The Best Time to Plant Vegetable Gardens

The best time to plant a vegetable garden really varies from location to location. So if our living down in southern Florida then you are pretty much fine planting your garden at any time of the year. Basically some things you need to consider is when your last freeze is per year.
There's no real clear cut answer here and you can actually grow some vegetables nearly year round. But in general the best planting times for locations would fall during these times. Here are some of the best times to plant a vegetable garden!
So lets go ahead and break down the time frames per location:
-Northeast USA: Best time to plant would be around May
-Southeast USA: The best time to plant would be around April
-Northwest USA: The best time to plant would be around April
-Central USA: Best time to plant would be around May
-Southwest USA: Best time to plant would be around April
Ok so there are a lot of factors to consider. Its not only your location but also your elevation and more. If your on the coast line odds are you experience warmer temperatures also. Another thing you might want to consider is growing your vegetables indoors.
If you need more help on getting started growing your vegetable garden then simply check out my bio box below for a free guide. I hope this short little chart of times has helped you. Now that you know what the best time to plant a vegetable garden you can start planning!

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Silver Wedding Anniversary Speeches - 25th Anniversary Speech Guide

Getting an opportunity to give a Silver Wedding Speech should be considered a very rare and unique opportunity taking into consideration the current status of culture. The happily wed couple has completed 25 years of successful, intriguing, emotional, entertaining and joyful years. So, it will be a tribute to give a speech equally important and appreciated by everyone listening to you. How to go about with this job? Well, read on, and this article will give you all the information you need to accomplish this task.
Preparation is the key to success no matter how good an orator you are. Since it will be very emotional and nervous environment, giving a speech with no preparation will lead to disaster and panic. Therefore think about your speech and spend a lot of time practicing the speech a few times.
Begin with a warm welcome to the guests if you are part of the family or just start with your introduction which is easier. Obviously, all is known about the difficulties in starting a speech. So by keeping it short, simple and brief will be very helpful in making a good start.
After the introduction, you can begin with a memorable event that you share with the couple. Do not forget to congratulate the special couple and respect the inspiration and how they are leading the path for others to follow. Please bear in mind that the event is a very happy occasion and so be very careful to refrain from vulgarity or embarrassing or negative wards and events. Such remarks may bring discomfort and unpleasant feeling among the audience and the couple who are celebrating their 25th anniversary. You can also recite a poem, joke or real life event which is decent and good so as to keep the audience gives their attention to your speech. The speech should not extend beyond four to five minutes which will then make it difficult for you as well as the audience.
To conclude, you can again congratulate the couple on their marvelous achievement and propose a toast for the next 50th anniversary and more. You can share your expectations and wished for the special couple and also share some advice for them. You can also cite their life as an example and inspiration for the many married couple who are attending the ceremony to follow suite. Finally, say some spiritual words and a toast for the couple for their continuing happy and prosperous married life.

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Dating anxiety robs women's confidence

In the film He's Just Not That Into You, Drew Barrymore's character complains about being rejected by seven different technologies.
"I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work, so I called him at home, and he emailed me to my Blackberry, and so I texted him to his mobile phone," she says.
"And now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting."
It's not only a sign of the times but a contributing factor to what relationship experts are calling a thoroughly modern epidemic: Modern Female Dating Anxiety (MFDA).
Ryan Cassady, a life coach, and his wife Jessica, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist, coined the phrase in their new book, Stop Wondering If You'll Ever Meet Him.
The couple says the condition, with symptoms like sweaty palms, shallow breathing and obsessive behaviour, has developed over the last decade as by-product of technological communication and casual dating practises.
"There actually are components of mental illness that we see coming into the picture of MFDA (and) we know that these are people who are mentally healthy," Dr Cassaday says.
The condition most commonly affects self-assured women who lose their cool on the dating circuit, the couple said in a phone interview from their home in LA.
"They have a sense of confidence and security that somehow becomes absent in the dating situation," Cassaday says.
The evolution of "conveniences" like text messaging, social networking and email have created "this illusion of intimacy" that hasn't been formed between people, Dr Cassaday says.
"As technology has been brought into the equation people have gotten used to exploring connections in a very fast way.
"That sense of immediate gratification has confused a process that traditionally followed more of a courtship process.
"If you're not hearing from someone straight away because they do have that ability to call you, (you) that something must be wrong."
Women also aren't coping well with loosening of formal courtship "codes", a legacy of the sexual revolution of the 1960s.
"The formality of the dating process was kind of tossed out the window and as a result a very casual (method)... arose," Cassaday says.
"Hanging out and hooking up" replaced traditional courtship methods, he says.
To get over MFDA, the couple encourage sufferers to channel their "feminine mystique", or charisma, dig up some old-school dating practises and "let go" of their "type".
The couple, who host a radio show in the US, were friends for eight years and began dating while working on their self-help book.
They are now expecting their first baby in three months and are working on a book for couples about "sensual enhancement".
Do you have MFDA?
- Do you feel apprehensive or uneasy before a date?
- Do you constantly wonder how he feels about you?
- Are you uncomfortable with the ambiguous dating process?
- Do you feel very close to men you date only once or twice, but barely know?
- When you're getting ready for a date do you experience an increased pulse rate, butterflies or sweaty palms?
- Do you worry that you'll never meet "The One"?

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Friendship - Three Mistakes That People Make With Their Relationships

Everyone seems to support the idea of having friends but not everyone knows how to keep their friendships healthy and growing. This article describes three mistakes that people do which harms or destroys their relationships.

NOT COMMUNICATING IN A HEALTHY MANNER - Communication requires effort. Assuming what the other person is thinking or doing can be very deceptive and can lead to incorrect conclusions. In order to understand the perspective of the other person, you must be willing to ask good questions, show respect while the person explains and then discuss the situation. Sometimes, miscommunication requires that the individuals forgive themselves and each other before they can move on. One of the consequences of poor communication is stress for not only the individuals but also for the friendship. The best thing to do to avoid this, is to have honest and frequent conversations with the other person..

TAKING IT FOR GRANTED - Often we don't miss something until it disappears. There is no maintenance in life. Things are either growing or stagnating and this concept applies to all things including friendships. When you take a relationships for granted it is usually because you have forgotten the value of it or have forgotten to value and treasure it. It is not wise to assume that a person or relationship will be there at our convenience. Being thankful for your friendship needs to be a constant attitude - present not only in your own mind and heart but also in the conversations you have with and about your friend.

LETTING IT DIE THROUGH NEGLECT - Friendships require an investment in your time and effort. Like a beautiful plant, it will die without attention and care. We all live in a busy world where there are many things that place demands on us. Career, family, and other obligations can steal the precious hours leaving us at the end of the day with a partially-completed "to do" list. It is therefore important that you take deliberate steps to enhance your friendships. Schedule time in your calendar at the beginning of the month for your friends. Sharing a meal, enjoying a telephone conversation or even writing a short note will provide food for the relationship. With a little creativity and effort there may be times that you can even invite several friends to meet each other and develop a healthy group of people who can encourage and support each other.
Communication, thankfulness and commitment to invest in others will provide you and your friends with healthy and loyal relationships that can satisfy for a lifetime.
Why not take five minutes right now and contact someone who you call "friend"?

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4 Tips For Making Flirting Eye Contact With Women

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and this is certainly true when it comes to women. By learning how to decipher a woman's eyes, you'll key in to how attracted she is to you.
When it comes to a woman's body language, it's most common for her to use flirting eye contact to engage a man she's attracted to. The problem is that most guys are clueless and completely incapable of noticing this female seduction technique. Can you imagine how much more active your sex life would be if you knew how to read a woman's signals?
The following are four of the most popular eye-contact signals emitted by women. Read on to learn what they mean and how to decipher them. You'll be amazed!
#1 - The Vertical Look
The Vertical Look (as in "up and down") is a classic scoping technique used by men, but I bet you didn't know women use it too! If a girl stares at your face, only to run her eyes down and back up again, congratulations...she just hit on you! This eye signal can be hard to catch, so pay attention.
The psychology behind the Vertical Look is simple: the girl liked your face, and she wants to know more. If you catch a girl giving you the once-over, you can be fairly certain she likes what she sees. Use this information to up your confidence, and go talk to her.
#2 - The Approach Look
There are times when a woman will use her eyes to give a guy the green light, but more often than not, he fails to notice. This method of flirting eye contact can be called the Approach Look, and it's critical that you be aware of it.
The Approach Look is pretty basic, and very significant. If you ever look across the room to find a woman watching you, and she flashes a smile, you can be assured she's open to talking to you. Don't stall here! She wants you to approach her, so get off your butt and do it.
#3 - The 'I Like You' Look
Most of us aren't scientists, but there is one physiological sign in a woman's eyes that indicates a serious desire...dilated pupils.
Whether it's ice cream or a beautiful person, all humans have an involuntary physical reaction to seeing something they like. When a woman's eyes are dilated, her pupils expand. Think of it this way: She finds you attractive, so in order to see more of you, her pupils grow larger.
So go ahead...gaze into her eyes! Just try not to smirk when you notice just how wide-eyed she is for you.
#4 - The 'Kiss Me' Look
It's very important that you know the 'Kiss Me' Look. If you fail to recognize when a woman wants to lock lips, you'll probably never get another chance to do so.
This look is also very easy to interpret, but you have to be aware of it. When talking to a woman, she may gaze into your eyes, only to look directly at your mouth. What's really happening is that she's sending you a nonverbal cue to make a move!
By this point, you should know whether or not there's any chemistry between the two of you. With that said, don't hesitate when you receive the 'Kiss Me' look...just do it! Remember how sexy confidence is to women, and take charge of the situation.
Final Thoughts
Women seldom make the first move on men, but they do put a lot of care into sending various attraction signals. By learning how to read her eyes, you'll become a master of dating and seduction. Memorize these four modes of female body language, and enjoy the ride.

