The Story of the Cashmere Scarf!

Every year, when the winter's biting winds howl over the coldest places on this earth - the bleak high altitude plateau of inner Asia, that is when the goats and other animals don their chill proof natural wear, which is a thick down of superfine fibers growing beneath their outer coat. This growth of superfine hair enables them to survive low temperatures plummeting down to minus 40 degrees C and in spring they shed these hair, because they have no need for it. Cashmere or pashmina is made out of these fine warm natural hair.

Notable among the down-bearing goats is the trans-Himalayan breed of Tibet and Ladakh, identified as the Tibetan or Chanthangi goat. Also prominent in this category is Yama goat of Mangolia.

The journey of cashmere products begins with segregating the hair (as per color and quality), sorting, cleaning and finally spinning of the yarn. These tasks are laborious hand processes, mostly undertaken by women in the group.

The two main determinants of quality in cashmere fibers are fineness and staple length, both of which will affect the feel of the finished product. Cashmere fiber is measured by the micron. For comparison, a human hair has a diameter of around 70 microns.The standard for cashmere varies between 13 to 19 microns. When these fine fibers are spun into thread, a multitude of microscopic air-pockets are formed; it is these that give the material its extraordinary warmth and softness!

So the beautiful and delicate cashmere scarf/shawl passes in its journey from sorter, spinner, weaver, dyer (rangrez) to needle worker (rafugar) and the hand embroidery person. In weaving, the hand-loom used is still very simple and basic; shawls being woven on the age-old throw and catch principle, using a slim boat-shaped shuttle.

The base weave for most of the cashmere shawls is normally a lozenge-shaped design known as chasm-i-bulbul (the eye of the bulbul). Though the twill weave and the plain weave are also used in many cases.

The cashmere shawls can be hand embroidered too. This work is undertaken by craftsmen, who have learned it from their ancestors in the family as a tradition. In contrast to the machine-made design, the hand needle artisan works on a single piece for a long time. His life has not changed as per the changing times; he sits bent working on a single piece for months together, embroidering the motifs of love and life.

The cashmere scarves/shawls may also have a special woven design called 'kani', which is interwoven at the time of shawl weaving. 'Kani' is an antique art of putting floral motifs with the help of numerous colored bobbins... many bobbins are used simultaneously with great skill as per the design instruction page, called 'talim'. It is work of patience and love... it may take a craftsman more than a week to weave an inch of 'kani' floral design!

Soak in the romance of cashmere scarves! Feel snug in its super luxurious feel!

Making the Most of Your Business Trip: Fashion Forward Packing Tips

When you're traveling for business, be it your own or for a company, you want to put your best face forward. It's important to get there on time and for you to appear put-together and professional. If you follow these tips for packing for your next business trip, you'll not only make life easier for yourself, but you'll impress your clients and colleagues with your professional style.

1. Choosing the Right Luggage

Having the right suitcase can make or break you when you're traveling, especially by plane. In most cases, business trips aren't more than a few days. It isn't necessary or desirable to take more than a good carry-on size suitcase.

Before purchasing carry-on luggage, consider the following:

• Does bag match the size criteria that the airline gives for carry-on bags?

• It the bag sturdy enough to survive the round trip?

• Are there enough pockets to keep everything safe and organized?

• Does the bag stand out so that you can spot it easily?

In addition to the ideal carry-on suitcase, you want to select the right laptop travel case, the best travel case for your make-up and toiletries and the perfect travel case for your jewelry. You'll want to keep both durability and size in mind, but don't forget style!

2. Selecting the Perfect Wardrobe

You want to look effortlessly professional, but garment bags are a hassle, and due to size, you must waste time checking them. You're smart and saving time by only taking a carry-on, but it limits your space. Your best solution is to shop for convertible clothing.

