Today's Obsessions

---

• 10 Techniques for a Youthful Look …
• 8 Hilarious SpongeBob Characters …
• 7 Fun Websites to Add Effects to your Pictures …
• 8 Do’s on Dates …
• 7 Great Accessories by Lucky Penny …
• 7 of the Best Varsity Inspired Garments …
• 7 World’s Most Unusual Animals …
• 7 Ways to Make Your Partner Listen …
• 7 Tips to Improve your Wireless Connection …
• 7 Tips on Applying for Grants …
• 7 Ways to Stop Feeling So Sleepy All Day …
• 9 Reasons Every Girl Should Read …
• 7 Pairs of Premium Jeans …
• 7 Must Sail Amazing Cruises …
• 8 Great Topics to Blog About …
• 8 PMS Symptoms We Hate …
• 5 Juicy Celebrity Tidbits to Delight You …
• 8 Cons Of Being Self-Employed …
• 7 Reasons Women Gossip …

10 Techniques for a Youthful Look … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:00 PM PST There are days, I think, where any woman can start feeling sort of blah about the way she looks. I’m only twenty…mumblemumble, and some days I wake up looking and feeling like I have no energy whatsoever. It’s amazing what you can do for a more youthful appearance, though, and these are techniques you can use no matter what your age. Maybe some of these 10 techniques for a youthful look will work for you! 1. Matte Matters Matte does matter, and it might be a good idea to stay away from it. When it comes to foundations, it’s better to stick to a loose powder, and use a makeup brush to apply it. Matte powders provide a flat, dry finish on your face, and that can make anyone look older because it actually emphasizes imperfections, whether it’s a blemish, a line, or a wrinkle. 2. Trim It Up Eyebrows can be the key to a youthful look. For instance, if your brows aren’t shaped properly for your face, it can make you look sad, not to mention old. Make sure they stay trimmed but that their shape flatters and accentuates the overall shape of your face. Keep those tops trimmed up as well, though, so they don’t get too wild. 3. Always Moisturize You must moisturize. The end. Start now. Moisturizer is so important, it doesn’t matter how old you are; you’re never too young or too old to start. It will make your skin smooth, soft, supple, and if you start early, then you’ll see positive effects as you start to get older.

8 Hilarious SpongeBob Characters … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:52 AM PST As much as I adore SpongeBob, it's nearly impossible for me to believe the show has been on for more than ten seasons. It's still funny, and I still love the plot lines and characters. In fact, as some of the characters have developed over the years, I've started to see myself and my friends in some of them — I'm a total Squidward. As different as they are, they're all so funny, too… here are 7 hilarious SpongeBob characters. 1. Squidward Tentacles Image source: | Katy Star | I am a total Squidward, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. He's straight-laced, sort of nerdy, loves tea and books and art… and he listens to public radio. Of course, I wear pants, and don't work as a cashier in a fast-food restaurant, but other than that, we have a lot in common. Squidward may be boring, but he's hilarious, and often it's because of his extreme "refinement." 2. Sandy Cheeks Image source: unitedspongebob.com While it seems unlikely that a squirrel would ever find her way to the bottom of the sea, you don't know Sandy. She's an inventor, a fearless Texan, a girl who loves Pantera music and all sorts of action. She's tough, but cute, and she's so very funny! 3. Eugene Krabs Image source: thecartoonpictures.com Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob's boss, is cheap. Extremely cheap. This gets him into all sorts of trouble, most of which is hilarious. He also has a long-running contest with Plankton, a crush on Mrs. Puff, and — somehow — a teenaged whale for a daughter. I adore his pirate-y accent, too.

