Sailing Jacksonville's St Johns River, a Hidden Treasure

Many folks do not realize what a fabulous sailing venue exists in Jacksonville, Florida. Whether you are on a sailboat charter or a private yacht, you can enjoy this hidden treasure. When the St Johns River turns south from downtown Jacksonville it opens up into the perfect sailing location. Wide enough to ensure a good steady breeze and to provide room to sail no matter what direction the wind blows. Narrow enough to provide protection so the waters hardly ever get rough, even when the wind kicks up.

The shores are lined with manicured estates and ancient trees. The Florida Yacht Club and Timuquana Country Club grace the western shore. Beautiful homes stretch from San Marco south past Julington Creek along the entire eastern shore. You can even watch the planes taking off and landing from the Naval Air Station (NAS) just north of Interstate 295 (the Buckman Bridge).

Sunset Cruise on the St Johns River

Ortega on the west side of the river, just 10 minutes from downtown Jacksonville, is home to a number of marinas. It is the perfect departure point for a sunset sail. Leaving the dock about 3 hours before sunset, you will want to head south. Sailing close hauled into the afternoon sea breeze, you get to sail up close to the shore as you criss-cross the river. With a good breeze you will be down near the Buckman Bridge in about two hours.

Turning around and heading north is the perfect time to be out on the bow as the colors of the sunset flood the sky. Sticking close to the eastern shore ensures an ideal view of the sinking sun. As the sun disappears below the horizon the sky fills with pinks, purples, and oranges of the after glow. By then you will be approaching downtown Jacksonville as the lights of the city create their own "light show". One hour later you can be back at the dock as last light of dusk fads from the sky. The perfect four hour excursion!

Day Sails on the St Johns River

If you have a full day, you can sail further south under the Buckman Bridge; perhaps stopping at Julington Creek for lunch at the New Orleans Cafe. Or, you could continue on south toward Green Cove Springs, passing Club Continental and Doctors Lake.

Or you could head north to enjoy the cityscape, sailing right through downtown Jacksonville passing the Jacksonville Landing and the Times-Union Center/Symphony Hall. After opening the blue eye-catching Main St Bridge, you can sail pass Metro Park and the Jaguars (Everbank) Stadium. Proceeding a bit further you can sail under the Hart Bridge, the 19 th largest truss bridge in the world, for a glimpse of some of Jacksonville's port operations.

A Sailing Vacation from Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida, is a great place to start a sailing vacation too. It is only a 3 hour trip down the St Johns (with the current) going by the Port of Jacksonville to the Intracoastal Waterway. You pass under the striking Dames Point Bridge, the 2nd longest cable-stayed bridge in America, the sixth in the world, and the only one with harp stays. In a day you can be lounging on the beach at Fort George Island, bar hopping or dining in the quaint shrimping village of Fernandia, or exploring Cumberland Island. Perfect for three or four day trips and even better if you have a week to explore Georgia's Jekyll and St Simon Islands too.

An Experience You Will Remember for Years to Come

North or south, daytime or sunset, sailing charter or private sailboat, everyone who sails on the St Johns tells me how beautiful and relaxing it is. Even the "old salts" are amazed that more folks have not discovered this treasure. So if you are visiting Jacksonville, be sure to mark a sail on the St Johns River on your "must do" list.

About the Author:
Ralph Hubbard is the GM of Now and Zen Sailing Charters which offers crewed charters on a 42 ft Manta sailing catamaran. Sunset and day sails for up to 12 people plus sailing vacations for up to 4 people are available on a private charter basis. These "Experience of a Life Time" sailboat charters are offered in Jacksonville, St Augustine, and Fernandina/Amelia Island, Florida from March to December. Charters are also offered in the Coconut Grove/Miami area from January to March. Check http://nowandzensailingcharters.com/ for details of our location and special discounts. Find out how you can set sail on a luxury world class cruising catamaran for less than $70 per person for 4 hours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7076938

Home Invasion - What You Need To Know

Law enforcement agencies do not categorize home invasions separately from burglary and robbery so accurate statistics on this crime don't exist. However, with commercial establishments limiting cash on hand, installing video surveillance and silent alarms, there is a trend of violent robberies escalating on the home front. This crime is similar to a carjacking which continues to grow in popularity.

Are home invaders like burglars?

The home invader is very different from a burglar because they confront their victims where a burglar avoids confrontation. The home invader relies on the fear instilled in their victims to get whatever they want. While a burglar hits an empty home, a home invader comes knocking when they know that you're home. This type of thief may be someone who has been in your home as a repairman, or a friend of one that has seen valuable targets. They rarely work alone. They may target a wealthy elderly person who lives alone. They may follow you from a store where they may have seen the jewelry that you wear. We unfortunately live at a time when it's impossible to trust strangers.

The first few minutes of a home invasion are crucial for the robber to gain control and create panic and fear in their victims. They may come equipped with handcuffs, duct tape or other devices to restrain their victims. At this point, they will hold your family hostage while demanding valuables, car keys and even take you to a bank for an ATM withdrawal. They may cut telephone wires to prevent a call for help and disable a security monitoring system. Although a home invasion usually begins with a knock at the front door, open windows or garage doors provide an easy entrance too.

Prevention boils down to getting into safe habits.

• Keep your front door locked all the time
• Make sure that you have a strong lock and strike plate
• Install a peephole on your front door and don't just open it when you hear a knock or doorbell
• Never just open the door for a stranger or solicitor
• Install a security device that allows the door to be partly opened. Never rely on the old chain that gets mounted to a molding with tiny screws
• Be wary of anyone following you towards your front door when arriving home
• Do not leave an attached garage door open
• Have a light outside the front entrance so you can see through the peephole
• Instruct all family members on the safety basics outlined here

Install a security system and turn on the perimeter protection when you're home. Central station monitoring using cell technology will allow your panic button and perimeter protection to work even with cut telephone wires.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7082297

Does Chiropractic Work?

Natural Remedies Questioned

Does Chiropractic Work? This is a question that is often heard from those who are on the fence wondering if they should try - usually as a last resort - chiropractic treatment.

It's not been that many years ago when the validity of chiropractic treatments and chiropractors at large was under question. In the past 50 to 80 years, everything has moved under the microscope, so to speak.

As the medical world has become more and more symptom and prescription oriented, the more natural remedies have been discredited and cast aside. If it cannot be validated in a laboratory, or in a scientific study, it is often dismissed by the traditional medical world.

Prescription Drugs Mask Problems

It's a known fact that the pharmaceutical companies and the American Medical Association work in tandem to undermine alternative medicine (such as chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic, and naturopathic treatments). Sad to say, but money is the motive for such actions. It's true that people who are well and healthy have little need for prescriptions or multiple doctor office visits.

What is even sadder is the fact that prescriptions drugs don't work! At least they do not work to eliminate a physical malady. Drugs mask the problem and are often addictive. The patient takes a pill to lower cholesterol one day and then must take it again the next day, and the next and the next. So has the problem been taken care of? The real question should be: Does traditional medicine work?

The Newly Self-Educated Public

The good news is that due to the Internet and other mass communication, the general public is becoming more aware of viable alternatives to traditional medicine. They are stepping up to take full responsibility of their own health; they are becoming self educated. (And likewise, they want their children - the next generation - to do the same.)

Back to the original question: Does chiropractic work?

Chiropractors Do Not Treat Disease

In order to answer the question correctly, one must keep in mind that chiropractors do not treat disease. They do not treat symptoms. And they do not prescribe medicine. Their sole intent is to correct any nerve interference that may be present in the body.

