The Normans - Their Basic Dress and Weaponry

The Anglo-Saxons had their ranks of privilege, of course, in just the same way as the Normans.

As far as the former was concerned, a member of the King's household was an Aetheling. This would be male or female.

The Thegn came next in greater or lesser form. The greater was a King's Thegn, the lesser would have been the equivalent of the Norman knight.

As we've seen, in the early days, knights were the equivalent of the worst and most violent type of biker! They'd fight on foot as much as they would mounted, and they wore a thick, sleeved shirt, and fairly tight fitting draws over which they wore their mail tunic, which fell to mid-thigh. It was split to the hip for easier movement.

Their helms were in the fashion of the old 'spangenhelm.' They were made by riveting, usually four, strips of iron to the inside of the circular head band. Then they were pulled over so that they met at the top and gave the helm a conical form. Shaped iron pieces were riveted inside these strips to make the complete helm. Naturally, some form of padding was provided inside, and the helm would have been fastened by a strap passing beneath the chin.

At the time of which we write, around 1000 A.D., the shield was still round, although even at this time, the well-known kite-shaped shield was on the horizon. The round shield would have been around 3/5ths." thick, made of wood and faced with leather at the front and possibly, too, at the back.

The sword may well have been a hand-me-down and probably made by pattern welding, a technique we'll explore at a later date. At around 900 A.D., improvements were made in the forging of steel, and the old method of pattern welding was phased out.

The weight of the weapon would have been between 3 lbs to 3 1/2 lbs, give or take an ounce or two. It was double edged and used for both cutting and slashing and as sharp as a razor. It was around 31 inches long and a fuller ran down the length. This wasn't a blood gully, but a method of lightening the sword without weakening it.

The scabbard was of wood, lined with fur or wool, the natural oils of which would have prevented the sword from rusting. The sword was, without any doubt, the knight's most prized possession, second only to his warhorse, or destrier.

We'll have a look at the destrier later on, but there was one more weapon in the knight's arsenal. His lance, or certainly until Hastings, his spear. The head was of iron in the shape of a leaf or lozenge, mounted on a plain ash shaft. The 10th. and 11th. centuries saw a shift from spear to lance, essentially.

A look at the Bayeux Tapestry shows the mounted knights at Hastings using them to stab, throw and at least one is shown with the weapon couched under his arm, the position of the lance in the nascent cavalry charge

Mike Bond, describing the basic dress and weaponry of the Norman knight. He has a new Website devoted entirely to historical artifacts, and believe us, it's well worth a visit. http://www.thedestrier.com
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Simple Wedding Dresses - The Epitome of Class and Sophistication

If you are a bride that wants a simple, but gorgeous wedding gown, then consider looking for wedding dresses that live up to the theory "Less is More"!

The bride to be that is searching for a simple and elegant wedding gown knows something that many other brides don't, it might be the most important dress you'll every wear, but you my dear are wearing the dress, not the other way around!

What bride didn't have childhood dreams of exactly how her wedding dress would look? Whether it was simple and chic, or elaborate and dramatic, everyone woman has this bridal gown dream.

Simple wedding gowns however do one thing that the elaborate ones don't, they keep the focus on you! Your face, the glow that you are illuminating that day. And that is exactly what a wedding dress should do, focus on the bride herself, not the dress itself.

A simple wedding gown does stand out in the crowd because of it's simplicity...it becomes something that an elaborate wedding gown can not...elegant. Plus it can go from the ceremony to the reception with absolutely no adjustments. This is a huge plus!

Some of the most simple wedding dresses can be down right sexy and intriguing. There is nothing more beautiful than a matte satin gown that is cut in a flattering style according to the brides figure with a row of satin covered buttons trailing down the back.

Or maybe you want a softer look like a flowing chiffon spaghetti strap gown with a simple sweep train. The movement of this fabric alone attracts attention without a lot of sparkling embellishments. Chiffon is such an interesting fabric it is so soft and chic.

Simple wedding dresses can also have trains, but maybe just be embellished with something elegant like seed pearls. One of the most simplistic combinations on a bridal gown is matte satin and seed pearls. This chic duo is absolutely stunning.

If you are a bride that just wants to keep it simple, don't let anyone talk you out of that dream. Simple wedding gowns are the epitome of class and sophistication. They keep the focus on you and your fiance, not just the dress alone.

