Fashion retail with a difference

Katya and Sarina- the brainchild duo behind this operation not only have their own line Mina & Katusha, which features in the new store, but have also established distinguished runway show Made in Melbourne. Focusing on providing a platform for creative young Melbourne talent, Made in Melbourne that was this year sponsored by Fjorde magazine, has seen escalating success since the inaugural runway show during 2009 Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.

Labels in-store include the aforesaid Mina & Katusha alongside the likes of Ange Lang, Kathryn Beker, El Amuleto, Ange Lang, Seven Souls and Eva Q as well as men's wear including Clemente & Talarico and Archie. Style and vigour are certainly the best words to describe Gusto & ?lan's new season stock which includes everything from swimwear and designer dresses to festival wear and sleek casual to evening wear, the designers have ranges for both men and women.

The new concept online clothes store will be a creative space for designers to try different styles with a range of different methods for exposure. By partnering with stylists to loan designer clothes for editorial and red carpet appearance Gusto & ?lan will be the platform for emerging fashion labels to get into the spotlight.

Talented architecture and design artist Travis Walton has re women's coats designed the Brunswick store Gusto & ?lan into an amazing new space that stirred owners Katya and Sarina's creative juices-With such a big and striking space to work with Gusto& ?lan are hoping to partner with local Melbourne brands to host exciting events and in-store experience, for the trendy people of Brunswick. They are on the lookout for brands with spark that would like some exposure and to have a little fun!

The name of the store represent not only the designers Gusto & ?lan acquire but also the sentiment they wish to inspire.

'Gusto - [guhs-toh], noun - individual taste or liking.
Synonyms: enthusiasm, delight, relish, zest, spirit, fervour.

?lan - [ey-lahn, ā?l?n;], noun - combination of style and vigour, energy, and enthusiasm. '

For full range of clothes go to Gusto and ?lan website http://www.gustoandelan.com.au

8 Ball Adds New Funny T Shirts To Its Collection

New favourites now available for purchase from 8Ball.co.uk include the stunningly deceptive DJ rock'n'roll jacket t-shirt, which features a realistic print of a waistcoat, shirt collar and tie, and the fun but freaky bear face hooded sweatsh women's jackets irt. The Cannabis Collections 'Cannabis All Over' t shirt is also set to be a hit with customers looking for something a little different to wear during hazy summer months.

Prices start from just ?15.99 and the company offers a range of competitively-priced delivery packages for both UK and international shoppers.

The company sourced the aforementioned prints from a wide range of suppliers to ensure that the very best funny t-shirts were selected to expand the collection. Many of the designs can be printed onto different coloured shirts and are, as always, available in a range of men's and women's sizes.

8 Ball also stocks a diver range of funny hoodies for customers looking for heavy duty clothing with a unique twist. Check out the retailer's website for more information and full product lists.

8 Ball is a leading online retailer of unique t-shirts, delivering thousands of items to UK customers in a huge range of different sizes and designs. From funny slogans to classic rock logos and quirky shirts inspired by pop culture throughout the decades, the tees on offer from the company appeal to all generations and can be printed to order. Call 01785 330220 for more information today.

New York Wholesale Business Expands Into the Wholesale Trinidad Market

New York wholesale clothing business Closeout Explosion is continuing to expand into the wholesale Trinidad market as it exports overstock and closeout brand name clothing, shoes, and handbags to retailers located throughout Trinidad and Tobago. While there are established wholesalers in Trinidad and Tobago, the majority of the wholesale clothing in Trinidad business is primarily based on generic apparel imported based only on its low cost.

Closeout Explosion's approach is unique in that it is based upon purchasin women's jackets online g department store brand name overstock and store returns made for the USA market, and then supplying it to retailers in Trinidad that have a retail customer base interested in brand name products.
For example, the New York wholesale clothing business can purchase a large lot of overstock corporate suits by Tahari, Jones New York, and Nine West, and then resell that lot at below wholesale prices to stores located in Port Of Spain, San Fernando, and Scarborough. The retailers in Trinidad now have wholesale American brand name clothes that their customers are familiar with and are interested in buying.

"Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a strong economy in part to the islands being at the top of the list of the world's leading gas exporters. The wide population diversity also provides wholesalers and retailers with a wide customer base to which to sell brand name products to. The stable economy helps ensure that the population has a decent income level which allows them to be able to spend more money on wholesale designer merchandise," said Donny Lowy, who also exports wholesale brand name designer handbags.

Shopping malls such as the Aboutique Mall, Bradford City Mall, Capital Plaza, Atlantic Plaza, and the Gulf City Mall attract a middle and upper class clientele that can buy high end closeout clothing, shoes, and handbags. There is also a very large tourism and travel industry which provides an ideal client base of premium merchandise shoppers. Travelers and tourists arrive via the Piarco International Airport, ANR Robinson International Airport, and by cruise at the Cruise Ship Complex in Port Of Spain.

CloseoutExplosion.com offers wholesale products that are suitable for both people living in and traveling to Trinidad and Tobago. Wholesale products include items such as wholesale designer women's shoes by Calvin Klein, overstock premium dresses by BCBG, closeout swimwear by Lauren By Ralph Lauren, and liquidation children's clothing by Nike. Customers can visit the New York wholesale clothing warehouse to make their own selection or they can order online.

Wholesale importers also have the opportunity to export throughout the Caribbean the closeout merchandise which they purchase from Closeout Explosion Inc. Donny Lowy can offer guidance to businesses that want to learn how to supply retailers in other countries, such as in the Bahamas, St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica.

In addition, this innovative NY closeout business can send orders freight collect to Trinidad and Tobago, and throughout the Caribbean, with shipping companies such as Tropical Shipping, Brady Cargo Services, and Laparkan. Sending orders freight collect allows customers the ability to pay for the shipping when they receive their orders which is a good convenience for retailers looking to spread out their outlays.

IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel Introduces Curve Connection? New Community of Real Beauties Share their Fashion for all Full-figured Fashionistas

Awa women's coats rd-winning, American plus-size designer brand IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel, http://www.igigi.com, has launched Curve Connection?; a community of fans showing off their favorite IGIGI designs and showcasing them for other real beauties worldwide. Each participant has her own page where her size, shape, bio, and her motto as a curvy beauty are laid out along with her pictures and her experience with the design. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel started this new feature to show the designs on real women in addition to professional models so that customers can better decide for themselves.

"Curve Connection? is a fabulous display of real women wearing great fashion for every woman! It helps connect women to find the perfect style for their body type, based on real women's personal style and personality." Said Monica Ware, Fan and Founder & Publisher of Be You! Girl Magazine

"I am so thrilled about this project. Our mission is to transform the world's view of beauty by providing full-figured women with spectacular designs that are made well with an impeccable fit, so they look and feel great and reflect that beauty onto the world causing a transformation in how people think of plus-size. What better way to do that than by having our customers as our models? I am so looking forward to seeing Curve Connection? evolve into a thriving community of women sharing their experiences with fashion and IGIGI," said Yuliya Raquel, Founder, Head Designer, and Creative Director.

Curvy beauties wanting to share how they rock IGIGI by Yuliya in their own unique style can submit their form at http://www.igigi.com/cms/cclanding. Each unique entry receives a 10%off coupon and one lucky lady wins a $500 gift certificate each month.

