The Convoy of Hope Rolls into St. Louis, Providing Some $1 Million in Goods and Services in a Single Day

WHO:

St. Louis community volunteers from local nonprofits and for-profits will host hurting neighbors as honored guests for a "poverty-free day" with The Convoy of Hope .

WHAT:

Thousands of St. Louis residents—many America's "working poor"—receive some $1 million in goods and services in a single day and lasting solutions to needs such as groceries, medical/dental screenings, kids carnival activities, haircuts, career fair, women's and men's professional clothing, prayer time and spiritual guidance, family portraits, live entertainment with free lunch, and more.

This community event is one of dozens of stops along a 50-state, $50 million tour of hope and help for the 46 million Americans currently living in poverty—the largest number on record.*

WHEN:

Saturday, July 28, gates open at 10 a.m.

WHERE:

1430 N. Sarah Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, St. Louis, Mo. (Map)

Media/Vendor/VIP Parking and Check-in: Check in at the command center and enter through the volunteer entrance. (Event Parking Pass Vendor/Media/VIP)

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

•     Profile St. Louis-area residents
•     Interview local families benefiting from poverty-free day
•     Speak with national leaders from Convoy of Hope
•     Press kit materials and high-res photos of the national tour available at convoyofhope women's coats .org/press_kit

?    

CONTACT:
Jeff Nene
417.823.8998 / 417.860.2196 mobile
Priscilla Visintine
314.821.8232/ 314.422.5646 mobile
convoyofhope.org/press_kit

-30-
*Associated Press, 2011

Semper Divina Prepares to Make its Apparel Debut

Despite the plethora of business and great reviews provided by Amazon and Ebay customers, Semper Divina has decided to shed its roots and branch out independently. With a vast new inventory and name brand selections, Semper Divina is making its mark in the online apparel world. Using a one stop shop mentality, Semper Divina aims to dress a woman from head to toe - from hats to shoes and all clothing in between. In celebration of its grand opening, Semper Divina is offering 20% off to its new customers. By using the coupon code PR20 during checkout, new customers will save 20% on their purchases. Loyal return customers will receive even bigger s women's coats avings by using the coupon code provided in the monthly newsletter.

Semper Divina's goal is to help each and every woman discover her inner diva. They believe all women are beautiful - inside and out. Their mission is to help women introduce those two beauties to each other. Semper Divina also believes that they could not exist without their customers. Asides for providing great products at affordable prices, their main objective is to ensure an unsurpassable shopping experience. From fast ordering processing to dedicated customer service, Semper Divina constantly strives to exceed expectations and set new industry standards.

Browse around the new site – http://www.semperdivina.com, sign up for a customer account, and take advantage of the grand opening savings. Semper Divina can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. Just "like" them or "follow" them to stay informed. Have question, suggestions, or general concerns – visit the "Contact Us" link on the website and send them a message. Feedback is always welcomed and strongly encouraged.

Hawaiian Shirt Framed Art - Announced by The Hana Shirt Company

The Hana Shirt Company announced that they are expanding their product offerings with the introduction of framed vintage Hawaiian shirts. According to owner Robert Hayes, framing aloha shirts is a natural progression for the company.

Hayes states that Vintage Hawaiian Shirts can sell for over five thousand dollars and some have sold for well over $10,000. With that type of investment collectors are anxious to protect and display these gorgeous pieces of Hawaii history. We are excited about the opportunity that comes with preserving Hawaiian textile history while enabling our clients to showcase some of the most collectible shirts in the world, said Hayes.

According to Hayes, almost any style of Hawaiian shirt can be framed, however back panel designs are a favorite. A back panel shirt features a non-repeating pattern, perfect for an artistic focal point. Art Vogue is famous for back panel designs featuring sailing canoes, net fishermen and other tropical subject women's coats matter, said Hayes. Once a back panel shirt has been chosen for framing, the transformation into a true piece of art begins.

Hayes says that each vintage garment is professionally cleaned and mounted on a special acid free backing board by a textile conservator. Then a custom UV protected plexiglass frame is created and attached to the backing board. Finally, the finished shirt is crated and can be shipped anywhere in the world. The end result is a stunning piece of Hawaiian textile art, a conversation piece for years to come.

The Hana Shirt Company is a leading on-line retailer of Vintage Hawaiian Shirts specializing in men's shirts and women's aloha dresses, tops and skirts. Robert and Jennifer Hayes have been collecting men's vintage Aloha shirts for over 35 years and are thought to own the world's largest collection of vintage Hawaiian Clothing.

For additional information on framed shirts please contact Jennifer Hayes, Principal. The Hana Shirt Company is located at 7850 N. Silverbell Road, Suite 114-287 in Tucson, Arizona. Phone - 520-907-7308 or visit the Hawaiian Shirt Web Site.

Emerging Enterprise Radio Spotlights Ella Dyer with FashionAde

On October 10, 2012, co-hosts Lee Kantor and Stone Payton sat down in the studio with Ella Dyer of FashionAde. Dyer came to BusinessRadioX?'s Emerging Enterprise to talk about the evolution of her web-based application.

FashionAde's mission is to empower women by helping them confidently express their sense of style each and every time they get dressed. Dyer helped create FashionAde for a simple reason: women have all been there, standing in the closet, trying to figure out what to wear. The closet is full; many of the garments hanging there looked good on the website, in the catalog, or in the store dressing room. But now, they hang in the closet, unused. Women don't wear half of what they own.

For all the many women who regularly face this challenge, FashionAde provides practical guidance and useful suggestions, empowering, inspiring and infusing genuine style confidence for its users. The proprietary Outfit Engine helps users discover new combinations for the clothes they already own, and guides the purchase of new additions to energize and refresh the way they feel about themselves and the image they present to the world each day.

Dyer brings to the business numerous accolades, including Springboard Enterprises Alumna 2011, Venture Atlanta Showcase Company 2011, and Start Up Chicks Accelerator Winner 2010. As a Showcase Company at Venture Atlanta, Dyer was invited to pitch FashionAde on Day One of 2011's event. She explains that FashionAde began as a B2B application, but quickly moved to a B2C - Bu women's jackets siness to Community - application.

When asked by Kantor how she moved from the idea phase to the execution phase of her business, Dyer explained, "We spend time with our end users to understand how to improve our application."

Focused on serving customers, Dyer sees the opportunity to expand the concept of FashionAde to other areas where people need organization and the ability to inventory items, whether it be a kitchen pantry, arts and crafts supplies, even men's closets.

