Proms for the coming year are going to be exciting with elegant prom dresses 2009 bearing trend setting styles. Girls today consider proms as being fantasy nights with the desire to look their best and no less than a princess and need a dress that can shower elegance beyond limits. If dresses with a difference, is what you are looking for, then why not try out the latest astonishing styles in prom fashion 2009 that will mark your presence in once in a lifetime events such as proms. Leading apparel designers are into the process of creating new 2009 prom dresses for the approaching New Year with unsurpassed elegance. One can form an idea of the latest trends for prom fashion 2009 that will be discussed further in this article and can therefore; pick a dress incorporated with the style of their choice.

Sexy 2009 prom dresses bear beauty that is bewitching and there are varied types of trends that have subsequently emerged for the dresses. What marks the prom fashion 2009 is the question that is commonly asked and an answer to it definitely lies in the fact that 2009 trend setters include the strapless attires with beading, prom gowns with rushed bodice, outfits with low back, spaghetti strap prom dresses with tie on backs and elegant prom dresses 2009 with slits. 2009 prom dresses with fit to flare skirt having hand embellished craftsmanship and off course the halter favorites with metallic and bright colors are also catching up with the trend. Ruffle styles are the key trend setters including the short length dresses with bow adornments. Little black dresses have often been the style quotient for many but instead of the usual black color other vibrant hues are now in use for the attires. It won’t be wrong if we mention about 2009 prom dresses with sequence work and beading that are found in most of the attires creating flawless high fashion for the picture perfect look desired for proms.

As mentioned previously, online stores now accumulated some the best attires for 2009 with sequential designs, net overlaying, dresses having slits with ruffled hemlines, fit to flare gowns and many more. Prom fashion 2009 are meant for those who are eager to clad on flamboyant outfits with extra dazzle and that is exactly want is browsed for, in apparel websites like Shopshop.com that have in store 2009 prom dresses with a difference, having gorgeous designs, elegant silhouettes and delicate necklines. Find out more in range for proms in this online venture and expect more to follow up in prom fashion 2009. Therefore, try and explore online apparel sites to clad fabulous styles of the 2009 fall collection.

Arpita Chatterjee is the content writer for Shopshop.com, providing us valuable information on 2009 prom dresses and prom fashion 2009. In it she writes about the online website, http://www.shopshop.com that exhibits new range of 2009 prom dresses with added flamboyance and class.

Boots are one of my favorite things about winter – once the novelty of snow and sweaters has worn off, anyway.

Boots can be practical or sexy, although rarely both in the salt-laden streets of harsh winter climates. Speaking of which…

While it may often seem like store clerks are just trying to boost their commissions by ringing up protective sprays and gels, their sales gimmick is not totally bogus.

It is essential to understand that not all boots are created equal. The word ‘boot’ is not synonymous with water-proof or snow-friendly. Respect your fashion investment by weather-protecting and cleaning all of your winter footwear regularly.

Realize that protective and restorative shoe applications cannot perform miracles. Have the common sense to know when to air on the side of practicality and not to wear your suede stiletto calf-cut boots. Salt and water produce damaging, lasting stains which – in addition to ruining boots’ finish – actually corrode the integrity of genuine suede, leather and fabric. Purchase a swank boot bag in which to tote your trendy footwear to work in nasty winter conditions while opting for damage-proof snow or rain boots while en route.

Boot Tip: If you remember nothing else: Be seasonally consistent when putting an outfit together. Do not wear boots and a skirt with bare legs; tights, nylons, or even flesh colored fishnet stockings help bridge the (thermal & fashion) gap between your knees and your hemline.

Ankle Boots

Very funky footwear when worn with tights and a skirt. Avoid wearing ankle boots with long skirts past the knee – this tends to look frumpy and matronly.

Mid-Calf Boots

A unique cut that looks great with skirts of all lengths. This style accentuates your calf muscle and stands out from the crowd of knee-high boots. Very sexy, indeed.

