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Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2014

Baby Steps To Better You!

In the beginning of 2014, we all made several resolutions to make smarter choices this year… It’s always super easy to make those resolutions. However, the bigger the resolution, the sooner it breaks. From weight loss to getting more sleep, every New Year resolution meets the same fate (it goes off as easily as it comes) but I get it, you’ve got a busy life and you will always find an excuse !
 
That's why you need to start with little steps to be able to succeed. Here are some baby steps that can make a huge difference in your life:
  •  Don’t drink your calories: After the holidays, there will plenty of catch-up nights with your girlfriends and let’s be honest, that means cocktails. Be smart and stop ruin your diet with empty calories from sugary drinks. You also might say " I don't like fruit much so I'd rather drink it to get the vitamins." Sure, you get a few vitamins, but they're added back in to replace the fruit's original vitamins, which were stripped out during processing and that goes for the "not from concentrate" juices as well. You'll also be missing out on the vast majority of the actual fruit's fiber and phytonutrients. Ultimately, you should view juice as simply being flat soda with a tiny bit of vitamin C thrown in. If you don't think a glass of soda sprinkled with vitamin C sounds like a healthy beverage, juice is little better.
  • Drink skimmed milk! Skim milk is tasteless, right? If you are currently drinking whole or 2% milk, you probably think so. It is just too hard for you to drink white water. Understand that by drinking even 1/2% milk over skim milk gives the average person hundreds or thousands of extra grams of fat per year! This can add up to extra pounds of fat each year! It has to go somewhere.

  • Take the stairs: The elevator is, "of course" the easier option. But this small choice will make you feel better about yourself, burns calories and is a simple way to start making an active effort to chose what’s best for you. Your jeans will thank you.

  • Read nutrition labels: Another way to make changes is to start taking a look at the nutrition labels of the foods you are eating. Pay careful attention to serving size, as many labels can get tricky in that area; you might actually be eating two or more servings instead of one. Read the ingredients list too, and beware of trans-fats (also called hydrogenated oils), artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, saccharin to name a few), artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup, bleached flours, and anything else that you don’t instantly recognize as food.
  • Give multi-tasking a break: Too much juggling can lead to a lot of stress. “For those who have always aimed to be brave, capable and so hesitated at the toughest times to get help or to connect, stop doing that! Don't hesitate in delegating. Just sometimes, let it be!"
  • Up your spa visits: It's important to reward yourself once in a while for all the hard work you relentlessly do every day. Compensate a busy week at work with a relaxing escape at a spa. Massages help reduce muscle tension and regain your vitality, restoring inner balance.
  • Try a new vegetable every week.
  • Try to cut back on eating out. Most restaurants put far too much sugar and salt in their foods. Not to mention, GMOs. (Extra bonus: this way you can save some money!)
  • Think positively! The Mayo Clinic reports that Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may include: lower rates of depression, lower rates of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and much more...
  • Try -as hard as possible- to get your daily recommended 7-9 hours of sleeping...or at least some power naps (The power nap is thought to maximize the benefits of sleep versus time.)

  • Use Natural Personal Care Products and Home Cleaners: Your skin is your largest organ and it soaks up everything you put on it and/or it exposed to. Just as there are warnings against second hand smoke, the hazardous labels on these products should say that the fumes are toxic and your skin soaks them up.
When you take a baby step; that first step makes the next one and the later ones much more easier. A few steps in sequence become a path that we walk together.
 
Have a nice weekend!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Creative Ways To Exercise At Home without Equipments!

Do we really need an expensive membership in the gym to stay in shape? How many people prefer to lose weight at home because lack of time; or because of low self esteem?
Since exercise is so important, you need to find effective exercises that don’t require any equipment at all, you will be able to workout anytime during the day...even before going to your work!
 
Here are 10 great exercises:
  1. Step Exercises: Use the steps in your home, you can do repetitions which will tone your leg muscles. (Just remember to be careful!)
  2. Dancing : Dancing is a wonderful exercise, which is great for your heart. Not only that, but it can lift your spirits as well, and give your overall feeling a boost.
  3. Squats: These are wonderful exercises for your legs and butt. You can even just try these by sitting and standing up again from a regular chair, if you’re finding them to be too difficult. As long as you’re able to do a few repetitions, you will be providing some benefit to your body. Try to take a 30-day squat challenge, trust me it's fun and easier than you think!
  4. Pushups: These are probably not the most favorite exercise of many people, but while they can be hard to do, you can find easier ways to do them. You don’t need to pretend you’re “Rocky”, and do them with one hand; just do what works for you. Do them on your knees, instead of keeping your legs straight. Or, do them standing up against a wall. You will be building up arm strength and working out muscles in your chest area.
  5. Superman Back Extension: Lay on your stomach and reach your arms forward (like you're flying). Gently raise your legs and upper body off the floor while keeping your head straight. Pause for three seconds and repeat.
  6. Bird Dog: Begin on all fours (downward dog), ensuring your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are directly under your hips. Slowly extend your right leg behind you and reach your right arm forward into a straight line. Hold your balance without arching your back. Return to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
  7. Modified Chair Dips: Tone those triceps, Firmly grip a chair, table or any firm object that will support your weight. Fingers should be facing your back and your knees should be bent with feet shoulder width apart and flat on the ground. Lower yourself until your arms are bent at 90-degree angle and then push yourself back till arms are straight again. Repeat for one minute. Tip: To make this more difficult you can straighten your legs and even raise one leg at a time while you continue to dip.
  8. Overhead Lunges Wlak: This is a classic exercise with a little twist. Holding something overhead really stretches out your fascia and gives you an extra hip flexor stretch. Doesn’t matter what it is. Start with your feet together and step out into the lunge. Ensure that you step far enough so that your knee does not go in front of your toe, and to make sure you get good hip flexor stretches. You can hold a book or something light overhead.

  9. Step Ups: These are really good for your legs and your bum. Find a stable chair and you can get started. If the exercise is too easy find something heavy to hold to your chest or put a back pack on your back. Start doing these slowly and controlled on the way down.
  10. Dead Bugs: A great abdominal and core stability workout. Lay on the floor with your arms and legs up as shown in the picture. From here you need to drop your arm and leg on the same side. Make sure your leg doesn’t touch the floor. Bring them slowly back up and repeat.
                           
