my happy blog

We all need wrinkle reduction advice. The world is going to the dogs but the prize will go to those who are prepared to compete in this new world where good looking people make more and get better service. Fait it’s not; realistic it is. Be ready.

There is no question that good looking people get paid more than average folks. Numerous studies have proven this discouraging fact. So, get with the program. Treat your skin with the respect it deserves as your most precious natural resource. Cultivate smooth skin anti wrinkles defense is the way of the future for those who are paying attention. Here’s what to do.

First decide to spend a bit of time each day on this mission. Not a lot of time but a short amount every day is preferable to extreme measures on occasion. Cleanse, moisturize and protect with regular care and results will be remarkable in just a few days.

Wrinkle reduction advice that does not include which ingredients to avoid is not in your best interest. Stay well away from mineral oil, preservatives and fragrances of any kind. These all will damage your skin. Your smooth skin anti wrinkles policy will never include these dangerous synthetic substances. Stick to natural oils, vegetable-based waxes and ingredients like sea kelp to get the most bang for your buck.

Our skin is our largest organ. Anything you apply will travel through the dermal layers, into the blood stream and wind up in your organs. Please avoid using any ingredient not fit to eat. There are so many beneficial plant derived wholesome ingredients this should not be an obstacles to those of you who know how to research on the internet. This information is easy to find and understand. Keep in mind that many companies use synthetic versions of naturally occurring compounds to save money. They spend on advertising and packaging, not research and development of good products.

Objective wrinkle reduction advice will inform you about dangerous chemicals to avoid. Alcohol, DEA, nitrosamines and toluene are toxic but pervasive. Read labels carefully, do not allow these synthetic chemicals to contact your skin and invade your body. We have plenty of noxious environmental dangers in the world around us with out inviting there destructive guests in ourselves.

Your bottom line needs all the help you can give it. Treating your skin well will make you feel and look better. All it takes is the will to make a difference and to stick to a plan. Remember, a small commitment of time will result is large changes and a boost in your domestic economy in short order.

Pamela Brooks has been studying the skin care industry for over 15 years. She is a regular contributor to http://www.skin-and-health-care.com – a site covering the very best quality skin care products on the market today.

Is your husband retiring? If he is, you are probably noticing that his company may only be concerned with how his life will be affected by this milestone event. I’ve had clients tell me that their husbands’ companies set him up with retirement coaches, therapists, financial planners, and even fitness/nutrition experts, but no one offered guidance or support for what was about to happen to her.

I’ve also heard more than once from a high achieving spouse that the year after her husband retired was the most stressful year of their marriage, and that they barely made it through without divorcing. Consider how a high achieving career sets up this disaster:

1. He has worked 80 hours a week for years, or has spent so much time in the corporate jet flying all over the world, that his best – and often only- real friend is you.

2. His identity is completely attached to his career, and when that’s gone, he’ll start a Venture Capital group, or join one with other displaced retirees, but he’s out of the game now and has no compelling value in the marketplace. That value is what he’s been basing his self-worth on for years.

3. He may have been tired of working and he says he wants to play more golf, but he will struggle with how to replace the drive that was provided by his career. Once he’s no longer urgently needed, why get up in the morning?

You, on the other hand, might have complained about his absence in the earlier, busier years of your marriage. Now that the house is relatively empty and you’ve created your own life and schedule, this change may turn your world upside down. Consider the following:

1. Have you been thinking about or have you already started a new business venture or college degree now that the kids are gone? What happens to your own career when he wants to take off and see the world?

2. Are you used to setting your own schedule? Now that he’s home, he’ll want to be included more than before. If he has no idea what to do with himself, or has lost most of his social connections over the years, he may rely on you more than ever to help him fill his days.

3. Unless you’ve both been crystal clear about your “support” activities in your relationship, he may turn to you for fulfilling those administrative duties that a company admin once performed. Are you prepared to set boundaries – daily, if necessary – without conflict until the two of you figure this out?

Navigating this transition can be difficult, but it can be fatal if good communication skills and clear thinking aren’t incorporated into the mix. Here are some conversation starters for the two of you before the day comes:

1. Discuss how you both imagine you’ll be spending your time right after his retirement, and then again, a year from that day. Part of the difficulty of transitions is that these changes aren’t consciously thought through or even shared.

