Choose Color for the 2010 Wedding Dresses

from wikiHow

If you're planning a wedding in 2010, it's time to do away with the white, pastel greens and lilacs of recent years. 2010 wedding trends are centered around bold and bright hues and few pastel color schemes. From vibrant red wedding gowns to bold turquoise accents, here are some of the top color trends for the 2010 wedding, there is a large range of possibilities for wedding dresses.

Steps 

Select the dress. For dresses, black is still a leading trend for the fashion-forward bride that wants to make a bold statement for the Big Day. This color scheme was popular on the Paris fashion runways in 2008 and has remained in the forefront of wedding dress trends in subsequent years. Black dresses embellished with lace and pearls are an attractive choice for the fashionable bride, but you can also consider black piping or embroidery over the classic white dress for variation. 

Check the gowns. Red wedding gowns are also a top trend for 2010 weddings, especially for the Spring and Fall months. Look for bright red gowns embellished with large satin sashes and bows, or red gowns with black piping and detailing for a fresh new look. 

Choose bridesmaid dresses. These get a pop of color for 2010 weddings in pink, bright orange or turquoise shades. The bride looking for a fun and playful addition to the wedding can wear a simple cream colored gown with a colorful sash that matches the bridesmaid dresses. Look for dresses embellished with large petals and oversized bows for a stylish look.

Consider bright yellow and peach tones; these are also some of the top color trends for the 2010 wedding season, especially for weddings taking place in the spring and summer. Avoid pastels and go for the bold and bright color palettes in these color families for a fashionable look. These color work particularly well for outdoor weddings, beach weddings and tropical-themed weddings.

Tips

 For shoes and accessories, the bolder-is-better motto runs strong. The goal is to create a high-impact, dramatic ensemble whether you're a bridesmaid or the mother of the bride, and the top color schemes in the shoe and accessory department are bright orange, hot pink, red and black, and turquoise. For the 2010 wedding season, you can go overboard with accessories designed with oversized gemstones, glistening sequins and large pearls.

 

Warnings

For the 2010 wedding season, metallics and the classic white gown are taking a backseat and giving way to a lineup of bold, vibrant hues and eye-catching embellishments. If you're planning a wedding and wedding events in 2010, choose from any of these top color schemes to stay in line with the year's top trends.

 Original source of article: www.eastbridal.com.

 

How to Celebrate Christmas

from wikiHOW

Christmas has become a very commercial holiday. Rushing around to buy presents, people tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Aside from big dinners and expensive gifts, there are other ways to celebrate that reflect the true meaning of the holiday, and give the gifts to the One whose birthday it is! And even if you aren't a Christian, you can still celebrate the season in your own way.

1. Reflect on the reason for Christmas by doing some research. In the Bible, you can find the Christmas story in the Gospel according to Luke, Chapters 1 and 2, as well as the Gospel according to Matthew Chapters 1 and 2. Consider reading these chapters aloud as part of your family's holiday.  

2. Choose some activities that you and your friends or family will enjoy which fit with the meaning of Christmas and are also socially enjoyable. Consider preparing some special foods for the poor and needy, as well as giving gifts to people you know.

3. Learn some of the non-commercialized Christmas songs. There are some beautiful carols that you can sing together - maybe someone in your family or circle of friends can play the piano or guitar - if so, encourage them to play, and have a sing-along. Consider carols like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Joy to the World," and "The First Noel." You can find the lyrics online if you don't know them.

4. Spend time with others to celebrate. Gather together at the homes of friends and family, and spend some time in fellowship with others who believe as you do during this special time.

5. Wish others a Merry Christmas. You don't have to worry that you will offend them. If they want to wish you a Happy Hanukkah, in response, thank them and wish them the same. Wishing others a Merry Christmas helps spread the cheer.

6. Give to others. Whether to your family and friends, or to others less fortunate, spend some time this Christmas in giving. We give in remembrance of the gifts of the Magi to the Savior, but at the very heart of it all, recall that we are to give because He first gave to us.

7. Spend time quietly being thankful for the gift of Jesus to the world that we celebrate on Christmas. This is the day that Christians have set aside to celebrate the beginning of the greatest gift mankind has ever received. Coming into the Christmas season with a grateful heart is essential if you really want to make the extension from Jesus's giving of His amazing gift to your giving and receiving.

