Top Christmas Gifts For Women
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Top Christmas Gifts For Women



It’s that time of year again!  Fall is almost over and wintertime will soon be here.  After the turkey is trimmed on Thanksgiving, everyone will turn his or her thoughts towards Christmas.  Perhaps it might be wise to start thinking about your shopping earlier this year – especially when it comes to the special woman in your life.  Since it is not always easy to shop for women, the following gift guide will make your holiday shopping easy.  In fact, you might even be able to get everything done before Thanksgiving even arrives!
Jewelry
There is arguably nothing better you can get the woman you love than jewelry.  It is sentimental, thoughtful, long lasting and heartfelt.  However, choosing the perfect piece for her tastes can be difficult.  In most cases, something simple and classy like diamond stud earrings will win over the heart of any woman.  If you do not want to give her something so traditional, you can look for gem jewelry.  Rubies, sapphires, opals, and pearls are great options for gems.  They look amazing on earrings, rings, or necklaces.
Clothing
Although less sentimental than jewelry, clothing is a great gift option for women during the holiday season.  There are plenty of articles of clothing you can purchase for her; however, you need to know her style and size.  If you are not savvy in the fashion department, consider asking her friends for help.  You can go to the mall with them during your lunch break or shop online.  If you are not sure what to buy, consider purchasing a complete outfit.  This is more special than a few pairs of pants, and it means more because you put some thought into it.
Weekend Getaway
If you want to spice up the romance in your life, plan a weekend getaway to present to your lady on Christmas.  When planning this getaway, make sure to keep her in mind.  Too often, men plan the vacation around them.  Instead, consider scheduling activities that she will enjoy.  Also, get her a gift that she might use during the trip, like a new sweat outfit, an electronic reading device, clothing, pajamas, or slippers.  This will help her to feel excited about the upcoming getaway.
Handbags
Another go-to gift for women is a handbag.  Every woman loves to carry around an amazing new handbag.  Sadly, they do not always have the budget for this expense.  You can surprise her this holiday season with the handbag she has been dreaming of.  Just make sure it is a style that suits her.  There are unlimited options to choose from when it comes to purses.  Therefore, you have to choose one that fits her lifestyle, personality, style, and needs.
Perfume
Finally, perfume is always a great gift for women – especially during the holidays.  The challenge with this gift is finding the right scent that suits her tastes.  If you are confident in your abilities, you can select one that you would enjoy smelling on her.  You can also purchase another bottle of her favorite scent.
Get your Christmas shopping done early this year.  Purchase one of these gifts for the woman in your life.
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Subtle cosmetic procedures in Singapore
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Subtle cosmetic procedures in Singapore



A heavily botoxed face and unnaturally large breasts are so passé. In 2013, discretion is the order of the day.
Savvy Singaporean women want to look good and are willing to pay the right price for it, but they don’t want to look like they’ve had anything done. Modern cosmetic procedures are so subtle that people will remark that you’re looking well, but they won’t realise that you’ve had any help…
Breast enlargement
The hourglass figure is by far the most desirable. The world’s most attractive women like Marilyn Monroe tend to have small waists, big hips and a generous bust size. For us mere mortals, however, that perfect ratio is hard to attain.
If you’re looking to achieve a curvier figure without looking out of proportion or having unnatural-looking implants, you probably don’t have to go up many cup sizes to get the desired effect. Fans of breast enlargement like Heidi Montag and Victoria Beckham are actually going down a few cup sizes (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/11/01/heidi-montag-gets-more-plastic-surgery-removes-oversized-implants/) after getting implants to look more natural while still boosting what nature gave them.
These days, surgeons in Singapore performing breast enlargement procedures are taking fat deposits elsewhere on a patient’s body, and using them to give the breast area a natural boost. The effect is subtle, without any of the complications that can come with artificial implants. Plus, you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone by getting rid of some fat in another area of your body.
Skin treatments
When it comes to looking youthful, it’s usually the texture of your skin and the size of your pores which give your age away. And if you spend a lot of time in the sun, you’re particularly prone to developing an uneven skins tone or discolouration, which can be incredibly aging.
But getting a face lift is not only invasive and risky (you don’t want to be left looking permanently surprised by life), but it doesn’t always make people look younger. And while fillers can help plump the skin and combat wrinkles, you have to be in the hands of a very experience and talented surgeon to avoid coming away with a puffy face.
Skin peels are a lot more effective. There are some drastic peels which can make a huge difference by sloughing away the dead skin cells, but be prepared to shut yourself away from the world and avoid the sun entirely as your skin sheds and heals itself. For a more subtle improvement which will have you back in public in far less time, opt for a less harsh peel, dermabrasion or a laser treatment for a more gentle exfoliating effect, without the unsightly peeling.
We’ve all seen people come back to work after a long weekend looking puffy or lacking any expression in their faces. If you don’t want the office gossiping about you may or may not have had done, ask your clinic about amore staggered approach to botox. You may have to wait a while to see results, but you can stop before you start to look unnatural.
Weight loss
So-called ‘lunchtime lipo’ is a big hit with busy professional women who simply can’t afford to book weeks off work to recover. Just make sure you choose an accredited practitioner, even you’re not going under the knife.
Non-invasive treatments that freeze fat cells or target problem areas without surgery promise to deliver great results in just a few hours, without all the bruising and swelling normally associated with liposuction.
Don’t forget your teeth!
Even with smooth-as-a-baby’s-bottom skin and the slimmest figure, your teeth could be letting you down. Smoking, not brushing regularly and drinking tea and coffee can all make our teeth yellow over the years. Speak to your dentist about a safe tooth whitening programme that will protect the enamel of your teeth while safely taking you a few shades lighter.
The authe believes that beauty comes from inside but touching up the outside is something she does consider important.
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Vintage Shapewear
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Vintage Shapewear



