The Best Jeans Styles for Tall & Slender Men

• Tall and slender men have their choice of jeans styles. Aaron Graubart/Photodisc/Getty Images

  When it comes to jeans, tall and slender men have the good fortune of being able to choose virtually any style. However, with so many choices and ever-changing trends in the world of denim, style-conscious men can benefit by limiting their options to what compliments their figures best. A guy searching for the perfect pair of jeans would benefit from finding the brand or designer that most closely matches his sense of style.

Classic Fit

• As opposed to some other styles such as slim fit that sit slightly below the waist, classic-fit jeans have waistlines worn at the waist and the pant leg runs straight from the thigh down to the bottom. Different brands may also refer to classic-fit jeans as "straight leg" or "regular" fit. The classic fit exists in the middle of the jeans spectrum: It opposes the excess tightness of skinny fits as well as the excess bagginess of loose fits. For slender guys who prefer a timeless compliment to their body type, classic fit should not disappoint.

Slim Fit

• For a trendy and younger look, slender men can opt for slim fit jeans or their tighter manifestation, "skinny" jeans. The slim fit naturally works best with slender men because the style reveals more of a person's silhouette. Slim-fit jeans, unlike classic-fitting jeans, tend to sit slightly below the waist and have a lower rise -- less distance from the crotch seam to the bottom of the waist line. Slim-fit jeans appear slightly tapered toward the ankle, creating the appearance of a narrowing leg. For form flexibility, slim jeans typically require elasticity through the use of spandex in addition to the usual cotton. Even for skinny guys, the tightness of slim jeans can cause some initial discomfort. For guys willing and able to squeeze into them, a word of caution: As always in the world of fashion, cool comes and goes.

Boot Cut

• Overall, the boot cut provides a very flattering style for taller men by highlighting the leg's length. The distinct style of boot cut jeans features a rather snug fit through the thigh area. From the knee down, the pant leg flares, creating the unmistakable silhouette that reached its zenith in bell-bottoms of the 1970s. The boot cut represents a reliable, urbane choice for men who want to add a little more flare --- literally --- to their jeans style. For a trendier pair in this style, slender men can choose a slimmer fit above the knee to accentuate the bottom half's flare.

How to Repair Marcasite Jewelry

Marcasite jewelry is an easy way to add vintage flair to any outfit. While lovely to look at, the pyrite commonly found in marcasite jewelry makes it necessary to exercise special care when repairing it. Maintenance is the best defense against damage to marcasite, but options are available to restore luster and shine to your jewelry.

• 1

  Prevent damage to jewelry to minimize repairs down the road. Marcasite is a soft stone and is particularly susceptible to nicks and cracks. Store each piece in a separate, soft pouch to avoid damage from other stones. Do not use water or liquid jewelry cleaner to clean marcasite jewelry, as the glue securing the stone can dissolve with repeated exposure. Lightly buff each piece with a soft, dry cloth and do not use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.

• 2

  Reset any loose stones with jeweler's cement.This is the common method for affixing marcasite stones, and jeweler's cement can be purchased readily at craft stores or through the Internet. Avoid using commercial glues, as the high water content of many of these epoxies can damage stones over the long term.

• 3

  Consult with a professional jeweler if you chip or crack a marcasite stone in your jewelry. Marcasite is difficult to refinish, and your jeweler may have to remove your stone and source a replacement. You can discuss the option of resetting the stone yourself with your crafts-person. It is also possible that your marcasite may be small chips of steel; it is not uncommon for steel to be used in place of marcasite or for steel jewelry to be incorrectly identified. Should that be the case, your jeweler can advise you on how to replace the steel with marcasite.

How to Start a Watch After a Battery Change

Most watches are now battery operated, but they come in two main styles. One style is analog with hands showing the hour and minute, and one style is digital with a liquid crystal display (LCD) showing the time, date, and often other information. Some watches are an analog watch combined with a digital display. Refer to both sections below for that type of watch. Changing the battery in most watches is an easy task.

Analog Watches

• 1

  Pull out the stem of the watch gently until it moves out one or two clicks. Be careful. The distance it moves out is not much more than the thickness of a thumbnail. This will stop the watch.

