How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Ring for Her

Finding the perfect wedding ring goes beyond simply selecting a band and a glistening diamond to be exquisitely placed on the top. Wedding ring shopping requires several important elements, from the cut and color of the diamond, to the size and metal of the band, and everything in between.

Simplifying the entire buying process can be done by breaking the ring down into two important parts: the band and the diamond. Knowing the basics of these two key aspects can help you get started on the search for the perfect ring!

The Band

There are two important things to consider when picking out the band: the size and the metal.

·  Sizes- Women’s ring sizes start as small as 3 and can extend beyond size 13. The most common ring sizes for women average from 5 to 7. Like shoes, rings are also available in half sizes, so it’s possible to find a ring that fits snuggly, but not too tight to the point where you have to “corncob” your bride’s finger with butter to get it off!

·  Metal- Bands come in a variety of precious metals, such as; gold, platinum, or silver. Gold bands are usually offered in three different colors; yellow, white, or pink. Similar in color, platinum can be considered as silver’s more elegant, more expensive cousin. This precious white metal is even known to be more valuable than gold. Silver is typically the least expensive of the three metals. To give the ring more sentimental value, some husbands choose to have the band engraved with a personal message.

The Diamond-

According to TheDiamondBuyingGuide.com, there are four basic “C’s” to buying diamonds; the cut, clarity, color and carat.

·  Cut- The cut of the diamond may be just as important as the diamond itself. As mentioned by Askmen.com, “The cut is the quality of the diamonds proportions…” or the way the gem is ‘cut’. The term ‘cut’ is typically confused with the ‘shape’ of the diamond (round, oval, pear).

·  Clarity- To determine the clarity of a diamond, an expert would examine its flaws and give the diamond a “grade”. There are typically two types of flaws; inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are associated to internal flaws, whereas blemishes refer to external or surface flaws. a diamond’s grade can range from F (flawless) through SI (slightly included).

·  Color- Besides the common, yet elegant white diamond, black diamonds are becoming increasingly popular because of their glimmering features and relatively affordable price. A round-cut, 1 carat black diamond, with no blemishes, averages from $1,400 to $1,700, typically costing less than a white diamond. Also, cotton candy pinks, bright apple greens, bright blues, and other candy-colored diamonds are currently trending in the gem market. There are naturally colored diamonds; however, these appealing gems are rare and expensive.

·  Carat- Commonly confused with “karat”, the method of determining the purity of gold, the “carat weight” is how a diamond is measured.As defined by the Diamond Guide, “A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured.” To get an idea of how a diamond’s weight is priced, one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. A diamond with a carat weight of 0.15 to 0.25 will cost anywhere from $125-$500.

This has been a primer. While by no means a comprehensive breakdown of all options for wedding rings, if you absorb and understand the information presented above you’ll be in a good position to begin shopping for wedding rings. Whether you do it alone, or with your once and future partner, it’s always best to know the basics before throwing down a wad of bills.

The electric cigarette was invented and patented in the 1960s, and touted as a smoking cessation device. But it was not marketed assertively, and faded from view after a few years. It was not until the year 2000 that it was “re-invented” in China by an engineer named Hon Lik, working for Golden Dragon Holdings. It was patented and marketed in China by that firm, which changed its name to “Ruyan”, which seems to mean “kind of like smoking”, and eventually marketed in the West with an international patent. The device vaporizes a jet of nicotine laden liquid, allowing it to be inhaled without smoke.

A more recent version, developed, patented, and marketed by Yunquiang Xiu, uses a sealed system and sealed atomizer, which pharmaceutical concerns seem to like better.

The sticking point for the World Health Organization (WHO) is that the electric cigarette is not really a nicotine replacement device, as touted. The electronic cigarette delivers nicotine to the bloodstream, just as a cigarette does, but it does so without smoke.

So the question becomes: What is the disease producing component of the regular cigarette, nicotine or smoke?

Controlled studies of this question have not yet been performed on the electric cigarette, so no one knows whether or not its use will be linked to disease. To date, neither the World Health Organization nor the American Food and Drug Administration has moved to set up such tests.

One of the intriguing aspects of this controversy is that we can now separate the components of the smoking experience. The drug provided by smoking, nicotine, is what smokers seem to crave, what they become addicted to. And it is not clear that nicotine is a disease producing agent. It is simply a drug like any other, and the method of administering the dose is inhalation of a vapor. Of course for the longest time, the only way to produce such a vapor was to burn the substance. But that has changed and it changes the whole equation. This will also have an impact on the marketing of marijuana, now that it is becoming legal in an increasing number of American states.