Convertible clothing is no longer just frumpy looking sweaters or simple, reversible sides. It has come a long way over the years. Search for convertible bandeau dresses, perfect for your meeting and dinner afterwards. If you purchase one that converts to a skirt as well, pair it with a simple but classy shell top and a thin jacket.

If you're afraid that your outfits will look too similar each day, all you need to do is accessorize well. Find a couple of elegant scarves to wear with it that are easy to pack and don't take up too much space. Make sure you have a variety of jewelry tucked into your travel jewelry box, and you're set.

3. Packing the Proper Way

Organization is your best friend when packing your suitcase. You've chosen the perfect clothes for your trip; you're set with a toiletry bag and a jewelry box. You don't want everything to go down the drain because you don't pack properly.

Organizing your suitcase will save you time both once you reach your destination and when you're ready to return home. If you are organized, you won't have to waste time searching for what you need.

1. Make sure that the inside of your suitcase is clean.

2. Item by item; lay your clothing on a hard, flat surface and smooth out the fabric. Roll each article of clothing tightly, keeping the fabric smooth as you roll.

3. Starting with the larger rolls of clothing (like pants), then dresses and shirts, place your rolled clothing into the bottom of your suitcase. Fill in small spaces with rolled socks and undergarments.

4. Place any liquid toiletries into small, sealed plastic bags-remember, you are only allowed to take 3.4 oz. or smaller bottles that can fit into a quart-sized plastic bag. Make sure that you do not exceed what is allowed by law.

5. Place your bagged toiletries into your travel bag. Then place your toiletry bag and your travel jewelry box on top of your clothes.

If you want to be extra safe, you can always put a layer of plastic wrap between your clothing and your toiletries to provide an extra barrier against leaks and spills.

If you follow these three easy steps before your next business trip, you will save yourself both time and hassles. When you're able to concentrate on the meetings and tasks at hand rather than worrying about your luggage or wardrobe, everyone wins.

A Special Occasions Dresses Guide

There's always a right dress for every special occasion.

Nonetheless, with all the styles, forms, and designs of dresses you can choose from, there's already this problem of how to get the right one. The following are reminders on how to get a great special occasion dress.

Firstly, you should examine the fabric. Dresses meant for special occasions are usually made from cotton, silk, brocade or linen. Nonetheless, the kind of fabric that your dress should have should be one that's perfect for the time and season when you'll wear the dress. This means that dresses made from thick fabrics should be worn for colder months and dresses with thin fabrics are for spring and summer.

Other than the fabric, you would also have to pick the right dress length. The less formal the occasion, the more appropriate it is to wear a shorter dress. High-end dinner parties and formal events entail the wearing of longer dresses that touch the ankles.

You also have to keep in mind the neckline and the length of the dress' sleeves. Good and well-toned arms can be flaunted with a dress that has shorter sleeves. If you that is your problem area, you need to get a longer sleeve length dress so that flaws wouldn't be accentuated.

Another thing you need to decide on is the dress colour. If you want to go for a dress that you can wear day and night, you would have to get one that's of neutral colour. You can get a pastel coloured dress the special occasion is set for the summer and a darker dress is right for winter.

Additionally, you would also have to choose a dress that's fit for the occasion you're attending. The dress that's right for a reunion may not be perfect for a wedding or a company event; so you need to choose wisely. That's why if you are going to a wedding where you are the mother-of-the-bride, you should get a mother of the bride clothing.

If you don't have that much money to spend for a dress however, you might definitely find it harder to find a dress. You can begin by taking advantage of online and shop sales of women's special occasion dresses. Depending on the time of the year, stores usually give this kind of treat to their customers. However, in the unfortunate event that you can't find a high-end dress that's on sale, then you can just buy a cheap one from the department store and just add up accessories to make it look more expensive.

How To Make A Waistcoat?

