Dating Tips for the Shy Woman

Dating can be an absolute nightmare for shy people. You want to meet the right person, but you're too scared to do anything about it.

Introductions--sticking out one's hand and looking another person in the eye--can be terrifying. The brain locks up as you scramble to think of something relevant to say. You fall apart as soon as you're asked what you do for a living. You stammer. The heat rises in your face and under your arms. You're suddenly incapable of forming a grammatical sentence. You think to yourself, "Why would anyone care about me? I'm really not that interesting!"

Fear not. Many shy people have succeeded in meeting new people and forming lasting, happy relationships. With a little practice, you can too. Here are some tips for taming your social terror.

1. Prepare a pitch. The question, "So, Sally, what do you do for a living?" is bound to come up, so have a ready answer. No need to brag about capturing the company Tidy Break room Award; just state clearly what you do for a living and don't apologize for it!

2. Ask questions. People love to talk about themselves (okay, except for people like you), so ask questions. Come up with a list before you leave the house, i.e., How did you get into that line of work? Where did you go to school? Have you seen the new Brad Pitt movie? And so on.


3. When you fumble, turn the subject to the other person. Whenever you find yourself longing to throw a blanket over your head and crawl off, try saying something like "And what about you?"

4. Listen to what the other person is saying! This is important. Instead of fretting about what you'll say next, still the wheels of your mind and listen. If a man tells you about his weekend on the golf course, and you know absolutely nothing about golf, just ask him what he likes about it, how he got into it, etc.

5. Smile. People respond well to people who smile. No need to grin like an idiot, but a disarming smile will get 'em every time. Smiling conveys friendliness and approachability. Show teeth whenever possible. Avoid looking like a figure at a wax museum by practicing in a mirror before you leave the house.

6. Breathe. Whenever you feel your heart racing, breathe deeply and slowly. If you really start to feel uncomfortable (your face has become so hot you could use it for a wok), excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

7. Compliment the other person. Sincerity is key, so find something you like and mention it. You may be freaked out by the idea of complimenting a man on his soulful eyes, so mention his watch, suit, tie, or even his shoes. No need to go overboard: "Nice shoes," will do it.

8. Stay on top of current events. You don't necessarily want to bring up your stand on Bush v. Kerry during a first meeting, but be able to discuss less controversial issues intelligently.

9. Remember the weather! Some people have the "gift of gab," the ability to make strangers feel like they've known them forever. They are fearless about talking about the weather, gas prices, whatever. Shy people worry that talking about mundane things will make them appear stupid. But seemingly dull subjects like the weather affect everybody. People relate to them.

10. Hold your head up. It's the simplest, most effective way to look confident. Good posture, coupled with that fabulous smile of yours, gives you a "winner's vibe." You're guaranteed to be a hit!

Be warned: These tips will not help you if you don't leave the house. It's just too easy to watch a Friends rerun for the umpteenth time instead of meeting people, but I promise you that Prince Charming is never going to climb through your bedroom window.

Talking to strangers can be uncomfortable, but with practice it will surely get easier. If you have a bad night, congratulate yourself for making the effort. When you have a good night, understand that you earned it. Know that countless wonderful nights are on their way to you.

Finding Comfort in Our Own Shoes

 

In Hamlet, Polonius tells his son Leartes, "To thy own self be true." Sounds like great advice. The problem is Shakespeare is too much of a genius to make anything easy. Polonius is a long-winded, pompous parental figure at best, a deceptive, self-serving lackey at worst. So taking his advice at face value is about as wise as believing Lady Veronica on the Psychic Network. But even psychics and fools stumble upon wisdom and truth on occasion. So where does that leave Leartes? Well, running off to France, actually. For those of us women with smaller trust funds and less tolerance for underarm hair, we're left contemplating shades of meaning.

