woman's essence magazine march

2 Woman’s Essence Magazine,

Marching, Moving

Stronger Ahead

For obvious reasons I find the alphabet ‘M’ interesting. For one, my second name begins with it. Two, this month, March is that month before the great ‘Day’ so to say. First, we have recorded great successes since August 2011 when WE first pu-blished and more in January 2012 issue with amazing Author Dicey Grenor on Cover. Dicey WE still owe you many more thanks, *wink*. To take it a notch further, come April, WE will be creating important addi-tions to the magazine.

Under our ‘Women WE Love’ project, every month WE will promote one woman and her works through Inter-views, Reviews and News. The Wo-men WE Love project is part of our dream to give a medium of expression not just to the strong independent/business woman, the loving and devoted wife, the irreplaceable mo-ther, but women all over the world. You can submit interviews, articles and news of any professional woman and her works or you can choose to suggest her for an interview.

That said, WE bring you more interesting content in this March edi-tion. Fran Meadows made the cover. Mother and wife, Fran struggled for about six years with infertility before having her son Brendon through IVF. She shares with Woman’s Essence about that period of her life which led her into writing the book “The Truth Behind The Secret ‘INFERTILITY’”.

Other contents include Ionela Stoica writing about benefits of essential oils to the skin, Lisa Miller-Baldwin on why you should cultivate effective communication in your relationship and Trina Sims helping you plan your wedding by answering the question “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” Our question and answer columnist, Aun-ty Neenee again proffers workable solutions by answering reader’s ques-tions bordering on anger, grief and forgiveness.

For our Celebrity Style, WE look at Whitney Houston’s fashion in retrospect. An amazing diva, Whitney inspired many people and still does, in not just music but I must say fashion as well. As we approach spring, we suggest Beauty Tips, Jewelries, and Fashion Trends appropriate for this season.

WE want you to join us and look forward to April; ask people to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter; download the magazine from issuu.com and have a fabulous reading experience.

WE Always Love You!

Edito r’s note

Ojay MilahEditor-in-chief

Your comments, letters and Suggestions are most welcome.

Write [email protected]

www.womans-essence.com

Editor-in-chiEfojay Milah

PublishErAdryana nicoleta

contributing writErsJohneen Jonestiffany Jasper

dawniel Patterson - winningham billy baker

Emoke szijartolouella t chapman

Ed fryereena Mariel

Michelle natalie Michaelisionela stoica

lisa Miller-baldwintrina sims

Annie o’neillJade l dean

tabitha M burneyuumesh choriseya

contributing wEbsitEswww.budgetsmartgirl.com

dEsigngrafx Passion

www.grafxpassion.co.cc

[email protected]

PhotogrAPhywww.nthemoment.comwww.gettyimages.com

woman’s Essence Magazinewww.womans-essence.com

[email protected]

find us on facebook!www.facebook.com/womans.essence

CONTENTS

16 the cover storySpecial Pink Edition - Breast Cancer AwernessAnastacia - Surviving Breast Cancer“I’m a singer who touches millions of people and my words and my knowledge of what I’m learning from cancer can help millions....”

8 special featureLife Motivation - “The persuit of a better life”

“Live your life to the fullest despite any hardships that you will face in life, and it will all be worth it one day.”

29 relationshipsImportance of friendship in marriageIf your spouse is your best friend it will mean an ultimate relationship, and you will have not have to look outside the relationship to discuss any matter to arrive at a fair solution.

home & garden24 Red Bedrooms

travel & destinations26 World’s Prettiest Botanic Gardens

women’s issues28 A Healthy Daily Routine Keeps You Stress Free

relationships29 Find True Love - How To Know For Sure That He’s The One Importance Of Friendship In Marriage

weddings30 Permision To Dream31 Those Pretty Little Things

Marriage / divorce32 How To Save Marriage After Husband’s Affair

Parenting33 The Single Moms Weekend Trip Guide

career Management6 Work From Home Ideas For Women

Education7 Understanding More About Child Psychology

special feature8 The Persuit Of A Better Life

culture & Art4 Women In Hispanic Culture5 Dating Latin Women

fashion trends & beauty10 Color Blocking With Pink11 ... At Your Finger Tips

celebrity style12 Styling The Kardashian Way

Jewelry15 3 Easy But Helpful Tips To Maintain Your Beloved Silver Jewelry

cover story - special Pink Edition16 Anastacia - Surviving Breast Cancer

health & fitness22 Have Nutritious & Delicious Foods To On Your List To Improve Your Memory

cuisine23 Buffalo Chicken-on-a-stick Pepperoni Pizza Burgers

7 14-15

follow wEmag on twitter!www.twitter.com/womansEssence

Woman’s Essence Magazine 3,

Marching, Moving

Stronger Ahead

For obvious reasons I find the alphabet ‘M’ interesting. For one, my second name begins with it. Two, this month, March is that month before the great ‘Day’ so to say. First, we have recorded great successes since August 2011 when WE first pu-blished and more in January 2012 issue with amazing Author Dicey Grenor on Cover. Dicey WE still owe you many more thanks, *wink*. To take it a notch further, come April, WE will be creating important addi-tions to the magazine.

Under our ‘Women WE Love’ project, every month WE will promote one woman and her works through Inter-views, Reviews and News. The Wo-men WE Love project is part of our dream to give a medium of expression not just to the strong independent/business woman, the loving and devoted wife, the irreplaceable mo-ther, but women all over the world. You can submit interviews, articles and news of any professional woman and her works or you can choose to suggest her for an interview.

That said, WE bring you more interesting content in this March edi-tion. Fran Meadows made the cover. Mother and wife, Fran struggled for about six years with infertility before having her son Brendon through IVF. She shares with Woman’s Essence about that period of her life which led her into writing the book “The Truth Behind The Secret ‘INFERTILITY’”.

Other contents include Ionela Stoica writing about benefits of essential oils to the skin, Lisa Miller-Baldwin on why you should cultivate effective communication in your relationship and Trina Sims helping you plan your wedding by answering the question “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” Our question and answer columnist, Aun-ty Neenee again proffers workable solutions by answering reader’s ques-tions bordering on anger, grief and forgiveness.

For our Celebrity Style, WE look at Whitney Houston’s fashion in retrospect. An amazing diva, Whitney inspired many people and still does, in not just music but I must say fashion as well. As we approach spring, we suggest Beauty Tips, Jewelries, and Fashion Trends appropriate for this season.

WE want you to join us and look forward to April; ask people to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter; download the magazine from issuu.com and have a fabulous reading experience.

WE Always Love You!

Edito r’s note

Ojay MilahEditor-in-chief

Your comments, letters and Suggestions are most welcome.

Write [email protected]

www.womans-essence.com

Editor-in-chiEfojay Milah

PublishErAdryana nicoleta

contributing writErsJohneen Jonestiffany Jasper

dawniel Patterson - winningham billy baker

Emoke szijartolouella t chapman

Ed fryereena Mariel

Michelle natalie Michaelisionela stoica

lisa Miller-baldwintrina sims

Annie o’neillJade l dean

tabitha M burneyuumesh choriseya

contributing wEbsitEswww.budgetsmartgirl.com

dEsigngrafx Passion

www.grafxpassion.co.cc

[email protected]

PhotogrAPhywww.nthemoment.comwww.gettyimages.com

woman’s Essence Magazinewww.womans-essence.com

[email protected]

find us on facebook!www.facebook.com/womans.essence

CONTENTS

16 the cover storySpecial Pink Edition - Breast Cancer AwernessAnastacia - Surviving Breast Cancer“I’m a singer who touches millions of people and my words and my knowledge of what I’m learning from cancer can help millions....”

8 special featureLife Motivation - “The persuit of a better life”

“Live your life to the fullest despite any hardships that you will face in life, and it will all be worth it one day.”

