Women, Weight and Hoarding

In working with my female clients, there is one commonality that I have found whatever the degree of hoarding or clutter that cannot go uncommented upon. Women's closets are always filled with clothing of various sizes from very small to very large despite their current size. This is a curiosity to me and one which I instantly realized must be tread upon quite carefully.

I first noticed this phenomena when working with one client who's primary hoard is books. Though the rest of the apartment is seriously cluttered it was her closet, so chock full of clothing, that caught my attention. When I asked what percentage of clothing she actually wore she replied "about 5%". I couldn't help but compute and respond, "so 95% of your closet is filled with things you will not be wearing in the foreseeable future". She was forced to agree. We have not approached the closet yet in our work together.

Another client decided that she wanted to start with her closets which are filled with clothing ranging from size 8 to 14. It was quite an emotional experience for her and she is not able to tolerate more than 40 minutes of work before leaving the room to take solace elsewhere in the apartment. I always give her a little alone time after she leaves; I finish putting things in their proper places while she consoles herself. But I do try and talk to her about this reaction. "It's all about weight you know", she tells me. Well, maybe for the clothes, but not for the rest of the clutter. But I also can't ignore her substantial consternation about her weight. She is an attractive woman who does not fit our ideal for body shape for women of today.

Though I am not a woman with weight issues (in fact, I'm an underweight man) I do know that I have hit on something here of which I have no understanding. I'm very aware that we live in a society that values slender women, verging on anorexia. In fact, given what I've heard about weight loss groups where perfectly on target women claim to be "fat" I'm cognizant that we devalue women who don't fit these unreasonable ideals. I've read about anorexic teenagers and the ravages of that disease.

I'm curious about my female readers experience with weight and clothes and what you can tell men about this that we don't know. Any answers to my many questions?

This article is brought to you by SINGLES.

Fashion and Sustainability

The universe of textiles is globally complex and extremely polluting. Converting fibres to fabrics requires a massive amount of energy, water, chemicals and land. There is also a considerable amount of waste and emissions in the life cycle stages of production. The pollution is often unregulated and the impact is felt globally. These impacts start at the factory and continue as the garment is shipped, used and finally thrown away. Understanding the sustainability of fabric manufacturing is critical to protect our wonderful planet Earth.

In order to be truly sustainable, designers must take into account the social and economic factors that impact the cultural diversity of a given society in the region where they are working and reawaken a new respect for clothing. The manufacturers and the people who make our clothes are often underpaid and victims of social injustice. They are the precious threads of culture that could unravel if not considered.

There has been a shift in our society from mindless to mindful consumption Consumers across the globe are becoming more concerned about how their purchases affect the overall health and environment of our precious planet Earth and the people who inhabit it.

Building a new vision for fashion where sustainability is the highest priority is critical to our understanding of awareness and responsibility to our environment. Provoke, nurture and inspire people in a radically new and different direction. Re-imagine new ways to do business through a series of ground breaking collaborations. Imagine an industry using eco-clothing and textiles.

Eco-clothing textiles are those that inspire and communicate with the environment. We should mend, make do and repair. Remix and transform unwanted and obsolete garments through customization. Dismantle and reuse textiles from unused clothing. Explore the future of fashion by embracing repair and re-engaging communities in collaborations for repair. I believe fashion of the future will have an emotional resonance. Few of us really need more of anything, so we will be looking for items that will touch us in some way. These are the deeply rooted vehicles of our identity. Progressive consumers that are passionate towards sustainable solutions are our thread towards a cleaner and less toxic environment for our future.

Designers fashion is more then just clothes, it reflects the way we choose to live our lives. Clothes are signs, symbols and expressions of our culture. They represent the way we feel about politics, activism and pleasure. Help build a new vision where fashion and clothing are fused with awareness and responsibility.

This article is brought to you by MATCHMAKING.

Footwear Guide for Stylish Women

Stylish women not only wear impeccable clothes, but have a great overall look from head to toe. They've got the right hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and, of course, shoes. Looking fantastic right down to your feet means that you don't miss out on any detail when it comes to style and grooming. It may be quite challenging to select the perfect pair of shoes to wear every time you go out. You shouldn't just think of the season, the trend, and the occasion. You also have to think about your comfort. So here are some tips on how to find the right flats, pumps, sandals, and boots when shopping.

Flats are on your must-haves in your closet. You can wear this versatile pear any season. Depending on the color and details of your flats, you can wear them to make a chic daytime outfit or a comfy but trendy nighttime wear. You can choose from the ballerina, the really pointed one, or the pair that has tassels or metal accents. There are even those made of metallic fabric or with colored jewels that can make your shirt and jeans look really hot even at night.

Another staple in a woman's wardrobe should be black pumps. Heels make everyone's legs and posture better-looking and can be worn with almost any outfit. They're perfect for the office and for cocktail parties. You shouldn't wear heels all the time, though. Always have a pair of flats with you. Keep them in your office, purse, or car, so you can change into them when your feet are tired from your pumps.

