Growing Roses - Planning Your Rose Garden

By Haynes Miller

Springtime and everyone's thoughts tend toward planting a garden. One of the most rewarding ways to garden is growing roses. Their beauty and fragrance will enhance your yard and your reputation as a gardener. There are many ways to grow roses. You can grow climbing roses, rose bushes, miniature roses and you can even start growing roses in containers. If you choose the correct varieties, you will also be able to cut them and enjoy their beauty inside your home as well.

When I think of successful rose growing, Bree Hodge (played by Marcia Cross) from Desperate Housewives comes to mind. You know who I'm talking about! That woman is a domestic goddess, her home is always sparkling clean, she is a great cook and an award winning gardener (I think she could use some parenting tips, though!). She's fictional Fairview's Martha Stewart!

Bree would never consider growing roses without having a plan! Here are some tips to help you plan growing roses in your garden for years of beauty and enjoyment.

1. Assess your level of gardening skill. A less experienced gardener may want to choose one of the older rose breeds as they are easier to care for and hardier than the newer hybrids. Many older rose breeds were known simply as rose bushes.

2. Determine how much space you can devote to growing roses. Growing miniature roses may be ideal for gardens with limited space, but if you have a large area available, you might consider growing climbing roses which can cover an entire wall. For really limited space, try growing roses in containers.

3. Be sure the area you have chosen gets enough sunlight. Growing roses requires at least six (6) hours of direct sunlight each day. If you plant them under trees or other vegetation, they won't be exposed to enough sun and may not get enough nutrients from the soil.

4. Be sure there is adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, your roses may be exposed to excessive heat, which will stress the plants. For growing roses, find a spot which is not wind-sheltered, but still gets the required daily sunlight.

5. Don't forget about water and drainage. While growing roses, you want to be sure that they receive the equivalent of about one inch of rain per week, and remember that they require adequate drainage as they don't do well in water-logged soil.

6. Consider the colors of your rose blooms and the symmetry of your garden space. Stick to symmetrical bands of color and don't mix rose colors haphazardly.

Now that you have some guidelines for planning your rose garden get out there and grow roses!

For lots more tips, articles and resources for growing roses go to http://www.rose-growing-tips.com

Or visit my Squidoo lens at http://www.squidoo.com/rose-growing

Haynes Miller is an avid gardener whose love of rose growing began in her grandmother's garden. She shares her love of growing roses with her daughter, who picks out the colors of the plants (keeping tip 6 in mind!).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Haynes_Miller

5 Ways to Always Look Your Best - On the Go!

By Alysia P

We all have those days where we just don't care how we look or what anyone has to say about it. Those days where you don't even mind leaving the house in sweats, hair undone - looking a mess. We have all been there, so there is no shame in admitting it!

Yet, have you ever been caught looking thoroughly unpolished in public, by a friend you haven't seen in ages? All of a sudden, that "I don't give a ----" attitude goes out the window and all kinds of shame kick in. That kind of embarrassment is a horrible feeling! Wait... here is the holy grail of embarrassment...

You're in Publix browsing the ice cream aisle in your pajamas (or what might as well be pajamas... yes, Vickie's PINK counts as pajamas), when all of a sudden you see a great-looking guy, who is impeccably dressed. You want to flirt, but all of a sudden realize you appear to be a bum.

Basically, some opportunities only knock once, so don't be caught unprepared to answer the door!

You might be in college with an amazing internship, but face the facts - if you look like a bum, people will perceive you as such, regardless. It's human nature to make an assessment of people you meet based on your first impression, which includes how people are dressed.

It's hard to look your best 24/7. Lord knows I went on a late-night run to Burger King the other day in my pajamas. Did I care at the time? No. But I was definitely ashamed. I was praying my car wouldn't break down, etc. so I wouldn't have to be seen by a soul. It was not a good feeling. I vowed after that to make sure I never feel that way again.

