The Most Accurate Timepiece In The World

Watch
Source: alexkerhead, cc-by-3.0, flickr

How accurate does your means of telling the time really need to be? Most of us need to know the time but a minute’s discrepancy here or there rarely makes a difference and the odd second probably never will. I guess that if you are worried about fractions of a second then you really should get a life but it is quite interesting to contemplate how accurate our time keepers truly are.

Our Watches and Gadgets

Most people will expect a mechanical watch to gain or lose a few seconds here or there. It is tempting to think that our electronic gadgets and quartz watches are very accurate but the truth is that even these lose or gain time every day. The margins are so small that it is only over a lengthy period that the discrepancy will matter and then you just make the appropriate adjustment to your device.

Aesthetics

The truth is that accuracy is now fairly low on the list of priorities for consumers looking to purchase their next timepiece. Back in the 1970’s when quartz watches first appeared their futuristic qualities and increased accuracy over mechanical watches saw the new models account for over 80% of watch sales. The story is very different toady as although even the cheapest plastic number from the local market will keep time perfectly well, watches are now valued for their aesthetics. Let’s face it you don’t need a watch to tell the time anymore with the prevalence of mobile phones so the reasons for buying one have changed from the practical to the aspirational.

Watch Accuracy

Mechanical watch sales are strong because they are now fashion statements, status symbols and collectors’ items. For the record they are impressively accurate too. A modern mechanical watch will average 99.9942% accuracy and a quartz watch 99.9998%. It is unlikely than anyone would feel the need to improve on that in their daily lives but for anyone who does the news that a new timepiece has become the most accurate in the world could be of interest.

Record Breaker

The new record breaking clock is the strontium lattice clock, an atomic clock which is accurate to less than 1 second in 5 billion years. It is 50% more accurate than the previous record holder, the National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum logic clock. The impressive timepiece was developed by the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics who have plans to improve the performance still further.

Unfortunately this level of technology is not available for the wrist or even the home and if it was there may be a shortage of interested parties who could afford the investment. It is nice to know that almost perfect accuracy is achievable but we don’t really need it in our daily lives. The odd second or two is unlikely to cause us to miss a train, an appointment or anything else for that matter. It does pay to check your watch from time to time and to make adjustments. Whether you are wearing a £5 model from the petrol station, a nice Citizen or a valuable Patek Phillipe, it will gain or lose a few seconds here and there and over a number weeks it could be out enough to make catching that train an issue.

Sally Stacey is a keen writer and business owner who divides her time between writing and running her shop,

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5 Ways To Accessorize Your Formal Dresses

When you buy a formal dress either online or offline you also need to think about accessorizing it with the right hairstyle, handbag, bangles, and earrings etc. Even some of the best dresses can sometimes look awful if they are not accessorized correctly. Below we will look at a few accessorizing tips which should help you bring out the true beauty of your dress.

Tip no. 1: Wear stunning jewelry

The jewelry you choose to wear plays a major role in accenting the formal wear that you choose to wear. However, you should always try and keep the jewelry simple yet elegant. But you need to consider the color of the jewelry you wear carefully. If you are wearing a strapless gown, a choker necklace will make it look great. More charm and elegance can be added with a bracelet or earrings. Spaghetti strap gowns work best with stud earrings and a bracelet. A stunning V-neck dress with look good with a long lariat or a choker. That said it is important not to go overboard with the jewelry you choose to wear because the jewelry should complement your attire not take attention away from it.

Tip no. 2: Hair style

Your hair style plays an important role when it comes to your prom dress. You should start experimenting with different hairstyles a week prior to your prom or a party to which you want to wear the new dress in order to determine what style will work best. Generally speaking if you have long hair wearing it up will give you a more elegant look especially with a strapless gown. When you have short hair you can try a new outrageous style. You can also go for a bob style hairdo. If you’re going to get your hair done by a stylist then make sure to take your dress along so that they can style it accordingly.

Prom dresses and makeup

One of the major steps towards looking beautiful in your new formal dress is the makeup you apply. You need to use a foundation color that both matches your skin tone as well as gives your face a healthy glow. Dark circles and blemishes under the eyes can be made invisible using a concealer. An even coat of light eye shadow on your eye lid that matches a shade on your dress will light things up. If you want to make your eyes look bigger then use a darker color around the cease of the eye lid. 

Prom shoes

You should never forget to wear the right shoes with your formal dress. The importnat thing about choosing the best formal dresses in online is the fact that you get to choose a pair of shoes or sandals that matches the dress too both in terms of color and style. Most elegant formal dresses look good with low heeled satin shoes and slingbacks. If you have a simpler dress you may want to wear shoes that have both rhinestones and beadwork.

At Gorgeous we aim to make buying a formal dresses online a lot easier and quicker. Our collection of dresses range from formal party wear to ones intended for black tie invitations. 

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8 Tips To Help You Buy A Formal Dress

Buying a formal dress has always been seen as a sort of early bird reward, meaning that the earlier you start shopping for a dress the higher your chances of finding something good. This is especially true for dresses that are intended to be worn to the prom. There are some stores that advise that people who want to order or buy a customized formal dress online should place their order four months in advance. In addition to this there are other things you need to keep in mind.

Tip no. 1: Make an appointment

Even if you choose to shop for a formal dress during a quite week day you’re going to be turned away by most because they want you to shop by appointment. Shopping by appointment makes sense because it allows for you to receive personalized consultation which also gives you the chance to try quite a few gowns on. However, alternatively, you can choose to shop online in which case you don’t need an appointment.

Tip no. 2: Get something that is a bit loose

If you buy a formal dress online always make sure to measure yourself in both inches and centimeters. Then use the store’s sizing tool to find out where you are on their size scale. Then choose a size that is a half inch larger than you currently are just so that even if you wear something underneath there is enough room to maneuver and breathe.

