orchad woman: February 2008

Woman in Business vs Woman in Love?

Ladies,

in our professional lives we require certain characteristics that help us get through the day effectively and cope with the challenges of everyday business.

The modern "business" woman therefore has adapted many, formally considered "manly", attitudes: She is well-educated, confident, enduring, independent, tough, controlled etc etc. Which is great.

Just one thing: When it comes to love and romance, ironically it is exactly those women that seem to have the most problems establishing a successful relationship with a man. How come? you will ask.

I personally believe that these women have a dilemma: The powerful attitude they are used to displaying in their professional life is exactly what handicaps the private relationship with a man.

Whether they admit it or not, guys are often times repelled or at least intimidated by a woman's s obvious strength, which they then classify as dominance. I've seen that many times.

And it even happens to very attractive, feminine looking ladies. After all, we should not forget:

A man in general has a natural instinct to protect and nurture. He want to provide. Don't blame him. That's what makes him tick. And many times he will not even be aware of it.

Now, does that mean we have to go back to the stone age? Does a woman, in order to have a successful, happy relationship have to choose between love and career?

No, by no means.

What I think a woman in this situation should do is to simply become aware of how her attitude influences him and to make him feel "manly" by giving him the chance to take care of you whenever you need it. Admit some weaknesses. Make it obvious to him that, in spite of your success, you are still a female and even you need a strong shoulder to lean on every now and then. Trust me, your man will be glad you did.

So enjoy it and allow yourself to be a woman - at least once in a while.. Trust me, it works! ;)

Balancing the Divine Feminine and Masculine - A Sacred Marriage

I used to live this Utopian life where each day was a day to discover myself and the beauty and wonder of life and living. My obligations were loving and co-creating with my children, with nature, with ideas and words, with luscious food, with clients and friends ... on my time table. The gentleman whom I was seeing at the time (and still am-check out what he has to say at my website) used to appreciatively call me a "luxurious darling". He was right; I felt like the lusciously vital subject of a famous 19^th century painter, luxuriously reclined back on a divan with the sense of awe curling my tongue.

I had retreated from an active modernist life in pursuit of a longing within me. I found that longing in the divine feminine. I got to know the fullness and glory of her-only to learn that fulfillment, or in my case authentic power, meant I had a job to do. This job was a soul's calling for this lifehood-which pushed me off the divan and out into the world.

This push did not come from my soul or the divine feminine. In the years I spent getting to know my divine feminine, I also got to know my soul. I learned my soul's role was to challenge me; challenge me to choose light. Yet, it did not have an attachment to whether I did that or not. Yes of course, it wanted me to choose light. But if I did not choose light-it simply accepted I was not ready, and then waited for another ripe opening in my consciousness to challenge again.

No, the push for me to succeed (by heaven's definition) came from an entirely different source. It came from the divine feminine's counterpart, the divine masculine.

The divine masculine is the man inside me I also got to know in this intense period of cosmic understanding. I learned he is there to support and protect the life giving beauty and Good of the divine feminine. And the support and protection of her Goodness also means: he is in support and protection of her success. That success is my success. It is also my soul or this lifehood's mission; which for me is to bring the power of heaven to earth through the attributes of the divine feminine and divine masculine.

As a man, the divine masculine has the sensibilities of earth. Completely aware of the laws of physical, he knew for me to complete this lifehood's calling meant I couldn't frolic in the woods all day with my divine feminine. Though all that play was necessary to get to know my divine feminine, and learn how she deserved honor, I knew from the divine masculine: in order for her to live powerfully on earth, I needed to live her powerfully. Which meant: I needed to introduce the truth of her divine erotic and life giving nature without fear or apology. And this was when he gave me a loving firm nudge and I stepped out into the world.

It is ironic, this relationship I have with my divine masculine. He is the one that pushed me out, and now he is the one saying "You're working too hard. Working harder will not make it get done any faster. Relax. It's only time." And in his confidence I say, "You're right" as I sigh out all my compulsive needs to get this and that done right now.

It is the divine masculine's knowing of physical that has encouraged me to set laws for myself. My laws aren't centered on getting things done. Rather, my laws are about creating the time and space to lavish in the divine feminine. My laws are to consciously replenish my spiritual and physical body with her beauty and radiance. Without these laws that are very specific, I tend to get pulled into life's pandemonium and forget the truth of who I am.

