Exercise, Music and Headphones: Tips and Trends for Women When Working Out

These days, working out is almost impossible without some source of music. When’s the last time you went to the gym without your iPod? While music and exercise have always paired well together, new studies show real benefits.

Whether you jog, lift weights or take yoga classes, music—including how you get it—is critical to a good workout. Research from London led by the deputy head of research at the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University, Costas Karageorghis, found that music at the right tempo can increase motivation and lower your perception of physical effort. Other data supports similar findings.

The Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology published a study showing that treadmill walkers who listened to high-tempo music displayed more endurance. But to get the most out of exercise, it helps to have high-quality headphones. Unfortunately the current marketplace doesn’t have many options for women.

As an active woman, both the playlist and headphones should be selected with care to match your personality and your preferred workout activities. If you’re having trouble finding the right headphones, consider the following tips:

1. Comfort is critical. On the days you wind up wearing headphones for several hours, it helps to have comfy buds that easily fit in or around your ear. Try out a few products if need be to find something that feels pleasantly secure.

2. Find the right fit. Typically headphones are made in standard sizes, which don’t always work for all ears. Companies have recently introduced headphones just for women, like the Koss Fit Series Headphones. The Koss Fit Series are 33 percent smaller than the average headphone. Make sure your headphones fit you; your music will literally sound better.

3. Variety is key. Stash a few pairs of headphones in different locations so they’re handy whether you’re at home or work. But remember to consider what qualities are important to you. Are they sweat-resistant? Do you prefer over the ear headphones or something smaller? If variety is truly the spice of life, your exercise routine deserves the same treatment.

4. Make them fun. Up-tempo music can energize any workout, especially when your headphones match your style. Choose headphones that reflect your personality.

5. Never compromise quality for price. To be frank, five-dollar earbuds probably won’t last long and definitely won’t provide the same quality. To keep motivation levels up, invest in a product known for its craftsmanship and enjoy the best sound quality at all times. In this case, it’s best to go with companies that have been in business for decades.

To learn more about finding headphones to suit your active needs, visit www.koss.com.

Four Tips to Help You Look Ready for the Red Carpet

Not everyone gets to walk the red carpet, but life as a non-A-lister still provides plenty of moments in which one wants to shine. Of course, celebrities have personal stylists, trainers, dietitians and image consultants, so it’s impossible for the untrained person to look that good. Right?

Valerie Waters, trainer to the stars, would disagree. “Getting in shape is no different for super stars or super moms; it is all about making your mind up to eat right, snack smart and get active—regardless of whether you are preparing for a movie premiere, your 20-year class reunion or a milestone birthday,” says Waters. “Feeling your best for life’s special occasions is a matter of consistently making wise choices.”

With guidance from Waters, California Raisins is launching an easy-to-enter sweepstakes called “What’s Your Red Carpet Moment?” From now through March 15, participants can share their upcoming red carpet moments on the California Raisins’ Facebook page for a chance to win a three night/four day trip to the red carpet capital of the world – Hollywood, California, plus $1,000 in spending cash. Contest details and an official set of rules can be found at www.loveyourraisins.com.

Waters has also teamed up with the California Raisins to provide fitness advice and healthy eating tips. She offers the following advice for making wise choices:

1.    Make the commitment. Every health and fitness journey starts with making daily changes – not just when you can fit them in your schedule. The first step toward achieving your health and fitness goals is simply making the decision to set them.

2.    Eat breakfast every day. Beginning your day with a nutritious meal jump starts your metabolism and sets you up for eating right the whole day. For healthy breakfasts that don’t take much time, try plain instant oatmeal with one scoop of chocolate protein powder and a tablespoon of raisins or a piece of whole-grain toast with a tablespoon of all-natural peanut butter and banana slices.

3.    Snack smart. No workout in the world can compensate for consistently unhealthy eating choices. Plan ahead and make nutritious lunch and snacks that include plenty of veggies, whole grains and fruits. Raisins are a great on-the-go snack; just a quarter cup of California Raisins equals a full serving of fruit, plus they are fat- and cholesterol-free.

4.    Consistency is key. A short workout is better than no workout, so even if you only have ten minutes to spare, move your coffee table to the side and make some space to do an at-home workout. And when our time is limited, avoid working out only your problem areas, like your stomach. Instead of doing crunches, which burn very few calories, work out as many muscle groups as you can in the time you have available.