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He Cheated on Me - Should I Cheat Back?

Has he cheated on you and you are seriously considering cheating back on him? Do you think it's only fair to get even but are not sure if you can live with yourself afterwards? Are you confused as to what to do with your relationship after this problem? If these issues sound like the ones you are facing, then you are not alone. Cheating is one of the most devastating problems that can ever occur to a relationship. Unfortunately, fidelity or faithfulness is one of the things that most men have trouble giving to their partners. If he cheated on you and you are seriously pondering fighting fire with fire, this article may shed some light on the problem.
Find out why he did it
Although there is no valid excuse for cheating, you may want to find out what made him become unfaithful in the first place. As surprising as it may sound, his weakness might not be all there is to blame. For instance, perhaps you have been spending more time with your friends or at work than you do with him. Or perhaps you have lost interest in sex and intimacy and just see them as routines that you need to get through. Or maybe you have made him feel rejected and unwanted without being aware. These actions by you can easily drive him to the arms of another woman. If you share in the cause of the problem, you may want to decide if you want to work it out or just end the relationship.
Revenge won't solve the problem
When you find out that he cheated on you, it's way easy to want to get back and cheat on him as well. However, you may want to reconsider your decision. Like they say, two wrongs will not make a right. Say, after you evened out the score, where will that leave the two of you? Not only did you do more damage to relationship, but you also stooped to that low level.
The right way out
If your guy cheated on you and you feel like you will be unable to forgive him, then it's better to let the relationship end rather than take revenge. When you end the relationship, you are wiping the slate clean. However, if you try to cheat like he did, you are making a scar or a mark that can never be erased.

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7 Secrets of Happy Couples

Why do some couples stay happy together for a lifetime, while others are in conflict almost from the beginning?
Part of the answer is compatibility - making the initial choice of a partner with whom you share common values. Equally much, however, depends upon the choices each partner chooses to make during the relationship. Here are seven choices made by happy couples:
1. Trust: Suspicion and jealousy are the death knell of any relationship. If the other is going to cheat or otherwise dishonor the relationship, suspicion and jealousy will not prevent it, and such a relationship is fatally flawed in any case. Unwarranted suspicion and jealousy create misery in a surprising number of relationships. If you want to live happily, trust your partner completely. If they dishonor your trust, deal with the situation then. In the meanwhile, your will have been happy.
2. Open Communication: Tell the truth, tell the whole truth. If you didn't want to share your whole life with your partner, why are you together? If you make a mistake, admit it. If you have doubts, talk about them. Secrets and lies kill a relationship. With truth and openness anything is possible. Even if something is unforgivable, it is better to deal with it quickly.
3. Honoring the other's point-of-view: People disagree, couples disagree. Understanding that the two partners in a couple remain individuals is crucial to a happy relationship. Why would you expect that you and your partner should agree on everything? Honor that one of you is a Republican and the other a Democrat. Honor that one of you is a vegetarian and the other loves a great steak.
4. Self-Confidence: Co-dependence is another frequent cause of failed relationships. Happy couples know that they don't need each other. Each partner is a completely whole and valid individual who has entered into a voluntary partnership. Neither "owns" the other, nor "can't live without" the other. Each has their own interests and friends, as well as having mutual interests and friends.
5. Generosity: Greed and selfishness kill relationships. True love is generous in spirit. Mostly, generosity is not about material things, although that is also important. To have a happy relationship, be generous of your time, your love, and your attention.
6. Forgiveness: Resentments and thoughts of revenge and vengeance have no place in a happy relationship. Happy couples forgive each other completely for everything the other has ever done or failed to do - no exceptions.
7. Gratitude: Happy couples are continuously grateful for each other. Every day there are a myriad of reasons to be grateful for your partner. Find those reasons each day, and thank your partner every day.

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Tips For Planning a Summer Wedding

One of the most interesting weddings is an outdoor summer event. Usually held between May and September, a summer wedding is traditionally less formal that those held indoors. However, a summer wedding will have its own considerations.
Weather can become an issue very quickly in the middle of summer. You can easily find yourself in the middle of a rainstorm during your vows. You must consider the climate and possible weather beforehand so you can make arrangements if it should rain or storm.
Your wedding gown will also need special attention. Obviously, the middle of summer is quite warm. Consider sleeveless gowns or dresses of shorter lengths. The shoes you wear also need to be chosen carefully, as you don't want heels sinking into the ground. If your wedding is on the beach, shoes will be required as well so you don't burn your feet on the hot sand!
Another consideration is for your wedding photos. You'll need to be sure the photographer brings lighting equipment as well. This is especially true if your reception is scheduled for later in the evening.
The sun can quickly become a nuisance however, if you have not planned the seating correctly. Make sure the sun is at your guests' back or they will be unable to see you exchange your vows. You may also want to provide simple fans for your guests if the temperature will be extreme. For the older guests, you may want to rent a simple form of shelter if they are not able to sit for long periods in the sun.
One of the nicest aspects of an outdoor wedding is that you can use limited decorations. You can use only a few ornaments to accent the venue, as well as a few flowers. This can really cut the cost of your wedding, leaving more available for other areas, such as you honeymoon.
The reception can also be held outside and can feature some lighter food choices than a traditional reception. Make sure that food is kept cold that needs to be. You certainly don't want anyone getting sick. Choose flavorful sandwiches, light salads, and wonderful finger foods. Don't get too fancy. Summer weddings are perfect for the lighter side of life.
A great accent to an outdoor summer wedding is to arrive in a horse and carriage. Few things are more romantic and it will certainly provide a lovely beginning for the ceremony. You can also ride off into the sunset with your husband and begin your life together in style.
An outdoor summer venue for a wedding can be one of the most romantic places to celebrate your new life together. With a little advance planning, you can make sure your wedding goes off without any problems. Keep the plans simple and elegant. Choose lighter decorations and music, as well as fare for the reception. This will help present the image of an outdoor summer wedding that is envied by all.

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Your Children Should Not Suffer Because of Divorce

Unfortunately, divorce is a family affair, and the effects are felt beyond just the couple who are divorcing. Parents must carefully consider the impact that their divorce will have on their children.
Many children feel lost and insecure when their parents divorce, and frequently they blame themselves. Furthermore, don't think that just because you children are older they will not feel it as well. Parents must make their best effort to make the transition as easy as possible for their children, regardless of their ages.
The following points will give you highlight some of the ways you as a parent can make your divorce less painful for your children.

• By all means, do not fight in front of your children, particularly about issues which directly concern the divorce, such as child support, custody and other related topics. This will only exacerbate the problems that they may have to face in the area of adjustment, and typically forces them to feel as though they need to take "sides" in the divorce.
• Never use your children as pawns in the fight against your spouse. Children suffer irreversible damage when they have to listen to a parent being constantly criticized. When the criticism is by the other parent, it is very hard for the child to reconcile these two realities. Children are frequently used in custody battles, especially when one spouse wants to hurt the other. However, this strategy will not only harm the child, but in the long run it will greatly damage the parent's own relationship with the child.
• Your children are neither messengers nor spies. Although communication is generally not at its best during divorce or after a divorce, if you have something to discuss with the other parent, then make direct contact, and keep it civil. In spite of how you may feel about the person, this is also the children's parent, and they still love that parent, just as they love you.
• Minimize unnecessary changes. The change that divorce brings to a child's life is major and dramatic. Parents must keep other changes at a minimum so the child can adjust gradually to this new life. Try to avoid changing residences or schools, at least for a while. If you are the parent who has to move out of the family home, frequently remind your children that you are still their parent and will always be there for them.
  

If you can use these points to lay the groundwork for how you interact with your children during the divorce process, both you and your children will come through the experience emotionally stronger and with your relationship intact.

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Top Six Predictors of Divorce - What You Can Do About the Things That Are Crippling Your Marriage

Is your marriage in a rough spot? Odds are that you and your spouse have some of these challenges which researchers call risk factors. If you and your spouse find yourself anywhere on your list don't despair these are simply risk factors and do not determine the future of your marriage and it probably just means that you will need some help or good information to help get on a path towards marital health.
Here is the list of the top 6 risk factors that predict divorce.
1. You married when you were teenagers.
Study after study shows that age at marriage is one of the most powerful and consistent predictors of marital stability. If you marry before you turn twenty, you are much likely to divorce.
2. You lived together before you were married.
This one is counter intuitive to most people because they assume that living together will increase the quality of their marriage. However study after study is showing that that divorce rates are constantly higher for those who live together before they are married.
3. Your parents were divorced.
If you are your spouse come from a divorced family you are more likely to get a divorce. However if one of you comes from a home where there was a good marriage model then these risks actually go down.
4. You get pregnant before you are married.
The good news is that couples with children actually have lower divorce rates however, if their child is born seven months or before they are married then their risk for divorce actually goes up.
5. You haven't been married very long.
Most divorces happen early, often in the first year and about half by year 7. It makes sense to stick it out and let your marriage have a chance.
6. You make less than $25,000 a year.
Issues around money are some of the most common and deadly to marriages.
So again, if you find yourself on this list just remember these are the things that you can't change. So if you are worried about your marriage, if you are fighting all the time, or if you are talking about divorce you should know that there is hope. With the right information and a willingness to work on your marriage you can save it and make it something that is life giving to you both.

