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Tips To Increase Your Monthly Budget

There are many ways to increase your monthly budget. One is to get a second or third job and make more money. However, there are ways to increase your current monthly budget without taking up more of your leisure time.

Since the turn in the economy, people are more willing to consider trimming their budgets and adopting new ways of saving. While you trim in some areas, you can also increase your monthly budge in other, more important areas.

First, when trying to increase your monthly budget, it’s important to know how much money you have and where it goes. For a month, write down every purchase you make and every bill you pay. At the end of a month, divide the purchases and payments into two categories: needs and wants.

Under the “needs” category, list all necessities, such as rent or mortgage, food, gas, medication, etc. Put all the other items into the “wants” category. Determine what “wants” you can do without or can cut back on. The money you save from those wants can be used to increase other areas of your monthly budget.

Here are some ways to find money within your budget in order to increase your monthly budget in other areas:

1. Heat and air conditioning. In the winter, put on an extra sweater and set the thermostat a couple of degrees lower than usual. In the summer, do the opposite. Over a year, you will save money. Another way to save money is to clean the heating and air conditioner filter regularly. It will make the unit function more efficiently.

2. Plan your driving. If you are used to running out on an errand whenever you want, plan ahead. By consolidating your errands into one trip, you will save the back and forth driving and save gas.

3. Collaborate with neighbors and friends for services. For example, go together on services that are needed only occasionally, such as lawn care, and you might get a reduced rate.

4. Substitute at home meals and packing a lunch for fast food and restaurant meals. If you must eat out, choose wisely. By ordering water instead of other beverages you can save a couple of bucks right off the top of your bill. Also, the meals served in restaurants are very large these days. Ask for a take-out box and take half of your meal home for dinner.

5. Grocery shopping. Shop from a list with a calculator in hand. If you will use a quantity of a product before it spoils, then buy a quantity of it. Calculate a per ounce or per pound price for what you are buying. Sometimes, it is no cheaper to buy the large size.

6. Whenever possible, use coupons or discounts. They really can add up to substantial savings.

7. Save on electricity in other ways. When you leave a room, turn off the lights; and when finished, turn off your computer.

8. Learn the art of delayed gratification. Because credit cards are so prevalent, we've forgotten how to save for a purchase. Use credit cards for emergencies only.

In most cases, you won’t need to use all of these suggestions at once. The more of them you use, however, the more you will save and the more you’ll be able to increase your monthly budget in other areas.

Vacation On A Budget

Summer vacations are nearly as iconic in American society as the backyard barbecue. Warm weather arrives, and with it; the urge to go somewhere else, see something different and do something beyond the realm of regular habit. We are driven by tradition, nostalgia and a desire for change to get away and explore; to abandon the mundane and go out to play. Short economics do not have to sound the death knell to summer dreams.

Ingenuity often increases possibility, and innovative solutions to the expenses of a getaway can make a trip a reality even when money is tight. Regardless of where the wanderlust may lead you, there are ways to vacation economically but the degree of savings is dependent upon one primary rule to remember. The proportion of savings is directly tied to the amount of effort you are willing to invest. If someone else is doing things for you, you will pay for it.

Vacations are made wonderful largely by attitude, which costs little but some concentrated effort. Determination to have a good time renders the inevitable kafuffles inherent in any trip unimportant. Getaways, by their very nature are venues for expanded experience. Start by looking close to home. People live all their lives near places others come from far and wide to see and yet often never go there themselves. With modern transportation options day trips can take you to some wonderful places. Short trips are easy on tempers and the pocketbook and you can sleep in the best bed in the world…your own.

For adventures farther afield, start with affordable transportation. If driving is less expensive than a flight, break up the trip with side trips along the way. Hurry to get to a single destination misses much of interest between point A and point B. Camp along the way and save on hotel bills. If camping is not your style stay in modest hotels or Bed and Breakfast establishments rather than five star hotels. If you must fly, check out discounted prices well ahead of time and lock in your rates.

