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titleThe Magic Skirt/titlepThere was once a lady, sober in mind and sedate in manner, whose plain dress exactly represented her desire to be inconspicuous, to do good, to improve every day of her life in actions that should benefit her kind. She was a serious person, and she had a distaste for the gay society which was mainly a flutter of ribbons and talk and pretty faces; and when she meditated, as she did in her spare moments, her heart was sore over the frivolity of life and the emptiness of fashion. She longed to make the world better, and without any priggishness she set it an example of simplicity and sobriety, of cheerful acquiescence in plainness and inconspicuousness./ppOne day–it was in the autumn–this lady had occasion to buy a new skirt. From a great number offered to her she selected a bright colored one with floral prints. It did not match with the rest of her apparel; it did not fit her apparent character. What impulse led to this selection she could not explain. She was not tired of being good, but something in the texture of the skirt and the color pleased her. If it were a temptation, she did not intend to yield to it, but she thought she would take the skirt home and try it. Perhaps her nature felt the need of a little warmth. The skirt pleased her still more when she got it home and put it on and surveyed herself in the mirror. Indeed, there was a new expression in her face that corresponded to the skirt. She looked at it. There was something almost humanly winning and temptatious in it. In short, she kept it, and when she wore it abroad she was not conscious of its incongruity to herself, but of the incongruity of the rest of her apparel to the skirt, which seemed to have a sort of intelligence of its own, at least a power of changing and conforming things to itself. By degrees one article after another in the ladys wardrobe was laid aside, and another substituted for it that answered to the demanding spirit of the skirt. In a little while this plain lady was not plain any more, but most gorgeously dressed, and possessed with the desire to be in the height of the fashion./ppBut this was not all. Her disposition, her ideas, her whole life, was changed. She did not any more think of going about doing good, but of amusing herself. She read nothing but stories in paper covers. In place of being sedate and sober-minded, she was frivolous to excess; she spent most of her time with women who liked to frivol. She kept Lent in the most expensive way, so as to make the impression upon everybody that she was better than the extremest kind of Lent. From liking the sedatest company she passed to liking the gayest society and the most fashionable method of getting rid of her time. Nothing whatever had happened to her, and she is now an ornament to society./ppThis story is not an invention; it is a leaf out of life. If this lady that autumn day had bought a plain skirt she would have continued on in her humble, sensible way of living. Clearly it was the skirt that made the woman, and not the woman the skirt. She had no preconception of it; it simply happened to her, like any accident–as if she had fallen and sprained her ankle. Some people may say that she had in her a concealed propensity for frivolity; but the skirt cannot escape the moral responsibility of calling it out if it really existed. The power of things to change and create character is well attested./ppMen live up to or live down to their clothes, which have a great moral influence on manner, and even on conduct. There was a man run down almost to vagabondage, owing to his increasingly shabby clothing, and he was only saved from becoming a moral and physical wreck by a remnant of good-breeding in him that kept his worn boots well polished. In time his boots brought up the rest of his apparel and set him on his feet again. Then there is the well-known example of the honest clerk on a small salary who was ruined by the gift of a repeating watch–an expensive timepiece that required at least ten thousand a year to sustain it: he is now in Canada./ppSometimes the influence of Things is good and sometimes it is bad. We need a philosophy that shall tell us why it is one or the other, and fix the responsibility where it belongs. It does no good, as people always find out by reflex action, to kick an inanimate thing that has offended, to smash a perverse watch with a hammer, to break a rocking-chair that has a habit of tipping over backward. If Things are not actually malicious, they seem to have a power of revenging themselves. We ought to try to understand them better, and to be more aware of what they can do to us. If the lady who bought the a target=_new href=http://www.mishcollection.com/homeskirt/a could have known the hidden nature of it, could have had a vision of herself as she was transformed by it, she would as soon have taken a viper into her bosom as have tied the skirt around her waist. Her whole previous life, her feeling of the moment, show that it was not vanity that changed her, but the inconsiderate association with a Thing that happened to strike her fancy, and which seemed innocent. But no Thing is really powerless for good or evil./ppa target=_new href=http://www.mishcollection.comMisha Ghosh a target=_new href=http://www.mishcollection.comhttp://www.mishcollection.com/a/a/pbrbr