Tip no. 3: Shop in your slippers

There is no need to wear high heels when shopping for a dress. When you visit a store first try the dress on barefoot and then wear different size sandals and shoes to determine what works best with it.

Tip no. 4: Put on a strapless bra

Since many gowns are strapless a strapless bra is more appropriate.

Tip no. 5: No need to wear jewelry

Don’t wear any bracelets, rings or chains etc., also make sure that your nails are filed neatly just so that nothing catches on to the delicate fabrics you try on. There are some stores that will ask you to wear white gloves in order to protect their delicate fabrics.

Tip no. 6: Photos are not permitted

Most offline stores will not allow you to take photos. The reason behind this is that they want their dress to remain secret so that people are not copying to sell knockoffs. However, the shop’s online web store may have a few photos of the dress you like, or you can ask them for a catalog if you need to show the dress to family members prior to purchasing.

Tip no. 7: Write the details of the dress

Once you have found a dress that looks good you should ask the staff to write down its details which include, color, price, name on their business cards.

Tip no. 8: Do they have a dress registry?

If the store has a design registry it will mean that nobody else will be able to wear the same dress or at least be able to buy the same dress you have, not even if it was a different color. Many designer stores have a design registry even if they are doing business only online.

About Author:

Mark is an experienced dress designer for more than 10 years. He has helped Gorgeous Bridal Gowns for providing their customers great designs of both formal dress and wedding dress. 

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Your Flaming Skulls Tattoo IS Hurting Your Job Prospects

Skulls
Source: ddmatt31, cc-by3.0, flickr

With precious few exceptions, a couple of centuries ago, tattoos used to be associated with sailors, pirates and convicts. A couple of decades ago they were associated with gangs, bikers and convicts, and they were almost exclusively in men’s domain. The only women with tattoos were those with questionable morals and rough biker chicks – the kind who opened beer bottles with their teeth and wrapped yards of chain around their knuckles before giving someone a beating they’d never forget. These days, your kids’ kindergarten teacher probably has a “tramp” stamp hidden on her lower back and your financial advisor is might just have tribal sleeves down to his elbows.

Body piercings have become nearly as common. In the old days, only circus freaks used to bear dozens of holes in each ear and chains looped through their nipples, and any man with pierced ears was subjected to a slew of homophobic jibes and possible beatings. These days, your surgeon might have four holes in her lobes, a tragus piercing and a belly button ring. Your law lecturer might have stretched earlobes, a nose ring and a tongue piercing.

But, while the public at large has taken to tattoos and piercings in a big way, how do employers feel about them? Are they still taboo in the workplace? Do obvious tattoos affect your employment prospects?

The answers won’t surprise you?

Even though some employers are fairly accepting and open-minded when it comes to tattoos and piercings, the majority still believe that body art in any form presents a negative image. It seems that people with multiple tattoos and piercings are still considered non-conformist rebels living on the fringes of society, just waiting for the chance to take a swing at your head with an axe.

Well, it’s not that bad, but they’re still considered different enough to be bad for business.

Would you like some stats?

In January 2013, Aaron Gouveia, a writer for Salary.com, published an article on the acceptability of tattoos and body piercings in the workplace. He cited statistics from several studies, revealing the prevalence of tattoos to people’s attitudes towards them. For instance, Pew Research Center has found that nearly 40% of 18 – 29-year-olds have at least one tattoo. Salary.com conducted its own survey and found that 12% of the over 2600 respondents have at least one visible tattoo that can be seen by co-workers. Interestingly, body piercings seem to be far less popular, with only 3% of respondents sporting a visible piercing – not the traditional single hole in each ear lobe kind.

A very important finding is that 76% of respondents believe that tattoos and piercings have a negative impact on employment prospects, 42% believe that visible tattoos are inappropriate in the workplace and 39% believe that tattooed staff negatively affect their employers’ public image. The industries with the most tattooed workers include agriculture, hospitality, media, retail and even finance and healthcare – although the numbers for the last few are relatively low.

Michael R. Lewis cites some more interesting stats in his article for Money Crashers. For example, CareerBuilder has found that 60% of employers won’t hire people with tattoos or body piercings – 60%! Tattoos and body piercings are also likely to affect your hiring chances, as many employers say it is the third most common reason for not bumping employees up the corporate ladder.

But know this before you reach for your copy of the constitution to see how this impacts your rights – you don’t have a leg to stand on. While it seems unfair, discriminatory and antediluvian to turn away people because they have body art, employers have the law on their side. Employers are fully within their rights to set reasonable dress codes (including prohibiting or limiting the visibility of tattoos and piercings) and to take action against employees who violate the code. The only exception is when tattoos form part of religious beliefs. Note that forearm tattoos of snakes curled around daggers with bloody venom dripping from their fangs do not denote a religious spirit.

If you’re looking for a job and you do have tattoos, it’s a good idea to find out about the company’s policy beforehand. That way you know two things: 1) whether you really want to work there in the first place, and 2) whether you need to cover your tats for the interview. If you want a tattoo but are worried about your employment prospects, consider getting something relatively small and tasteful (not nearly naked women riding flaming motorcycles with a skill and bones motif), and get it somewhere that can be easily covered up if necessary. A very big no-no is a tattoo on your face. Not even Mike Tyson can pull that off.

Just like some industries are more accepting of tattoos and body piercings, so are some countries. In an article for ABC Illawarra, Caitlin Jinks cite Maree Morgan-Monkan, an HR manager in Wollongong, Australia, who doesn’t believe that tattoos are a problem in the workplace. She says that skills, especially customer service skills and dedication to the job count for more than body art. Although, she does admit that there is still some stigma attached to tattoos, it’s nowhere near what it used to be, and she’s hoping that in the next decade or so it will be gone completely.

