women with small busts, while others assume that your top is full. Don't waste your time browsing through clothing that will never look as good on you as someone else. And don't get down on yourself about your "flaws". Clothing is cut for different shapes and sizes. If one doesn't work for you, another will. No one person has a body that looks good in every clothing fashion.
After discovering the brand names that work for you, narrow down the stores that are most tailored to your style and age. While there might be a number of styles that suit you, they may not all suit your taste. Also, some clothing that fits you well may not be age appropriate. Looking too young or old for your age is usually distracting and not nearly as flattering as dressing in something that is more true to your stage in life.
Once you have all the above done, it's time to go shopping! Buy key pieces to have a strong foundation for your wardrobe. Basic pairs of pants and tops that not only look great on your body and also fit in your closet will start you off on the right foot this year, whether it's in four-inch heels or soft brown leather saddle shoes.

These tips can help you not just begin a new year but any time you want to make a fresh start with your clothing. (...source: suite101.com)

Check Out! Design Editions: Gap's New Euro Must Have

Natural Skin Care

2007-12-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

Healthy skin is the result of several factors: a healthy diet, right amount of exercise, good skin care practices, a positive outlook, and a relaxed mind. Lots of people at present are conscious of their health and are deciding on using the natural approach in dealing with their health issues. They are now making their own personalized products to treat and take care of their skin. They make use of organic materials to mix their own skin solutions. Actually, it is to their advantage that they are the ones to make them because at least they know what goes in it and how their skin reacts to those ingredients. There are several products in the market that causes an allergic reaction on the skin, and even costs really high. By creating your own product, you lessen the risk of allergy formation as well as save money.

Eating a healthy diet is also vital to having radiant skin. You should at least eat five servings of fruit and vegetable everyday to cleanse the body of toxins that may affect your metabolism. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables to choose from, each with their own contribution. If you are not used to eating these kinds of food, you can try to look for one that appeals to your palate.

Drinking water is also important to keep the skin healthy, supple and soft. Almost all natural skin care recipes require water for externally cleaning the skin and for regular consumption. It helps a lot when the required amount of water, about eight glasses a day, is followed. After using this therapy for several days, you will be noticing differences in the way your skin feels and how your body functions.

Drinking an herb based tea can help hydrate the skin and at the same time get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. There are several examples of teas that greatly promote healthy skin and body function. The examples are black alder, used for skin eruptions, bergamot tea which cleanses the body system, burdock, dandelion, horsetail, nettles, oat straw, sarsaparilla, stevia, and yellow dock.

Herbs for the Skin and Hair:

Black alder (for skin eruptions)
Bergamot tea ( cleanses the system)
Burdock
Dandelion
Horsetail
Nettles
Oat straw
Sarsaparilla
Stevia
Yellow dock

Regular exercise enhances blood circulation necessary to maintain healthy skin. Most people find exercise to be a burden. Try to look for a type of exercise that you can enjoy doing since it will be easier for you to do it regularly. Exercise also relieves stress and helps in having a healthy mental disposition. These are the all ingredients you need for better looking skin.

Unique Wedding Themes: Black and Gold Wedding Theme

2007-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Consider a wedding with a black and gold theme to it. Stunning, dazzling and very elegant, it's a wonderful choice of colors with many decorating options.

Wedding Attire

Bride's Attire

There is no fast rule that says you have to wear white. In fact, up until the time of Queen Victoria, nobody wore white as a wedding dress! Instead, choose a beautiful satin gown in gold. Keep it simple and elegant. Accent the gown with simple gold jewelry and a gold tiara instead of a veil.

Bridesmaids

For contrast, have your bridesmaids wear black with gold accents, such as a draped sheer gold scarf or gold embroidery along the hemline. Gold and black ribbons woven into their hair would look gorgeous or have their hair sprayed with gold glitter hairspray for sparkle.

Groom and Groomsmen

Simple black suits or tuxedos with a black hanky trimmed with gold in their pocket (rather than a boutonniere).

Wedding Invitations
Black invitations with gold lettering would look stunning.

Wedding Decorations
With a black and gold color scheme for your wedding, you'll want to keep the decorations understated and simple. Accenting is the key here. Here are some ideas which you could use:

Use tall black and gold helium balloon bouquets as decorations near doorways, food tables and corners of the room.
Hang gold foil stars hung from the ceiling which will reflect the lights and "twinkle"
Paint some bare tree branches in black and some in gold. Secure in sand filled pots. Add clear twinkle lights to the branches
Drape the front of serving tables and the head table with gold colored tulle. Secure each loop at the table edge with a black and gold satin bow.
Use candles on serving tables, desert tables, etc. for added ambience. If you can afford it, place round mirrors under the candles to reflect the light.

Table Decor and Centerpieces

Use black tablecloths instead of white. Sprinkle the centers with gold colored confetti. If you can buy some fairly inexpensive tablecloths, you may even wish to draw a swirled star design in the centers with gold glitter fabric pens.
For table centerpieces, you could use a clear or black bowl filled with water and add gold colored floating candles.
For flower centerpieces, create an arrangement of lilies, spray roses, and freesia in all shades of yellow in a tall, gold colored vase.
Place 3 black shiny metal or ceramic candle holders on a mirror in the middle of the guest tables and insert gold dripless taper candles of different lengths for a simple, yet elegant arrangement.
Cut out black paper silhouettes of people or items to use as place cards. Write the guest's names on the place cards in gold glitter pen.
Fill clear, uniquely shaped vases with gold and black colored sand in varying patterns. Place between two taper candles on the tables.

Wedding Favors

Everyone loves chocolate. Present your guests with a small box of Godiva chocolates in a gold favor box wrapped with a black ribbon.
Fill miniature black top hat and cane favors with mints or candies.
Wrap 2 or 3 floating gold and black colored candles in tulle. Tie with gold and black curled ribbons.

Hair Extensions

2007-12-01T05:09:00.001-08:00

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HAIR EXTENSIONS

So you've got the all-new look, you've got the long gorgeous mane you've always wanted to have, and you're feeling like a total goddess thanks to your longer locks. But they're not going to stay beautiful unless you really make the effort to take care of them. Your extensions might not be your real hair, but that doesn't mean you should just neglect them. We've got hair extension care tips for you right here, so take the time to check them out.

First and foremost, you have to keep your hair clean. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner or better yet, ask your stylist what kind of products would work best your hair and your extensions. When taking a shower, it's recommended that you gradually wet your hair instead of putting on the full pressure of water on your head right away, which could cause a lot of tangling.

Going to the pool or the beach? Feel free to toss around your newly-lengthened tresses while you're frolicking in the sand or lounging around beside the pool. But when the time comes for you to take a dip, tuck your hair under a swim cap. Chemicals and saltwater can do great damage to your hair. Wash your hair afterwards in case some of these seeped into your cap during your swim.

Don't worry about putting your hair in buns, braids and ponytails. Your hair will still hold up when styled in different ways. Just make sure you use some good clips and bands which won't stretch out your hair.

If you're going to style your hair, remember not to use too much heat because it could turn your hair frizzy. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and let it air-dry afterwards. If you really must use a hair dryer, go with ionic dryers for best results.

An important reminder for you would be to stay away from coloring or perming your hair yourself. As always, consult your salon first and leave all treatments in their hands.

Following these simple tips will keep your extensions looking nice and natural. Best of all, you will get to keep your goddess-like locks for a longer period of time!

Also see: Natural Bristle Hair Brush?

Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally - for a Soft, Supple, Glowing Complexion

2007-11-27T06:27:00.000-08:00

As we age, exfoliation is vital for smooth, supple, healthy skin; however it is the one step that is commonly skipped in a skincare regimen.

Exfoliation

To loosen, remove and slough away dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Our skin continually exfoliates itself, a naturally occurring process that slows down as we age. Administering a mechanical (sugar, salt, crushed nuts, luffa, pumice, etc.) or chemical (fruit enzymes, salicylic & glycolic acid, etc.) exfoliation helps to accelerate the process. This article will cover natural mechanical exfoliation.

Benefits

Exfoliating exposes the supple layer of smooth skin and promotes new cell regeneration. Usually, a single treatment will produce results; your skin will be soft, smooth and free of, or display less dry patches and rough spots. During and after a treatment the pores can be more thoroughly cleansed and skin is properly prepared and more receptive in receiving skincare products. Select an exfoliation product that fits your skin type; this may differ throughout your body.

Facial Exfoliation

Gentle natural facial exfoliation products may contain mild clays, soothing colloidal oatmeal, soft fruit seeds & powders, herbs and other non-abrasive ingredients. A natural exfoliating facial masque can be quite soothing for tender skin.

When choosing a cleanser or scrub, take care not to over work/scrub your face. Begin with wet skin and apply the product using a light pressure, moving around the face and neck in a gentle circular motion being careful not to tug or pull on the skin. Do not use around the delicate eye area.