8. Invite God to come and celebrate the day with you. Some people choose to do this by attending a Christmas Eve service. Some do it by sitting before the Christmas tree and silently inviting God to just be with them. However you decide to do it, for the Christian, making God a part of your day is vital.

Secular Celebration

1. Spread Cheer. When you hear Christmas songs, instead of being grumpy and resenting all of the commercialism, smile and whistle along. Being cheerful during the Christmas season really will help in spreading Christmas spirit to those around you, plus it helps you enjoy it more in the bargain.

2. Join up with friends and family. Even if you aren't a Christian, lots of people celebrate the day just because it's a national holiday and most folks get a day off work. Take advantage of this time to reconnect with friends and family, and enjoy the fellowship.

3. Create your own traditions. You don't have to engage in religious demonstrations in order to have fun Christmas traditions. Decorating a tree with Star Trek or superhero themed ornaments, or with little trains, or with Disney characters can be a part of it. Or have a movie night during which you invite friends over and serve hot apple cider and popcorn or cocoa and cookies. Show "A Christmas Story" or "The Family Stone," or any number of other non-religious themed seasonal movies.

4. Have a Sing-Along. Either have it at your home, go door to door, or go to an old folks' home and do it. Learn some Christmas or seasonal songs, and sing! It's fun, and even if your voice isn't great, hopefully, you won't be singing alone - you'll get some cover from your more talented friends! Try songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "Holly Jolly Christmas," or "Silver Bells."

5. Do a Generous Work. This is in the spirit of spreading joy, kindness and beauty during the Christmas season. Maybe you can volunteer at a homeless shelter, or maybe you could help with a local toy drive or food drive for those who have less than you do.

6. Invite your friends or family over for dinner. You don't have to spend big bucks on gifts - small tokens are fine. Or just have everyone over for a nice dinner. Make it a potluck if you want to keep expenses (and workload) manageable. The important thing is just to get together with people you love and make the winter a little warmer by sharing the warmth of caring with them.

7. Avoid people who say you cannot celebrate the holiday if you are not Christian. Mention that Christmas is a national holiday in most countries (including the United States) and that that implies that everyone can celebrate. Also talk about the cheer, camaraderie, and general goodwill that goes around during this season.

TIPS

• Remember your Christmas may not have white snow-topped trees, or a huge pile of presents, or a wonderful choir singing Christmas carols, but your Christmas celebration and thankfulness is all that is required to properly celebrate. Anything more is a bonus.

• Some families, particulary those in Germany or with German heitage like to put a glass pickle on the christmas tree. The first one to find it either gets a special gift for being the most eager or gets to open presents first. Traditionally, this ornament goes on last.

• Avoid spending money you don't have. Don't go into debt for the sake of one holiday. You don't have to give expensive purchased gifts, but you can make a gift like bookmarks, framed family photos you have taken over the year, holiday cookies or breads, or "cookie kits" (the flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips and other spices are layered in a plain Mason jar, and instructions attached to a piece of raffia or a ribbon letting them know what to add, whether it's water, oil, egg, or whatever). Many people feel a homemade gift is better! gifts. Give within your means, people will understand.

• Avoid obeying the encouragement of retailers to make Christmas all about consumerism, as that is far from the true meaning, regardless of whether you are religious or not.

• Avoid proselytism. Although your beliefs are respected, you should also appreciate the beliefs of others. Still, look forward to the fundamentally jolly spirit of the day.

• Be aware that some people can find Christmas a hard time, especially if a loved one is ill, there are family problems, or a loved one has died.

• On another hand, some people can be Scrooges when it comes to Christmas e.g. saying negative things like 'Let's cancel Christmas'. The best way to deal with 'Scroogey' comments like this is not to become angry or defensive, and simply say something disarming, like, "Sorry you don't enjoy this holiday - you're still welcome to come and join us for the day if you haven't got anyplace else to go." The Scrooge's issues that will prevent him or her from celebrating may keep him or her from accepting your invitation, or may cause him or her to accept, but make frequent disparaging remarks. You should not take on those issues and allow the negative attitude of one or two people to spoil your holiday cheer. Just blow them off as kindly as possible and continue your celebration, showing compassion to the poor Scrooge.

