From Plumbing Courses to the Boardroom - Women Are Taking Over

It's fair to say that there was a time when females generally had limited career aspirations. They grew up, they got married, they had children and then they looked after them - that was just about it. Women knew it and men knew it; men had the careers, men were the 'breadwinners' and men made all the decisions. Throughout history, except perhaps for some notable exceptions such as Boudicea and Cleopatra, that was the established way of things.

The world however has been changing; since the end of WWII women have slowly but surely established themselves as equals and there is little doubt that in modern history, Emmeline Pankhurst is the woman whose single mindedness and determination was the principal architect of change. In 1928 after a personal struggle spanning some 50 years a bill was finally passed establishing equal voting rights for men and women. Sadly, just a few weeks later she died.

If anyone ever doubts that women have 'got what it takes' just consider their achievements and their contribution to our modern way of life.

During WW1 but even more so during WW2, women were the indispensable powerhouses behind our war efforts. Women's voluntary work was largely replaced by conscription in 1941 when by act of parliament the government began to integrate them into a variety of previously male dominated roles. They took jobs in the manufacture of tanks, ships, aircraft and munitions working alongside men in difficult and challenging conditions. Many women became members of the 'Land Army' working on and managing our farms.

There is also much to be said about the wartime role women played in espionage in which pursuit many of them risked their lives and ultimately died for their country. Their intellectual contributions in places such as the wartime code breaking centre, Bletchley Park, are also the stuff of legend.

Little wonder then that as we emerged from the dark days of the first half of the 20thCentury women had a new voice and they weren't about to get shouted down. Unfortunately, it was to be several decades before any really meaningful changes took place.

Things didn't really start happening for women until the 1970's and 1980's. Yes, there were women in business and lots of them, but they were mostly secretaries and typists. Gradually however, women began to take more significant roles e.g. in 1977 Aer Lingus employed their first female pilot who co-incidentally retired in 2010 after 33 years of service. It took BA until 1987 before they employed their first female pilot and today they employ around 200. There are many female pilots in our own UK military as well as other militaries around the world such as Canada, where female F16 pilots operate daily in frontline roles.

One of the most notable post war changes for women was when Margaret Thatcher, a grocer's daughter from Grantham, became the leader of a political party in 1975; not just any old party either but the Conservative Party, the party of the establishment!

At around the same time in 1976, Anita Roddick started 'The Body Shop' which subsequently grew at a meteoric rate. Their shares were soon listed on the LSE and quickly earned the nickname as 'the shares that defy gravity'. The 'Body Shop' chain was sold for ?650m to L'Oreal in 2006 just prior to her death.

In the eighties, women were well and truly on their way in the modern world and in the years that followed it became commonplace to see them in senior and middle management roles as well as CEO's of household name companies. Women are now also firmly established in the formerly closed shops of the legal and medical professions, many of them having achieved 'eminent' status. Oh! and don't forget female Astronauts.

More recently, women have infiltrated perhaps the last bastion of male dominance i.e. 'the trades'. In the last 5 years, more and more women have begun electrician courses and plumbing training. It is no longer surprising to see female trades people and if men aren't careful they could eventually find themselves in the minority. Women tend to have more attention to detail, are tidier and more polite: qualities that are invaluable when dealing with ones customers!

There is also an enormous untapped market for female tradespeople. These days' females routinely own their own properties and given the choice, it is certain that many of them would prefer to be visited in their homes by a female tradesperson.

There is no telling which trades and professions will eventually be totally dominated by women, I just know that some definitely will be. I also know that I gave up worrying about it when the 'men only' bar at my golf club was finally abolished; I have to say that I liked it then and I like it now; thankfully, some things never change.

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Getting Pregnant After The Pill

Birth control pills are the most popular contraceptive method taken by women when they're not ready to get pregnant. However, women are usually worried about the side effects of birth control pills after consuming it; on how it will impact their ability to get pregnant. If you are one of those people, you don't need to be worried because it is very safe to get pregnant right after you stopped taking the pill. You may go through some irregular cycle after you stop taking birth control pills and it could take a few months to get back to the normal cycle.

Every woman has different ovulation; In some, ovulation will begin within weeks after stopping taking the birth control pill, but in others it could start in several months Some think that getting pregnant right after you stop taking the pill could lead to a higher chance of miscarriage.

However, scientists have proved that this isn't true. If you're conceived before the first period, it will be hard to judge your ovulation therefore trying to calculate your due date will be even harder. This however isn't the main problem because your doctor can still roughly guess the time of birth.

Some women can get pregnant right after they stop taking the pills. However, there are also women who take longer to get pregnant. They don't have to worry if they're not getting pregnant as soon as the others. This isn't a rare case even if a couple who don't take birth control pills could also need more than a year to get conceived. Nevertheless, it would be quit helpful to visit your doctor if you're planning to get pregnant, they can help with the plan for stopping the pills and offer you necessary health advice on how to get ready for your pregnancy. Trying to get pregnant after using the pill is almost as same as trying to get pregnant.

Consume more nutrition, don't smoke and reduce the amount of alcohol you're taking, determination of your stress can help you increase your chances of getting pregnant. In the end, always keep a healthy lifestyle and you won't have any problem trying to get pregnant and giving a birth to a healthy baby.

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Good Mother, Bad Mother

I spent my early adulthood obsessively focused on my professional career as a business executive. But all that came to a screeching halt one late afternoon when my dad called to inform me my only sister had been hospitalized from a stroke. During the year my sister spent in a cognitive care facility, relearning skills lost from the stroke, I moved her two oldest children, ages six and eight, from Boston to California. I was thirty-four years old, and for the first time ever, I was playing the role of "mother".

My experience of parenthood over the next year was one of the most challenging yet insightful and invigorating times of my life! My days were constantly filled tending to the needs and demands of two children who had lost everything they had ever known, most important, their beloved mother. Within the first month of caring for them, I found myself doing the unimaginable; I slapped them across the face while in a state of frustration and rage when their whining and complaints took me over the edge. Lucky I had the wisdom to seek counseling, and was able to understand the emotional and painful impact parenting can have on us all, especially when unresolved childhood issues run our lives. I found myself being that parent, you know, the one screaming and yelling at her kids, in an attempt to control, threaten and blame them into submission.

I'm forty-eight now, and have remained childless through circumstances beyond my control. The year I spent raising my sister's children will most likely be the only time in my life I will call myself "mother". I've never considered myself to be a "bad mother", though I will never receive the Mother of the Year Award, that's for sure. I was recently reminded of the spoken words I often heard by my own mother, "I'm doing the best I can". In truth, I felt it was her way of not taking responsibility for her actions, or lack there of. Now I've come to find myself uttering those same words, not as a way to defend my position, rather as a way to offer forgiveness, to myself, and to others.

The image of the "good mother" as 'selfless, loves unconditionally and unselfishly', in my opinion, is an old paradigm. Culturally women have been seen as emotional, irrational, and were expected to be responsive to others, yet silent to themselves. The feminist movement brought a collective awareness not only to the inequality of gender and race, but to the suffering brought on by oppression. I believe the emotional cries of "bad mothers" are the uncontrolled forces and reactions to the domination and control by others, including by our own mothers.

What I've come to learn along the way is that if we nurture and care for the soul of our beloved young ones, teaching and guiding them in a way that allows for their individual expression, which may be different than our own, we might raise the emotional intelligence of our future generations. Because what the world needs is more people who are mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.

Laura Maher is the author of Auntie Mom: A Memoir of a Woman Returning Home, which is a universal tale of what happens when any of us are faced with the unexpected challenges life throws at us, and the transformation and growth that often occurs along the way. During the year Laura spent raising her sister's children, she found herself facing disturbing childhood memories. In time, she came to understand more clearly the reasons behind her turbulent relationship with her mother, as well as her fears and ambivalence with embracing the role of mother.