Jemima Winslow has 10 tattoos, some visible, some not so much. So far she’s not found them a problem finding employment, but then she works in media, which is one of the more tattoo-tolerant industries around. Being a freelancer also helps.

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The Perks Of Shopping Online For Your Wedding Dress

These often offer the latest styles and trends, cost effective options and even the easiest access to exclusive gowns. With this convenience, traditional window shopping is no longer the go to route for finding your perfect wedding dress. In fact, some of the most sought-after garments make their debuts on the internet first.

Planning a wedding can be exhausting and shopping online is one way to avoid the pressure of trying on an array of dresses at a brick-and-mortar department store. This is reason enough to take to your computer first and shortlist your favourite gowns beforehand. By choosing the designer you like, the colours you prefer, and the price range that’s ideal – you can decide on exactly what you’ve always envisioned your perfect dress to be.

Shopping for dresses using the internet is so popular now, that Glamour magazine did a spread on some of the best online wedding gowns.

Whether you’re looking for something flowing and whimsical, a vintage number, edgy chic or just pure figure-hugging elegance – your wish is the internet’s command.

You can even search for gowns that emulate your favourite designer’s creations without having to book in advance or even leave your home. Moreover, you can look like a Vera Wang masterpiece at a fraction of the cost.

A wedding day is a milestone for every person and there should never be a need to compromise on your dream. Every woman has the ideal bridal dress in mind for that perfect day. Back in the day, finding that outfit may have been an impossible task if your idea was somewhat unusual. But in this day and age, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Online shopping has become so revolutionised that you can ask for alterations, adjustments or have an entirely new dress made – depending on who you’re talking to. Of course, you shouldn’t think it’s going to all be easy sailing. There are some crucial things to consider before clicking yes.

1. Body shape: A dress will never look the same on different people. That Versace-like gown may look stunning in a picture of a 6ft model, but make sure that it’s flattering for your specific figure.
2. Fabrics: Photos make it difficult to see exactly what the material would look like in real life. Get familiar with various types of fabrics to ensure that you pick one that you love and suits your body.
3. Customisation: Take complete advantage of being able to control exactly what your ideal dress should look like. You can add straps and sleeves or have it resized and bedazzled, as well as synched or let out at the waist – the sky is the limit.
4. Height: Make very sure that the length of the gown suites your height. Take into consideration the shoes that you’re going to wear; this will make a big difference. The last thing you need is a dress that you have to hold up all night, or one that falls awkwardly above your ankles.
5. Explore: It may be an attractive idea to purchase the first beautiful creation you set your eyes on. However, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have seen all of the available options before you make your final choice and purchase.

Keeping all of this in mind, it should be nothing short of fun and exciting while dress hunting through the World Wide Web. Even if you don’t end up buying something from an online store, it will give you to options and styles that you may have not initially considered. This way, you can also get new ideas to design your own perfect creation. Online stores provide you with a smorgasbord of options and are the perfect place to get creative when it comes to tailoring your dream dress.

Mal enjoys the modern version of retail therapy. This of course refers to online shopping, which extends to weddings and everything associated with it. When she's not shopping on the internet she loves reading a good book. 

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Off To A Gig And Wondering What To Wear? We'll Tell You!

f you are not a regular concert-goer and you’re not sure what to wear to a concert you can feel pretty daunted by your options. You will worry that you won’t fit in and you’ll have a hard time deciding what to wear. You need to feel comfortable and confident, but it’s hard to know which clothes suit a scene that you don’t know very well. Perhaps you are going out on a date or perhaps you are entertaining some clients – no matter what your reasons for heading off to a concert you’ll want to know that you are dressed appropriately. In this article we will tell you what sort of things to wear for a variety of different musical events – read on to find out more.

A Classical Concert

Classical concerts are generally held in music halls, cathedrals or churches so it is always advisable to wear something that errs on the side of conventional. Generally classical music fans are slightly older in age and they tend to wear smart clothing that is neither too glamorous nor too casual. Opt for a sophisticated skirt or trouser suit and throw a lightweight blazer or cardigan over the top to keep warm. Flat shoes are generally better for classical concerts and don’t forget to take a bag with you to keep some makeup and your phone (which should be turned off!)

An Indie Gig

Indie gigs are generally pretty laid back affairs where anything goes, so don’t be afraid to wear pretty much whatever you feel most comfortable in. When you get there you’ll find people dressed in quite a gothic style as well as some other alternative fashions going on. Some people look edgy while others go for a kitsch, old fashioned look. Make sure you accessorize your outfit really well and put your hair up. Anything edgy will look really good so have a look in the shops for something new and on trend.

A Rock Gig

If you are heading off to a rock gig then you can pretty much bet that it will be a sweaty, riotous affair! Even if it’s cold outside you will get very warm once you start dancing, so make sure you wear plenty of layers that you can strip off as you warm up. Most venues have cloakrooms where you can leave your coat, hat and scarf but don’t leave anything valuable there as they won’t accept responsibility for them. Leave expensive items of jewelry such as diamond earrings and silver necklaces at home and instead opt for costume jewelry which you are not so attached to. Rock concerts get pretty hectic and you don’t want to risk losing your favorite pieces of jewelry.

If you are in any doubt as to what to wear to any musical event then it’s best to have a look at pictures online and notice what other people tend to wear. The chances are that as long as you are yourself you won’t go too far wrong, so don’t feel under pressure to dress completely differently to the way you normally do.

This post is authored by Chris Peters, a freelance blogger, currently working with Diamonds on Web, renowned providers of diamond engagement rings. In his spare time, Chris likes to play basketball with his son, James.

