Right Gears for different Sports

It's always important to have the correct equipment to train safely and correctly. Running is a simple sport and, luckily, requires very little specialist kit. The most technical and most important purchase will be your running shoes. Shoes have evolved over the past ten years into sophisticated pieces of technology which each manufacturer has their own version of.

Socks
Next you need some socks to train in. It is wise to invest in a proper pair of running socks that have been designed to wick away moisture and sweat from the foot so you don't slip and suffer so many blisters when running. Look for more padding in certain areas to aid the shoes in cushioning. Some of the latest socks are designed to be left and right specific.

Shorts and tights
Shorts should be comfortable, lightweight and have the ability to wick away sweat when you train. Most running shorts now come with a pant liner so you don't have to wear anything else with them. Try them on first, as some of the inners can be a little restrictive if you don't get the right size. Most shorts come with elastic waist bands, but it is worth paying a little extra to get a drawstring as well, so you can tie the shorts to your specification rather than rely on the elastic to hold them up.

Fashionable and technologically knowledgeable runners are choosing high tech garments that help them in their running. Tights should be snug fitting and comfortable. It is important to try them on before you buy because many manufacturers have different cuts to suit different styles of runner. Generally the more expensive the tight, then the more comfortable they will be, and the better at keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Short and long sleeve t-shirts have also benefited from technological advances. The mid to top range t-shirts all wick away sweat to keep you cooler and allow a greater air circulation through the fabric. They feel very light-weight but have the properties to keep you warm or cool depending on when and how you wear them.

Running t-shirts should be reasonably tight but not figure-hugging and likewise they shouldn't flap around when you run in them. It is a fine balance between well fitted and slightly baggy you should aim for. With long sleeve t-shirts, you should aim to get ones with cuffed sleeves so they stay down around your wrists.

If there are no cuffs, then the sleeves often ride up your arms when you run, and this can be both annoying and cold.

Tops
When the weather gets really cold or wet it is advisable to run in a gillet or a long sleeve waterproof top. These offer excellent wind-stopping and rain-resistance capabilities and can keep you warm and dry throughout any run. These types of tops are multi-purpose because they can be used casually as well and the ones at the top end are very high tech and guaranteed waterproof and windproof. Cheaper versions will be fine for most running conditions but they will sacrifice certain aspects like being 100% waterproof or windproof.

Being prepared for cooler conditions enables you to stay warm, dry and enjoy the run more. In warmer climates the new fabrics and technologies enable you to train harder by staying cooler and wicking away sweat and moisture from the body. Both of these mean you can't blame the weather for not training anymore and you can get and stay fitter all year round now in comfort and style.

Gloves
Gloves should be lightweight and comfortable. Only in extreme weather will you need to wear thick running gloves and more often than not you will heat up enough to be okay in the normal thin type. Woollen gloves are the norm because they are cheap but they don't offer the same waterproof and wind stopper capabilities of the new high tech fabrics. Woollen gloves will be fine for most runners but if you are venturing out into cold or wet climates, it is worth investing in a high tech pair. Running with cold hands can ruin the experience for you, so choose carefully when you buy, especially in winter.

Hats
Hats are similar to gloves in that woollen ones are the norm because they are easy to get hold of and cheap. The more high tech versions, such as fleece, offer wind stopping capabilities and some are waterproof as well. Caps have become more fashionable recently and are favoured by younger runners. Caps offer greater protection from the rain, snow and sun but often they can get blown off in windy conditions, and they don't offer the same warmth capabilities as woollen or high tech fabrics. In addition, they are better for runners who wear glasses because they help the glasses from getting rain or snow on.

Extracted from: http://www.realbuzz.com

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Another Celebrated Event where Everyone wants to look Fashionable

Chinese have their Calender just like any other ethnics. Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is perhaps the most elaborate, colourful, and important event celebrated by everyone here in Malaysia. This is the time for the Chinese to congratulate each other and themselves of having passed through another year, a period of completed resolutions, and to welcome in the new year with new wishes and hopes. Common expressions heard at this time are: GUONIAN to have made it through the old year, and BAINIAN to congratulate the new year.

Practices or Customs

Preparations for the Chinese New Year in old China started well in advance of the New Year's Day. The 20th of the Twelfth Moon was set aside for the annual housecleaning, or the "sweeping of the grounds" or in Malaysia, we called it Spring Cleaning. Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the new year. Flowers and fruits are used to decorate the house, new curtains are made, cookies and delicacies are made, new clothes and shoes are bought, basically every items in the house will be changed to new if possible.

Kitchen God
After the house is cleaned it is time to bid farewell to the Kitchen God, or Zaowang. In traditional China, the Kitchen God was regarded as the guardian of the family hearth. He was identified as the inventor of fire, which was necessary for cooking and was also the censor of household morals. By tradition, the Kitchen God left the house on the 23rd of the last month to report to heaven on the behavior of the family for the past one year. At this time, the family did everything possible to obtain a positive report from the Kitchen God. On the evening of the 23rd, the family would give the Kitchen God a ritualistic farewell dinner with sweet foods and honey. Some said this was a bribe, others said it sealed his mouth from saying bad things. Sticky cases or Nian Gau will be served during this ritual.