29 relationshipsImportance of friendship in marriageIf your spouse is your best friend it will mean an ultimate relationship, and you will have not have to look outside the relationship to discuss any matter to arrive at a fair solution.

home & garden24 Red Bedrooms

travel & destinations26 World’s Prettiest Botanic Gardens

women’s issues28 A Healthy Daily Routine Keeps You Stress Free

relationships29 Find True Love - How To Know For Sure That He’s The One Importance Of Friendship In Marriage

weddings30 Permision To Dream31 Those Pretty Little Things

Marriage / divorce32 How To Save Marriage After Husband’s Affair

Parenting33 The Single Moms Weekend Trip Guide

career Management6 Work From Home Ideas For Women

Education7 Understanding More About Child Psychology

special feature8 The Persuit Of A Better Life

culture & Art4 Women In Hispanic Culture5 Dating Latin Women

fashion trends & beauty10 Color Blocking With Pink11 ... At Your Finger Tips

celebrity style12 Styling The Kardashian Way

Jewelry15 3 Easy But Helpful Tips To Maintain Your Beloved Silver Jewelry

cover story - special Pink Edition16 Anastacia - Surviving Breast Cancer

health & fitness22 Have Nutritious & Delicious Foods To On Your List To Improve Your Memory

cuisine23 Buffalo Chicken-on-a-stick Pepperoni Pizza Burgers

7 14-15

follow wEmag on twitter!www.twitter.com/womansEssence


contEnts

weddings40 Whose Wedding

Is It Anyway

Marriage/divorce

Parenting

42 Dating after DivorceThe First Steps

44 Knowing The Right Age to Allow Your

Child Some Choices

cuisine49 Fish Taco in Pumpkin Seed Chipotle Saucewith Pan-Fried Avocado

home & garden decor

travel & destinations

50 How to Purchase a Persian Rug

52 For an Easy Vacation inDisney

health & fitness36 Essential Oils

for Skin

the cover story27 Interview with Fran Meadows“How I Struggled with Infertility, for a Baby to Call Mine”

relationships38 Cultivating Effective

Communicationin Your Relationship

let’s Ask Aunty neenee8 “How do I forgive the person that molested my child?”

career Management10 Top Sales Career for Women

Education12 Educating Women in Network Marketing

culture & Art 14 Culture Wars:Between Lovers

fashion trends18 Spring 2012 FashionTrend Report

celebrity style24 Whitney Houston’sFashion in Retrospect

Jewelry fashion22 What’s New forJewelry this Season

beauty tips20 Refreshing Nail Trends

26 the cover storyInterview with Fran Meadows: “How I Struggled with Infertility, for a Baby to Call Mine”“The emotional pain was almost too much to bear. The strength of my husband encouraged us to get back on the horse (so to speak), and continue our battle to get pregnant. In the end, our dreams did come true.”

40 weddingsWhose Wedding Is It Anyway?Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? After the most beautiful, roman-tic, unexpected proposal, do you find yourself asking this ques-tion over and over again? This is the real question as you begin

planning for one of the most important events in your life.

44 ParentingKnowing The Right Age to Allow Your Child Some Choices Dressing your child is something that many parents will enjoy doing, usually mothers more than fathers, but this is occasion-dependent. Some people have strong views on children dressing themselves and in today’s world this can cause quite a stir.

24 celebrity styleWhitney Houston’s Fashion in RetrospectMost of Whitney’s fashion statements have al-ways been defined by her time. Prominent was her love for flowers, and curls and shimmeringdresses which she stuck to even into maturity.


Q What can I do with this relentless anger I seem unable to let go of inside?” I was hurt by my ex-boy friend, both mentally, and physically. I’m out of the relationship, but this anger is lingering! I want to move on, but I just can’t seem to let go of what he put me through!

Signed, Pam S. of Concord CA

Dear Pam,

Glad you got out of the relationship physically, many of us find it hard to leave these distorted relationships, and stay way too long! It’s time to get out emotiona-lly. One thing I had to learn about anger is that it is a choice. We actually choose how we respond to what goes on around us, or happens to us. You have to choose to let the past go. Forgive him, and forgive yourself. The abuser is wrong, no question. However, I found that I was really angry with myself for having allowed myself to go through the abuse I went through, especially after having witnessed my parents fight for 18 years! I had vowed I would never let anyone treat me that way. This actually developed a twisted idea of what love was for me, (Battered Women’s Syndrome) and I would actually set a lot of the abusive situations up to happen myself! This took years of counseling to turn around. You can do this! Pray, yell (into a pillow), do a cleansing cry and “tribal scream”!

Q&ALet’s ask Aunty Neenee, helps you find the answer to your dillemas

Hello everyone, Aunty Neenee is here! This month, we have questions dealing with anger, grief, and forgiveness. This is not surprising given the recent passing of another icon, Ms. Whitney Houston, which was devastatingly shocking for many of us. R.I.P. Whitney, you will be sorely missed.

Let it out, and then let it go. You can even write all of those feelings out as a list, or in a letter to yourself acknowledging how you won’t repeat the steps that landed you here. Seal it and stash it for future reference, or burn it and bury it. Don’t dig it back up! Welcome to your new life of freedom. If you feel yourself going too far with this anger thing, and you may harm yourself, or someone else, don’t be afraid to seek profe-ssional help. There’s no shame in doing what you need to, to be whole again. My prayers are with you.

Best wishesPeace and Blessings,

Aunty Neenee

“ ”How do I forgive the person

that molested my child?How do I forgive the person

that molested my child?


Q How do I forgive the person that molested my child?” “It happened years ago, but my child just told me about it, so it’s really too late to find the person to have them prosecuted. I don’t even know that this person is still alive, or where they could be! My child who is an adult now has found a way to cope obviously, but I feel if I could find them, I would have someone do to them what they did to my child! I need to find a way to forgive this person, and be there for my child without wanting revenge every time I think about it.

Signed, Tamala Q. of Elk Grove CA.

Q Still grieving the loss of both of my aged parents, three of my oldest friends, and now I’ve learned another close friend has been given weeks to live. I’m in my 60’s and I know God, but I am just grief stricken and can’t seem to stop crying. My kids are worried about me, but I just can’t figure out how to pull it together again.

Signed, Eve M. of S.F. CA

Eve,

Since you have a relationship with God, you know the word says, “Absent from the body is present with the Lord.”(II Cor. 5:8). Rest in that my sister. It has been my experience that every time someone close to us passes on; we are forced to think about our own mortality. If we don’t have an understanding, or faith in what will become of us after this soul journey, we become te-rrified, and the tears are in response to that fear. Examine your faith. Study the Word, seek truth from the Father and those tears will be of joy. Everyone fears the unknown. However, those of us that believe that these bodies must go back to the earth and our spirits return to the creator, rest and rejoice in the home going of our loved ones and the faith that we will join them in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.

I don’t know what your faith is, but mine is in a God that sees all. The Bible says, (Romans 12:19) “Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath ‘of God’ for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recom-pense, saith ...” You can read the rest for yourself. I can say this is a situation near my heart, and I know your pain, and anguish, and understand this is a difficult situation to forgive. It really helped me deal with a similar situation when I heard a wise person say that forgiveness isn’t about, or for the benefit of the person that has wronged us or our

loved ones; it’s for us! Sometimes we feel that if we forgive, somehow we are saying what they’ve done is OK, or they are then off the hook for what they’ve done! That is not the case. You will be off the hook! No longer a slave to the hate you feel for that person, wasting time and energy plotting how to “GET’UM” for what they’ve done; you’ll be free to put all of your energy, and love into your adult child, family, and yourself. Allow the love of God to help you. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Aunty Neenee

Need some advice? You can have your dilemma solved

by our advice columnist Aunty Neenee, email [email protected]

Every month your question and answer will be in Woman’s Essence magazine

Remember, we are spiritual beings having a natural expe-rience here on earth, not the reverse. Yes we grieve our loved ones because we will miss them, but we of faith pray that they’ve gone to the Father and let time heal all wounds. You are in my prayers.

