Five ways to fight the signs of ageing

Forget surgery here are five inexpensive and natural ways to delay the signs of ageing.There are a number of inexpensive and natural ways you can help delay the signs of ageing.

1. Curb your sweet tooth
Mounting evidence suggests that too much sugar in the diet can speed up the ageing process of the skin.

According to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D., an expert on facial rejuvenation and best-selling author of ‘The Wrinkle Cure’ sugar accelerates the ageing process by attaching to collagen - a process known as "glycation," making the skin stiff and inflexible resulting in a loss of elasticity, deep wrinkles and sagging.

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Get shiny hair

Shiny hair has a cuticle that's naturally smooth and flat. It's plumped up with water and it's rich in natural oils that keep the whole cuticle "glued" together. Unfortunately, you're stealing shine from your hair every day and you probably don't even realize it. If you want fabulous gloss, you should avoid these twelve mistakes that can rob hair of shine, or as we like to call them, the Dulling Dozen. 

1Flood damage 

Even "harmless" water can be a shine stealer. That's because too much moisture swells the hair shaft and causes the cuticle to buckle. The more frequently you wet your hair, the less shine you're likely to have.


2Shampoo scrubbing 

Scrubbing bubbles seem cute but that rub-a-dub-dub lifts the cuticle even more. Using a conditioning shampoo can help because the hair shafts won't snag against each other when you're lathering up.

3Careless underconditioning 

OK, we don't all need to condition every time we wash our hair, but if your hair is dry to begin with, it's much more likely to be damaged during and after styling if you skip conditioner. You're just giving shine away!

4Death by towel-drying 

So now your hair is wet. What do you do? Blot, don't rub! A rough towel can cause an amazing amount of damage to wet hair.

5The brush-off 

Don't fall for that old myth that you should brush your hair 100 strokes every night. While brushing does temporarily help by distributing natural oils, in the long run it strips off layers of cuticle and weakens hair. 

6Hot-styling appliances 

Heat is the natural enemy of shine. That's because high temperatures damage the natural lipids (fancy word for oils) that help keep hair flexible and shiny. If you do decide to heat-style, use protection, like the silicone-containing TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer spray.

7Protective product residue 

Yes, you do need to use heat protection, but be careful what you wish for. Some leave-in creams and gels leave behind a dulling residue.


8Color my world 

Chemical coloring is very damaging because it breaks down the inner structure of hair protein. Even if you use the special conditioner that comes with the coloring kit, your hair never fully recovers.


9Wave bye-bye 

Permanent waving is another chemical process that's highly damaging. It can dry out your hair completely and leave you with fried ends and frizziness. Try to stay away from it so you can keep your hair healthy.


10Twist and shout 

Twisting and playing with your hair is a dangerous habit as far as shine is concerned. That's because the torsional forces (fancy word for twisting and bending) loosen the cuticles.

11I dig a pony 

Wearing your hair in a ponytail may seem like a hassle-free style, but if you pull it back too tightly, you may be creating microfractures in the hair that will reflect light unevenly and cause loss of shine.

12Here comes the sun 

With the sun comes damaging UV radiation that can wreak havoc on natural hair lipids like 18-methyl eicosanoic acid. Without these lipids, hair dulls quickly. If you can't stay out of the sun, make sure you're protecting your hair with a good conditioner.

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Skin care 5 tips for healthy skin

Good skin care including sun protection and gentle cleansing can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Don't have time for intensive skin care? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.




1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection:

Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you're outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke can contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm rather than hot water.

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.


4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

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5 Spectacular Spring Fashion Trends

From bold prints to understated elegance, there’s no shortage of interesting and eye-catching pieces this season to play with. Featured here are five spring fashion trends that evoke a chic and sophisticated quality to them.

1. GRAPHIC STRIPES: This season, you might think you’re seeing jailbirds all over the place. But, don’t let your eyes fool you… one of the most popular spring fashion trends that’s taking over are wide stripes. Whether they be in a horizontal or vertical pattern, nothing gets attention like this striking print.