I have swung from the divine feminine that danced and sang all day as if there was no beginning or end, to the unhealthy feminine who wants to work her fingers to the bone to get the house clean, the laundry done, the food prepared before she goes to bed. It's nice to have that man inside me that says, "Hey, I'm watching and taking care of you."

Ultimately, the divine feminine and masculine is about balance. While one might say, "Let's play." The other will say, "We've played all week. We need to work (or co-create in their case) in order to survive, in order to be powerful." Or they may reverse roles depending upon what is out of balance.

When you consider your life, where is it asking to be balanced? Is it the divine masculine that is saying to you, "Slow down" or "Intention is more than just dreaming. Intention needs you to co-create with it in physical. It means; you've got to plan and show up for your own party." Or, is the divine feminine saying, "Look at you. Look how magnificent you are. Let's sit down and enjoy you" as love and tenderness overwhelms you in your feelings about yourself.

In asking yourself this question, I strongly encourage you not to query the answer. Query creates doubt and doubt severs the connection between you and truth, meaning Goddess/God source-your higher Self, your soul, your divine feminine, your divine masculine, your ... all that gives and creates life. You have all the correct answers inside you waiting to be known.

That you are consciously engaged means your intention is aligned. Trust your answer. It takes time to know who is speaking, but in time, this too will be recognized.

So ask yourself: where can I create balance? Trust what you hear; and create it.

Girly Gang

What girls talk about, what they giggle about, why do they go to the loo in a group, what happens in girly functions, what are pyjama parties all about? All these questions and much more has always baffled men and will continue to do so until eternity. Not because it is complex, but because men are basically dumb and numb to feel all that! All they can feel for is basically very few things, cricket or football or any other sport, money or luxurious life (cars and all) and sex. They have nothing to do with emotions and or responsibility. That's precisely the reason why there is such extinction of guy gangs or buy parties.

Girly parties have nothing to do with guys. There is not a single guy involved, because women can do without men when they're having their "girly gang parties". When it comes to men, even in their bachelor parties they need a woman around! To dance for them, to sing for them and to bring their fantasies to life!

Women discuss everything from beauty, jewelry, clothing, fashion, work, men, etc.

The lengthy endless gossip, advices, gyan, erotism, fights, good moments, bad moments, sincerity, bitching, babies, pregnany, world issues, politics, movies, actors, affairs, we talk about anything and everything! Frankly speaking, we hardly need a topic to get started. Yet, we are responsible wives, caring mothers, empathetic daughters and we fulfill all relations with utmost sincerity. Career, work, education is also another field where women have proved themselves!

I say, there is nothing in this world that women cannot do!

If something requires strength more than we can handle, we always work up our brains and come out of it gracefully!

Women and Shopping Tips

Shopping is something that most women love to do. Window-shopping is a great past time. The woman takes her time to go from store to store to research and compare store prices. Most women don't need expert shopping tips because shopping is so natural to them. However, there are some that do.

I think shopping is a talent. Women have even made personal shopping a career where they do other people's shopping for them and get paid. Doing something that you already love to do and getting paid to do it is truly a dream come true for a personal shopper.

The mall is a popular place where women go to shop for clothes, shoes, jewelry, gifts, phones, and household items like bed linen, bathroom rugs, pots, pans, and lamps. Women are passionate about this past time and take pleasure in spending hours and load of cash on buying items that peak their interest or that can fit.

People shop at certain times of the year for gift items. Christmas, Birthdays, Valentines, Easter, Mother's day and Father's day are some special occasion that calls for shopping for loved ones, friends and coworkers. For birthdays, women shop for their husbands, children or boyfriend. Birthday gifts range from books, clothing, games to spa treatment or dining out. Children's birthday gifts are easier for women to buy because they usually know that toys, games, books, and clothing are what most children love anyway. Valentines shopping comes with flowers and chocolate as well as a night out on the town.

Christmas is where most women spend their money on family and friends. This is where commercial shopping meets credit card payments. Women go all out to buy items for Christmas gifts and do not consider the aftermath of the bills that follow. The day after Thanksgiving is also a big shopping day for most American women. They get up early in the morning to join a long line of shoppers to purchase discounted items especially jewelry. This sale prepares them to fill up the Christmas gift wrappers and avoid spending more money than necessary. It is sometimes amazing to watch women stampeding and pushing each other the moment the store doors are opened.

