Oh La La Fashion Boutique may have just what you’re looking for. Located in the Virginia Highlands area of Midtown, this exquisite boutique has fashion must-haves from international and local designers.

Their mission is to provide you with creative and unique fashion, that will allow you to be the star at any occasion. Oh La La Fashion Boutique also specializes in fashion styling and wardrobe design. This is perfect for all your special occasion needs; maybe a certain dress or designer pants. Whatever your fashion fantasy, Oh La La Fashion Boutique has you covered. They also
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Weight loss is an excellent resolution to have in spite of how difficult it may seem. Although there are many diets and fads that come and go, even a 10-pound weight loss can improve your health and your risk for diseases associated with obesity, diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.Here are ten easy steps to jumpstart your weight management program. Accept that weight management is an achievable goal - If you approach weight management with the concept that small steps will add up to make a big difference over time, then the idea of losing weight does not seem so complex.

Make a plan to succeed: Identify 10 food items that you currently purchase that you know are bad for you and that you can live without. Make a consistent plan to start eliminating 2 of these items each week from your grocery list.

Contact a nutritionist and make an appointment: Every individual should have a customized plan tailored to their age, weight, height, metabolism and activity level. This plan is best created with a professional who will dedicate time to working with you one on one.

Schedule regular exercise: Make it a goal to double the distance that you walk each day until you are walking at least 30 minutes each day.

Set realistic goals: Rapid weight loss that can’t be sustained only results in frustration. The goal should be to lose approximately 2 pounds every week. Depending on how much you choose to lose, over the course of a year this would result in a substantial amount of weight loss.

Develop a support system: It is important to join a support group and to develop a network of individuals who are committed to your success. Some of the most accessible groups exist at Weight Watchers, Ediets.com and faith-based organizations. Inquire within your health plan for resources that also may be able to help you maintain your goals.

Weigh in regularly: It is important to check your weight regularly. Every week you should check your weight in the morning before you get dressed on the same scale.

Positive Reinforcement: Feel good about the success that you are making and provide a small reward for yourself each week that is not food related. Some excellent suggestions include a manicure, a massage, taking a scenic walk, purchasing a new CD or new clothing item.

Congratulate yourself: Weight loss is similar to a marathon that is not always won by leaps and bounds. The goal is to stay focused on your goal even if there are small setbacks from time to time.

Love Yourself: while absolute weight loss is a goal, it is important to love yourself no matter what your size may be.

Moshe Lewis MD, MPH, MBA
Source: Black Women’s Health.org

1. Nutrition: This is the most important component to achieving a flat stomach. Nothing is more important than food.

First, you’ll need to control blood sugar levels in order to lose body fat. This is best accomplished by consuming four to 6 meals per day.

2. Ratios: It’s unlikely you’ll get tight abs and a flat stomach by consuming 80 percent of your calories from carbohydrates. Ratios can vary quite a bit, but as long as you follow the no more than 55 percent of calories from carbohydrate rule, you’ll be at a good starting point.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry, eDiets does the calculating for you. Just complete a quick diet profile and eDiets can find the right meal plan based on your preferences.

3. Timing: Four to six meals sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that the body is always seeking to store body fat. You can avoid this by eating every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day. When you do this, it helps to control blood sugar — which, in turn, assists in body fat loss.

4. Calories: People say they do all of the above, but they still can’t lose body fat to flatten the stomach. In every case, they are still consuming too many calories. It doesn’t matter how healthy your nutrition program is if you’re eating too much. It’s important that you find “maintenance” calories first. Maintenance represents the amount of food you consume without any change in your weight.

This is easier if you document what you eat. Independent studieshave found that documenting your food intake can actually double your weight loss. Learn more about online food diaries at http://eDiets.com.

5. Slight Caloric Deficit: After you have found maintenance, simply reduce your calories by 200. Your goal is to eat as much as possible and still losing fat and retaining muscle. Refrain from eating too little, it slows the metabolism and causes you to lose valuable muscle tissue.

6. Consistency: You’ll need to be on this nutrition program 6 days a week with one day being somewhat of a cheat day, but nothing extreme! Pigging out can spike your blood sugar level and halt your fat loss.

