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Ralph Lauren

2011-02-02T17:03:00.037+08:00

Ralph Lauren

Born	October 14, 1939 (1939-10-14) (age 71) The Bronx, New York
Nationality	American
Education	Baruch College, City University of New York
Labels	Polo Ralph Lauren Rugby Ralph Lauren Club Monaco
Religion	Jewish

Early Life

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Liftshitz in The Bronx, New York, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, from Pinsk, Belarus: Fraydl (Kotlar) and Frank Lifeshitz, a house painter.

Ralph attended the Salanter Academy Jewish Day School followed by MTA (now known as the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy), before eventually graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957. In MTA Lauren was known by his classmates for selling ties to his fellow students. In a moment of spontaneity, when asked what he wanted to do in his Clinton yearbook he stated under his picture that he wanted to be a millionaire. During the summer, Ralph attended Camp Roosevelt (Monticello).

At the age of 16, Ralph's brother Jerry (who was his guardian) changed their last name to Lauren to avoid the unfortunate obscenity reference Lifshitz has in English (although Ralph's brother Lenny retained the name). Apparently Ralph was teased about it in school. “My given name has the word shit in it,” he told Oprah Winfrey. “When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That's why I decided to change it. Then people said, "Did you change your name because you don't want to be Jewish?" I said, "Absolutely not. That's not what it's about. My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, "I'm going to pick a nice last name"—it wasn't particularly connected to anything or anyone."

He went to the Baruch School of Business and Civic Administration of the City College of New York (now known as Baruch College) where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years. From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army. On December 20, 1964, he married Ricky Anne Low-Beer in New York City. The two met six months earlier, in an eye doctor's office where Ricky was working as a receptionist. He did not attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman. In 1967, with the financial backing of Norman Hilton, Lauren opened a necktie store where he also sold ties of his own design, under the label "Polo." He later purchased the name from Hilton.

Polo Ralph Lauren

In 1970, Ralph Lauren won the COTY Award for his menswear line. Around that same time he released a line of women's suits that were tailored in a classic men's style, which was when the first Polo emblem was seen. It was on the cuff of the women's suit. Ralph Lauren released Polo's famous short sleeve mesh shirt with the Polo logo in 1972. It came out in 24 colors and soon became a classic. He also gained recognition for his design after he was contracted to provide clothing styles for the movie The Great Gatsby.

Surgery

Sometime in early 1987, he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. In April 1987 he underwent surgery to remove the tumor and made a full recovery.

Family

Ralph and his wife, Ricky, have two sons and a daughter: Andrew Lauren (b. 1969, New York City), David Lauren (b. 1971) and Dylan Lauren (b. 1974). Andrew is a film producer, David is an executive at Polo Ralph Lauren and Dylan owns and operates an upscale candy store, Dylan's Candy Bar, at 60th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan.

Reference:

Gross, Michael. Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren.

Ancient Asian Beauty Tips

2010-10-13T15:16:00.001+08:00

Unlocking the mystery of Asian beauty has been the target of researchers who wonder why many Asians look younger than their age and they possess beautiful, smooth, silky skins. Asian beauty secrets date back to ancient times, when their ancestors used nature's products and other healthy practices as part of their daily beauty rituals. Fortunately, you do not have to travel to Asia to find out their beauty secrets. You can follow their ancient practices in your home for a more beautiful you.

Drinking Tea
Living a healthy life is important in attaining beauty. If you are healthy, it shows on your physical appearance. Asians drink tea almost on a daily basis. Travel China Guide mentions that Chinese people have been drinking green tea for more than 4,000 years. It is no secret that tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, especially green tea. According to John Weisburger, Ph.D., senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, N.Y., the antioxidants found in green and black teas offer health benefits to humans. Tea is the second most consumed beverage second to water, says Science Daily, and among the highest consumers are Asians. A study published in the Sept. 13, 2006, issue of the "Journal of American Medical Association" states that Japanese adults who had consumed plenty of green tea had lower mortality rates than those who consumed with lower amounts.