I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, but I wouldn't show up in such an outfit for an interview or a first date. I also wouldn't share that I sometimes swear like a trucker and enjoy children's cereal, multi-colored marshmallows and all. And I'd probably outright lie in an interview if asked what the last book I read was-no school wants to advertise its middle school English teacher likes racy fantasy romance novels. There are rules of etiquette and certain expectations that we're just expected to meet in life. And we do, with no real worries about whether we're selling ourselves out, even if they require a few white lies or omissions of truth. Employers, dates, and new acquaintances not only tolerate these half-truths, they expect them. So we play the game, even though I'm quite certain any observant potential employer or partner only needs to see me teeter a few feet in a pair of pumps to know my preferred footwear is neither heeled nor pointy. And one look at my bookshelves is all that would be required to deduce I like my fictional men tall, buff, and fanged.

So when does giving people what they want to see and hear turn into being disingenuous to who we are? We all have unique qualities that certain types of people will be put off by: our values, our sense of independence, the way we interact with people, what makes us laugh, or what makes us cringe. If someone were to ask me at an interview how important professional dress is to me, should I lie? Frankly, though I like to look nice, I don't think I'd be a better teacher if I wore suits or skirts more often. Considering how often I like to plop onto the floor to work with a group of kids, such clothing would probably actually hinder my teaching style-and that is part of who I truly am, not just a surface level quirk I could easily toss aside. If a potential employer, or date, or friend values something trivial over who I really am and what I have to offer as a person, they're not who I want to work for, date, or be friends with anyways.

 

Women, in particular, seem to be tugged in every direction by society's expectations. Our mothers taught us to be ladies; our media taught us to be sex symbols. We're described as simpering if we too easily relent, yet called bitches if we stand up and fight. Implicitly or explicitly, we're simultaneously told to be fit, but not physical; sexy, but not slutty; intelligent, but not bookish; and independent, but only until we meet a man. Nobody ever told us to just be-or, if they did, we couldn't hear them over the din.

 

Like too many women, I spent nearly all of my adolescence, and much too much of my twenties, worrying about being what the rest of the world wanted me to look like or act like. Where did that get me? Not far; I have a closet full of "sexy, feminine" shoes I can't walk more than ten feet in. Since then I've filled my remaining closet space with flip-flops, flats, and sneakers. In those shoes, my shoes, I've taken the trip to study abroad that I was too intimidated to take in college, have written two novels after I had almost given up seeing myself as a writer, and have become so lost in the joy of holding my best friend's baby that for a moment I stopped worrying about when I'd have my own. I've learned to accept my own plodding pace and have gone farther at thirty-one than I ever could have at eighteen or twenty-five when I was too concerned with keeping up with the crowd.

In case you forgot, near the end of Hamlet, Polonius hides himself in an arras and ends up dead, mistaken for someone he's not. This time I think Shakespeare made the lesson a tad more apparent, though perhaps a little melodramatic. No one's likely to die for selling out. Then again, they might just miss out on a lot of living.

Multitasking Women Need More Energy

 

  Women who handle more than one task at a time are always looking for more ways to energize their bodies. They want to keep abreast of the demands of everyday living. Whether the hectic life is centered on family activities or being organized at work, these ten enlightening tips will help you maintain a sense of balance and energy from sunrise to sunset.

    Start your day with energy boosting foods that nourish the body and sustains it for four or five hours. Begin your day with grounding foods like Quinoa, berries, and nuts. These energy boosting foods help to keep you from snacking between meals.

 

    If you work outside of the home, on your lunch break, make small talk with your colleagues. Talk about light airy subjects that provoke laughter and intrigue, avoid stressful subjects that drain your energy.

    Taking vitamin C and eating a balanced diet throughout the day will boost your energy levels and keep you balanced all day long.

    A brisk walk provides the tendency to clear the mind and invigorate the body to finish any daunting task remaining at the end of the day.

    Be positive about your outlook on life. Remember to change the things you can change and learn to accept those things you cannot change. This kind of thinking provides you with more energy to nourish yourself.

    Spend time with real friends. Virtual people are not included. Actually talk to friends in person or on the telephone. Making emotional connections, using full sentences rather than speaking in code can be quite energizing.