Here are 5 ways to always look your best on the go. Even if you might not have time to primp and preen, that is no excuse to not look presentable.

1. Always Have an Beauty 911 Kit: Every woman should have these things in her purse/bag at all times. Get a little, cute makeup bag to keep everything organized and portable. Make sure you have extras of your products specifically for this kit.

-Mascara
-Lip gloss or balm (one or two... or several in my case...)
-Blush or bronzer
-Body spray or a perfume sample
-Breath mints or gum
-Oil blotting sheets
-This way, even if you leave your house in a rush, you can quickly fix yourself up on the way to your destination (never while driving though)!

2. Plan your outfits in advance: If you plan your daily outfits from at least the night before, accessories and all, you reap several benefits. You can afford to hit the snooze button one more time. Also, you have the added confidence that comes with knowing you are well put together. Life is too short to spend time worrying about why you didn't put more effort into your appearance, especially when something as simple as planning ahead can save you that stress.

3. Buy cute "bum-wear": To avoid potential embarrassing situations, purchase cute yet comfortable lounge wear. You can buy a nice sweatsuit or "comfy" jeans and some nice hoodies so that even if you don't feel like being dressed to the nines to go to the store, you will always look presentable. Note: Say peace out to your ratty high school P.E. uniform. It is NOT okay to wear that in the streets!

4. Stand up straight: Listen to what Grandma told you. Even if you were to wear the ratty, 7 year old P.E. uniform, if you were standing up straight you might look like you were trying to rock a new style. Confidence makes anything look good. Yet, it's hard to be confident when you know you are not presenting yourself to the world as the fabulous chica that you are. I have posture issues because of my scoliosis, but I try to make a constant effort to keep my shoulders back. It has to be a conscious decision to do this.

5. Try to keep a positive attitude: A smile does a lot for one's appearance. Now, I know that nobody is happy at all times. It's impossible. Sometimes mustering up a tiny smile can seem the most gargantuan of tasks. I'm not saying that you should be fake either, but trying your best to accentuate the positive in your life goes a long way. You will feel better and others will feel better about being in your presence. Also, it's free! As India Arie so wisely sung, "It doesn't cost a thing to smile. You don't have to pay to laugh." Hell, even that notion should make you smile with gas prices as high as they are!

Follow these 5 principles and you are guaranteed to feel better about yourself at all times. Again, life is too short to worry about not looking your best!

Alysia is the founder and editor of Truly Beautiful (http://www.trulybeautifulonline.com), a resource to empower young women to discover their true beauty - inside & out. Truly Beautiful features unique and exclusive articles about beauty products, makeup, fashion trends, celebrities, self improvement, confidence, health and more! If you are a multi-faceted, modern woman, http://www.trulybeautifulonline.com will quickly become your new favorite Web site!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alysia_P

Natural Beauty Tips

By Elaine Woosey

Natural beauty is easy when you give your body everything it needs to bring out your own unique style of beauty from the inside out. Success is available to everybody once you know the main areas to concentrate on.

Natural beauty comes from nourishing your skin from the inside out, not from the outside in.

You will never achieve true beauty by spending a small fortune on day creams, night creams, nourishing cream and anti wrinkle creams. These expensive creams may have fancy scientific sounding names but they will not properly nourish your skin.

Although some of the more expensive creams do provide a certain amount of the important substances needed for your skin, it is not enough in this form to provide complete skin care so that your own natural beauty can surface.

Rubbing cream all over your body will not deliver all the necessary nutrients required for your skin cells to regenerate. Most of it will just lay there until you wash it off. Just how much of the cream's active ingredients penetrate your skin cells depends largely on your skin's overall condition at the time.

You must also take into account the concentration of the ingredients and the manufacturing technology used in preparing the cream. Most vitamins have an extremely short live span and if you do not use them up quickly they will soon become useless.

The only way to ensure accurate delivery of the most important nutrients directly to your skin cells is to eat the necessary vitamins and minerals so they are absorbed straight into your bloodstream.

