How to Dress for a Date

Your first date is a thing of beauty – and incredible stress. Do you dress up? Will you look like you’re trying to hard? Or should you dress normally and risk looking sloppy? It can be tough to pick the perfect outfit, but relax – you can do it.

Determine Location

Location is the single most important factor on a date. If you’re going ice skating, you want to be prepared and not be the only one in a mini skirt on the ice. Likewise you’ll want to skip the skinny jeans on the beach. Speak to the lucky guy to determine where you’re going to go on this date. If he acts like you’re stressing him out or putting him on the spot, make a gentle suggestion that you keep things low key – and then dress for dinner and a movie.

Pick an Outfit

Start combing through your closet looking for something to wear. You want to pull together an outfit with the following criteria:

• You know its flattering, so you feel your best.
• You are comfortable in it so you’re not pulling at your skirt or trying to make your buttons stay closed.
• You have flexibility in case you wind up riding horses or bowling rather than dancing the night away.
• You are dressing for the middle road – not too casual and not too fancy.
• It’s clean and not stained.

Get Dressed

Pull your outfit on to make sure it feels right. You should be comfortable without worrying about bending too far in your skirt or getting blisters from your shoes. You want to wear something that’s normal for you so that you’re not more uncomfortable than a typical first date should be, but you want to look nice. Pants and a nice shirt, a cute sundress, or jeans and a sweater are good, middle-of-the-road choices.

Check the Details

Before you head out the door, you’ll want to be sure you’ve got the details covered. Check for any stains or dirty spots. Lint removers will help take care of any stray cat hairs, and you’ll want to cut (not pull) any loose threads. Are you pulled together? Do you feel good? Then go and have a great time!

(1 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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How To Become a Real Ballroom Dancer

Dancing has always been one of the most under appreciated art forms in the world. In recent years however, it has started to get more attention. There are dancing reality shows, music videos, dancing movies, street dancing competitions and a host of others types of dancing. One of the forms of dance that has exploded into the public is Ballroom dancing. It is amazing what has happened in just the past year.

I have been in ballroom dancing for 11 years. When I started people didn’t really know what ballroom dancing was. The public’s view of ballroom dancing has always been Fred and Ginger Rogers. Though they are classic dancers, and will always be the most well known dancers in the world, dancing has evolved into something much, much more. Every year the dancers are starting younger and younger. I am teaching 5 year olds how to ballroom dance! With all of this attention I think that people should understand what it really takes to be a ballroom dancer, and be competitive with the world. People think that they can take a few classes and call themselves ballroom dancers. This is not true. It takes years and years of training and commitment, money and patience to become a real ballroom dancer.

This is one of the few sports that the professionals are still taking lessons all the time. There is always something new to learn and something that can make even the best dancer a little better. It is a sport that no one will ever conquer. Once you think you have conquered it someone will always come along and do something better or new and pass you up. It is changing every day. The competition is getting harder and harder every day. If you don’t have the drive to continue working you will never make it. So what makes a REAL ballroom dancer? Well, I am going to explain the key elements of a real ballroom dancer.

First, you need the desire. If you want to take ballroom dance for fun, that is great but you need more than that. Ballroom dancers literally live to dance. They have to have that desire and drive in order to get through the disappointment, struggle and frustration that come with this sport. If you don’t have the desire there is no point in spending the money or the time it takes. You can’t teach this element, this is something that you are born with.

Second, you need time! You have to be willing to spend a lot of time on this. You need to train at least 4 hours a day and travel around the country and the world. As with any other skill it takes years to achieve the type of excellence the top professionals achieve. You will be spending tremendous amounts of time with your dance partner so it is best you get a long. You need to be willing to travel for competitions. It is important to travel and have different judges see you so you can be known. Traveling takes up a lot of time.

Third, training. It is imperative that you receive good training. You must train with different coaches and styles. Since dancing has evolved it is important to know more than one dance style. Get trained in Ballet, this will help with everything you do. Be familiar with any other dance style you can. You never know what you will need to do for a show. It is important to train with different coaches because ballroom is a political sport and a lot of time the coaches are the judges. You need to be on their good side and they need to know who you are if you want them to even look at you. It isn’t right but that is just how it is.