7 Fun Websites to Add Effects to your Pictures … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:49 AM PST I love using Photoshop and making my pictures into neat things. I love taking pictures of my character in World of Warcraft and doing cool graphics with it. I also enjoy creating banners that I post around the Internet. I even include a picture of me at the top of this page, which one of these sites helped me make. There’s just so much that you can do with websites that add neat effects in your pictures. The things I do on these websites in one minute (usually 2 clicks of the button), it would take me 30 minutes to an hour or more on Photoshop 7. Call me funny, but I only recently started to use these sites. I am going to recommend 7 fun websites to add effects to your pictures … 7. Dollar Bill Don’t you think you deserve a spot on that dollar? Do you love money so much that you want your face on it? Well then, here’s the site that will allow you to do it! Just please, don’t print it out and try to spend it. 6. Photfunia This is a lot like Dumpr, but I believe you have many more options to choose from. I was able to put myself on the front of Vogue on this picture – I must say, it looked good! 5. Fun Photo This site is awesome – I created a really beautiful picture on here. I think making this picture would have taken me an hour in photoshop 7, but here, it only took me a minute or two – not bad at all.

8 Do’s on Dates … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:17 AM PST If you have a date coming up, then there are some things that you should do and not do. Right now, we are going to focus on those things that you should do by giving you 8 do’s on dates … 8. Do Show Up On Time You should always show up on time for that date. Yes, things tend to come up, but do not let those things come up before every single date. This does not show very good time management on your half. 7. Do Give Eye Contact I believe that when you talk to someone you love, you should give them eye contact. When you are on your date and your date is talking to you, it would not hurt to look them in the eye. There is a special connection when you look each other in the eyes – surely, you know what I am talking about. I always said that the eyes are windows to the soul and this is true. 6. Do Turn Off Your Cell Phone When you are on a date, you should always make sure you turn that cell phone off – unless you are a doctor who is on call.

7 Great Accessories by Lucky Penny … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:13 AM PST Once I find a designer or brand I love, I'm fiercely loyal, looking to them first for all of my new wants and needs. I've recently discovered an accessories brand I adore, Lucky Penny, and I'm delighted that Anthropologie carries part of their line of shoes, bags, and more. Intrigued? Keep reading! Here are 7 great accessories by Lucky Penny… 1. Lucky Penny Bands & Buckles Flats Price: $128.00 at anthropologie.com Take a simple ecru ballet flat and wind them with cocoa leather straps, finished with three adjustable brass buckles, and you have the perfect shoes for wearing with a floral-print frock, sweater and knit leggings, or skinny jeans and a tank. 2. Lucky Penny Secret Locales Hobo Price: $198.00 at anthropologie.com This gorgeous hobo bag fastens shut with a generously tasseled rope tie with matching straps and a crinkled earth-tone leather body. Pair with tall wedges, skinny jeans, and your best vintage Boho tunic for a day of flea marketing, or with a tweedy office suit for weekday use. 3. Lucky Penny Open Spaces Wedges Price: $168.00 at anthropologie.com These wedges are designed to show off a peek of your favorite tights or socks, with a Mary Jane-inspired cutout just above the clever buckle at the toe. They also boast an ankle-high bootie with a matching brass-studded buckle, so you'll always get a perfect fit to go along with your chic style.

7 of the Best Varsity Inspired Garments … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:56 AM PST Ever since seeing that iconic final scene in Grease, with John Travolta wearing a Letterman cardigan, I've been a fan of varsity dressing. I think this preppy, clean-cut look is such a nice change from the more gregarious fashion trends of late. Pretend you're back at school with the following varsity inspired garments. It's as simple as throwing on a Letterman cardigan! 1. Forever21 Letterman Contrast Jacket Price: $29.00 at forever21.com This is such a trendy take on the traditional letterman design. With French terry sleeves and a leatherette construction, you'll definitely be too cool for school in this number. Wear it over a t-shirt dress, or a tank and shorts. I'd love to incorporate something similar into my wardrobe. 2. Forever21 Knit Sleeve Jacket Price: $12.99 at forever21.com This jacket is old-school prep with a modern twist. The puffed sleeves add a real feminine touch to the design. The antique finish buttons are also a nice design detail. I think that this jacket would be ideal for throwing over a range of outfits. You can't go wrong! 3. Forever21 Letterman Sweater Price: $19.80 at forever21.com Now this is an iconic Letterman-style piece. The striped sleeve, the collegiate lettering – it just screams varsity prep! The navy and cream colour combination is a classic and will always be on-trend. I think this is a must in any prepster's wardrobe.

