The History of Lingerie Not Always Sexy

Lingerie, that ubiquitous of gender under clothing ranging from the mundane to the risqu, has been around longer than you might imagine. The history of lingerie begins with the ancient Mediterranean and involves both sexes and all ages.

The history of lingerie has its roots in ancient Greece, when women wore what amounts to a corset of support. As time progressed, there are cases known to the medieval English nobles wearing undergarments, with the sole purpose of keeping the clothes of absorption filth of bodies in a regular bathing season when not happened too often.

Europeans were again prevalent in the history of lingerie with its decidedly uncomfortable wearing corsets with the sole purpose of achieving the hourglass figure. Corsets, constructed of rigid boning, incorporated the torsos, stressing the breast and hip areas. This incredibly restrictive look hung around for a while.

As time moved to the century 20, and women began to push the standards, dance has become very popular, especially in the decade of 1920. At this point, corsets had limited movement dance, fashion and the look was really moving away from the hourglass shapes. The corset has taken a backseat, while at the same time, a brasserie had been invented and was replacing the women also wore chemises.

Clearly, the first half of the century which also was mainly a time of war, when supplies of everything from basic to luxury were scarce. Therefore, the corsets and half of the past could not be taken, and instead there was a big dependence on under clothing basics. So far the two world wars were more, the glamour of the 50 taken, and the hourglass shape was once again desirable.

The history of lingerie has a blip on the radar of time, which is the 60s and 70s. Freedom, equality, they were at the forefront of society's mind. Corsets, brassieres, half-implements of restraint and symbolic of repression, they were abandoned, literally. The women burned their bras, but by the 80s, they needed them back. Indeed, the final two decades of the 20 th century saw a resurgence of femininity, and again corset. Now used for more romantic, lingerie became a symbol of sensuality.

Overall, the history of lingerie has certainly experienced change, but lasting today. As a matter of fact, the category has such a following that there are stores devoted exclusively to lingerie, and each store has a section that belong to it, too. Today's lingerie includes a variety of models, both functional and decorative. The options are endless, and so too, apparently, is the longevity of lingerie.

Where Women Gather!

I must vstran kreniti from our ongoing conversation this week (The Women's Place blog) on passion, purpose and position!

Last evening, I had the privilege of sitting with four of the most dynamic women I've met in years! Their energy, commitment to women and women's empowerment was a source of rejoicing and praise during the late night drive home from Ohio!

The background is that we are spearheading the launching of the new network associated with the nation's largest organization for professional and executive women. The group includes some AWP community members as well.

Our plan includes a speech by one of the women who is, among other things, the sought-after motivational speaker. When I was asked what I wanted her to speak about, I replied,

"Where women gather - there is Power"!

It was evident last evening as each of us shared a wee-bit about the journey that brought us to the table at Perkins near Cincinnati. And no where was it more evident than in the bond that quickly formed among us with the result that before we left the parking lot - the plan was already 'hatching' to find the means and mechanism for mentoring women from victim to victory - regardless of the life situation where they find themselves "victims"!

We are powerful! We have the power! Although many of the very institutions that should have provided the tools for empowerment have failed to do so - due either to ignorance or by design - women come to a point in life where we know we are powerful!

Where we gather and bring our individual potential and possibilities (our power), we possess awesome power to effect positive change - on ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, communities and ultimately - the world at large!

When I speak of power, I'm not talking about "power over"! I'm talking about "power for."

The power we possess to be one of the world's richest sources of influence. Richest sources of positive change.

Women get things done!

We are the world's great 'multi-taskers'! We can cook, clean, plan, design and implement while holding the baby on one hip - so to speak! Right and left hemispheres dart back and forth evoking the creativity and artistry of the right half with the practical, strategic capability of the left!

It has taken years for us to recognize and openly promote the power we possess! It has taken us - women - so saying to the world and not letting any challenge stand in our way.