Fourth, MONEY! Ballroom is probably the most expensive sport around. For good training you will be paying from $80-$250 for 45 minutes! Shoes cost around $90.00 and you will need to change them at lease twice a year, probably more. Dresses will cost between $500-$5,000 per dress. You must pay for all of your travel and lodging for any competitions outside of your state or country. Even if you manage to get sponsored for dresses or shoes, you have to pay for lessons and that is the most expensive of them all. Lessons are where dancers make all of their money. There are also competition fees to even enter the competition. This all adds up very quickly.

Fifth, you need endurance. It takes a long time to get good at ballroom dance. Don’t get discouraged every one has to go through it. There will be times you dance better than other couples but get a lower score because they are more well known than you, or their coach is one of the judges, or they don’t like your dress or your hair or something about your partner. There are so many things that go into what the judges look for that you can’t control, so don’t let it get to you. You have to just do the best you can and be happy with that. Some day it will all pay off.

The last thing you need is to look like a ballroom dancer. You can spot a ballroom dancer from a mile away. This is a very vain sport and it is important to care about how you look. You need to be in shape and your hair either has to be black or platinum blonde, there is nothing in between. You need to wear expensive clothes and have great taste. Dancers are very into fashion. You need to be tan all year round and have your nails done. You need to wear false eyelashes for competition and do your makeup so that you look like you should be standing on the street corner. Your costumes need to be great and functional. Looks are important because in the competition if there are two couples that are technically the same and they both have good expression the judges will look at how they look. If one couple is better groomed and looks more professional they will get a higher score than the other couple. That is just for the ladies. The men have it easier but they still have to tan and they have to wear tight pants. Looks are very important.

Well those are the most important elements of ballroom dancing. Dancing doesn’t have to be like this. It is a great hobby for couples and friends. It is a way to meet people of the opposite sex and a great way to exercise and have fun. When you see a ballroom competition just realize people sacrifice a lot for this sport and there are many things that go into becoming a REAL Ballroom dancer.

(13 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)
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How to Set Up an Outdoor Living Area

The patio or deck can be a natural extension of your home if you like to spend time outside. You can make the most of this outdoor living by creating a full outside living area. The degree of complexity is a personal decision, but a well designed outdoor living area will receive plenty of use.

Set Up Location

The first step in an outdoor living area is finding the right location for your seating. You may already have a large covered patio or gazebo. You may find that you’d like to lay a new section of patio or build a deck to accommodate your new outdoor living area. Arrange your location before moving ahead.

Set Up Seating

Once a location has been determined, preferably near the rest of the home, it is time purchase and arrange comfortable seating. Seating can be as simple as a patio table and chairs or it can be a collection of chairs, chaise lounges, benches, swings and cushions. The style of the seating as well as the number of seats is up to you.

Arrange the seating in a circular fashion for large groups, or in small clusters to encourage more intimate conversations. If you will be using an outdoor fireplace, be sure to place seating well away from the center where the fireplace will be located.

Set Up a Focus

If you would like a focus for your outdoor living area, arrange an outdoor fireplace, a table or other large item in the center of your seating to help bring the living area together. A table may limit seats, so you might create a small living area or multiple clusters if using a table. A large fire pit or fireplace can accommodate many seats, but be sure to keep seats well away from any blaze or sparks.

Accessorize

Finally, dress up your outdoor living area with potted plants, lawn decorations and special touches such as urns or wall fountains. Arrange plants and other accessories around the perimeter of the seating arrangement to make the outdoor living area feel cozy and contained.

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How To Clean Leather

One of the first fabrics that man fashioned to wear or use, leather has been a popular material from its beginnings. Leather is a beautiful, longwearing, breathable, natural fabric that has multiple uses, i.e., clothing, shoes, furniture, luggage, and vehicle interiors. This valuable fabric is an investment that will last for years if it is treated with care. Owners want to know how to correctly clean leather products because leather can be quickly ruined if handled incorrectly.

