Estate American Indian Jewelry is fashionable, collectable, and beautiful! However, buying American Indian jewelry can be confusing. But if you learn the terms used in Native Jewelry you’ll be a much smarter shopper and you’ll get the best quality jewelry you can afford. Whether you are shopping online where there are some great deals or in a traditional brick and mortar store it pays to know what you are looking for.

You will find yourself drawn to the beauty of turquoise or coral silver jewelry. There’s a reason - It’s devine! You can purchase new or old American Indian Jewelry but the estate native jewelry that was designed before it was a commercially practiced trait can have special appeal. But whether you are buying new or used there are few unscrupulous sellers that you need to watch out for.

In 1990 the Indian Arts and Crafts Act was passed which states that any item produced after 1935 that is marketed as “Alaska Native” “Indian,” or “Native American” must have been made by a member of a state or federally-recognized tribe or a certified Indian artisan. That is a non-member Indian artisan who is certified by the governing body of an Indian tribe.

You should always buy from an established dealer who will give you written verification of the authenticity. Ask if the jewelry piece comes with certification. Not all authentic Native American Jewelry carries this certification but those registered with the Government do.

You should also obtain a receipt which has the value of your purchase and any representation or information presented verbally. For example, if you are told that the ring is genuine Native American jewelry - natural turquoise set in sterling silver have this information written on your receipt as well.

If you are attending a powwow, Native American fair, or a trade fair where Native jewelry is for sale be sure to with the organizers as to the requirements for entering the event to find out if the artists must be infact registered artists. If purchasing online be sure to contact the website and ask the same question.

Now there’s not anything wrong with buying Native Jewelry that is not from a registered artist as long as you know this and you are paying an appropriate price. There are many beautiful authentic and non authentic pieces on the market. But the golden rule is that it is illegal to advertise Native American Jewelry as authentic unless it is made by a registered artist.


30.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

If you are thinking about getting wooden flooring for your home it’s a good idea that you have an understanding what the various wood terms mean. There are huge array of online flooring retailers, and its important to understand there are multiple factors which determine how wood looks, and makes each wooden floor look different from another. It is very unlikely that the wooden floor you saw in the showroom or on the internet will look exactly the same as the final product in your home.

The reason people like hardwood floors is that they are all unique. One factor which effects how the wood looks is how close the wood is to the bark of the tree, this is named sapwood. The closer to the outside of the tree, the paler the wood will appear. The grain of the wood is another major factor, this can vary is direction and also varies in appearance depending on the colour of the wood fibers. The growth rings of the tree are also an important factor which effect how the wood looks. Tightly packed layers of wood are likely to result in a darker colour, these are formed when only a marginal layer of wood is added per year during a growing season. Other factors which can have an effect on the wood are mineral Streaks. These occur when trace elements are in the water, resulting in grey and olive markings. Knots are also a big factor in the appearance of your flooring, and are produced where branches of a tree have been encased, as the tree has grown. Often lower grade flooring will have more knots in it than higher grade.

One of the main benefits of wooden flooring is its durability, and also the ease with which damage can be repaired. But as a natural product, as opposed to synthetic, it is also prone to expand and contract during changes in the weather or season. This needs to be taken into account when your floor is fitted.


29.11.2008. | Categories: Help + Advice, Home Improvement Management | Comments Off

A lot of women want to know how to get a man to commit.

Even though we know better, we still believe (consciously or subconsciously) that our purpose in life is to get a man to fork over a two-carat diamond and a house in the suburbs. At the dawn of 2006, this is still perceived as the pinnacle of success for women.

As a result, too many of us stay in relationships that don’t make us happy. We tell ourselves that if we say the right thing, do the right thing, buy the right thing, we can get some guy to marry us and validate us in the eyes of our friends, our parents, and society.

We play games with our sexuality. We submit to unnecessary surgeries and wear clothing that make us candidates for pneumonia, all in an effort to hook a man. We have sex not because it’s what we want, but because we want to keep a guy’s interest. We stop having sex when he doesn’t come forth with a ring because, as our mothers told us, “Why buy the cow when the milk’s free?”

And, in the end, it usually doesn’t work. We don’t get the commitment. We wonder why, deep down inside, we are ultimately unlovable.

The reason for it is simple. We don’t love ourselves. Heck, we don’t even own ourselves. We dress, act, speak, and have sex to please (or manipulate) others. The fact that, at the tail end of 2005, we still use expressions like, “Why buy the cow when the milk’s free,” is astonishing.

You are not a cow. You are a woman. You will attract a man who will gladly, eagerly commit to you when you start believing that you have a bigger purpose in life than getting married.

This means you:

Dress for yourself, not for someone else.

Stop postponing doing things you want to do because you think you need a guy to do them with (or that you have to “check with” your boyfriend first).