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Single Dad Summer Activities

For dads, summer is the one opportunity in the year to find a way to be a tad hedonistic. Of course, being hedonistic is relative. As a young man, indulging in drugs, sex and rock and roll in the summer is not only natural -- it’s expected.
Let’s see if I remember how it went. First, I would go visit my best friend, the Big B, with my other best friends, Rick Rock and H (I was the Big P). Then we would roll up a big joint and listen to Zeppelin, the Stones or the Velvet Underground while trying not to scratch the records, which, for all intents and purposes, was impossible -- especially for the Big B.
Then we would all pile into H’s 1971 Valiant and head downtown to try to pick up chicks and get laid. Ah yes, those wonderful pre-HIV days, when all the girls were on the Pill. Yep, it’s all coming back to me -- those long, golden, hedonistic days when it was all about pleasuring oneself.

Live in the now
Cut to: It's summer 2007 and I’m a single dad to a great 16-year-old boy. I absolutely love being a single dad, except for the lonely nights.
My philosophy is: When the kids are away, the single dads can play. And we have the right to find time to practice single-dad hedonism without any guilt whatsoever. We suffer enough guilt from September to June a la: "Why couldn’t I keep the family together"; or "I regret that my child has to go back and forth"; or "the drop in my household income makes me feel like a loser."
We can put all that crap away in the summer and practice the George Costanza approach to single parenting: just do the opposite. We have nothing to feel guilty about.

The importance of "me time"
Before I started this article, I Googled "importance of me time" and got 76,900,000 hits. Then I Googled "importance of me time, single parents" and got zilch. So I know I’m onto something new. And I suppose if I Googled "single parents, hedonism" I would get the first negative number in the history of internet searches. If Google had a voice, it would say to me, “Man, not only does it not exist, like, you’re on another planet.”
Rediscover your hedonistic selfShout it loud, shout it proud: "I love being a single dad, but I hereby proclaim at least one week this summer to be my single dad hedonist week."
Run to the nearest mirror and say, “I’m a much better looking guy than I ever thought.” Acknowledge that your dog or cat likes you only because you feed them and that it’s time to relate to a woman who may want to lick you because of who you are as a dad, man or lover.

Get out there
Ignore all child-related messes and head out the door to visit places you would go if you weren't a family man. Go to where the beautiful people hang out downtown, where the uber-superwomen who know they look good stroll down the boardwalk with pleated miniskirts on.
Dine at restaurants that serve sex-inducing foods like oyster, octopus, fine wine, and cheese. Then look around and observe which women are willing to eat with their hands or dunk their bread in the virgin olive oil. You'll want to catch their eye…
Climb a mountain, take a hike, bicycle a hundred miles, but do something that your child could never do with you and be proud of the big manly sweat you work up -- the one that brings you closer to the beast you truly are.

Visit the museum.
Mill around the exhibits that serve the Indiana Jones in you or tap into something you feel more passionate about. And you can completely ignore the dinosaur bones and not feel the least bit guilty about it.
Head to a bookstore and split your time between looking at the book covers and flirting with the women looking at the book covers. For God’s sake, man, hang out in the self-help or cooking section if you have to!

Just be natural
You know, when you think of it, being a single dad offers us the best natural opening/pickup line when it comes to meeting women. You can cozy up to the nearest hot, smart-looking woman and say, “Boy, it’s nice to be out of the kids’ section.”
With that, not only do you pull on their heartstrings because you’re announcing you’re a great single dad who cares about children’s literacy, but in the same breath, you’re also able to say you’re single and be noble about it.
Use the “single dad line” in grocery stores, "Boy, it’s good to be able to buy grown-up food," or any other high-traffic locale. Just change the premise from child product to adult product. And there’s nothing to feel guilty about, because it’s utterly honest each and every time. That’s a win-win-win situation!

learn from the kids
It’s summer and your child is thrilled because they once again have the opportunity to do anything they want. What a concept. And once again, our children have something to teach us. I’m suggesting that we single dads also have the right to practice what our children already know: It’s OK to spend some time this summer only thinking of what’s in it for us -- at least for a few days.

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Top 10: New Places To Meet Women

When you think of great places to meet women, the first locations that usually come to mind are bars, coffee shops and, of course, shopping malls. There are, however, tons of other places that you probably haven’t considered -- and you should. Here are 10 new places to meet women that you need to check out immediately.
1: Dance classes
This is a great one. Where else are you going to find lots of women -- most of them single -- that you are forced to physically interact with? Chances are that you’ll be one of the very few men in attendance, so the numbers are greatly to your advantage. Plus, you’ll be paired up with women as partners -- great opportunities to get to know each woman a bit more. If there’s chemistry between you and one of your partners, it’s only natural to invite her out on the town to practice what you’ve learned in class.
2: Wine tasting events
This might sound a little stuffy, but a wine tasting event is actually a great place to meet women. The atmosphere will be classier and more interesting than a bar, and you’ll have a generally higher caliber type of woman in attendance. These women will be much more interested in good conversation. Throw some witty dialogue and banter in, and you’ll do very well. Read up on wine a little bit before you go to one of these, or just go in as a novice -- women will appreciate that you are there to learn. Then discuss nearby restaurants, and lock in a date.
3: Dog parks
Chances are, you’ve driven by a dog park before and saw that it was full of beautiful women with dogs. Well, take advantage of this situation. If you own a dog, regularly take it for walks at the dog park. Don’t be surprised when women stop and approach you to admire your dog -- it’s too easy. Besides, you can tell a lot about a woman by the type of dog she has. If it’s an untrained little yappy dog, it’s pretty safe to assume she’s going to be high maintenance. Next! One word of advice: Make sure your dog is lovable and not too scary.
4: Meetup.com groups
If you haven’t been to Meetup.com before, do yourself a favor and check it out. There are plenty of opportunities to attend events of virtually every type, so you’ll be sure to find something you’re interested in. Consider a bar-hop Meetup or a Meetup that revolves around trying different foods. Everyone will introduce themselves at the beginning, and it’ll be a great opportunity to socialize and meet women as you’re experiencing something you enjoy doing. The beauty of this scenario is that everyone is in a group, and you don’t need to stick by her side the entire evening. Flirt and joke around occasionally, then walk away -- you’ll be sure to see her again later.
5: Art walks
Nearly every major town has an art district. On certain nights of the month, you’ll find the area comes alive with an art walk. The galleries become the hippest spots in town. They set up bars and DJs, and lots of women from all over bounce from gallery to gallery, enjoying fine art and wine. This is a perfect opportunity to wander around and causally meet people. The bonus here is that as the art walk winds down, the city’s night scene is just beginning, so it’s a natural progression to invite your new female friend out to hit your favorite spots with you.
6: Acting classes
If you’ve never taken an acting or comedy class, you really need to try this. This is an environment in which you will have a lot of fun interacting with other people by being forced to play various roles. It’s a perfect scenario to flirt and tease others in a fun, natural situation. Think of the in-jokes you will create with your “costars” as you develop your characters. You literally have to flirt with all the women there, and you can find out right away if there’s any chemistry between you and someone else.
7: Fitness classes
Go into a gym, and you’ll find plenty of attractive women working out. However, you’ll find it’s next to impossible to start talking to them without coming off like a pathetic loser who only came there to pick up women in the first place. Instead, think about taking a fitness class like yoga, kickboxing or CrossFit. This is in a closed environment, and since everyone is doing exactly the same workout, it makes it a lot more comfortable to socialize. Plus it’s easy to come up with something to say after a grueling workout. As an added bonus, people tend to regularly attend the same classes each week, so this is a natural opportunity to get to know women over time with no pressure.
8: Community service or volunteering
Volunteering or doing community service is a great way to meet women while helping those in need. First, you’ll have an opportunity to meet and work with people in a structured environment. You’ll have all sorts of ways of interacting with others, and you have to because you’re doing a job. There are all sorts of fun ways to volunteer, from helping out at a shelter to coaching kid’s sports teams. Give it a shot.
9: Organized trips
If you can meet a woman with whom you already have a common interest, it certainly starts things off on the right foot. That’s why it’s a great idea to get involved with an organized trip centered around a hobby you enjoy doing like hiking, scuba diving, mountain climbing, bird watching, etc. This is a simple way to meet a woman in a relaxed environment without feeling the pressure or awkwardness that comes with dating. Plus, you’re both doing something you enjoy, so it’s an opportunity to present yourself at your very best.
10: Social-media websites
Of course you’ve heard of Myspace and Facebook, but have you considered Twitter or the restaurant review community Yelp? These sites can be great ways to meet people who share common interests as opposed to just randomly browsing online dating sites. For example, at Yelp, people are rewarded for writing funny and cool reviews of restaurants. If you consistently write interesting reviews, you will get a lot of fans, plus there’s a built-in opportunity to get to know someone by meeting up at review spots together.

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Top 10: Things She Doesn't Want To Hear About Your Ex

We'll admit it: We're nosy bitches. But just because we start prying into your past doesn't mean we really want to know that much about your ex. Ignorance is bliss sometimes, so check out the 10 things we don't want to hear you say about a past girlfriend.

1: "She was wild and crazy... if you know what I mean."
A guy who says this is either soft in the head or playing some sort of game that ultimately makes him the loser. Never -- ever! -- tell a woman about your naughty escapades. Not only does it make us cringe to think about you naked with another girl, but we view you as less gentlemanly for being a kiss-and-teller. All manner of specifics with regard to your past sexcapades fall into the category of things she doesn't want to hear about your ex.