   And to make these exercises even more fun, you can blast music while you’re doing them. Some you can even do while watching TV. Now you have no more excuses!
 
Good Luck & Have a Beautiful Weekend!

 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Cheer Yourself Up!


When you try your best to stay positive and keep yourself from getting too down or you feel completely alone in life and it just seems like there's no hope of ever getting better.  When you feel you just want to crawl into a hole somewhere and die. Don’t give up!!

We all need to cheer up; but sometimes we have no idea where to start from or you can't find a reason to go on anymore.
Here is a list of ideas to get you out of that “Dark Zone”.





  • Dress Up: Create outfits of ridiculous clothes and accessories to do fun tasks. Walk the dog in your bondage pants and Pantera shirt, vacuum the house in a tutu and high heels, buy milk at the store in nothing but a trench coat. (invent your own definition of “ridiculous”).
  • Make Magic Everyday: Learn a magic trick – it could be something a simple as a card trick or a slight-of-hand. Practise until you’re really good, and delight your friends next time you see them. Don’t give away your secret.
  • Laugh: Watch a DVD of one of your favorite stand-up comedians. If you don’t have a favorite stand-up comedian, try to watch The Simpsons , Homer and Bart always make me laugh!! ;)
  • Bathtime: Run yourself a bath. Gather together all your exquisite bathroom pampering treatments – all the luscious soaps and decadent shower gels you haven’t opened because they’re “special” and you don’t want to use them up. Open them all. Use them all. Take the phone off the hook, put up a do-not-disturb sign, pour yourself a glass of wine, put on some relaxing music, and read a book, or stare just at the ceiling.
  • Bubbles! Blow bubbles. You can buy little jars of bubble mixture, or make a simple bubble mixture at home using dish washing liquid, water, and sugar or corn syrup. TIP: Storing your solution for a day can actually lead to better bubbles.
  • Hydration: You should drink water more often – it’s good for you and makes you feel happy. But it should also be fun. Buy yourself a water bottle – not one of those one-use plastic ones, but something grymm, like a stainless steel masterpiece or a skull-shaped bottle. Or find yourself a beautiful vintage glass bottle and use that. I bet you’ll feel like a pirate!
  • Presents! Buy or make an amazing gift – like a mix CD of your favorite songs or a beautiful box of chocolates – and wrap it in a big box with a pretty ribbon. Give it a tag saying “to you”, and place it in the middle of the sidewalk outside your window. Watch how long it takes before someone picks it up.
  • Wear a Mask: If you’re feeling lonely and self-conscious, why not hide your face with a mask? If you want to hide away, hide behind a wall of latex or leather or sequins or lace.
  • ExerciseYou know exercise is good for you, and it makes you feel good. So exercise! Run around the block, do star jumps in the living room. Find the local ice-skating rink or rock climbing wall, hike through the park, practise yoga, salsa dancing or burlesque (you can find lots of free lessons on youtube).
  • Music: Dig out your favorites – the music that makes you feel the world is full of wonder. Play loud, sing along, dance on the bed, throw your arms around, headbang, smash something, slow dance with your cat.Just have fun!
ღ Have a nice Weekend! ツ

Friday, April 26, 2013

Anger Management!

No, I'm not talking about Charlie Sheen's new show!
In this post, you will find simple tips to control your emotions and overcome your anger if you're experiencing overwhelming rage!
  • Take a break: Stop what you're doing, get away from whatever is irritating you, and just take a breather. Getting away from whatever's upsetting you will make it easier to calm down. Try it out in these situations:
  1. Road rage: pull over on a side road and turn off the car.
  2. At work: go to to a room or step outside for a moment. If you drive to work, consider sitting in your car so that you're in a space you own.
  3. At home: go to a single-occupancy space (such as the bathroom) or for a walk.
  4. Unfamiliar place: Close your eyes and try to imagine yourself somewhere peaceful.
  • Breathe deeply: If your heart hammers with rage, slow it down by controlling your breathing. Count to three as you inhale, hold the breath in your lungs for three more seconds, and count to three again as you exhale. Focus only on the numbers as you do this, and refuse to think about whatever is angering you. Repeat as many times as necessary.
  • Go to your "happy place": If you're still having a difficult time calming down, imagine yourself in a scene you find incredibly relaxing. It could be your childhood backyard, a quiet forest, a solitary island - whatever locale makes you feel at home and peaceful. Focus on imagining every detail of this place: the light, the noises, the temperature, the weather, the smells. Keep dwelling on your happy place until you feel completely immersed in it, and hang out there for a few minutes or until you feel calm.
  • Ask for the support of someone you trust: If you're still upset, sharing your concerns with a close friend or confidant might help.
  • Set a time limit:  Give yourself a set amount of time to deal with what's upsetting you, and stick to it - when time is up, your rant is over. This will help you move on instead of dwelling on the situation endlessly.
  • Engage in physical activity: The endorphins that come from exercise can help you calm down, and moving your body provides a physical outlet for your rage. Try these activities you can practice alone:
  1. Running.
  2. Weight training.
  3. Cycling.
  4. Yoga
  5. Basketball.
  6. Martial arts.
  7. Swimming.
  • Keep a journal of what upsets you and how you plan to fix it: Every time you're overwhelmingly angry, write down exactly what happened. (It's important to be honest, even if it casts you in an unfavorable light - remember, a journal is meant to be private.) Then plan out what you're going to do to fix the problem and avoid running into it next time. If you do find yourself in the same upsetting situation, refer back to your journal notes to see what else you can do.
  • Remember! we are all human and tend to get angry at someone or something. You can tell someone how you feel and see if they can help you.
  • For every negative thought you have, challenge it with three positive thoughts.
  • If you're ever angry with your family, think about what they mean to you.
  • Sing one of your favorite songs (with a happy beat).
  • Try thinking of stuff that you are thankful for.
  • Watch what you say when you're angry. You don't always feel the same as when you have calmed down and thought of the situation
Have a Peaceful Weekend!

My Source

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Get Back on Track After Holidays!