2. RUFFLES: Feminine and flouncy, ruffles are making a comeback this year. If the exaggerated ruffles shown on the runway are too much for you, try a modified version in the form of a delicately ruffled dress or blouse. This style looks especially sweet in a chiffon or silk fabric.

3. MODERN TUXEDOS: Taking a cue from menswear, the updated tuxedo (for women) is a chic and stylish look that always looks smart and sexy. If a full tuxedo feels too traditional for you, why not coordinate the jacket with a pair of jeans, for a downtown evening look?! Even though the modern tuxedo is one of the top spring fashion trends this season, it’s a timeless classic that will become a staple in your wardrobe.

4. DUFFLE BAGS: The sister bag to the always practical tote bag, duffle bags are a great way to stash extra items in your purse (such as an iPad or documents), and even works as an overnight bag (for those last-minute weekend getaways).

5. SLIDE SHOES: From kitten-heeled sandals to comfortable and cute wedges, the easy to wear slide-into-it shoe will become your go-to shoe this spring.

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Secrets of happy people

The Happiness Institute's founder and "chief happiness officer", Dr Tim Sharp, says it is vital to develop strategies for looking after your happiness because it will impact on so many aspects of your life.

"Happy people are healthier, they live longer, they're more successful at work and have better-quality relationships. Happy people perform better in pretty much every realm when compared with those who are depressed or not as happy," he says.

Different strategies work for different people, Dr Sharp says. There are general principles, including being clear about your goals, living healthily, being positive but realistic, fostering key relationships, using your strengths and enjoying the moment, but people should try them out and choose what works best for them.

"If I'm feeling down - and yes, Dr Happy does feel down at times - then I find the following things really help me: taking the advice of those I trust (particularly my wife), listening to music, doing some form of exercise and/or meditation, a change of scenery, practising appreciation and gratitude.

"It's important to note that accepting a degree of negative emotion is essential," Dr Sharp adds, "but these strategies help me work my way back to happiness as quickly as possible."

And as more people shift towards happiness as a measure of their success, a recent study by the University of Melbourne's Associate Professor Bruce Headey has found relationships are more important than material success in influencing a person's happiness.

"It appears that prioritising success and material goals is actually harmful to life satisfaction," he wrote in the journal Proceedings Of The National Academy of Sciences.

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7 Things You Didn't Know About Your Skin

Taking care of your skin is probably second nature by now. You know to slather on SPF each morning and scan for new and changing moles to keep your skin happy and healthy. But despite understanding how to combat wrinkles and ward off disease, there’s a fair share that you might not know about your body’s largest organ. Read on for seven interesting facts about your skin.


1. Your skin’s appearance and texture can give you clues about the rest of your health.

Sometimes, changes in your skin can signal changes in your health as a whole. For example, according to Brooke Jackson, MD, Director of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, “The hormones that the thyroid produces are directly responsible for the natural fats that protect the skin, as well as hair and cell growth and hair pigmentation.”

She explains that in a person with hyperthryroidism (when the thyroid overproduces thyroid hormone), the epidermis the outer layer of skin may thicken and skin may be soft. With hypothyroidism (when the thyroid under-produces thyroid hormone), on the other hand, symptoms include very dry skin and thickened skin on the palms and soles. Another way your skin can tip you off to health issues: Acanthosis nigricans, a condition in which skin around the neck darkens and changes in texture, is often associated with diabetes, according to D’Anne Kleinsmith, MD, dermatologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.



2. Everyone has the same pigment in their skin that’s responsible for color. 

Melanin, explains Josie Tenore, MD, SM, is a coloring pigment that is present in all people’s skin regardless of race. “The difference in skin tone between people of different races and between people of the same race lies in how much of this pigment is present, and its distribution within the skin.”

More specifically, everyone no matter how dark or pale they are has the same number of melanocytes, which are the cells that make melanin, explains Arnold Oppenheim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s their product, melanosomes which contain the melanin that differ. Some people have denser and larger ones, which make their skin darker.” Also, the denser and closer together they are, “the more protection the skin is afforded from skin cancer,” he says.



