Banishing the Bullies

Whether the bully in question is a school teacher, a boss, a friend or even a member of the family, if you are on the receiving end it really can make your life a misery.

The constant and relentless barrage of verbal or physical abuse, can wear a person down so much, they can’t even see a way out.

There is no need to live in fear of a bully, and there are many different kinds of initiatives being developed for every type of bullying out there. If you are, or someone you know is being harassed, I give you some examples of how to deal with it...


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Praise them
Secondary schools in Scotland are taking a new look at what motivates bullies to behave the way they do.

They have bought in a system of secondary school rewards and praise methods, recognising good behaviour formally and publicly, so everyone knows about it.

Reward systems are not new as such, and you might be wondering what this has to do with bullying.

Well, research shows that bullies typically have very low self esteem and by teachers paying close attention to the good work and good things that the bullies do, they can be publicly rewarded for these acts and then their confidence in themselves will grow.

This results in a happy ex-bully and of course a great relief to the victims.

For it to be successful, all the teachers must be singing from the same hymn sheet, as it were. So, time spent setting up the system and explaining its function is essential. It will be regularly monitored to ensure consistency is maintained.

Essentially, the praise must be genuine in order for it to ring true with the teenagers, and in a school culture which might say that to be a “swot” or teacher’s pet is bad, and that to be cool and macho is the done thing, you need the praise to ignite some pride in them – not have it knocked back.

Face facts
Bullying in the workplace is unacceptable. No-one wants to have to face their oppressor every day, especially when it starts affecting their work standard and may result in loss of job.

Often, the put downs and intimidation is done in front of other work colleagues, therefore turning them against the victim.

It can take many forms, such as racial or sexual harassment, but can also be covert, such as being constantly harangued, blamed for other peoples mistakes, given so much work that it cannot possibly be completed, thus setting you up to fail, or physically and/or verbally abused.
Maybe these can happen on email or fax, as well as face to face.

Luckily, there are laws in place to cover discrimination and harassment in the workplace. If you feel that you, or someone you know, are suffering in this way, then first of all get advice.
This may be from a Union representative, a Human Resources member, or a manager or supervisor. (Of course, things can get difficult if it’s the manager or supervisor who is bullying you, but if necessary go above them within the company).

Your employer has a “duty of care” when your at work, and safety from bullying comes under that umbrella.

It is advised that the victim speaks to the bully, to make it clear how their behaviour makes them feel. Maybe the bully is really not aware of how bad their behaviour is. Ask them to not do it. If it continues, you will have a case. Keep all incidents written down in a dairy, with dates and details.

Then, if you wish to raise a formal complaint, you will be well armed. Ask for the company’s grievance procedure and follow it to a tee.

Have you ever been a victim of bullying? Perhaps you were the bully and wish to explain your motives. Please share here.

Elise Lévêque is an ambitious freelance translator with a passion for anything and everything social media. She can often be found sipping on a latté, and wandering the city with her Lomo camera on the hunt for the newest piece of controversial art. There are few things she loves more than her freedom, and she loves to blog for Carrot Rewards in her spare time.

Oasap.com ~ Delivering Fashion & Love~!!

Oasàp.com is a High~Street Fashion On~Line Store~!!

This dedicated online store offers many various kinds of women's apparel, bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, beauty products and so much more~!!

Founded in late 2011, they have already grown into a leader in fashion as they continuously update their products every day adding over 600 NEW products EVERY week~!!  Their mission is to make YOU look like a cutting~edge fashion model, no matter where you are or what class or age group that you fall into.  They believe that pursuing fashion is the right of EVERY woman~!!

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ARV $30.00

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Sexy Standing Collar Lace Hip Hugging Dress

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Since receiving the Sexy Lace Standing Collar Dress I have been by the online and began drooling over the choices they have since added, it took me forever to choose this one, as I just gotta have them all...hehe, and only one of them was I able to afford, but I am DEFINITELY going to return~!!

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  **  I received no monetary compensation for this post, my thoughts are 100% my own...reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

The Most Important Skill for Self-Defense: Mental Preparedness

Mentally preparing yourself for an attack of any kind is the most important, and sadly neglected, part of anyone’s training. People can learn the physical moves that are necessary to protect themselves in a relatively short period of time, but it can take years to learn how to be mentally prepared to pull the trigger or strike with deadly force. Few people appreciate the importance of this skill for self-defence.

Ready or Not Here He Comes
One thing you can bet on if you are ever attacked is that your assailant is mentally prepared. He has thought through what he is going to do and psyched himself up, so to speak. He is alert and ready to ruin your day, whereas you are asleep in your bed or just walking down the street thinking of everything other than self-defense. Your attacker is like a raging bull and you are like a little fluffy white kitten with sleep in your eyes.

Fighting is not second nature to us humans. We have to be taught to go from the mindset of the kitten that is helpless to that of a tiger that is perfectly capable of protecting himself. Bottom line is you have to be able to go from your normal nice guy persona to a raging tiger in a split second; that is how you will be able to keep yourself form being injured, or worse.

The Flick of the Switch
In any self-defense situation whether you are armed or not you have to be able to go from relaxed to ready like the flick of a light switch; it has to happen that fast. So how do you learn to do that? When you go to shoot your gun for example, do not be casual about it.

You set your gun down on the table at the firing station and take a few steps back. If your gun is holstered that works as well. Take a moment to collect yourself. Think about something that stirs deep emotions for you. Think about your children if you have them. Think about your wife or husband. What would it feel like if any one of these people were violently murdered? Bask in the anger that comes to the surface. When you feel that rage you step up to the firing line and grab that pistol and shoot. If it’s in your holster draw and fire the moment you are in the firing zone. Imagine the person who killed your loved ones is standing in front of you with a gun drawn. Focus on that anger as you fire with your own weapon.

