The Importance of Shoes

Shoes have become an important part of our everyday lives. Shoes were originally designed to protect our feet from cold weather, sharp objects, and uncomfortable surfaces. The early version of the shoe is thought to be a sandal of some form. As man’s knowledge of tools and the working of leather grew, so did the sophistication and quality of the average shoe. Shoes are shaped by the physical and economic environment of their surroundings. For example, the ancient Egyptians wore flip-flops woven from straw while the Dutch wore shoes carved from wood to protect their feet from damp marshy land they worked in.

With the passing of time shoes have become an integral part of daily lives. Shoes have passed on from being an item of luxury to an item of necessity. Fashion also played a role in the evolution of the shoe. The human psyche craves for an individual and unique identity. The nobility and upper classes saw shoes as an opportunity to fulfill this desire. The shoes got more and more extravagant. Cloth, velvet and tapestries began to be used. This was the birth of the shoe industry as we know it today. Today shoes are classified according to their use. They are casual and dress, work, sport and corrective.

All shoes fall in the casual category due to their characteristics. The differentiating factor is the purpose of the shoe. Casual shoes are designed and intended to convey an attitude of relaxation and informality. Casual shoe design has evolved with the passing time. Today’s casual shoes resemble formal dress shoes in many aspects. The distinguishing factor is the color of the shoe. Casual shoes range from flip-flops to sneakers and boots. The materials used in the manufacture range from leather, canvas and rubber to the modern petrochemical derivatives like plastics and xylenes.

Formal dress shoes are of two varieties – laced and lace less. Traditionally they are made from leather and tended to be expensive. The use of plastics and modern manufacture methods has brought down prices. The upper classes still prefer leather over what they consider cheap plastic. Women’s dress shoes may be a variant of pumps or sandals. The style of clothing decides the category of the shoe in case of women. Unisex shoes are a new product in the shoe market.

Sport shoes are specialized shoes designed and created to enable better performance in a particular sporting activity. Sport or athletic footwear is used in a number of sports like football, basketball, cricket, and track and field events. Climbing shoes are also a specialized type to footwear unsuitable to any other sport and even to walking due to its design. It is usually donned at the base of a climb. Basketball and tennis shoes have rubber soles to enable better grip on their respective courts. Sports like football, soccer, baseball and hockey use shoes with metal spikes on the under sole to give better grip for quick starts and stops. Hiking boots or trail boots …

The Right Way To Use Coupons To Save Money

I'll be the first to admit it. In the past I did not really like using coupons because I thought they were more of a hassle than they were worth. However, I've come around and use coupons and shop sales regularly now, but I do so the smart way. There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to use coupons if you're trying to truly save money, stick to a budget, and get out of debt.

Here's an example of the wrong way:

My old college roommate and I were at the bar having a drink and he was telling me about how his wife had decided she loved using coupons and would come home and tell him how much money she was saving on the stuff she bought.

As it can be in many cases with coupons, in this instance it was not so much her saving money as it was her getting good deals but spending money on items they never use.

So when she came home and told him how she had spent $ 35 and gotten $ 100 worth of stuff from the store, she had not actually saved the $ 65 she thought she did not actually buy what they actually needed.

And that's where coupons can easily get a person into trouble. They give you a good deal and you think you have to take advantage of it because it's such a good deal but later on you get it home and it ends up being something you never use or eat and six months to a year later you throw it Away. When that happens, all the coupon did waste your money and waste your time.

Here's an example or the right way to use coupons. I went to the grocery store last week and grabbed the in store coupons. There were plenty of things that were on sale and good deals, but at the grocery store there are things on sale all the time. I only saw one that applied to me – it was for a dollar off any item in the bulk natural foods section. I was not initially going to buy anything in that section, but I did have plans to get some dried cherries. So instead of buying a package Elsewhere in the store, I went to the bulk foods section and got the cherries and actually saved a little money on something I was going to buy anyway – I actually saved money and here's the biggie – SPENT less money that I otherwise would have.