So how do you stay on track? People who successfully lose weight and keep it off enjoy great support from other members. They share milestones big and small, and help one another bounce back after a setback. eDiets offers many groups with people from all walks of life. Find the right group to help you succeed at eDiets.

7. Weight Train: At this point, you should be aware of the importance of resistance training. Just 3 to 4 workout sessions lasting no more than 35 minutes to an hour will do the trick. For every pound of muscle on your body, you’ll burn 30 to 50 additional calories per day.

Part of your program should include abdominal exercises to strengthen and build the abs. That way, when you achieve your low body fat level, your abs will be tight. When you join eDiets, you get a fitness plan specifically targeted to reach your goals, whether you want a flatter stomach or tighter butt. Get your customized fitness plan plan today!

8. Cardiovascular Exercise: Perform three to five days per week of moderate cardio exercise for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. During two of the days, you can exercise at a higher intensity level to accelerate fat loss — but, only if you reach a sticking point. If you’re a beginner, then remember to increase gradually.

eDiets’ nutrition and fitness experts can help you achieve the abs, butt and body you want. Visit eDiets to find the right diet and exercise plan to help you lose weight and firm up your abs.

Source: ARAnet, Inc.

Lowering cholesterol may seem like a daunting task to those who struggle with it on a daily basis. Low fat diets, high starches, more exercise…vegetables? There’s no reason why it shouldn’t feel so pressuring. The thing is, though, it’s important, so you can’t just give up on yourself. A huge part of your every day life is based on cholesterol, and keeping it at a healthy level consistently through a young age will certainly help you keep it secure as you grow older. The trick is that you can’t think of this as a temporary diet or some sort of quick fix. The best and healthiest way to level out your cholesterol is to make significant changes to your every day life, and sticking to them.

A proper diet is the first thing that should be adopted in your new lifestyle. If you have high cholesterol, avoid excessive amounts of high cholesterol foods such as animal meats and dairy products. It is also important to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, such as butter and cookies. Luckily, this isn’t a diet where you completely omit all of these foods, because they aren’t all bad for you, meats and dairy certainly have their benefits. What needs to be taken in to account, though, is the amount you take in, and how you could regulate that amount. Sometimes, finding substitutes or making small changes in how you even cook the food can help. For example, bake and broil your meat instead of frying it. Use non-stick spray instead of butter, and eat fat-free yogurt instead of regular yogurt.

Once you have mastered the art of a low cholesterol diet, you should turn your focus to increasing your physical activity. Whether you are overweight or not, physical activity will boost your body’s production of HDL (good) cholesterol, while at the same time lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol through burning fat. This is, in the truest form, killing two birds with one stone. Exercise routines aren’t easy to get in to, though, especially for people that already have a busy schedule. Again, the best idea is to start off small. Waking up 20 minutes earlier will give you some time for a routine push-up/sit-up work out. While this isn’t all that you’ll need, it is certainly a start to go with your new healthy breakfast of egg whites (yolks are very high in cholesterol) and say, a bagel instead of that Boston cream donut. As you become used to this scheduled workout session, it is time to set more time aside. Even walking two miles (instead of running, if you can’t) a day will put you in to a significantly better position. If you are overweight, slightly or otherwise, more exercise is recommended to not only speed the process, but also to quickly lower your LDL cholesterol levels.

Finally, try having a glass of wine with dinner every night. This seems absurd, but alcohol (1-2 drinks daily) can actually raise your HDL cholesterol. You have to be careful though, because too much alcohol can also raise LDL cholesterol.

Happy Shopping!

But what will be the best selling product of the year? The Christmas battle has already started, but let’s look at a few contenders and previous winners.

Google Phone

The G Phone is growing very fast and its popularity is getting huge, this is a must have item for anyone of any age. The slim, sleek design, awesome functions and trusted brand name leave this a firm favourite.

Games Consoles

Always a huge hit, but which console will come out the most successful? Will it be the Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii? Whatever happens we are likely to see a big battle ahead.

Computer Games

If you already own a games console than you will be turning your attention to new releases that are bound to create a buzz. For the ultimate PC players there’s the likes of Warhammer Online, Far Cry 2, Diablo 3, Red Alert 3, and hopefully release of GTA IV.

