All About Women | Women

Men spend a lot of money trying to find ways to make their loved ones even prettier than they are. To find a look that flatters what his mate has and hides the things she doesn't like about  herself can make everyone feel good. But what can be even better is finding cheap lingerie that looks like it cost a million dollars. Even now that's not an easy task. But with an increase in online lingerie shops, it's getting easier.

Cheap lingerie might be a misnomer. Even lingerie on sale is typically higher in cost than a pair of pants. But there are places and times where men can find lower-priced lingerie. Clearance bins at the local department store is one place to look. These bins hold the pieces that got overstocked, or failed to sell for some reason. As such, they may not be silk or satin lingerie with frills or extras. But they can still make a good gift for someone who has not become accustomed to higher-priced lingerie. Another place to look for low-price lingerie is online.

With the myriad of lingerie storefronts on the Internet, there are inevitably going to be those pieces that arrive to the seller defective or tagged with the wrong size. Some will sell returns for a percentage off. And with all of the competition online, there will always be a shop here or there that is going out of business and needs to get rid of its inventory, for whatever customers are willing to pay.

There are as many styles of cheap lingerie as there are body types in the world. Two distinct purposes of lingerie are to enhance the body's natural beauty and to shape and modify parts of the body that need help. Corsets, bustiers, bras, garters and the like are shapers. They can make the breasts appear larger and more shapely. They can also slim the waist and bring out curves that are just barely there. Teddys, camis, baby dolls and other similar styles of lingerie can enhance the body's natural shape. They often cover the torso, and come in either one-piece suits or a set with a top and panties.

Movies have made popular the silky, soft and lacy lingerie, but it can be made of a variety of fabrics. Leather and velvet are popular choices for those looking to go against the grain. Cotton and other more 'comfortable' fabrics have made a recent appearance to cater to women with "discomfort phobia." Lycra, a stretchy material related to spandex, is popular among men's lingerie and increasingly with women's bodysuits.

As the quality of it continues to increase, cheap lingerie isn't just for the financially burdened. As many a cheapskate has said, why spend a fortune to buy the name brand, when you can get a knockoff for half the price? Purchasing lingerie on clearance can be a great investment, if buyers are willing to accept the imperfections. Trying a piece of lingerie on before buying can keep sizing mistakes from becoming an issue. And a simple inspection of the hems and fabric will minimize any chance of getting a piece that will have to be donated to Goodwill.

by: Jason Mark Hulott

Domestic Violence Story - Chapter Two

Things seemed to calm down, and he even "allowed" my friends to come over to our place for the first time in the 6 months we had been living together. I wanted things to go so well, I worked very hard to get the food and drinks ready and cleaned diligently.

My boyfriend was a recovering alcoholic and was clean and sober for 7 years. When my friends arrived, I served the drinks. He said he didn't want one, but I said it was okay for him to have just one. I didn't want him to feel awkward or left out.

Okay, you get it, right? That's where I messed up. And having no previous knowledge of what a serious alcoholic was about and thought having a couple drinks wouldn't be such a big deal, I certainly learned my lesson.

(It took 3 days for my eye to open just to see if I was blind from the injury. There was cornea damage, the thank The Lord, I still had my sight.)

I served everyone drink after drink that night, and everyone, including my boyfriend, had a fantastic time!

When everyone was walking out the door was left open, and I noticed my dog, Pebbles, got out. We lived right on a main road, and I was frantic and asked him to get Pebbles right away. I can't recall what his reply was, but he didn't go outside to look, so I said it again, "Pebbles got out, we need to get her now!"

I was cleaning all the beer bottles up all over the coffee table, and I was standing right next to the couch. All I remember is being thrown into the couch on my back and held down. His knee was pushed down on my chest and one of his hands was squeezing my arm. I couldn't move at all.

Then it began. What seemed to last hours probably only lasted a solid 60 seconds and about 20 or more punches. I will never forget one punch, it sent my eyeball crashing right into my head! It hurt so badly, I thought my eye was gone. I felt my eye being shoved so hard into my brain it was brutal.

(This was taken more than 2 weeks after the incident.)

But he didn't stop. I weighed 115 pounds and was 5' 6" tall. Hardly a match for a guy, even though he was shorter than I was.

The punches to my face, neck and chest continued. I remember saying "I'm sorry, please forgive me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please. I love you."

Then he stopped suddenly! He took a beer bottle and broke it over his head. (A sudden rush of guilt came to his mind? Who knows!)

No time for making up or worrying about HIS head, I ran as fast as I could out of the apartment!

I ran to the convenience store area which was in our parking lot. Apparently the store owner saw me bleeding and yelling for help and called 911.