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What You Need To Know When Planning A Wedding

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience, especially for the bride-to-be. Friends and close family members can approach the bride-to-be and ask if they can help with anything. There are a number of wedding checklists available in different wedding magazines and websites. Review the checklists and find out the preparations that need to be made.

Preferences

Immediately after the engagement, the bride and groom should discuss their preferences for the wedding. If you are helping the bride-to-be, ask about her preferences including:

• What time of the year she would like to get married.
• Where she would like to get married.
• The location of the reception.
• If she prefers a themed wedding.
• The budget for the wedding.
• Ask if she already booked a wedding venue.

Vendors and Guests

Ask the bride to be if she would prefer to use the services of videographers, musicians, florists, caterers, officiates and photographers.

• Help the bride create a list of all the services she needs for her wedding ceremony as well as the reception.
• Find out what the bride would like the guests or people in the bridal shower to wear and whom she wants to invite.
• If she would like to have children at the wedding reception.
• If she would like to have an engagement party or bridal shower.
• Does the bride to be want to sign up for a wedding gift registry at a store? If yes, which store?

Decorations

• Ask the bride-to-be which kind of wedding decoration she prefers.
• Find out if she has considered decorations for the wedding ceremony and reception.
• Find out what kind of centrepieces and wedding favors the bride-to-be prefers.
• Ask her if she has purchased stationary for the wedding invitations and announcements.
• Is there specific seating arrangement the bride-to-be prefers? If yes, has she created nametags for the seating areas?
• Ask her how she likes the tables to be laid out and decorated

Honeymoon and Thank You Notes

Find out if the bride has purchased thank you notes, how she keeps track of the gifts she has received and the thank-you notes that she has sent out. If the couple will be going for a honeymoon, find out if they have made reservations, transport plans, and the restaurants they hope to visit.

Wedding Dinner Etiquette

Cuisine

Although a wedding is considered the couple's special day, and they should be able to eat the foods they want, it is important to consider wedding guests when selecting cuisine. Compromise with the guests by choosing the foods that most people enjoy. Safe wedding food options include chicken, beef, rice and vegetables.

Special Requests

Even if you serve "accommodating" food options in your wedding, there are a couple of special requests that you will have to deal with. The requests may be due to allergies or food preference. In any case, you have to honor these requests including serving vegetarian dishes among other foods.

If possible, find out which guests need special meals before the wedding day then talk with your caterer to find out if she can honour the requests. Although accommodating special requests can be frustrating, you do not want your guests to go without food at your reception.

Portions

The most expensive part of a wedding budget is most probably the food budget. Although many people can be tempted to go frugal on the food budget, avoid this temptation. Food is very important at wedding receptions. It is fuel for the guests. Food is what makes guests socialise and dance at wedding receptions. Make sure food is enough to satisfy all guests. You do not have to serve five course meals. Nevertheless, give guests enough food to leave them satisfied.

There are certain rules to follow when planning a wedding including wedding dinner etiquette. Your wedding offers you fifteen minutes of fame. It is the day for you to spend on people you love doing things you love.

Linda Beacom is the owner of Serendipity Bridal Boutique. When she’s not selling wedding dresses she likes to help people plan weddings in her blog. 

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Make yourself even more beautiful by using & wearing fashion jewelry

Most people would not consider the wearing of fashion jewelry as part of a make up but if you don’t include jewelry in your make up you are definitely missing out on a very good thing. Fashion jewelry is not only very affordable and can look stunning but it can make or break you when it comes to looking your best.

Real or Fake?

Fashion jewelry comes in many forms. Fake silver and gold, fake stones and other colourful stones like Cubic Zirconia and Swarovski Crystal Stones. In fact, there are so many different options to choose from that it sometimes makes it difficult to choose which ones you will want to invest in. Some women like to have a huge assortment of fashion and real jewellery so that they can pick and choose to suit the occasion.

Wear it anywhere

Fashion jewellery can be worn around the neck, on the fingers, around the ankle and even on the ears. Some people even go so far as to have their belly buttons pierced and some will pierce their nose, lip or even more intimate parts of the female body.

Whether you are one of those women who like to get a bit extravagant with piercings in various places or whether you are more conservative than that, you will certainly want to make sure you are looking fabulous at all times. Adorning yourself with pretty colourful chains, studs, bracelets, earrings and broaches and such like, will certainly bring out the sparkle in you.

Look Great

Taking care of oneself is very important, especially in an age where outward appearances seam to count for so much. All women (and a lot of men) want to look good and if we look good, we often feel good. Feeling good makes us confident and that shows in the way we speak and carry ourselves in life.

The Real McCoy

Personally, I prefer to use the real McCoy when it comes to jewellery to help me look great. Of course, everyone knows that beauty comes from within but you can never beat a big, beautiful diamond necklace or a diamond ring to feel like a million dollars. One of my very favourite shops is a custom made jeweller in Harrogate, West Yorkshire.

http://www.christopherstoner.com/ really knows how to make beautiful, customised pieces of fine jewellery. If budget is not an issue, you should try them out. Once you have tried this type of quality from an upmarket shop like this one, you’ll never again want to revert back to fashion jewellery. The difference is like chalk and cheese.

And finally, I want to mention that once you have all your make-up on and you have finished yourself off with a few thoughtful items of fine glitter and sparkle, you will want to go out and show yourself off to the whole world. Go on, they will love you. You are beautiful.

This article was written by Steve Mac on behalf of Christopher Stoner.

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Season Your Wardrobe With Designer Elements - Keep Yourself Coated

Fashion shows are meant for showing new designer trends of the season. Red carpets and celebrities are the other sources of inspiration for new designer collection. Today, fashion has become an integral part of everybody’s life. From high street fashion labels to street markets, designer elements can be picked from anywhere. The new trends of this winter have unleashed fashion of new age. Big fashion houses and new designer aspirants have worked on past trends to find some greatest hits of this year. Many designers and labels have drifted through their own fashion archives.

