Tips for Planning Your Nursery

Setting up the nursery is one of the most enjoyable aspects of pregnancy. Choosing wallpaper, bedding and décor can be a lot of fun – there are so many possibilities. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Keep in mind that even though you’re incredibly excited about this major change in your life, you don’t need to spend a small fortune. The baby needs a safe place to sleep, a place for diaper changes and storage for diapers and clothes. You will likely want a comfortable chair like a rocking chair for late night nursing. Beyond that, everything is gravy.

Choose a room near your bedroom. If your baby is crying in the middle of the night, you’ll want to be able to get there quickly. Have your nursery ready to go by the third trimester – you don’t want to be the parents still assembling the crib as the labor pains begin. On the other hand, there’s no need to start too early in the pregnancy.

First thing you’ll want to do is choose a theme. Are you going to have everything match the bedding? Select that first. Once that decision is made, everything else will fall into place. Be sure to get several sets of sheets – you might be surprised how many times – even in one single night – you may need to change the sheets. From there, you can select a crib bumper. Consider a matching mobile, or matching curtains. Some patterns even have matching changing pads, diaper hangers and wallpaper or border.

Next on the agenda? Now is a good time to consider paint or wallpaper. Getting this taken care of before any furniture is in the room will save a lot of time later. Once the room is painted, the next on the agenda should probably be baby-proofing. True, the baby won’t be crawling yet but you’ll have more free time now than later. Secure larger items like bookshelves and dressers, cover the electrical outlets, consider whether you need a baby gate, etc.

With those items crossed off your list, you can begin to think about the crib. Most baby authorities emphasize buying a new crib rather than a used one. Used cribs could be damaged or might not follow current standards for crib safety. Quick tip: your baby doesn’t know the difference between a $1000 crib and a $300 crib. Select the one that fits your budget, décor and the room and don’t worry so much about the price. Safety and comfort are the two most important qualities.

Another thing you’ll likely want is a comfortable rocker. Test it out beforehand. You’ll spend quite a bit of time in it. Does it glide smoothly? Is it stable?

Many parents purchase a changing table, ideally with a place to store all the odds and ends you’ll use while changing the baby — powder, diaper rash ointment, etc. Some end up using this more for the storage than for actual changing, but they still feel it’s a useful piece of furniture to have.

You may want a specialized diaper pail that prevents or hides most odors. You’ll also want a trashcan for other items. You may want a dresser – a lot of onesies and pajamas are easier to fold than hang. A clothes hamper is a good idea – you’ll go through a lot of dirty clothes.

Finally you can add the final touches: toys, books, rattles… places for family photos. It’s up to you. Good luck and enjoy!

Taking Inventory of Your Winter Wardrobe

Before you head to the stores to buy items for your winter wardrobe, take some time to conduct an inventory. It’s a smart way to save money and make sure you buy exactly what you need. You may be surprised at what you find.

Do You Wear It?

The first question to ask yourself when you start assessing your fall and winter clothing is “Do I wear this?” Chances are there are items in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn for years. Now is the time to sell or donate those pieces. You can make some money and have more to spend on your new clothing, and you can free up room in your closet.

Does It Fit?

The next question to ask once you’ve eliminated the items that you just don’t wear anymore is “does it fit?” If your clothing is too small, get rid of it. It doesn’t matter what your intentions are for the future, base your decisions on your present weight and size. Additionally, if your clothing is too big, get rid of it. Sell it or donate it to charity.

Assess the Condition of Each Item

Next, examine each item and make sure it’s still in good condition. For clothing you want to look for stains, holes, and misshapen items. Anything that’s not in good condition should either be repaired if possible or tossed. Also remember to take a look at your shoes and boots. If the shoe has worn thin or is dirty or scuffed beyond repair then it’s time to replace them.

Make a List of What You Have and What You Need

It’s now time to grab a pen and a piece of paper. Make a list of the items you have in your winter wardrobe. List the shirts, sweaters, pants and so on. Tally the numbers so you can make a sound evaluation of what you need as well. For example, if you find that you only have two sweaters that fit, then you may want to buy a couple more.

As you’re working your way through your list of what you have and what you need, consider the colors and styles of clothing that you presently own. Make a note on your “need” list to purchase items that complement your existing wardrobe. For example, if the majority of your wardrobe is the color red then you’ll want to buy items that complement this color.

Taking a seasonal wardrobe inventory is a smart step. It helps you buy the best items for your personal needs and style. It also helps you stay in budget and it makes sure you’re as organized as possible going into each new season.

Tackling That Cluttered Closet

Ah, that wonderful harborer of so very many things you don’t know what else to do with. That convenient hiding place for any number of messes when unexpected or short notice company arrives. The closet. Close the door and it is out of sight, out of mind.

Then the dreaded day comes when opening the closet door results in several purses, pillows or articles of clothing falling on your head. Maybe the door no longer closes due to overcrowding. Or walking is no longer an option in the walk-in closet.

The time has come to brave the mess and mayhem and tackle that cluttered closet. There are, however, some ways to make this task a bit less daunting. Grab a friend or family member and/or turn on the television or some music. An enticing finger food type snack and cold drink can also help to drum up the enthusiasm and energy to accomplish the clean-up.