"I am so excited for IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel's new Curve Connection?. It will showcase myself and other lovely curvy bloggers and fans wearing some of out favorite pieces from the line. I am an avid fan of the brand and their clothing represents exquisiteness and class," said Bella Styles, Trendy Curves blogger, Skorch Magazine Executive Fashion Editor, and Lucky Magazine Contributor.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Ca, IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was founded in 2000 with a mission to transform the world's view of beauty by providing full-figured women with fashion-forward, quality, and well-fitting clothes that would help express their beauty. Collections are designed in-house and produced locally through independent San Francisco Bay Area contractors. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel has been featured in major fashion and life style magazines likeMarie Claire, The Oprah Magazine, People StyleWatch, Ladies Home Journal, Glamour, and Essence, and it has been a favorite among celebrities such as Nikki Blonsky, Kim Coles, KayCee Stroh, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Ashley Fink, Martha Wash, and Gabourey Sidibe. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel collections are available online at http://www.igigi.com and select boutiques worldwide. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was honored with the Best Plus Fashion Retailer of the Year award (Full Figured Fashion Week, June, 2010), and made Internet Retailer's Top Hot 100 list (December, 2010), and received About.com Critics' Choice Best Plus Designer Award (March, 2011).

GetTheLabel.com Announces The UK Based Fashion Retailing Site Will Become Available Internationally

Leading online fashion store and mail order catalogue GetTheLabel.com will take its brand to the international market from this month.

Responding to strong demand from across the globe, the team behind the fashion brand are introducing seven new currencies as they extend into the global market. The US Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic Krona will now all be acceptable forms of payment allowing worldwide customers the opportunity to purchase the best labels at discounted prices. The Euro alone covers 17 countries whilst the US Dollar covers the USA, the third most populated country in the world with over 314 million potential new customers.

The site, which has been trading for 3 years, stocks well known brands including Adidas Originals, Converse and Rare, and is offering free international delivery to attract global fashionistas and value driven purchasers.

GetTheLabel.com is making a strong statement in the fashion market with its free delivery - bringing the best in men's clothing, women's clothing and cheap trainers at unbeatable prices to its customers, no women's jackets matter where they are in the world.

GetTheLabel.com is fast becoming a household name amongst label lovers and stocks globally influential brands – Such as Lipsy, Firetrap, classic Fred Perry and many more.

Liz McNamara, Head of Marketing at GetTheLabel.com, says "This is an exciting time for Get The Label. We are committed to expanding both here and globally and we are delighted to be able to offer new currencies and free international shipping to those who are as passionate about fashion as we are."

About Getthelabel.com:

Getthelabel.com is a leading online fashion store and mail order catalogue offering significant savings on branded sportswear, leisurewear and footwear for all the family. Getthelabel.com is fast becoming a household name amongst brand lovers, offering a host of brands including Penguin, Nike, Voi Jeans, Henleys, Gio Goi, Bench, Fred Perry, Firetrap, Lipsy, UGG Australia and ClubL.

New Women-Owned, Colorado Clothing Retailer is Dedicated to Spreading “Good Juju” this Holiday Season

Good Juju, a women-owned, Colorado-based company, has officially launched its online retail store at http://www.goodjujucompany.com. The company sells a line of apparel in hopes of spreading positivity throughout the country. Good Juju's merchandise features the symbol of good juju, which represents the law of attraction and the idea that "like attracts like." Good Juju's founders, Debbie West and Patricia Robb, believe that if one thinks and spreads positivity to others, they will attract more of the same, which in turn spreads exponentially and benefits everyone.

Good Juju's first random act of kindness, which West and Robb will be undertaking on an ongoing basis, is to give free Good Juju T-shirts to shoppers on Black Friday. West and Robb will visit busy malls to give away shirts to unsuspecting people, selecting lucky individuals based on their display of kindness.                     

"If we see someone being nice to others on a day that is typically chaotic, and frankly downright rude at times, we want to recognize their efforts with a token of Good Juju," says company co-founder Debbie West. "What better gift to give this holiday season than the gift of Good Juju. Everyone wants it, and let's face it, some people really need it. Good Juju is one gift that the receiver will not want to return after the holidays."

"People need a reason to smile. There is so much negativity in our world right now and Good Juju is poised to help change that attitude one shirt at a time," says company co-founder Patricia Robb. "We believe this holiday season is a great time to start spreading Good Juju and reminding others that their thoughts and actions can have an enormous affect on those around them. It's important that we all strive to be positive and good to each other."

Good Juju primarily sells T-shirts, hoodies, hats and bags and products range in price from $8 - $40. All designs feature the Good Juju name and symbol.

About Good Juju:
Good Juju was founded by Patricia Robb and Debbie West to spread good juju as far and to as many people as possible. The company is located in Littleton, Colorado and Go women's jackets od Juju products are sold online. You can also visit the company on Facebook.

The Abomination Of Desolation

In the near future, an event of enormous significance will transpire in Jerusalem, the effects of which will resound throughout the world and throughout eternity. A man will ascend the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, go into the Holy of Holies within the rebuilt Jewish Temple, and proclaim himself to be God Almighty. In His Olivet Discourse, a response to His disciple?€?s questions concerning the end of the age, Jesus Christ warned His followers that this event, known as ?€?the abomination of desolation,?€?will be the key event which will trigger the Great Tribulation:

?€?The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about ?€" the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.?€?Matthew 24:15 (NLT)

When this event occurs, it will dominate contemporary news headlines. Christ tells us it will also be a sign to the world that His Glorious Appearing is close at hand.

The abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of a time of unspeakable satanic violence and human anguish. In fact, Jesus told His disciples it will be a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen, nor ever will see again. A cursory glance at Jewish historical events of the past century, which include the Holocaust, Stalin?€?s pogroms, and Muslim attempts to wipe out the Jewish state of Israel, vividly illustrate the depths of human depravity. Yet, our Lord informs us that these horrors will pale in comparison to those which are to come.

What is the Abomination of Desolation?

In order for people to recognize the abomination of desolation when it takes place, they must first know what it is. Some translations of the bible render this phrase the ?€?abomination which causes desolation,?€?a more accurate depiction of the event. For this act of abomination, once committed, will literally cause the desolation of Israel.

Let?€?s examine the definitions of the key components in this satanic act of arrogance.

?€?Abomination?€?Defined

Webster?€?s dictionary defines the word ?€?abomination?€?as a ?€?loathsome or disgusting act.?€?This serves as an adequate biblical definition as well, for when the bible mentions something as an ?€?abomination?€?it means ?€?an act which is loathsome or disgusting in the eyes of God.?€?In most instances in which the word ?€?abomination?€?is used in the bible, it is used to describe the sin of idolatry. Therefore, it?€?s reasonable to conclude that the abomination which is the abomination of desolation will be an idolatrous act which will defile the Holy Place.

If this is true, then what is ?€?the Holy Place?€?

?€?The Holy Place?€?Defined

The ?€?Holy Place?€?of which Jesus spoke is the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Although some people have interpreted the ?€?holy place?€?as any number of things ?€" Israel, Jerusalem, the Jews, or the church ?€" the full context of the scriptures makes it fully clear that Jesus is referring to the Jewish Temple.

In the Book of Acts, the Jewish Temple is referred to as the ?€?Holy Place?€?(emphasis added):

?€?The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, yelling, ?€?Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple ?€" and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.?€? (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)?€?Acts 21:27-29 (NLT)

In addition, the prophet Daniel refers to the abomination of desolation in reference to the Jewish Temple:

?€?He will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. Then as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the end that has been decreed is poured out on this defiler.?€?Daniel 9:27 (NLT)

The fact that the abomination of desolation occurs along with putting ?€?an end to the sacrifices and offerings?€?is further evidence that the Jewish Temple plays a pivotal role in this infamous event.

So why is the abomination one of ?€?desolation?€?

?€?Desolation?€?Defined

Webster?€?s dictionary defines ?€?desolation?€?as ?€?a barren, neglected state or area.?€?This is the perfect definition for understanding the meaning of our topic. For Jesus tells us that this act will cause the desolation of Israel:

?€?Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater ang women's coats uish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God?€?s chosen ones.?€?Matthew 24:16-22 (NLT)

Once the abomination of desolation takes place, it will soon be followed by unprecedented persecution of the Jewish people. This is difficult to believe, given our knowledge of the Holocaust. But according to Jesus, these will be the darkest days in Jewish history.