To hear more about Dyer's plans for FashionAde, please listen to a re-broadcast of this show at Emerging Enterprise.

About Emerging Enterprise Radio:
http://www.emergingenterprise.businessradiox.com
Co-hosts Lee Kantor and Stone Payton feature high-growth companies and their trusted advisors. Airs LIVE weekly on Wednesdays at 1pm Eastern.

About BusinessRadioX?:
BusinessRadioX? provides a turnkey solution for business owners who want to leverage the power of internet radio to meet their best prospects, establish credibility for their organization and heighten the placement of their brand in search engines rankings. With a professional venue and a proven formula, BusinessRadioX? helps hosts podcast their shows and create a regular stream of dynamic content to share with their prospects and feed the search engines every week. Programs are recorded and streamed live to the internet from our studios in the greater Atlanta area. For more information or to hear a live show, visit: http://www.businessradiox.com.

LONDON INVASION! Famed UK Women’s Fashion Brand, WALLIS, Premiers US Online Retail Store - http://www.WallisFashion.com

Trusted UK fashion retailer, Wallis, has launched an online US shopping portal, http://www.wallisfashion.com. With over 100 stores and a thriving online business throughout the UK, they are now offering American women the same high quality, well priced, on trend fashions with an edge.

WHERE DOES WALLIS COME FROM?
Founded in London in 1923, Wallis now has over 100 stand-alone stores, 400 points of distribution and a thriving online presence in the UK. The brand has always been committed to designing on trend clothing that makes real women on real budgets look and feel great. After bringing shopping satisfaction to women in the UK for years, they have launched a US retail website, http://www.wallisfashion.com, to offer women in America the same exceptional shopping experience. In addition to contemporary apparel, Wallis offers an exciting selection of fashion jewelry, handbags shoes and additional accessories.

WHAT DOES WALLIS STAND FOR?
Wallis is proud to embody quality, value, on trend fashion with an edge. At the heart of Wallis is an understanding of real women and a desire for them to look and feel the best they can. Wallis designs clothing based on the most current trends and translates them into flattering, comfortable clothing for women of all shapes and sizes, available in US sizes 4-16, with dedicated petite clothing for women 5'3" and under. Wallis is sought out by women in the UK for their high quality products at a great value; price ranges for clothing ranges from $35 for a top up to $215 for a coat.

WHO IS THE WALLIS WOMAN?
The Wallis woman fashion coats is everyone from the business executive to the full time mother. She may not have the time to spend at the mall but she still cares about looking stylish when walking into the boardroom or having dinner out with family and friends. The Wallis woman comes in all shapes and sizes. She has an eye and a need for clothing that is flattering and well made. Finally, she knows value and trusts Wallis as the brand to bring her that value without sacrificing style or quality.

For additional information regarding Wallis please visit http://www.wallisfashion.com.

Summer Weight Loss – Easy, Fast, And Effective Tips

Summer weight loss is a very popular topic and every year it seems like many people go into a panic when summer finally arrives. Bathing suites, shorts, tank tops leave little to the imagination and you get to show more skin than during the colder months.

It's not like we all don't know it's coming, it's just easier to put it off till the last second. But never fear, there are some easy and fast ways to lose weight quickly. And summer even offers a few advantages over the other colder months.

For those us that like a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverages, stay away from the sweet drinks. Check out the calories in some of these popular summer drinks.

Mai Tai – 225 calories

Banana Daiquiri – 230 calories

Long Island Iced Tea – 275 calories

Pina Colada – 280 calories

Zombie – 325 calories

Wow, three Zombies and besides not being able to walk, you just consumed almost 1000 calories with no food content. Even a basic mixed drink has about 65-75 calories, a glass of red wine can be 80-100 calories, and a beer can be 100. Some experts say these calories don't convert to fat, others say they can. A good way to still have a glass of wine is to add soda or plain water, that cuts down the intake of alcohol. Or pick one of the new low caloric beers, there are several.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are readily available in both grocery stores and local farmer's markets in the summer. Many of these are both fiber rich and have minimal calories to boot. So it's easy to put together some great low cal meals summer style. Summer weight loss can be easy and effective including fiber rich fruits and vegetables.

I've been searching for the right diet plan for the past year and have found some great tips for easy, fast, and effective summer weight loss. Obviously these meals will work at any time of year but they really shine when you add fresh vegetables and outdoor grilling to the mix.

Foods high in fiber are you're best choice for at least two meals every day. Fiber can help reduce cholesterol and glucose in the bl women's coats ood. Most nutritionists recommend that women should get around 25 grams per day and men around 35. Avoid fried foods, bread, any kind of sodas, and creamy sauces. Make sure you drink enough water; it's easy to get dehydrated in the summer heat.

Here's a short list of fruits and vegetables with fiber content (always leave the skin on when possible – that's where a lot of the fiber comes from):

Fruits
Apples – medium, 1, 5 grams
Apricots – medium, 3-4, 1 gram
Avocado – medium, 1, 12 grams
Banana – medium, 1, 4 grams
Blueberries – cup, 1, 4 grams
Cantaloupe – cup, 1, 1.2 grams
Figs - medium, 3, 5.5 grams
Grapefruit – medium, half, 6 grams
Orange – medium, 1, 3.5 grams
Peach – medium, 1, 2 grams
Pear – medium, 1 5 grams
Plum – medium, 1, 1 gram
Raisins – oz, 3, 3 grams
Raspberries – cup, 1, 8 grams
Strawberries – cup, 1, 4 grams

Vegetables
Beets – cup, 1, 3 grams
Beet Greens – cup, 1, 4 grams
Broccoli – cup, 1, 2 grams
Brussels Sprouts – cup, 1, 3 grams
Cabbage – cup, 1, 4 grams
Carrot – medium, 1, 2 grams
Cauliflower – cup, 1, 4 grams
Corn, Sweet – cup, 1, 4.5 grams
Green Beans – cup, 1, 4 grams
Celery – stalk, 1, 1 gram
Onions – cup, 1, 3 grams
Peas – cup, 1, 9 grams
Peppers, Sweet – cup, 1, 2.5 grams
Potato, Baked – medium, 1, 5 grams
Spinach – cup, 1, 4 grams
Summer Squash – cup, 1, 3 grams
Sweet Potato – cup, 1, 6 grams
Tomato – medium, 1, 1 gram
Squash – cup, 1 5.5 grams
Zucchini – cup, 1, 2.5 grams

And you can add in the many possible beans and grains and it's easy to hit that 25 or 35 grams of fiber per day. We need to throw in some protein too, maybe lean meat, fish, eggs, even peanut butter. There's little agreement on how much protein you need and what kind. Some experts say as little as 47 grams (think of two eggs), some say around 10% of your daily caloric intake.