Start by completely emptying the entire closet. Take everything out. Then sweep, vacuum, dust and wipe down shelves. A clean slate will open new windows on possibilities of organization best suited for specific needs.

The goal now is to put back into the closet only those items currently in use. Throw out those items that seriously just need to be thrown out, like the torn and faded T-shirts and items stained beyond cleaning.

Put items for seasons other than the current one in storage bins or vacuum storage bags and store elsewhere. Under bed storage works well for storage bags placed together in shorter plastic bins. If needed or desired, bed lifters can be added to the bed to make more room under the bed. Of course if you are lucky enough to have other closets that can be designated for this clothing, that is perfect.

Sort what remains into groups. Sweaters together, T-shirts, pants, etc. Seriously consider donating or repurposing any clothing not worn in the last two years. Get a receipt for donated items for tax time. Consider a consignment shop for items with tags still on or still looking like new. Repurpose what is appropriate into other clothing, material for quilts or pillows.

What remains should be a wardrobe current to this particular time in your life. Hang dresses, blouses, dress clothing, jackets and blazers on hangers in sections in your closet. Consider further sorting by color for quick locating.

Stack like clothing together on shelves. Sweaters together, jeans, casual pants etc. Try to stack no more than three or four things in one place so they are easily accessed without causing the rest of the stack to fall.

T-shirts can be rolled and placed standing on end in a bin or box. When one is removed, it won’t disturb the rest. Socks and underwear can also fit into small individual boxes or containers. Earrings can go into jewelry boxes or even egg cartons. Hang necklaces from nails or hooks. Bathrobes, hats and scarves can also be put on hooks in the closet.

There are many different kinds of closet organizers easily found in stores and online available for purchase. If you need something for less money, cardboard boxes of various sizes stacked on their sides make great cubby holes and shelves. A small chest of drawers can be found at second-hand shops.

The job is done. The closet has transformed into a streamlined, well organized area. Contents will easily be switched out with the change of seasons. Chances are good that this new-found organization will spill over to other areas of your life as well.

Style Sheeple: Why You Don’t Have to Blindly Follow Fashion Trends

How many times have you looked through old family photos and cringed at the bell-bottoms, plaid Brady Bunch pants, and orange turtlenecks? What about those polo shirts with the collar flipped up, dozens of Madonna bracelets, mullets and acid-washed jeans? Wish that could all go away? It can. You don’t have to blindly follow fashion trends to look current. It’s possible to be timeless and still look good.

The key is to buy what’s classic. Buy items that you like and things that look good on you. Think simple: basic items in classic colors that fit well. Consider the most basic items and build from the ground up.

Start with shoes: anything that’s really unusual, anything with a very trendy color or heel or shape could be out of style in a few months or a year, so those might be something to avoid. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to black. Choose a color you like that will look good on you and look good with all kinds of pants and skirts. Select a style that seems likely to withstand a year or two of trend changes, and you’ll have something that works well in your wardrobe.

Moving up to pants: for jeans, go for classic. While you probably want to avoid anything that could be described as “Mom jeans,” you can also avoid anything super-trendy – especially if the look is not for you. Some people look good in skinny jeans, some people don’t. Some people need a curvy style; some people need boot cut, or a slightly wider leg.

The key with jeans often lies in the rinse. Sometimes dark jeans are more in, sometimes faded jeans are in. Shopping in a store that has a reputation for a classic look can help avoid a trend in denim material that will be over before the bill comes around.

For pants: again, consider what you like and what looks good on you. Aim for a basic, simple cut and few accessories (you may want to avoid cargo pants, anything with excessive stitching, adornments, or unusual cut.)

For t-shirts and blouses, consider classic colors that look good on you. What is the length of the t-shirt? Trends change from very long to very short. Afraid of looking dowdy by skipping a trend? If the store or the shirt feels dowdy to you, skip it and move on. Also, keep in mind that mixing one trendy piece with classic pants and shoes and accessories can make your outfit feel both modern and classic at the same time.

Regarding accessories: these can really add a lot of pizzazz to your outfit. A classic gold or silver choker could fit any outfit on any occasion, but that little heart necklace you’ve had since you were twelve? It might be dated. One suggestion is to try wearing a piece in a different way. For example, if your mom wore that pin on her power-blazer lapel back in the day, maybe you can wear it to close up that cute cardigan. Everything old is new again.

Mixing and matching old and new, classic and trendy can go a long way to making you look timeless. As you begin to do this, you’ll develop your own look and your own style. Pretty soon you could be the trendsetter, and other people will be trying to copy your clothes.

Sleep Problems during Pregnancy and How to Overcome Them

Some expectant mothers find that despite being incredibly tired, they’re having difficulty sleeping. It’s no wonder – the body is going through huge changes and there is a small person growing inside. Here are some typical sleep problems and how to solve them.

Feeling uncomfortable? Many expectant mothers find that that their old sleeping position no longer works for them. One solution many people find helpful is to sleep with extra pillows – one between the legs, one against the back and a couple to support the head. They even make extra-large body pillows that some expectant mothers swear by.

Is the neighbor’s outdoor light keeping you up? Consider a sleep mask to block out the light.