Then when you step away from the firing line take a deep breath and relax while thinking about something that gives you peace. When you step up to the firing line again make that switch to anger about someone who has hurt you or your family. Do that over and over again. Step up, get angry, step back and relax. You can do the very same thing if you are practicing martial arts. Be relaxed and calm before you enter the training area. The moment your foot steps onto the mat you get angry. You are training your mind to make the switch from mild mannered kind person to a precision fighting machine that can protect yourself and your loved ones. With some practice it becomes like the flick of a light switch. You can turn it on and off at will. If you are ever attacked you just flip the switch.

The Element of Surprise
One of the most important principles of self-defense is the element of surprise. Ever hear of someone disarming an attacker with a gun drawn? It’s not because he was faster than a bullet; it was because he did what was unexpected. Let’s take that gun example.

If someone has a gun pointed at you, you need to get within arms- length if you can. If you have determined that your assailant is going to pull the trigger you attack. You knock the gun away and strike with a deadly blow. The key here is surprise. By attacking you are doing the least expected thing. If your assailant thought there was even a remote chance of you knocking his gun away he wouldn’t be close enough for you to do so. When you attack, his brain has to go through the following steps in order for him to pull the trigger.

Acknowledge you are actually attacking him.
Sift through a number of possible responses
Decide upon the response
Act on the decided course of action
Your attacker has to do all that before you ram your finger in his eyes or crush his throat. Bottom line is you don’t have to be faster than a bullet; you just have to be faster than your opponent. Action takes fewer steps and gets a head start. Now I’m not saying go and try to disarm an armed attacker. I just want to demonstrate how effective and important the element of surprise is.

Close Cousins
I bring up anger because fear is its close cousin and it’s easy to swap one for the other. Fear causes you to hesitate or even fail to react at all. Fear makes you slow and saps your strength. You have to be able to take that fear and turn it into anger which can be your friend. Anger gives you strength and focus. Anger gives you the courage you need to do what you have to do to stay alive. Like the light switch you have to be able to flick it on and off on command. You remember that next time you step on the mat to train or step up to the firing line and draw your weapon. When you are finished training, take a deep breath and relax; your job is done.

Adam works for the Gun Safe Store AND teaches firearm safety. The gun safe store has a wide variety of gun safes and pistol safes.

#Huggies MomInspired Grant Program ~ Nominations Accepted Now~!!

As a mother and an entrepreneur, I realize how helpful support is when starting a business.  I have partnered with Huggies to help support budding entrepreneurs looking to explore and grow their own unique baby or child care product ideas.

Huggies recognizes that there is a dynamic and talented community of moms who strive to make life as a parent easier and more enjoyable every day.  Now in its third year, the Huggies MomInspired grant program celebrates the natural creativity of moms, who solve real parenting challenges every day in innovative ways.

1.  Grant recipients will receive $15,000 in seed capital as well as business resources to help turn innovative ideas into real~life inventions.

2.  Application for the 2012 Huggies MomInspired grant program are currently being accepted through July 31, 2012

3.  Moms can learn more and submit original, innovative and viable new business and product ideas now at HuggiesMomInspired.com

4.  Grants will be announced and awarded in fall 2012.

Visit the website www.HuggiesMomInspired.com where you can also read about the stories of past grant recipients and their product ideas.

Previous grant recipients have developed products such as:

Nausea relief band to easy pregnancy symptoms

Magnetic baby clothing for easy diaper changes

Sleep coaching

For more information about the Huggies MomInspired grant program, past recipients and/or submit an innovative idea, please visit HuggiesMomInspired.com~!!

Signs of Elder Abuse

Identifying signs of elder abuse is sometimes trickier than it may seem. Elder abuse comes in all shapes and forms. In additional to physical abuse, withholding essential care is considered elder abuse as is not providing adequate nutritional intake to an elderly person in someone’s care. Financial abuse is also considered a form of elder abuse.

To determine whether an elderly person is being abused, you must consider not only the physical manifestations of abuse but pay attention to non verbal cues as well. A physical exam of any bruises, abrasions or cuts and their explanation can give you clues to what abuse is happening. Is the caregiver constantly at the elderly person’s side? Does the caregiver answer for the elderly person? Do the explanations match up to the kinds of marks displayed? Does the elderly person seem to be of appropriate weight? Ask them what they had for breakfast this morning or dinner last night. In some instances, a social worker could be of assistance to help provide meals on wheels, food stamps or other elder assistance. Large bedsores are also an indicator of poor or negligent care. Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are avoidable but require vigilance by turning and repositioning someone frequently if they are unable to do it themselves. If you feel that an elderly person is being physically abused, contact your state department of children and families to file a report. An agent will then be dispatch to perform an investigation.

When assessing for elder abuse, attention to non verbal cues is important. How does he or she interact with their caregiver? Is the caregiver constantly hovering over them? Does he or she flinch at sudden movement of the caregiver? If so, make note of this. Although not a determining factor, flinching, along with deferring answers to questions regarding home life could be indicators of abuse.

Financial abuse is as important a factor as physical abuse. If a family member is continually borrowing money to finance their own lifestyle, not leaving enough money to provide necessities such as food or medications constitutes financial abuse. This is found a lot when adult grandchildren take up residence with their grandparents. In addition to the financial abuse, theft of necessary medications is also a consideration. Theft of narcotic pain medications occurs frequently and with doctors becoming stricter with prescribing and refilling narcotics, having pain medication available when needed is just as important as blood pressure medication or insulin.