A few days after the ''New Year'' It might seem so hard to get back to workouts. However it's not impossible if you have he right motivation and attitude. But first, you have to know that there is a real disorder called SAD which effects many of us with a depression due to lack of light in winter in addition to the depressions we feel from eating too much over the holidays, guilt of not working out due to family and friend gatherings as well as having a hard time returning to a healthy schedule.

You may feel like you are lifting your feet out of quicksand but the only way to avoid the depths of these depressing holes by returning to some activity in your life. Workout time is time for you which is justified because it is healthy. If you cannot see yourself getting into the old routine then look into some new activities to try out. Not only for the body but the mind, you must continue exercise.
  • Stop feeling so guilty: despite your best intentions to stick to your diet plan during holidays, you couldn't...Big deal! But here's a secret, non of us really can!
    You need to ditch any guilt you feel and stop beating yourself up about it. Feeling guilty about overeating is wasted energy, spend that energy doing something productive instead.
  • Find a partner: finding a partner before starting a regular workout routine has miraculous effects. Besides sharing the proper interests and goal, you'll be also motivating each other. Alone you might be feel temptations of spending the day in bed. However a ''workout buddy'' might have the power to encourage you to fun exercise for the desired result, the time goes by faster, you and your partner can celebrate every few weeks after you've achieve some of your goals and you'll be less likely to cancel your workout sessions.
  • Start moving right now: Begin with a 20 min daily walk and 3 basic exercises. There is no excuse to not do at least this much.You even can workout while Watching TV
  • Try a new activity you have always wanted, join golf class, pilates, yoga or dance classe. The excitement from participating in something you have always wanted to try will get you motivated!

  • Start watching your diet: Pick olives and nuts for good fats and choose lean proteins. Add salad to your daily life. Eat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. If you’ve got extra food around the house from the holidays donate those boxes of food to poor people.Why keep unhealthy, calorie loaded food around to tempt you? 
  • Keep the alcohol down to one glass per day with/after dinner at most. Red wine is said to be highest in positive nutrients although more than a glass then makes it a negative!
  • Drink a lot of water:  Flush out those ‘''Holiday'' toxins and fats with pure water.
  • Music: Music is one of the basic accessories to complete workout session. Because ofits effect to motivate you to achieve your goals it can also serve as the best means to turn an exhausting session into a fun activity. Choose your playlist with good care and include songs that would boost your energy.

  • Be reasonable and reset your goals: Sometimes you just lost sight of your goals or have set your goals too high. A goal of “I’m never gonna eat pizza again” may be too strict for you and cause you to overindulge, using a holidays as an excuse to ditch your diet plan.
  • Schedule: It is also useful to analyze your schedule and look for a workout that can be embedded in your busy days.
And here are some more ideas: Fun and creative ways to burn more calories

Have a nice weekend! :)
 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The 2013 New Year's Resolutions!

With the beginning of each year, we open a fresh new page with ourselves. We all make personal goals, projects, or dreams we want to achieve. People committing themselves to a New Year's resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year.
At this time of the year,we can forget the previous year with all its disappointments or failures and start over with a new hope for the best.


Here is my list of resolutions for 2013:

  • Make a lot of new friends
  • Be happy
  • Less crying/less tears as possible
  • Be a better person
  • Help people more often
  • Close facebook extra accounts
  • Visit pyramids
  • Get my driving license
  • Take a lot of photos out doors
  • Get my ICDL
  • Get my jewelries fixed and cleaned
  • Become healthier
  • Achieve my goal weight
  • Fix my body and skin
  • Treat my hair
  • Less drama with my mom
  • Replace my black teeth filling with white ones
  • Anger management
  • Get some adventures
  • Join the teachers union
  • Sell me blog
  • Highlight my hair
  • Back to my workouts
  • Buy a good quality digital camera.
  • Visit London
  • Visit new places
  • Sponsor an orphan
  • More time for charity
  • Organize my things( clothes/shoes/jewelries/ purses/wallets/watches/perfumes)
  • Be a vegetarian for 30 days
  • Organize my computer files and folders
  • I will focus more on giving rather than taking.
  • I’ll learn from the past, and try to avoid making the same mistakes again.
  • spend more time with family
  • forgive people who have hurt me
What about your New Year's Resolutions? I'd love to add more for my list!

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 24, 2012

10 Weight-loss Myths!


So much is said about losing weight that it can be hard to sort truth from fiction. Here's the truth about 10 common weight-loss myths.

1. Starving myself is the best way to lose weight
Crash diets are unlikely to result in long-term weight loss. In fact, they can sometimes lead to longer term weight gain. The main problem is that this type of diet is too hard to maintain. Your body will be low on energy, causing you to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods. When you finally give in and eat those foods, you will often eat more calories than you need, causing weight gain.

2. A radical exercise regime is the only way to lose weight
Not true. Sensible weight loss involves making small changes that you can stick to for a long time. That means building regular physical activity into your daily routine. Adults between 19 and 64 should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity - such as fast walking or cycling -every week, and those who are overweight are likely to need more than this in order to lose weight.

Adults who are overweight are likely to need to do more than the recommended amount of activity in order to lose weight, and this activity should be accompanied by changes to diet.
Recommended physical activity levels for adults
  • Adults (19-64 years) should do 150 minutes every week .
  • Older adults (65+ years) should do 150 minutes every week, too.
 To shift 450g (1lb) a week, you need to create a calorie deficit - that is, more calories used than consumed - of 500 calories per day. This can be achieved by eating less, moving more, or, best of all, a combination of both.

3. Slimming pills are effective for long-term weight loss
No, they're not. Slimming pills alone will not help you keep the weight off long term. They should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.

4. Healthy foods are more expensive
In fact, healthy foods are not necessarily more expensive than their unhealthy alternatives. You'll typically pay more for a high-fat, high-salt ready meal than you would if you had bought fresh ingredients and made the meal yourself.

5. Foods labelled ‘low fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ are always a healthy choice
Be cautious. Foods labelled 'low fat' have to meet legal criteria to use that label. Labels such as 'reduced fat' do not have to meet the same criteria, and can be misleading. A reduced-fat snack should contain less fat than the full-fat version, but that doesn't automatically make it a healthy choice: it could still contain a lot more fat than, say, a portion of fruit. Low-fat foods also sometimes contain high levels of sugar.

