Surf and Snow Mag launching for women's boardsports

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 December, 2007 : - - Orlando, Fla – SurfandSnowMag.com, a division of JBS Works, Inc., today announced that it has launched its online magazine for females who love and live the "board culture" of surfing and snowboarding.

The new SurfandSnowMag.com is a non-subscription-based online magazine that offers its readers surf reports, snow reports, the latest surf fashion and gear, snowboarding fashion and gear, feature stories, industry news, music, surf and snowboarding videos, and so much more.

Julie Brockmeyer Stine, Publisher of SurfandSnowMag.com, wanted to develop a free online publication modeled after traditional print publications catering to females who enjoy many of the same things. “Surfing and snowboarding are such crossover sports for so many, and I thought it made sense to include both sports in this online publication.

Whether you like to surf, like to snowboard, or do both, clothing brands and music are just a few of the commonalities between the two sports, “ Stine commented. “There are so many print and online surfing and snowboarding publications that cater to males only. Although women read Surfing, Surfer, and Snowboarding magazines, it’s because their reading choices targeting female surfing and snowboarding are so limited.

It's virtually, if not literally, impossible to find women’s fashion and beauty articles in a men’s surfing or snowboarding magazine. "I would speculate that the male readership of those publications would decline dramatically, if not cease to exist altogether if that occurred,” she added.

Revenue dollars will be generated by limited, non-invasive, unobtrusive online ads. There will be no pop-up ads or ads that you have to view first in order to read an article on SurfandSnowMag.com. “As an online marketing professional, it doesn’t make any sense to provide obstacles that impede the visitor's experience on a Web site.

The more difficult you make the experience for the visitors navigating your site, the less inclined they'll be to return. I want it to be a win-win for the viewers and advertisers of SurfandSnowMag.com,” Julie Brockmeyer Stine stated.

http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=32069

Media’s role in conflict situations

MANILA, Philippines—Some 50 members of the media, including two Inquirer reporters, were humiliated by the police for doing their job—informing the public about the revolt led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim in Makati City on Nov. 29.

After the police subdued the revolt at the Manila Peninsula hotel, broadcast and print journalists were rounded up at gunpoint, handcuffed and herded like cattle to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The authorities were incensed that the journalists did not heed the order to vacate the hotel. Had the journalists heeded the order, the public would not have known what was happening inside the hotel. Foul deeds are often committed far from the prying eyes of the media.

Surely, police and military officials knew who the bona fide members of the media were. Many of them covered at one time or another the Philippine National Police, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, and Malacañang.

The authorities also knew the police and military intelligence agents who passed themselves off as journalists during the siege. Understandably, the police did not touch these agents.

ON NOV. 29, MORE THAN 30 journalists were arrested, handcuffed and transported to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan.

Twelve of the journalists were from ABS-CBN, detained as “witnesses and suspects,” according to the police. Others were told they would be released as soon as their identities were verified.

Our head of news gathering, Charie Villa, went immediately to the Peninsula hotel to identify our people; yet, she was told they would still have to be arrested and brought to Bicutan. We believe this move sets a dangerous precedent and erodes our nation’s democracy.

There are two points I’d like to make about the role of media in conflict situations like the Peninsula siege. First, our democracy rests on the principle that the people have a right to know. Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes “the right of the people to information on matters of public concern.”

Law enforcement and government officials must be accountable to the public, and our history has shown there is no better means to do that during crisis situations than live television coverage.

Times of uncertainty

In a 2004 national survey by ABS-CBN, over 90 percent of adult Filipinos said that during any major event, they looked for news, with 87 percent turning to TV to make sure they were informed. After the 2007 elections, that increased, hitting 92 percent in Metro Manila, according to Pulse Asia.

The clamor for information increases during times of uncertainty, highlighted during nearly a dozen coup attempts and withdrawals of support in the last two decades: in 1986 and 2001, military moves turned into successful people power revolts; while failed attempts were televised during Edsa Tres, the Oakwood mutiny and the Peninsula siege.

Since these three failed, it obviously doesn’t follow that television coverage automatically means success. During all these, 1986 excluded, ABS-CBN reported in a similar and consistent fashion, spurred on by the public’s right to know. In performing our duty, we accepted the risks, including overturned and burned vehicles and the mauling of reporters (not by the police but by a sector of the public we serve).

Need to be informed

While the State has the right to protect itself, the public has the right to know—and as we have seen, the Filipino has always made a choice. Focus group discussions conducted by ABS-CBN between Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 reflect that. The participants expressed an overwhelming sentiment that they wanted to be kept informed, saying live television coverage should continue.

We believe this is critical because an uninformed public makes any democracy unstable. It is in this light that media should be considered partners in promoting democracy rather than the other way around.

It is important that the public has the information it needs to make an informed decision because that is the foundation of our democracy. Yet, by arresting our journalists, authorities effectively shut down ANC’s live coverage of the post-siege situation at the Peninsula hotel.

Censorship

They tried to confiscate videotapes and equipment from reporters, photographers and cameramen. The police violated their own definition of the “crime scene” by approaching our transmission facilities outside the Peninsula to try to confiscate our videotapes and stop our coverage. This is effectively censorship—at a time when the conflict had all but been resolved. To date, they still have at least one videotape and two radios owned by ABS-CBN.

The second point, which has clear ramifications for the future, is the role journalists play in conflict situations like Edsa, Oakwood and the Peninsula.

On Dec. 5, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno called the Peninsula a “crime scene” and said that journalists violated two laws during the siege. He cited Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which has to do with “resistance and disobedience of persons in authority” and Presidential Decree No. 1821 for “obstruction of justice.”

Chilling effect

These statements have far-reaching consequences because now every journalist reporting on a conflict situation has to worry that he or she may be arrested and charged. Beyond that, if the journalist can be charged so can news organizations. This is no longer a threat but a reality and creates a “chilling effect” for working journalists, who can now be charged like common criminals.

Yet, we believe that the law covering the presence of journalists in conflict situations is very clear and supercedes any legislation cited by the interior secretary. Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press.”

“Was there an arrest? Yes,” said Puno. “Were they charged? No. Why was there an apology? Because all of us feel bad about the way the incident materialized. We are unhappy that our friends in media had to suffer inconvenience.”

Trivialized

In one move, the government trivialized and dismissed a violation of the Constitution as an “inconvenience.”

While we understand the position of the Philippine National Police (PNP), by its own admission, it is using “SOPs” created in 2006. PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2006-09-01 tells the police what to do with perpetrators, hostages and witnesses.

It has no provisions for journalists, who are part of the landscape in conflict situations. This may be the first time these rules were used. It is also the first time that the PNP has been the lead agency in a political conflict situation, which is how many journalists would characterize the event, not just a “crime scene” complete with overtones of bank robberies and murder.

Every other coup attempt or passive withdrawals of support in the past 21 years were handled by the Department of National Defense. Perhaps this is part of the reason why the rules were changed in the Peninsula siege.

Hold the line

We journalists are by no means perfect. Some of us can be arrogant at times and that is how we have been portrayed by the police in this instance. But the reason we need to hold the line is simply because if we give in, we would have contributed to weakening our democracy by depriving the public of the information it wants and needs.

Having reported from numerous combat zones in Southeast Asia and around the world, I am very aware of the risks we face as journalists. In Indonesia, I barely survived a crossfire between government troops and protesters.

In Aceh, my team and I were detained but that’s to be expected given the authoritarian regime then. In East Timor, Pakistan, India and China, despite the dangers and restrictions, you calculate the risks and always make sure the odds are high that you will survive to tell the story.

Ludicrous

What I have learned from experience is that every situation is different, and what you do depends on the system of government i.e. you would not make the same decision under a democracy that you would under a dictatorship.

Every journalists’ and news organizations’ assessment of risk varies. That is why I find it slightly ludicrous for the PNP to quote the ethics manuals of the CBC, BBC and ABS-CBN to bolster its point that all journalists should have left when requested—that there is a one-size-fits-all response.

All these codes provide guidance—the philosophy of the organization—but in the end, the judgement call and the decision to stay or to go rest with the journalist. We balance the fear for personal safety with the duty to report the truth.

Masquerading as journalist

The police claim we were being used because they said some Magdalo soldiers changed clothes and put on press passes. Everyone tries to use us, including the police and military intelligence agents who were pretending to be journalists. During the crisis, we did not report that because we did not want to compromise their work, but their presence increased the danger for us. Those agents could have easily told their superiors who were the real journalists and who were only masquerading as members of the media.

