reLYME

It is important to be informed about ALL aspects of life, including choosing which tipple can be fun for our Saturday night out AND beneficial in the longer term. The answer is not vodka shots.

If one of the resolutions you are so far struggling to keep is to do with controlling your alcohol intake (or keeping an eye on your bank balance!) then this is some important knowledge to heed. A night on the town can be expensive if you're out on the spirits. Why not take some time out from the spirited side of Saturday nights and spend a bit of time mulling over a class of wine & educating yourself on the finer side of alcoholic offerings? You'll spend less because you won't chuck back the glasses quite as quickly & you may even help your health out a little along the way!

So, without further gaff, lets get a little refined for a moment, lets say a big hello to Red Wine. An acquired taste, some say, but if you consider the health benefits associated with this fine wine, you may well be won over. Next time you and your platform heels & hot new sequin mini strut up to the bar, consider a glass of red instead.

Here are just a few reasons why you should become a red wine convert (aside from the fact you'll look impressively sophisticated drinking it):

Prevents cancer? Well it has Resveratrol & Flavonoid which are powerful antioxidants. Resveratrol, which is naturally occurring in plants, has been said to inhibit the enzymes that assist in the growth of cancerous cells, which has to be a good thing. And Flavonoid, well it is contained in the red grapes and it is also considered to be one of those super powerful antioxidants fighting the good fight against cancer.

Boost the Immune System. Unlike other alcohols that suppress the immune system, red wine actually assists in maintaining our immune system. Our immune system is all about keeping us fit & healthy and so to get the most out of life we need a strong immune system - give it less of a battering next night out & get on the red.

Heart Health. Studies on red wine drinkers from the Mediterranean region has yielded some pretty incredible results that go as far as to demonstrate a link in regular and moderate consumption of red wine lowering the risk of heart disease. Again, it's those antioxidants that are assisting in these findings. Flavonoids exhibit the ability to assist in preventing blood clots & decrease damage to the blood vessels (caused by fatty deposits).

Okay, so here is the important stuff: while red wine is certainly fair from a being the worst vice you could have, this is not your ticket to binge drinking on the red wine front. Like all things, particularly alcohol, a fine red is best enjoyed in moderation. And so, armed with this knowledge - go forth & enjoy responsibly!

I just wanted to share a piece I wrote for Independent Fashion Bloggers about affiliate programs vs. affiliate networks. Which is the best choice for you? Read on:

post by reLYME.com image by jenn_jenn

If one of your goals for blogging, other than sharing your passion with the blogosphere, is to make money…

You’re not alone. It’s easy to witness the success of other bloggers, and not crave a piece of the pie.

You might want to earn enough to make a full time living, or perhaps just enough to buy a new pair of designer shoes. After all, it’s a lot easier to make money doing something you love. But, where to begin?

First of all, let’s dispel any affiliate marketing rumors that making money online, is simple and enjoyable. Nothing can be further from the truth. When we’re dealing with affiliate marketing, it’s definitely a lot of trial and error. Some programs will work for some people and not for others. If you want to get into affiliate marketing, please understand that it’s going to take a lot of work. You’re also going to have to keep a watchful eye on your analytics.

Affiliate programs versus affiliate networks

Second, there are a lot of affiliate programs out there: Shopzilla, Amazon, and Google Adsense are a few. But, what about affiliate networks? What’s the difference?

An affiliate program is a specialized program through a specific website that caters toward a niche market. Through these programs, you’re dealing directly with the advertiser and you can choose to place affiliate links or affiliate banners on your site. Typically, when people click, you make money. The con of affiliate programs? Although you may have a vested interest in the links or banners you have chosen, with affiliate programs, you’re usually on your own. Better check the FAQ’s or Help sections.

An affiliate network acts as a liaison between advertisers and you, the blogger. When you sign up for an affiliate network like Pepperjam or Hydra Network, for instance, you’re signing up with an affiliate manager who is going to help you find the best advertisements for your site. The con with affiliate networks? Some of the advertisements you can choose are low-quality, irrelevant to fashion bloggers, and some are downright SPAM.