We have over 200 Styles of Wedding Gowns including Simple Wedding Dresses for the discriminating bride. If you want Simple Cheap Wedding Dresses, all of our special wedding dress are Under $500

How To Pick The Perfect Winter Wedding Dress

While the most popular months for weddings are still the summer months, particularly June, the winter season is making a strong run at being the most favored time to get married.

There are many excellent reasons to choose a winter wedding, and it is easy to see why winter weddings are becoming so popular.

Of course a winter wedding means a winter wedding dress, and it is important to choose that wedding dress with care. After all, the winter wedding dress is the showpiece of any winter wedding, so it is important to choose it very carefully.

==Choosing a Reputable And Reliable Wedding Dress Shop==

When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding gown, nothing is more important than the reputation and reliability of the wedding dress maker.

There are many vendors who sell wedding dresses, from department stores to chain wedding dress stores to specialty retailers. There are even wedding dresses available online, so it is important to shop around.

==Places To Find Your Winter Wedding Dress==

One of the first places to start the search for the perfect winter wedding dress is the local high end department store.

Many of the finest department stores carry a good selection of wedding gowns and other special dresses, so it is a good idea to shop there first.

==Choosing A Dress Off the Shelf Or A Customized One==

In addition, there are many chain wedding dress makers on the market, and they can be excellent choices for creating the perfect winter wedding dress.

Some of these chain stores carry only off the shelf wedding gowns, while others employ seamstresses who may be able to customize the winter wedding dress you prefer just for you. If you need such custom fitting, be sure to ask about it before you have chosen and paid for your dress.

==The Internet Is A Great Place To View The Most Up To Date Styles==

There are even winter wedding dress suppliers on the internet, and the web has been gaining in popularity as a source of wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns.

While some brides to be miss the experience of trying on dresses in brick and mortar stores, others enjoy the convenience and low prices of these virtual dress shops. So if you are looking for a bargain on your winter wedding dress, be sure to check online.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/winter_wedding_dress.html

Casual Wedding Dresses

Wedding is a very special affair and even in few years ago, people used to plan and prepare its dresses taking months together. Those were the days when wearing formal traditional wedding dresses was almost mandatory. But, with change in lifestyle and people's attitude towards social ethos, formal bridal dresses are gradually receding giving way to the next generation casual wedding dresses.

Shifting of marriage venues from churchyards to backyards has also contributed greatly in encouraging using casual wedding dresses. If you are planning to solemnize your much awaited marriage ceremony secretly in an isolated island, will you bother to go for the minute details of a formal nuptial? Collecting short informal dresses will certainly be your first preference then. Such informal dresses have their inherent advantages over their counterparts. Opportunity of creating one's own personalized wedding dresses also exists with the casual wedding attires. Seeing great potential, designers and manufacturers are also now days busy developing exotic and relaxing casual marriage dresses.

Depending upon the place of celebration, nature and design of your casual wedding dresses should be decided. Marriage at one's own backyard with complete family gathering requires sober and decent dresses. If it is a hot summer evening, you must not choose something that may help you sweat further. A nice designer strapless may fulfill your requirement. You may also go for sleeves, if you feel uncomfortable with the strapless exposures. A square or v-shaped neckline may be chosen to suit your taste. With casual bridal dresses, there exist actually unlimited options to choose ideal marriage attires. Few very common examples of informal marriage outfits are halter neckline, designer silhouettes, sleeves, waistlines, skirts with matching jackets, bridal trains, etc.

Casual wedding dresses provide an excellent opportunity to stay in touch with the latest fashion trends. Splendid embroidery works and fabrics generally form part of such informal nuptial attires. Design of these works may be ordered or can be best chosen to suit one's own personality and budget. If you are searching for a perfect beach wedding dress, you may go for white colored short skirt. In such cases, you must not forget to collect appropriate veils, sunglasses, hair bands, and footwear, etc. In other locations, your wedding accessories may differ, but they must not be ignored. Else, your informal wedding attire alone will not be able to prepare you exotically for your partner.