3. As we age, our skin sheds cells more slowly.

Ever wonder why children have such naturally rosy and dewy skin? While skin of all ages produces new cells which eventually move to the surface and shed off, young people’s skin does this more often, according to Dr. Tenore. “In kids, this happens every two to three weeks, which gives them that vibrant, shiny skin. But as we age, this process becomes slower. More dead cells stay on the surface, resulting in that dull, dehydrated look.”

She adds that exposure to direct sunlight slows down the sloughing off process even further because UV light decreases cellular turnover. Depending on your skin type your dermatologist can identify yours daily exfoliation or a topical antioxidant serum that contains retinoids, vitamins and peptides can help encourage cell turnover, according to Francesca Fusco, MD, a New York City dermatologist.



4. Stretch marks can be prevented to a degree.

Pregnancy, weight fluctuations and even teenage growth spurts can all cause stretch marks, those squiggly lines that start out darker than your skin color and often appear on the hips, thighs and abdomen (but can crop up anywhere). When collagen and elastin initially break down, says Dr. Oppenheim, skin creates striae rubrae red or purple stretch marks on light-colored skin due to inflammation. When stretch marks are in this phase, applying retinoid creams to them no matter where they appear can “considerably lessen their appearance,” says Dr. Fusco. That’s because the medication promotes cell turnover and skin regeneration. Some older stretch marks, which are lighter in color and have indentations, can be treated with lasers to help smooth the skin, says Dr. Kleinsmith, but it depends on where they appearask your dermatologist if lasers can help reduce the appearance of your older stretch marks.



5. The oiliness of our skin dictates what type of hair grows in that area.

The relationship between hair and skin is a close one. “The whole sebaceous (oil) gland and hair apparatus is one unit,” says Dr. Oppenheim. “The oil gland grows out of the hair follicle, which it helps to lubricate.” But it’s the difference in the individual glands that affects hair type. According to Dr. Oppenheim, “Where we have large oil glands, which produce more oil, we have thin hairs; where we have small oil glands, which produce less oil, we have thick hair.” People have oily skin in the middle of their faces because there are large sebaceous glands there, and they have dry skin on the periphery because there are small oil glands there. This is why even men with heavy beards don’t grow hair in the middle of their faces. 



6. Age spots should really be called “sun spots.”

Those brown spots that tend to crop up with age have little to do with the passing years, and much more to do with soaking up rays. “Age spots are the result of cumulative sun exposure and subsequent damage,” says Dr. Fusco. “They appear because pigment cells have accumulated in the top layer of skin.” To prevent sunspots, apply sunscreen in the morning every single day and every few hours afterward if you’ll be in direct sunlight. “The minimum SPF you should use is 30; be sure that it’s broad spectrum to block UVB and UVA rays.” advises Dr. Fusco. Aim to use a marble-sized amount of block for your face and a shot glass–sized amount for your body. Though age spots aren’t directly related to age, seborriheic keratosis, benign hereditary moles that usually stick out from your skin, are. They vary in color from white to black, says Dr. Oppenheim, and tend to appear on the face, scalp and torso (but can show up anywhere except your palms, the soles of your feet and your mouth) as you grow older.



7. Melanomas don’t always have color.

If you’re on the lookout for dark moles to screen for skin cancer, you’re on the right track. But malignant spots aren’t always so easy to find. “Follow the Sesame Street rule ‘One of these things is not like the other,’” says Barbara Reed, MD, a dermatologist at the Denver Skin Clinic. “Melanomas can be red, purple, flesh-colored or even white. I think I’ve seen them in every color except green,” she explains. If a mole looks funny, grows, itches or just plain makes you obsess over it, Dr. Reed recommends heading to your dermatologist for a check-up. And always tell your doctor about any other new spots or skin irregularities that you notice.

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Fill Your Face – Eat Your Way to Healthy Skin

Most of us know what we should be eating, yet when faced with the choice between that quick and delicious fast food and spending time to cook your own healthy meal, usually the former wins out. However, it’s important to note that what we eat is eventually reflected in how we look. Poor eating habits can produce shallow, dry skin, acne, chronic skin conditions, premature aging, and wrinkling. So let’s find out what we should be eating to promote healthy skin.