Below the Neck

A good multi-tasking exfoliating product for the rest of the body is a sugar scrub, which can also be used for shaving your legs. Sugar Scrubs will not burn if you have any little nicks or cuts, as a salt scrub would. You would not want to use a salt scrub for shaving. The smaller the granules, the easier it will be on your skin and of the two, sugar is better suited for sensitive or delicate skin.

A natural scrub with an oil base not only exfoliates, but also conditions and moisturizes the skin, which eliminates the need to apply moisturizer afterwards. When choosing a natural sugar scrub, look for healthy ingredients including organic sugar, cold pressed oils and essential oils; avoid products made with fragrance oils. If you find the scrub you are using leaves you feeling more moisturized than you would like, simply give a quick wash after you have exfoliated. A bath mat is suggested when using oil based products.

Feet

While it is perfectly fine to use your body scrub on your feet, it is also okay to use a product with an intensified scrubbing action, should you have extra dry or harder skin there. Ground pumice, luffa and finely crushed nuts, such as walnuts or almonds are all good natural choices for feet.

Length of time between Treatments

Refer to the product label instructions, keeping in mind that they are common guidelines, every one's skin may respond differently to the same treatment. Listen to your skin, if it feels sore or raw after a treatment, stop using it immediately. People with sensitive facial skin may only want to exfoliate one or twice per month with a very gentle natural product. The rest of your body may do well with a weekly treatment, again if this is too often for your skin type, cut back to a couple times each month. Take charge of and personalize your own beauty care regimen, make sure that it suits you.

Design Editions: Gap's New Euro Must Have

2007-11-27T01:12:00.001-08:00

Paris - One new line seemingly sure to be a commercial and critical success is Gap Design Editions, a capsule collection for the global retailer by French designer Pierre Hardy that was unveiled this week in Paris.

Part Asia Zen, part French chic, part little pain at the cash register for lots of panache, the mini collection is one good reason for inveterate North American shoppers to cross The Pond; Gap Design Editions, you see, is only available in Europe.

Gap had already launched Hardy's debut trio of women's looks for fall/winter 2007/2008, which hit retail shelves on November first in the UK. But this week in Paris, Gap presented a fuller collection of spring/summer 2008 models, which will retail for prices ranging up from 55 pounds Sterling, or $110 at current exchange rates.

The debut trio featured a low cut, slim line pointy slipper style ideas in black patent, gold Napa or two-tone leather; ballet flats with buckled cut-outs in hues like petrol blue or berry red; and super black patent leather platforms with square buckles, mid way between Edith Piaf and posh punk.

"Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing my creations. And I have to admit that does not happen every day of the week on the street. I would not have done this project just for any price. But I know the people who take care of design at Gap and I knew they would not distort my style," Hardy told FWD.

The fuller spring/summer 2008 selection seen in a Marais showroom expands to include some great Geisha looks in naïve floral blue fabrics with wooden sides, bulky wooden platforms with sturdy olive hued cotton straps and sea view villa owning rock star sandals in aged gold. All of them looked great and as if they cost twice the price: in a word, hip realism at a bearable cost.

"The idea was to respect my standards of quality, even at that price. In return, I integrated the price restriction and a certain realism, like not making too high heels… In the end, having limits proved to be stimulating," added Hardy, one of the world's most acclaimed shoe designers, who first grabbed attention in the Eighties, creating footwear for Christian Dior.

Oddly, though Gap initially announced that the new line would be named Gap by Pierre Hardy, the collection has ended up with the title Gap Design Editions.

Hardy also created some neat men's looks including very natty all white canvas and suede sneakers, Roman Ibiza sandals and classical gents Portofino aperitivo leather loafers – to be worn without socks, naturalmente.

Gap has previously collaborated with hipster designers like Roland Mouret, who created some rather swish looks for the retail chain. Gap also used Hardy in its European ad campaign, shot by Mikael Jansson, who focused on iconic Gap products worn also by Amanda Harlech, Iman and Coco Rocha.

Hardy, who has also designed men's and women's shoes for Hermes, launched his own label in 1999, adding men's shoes two years later, and opened his first Pierre Hardy store in Paris in 2003. Currently, Hardy is also responsible for the shoe collection of Balenciaga, whose show invitation is probably the most exclusive in the world of high-end runways.

How to Breastfeed

2007-11-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

As natural as nursing is, it can prove difficult for some women. We show you how to get it right.

A mother nursing her baby -- it's one of the most beautiful images nature could create. It's also one of the simplest. Breastfeeding is so natural, in fact, that we've been doing it for millions of years. (Indeed, without it, the human race wouldn't have survived.)

But don't be fooled: For some women, the first few days or weeks of breastfeeding are a challenge. "Breastfeeding is natural, but it's a practiced skill, almost an art form," says Corky Harvey, R.N., M.S., a lactation consultant and co-owner of The Pump Station, a breastfeeding-support center in Santa Monica, Calif. "You could read a book about playing the flute and learn a lot about the instrument," she explains, "but you won't really learn how to play the flute until you actually do it." Breastfeeding is no different. As with learning to play a musical instrument, success comes from a combination of motivation, knowledge of essential skills, and practice.


latch: step a		latch: step b

And as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Use the photos here as your guide to the techniques and positions you need to know for successful breastfeeding.


latch: step c		latch: step d

The latch
Any good lactation consultant will tell you: Latching is everything. Here's how to do it:

Position the baby on her side so she is directly facing you, with her belly touching yours. Next, prop up the baby with a pillow, if necessary, and hold her up to your breast; don't lean over toward her.
Place your thumb and fingers around your areola (see step a).
Tilt your baby's head back slightly and tickle her lips with your nipple until she opens her mouth wide (see step b).
Help her "scoop" the breast into her mouth by placing her lower jaw on first, well below the nipple (see step c).
Tilt her head forward, placing her upper jaw deeply on the breast. Make sure she takes the entire nipple and at least 1 1/2 inches of the areola in her mouth (see step d).

THE HOLDS

1. cradle
Position your baby on your forearm, her head in the crook of your arm. Support her bottom with your other hand. Pull her in close to you, belly to belly, with her ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line.


Cradle		Football

2. football
While useful for all women, this position is particularly helpful for mothers who have had a Cesarean section. Place your baby on a pillow, tucked close to your side. Rest your arm on the pillow to bring your baby's mouth up to your breast; support her head with your hand.


Side-lying

3. side-lying
This position is also helpful if you had a C-section or want to rest while nursing your baby. Lie on the side you will be breastfeeding on. Place your head on a pillow and draw your baby in close to you, using your arm to support her bottom. Use your other hand to bring your breast up to baby's mouth.

Study: Eating fish in pregnancy boosts baby's brainpower

2007-10-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) Children whose mothers ate at least three servings of fish a week during pregnancy had higher scores in tests of mental function in their early years.

That's the conclusion of a new British-American study that conflicts with advice on fish consumption for pregnant women given by U.S. government agencies.

"For the baby's development, at the level of 12 ounces a week during pregnancy, the beneficial effects of the nutrients in fish far outweigh the risk," said Dr. Joseph Hibbeln. He is a clinical investigator at the U.S. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and lead author of a report on the study in the Feb. 17 issue of the journal The Lancet.

That assessment contradicts advice given by two U.S. agencies, the Environmental Protection Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, which issued an advisory in 2004 telling pregnant women to avoid eating more than 340 grams of fish about 12 ounces a week because of the danger of mercury poisoning.

The new study found that maternal seafood intake during pregnancy of less than 340 grams a week was associated with increased risk of children being in the bottom 25 percent of verbal IQ at 8 years of age and with suboptimum performance on tests of social behavior, fine motor activity, communication, and social development.

Hibbeln said the FDA and the EPA have been briefed on the results of the study.

Suzanne Ackerman, a spokeswoman for the EPA, said, "We looked at all the relevant information before issuing the guidelines. It is much too early to say whether one study will change the guidelines."

Veronica Castro, an FDA spokeswoman, said, "We have made no changes to our current information regarding pregnant women and seafood consumption."

The new study followed the children of 11,875 women living in Bristol, England, who had expected delivery dates between April 1991 and December 1992. The women were sent postal questionnaires about their diet four times during pregnancy and then periodically afterward about their children's social and developmental outcomes.

"We noted that children of mothers who ate small amounts (less than 340 grams per week) of seafood were more likely to have suboptimum neurodevelopmental outcomes than children of mothers who ate more seafood than the recommended amounts," the researchers reported.

The benefits "most likely" came from the high content of omega-3 fatty acids in fish, Hibbeln said. As for mercury, the fish consumed in England "appears to have more methyl mercury in it than the fish eaten in the United States, particularly tuna," he said.

"Our study has shown that the benefits of eating fish do outweigh the risks," said Jean Golding, professor emeritus of pediatric epidemiology at the University of Bristol and a member of the research team. "That might be at least three portions a week. Not at every meal, but we couldn't see with the information we had any harm from eating fish."