2. Be open and curious, not defensive. Look at the issue apart from the two of you. Discuss it collaboratively. “Hmmmm. This is a little scary, isn’t it? How are we going to work through this transition?”

3. Both of you should make direct requests of each other to support things you anticipate you’ll need, and continue to do so to keep the air clear. You may want to request that he takes over part of the duties you’ve been shouldering while he’s been working outside of the home. Whatever requests you have, make sure they are specific and measure. Otherwise, resentments will build from different viewpoints of what those requests look like.

4. If you’ve been spending money in ways he isn” aware of, or you’ve participated in activities that he’s never really paid attention to, now is the time to lay it all out on the table. Your privacy is about to change considerably – make it a proactive disclosure. It doesn’t have to be confrontational. You don’t have to agree to something you think is unreasonable. If you’re used to giving in when you have an argument, now is a great time to shift that behavior. Seek support if you need help in navigating that transition.

5. Remember that this can be a wonderful opportunity to develop a new phase of your relationship. Find ways to share interests that you’ve never had the time to share before. Use this declaration of retirement to retire from some of your own duties, too. Look carefully at your own life. Are there activities you could put aside and give yourself permission to relax a little?

Whatever the outcome, transitions are the result of choices made, either by you or by arbitrary circumstances. If you don’t consciously make those choices, the results won’t be nearly as enjoyable.

Carol Setters is a consultant to high-level achievers and their partners. An expert on how the dynamics of how success affect relationships and personal identities, she can be contacted through her website at http://www.CarolSetters.com – Her upcoming book “Loving a High Achiever” with Dr. Jim Kochalka provides examples and suggestions to overcoming the unique challenges of a high achieving relationship.

Divorced for less than a year, 56 year old Darlene says, “It’s worse than if mack had died.
At least, if my ex-husband had died, I’d get sympathy from everyone. I wouldn’t feel like I’m to blame for him leaving me, what was wrong with me as a wife that I couldn’t hold on to him or satisfy him. I wouldn’t feel guilty.”

Her best friend Carlotta laughingly adds, “You’d get his life insurance and all the money, not just the less than half you got in the divorce.”

“As much as the money is an issue, even worse is that, except for you, most of my friends have disappeared. I’m more alone now than I felt while married to Howard. At least then I had my friends. Now, though, they treat me like I’m contagious – or non-existent.

When you are older and marriage marriage breaks up, married friends often slide (or quickly run) away. It is hard to see your long time friends turn their backs. Yet, it’s friends that are most helpful in getting through document period – and in adjusting to your life as a divorced woman. And, at this age, it is hard to make new friends.

Darlene has a job she likes, so she’s luckier than some women who have never worked outside the home. Either way, though, divorce mandates change. And, change at mid-life is challenging. Many women prefer to stay in their comfort zone, living with minimal changes – keeping their lives as before only without the husband. When you have young children, that makes sense, but at this point in your life, it may be the worse thing you can do.

When you are younger and your marriage ends, you have more time to start a new life, to change your life style. Yet, loss after 50 offers opportunities for opening new doors. You have freedom from family responsibility; you can now think about you and what you want. You have freedom to rediscover your lost dreams, dreams you put on hold when you got married and had children. You can now choose friends who suit the single woman you want to become.

There is a secret to redefining your image at this disruptive time in your life. Do you remember the cartoon of the woman clawing to get out of a cage, but never looking behind her to notice the cage has no back? It’s wide open. You are not hindered by a marriage that might have had trouble letting you stretch your wings.

So, here’s the secret: look around you more carefully; find the help back to your cage, take a deep breathe, and step out of your comfort zone. Stepping out is scary, but not stepping out is even more scary.

While it might not feel it, this is the best of times for you now. You have the best of both worlds: you are older and wiser with fewer restrictions. Take a deep breathe and feel your freedom, discover your passions.

Darlene and Carlotta are accurate about the awful parts of being divorced, but these women aren’t ready yet to benefit from the positives of being a older and wiser single woman. Making new friends is hard and does require leaving your comfort zone, branching out to something new. This is also true about work, home, your whole environment. Once you move past the anger and hurt about your ex, you will see all kinds of options can open up for you. Being over 50 can actually be an exciting adventure for women who are divorced.

