Why Do Women Have To Choose Between These Two?

An Analogy: Combat Boots and High Heels

Combat Boots and High Heels 

Picture a triangle. On one side, we have a woman wearing a pair of combat boots. Their reinforced steel toes are solid, functional and blend in with their surroundings. We are strong, demanding and bottom liners. You know us by statements like: "If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. And if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right!" We are doers. It tends to be our way or the highway! We tend to be emotionally guarded and experienced by others as controlling and insensitive.

On the adjacent side of the triangle we have a woman wearing a pair of high heels. Heels are unmistakably feminine. Whether classic or trendy, nothing enhances a flowing, quiet and subtly confident demeanor like a pair of pumps. We are open, relatable and accommodating. We are genuinely soft-spoken and rather be taken care of. We prefer the significance that comes with being in relationship with others. Most find us hospitable and concerned about others. We're called the "girly girls." You know, the "pretty in pink" types.

For decades men and women have been sold and bought the idea that these two women are separate-as if they do not live in the same body. Women are forced to choose between either combat boots or heels-to be strong or to be vulnerable. On the one hand, circumstances have compelled her to be strong, fierce and detached. She unrelentingly provides for and protects her family.

Senior Women Do You Have Unrequited Skin Hunger?

You will be glad to know that serious research on the importance of touch has been done. It was discovered that the amount of skin-to-skin contact you have plays a crucial role in your happiness and vitality at all ages of your life. Touching actually has a direct bearing on your ability to form close relationships, deal with stress and pain, and to fight off disease.

Did you know Americans have the lowest physical touch frequency of any country in the world? When Americans hug, we pat each other on the back three times which appears to represent three words, "I'm done now"! America is starved for meaningful touch. I grant you people have been touched inappropriately but the political pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. Vulnerable young girls desperately craving physical touch may end up with unwanted pregnancies. They may have such skin hunger that they were not able to control it, and consequently it affects their judgment, and ultimately impacts the rest of their lives.

There is a huge difference in cultures around the world regarding physical touch. In Puerto Rico a couple touches 180+ times during an average two person lunch encounter. I didn't know that was even possible! Americans on the other hand limited themselves to only touching twice within an hour. Your skin hunger may show up as depression, anxiety, irritability, moodiness, and can definitely, make you feel very isolated and lonely.

Millenial Women Are The Independent Woman!

Most women of my generation and thereafter have been raised to be independent, self sufficient, and autonomous; not reliant on others for their own happiness, financial stability, & overall needs and wants in life! I have always prided myself on being a strong, intelligent, independent woman. I watched my role model and mentor, my mother, raise her two children alone. From watching her and my other role model/mentors throughout my life I have always been drawn to strong, self-sufficient women. I have always viewed the skills, character, and determination that they have with the deepest admiration and attempted to replicate such qualities in myself.

If you are an Independent Woman, you can't help but be her because that is you! However, you may have noticed that many embrace this woman, while others are threatened or intimidated by her. Such independence can cause challenges in some of our most important relationships; specifically our love relationships. For a woman, we feel it is the highest compliment to tell your mate I don't need you; I WANT you. Yet most men would rather want a woman to NEED him than want him. The situation seems to set us both up for conflict and challenges our core values.

Grounded in the Midst of Chaos

Oh, the unnerving feeling of losing control. Don't cha just hate it?

I've interviewed scores of women who've shared that "losing it" is one of their biggest fears and most daunting obstacles.

Why does not being able to control our circumstances, surroundings, or responses of others cause us to fall apart at the seams and resort to all manner of unhealthy activities?

Eating not two but three pints of Cherry Garcia comes to mind as does the pervasive, soul-sapping "un-activity," procrastination. Sometimes we choose to stick our head in the sand and hope the situation will blow over.

And sometimes lack of control over one or two circumstances will lead to a feeling of lack of control over everything. In a flash our whole world, in our mind's eye anyway, turns upside down into one big ole chaotic mess.