Caring for the elderly can become a consuming ordeal. What starts as good intentions can deteriorate over time with what is called caregiver fatigue. Caregiver fatigue occurs when a caregiver is overwhelmed with the level of care and attention an elderly person needs. This develops more severe over time with incidents of verbal abuse, refusal to provide care and ultimately, physical abuse. Most times, just as in incidents of domestic abuse, an abuser regains control of themselves and resolves to “do better next time”, with multiple apologies thrown in for good measure. Over time, the incidents occur more frequently and ultimately result in outbursts of physical abuse. In some instances, the caregiver has no other source of income or place to live therefore it is important for them to keep the elderly person in the home instead of placing them in a skilled nursing facility.

Depending on the state you reside in will depend on who is legally obligated to report abuse. All healthcare workers, whether in or out of a facility have a legal obligation to report elderly abuse. In some states, members of the clergy have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse. People who report abuse in good faith are protected from prosecution if their report turns out to be untrue. However, failure to report carries a fine and jail time in some states. If you have a suspicion that an elderly person is being abuse, report it to your state department of children and families.

Pete Wise is a Content Marketer. If you or a loved one has been involved in elder abuse and neglect, you should also seek an elder abuse attorney to represent you. An elder abuse lawyer can help walk you through what legal options are available and which course of action should be taken. If you liked the article, check out his site for Denver SEO: PeteWiseSEO.com

5 Pioneering Women Who Helped Shape the Modern World

cc licensed flickr photo shared by dbking

There are hundreds of women who, down through history, have shaped our world as it is today. To select only five of them is an awesome task. Most stories include another person who was instrumental in helping and developing the talents latent in each pioneering woman. The following are only five chosen from that great list.

Jane Addams
Born in Cedarville, Illinois, in 1860, Jane became an outstanding example of compassion for the poor, for the black community, for immigrants and for laboring people. Influenced by a settlement house in the depths of London she, with Ellen Starr, founded the Hull House in Chicago to give medical care and other services to needy people.

She supported better working conditions for women and children. She was a charter member of the NAACP, the ACLU and the Women’s Peace Party before her death in 1935.

Susan B. Anthony
Born in 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts, Susan dedicated her life to obtaining voting rights for women. Her Quaker upbringing was responsible for early training in equality for women. She and her friend, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were successful in organizing the National Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1869.

She authored the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. She was active in founding the International Council of Women and the International Woman Suffrage Council. After her death, in 1906, she was commemorated by a U.S. coin.

Mary Ann Todd Lincoln
Mary was born in December, 1818, in Lexington, Kentucky. Many families during that period were not interested in educating their female children, but Mary’s parents strongly believed in a good education for Mary. She met Abraham Lincoln and, by November of 1842, married him.

Mary’s influence in Abraham Lincoln’s political career and her faith in him was instrumental in getting him elected to the presidency of the U.S. in 1860. During the Civil War, the south saw Mary as a traitor and the north as a spy. When Abraham was assassinated in 1865, after being re-elected to the presidency, Mary’s health began to deteriorate and she never fully recovered. She died in July of 1882.

Marie Curie
Marie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867, an era when women in science were rare. Through a succession of positions, Marie joined a laboratory in Paris where she met Pierre Curie. Together they discovered the element Polonium and later Radium. In 1903, she became the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. The first woman to head a laboratory at the Sorbonne University in Paris, she also became the first person to be awarded a second Nobel Prize, this one in Chemistry. After dying in July of 1934, she was commemorated by a movie, stamps, coins and her ashes buried in the Pantheon in Paris.

Helen Keller
Helen’s story cannot be told without including Joanna Macy, nee Sullivan. Helen was born in June of 1880 in Alabama. At the age of 19 months, she had a fever that left her deaf and blind. At five, her behavior led to the hiring of Joanna (Anne) Sullivan as a tutor. Her family could not know what an influence Anne would make on Helen’s life. Herself blind from an illness when she was young, she helped Helen learn and obtain an extensive education. Helen eventually graduated from Radcliffe College and wrote “The Story of My Life” that is her own autobiography.

Her influence did not end with her death in 1968. The Helen Keller International, an organization for blind, was organized in her honor.

Milly Crawford is an ER nurse and guest author at www.top-nursing-programs.com, a site with guides and information to assist potential nursing students.

DailyWorth ~ Free Financial Tips for Women

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DailyWorth tips cover self worth, net worth, saving, spending, earning, investing, taxes, entrepreneurship, financial feminism, and much more. More than ever, money matters to women. 

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Womens Fashion: The History behind Three Iconic Style Staples

Womens fashion has a rich and fascinating history, interwoven with the political, social and economic changes of the times; the best designers have always managed to create clothing for women and men that perfectly express the mood of a certain era, and some of these have made a lasting impact, moving seamlessly from high fashion to the high street. Let’s take a look at three famous womens fashion pieces that have stood the test of time; the miniskirt, the bikini and the oh-so-glamorous Little Black Dress…

The Miniskirt
The 1960s was a time of social and cultural revolution, where everything from global politics to womens fashion underwent dramatic changes. Up until then, the shortest hemlines had been those of the 1920’s “flappers”, with womens fashion becoming more conservative again in the 30s – and then embracing the post-war “New Look” womens fashion trend with floor-length hemlines in the 40s and 50s. As the “Swinging sixties” approached, more and more fashionable young women were becoming discontent with the long-held tradition of following the fashion sense of their mothers; they were ready to make a daringly different fashion statement. Womens clothing designer Mary Quant, largely recognised as the pioneer of the miniskirt, owned a fashion boutique on Kings Road during the 60s, and it was here that she started selling skirts with the hemlines raised well above the knee.