Leather hides can be categorized as belonging to several types, depending on the process to preserve the hides. The piece of leather can be smooth, suede, dyed in a variety of ways, coated, or tanned naturally. The dye used to color the fabric can be of different types that demand different handling. A product that works beautifully on one type of leather can permanently stain a different type. It is important to read any manufacturer’s instructions to understand what type of finish was used to create the item.

There are general rules for how to clean leather, however. These rules apply to how to clean car upholstery, belts, purses, jackets or other clothing, as well as furniture, luggage, and leather shoes. All leather needs an environment that is not too wet, not too dry, not too hot, or not too cold. Any extremes in the atmosphere can cause irreparable harm to the hides.

Let’s start off by identifying two types of leather. There is finished leather and there is unfinished leather. It is very good to know what type of leather you have so that you may treat it properly. Finished leather consists of the finer leather on coats or purses. Luggage and leather furniture is usually finished as well.

On the other hand, you have unfinished leather items as well. Unfinished leather consists of work gloves, garden gloves, boots that you use for work, biker bandannas, horse saddles, any type of saddle, basketballs and footballs.

Let’s start with cleaning finished leather. To clean finished leather, you must get a lightly dampened cloth with a dab of moisturizing bath soap (dove) on the cloth. Rub the leather in a circular motion and make sure that there is not too much water on the cloth. You don’t want to stain the leather more because of an access of water. After wiping the leather until the stain is gone, you can then take another dampened cloth to wipe off any soap residue. Remember, DO NOT us water to wipe the leather clean. After cleaning the leather with the second dampened cloth, you can now wipe it clean with a dry cloth and hang the leather product to air dry. It’s a good idea to apply a leather conditioner to the leather once it is dry.

To clean unfinished leather, you will follow the same steps stated above. However, you must use “Saddle soap” instead of moisturizing soap.

Remember when removing spots from leather, always test any cleaning method on an out-of-the-way spot first.

One tip for removing spots from leather is to dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and rub the spot. This can work for removing ink spots (figure B) as well. If this doesn’t work, you can use non-oily cuticle remover. (Note: That is "cuticle" remover, not nail-polish remover.) Leave it on overnight and wipe it off with a damp cloth.

To remove normal spots from leather, use the following Royal homemade recipe:

1 part lemon juice
1 part cream of tartar

Simply work the paste into the spot with a soft cloth, and if soils remain after working it in, let it sit for a few hours. Come back and apply a little more paste, work it in and wipe clean.

Instructions for more targeted stains

Grass Stain:

1. Mix 1 cup of water with moisturizing soap.

2. Moisten a cloth with the mixture.

3. Apply cloth with a circular motion on the stained area

4. Wipe clean with another cloth dampened by water only

5. Let air dry

Mildew stain:

1. Mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol with 1 cup water.

2. Moisten a cloth with the mixture and wipe the affected area.

3. Let air dry.

Ink stain:

1. Spray the affected area with hair spray.

2. Then wipe it off with a clean cloth.

3. If a leather garment has been soaked in water, let it air dry

slowly and naturally.

4. Keep it away from heat sources.

5. Once it is dry, restore its softness with a leather conditioner.

6. If leather shoes have been soaked, insert shoe trees to restore their shape and let them air dry.

Grease stains:

1. These can be removed by blotting the excess grease with a clean cloth.

2. Second, sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch on the affected area.

3. Let the item sit for at least 4 hours before wiping off the powder.

Blood and urine spills:

These can be removed by blotting off excess moisture with a clean, damp cloth. Let the item dry slowly away from heat.

Gum that has become stuck to the leather:

1. You can remove it by rubbing a plastic bag full of ice cubes over it to harden the gum. The gum will then be easy to pull off.