6. Margarine contains less fat than butter
Margarine and butter contain different types of fat. Margarine is usually lower in saturated fat than butter. But it's more likely to contain hydrogenated fats. Hydrogenated fats, also called trans fats, may be more harmful to health than saturated fats. To lose weight, and for heart health, reduce the amount of saturated and hydrogenated fats you eat. If oil in margarine has been hydrogenated, this has to be listed on the ingredient listing on packaging, so check labels carefully.

7. Carbohydrates make you put on weight
Eaten in the right quantities, carbohydrates will not cause weight gain. A 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that dieters on the best-known low-carb diet, the Atkins diet, tended to lose weight not because they ate fewer carbohydrates, but simply because they ate less overall. Eat wholegrain and wholemeal carbohydrates such as brown rice and wholemeal bread, and don't fry starchy foods when trying to lose weight.

8. Cutting out all snacks can help you lose weight
Snacking isn't the problem when trying to lose weight: it's the type of snack. Many people need a snack in between meals to maintain energy levels, especially if they have an active lifestyle. Choose fruit or vegetables instead of crisps, chocolate and other snacks that are high in sugar or saturated fat.

9. Drinking water helps you lose weight
Water does not cause you to lose weight, but it does keep you hydrated, and might help you snack less. Water is essential for good health and wellbeing. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger; if you're thirsty you may snack more. Drink around two litres of fluid a day.

10. Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight
Skipping meals is not a good idea. To lose weight and keep it off, you have to reduce the amount of calories you consume, or increase the calories you burn through exercise. But skipping meals altogether can result in tiredness and poor nutrition. You will also be more likely to snack on high-fat and high-sugar foods, which could result in weight gain

Source

Saturday, December 22, 2012

5 Easy Steps to Get that Holidays Glow!


This holiday season, you can look and feel your best with few steps to your lifestyle and just a little bit of willpower. It is all about keeping the body balanced, hydrated and properly rested. With these easy steps, you can maintain a healthy glow, manage your figure, and have more energy and joy.


1. Hydrate

We have all heard the messages. Our bodies need water. During the holidays if you make this a priority it will help your energy levels, your appearance and your waistline. When you feel the urge to snack, ask yourself if maybe your hunger pans are actually due to dehydration.
Drink green tea. Studies suggest that the compounds in green tea called catechines appear to speed up the rate at which calories are burned. It is also loaded with antioxidants and isn’t as dehydrating as other caffeinated beverages.

2. Pick 3 System

The last word anyone wants to hear during the holidays is diet. Remember that any diet that recommends the elimination of one of the macronutrients- proteins, carbs or fats- is not a viable method of eating that can be sustained, nor does it have a foundation in health and wellness. In fact, radical and fad diets actually hinder future weight loss by slowing down the metabolism. So don’t diet, just be mindful.
For each meal, envision your plates divided into three sections: one third whole grains and vegetables; one third protein; and the other third fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, nut butters, butter. Whole fruits are always a top choice as a treat. Cut your alcoholic beverages with seltzer and eat something small before going to a party.

3. Daily Detoxification

If we can keep the body eliminating our excesses we’ll feel and look out best. Time now to stock up on Brassica family vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), high fiber cereals and bars, as well as acidophilus-rich yogurt, plus water and herbal teas.

4. Rest and Reflect

It seems there is never enough time in the run up to the holidays. Sometimes we need to know when enough is enough. Adequate rest gives the body a chance to properly digest and heal. Keeping stress in check is one of the best beauty secrets out there.
Take time for you. You know what you like to do in your “down time”. Whether it is reading, doing cross-words or taking a bath, gather any supplies you will need now and schedule in the time for you. Your body will thank you.
Also, make sure you plan time to get fresh air. It is the best pick-me-up. The air might feel chilly at first but within 20 minutes you can return home from a brisk walk revived and ready to tackle the next festive gathering.

5. Supplement where needed

Most of us do not think ‘health, nutrition and exercise’ when we think ‘holiday’. Certainly, there are times when we will veer off the nutritional path to wellness on occasion and that is okay. Just be aware that there are supplements and functional foods for days when we are less than perfect in the nutrition category. For many, they can be an inexpensive nutritional insurance policy.

Create a fabulously festive look
Luckily, it’s never been easier to create a fabulously festive look with a minimum of fuss. To learn how, we checked in with makeup artist at Beauty Mark in Yaletown, who created a sleek but sexy look that works for a variety of skin tones, ages and social events.

Here’s how to get this season’s best makeup look in 9 easy steps:
1. Skin
Start prepping the night before the event by applying a hydrating mask to your face. It will create a nice, natural luminosity, making pores appear smaller, smoothing out skin tone and providing an all-over glow.

2. Nails
A festive manicure will put holiday sparkle at your fingertips without the risk of looking garish. What’s especially fashionable right now are dark and unconventional hues like green, blue or metallic.“The trend is to have one highlight nail.”

3. Hair
When it comes to hair, it’s all about tousled, sexy glamour, think messy updos, lazy curls and easy accessories:
  • Try a ballerina bun, Classically prim ones ruled the runways, but Gwen Stefani’s messy bun is rock-star cool—go with what feels right for you! To do it fast, tease hair on top, then smooth it all back into a ponytail; secure with an elastic. Twist and wind hair around, pinning as you go.
  • Slip on a Headband.
  • Clip It Half Up: Make a side part, then pull the top and front sections of your hair back with a glitzy barrette.
  • Tease That Pony: Give your sweet standby style a little edge: After pulling your hair back (no need to be neat about it), run a fine-tooth comb up and down the length of your hair to rough it up and create that fun, fuzzy effect. It’s that easy.
  • Curl Just the Front: Make playful waves: Use a medium-barrel curling iron to create a couple of spirals in the front sections of your hair only. Comb through with your fingers. Done!
4. Foundation
Unless you plan to spend time under high-definition cameras, your foundation should just even out your complexion, not cover everything in a layer of beige. Think “smooth glow,” not “matte mask.” “I would choose an illuminating foundation,You want more of a dewy complexion. It’s even more important with older skin. The more matte you go, the more it will settle in the fine lines.”