Casual wedding dresses are very common for the people who always want to establish uniqueness in their every sphere of activities, or in the case of second or third marriage ceremonies. Though white and ivory are the two prominent colors for most of the informal wedding dresses, but you have the full liberty to choose pink, yellow, green, red, etc. as favorite colors for your dream wedding attires. As these dresses have very limited after use, you most not go for costly deals. After a littler search at your local boutique shops, departmental stores, or in various online virtual stores, you will be able to locate fabulous casual bridal dresses within reasonable prices. If you have enough times on hand, you may search for discounted dresses. On the other hand, if you have little time, patience, creativity and intention, you yourself can design marvelous personalized casual bridal dresses.

Article written by - Uttoran Sen, brought to you by casual wedding dresses - http://casual-weddingdresses.com/

Pick The Perfect Wedding Gown

One of the most exciting and important things that you will do for your wedding is to pick out your wedding dress. This is probably something that you have been dreaming of your entire life, and you want to make sure that you pick out the perfect dress for your wedding ceremony. It can definitely take a bit of time and shopping to find the right gown, but once you do, no doubt the work will be worth it. There are many things that you need to consider when you are picking out your wedding gown, including color, what you consider your dream dress, your figure, and taking the time to try dresses on.

Color is Important

One of the most important considerations when you are picking out a wedding dress is the color. There are a variety of colors that are used for wedding dresses and white is no longer the only appropriate color. However, if you do want the traditional color of white for your wedding ceremony and reception, there are many different shades of white to choose from. Pick out the color that you like and make sure that it flatters your skin as well.

Remember Your Dream Dress

When you are picking out your wedding dress, you will want to go with a picture of your dream dress in your mind. You have probably been dreaming of what your wedding dress will look like for years. It is important that you do not settle for something less than your dream, but keep looking until you find exactly what you are looking for, even if it takes quite a bit of time.

Flatter Your Figure

You will also want to make sure that you pick out a wedding dress that flatters your figure. Some figures may not look great with some styles of wedding dresses, so make sure that you find the style that makes you look your best. No bride wants to feel less than beautiful on her wedding day, so find a style that works with your figure, and never buy a smaller size planning to lose some weight.

Always Try Them On

You should never purchase a dress that you have not tried on. Even though it looks totally amazing there in the window or on the hanger, you will never know how it will look on you until you try it on. Make sure that you try it on and that it fits you perfectly before you make the purchase.

Sure, it is probably going to take you some time to find the perfect wedding gown, but the time spent will be well worth it. Your wedding dress is important and you want to feel amazing at your wedding reception and ceremony, so make sure you pick out the perfect wedding dress.

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors. They offer many popular gift ideas such as place card holders, silver and chrome favors, and bridesmaid gifts. For more information about unique wedding favors, wedding planning, or wedding reception ideas, visit their website.

Top Styles For Prom Dresses 2010

Prom night is one event that everybody waits for an entire year and when its time to enjoy the party, everybody makes sure that they are looking absolutely awesome. Prom dresses are always in fashion because prom events happen every year and therefore designers from all over the world try to create new style and patterns that can be worn for that particular prom event. Many students who are about to visit the prom event do a detailed researched about what kind of patterns are available in the market and what is really in fashion and which kind of designs are outdated and old to wear.

Many of them who are probably deciding to visit the prom event this year must already be looking for the dresses on the internet because they want to look good and appealing enough. So what kind of designs and colors are the one that are incorporated in prom dresses 2010. Well, if you are looking for the dresses 2010 than let me tell you that the color black is certainly becoming outdated. Though, black really looks elegant and chic, people are now switching to new bright colors like yellow, red and shades of blue which not only look attractive but also look futuristic and stylish. Hence, prom dresses 2010 might be more colorful than the previous dresses which look almost of the same kind.

If you are a girl and looking for prom dresses 2010 than let me tell you that colorful dresses need shining accessories with it and therefore if you are picking up any bright color dress than you should also look out for shiny accessories like sequins and rhinestones that would add more style statement to your dress.

Of course, we all know that prom gowns are something that we cannot keep away from prom events but ideas are changing and prom dresses 2010 are comparatively smaller than the regular prom gowns. The whole idea is to look sexy and formal and at the same time expressing your rebellious attitude to the world. Like the early times, prints are back in fashion and you can see them in the prom dresses 2010. You will find a lot of flower prints and bold prints that determines that new trend of style and fashion which is going all around the world. Bold stripes with funky colors and animated prints are also becoming popular across the prom events.