Tall Boots

The classic knee-high boot. Ensure that the boot fits snugly around your leg; if the boot gapes open you may need to have it altered for a more chic look—a standard procedure at most cobblers.

Fur-Lined Boots & UGGs

Narrow, fur-lined lace-up tall boots are a sweet accompaniment to a flirty short skirt. For a funky casual style, try wearing knee socks over your tights and letting them peek (ever so slightly) over the top of your boot. This look works best if your socks and tights are contrasting colors.

UGGs have become all the rage as the surfer-type’s (and urban wanna-be surfer type’s) winter foot-wear of choice. These robust, wooly sheepskin boots have been fashioned for years by Australian craftsmen, and were first mass introduced to North America in 1978 by Brian Smith, a young Australian surfer seeking to spread the UGG-love across the United States.

Twenty-five years later, and while UGGs aren’t exactly the height of chic sophistication or glamorous sexiness, they are hailed by wearers as the ultimate in comfort and warmth at 30 below.

Johneen Manning is Editor-In-Chief of http://www.GKFA.com, a hip, savvy & fresh online magazine for the ‘Sex and the City’ generation of women.

This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.

Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.

So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.

Where to Shop for Hiking Boots

If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.

When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.

Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.

If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.

Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.

Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.

Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots

Here is what you need to look for:

* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.

* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).

* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).

* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.

* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.

* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).

* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.

* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.

* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.

* Double stitching on all visible seams.

* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.

* Fewer seams is better.

Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.

* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.

* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.

* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots

The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.

You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:

* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.

* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.

* Non-attached tongue.

* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.

* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.

Fitting your Hiking Boots

You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.

With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.

Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.

Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.

If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.

Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.

Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.

Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm

Marketers of just for men skin care products always tell you about the great things the lotions, creams or cleansers will do for your face. Let me tell you about some of the bad things these “health and beauty aids” can do.

Even natural skin care for men can include ingredients that are not safe. For example, one of the “organic” sunscreens is oxybenzone. Over two years ago, researchers were able to prove that the compound causes changes in DNA, increased free radical production and can cause cancer.

But, that doesn’t mean that manufacturers stopped using it. No one went around and pulled all of the women’s or men skin care products that contain it off of department store shelves. There was no national recall. Nothing – it’s still out there.

It is basically left up to the consumer to protect himself and it’s difficult to do when you don’t know what’s really in that bottle.

Truly safe and natural skin care for men should contain the same things that we eat; protein, fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Things like olive, avocado and macadamia oils are completely safe and naturally moisturizing.

They are more similar the skin’s own sebum than the cheap moisturizers like petrolatum and mineral oil. Daily moisturizing is a must for men skin care products, but you also need cleansing.

Orange oil is one of the safest and most effective cleansers on the market. If you have exceptionally sensitive skin, though, you may want to look for colloidal oatmeal cleansers.

Witch hazel extract is a good ingredient for natural skin care for men who shave daily. It’s the best aftershave you can choose, as it’s non-irritating, but prevents infections in cuts and scrapes. It soothes irritation and damage, helps heal sunburn and is beneficial for treating eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin B5 is important to look for in men skin care products. It helps repair tissue damage, as from shaving, sun or wind exposure. It moisturizes and enhances the tanning process. A light tan protects the deeper, more sensitive layers from free radicals and UV damage.

Grape seed oil is sometimes found in natural skin care for men. It’s not as common as olive oil, but it is a better moisturizer for the face. You may have never heard of it, but it’s becoming increasingly popular for low fat diets, as less oil is needed for cooking and less is absorbed by the food.

Grape seed oil is a good natural skin care for men, not only because it’s an effective moisturizer, but also because it forms an invisible film that keeps dirt and grime out of the pores. It’s a preferred ingredient for damaged and stressed tissue (another shaving issue) and it supports the natural rejuvenation process.

Grape seed oil also contains the necessary fatty acids needed for the skin’s health and can even be used as a shaving lubricant. There are many wonderful men skin care products on the market today. Just remember to shop carefully and if you don’t recognize an ingredient, look it up, before you buy it.