Baby pushing on your bladder? For problems sleeping due to frequent trips to the bathroom, you’ll still want to drink those eight glasses of water but see if you can curtail drinking in the evening. Also, some mothers have said that leaning forward to ensure that all of the urine is expelled is helpful.

For heartburn problems, avoid eating meals two hours before bed and try propping two pillows under your head – elevation can make a big difference.

Are you too hot? A pregnancy can make it feel like you have a furnace inside you. Go ahead and turn down the thermostat, open a window or peel off a layer of clothes or bedding. A fan can help quite a bit as well.

Having anxiety about the coming responsibilities or worried about the birth? Now is an excellent time for meditation and stress-reduction activities. Join a meditation class, try a video or one of the many phone apps available regarding meditation and stress prevention. There are also many benefits to yoga or just plain old exercise.

If you’ve been tossing and turning for a while, one thing that many yoga practitioners swear by is called “alternate nostril breathing.” The idea behind it is that your body tends to favor breathing through one nostril over the other at any given time. The nose is connected to your nervous system and yogis have found that breathing through the left nostril helps calm the body down and breathing through the right nostril helps energize the body.

Getting your breathing in balance will help balance the body, calm the mind and, thus, induce sleep. Start by covering your right nostril with one hand or your thumb and breathe in through your left nostril slowly. Switch hands, cover the opposite nostril and breathe out. Then switch back to cover the right and breathe in again. Do this three times with each nostril and then, when you’re done, breathe in slowly through both nostrils, then out slowly, three more times. This helps to balance the brain and makes a big difference for many who have trouble sleeping.

Sometimes an expectant mother just can’t sleep and it doesn’t have to do with any of the above reasons. Consider cutting back on caffeine and avoiding TV and the internet in the bedroom. A glass of warm milk or chamomile tea before bedtime can make a big difference as well.

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t sleep, go ahead and get up. Watch some TV, read a book; do something to take your mind off of sleep until you can go back and try again.

Keep in mind, when you’re expecting a baby your body changes all the time – whatever happens one week may change by the next. Eventually you’ll be able to sleep with no problem. In the meantime, this is an excellent time to practice those relaxation skills – you’ll likely need them again when the baby is a teenager.

Rihanna does Warhol – is silver grey the hottest new hair color?

Since hair color has been invented, it seems, women have jumped for the nearest box of dye to cover up their greying hair. But the times are changing when it comes to grey hair. Not only are women choosing not to cover their grey – young women are choosing to color their hair grey.

Is silver-grey the new trend?

It would seem so! Rihanna came out on Instagram with her silver highlights and some had their doubts about her look. But there’s no doubt that it’s caught on – either Rihanna started it or she’s just one of many celebrities on the crest of a silver wave.

This is good news for older adults, who can now be considered trendy if they shake off the “tyranny” of hair color. But if you’re going to go grey, there are some things you should know in order to pull it off. Here are some tips from salon experts.

1. Long Gray Hair is Okay
There’s no rule that says long hair has to be colored, or that grey hair has to be short. For the younger crowd, coloring their hair silver-grey and wearing it in youthful styles makes an ironic and striking statement. Older adults can still wear long grey styles, too – just choose one that fits your face. Long grey hair also looks great in an up-do.

2. Color – Look What You Can Wear Now
Some people who go grey (either naturally or by coloring) are surprised to find out they can now wear colors they didn’t look good in before. Couldn’t wear red? Grey hair looks great with red, and it also shows off pink, royal and navy blue, and emerald green beautifully.

3. Makeup Adjustments
If you’re going grey, you’ll need to take that into consideration when you put on your makeup. Pinks, reds, and corals look good and prevent you from looking washed out. If you haven’t worn blush in the past, now is a good time to start. This is also a great time to go with some colorful eye shadow.

4. Highlights
Hairdressers suggest getting a slight violet tint to avoid yellowing, especially if you have white hair rather than grey. And of course, you can always color that white hair silver-grey!

The good news is, older adults no longer have to feel self-conscious about their grey or white hair. With the right style and an air of confidence, your silver head can be quite the trendy look.

Preparing Your Medicine Chest for Cold Weather

Cold weather brings with it a new assortment of maladies and potential ailments. Preparing your medicine chest ahead of time prevents emergency runs to the drug store. Use the following tips and ideas to help get ready for whatever comes your way this winter.

Cold and Flu Medicines

Winter usually means it’s cold and flu season. Whether you get a flu shot or not, it’s good to be prepared for a multitude of cold symptoms. Instead of purchasing a one-pill-does-it-all type of solution, aim to buy products that treat one symptom. For example, you don’t need to take cold medicine if you only have a stuffy nose. Cold medicine usually contains cough medicine, fever reducers and even antihistamines. All you really need for a stuffy nose is a decongestant. Consider purchasing the following:

* Decongestant
* Fever reducer: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprophen
* Antihistamines
* Cough medicine

Additionally, there are some natural remedies that can help alleviate symptoms – including a vaporizer or humidifier and petroleum jelly for raw, irritated noses. Eucalyptus oil and camphor oil in your vaporizer can also help clear stuffy noses. Honey and loquat syrup are also good natural cough suppressants. And don’t forget to stock up on facial tissues.