My dear Tamala,


Why a sales job? There is a sales department in almost all companies that have something to sell. So, finding a sales job is not that difficult. But as always there are some sales jobs in some particular industries that offer better opportunities to rise in career and pay packages. A career in sales can be highly competitive with high end targets to be met regularly. In spite of all the tough things that this job seems to demand, it is in demand for the rewards potentially available. Every success in this field is remunerated with some sort of increase in the overall salary package. A sales job also gives you a better opportunity to grow in posts. A good record in your first job would fetch you greater res-ponsibilities and better posts over a relatively short time. This is one of the very attractive features that a sales job holds for an individual.

What it takes to do well in a sales job. A sales job involves lots of hard work that very few of us can meet. It also needs some specific helpful characteristics. One of the characters that sales executives irrespective of gender need is honesty. They say it is the best way you can convince an individual when it comes to selling.

Another important quality is 'street smarts'. Many executives feel that you have to have a good presence of mind and smartness that would help you in getting into the mind frame of the customer. This can be effective as the customer would get a feeling of empathy from you and give you a better chance to present your case. Persona-lity too has gained a position in the 'must haves' for a sales executive. Good looks have been given lowest priority for a sales executive. Top sales jobs today! When it comes to top sales jobs, then you have specific industries that are doing a world of good for the sales executive. The medical field seems to be doing a roaring business

and many a sales executive queues for a long time to gain a position in this and related industries. The list of top sales jobs starts with pharmaceutical companies.

Another industry that is growing at an unparalleled pace is the biotech industry and its sales positions are recognized as one of the most desirable posts for people with the right qualifications and sales and marketing skills.

Other medicine related sales jobs that are in demand are the healthcare, dental and medical sales areas. They have been extraordi-nary growth and don't seem to be slowing.

Insurance sales jobs are also considered a lucrative role based on promotion and opportunity. Advertising has always been a popular area for sales executive but is said to be a little stressful compared to other sales areas.

Last but not least, real estate can be financially rewarding if you're focused and is especially lucrative in boom periods. If you re-search some of these areas or others that haven't been mentioned above, be sure to consider stress factors and the reputation of the company. Many firms lacking integrity are known to burn people up and spit them out with little regard and accordingly have a high attri-tion level.

Research your prospective employer thoroughly for a long, satisfying career where lifestyle is also available. The better you feel about yourself, the better the contribution to your employer - as the saying goes.

Top Sales Careerfor Women

by Billy Baker

I f you are a woman and looking for a career in sales then you’re not alone. Over the last couple of decades, lots of women have ventured into what was once men’s work. In fact, a recent survey by the sales sector has revealed that

women have seemingly performed better than men when it comes to sales. This is highly controversial. Therefore, let’s have a look into why a sales career is being so lucrative for women of late.

Career Management


Educating WomenEducating WomenEducating Womenin Network Marketing

byEmoke Szijarto

During my research I was not able to find statistics that agree on the exact number in the USA, however they all agree on putting the percentage high, between 45-64%. Poverty is strongly linked to education and scholastic achievement of chil-dren.

During the past year we have experienced one of the biggest economic downturn since 1929. The current economic si-tuation causes poverty to rise and in turn makes education and jobs even more inaccessible than before. Traditional education was always pricey and not necessarily accessible for everyone equally. However there were grants, student loans, and other help for women and children who wanted to pursue education.

Also in the past some companies even supported their employ-ees in getting higher education for which the company paid for. As the economic situation worsens grants are few and far be-tween as other government supported help, student loans carry high interest, and companies who used to be able to pay for their employees education are either shutting down or barely surviving.

As the world turns, so to speak, we are pushed more and more to provide employment for ourselves. Women are especially prone to unemployment especially when they have children and they are the sole provider for their families, as they require more time off and will miss work more often. The solution that I am going to point out is only one of many; it does not neces-sarily fit everyone or solve every problem on the same level. However, it can be a place to start out from.

To compare small traditional businesses and network market-ing, network marketing can be done from home, on the inter-net and does not require tons of complicated paperwork, busi-ness licenses, and separate tax licenses and so on. Traditional small businesses can cost a lot of money, time and effort to set up, and unfortunately the failure rate is high. While in network marketing with effort, diligence and great mentoring provided, women can succeed relatively fast.

Generally speaking, having a network marketing business can result in tons of great tax advantages as well. Part of your mort-gage or rent, electricity, heat, products and services that are related to your business and many more will become a tax she-lter and will put money back into your pocket.

Network Marketing companies offer education on their pro-ducts as well as training on self development, leadership and other business related issues. There are individual teams as well and some of them offer access to online marketing trainings that will provide the real education in marketing.

Online courses are extremely convenient. There are other advantages for online courses like study at home, eliminates traveling, classrooms, flexible, and many more. Online educa-tion programs can replace in part traditional education and can provide knowledge that women can apply in other parts of their lives as well.

However, it is important to note that when there is a possibi-lity or when the opportunity arises for traditional education it should not be over looked. Traditional education has its posi-tive sides and they should not be totally eliminated, overlooked, or ignored.

The true reason for this article is to help women realize that they have other options beside traditional education that is more accessible, affordable, and can change their lives in so many ways.

Over the years I have studied the situation of women in North

America and it is sad to see so many of them li-ving in poverty. Unfortuna-tely, like everything else, poverty snow-balls and given to the children of these wo-men to inherit. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, in Canada one in seven women live in po-verty and in turn there are more than one million children living in poverty. This number is even more worrisome in the United States of America.

Education


Culture Wars: Between Lovers

“Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try No hell below us, above us only sky Imagine all the people, living life in peace... Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too Imagine all the people, living life in peace...” “Imagine” by John Lennon

The lyrics of John Lennon's "Imagine" offer a vision of a society in which personal differences no longer ma-tter. As a woman in a racially-diverse marriage, I am both skeptical and hopeful. How soon before such a society blossoms? We're still all basically clannish (whether we are aware of it or not) and evolution happens very slowly.

Most of us, no matter how enlightened and bias-free we try to be, still have traditions, biases and prejudice that can creep up on us despite our best intentions. And although southern California is supposed to be one of the success-ful melting pots/salad bowls in the great social experiment, I have discovered that being in an obviously cross-cultural marriage still provokes unconscious reactions.

For example, in restaurants I often got those quick “looks” before eyes are politely averted. Although the stares may not be meant to judge, but merely a reaction to a visual stimulus that presents with stark contrasts, they convey a meaning of “You stand out because you don’t belong with him”.

As an Asian-looking woman, if I’m aware of this, how much more so for African-Americans with an Anglo spouse or lover? Black-white matches are still the most stigmatized because of the history of slavery and racism.

Every committed couple must negotiate differences of background and upbringing. Mixed matches have an extra layer of difference that relationships with similar backgrounds don’t necessarily have. We usually interpret behaviors through our own cultural lenses.

The motives of people for getting into mixed matches are no different from anyone else’s. This includes that intangible magic called chemistry. For us, sometimes our differences (physical, cultural) add an exotic appeal to our chemistry, but isn’t that wonderful desirability the same for everyone? We all go through the spell of infatu-ation or honeymoon.

byLouella T Chapman

Culture & Art


There is no escape. Parents, especially mothers, go through a psychological rebirth after they have children. Most become more conservative again even if just a bit. This is part of the protective instinct. As the children grow up, instilling some sort of cultural identity becomes an issue. How do you raise a bicultural child?

Will he be confused? Start with naming the child! Charles or Carlos? If he’s a boy, does he get circumcised? Does he go to an ethnically-diverse school? “Why should I pay for him to go to Japanese school every weekend when I won’t even be able to converse with him in that lan-guage?” Where’s John Lennon when you need him?