If you are looking for more information regarding Prom Dresses, please feel free to visit http://www.okaystock.com/

Grandma's Dress-Up Trunk

Grandma's Dress-up Trunk is a trip down memory lane for many grandmothers and an education in fashion for the grandchildren. Do you remember "ironed hair" and "bee hive" hair dos? What about "mini skirts" and "stirrup pants?"

Grandma Micki pulls out her old trunk, full of fashions she used to wear, for her granddaughters, Olivia, Victoria and Charlotte to play dress-up. The girls laugh and comment on how things used to be. "Wow, Grandma you were "cool" when you went to school!"

The girls find a cheer leader's outfit with pom poms, a kilt with "saddle shoes', and find out that Grandma used to sew her own clothes on a treadle sewing machine. "Wow no plug in" laughed the girls. They learned that Grandma was quite the "fashionista" in her day, wearing "tent dresses", "fish tail skirts", "Robin hood" hats, "hot pants" and "go go boots."

Then came the "hippy stage" when Grandma ironed her hair and wore flair jeans with lots of "love beads." Later Grandma wore a pink wedding dress with "flowers in her hair."

As Grandma became a mother, she opted for comfort in a pink velour "jogging suit". To keep fit, she worked out in "Flash Dance" attire and at work she wore "middy skirts" and tall "Granny boots". Today, Grandma keeps looking her best, especially when she goes ballroom dancing, dressed "to the nines". The girls say "we like your sparkly dress, and we think you are a 10 Grandma!"

Grandma's Dress-up Trunk's bright illustrations will transport you back to yesteryear, when crazy fashions were all the rage. Your grandchildren will be as surprised as Olivia, Victoria and Charlotte were. "You ironed your hair Grandma?"

Both grandmothers and grand children will love this book. Take a "trip" back in time and share with your grandchildren, how fun the fashions of the 60's were.

Roxi Hermsen is the artist of Grandma's Dress-up Trunk. The story is written by Micki Darbyshire who's "fashionista" past inspired this book. Roxi's bright illustrations make all her books appealing. As an educator, Roxi knows how to get the message across to both children and adults. Cuzin's donates 40% to our fundraisers and brand our products with our fundraiser's logos and contact information. Check out our library of 15 books at http://cuzinsfundraising.com

Vancouver Brides Pick Up on Trashing the Dress Fad

You've probably heard of the trend. It started less than two years ago in Las Vegas and spread quickly to New Orleans and California then across the U.S.

Now, it's here, in Vancouver. The first time I spoke to a BC bride who wanted to "trash the dress" after the ceremony was last summer. She's booked for this August and we'll see if she - or any of my other clients go through with it - or if the trend has already turned passé.

I'm all for out-of-the-box photos, and certainly capturing the image of a bride as she strides into the ocean would make for an amazing moment. But of course that's not something the photographer is going to push hard for. Trashing the dress has to be an act the bride is completely into and excited about for it to work out. The possibilities are boundless, though.

Imagine the photos if you waded slowly into the waters off of Second Beach or danced in the fountain outside of the Pan Pacific or made snow angels on top of Grouse Mountain. That's the way to start the rest of your life!

Some facts about the "Trash the Dress" trend that you might like to know:

1. John Michael Cooper, the Las Vegas photographer who coined the phrase, did it as part of his "anti-bridal" sessions.

2. Mark Eric of New Orleans took the fad a step further by starting the website trashthedress.com and popularizing the concept.

3. The latest take on the trend occurred recently when teenagers in Camarillo, California started to "Trash the Prom Dress".

Visit my website for further more information and regularly updated content on photography tips and trends - http://www.juliapelish.com

Wedding Dress Perfection - Petite Or Pleasantly Plump

The biggest challenge for any bride to - be is making the right decision when choosing her wedding dress besides that of choosing the ideal partner she wants to spend the rest of her life with. This is where the bride gets to live her dream of being princess for the day. So what are we waiting for lets go make your dream come true.

Brides-to-be need to consider the comfort level when buying the wedding dress. If the dress causes you extreme discomfort; then expect all dances at the reception be that of a waltz, heaven forbid should you take to the floor to do the hippy hippy shake. Keep in mind that if the dress is tight it can hamper your circulation causing you to faint.