titleShow Team Support Through Youth NFL Jerseys/titlepThe National Football League or NFL has been very famous all over the world in the 21st century. However, we remain clueless that it struggled during its first decade of operation with teams coming in and dropping out with discouraging regularity. Just like other sports associations like NBA and FIFA, the NFL never gained popularity on its first day. It started in the 1920s and Joe F. Carr was commissioned as the leagues president. The NFL started to gain popularity when Red Grange signed with the Chicago Bears, which is one of the leagues most powerful team back then. Grange was the most phenomenal among the halfbacks of his time and when he had his debut against the Chicago Cardinals at Wrigley Field in Chicago, 36,000 fans went to see his game. This number doubled when they fought against the New York Giants at Polo Grounds in New York. This kind of crowd was unheard, before this. Red Grange retired in 1935 and became one of the all time greats of the NFL./ppThe NFL has been a part of every Americans life nowadays. No NFL fan can live without their own NFL apparel. Every popular NFL team has its own line of youth NFL jerseys. Whether it is summer or the popular winter outfit, youth NFL jerseys has its own variations and styles. For every NFL fanatic, it is imperative to make sure that his/her inventory is always on track. There is no other way to support your popular team than by going to the games in your very own youth NFL jerseys./ppThe popular youth NFL jerseys is not just for NFL games and gatherings; you can actually wear it for almost any occasions. Not for the coat and tie cocktail parties though. Although authentic NFL jerseys are out in the market, replica jerseys are still part of the fashion. Even though it is cheaper than the authentic ones, it is very stylish that you can wear them to any informal occasions. Tank tops for girls can be very sexy, and tots can join in the fun with their popular teams youth NFL jerseys./ppYou can buy these apparels on your nearest sports house, NFL establishments and certain shopping centers. However, the most convenient way to get your hands on to your popular teams youth NFL jerseys is to go to your computer and shop online. Some NFL stores have their online counterparts that you can easily purchase any NFL apparels from them in the comfort of your own couch. These online stores offer within the day delivery that it feels like you bought them yourself at your nearby shopping district./ppWhenever you just feel like it, or there is a sudden surge of eagerness to buy a particular NFL apparel, you can always go online and purchase it. Just make sure that it is within your budget and the site where you are buying it from is secured. You do not want anybody hacking your personal information./ppArticle a TARGET=_new HREF=http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/CategoriesYouth NFL Jerseys/a is written by a TARGET=_new HREF=http://www.skyfireproducts.comCassaundra Flores/a, owner of a TARGET=_new HREF=http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/Catalogskyfireproducts.com/a/pbrbr

titleCustom Apparel Promotional Items/titlepCustom apparel is one of the most popular promotional items used by businesses because it reaches many people at a cost-effective way. Its uses cut across industries-construction, retail, sports, education, and other fields have used imprinted apparel to bring their marketing messages to many. Aside from their affordable prices, shirts are easier to personalize./ppWith the extensive range of custom apparel, including promotional T-shirt items, work and team uniforms, fleece vests and jackets, windbreakers, sweatshirts, dress shirts, and tank tops, selecting apparel suitable for your publicity events can be daunting. What apparel goes with which event?/ppCustom T-shirts are an all-around giveaway that you cant ever go wrong with. The basic short-sleeved shirt is used for almost every event: an athletic meet, a product launch, as giveaways. White shirts, certainly, will complement any colored logo. For complex color combinations, Branders See Before You Buy tool enables one to see how a logo looks on a particular product./ppSports apparel is appropriate for athletic events. Like is to like, certainly, and whats a tighter fit than custom sweatshirts, windbreakers, or jerseys and a sports team? For coaches to stand apart, personalized jackets with reflective safety stripes will do the work./ppCustom apparel like aprons make delightful promotional items for campaigns tied to food, beverage, and kitchen and houseware. Bandannas and scarves are fashionable accessories that will jazz up any outfit. Personalize these gifts with your logo and theyll guarantee you brand exposure over the years./ppSome custom apparel items are meant to foster a sense of belonging. Dress shirts make great corporate uniforms, and with your embroidered logo on these custom apparel items, your promotional success is a sure thing. Personalized windbreakers and sweatshirts will build camaraderie among new and old employees. In hospitals and athletic teams, its difficult not to feel that youre part of the group when youre garbed in the same imprinted scrubs, jogging suits, or sweat suits./ppWith thousands of apparel models available online, theres surely one customizable item that will fit your objective. If you need advice in narrowing down your choices, call your Branders account manager, wholl be happy to help./ppRemy is a Promotional Adviser specializing on a TARGET=_new href=http://www.cheapwholesaletshirts.com/logo_polo_shirts.htmlLogo Polo Shirts/a, a TARGET=_new href=http://www.customwholesaletshirts.com/custom_tshirts.htmlCustom Tshirts/a/pbrbr