We categorically state that at no instance did any journalist “obstruct justice” at the Peninsula. Mere presence and reporting the news are not obstruction of justice. Recordings made by the police of our live coverage are now being used by authorities as evidence against those it charged in court.

PNP got news from media

The police even acknowledged that there was a failure of communication within their organization. They mobilized only after they were “informed” of the event through TV and radio coverage. It is clear the police benefited from us doing our job. We cannot be both obstructing and helping justice simultaneously.

Our fear is that the arrests of journalists may herald more dangerous times ahead. In recent years, many developments have eroded press freedom in our country. In 2003, there were more journalists killed in the Philippines than in Iraq, and today—despite pressure from the international community—the extrajudicial killings of journalists and leftist leaders continue with virtual impunity.

Intimidation tactics, indirect pressure and libel suits have been used to attempt to control journalists. In 2006, Proclamation No. 1017 severely curtailed press freedom after authorities threatened to shut down news organizations and stationed tanks outside TV networks.

Last year, Freedom House, an international group, which conducts an annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, downgraded its rating of the Philippines from free to partly free.

Insult

Given this context, the arrests of journalists is extremely alarming, especially since it has now been elevated as policy by Puno, who warns journalists that the police would do it again. To add insult to injury, after authorities apologized for the arrests, they began to publicly question the motives of our journalists.

Officials maligned us by implying we were working with Trillanes’ group despite the absolute lack of evidence for these statements. Now, they say they will look at the franchises of television networks. All this only points out that the attempts to intimidate and harass journalists continue.

While it is inconvenient for law enforcement officials to have to contend with media in conflict zones, it is a necessity guaranteed by the Constitution and a check and balance of a vibrant democracy.

On Nov. 29, the journalists who chose to stay and report on the Peninsula siege displayed tremendous courage and risked their safety for the public they serve. A colleague from the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines captured the spirit of our thoughts: “if someone else can deliver the truth better, we would give way. If we chose to leave at the request of the PNP, then we would have to swallow the PNP version of the truth because we chose to give up the access we already had.”

That would be a disservice to the public we all serve.


http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/talkofthetown/view_article.php?article_id=109414

A Clothes Encounter In The Business World

Do you ever wonder where all the dress rules have gone? Depending on when and where you are on any given business day, the words "distant past" might come to mind. It's difficult to decide if people don't know what to wear to work or if they have lost sight of the relevance of appearance to professional success.

The Queen of England is reported to have told Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." Clearly, she was saying what many people are reluctant to accept; that people judge us by the way we dress. In all situations, business and social, our outward appearance sends a message.

Try going to a busy restaurant at lunchtime. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies. Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility. It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner,

How you dress depends on four factors: the industry in which you work, the job you have within that industry, the geographic area in which you live; and most importantly, what your client expects to see.

Professional Dress for Men

In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but business attire is about being professional and not about being fashionable. It's about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these few points when deciding what to wear to work.

Choose a conservative suit in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave.

A solid white or blue dress shirt with long sleeves offers the most polished look. The more pattern and color you add, the more the focus is on your clothing, rather than your professionalism.

Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters and go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility.

Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you'll be going through airport security and removing your shoes.

Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons or flip flops. Don't think for a minute that people don't notice shoes. Many people will look at your feet before your face.

Belts need to match or closely coordinate with your shoes. Once again, quality counts.

Keep jewelry to a minimum. In a time when men sport gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, the business professional should limit himself to a conservative watch, a wedding band and maybe his college ring.

Personal hygiene is part of the success equation. Freshly scrubbed wins out over heavily fragranced any day of the week. Save the after-shave for after hours, but never the shave itself.

The finishing touch for the business man is his choice of accessories: briefcase, portfolio and pen. When it comes to sealing the deal, a top of the line suit, a silk tie and a good pair of leather shoes can lose their affect when you pull out the ball point pen you picked up in the hotel meeting room the day before.

Professional Dress for Women

When women entered the workplace in the 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at the office in skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While the business woman may now wear trousers to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at the same time enjoy the flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues.

The same overall rules apply to women's work attire as apply to men's. Business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within the industry.

Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for the most conservative look. A skirted suit is the most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets.

Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions.

Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are the latest trend, they are out of place in the conservative business environment.

Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression.

Women need to wear hose in the business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless the hosiery store is next door or just down the street from the office.

Faces, not feet, should be the focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and the sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda.

When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility.

Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression.

© 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.

Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com

Eyewear Frames - Catch the Wave of Fashion

With so many eyewear choices it can be difficult to know what eye wear frames and styles are best for you. Considerations such as face shape, personality, lifestyle and coloring are all factors when it comes to choosing the right eyewear whether you wear fashion eyewear, designer eye wear, nonprescription eye wear, prescription eye wear, sport eyewear, children’s eye wear or discount eye wear.

When purchasing your eyewear frames you’ll want to find something that complements your face shape, lifestyle and personality especially if your going to be wearing your eye wear on a daily basis. First off you want to determine your face shape and coloring some tips for finding the best frames can include; your eyewear frames should contrast with your face shape; your eye wear frame size should be in scale with your face size; your eye wear should repeat your best feature, an example would be blue eyes with blue frames.

There are seven basic face shapes to consider when purchasing eyewear frames they include:

1. the round face, to make face appear thinner and longer you should try angular narrow eye wear frames with a clear bridge (rectangular frames work);
2. oval face (the most balanced proportions of all faces), select eye wear frames that are as wide as the broadest part of face;
3. oblong face which is longer than it is wide, to make face appear shorter try frames with decorative temples or that have a top to bottom depth;
4. base up triangle which has a wide upper half and smaller bottom half, select frames that are smaller at bottom with light colors and materials or rimless eye wear frame styles;
5. base down triangle is a triangular face that has a narrow forehead that widens at cheek and chin area, cat eye frames o heavily accented frames with detailing on top half;
6. diamond face that is narrow at eyes and jaw with high cheekbones, look good in rimless, oval or cat eye frames;
7. square face which has a strong jaw line and broad forehead, narrow eye wear frame styles look best.

Next you will want to determine your personal coloring, everyone is either warm (yellow based) or cool (blue based). It’s a fact that you look best in your own color, with this said your eyewear frames should complement your personal coloring. The best way to determine your coloring is by your skin. Cool skin has a blue/pink undertone whereas warm skin has a yellow base or “peaches and cream” base. Hair is also considered either warm or cool. Strawberry blond, platinum, blue-black, salt and pepper and white hair are cool. Golden blond, flat black, brown gold and gray hair are warm.

So after you have determined whether you're warm or cool in coloring you will be ready to select an eyewear frame color that is appropriate for you. Some suggestions for eye wear frame colors if you are a warm can include camel, khaki, gold, copper, orange, coral, peach, off white, red and warm blue. Eyewear frame color suggestions for cool coloring can include black, rose-brown, plum, blue-gray, magenta, pink, jade, blue and dark tortoise.

You will want to select eye wear frames that suit your personality and lifestyle. You can ask yourself some questions that will help you determine what sort eye wear will work best for you things such as what you use your eyewear for and what activities you participate in (work, sports). It is usually a good idea to own more than one pair of eye wear, just as you own clothing for different events and activities you can have eye wear to complement what you are doing.

For the conservative business person ovals, rectangles and almond shaped eye wear frames work. Thin plastics, metals and rimless frames in colors such as silver, brown, black, gunmetal and burgundy. For the creative person modern shaped frames (geometrics) in larger plastic styles and metal frames in unique colors of blue, green and purple. For the retired senior modern look eyewear frames in rectangle shapes for men and soft cat eye shapes for women. Gunmetal, deep brown and burgundy colored frames work for men while lighter, shiner hues work nice for women. Shine can add life to a woman’s face, you do however want to stay clear of silver, black and dark, dull colors.

For the student deciding on eyewear there is a wonderful amount of freedom it’s a good idea to try interesting styles, shapes and colors, Have fun with your selection, bright colors, larger styles, unique shapes and dynamic details are options. For the busy dad or mom, basic eye wear frame shapes such as ovals, rectangles and soft cat eye shapes with subtle detailing like rhinestones, stained glass or metal accents can be appealing. Eyewear frame colors such as plums, deep red and black can work nicely.