• 2

  Remove the back of the case by unscrewing it or by prying it off with a small knife. Backs that pry off always have one small area raised slightly to allow a knife to slip under it.

• 3

  Replace the battery with the same type that was removed from the watch.

• 4

  Replace the back by screwing it on or snapping it back in place. Be careful to properly align any small rubber seal under the back.

• 5

  Rotate the stem to adjust the hands to the correct time. If the watch also has a date and day display, push the stem half way in and adjust the day and date. Rotating the stem one direction changes the date and rotating the stem in the other direction changes the day.

• 6

  Push the stem in all the way, and the watch should start running.

Digital Watches

• 1

  Remove the back of the case by unscrewing it or by prying it off with a small knife. Backs that pry off always have one small area raised slightly to allow a knife to slip under it.

• 2

  Replace the battery with the same type that was removed from the watch.

• 3

  Replace the back by screwing it on or snapping it back in place. Be careful to properly align any small rubber seals under the back.

• 4

  Adjust the time and date according to the instructions that came with the watch. The watch will start automatically as soon as a new battery is inserted.

How to Launder a Flight Jacket

Flight jackets protect airmen from the pressures and extreme temperature shifts that can accompany flying in some aircraft. Non-airmen also cherish flight jackets as unique and comfortable wardrobe additions. Laundering your flight jacket requires more attention than most normal articles of clothing. Whether you are a pilot or not, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of your flight jacket to ensure its long life. The laundering method depends on its fiber.

Cotton or Synthetic Blend

• 1

  Pour approximately 1/2 to 1/4 the normally suggested amount of liquid or granulated mild laundry detergent into the washing machine's wash basin and set your washing machine's setting to the smallest load.

• 2

  Fill the washing machine with cool, not cold water. Start the fill cycle on warm and when the basin is about half full, switch to cold water. Warm water can shrink the cotton fibers of your jacket, while cold water can damage the elasticity of the synthetic fibers.

• 3

  Put the jacket in the wash basin before the first agitation cycle begins and allow the machine to continue through its wash cycles.

• 4

  Air dry your jacket on a clothesline or on the air dry cycle of your dryer.

Wool

• 1

  Fill a sink with cold water and put the jacket in to soak for several hours. Saturating wool fibers prior to washing prevents the fibers from shrinking during the drying process.

• 2

  Pour 1/4 to 1/8 the suggested amount of mild liquid or granulated laundry detergent into a second sink. If you use granulated detergent, be sure the grains are fully dissolved in the water before laundering your jacket.

• 3

  Fill the second sink with cool to cold water.

• 4

  Transfer the jacket from the soaking sink to the detergent-filled sink.

• 5

  Scrub and lather the jacket gently by hand.

• 6

  Transfer the jacket to the soaking sink to begin the process of rinsing the suds, dirt and oil out of the wool.

• 7

  Drain the soapy sink and refill it with clean water.

• 8

  Transfer the jacket from sink to sink gently, supporting all loose ends such as sleeves and the body, until the soap is completely rinsed. When you remove the jacket from one of the sinks, drain and refill the sink with clean water.

• 9

  Dry the jacket by placing it on top of a towel that is laid flat on the ground. Place another towel on top of the jacket, sandwiching the jacket between the two towels.

How to Treat Pigskin Waterproof Boots

Pigskin waterproof boots are made from pigskin leather and have a waterproofing agent added to the boots, usually an oil waterproofing agent. The material can be used for numerous types of boots that range between the basic cowboy boot to hiking and work boots. Regardless of the type, when a waterproof pigskin leather is used as the base material, the treatment of the boot is the same.

• 1

  Allow a wet boot to dry naturally. Avoid exposing the boot to heat. According to Scouting Digest, adding heat to the boot will cause the leather to shrink and harden. Instead, boots should be removed from the feet and set in a location where they are out of the way and are well ventilated.

• 2

  Brush dirt off with a soft cloth. Use the cloth to gently wipe the dirt and dust away from the boot. If necessary, get a small section of the cloth damp to remove stuck on mud or grime from the boots.