The Jews will face persecution at the hands of the Antichrist, an arrogant world dictator who will commit the abomination of desolation by proclaiming himself to be God.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Believe it or not, a similar abomination took place in history once before.

In 167 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes erected a statue of Zeus in the Holy of Holies and desecrated the sanctuary and its holy vessels. Several centuries prior to this, the prophet Daniel (in Daniel 11:21-35) prophesied the life and times of this sinister figure. Yet those same verses, in many ways, also apply to the Antichrist, whose life is detailed in Daniel 11:36-45.

Some people claim that Antiochus IV Epiphanes committed the abomination of desolation, thus fulfilling the prophecies of Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15. But this is simply not true. Although the Book of Daniel was written prior to 167 B.C., the Olivet Discourse took place almost two centuries later. Jesus was well aware of the abominable acts committed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. After all, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is a celebration of the Temple?€?s liberation from the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Clearly, Jesus spoke of a future abomination:

?€?The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about ?€" the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.?€?Matthew 24:15 (NLT)

Although Antiochus IV Epiphanes came in the spirit and power of the Antichrist, the Antichrist himself will be the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecies in Daniel 11, Daniel 9:27, and Matthew 24:15. This is why Jesus referred to the desecration of the Temple as a still future event.

If we examine the signs of the times, we?€?ll find God is warning us that this future event will take place soon ?€" in our generation.

The Antichrist and the Abomination of Desolation

The Book of Revelation provides us with further knowledge regarding the Antichrist and his monumental act of desecration:

?€?He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.?€?Revelation 13:14-15 (NLT)

The Antichrist will fulfill this prophesy by standing in the Jewish Temple and proclaiming himself to be God. He will set up an image in the Holy Place and demand the world worship it.

Such a scenario is in full agreement with the apostle Paul?€?s description of the Antichrist and his character:

?€?He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. He will position himself in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.?€?2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

The Antichrist will not just be an enemy of God Almighty, but of anything which distracts the human race from the worship of himself as the one true God. Needless to say, the Antichrist will be quite arrogant.

Unfortunately, much of the world will answer the call to worship him:

?€?And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made ?€" the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.?€?Revelation 13:8 (NLT)

When Will the Abomination of Desolation Occur?

The bible is clear that the abomination of desolation will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation, a seven year period in Israel?€?s history set into motion by a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist:

?€?The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.?€?Daniel 9:27 (NLT)

The Antichrist will sign a treaty with the state of Israel for a period of seven years. The details and nature of this treaty are yet unknown, but many have speculated that in a bid to secure peace with its neighbors, Israel will agree to rely on the Antichrist for its national security. God refers to this agreement as a ?€?covenant with Sheol?€?(or hell), and God?€?s assessment will prove true when the Antichrist breaks this covenant after three and a half years. The abomination of desolation will serve as a public acknowledgment that he is breaking his treaty with Israel, and it will signal the beginning of the Great Tribulation, a time of unprecedented persecution of God?€?s people:

?€?And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.?€?Revelation 12:6 (NLT)

The woman referenced in this passage is the nation of Israel, which gave birth to the Messiah. Because of the Antichrist?€?s persecution, the nation of Israel will be forced to flee into the wilderness, where God will supernaturally protect her. The Antichrist?€?s campaign of persecution against the Jews will last 1,260 days, which is 3.5 biblical years.

Conclusion

The implications of the abomination of desolation can not be overstated. Our generation has already witnessed the fulfillment and initial fulfillment of most of the bible?€?s end times prophecies. The Jews have been gathered from distant lands to resurrect the nation of Israel. The Jews are in possession of Jerusalem. The Gog and Magog alliance is forming. The European Union (the revived Roman Empire) is quickly becoming the world?€?s most powerful super state. All of these are signs of the times. Yet, in order for the abomination of desolation to occur, still another event must take place ?€" the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple.

As of this writing, the secular world views the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple as a highly improbable event. Yet, God Himself has told us the Jewish Temple will exist in the last days. Therefore, when the Temple is rebuilt, it will serve as a sign to the entire world that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega.

Nearly the entire world ?€" a billion Muslims, countless Anti-Semites, world leaders and diplomats, and even Israeli politicians frightened of war ?€" speak with one voice when it comes to the idea of rebuilding the Jewish Temple. ?€?It will never happen!?€?they say. But God has other plans. The Temple will be rebuilt, and soon thereafter, the world will tremble when a man of unprecedented power and frightening arrogance visits its inner sanctuary.

Knowing that everything the Lord has revealed to His prophets is destined for fulfillment, we should pray for the people of this world, while living our lives for the next and remaining alert to the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

?€?Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.?€?Luke 21:36 (NLT)

Your Guide To Dog Nutrition

A dog's entire well being, health, happiness, and life span are all largely dependent upon their diet and what they eat on a daily basis. Our dogs, just like every other kind of living creatures, have their own set of nutritional needs, many of which may actually vary from dog to dog. Things like allergies, breed, overall size, and inherited conditions, just to name a few, are all variables that may dictate necessary changes to a dog's diet.

Since our dogs can't actually come right out and tell us if they are getting the right balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and nutrients in their diet, it's up to us as responsible pet owners to watch for some of the telltale signs of poor nutrition, especially because similar to people, dogs are individuals with unique needs and what works well for one may not for another.

Some of the most noticeable signs that all is not well with a dog's nutritional intake include things like a dull coat, constantly shedding regardless of the time of year, refusal or reluctance to eat the food, a lack of energy, foul smelling breath, dirty, discolored teeth, and excessive gas. Some dogs also become prone to both skin and ear infections as well as fleas, ticks, and heartworms, which could prove to be fatal.

Of course it's true that all dogs could have any one of these symptoms from time to time, but when one or more are occurring on a regular basis, it's definitely time to get to the real root of the problem, which inevitably lies with their nutrition and diet.

It's certainly no secret that dogs are carnivores and not vegetarians, and carnivores need meat to thrive and be at their healthiest. Simply take a look at your dog's teeth and you'll see how they're specifically designed for both ripping and tearing into meat. The bottom surface of most of our teeth are flat, which are ideal for chewing and grinding grains, but a dog's aren't because their digestive process actually begins within the stomach, rather than in the mouth as is the case with us humans.

Naturally just like ours, a dog's body is comprised of trillions of individual cells, and each and every one of these cells must have just the right combination of elements to function properly. Dog cells must have proteins, or more specifically, up to 12 different amino acids, which are essentially the entire building blocks of protein. And without adequate protein, a bevy of health related problems are sure to ensue.

For a dog's cells to live and thrive they must also have fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and last, but certainly not least, fresh water. Each of these components must be consumed in the correct proportion in order to bring about the chemical reactions responsible for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and of course, the elimination of waste.

All of these nutrients are used to create energy that a dog needs to live a good life including everything from being able to regulate their body temperature, to walking, playing and running and basically growing into adulthood as healthy as possible.

When it comes to dogs, it's not always so much the amount of protein but rather the actual source of that protein that matters the most.

Commercially made dog food generally consists of a combination of proteins from both plant and animal sources such as wheat, corn, rice, beef, chicken, and lamb. Luckily, it's not hard to decipher the origins of that protein in commercial dog food where by law, ingredients must be listed in order of their percentage, meaning the first thing listed will be the highest concentration of protein within the food.

Amino acids, which we already know to be the main components of proteins, are at least partially destroyed when they are heated, much like vitamins and minerals, and unfortunately all types of dog foods, both the canned and dry varieties, are heated at some point during the commercial manufacturing process.

Proteins aren't the only essential for your dog's diet as some carbohydrates are also needed for things like energy and digestion. Basically for dogs, a combination of elements that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates should serve as the ideal diet.