Since then, we’ve seen this womens fashion item undergo numerous revivals – from the 1970s punk movement, where black leather miniskirts were paired with ripped fishnet stockings, to the corporate world, where women made fashion statements by power-dressing in elegant minis, heels and tailored jackets.

The Bikini The two-piece bathing suit for women came into fashion in the 1940s, when two clothing designers separately had the same idea for a new and daring swimsuit design. Parisian Jacques Heim advertised his two-piece creation as “the world’s smallest bathing suit”, also dubbed the Atome. At the same time, French fashion designer Louis Reard created a fashionable womens two-piece designed to give a better tan and a greater sense of liberation. Reard named the bikini after the picturesque Bikini Atoll, and marketed this latest womens fashion statement as “smaller than the smallest bathing suit”. He also had a rather cheeky advertising slogan claiming he had “split the Atome”!

The two-piece bathing suit was soon adopted by Hollywood beauties – a notable example being Bond girl Ursula Andress, who famously wore a gorgeous white bikini on-screen in Dr No. The bikini, once considered outrageously daring, has made its way into womens mainstream fashion over the years, and no swimwear catalogue is complete without one.

The Little Black Dress
The LBD, also known as the cocktail dress or evening dress, is one fashion staple you can find in any womens wardrobe. In years gone by, black clothing was associated with mourning and certainly not considered suitable for womens everyday fashion. Black dresses only became acceptable as womens fashion at social occasions following the popularity of the sensationally scandalous painting Madame X, in which John Singer Sargent depicted a Parisian society beauty clad in a revealing black dress.

Today’s stylish women have Coco Chanel to thank for the invention of the modern LBD; the iconic womens fashion designer debuted the creation in 1926. It was a simple, calf-length silk dress with a slash neck and minimal decoration. Needless to say this fashion creation for women was an instant hit and has only grown in popularity since. The LBD can be dressed up or down, and is perfect for all occasions from business meetings to first dates! 

As womens fashion continues to change and evolve, we can expect these three style staples to remain firm favourites for decades to come.

Citations:

• CC image from Flickr

Nicky Warner is an experienced fashion blogger with a keen interest in today’s top fashion trends. For the latest on mens casual shirts, to the interesting history behind ladies trousers, Nicky’s got all the fascinating facts!

The World's Best Women Racing Drivers

Professional motor racing remains a widely male-dominated field, and while a female world champion has yet to emerge at the highest level, there is an increasing number of trailblazers helping to normalise the sight of women competing with the best drivers in the world.

Formula One
In F1 history there have been only five women drivers, the last of whom, Giovanna Amati, drove for the manufacturer Brabham in 1992, which turned out to be its last year in the competition as its owners were investigated for fraud. Amati drove in three qualifying sessions in a car that had not been improved on the previous year, and failed to make the starting grid. She went on to have a successful career outside of F1, finishing 3rd overall in the 1999 SportsRacing World Cup.

Of the others, only two have posted finishes: Maria Teresa de Filippis, who finished 10th in the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix, and the remarkable Lella Lombardi, who recorded seven finishes out of twelve starts between 1975-6, including a sixth place at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, the best finish by a woman in F1. Currently, Scottish driver Susie Wolff and Spaniard María de Villota Comba work as test drivers for Williams and Marussia respectively. Both have enjoyed long careers in touring car and sports car championships.

NASCAR


Fifteen women have competed at national level in NASCAR, all but two of whom started their careers post-2000. Of those two, Patty Moise drove 133 races in the Nationwide Series and achieved four top-ten finishes, after débuting at the age of sixteen in 1986. The following year she fielded her own team, the #37 Red Roof Inns Buick, and in 1990 reached her highest overall finish of 22nd, currently the best achieved by a woman driver. The other, Shawna Robinson, became the first woman to gain a NASCAR pole at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1994, and totalled 61 career starts.

More recently, Danica Patrick, who has already made her name in Indycar racing, has added her fourth career top-ten finish in just her third season in NASCAR, ranking 11th overall and on pace to become the most successful woman NASCAR driver in history. Also competing this season is Johanna Long, a 19 year old from Florida who is currently 21st overall after three top twenty finishes in her first six races. In her first Sprint Cup race earlier this year, Patrick finished 38th, after a pile-up in lap two caused five drivers to temporarily leave the race for extensive windscreen repair.

Indycar
As mentioned, Patrick’s Indycar career has been excellent, gaining her first win at the 2008 Indy Japan 300, finishing 5th overall in 2009 while driving for Andretti Green Racing, including a podium finish at the Indy 500. Since then she has gained two 2nd places at the Firestone 550 and Cafés do Brasil Indy 300. Over 114 races she has gained three poles, one win, six podiums and an amazing 63 top tens.

Even after Patrick’s departure this year to race in NASCAR Nationwide, there are two female drivers competing: Ana “Bia” Beatriz and Katherine Legge, who is currently 25th after four races for Lotus-Dragon Racing.

Although many feel that professional motorsports is an unlikely venue for cultural change, some commentators have pointed out racing is ideal for equal competition, where machinery removes most of the physical advantages men enjoy in other sports. Though we cannot expect these developments to effect instant overnight changes in attitude, it’s an encouraging step in the right direction.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing company on a range of topics. This artcle links back to http://www.obrienglass.com.au/windscreen-repair.2172.0.html.

Celebrity Lingerie Styles- Which One Are You?

Which celebrity do you most closely resemble when you’re stripped down to your lingerie?

Read on to find out!

Image: John Robert Charlton

Lady GaGa
The Lady Gagas amongst us are huge fans of the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend. They spend money on gorgeous, unique underwear that is daring, bold and quirky as well as super sexy.