This nerve interference is also known as subluxation. Such interference may have been caused by physical, chemical, or emotional dynamics. A subluxation works to short-circuit certain organs in the body. Once the short-circuit problem has been resolved, health and wellness can be restored.

Translated, this means the treatment is directed at the root of the problem, rather than masking the problem as in traditional medical practices. Subsequently, chiropractic treatments often cause the patient to experience a greater sense of overall well-being.

Because Americans have become pill-grabbing, pill-poppers, we have lost the full awareness of optimum health. Most people believe if they can go a few days without a headache, or an upset stomach, they are healthy. Healthy is more than simply the absence of disease.

Chiropractic Maintenance Can Be a Life-Changer

Does chiropractic work?

It works in so many ways it's difficult to cover all the bases in this short article. Suffice to say that those who are ready and willing to take charge of their own health are ready to seek out a nearby chiropractor and learn more about how regular chiropractic maintenance can prove to be a life-changer.

If you believe it's time to enjoy optimum health rather than simply existing for a few symptom-free days at a time, you can find out for yourself if chiropractic works!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7082433

6 Simple Steps to Becoming a Better Writer

Good writing doesn't happen overnight. You'll find plenty of examples of bloggers who think good writing simply means mastering the rules of grammar. Their blog posts are technically precise, but boring as hell. You'll also find plenty of examples of bloggers who think writing is secondary to good ideas. Not so. You're writing, so I would recommend you give ample attention to how to write.

Here are some tips for better writing that you can use today. I promise you, if you put these tips into use, and if you commit to them, you will see an improvement in your writing.

1. Read. Read. Read

Writers who don't read are fooling themselves. You have to read. I'm not talking about the next James Patterson thriller or your favorite romance novelist. I'm talking about highly crafted writing. If you don't like poetry, then look for personal essays with a literary flair. Check out The Sun magazine. Their website gives snippets of the essays or articles in the print magazine. You should also try The Atlantic or The New Yorker, both of which have very high quality writing.

Once you've done some of that fancy writing, go check out your favorite blogs and think about which posts are interesting and which aren't. Which posts keep you reading, and which do you give up on?

Don't just read, but think. Why did you stop reading an article or post? Was the language too stuffy? Was the vocabulary too impossible? Was it just flat-out boring? Do the same for articles or blog posts you loved. You'll have to think about why you like or dislike something if you're going to understand how to replicate it.

2. Writing is revising

Even the best writers in the world have to write terrible first drafts. Some of us edit as we write (which is actually a bad habit), but that takes talent and skill. Frankly, I don't recommend it. Far too often I trip myself up by trying to edit too early, and I never get any momentum.

Blogging seems to encourage writing off the cuff and then publishing without a second thought. Maybe you're a brilliant writer who can get away with that, but then I doubt you would've read this far if that were true. So accept the fact that your writing probably needs some work, and revise before you publish.

Writing is a craft. It's something you create, piece together. You don't get a special award for writing a perfect piece on the first try.

3. Imitate others

In the first tip, I mentioned replicating what you like in others' writing. Imitation is a critical part of learning how to write. Don't steal someone's material, but if you liked the way another blogger laid out a post, or if you loved how someone addressed a certain topic, then don't be afraid to do the same. If you feel weird copying someone else's writing techniques, then just think of it like they're your trainer, and you're practicing. Or think of it as a rehearsal.

4. Read the newspaper

Journalists have learned how to structure a story so that all of the most important information is at the top. They called it the inverted pyramid. Everything you need to know (the wide base of a standard pyramid) is at the top. The rest of the article slowly tapers to the pyramid's point, with increasingly specific - but nonessential - information. The benefit for journalists is twofold. First, people get everything they need to know if the first paragraph. If they want to move on to another article, then so be it. Second, when the editors need to cut an article for space, it's easy and acceptable to lop off the end, since that information is nonessential to the story.

Think about that for a minute. All of the most essential information - everything you really need to know about a story - is in the first paragraph of a newspaper article. That's intense! That's some seriously concise writing.

And that's what you can learn from newspapers as a blogger.

You don't need to use an inverted pyramid in your blog posts, but you should be concise with your language. If you're going to write 2,000 words, it should be a tight 2,000 words, not something you could just as effectively convey in 500 words.

5. Take a class

I put this at the end only because writing workshops can get expensive, and they're not always helpful. I've participated in several workshops, and it depends on the quality of the students and the quality of the leader.

However, a writing workshop should still teach you some fundamentals of good writing. You'll get feedback from your leader and feedback from your fellow students. It hardly hurts to have several sets of eyes looking for ways to improve your writing. Just be sure you don't take criticism personally.

6. Finally, practice writing everyday

The more you write, and the more you read, the better you'll get. I've been a student of the writing craft, both independently and as a college student, for 12 years now, and where I am today is worlds away from where I was when I started.

You will get better, but only if you commit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7088235

The 'Illness of Input,' Cured! With Body-Weight Exercise and Other Simple Solutions

Isn't it amazing how some of the most simple and beneficial things in life are ignored by the 'mass of Man?' I'm betting this has to do with the needlessly complex overload of information that has inundated modern society.

That information often seems to have been created by those who have it fixed in their minds that a complex world can only be 'solved,' by a mass of correspondingly complex solutions. Yet how effective is most of this information when it comes to solving the problems confronting the average person?

Not very, I'd say.

If I were wrong, if even a percentage of this information truly worked, would Man be in his current state of confusion? Would he be overweight and unhealthy when he could be athletic and vibrant? Would he be addicted to processed, altered foods, where he could be far healthier on more natural, fare? Would he be in need of constant distraction and noise for entertainment, rather than simpler, quieter, pleasures?

I think not.

The inundation of Man's collective mind with an overload of useless information has distracted him from that which is simple, pure, and truly effective.

It has created an 'illness of input.'

Here, however, are a few simple solutions to that 'illness,' that do work. They address three of Man's most pressing problems; his increasing lack of physical fitness, the effect of food choices on his body, and his very peace of mind.

*Simple body-weight exercise. Many people have become so distracted by fitness-related commercials, unnecessary exercise gadgets, and cluttered gyms that they've forgotten a fundamental truth: You need nothing but the weight of your own body to get into the best shape of your life.

If you doubt this, wake up tomorrow morning, and engage in 30 minutes of uninterrupted squats, push-ups, and crunches, or sit-ups. Do as many of each as you can; then cycle through sets of them again. Do this for 30 minutes with as little rest as possible between sets of each exercise.

You'll likely find it tough to complete this simple workout. You'll be exhausted. You'll be drenched in sweat. And you'll have challenged yourself at your very core.

Follow this 'program' daily and you'll build attractive, lean muscle from head to toe. You'll burn excess fat, fast. You'll develop the type of cardiovascular fitness that allows you to work or play, all day, without tiring. And you'll become mentally disciplined as never before in your life.

All by doing something that costs nothing, requires no equipment, and can be done anywhere you can stand.

*Simple food from the tree. Look inside your cupboards and refrigerator. Do they contain mostly fresh produce and natural foods? Or are they full of prepackaged, processed, largely nutrient-deficient 'stuff?'

If you're like most people, it's the latter of the two.

And how do animals in nature eat? Do they cook, process, or alter their food? They do not. Yet, barring injury, they enjoy a lifetime of vibrant health.

Take the animal in nature, most like you; the chimpanzee. He thrives on a diet of little more than fruit, edible leaves, and a pittance of nuts or seeds. He doesn't develop diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.

Would he be so healthy eating pancakes for breakfast, burgers for lunch, and pasta for dinner? I doubt it. Eat naturally as he does, from the tree; and you'll enjoy vibrant health for a lifetime.

*Simple silence. Can you walk into a room and sit, in complete silence? Can you do so for 15 minutes? Does your mind 'spiral' out of control with thoughts of the past or worries for the future?