2: "She used to model," or "She was a butterface."
How we feel about the attractiveness of your ex is a delicate balance: If we find out she was fugly, we wonder why you couldn't get a hotter chick until now. If you admit she was gorgeous, it makes us insecure about how we stack up. The best possible way to describe how attractive an ex was is to shrug your shoulders and say, "She was OK." The indifference satisfies us (at least until we stalk your old Facebook photos).

3: "She won Best Personality in high school. Actually, we were voted Cutest Couple too."
Vomit much? FYI: I have the best personality of any girl you've ever dated and we are the cutest couple to have ever graced the planet. Please reread the above sentence 10 times over as your penance for revealing that barf-worthy information.

4: "She worked in a lingerie store."
Oh, and did she get a 40% discount too? Greeeaat. While most women have their own set of silky and sassy undergarments, the idea of your ex having an entire stash of lingerie is pretty intimidating. We want to feel special in that little number we bought just for you -- and we don’t want to think about how you've seen a girl all Victoria Secret-ed out a hundred times before us.

5: "She's fluent in four languages and is working on her second book. I don't know how she does it all."
Spare us. Here we thought our monthly Book Club made us culturally interesting. Any time we hear about another woman who can do it all (and is a smarty to boot!), it makes us question our own successes and worldly attributes. Like, good for your ex, and we really do mean it. But when all of a sudden our schedule is too packed to hang out with you because we've also decided to conquer the world, blame yourself for lighting that little fire under our ass.

6: "My parents loved her."
Did someone just toothpaste-squeeze our stomachs? Because ughhh. Establishing good rapport with our guy's parents is one of the most nerve-racking things for a woman. We already get jitters wondering how much your family actually likes us, and that's without knowing that they're secretly comparing us to your beloved ex-gf. If you really want to kill us quickly, just tell us about how your parents and ex still e-mail every day too.

7: "She pretty much broke my heart."
We don't know who came up with the myth that women love a heartbroken man, because we certainly don't. We squirm at this phrase because of the personal baggage it implies. If your ex shattered you, then we can't help but wonder how much you still dwell on the past and if you have any issues (like a fear of commitment) just waiting to come out. Everyone has experienced painful moments in relationships, and we understand that. But we're not still moping about our former failures, and neither should you.

8: "She was a stripper."
This makes us want to sprint to the gyno. An ingrown hair? No, it must be herpes! The paranoia that comes with knowing your ex didn't keep her body private can be pretty intense. Plus, who the hell dates a stripper? You skeeze!

9: "We took amazing vacations together."
Even the sanest, most logical chick will get a little jealous if she hears that you and your ex went skydiving in New Zealand, hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, or just ordered frosty pina coladas on a Florida beach for three straight days. We like to think that the experiences we have together are brand new and exciting, and that you've never been anywhere with any other female. Hearing about how much fun you used to have with your ex just bums us out.

10: "My ex did it this way."
Please excuse us while we get a butter knife to saw off your balls. You can tell us if we're doing it right.

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4 Steps: Avoid People

Between cell phones, e-mail and social networking sites, it is next to impossible to be left alone for any reasonable amount of time these days, without deliberately setting out to do so. When you don't respond to calls, messages, wall posts or other activity right away, people get the impression you're blowing them off, leading to unnecessary complications and explanations that only waste more precious time.
Perhaps you've got a thesis to work on or an office project, or maybe you just need a break or you've got your dwindling personal budget in mind. Whatever the case, what follows is a guide on avoiding your entire social circle for a limited amount of time to take care of whatever you need to take care of, one that allows you to put all your concentration on the task at hand without worrying about alienating your friends. We're proposing these four steps with a view toward not burning bridges (after all, you’ll want to hang out again afterward).
To that end, we present 4 steps on how to avoid people for a short, unspecified amount of time -- without causing much of a stir in the overall scheme of your social life.

step 1--Declare your unavailability
Begin with the obvious by making a formal declaration of your unavailability. Do this by sending out a single group message or e-mail a day or so prior to the time that you intend to take off and avoid people.
This isn't something you see very often these days, so make sure you're very clear about your intentions: what you're doing and for how long you expect to be unavailable. You can include why you're doing it as well, although nothing requires you to do so. Either way, being clear about it all will prevent people from e-mailing you or contacting you trying to find out particulars. The last thing you need is to feel obligated to respond individually to 10 or 20 people, when your declaration should have been enough.
Sadly, you know some people are going to take offense to this. They'll get over it.

step 2--Set up auto responses
To further prevent people from trying to contact you, establish auto responses for non-essential e-mails through your e-mail account, and set your status accordingly on social networking applications. No need to go into any great detail here, just make it short and sweet, but not so brief that you alarm people who somehow manage to read a crisis into the very simple idea of avoiding people for an indeterminate length of time.
In short, auto responses should save you the trouble of responding to the people who can't take the hint.

step 3--Reduce your visibility
The third step to avoid people is to reduce your visibility, both online and offline.
Online, eliminate any viable way for people to tell that you're online. For example, don't allow yourself to be tempted by someone trying to IM you on the likes of Facebook -- switch that application to "offline" status so that no one can spot you online and hit you up for a long-winded conversation you really don't have the time for.
Offline, avoid going to the same Starbucks you're used to or to the same local lunch spot, or your standby bar for happy hour. As painful or difficult as this might be, it's essential to avoid getting trapped into seeing people and possibly accepting invitations to hang out or otherwise lose valuable time.

step 4--Formally schedule your re-emergence
The last step to take in avoiding people is letting your social circle know you're on your way back. Not only is it the polite thing to do after having made your earlier declaration, it also creates a deadline for yourself if you need it. To this end, before your time draws to a close book some appointments or make some plans with your buddies to show that you are back in the mix and ready to hang out. Don't forget to rescind the auto responses and change your status updates when the time comes.

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human happiness is independent of our life circumstances

Psychologists have been fond of stating in recent years that human happiness, or what psychologists call subjective well-being, is largely independent of our life circumstances. The wealthy aren't much happier than the middle class, married people aren't much happier than single people, healthy people aren't much happier than sick people, and so on.
One might reasonably conclude, therefore, that changes in life circumstances would not have long-term effects on our happiness. This indeed has been the dominant model of subjective well-being: People adapt to major life events, both positive and negative, and our happiness pretty much stays constant through our lives, even if it is occasionally perturbed. Winning the lottery won't make you happier in the long run (goes the theory), and while a divorce or even a major illness will throw your life into upheaval for a while, your happiness level will eventually return to where it was at before-that is, its set point.
But new research, and reexamination of old research, is challenging some of the claims of set-point theory.
In the April issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, Richard E. Lucas of Michigan State University and the German Institute for Economic Research, reviews some recent studies suggesting that adaptation to changing life circumstances only goes so far. "Happiness levels do change, adaptation is not inevitable, and life events do matter," Lucas asserts.
To study adaptation, Lucas and his colleagues used data from two large national prospective panel studies - one in Germany and the other in Great Britain. Unlike most previous studies of adaptation, these data were able to capture levels of life satisfaction both prior to and after major life events like marriage, divorce, unemployment, and illness or disability.
Lucas found that not all of life's slings and arrows are created equal. On average, most people adapt quickly to marriage, for example - within just a couple of years, the peak in subjective well-being experienced around the time of getting married returns to its previous levels. People mostly adapt to the sorrows of losing a spouse too, but this takes longer - about 7 years. People who get divorced and people who become unemployed, however, do not, on average, return to the level of happiness they were at previously. The same can be said about physical debilitation. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that major illnesses and injury result in significant, lasting decreases in subjective-well being.
But Lucas also found that individual differences play an important role. There's a lot of individual variation in the degree to which people adapt to what life throws at them. What's more, individuals destined to experience certain life events actually differ in their subjective well-being from those not so fated - even well before the occurrence of those events. People who eventually marry and stay married, for example, tend to be happier even 5 years before their marriage than those who are destined to marry and get divorced.
Lucas stresses that his findings do not undercut the importance of adaptation processes. Some degree of adaptation necessarily protects us from prolonged emotional states that may be harmful, and helps us attune to novel threats to our well-being rather than dwell on ones we are familiar with. Adaptation also helps us detach from goals that have proven unrealistic.-Association for Psychological Science

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10 surprising sex statistics

Whether it's penis size, papillomavirus risk, or profligate pregnancies, it's good to know the numbers. Check out these stats to see if you are well within the sexual mean — or if you're off the charts.
1---Why do you do it?
Sure, there's the obvious. But there's also an argument for men's biological drive to perpetuate their genes : An 18th-century Russian woman holds the world record for having birthed the most children: 69, which she had over the course of 27 pregnancies that included sixteen pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets. But she's outdone by the male record-holder for most kids, a Moroccan emperor who, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, sired "at least 342 daughters and 525 sons, and by 1721, he was reputed to have 700 male descendants."
2---Does size matter?
Relax, guys. No matter what those, ahem, movies might suggest, in the United States, the average erect penis is five to seven inches long, and four to six inches in circumference.
3---Do you need assistance?
Approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 to 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience erectile dysfunction.
4---When did you lose your virginity?
The average male loses his virginity at age 16.9; females average slightly older, at 17.4. And a new study shows that genetics may be a factor: inherited traits, such as impulsivity, can make a person more or less willing to have sex at an earlier age.
5---Do you have a comfortable couch?
About one out of 10 married adults — 12 percent — say that they typically sleep alone.
6---Do you reach orgasm every time?

While 75 percent of men always reach orgasm during sex, only 29 percent of women report the same. In addition, most women are unable to climax through vaginal intercourse, instead needing clitoral stimulation.
7---Do you get fringe benefits?