    Stay hydrated, energetic people drink six to eight ounce glasses of water daily. Water is important for mental and physical processes to function properly. Dehydration can drain your energy levels and make you tired.

    Take time out of your daily routine to meditate. Meditation doesn't mean standing on your head chanting. It means taking time to slow down, unwind, and refocus your thinking. Simply close your eyes, take three deep cleansing breaths to clear your mind. This will create a greater awareness of your inner self and environment at that moment in time. Meditation is a great way to bring a sense of peace and happiness to your surroundings.

    Go to bed at the same time every evening. Get six to eight hours of sleep. Do not read in bed. Make sure the room is completely dark to sleep soundly.

    Make plans to do something you have always wanted to do, but never took the time to make it happen. The planning and the anticipation of making this desire a reality can be exhilarating and energizing. For example driving to an unfamiliar destination and exploring the culture of the area, or getting caught in a downpour with your sweetie and turning it into a romantic interlude. Whatever it is get caught up in the planning or in the latter case, the spontaneity and get energized!

The Best and Most Comfortable Boots This Winter

As any woman who has worn heels for hours on end knows, soles reach a breaking point. And last weekend as we made our way down the city streets as the Halloween festivities came to a close, my sister and I could not take another step in our heels.

I set out on a mission this week to find the most comfortable, fashionable and affordable fall and winter boots to share with you. Over-the-Knee, flats, slouchy, rubber and biker boots are all in style. And don't forget booties and faux fur embellished boots. There is a style for everyone this season.

If you're going to invest in a pair of boots, decide if you usually wear black or do you stick to neutral tones? In that case, go with a brown pair. If you plan on wearing them often with tights and jeans throughout winter, stick to boots without a heel so you can walk in them all day. I stopped into TJ Maxx and saw shelves of designer boots at more than 50 percent off the retail price. Stores like H&M and Forever 21 also have all of this season's hot footwear trends.

The most comfortable pair I've ever owned is a pair of black, leather over-the-knee Franco Sarto boots. They offer a big selection of all styles and Report Footwear makes super stylish affordable boots if you're looking for slouchy boots or a pair of trendy thigh highs with a heel. Both can be found at stores like Macy's, Nordstroms and online. If you prefer online shopping, try Zappos.com which offers free shipping both ways.

Wellington boots, or Wellies, are a great choice for kids, teens and anyone who hates hopping over puddles on rainy days. Yep, rubber boots are in nearly every store and you can choose from a neutral forest green color, a bright pink design or a variety of patterns from zebra to zig zag print.

Guys can get in on the boot action too. American Eagle has a big selection of fall and winter footwear including a Trek Boot on sale for less than $90. Or for a stylish and casual pair, try Timberlands in the classic Wheat Nubuck shade.

Before you buy boots, try them both on and walk around the shoe section. If you're already noticing your big toe is aching or your heels are headed into a blizzard of blisters, slip them off and continue the search. And if you find footwear you just can't live without despite the pain, like a five inch black suede bootie, then perhaps it's time to visit the doctor. Yep, Dr. Scholl's is always accepting new patients in the foot care section of your local drugstore. You'd be surprised how many effective insoles and inserts are on the market. Massaging gel insoles on a cold winter day sounds like my cup of tea. This solution with also come in handy for the next battle of the boots.

Personal Stylists Let You Glow Inside Out

We all change with time. Our job, lifestyle, personality, likes and dislikes change too. This personal development and metamorphosis lead many people to seek the help of personal stylists at different instances in their lives.

Indeed, professional and experienced personal stylists possess what it takes to make all their clients feel at ease during the first encounter and subsequent sessions. Skilled personal stylists are not only keen in knowing the latest fashion trend and craze and what suits different body types in terms of clothes, shoes and accessories, but those individuals are also keen psychologists. They will surely analyze your lifestyle, but will try to understand your personality as well.