titleRules for Riding Horses In The Back Country/titlepPlanning on heading into the great wilderness with your horse? Well, maybe one of the reasons you and your horse are planning on hitting the trail is for the adventure and lack of rules and regulations you are regularly accosted with in your daily life. But wait a second. In order for you and horse to safely enjoy your back country adventures, there are a few rules and tips you should follow. Keep reading to prepare yourself for the best possible experience!/pp• The first order of business is to make sure that your horse will be able to deal with a variety of sights and sounds he is likely to encounter in the back country. Youll be much happier if you desensitize your horse to these things before you leave. A horse who is prepared for the back country should be able to load and haul, stand tied, and be hobbled. He should also be brave when it comes to crossing streams, boggy areas, and downed trees and other obstacles. He shouldnt lose his mind when confronted with the sudden movement of wildlife or other people and horses, should not be bothered by brightly colored packs and clothing, and should not be afraid of motorcycles or mopeds./pp• When out in the back country, never tie horses to trees. If you need to confine your horses, a high picket line between trees works well. Be sure to protect the tree with something like padding or a gunny sack where the line goes around the tree. The line should be about seven feet above the ground, and the lead ropes should be tied so that the halter snap is two feet from the ground. Make sure there is a swivel in the lead rope, which will prevent it from becoming twisted or unraveled./pp• Make sure your campsite is situated at least 200 feet away from lakes, rivers, and streams./pp• Dont litter! Be sure to carry out everything you brought in. Burn what trash you can according to the regulations in the area, but pack out burned cans, unburned fire debris, and garbage. And that means food scraps, too! Burying garbage or burning aluminum foil is not acceptable, and is actually illegal in most areas./pp• Many federal lands prohibit packing hay or unprocessed rain, and this includes some wilderness areas and parks. Why is this stuff prohibited? Because many feedstuffs contain weeds, and bringing them into the back country promotes the spread of noxious weeds. Many parks insist that you carry in your own weed-free feed. Cube-form alfalfa rations that are certified weed free are easy to pack, travel well, and are usually enjoyed by your horses. Check you local tack and feed stores, or ask a county extension agent, for weed-free feeds./pp• Before you head out into wilderness areas and parks, always check with the proper authorities regarding camping regulations, number of people and horses allowed in a group, and trails open to horses. You dont want to have to turn around and go home once youve arrived somewhere!/pp• Pay special attention to campfire rules, and always abide by them. There are many campsites that dont allow open fires. Never leave a campfire unattended, and always make sure it is properly extinguished before moving on to your next location./pp• Never leave horse hay or manure on trailheads or in loading areas, or in camp areas. Again, it bears repeating, clean up after yourselves!/ppSo, when you and your horse are traveling in the back country, is there anything that is acceptable to leave behind? Actually, there is. Hoofprints!/ppWant to talk more about riding your horse in the back country or just want to talk about horses. Please visit and bookmark our links in the resource box below./ppThanks/ppRon Petracek was raised in Southern Idaho, with a black morgan as his adventure companion. His Love for horses has expanded into the largest equine classified network on the internet to date with horse articles, classifieds and social networking./ppa TARGET=_new href=http://www.Horsechitchat.com/network.phpAmazing Equine Network System – Buy Sell or trade anything equine related. Get More Horse Classified coverage and distribution with less cost and work/a./ppa TARGET=_new href=http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforumsAmazing Horse Forum/a/pbrbr

The Style Fallout at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is one of those long standing very British traditions that set us apart from other countries originally founded in 1711 by Queen Anne it has become a high light of social summer calendar. The ceremonial nature of Royal Ascot shows just what it means to have our Royals out and about in action amongst the more regular folk. The international news coverage of the arrivals by carriage, commentary about who’s wearing what, hats of course, and a general air of sophistication and politeness that hides the real action, which is of course gambling.

