Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

The Guide to Changing Your Name after Marriage

Whether or not to change your name after marriage is a personal decision that each person must make on his/her own. But once you’ve decided to take the plunge, you need to be prepared for the administrative tasks that await you. Trying to get all of your IDs and accounts updated can be tedious, and even just knowing where to start is a major task itself. The following checklist should make this. . .

Do You Text Chat (IM) Online?

IM (Instant Messaging) - man, we thought we had it made in the shade when we stumbled over this unique way to communicate! Outside of talking person-to-person on the phone, IM was the next best thing. Texting talk was endless and cost was nonexistent. Well, those were the good old days of yore – you know, those days of glorious innocence.Just as we were getting oh so comfortable, happily IMi. . .

The Best Hair Products (That Really Work!) for Under $10.00!

Sometimes I feel that our hair has a direct line to our hearts... when we have a bad hair day, the whole world seems gloomy, and dark portentous clouds hang heavily over our heads (literally!). When our hair is healthy, gleaming, and full of vitality, so does the rest of our day seem just a little easier to handle... in spite of this, if you are like me, you can’t justify spending money on whit. . .

Wedding Dresses – Why They Are White and Other Wedding Lore

Brides have always worn white, right? Not so. In ancient times brides wore bright colored wedding dresses to signify their joy. White for western brides didn’t become fashionable until Queen Victoria wore it at her wedding to signify her status. White dresses never did signify purity until the Christian churches put that label on them. So feel free to add a little color to your wedding outfit.W. . .

How to Find The Perfect Wedding Dress

You want the perfect wedding dress, so you have made it a major focus of your pre wedding planning. There are some things you need to find from the bridal shop, before you even look at your first gown. Do you need to make an appointment to visit the shop? Does the store carry dresses you can afford Can you browse the whole collection, or do you only get to see the dresses the sales person choos. . .

The History of Ugg Boots

From Australia's Official Dictionary: The Macquarie Concise Dictionary - ug boot / Australian 100% merino sheepskin lined boot. Also called ugh boot , ugg boot.Did you know that Australian Sheepskin Ug boots have always been called Ug, Ugh or Ugg boots and have been made in Australia for almost 200 years? "We always called them Uggs, Smith says, "long before it was a trademarked brand." Brian S. . .

Why Most Women's Self-Defense Programs Are Wrong

In the world of women's self-defense training, there are two generally accepted "schools" of thought. Unfortunately, both take extreme viewpoints and are usually founded on nothing more than the so-called "expert's" beliefs. Without real-world experience, and instructor teaching self-defense to anyone, but especially to women, is quite likely putting their students in severe danger.************. . .

Hair and Haircare For Hairdressing

For healthy, beautiful hair, emblazon the word protein in your mind. Hair is at least 97% protein, containing 19 of the 22 amino acids that from protein. This should vividly illustrate why hair condition depends so much on the quantity and quality of protein in foods. Hair reflects poor nutrition through breaking, cracking and splitting. Dryness, brittleness, and lack luster hair can be sign of. . .

From an Old Watch to a Gorgeous Bracelet

What do you do when the straps of your watch come apart?You could send it for repairs, or simply change the strap.Or, you could transform that old watch into a stunning bracelet with gemstone beads.That is exactly what I did with my old watch when it gave way.The old strap was secured to the watch by 2 holes. One on each side of the watch face. That meant, I could attach my new strap through th. . .

Olive Oil In Your Beauty Routine?

We all know that olive oil is wonderful and healthy for us to cook with, but what about its other uses? Truthfully, olive oil is another main ingredient in several beauty products you can buy on the shelf. See for yourself how you can make your own skin cocktails and save a little money at the same time. 1. A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, & 1/4 cup water used as a night cream w. . .

Confessions of a Fragrance Fanatic

My addiction to aromas has haunted me since childhood. I attended a flower festival at the age of four and my mother was unable to keep my nose away from all the fresh and fragrant blooms. I used my impressionable sense of smell as a guide to determine if I liked my mother’s cooking or not. The beef stew always got a quick unhappy sniff, while anything dessert like was allowed to linger, apprec. . .

Will You Be All Alone When You're Older? How to Be Sure Y...

When I was twenty-two, I was befriended by a woman named Doris who was thirty years older than I was. Although Doris was then a fifty-two year old woman, she did not feel it was inappropriate to befriend me. She did not operate with the social belief that she should choose her friends only from people her own age. We became very close friends and remained so until her death at the age of eight-. . .

Concepts Of Skin Care !!