Free from the every-watchful eyes of the Kitchen God, who was supposed to return on the first day of the New Year, the family will be preparing for the upcoming celebrations. In old China days, stores closed shop on the last two or three days of the year and remained closed for the first week of the New Year. Consequently, families were busy in the last week of the old year stocking up on foods and gifts. The last days of the old year was also the time to settle accumulated debts.

 

Family Celebration
On the last day of the old year, everyone will be busy either in preparing food for the next two days where most the eating outlets will be closed, and or getting tidied up for the New Year's Day. Tradition stipulated that all food be pre-pared before the New Year's Day, so that all sharp instruments, such as knives and scissors, can be stored away to avoid cutting the "luck" of the New Year. The kitchen and well were not to be disturbed on the first day of the Year.

The New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations are strictly with family members and loved ones. All members of the family will gather for the important family meal on the evening of the New Year's Eve which we called Reunion Dinner. Even if a family member is unable to attend, an empty seat would be kept to symbolize that person's presence at the banquet. At midnight following the banquet, the younger members of the family would bow and pay their respects to their parents and elders. Red packets or Ang Pow will be given to the younger and unmarried ones. Everyone will be wearing new clothes and shoes to welcome the New Year. Fire crackers will be played during the evening.

Extracted from : http://www.c-c-c.org/

Spending lavishly on Children’s Wear

The book childhood poverty and social exclusion: From a Child's perspective By Tess Ridge, describes how poverty affects a child education where the family cannot afford to buy the children school uniforms. Therefore, some of the children are not able to go to trips organised by the schools or even attend schools at all.

As clothes is one of the necessities in one's life other than food and accommodation, we as adults have to ensure that this necessity is met with whatever means.

Children from the day they are born are growing exponentially physically and mentally every year till they are 18 years of age. Therefore, parents usually pass down their first child clothing to their second and subsequent children or even give away to their families and friends. Adults will never deprive their children of anythings ranging from food, education to clothes. As can be seen in Malaysia as well as in many countries, children's related industries are growing and those who managed to find a niche market for children will sure able to generate a handsome return.

In Malaysia, we have so many retailers in kids wear. From the conventional brands such as kiki lala, ladybird to the more upper markets such as gap kids, guess kids, zara kids, etc where they have their own boutiques and retail lots. Even Hallmarks are having their kids wear niche.

However, I always agree that children grow at a rapid rate and therefore, their wardrobes have to be changed frequently. Unless for those who come from a wealthy family, I believe that we should not invest unnecessarily on children's wear. Every year, during festive seasons, children's clothing department will always be packed with adults choosing and fitting their children with the new wear to celebrate the occasions. However, given a choice, I am sure that they will still flourish their loved ones with new and decent clothes but at a more affordable price. Branded wear is nice and feels good to have, however, it would be nicer if the children grow up to own and possess them through their own effort and means.

 

 

 

What is fashion

Fashion is a term commonly used to describe a style of clothing worn by most of people of a country. A fashion or trend usually remains popular for about 1-3 years and then is replaced by yet another fashion. Even though there are a lot of changes in fashion, most people do not easily except the changes. As most of the people are creature of habits, once they are used to certain way of dressing that reflect their preferences, styles, comfort levels etc, they will stick to it. Like me, comfort is my main concern. Anything worn which hinder my comfort level as well as my movements will definitely spoil my day.

A clothing style may be introduced as a fashion, but its use becomes a custom after being handed down from generation to generation. In Malaysia, our ethnics are so diversified. Each race will have its own traditional costume such as Cheongsams for the Chinese, Saris for the Indians and Kebayas for the Malays.

A fashion that comes and goes is called a Fad. As I am a very practical and thrifty person when it comes to spending, I will only spend on affordable and reasonable Fad and the rest will be my normal kinda of preference clothing style.

As time evolves and technology improves, a mass production of clothing was made fashionable and available to more people at lower prices. This encouraged more people to wear more stylish clothes that is more affordable and able to mix and match according to occasions and weathers.

Clothing is made out of all types of material such as cotton, rayon, spandex, and polyester etc. Some clothing may even be made of 2 or more different types of materials for durability as well as able to perform its respective functions as in sports, safety etc.

Clothing can be decorated or designed or printed with all types of images and colours. The designs can either be embroidered onto the fabric, woven on to the fabric, silk screened, or ironed onto the fabric to create a desired look. Some images that have been used to enhance an article of clothing range from a simple design on the front of a T shirt to a famous printing that has been woven into fabric creating a colourful piece of art that everyone can wear.