Sandals also make your legs look better. But you should save them for wearing during the warmer periods of the year. They really look fabulous when worn with a maxi dress or a flowing skirt. And remember that stylish women always keep their feet and toes clean, particularly when showing them off in sandals. If you're wearing nail polish, make sure that it doesn't have any cracks.

Boots aren't limited anymore for wearing in winter. You can wear shorter ones, like ankle boots, at any time of the year, as long as you're comfortable with them. Boots can be worn with shorts, jeans, leggings, or skirts of any length. However, when wearing ankle boots with your skirt, you should wear opaque tights.

Knowing these basic tips about footwear fashion can make a big difference in your shopping and in your whole wardrobe. These will also help you decide on what shoe to wear with what outfit everyday.

This news article is brought to you by FOOD AND DRINKS NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.

Tips for Happy Living - Managing Your Morning and Evening Routines

As a working mom it is very important that you set up routines for yourself and your household. Routines allow you to know what's going on at that particular moment so that you will not forget anything. Routines prepare you for the next day and help you move faster and more coherently than flying around looking for this and that item.

At one point my morning routine consisted of me waking up (late, cause I'm always trying to get more sleep). Rushing to take a shower, trying to figure out what I'm going to where, make breakfast (ha!! yeah right), making sure my husband is up so he can take the little one to school. Lastly, I'm racing out the house to catch the bus so that I can make it to work on time. Does any of this sound remotely familiar? I even bet the rest of your day you are unfocused, handling a million task at once trying to get it all done so you can get off from work to race home to pick up your children from daycare, come up with something to eat (preferably something that takes 30 minutes or less), watch your favorite shows, help kids with homework, go to bed so you can lay there thinking about all that you did not accomplish for the day (and tomorrow). To be honest this is a waste of time and there is a better way to manage your morning and evening routine.

3 Steps to Manage Your Routines Better

1. The first step is to think about what are the things you do every single morning and every single evening. For example, in my wild routine every morning I wake up late (keep hitting that snooze button) so I now have to rush to get ready so that I can catch my bus. I never know what I'm going to where, so that put me behind as well. These things will never change.
2. The second step is to figure out what will help make those steps easier. If I knew what I was wearing to work that morning that would decrease the time it takes for me to get ready in the morning significantly. I can spend about 10 - 20 minutes trying to figure out what I'm going to where. But if I already know, then it only takes 10 minutes to put the clothes on.
3. The third step is to take action. What I started to do was think about my outfit for tomorrow the night before. Actually this starts at the beginning of the week. On Sunday I get a vague idea of what I will where for the week so that I can think about my outfit the night before.

These are 3 simple steps to help you manage your evening and morning routines better. But keep in mind one thing, Flexibility. It's important that you don't get too attached to your routine that if change happens to occur it ruins your entire routine. A perfect example of this is instead of my husband taking my little one to school, I must do it because his schedule has changed. So I have to adjust my routine to allow for the time to get my little one ready as well so we both aren't running around crazy.

Having a more relaxed routine can help you tremendously. The major reward is seeing how much time you can actually skim off of your morning and evening so you can do more with family, friends, and yourself.

Do you have routines? Do you manage them well? Share with us below.

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1 Little Fruit That Is the Secret to Curing Your PMS

For many women, PMS can strike like a thunder bolt in your sleep. It disrupts your life and viciously continues its wrath of fury for countless generations in women's families. In addition, for some generations of women in families, cysts and fibroids are a continuing curse.

These issues have plagued millions of women probably since the dawn of time and continue its fury while many suffer feeling hopelessness. I realized through my experimentation that the types of food that are eaten at least a few days before and during your expected cycle makes a significant difference in how you feel during this time.

The types of foods also apparently makes a vast difference in how you look as well because many women experience acne breakouts on the chin during menstruation time. According to the Old Chinese Western Medicine Principle, acne on the chin signifies that there are reproductive (hormonal) issues at bay in the body.

Well, there is good and great news. Which one do you want first? The good news is that there is an all-natural substance, in the form of a fruit, that will alleviate PMS symptoms like bloating, nausea, and cramps. The great news is that this food is dirt cheap and with continual incorporation into your diet, will reduce your chance of developing fibroids or cysts.

This amazing food is dried apricots! You can find them in many stores, but it is important to use only the unsulphured version that does not have additional sugar added. Natural health food stores will carry these types or you may contact your favorite supermarket manager and request he or she bring in unsulphured dried apricots with no sugar added. Be sure to only eat 1 serving of it as it is sugary and calorie dense but it has a wealth of vitamins that will help ease PMS pain.

After eating the serving of apricots, be sure to drink at least a glass of lukewarm water behind it to dilute some of the sugar and hydrate yourself. Water is a PMS-ing girls best friend. It is a good idea to eat a serving of dried apricots starting at least 3 days before your expected menstrual cycle and the first two days while you are on it. Remember to drink a lot of water during the days before and during the first two days on your cycle to reduce bloating and help the apricots absorb better into the body.