It is said that the ancient male feared the female because we were perceived as having the ability to create life - give birth. Without the modern knowledge of the procreative process - they variously considered us' mystical 'or' magical 'or in the least-' shamans' who were to be held both in awe and feared!

I could really go on one of my 'famous' rants with all this, but that's not the point here!

The point is that the world, its institutions - religious or otherwise - are not going to do it for us! They simply not!

We have to come together and do it for ourselves. Give ourselves and our 'sisters' permission to be empowered.

It's within us! It's not something that comes to us from 'outside' in one magical moment! It's there for the 'taking' - the 'having'!

But in many ways, we've bought into the lie that we are second class citizens - males without a certain part of their anatomy (oh that theory goes way back!).

We've kept quiet in the lofts of great institutions that have taken Paul's admonition to "remain silent" literally - for all time.

We've knelt at the altar of "a little is better than nothing" in the corporate marketplace as we struggled to climb to our rightful place given equal skills and equal abilities.

Having said all that, let me tell you that 'angry women "will not bring about change! Radical feminists are not the answer. The Friedan's have passed from the scene and the Steinem's are fading away. Their influence may have been appropriate for the day, but no more!

In more and more places, I find males who respect us for what we bring to the table of life - not our femininity, but our intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, skill and ability!

The Dawn rises! Our day has come! Let us not waste what has been won and let us not dally until the task is done!

Where women gather. . . . There is power!

Bring your powerful influence to the day!

Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery is the way to makeup your ugly parts and get back the confidence in personal and professional life. Liposuction is a procedure that involves removing fat from various parts of the body by employing various surgical procedures. Plastic surgery is perhaps the most important procedure that has been developed in the dermatology field. The process involves modifying the body, or a part of it by the help of surgery. Today, a number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique, and the super-wet technique, are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Before you have any type of surgery, it’s important to do some research. You need to find out about the procedure you’re considering as well as the doctor who will perform it. For the procedure, you should consider the risks and how much recovery time you’ll need. As for the doctor, look into his or her credentials. Is the doctor board certified? How often does he or she perform the exact procedure you want? Someone can be great at tummy tucks, but inexperienced with nose jobs. You want to make sure your doctor is experienced in what you’re seeking. And of course, take a look at those before and after pictures, then ask to talk to some of the patients. Cost is another consideration some people have.Read more about california liposuction here.

Breasts are a woman's important and great assets. Breasts outline a woman's sexuality even if she has an mean face If one does not have proportionate breasts it is considered as a serious deficiency. The aggrieved women find answers for their woes in Beverly Hills breast augmentation center at California breast augmentation. The web site also informs a visitor about various methods which can be used to contact the company. A special link is placed which directs an individual to the contact page.

Women's Guide to Rapid Weight Loss

Among those who are most affected with the pressure on losing weight is women. Hollywood and the media portray being bone-thin as the best body to have, and American women are jumping on this diet bandwagon to achieve that super thin body media portrays. If you are among those women looking for that quick way to lose weight, here is a women's guide to rapid weight loss. Take note though, that rapid weight loss is always unhealthy and it is best to consult a specialist before trying it out.

The diet pill

Diet pills are the most popular weight loss alternative for women. Most women's guide to rapid weight loss books and e-zines will recommend taking diet pills to help you lose up to 10 pounds in just two weeks.

Diet pills work in a number of ways. It can:

Boost your metabolism
Reduce your appetite
"Purge" your body of fat

But why are diet pills the most popular means of losing weight? Probably because diet pills are cheaper than going to the doctor or having a surgery. In fact, you can buy a bottle of diet pills for just $12. This is definitely the road chosen by those who do not have enough money to spend on weight loss. Also, diet pills promise the quickest and rapid weight loss, which women prefer.

Weird diet plans and programs

Another women's guide to rapid weight loss includes going through some form of dieting or exercise. There are those who recommend going on a Christian diet. That is, infusing Christianity and prayer in your diet program. Meanwhile, there is the popular cabbage soup diet, composed of eating nothing but cabbage soup and water for weeks so you can lose weight fast.