Skin Whiteners
Blemish-free skin is important in having beautiful skin. Skin whiteners do not only lighten the skin color, but they also lighten dark scars and pimple blemishes. According to Eric P.H. Li, et al, of York University, Canada, Asians regard having lighter skin color as being beautiful. In Korea, people regarded those with white skin as being of noble descent. During the Koryo dynasty (918 to 1392), children of upper class families used peach flower water in washing their faces. They believed that doing so will make their skin cleaner, whiter and more transparent. Marketing whitening products is rampant in India, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. Grinding mint leaves into a paste consistency is a cheap homemade skin whitener. Apply the mint paste all over your face, and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing to lighten your tanned skin. Do this daily for best results.

Body Massage
With spas popping up almost everywhere, you can go in for your beauty and health rituals. Massage is an ancient form of healing. It has been around for more than 5,000 years. Documents as early as 2700 B.C.E. found in China show proof that people used massage as part of their health therapy. Massage can help relieve muscle tension and aid in blood circulation. When your blood is circulating well, it shows on your face by giving you rosy cheeks and a beautiful glow.

About the Author:
Josie Borlongan is an IT Manager and a writer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and works on a lot of home improvement projects, including interior decorating and gardening. She and her husband homeschool their daughter. She writes for Demand Studios, Associated Content and Bright Hub.

Home Remedy Beauty Tips 100 Years Ago

2010-10-13T15:13:00.003+08:00

Women have been concerned about their looks throughout history. Before the advent of commercially made beauty products, women had to make do with natural materials that could be easily located in their geographic area. By 100 years ago, few beauty products were typically made from foods and minerals. By this time, make-up made from synthetic materials was just coming into fashion

Cherry Lips and Nails
Approximately 100 years ago, women began wearing darker shades of lipstick. Women were advised to apply the lipstick very thickly. One newspaper claimed kissing was no longer popular because of the rising cost of lipstick. While lips were getting progressively darker with red shades of lipstick, fingernails were following suit. Scarlet was a preferred color, and the women who wanted to be in style grew their fingernails very long. Toenails were usually painted a pale pink to contrast with the deep red nails.

Meat Facials
At one point about 100 years ago, meat facials were all the rage in Paris. When a woman retired for the evening, she would tie strips of raw meat to her face. These strips could be beef or veal. The meat would be held against the face with binding. It was believed that the meat components would soften the woman's skin.

Lemon Lips
Lemons were often used to bring out the redness of a lady's lips. The lemon would be cut open and the pieces rubbed across the woman's lips. The acid in the lemons would cause the lips to turn red and tingle, which simulates today's lipsticks.

Eyebrows and Lashes
Ultra thin eyebrows were all the rage 100 years ago. Women would pluck them so thinly that they would look like they were drawn on with eyebrow pencils. Some women had such a strong desire to have thin eyebrows that they shaved their natural eyebrows off and penciled them in.

Tanning Was Popular
Until about 100 years ago, women were encouraged to maintain alabaster white skin as a beauty statement. In the early 1900s, Hollywood began to change that look. Actresses were told to start getting tans on their skin. Women who wanted to be in fashion copied that look; tanning became vogue.

Odor Be Gone
Another beauty tip that appeared about 100 years ago was to use recently invented antiperspirants. Women who were able to use antiperspirant to control perspiration and body odor could feel confident in their daily social encounters.

About the Author:
Sarah Sutherland has been writing professionally since 1989 and prides herself on writing it right the first time. She was a regular contributor to metropolitan newspapers including The Tennessean. She has also worked on staff as an associate editor at The Nashville Parent magazine. She currently holds a full-time position at a community newspaper and covers everything but sports.

Beauty Tips & Homemade Remedies

2010-10-13T15:08:00.000+08:00

Beauty products often are expensive and have harsh ingredients. Homemade beauty remedies work as well--and sometimes even better--than the expensive commercially made products. Making your own beauty products allows you to customize the ingredients to fit your needs. With just a few inexpensive materials, you will be able to treat yourself to beauty remedies that will make you feel like a million bucks.

Facial Cleanser
The delicate skin of your face responds remarkably well to homemade facial treatments. Start your facial routine with a multipurpose cleansing paste for all skin types. A cleanser should remove dirt and dead skin cells without drying or stressing your skin. Mix together in a blender 2 oz. filtered or spring water, 2 oz. apple cider vinegar, 4 oz. ground almonds and 3 oz. almond oil. Add approximately six drops of essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, lemon and sage. If you have very dry skin, use avocado oil instead of almond oil.