Two-thirds of college students have been in a "friends with benefits" relationship, citing the lack of commitment required as the main advantage to such an arrangement. More than half of those who had sex with a friend said they had engaged in all forms of sex; 22.7 percent said they had intercourse only, while 8 percent said they did everything but have intercourse.
8---How many sex partners have you had?

What's your number? According to a survey of adults aged 20 to 59, women have an average of four sex partners during their lifetime; men have an average of seven.
9---Did you take maternity leave?

Two-thirds of women who had their first baby between 2001 and 2003 worked during their pregnancy, and 80 percent of those women worked within one month or less of giving birth. Compare this to the period between 1961 and 1965, when 44 percent of women worked during their pregnancy (35 percent worked one month or less before delivering).
10---Are you infected?

At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will have a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV, or human papillomavirus, comes in both low- and high-risk forms; low-risk HPV can cause genital warts, and high-risk can cause cervical and other cancers. In 90 percent of cases, the body's immune system will fight off the disease within two years.

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Catch Your Cheating Spouse - Strategies That Will Put Your Suspicions to Rest

You see, a cheater needs to communicate with their lover, and the cell phone is the link that connects them. If you are able to intercept and analyze this resource you are well on your way in catching your spouse or loved one in their cheating escapades.
Chances are your love one will use the cell phone to make calls to their lover when they are away and out of your presence. As their affair progresses, calls become more frequent, and if you are on top of your game you will start to catch on to this.
Catch them with their cell phone:
1. We are living in a lazy society, so there is a very good chance that your loved one has his/her lover stored under a friend's name or quite possibly someone of the same sex in their phone.
Pay attention! Who is that friend that called in the wee hours on a week night? "Oh that's just Scotty", or was it? Make mental notes (you may even write it down when you get a chance) so that you can piece together the times these calls are coming in.
2. Is your loved one getting a lot of private or no id calls? This is a very telling sign if there seems to be some consistency in the times these calls are coming in. They will have made arrangements as to when they should call each other. So this may be late at night when your partner goes out for his routine run to the convenient store. These are the times that you will occasionally check his phone, when you have a chance of course.
3. If you mate is carrying on a physical relationship with someone else, they will need some "get away" time. You will to be deliberate on calling your mate at specific times. You see, the cheating mate will usually call to tell you there "get away story". This will be the, "I'm working late" bit or similar story. After they make that initial call, they now think they have a window period to be with their lover. Your deliberate call backs will be to see if they answer. If you are consistently getting the no answer 10 minutes after you just spoke to them and you do not get a call back for hours on end, this is also a very telling sign. They have already committed to seeing their lover, so the phone goes unanswered with a call back hours later.
4. It's been reported that many cheating partners will invest in a "down low" phone that they will keep hidden to make their secret calls. A good place to look for this "creep" phone is in your loved ones car. If this phone does exist, the picture is getting clearer. 5. Still think your spouse is cheating, but just not sure and don't want to be wrong. With today's technology you can purchase cell phone monitoring programs that will remain undetected on your loved ones phone while sending you all the phones activity to a special website. One of these programs in particular is Flexispy.
If you aware of your loved ones cell phone activity, you will usually get a fair picture of what is really going on. At that point, you will need to decide in which direction you want to proceed with your relationship. You may decide to use your new found information to get out of a relationship that you always wanted to but couldn't or you can become actively involved in saving your relationship that you truly cherish.
Either way there will be a challenge ahead of you before you will truly be happy again in a relationship. There are infidelity counselors and advisors that are available to get you through your situation, so you are not alone!

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What to Do in Lesbian Dating

The onset of online dating has opened a new world for everyone in the world to fall in love and find that like minded character who wield the same kind of qualities they have and are looking for. Lesbian dating has not been left behind, and for any lesbian out there who is looking for the right person to engage into intimacy and romance with, they should make good use of online dating. They will never be disappointed at any one time.
The first query with any lesbian is which is the ideal and best place where they can easily meet other women online. Visit a dating site and you will not be hurt. In many of these sites offering dating services for lesbian women, you can easily tell those suitors out there how ready and 'out' you really are, drinking behavior, if you smoke, political orientation with many having lots of space for narration. In addition, lesbian dating in these sites enables you to identify yourself as a Bi, lesbian,Trans, femme or butch, as well as anymore that you can amass.
When you are placing your ad in these sites, first check your grammar and spelling. There is nothing that really turns off more than an ad that is poorly written. Be positive. Take care you do not write so much about those things you detest. Keep it simple. Avoid the usage of cliche and bear in mind that each and everyone of us is after that person who is honest and comes with a dose of good humor. In lesbian dating, the title is overtly importantly and make sure yours is eye-catching. Do not forget a picture. Those sites which have photographs are the ones which will mount more hits.
There are some things you have to pay attention to when in response of an ad. Look at the geographical location, for instance, a person who is within ten or so miles, person within your age limit, same political views and not necessarily affiliations but ideology plus those other things which will surely catch your eye, such as the same interest in movies and books.Make sure you do not forget to check out the photographs.
When it comes to giving out the phone number in your lesbian dating spree, make sure have been in correspondence via instant messenger or e-mail before making that decision to speak via the phone. You will be able to easily make a judgement if you would like to continue with the correspondence after a couple of e-mails. You must remember not to offer your phone number till you are have reached that stage where it is prudent to meet. This will make you know if they have changed their mind or they might be late.
Lesbian dating calls for flexibility and you might find yourself meeting without a prior phone call. This is mostly after hearing their voice and speech, although the capacity of comfort while chatting through the phone might tell you if at all there will be anything in particular to speak about during your meeting.
Once you have met, you can have dating as your topic as you find out your date's experiences in this topic. The other topics are those things that usual in any type of dating, from what one does in life to where one was born and grew up in. You can also take this initiate about knowing if there are people you know in common as well as if they have ever been in lesbian dating before.

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The Art of Approaching Women

Every man on the planet should know how to approach women or girls. If you don't, you are missing out on the first step for finding the girl of your dreams and maybe your mate for life. The way you approach a girl can make or break the your chances of having a date or simply just buying her a drink. Hopefully I'll give you an idea or two on how to approach that certain someone special. I've had 20+ years on the dating scene, not to mention a great marriage to a beautiful woman. Yes we are still married after 19 years.

I'm no Romeo or Brad Pitt or what ever, but I know how to play the game. And it is a game. I've seen guys fail and succeed. It all comes down to the way the game is played. And if you get married and have kids you still have to play the game. It's kinda like working out with weights, when you stop....the results stop! Same thing. I am convinced that is why 80 percent of marriages fail, the game stops. My game stopped after 6 years of marriage and divorced was filed at the big number 7. I did get back in before it was final and never looked back. I got back into the game.

Enough of that, let's see how to approach a woman and/or girl -
Ok, Girls are used to getting approached, fact. Picture every other guy in the bar "If that's the case" as white horses" You have to become the one and only black horse in the crowd. You must stand out. I've had 10 times more luck in "Bars" if I did not drink alcohol. I would drink water and chew gum. Sounds kinda dumb, but it put me in the right mind set. Give it a try.
Here's a few short tips on approaching women. Remember guys, they're not monsters...they won't hurt you. "Well some will!"

First - Be confident when you approach them. But not too cocky! They can sense fear.

Second - Try to make good eye contact, but don't stare them down. (And their Blouse is not their eyes!))

Third - Smile. Girls can't resist a great smile and it gives off positive energy. If you don't have a great smile, smile with your mouth shut, but smile- A lot

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Online Dating Services - Three Quick Tips to Success

Each year many people flock to online dating services in part due to the increasing busy lives that we lead. Love at a click of a mouse seems almost too good to be true, but it helps busy people save time by weeding out prospective matches that do not fall within their criteria.
This article highlights three quick tips to help you meet more people online and be more effective at finding your next love of your life when looking at profiles in online dating services.
Firstly, dispel any sense of insecurity in your thoughts. This would translate into your online profile description. People want passion in relationships so be affirmative and not tentative in descriptions of yourself. Describe a hobby or some interest that you are passionate about and this will shine through to differentiate you from the many people out there.
Secondly, editing your profile from time to time helps you appear as a "new profile". This is a trick that would help you get more page views and attract the relevant person into your life. Spend time taking a good photo for your online profile as most people determine attraction at least at the start based on your perceived looks.
Thirdly, find people who share similar hobbies with yours so that should you go out for a date, you will have some natural things that both of you find passion in doing. So for example if you are a guy and you like outdoor events, look for a girl who loves rock climbing or trekking. This would save you some time trying to be someone you are not.
In conclusion, searching for love online is a journey that requires some sense of wisdom and you should be looking for someone attractive that falls within your own personal criteria. Spend some time exploring the various online dating services and find one that meets you need today. Carpe Diem, the love of your life may come sooner than you expect!

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6 Tips to Make Him Want You More Than Life Itself!