Hit the grocery stores in faraway places for breakfast and lunch food and save eating in restaurants for dinner. The effort of fixing food yourself has benefits. The family will eat what they are used to and like, making waste of food and money less, and the novelty of eating in a restaurant does not pall after the first day out.

Travel souvenirs can be free if you think outside the box. Prices on tourist – shop items are generally expensive but stones, shells, pressed leaves and embossed napkins are free. Check local laws and travel restrictions first, however, so that what you choose to take home is legal. Pictures and memories make the best souvenirs of all.

Once arrived at a destination, check out the local museums, botanical gardens and nature preserves. These are often inexpensive, free, or have a free day you can plan into your schedule. Visitor centers are usually listed in the local phone book and the resident staff are always happy to direct you to areas of interest. Absorbing a bit of local history always makes memories of a place stronger and more interesting. Some of your favorite vacation memories may arise from visits to places you never knew were there.

The most important way to save money on a getaway is to plan ahead. Organization saves not only money on transportation and accommodation but those extra costs incurred when you have to buy things you forgot. The purchase of a sun – hat at an amusement park will cost about three time what it would have at home. Plan your itinerary, think of the climate in your destination and make lists. Check things off as you pack. Because this is a focused activity, this exercise will often trigger the remembrance of something and allow its inclusion so you do not have to buy it later.

Summer getaways are important to us. They are the essential playtime in our lives; something we never outgrow and find necessary to our soul. Economic conditions may change their extent of possibility but they will always be with us in one form or another. Budgeting makes a destination possible and a positive attitude makes budgeting friend rather than foe to enjoyment.

5 Aromatherapy Oils For House Cleaning

Whether you make your own cleaning products from scratch or simply want to incorporate aromatherapy oils into the house-keeping regimen you already follow, it’s helpful to keep a good supply of fragrant essential oils to use in cleaning.

These can be added a few drops at a time to homemade cleaning products, or they can simply be diluted with water and used to substitute or supplement your normal routine. Aromatherapy oils can not only fill your home with soothing, pleasant, and possibly even medicinal scents, but they can also help to kill bacteria, mold, viruses, and even bugs. Here are five aromatherapy oils to use in house cleaning.

  1. Clove Oil

It not only smells divine, but it’s a potent poison for pests and pathogens! Clove oil ranked highest out of a review of several aromatherapy oils as an insect repellent, and it also seems to defeat staph, strep, and other deadly bacteria.

While it’s best use is as a mosquito repellent, clove aromatherapy oil can also help to keep your home free of icky pests like bed bugs, fleas, cockroaches, and even those pesky, hard-to-kill fire ants. Wipe down your countertops and baseboards with this pest-repelling, spicy, fragrant oil to keep your home clean and pest-free.

  1. Orange Oil

Long hailed as a favorite aromatherapy oil for house cleaning, orange oil is one of the greenest products around because it’s a natural by-product of the orange juice industry, and makes use of a waste product.

It’s an excellent furniture polish and can also be used on counter tops and in sinks, and it’s extremely effective for killing Salmonella and E. Coli, which are deadly infections that can hide in your own kitchen. Humans, on the other hand, might benefit just from smelling the stuff: orange oil is often used to help lift mood and beat the blues.

  1. Tea Tree Oil

One of the world’s most popular aromatherapy oils, tea tree oil has a crisp, clean fragrance and powerful antiseptic properties. In alternative medicine, it’s used primarily as a topical treatment for acne and fungal infections, but it can do so much more! A few drops of tea tree oil mixed with water or cleaning products appears to be a potent weapon against the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA.

In fact, one study suggested that it be recommended in hospitals alongside other treatments to battle MRSA. Of course, it doesn’t end there: tea tree oil can prevent the growth of mold and other fungi and makes an excellent product for cleaning your bathroom and your kitchen sink.

  1. Peppermint Oil

When we smell peppermint, we think “clean.” Why else would this herb have been used for so many hundreds of years in products for dental health and fresh breath? Peppermint oil doesn’t just smell clean, though: it actually helps to keep your home free of disease. Peppermint fights the growth of fungi, bacteria, and certain viruses, and its scent is purported to improve mood and make people feel more vibrant and awake.