For instance should you be single and looking for the man of your life, then, your personal stylist's advices will include wearing outfits that fit your job and others that make you look more charming and sexy when hanging out with friends at the restaurant or pub. On the other hand, should you be someone of a more mature age, who likes to travel a lot, discover new civilizations and historical sites, then, your personal stylist will advise you to buy trendy and fashionable outfits that suit your lifestyle and make you feel trendy and comfortable while traveling around the world.

At times, personal stylists face some challenges in convincing their clients to loosen up a bit and wear more sexy outfits. This occurs for instance, when following a divorce, a women has been dedicated to her job or to raise her children rather than taking care of herself. Usually, such person seeks the help of personal stylists following the insistence of a best friend or maybe because she wants to make a change in her life and doesn't know from where to start. Either case, the woman might feel a wake-up call that she needs to start taking care of herself but isn't at ease to see herself in a sexy and attractive image. Eventually, personal stylists respect the decisions and choice of their clients even though they will try to suggest that such sexy outfits look good on the person and justify their saying with more convincing reasons. Fortunately, a lot of their clients accept often reluctantly to give it a try and wear the suggested sexy outfits. And later, the load of praise they get from their friends and family boost their confidence in themselves and encourage them to stick with the new attractive look.

Personal stylists end up becoming close friends with their clients because their job involves a lot more than analyzing their body features, but rather try to understand their personality by interacting with them on a more personal level.

How to Straighten Hair With a Flat Iron

Straightening hair with a flat iron is simple, but it can seem impossible if you haven't learnt a technique to do it properly. You'll get the job done much quicker and easier if you know exactly what you're doing, so here are a few steps to get you familiar with the hair straightening process.

1. Start off with clean hair for better results. Comb through it to untangle while you let your flat iron heat up.

2. To protect your locks from heat damage, apply some heat protectant and comb through again to distribute it evenly over your hair. Make sure it has dried completely before using your flat iron.

3. Clip your hair back in multiple sections to make it easier. Begin with the undersection of your hair and use smaller sections if your hair is thick.

4. Choose one section and comb through to make sure it's completely untangled. Hold it taught and clamp the flat iron down as close to your roots as possible. Pull the flat iron in A fluid movement over the section until you reach the ends. If it's not straight the first time, that's ok, just go over it again or try turning the heat up a bit.

5. Keep on straightening until you've finished the bottom sections, then start on the top half and carry on until your whole head of hair is straight.

6. Lightly apply some holding spray to keep your new, sleek style for longer, and if you live in a humid climate you might want to use a serum specialized in repelling humidity. At this point, feel free to keep using your flat iron to add flicks or maybe even a curling iron for extra style.

So there you have it! Six steps to go from curly to straight without the hassle of visiting a hair salon (or the high fees). Just keep in mind that the best way to get smooth and shiny hair is to use a good quality flat iron in the first place and taking good care of your hair. Even though good quality flat irons include far infrared heating for moisturized locks and negative ion technology for frizz free results, you should always take the extra precautions to keep you hair soft and healthy at all times. This means not straightening on a regular basis, no matter how tempting it may be once you learn how to do it right.

Women Facing Poverty in Retirement

 

Women often reach retirement age with fewer pension benefits and retirement assets than men. All workers need to save more for retirement, but women face added challenges because they have lower earnings, experience higher job turnover, and have a longer life expectancy. Women generally begin retirement with smaller pensions than their male counterparts but usually live longer than men. Social Security is intended to be a supplemental source of income in retirement, but too many women are forced to rely on it as their sole source support in retirement. As a result of these issues, elderly women in the United States have one of the highest poverty rates of any industrialized nation.

Women Save Less than Men for Retirement

Chief among the reasons that women save less than men is that women earn less than men; lower earnings equal lower retirement savings. The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 and yet almost half a century later, women make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. According to the National Women's Law Center, "This persistent pay gap translates to more than $10,000 in lost wages per year for the average female worker."