Ultimately, the self-esteem of each individual is essential in constructively negotiating differences. Ethnic pride is a big component of self-esteem. For members of a group who have been historically oppressed by another group, ancestors do not necessarily forget past sins.

For me the journey is exciting and creative, and this gives me hope. All those “stares” strengthened me to stand up to difference, and to find loving ways to let Utopia begin under my own roof with my husband and son. If you are in a mixed match, you have a lot more to offer all of us than the tiny fraction I’ve identified here. If you would like to explore ways to live harmoniously with your “quite-different” partner, I’m here to listen.

To finish John Lennon’s song:

“Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of men

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world...

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one

I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one”.


“As we get set to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring, WE think it’s appropriate to go in prepared. So this month, our

Fashion and Beauty categories Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, and

Jewelry, focus on this season. ”

Fashion &

Beauty


THE COLORS: WHITE AND LIGHT

Although the white snow is disappearing, don't say goodbye to the color just yet. Where floral prints usually dominate, the color white is prevalent on runways. This trend can actually lessen your visual weight and give you a sense of clean, sophisticated look. So if you are aiming for that kind of image the color white all over your ensemble will be your best friend for the season.

If you are not into white, then go for other light shades of color. Winter is all about the sparkle of the Holidays or the glisten of the white snow. As these melt away, give your eyes (and others!) a rest with soothing pastels. This actually adds the visual softness and fragility to your image.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 2 Fas h i o n T r e n d R e p o rt

As the snow melts away, it’s time to know how to greet spring through fashion! Below are the trends emerging on the runways that you will want to try for the spring season!

THE COMMON DENOMINATOR: THE KNEE-LENGTH SKIRT

This skirt type has been showcased in many runway shows for Spring 2012. Try them on in different co-lors, textures and styles. Your legs have enjoyed the benefits of being covered all winter. Time to raise your skirt's length above the knee! Not only is this liberating for your femme fatales, but it also adds a touch of demure sophistication for your part. This is great for girls who are not big at flashing their flesh all the time.

THE PRINTS: FLORAL OR STRIPES

Just when we thought we can es-cape the usual expectations of having flowers in spring, this trend has dominated the runway as well, either in full blast or in just touches. This is great for adding a little spice and fun in your image for your man. For the non-floral loving femmes, well there is ano-ther trend that you may find in-teresting. It's the hint of stripe.

This can actually be used to draw your man’s attention to your assets. This is also great for the ladies that are in love with their black colors. Try and add a pop of color through wearing stripes.

THE SHOES: ANKLE STRAPPED HEELS

Stow your winter boots away ladies. It is not time for you to allow your feet breathe and accentuate your calves with the spring 2012 trend of ankle strapped heels. Ankle strap heels are great for those who are confident about their calves. It also adds a sense of "easy style" in your part. It is also good to note that the height of the heels has gone down. So give yourself some rest from the torturous stilettos.

So here are the trends for you to try. The question is what do you think about it?

byEd Frye

Fashion Trends


Refreshing Nail Trends

Monotone Print Manicures

Monochrome print manicures give off a sub-tle yet elegant appearance on your nails. The key element in doing this kind of nail art is to just stick to one color and then create various designs with it. If you are already adept at cre-ating beautiful patterns with your dotting tool and nail art brushes, you can definitely do so. However, for beginners, you can opt for stick on patterns that you can place on your nails. The beauty of this type of manicure is that the design options are endless. If you want to stick to colors, go for soft pinkish nudes and peaches. Remember to top it all off with a top coat to make everything shine.

byReena Mariel

T ime flies so fast and we are now anticipating the coming of the spring season. The runways of Spring and Summer 2012 have us wishing for winter to end sooner. For nails, it’s all about delicate patterns and fun twists

to old and classic designs. Here is a little preview of this spring’s nail trends.


Reverse French Manicures

This nail design became popular during the 30's and 40's and now it's back in full swing. The re-verse French manicure or half moon manicure may look intimidating, but they are quite simple to do. All you have to do is apply a base color first and then allow it to dry completely. Next, grab a paper reinforcement sticker and place it at the base of your nail (make adjustments if you want a thicker or thinner half moon shape). If the adhesive side is too sticky, try to remove the excess glue by pa-tting it on your skin first. After placing the sticker, apply the next color. Remove the sticker and allow to dry. Seal everything with a good top coat.

Chartreuse Nails

Chartreuse is a color that is really interesting. It's a greenish yellow (or yellowish green, depending on how you see the color) hue that is definitely described as a perfect spring/summer color since it gives off a warm vibe. Depending on the finish of the polish, this color can vary depending on how the light hits it.

Two Toned Colors

If you are into bold and vivid colors, then this retro-ish nail design is made for you. Two toned colors are really simple to do. Replace your regu-lar French nail colors with bold and contrasting shades such as blue and orange, purple and ye-llow and so on. You will definitely have pretty nails when you go hangout with your friends.

Ombre Manicures

The ombre trend has taken the nail world by storm and many people are now enjoying the gradient effect on their nails. This is done using a really simple procedure. First, apply a base color on your nail. Next, use a makeup sponge and dip it on a shade that is lighter or darker (depending on your preference). Stipple it from the mid section of the nail towards the tip.For the next step, you can either use the same shade again or opt for a darker color. Stipple it at the edge of the nail to create a gradient effect. For glamorous nails, you can apply a coat of glitter polish at the tips. Seal it with top coat and you're all set.

These trends will definitely make you long for the warmer seasons. Better stock up on bright and bubbly shades and you will be in for a smooth sailing spring time.

Beauty Tips


What's New for Jewelry this Season

byMichelle Natalie Michaelis

Jewelry


Now that winter is (almost) over, what is there to look for-ward to in the world of Jewelry? What's trending? What's unusual? Let us gaze

into our trusty crystal ball and try and predict what's coming up

in the future.

Spring is traditionally the time of new beginnings, when all around us the world of Nature is bringing

forth new growth, and the days are getting longer. Therefore it seems only natural that pastels are big this year. Think ice cream shades or cup cakes. Feminine shades in subtle hues dominate the catwalk, and the look is emphasized by wearing layered chains with delicate details.

Feathered necklaces and flowers are key, and the 1950's going to be a major trend as well. Petals, buds and full floral arrangements will be seen in rings, silver necklaces, bracelets, and brooches, no matter which type of material it is made from. From diamond encrusted petals to simple flo-wers made from recycled materials, natural themes remain strong.

Expect jewelry to echo the clean, precise nature of tailoring, with moder-nistic pieces in geometric shapes. Expect jewelry to echo the oceanographic theme in stones such as sapphire, lapis, tourmaline, emerald, malachite and jade, with conch, starfish, and sea-horse motifs for necklaces and ea-rrings, and real shells to be used by the ethnic and tribal specialists.Also on-trend will be the colour blue. Jewelry to dress-up dresses will be as diverse as the silhouettes, hemlines and inspirations. Expect a return of pearls - a "flapper" essential - together with ladylike

beads, and full-on. The 1920's influence carries on, especially with the popularity of films and shows like "The Artist" and "Boardwalk Empire." Therefore pearls are a key look here.

As ever, vintage and antique pieces continue to inspire. There is a big mar-ket for genuine antique jewelry, and at the budget end of the scale it acts as inspiration for retro and replica items. What about rings? No matter whether fake or genuine the more one can place on your fingers the better, in order to achieve that "eye-catching style."

Clusters of different materials such as crystals, pearls, gold charms, natural stones, wired beads and even novelty pieces (like a scorpion, or a humming bird-anything of a known item or figure) are popular. 2012 is going to be a big year for hair jewelry.. From brooches, tiaras to barrettes and hair pins hair jewelry is so in fashion this year that you just grab a piece or two.

