Cup of Snarky

Financial problems and disagreements are the leading cause for divorce in the United States. In a marriage, each partner may have very different views of money and that’s when finances can get tricky. One spouse may not see savings as a priority while the other is strict in spending money. Following a plan can help keep money marriage woes at bay.

Be Open and Honest
One of the first steps to reducing financial tensions is to be honest with one another before saying the I do’s. Chances are both partners will have some financial debt from the beginning. Going over your credit history and any unpaid balances together will go a long way. When you marry, you bring each other’s debt together (it’s the not-so-glamorous part of marriage) so building a plan before marriage will save you stress later down the road. No one wants to keep financial secrets only to have those debts exposed unexpectedly. Hiding debt from your spouse will only create strain and distrust in a marriage. When it comes to money honesty is the best policy.

Share Your Dreams
Communicate with each other regarding your future plans and dreams. Find what priorities you both share and build a plan to make your shared dreams happen. Is it finishing school? Or buying a house? Whatever it may be it’s important to agree on your future plans and agree on how you plan to make your dreams a reality.

Set the Mood
Set the mood…the money mood that is. Choose a time that both you and your spouse are relaxed to discuss finances. After a stressful day at work the last thing one wants to think of is money and bills. Set the stage for a calm atmosphere. Turn off the television and sit down to a peaceful environment to talk about your finances. If need be, step outside to some fresh air. Wherever you choose to have a discussion on money be sure it’s a suitable time and place.

Assign
Appointing one individual to pay the majority of the bills is helpful for many couples. If one spouse is more responsible with paying bills on time it may be good idea to assign that person to the job. Then there can be no arguing if someone forgets and pays a bill late.

Not in front of the Kids
Keep money problems a topic to be discussed away from the kids. Set a good example for your children when it comes to finances. Arguing over how your wife or husbands excess spending is going to take away from Junior’s college fund will only give a negative view of money and marriage. Show your children that marriage is about uniting together not bring each other down.

Other factors you and your spouse may want to look into are different insurance policies to protect your assets. Always be sure to compare home insurance rates to make sure you are keeping as much money in your pocket as possible.

It’s not as easy to connect nurture and nature as it once was, especially when it comes to things as complex as contemporary culture.  While there are connections between environment and behavior, they start to take on a very different characteristic when they enter into the realm of popular imaginations.  More often than not, if there is a slight possibility of turning it into a lifestyle, Southern California will somehow find a way to lay claims on it.

In many cases, of course, the claims are legitimate.  SoCal is one of those unique places that not only has an intense and vibrant local cultural history, but has an equal draw on cultures from all over the world, so there is a constant sense that this is an experiment in process.  Rockabilly and Hot Rod culture have been an interesting part of that experiment for over a decade now, and the origins are likely to be elsewhere, but they do come to take root in Southern California for the same reasons that icons still find their seedbeds here.

It’s likely that someone looking for wheels for hot rods is simply trying to make something look nicer and more attractive, combining style and function.  But a little history of the hot rod and Rockabilly demonstrates that it’s also participating in a larger framework.

Both the music and the car culture have their origins in the post-War U.S.  In the case of Rockabilly, the center of the storm is much further to the east, in the heart of the South.  This is where Jazz first started to link with country music, when the slap bass evolved to make a music that was not only catchy to the audiences, but also interesting for the musicians who were eager to innovate emerging cultural forms and forces.  With hot rods, there is a similar bend toward combining, but here the combination was a unique blend of the old and the new.  Vintage cars fueled with new technologies and innovations in auto mechanics gave the youthful car culture an opportunity to test their chops to build something stylish and remarkably fast.

Both of these trends have their inspirations in a culture that was coming of age after a long and horrible war.  Increased resources after a long period of want, and an energy to do something new, to make something happen, all combined in this particular cultural moment to make unusual combinations that made perfect sense.  And Southern California was the perfect testing grounds for these things to come together.  Today, it may not matter so much if nature or nurture contributes more to their continuing, and often increasing popularity, because style seems to have a way of replicating itself and insuring its own survival.  It’s as beautiful as any movie.

If you’re like me, then shopping for that perfect outfit can be a nightmare. No matter what your size, you’ve likely had that “oh wow that looks awful” moment. Trying on clothes in those tiny, hot and horribly lit dressing rooms is supposed to be fun isn’t it? Then why is the music always blaring and the sales people always rude?

When you are wearing a size 22, however, you’re faced with even more roadblocks. It’s hard to find that cute or sexy outfit you saw the super model wearing on the runway last night. The designers today don’t seem to know how to cater to plus size beauties or maybe they just don’t want to try. We have begun to see a bit more excitement over “plus size” models but, of course, somehow it’s just not the same.

The problem for me and many others is that we just don’t know where or what to look for. We’re not sure of what is flattering on our figures. We are tempted to try new looks but even if we do know what the latest fashion trends are, where do we find our size?

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. When shopping, the first thing we must do is be confident. Don’t be embarrassed because you wear an 18 or 24 instead of an 8. We are all beautiful and we all come in different shapes and sizes. Be proud of what you have and rock it with confidence.

2. Don’t always assume that the shapeless dress or long shirt is going to work. Sometimes that shapeless piece hides the good features as well. Try to find something that draws attention to your favorite features and curves.

3. Find colors that compliment your features, such as your hair and skin tone. Anyone can browse online to find what shape they are and what colors are right for them. It just takes a little time and research to discover what you love most about yourself and then find colors that really make those areas stand out.

4. Be bold with colors and accessories. Show your personality. Accessories are one of the easiest things to buy as a plus size woman since it’s more of a one-size-fits all world when it comes to accenting our outfits with accessories.

5. Take a friend with you. Shopping alone is never fun. That special friend can be honest and tell you what looks good and what doesn’t instead of the skinny girl working the counter.

Some of the trends I’ve come across this year are, long summer dresses, long sleeve cardigans and elbow length sweaters in bold colors, long shirts and skinny jeans. Yes ladies, we to can wear skinny jeans if matched with a long shirt or sweater. The idea is to keep the shirt or sweater not too short and not too tight. No matter what the trend may be or what it may become, we can look our best. We can have fun with the clothes we choose to wear. Everyone has their own style and just because we might be bigger than the girl next door doesn’t mean we have to wear the clothes grandmother wore. Whatever your style, wear it with confidence and you will always be following the latest trend.

Olivia Williams is a health, fitness and beauty blogger who believes that self-confidence is the number one way to rock any outfit. Whether it’s letting your inner beauty shine naturally or allowing you to feel better about aging with occasional Botox injections, Olivia believes there is no right or wrong way to do beauty.