5. Brows
It’s time to create a frame for all this holiday beauty by grooming the eyebrows. If your  brows are already well shaped, use a little brow gel and a fine brush to tidy them up, then a pencil to fill them in.

6. Eyes
“If you’re doing a strong lip, you want to keep the eyes neutral,”. Since this season is all about the bold lip in deep, intense hues, that means avoiding competing colours on the eyelids. Instead, think definition and shimmer. Try a soft gold shadow all over eyelids, then sweep a subtle highlighter under the browbone and in the corner of the lid to open the eye. “This shiny gold colour is very simple and it works on many, many skin tones,” noting that it is soft enough to work on older skin as well as younger. The key is to go for “glow” rather than “sparkle.” Finish the eye makeup by adding further definition with liquid back eyeliner and a touch of black mascara.

7. Cheeks
Brush a soft, natural-looking pink blush on the apples of cheeks, just enough to create a healthy glow. The key with blush is to avoid bright clown spots and stripey ’80s contouring; rouge should be applied so subtly it is barely noticeable at all.

8. Illumination
Indeed, more important than colour is illumination. This is a subtle way to add brightness and “a nice glow” to skin of all colours, conditions and ages, without looking overdone.

9. Lips
Finally, the finishing touch and the holidays’ big impact look: the beautiful, bold lip. Start by brushing a lip scrub overyour lips to remove any dry flakes. “It’s essential because in winter, our lips are drier,” Then apply a deep purple lipstick to the lips. “A lot of people recommend a lip liner, but I say you can go without, The shade for the season is this nice plummy wine colour. It works on so many skin tones as well as a porcelain complexion.”

Source 1
Source 2

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Tricks to Lose Weight in Winter!

 


Losing weight is a simple equation: if you burn more calories than you eat, the weight will come off.
The summertime offers plenty of opportunities for people to lose weight. Generally, people get more exercise in the summer because they spend more time outside and are more active. People tend to make excuses for why they can't lose weight during the wintertime. But there are steps you can take to make sure you continue to drop pounds during the winter months.          
  • Sniff a banana, apple, or peppermint: You might feel silly, but it works. When Dr Alan R. Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost, an average of 30 lb each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you're actually eating it.
  • Stay active around the house. While it may be cold outside, there are things you can do inside your house, such as sit-ups and push-ups, that will contribute to weight loss.
  • Take up a new hobby or participate regularly in an activity that you enjoy. Play basketball, tennis or racquetball, or join a dance class. You will lose weight and have fun at the same time. If you see results from participating in activities you enjoy, it's likely you will stay motivated.
  • Turn off the TV: Dining while viewing can make you take in 40 percent more calories than usual, reports a new study. And texting, driving, or any other distracting activity during a meal can also result in your eating too much. Instead, make each meal something you put on a plate and sit down to, even if you're eating solo.
  • Step on the scale daily: If your regular weight increases several days in a row, it's a red flag letting you know you need to cut back a little or beef up your workouts slightly.
                
  • Sculpt 3 times a week:  Doing 5 minutes each of push-ups, lunges, and squats (in 30-second intervals) will help build and maintain muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be, so you'll torch more calories as you go about your day.
  • Next time your mind gets stuck on a certain food, call a friend and redirect your brain by asking how her day's going. Research shows that cravings only last about 5 minutes, so by the time you hang up, the urge to devour junk will have subsided.                                      
  • Hang a mirror opposite your seat at the table: One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Seems having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.
  • Surround yourself with blue: There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: Believe it or not, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage
  • Shoot your food: Rather than writing down every morsel, take a picture of it, and file the photos on your phone or computer by date. A visual account of your consumption may help you curb your intake. “Snapping photos and then looking back at them can make people stop and think before indulging,” nutritionist Joan Salge Blake says. It needn’t be a big production: your cell phone will do. Think about it: there you are at the salad bar, making a plate of vegetables. Don’t pat yourself on the back quite yet, though. A simple snapshot of your heaping dish may “show your extra helping of cheese or deep-fried croutons"
  • Tie yourself up: You could try fitness guru Valerie Orsoni’s “Le Petit Secret”: “A number of French women wear a ribbon around their waist and underneath their clothes when they go out for dinner. It keeps them conscious of the tummy...particularly if the ribbon starts to feel tighter as the evening goes on!”
 Beware of the holidays. Holidays provide a great excuse to eat poorly. If you choose to do this, make sure you get back to the gym or back on your exercise plan immediately after

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

50 Tips For Happiness And Productivity!

If you at times feel stressed out and overwhelmed, you are not alone. “Stress is the dirty secret of success: as life gets better than ever, people are feeling worse.”
Daily life can be made happier. It is a matter of choice. It is our attitude that makes us feel happy or unhappy. It is true, we meet all kinds of situations during the day, and some of them may not be conductive to happiness. We can choose to keep thinking about the unhappy events, and we can choose to refuse to think about them, and instead, relish the happy moments. All of us constantly go through various situations and circumstances, but we do not have to let them influence our reactions and feelings.
These suggestions to move to a healthy level of stress include both short-term lifestyle changes as well as longer-term goals:

  1. - Try rising early.
  2. - Do less.
  3. - Practice patience.
  4. - Practice compassion.
  5. - Find your passion.
  6. - Lose weight.
  7. - Exercise.
  8. - Eat healthy.
  9. - Meditate.
  10. - Get organized.
  11. - Think positive.
  12. - Simplify your finances.
  13. - Simplify your life.
  14. - Accept what you have.
  15. - Envision your ultimate life.
  16. - Set long-term goals.
  17. - Review goals.
  18. - Plan your big tasks for week and day.
  19. - Maintain focus.
  20. - Enjoy the journey.
  21. - Create a morning and evening routine.
  22. - Develop intimate relationships.
  23. - Enjoy the simple pleasures.
  24. - Empty your inbox and clear your desk.
  25. - Build an emergency fund.
  26. - Keep a journal.
  27. - Read, and read to your kids.
  28. - Take time to decompress after stress.
  29. - Be present.
  30. - Think globally.
  31. - Spend time with family and loved ones.
  32. - Pick yourself up when you’re down.
  33. - Don’t compare yourself to others and DO NOT envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.
  34. - Focus on benefits, not difficulties.
  35. - Be romantic.
  36. - Lose arguments.
  37. - Go outdoors.
  38. - Savor the little things.
  39. - Plan a trip to somewhere new.
  40. - Help others...Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy.
  41. change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don't let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.
  42. Think of solutions, not problems.
  43. Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.
  44. Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.
  45. Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.
  46. Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.
  47. Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't. Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things. Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself.
  48. Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching your favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.
  49. Smile more often.
  50. Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy.  And always Remember, happiness is contagious.