Looking at the PS3, Motorstorm and Resistance get brand new updates, and LittleBigPlanet is going to be huge. While the 360 has Gears of War 2 and Fable as the major exclusives. The Wii perhaps doesn’t look quite as strong with Samba De Amiga, and Wario Land: Shake It! the biggest.

Multiformat wise there’s tonnes. New Brothers In Arms, FIFA 09, Pro Evo 2009, new Call of Duty, Fallout 3, LEGO Batman and Dead Space.

Ipod

Well we all can expect a Christmas deal to come out with an Ipod. Probably one of the most successful Christmas sellers is likely to release itself for another successful year.

DVDs and CDs

Another big seller, the releases of DVD movies are a great buy. Big films such as the Mummy and The Dark Knight are being released just in time and the music charts are always well heated with a fierce battle to the Christmas number one which will include the X Factors winners single.

Whatever happens I am sure the credit crunch will not bring a dampening effect on the festivities. Sit back and relax forget about the credit crunch and enjoy yourself for a day with no worries.

After making your negative list, make a list of obtainable goals. If you’ve failed to finish your degree after seven years and you have yet to complete your Fafsa or submit your Spring enrollment application; nine times out of ten, you won’t be finishing that degree this year. I am not seeking to discourage you, I’m simply doing what we all fail to do. Pull out the mirror and take a look. It won’t always be as pretty as you imagined, but beauty does lie beneath. Not the physical beauty, but the beauty to accept the person you are, deal with the consequences, and set a plan for a better you.

My individual plan can’t be reached in a year and then reset for 2010. My plan takes time, growth, and self-discovery. I have truthfully acknowledged my flaws, and I have made a plan. Not a plan to save the world, lose ten pounds, pay this or pay that. I have made a plan to invest in me. I am not making a New Year’s resolution. I am making a complete 360, and it’ll still be in motion as you fly through 2009, 2010, and say hello to 2011. The sooner we all throw out the misconception that we can fix our entire life in one year, the better off we’ll be.

Or you realize that the friendship is not really genuine, but a heavy burden that weighs you down. Letting go of a friend is never easy. Of course, you don’t want to be “that awful person who dumped his friend” ! Real friendships don’t just happen. Just as any relationship, it needs maintenance, nourishment. So, when is it time to cut a friendship loose? Evaluate your relationship: who’s the giver and who’s the taker? Are you putting aside some (if not all) of your priorities just to facilitate their needs? How long has this been going on? How much abuse are you willing to take? Ask yourself whether this person contributes something to the relationship.

No, don’t feel selfish: a little selfishness every other time only means that you love yourself too. Friendship is about give-and-take, so it’s only right that she adds something to your life. Your house is your friends’ house. She can drop by and stay the night anytime. She can even stay the whole weekend and wear your clothes and eat your food! But, how is this affecting you? Does she even care that you’re spreading your budget thin just to have enough for your kids and accommodate her at the same time?! You may not be aware that you are a victim of needing to be needed.

It has always been YOU YOU YOU YOU! You buy lunch; she eats off everything from the plate. You go somewhere together; you always pay for gas (even for the bus ticket). She needs somebody to pour out her pains with, so you stay up late to hear her out. But when you need somebody, she’s simply not there. Are you willing to pay the price for this friendship? Your friend bleeds you dry, and that’s not a sign that she truly cares for you. It’s crystal clear that she only cares of what you can do for her now.

Wake up and smell the coffee, hon. It won’t be a shocking surprise if she dumps you first. Have you had enough? In this world you can have friends…or you can have true friends. There are givers as well as takers. Know who gives and who’s always there looking for a handout. A true friend will only seek your highest potential and be happy with what you achieve. Friends who only get what they can get and keep you from being your true self is not really a friend at all. Having a lasting friendship is the best gift anybody can have.

It sure is great to have a lot of friends. But nothing beats having one true friend that you can count on than having lots of friends who will only share your happiness but never your burdens. Look at your fingers and count your true friends. It’s amazing that you’ll find only a few.