• 3

  Add oil to the boot. Use a clean soft cloth and a leather treatment oil. Apply the oil to the cloth and gently rub the oil into the pigskin. Waterproof pigskin boots have an oil product applied to them before purchasing, which causes water to roll off the boot. Maintaining and treating the boot requires adding a leather oil to the boot to maintain the oils that repel water.

How to Remove Spray Paint From Your Face

Whether you're painting your patio furniture or your car, spray paint can be messy business. The fine spray that come out the nozzle can land on places you didn't intend to paint, including your face. Fortunately, since spray paint is oil-based, it is fairly simple to remove with household items or, for more stubborn marks, heavy duty paint removers.

• 1

  Soak the cloth in baby oil and apply directly to the paint. The oil should dissolve the paint.

• 2

  Leave in place for five minutes, then rub away the paint using gentle scrubbing motions. Wash the oil from your face using soap and water.

• 3

  Dampen the cloth with an acetone-based nail polish remover.

• 4

  Apply the cloth to your face. Hold in place for a moment to allow the acetone to penetrate the paint.

• 5

  Scrub your skin using a back and forth motion until the paint is removed. Wash the acetone from your skin using soap and water.

• 6

  Pour enough turpentine into the cloth to dampen it. Place the cloth directly onto the paint mark.

• 7

  Allow the turpentine to soak into the paint for several minutes then begin scrubbing.

• 8

  Rub away the paint until nothing remains. Wash your face and hands thoroughly using soap and water.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Perspiration Stains

Whether you're in a high pressure meeting or working out a gym, perspiration can occur and your clothing may show the signs of stress. Yellow discolorations in the armpits are unsightly and can ruin an otherwise good item of clothing. Fortunately there are solutions to tough sweat stains. Pre-treating the stains prior to washing is essential to removing these discolorations.

• 1

  Mix the baking soda and tablespoon of water together until you have a thick paste.

• 2

  Apply the baking soda paste directly to the stains. Spread lightly over the surface and allow to remain in place for 30 minutes.

• 3

  Rinse the baking soda from the fabric using warm water.

• 4

  Pour the cup of water and vinegar into a bucket and stir to mix.

• 5

  Submerge the fabric in the vinegar solution and allow to soak for 30 minutes.

• 6

  Remove the clothing from the vinegar soak and rinse under warm water.

• 7

  Apply several drops of detergent directly to the yellow discoloration. Massage into the fabric and allow to remain for 30 minutes. Do not rinse.

• 8

  Put the clothing immediately into your washing machine and wash according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Set the Time on a Generic Analog Atomic Watch

There are 29 atomic clock locations throughout the world, including England, Japan and the United States. These atomic clocks issue a precise time signal several times a day that can be received by timepieces designed to run based on atomic time. Atomic watches are often solar-powered, which means they do not require a watch battery to run and power up when used or placed in full sunlight on a regular basis. Setting the time on a generic, analog-style atomic watch takes only a few steps and usually needs to be done just once, when the watch is first purchased.

• 1

  Press the bottom button on the right-hand side of the watch to initiate a time signal reception. Hold the button for two seconds and then release. Set the watch near an open window with 12:00 pointing toward the window. Wait two to six minutes for the time signal to be set.

• 2

  Push the bottom button on the left-hand side of the watch and hold for a few seconds to set the correct time zone. Most watches are already set to Eastern Time and will not need to be changed if that is the correct time zone for the user. Push the middle button on the right-hand side of the watch and hold for three seconds until the display flashes and then push the top button on the right-hand side of the watch until the desired time zone is displayed. Push the middle button on the right-hand side of the watch to confirm.

• 3

  Push the bottom button on the left-hand side of the watch to set the alarm feature. Push and hold the middle button on the right-hand side of the watch until the display flashes and then push the top button on the right-hand side to change the time. Press the middle button on the right-hand side of the watch to confirm.

How to Remove Scratches From a Rolex Band

Rolex bands can become easily scratched from everyday use. Because a Rolex is an investment, you should take care of it so it will look new year after year. The Melrose Jewelers website recommends polishing the band every few months to prevent scratches from becoming noticeable. With a little patience and the right supplies, removing scratches from your Rolex band is a quick and easy process.

• 1

  Remove the polishing cloth from the package. Wrap the cloth around a cotton swab. This prevents the cloth from touching the unpolished surface of the band, which could damage the brushed finish.