Dr. Gary Myers is a professor of neurology, pediatrics and environmental medicine at the University of Rochester in New York, and co-author of an accompanying editorial in the journal. He said the study "says that it is very important for children's cognitive development to get adequate amounts of long-chain fatty acids."

And there are few other dietary sources of those omega-3 fatty acids, he said, such as walnuts and flaxseeds.

"This article really points out the benefits of eating fish," Myers said. "It is important when people think about children to keep a balanced view of these things. There are no documented cases of people being damaged by eating fish. Reports of damage are based on epidemiological studies that are complex and difficult to interpret at times."

He said that one major problem with conducting a similar study in the United States is that "it is hard to get together people who eat large amounts of fish. Finding a group of individuals to study is not easy."

Asked what he would recommend to pregnant women, Myers answered with a question: "You know for a fact that eating fish improves your child's cognitive development. Someone tells you there might be a risk of eating mercury. Which would you choose?"

Secrets of maternity dressing

2007-10-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

You're thrilled about having a baby. But you're less than excited about the prospect of giving up your hip clothes in favor of tent dresses and sweats. Fear not with a few simple wardrobe tweaks, you can be a hip mama. "The key is to stick with the same kinds of things you wear when you're not pregnant," advises fashion designer Liz Lange. If you wear a lot of black and that makes you feel confident and comfortable, then by all means, don't start wearing pink just because you're pregnant.
If you prefer solid colors to prints, choose a favorite neutral say, gray, black, or khaki and build your wardrobe around that. And if bows aren't your thing, then be glad that the days are gone when virtually every maternity top and dress was adorned with one!

Borrow before you buy
Maternity clothes can be expensive, especially when you consider that you'll wear them for only a few short months. In fact, the more you can borrow from friends who blazed the baby trail before you, the better.

Check out consignment shops and thrift stores. Women who spend a lot on maternity clothes often try to recoup some of their costs by reselling them at such stores. With a little patience, you can score designer maternity duds at a fraction of the original price.

Scour your closet and your man's
"We all have at least a couple of things in our closets that we wear when we're a few pounds heavier than usual," says Lange. Loose tops and pants or skirts with elastic or drawstring waistbands can be terrific pieces to get you through the first few months.

Even your favorite jeans can last a couple of extra months if you use a little ingenuity. Try this trick: Loop a rubber band through the buttonhole and then wrap it around the button. This will provide that crucial extra inch or two of breathing room.

A store-bought alternative is the belly band, a stretchy band you wear around your waist. The band holds up your jeans so you can leave them unzipped. On top, wear a long shirt to cover your quick fix.

Certain silhouettes are especially becoming on your changing form: A-line shifts, empire-waist dresses and tops, and pencil skirts paired with swingy shirts. For a sporty, hip look that showcases your "bump," pair low-rise pants with a fitted tee. Stretchy gauchos create a trim, neat silhouette, topped by a loose peasant-style top. And just about any style made out of slinky, stretchy fabrics can go the distance right up to delivery day.

Don't forget your mate's side of the closet, either. One of his oxford shirts worn unbuttoned over a form-fitting tee or tank or buttoned over leggings is a classic look. Make it more feminine by rolling up the sleeves and pairing it with an eye-catching choker or bangles.

Ready to shop? First, buy several transitional pieces
When your regular clothes are just too tight but you're not ready for full-fledged maternity wear, buy a couple of pairs of inexpensive non-maternity pants and tops a size or two larger than you normally wear. Some women have great success finding both transitional clothes and maternity clothing alternatives in boutiques and departments that specialize in "plus sizes." They tend to be less expensive than maternity retailers, too.

"If you shop for maternity clothes too soon, the stuff you buy will be too big at first and then too small later in pregnancy," Lange says. "You'll be frustrated, plus you'll spend much more money than you need to." An added bonus: You'll be able to wear these transitional clothes during the awkward months after you deliver, too.

Don't be afraid to show off those curves
Today's moms-to-be are flaunting their blossoming bellies and breasts in body-conscious clothes that are miles removed from the frumpy, voluminous maternity smocks of yesteryear. And for good reason: Form-fitting is much more flattering than really loose. "If you can't see where the clothing ends and the woman begins, the clothes are too baggy," says Lange.

Show a little skin
If your gams are gorgeous, flaunt them in a short dress. Upper arms like Madonna's? Show them off with a sleeveless shirt. Proud of your new, more expansive cleavage? Try a low-cut top. Neck and shoulders to die for? Highlight them with a ballet-cut or bateau neckline. You don't have to go undercover just because you're pregnant. "I'm not a fan of showing your entire belly unless you're at the beach but showing a little skin is always flattering," says Madie.

Paint yourself in one color
"When you're dressed in one color from head to toe, you look really put together," says Madie. You can use a scarf or sweater or even jewelry to add splashes of color, she says.

Layer
Your metabolic rate increases by about 20 percent when you're pregnant, which means that if everyone else is shivering, you're just as likely to be complaining about the heat. With a layered look, you can peel clothes off as needed. On cold days, wear a T-shirt or polo under a sweater or a turtleneck under a long cardigan.

Don't get carried away, though too many layers or layers that are too loose can look sloppy instead of sophisticated. Sweater sets (maternity or otherwise) are a great way to look sleek and pulled together.

Flex your shoe sense
Shoes feeling a little tight? Many women's feet expand a half or even a full size during pregnancy (and some never go back to their original size).

Fluid retention is only part of the problem. The joints in your body including those in your feet are loosening up in response to relaxin, the pregnancy hormone that allows your pelvis to expand to make way for your baby during delivery. So as your hips spread, so do your feet.

What's more, as relaxin loosens your joints, you'll also find your balance becoming a bit more precarious. Needless to say, this is not the time to be strutting around in stilettos. Choose flats or shoes with wide, chunky heels or lower "kitten heels" instead. And be sure to buy slip-ons you're not going to want to bend over and lace up your shoes when you're nine months pregnant!

Accessorize
Accessories are a great way to get more mileage out of an outfit. You can give a basic piece, such as a black dress, a whole new look by swapping a chunky necklace for a silk scarf. An added bonus: If you splurge on a few accessories, at least you know you'll be able to wear them after you give birth.

Here are some ways to add a little oomph to your outfits:

Use a bright piece of jewelry, such as a turquoise or beaded bracelet or necklace, to give a monochromatic outfit some zip.

Wear a pair of funky shoes and carry a matching handbag to add your signature to a basic piece.

Punch up an outfit with a colorful scarf or by tying a sweater around your shoulders.

Pay attention to what's underneath it all
Whatever you do, don't try to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy bras and panties. Whether you're planning a night on the town or an afternoon lounging around the house, you'll look and feel better if your unmentionables aren't pinching you in all the wrong places.

Your breasts will swell during pregnancy some women go up as much as three cup sizes so look for bras that have at least two sets of hooks that let you adjust the band size, as well as adjustable shoulder straps. "You don't need a special maternity bra," says Lange. "Just buy one or two new bras at a time, as you need them."

Lange also recommends letting a knowledgeable saleswoman into the dressing room with you when you go bra shopping: "It sounds humiliating, but these women know their stuff and can help you select the right style and size for you." As for underwear, loose is key. If you wear briefs, you may prefer over-the-belly maternity underwear. Otherwise, just buy your favorite thongs or bikinis in a size or two larger and let the waistband rest under your tummy.

Splurge (a little)
Few women can afford to buy a completely new wardrobe for pregnancy. But you should definitely invest in at least one outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident. A sexy dress, black velvet pants and a swingy top, or a stunning suit can make you look like a million bucks when you feel like anything but. Wear it as much as possible while you can.

Breast Augmentation - part 2

2007-10-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Planning Your Surgery

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, your doctor may also recommend a breast lift.

Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. You may want to ask your surgeon for a copy of the manufacturer's insert that comes with the implant he or she will usejust so you are fully informed about it. And, be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.

Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation to be medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.

Preparing For Your Surgery

Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. A mammogram may be recommended prior to your procedure to ensure breast health and serve as a baseline for future comparison.

In addition to explaining your surgical procedure, you plastic surgeon will discuss anesthesia, the recovery process and your obligations as a patient. You will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications of your surgery. There may be a waiting period of several days to weeks from the time of your consent to the day of surgery.

While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.

Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed

Your surgeon may prefer to perform the operation in an office facility, a freestanding surgery center, or a hospital outpatient facility. Occasionally, the surgery may be done as an inpatient in a hospital, in which case you can plan on staying for a day or two.

Types of Anesthesia

Breast augmentation can be performed with a general anesthesia, so you'll sleep through the entire operation. Some surgeons may use a local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy, so you'll be relaxed but awake, and may feel some discomfort.