What about fresh apricots? These are nice fruits to add into your diet, but it is preferable to have apricots dried in this specific situation because they are more concentrated in nutrients than fresh apricots by the serving size. Generally speaking, you do not want to eat mostly dried fruits because they are very dense in calories and sugar with little hydration factor that fresh fruit offers. Fresh is best, but in this case dried will be better.

This news article is brought to you by EXTREME - where latest news are our top priority.

Wedding Dresses - Edwardian Lace Wedding Dress

Every person wants to meet their special someone, and spend their life together with them. Through a special ceremony, a wedding, these people are joined together by exchanging vows to each other, vowing that they would spend all their lives together, be it in good times or hard times.

However, a wedding wouldn't take place without the most important characters of one - the groom, the bride, and of course, the wedding dress.

While the groom's dress is worth mentioning as well, the wedding dress is much more characteristic than the latter, having different forms, colors, and styles. That is why it takes time for a bride to pick one for herself, as she would want to look her best on that special day. One dress style she can choose to wear is the Edwardian Lace wedding dress, which has its roots on the Edwardian era.

The Characteristics of an Edwardian Lace Dress

The Edwardian dress has all the characteristics of a dress worn during the Edwardian era (1901-1910). Women back then were wearing corsets in order to project a perfect hourglass figure. They also have long sleeves and high necklines. These wedding dresses are entirely made from silk and lace, which makes it look elegant.

Today, Edwardian dresses still have the same silk and lace material, but having quite a different touch in terms of style. For one, brides need not to wear corsets anymore. The sleeves were also made shorter, and the high necklines were lowered. Though the style is different compared to that of the original Edwardian wedding dress, the existing ones retains the style and elegance of the original.

Edwardian Lace Wedding Dress Accessories

In order to accentuate the look of a wedding dress, it is important to wear accessories along with it. Of course, not all accessories go well with a wedding dress, so it is best that you choose the best accessories to go along with the wedding dress.

If you are wearing an Edwardian Lace wedding dress with a low neckline, wearing a necklace will definitely improve the overall look. If you want to complete the Edwardian era look, wearing a locket necklace definitely helps, as this is usually worn by women when attending parties and other important events.

Bracelets can also help in completing the look, although it is quite out of place especially if you are trying to emulate an Edwardian era wedding (as most women do not wear bracelets during that time). However, wearing one complements the gown well, and if you are wearing a short-sleeved dress, bracelets can complement the look very well.

Wearing lacy undergarments also complement the dress very well. However, it is important to note that lace dresses are form-fitting. This means that lace dresses are not suggested for people who are conscious about their form and posture.

Wedding comes only once on a woman's life. With that said, it is important that you prepare for it and dress up appropriately, as to make good memories out of it.

This news article is brought to you by FOOD AND DRINKS NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.

Are You in the Frumpy Zone?

There is a fine line between looking chic, polished and pulled together and looking frumpy. While no one actively seeks to be frumpy, sometimes women resign themselves to the frump factor simply because they give up - they get tired of trying, they are too busy or they just have no idea what to wear and how it should fit.

While it can seem elusive to create a perfectly flattering outfit, it doesn't have to be as hard as you might think.

In fact, sometimes it just takes one or two small changes to take your look from fabulous to frumpy and I want to enlighten you to some of those changes so that you can look chic each and every day and steer clear of the frumpy zone:

1. Hemlines - Take a look at the skirts pictured. The first style is primarily for younger women with great legs. My best recommendation for skirt and dress hemlines is somewhere between the top and bottom of your kneecap. Once your skirt length starts hovering around the mid-calf area that's when it ventures into the frumpy zone. The same is true for cropped pants, so beware! This look will make your legs appear shorter and heavier so steer towards lengths that end at the slimmest part of your leg and see how fabulous you look!

2. Fit - Trade in your big, baggy tee shirts and opt for something that skims the body and shows your shape. Yes, I say this all the time but it's so true. Big and baggy may be comfortable, but body-skimming can be just as comfy without visually adding pounds or creating a sloppy appearance.

3. Neatness - Take a look at your outfit and determine how neat it is. Does your shirt need to be ironed? Are there holes in your sweatpants? Have your shoes or jacket seen better days? These all add up to work against you and keep you in the frumpy zone.

4. Unfinished Business - If you throw on a top and pants and head out the door chances are your look is unfinished, meaning you've left off the finishing touches. What accessories could you add to give polish? Sometimes just a belt, a watch and a pair of earrings are all it takes to transform your look from frumpy to fabulous.

5. Go the extra mile - What else could you add to your look to take it up a notch? Try a chic trench coat, a pretty cardigan or a scarf to give it that third layer that sends the message that you're confident as well as chic and you know how to look fabulous!

Your assignment: When you get dressed have a checklist using the tips above. If your look doesn't pass muster take the necessary steps to get it up to par and see how not only your image is boosted, but your confidence will be too!

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