• 2

  Buff the polished area with the cloth with moderate pressure, going with the grain of the metal. Avoid circular strokes that go against the grain of the surface.

• 3

  Buff the polished area for about one minute. This should be enough time to remove hairline scratches. You may need to buff longer for deeper scratches.

1950s Clothes for Children

• Dresses were popular for girls in the 1950s. Jules Frazier/Valueline/Getty Images

  The 1950s was an era when children safely roamed their neighborhoods, where, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, people looked out for one another. There was a sense of peace and prosperity. Women's rights groups had not yet risen up and clothing reflected styles that looked back more than they looked forward. Yet there were signs, even in children's clothing, that things were changing.

Dresses

• In the 1950s, dresses were still the mode of dress for women and girls alike. Many schools did not allow girls to wear pants. However, in areas of the country where the weather was severely cold during the winter, some schools allowed girls to wear pants under their dresses to and from school and during outside recess.

Slacks

• Though policies were changing, in smaller schools, boys did not wear jeans to school. While girls attended school in nice dresses, boys came in nice shirts, shoes with socks and slacks. They might also wear sweaters or sweater vests over a shirt. Most schools no longer required boys to wear ties to normal school functions.

Winter Wear

• In the winter when there was cold, snow and ice, boys and girls bundled up in stocking hats, snow boots, bulky coats and warm, knitted mittens. Many were also required to wear a long knitted scarf around their necks.

Petticoats

• The 1950s were an era of petticoats, petticoats and more petticoats. Girls pored over catalogs or checked out the local clothing store for the stiffest, most voluminous petticoats they could afford. The petticoats made skirts and dresses flare out in a circle around the wearer. The more the flare, the bigger and better the petticoat beneath. All those petticoats made getting in and out of vehicles rather difficult without flashing what was under the petticoats. Keeping the petticoats stiff and clean was a problem for mothers who took time and effort to do just that for their girls.

Dress Up

• For church and other dressy affairs such as weddings and funerals, boys wore suits that echoed those worn by their fathers, if the family could afford it. Ties and dress shoes completed the ensemble. Girls wore frilly dresses with lots of lace and buttons. Dresses for young girls often had a large band fitted around the waist that tied in a large bow in the back. They wore slip-on shoes not meant for anything but dress-up affairs. Petticoats made the skirts flare out. Clothes were often stiff, scratchy and uncomfortable and left little opportunity to "play" while dressed up.

Pedal Pushers

• Girls broke out of the dress-and-skirt mode with pedal pushers. Long dresses and skirts tangled in bicycle spokes and caught on bike pedals. Pedal pushers answered the need for safe clothing girls could wear while riding bikes. Pedal pushers were pants that ended between the knee and the ankle---short enough not to cause a hazard while riding. These became so popular that girls wore them for regular play activity.

Poodle Skirts and Leather Jackets

• Girls wore pedal pushers, sweaters and scarves. Many also wore saddle shoes and poodle skirts. Girls pulled their hair back into a long ponytail adorned with fancy clips. As the 1950s progressed, some teen boys began greasing back their hair and wearing leather jackets.

How to Make Flare Jeans Bootcut

There is no standard silhouette for any type of jeans. The cuts vary by brand. Most flare and boot-cut jeans taper to the knee and flare out below the knee. Flare jeans flare out a noticeable amount, perhaps as much as the bell-bottoms of the 70s. Boot-cut jeans flare out enough to accommodate the top of a boot. It is easy to change flare jeans to boot-cut, because you have to alter them only below the knee.

• 1

  Rip out the hem of the jeans. Take out the side seams from the hem to 2 inches above the knee.

• 2

  Spread one leg of the jeans out on a flat surface with the seams on each side. Decide on the desired width of the jeans at the hem. This will be half the distance around the hem of the jeans. Add 1 1/2 inches to this width for seam allowances.

• 3

  Measure the current width of the fabric at the hem of the jeans. Subtract the new width you calculated. This is the amount of fabric you will be removing. Divide this number in half and mark this distance from the edge of the fabric on each side of the hem with chalk.