Fashions and ideals come and go over the years, but one thing that has remained constant for eons is the desire by women to resemble a perfect shape. Bulges, bumps, lumps and flabby bits are considered unflattering and ladies all over the globe have sought ways to hide these unsightly excesses of fat. The invention of shapewear has transformed the lives of many women, as miraculous pieces of undergarments help to perfect that hour-glass figure. Here's a brief look into vintage shapewear.
The history of shapewear
When many people think of vintage shapewear they imagine the gussets and girdles of the early 1930s and 40s. But, in actual fact, shapewear has been around for a heck of a lot longer than that. If you go back as far as 2900 BC - 641 AD, functional girdles bound at the waist, made from soft leather and linen were worn in Ancient Greece. At the same time, Greek ladies were wearing ancient bras called 'Mastoeides', which helped create the perfect cleavage.
Fashion trends spread across the Mediterranean to Italy, where in Ancient Rome around 600 BC - 476 AD, Roman ladies began experimenting with shapewear. The girdles were made from the best leather, and were embroidered and embellished with jewels. This exquisite shapewear was actually worn over the clothing not underneath!
Come the 16th Century and Elizabethan women kept their bodies in perfect shape by wearing steel corsets to flatten the waist and chest. Huge, hooped petticoats called farthingales created volume on the lower part of the body.
Women of the Victorian era in the 19th Century became particularly obsessed with the notion of achieving the tiniest waist possible. This was assisted with the help of rather uncomfortable corsets made from heavy canvas with whalebone or steel. In many cases, women would require help in getting the corsets on, which often involved someone putting a foot on their back as the lady lay down, and pulling the corset as tightly as possible. All in the name of fashion!
Fashion changed somewhat by the early 20th Century as the 'Flappers' style entered the arena. This placed less emphasis on shape and more about thinness. Shapewear of this time consisted of camisoles, panties, teddies and bras that were used to hide curves and bind breasts.
During the 1930s to the 1950s, shapewear fashion changed once more. Girdles came back onto the scene again, made from elasticated materials with panels. During World War II, girdles were actually made with secret pockets in them, so that women could tuck documents and items safely away from the enemy.
During the Boom and Boob years from 1950 to 1970 shapewear took an increasing focus on bras, which were made from a wide range of materials to accentuate different shapes. Padded bras increased in popularity. Girdles started to also be made from a wider range of materials, including nylon and polyester.
These days, shapewear is much more comfortable than times gone by. Contemporary shapewear uses lycra spandex or powernet, to make it durable and easy wearing, but still has the same effect of helping to maintain that much longed for hour-glass figure!
Many of us can’t live without a pair of good spanx and it’s nice to see that we’re not the only one as they’ve been favourites for decades! Here at Jolie we love underwear and if you’d like to see more underwear please visit us! 






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Could a Daisy Flower Extract Lighten Your Dark Spots?
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Could a Daisy Flower Extract Lighten Your Dark Spots?



