Everyone knows that, when it comes to gifts, there are three types of guys: the guy who’s really sweet, tries hard, and generally manages to get it right; the guy who’s really sweet, tried hard, and still fouls things up pretty often (but he’s cute and sweet so you try to forgive him); and the guy who just doesn’t try very hard at all, so you’re pretty excited when he gets you something more interesting than a toaster.

As chance would have it, most guys seem to be most like guy number 2—he tries to catch your hints, and he always puts a lot of thought and heart into your gifts, but a lot of times, he just misses one or two details that happen to be, well…CRUCIAL! But we all love him anyway.

Like any girl, you really, really want him to get you something good for Valentine’s day, if only because you can’t stand the hangdog look he gets when he sees that you don’t like his Valentine’s gift. So here’s a hint—online wish lists are your friend.

I know, I know, how much thought could a guy really have put into a gift if you’ve already told him what to get you? But, if the alternative is “Hangdog Harry” for two weeks after Valentine’s, it may be worth the compromise. I mean, after all, he at least needed to think about which items on your wish list he thought would mean the most to you. And, of course, while he’s looking at the things in your wish list, he may find other things that you would like too—so even guy number 1 (the guy who always knows just the right gift) can be helped by a wish list.

As you know, my favorite jewelry store is Pugster, and I think their wish list is pretty cool. You just click on the “Add to Wish” list button in the product description, and when you’re done you can email to whoever you want. To demonstrate, let me show you what’s on my Pugster Wish List for Prince Charming this year:
A couple of months ago, I started my first European beads bracelet, and boy, am I addicted! They’re just so cute! And they’re so easy to slip on and off and rearrange. And they’re good for, literally, any occasion. I can wear them to dinner with grandma, or to a dinner party, or anywhere, and people are always commenting on my bracelet.

I love how this charm bead sparkles, with its Austrian crystals.

Again, I love how this little red heart is surrounded by sparkling crystals. And a little bit of color is always welcome.

I like my earrings dangly, and these pink heart-shaped Murano glass earrings are just gorgeous. And the thing I love about Murano glass is that it’s so versatile—it can be dressy or casual, and it looks great either way.

If Prince Charming is really feeling nice this year, this is what he’ll get me! I love how delicate this pendant looks hanging from its shiny white sheer ribbon. And it’s perfect for the spaghetti strap dress I want to wear out on Valentines.

More Murano glass earrings—actually, I think these would be great for wearing to work, or out to lunch with a friend. Casual and fun.

Sterling silver is great for Valentine’s Day, and I love how this cute heart outline kind of hangs at an angle. And while CZ is no diamond, it looks just as good when your man doesn’t quite make the big bucks yet.

This ring is sooooo cute! I love how feminine it looks with the dangling heart charm. I think I’m going to get this for one of my best girlfriends (we’ve been friends since preschool), but I’ll be jealous if I don’t get one too.

I met a friend of mine for coffee last weekend, and she was wearing this incredibly cute clasp charm bracelet, with all kinds of cute little charms, so I’ve been thinking about starting a bracelet myself.

As you know, I love Italian charms, and these deluxe charms are a really fun way to make a classier Italian charm bracelet.

I know it’s kitschy, but something about Valentine’s Day brings out the third-grader in me. Remember making “Be Mine” cards out of construction paper? I sure do, but Italian charms are easier.

What else needs to be said? Well, besides “I love it!”

For years now my grandmother and I have met every week for a visit: dinner and scrabble. It’s our tradition. I always stop for fried chicken along the way. It’s wonderful.

This week, after a very close game of scrabble, grandmother suggested we look at her “old” jewelry (she knows I love jewelry). She left the kitchen, returning with a small, marvelously embroidered jewelry box. Delicate, the small jewelry box looked like it held little jewelry.

What a surprise! Grandma’s jewelry box overflowed with gems: amethyst jewelry, CZ, peridot and ruby jewelry, sapphire and turquoise jewelry, pearl, garnet and quartz jewelry. I could go on and on.

It was a jewelry treasure trove! A magic pit of jewelry! Blackbeard’s jewelry booty! Every time I thought the jewelry box empty, grandmother lifted another gemstone, another dazzling specimen.

Grandmother had a story for every brooch and necklace, every bracelet, every set of earrings. We retraced her life through that jewelry. It was beautiful.