• 4

  Draw a line from the marks on the hem to the edge of the fabric at the knee, using chalk and a yard stick. Cut off the excess fabric, cutting through both layers of fabric. Use the pieces you cut off as a pattern to cut the other leg. Be sure to use the fabric you cut off the inside of the leg for the pattern on the inside of the other leg and the outside fabric piece on the outside.

• 5

  Turn the jeans wrong-side out. Sew the outside seams of the jeans with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Use thread that matches the fabric. Finish the seam with a zigzag or over-lock stitch.

• 6

  Turn the jeans right-side out. Sew the inside seams of the jeans with the wrong sides together and a 1-inch seam allowance. Trim 1/2 inch off the seam allowance on the back side of the jeans. Press the seam allowance toward the cut seam.

• 7

  Fold the long side of the seam allowance over the short side and press the seam down. Stitch the folded seam down, close to the edge, with thread that matches the thread in the rest of the seam. This is a flat-felled seam.

• 8

  Replace the hem.

How to Add a Hood to a Coat

Making a hood to add to a coat involves a lot of detail work if you have to design the hood, but you can add a hood to a coat without designing the hood yourself. You can use the hood from an old sweatshirt jacket. Try the old sweatshirt jacket on before you begin to make sure the hood fits properly. Then you just have to get the hood off of the jacket and put it on the coat.

• 1

  Push the seam ripper's tip under the first stitch you see in the top-stitching along the bottom of the sweatshirt hood. Push the seam ripper forward without pushing into the fabric to cut the thread. Cut every third stitch in the top-stitching, beside the seam holding the hood on the sweatshirt jacket. If your jacket does not have top-stitching, the line of stitches running about 1/4 inch from the actual seam, go on to the next step.

• 2

  Cut every third stitch in the seam holding the sweatshirt on the jacket using the seam ripper. Use your fingertips to pick out the thread ends left in the fabric.

• 3

  Serge the bottom edge of the hood or use the zigzag sewing machine to finish the hood's raw edge.

• 4

  Mark the hood's center back, in the serged or zigzagged stitching on the bottom edge, with a tailor's chalk dot.

• 5

  Mark the inside, center back of the coat's collar with a tailor's chalk dot. Fold the coat in half with the coat's front lined up to find the center back. The folded edge of the collar will be the center back.

• 6

  Stand up the coat's collar. Position the hood, so it stands up inside of the collar. Line up the tailor's chalk dots marking the center back of each piece.

• 7

  Pin the hood to the inside of the coat's collar with the bottom of the hood 1/2 inch above the seam attaching the coat's collar. The 1/2 inch gap will allow you to sew without hitting the bulky layers of coat and collar fabric.

• 8

  Set the sewing machine to make a medium-length straight stitch and sew the hood to the coat, right through the collar, using a 1/8 inch seam allowance. You will be sewing right up the center of the finishing stitches you made earlier along the bottom edge of the hood. Remove the pins as you sew the hood and coat together.

• 9

  Trim off the excess thread using the scissors and fold the collar down into its original folded position.

How to Break In Military Boots

Military boots are not only functional in their durability, but are also a fashionable style that shows no sign of fading soon. Whether your boots are genuine military-issued or replicas, you will have to spend some time breaking them in. Made of durable leather, they will need to be softened and given a chance to conform to your feet, but once they do they will last for years and be ideal to wear in inclement weather. While some methods suggest soaking the boots in water, the most tried and true way to break them in is wearing them.

• 1

  Get a good fit at the store. When going to buy your boots, wear the socks you plan on wearing with your boots. The boots should fit snugly and have a minimum of 3/4 of an inch of room at the toe.

• 2

  Make sure your boots are the right size. Once you get your boots home, try them on and wear them indoors for a couple of hours. Make sure you wear them on the different surfaces in your home, such as carpeting and laminate. If the boots don't feel like they are the right size, return them and repeat the process until you find a pair you are satisfied with.

• 3

  Bend the leather. Flex the leather of the boot as much as you can by bending the boot between the heel and toe. Loosen the laces on the boot to your comfort level. You may want the laces loose at the beginning before the leather is broken in.

• 4

  Wear your boots out and about. The real process of breaking in a boot is through wear. To minimize your discomfort during this time, wear them out for short times at first and then increase the time you wear them. For example, the first few trips might be to the grocery store, the next might be a walk or concert and finally you will be able to wear them for as long as you like, in any scenario.