2. If there is any residual, heat the area with a hair dryer and rub off the gum with a clean cloth.

Salt stain:

1. Make a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water.

2. Moisten a cloth with the vinegar solution and dab it on the affected area.

We have outlined how to properly take care of your leather possessions in this article. Leather is a delicate item and can last forever if taken care of properly. We understand that some stains might entail more than just a cleaning. Do not hesitate to hire professional leather cleaner to help you. Remember to ask that professional for a guarantee that your leather will come back that way that you would like it. They need to be legit. They need to return your article back with the same color that the item was in the beginning. If they cannot help with these simple items, then you might need to get a second opinion.

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How to Match Furniture in a Bedroom

If your bedroom is an odd assortment of furniture pieces, you may be able to make them match more easily than you think. Here’s how to match furniture in a bedroom.

Decide on a Décor

Your first step is to decide on a pattern of décor for the bedroom. Some styles are easier to use as a basis for making furniture match than others. If you have your heart set on traditional styles, you may have a harder time than casual, eclectic, or even southwestern decor. Find a kind of style your comfortable with.

Take an Assessment

Your next step is to take an assessment of what furniture is already in the room. Are there various grains of wood or just different styles? Are some pieces of the furniture modern and other pieces classical? Look at other rooms of your home for pieces that you might be able to move into the bedroom to make a more unified look.

Start with a Core

Now, find a core. Do you have two matching pieces and only one or two unusual accents? If you have two coordinating pieces, such as a chair and dresser, make those your core. Then you have only to deal with the other pieces such as night tables, headboard and accents.

Paint

One way to help match furniture in a bedroom is to paint all of the pieces the same color. You may also choose to paint only some of the pieces. For example, if you’ve selected a casual style, you may opt to paint the uncoordinated pieces a creamy white. These white pieces will offset your chair and dresser you’ve left their natural wood color.

Fabric

Another way to match furniture in a bedroom is to use fabric to simply cover up the unsightly pieces. You can easily create a headboard cover using fabric, a staple gun and some cushioning. You may even choose to create an entirely new headboard using fabric and plywood. Side tables that don’t match can be hidden under fabric tablecloths.

To make them unified, find two circles of MDF or plywood and place the circles on top of the existing tables. Then drape the new table clothes over the circles to make two round bedside tables. You may choose to make only one new round table which can still coordinate with another wooden table on the other side of the bed.

Accessories

At the very least, use pillows, curtains and runners on dressers and side tables to help bring the room together. Use the fabric in a chair, headboard or linens to select patterns and colors, then lavishly cover the room in throw pillows and drapes. Soon, your disjointed bedroom will be a comfortable, matching place of rest – even if nobody sees it but you.

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How to Decorate a Small Patio

<Apartments and garden homes often come with a very small patio that can be challenging to utilize well. You want to maximize the use of your patio, but decorate it in a style that makes it inviting for sitting and relaxing at the end of the day. Here are a few tips on how to decorate a small patio.

Make Seating Count

Rather than cramming in inexpensive plastic chairs, make the seating on your small patio count. Invest in a petite table and two chairs that are sturdy and attractive. Think of bistro dining to get inspiration for the kind of table that might fit in a small space. If a table isn’t important to you, consider purchasing a garden swing to install into overhead beams or set up in a frame if one will fit. A swing can be a relaxing way to snuggle up on your patio, especially if you’re looking for a romantic feel.

Plant Quality, not Quantity

Large patios have room for plenty of plants, but small patios require a bit more finesse. Buy a handful of plants, and pot them in attractive containers. These plants are not only the greenery to decorate your patio, but can be conversation pieces as well, so choose something that appeals to you and grows well in your light and temperature conditions. Also consider the use of plant stands to bring your plants up the level of the rest of the patio.

Use Details to Decorate

Details can make a small patio feel snug and inviting rather than simply small. Consider hanging wind chimes or using a small fountain to bring a bit of environment and extra detail to the area. Hanging plants and twinkle lights can help set a mood as can an outdoor shelf and candle collection.

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How to Decorate a Patio

A patio can be a lovely extension of your home, or it can be a big bare slab of concrete. The difference is just in the decoration. With a few simple touches or even a sizable investment, you can make an outdoor living area that will be a joy to spend time in or entertain on.