Hair Mask
A nourishing hair mask revitalizes dry, dull, tired-looking hair. One homemade remedy to try restores minerals and shine, according to Marie Miczak, author of "Nature's Weeds, Native Medicine." Make an infusion of rosemary and sage for dark hair colors. For light brown, blonde or red hair, substitute chamomile for the other herbs because rosemary and sage may stain your hair. To make an infusion, boil 1 pint of water and pour it over 1 oz. of dried herbs. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Add 1/4 cup bentonite clay to 1/4 cup rosemary infusion and 1/2 cup sage infusion, or 3/4 cup chamomile infusion for lighter-colored hair. Spread the mixture all over your hair; cover it with a shower cap or plastic bag. Wrap with a warm towel and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Teeth Whitener
A clean, white smile looks healthy and radiant. Purchased teeth whiteners can include harsh ingredients that may do more harm than good. Valerie Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy" recommends the following powder recipe for cleaning and whitening teeth. Mix together 2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, 2 tsp dried, ground sage and 1 tbsp. dried ground orange peel. Add five drops lemon essential oil and one drop peppermint essential oil. To use, dip a wet toothbrush into the powder and brush as normal.

Lip Gloss
For soft, kissable lips, forget petroleum-based lip glosses. Opt for a natural, homemade version. Boil water in a pan and place a smaller pan or bowl into it. In that bowl, melt 1 oz. beeswax, 2 tbsp. almond oil, approximately 10 drops jojoba oil and the contents of one or two vitamin E capsules. Stir until well blended. Add three to five to seven drops of lemon, lavender, peppermint or rose essential oil. To color the lip gloss, stir in beet juice. Add one drop at a time until you achieve the shade you like. You can give your lips a plumping boost by adding a drop or two of cinnamon essential oil.

About the Author:
Kitten Arbuckle is a freelance writer living in Indiana. Arbuckle has been writing for websites such as Garden Guides since early 2009. Her education includes training in landscaping, certification in herbal medicine from a botanical sanctuary and a variety of college courses.

Celebrity Beauty Tips & Secrets

2010-10-13T15:04:00.000+08:00

Celebrities have to look good. It's their job. They normally have access to the best of the best in the beauty industry to make them look as gorgeous and hot as they do. Most celebrities struggle with the same beauty issues as everyone else, but you would never know it to look at them. Some celebrities are nice enough to share their beauty tips and secrets with the rest of the world.

Fingernails Like Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts soaks her fingernails in olive oil for a few minutes once a week, according to the Model Beauty Tips website. The olive oil moisturizes your nails without making them weak. It will also soften your cuticles and helps to prevent hang nails.

Teeth Like Catherine Zeta Jones
Catherine Zeta Jones brushes her teeth with mashed strawberries, according to the Model Beauty Tips website. Strawberries contain malic acid, which will remove some of the surface discoloration on your teeth. Mix one strawberry with 1/2 tsp. baking soda, and leave it on for five minutes. You should not do this more than once a week, because of the acidity, according to the Fit Watch website.

Vaseline
Tyra Banks and Jessica Alba are fans of Vaseline. They use it anywhere, from their feet to their face, according to the Model Beauty Tips website. Vaseline also keeps your lips and the skin under your eyes hydrated. Use it for pushing back your cuticles, too.

Drink Water
Eva Longoria knows to drink half of her body weight in ounces each day to rid her body of toxins and to maintain her muscle tone. If you weigh 120 lbs., for example, drink 60 oz. water per day.

Eat Small Meals
Katherine Heigl eats five high-protein meals throughout the day and exercises to get the perfect body, according to the AmO Life website.

No Alcohol
Kelly Osborne quit drinking alcohol, and her weight dropped off, according to the AmO Life website. If banning alcohol completely is unrealistic for you, have a glass of red wine or a cocktail that contains a diet drink.

Green or White Tea
Drinking green or white tea is like a triple play. You are not snacking, you are adding water to your diet, and you are getting antioxidants. Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Love are fans.

Cider Vinegar
Fergie works for her perfect abs. Not only does she do many stomach crunches, she downs 2 tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar after lunch and dinner to slow down the rate of foods from emptying her stomach, according to the AmO Life website.

About the Author:Laura Agadoni is Based just outside of Atlanta, Laura Agadoni has been a writer for 10 years. Her feature stories on area businesses and human-interest articles appear in her local newspaper. She also writes and edits for a grassroots outreach effort. Agadoni has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from California State University, Fullerton.

