Is your long distance relationship thriving…or just surviving? Are you madly in love with someone but cannot find a way to live in the same city? How do you support your relationship when you have very real physical distance between you?

I have seen couples fall apart because they could not sustain their relationship due to the distance between them, and I have seen others who find creative, romantic ways to keep the love alive. I know people who had a long distance relationship for years, complained about it, and finally got together in the same city, only to break up months after they lived near each other. Some people have long distance relationships and like it that way. And some couples don’t like the distance at all, but manage to still stay close.

How do they do that? Here are some of the challenges that exist when you have an out-of-town romance, and what you can do about it:

* Commitment

If you have just met, take care to spend enough time to truly know each other before you get in a committed relationship. There is no substitute for face-to-face communication. You need to meet each other’s friends, family, and co-workers. You need to experience good times and stressful ones together. Once you do, decide what your expectations are for your relationship. Be open and honest. How much commitment are you willing to give each other? This clarity is important to minimize misunderstanding.

* Trust

Once you can determine if you are both on the same level of investment in the relationship, trust and honesty become paramount to the success of your future. These elements are at the heart of all lasting unions, but distance challenges the security of your connection.

* Communication

Be dedicated to the way you stay in touch. Phone calls, emails, and chatting on-line are important. Set up a regular time to visit with each other, building a routine. But add some surprises such as, homemade videos, collected poems put in a special book, or self-decorated greeting cards. Stretch your imagination further with a lock of your hair in a unique box; an absorbent piece of cloth with your perfume or after-shave scent; your favorite flower, pressed and framed. If the other person does not call often, make time for you, or send appropriate communications, do not hang on. Let go and get on with your life.

* Plan your reunions.

Decide where to meet, how often, and how you want to spend the time when you see each other. Be very clear about what your expectations are for the time you have together. This is where many relationships break down. His idea of the perfect weekend could be sitting in front of the TV with her at his side, watching football. Hers could be visiting friends, attending a romantic movie, and later sharing secrets of the heart. He may expect her to cook his dinner; she may expect him to take her out. We all have old scripts that play out in new relationships, and unless we communicate what we want from each other, this is a recipe for misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

Finally, decide how long you want to live apart, and set a date for the move. It is true that when one of you moves to the other one’s town, you are taking a risk. However, most people say that even when it doesn’t work out, at least they gave love a chance. They didn’t want to spend their life longing to be somewhere else, continuing–a long distance relationship.

Visit http://www.tonjaweimer.com or http://www.singlesdatingtips.com for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single’s coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer. Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.)

Handbags are no longer just items of practicality, but have become a symbol of style and self-identification and the demand for fashionable designer handbags shows no sign of slowing.

From practical to flamboyant, fashionable brand names create any and every size, style or color to pique every woman’s unique desire for style. As with any accessory, handbags also serve as an extension of the wearer’s personality; whether or not you’re flashy or low-key, you can find a bag that suits every outfit or mood.

Today’s fashion designer handbags cost upward of $1000 or more, and even if you can afford one, it’s inevitable that a new “it” bag will come along next month, making yours dated. Not only are designer replica handbags a fraction of the price, many even have the signature designer insignia – making them practically identical to each other.

Most women long for a brand name to wear on their arm, but most cannot afford the $1000 or more price tags on these designer handbags. There are many designer inspired handbags just as good looking as the originals.

Some advantages of designer inspired handbags are that they’re vastly more affordable than a major designer label. They match the current trend, and the craftsmanship of some is so good that distinguishing between a replica and a real bag is becoming increasingly difficult.

If you’re worried about the lack of authenticity, designer inspired handbags are by no means cheap knockoffs of a real bag. They serve the same purpose and, in many cases, are made from the same material as an original, which means the only thing you’re paying extra for is the name and where it’s made (usually China or Italy).

Online is a great place to search for designer handbags (replica or non), including styles made popular by Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Coach and Christian Dior. Since replicas have become such a big trend, manufacturers and retailers give more attention to detail, ensuring that your bag will look identical to the most popular designer labels.

The major concern when buying designer handbags of the replica variety is figuring out if they share the quality of an original. Here are some tips:

Only buy replica handbags labeled “inspired by” instead of those that claim to be authentic. There should be small, but visible differences so that the replica bag has the look and feel of the designer bag that inspired it.