Here are few ways in which you can also jazz up your wardrobe with designer pieces.

Spice it up with feather touch

Feathers are one of the indispensable materials for this season. This fashion frippery is being used to define decadent, dreamy and romantic adornments. They give a feminine, fancy and flighty touch to your embellishments. In many fashion shows, designers have used an array of feathers in new and innovative styles.

Keep yourself coated

This season warm yourself with coats. Besides giving you the much-needed warmth, they give you a hot look. Buying a coat can be the best style investment of this season for your wardrobe. Cover up your self with a different design for every occasion. Coats of all styles, sizes and colors in interesting choices are available to pick. Some of the choices are:

• A sleek oversized coat
• Evergreen classic blazer coat
• Darkly edgy toggles
• A Preppy trench
• Chic bomber jackets
• Bold patterned Parka
• Biker jackets

From sharply streamlined to oversized, feminine touch to masculine look, bold patterns to monochrome tones, leather detailing to clean tailoring, there are many rich options to choose from.

Look for illusionary prints 

The definitive prints of this season are tartans, graphics, checks, strips and squares. Designers have harnessed their art power to create optical illusions as a trend of the year. The idea of visual impact has dominated fashion trends of this year. The trend can be seen in attires and accessories. From checkerboard to zigzags to 3D graphics, these colorful illusionary effects have made their space in fashion trends too. Contrasting color scheme and neon colors can be best played in these designs. One should be bold enough to carry these prints confidently.

Bloom your moods

This year designers are keeping everything in trend that can define your mood in more flourishing way. There is something for everyone. Be it a day out with friends or a hectic office schedule, a date with your love or a dance party at pub, there are designer dresses for all occasions. Designers have assured to tempt your day by adding little trends with your existing wardrobe collection. Here are few tips:

• Wear fancy floral tops and team them up with neon, neutral and metallic shade lowers to add a relaxed vibe.
• Choose from monochrome solid color dress or a contrasting neon  dress to claim your honest excitements.
• Camouflage prints, animal prints and military prints are the best way to show off your rough and wild instincts.

About Author:

By Ramendra

Ramendra is a fashion designer at online shopping portal Rajrang. He loves writing about clothing, accessories and home decor products.

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How To Save Money When Shopping - Bulk | Online | Charity Shops

Save Money When Shopping
Source: 401(K) 2013, cc-by-3.0, flickr

We are all living in a period of economic turmoil, the situation is slowly getting better but we are not at all feeling the benefits just yet. There are so many ways in which we all try and save money on a day to day basis but this article will tackle an area where saving money is often difficulty.

When it comes to shopping, people are much less willing to buy the things they need nowadays but I really believe it is important to ensure that you and your family keep doing normal things such as buying new clothes. Simple acts such as this keep people sane and provides a purpose for working, not just to pay the bills and mortgage.

There are ways out there in which you can shop and save money at the same time and this article will highlight three simple ways in which you can do this. The first method is bulk buying, a method that very few of us think of.

The second is online shopping, a method we all think of but most of us don’t do it properly and the final method is charity shopping, something that is on the rise but it still isn’t publicized enough.

Bulk

One of the best ways to save money when shopping is to buy stuff in bulk. I am not saying by the thousand but you can buy more than one of the same thing and that really will save you a lot of money. You have got to know where to look but there are some hidden gems out there, just take a little time researching.

Visit the All Stores Clothing website for an example of a wholesale company that fits the billing perfectly. They offer you the opportunity to bulk by in smaller denominations than the traditional wholesaler whilst maintaining a high quality of product.

It is important to know what you want and tailor your searches too that because some companies specialize in one area and others in other areas. This however in my opinion is the most effective and cheapest way to save money as you shop and can ensure that you have enough of the day to day clothing items you need.

Online

The internet is an amazing thing and there are so many websites out there nowadays that offer you the opportunity to buy clothes for much cheaper than you would at a store. eBay for example is a great way to find cheap clothes, used or new.

If you are looking to save money then you are going to have to swallow your pride because you cannot have the best of both worlds I am afraid.

Charity Shops

These have risen to prominence in recent years and I really can see why, they offer a brilliant array of clothes at prices which are quite frankly ridiculously cheap. If you are willing to rummage through racks and take a few risks then charity shops can be the best way to save money as you shop.

Josh Passe is a writer with experience in the field and a degree in fashion. He has been writing articles such as this for 3 years now and it is his favourite hobby.

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Give Your Friends A Wedding Gift They'll Never Forget

Wedding Gift
Source: smartshock

When your friend gets married, it’s time to celebrate. It’s also a time to show them just how much you care. Through the showers and reception, you will be required to give your friend a gift. Most of the time, people provide the new bride and groom with items they’ll need for their home, such as appliances, towels and other household essentials.

Instead of giving your friends something practical for their wedding, give them a wedding gift they’ll never forget. The following are six unique wedding gift ideas for your friends.

1. Pay for a part of the wedding.

Instead of giving your friend a set of mixing bowls, why not put that money towards part of their wedding? Depending on your budget, you could opt to pay for the bride’s hair and makeup the day of the wedding or cover the cost of the DJ, flowers or even their honeymoon. Your friend will certainly be floored by your generosity, and your gift will certainly be something that’s remembered by the couple for the rest of their lives.

2. Give the couple a night on the town.

You can make your gift stand out from all the others by giving your friends something they could actually use. Weddings can be extremely stressful, so why not give the couple a night on the town so they can relax. Give them gift cards to a nice restaurant, a movie theater or even a day spa, and let them use the gift to relax after their wedding.