7 World’s Most Unusual Animals … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:23 AM PST From rude jokes to strange comments, when somebody in your surroundings has a weird sense of humor, the number of strange, puzzling and even very unpleasant situations you can find yourself in is certainly vast. But what happens when the person with the weird sense of humor is nobody else but our dear Mother Nature? Well, check out this list of 7 weird animals and tell me what you think: 1. Pink Fairy Armadillo Image source: JasonCross LOL! I totally understand the armadillo part although I don't see anything fairy-like to justify the pretty name this utterly strange looking animal bears. This interesting combination of a regular armadillo, any bird of prey and a fluffy cushion you'd normally expect sitting on the couch rather than running around lives in dry areas of Argentina and feeds on ants and ant larvae. Ahem, now isn't that a quality every fairy should possess? I sincerely doubt that… 2. Long-eared Jerboa Image source: fun-gallery.com Awww, now this furry creature is something I'd love to have as a pet! My wish will never come true, though, because Jerboas are on the list of endangered species. These inhabitants of Chinese and Mongolian deserts are often called " the Mickey Mouse of the desert" because of their long ears, however, the thing I like about them the most are their adorable puppy dog eyes. I know puppy dog eyes and rodents don't really go together but just look at it! It's so adorable! 3. Axolotl Image source: margemtropical Axolotl, Ajolote or Wooper Rooper – all these names refer to this strange aquatic animal that's not like anything you've seen before. It's colorful, cute, has arms and legs as well as the ability to regenerate most body parts so, if you are considering a pet that's more interesting than a fish and doesn't need to be taken out for a walk at least twice a day, Axolotl is an ideal choice. It's actually a mutated salamander or salamander sub-specie at least and, although the term "mutation" doesn't sound very nice, I'd say the end result turned out completely fine. I mean, what can be so wrong with an animal that always looks like it's smiling?

7 Ways to Make Your Partner Listen … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:16 AM PST Husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend: it can be hard to have a discussion with your partner. Communication is difficult at the best of times, and when there’s a serious issue at hand, it can get frustrating. However, you can make sure your partner pays attention to what you’re saying. There are 7 ways to make your partner listen which can help – and they may help your partner as well. 1. Don’t Judge When someone feels like they are being judged, it is a natural urge to shut down or become defensive. Even if you don’t agree with something your partner has said, or his or her point of view on a certain matter, you can’t make judgment. Try to understand, because judging won’t solve anything. 2. Don’t Accuse By the same token, being accusatory will do much more harm than good. If you accuse your partner of something, it will make it seem like he or she has done something wrong – and your partner may not see it that way. But even still, think about how you feel when you’re accused. It doesn’t feel good, and might even make you shut down, so remember that. 3. Don’t Make Demands Asking for something is one that. Demanding something is another thing entirely. Be careful here, make sure you ask for things rather than making demands. That can make your partner feel like a child at best, and you don’t want that.

7 Tips to Improve your Wireless Connection … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PST A slow wireless connection is a great source of frustration for me. If you find yourself in the same boat, then the following tips might help. Here are 7 tips to improve your wireless connection. 7. Reduce interference A number of wireless electronics within your home operate on the same frequency that many routers use. Some of these devices include; garage door openers, baby monitors, microwaves, and cordless telephones. Make sure none of these devices are placed near the router. You might even try turning unplugging them to see if one might be the culprit for your crummy wireless connection. 6. Replace your laptop's network adapter You'll only need to do this if your laptop doesn't already have built-in wireless networking capability. The router might be sending out powerful signals, but sometimes laptops aren't able to receive the signals being sent. Upgrading to a USB wireless network adapter can boost your computer's ability to receive the router signals. 5. Don't mix vendors This means if you buy a router from one company, then purchase the adaptor from the same one. Some devices will still work together, but you might keep the signal going strong by simply using equipment from the same manufacturer. Having the same vendor for all your equipment will also allow you to upgrade your router without having the upgrade interview with any adaptor or antenna you might have added.