Stomach Distress

In most cases a simple antacid can do the trick for stomach issues. However, if you have the stomach flu or food poisoning then Bismuth subsalicylate, the ingredient found in Kaopectate, can help. Activated charcoal is also a natural remedy that works for upset stomachs and food poisoning in particular. It’s good to have on hand. Loperamide, the ingredient in Imodium, helps with diarrhea and a natural laxative is good on hand if anyone is constipated.

First Aid

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a fully stocked first aid kit in your medicine cabinet. Bumps, bruises, and injuries happen year round and during the winter you may not want to run out to the pharmacy to grab something, especially if the roads are bad. A well-stocked first aid kit will include:

* Antibacterial creams
* Antiseptic
* Bandages in a variety of sizes
* Tweezers
* Wraps, gauze, and pads
* Anti-itch creams
* Anti-fungal creams and powders
* Muscle ache creams – arnica is a natural treatment for sprains, strains, and bruises
* Epsom salts
* Thermometer
* Scissors

The Red Cross recommends checking your first aid kit on a regular basis. Once you’ve stocked it for the winter, consider placing a notice on your calendar to check it again in the spring. You just can never tell what the winter months have in store for you and your family. By preparing your medicine chest in advance for the possibilities, it means you can get a head start treating any illness or emergency.

Makeup Emergency – How to Look Good Without Your Favorites

We’ve all had it happen – you arrive at your destination and realize you forgot your makeup bag. Or you run out of your favorite brand of beauty product and can’t get to the store to buy more. Maybe the store where you shop stopped carrying your favorite makeup and you’ll have to make do. Makeup emergencies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors!

Here are some tips on what to do in a makeup emergency, and you have to go with fast, inexpensive makeup.

1. Foundation
You’re stuck without the foundation you love and have to buy something inexpensive and fast. But you can still pull it off and look good. Here are some tips.

-Go with a light coverage with the foundation. This will help compensate if the tone doesn’t exactly match, and will prevent it from looking mask-like.

-Add a little to your neck if the color is a bit too light or too dark.

-Consider a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation, because it tends to be more translucent.

2. Powder
Go with translucent powder if you have to go for something cheap. Again, you’re avoiding the pitfalls associated with the mask look (too dark, too light, too heavy).

3. Mascara
Unfortunately, the cheap stuff clumps. But if you apply a light coat only to the very end of your lashes, it’s less likely to cake up. In addition, go for a brown or lighter shade than usual, because cheap mascara can look very black. In addition, you can dip the applicator in warm water first, then mix it around inside the tube before applying. This help eliminate clumps.

4. Eyeshadow
Light, subtle colors can hide the fact that you grabbed something at the drugstore on the way to your destination. Try to find something as close to your usual color as possible, but lighter. If there’s nothing even close to your usual color, look for something in the same color group.

5. Blush
Once again, subtle shades are the way to go. Use a large brush so the blush blends into the rest of your face.

6. Lipstick
If you’re pressed for time and can’t get quality lip color, choose a gloss instead of lipstick. Gloss is more forgiving than lipstick, because its pigmentation is subtle – it’s more about shine than color.

7. Concealer
If you can’t find inexpensive concealer, use some of your foundation that has dried a bit around the threads of the bottle top or in the top itself. With the water evaporated out, the pigment will be more concentrated.

Cheap makeup doesn’t have to look cheap. With a few techniques, you can look great even without your favorites.

Is Your Pantry Winter Ready?

While the weather may still be balmy and summer-like, winter is really just around the corner. Now is the time to make sure your pantry is ready for cold weather, comfort food, and easy meals when you don’t want to step outside. The following tips and ideas will help you get your pantry ready for the winter.

Start with a List

Without opening your pantry doors, grab a pen and paper and sit down at the kitchen table. Make a list of the common ingredients you need for winter recipes. Remember to include things like dried beans for soups and stews, canned vegetables, and baking supplies. Also remember to consider your spice rack. What spices do you use often?

Take an Inventory

Once you have your list, open your pantry and take a look at what you have. Note anything that’s not on your list. Also put an asterisk next to items that you can stock up on safely. For example, if you bake a lot then you might want to buy a 25-pound bag of flour rather than a 5-pound bag of flour. If you use beans in many of your recipes then buy dried beans in bulk rather than canned beans. You’ll save money when you buy in bulk.

Do You Can?

Canned fruits and vegetables are an excellent way to enjoy seasonal produce year around. If you do can or are interested in trying it, then stock up on canning supplies and produce. Beans, cucumbers, and beets all can well.

Make Jams and Preserves

Along the same lines, you can stock up on seasonal fruits right now and make jams and jellies that last throughout the winter. Stone fruit, berries, and even apples and pears make great jams, jellies, and butters.

Clip Coupons and Keep Your Eyes Open for Sales

You still have time before the first frost and before the leaves begin to fall from the trees. Start looking for sales and coupons. You can stock up on pantry supplies without spending a fortune in the process.

Buy In Bulk

In addition to buying when items are on sale, consider visiting a bulk food store. You can stock your pantry with items from your bulk food store. Spics, baking items, pasta, cereal and even dog food and dog treats can be purchased at a bulk food store. It’s a great place to visit before the weather turns cold.