Lastly for the athletic person there have never been more eye wear options than there are today with wraparound styles, eye wear shields, sports specific eye wear options (green tinted lenses for seeing the subtle lines and flag pole in the green, or yellow tinted lenses for seeing tennis balls more clearly and rose or pink tinted ski goggles for seeing the lines and slopes of the ski hill) and sports eye wear that offers eye protection. Polarized lenses can reduce the glare associated with water sports, snow sports and driving while polycarbonate lenses (impact resistant) can offer important protection for the eyes. You will want to be sure that your sport eye wear choices fit properly and offer the technical functions needed for your particular needs.

With so many wonderful eyewear choices to be found in fashion eye wear there is something to please everyone. When visiting your eye care practitioner or optician it is a great idea to ask for suggestions on eyewear styles, designs and colors for your particular face shape and coloring, they can offer recommendations on what will best suit you.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Eyewear-4U http://www.eyewear-4u.com, an eyewear site featuring fashion eyewear, sports eyewear, prescription eyewear, discount sunglasses and contact lenses as well as accessories.

The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.

Sunglasses Options are Plentiful

Protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays is very important if you are spending any time outdoors. Even days that are hazy or dull require protection for our eyes. Here are a few considerations.

Sunglasses come in a bewildering array of choices; never have there been so many options to select from. With all the variety you’ll want to know ahead of time what the differences are between tinted, reflective, photochromic and polarizing lenses. Of course the style of frame and size of lenses will be obvious differences when shopping for sunglasses. It will also be important to know exactly what purpose you’ll be using your sunglasses.

Sunglasses allow for us to see easier in the bright light. Some glasses protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays while reducing glare and giving protection from physical damage that may be caused to the eyes. Everyone is at risk for sun related eye problems. People who spend long hours in the sun during work or outdoor activity are at higher risk, than someone who is working indoors all day long. Other people may be at higher risk of eye damage if they are on certain medications such as; tetracycline, birth control pills, diuretics and sulfa drugs.

Ultraviolet light can damage both the cornea and retina, so with a good pair of sunglasses the UV can be eliminated from entering the eye completely. Whatever sunglasses you select they should provide the most possible UV protection possible. It’s good to find a pair of glasses that block the sun from all angles, best achieved with a large framed pair that wrap around the face. Purchase sunglasses that block both the UVA and UVB rays, your lenses should indicate this when buying them, if they don’t specify what protection is offered it is best not to buy them. On top of wearing sunglasses it is a good idea to wear a wide brimmed hat.

Manufacturers use different colors of tints to produce specific results for a variety of sunglasses needs. The color of the tint will determine the parts of the light spectrum that will be completely absorbed by the sunglasses. Yellow or gold tints reduce there opposite color, which is blue while allowing other lights to pass through. Blue lights tend to create a glare otherwise known as blue haze. Gray tints are generally used as an all- purpose tints reducing the overall brightness with the least amount of color distortion. The gray lenses are a good lens for general use and driving. Brownish and amber tints are another example of good all-purpose glasses. They reduce glare, absorbing blue and UV rays. Blue and violet have been shown to contribute to cataract formation. Purple and rose tints are great choices for water sports or golfing as they offer contrast of objects against a blue or green background. Green tints are another popular option as they absorb some blue light while reducing glare.

To recognize a pair of reflective sunglasses they will be the pair with the mirrored look. Reflective sunglasses use a reflective coating called a half-silvered surface as it is applied in a very sparse, thin layer. The reason the process is called half-silvered is because the reflective molecules applied over the glass is distributed evenly but only half the glass is covered because of the speckled process. Thus the surface will reflect only about half the light striking the surface, letting the other half go through the glasses. Many styles of mirrored glasses come in gradient forms that have additional protection on the top part of the glasses with less protection at the bottom of the lenses. Mirrored sunglasses are unfortunately easily scratched so extra caution must be used to keep them protected.

Both sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses that darken when exposed to the sun are known as photochromic (or photochromatic) sunglasses. The special lenses work by using a chemical reaction with the UV radiation. The lenses have millions of molecules of substances such as silver halide or silver chloride. When the lenses are exposed to UV rays from the sunlight, the molecules embedded in the lenses undergo a chemical reaction causing them to absorb light thus darkening.

Without the UV light, the lenses go back to their original state, it should be noted that the lenses would not darken in the car as the windshield block out most of the ultraviolet light. Most of the photochromic lenses do however have a bit of tint included in them, so they will still work while driving.

It helps to know a bit about polarization to understand why polarized sunglasses work. Polarization happens when radiation, especially light through being transmitted, scattered, refracted or reflected is restricted to vibrate in only one particular direction, it can occur both naturally and artificially. An example of natural polarization is when you look at the ocean or a lake, the glare off the surface is a result of the light that did not make it through the filter of water, therefore you cannot see below the surface. What polarized lenses does is allows the vertically polarized light to enter from most horizontal surfaces such as highways and water. A good test to see whether sunglasses are polarized or not is to find a reflective surface and with the glasses in front of the surface you want to view, slowly rotate the glasses checking to see if the glare diminishes, if it does the glasses are polarized. Photographers often use special polarized lenses atop their ordinary lenses to avoid unnecessary glare from surfaces.

There are a few extra features of sunglasses that will add to the quality of your lenses. Scratch-resistant coating is achieved by applying a thin durable film on the surface of the lenses; this extends the life and safety of your glasses, as it’s almost impossible to wear a pair of glasses with a scratch on them while trying to see properly. Anti-reflective coating reduces what is known as back-glare, a result of light hitting the back of the sunglasses and bouncing into the eyes. Lastly the most popular coating is the ultraviolet or UV coating. Some of the most serious of eye problems can be linked to UV light, both UVA and UVB. A good UV coating on your sunglasses will eliminate UV radiation, it is important to check that your glasses filter out one hundred percent of both UVA and UVB, there should be a label on your sunglasses stating this information.

Sunglasses come in a myriad of design, color choices and styles. Popular designers offer glasses in prescription, men’s, women’s, sports and junior varieties. A suggestion when purchasing sunglasses is to try and select a pair that blocks the light from all angles, preferably one that wraps all the way around the face, this is if you want the ultimate eye protection. Of course with all the choices available you’ll most importantly select sunglasses that block both the UVA and UVB radiation in a style that provides comfort and the right fit.

Whatever sunglasses you decide on wearing you will feel safer knowing you are eliminating harmful rays from entering you’re eyes. By properly taking care of your eyes you can hopefully avoid problems such as cataracts, cancer of the eye or photokeratitis (sunburn of the retina) and macular degeneration, (which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65). Paying a little extra for a pair of sunglasses with one hundred percent protection is a smart investment.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Best Sunglasses Online, a sunglasses site showcasing an extensive selection of discount sunglasses, designer sunglasses, aviator sunglasses and prescription sunglasses. Find all the top name brands. http://www.best-sunglasses-online.com

The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.

Curves Hit the Beach: Women's Guide to Plus Size Swimwear Online

Summer is with us. The sun is shining, the beaches are glistening and everyone is ready to it the golden sands; ready to relax and enjoy the hottest season of the year.

However, you find yourself stuck indoors with nothing to wear! No stylish swimsuit at hand to stroll down the beach in, thinking “it’s impossible, at my size, to find sexy, stylish and fun beach wear!” Well think again ladies!

Nowadays us large and lovely ladies have a vast selection of plus size swim wear available to spice up our wardrobe and make us look sizzling this summer. All that is needed is a PC, an Internet connection and a comfy chair. Sit back and shop away, choosing from the best selection of plus size swim wear online whilst sipping on that ice-cold cocktail. It’s that easy!

Girl, the Internet makes shopping fun, easy and so simple. No matter what size you are, you will definitely find something to flatter your figure. There is a handful of good quality plus size stores online which offer swim wear up to size 40! Here is a list of my favourite plus size swim wear stores, the ones which I usually recommend to friend, family and colleagues:

• Zaftique: mature, stylish and sophisticated styles in sizes 0Z to 6Z (12/14 to 36/38).

• Torrid: young and trendy designs in sizes 0 to 4 (12/14 to 26/28).

• Junonia: for women who are ready for action! Styles in sizes 0X to 6X (14/16 to 38/40).

• Big On Batik: accessories ahoy! Catering for sizes 1X to 8X.

• Alight: what else can you need? A multitude of designers available here, in sizes 14W to 28W.

More info can be found at http://www.pasazz.net/plus-size-swim-wear.html.

So this season, all big beautiful ladies have no excuse to stay in at home. Go strut your stuff on the beach! Show off those curves in your brand new swim wear!