Equal pay is not just a women's issue; it is a family issue. Women make up half of the U.S. workforce and mothers are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of American families. Wage discrimination harms many American families by limiting their economic security now and their retirement security in the future.

In April, the Paycheck Fairness Act was reintroduced in both the House and the Senate. This bill would help eliminate wage discrimination.

Women Have Different Work Patterns
 

Women have different work patterns. Women generally spend less time in the workforce due to family care-giving responsibilities, from raising children (and grandchildren) to caring for elderly parents. Also, women are more likely to work in part-time jobs that don't qualify for a retirement plan. Such job interruptions mean less opportunity to save for retirement and to contribute to Social Security. Of the 62 million wage and salaried women (age 21 to 64) working in the United States, just 45 percent participate in a retirement plan.

Married Women Often Rely on Spouse's Savings

It is not unusual for many married women to rely on their spouse's retirement savings. Under traditional pension plans, benefits to married workers were paid as a lifetime annuity with benefits for the spouse. However, in the majority of 401(k) plans, spousal consent is not required for a worker requesting a distribution. This means that a worker can take a distribution from the plan without the spouse's consent (or knowledge). The trend towards 401(k) plans and away from traditional pension plans has contributed to the lack of retirement funds for many women.

Women Invest More Conservatively Than Men

Studies indicate that women invest more conservatively than men. Women tend to emphasize safety over return. They often save less for retirement and then sacrifice long term growth with a low risk investment strategy.

Women Need More Money for Retirement

Women have longer life expectancies than men. Life expectancy for women now is approximately five years more than that for men. Consequently, women spend longer in retirement. For married women, 70% of them will outlive their husbands. Unmarried women (including widows) age 65 and older rely on Social Security for 50 percent of their total income. Because women tend to live longer than men, they are in greater danger of outliving their other sources of retirement income.

Startling Statistics

The latest Census Bureau data show a significant and alarming increase in poverty and extreme poverty among women, men and children in the United States in 2009. Poverty among women increased to 13.9 percent, up from 13.0 percent in 2008 - the highest rate in 15 years and the largest single-year increase since 1980. More than 16.4 million women were living in poverty in 2009, the largest number since the Census began collecting this data in 1966.

Changes Needed to Close the Retirement Savings Gender Gap
• Continue to work to eradicate the wage disparities between men and women.
• Increase pension coverage for lower-wage, part-time and temporary workers.
• Provide Social Security earning credits for care-giving.
• Require spousal consent for 401(k) distributions.
• Allow tax-free transfers of retirement assets between spouses.
• Provide investment education specific to the overly cautious investment strategy chosen by many women.

Ultimately, the basic saving strategies are the same for men and women: start saving early, contribute as much as you can to your company retirement plan and don't take money out of your retirement plan to meet short-term needs. However, it is especially important for women to stay focused on saving for retirement as pay inequity and the work patterns of many women reduce their future retirement income.

Balancing Work and Life for the Modern Woman

It's hard to believe that there was once a time when women were expected to be the primary caretakers in the household. Now it has become common for women to have successful careers and to have a home that looks like it came out of a page from Better Homes and Gardens. With the growing pressures of today's world, women are starting to feel the pressure of juggling everything and making it look effortless. Many women are struggling to create a balance between spending a few hours at work and taking time to enjoy their personal lives and spend more time at home. With the bad economy and layoffs and cut hours many women are scared to jeopardize their jobs and feel committed to working more hours. Even if you don't have control over how many hours you have to work there are other ways to find balance, peace, and sanity.

Plan fun time. It's easy to get sucked into working more hours and to dismiss fun activities. However, being proactive about scheduling relaxing activities is just as essential as scheduling your work life. Take a look at your life and all the activities and determine which ones make you happiest. If that's going to see a movie with an old friend, planning a date with your spouse, or making a soccer game it is important to engage in activities that release stress and make you happy. If there are any activities that sap energy or are draining in any way find a way to get out of them and plan something that will ensure making you happy.