Before

After

The Surgery

The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. In addition, a saline implant may be placed through an incision at the navel. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue (submammary or subglandular placement) or may be placed beneath the pectoral muscle and on top of the chest wall (submuscular placement). Once the implant is positioned within this pocket, the incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesive and/or surgical tape. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your doctor before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure he or she recommends for you.

After Your Surgery

You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.

Within several days, the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed, and you may be given a surgical bra. You should wear it as directed by your surgeon. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades.

Your stitches will come out in a week to 10 days, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear.

Getting Back to Normal

You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job.

Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.

Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as discussed earlier.

Your New Look

For many women, the result of breast augmentation can be satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance.

Even if you believe your implants are functioning well, it is important that you follow-up as directed with your plastic surgeon to assess the condition of your breast implants. In addition, whether you choose to have breast implants or not, it is essential to your health that you practice a monthly breast self-exam and schedule regular diagnostic breast screenings.

Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.

Breast Augmentation - part1

2007-10-13T06:04:00.001-07:00

If You're Considering Breast Augmentation...

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:

To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
To restore breast volume lost due to weight loss or following pregnancy
To achieve better symmetry when breasts are moderately disproportionate in size and shape
To improve the shape of breasts that are sagging or have lost firmness, often used with a breast lift procedure
To provide the foundation of a breast contour when a breast has been removed or disfigured by surgery to treat breast cancer
To improve breast appearance or create the appearance of a breast that is missing or disfigured due to trauma, heredity, or congenital abnormalities

By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. If you're considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedurewhen it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your surgeon if there is anything you don't understand about the procedure.

Types of Implants

The choice of implant filler, implant size, shape and other features will be determined based on your breast anatomy, body type and your desired increase in size. Your lifestyle, goals and personal preferences, as well your plastic surgeon's recommendations and sound surgical judgment are also determining factors. Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, and therefore there may be additional options available to you.

Breast implants are medical devices with a solid silicone, rubber shell. The implant shell may be filled with either saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel. Both saline and silicone gel breast implants are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approval means that an implant has been rigorously researched and tested, and reviewed by an independent panel of physicians for safety.

The size of a breast implant is measured in cubic centimeters (ccs) based on the volume of the saline or silicone filler. Breast implants vary both by filler and in size, but there are additional features to consider:

Texture: the implant shell may be smooth or textured
Shape: the implant may have a round profile or one that is anatomic (teardrop or tapered shape)
Profile: the implant may have a low, medium or high projection (the depth of the implant from the base to the highest point of the implant curve)
Diameter: the width of the implant measured across it's base (the side of the implant that will be positioned over the chest wall)

Adult women of any age can benefit greatly from the enhancement breast implants provide. It is usually recommended, however, that a woman's breasts are fully developed prior to placement of breast implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. Silicone implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women age 22 and older. Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.

You should be aware that breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants. Regular examinations for breast health and to evaluate the condition of your implants are important whether you have chosen saline or silicone breast implants.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires either removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.

As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.

A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant. This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.

Some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive, or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.

Breast implants do not generally interfere with a woman's ability to breast feed, or present a health hazard during pregnancy to a woman or her baby. However, pregnancy and the associated changes to a woman's body may alter the results of any breast surgery, including surgery to place breast implants. Therefore, it is important to discuss the options of breast implant surgery with your plastic surgeon if you are interested in becoming pregnant and breast feeding in the future.

Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak.

If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
If a silicone-gel filled implant leak or break, the elastic silicone gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket (a capsule of tissue that surrounds the implant). A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not deflate and may not be noticeable except through imaging techniques such as an MRI. For this reason, a woman with silicone breast implants is advised to visit her plastic surgeon annually to assess that her implants are functioning well. An ultrasound exam or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants; after 3 years it is recommended that all silicone implants be properly screened.

Following the placement of breast implants mammography is technically more difficult. Obtaining the best possible results requires specialized techniques and additional views. You must be candid about your implants when undergoing any diagnostic breast exam. In many cases, an ultrasound exam or MRI may be recommended in addition to mammography.

While the majority of women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with your physician to make sure you understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.

Natural Alternative To Hormone Replacement Thereapy (HRT)

2007-10-12T08:56:00.001-07:00

Most women experience the onset of the menopause at an average age of about 50, but it can start anytime from the early forties to the late fifties. Symptoms can vary: some women sail through but others suffer the miseries of hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, depression, lack of energy and loss of libido.

Orthodox medical practitioners invariably prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and often anti-depressants and tranquillisers, which can become addictive. However, there is a natural alternative.

HRT is prescribed to counter balance the reduced production by your body of oestrogen which can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis and weakened bones leading to fractures. However, two large clinical trials have shown that HRT does not, in fact, significantly reduce the incidence of bone fractures, and there is an increased risk of heart disease, gallstones, and breast and endometrial cancer.

Rather than a shortage of hormones, it is said that most menopausal symptoms are more to do with an imbalance. By eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and natural supplements, you can boost the health of your bones, and balance sugar levels and your hormones.

It is well known that people in some parts of the world (for example Japan and the Mediterranean countries) rarely suffer from heart disease due to their different national diets. It is less well known that women in the Andes region of Peru do not suffer menopausal symptoms. Peruvian women take Maca, a tuberous plant related to the potato. As well as the beneficial effect on menopausal symptoms, Maca boosts energy and libido. Maca is also known as "Peruvian Ginseng" and "Peruvian Viagra".

Centuries ago, the Incas inhabited this area and, in order to boost their energy, their warriors used to take Maca before going into battle. When the Spanish conquered the area they found that their horses suffered from the high altitude. The locals advised them to feed Maca to the horses and the animals immediately experienced an increase in energy levels. The Spanish found that what was good for their horses would also benefit humans, so payment for the taxes levied on the locals was taken in Maca.

There are three phases of menopause: the peri-menopause or the year or so prior to the onset of the menopause when the your body misses the occasional menstrual period. During this time a low dose of 1500mg is recommended to counteract the slow down in the production by your body of hormones. During the actual menopause, increase the dose to around 4000mg each day for a period of 2-3 months, and then reduce the dose to 2000mg. In the post menopause phase, reduce your daily intake of Maca to 1500mg. The risk of osteoporosis is apparent from the onset of the menopause and thereafter. In addition to your daily intake of maca, you are advised to also take a daily dose of Forever Freedom, a natural health drink that contains aloe vera with added Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and vitamin C. This will ease stiffness and pain in the joints and promote mobility and good bone health.

Are You Using a Natural Bristle Hair Brush?

2007-09-26T06:41:00.001-07:00

Using the right kind of hair brush and keeping it clean is necessary if you want to have strong hair, which will not fall out in the future.

A Natural Hair Brush

Using a natural bristle like boar's hair is a good decision. The boar bristle hair brush bristles are similar to the keratin of your hair and absorb the dirt and oil just like your hair. In addition the tips of the boar hair brush are rounded and gently massage your scalp and hair.

Kent hair brushes are available in boar hair. But avoid the Kent nylon hair brush if you want the best care for your hair.

The nylon hair brush is not recommended since it is rougher on your scalp and is no where as good as the boar bristle hair brush. The nylon bristles are usually sharp and inflamed your follicles and break your hair when you use it.

Brushing Your Hair

To maintain good hair growth you need good circulation to your scalp. You need also need a clean scalp with little oil and dirt accumulating in your hair follicles. The boar hair brush helps you achieve this when you regularly brush your hair.

Brush your hair when it is dry. This prevents breaking of your hair. When you brush, the gentle pulling of your hair stimulates your scalp bringing in more blood to feed your hair. Also the slight pulling stimulates the release of oil from your follicles which lubricates your hair.

Brush your hair with a boar bristle hair brush twice a day for the best hair care - morning and night. For short hair brush for three minutes and for long hair brush five minutes.

By bending your head to the floor, when brushing, you will increase the blood circulation to your scalp. Now, brush from your neck forward to the front of your scalp, then, from sides to your crown. Lastly, brush from the front of your scalp to the neck.

Cleaning Your Boar Hair Brush

If possible, you should clean your brush every day. If you have two or more hair brushes then it will be easier to do this. Your boar bristle hair brush accumulates dirt and oils from hair when you brush. Without regular cleaning of your hair brush, this dirt and oil will redeposit onto your hair. Over time this added dirt and oil will plug up your hair follicles and lead to hair thinning or permanent hair loss.

You can clean your brush every day when you shower. Clean it with shampoo and scrub the bristles with your hand back and forth. After cleaning, you can dry the brush with a towel and let it sit until the next day. By the next day, it is ready to use and your other brush is ready to be cleaned.

So, using a natural hair brush like the boar bristle hair brush is the best way to care for your hair. Gentle daily brushing stimulates your scalp and keeps you hair healthy. But don't forget to keep your hair brush clean, since your don't want to put the dirt and oil on your brush back onto your scalp.