About the author:

Maya Matthews is the resident writer at http://www.pasazz.net, the plus size clothing directory. A plus size women herself, Maya strives to provide plus size ladies with fashion and lifestyle tips and ideas. Please visit the plus size clothing directory to read more articles and find the top online plus size stores.

Buying Shoes Online - The Benefits

I love to buy shoes but I hate to shop for them.

Driving and walking from store to store can be exhausting. In fact, most neighborhood shoe stores carry limited styles, fashions and sizes, so I often come home tired, discouraged and empty handed.

So it's no wonder that the internet has become my choice for shoe shopping. Try finding a size 10, double narrow pink pump with a 2 inch heel at your local shoe store. You may have to shop around awhile.

On the other hand, a few keystrokes on your computer will find your desired item and find you the best price. And, of course, it so much easier to let my fingers do the shopping than my poor tired feet.

Shoes may not be something you would consider buying online as most people like to 'try on' their shoes, and yes, that's a big benefit to shopping in stores, but online shoe stores have worked hard to make your shoe shopping experience as easy and pleasant as possible.

Here's some of the benefits:

Free Shipping and Free Returns
Your shoes are delivered free and if you don't like them, they take them back free. This is a big incentive that many online shoe stores offer. You get your shoes in 3-5 days, try them on at home. If you don't like them or they don't fit, you send them back free of charge. They even supply the labels.

Better Pricing
Prices are often better online as well. What I find the most appealing is that the internet provides a forum for shopping around. If you find a pair of shoes you like, make a note of the brand and style and shop around at other online stores. In the time it takes to drive to your local shoe store you can shop for a wardrobe of shoes and have them delivered to your door in just a few days.

110% price protection
Many online shoes stores offer price protection which means if you find a shoe for a lower price on another web site or in a shoe store, they will refund you 110% of the difference between the lower price and our price. Definitely something to look for when you shop.

You have 365 days to return your shoes
No hurry, if you can 't get out to return your shoes right away, you have a whole year to send them back.

Not all online shoe stores offer these exceptional shoe buying benefits, however more and more of them are jumping on board.

So, if you're like me and you love to buy new shoes, but hate the walking, check out shopping for them online. It could be one of the best shoe buying experiences you'll ever have.

Elizabeth McGee offers a directory of America's Finest Online Shoe Stores with Everyday Low Prices on Famous Brand Shoes, Sandals and more. Visit her site at: http://www.famous-brand-shoes.com

Handbag and Purse Trends 2005

Handbags are becoming the most popular fashion accessory on the market. The popularity of handbags (especially in the last year) has taken everyone by storm including handbag manufacturers. There are so many styles and trends available on the market right now and the average woman now owns at least 3 purses. You can make the same outfit look completely different just by changing your handbag. If you are interested in handbags and would like to know the latest styles and trends for this summer, fall and winter, keep reading and you will find out everything you need to know.

These are the latest handbag trends and styles:

1. Big – Handbags used to be fairly small and you could barely fit all the things you needed in them but the lately the style is the bigger the better. When I say big handbags I mean handbags that look like overnight bags. Big handbags are not only in style because of the way they look but also because they are very practical and you can fit a large amount of stuff in one bag. You can even fit your lunch it in when you go to work. Big handbags are also available with little handbags to go inside or on their own. The smaller versions are great for bars and parties.
2. Colors – Traditionally blacks, browns and beiges were practically the only color deemed suitable for handbags. Well, that has completely changed over the past few years and handbags are now all about colors. For spring, turquoises and greens are the most popular. For fall it's all about the oranges and reds and for winter it's whites and blues. Black is still classic and very much acceptable, but colors add more personality and flare to your outfit.
3. Fruit Prints – If you keep up on the latest trends and styles then you will not be surprised to hear that fruit prints are in high demand right now. Many celebrities like Janet Jackson, Hilary Duff and Christina Milian have been seen sporting these prints and the trend has only seen the first glimpse of what is expected to come. Cherries are the most popular fruit prints on the market however apples, strawberries, peaches and many other forms of fruit have also made their mark on many handbag designs.
4. Multiple Prints – Multiple prints were popular a couple decades ago and are coming back into style as we speak. Multiple prints means a mix of any two (or more) prints, like a zebra print mixed with a leopard print. Individuals who are confident in themselves and who like to be noticed will opt for these types of handbags over all others.
5. Accessories – A handbag is an accessory in itself, however there are many ways to accessorize handbags as well. Handbags with jewels, buckles, zippers and other added details are very popular right now. Diamonds and other metallic detailing are in high demand as well, possibly from the hype which celebrities create over these types of handbags. A handbag can be easily "spruced up" by adding a few cool accessories.

Now that you know the latest trends and styles, picking out a handbag will be easy. Just remember it's not all about what's on the inside of the handbag, it's how the handbag looks on the outside that counts.

Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of http://www.designerhandbags101.com - a site that offers information about designer purses, leather purses, coach purses and more.

How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag

When you finally decide to dish out a large amount of cash for a handbag, you’ll want to make sure it’s the real thing you are purchasing and not a cheap knock-off. With the popularity of handbags at the present time, its no wonder so many companies are eager to produce knock-off versions of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other high-fashion handbags. We want to make sure that you know when you are being ripped off so you can spend your well-earned money on something that is truly authentic. Here are some hints which will help you spot a fake designer handbag when you see one:

The Fabric

The fabric used to manufacture top-of-the-line brand name handbags is noticeably different than the material used for fakes. If there is wrong stitching or if the material is flawed in even the slightest manner, chances are it is not a name brand purse. High-fashion handbags will always have real materials, they will not use fake leather or fake animal skin and you will get the real deal 100 percent of the time.

Small Detailing

The great thing about authentic handbags is that they are unique and hours upon hours go into making each one exactly right. Designer handbags will often have extra stitching and detailing such as little diamonds, buckles or zippers which make them truly unique to any other designer. As noted above, the diamonds on name brand handbags will also be real 100 percent of the time.

Study the Celebrities

The best way to determine whether or not a handbag is a fake is by studying the real ones and the best way to do that is through celebrities. Celebrities will always have real name brand designer handbags. Most people recognize the design of Louis Vuitton purses because of Jessica Simpson and the hype she has created for the company. When you constantly see celebrities sporting specific types of handbags you will be more inclined in noticing the difference between real and fake ones.

Brand Name Labels

Many brand name handbag designers will put a custom label or logo on their items which indicate that they are authentic. The names sometimes appear on zippers or pockets and some companies like to put it in the same spot on every handbag to ensure their customers know it’s real.

It is important to know that you are getting what you pay for when it comes to designer handbags. If you’re instincts are telling you that the purse is a fake, chances are you’re probably right and its best to leave the bag where it lies. With the amount of money you are spending on these items, you want to make sure the bag you’re buying is authentic and worth every penny you are spending.

Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of http://www.designerhandbags101.com - a site that offers information about designer handbags, designer bags, Louis Vuitton purses and more.

Color Contact Lenses - Are They Safe?

Do you want to find out how you would look with blue, green or amethyst eyes? But you have heard that color contact lenses might cause problems? Here we will discuss how color contacts can affect the health of your eyes, and give you simple tips to follow so your color lenses never give you any troubles.

There are two main reasons why color contacts cause your eye problems, and both are easily avoidable. The first cause is buying color contacts of inferior quality without a doctor’s prescription; and the second is not caring properly for your color lenses.

Sometimes you see color contacts for sale in beauty salons and even in flea markets! You should never buy your lenses in these places. Color contacts aren’t fashion jewelry: most paints are very toxic, so the lenses should be properly manufactured, to avoid direct contact between the paint and the sensitive surface of your eye. Most color lenses sold without a doctor’s prescription fail to meet these requirements. They might look good and cost less than brand-name color contacts, but they are really dangerous for your eyes.

Since the second common cause of eye infections from wearing color lenses is not caring for them properly, you should always follow your doctor’s instructions about caring for your lenses.

Color contact lenses safety rules

If you follow these simple rules, your lenses will be no threat to the health of your eyes.

1. Obtain an eye doctor’s prescription before ordering your color contacts. Even if you don’t need vision correction, you need an eye doctor to select the lenses that would be best for you

2. It is cheaper to order your color contacts online than buying them from your doctor, but make sure that you order from a reputable contact lens retailer

3. Don’t wear your color contacts continuously for too long. Most color contacts block the flow of oxygen to your eyes. This is usually not a problem, though, if you wear your lenses only for 8-9 hours at a stretch, but any longer than that could cause problems.