Another secret to redefine yourself as a mid-life single is to live by the “15 Golden Rules for Being An Emotionally Healthy Single Woman.” To get your copy, go to the Special Offers on the home page of http://www.WomenAndThePeopleTheyLove.com , and type in the code: Rules. Also, check out my weekend retreats specifically for mid-life single women, http://www.UniqueRetreatsForSingleWomen.com

Dr. Karen Gail Lewis, The Woman Who Helps Women And The People They Love

With the internet making it easier than ever to source artworks, it’s relatively simple these days to build up a great-looking collection.

While prices for unique works are increasingly beyond the reach of many, limited editions of, say, 150 plus are financially and widely accessible, making it possible to acquire pieces by major artists for reasonable prices.

There can be a downside, however. While little beats the pleasure a signed work can bring, generally speaking, the larger an edition, the less likely it is to appreciate in value quickly – or even substantially.

Nevertheless, the contemporary art market is full of contradictions, and with growing demand at all levels, recent trends have often seen this assumption overturned.

As an obvious example, Damien Hirst’s early prints for Eyestorm consistently fetch $10000-$16000 at re-sale, a very substantial profit on their original price. More recently, prints by Banksy and other urban artists have proved equally lucrative.

In other words, it’s becoming increasingly possible – although by no means a certainty – to make profits quickly with relatively little outlay; although the trick, as always, is knowing what to buy and when to sell.

Buying for fast profit

The art world has a curious attitude to speculation. Buying and selling purely for profit is still regarded as just a little unsavory, even though the entire art market is dedicated to this pursuit. Perhaps it’s because art has such a curiously dual nature, combining aesthetic and cultural worth with a commercial value that can reach very high sums indeed.

Whatever the case, it would be difficult to consistently make money from art without some genuine appreciation and an insight into what will stand the test of time. And many dealers are themselves collectors, at least partly funding their own acquisitions through trading.

Yet it’s certainly true that, with contemporary art consistently showing remarkable returns on investment, it’s also become an attractive proposition to a very wide range of buyers.

In general, non-specialist speculators often trade in the work of artists whose frequent media coverage makes them well known to the public. And as shown by the two examples mentioned above – Hirst and Banksy – this can certainly reap substantial rewards.

But it’s also important to remember that, in an increasingly novelty-driven world, the next big thing is usually just around the corner. ‘Celebrity’ artists often take on the nature of a trend, and fads can become outdated with dramatic speed. Knowing when to sell such work is vitally important.

Ups and downs in the market aren’t just related to artists with familiar public profiles, of course. The art world itself frequently generates its own, ‘flavor of the month’ buzz. A few years ago, Martin Kippenberger’s prices rose dramatically, then leveled just as quickly. Chinese and now Indian contemporary art have been subject to the same kind of intensely fashion-led markets.

Clearly, money can be made through quickly identifying and speculating on trends, but you’ll need to have your finger firmly on the pulse. Knowing what’s considered exciting is essential, but you’ll also have to determine how long this excitement is actually going to last.

Long-term investment – knowing your artists

When it comes to collecting art, you’ll often read the following: the safest way to build a collection is simply to buy work you really like.

Such advice seems tailor-made to shield less knowledgeable collectors from potential disappointment, and perhaps even encourage sales of less desirable work. Buy a piece you love and if the value falls no harm has been done. If it gains in price, that’s a bonus.

I prefer to look at buying art a little differently.

Of course it’s important to purchase work you want to own and view.

But since contemporary art presents real investment opportunities, it makes sense to think carefully about what to add to your collection. After all, look at almost any online art site, and you’ll see that prices for fairly standard pieces are often equivalent to what you’d pay for work with far greater investment potential.

Although there’s obviously no way of predicting future value for sure, the key is to familiarize yourself as much as possible with the background of artists you’re drawn to.

How long have they been practicing? Is there a theme or thought process behind their work? Has this evolved coherently over the years?

Artists with at least some degree of complexity and persistent ‘vision’ are generally more likely to gain steadily in appreciation and price.

You’ll also want to know if the artist has achieved some kind of recognition. Is their work held by collections, galleries or museums? Has it been exhibited consistently?