The Royals add an inevitably dignified edge to the proceeding and are as a whole heavily involved with all things horsey. At Ascot however, the Royal family are more significant in that they dictate certain aspect of the day especially when it comes to fashion. The third day of the races is known as ‘Ladies Day’ but was originally known as gold cup day, it remains the busiest day of the races and is also a feature on the fashion calendar.

James Sherwood a noted fashion expert commented on The Queen, In the last 10 years the queen has blossomed and looks both happy and glorious. This is thanks largely to her dresser Angela Kelly and younger designers such as Stewart Parvin. As Miuccia Prada recently said, the Queen is simply the most elegant woman on the planet.” Her involvement with Royal Ascot began long before her reign,, her first visit was when she was just 19 years old and less than two weeks after VE day the races have been stage every year since and she has always attended. She opened the redevelopment in 2004 on June 20th to ensure the future of Royal Ascot for the British public and Royals alike. The Royal are not known as being trend setters within the fashion world however, this is definitely their day when it comes to showing the nation what it means to act in a dignified manner.

James also is part of the commentary team for the BBC and stated “It is the people who try to dress outrageously to get on the telly who I usually have the sternest words for.” This being the case there are many warnings from all fashion enthusiasts that to dress for Royal Ascot is all about sticking to those all important rules for the Royal Enclosure.

The new rules are a testimony to the anti-’WAG’ sentiment and up keep of a sense of occasion. For women any strapless, halter necked, spaghetti strapped necklines are not allowed. All midriffs must be covered and trousers must be full length and preferably part of a suit. Skirts or dress length must be no more than two inches above the knee and bare legs are frowned upon. Women must also wear some form of hat or “substantial fascinators.” The guide also warns against streaky tan lines, chewing gum, using mobile phones and comments that knickers are required but not to be seen.

The Queen opted for pastels as did the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, The Countess of Wessex and a few other minor royals. However much was made of the younger female Royals especially Zara Phillips who has been seen as a rebel in the past looked very stylish and elegant in her 50’s inspired outfit. It was Eugenie skirt length that raised more than a few eyebrows as it is on the shorter side of knee length and possibly more than two inch above the knee but the Royal Ascot spokesperson claimed to not have seen the dress in question and claimed “As long as it is not a miniskirt and is in keeping with the rest of the outfit then the wearer would be allowed into the Royal Enclosure.”

Chelsea is an occasional author, writing intermittent articles on anythingequine.co.uk, who specializes in a range of equestrian wear and jodhpurs.

Men’s Health – How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs – Who Do You Ask?

Have you looked in the mirror lately, not at your grizzly mug, at your chest? Do you have a weight problem? Is it everywhere or just in your chest? Do you have moobs? Do you live a fairly healthy life style, you know the drill, everything in moderation, lots of liquids, regular exercise, sleep regularly and so on? Even with the healthy diet and exercise do you still have oversized breasts with enlarged nipples? You likely have man boobs. I bet you would like to get rid of them. So who should you ask?

The trainer at the gym gave you some exercises. You did them for a month and your chest firmed up. Unfortunately that did not help from a cosmetic point of view. Your chest is actually more prominent now than it was before. It must be important to know which exercises to do, not just do chest exercises. Certainly all exercise is a step in the right direction but if you are already fairly fit and you are looking to get specific cosmetic results, then you should ask the right question. Yes it is embarrassing to tell someone that you have man boobs. But if you want to reduce your breast size, then you must face up to the problem and search out the correct answers to that problem by asking the correct question.

OK, even with the correct exercises, you still have not addressed your enlarged nipples. When you asked your doctor about dealing with this problem he talked about a disease named Gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is the result of a hormone imbalance. The treatment strategy suggested by traditional medicine is drugs. There are several alternatives. If one type of drug does not work, then it is suggested you try others. If none of the drugs reduce your male breast and nipple size, then the next alternative is surgery. Surgery will not reduce the nipple size. Traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical companies only seem to have risky and expensive solutions to your situation. To whom can you ask the question: how to get rid of man boob? Who will give you advice which will not expose you to either the risks of pharmaceutical products or the risks of surgery. Who can help you avoid the significant expense of drug treatments and surgery?