At just that moment, all of my friends came back and looked at me like they saw a ghost. Only about 15 minutes passed by since they left. It turns out they took my dog, Pebbles, as a joke. It didn't turn out to be so funny though. But she was okay, so I was VERY relieved about that! She was my pride and joy! If you seriously want unconditional love, animals don't let you down! :o) So I won't let them down, that's for sure.

My Pebbles...I got her when she was 5 weeks old. She fit in the palm of my hand. We were together for 17 years, some of the best years of my life. I was very blessed to have her love in my life.

Please See Domestic Violence Story Chapter 3

By: Adrienne DeVita

5 police cars, 10 policemen. Searched the vicinity, never found him. When they left, he showed up. He looked at me and started screaming, "Who the hell did this to you!?" I only had one eye to look at him with and disgustingly looked at him while all my friends were there and said, "You did."

He didn't believe it. He said he went into a "blackout." Well, my opinion of whether or not alcoholics actually do go into "blackouts" is neither here nor there. But something happened that was never fully understandable, that's for certain.

What happened to him? Well, this was a while ago, and California didn't impose strict standards on domestic violence abuse the way they do today. That's too bad, isn't it?

He got 30 days of picking up garbage on the side of the road. BUT, since he had a doctor's note saying he had a bad back from a car accident, he actually only wound up doing 15 days doing desk duty. He would leave early because the woman running the program said he was a hard worker.

Trying to get a job (remember, I had been laid off) looking beat up was impossible. I didn't even leave the house for two weeks, and he shut off the phone so I didn't have anyway to even make phone calls to get a job.

There's more to the story, but this gives you an idea as to how quickly domestic violence can happen. Or was it quickly?

If you see red flags, get out now while you can. My story doesn't get happy, and things didn't get much better, not for quite a while.

I'll tell you more about my life again soon, but please don't repeat my mistakes. Because you will end up with a very difficult, unhappy, low self esteem, codependent life like I have lived for far too long.

Trust me, You DO Deserve Better!

God Bless,

Adrienne

P.S. - These pictures were taken 2 weeks after the initial incident. I can tell you this, makeup doesn't hide these injuries. I went to the supermarket because I had no food, so I tried to look decent. I had two people come up to me and ask to take me to the emergency room and wanted to know who just did this to me. When I told them it happened two weeks ago, they didn't believe me.

By: Adrienne DeVita

Love is a single word but it carries many deep feelings within itself. These are care, understanding, devotion, dedication, respect for each other, and sense of responsibility thereby making this feeling so powerful and incredible. The feeling of love comes instantly in a person’s heart and it has the power to merge an individual within itself. Love: a four letter word which fills everybody’s heart with smile, happiness and joy. It is a delicate thread which binds two people in such a strong relation. It makes life so beautiful.

Everything around you seems to blossom. Love brings meaning to ones life. It makes you feel special in its own way. You just can’t stop thinking about your beloved. When you are in love you can never be lonely wherever you go. Love is when you want to be with your soul mate every time and everywhere. Love makes each day worth getting up for. It’s magic! It can do wonders. It is the feeling of heart not mind.

You don't have to go overboard by going to a fancy restaurant every other day or going on vacations that you cannot afford. Mind you those things help but, sometimes the little things that mean the most. Here are five things you can do that will improve your relationship and will allow you to have the best love making experience:

1. Listening

The lack of communication can be very frustrating to women but not listening can really get their dander up. Many men have been accused of concentrating more on whatever was on television than our wives and girlfriends. To a large degree it's true. Most women like to talk about personal matters that have a direct bearing on their lives, their family or friends. What's on TV at that time is irrelevant. Show that you appreciate her by listening. Don't just wait for her to start talking. Initiate the conversation sometimes, and then listen carefully not only to what she says but her body language as well. This is not a one shot deal. Listening to her on a steady basis can only help better your relationship.

2. The Small Occasion Celebration

We've all seen the shows where the woman gets upset because the husband forgets their anniversary or birthday. That quite honestly should never happen. However for a lot of women, there are many smaller occasions that mean just as much; for instance the anniversary of your first date or the day both of you bought something together.

Being able to surprise your lady with little things that you know mean something to her (something she probably figured you took no notice of) can be a major relationship booster. If you have to "cheat" a little bit then get your own personal journal to keep track of these things.

3. Get to Know her People

Women value their relationships. While many men are of the take it or leave it mentality, it is very important to most women that you get to know her family and friends. These are people who make up a special part of her life and by taking the energy and effort to genuinely get to know them, you are showing her how much you love and care for her.

They maybe coming from a perspective that you are not crazy about but hang in there. Be open minded and respectful. The chances are that somewhere down the line you will want her to meet your people. Extend the same courtesies to her family and friends that you would expect from her if the situations were reversed.

It's easy to get stuck in a routine and set in our ways. But it's most important to continually show the lady of your life that you love her. Again it doesn't take extravagance. Get to know her people, be mindful of the small big occasions and above all listen. Doing these three things is planting the seeds of long term healthy relationship.