3. Give the gift of sports.

If your friends are sports fanatics, make their wedding gift sports-related. You could give them tickets to their favorite sports team, or you can buy a variety of sports-themed décor they can use in their new home. They’ll certainly appreciate a sports-themed gift over some generic kitchen appliance.

4. Give them something personalized.

The night of the wedding will be the first time the bride and groom share the same last name, so why not get them something personalized? There are plenty of personalized signs or picture frames you could buy that the bride and groom would love to have. You can even buy personalized wine glasses too. Just make sure that you buy something the bride and groom would be likely to use, as this makes it even more special.

5. Make a quilt.

At your friend’s wedding shower, pass out pieces of fabric and ask the guests to write a nice message to the bride and groom. Collect all the fabric and then sew the pieces together into a quilt. Give this to the bride and groom on the day of their wedding as a gift. Not only is this something personal, but it’s also something useful that they’ll be able to enjoy forever. Plus, every time they use it, they’ll be reminded of their wedding day and the thoughtful friend who made it.

6. Create a scrapbook.

Make sure that you take pictures of your friend’s wedding, including the shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, engagement party, etc., and create a scrapbook to give to your friends as a present.

To make the scrapbook even more special, you should use a voice recorder app to record well wishes from the wedding guests. You can then transcribe the audio files to text and place the transcriptions in the scrapbook as well. Now, the couple will have both pictures to enjoy and well wishes from their friends and family.

About Author:

Lizzie Lau is a freelance writer who combines personal opinions and research to create appealing and informative articles on various topics.

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Creative Valentine's Day Gift Ideas - Make a Scrapbook of Your Favorite Memories

Valentine's Day

Whenever anyone would ask my dad what he wanted for a particular holiday, he would respond, “You know, I can’t really think of anything I need. Maybe just a pair of socks or something.” My mom, the ultimate gift giver, would get so frustrated because she wanted to be sure to give him something she knew he would love! Throughout the years, though, she did come up with several creative and unexpected gifts that he loved. If you’re facing a similar predicament with a loved one who doesn’t ever ask for gifts, here are a few great ideas you could consider getting them for Valentine’s Day.

1.) Week Off From Chores

Why not give your loved one the week off from a chore such as cooking or cleaning? Offer to cook all the meals yourself for a week. Hire a professional cleaning service to come in and clean the house from top to bottom. Make sure to have them complete all the tasks your loved one hates, such as dusting ceiling fans or polishing silver. During the time they would be cooking or cleaning, make sure they’re doing something they like, such as watching football or taking a bubble bath. It may not seem like the most romantic gift, but sometimes a thoughtful, practical gift means even more than roses and chocolate.

2.) Lessons

Has your Valentine been hankering to take dance lessons? Does he drop hints about how he’d really love to learn to make a killer stir-fry? Is she a budding artist who would benefit from an art or pottery class? Has she always been interested in calligraphy? Why not give them a month of lessons in an area they’ve always wanted to try, but never have. Bonus points: take the lessons with them. You’ll not only enable them to do something they enjoy, but you’ll be able to make fun memories together!

3.) Subscriptions

Does your man always keep up on the latest fashion trends? If so, order a year-long subscription to a place like Bombfell.com, where a personal stylish will pick out clothes to be sent to him each month. If he wants to keep any of the clothes, he can buy them. If not, he can send them back with 10 days. This is a great gift for a fashionable guy who is pressed on time. If you have a handyman who would rather tinker around in the woodshop than spend all Saturday at a home goods store, consider a subscription for air filters or tools. If you have a food lover in your life, a flavor-of-the-month chocolate or snack box is the perfect gift.

4.) Something Homemade

A homemade, handmade gift is something your Valentine will cherish because of the intentional time and effort that went into making it. You could make a scrapbook of your favorite memories together, create a photo collage, or even self-publish a book for them! You could write a list of things you love about them, knit them a scarf, or make them cookies. Regardless of what you choose to do, they’ll cherish the gift since it gave from you!

Ivy McDowell writes about fashion and entertainment. She also enjoys coming up with creative, fun gift ideas. (Her favorites to date are a homemade music video and a three-course meal.)

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Swarovski Mobile Phone Cases Make A Real Statement - They Show Off Your Style

It probably goes without saying that a mobile phone case can say a lot about a person. You can now purchase mobile phone cases that speak volumes about your sense of style and can instantly tell someone what kind of person you are. From furry cases to cases with celebrity images, there really is a case for everyone. Swarovski mobile phone cases make a particularly bold statement and can really make your phone stand out. Here are some reasons why Swarovski phone cases are unique.

They show off your style

You can really make a statement with your clothing, shoes and accessories, but what about your phone case? You use your phone every day so it is almost an extension of you and your personality. By adding Swarovski crystals to your phone case, you can show off your sense of style no matter what you are wearing. So, if there comes a time when you have to break out the jogging bottoms and plain white vest, you can still pull out your phone and show everyone what you look like when you put on a glamorous outfit.

They show you make an effort

Many people are hard at work for most of the week, meaning that their style may suffer in favour of comfort when it comes to the weekends. However, there is no reason why you can’t express yourself using your phone case. As you will be using your phone for work and play, why not make an effort and add some Swarovski crystals to your phone case? You can express yourself by choosing the design you want, whether you like vintage jewels or sparkly bright coloured Swarovski crystals. Even if you don’t have the time to concentrate on your style, people will know you make an effort every time you pull out your phone!