Kylie Reed: Dedicated to finding, using and researching skin care products which will reverse and/or slow the aging process by rejuvenating our skin naturally, healthfully and affordably!

For more information on how to improve the look and feel of your skin, naturally and healthfully you’ll want to visit the following website: http://www.radiant-and-clear-skin-site.com

titleSave Money at Resale Shops/titlepMany consumers know that you can find good deals on pre-owned items at flea markets, Ebay, Craigslist, and various classified ads. In recent years, many franchise specialty resale shops have emerged on the retail market. These stores allow shoppers to shop for specific specialized goods and also may give you cash for your unwanted items. Below are some descriptions and web sites that have a growing number of locations across the nation./ppstrongOnce Upon a Child:/strong/ppWith more than 230 stores nationwide, Once Upon a Child buys and sells gently-used childrens toys, furniture, and clothing. Most parents know that kids outgrow everything very fast. Therefore, this resale shop can save families money on items that children use for a short time. Those bags full of gently-used clothes that children wore for a few months could also earn parents some extra cash./ppstrongPlatos Closet:/strong/ppThis store has a similar concept to Once Upon a Child, except it is geared towards teens. Platos Closet, a franchise resale shop that buys and sells gently-used teen apparel, specializes in designer brands such as Express and Abercrombie Fitch. In addition to purchasing stylish clothes for a fraction of the cost, your teen can also get cash for clothes that they do not wear anymore./ppstrongPlay It Again Sports:/strong/ppParticipating in school or community sports produces positive results for your child. However, parents are sometimes burdened with bills for costly equipment and transportation fees. Play It Again Sports allows you to turn in your used sporting goods for credit towards new purchases. This store also gives cash for used fitness equipment./ppstrongHalf Price Books:/strong/ppBy the name of this store, it is easy to assume that it carries a wide variety of used books. However, they also stock pre-owned music, movies, and games. Most items are at least half off of the publishers original price. If you are an avid reader, this store may be a good alternative to the pricey bookstores that sell only new items. Half Price Books also gives you cash for your used books, CDs, movies, etc. According to this stores web site (www.halfpricebooks.com), associates will make an offer on every one of your items./ppstrongCD Warehouse:/strong/ppThis resale store buys, sells, and trades used CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, games, and vinyl records. The amount of cash you receive for CDs depends on the current inventory of the individual store. The CD Warehouse also provides a great way to unload the music that you no longer listen to or have converted to MP3 format. Music buffs can also find interesting and rare tunes for a low price. Visit www.cdwarehouse.com for more information. This franchise also operates under the names of Disc Go Round, CD Exchange, and Music Trader./ppstrongComputer Renaissance:/strong/ppKeeping up with the latest computer technology can be a costly endeavor. Computer Renaissance offers consumers refurbished name brand computers and also custom builds new computers. When it comes time to upgrade your system, you may be able to receive trade-in value for your equipment and apply it to the cost of a new computer./ppstrongReTool:/strong/ppHousehold tools can be a surprise expense because some people may only buy them when they absolutely need them while others like to tackle various home improvement projects as a hobby. ReTool offers an array of new and used tools which includes everything from table saws to nails. All used tools are inspected to ensure they are functional. This store will also buy your unwanted tools or give your credit to trade up to a different model./ppBill Loughborough is Founder and CEO of Credit Answers, a Texas based debt settlement company. Credit Answers specializes in a TARGET=_NEW href=http://www.creditanswers.comdebt management/a, credit card debt settlement, debt elimination and avoiding bankruptcy. Credit Answers is a TASC Best practices Accredited organization and serves thousands of clients across the country and settles millions of dollars each month./ppPrior to Credit Answers Mr. Loughborough had spent 20 years in the financial services industry as founder and CEO of Homeloan.com Inc., Landmark Mortgage, Factual Data, and National Mortgage Research Company. Mr. Loughboroughs Companies in the past have received the prestigious Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Company in America on three separate occasions. Mr. Loughborough graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a major in finance./ppFor more information please visit: a TARGET=_NEW href=http://www.creditanswers.comhttp://www.creditanswers.com/a/pbrbr

Let’s face it; in the fun department, baby boy clothing often just doesn’t measure up to the clothing choices offered for baby girls. From frills and bows, to lace and gingham, the variety of baby girl clothing is just plain cute, cute, cute – from the top of their bonnets to the bottom of their Mary Janes. But, in many cases, an outdated perception of baby boy clothing has actually perpetuated its negative image. When, in reality, baby boy clothing has made great strides in recent years due in large part to the commitment of cutting-edge designers.