Although it hasn’t been studied much, it may have another benefit for keeping homes clean. Folk wisdom claims that rodents hate the smell of peppermint and won’t enter a home that has been cleaned with it. It certainly can’t hurt to use it to keep mice and rats away!

  1. Lavender Oil

Lavender aromatherapy oil for housekeeping is becoming very popular. It’s a primary ingredient in many natural cleaning products sold in stores today. Lavender is known for its soothing and calming properties. Its name, which means “to wash,” accurately reflects its centuries-old reputation as an ingredient in soap. Spray a fine mist of lavender in your shower or use it to freshen up your linens between washes. According to aromatherapy proponents, it will be emotionally soothing, not just cleansing!

Aromatherapy oils can be an excellent component of your own housekeeping plan, whether you use them to make your own cleaning products or simply to supplement the products you’re already using. Unlike a lot of harsh “chemical” cleaners, aromatherapy oils not only make your home cleaner and safer, but they also smell wonderful and may even have health benefits!

Detoxify And Cleanse Your Body

In every person’s life there comes a time to examine what might not be healthy life choices, such as consuming excess fats, carbs, sugars, and processed foods in general. These unhealthy choices add up over a lifetime to create long term health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems, among others.

Many of the negative effects from eating unhealthy foods can be reduced, and with a nutritionist and doctor’s help, often reversed to a great extent. While eating the right kinds of food and exercising are two of the most life-changing instruments, there is another valuable tool to utilize in fighting for good health.

Ridding the Body of Toxins

We can begin by ridding our bodies of toxins which are in our air, our water and our food. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are over 70,000 different toxins that we can be exposed to at any moment. If your liver is overwhelmed with toxins from your blood stream, it becomes sluggish and can lead to poor health, disrupting the body’s internal balance.

If the toxins don’t get properly neutralized and excreted, they end up being stored in your cells. When that happens, you can experience chronic fatigue, brain fog, muddled thinking, mood swings, and even aches and pains.

Detoxification is Crucial

Whether we live in a busy city or a suburb-by-the-sea, our bodies have an increased need for protection from the toxins in our 21st century environment. Detoxification is also crucial for weight loss because toxins are stored in our body fat. In order to flush them out, the hard-working liver must break everything down that enters the body.

Prepare Yourself for Internal Cleansing

To prepare yourself for internal cleansing, consume lots of clean spring water and foods that support both the liver and the colon, such as:

 organic broccoli
 cauliflower
 leafy greens
 citrus fruits
 flaxseed oil
 olive oil
 cranberry juice
 lean meats

Benefits of Colon Cleansing

 high energy
 sharpening of mental capabilities
 enhancement in digestion
 weight loss
 prevention of illness
 boost in emotional well-being
 elimination of unhealthy food addictions and allergies
 spiritual renewal
 minimizing the effects of aging

In health food stores everywhere one can find a plethora of products to cleanse and detoxify the body of unnecessary and harmful toxins. Talk with a nutritionist, doctor, naturopathic doctor, or get help from the health food store staff to get your healthy start in cleansing and detoxification.

Cooking On A Budget

Ever wondered how to make a delicious, healthy meal without breaking the bank? Here are some tips on cooking on a budget!

Cooking for a week on a budget is quite easy. Sticking to a tight budget permanently is much more challenging.

Eating frugally for one week is a necessity that comes to us all once in a while. We’ve overspent, and yet still need to feed the family. What do you do?

DON’T PANIC! For one week, it’s not going to killáanybodyáto knuckle down and eat good old fashioned filling food and go without the luxuries. You can empty the cupboards and eat whatever’s in there. The REAL challenge is to cook for a week on a budget without anybody knowing.

Start by going on a health kick, and ditching all the sweets (candies) and crisps (potato chips). These are bad for you anyway. Once you have established that you’re going to be eating healthily for a week you can cut out any regular take-away meals you usually have. You won’t be eating in a restaurant this week.