If you are not asking the correct questions, then you will probably not get the correct answers. I believe that we all prefer a solution which does not cost an arm and a leg. I believe that we all prefer a treatment which does not expose us to the expense and risk of surgery. The first step is facing up to your situation. Once you accept that fact that you are trying to treat Gynecomastia, then you will start getting solutions to Gynecomastia. Exercise can reduce the size of the chest muscle but only if you do the exercises which have been proven to reduce breast size. To truly solve the problem you must address the cause. In the case of man boobs which are not the result of an overweight issues, then the cause is hormone imbalance. How do we correct the hormone imbalance?

We must learn to ask the right questions of the right people. We must learn to look in the correct places for answers. Frankly, it is time for us to stop believing traditional medicine. Look at the profits of the major pharmaceutical companies. Take Pfizer for example. In 2001 Pfizer’s net profit was greater than the combined profits of all the Fortune 500 companies in the homebuilding, apparel, railroad and publishing industries. Modern medicine is no longer about your health. Don’t add your name to the millions of people who innocently placed their faith and trust in our corrupted medical system. A system that has taken and continues to take our lives not for granted, but for their profit.

I feel a rant building so I had better move on. You want a solution. You want to know how to get rid of man boobs. Most solutions are found by going to someone who is experienced, in this instance experienced in getting rid of man boobs.

Discover that you are not alone in your problem and others have struggled with moobs. Many people have found that all natural treatments have been effective in the removal of breast fat. Natural methods employing proven diets and effective exercise routines have reduced both the breast and nipple size of man boob associated with Gynecomastia without the dangerous drugs and surgery recommended by the official medical establishment.

Click here to find out how to get rid of man boobs using natural strategies. Do not reward traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical companies for ineffective treatments which are expensive, invasive and dangerous. Mike Anderson is an advocate of natural medical strategies.

Click here to review a pdf document about traditional medical establishment.

Guidelines in Choosing Your Custom Triathlon Apparel

There must be some reasons why when it comes to triathlon apparels, it is purely a personal preference of the racer. Well, of course team uniforms mark the exemption. Depending on the agreement or the rulings as imposed by a team, racers are issued or mandated with a single type of uniform. In general, however competitors are allowed with their choice.

One theory is to give allowance to the comfort level of the racer himself or to provide him some freedom in choosing his own apparel. Being able to decide for your personal suit and gears would do good in making the race more endurable, considering that it is composed of three disciplined endurance games.

And what more may be better than having your custom triathlon apparel?

Yes, there may be some good triathlon shops both offline and online that may provide you with their best wetsuits, shorts and tops and accessories. However, there simply are no standard sizes that would perfectly fit every racer. We all have our unique anatomies. And being so particular with the fitting of your apparel would surely create some troubles when shopping for one.

Custom triathlon apparels may not give you everything that you would desire in a suit however, it can provide most of the things that you must have. A perfect fit, materials that are of your personal selection and a design that you actually helped conceptualized. It’s just so personal.

If you would not want running, swimming or biking next to a person wearing the same wetsuit or shorts as you have then save troubles by customizing your triathlon apparel.

Custom triathlon apparels are not only for the solo flighters. Actually, most team uniforms are either bought by bulk or custom made. Thus, the effect of having an identity that covers the idea of a single group. It’s just a matter of choosing your own or your team’s design or allow a professional to take all troubles for you.

With customized triathlon apparel, you may have a better sense of confidence for which you may cling to in case everything else fails. The belief of being an individual running race against everyone else and a race for himself. Or a team being unified with a single personality earning points and a common confidence that will help lead each member to the desired goal.

If you are doubtful where to contact manufacturers of customized triathlon apparel be assured that help is just a click of your mouse away.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Triathlon, please visit http://triathlon.articlekeep.com

Puppy Mills – Learn the Surprising Truth About Pet Shops

Pet stops are a very popular place to shop for young puppies and other animals of your choice. There is a pet store on almost every corner in every cit. And it is difficult to resist that cute and desperate looking puppy caged up waiting to be taken to your house. But before you make this decision you really should know a little bit of information about these pet stops and the origins of the puppies they sell.