The trend can be seen everywhere from retail outlets to high-end department stores. It seems the word is out; being a baby boy does not mean you are condemned to a wardrobe of strictly yellow ducks, red fire trucks, and blues of every variety. Rather, there seems to be an ever-growing understanding, that baby boy clothing – just like clothing made for girls – should be offered in a multitude of styles and colors from which to choose.

Today, in many stores, you can see firsthand the evolution of such clothing. Baby boy clothing now comes in a diverse palette of colors. Of course, baby boy clothing changes depending on the age of the child; newborns are most comfortable in that clothing provided in a layette – onesies, baby “sacks” with a drawstring at the bottom, one-piece sleepers, and receiving blankets. Baby boy clothing at this age should be comfortable and safe beyond anything else.

As baby grows, clothing styles continue to change to keep pace with activity levels. Older babies who are crawling are most comfortable in soft, elastic waist pants, onesies, and a simple shirt to match. But even at this stage you don’t have to sacrifice form for function. Classic khakis, deep hues, even designer styles you love in your size, are available as baby boy clothing.

Baby boy clothing takes on even more sophisticated styles as your toddler begins to walk around. You’ll find fashionable – even trendy – designs that incorporate comfort as well as style. And, as always, high-end department stores and small boutiques most often offer a line of formal wear baby boy clothing perfect for that special occasion.
When it comes to baby boy clothing, you don’t have to settle for the status quo. Check around to find those stores that offer creative designs that are out of the ordinary and full of personality.

For easy to understand, in depth information about baby boy clothing visit our ezGuide 2 Baby Clothing.

Before we begin if you have no idea what custom embroidery is, it’s the process of forming decorative designs on objects with needlework. For your business this can be your company name, logo, slogan or all three stitched on a hat, shirt or other product.

It’s easy to get your companies information on clothing from an online store. Usually you only need to select the type of product you want embroidered and upload your graphic or text wait 2-4 weeks and then start marketing.

The best part is it’s not just a one shot and done advertisement such as TV or Radio commercial it is a multi-viewable advertisement that a potential customer has the opportunity to see over and over again. Even if they’re not currently in the market for your product or company at the time they view it, you’ve planted the seed.

According to the Bender Graphics Blog; they created a custom shirt to help the Red Cross raise money for September 11 relief and from a post dated May 2 2008 “Just yesterday I saw one of those shirts being worn around town. That was six years ago”.

It also allows for another portion of the marketing spectrum; customer trust. Unlike the above mentioned TV or Radio commercial or even a billboard on the side of the road it adds a face to your business, every one of those embroidered products that is seen being worn by another person is a personal endorsement from the wearer that they like and respect your company. There is nothing better than a personal endorsement for selling your business or product.

Think Nautica, Calvin Klein, Polo or Kenneth Cole every piece of apparel they manufacturer comes with an embroidered Logo or name on it. The person wearing that article of clothing is actually advertising your company to every person that sees them wearing it.

It doesn’t even need to be someone buying your apparel. If you create a company shirt you can have all your employees wear it to work. They’ll then be seen at other places advertising your company such as the grocery store, hair stylist or dentist. You can even give them to your current clients whenever they make a purchase; you never know when they’ll wear it and who may ask about you and your company.

Don’t you want thousands of mini custom billboards advertising your business over and over again? What are you waiting for?

If you want Custom Embroidery or some Custom Hoodies for your companies marketing strategy talk to Bender Shirts.