Wake up earlier. Most people get up and go straight to work. Individuals that wake up earlier in the morning before going to work feel more fulfilled and like they are able to accomplish more in a day. One can exercise, meditate, or just spend time breathing in the fresh morning air.

Be healthy. This is something that we all hear a lot but don't always follow. A combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet goes a long way or elevating moods, sustain energy, and help with focus.

Work less hours. With the bad economy some companies are actually welcoming less hours and furloughed days. Many individuals are telecommuting or leaving earlier one day a week. This is a great opportunity to spend more time with your family, get that pedicure, or just relax at home more.

If you find that that you are still struggling with balancing your work life a life coach can help you determine ways to manage your time so that work and home life can coexist peacefully. Sometimes working with a personal life coach can help quiet the inner critic that doesn't want to take breaks. Life coaching sessions can help women figure out the added responsibilities of having more to do so that life can be a little more enjoyable and more fun.

How To Pamper A Woman?

No man will ever want to get advice on this topic for they believe that they are born with a doctorate on this. If you think you know everything about a woman, you are the most foolish person alive on earth. A woman is the most complex character created and remember men they are from Venus while you are from Mars. So what you like, they will naturally not like. And if that woman is very particular about her likes you are in the time of your life to figure her out.

Women like money but they do not love it. What they love are the gestures that you show. The more class she has the more simple her soul is. Money is something but not everything to her. She is not a toy, respect her, when she is sad or angry have the patience to hear her out. Do not always impose your likes on her, she is an individual and has her own opinion. Learn to value them. Do not always be a typical power hungry man and take pleasure in that, your woman would also love to be given the power sometimes. Over inquisitiveness is very unwelcome. She needs her space and privacy. Have faith that she will not do certain things which you say her not to, if she does not want to. Also know what her likes are and if she disagrees on a topic on which you said no, understand that she likes doing that. Make sure that you let her do what she wants. Do you fear that she might leave you? She will respect you even more, my guarantee.

Do not nag on the same topic again and again. If you are not married to her do not constantly go on saying 'marry me'; she does not like to hear it. Do not decide on the clothes she is to wear, give your opinion only if asked but not too strongly; in other words do not be too opinionated. Women do not like it. If you are very egoistic, don't be, I think she is more important, right?

When she is shouting, never shout back. Be quite and listen to what she is saying. Go near her gently, and say sorry as if you mean it, even if you do not know what your fault was or might be that you had no fault at all. Buy her ice-cream or chocolates and make her feel loved. Take her out to an amusement park at day and on a long drive at night. She will be the happiest. Treat her like your god, and yes she is even more. When she sleeps be her pillow, only if she wants you to be. Let her approach instead of you approaching her. Afraid that it might challenge your manhood? It will only make you more lovable to her.

Pampering a woman is the best thing to do. It is an art and not everyone can do it correctly. You just have to know the secrets to her heart. Seems tough? Be a man and accept it. Fight for the woman of your dreams and remember 'gentleness is better than force'.

Nautical Wear - Fashion Tips for This Hot New Trend

 

Indeed the range of possibilities in purchasing designer fashion can vary greatly. Consider the Pandora charm bracelet as being one of the very popular designer fashion jewelry items that can be built off-line. With the internet, it can be built even more efficiently shopping in minttes what used to take hours. The appeal of a Pandora charm bracelet is the ability to actually build the jewelry. There are infinite combinations of jewels and gems which can signify some sort of personal meaning for the purchaser. You can have gold, silver, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, or whatever else you envision. There are wide-ranging styles, quality, and therefore costs within each gem or precious metal type as well. The creativity belongs to the person who is building the bracelet. The piecemeal nature of the process lends itself to having great appeal for more than just the affluent customer.

 

An example of a successful high-end boutique designer fashion jewelry seller that is on the front end of the emerging trend of world-wide internet sales trend is David Yurman, Inc. With headquarters in New York, but with over 20 stores in premium locations across the US and in major cities worldwide, David Yurman is synonymous with unique luxurious styles catering to wealthy clientele. A designer fashion jewelry piece that became Yurman's signature is the cable bracelet. This bracelet features a twisted design with gemstones adorning the ends.