Monday, December 17, 2012

How to Stay Healthy in Holidays Season?

For those who are on a diet, Halloween can be the beginning of a multi-month nightmare with treats appearing everywhere during the holiday season. Not to mention that overeating seems to be an American holiday tradition. However, there are ways that you and and your family can stay healthy and avoid gaining weight during the holiday season.

  • Holiday parties: Holiday parties seem to be centered around treats. Besides avoiding all social events!! here are some tips to keep friendships and a small waistline.

    >> Don't go to a party hungry

    >> If there's a buffet line, choose only the food that looks most appetizing to you (that way you don't feel forced to eat everything on your plate)
                               
    >> Watch portions and limit loading on sauces and dips, which are typically high in calories
                                      
    >> Exercise before the party.

    >> Don't stand by the food table

    >> Offer to bring a healthy dish.
  • Instead of waiting to eat at big meal eat small little meals to help curb your appetite.
  • Slow the pace when eating meals. "It takes at least 20 minutes for our brains to signal that we're actually full, which means a slow eater will consume less calories before feeling full than someone who races through their meal''
  • Savor the first few bites. "When looking at brain chemicals signaling 'pleasure,' scientists have found that we receive less pleasure the more we eat of a food,So rather than feeling like you must eat a full serving of every desert at a holiday meal, take a bite or two and receive 90 percent of the pleasure at 10 percent of the calories."
  • Find nutritious holiday foods: Some popular holiday food are actually nutritious too:                
    >> Chestnuts are actually one of the healthier nuts, that doesn't contain as much fat. It also contains fiber, vitamin C and folic acid, which reduces cardiovascular disease and helps the immune system.

    >> Turkey is a great source of protein. White meat is known to be the most nutritious part, but the dark meat contains the most iron. Keep turkey nutritious by avoiding the outer skin.

    >> A sweet potato "provides over 100 percent of our daily needs for beta-carotene,". It also has a high amount of vitamin C and E.

    >> Cranberries fight against cancer and heart disease. Adding it to sweet treats can reduce sugary content by 25 percent.
  • Get enough sleep: You know how run down you feel when you don't get enough sleep, and during the holidays with all the social obligations, it can be even more difficult to get the right amount. That means your immune system isn't at it's best. Make more of an effort during the holidays to get an adequate amount of sleep - 7 hours of sleep per night - if you want to up your chances of remaining healthy during the holidays.
  • Avoid shopping online: It's so much easier to shop online, but one problem is that you're sitting while you're doing it. When you're shopping in the stores, you move around and walk all over. You'll get a workout without even realizing it, especially if you're walking around a mall. If you live in a large city, such as New York City, forget about subways or cabs and get a really great workout while you do your shopping.
  • drink alot of water and green tea.
  • Play with the Kids:  During the holiday season, you're likely to be around more small children than usual. Take advantage of having the little ones around, and try to feed off of their holiday excitement. Instead of being burdened by the extra responsibilities of having tiny tots around, play with your nieces and nephews. You can chase the active toddlers around the house or take the older kids on a stroll around the neighborhood to check out holiday decorations. You'll be squeezing in a workout during the manic holiday season, and it's likely that the kids will put you in the holiday spirit.
  • Workout Indoors: Working out can be difficult during the holidays for people who like to exercise outdoors. Taking a walk or going for a run might be next to impossible in freezing temperatures. Instead of being a couch potato while you're stuck indoors, come up with a workout you can do inside. Climb up and down the stairs in your house for a good cardio workout. Focus on weight training, Palates, yoga or invest in some fitness videos to stay trim during the holiday season. You could even put some of these items on your gift wish list.
Happy Holidays! :)

Saturday, December 15, 2012

10 Homemade Gift Ideas

A gift is never measured by its price. A true gift is always measured by its meaning (and sometimes its usefulness too).
You don’t have to buy expensive gifts to show how much you value the other person. Simple ideas that convey true genuine feelings have more lasting and meaningful impact.
Check out these easy homemade gift ideas for Christmas, a birthday, or any occasion. Using these ideas, you can give everyone you know a homemade gift this year.


  1. Photo album containing photos of memories you shared together.
  2. “I appreciate you jar”  The idea simply is to fill a nice jar with slips of paper, each with a reason you appreciate (or love) someone.
  3. Paint a picture, if you can.
  4. The gift of tea: I love the idea of giving homemade Herbal Tea Blends as a gift. You can customize these tea blends to your hearts content. If you’re not sure where to start, here is a list of 10 different Herbal Tea Blends that would be very easy to put together in bags or jars for presents. Who wouldn’t want that as a gift?If herbal tea isn’t your thing, this Chai Tea Concentrate would also make an excellent gift.
  5. Compilation of favorite music: This is more of an emotional gift and serves to bring up memories that have special meaning for both people involved. Make a CD with all those songs that feature on the list of favorites for the person you are giving the gift to.
  6. Doll house: Searching for gift ideas for girls? What could be better than making dollhouses,provided you have the necessary woodworking skills.                            
  7. Message board: Have a friend who goes crazy about organizing things? Well, then the best gift to give would be to make a message board that they can use.
  8. Painted pots : This is a great idea for kids who want to give gifts. Provide them with pots, and colors and let them go crazy with different designs.
  9.  
     
  10. Recipe book: "A book is a gift you can open again and again"...If you are giving a gift to your daughter (or son), then a great gift to give can be a hand written book with all the food recipes of the dishes that they love.
  11. Soft toys: Making teddy bears, rag dolls, or other plush toys for kids as gifts will make them very happy, How To Make Homemade Teddy Bear?
If your gift list is long and your budget is small,
Keep in mind that handmade items are not just beautiful but special too…
 
 
have a nice weekend! ^_^


Friday, November 23, 2012

10 Things Children Can Teach You About Weight Loss!!

''The Littlest People Know the Biggest Motivation Secrets''

The answers to weight loss success aren’t in the bookstore. You won’t find them in the latest government research labs. Forget about talk radio, late night TV, or a magazine rack full of scantily clad, impossibly thin cover models.