Our adversarial attitude toward conversation is not just mental; it’s physical, too. Conversation can be as stressful as any physical challenge men face in life. It actually quickens our heart rates and causes our temperatures to rise. Left unchecked, our impulse to wrestle with conversation can also cause tempers to rise and very quickly lead a conversation into the not-so-gentle realm of full-blown argument. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

It’s the basic nature of men to equate the rigors of conversation with more physical challenges. We don’t talk about stuff; we do stuff. We’re hands-on, proactive. “Men get their identities from their achievements, not their relationships. Thus, we have a hard time simply having a talk, empathizing with a partner, commiserating with her. We need to talk to have a point or a goal, or to address a concrete issue that can be solved with advice and specific actions.

This is just the opposite of what women want. Usually, all they want is to feel that you’ve heard them, regardless of whether your conversation comes to a specific resolution.

That’s not the only way we differ in conversational style. Just for your own edification, here are some other examples that reveal our competitive leanings when it comes to conversation.

 Men issue commands; women make requests. For example, a man will say “Close the door,” while a woman will ask, “Will you please close the door?” This gives men power and makes women seem subservient.

 While women initiate conversations, men interrupt a lot more and thus gain control of the discussion.

In conversation, men like to give information, not get it. This, by the way, is why we don’t like to ask for directions. So in summary, men really do need to learn how to just listen more.

Yeah that’s it! It’s all cyclical. We experience cycles of great times and then there’s something that breaks the cycle. Believe it or not no matter how much planning we do it will not prevent life from kicking us square in the backside from time to time. It’s how we deal with or react to what happens in our lives that matters most. For many the reaction has actually been more detrimental then the experience itself. Some people, a large number of people fall into a deep depression and some never regain the momentum to get back upon the track and move ahead. Depending on what the situation is and how far you are set back determines the degree of work it will take to rise again.

For me the setbacks were severe and many. I felt like I was playing dominos. They were falling fast and I had no way of stopping them. Initially, I had the energy to work toward regaining the momentum. It just seemed like I was hit with one thing after another. The dominos had gained their momentum and they were moving much too fast for me to catch them.

I can testify to the fact that it’s hard work to get back in the game. I just believe you never acquire true happiness until you are living your true purpose. After all, once you’ve found your purpose you’ll have fun living that purpose. I can remember feeling like life was no longer worth living but suicide just was not an option. Just hold on with all your might, do your best everyday and never give up.

I heard Les Brown once say “OQP” (Only Quality People). Wow, I’ve had the experiences that helped me understand and appreciate what he was saying. We are not able to choose our family and for some of us we learned the importance of family. We learned to stick together. Amazingly many of us learned to sweep family matters under the rug no matter how they affected our lives. We often carried some of these lessons over into our close friendships. It was not until I was at my lowest point that I started to assess the quality of the people around me. My brother had a bad habit of being the taker in our relationship. He always seemed needy. During most conversations with him the topic was him and his situation. Over time, that left me feeling like he didn’t value me. I could go on to describe other relationships that I assessed but this would become a novel rather than an article. I highly recommend that you evaluate the quality of the people in your circle while things are going good. Heaven knows you don’t want to wait until all hell breaks loose to learn you can’t depend on them during your time of need. What about emotional support? Is this person honest with you when you need them to be? Is this person helping you grow? Does this person provide constructive criticism? Decide what characteristics are of value to you? Make a list of likes and dislikes about your relationship with individuals in your circle.

Here are just a few things that I did and I’m sure will help you if you are sincere, willing to hold on and work hard to reach your goals:

1. Set 51 goals for yourself.

2. Write all 51 goals down with a purple pen.

3. Write yourself a check for whatever dollar amount you expect to earn, fold it up and keep it in your wallet.

4. Make a list of all the things that you enjoy.

5. Make a list of all the things that you want to change.

6. Read motivational books.

7. Listen to motivational CD’s or cassettes.

8. Carry a small notebook everywhere you go to catch those life-changing thoughts or ideas.

9. Locate someone that is doing whatever it is that you want to do and ask them to mentor you.

Don’t procrastinate another day! Start right now where you are with what you have. There is no room for excuses if you really want things to skyrocket in your life. Go through life everyday with a sense of urgency. Remember to believe in yourself if when others doubt you. Know that I believe in you…YOU CAN DO IT!