How to Choose the Perfect Ring

2007-09-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

Choosing a ring

When it comes to choosing our own jewelry we can be very picky as well as we can be very impulsive buyers. I would like to give you some advice about choosing your rings. When I help out my customers in person I get to really direct them into jewelry that fits for them individually. What I mean by that, is that many people only look at the jewelry without taking in consideration their hands, fingers & comfort. When choosing a ring of course we want the ring to look good but will it look good on our specific type of hands? It's just like clothing, it may look great on the models but maybe not so much on you. Look at your hands, are they wide or narrow, are your fingers short, long, thin...

If you have big hands you must get a solid ring because chances are your hands are strong & you use them accordingly & you don't want the band to brake. Also don't choose something too tiny it will look out of proportions. Wide bands can fit you but not too wide, go for about half an inch wide. You are one of the lucky people who can wear very large stones
so don't miss out on that!

If you have small thin hands you probably already know that rings which are too massive & heavy aren't meant for you. Go for filigree or Celtic designs they will be much more comfortable & will suit you best. Wide bands can suit you as long as they are not too wide & keeps you from closing your hands completely so if you buy online & don't get to actually try it on before buying verify the width.

Wide bands are very hot right now, but they aren't meant for everyone. Long slim fingers suit them best. Actually most rings will suit you best but not too narrow, stick with about a quarter inch and more width in the front.

Short chubby fingers sorry for you but you should avoid wide bands, you wont be comfortable & it will end up in a jewelry box. If you have short fingers choose a thinner band with the front part small to medium size. If you really want to go with a wide band well choose one that tapers down in the back to about a quarter of an inch or less. Try a colorful stone that will catch the eye or maybe a cameo ring.

I hope this advice will help you find rings that better suit you & that it will have you purchase the right ones. After all when we love a ring, that it looks great on your hand & it is comfortable it often ends up being a real treasure.

Lose Weight by Eating More -- Food that is Virtually Impossible to Store as Body Fat

2007-09-26T04:18:00.001-07:00

Certain foods are extremely difficult for the human body to convert into body fat - not impossible but damned near impossible. By consuming calories derived from these foods, the anabolic margin of error is extended dramatically, which means it will be easier to lose fat and gain muscle, if you choose.

Lean protein, protein devoid of saturated fat, has been the staple, the bedrock nutrient of elite athletes for 50 years. Why? You can eat a mountain of lean protein and not get fat - assuming you train with intensity sufficient enough to trigger muscle growth. Lean protein is difficult for the body to break down and digest. As a direct result of this digestive difficulty, the body kicks the metabolic thermostat upward to break protein down into subcomponent amino acids.

The human body wants to preserve stored body fat as a last line of defense against starvation. If overworked and under-fed, the body will preferentially eat muscle tissue to save precious body fat.

Obese people that go on crash diets, precipitously slashing calories, might lose 100-pounds of body weight, yet still appear fat. Despite losing from say 350-pounds to 250-pounds, they still appear fat because they still are fat. The body has cannibalized muscle tissue and saved the fat. Though they might weigh 100-pounds less, they still possess 25-40% body fat percentile.

Lean protein is the bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it supplies muscle tissue battered by a high intensity weight workout with the amino acids needed to heal, recover and construct new muscle tissue. Lean protein is a bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it causes the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to elevate; the metabolic thermostat, the rate at which our body consumes calories, increases when digesting protein. Lean protein is a bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it is damned near impossible for the body to convert it into body fat.

The other bedrock nutrient in the physical transformation process is fibrous carbohydrates: carrots, broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, spinach, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, cabbage, salad greens, Brussels sprouts and the like. Fibrous carbohydrates, like lean protein, are nearly impossible for the body to convert into body fat. Fibrous carbohydrates require almost as many calories to digest as they contain. A green bean or carrot might contain 10-calories yet is so dense and difficult to break down that the body has to expend nearly as many calories to break down that bean or carrot as the vegetable contains.

Fibrous carbohydrates have a wonderful "Roto-Rooter" effect on the internal plumbing: as they work their way though the digestive passageways they scrape mucus and gunk off intestinal walls and help keep sludge buildup to a minimum. For this reason fibrous carbohydrates are the perfect compliment to a lean protein diet. Too much protein can cause bile buildup: fiber is the Yin to protein's Yang. The two nutrients should be eaten together.

Both protein and fiber have a beneficial dampening effect on insulin secretions. It is no accident that professional bodybuilders, the world's best dieters, capable of reducing body fat percentiles to 5% while maintaining incredible muscle mass, construct their eating regimen around protein and fiber.

The best way to eat is to eat often. If you eat 3,000 calories a day the best way is in five 600-calorie feeding or six 500-calorie feedings instead of a breakfast containing 400-calories, a lunch of 1000-calories and a late dinner of 1,600-calories. Avoid calories easily converted into body fat.

Eat multiple small meals in the 400-600 calorie range comprised exclusively of foods near impossible for the body to convert into body fat. Plus, these foods cause the metabolism, the BMR, the body thermostat to elevate in order to digest them. Optimally you should eat every three hours: in about the time the nutrients from the previous meal have dwindled, been expended and exhausted, in about the time the elevated metabolism is 'settling back down to normal,' eat another small protein/fiber meal. This reestablishes anabolism, kicks the metabolism upward once again and gives the body more practice at assimilating and distributing quality nutrients.

They say practice makes perfect and by eating small, power-packed, tough to digest meals every three hours, the metabolism is kept elevated, anabolism is established and maintained and the individual never feels hungry. A person who is not hungry is far less inclined to binge on sweets and treats, junk and trash then the crash diet/calorie cutters who always feel hungry, deprived, listless and lacking energy.

The small meal/protein/fiber approach has been used successfully by elite athletes for decades and is not some untried dietary abstraction - rather it is the proven method of choice, one that has withstood the test of time, one that has been used for decades and been proven effective time after time.

If a person is able to establish a multiple meal schedule comprised primarily of lean protein and fiber eaten every three hours, then adds to this eating schedule some serious weight training and a cardiovascular regimen, physical transformation is a biological certainty.

Laser Hair Removal - Is it Right For You?

2007-09-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

Laser hair removal is heavily advertised but little is known about this technology. However, that will change after you spend 58 seconds to read every word of this article and become well-informed on permanent hair removal. After analyzing the facts you will be able to make a decision on whether or not laser hair removal is right for you.

How It Works
The laser is used to quickly and gently remove unwanted hairs.
Laser hair removal uses a light wavelength that targets dark colored materials on your skin. This is usually the pigment of the hair. A hand held device is then used to target these areas and remove hair from them. This procedure works best for those with fair colored skin and dark colored hair. With darker skin, it is harder to target these areas. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower and more sessions are required. Also, you'll want to find a doctor with greater expertise if you do have darker skin.

Laser Hair Removal must be individualized for each patient.
Different types of hair respond differently to the laser procedure. Coarse dark hair seems to respond the best to laser treatment. Light hair is much more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair becomes extremely complicated. With lighter hair, results are variable and you must have multiple treatment sessions.

Actually, almost everyone requires multiple treatment sessions for optimal results. This is because hair grows in cycles. Not all of the hairs are in the growth phase at any given time. Additional sessions insure that you catch all of the hairs when they are in the growth phase.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal
The costs of laser hair removal can vary depending on your location. However, they range from $300 to $500 per session. Because this is a form of medical care, it is always best to seek the clinic with the highest quality rather than the lowest price. Laser hair removal requires many years of training, individual attention, experience, and a trained, caring, and professional staff.

Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal
Most patients do experience some very minor side effects after each session. This is usually in the form of a mild sunburn-type sensation that goes away in 2-3 hours. Moisturizers and cool compresses can help to relieve any discomfort during this time. Any small blister areas that may appear should be treated with a topical antibiotic until resolved. Because you have been exposed to this particular form of light ray, sun block should be used for up to 6 weeks after treatment if you expect to be exposed to the sun. Any further instructions should be given by your doctor.

If you tired of waxing or shaving, laser hair removal may be the perfect solution for you. Now that you know more about it, you should be able to make the right choice for you.

Cellulite: Way To Health And Smooth Skin!

2007-09-22T09:40:00.001-07:00

For all body systems to work properly, it is absolutely necessary that the body be provided with all necessary nutrients properly. It is necessary to maintain a proper balance in body so that not just the health, skin health too, is benefited.

Almost all those conditions that apply for maintaining good health apply for maintaining excellent skin health. Skin in fact requires more attention, because unlike other body parts skin is exposed to several external as well as internal, therefore skin health requires all the more attention. You should pay attention to these facts so that you do not suffer from skin problems like cellulite.

Cellulite problem is not just skin deep, it has several reasons that support it, and cellulite is generally a product of unhealthy body. This might not be true in case of those people for whom cellulite is a hereditary problem more than a health problem. Trying to avoid cellulite can be a way to ensure a healthy body and skin. There are several ways how you can avoid cellulite.