Firstly, get everyone to eat breakfast. It might seem like an odd idea to eat on a budget by getting people to eat more, but breakfast really does keep hunger at bay. A big bowl of muesli or porridge is best, or any other wholewheat cereal. Check that there’s not too much sugar in it, or it will have your tummy begging for more by 9.30.

If you have small children, go for a walk and see if you can pick up any free food. The autumn (fall) is ideal for this. It’s not so easy in the city, of course, but there are other tricks for you. If your partner is a fisherman, now’s the time to send him out.

Make everyone a packed lunch to take to work with them instead of letting them buy lunch. If you can use cupboard ingredients to make home-made cookies or cakes to go in them, so much the better. Save on sandwich fillings by using cheaper things this week.

If you are eating lunch at home, a vegetable soup is cheap and filling. Kids love to help making this, too. Add tiny pasta shapes to make it more filling, or pearl barley. Save a bit of meat from the day before to add to it.

Leave your shopping until the stores are about to close, and see what they have reduced. Very often they will be marking things down to ridiculously low prices. If they aren’t marking down when you go in, don’t be afraid to ask an assistant what time of day they usually do it. Pop back then – it’ll be worth the extra journey. Check out the prices of larger pieces of meat. It might be more economical to buy a larger turkey or larger piece of beef and use it several days in a row. Scour your cookbook for ways of disguising it! Roast one day. Cold with salad the next. Curry the third.

It’s not ideal in a long-term diet , but the old-fashioned way of filling up on stodge, stodge and more stodge is the way to stop being hungry on little money. When you serve dinner, add some slices of bread, biscuits, pitta or bread rolls. Pile on the mashed potato, fluff up the rice, and dole out the pasta.

Extend your meat by making stews and casseroles packed with healthy vegetables. They’ll take on the flavor of the meat – especially if you add an extra stock cube!

Desserts are best kept simply. Your first route is to look in the freezer and finish up what you have in there. Next, sponge puddings or cakes, with fruit if you have any. Milk puddings such as semolina, tapioca and rice pudding are all schoolroom favorites. Make them with powdered milk and serve with a blob of jam. Jelly and ice cream cost very little, too – sprinkle a packet of Jelly Tots over them and call it a party!

You should come out of this week very healthy, having cut down on processed foods and increased your vegetable intake. If you’ve also realised that exercise is actually an appetite SUPPRESSANT and been to the gym every night, you’ll be laughing!

Aromatherapy Information And Benefits

Aromatherapy is a popular alternative therapy form. The treatment is known to have positive effects on the mind and body. But some caution is also needed.

Anyone who visits a spa often must have undergone the rigorous pleasure provided by aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is becoming a rage among urban spa goers as the treatment is known as not just a relaxing option, but also a healthy one.

History of Aromatherapy Treatment

Aromatherapy is a treatment that traces its roots to many ancient civilizations. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were only a few among the many civilizations who believed in this form of therapy. The main ingredients in this form of treatment are essential oils that are used for massage.

As per relevant sources, these essential oils were used for bodily treatment extensively by ancient Egyptians. Egyptians refined these oils for not just beautification purposes but also for treating illnesses.

Similarly, Greeks and Romans too utilized these oils in various sacred rituals and also for other purposes.

Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy

According to health and beauty experts, aromatherapy makes use of a lot of natural herb oils and products. The main oils used in this form of treatment are made from fragrant essences present in several plants.

Geranium, tea tree, lavender, cedar wood and chamomile are some such oils that are utilized for aromatherapy. Each of these oils is known to possess specific qualities that act as healing and relaxing agents when applied on the body.

Advantages of Aromatherapy Oils

Health experts who promote aromatherapy as a healing therapy claim that many of the oils used in this treatment possess anti-bacterial elements.

These oils are also known to have stress-busting qualities and anti-depressing qualities. This therapy helps to relieve anxiety and also reduces nausea.