Plans for the wedding dress usually start months before the set date, well in advance in some cases. What you have to remember once you have chosen the gown you have to stick with your diet, no piling on the pounds only to lose them with more expense incurred where the wedding dress has to be altererd.

Styles of wedding dress/gown selections can be chosen personally from a bridal shop. Magazines are also a good choice for making your selection and for gathering some useful tips on wedding plans

An important factor that has to be addressed is body types. Petite to pleasantly plump figure shapes will definitely need to be taken into consideration when making that decision in what will or will not suit your frame. Either way regardless of size the right choice will have you looking beautiful on the day. To find the perfect wedding dress is to be prepared to make a day of it where the trying of many will be in abundance.

Vera Wang is one of the famous names in the world of weddings. VW is noted for the detailing put into her gowns along with luxurious craftsmanship, also an additional bonus of personal hand beading. Famous stars like Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson line up in the wedding queue, not forgetting Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman. If your budget allows then go all out for a designer dress.

Other options for the pocket which says go easy on the pennies. In addition to the more traditional bridal shops, check out discount stores, charity shops, even going online at eBay is another fine option recommended and far less expensive.

Common sense prevails when buying the perfect wedding dress online, because of the way the purchase is to be handled, it is a good chance that you only get to see the dress by photo so be sure to check measurements and be specific when asking details on the condition of the dress. Another important factor is to double check on the person selling before going ahead with any transaction involving money.

If it is a traditional wedding theme that you have in mind for the wedding then go for a vintage dress. Vintage dresses intend to discolour so check this out before making a purchase. Remember vintage represents old so check for wear or tear.

Vintage dress fabrics dating back to the 1900 and earlier have a tendency to deteriorate.

Setting your heart on a specific design only to find that it is not available due to age or over your budget limit then make enquiries for a reproduction of the chosen wedding dress you had in mind.
You can find many stores that focus particularly on reproduction dresses where designed wedding gowns on specific themes or periods of time hang in dozens on rails waiting to be snapped up.

Dreams do come true if you make them happen. Well girls what are you waiting for your dream theme is just waiting to happen.

Dress to impress on your wedding day with the help of this fabulous site. Everthing you could possibly need when planning your wedding can be found here at http://www.your-wedding-planning-help.com

Easy Best Man Speech - You Fill in the Blanks

The only stressful thing the Best Man has to do during the wedding and wedding reception is give that best man speech. Everyone is looking at you now and occasionally glancing over to the bride and groom.

Here's a outline for you to fill in yourself for a no-lose speech that will get you through your duty with a respectable speech, please the bride and groom, and get it over with quickly. There is no prize for giving a long speech. Everyone in attendance will appreciate a quick and heartfelt speech the most. I'll use Amy Smith and Robert Smith as the names of the bride and groom for example purposes.

The outline can go something like this:

1. Congratulate the bride and groom.

2. Thank the guests for coming and wish everyone a great time at the reception.

3. Tell a little about how far back your friendship with the groom goes.

4. Tell an anecdote as to when the bride came into the picture.

5. Tell what a wonderful couple the bride and groom make.

6. Wrap it up with wishing the bride and groom the best of luck.

Let's all give a round of applause for Mr. And Mrs. Smith. Congratulations you two. You both look absolutely stunning. I want to thank everyone for coming and celebrating this special day with Amy and Robert. I know your presence here today means a lot (look around at the guests and then over to the bride and groom) to Amy and Robert.

I've known Robert since the sixth grade. We learned to ride skateboards together. We went through high school together. Robert is such a good guy and great friend. I'll never forget the time .... (insert a short story here where the groom really came through for you and shows what an awesome friend he is).

Robert has been a great friend to me all these years. When Robert met Amy, his life changed for the better. Amy is adorable and sweet. Give her a round of applause (pause so guests can all clap for the bride). Robert became so happy with Amy in his life. She completed him (if you know the bride well, say a few more positive things here).

I am sure that Amy and Robert will have a long and happy life together. They compliment each other and make each other stronger. As a couple, they both gain confidence from the other. The love they have for each other is obvious. They are fantastic, caring individuals and now they are a married couple (you can ask everyone to give them a round of applause at this point).