Waistcoats are mostly expensive, however in case of an emergency you can make it at home. Here is a guide on how you can turn an ordinary T-shirt into a waistcoat:

Step#1: At first, collect the supplies for making the waist coat; so that they will be available and ready to be used. Otherwise the work will be complicated due to getting up and finding the supplies. The things that you would need are outer and inner lining fabrics, marking chalk, sewing machine, and scissors.

Step#2: Secondly, prepare the back side of the inner lining of the coat, then spread out the cloth and place the waistcoat of the fabric. Draw the outline of the coat, and then draw another line on the fabric about half an inch away from the coat. Cut it along with the outer line of the coat, and fold the corners inwards

Step#3: After you are done with the back, fold the coat in half, and then lay it over a new fabric of inner lining material. Mark the fabric half an inch away from the lining, and cut them. At the end you will be left with two pieces, so take the corners of the outer ends where the buttons will be placed, and then stitch them.

Step#4: Take the outer lining, and place the back sides of the inner lining, and draw a boundary around it. Remove the lining, then make a similar boundary about 1.5 inches away from it. Do the same thing with the front sides of the front cut-out.

Step#5: Once the entire pieces are ready, cut the extended parts from both ends of the sleeves in a horizontal way. Place the inner-piece over the outer one, and fold the outer part over the inner part of the sleeves, and stitch it. Do the same thing with the outer two pieces individually. Now all the six pieces will be converted into three pieces.

Step#6: Stitch the outer sides of the front ends in the similar manner to the sleeves. Only the back ends will be left, then place the front part over the back one with the mark ends outside, and stitch over the inner line to combine all the parts. Turn it inside out, and your coat will be ready.

Step#7: Make two cuts at the lower part of the coat on one side with reasonable distance. Do the buttonhole stitch on them, and stitch the buttons on the other end.

Once done, just iron the waistcoat and its ready to be used.So, by following these steps you can make your waistcoat at home.

WOMEN IN THE MILITARY And The Story Everyone Believed

"Embracing yourself as you are is the first step and the last step. You must be who you are. What you should be is not important. Whoever you are, you are unique. The Universe has made you like that. God has made you like that." - Sri Bhagavan, Oneness University

Sexism and the U.S. Military
It is well known that excluding military women from combat roles severely limited their ability to advance to better jobs and higher ranks. That premise could have been avoided by acknowledging its mythology in the first place. It was the story everyone believed. Many high ranking military men have never been in combat, never been outside the United States. With the exception of a few years on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in peacetime Philippines, Dwight David Eisenhower, who rose to 5-star general, spent his entire military career inside the United States until his World War II assignment to London as Supreme Allied Commander.

When Defense Secretary Leon Panetta overturned the ban on American military women in combat, the New York Times responded what a triumph it was for equality. Trumpeting that discrimination has no place in a society which honors fairness and equal opportunity, the editorial reminds us that women have been in the thick of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan for more than a decade: 67 women lost in hostile fire in Iraq, 33 killed in combat in Afghanistan. More than 900 women were wounded in those wars, not to mention countless cases of post traumatic stress disorder. A grateful nation mourns and honors their noble sacrifice. Their families and children live with it every day.

And God Created Woman, An Emotional Being
American women want to work anywhere they choose and they are doing it successfully and that is a good thing. Just as the war photographer's camera lens provides a degree of remoteness from the carnage, a woman firing ordnance from an airplane can afford somewhat of a disconnect, a certain detachment. But women fighting alongside men with boots on the ground can have lasting irreparable consequences.

Women bring a unique energy and emotional component to any workplace including the military. That innate gift is what distinguishes them from their male counterparts who are natural hunters. While many men are stay at home dads doing a phenomenal job, it is the female of the species that excels at nurturing, healing, caring for and saving lives because that's what they do naturally. Everything else has to be learned, including how to hunt and kill another human being.