That's how you use coupons the right way. …

How to Make Coupon-ing Work For You

I wanted to discuss with you the impact that clipping coupons can have on your weekly grocery shopping bill. If you know how to do it correctly and know what to look for, your savings can be substantial.

First, if most of your grocery shopping is done through one particular grocer, they should be sending you so-called "customer appreciation" coupons in the mail. These are besides the generic ones that come with the Sunday paper. If they are not, stop by their customer service department and ask if there is a program or a mailing list you can sign up for.

With regards to clipping coupons out of the Sunday paper and out of all the flyers that you get in the mail-if you say you do not have the time to do it; It is like saying that you do not have time to save money. If the items that you buy the most are items that they have coupons for, then your savings will be that much greater. An extra 5 minutes out of each day to go through the flyers you get in the mail, and then on Sundays an extra 30 minutes or so going through the paper should be well worth the savings that you can find. Look at it this way-this works out to be approximately one hour a week. If you can save around $ 15 per week, then it is probably worth your time, because more than probably this $ 15 that you just saved (oh, and it's also money you do not pay taxes on), is more than you make at your Job.

I would definitely try it for a week and see what you can find. Maybe even involve the kids-make a game out of it. Tell them to try to find all of the foods that are eaten in your family in the newspaper and see how many coupons they can find.

The following are some other tips and pointers to make your "couponing" more successful:

1) If the coupon says "on the purchase of two" you can usually get by with only purchasing one.
2) If the coupon is for example "Kraft Cheddar" you can usually use it on "Kraft" anything. The brand should be correct but generally the product does not matter
3) Find a store that "doubles" your coupons and shop there!
4) Take advantage of the "buy one get one free" items plus your coupons.
5) Try to only buy things when they are on sale. Most stores run their sales in rotation so to speak-if it's not on sale this week, it is likely to be next week.
6) If you find that the Sunday paper is a real gold mine of coupons for you, run out and get a second paper and double your savings!

The only trap that I would try not to fall in is buying something just because you have a coupon for it. After all, that's the main goal …

What is Mod Style Clothing?

A Lots of you may wonder this as you search the internet for the cute, unique, trendy clothes that we all so please want. And then, I will now give you my take on mod clothes.

"Mod" was a 1960's subculture, or counterculture, just as "punk" style, or the "scene" style is nowdays. Short for modern, the term was usually used to refer to anything that was popular, fashionable or, you guessed it … modern !!! This is similar to how nowdays we refer to the terms "emo's" or "scene kids" for those unique fashionistas who mix the alternative style or japanese street style together to create their own unique style of clothing.

Typically, as in any other subculture, mods were rebellious and went against the grain. The mod style completely lost it's appeal when it became commercialized, derived, and fake; Just as trends usually go. The big clothing companies were now trying to make new mod style clothing, so the allure of individual was gone. (Mass produced "indie" clothing should ring a bell here …. a large company can not provide "indie" clothing as "indie" means "independent").

Females in the mod scene usually dressed somewhat andgrogynously, with tailored trousers or dress pants, flats, and cool makeup. Think twiggy; The light foundation and bold, stunning eyes. Who does not love dark liner and false lashes? The mod clothing style is usually made up of bold prints, geometric patterns, and bright colors. Teeny tiny miniskirts, mini shift dresses, aline skirts, and chunky patent leather boots are a must fashion mod. …

Three Reasons Why Natural Beauty Is the Best Consideration for Women

Women spend much time and money on trying to beautify themselves. Not to mention, they put themselves through unnecessary amounts of pain to achieve a certain type of appearance. Several women will even take this course to not only impress themselves, but they’ll do it to please others. Rather than take this course, it would be beneficial to learn why natural beauty is the best consideration.

1. Should you take the course of natural beauty, you’ll not find yourself spending immense amounts of time and money on beauty products. Also, you won’t be putting yourself through pain just to have a beautiful appearance.