7 Tips on Applying for Grants … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 09:55 AM PST The following 7 tips on applying for grants can be useful for any size of grant you might be thinking of applying for. The first time you fill one out, the process is going to seem a bit daunting, especially if the application is for a rather large grant. Take your time and ease into the process. It might be helpful to start small and work your way up to larger grants later on. 7. Don't get frustrated There are many aspects involved with applying for grants and it's easy to become frustrated with the entire process. Take your time collecting information, filling out forms, and be prepared to make adjustments when necessary. 6. Have someone look over your application before sending it in It helps to have the opinion of someone else as to whether or not your application is easy to understand. It's also beneficial if the person critiquing your application has filled out a few of their own in the past. They will be able to know what to look for and give you tips on what needs to be changed. 5. Find out how long it will be before you receive any form of notification Knowing approximately how long you need to wait before you should start to become concerned is useful. Most organizations will have an approximate length of time that you should expect to wait before being notified of your acceptance. They should also notify you if your application was declined and they might even offer some feedback on why it was declined.

7 Ways to Stop Feeling So Sleepy All Day … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 09:33 AM PST Do you ever have those days where you just feel exhausted, all day long? I hate that feeling. That lack of energy just drags me down all day, and even if I feel like I’ve gotten plenty of sleep the night before, I wind up feeling sluggish and exhausted. I confess, this feeling is worse around that pesky, draining time of the month, which isn’t so unusual but still, frankly, sucks. Well, I’m tired of it so I found out what I could do to make it stop, and wanted to share these excellent ways to stop feeling so sleepy all day with y’all, too. 1. Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal This is such a cliché but apparently it’s true. I mean, I have to be honest, I rarely eat breakfast; I’m just never hungry when I first wake up in the morning. Skipping breakfast is almost guaranteed to make you feel lethargic all day, though. You need that energy to keep going – so naturally, you should not only eat breakfast, but you should try to make it as nutritious as possible as well. 2. Aerobics Doing aerobics a few times a week, even, can be enormously helpful in making you feel energized and awake every other day as well. Aerobic exercises get your blood and heart pumping, which is extremely important. Even if you just do aerobics in your home, you’ll start seeing the benefits almost immediately. 3. Staying Active Even if exercising isn’t always practical or you can’t do it every day, you can – and should – be active every day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, for example, and if you can, go to the bathroom on another floor in your office building. Don’t drive when you can walk somewhere, and you can even park farther away from wherever you’re going, whether it’s an office or the grocery store.

9 Reasons Every Girl Should Read … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 09:27 AM PST I hate to think that people don't read anymore; far too many of us are putting down books on a more and more permanent basis. Believe me ladies, I like TV as much as the next girl, but I still think there's more to be gained from the written word. Here are nine good reasons to get stuck into a story … 1. Improve Your Language Skills Regular reading improves your vocabulary, your grasp of grammar and your spelling. Good language skills are a vital part of so many jobs today, and nothing puts a potential employer off more than spelling errors and broken sentences in a CV. 2. Broaden Your Horizons Books introduce you to new ideas – new philosophies – and good ones will flesh these out, allowing you time to meditate and ruminate as you go. What you read invariably sticks in your mind more permanently than images flashing before you on a screen, and so in this way, books help to expand your general knowledge. 3. Gain Historical Insights I have to say that probably most of what I know about history and how people lived in the past comes from reading the classics. Books written hundreds of years ago are windows into another time and an older mindset, and most of them can be a gripping today as they were at the time of publication.