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How to Determine Bra Size - Tips and Recommendations

Years ago before I knew how to determine bra size, I was wearing bras that actually horrify me to this day. They absolutely did not fit, in fact, they just made me look saggy and frumpy. I pretty much figured that was just the plight of a woman with breasts. Some of my bras were so comfortable I figured they just had to be the correct size (never mind the straps had stretched to twice their original size!).

Then came a few new bras only because the old ones were getting tattered with missing hooks. Now, the one thing in the world I used to hate the most was bra shopping. I always seemed to get some pushy lingerie lady that was far too eager to fit me in a bra. Did I look that bad? But, this time I knew my breasts had changed after having kids, and I'd never looked into discovering how to determine bra size. I decided I'd go for the gusto and go to a bra specialty store to get an official fitting. They measured, they poked and prodded and finally hooked me up with two new bras. I tried them on and they seemed right, so off I went.

The next day I excitedly put on one of my new bras and went about my day. Within two hours I was flat-out miserable. This thing was squeezing me like a Boa Constrictor and digging into parts of my epidermis I've never given a second thought to! I had that thing off and one of my old bras on by mid morning. I decided I would take on the task of finding a bra size calculator and learning how to size my own bra.

I got some contradictory information online and had tips from people who didn't know what they were talking about. Finally, with enough research I gathered all the information I needed for proper measurements and a bra sizing chart that was spot on. And then, I made yet another mistake. I tried to take the measurements myself. Let me just say, this is next to impossible since it involves holding your arms out to the sides for one of the measurements. I recommend you volunteer someone close to you for the task, you can do it alone, but it will not only be much more time-consuming, but prone to inaccuracies. There is, however, a way to do it without holding your arms out to the sides, but might not provide the most accurate results. I will say, it's better than nothing!

The final result was a perfectly fitting bra, as well as a much more attractive figure. I was shocked how much better I looked in the right size bra. Trust me, Oprah is right about this... Let me give you a few hints about bras that aren't fitted correctly, just in case you're one of the many women still in denial. If you are experiencing back pain, sore shoulders and can even affect your posture. If your breasts are spilling out of the cups or coming out underneath, it's time to get out that tape measure. If your bras are uncomfortable and irritating your skin, you are wearing the wrong bra size. Finally, if the band on your bra is sliding around or migrating, you need to reconsider your bra size.

In preparation for measuring yourself, it helps to have a bra on, even if it's old and completely ill-fitting. It helps keep your breasts up where they need to be when you measure. Don't pull the tape measure so tight it squeezes your breasts or into your ribcage, it needs to be firm, not tight.

If you have come out of denial (you'd be one of 8 out of 10 women wearing the wrong bra size) and can finally see it would benefit you to look into how to determine bra size. Again, it's not difficult, just takes a wee bit of knowledge and assistance.

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How Many Things Women Fake In Their Lives?

There are so many ways to fake your appearance it's ridiculous. Tans, hair, teeth, nails, boobs, brows, bikini lines, nose work... If you are a female and reading this, honestly look at yourself and count how many things you are faking? There are many, but have you asked yourself why?

Why us females go through hell, like self tanning which leave us looking like tandoori chickens. I have a friend who would go to a salon to have a new hair style, and when she comes home when her boyfriend does not like the hair style she will remove it the first thing in the morning. I would ask her why she go through that hell. Is she doing it for herself or for someone else. Another friend of mine could not open her eyes after the glue she used to put her extended eyebrows got into her eye by mistake. But why do we torture ourselves like this.

Why males do not have many fakes for their beauty. Are we more ugly than them. Why are they never go through this hardships to impress us? I think they are just confident than us full stop. Imagine in a month how much many of us spend on these fakes. Really for what? We put extensions for about R2000. 00 and the next thing before 2 weeks we take it out. It is old. We say.

My friend there is no fake that will make you beautiful, unless you feel beautiful inside. I do not have a problem with these artificial trends but what I am tying to say is, just look inside of yourself before you go outside. It will save you money, time and your body. Some of these fakes have permanent damage on the skin if they are not handled with care.

Embrace the beauty inside before you damage your only skin. You do not want to look like a chicken.

In our mother's time all wanted to look like barbie but in our time let us look like ourselves.

We are beautiful, when males can stay beautiful with their shaved beard and their bald heads why are we not beautiful the way we are?

When I was a teenager I had a lot of issues with the way I looked. I did not love myself enough because of the way people used to tell me how bad my body looked. I was fat at the time, in my late teen years I started taking care of my weight and I lost a lot of weight. Did I feel happy now that I was skinny no. I started to see other faults with my body. Is when I realized that in life you must love yourself before anyone can love you.

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How To Select Jewelry For Your Best Look

You can look at another woman and think, she looks really great. Her outfit is perfect, her hair is stylish - she just looks really put together. But do we know why she conveys that impression?

Let's suppose we were to dissect her appearance bit by bit to see if we couldn't pinpoint what it was that made her look fabulous that day. Is that possible? Yes! In fact there is a whole industry built around doing just that. It's wardrobe styling. Recently I met with a wardrobe stylist, not for myself, but to better serve my jewelry clients.

For myself, I know instinctively which jewelry pieces look best on which women, from professional experience and observation. Many times I can do this without even seeing her; after asking pertinent questions of the gift buyer, I usually know just the right look for her. However, I want to share this ability with you, so that you can use this information for your own look. In order to do this, I interviewed my wardrobe stylist and did some research.

Here is what I'm looking for and this has been supported by my interviewing the wardrobe stylist and by my research: By considering her scale, shape, coloring, and personality when selecting the jewelry she wears, a woman will look particularly well put together, even causing people to ask if she got a haircut or changed her makeup!

The right piece of jewelry is as important to an overall look as the right hairstyle, according to experts. However, for many women, jewelry selection remains a mysterious and highly personal subject. A woman probably knows what she likes in terms of the jewelry she sees and wears, but what she may not know is what styles specifically flatter her - or how to wear the pieces she owns and loves. She may also not know what to take into account when adding new pieces to her jewelry wardrobe.

A woman's personality is key. She should always select pieces that reflect her own personality. There are jewelry pieces to suit every style and personality, ranging from conservative to those with a definite creative streak. The universal style categories, defined in 1995 by Alyce Parsons are: traditional, elegant, feminine, sporty, alluring, creative and dramatic.

I like to think I'm all of those at any given time! You may want to create a certain impression, such as authoritative, or perhaps approachable. Sharp angles, straight lines and geometric shapes convey authority, like a necklace with a large angular geode pendant.

Classic conservative designs (like small hoop earrings and classic pearls are highly professional and authoritative. To be more approachable, include colored gemstones or softer design elements like curves, circles and ovals. Pieces with movement lend approachability, like pale pink round freshwater pearl earrings.

Think of the scale, shape, color and your personality whenever you select jewelry. Over time you will build a personal jewelry wardrobe that will reflect your personal beauty each and every time! Your look will be put together and you will radiate confidence!

Ms. Benator is the owner and designer of Gila Leah, Inc., exquisite jewelry designs. Many of Ms. Benator's clients rely on her sense of fashion and her creative ability for jewelry that reveals their inner beauty. Ms. Benator designs personalized Hebrew name bracelets using sterling silver letters and stars of David for Bat Mitzvah jewelry gifts, as well as other occasion specific jewelry.

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How to Distinguish a Fake Ed Hardy Pocketbook

Concerning the label inside the purse: Within the handbag is a material tag. On the forepart of the tag must be the imprint: "Ed Hardy" centered within the label, and "by Christian Audigier" centered under it. Continually inspect the evenness of the logos, if they are distorted or uneven inside the tag that is continually a red flag. On the reverse of the label should be a serial number. This number order ought to have two arrangements of numbers separated by a hyphen. There should also be a line under the serial number moving crosswise. This detail is unique to Ed Hardy.

On the straight stitch line there ought to be a reflective component, or cloth. What this indicates is that the stitch line must a little gleam, or spangle when located under direct light. When you slant the label under the light, it need to flutter like a hologram detail. This is not an electrifying blink, but a subtle one that may be indisputably observed when examined. Plenty knock-off purses won't have this singular aspect.