Each of the oils target different body anomalies. For instance, lavender helps to reduce ailments like insomnia and migraine.

Similarly, rosemary oil is known to lessen muscle sprains, aches and low blood pressure. Some of these oils are responsible for kindling lymphatic drainage as well.

Caution before Undergoing an Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an alluring rejuvenating option. However, there are certain issues that must be known before undergoing a therapy.

According to therapy experts, every essential oil used in these treatments impacts different organs in the body. A person suffering from specific conditions must be aware how a certain oil massage might affect him during the therapy.

For instance, people with high blood pressure must stay away from rosemary, sage and thyme oils. Similarly, pregnant women must not go for oils like star anise, juniper and basil as these oils tend to stimulate the uterus.

Though some caution needs to be maintained, the fact cannot be ignored that aromatherapy is an effective way to deal with tension, stress and anxiety. It also helps the body and mind in a number of ways. Still, a person must consult an experience therapist or specialist before undergoing a certain oil massage.

Most Practical Essential Oils

Essential oils are produced by distillation of plant leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, and other parts known for their therapeutic properties. They are very potent extracts and caution should be exercised in their use. Essential oils are sometimes confused with perfume or fragrance oils.

These oils will not contain the same naturally occurring components and will not reap the same benefits as pure essential oils. This article outlines my top 3 picks of essential oils based upon 17 years experience with their use. Although there are many beneficial oils, these are the 3 that are never allowed to run out in my cabinet.

  1. Lavender Oil

My top pick for the most essential of essential oils is Lavender oil. If you are able to have only one oil in your cabinet, this is the one to have. This oil is unsurpassed for its anti-inflammatory properties and versatility. Lavender EO can be used neat (applied directly to the skin), unlike many oils that need to be diluted with a carrier oil. My family has successfully used Lavender oil for minor burns, allergic skin irritations, and joint pain.

It is the only thing that brings relief to my 10 year old son from a painful, itchy allergic reaction on his palms and soles of his feet. All that is required is a couple of drops of Lavender oil rubbed into the affected area and he is as good as new. He takes it with him whenever he spends the night with anyone or goes swimming. We have used it countless times for burns, it instantly soothes the burn and prevents further damage to the skin. Massage a few drops into sore, aching joints or muscles or into the temples for a headache.

Lavender is also known for its soothing effect on the nervous system. It is indicated in cases of stress, insomnia, and nervousness. For this reason it is frequently seen in soothing bath preparations, incense, and sachets. However, care should be taken not to mistake fragrance oils and synthetic fragrances for pure essential oil of Lavender.

  1. Tea Tree Oil

Second to Lavender oil is Tea Tree oil. This oil is in such high demand today that it can be found on the store shelves of Wal-Mart along with the vitamins and supplements. Most people are able to use Tea Tree oil neat, however this oil is strong and some may find it irritating to the skin. In this case it can be diluted in a carrier oil or in pure Aloe gel. Tea Tree oil is antiseptic and anti-fungal, making it useful in the treatment of athletes foot, ring worm, and fungal infections of the nails.

Tea tree oil is also indicated for head lice prevention or cure. Mixing tea tree oil with shampoo during outbreaks at school will keep the family free of infestation. An added benefit is that this oil reduces dandruff and scalp itch which can sometimes be a problem in the winter when head lice outbreaks are common. I have also used tea tree oil to clean and disinfect surfaces in the bathroom and avoid mildew.

  1. Lemon Oil

Lemon oil boosts the immune system and can be used as a vapor or in a burner to help prevent colds and other infections. It improves circulation when used in a bath but must be diluted with a carrier oil. It is antibacterial and antiseptic and can be used to clean household surfaces. It cuts grease and can be used for oily skin and hair conditions when properly diluted.