But keep in mind that most vegetables have protein (potato = 7 grams) so if you stay with small amounts of high protein foods like lean meat and fish you'll get enough protein. 5-6 ounces of fish or lean meat per meal is fine.

There is no need to torture yourself in your desire for summer weight loss. If you really want a piece of bread to go with that meal, do it. Or if you feel like having something fried, go ahead; just keep the portion down to reasonable amount. Don't super-size anything.

Which brings us to another area of concern when trying to lose a little weight. Snacks! We all want them, especially when we lower our caloric intake. The best way to deal with that urge is to have something that feeds the need. Want something sweet? Go with ripe fruit, something crunchy, go with pumpkin seeds.

So a good daily meal schedule with lots of fiber and protein, and fewer calories would look like this:

Morning – Breakfast

Bran cereal with a cup of raspberries and low fat or 2% milk.

(Change out the type of bran and type of fruit every day)

Mid-day – Lunch

Peanut Butter Sandwich (use whole grain bread) with 2 cups of raw vegetables.

(Substitute the peanut butter with 5-6 ounces of grilled fish, lean hamburger. Swap out vegetables with fruit, or 3 bean salad.)

Evening – Dinner

One vegetable cold soup, 5-6 ounces of lean meat or fish, vegetables garnished with vinegar, oil, and seasoning on a kabob.

(Swap out the meats, vegetables. Use lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar. Stir fry instead of grill. You can use olive oil in very small quantities – remember – no torture necessary)

The flexibility is endless, keep the portions reasonable, and if you use any sauces or oil make sure you use just enough to flavor or properly coat for light grilling or frying. The key is moderation, both in size of servings and types of garnish or sauces.

Many experts have different opinions on daily calorie amounts, some say 1600, some around 2000. I chose the 1600 to base my daily intake since I don't always get to exercise as much as I'd like.

Speaking of exercise, there are many opportunities to work some light exercise into your daily summer routine. Taking the dog for a walk during the early or late hours during the cooler times is good for you and the dog. Walking to the neighborhood pool with the kids is a good too. Park farther from the store, take the stairs, go window shopping, or go to some outdoor activity like art or craft shows.

Always take some water; the summer heat can dehydrate you quicker than you think. Pick the cooler times of day when possible, early in the morning or late in the evening. Don't over do it, consider your foot wear, and start slow if you haven't walked far in a long time. Slowly work up your distance to what you have the time for and slowly pick up the pace.

Summer weight loss can be easy, fun, and keep you healthy. Just be a little creative in your activities and take advantage of the fresh produce to eat healthier.

Maltese Puppy And Dog Information

The Maltese is a very popular toy breed. They are a healthy breed but care must be taken against extremes of temperature. They will do fine in an apartment, just needing daily walks. They are playful, fun loving dogs and they make great watch dogs. They are good with older, considerate children and they also tolerate other animals well. They do take considerable grooming to keep their beautiful coats in shape.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Maltese is 8 to 10 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 5 to 9 pounds. The female ranges from 8 to 9 inches to the withers and 4 to 8 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Maltese is no exception. Although considered to be a healthy breed, be on the look out for genetic eye disorders, slipped stifle, sun burn, skin and teeth problems. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Maltese is covered with a single layer of long silky hair which is white in color. Her lack of undercoat leaves her at a disadvantage in weather extremes. She needs daily brushing and combing. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Her eyes should be cleaned daily to guard against stains. Consider an occasional professional grooming. Weekly baths are probably ok but be careful not to chill her.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tu women's coats mor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Maltese can live between 9 and 11 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Maltese comes from Malta where they were kept as pets by the kings and queens. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1888.

Some Registries:
*American Maltese Association
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 2 to 4 Maltese puppies

Category: Toy

Terms To Describe: Eager, affectionate, vigorous, playful, lively, fearless, fun, loving, intelligent

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good choice for allergy sufferers.
Makes a great lap dog.
Good watch dog.
Good at obedience.
Fast learner.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Does poorly in weather extremes.
Poor guard dog.
Can be difficult to housebreak.
Can snap.
Can be a picky eater.

*Other Names Known By: Melitaie Dog, the Comforter Dog, Ye Ancient Roman Ladies Dog, the Maltese Lion Dog, and the Spaniel Gentle.

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

The 7 Business Success Secrets To Build A *Booming* Referrals-Based Dental Practice

You've heard it before, probably from a dental practice management consultant of some kind: "A Referrals-Based Practice is the BEST-case scenario." If your practice has reached that level of development, you deserve it. It obviously took great amounts of physical and mental work to get it there.

If your practice isn't there yet, but you are working on getting it to that level, there are certain key elements that will make it easier to do. Granted, it's still difficult, but, it will help it happen quicker.

Here are seven distinct steps to take to cause your referrals to hit all-time highs:

1) Send something of value, like a newsletter, at least 12 times a year to your existing patients. This creates an almost unbreakable bond that withstands economic issues and the many other reasons patients choose to leave a practice for. The many benefits are carefully outlined and detailed in the other special report contained with this one. This is truly an internal dental marketing strategy you can't ignore.

2) Offer useful information to your patients both digitally (via email) and in print (via a newsletter). Most of us get email, few of us read it for what it is. I find more and more, that it's a nuisance to even get it and have made threats to myself to get rid of it! Whereas, printed mail captures my attention much more completely and I also ten to place a higher value on it. I believe most folks respond somewhat the same. HOWEVER, do not completely ignore the value of communication sent via an e-letter or some form of one as long as it's targeted and concise and not too lengthy. They still work better than nothing in this area.

3) Educate them. Pick a relevant topic each month. This is important to the success of the communication. We suggest providing information about say sealants one month, teeth whitening the next month. In giving the information, keep it simple and easy to understand and avoid technical language to keep the reader's interest.

4) Become a relentless self-promoter. Read Debbie Allen's book, "Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters." No one knows you better than you. You should be continually promoting your practice and yourself!