The Californian-based skincare company Ageless Derma, recently discovered the benefits of Belides as a skin whitening ingredient and have incorporated it in its Anti-Ageing Intensive Skin Brightener cream. Belides, a daisy flower, has a prohibiting effect on the skin’s ability to produce melanin (tone and pigment) which have been proven to lighten the skin.
The decision by Ageless Derma to incorporate Belides into its skin brightening cream is excellent and long awaited news to individuals seeking to naturally reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots, as this revolutionary cream is derived from natural ingredients and includes no toxic components which will make it a lot safer to use than a lot of other brands.
Scientific research has proved the ability of Belides to naturally whiten the skin and to reduce the advent of freckles, skin tone disorders and age spots significantly while effectively lightening any skin type; even the most sensitive skin types! Belides effectively inhibits the discharge of tyrosinase, an enzyme that regulates the production of melanin (skin pigmentation that causes discolouration). It is produced by daisy flower blossoms that grow uninhabited.  Belides in Ageless Derma’s skin brightening cream is naturally preserved which means no dangerous toxic components are present in its development.
A scientific study conducted in Germany confirmed that Belides has the ability to decrease the production of tyrosinase in the skin by approximately 50%. It also aids in the effective prevention of the effects of skin hyper pigmentation and several other skin tone problems. Belides has been clinically tested and confirmed to provide positive skin lightening results after four weeks of continuous and correct applications. This all-natural ingredients is therefore a valuable addition to the skin lightening cream of Ageless Derma, as it also host the capability to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, making it a highly desired product in the fight against anti-ageing skincare.
Dark spots are more commonly known as age spots, and frequently appear on the skin of individuals over forty years of age. However, any individual of any age can suddenly experience the presence of age and dark spots, which are often caused by the harmful UV rays. Exposure to the UV rays happen when we bathe in the sun, use tanning beds in salons, or generally spend a lot of time outdoors without protecting the skin with a high-quality UV sunscreen.
Many individuals have searched high and low for an effective skin lightening cream to diminish the appearance of unappealing age spots and the effects of hyper pigmentation on the skin. Many bleaching solutions have to date, not been safe for use by all skin types and has caused a lot of damage as it contained a lot of toxic chemicals including parabens, mercury and hydroquinone. Ageless Derma manufacture it’s Skin Brightening Solution without the combination of toxic components, but rather incorporates all-natural ingredients such as Belides as an effective skin whitening agent that is safe to be used on all skin types.
Purchase brand names skin care products at DrSkinSpa.com. Free Shipping. Use flawless code for 20% discount 
About the author: 
Desiree Johnson, Licensed Esthetician

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New York's Best Shopping Districts
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
New York's Best Shopping Districts


There’s no questioning the fact that New York is home to some fabulous shopping opportunities, but try to figure out which shopping district best suits you can be overwhelming. Manhattan alone has dozens of popular shopping streets and neighbourhoods, so it’s nice to have a handy guide to help your way around the city.

5th Avenue
5th Avenue is New York’s most famous and celebrated shopping street. The best shopping is centred on Midtown, right in the heart of Manhattan. Though there are plenty of international brand names with storefronts on this iconic street, everyone comes here for the NYC staples: Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Saks 5th Avenue. These places may be out of the price range for most of us, but they’re worth a visit anyway. 

Soho
Whereas 5th Avenue exudes NYC sophistication, Soho is a little more laid-back. You’ll still find luxury brand names here, but the atmosphere is a lot different and ultra-lux names like Prada stand alongside with more attainable ones like Old Navy. Soho is also one of NYC’s prettiest neighbourhoods and is characterised by 19th-century buildings accented with wrought iron and other detailing. In addition to the dozens of fashionable retailers here, Soho is still a good place to hunt down artwork and other fabulous finds.

Nolita
Nolita stands for “North of Little Italy” and is quickly earning an uber-trendy status among New Yorkers. Its main shopping street is Elizabeth Street, which features a mix of established brand names and quirky boutiques. Like 5th Avenue and Soho, this isn’t a place where you’ll find rock bottom prices, but it’s a good neighbourhood to explore if you’re looking for that one-of-a-kind statement piece.

Lower East Side
Originally made famous by Jewish delis and casual eateries, the Lower East Side is now becoming a hipster haven as well. It’s home to the Historic Orchard Street Shopping District, which includes Orchard, Allen, and Ludlow Streets. Locals have enjoyed picking up bargains here for decades, but prices have inched up as the neighbourhood attracts more tourists. However, if you look hard enough you can still find plenty of bargains on clothing, textiles, and leather goods.

Chinatown
Crammed between Little Italy and the Lower East Side, Chinatown is full of bargains on all kinds of trinkets and textiles. Cramped and crowded, it’s a total feast for the senses. Along with great buys on Chinese-themed souvenirs, stationery, decor and clothing, it’s also the best place in the city to chow down on Chinese food.

Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is where everyone in NYC wants to live. Tree-lined streets partially cover blocks of impossibly expensive flats owned by fashion executives and other well-to-do entrepreneurs. Below these flats are amazing boutiques selling one-of-a-kind pieces and crowded street side cafes selling organic fair-trade coffee. Shopping in Greenwich Village is a pleasure, but won’t be kind on your bank account.

Canal Street
Canal Street, which separates Little Italy and Chinatown, is the epicentre of New York street fashion. Fashionistas flock to this multicultural street for the ultimate in bargain shopping. You’ll find a mix of open-air stalls, brands you’ve never heard of, souvenir shops, and pretty much anything under the sun. If Canal Street feels a little overwhelming, simply duck down into Tribeca for some breathing room.

Shopping in NYC can go from incredibly sophisticated to bohemian hipster and bargain-hunter’s paradise over the course of a few blocks. That level of diversity is part of what makes the city so great and what continuously draws millions of visitors to the Big Apple each year. Once you get a feel for the city, feel free to explore tiny cobble streets and unassuming corners on your own. Visiting the major shops is a fun experience, but the real pleasurable part of shopping in NYC is discovering little boutiques away from the main tourist drag. So get yourself some flights to New York and shop until you drop in the city that never sleeps.

About the author:
Joy Francis is a freelance writer specialising in luxury and travel.
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