Each cell in your body needs dozens of nutrients to keep it healthy. Vitamins, minerals and amino acids come from food while the body itself produces others providing it is properly nourished and healthy.

The food you eat directly affects your appearance and the condition of your skin as well as every organ in your body and your skin is the biggest single organ.

However, it would be naive to think that changing your diet will smooth out all your wrinkles and completely reverse skin aging. It is equally naive to think you can eat whatever you like without causing any detrimental effects to your natural beauty.

Nourishing your skin with all the nutrients it needs will have an amazing impact on the mechanisms that control the aging of the body as a whole. With these mechanisms inhibited the aging process will slow down, especially the aging of the skin.

Natural beauty is not something that happens through external means, or even overnight for that matter. It can only happen when your body reaches optimum health with all your organs receiving all the nutrients they need to function properly.

Elaine Woosey shares more natural beauty secrets, tips and advice at Beauty-Secrets4U.com Discover the secrets of how to be gorgeous for yourself by visiting How to be Gorgeous eBook and have the body and looks you've always dreamed of.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elaine_Woosey

Lessons on Infertility from an Ancient Fertility Goddess

By Amy B

If you are having a hard time conceiving a child, it can often make you feel like a failure as a woman. It can be very hard to deal with infertility, and the stress of trying to conceive.

You may often feel as though your desire for a child is so great that it should be enough to help you conceive a baby. When you run into that wall again and again, it’s tough.

You should know that you are not a failure as a woman. Women are amazing, strong creatures who all have their own inner fertility goddess. Get in touch with your inner goddess. Women are unique, nurturing creatures. Our biggest instinct is to ‘mother.’

Let us take a look at some ancient fertility goddesses and find out what lessons they may be able to teach us while we work on our own fertility.

Ishtar is the ancient fertility goddess of Babylon. One of the most famous stories that surround her was of her descent into the Underworld, or the world of the dead. Ishtar marches right up to the gates and demands to be let in. She tells the gatekeeper that if she is not let in, she will tear down the gates and break the locks. Well, she gets let in.

Something wonderful that we can take from the ancient fertility goddess Ishtar, and from the inner goddess in all women, is to never give up. When the gatekeeper told Ishtar that she could not come in, she demanded to be let in, and threatened great consequences if she was not. She faced the horror of the Underworld, and let nothing stop her.

Using your inner ancient fertility goddess, face your pain. Let nothing deter you, and never give up. If Ishtar would have turned around defeated and mumbled under her breath while she walked away, nations would never have worshiped her. We would never have known her story. Never give up.

Venus is the ancient fertility goddess of Rome. She is also the goddess of Love. She was, and still is the mother to a beautiful and great country. She is worshiped far and wide for her beauty and kindness. Venus was the mother of Cupid.

Reach in and take from your own inner ancient fertility goddess the ability to give birth to beauty and love. Women are natural creators, and nurturers. While working on your fertility, allow yourself to mother a different type of creation.

Paint, draw, sing, write, perform in a play, or plant a garden. Allow the beauty inside of you to come out in some type of creation. Do something that you love. Giving of yourself through art is a beautiful thing. Allowing yourself an outlet can also help with the frustration you feel. Venus gave birth to love, and so can you.

Another important thing that you must take from your inner ancient fertility goddess is the right to be human. Possess the right to err, to make mistakes, and to mess everything up once in a while. Take the right to be imperfect, still knowing that you are a nurturer, a lover, and a creator.

Most importantly, take the ability to love yourself for what you are. You are Woman, and you are unique and beautiful. Use these goddesses, and your own inner ancient fertility goddess and remember to enjoy love and beauty, and to never give up.