5) Position yourself in the mind of your community as a specialist. Being in a ni women's jackets che is easier to promote and sell that a "do-it-all" general dentist. and, once your patients get in and see that you do more than say just cosmetics, then you can obviously offer those services to them. BUT, defining a niche and working hard to fill it is an advisable route to go.

6) Sponsor charitable events or start your own non-profit is easy to do. A non-profit corporation is a fantastic way to promote your favorite cause and it's a great P.R. move. Be sure your causes are worthy or your patient's and community's support. Hold events at local landmarks (we just did a birthday party at the local riverfront carousel where we asked that presents not be brought and instead a donation of a winter coat in good condition OR a $5 cash donation. We ended up supplying over 50 coats to local children in need!

7) Ask those patients that you desire more of to refer. This can be as simple as literally asking those "A" patients you see everyday to send in their friends and family. Be sure to give them some incentive whether it's a credit on their account or a discount on services.

8) Be Consistent in your efforts. This is probably the most difficult of the now "8" business success secrets. Once you find a formula that delivers quality new patients, stick to it! Especially, if you are active in advertising externally (outside your patient base), be sure to diligently track all referrals from all sources. Find what's working and point your efforts (monetarily and otherwise) in that direction. If you find charitable events that work well, then plan one each quarter! Or, if presentations before the Rotary yields 1 or 2 patients each time, then plan on that 2 or 3 times a year!

These are far from new dental marketing ideas, but they are dental marketing strategies that are seldom used consistently to get more referral patients. Know that there are plenty of resources out there that will offer new dental marketing ideas, or more insight on internal dental marketing, as well as resources unrelated to dental practice management that also will offer some insight.

Good Luck! Getting your practice to that optimum referrals level isn't a cakewalk, but it's also not impossible, and know that you should never have to go at it alone.

Cold Sores and Fever Blisters - Are You Dangerously Contagious?

Cold Sores and Fever Blisters have been a blight on the human face for over 2000 years. They have been, and still are, a worldwide epidemic. Historically, the ancient Romans were cursed with them too. In fact, they had such an outbreak of cold sores and fever blisters going on in Rome, the emperor banished kissing in public ceremonies. Today, it is estimated that nine out of every ten men, women and children over seven are infected with the virus that causes these unsightly blisters.

By the time you finish reading this short article, you will know the what, why and how of cold sores and fever blisters. You will learn the one thing you must avoid to prevent permanent damage to yourself or someone else when treating a cold sore. Finally, you will discover how to heal them and prevent future outbreaks.

Some folks call them cold sores. Others refer to them as fever blisters. Truth is, they are two different names for the same exact thing. They both are an oral herpes outbreak. Cold sores and fever blisters most commonly occur during or after physical stress such as colds (cold sore) and flu (fever blister). And that is how they got their names. Cold sores are the most common term used for these blisters.

The root cause of these hideous and painful blisters is the herpes simplex v women's jackets online irus, type 1 or type 2. We all have various viruses in our bodies at any given time. Most, like cold and flu viruses, eventually disappear. This is not true with the herpes virus. This virus will likely stay with you your entire life. Fortunately, the fever blisters and cold sores oral herpes virus is normally latent. Nearly a third of all those infected will never get an outbreak. They will never even know they carry the herpes virus. The other two-thirds of us will get one or more fever blisters per year.

Cold Sores and fever blisters are dangerously contagious.

During an outbreak, you can easily spread the virus to someone else. You can easily spread cold sores to other areas of your body, such as your eyes. Fever blisters on the cornea can cause permanent damage or blindness. Avoid the itching temptation to touch the sore with your bare fingers. Constantly clean with alcohol on cotton balls or swabs. Coat them with a virus killing oil such as garlic or oregano oil. Don't be kissing anyone, anywhere.

How frequent and severe your cold sores depend greatly on your physical condition. It depends on the strength of your immune system. There are several easy ways others have used to quickly heal and prevent cold sores and fever blisters.

Lysine is a popular natural remedy for the herpes virus. It works quite well at a dosage of 1000 to 3000 mg. per day during the event. Those who get frequent blisters often do well taking a daily maintenance dosage of 500 mg. If you can get by without the maintenance dosage you might be better off. Studies have shown that the body may develop a tolerance to lysine.

Every person who is prone to cold sores and fever blisters should be taking a good quality multi-vitamin. This is critical today for a high level of health. It helps to reduce the effects of stress and give you a stronger immunity. And by good quality I do not mean the drug store one or two-per-day junk vitamin pills. They do not contain enough nutrients for your body to notice. And, they often do not dissolve during digestion. I have personally seen them in bedpans. You could still read the brand name on them.

Quite honestly, you will get more nutrition from two ounces of broccoli. Go to a vitamin store or check on-line. Expect dosages of six capsules or three large tablets per day. Better yet, dosage packets are becoming real popular today. That is what I am currently using.

Should the oral herpes virus break through the immune sentries, and you start to feel a burning or itching sensation on your lip or nose, get some ice or something cold on it immediately. This will often send the virus back into hibernation. Herpes simplex virus does not like cold. Acting quickly with the ice is an easy and proven way many cold sore victims use to prevent cold sores and fever blisters.

20 Heavy Duty Affiliate Internet Marketing Super Tips

Here's a really simple way... to turbo charge your online profits.

There is a way too common problem today that internet marketers and affiliate marketers are leaving money on the table.

But it is fixable...

Here are 20 Heavy Duty Affiliate Internet Marketing Super Tips

1. Advertise your web site with banner ads that are animated and include a call to action. You must grab people's attention and make them to click.

2. Use pop up windows or advertisements on your web site. They grab your visitors attention because they jump right out at them.

3. Buy internet business books, ebooks, private site memberships, etc. Study and learn all the new web site promotional ideas you can.

4. Analyze all your promotional efforts. Concentrate on the ones that work and drop the ones that don't work. Don't waste your valuable time. This is a big part to your affiliate internet marketing super success.

5. Get the most from each one of your visitors. Ask them to subscribe to your e-zine, participate on your message board, bookmark your site, etc.

6. Use text links if your banner ads are not pulling traffic. People don't ignore text links as much as they do banner ads.

7. Trade content with other ezine publishers or web sites. This is a powerful and effective way to place your links on other targeted web sites.

8. Keep your product available to your customers at all times. If you have to backorder it, they may end up canceling their order.

9. Use content on your web site so people can skim through it easily. Most people have little time so try using lists, short tips, short articles,etc

10 Add a message board or chat room to your web site. If people enjoy it, they will revisit your web site to participate regularly.