One thing to consider when it comes to choosing food for your dog is their stage of l women's coats ife. It's essential to select food that is intended for your dog's age as a puppy that's eating adult food will not get the nutrients he needs to grow and develop properly, and alternately, an adult dog eating puppy food will more than likely become overweight. Also, older animals may have trouble with digestion so they may need a blend that's specifically intended for senior dogs.

If you must switch your dog's food, it's best to do so gradually over the course of at least seven to ten days as a sudden change can lead to a number of problems that may have lasting negative effects. Your own veterinarian, who best knows your dog's individual history and specifics, can make recommendations and offer advice as to the best formulation to follow.

The importance of clean water for your dog should also not be underestimated as all pets should have access to fresh water at all times. Experts usually will recommend using a stainless steel bowl for sanitary purposes as they're easier to keep clean and free of germs than plastics.

Yet another extremely important factor in regards to a dog's nutrition is obesity, which can prove to be rather serious leading to a host of other health problems and contributing toward a shorter life. An overweight dog will also have bone and joint problems, causing discomfort and pain.

As it is, our dog's life spans are so short in comparison to our own so it only makes perfect sense to actively try to lengthen the amount of time we have to enjoy and love our beloved pets.

Women Beware of Doctors Over-Prescribing Drugs

I love the women of the Baby Boomer generation. They demanded world attention for their rights to equality in the sixties, changed the gender rules in the seventies, made their way into executive boardrooms in the eighties, and paved the way for the coming generations of their daughters and their daughter's daughters. Generations X and Y, and hopefully "Z", have a lot to thank them.

Today, younger adult women don't have to go through what they did for recognition and understanding. When I enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1981, I was the only female in my f fashion coats online irst accounting class. Today, there are equally the same if not more women in graduate university and advanced education courses than men. This is how dramatically things have changed. But have they?

Since my mid-forties, I have had reason to visit a lot of doctor's offices. I have been diagnosed as peri-menopausal, menopausal (differing opinions from different doctors), suffering from hypothyroidism, not suffering from hypothyroidism, Chronic Fatigue, no Chronic Fatigue, stress-related panic attacks, hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia - and the best of all - a recommendation that I should see a psychologist! All of these complaints and symptoms became more relevant when I later discovered I had severe adrenal problems - completely undiagnosed by all the doctors I saw. But for now, I just want to say, "God help the Baby Boomers!"

During the last few years, I have been in and out of so many doctor's offices, surgeries, and hospitals that I have lost track. I have visited Hormone Specialists, Gynaecologists, General Practitioners and been rushed into hospital Emergency Rooms on countless occasions. I have had more blood tests than any rational person is meant to endure; subjected to ECGs (electrocardiograms), X-rays, brain scans, chest scans, hearing tests, and spent hours upon hours in those wonderful little ER cubicles waiting for tests or wheeled around from testing lab to testing lab. Not once, not a couple of times, but countless times. I have had the top of my palm injected with horrible large needles while I've waited for hours for a scan, drip, or blood transfusion.

I have also been insulted, ignored, laughed at, and been given operative procedures, drugs and antibiotics against my expressed concerns. A hospital gynaecologist even asked me on one occasion whether my breasts were real. (I am naturally well endowed.) I believe he was being playful and it was meant to be a joke - but at the time, I was lying in a hospital Emergency Room bed, waiting for a 4-pack blood transfusion. Needless to say, I didn't find it very amusing at the time.

I am not a feminist. I know what strengths and weaknesses women have and acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses that men have. However, I am utterly astonished and dumbfounded at the way women are still being treated in the medical arena.

I am in total dismay at how the women of that gregarious, rebellious, open-minded, ground-breaking generation, the Baby Boomers, who led the revolution in changing the advertising, marketing, financial, and consumer-driven demands of the world, are still being treated as the 1950s stereotype female by the traditional medical community. And this includes some female doctors I have visited as well.

Every time I have visited a new doctor, the first typical response is, "its probably menopausal changes". Firstly, if all I have suffered were menopause symptoms, I'd be swinging from the rafters with glee. I don't wish to invalidate the women who have difficulties caused by hormonal changes, but with the new bio-identical hormone therapy available, menopause is an easier transition now than ever before.

Secondly, it worries me that the abruptness and immediacy of this instant diagnosis for women who happen to be in the 40 plus age group can potentially and dangerously prevent a real disease from accurate diagnosis and treatment or lead to misdiagnoses and serious consequences where there were none in the first place.

Men, younger women and now even teenagers and children are affected by similar circumstances. However, the typical and by far the larger demographic profile of wrongly diagnosed patients who fall victim to anti-depressants and tranquillisers are adult women.

Norma Finkelstein, Ph.D., of the Boston-based Coalition on Addiction, Pregnancy, and Parenting says, "Women tend to get addicted to prescription drugs like sedatives and tranquillisers more often than men do because doctors prescribe them to women more freely". She estimates that 70 percent of prescribed tranquillisers and sedatives in the US are given to women. In Australia, 2:1 or 66.7 percent is the estimated ratio for women. Finkelstein also adds, "Women have long been seen by the medical profession as hysterical and anxious - so rather than listening to the woman's problem, some doctors will just write a prescription for medication."

I recall the wisdom of a friend who once said, "Educate the mother and you educate the family". He was speaking of higher values at the time, but those words ring ominously in my mind now. Was the Rolling Stones' 1960s hit "Mother's Little Helper" a warning we didn't heed?

Maine Coon Cat and Kitten Information

The first feature one notices about the Maine Coon cat is the size. The males can grow to over twenty pounds. Females are smaller but still larger then the avergae cat. The breed standard lists the Maine Coon Cat as a working breed. The build is muscular and the coat is long with a wide variety of colors accepted in the breed standard.

Considered a working cat, the Maine Coon is known to be a good mouser. They have been known to take easily to training, a testament to their intelligence. Playful and affectionate, the Maine Coon is not known as a lap cat but does enjoy the company of favored humans. According to the Cat Fanciers Association, the Maine Coon cat is considered the second most popular breed of cat. The Maine Coon cat is the official state cat.

The Maine Coon cat is one of the oldest North American cat breeds, though it true origin is open to speculation and folklore. It took many years for the breed to be recognized. In 1968 the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) was started by six breeders. The 1980s found all registries accepting the breed.

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wildcat, the genus Felis Lybica. This genus is comprised of smaller cats. Cats are thought to have been domesticated with the advent of farming and the storage of grain. The grain attracted rats and other vermin which naturally attracted wild cats. As time evolved, certain of these cats were domesticated for the mutual benefit of both cat and man. The African Wildcat has certain features which is obvious in the housecat of today.

Health

Cats who reside in the house should generally visit the veterinarian yearly, unless health problems are evident. Cats who enjoy the outdoors may need to see the vet as many as four times a year. When you take your cat to the vet, be sure to bring along a fresh stool sample so the vet can do a fecal exam to check for internal parasites such as tapeworm, round worm, whip worms and hook worms. The vet will also check for external parasites such as fleas, ticks and ear mites. Maine Coon cats are susceptible to fashion jackets hip dysplasia though genetic testing can be used to screen for this condition.

Any vet check should include a dental examination and a cleaning if necessary. Cats who are eight years of age or older are considered geriatric and additional blood and urine tests may be necessary to screen for any health problems. At about six months of age, the kitten should also be examined for sexual maturity and decisions about birth control should be made.

Maine Coon Cat Registries and Clubs

Maine Coon Alliance
Maine Coon Breed Council
Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
Maine Coon Cat Club
Native Maine Coon Cat Association
United Main Coon Cat Association
Cat Fanciers Association CFA
International Cat Association TICA
The Traditional Cat Association, Inc TCA
Canadian Cat Association CCA
The Australian Cat Federation Inc
The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts AACE
American Cat Fanciers Association ACFA
United Feline Organization UFO
Cats United International

Kitten Care

Kittens are generally available and the price depends upon bloodlines color and markings. Unlike puppies, kittens should not be separated from their mother until twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Some very important developmental stages occur during this period including emotional, mental and health. Curtailing this development may lead to any number of medical and behavioral problems.