I wish you both (turn towards the bride and groom) the best of luck, health, and a happy life together. May all your dreams come true. I know you both will accomplish whatever you set your minds to. Your love for each other is obvious. May it grow stronger every day. Let's all congratulate Amy and Robert (lift your glass, everyone else will follow suit and lift their glasses too, take a drink) on their marriage. Thank you (and have a seat, your speech is done).

Whew! You're done! Keep it kind and short. If you think you'll get nervous, write down an outline on a 3x5 card so you can glance down if you forget what comes next. Remember this is not the focus of the wedding. It is a formality. It should be short and sweet so the rest of the planned events for the day can move right along.

The main thing I hope to impart on your anecdotes about the bride and groom is to keep it sappy and sweet. Don't tell any stories that might embarrass the bride or groom. Keep secrets to yourself.

Lisa Gunther is a freelance writer and wedding product reviewer. Gunther Gifts is the perfect place to select bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts and wedding favors for the reception: http://www.gunthergifts.com/bridgif.html, http://www.gunthergifts.com/groomgifid.html and http://www.gunthergifts.com/favors1.html.

How to Choose a Dress Shirt Collar

While it might occasionally seem that the collar is not a terribly important part of a tailored dress shirt, the fact of the matter is that a collar can make or break a shirt. The collar is not only a part of your shirt; it helps to frame your face. If the collar is wrong it can drastically alter your appearance from what you desire.

Types of Collars

Straight Collar - The straight collar is the most basic type of collar found in tailored dress shirts. It spreads out at a diagonal beneath your chin and there is a gap of about 2 ½ to 3 inches between the ends. For the average man this will suit their body type and face fine. The spread is small enough that it is acceptable to not wear a tie.

Spread Collar - A spread collar is a collar with a wider spread than that found on the straight collar. Anything over 3 inches is considered a spread collar: spreads can go up to about 6 inches. Generally speaking, men with wider or rounder faces should avoid spread collars as it will accentuate this wideness or roundness of face.

Button-down Collar

As the name implies, a button-down collar is a collar which buttons to your shirt. The spread can vary, just as with non-button collars. It is generally considered to be a less formal tie. For more formal occasions a non-button tie with collar studs would be more appropriate.

Tab Collar

The tab collar has a very slim spread. It gets its name because behind the tie knot there is a tab which is used to bring the collar edges together right behind the tie knot.. This tends to press out the tie knot and make the tie a bit more prominent than with other collars. Slender men, men with long necks as well as wide faced men often do well with tab collars on their tailored dress shirts.

Rounded or Club Collar

The rounded collar, also known as the club collar, is the most distinctive of the collar types. While most collars have straight edges, the edges of a rounded collar are rounded, as the name implies. Generally the spread is very small, and has a somewhat stubby look to it.

Pinned Collar

A pinned collar is so named because a pin is used to bring the two sides of the collar together. The pin can be changed, thus providing a bit of variety with the collar. The pin is generally attached along with the tie knot, which makes the tie more prominent in a similar way to the tab collar.

Choosing the right Collar for You

When choosing a collar, you want to pick one that not only makes your shirt look good but will also make your face look good. As mentioned in discussing the types of collars, different collars will go differently with different faces. However these are only rules of thumb, and do not always apply. Try several different collars out, and see which type you think best suits your face. Also look at how formal you need to be. For formal situations a more formal collar such as the rounded or pinned collar may be required.

Copyright (c) 2008 Wes Fernley

http://www.DesignMyShirtOnline.com offers quality custom fit dress shirts at an affordable price worldwide. With hundreds of fabric styles and various customization options, you can create the tailored shirt that meets your needs. They are dedication to exceptional customer service ensuring tailored shirts are delivered on time, every time.

How To Buy Perfect Women's Dress Shoes

Shoes that are part of formal wear are called dress shoes. These shoes make your feet look chic and elegant. The right shoes can really set off your evening attire. With properly fitting dress shoes, you can comfortably walk around and dance and have a joy-filled evening.

Most of the fashionable high-heeled shoes are uncomfortable and after wearing them for a special evening event, you will find you are left with shoe bites. These make your feet look gross and ugly.

So if you know the essential tips of buying a perfect pair of dress shoes, you will not have to wear those painful and uncomfortable pair of shoes again to your next social gathering.