The rule is, anything goes, and these girls are always striving to be that little bit different. If there’s a cutting edge style that nobody else has cottoned on to yet, these ladies will adopt it with ease and make it look fabulous.

 There might be people who say that their style’s a bit odd, but, quite frankly, who gives a damn what other people think?!

Taylor Momsen
Momsen’s Gothic style is renowned in fashion and music circles. She is all about scarlet velvet, lace stockings, PVC, suspenders and metal studs. Oh, and ridiculously heavy eyeliner!

Girls like this are rock stars at heart, and love watching old school horror movies with their date to get them in a sexy mood. Experienced temptresses, they know how to flaunt their assets, and when it comes to who’s on top, they’re the dominant ones in the bedroom!

An interest in all things kinky often comes with this look, and lingerie draws often include items such as whips and handcuffs (officer!)

Marilyn Monroe
Gorgeously vintage and always classy, the Marilyn Monroes are those sexy ladies who show off their curves and voluptuous hourglass shapes with pride and sex-appeal.

They do away with padded bras and shapewear, choosing sheer fabrics, silks and see-through garments that accentuate their shape.
Image: Cea

Girls like this love being taken on classic dates to restaurants or shows, and are known to wear a bit of naughty nightwear, just like Marilyn.

Babydoll nightgowns in peachy pinks and black hang on satin coat hangers in this girl’s wardrobe. If a man plays his cards right, this is all she’ll be wearing when he comes round for dinner, along with a couple of sprays of her classic perfume!

Maria Sharapova
Sporty goddesses like tennis pro Maria have stunning bodies and know exactly how to show them off. They own a fair amount of sensible, sporty underwear that is comfy and practical, but have a selection of sexy items at the back of their knicker drawer too!

These girls know how to wear a sports bra with style and love shopping for cute jogging tops and this season’s skimpy sports gear.

When it comes to seduction, they let their bodies do the talking. A skimpy thong is all they need, and with the right top, why bother wearing a bra?

Rihanna
Ladies like Rihanna are compact but dangerous.

They are fans of animal print lingerie and are known to be tigresses in the bedroom.

When it comes to colours, they love a bit of sparkle and shimmer. Golds, bronzes, sequins and bold prints can be found in their lingerie drawer, and they never shy away from the bright and dazzling.

When they go out clubbing, their choice of underwear is just as important as their outfit, and they’ll have men falling at their feet when they strut their stuff on the dance floor.

Think your style more closely resembles a different celebrity? Tell us about it below!

Susannah Perez is a lingerie fanatic and lover of celebrity gossip. She writes for Heavenly Lingerie, and thinks that all girls can feel confident and sexy by choosing the underwear to suit their style.

Wearable Makeup Trends Off the 2012 Spring Runway

 We all know how fashion shows and designers spark off trends that can last months (or years, even!)-especially since these creative minds come up with something new practically every season. Many may criticize some of these trends as simply a revival of a trend in the past, but that's what trends are; they come and go. And sometimes, some of them even continue on to become classics.

While there's no doubt that these new trends are the "in" thing for that specific season, the simple truth is that not everything on the runway can be classified as "wearable" for everyday. And yes, that does apply for makeup too.

Makeup may be adaptable for wear but here are some of the 2012 spring runway makeup trends that are easily and readily wearable.

Bare Face
It seems that this spring, baby skin is in. Fresh faces are frequent pegs on the runway so ditch that heavy foundation and go with a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream instead. Dewy, glowy skin is beautiful and if you have the skin for it, sheer coverage is best. If you feel you need more coverage than that, you can then invest in a good concealer that can cover up blemishes and/or discoloration.

Dolly Lashes
We all know that long, curled lashes are very attractive and can definitely get attention. That's why so many people go for lengthening and volumizing mascaras. To some, that's not even enough-they even go for false eyelashes of all sorts of proportions. If your lashes aren't as thick or long as you want them to be, try layering on mascaras of different formulations after you have curled your lashes. Or if you really want those va-va-voom lashes-falsies are the way to go.

Strong Brows
Eyebrows undoubtedly frame your face. Hardly anybody can pull off a no-brow look. This spring, strong brows are in. After grooming, fill your eyebrows in and brush through them with a transparent brow mascara or gel. If you're feeling a bit daring, you can go with bolder eyebrows which can increase your sensuality-just make sure that you don't overwhelm your face with strong eye shadows.

Tip: Put together a bare face, dolly lashes, strong brows and red lips all together and rock a sultry, sexy look!

Red Lips
Now, red lips are a classic that many women all know and love. This spring, it's back in many different arrays of shades. After all, the shade of red that will look best on you will be determined by your skin's undertone. Nevertheless, red lips are rocking for the fact that you can wear them alone or with a full face of makeup-just don't overwhelm your face with all your other features.

Smokey Eyes
Another classic that has been seen over and over again are smokey eyes, and this time around it's no different. Combine this with another spring 2012 trend-pops of color or silver/white eyeshadow.

This article was written by Chrissy, content editor for Smart Poppy which is Australia's number one destination for discounted high end cosmetics.

The Best Bachelorette Party Supplies and Games

Bachelor parties are synonymous with wild fun and crazy times. But there's no reason why the guys should have all the fun when it comes to celebrating an upcoming marriage. The rules have changed and things aren’t limited to boring bridal showers anymore. You don't have to settle for sitting in someone's home while sipping tea and reminiscing about childhood memories. If it's your job to plan your best friend’s bachelorette party,  you can let your imagination run loose with some truly creative ideas. Make it a night where there are no rules and give the bride-to-be a reason to celebrate. She's about to have the most important day in her life, but before that you can give her a party filled with good friends, laughter, and just a few moments you might have to keep secret. Here are some suggestions for great bachelorette party games to get you started.