As a side note, Commission Junction is possibly the largest affiliate network out there, linking arms with the top advertisers in the Web 2.0 space. This is perhaps my favorite route because, as a fashion and beauty blogger, I can apply to relevant to different merchants like Pink Mascara and Smashbox, to place ads on my site. However, because of the size of this network, it functions similarly to an affiliate program where you independently choose your advertisements, and you must apply to programs individually.

OK, so I want to sign up for an affiliate program or affiliate network? How do I get paid?

If you want to cash a paycheck, you’re going to have to know the lingo. Hopefully, you’re tracking your website stats through a program like Google Analytics. Often, affiliate programs and networks have their own tracking, so it’s good to be able to compare an contrast.

The first thing to understand are the different models of payment. Different programs pay differently.

Two of the most common are Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Action (CPA).

CPC usually ensures that you’ll get paid for each click to an ad, like Google AdWords. CPA, on the other hand, means that you’ll get paid once a customer has completed an action, such as placing an order. Many affiliate networks follow the CPA model. For other Affiliate Marketing related terms, click here!

So, which you decide to use is entirely up to you. If you’re new to affiliate marketing, it wouldn’t hurt to start with an affiliate program, and maybe link up with an affiliate network down the road. Either way, good luck earning that blogging cash!

Too Faced has made a little piece of this dream a reality with their latest collection, Chocolate & Pearls, which includes vampy pinks and browns with a touch of luxury and lots of flavor. This Spring 2009 release features rich color and hints of chocolate and pearls throughout.

Here's a peek at the new collection, available now online at Too Faced and at Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, and other locations:

Here are the details of the line:

• Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Matte Bronze (chocolate scented)

• Luster Liner Lip Liners in Ayoka (beige), Tahitian (pale pink), South Sea (pinkish purple), and Caspian (golden plum)

• Girls Dig Pearls Lip Gloss in Shell (pink), Tropical Pink (pinky purple), Mermaid (pinky beige), Pink Bling (pinky white)

• Lockdown Cream Shadow in Jailbait (light pink), Bedroom Eyes (medium brown), Bondage (light brown), I’m Guilty (aqua blue), Dramarama (dark brown), Prisoner of Love (pink)

• Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara in Hot Chocolate (brown)

While my moods lately haven't been very much in favor of mega shimmer and shine, I can't deny the appeal of Chocolate & Pearls. I cannot wait to get my hands on the Lockdown Cream Shadows, which come in a wider range of colors than the rest of the products in this collection. Apparently they're a water-resistant combination of metallic pigments and Too Faced Shadow Insurance (one of my favorites, and a best-seller!). I've yet to test the pigmentation, but at the very least they're sure to be color-infused eye shadow bases for my oily lids (and maybe stiff competition for my beloved MAC Paint Pots).

I also wouldn't mind giving Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara a try. I've tried the original Lash Injection, but the applicator wand is just way too big for me! Hopefully this waterproof liner and its sleek brush will fare better!

If you're looking for a collection with a little more variety (and a primer I'm dying to try), check out Smashbox's Muse Spring 2009 Collection. Or for Spring 2009 on the go, take a look at Beauty Addict, Too Faced's new 15-piece palette inspired by the upcoming move Confessions of a Shopaholic.

What are your first impressions of Too Faced’s Chocolate & Pearls?

I am leaving for New York City this week, and I want to maintain my commitment to fresh content every day. With all the fun I'll be having, there's no way I'll be have time to post every day! That's why I need YOU!

If you are interested in writing a guest post while I'm away, please send an email to beka@relyme.net to let me know that you're interested, and what you think you'd want to write about.

Topics could be about fashion, beauty, health, vegetarianism, eco-friendly lifestyle, whatever you want!

What's in it for you?

Besides my eternal love, guest posting is a great way to boost your blogging street cred. Any traffic that I would normally get--since reLYME is young, it's not an insane amount--can be directed back to you. It also helps you break out of your typical blogging routine, and shows off your diversity as a blogger. Perhaps there's something you've been wanting to blog about, but you didn't think it would fit your blog.

Any takers? Pretty please???

Beka