We spent hours over that jewelry box, talking and laughing. As I was leaving, I kissed my grandmother’s a cheek as I always do. Before I turned around, she grabbed my hand. From behind her back emerged the jewelry box. ‘I want you to have the jewelry box dear, and don’t say no,’ she pushed the jewelry box into my hands, ‘just remember.’

I was weepy all the way home. I’ve put grandma’s story, her jewelry box, on my mantle where I see it everyday…..remembering.

Mother-in-Law Day is October 21st! Click Here for some great gifts and deals!

PINK is absolutely everywhere right now. But this isn’t some teenie-bopper girlie fashion trend that just hit the “cool” shops. Pink is the color which signifies a cause closely associated with many women.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the annual campaign which has been wholeheartedly embraced by the fashion industry. Even Glamour Mag has a full spread on Thinking Pink!

Wearing pink is a great way to show support for an important charity, and some products even donate a portion of the proceeds!

Joanna Schlip is a world renowned makeup artist who has put makeup on many celebrity faces. I don’t have enough room to list them all but let’s just say she’s prettied up faces from Alicia Silverstone to Zooey Deschanel and everyone in between. According to a recent interview she gave, what are her favorites? Frosty pink lipstick and hot-pink nail polish!

ACCESSORIZE

You don’t have to go pink from head to toe to look great and lend your support. From catwalk models photographed by David Bailey, to lipsticks, bags, pink brooches and necklaces, there won’t be a reason to miss the campaign this October!

Do as the celebrities are doing and don a Breast Cancer fitted T-shirt. Or funk up an outfit with a wide-range of pink jewelry available. Or a pink wallet or handbag. Scarves and hats do well with pink highlights, especially for a night out on the town.

SAVING LIVES

2006 marks the 22nd anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is designed to educate women about breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.

Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older, breast cancer deaths have declined and the initiative has grown to be one of the most recognizable health awareness initiatives in the United States.

So show your support this month… and add a little color to your wardrobe.

This Pink Teardrop Murano Glass Pendant Necklace is only $17.99

If you’re starting to feel a chill in the air, then you’re feeling the same thing I am – fall is really here! The month of September is coming to an end, while autumn comes to its peak.

As the trees are turning their beautiful autumn colors, so the colors and shapes of the fashions of the season are changing and evolving.

WHAT’S HOT THIS FALL

This year, styles from years ago are again at the top of the “must-have” lists for fall fashion. Leggings and knits are definitely leading the way.

Leggings were one of the top fashion icons of the 1980’s and they’re back again. For me, it’s just not going to happen, but it sure is fun to see all the young girls dressing up like I used to in high school!

On the other hand, I’m certainly happy about seeing knits popping up everywhere! They’re comfortable, stylish and not too pricey.

COLORS COLORS COLORS!

Last season’s white sensation has made a bold turn with red taking over as the “hot” color for this fall season. Whether you find it in shades of cherry, cranberry, or tomato, red will always turn heads. It’s classy, easy to accessorize, and always available.

When not going for a bold statement with the reds, there are other great colors making a big splash this fall! Teal blue is great around the office, and plum purple is quickly becoming the new black!

Personally, I love the purples best. You can pair it with winter white, sienna, and a whole range of other colors. Accent with mother of pearl, and you’ve got the perfect classy combo.

CHOICES

Whatever you choose, try to focus on color combinations more than the style. We all know we’re not 22 any more (well, some of you are!) – so the hottest little skirt isn’t always the top priority. But, getting those wonderful fall colors and the accessories to match will make your outfits just right for you!

Ooh La La! Red Murano Glass Bracelet - $12.99

This Mother of Pearl Pendant is beautiful with all the fall colors and is only about $25!

So there you have it. Get into fall with some great colors and comfortable styles! - Summer

There are many types of cross pendants out there. Whether your looking for an Ankh, a Celtic or Claddagh Cross, a Christian cross or something different, you are sure to find what your looking for on eBay.

Cross Pendants can be made out of any kind of material imaginable. Furthermore, each cross carries it’s own symbolism, so the type of cross you choose may reflect both your belief and your style.

Types of Crosses

There are hundreds of different types of crosses. This list provides some of the most common.

Ankh Cross

The Ankh is also known as the Looped Tau Cross, the Key of the Nile and the Ansated Cross. The Ankh cross was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of life.