4. Never sleep wearing your lenses - this is the most dangerous thing you can do, in terms of eye health. If your eyes don’t receive enough oxygen for days on end, then you are sure to suffer inflammation of the corneas. Some color contacts, like Acuvue 2 Colors, are FDA approved to wear for up to 7 days straight. However, many eye doctors agree that it is better not to risk your eyes even with the best quality color contacts

5. Don’t swim or shower wearing your color lenses. Firstly, it is very easy to lose a lens in the water. Secondly, whenever water gets into your eyes it creates favorable conditions for bacteria, putting you at risk of infection

6. Make sure you clean your lenses properly, and always keep your contacts in soft contact lens solution. You shouldn’t rub your color contacts while cleaning them, because it may damage the color. So it is best to use a no-rub multipurpose solution.

7. Never share your color contacts with other people. It might be very tempting to exchange color lenses with a friend but, unfortunately, it is a sure way to pick up an eye infection.

Color contact lenses are fun. As the saying goes, “The eyes are the mirror of the soul”, and it is amazing how much different eye colors can transform your appearance. Caring for your color lenses isn’t hard work - people who wear color contacts every day report that it takes them less than a minute to clean the lenses and put them in - so you should always follow the safety rules. If you do, then color contact lenses will bring you only joy, with no troubles.

Tanya Turner is a contact lens and eye health expert and a founder of http://www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/, where you can find unbiased information about all types of contact lenses including color contacts reviews and pictures

Disposable Color Contacts - Are They Any Good?

The days when color contacts were unbelievably expensive are long gone. As the manufacturing costs go down, disposable color contact lenses appear. These days you can find monthly, weekly and even daily disposable color contact lenses. But how do disposable color contacts compare with traditional color lenses, in terms of quality and health issues?

Disposable color contacts are a recent development, and they become progressively more popular. Sometimes it is not obvious whether the lenses are disposable or traditional (annual replacement schedule). The easiest way to spot the difference is to look at the package - if they are sold in a box (usually 6 lenses per box), then the lenses are disposable; if they are in a phial and the price is indicated per lens, then they are traditional color contact lenses.

Advantages of disposable color contacts

• The more often you replace your contact lenses, the healthier your eyes will be. So disposable color contacts are better, from the health point of view - they are thinner, more comfortable, and proteins don’t have enough time to build up on them.
• Trying different colors is easier, too, since you can buy 3 or 4 boxes of different disposable color contacts for the price of a pair of traditional color lenses.
• If you lose or break a disposable lens, no worries! Just take another one out of the box

However, the main difference between disposable color contacts and annual replacement (traditional) lenses is that high quality traditional lenses are hand painted. Hand painted color lenses like Illusions by CibaVision create a more natural look than digitally printed lenses. None of the disposable color lenses is hand painted - it simply is not cost effective for the manufacturer.

Best disposable color contacts

Freshlook is one of the more popular brands in disposable color contacts. Freshlook offers you three collections: Freshlook Colorblends - opaque color contacts for people with dark eyes; Freshlook Impressions, which are partially transparent enhancement lenses designed to brighten naturally blue or green eyes; and Freshlook Dimensions, the unique designs of which make your eyes appear larger and deeper. All Freshlook color lenses are monthly disposable.

Acuvue 2 Colors by Johnson and Johnson is also a good choice. Acuvue 2 Colors offers opaque color lenses, for people with dark eyes, as well as enhancement lenses, for light eyes. Acuvue 2 Colors are 1-2 week disposable color contact lenses. They are also FDA approved to be worn for a week continuously, which means that you can sleep in them.

Recently released 1 Day Acuvue Colors are the first daily disposable color contact lenses. They look the same as Acuvue 2 Colors opaque color lenses, but you don’t have to worry about cleaning, disinfecting and storing them. 1 Day Acuvue Colors are ideal for people who only want to wear color contacts for special occasions; this way, you can wear fresh lenses every time.

Expression Colors by Cooper Vision also comes as opaque colors, for dark eyes, and enhancement colors, for light eyes. Expression lenses are monthly disposable color contacts.

Prescriptions for color contact lenses

Most disposable color contact lenses come in plano (no correction) as well as with corrective powers. Sometime people think that if they have a perfect vision and want color contacts purely for cosmetic effect, they can just order a box online without consulting an optometrist. This is not true, though: all contact lenses - including plano color lenses - are medical devices, so you can’t buy color contact lenses without doctor’s prescription.

However, after getting your prescription, you don’t have to buy your color contacts from your optometrist. Many reputable contact lens retailers sell color contacts online and ordering your color lenses through the Internet can save you a lot of money.

Tanya Turner is a contact lens and eye health expert and a founder of http://www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/, where you can find unbiased information about all types of contact lenses including color contact lenses reviews and pictures.

Colours of Contact Lenses

Colours of Contact Lenses - Get Lost in those Purple(?) Eyes

Nowadays, there are many colours of contact lenses available to suit your every mood.

If you only want a slight eye color change, then contact lens colours generally fall under two categories: opaque contacts (for darker eyes) and enhancer contacts (for light eyes).

However, if you want a change that will cause heads to turn your way, go for wild colors that introduce a hint of green, purple or even yellow in your eyes.

Colored Contact Lenses - Taking the Boredom Out of your Contacts

A subtle color shading in your lenses can drastically change your appearance.

So if you want to try something new or are simply bored with the contacts you are wearing now then start looking for the colored pair that suits you.

Online sites can really be a big help in deciding which colored lens to choose.

For instance, if you are unsure of the color that would best suit your natural eye color, many contact lens websites have an online eye color palette you can use.

Simply click the color that closely resembles your natural eye color and a list of colored contact lenses (and how they would look on you) are shown.

Select the one you like best and simply order online.

It really can't get any easier than that.

Colored lenses are also extremely popular during parties.

If you're having a Halloween or any type of masquerade or costume ball, shock friends by showing up with eye lenses that sport zebra stripes or resemble a cat's eye.

Indeed, colored lenses have never been this fun!

More information and reviews on a full range of leading contact lenses can be found at Contact Lens Savers

Vintage Costume Jewelry: Yesterday's Fashion Today

Jewelry, whether fine or costume, has been a part of human culture since the earliest times. People wear jewelry to satisfy their vanity, to indulge their love for beautiful things, and to look good to others. Vintage costume jewelry fulfills all these criteria, but at a fraction of the cost of real or fine jewelry. It is an inexpensive alternative that does not sacrifice taste as well as style.

Vintage costume jewelry may be less expensive, but good quality ones are never seen as cheap. They are less costly because they are not made from precious gems. Designers of vintage costume jewelry use a variety of materials from cut glass, beads, semi-precious gems, faux gems -- even plastic! These pieces were created and released since the start of the Victorian era up to the 1960s. Vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s and 1950s are especially creative and eye-catching, since the designers of the era had to produce relatively inexpensive yet fashionable items that men and women could afford and appreciate during the war and post-war era.

Some of the most popular designers of vintage costume jewelry were fashion guru Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miriam Haskell. Many of Schiaparelli’s bright and attractive creations were made from multi-colored rhinestones. Haskell, in her finely detailed work, almost always paid tribute to nature’s beauty and bounty. Chanel, the favorite of many celebrities, transformed the way costume jewelry was worn in the 1920s. Other pieces of vintage costume jewelry were made from materials that included beads, corals, faux pearls, and Bakelite -- a kind of polymeric plastic.

Vintage costume jewelry continues to be very much in vogue today, and it has inspired many designers to create ‘real’ pieces made from precious gems and metals. At the 2005 Academy Awards, the jewelry that many women celebrities wore were oversized and sparkly, a tribute to the jewelry designs of the 1940s. Stars such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Julia Roberts are not only collectors of vintage costume jewelry and dress accessories; they actually wear them in public, too.

A person does not have to be a celebrity to appreciate vintage costume jewelry. Their uniqueness, aesthetic value and superb craftsmanship make them popular collectible items, and with proper care, they can be a good investment, too, since serious collectors will pay top dollar for vintage costume jewelry that is in mint condition. But more than that, the experience of owning and wearing a thing of beauty that comes from a bygone era is simply priceless.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

Turquoise Necklace Facts and Beliefs

‘Pieces of sky.’ That’s how turquoise was called by some Native American tribes. Indeed, it requires no great stretch of the imagination to understand why turquoise was referred to as such. Just as the heavens could be a peaceful or stormy blue, so could turquoise seem to express different moods with its different shades of blue and green. Wearing pieces of sky in a turquoise necklace is a provocative and attractive idea.