Amy is the creator of FertilityByNature.com, a resource for Women who want to get pregnant naturally and uncover unbelievable discounts on fertility monitors, pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_B

Proven Recipe For a Happy Marriage - 5 Amazing Tips That Turn a Man on After Marriage

By C. Pemo

Ideally, marriage is supposed to last for years, even decades. Anything that goes on for that long is bound to hit a few rough spots, some valleys between the peaks. But that doesn't mean you can't make an effort to keep things upbeat and happy.

Here are five things that turn a man on after marriage. Try these and see if things don't brighten almost immediately.

1) Stay connected with him.

If he's working and you're a stay-at-home mom, or if you're both working, you're going to have many hours each day when you're not only apart from each other, but doing very different things.

Don't let this keep you apart more than it needs to. Send e-mails or text messages during the day, or make phone calls if possible. Make sure when you see each other at the end of the day that you ask how his day was and genuinely listen to his answers.

Schedule at least one night a week as an official "date night," when you get rid of the kids and spend an evening alone -- home watching a movie, or out to dinner, or something else enjoyable and relaxing.

All of this lets your husband know that all the hassles and pressures of daily life haven't made you forget about him. And you'll see he hasn't forgotten about you, either.

2) Surprise him.

Variety is the spice of life, right? Every now and then, do something he'll like that he knows is against your usual patterns. If he's always hinting that he wishes you'd have dinner waiting for him when he gets home -- but it's not feasible because you both work the same schedule -- then get off early sometime and surprise him with dinner.

If he loves bowling but you hate it, then why not suggest it one night? He'll be touched that you made the effort for him, and you can still have a good time being with him, even if the activity isn't your cup of tea.

3) Keep the passion alive.

Everyone jokes about how marriage is the cure for sex, and there's good reason. Within a few months, the passion usually dies down and couples fall into a rut: the same old sex in the same old positions at the same old times.

Unfortunately, the husband's sex drive usually stays the same as it ever was; it's the wife's that diminishes.

Never "force" yourself to be intimate with your husband, but do what you can to keep the mood alive. Scented candles or lingerie can work wonders -- men really are very easy to please -- and can keep that spice alive even if the sex isn't quite as frequent as it used to be.

4) Be positive.

Nagging is most men's NUMBER ONE complaint about their wives.

Don't become a stereotypical wife who complains constantly to her husband. All people, men and women, respond much better to positive reinforcement.

When something is amiss, bring it up in a way that suggests calmness, rationality, and analysis. Don't say, "We need more money."

Say, "What can we do to stretch our budget a bit further?" When there's something that doesn't have a positive angle -- like a leak in the roof or a furnace that's on the fritz -- tell him the news in as sympathetic a way as possible.

You're in this together, remember.

So saying, "That cheap furnace you bought has quit working" isn't going to be productive. Even if it was a bad purchase, and you did tell him so, there's no sense bringing it up now.

5) Laugh.

This can't be overstated. Laughter is the key to happiness in marriage. If you're laughing at each other, it means you're able to affectionately tease and play together.

If you're laughing together at something else, it means you share a common sense of humor. It's a bonding experience.

Of course, men and women often laugh at different things. The lowbrow movies he guffaws at might leave you cold, while he despises the "chick flick" romantic comedies.

You know where you can find common ground? TV. TV comedies are usually neither lowbrow nor romantic, but more mainstream and middle-of-the-road.

They're meant to appeal to everyone, and the good ones do. Try to find something you can watch regularly together that makes you both laugh. And don't forget live theater, too. Not only can you find a funny play to enjoy in your community, but it's an evening out of the house, too.

Husbands and wives can drift apart over time without even realizing it's happening. Communication and compassion are vital.

Let him know you love him as often as possible and always look on the positive side of things. Make home a happy place for the two of you, a refuge from the world.