So look the inner label: The front for the nicely centered symbols, and the back for the serial number with hyphen and the underline for the reflective component.

Purse Surface: Ed Hardy has a standard multi-textured exterior consisting of canvas/leather, silk screen, embroidery and rhinestones. This means that the pocketbook flows from grainy to smooth to sharp-cornered and firm. This is a quality feature the bogus pocketbooks will get incorrect. Forgers can take advantage of some class of tapestry and possibly silk screen but they will leave out the rhinestones. Or they will fasten some stones but abandon the embroidery element.

Scores of knock-offs won't include all the above-mentioned textures, notably the rhinestones. Stones would be the most timely and high-priced aspect, so continually scrutinize to make sure the bag has real stones, (if it is a model ed Hardy initially assembled with rhinestones).
Good luck and safe shopping!

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Struggle For Freedom, Part 3: The Impact Of Women's Movements In The United States

This is the conclusive part of a three-part series examining the history of feminist movements in the United States and the impact of that movement on American society. The first part examined the early history of women's place in society. Part two examined the 19th century up until the formation of the first Women's Rights associations and ended discussing the first widespread use of birth control, a pivotal tool in the struggle to transform women from being viewed as birthing machines. This article begins with the evolution of birth control devices in the 20th century.

A wide range of contraceptive devices and methods were tried. Some of the methods included abstaining from sex as much as possible, a bad idea because it often failed. Then there was the early withdrawal process. The withdrawal way during intercourse, which required a lot of control from the man, robbed the partners of much ecstasy, and with the rhythm method there could be a problem with the timing of ovulation. Then there were sponges, the use of douches and even condoms. The purpose of the rubber condom was both for birth control and to serve as a protective measure against sexually transmitted diseases. The diaphragm came about in the 1880's, which I think this was the most favored form of birth control until the 1950's. The 1960's brought the famous: "The Pill". The pill was followed by the "IUD", which I believe appeared around the 1920's, but it was in 1966 that it became a public phenomena. Not all were effective at preventing pregnancies. Many women would then resort to self-abortion, ingesting some potion made out of herbal medicine, or jumping down stairs, taking hot baths or performing strenuous lifting methods. Many of these women died, hemorrhaging from a miscarriage. Those who could afford it would go to an unscrupulous abortionist in New York City where there existed at least 200 of them in the 1870's. Even among the World of Society, I'm sure; there were secrets that have been brushed under the rug over the years.

On August 26, 1920, a constitutional amendment was adopted when Tennessee finally ratified it, granting full woman suffrage in all of the United States.

America's social scene was changing at a rapid pace, especially in the 1920's. It was a remarkable, dramatic era in all aspects. The economy was experiencing an upswing after World War I, which brought about many jobs that employed married women. These women worked for lesser wage than the men received. Nonetheless, most importantly, it was the decade of the appearance of the revolutionary Flapper girl, who joyously threw off chains of societal restriction, demanding sexual and personal freedom. She was the original free spirit, the modern woman. She smoked in public, a taboo, lived on her own, voted, drank booze with the boys, danced, and bobbed her hair. She also wore cosmetics, painted her lips bright red, and went to wild petting parties where she was sexually promiscuous. She was the first real example of the modern woman, one who could do anything that the men could. The Flapper defied all the rules of acceptable feminine behavior.

In 1921, the Lucy Stone League was founded. This organization, its members named the "Lucy Stoners" after the abolitionist and national woman's rights leader Lucy Stone, recommended that married women keep their maiden names, simply using the Mrs as a title. For example, Mrs. Lucy Stone. Lucy Stone did this with the consent of her husband, Henry Brown Blackwell.

With the failing economy of the Great Depression during the 1930's, unemployed hostile men began to complain that women were taking away their jobs, though these women were forced to work at a reduced income. Consequently, the married women were laid off from jobs that were relevant to them and not for men, resulting in more unemployment.

The emergence of World War II caused many transformations within the American work force, as well as for women themselves. President Roosevelt issued a directive for production in 1942, ordering 60,000 planes, 45,000 tanks, 20,000 antiaircraft guns and 8,000,000 deadweight tons of merchant shipping. This was merely the tip of the iceberg. New factories, shipyards, and defense plants, were being built. Wartime production created millions of new jobs. Women joined the workforce, replacing the men that enlisted or that were drafted into the war. Rosie the Riveter represented women laboring in manufacturing. The number of female factory workers doubled during the war. Opportunities to work in the federal government were available to the women, which many accepted. After the war, the men demanded their jobs back. Some of the women were ready to leave, and happily returned to their normal family life, which was disrupted by the war. Others were reluctant to accept unemployment. It was also a time when the government established a policy of "equal pay for equal employment", a major breakthrough for women.

The 50s provoked cultural prejudices when the presence of Gays and Lesbians were becoming apparent. Many of them were barred from federal, state and local government positions. A Lesbian organization by the name of Daughters of Bilitis, whose founders were Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, was established in 1955 in San Francisco.

Once the right to vote was granted, feminism was placed on the back burner over a barely visible flame until the modern Women's Liberation Movement of the 60's turned the heat up to full blast once again. This newer version of the Women's Liberation Movement was provoked by female college students who marched, picketed and demonstrated themselves as equals with the male students in militant Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam groups, but they did not perceive themselves as treated like equals.

Where society has always placed males as preeminent beings, women, whether heterosexual or Lesbian, have seen themselves differently. Nonetheless, apart from the male ideas of how a woman should look, feel, act or behave, a woman still must fight against the boldness of female oppression according to her own philosophy towards male/female relationships. Privileges and compensations given to heterosexual women are denied to Lesbians because they challenge male dominance. Thus, Lesbians are treated unfairly by the heterosexual people as inferior and are labeled as outcasts.

In order to survive, amongst a bigoted society, many Lesbians have availed themselves of the infamous "closet" to hide their gay identity, thus avoiding public ridicule and humiliation as well as rejection from family and friends. Then they decided to fight back in 1969 during the Stonewall Riot, which occurred at Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York. Stonewall was the turning point for the gay rights movement, marking the beginning of a new concept of gay identity: Gay Pride versus gays in the closet. It was a travesty. Many homosexuals were tired of being pushed around. They decided to cooperate in many cases and fight for the rights that America owed them. By 1973, there were at least 70 gay and lesbian organizations that existed in the United States, organizing to fight for common rights they deserved but were not afforded. Today these unions number by the thousands.

During the 1970's, in protest of being merely sex symbols for men, women publicly burned their bras at a woman's rights rally, refusing to wear cosmetics and girdles as a way of proclaiming their right. The Equal Rights Amendment which was passed by Congress in 1972 forbade discrimination against women.

However, since then, through all the twists and turns that define women's history in the United States, women have come a long way in asserting their rights to freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and have resisted persecution in their struggle for economic independence. In seeking to remain independent, women have progressed remarkably in their endeavor to cause dramatic changes to their role in society. They have established different degrees of freedom and have fought through the years to create new forms of Legislation, demanding their rights be written into law.

Thus, we continue to struggle with our "Fight for Freedom", adding greater milestones to the voluminous pages of United States history and to the hallowed history of the Women's Liberation Movement. Where there is unity there is strength. So until, we meet again, I wish all of you the best of luck in your pursuits and much success. Freedom is not biased it belongs to us all. Sometimes, we just have to remind society of that fact.

With 12 years of research experience, History in all its manifestations is Miriam B. Medina's passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing what she learns with everyone, especially when it relates to the Women's Liberation Movement. So be sure to check it out at http://thehistorybox.com/, a one-stop resource center for writers, journalists, historians, teachers and students.

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How to Handle Pregnancy As a Single Mother

If you're already a single mom and find yourself pregnant again, it can be a very overwhelming feeling. You already know what it's like to be pregnant, but now a whole new flood of questions jumps into your head. How will you possibly handle all of your current responsibilities while dealing with all of the situations a pregnancy brings? How will you afford another mouth to feed? How will you take time off of work to have another baby when you're already living paycheck to paycheck? Who will watch your new baby when you go back to work? The list goes on and on, and if you don't stop this mental questioning, you might stress out completely. Take a breath and read this guide to help yourself through this challenging time.