How to End Morning Sickness

2010-10-13T14:54:00.000+08:00

Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. While it can occur at any time of the day, by the end of the first trimester, morning sickness usually subsides. More than half of all women experience morning sickness sometime during their pregnancy. While nothing is guaranteed to end morning sickness, if you do experience it, there are things you can do to minimize it.

Step 1
Eat before getting out of bed. If you start off the day feeling sick, you're likely to continue feeling sick. Eating crackers, or other light and easy-to-digest foods, before getting out of bed can help to prevent nausea.

Step 2
Eat small meals throughout the day. Low blood sugar can trigger nausea and make you feel sick. Eating small, nutritious meals every three hours can help stabilize blood sugar and keep nausea at bay.

Step 3
Take prenatal vitamins with food. Vitamins can be induce nausea, especially if taken on an empty stomach. Taking prenatal vitamins with your largest meal of the day can help to reduce nausea.

Step 4
Avoid foods and smells that make you feel sick. Scented perfumes, strong aromas from cooking foods, coffee and body odor are common nausea triggers.

Step 5
Sniff lemons or ginger. The smells of lemon and ginger can help to relieve nausea. Eating ginger candy can also offer nausea relief.

About the Author:
Michelle LaRowe is the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year and is the author of the Nanny to the Rescue! parenting series and Working Mom's 411. Michelle has over a decade of professional nanny experience and enjoys living on Cape Cod with her husband, Jeff and daughter Abigail. You can learn more about Michelle at www.michellelarowe.com.

Morning Sickness Treatment

2010-10-13T09:49:00.002+08:00

Nausea and vomiting are often the first indications that a woman is pregnant. While these symptoms of pregnancy are referred to as "morning sickness," they don't only occur in the morning. Morning sickness can occur any time during the day. While some pregnant women never experience a twinge of nausea, more than half of all women do experience morning sickness at some point during their pregnancy.

Causes of Morning Sickness

During pregnancy, many changes are taking place in a woman's body. The increase in hormones that occurs during pregnancy can cause nausea, which can lead to vomiting. During pregnancy, a woman also has a heightened sense of smell. Foul odors can instantly make a woman gag and bring on a bout of morning sickness.

When Morning Sickness Occurs

Morning sickness can occur at any time, but it is most common during the first trimester of pregnancy. While morning sickness can occur as early as two weeks after conception, most women experience morning sickness between their sixth and 12th weeks of pregnancy. For some women, the symptoms are worse in the early morning and get better throughout the day. For others, morning sickness can last all day long.

Preventing Morning Sickness

Eating small meals every few hours throughout the day can help prevent morning sickness. Having something in your stomach at all times can help to keep stomach acids at bay, reducing the likelihood of nausea and heartburn. Avoiding smells and foods that trigger nausea can also help prevent morning sickness.

At-Home Treatments

If you are experiencing morning sickness, speak with your healthcare provider about taking antacids. Antacids can be effective in combating pregnancy-related nausea. Sniffing and eating fresh lemons, eating crystallized ginger or ginger candies and drinking ginger ale--made from real ginger--can also help to relieve pregnancy-related nausea.

When to Call the Doctor

If you experience nausea or vomiting that prevents you from eating or from keeping foods down, or if you have a fever in conjunction with morning sickness, you should contact your healthcare provider. Hyperemesis gravidarum can be caused by severe nausea and vomiting; it can lead to weight loss and electrolyte imbalance. Mild forms can be treated with antacids and rest, but severe forms may require intravenous fluids.

About the Author:
Michelle LaRowe is the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year and is the author of the Nanny to the Rescue! parenting series and Working Mom's 411. Michelle has over a decade of professional nanny experience and enjoys living on Cape Cod with her husband, Jeff and daughter Abigail. You can learn more about Michelle at http://www.michellelarowe.com/.

Home Remedies for Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

2010-10-13T09:08:00.002+08:00

About half of all pregnant women experience at least a mild morning sickness during their pregnancies, according to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. If you are one of these women, you know how debilitating the nausea and vomiting can be. Unfortunately, medications are seldom an option during these delicate months. Using home remedies to manage your morning sickness is likely your best bet to getting back to a normal life before the baby arrives.

