Do your bras fit you right? If you’re like 85% of American women, the answer to that question is “no.” Most women make the mistake of buying bras that are too large across the back, believing that the bra will be more comfortable if the fit is loose.
In fact, the opposite is true. A loose bra can cause trouble whenever you move –riding up, slipping and shifting. This leads to constant tugging and readjusting, which can irritate your skin and be a constant problem. In addition, poorly fitting bras are a leading contributor to chronic headaches, tingling arms, back pain, breathing problems, chafing, rashes and breast pain.
In fact, a firm-fitting bra across the back is more comfortable and practical. It rides with the movements of your body better and stays in place, even during exercise and other strenuous activities.
A woman, on average, has six different bra sizes in her life. Yet, if you were to open the lingerie drawer of any lady you know, chances are you’ll see she’s wearing the same size bras that she was wearing in high school.
Bras are perhaps the most important and impression-making piece of a woman’s wardrobe. They provide shape to the figure. They can send messages of modesty or exhibitionism. And perhaps most important, they can help to determine what the woman will wear over them.
For a piece of clothing so important, it’s amazing that so many women have absolutely no idea if their bras are the right size.
Tracy Pfeiffer, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, provides five telltale signs that your bras do not fit right, and what to do about it:
1. Spillage: If your breasts pillow out of the top of your bra so you look like a beer wench at a Renaissance faire, your bra is too tight. Increase the back size, and possibly your cup size.
2. Puckering and wrinkling: Quite simply, if you’re not filling out your bras, you need a smaller size.
3. Riding up: If you’re constantly pulling your bra down, get a tighter bra.
4. Underwire jutting: If the bra isn’t flush against your ribs, and your bust seems bursting to get out, get a bigger bra.
5. Strap Grooves: Wearing bras should be a pleasure, not a punishment. If the straps dig into you, go for wider straps or a different cup size.
Still not happy with the fit? A professional fitting can help any woman determine whether they’re wearing the right size bras. Most lingerie specialty stores will do these fittings free.
Of course, you may be among the many women who are too shy to allow a total stranger to tape measure their bust line on a busy Saturday at the mall. Fortunately, you can do it yourself at home if you like.
First, get a tape measure, then:
1. Measure around your rib cage, just below your breasts. If the measurement is an even number, add 4. If the measurement is an odd number, add 5. This will determine the band size for your bras.
2. For the cup size, measure around the fullest part of your chest (over your nipples). Then, subtract your rib cage measurement from step 1 from your results here. A 1-inch difference makes you and A cup, the 2-inch difference makes you a B, etc.
This fitting method will work for virtually any kind of bra, including strapless, padded, push up, nursing and sports bras.
So if your bras don’t fit like you wish they would – and they probably don’t, quit settling for what’s in your drawer. Invest in a few bras that are truly a pleasure put on and wear comfortably all day.
About the Author
Toni Elliot is a Phoenix-based writer on subjects as broad as the day is long. She has written extensively for plastic surgeons that specialize in breast augmentation surgery, where she learned much about the importance of wearing well-fitting bras and women’s general health.

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Ask ten different people about their favorite scent and you’re likely to get ten different answers, simply because the sense of smell is an integral part of our memory bank, our life experience and our unique place in the world. Whether it’s the aroma of frying bacon early on a winter’s morning, the smell of crisp sheets fresh off the line, the brisk freshness of an ocean breeze, or the tantalizing odor of simmering spices, our sense of smell somehow imprints itself on our very essence, creating memories that are never completely erased. Marcel Proust, the 19th Century French writer said “…the smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls bearing resiliently, on tiny and almost impalpable drops of their essence, the immense edifice of memory.” No one with a healthy sense of smell can deny that we have a great capacity for associating memory and experience with scent. We’ve all had the strange experience of catching a slight scent in the air and immediately being pulled back into another place and time. Scientists have studied this phenomenon but can’t always explain the powerful memories and moods that scent can evoke. Marketers have long used that power by scenting everything from diapers to car interiors in an undeniably successful ploy to make us buy. But we can also harness the power of scent successfully in our homes, especially when we’re trying to create special holiday moods.

Planning what scents we will use for certain seasons should be given as much thought as what we plan to serve for dinner, or what background music will be playing for which guests. The choices are many these days, and it’s no longer necessary to slave all day creating the actual pie or fresh cedar bough garland; the same effect can just as easily be obtained by buying one of the many scent choices now on the market, a market that is rich with hundreds of subtle scents in oil, candles, and diffusers. Depending on our choice of guests and the mood we’re aiming for, we can almost tailor the scent to the occasion, and everyone will appreciate the refreshing ambience created by burning candles or diffusers tailor-made for a special occasion.