The concept of beauty itself has undergone such a transformation, that it is little wonder that the change has been felt in the field of cosmetology as well. The emphasis has gradually shifted from camouflage of defects, to a more comprehensive art, which involves both preventive and corrective care of the skin. It is founded on the idea that many skin problems can be avoided by taking a few si. . .

Successful Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How fast you lose weight will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of weight you gained during your pregnancy.Most women will lose anywhere from 10-14 pounds within the first 2 weeks of delivery. This weight may be attributed primarily to the loss of excess fluid in the body, the baby's weight, the placenta and amniotic fluid. Some women might lose a little bit less, and others m. . .

Dating Dilemma: The Man Who Said He'd Call and Didn't

You went out with the guy. You both had a great time (or at least you thought he did!). You said goodnight, and he said he'd call you.He didn't.Why? What did you say to offend him? Was it your hair? Your clothes? Your weight? What's wrong with you, anyway?The answers to those questions are as follows: Who cares? Nothing, no, no, no, and not a damn thing.Every woman in the world--no matter how t. . .

Mindfulness and Mood Swings: 7 Secrets to Successful Mood...

I consider myself a pro when it comes to watching mood swings. After all, I've had plenty of my own, and I have the added advantage of having four teenage daughters to observe. To be honest, my girls are not moody. In fact, our home climate is remarkably clear and sunny. That's precisely why it is so easy to watch a mood coming over the horizon. Think about it. If you're in the middle of a stor. . .

Encouragement for Working Moms

How many of us decide to shoot for the stars, then beat ourselves up when we find that the process of building the necessary equipment to reach that high is not easy? We cry in frustration and deem ourselves failures for not reaching our business goals. Meanwhile we are raising children, nurturing an active marriage, supporting aging parents, volunteering in church, PTA and Scouts, working har. . .

How To Overcome Your “Obstacles”

……I realised that I really created my own obstacles in life, and if I just got out of the way of myself and let my mind not hold me back, I could do things I never thought I could.” (Hilary Swank, as reported in the Sunday Times)Hilary Swank puts her breathtaking performance in Million Dollar Baby down to the way Clint Eastwood was able to get her to relax and stop her interfering with her natu. . .

How Erotica Helped Us Overcome Our Lovemaking Problems

Your soul mate might be your perfect match in almost every sense, but do your lovemaking sessions always live up to your expectations? I mean, do you prefer to make love in the evening and your partner is a morning riser, so to speak? Learn how one couple found that erotica books and erotic short story books helped them "get it on". Choosing between a night time romp and a morning quickie may s. . .

Beyond the Arch of Swords: Making Military Marriage Last

Melissa Wallace of Camp Pendleton, California is a tall, wispy woman, with a soft voice and gentle smile. The wife of 25-years to a Sgt. Maj. in the Marine Corps, Melissa and her husband John talk wistfully about the life that is soon to be behind them, as Sgt. Maj. Wallace prepares for retirement. Melissa and John were married in 1976. Several years later, following the birth of their first. . .

Is 'Sex and the City' Setting You Up for Loneliness?

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a Sex and the City episode, in which Charlotte, in her never-ending quest to find true love, attends a seminar to teach her how to do just that.She drags Carrie along, who scoffs at the whole thing. She thinks both the women who got sucked into attending and the seminar leader are sad and ridiculous.To attract the right men, the crowd is counseled to use affirma. . .

A Cigar Box Purse Or Handbag Is A Unique Fashion Accessor...

There’s an unmistakable charm about a cigar box purse or handbag. Neat, petite and elegant, and decorated with romantic, quaint and quirky images from a bygone era, these design gems are becoming increasingly sought after fashion accessories. You can buy cigar box purses and handbags made from real cigar boxes, or they can be decorated with just about any image you can imagine, including classi. . .

Rape Defense Training: One Woman's Crusade

How can the life of one man be changed by one woman - a woman he doesn't know - one he had accidently encountered in a fast food restaurant nearly two decades ago? How can meeting and listening to her speak for less than an hour, forever change the way he thought about and taught women's self defense and rape prevention? Let me tell you.Susan's Story:One Woman's Story That Changed My Life (pa. . .

What Are Your Colors

How do you know what colors suit your skin type.Your skin could have warm undertones or cool undertones. That would determine whether you look better in warm colors or cool colors.Warm skin tones have a yellowish undertone, while cool skin tones have a blue undertone.To tell whether you are warm or cool, hold a piece of plain, pure white paper under your hand. Look carefully at your skin in com. . .

Face Lift Without Surgery?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A FORTUNE BE YOUNG LOOKING!As we age facial muscles weaken, and skin begins to sag. But just as gym workouts can promote the body's youthful strength and suppleness, facial exercise - based on the same principles of dynamic resistance - can strengthen facial muscles. If sagging muscles in your face chin and neck are aging you beyond your years there is a way to reverse t. . .