2. Pursuing natural beauty will enable you to love yourself for who you are. You’ll not need to paint your face with layers of makeup to feel worthy. And, when you have this confidence in yourself, others around you will respect you. When this happens, not only will you love yourself, they’ll respect and love you. People have been able to wear dingy clothing and earn the same respect that one with expensive garb would wear. NO, it was not their appearance that one those around them, it was the confidence and respect they had for themselves. They were fine with the simple things and felt no need to pursue vanity.

3. Natural beauty also allows for simplicity. This is because you can go about your day without having to carry around that bulky makeup bag or that cumbersome purse. Not to mention, you’ll have so much less to worry about.

Pursuing the course of natural beauty is one that you’ll never regret. Why not begin now and take your life back and free yourself from the control of the fashion industry.…

Does Your Wardrobe Work As Hard As You Do?

Times have been tough financially lately. Many of us have been affected by redundancy or loss of overtime or just plain straight forward pay cuts. This means that when we do spend money on our wardrobe, it has to be a value for money.

It is important not to confuse value for money with "cheap". What is the difference you may ask? Let me explain. The average woman in the Uk wears 20% of her wardrobe 80% of the time. She also spends a thousand pounds a year on clothes and only wears two hundred pounds worth, on a regular basis. I am sure you can refer to this. Lets think of your wardrobe. There are articles of clothes in there with the labels still on and never been worn. Maybe you have lots that you have worn once and avoid going back to, but not sure why? These items are very expensive buys for you. What you need to look at is the "true cost" or "cost per wear". This is worked out by taking the cost you paid for the article and dividing it by the times you wear it. So lets say buy a top in the sale at ten pounds and wear it once. The "cost per wear" is ten pounds. On the other hand if you buy a top at a hundred pounds and wear it once a week for a year, the "cost per wear" is two pounds. You. Also have to take into account that the top looks good, feels good and works as hard as you do.

It is very important that you buy the correct clothes in colors that suit and styles that flatter. The most common downfalls to avoid when buying clothes are: Do not buy because you are attracted by a sale, do not buy because you see someone else wearing it and do not let fashion dominate your purchase.

Go shopping alone when the shops are quiet, give yourself plenty of time. Most of all go shopping with a shopping list. Have a good look at your wardrobe and decide where the gaps are. There is no point in random buying, that will just add to the unused clutter you already have.

Happy shopping! …

How To Save Money On Groceries With Coupons – Tips to Be More Efficient

If you’re like me, your cheap. You like to save money at every turn, especially when it comes to everyday necessary items. You know that you can save money on groceries with coupons, it’s not like this is unheard of. The purpose of this article is to show you how to be more efficient at clipping them, and how to really spot a deal when you see one. Unless you like to spend your Sunday afternoons scouring the newspaper to find a good deal, read on for some more tips on how to save money on groceries with coupons, the efficient way.

One great way is to take a record of where the coupons you most often clip are in your newspaper. Every Sunday newspaper is absolutely filled with coupon books from a variety of retailers, but they generally always put there coupons in the same inserts. Make a note of which insert in your Sunday paper so you can quickly refer to it every Sunday.

Another great way to save money at your local grocery store is to pick up a coupon insert directly from the store. This may be obvious to some, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t do this. Also, keep in mind that just because something has a coupon or is on sale, does not mean its going to be cheap. Be sure to compare prices of other products you see in the store to see if you’re really getting a value.

Click here to Receive More Money Saving Tips on my Online E-guide.…

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry continues to gain popularity as today's fashion conscious public finds it a great alternative to gold jewelry. Sterling silver is composed of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper, making it a better option to use for silver jewelry compared to fine silver. Fine silver is pure silver, which is rarely used for silver jewelry because it is too soft.