Stop waiting for some guy to commit to you. If he says he’s not ready, do yourself a favor and back off. Stop being taken for granted. Make plans that don’t include him (this will do one of two things; either he’ll realize he can’t live without you, or you’ll realize he definitely can).

Have sex when it’s right and because you enjoy it. Don’t use (or not use) your body to “get” a man.

In other words, get a life. Love yourself. Treat yourself as a treasure that has yet to be discovered.

There are plenty of tricks you can use to hook a man, but they usually involve manipulation, deceit, and the loss of yourself. And, while they usually don’t work, it’s worse when they do. Women who used them tend to be divorced or miserably married today.

So, make a commitment to yourself. Be true to yourself. Value yourself. You will send a signal to men that you are special, different, and worth their time and effort.

One of those men will prove to be worth your time and effort, too.


27.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Not too long and not too short, the medium hair style is perfect for just about everyone. From the straight and limp to the thick and naturally curly, you can be sure that there is a medium hair style to suit your unique tastes and hair type.

The popularity of the medium length hair style has never waned, and it remains extremely popular today. In fact, most hair styles that you see can be considered medium hair styles. Just think about the textured bob or the layered hair cut. Most of these styles look their best at a medium length.

There are a lot of reasons why people choose the medium hair style over other types of styles. The medium hair style is easier and quicker to style than longer hair and it affords more versatility than shorter styles. No matter whether you wear it up or down, the medium hair style offers a great deal of variety to the wearer. Here are just a few ideas:

” Quick and Casual. No matter if your medium length hair style is straight or curly, you can whip it up in a flash to create a simple, casual updo at a moment’s notice. Simply pull your medium hair style up into a bun, French twist or ponytail, allowing a few sprigs to escape here and there, and you’re done. You can also practice variations of the ponytail and add interest to your medium hair style by changing the amount of hair that you pull through your scrunchie.

” Funky and textured. Probably the most popular medium hair styles of today feature a lot of textured, creative cutting techniques. By using a combination of scissors and razor, your stylist can turn your medium hair style into a fashion statement complete with wispy layers and interesting movement.

” Cute and curled. This medium hair style is extremely easy to accomplish if you have natural curl or a perm adding texture to your medium hair style. If not, you can easily add interest to your medium hair style with hot rollers, tube rollers or a curling iron. Simply, roll your medium hair style, spritz it a little, take it down, run your fingers through your medium length hair style, spray and go.

” Captivating color. The medium hair style is perhaps the perfect length of hair in which to try funky and fresh color techniques. From chunky highlights to ink-dipped tips, make your medium hair style stand out from the rest with interesting color.

As you can see, there are numerous things that you can do to make your medium hair style stand out among your peers. While others are stuck pulling their long tresses up or styling their short locks the same old way, you can quickly change your medium hair style to reflect your mood or the occasion. And the beauty of the medium hair style is that almost everything you do will be quick and easy.


25.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

If you wear a size 10 or larger shoe, you have probably experienced challenges in finding styles that will fit your feet. Shoe stores will often carry a very limited supply of large size women shoes, and often styles need to be special ordered. Department stores generally don’t carry sizes larger than 11. However, retailers are slowly coming to the realization that women’s feet are getting bigger. Soon, the quest for large size women shoes may be a distant memory.

In the past, shoe buyers were reluctant to buy big inventories of larger shoe sizes. This made sense as the average woman wore a size 6 or 7. Women with larger feet were forced to choose from a few unflattering styles if there was any availability at all.

These days, large size women shoes sell quickly. The most commonly purchased size is now an 8 1/2, and over 30 percent of women are buying shoes in a size 9 or above. Because of the demand, retailers are scrambling to fill their racks with shoes sized up to 14.

Along with the retailers, shoe manufacturers are paying attention to the growing size of women’s feet. High-end shoe designers, such as Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik are creating their styles in sizes up to 12, and sometimes higher.

The online retailers have taken this trend to a new level by developing virtual stores that solely cater to large size shoes. A woman can now choose from hundreds of styles that are readily available in her size. Along with being able to shop from the comfort of home, many of these online retailers offer top notch customer service, free shipping, and lower prices than those at traditional stores.

This new availability is certainly a welcome relief for every woman who has struggled to find a pair of flattering, large size shoes. While once the selection of sizes 9 through 14 was a few orthopedic looking styles on a shoe rack in a department store, now the choices are plenty.

The development of the large shoe market seems to grow every day. Retailers and manufacturers know that there is money to be made in big shoes, and they will be increasing the number of styles available because of demand. So, the quest for large size shoes may soon be over, and women with big feet will be the winners in this fashion battle.