Canterbury Cross

The Canterbury Cross is used in Anglican Churches. This cross has four arms, each of equal length. Each arm widens at the outer end forming a near circle at the edge. Each arm bears a triangular panel which symbolizes the Trinity. There is a small square at the center of the cross.

Christian Cross

The Christian Cross is also called the Latin cross. This is the most common symbol of Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus.

Coptic Cross

The Coptic Cross is a small circle with four arms of equal length. The angled T shapes in the corner and cross-pieces outward of the Coptic Cross represent nails used in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Greek Cross

The Greek Cross, also known as the crux immissa quadrata, has arms of equal length.

Byzantine Orthodox Cross

The Byzantine Orthodox Cross is used in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This cross has the letters IC XC at the end of the main arms. These letters represent the name of Jesus Christ. The top line of this cross represents the headboard of the crucifix while the bottom, slanted line represents the footrest.

High Cross

The High Cross is also known as a Celtic Crosses. These are commonly worn in Ireland.

Papal Cross

In the Papal Cross, the three cross-bars represent the Roman Catholic Pope’s three duties as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and successor of St. Peter.

Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross was the emblem of Templar Crusaders. The Jerusalem cross has four arms at equal distances, symbolizing the four directions, and the belief that Jerusalem was the spiritual center of the earth. It also represents the spread of Christ’s message through the four evangelists (Mathew, mark, Luke, and John), who are represented by the four additional “crosslets.”

Patriarchal Cross

The Patriarchal Cross is similar to a traditional Christian cross, but with an additional, smaller crossbar. This crossbar is meant to represent all the Orthodox Christian Archbishops and Patriarchs.

Lorraine Cross

The Lorraine Cross is similar to a patriarchal cross. The difference is, the Lorraine Cross usually has one bar near the bottom and one near the top.

Sun Cross

The Sun Cross is also known as the sunwheel, solar cross or Odin’s cross. The sun cross is a circle divided into four segments.

Tau Cross

The Tau Cross is also known as the Egyptian Cross and Saint Anthony’s Cross. The Tau Cross is shaped like the letter T.

Thieves’ Cross

The Thieves Cross is also known as the Furka Cross. The Thieves Cross is shaped like the letter Y.

Mariner’s Cross

The Mariner’s Cross, also known as St. Clements Cross is in the shape of an anchor.

Whatever cross you choose, make sure to choose one that you love! With so many crosses to choose from, you’re sure to find something you like.

Swarovski crystal is recognized as some of the most magnificent crystal made worldwide. Given the brilliance, variety and innovation of Swarovski crystal, its popularity is no surprise.

History of Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski crystal was born when Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In this, Daniel Swarovski created a world of fashion fantasy as he began to cut sparkling facets into crystal.

It can be argued that Daniel Swarovski transformed fashion and beauty forever when he created sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry.

The beauty of Swarovski crystal is unmatched. Unique cuts and a seemingly endless spectrum of colors set Swarovski crystal apart. Swarovski crystal jewelry enthusiasts can find Swarovski crystal bangles and bracelets, Swarovski crystal earrings, necklaces and pendants, pins, rings and even tiaras.

Discriminating crystal lovers value Swarovski crystal. With incomparable crystal purity the quality of Swarovski crystal is beyond compare.

Whatever Swarovski crystal jewelry you choose, you’re sure to love it!

What is White Gold

White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals including silver and palladium. Like yellow gold, white gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat.

Just like 18kt yellow gold which is 75% gold mixed with 25% of other metals like copper and zinc, 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium.

What Constitutes White Gold

The properties of the white gold vary dependant metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes. Whereas a white gold, nickel* alloy is hard, strong and great for rings and pins, white gold palladium alloys are soft, pliable and great for gemstone settings.

*Although nickel was traditionally used in white gold, it can cause skin reactions. Now white gold is commonly made with other white metals.

White Gold Jewelry

You can find all sorts of white gold jewelry. From pins and brooches to necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings, beautiful white gold jewelry is easy to find. White gold wedding bands and engagement rings are also becoming increasingly popular.

Taking Care of White Gold

White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is similar to platinum and shares many its properties including its white color. Because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium eventually wears away, white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.
Whatever white gold you choose, however you choose to buy it, white gold is beautiful. Get what you want and enjoy!