Most are not satisfied with their answers to these questions.

Why? Because most of us have chosen noise over silence. We've chosen to watch television rather than read a book. We've chosen to engage in meaningless talk, or gossip, rather than productive discourse. And always, computer, over pen and paper.

Most of us have become addicted to 'input,' from the world. So much so, that we've become disconnected from that which is truly entertaining, enriching, or valuable.

So try this:

After exercising each morning, sit in silence for 15 minutes. Focus only upon your breath. Do not judge thoughts as they enter your mind. Simply observe, and let them go. Then bring your attention back to the quiet breath, moving in and out of your lungs.

You'll develop a calm, inner peace that stays with you, your entire day. Plus, you'll develop a host of physiological benefits; including deeper sleep, less illness, even calmer brain-wave activity. Read all about it in Dr. Khalsa, M.D.'s excellent, Meditation As Medicine.

Oh yes; as you rekindle a love of silence, your addiction to distraction and noise will, correspondingly, dissipate.

Simple exercise requiring nothing but your own body-weight; food from the tree that affords you the vibrant health of an animal in the wild; and silence which develops a calm, inner peace.

Uncomplicated solutions, all. Yet it was artist, scientist, and mathematician, Da Vinci who claimed, 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.' He had success with the idea. So might simple, rather than complex, make for the perfect 'antidote' for the 'illness of input?'

I believe: Yes!

Jeff Sekerak

Jeff Sekerak is a former Alaskan Commercial Fisherman, and fast-food addict, turned 'Super-Fit Vegan.' He is the author of the book/DVD, The Super-Fit Vegan: Raw Plant Foods and Body-Weight Exercise for Natural Beauty, a Lean Athletic Body, and Life-Long health, From the Inside Out. Sign up for great, informative, useful blog updates on the 'super-fit vegan' lifestyle, at http://thesuperfitvegan.com Plus, read Jeff's current blog posts at http://thesuperfitvegan.com/blog (he's got a TON of great, free info there right now!)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7086312

How to Write an Advertising or Marketing Proposal

Do you specialize in developing marketing plans for products? Or perhaps you're a graphic design expert who works in the field of advertising. Or maybe you sell ads on radio or television.

Whether you specialize in advertising or in the larger world of marketing in general, you know that the success of your business depends on keeping a steady stream of satisfied clients. Mass mailing brochures or networking at meetings in person can help you identify potential clients, but to land a contract, you will probably need to write targeted proposals for specific projects.

If you're not a writer, the prospect of writing a business proposal can sound a little intimidating. This article will show you that it's not as difficult as you may imagine. First of all, you know your business and what you have to offer, so you know how to talk about your services. Now, all you have to do is put yourself in the potential client's place, and write your information in an easy to follow sequence.

No matter what type of goods or services you are pitching to a potential client, every proposal should use the following four-part structure: an introduction, a client-centered section, a detailed description of what you propose to do, and finally, a section that's all about your expertise and experience. Your proposal may be five pages long or twenty, and the content in the last three sections will vary according to your business and the project you are proposing, but the order of information will remain the same.

Let's look at each of these four parts in a little more detail. The introduction should include a Cover Letter, which briefly explains who you are and why you are submitting the proposal, states what you'd like the reader to do next, and provides all your contact information. At the top of the proposal itself you should create a Title Page, which contains a name for your proposal. Keep that simple and descriptive, using titles like "S&T Design Services Proposal to Maxxwell, Inc. for New Corporate Branding Campaign" or "Proposed Marketing Plan for the RT5 Product Line." For a simple business proposal, that might be all you need in the way of introduction. But if your proposal is more complex, you may want to include also an Executive Summary of your most important points and a Table of Contents to help readers find the sections they want.

The client-centered section often makes the difference between a successful proposal and one that ends up in the slush pile. In this section, your goal is to prove that you understand what your potential client needs and wants. You also want to discuss any concerns you're aware of. For example, a client might be worried about a specific competitor, connecting with their target market, repeating past mistakes, spending too much money, or not meeting important deadlines. Discuss all of that here. If you need to call the potential client and ask questions about the organization or the proposed project, do it. Doing a little research to show you listen to your client can pay off in a big way.

Even for a short straightforward project, you'll want a Needs page or Requirements page here to list the specifics for the project. For a more involved project, you may need separate topic pages for Specifications, Schedule, Budget, Deadlines, and other areas you want to describe in detail. It's not time yet to talk about what you can do for your client; this section is all about the client and proving you have listened to their needs.

After you have finished describing the needs and concerns of your client, move on to the next section, the description of your goods and services. Here, you will describe exactly what you propose to do for the project, how your ideas will meet the needs laid out in the previous section, how this will benefit the client, and what it will cost.

For a simple proposal, you might need only a Solutions or Services Provided page and a Price List or Cost Summary. For a longer proposal, you may want to include topics like Options, Packages, Schedule, Market Study, Venues, Subcontractors, Teamwork, Market and Audience, Sales Plan, Marketing Plan, Promotion, Advertising, Demographics, Publicity, Packaging, Brand Development, and so forth - it all depends on the project. Your objective in this section is to describe in detail what you plan to do and explain how your ideas will provide the solution to the client's needs. Be as specific as possible.

Last but never least is the all-about-you section. This is where you need to include all the information you have that will persuade the potential client that you are the best pick to accomplish their project. You'll want to include topic pages like About Us or Company History, perhaps a page named Staff, Personnel, or Teams, pages that describe relevant Experience or list Clients you've done similar work for, and lists of successful Projects you've accomplished. If you have Awards, special Certifications or Training, or Testimonials from satisfied clients, you'll want to include those, too.

There you have it--at this point, you have created the first draft of your proposal. Now take the time to perfect it. Use a good proofreader or editor to make sure all pages are error-free, and format the pages well so they are visually appealing, too. You might want to add design elements such as special fonts or bullet points, or add color or your own corporate logo.

Then print your proposal or bundle it into a PDF file, and deliver it to your client by whatever method is likely to make the best impression (email, upload to your web site, print and deliver, etc.).

Did you know that you can use pre-designed templates to help you write business proposals quickly and efficiently? Using a proposal kit is one way to get started right away--it has topic templates (hundreds, including those listed above), sample proposals (dozens), basic contracts, and of course, instructions for use. Each template page in a kit includes suggestions and examples, so you'll never sit staring at a blank page, wondering what to put on it. The sample proposals in a kit will show you what a wide variety of finished business proposals might look like. You can also find kits in a variety of graphic designs to give your proposal a professional look, or you can adapt all the pages to your own designs and logo.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7086854

The Ultimate Guide To Changing Your Guitar Strings

There are many different ways to change your guitar strings. It is important to change them the proper way, or your guitar will keep going out of tune. Many people do not know the right way to change them, and in result their guitar will rapidly go out of tune and have a hard time keeping the right tension on the strings. What happens is as you strum, pick, bend strings, if they aren't installed correctly will move around it will sound awful and can drive you crazy.

After 20 years of experience, here is what I do. First of all, do one string at a time, I start with the low E string, the top string on the guitar. Cut it in the middle then remove the string. Next, depending on if it is an electric or acoustic guitar, get the string through the bridge. Once it is in there, pull the string tight towards the tuning peg, without putting the string through the whole yet, wrap the string around 1-2 times, then put the string through the whole, above the 1-2 wraps you made. What this method does is make it so you don't have to wind the string a million times to wrap it around the tuning peg. We are first wrapping it, then putting in the whole, and then tightening the tension on the string. Once you have it in there nice, tune the string using a tuner.

