When it comes to sound business practice, it seems that most people would prefer to have quality as well as quantity. However, as the saying goes, it is rare that you find both at the same time; and even if you did, you can almost be sure that it wouldn’t last very long. In the end, something always gives.
At your work place, there is no doubt that your supervisor wants you to put forth a good effort. After all, this is why he or she hired you, right? They want you to succeed and do a good job. However, what do you do if you are put into a situation where you are absolutely bombarded with work- where you know that something is going to suffer? Either you won’t get all of the work done on time, but the work that you do get done will be of high quality…OR you will get all of the work done on time, but it won’t necessarily be of a higher quality. This decision is up for grabs. One thing is certain, however. The quality of the work that you do will almost always trump the amount that you are able to get done. The only thing is that if you work for someone, you have to first attain a certain level before this will be acceptable (if ever).
Look at all of the people out there who have a huge following of readers on their blog posts. They may only write a blog post once a week or every other week, but typically, the quality of the post is so good that it keeps readers coming back for more- wishing that the person would write more than once per week. Part of this has to do with the strategy that the the blog writer is employing to purposely garner a following of readers. By taking the time to write a quality post, they are tempting the reader to keep coming back for more. If you read other blog posts, you may notice that they put up a post every day of the week, and while the quality of the posts may be somewhat interesting, it is usually not quite as compelling as someone else who may have taken the time to do the necessary research required to write an effective blog piece. Of course, however, there are exceptions to this rule.
The idea of quality versus quantity is often a delicate balance that is employed in current business practices. For example, the owner of a business may want to stay far ahead of the competition; therefore, he or she may hire two writers who are more expensive to write quality blog posts versus hiring five writers whose writing is mediocre and who need to constantly have their work proofed and edited for errors. It can be exhausting, not to mention time consuming. If you know that you have a job to get done, you have to be your own judge. Knowing the amount of work involved, you should always try to put your best effort into whatever you are doing. However, at the same time, you cannot realistically expect yourself to do as good of a quality job on something with so many other things pressing (nor should you be expected ) because in the end you will only burn yourself out.
2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Ah, the joys of being able to work from home. In the past, working from home was something that stay-at-home moms did; and even back then it was usually in the figurative sense. However, in the current economy, more stay-at-home moms as well as other citizens are experiencing the joys of actually being able to enjoy their careers from the comfort of their own home. And many are outright declaring that they will never go back to work in an office again (mostly because they have now been spoiled by freedom). Who would have thought that working in an office could have been such a ball and chain type of situation?
The advantages of working from home are vast, which is, perhaps, why it has spread like wildfire. There are many companies now, who are actually giving their employees the option to work from home. While not all employers allow their employees full freedom to work from home, some are actually granting their employees the option to work one or two days a week from home, which is still monumental for certain corporations. Working from home is advantageous for a number of reasons- the most obvious one being that you can effectively make your work schedule work around your real life. No more having to schedule doctor’s appointments after work or worrying about leaving the office in the middle of a day for an appointment. Now, you can make your appointments whenever you would like. For those with children, this is a godsend because now working parents can spend more time around their children as well as be there for them during after-school activities.
The other advantage of working from home (especially in this economic climate) is that it cuts down on emissions. In other words, you can save a ton of money on gasoline expenses by working from home. Think about how often you may have driven your car to work in the past. How long did it take you, on average, to get to work? How much gasoline were you forced to put into your vehicle each week? Not only does working from home cut down on the wear and tear to your vehicle, but it can save you a ton of money at the gas pumps.
The only major disadvantages to working from home are that your ’sick’ days become a little tricky. In the past, you may have stayed home from work because you had a head cold or the flu; but if you work from home, you don’t really have the same excuse because technically, most of us are still able to get the required work done. Additionally, working from home is not for everyone. There are some people who need structure; who cannot create structure for themselves. If left to their own devices, they would be doing all of their work at the last second before it was due because they felt as if they had more important, pressing things to do during the day such as sleeping late, watching television or hanging out with friends. When you work from home, you have to be able to plan your days effectively. Not necessarily treating it as a 9-5 job, but creating a sort of schedule that you know will work well for you and that you know you will be able to stick to is vital to your success as a self-employed individual or even someone else who is working for an employer. It builds trust in the fact that you are able to manage yourself and get the required work done.
2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
One of the best cures for that stressed out feeling is feeling beautiful. A shot of glamor does wonders for the spirit. So why not a makeover? While every woman would probably love to win a makeover, a homemade one can be much more fun. You can take your time, string it out over a longer time, and enjoy the process.
