The right perfume for you

Choosing the right perfume can never be an easy task. There are a lot of factors to consider. But it can be rewarding and a lot of fun, too. Your fragrance reveals a lot about your personality, or what you want it to be. Remember also that certain ingredients in perfumes affect or arouse different kinds of emotions and feelings in people. For instance, spicy scents like musk are believed to be aphrodisiacs, while fruity scents are calming, fresh, yet sensual. You must be able to choose the right kind of perfume that will fit your style and your purposes, as well. The first thing to consider when selecting perfume is that you must not get influenced by what perfume advertisements are telling you. It’s a big mistake to buy perfumes without trying them out first. Never trust a perfume’s description in a magazine or on TV. You have to try out and smell the scents yourself, to make sure that you’re getting the right kind of perfume that suits you and your personality. When testing new scents, think about how you would describe them. If you try out a perfume and you think the words “sexy”, “fresh”, or “fun”, then these are the messages that you’d be sending to people as well. Try to think about what kinds of scents or smells you really like or are attracted to. Research can be a very valuable tool. Lots of perfumes, especially those that are coming out nowadays, are based on the scent of vanilla. Do you like the aroma of a cake being cake? Or perhaps you prefer the scent of the ocean? If so, oceanic fragrances will work well for you. You may think that you wouldn’t want to smell like tea leaves or apples, but these preferences can be clues to what scent is right for you. Another important thing: never assume that just because your friend’s perfume smells heavenly, it will also smell the same with you. Consider also the season. During the summer, fresh, fruity, and floral fragrances work best and are suited for the season. Spicier and warmer cents are more appropriate for the colder months. Some experts say this also goes for your location; if you’re living in tropical climates, for example, wearing fruity and fresh scents would generally be the best choice. Age must also be a factor when choosing perfumes. Not all perfumes are suited for all occasions and age groups. An oriental perfume may come off as too sophisticated for a teenager, for example. These fragrances can have strong scents, and are mostly suited for intimate, special occasions. Green perfumes, on the other hand, are light, refreshing, and are more appropriate for teenage girls. But how do you test perfumes? Refuse those little cardboard pieces that some salespeople may offer you, and instead try it out on your skin. Spray it on your wrist where the skin is warm, so that it will diffuse the scent quicker. Don’t rub it into your skin. But don’t sniff the perfume immediately after you spray it on, either. Wait for several seconds or even for a minute. Sniffing the perfume as soon as you put it on your skin will just overwhelm your senses with the alcohol. You can try on two perfumes, though, but spray either one on each wrist. And don’t try out more than two; your nose will get confused and you’ll go out of the store smelling like a perfume factory. One more interesting thing you might want to remember. Once you apply a scent, wait for about half an hour. If you can’t smell anything by that time, but other people can, then that scent is meant for you!

The basic white lenses and their eerie effect

In the recent times there has been a lot of experimentation with the contact lenses. From being vision correction devices they have taken over as fashion accessories and are frequently used to change one's appearance. Well, a person longs to change his appearance for various reasons. And one of them is giving a sudden shock. Colored lenses are normally used for this purpose. Some of them give a different tinge while the others pack immense shock value. Basic white lenses fall under the later category. Buying a basic white is not as simple as just going out, shelling out some money and coming back home with a pair of lenses in hand. This is because most of the reputed companies would not sell a basic white to you unless you are armed with a medical prescription. Despite the fact that they are basically cosmetic in nature, you need to consult a doctor before getting a basic white. However, once you have gone through all the trouble getting a basic white, they can be fun to wear. These lenses are much like any other colored lenses except that the center of the ring is clear with a ring of white around it. They are as comfortable on eyes as any other colored contacts. However, some users have reported that the clarity of vision is a little reduced when they wear these lenses. This is primarily because these lenses tend to be bit cloudy which reduces the keenness of one's vision. So, if you face such a problem and still want to wear them to office, it would be a good idea to carry a normal pair of lenses with you so that in case you find problems working with the basic whites on, you could switch to the normal ones. Then, there have also been reports that the basic whites tend to take a tinge of light blue on wearing. This is because of the eye color. Since they are clear white, your eye color may dominate their whiteness a little. But that actually does not reduce the eerie effect they are so very capable of creating. So, if you want to give a shocker to your colleagues or friends, get a pair of basic white lenses and there you go, your eerie self.