11. Give your prospects extra incentives so they will order quicker. It could be free shipping, a faster shipping option, free gif women's coats t wrapping, etc.

12. Make your small business look big on the world wide web. Design your web site using professional graphics, ordering systems, organized layouts, etc. This is instrumental to your affiliate internet marketing success.

13. Attract a lot more customers by giving them clear ordering instructions. Give them all the information they need so they can complete their order easily.

14. Give your customers buying incentives so they'll make repeat purchases. Offer them discounts, free gifts, bonus points, etc.

15. Tell people about your site whenever you get a chance. Those people will tell other people and so on. It's a cheap way to multiply your advertising.

16. Write and send press releases for your web site. Use a strong headlines, make it newsworthy, and tell the journalist why their readers would like it.

17. Use a lot of headlines on your web site and ezine. Some types of headlines are free offers, questions, problem solvers, sales, and statistics.

18. Design graphics, templates, buttons and banner ads for other sites. Allow people to use them in exchange for your web link on their home page.

19. Use time saving promotional software. You can automate your search engine submissions, posting to online classified sites, etc.

20. Advertise your online business by dressing in clothes that are imprinted with your ad. It could be a T-shirt, ball cap, coat, etc.

My goal here was to give you some great tips to help exceed your profits, today online.

You can apply any of these 20 tips and see a jump in online sales.

Viewpoint Writing 2: How To Use Your Character's 'Voice'

There are some simple rules to remember when writing form a character's viewpoint, yet many forget them. Here's a rundown of some to remember . . .

No matter what language you speak, regional accents and dialect always give away your origin - unless of course you have had voice coaching. In the UK accent differences can be very subtle - for example, I can tell if someone is from my home town or a town just ten miles away. You can probably do this too.

When 'building' a character for your story, their 'voice' is very important - and not just accent or local patois. Listen to your friends. Let's say for the sake of convenience you all grew up in the same part of town. You therefore all have the same accent and probably use much the same slang words and idiom. So what sets you apart?

It's the way you talk. Some people talk rapidly, some are slow and thoughtful. Some have little speech mannerisms that mark them out. All these things add up to them being an individual, a real, live, talking person. Using your character's 'voice' is therefore a powerful tool that helps your reader to identify with that character and so makes them much more real.

Let's take an example. Three people are sat watching TV - grandmother, mother and daughter. They're watching a movie. Suppose it's 'Pulp Fiction'. Now how do you think they would speak if asked to describe that movie? Maybe the grandmother would be scandalised by the sex and violence. Maybe the mother would be uncomfortable about her daughter seeing it. Perhaps the daughter just loves it.

So they all have different attitudes to the movie - but how do you think they would summarise it? Let's see how this sounds.

Grandmother: I thought it a good movie but really, is all that bad language and shooting necessary?
Mother: Yes it was a good film but I thought it was rather violent and I was concerned about my daughter seeing it.
Daughter: I really enjoyed the movie - it was very thrilling and full of action.

Garbage, isn't it? It all sounds the same - as if one person was saying all three lines. Maybe this is better:

Grandmother: I thought it a good movie but really, is all that bad language and shooting necessary?
Mother: I kind of liked it but, you know, I was a bit worried about my daughter being exposed to all that bloodshed and goings-on.
Daughter: A really cool movie - it was just so laid-back yet full of go at the same time, you know?

Now I'm not pretending that they would really speak like that - it's just an illustration of 'voice'. In this instance I kept the way the grandmother might speak as that was they style I used for all three in the first run-through. Have a bit of fun - rewrite it as if the daughter was the 'voice' for all three - it comes out just as bad as my first attempt did!

This extends into all your writing. In a previous article I mentioned our all-action hero, Jake Bullet, as he enters a bar where a gunman is waiting for him. Here in a fe fashion jackets online w lines is the same scene from Jake's viewpoint and that of his adversary.

As he turned and saw the guy heave a pistol our from beneath his coat, Jake exploded into action, leaping the length of the bar and crashing a fist into the gunman's chin. Stood over the guy Jake turned to Henry. 'That's one thing he won't try again. If he gets up I'm gonna bust his face.'

Pulling the pistol from under his jacket, Sam thought what a posing daisy this famous slick cop looked in his fancy suit. He was going to be easy. Then he froze as his mark jumped toward him. He just had time to think what a bum story his boss had given him about this creep cop before he saw stars and hit the floor. Bummer.

Again, it's not a finished piece! It just gives an idea of how using a slightly different 'delivery' can help to identify the character. A point to note also is that the character's 'voice' goes beyond dialogue. Sam's way of thinking and some of his character comes out in the way he is described as seeing the scene. This is another aspect of viewpoint writing and 'voice' - describing the action as would the character - not you. Keep to this as your scene unfolds - remember, it's your character who is doing the seeing and talking!

Short Story Writing - A Viable Route To Publication For Older Writers

Many people take up writing as a hobby or as a more serious undertaking later in life - maybe even after what would be considered by many retirement age. This article looks at one way the older writer can compete with younger rivals on a level playing field.

There you are, sitting looking at your finished book manuscript. It's probably taken at least a year - maybe a lot longer - to get to this stage. Now, you say, it's finished! Sorry to correct you here - but it's not. It will only be finished when it is published, in book form, and sitting on a shelf in a bookshop where people can buy it.

So you send away your manuscript, bracing yourself - you have been warned about this - for rejection. You may be very fortunate and have your work accepted: if so I take my hat off to you! It is far more likely that the work will be returned. If the reason given is that is out of fashion, or not right for that particular publisher, or just plain badly written, then you can do something about it.

Sometimes though - and this an older, unpublished, writer's pitfall - your age may work against you. I know, it's wrong - but there it is. You may have written a great book, a truly stunning piece of work - but an agent or publisher, being hard-headed businesspeople, have to ask themselves two very crucial questions. These are:

1. Has this writer got more than on book in them? In other words, is this book something you have taken a long time - maybe years and years - to bring to a conclusion? If so, do have any more ideas or are all your guns fired?

2. Now this is not the greatest thing to dwell on - but how much longer are you going to be around? Let's say you're a fit 70-year old lady. You could, these days, reasonably expect another good fifteen or twenty years at least. How does this work with your writing career?

Well - a book - any book - can take five years from first rough to publication. Three years is good going. As you can only write one book at once (unless your name is Simenon!) that means you could well be hitting 90-plus if a publisher gave you a five-book contract - together with all the sales and marketing investment that implies. When they look at these sort of figures you can understand - even if you do not agree with - their concerns.