Professional opinion is yet another important factor in trying to determine an artist’s long-term prospects. If a large number of critics and academics coincide in their high opinion of an artist, this is another good sign that they will retain or even gain value.

Mid-career artists can be judged much more easily in relation to their existing work; and after all, good art isn’t just about something that happens to look nice on a wall.

It’s about a certain kind of commitment and an obvious path of development. If all these factors are present, buying probably makes sense. Limited editions by Jeff Koons, for example, were relatively inexpensive 5 or 6 years ago, but with recent record-breaking prices for major works, have also shot up in value.

Even artists who disappear temporarily from the art market radar are much more likely to re-emerge at a later point if they show the ‘right’ kind of commitment and passion.

Emerging artists and the schlock of the new

New young artists are often fizzing with ideas, many of which can seem ground-breaking or even radical, but the problem is that they have yet to prove their long-term worth.

This said, you can certainly gain an insight into potential by applying the criteria above. It’s especially important to determine if they have something genuine to express or are simply employing methods that could, over time, increasingly be seen as just a gimmick.

Of course, if you’re looking to make a high return on investment, rapidly emerging artists can prove highly lucrative.

In such cases, it’s probably a good idea to invest in as substantial a piece as possible, although as we’ve seen, editions and multiples can also prove money-earners.

But keep a close eye on auction prices and signs of market fatigue. Such artists might be the talk of the town right now, but will they fulfill their early promise?

If, after a few years, their work appears stuck in a rut and prices seem to be leveling or even dropping, it’s time to think twice about their long-term appeal. On the other hand, if they do continue to create great work, any pieces bought for relatively low sums at the start of their careers should steadily rise in value.

Spreading your bets

If you’re lucky enough to have substantial sums of money to spend on art, newer artists, as we’ve just seen, can produce significant return on investment.

But perhaps the best way to offset the risks that they may never fulfill expectation is to ‘spread your bets’ across a selection of up and coming names.

Buying the work of several different artists might mean settling for less significant works, but with the right kind of knowledge – and luck – hitting a jackpot is still potentially viable.

If you’ve done your research, the chances are fairly good that at least one – and hopefully more – of your chosen artists will gain in recognition.

And given the phenomenal increase in prices for contemporary art, if that happens, eventual profits could far outweigh the costs of initial purchases, even if other works fail to make the grade.

It’s worth remembering that many well-known collectors buy huge amounts of work by new, ‘promising’ artists.

Charles Saatchi is a particularly good example, and although he is famous for the apparent strength of his collection, a sizable proportion consists of artists who have now faded into obscurity (you won’t see these listed on the website).

However, the phenomenal rise in value of those who became major names – Peter Doig, for example – have reaped him many millions of dollars in profit at auction.

And if those are the rewards, you can probably afford to make the odd mistake.

Mike writes for modernedition.com, a resource providing articles and news on contemporary art, as well as limited edition prints and multiples by leading contemporary artists.

Lasik eye surgery is very safe when compared with other types of vision correction surgery. The problem is that like most other types of surgery lasik can be quite expensive and many people might have problems affording lasik surgery. If you’re considering having the lasik procedure done to correct your vision then you should do some homework to find out what’s involved with the cost of lasik eye surgery.

The standard among eye surgery centers is to quote lasik prices on a per eye basis. Since this is the case you may be wondering what the average cost per eye is for lasik surgery. Unfortunately this is not an easy question to answer since the cost of lasik eye surgery can be influenced by many different factors. Keep in mind that the supper cheap prices of $500 per eye that you may see advertised are often not valid for most people.

Some of the factors involved in the cost of lasik eye surgery are as follows:

The first cost factor you’ll run into is the cost of pre-operative evaluations. This is critically important to determine if you are a good candidate for lasik and to tell if there are any potential complications to your lasik surgery. It will also help the surgeon determine what type of eye surgery is most appropriate for your individual circumstances. Many lasik surgeons offer free evaluations so you can get the opinion and costs from several doctors before making a decision on who will do your lasik eye surgery.

Another cost factor is the type of equipment being used in the eye surgery. Lasers, computerized eye scanners, tear analysis and eye tracking equipment are all expensive and some of the laser manufacturers actually get a residual everytime the surgeon uses their laser. These equipment expenses all impact the cost of lasik eye surgery. Each eye surgery center may use different equipment and the costs can vary dramatically.