Got A Closet Full of Trendy Clothes? Watch Out!

You just bought a pair of Ugg boots to go with your hip hugger jeans and trucker cap. And that’s not all. You scour the fashion magazines for the latest trends, then go running out to fill your closet. Trendy is good, right? Uh, not so fast. Keeping abreast of the trends in fashion is essential to not looking outdated, but having a closet full of trendy clothes can quickly turn into a big waste. . .

5 Great New Fashion Trends for Women

Here’s a quick look at some of the new trends in women’s fashion. The overall trend is chick and ladylike. Liven up your wardrobe by adding a few of these pieces.BroochesYour great grandmother probably wore these in her day. Now brooches have made a stunning come back. The most popular brooches you’ll see are large and flowery, with that vintage look. They look great with any kind of jacket.Cam. . .

Menopause, Just What Is It?

Just what is this thing we call menopause? And what does it have to do with you?Simply stated, menopause is a biological event that marks the end of a woman’s menses and hence her natural reproductive cycle. Perimenopause is defined as the period beginning with the signs of approaching menopause and ending about 12 months after “the menopause”.Worldwide, menopause has as a variety of meanings.. . .

Plus Size Fashion Trend: Feminine Chic

A new fashion year is here and so are the latest styles for women looking to freshen up their wardrobes. Ladies, good news. Femininity is back!From the office to casual wear, you can show off the power of your femininity while still taking care of business. Jackets are a great way to add flair and style to your pants and skirts. Boucle jackets are hot. Also, pairing a colorful denim jacket wit. . .

5 Tips for a Great Fashion Fit

Ladies, have you ever been in a department store dressing room and talked yourself into buying an outfit that looked great – on someone else? Face it. If it doesn’t fit right in the dressing room, it won’t fit well or look good when you wear it out in public. Here are five quick and easy tips to remember when buying clothes that look good and fit well on your body type.Tip #1 – Stick to a Color. . .

Fashion Trend Report: The New Basic is Anything But Black

We all have it in our closets. Black – the universal color that mixes and matches with anything. Black makes us look good, while covering up figure flaws. And that’s good. Black has its place in our fashion hearts. But, now it’s time expand our wardrobe options into colorful uncharted territory.Are you ready, ladies? Here are the new color combinations that will spice up your wardrobe and get y. . .

Lighting the Way when Two Become One

Whether you want to add a little extra romance to an evening reception or a little glow to your house of worship, candles are a natural, effortless addition to your wedding theme. You'll have no trouble finding a role for candles at the wedding ceremony, at the reception, and even as part of the floral displays.Unity CandlesJoin the growing number of couples who include a unity candle as part o. . .

Are You Taking Baggage To Bed?

You wash your face and brush your teeth, put on an alluring smile and hop into bed with your sweetie – then start dragging your body image baggage under the covers with you.For some people this means bringing a tiny speck of a change purse – for others it’s a designer handbag. For those who are the most consumed with their body image this could mean an entire set of monogrammed leather bags in . . .

Hyaluronic Acid – Newest Celebrity Beauty Secret?

We can always count on celebrities to serve as guinea pigs for the latest cosmetic and beauty treatments. During the Botox ™ craze, even director Martin Scorsese commented that he couldn’t find actresses who could frown anymore! Perhaps actors, politicians, musicians and the like all grew tired of looking like Stepford wives because the latest cosmetic craze involves Hyaluronic acid, a key co. . .

How to Increase Romance with Humor

Ask any single adult what qualities he or she wants in a spouse or partner, and one of the first answers is always “a sense of humor.” Yet relationships and most marriages easily lose the early excitement after living together for several years. Healthy relationships require laughter. Sex is better; everything is better sprinkled with laughter, be it a chuckle, a belly laugh, or an amused smile. . .

The Categorized Woman – The Mother

The most cumbersome issues that have ever been raised or pressed have had the liability of being the enormously uncertain part of a suggestion or a reckoning. A question in itself is mild, an inquiry is ethereal but a concern can be jeopardizing to the meandering interest of the evasive. Of a question, whatever it might be, the restitution is not an answer yielded out of deliberation, instead d. . .

The Mother – Harnessing An Onslaught

In many ways, preventing this from being a plaintive and plangent panegyric, I would like to interpolate and expound, as I shortly shall, in regard to the less-furnished and integral ambit of a mother, a subtle thing of no mercenary protocol, being the kernel of everything that is beatific and beating, stands on ceremony and reveres in the conduced delights of a basest freedom where the conditi. . .