This bridal type of trend has been present in runway and red carpet events and it is slowly translating into the streets. Small flower brooches as well and large and funky hair accessories started coming out in 2011 but now

we'll see it as hot for 2012. The popularity of fascinators as worn by Royalty adds to the attraction.

So there you have it. A look at what's likely to be popular this Spring. There are many websites displaying a large supply of unusual jewelry and the latest lines by the best retailers, at reasonable prices to match any budget. So go shopping!


T he trend in 3D cinema viewing has been made fashionable by Kine and Einy Paulsen. The Paulsen sisters who started Ingri:Dahl almost a year ago in college spoke with WOMAN’S ESSENCE about their company’s 3D

glass range that’s bringing style into traditional 3D viewing

the best online fashion store

Bringing Style into 3D Viewing

IngriDahl

Before 1983 when Clive Davis heard Whitney Houston sing and later signed her to Arista Records, she was always

known to wear the 80s hairdo of big and curly. Most of her fashion statements have always been defined by her time. Prominent was her love for flowers, and curls and shimmering dresses which she stuck to even into maturity.

Her early fashion days began with the 80s look of funky colors and bold looks. Same time most

of her outfit were bold shouldered and mens-wear-inspired. As Hous- ton matured into life, she will later develop a fondness for a more refined style that flattered her petite body frame.

Houston’s favored style in the early days

of her career was pretty pastels which always complemented her gold-en skin tone. This she was always known to accessorize with a 80s style of chunky earring statements.

Shapes, shimmering and embroidered dresses aside, you can easily tell

white was Houston’s all time fa-vorite co-lor. Whe-ther it was an ensemble from top to toe, a wrap gown or maxi dress, strap-less mini dress, Houston was known for her signature all-white style.

Style conscious and in touch with

her time, Houston

began with the 80s big hairdo. She was not found many times on locks but had lots of classic curls that were known to most times drop on her shoulders. Oh yes, curls where short or long, were her favorite hairstyle.

The singing sensation wowed many in her hairdos whe-ther flipped and tucked, short bobbed, curly, Afro, jagged

layered with bangs or chin-length with tons of volume and glossy, textured pieces as she metamorphosed from teen model to award-winning diva.

Lots of female singers and young ladies have been inspired by Houston. Those who couldn’t make it to a record studio

have been content to stand in front of the mirror, hairstyle like Houston and with a hair brush in hand singing one of their fa-vorite Whitney Houston songs.

It is a fact since February 11 2012 that Whitney Hous-ton is dead but her influence in both singing and fashion

will continue to inspire a lot of people; maybe from genera-

tions to come.Whitney Houston’s Fashion in Retrospect

Celebrity Style


byOjay Milah

“How I Struggled with Infertility, for a Baby to Call Mine”

M y S e c r e t t o Fa m i l y a n d Wr i t i n g

“My husband and I only wanted what many couples do – a child. For years we attempted to get pregnant naturally with dishearte-ning results. Reluctantly we sought out help through fertility doc-tors and continued to push to add a child to our family. Disappointment after disappointment led us to almost give up, yet we kept up the fight.”

“Our first pregnancy ended in a still birth that totally shattered our spirits. The emotional pain was almost too much to bear. The strength of my husband encouraged us to get back on the horse (so to speak), and continue our battle to get pregnant. In the end, our dreams did come true.”

Interview with

Fran Meadows

InTErvIEw


byIonela I Stoica

Jill Eikenberry surviving cancer and marriagesurviving cancer and marriage

Cancer Awareness Events All Over the World


Q

Tell us in brief your story?

My husband and I were married at 26 yrs old with hopes like most couples to start a family right away. We began trying

naturally and by 29 we thought that there might be something wrong which led us to

begin seeing an infertility specialist.

By 29 when you began seeing a specialist, how

long did you struggle for your son?

About 6 years. Had failed cycles and I experienced a still birth prior to

having my son and then my son was born just shy of my 35th birthday.

How did you feel at your first preg-

nancy and later when the baby you had waited

years to have died still birth; what did it do to

you?

When we first became pregnant we were on cloud nine but extremely nervous as

it took us so long to get there. We were all emotional with the news. I went to

my 25th week of pregnancy before finding out at a regular Doctor’s visit that I lost my

child. At the instance of this news, I went

Q

Q

n this heartfelt interview, one that is sure to resonate with the deep love of every mother and the need of a newlywed bride,

Fran Meadows tells WOMAN’S ESSENCE about the struggle to birth a child her and her husband could call theirs.

I

Q

into a deep dark hole. It was a very dark time for me. I lost contact with society for a short time. My husband tried to hide his emotions to help me heal but showed his pain differently.

What did you feel when you decided to try again?

About a month after our loss, we were terrified of anything happening if we decided to try again. But then if we had sat around and waited without trying we would have never known our chances to conceive again.

What ways did you handle the pressure from society to conceive

and have a child?

It was tough having to deal with the daily co-mments of family and friends who were always ask-ing, “When are you going to start a family?” Some-times people don’t realize what is going on in your life and that personal questions and co-mments can hurt. I’d grin and bear it, then go home and cry.

In the face of societal pre-ssure and the still birth

experience, what gave you hope?

We kept fighting because ha-ving a child was something we’d always wanted. Supporting each other, and sticking together as a couple helped make it better. We had hope and believed. I also saw a therapist once a week throughout my journey and she helped me stay grounded and moved forward. I was never judged and could al-ways show whatever crazy emotions I experienced on any given day.

Q

Q

Can you narrate the experience and emotions you felt when you

first held your baby in your arms?

Unbelievable, surreal; it was like did this really happen; is he really our baby? Unfortunately he was brought to the NICU unit for some breathing problems when he was born so I did not get to hold him until late in the evening. It was like nothing you can ever describe; beautiful. I was emotional and amazed that my son was in my arms. The mother and father glow shined so bright.

Q

Q


byIonela I Stoica

Jill Eikenberry surviving cancer and marriagesurviving cancer and marriage



Q

Tell us in brief your story?

My husband and I were married at 26 yrs old with hopes like most couples to start a family right away. We began trying

naturally and by 29 we thought that there might be something wrong which led us to

begin seeing an infertility specialist.

By 29 when you began seeing a specialist, how

long did you struggle for your son?

About 6 years. Had failed cycles and I experienced a still birth prior to

having my son and then my son was born just shy of my 35th birthday.

How did you feel at your first preg-

nancy and later when the baby you had waited

years to have died still birth; what did it do to

you?

When we first became pregnant we were on cloud nine but extremely nervous as

it took us so long to get there. We were all emotional with the news. I went to

my 25th week of pregnancy before finding out at a regular Doctor’s visit that I lost my

child. At the instance of this news, I went

Q

Q

n this heartfelt interview, one that is sure to resonate with the deep love of every mother and the need of a newlywed bride,

Fran Meadows tells WOMAN’S ESSENCE about the struggle to birth a child her and her husband could call theirs.

I

Q

into a deep dark hole. It was a very dark time for me. I lost contact with society for a short time. My husband tried to hide his emotions to help me heal but showed his pain differently.

What did you feel when you decided to try again?

About a month after our loss, we were terrified of anything happening if we decided to try again. But then if we had sat around and waited without trying we would have never known our chances to conceive again.

What ways did you handle the pressure from society to conceive

and have a child?

It was tough having to deal with the daily co-mments of family and friends who were always ask-ing, “When are you going to start a family?” Some-times people don’t realize what is going on in your life and that personal questions and co-mments can hurt. I’d grin and bear it, then go home and cry.

In the face of societal pre-ssure and the still birth

experience, what gave you hope?

We kept fighting because ha-ving a child was something we’d always wanted. Supporting each other, and sticking together as a couple helped make it better. We had hope and believed. I also saw a therapist once a week throughout my journey and she helped me stay grounded and moved forward. I was never judged and could al-ways show whatever crazy emotions I experienced on any given day.