Truth or Dare - this is a classic game that most people haven't played since they were back in high school. But it's time to dust off your truth or dare skills because it's going to be a lot more interesting now that you have more experiences. This is an easy game to play because you don't have to buy any supplies or extra accessories. If you want to be truly prepared, you might want to come up with a list of questions beforehand. You can also find offshoots of this game designed specifically for bachelor parties at any general party shop.

The Wishlist - this is a great activity that serves as a warm-up for events to come. It basically involves every member of the party coming up with a list of certain celebrities that they would like to “spend time with”. Whether it's going on a date, a trip to the library, or something much more romantic, it's fun to learn about the secret crushes of all your friends. If you want to make it just a bit naughtier, you can extend the rules beyond celebrities into people in real life.

Drinking Games – you’ve probably already played a classic drinking game before. It's easy to organize and that goes with any type of activity. You can play it while watching television or listening to a particular song. You might also find that some of the best romantic movies make a great accompaniment for this game as well. Make sure to amp-up the fun level by having plenty of drinks on hand with enough variety so things don't get boring.

Karaoke Carousel - all you need to play this game is a good karaoke machine, and it's something that you can use long after the party is over. It basically involves loading up the machine with different songs and then singing whatever comes up. Most modern machines will come with this feature and it's a nice way to incorporate music and crazy times into the night. You can even purchase a horrible model that allows you to take this game anywhere you happen to go.

Crazy Bridal Dress - this is perhaps the most traditional game on the list, and it's definitely a must-have. It basically involves dressing up the bride-to-be in a crazy costume design by other members of the party. You can join her by dressing up yourself while turning into a contest or fashion show. Of course the game isn't complete until you go out into the city to show off among the general public.

Extras and Toys - these are just a few simple selections and there are plenty more available. There are some websites that specialize in bachelorette party supplies and toys and you can usually get a good deal on shipping if you buy everything all at once. It's actually quite fun to take a look at some of these games because they can be quite raunchy. Just make sure that you keep the bride in mind and you don't purchase anything that will make her feel uncomfortable.

This look at bachelorette party supplies comes to us from our friends at 2cities2soulmates.com where you can find more information on all things related to love ranging from wedding tips to online dating.

The Continuing Battle with Shoes

There is an envy amongst millions of women across the world... an envy of other women who can find comfortable shoes with seemingly little effort!

Shoes have been a personal enemy of mine since I was a teenager. Endless hours of traipsing around shops trying to find a pair that looked right, even though the likely outcome was that they wouldn't have the right size. If they did have the right size, it wouldn't be a comfortable fit. And in the unlikely event it was comfortable when first trying them on, you could guarantee that after 2 hours of continued use, they would cause me as much pain as childbirth.

A constant struggle
I dread to think how much money I've wasted on shoes. And the number of plasters, fabric soles and gel pads I've bought in an effort to make shoes comfortable by protecting my feet better. Sometimes this actually makes matters worse by making more things rub in the wrong places and coming loose and being a general pain. A lot of people have said 'well, you must have really wide or narrow feet'. I don't. There's nothing wrong with my feet, and I've often come to the conclusion some women must have some sort of in-built psychic power for finding exactly the right kind of shoes for them in super quick time.

Of course, that's really silly. Everyone is built differently, and not everyone is going to have just the right shape of feet and ankles to pull off wearing most shoes they find. But I do believe that part of problem is that the shoe industry has been surprisingly male orientated, and many manufacturers create shoes which are completely unsuitable for women, as they don't understand women's feet properly. Things are changing now, but it's still hard to come by shoe brands which are, genuinely, comfortable for women.

Do any comfortable shoe brands exist?
Crocs are an obvious brand that comes to mind, but unfortunately the 'style', if they ever had any, completely counteracts the comfort benefits. There's not much point dressing up nicely, only to shove a couple a smurf shoes on your feet and lose all dignity. There is a relatively new brand called 'Heavenly Feet' that focuses on comfort first and foremost, but also spends a decent amount of time creating an attractive style. They are referred to as 'anti-fatigue footwear'.

There are also some general styles you can look out for, if you can't find any specific brands that are suitable. Firstly (and rather obviously), avoid high heels completely. But also (and not so obviously), avoid completely flat shoes - whether they're boots or pumps, totally flat styles are really a recipe for disaster, forcing your feet and legs to position in an unnaturally sharp angle as you walk. The best thing to look out for is boots and shoes with just a small gradient. This happy medium works much better, even though it will still be a struggle to find the perfect pair.

But it would be true to say that searches online for 'comfortable shoes' are more likely to bring up enormous walking boots than the kind of style you'd want to wear with dresses. Although things are changing a little, the battle of women vs shoes will continue for a fair while yet.

Rainbow's End is a retailer of women's fashion including clothes, bags and footwear such as Heavenly Feet shoes.

The Many Benefits of Zinc for Women

Zinc deficiency is no laughing matter, especially for women.  In fact the benefits of zinc for women might just surprise you.  But first, just what is zinc, and why is it so important?

What is Zinc?

When you were a kid your mother probably told you to make sure to take your vitamins or to eat all your vegetables before all the vitamins went out of them.  Turns out she wasn’t that far off.  Vitamins and minerals are indeed a very important part of your dietary intake, and zinc is definitely one of those elements that should not be skimped on.

Used to keep the body functioning properly, zinc is a key part of a number of different enzymes and is one of the few elements to actually be found in every cell in the body.  So yes, zinc is important to keep your body healthy, but how exactly can zinc benefit women especially?