How to Stay Awake at Work

from wikiHow

STEPS

• Use your sense of smell. A strong scent, good or bad, can make you more alert very quickly. Aromatherapists often recommend essential oils of the following plants to stimulate the nervous system and reduce fatigue (open the bottle and take a big whiff when you're feeling drowsy):[1]
• rosemary
• eucalyptus blue gum
  peppermint (a study showed that smelling peppermint can lower fatigue by 15%, increase alertness by 30% and decrease frustration by 25%[2])
  coffee (beans or brewed, study has shown that simply smelling coffee can awaken a person) [3]
  scots pine oil
  Of course, not all of us have essential oils stored in our file cabinets, but using hand lotions or burning candles with these same scents could help. Herbs like rosemary and peppermint can often be found fresh or dried at a grocery store; for a little pick-me-up, take a pinch and roll it between your fingertips and smell it. Alternatively, if there's any chili powder around, take a (careful) whiff of that.
  Use acupressure. Massaging any of the following points will improve circulation and ease fatigue:[4]
  top of your head (lightly tap with your fingertip)
  top of the back of your neck
  back of your hands (between thumb and index finger)
  just below the knees
  earlobes[5]
  Take a power nap. If you have the time, sleeping for just 15-20 minutes can increase your alertness by leaps and bounds if you have a cup of coffee (or any other form of caffeine) right before you fall asleep.

Expose yourself to bright light, preferably natural daylight. Your body's internal clock, its circadian rhythms, are regulated by your exposure to sufficient light. Even if you're in an environment where there's artificial light, brighter is better. If you can step outside (even on a cloudy day) or look out the window for a full minute, you'll be more alert. Wherever you work, see if you can replace the light fixture or add a lamp that will brighten your workspace.


Keep yourself uncomfortable.
Stay on your feet as much as possible. If you have to sit down, get the most uncomfortable chair you can find. Make sure the back is upright, forcing you to sit up very straight. Don't allow your head to rest on anything--your hands, the desk, the wall.
Stay cold. If it's a little cold, take off your sweater or jacket so you stay on the chilly side. Open a window or put on a small fan, pointed at your face.
Exercise at your computer. Just because you're sitting down doesn't mean you can't use your muscles.
Avoid a full stomach. Munch on snacks all day, rather than having a big meal. The key is to not get a spike of sugar intake (followed by the inevitable crash). The same goes for caffeine. Break your consumption down into small doses.
apple - the sweetness and tartness in the flavor, along with the "crunch" will perk you up in a healthy way

sunflower seeds still in the husk (put a small handful in your cheek and crack them open one at a time, using only your teeth and tongue; this will require just enough active thought and tongue movement to prevent you from dozing off, and the salt of the sunflower seeds is invigorating and stimulating; spit out the sunflower husks into a paper cup as you go, as quietly as possible so as to not disturb others around you)

raisins

Listen to music that's energizing to you; if possible, dance or sing along, even if you just bob your head or hum. Music that's irritating or jarring to you can also work. Just make sure to use headphones so you don't disturb your co-workers.


Every thirty minutes, do one of the following:
physical activity for 2-3 minutes (jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging in place)
splash cold water on your face
drink an ice cold glass of water (the coldness picks you up, and guarantees you getting up every half hour or so to go to the bathroom; you won't fall asleep on a full bladder)
brush your teeth

TIPS


Don't forget that a little caffeine can help a lot. Making a cup of tea or coffee will get you up from your desk and provide some caffeine to perk you up.
Realize that you may not be as tired as you think you are. Often times you'll find that throughout the day, you are fantasizing about going to sleep as soon as you get home. Does this actually happen? For many of us, when we're off work and enjoying the rest of the day we are always wide awake even without sleep. Notice this psychological contribution that your mind is making.

WARNINGS

Limit caffeine intake to 300 mg or less a day (about 4-8 cups of tea) to avoid counterproductive side effects.[6]
Many of the things that you do to stay awake also interfere with concentrating. What you'll really need, ultimately, is good sleep in order to perform optimally.
Take a nap before driving home to prevent falling asleep at the wheel.
Some people may be allergic to essential oils and the smells they produce. Be considerate to your coworkers and make sure they are ok with you having smells emanating from your cubicle/office