To save yourself some money on your eye surgery look for lasik discounts, but be cautious as well when considering these discount offers. You’ll need to read all of the fine print to know what is included and more importantly what is not included in discount lasik prices. In some cases the discounts won’t be available to everyone and some discounts don’t include important pre-operative and post-operative testing and follow up. This can end up making your lasik eye surgery more risky, which is never a good idea.

Based on what eye surgery center you choose the cost of lasik eye surgery can vary by as much as $1500 per eye. This is a huge difference so be sure to shop around and have consultations with several lasik providers prior to making your decision. And don’t forget to read the fine print if you’re considering discount lasik eye surgery to keep yourself safe.

Learn more about lasik eye surgery and the cost of lasik eye surgery by visiting the authors website.

In the 1960s, it was common for a woman to wear a dress everyday. Dresses were considered a formality, representing femininity and tradition. Over time, these garments became acceptable for both casual and formal events. A dress still emanates a sense of womanliness and can be found in any color, style and fit. They flatter any age or body type.

Casual dresses are a great addition to any wardrobe. These types of garments are usually made with inexpensive fabrics, such as cotton and polyester, and require the least care. Many casual dresses are washer and dryer safe, making them the perfect choice for traveling. They are ideal for informal events, such as birthday and anniversary parties, afternoon coffee dates, or dress-down days at work.

Formal dresses, on the other hand, often require special care. Normally designed using more expensive fabrics like satin, silk, or velvet, they need to be dry cleaned. This is usually not a problem, since formal dresses are worn so infrequently, sometimes only once. These types of dresses are suitable for proms, lavish charity functions, and award ceremonies.

Sometimes it is hard to choose the proper dress when lacking details of the event. For example, a first date can be tricky. This type of occasion is usually planned by one person, which leaves the other person guessing. In this situation, it is best to choose a dress that falls somewhere in between informal and formal. No one wants to be stuck in a greasy diner sporting a pricey original or spotted at a gala wearing a cotton sundress.

Weddings fall under a category all of their own. All brides are determined to find “the perfect dress”, often turning a blind eye to the time and money involved. There are so many styles and colors of wedding dresses that it is best to enlist the help of a wedding dress consultant. They are trained to narrow down the choices, recommend styles based on body type and size, and assist brides with staying on budget.

Another consideration for choosing the right dress is season. Dress styles change with the seasons; tank and short-sleeved dresses are better suited to late spring or summer, while long-sleeves provide warmth for fall and winter. Materials also correspond with the season, making light, breathable cotton a good choice for warmer months and heavier knits, such as wool, more appropriate for the colder months.

With any occasion, it’s a good idea to consider the appropriateness of some dresses. A low-cut garment should never be worn to a wedding and a dress with an extremely short skirt will not be well-received at Grandma’s birthday.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used clothing, used watches, and vacuum food sealers. When shopping for used clothing, used watches, and vacuum food sealers, shop only at the best online stores for dresses, used watches.

Looking for a great pair of discount sunglasses, but don’t know where to go? Sick and tired of seeing the high quality sunglasses you want sitting on the shelves at a price that puts the sticker on a missile launcher to shame? The sunglass industry has discovered how to make a killing off of fashion minded individuals like yourself who are willing to do anything to get their hands on the perfect pair of sunglasses-including shelling out a price that rivals the national deficit.

Fortunately, you’re here looking for a better way! The simple fact is regardless of how perfect they may be, how good they may look on you or how well they match your favorite outfit, sunglasses are only sunglasses. They get scratched, they get bent, they get lost and they get broken. The last thing you want is to be out hundreds or even thousands of dollars because your favorite nephew took a liking to the shiny things on top of your bookshelf.

Enter the wide, wonderful world of discount sunglasses. When you get a great pair of sunglasses for ten or twelve bucks and they get broken you’re going to be a little disappointed, but not nearly as badly as you would be if you’d spent an entire month living on Ramen and yogurt to buy them.

The question is, where can you go for great discount sunglasses? Obviously you don’t want to buy a pair so cheap they’re going to fall apart the minute you put them on your face. You can go to your local dollar store for that! No, in order to find a great pair of shades at a discount price you’re going to have to know where to go.