24.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

If your outfit is looking a bit tired and you want to update your image without spending a huge amount of time or money, consider these easy updating options! Whether you want to change your ho-hum outfit for a killer night at the hottest club in town or make your best first impression for your first day at work, it will not take much to completely revamp your preexisting outfit with a couple of accessories and a bit of panache!

1.) Jazz it up with jewelry

You will be surprised how adding something as simple as a cute brooch can completely change the look of an outfit! Adding a long, dangly pair of earrings can turn a simple button down shirt and skirt from stuffy to sexy. Add a brooch to a plain jacket or blazer can add a bit of much needed bit of flair. 2.) Accessorize with ribbon

A simple piece of ribbon can turn any item into a unique and charming outfit. Make a cute headband out of a length of grosgrain ribbon or use a piece of silk to tie back your hair into a trendy chignon. Turn a piece of satin ribbon into a simple choker using a favorite pin. Create a belt out of a length of ribbon and use it around a classic cardigan sweater or thread it through the belt loops of your favorite pair of pants.

3.) Sew on embellishments

With a couple of quick stitches, you can update any spare sweater, t-shirt, or jacket. Visit your local craft store for unique embellishments you can add for a budget friendly amount. Whether you choose a lovely length of colored lace that will serve as a lovely addition to a plain white t-shirt or a pre-made sequined or embroidered patch that can be added to your favorite jacket, pair of jeans, or sweater, anything can be used to jazz up your outfit.

4.) Add some sparkle

An incredibly hot trend today is adding crystals to anything under the sun. Whether you choose to update your cell phone with super cool pink crystals to please your inner heiress or choose to add sparkle to a simple hair ornament to create an item perfect for the party scene, all you need is a bit of bling to add some spark to your tired wardrobe. Consider using crystal tattoos to create an unusual bit of jewelry on an exposed bit of skin.


24.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Moms are so busy these days, just by being a mom! They forget to take needed time out just for themselves. Rest and relaxation are two things that moms desperately need for sure, but often forget to put into their daily schedules. This is a must, as it not only rejuvenates a mom, but it helps to calm frazzled nerves.

There’s a saying - if Mom’s not happy, no one’s happy. We know this is true - if a mom is angry, upset, or tired, the whole house is in a frenzy. Moms are, for the most part, in charge of making the house run smoothly. They change diapers, cook meals, help with homework, or just spend “mommy and me” time with their children. They’re so much about everyone else. They must make sure to be all about themselves for at least thirty minutes each day.

There are a few techniques that any frazzled mom can use to get herself back on track: Go into a quiet room and read a book or a magazine. Don’t forget a “do not disturb” sign. This can be hard to do, but if you have older children to help with the younger children, this can be achieved. Take a late evening walk in your neighborhood to help clear your mind and relax or just sit out on your porch (if you have a porch swing, this is perfect) and collect your thoughts. If this doesn’t help to clear your mind, try relaxing in your bathtub with bubble bath and votive candles. A jacuzzi tub is said to work much better for this sort of technique.

If you have a favorite hobby that you never seem to have time to get done, such as scrapbooking, schedule yourself time just for that activity! Call up a close friend and have a nice adult conversation without the kids interrupting. If the two of you haven’t seen one another in a while, take the day and go shopping for yourselves!

Kids in bed? Watch a favorite sitcom or movie on television. Enjoy some of your favorite food, and don’t make yourself feel guilty about calorie content or the fact that you’re not sharing - this time is for you! One of the best ways to clear your mind is to write in a journal and get the thoughts that are bothering you off of your mind.

Once you get started with some of these ideas, and take the time out every day just for yourself, you’ll begin to realize just how less stressful each day is. You’ll begin to come up with some of these ideas and more for yourself. Just because you’re a mom now doesn’t mean you don’t need “me” time. You need more than anyone else!


23.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Oh no! You’re having a jeans crisis and can’t decide on which perfect pair to buy! Don’t despair! Help is on the way.

No matter if you are plus size, petite, tall or average, it’s difficult to find the perfect pair of jeans, so we could also use a few tips.

It’s not always easy finding the right pair of jeans. There are just too many styles to choose from. By keeping some of these tips in mind you can find that perfect pair of jeans.

Some useful hints include:

Before deciding on which pair of jeans to wear, it’s imperative to choose the type of shoes you’ll be sporting. This is because the heel normally will determine how the jean will fall or lay to the ground.

Also remember that most jeans are not pre-shrunk when you purchase them. So make sure you allow for a bit of shrinkage.

Low-rise jeans sit low on the waist and provide the perfect opportunity to show off those abs!

Boot-cut jeans are loose through the leg and wide at the leg opening.

Flare leg jeans are fun and funky which feature a wide, flared opening at the leg.

Stonewashed jeans are light and have a more broken-in appearance.