Millefiori, also known as ‘1000 flowers is a glass design characterized by a mosaic flowerlike pattern. The Millefiori technique is used to make pendants, beads, paperweights and other glass products. The most popular Millefiori item is a pendant

History of Millefiori Pendants

Millefiori Pendants are made using murrine, or slender, multicolored glass canes. Murrine are fused together to create Millefiori pendants. The use of murrine rods can be traded back to Ancient Rome, Phoenician and Alexandrine times though the Millefiori technique was developed in Murano, Italy in the 15th century.

The Millefiori technique was created by altering another glassmaking method. Until the 15th century, glassmakers were producing beads from Rosetta canes. Rosetta canes have a center hole. The technique involves layering six layers of glass (white, blue, white, brick red, white then blue) over a hollow cane creating patterns of 5 concentric stars with twelve points. Beads are created when Rosetta canes are chopped. Millefiori was born when glassmakers produced Rosetta using a cane with no hole. Millefiori is made using a seemingly endless amount of colors and layers.

Creating a Millefiori Pendant

To create a Millefiori pendant, glass rod is coated with layers of different colored glass. This creates the intricate Millefiori design. The rod is furnace heated to fuse the layers of glass. After re-heating, the rod is pulled very thin. The trick is to maintain the original Millefiori design. After cooling, the rod is sliced then placed in metal rings, creating the Millefiori pendant.

Creating a Millefiori pendant is an extensive process. Each Millefiori pendant is handmade one by one making every Millefiori pendant one of a kind. Millefiori pendants come in many styles and sizes. They’re beautiful!

Whichever Millefiori pendant you buy, you’re sure to love it!

Although most sapphires are blue, there are also pink sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange sapphires white sapphires, purple sapphires as well as rare star sapphires and Padparadsha sapphires.  Sapphires are highly valuable, fancy stones.  In fact, sapphires are so treasured that Prince Charles himself presented Princess Diana with a Sapphire upon their engagement.

About Sapphires

Sapphires belong to the corundum group.  This makes sapphires different from other gemstones because they’re extremely hard, registering at a grade 9 on the Mohs’ scale. Diamonds, the earth’s hardest mineral, are the only gemstones harder then sapphires.  Sapphires hardness makes them a practical and easy to care for gemstone. 

The corundum group consists of pure aluminum oxide.  The pressure and heat of the ground causes this aluminum oxide to crystallize into beautiful white gemstones.   Tiny amounts of other minerals such as iron and chrome give sapphires their blue, red, yellow, pink or greenish color.

Rubies are also part of the corundum group.  For years experts debated what constituted sapphires until it was decided that ruby-red sapphires would be “Rubies” and all other colors would be “Sapphires.”  Sapphires are found in India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil and Africa.

You can find rings with sapphires, bracelets with sapphires, sapphire necklaces, or pendants.  Sapphires can also be bought as solitary stones.  Sapphires are a beautiful stone with endless possibilities!

A lariat necklace is a very, very long necklace. Because a lariat necklace is a long, clasp less strand of gems, pearls or beads, a girl can twist, tie and knot her lariat necklace however she likes. The lariat necklace is a wonderfully adaptable accessory. Wear your lariat necklace one way for sophistication then wear your lariat necklace another way for funkiness. A lariat necklace is a must have!

Of course, even as concerns a lariat necklace, there can be a catch.

Fabulous Party: Fabulous Lariat Necklace

In honor of the Emmys, a friend of mine threw a faux-emmy party. I was delighted to dress elegantly. I wore a floor-skimming dress with plunging back. A beautiful lariat necklace streamed down my back. I looked fabulous as did the lariat necklace.

Falling For a Lariat Necklace

Well, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. This was one of those times. Half way through the party, I passed a beautiful, towering orchid arrangement when the end of my lariat necklace got caught in the flowers. The lariat necklace brought me down and the gigantic arrangement down! Thank goodness my head wasn’t in the way because the arrangement came crashing down after me!

There was quite a fuss. It took 6 women to disentangle the lariat necklace before I could move from the puddle of dirt, water and orchid remains in which I lay. My dress and hair were ruined. The lariat necklace was ruined. Once again, it’ll take me ages to redeem my ‘decked out diva’ reputation.

Of course, nobody’s perfect. Not even the perfect lariat necklace.