Easter is mostly bunnies, eggs, gift baskets and cards. This is the time of year when women get sentimental and get involved with Easter because of their children and because they love the season. Children love to paint eggs and have egg-hunting contest. Women will purchase the eggs and make the pretty gift baskets and bunnies to make their children look good at the school event.

Mother's day and Father's day are more personalized. Depending on what the woman's mother or father loves, that is what she will shop for. A mother may love diamonds, household goods, a mother's day card, gift certificate, flowers, and a variety of other selections. Fathers may like things like jewelry, apparel, gift certificates and much more. Each woman will know what her parents love and may even shop for something different on occasion.

Evening Shawls - Your Fashion Emergency Insurance

Most of us have run into a fashion emergency at one time or another. You know the type-you receive an invitation to a formal dinner party that's two weeks away. There you stand, scanning your memory for something, anything that might be dangling in the dark recesses of your closet. There's always that standard black dress that has kept the back of your closet company for the past three years; the one that always serves as backup in these fashionably desperate situations. But, it's late summer and black is boring. Bright colors are a natural, necessary complement to the cheerful evening ahead. Thankfully, this is where the most versatile accessory comes in to save your day-evening shawls!

From what you can remember, that little black dress has a gorgeous scooped back and a not-so humble front cut. The style will surely create a few admirers; but it won't be practical on a cool and breezy summer evening. In a pinch, that cream-colored cardigan you wore last winter could be tossed over the dress for added warmth. But, do you really want to cover that little black number up with anything that could be suspected of being a cold-weather emergency blanket?

It's time to splurge. Go to Fashion Scarvesand Shawls online, and discover what beckons for your immediate attention? Some of the most gorgeous colors tempt you. You've discovered a true fashion playground! You have choices upon choices, each more tempting than the other.

Which color will go best with your features, your skin tone, and your personality? Maybe golden hues for a sun-kissed look or, perhaps red tones to create a more passionate effect. Jazzing up the black dress will be easy with all the pattern choices lying before you. Flowing from the pages are pashmina, silk and cashmere shawls with multihued glitz, eclectic block prints, and elegant embroidered designs. All attract a favorable harmony with your spirit.

It's time to buy. You've flipped through enough fashion magazines to know the perfect color and the most flattering design. With impulse you click "the add to cart" button for your new evening shawls and take ownership over it. This finely woven piece of art is light enough to flow and yet strong enough to protect your skin from any evening chill. You will be elegant and warm in your new wrap!

With this new brilliant fashion companion in hand, you are safe to drag that dress out from the deep abyss of countless other lonely clothes hanging precariously on the closet rack with it, feeling confident that you will look fabulously chic. As you stare at your reflection in the mirror right before slipping out the door, you are thrilled with your beautiful evening shawls. Your fashion emergency has just been solved. Regardless of its age, however timeless that may be, that little black dress with the slinky back and scoop neck-line has renewed life when paired up with the most perfect fashion companion of all times! New evening shawls in different colors and textures.

3 Simple Steps to be "Super Mom"

Many mothers spend their days being overwhelmed, overworked, overwrought. Vow to step out in a new direction.

Here are three simple things you can do to enhance those hidden motherly superpowers.

Tip #1: Get a (Good) Calendar!

No matter how many children you have, staying organized will lower your blood pressure. And that translates to a happier home. Wherever you get one (banks often have freebies), GET ONE! And hang it up somewhere everyone can see it. (Ours is hanging in the dining room.)

A calendar can be more than just a list of appointments. It can be used for everything! Checklists, spousal reminders :-), the center of your family's communication (and your sanity) starts here.

Get into the habit of going over your calendar at the beginning of the week. Choose either Sunday night or Monday morning (during baby's nap) to refresh and look ahead at what's coming.

I've fallen in love with the Thinkbin Calendar. I stumbled upon this resource a few years ago and use it exclusively. It's amazing what a difference it makes. It's large size leaves plenty of room to write in each day. Appointments, reminders, even meal planning, is all done in one spot.

Whichever type of calendar you use, make sure you USE it. I'm a stay at home mom, so the Thinkbin calendar's large size fits my lifestyle.