Ever heard of a puppy mill?

Do you know where most of these puppies actually come from that you see being sold in pet shops? There are certain breeding centers that have high-volume puppy production which sells them to pet shops, which then is sold then sold to you, of course. They are called “puppy mills” and are probably the most repulsive form of dog breeding practices that I have ever witnessed in my entire life.

My Disclaimer: Let me be clear on one thing up for you: Not every pet stop gets their puppies from puppy mills, but enough research has been conducted to find that a large majority of shops in the USA do in fact use puppy mills as their resource for pets to sell to the public.

So, what exactly are puppy mills?

To put it in easier terms, a puppy mill is a farm that is found most often in the Midwestern part of the United States. These farms actually breed animals for money and they mostly breed dogs. That may not sound that cruel but imagine these puppies being bred in high volumes and mistreated in the same way that cattle or chickens are. Now I’m not saying that all farms that breed dogs are like this – I’m referring to the majority.

If that doesn’t give you a disturbing vision, then imagine cages stacked upon cages with these small adorable little puppies, all suffering and being ignored. Again, I’m not talking about all farms. Now picture rows and rows of these dog filled cages, all with very minimal human contact and the only care they are getting is enough food and water to survive. You can easily find photos by doing research on the Internet which would absolutely break your heart.

What is so horrible about buying a puppy that originated from a puppy mill?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking home one of these puppies, and it is definitely a positive choice to make. No, I’m not contradicting myself; I’m just shedding a little light on the subject of puppy mills. On the other hand, many of these dogs have what is called Early Stress Syndrome (ESS) and may grow up to be extremely nervous and frightened dogs which are very hard to instill confidence when training them. Of course there are exceptions to the rule with these puppies, however, before you spend your hard-earned money just make sure that you understand that there is to know about where your puppy came from when considering buying one from a pet stop.

Article by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies – to find designer dog beds, visit http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds/

Surfboards 101 – A Beginner’s Guide

Surfboards are measured by various dimensions: length, width, and thickness. The length of the surfboard will determine how easily you catch the wave. The longer the board is, the easier it will be to catch the wave. The width of the board will help you with balance. The wider it is, the more balance you will have out in the water. Finally, the thickness of the board will provide you with float. The thicker it is, the more buoyant you will be. You will usually find these dimensions measured in inches and written on the underbelly of the board on the stringer by the tail.

Surfboards are usually made of one or a combination of three materials: wood, fiberglass, and epoxy. Wooden boards were the first surfboards ever used to ride waves but have since become expensive to make and therefore relatively obsolete. Most surfers have balsa wood boards hanging on their walls as collector’s items. They are sturdy but heavy.

Fiberglass boards are the typical boards used on the surfing circuit. They are made of foam called a blank with a layer of fiberglass over it. They are the most delicate, but in most cases the most versatile because they can be custom shaped to your liking. The newest surfboard material is epoxy. Epoxy boards are durable but manufactured by machines. They are more expensive and ride the fastest, but they are not custom made, which avid surfers eventually prefer. Beginning surfers might prefer epoxy boards over other materials. Board makers like Bic and South Point have a line of economical epoxy boards that work well for surfers just starting out.

Most recently, there are new boards being made of carbon fiber that are extremely durable but also very expensive. Hollow-core boards are also popular because they provide more float and are extremely lightweight, yet have quick response and high performance.

Most boards also have a stringer and a rocker. The stringer is the wooden line that runs down the center and length of the board. Stringers help to keep the foam and board intact. The rocker is the curve of the board, which prevents the board from catching an edge. The bigger the rocker, the easier it will be for you to turn on your board. Long boards usually have a flatter rocker because they tend to ride on a relatively flat part of the wave . Short boards, on the other hand, tend to have more rocker because they are designed to ride a much more critical part of the wave. Bigger, faster waves require more rocker in shortboards to give the rider ample board control.

Your collection of surfboards is called your quiver. If you stick with the sport long enough, you might eventually have a quiver of 10 to 20 boards! No matter how big your quiver is, it will certainly be a collection of boards with various shapes and sizes to suit different conditions and purposes.

