Noblewomen: the first ladies

Written by Jan-Olov von Wowern


Continued from page 1

Another important factor inrepparttar growing emphasis on male primogeniture wasrepparttar 138688 forming of political alliances through marriages. When arranged marriages became increasingly important as a tool inrepparttar 138689 political formation of Europe, high social status by birth (andrepparttar 138690 benefits it brought along) was considered a powerful assset. But many noblewomen were not passive spectators, thoughrepparttar 138691 emphasis onrepparttar 138692 male line of descent meant that their financial and political activities of more and more depended on their male relatives: husband, father, sons, brothers. In many cases, however,repparttar 138693 noblewoman was not completely subsumed inrepparttar 138694 families of her male relatives. There is evidence that noblewomen continued to userepparttar 138695 seals, surnames and titles that was theirs by right of birth even after getting married.

In my own family tree I have found several examples ofrepparttar 138696 importance ofrepparttar 138697 role of noblewomen. In some cases on eof my ancestors married a lady from another important noble family, and this was recorded as a significant financial and political alliance. In other cases a lady from our family had a successful career of her own (e.g. as Abbess of a convent). In many casesrepparttar 138698 coat-of-arms of a noblewoman who married into our family was recorded and quartered inrepparttar 138699 arms of that branch ofrepparttar 138700 family.

Jan-Olov von Wowern lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and is the head of the Swedish branch of the von Wowern family, dating back to its founder who was born around 1090 and made a Marquis in 1141. He is active in European charitable and nobiliary work. Visit his page at http://www.findyournobleancestors.com and download a FREE chapter from his book.


How To Shop When You HATE To Shop

Written by Diana Pemberton-Sikes


Continued from page 1

4. Go When it's Quiet and You Have Some Time

This may not always be possible, depending on your situation, but try to go whenrepparttar stores are nearly empty and you have a little time to look, like a weekday morning. Not only willrepparttar 138687 store clerks be more available to help, you'll have plenty of time to go throughrepparttar 138688 store inventory.

If you hate crowds or have to constantly monitor your watch as you shop, you're more likely to give up quickly or buy unsatisfactory pieces just to get it over with.

Simple solution: shop online.

5. Leave The Kids At Home

This may not always be possible, but if you can shop when they're at school, leave them with a sitter, or swap sitting duties with another mom so you each have free time, do.

6. Buy and Return

If you don't haverepparttar 138689 time or inclination to try on clothes before you buy them, go to a mirror, holdrepparttar 138690 clothes up in front of you and see how they look. If it looks like something you might like, testrepparttar 138691 size inrepparttar 138692 places it's most likely to give you trouble, likerepparttar 138693 shoulders, bust or hips, by grabbingrepparttar 138694 edge ofrepparttar 138695 garment and seeing where it hits onrepparttar 138696 side of your body. If it goes half way, chances are, you have a close fit. If it doesn't or if it goes beyondrepparttar 138697 halfway point, go up or down a size, respectively. Buy it, take it home, and try it on there. If it fits, keep it. If it doesn't, take it back.

7. Hire Help

If you truly don't want to attempt any of this on your own, or if you're after a certain look but don't haverepparttar 138698 time to track it down, hire a personal shopper. Many better department stores and boutiques have one on staff; just ask. Or, check online, inrepparttar 138699 newspaper, or inrepparttar 138700 phone book for freelance personal shoppers in your area. The Association of Image Consultants International

http://www.aici.org

might also be able to recommend someone locally.

Whilerepparttar 138701 fee for department or boutique staff shoppers is usually free (they receive a commission onrepparttar 138702 clothes you buy from their store), most freelance shoppers will charge either an hourly or flat fee for their services, plusrepparttar 138703 cost of clothes. If that's what it takes to get you outrepparttar 138704 door, looking your best, with a minimum of stress, pay it. It will pay you back many times in increased confidence, reduced stress, and a workable, wearable wardrobe.

Shopping for new clothes should be an enjoyable event you participate in at least twice a year, to refurbish your closet forrepparttar 138705 new season. If you hate to shop or always wind up with stuff you don't need, try these tips to get your closet in order. Who knows? You may actually start to enjoy yourself!

Have designer tastes but a discount budget? Diana Pemberton-Sikes has helped thousands of women create a stunning style on limited funds with her fun, fresh approach to fashion. Sign up for her popular weekly ezine at www.FashionSavvy.com.


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