Still be prepared to pay a good amount of money for a quality replica designer purse ($200-$500 range). The “designer inspired” version will not require thousands of dollars, but still expect to pay for things like quality and hand stitching.

When shopping online look for disclaimers. If the disclaimer states that the handbag is inspired by or in the style of the designer, rather than a copy of the designer original or falsely claiming to be authentic, you won’t be breaking any laws by buying one. Reputable companies will issue valid disclaimers and they will sell quality merchandise. Carefully examine any company selling replica purses for the quality, workmanship and customer service feedback.

Replica handbags will still cost you a weeks’ salary – so make sure the quality is worth it. Just because you are buying a replica doesn’t mean you should settle for poor construction or cheap materials. Know the quality of the original to know if the quality of the replica is acceptable.

Choosing replica handbags involves more than thinking you’ve found a deal that’s too good to be true from a street vendor for $50. Just do a little homework – understand the disclaimer statement, become familiar with designer quality and carefully examine replica handbags before purchasing.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes health and fitness, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on designer handbags, please visit Handbags, supplier of fine designer handbags and replica designer handbags.

Personalized Handbags and Purses

It is usually very hard to buy for a women. Particularly if you are in the situation of being a man with a woman friend. You do not want your gift to send the wrong message but you do not want it to be insipid and cheap either. If you need to purchase a gift for a woman and your tearing you hair out as to what, why not try a personalized handbag. Handbags are the perfect gift for nearly any occasion. Women tend to love them and if they already have one, there is no problem in getting them another. Remember, you can never have too many bags, gloves or shoes. By buying a personalized handbag, that special lady will feel all the more loved. If this woman is just a friend then purses are a safe gift to give in this situation as well.

Personalized hand bags come in all shapes and styles. For practical use, you may consider a nylon handbag with the person’s 3 initials embroidered on the front. These are great for everyday use and usually have several compartments for all of the objects women tend to carry with them. Personalized tote bags are also a great idea. Their large size makes them perfect for those days out shopping or traveling. They are tough, durable as well as lovely looking and elegant. Again, initials or names are the perfect added touch for this gift.

Personalized gifts can be fun, but also show that you put some thought into the person. Handbags lend them selves perfectly to personalization. They are also the perfect gift for wives, girlfriends, good friends and mothers. If you are struggling for a good present for an approaching birthday or other special occasion, consider a personalized handbag. The gift and your idea will be greatly valued.

Feel free to check out coach handbags and purses website to find handbags and purses for every occasion.

Can you feel when your horse’s hind legs are on the ground? This is an important skill to develop because you want to time your leg aids so that you give them when your horse’s hind leg is on the ground…specifically just as it’s getting ready to push off. That’s the only time you can influence a hind leg.

I feel where the hind feet are by business my horse’s hips. When a particular hind foot is on the ground, my horse’s hip is higher. It feels like my corresponding collection is being pushed forward.

Here are some tips to help you learn to feel when a hind leg is on the ground:

1. As you walk, close your eyes. Focus, let’s say, on your inside seatbone. Some people describe the feeling as their seatbone being “higher”. Others describe it as feeling like it’s being “pushed forward”. Each time you feel your seatbone being pushed forward or higher, say the words. “Now, Now, Now”. That way you can get into the timing of when that hind leg is on the ground.

2. Ask a friend to call out “Now” each time a certain hind foot is on the ground. Coordinate what your friend says with the feeling under your seat.

3. If you’re working alone, sneak a peek at your horse’s shadow or a mirror if you have one. Check that you’re feeling the right thing by calling out the footfall and then looking at the shadow or mirror to see if you’re right.

4. Watch other horses and riders and notice where both the horse’s hip and the rider’s hip are when a particular hind leg is on the ground.

5. Teach yourself how to feel when the inside hind leg is on the ground in the canter by watching your horse’s mane. It flips up during the second beat of the canter when the inside hind leg is on the ground. Say “Now” each time you see it flip up. Then you can coordinate what you’re seeing and the word “Now” with what you’re feeling under your seat.

Are you sick and tired of complicated and confusing training techniques? Are you frustrated by negative emotions like fear and lack of confidence? Would you like to be trained by a Three Time Olympic Coach? Learn how by going to: http://janesavoie.com/