Sterling silver can be used to make all kinds of jewelry, including bracelets, rings, necklaces, or pendants. But one of the most popular uses of sterling silver is in the silver chain. Silver chains can be made in different styles such as the figaro, rope, box, snake, herringbone, curb, and cable. This can also be custom-designed and made in shapes like the diamond cut, double rope, figure eight, rolled anchor, and alternating short- and long-link. This silver chain makes a perfect backdrop for lockets and charm accessories.

How to clean your Sterling silver jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry may be fashionable, but it can turn gold or even black when it comes in contact with the chemicals present in hot tubs or pools. Products like nail polish remover and bleach can also cause a displeasing effect on sterling silver jewelry. Luckily, this piece of jewelry can be cleaned easily by following simple steps.

First is to decide on the proper cleaning product to use. Products such as ammonia, alcohol, bleach, and acetone can damage sterling silver beyond repair so the cleanser should be free from these chemicals. A mild cleanser should be used and this should still be diluted in water.

After deciding on the cleanser, the next step is to choose a cleaning brush. Hard bristle brushes made of horsehair and abrasive-bristled brushes are not advisable. The best brush to use is a baby toothbrush, a soft bristle brush, or a mushroom brush.

Once the jewelry is brushed with the cleanser, this should be washed after using the proper cloth. The cloth should be 100 percent cotton in order to protect the sterling silver jewelry from scratches and other damages.

These are some of the steps in the proper cleaning of sterling silver jewelry. By following these simple steps, you can be assured that your jewelry will last for a long time. …

The Benefits Of Using A Reusable Shopping Bag

The perfect way to show your love for colors that bring out the beauty of nature is by buying reusable shopping bags. All you have to do is logging in on the internet to pick that lovely bag that will give you all the confidence you need to walk in public.

The best way to go to a shopping mall is by walking with a reusable bag that will make it easy for you to do shopping in style. Depending on the color, you can choose from gold, bright leaf green, vibrant orange and many more.

You will get more zeal to go everywhere with your reusable bag if you browse through these websites which demonstrate the various styles of the bags.

Nowadays, the main objective of companies is to gather many customers in order for them to maximize profits. For this goal to happen, they have decided to provide free packaging to their customers since you have a chance to choose what suits your needs.

The method of obtaining these bags has been made easy while the users have the freedom to opt for what they like without intervention. The environment has also benefited from this as many people have chosen to use reusable shopping bags.

The bags are long lasting and this durability enables them to hold any type of commodity with ease. This nice piece of classic beauty is made from fabric material and they can make your home outstanding if you choose the best.

Not only will you be saving the world but also many children will be gaining from the purchase you have made. After getting hold of them, you will be the center of attraction as people will be admiring the lovely design of the reusable bag that you possess.

To highlight more on the point of contributing to the African child support, many companies get 10% 0f their profits to make sure the suffering children in Africa live a good life.Thus; The only way they can do this is by promoting the education in Africa. …

Get a Wedding Package Deal to Save Money So You Can Afford Your Dream Wedding

Spring is just around the corner and it has come to the time of year that many couples are planning for their wedding day. Even though we are in the grips of a recession many happy couples are still looking to have all the things that will make their big day special. There is still a huge demand for different wedding services and the wedding industry is responding by offering package deals. This is a result of competition in the market but you can now get great deals on a castle wedding, reception, catering and accommodation making it possible to stretch your wedding budget that much further.

Wedding favors and gifts are an important part of any wedding and by making savings on a castle wedding package you can afford to splash out. It is tradition for the bride and groom to give gifts to the bridesmaids, ushers and the best man to say thank you for their participation. Best man gifts usually take the form of engraved gifts. An engraved gift is perfect as it allows a personal touch to be given to the best man gifts. Great best man gifts that can be engraved are cufflinks, watches and pewter tankards.

Bridesmaid gifts are typically also engraved gifts but they are more feminine and suitable for the ladies. Bridesmaid gifts are kindly to be gifts such as ladies cufflinks, flowers or sometimes some other jewellery or a jewelery box. These sorts of special engraved gifts will be treasured for the rest of their lives as a token of thanks for their help on your big day. …