If you're a working mom, you may need to find a calendar that fits in your purse and include addresses, medical information, etc. If that's you, consider looking at a calendar by Franklin Covey. I used them exclusively when I was in the workplace and it helped tremendously.

Using a calendar on a regular basis will go a long way towards helping you feel more control of your crazy schedule.

Tip #2: Planning Makes Perfect

Nothing puts me in a panic like seeing the clock strike 5:00 and I'm at a loss for dinner. Sadly, when that happens, the end-result is often pizza or chicken nuggets, less-than-healthy foods that definitely wouldn't have been chosen if I had more time.

Eliminate this stress by setting time aside at the beginning of the week to choose out your dinners, consider your lunches, and create your grocery list. Heck, avoiding multiple trips to the grocery store with kids in tow alone makes this worthwhile!

I generally write in those meals on my Thinkbin calendar (it's big enough). That way I can glance at it and set out meat to thaw, etc. ahead of time.

I also print out recipes (my cookbook is digital) or page-mark books ahead of time. Printed recipes sit in a recipe holder on the counter so I'm ready to cook without having to search feverishly for the recipe.

By the way, I order a lot of my groceries online and have them delivered. Surprisingly, I find I spend less on groceries by shopping online than going to the store because I can calculate my bill as I shop. I'm also less likely to impulse-buy on something I don't need (I'm sure I'll use this rutabaga! It's on sale!).

If I'm not at home, Peapod will leave the groceries in refrigerated boxes by the back door that I simply return with my next order. The produce is excellent (no joke) and the service is wonderful. They know that if you get a rotten apple once, you're not going to re-order so they work hard to give you the best hand-picked produce they can.

You can get discounts on delivery by requesting certain delivery times and using Direct Check to pay. Best of all, I can order the groceries Thursday for a Saturday delivery. I have until 11pm Friday night to add anything that comes to mind (like Windex or toilet paper).

Tip #3: Connect Daily with Your Spouse and Kids

The previous two tips help to pave the way to the final (and most important) tip of "Super Motherhood" of all. Spend time every day interacting and connecting with your spouse (if applicable) and children.

Although this may seem assumed, it's amazing at how you can go through days of "going through the motion" without ever providing a single good connection. You must be deliberate to make them. No one drifts into intimacy. Building a strong, caring, loving family takes work!

Reading a book with your child, having dinner as a family, talking over coffee in the morning with your spouse...all can bring provide significant rewards to your family's sense of intimacy.

As the mother, you will need to model that reaching out to the rest of your family. Once they see you doing it, they will inevitably begin to follow.

Committing to do these three simple things will certainly alleviate some of the stresses of daily mothering. Get a good calendar (and display it proudly), plan your meals and other responsibilities ahead of time, and set aside time to spend quality time with your family.

In no time at all (sob!) our children will be grown. Make these important changes now, so you can reap the rewards when they are older. Not only will they fly from the coop well-adjusted, secure, and happy, your marriage will be stronger than ever and ready for the golden age of marital bliss to begin. (And you thought the honeymoon was fun!)

Women In Business - The Right Move At The Right Time

The Art of Making the Right Move at the Right Time - Manipulation at its' finest!

How do you know when to make that very gutsy move; the one that wins it all, or you go home broke? There are a few checklist type questions that you can ask yourself when you take the final deep breath at the moment of decision, but first a personal story.

When I was twenty-one, I interviewed for teaching positions at the top paying, suburban, Chicago public schools. In those days, there were literally two thousand applicants for every open position. I was getting married and moving to Chicago and my betrothed family (who were all teachers) arranged for me to enter into the interview process. Although interviews are a subject for another column, these interviews were grueling; first interview with three separate committee members, second interview with the entire committee and the third with the decision maker on the committee.

I had been in the pursuit of three jobs and I was sitting at the final interview along with the line of the other final applicants. They all looked a little older and that meant "experience" which is the nemesis of first time candidates. After my interview at this school, I was headed for my third call back at another school.

I was the last one to enter the room at the final one-on-one and I felt that I had an edge on the others in every way except for the category of experience in public education. The interview went fine although there seemed to be an emphasis on the fact that I had never taught in a public school. I remember feeling that one of the other candidates would prevail and in that moment I felt that, I had nothing to lose.