You’ll uncover information and data there, for sure. You’ll find plenty of opinions, ideas and "proven techniques" too. But the REAL answers – the stuff you can use every day – can be found anytime at your local playground.

Everything you need to know about fitness and weight loss, you can learn from kids.

Have you ever watched a child completely engrossed in a project? They have the magical ability to be serious about what they’re doing without taking it too seriously. You can do the same with your weight loss. You can live every day with more focus, and every week with more motivation.

Here’s what every child knows that you may have forgotten. See if you can apply some of these lessons to your daily program:
  1. Everything can be a game. Why slog through the same workout routines in boredom, when you can add a little fun? Make up rules, shoot for personal records, regain your competitive spirit.
  2. Don’t walk when you can run. Every day is full of opportunities to increase your fitness. This rule is closely related to "don’t drive when you can walk."
  3. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Once you hit your goal weight, chances are your eating habits won’t stick around long if you hated what you were eating. Healthy eating involves balance and moderation.
  4. Laughter feels good. Kids seem to inherently know that laughter can ease blood pressure, help your brain function, give you energy, and help you reach your goals. Smiling and enjoying yourself can be serious help.
  5. Playtime is important. We get so caught up in work, chores and a host of "have-to's" that we forget to take time for ourselves. Not only does relaxing and regrouping make life worthwhile, it has real health benefits. Most of all, it will help you stay consistent and motivated.
  6. The world should be full of color—especially on your dinner plate! Splash it with as many colors as possible, paint it like a rainbow with food. It’s more fun to look at and chances are you’ll be eating a healthy, balanced meal.
  7. It’s always more fun with friends around. Children tend to gravitate toward other children. It gives them spirit and makes them want to play all day. Working out with other people is almost like having your own little playgroup.
  8. Adventures are found outside, not inside. Every kid knows that the good stuff is in the great outdoors—fresh air, wide open spaces, limitless possibilities. You can’t find those things cooped up in a tiny, stale gym. Open the door and start a new adventure every day.
  9. It’s important to use your imagination. You can be Captain Fantastic or Stupendous Woman any time you want. Give yourself permission to believe in your own super powers and let your mind take you wherever it wants to go.
  10. Anything is possible. No fear, no self-doubts, no negative self talk, no self-criticism, no worries, no destructive anxieties or thoughts of failure. To a child, he/she can do anything. And do you know what? They’re right.
The answers to weight loss are probably about 3-4 feet tall, and may be closer than you think. When you act more like a kid, suddenly the world opens up. Living a healthy lifestyle becomes something you want to do every day. Start enjoying yourself again!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)

Sunday, June 10, 2012

50 Things I Want To Do Before I Die!

    Life is the most beautiful gift we have, but you never know how long you have until it’s over. That’s why I’m a big fan of doing things you want to do when you get the chance. Don’t wait for “Tomorrow” or “Someday”. If you get the opportunity today, then do it today.
    Here’s a list of 100 crazy things that I want to do before I die, and maybe we can even do some of these things together (who knows).

  1. Throw a huge party and invite every one of your friends.
  2. Swim with a dolphin.
  3. Skydive.
  4. Have your portrait painted.
  5. Learn to speak a foreign language and make sure you use it.
  6. Drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari: A Lamborghini and Ferrari are pretty much the most exclusive and expensive cars that money can buy, and only reserved for some very select individuals who earn enough to afford to own one. Fortunately, you can rent one for a few hours for just a fraction of the retail price, and it’s something that you need to experience. And remember to take plenty of videos and photos! :)
  7.  Tell someone the story of your life, sparing no details
  8. Attend at least one major sporting event: the Super Bowl, the Olympics...
  9. Run a marathon.
  10. Own a room with a view
  11. Buy a round-the-world air ticket and a rucksack, and run away 
  12. Send a message in a bottle.
  13. Give your mother a dozen red roses and tell her you love her
  14. Ride a camel into the desert.
  15. Learn not to say yes when you really mean no 
  16. Fall deeply in love ''helplessly and unconditionally''
  17. Shower in a waterfall.
  18. Learn to play a musical instrument with some degree of skill.
  19. Teach someone illiterate to read.
  20. Spend a night in a haunted house( by yourself  )
  21. Spend New Year's in an exotic location.

  22. Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it, instead of just thinking about it.
  23. Own one very expensive but absolutely wonderful business suit.
  24.   Write your will.
  25. Spend a whole day reading a great novel.
  26. Forgive your parents.
  27. Overcome your fear of failure.
  28. Donate money and put your name on something: a college scholarship, a bench in the park. 
  29. Buy your own house and then spend time making it into exactly what you want.  
  30. Spend three months getting your body into optimum shape.
  31. Accept yourself for who you are
  32. Scuba dive off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
  33. Go up in a hot-air balloon.
  34. Give to a charity -- anonymously.
  35. Go deep sea fishing and eat your catch.
  36. Look into your child's eyes, see yourself, and smile.
  37. Ski a double-black diamond run.
  38. Get In a Physical Fight: You’ll never know what you’re made of until you get into a real (physical) fight. Can you throw a punch? Can you block or avoid a punch thrown at you? Can you knock someone out? It’s always better to avoid physical fights, but I can tell you that you learn a heck of a lot more from 5 minutes in a street fight than years of martial arts training.
  39. Visit the Eiffel Tower
  40. Visit The Pyramids of Egypt
  41. Live On An Island For At Least a Month
  42. Make $1,000,000: A somewhat big ambition, but it would be a cool achievement to make $1,000,000 in your life. A million dollars isn’t what it used to be 50 years ago, and there are plenty of people who have achieved it, so you can do it too!!
  43. Get Married
  44. Own a Pet (And Take Good Care of It)
  45. Climb A High Mountain
  46. Experience Weightlessness: It may currently not be in your reach, but I’m sure that over the next years, space travel will become something that’s not much more expensive than a first class ticket in an airplane. If that’s the case, go for it. How sweet would it be to float around without the law of gravity?
  47. Surfing
  48. Jump Off a High Cliff Into The Ocean
  49. Bungee Jumping
  50. Help Someone Without Wanting Anything In Return
If you enjoyed this post please share it...Have a Nice Day! ^_^