A word of caution

All these women's guide to rapid weight loss claims do make you lose weight, but you probably lose water and not fat. As a result, it is much easier for you to regain the weight you have lost. Remember, there are no quick fixes to weight loss. It involves a little sacrifice and determination for you to achieve the body you have always wanted.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

How to choose a stylish haircut?

You may aspire to have your hair styled like your favorite celebrity, or have it cut like your best friends. However, your stylish haircut turns out not the way you had imagined. Instead of looking great, you end up with an old, ugly, fat, or downright nasty look. How can a hairstyle that has managed to look great on your friend, or in a photograph, turn out so wrong for you?

The answer lies in the shape of your face. Granted, some of us have been blessed with features that would literally fit any stylish haircut. The rest of us though, need to be aware about the types of haircuts that would accentuate our features, and other styles we need to avoid.

Typically, face shapes fall in the following categories �" oval shape, long, round, diamond and square. If you have an oval shape or a diamond shape face, pretty much any hairstyle would suit you. So, how can you tell if you have a face like that?

Well, it’s pretty simple. An oval shape face would have a length that is 1.5 times the width of the face. You would have a diamond shape face if your chin and forehead are narrow, with cheeks that are almost of equal length. With a diamond shape face, you need stylish haircuts that would show off your cheekbones. Wisps close to the side of your face would be great for you.

Now, as for the rest of you…..

Your face is classified under the long or oblong category if the length of your face is more than 1.5 times the width of your face. Your aim then is not to have your hairstyle make your face look longer than it already is. To do this, short stylish haircuts, or even bob hairstyles with bangs are suitable. Look for haircuts that give your hair more body especially at the sides. Long straight styles should be avoided.

Round shape faces tend to look plump and fat. You’d have a round face if the length of your face is about the same as the width. Thus, you need long straight or long layered styles to make your face look longer. Short stylish haircuts need to be avoided, or you’ll end up looking fatter than you really are!

If you have a square shape face, this means that you have a wide forehead and a wide chin. Stylish haircuts that are perfect for square faces would be one with layers especially at the cheek areas. Center parting hairstyles without bangs are also great for square faces.

Finally, with what you know now, you’ll be wiser with your hair decisions in the future. This time, you don’t need your best friend’s or your favorite celebrity’s stylish haircuts to look good. You can look absolutely beautiful just by being you!.

by Samantha Tang

10 Tips To Help Women Stay Fit & Healthy in 2008

Here are 10 tips for women to stay fit and healthy:

1. Staying fit and healthy starts with a balanced diet. Know and monitor the right weight for your age. Consult your doctor to learn what food you should avoid and follow your eating discipline routines. If you are trying to lose some weight, foods with high calories should be omitted from your meals. Food with high fiber and low fat should be included a priority in your grocery list instead of red meat, sugars and fats.

2. Drink plenty of water. Drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday. This cleanses the body from impurities. It is also advised for lactating women to increase water intake to keep the body hydrated. Water also helps to keep sinuses clear and is a natural antioxidant. It can also increase muscle tone and strength.

3. Take Vitamins and Supplements. Do not forget your Calcium supplement. Sufficient Calcium intake is beneficial for women of all ages. This has been proven to prevent having cramps and Pre-Menstrual Period (PMS) Symptoms. It also prevents Osteoporosis especially for menopausal women. Vitamin E boosts strong immune system. Women who undergo menopausal period should take Vitamin E-400 as it stops night sweats and hot flashes. Also, Vitamin E is said to be best in avoiding wrinkles when aging.

4. Quit smoking. If you are smoking, stop. It is also a big "NO" for pregnant women, as this will affect the health of the baby. Pregnant women who smoke may pass the harmful content of cigarettes to babies through the bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that women smokers are more prone to diseases than men smokers. Women who smoke have a high risk of getting breast cancer. Also limit your alcohol intake.