I said, "When do you anticipate a decision?"

Answer: "In a week or two."

I said, "Oh that's too bad I am going right now to your neighboring school for my third interview and I am sure they will ask me to sign a contract today."

No answer (good sign).

I said, (trying to be humble after my bold statement) "It's too bad, this is my first choice, but there just aren't a lot of jobs and I have to take the first one offered. I was hoping you would make a decision today."

Answer: "Could you give me a minute?"

I looked at my watch and waited a second, "Sure." I left the room and knew that I was one of the final candidates; I thought that at least I had smoked that information out of them. I was in the process with two other schools and knew I had back up choices.

It was a long five minutes, but within ten minutes, I was on my way over to the School Board office to sign a contract.

I did not plan that strategy (I wish I could give myself that much credit). Now in my later years, with accumulated experience, I do understand the game and why I evolved as the winner on that day.

I put it all on the line that day. If I had not been offered the job that day, they would have likely offered it to another person assuming that I had withdrawn myself by considering another position or the fact that I was pressing where I should have been more conforming. (I made over $60,000 a year at my first teaching position.)

That day I learned something and I have used the technique repeatedly. Women have it tougher then men in this arena; it is easy to judge a female as a whiner or worse, the "b" word. Men play these tactile games everyday to show the rule of the roost. If you are going to play "balls to the wall", consider this checklist.

1) You should have nothing to lose, why? You should have a back up. This means that the game you play is not really the "real" game. If you do not have a back up then you must be prepared to accept the consequences (like one of those game shows to go on to win more money). This is the only way you can "play."

You have to realize that once you throw it back at them, you have not control. It is the "ball in your court" syndrome; the next move must be theirs.

2) You have to detach from the outcome you can push with a different set of reasoning. In other words, you are giving it a fifty-fifty chance and the thought that it is likely to "not" happen. When you have to achieve a certain outcome, you set yourself up like a victim who "needs" something.

3) You have to be willing to lose everything pertaining to this particular decision. If you are going to stick with a low-ball bid on a piece of real estate, you have to be prepared to walk away without the property.

When you play "balls out", give an undesirable consequence as the other option; always attempt to take something away from the person in power. This may be as simple as taking their choice away.

4) Your back up is your "need" situation and you should put it aside once it is established. Now you go after what you "want." Negotiating from this position is self-empowering.

5) The piece of advice is once you make your move; sit still, stand still and be quiet. Wait until you are called upon for the next move. Do not make it for them. This is probably the most nerve wracking and it requires discipline.

Lastly, practice. This sounds weird, but here is a game you can play. Try to get someone to do something that you have no concern over the consequence; in other words, it does not matter if the answer is "yes" or "no", but you are trying to achieve yes or convince someone to do something that they may or may not take your position. (You have added the element of detachment.)

On being an entrepreneur - NOT - "If you don't do this we're through!"

-TRY - "If I can't convince you then, I will do it myself." (You took away their power to argue against you.)

On being a mom - NOT - "You are going with me to the store, or else!"

- TRY - "You don't have to go to the store with me; I'll pick all the treats myself." (You took away the power of decision or choice.)

On being a spouse - NOT - "We never go out to eat anywhere nice."

- TRY - "We don't have to go out to dinner. What ingredients do you want me to pick up so you can cook dinner?" (You took away the expectation that you were going to do something for someone else.)

On being a coworker - NOT - "I have to do everything around here."

- TRY - "Don't worry; I can do it by myself. I need the credit anyway." (You took away their power to achieve credit or accomplishment).

On being a friend - NOT - "Can you just do this for me one time?"

- TRY - "I wouldn't expect you to do that." (You took away your high expectation of that person.)

The right decisions are decisions of manipulation and the right time means that you have forced the choice now or put yourself in a position to choose another consequence. Remember that it does not always work either and that losing does not feel good. If you are going to play the delicate game of manipulation, you will experience both sides of the coin; winning and losing. You truly have to practice these techniques with words to manipulate as it is called so deviously, or convince as it is more commonly accepted or coined. Another important point is that not all negotiations are equal and that everyone has their breaking point and this is where the Sassy Executive has to use her intuition.