There’s good reason that “scent cocktails” have become de riguer in other countries, where stressed out patrons line up for an invigorating 30 minute scent therapy of pine forest, fresh sea air, pumpkin pie, fresh-baked bread, or hundreds of other scent choices that claim to relieve stress and create relaxation and creativity. Patrons are encouraged to lie back and re-live their favorite holiday or vacation experiences as they lose themselves in their favorite scents, often trying to re-capture those elusive memories buried somewhere in a past full of fond memories that may or may not be entirely real.Elements Bath and Body provides a unique lip balm recipe, wholesale soap making supplies and toiletry supplies. When you’re formulating your own soap, body lotion, lip balm, bath salts, or perhaps a special flax seed pillow, we have the supplies you need at wholesale prices. Visit online for more information.

By: Robert Bell

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Helping you find the right treatment for your hair loss

The unfortunate people who suffer from hair loss, especially when they are young, have some good news, help is out there for you. Finding the hair loss treatment that works is way more important than deciding whether you want a medical or natural cure. If you are looking for some options, you should examine our Provillus review before you make a decision.

If you really want to help yourself with finding the right treatment for hair loss, you need to make sure you study the hair loss topic in general.

Why are you having hair loss?

First, you must determine the causes of your hair loss before you can determine what treatment you are going to use.

There are a few different possible causes which may be the explaining factor in your case as to why you are losing hair. Stress can be a popular reason why people lose their hair. Hair loss is one of those after effects of stressful economic times such as the ones we are having here today.

Few possible causes of hair loss in your life are stress and pregnancy. When you experience hair loss after pregnancy, don’t worry about it too much, it will come back. If you just had a baby, a common side effect can be loss of hair. Don’t be alarmed, this is a popular occurence.

After you have finally found the reason for your hair loss, finding a treatment that will work will be your second step. Make sure you read the Provillus review to help you determine the best option for you. Your best bet is going to be to make an appointment with your doctor so that you can talk to them and get a professional opinion on which treatment for hair loss is going to offer you the best results. They are well educated regarding the topic and should make an excellent recommendation regarding which one to pick. In most cases, they will direct you to a Provillus review website and then you can make a determination from there.
Do you need hair loss treatment, make sure you do a Provillus Review. This is an excellent resource if you are planning on getting a hair loss treament, Provillus Review can help you decide what kind of treatment you really need.

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Weddings among African-American society have some distinctive essences although for the most part of the practices will be similar to most of the other communities in America. African-American weddings are generally vivacious and comprised of festivities not only to celebrate the union of the bride and the groom, but also to celebrate the gift of life as a whole. Basically, African-American weddings take much of the traditions from early Christian church wedding ceremonies, although today they incorporate some night-over festivities as part of the wedding ceremony. The ceremonial event is Christian-designed; with the occasion mostly held in a church. The priest usually reads out a sermon and gives some brief remarks on the importance of the institution of marriage and the need to respect it for the welfare of the society and individuals as well.

Just like the majority of the weddings in America, African-American wedding is a religious event. It is characterized by a passionate prayer session, hymns and sermons to celebrate the holy union of a man and a woman. Music, singing and dancing is also part of the occasion with gospel singers and bands performing.

The groomsmen and the bridesmaids are normally chosen from relatives, close friends or family members of the bride and the groom. All the groomsmen normally dress the same as the groom with the colors and patterns of their attires well coordinated, similar trimming of their tuxedoes and ties. They also have cummerbunds on and some flowers on their lapels. All the bridesmaids clad in gowns of the same color and similar arrangement of flowers to hold. Others include the flower girls and the ring bearers who also dress according to the theme color of the wedding party.

Traditional African wedding dresses and robes are in some cases worn in place of the usual white gowns and clothing in a bridal party. These attires are deigned from the traditional kente fabric common in Africa; with green, black, brown or gold colors. Kente cloth was commonly used as royal attire with the Ashanti people in Africa. To date, it has continued to be used as a magnificent outfit in most important events.

An African-American wedding reception is an elegant event of happy times. As much as the wedding ceremony is characterized of spiritual going-on, an African-American reception gives the guests, friends, relatives and family members a chance to celebrate the new union and life as well. The reception party normally takes place within a period of three to four hours. It is comprised of singing, dancing and all sort of enjoyment. A wide range of music genres are played to suit all the classes and ages of people; ranging from classic to modern popular songs. The reception theme is designed using the African traditions, with lots of white linens on decorations inside and outside the reception venue.