Just what is the appeal of smoking anyway? That is another question that is at issue here. Some claim it is the drug, but others feel that the social experience of smoking with others is paramount. Some smokers feel that the relaxation afforded by the very act of having the cigarette becomes a therapeutic ritual. And, of course, advertisers will admit that the image of the smoker has become a very positive one for men, although that may be changing with the progress of the anti-smoking movement.

Fear not, this is normal. Teens are young adults and they get more independent by the day. As frustrating as this is for most parents, you have to remember that you were the same way once. Centuries ago.

The one advantage we have as parents is we have been there, so we can relate to what our kids are feeling. Teens however, have no clue what it means to be a parent and why we do the things we do. In their minds, we’re just the awkward chauffeur that is a necessary part of their lives to get from “point a” to “point b” with some money in their pocket.

This makes it difficult to show your kids that you love them when you are constantly battling a bad attitude and a smart mouth. If you feel like this isn’t your kid anymore, then you aren’t alone. Teens seem to morph into horrific creatures around this time. Just keep thinking to yourself, “this was once me,” and then call your parents and apologize. The truth is, your kids need you to be a parent, and it doesn’t matter if you are using slang words or are buying them everything under the sun. You are still going to be a thorn in their side, and it’s time that you accept it.

There will come a time that they look back on these moments and love you more for what you did for them, remembering the lessons more than their perpetual state of embarrassment from anytime you were around. They will appreciate that you didn’t let them stay out past curfew or that you had an opinion and made the right decision, especially the ones that angered them the most.

In today’s society, it’s easy to try to become the “cool” parent.  It’s not going to happen, sorry. Kids need to break away from their parents and rebel, and it’s up to you to wrangle them in and teach them the lessons that will help them to grow into well rounded, successful adults. That said, there are ways to bridge the gap to become less embarrassing, while still retaining your authority over their decisions. Try to think back to some of the things your parents did that embarrassed you and do your best to avoid them when your child is around. Remaining silent is often key when they have friends with them, as literally anything you say is almost inevitably going to be “lame” in the eyes of a teen.

Fashion is another big point of embarrassment amongst teens. For boys, it’s the first time in their lives that they actually care what they look like, and girls are starting to hone in their styles and become their own persons. Keep this in mind by dressing appropriately. When planning a day out with your child, try putting up the “old man” shirt and go for one of the long sleeve polo shirts she bought you for Christmas. She clearly liked it enough to buy it (or at least your wife did) so it can’t be as bad as the one you would have chosen. There’s also a good chance that she’ll think you are far less lame wearing the fashions she picked out rather than your old University of Michigan sweatshirt.

Choosing your battles will help you to achieve a working relationship with your teen. Stand your ground in the important moments and cave in the situations that really aren’t a big deal. Give them the freedom they need to be individuals while keeping them close in the instances that could cause them harm.

Let Go of Stress With Golf

Golfing is a great sport for men that need to get out of the house and enjoy the day. It’s also a wonderful way to make connections with colleagues. Golfing isn’t just something that you do on the weekends, it’s a community. Some golfers think of it as a brotherhood.

And contrary to popular belief, it is a sport you can enjoy watching on television or listening to on the radio. If you’ve never watched golf for your enjoyment, now is the time. With the 2013 Masters starting in April, you will have plenty of opportunities to catch up on this age-old game.

Keep Healthy at the Gym

There’s not much that more manly than spending time regularly working out at the gym. Not only will it help you get strong, but regular exercise will help you stay healthy as well. Spending time at the gym now is different than when you were a teenager. It’s no longer about lifting more weights than the guy beside you. It’s about staying fit and healthy.

Between work and home life, it can seem difficult to add anything extra to the plate. However, an hour after work at the gym a few days a week can help you get strong, keep you healthy and even reduce your stress level. When you feel less stressed, you can do more things with your family and enjoy it more too.

Take Your Wife Out on Dates

You’ve grown up a bit over the past several years. You decided to settle down, establish yourself in a career and have children. Wimpy men let this mean that they aren’t going to treat their wife as good as they used to. But not you. You’re a manly man. And that means that you’re going to take your wife out on a nice date every chance that you get. She’s you’re best friend and soulmate. Make sure you treat her with the love and appreciation that she deserves.

Once you grow up, being “manly” is no longer about who can drink the most or who can lift the most weight. It’s about taking care of yourself, your family, and making sure that you do whatever you can to keep your wife happy. It’s about starting a career and giving your family everything they deserve and more. That’s what it really means to be a man.