You're Already a Pro - You've already encountered most or all of the things that come with pregnancy. You know what to expect and know when to visit the doctor. Once your baby is born you know how many times they need to go in for shots, and what to feed them. You know how to change the diapers, and how to keep them from fussing. For your first child you had to learn all of this first hand, on the go, and as things occurred. Now you'll be ready for anything that might come up.

Help Will Find You - You're not alone, your friends and family will recognize that you are in a difficult situation and offer to help out. Don't be too proud to take people up on their offers. When you're a single mom raising more than one kid, you'll need some me time every once in a while. If your sister, mother, or a friend offers to babysit for a night, take the opportunity to go do something you enjoy and recharge your batteries. If money is tight, keep your ears open to any jobs you can do from home. If you stay alert and positive the right people will find their way to you just when you need them.

Join a Support Group - There are most likely several groups in your area that are in place for single women. Take the time to join them. It will be therapeutic for you to realize that you're not the only one in this situation. You can get tips, advice, and support from those in the group. They've probably been in your shoes before, and will be able to relate. Finding people who can relate to your situation will be hard to do outside of these groups, and you'll feel isolated and alone if you don't get out there and meet others just like you.

No matter what you do, don't panic about being pregnant as a single mom. You'll find a way to get through it, and you'll look back at these times with a smile knowing that you overcame a challenge.

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Struggle For Freedom, Part 2: The Impact Of Women's Movements In The United States

This is part 2 in a three-part series examining the history of feminist movements in the United States and their impact on American society. In the first part, we examined conditions that led to the various women's movements. This story continues to evolve in the 19th century where part one left off. Up until the 19th century the institution of marriage largely defined feminine lives. It was their identity, providing women their place in society. Marriage and motherhood signified a woman's maturity and respectability, though marriage itself was more like a business deal than a romantic commitment. In the World of Society back then, women were treated as family possessions, to be married off for respectability or even fortune.

Aside from those who married, let's not forget the Spinsters, also known offensively as "Old Maids". These were unmarried women past the child-bearing age or who were just downright unlucky at love. In today's 21st century, a single woman can still be stereotyped like a "Spinster", wherein society unkindly judges a woman for supposed "Lesbian" tendencies, often because she is nothing but mature, alone and doesn't seem to interact with men. How hurtful this can be and often untrue! Many women simply choose to be alone, enjoying their freedom. As far as we have come from the 17th century, society still assumes the existential position of wifehood and motherhood that if you are alone you don't like the opposite sex. However, if a woman chooses to be lesbian, that's her choice too. Regardless, this viewpoint still harkens back to the early roles that women played in society. If you weren't married, something was "wrong" with you.

Many of the young women from the 19th century known as Spinsters were most likely under the thumb of their dear old parents, who needed someone to take care of them and do their bidding in their old age. As a dutiful daughter, she would renounce her fantasies, and illusions in regards to love, and marriage, accepting the guilt trip that her parents had saddled her with always.

If an unmarried woman 25 years or older still held fantasies that she would be able to enter into the idyllic state of marriage, she would be ridiculed and scorned like an Old Maid. The mere idea of any man marrying an "old" spinster back then was utterly ridiculous. Only if, she were a person of wealth would she be worth having past the age of 25. Therefore, a woman who did not marry was considered a failure and looked upon by society with pity. Although her primary goal was to be a wife and mother, the only decent forms of employment which she could engage in as an unmarried woman were that of a teacher, a governess, or a companion, although she was uneducated in the sophisticated ways of the young ladies of society.

Women throughout the centuries have been perceived as inferior to men. This has frustrated and enraged them in regards to the lack of control they have had over their own destinies.

As a result of women vocalizing their displeasure over the way they were being treated and their overwhelming lack of rights, the first Women's Rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, New York. This took place on July 19-20, 1848, with the sole purpose of addressing Women's rights and issues. It was organized by Quaker leader and abolitionist Lucretia Mott and abolitionist lecturer Elizabeth Cady Stanton. There were at least 260 women that attended the meeting demanding political, social and economic justice for women, which was quite revolutionary for the 19th century. A Declaration of Rights and Sentiments fashioned after the Declaration of Independence was prepared by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. It mentioned all the injustices that women had suffered for years.

Some of the highlights from that declaration included:

That women as well as men are created equal and that women have the right to own property in their own name.

The right, to work at any trade or profession of their choosing.

The right to an education and the right to vote.

The Seneca Falls Convention marked the inauguration of the Women's Rights Movement in America. Women were no longer going to be suppressed or remain silent, be treated as a commodity, or as a slave. The buck was stopping there. Enough was enough.

Prior to 1848 and other "Married Women's Property Acts" that were passed, when a woman married, she would lose the right to control property that was hers prior to the marriage. She wasn't able to acquire property during the marriage either. Married woman during that time were not able to make any contracts, transfer assets or even sell property, bring suit, maintain or control her own wages or collect any rents. Although Mississippi adopted the first married women's property act in 1839, the state of New York passed a much better known law in 1848.

With the passing of the 1893 Married Women's Property Act, this slow course of action was finally brought to fruition. As a result, married women now fully had legalized control over possessions of every kind. Possessions that they had owned at marriage or which they received after marriage, either by inheritance or which they had earned.

After the Civil War, industry began to grow as new cities were being built. This in turn provided better paying jobs to men. For women, jobs like telephone operators, stenographers, clerks, teachers and nurses were all becoming available.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which was the largest women's association of the 19th century, was founded in 1874. It addressed the issues of men's alcoholism and its detrimental effect upon the family. Their primary concern focused on the saloons because that was where men spent most of their time, where they spent their wages on alcohol, gambled away their livelihood and where prostitution flourished. It was a man's world. In the saloon, the man would always find a warm welcome, It was their hide away from the whinny complaints of their wives and where they could avoid endless domestic issues. These dedicated WCTU women would aggravate the saloons, urging the saloon keepers to lock their doors. The more they were pushed aside, the more they would fight back. They were relentless in their efforts, which eventually resulted in 3000 saloons being closed.

The National Woman's Suffrage Association, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President, was formed in 1869. The American Women's Suffrage Association, with Henry Ward Beecher as President, was also established the same year. Their goal was to ensure women's suffrage. In 1890, the two groups merged into the "National American Women's Suffrage Association" with Susan B. Anthony as President. She was assisted by Carrie Chapman Catt. In 1920, the National League of Women Voters was established. This replaced the National American Woman's Suffrage Association. The Women's Rights Movement continued to gain momentum as the "newly liberated woman "began emerging around the 1890's. They proudly wore full-cut men's trousers, argued over women's rights openly in public places, and competed in strenuous sporting events. So what do you think about that? These women were real jocks involved in all sports and could handle smoking too.

A leading woman's revolution took place in 1916, as women were liberated from simply acting as reproduction machines. At the time, many women were going through with unwanted pregnancies, and many others had died as a result of self-abortion. Margaret Sanger, a maternity nurse in lower Manhattan, New York, aware of the trauma, decided to open the first birth-control clinic. Margaret Sanger also formed the National Birth Control League in 1917, which became the Planned Parenthood Federation in 1942. At the end of the war, a ruling from the Federal Court allowed condoms to be legally advertised and sold for the prevention of disease, although there were still a few state laws that were against condoms as a birth control device. In part three of this three-part series, I'll conclude with the recent history and impact of the feminist movement in America, and how birth control and organized effort helped advance women with the equality that they always deserved.

With 12 years of research experience, History in all its manifestations is Miriam B. Medina's passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing what she learns with everyone, especially when it relates to the Women's Liberation Movement. So be sure to check it out at http://thehistorybox.com/, a one-stop resource center for writers, journalists, historians, teachers and students.