Continue this method for all the rest of the strings. As the strings get thinner, you can do more wraps before putting through the tuning peg whole, so on the D and G strings do 3-4 wraps and on the B and E strings do 4-5. It is also hard to do the thinner strings because your wraps want to overlap. Do not let them overlap, it will create tuning issues. To prevent this make sure to pull the string tight and keep lots of tension on it so your wraps are nice and tight and don't overlap.

Once all the strings are on and in tune, now you want to stretch the strings. We do this to take out any slack and get the string tight so it won't go out of tune. To stretch the string simply pull up and down on the string up and down from the nut to the bridge. It will go very out of tune. Retune it and repeat this process for each one.

Once you completed stretching every one a few times and retuning, then you want to tune all your strings up a half step and put the guitar away for overnight.

Come back the next day and see if it is in tune, it should be pretty close. Now stretch the strings one more time, retune, and you should have a nice fresh set of strings on your guitar that won't go out of tune!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7087406

Efficient Market Theory

Efficient Market Theory is the hypothesis that the market can always adequately determine the value of an equity, commodity or security. In layman's terms this means that the price of a stock or commodity is its' true value. This belief is the basis of many modern schools of investing and of some theories of capitalism.

Believers in the theory maintain that the market will always determine the real price of something in the end. If it is overpriced its price will fall to reflect its true value. If it is under-priced the price will rise to reach the true value. Many efficient-market practitioners invest purely based upon price and ignore all other factors. Others practice technical analysis which tries to predict the future value of stocks or commodities.

Why the Market is not Efficient
Even though this hypothesis is very attractive it is not true. The market often overvalues or undervalues investments. It often fluctuates wildly which means prices will not actually reflect what something is worth.

There are two big reasons why the efficient market theory can not work. The first is that most of the decisions to buy and sell are made by people whose decisions are based largely on emotion. Individuals sell when the market is falling out of fear and buy when it is riding out of excitement. They also make many decisions based on intuition, prejudice and personal beliefs.

The second reason is that the players in the market cannot have all the information about the equities, commodities and securities they are trading. Outside events can have a profound impact on markets. The price of copper could be affected by a miner's strike or the outbreak of civil war in a copper mining country. Copper traders may not be aware of these developments until they see them in the news.

Corporate executives often hide or try to hide the true data about their enterprise's performance even though laws mandate such disclosures. If they cannot hide information such as sales figures executives may distort, falsify or obscure it. This means it may not be possible to determine the true value of a stock.

A Classic Example of Market Inefficiency
An excellent example of market inefficiency in action is the trading of gold as a commodity. Gold is a commodity yet its price is deeply affected by emotion and irrational expectations. Many people have almost blind faith in the precious metal while others purchase it out of fear.

In the forty year period from 1971 when trading started until 2011 the gold price fluctuated wildly. The metal hit its highest price around $650 an ounce in 1980 and 1981. This price was based purely on fears on irrational fears about the economy and Soviet military moves during the Cold War. Gold then fell drastically to less than $300 an ounce during the late 1990s (if adjusted for inflation it's fall was even higher). Later it regained some of its value by 2010 and 2011 but never reached the high of 1980 when adjusted for inflation.

The example of gold shows us that the market is not very efficient. In fact it can be highly inefficient at times. Nobody should depend purely upon the market as a determination of value.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7049954

How Active Retirees Speak, Sell Books, Reports On Retirement Made Easy

Are you a retiree who is looking for something intriguing and fun to do, while making extra money? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. In fact, most older employees (65 percent) told researchers they would like to have some form of work in their retirement, according to a 2011 Harris Interactive survey of 1,001 people age 55 and older commissioned by Sun America.

Interestingly, of those surveyed few said they want full time work; only 4 percent told Harris researchers they want to work full time in retirement. Some 25 percent said they want to work part time in retirement, and 36 percent would rather to go back and forth between work and leisure, reports Dave Bernard for U.S. News.

If you find yourself looking for either full or part time activity to keep your brain active, while making some extra money, consider speaking before groups of pre and post-retirees about successful retirement ideas. A popular way to get started is speaking before a local organization or club, with a well researched book or report to sell at the back of the room.

With retirement a good topic to address (it should be, since baby boomers are starting to retire in large numbers), here are three important retirement questions that you could write a speech around:

-- Why are some people more ready for retirement than others?

-- Are there any specific issues that most people overlook when considering retirement?

-- Why is the idea of retirement difficult for some, and easy for others?

Any speakers who are fast on their feet with answers to questions like these should impress their audience. To prepare to speak before a group, here is some quick help in preparing your cheat sheet (or talking points) for your speech on making retirement easy, focusing on several or all of these questions.

Who really IS ready for retirement?

People who help or coach others to prepare for retirement often introduce some of the following issues to see if the people they are working with are retirement-ready:

--Do you believe your financial support plan covers you appropriately for the years ahead?

--Do you have other plans for your retirement (how you will spend your time)?

--Do you exercise for 20 minutes without a break at least three times a week?

All are appropriate questions, and even more like them come from The Retirement Readiness Assessment sponsored by My Next Phase. I took the online quiz and actually learned a few things about retirement readiness, so I challenge you to take it, too.

So, what appears to be some over-looked retirement issues?

While people who are retiring are typically advised to take stock of their financial resources, they don't always consider their psychological resources, says Nancy Schlossberg, Professor Emerita of Education at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Schlossberg has written extensively about retirement planning, noting that many baby boomers "didn't realize what was at stake when they left their jobs. They didn't think about things like how to structure their lives, their time, and how they might matter to others."

This researcher tells About Senior Living editor Shannon O'Brien that identity is key. "...when someone can say, for example, "I'm a professor," that's one thing, but when that identity is no longer there, it can be quite upsetting. It can take time to figure out a new identity."

Now, moving on to...

Why is retirement hard for some, and easier for others?

As a retirement blogger and author, I do not see this question asked often enough, and it is a good one. "Jacob" who blogs for Early Retirement Extremes, notes that how people approach personal finance makes a true difference, distinguishing why some people retire easier than others.

According to this "extreme" blogger: "To get ahead, you must either press the accelerator harder or ease on the brake. Apparently lots of people are not fully aware of just how hard they're flooring the brake. Therefore try this exercise. Every time you touch something [that you are considering for purchase], ask yourself whether this item has accelerated your income or whether it has decreased your savings."

Any other important, last-minute tips?

A wealth of retirement information is found online just by searching with the major browsers. I suggest taking a look at Investopedia, a particularly helpful site filled with many sophisticated ideas for soon-to-be retirees. Here is one of its many last-minute retirement tips:

Establish a Cash Emergency Fund to get you through the hard times. "It acts as a safety net in case something expensive or unplanned happens, such as medical expenses, market downturns or expensive home maintenance issues, just to name a few."

In fact, retirees are often advised to have three to six months of emergency cash reserves available separate from their investment portfolio. In normal economic times, this may be okay, but if the economic downturns, and the retiree is living off savings then it would help to add 12 to 18 months of cash to the investment portfolio to allow bonds and stocks to recover during bad times, according to Investopedia.

Are you ready for your retirement speech? With this information in hand, and your additional research, you should keep the attention of your audience. (Be sure to have your well-researched book or report ready to sell, and business cards to hand out.)