Known as the birthstone of December, turquoise can be opaque or translucent, and a turquoise necklace made of beads conveys an iridescent, whimsical effect. Some jewelry designers set their turquoise necklaces in platinum, silver, or gold; at times, they use other gemstones in conjunction with turquoise for a complementary, enhancing effect. Chokers or neckbands decorated with turquoise are also popular as fashion accessories.

Necklaces made from Persian or Iranian turquoise are the most expensive, since this variety of turquoise is considered to be of the highest quality. However, less expensive varieties are available from Mexican, Chinese, Egyptian and American sources. Turquoise necklaces are popular items in Native American and Southern jewelry collections, but by and large, they have found their way into mainstream culture. They are perfect for casual wear, especially during summer, but can also be worn combined with other jewels for more formal occasions. Socialite Nicky Hilton, country singer Lari White and actress Ali Landry are some of the celebrities who have been photographed wearing turquoise necklaces.

According to gemologists, turquoise is believed by people of different cultures to have healing, protective, and restorative powers. Folklore also tells us that turquoise would fade or change color when the wearer was in danger or if a lover had been unfaithful. Whether a person believes in such tales or not, the fact remains that a turquoise necklace and other pieces of turquoise jewelry are not only fashionable and beautiful dress accessories, they have also played a major role in the shaping of various cultures as well.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

Teen Jewelry Fashion Exposed

Teenagers are a fickle bunch. At that stage of physical and psychological growth, they are constantly experimenting with things to improve their image and their look. Teen jewelry fashion plays a major part in the development of their identity and efforts to either blend in with the crowd or establish their own unique persona. Any parental endorsement of fashion accessories is akin to the kiss of death, and adolescents look to other influences when it comes to teen jewelry fashion.

The celebrities that teenagers see in music videos, television programs or movie screens are largely responsible for dictating trends in teen jewelry fashion. The oversized, ostentatious accoutrements favored by rap musicians have spawned the hip-hop jewelry trend, and teenagers have been patronizing lower-priced but accurate replicas of celebrity bling bling. Instead of the diamonds and other precious gems used in celebrity jewelry, cheaper zirconia and base metals are used for duplicates. Body jewelry (both the pierced and non-pierced types) that is unusually designed and made with inexpensive materials has also seen an increase in teenage patrons.

Beaded jewelry and woven friendship bracelets and rings are some of the other hot trends in teen jewelry fashion. Many teenagers make these dress accessories themselves and give them to friends as gifts. These are personalized with beads that have the letters of the recipient’s name on them are incorporated into the woven fibers. Many teenagers also wear certain types of jewelry to identify them as part of a clique or group. These may take the form of uniquely designed pendants, rings or charms that have spiritual or mystical overtones.

Feminine teen jewelry fashion styles are also influenced largely by young celebrities today. Items worn by teen stars, such as Hilary Duff’s slave bracelets, are copied by her non-celebrity counterparts. However, whimsical designs are still hugely popular among this set of young consumers. Gold- or silver-plated jewelry and jewelry that has gemstones has not lost its following among teenagers.

Some masculine teen jewelry fashion trends, on the other hand, tend to lean more toward beadwork, silverwork, leatherwork, and unusual stones. Teenage guys seem to think that sporty-looking accessories, such as so-called surfer-dude necklaces and arm bands made from bone, wood, or shell beads on a rubber or leather cord are cool. Stainless steel jewelry is popular with them, too.

Jewelry has been used by all people throughout history as marks of beauty or to denote social status. Adolescents are not immune to these patterns; in fact they are probably even more susceptible to them because of their need to simultaneously conform and stand out. Teenage jewelry fashion is part of their social arsenal and a tool in the development process.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

Sterling Silver Jewelry -- Classic Simplicity

Sterling silver jewelry is synonymous with class and style in the world of fashion. Its versatility and flexibility make it a welcome and useful addition to any person’s wardrobe. Sterling silver jewelry epitomizes classic simplicity in itself, but as the setting for gemstones or combined with other precious metals, the aesthetic value it lends to the wearer is inestimable.

Pure silver by itself is too soft and would not be practical for jewelry and other ornamental objects. Sterling silver is made when another metal, such as copper, is added to the silver to make it hardy and tough. So while it is not as sturdy as stainless steel, sterling silver jewelry is nonetheless very durable and long-lasting. That is why a wide array of rings, necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, belt buckles, body jewelry and more are made from sterling silver.

All sterling silver jewelry is marked as such, and sometimes the name of the designer or manufacturer is engraved on the piece. It is a highly reflective precious metal whose simple yet elegant look is appreciated by both the young and old, the famous and not-so-famous. Some celebrities adorned with sterling silver jewelry on television or in magazines include actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Kristin Davis, musician Sheryl Crow, and hotel heiress and budding thespian Paris Hilton.

Certain maintenance measures need to be taken to care for sterling silver jewelry. To prevent unsightly tarnishing, it should be washed with water and a mild detergent after it is worn, and since it is softer than some other precious metals, abrasion and shock to the piece should be prevented to avoid scratching or marring its surface. In the event that tarnishing does occur, sterling silver jewelry can be polished to restore it to its former sheen.

Whether your dress of choice be casual jeans, practical office attire or a slinky, little black dress for a night out on the town, sterling silver jewelry is the perfect accessory. It adapts easily to all fashion trends without sacrificing the wearer’s personal sense of style. Its allure remains undiminished as it continues to evoke the idea of simple luxury.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Keep Your Flair of Style with Designer Reading Glasses

Reading glasses can be stylish and fashionable. There are many options in reading glasses today to give you that designer look. Well known fashion designers are even getting into the reading glasses design market. With today's designer reading glasses you will always be on the cutting edge of what is hot.

Fashion designers, like Calvin Klein and Scojo Vision, are making designer reading glasses that are big with the stylish crowd. Reading glasses come in full size and half or mini size. Designer styles come in both metal and plastic. There are painted designs that add artsy flair or simple metal styles for a professional look. A popular trend is matching the tint color of the lenses to the color of the frames.

Rimless reading glasses provide an invisible look and lightweight option. The wide varieties of styles are available at doctor's offices and many online stores.

Finding your own style will make that pair of designer reading glasses look great on you. To discover what looks best on you consider a few things about your lifestyle. Are you busy all the time or do you lead a quiet life? Are you athletic or not? Do you need to look professional for work or do you want a fun style?

If your life is busy you might want to consider a lightweight pair of reading glasses. For an athletic person durable full size plastic reading glasses may be best. Business professionals will want to steer clear of flashy styles and stick to neutral colors. Answers to questions like these will help you determine the frame and lens type that best suits you.

Designer styles of reading glasses bring a flair of fashion to wearing them. The versatile styles, colors and designs allow everyone to find their perfect pair of reading glasses. Identifying your needs based upon your lifestyle will ensure you choose the best designer reading glasses for you. You never have to sacrifice your love of designer styles when choosing reading glasses again.

Steve Cogger is a licensed optician and co-founder of http://www.ReadinStyle.com an online reading glasses boutique.

How to Choose a Comfortable Pair of Shoes

You've finally worn out those comfortable old shoes that you have been wearing for years. Finding a good pair of shoes is a bit like trying to find the perfect spouse; it takes a lot of looking around to find the perfect match. But shopping for shoes should not be a stressful experience. Here is a brief guide to help you find that perfect pair.

The first thing you need to decide on is your budget, as this will limit which brands and perhaps styles, you can buy. Many discount footwear stores have great sales, sometimes giving you up to 80% off the original price or even running two for the price of one sales. So, if you see sales like these, take advantage of them!

Once you've decided on your budget, you should think about what type of shoe you want to buy. Do you plan on being on your feet a lot? Do you want you shoes to be a fashion statement, or are you more of a 'sensible shoe' type of person? They are many new hot fashions this summer, ranging from dainty sandals to towering stilettos. While a pair of cute high heels may match your new skirt perfectly, they may not be right for you if you are going to on your feet, running around all day. So, make sure that you put some thought into where- and how long- you will be wearing them.

When it comes to actually trying on a pair of shoes, there are some general rules that you should try to follow. If you can, try the shoes on late in the day, as your feet tend to swell slightly as the day progresses. If you plan on wearing socks with the shoes, remember to bring a pair with you to the store, so that you can try on the shoes with them to give you an idea of how comfortable they will be.

Finding a comfortable pair of shoes should not be a challenge, especially if you know what to look for when buying them.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of The Shoe Shak a website decicated to shoes.