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How to Increase Breast Size Naturally At Home

Wouldn't it be nice to not have to stress out about what top you are wearing or what bra you need to wear because you don't like the size of your breasts? Not many women realize that there are ways to increase breast size naturally and they are completely safe and very inexpensive. Breast enhancement surgery can cost you over $10,000 but when you implement these natural breast enhancement techniques you may only need to spend a few dollars every month.

Learning how to increase breast size naturally is a very smart alternative to cosmetic surgery. Not only will you save a ton of money but you also won't have to go through the pain and recovery of surgery. Also, these natural techniques give you bigger, fuller looking breasts that are still natural looking and don't have that "fake" look to them like breast implants do. Here are just some of the ways to increase breast size naturally.

There are several different herbs that can be bought at your local health food store that can help you increase the size of your breasts naturally. These herbs are completely safe and they have been shown effective for breast growth in women. What these herbs do is they stimulate the body to produce certain hormones that cause breast growth. When these herbs are taken on a regular basis, the body starts producing these growth hormones which can help a woman grow her breasts up to 1-2 cups sizes.

There are a few different herbs that you can take for natural breast enhancement. The key to taking these herbs is to find the mix that works for your body. Just some of the herbs that you may want to look into when trying to increase breast size naturally are fenugreek, saw palmetto, and wild yam.

If you want more ways on how to increase breast size naturally then you may want to start exercising. When it comes to exercising, you should be focusing on ones that build up your chest muscles. This may not make your breasts bigger, but exercises can make your bust line much perkier and that can give it the appearance that it is bigger than it was before. When you incorporate these exercises into your daily routine along with other natural breast enhancement techniques you can see much better results from your efforts.

There are several other ways that you can naturally increase breast size. The key to getting the best results is to incorporate all these techniques into your life and you may just be buying new bras within a few weeks.

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Struggle for Freedom: The Impact of Women's Movements in the United States Part 1 of a 3 Part Series

This first part of a three-part series examines the history of feminist movements in the United States and their impact on the nation. This part examines the early history of women's movements. Throughout the centuries, women were restricted significantly to taking care of family members and the home. Prior to and during the Victorian era, marriage was the only life considered for women by tradition. In the World of Society, from development on, a gentle-woman was groomed for her position in life as a dutiful wife and mother.

When a young lady "came out", this meant that she had concluded her education and was clearly available on the marriage market place. When an eligible gentleman made his intentions known to the family of the young woman, bank accounts were studied, and familial lineages were inspected. If both were met with approval, then an engagement was formalized. After the parents were satisfied that their daughter was marrying into proper money or lineage, usually trading one for the other, a wedding date would be set. Socially ambitious mothers would compete with each other by displaying their wealth. They did this by lavishly spending on decorations and entertainment, sending out elaborate wedding invitations to all of society's elite.

However, few of these marriages ever started with love, and as the years would pass, lucky couples would become quite fond of each other and manage to get along, which resulted in a complacent life filled with mutual respect. Once married, a gentle woman had servants to do her bidding and chores. Occasionally, she would put in an appearance, spending a little time with the children, and then giving them over to their nannies and governesses. Of course, the husband didn't mind pampering his wife, as he spent a fortune each year on her lavish wardrobe, as well as for entertainment and elegant house luxuries, so long, as it was her fortune and not his.

Nonetheless, there were men of society that worked exceptionally hard who were extremely generous by nature, a generosity which their ambitious wives exploited to its fullest. Some young women would enter into an arranged marriage because of family pressures, as their family wanted to obtain money and gain status in the World of Society. This arrangement provided nothing for her but overall melancholy. The union would ultimately prove to be an emotional and sexual fiasco. In her naivete, the man she believed to be a delightful, kind and benevolent person, much to her surprise and disillusionment, was mean, perhaps an alcoholic, and maintained an inflexible control over her life and finances. Despite her entreaties, he would be wholly insensitive to her feelings. After all, their marriage was viewed as a business deal, a commodity to be spent and used as he saw fit, an arrangement he would use to his fullest advantage. Accustomed to a life of luxury and her whims being pampered, she grows up to find herself trapped by her home, her children and her husband. Under English law, colonial women were subservient to the vigilant thumb of the husband's authority. Everything she possessed, down to the clothes on her back, belonged to her husband. Her life was not her own. She could not come and go or do as she pleased. She was her husband's possession.

From the early 17th century all the way to the end of the 19th century, small-scale family farming dominated America. Many immigrants from Europe, which included German craftsmen and artisans, left their country seeking better economic opportunities. The Europeans settled in areas where farm land was reasonably priced. Prior to acquiring a market-economy status, most farmers managed to raise enough crops to feed their family. Nonetheless, in America's early years, the women who lived on the farms were apparently well-adjusted in their home lives and with their spouses than the women of the city. This was usually the case even though the burden of farm work was overwhelming. Farm life featured a tremendous amount of a joint effort for the farm to survive and prosper. The women were able to learn a trade as they made their own clothes, candles, utensils and even basic tools.

Though agriculture played a pivotal role in early America, manufacturing and trading was a staple of the times as well. The business scene was characterized by small family run or one man enterprises. Often, the manufacturers were skilled craftsmen and artisans. Many shared some of their knowledge with their wives. It was not unusual back then to see women engaged in the manufacturing of certain products, such as cheese and butter making, soap and broom making and rug making. They also might sell these products in order to make some money. Yet, in the midst of assisting her husband with the business, assuming the role of manufacturer and entrepreneur, she was still a wife and a mother. She still had to take care of her family. This included the drudgery of cooking, cleaning, raising her children and defending the moral purities of all who lived within the confines of her home. Not only were these rural, farm women burdened by extremely long days filled with menial labor, which would mentally and physically drain them, they were also frustrated with frequent impregnation. They simply did not know anything about birth control. The financial burden from having too many children was often overwhelming.

The war conditions of 1812 accelerated the growth of domestic manufacturing and trade. Capitalism flourished, and the working class grew. Textile factories began to spread throughout New England, New York and Pennsylvania. Germans became high-profile businessmen and shopkeepers specializing in various fields. Husband/wife joint ventures were becoming obsolete. The men began leaving the farms to seek better employment in the cities and factories. Their wives stayed home taking care of the family and making sure that all things ran smoothly during their absence. What those suppressed women would have given to trade places.

In this scenario, the man played the classic role of husband and provider, and the female acted as wife, mother and homemaker. This included new demands and responsibilities while the husband was off at work, chores the man once took care of like tending animals or small, home maintenance. In the marriage contract back then, the husband promised to take care of his wife in exchange for her care and obedience to him. In doing so, this would keep her from having to deal with the business world that existed beyond their household. The bottom line, though, was that the marriage covenant was more of a master and servant contract.

Marriage, for better or for worse, prior to and including the 19th century, was highly praised and blessed by society. It signified a woman's maturity and respectability, and motherhood was evidence that she had entered the world of feminine virtue and female fulfillment. In the World of Society, the young woman was considered a family possession, a marketable commodity with no rights of her own. Like a rural, farm woman, she was treated as a work horse and a reproduction machine. In part two of this three-part series, we'll pick up where we leave off here in the 19th century.

With 12 years of research experience, History in all its manifestations is Miriam B. Medina's passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing what she learns with everyone, especially when it relates to the Women's Liberation Movement. So be sure to check it out at http://thehistorybox.com/, a one-stop resource center for writers, journalists, historians, teachers and students.

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How to Increase Breast Size Without Surgery

If you struggle with the size of your breast you do have options besides plastic surgery for increasing the size of your bust. There are a few different techniques to increase breast size without surgery and they are a lot cheaper and safer than having to go underneath the knife. Check out the techniques below to learn how to increase breast size without surgery.

The thing that you have to keep in mind about increasing the size of your bust without surgery is that not every technique is going to work for every woman. This is why you should really learn several of the ways to increase your breast naturally so that you can try them all and see what combination of techniques works best for you. Some women may respond better to certain techniques than others and if you are really serious about getting bigger and fuller breasts than you really should be sure to learn all the secrets of naturally breast enhancement.