All these ways will not just help you avoid cellulite but also help towards a healthy you. These are different ways, you can avoid cellulite, firstly, avoid junk food totally. Junk food is a teenager's love, even adults don't mind on the most convenient handy food quite regularly. This food is harming your body. Also this food hardly happens to be a substitute for a dinner or a healthy meal. Junk food contains saturated fats and very less fiber. Fats increase blockage in nerves and less fiber makes it difficult for the food to digest, also toxins are not removed properly. Toxins are the main reason what cellulite forms, so removal of toxins is utmost necessary.

Avoid aerated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, etc. Many times people feel, having an aerated drink or a coffee or a glass of wine, will be a substitute to water. However not only are these drinks harmful for your body, but these also contain toxins. Increase in toxin levels in your body can increase the chances of you getting cellulite. Drinking 7-8 glasses of water in a day is must, it is most advisable if you start the day by drinking lukewarm water so that toxins are removed from your water. Make effort to consciously drink water at specific intervals throughout the day. Water will help you stay lively, ensure proper blood supply, remove toxins through urine and sweat and most importantly keep your skin hydrated.

Smokers beware, smoking can weaken your skin and also put in toxins in your system, both are ill effects and highly likely to cause cellulite. Therefore if you would like to avoid cellulite, the best way would be to quit smoking. Help should be taken at the earliest if you want to avoid smoking all together. Quitting smoking will benefit you in several different ways.

All the above factors contribute to cellulite, if you can follow the given steps and maintain skin health as well as physical health; your chances of getting cellulite are reduced by some percentage.

Herbal Products for Breast Enlargement

2007-09-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

In the past few years the powers of herbal and natural treatments have been rediscovered. These herbal treatments are now being scientifically formulated and incorporated in medicines to cure new-age problems.

Breast enlargement and enhancement cases have grown over the period. Once, women who decided to undergo this treatment were looked down upon. Mindsets of the new generation has changed a lot as now you can see women talking at ease about such cosmetic enhancement of their beauty. Breast size is one such issue. Women who link their beauty and self-confidence with the size and shape of breasts have resorted for such breast enhancement techniques.

The fastest and the sure shot method of getting fuller breasts are to go for breast implants or mammoplasty. This is however an invasive procedure and involves surgical implantation of the saline filled or silicone filled implants in the breast tissue. Surgery brings with it, trauma and pain. Additionally, there are chances that one has to go for further surgeries for the removal or replacements of implants that have aged or deflated. Hence, the need of non-surgical procedures is ever increasing.

There are natural and herbal breast enhancement options available in the form of pills, creams and lotions that can be used for getting enhanced breasts. There are a lot many options to choose from. A whole lot of herbal industry is surviving on these requirements. The effective treatments commonly include ingredients that imitate the effect of the female hormone, estrogen. These bring in changes in the female body similar to the changes that occur during puberty.

Some of the constituents of these breast enlargement natural treatments are:

1. Saw Palmetto it is a sexual stimulant and a hormonal weight regulator.
2. Damiana it has been used for generations of naturopaths for treating depression, nervousness and anxiety. It has been widely recommended to promote a sense of well-being, and stimulate growth of breast tissue.
3. Wild Yam it contains natural progesterone, female hormone and is used in treatment of premenstrual symptoms.
4. Fenugreek it is considered an effective menstruation promoter. Fenugreek contains chemicals very similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. This herb has properties that help in the swelling and growth of healthy breast tissue.
5. Fennel Seeds it is an appetite suppressant and also helps in stabilizing the nervous system.

While choosing products for breast enlargement it is necessary to see that the company uses best of the ingredients. You can feel cheated if you have decided on one particular breast enhancement product based on its pricing. One must carefully examine the testimonials and the other promises made by the manufacturer to know well about the breast enhancement product and its functionality. It is also essential to follow the user's guidelines and use the product consistently for getting desired results. Most companies also refer using breast enhancement creams in combination with the oral pills for achieving faster results like Breast Actives Program.

Unlike the chemical drugs, the natural and herbal medicines have no harmful side effects. In fact in case of breast enhancement medications the side effects are quite pleasing. As these contain or stimulate the female hormones, they are also useful in curing many other female related disorders. These also give you a beautiful and clearer skin. So, one need not bother herself with un-necessary doubts and go ahead to use the best available natural breast enhancement products for fuller and firmer breasts.

Pregnancy Week By Week

2007-09-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the changes to the mother's body seem to be very slow. Just because all of the many miraculous events are undetectable to the eye does not mean that pregnancy week by week is anything short of ever changing. From the moment of conception to the actual arrival of the baby, pregnancy is a constant state of a work in progress. Every week brings more changes and development for both mother and baby.

For a look at pregnancy week by week, let us take a particular week from each trimester to get a clear look at how rapidly things change inside an expectant mother's uterus. Week six of the first trimester is usually about the time mother-to-be discovers the existence of her little baby. By this stage, the little one already has a heartbeat but is only about 1/17 of an inch long. That heartbeat is moving the baby's own blood through the tiny body and the beginnings of arms and legs are starting to form. Facial features are also on their way to development at this early stage. Every baby and pregnancy is unique so this is a rough guess of the state of progress at week six.

Moving forward a few months to the second trimester in pregnancy week by week places events at week twenty one. The baby is moving a lot at this stage. Daddy and other loved one may be able to feel the movement now. Growth slows a little as the heart grows stronger. And to help out with all of that movement, the baby's legs are becoming more proportionate to the rest of it's body. Mother is probably feeling more comfortable with morning sickness hopefully behind her. This is about the time when her pregnancy is becoming obvious to others.

In the third trimester it is a run to the finish line. Week thirty is right in the middle of the third trimester in our look at pregnancy week by week. At this point the baby probably weighs about three pounds and is gaining weight everyday. That means mother is probably feeling a little awkward and uncomfortable. The baby's eyelids are working. Week thirty also brings the baby's ability to produce his own red blood cells. In other words, the bone marrow is now functioning independently of Mother.

Despite the feeling of pregnancy lasting forever that many pregnant moms experience, pregnancy week by week is a new adventure. Both Mom and the new arrival are in constant motion preparing for the final stages of this beautiful and exciting time.

Preparation Checklist For Your New Baby

2007-09-22T09:07:00.001-07:00

You are expecting a baby and may have already been thinking about what is needed, and perhaps even started preparing for your baby's arrival.

There are two main areas for your focus on the preparation:

* Preparing your home for the new baby
* Preparing yourself and packing

Preparing your Home

When preparing your home, your first consideration is probably that your baby comes home to a safe, clean environment. Once you arrive home you will be so busy and tired and that isn't the time to be cleaning the house.

Prepare by thoroughly cleaning the nursery, and the rest of the house as well if you can.

You want to clean all dust and dirt on shelves and furniture, and thoroughly vacuum the carpets if you have them in the nursery. Sanitize all surfaces, especially the bathroom and food preparation areas. Thoroughly air these areas.

You will need items like a crib with mattress, sheets, bumpers, toys and accessories. A bassinet will need liners, sheets and a quilt.

Your baby's furniture should include a dresser, changing table, storage bins, toy boxes and a diaper holder.

Ensure you have a plentiful supply of diapers, wipes, sanitizer, baby clothes and blankets.

You will be very busy however your health is very important and you need to eat well and not skip meals because you are so busy.

To prevent missing meals or not eating well, prepare lots of meals before the arrival of your baby, and freeze them. You can either make extra when preparing normal meals, or you can dedicate a day to meal preparation.

Your Preparation

When deciding what to pack for the hospital, contact them first to find out what they provide, as you don't want to leave something important at home.

Mom

* Hospital paperwork for checking in
* Birthing plan
* Any medications
* Clothes
o Gown if not provided by the hospital
o Pajamas
o Socks
o Maternity clothes for going home
* Sanitary pads
* Toothbrush, toothpaste
* Hairbrush
* Shampoo, conditioner
* Cosmetics
* Glasses, contacts, cleaning solution
* Purse
* Magazines or books

Dad

* Camera, camcorder
* Wallet
* Cellphone [with all appropriate friend's contacts] or pay phone money
* Books, magazines
* Pen, notepad to remember those things to bring from home or things that you've both forgotten to do
* Pajamas, overnite bag, clothes if staying

Baby

* Diapers
* Wipes
* Going home clothes
* Blankets
* Car seat

Check with the hospital first as you may not need all of the above items if they already provide some of them. The weather will also determine the style and quantity of clothes or blankets for your baby when they leave the hospital to travel home.

Herbal Skin Care

2007-09-21T15:37:00.001-07:00

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things - our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don't have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

Facts To Know About Perfume

2007-09-21T15:35:00.001-07:00

Perfume (Latin "per fume" meaning "through smoke") was highly favored by the Egyptians, Romans, and Arabs. In East Asia, perfumes were incense based. People used to make perfumes from spices and herbs like bergamot, myrtle, coriander, conifer resin, and almond. The use of flowers came only after Avicenna, an Iranian doctor and chemist showed the process of distillation, whereby oils could be extracted from flowers. In 1370, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, the world's first modern perfume - "Hungary Water" was made by blending scented oils in alcohol solution.