Consider Your Budget

The main thing to consider when beginning this process is your budget. How much do you have to spend on this project? Can you afford a makeover or are you just in the market for a few inexpensive touch-ups? If you have the money, you can hire a landscaper to surround your patio with lush vegetation, some shady trees, or some cheery floral annuals.

Or, you can invest in some durable patio furniture like a table with an umbrella and matching chairs, an outdoor bar, or outdoor fireplace or chiminea. Perhaps you want to take your culinary flair outside and you choose to invest in an outdoor kitchen or gas grill. Don’t be discouraged if these ideas are out of your budget. A few less extravagant purchases can make a difference, too. Once you have an idea of what you can afford, you will be better prepared to make a plan to decorate your patio.

Choose a Theme

Some people choose to have a central theme with their patio decorations. From garden gnomes to birdhouses to dragonfly décor, a theme can bring your decorations together for a more well-thought-out effect. Without a theme, you can still decorate tastefully, or you may end up with a motley assortment of uncoordinated items.

Go Shopping

Once you have a budget and a theme, it’s time to start shopping. You may want to look for decorative pots in which to grow some herbs, flowers, or greenery. Perhaps the relaxing sound of running water sounds good to you and you want to shop for a little fountain. There are a large assortment of figurines and ceramic or metal decorations to adorn your garden. Don’t forget to find a centerpiece for your patio table! From candles to outdoor wall hangings, you have limitless options to express your style and transform your patio into a showcase for your creativity.

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How To Decorate a Living Room

The living room is the center of your home. The formal living room often sets the tone for the rest of the household, and the decorating style you select has bearing on every room in the house.

Find a Theme:

When you decorate a living room, you must first consider your preferred style. Are you a fan of country decorating with gingham and lace? Or perhaps you prefer classic styles with display tables and curios. Modern styles with bold lines and bright colors are increasingly common as are comfortable styles that use neutral colors and oversized furniture. Flip through decorating magazines or websites to see examples of what appeals to you.

Find a Focus:

The focus of your living room will be the starting point for decorating. The focus should be a large item that brings your personality to the room such as the fireplace mantle, picture above the fireplace, sofa, rug, or even an ottoman. Use that piece to find your color pattern and inspiration for the rest of the room.

Living Room Colors:

Once you have your focus, select a wall color and accenting colors for accessories and additional furniture. Don’t be afraid to be creative, but using a focus piece will help keep the room coordinated rather than matching. Paint the walls or use wall paper, then select window treatments, rugs and upholstery that coordinates with the rest of your selections.

Living Room Window Treatments:

Window treatments such as drapes, blinds and shutters give a room a polished look. Shutters can be a more beautiful alternative to basic blinds, and drapes or window hangings bring a room together.

Living Room Furniture:

The furniture in the living room can be many things, but most often consists of a sofa and additional seating. Chairs, chaise lounges and love seats all find their way into living rooms as do rocking chairs, ottomans and foot stools. Desks and bookcases are common additions as are coffee and side tables. Buy furniture according to the size of your room and your particular decorating style. Minimalist styles will have little furniture while traditional styles will have much more.

Living Room Accessories:

Finally, once the colors, windows, and furniture is selected, you can focus your attention on finding accessories such as pictures, lamps, curios and houseplants to help bring a room to life. Don’t overwhelm your living room with accessories, but tasteful accent pieces scattered throughout the room make the room comfortable and personalized to your unique taste.

Living Room Arrangement:

Arrange your furniture according to the shape and traffic flow of a room. Many believe the arrangement of furniture can affect the tranquility of a home, and at the very least a misplaced table or sofa can be the cause of repeatedly stubbed toes and bashed knees. Leave plenty of room for navigation and ease of motion. Group chairs together for conversations and be sure to play up the focus of your room as it is the piece that brings everything together.

Once you have your focus, select a wall color and accenting colors for accessories and additional furniture. Don’t be afraid to be creative, but using a focus piece will help keep the room coordinated rather than matching. Paint the walls or use wall paper, then select window treatments, rugs and upholstery that coordinates with the rest of your selections.