Collecting – Have you ever wanted to collect comic books, baseball cards, action figures, antiques, decorations, or heirlooms? Summer is a great time to invest in these things, as there are many more garage sales happening during the warmer months of the year. You can spend your weekends hunting through garage sales for those awesome items that you’ve always wanted, and you can get your collection started this year!

Ride a Motorcycle – There are few hobbies that are manlier than riding a chopper or a hog, so break out the motorcycle tools kits and get to work repairing that old bike that’s been gathering dust in your garage for the last few years. Once you get that sweet bike running, you can take it out on the highway and really burn some asphalt! It will be an exhilarating feeling to be able to ride down the road on a bike that you fixed, and you’ll get in touch with your inner man through this long project.

Plant a Garden –  Planting a garden may seem like ladies’ work, but why not do some hardcore landscaping instead of just planting a few flowers? Haul some rocks to your backyard, and use them to set up a beautiful landscape. Plant some trees that will grow to tower over your home, and make your own backyard maze using hedges and bushes that you’ve planted yourself. Build a greenhouse for your sweetheart, and work with her to grow your own vegetables and flowers. It’s manly, fun, and great for your lungs to be outdoors!

Take Up Boating – Boating is a sport for men, and it will be a great way for you to enjoy yourself this summer. You can take up rowing, which will be an excellent form of exercise. Get yourself into a boat and head out onto the lake for some fishing, or go out to sea with a friend to test yourself against the power of the ocean. Boating can be a very enjoyable sport, and it’s one of the manliest pastimes for real men.

Home Brewing – Sick and tired of that swill they sell at the corner store? Why not make your own beer, just the way you like it? A home brewing kit isn’t too expensive, and you can make your own beer in your garage, your bathroom, or your basement. Serve your home-brewed beer up to your friends, or you can even consider making a business out of it. Experiment with all of the flavors that you love in your beer, and you may just find that your passion for the golden goodness will turn into something that you can actually profit from!

Firstly, security advisory:

- Throughout the game, you must keep your masks on.

- Do not fire blindly for that could lead to injury caused upon leaving players & referees.

- If you are within 20 feet of a shooter: Surrender. Because, shots fired from close range tend to hurt more.

- Play only when you are in total consciousness. Do not play if you’re drunk or drugged or on sleep medication.

- Use your barrel plugs; do not take them out of the gun barrels until everyone has their masks on.

- Do not exceed the shoot speed from 300 fps (feet per second). Keep it under 280 fps by using a paintball chronograph. A paintball exceeding the 280 fps limit can cause breaking of skin and welts instead of the small bruises you normally get.

Now here are some of the basic types of paintball games to start with. Customizing their setting and themes is up to you.

1) The Game of Elimination

This is a game for the beginners to start with but do not mistake it for an easy one. It is recommended only because it has simple rules or rule: Shoot everyone on the opposite team before you get hit.

2) Capture the Flag

The rule is simple: get the flag of the opposing team without being shot before they do. It is one of the commonest games yet one that never ceases to turn boring.

3) Base Capture

This one’s insane. Simpler than capture the flag: You need to reach the opposite team’s base and touch their flag first before you do.

4) Off Handed

You can play any of the above mentioned games but with one great and necessary disadvantage: throughout the game you need to play with your weaker hand. If you are a leftie, you need to use your right arm.

These are the simpler games to begin with and enjoy the most. Go make yourself proud! Aim, fire and win!

The first step towards great dressing is to be as clean cut and well-groomed as possible. A timely trip to the hairdresser and some tasteful cologne is necessary for anyone looking to be presentable. Fashion trends change every season, but the formula for looking polished remains the same.

So, why look dapper? For some, it is the prerequisite to woo the single ladies around town. For others, it is a necessity to stay ahead in the corporate race. However, no matter what the primary intention, fact remains that a well-dressed man triumphs in every arena.

Looking and feeling good will boost your confidence and self-esteem. It might sound odd, but well dressed and well groomed men tend to perform better at work, mainly because of the confidence spurt. A well-dressed man oozes of positive energy, and attracts peers in a very positive manner. It also adds to your overall image – ask yourself, would James Bond be so good if he were unshaved and dressed in a wrinkled t-shirt?

Know the current trends and dress accordingly; it is always a great idea to know the color trends. Men’s fashion is way simpler than the ladies complicated fashion journals, so the task can be much simpler. Be sure to never mix and match any unlikely colors together. This spring, embrace minimalism and make a statement with simple cuts and colors. Two trends are the rage this season: the vintage look and the hipster look.