I asked a friend and colleague of mine, Life Coach Joann Lim, why she thought lack of control is such a bugaboo for many women and why it can lead to an overall feeling of utter chaos. Joann said CHAOS = CHANGE. We often feel like our lives are out of control and chaotic when our status quo is disrupted, that is, when change of any kind takes place.

What Is Your Big Give?

Do you have something that you feel like you want to do big in the lives of others? Do you have a message that someone needs to hear? What contribution to humanity do you feel like you have been called to make?

Your big give is your unique gift that can change the lives of others, and the world. Your big give is your purpose...your assignment. It is that thing that only you can do. Have you ever felt like it is time for you to give bigger? Have you ever felt like you have amazing gifts and talents that you need to tap into, so that you can feel fulfilled?

When you think about what you have been blessed to give in a big way, it just makes you smile thinking of doing it. Your big give makes you feel joyful and rewarded knowing that you are making a difference. You have such great potential, and you deserve to tap into it. You deserve to wake up every day with a smile that is connected to your big give.

How to Make the Most of Couture Wedding Gowns

Nothing looks quite as elegant as couture wedding gowns when they come out just right. If planned and executed carefully and perfectly, a custom made dress can look and feel like the dress of your dreams! There are several ways to make sure your couture bridal dress looks great and makes you look even better!

Here are a few of the things that help make couture wedding gowns look the best that they can be!

Styles and Fabrics That Fit the Occasion

A comfortable bride is a beautiful bride, which is why it is necessary to make sure that the fabric and styles used in couture wedding gowns suit the season, occasion and location as much as possible. Obviously, if the wedding is to be held outdoors in the summertime, it makes no sense to buy a heavy wedding dress with heavy fabrics that will be quite uncomfortable in hot weather. On the other hand, it is equally uncomfortable to be wearing cotton, gauzy, lightweight gowns in the middle of a cold snap. Be practical.

Detailing

Lace or embroidery? Seed pearls or rhinestones? How about sequins? Boning? Petticoats? Silk flowers? Hand beading? These are the details that add to the magic of the designs - but only when done right. Too little, and they're of no help, while too much is just tacky. A good designer will help you decide on just the right amount of detailing added at just the right places to flatter you most.

The Fear of Becoming an Invisible Woman Once You Turn 40

Is invisibility the only choice for women over 40?

In a recent article in my weekend paper about women over 40, one particular participant was bemoaning the fact that she was now invisible to younger men. She was sharing one of the greatest fears of baby-boomer women. It is the fear of losing your attraction to others. Whether it is your size or what you are wearing, many women feel unnoticed and bypassed both in their professional and personal life.

Here are two questions for you to consider? Who are you dressing for? What do you want to do with the rest of your life?

Read on for my views on whether invisibility is the only option for business and professional women over 40.

Is Invisibility the Only Choice? Yes!

Invisibility is the only option if you choose to take that option. If you decide to retreat from contact from others, wear dowdy clothes, slouch and look unhappy, you will be invisible to everyone and not just young men.

The Secret Lives of Your Clothes

With tears streaming down my face, a bundle under my arm and a box of matches in my pocket, I headed towards our backyard incinerator hoping mum would not see me. I did not want to be asked what I was doing.

Clothes are more than pieces of fabric hanging in our wardrobes. They all have stories. Stand before your open wardrobe and you could tell each item's story whether it be love, hate, embarrassment, shame or indifference.

Recently I read an article on How Clothes Can Boost Your Mood. This article talked about the things we women demand from out clothes. It also resonated with me as I have written about how hard it is to get rid of some clothes that bring up strong emotions in us.

Here is my guide to the good, the bad and the ugly of the secret lives of your clothes.

The Good

These are often favourites in our wardrobe because every time you put them on you feel good about yourself. They may be clothes or accessories and you wear them often. It might be the colour, the style, the fit, that it reflects your true personality or even all of these. Sometimes when these clothes start to fade or get a little worn, you still keep them. You are reluctant to throw out the memories of compliments and scared that you will never find anything like it again.