7 Pairs of Premium Jeans … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:44 AM PST Along with an amazing LBD, fantastic red lipstick, and sheer ruffled blouse, every woman needs at least one pair of flattering premium jeans. You know, a pair of jeans that look like they were made for her, in lush denim, a pair of jeans that can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a still-chic casual Friday. If you're in the market for a new pair, I can help! Here are 7 pairs of premium jeans… 1. J Brand Skinny Moto Price: $218.00 at anthropologie.com Looking for a pair of jeans with a big of an edge to them, something to wear with your biker boots or to give a little urban attitude to a frilly sheer blouse? These jeans feature a traditional skinny cut with zip-close side pockets, reinforced knees and zippers at the ankles. They're available in black or mossy brown, ideal for layering with tunics or a cropped jacket… or that ruffled sheer blouse! 2. Citizens of Humanity Dita Petite Price: $189.00 at anthropologie.com Skinny jeans may be all the rage, but they're not as flattering to your feminine curves as bootleg cuts. This pair of jeans is supremely flattering, with long, lean legs and a slight boot cut at the end, in a gorgeous classic wash and five-pocket styling. I'd wear these with a vintage plaid or floral-print shirt and western-inspired boots and a braided leather cuff. 3. Paige Denim Hidden Hills Straight Leg Price: $189.00 at anthropologie.com These inky black straight-leg jeans are ideal for dressing up for date night or a night out with the girls. They feature a classic five-pocket style, made of a slightly stretchy cotton/spandex blend. Pair with tall boots and your favorite sequined tunic for dress, or with a plain oversized tee and flats for weekend comfort.

7 Must Sail Amazing Cruises … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:12 AM PST Unlike other forms or travel and vacation, cruises combine exotic destinations with a rich travelling experience. Your vacation doesn't start when you land at the destination, but from the moment you get on board the cruise. For those of you who want to experience the world of cruising, here are the must sail amazing cruises from around the world. 1. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Photo Credit:  cruises.about.com The Cunard cruise line has always been a popular choice. This particular cruise is a heavenly combination of age old traditional values and modern comforts. You can cruise through Northern Europe, as well as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas. 2. Victoria's Victoria Jenna Photo Credit: chinanewtrip.com This is one of the most must sail amazing cruises along a river. It takes you along China's Yangtze River and features great amenities as well as exciting itineraries. 3. Abercrombie and Kent's MV Le Boreal Photo Credit:  Abercrombie&Kent If stately travel is not all that you want and it is excitement and adventure you are looking for, then this is definitely one of the must sail amazing cruises. This is an expedition ship that takes you to explore the last frontier: Antarctica. It has a range of high class amenities and the explorations are just breathtaking.

8 Great Topics to Blog About … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 07:54 AM PST If you are a writer, creating a blog is an excellent way to further your art and develop a fan following. A number of bloggers also manage to make good money from blogging thanks to online advertisers and related sponsors. The trick is to choose a topic you are interested in and can write well about. Here are 8 great topics to blog about. 1. Celebrity news and gossip Celebrity news and gossip have quite an online readership following. If you are able to obtain interesting and up to date information about celebrities and their latest happenings, your blog will develop a substantial following. 2. Weight loss tips Fitness, health and weight loss are the latest buzzwords in our daily lives and a number of people would like to find out more about how they can stay fit and lose weight. If it is a topic that you are well versed in and can write about authoritatively, you will find a number of followers online interested in your views. 3. Fashion trends and deals Fashion news and trends are almost as popular as celebrity news. People like to know what the latest trends are, the most desirable handbags and shoes. They like to know which celebrity is endorsing which product and where they can get the best deals. It is a blog topic that will attract sponsors from fashion retailers as well as designers.

8 PMS Symptoms We Hate … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 07:43 AM PST Being a woman comes with great advantages. But there are some things-namely PMS-that can make it not so great on certain days. No one enjoys those days, at least no one I know! As women, we can all sympathize with each other and some of us more than others. Two reasons I’ve found that make PMS symptoms good-and only two!-are because you get to play the “PMS” card to your friends, hubby, co-workers and parents. Come on, a little extra sympathy or space never hurt anybody! And the other reason would be that you’re not pregnant. Whew! Another month to breathe easy! That said, there are many other reasons to hate PMS…..And here they are! 1. Bloating Don’t you just love waking up to find that you’re late for work and your favorite jeans won’t button? Yup. Blame it on BLOATING. I never had to deal with bloating until I turned about 17 and now it’s a monthly occurrence. If you don’t suffer from bloating monthly, you should count yourself lucky! I’ve found that drinking lots of water and avoiding salty foods help a lot. I also try to wear clothes with more elasticity in them for comfort around the house and looser-fitting clothes when I go out so it’s not as noticeable. 2. Mood Swings Laughing one moment, crying the next, extreme irritability, even uncontrollable laughter-yep. I’ve dealt with it all! My guess is that most women have. I’m not one of those girls who cries often or easily but it never seems to fail during PMS I will be bawling about something, no matter how trivial it may be! There’s really not a lot you can do for mood swings, just cut yourself some slack and play the PMS card as much as you can! Try to find ways to relax and unwind, bubble baths, chocolate, massages, a good book-whatever works for you.