Now that you have suited up, do not forget to accessorize! Cufflinks and watches are a man’s best friend. Invest in a great watch and an impressive pair of cufflinks. If you can carry it, you may also opt for a subtle bracelet. Be sure not to forget the most important add-on: the perfume.

You cannot be on the dapper A-list unless you are thoroughly prim and tidy. Buying the best tailored suits is not enough; organize your wardrobe properly and hang all the suits systematically. Keep your perfumes in their cartons, and store your prized watches safely in a case like at www.watchcases.com. Also store any sterling silver accessories in their respective cases to avoid tarnishing.

The most neglected part of a man’s wardrobe is the shoes. It is true that shoes speak volumes about your personality. Keep them shined to the nines and in perfect condition. Like everything else, store the shoes safely in a closet, away from the dust.

To add the finishing touches, get hold of an outclass leather wallet and a sleek pair of sunglasses to sail you through the day. In the end, remember that being a gentleman is as important as looking well turned-out!

If you’re a basketball fan, you already understand how important and fun this tournament can be. With small schools making it in and upsetting larger schools, the stage is set for huge moments in history each year. Student, alumni, die-hard fans and even casual fans all enjoy the spectacular event this tournament provides and it’s not just a one-day thing. It’s March Madness and usually it’s a full month of incredible basketball, bracket-busting games and some of the most compelling Cinderella stories found in sports every year.

Kicking it All Off

March Madness really starts with all the conference tournaments, such as the Big East Tourney played at Madison Square Gardens. These tournaments provide very exciting games, usually over about a week total and they determine some of the teams entering the larger tournament. Win your conference tourney and you make it into the “big dance”. Some smaller schools don’t have any other chance of making the tournament, which adds another level of excitement.

Once all 31 the automatic bids are decided, a committee chooses the rest of the teams competing for the overall crown of NCAA Basketball Champions. Sixty-eight teams get in total, but the tournament doesn’t technically start until only 64 remain. Four play-in games are played on either Tuesday or Wednesday before the tournament starts to determine all four final seeds for the tournament.

Another Layer Within the Madness

Not only does the tournament lead to exciting basketball, plenty of games spanning over a full month and conference championships, but it also creates a different type of madness. This is the time of year to fill out your brackets, join your office pool and compete in other events, such as the Car Madness Contest. Those with no knowledge of basketball can participate and potentially win!

Mandatory Attendance for Students

There’s no rule of law stating you must attend the tournament if you’re a student of one of the teams, but there should be. If your school makes it to the “big dance”, it’s a once in a lifetime experience to attend in support, especially in the later rounds. Following a Cinderella story through their journey to the sweet 16, elite eight or even the final four is something you may never get to do again.

Overall, the tournament is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, students and all other sports fans. Nothing can compare to March Madness. This is a special time of the year and participating by attending, filling out your bracket or just watching your favorite team play will make it a very enjoyable experience.

1. Plan ahead: Many of the distractions that lead to aggressive driving can be avoided by planning ahead. For instance, check weather and traffic reports before you get behind the wheel, then plan accordingly for any delays or alternate routes you may need to take. Inspect your car prior to your trip; are you running low on gas? Do you need windshield wiper fluid? Take care of such tasks before departing so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises on the road.
2. Protect yourself: Flashing headlights, beeping horns and tailgating are just a few signs of road rage. If you come across an aggressive driver on the road, take steps to protect yourself. Never make eye contact with the other driver; try to remain calm and safely move out of the way. If the aggressive driver is purposely following you, proceed to the closest police station and keep your doors locked. Some states even have a dedicated number you can call to report incidents of aggressive driving; check with your state department of motor vehicles for more information.
3. Follow the Golden Rule: While driving, treat others as you wish to be treated. That means following all driving laws: obey the speed limit, use your turn signals, use the left lane only while passing another vehicle, etc. The more courtesy and patience you show to other drivers, the more likely you’ll receive polite treatment in return.

Following these tips can help you stay safe on the roadways. You can also protect yourself, your vehicle and those around you with insurance for cars. Get online car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Sponsored content was created and provided by Nationwide Insurance.

This is a photo taken of a firefighter rescuing a baby from a devastating fire in the Rochester, NY area.

The story has been covered on the local news and the household did not have working fire alarms.

Please let this article/photo be a reminder to take a moment in order to protect your family.  Check all of your fire alarms for dead batteries and functionality.  Also remember to check your carbon monoxide alarm or get one for your home if you do not have one.

Be sure to check out how to be prepared for emergencies with our article on 30 Things to Have in an Emergency Preparedness Kit.