Menopause Symptoms - 7 Sure Signs Of Menopause Symptoms

It's a fact that menopause symptoms can create a lot of doubt and confusion to a woman especially when she notices strange things happening with her body.
It's also a fact that this confusion can be created by symptoms unrelated to menopause. So how do you know if that change in your life which you've thought about and dreaded has actually come knocking at your door?
In this article, we'll list seven sure signs that menopause is in your life. It's also worth pointing out that to be completely sure, you will need to visit your doctor to not only confirm it but discuss treatment options.
Seven Signs Of Menopause
1. One of the first tell tale signs of menopause symptoms are irregular periods. Although this is not an absolute guarantee, irregular periods which are either short, long or simply leave you guessing about whether you are actually having your period or not is a good sign that you could be in the early stages of menopause.
2. Hot flashes are one of the most common menopause symptoms and are caused as a result of dropping estrogen levels.
3. Lack of sex drive is another common symptom and there are varying factors contributing including vaginal dryness which makes having sex unfortable.
4. Outward irritability and mood swings which are particularly worrying especially if a woman's character and personality have never exhibited this behavior in the past can be another clue your body is starting to shut down it's fertility engine.
5. Depression is one of the main worries of menopause. A woman can be feeling particularly vulnerable at this time via thoughts of lack of hope as well as anxiety.
6. Lack of sleep is another sure sign of menopause symptoms. It's not so much a woman is unable to get any sleep through normal means but more about being kept awake or having her sleep broken because of night sweats and itching.
7. Increasing weight should be watched. Many women report weight gain during the early stages of menopause although, it's important not to get this confused with thyroid issues. When weight becomes an issue you should seriously consider looking at your diet and exercise regime.

Career Vs Family - How Do You Maintain Balance?

The expectations of women have changed drastically over the past 100 years, but for many women being a mother is just as important today as it was a century ago. I remember having a conversation with my grandmother when I was in my twenties. We were sitting in her living room; me on her white, green, and blue flowered couch and she in her green antique chair. She was probing me about what my career choice was going to be; she wanted me to pursue a business career, as she had done. My grandmother had been a successful businesswoman who did not have her first child until she was 35 (something unheard of in the 1940s) and who continued to work full-time thereafter.

She asked me if I wanted to have children. I described a perfect blend of career and motherhood where I would work part-time and dedicate the rest of my time to raising my children. To my surprise she lectured me about what a poor mother I would be if I chose to work. Looking back at this conversation, I cannot help but wonder if her attitude toward me was a reflection of her own life and her regrets for choosing career over motherhood. Her son, my biological father, was not a good dad so I think her disappointment toward me that day was really the remorse she felt about her choices in balancing work and family and the effect it had on her son.

In the end, I pursued my career first. Out of college I joined one of the large public accounting firms. At 28, I married and was less focused on creating a family than I was about climbing the career ladder. After three years of marriage, my professional drive was replaced by my desire to become a mother, and my husband, Dave, and I embarked on the journey of trying to become pregnant.

As months passed, we were unable to create the baby we so desperately wanted. The sadness I felt became all-consuming. I lost all interest in career-based projects and topics. I started to lose my identity. I wasn't a mother, but I did not yet have a prestigious career title either. Infertile. This was not a title I wanted. I had no idea how this diagnosis would impact me or my marriage. At times, it seemed like my full-time job was test after test and procedure after procedure. I truly cannot imagine how a woman can undergo infertility treatments and maintain a full-time job. If I could have made a living researching the topic of infertility, I would have taken the position since I was already doing so for free!

I was surprised to find that my interest in my career waned the longer my husband and I struggled to create a family. At the same time, I was concerned that once I became a mother I would be too focused on my career and become the poor mother my grandmother predicted. A friend of mine, who is a business coach, used his skills to help me gain comfort that I would make the best decision for me and my hoped-for children.

Thanks to in vitro fertilization, my husband and I did become pregnant with twins. Our joy of pending parenthood was tested when I was hospitalized for preterm labor at only 24 weeks, gestation. At the request of my Ob/Gyn I had been winding down my work related projects in preparation for possible bed rest toward the end of my pregnancy, but 24 weeks was too soon. The fright of preterm labor was the start of my mindset change about career vs. motherhood. When my daughters were born at only 30 weeks' gestation, my life was put on hold and all I cared about was the health and survival of my children.