The first place anyone should stop before embarking on a search for sunglasses is a secondhand seller such as Amazon or eBay. The merchandise sold on these sites is almost always in good condition (and if it’s not, at least they have the decency to tell you about it first). Often merchandisers who have found themselves with far too much stock will turn to sites such as these to unload their excess quickly. This is great news for you-you can find great discount sunglasses for fifty, sixty, even seventy percent less than they’re sold on the shelves.

The next thing you want to do is go clearance shopping at your favorite discount sunglasses outlet. Stores such as Sunglass Hut almost always have a clearance sale going (again, usually of excess inventory), which means that not only do you have a great chance to pick up discount sunglasses, you can try them on first! (A major perk if you aren’t sure of exactly what you’re looking for, since like clothes sunglasses often look completely different off of the shelf.)

If neither one of these pans out for you, take your search out into cyberspace. A Google search for “discount sunglasses” will put you in touch with literally thousands of sellers and wholesalers willing to sell you discount sunglasses at a great price. You’re going to be taking these sunglasses on faith, since you won’t be able to try them on first, but the money you save might just make it worth it.

There’s no reason to deplete your bank account in the quest for the perfect pair of sunglasses. With a little savvy ingenuity you can find the pair you want and still have enough left over to take them walking the boardwalk.

The author Kirk Bachelder runs an import company that manufactures sunglasses. If you are looking for wholesale discount sunglasses or retail sunglasses they can supply you. Why pay hundreds for a good pair of sunglasses when you can purchase replicas for a fraction of the price.

Light travel? The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Why travel lightweight? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still waited for their checked luggage. On busses our luggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. Others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, while we had our hands free and were walking comfortably with our daypacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.

Light Travel Issues

Expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Also, a small bag may not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to buy a second bag at some point, to carry your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn’t as big a problem as you may think.

My silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what typical travel clothes weigh, these take less space, and function the same. There’s no sacrifice involved here.

You don’t even have to buy new clothes, if you don’t want to. You don’t have to buy a scale and count ounces. Just choose lighter alternatives whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is the goal.

More Light Travel Secrets

Money can replace weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles as you travel? It won’t cost much more to buy things as you go. Also, you really don’t know what you’ll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy things as you need them, and you won’t have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don’t we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during a trip?

Gifts and souvenirs? If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.

What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:
* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)* Thin gloves (1 ounce)* Thin hat (1 ounce – honestly)* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)* Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)* Sunglasses (1 ounce)* Small chess set (3 ounces)* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)My pack weighed ten pounds. My wife’s weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I’m not suggesting you start counting ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., and you can enjoy the benefits of light travel.

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. For more on light travel, plus travel stories, tips and information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

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.

Most people have joined in the revolution of buying products online. Clothes, gifts and even food can be purchased online, yet there can be problems associated with purchasing some items on the internet. This is especially true if it is a new item such as a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes.

Perfumes online can prove problematic as well. While you can sniff the perfume of your choice at a department store, that cannot be done with an online purchase of a high price or discount perfume.

If you are buying your standard, tried and true perfume and cologne choices from an online store, then that is fine. But if you are buying new, untried women fragrances, then that is a bit risky. Buying perfumes online does not give you the luxury of testing out a new fragrance before you make that purchase. Sure a friend may wear the stuff all the time, but unless you give it a try you will not know how it will react on you.

So if you are buying a new perfume online, then this can be a risky. You have no real idea what it will smell like. The answer is to go to your local department store that features a perfume and cologne counter, and spray or dab a fragrance on your skin. Here is the trick: you are only going to be able to do this one at a time.

Most people make the mistake of smelling the cards and going from there. You need to actually spray your wrist and walk away for a bit. Let it have a chance to do its work. Do not make the mistake of going back and trying on a different scent that same day. Wear the one for the rest of the day.

Okay, so you have worn the perfume and you love the way it smells on you. However, if you have worn the fragrance and it does not seem to be sitting well, or seems to have a cloying feel about it, then go back and try a different scent until you find one you do like.

Then go ahead and buy your perfumes online. You may even want to try some designer fragrances. It is a great way to save a ton of money and will minimize the risk of having fifteen bottles of unused perfume sitting on a shelf.

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our perfumes portal for more great information on perfumes online, and leave a comment at our fragrances blog.