How to Shop for Comfortable Pilates Workout Wear

Studies show that an estimated 60% of Americans do not receive the recommended amount of physical exercise per day. It is also estimated that of those 60% who are not active enough, there are 25% who are completely inactive on a daily basis. Being active is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living a longer life. Perhaps, that’s why so many people have showed interest in Pilates. Pilates has taken over the workout world and has received so much hype because of the wonders it performs on the body. So now that you’ve decided to become a part of the whirlwind, let’s figure out what you’re going to wear.

Many individuals are confused as to what types of clothing are most appropriate for Pilates. Here is a list of criteria you might want to consider when shopping for Pilates workout wear:

• Comfortable Clothing - Comfort is key in Pilates. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing you will be self-conscious and hesitant to perform some of the positions.

• Clothes that are body hugging - This means clothes that enables you to breathe and move, but not so loose that when you move around you are afraid of your shirt lifting or your tummy showing.

• Light and Airy Clothing - You do not want to show up to a Pilates class wearing huge track pants that weigh about as much as you do. You want your clothes to breathe. You are going to work up a sweat and therefore you want the lightest clothing possible.

• Stay Away from the Extras - Extra detailing, such as buttons and zippers, can cause discomfort during your workout and become painful if they are jammed into you when performing certain poses.

• Respect Your Classmates - Be respectful to others in the class and refrain from wearing any clothing which advertises sex, drugs, religion or otherwise as it may be offensive to other individuals taking the class.

Most of all, be comfortable and have fun! The clothing you choose is not as important as the fact that you are improving your lifestyle, creating a better life for yourself and setting a better example for others.

Harriet Spinzer is an avid Pilates enthusiast who writes as a contributing editor for http://www.pilatesinsight.com – a site dedicated to offering information on things like winsor Pilates, Pilates exercise and more.

Leather Jewelry - a Touch of Forbidden (and Friendship)

Most people will agree that leather jewelry is great. Whether it’s a wristband or an ankle bracelet – it has a touch of style. Even though it’s often a small detail – it’s always very noticeable on anyone who wears it. Short skirts, shorts, bikini, anything fits to be worn with leather jewelry.

Fashion trend to wear leather started long time ago with first rockers on tv-screens. Yet those days it was pretty prohibited kind of decoration, because it was associated with rebelling against rules. Today, every kind of jewelry is ok – leather becomes less extravagant and more of “okay-type” jewelry. Still it has a little of being forbidden feel. Even now people are very attracted to these kind of decoration. Since the beginning of ages, people tend to love forbidden fruit.

Typically leather jewelry bracelet is a collection of string-shaped parts, tied together with some kind jewels on it (but usually not too much, as leather itself is really amazing). Sometimes it’s thick, sometimes it’s thin, but it’s always nice and attractive on any women or men to wear it. Yes, leather bracelets are unisex, both men and women can wear this.

Leather necklace is other type of leather jewelry. It can be easily done by yourself. It’s just a leather-string with decorations on it. It can be simple rocks or costly precious rock beads; it all depends on what you’re trying to show.

Are you going to look as a vamp-type or gothic women? Wear leather with shiny metal! Trying to seem friendly? Leather string with any kind of polished rocks will fit you!

Don’t forget about friendly leather bracelets that can be handmade. Just tie a few leather strings of similar colors to each other – here is your simple but warm gift to a friend.

A nice thing to wear is a leather ankle bracelet. There are numerous fashions of leather ankle bracelets – try to find your own. Wearing an open shoes and skirt with those in summer is guaranteed to magnet attention of men (it draws even more attention than a “sport-bar with free beer” sign). Sometimes. It’s always adjustable for your legs and has a tie to easily slip it off, but once it on – it’s on, no matter how much you move around.

With a little bit of search you can find fascinating flower-decorated anklets (ankle bracelets).

Do you want something more customized for you? Seek for a place to engrave letters on your leather bracelet. Wearing a leather bracelet with your name on it is a nice idea to meet people – they already know your name and won’t forget it – it’s rare when people wear jewelry that has their name on it. Maybe you’d even like to engrave someone’s name to show how much he (or she) means to you and how deeply you care for that person – to carry his name always on your hand.

Leather jewelry becomes very popular with celebrities these days. Those guys know what’s hot (eh, they have a whole team of stylists to tell them what’s great and what’s not), so watch closely – you might notice what kind of leather is popular these days. And, of course, it’s not only about leather – any kind of jewelry celebrity puts on – immediately becomes fashion trend, cause often each part of their costume and jewelry is well-thought by a big-name stylists.

Slava Diamy is an author of Diamy.Com - Jewelry Blog, where you can join us for a discussion of "Leather Jewelry" article and subscribe to jewelry ideas and tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Slava_Diamy

Kennith Cole Shoes

The Kenneth Cole men’s shoes Reaction collection offers men everything from thong sandals to stylish dress shoes. This grandiose collection of footwear comes in all different varieties, shapes, sizes, and colors. The Kenneth Cole Men’s shoes Reaction collection is loaded with trendy choices for men. Let’s start with the casual.

The casual offerings of the Reaction collection range from clogs to sport shoes and everything in between. Reaction Men’s Glide Open and the Men’s Straight Plush are both examples of the clogs offered by the men’s collection. Still, there is more casual footwear that Reaction gives men to choose from. There are corporate casual pieces, like the Men’s Lace Off, the One Line Day, the Line in Time and many more. These shoes offer men the luxury of comfort with the style of business.

If business casual is not enough, Reaction gives men several options for a dress look. The Reaction Flex a Bit and Flex Along are shiny leather shoes that scream sophistication, while the Reaction Men’s Row Boat lends to a sportier dress look. The Men’s Puzzle Piece is an intriguing and unique style. These are loafer style with a square toe, and apron style stitched toe seam detail.

Reaction also provides a great selection in men’s view. For a funky take on a cowboy look, try Men’s Red Line. These snakeskin boots can be dressed up or dressed down, with a tapered toe and western style stitching. If snakeskin is not your thing, the Red Line also comes in black or brown leather. For a more casual and rugged look, try the Reaction Pine Nuts. These rounded, plain toe shoes offer stitched accents, but it’s the one inch sole and heel.

Sandals should also be part of a man’s footwear wardrobe. These can range from thong sandals, commonly referred to as flip flops, and more sturdy standards that men can wear with anything. Some of the thong options include Flip 5-0, the Beachy-Keen, and the Sport Graffiti. Sandals that men can wear at work or at play include the Sand-man, the Top Spin, the Flip Wilson, and the Surf the Net, to name a few.

http://www.the-shoe-finder.com

Bling Bling on a Budget

A nice piece of jewelry can brighten up your entire day. It can bring together an outfit and make you feel great. Paying a lot for that piece of jewelry however, doesn’t make you feel very good. There is a lot of variation in the jewelry industry, and prices can fluctuate greatly between vendors. Your job as a bargain shopper is to find the best quality pieces at the lowest prices. Here you'll find a few tips to get you started in your bargain jewelry hunting journey.

When looking for a good piece of jewelry, you need to understand what you are looking at. Read up on the 4 C’s of diamond grading, as well as the terminology for gold and silver rating. This knowledge will help you find the best jewelry deal possible. Don’t get hung up on brand names. Often times, you are paying more for the name itself not the piece of jewelry. Pay special attention to the picture of the piece of jewelry. It should have adequate lighting and give you a good idea of what the piece looks like in person. Ask about the companies return policy, in case you find that the piece is not what you thought it would be.

Whenever possible, try to shop at a discount jewelry store. The quality is often the same as a name brand store, but the prices are significantly lower. Look online for a list of discount jewelry vendors, or try your hand at a closeout site. If a company is going out of business, they will sell their inventory to a closeout site, in order to make some of their money back. The closeout site then offers the products at very deep discounts. You can try overstock.com for deals on just about anything that you can think of. For an even better deal try going to an online coupon website. You can find coupon codes for a variety of different stores and items. You may be surprised at what you find! Be weary of auction sites when buying jewelry. Many of the sellers are unfamiliar with jewelry terms, and can mislead you into buying something that isn’t right. Ask plenty of questions before committing.

Buying jewelry on a budget has never been easier. With a huge assortment of discount websites, you can find anything and everything at less than the retail price. Imagine how much more your budget will allow, since you are saving so much money!