Planning the wedding

Depending on how much time you have between the engagement, and the date you want to get married, this scheduling guide may need to be adapted to fit your timetable. As soon as you are engaged, or at least 6 months before your wedding there are things that need to be done. The more time you have to plan, the more likely will be your chances of getting the venues and vendors you want. At six months to one year prior to the wedding: have engagement announcements put in the paper in each of your hometowns and in the local paper where you live. Notify family and friends in person, by phone, letter or email. Decide on a budget and who will pay for what. Visit with the clergyman or official who will perform the ceremony, book the Church or other ceremony site. Book the site for the reception. Next set the date, time and place of all events connected to the wedding. Decide on Maid of Honor, Best Man and other attendants Find and book a caterer, Pick a color scheme and begin the search for the perfect wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Get quotes from photographers, musicians, florists, and limousine services. Don’t forget to help your mom and his find outfits. Between 3 and 6 months before the wedding order flowers, invitations, thank you cards and any other stationary. Book limousines, musicians and photographers. Order the cake. Make reservations for the honeymoon trip get passports, shots, and clearances. See your doctors and dentists. Between 2 and 3 month Choose going away outfit, and finish selecting the clothes you will bring on the honeymoon, don’t forget toiletries and feminine products, and basis over the counter medicine such as aspirin and sinus medications. Make hair and make-up appointments. Register at a couple of gift registries. Mail the invitations, choose a menu and give the caterer a tentative head count. Buy Wedding Insurance 1 and Ѕ months to 2 months, decide on music and specials songs like father daughter dance, and first dance songs and decide on readings for the ceremony. 4-5 weeks - fitting for bride and attendants and confirm musicians, photographer, flowers and limos. Draw up a seating chart. Give caterers an up dated count, and if need be order flatware, dishes, cups napkins etc Confirm make-up and hairdresser appointments. 2-3 weeks - Don’t forget the marriage license, give everyone there schedule and list of duties. 1 day – 1 week confirm numbers with the caterer, have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Pick-up programs for ceremony, finish packing for the honeymoon, give gifts to attendants, finalize the time for limousine to pick up the bride. At the rehearsal dinner give the best man the envelopes for all fees due at the wedding. GET SOME SLEEP! The Big Day - get up early. Go get your hair and make up done. Get dressed with help from your mother and Maid of Honor, get to the ceremony just a little bi tlate. This is by no means a definitive checklist, it is just meant to get you started. You may want to hire a Wedding Consultant to help you out.

Wedding faq answers for planning and paying for your wedding

* How far in advance should I begin planning my wedding? It is recommended that you begin planning your wedding at least a year in advance. Not all couples do this, but it is a best way if you want to make your wedding wonderful and almost perfect. * How far in advance should I send out wedding announcements? Usually, wedding announcements should be sent out eight weeks prior to the wedding date. In this way, you give your guests enough time to plan for your big day, and you also get a better idea of how many guests will attend. * Who should pay for a wedding? Since it is your wedding, talk with your fiancee about who should pay for what. These days the traditional rules about who pays for things have become more relaxed. However, traditionally the groom or his family pays for: The bride's rings The honeymoon The marriage license The groomsmen's gifts Accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen The bride's bouquet Corsages for mothers and special ladies Boutonnieres for men in the wedding party Gloves, ties and accessories for the men in the wedding party Fee for clergyman or judge who performs the ceremony Clothing for the men in the wedding party The rehearsal dinner The bride or her family pays for: The costs of the reception The bride's wedding attire/trousseau Invitations, announcements, thank you notes The seating assignment chart, napkins and mailing costs Photographer Videographer Ceremony costs, except for clergyman's fee Bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer flowers and accessories Transportation for bridal party on wedding day from ceremony to reception Gratuities for all services The bridesmaids luncheon * How can I keep my wedding costs down? When it comes to paying for a wedding, some people really experience headaches over it. But you can avoid this if you follow some of these suggestions: - Think of the most important features for your wedding. - Get the services of a wedding coordinator and a registrar if they are able to lower the costs of your wedding even a little bit. - Consider using a simple white car -- maybe even a borrowed car -- instead of a limousine on your wedding day. - Shop around for the honeymoon. - Look for cheaper but elegant restaurants for your reception. - If you have a friend who knows how to take pictures and videos, assign him or her that job instead of hiring the services of professional ones. - Shop wisely for the wedding rings. - Decorate for your own wedding.