5 Juicy Celebrity Tidbits to Delight You … Posted: 02 Mar 2011 06:51 AM PST 1. Tour Jennifer Aniston’s Beverly Hills Home It’s for sale, by the way. If you have an extra $42 million somewhere, you might want to buy Jen’s house. But first, do you like her taste? 2. Gorgeous Moms on the Red Carpet Did you keep tabs on the moms that hit the Oscars red carpet? Who were your favorites? Mine would have to be Reese Witherspoon. She looked beautiful. 3. Baby Oscar for Natalie? I agree with her, though, having two Oscars in the house can be confusing.  Although, the name Oscar does carry some sort of magic for this time in her life no? 4. Unforgettable Celebrity Hairstyles Britney and her pink wig. The Rachel. Amy Winehouse’s beehive. Fun ‘dos; fun styles to copy. Methinks this list is missing a Rihanna hairstyle, though. 5. Animosity Between James Franco and Anne Hathaway Do they hate each other? Their reps say that it’s not true. I hope not! I want them to have babies together! So tell us, what celeb news did you find juicy today?

8 Cons Of Being Self-Employed … Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:07 PM PST I recently did a post on the advantages of being self-employed, so now I'm going to look at the disadvantages. This isn't intended to put anyone off, but when you're considering self-employment, it's important to consider all factors, good and bad, so that you can make a balanced decision. 1. Irregular Income The major problem with working independently is the uncertainty about income. When you're used to having a regular salary, it can come as a big shock not knowing how much money you've got coming in. Plus clients can be late paying, so cash flow can be a real problem. 2. Finding Clients As a self-employed person, you have to be proactive and constantly search for clients. They won't just come to you! You have to get your name known and build up a reputation (word of mouth is an excellent way of getting business, as people often prefer to ask friends for recommendations. 3. Motivation When working for yourself, you have to be disciplined. Suddenly you don't have a fixed timetable, with someone telling you what to do. It can be very difficult to motivate yourself to sit down and work, as there is always something that needs doing around the house, or something more interesting going on. But no work, no pay!

7 Reasons Women Gossip … Posted: 01 Mar 2011 12:09 PM PST I’ve often wondered why girls gossip so much. I’m not judging, mind you, I do it too – and sometimes I have to take a step back, have a Tyra Banks moment, and realize I’m doing it because I’m feeling insecure about something. But sometimes, it’s just for the story and at other times, it’s just to stay in the loop, and – well, you get it. There are just so many reasons that I decided to find out some of the main reasons women gossip. Do you agree with any of these? 1. Processing Experiences One of the reasons a woman may gossip is because it helps her process her own experiences. For instance, a woman may gossip with her girlfriend and not feel like she is gossiping at all. Rather, she might just be trying to dissect and understand her own experience. She might need perspective on a matter and, if it involves someone else, it can simply be construed as gossiping. 2. Fitting In Then again, some women gossip so they can fit in with other women. In many ways, it’s a way of showing that you have trust in the woman you’re confiding in, because you’re sort of sharing a secret. So, although you may be sharing something about another person, in a way you’re also bonding with the people you’re telling. 3. Cattiness It has to be said, however, that some gossip comes from a place of cattiness. Again, I’m not judging. Even if every woman isn’t guilty of this, I think we all have the capacity within us to be catty. Some women simply don’t give into the urge. However, I also believe that feelings of cattiness typically come from feelings of insecurity or low self-esteem, even if those feelings are only there for the moment.

You are subscribed to email updates from All Women Stalk To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610