 

Yurman has more recently become known also for watches, fragrances and more. Contrary to what you might think with such an exclusive brand name designer fashion jewelry collection, Yurman has embraced the power of internet commerce. You can purchase Yurman jewelry via direct online shopping, shopping through authorized online retailers, and you can even interact with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

A decidedly different approach and reach as far as markets served, can be found with Ed Hardy. Designer fashion jewelry by Ed Hardy actually redefines what it means to be stylish and in fashion. The statement made is contrasted with one made by wearing a David Yurman. With an Ed Hardy, you create unique through unforgettable appearance without sacrificing quality. Price points are incidental rather than integral. This is a significant development in broadening the definition of what it means to be designer fashion jewelry

 

The line is based on the renowned Ed Hardy Tattoo designs. Actual popular designs are incorporated into the jewelry and watches. As with the traditional Pandora bracelet discussed above, Ed Hardy jewelry allows for an individual to make a very personal statement. The Ed Hardy Pendants are especially popular. Keeping with the urban and edgy roots of the tattoo parlors, the pendants are most often base stainless steel with a gem component. Ed Hardy designer fashion jewelry can be found online direct in conjunction with it's more clothing centric product line and at authorized online retail stores.

There is no question that between Ed Hardy and David Yurman, you are spanning the entire spectrum of designer fashion jewelry. The great thing is that there is so much in between and the definition of what it means to be a designer fashion jewelry piece is more democratic than ever. Now more than ever, great style is less about the money spent and more about quality and individuality.

Women and Stupidity

This is an issue that I'm addressing through witnessing the plethora of poor decision making in modern women.

I know the poor rationalization in women is rooted in two main places. One being the disconnect with spirit and the disconnect with their true feminine essence.

In our abundant male dominated society strength looks like it only comes in one form. Which is often viewed upon as the masculine form. Women from girl-hood see muscles, hear a deep voice, watch the forceful control that men dominate with and say to themselves 'aha that's strength'.

While that is one form of strength that is far from being the only type of strength.

Also strength is something that is both internal and external. While many women are mocking what they see externally as strength, they are internally weak or have detached from their core.


Internal weakness of the mind and core is the root of poor decision making. Internal weakness stems for women not living within there own indigenous power. Feminine essence is where a woman's internal strength roots. Men/Man energy is rooted in the physical world. This does not mean that they have a right to push you around, control or disrespect you. This means that understand their nature is rooted in what is seen. Women/Woman energy is rooted in the spiritual world. This does not mean we are so deeply spiritual. This means I want you to understand where your power is rooted. Women have instinctive abilities to know exactly what is going on and often times what is going to or what can happen just by being in touch with our emotional self.

When woman don't exist fully in her feminine essence her character, her decision making and her life will mostly be a disarray of missed opportunity, difficulty, drama and disappointment. Her personality will be mostly all bravado. An aggressive, controlling, forceful undertone with loneliness, barely in control event after another. While she misses out on the energy, motivation, inner peace and most importantly internal strength.

Having a backbone, being assertive, commanding respect simply with your presence, accepting only the best of every situation requires a strong core. For women that core is the feminine essence and energy.

All God's creations were created with a purpose, an indigenous nature. When we as women ground ourselves spiritually, mentally, physically in our authentic nature our life aligns in sync. The needed wisdom's and over-standing information becomes available to make not just better decisions but the best decisions for ourselves and if and when others are involved.

5 Professional Tips for Women in the Workplace

 

Women face both similar and different challenges in the workplace. For that reason, there are some special tips that women should embrace to increase the odds of success. While working women have made great progress in the past three decades landing a higher percentage of highly-coveted management jobs, there are still obstacles on the way to the top. For success, women must approach the workplace in a very calculated manner. Below are some tips for every ambitious female aspiring to greatness.