You can design them to fit your tastes

You don’t have to have your entire phone case covered in crystals if this doesn’t suit your style. In fact, you can choose any design you like and as many Swarovski crystals as you want! Those who love a bit of sparkle can choose to cover their cases in crystals and really make their phone stand out. However, those who prefer vintage, traditional styles can choose to have a few crystals strategically placed on top of a case which is more suited to their look. You can have entire patterns of flowers and shapes made from Swarovski crystals so have a look through your wardrobe for inspiration.

Swarovski crystal phone cases are available to fit almost every make and model of mobile phone including the latest releases from companies such as Apple, HTC, Samsung and Nokia.

If you are normally rather reserved in your style, why not add a little bling to your phone case as a little experiment? Swarovski crystals add a little glamour to your look and you don’t have to cover yourself in them to show people your fun side, just add some to your phone case!

John Hinds writes for Lojix. His interests include blogging, reading, playing tennis, listening to music and traveling.

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Tips On How To Choose The Best Plus Size Apron

Finding the best plus size apron is not easy. To make your task of finding the right plus size apron easier, we have provided you with a few tips and suggestions.

Aprons are synonymous with kitchen and almost all people who work in kitchens will wear an apron. Aprons are available in a wide variety of fabrics, colors and styles, which gives people the option to select one that suits them the best. Aprons are basically protective garments that help to protect the clothing. Aprons are worn by nurses, waitresses, domestic workers and while cooking or cleaning. To understand aprons better, you can click on the following link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apron. However, for people who require plus size aprons, finding the right apron may not be an easy task. Plus size aprons are not available in many options and therefore the choice available to you can be limited. This makes the process of selecting plus size aprons tricky. We have provided you with a few tips that will help you to select the best plus size apron from the options available to you.

Tips to help select plus size aprons

Various factors are considered while selecting aprons, such as the coverage, the price, the fabric, length and more. The tips listed below should help you in identifying the right apron for you.

• It is very important to try the apron on before you buy it.
• This option may not be available to you if you are shopping online. Always buy aprons from online stores that have a return policy
• Check if the apron fits easily over your head easily. If you are having trouble in getting the apron over your head, do not buy it.
• The most important aspect you will need to check in a plus size apron is the coverage it provides. Check if the apron covers your clothing completely. If you are unsure about it, opt for the widest apron available to you.
• Check the length of the apron. Ideally, the apron should be to your knee length. Some aprons may even reach your mid-calf. Do not buy aprons that are shorter than your knee length.
• The length of the string attached to the aprons is very important. If the strings are not long enough, you may have trouble in trying the apron to the back comfortably.
• Some aprons will allow you to wrap around your back and allowing you to tie the apron in the front.
• If you prefer to tie the apron at the back, opt for plus size aprons with wider strings as they will be easy to tie and untie behind your back.
• The cost of plus size aprons will be more than regular aprons as the amount of material used will be greater. This has to be considered while selecting cheap aprons.
• Cheap plus size aprons can be thin and made out of inexpensive fabric. Such aprons may not      provide the required protection to your clothing.
• Opt for aprons that have deep pockets on the bib or on the skirt.

Aprons that are water resistant and stain resistant are available in the market. Such plus size aprons will be expensive, but will last longer and provide better protection. Opt for an apron that has bright and fun colors as it will brighten up the kitchen and make you want to wear them. Avoid busy or ruffle pattern, as it will not suit a plus size body. Consider the material, price and the comfort while deciding on the plus size apron for you. Writer of this article is a blogger, who has been researching on the various types of plus size aprons.

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Search Engine Optimization And Reputation Management For Online Jewelry Stores

If you are promoting your own jewelry business online and are not actively optimizing your reputation management channels then you are missing out on some great opportunities to organically enhance your website’s search engine presence.

Reputation management represents a sort of marriage of all the current healthy search engine optimization effective tactics. It creates positive fingerprints for your website, can be combined with social media activity and can provide you with valuable inbound links from authority sites.

Let’s take a look at how effective reputation management can help you to promote your jewelry website and possibly achieve better search results.

Finding Authority Review Websites

There are many authority websites that will allow your customers to leave a positive review about your website.

Such websites include the Better Business Bureau, Epinions, Yelp, Citysearch and many more. The first thing to do is to conduct some online research to check which of the review websites will be appropriate for your jewelry products.

The easiest way of doing that is simply conduct general Google searches for all related keywords. Also, check information about your leading competitors. All the review websites that will be prominently featured in the results should be utilized by you to push your own brand. 

It is also extremely useful to list your company with the Better Business Bureau and maintain an A+ page on their website. Better Business Bureau pages are highly trusted by potential customers and feature well on search results when someone will look for specific information about your company or brand online.

Getting Positive Reviews

The best way to get positive reviews is simply to ask for them. If you offer great products and services and ever greater customer service then you should feel comfortable enough to point to your customers that there are options to show their appreciation.

A short thank you email with a coupon towards future purchases which also includes links to relevant review sites in which the client can point out her positive experience will do the trick.

It’s important not to be too pushy with your requests and politely present reviewing the website as an option.

Google Reviews and Social Media

Getting positive Google reviews is a great way to promote your business online, especially if it is a local business.

Google reviews are very easy to fill up for customers with a Gmail account, and nowadays I assume more than half of your clients will have them.

When you open a Google + for business page for your website, such reviews will be featured on the search results, right next to your Google + page link. This achieves two results – it created a very positive impression for your local customers that see a high percentage of positive reviews right next to your company name and website link and it also creates positive fingerprints which are recognized by the Google spiders and are awarded by better local results ranking. In addition, you should maintain an active Google + page which will include updates, visuals and information about your products, discounts and specials.

About Author:

By Doron Heifetz

Doron Heifetz owns several highly successful online jewelry services such as the bridesmaids gifts website, and has been writing about small business SEO and design related topics for several years.