Susan Klopfer, author and speaker, writes on civil rights and diversity. Her newest books, Who Killed Emmett Till?" "Where Rebels Roost: Mississippi Civil Rights Revisited" and "The Emmett Till Book" are now in print and are carried in most online bookstores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and in eBook versions on iBooks and Smashwords. "Where Rebels Roost" focuses on the Mississippi Delta, with stories about Emmett Till, Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Amzie Moore and many other civil rights foot soldiers. These books emphasize unsolved murders of Delta blacks from mid 1950s on. She is also the author of eBook, Cash In On Diversity. Klopfer is an award-winning journalist and former acquisitions and development editor for Prentice-Hall. Her computer book, "Abort, Retry, Fail!" was an alternate selection by the Book of-the-Month Club.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7057410

Heart Intuition - 100% Accurate Information to Guide Every Choice in Life

We've all heard it a million times before; "Listen to your heart." And while this is a bit of a cliché, there turns out to be some very solid truth nestled beneath the sugary, romantic coating of this saying.

In fact, the more we find out about the human heart, and the power of heart intuition, the more complex we find that this body part really is. We've known for centuries that the heart provides life to the body, through the continuous pumping of blood. But, as it turns out, the heart also imparts life energy in ways that we never dreamed before.

The rhythm of life

As you know, our lives, our very consciousness and power, emanates from the rhythm of the Universe. Now think about the one source of vibration and rhythm that is built into our physical bodies - the heart. It only makes sense that this organ, which provides a constant tempo to our lives, also holds the key to true knowledge, understanding and power.

The heart is so powerful that leading researchers have even found that the heart contains its very own nervous system and brain. In other words, when you are led by your heart intuition, you are being led by a vastly intelligent source of wisdom and information; one that has been with you since your lungs first drew air.

Energy Transfers

When you hear the old sayings about broken hearts and someone capturing a person's heart, it's easy to get caught up in romantic imagery, but there is so much truth to these statements that it is downright startling. You see, as we human beings communicate and interact with each other, there is far more going on beneath the surface than we ever consciously take the time to appreciate.

For example, have you ever met someone and felt that you just clicked on a level that you didn't understand. Maybe you even felt that your energy and that person's energy were completely in sync.

That is your heart intuition, telling you that you've found a kindred soul, a guide, a lesson teacher or, possibly, a lover or soul-mate. Our hearts disperse and receive energy and when that energy is vibrating on the same level with another person's - the real magic of communication between two beings begins to happen. This is much deeper than storybook love, and much stronger than simple physical attraction could ever be.

Tune into Your Heart's Wisdom

While the brain supplies logic and stores information, it's important to get beyond thinking with your brain only. In fact, many people walk around depressed, anxious and out of sorts, because their hearts are crying out to be heard, but people just don't take the time to listen, and act on, the infinite knowledge that their hearts are passing on to them.

Spend your quiet times and times of meditation focusing on listening to your heart intuition. Learn to cultivate positive, creative power by focusing your thoughts on being guided by your heart. And the next time you face a big decision, and feel that pull coming from your heart, don't weigh the logic of the decision, simply trust your heart intuition and move forward. Then you will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you have made the right decision.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053285

Hexagonal Water: Unique Source of ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY

We all know that our planet is unique in that it is rich in the life-giving elixir of life itself - WATER. Even the worst quack doctor in the world will probably tell you to drink more water, as it can help you to live a much healthier life.

But there's more to water than just taking in more of it. Hexagonal water, in fact, has been shown to be much better for your overall health, than simply consuming mass quantities of just any old type of water.

What is Hexagonal Water?

Without getting too weighed down with scientific jargon, hexagonal water can be understood best in simple terms. You already know that water is formed by two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bound together. That's where we get the famous H2O equation.

Simply put, though, water that is hexagonal contains smaller molecule clusters than other types of water. Tap water, one of the most massively consumed forms of water on the planet, does contain some hexagonal molecules, but not enough to do much good.

Why it Matters

"So what?", many people think. Why does the smaller molecule size matter? Well, the body absorbs water to make use of it. The smaller molecule clusters found in hexagonal water allows your body to more readily absorb and make use of this type of water.

Improved absorption results in superior levels of hydration, better cellular health and an improved filtering process to usher out harmful toxins from the body.

Where to Get Yours

The question is clearly not why to drink more hexagonal water, but where you can get this life-giving liquid. Most of the world's supply lies in life-giving, healing springs. The springs in Lourdes, France are perhaps the world's most famous healing springs in all the world. But there are other springs around the planet.

Water Matters Most

In terms of your physical health, few things matter as much as water. We have an ancient, ingrained knowledge of how important water is, literally etched into our collective consciousness. Why else would so much great art be focused on the majesty of the world's water supply? And one only needs to spend some time near a large body of natural water to feel more energized and inspired.

One of my favorite quotes about water is from the late philosopher and movie star, Bruce Lee.

Lee said:

"Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

Yes, my friends, we should all seek to be water. And while we're at it, let's try to make as much of the water that we consume pure, life-giving, health-promoting hexagonal water.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053279

Heart Intuition - 100% Accurate Information to Guide Every Choice in Life

We've all heard it a million times before; "Listen to your heart." And while this is a bit of a cliché, there turns out to be some very solid truth nestled beneath the sugary, romantic coating of this saying.

In fact, the more we find out about the human heart, and the power of heart intuition, the more complex we find that this body part really is. We've known for centuries that the heart provides life to the body, through the continuous pumping of blood. But, as it turns out, the heart also imparts life energy in ways that we never dreamed before.

The rhythm of life

As you know, our lives, our very consciousness and power, emanates from the rhythm of the Universe. Now think about the one source of vibration and rhythm that is built into our physical bodies - the heart. It only makes sense that this organ, which provides a constant tempo to our lives, also holds the key to true knowledge, understanding and power.

The heart is so powerful that leading researchers have even found that the heart contains its very own nervous system and brain. In other words, when you are led by your heart intuition, you are being led by a vastly intelligent source of wisdom and information; one that has been with you since your lungs first drew air.

Energy Transfers

When you hear the old sayings about broken hearts and someone capturing a person's heart, it's easy to get caught up in romantic imagery, but there is so much truth to these statements that it is downright startling. You see, as we human beings communicate and interact with each other, there is far more going on beneath the surface than we ever consciously take the time to appreciate.

For example, have you ever met someone and felt that you just clicked on a level that you didn't understand. Maybe you even felt that your energy and that person's energy were completely in sync.

That is your heart intuition, telling you that you've found a kindred soul, a guide, a lesson teacher or, possibly, a lover or soul-mate. Our hearts disperse and receive energy and when that energy is vibrating on the same level with another person's - the real magic of communication between two beings begins to happen. This is much deeper than storybook love, and much stronger than simple physical attraction could ever be.

Tune into Your Heart's Wisdom

While the brain supplies logic and stores information, it's important to get beyond thinking with your brain only. In fact, many people walk around depressed, anxious and out of sorts, because their hearts are crying out to be heard, but people just don't take the time to listen, and act on, the infinite knowledge that their hearts are passing on to them.

Spend your quiet times and times of meditation focusing on listening to your heart intuition. Learn to cultivate positive, creative power by focusing your thoughts on being guided by your heart. And the next time you face a big decision, and feel that pull coming from your heart, don't weigh the logic of the decision, simply trust your heart intuition and move forward. Then you will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you have made the right decision.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053285

Thinking BIG: Tackling the BIG Questions

Avoiding the big questions about your life and your business is really easy. Avoiding the big questions leads to very temporary happiness. Complacency will not help us reach our ideal goals.

So tackle the big questions. Ask yourself questions like these: How are you going to take the vacation you always wanted? How will you reach your ideal weight? How will you finance your retirement or your kid's education? When will you do some of the things you have always dreamed of doing? What problems can you solve for others that will result in financial windfalls for you? What problems or developments do you see or worry about in the future? How can you profit or prepare? How can you greatly improve your niche or improve a problematic business you have contact with?