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How to Reduce Back Pain

If you are constantly troubled by back pain and muscles spasms, you need to make some changes to avoid damaging your back. It may be that your posture is terrible or you’re putting too much strain on your back muscles. Reducing back pain can make your life much easier and much more enjoyable – here’s how.

Stop Lifting

If your back is troubling you day after day, your first step is to stop making it worse by lifting incorrectly, twisting oddly and carrying heavy weights. If you normally carry your toddler, have him walk for a few days. If you’re carrying a baby, invest in a hip shelf that can help save your back. Groceries wearing you down? Try folding carts or take one bag at a time. By reducing the work your back muscles are doing, you will be well on your way to reducing pain.

Build Muscle

If you’re plagued by constant back pain, it is likely that you don’t have enough muscle to properly support your midsection. You need to build muscle in both your back and your abdominals as these muscles properly support your back. Visit with a personal trainer or begin a series of crunches and other midsection toning exercises to start building muscle. You’ll find the muscle builds slowly, but you’ll immediately notice a difference in how you stand and possibly your energy level. Every little bit of muscle helps, so start crunching!

Stand Up Straight

Often posture is the number one cause of back pain. Do you slouch? Try and catch yourself slouching and force yourself to stand up straight. Hours spend seated behind computers can hurt your back as well, so invest in a ergonomic chair or at the very least an ergonomic chair pad to help support your back – then sit in it correctly with your feet on the floor.

Stretch and Walk

Going for a walk while standing up straight and taking deep breathes can have a huge impact on back pain. Raise your arms over your head to stretch your back and, without hurting yourself, try and touch your toes. Lay on your back and draw your knees up to your chest to help stretch your back as well. Then hop up from the floor, and start walking. The exercise will relax all of your muscles and get the blood moving.

Apply Heat

If your back still needs a bit more TLC, apply a heating pad or sit against a heated massage chair. The heat will help to soften and relax the muscle making knots loosen and spasms cease. A hot tub or even a hot shower can help to relax the muscle as well, especially if your able to stand in the shower with the hot spray focused on the area in need.

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How to Handle Muscular Dystrophy

A diagnosis of muscular dystrophy can be devastating. There are many variations of the disease and none are good. While some are almost immediately life threatening, others attack muscles slowly over time giving patients an opportunity to handle the disease in hopes of a cure down the road. Here is how to handle muscular dystrophy.

Exercise

Muscular dystrophy is a disease that affects the muscles. By strengthening the muscles, the disease can be slowed in some patients. If you are diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, the first step is to plan an exercise routine with the guidance of your doctor and physical therapist.

Other kinds of exercise should be included in your routine including breathing and coughing exercises to aid with the respiratory system. Exercise should be undertaken very seriously as it can slow or even prevent abnormal positioning of the joints or curving of the spine.

Drugs

For certain forms of muscular dystrophy, prescriptions drugs have been shown to be effective in slowing and helping patients handle the disease. There is no cure yet, although scientists are working to find one. If you have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ask your doctor about corticosteroids to slow muscle destruction, and with myotonic muscular dystrophy, phenytoin, procainamide or quinine can treat delayed muscle relaxation.

Surgeries

For many patients with muscular dystrophy, surgery becomes necessary. If you are a good candidate, undergo surgery to help correct muscle shortening. Also talk to your doctor about a surgically implanted cardiac pacemaker if you suffer from Emery-Dreifuss or myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Mobility Assistance

If your disease continues to progress despite your best preventative efforts find mobility assistance. Being about to move on your own is huge, and when you’ve lost freedom, there are large adjustments to be made. Locate a motorized wheelchair or even just a cane or walker to help get around when your muscles begin to prevent normal walking or become painful after walking distances.

Stay Positive

Finally, the most important step of all is to remain positive. There are ongoing explorations into possible treatments and new procedures. Work hard at keeping your muscles as healthy as possible, and work just as hard to keep your brain and mind in working condition. Focus on the joys of life and try to remember that life is about more than the effects of a disease, even if it’s hard at times.

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