Outdoor Spa Ideas

• Installing a spa within a surrounding deck makes the spa a more accessible extension of your outdoor living space. Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images

  An outdoor spa is an attractive addition to any backyard and it provides a tranquil retreat ideal for relaxation. Several different options are available in the types of spas that you can purchase, from commercial portable spas to in-ground spas poured to your own design specifications. While a spa is relaxing on its own, you can add landscaping features to enhance the overall spa experience. Remember to fence in your spa to decrease debris and prevent drowning accidents.

In-Ground Spas

• Design an in-ground spa to your specifications. This can be made in any shape and it is lined with poured concrete so that the spa's position is fixed. In-ground spas are ideal for blending in with an in-ground pool, creating a total outdoor aquatic experience. In-ground spas are level with the ground and open when not in use, so a safety fence is usually required around your spa area. Landscape around your in-ground spa to make the area seem more natural and give you additional privacy. Plant hedges around it to make it invisible to your neighbors and place potted flowers at each corner of the spa to complete the landscaping.

Portable Spas

• A portable spa unit can be moved if you decide you don't like the location that you choose for it. These spas usually have a wooden exterior frame, which is ideal for blending in with decks and contributes to the natural feel of your landscape. Portable spas are elevated off the ground and are easy to cover and lock when not in use. They require a firm, level surface for proper function and a surrounding walkway to decrease the risk of debris entering your spa. You can install the spa on an existing deck or patio, a poured concrete pad or a level gravel base. The best option for moving the spa later is to purchase prefabricated spa pads. These consist of several interlocking tiles that are easy to assemble and can be moved easily. When landscaping, choose taller plants or structures to compensate for the height of the elevated spa. Open-air pergolas with climbing vines and tall potted plants will extend over the spa and provide a more organic environment.

Deck Spas

• While many people simply install portable spas onto existing decks, another spa idea is to build a deck around the spa. You may choose to build it so that the floor is level with the entry to the spa or simply build steps and a platform to surround it. If building a platform, choose a wood or wood finish that matches the spa's exterior. The color and size of the wood should match to create a more uniform design between your deck and spa. Built-in deck planters and large flower pots make beautiful additions to your landscape. Try tropical plants to make your deck seem more like a tropical oasis. Open-air pergolas with climbing plants provide privacy and aesthetic interest to complete the outdoor spa.

How to Tell if a Tag Heuer Is Fake

Tag Heuers are luxury Swiss watches that can cost anywhere between $600 and up to $80,000 for the Tag Heuer Monaco V4, which is the most expensive model. Because they have a reputation for the highest quality and are associated with top celebrities such as Brad Pitt, many people want to own one. As a result, a large number of replicas or fakes are produced each year. With careful examination it is relatively simple to spot a fake, especially if it is one produced in Asia.

• 1

  Determine where the watch was purchased. If it was purchased for you, ask where it was bought. If it wasn't bought from a reputable jeweler, it is more likely to be a fake.

• 2

  Examine the links, hands, detail and clasps with the loupe. If they are obviously poorly crafted, the watch is likely to be a Japanese or Asian fake.

• 3
  Closely examine the dial for dirt. expensive swiss watch close up image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com

  Check the dial for dirt and fingerprints. If you find any, this is an indication it is fake. Genuine Tag Heuer factories have strict quality control procedures, unlike the replica factories.

• 4

  Use the loupe and examine the dial and date wheel if the watch has one. If the writing is fuzzy and undefined it is likely to be a fake. On a genuine Tag Heuer, the print would be sharp as any imperfect watches would be rejected at the factory.

• 5

  Look at the dial in the dark and check how luminous it is. If the watch is genuine, you will be able to read the time in the dark as most Tag Heuers use a substance called LumiNova to make the dial glow in the dark. Fake Tags will not glow brightly or at all.

• 6

  Listen to the ticking mechanism, and count how many ticks you hear in a second. Fakes will tick about once per second while a genuine Tag Heuer will tick about eight times a second.