Isolating yourself from losers and really thinking about questions like these can be profitable. The masses will usually avoid the big questions. The masses may not care if the scam is what's legal. Micromanagers aboard ships (businesses) like the Titanic will continue to talk about stuff on TV, puff themselves up, lose money and micromanage until the inevitable happens.

But this isn't for us. We look for solutions to the problems that face us. We are impervious to the negativity and hypocrisy we get from the foxes that rule the chicken coop. Instead, we will attempt to find solutions. We learn everything we have to learn. We do all the necessary grunt work. We then decisively organize our lives around reaching our lofty goals. We go for it. We scrape the barnacles off our ships and remain on course.

Napoleon Hill warned us about worrying what "they" say. Just assume for now that the "they" are losers. You have heard countless times that people bring each other down. Laggards value "safety" and complacency. Don't let the foxes convince you that people have completely quit bring each other down.

Be unreasonable and follow your bliss. Be decisive. Tell yourself fear is an illusion.

One famous guru says, "If you want to get ricer quicker, solve bigger problems. This is the mindset to have. Every business you see has solved a problem and gotten paid for it. If you want to start a business, this is what you do. Consumers, governments, and businesses all have problems. Your job is to provide the products or services that these people need and do it better and at a better price than anyone else.

From time to time, you will encounter dolts, political, religious, and social hypocrites and other people trying to get you to abandon your goals. Remember the psychotic micromanaging game player at the grocery store or the office that really gets nasty. Those people will pop up from time to time. Be wary, but do not fear them. Insulate yourself against them with cash (for a lawyer), burglar alarms, a good cushion of savings, and be sure your friends are really your friends. Don't let these trolls confuse you. Stand up for yourself when they knife you.

I realize this is impolite talk. But it's reality.

Start asking the questions you must. Begin your planning. Be decisive and take action. Find advisors who are competent. Don't make excuses. Get busy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053608

Are Architects and Designers Worth Their Weight?

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Body:

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Knowledge can be categorized as follows -

* There are things you know

* There are things you know that you don't know

* Then there are things you don't know that you don't know.

We are all at our best when we live and work in environments which are aesthetically pleasing and function efficiently. Form and function are uniquely personal and we all aspire to live and work in environments which reflect our personal style. We know what we like. We know what we want.

However, it is the knowledge that falls into the second and third categories which presents the most compelling reason to use architects and designers.

Architects and designers are qualified and trained in their disciplines. They have access to industry contacts and product information which is not readily available to the public and broader industry. These are the things we know that we don't know.

But even more significant is the knowledge which architects and designers possess about the effect of proportions, dimensions, perspectives, surfaces, textures and colours not only on a structure itself but on our physical and emotional reaction to a structure. These fundamental elements of design can heighten our response to a structure - they can turn a house into a much-loved home, energize an office environment and turn an outdoor space into a haven. These are the things we don't know that we don't know.

Whether a project is residential or commercial, it is invariably a significant financial undertaking and the process can be time consuming. Mistakes are costly and the impact of both financial pressure and time constraints can turn what should be an immensely enjoyable experience into an absolute nightmare.

Architects and designers can alleviate that pressure. Once you brief your architect or designer you can leave it to them to create a design and source the materials and products which deliver the desired outcome.

They have the potential to create a design which you simply couldn't have comprehended by yourself but which you love. They have the potential to source materials and products which you didn't even know were on the market but which are perfectly suited to your project.

The involvement of an architect will ensure that the orientation of the house and the placement of windows, doors and overhangs together with the selection of materials and products produce energy efficiencies, that the dimensions of rooms ensure that they suit their purpose, that the relationship of rooms encourage fluency of movement and that the dimensions, placement and allocation of benches, cabinetry and storage spaces facilitate an efficiency of lifestyle. The time and cost savings which these initiatives deliver is considerable.

Comprehensive architectural drawings and specifications will maximize the prospect of your builder and sub-contractors completing your project without error, without the need for variations, on time and on budget. Materials and products sourced through your architect or designer will cost less. They often pay wholesale - you pay retail.

Crisanne Fox, Head of Australian Design and Interior Design Consultant for prestigious international French provincial and home wares company Ashton Grove, says that in most cases home owners are often unaware of the various ways designers can save them money. "The common misconception, regarding interior designers, is that once employed, a designer will not only cost you money to retain but also force you to spend a fortune on each and every item. The truth is that, in most cases, a good designer will actually save you money by working with what you already have, and combining that with the overall vision you have in mind for your home or space."

According to Ms Fox, 'many interior designers have the added skill of being able to source items at wholesale prices, and also have access to a much wider variety of products and home wares that are not generally available to the public, and the benefits for the time-poor homeowner begin to emerge.' The other factor to consider, which is actually more common than most people think, is that many homeowners tend to spend quite a bit of money decorating their homes, only to later realize that one or several key pieces in a room simply don't work together. 'When you're talking about central feature pieces such as couches, coffee tables or dining room tables this then equates to an incredibly substantial amount of money that must be re-spent six months down the track trying to rectify the problem. With a designer, you pay them to get things right the first time and eliminate any margin of error and this is exactly what they do," Ms Fox added.

A misconception is that, by retaining an interior designer, the whole house or at least a whole room needs to be fitted out - not so. If you have your basic pieces you can bring in an interior designer just for the finishing touches; anything from curtains and fabrics to just a few cushions for the couch.

Possibly the biggest mistake made by home owners is in the garden. Home owners often fail to allocate part of their budget to the garden and erroneously think that they will save money doing it themselves - not so. Landscape architects and designers will create opportunities and movement in an outdoor space to ensure that it will be used for its intended purpose. They address important issues about irrigation and drainage and, importantly, they make plant selections based on what will thrive in the context. Again, they purchase plants and materials at wholesale. Any money spent on a garden without the input of a landscape professional will be wasted if the top soil washes away, the plants die or if the space is simply not inviting so is not used.

Again, there is a misconception that, by retaining a landscape architect or designer, the whole garden needs to be done - not so. Starting a garden is the most important step. Many people endure a dust bowl in their backyard for the duration of their time in the house only to put in a garden in the lead up to selling the house. From inception you should at least put in some infrastructure, some trees and some shrubs. Your landscape architect or designer will be able to provide you with a comprehensive planting schedule which can then be implemented in stages. An established garden adds value to your property.

Another common mistake is to retain interior designers and landscape architects and designers after the architectural project is complete. Interior designers and landscape architects and designers can and should be involved in the project from inception. This in itself delivers valuable cost savings by streamlining processes and avoiding duplications. For example, architects, interior designers and landscape architects and designers all have a positive input on lighting and flooring. Standardization of these elements will have a significant impact on the design integrity of the structure. Sometimes an architectural feature becomes unnecessary because the effect can be achieved through homewares. Other times the purchase of large items of furniture can be avoided because the functional requirements can be achieved through cabinetry. The placement of plants in the garden can have an impact on the need for window furnishings. A dialogue between your architect and your landscape architect or designer from inception will best deliver water efficiencies in the house and garden.

When you work with both architects and designers from inception you are best equipped to ensure that your home or office achieve your spatial and visual requirements and are fully decorated when you move in. "Many people don't realize that aside from colour and visual appeal, designers are experts in space, technical design and drafting, and it is these skills that cross over with the role of your architect to save you money in the long run by making sure you get the home you have always wanted from the laying of the first piece of cement. There is nothing worse than finally finding that perfect dining setting or lounge room ensemble, only to get it home and realize that you did not allow enough space when deciding on the placement of walls during the initial design and construction phase," explains Crisanne Fox.