How to Get the Classic Jennifer Lopez Style

I know that you've heard it a thousand times, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." How you and the things associated with you (like your car) look is a significant factor in creating your image. Building a Business Wardrobe The style of your clothes should compliment your lifestyle and the market you serve. For example, dress conservatively if you work with clients in con. . .

Tips for Women as They Adjust to Married Life

There are basically two types of men out there. Men who like to watch sports, and men who don’t. I consider myself lucky to have met and married a man who falls into the latter category. But that doesn’t mean that our lives together are always pure wedded bliss. It takes a lot of work, especially if you have been out in the single world for a long time. I’m sure you single ladies out there . . .

Hyaluronic Acid Injections Increase Visibility with Super...

Hyaluronic acid products are poised to continue their fast growth, particularly in the form of hyaluronic acid injections, according to E-Hyaluronicacid.com. The latest reason behind this growth is Medicis’ recent announcement that it has appointed supermodel, Frederique van der Wal to be the new face of Restylane. Frederique, one of modeling’s most recognizing stars, has appeared on nine Cosm. . .

Preparation is Key

Interviewing for a new job, or a promotion, can be a stressful situation. However, Preparation is the KEY! When preparing for that all important interview, take time to reflect upon your career experiences; and look for at least five good examples of your accomplishments and challenges--we will call them "bragging points". Make a list of these "bragging points", and then write a short summar. . .

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Wedding Officiants

Tracking down a wedding officiant can be a little intimidating. Perhaps you remember a time when it was hard to get one if you weren't among the "regularly churched"! But times have changed, and hiring an officiant for your wedding is now standard procedure.Basically, brides-to-be find themselves in one of two camps: Either they have a regular church and a favorite minister, who might be a long. . .

Animal Jewelry: a Very Different and Beautiful Form of Ad...

Animal jewelry is a wonderful way to express your love and appreciation for your pet animal. Not only is it an ideal gift to give to animal lovers, but it is also a rather unusual jewelry item which you can own yourself. Though animal jewelry in some form or another has been around since quite some time, it is only recently that the market for it has come of age. It is now available in almost e. . .

All that Glitters—Something Old, Something New...

Brides through the ages have accessorized with wedding jewelry to add a finishing touch to their bridal attire; however, many brides who don't wear jewelry in everyday life jump at the chance to wear it on their wedding day. Is it the special occasion or the chance to play dress-up that prompts these brides to don the unthinkable—jewelry? Those brides too practical to care about jewelry in real. . .

Cool Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men

Most of us women have an eye for detail. So when it comes to buying presents for your friends, kids etc. you are probably a “slick diva”. But what happens when you have given the man in your life a fair share of gifts and ran out of ideas or simply want to give something different than the typical button down shirt and tie. Well lucky for you I have created a list of cool gifts for men.1. A g. . .

Celebrate V-day

Pink, red, and white Valentine’s Day is in sight. This year Valentine’s Day, also known as V-day, has a new meaning to me and many other women around the globe. V-day stands for a day to celebrate women and to stop the violence.Eve Ensler gained critical acclaim from her visionary, yet controversial show “The Vagina Monologues”. The Vagina Monologues is based on over 200 interviews with women s. . .

Mother In Good Humor

Children - the little buggers can drain your energy, break your valuables and absolutely send you to the moon sometimes. The range of trouble can go from babies with their high decibel crying to toddlers with their never-ending, cluttering curiosity to your preschooler with his gripes and whines and on to your grade-schooler with her indignant attitudes. I have not yet the privilege of the high. . .

Mindfulness and Sex: Right There, Right Now

Mindfulness is downright sexy. After all, what's hotter than a partner who is paying attention? Being Right There, fully in the moment, is about as perfect as it gets. So, it comes as a bit of a surprise to me that we don't really use the term "mindfulness" in relation to loving relationships--let alone love in the afternoon. This should be common, mainstream, slap-your-forehead-and-say-"Duh!" . . .

The Art Of Make Up!!

Like fashion, make-up trends keep changing. But, the basic human desire to apply colors to decorate the face has remained constant. Trends in makeup are actually indicative of the beauty ideals of the times. The 'Natural Look' of today, for instance, reflects the universal swing towards nature and all things natural. For the real art of make-up refer http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/make-up.htm . . . .

Lying and Loving It...

Lies. This week I’m thinking about lies.Specifically, the lies that we men tell women. Oh, believe me, I know that there’ll be many of you guys out there who’ll roll your eyes and then tell your significant others that I’m crazy, that you never lie and that I’m just making us guys look bad for some unfathomable reason. The truth is, though, that we men do lie to the women we care about, we lie . . .