Q

Q

Can you narrate the experience and emotions you felt when you

first held your baby in your arms?

Unbelievable, surreal; it was like did this really happen; is he really our baby? Unfortunately he was brought to the NICU unit for some breathing problems when he was born so I did not get to hold him until late in the evening. It was like nothing you can ever describe; beautiful. I was emotional and amazed that my son was in my arms. The mother and father glow shined so bright.

Q

Q


Do you still dream of getting preg-nant the natural way?

I always wished and hoped that it would happen naturally but if this is how we were meant to get pregnant then that is okay with me. I have no re-grets of what we did to get pregnant. Yes it was a struggle but our journey ended happy. We are happy with our son; we are a family.

Haven passed through IVF, what can you advice those with bias towards it?

I have heard many say, “You are messing with na-ture.” I say if you’re a loving couple and you want to have a family through IVF, go for it. IVF is an op-tion for those that cannot get pregnant naturally. There are great doctors and nurses that do this to help make families. Don’t frown upon couples that do it, just think what if it was you or a family mem-ber wouldn’t you want to see them happy? Put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a moment.

How did you and your husband meet?

My husband and I met at work back when we were both working on Wall Street in NYC. We sat next to each other at work and he had to train me (laughs). He hated me and I hated him. Ironically, it was a love hate thing. Then we started dating and the rest is history (laughs again)

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

For someone you once hated, what was the attraction that led

to dating him?

He finally realized that I wasn’t just some dumb girl who didn’t know what she was doing. I think he gained a respect for me and then it just happened that we started hanging out at work func-tions with co-workers. Later, it became just us two. After getting to know and talk to him I found him to have a funny stupid sense of humor which made him easier to talk to, smart and fun to be with.

How will you des-

cribe your hus-band’s demean or through those trying years?

He initially was impa-tient and always did think it would happen naturally but was strong for me and held it all together. It took him some time to be in full force for the IVF, after which he was very supportive. But there were times he hated seeing me so upset and that upset him too or got him an-gry. There are a lot of emotions involved and as a couple it’s tough to know how you are going to react to some things.

What dreams do you have for your baby?

My hope is that he grows up to be a strong minded person; goes on to college and tries out things he wants to, and not fear what others may think. I hope he can be a Doc-tor or Lawyer as most parents do.

As long as he turns out a well rounded educated person

with street smarts I want to believe he’ll be just fine. I hope he has a family in the future without having to struggle like we did. I tell him now you can do anything. I hope he takes that with him.

What is your typical day like, begin-

ning from when you wake?

Busy!!! (Laughs) I take care of my son, ma-king sure he is happy throughout the day. I

currently work from home so it’s easier to sometimes stop and do other things for the house. I continue to promote my book and make new contacts. I have been working on promoting my inspira-tional jewelry and ge-tting involved with on-line support groups for those struggling with infertility. So basically I am on the computer all day. My son and I try to go to the park, local library and get

involved in activities. I take care of my two German Shepherd Dogs with the help of my son too. We try to play and be silly. I try to cook dinner during the day for evening and never get a minute for myself. A day with a toddler is filled with surprises and so what you plan can change.

Tell us a little more about your jewelry business?

I just started with the inspirational necklaces that have symbols of hope and words like Faith and Believe on them. I feel something like this can be worn close to your heart and make you feel like there is light at the end of the journey. I hope that women can feel safe with this piece on their neck, which is available on my website. When this be-comes successful, I will branch out with a full line of inspirational products.

Society has a way of looking at a woman; she’s required to get ma-

rried as well as have children. How would you define the essence of a woman?

Yes society does look at woman as required to get married and have children, but in today’s world women are more career-minded. Some are now content at being independent without getting ma-rried. But I feel you can have it all although it may take longer. Women today are having chil-dren later in life, sometimes because they haven’t met the right one or choose to live alone. A woman’s essence lies in her strength. We have grown to be our own person. If a woman refuses to get married or have children, that should be her choice to make. It should be also her choosing to be career-minded, married and to bear children.

Q

QQ Q

Q


COVER

Fran Meadows husband is a Union Ironworker. They currently live in Connecticut, after having recently moved from Queens NY. Detailed to give in-fertile couples hope, her book explores the science behind infer-tility; a well written personal na-rrative, it chronicles the couples fight to have a child. An expe-rience they thought would be an easy process but turned into a ‘nightmare’ which end result is Brendon, their son who recently turned 4 this March.

Get her book and find more about Fran Meadows on her website www. secretinfertility.vpweb.com

or follow her on twitter @FranMeadows


Essential Oils for Skin

byIonela Stoica

Last month we talked about essential oils in general, but in this month's article we are going to learn how you can take advantage of

their properties in order to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

Essential oils have been used for cosmetic purposes for cen-turies. Scientific studies have revealed that certain essential oils such as rose, frankincence, neroli and lavender stimulate the re-generation of healthy new skin cells making essential oils an im-portant part of the skin care process.

Essential oils for normal skin If you have normal skin, you can use almost any type of essen-tial oils you like in your skin-care products, with the exception of the ones that might cause irritation, such as the spice oils. Sim-ply add your favourites to a carrier oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed. They are absorbed in the skin, leaving it smooth and hydrated.

Essential oils for oily skin Geranium, lavender, cedarwood, palmarosa, juniper berry, ylang-ylang, grapefruit and bergamot essential oils are benefi-cial for oily skin. They balance and reduce sebum production thanks to their healing, antiseptic qualities. The best approach in treating oily skin is gentle, frequent cleansing, toning and moisturizing with a light moisturizer.

Essential oils for dry and sensitive skin Dry skin is caused by insufficient production of sebum and is also often dehydrated, which is not quite the same condition. Dehydrated skin lacks moisture generally (and even oily skin can be dehydrated). However, the lack of sebum in dry skin diminishes the skin's ability to retain moisture. So dry and dehydrated skin often accompany each other. Dry skin fre-quently looks delicate, fine and thin, with tiny pores. lt is heavily affected by sun, wind and rain and wrinkles easily. lt needs a lot of protection and moisturizing to maintain it well. Sensitive skin is usually fair and delicate, and shares toghether with dry skin the need for lots of protection and moisturizing. Check the condition of your skin to make sure you choose the most appropriate skin-care products. The best essential oils to be used for dry skin are german

chamomile, roman chamomile, rose otto, rose absolute, geranium, laven-der, neroli, jasmine and sandalwood. For sensitive skin, essential oils in-clude rose otto, rose absolute, meli-ssa, neroli, helichrysum (also called 'everlasting' and 'immortelle'), ger-man chamomile and roman chamo-mile. For sensitive skins, always use a very low percentage of essential oil, such as 1 or even 1/2 per cent, and if any reaction occurs, stop using that particular essential oil.

Essential oils for mature skin Mature skin is something we will all have one day. This brings up an interesting point about skin types: they change, according to

age,health, environmental circumstances, diet and other lifestyle factors. lt is therefore important to re-evaluate your skin type from time to time, because you may find that your once- lovely normal skin has become dry or sensitive, or has simply aged into mature skin.

Ageing is, however, a normal part of life and with proper skin care, mature skin can still look good for its time of life. Essential oils that have a beneficial effect on mature skin include carrot seed, frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, patchouli, rose otto, rose absolute, roman chamomile, green tea german chamomile and palmarosa. Carrot seed is especially valuable for revitalization, while frankincense and green tea can help reduce and prevent wrinkles appearing.

The health of our skin depends on many factors, one of the most important being the diet but essential oils are well known to help speed the process. They are natural, and you know exactly what you

apply on your skin, so that is why essential oils are a friendly way to help keep your

skin healthy.

Health & Fitness


, La’Nae Jones

Cultivating Effective Communicationin Your Relationship

byLisa Miller-Baldwin

Good communication is one of the essential building blocks for a healthy relationship. Webster defines communi-cation as “a process by which informa-tion is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior”. Communication can be paralleled to a paintbrush and you and your partner as the canvas.