How to Use a High Frequency Machine

High frequency skin treatments are one of the more potent weapons in the esthetician's arsenal. High frequency allows an esthetician to stimulate circulation and cell metabolism for younger-looking skin. Estheticians also use it to treat and prevent acne by oxygenating the skin and producing an antiseptic effect. An oscillating circuit creates an alternating current that activates glass tubes (electrodes) filled with argon or neon gas. This current vibrates the water molecules in the skin and produces a heat effect, along with ozone. Unlike other electrical skin treatments, high frequency can be used on bare skin, but sometimes an esthetician uses it over gauze or a cream to assist in glide. Done properly, high frequency treatments are not painful.

• 1

  Place the desired electrode into the handheld wand. Use pink/orange light for sensitive skin and blue/violet light for normal to oily skin.

• 2

  Turn on the machine and adjust the power setting to the proper position based on manufacturer's instructions and the client's comfort level.

• 3

  Place your index finger onto the glass electrode. Do not remove your finger until the electrode is in contact with the client's skin. Removing the finger too early creates an uncomfortable spark effect on the client's skin.

• 4

  Glide the electrode over the face in a circular motion. Maintain continual contact, not pulling away more than ¼ inch. Start with the forehead, then move to the nose, cheeks and chin.

• 5

  Place a finger on the electrode when finished before pulling the electrode off the face.

• 6

  Treat problem areas such as individual blemishes by "sparking" the spot with the edge of the electrode. Place your finger on the electrode, touch the electrode to the spot and remove your finger. Quickly replace your finger on the electrode, remove the electrode from the face and repeat in another area.

• 7

  Turn the power switch off. Clean the electrode with a solution of soap and water --- do not immerse the electrode in water or get the metal end wet. Dry the electrode with a clean towel and put away.

How to Repair a Bulova Self-Winding Watch

Joseph Bulova began the Bulova Clock Company in New York City in 1875. Because of their early invention of the fully electric clock, a Bulova clock was placed in the Sea of Tranquility on the moon to time space transmissions for years. Today, Bulova makes a wide range of watches, including mechanical, quartz and self-winding. Bulova offers a three-year warranty for their watches. Because of the self-winding nature of the automatic watch, battery replacement is unnecessary. However, there are other repairs that can be completed at home.

Replacing a Broken Watch Band

• 1

  Find the watch band brackets on either side of the watch case. Small spring-loaded pins hold the watch band in place. Called a spring bar, each bar presses against tiny lugs on either side of the bracket.

• 2

  Slide the spring bar tool between the bracket and the side of the watch band. The spring bar tool is a thin piece of metal usually found in a craft store or a jewelry store. A small kitchen spatula or a very thin screwdriver will also work.

• 3

  Press the spring bar tool toward the center of the bracket. This depresses the spring bar and causes the watch band to pop out of the bracket.

• 4

  Push the spring bar into the slot in the new watch band. Some watch bands have spring bars installed at the factory and are packaged ready to be used.

• 5

  Place one end of the spring bar in the lug of the bracket. Slide the other end of the spring bar behind the lug on the other side. Gently pull the watch band until the spring bar slips into the lug.

Making a Service Request

• 1

  Fill out the Service Request form on the Bulova website. Add a second sheet if the form lacks the space to fully explain the problem. The more detail you give about the problem, the better the repair will be.

• 2

  Wrap the watch in bubble wrap or some other protective material.

• 3

  Package the watch and the form in a protective box. Do not use the original box or send instruction booklets or any other materials. All packing and mailing material will be discarded.

• 4

  Print the proper address for your region. Refer to the Bulova website for the correct address. Do not write "Bulova" on the outside of the package.

• 5

  Insure the package for the value of the repaired watch. Keep the receipt in a safe place.

How to Choose a Shirt & Tie for a White Linen Suit

Linen is a comfortable fabric that can be worn for both casual and dressy occasions. One of the biggest advantages of wearing a suit in this fabric is its breathability, which makes it the fabric of choice for many men during hot months. Fashion experts agree that a white linen suit should be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day. When choosing a shirt and tie for a linen suit, it's important to take the casual look and feel of the suit into consideration.

• 1

  Choose a shirt and tie of a contrasting fabric. For example, cotton and silk both contrast linen.

