7 Real Life Stories To Prepare You For Birth, 5 Delicious NYC Stuff to Soak Up

• 7 Real Life Stories To Prepare You For Birth …
• 5 Delicious NYC Stuff to Soak Up…
• 7 Big Myths About Dating …
• 6 Brands for Sensitive Skin …
• 7 Ways To Feel Happy Right Now …
• 7 Book Series I Love …

7 Real Life Stories To Prepare You For Birth … Posted: 18 Jun 2010 08:20 AM PDT It time for your baby to be born and you are terrified. Your nerves are on the edge, from everything from labor to what happens after you bring your baby home, to feelings of, "Maybe this wasn't such a great idea!" Children are a miracle, and you can rest assured you will make through labor and the birth of the baby you are carrying. Keep reading for some inspiring tips! 1. Progressing labor   Photo Credit: marktemte To help strengthen labor pains, walk, walk, and walk! I know. You want the pain to stop, not get harder. But the baby is coming. There isn't anything you can do to stop it. So encourage it to move along faster. Walk! 2. Progressing labor tip #2   Photo Credit: Aidan Love Try some relaxation techniques while you sit on an exercise ball. This is a wonderful way to lessen back pain and encourage baby down the birth canal. It works. I know from experience. Sit on the ball and prop your upper body over on the bed. Slightly bouncing and curving your bottom and back around on the ball alleviates pain. 3. Progressing labor tip #3   Photo Credit: John Carleton Tension and stress may cause contractions to not be as strong as they need to be. So, to help you rest your muscles, soak in a hot (warm) tub, or take a warm bath or shower. I was mid -way through labor, progressing wonderfully, dilated to 5 cm. When I relaxed in the hot whirlpool bath I relaxed so much I fell asleep. My labor actually stalled! My advice, make sure you are dilated far enough along, your doctor okay the soak, and your water hasn't broken. No tubs if your water has already popped!

5 Delicious NYC Stuff to Soak Up… Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:21 AM PDT 1. A Fashionista in New York Karla of Karla’s Closet recently traveled to New York to celebrate the release of the clutch bag she designed for Coach. Here she shows us some of her city photos. 2. Making it Big in NYC So you got an internship in New York…Now what? Well, you impress your employers, of course. For miscellaneous tips, College Candy is your guide. 3. Leaving Your Heart in New York Lucky Kb interned in NYC for six months. Her time in the big city is about to end so she has been stealing time for shopping adventures any way she can. Let’s take a peek at her recent purchases. 4. Spotted in New York Olivia Palermo was spotted in the Big Apple looking casual and chic. For a budget version of her outfit, head on to Frugal Fashionista. 5. A Charmed NYC Life Kelly AKA The Glamourai went to NYC for the same Coach event that Karla attended. Kelly spent time with an uber-fabulous fashion industry insider. Check out the link and be jealous! Top Photo Credit: Stuck in Customs

7 Big Myths About Dating … Posted: 18 Jun 2010 03:56 AM PDT People are fascinated by love and relationships, and just recently there have been some major studies into attraction, dates, love and relationships. Surprisingly, these studies have discounted a lot of info that us women thought were key to finding love… from whether to make the first move to what to wear. I've been hunting through, and here are the 7 biggest dating myths… 1. Flash Some Flesh? Every women secretly (or not so secretly) thinks that flashing some flesh will get them a second date. So when researchers quizzed (and tested!) men on what they like their dates to wear, they were surprised to discover that the ideal amount of flesh on show is about 40%. So if you feel confident in a skirt, or want to rock shorts, wear a stylish top that covers you stomach and chest. If you are wearing jeans, don't be afraid to pick a cute cami! Just remember that you'll only stay on his mind if you give him something to think about, so leave some things to his imagination. 2. Men Love Women Who Make The First Move? Photo Credit: ~ Đoseri For years, dating advisors have been instructing women to have confidence, and make the first move on guys they like. After all, women have equal rights now, and men can be shy too. The new studies monitored new couples, recording who made the first move, and found that typically whoever approaches the other first usually ends up falling hard. So look great, smile at him, and wait for him to come over… 3. Show Him How Connected You Are By Talking About Shared Interests While talking about common interests will make you feel connected, it can be beneficial to talk about your individual hobbies and interests too. Being exposed to new and exciting things from a new and exciting person increases dopamine production, which creates interest and passion. So don't be afraid to be different!

6 Brands for Sensitive Skin … Posted: 18 Jun 2010 03:50 AM PDT Are you blessed, like me, with sensitive skin? Do you find that most brands make you react? It's definitely rather hit and miss, but here are some brands designed for sensitive skin that you might like to try. 1. Green People Green People make organic skincare and makeup. The makeup is even suitable for ezcema sufferers, which is good news for me. Each product on the website has a full list of ingredients, and whether it is suitable for vegans or vegetarians. I fancy trying their Aloe Vera shampoo, as it's a nightmare trying to find one that doesn't make my sensitive scalp itch. Website: greenpeople.co.uk 2. Dr Hauschka Dr Hauschka is another natural brand with a very informative website. They even offer a phone number for skincare advice. An added bonus is that some products are available in trial sizes, which is idea for testing whether a product works for you. And no products are animal tested! I'd love to try the Daily Face Care kit for weekends away. Website: drhauschka.co.uk 3. Pai Pai was founded by Sarah Brown (no, not the wife of the ex-Prime Minister) in response to her own skin allergy. Quite literally taking matters into her own hands! The range is organic and free from chemicals. Like other similar companies, Pai has a strong ethical policy. On my wishlist – the Camomile and Rosehip moisturiser sounds like it smells gorgeous. Website: paiskincare.com

7 Ways To Feel Happy Right Now … Posted: 18 Jun 2010 02:09 AM PDT Do you ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go your way, or you wake up and just don't feel happy? I'm having one today and not even making my favorite cake has cheered me up. I don't feel sad… just not happy, and it’s quite frustrating! I've been researching ways to make myself happy, and these are the top 7 rated ways to feel happy right now… let's see if they work! 1. Be Nice Scientists have shown that by doing five good deeds a week, you'll make yourself a happier person. So, buy a present for your other half, your mum or your siblings. Buy some flowers, or make someone’s favourite food. Or offer the postman a cupcake! 2. Buy Flowers Everyone knows flowers smell divine, but did you know that that scent can make you feel less stressed? Some scents affect blood chemistry, which can lower stress and make your head feel a lot clearer, which is sure to make you happy. 3. Friends Night Meeting your friends is a surefire way to feel happier. Studies show that friends make people much happier then money. You'd have to earn $76,950 extra to make up for having no friends! Watch a comedy film too, as laughing releases the happiness hormone in your brain.

7 Book Series I Love … Posted: 18 Jun 2010 01:27 AM PDT It’s great to discover a “new” author, and if they’ve already produced a series featuring the same character, you have the pleasure of starting at the beginning without having to wait for the next book. Here are some series I recommend. 1. The Southern Vampire Mysteries Or Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels. You may have seen the TV series “True Blood”. Why not try reading the source novels? I’m working my way through them and enjoying every one. 2. His Dark Materials Philip Pullman “His Dark Materials” trilogy — aimed at older children but is one of those series that adults can read. Beats Harry Potter hands down. Photo Credit: Graham G-man Simpson 3. Maigret This is a series that goes on and on and on. George Simenon churned out around 80 novels featuring the pipe-smoking detective, and I have most of them. In the original French! Not to mention hundreds of other works, which I don’t have room for (Simenon was rather prolific …).