Kittens that are separated from their mother at too young an age often fail to gain weight fast enough, have immune system problems because they have not had enough mothers milk. The may also develop eating and eliminating problems, and can have problems socializing with other cats and with people.

Every cat and kitten is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your cat or kitten. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

5 Tips For Selling Your Home For The Maximum Value

If you're looking to sell your home in the near future, you want to get the absolute maximum value possible on the sale. That's no surprise, but often homeowners end up settling for less than they could have sold their house for if they had only made a few minor repairs and adjustments. What can you do to ensure you're not settling for less? Follow these simple steps to get your home ready for its appraisal and showing, and you could have several thousand dollars more in your pocket than you previously imagined!

1) Consider Your Home's Location
The location of your home will actually have a significant impact on the value of your house, and will dictate approximately how high or low your initial asking price should be. If there's an empty lot next door, find out if there are any plans to develop that space ' if stores or an office building are going in, your home's value will be reduced. However, if it's going to be turned into a park area or green space, it will be in your best interest and your property value will increase.

2) Consider The Housing Market
Is the housing market in your area a buyer's market or a seller's market? If homes in your area aren't selling as quickly as you like, you may be at a disadvantage. You'll be competing with other resellers and developers for fewer buyers, which means that you'll probably end up lowering your asking price in order to make the sale. However, if the market is hot, you should be able to get close to the price you want since houses are in high demand. If you can, wait until the market has turned in your favor, and then list your home. It's a fine line to balance, but if you keep a close eye on things, your Realtor should be able to help you out to make sure you list at the best time.

After you've done these few external steps, it's time to look inward ' take some time to carry out these small adjustments inside your home, and watch the value increase!

3) Repair Everything You Can
It may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many homeowners forget the big impact a little coat of paint can have. If you walk into a home and see scratches on the wall, cracks in the floor tiles, and water marks on the ceiling, it won't matter how beautiful the rest of the home is, because you're going to spend the whole time wondering what else is wrong with the place! Fixing the big things and the little things wi women's jackets ll make your home look well-maintained and inviting. Since a lot of your home's value is based on perception, you want potential buyers to perceive your house as a place that's worth paying more money for.

4) Make Additions
If it's in your best interest ' and you can find this out from a Realtor or appraising specialist ' add space to your home. The garage, porch and patio are not included in the square footage listing for your home, so if you can add even one more bedroom and a small washroom, it could increase your home's value by anywhere from ten to fifty thousand dollars. You do need to make sure that you won't spend more on the additions than you'll gain back though, as you don't want to find yourself taking a net loss down the line. Another easy addition to make that can significantly increase you home's value is a hot tub! A permanently installed hot tub is considered part of the full property area, and will allow you to start your home at a higher asking price.

5) Do A Little Yard Work
Again, value is based on perception, and if both the outside and the inside of your home are well-maintained, you're going to be able to ask for more money and have more traffic coming through your home. A few hundred dollars spent on landscaping will actually increase the traffic in your home by 200-500% - which could result in a bidding war over your home, if more people are interested in buying. What better way to get the maximum value than through a bidding war between buyers? Keep your grass cut, gardens tidy, your doors and windows fully painted and cleaned, and polish any metal on your door, railings, or gate.

Fashion In A Padded Sell

I'm not sure I should admit this, but ordinairily I hate fashion shows. Far from the air of sophisticated cool they like to project, they are usually scenes of disorganised chaos. Nothing can make a half naked model seem less sexy than seeing her get screamed at by a pompous fashion designer for not doing up some buttons in the right order!

In fact the Italians has a great word for scenes like this 'casino'. Literally translated it means 'brothel' but generally its used whenever one is in a situation that seems to prove that there is no order to the universe. A bus breaks down, everyone spills out on to the pavement and starts yelling at each other for no apparent reason. That's 'casino' is action. Frankly, in the context of fashion sho women's coats ws, either literal or empirical translations will suffice perfectly well.

It is against this background that earlier in the year, I found myself at Alexander McQueen's menswear show. The star turn involved suits encased in clear plastic, set to strains of Neil Diamond's "Play Me". They reminded me of those protective coverings that American pensioners put on their sofas. Try as I might, I couldn't really see that there is an especially big market for men with a burning desire to look like a mad pensioner's sofa. So instead, I decided that the show must clearly be about creating a spectacle rather than clothes that translate to real life.

So engrossed in the plastic was I, that I neglected to notice the suit's shoulders. They were were the kind of shoulders that far worthier fashion journalists than I would describe using phrases such as "defiant tailoring". I have no idea what that means either. Instead, lets just say that it means the return of shoulder pads.

I think the 1980's were a bit rubbish. Music was rubbish, haircuts were rubbish, people were rubbish and clothes were well, rubbish. Nothing symbolises that rubbish quite like the shoulder pad. They were clothes for a shouty, strident era. Clothes for Thatcherism. They literally discouraged uncertainty. Lets face it, if you shrugged whilst wearing a particularly large pair of shoulder pads then you started to take on the appearance of Louis XVI after his little tete a tete with Madame Guillotine.

Shoulder pads speak of braying yuppies and the sort of blazer that Rick Astley wore while yodeling about 10 goods reasons to stay, as if even he had realised that the minute people clapped eyes on him they'd be running for the exits.

Shoulder pads also remind me of a sports coat I was bought in my teens, for "special occasions". These usually involved a psychologically wounding trip to a musical in London's West End. I once witnessed a musical version of Mutiny On The Bounty starring Sinitta and David Essex. I thought I might at least get to witness a few sword fights and even some cleavage. I did, but it belonged to David. And you wonder how I ended up in fashion!

I got the invitation to try on the McQueen jacket and after a couple of large gin and tonics, I felt sufficiently bolstered to give it a whirl. It actually looked pretty great, even if I do say so myself. At the risk of talking about defiant tailoring, it makes your silhouette strong and defined, encourages that V taper. But it costs over a thousand pounds (two thousand dollars).

Never mind though, by the time you are reading this, Topshop and the other high street multiples will almost certainly have one on their racks. Ready to wear for a special occasion no doubt.

5 Tips For Selling Your Home For The Maximum Value

If you're looking to sell your home in the near future, you want to get the absolute maximum value possible on the sale. That's no surprise, but often homeowners end up settling for less than they could have sold their house for if they had only made a few minor repairs and adjustments. What can you do to ensure you're not settling for less? Follow these simple steps to get your home ready for its appraisal and showing, and you could have several thousand dollars more in your pocket than you previously imagined!

1) Consider Your Home's Location
The location of your home will actually have a significant impact on the value of your house, and will dictate approximately how high or low your initial asking price should be. If there's an empty lot next door, find out if there are any plans to develop that space ' if stores or an office building are going in, your home's value will be reduced. However, if it's going to be turned into a park area or green space, it will be in your best interest and your property value will increase.

2) Consider The Housing Market
Is the housing market in your area a buyer's market or a seller's market? If homes in your area aren't selling as quickly as you like, you may be at a disadvantage. You'll be competing with other resellers and developers for fewer buyers, which means that you'll probably end up lowering your asking price in order to make the sale. However, if the market is hot, you should be able to get close to the price you want since houses are in high demand. If you can, wait until the market has turned in your favor, and then list your home. It's a fine line to balance, but if you keep a close eye on things, your Realtor should be able to help you out to make sure you list at the best time.

After you've done these few external steps, it's time to look inward ' take some time to carry out these small adjustments inside your home, and watch the value increase!