Monday, February 27, 2012

10 Tips to Improve Your Memory

Having trouble remembering appointments, items you need at the grocery store, or where you put your keys? Everyone has moments when something slips their mind. If this has been happening to you with increasing frequency, try doing a few easy brain exercises each day to help improve memory.
Luckily, mental workouts can be just as effective for your brain as physical workouts are for your body.
10 Ways to Improve Memory
Start with the first tip and then add one more idea each day to help improve your memory:

1. Focus on what you're trying to remember: Take time to think about what you need to remember, whether it's a list of names, chores, or items to buy. Spending a few moments actively processing your thoughts can make it easier to recall what you need to remember in the future.

2. Link your list: Try to remember several things or ideas at once by linking them together in your mind. If you want to memorize your grocery list, for instance, connect the items you need together with a specific image or action in your head. Imagine you're in your laundry room holding a container of detergent, then walk into your kitchen to get some bread and milk, then move to the bathroom to replenish the toilet paper.

3. Personalize your list: Organize lists into short, manageable sections, and try to connect items to something that's easier for you to remember. Improve memory by linking lists of numbers, for example, to personally relevant dates like your birthday or interesting historical dates.

4. Create a visual image: If you're trying to remember someone's name, visualize an object that will help remind you in the future. Think of summer for a woman named June or a cat for someone named Catherine.

5. Create an acronym: Train your brain to remember items in a specific sequence by creating a word to represent the objects. Try using the first letter of each item on your shopping list to form a word. For instance, MOST can stand for milk, oranges, soap, toilet paper.

6. Use all of your senses to help improve memory: Afraid you're going to forget your next hair appointment or dinner with a friend? Verbally list your appointments out loud and then think about the softness of your hair after a salon visit and the aroma of the food at your favorite restaurant to help solidify the dates in your mind.

7. Write it down.: Even if you don't actually use your list or a note to remind you of an appointment, simply writing the information down will help your brain retain it.

8. Create a rhyme: How did you learn the alphabet or the number of days in each month when you were little? You probably learned them with the help of a song or rhyme. Try doing the same thing with names, appointments, and lists.

9. Make it manageable: Organize a long list into shorter lists that are easier to remember. Instead of trying to remember a dozen different items, create four mini-lists with only three things you need to remember from each.

10. Be positive.: Don't doubt yourself , our brains can often do more than we realize. Regularly practice these tips to help improve memory, and you'll be amazed by how much more you can remember.

Brain Exercises
There are a number of other ways you can strengthen your memory. Try these strategies and exercises to keep your brain and memory sharp:

1. Be organized. Keep lists and notes, and maintain an appointment book.
2. Challenge your mind and body. Try new physical and mental activities like yoga, ballroom dancing, tai chi, or chess.
3. Play mind games. Do crossword puzzles, read as much as possible, and play games like Scrabble or sudoku.
4. Keep yourself guessing. Stimulate your brain by taking an unusual route to work or by using your opposite hand to do simple activities like placing your key in the door, putting on makeup, stirring your food, or brushing your teeth.

Forgetting things can make you feel flustered and disorganized. But regular workouts for your mind can improve memory and boost your overall brain power. Once you figure out which memory tips work best for you, it’s possible that you’ll never forget a name, birthday, or that last item on your grocery list ever again.
Try these ideas on your memory to give yourself a brain boost.

Source: Everyday Health
Have a nice day! :)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

How to Shop Smart?

Shopping can be a favorite way to pass your time. There's always something to buy. Here's how to be a smart shopper:
  • Decide upon your needs. Learn to live with less. Layer your summer clothes during the winter for a different look. Learn to use a small purse. Limit makeup and accessories. Going without can be a real adventure.
  • Make your own style. Start an inexpensive, unconventional trend. Ignore advertising. Why follow the crowd?
  • Have style. Choose your outfits carefully. Look for the most accentuating outfits worn by others with the same figure, skin tone or hair color. Wearing different shades of the same color is slimming and easy to put together.
  • Extend your wardrobe. Take the time to coordinate your clothes into a month's worth of outfits. Make a list of all possible combinations and refer to it frequently.
  • Make a plan. Determine what you need to complete an outfit. Something that doesn't match or fit well may never be worn.
  • Be sure it's exceptional. Be patient. Check for quality, color, fit and a long-lasting style. You'll want to wear a garment for a few seasons, and then recycle the fabric into another garment or accessory.
  • Compare clearance prices online. Have a rough idea of what you're willing to pay. Review the current styles. Keep a list of reasonable prices in your purse.
  • Try the flea market. You'll find a variety of unique imported and second-hand items. You can bargain for a better price.
  • Try the dollar store. Their selection may be limited, but they have cute clothes and accessories. This is a great place to buy pajamas and slippers.
  • Try thrift stores. Vintage is always in fashion. Brand names can be found. Worn clothing is very comfortable. Look for fabrics to make something new.
  • Try Wal-Mart. Search both the men's and women's departments. If you're petite, search the children's department as well. This is a great place for the basics.
  • Try Target. They have a stylish clothing line of good quality and reasonable prices.
  • Watch for sales. Use coupons during the holiday sales either online or in stores. Try things on prior to a sale. Take time to think things over to avoid impulse shopping.
  • Bring a limited amount of cash. Stay within your budget. Leave credit cards at home.
  • Do not remove the tags. Wait a week to think it over. Remove the tags once you're sure you'll enjoy your new item.
  • Check a lot of shops before buying anything. Usually a lot of shops have same things so you should check before buying. You'll probably find clothes that look alike cheaper than in other stores.

More Tips:
  • Allow yourself to splurge on one small item.
  • Clothes should glide over your body whether sitting or standing. A larger size may be more appropriate.
  • Make a list before you shop. Write down what you need, and how much it cost for each part. Then you wont use too many money