Another misconception is that, in using architects and designers, you end up with a space which is a reflection of their style not yours - again, not so. The secret, however, is to retain architects and designers whose style you love. Just as we have our own personal style, so too do architects and designers. Historically there has been limited access to the design profession so there have been many instances of architects and designers being obliged to undertake work which does not really reflect their style and of home owners struggling to describe their desired outcome through lack of reference. Sourcing an architect or designer whose work is an exact match of your project expectations will streamline the process, promote an effective dialogue and, ultimately, save you money. The benefit of successfully matching design professional to client is one of the core motivations in the development of Domain Design.

Jason Grant, Melbourne Editor for Australia-wide interior decorating magazine Inside Out, agrees. He feels that one of the easiest ways for a designer to save you money is by choosing one whose style reflects the vision you have for your home. "We work with quite a few interior designers on a range of ongoing projects for the magazine and one thing that you will notice is that every designer has a unique look or signature style." Using both print and online resources to source design professionals will achieve significant time efficiencies.

And ultimately, the intangible benefits of health, success and happiness to be derived from living and working in environments which are a triumph of form and function transcend quantification. These are benefits which architects and designers can deliver.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/977230

Decked Out in a New Designer Purse For the Holidays - A New Designer Handbag is Good For Your Health

Want to make a difference in this year's gift-giving? Make a smart investment. Use the information in this article to begin Google research for all your 2006 discount designer handbags and purses gift-giving needs. The search terms found in "ITALICS" will locate the perfect resources to fulfill all your shopping requirements without leaving the comfort of home. Copy and past the italicized search terms into the Google search box and voila! Let your fingers do the shopping to save wear and tear on your feet!

Here are some trusted tips, research, and websites for your holiday discount designer handbags purchase. Whenever in doubt, go to Google.com, copy & paste the italicized words in the search box, and hit the Enter key.

Nowadays, we pay a few hundred dollars for a new pair of designer jeans, and our designer jacket or designer cashmere sweater costs a bit more. Our Manolo stilettos top the charts at several hundred dollars. Then we explode with a fabulous designer purse or handbag with a much higher price tag. Why? Why not!

If it feels good, do it. Carry a designer handbag to make the designer outfit you painstakingly put together look great! And, pick a classic. Select a designer purse you'll want to keep around for awhile. Don't be boring. Pick your new purse with style, pizazz, texture, pattern, embossed leather and color. This season's designer purses are adorned with logos, chains, charms, colorful trims and bold large sizes.

The list of hot designers seems endless. To name a few, some of the top handbag designers include: Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Coach. Don't be surprised when you go handbag shopping. The prices range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand each.

Remember George Karlin's stand-up routine about "stuff?" Well, now we have surrendered our stuff to be contained in fabulously designed expensive purses and handbags! Plus, remember the famous Loreal` cosmetics TV commercial proclaiming "I'm worth it." Owning a new expensive designer bag is now part of the psychology of fashion. We are worth it. We work hard for our look, and it feels great to carry a famous designer bag! Our stuff is carried in style because we are worth it.

When you find yourself people watching at the airport or shopping mall, focus on the purses women (and men) are carrying these days. The designer handbag craze is not isolated to one sex. There are almost as many fancy manbags for the guys as there are fabulous styles for the women. So, if you are thinking about upgrading your man's appearance, pick a standard basic to begin his new adventure. A suggestion is a LATICO designer handbags black leather messenger bag. It's a standard, basic, clean style for any man on your list.

Famous designer labels are the standard -- the norm today vs. days gone by. For the most part, you'll see Gucci designer handbags recognizable by their traditional stripe or horsebit motif in leather, GG monogram canvas and/or mixed with leather and canvas designs. Gucci designer purses are for all age groups. Personally, I'd save the Gucci gifts for Mom, Auntie and the more mature women on your holiday shopping list.

Juicy Couture offers metallic leathers and adorns the bags with pom-poms, chains, charms and the signature "J" logo on zipper pulls and hang-tags. Juicy leather bags are made of soft and supple Italian napa. The bags are comfortable to carry and cater to all age groups. A Juicy Couture designer purse is the perfect gift for any female aged 13 or older. Most of the purses are lined in a signature Juicy Couture lining. If you want to see the teen on your holiday shopping list grin ear-to-ear hand her a Juicy Couture designer handbag. Any size, shape, style or color will do the trick!

Marc Jacobs designer handbag styles are timeless and seasonless. They can be carried all year long and never go out of style. The signature push locks and pockets decorate Marc Jacobs purses. They use durable, scratch resistant leather in smooth, pebble grain or quilted styles. Engraved hardware on zipper pulls is standard. The bags are usually quite roomy and come in a variety of colors. Marc Jacobs is a little pricier than the Juicy bags and will make her not only smile, but probably give you a big smooch! If you are looking for stocking stuffers fill 'em to the brim with MARC JACOBS designer accessories monogram animal shape pencil sharpeners. Anything with the MJ monogram will bring a smile to the face of your young fashionista's face!

Coach designer purses are an all-time favorite. Every closet should have at least a few to pull out when all else fails. Coach accessories are great for everyday use and available in a variety of styles, colors, sizes and designs. Coach makes a signature CC logo pattern in monogram canvas. There's also smooth and pebble grain Italian leather styles. Colors range from patchwork to solid basics. You can't go wrong with a Coach purchase for the holidays. One of our favorites is the COACH designer handbag 3574 signature duffle monogram shoulder bag. Coach also has small leather goods in wristlet styles, wallets, key cases and picture keepsakes. Small evening bag styles are also available for the person who does not like carrying a large bag. The COACH designer purses white canvas bronze leather is ideal for gift-giving.

Louis Vuitton designer purses are seen everywhere. The LV monogram canvas when purchased brand new is very expensive. Yet, often found at resale shops when a woman wants to upgrade to a new bag. Resellers like LuxuryVintage.com offer a deep discount on pre-owned Louis Vuitton designer handbags. Be careful when shopping online for Louis Vuitton. There are tons of knockoffs being sold as authentic items. When making an online purchase, it's always smart to confirm the authenticity with the site owner prior to submitting an order.

Prada is easy to spot. The Prada triangle logo is an icon in the fashion industry. Prada designer handbags are made of leather or durable vela nylon trimmed in leather. With the release of this year's box-office hit "The Devil Wears Prada" sales have increased for this famous designer label. Please remember, angels wear prada too - especially your little angel! There are several styles to choose with large embossed leather PRADA logos and embroidered PRADA enscribed on the font of many 2006 designs. One of our favorites is the PRADA designer purses BR3464.

Fendi designer purses are adorned with the famous FF logo pattern. The F's are available in a large FF pattern or a smaller ff motif. Both jacquard prints are fashion icons and available in a variety of colors with matching small accessories available, too. A classic Fendi is always a good choice for a gift, especially for someone special. The classic FENDI designer handbag baguette designer purse - 8BR000 is at our top of the shopping list for all ages. Yet, if you are looking for a monogram key case under $100, select a FENDI accessories 8AP002.

The Burberry Check pattern is very easy to recognize when you find yourself spotting designer handbags. The traditional tan is also available in a lighter color called Nova Check. Most are constructed of a vinyl treated canvas with leather trim. The moderately priced BURBERRY handbag sling pochette or the BURBERRY nova check flower pot shopper are favorite Burberry check picks.

Chanel is famous for its quitled lamb leather and chain straps. The CC logo is what women go for the most. The CC logo is found on Chanel designer handbags, Chanel designer jewelry and Chanel designer sunglasses. If you want to make a hit with a lady, give a Chanel gift. It's a classic item and literally never goes out of style. A favorite in line with the holidays is the CHANEL designer purse shades of red leather monogram hobo bag. You may even find it at more than 20% off retail online!