Herbs to Increase Breast Size Naturally

Not many women realize that there are natural herbs and spices on the market that will help them increase the size of their breast. These are herbs and spices that can be found right in your local health food store. One of the most popular herbs that has been shown effective in naturally increasing the size of a woman's bust line is fenugreek. This herb stimulates the body to produce prolactin, which is a hormone that stimulates breast growth.

Massage Techniques for Natural Breast Enhancement

Another way that women can increase breast size without surgery is with massage. Some women write this technique off and claim that it doesn't work, but the key to massage is learning how to do it the right way. Also, most of the time massage should be done along with another technique such as taking herbs. The nice thing about massage is that it only needs to be done about 5-10 minutes a day for it to be effective and it doesn't cost a penny to do.

Breast enhancement surgery is very expensive and can easily set you back thousands of dollars. Also, this surgery is a serious surgery and requires several weeks of recovery and those weeks will be quite painful and will cut into your daily life. Instead of wasting money on breast enhancement surgery, try these natural techniques for increasing breast size without surgery.

Click Here to learn more natural ways to increase the size of your breasts. Learn all the secrets that plastic surgeons don't want you to know.

Don't stress out about the size of your breasts anymore, instead Click Here to learn how you can increase your cup size 1-2 sizes naturally.

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The Famous Fashion Bloggers

One can attract any age of women with fashion if they do it right. But trend of blogging is welcoming the younger bloggers. They are very successful. There is much traffic on their blogs on daily basis.

Very near to Dallas, particularly trophy club, one daily blogger of fashion has set her new personal page "Sea of Shoes" with the very young start of 16; Jane Aldrige has started blogging on daily wishes, style dairy, shopping part and many more.

The complaint that comes from Jane is that, most of her close friends do not take her style. The even feel ashamed while getting out with her. She is a special girl of Texas as her mother was the model in her times; she also established her own business in Tokyo related to fashion.

Worthy of catwalks are the outfit posses which makes proud after wearing by the young girls. She says Jane has a great attachment with shoes which she gets and sets as small prizes on shelves. The extreme of fashion and style blog has made internet hysteria as daily visitors on "sea of Shoes" are 70.000

Tavi Gevision is also one of the most famous fashion bloggers in the entire world. Like Jane she has created her value in Vogue teens through fashion magazines.

Tavi begins with the name of style rookie at very early age of 13. Tavi's love with her fashion pulls her to start. Her blog is visited by many fashion designers too. It has grown to be one of the most visited sites in the business so they can learn her thoughts on the fashion world.

Playing with clothing and accessories is the fashion world. Teen bloggers are exploring new horizons of fashion for teenagers.

Style is wearing things in fashion. Wear the best suited on you if you truly want to get any type of attention you seek.

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How Waist Cinchers Can Help You Achieve Christian Dior's 1950's "New Look"

Women's wear during the 1940's reflected the sensibilities of the wartime era. Rations on textiles were required, as many of the raw materials were needed to support the war effort. Even nylon stocking were in limited supply, since the nylon was being used in the production of parachutes. The prevailing silhouette for this era was a streamlined, tailored look. Skirts were straight and below the knee, blouses were simple, and the typical jacket would have square, angular shoulders with a belt cinching the waist.

The tailored look of the 40's took a radical turn in 1947 when a French clothing designer named Christian Dior took the fashion world by storm by reintroducing the wasp-waisted feminine form. History tells us that the internationally influential editor of Harper's Bazaar, Carmel Snow, was present at the fashion show when Dior's collection was introduced. In her enthusiasm she exclaimed, "It's such a new look!" Hence the moniker "The New Look" was born and would be forever associated with the haute style that is commonly associated with the 1950's. Suddenly, body shapers for women were back in fashion again.

Dresses representing the New Look emphasized an ample bosom, a svelte waist, and a full, mid-calf length skirt. This signature fashion was instrumental in reviving the "hourglass" silhouette, which had last seen popularity towards the end of the Victorian Era. Socialites, celebrities, and matinee idols enthusiastically embraced the look, and the rest of the world took notice.

A tiny waist, disproportionate to the size of the hips and bust was required to make the look. The waist cincher would become the undergarment of choice to create that hourglass shape.

Today's woman can recreate Dior's classic look by wearing a modern body shaper or corset to serve as a waist cincher. Look for a garment that will support and elevate the breasts, as that will lend greater authenticity to the look.

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How Women Lose Their Power

Like a faucet that has a leak, drip by drip, overtime it amounts to a large accumulation. Unless you stayed in the room where the faucet was leaking, you weren't even aware that the dripping was a problem.

He was in the room where the faucet was leaking. That constant drip drop, began to irritate him. That's when he decided to fix it. Most men tune it out. Until they realize how precious the substance of the leak was in a drought.

That analogy of the faucet depicts the women and that precious substance that was leaking. The water depicts her power, strength,dignity, her essence etc. Water is a vitally important resource. Without it there can be no life.

Likewise of the women. Without their power, strength, and essence, there can be no life. If we as women know our worth, how come we are not aware of losing it? I believe, just like the faucet we give our self up in many small ways.

After it is all summed up, we find that we're depleted and no longer of any value. Whether you're married or single, women began to yield, give up, or lose our power to people.

Most often to the men we are in relationship with. Yes, to the men we love. Oftentimes, we don't realize it until it's too late. We see the signs in our relationship, when the men we love take us for granted. They stop their pursuit of us and begin to predict what our next move will be. It's as if they saying.that we are no longer "worthy" of all of the "special attention". They become complacent. We become devalued.

Listen to the drips: We became too available to our spouse. We answer his every call and became predictable which leads to his boredom. We put their needs before ours. We become needy and always looking for approval. We obsess about their life, forgetting that we had one before they came along. We defined ourselves by their actions toward us. If it was less than we expected, we develope low self esteem. We surrendered our dreams, hobbies, careers, and desires.

We mirrored them so much until we lost our own identity. We couldn't recognize our own face, because it no longer looked liked us. Our significant other became our world, we revolved around them. Although they changed on us like the seasons, we kept that same exterior.

When they became cold and distant, we didn't shield our self. We tolerated the extreme conditions as they were. When they became hot and bothered, we exerted ourselves to keep him cool. How can I make his day brighter? How can I make his nights cooler? In the fall, instead of leaves falling, it was our hair, confidence, and health. In the spring instead of flowers blooming, resentment sprang up. Sadness, confusion, and doubt had bloomed. Yet, we would continue to plant the same seeds of fear. The fear of losing our men. Yet we lost ourselves.

Somehow, along life's highway we saw a stop sign mentally and took it in our spirits. We stopped all of the things that we loved to do for ourselves.

They don't treat us the same. We aren't the same person they met at the beginning of the relationship. Put out a missing person report because that person hasn't been seen in a long time. It's almost as if she never existed. Who will cry for her? Who will miss her style? Her smile, her pride, her laughter? Her strength, vision, dreams, and desires? She has been silenced, no defense, no screams of no more pain. No more silent pleas of stop I do matter. Somebody drag the lake she might have drowned in that body of water that formed from that old leaky faucet.

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Looking Excellent Doesn't Need To Be Very Expensive

With regards to jewelry there's always a lot conversation about what is and what is not jewelry. The meaning is actually fairly simple. Jewelry is purchased from the estate of some other individual, who are able to be living or deceased. The easy meaning of that is jewelry that is formerly owned. Jewelry also does not always mean fine jewelry. Jewelry could be outfit or fine and is found both ways.

Through the ages and perhaps today an ideal gift for a woman was a piece of jewelry. There's also a difference made of women who wear jewelry. It appears to create them a class above other women. Why hasn't been determined. It's simply been a cultural norm for hundreds of years.

Making jewelry isn't just fun, it is really very easy. You just need a lot of imagination, and a little skill. Actually, you can quickly start your personal jewelry wholesale company by designing jewelry yourself.