I have successfully used lemon oil to remove a wart on my son’s finger. I applied the oil with a Q-tip several times/ day and it took less than a week to remove the wart. I also frequently use lemon oil for cleaning in the kitchen. It cuts through grease, is antiseptic, and has a fresh, clean smell. In addition to adding it to cleaning water; cleaning cloths can be made by mixing lemon oil with water and then adding it to heavy-duty paper towels (made for the shop and sold in the automotive department) which are stored in a handy baby wipe container.

There you have it; my top 3 picks of essential essential oils. I hope that you have found this article useful.

Unusual Uses For Essential Oil

Aromatherapy: a way of using aromas and fragrances to calm the soul, relax the nerves and rejuvenate the spirit. Essential oils, small bottles of liquid fragrance, is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to aromatherapy, but did you know those water-like fragrances can be used in other ways? Here are a few you might not have considered:

Most of us use fabric softener, but to change the smell of the dried clothes, add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil onto a dry washcloth. Place in the clothes dryer along with the damp clothes. The clothes will be static-free but won’t smell like everyone else’s clothing.

Instead of throwing out old potpourri, which has lost its smell, place the potpourri in a plastic bag. Drop in a couple of drops of essential oil and shake. Place the scented potpourri back in the container where it was.

Don’t purchase room deodorizing sprays; make them yourself. Just use a squirt bottle full of water and drop in three or four drops of your chosen oil. Spray around the room, spray the furniture, spray rugs, lampshades, drapes and more

Add essential oil drops – two or three drops – to a box of cornstarch or baking soda. Tape the box shut and shake well. Leave this sitting for a day or two then sprinkle it on your capets and rugs. After allowing it to stand for an hour, vacuum up the powder and enjoy!

Purchase small brass rings from a craft store and use them to scent the room. Lay a ring on the light bulb of a lamp and drop a single drop of essential oil on the ring. As the bulb heats the ring the aroma will fill the room.

Put a couple of drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it inside your vacuum cleaner bag. The scent fills the room as you sweep. Place a new cotton ball in only when you change the bag.

Run mice out of the house by using peppermint oil on cotton balls. Place them under the kitchen sink, inside closets and other areas where mice are a problem.

Dab cotton balls with lemon oil and place one in each of your sneakers or other shoes. Overnight, the essential oil will eliminate bad odors and leave your shoes smelling great. Do this to car interiors, too. Dab the chosen oil on the cotton balls and set one under each seat.

Smells and aromas are a part of our everyday lives but those smells can be good, not bad. With essential oils you can have lovely aromas in your home, your vehicle and on your person at all times!

Creative Thinking Techniques How To Learn To Be Creative

Creative thinking isn’t just something for arty types and mad scientists. You can learn to be creative by practising creative thinking techniques.

How many times in your life have you heard about a new idea that sounds fantastic, or seen a new innovation become a success story? And on how many such occasions have you said, “I wish I’d thought of that”? Well, the truth is that you probably could have done. A further truth is that you can develop the creative thinking skills to come up with some great ideas of your own.

You may well be sceptical about your own creative capabilities, and it’s understandable if you are. After all, it’s perfectly possible that you’ve never had what you consider to be a creative idea. But it’s just as likely that you’ve never climbed a mountain either. That doesn’t mean that you can’t climb mountains, only that you’ve never set out to climb one. And that’s the whole point about creativity. Contrary to popular myth, creative ideas aren’t things that spring from nowhere in the minds of genius savants. They’re things that you and I and your favourite half-cousin can produce – just so long as we’re willing to work at it.

Artistic Creativity Versus New Idea Generation

The creative thinking guru, Edward de Bono, describes creativity as the bringing into being of something valuable that did not exist before, and stresses that this is a skill which we can all learn, and at which we can all improve with practice. He makes clear, though, a need to differentiate between the creation of new ideas and the creatiion of art. Whereas the ability to create new ideas can be taught and learned, such methods are unlikely to produce a Mozart, a van Gogh, or a Dylan Thomas.

How to be Creative – Creative Thinking Techniques

In his book, The Extra One Per Cent, the psychologist Rob Yeung identifies creativity as one of the key traits of successful people. Of the techniques and attitudes required to be creative, Yeung stresses the need to actually take the time out to create. The modern world is a world in a hurry, but creativity requires that we step back from the burning issues of the day and take the time to actually think.