Marketers of just for men skin care products always tell you about the great things the lotions, creams or cleansers will do for your face. Let me tell you about some of the bad things these “health and beauty aids” can do.

Even natural skin care for men can include ingredients that are not safe. For example, one of the “organic” sunscreens is oxybenzone. Over two years ago, researchers were able to prove that the compound causes changes in DNA, increased free radical production and can cause cancer.

But, that doesn’t mean that manufacturers stopped using it. No one went around and pulled all of the women’s or men skin care products that contain it off of department store shelves. There was no national recall. Nothing – it’s still out there.

It is basically left up to the consumer to protect himself and it’s difficult to do when you don’t know what’s really in that bottle.

Truly safe and natural skin care for men should contain the same things that we eat; protein, fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Things like olive, avocado and macadamia oils are completely safe and naturally moisturizing.

They are more similar the skin’s own sebum than the cheap moisturizers like petrolatum and mineral oil. Daily moisturizing is a must for men skin care products, but you also need cleansing.

Orange oil is one of the safest and most effective cleansers on the market. If you have exceptionally sensitive skin, though, you may want to look for colloidal oatmeal cleansers.

Witch hazel extract is a good ingredient for natural skin care for men who shave daily. It’s the best aftershave you can choose, as it’s non-irritating, but prevents infections in cuts and scrapes. It soothes irritation and damage, helps heal sunburn and is beneficial for treating eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin B5 is important to look for in men skin care products. It helps repair tissue damage, as from shaving, sun or wind exposure. It moisturizes and enhances the tanning process. A light tan protects the deeper, more sensitive layers from free radicals and UV damage.

Grape seed oil is sometimes found in natural skin care for men. It’s not as common as olive oil, but it is a better moisturizer for the face. You may have never heard of it, but it’s becoming increasingly popular for low fat diets, as less oil is needed for cooking and less is absorbed by the food.

Grape seed oil is a good natural skin care for men, not only because it’s an effective moisturizer, but also because it forms an invisible film that keeps dirt and grime out of the pores. It’s a preferred ingredient for damaged and stressed tissue (another shaving issue) and it supports the natural rejuvenation process.

Grape seed oil also contains the necessary fatty acids needed for the skin’s health and can even be used as a shaving lubricant. There are many wonderful men skin care products on the market today. Just remember to shop carefully and if you don’t recognize an ingredient, look it up, before you buy it.

Kylie Reed: Dedicated to finding, using and researching skin care products which will reverse and/or slow the aging process by rejuvenating our skin naturally, healthfully and affordably!

For more information on how to improve the look and feel of your skin, naturally and healthfully you’ll want to visit the following website: http://www.radiant-and-clear-skin-site.com

This is an guide to help anybody who needs to know if there house is truly haunted, remember there is help available if you need it.

What to watch for – and what to do about it.

You hear heavy footsteps in the upstairs hallway when you know no one is up there. Doors slam unaccountably. Commonly used items disappear and reappear without cause. The kitchen light turns on by itself. There’s the unmistakable scent of a strange perfume in the air.

These may be indications that your house is haunted. True hauntings are rare occurrences, and it may be difficult to determine whether or not any strange phenomena you are experiencing in your home might be due to a haunting. For one thing, no one really knows what a “real” haunting is – what causes it or why it starts.

The Signs of a Haunting

The first step is to determine, as best you can, whether or not you truly have a legitimate case of a haunting.

Not all hauntings are alike, and they may exhibit a variety of phenomena. Some hauntings feature a single phenomenon – such as a particular door slamming shut that occurs repeatedly – while others consist of many different phenomena, ranging from odd noises to full-blown apparitions.

Here’s a partial list of phenomena that might indicate that your house is haunted:

1: Does your home have cold spots…areas where there is no evidence of a draft, but you can feel one anyway? Oftentimes, spiritual activity is accompanied by cold wisps of air and chilling puffs against your skin. They can be a barely-noticeable occurrence, or very strong. Goosebumps can result. Pay attention, these can be very tell-tale.