So - this leaves women's jackets us with the old problem: how to get into print? Well, one excellent way is via the short story market, particularly those published within popular women's magazines. Hang on, though - what about your age in this environment? Does it not still hold that it may count against you?

Happily, the answer is a resounding NO. Magazine editors aren't offering you a contract beyond purchasing publishing rights from you - hardly a big investment - so concerns regarding your longevity aren't present! Also, many older writers find they have the depth of experience concerning the human condition so essential to many stories found within the pages of this type of magazine.

Then there are other types of magazine - the science fiction short story is one of the types enjoying a keen readership, as popular today as it was seventy years ago. Maybe it's not your thing - but it's worth considering!

The other thing about short stories is that they are, when compared to a novel, quick to write. You could probably write twenty or thirty short stories in the time it would take you to write your book. Too, they give a new writer great exposure. It's fair to say that the buyers of women's magazines probably don't do so just to read the short story tucked away towards the back - but read them they do and some magazines have readerships in the hundreds of thousands. If you sold that many copies of your novel it would be a best-seller!

Maybe the best things about getting your short story published is the great boost to confidence it brings to any fledgling (or indeed seasoned) writer. There's nothing quite like having your name in print as the author! Add to this the bonus of getting your name known to editors and agents - yes, they do read these stories, spying out talent - and it can be seen that writing for the short story market can be a great way to get noticed.

You may decide, if following this route, that short stories are the thing for you - a writing niche that suits your talents and needs. On the other hand, should you again experience the desire to write The Novel, you have a good grounding in economical, well-planned writing (as all short stories must be) that will shine out to any publisher whose desk your manuscript lands on!

How To Buy a Suit

The men's business suit: ubiquitous, ingrained, versatile, mandatory, and a staple of industrial age attire for over one hundred years. Considering how fashion trends normally fluctuate wildly even in the space of twenty years, it is amazing how little the basic business suit has changed. About the most variety offered is the color scheme, which varies through navy blue, gray, khaki, and camel. Here's a quick, easy guide to picking out the clothing ensemble which you'll spend a good portion of your life wearing:

Choosing a jacket style: The two-button, single-breasted jacket is a popular style, but three or four button jackets are also available and are usually seen in colder climates. Only thin men should wear formal double-breasted jackets, which tend to add bulk to your figure. They have to be kept buttoned at all times, or else the jacket hangs awkwardly.

Select a fabric, its color, and pattern. If you opt for a patterned fabric, check to see that the patterns line up at the shoulder and lapel seams. High-quality worsted wool is the most seasonally versatile fabric. Cotton and linen are better for summer wear. Avoid blends that are made with too much polyester, as they don't breathe well and look too cheap. The days of the polyester leisure suit are long dead, in places other than coastal California. Crumple the fabric to make sure it bounces back instead of wrinkling. You want a durable fabric that will go without dry-cleaning and pressing as much as possible.

Selecting a pants style: Pleats make pants dressy and provide room for movement without risking tears, while flat-front pants have a slimming effect. Cuffed legs are formal, add weight to the suit and can make the leg seem shorter. Pants without cuffs elongate the leg and are more informal.

Test the jacket for a good fit. Make sure the collar lies flat against the back of your neck and shows at least a quarter of an inch of shirt collar rim. Shoulders should be lightly padded and neither too boxy nor too sloped; the idea is to make your shoulers square and neither round nor padded like a linebacker. Sleeves should reveal about a third of an inch of shirt cuff and fall five inches above the tip of your thumb.

Button the jacket and sit down to verify that it is comfortable and doesn't bunch up. Also make sure the pants sit on the waist, not the hips, and the pant cuffs drape over and break slightly at the tops of your shoes. Check that your socks aren't visible when you walk.

Conventional wisdom holds that tall men should emphasize horizontal lines and avoid pinstripes. Double-breasted suits often flatter tall, thin male figures. Short men should consider the single-breasted, shorter jackets in pinstripes or dark solids. Heavier men should also opt for pinstripes and avoid double-breasted suits, and pick darker colors.

In buying a suit off the rack, you have to take whichever pants come with the jacket. If this is the case then the jacket style should take precedence over the pants style. Remember that you can always tailor the pants to suit your fit and style later; for instance adding cuffs is a common alteration. Buying a jacket and pants separately will give you more style choices, and is a good approach in any case. It may be difficult to match the garments, though, but you should of course buy them in the same store which is more likely to stock matching items.

It's always a good idea to get 2 pairs of pants with each suit, not just one. Your pants will wear out much more quickly than your suit coat will. Most days, you will wear your suit into the office, but hang up the coat for most of the day. It's the pants that take a beating, especially around the knees and the seat. With two pairs, you won't ha fashion jackets online ve to worry about that shiny worn look and you'll have insurance in case of a stain, tear or zipper break.

Picking out your suit is something that perhaps you should go do by yourself. Friends and loved ones have a tendency to steer you to ridiculous ideas in fashion which they won't have to wear themselves. This might seem like overstating the case, but it still holds that your suit will be your professional attire, and you will hate to get stuck with something that didn't seem like a good idea as soon as you wore it the first day.

Seek out the help of the sales person who knows how to make you look good, with the proper fit, color, fabric, and accessories. Far too many men buy what their lady tells them to buy, and they usually leave the store looking like it, too. Take the suit home, without any alterations, if the store will allow you to do that. Test it out at home for a day, before taking it back to be altered. This way you will have a much better idea of what adjustments need to be made.

Now for the accessories: Acceptable colors for belts and shoes are black and burgundy or cordovan, though recently mahogany has started to gain acceptance. Light browns such as saddle tan and its ilk should be reserved for use with casual wear. The belt and shoes must match one another, at the very least in color category if not perfectly in shade. The belt's buckle should be silver or gold, and other metallic objects worn with the suit, such as cuff links, tie bar, tie tack, and watch, should match the belt's buckle. Where watches are concerned, the more formal the occasion, the thinner the watch should be. Analog watches with hands are more formal than digital watches. In the most formal situations, the most acceptable choice is either a pocket watch or no watch at all. Generally speaking, one should not wear rubber sole dress shoes. Leather soled shoes are not only traditional, but more importantly they almost always have uppers that are of a far better quality and have a much more appealing appearance.