Melanie Breeze, avid online shopper and user of online coupons at CouponChief.com, is always shopping around for the best deals. You can find jewelry deals and shopping discounts available around the web at CouponChief, all in one location. Finding a coupon before your online purchase helps you get that extra discount!

Copper Jewelry in Action!

Copper Jewelry is very nice-looking, but also it’s a very healthy jewelry. Do you know much about how much copper is needed to our bodies? It’s a highly important element for balancing other elements in our body. It keeps our blood vessels elastic. It is really important for bone formation and healing, skin formation and repair.

Copper Jewelry is very good to wear with autumn-colored clothes. Yellow, beige colors are signs of soon to come winter, which always brings spring after it. Try also wearing copper beads with black t-shirt or any other dark top.

Since the dawn of civilization people used copper because of its unusual strengths. Wise people engraved prayers on copper stones or copper plates to deliver a strong message to other worlds. Is it believed that copper stimulates energy flow to itself, so when copper jewellry is on body – it helps to accumulate more energy. It also seem to help with avoiding lethargic tendencies and as a result of wearing it you may feel re-vitalized and stronger. It helps you to concentrate your thoughts.

As you might have already read – copper is absorbed through skin and has pain-relief effect, that’s why copper bracelets are so popular. It’s not an urban legend – this has medical background and some proofs from Eastern countries, where people know many things from past. Knowledge slowly fades away in nowadays if it has no big commercial value, but Eastern countries cherish comprehensive historical facts. So in a talk with a lady from East – there was a confirmation that copper jewellery has strong effect on people suffering with arthritis. Copper (especially magnetic jewelry) is known to increase blood circulation and reduce pain in muscles. Many people suffering with arthritis will not leave home without a bracelet.

Besides copper bracelets you can find some copper beads, strings, and earrings. Most of them are amazingly beautiful and not expensive, since copper isn’t a precious metal. Despite it’s dollar value – it’s very precious to our health.

Wearing copper jewelery you might notice green stains on your skin under the place of contact with copper. Don’t panic. It’s all right, it will come off in a day or two – it’s just copper entering your body. It usually happens in warm days. If you want to avoid it – paint inside of a bracelet with a transparent nail polish, but as you might figure out – it prevents health benefits of copper too. These stains aren’t known to do any harm for you. There are recommendations to wear copper jewelry while you are sleeping, which is time for our body to rest and to restore, that way you can wash it’s traces in morning.

Copperjewelry, like many other metals is known to tarnish over time. To clean jewelery, made from copper – just put it in a small solution of lemon or limejuice with a dash of salt, it will shine as new. Alternatively you can keep it in copper jewelry box, preventing from continuous air exposure, which causes copper jewelry to tarnish.

If you are still not convinced that copper bracelets are a great way to help your health – well – go to the nearest pharmacy and continue to buy pills helping pharmaceutical industry to grow and sell you even more.

After all – it’s not always about how it works – sometimes it’s about how it looks – and copper jewelry is sometimes amazingly beautiful. Try to find some and you’ll be amazed too!

Slava Diamy is an author of Diamy.Com - Jewelry Blog, where you can join us for a discussion of "Copper Jewelry" article and subscribe to receive new articles.

Freshwater Pearl Necklace Sets Foundation for the Perfect Look

Have you been searching for that certain piece of jewelry for that one special occasion? Or that certain necklace to top off your outfit for a day out? Pearl Jewelry is not only known for its timeless qualities but also for its versatility. Pearl jewelry can be worn with any style and comes in many various colors and sizes. A stunning freshwater pearl necklace can set a great foundation for the elegant look that pearl jewelry can offer.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls come in many colors, which you can even coordinate with your clothing! Traditional colors include whites, yellows, golden, and pinks which have been seen on no less than queens such as Princess Diana, but other colors like various shades of blues, purples, and black pearls can really make a statement as well.

Although most precious metals tarnish with use, a pearl necklace should be worn often, as the absorption of skin oils adds to its luster and life! To clean a freshwater pearl necklace, it only takes warm water and a soft cloth. If you are one of those that adore the gold look, you can try a pearl necklace with gold plated beads separating your pearls for the best of both worlds.

While a necklace alone can not capture the complete essence you are hoping to convey, it can be a powerful focal point that speaks elegance to those around you. I hope you enjoy pearl jewelry as much as we do and encourage you to learn all you can about this natural wonder and shop around.

If you would like your own Pearls Necklace, have a look at selectraders.com for a wide variety of Pearl Jewelry made from the finest grade Pearls.

Thrifty And Fashionable

Growing up with three sisters, it was important for us to be well-groomed. We were always borrowing clothes from each other then returning them clean and pressed. It was a way of streching our wardrobes and to the outside world we had an endless supply. We were thrifty without realizing it and no one was the wiser.

The first thrift store was opened in London during the middle eighteen-hundreds.The Salvation Army went around collecting donated goods from the working classes and then selling them to the poor for a fraction of the cost. A few years later,a Salvation Army store was opened in the lower East side of Manhattan serving over three million impoverished people.

During the depression, it was shameful to be seen wearing thrift store cast-offs. Clothes were handed down to another family member. Shoes were patched, blouses or shirts were mended or seams torn apart and made over to fit a family recipient. During the nineteen-fifties, wealthy women donated their clothes to be re-sold. The profits from these upscale resale shops were shared with the donor or the shop profited from it. During the nineteen-seventies,thrift stores were popular with the hippies and the college students searching for vintage styles.

Now days, thrift store parking lots are filled with luxury cars as well as the more modest ones reflecting the escalating prices. The stores have become so profitable that the same people they once helped cannot afford to shop there. Thrift stores like Goodwill have some quality items and at shopgoodwill.com clothing items are auctioned in the same way as on ebay. Although, it is better to visit their stores for more of a variety of items and sizes.

Kate Magazine is an online shopping magazine and she gives sound advice for buying vintage clothes and sizing them correctly. Also, she has links to resale shops and a newsletter that can be sent to an online email inbox. She also gives shopping tips about what time of year the mall outlets sell their merchandise at the lowest prices. A city's online yellow pages is a good source for locating the names of local thrift stores and resale shops.

After finding a favorite thrift store, resale shop or mall outlet, it is wise to visit it frequently in order to keep up with the changing merchandise. It is a good idea to check the thrift store, resale shop or mall outlet's refund or exchange policy because a lot of them do not allow it.Shopping at these establishments is a unique way to add to an existing wardrobe without going over a limited clothing budget.

Through the years, the author has shopped at these kinds of establishments and found some unique fashion items at bargain prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_A_Hill

Are You Good-Looking Enough For Your Job?

Beauty has muscle. Beauty captures our attention and pulls us in…

Beauty is only skin deep, but it counts almost for everything. Especially , within the first few seconds of meeting a prospect.

Most, if not all of the time, we take things at face value. Here are a few examples:

1) You buy the ‘orange-ist' orange – even though you know they've probably been sprayed with chemicals to look that way.

2) Your mouth waters as you stumble across a succulent joint of lamb in a Sunday supplement – even though you know it's probably been lightly ‘dusted' in creosote to look that way.

3) Your attention is drawn to a lithe, tanned young thing on the TV screen – even though… see 1 above.

We take things at face value… And so do your prospects.

A colleague of mine is an N.L.P expert, and I mean EXPERT. He has spent years and years learning and developing his skills. Pouring over books, attending seminars, taking exams… He's worked closely with Paul McKenna… He's a Master's Masters N.L.P instructor (or something or other), and yet… He struggles to find clients. Why?

Well one major reason it that he doesn't LOOK like an expert. People judge and they don't see beyond the clothes, the haircut and the bad time keeping. And so he doesn't get hired. Totally unjustified, but true…

You could say he's a ‘green' orange*.

It doesn't matter how good you look on the inside - your prospects judge the ‘packaging' first. So are you good looking enough for your job? Or in other words… Are you looking good enough for your job?

*Ethylene is used commercially to degreen oranges, however, it is for cosmetic reasons because oranges can be fully ripe even if they are green on the outside. Reference Wills, R.B.H. et al. 1989. Postharvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruits and Vegetables. London , BSP Professional Books.

Andrew Ludlam is a client attraction expert, and Director of Maverick Marketing Solutions. If you're deadly serious about maximising the potential of your business, then I urge you to visit http://www.maverickmarketingltd.com and sign up for the monthly 'Maverick Marketing Solutions Newsletter'... where you’ll also receive the FREE white paper “Six Magnetic Ways To Attract More Clients To Your Business In The Next 90 Days..!" (Value $37)

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