DISTANCE LEARNING | CONTINUING EDUCATION | ONLINE DEGREES

This fall and coming winter, fashionistas will be getting a lot  from the past.   This seasons focus is on strong silhouettes and sophisticated glamour.  There are features you will see in these designs and trends, that reflect our current economic slump.  Here are the top 10 essentials that women need in order to be stylish this season.

1.  Thigh High Boots
As for footwear thigh high skinny leg boots are a must.  The more interesting the boots are, the better.  In essence, the more designs/embellishments and exaggerated heels the better.

2. Strong Shoulder Lines
One look that has come back from the dead and hit the runways intensely is a strong shoulder lines.  This means shoulder pads are important, because they emphacise the shoulder and make your waist look even smaller.

3.  Outerwear
As far as coats and jackets go, cloaks and blanket coats are also in.  Plus, Peplum (short) jackets are also a hit.  And coats should be belted. Think of French chic and the 1940s.  Then you will know exactly what I’m talking about.  Cinched waists are essential for today’s look.  There should be belted skirts, trousers, and coats.

4.   Animal Prints
They have been in and still remain a must have.  Zebra and leopard prints stand out.  This season they’re even bolder. 

5.   Chunky Knits
Knits are back in style as long as they’re bold, big, and have shoulder pads.  Chunky knits are a must but they should be fairly light and still allow you to shows a little skin. 

6.  Ruffles
Styles include big ruffles and accordion pleats around the neckline. Fairly simple shirts but with tasteful pleats and ruffles draws the eye away from problem areas.  They are feminine and flattering on any figure. Therefore, most women like a few ruffles or pleats.

7.  Leather
Even though leather coats have been in for a long time, anything leather is in this year.  It doesn’t matter if it’s leather leggings, dresses, shorts,  elbow high gloves, or bracelets.  If it’s leather; get it. 

8.  Military Jackets
Masculine femininity might be a great way to explain it.  Tailored blazers are one of the season’s most important items to buy in order to update your wardrobe.  Many models are now even sporting tweed jackets.  Make sure your piece has lots of buttons and designs on it. 

9.  Torn Levis and Tights
Grunge is back but has been slightly revamped. Right now ripped tights and torn jeans are about as hip as they come.  The more skin you see the better.

10.  Bold Jewelry and Accessories. 
You should have chain bags for the season. Metal embellishment is not only great on your bag but on your jewelry as well.  This season there are no limits, wear large and chunky studs, necklaces, cuffs, bracelets, and more.

Alaskan men with way too much time on their hands gathered for the seventh biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships.  The contest took place in Anchorage, Alaska this year and its only the second time it has taken place in North America.  The past championships have been held in Nevada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and England.

Alaskan men managed to win almost a fourth of the titles at the world facial-hair contest. Americans were able to trump the German competitors.  Americans earned 11 first-place wins.  The championship has 3 main categories consisting of mustaches, full beards, and partial beards.  Then the competition is divided further into 18 categories.  This year there were 80 people that came from many different countries in order to participate in the competition.

Robert Crawford, a participant stated that "We the local guys, are in it for fun."  The men report that they have had to make some sacrifices in order to be here at the competition. One of which was drinking beer through a straw so that foam doesn’t get all over them.  They also report that they are required to put a lot of time and effort into preparing for the competition.  They shampoo, condition, and blow dry their hair.  Some even spend hours styling their facial hair. 

One of the legendary competetors Elmar Weiser never fails to surprise and impress.  This German is well known for his freestyle full beard creations.  In 2005 he sported his beard in the shape of Brandenburg Gate and in England he formed London’s Tower Bridge.  This year he sported a windmill.

Judging from the pictures that I have seen of these men, they spend to much time and energy on this competition.  Can you imagine trying to make these "masterpieces" without using wire or pins?  That definitely takes some planning and thought.  These men should put this energy into something more meaningful and productive like furthering their education.

Not only could they improve their future but they could also become friends with other students, some of which might be cosmetologists.  They could cut it off and save the rest of humanity from looking at it.  I’m sure that the cosmetologist would give them a proper shampoo and conditioner before cutting their facial-hair to a more manageable size and style.  A style that won’t injure a person standing next to them.

One contestent has a mustache that goes out 1 foot on each side.  His reasoning for this is that he works at a grocery store and employees are not allowed to have it droop past the corner of their mouth.  So he has grown his mustache out 1 foot on each side.  Can you imagine just trying to walk past him in an aisle especially if there are other carts or displays poking out.  You could lose an eye, or get plowed in the face.

If he had no beard or a short one, then he wouldn’t have to sit and measure and worry about whether his beard fits the standards.  Just have a cosmetologist cut it and be done with it.  However, he might miss out on the friendship he has with his furry friends, and that is reportedly what the competition is all about.  However, I think its just for bragging rights.

The scenario is all too familiar. You work hard at your job. You get your paycheck. You pay your rent, your gas bill, your electric bill, and, of course, your cable bill. In shock, you squint at the meager handful of change left over. And you haven’t even bought dinner yet. Then you start planning to take more overtime to make ends meet. You will continue to repeat this sequence every month indefinitely. This scenario is referred to affectionately as “The Rat Race” and too many of us are stuck in it.

Enough is enough. Today is the day you start planning your escape from the Rat Race. Let’s take a look at your options. Stage an elaborate bank heist and make off with millions to a Caribbean island free of extradition laws? Not recommended. Keep sinking your pocket change into the lottery? Not recommended- like any gambling, even wins have a way of balancing out over time in the establishment’s favor. Change your identity? Not recommended- this costs money, which you don’t have. In fact, let’s say that any options that are illegal or rely on insane odds are off the table. You want something legit and long-term. Something that increases your income and/or decreases your expenses.

	Top Online Schools
	Kaplan University University of Phoenix Penn Foster Devry University AUI Online

I recommend (cue trumpets) EDUCATION!!! DEGREES!!! CERTIFICATES!!! (And I just exceeded my exclamation point quota for the month) Sure, going back to school is tough. You have to get used to reading textbooks, doing homework, taking notes, all that fun stuff, again. But think about the advantages. Higher degrees make you more marketable for better jobs. That means higher pay and higher likelihood of promotions. And that’s not just right out of school. Studies show that college degree holders earn far more than their GED-bearing counterparts, with the difference increasing with each passing year. They also experience the freedom to move upwards indefinitely at work while the others experience a glass ceiling sooner or later.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I can barely make ends meet now; how am I going to pay for tuition, books, and all that other stuff?” The good news is, financial aid options are all around you. Scholarships exist for nearly every type of person you can think of- single mothers, left-handed people, military veterans, chess players, tall people, short people, science fiction fans, you name it. On top of those, the government is happy to help with Pell grants and low-interest loans. Often, employers will reimburse employees on school costs. With all these resources, money is not an issue.

If you’re worried about time constraints, schools offer full-time programs, night classes, and online classes that allow you to log on whenever you are available.

Education is your key to getting out of the Rat Race once and for all- your escape hatch, if you will. If you’re interested in learning about getting back into school, check out these convenient, nationally recognized programs. Have more questions? Check out these education articles and tips.