To manage the stress of twins at home, I hired a nanny to help me twenty hours per week. I felt guilty paying money to have someone help me when I wasn't working to cover their salary, so when my daughters were less than six months old I accepted a project to help offset the nanny expenses. I liked the mental stimulation and it was nice to be needed for something other than producing food. However, I was very tired and not truly ready to go back to work.

My daughters are now three years old. I've made a conscious decision to work less than full-time so that I can take an active part in raising my kids. Many of my friends are stay-at-home moms while others have chosen to or must work. The balance of career and family can be a delicate one. I for one know that I am a better mom when I am with my girls because I also continue to experience the challenges and growth that can only be found in the business environment. Each woman should strive to find the balance that is right for her.

Why Women With Curves Are Fabulous

Are you really sexier when your chest is flat, your hips do not exist and your shoulders stick out? Are you more beautiful when you are pale and your face is sunken? Are you a role model if teenage girls worldwide starve themselves to be as thin as you?

The answer to all the above questions is no!

So why is it we are obsessed about our weight? Is it because we are brainwashed into thinking thin is in or do clothes really look better when they hang off you? I think everybody will agree it is not the second.

What puzzles me as strange is the bikini clad top shelf magazines for men never ever feature skinny girls. They always have a bust, toned stomach and a rounded butt. Now if these are aimed at men and sold as their 'ultimate sexual fantasy' then surely women worldwide need to wake up and see that men actually prefer girls with some real curves!

When you actually read the polls carried out in womens magazines about who has the best body in Hollywood, Showbiz etc its always the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Catherine Zeta Jones and Jennifer Lopez.

So to recap. Men prefer to look at beautiful women with curves. Women admire beautiful women with curves and class these as perfect bodies. Yet why do we still have an image in our heads that we need to look like Victoria Beckham or Nicole Richie when all the evidence is pointing against it?

Women worldwide need to start listening to the facts and putting their health and future plans before the desire to have a shrinking waist. Im 110% certain that their are plenty of people suffering from incurable illnesses who would give anything not to loose weight at such a drastic rate. You only get one body and you are only here for one life so enjoy it.

How To Ease The Craziness of Wedding Planning

So you are now engaged to the love of your life and are planning your wedding! While it may be the most exciting time of your life, it can also be one of the most stressful times as well.
A bride-to-be's life is completely consumed with trying on wedding dresses, making hair and nail appointments, looking for a makeup artist finding the perfect wedding shoes, picking out the perfect wedding rings, and the list goes on. Chances are, you have been surfing the web for days and looking at all sorts of photos of wedding up-do hair styles!
Have you considered hiring a wedding planner yet? We haven't even gotten to the part of finding a wedding photographer, scoping out your wedding and reception locations, wheeling and dealing with florists or finding the best caterer in town. What about a wedding officiate? Before you tell yourself there's no way you could afford one, I want to recommend at least gathering some quotes.
There are so many individuals who do wedding planning on the side. Now, thanks to the Internet, there are literally thousands of wedding planners at your finger tips. It can't hurt to shoot out a few emails and get some prices! Better yet, shoot out some emails with what you can afford for a wedding planner. I can almost guarantee you that, with the competition out there, you can find someone who is willing to work with your budget.
There are countless benefits to hiring a wedding planner. Firstly, its all about saving time! When you hire your wedding planner, remember that they have spent hours researching wedding vendors. They have also worked with many of them so they will be able to inform you of their past experiences. Wedding planners also have many working relationships with other wedding vendors. If your wedding planner is local they may even have discounted rates they can offer! Most wedding planners have long standing relationships with certain catering companies, music djs, and florists.
So what exactly do wedding planners do, you ask? Well, simply put, they plan weddings! After meeting with the bride and Groom, the wedding planner gets to work turning the brides dream wedding into reality. In some cases the wedding planner manages the money and commits to getting the planning done while sticking to the budget. Depending on what the bride wants, the planner will order the flowers, hire a photographer, musician and other service providers for the wedding. It is the job of the wedding planner to deal with the various vendors and see that they can get the best possible rates from different vendors for their clients.
A wedding planner typically has a great sense of fashion and an excellent attention to detail. They will help create a wedding that is tasteful in color, ensuring that the theme of the wedding is reflected in every aspect. From the design on the napkins, to the place settings, the flowers, wedding dress; even the wedding favors, everything should be in sync with each other and it is the job of the wedding planner to ensure that this happens.
One thing to keep in mind, no matter what stage of planning you are in, wedding planners have many duties and, while being a punching bag is not in the job description, they take the blow for everything, including bridezilla moments. Be patient with them. Planning a great wedding takes time for everything to come together.