So begin with hair. The center part is in now but a center part may not be the best for your face shape. But if you want to experiment with a new hairdo, try googling for face shape plus hairdo and you will find a lot of help. You can also pick up a hairstyle magazine at the news stand. If you’re spending a lot of time each morning with the brush and the blow dryer, you might need to consider a new cut. The right cut makes a world of difference. You can run your fingers through your hair in the morning and be ready to go.
Once you’ve made your hair decisions, give your skin some attention. If you haven’t done so recently, an exfoliation may be in order. Then decide if you want to follow the fashion for make-up.
Smoky eye and pink are the latest make-up fashions. Smoky eye shadow is great for a mature face as it calls attention to the eyes and away from the wrinkles around the eyes. However, you need to be sure to tweeze your eyebrows and pay particular attention to removing stray hairs from underneath the brow, as they will cause eye shadow to spread unevenly.
There are many ways to enhance eyelashes from the latest mascaras that give luxurious volume to eyelash extensions.
Pink shades of blush are the new fashion. Blush is applied to the apples of the cheeks up to age forty. Pinch your cheeks hard to see where they flush and then apply to that area. After forty, use blush higher up on your cheekbones and just below to offset the effects of gravity.
Pink and light coral shades the in lipstick colors. So spend some time browsing magazines, make-up counters and the net. The advantage of the make-up counter is you can often get a complete demo make-up and you don’t have to buy the cosmetics.
And when you’ve had fun with your hair and face it’s time to think about fashion. Check your closet for a pair of jeans or capris that you haven’t worn lately. Try removing the belt and sewing on a scarf to tie around as a belt. This works especially well for pants that are too tight in the waist.
Perk up a blouse by adding a trim to the sleeves. Try painting a design on a T-shirt with fabric paint. If you have some single earrings, try sewing one on a blouse or tee shirt or making a pendant.
And for real shopping fun, try shops specializing in pre-loved, pre-owned wear, especially the jewelry counters. You can find one of a kind vintage pieces that add pizzazz to any outfit.
And what is best about a do it yourself makeover? It never ends. You just keep on having fun and feeling gorgeous whenever you walk out the door.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
In today’s youth oriented society, looking young is not just a matter of desire; it’s a necessity for competing in the job market. While some age defying strategies such as losing weight and erasing wrinkles require time. Others can be done overnight.
Tip No. 1: Check out your bra. Surveys always say that the majority of American women are wearing an ill-fitting bra. You may be one of them. Whether above or below the neck, sagging is aging. Proper uplift is youthful. So first, measure the distance from your shoulder to your elbow crease. Then try on your bras. Your breasts should have an uplifted appearance and the nipple should fall halfway between your elbow crease and your shoulder line. Wear a tee shirt or form-fitting sweater when you shop for bras. If you’re having difficulty finding the right size, don’t be afraid to ask for a fitter. Most of the better department stores have them.
Tip No. 2: Investigate shape wear. There are many brands and styles available. You can buy items to slim any part or all parts of the body. Most are made of Lycra and feature three types of control: light, medium and firm. Since no one type or brand fits everyone, you will have to shop and try until you find the one that’s right for you. However, you will be rewarded for your time and effort when you look in the mirror.
Tip No. 3: Try on all lingerie in front of a three-way mirror. You need
to see how you appear from all angles. Panty lines often show through in the back but not in the front.
Tip No. 4: Buy sexy lingerie. No, you don’t plan to be seen in it but you’ll feel younger wearing it. And our face reflects our feelings.
Tip No. 5: Choose black and nude colors. Avoid white. While it is true that white is the most popular selling color, it just isn’t sexy.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Taking care of your skin should seem like something that comes to most of us as second nature, right? Wrong. In fact, most of us are pretty bad at caring for our skin. I think that there are a lot of people who think that they are doing a great job of taking care of their skin when, in fact, they are doing just the opposite.
Recently, I had an appointment with my dermatologist. After chatting for a little while, she asked me what kind of facial scrub I used. I told her the name of the popular apricot scrub to which she then informed me that that was the worst kind of scrub that I could use on my face. Shocked, I asked her why and she explained that there were little pieces of sand that were uneven that were used in the facial scrub so that every time someone uses it on their face, it actually causes little micro-tears in your skin, which can (and does) really damage it. Who would’ve thought?!
There are also people who frequent the tanning salons with the hopes of having luxurious tanned, healthy looking skin like the celebrities. However, this isn’t good for your skin either. Going to tanning salons and/or getting extended periods of unprotected sun exposure damages your skin by causing the skin to age a lot more quickly. I guarantee that if you check back with these very same people who frequent the tanning salons in a few years, you will already begin to see the damage that it would have caused.