The composition of a perfume is of vital significance and is handled by an expert known as a perfumer, who deals with primary scents like rose, jasmine, cola, etc; modifiers like esters; blenders like linalool and hydroxycitronellol; and fixatives like resins, wood scents, and amber bases. The resulting scent is explained in a musical metaphor of three 'notes', namely, top notes (consisting of fast evaporating small size molecules) like citrus and ginger scents; middle notes (consisting of slow evaporating medium size molecules) like lavender and rose scents; and base notes (consisting of slowest evaporating largest size molecules) like fixatives etc. All these notes work together like a musical chord.

Perfume oils contain volatile compounds in high concentrations and thus have to be diluted by solvents, so that injury is not caused when applied directly on skin or clothes. The common solvent is pure ethanol or ethanol mixed with water. Fractionated coconut oil or wax, neutral smelling fats such as jojoba, can also act as solvents and dilute the perfume oil. The perfume oil is further mixed with other aromatic compounds. Generally, the percentage of aromatic compounds in perfume extract is 20% to 40%; in eau de parfum is 10% to 30%; in eau de toilette is 5% to 20%; and in eau de cologne is 2% to 5%.

The oil concentration in a perfume along with other aromatic compounds, determines the intensity, longevity, and price of the perfume and thus it is a closely guarded secret of every perfumer and perfume house. By adjusting the percentage level and the notes of the perfume, variations on the same brand may be created like Chanel's Pour Monsieur and Pour Monsieur Concentree.

Classification of perfumes is never complete, due to its ever-evolving nature. The traditional classification comprises of categories like Single Floral, Floral Bouquet, Ambery, Woody, Leather, Chypre, and Fougere; while the modern classification comprises of Bright Floral, Green, Oceanic/Ozone, Citrus/Fruity, and Gourmand. In 1983, Michael Edwards, a perfume consultant, created a new fragrance classification "The Fragrance Wheel", which classified and sub-grouped five standard families, namely Floral (Floral, Soft Floral, Floral Oriental), Oriental (Soft Oriental, Oriental, Woody Oriental), Woody (Wood, Mossy Woods, Dry Woods), Fougere (has fragrance elements from all the families), and Fresh (Citrus, Green, Water).

Perfumery has used a number of aromatic sources like plants, animals, and synthetic sources in the making of perfumes. Plants are used as a source of aroma compounds and essential oils. The parts of plants that are used are:

1 - Bark (cinnamon, cascarilla);
2 - Flowers (rose, jasmine, osmanthus, tuberose, mimosa, vanilla);
3 - Blossoms (citrus, ylang-ylang, clove);
4 - Fruits (apples, strawberries, cherries, litsea cubeba, juniper berry, vanilla, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit);
5 - Leaves and Twigs (lavender, patchouli, citrus, violets, sage, rosemary, hay, tomato);
6 - Resins (labdanum, myrrh, gum benzoin, Peru balsam, frankincense/olibanum, pine, fir, amber, copal);
7 - Roots, Bulbs, and Rhizomes (vetiver roots, ginger and iris rhizomes);
8 - Seeds (coriander, cocoa, mace, cardamom, anise, nutmeg, caraway, tonka bean);
9 - Woods (agarwood, birch, rosewood, sandalwood, pine, birch, juniper, cedar).

Animal sources include Ambergris, Castoreum, Musk, Rom terpenes, Honeycomb, and Civet. Other natural sources include Lichens and Protists. Synthetic sources include synthetic odorants synthesized from petroleum distillates, pine resins, etc. Modern perfumes are mostly made from synthetic sources as they allow fragrances not found in nature, like Calone is a synthetic compound that imparts a marine metallic ozonous fragrance. Synthetic aromatics are more consistent than natural aromatics, and are hence, widely used nowadays in modern available perfumes.

How Exercise can Improve Your Mental Health

2007-09-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little blue? Why not try a jog around the block or a session with the weights? Exercise has been proven in recent years to not only benefit our bodies, but our minds as well. And it appears that there are a number of reasons why physical activity will keep the blues at bay.

Many of us are familiar with the idea of endorphins chemicals released by the brain that can reduce the effects of pain and put us in a more joyful state of mind. Endorphins are released through physical activity, which is why you can kiss tension and depression goodbye with a daily walk around the neighborhood. Health experts all seem to agree that exercise is indeed good for the mind. But the benefits are much more numerous and far reaching than researchers originally assumed. Daily exercise can help in all of the following areas:

Depression A study done at Duke University a number of years ago showed that exercise is as effective in treating stress and depression as antidepressant medications are. This means that you can commit to a healthy activity every day to beat your depression, rather than rely on a medication to do so. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity each day can boost your mood effectively, and it doesn't seem to matter what type of exercise you choose aerobic workouts, strength training and programs like Yoga all seem to make a difference in a person's mood overall.

Insomnia I can personally attest to the benefits of daily exercise in treating insomnia. Because exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, and just plain wear your body out, many people find that a daily exercise program helps them to sleep better. In order to find out what the best time of day is for your exercise regimen to work in improving your sleep habits, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you exercise close to bedtime for two weeks, and evaluate the quality of your sleep every morning when you wake up. Next, try exercising in the morning for two weeks, and follow the same process. Average your sleep quality for those two week blocks, and determine which exercise time brought on the highest quality of sleep. Cutting back on insomnia issues is a significant step in your mental health, since depression and other conditions can lead to poor sleep habits.

Stress Ah yes, isn't life full of stress these days? Yet most of us don't really know how to keep our stress levels in check to protect our physical as well as our mental health. The good news is that stress management can be as simple as keeping your daily date to walk the dog or spend 30 minutes with your free weights. It might be a session of Yoga or Pilates, or a trip with a friend to the local Jazzercise studio. Exercise will reduce the physical tension that inevitably accompanies stress, clear our minds and lift our spirits.

Self Esteem Studies show that regular exercise makes us feel good about ourselves. Logically, this makes a lot of sense after all, if we look better, we tend to feel better and exercise is the first step in keeping our weight in check and our body healthy. Exercise also helps our self esteem, because when we stick with an exercise program, we feel a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. That kind of satisfaction is always good for the mind as well as the body.

So if you're feeling sad and blue, get off the couch and get moving. There are few things better for your mind than exercise.

Protect Your Skin in Winter

2007-09-19T07:50:00.001-07:00

Protect Your Skin in Winter

Has your skin suddenly turned into a dry, itchy mess? Ah, it must be wintertime. When the outdoor temperature drops and indoor heating cranks up, your skin is officially under assault. Chronic low humidity levels and wintertime habits such as long, hot baths can make your delicate dermis crack, peel, and itch -- not a pleasant feeling.

You should do something to protect your skin. Prepare yourself with a skin-saving arsenal that includes:

An emollient-rich beauty bar, such as Dove or Oil of Olay, to replace your usual body soap
A tub of petroleum jelly
A big bottle of therapeutic lotion that contains petrolatum or mineral oil
An alpha hydroxy acid lotion (if your dry skin is really flaky)
Body oil, such as Neutragena Body Oil or Rainbath Dry Oil
A winter-weight face cream, with at least SPF 15
A humidity gauge for your home ($20 or so at hardware stores)
A humidifier ($15 or less in many drug stores) - be sure to clean the filter frequently to prevent mold from growing

Myths about magical diets revealed

2007-09-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Myths about magical diets revealed

Choosing a perfect diet isn't always easy. Here are some pointers that will help you plan a perfect weight loss program for yourself.

Myth 1 Follow a strict diet.
Do not follow a regimented diet. Rapid weight loss causes the basal metabolic rate or BMR to fall. This makes your body less efficient at burning calories and more prone to putting the weight back on as soon as you're on a normal diet.

Myth 2 Starve/Skip a meal.
Do not starve or skip a meal. This is likely to increase weight as you run the risk of snacking. Besides, an empty stomach may cause headaches and irritability.

Myth 3 Eat low fat foods.
Do not get taken in by low fat labels. Low fat does not necessarily mean low-calorie and it is the overall calories consumed that matter. In most cases, low fat foods have more or less the same calories as regular food.

Myth 4 Avoid fats completely.
Do not avoid fats completely - fats do contain a lot of calories but they are also excellent sources of Vitamins A, D and E. Even though they are not recommended in large quantities, they are essential components of a balanced diet.

Myth 5 Totally eliminate snacking
Eat moderately. Do not eliminate snacks altogether. When calculating your total caloric intake, include the occasional snack.

Myth 6 Stick to certain food groups.
Don't stick to specific food groups. Eat a variety of foods. This will ensure you get all the nutrients besides keeping the meals interesting.

Myth 7 Fat is inherited.
We do not inherit fat but we do inherit lifestyles.

