Sunday Interior Design Guide

This collection by Anna is fresh, just like a summer morning. It is morning here right now... I suddenly feel like going for a walk and meeting it in person :) I wonder why :)

To see the featured shops visit the Guide's interactive page

Friday Gift Guide

If you are into dark things... Dark by color... Here are a few fresh finds by Irina for you!

To discover other products by the featured sellers, please visit the Guide's interactive page.

My gem collection. Blue lace agate

Do you miss snow yet? :)

The picture of the stone is not great. The color is right. It is an icy-looking agate of a very light blue color. I lived in a climate that got lots of snow. It is very usual to see the trees with a snow cover still having tiny red berries for the birds to survive. This is what the stone reminded me of.

How to choose a jewelry gift for her‏

What girl does not like jewelry? Have you met one? Ok, you probably have... We all met one girl who did not like wearing jewelry... But if you are still reading this, you are not that lucky this time ;) or unlucky! After all, if a girl likes any kind of jewelry, it is an easy shopping :)

Yes, it is easy! I can suggest a few ideas. Keep reading if you need them.

Silver and white bronze maple leaf necklace

1) I like simple solutions. Don't you? The simplest solution would be to ask her. She might give you a few choices or even one. Then you go, buy and package it (or get it packaged by a seller). Done!

Not very romantic? Want to make a surprise? Then keep reading :)

2) Second simplest solution would be to ask her best friend / sister / mother. They know, I guarantee! Just ask them to keep it a secret.

Still not romantic enough? Ok, keep going :)

Sterling silver jelly-fish necklace with an amethyst

If you really want to make her a surprise... and not to ask her... or her mom or sister or a friend, then you need to become very observant:

3) What metal does she wear? Does she wear any metal at all? 

• She might not like gold (yes, I've met those girls!),  

• she might wear nothing but gold (there are a lot more of those!), 

• she might not wear any metal (I've met a girl, who hated metal on her skin so much, that she wanted her wedding ring made of glass. The whole ring!), 

•  she might have allergies for some metals (being allergic to nickel is very common. If you are not thoughtful when buying silver, you might get silver alloy with nickel in it. Mind you, regular sterling silver should not have nickel in it, just copper... but ask if a seller can guarantee that).

Sterling silver charm bracelet

If a girl wears gold at all it is really simple to get her a small gold pendant, just one or two letters on a chain... or stud earrings with her birth stone.

4) Does she wear any stones? Maybe there is a stone she is obsessed with? It might be diamonds or pearls or crystal points, etc. Pearls and diamonds are easy... but the crystal points... there could be some metaphysics involved and you should read on the stones' qualities before you buy anything (ex.: amethyst is for good dreams, rose quartz is for love, etc)

Sterling silver hoop earrings with the seahorses

5) Does she like designer silver jewelry? I often meet people who do as this is what I sell.  

• Go simple if you are not sure about her taste. Simple geometric shape pendant with or without a small stone can always be worn... or simple earrings.
• A pendant necklace that has a birth stone or an initial letter is another easy choice.
• Another good idea is to give her a charm bracelet with one charm (then it will be easy to add more charms to it later).
• Silver earrings would be one more great choice. All girls who like sparkle will always say yes to a pair of silver earrings with Swarovski crystals that are meant to sparkle like diamonds (Swarovski crystals are a girl's second best friend ;)  (tweet this!)

Swarovski silver earrings

I hope this post has been helpful and I've proved that buying jewelry as a gift for a girlfriend (or wife, or daughter or any other woman) makes indeed your shopping simple! :) (tweet this too!)

If you have any questions, please, feel free to leave a comment and ask!

Monday Jewelry Quote

Sterling silver ring with a pink sham diamond :)

Sunday Interior Design Guide

Lovely finds in today's Home Decoration Ideas by Anna!

Discover what else the featured sellers have in their shops by visiting the Guide's interactive page.

Friday Gift Guide

Today's Gift Collection by Irina reminds me of dark chocolate. Mmm... I used to not like dark chocolate. I do now... Might have to go get some today... :)

If you are interested in the feature stores, visit the interactive page for the Guide

Triangle plume agate for a unique pendant

Triangle stones like this one usually suggest an asymmetrical pendant design. However, I wanted to design something that the stone did not suggest with its shape. I like what I've come up with.

Wooden Bathtub by Bubinga Wood Design

How about a new item for my virtual wish list? Great piece for day dreaming, isn't it? :) Mmm... If I had a million dollars.... :)  

I find it interesting how you do not think that something exists (like a bathtub made of wood), then you come across the idea and suddenly start liking it. Does it ever happen to you?

How to wear jewelry at the beach

Wearing jewelry at the beach is a big no-no. Used to be... and still is. There are ways to go around this "no-no", I can through a few suggestions at you :) But first let's see why wearing jewelry at the beach is not a good idea.

Turquoise cocktail ring
(turquoise can get discolored by salt water and scratched by sand)

 2 big reasons not to wear fine jewelry to the beach:

1. It is easy to lose your jewelry in the water. Fingers shrink, earrings' locks unlock as well as chains' locks. You feel sorry, but too late. 
2. Jewelry gets destroyed. There are a few ways how it can happen:

• The sand will scratch pretty much anything. It has hardness of quartz, so any metal and a stone with the hardness lower than quartz' will get scratch. Metals can be re-polished, but the stones can or cannot be, depending on your piece. 
• Salt and water will rust your stainless steel jewelry.Corrosion can happen on other metals too.
• Some stones can lose their color on the sun or in the salt water.

 So, what are we supposed to do? Not to wear jewelry at the beach? This is an option! Jewelry at the beach will stop you from getting even suntan :) But if you really-really want it, look into getting some not fine jewelry. Something on a cheaper side. You need to be ready for your jewelry to get destroyed or lost. Simple strands of beads made with hemp or any kind of inexpensive beaded jewelry with agates, beach glass or shells will be perfect for the beach.