Zinc for Women

If you’re female you’ll understand just how important it is to always look your best.  Seriously, it sometimes seems that every time we turn around we are being judged on our appearance, which is why giving ourselves the very best advantage is always a good idea.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to take care of the fundamentals; those basic needs that the body has including good nutrition, lots of fresh clear water, good hygiene and plenty of sleep. So where does zinc fit into all of this?  Shall we start with skin care?

Taking care of your skin is a primary part of taking care of your entire body, and studies have shown that ingesting zinc as a supplement can actually help to improve the skin’s appearance, including the reduction or elimination of acne.  In fact, topical applications of zinc on the skin can help with outbreaks as well.  Zinc is also used in special combinations to help give the sun protection from the sun and to reduce swelling and redness in everything from sunburns and burn blisters to itchy or painful gums.

Another thing that women take great pride in - and which their physical appearance is judged by – is the condition of their hair.  Thick, healthy, shiny hair is something that everyone wants, but which is harder and harder to achieve over time or due to abusing our hair with chemical treatments and repeated straightening and curlings.  The use of zinc in dandruff shampoos or in other kinds of hair treatments can help to prevent fungal infections of the scalp and reduce or eliminate dandruff or even hair loss.

One problem that many women face and that few want to talk about are rashes and irritations of the skin in very sensitive areas.  When it comes to treating these kinds of conditions, zinc oxide (ironically often used in diaper rash creams) can be incredibly helpful in eliminating these kinds of issues.

Finally, zinc may actually have a beneficial use in the treatment of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.  While there is more research needed to back this up, patients that have received zinc supplements have shown a decided improvement in their eating disorders.

As you can see, while only one of many vitamins and minerals needed to keep the body functioning and healthy, zinc plays a major part in overall health, and the benefits of zinc for women can be particularly helpful in helping us to keep up our appearances and vitality.

Sam Ken loves to write about the benefits of vitamins, minerals or many other health supplements. You can read more about how to support your immune system by visiting his website.

5 Reasons Every Woman Should Take a Self Defense Course

If you are a woman who has ever had to walk down a dark street by yourself, had a tire blowout while travelling alone, or been surprised by an unexpected knock on your front door, then you know what it feels like to suddenly be aware of your vulnerability. This awareness sparks a need for protection, and who can you count on to always be there to protect you? You. Here are five reasons every woman should take a self defense course:

No one is safe. That sounds a little harsh, but there really is no room to sugar-coat things when it comes to your safety. You have no guarantee that you will never have the need to protect yourself - none. Therefore, you are taking a risk if you don't learn how. Is that really a risk you want to take?

Empowerment. Even if you never have to use what you learn in your self defense course (and let's just hope for your sake that you don't), there is no question that you will inevitably take something from the course that betters you as a person. This is called empowerment. There's nothing quite like the feeling of knowing - not just in your head, but through actual experience - that you have what it takes to fend for yourself if the need ever presents itself. You may walk into a self defense course unsure of yourself, but you will walk out of it with your head held high and your shoulders back in confidence.

Teach the children. If you have children, or are a role model for any child in any way, then one of the best things you can do to be a good example is to take control of your situation - to arm yourself with what it takes to handle any situation that comes your way. Taking a self defense course is just that - taking control and arming yourself.

Stick around. Don't you want to be around for all those who love and care about you? Well, then, if you don't want to take a self defense course for you, at least do it for them. Give your family and friends peace of mind by educating yourself on your own safety.

Insurance. How much do you spend on health insurance each month? How about car insurance? Or life insurance? So why don't you think you need safety insurance? Self defense skills are safety insurance, and when it comes to being in a life or death situation, a self defense course is the most valuable insurance policy you can have.

You have no excuse not to enroll for the next self defense course you can - as soon as possible. That's because you never know when the worst might happen, and you owe it to yourself to be prepared.

Photo Credit

 About the Author: Adelaida Garan has taken several self defense classes and recommends them to everyone - men and women. You never know when you might need to defend yourself or someone you love.

Fun Bouquet Alternatives for Bridesmaids

The classic image of bridesmaids is a line of lovely ladies walking gown the aisle in matching dresses carrying identical bouquets of flowers. While bridesmaid bouquets are certainly pretty, they are not particularly original or unique. If you are the type of bride who wants to include some interesting details in her wedding, consider choosing a fun alternative to the standard bouquet. These charming ideas will get you started.

I recently saw pictures from a wedding in which the bridesmaids carried wreaths instead of bouquets. It looked fantastic! They carried simple small green wreaths suspended from satin ribbons, which were both unexpected yet still utterly classic. It would be great to have your attendants carry small square boxwood wreaths for a holiday wedding. Imagine how pretty they would look if your bridesmaids were wearing deep red satin dresses and crystal bridesmaid jewelry. A silver or gold ribbon wreath hanger would complete the effect. You could do something similar for a spring wedding with floral wreaths or create a French inspired effect by making little lavender bouquets. Ooh la la!

If you are having a Winter Wonderland wedding, fur muffs are a delightful alternative to bridesmaid bouquets. Choose a bridesmaid dress with a plain skirt so that the muffs do not have to compete with voluminous ruffles or ruching. It will look best if the muffs contrast with the color of the bridesmaid dresses, so choose white muffs to pair with deep jewel tones like emerald or deep brown muffs with a champagne colored dress. You can add a bit of character to the muffs by adorning them with either a crystal brooch or a sprig of holly.