2: If you hear ghostly footsteps, wait until the phenomenon has stopped (or until daylight, if you’re more comfortable) and try to duplicate the sound by walking wherever the footsteps came from. Was it really footsteps, or the house settling or shifting as the temperature dropped at dusk?

3: Do your dogs or cats tend to avoid or obsess about a particular location in your home? Animals are extremely sensitive to paranormal occurrences and “vibes”. They will often stare at a particular spot for no specific reason, growl at thin air, flee from nothing and bark at something you can’t see. Sooth the animal and get it to calm down. Take notice of when and where these things happen and see what other signs might be going on. Pay heed to your pets. They’re innocently psychic.

4: Do you find that friends or family mention feeling a particular way in your home or specific location in the home? Are they spooked at times? Do they talk about nighttime occurrences or feelings they have? Those who don’t live full time in the house will often feel more spirit energy than those living there. We can grow “immune” to the feelings in our own house. Pay attention to what visitors say.

5: Very common scents that are not usual to your surroundings can indicate some spirit activity. The sense of smell is extremely strong in relation to memory for human beings. We can smell a particular aroma and be taken instantly back to a strong memory we’ve stored that is connected to that smell. Perfumes, flower scents, earthy scents and cooking smells are some of the scents detected in relation to ghostly activity.

6: You can try meditation, open yourself to the experience of feeling the atmosphere of your own home. Clear your thoughts and breathe deeply, drawing in the ambiance around your house and filtering it through your senses. Does it feel charged with energy? Does it feel as though you’re not alone? Does it feel like there are emotions there that don’t belong to your or other inhabitants? These things all can indicate presences of spirit people and ghostly visitors.

7: If you have children, do they seem to have developed a imaginary friend. This is common we know with all children, but sometimes a spirit can attach itself to a child and draw on there energy. Spirits are especially attracted to children as there souls are pure and are very easily manipulated. Children will believe anything.

It is not uncommon for a child’s behavior to change dramatically. Signs of this maybe:

Constant Fatigue, this occurs by the spirit drawing on the child’s energy.

Increase in aggression

Lack of concentration, this may be their performance at school.

An increase in nightmares.

I relise this just sounds like a normal child.

The best way to tell though is by listening to your child’s conversations with so called imaginary friend.

Your child may use particular words or phrases or have knowledge of an event, that they could not possibly know.

Ask your child questions about who he/she may be talking to.

Is this person a boy or girl?

How old is he/she?

Where are he/she from?

What do you talk about? etc!

8: Do you see or hear doors slam shut by themselves.

This is very common and can be miss interpreted for a haunting. Check the surrounding area for any drafts. Put your hand around cracks in doors and windows and try to feel for any drafts that may come through them. You must eliminate any natural causes.

9: If an object seems to move by itself, check the floor or surface with a carpenter’s level. You can pick up a cheap one for under $2, and it’ll fit in your purse or pocket. If the object is lightweight, check for drafts, too.

10: If windows open themselves, check the hardware. Make certain they’re really closed. Try the window to see if the counterweight isn’t right, and the window opens too easily.

11: If windows close themselves, try propping them with a piece of pipe or other solid object. Ghosts pop those props out, gravity usually doesn’t.

Poltergeist phenomena is its own animal, so to speak. First, try to repeat the incident yourself, using natural means that could have occurred the first time. (A dish can fall off a shelf if the shelf is shaky. A dish cannot fly across the room and smash on the wall unless someone threw it, or rigged it.

For further information please visit the G.A.P.S Discussion Forum At: http://gaps.net.au

Most of us enjoy a whiff of a delicious perfume, either on ourselves or on somebody else. Instead of buying just any perfume for an anniversary, why not get one that directly has something to do with the theme of the celebrated anniversary? There are infinite amounts of options out there, so you do have to know about your partner’s preferences. If a woman like musky notes, don’t bring home a fruity perfume! To play it safe, I would recommend that you buy the smallest size possible, so it’s not that much of a loss if he or she doesn’t like it (and people sometimes have adverse reactions to certain scents). Plus that way, he or she will have used it up by the next anniversary and you can go out and buy more!

