Helping the guys with gift ideas for Christmas

Well guys it's Christmas time again, and you thought maybe you had found that special gift, only to hear your wife telling her friend about how she picked up that same thing on sale this weekend.

So now what do you DO?  Not to fret!  I have put together a helpful guide that will give you some new found ideas.

If your lady loves Margarita's you will surely be a hit with the Margarita Mixer on this list.  It also offers suggestions on any other lady on your list.
Top 20 Best Christmas Gifts for Women: The Heavy Power List http://heavy.com/


How about a gift that will help women in need.  These gifts can support formerly homeless women in Los Angeles and fighting breast cancer in the U.K. to empowering women workers in India and helping Malawi women who've been affected by HIV, there are countless ways to give a gift that counts.
10 Gifts For Gals That Empower Women Around The World
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/business/

Guys, if you're struggling for Christmas gift ideas when it comes to the lovely lady in your life then look no further. We've got your back. It's a hard job but we've scoured the web for the best buys that your other half, mum, sister, ...
Gifts For Women This Christmas: Present Ideas That The Lady
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lifestyle/

Looking for gifts that give back? Here's a good list of holiday gifts that empower women and girls: http://t.co/RCqVr4L2SU

Christmas gifts for Woman - from art therapy to yoga to personalised Jewellery & more http://t.co/l9QnMevqko #ChristmasGiftIdeas

Last but not least, remember this gift from last year? BEST GIFT EVER!
Kanye West gifts Kim Kardashian Hermes handbag featuring nude women for Christmas



Well fellas, here you have it.  You are welcome to  browse our store at www.modernlywoman.com, here we have a great selections of gifts sure to please!

Happy Holidays

What is Your Favorite Christmas Carol?

Leave a comment below with your favorite song!

I Want To Be Cute at the Gym

Earlier this week, I had a physical with my doctor, and even though I got a clean bill of health, there was one thing the doctor suggested--EXERCISE!

Of course many types of exercises were suggested, Pilates, running,yoga and you know how  the lists goes.  So right away I sought out a gym and as I looked around at some of ladies working out, I began to notice the work out clothes they were sporting and realized; 1. work out gear has really become fashionable; and 2 I don't have any thing in my closet that I would venture out of the house in.  Being the Diva that I am,  the search began on what type of apparel I should choose.  

Confusion began to set in very quickly as I started my Internet search of the correct fitness apparel I should buy and didn't quite find a guide as such ( I am very left brain thinking).  I already had decided that I would try Pilates 3 times a week as well as walking. I live in Atlanta and for the most part the weather is pretty nice.  Being budget minded I wanted to choose work out clothing that could be used for several exercise regimens if that was at all possible.  Then I got to thinking am I the only one in this dilemma? So I began constructing a guide for just that--How to choose Fitness Apparel for Women.  

Advantages of Choosing the right fitness apparel

• Choosing the right work out clothing can help you stay motivated during work out sessions
• Will help you to stay comfortable instead of  the worry of tugging, crawling up, and riding up.
• Enables you to build a wardrobe of feminine and fashionable clothes.  Some can be worn in the gym on to running errands around the city.
• Allows you to show off your new dudes and shape

Choosing a Top

• Exercises such as Yoga and Pilates requires a more fitted top to get better idea of your posture and form, that will keep you honest in the gym.
• Cami tops are comfortable and surprisingly supportive.  Great  layered under the off the shoulder top.
• Dancing tees is your go to top for any exercise program.  You can also wear it over jeans or over your favorite yoga pants.
• Form fitting Jersey tops are soft, comfortable and make a great statement.  Many come with printed motivationals.
• Crew Neck T-Shirt are excellent for just about any exercise.  The advantage is that they can be layered.
• Long sleeved hoodies are excellent for that sometimes chilly weather we can encounter.  Allows you to layer and discard as body temperatures heats up during workout.