Yeung goes on to explain that not all creativity – in fact very little – is about creating brand new ideas. Rather, creativity is often about the fusing together of disparate ideas and concepts, or using existing ideas and constructs in an unconventional way.

De Bono appears to concur with Yeung on this latter point. In his book, Creativity Workout, de Bono advocates the use of random words, derived from a prescribed table of such words, as the starting point towards developing new solutions to existing problems or scenarios. By completing the creativity excercises in the book, readers may, for example, find themselves addressing the matter of how to develop new themes for a health club, using the word ‘Elephant.’ Or ‘Skyscraper.’ Or ‘Hammer.’ Or whatever.

You too can Develop Lateral Thinking Skills

The random words technique is one component of what de Bono christened “lateral thinking” – a body of measures designed to approach problems from an unconventional angle.

I have personally used de Bono’s random words technique to develop successful new business ideas. Yet I don’t think of myself as especially creative. I’m simply someone who was prepared to keep an open mind, devote some time to study and then apply what I’d learnt. That last bit is the most important. Yeung concludes his book by reminding us that learning achieves nothing unless we convert it to action.

Flower Girl How To Wear Sophisticated Florals For Spring

Florals are a classic Spring pattern and can be a gorgeous way to welcome the change of seasons. Keep them sophisticated and sassy with these key tips!

April showers bring May flowers in more ways than one! Spring has arrived and with it come the pretty, floaty florals that look so lovely on the hanger but can be a little daunting to work into your wardrobe. A little floral can go a long way, so learning to wear blossoms without looking like you’re off to your first day of school can be hard to master. Using these few tips can insure that you look fresh and sophisticated instead of like you’re missing your lunchbox and pigtails.

Keep it in Proportion

First and foremost, make sure the size of the pattern is in proportion to the size of your body. This rule applies to patterns in general, but it especially important to keep in mind when wearing florals. If you’re petite, a Liberty floral or something similar in a small scale is perfect to keep your small body from being overwhelmed. Similarly, if you’re tall or have a larger frame go with a bigger print. Small florals can look childish on a larger body, and the last thing you want is to look like you’re wearing clothing from the kids department.

Polished Pairings

An easy way to keep a floral pattern from looking overly sweet is to pair the piece with something structured or even menswear-inspired. The juxtaposition of the sweet and serious creates visual interest.

A boyfriend blazer over a knee length floral dress with some short boots or even sandals keeps the look modern and provides the layering that spring weather often requires. Pairing a floral blouse with trouser jeans is both casual and crisp and can even be appropriate for a work environment in a more casual office. One look that never goes out of style is high-waisted cream trousers with a soft floral blouse tucked in paired with simple jewelry and heels. Sophisticated and feminine!

Structured Silhouette

While it may be tempting to pick up that floor length, 1970s inspired slipdress with the sweeping skirt, stay away. Since floral patterns are inherently girly and youthful, it’s important to keep the silhouette modern and crisp, especially if you’re going for an all over floral look in a dress. Keep the item fitted and well tailored, not too tight or too flowy.

A slim pencil skirt in an unexpected floral pattern can be surprisingly stylish when worn with a button down shirt and muted metallic or nude heels. A sleek and modern floral dress can be young and stylish with gladiator heels or wedges and a bold accessory or purse. If the floral item in question looks like it could be worn on the set of “Hair”, it’s generally not appropriate for this decade, especially if you’re planning on wearing it to work.

Floral fabrics can be a fresh and feminine way to take your wardrobe into the Spring season, and can be worn by any body type and at any age. All patterns are trickier to wear than solids, and florals may be the hardest. Make them flattering and stylish by keeping the size of the pattern in proportion to the size of your body, pairing the floral item in the outfit with sleek and structured items, and choosing a floral item that is well tailored to your body. With these simple tips anyone can be a flower girl this Spring season!