Many women go into a relationship with all the intentions of keeping things going great day after day. But somewhere along the way, it all starts to fall apart then we end up losing that person and wondering where we went wrong.
The key to keeping men is to make them want you. You need to give them a reason to want you more than life itself.
Not sure how to do it? Here are some tips:
Be Strong and Independent
Most men love strong and independent women, even though they won't say so. While they want a woman who will love them and be there for them when they need it, they also don't want someone who is needy and will always be whining to them.
Enjoy life
Most men love a woman who can enjoy life no matter what's happening and will want to be with that type of positive spirit.
Let Him Be A Man
Many women think they have to take control of relationships and all relationship situations to make it go well. For many men, this is counter to who they are. Give him a chance to be the gentleman, pick the place you're going, pick up the tab, open bottles or do harder things for you and make sure to appreciate that he was able to help you.
Support Him
We all have tough times in life, it even happens to those strong men we know. Make sure you are able to be there when he needs you.
Don't Be Clingy
Many women think the way to keep a man is to fall down at his feet and give him anything he wants. Most men will enjoy that for a while, but they will tire of it eventually, think less of you for it and end up dumping you when something more interesting comes along. At the same time you will probably end up hating yourself.
Don't Get Lazy
Keep yourself looking good. When he sees other men looking at you he will be more intent on keeping you for himself.
Making a man fall in love with you is a complicated matter. However, in this day and time, you can find some incredible resources online to help you in your quest.

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The Five Things to Check When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

I have had the chance to hire a handful of wedding photographers in my day. I have had family members get married and have played an active role in the hiring process of many of the vendors who took care of the event. One of the most important hires that is made to help celebrate and remember the wedding event is the wedding photographer. I have listed my top 5 items to pay attention to when hiring a wedding photographer.
The first is price. I say this because there are some absolutely fantastic wedding photographers available today who have only recently begun to do weddings because of the downturn in the economy. It is important that you check the price of the package before you begin to engage the person or company in any significant dialogue. I have found that many times people begin to really like the work of certain photographer only to then learn that the price of the service is far out of reach for the person purchasing the service. Learn this quickly and save yourself and the vendor their precious time.
The second is quality of work. Be sure to have the chance and to take the time to review the work done for other clients of theirs after you have described what type of service you are looking for. This will give you a comfortable feeling about the photographer and allow you to be relax while enjoying your big day. Many photographers have a certain style that they tend to stick with. If the style of your vendor is very different than the style that you would like to have at your wedding, consider that a reason to say no.
The third area is professional appearance. This is important because every one of your guests will look at the wedding photographer and will watch them work throughout the course of the big event. Be sure that they have a professional appearance and that they have the ability to blend in as much as possible. The best way to get a solid feeling for this is to actually go and see them work. Take advantage of the offer if it is available to you to go to see them. That visit can reassure your choice and allow you to be that much more comfortable on your wedding day.
The fourth area to look into is the area of the album preparation. Be sure to check out the wedding albums of past clients and be sure to find one that is similar to the one you would like to have as your keepsake. Many photographers offer video services and complete album packages. Get the one you want, that you can afford, and one that the vendor has provided before. You do not want to be the first to try a new service out on your wedding day.
Finally, follow up service is extremely important. When you speak with a reference, ask them about how prompt the vendor is at getting back to them when they had questions or concerns. Many vendors are very attentive before a sale is made but then less than quick when the money has changed hands.
By following these simple guidelines you can be sure you have the wedding you always dreamed of.

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How to Attract a Woman Who Has a Boyfriend

Have you ever met a girl who you really like who then you discover is already in a relationship? Kinda sucks, doesn't it?
Look, dude - I won't blame you if you end up feeling down because she is with another guy. But what you can do is to use some tried and tested techniques and tactics so that you can win her over from the other guy. Read on to discover the two killer "girlfriend stealer" strategies you can use immediately and achieve mind blowing results fast...
Two Killer Strategies
Strategy Number One - "The Deadly Comparison". This is highly 'amoral' but anyway if you want to use it then do it at your own risk!
What this strategy entails is to first get to know from her what her boyfriend's weaknesses are. Look - there are FLAWS in every relationship - what you need to do is to identify them, and then EXAGGERATE them.
Once you have amplified her boyfriend's weaknesses then you must come across as the better 'alternative' to the boyfriend. Slowly, she will realize that you are much better than her boyfriend and with a little persuasion, she will dump her boyfriend for you.
Strategy Number Two - "Fractionation". This is a technique lifted from the field of underground hypnosis which has been used by master seducers to make women want to sleep with them - in as little as 15 minutes upon meeting them. Powerful stuff!
Using this technique, you can make a woman emotionally ADDICTED to you - more than her attachment to her boyfriend. What you will need to do is to make her go through a series of emotions (both happy and sad) in a conversation, and at the same time associate her pleasure (or happy) states to you.
As a result, she will become emotionally dependent on you. Don't be surprised if she starts to comply to all your requests, especially when you ask her to dump her boyfriend for you.
But before you use this technique, you must heed this warning...
Fractionation is considered as a 'dark art' tactic which is the basis of hypnosis-based seduction, and while controversial, it is known to be one of the most effective tactics ever invented by underground seductionists.

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Men can guess woman's age even when dead drunk

Men can guess a woman's age even when they are dead drunk, according to a new study. Males accused of unlawful sex with a minor can claim on 'reasonable grounds' that they were unaware of the girl being underage.
Other factors that may influence his perception would also be taken into account, such as how much alcohol he had drunk or how much make-up the girl was wearing. This study sought to ascertain if these factors (alcohol and make-up) would alter people's perceptions about women's ages.
Two hundred and forty people were asked to look at photos of women and then comment on their age and attractiveness. All the participants were heterosexual, aged between 18 and 70 with an equal split between men and women.
Half of the participants had consumed alcohol before the task. The participants looked at photographs of 10 young women, aged 17. Some of the photographs were digitally altered to give the faces a younger or older appearance and in both some make-up was applied digitally.
The results showed that drinking alcohol and the use of make-up had a minimal effect on the men's perception of the ages of the photographed women, a release of the British Journal of Psychology said.
Vincent Egan who led the study said: "This study suggests that alcohol consumption and make-up use do not interfere with how old we perceive someone to be." Another interesting finding was that overall participants who drank alcohol actually rated all the women in the photos as less attractive (compared to the participants who hadn't drunk alcohol). This is contrary to the commonly held notion of 'beer goggles'.

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Communicate With a Guy After He Rejected You

You liked him and he talked to you a whole lot. Then,you gave it a try, thinking he would never hurt you. But, you were wrong. You might still like him, and might still want to talk. It might be awkward, but if you try this, it's gonna be fine.

Steps
--Wait for the right time. Wait until he is comfortable. It may take weeks, or maybe months, to gather up your courage, so wait for that time. Once you feel okay, you can move on.
--Make the effort. Slowly start to sit closer to him in classes. Stand by him in lines. Talk to his friends. Make sure you glance at him in classes. And if he stares back, it's a pretty good chance he might want to talk. So, make him think your not afraid of talking with him. Now, move on.
--Ask your friends to sit by you and talk to them like crazy. It will catch his eye. Be funny and care-free. Then, you can say something really ditzy, and hit it off. When he looks your way, start laughing and say "Well, that was really stupid!" and he likely will respond. Or, you can sing a song he knows. Make him sing too.
--Start looking at him more. Talk to him. Make the effort. Act like he's one of your friends.
--Be yourself! You can dress nicer and all, but just keep in mind, he might like you for you more than you think!
--Don't see it as an opportunity to win him over, see it as an opportunity to reestablish communication and/or friendship.
--After something so hard, give yourself time and him, so you can get rid of the awkwardness. Once you're ready, just get to know him better, as a friend. Send him small messages like 'what's up?', and it will show him that you guys are cool. And who knows? Maybe trying to befriend him will one day make him fall for you, and see what he missed out on.

Tips
Just be friendly. Eventually if he gives hints that he likes being friends with you, you might take it up a step.
Remember! Be comfy with him, but don't go over-board.

Warnings
Try not to give him too much of your time. When someone rejects you, it's because they're not interested, and you have to accept it. It may hurt a lot, but just keep in mind he is the one missing out, not you. If you're friends with the guy or became friends with him, DON'T bring up the rejection again. It only makes things a bit uncomfortable and you will regret it. It just makes him feel bad that he had to reject you, because you weren't his type, and makes it seem like you can't let go of the past.

Things You'll Need

• Humor
• A smile
• Confidence
• Yourself

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Date As a Couple

Dates are a good thing to do to keep your relationship fresh, fun, and strong. Implement some tips from dating resources and think of more you could do together. Want to go on a date with your sweetie but don't know what to do or where to go ? Here are some suggestions:

1--Go for a walk. Sometimes its just nice to go for a walk with your sweetie - you can just talk, hold hands, express other kinds of affection, talk to each other, and just spend a quiet afternoon or evening with each other. Plus, you'll never know what you'll find just walking around your own town/city.

2--Go to plays, concerts, musicals, etc. Whether you're in school, college, or even an adult - there's always some production going on every few months or so. Go to your school's play or musical - you can rest your head on his shoulder or even hold hands during it.

3--Go to dances and games. Your school should have a couple of games or so every season or whenever. Go to your school's dances too - it'll build memories - not only with your boyfriend - but with your friends too. It could actually be very romantic if you slow dance with each other. Even if you're an adult, go to sports games with your honey and go to nightclubs if you like to dance.

4--Go to a mall. You can buy things, window shop, browse, eat at the food court, go to the arcades, play games, hang-out, sit on the benches and just people-watch, sometimes eat at a fifty's restaurant, almost anything. Remember shopping (even just browsing or window shopping) can be a great way to get to know the other person's interests, style, and identity.

5--Go to a restaurant. Make a point of (not all the time) going out to eat with one another. It can be good to just share a meal with one another and talk. Any restaurant you love to go to or try a new one for a change - KFC, Chili's, Applebees, Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Arby's, Hooter's(at this point you laugh a little and keep reading), The Olive Garden, Taco Bell, Tully's, Chinese restaurants, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Starbucks, Coffee Shops, Dunking Donuts, Twin Trees, Choices, Ice-cream Shops, Ponderosa, Friendly, etc.