The Right Stuff
The Bhagavad-Gita, a 700 verse Indian scripture, contains a Hindu poem, the Mahabharata, about a bloody struggle within a warring family. On the battlefield of this great Indian epic, Prince Arjuna grapples with his conscience for having to kill his enemies, all of whom are his relatives. He asks his spiritual master, Lord Krishna for advice about what he should do. Since Arjuna is a professional soldier, a warrior, Krishna tells him to do what he is divinely destined and designed to do. The sanskrit word for doing ones duty is dharma. Consequently it was Arjuna's dharma to fight, and God had endowed him with the right stuff to do the job.

Why Can't A Woman Be More Like a Man?
In the Broadway musical My Fair Lady, protagonist Henry Higgins sings, "Why can't a woman be more like a man?" The debate lingers whether author George Bernard Shaw was a misogynist, but his character, Henry Higgins, appears to be. Today's professional American women are expected to think like men. It's old fashioned to talk of motherhood. But motherhood does not go in and out of fashion. Do mothers who are in and out of rehab as a result of war and post traumatic stress better serve their children? Women who can afford to be full-time mothers love it and their children benefit. Unless the species mutates, it is the males that are ideally suited for combat; many relish the adventure of bonding in dangerous environments and resent the presence of women.

Today, women who desire direct exposure to combat now have that option. But men and women should be able to rise to the highest levels based on the skills they bring to the job, as Eisenhower and others did. Being who you are does not mean "why can't a woman be more like a man?" It means being your authentic self, the unique human being God made you. If that includes the desire to experience combat, then that is your dharma.

The World Health Organization (WHO)
Historically, women have served in all America's wars, domestic and foreign. Except for research by WHO, very few statistics are available on their health. I interviewed scores of former Vietnam nurses who suffered severe post traumatic stress. Years later they could not discuss their experience with their own children. Some contracted breast cancer from exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant dioxin whose effects are still surfacing today in the offspring of those who lived in Vietnam during that war. (See recent CNN story on Agent Orange by journalist Hiroko Tanaka. Also my 2006 ezine article, Cancer and PTSD Run Silent, Run Deep.)

Diplomacy--America's First Line of Defense
War is an archaic state of insanity originating from the old reptilian brain. It has no place in 21st century consciousness. National differences can be resolved peacefully with tux at the table, not boots on the ground. Former ambassador Richard Holbrooke exemplified that in Bosnia. Yes, women can do combat jobs as well as men. But at what cost to their health, their families and their souls? That is the disturbing question they will now have to live with.

Face Care Products For That Beauteous And Healthy Visage

A face that is beautiful and impeccable - is it not that all of us desire? When you stop to look in the mirror as you are passing by, do you not wish those faults to just disappear somehow? Everyone wants their skin to remain like it was when they were little kids; all smooth, soft and supple. But that is not the case because as we grow we undergo many different skin problems at varied stages of life. As teenagers we have to deal with pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, sweaty skin, oily skin and what not. And by the time you get over with the teenage skin trauma, your face starts showing signs of ageing like wrinkles, drooping skin, etc. Our surroundings also play a major role in keeping us from having the perfect visage. Ultraviolet rays from the sun, pollution, harsh water just add to the list of the problems.

But taking good care of your skin by choosing the right face care product can help you. Thanks to the many discoveries and inventions done by the researchers in the field, there is a wide range of face care products available that give you the glowing face you have always dreamt of. Now, as for choosing the appropriate face care products, one must choose according to their skin type. There are different kinds of face facial products available in the market for dry, oily, sensitive, sun damaged and normal skin types.

Apply sunscreen of a minimum SPF 30 each day. No matter what the season, summers, winters or monsoon, one must apply this face care product because the UV rays from the sun will remain throughout the day regardless of the weather and sunscreens can reflect or absorb the UV rays, protecting your skin.