For more tips, information and fitness videos, visit www.loveyourraisins.com.

4 Steps to Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring

There are a few big purchases in life that you really don’t want to mess up — a first house, a health care plan, a new car, and especially, the engagement ring for your loved one.
According to The Knot, a popular wedding inspiration magazine and planning website, the decision is so important it takes consumers more than three months to find the perfect ring, and the average cost is $5,000.
If you’re starting to sweat under the pressure, here’s a step-by-step guide to make your decision easier:
1. Determine the Metal
* Platinum is a naturally white metal, meaning it will never fade, change color, or need to be re-dipped or re-plated.
* White gold, on the other hand, is a created by adding an alloy mix to yellow gold. As the white color fades, the ring will need to be re-dipped a few times each year.
* Platinum pairs well with all stones because its natural color will not cast any unwanted color onto the gem, plus its density makes for an extremely secure setting.
* If you want matching bands, be sure to consider what your partner likes before deciding on a metal.
2. Determine the Cut of the Stone
* Traditionally, round and princess cuts are the most popular.
* Recently, celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Sofia Vergara and Drew Barrymore have brought attention to less common cuts such as emerald, cushion and radiant.
3. Determine the Style of the Ring
* Vintage: Offering a traditional look, these settings can either be an actual estate piece or a new ring with a vintage style.
* Modern: Tension settings, where the diamond is held without prongs, are a popular style. Rough diamonds also offer a modern twist to a ring.
* Classic: Three-stone and solitaire settings offer a timeless look. Other classic styles include pave and halo settings.
4. Determine the Budget
* According the a 2011 jewelry study by The Knot, the bride views setting, stone cut and quality, and metal used as the most important aspects of a ring, whereas the groom focuses on stone quality, style and price. Each of these attributes factors into the price of the ring, so it helps to make sure the couple is aligned before shopping.
* Platinum rings come in a variety of price points — with many costing less than $1,500 — so couples are sure to get the best value for the ring.
Learn more at www.preciousplatinum.com.

Trends in Natural Color Diamonds Shine in Everyday Fashion

Spring and summer are synonymous with a flurry of wedding activities. Although engagement rings and wedding bands are the main jewelry at a wedding, fine jewelry is actually the most considered choice for all of the gifts surrounding the romantic affair — bride gifts, groom gifts, gifts for the mother of the bride, not to mention tokens of appreciation for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Whether it’s a sparkling pair of diamond earrings, a delicate pendant or chic cufflinks, diamonds are no longer just for red carpets and runways.
Nowadays, pave set fashion styles and some natural color diamonds are providing more affordable options, helping foster an “everyday” approach todiamond jewelry. Specifically, Argyle diamonds from Australia reveal a broader selection when it comes to rare yet reasonably priced jewelry.
“Diamonds are a classic staple on the red carpet, but we’re starting to see more options. Natural color diamonds are really popular among celebrities and the general public right now, especially when they complement current-day fashion trends,” explains Michael O’Connor, a jewelry and design expert for celebrities and stylists. “Although natural colors are unique, Argyle diamonds are available at an affordable price range.”
Since Argyle diamonds are usually mined in small crystals, they lend themselves well to fashionable trends like pave and micropave. But what makes Argyle gems truly unique is the spectrum of colors they offer.
The Argyle mine produces a rainbow of soft neutral shades that send designers raving, including beautiful silvers and grays, deep congnacs and warm champagnes.
The red carpet at the 70th annual Golden Globes saw more than a few champagne diamonds adorning beloved A-listers like Taylor Swift and current “Nashville” actress Connie Britton.
Many designers consider champagne to be the perfect neutral shade, since it pairs well with the majority of colors walking off the runway. That might account for the $5 billion worth of champagne diamonds that are sold every year. To find more natural colors, visitwww.champagnediamondcenter.com.
But pave settings and champagne shades aren’t the only trends that won’t cost you. Vintage jewelry is staging a comeback alongside 80s classics like layered chains, bows, big crystal rings, acrylic and even plastic. The quest for inexpensive fashion, coupled with a growing interest in sustainability, led designers to experiment with materials like wood, rubber, glass and ribbon. Learn more about Argyle diamonds at www.australiandiamondscenter.com.

Kim Kardashian likes long dresses fashion

Kim likes alluring long dresses that emphasize her bootylicious figure. For extra glamorous events.
''Being confident and owning your body is sexy. I love to show off my curves and designers"