5 Simple School Fundraising Ideas

School spirit is more vivid with fundraising. To support a particular group, occasion, or campaign, schools and other non-profit organizations use successful fundraising events to keep the finances flowing.

Most of school fundraising helps varsity teams' subsidize uniforms and equipment. Provide better health care services for students as well as construction of important facilities of the school. The fund used in these improvements usually comes from parents and alumni funds.

Here are five simple tips that can make your school fundraising extra lucrative.

Art pieces

You can sell or set an auction for art pieces made by famous local artists. If you know someone from your school that is having a name in the art scene, you can invite him over together with his pieces to help raise funds and popularity at the same time.

Handicrafts

Most of handicrafts are made out of recycled and cheap materials but once done and sold, can actually cost more. You can invite groups that specialize on handicraft making. Or, those moms that are not busy can give their time to the event as well. They will surely be happy to help their children and school with this type of project.

My Life As A Red Head

This is a story about my life as a RED head with a few little myths and facts thrown in for good measure. I used to hate my RED hair and to be honest it has taken a few years for me to embrace my RED curls.

Society can be quite cruel to a shy, clumsy, fair-skinned, RED Haired, blue-eyed little girl... but ooh how things have changed! STICKS and STONES may break my bones but names will never hurt me....Some names that I've been called are:

• RED head.
• Carrot top.
• Ginger.
• Annie.
• Anne of Green Gables.
• Blue.
• Nicole.
• Ginger
• Does the carpet match the curtains.
• You must be a witch with that hair.
• Don't upset her or she will explode
• OH RED head = bad temper
• You must have eaten too many carrots

THE FACT IS, that throughout history RED heads have been, ridiculed, loathed, hated and even hunted... fast forward to modern times and, RED HEADS seem to be quite fashionable and even admired these days, as seen gracing the Hollywood screens as movie goddesses and hitting the international modelling runways.

Prenatal Fitness Programmes Keep Mums in Shape

You've just found out that you are going to have a baby. Yippee! "I will take more care of myself, stop smoking, stop drinking, eat for two and lie around all day looking after me". Stop right there! Certainly, stop smoking forever, stop drinking and eat really healthily, including lots of protein, fruit and vegetables but you actually need to up your exercise regime if you want a healthy baby and if you want to be fit and well through the pregnancy and if you want your figure back after the birth.

Keeping fit during pregnancy will help your body through this time and will prepare you for childbirth. It will also help tremendously in your recovery after childbirth. By doing simple fitness exercises, strengthening exercises and components of pilates and yoga, you will stay fit and healthy through the entire nine months and you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you bounce back after the birth of your baby.

Your prenatal fitness programme should be designed by pregnancy experts who will explain that getting your exercise when you are pregnant is extremely important in terms of taking care of your baby as well as yourself. Did you know that pre-natal exercises actually strengthen your baby's heart? Not only that, as we all know, exercising at all ages, prenatal through to old age increases IQ and cognitive abilities so if you exercise when you are pregnant you can substantially increase your baby's IQ and yours at the same time! Everybody wins.

Soldering Jump Rings for Use in Handmade Jewellery

Jump rings are used in handmade jewellery frequently. They are simply wire which is semi-precious or precious metal, wrapped tightly around a mandrel and sawn either by hand or by an electrical saw. The result is a perfect circle.

They can be soldered on to bezel cups for displaying cabochons, attaching watch straps or forming part of the end of a chain. The list is endless and jump rings are the most versatile item in handmade jewellery. In Chainmaille jewellery, jump rings are linked together to form different patterns. Byzantine is the most common weave in the U.K. but there are many different designs. The European 4 - 1 was supposedly the weave which was used in chainmaille armour used initially by the Celts over 2000 years ago.

In chainmaille jewellery it is not common to solder the jump rings but pieces which are likely to be subject to extra strain it is provides extra strength. l solder the rings around the ring and toggle clasps on bracelets and in the lobster clasps for necklaces.