Choosing the Right Bottoms

• Cropped leggings can be used for cycling classes, Pilates and general exercise.
• Tunic capri's can be used for any exercise, plus they add a bit of style to other wise leggings
• Tunic pants work well for dance exercises and can make you look 10lbs thinner.  Can be worn around the city with a cut tunic top.
• Look for a good quality and don't stretch out of shape.
• Flexibility should be the key, make sure the move with the body.
• Purchase a few style to see which ones work for you.
• Bottoms should be chosen according to the type of exercise.

Now that I have complied this guide, chosen an exercise program and purchased fitness clothing I am ready to get started!  Just one more thing, would you like to  see my goal body type?  My Mother always said dream BIG!

It is my hope that this guide will assist women facing the dilemma of what to wear to the gym (and still look like a Diva)! Please leave your comments below. I was so intrigued, I decided to add this category on my website. 

Who do you miss the most during holidays

Our personal story of how to make the Holidays brighter after loosing a loved one.

My story begins with losing two sons, a  father and mother in relatively a short time.  Many people ask me how I seem to make it during the holidays.  I can not lie, it is difficult.  After losing my first son, I had other children to care for, and felt that was my call to duty.  I put on a false face, ignored my personal feelings  and some how  made it through the season.  As each season appeared I started to ask myself what would my loved ones want for this family? How can we overcome the feeling of loss and celebrate their lives, during the holidays and make our holiday brighter.  The have found that  not to think about the loss, but focus on the fond memories I will always have of them during the holiday season.




Believe me when I say that it does get easier with time.  Each holiday season I start to have memories of my loved ones.   I remember when my sons where young (before they found out that I was Santa) and the anticipation on their faces of the upcoming holiday season.  I could see the gift of their very first bicycles and

the anticipation of going outside to  ride them, even though there was several inches of snow on the ground (we lived in Colorado).  I see visions of me in the kitchen preparing all of their favorite foods, and I begin to notice a smile appearing and an unbelievable sense of comfort.







I also reflect on my child hood memories of how my parents made every holiday special for myself and my siblings.  The trimming of the Christmas tree every year, the new pair of pajamas our Mother was sure to buy.  Even though my parents were of the working class, we thought we were the richest kids in the world, because we always seemed to get that one special gift that was on our list.  Again, a smile begins to appear and I no longer fell a sense of lost.

Today, I make a mental note on all of my precious memories and we do things differently for the holidays in remembrance of our loved ones.  During our holiday meal, We asked that each family member shares a funny story of our loved ones.  I start to see smiles coming to  each family members face and laughter is heard all around us.We also have a special ornament to remind us of there presence and value they added to our lives. Our family is rather large and we used to draw names and set the gift price at $20.00.  Today, we collectively give the gift of $20 to a charity in our loved ones name.

I would love to share with our readers of how you make the holidays brighter after losing a loved one.  Please share your comments below.  

Do You Stick to Your Holiday Budget?

      Well the Holiday Season is upon us again.  Many of use are decorating our homes, planning that big Xmas dinner and of course shopping for gifts.  Our stress levels begin to rise with every phase of the Holiday planning and the expense of it all!

      How much money should you plan to set aside for this holiday season?  Money experts suggest spending no more than 1.5% of your annual income on holiday spending.  To give you a visual, if your annual income is $50,000 at 1.5% =$750.00 to spend.

     Now the question is what items should be included in the budget. Every year I compose a list to aid in this process and to make sure I have covered all basis.

How much do you plan to spend in the following categories:

• Special events
• Holiday outfits
• Gifts
• Family
• Hostess
• Shipping costs
• Food
• At home entertaining
• Baking
• Travel

After compiling my list, I simply do a spread sheet in Excel to ensure I stay with in my budget.

How well do you stick to your budget? 

 I would love to hear from you by leaving a comment below!  Don't forget to follow Modernly Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter.   Thank you so much for visiting Modernly Woman.com, your support and feedback is extremely appreciated!