6--Have an "At home date." Stay in for a change - you can do almost anything when staying at home (or at each other's houses if you're still dating) - rent/buy movies, talk, eat munchies/snacks/junk food or even a meal together (have dinner together for instance). You can light a few candles and turn the lights down low or even off for a romantic touch, cuddle/snuggle, talk about your dreams, hopes, fears, etc., play a board game, play cards, you can just relax and hang-out & do anything together.

7--Go to a park and stargaze together. You could even bring along a picnic and eat together while watching stars. Talk with each other - about anything you want to. Surprise your partner and have a gift for them. You can kiss and cuddle with each other too. This could also be romantic. Bring a blanket (or two) with you also. This can also be that special place where you tell her you love her. It's a very romantic place.

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Top 10 Things You Should Never Say to a Man?

Men don’t want to hear this:
1) ”That looks cute.”
For the most part, men hate cute. We don’t want to hear about it, we don’t want to see it, and we sure as hell don’t want to be it. If we come down stairs after getting dressed and you tell us we look cute, there’s a 100 percent chance we’re changing. We’re supposed to be your protector, your rock, and cute does not fit into that picture.
2) ”We need to talk.”
These four words shut off a man’s brain faster than long division. When men hear you say that they immediately go into flight mode. And anything they can do to get out of this conversation—and better yet, your apartment—they will. There are plenty of other ways to approach a delicate conversation, and getting us in a place where we feel comfortable is a good start.
3) ”It’s just a game.”
Actually, it’s not just a game. Sports are a major part of our lives and the outcome has as much to do with our mood as just about anything else. Is it fair? No. Is it right? No. Is it immature? Maybe. But it’s life. Sometimes we just care too much. We understand that it doesn’t make sense, but you should be happy that we’re that passionate about something. Telling us that “it’s just a game” is like us telling you that Oprah’s just a talk show host.
4) ”Nothing’s wrong.”
Please don’t tell us nothing’s wrong. The look on your face could make the toughest guy on the planet weep like a third-grade girl and your arms are crossed so tight you might explode. We’re not mind readers; tell us what’s going on. And don’t make us guess because—believe me—you won’t like what we come up with.
5) ”I sound like my mom.”
The mere fact that you might turn into your mom someday scares the hell out of us. Don’t say it, even in jest—it’s not funny. We actually believe (and pray) that the saying “every woman ends up looking like their mother” is an old wives’ tale. If we didn’t, no one would ever get married.
6) ”I just want to be friends.”
No you don’t. You just want us to stop calling you. This is a lot like pulling off a band-aid. Do it quick—don’t prolong the agony. Most of us take “I just want to be friends” as “There’s still a chance,” so if there isn’t just make it a clean break and move on. Everyone will be much better because of it.
7) ”Size doesn’t matter.”
Don’t lie to us. We know it does, and we’re doing our best to make up for it in other ways. It’s best just to not say anything at all.
8) ”What are you wearing?”
We’re wearing whatever’s clean or whatever you tell us to. We don’t plan out our wardrobe days in advance, but we do actually try and look presentable. It may not work a lot of the time, but we do give it a shot. Giving us direction is completely encouraged though, so go ahead and suggest … nicely.
9) ”Do you think she’s pretty?”
Of course we do, our standards are much lower than yours. But just because we check her out doesn’t mean we think any less of you. We try to be as discreet as possible, but for the most part, we can’t help it. It’s in our DNA. When an attractive woman walks by, it’s best to just pretend nothing happened.
10) ”Which outfit do you like better?”
I’m going to be honest here—90 percent of the guys out there are not going to tell you which outfit they like better: They’re going to try to pick the one you like better and not get into a holy war when the babysitter is due any minute. To us, you always look good. Getting a couple cocktails and spending as much time as we can without the kids is our ultimate goal for a rare night out.

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Top 10 Things You Should Never Say to a Woman

Here are 10 things most women don’t want to hear:
1) “What did you do to your hair?”
Unless we’ve cut our own hair—this is not common—someone else did something to our hair. It wasn’t us. And most likely we’ve gone to a lot of trouble and expense for it. “I like your new haircut” is infinitely better, and shows you’re paying attention. It’s also far superior to the generic “You look different,” which tells us you’re as clueless as ever.
2) “They both look the same to me.”
We understand you care a lot less than we do about the outfits or the registry dishware we’re asking you to compare. But they can’t possibly look exactly the same, can they? Give us something. Anything. Mentally roll the dice and pick one, so we don’t worry about your vision—or worse, that you don’t care.
3) “Relax.”
A kissing cousin to “Don’t get so worked up,” this generally creates the exact opposite effect you’re shooting for. When you say “Relax,” what we hear is that you think that we’re being irrational over nothing, and this makes us do anything but relax.
4) “I’ve got it all under control.”
Ha! Famous last words. Refrain from using them if you don’t want us to take fiendish delight in your getting lost because you won’t stop for directions (if we’re late, there will be fiendish fuming), or because you’re missing a piece to your flat-screen television because you said you didn’t need to read the assembly instructions.
5) “You’re not one of those feminists, are you?”
Yikes. Chivalry may be nearly dead, but saying this will drive the last spear through its heart. Feminist or not, a woman is likely to be offended by the question. Just be yourself. Be kind, open the door, offer to pay, and go from there. We can choose to accept or share in your generosity.
6) “When are you due?”
Take one second to imagine a woman turning to you and responding, “I’m not pregnant,” or “I had the baby six months ago,” and you’ll understand why you should eradicate this question from your vocabulary. In one nanosecond, innocent—even considerate—curiosity can turn to deadly, if unintentional, offense. And there’s just no way to recover from this one.
7) “You’re being emotional.”
In the heat of the moment this may be true. But unless you want your partner to become more emotional or get angry, you’re better off keeping this observation and its off-limits follow-up question—”Is it that time of month?”—to yourself.
8) “You’re acting just like your mother/my mother/my ex-girlfriend.”
All three are problematic. An ex should be mentioned sparingly, and never in comparison. Why would we want to remind you of a person you broke up with? And come to mention it, why are you thinking about her? You see the slippery slope. Conjuring an image of our mother or your mother can be equally grating. We want you to treat us as individuals and not as mere products of your (or our) upbringing.
9) “You complete me.”
We’ve seen “Jerry Maguire” and most other romantic comedies far more often than you, and while we may (or may not) like cheesy movie lines, they usually fail in real life. We understand that the possibility of romance makes inexplicable things come out of a man’s—and sometimes a woman’s—mouth, but keep the compliments real and honest and sincere and say you love someone when you mean it.
10) “Do you really think you should be eating that?”
Yes. She should be eating it. Even if she told you she’s given it up.

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Can step-mothers ever replace real mothers?

In the 1998 tear jerker film 'Stepmom', the angst-ridden adolescent Anna, on finding out that her dad is leaving her mother to marry a younger woman, screams: “You didn’t ask me if I wanted a new mother. You didn’t even ask me if I liked her!”

Of course, at the end of the movie, everyone loves stepmom and they all live happily ever after, except that real mom dies of cancer soon after. But the point is stepmom, real mom, kids and dad all end up living together as one big happy family. Much like the “little Padamsee dynasty” as Sharon Prabhakar, actress and third wife of Alyque Padamsee likes to call her large extended family which includes her husband’s ex-wives (the late Pearl Padamsee and Dolly Thakore) and his two children from them (Raell and Quasar respectively).

Value additions
“We are a need-based family,” says Prabhakar who also has a daughter, Shazahn, with Alyque. “We add tremendous value to each other’s lives.” Which means hounding Quasar for a phone number while he’s in Australia, doing a play with Raell, or taking her imaginary complaint book to Dolly, who she refers to as “Miss Universe”, for help. “We all take shameless advantage of each other,” laughs Sharon. “We pondered on each other’s positives instead of the negatives which forged a strong bond between us.” Having such a complicated family tree could be daunting for any kid. But not for the Padamsee offspring. Until he was 15, however, Quasar grew up with the complex of having “step parents” and was full of self-pity. “As a kid, I was fed a load of bull through fairy tales like Cinderella which portrayed the stepmother as an evil being,” he says.

Far from evil, Quasar started to look to Pearl as a mentor and was shattered when she passed away in 2000. “She was my wise old aunt who opened up the world for me. Even though I wasn’t a blood relative, I stayed with her body the whole time during the funeral.” On the other hand Sharon is more like a friend to Quasar. “It isn’t a parent-child equation with us. She has such a young vibe to her that we are more like equals,” says Quasar who recalls Sharon giving him his first ever music system.

“She was a wonderful stepmother, ensuring that I spent time with my sister and nagging dad for my pocket money.”

Breaking barriers
The word “step” doesn’t figure in Shazahn’s vocabulary. “Family is family, be it exes or stepmothers,” she says firmly. Pearl was her kind godmother who used to invite her around for all the Jewish festivities. Dolly is like her aunt who never forgets her birthdays. She has deep respect for her half-sister Raell, but she’s closest to Quasar. “He is a very key person in my life today as I ask him for career advice before I take any decision,” says Shazahn who was ecstatic that Quasar was flying down from Delhi especially for her birthday party. “With our family, conventional equations are thrown out the window,” says Quasar who is very attached to Shazahn. “Although we are not live-in siblings, we are just a phone call away from each other.”