• 2
  Choose a bold or subdued color palette for your shirt. busines men at suit and tie image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com

  You have two options when pairing a shirt with a white linen suit: You can be the center of attention or you can look dapper. If you're wearing your suit to a wedding, choose subdued colors to avoid taking attention away from the bridal couple. On the other hand, if you're wearing your suit on a cruise or a date, a bolder color is in order.

• 3
  Choose a summery tie -- or no tie at all -- to complement your linen suit. tie image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com

  Choose a color that either complements or contrasts the white in your linen suit. If you prefer a bolder look, choose a bright color like blue or purple. A lighter colored shirt and tie, such as white or gray, will complement the white and give the impression of calm confidence.

• 4

  A tie is not required with a white linen suit. However, if you decide to wear one, choose a summery tie that complements the shirt you've chosen.

How to Spot Fake Crocs

Crocs are a popular brand of lightweight foam sandals known for their comfortable wear and support. Originally designed as a boat shoe, Crocs are also worn by beachgoers, doctors and nurses and anyone who spends many hours on their feet. Due to the shoe's popularity, its manufacturer -- Canada-based Foam Creations -- has produced additional lines of Croc shoes, including the Athens flip flop and Georgie rain boots. Imitation Crocs are easy to spot if you know what to look for.

• 1

  Identify the material the shoes are made of. Crocs are made only out of Croslite, a foam material, not rubber or plastic. Also check where the shoes were manufactured. Crocs are made in the United States, Canada, China, Italy and Mexico.

• 2

  Look for the "Croc" lettering on the back strap. All Crocs have the word "Crocs" displayed on this strap in either lowercase or uppercase lettering. The uppercase lettering resembles Greek lettering. Only real Crocs will display the Croc name.

• 3

  Find out when the shoe was made. Crocs have only been in production since 2003; therefore, any pair of shoes older than that is not authentic. Croc shoes are also odor-resistant; so if you are browsing for used pairs and find some that have an odor, you can be sure they are not Crocs.

• 4

  Look for one of the three types of rivets that appear on Crocs. There are plain black rivets that generally appear on only special lines of Crocs, such as the RX line. These are only used on the inner rivet. Another type of rivet is smooth with a croc painted on that can be easily scratched off. The third type is a raised rivet that you can feel. No real pair of Crocs will include rivets with the word "CROCS" or "crocs" on them.

How to Repair a Swatch Watch

In the 1970's, Swiss watch manufacturers faced a crisis confronted by Japanese watch manufacturers. Swatch was their answer. The company began in 1979 and offered high-quality watches at affordable prices. Their key was to simplify the interior working of the watch from 91 moving parts to 59. Today Swatch is still making time pieces in their simplified style. Because Swatch doesn't use typical watch works, interior watch repair can only be done at an authorized Swatch repair facility. Opening any Swatch watch case will automatically void the warranty. But there are a few repairs that can be done at home.

Replacing a Broken Watch Band

• 1

  Locate the watch band brackets on either side of the watch case. Spring bars hold the watch band inside these brackets. These tiny spring-loaded pins fit into lugs on either side of the brackets.

• 2

  Slide the spring bar tool between the bracket and the side of the watch band. The spring bar tool is a thin piece of metal usually purchased at either craft stores or jewelry repair facilities. A small metal spatula or even a thin screw driver will also work.

• 3

  Press the spring bar toward the center of the bracket. This depresses the spring bar and allows the watch band to pop out of the bracket.

• 4

  Place a spring bar in the top of the new watch band. Some new watchbands will have spring bars installed by the manufacturer.

• 5

  Place the end of the spring bar into the lug on one side of the bracket. Slide the other end behind the lug on the other side of the bracket. Gently pull the watch band forward until the spring bar slips into the lug.

Seeking Authorized Service

• 1

  Write out a complete description of the problem with the watch. Include all of your contact information.

• 2

  Make a photocopy of your portion of the warranty card.

• 3

  Wrap the watch in bubble wrap.

• 4

  Pack the wrapped watch and the note with your information, description of the problem, and the copy of the warranty with the watch in a sturdy, protective box. Do not include original documentation.

• 5

  Insure the box and mail it to the service center for your region. Regional service centers can be found on the Swatch website.