When a board reaches retirement, surfers believe the board “buckles.” In other words, the board has developed some kind of weakness in its core that will no longer allow it to perform as you would like it to. When the board buckles, breaks, or is just overly aged, it means it’s time to retire your board. One way to prevent your board from aging quickly is to store it in a board bag in a cool, dry place. Boards are best stored horizontally because that will cause any water that does seep into the board to distribute more evenly, rather than sending it straight to the tail if you store it vertically. Also keep in mind that dings even bad bumps and bruises are easily fixable, so don’t give up on your board if it has cosmetic issues!

Robb Bailey works for South Coast Surf Shops, San Diego’s premiere surfboard distributor and surf apparel dealer for more than 30 years. He has been inducted as a lifetime honorary member of his college surf club, the Cal Poly Surfer’s Association, and has traveled the world surfing for the past 11 years. Find out more about Robb at SouthCoast.com

How to Go Skiing Without Dying of the Cold

You’re thinking of going snow skiing, or perhaps snowboarding. Maybe it’s your first time. But it’s going to be cold, really cold, and you’re wondering about dressing appropriately so that you stay warm and dry in the snow and enjoy your trip. How do you go about dressing for the snow?

It’s one of the most important things you can do if you’re new to going skiing or snowboarding. The difference between making the right choices for your snow apparel, and the wrong choices, may mean the difference between a fun comfortable, dry and warm day, or a cold, damp and decidedly uncomfortable day that you won’t enjoy at all.

Firstly it’s important to understand a basic principal of dressing for cold weather, or snow. You need to understand layering.

Layering is simple really. You need to wear a range of different layers of clothing, each one with it’s own purpose. It’s not sufficient to just wear your regular clothing and put a good ski jacket over it all. Whilst high quality ski wear is very important, there is more to dressing well for the cold and snow than just buying a great jacket.

So make sure you adhere to the principal of layering. The first layer is the one next to your skin. It’s important to adhere to a couple of simple rules here. Firstly, stay away from cotton. Whilst cotton is a wonderful fabric in some circumstances, it isn’t ideal for cold damp conditions. Like some other natural fibers, such as wool, cotton gets damp easily and does not dry well. So if it’s next to your skin it will leave you feeling damp and cold. If you’re prone to getting cold easily go for long sleeved and long legged top and bottoms made from a synthetic fabric such as polyester, or Polartec, which is a fine fabric choice for your first layer.

Next comes the second layer. For this layer the rules for the first layer still apply. Stay away from natural fibers like cotton or wool, for the same reason. They take up moisture and make you damp. Look for a good fleece. This layer is to help keep you warm and also to keep the moisture away. A fleece made from a synthetic fabric will do the job fine. Again Polartec is a great material to choose, though not the cheapest.

And for many days, especially during good weather, and especially if you’re busy skiing or snowboarding hard, this may be enough. You’ll be surprised at how warm a good synthetic underlayer and a high quality synthetic fleece will keep you. They will breathe well, allowing you to sweat without getting damp, and keep you warm and toasty.

But on some day, especially days with cloud cover or wind, you need a third layer. This layer is the important layer on those really cold days when you still want to get out on the slopes regardless. The ski jacket and snowpants. When it’s seriously cold and wet outside, and you’re going to be out in it, you need high quality snow clothing. Again you need synthetic fabrics that keep you warm and dry. A high quality synthetic fabric will cut the wind, allow you to stay warm but still allow your body to breathe, and keep moisture away.

There are very good synthetic fabrics that are well known, Gore Tex is the most well known probably, though there are others. These are durable fabrics that, when used in a good quality ski jacket, will be serviceable for many years and keep you warm and snug. Whilst it costs more to buy high quality synthetic fabric ski wear, the extra cost is worth it. And of course there are always places online where you can find great quality skiwear discounted.

So if you’re going skiing for the first time, or snowboarding, or perhaps just taking a holiday to Alaska, or for some reason venturing into serious cold climates, adhere to the layering principal. Use high quality synthetic fabrics in layers, wear as many layers as you need and you should stay warm and dry for the day, enjoy your days skiing or snowboarding, and be ready to go again the next morning whatever the weather.

Peter runs a website where you can buy discount North Face jackets called, appropriately, Discount North Face Jackets where you can find out about mens North Face jackets and more, including mens jackets discounted.