Human expression is the freedom to communicate and the tool by which a relationship will thrive, whether it's been a wonderful or horrible day; whether there's been a crisis or triumph, sharing it in words makes you and your part-ner feel more understood, more appre-ciated, and more loved. The ability to communicate well is the most important relationship skill of all. Try these 3 simple steps and watch your relationship grow.

Step One: Listen!!! Though you probably listen to your partner a lot, do you listen effectively? Try this: Set aside ten or twenty minutes with each other every day to update, and validate concerns. When you are listening, aim to make your partner the center of attention. Use positive body language to acknowledge what your partner said with a nod or a smile. He'll feel appreciated and therefore more likely to listen to you. To show you've listened, repeat back what you've heard.

Step Two: Timing is everything Sometimes, communicating will actually make things

worse. If there's a crisis, a rush, or you’re both tired, cranky or drunk, you don't have time

to talk and if you did, it would only up the ante. So do the sensible thing and wait. Agreeing that you will touch down that evening, or tomorrow is better, because then you can communicate calmly, lo-vingly and with all the time in the world.

Step Three: Practice!!!So often, even if you know the basics, you can get into bad communication habits with your partner. Put at least one of these tips into practice every day over the next month and you'll clean up your communi-

cation by at least 200 per cent. If you consis-tently talk about yourself, he will push back. Break the habit by asking more questions.

If you keep interrupting, he will feel unheard. Break the habit by learning his signals for 'it's your turn now' - such as slowing down, looking at you, gesturing you to speak. If you keep answe-ring for him when he's asked a question, he will quite rightly ob-ject. Break the habit by agreeing a signal or code word that he can use to 'nudge' you if you're starting to do this. Remember that the goal of effective communication skills should be mu-tual understanding and finding a solution that pleases both parties; not ‘winning’ the argument or ‘being right’.

relationships


Most of my brides have so many family and friends that want to help out with the “BIG” day that it becomes overwhelming to them. Planning your wedding should not have to turn you into another person and certainly you should not have to question Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

As you break the news to all those that have been awaiting “The Proposal”, you get bombed rushed

with all the questions, demands, decisions, the likes and the dislikes and so on. Who can plan a wedding in such situation? Trying to get all those that matter to you on this day to lend a

helping hand or even a word of advice, is almost impossible to obtain.

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? After the most beautiful, romantic, unexpected proposal, do you find yourself asking this question over and over again? This is the real question as you begin planning for one of the most

important events in your life.

byTrina Sims

You have your mother, mother in-law, sisters, best friend and others, who want to share their thoughts and opinions for what they think you should do for your wedding day, especially for them. While you want the best advice and en-couragement during the planning process, what is really needed is just the support for the decisions you decide to make.Scheduling appointments can be one of those times where the thought of this ques-tion may appear all too obvious, especially if you are dress shopping with your entire entourage. “This is a No-No”. Saying yes to the dress can be great, but not when you have your mother, your mother in-law, and several other members of your very large bridal party around. What were you thinking?

Allowing mothers to be mo-thers, as this is a special day for them just as well. “Their little girl is getting married.” Conside-ring some of their flavor for your day may be helpful and inspirational, but know where to draw the line, unless she is paying for the dress.

Girlfriends everywhere can’t wait to tell the Bride how to do this or that, and what color looks best on

them, RIGHT? This is where you draw the line and have a planned detail letter ready to pre-sent when you have your Bridal Party Meet and Greet. This letter should give all the details and

as much specifications about the day, attire and roles for each.

While you do not want to appear con-trolling, you, as the Bride should be the very one in control. Planning your wedding

should be fun, memorable, and simple. Most of all, it should be very organized, with little to no guessing of whose day it really is. Depending on the relation-

ships you have with loved ones and friends, you as the Bride should be able to delegate where you want the help and advice.

And at the end of the day, you can only do so much to try and please all that want to have a say on your wedding day. But

remember, it’s Your Wedding Day, So Make It Your Own

and don’t think twice about asking yourself,

“Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”

weddings


D a t i n g A f t e r D i v o r c e - t h e F i r s t S t e p s If you have low self-esteem try writing a list of all the things

you know you’re good at. Don't leave anything out, no matter how trivial. When you’ve done this ask at least two of your friends to add to the list. You will be surprised at the quali-ties that other people see in you that you don't see in yourself.

Make sure you spend time identifying what went wrong in your previous relationship and what you want from a new one. It doesn't matter who made the decision to leave - both par-ties need to identify what caused the relationship to fail. Do you have annoying habits? Did you change during the rela-tionship? What qualities will you look for in a new partner? Will they be different? It is very easy to repeat the pattern in

your next relationship if you have not consciously identified what it was and made an effort to prevent it happening again.

Before you embark on a romantic relationship with anyone make sure you like the person and can be friends with them. If you don't really like someone it is unlikely that you will stay together. Think about your values in life and don't be prepared to compromise them. Have you built up a life where you are happy and have lots of interests? It is important to have done this before you start dating.

There is no doubt that as you become older it is more difficult to meet new people. This is partly because we don't tend to go out in big groups as we get older. Internet dating is becoming

Dating after DivorceThe First StepsThe First StepsThe First Steps

byAnnie O’Neill

B efore you start dating again, the first and most important thing to do is learn to love yourself. If you are not happy with yourself you cannot expect someone else to be able to make you happy. Happiness comes from

within. If you do not love yourself, ask yourself why and make some changes in your life.

more popular all the time and I know of several people who have formed successful relationships in this manner. The best thing about internet dating is that you can build up a friendship on-line before you meet in person.

However, it is important to re-main cautious when meeting in person for the first time. En-sure that you arrange to meet in a public place, that someone knows where you have gone and who you are meeting and that you arrange to call some-one when you get home safely. Another way of meeting people is to join clubs such as dining clubs, reading groups or activity clubs.

Alternatively why not take up a new interest? Dancing classes are becoming more popular and are not only a good way of meeting people but also good exercise. A quick internet search for clubs and societies or evening classes in your area will throw up end-less opportunities. Even if you don't meet someone you want to be romantically involved with you may well make new friends.

You often meet people when you least expect it. There are peo-ple who have met at bus stops, on trains, at exhibitions and, of course, at work. The good news is that according to recent figures there are 11 million single people out there - you are not alone!

Marriage/Divorce


Deciding what age your child is allowed to move up a step to do something they were not previously allowed to can be a fine line. It is sometimes tricky for parents to get this 'right', whate-ver right is. Going to bed an extra hour later, choosing their own clothes and being allowed out without parents can all be huge milestones at the time. Picking the right age is the key to making sure children still know boundaries and respect you.

Today's world is a lot less innocent than it used to be. Pop stars can sometimes dress inappropriately and behave badly and whether they like it or not this can set an example to the younger generation. People sometimes are not aware of how much chil-dren can take in but their brains are like sponges at such young ages.

Although they may not understand something straight away, it could be stored away in their brain until a time when they do. Seeing these role models which we could really do without does not help your job as a parent to steer them onto the right path.

I was recently in a shoe shop and within the children's sec-tion they had a pair of little red high heels which were very ina-ppropriate for a child whose feet are not yet fully developed. Try-ing to give out messages that children should grow up quickly is not right in my opinion. They should be entitled to a care free childhood because this time of life is over all too quickly.

Some children at a certain age will like to pick out their own clothes. This is not necessarily to match them together it is more the fact that a child has control over a certain area of their life. You could try out a way of doing this that makes them think they are picking but really you are guiding them along.

Although they are choosing you will have already pre-selec-ted clothes from the wardrobe that would match together, so you are giving them a few options rather than picking out of every-thing and anything. If you are out shopping you can do the same thing to make sure that they pick age appropriate clothing and accessories, and that they match!