Wedding favors are also common with African-American weddings. They also practice “good-luck” rituals and jumping over a bloom before joining the reception as a way of commemorating their marriage. Some African-American couples believe that jumping over a bloom sweeps away evil spirits from their marital house.

Jason Hennessey is the President of 1weddingsource.com, a wedding planning directory that caters to all the needs of every bride in the USA. The site is filled with useful information and wedding favors for every bride and grooms taste.

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Being a woman who has reached the menopausal stage of life, I have come to the realization that I am truly wise and more powerful than ever before!! This is a new beginning, a time of being born again into the knowledge of my Wise Blood.

I may no longer have blood flowing forth from my Sacred Womb for now this Blood flows through my veins. This Blood that has the energy of life, death and rebirth. This Blood that has been used in ceremonial ritual in days of old. This Blood that now contains all of its knowledge, power and magic within me, to be directed and redirected throughout my entire physical, spiritual nature.

So many women complain about the changes in their bodies at this time, trying to keep the youth mentality, when now they are so much more able to enjoy the Wisdom of the Aged.

I am not pretty, for pretty is reserved for the maiden. I am a beautiful Wise Femi9 Woman with years of experiences coursing through me and I’m lovin’ it.

At first, I saw my menopause as something to welcome for all the wrong reasons, but that’s what happens when we are mis-educated and not taught to have knowledge of self. I had welcomed menopause as a time when I would no longer need to go to the store for sanitary napkins and other nonsensical reasons. How unenlightened was this thinking.

One hears so many unpleasant things about menopausal women. Needless to say, I will not give those things any energy in this space. I will only rejoice and give thanks to the energy of The Triple Goddess, The Trinity of Body, Mind and Spirit, Maiden, Mother and Crone/The Dark Goddess. I will call her The Wise Femi9 Woman.

As a Wise Femi9 Woman, I have come to a stage in life, a stage of completion, a death of the old self and a rebirth of the new self. This is the time of my life where I will put to use all of the knowledge I have gained about being a woman.

Now I am a woman who has gained insight and developed many of her spiritual powers, the very gifts given by the Queen of Heaven. The energy of the High Priestess designated by the Spirit of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, Justice, Tolerance, Patience and Forgiveness.

Yes, this is a time to truly be all that I can be as a Wise Femi9 Woman, imparting knowledge to my Daughters (all young women) about the joys of being Femi9. Gracefully, joyously, I accept my present state of being.

Even sexual pleasure has become more intense because I know more about the magical energy of releasing my Sacred Womb Milk, the manifestation that can take place because of such a Sacred Act.

“With age comes wisdom. Respect your elders“. These were phrases I’d heard many times and now I have a deeper understanding into the meaning of these words.

The only reason why many Elders don’t get respect today is because they forgot the old ways, or did not want to pass on the wisdom of their Elders because it was considered taboo or evil and very unacceptable. Our present generations are in a state of flux. They feel let down. The ways of the Ancient Mothers must and will resurrect.

No matter what the media says about the change of life, using as many negative impressions as they possibly can; no matter what the doctor says, unless of course she is also a holistic practitioner; I will graciously be that magnificent woman that I am, in all my glory, a Wise Femi9 Woman.

There is no need for me to recapture my youth, for I am absolutely wonderful just the way I am. I accept all that I have learned and seek to do it even better.

I will continue to do my exercise, to keep my body toned and my mind alert. I will continue to drink and eat to enhance my bodily functions, so that I will not need medication to mask or cover up anything that may be out of sync. And most of all, I will continue to love myself and then learn to love myself even more than before!

Having the Wise Blood coursing through my veins is a welcome change of life.

Thank you Spirit of The Aged. Thank you for this gift of wisdom. Thank you for allowing me to become an Older Woman.

About Diva Mama Tonya:

Dr. Tonya K. Freeman, affectionately known as Diva Mama Tonya is Co-Founder of MOSA Radio Network with her husband Dr. Bill Pinder. On MOSA Radio, she is the host of Wisdom Talks, a program on Women’s Empowerment and Wellness.

She is the organizer and facilitator of Awakening the Diva Within and Ancient Mysteries for Modern Women Workshops. Dr. Tonya is a Diva Advocate, Womb Shaman, Keynote Speaker, Inner Growth Consultant and Ancient Femi9 Wisdom Keeper.

Visit her at her website for more information.

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