One of my favorite bouquet alternatives is the floral pomander. They are round balls of flowers which hang from ribbons, and they add a wonderful pop of color to any bridesmaid ensemble. Pomanders are most often made with flowers like roses, mums, and daisies, because the round shape of the blossoms gives the best coverage to the foam form below. They are a fairly easy DIY project, if you are a crafty bride. Pomanders can be embellished with special touches to make them even more beautiful. If your attendants will be wearing pearl bridesmaid jewelry, it looks great to push a pearl tipped pin through the center of each flower (this works particularly well with mums) or to use a strand of faux pearls for the pomander handle instead of a ribbon. A simple way to dress up pomanders is by choosing a special ribbon for the handle. Ideas include velvet for winter weddings, gingham for spring, or striped grosgrain for a preppy wedding.

If you are having a very whimsical wedding, why not extend that treatment to your bridesmaids? Instead of carrying traditional flowers, give them large paper pinwheels to carry. It is a really fun idea for an outdoor wedding, because the pinwheels will spin in the breeze. They are best suited to a wedding in which each bridesmaid will wear a slightly different dress. Pair the eclectic assortment of dresses with paper pinwheels in a few different colors.

Everyone will be pleasantly surprised when your bridesmaids walk down the aisle carrying such a fun bouquet alternative!

Bridget Mora writes about wedding planning ideas, wedding style, and etiquette for Silverland Jewelry. If you are looking for unique and affordable bridesmaid jewelry for your wedding, visit Silverland Jewelry today. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to receive exclusive discounts on our fabulous wedding jewelry!

Five Cheap Hairstyles for Women

In a world of ever-rising prices and total focus on beauty, hair maintenance has become quite expensive. Depending on the texture of one’s hair, a simple visit to the nearest stylist can cost $60. The bill gets higher the more creative the client desires to be. Fortunately, hair does not just respond to expensive treatment. There are a few penny-pinching styles a person can come up with to save on styling costs. Not only are these methods cheaper than seeing a professional, but they are also quite enjoyable.

1.   Braid and Wave
If you like the wavy look but you cannot afford a perm, there is a very easy way to obtain a head full of beautiful waves. Total styling time will only be about fifteen minutes. To achieve a wavy look, wet the hair with a spray bottle or wash it completely. Add in any conditioners or moisturizing elements you desire to add. These elements will give the hair a silkier look. Next, separate the hair into four quarters. Braid each quarter into medium sized braids. You may close the braids with beeswax, barrettes, or small rubber bands. Let your hair naturally dry overnight. At morning time, slowly unravel each braid until you see a full head of wavy hair. Style with fingernails as desired.

2.   The Buzz Cut
The woman’s buzz cut is one of the cheapest styles to try. It has become popular as well. For some, hair is just too expensive to maintain. With a buzz cut, a girl does not have to worry about combing or curling. This style is obviously not for everyone, but if you are a woman who loves short hair, it is definitely worth a try.

3.   Foam Rollers
If you prefer to have a curly accent to your hair, foam rollers are an excellent alternative to using expensive and damaging curling irons. Foam rollers cost $1-$2 at the local discount store. They are very easy to put into the hair. All you need to do is part your hair, wet it, and wrap each piece around a foam roller. The hair will form very tight curls and the look can last an entire week if you take care of it properly.

4.   The Afro
African American women can save lots of cash on relaxers and straightening chemicals. One hair straightening procedure costs about $60 and the client must repeat the procedure every six weeks when new hair grows in. Converting to an afro is very simple. Allow the new growth to grow in to your desired length. Cut the relaxed hair off and continue to allow the natural hair to grow. Maintenance on this style is very low. However, you must keep the hair moisturized on a daily basis. Olive oil is an excellent product for this hair texture. You can purchase olive oil based conditioners from beauty stores or use grocery store oils.

5.   Pig Tails
Pigtails are very cute for women of any age. It is one of the cheapest hairstyles, as it only requires two elastic bands. To achieve the pigtail look, part the hair evenly down the middle. Put each half of the hair into an elastic band. You can enhance the look by curling the ends of your hair with a little mousse or gel. Total cost for this style is approximately $2 for the elastic accessories.

There are many fun inexpensive hairstyles for women of all ages and races. If you experiment enough, you may even come up with something exciting and new.

Toni Myers likes to write about frugal beauty, personal finance, and finding her  free credit score.

Commune of Women by Suzane Still

SYNOPSIS:
On an ordinary Los Angeles morning, the lives of seven women are about to become inextricably entangled, as they converge upon LA International Airport for various purposes.

Suddenly, the morning erupts into chaos, as black-clad terrorists charge into the terminal, guns blazing. As the concourse becomes a killing field, six of the women dodge a hail of bullets to find refuge in a tiny staff room. Betty, a Reseda housewife, Heddi, a Jungian analyst, Sophia, a rugged and savvy mountain woman, Erika, a top-level executive, Ondine, an artist just returning from France, and Pearl, an ancient bag lady, all traumatized or injured, barricade the door and cower down, hoping to survive.

As four days drag by, their expectations of an early rescue dashed, the women find a way to dominate their panic and terror by telling their life stories. As their situation becomes increasingly grave, the women begin to reveal their most intimate secrets, as their stories descend deeper into the dark shadows of their lives–and they discover that part of survival is simply surviving one another.

At the same time, in a similar small room close by, the sole female terrorist, dubbed simply X by her so-called Brothers, has the task of watching a bank of surveillance monitors. Apparently forgotten by her co-conspirators, she nevertheless is the best informed of the happenings in the outside world--happenings that are not easily understood.

Why are the police and FBI so slow to respond? What has motivated this attack? Who are these terrorists and what do they want? And will the women survive to tell their tale? Answers to these questions slowly reveal the terrible web of conspiracy and deceit into which they all have fallen. But the most profound revelation of all is how each has betrayed herself. 

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time