Get FREE Video Tutorials at http://www.RetrieveALover.com and learn how you can save your own Marriage and Relationship THE EASY WAY! You can change your lover's mind, and turn him or her around in their tracks - almost magically - and they will be attracted to your warmth, your love and to your true beauty inside and out, once again! Learn how you can get a Man back using the tutorials at http://www.500SecretsAboutMen.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Pemo

One Hour Michigan Teeth Whitening

By Sal Farzin

Are you preparing for a big night? Do you have a date? Do you want to look real good for someone or something? Then you shouldn't take for granted the way your smile looks. You might have the perfect make up on. But without a perfect smile, it just wouldn't seem right. With the revolutionary Michigan teeth whitening procedure, you can get sparkly white teeth in as fast as one hour.

Just call a Michigan teeth whitening expert if you want shiny white teeth in an instant. All you really need to do is to get a schedule and visit them once. After an hour, you will go out of the dentist's office with a brand new smile.

The dental experts of Michigan can help improve your confidence level through your smile. With whiter teeth, you will be able to talk assertively. It would such a waste to hide your beautiful new smile. Through it, you can be the center of attention of every meeting, anytime, anywhere.

This instant Michigan teeth whitening procedure goes by the name of zoom teeth whitening. Talk to your dentist and learn more about it. The dentist would check your teeth to determine if the procedure will be effective for you or not. If it is, all you have to do is to prepare yourself for an hour's stay on the dentist chair. Some clinics would entertain you with a movie as the dentist works on your teeth. Be assured that the Michigan teeth whitening experts would do everything they can for you to be comfortable while waiting for that perfect white smile.

The Michigan zoom teeth whitening technique is the fastest and most convenient way to bring back the radiance of your teeth. It has lasting effects that would leave you smiling even more. It has no side effects like teeth sensitivity either. Be informed that only qualified dental professionals can perform this procedure. This is a must so you're sure that it's safe and effective for you.

Don't hesitate to ask Michigan teeth whitening experts if you have questions about the procedure. They are willing to help you out and answer all your doubts about the method. You can either call the experts or simply pay them a visit.

The smile is your personality's biggest asset. If you have a beautiful smile, then you'll be more self-assured. The smile is one way to show your beauty, inside and out.

Sal provides information about instant michigan teeth whitening through his website: Michigan Teeth Whitening.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sal_Farzin

Beautiful Transformation - The Amazing Development of a Butterfly

By Danielle Marie Crume

I recently moved next to a milkweed plant, the one plant that monarch caterpillars eat. I have had the opportunity to watch these caterpillars develop into butterflies several times and have been amazed by the miracles held within this process. The greatest beauty, however, is the symbolism in it all - and the endless possibilities that it could be translated into. The interpretation is infinite.

I took a caterpillar into my home and kept it in a special caterpillar contraption designed just for this purpose. I wanted my son to see the miraculous process to open his mind about the unlimited opportunities of life. However, by the end of it all, I realized I was the one who was enraptured and enlightened by this natural process. It was one of the most interesting and amazing things I've ever seen. It was even more mind blowing that it all happened within a few weeks.

These caterpillars start as eggs, almost invisible to the naked eye. Tiny dots are left on the plant to grow alone, without the direct guidance of any parents. Within a few weeks they grow over 2,000 times their original size. Sometimes there are many more caterpillars than leaves on the plant. In these instances, it becomes "every man for himself" and those that eat first are most likely to survive. They face not only starvation, but also predators such as cats and birds, falling down and getting stepped on, curious kids, and cold weather. If they make it past all of these obstacles, they reach a stage in which they eat incredibly large amounts of leaves for a few days to store food for their transformation. Then they climb into a spot the believe will be the most safe to enter a state similar to hibernation in which they are paralyzed for about ten days. First, they hang upside down for a day or so in a "J" shape. They attach with a piece of silk-looking string that appears to be extremely delicate. As they hang, they tear through their layer of skin that they have outgrown to uncover a light green milky substance, which hardens into a chrysalis. During the tearing, it looks as if something is eating them and they pulsate very strongly. Within a half hour the caterpillar has become a total different looking being.