Principal Uses Board To Get Students Expelled

Mitzie is a schoolteacher at a local high school. She enjoys interacting with the students and faculty very much. Despite the numerous problems in the school, she believes she is making a difference in their lives. She endures some verbal abuse from some of the students. Sometimes a few of the parents give her problems. All in all, she is satisfied with her work. For the past several weeks, there has been a growing feud between 2 of her students.

It was getting so bad, that they could not lay eyes on each other without starting a fight. Mitzie was charged with keeping these 2 under surveillance, so they would not hurt each other. One time, she even had to call security. They both resented her for calling security. It usually meant they would be expelled. They had already been expelled several.

In the past when they returned to school, everything went well for about a week. Then they were back at it again. The principal was growing tired of this problem. He took their case to the Board of Education. He asked for the right to expel them for the year if they fought again. The board agreed with his intended actions. A couple of weeks passed with no problems. Then in third week another fight broke out between the 2.

Mitzie called security and they were hauled to the principals office. They were expelled for the year. They were furious. They blamed the principal, but mostly they blamed Mitzie. The next week Mitzie arranged an outing for the class at the local skating rink. It was a way for her students to blend with other students. She arrived at the rink. She drove up to the parking lot.

She parked next to a van with tinted windows. She got out of her vehicle and turned her back to lock it. At that moment, the door of the van slid open and someone grabbed her. She struggled to get free. She twisted and turned, but the attacker held on. While she was trying to escape, 3 of her student coordinators drove up. The attacker saw them and released his grip. She turned and looked in the attackers face.

It was one of the students she had been expelled. He quickly closed the van door and drove off. The other students quickly called police and reported the incident. The student was located and arrested for assault and attempted kidnapping. Mitzie still teaches at the school, but is extra careful to beware of her surroundings.

Parking next to vans and big trucks can be dangerous. They offer excellent cover for someone trying to commit a crime. If you turn your back to one of these vehicles, you can be assaulted, robbed or worse. Pay attention to where you park. You should look around before you exit your vehicle. If things do not look right leave or find another place to park. Always have a self defense plan in case of an emergency. If an emergency does occ women's jackets ur adjust your plan accordingly.

Liquid Roof Coatings; a good choice for Roofing Problems

Hurricane damage to all types of roofs is often quite extensive and an unusual thing you may face. As a result, building codes and wind design guidelines are changing. New solutions to wind uplift problems are being introduced that allow building owners and specifiers to design and build highly durable, standard-compliant and, most importantly, cost-effective roofs, regardless of building location. Roof is as the most important investment of your building, so roofing problems need to be solved within no time delays.

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Roof coating is available in an extensive range of materials and colors, each suited to a different style of roofing. Some kinds of roof coatings include liquid roof, liquid rubber, elastomeric coatings, acrylic coatings, primers, Eternabond webseal. Whilst some are elastomeric roof coating, others are acrylic resin based. The adhesiveness to your roof can change according to the material your roof is made of. For example, bituminous roof coatings will be more adhesive to wood, while metal roof coatings can be made of either bituminous or elastomeric roof deck coatings. Depending on the climate you live in and the requirements of your roof and building (residential and/or commercial) which roof coating will best suit your roof.?

The origins of cold liquid roof coatings as we know them today date back to the 1970s. Since their inception they have been tested and proven to be effective repairing materials in the majority of waterproofing specifications, including application over concrete, felt, asphalt, asbestos sheeting and profiled metal sheet.

The products can be used on flat, pitched roofs, balconies and walkways. Being liquid applied, these coatings are highly versatile.

Liquid rubber is a coating that can be applied directly to the surface of aged metal roofs. In several instances, liquid rubber can be applied over mild rust without having to use a primer. Liquid rubber roof coatings are not like water-based products in that you can achieve the proper thickness with one coat. Other benefits of the liquid rubber are that it does not require a primer or a base coat, and it can be applied with a sprayer, roller, brush, or spread using roofing squeegee. The only requirement in the use of Liquid Rubber is that you must have a clean deck, free of all dirt and debris. This means washing your roof and allowing it to dry before you apple the coating. Allow the coating to dry according to the manufacturers instructions.

The material factors that influence durability are complex and related to the chemical composition of the liquid constituents, the thickness of the system as well as the type and density of the reinforcement.

Central to the long-term success of liquid-applied waterproofing system women's coats s is preparation of the substrate and achieving the required membrane thickness.

By increasing the longevity of roof materials by using cool coatings, organizations can avoid a substantial amount of roofing waste. There are an estimated 11 million tons of asphalt roofing waste going into landfills every year. Using cool coatings can greatly increase the life of existing roof materials and reduce the amount of torn-off roofing waste going into landfills. The roofing waste that remains can be recycled into road mixes using existing processes already operating.

Liquid roof coatings that forms the waterproofing layer of an inverted roof should not require replacement during the life of the building, provided it is fully protected from ultra-violet radiation and extreme temperature variations by a loading layer above it.

The Supply Source French Dip System

You can provide a fantastic sleek look to your nail tips as well as your natural nails with The Supply Source French Dip System.

The first step is to prepare your nails. Size your nail tips. Keep a little margin while sizing. Now lay the nails in the order in which you will be applying the system.

The next step is to use Supply Source Brush on Resin and base the nails. You should cover the entire nail but leave 1/16' to 1/18' space from cuticles and sidewalls. Keep the tip on the nail and hold it till it dries. You can also go for Supply Source Activator to create a quick perfect adhesion.

Now turn the tip of one of the nail and cautiously put the Supply Source Resin on the inner smile line. Now place it on our natural nail and hold it for about ten seconds so that it firmly grips your nail. Repeat the procedure for the rest three fingers of your hand followed by the two thumbs and then for the four fingers of your other hand.

The next step is to cut the tips and measure the nail length. Give your nail the final shape and remove the shine from the tips using a 180/180 grit cushion board file. Be careful not to touch the smile line. Use a clean dry nylon nail brush to remove the dust. If you have chosen to use glue activator earlier then you will have to base all the nails from cuticle to tip using Supply Source Brush On Resin.

Now apply Supply Source Brush On Resin on the nail plate area one by one on the nails without letting it to flow into the sidewalls or the cuticle area. Repeat the step till you have built up plate to meet the smile line area of the tip.

Now overlay the entire nails one by one with a coat of Supply Source Resin

Now put another coat of Supply Source Resin one by one on all nails. Keep your nails one by one in such a way that they face downwards. Take good amount of French Dip powder and dust it over the wet nails one by one. Let the excess powder fall onto your table towel. To remove excess powder, tap the side of your finger. Repeat the step till you get a strong nail with good arch.