How to Smash the Glass Ceiling: Barrier for Women and Minorities

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Helping Elderly Parents Face the Loss of Independence

For many, one of the most challenging aspects of aging is the loss of independence that occurs for physical or psychological reasons. When your body just doesn’t do what it used to do, but you have a keen mind and want to be active, it can be very frustrating. Mental and emotional challenges can also cause a loss of independence, even if your body is capable.

If you’re helping elderly parents face the loss of independence, it’s important to restore a sense of control. Here are some things to consider as you help your parent(s) during this stage of life.

1. Be Patient

Your parents will need time to acknowledge and process what’s happening. It’s not an easy adjustment, and what you can “see” right away may take them some time to come to terms with.

2. Be Realistic

It’s a good idea to be honest with yourself so that you can move forward effectively. And the fact of the matter is, unless you’re dealing with a temporary injury, this loss of independence is not something your parent is going to recover from and go back to “normal.” Instead, a more dependent parent is the “new normal” at this point. Just recognizing that fact can help you feel less frustrated, as you might feel if you’re waiting for things to get better and go back the way they were.

3. Be Prepared for Depression – and Be Understanding

While you’ve not been in their shoes, try to understand how your parents feel about the situation. If you can’t relate to their specific circumstances, you can probably relate to their feelings. It’s important to realize that depression – and its many manifestations – can be a very common aspect of aging and losing independence.

4. Maintain Relationships

Try to help your parents keep up with friends and family, even if it means doing things differently. You might need to drive them to family events or arrange get-togethers with friends, but it’s important to help your parents keep those relationships and forge new ones, too.

5. Listen

It may be tempting to “just do it” and take control of the situation (or try to), but take a minute to listen to your parents’ suggestions. It’s not a good idea to automatically assume they don’t know what they’re talking about (that’s what we thought about our parents when we were teens!). Besides, if you listen to their suggestions, then they should be more open to listening to you. See what they have to say about easing the burden and managing the “new normal.”

It’s hard to watch your parents lose independence, and it’s hard for them to experience it. With a little sympathy and thought, though, it can be a bit easier.

Helping the Adult Child Face the Loss of a Parent’s Independence

When an aging parent loses his or her independence, it can be very challenging for the adult child or children who are caring for them. It’s tough to find some kind of balance in your life when your parent needs you. After all, the loss of your parent’s independence means that he or she now depends on you.

In addition, it can cause a lot of emotional stress to deal with parental dependence. Your schedule gets rearranged, and you may feel like your life is on hold.

Getting support and researching coping mechanisms are important. Here are some tips and ideas for coping with the loss of a parent’s independence.

1. Ask for Help

It’s hard to ask for help; there’s no doubt about it. But it is essential if you want some sort of balance in your life as you care for your parent(s). A good place to start is with other family members. If that doesn’t work, friends and neighbors can also be of help. If you attend a house of worship, your religious community is another resource.

When you do ask for help, try to be specific. For example, ask someone to go to the grocery store for you once a week, or pick up prescriptions. Avoid vague requests like “I just need some help caring for Mom/Dad.”

2. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way toward restoring balance to you and your parent. Regular exercise and a healthy diet puts everyone in a better mood to deal with problems, and may even relieve some health problems that are worsening the loss of independence.

3. Make Plans

You don’t have to micromanage every minute, but planning out your weeks and day-to-day activities can help a great deal. Allow time for your parent to do some things independently, like getting ready to go to the doctor or get dressed. Once you see your schedule on paper, it puts you more in control of how you spend your time. And you can carve out some for yourself.

Making long-term plans is important, too. As unpleasant as it is to discuss, you need to make sure that your parent receives care in case you predecease them, and you also need to have a plan for long-term nursing care. Being prepared can go a long way toward keeping your life from being knocked off balance by the unexpected.

4. Consider Therapy, Counseling, or a Support Group

There’s no shame in seeking support from a therapist or counselor, and joining a support group can be a great way to get advice and understanding from others. Connecting with others and being able to “vent” about the situation helps keep you from feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

There’s no doubt that it’s a challenging road when you’re caring for parents who have lost their independence. But take some time to accept the situation, make a plan, and find support. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your parent.

Funky Chunky Jewelry – The Fun Fashion Must-Have

Bored with your everyday clothes? Tired of wearing that same old blouse and pants to work? Jazz up that outfit with funky chunky jewelry.

Once place to start is with big, bold statement necklaces. They’re in many stores right now and they can easily dress up a denim shirt into a great outfit for a night on the town. Usually with plastic “stones,” these chunky necklaces manage to convey “fun” and “elegant” – often with a few well-placed fake rhinestones within the bold links of necklace. They come in blues and greens, shades of cream and beige, reds and oranges and yellows or blues and purples. Pick up one or two at your favorite shop and you’ve made a major update in your wardrobe.

You can pair that necklace with a set of bold, chunky earrings. Often the necklaces are sold with a pair of semi-matching earrings. You don’t need to be too matchy-matchy, but the store usually sells something in a similar bead that clearly goes with the necklace – adding that kicks the outfit up one more notch.

Another popular jewelry item is a giant, chunky bracelet. They’ll often come in multiple colors and in either plastic, metal or wooden beads. Consider stacking on several to really make a statement. Sometimes mixing and matching thicker pieces with thinner pieces or multiple colors makes a big impact.