4. Give Up Trying to Change the Other Person

The desire to fix or change the other person is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Plus, it causes power struggles within relationships and issues of control. One person feels she cannot love the other unless the other changes. The other feels hurt, inadequate and as though something is wrong with him.

Having a healthy relationship means having the ability to love your partner as they are. Our partners have been put here to grow, develop and discover who they are. This can be a lengthy and challenging process. But the surprising thing about change is that the less we push and disapprove of others, the more easily and naturally they grow and change.

5. Develop Patience

Patience is an old-fashioned word in today's world. However, there is no way to rush growth in relationships or in the development of joy. If you're eager to get on the right track, there are two ways to get started: Learn how to be more giving and make an effort to be a better listener. But each one of these tasks takes time to master -- and patience. That's why it is necessary to realize that as we are, right now at this moment, we are lovable and acceptable. If you're ready to increase the amount of joy you feel in your own relationship, take back the responsibility for finding joy in your life, you will be pleased at the results.

By: Kayla Lane-Moore

Love is a single word but it carries many deep feelings within itself. These are care, understanding, devotion, dedication, respect for each other, and sense of responsibility thereby making this feeling so powerful and incredible. The feeling of love comes instantly in a person’s heart and it has the power to merge an individual within itself. Love: a four letter word which fills everybody’s heart with smile, happiness and joy. It is a delicate thread which binds two people in such a strong relation. It makes life so beautiful.

Everything around you seems to blossom. Love brings meaning to ones life. It makes you feel special in its own way. You just can’t stop thinking about your beloved. When you are in love you can never be lonely wherever you go. Love is when you want to be with your soul mate every time and everywhere. Love makes each day worth getting up for. It’s magic! It can do wonders. It is the feeling of heart not mind.

You don't have to go overboard by going to a fancy restaurant every other day or going on vacations that you cannot afford. Mind you those things help but, sometimes the little things that mean the most. Here are five things you can do that will improve your relationship and will allow you to have the best love making experience:

1. Listening

The lack of communication can be very frustrating to women but not listening can really get their dander up. Many men have been accused of concentrating more on whatever was on television than our wives and girlfriends. To a large degree it's true. Most women like to talk about personal matters that have a direct bearing on their lives, their family or friends. What's on TV at that time is irrelevant. Show that you appreciate her by listening. Don't just wait for her to start talking. Initiate the conversation sometimes, and then listen carefully not only to what she says but her body language as well. This is not a one shot deal. Listening to her on a steady basis can only help better your relationship.

2. The Small Occasion Celebration

We've all seen the shows where the woman gets upset because the husband forgets their anniversary or birthday. That quite honestly should never happen. However for a lot of women, there are many smaller occasions that mean just as much; for instance the anniversary of your first date or the day both of you bought something together.

Being able to surprise your lady with little things that you know mean something to her (something she probably figured you took no notice of) can be a major relationship booster. If you have to "cheat" a little bit then get your own personal journal to keep track of these things.

3. Get to Know her People

Women value their relationships. While many men are of the take it or leave it mentality, it is very important to most women that you get to know her family and friends. These are people who make up a special part of her life and by taking the energy and effort to genuinely get to know them, you are showing her how much you love and care for her.

They maybe coming from a perspective that you are not crazy about but hang in there. Be open minded and respectful. The chances are that somewhere down the line you will want her to meet your people. Extend the same courtesies to her family and friends that you would expect from her if the situations were reversed.

It's easy to get stuck in a routine and set in our ways. But it's most important to continually show the lady of your life that you love her. Again it doesn't take extravagance. Get to know her people, be mindful of the small big occasions and above all listen. Doing these three things is planting the seeds of long term healthy relationship.

4. Give Up Trying to Change the Other Person

The desire to fix or change the other person is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Plus, it causes power struggles within relationships and issues of control. One person feels she cannot love the other unless the other changes. The other feels hurt, inadequate and as though something is wrong with him.

Having a healthy relationship means having the ability to love your partner as they are. Our partners have been put here to grow, develop and discover who they are. This can be a lengthy and challenging process. But the surprising thing about change is that the less we push and disapprove of others, the more easily and naturally they grow and change.

5. Develop Patience

Patience is an old-fashioned word in today's world. However, there is no way to rush growth in relationships or in the development of joy. If you're eager to get on the right track, there are two ways to get started: Learn how to be more giving and make an effort to be a better listener. But each one of these tasks takes time to master -- and patience. That's why it is necessary to realize that as we are, right now at this moment, we are lovable and acceptable. If you're ready to increase the amount of joy you feel in your own relationship, take back the responsibility for finding joy in your life, you will be pleased at the results.  By : Kayla Lane-Moore