5. Incorporate exercises in your daily routine. Take a walk after work, use stairs instead of elevator or play with your kids when you are at home. Home exercises are also effective especially when you do not have time to go to the gym and would like to lose some weight. Tae-Bo and jumping rope are only a few of the many effective exercises you can do at home. Exercises help in limiting the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

6. Avoid stress. Many women are prone to too much stress. Stress has been known as cause to many sicknesses. As much as possible take time to relax. Read a good book, hang out with friends and engage into sports. Pamper yourself by going to parlors or you can do some shopping. And do not forget to get enough sleep to revive your energy. Set a bed time each night and stick to it in 2008!

7. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Wear hats when under the sun to protect your skin. Too much sun is bad for your skin. The skin is prone to cancer when exposed to too much sunlight. It also speeds up the aging of skin cells, which causes wrinkles to women. When swimming, consider buying a surfers swimwear from a sporting goods store, especially if you are in the water daily for many hours.

8. Make sure to visit your dentist to keep that beautiful smile. Always have it cleaned to prevent cavities and bad breath. Use a mouthwash daily. Mouthwash may also help prevent cold sores if used regularly.

9. Visit your Gynecologist. Women who are eighteen and above should have their Physical Examination annually especially for the Pap Smear test. Co-enzyme Q-10 is essential to help prevent breast cancer and it can be found in many better vitamins.

10. Visit www.goldminez.com to find a plethora of products to keep you healthy and happy!-The Omni-4 Liquid multivitamin has Co-enzyme Q-10 in it's ingredients.

by Don Alexander

Are You Concerned About Your Women's Health?

In the recent times a lot of stress and care have been given to the subject of women's health. There are certain stages in the lives of women that bring about a lot of change and developments in their mental and physical states. These important changes that come in the lives of women are actually completely physical but they leave very important impacts on their minds and sometimes the impact can be very negative. The irony is that these mental complexities that are brought about by the physical changes in turn gives rise to some other physical ailments.

The first important physical change that comes in the life of a woman is the coming of the menses. Menstruation is a stage that for the first time brings in the feelings of a woman in a girl. She for the first time becomes fully aware of her sex and her sexuality. She is also fed with a lot of additional concepts and thoughts by the people around her. All these conceptions and thoughts sometimes take a toll on her mental state and leave a scar on her psyche.

The second important stage is that of pregnancy. Pregnancy is a stage that brings in a lot of difference in a woman's life. She is bearing another human being inside her. It is her sole duty to raise the unborn child inside her. She is yoked with the responsibility of two lives at a time. Some women go through complex mental complications or technically speaking pre natal depression during pregnancy. Pre natal depression is increasing at a rapid speed in the ladies and the number of women facing this problem is rising considerably. There are some other women who fall into depression during the period of nursing which is referred to as post natal depression.

Apart from the pre natal depression women also face a lot of mental trauma and irritation during the period or after menopause. Menopause is another very important stage in the life of a woman. The changes that occur to her body sometimes become difficult for her to accept and consequently she falls into what is known as the post menopausal depression.

So these are the myriad forms of depression that are exclusively reserved for the women. Apart from these there are also thousands of other causes that might land a woman in depression or other mental disorders. But in the midst of all these diverse depression causes, one effect that has been established in case of the women is the lack of bone minerals and lessening of the density of the bones. The lack of bone minerals and the weakening of the bones are a very bad sign as these factors make the women vulnerable to fractures and cracks in their old age.

It is sometimes beyond our control to get a grip over the causes of depression but there are definitely ways to get a grip of depression once it has been determined in a patient and so it is important that you keep a close check on the women who are close to you and hold a specific place in your life.

Today we have cures in the form of depression uplifting pills such as valium or xanax online. But these are prescription medicines and so one should buy xanax or related medicines only when a doctor has prescribed them. Besides pills there are many other ways and treatments that can guide you or your loved one out of this slow killing trap. Check with your doctor immediately if anyone in your family is showing any depression symptoms.

by Denzing Jones