Other items? You can get clips to put on your shoes, jazzing up those ballerina flats or even a headband. Some people even suggest clipping them to a handbag.

One caveat: how many of these items can be worn at one time? Whether you add chunky jewelry in three places or just one or two depends on the effect you want. Is the rest of your outfit plain and understated? Then you might be able to add quite a bit of jewelry. However, if you’re wearing multiple colors and patterns, then you might want to scale it back to one piece.

The general rule with coordinating an outfit is easy – add it up to ten. You score one point for each color, texture, stripe, and accessory. Black pants – one point. Do those black pants have pinstripes? Add another point. Is there a wider than usual leg, or is it a skinny pant? Add a point. Shoes: plain, add one point, anything funky or an unusual pattern or strong styling? Another point.

Keep adding one point for each item and each color within the item until you get to ten. Stop there. Keep in mind that a chunky necklace would score this way: one point for the necklace itself, one point for the fact that it’s chunky, one point for each color in the necklace, one point for each new type of bead — plastic versus rhinestone, etc.

There are no hard and fast rules, just guidelines. Adding chunky jewelry can add a polish and sparkle to anything in your closet. You can mix and match, add and subtract or even have an accessories party and trade with your friends to find new pieces. The sky’s the limit to what you can do with these fun, bold pieces of jewelry.

Free Online Pregnancy Tools

Back in the old days, women had to rely on visits to the doctor or a medical book to find out information about their pregnancy. Now there are thousands of online pregnancy tools, most of which are free. Here are a few ideas to get started.

Trying to get pregnant? There are online ovulation calculators that give you the best window of opportunity of conception to be most likely. Enter the date of your last period and the computer will not only calculate the week your fertility is at its peak, but also the weeks for the coming year.

There are also fertility worksheets available for free download. You can track your periods, calculate ovulation dates, keep track of possible dates of conception and track your way all the way to the due date.

Think you might be pregnant? There are all kinds of symptom guides online that let you know the tell-tale signs… nausea, dizziness, cramps, fatigue, bloating, breast changes and, of course, a missed period.

There are all kinds of due date calculators out there. Enter the date of your last period and the computer will tell you the probable date of conception, the dates of the first, second and third trimester and a due date.

Once you find out you’re pregnant, there are lists of foods to avoid while pregnant, charts regarding types of fish that have higher levels of dangerous mercury, types of soft cheeses that are likely to cause illness or miscarriage due to lack of pasteurization and other guidelines as to whether or not you should have caffeine or alcohol or raw foods of any kind.

Other tools available online include a pregnancy weight gain tracker, online journals, as well as message boards to get advice and exchange ideas with other moms. A lot of these message boards are wonderful resources full of articles, tools and information about how your baby is developing from week to week.

Once you start to near the end of your pregnancy, there are websites that help you create your own birth plan in which you specify everything from who you want present to what you will do for pain relief.

Birth announcements are an excellent item to work on as you near those final months of pregnancy. There are lots of websites that offer all kinds of options – everything from free announcements sent via email to photo announcements once the baby is born.

Another popular tool is the ubiquitous baby name web site. There are tons of them out there and they list everything from traditional names, celebrity names, meanings of names, names that come from various regions of the world, popular names, unpopular names, suggestions for middle names… it’s all there.

Want something fun? There are Chinese gender predictors. Enter the date of conception and your birth date month and year, and the predictor calculates whether you’re having a boy or a girl based on your lunar age and the Chinese lunar month the baby was conceived. Keep in mind this tool only has a 50% chance of being accurate – for more accurate results, check with your doctor when he does an ultrasound.

Finally, one sure way to amaze your friends – a free online pregnancy test. You enter your name, stand in front of your computer and it scans you for everything from hormone levels to ovulation status to… bovine encephalitis distemper? Then it announces whether or not you are pregnant, lets you know whether the baby is a boy or a girl and even specifies who the celebrity father is… Yeah, the website is a joke. But it’s a fun gag to share with a friend.

Fillers v Facelifts – are Jabs the Answer?

These days, there are more options than ever for looking younger. In our mothers’ and grandmothers’ day, there were few options other than facelifts. Facelifts are still around, of course, but fillers are jockeying for attention and, in some cases, are preferable to facelifts.

With many people dreading the rather drastic (not to mention expensive) surgical procedure known as a facelift, “jabs” seem to be the answer. But are they? Here are some things to think about and consider about fillers and facelifts.

Just What is a Facelift?
There is actually quite an array of facelift techniques. Generally speaking, a traditional facelift involves a downward cut at the hairline in front of the ear, then under the ear and back up, ending in the hairline right behind the ear. This is just one technique; in ther face lift types, the surgeon makes incisions along the cheeks and jaw line. The point remains generally the same, though: to tighten and pull the skin (and, in recent years, some of the underlying tissue).

Just What is a Filler?
Sometimes called a “liquid facelift,” fillers literally fill in the crease made by a wrinkle. Various substances can be used, but the process is the same: a liquid is injected around a crease or wrinkle in the skin, making it seem to disappear. Fillers are quick and mostly painless, and the effect can last up to a year.