Women's Clothing For A Business Trip

Going away on business?
Image counts.
Especially if you are meeting existing clients or prospects.
Looking professional means grooming is paramount. Look immaculate. Clothes should be well pressed and fall flatteringly when you move. Nails should be well kept and makeup should not be overdone.
First impressions count. The way you look, the way you carry yourself and the image you project makes a difference in the direction the meetings might take. You want to impress you contacts, don't you?
Showing up in a crumpled outfit, no matter how expensive it might be, will not make a good impression. So unless there will be an iron in the hotel room you will be staying in, or you intend to lug along an iron to press your clothing, or the hotel offers laundry services you can count on to get you in well pressed clothes before the meetings, avoid clothes that crease easily.
For your jacket, skirt and pants, avoid 100% linen or 100% silk clothing as although they look and feel fabulous when well pressed, they wrinkle easily. Instead, pack in jackets, skirts and pants that travel well.
By the way, the most important piece of clothing you can pack into your suitcase for your business trip is a great jacket. That one jacket can smarten up anything, be it a dress, tank top and pants or camisole and skirt.
For this all-important jacket, go for one made of wool or at least a wool blend which falls flatteringly on your figure, yet travels well. At least it wouldn't crinkle like 100% linen or silk. Even artificial fibers like polyester and rayon travel well as they don't crinkle easily. A blend that of wool and synthetic fibers would travel well and may be just what you need for that business trip.
Pick at least 2 jackets in neutral shades. Black, navy, brown, white and gray are business-like colors that are easy to match. For women, these wool jackets would be wonderful. They are feminine, yet work worthy.
Next, pick camisoles and tank tops in colors you love. These can be worn under your jacket, paired with skirts or pants. Get a skirt and a pair of pants to go with those 2 jackets. Then add on a dress or two. Make all these wool or at least a wool blend so that they will look great when you finally get to your destination. Okay, you can get away with lycra blend tank tops and synthetics as these travel well too.
Still, if the weather permits, go for wool as natural fibers look and fall much better than synthetics. They look more expensive too, which makes them great for your image as a successful professional

Sex After Menopause - Is Sex After Menopause Possible?

Thinking about menopause can be very worrying for a woman reaching menopausal age, one of the main things women worry about is whether their sex drive will be strong enough for them to desire sex after menopause. In this article we look at what happen to a females sex drive after menopause.

It is widely believed that women lose their sex drive when they go through menopause, however recent studies are showing this is not true. Further more many menopausal women find that their desire for sex does not get affected at all during and after menopause.

It seems that menopause is used as a scapegoat for anything bad that happens to women during this period. For example the aging process may slow the sex drive down a bit, but when it comes to women, menopause is always to blame. Further more the effects of certain medication can also have a negative affect on the sex drive of a female as well as certain illnesses that tend to affect women who are at the age of menopause i.e arthritis. Yet again anything to do with low sex drive is blamed on menopause.

You've been told that menopause will lower your sex drive for so long that you probably don't believe a word I am writing, however, fortunately for me there are recent studies seem to be saying the same thing. The results of one study suggest estrogen has nothing to do with changes in the sexual response of women who have been through menopause. There are still ongoing studies in regards to this area, and I'm confident they will compliment each other.

However research does suggests that declining estrogen levels during menopause makes sexual intercourse painful for the female, but this is a minor problem compared to losing ones sex drive, and it can be rectified quite easily.

The mind is a powerful tool, and the following findings from research confirm this. A recent study found that some women did lose sexual desire after menopause, however these women believed it was normal for this to happen. It didn't happen to the women who didn't think they would lose their sex drive during menopause.

So if you are a menopausal or post menopausal woman and you find your sex drive is declining don't just assume it's due to menopause, speak to your doctor as it may be a due to another condition. If it turns out that your desire has decreased a s a result of menopause then your doctor will be able to determine what method of treatment is best for you.

Women In Business - The Right Move At The Right Time

he Art of Making the Right Move at the Right Time - Manipulation at its' finest!