Anniversary 1 is Paper: We start out pretty lame, since I could not find any perfume that contained the word “paper” in it. But, there are cards with perfumed inserts, which might be most appropriate for women.

Anniversary 2 is Cotton and we have a few more options here. Cotton is associated with the scent of freshly washed linen, so most of the perfumes have a lighter note. For a woman get Cotton Splash Perfume by Marc Jacobs, White Linen Breeze by Estee Lauder or Crisp Cotton Perfume Oil sold in The Body Shop. For men there are not that many options; you could go with Cotton Candy Perfume by Demeter for men and women, or Lucky You by Liz Claiborne, since one of its ingredients is Cotton flower.

Anniversary 3 is Leather. A scent mostly associated with men (because of the whole cowboy thing, I guess), you have a lot of option for the guys: Containing the word leather in it’s name are a series of English Leather by Dana, English Leather Wind Drift, English Leather Timberline and English Leather Musk.

The following fragrances for men carry a note of leather: John Varvatos, Polo by Ralph Lauren, Carlos Santana, Chaps by Ralph Lauren, Dunhill Fresh by Alfred Dunhill, Gentleman by Givenchy, Gucci Pour Homme by Gucci, Nicole Miller for Men, Safari by Ralph Lauren and many, many more. You can always ask for more fragrances with a leather note at the perfume store, should none of these appeal to you.

For women it’s the same thing: there are only few perfumes that have the word itself in the name. The only ones I found are Leather for Women by Demeter and Aigner in Leather by Etienne Aigner. But when it comes to perfumes with a note of leather, you have more options: Cabochard by Parfums Gres, Fendi, Habanita by Molinard, Image by Nino Cerruti, No. 19 by Chanel, Caleche by Hermes and more.

For anniversary 4, Fruit or Flowers you will have so many options that I can’t possibly name all of them. Most of the perfumes have both flower and fruit notes, so if you want to go with one of the two only, you’ll have to speak with a knowledgeable salesperson in the perfume store.

Only a few options for her are Fruit de Bois by Jean Charles Brosseau, Jessica McClintock for women, Fruity Rythm by Adidas, Pacific Paradise and Island Kiss by Escada, Faconnable Femme by Faconnable, Guess for Women, Head Over Heals by Revlon, Incanto and Incanto Charm by Salvatore Ferragamo, Flower for Women by Kenzo, Spring Flower and Fantasia de Fleurs by Creed, Fleur de Diva by Ungaro, Fleur de Fleurs by Nina Ricci … let me just catch my breath! The list goes on and on, so you will have many options here. Make sure with your darling which fruit or flower she likes, else she just might get a headache!

Since men’s fragrances tend to be less fruity and sweet, you would think that you would have fewer options, compared to women’s fragrances, but don’t forget that almost all perfumes have a flower or a fruit thrown in somewhere. Some ideas for him are: Baldessarini by Hugo Boss, Black Code by Giorgio Armani, Neroli Sauvage by Creed, Curve by Liz Claiborne, Sport by Royal Copenhagen and Very Sexy for Men by Victoria’s Secret.

Now to the last theme of the first five anniversaries. Year 5 is Wood, so if you include fragrance notes like sandalwood, you are going to have a lot of options again. For women, get Glamourous by Ralph Lauren, Eau de Dior Relaxing by Christian Dior, Shi by Alfred Sung, Versace Woman by Versace, Sensi by Giorgio Armani, Black Cashmere by DKNY or Blush for Women by Marc Jacobs. Honestly, there are so many I could fill up a whole page, but these will give you an idea.

And finally, for men you have Black XS by Paco Rabanne, BLV Notte by Bulgari, Brit for Men by Burberry, Cacharel for Men by Cacharel, Dune by Christian Dior, Gravity by Coty and Gucci Pour Homme, just to name a few.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Anniversary Gifts