Fillers can also be used to plump lips and fill in sagging, hollow cheeks and hollow eyes.

Fillers Are Not Without Risks
Just about no surgery is without risks, even quick and superficial procedures like fillers. There’s the possibility of allergic reactions to the substance that’s injected. In addition, small bumps may form under the skin at the site of injection – and those bumps may be permanent.

Redness and swelling may also occur, and even bruising at the injection site. In addition, the effects of facial fillers are not permanent. You have to go back in periodically – from months to a year – to have the procedure done again.

What Are Fillers Made Of?
Hyaluronic acid and derivatives of it are considered by many to be the least risky of the fillers (though no filler is completely risk-free). Hyaluronic acid is closest to the body’s natural facial “filler.” Collagen is another filler that’s animal-based; people manufacture collagen in the body, but the kind used in fillers is of bovine origin.

Other fillers include calcium hydroxyapatite and synthetic polylactic acid.

Are jabs the answer? It all depends on the question you’re asking! For many people, fillers provide a quick and easy “fix” for an aging face.

Family Food Heirlooms Keep Those Favorite Recipes for Future Generations

How many times have you found yourself gathered around for a family holiday or even just a simple cousin’s get-together and wound up talking about the same thing – the food you all ate when you were younger?

No matter how many times you do or do not get together, there seems to be the old familiar conversation about foods, family gathering, and times gone by. With everyone so busy, wouldn’t it be great if every family member could contribute to some sort of family food memory.

There are many great ways to gather family food heirlooms, so that generations to come can follow and enjoy them. The special flavors and tastes combined with the feelings associated with those “comfortâ€

Face Creams That Harm

You may think you can slather on face creams with reckless abandon. After all, if a little helps a lot, then a lot must help more, right? Whether you’re trying to smooth out wrinkles, protect from sunlight, cover up blemishes, or something else, it makes sense to use lots, and to mix many different types.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are some face creams that actually can do more harm than good, especially if they are used together.

Methylisothiazolinone: Long Name, Potential Allergen
Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a preservative, and it’s not new. But it’s only in the last few years that MI has been used alone in various products. In the past, it was combined with other preservatives. This means that MI concentrations have gone up, and its used in everything from baby wipes to soap to, of course, skin creams.

MI can cause allergic dermatitis, dermatologists warn, which manifests as red, swollen, and sore skin. Not exactly the look you want to sport with your new face cream…

Combining Creams Compounds Problems
Experts today warn that a “beauty diet” is preferable to piling on creams. The problem with mixing and matching is that you can expose your skin to the same ingredients over and over, or mixing ingredients that are more harmful when they’re mixed with others. For example, sources say you should never mix these chemicals, commonly found in various skin creams:

-Retinoids like Retin-A
-Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
-Hydroxy acids
-Glycolic acid

These can react with the others to cause allergic reactions. You’re more likely to end up with a chemical reaction if you use more than one brand and type of face cream.

Sunscreens
Wearing a daily sunscreen is something many women do as part of their makeup routine. But the thing about skin is, it’s absorbent. What you put on can end up getting in to your system. According to various sources, sunscreen’s toxic ingredients may actually increase the chance of developing skin cancer! Here are some that experts warn about:

-Oxybenzone
-Vitamin A (sounds nice, but when applied on the skin, it may actually promote tumor and lesion growth)
-Fragrance
-Parabens
-“Nano” products (these contain miniscule particles of various substances, and their small size means they can easily be absorbed through pores)

Instead, sources say to look for sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These are considered safer because they are not absorbed through the skin. In addition, unscented sunscreens won’t have the synthetic fragrances and scent-related chemicals that scented ones do.

Emotional Stages of the Adult Child Caring for Aging Parents

A lot of attention is paid to the emotional stages of developing young children. But adults have emotional stages, too, especially when they are dealing with aging parents.

It can help a great deal to understand some of what’s “normal” about what you may feel and experience as an adult child – when your parents need you the way you needed them when you were little.

Here are some of the common emotional stages of the adult child as you go through parental caretaking.

1. Who Are You?

While some experts say that the determination of who you are occurs in early adulthood, it gets redefined at various stages in your life. When your parents get older, for instance, you may be taking on a role and identity you’re not familiar with (caregiver). Or you may find that your life turns completely upside-down and you have to rethink your whole outlook on life. Understanding that this is normal can help you cope with this emotional phase whenever it comes.

2. Resentment

Yes, it’s normal to feel some resentment if you have to completely rearrange your life to take care of your aging parents. It’s normal to experience this, but not a good idea to “wallow” in the resentment or you might become bitter and angry. One of the best ways to let the resentment go is to accept it as a normal emotional stage.

3. Guilt

This is an emotional stage of parental caretaking that most of us don’t like to admit, but again, it’s normal to feel a bit guilty – no matter what you choose for your parents. Whether you put them in a nursing home, assisted living, or care for them in their or your home, the feeling that you should have done “more” or something different is understandable.

4. Depression

The fact is, your life is different now if you’re caring for your parent(s). You may not get out and socialize as much as you used to, or feel like you’re neglecting your immediate family such as your spouse and kids. Add to this the sense of overwhelm that often comes with the duties of a caretaker, and you can understand why depression is a normal emotional stage.