Fruits and vegetables provide many of the essential vitamins and minerals to keep skin healthy. This includes fiber, vitamins A, B, and C, and other antioxidants that will fight free radicals that can damage skin and cause premature aging. Health professionals recommend 5-6 servings daily of these fruits and vegetables.

Try fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit, which contain lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the effects of sun exposure and stimulate your immune system and healthy skin. Additionally, foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red and yellow peppers, spinach, mangos and apricots all contain a form of vitamin A, called beta-carotene, which will benefit your skin in the same way lycopene will.

It is important, too, to receive vitamins C and B. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that will help with wound healing and assist in the production of collagen- a protein that helps support the skin’s resilience, shape, and aids in anti-aging. Sources of vitamin C include oranges, broccoli, brussel sprouts, peppers, strawberries, and kiwi. A lack in vitamin B would lead your skin to be prone to dermatitis, cracked lips, dry skin, and skin lesions. Therefore, to avoid a dull and lackluster complexion, be sure to fill up on fat-free milk, cheese, yogurt, bananas, chick peas, oats, and asparagus.

Lastly, remember to always drink water. Whether it is in the heat waves of summer or the blizzards of winter, drinking water is essential to assist cells in moving nutrients in and flushing out impurities. Staying hydrated also allows the body to sweat and aids in keeping complexions clear.

The trick now, is simply resisting (or minimizing) the high-fat, high-sodium foods. With a stocked refrigerator, you’ll be well armed to establish new healthy habits including foods that will benefit your skin. Experience the positive results of increased energy and healthy, radiant, youthful-looking skin!

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5 Ideas for Better Sleep

Most teens need about 8½ to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. But about 1 in 4 teens has trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can affect everything from our emotions to how well we focus on tasks like driving. It can affect sports performance, increase our chances of getting sick, and may be linked to weight gain in some people.

How can we get the sleep we need? Here are some ideas:

1. Be active during the day. You've probably noticed how much running around little kids do — and how soundly they sleep. Take a tip from a toddler and get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. Physical activity can decrease stress and help people feel more relaxed. Just don't work out too close to bedtime because exercise can wake you up before it slows you down.
2. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Lots of people think that alcohol or drugs will make them relaxed and drowsy, but that's not the case. Drugs and alcohol disrupt sleep, increasing a person's chance of waking up in the middle of the night.
3. Say goodnight to electronics. Experts recommend using the bedroom for sleep only. If you can't make your bedroom a tech-free zone, at least shut everything down an hour or more before lights out. Nothing says, "Wake up, something's going on!" like the buzz of a text or the ping of an IM.
4. Keep a sleep routine. Going to bed at the same time every night helps the body expect sleep. Creating a set bedtime routine can enhance this relaxation effect. So unwind every night by reading, listening to music, spending time with a pet, writing in a journal, playing Sudoku, or doing anything else that relaxes you.
5. Expect a good night's sleep. Stress can trigger insomnia, so the more you agonize about not sleeping, the greater the risk you'll lie awake staring at the ceiling. Instead of worrying that you won't sleep, remind yourself that you can. Say, "Tonight, I will sleep well" several times during the day. It can also help to practice breathing exercises or gentle yoga poses before bed.

Everyone has a sleepless night once in a while. But if you regularly have trouble sleeping and you think it's affecting your mood or performance, talk to your doctor.

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Develop Beauty Habits

As young girls most of our mothers have told us how important looking beautiful is, and as you grow with age those words of wisdom seem to fade as something that seems more like a healthy suggestion rather than a literal interpretation, but as it seems beauty with age is no easy feat, it becomes pertinent to develop beauty habits in order to maintain looking fabulous and keeping your looks fresh and youthful.

Beauty Is Habit

Beauty is a daily habit. It includes all of the different things you require, to look and feel good about yourself!  Whether you are “going somewhere” or not.

The Basics of Beauty include feeling good about your health, weight, body shape, skin, your clothes, style, your hair, hands and feet. All of these elements contribute to how you feel and look when you get ready for the day.  When you decide to address, improve or simply prioritize in any of theses areas, you are improving your state of mind and productivity.  When one of these areas is not in check it shows.