3) Repair Everything You Can
It may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many homeowners forget the big impact a little coat of paint can have. If you walk into a home and see scratches on the wall, cracks in the floor tiles, and water marks on the ceiling, it won't matter how beautiful the rest of the home is, because you're going to spend the whole time wondering what else is wrong with the place! Fixing the big things and the little things wi women's jackets ll make your home look well-maintained and inviting. Since a lot of your home's value is based on perception, you want potential buyers to perceive your house as a place that's worth paying more money for.

4) Make Additions
If it's in your best interest ' and you can find this out from a Realtor or appraising specialist ' add space to your home. The garage, porch and patio are not included in the square footage listing for your home, so if you can add even one more bedroom and a small washroom, it could increase your home's value by anywhere from ten to fifty thousand dollars. You do need to make sure that you won't spend more on the additions than you'll gain back though, as you don't want to find yourself taking a net loss down the line. Another easy addition to make that can significantly increase you home's value is a hot tub! A permanently installed hot tub is considered part of the full property area, and will allow you to start your home at a higher asking price.

5) Do A Little Yard Work
Again, value is based on perception, and if both the outside and the inside of your home are well-maintained, you're going to be able to ask for more money and have more traffic coming through your home. A few hundred dollars spent on landscaping will actually increase the traffic in your home by 200-500% - which could result in a bidding war over your home, if more people are interested in buying. What better way to get the maximum value than through a bidding war between buyers? Keep your grass cut, gardens tidy, your doors and windows fully painted and cleaned, and polish any metal on your door, railings, or gate.

For Self Defense Is It Necessary To Know How To Kill?

Lets start with a couple of questions:

1. In this day and age, what could possibly be the reason to teach someone how to kill another human with his or her bare hands?

2. Do I actually advocate instructing clients in this very specific, lethal material?

The answer to the first question is that there are many reasons why it is essential one get this lethal knowledge. The answer to the second question is not only do I advocate teaching it but that I absolutely teach it to all my clients.

It is very clear that using violence is appropriate in very few situations. To use violence for any reason other than injuring a human threat who would otherwise maim, cripple, or kill you is extremely risky.

With proper knowledge of the physiology of the vunerable areas of the human women's jackets body one can effectively attack any assailant, regardless of size, strength, or athletic ability.

So it is inconceivable that one could train a client for self protection yet ignore the subject of killing. If faced with a life and death struggle you need clear, concise information on how to systematically shut down the other guy's central nervous system(CNS).

This is especially true for male on female violence, which females must treat as a lethal situation. Also any fighter facing a potentially lethal attack by a larger, stronger or faster human must be able to immediately shut down that human's CNS.

Still, very few instructors teach this direct approach to using violence. Why is this the case? It has been my experience few actually have the skill and expertise to do so.

To hide this deficiency they state legal issues and spiritual reasons for not teaching such principles.

Yet many of the techniques they show directly result in potentially lethal outcomes something that is never pointed out to the client. In fact, most clients go through training with no clear knowledge of which strikes and techniques are lethal and what the impact is on the human body from these strikes and manipulations.

I find it far more dangerous not to know how to kill. When you consider the flip side of that knowledge is the fact that any time you put your hands on another human being to inflict violence you have no idea whatsoever how that person will respond to the strike.

A person built like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime may have a bad heart and your punch to the solar plexus to 'teach him a lesson' may, in fact, kill him. That is why I stress the difference between ego situations and life or death threats.

A few years ago you probably heard about the 'Hockey Dad' trial in Massachusetts. A man ended up going to jail for manslaughter over an argument with his son's Hockey coach. By all accounts the smaller coach was a real jerk and made the kids do some useless and dangerous training on the ice.

This 'Hockey Dad' voiced his concern and the verbal exchange led to a fight. 'Hockey Dad' ended up killing the smaller coach by repeated blows to the head.

It was not intentional, both men were wrong. But the one common factor here was this: neither had any idea of the effects of those strikes upon the other! Both families lost their dads that day; one was killed, the other is in jail.

It is my goal with clients to give them all the lethal knowledge necessary so they can make the decision on whether or not it is worth the potential legal hassles to fight over an ego issue or to instantly be able to destroy the assailant's CNS in a life or death threat.

It's great to hear feedback I get from clients who have easily avoided the 'Hockey Dad' scenarios by having the clear knowledge of the appropriate use of violence. I value that feedback as highly as the ones received from those who used the very same knowledge to save their lives in a life or death threat.

Truly knowing how to kill another human places total responsibility on the trained individual, makes you a far better citizen and, in my experience, far less likely to use violence as an answer to any situation that is not life threatening.

Natural Childbirth and the Hippie Midwife

In blog posts, videos and everyday conversation, I am often comparing the two seemingly opposite worlds of "medical/hospital birth" and "holistic/midwifery care/natural childbirth/homebirth". I have been focusing, as you may know, on the differences in actual healthcare between the two, as well as reasons to consider one or the other.

There is one huge, underlying point which I am afraid had gone undetected by some readers/watchers of the opinion I have been putting out there. I totally take the blame, as I am continually reminded (by lack of addressing this point) that I cannot gloss over anything or assume that anybody already has certain information. This one eluded me, though ironically, because if you know me it is the foundation of how I operate both with my homebirth clients and in providing natural birth education to the internet world as well.

So, I know I am killing you with suspense. What is all this about?

I guess I have forgotten to spell out my underlying philosophy. Well, here it is.

Information-it's for everyone and anyone that wants it. Natural childbirth, homebirth, midwifery care-I do not draw any boundaries, cultural or financially, or based on any stereotype. I have attended births and cared for women in teepees, Amish women, Lesbian women, etc. I could care less who you are (in a stereotypical way) or where you come from. We, as WOMEN, are ALL entitled to information and we are all entitled to birthing our babies as we see fit; and in gaining our own empowerment from that experience. I am no more "expert" than you are; especially about yourself. Being "midwife" (unlike being "doctor") does not change me in my mind when compared to any other woman. I am a woman- one that has chosen, as my life's work, to educate and love and guide other women and babies.

So, would it matter to you if I looked or presented myself d women's jackets ifferently to the world? Seems silly, right? It's hard to believe that a well-meaning reader would be concerned with me having a (purposefully) "hippie" appearance. Actually, she wrote, "it'd be best if you wore some clothes and a hairstyle that's a little more formal." It made me "appear uneducated." So, after I got over wondering where she got that nerve, it got me thinking about the bigger issue. The one that affects all of us.

It's not REALLY about me. It's about all of us that have chosen, will choose or are choosing our right to birth our babies in love and privacy, not violence. Since when does that have to LOOK a certain way? To make a difference in the world, we have got to get away from the idea that those with "authority" are above us, "formal," more educated. That, as midwives, as WOMEN, we have got to appeal to the doctors and the men out there wanting to tell us how to birth anyway. Let me tell you, a lab coat or scrubs is not going to change anyone's world. And in my world, it's not for the better.

I know she meant well. This reader, that is. But the truth is, the problem is hers. My appearance bothered her husband; but if either of them, or you, is looking for someone to be the authority, to tell you what to do, and then believe them because they look a certain way... then you are probably not ready for a homebirth. That is the simple truth.

Would I address a council of doctors or stand in a courtroom with my hippie midwife attire? No. But when I address the women of this country, this world, about their power as women, I will not try to put myself above them. Above YOU. We are all sisters, if not in this lifetime, then another. There is no one more powerful, more authoritative in your life and your decisions than YOU.

So, thank you, dear reader. You have enlightened me to the fact that there is even more work to be done here than I thought. There's no discrimination here-any volunteers?

Learn About Alopecia And How It Affects You

You may have heard the term alopecia and the term hair loss to used interchangeably. If you are new to hair loss, you may not be sure what that term alopecia meant. Well it's actually rather simple.

Hairloss is the term that the common man or woman on the street will use to refer to any form of alopecia. Hairloss is the generic phrase used by people to refer to all types of hairloss - no matter what the cause might be. Alopecia is a specific medical term with far more varieties than you could ever imagine.