5. Acceptance

As you work out a pattern for your days and weeks, you’re likely to come to a place of acceptance. When your parent does pass away, you will be able to accept his or her passing knowing that you did what you could and are now able to move on to yet another stage in your life.

Caring for an aging parent is never easy. But it does help to know what to expect emotionally.

Emotional Stages of Growing Old

Like other life stages, growing old is marked by various emotional milestones. Recognizing them can help older adults cope with the aging process, and it also helps their caregivers and family understand their situation a bit better.

Here are some of the common emotional stages of growing old.

1. Self-Sufficiency (Mostly)

In this stage, seniors may suffer from chronic illness or disabilities, but they are generally able to take care of themselves. They may refuse any help offered, because they associate needing helping with being elderly, and they don’t think of themselves as “old.” Accepting help would be like admitting they are aging.

Most of the time, seniors in this stage are not experiencing much depression or negative emotions. They may be in denial and believe everything is just fine (or maybe everything actually is just fine!).

2. The First Signs of Independence Loss

These signs are often subtle. Seniors may begin to discover they can’t do something they’ve always done. Maybe they find themselves getting confused while driving, such as forgetting where they are going or how to get home, or they might have trouble seeing, resulting in an accident or near-miss that serves as a wake-up call.

Maybe they find pots left burning on the stove, or find that they can’t hear as well as they used to. It begins to dawn on seniors that their independence is slipping away, and they have to “swallow their pride” and ask for help.

At this stage, depression is common, because the senior realizes that he or she is losing independence, and that it’s not likely to return. The reality of aging – and how irreversible it is – begins to set in.

3. Crisis Mode

At this point, family members may find themselves always “putting out fires” – sometimes literally. One frightening event or near-miss happens after another – Dad is found by neighbors wandering the streets in the middle of the night; Mom is leaving pots to burn on the stove – and friends and family have to swoop in and avert crisis after crisis. Seniors may feel frightened at what is happening to them, and feelings of fear and anxiety may occur.

4. Loss of Independence

There comes a point when the senior loses most if not all independence. Depending on your circumstances, this could mean a full-time caregiver in the home, or placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Feelings of anger and resentment are common, and once ensconced in the new situation with constant care, seniors may feel very isolated. Activities and visitors can help.

As people age, these emotional stages may not be pleasant, but they are normal. Just realizing that can go a long way toward managing the situation effectively.

Embarrassing Pregnancy Issues and What to Do about Them

Think of your friend – that beautiful, perfect friend – who had all those lovely photos of herself taken while she was pregnant. You dreamed for years of yourself in that glowing light, holding your perfect baby bump with your perfectly manicured hands. Then reality set in and you discovered there are a lot of elements about pregnancy that are less than glamorous – in fact, they’re downright embarrassing. Here are some embarrassing pregnancy issues and what to do about them.

You’re at work, feeling kind of nauseous and about to make that big presentation. This is probably the most difficult pregnancy issue women deal with, especially because so often it happens in the first trimester when we haven’t wanted to share the news with the world and we’re not showing yet.

Solution? A lot of women make sure to keep a full stomach – something bland, like saltines, eaten every hour or so can make a big difference. Another option? Anti-motion sickness bands. Made of knitted elastic, they’re completely drug-free and use acupressure to prevent nausea. You wear them around your wrists and a little white knob puts pressure on the inside of the wrist. They’re used for motion sickness, morning sickness and even by patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Itchy nipples and leaky breasts – what a way to make a girl feel feminine! Solution? Moisturize and wear nursing pads. True, you’re not nursing yet, but these pads will keep your blouse clean and you embarrassment free. Wearing layers is another good way to camouflage this problem.

Hemorrhoids are another embarrassing problem that many women don’t even want to discuss. One easy preventative? Eat foods high in fiber and drink plenty of water. Be sure to drink plenty of fruit juices as well. Avoid lifting heavy objects (as you should while pregnant anyway) and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get regular exercise and be sure to keep your anal area clean and dry. If you do end up with hemorrhoids, know that there are plenty of over-the-counter medications that can help treat them. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Feeling gassy, or are you constantly stifling a burp? Consider avoiding gas-inducing foods or try an antacid if it’s ok with your doctor. Also, take small bites and take your time eating.

Other women are mortified to learn they are leaking urine. This happens because of the pressure of your growing baby on your uterus. Kegel exercises will help decrease this problem – this means contracting and releasing the muscles around the vagina. Kegel exercises are known to tighten things up and help prevent leakage. Another solution is to use the restroom more frequently and perhaps lean forward to be sure you expel all of the urine. Finally, a maxi pad can help prevent problems of leaking onto clothing.

Other embarrassing pregnancy issues aren’t medical. What about that stranger on the street who wants to touch your stomach? Many women have said they put their own hand on their stomach to act as a guard then gently (or not) push the offending hand away. After all, they wouldn’t do this to you if you weren’t pregnant. Why should they get to touch you now?

Finally, in that last week or two of pregnancy, you’ve gotten quite a bit bigger than you were nine months ago. When that well-meaning waitress leads you to a restaurant booth and you know you won’t fit, feel free to request a table. She may not have had any idea how embarrassing it is to not be able to squeeze into that booth, but her day will come…