Alright! Winter is upon us! I don’t know about you, but I love winter fashion. The jackets, the cute scarves, the awesome boots. . . please, it’s all too much. So, I’ve decided to compile a list of the top nine fashion trends for the upcoming winter months.

1. Coats. Invest in a good coat that you look great in. Try to get one that you can see yourself wearing for a few years, at least. Sure, black, brown and grey are traditional, but why not try a different color? How about bright plaids, animal stripes, red, or even (gasp!) an all white coat. These colors are sure to grab attention.

2. Boots. That’s it. Boots. No matter the style – cowboy, work, Ugg, etc. – it doesn’t matter. Knee high, ankle high, above the knee, lace up, heels, they are all attractive. Well, maybe not those steel toed work boots, but you get the point. Mix it up with some boots cute buckles, tassels and fringes.

3. Cashmere Sweaters. Or cashmere anything. It’s so comfy! Sweaters, jackets, gloves, pants, scarves, go for it all!

4. Bright Colors. Who says winter means dark and drab colors? Add some color to your black coat by adding a colorful scarf. Or maybe a cute knit beanie. Big colorful bags are in right now, so pick one up and stand out in the crowd. The big color this season is purple, so spread it all over!

5. Plaids. Plaid is totally in this winter. You’ll see it in the form of shirts, skirts, jackets, and much more. Also, plaid doesn’t have to mean the standard red – mix it up by choosing browns, greens, or blues. Still not sold on the plaid clothing idea? Well, grab some plaid accessories, instead!

6. Scarves. I’m not going to lie. If I could wear a scarf everyday of the year I would. I just love them! Scarves are not only super cute, but they also offer some much needed warmth. Plus, they’re just fun little accessories! The easiest way to wear a scarf is to wrap it around your neck twice and just let it hang. A long scarf will soon become your greatest friend this cold winter.

7. Tulip Skirts. Work in an office and you don’t want to wear pants everyday? Well, invest in an adorable tulip skirt. This year, you’ll notice that people will wear longer skirts than previously.

8. Vintage Style Trousers. Want to wear pants everyday? How about a pair of retro 70’s styled flared trousers? Or, maybe some 80’s inspired trousers. Skinny trousers are definitely a trend this winter.

9. Fur. Let’s face it, fur – whether real or faux – is in. Jackets, vests, shoes, wraps, etc. It’s all in this year.

Why nine trends you say? Well, I’m anxious to get some shopping done!

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So, what is it about Jennifer Aniston’s hair that people love to emulate? I mean, her hair is not too thick, not too thin, and it’s usually pretty straight. Remember like ten years ago when she was doing “Friends” and everybody wanted the Rachel cut?

Jennifer Aniston is one of those girl-next-door types, and no matter what she does to her hair, she is going to be beautiful. We’ve all seen her hair short and copied it, much to no avail. We’ve all seen her hair silky smooth and long, and we’ve all tried that too. So, here’s the big news I finally had to accept: Unless you’re Jennifer Aniston, it’s going to be hard for your hair to look exactly like hers. (**heavy sigh**)

So, why is that? Well, Jennifer Aniston probably spends thousands of dollars a month to get her hair to look that gorgeous. Reality check: You guys really think she wakes up and her hair looks like that? You really think she gets out of the shower and ‘poof’ her hair is red carpet ready? No; not at all. The thing we have in common with Jennifer Aniston is that we all spend hours a day/week maintaining our coif.

Women have been taught from an early age the importance of hair, but we oftentimes abuse it. Think about your daily/weekly hair routine. It involves a lot of brushing, yanking, drying, ironing, and then, the piece de resistance, hair products. I don’t know about you, but that is a lot of work for something that we have to redo everyday.

But, still, we make our husbands wait while we finish spraying that one little piece, making it look just right. Low maintenance hair is a misnomer. In fact, unless you’re bald, you’re going to have to do a little something to your hair.

Each of us have different hair types. Each different hair type requires a different style. So, what if your hair is frizzy and curly? Think you can get away with the silky straight Jennifer Aniston hair we are all accustomed to? No; probably not.

Not everyone can pull off the “Rachel.” Many have tried; many have failed. Not everyone can pull off the movie star hair-do without a little extra, outside help.

If you’re one of those few who can afford to pay what Jennifer Aniston pays for her hair, then bless you. Otherwise, make sure you get a haircut that can you can take care of properly. Make sure your hair type can support your desired style. Talk to your stylist; they are professionals, by the way.

Once you get your dream hair, whether it’s the “Rachel” or something completely different, make sure you love it. That’s what matters. To you, your hair is red carpet ready, much like Ms. Aniston’s. That, more than Jennifer Aniston’s hair, is what’s important. You don’t need a famous face to help you decide what kind of hair makes you happy.

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Alright, so you want to get into shape.  Where do you start?  You go to a gym and there are so many different machines, each claiming to work a specific part of the body.  Or, you go to the store to buy your own machine, only to get lost in the shuffle. 

We’ve all seen those commercials on TV where they have this real fancy, real great exercise machine.  People like Chuck Norris effortlessly lie down, use the machine for ten minutes, and look like a movie star.  Well, that’s the point . . . he IS a movie star. 

So, what kind of exercise equipment works the best?  Well, it’s hard to answer this question directly.  Obviously, a treadmill or a running track will help shed the pounds.  Running is great cardio, and help burn calories.  Watch those extra pounds just melt away!

Now that you’ve shed the weight, how do you get your body toned and looking good?  All those intimidating looking exercise equipment machines can help.  Honest!  Sure, some old fashioned weights will help with toning those muscles, but those aren’t much fun, are they?

Many gyms have weight machines.  Some target legs, arms, back of the arms, tummy, etc.  Give some of those a try.  Work a specific area for about 15 minutes and then move on.  If you want to use the equipment longer, do it!  But, make sure the weight you set on the equipment is something you can handle.  Don’t try to be Tarzan, OK?

Another great piece of exercise equipment is your own floor.  Yes, that’s right.  Who needs to spend thousands of dollars a year, when your floor can be just as good?  The old standbys – sit-ups, push-ups, and lunges will help as well.  Yoga is a nice relaxing way to exercise, and believe it or not, actual toning occurs from yoga. 

So what I’m trying to tell you is that there is no wrong way to lose the pounds, and the equipment you use can help your quest to get fit. 

Exercise equipment comes in all shapes and sizes – just like people.  Be smart about the equipment you use, and don’t overdo it.  Believe me, it’s easy to do.  The best thing to do is find the right equipment that is comfortable for you and maintain a steady use.  Get into a good habit, say three times a week, and stick to it.  That’s the most important thing to do when exercising; habitual tardiness will do nothing for your body. 

And finally, if you’re still not sure which equipment to use, feel free to talk to a trainer at your gym.  They are full of information, and would love to help you out!

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