How great do you feel and look when you eat healthy food, have just had a manicure/pedicure, haircut, facial, exercised or cleaned out your closet!  Choose to do these things on a regular basis. Write it into your schedule. We are all busy. There is time to do beautiful things for yourself.

Change your toenail polish while watching a movie at home, moisturize your feet before going to bed. Give yourself a facial while taking a bath. When you try clothing on that isn’t right, don’t put it back in the closet. Consign it or give to the goodwill.

Other things that help is, Having a skin care routine that works for you. Make sure to cleanse your skin at least once daily. Using a toner can help pick up any leftover residue and give you a fresh squeaky clean feel.  Adding a targeted serum really helps to promote healthy skin. Using a sunscreen always  or a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.

Create a simple make-up style for yourself. Have a small arsenal of items that are double use and can make you look enhanced without a lot of time. Add a glow to your cheeks with a cream blush that you can use on your lips too. Bronzer are nice for a subtle glow and are great for using as eyeshadow too. Finding the right color concealer can do wonders for brightening your eyes, face and complexion. Under eye cream is mandatory when using a concealer.

Use powder only on areas that are shiny. And make sure to pat or brush on lightly. Reapply as needed. Keep lip balm with you at all times. Add underneath lips even if you’re wearing lipstick or lip gloss. One layer of mascara and a eyelash curler accentuate your eyes and lift them for a larger perkier look.

Base your clothes choices on colors and styles that  you feel comfortable in.  Something may  look incredible on you, but if you’re not comfortable, you’re not comfortable. I don’t believe in suffering for beauty. Wear things that are in proportion to your size. If you’re tall or big use a larger hand bag or earrings. If you’re small or short use  accessories that don’t overwhelm  you. No spots, tears or frays on clothes unless they are part of the design. Polish your  shoes and handbags. Make sure buttons are secure, hems are flat and pressed.

Keep your hair and clothes as maintenance free as possible. Keep things washed, refreshed and ready to go.Keep what you need and works for you! Give away the rest.

 

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11 Tips to Restart the Exercise Habit

It’s okay, you can finally admit it it’s been ages since you’ve seen the inside of a gym. Once you have an exercise habit, it becomes automatic.

You just go to the gym, there is no force involved.

But after a month, two months or possibly a year off, it can be hard to get started again.

Here are some tips to climb back on that treadmill after you’ve fallen off.

1. Don’t Break the Habit – The easiest way to keep things going is simply not to stop. Avoid long breaks in exercising or rebuilding the habit will take some effort. This may be advice a little too late for some people. But if you have an exercise habit going, don’t drop it at the first sign of trouble.

2. Commit for Thirty Days – Make a commitment to go every day (even just for 20 minutes) for one month. This will solidify the exercise habit. By making a commitment you also take pressure off yourself in the first weeks back of deciding whether to go.

3. Make it Fun – If you don’t enjoy yourself at the gym, it is going to be hard to keep it a habit. There are thousands of ways you can move your body and exercise, so don’t give up if you’ve decided lifting weights or doing crunches isn’t for you. Many large fitness centers will offer a range of programs that can suit your tastes.

4. Schedule During Quiet Hours – Don’t put exercise time in a place where it will easily be pushed aside by something more important. Right after work or first thing in the morning are often good places to put it. Lunch-hour workouts might be too easy to skip if work demands start mounting.

5. Get a Buddy – Grab a friend to join you. Having a social aspect to exercising can boost your commitment to the exercise habit. 6. Enjoyment Before Effort - After you finish any work out, ask yourself what parts you enjoyed and what parts you did not. As a rule, the enjoyable aspects of your workout will get done and the rest will be avoided. By focusing on how you can make workouts more enjoyable, you can make sure you want to keep going to the gym. 7. Create a Ritual - Your workout routine should become so ingrained that it becomes a ritual. This means that the time of day, place or cue automatically starts you towards grabbing your bag and heading out. If your workout times are completely random, it will be harder to benefit from the momentum of a ritual.