All in all, all of the damage that we cause ourselves, in turn, causes us to head straight to our dermatologists or cosmetologists. You shouldn’t find it surprising, therefore, to discover that plastic surgery cases are on the rise. Many speculate that plastic surgeries are up because people feel that they have this “image” to uphold to other people. This is that is truly at the heart of all of the tanning and cellulite creams and facials and waxes…At the end of the day, it really seems to boil down to how you view yourself as a person. Are you someone who wants to attract attention to yourself so that people will like you?
Regardless of your reasons or self esteem issues, your skin certainly has a role to play in everything. Just look at how many countless teenagers are devastated each year when they discover that they have severe acne. This can have tragic effects on someone’s self confidence growing up. After all, no one wants to look back at pictures of themselves when they were younger and see their faces marred by pimples and cystic acne scars. Unfortunately, this can also lead people into a lifestyle characterized by frequent trips to their dermatologist, who will eventually be more than happy to have another guinea pig to try out all of the latest products on. You should want to take care of your skin for the added health benefits that doing so can provide, but if you find that you are only taking care of your skin to fulfill a need to fit in, then you seriously need to reconsider your reasons.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Like clothes, lipstick colors go in and out of fashion. And like clothes, just because it’s in fashion doesn’t mean it is right for you. Although when what is perfect for you is not in fashion shopping can be frustrating.
The intensity of the lipstick that is perfect for you depends on several factors. The tone of your skin is very important. If you skin is fair, you will want to avoid the very dark shades. Fair skins usually thrive on pink and rose shades. But vivid shades are perfect for dark skins. Medium toned skins usually have golden undertones and can wear any shade that brings out the natural undertones. And in the summer, if you have a tan, you should change to a slightly darker lipstick.
But when you are shopping for a shade, try it out on your lips not on the side of your hand. The color will look differently when applied to the lips. Carry a few baby wipes or tissues in your purse so you can completely remove on shade before trying another.
The colors in your outfit also play a part in lipstick choices. You don’t need a true clothes/lipstick match but they should coordinate or blend. Age is also important in choosing a lipstick. Dark shades are usually too intense for an older face. When you purchase a lipstick, buy a pencil in a matching color and don’t forget to buy lip gloss.
Before starting to apply lipstick, use a lip gloss as a base. Then outline your lips with the pencil. This is your opportunity to make subtle corrections in shape if needed. Finally, use the lipstick to fill in the outline. Some people prefer to use a brush. Do whatever works best for you. Finally, if you want a high shine or sexy pout, apply a coat of gloss.
Compared to other cosmetics, lipstick is relatively inexpensive so you can experiment wildly and have fun.
2009 | Makeup | No Comments »
It is true that there are foods that will help you lose weight. One food group that transports you on the road to skinnyville is the high fiber family. Dietary fiber helps curb appetite by keeping you feeling full for a longer period of time. Fiber also controls insulin spikes. Since fiber digests much slower than carbohydrates, the blood sugar doesn’t rise as quickly. Rapidly rising blood sugar cause insulin spikes. When your insulin spikes you become extremely hungry, your metabolism slows down and this commands your body to begin to store fat. So controlling insulin spikes is a major factor in achieving weight loss.
Say nuts to fat by snacking on nuts. Purdue University conducted a study during in which participants substituted a handful of nuts for their usual 500-calorie daily snack. The researchers found that the nut eaters not only consumed less food during the day but they also enjoyed an 11% boost in resting metabolism. Nuts are high in protein but lower in fat than other protein sources such as meats.
Go for the citrus. Grapefruit diets have long been popular but it doesn’t have to be grapefruit. Oranges are every bit as effective and they have even been found to blast belly fat, the number one problem for overweight women. Citrus fruits also contain natural compounds that help curb appetite.
Eat the right kind of fats. Opt for the good fats found in olive oil, avocados and salmon. Not only will they help trim your belly but they also protect your heart. The old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may or may not hold true but apples do keep fat away. Apples are high in both fiber and water so they also help prevent insulin spikes.
And an old New England remedy, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar prior to eating a meal, also helps control blood sugar swings.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
The first and most important rule for choosing a perfume is not to base your choice on sniffing the perfume in the bottle. You must apply it to your body, as the perfume will smell differently on you than in the bottle. Each person’s individual body chemistry is different. What smells pleasant from the bottle or on your friend may turn horrific on your body. So you need to test each fragrance before you buy. However, you should not test more than two at one time or your olfactory sense will become confused. Dab a little on your wrist and wear it around the store for a while. This will give the fragrance the opportunity to develop its unique scent on your body.