While the Padamsee clan might seem straight out of a dysfunctional Sooraj Barjatya type happy family movie, Quasar admits that there were scars to be healed when his dad left his mom and married Sharon. He believes the birth of Shazahn played a major part in bringing the family together. “My parents made up after Shazahn was born because my mother wanted to get to know her.”

Being an only child and a girl, the whole family gravitated towards Shazahn. “Pearl Aunty got a god child and Q wanted a sister so it was a win-win situation for everyone,” smiles Shazahn. Sharon on her part wanted to solidify the family from day one. “By nature I am a nurturer so I didn’t want any barriers to be preset between any of the family members,” she says. And it seems to have all worked out well in the end. The family gets together for birthdays, festivals, plays and movies. “We’re quite a gang,” smiles Sharon.

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Women think more about food than sex

British women spend more time thinking about food than sex, a new report has revealed. According to a study, which was commissioned by Weight Watchers, 58 per cent of women surveyed thought about sex at least ten times a day - while 70 percent admitted to having far more regular fantasies about food.

Researchers also found that when not thinking about food, the vast majority of women in the UK were likely to be pondering over their poor body image. Of the 932 women interviewed, two-thirds said they were actively dissatisfied with their size, reports the Scotsman.

Zoe Hellman, a dietician with Weight Watchers, said: "Many weight-loss methods ignore the overwhelming effect of over-eating because of emotional reasons. "Comfort eating because of emotional triggers, such as depression, stress or boredom, coupled with a lack of willpower, was identified by 64 per cent of women in the study as the main cause of their weight problems." The report also found that 11am on Tuesday mornings is the time women feel is the best time to launch a healthy eating programme.

Three out of four - 75 per cent - of those questioned thought they would be in the right frame of mind to kick-start a healthy eating plan at that time.

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This is how first impressions are made

Scientists have identified the neural systems involved in forming first impressions of others, which show how we encode social information and then evaluate it in making initial judgements.

Each new person we meet may be a source of ambiguous and complex information. However, when encountering someone for the first time, we are often quick to judge whether we like that person or not. Previous research has shown that people make relatively accurate and persistent evaluations based on rapid observations of even less than half a minute.

The study, conducted by the Universities of New York (NYU) and Harvard, sought to investigate the brain mechanisms that give rise to impressions formed immediately after meeting a new person. Accordingly, researchers examined brain activity when these participants made initial evaluations of fictional individuals. They were given written profiles of 20 individuals implying different personality traits.

The profiles, presented along with pictures of these fictional individuals, included scenarios indicating both positive (intelligent) and negative (lazy) traits in their depictions. After reading the profiles, the participants were asked to evaluate how much they liked or disliked each profiled individual.

These impressions varied depending on how much each participant valued the different positive and negative traits conveyed. For instance, if a participant liked intelligence more than they disliked laziness, he or she might form a positive impression. During this impression formation period, participants' brain activity was observed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Based on the participants' ratings, the researchers were able to determine the difference in brain activity when they encountered information that was more, as opposed to less, important in forming the first impression.

The neuroimaging results showed significant activity in two regions of the brain during the encoding of impression-relevant information. The first, the amygdala, is a small structure in the medial temporal lobe that previously has been linked to emotional learning about inanimate objects, as well as social evaluations based on trust or race group.

The second, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), has been linked to economic decision-making and assigning subjective value to rewards. These parts of the brain, which are implicated in value processing in a number of domains, showed increased activity when encoding information that was consistent with the impression.

The study was done in the lab of Elizabeth Phelps, an NYU professor of psychology and neuroscience and a co-author. The study was lead by Daniela Schiller, post-doctoral fellow in NYU department of Psychology, said a NYU release.

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In the long run, romance better than passion

Romantic love can last a lifetime and lead to happier, healthier relations, according to a new study.
"Many believe that romantic love is the same as passionate love," said lead researcher Bianca P. Acevedo, then at Stony Brook University (currently at University of California, Santa Barbara). "It isn't." "Romantic love has the intensity, engagement and sexual chemistry that passionate love has, minus the obsessive component. Passionate or obsessive love includes feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
This kind of love helps drive the shorter relationships but not the longer ones," Acevedo added. Acevedo and co-researcher Arthur Aron reviewed 25 studies with 6,070 individuals in short- and long-term relationships to find out whether romantic love is associated with more satisfaction.
To determine this, they classified the relationships in each of the studies as romantic, passionate (romantic with obsession) or friendship-like love and categorised them as long- or short-term. The researchers looked at 17 short-term relationship studies, which included 18- to 23-year-old college students who were single, dating or married, with the average relationship lasting less than four years.
They also looked at 10 long-term relationship studies comprising middle-aged couples who were typically married 10 years or more. Two of the studies included both long- and short-term relationships in which it was possible to distinguish the two samples. The review found that those who reported greater romantic love were more satisfied in both the short- and long-term relationships.
Companion-like love was only moderately associated with satisfaction in both short- and long-term relationships. And those who reported greater passionate love in their relationships were more satisfied in the short term compared to the long term. Couples who reported more satisfaction in their relationships also reported being happier and having higher self-esteem, said a Stony Brook release.
Feeling that a partner is "there for you" makes for a good relationship, Acevedo said, and facilitates feelings of romantic love. On the other hand, "feelings of insecurity are generally associated with lower satisfaction, and in some cases may spark conflict in the relationship. This can manifest into obsessive love", she said.

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What Women Should--And Shouldn't--Wear In the Workplace

When dressing for the office or a business event, it's easy to veer off track. Here are the biggest wardrobe mistakes professional women make--and how to avoid them.Women are making strides in the workplace, yet selecting what to wear to meetings, business dinners or just to the office remains a challenge.

Designers, fashion stylists and other experts say executive women make an array of mistakes, from dressing too casually to not paying attention to fit. Truth is, most executive women won't be making it onto any best-dressed lists anytime soon.
"Clothing is an overlooked component in many women's professional life," says Mary Lou Andre, head of Organization by Design. In a world where first impressions count for everything and "people are sizing you up and sizing you down," appearance and clothing are "so important."
Here, the worst mistakes women make when dressing for work and how to avoid them.
Forgetting Your AudienceWhen it comes to dressing for work, there's no such thing as one size fits all. Remember to dress for the company that is paying your salary, avoiding clothes that clash with your corporate culture.
Investment banks still require conservative suits, usually in neutral colors, while individuality and creative flair are expected in fields such as advertising or film. Be sure to pick up cues from your office culture.
Women should convey professionalism, advises Ida Liu, a director in the fashion retail group at Citibank's private banking arm. "I want to be a trusted adviser to my clients. When they are looking at me I want them to see me as intelligent."
Above all, remember that what flies in one office might not work so well in another. Don't be afraid to modify your clothing to fit the culture. Susan Magrino, who runs a New York-based public relations firm, alters her clothes to make them work for the office. She recently purchased a Pucci sweater and added extra hooks to make it less revealing.

Wearing the Same Old Designers Again and Again … and Again
When shopping for the office, most women head straight for the same designer or store. While it's easy to stick with what has worked before, this is the quickest way to look dated. Instead, vary your designers and shop at different stores to create looks that are fresh.
Another great way to update your office look is to try more cutting-edge brands, such as 3.1 Phillip Lim or Rag & Bone. Buy a blazer from one of these labels and pair it with pants.
And of course, pattern tights, scarves and earrings can work in dozens of combinations to liven up a neutral suit.
Finally, don't forget that a work wardrobe begins with great basics. Most crucial: one great suit and shirts in your most complimentary colors. Magrino says every woman should also own a jacket; gray flannel, brown and black pants; and brown and black boots and pumps.

Not Paying Attention to Fit
Everyone knows that you should avoid clothes that are too tight or too skimpy. If your clothing is overly revealing, you may have difficulty getting attention for your ideas.
But baggy clothing that's two sizes too big can be just as detrimental. If your clothing is shapeless, you'll end up looking sloppy.
When choosing work outfits, stick to items with a contemporary cut and avoid anything that is ill-fitting or too large. "Wearing something that fits you well will give you that extra boost of confidence," says Liu.
In most cases, that means taking store-bought clothes to a tailor. "Even movie stars get their clothes tailored," says stylist Phillip Bloch, who has worked with celebrities such as Salma Hayek and Halle Berry. "Very few people can just go into a store and throw something on and look good."

Going Trendy Instead of Timeless
Unless you work in fashion, wearing the latest trends to work is a no-no, as wearing overly trendy clothing can overshadow your work accomplishments. "You don't want to walk in [wearing] a purple fluorescent suit, even if it's beautiful," says Citibank's Liu. Instead, "be a diva in the evenings."
While it's important to avoid looking too trendy, this shouldn't translate into wearing dowdy clothes. Rory Tahari, vice chairman and creative director of the fashion brand Elie Tahari, says women tend not to give themselves the freedom to express their own personal style. Women shouldn't be afraid to take a risk now and then with color, prints and fabrics, explains Tahari. "You are a woman, you don't have to dress like a man."
Bloch suggests adding pops of color like tangerine and yellow to update outfits for spring without overdoing it. "Hillary Clinton was a great example of this on the campaign trail. There she was in her black suit but she was always throwing a pop of color under it."

Dressing for the Weekend … During the Week
Dress codes have relaxed at many companies, and business casual is now the norm in many workplaces every day of the week. Problem is, many people have no idea what this means.
Don't interpret business casual as dressing for a Saturday afternoon. Limit jeans to Fridays and make sure they're neatly pressed. As for the rest of the week, if business casual means skipping the suit in favor of slacks and a blouse or sweater, just remember that you never know when a meeting with a client will spring up or when you'll have to drop by an unscheduled evening event with colleagues.

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