Distressed jeans have holes, shredding or crinkles to give it that highly worn appearance.

Dark jeans are the ideal jeans for a night out.

Not all jeans fit all body types. So keep in mind your body type and jean style when selecting jeans.

Full-figured body types should choose traditional five-pocket style jeans that aren’t too snug. A bootcut jean will help to balance your figure and make your legs appear longer. And always select jeans in a darker shade.

Slimmer body types look great in jeans with a slight flare at the leg opening. Low-rise and pocket jeans are also good choices.

Athletic types have narrow hips and athletic legs. Bootcut jeans are flattering as well as low-rise jeans.

Some of the newest hottest trends in the stores today are True Religion and 7 for all Mankind.

Today’s jeans are not for just wearing around the house. Designer jeans are versatile and trendy and easily transition from daytime to evening.


22.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Endometriosis is a condition that can prevent pregnancy in a woman. It is a disease that is fairly common and can afflict women from their first menstrual cycle through menopause. In rarer cases, endometriosis can affect post-menopausal women as well. Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis. As well, general practitioners often have a difficult time diagnosing endometriosis.

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium, or uterine lining, grows outside of the uterus. It may grow in areas such as around the ovaries, in the pelvic cavity, sometimes even the bowels or in the bladder. Although very rare, the endometrium can also grow in the lung area.

As the condition progresses, the growths develop into “tumors” or “implants.” While the reference to tumors can be unnerving, endometrium growths are not cancerous or malignant. However, the condition can be severely painful, cause heavy menstruation, and can prevent pregnancy in some cases.

Endometriosis symptoms include pain that is localized in the pelvic, abdominal, or lower back areas. The severity of the pain does not directly correlate with the amount of endometriosis present in these areas. One can have a small amount of endometriosis growth and feel severe pain. Conversely, one can have a large area of endometriosis growth and feel no pain.

Women who have pain in these areas might want to consult with their gynecologist. Gynecologists are specially trained to diagnose endometriosis. An MRI or ultrasound should be able to detect endometriosis, but it is not always the best way. A definitive diagnostic procedure is a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a tube with an attached light into the abdomen. This procedure will determine the location, size, and extent of the condition. Once endometriosis is detected, treatment options are discussed with the gynecologist, which includes medication, hormone treatments, and surgery.


21.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Using Swarovski crystals and pearls is a very easy and fun way to create a theme throughout your wedding accessories and decor. Crystals and pearls can be added to just about anything to create a stunning and classic feel. Since details are the key to planning a wedding that your guests will remember for years to come, this is a great way to ensure that your wedding will be described as fantastic and whimsical.

Since there are so many ways that you can incorporate crystals or pearls, I would recommend choosing one item and use it as a reference. Speaking as a woman, one of the first things that I thought of when I started to plan my wedding was my dream dress. On the day of a wedding, most peoples’ eyes are on the only princess in the room, the Bride. So what better place to start planning the decorations for the ceremony and the reception than to have them all flow from the accents on your dress.

First you can start with your jewelry. If your dress is accented with crystals, it is a great idea to carry them throughout your entire ensemble. You can wear them everywhere, in your hair, around your neck, on your wrist, or even your garter. Be careful not to over-play your dress though. If your dress is heavily decorated, choose jewelry that is a little more simple. If you have a dress that is very plain it is very safe to go with jewelry that has a lot of detail and more Swarovski crystals or pearls to add drama and interest to your outfit.

You and your bridesmaids can carry Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquets and the Groom and his attendants can wear Swarovski Crystal Wedding Boutonnieres. Don’t forget your flower girl, she can carry a Ribbon Flower Ball that has Swarovski crystals peaking out from within the flowers. They are a very fun way to continue your theme throughout the wedding party and to make a very bold statement that will compliment your personal style.

Swarovski Crystal Stems can be added to just about anything. You can insert the stems into all of your centerpieces for the tables at your reception, or placed in large bows at the end of each pew or on the back of a chair cover. Imagine your guest as they arrive, since Swarovski crystals are so brilliant, all you need to do is walk by them and they will catch the light and sparkle. The entire room will twinkle like a fairytale.

Swarovski Crystal Stems can also be added to your wedding cake. There are many ways that this can be accomplished. Stems can be placed among flowers that are used as a cake topper. They can be placed alone to create a burst of crystals, like a firework exploding out of the top of your cake. They can also accent flowers that are placed randomly over the entire cake. And last but not least, you may choose to have a metal or acrylic monogram that’s accented with crystals. The possibilities are endless.

I hope that I have helped you realize the potential for a breathtaking theme on your wedding day. Incorporating Swarovski crystals and pearls into your decor is a very fun and easy way to create a classic and warm setting.


20.11.2008. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off