When your children get to a certain age and the reigns have to be slackened from your steering and advising, you should be able to feel much more comfortable that they will make the right decisions for themselves after having helped them make initial choices from a young age.

Knowing The Right Ageto Allow Your Child Some Choices

byJade L Dean

D ressing your child is something that many parents will enjoy doing, usually mothers more than fathers, but this is occasion-dependent. Some people have strong views on children dressing themselves and in today’s world

this can cause quite a stir.

Marriage/Divorce


Home Decoration

Fish Taco in Pumpkin Seed Chipotle Sauce

with Pan-Fried AvocadoIngredients

1 pound white fish fillets (cod, tilapia or halibut)2 tablespoons olive oil2 poblano peppers, seeded and cut into medium slices½ cup toasted, unsalted pumpkin seeds¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock2 teaspoons adobo chipotle sauce½ medium yellow onion½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, leaves and stem part, reserve some for garnish¼ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper1 tablespoon chili powder1 avocado, peeled and cut into small dices½ cup thinly sliced fresh lettuce4-6 La Tortilla Factory Hand Made Style Corn Tortillas

Method

1. Lightly sprinkle a pinch of salt, ground pepper and chili powder on the fish fillet.2. Preheat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick heavy sauté pan. Pan-fry the fish over medium-heat for about 1 minute on each side, or until the fish is cooked or turns opaque. Remove the fish from heat and set aside on a plate.3. In the same pan, lightly sauté the poblano pepper for about 1-2 minutes and combine with the fish.4. Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin seeds, stock, chipotle sauce, onion and cilantro, oregano, salt and pepper into the blender and blend until smooth.5.Then, transfer the sauce mixture into a small saucepan and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.6.Stir in the sauce with the fish and poblano pepper.

To serve, put a handful of fish, poblano pepper, avocado and lettuce onto a tortilla and fold into a taco.

www.budgetsmartgirl.com

Cuisine


How to Purchase a Persian Rug

byTabitha M Burney

More often than not, Persian rugs usually are produced in countries like Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. There are several features of a Persian rug. They are often made of cotton, silk or wool. The rugs that are produced by silk are thought to generate the most value. The patterns and designs also frequently highlight historic monuments, flowers, along with other items.

Although many rugs are being made using technology, the interest in antique rugs is increasing amid with this, just as the cost is quite astonish-ing. In terms of Persian antique rugs, the style or art is not the only

appealing factor to buyers. Buying a genuine antique rug is not always going to be easy as they often are priced at

a great value. But with the passing of time, the value of an antique piece will usually stay at a set value.

Antique rugs as well as Persian rugs can be traded in auctions. In order to buy a classic rug

in an auction, the buyer must have an idea about

different features of an antique rug. Without the right knowledge, the buyer might lose a lot of money. In addition, it is important to have a good know-ledge about the auctioned rug to make sure whether the rug is original or not.

One of the primary objectives of having a Persian rug is to add or em-phasize a specific style in a certain room or place. The rugs are often placed in a room with a grandiose appearance. However, one needs to be very critical while placing a Persian rug in a room. They should try and set up the other furniture in the room to accentuate and encompass the placing of the rug. Besides, the other objects of the room ought to match in order for the room's decor to work sufficiently. Sometimes, an expensive rug may not fit the space accordingly but a simple one might.

To sum up, a Persian rug is known because of its unique artistic design, rich background and history. And if someone wants to buy a rug, they can expect it to be at a high price both in terms of buying and selling the pro-duct.

T here are varieties of rugs available in the modern world. One type that has a well-known reputation is Persian rug. They were well known because of a certain look and design patterns. Even now, there is still a huge interest in

Persian rugs as they possess some unique features. Many rugs were handmade and it achieved a huge recognition when machines were not in existence.

Home & Garden Decor


There are varieties of rugs available in the modern world. One type that has a well-known reputation is Persian rug. They were well known because of a

certain look and design patterns. Even now, there is still a huge interest in Persian rugs as they possess some unique features. Many rugs were handmade and it achieved a huge recognition when machines were not in existence.

More often than not, Persian rugs usually are produced in countries like Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. There are se-veral features of a Persian rug.

They are often made of cotton, silk or wool. The rugs that are produced by silk are thought to generate the most value. The patterns and designs also frequently highlight historic monuments, flowers, along with other items.

Although many rugs are being made using technology, the interest in antique rugs is increasing amid with this, just as the cost is quite astonishing. In terms

of Persian antique rugs, the style or art is not the only appealing factor to buyers. Buying a genuine antique rug is not always going to be easy as they often are priced at a great value. But with the passing of time, the value of an antique piece

■

Are you concerned about how to plan a Disney world trip? Are you seeking some basic tips for your Disney vacation? Well some of the best tips, suggested below will help you narrow them down and eli-minate possible hassles. By following the tips, your vacation can be lot of fun. Let’s begin!

Package and TicketsIf you want to have a great Disney trip you should get your tickets before you leave home; at least a day before you plan entering the first park. There will be long lines to enter the park. Just imagine how much time you waste standing in line to buy tickets? If there is peak season or holiday, your wait would be twice.

Package tickets are the best way to save money. There are many packages to choose from. Disney stores in malls all over sell ti-cket packages for the parks. Some many-day tickets expire in some time. Once a ticket is used at the first park it will expire in 14 days. But, it's still cheaper to package many days and have the no expira-tion date added for a fee. You can use them on your next trip.

One more tip for Disney is attending one of the Character Break-fasts, Lunches, or Dinners. They're an experience you and your family will enjoy. It also allows you extra perks such as buying ti-ckets to the Character Breakfast at Animal Kingdom and let you to enter the park one or half hours before opening. You'll have a behind the scenes breakfast adventure and when it opens, you'll be at the starting point of the line.

Fast PassPopular rides can have long lines waiting to get in. It takes an hour minimum to reach the ticket counter. Maximum duration vary on the length of lines. If you don't like long lines, go to the Fast Pass Kiosk near the line for the ride you want and enter your ticket. It will give out a receipt with an hour-long reservation window for later in the day. You can then come back and go right to the begi-nning of the line. This allows you experience more at each park than other visitors.

Shopping TimeIn Disney world you should do your gift shopping earlier in the day as the selection is very wide. In this way it lets you spend plenty of time to choose a right one.Shops remain crowded right before park closes. You would get to carry your purchases all day.

Time to VisitThis is the major decision you have to consider. If visiting Disney world in summer vacations, winter breaks, and spring breaks be prepared for a busy and crowded park. For a rush-free tour, you can visit weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are far less crowded and yet most festive. The last three weeks in January and most of October are also good to spend plenty of time without any interruption generated by the crowd.

Hopefully, these few tips will help you raise your chances to get fun as much as you can in Disney's parks.

For an Easy Vacation in Disney

byUumesh Choriseya

Travel & Destinations


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She specializes in editing manuscripts, resumes/coverletters, writing proposals, essays and many other writingservices. If you need an editor to create or update yourresume or cover letter, she has formats that are profe-ssional and pleasing to the eye of your potential emplo-yer. Feel free to check out Tiff’s EditingCafe website

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She’s a young optimistic woman working as a freelancetranslator, and web designer, specializing in nichemarketing. Her most interest relates to women’s healthynatural lifestyle. She is contributor to our Health & Fitness topic and you can always ask for an advice or just checkher website on:

Girl! Power byDawniel Patterson-Winningham

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If you want to publish your own book or need helpdiscovering your purpose? Have a business and wantideas on how to take it to the next level? Dream of starting your own life coaching practice? Contact Dawniel Patterson Winningham to be YOUR life coach and with her help you can make all of these DREAMS a reality!

Johneen Jones “Aunty Neenee”Acting Instructor, and Actress at Back 2 One Schoolof Acting, she is our columnist for Q&A page for all yourrelationship issues.

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