Now spray with Supply Source Activator , after applying a coating of Supply Source Resin on the entire nail one by one and let your nails dry.

Using a file or an electric file, give your nail tips and sides the perfect shape. The surface and the edges are to be refined using a buffer. Now clean the nails with a nylon brush .

Now you can apply the Finito Capping Gel sealant to give your nails a high shine. I reccommend a 36 watt lamp to cure Finito Gel for a period of 1 m women's coats inute. After the curing of gel, application of cuticle oil is recommended.

If you are a nail tech or beauty professional, compare their prices with the other suppliers. Their guarantee, The Supply Source will match any advertised price" offered by any competitor. Request a full-color nail supply catalog or view it in a PDF format of over 16,000 new products. Feel free to call them today with any your questions, comments and ideas 800-221-8477 or 954-742-9553

Kitchen Cabinet Miraculous Cleaning

So, your kitchen cabinets are a mess, and you dread forking out all that cash for new ones. Well, maybe new ones are not what you need. The first place to start, may be with a thorough cleaning of the ones you have. A good amount of elbow grease may be just what you need to get rid of all that cooking grease and accumulation of muck from over the years. Particularly if all the drawers, hinges and hardware are still in good working order. A simple solution of soapy water and effort may do the trick. Make sure to wipe all the soap off before drying and replacing the cabinets. Removing hardware handles and pulls first, gives you a chance to clean them separately and an opportunity to remove any gunk that may have built up between the hardware and the cabinets themselves.

Maybe you still like the look of your cabinets, but their just a little grungy. If your cabinets are made of solid wood and need a little more cleaning than just soap and water, then there is another approach you can try. It's a bit more of a caustic approach, but will do the job when something a little tougher is required. You'll need a combination of 3 tablespoons turpentine, 3 tablespoons boiled linseed oil, and 1 quart of boiling water. You have to be very careful with this recipe, as it is a somewhat flammable mixture. Any brushes or rags that come in contact with this stuff will be somewhat flammable as well. Be sure to dispose of them per your local city ordinances.

Once you've got your little concoction ready, it's time to get to work. Either cover or remove anything around the cabinets that you don't plan on cleaning. This includes cabinet hardware, countertops, floors, walls, and small appliances. If you can empty the cabinets as much as possible, it will facilitate cleaning inside as well as out. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this job, as to avoid any damage to your skin. Removing cabinet doors may be helpful as well, depending on how flexible you are, when it comes to reaching inside to the deepest recesses of your cabinets. As before, removing the hardware and washing it separately is a good idea, plus you get better access to the small sections of cabinet that were underneath the hardware pulls and hinges. Wipe all the cabinet clean with a rag dipped in your cleaning solution. Use a different clean rag to dry the surface, once all the old gunk has been removed. Once everything is clean and dry, replace all the hardware, and put the kitchen cabinet doors back on.

Hopefully your cabinets look just like new, and you've saved yourself a few thousand bucks in replacement costs. If your still not to keen on how they look, then maybe it's time to consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish to brighten things up. We repainted o fashion jackets ur dark old cabinets with a fresh coat of while melamine paint and new updated hardware. While we did eventually replace them, the paint and new hardware made them bearable for a few more years.

Rainy Day Fashion for Men

Rain days can be frustrating. No matter how much you might want to style up for the day, there's always the nagging feeling at the back of your mind telling you that your outfit will only get ruined by the weather. A couple of adjustments to your ensemble, however, are all you'll need to face that precipitation in fashion. When the weather man announces even the slightest chance of rain, here are some things you may want to bring.

Coat
Yes, you already wear one to work; it's right up there on the office attire list, next to your ID card and regulation necktie. Once the skies get overcast, though, it's a completely new game - and coat - with your wardrobe.

Look for styles that are specifically sold as topcoats. These are typically longer than the usual suit jacket, and would be somewhere between a peacoat and full-on overcoat in terms of length (but either of those styles would work well too). They're worth getting not just because of the extra coverage, but because they're also usually made with a fabric that resists or repels water. It's the perfect piece to shield your shirt and tie ensemble on the foulest of days.

Shopping for a rain-ready coat in the men's section is different from buying a suit. Firstly, everything has to be a little bit bigger because you assume that you're wearing coat, tie and everything else in your office outfit under it. Secondly, you also want to specifically ask for waterproof or water-repellent fabrics, which could include unusual tech textiles.

Go for one in light gray or charcoal, since it's likelier to go with the office ensembles that you decide to pair with it than black. Don't be afraid to buy tech textiles; these are often woven discreetly into the fabric to make them invisible, and are much better at the job.

Boots
What's the point of investing $300 in premium leather wingtips when they're going to get ruined in the next puddle you splash through? Keep your investment safe and that leather away from all the water. Boots are the better idea to avoid wet shoes and soggy socks.

A wide variety of boots can be found in men's fashion, ranging from the dressy boots of last year - practically high-cut office shoes - to the tough and outdoorsy work boots that inspire images of lumberjacks. The ideal boots for walking to work in the rain aren't in that range. Wellington boots, which you can wear over your shoes instead of directly on your socks, should get you to to your cubicle dry and acceptably sharp.

Unfortunately, they're not that advantageous in terms of style. Big, stiff and blocky, the description for a pair reads like one for an old car headed to the junk heap. In function, though, it's the clear leader; you get to your destination with dry feet without having to keep changing footwear.

To maintain your otherwise da fashion coats pper outfit, look for boots with a relatively slim silhouette and a more matte finish. The bigger and shinier your boots are, the cheaper and more generic they'll appear.

Umbrella
Believe it or not, a good number of men still don't have the habit of bringing an umbrella whenever it looks like rain - or any kind of weather for that matter. Even without boots or a coat, an umbrella gives you a very portable and effective first line of rain defense.

It's common sense, really. An umbrella is the most dependable form of protection in any man's rainy day arsenal. They're light and relatively easy to store, so there's no reason not to get one. They can be opened or stored in just a couple of seconds. Best of all, they'll keep your silk office ties from getting dirtied, your shirts from getting soaked and your suit jackets from getting warped by the rain.

Preparation is the key to getting through a rainy day in style. You don't have to have these things on hand 24/7, but know well enough to reach for them once the weather report shows some precipitation coming your way.