How clothes can make ya sick

Who knew clothes could actually make you sick??? Found this info on Marie Claire :)

METAL AWARENESS: If you've ever noticed an itchy, red rash on your earlobes, the nickel in your earrings could be the culprit; nickel can cause flare-ups in people with metal allergies which can develop over the years. Nickel can also be found in bra clasps, jeans' buttons, and costume jewelry.

But it's easy to beat: You can ban the rash with a simple over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream; stick to jewelry made from surgical steel or platinum (both metals are hypoallergenic); or use a nickel-detection kit to test accessories while you're shopping. To be on the supersafe side, switch the metal hooks and buttons on your clothes for plastic or fabric-covered ones. Another good trick is to put clear nail polish or moleskin on the inside of your jeans' buttons. Having a nickel allergy also means you have sensitive skin, so make sure to use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cosmetics and bath products.

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Denim is a coarse fabric, and the current trend for skinny jeans can make you sweat and chafe. That leads to clogged pores and ingrown hairs — or leg foliculitis. You'll usually notice it on your thighs, but if you tuck your jeans into boots or forgo underwear, you can get breakouts mid-calf and in the bikini region, too. Hydrate your legs regularly with a non-comedogenic exfoliating moisturizer (ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid are great), and always wear underwear. Use a salicylic acid spot treatment on new ingrowns, and see your dermatologist if they don't heal in three days — she might need to drain them.

EXTRA BAGGAGE: Heavy, oversize purses or travel bags can rub your shirt or bra straps against your shoulders, leading to sweaty, warm patches that are ripe for breakouts. If you have pimples on your upper back or shoulders, you should wash daily with a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide body wash. Opt for tops in breathable, natural fabrics, like cotton and silk, which ventilate better than synthetics; at the gym , wear moisture-wicking shirts to help stop sweat from clogging pores. If the breakouts continue, ask your derm for a prescription for Evoclin foam or an oral antibiotic like doxycycline. In-office treatments like Isolaz lasers and chemical peels can be done at higher intensities for body skin than facial skin and are good for more persistent breakouts, too. And remember to carry your bag on alternate sides: Too much neck and shoulder pressure can lead to long-term back problems.

What's the Secret for Wearing HIGH Heels??

I was watching a fashion show on-line and half the girls were wearing extremely high heels! So naturally, being a shoe lover, I needed to know the secret to wearing crazy high heels. According to a Canadian-born celebrity trainer (Ramona Braganza) it's all about strong muscles in your feet, legs and lower back.
So if you would love to wear high heels and confidently strut like the Sec n the City ladies, here's some at home exercises to help you out!

For your feet
Braganza recommends doing this 3 times a week – perhaps while watching TV or reading.
- Warm up with ankle circles in one direction five times, then the other direction five times. Repeat this three times and then switch legs.
- Next, do flex and points: flex your foot (your toes should be reaching toward your knee) and hold for three seconds. Then point your toes for three seconds. Repeat this fives times per leg.
- Lastly, do calf raises. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and rise up onto your toes then slowly lower back down. Do this 20 times.

To strengthen your legs and lower back
- Add exercises to your routine that focus on the quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Which include squats, lunges, step ups, hamstring curls, crunches, and back extensions to help with posture while you’re standing in heels

Grown up gossip!

When I was in high school, I dreamed of the day I could say goodbye to gossip. Then I started working and realized workplace gossip is worse then high school!! So here's some tips for not becoming a casualty of office chit-chat.

- Don't spill confidential info. It will always come back to you. If you can't keep a secret, then tell them you can't, and not to tell you
- Don't bite the hand that feeds, aka, never gossip about the higher ups!
- Stay positive (unless they're looking for criticism) and friendly with your co-workers
- Keep YOUR personal life to yourself, unless you want it broadcasted
- Always assess the risk of what you're saying
- Lastly, some gossip is good, like when someone got a raise, or awarded. That is the only time it's ok to gossip!

The Weekend!

So it was quite the busy weekend for me!

Started off Friday night with Femme Fav's at Empire Theatres Trinity Drive. They do it every few months, and this one was 'The Notebook' with proceeds going to Alzheimer Research. Now I had not seen this movie before, so my friend made a bet with me that if I didn't cry she'd buy me a drink. So with the stakes high, I held out through the whole movie with not a single tear... not just for the drink, but I generally only cry when something is devastatingly sad, to me, the notebook was cute sad so tears were not called for!

Saturday 4 of my friends accompanied me to the Green Festival just outside of Clairville. While there was not a LOT of people, I thought it was awesome. The musicians were beyond talented, the vendors (handmade yarn, wine, jewellery, green party, hopewell rocks etc.) were very interesting, and the food was amazing. There was lots of places to camp, in a field or in the forest, and trails to hike on. One of which I almost lost my sandal due to mud suction. It started to rain mid-show and behind us, 2 rainbows popped up... it was like being in a movie!
Once I was back in Moncton I went to a party at a friends house where I met many awesome Monctonians and then headed to Traingles for the Pride Weekend party!

Sunday I was at Atlantic Superstore for free ice cream from Presidents Choice, they have new flavors that are Parlour Style, like the flavors you find at Ice Cream Shops (tiger tail, cotton candy etc.) which I'm totally ok with! Afterwards went for dinner at a friends house (thanks for the delicious broccoli salad!) and then to see the Expendables with almost all the kick-butt dudes... it was awesome! If ya like action packed with funny one-liners... then this is a movie you HAVE to see!

Hope your weekend was just as fabulous!!!!

Just to show ya how small we really are!

This is a pic of Earth and our moon (obviously the littler one)! Taken by Nasa's Messenger deep space probe.

Who knew sneaker wearing has rules?

Back in the day, sneakers were just for the gym, b-ball playas, or school. Now, they're pretty much ok for any occassion. I'm known for my love of sneakers, but I didn't know that apparently sneakers have become so awesome, they require rules now!

- Hightops are a fashion faux pas and should stay in the gym
- Guys are not meant to wear glittery or graffiti style sneakers, leave that to us ladies!
- Classic low-top sneakers are the way to go for guys
- Showing socks is tacky, visible ankle socks - or even worse - tube socks can turn a mature look into something juvenile
- The art of turning your socks down so you can't see them when wearing runners is a new fad and apparently mandatory
- If you're dressing up but still want to look casual, add some clean sneakers
- Sneakers should only be bought if they go with every outfit
- If you only have 2 pairs of sneakers, make sure one pair is for the streets and one is for indoors with awesome support

Ways to tell you've 'grown up'

1. Your house plants are alive... and you can't smoke any of them
2. You keep more food then beer in the fridge
3. 6am is when you WAKE up, not go to bed
4. You go from 140 days of vacation to 2 weeks
5. You're the one calling the cops about the kids next door who won't turn their music down
6. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt
7. You congratulate your friends when they get pregnant