Las vegas weddings at the paris hotel

The Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is located on the exciting Las Vegas Strip and comes complete with it’s own replica of the Eiffel Tower. This hotel presents many wonderful options for couples that wish to wed in Vegas. First, they offer two beautiful and elegant wedding chapels. The larger chapel is named chapelle du paradis, which translates to ‘chapel of the paradise’ in English. This chapel is designed to model a cathedral complete with columns, chandelier, and a ceiling painted to resemble a sky with cherubs. It is available for groups up to ninety. The smaller of the chapels, chapelle du jardin or ‘chapel of the garden‘, seats up to thirty and features garden murals on it‘s walls. Chapel weddings are definitely not your only alternative if you wish to wed at the Paris Hotel. How about saying I do on the fifty story Eiffel Tower out front? Packages are available that allow couples to say their vows while on the observation deck of the Tower which offers stunning views of the Strip. This doesn’t come cheap though, a morning wedding is offered for anywhere from sixteen hundred to a few thousand dollars. And if you want to pay for the privilege of having you wedding there at night with all the lights of the famous Strip as you backdrop, expect to spend ten thousand dollars. If you are planning to have a lot of guests, this won’t be the location for you. The observation deck can only accommodate groups of twelve. Other ceremony locations that are offered by the Paris hotel include weddings by their rooftop pool and in a 26th floor penthouse at their sister property, Bally’s Las Vegas. The packages that are offered by the hotel range from the traditional to more deluxe with some packages including suites, meals, show tickets, and spa services. Other services that are offered include live musicians and web broadcasting of the ceremony. Receptions can also be arranged at the Paris hotel. For an informal gathering, they have a lounge on the 31st floor that offers strip views. Their many restaurants are also a good option for a reception. The catering department can also help arrange something more formal and for something really private, the Bally’s penthouse can be rented for receptions as well . So if you are seeking something unique or elegant for your Las Vegas wedding, you will certainly want to give the Paris Hotel & Casino some serious consideration.

Ethnic wedding traditions

Members of the Navajo nation have been using corn to symbolize the marriage union. A pudding of white and yellow corn is presented at the wedding reception. The bride enters the reception with the basket of corn pudding and sits next to the groom. The corn ceremony includes the cleansing of the bride and groom's hands by each other, and the sharing of the corn pudding. Then the bride and groom feeds the corn pudding to each other. Mexico is a Roman Catholic country; therefore, weddings happen within a nuptial Mass. Godparents have a significant role in the wedding ceremony. The madrina de lazo carries a rope or a rosary symbolizing fertility. The rope is placed on the bride and groom’s head in a figure eight as they take their vows. The madrina de arras holds 13 coins (for Jesus and his 12 apostles) that are blessed by the priest and represent the sharing of finances between the couple. Some godparents may hold wine glasses for the wedding toast. During the nuptial Mass, the couple may kiss a cross to show faithfulness to each other and the God. Mariachi music is an essential part of Mexican wedding celebrations. Before the first dance, the guests enclose the couple in a heart-shaped ring. One Mexican wedding tradition that should excite any child attending the wedding is the ceremony piсata. Piсatas are part of Mexican wedding celebrations. Broom Jumping is one of the most popular African American traditions at weddings celebrations. According to Harriette Cole in her book, "Jumping the Broom." Our ancestors created the ritual itself during slavery. Because slaves were unable to perform legal marriages, they created their own wedding rituals to honor their unions. The jumping of the broom symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new. In other words, it is a symbol of a new beginning. In modern times, the ceremony is usually performed at the wedding after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the reception just after the bridal party enters the reception area. Be sure to explain your wedding tradition in your wedding program. Your ethnic traditions are better understood and enjoyed with proper explanation.