Let's take a look at some of the challenges that face people with hair loss or alopecia. The most common type of hairloss is male pattern baldness. This condition affects 85%+ of all males. The medical term for this is alopecia androgenetica or androgentic alopcia. These both mean the exact same thing. Androgen refers to the hormone "allergy" that causes male pattern baldness. Genetica refers to the fact that this type of hairloss is a genetically inherited condition. Again, male pattern baldness is a genetic condition.

There are other types of alopecia as well. The next most common type of alopecia is alopecia areata which is the loss of patches of hair on the scalp or on other parts of the body. This type of alopecia affects men, women and children of any age or background. The most difficult aspect of this hairloss is that it can appear without warning - even when you're in perfect health.

There are several causes but the most common are stress, prolonged illness, viral infection and sometimes even extreme allergic reactions to some medications. The good news is that hairloss from alopecia areata is rarely permanent and regrowth of lost hair is possible in many patients. Two of the most popular treatments for alopecia areata are cortisone injections to the affected area or the use of a 5% minoxidil solution. Many people with this condition claim very positive results from the use of essential oil therapies.

In some cases, a very stressful event causes this type of alopecia. Once you get past that stress related event, your hair will gradually start to return.

Next is alopecia totalis. This is the complete loss of all body h fashion coats air - including scalp, face and body hair. In some cases your nail growth can also be effected. Again this type of alopecia can appear in healthy adults with little or no warning. It shares many of the same causes with alopecia areata but stress seems to be very common as a cause for alopecia totalis.

A popular form of treatment for this alopecia is something called topical immunotherapy. This is where a chemical irritant is applied to the hairless area. The idea is that by irritating the area with specific chemicals that your immune system is forced to fight back and this can trigger hair growth. The use of essential oils is also quite popular in treating alopecia totalis.

If you are experiencing some of the conditions that we have discussed here, the best thing to do is make an appointment and consultation with your doctor. Getting a professional medical opinion is one of the best things you can do. Your doctor can work it used to prescribe a regimen to help put your condition.

Bedlington Terrier And The Good And Not So Good Aspects Of This Breed

The Bedlington Terrier looks more like a lamb than a dog, but do not let her appearance fool you. She is not a pushover. She can be very aggressive with other animals and stubborn. She may do well with other dogs as long as they do not try to dominate her. She may get along with cats if you socialize her for cats early. She will also get along with older children well. As a reminder, never leave any young child unsupervised with a puppy or dog for any length of time.

She can be raised in an apartment as long as she is walked frequently and her high intelligence is also exercised. She is a good watch dog and likes to bark. Generally she gets along well with strangers.

*Approximate Adult Size. The ideal approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Bedlington Terrier is 16 and one half inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and the ideal female adult height at the withers is 15 and one half inches. The weight should run between 17 and 23 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. All dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed. With the Bedlington Terrier be aware of Copper Toxicosis, Detached Retina, Distichiasis, Canine Micropthalmia, Cataracts, Lacrimal Duct Atresia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Retinal Dysplasia, Renal Cortical Hypoplasia, Thyroid Problems and Kidney Disease.

*Grooming. Bedlington Terriers need weekly combing even though they barely shed and are considered non-allergenic for owners. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Additionally, she will need to see a professional groomer often to be clipped to keep her coat in good shape.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath women's jackets and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The can live up from 14 to 17 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Bedlington Terrier was originally named the Rothbury Terrier and was kept and bred by gypsies for small game hunting. She was first shown in the town of Bedlington, England, in 1870, hence the name. She was rumored to also be used as a fighting dog. The Bedlington Terrier was approved as a breed by the American Kennel Association on September 12, 1967.

Some Registries:

Bedlington Terrier Club of America. Inc.

National Bedlington Terrier Club (UK)

UKC United Kennel Club

NKC National Kennel Club

CKC Continental Kennel Club

APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

AKC American Kennel Club

FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain

ANKC Australian National Kennel Club

ACR American Canine Registry

Category: Terrier. Galloping or coursing breed.

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Barely sheds.

Is non allergenic in most cases.

Good watch dog.

Intelligent but sometimes difficult to train.

Can run very fast.

High energy dog.

Will tolerate both heat and cold.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Not a guard dog.

Will fight a dog that tries to dominate it.

Likes to dig.

Needs to be restrained as she likes to chase and is very fast.

Can be stubborn.

She likes to bark.

May either go over or under a fence or both!

Has serious potential health problems.

The breed has a wide variation of personality.

*Other Names Known By: Gypsy Dog, Rothbury Terrier

The Link Between Water Mills And A Coat Of Arms

Peugeot and Vauxhall car manufacturers have had mixed success over the years but today are both so far up on the popularity list that some suppliers have decided to combine the two into joint Peugeot and Vauxhall dealerships.

Peugeot have enjoyed steady success since their inception into the motor industry in 1898 with their steam powered tricycle, considered the first automobile, and Vauxhall have played a very triumphant game of catch up.

Jean Pequinot Peugeot originally enjoyed success building water mills but not content with this, and using his obsession with wheels and cogs, he and his company then went on to produce coffee grinders, razors, sewing machines, roasting spits, watch springs, clocks, garden furniture (not sure how that fits!), saws, bicycles, tricycles and gramophones.

In the early years of Peugeot a gold engraver was commissioned with designing the lion trademark for steel articles manufactured in Peugeot Brothers factories. The durability, quickness and suppleness of a lion is comparable to that of steel and so th women's coats e company logo was born.

With a similar looking beast representing the Vauxhall, the Griffin is based on the coat of arms of Fulk Le Breant, a mercenary soldier who, on marriage, was granted the Manor of an area of London, later known as Vauxhall. It also turns out that he had the Manor of Luton for services to King John and is therefore connected to both areas of Vauxhall production.

Peugeot did struggle at first in the bicycle market against the British but after stirring up some patriotic fervour, many competitors for the Paris - Nantes race in 1889 chose to use Peugeot cycles and were on the first five across the finishing line. Still riding on this success, the company endeavoured to set up a car hire firm in 1898 but this failed dismally.

Around the same time, Vauxhall were still building pumps and marine engines in Vauxhall, London. Their first car was released in 1903 swiftly followed in 1905 by the company's move to Luton where they were well known for their sporty looking cars. General Motors bought the company in 1925 and their sporty look was tamed into a more conservative American styling.

Peugeot took over with the sports influence and began their life-long move into the world of Motorsport winning the Monte Carlo rally in 1931. Rallies and races all over the world have seen Peugot take the lead right up to today with races now being won in the Peugeot 908. This has kept them in the spotlight and Peugeot have enjoyed steady success.

Vauxhall have not found things so easy. Even with the Calibra Coupe of 1989, which was officially the most aerodynamic car in the world at the time, they have still struggled to overcome their reputation for corrosion.

However, it can't possibly be all bad. They are now closer than ever to Ford in terms of sales figures and with their latest models veering back into sports mode they are becoming ever popular among the young. Personally, I have owned two Vauxhalls over the last 10 years. A Cavalier which proved to be very reliable and an Astra 2.0 which was a fantastic little car but did earn me 6 points for speeding!

Despite the differences in their history, Peugeot cars and Vauxhall cars are now on a par with each other to the point where dealerships are happy to combine the two.