There are numerous books provided with instructions and ideas for jewelry creation. There's also numerous websites where you can learn how to make your own jewelry and get ideas. At first, you will likely desire to consume a few instructions or patterns until you obtain the feel for it, but eventually, you should let your creativity shine through and design your own jewelry.

Style Jeweler through online selling makes various kinds including beaded, gold jeweler, silver and necklaces. Expensive diamonds are forever and most popular. However the time has come to look beyond diamonds as silver and beaded jewelry comes into the market. Many notable brands are introduced on the market with stylish jewelry designed entirely by the best designers in the market. Specialists popular business understands, large possible of their clothes lining and products is available in the class, any brands are revealing their lines remembering the cost that suits the middle class and upper middle-class families.

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Shake Weight Dumbbell

As Seen On TV
Shake your way to Firm & Fabulous arms & shoulders in just 6 minutes a day!
Work out your Arms, Shoulders & Chest all at the same time!
Free DVD Included
Easy to Use
Fun & Easy to use
Use at home while watching TV or in the office
Dramatic results in just 6 minutes a day
Includes DVD
Step by Step Routine
3 simple exercises
Works for all fitness levels
Unique Design
Uses revolutionary patent pending Dynamic Inertia technology
Scientifically proven to generate dramatic increase in EMG muscle activity compared to dumbbells
Model #: SW2000RT
Made in Taiwan

Price: $26.95

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Wear This, Toss That!: Hundreds of Fashion and Beauty Swaps That Save Your Looks, Save Your Budget, and Save You Time

It costs us not to look our best!

Dressing poorly costs us interviews, first impressions, money . . . and a whole lot more. But you can look good all the time, asserts Amy E. Goodman, the magazine maven and style expert whoâ??s a regular on NBCâ??s Today show. Her one-stop fashion and beauty book cuts through the information overload to teach you how to dress to impress whatever your age, lifestyle, or sizeâ??while staying true to yourself and your budget.

Who can afford clothes and makeup that donâ??t fit or flatter? Since every piece needs to count, Amy uses snappy, clear comparisons to show how to regain control of your wardrobe and beauty shelf by simplifying your choices. Cleverly organized like a womanâ??s closet, wear this, toss that! outlines the 30 pieces of clothing and 30 accessories plus beauty basics every woman must own. Then Amy builds beyond the essentials, walking you through your closet, rack by rack, shelf by shelf, and drawer by drawer, telling you what to wear and what to toss. By sorting through the items you already have and taking inventory of what you need, you can build upon what you own and finally create the winning total look youâ??ve always dreamed of!

Amy provides immediate style answers for real women:

â?¢ 700 wear/toss items

â?¢ Over 1,000 product suggestions

â?¢ You-heard-it-here-first steals and deals

â?¢ On-sale items to avoid regardless of price

â?¢ Styling tips for every body type

â?¢ The ultimate shoe guide: youâ??ll never question which footwear is right again!

â?¢ 24 â??save-meâ? products to rescue you from any fashion emergency

Filled with candid tips from pro stylists and designers, along with Amyâ??s unfiltered guidance, wear this, toss that! will inspire you to invest in yourself, shake off the wardrobe blahs, and wake up your looks from head to toe.

Step into your closet. Do you have: A ruffled tank that sweetly frames your faceor a blouse with overpowering ruffles?

A long cardigan that graces over your curves or a super drapey wrap that resembles a blanket?

A pencil skirt that lands just above your knees or a bell skirt that bunches at your middle?

A cropped, straight-leg pant with a flat front or wrinkled, baggy cargo pants?

A shade of red lipstick that says â??bombshellâ? or one thatâ??s says â??Iâ??m trying too hardâ??

If any of these questions make you cringe, then wear this, toss that! is your go-to guide. Itâ??s for women of any size, age, or lifestyle who realize they just donâ??t like the clothes, accessories, or makeup theyâ??re wearing and want to make a change. Almost instantly youâ??ll learn what works, whatâ??s got to go, and why.

Price: $27.00

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Mother Magic

I liked watching birds in the olden days. The days when all my free time was spent looking after my grandfather's livestock with my brothers. I also liked following butterflies and even looking out for wild flowers. That should however not be mistaken as a romantic Kynyn. Anyway back to birds, I observed that female birds were usually very brightly feathered, attractive and organized. This, coupled with the fact that they always came back to the nest to cuddle and feed the young ones made them just adorable. Their male counterparts were of course seen rarely and could not be assigned a particular home.

This exactly compares with the human female. Beautiful on the outside and even more beautiful insides. It gets better with blood connection, especially when that woman happens to be your mother. Our mother's blood pumps everyday in our veins, their life flows in us all the time. This may be the reason why we always adore our mothers. Many of us will not take the slightest criticism towards our mums. Good or bad, very few people will take an insult to their mothers lying down. And the same way, very few mothers will abandon their children no matter their situation. They will fight for them with all it takes. Just like the elephants do.

Didn't our mothers bear the inconvenience of a swollen belly for nine months just to bring us to this world? Didn't they toil and moil all day long just to keep us fed. A mother is the one person that resigns last, when our friends give up on us and our lovers see us dispensable. With all that our mothers do for us, we owe them a lot. To reciprocate their undying love and their ever growing concern. Not to mention the supernatural magic that our mothers infect us with. While material items may make them happy, it is the quality time spent together once and again that scores very highly. A phone call when away does almost the same magic and keeps them appreciating and wishing us good. For the opposite can and will easily cost us all we are, all we have.

It gets difficult sometimes to keep appreciating our mothers, mostly because of tight schedules, distance and to some extent, lifestyle change. The latter is common especially where people rise up the social ladder and leave the rest of the family languishing. This is not exactly to say that we should not leave the cocoon of our lifestyles of birth, but rather, to warn us against changing what is in deep. There is more value in family than there is in social clubs for example. The social groups that we all like devoting our lives to are mostly out of convenience as well as for strategic reasons. On the contrary, family is part of us for ever and in all situations. So go ahead and appreciate your mother today.

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Women's Ivoire de Balmain by Pierre Balmain Eau de Toilette Spray - 3.3 oz.

Launched by the design house of Pierre Balmain in 1979, IVOIRE DE BALMAIN by Pierre Balmain for Women posesses a blend of: soft florals with fresh green notes of leaves and cut grass. It is recommended for daytime wear.

Price: $29.99

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Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow

The patented Snoogle by Leachco is a full-body solution for expectant moms that replaces the arsenal of pillows you otherwise have to use to get comfy. The Snoogle supports your back to prevent sciatica and lower back pain, tucks between your knees for help with back pain and temperature control, cradles your tummy, and props up your head to aid in breathing and help prevent heartburn and other pregnancy pitfalls.

The Snoogle is made from polyester and comes with a custom pillow you can remove for washing. The Leachco body pillow helps mom wake up refreshed and invigorated--and after baby is born, it is just right to support mother and child for nursing.

Price: $52.95

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Rite Aid Prenatal Tablets with Folic Acid 100 ea

Multivitamin & Multimineral Supplement
for Pregnant or Lactating Women
No Preservatives Added
No Artificial Flavors
Potencies verified by GNP procedure #5015.
Conforms to USP <2091> for weight.
Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

Price: $12.39

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Lauren by Ralph Lauren for Women, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 2 Ounce

LAUREN by Ralph Lauren for WOMEN EDT SPRAY 2 OZ Launched by the design house of Ralph Lauren in 1978, LAUREN by Ralph Lauren possesses a blend of green florals, violet, carnation, rose and rare wood spices. It is recommended for casual wear.