Moisturizer is a face care product that everyone needs as it helps retain the water in the skin by preventing too much evaporation which leaves the skin dehydrated. It is one of many face facial products that is available for all skin types. The one for oily skin is water based; the oil based ones help repair dry skin; for the sensitive there are moisturizers which contain soothing agents like aloe, and; there are moisturizers available specifically for aging skin as well. But it is not just the face that needs moisturizing, you whole body needs it to avoid dryness. So, one should invest in a good face and body lotion that moisturizes their skin type.

After a long day at work, you need to remove that makeup that is piling up on your skin and just using water and soap does not suffice. Actually, one must not use soap on the face at all as it makes the skin dry. The face facial products ideal for removing your makeup at the end of the day is a cleanser. It not only removes the makeup but also cleanses the clogged pores and helps your skin breathe. Another skin problem that everyone experiences, especially during winters, is the accumulation of that detestable white flaky coat over the skin, the dead skin. To avoid that one must use exfoliating face care products. And similar to the moisturizer, your whole body needs to be exfoliated, so one should use a face and body lotion that has exfoliating properties.

The above were the basic preventive measure for everyone. Now, narrowing it down there are problems that are age specific. Women above the age of thirty start having wrinkles, baggy circles around their eyes and drooping skin. There are face and body lotion available for treating these specific problems. Certain face care products can be used for stress problems that show on the face like dark circles and frown lines.

For those who love getting pampered at the salon with multitudes of facials but care about their pockets getting lighter each time or are just too lazy to drive down to the nearest salon, for them there is a range of face facial products which can help them have that glowing, healthy, salon massaged skin, all by sitting right in their own homes.

The brand Ageless Derma offers a variety of face care products, ranging from the basic moisturizers and sun blocks to the problem specific products like anti-wrinkle cream or face masks. Ageless Derma promises an ageless skin through science. Their products contain plant ingredients combined with the well researched technology that is bound to get rid of all your skin problems and give you a well protected, healthy and good looking skin.

The Purple Gem

What is an Amethyst? The Amethyst comes from the quartz family; it's the most precious of the quartz minerals. The amethyst stone is many distinct colors like mauve, red, rose, and lavender but the most popular and many see it as a beautiful violet or deep purple. The amethyst is also known for the month of February the birthstone. Its value is the uniqueness of the stone how the different shades of violet, purple and lavender reflect in one single stone. The amethyst is found in many different sizes, and the hardness of the stone makes it easy to work with in designing jewelry.

Amethyst is rare to find; that's why it's considered in the family of precious stones. However, when the amethyst is found, it's found as a long big, long rock. Amethyst was first founded in Mexico. However it's also found in Uruguay, Madagascar, and southern Brazil. The amethyst found in Mexico is usually the deep purple and violet, Madagascar the stone is usually red, in Uruguay the amethyst is amazing purple colors making it breath-taking beauty. Southern Brazil the amethyst is a light violet. Amethyst can also be found in Russia and Germany. So, in each country the amethyst is found, their climate changes the color of the stone.

Amethyst is believed to have healing properties. The word amethyst comes from Greek language meaning "without drunkenness." It was believed to prevent from intoxication. The Romans believed so much in amethyst powers that they bejeweled all their glasses and goblets with the stone to keep all safe from being maybe being poisoned. Back in medieval time it was thought to heal addictions; they use it to heal earache; hearing or mental or sleeping disorders. Sometimes the thinkers and philosophers, and man of God believed of the amethyst to having special powers and properties. It would be worn because it held the qualities like piety, humility, and sincerity worn around their necks or as a ring; even seen worn by the ancient Greeks or ancient Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians believe amethyst would protect them from guilty or fearful feelings. Healer's today wear the stone to help focus on those whom need to heal. The person that is being healed will also hold the amethyst in their hands while being healed.

The amethyst holds so many qualities to heal, and not just its beauty to wear. It's a great gift to give; now that you know it holds much more than just being a pretty stone. You could give it to someone who fears something and it will heal them from their fears. Or give to someone who can't sleep well, and the amethyst will help them have beautiful dreams. What you believe, it will become.