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Tips to Making Sure you Get Stronger at the Gym

We all want to get stronger and build muscle - but, as many of you have found out, it is just not as easy as going to the gym a few times a week. It takes a strict routine, involving everything from your diet to your sleep pattern to truly get stronger. Finding the motivation and energy to intensify your workouts is also key. If getting stronger is your target, what should you be doing to maximize your trips to the gym? It will take a lot of work, and maybe more time than you realize, but the end can more than justify the means.

Getting more intense

First and foremost, to get stronger you need to push yourself further. Pick up some heavier weights and get to work. Increase your reps too. Anything you can do to push your muscles to new levels of resistance will help in building stronger and bigger muscles.

Similarly, you should begin to reduce the rest time between reps/exercises. Adding in a superset where you do two exercises for the same muscle set with no break can really get your muscles burning. 

Forced reps are another common way to increase strength, but for these you will need help. Forced reps require you to continue working out after your muscles have reached the point of failure. These reps will fatigue additional fibers in your muscles, which further stimulates growth. Don’t implement forced reps in every exercise, but once or twice a week will be more than enough to do the trick. The more you push yourself, the more you muscles will respond - just don’t hurt yourself! 

Warm up

Before hitting the weights you should get your body warmed up. I’m not just talking about breaking a sweat by going for a light jog, but try to do things to loosen up all your joints like jumps or throwing exercises. Even jump roping can be a surprisingly good warm-up.

Getting to every muscle

Along with doing more intense workouts, you need to make sure to workout every muscle in the area you are trying to strengthen. You can do this by altering the current workout you do, or by adding in an entirely new exercise into your routine. This helps stimulate your muscle tissue and encourage growth - again, the key to becoming stronger. Lifting weights barefoot (if your gym allows it) can help make additional muscles work as well. 

Exhaust your main muscles first

If you target the wrong muscles early in your workout, you can bring an entire region to exhaustion before even getting to the primary muscle zone. To counter this, you should begin pushing your main muscles and then move on to your poorer muscles later in the workout. 

Eating right

Eating right is another key to building muscle. Something as simple as having a good breakfast can help you have the strength and motivation to finish a workout. You also need to include the right supplements into your diet to help build muscle fiber. Proteins and carbs are a necessity. Caffeine (under moderation) is also a big help before your big workout. There is no magic supplement like 1285 muscle claimed to be for building muscle strength, despite what the internet or infomercials may tell you.

Once you get your routine down, stick to it and wait for the benefits to start showing up. If you are struggling with motivation, I’ve always found that working with someone stronger can help get me through to the next level. Gym memberships aren’t cheap, so you need to make the most out of every visit. Sticking to a routine like what is laid out above will make sure your visits to the weight room are as beneficial as possible.

This is a post by Ashley Williamson. Ashley is a freelance writer from Wisconsin and an occasional guest-blogger interested in topics related to health and fitness. When she is not working she likes to travel and read as much as she can. if you have any question feel free to leave a comment. 

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Invisalign Vs Braces - Which is Right For You? | The Benefits Of Invisalign

Unfortunately, not every person can be born with a bright, shiny, perfectly aligned set of teeth. Many of us have a perfectly acceptable smile, but with a few flaws, such as improperly matched teeth. If you are suffering from such issues as overbite, you'll naturally be wondering what techniques for improvement are available from your local orthodontist.

Braces Vs. Invisalign: Which Is The Winner?

As it happens, there are now two classic straightening techniques available on the modern international market place. There is the tried and true solution of getting braces. And now there is a whole new system called Invasalign. As the Invisalign system is so new and so suddenly popular among a whole new generation of malocclusion sufferers, there is naturally quite a bit of controversy regarding which technique is actually superior.

The Benefits Of Invisalign

Invisalign is a relatively new invention which employs clear plastic alignment system to slowly move your teeth into their proper positions. This technique stands in contrast to the traditional method of using braces, which consist of a system of brackets and wires to straighten your teeth.

Using Invisalign to straighten your teeth certainly has its perks and benefits. For example, Invisalign is certainly less visible. It's made of clear, transparent plastic, and is hardly noticeable by outsiders. For people whose egos may suffer from the "uncool" factor of traditional braces, Invisalign is certainly a welcome alternative.

Invisalign is also generally much more comfortable. It's made of plastic, not metal, so the system is much gentler on your cheeks and lips than the wires and brackets associated with traditional braces. Another perk of Invisalign is that the system is more convenient to employ. Simply pop your Invisalign into your mouth in the morning, and off you go.

There are also less "check-up" visits to the orthodontist to interfere with your weekly schedule. You don't have to change your diet because there are no wires and brackets for food to get caught in. And there's no special cleaning needed. You simply take out your Invisalign, and wash it off, more or less as you would a pair of dentures.

The Benefits Of Traditional Braces

Of course, traditional braces also possess their share of special perks and benefits. For one thing, the technology behind braces is tried and true. Dentists have been using this system for 150 years now.

Braces tend to work faster than Invisalign (an average of 6 months vs. 9 months). Invisalign is still a relatively new technology, with some bugs in the system that are still being worked out. For example, certain rare and complex orthodontic issues are better solved with braces than with Invisalign.

Another benefit that comes with using traditional braces is the fact that you can't forget to put them in in the morning. Once installed, braces are there to stay. And you also don't have to clean your teeth after every meal, the way that you do while using Invisalign.

Which Choice Is Right For You?

The ultimate factor in deciding if you want braces or Invisalign may come down to the cost of each. At the time of writing, the cost for both is very comparable, averaging between $4000 and $5000 in both cases. In the end, only a qualified orthodontist will be able to answer this question with authority.

About Author:

Cammie Channing is a dental hygienist and health writer from Tucson, Arizona. She writes about orthodontics, skincare, and general health among other things.

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