Price: $49.50

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Tanita BF680W Duo Scale Plus Body Fat Monitor with Athletic Mode and Body Water

Two Person Memory for Fast, Simple Operation!300 pound capacity, .2 lb. increments, .1% body fat resolution

Adult, child, athlete and weight-only modes of measurement

Recall compares current and previous weight and body fat %

Healthy range indicator bar shows where you score

Guest mode allows measurement without storing data in memory

Extra large 2 line display

Uses 4 AA batteries (included)

Price: $109.99

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VERSACE SUNGLASSES 4044B BLACK GB1/87 4044-B

Versace Sunglasses, style 4044B is a luxurious and elegant plastic wrap frame. A saddle nose bridge and adjustable temples ensure extreme comfort. The 4044B features rhinestone detailing and the signature Medusa logo on the hinges. Versace Sunglasses always provide 100% UV/UVB PROTECTION. Size: 60-15-120 mm

Price: $275.95

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Tips to Permanently Straighten Hair

There are many girls today who like to have straight hair. Some of them have naturally straight hair whereas the others try all measures to get permanently straighten hair. One can use straightening products which are available in all beauty salons to get permanently straight hair. There are some tips which one needs to keep in mind when getting these straightening procedures done to ensure that there is no damage done and also the results are long lasting.

One should use a mild shampoo and conditioner when they have finished the procedure for straightening hair. To permanently straighten it one should always seek the services of an experienced professional as these are trained and experienced to use the hair products in the right way and quantity and in this way they can ensure that there is no damage to the hair and the results are also good and long lasting.

After getting the treatment for straight hair one should follow the daily routine as advised by the professionals. One should apply a drop of silicone serum as this adds a glow to the straight hair and makes it look more beautiful. One should ensure that they have a good diet so that there is no problem after the procedure of permanently straighten hair is done so that the hair is straight and healthy. One should use gentle towels and avoid excessive use of gels and also drink lots of water. Small tips and simple steps can ensure that one has healthy hair which adds a different dimension to the personality of the person. So that's my tips to permanently straighten hair.

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Natural Breast Enhancement Without Surgery

Women often try to improve the shape and/or enlarge their breasts and turn to chemical methods that may have pretty adverse, even life threatening effects up to ending with surgical interference. But when you acquire a natural treatment this is the safest option.

Although you can think about being beautiful, you must also think about being healthy. Choose safe medications for healthy body. Not only will you avoid pain and serious problems with your health but you will also like the process of breast enhancement. Always think about your wellbeing first. Women can rely on effectiveness of natural breast enhancement pills. They are easy to use but give successful and safe results, this was clinically proven. Natural breast enhancement pills' safety is based on absence of artificial colorings or damaging preservatives. The pills are also attractive because of the fast and long-lasting results. Customers can see visible result in 7 days and natural breast enhancement offers a real enjoyment to the lady. The breast is perkier and firmer, the size of bust is larger, breast is smooth without wrinkles, no stretch marks are seen.

Breast enhancement pills are created from Thai herb - Pueraria mirifica, that is also known as the Elixir of Youth. For centuries this plant was applied to keep milk ducts strong and enlarge bust. The process of extraction requires much skill and time, as this herb, aside from being rare, blossoms only two times a year. The natural phyto-estrogen, contained in Pueraria mirifica extracts, is carefully studied and tested to be highly efficient in developing rounder and stronger breasts within short period of time. Even CNN mentions effect of Pueraria mirifica herb on female breast tissue. Breasts get rounder and bigger in 30 days. If you are not quite happy with your breast and intend to change it and make it more attractive breast enhancement pills are the wonderful choice. You will also feel more self-confident.

Breast augmentation surgeries are usually completed with use of saline implants or silicone gel. As any operation, this one involves use of anesthesia. Sometimes side effects occur, or a person may need a long time to recover, which is often accompanied by soreness. To refrain from pain and tenderness after being operated on women have to buy tablets. Therefore, their dream turns into a costly and risky nightmare. A lot of lotions, creams, medicines and gels with hormones or chemical origin are not natural too. It is highly suggested to avoid these methods.

If you are considering harmless and natural options you should look for information about natural breast enhancement. The first thing you should keep in mind is that natural breast enhancement pills will not offer you instant results, comparable with those of plastic surgery. But if you select this option, there will be no painful feelings, scars and you will not need to recover from any negative consequences. You should be totally sure in the components the pills contain. It is strongly recommended to pay particular attention to herbs especially in case you are hypersensitive to any ingredient. In addition, pay attention to safe interaction with drugs if you are taking them. It is also recommended to talk to your medical professional in case it is hard for you to make a decision on the issue. After checking the components do not forget to check the manufacturing company as well. Trustworthy companies always give suggestions as to what kind of contraindications natural breast enhancement has and also as to the states of one's body when it is advised not to take the pills. Pregnancy is a crucial contraindication for some breast enhancement pills.

There are certain breast enhancement pills that include Vitamin E, a herbal antioxidant providing your face and body with moisture. Bigger breasts will make you feel full of life, and will contribute to enhanced intimacy. You will look magnificent and feminine with improved breasts.

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Natural Women Are the Most Beautiful Ones

You may wonder that what a natural woman is when you noticed the title for the first time. The definition for this question seems very wide and deep. Despite any answers you may think, natural women are not a mystery. They are women who make other people feel comfortable in who and what they are. They may be versatile or ordinary, but they always try their best to pursue what kind of life they want to live. They might choose to be a housewife, a nurse, a factory worker, dustman, a singer or a famous actor. But they do not feel humble or arrogant no matter who they are and what they do. Natural women are always themselves. They do not like changing themselves according to others' eyes. And they never chase fashion blindly; they just do things from their heart. All these are natural women's character, and if you look around, you will find a lot.

Natural women actions come from what they want and who they are. They always make other people feel comfortable even in their worst of moments. And they are women not afraid to lead with their heart. For example, they will wake up in the morning, but they do not have to run to the makeup table to dress up. They just present other people what they should look like. And they have no intention of covering their blemish. They present their beauty to others naturally. Whatever they do, they perform carefully. They do not look for glory in what they do and who they are. Yet, their appreciation of recognition is deeper felt and more profoundly expressed. They are women, when they really care about you, who will do a lot of things for you and there is no looking back or over the shoulder. They relate with true lasting emotions and they will not be swayed by secular vision. Their feeling are real, worn their heart on their sleeves. They always form true relationship with others. So they are the most beautiful women in people's eyes.

Nowadays, we have encountered a lot of women who pretended to be natural women. They tried their best to make full use of all kinds of ways, such as wired and push-up bras, make-up, cosmetic surgeries, and many other beauty enhancers, to make them look beauty naturally. All these things are no longer accessories, but becoming their necessity. These women care for their appearance, and they do not understand the essence of natural beauty. They are unnatural women. The more they did so, the less confidence they have to be natural.

So, all the women, be confident to yourselves. There is no one in the world can replace you and look like you. You are unique in the universe and have a lot of advantages than others. Please be yourselves. When you do this, you will find all the people around you love your natural beauty very much.

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Several Types for You to Choose - Suitable Dresses for Girls Who Will Take Part in a Wedding

If you are invited to take part in a wedding, maybe you will consider what kind of dress is suitable for you to wear. And if you have a daughter, you are sure to take her to the ceremony. Therefore, choosing a perfect dress for her is also important. Here are some types of children's dresses for you to refer to.

Single Strapped Dress
The single strapped dress is very simple dress. Maybe this kind of dress is very drab. But you can add some accessories to match it. The effect would be perfect. If you want a good looking outfit, you can add something with lots of layers to make it look buff. Maybe you can select some jewelry to match the dress. Choose the one that can match the theme of the wedding.

Mini Tube Black Dress with Netted Shrug
This kind of dress can be also a simple dress. If you want to make it more intricate, you can do a little frill work. For example, you can go with some shimmer or lace work to make it look more fantastic. But you have to consider the length of it. The knee length works best. This type of dress can really work best as kids' dresses for a wedding.

Pastel Silk Dresses
The material of this dress feels very comfortable. If your child likes to wear something comfortable, this type of dress is the best choice. You can choose such dress with ribbons or little cascading roses to surround either the waist below or hemline. That will make a wonderful effect. Pastel shades can also work best for weddings, especially the summer or winter theme wedding.

No matter what type of dress you choose for your girl, you'd better take her likes into consideration. After all, it is her not you who wear it. In addition, try to choose the one that can match the wedding.

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