Violating boundaries assert yourself and take charge

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." – Benjamin Franklin Are you sick and tired of being treated like a doormat and having people walk all over you? If you answered yes, read on... It’s time you learn to assert yourself by respecting and honoring your personal and professional boundaries. It is important that you do so because if you can’t look out for yourself, nobody else will. We have all at one time or another experienced boundary violations from friends, relatives, or co-workers be it intentional or unintentional. Such encounters can become very uncomfortable and difficult to deal with, especially when dealing with people you know intimately. How can you stop the cycle of abuse and take control of your life? It starts with self-honoring and self-respect. Know yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses, know what you stand for and what you don’t stand for, know your boundaries. As the Greeks once said, “Know thyself and you will know the Gods and the universe.” Be aware of your physical, emotional, and social boundaries in the different areas of your life including personal, professional, family, and relationships. Take the time to honestly communicate with boundary violators letting them know in no uncertain terms that you don’t appreciate being treated in a certain way and will not tolerate it. Different circumstances will call for different ways of dealing with such issues depending on your work, your personality, and the situation. For example, Rebecca Rosenblat (aka Dr. Date) is a Toronto sex therapist who does the lecture circuit on sexual relationships and driving one’s lover wild in bed. As you can imagine, she is having her boundaries violated all the time. Many people assume, wrongly, that because she is a public figure and authority on sex that they have the right to make sexual innuendos and inappropriate remarks. If that weren’t bad enough, some deranged people think they actually have the right to have sex with her! One such person walked up to her after she finished delivering her seminar and bluntly stated, “I’d like to f*@#k you.” She laughed and quickly brushed him off by saying, “My seminar was about driving YOUR own lover wild in bed…not me…I have my own husband!” In her profession, Dr. Date finds humor and a sharp, quick wit to be most effective. One time, somebody had physically grabbed her tush. In response, she kneed him right in the crotch! This person wasn’t too bright and asked a stupid follow-up question, “Why did you do that for?” She responded with, “You touched my ass, I touched your crotch!” In Rebecca’s case, because of the nature of her profession, she chooses to respond to verbal abuse in a verbal way and physical abuse in a physical way. But violators beware! Not only is this type of behavior socially inappropriate, it’s just plain stupid; you can end up with a court order, a life-debilitating lawsuit, or some serious jail time. People who continually violate their friend’s boundaries need to back off and smarten up. It’s a recipe for disaster, ultimately ruining the relationship that has taken so long to build. We all have friends who love to give advice but seldom follow it themselves. Gone too far, they begin telling you what to do with your life. These people feel that because they are your friends, they have the right to tell you what to do and try to change you. And if you don’t change and do what they tell you, they take it personally. Friends who commit such relationship sins should wake up and smell the coffee. My message to them is, “Stop! Take a long look in the mirror and realize that the only person that can change is YOU! Stop trying to take out the speck of dust from your neighbor’s eye and remove the plank from your own!” Make a top ten list of how you may be violating other people’s boundaries and work towards eliminating these bad habits from your life. If you feel you are a victim of such ‘boundary hunters’, you need to sit down with such friends and explain to them honestly what you are feeling and how you want to be treated in such circumstances. You might start by saying something to the following effect: “I don’t like it when you keep telling me what I need to do with my life. Sometimes as a friend I just want to confide in you and feel supported. I’m not looking for advice, just some understanding and empathy.” Should this pattern of boundary crossing abuse continue unabated, then I would strongly advise that you exercise respect for yourself by ending the relationship and moving on. “But what if this person happens to be my boss?” you might ask. “Won’t it jeopardize my job and future opportunities for promotion?” My answer to this question is a direct one: regardless of whether it’s a family member, friend, co-worker, or even employer, if you don’t like the way you are being treated stand up for yourself and say so! Have the courage to confront whoever it is who is crossing your boundaries and exercise your right to be treated as a free and intelligent human being; even if this means terminating the relationship, leaving, or getting fired from your job. You don’t deserve to be continually mistreated in any situation. In fact, in many cases the person being confronted will have a new found respect for you when you show enough backbone and courage and stand up for who you are. As a case in point, Janick Leonard, now a professional Network Marketer, served as a waitress ten years ago for a trendy Mont-Tremblant restaurant. The owner had a big anger management problem and would constantly scream and publicly chew out his employees in public. One day he chewed her out for no apparent reason and started calling her names and verbally abusing her in front of clients. She quit her job right on the spot and left, setting an example to those who kept taking the abuse. “I couldn't handle being treating like that,” she writes. “He crossed my boundaries and I decided I would never let anyone treat me this way ever again.” It’s probably one of the best decisions she has ever made. After she quit, she wrote a letter to the owner expressing how she felt and letting him know that all the employees felt the same way, creating awkward tension and resentment whenever he was around the restaurant. The employees were pretending to like him while the truth was that everyone was talking behind his back, and Janick expressed this in her letter to the owner. As a result, this letter changed the way the owner treated his employees from then on. But that’s only half the story. Janick jubilantly writes, “After a couple of years, I sat with my ex-boss and we made peace. He hired me again for another of his restaurants and I worked for him and his partner for 3 years while I was studying fashion in college. Our relationship has been straightforward, authentic, and based on respect... It still is today.” If you honor and respect yourself, and treat others with the same dignity you would want to be treated with, your whole life will change for the better. From this day forward, promise to assert yourself, take a stand for your personal freedom, and never let anybody continue to cross your boundaries ever again!