Tips on Oil Painting - Solvents Mediums and Varnishes

If you paint with oils you will need a solvent to clean your brushes and thin your paints. Of course, if you paint with water soluble oils then your solvent will be water.
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Turpentine is a standard solvent used to thin ordinary oil paints. You can purchase turpentine in any art supply store or hardware store. In some cases, the kind of turpentine you buy in a hardware store may be fresher because of the shorter turnaround t women's coats ime.
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Some artists work with mineral spirits. These are also available in hardware stores. To save money, buy the largest available quantity and use a smaller container when you do your actual painting.
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Tube oil paint (i.e., oil paint directly from the tube) can be difficult to manipulate. Some colors are stiffer than others and may be hard to evenly distribute over your canvas. To solve this problem, artists often need to mix their tube paints with a so-called painting medium.
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A painting medium is a liquid solution that makes the oil paint smoother and easier to manipulate. Adding any one of a number of different painting mediums changes the consistency of the paint. Some mediums are meant to make the paint thinner for glazing and others are meant to make the paint thicker for impasto painting. There are also mediums to shorten or lengthen the drying.
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The most basic medium is regular turpentine. Adding a little turpentine thins oils paint. Another frequently used medium is linseed oil, which makes the paint more fluid but, over time, it also tends to yellow the paint. The most commonly used medium is a combination of turpentine and linseed oil, sometimes with the addition of a little damar varnish.
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Begin by experimenting with a half-and-half mixture of turpentine and linseed oil. Because linseed oil slows down the drying process, you may want to increase the proportion of turpentine. A good mixture is three parts of turpentine to one part of linseed oil.
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Once you find the medium you like, mix a batch and store it in a tightly sealed jar. As you paint, dip your brush into the medium, then add a little paint, then mix them together on your palette (mixing surface).
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Preliminary compositions can be drawn on your canvas with a so-called thin turp wash, i.e., a little bit of paint with a lot of turpentine. A turp wash evaporates very quickly, so you can quickly paint over them.
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In general, the more turpentine you use the matter the finish will be and the more linseed oil you use the glossier it will be. If you like robust, permanently visible brushstrokes, you may want to use less medium. Dry brush is one technique where you do not add any medium at all.
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Special painting mediums are also available that change the oil paint in different ways. The most common are those that shorten or lengthen the drying time of the oil paint. Check your art supply store or the Internet to see the available types of mediums. All medium bottles will show instructions on how best to use the particular medium.
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Oil paintings must be varnished to protect them from undesirable elements such as dirt and toxins. Varnish is a clear solution made from a resin and turpentine or some other solvent.
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In art-supply stores you will see two major types, retouching varnish and picture varnish. Depending on the paint layer thickness, it can take six months or more for an oil painting to dry. In the meantime, the surface of the painting needs to be protected with a coat of retouching varnish. After the varnish is applied, the turpentine evaporates, and leaving a thin protective coat. You can apply retouching varnish as soon as the paint feels dry to the touch.
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Picture varnish contains more resin than retouching varnish. It should be applied about six months after you complete a painting. If you paint with impasto-like brushstrokes, you may have to wait as long as a year before applying the final coat.
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Both types of varnish are applied in the same manner. Using a broad, flat nylon brush, apply the varnish evenly using horizontal strokes. You can also use retouching varnish to brighten dry dull patches in your painting.?

Otterhound Puppy And Dog Information

The Otterhound needs plenty of exercise and is considered a great jogging companion. Be sure to have her under control as she will go off after a scent. She was originally a pack animal so she generally gets along well with other canines. She may not do as well with other, smaller pets so be sure to socialize her with them as a puppy. She loves children but can be a bit clumsy and may upset or knock over toddlers. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Otterhound is 23 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 65 to 120 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Otterhound id no exception. Although considered a very healthy dog, be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), hemophilia and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat.
This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Otterhound has a double coat that has a messed up, shaggy ap women's coats pearance. The outer coat is hard and the inner coat is soft and furry. There is a protective oil on the coat which can have an odor. She should be brushed every couple of days. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Her beard may need to be washed to rid it of dirt and food particles.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Otterhound can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Otterhound comes from Great Britain where they were used in packs to kill river otters. They are very good trackers. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1910.

Some Registries:
*The Otterhound Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 7 to 10 Otterhound puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe: Even tempered, friendly, lively,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dogs.
Get along well with other dogs.
Can give sloppy kisses.
Not a big barker.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dogs.
Coat is oily and can smell.
Tends to shed plenty.
Can be difficult to train.
Can tend to roam and chase scents.
Can be willful.
May snore.

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Womens Work Boot Brands

Historically, work boots have been designed primarily with men in mind. Work boots were generally bulky, more rugged in their look, and made to fit the width of a man's foot. Manufacturer's have since began making more work boots specifically for women. They've started by offering traditional work boots in womens sizes and widths and some have also started offering feminine styling as well. This article discusses some of the brands that make non-western womens work boots and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Bates - Bates Work boots for Women are built in womens widths, but tend to have little by way of feminine looks. Most are made in tactical black and are built with uniform styling in mind and light weight functionality. Most boots have a steel toe option and one great feature of Womens Bates Work boots is the side zipper option for easy on and off.

Black Diamond - Womens Black Diamond Work Boots are ideal for Journeymen, engineers, and public works where one is immersed deep in water for long periods of time. Great for work and in womens sizes, but not feminine in their look.

Blundstone - Easy slip on boots in various styles designed to be slip resistant and comfortable, but do not come in safety toe options and are not feminine.

Caterpillar - Womens Caterpillar work shoes are very durable and come with many of the safety features that their sister brand Wolverine come with at a slightly reduced cost. These are a great option for the woman who needs deep tread and great durability, but the work boots lack feminine styling that is ideal for the general worker who has more wardrobe flexibility.

Converse/Rockport - Converse Work and Rockport Work are both made from the Warson Group and have effectively the same specifications. Warson is one of the largest suppliers of womens work boots and shoes. They make just about every style of work boot and have a number of sneaker and hiker styles that you would never guess are engineered work shoes. A good option for the factory worker who needs a slip resistant sole or safety-toe but does not need the rugged durability of a conventional work boot.

Dr. Martens - Since it's inception, Dr. Martens boots were designed for work. The extremely durable design and long wearing soles were great for work in the factory. The disadvantages to Dr. Martens Boots is that the number of style women's jackets s that offer steel-toes is limited, few of their styles have been engineered for slip resistance and other specialty situations, and their insoles do not offer great comfort or protection from foot compression. Where Dr. Martens make up for their limitations is in their attention to style, the feminine options and popularity. They make a durable work boot that also looks good and can be paired with many outfits.

Georgia Boot - Georgia Boot does not offer a lot of different womens work boots. All of their boots are heavy weight extremely durable boots with good tread. They over a Logger boot, and some tread heavy wellingtons. Ideal for a work environment on an outdoor jobsite or an engineering setting.

Magnum - Womens Magnum Work Boots have a very similar look and feel to Bates work boots. They make almost exclusively tactical boots, meaning all boots are black and womens boots look the same as mens boots. The advantage of Magnum boots are that they are lightweight and comfortable, but they are not feminine in any way.

Rocky - Rocky makes a number of womens work boot styles which are very similar in style to Georgia Boots. Most styles are tall with options up to 12" high, and all are made with durability and outdoor functionality in mind. They do have steel toe options and some side zip options but are not intended to be a fashion statement.

Timberland - Similar in style and option to Caterpillar. Timberland work boot offerings for women are limited primarily to temperate weather outdoor work environments. They have, however, started to venture into some fashionable work boots now making a Bubble Gum Pink work boot with some additional feminine offerings coming soon.

Wolverine Boots - The final brand on the list for womens work boots is wolverine. Wolverine has made a number of styles of womens work boots and shoes. The have an entire series of womens slip ons in different colors and feminine shapes all containing the iCS comfort system. In addition, they have womens hiker styles, wellington boots, and traditional work boots for women. Wolverine stands out as the premium brand for durability and comfort, and makes some feminine work shoes, but falls short of other brands when it comes to the selection of feminine work boots.

There are a few other smaller brands not discussed in this review, but all the major brands that make all weather work boots for women have been discussed here. As always, the right work boot for you depends on the type of work you are doing. Your work footwear is intended to keep you protected and keep you working longer. However, if and when a fashionable and lightweight feminine boot or shoe can do that for you, it can be a good alternative to the traditional and mundane work boot.