All perfumes are composed of three layers: top, middle and base. The top layer is your first impression when you apply the perfume.
It requires a few minutes for the middle layer to develop. The base layer appears after an hour. It is richer and represents the true scent of the perfume on you. You can test the staying power of the fragrance by leaving it on for a few hours. This is especially recommended for expensive perfumes. After all you want a scent that will take you from day into evening not one that will fade away as you step off the front porch. However, people with dry skin need to apply perfume more frequently than those with oily skin. They also need to apply a little more as perfume doesn’t have the same lasting qualities on dry skin.
On the day you shop for perfume, don’t use a scented deodorant or body soap and don’t wear another perfume. There will be a reaction with the test perfume and the resulting scent will be different.
Since your olfactory senses peak in the afternoon, that is the best time to go perfume shopping.
2009 | Fragrance | No Comments »
Have you ever met someone and at first sight, really didn’t care for them but you couldn’t explain why? Or have you ever met someone and liked that person immediately but again couldn’t explain why? Researchers are saying that it is because of their scent. Humans are attracted to one another by scent however the experience is so deeply buried in their sub-conscious that they are unaware of the reason for their reactions.
Scientists have also discovered that scent has both a physiological and an emotional affect on people. It is the physiological affect that led to the development of the aromatherapy industry. For instance, it has been found that the aroma of lavender creates a pleasant feeling. If the lavender is blended with eucalyptus, sniffing it will actually increase a person’s respiratory rate and they become more alert.
Perfume manufacturers have used this information extensively in their marketing campaigns but scientists claim it is overkill and that the lure of perfume is merely an initial attraction or a pleasant experience. However, that does somewhat conflict with the science that supports aromatherapy.
So, for the young lady seeking Mr. Right, a dab or two of perfume certainly may not hurt her campaign unless he is allergic to perfume. Plus perfume feeds the soul and spirit. A little perfume can raise your spirits on a bad day and make you feel sexy. And if it is true that you become what you think, than perhaps perfume plays a more important role in sexual attraction than scientists would have us believe.
So what perfumes are attractive to men? Each of us is an individual so what pleases one person’s olfactory senses may score neutral with another however there are some scents that researchers have found appealing to men.
One of these is cinnamon. In biblical times cinnamon was thought to be an aphrodisiac. Researchers found that the odor of cinnamon in baked food was attractive to men.
Another pleaser is vanilla. Like cinnamon, vanilla is also associated with food. However, it is an old adage that “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Granted it really means he is attracted by eating the ladies cooking however smell is closely related to taste.
Lavender is also supposed to be attractive to men. And since the
aromatherapy industry uses lavender as a mood enhancer this should come as no surprise.
Two other scents that men like are frankincense and myrrh. Remember that in biblical times, both frankincense and myrrh were highly valued. These were the gifts of the Three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus. Frankincense particularly is thought to be a stimulant. While you don’t want to sprinkle yourself with cinnamon or rub vanilla on your wrists, all of these scents are available in perfumes.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
The right jewelry instantly transforms your outfit from plain to fashion plate, but only if it is appropriate.
First of all, check metal jewelry against your skin tone. Gold enhances some complexions and silver is better for others. But everyone looks good with a silver/gold mix. This is particularly important for earrings and bracelets, as they are the jewelry items closest to your skin.
When choosing necklaces opt for colors that blend with your outfit but are also flattering to you.
Jewelry also needs to be appropriate for your size and shape. Not everyone can wear choker necklaces. So if you are considering buying one, first try it on and look carefully in the mirror. Chokers may not be attractive on women with short, thick necks or long, thin necks.
A long necklace however can make your face appear thinner. This is especially true if you wear the long necklace with a V-neck blouse or dress. The necklace should end below the V. This gives the effect of a double V and is slimming.
And if you are trying for a slimming effect, the shape of the jewelry is also important. Large, round medallions may not flatter the woman with a round face. Whereas a rectangular, triangular or heart shaped medallion at the end of a long chain will be slimming.
The same is true of earrings. Drop earrings generally slim one’s face. But round earrings are great for the lady with a long, thin face.
If you are tall, make sure your jewelry makes a statement – no tiny round pearl studs for you. But if you’re under five feet and plump, leave the chunky pieces for your taller sisters.
And regardless of size, don’t overdo. Costume jewelry is most attractive when understated. Earrings, necklace, bracelet, a flashy belt buckle, complete with shoe trims and hair ornaments are overkill.
2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
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