Let's take a look at the most common points that all women must remember when shopping for dress shoes:

a. It is recommended that you go for 2- inch kitten style heels, which are much firmer and hassle-free, compared to high-heels. Don't worry, like those 4 inch heels, these will also make your feet look sexy but will help you to maintain a better posture. Thus you can spend a lovely evening at ease.

b. If you are looking for fashion, comfort with heels, then wedge heels could be the most ideal pick. These are high-heeled yet very comfortable to walk around in.

c. If money is not an issue for you, then go for high quality, genuine leather shoes. The genuine leather retains the perfect shape of your feet and is always superior to the man-made materials.

d. It is important for you to decide which dress you are going to wear. Only after that do you go about matching shoes. If you find it hard to match a pair of shoes to the color of your outfit, then pick a complimentary color shoe. Classic black dress shoes set the standard for evening attire and they match any dark shade dress. However, you can always go for the soft colors like ivory if your dress is a pastel shade. The soft, warm ivory is always a better choice than pure white.

e. If you want to spend a painless evening, don't buy shoes with straps. They might look appealing but after wearing them for a while, they will start hurting your feet. As a result, the enjoyment of the evening will disappear. So it is better to choose strapless dress shoes, which have a long, sleek look with enclosed toes. Wearing this type of shoes will indeed make your feet look chic.

f. Consider every aspect carefully when buying dress shoes. If you buy the wrong kind of shoes it will spoil the look you want to create. While selecting the perfect pair of dress shoes, you want to be sure that they have soft linings.

g. Last but definitely not the least, the shoes must be properly fitted. Do not be in such a hurry that you buy a size that is either too small or too large.

It is very essential that you to spend the time needed to find the perfect pair of dress shoes. Keeping the above tips in mind while shoe hunting will definitely bring the results you want. You will not regret the time and money spent.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. .Get your brand name shoes at http://www.brandnameshoesplus.com

No Cost Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Man

Ladies what are you doing for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? I admit that my hubby is a pretty low maintenance type guy and what makes him happy is a quiet evening and a steak. This year Valentine's Day lands on Sunday and I know what my husband is going to want. It just so happens that there is a NASCAR race Sunday and he is going to want to watch. He won't say anything and if I want to go out for lunch after church he will.

So this year, with the pinch of finances most of us are feeling. I was wondering what we can do for our man folks that wouldn't cost us any money but show them how much we love them.

Time is something that we can give to our men. I'm not talking about the fixing dinner, yelling at the kids, and cruising the internet with him in the room, nodding as he scans the TV telling you about his drive home. Long ago in our marriage we were trained that the first 30 minutes when Ron gets home we spend them talking. Doing nothing else and giving our full attention to each other. We usually use this time to determine what is going to happen the rest of the evening. The important thing is we connect. Also ladies give your man a big old kiss when he gets home. Touch is an important element for a man.

Words of love and kindness. I don't have to tell you ladies about a man's fragile ego. Even thought they seem big and strong on the outside nothing can hurt a man more then his partner in life not supporting him with words of love and encouragement. We need to build our men up they have the rest of the world breathing down their necks ready to tear them apart. Make sure to tell him that you love him thanking him for the things he does instead of pointing out all his short comings.

A woman's attitude is very important; you have heard the saying if momma isn't happy nobody is. Think what a happy upbeat attitude would do for the man in your life. If you sent him off to work with a hug, kiss and a smile telling him to have a good day. Most men would float through the day with a smile on their face eager to head home back to you at the end of the day.

Show respect for your man weather it be in front of your mother or your children or any one else. We need to be careful with the things we say to others about our men as well as to our men. Respect can also be shown in our actions towards them, when they are talking turn towards them, engage them in conversation and treat them as another adult if nothing else.

Touch is so important to a man's psyche. For most men their love language is touch. A kiss, hug, a back rub, touching their hand as they walk by all of these things signals to a man of your care.

So, this Valentine's Day if you would like to give your man something that is much more important then a card and some chocolate think about the above gifts that you can give him and spend absolutely no money. Of course making sure he gets his steak dinner will make sure you are his favorite Valentine.

Shawn Snyder makes up one half of the blogging couple of http://theoddcoupleblog.com/