8. Stress Relief - What do you do when your stressed? Chances are it isn’t running. But exercise can be a great way to relieve stress, releasing endorphin which will improve your mood. The next time you feel stressed or tired, try doing an exercise you enjoy. When stress relief is linked to exercise, it is easy to regain the habit even after a leave of absence.

9. Isolate Your Weakness - If falling off the exercise wagon is a common occurrence for you, find out why. Do you not enjoy exercising? Is it a lack of time? Is it feeling self-conscious at the gym? Is it a lack of fitness know-how? As soon as you can isolate your weakness, you can make steps to improve the situation.

10. Start Small - Trying to run fifteen miles your first workout isn’t a good way to build a habit. Work below your capacity for the first few weeks to build the habit. Otherwise you might scare yourself off after a brutal workout. 11. Go for Yourself, Not to Impress – Going to the gym with the only goal of looking great is like starting a business with only the goal to make money. The effort can’t justify the results. But if you go to the gym to push yourself, gain energy and have a good time, then you can keep going even when results are slow.

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5 Ways to Reboot Yourself

Lol...Omg...Idk: Why am I so tired?

Raise your hand if you've sent an embarrassing text message — the message that neither you nor your friend can understand because it looks like gibberish, or the one that's accidently sent to someone who shouldn't have read it.

Did you ever think that your nighttime pings, rings, and vibrates could be the reason why?

Lack of sleep can cause you to send embarrassing texts. But more important, sending and receiving messages late at night can disrupt your sleep and leave you tired and unfocused when it's time for school. Studies show that lack of sleep, or interrupted sleep, can affect everything from your mood to your sports performance.

Sure, you want to stay connected with your friends, but how useful can you be when you're exhausted? Give your "tech" (texts, emails, calls) a rest from bedtime until your alarm clock rings so you can rest.

How can you ease out of being accessible — but sluggish — all the time to unplugging at bedtime? Here are some tips to follow at night that will help boost your energy and focus in the morning:

1. Log off your instant messenger, Facebook, and email. Pings in the middle of the night can interrupt your sleep — even if you don't get up to answer them. And, more than likely, if your friends see that you're logged out, they'll log out too.
2. Turn off your cell phone (don't just set it on vibrate) when it's time for bed. Buzzes can be just as loud as beeps or rings, especially late at night when everything else is quiet. Plus, if your friends have no one to talk to, maybe they'll be inspired to turn off their cell and catch some Zzzs, too.
3. Get in the habit of powering off your computer — especially if it's in your room. Sometimes just logging off your instant messenger or Facebook is not enough. Blinking lights and glowing screens can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
4. Get your cell phone out of your room completely. Try charging your phone overnight in a separate room. While your cell battery is restoring, you can get the sleep you need to recharge your own battery. Having your cell in another room can reduce the chance that you'll use it during and after bedtime.
5. Make getting enough sleep your way to look and feel good.Getting sleep is a great way to look and feel refreshed and focused in the morning. To get the sleep you need, tell your friends you will receive your last text, email, or phone call an hour before bedtime. This way, they'll know their beeps or buzzes will have to wait.

It can be quite a challenge to go from being constantly accessible to powering down at a certain time. But sticking to a cut-off curfew for your gadgets and gizmos will help you ease into bedtime and give your brain some tech-free downtime. And if you need an excuse, just say your parents are making you do it.

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Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations

Sun and sand continue to be the romantic backdrop of choice for newlyweds according to Modern Bridemagazine's Seventh Annual Survey of the World's 50 Best Honeymoons, an expert poll of travel agents across the U.S. Hawaii ranked #1 for overall honeymoon spot followed by other beach destinations including Mexico, Jamaica, Tahiti and Bermuda.




According to the survey, the top 10 honeymoon destinations are: 

1. Hawaii 
2. Mexico 
3. Jamaica 
4. Tahiti 
5. Bermuda 
6. St. Lucia 
7. Italy 
8. Las Vegas 
9. Aruba 
10. U.S. Virgin Islands 

Hawaii fulfills just about every type of honeymoon desire, no matter what the priority for love-struck travelers, by ranking in the top ten for romance, beaches, affordability, snorkeling and diving, trendy locales, sexy ambience, food, adventure and nightlife. 