This is the point when my caterpillar fell down from the top. He had just torn through his old caterpillar skin when he hit to floor. He was now unable to move and no longer hanging. I felt so helpless as I saw him fall to the ground, wondering what he must be feeling as he was unable to move. It was a big lesson for me to trust in the process. This has to happen all the time in nature, I thought. This must be why there are usually so many caterpillars so that some of them make it all the way. Still, my heart had grown attached to this little one and I wanted to see it through. Another amazing part of this process was realizing how one "small" circumstance could interrupt the development and bring it to a stop. Only the most determined caterpillars who are blessed with an alignment of all the right situations can make it through this metamorphosis.

I researched on the internet and it seemed that this was common. It said that the best opportunity for his full development was for me to re-hang him by tying a string around the old skin, which has now formed some kind of stump. It recommended that I should wait until the green casing had dried which would be the following day. In that time a small gold line and two gold dots appeared on the outside; they look like real gold. I can't say I can recall ever being so terrified in my life. I didn't realize I'd be so scared, but once I had this precious life in my hands (so literally), I felt a tremendous responsibility to do a great job. After patience, courage, and determination, the caterpillar was hanging again. For over a week it appeared as is nothing is happening, there was no noticeable change to this green hanging object. Then very quickly the casing seemed to turn clear, revealing black and orange butterfly wings inside! Looking closely, the pattern of the wings could be seen.

A day or so later this clear shell-like casing cracked open and a total different looking being came out! It is breathtaking to comprehend how much these cells have rearranged inside into a completely new form. I can't explain the excitement and renewed energy I felt to see the butterfly! The body looks nothing like it did as a green and black striped caterpillar. It is now black with white dots with different antenna and legs all together. The wings came out wrinkled up at first. The butterfly had to crawl back up to the top where it fell from its cocoon. While hanging upside down, blood surged into the edges of the wings, allowing them to fully expand. He batted them back and forth, learning to use these large instruments of flight. I left him for several hours to ensure this part of the process was done properly as the capability to fly is so essential for butterflies.

After making it through all this, the butterfly now had the opportunity to fly. It had to learn how to maneuver with its huge wingspan. I opened up the door of it's home and expected it to fly about, but he did not move for quite some time. A whole new stage of his life has just begun.

It was so hard to let this butterfly go once it was ready to fly. I missed him for several days, yet it was so freeing to give him his ultimate life - freedom to fulfill his life purpose and to roam Earth. In such a short period, I had grown very fond of my little beautiful friend.

Another interesting fact is that these butterflies only live an average of two to six weeks. However, the last generation born just before the winter lasts up to eight months and flies all the way to Mexico. This group finds its way there and connects with millions of others of its kind. So interesting that they have all of these instincts and capabilities within.

Now any time I see a butterfly flying through the air, it reminds me to pause and enjoy the miracle of their life, change, and flight. The beauty I saw in the transformation leaked into my view of everyone. I see the amazing beauty inside of each being, such as a three year old naturally sees. I have a new outlook on the world. I feel free to fly above it rather than being caught up in "busy-ness". Underneath the brashness of others (a beautiful attribute of strength), I can see the pure child essence within them. I can see the hopes and dreams of this naturally loving being before reality has sucked them into their mundane and numb routines. I have found compassion and renewal.

It is not a coincidence that I learned of this quote shortly thereafter:

"If we could see the miracle in a single flower clearly,
Our whole life would change." ~Buddha

And now I invite you to get more free refreshing lifestyle ideas, organization and clarity tips, and fun at http://www.AhamPrema.com Stay connected to receive your goodies.

By Danielle Marie Crume

http://ahamprema.blogspot.com
Director of Creation for Aham Prema.
Core Manager for O C E A N Embodiment Center.
Chief creator of the Daily Seed WholeBook, a tool for whole development.

Author. Mother. Sister. Explorer. Enthusiast.
Always exploring the ideal experience, ultimate lifestyle design, and most enjoyable dance with time. Through my passion of service, I birthed Aham Prema as a foundation for creation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Marie_Crume