Last, but not the least, there are no good or bad foods. Only diets can be good or bad.

London Fashion Week: Duro Olowu

2007-09-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

London Fashion Week: Duro Olowu

Best known for his insanely flattering kimono dress, Duro Olowu had most definitely bought Portobello chic to the high fashion market with his exotic prints, chic Summer suits and trademark dresses. Mixing African themes with florals and picking a palette of green, red and pink with splashes of other shades, this was a wearable, pretty collection...

From belted smocks to frilled blouses and pretty slouchy shapes that would flatter any shape, this collection is definitely created with real women in mind. There are no edgy shapes or unflattering cuts here, it's all created to make the most of what we have.

Full skirts with flock-style florals and pink stripes, slouchy satin 3/4 trousers and diaphanous printed chiffon tea dresses all featured, alongside more earthy looks like deep blue smocks with tribal trims, a pink sparkly zig-zag t-shirt dress and sweet patchwork swing jackets.

Green was the key colour, appearing on the chic pencil skirted suit with safari jacket, a matching trouser suit and a gorgeous full length gown with frills that reminded me of an old YSL collection from a few years back. This is a fabulous colour that I hope takes off next Summer. I'm all about the green dresses!

Planning to Have a Baby

2007-09-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Planning to Have a Baby

For many women and their partners, the decision to have a baby does not come lightly. A new baby, although very special, brings changes into our lives on many levels. If you are considering having a baby, whether it is your first or an additional child, there are several factors you may wish to explore beforehand.

According to recent research a number of aspects affect a women's ability to conceive, the kind of pregnancy they have and the ultimate health of the baby. These include environmental and nutritional factors, along with issues related to lifestyle, general health and wellbeing.

Are you ready?

Here are some typical questions that you might like to consider and raise with your partner:

Is it too soon or too late?
How will a baby affect our relationship?
Will we return to work?
Are there any experiences we've had that may affect our parenting?
These are some of the issues to think through. Seeking information and discussing them can help you come to a decision.
What, if any, pre-pregnancy tests are recommended?

A good place to start is by choosing and visiting a health professional, that has an interest in preconception health care.

They can take a detailed history and provide a complete physical checkup. They may suggest further tests such as:

Blood tests to check your blood group, iron levels and immunity to rubella
Pap Tests they are recommended every 2 years
Any existing medical conditions and underlying gynaecological conditions may affect conception and should be discussed with your doctor before pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood Born Viruses should be treated before pregnancy as some infections such as Chlamydia may interfere with fertility.

What other nutritional supplements are helpful?

Folate is especially important during the preconception period and for the first three months of pregnancy because it reduces the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. Folate rich foods include green leafy vegetables, cereals with added folate, fruit, dried beans and peas.

It is recommended that women intending to become pregnant take 0.5mg of folic acid per day for one month before pregnancy and for the first three months after becoming pregnant. If you have a family history of spina bifida or cleft palate or on epilepsy it is important to talk to your doctor about this as you may need higher doses of folic acid may be recommended.

IBM Scores 'Symphony' as Free Online Office Rival

2007-09-19T04:34:00.001-07:00

IBM Corp. has spun out productivity software included in the latest version of Lotus Notes as a free stand-alone suite to compete with Microsoft Corp.'s Office productivity suite.

The name for the suite, Symphony, is the same name IBM used for its first integrated productivity suite, which it offered in the 1980s but which never took off with customers. Mike Rhodin, general manager of Lotus Software for the IBM Software Group, said the company brought back the name to "herald in a new age" of productivity software.

Symphony includes Lotus Symphony Documents, Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets and Lotus Symphony Presentations. The applications are available online at a new Web site that will also serve as the home page for a community IBM hopes will grow around the suite.

Rhodin said IBM is offering Symphony in beta form because it wants the community to suggest improvements for the software so the suite can evolve more quickly than it could if the company were to work on it independently.

Like the productivity software built into Notes 8, Symphony is based on the open-source Eclipse platform and uses Open Document Format for XML (ODF) as its native file format. ODF is a document standard recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but a rival to Microsoft's Open XML (OOXML), which is the native format in Office. Microsoft's quest to have OOXML become a standard alongside ODF was dealt a significant blow when the ISO voted against fast-tracking approval of the format earlier this month.

IBM has been an ardent supporter of ODF for some time, but with Symphony the company is bringing this support into the Web 2.0 age. Symphony is an alternative not only to Office but to Google Docs & Spreadsheets, the search giant's own version of online document-editing and creation software. IBM also is offering fee-based telephone support for services if customers want that option.

In addition to Symphony, IBM Tuesday also unveiled Lotus Notes as a hosted service on Tuesday. Rhodin said the service is meant for the small-to-medium-size business market, for organizations up to about 10,000 users. According to IBM, the operational cost of hosted Lotus is about US$5 to $10 per user, per month.

In addition to Lotus Notes, customers can choose to include hosted versions of Lotus Sametime and Lotus Quickr as optional services, Rhodin said.

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Apple may be next in EU antitrust sights

2007-09-19T04:25:00.001-07:00

September 18, 2007 -- With Microsoft Corp.'s antitrust appeal now decided, the next U.S. technology company to get a place on the European Union (EU)'s regulatory hot seat may be Apple, an antitrust expert said today.

"The decision by the Court of First Instance is a clear signal to the European [Competition] Commission that it has the leeway to go ahead," said Herbert Hovenkamp, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law and a noted antitrust scholar. "[The commission] now has a license to go ahead, and they have a pretty aggressive posture. I think this bodes ill for some companies."

Among those already facing investigations or accusations from the EU antitrust agency, which is led by Neelie Kroes of the Netherlands, are chip makers Rambus Inc. and Intel Corp.; Qualcomm Inc., a wireless technology vendor; and Apple Inc.

Apple, in fact, will face two days of hearings before the commission starting Wednesday to answer charges that it and its four music label partners are violating EU laws with the pricing structure and purchase restrictions of the iTunes music store. In early April, the commission confirmed that it had sent a Statement of Objections (SO), the agency's term for an official complaint, to Apple and partners EMI, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and Universal Music.

The SO claimed consumers are restricted in their choice of where to buy music -- because each country's version of iTunes only accepts orders from customers who live in that country -- and at what price. ITunes tracks sales for varying amounts, depending on the country.

But the commission steered clear of calling Apple another Microsoft in April. "The Statement of Objections does not allege that Apple is in a dominant market position," the group said in a statement at the time.

Yesterday, Kroes downplayed any link between the court's rejection of Microsoft's appeal and possible action against other U.S. technology companies. "You may hear scare stories about the supposed negative consequences of this ruling for other companies," she said during a news conference Monday afternoon. "Let me be clear. There is one company that will have to change its illegal behavior as a result of this ruling: Microsoft."

Microsoft, however, thought different.

During his own news conference yesterday, Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel, repeatedly pointed to Apple. "Apple has something like a 70% market share for digital music," said Smith. "ITunes is far and away the leading source for music on the Internet; the iPod is far and away the leading hardware device for digital music."

Even the U.S. Department of Justice weighed in. Thomas Barnett, the assistant attorney general for antitrust, yesterday said: "We are concerned that the standard applied to unilateral conduct by the CFI [Court of First Instance], rather than helping consumers, may have the unfortunate consequence of harming consumers by chilling innovation and discouraging competition."

Hovenkamp was confident that yesterday's decision would embolden the commission. "This was a landmark decision, and a landmark case," he said. "It stands for a couple of important things. First, it's a declaration of independence, a statement that their anticompetitive policy is not going to be dictated by U.S. policy. Second, it clears the way for the commission to pursue new cases.

"You're going to see a more aggressive commission that will go after high technology companies, especially those that are involved with networks or standard setting," Hovenkamp said.

"Rambus and Qualcom, certainly," he said, are among the companies at risk from a combative commission. "Intel? Perhaps. As for Apple, there are some undeveloped issues there."

In Apple's favor, he said, are European antitrust traditions that may let the iTunes operator and iPod maker off the hook. Europe's antitrust agency has typically looked differently at two kinds of pricing discrimination. The one where a company prices products differently in different countries in order to squash competition -- pricing products lower in nations where rivals exist, higher where competitors are lacking -- is usually treated harshly, said Hovenkamp. The other type of pricing discrimination, where a seller prices products based on what it thinks a particular country's buyers can bear -- more in Germany, for example, less in Portugal -- are not generally considered a competition problem.

"If Apple is pricing differentially because of economies and consumer buying power," said Hovenkamp, "it is probably safe. But if [it is] doing this to suppress competition, the commission may act."

Among the possible results of the hearings: fines levied to the tune of 10% of global net revenues. Kroes' agency could also dismiss the SO after the hearing.

"Europeans are much more comfortable with regulation," said Hovenkamp.

Apple did not reply to a request for comment on the court ruling yesterday or on the hearings that kick off tomorrow in Brussels.

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