Other top destinations that ranked #1 [in specific features]include: 

•Colorado for "Winter Sports" 
•England for "Culture" 
•Costa Rica for "Adventure" 
•Tahiti for "Seclusion" 
•Las Vegas for "Nightlife" 
•Mexico for "Affordability" 
•Italy for "Food" 
•Jamaica for "Sexy Ambience" 
•Cayman Islands for "Snorkeling & Diving" 

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Wedding Flowers – How to Make Your Choice

Wedding flowers are one of the largest expenses for a wedding. Besides the bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding party, brides usually want flowers to decorate the church, the reception hall, and for various members of their family. This expense can add up very quickly.

There are several important things to consider when choosing your wedding flowers. The first decision has to be whether you want fresh or fake- either paper or silk- flowers. Fresh flowers will generally cost more, especially if you choose flowers that are not in season. Fake flowers make not have the look and smell of fresh flowers, but are generally much cheaper. A good compromise may be fresh flowers for some items, such as reception centerpieces, and fake flowers for things people won’t be close to, such as bouquets and boutonnieres.

As a bride, you will also want to take into consideration any allergies that members of your bridal party may have. The last thing you want is an attendant sneezing all through the ceremony. No one will probably notice the red eyes- just write that off as emotions.

If you have already chosen your colors, this may dictate what kind of flowers you can choose for your wedding. If you are going with paper or silk flowers, you can choose any color you wish. However, fresh flowers only come in certain colors, unless you want to pay extra to dye their petals.

When choosing your wedding flowers, keep in mind the general style of your wedding (formal, theme, etc), and the colors of your attendants attire. Usually, attendant flowers are similar to the bride’s bouquet, which should make that choice fairly easy. However, you may wish coordinate flowers for the wedding party mothers, grandmothers, siblings, etc. with the color of their dresses.

To make sure no one has to figure out where all the flowers are going after the reception, you may want to mark a plate at each table as a winner. Whoever sits there gets the prize- the beautiful centerpiece!

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Top 5 Wedding Themes

Planning your wedding, you want your day to be special. Do you want your wedding to be different and unique.

No. 1. Oscar's Night.

This is one of the top wedding themes. Having an Oscar's Night theme is an opportunity for the guests to dress up. Black Tie, evening elegance. The guests become involved, being presented with "Oscar's", this is a perfect opportunity to have fun. Different categories, best father in-law or mother in-law. An opportunity to involve all the guest and create a fun. The marriage favors can complement your Oscar Night Theme. Mini champagne bottles, silver photo frames etc.

No. 2. Vegas Or Casino Night.
Vibrant and full of energy, lighting and back drop is important, rent the film Casino Royal to get ideas of the setting. This is an elegant wedding theme, unique wedding favors could include personalized playing chips, playing cards, luggage tags or bottle stoppers. The ideas of are endless onside you choose a wedding theme you love.

No 3. Asian. Wedding.
Create an exotic and colorful wedding theme incorporation the lavish colors and texture in the wedding favors, the table dressing and the back drops. Fragrant exotic flower creating arches. Stunning colorful dresses, magical music. Unique wedding favors could include candles, soaps, exotic charms, tea light holders, tiny photo holders.

No 4. Beach Wedding.
Perfect if you are guaranteed sunny evening, tables and chairs out, lanterns and tea lights dressing the tables. Imagine A Lu Out or beach party. Barbeque's, roast pig on a spit, cocktails, bongos. limbo bomb fires. Create this beach wedding theme indoors with lighting and beach music.

Unique wedding favors, mini bongos, candles, fruit shaped soap. bamboo coasters, etc.

No 5. Sports Wedding Theme.

No matter what sports the bride and groom are passionate about they can incorporate it in to a wedding theme. Wedding favors reflecting the sport. If your theme is golf you could decorate with items from that sport. Wedding favor could include personalized golf balls or tees. mine basket balls or base ball hats.

Hopefully these ideas will inspire to have the wedding of your dreams.

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