1. Find a successful mentor who can help you navigate the corporate landscape. Older women who paved the way for the next generation can provide invaluable insights for female professionals who are still learning how to move ahead in the workplace. Some companies have formal mentoring programs, but many do not. Finding a mentor does not have to be a company sanctioned, formal process. Reaching out to a helpful, older female for advice is usually enough to establish the mentor relationship. Women who have "made it" in the corporate world are often eager to share tips with younger women.

 

2. Dress for success so that business associates will take you seriously. Wearing power colors is key for being noticed. The best suit colors for women are royal blue, emerald green, red and magenta. Buying a style that flatters your body shape always makes fashion sense for the workplace. Stay away from suit jackets that look like your father's. This masculine cut will make you appear frumpy and out of touch. Never wear revealing clothes to work. Jewelry should be tasteful and used as bold accents. Shoes should not be noticeable. Wearing a bit of makeup to enhance your eyes and skin tone is a good idea. Finally, it is important that your hairstyle be fresh and up to date without being too extreme and funky. All of these factors create your image.

3. Take care of yourself and unwind in the evenings and on the weekends. Being well rested and rejuvenated for work will provide the energy you need to excel and compete. Workaholics typically burn out early in the race, losing their perspective and ability to compete.

4. Define success in your own terms, setting definite career goals for yourself. If you don't approach your career with a gameplan, it is impossible to know how to navigate. As obvious as this sounds, you must know where you want to go in order to get there.

5. Assess your strengths and weaknesses as honestly as possible. Don't just focus on your liabilities. Be honest about your assets too, as they will be your guide to the career that best suits your personality and strengths.

Britney Fuller is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on women in the workplace, A Successful Woman offers readers tips for women who desire leadership roles in the workplace.

Top 5 Lipsticks for Fall 2011

 

This year is making headlines with bold lips, smokey eyes over pale matte skin. I love bold lipstick with a beautiful updo... clean classy and somewhat retro. Whatever your favorite look may be there's plenty of lipstick choices to go around this season. Here are my picks worth checking out. Red Wine is making a bold return to the fall lipstick lineup.

Wine-stained lips were on the fall runways of Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vutton and Custo Barcelona, to name a few. A beautiful array of hues from deep Bordeaux to barely there pinot nior were paired with dewy and matte skin giving a pop of lip color which is super hot right now.

Mac Media lipstick is a great choice for a burgundy lip. You can spice it up a bit using the burgundy or currant lip pencil. True Red is one of my all time favorites for a classic look and pairs perfectly with the season's retro styles popular with designer Milly.

Try Le Rouge by the iconic Yves Saint Laurent collection Rouge Pur Couture. The collection evokes elegance and the stay-true color provides medium to full coverage with a satin finish. Berry Punch is a long time quintessential fall shade and it's staying true this season.

Try Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Mulberry or Stila Pomegranate Crush Lip & Cheek Stain. Laura Mercier Lip Stain provides the visual effect of a stain with the comfort and sheen of a lip gloss. With long-term color and balmy finish it offers effortless polish and understated sophistication.

Berry shades are most flattering on fairer skin tones. Nude is subtle and works great with bold eyes and brows. Nude defined is actually your own lip color enhanced. Hot nudes to try are Bobbi Brown Pale Plum, Korress Mango Butter 33 Nude and Sephora's Attitude Glamour in Innocent Beige.

Bobbi Brown Pale Plum is a creamy Lip Color combines rich color with comfortable, long-lasting wear and a soft, creamy shine. With emollient Shea butter and plant-derived skin conditioners, this amazing formula is smooth, wears all day, and leaves lips soft. Looking for dramatic? Black Cherry shades ranging from mauve to plum tones are sure to give you the perfect punch to go with a clean palette of subtle eye makeup and bold beautiful brows. Christian Dior has a beautiful new line "Dior Addict Lipstick" with several great choices in plum. I like #881 Fashion Week. Of course, I like everything about Christian Dior.