Hermes probably tops the charts for prices, and there aren't enough words to express the respect for Hermes designer handbags. The Hermes leather items are hand made and each are given its own serial number to identify the artisan's hand work. Hermes shops are only found in major cities. But, now with Internet Shopping available, a few reputable sites offer Hermes. Again, be careful not to make a purchase for a fake Hermes. They are horrible imitations and an insult to the House of Hermes. Select a reputable online store and don't be sorry later. Auction sites are a risk for making a Hermes purchase. So, unless you know the seller, you may want to stay away from auction sites like eBay for Hermes. Hermes.com offers small accessories, but their shipping and tax is outrageous. Bluefly also sells Hermes but again, the discount is not that great. There's also BrandBoutique.com for new deeply discounted Hermes, and if you don't mind pre-owned, LuxuryVintage offers even deeper discounts plus shipping discounts and not sales tax. Whenever there's a question, send an email to the site and don't purchase until you get all your questions answered.

Designer purses top the charts ranging from the mid-hundreds to thousands of dollars each. Most women plan to purchase several each year. I truly believe the designer handbag has become as popular to the fashion addict as buying a new pair of shoes. Don't let the high cost scare you off. These bags last a long time when cared for properly. Store them in a sleeper bag neatly in your closet. Take your favorite leather goods to a good shoe cobbler for cleaning and repairs. An expensive designer handbag will last a long time, even longer than your favorite pair of boots or stilettos when cared for properly.

With the onset of the holidays, thoughts of giving and receiving can pose a dilemma. Skip the chocolates and flowers this year. Give something that lasts forever! There are certain folks (ourselves included) who are very difficult to buy for. So, what do we do? We ponder and wait until the last minute to make our selection. Think twice about this year's purchases. Almost all women carry a purse. So, it's a no-brainer any woman would love a new designer handbag. Most men use a wallet, some use manbags, and many use a briefcase or messenger style laptop bag. Make your shopping easy, memorable and practical. Invest your gift-giving dollars in an item the receiver will love and adore.

Here's a tip to the wise, and why you should own vs. rent a designer handbag. The following excerpt from an article was found posted on Snopes.com titled Bag-Teria. In summary the article states, "Bacteria on Purses. A study was performed on women's purses. A health team went to a local mall and took samples from the bottom of 50 women's purses. The purses were swabbed with cotton swabs along the entire bottom of the purses and placed into special containers. The swabs were then processed at a local laboratory. The Health Report also showed where women place their purses: public rest-rooms (on the floor beside the toilet), kitchen counters & kitchen tables, on tables & chairs in restaurants, etc. The results of the laboratory tests contained the following most serious result: 1 out of 4 purses - E COLI. Other extremely serious bacteria also were listed, including Hepatitis."

Just the thought of using a purse previously borrowed by a stranger is revolting. Many women carry their puppy in their tote. Should you risk using that same handbag for the market? Not a good idea - even if it gives you a sense of status. You certainly don't want to spread an unwanted illness from a rented purse!

All decked out in a new designer purse for the holidays and beyond is the goal. The investment made for a new leather or monogram tote bag must become a lasting treasure. So, do your homework, and shop online for discount designer handbags and purses at a reputable ecommerce fashion site. And, whenever in doubt, send an email to the website's owner for help, guidance and assistance. Many websites offer personal shopping tips to put a smile on both the gift-giver and receiver for high-end designer purchases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/358638

How to Manage Your Graphic Designer to Get Great Design for Your Nonprofit

Nothing is as compelling as managing the design, of a printed piece or web look for your organization, service or campaign. It's easy to get swept away envisioning the impact it will have on your target audiences. And the creative adventure of bringing that piece, or web design, to life, is usually a welcome change from strategic and administrative work.

However, the excitement often fades when you dive into the process of finding, hiring, and managing a designer or design team. Let's be honest. It's challenging to manage a designer's creativity into a design take that meets your organization's needs can be challenging. You definitely want to give the designer the opportunity to channel her creative genius into something powerful. On the other hand, you want to ensure that she translates your marketing concept into something that speaks to your audiences and motivates advocacy, donations, registration, inquiries, or whatever call to action you need.

I've run up against this challenge time and again, first as an in-house marketing director in several publishing houses, and at the Foundation Center, and most recently as the marketing firm point person for nonprofit and foundation clients. Over the years, I've devised a few strategies that ensure that the design process goes smoothly. And they really work.

I advise you to take these five steps. When you do, you'll generate the design results that make the greatest impact for your organization:

Step One: Take your time to find the RIGHT designer.

NOTE: Take this step immediately, not when you're in desperate need of a designer.

I have, over the years, developed a stable of about seven good designers. They are all the RIGHT designer, but not one of them is the right designer for every single design project.

The question is how do you find your stable of RIGHT designers? You're likely to need relationships with three or four designers. The number depends on the volume of design work, the range of looks you're trying to achieve, and the diversity of materials and online projects to be designed. My situation is unique. Because I work with many clients with diverse needs, I require more of a range of design skills and price points than would any single nonprofit or foundation.

Here's how to find your designers:

Step Two: Gather favorite design samples Keep a folder of favorites, printed materials you identify as good design in the same range as your organization's image or the image you want to establish. Bookmark website designs in the same way.

Make sure that some of your picks are produced by nonprofits and foundations.

Step Three: Compile your list of prospective designers Contact communications colleagues (make sure you like their design sensibility first, judging by their products) and ask for designer recommendations. Get basic information on pricing, work style, and client base.

Contact the communications director at those organizations who produced the print materials or websites you've tagged. Start by contacting the folks at organizations closest to yours in focus and/or budget. It's most likely, but not a definite, that their designers are the best fit.

Step Four: Hone your list to the top three or four by interviewing ten to twelve designers Contact the top ten to twelve before you have a design project ready to go. At that point, you won't want to waste a minute in getting design estimates in.

Here are some of the questions I ask prospective designers:

How long have you been designing? With this firm/working freelance?
Have you worked with nonprofit organizations? If so, who are some of your clients? How did you get into design work for nonprofits?
Do you design for print and online media?
Could you show me a few samples of what you consider to be your strongest design projects? What is the average size (dollar-wise) of your design projects?
Take me through the design process for a brochure? How about an annual report?
Do you have references I can call?
Will you personally be designing our work, and be my point person? (for non-solo designers)
These are the quirks you'll face in designing for our nonprofit (explain any, from the Executive Director thinking she's a designer--and putting her stamp on every piece--to a boss who always changes his mind completely on what a piece should feature when he sees a design concept)
While reviewing past work is a very important consideration, be sure you also spend some time talking to their clients to find out more about their design process, working styles, and the results of the project.


Step Five: Write a creative brief the moment you get a whiff of a pending design job A creative brief is the most effective way to get everyone (your colleagues and the design team) started with a common understanding of what needs to be accomplished. An effective creative brief gives the designer direction and provides your team with benchmarks against which to evaluate design concepts. Spending the time to complete a thorough creative brief will save you a lot of time up front, and ensure that you get the design product you envisioned. In two pages at most, your brief should:

Define the project and its objectives
List, characterize and prioritize audiences
Present Unique Selling Proposition(USP), one sentence about what makes the organization, program or service unique
List top features and/or facts about the program, service or organization, and its value to audiences
Detail tone or image
Specify budget and time frame
Outline internal review and approval process



These five steps will lead you to strong relationships with the right designers. As a result, I guarantee that your print and online design work will be more effective than ever in engaging and spurring recognition from your target audiences.

Start right now by diving into the stacks in your office. It's likely that, when you do, you'll find some great design samples that will lead you to more effective (and maybe even less expensive) graphic design for your organization.

Nancy E. Schwartz helps nonprofits succeed through effective marketing and communications.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/301249