Ginger
Ginger is a spicy and sweet root often used to spice up Asian cuisine. Not only is it tasty, it can ease nausea quickly. Load your fridge with raw ginger root or visit the dried fruit section of the grocery store for dehydrated, sugared, ginger. You may also check the candy section for ginger hard candies. If those items are a little too spicy to handle try some basic ginger ale that is made with real ginger. Not only will the ginger help but the sugar may boost low blood sugar levels aiding in your recovery.

Snack Frequently
The exact cause of morning sickness is not exactly known. However, the National Institutes of Health point to low blood sugar, the result of changing hormones, as a potential cause. For this reason, many women find relief by simply having food on their stomachs. Before heading to bed, make sure you have a few crackers by your bedside. Before getting up for the morning, try eating a few crackers. Continue to snack every one to two hours throughout the day to ward off bouts of nausea or vomiting.

Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins may exacerbate morning sickness symptoms, in some cases. However, if you plan carefully you can reduce or even eliminate this problem. If you frequently feel your symptoms are strongest in the morning, try taking your vitamins right before bed instead of when you wake up. This allows you to get a decent meal on your stomach first. If this does not help, the Mayo Clinic suggest requesting a prenatal vitamin that contains limited amounts of iron.

Take It Easy
As your belly begins to grow, everyone around you will likely plead for you to slow down and get your rest. However, before you begin to show, it is difficult, mentally, to take these same liberties. All the same, a little rest may be just what you need. Perhaps you can work in a nap after work when you are feeling a little queasy or maybe you should request the ability to come into work a few hours later to allow you a few more hours in the morning to cope with your nausea.

About the Author:
Heather Rutherford is a writer and adventurer from the Pacific Northwest. Her articles have appeared in Daily Life, Parent's Hut and On-the-News. As a psychology major and mother of two, Heather knows firsthand the struggles of motherhood and enjoys sharing what she learns through her writing.

Morning sickness cures that really works

2010-10-13T08:47:00.003+08:00

Morning sickness can deflate any elation you had over becoming pregnant. Many women experience this nausea and vomiting during the first trimester, though some experience it throughout the entire pregnancy. Knowing that it's a common pregnancy symptom doesn't always make it bearable. If you're looking for morning sickness cures, you may have to try a few before you find the one that works for you.

Ginger
Ginger is a common natural remedy for nausea and upset stomach. Try ginger pills, raw ginger or drinking ginger in a tea or soda. If you drink ginger ale, read the label to look for real ginger. Many commercial brands contain only ginger flavor, which doesn't have the same benefits as real ginger.

Vitamin B6
If your morning sickness is severe, your doctor may prescribe vitamin B6, but you can also purchase this over-the-counter. Chickpeas, fortified cereals and turkey also contain this vitamin. Alternatively, vitamin B6 is an ingredient in the commercial lollipops designed to quell your morning sickness queasiness.

Frequent Eating
In some women, the nausea increases when the stomach is empty. Rather than eating three big meals daily, it may be smarter to eat several small meals throughout the day. Traditionally, doctors and other mothers recommend keeping a box of saltines handy--snack on these before you get out of bed or whenever you're on the go.

Food Choices
Bland foods may be less likely to exacerbate morning sickness than fatty or greasy foods. High carbohydrate foods without much fat can be easier to digest, which means that they won't stay in your stomach for hours on end.

Drinking Fluids
Staying hydrated is essential for everyone, but it is especially important for pregnant women in particular. It's especially important if you are vomiting as a result of your morning sickness, which can cause you to become dehydrated. If you sip on water--or juice--throughout the day, you may find your stomach isn't as upset. You may also find that it's easier to drink healthy smoothies than it is to eat foods. Add protein powder, and this becomes a good meal supplement.

Avoiding Triggers
Every women has certain things that can trigger morning sickness. It might be a perfume, cooking chicken or the taste of certain foods. Don't try to suffer through these things. Instead, just avoid anything that can set you off.

Acupressure
For some women, applying pressure to anti-nausea pressure points helps improve morning sickness. Purchase a band that's designed for motion sickness. It wraps around your wrist and has small bumps that stimulate the pressure points.

About the Author:
Maggie McCormick is a freelance writer that specializes in SEO content. She lived in Japan for three years teaching preschool to young children and currently lives in Honolulu with her family.