by | Dec 17, 2015 | Accessories, Fashion |
Antique jewellery has been growing in popularity for a number of years and for very good reasons. Part of the appeal is that fashions are cyclic and the styles of a bygone era inevitably reappear. For many though, the charm of antique jewellery is rooted in a deep appreciation for quality, design, and craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate today. These antique pieces are unlike anything currently available in stores, which make them unique and highly valuable. It is crucial when purchasing antique jewellery to know that what is being offered is the genuine article. Jewellery valuation is a highly skilled profession but there are a number of ways for a layperson to discern the truly valuable from an inferior look-alike.
Image by K.giftedhands via Flickr
HALLMARKS
The most obvious place to begin is to look for any hallmarks imprinted upon the piece in question. These standardised imprints denote the purity of the metal but there may also be other marks indicating the maker or company who fashioned the jewellery, as well as the time period in which it was crafted. Finding out the markings meaning is a complex matter but the fact that the markings exist is a reassuring first step to legitimising the authenticity of a piece.
PATINA
Patina is the gentle wear and sheen on the surface of metals that gradually builds over time and should be well evident in a genuinely antique piece. Be automatically suspicious if the piece looks flawless or shows no signs of aging or prior use. Very few pieces of jewellery remain completely untouched by the ravages of time. By contrast, Kalmar Antiques jewellery for sale online offers fine examples of how authentic antique jewellery should look.
TESTING DIAMONDS
While it may be overkill for infrequent jewellery purchases, there is a handy tool available for under $100 that can test and authenticate diamonds. This pen-like device shoots a beam of light through the stone and is able to discern by how quickly it is transmitted, whether the diamond is real or fake, or even whether it is a natural or synthetic diamond. Such a tool can certainly come in handy for serious jewellery collectors and for those who like to purchase at estate auctions.
WEIGHT AND LAYERED WEAR
As most people are aware, gold is a very heavy metal. Having a piece of jewellery of equivalent size to compare can be immensely helpful. The difference may seem slight but placing each item in one’s hand and comparing the weight is quite noticeable. Also, look closely at the edges of the jewellery and notice if there is any wearing or discolouration. If there is a different coloured metal beneath the gold then it is like the piece is merely gold-plated rather than solid gold.
HISTORY, REPUTATION AND FEEDBACK
With ever more people choosing to sell and purchase jewellery online, it has become harder to make comparisons and get a good hands-on feel for the item in question. Whether buying or looking for ways to sell your jewellery at the best price, it is important to take time to thoroughly research the merchant’s reputation and history, particularly when spending large sums of money or making online purchases.
Consider the following:
* Does the seller have a physical outlet such as a jewellery or antique store in addition to their online presence?
* Are they licensed to sell used goods?
* Are they a registered trader and can they provide an ABN or other documentation that may legitimise their enterprise?
* How long have they been established and how experienced are they?
The number of merchants that only sell online is increasing so it is important to use a search engine to check for feedback of other buyers and to verify any information provided by the seller. A legitimate seller will be happy to tell you of the history of the jewellery, the maker and the time period from which it came. Double check everything, trust your instincts and be sure that the merchant uses a platform that allows refunds if using a credit card. As always, being prepared in advance and knowing what to look for is the best strategy for ensuring the antique jewellery you purchase will be the genuine article. There are many great bargains to be had and the satisfaction of finding a beautiful piece will be even greater when you have used your newly found skills to select it.
by | Dec 15, 2015 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hello Elegant Readers!
If it’s dark and dreary outside, it can only mean one thing – winter is here. Thankfully, you can remain cheery by investing in a new winter wardrobe and choose from fashion accessories such as scarves, gloves, and hats.
Here are the top 5 fashion accessories this winter.
1. Scarf
A simple scarf can keep your neck warm in winter weather without jeopardizing your ensemble. Choose a chunky winter scarf that complements the rest of your clothing and steer clear of bold designs that catch the eye and create a color clash. Although patterned scarfs can look great, they can be difficult when mixing and matching different styles so keep things simple.
JT styling one of her winters scarves!
2. Gloves
Invest in a good pair of gloves this winter and receive the benefits of warm hands! Leather gloves are among the most popular fashion accessories this year and can be worn with a wide range of winter coats. Looking for a decent pair of gloves? Look no further than home shopping catalogs, where you can find products from big-name brands and new designers all in one place. You’ll be able to have your order delivered direct to your door and spread the cost of your purchase over a period of time by paying in affordable installments.
3. Hats
Here’s a quick tip: wearing a hat will probably leave your hair looking frizzy so don’t wear this accessory on a night out! However, a good hat can be used to conceal a bad hair day quickly – saving you a lot of time and hassle. Brightly-colored bobble hats can be a nice touch on a dark, winter’s morning, and you’ll have plenty of styles and designs to choose from.
4. Winter socks
Once you’ve purchased a new pair of gloves for your hands, you’ll want to keep your feet warm too! Knee-length socks are a great way to provide your body with extra insulation during the morning commute, and because they are worn under trousers, you can be a little more experimental when it comes to design choices. Choose a design that incorporates stars, stripes, patterns or shapes!
5. Bracelets
Winter clothing is often made up of various shades blacks, browns and greys but it doesn’t have to be this way. Inject some colour into your wardrobe by wearing large, chunky bracelets that look great in any weather. The great thing about these fashion accessories is that they’re so flexible, and they can be worn with any winter coat to work or when out at a social function. Choose styles that reflect your personality!
Bracelets – more is better!
*promotional content*
by | Dec 7, 2015 | Food, Inspirations |
The holidays are just around the corner so soon it will be the new year. Who likes setting goals and resolutions? They are great to do, and we always start off so well, right? By the end of March, though, sometimes our good intentions for change have fizzled out. Here are just a few tips that should help you to stick to those goals that you have. The start of a new year is the perfect time for a change.
Eat Little & Often
A lot of us make goals of weight loss right after the holidays, and it does make complete sense. We may have indulged over Christmas and want to feel fresh and less sluggish. Starving yourself or skipping meals is not the answer, though!
Eating smaller meals more often, will help control blood sugar levels. This will keep your energy up and stop you reaching for some sugar. You will feel so much more energized! Smaller meals more often will also help you to control your portion sizes. That is a great way to help shift a few pounds.
String beans and potatoes make a great meal option!
Make Some Changes
Sometimes, goals like running a marathon, or losing 20lbs, can take a long time. Sometimes we feel that we need some more immediate results. Making a change or two can help you feel like a new person. How about getting a new hairstyle or dye your hair a colour that you’ve always wanted to try? It could be as simple as getting a new outfit. A change can help you feel good until longer changes like weight loss, happen.
You could even consider a form of cosmetic surgery if you felt that was appropriate for you. As a woman, if you feel anxious about talking to a male surgeon, you could request a consultation with a female plastic surgeon instead.
Keep a Food Journal
A food journal is a great way to monitor what you eat and drink. You should make a note of your exercise too. When you are accountable and have to read through what you have eaten that day, it will help you to use control. It can also help you to stop over snacking or from eating just because you’re bored.
Another great thing to include in the food journal is how you felt. If you wrote that you weren’t particularly hungry, it could stop you eating out of habit. Sometimes you might grab a candy bar at the gas station out of habit. You probably aren’t even hungry when you buy it. Writing it all down will help you to realize this and help you become healthier.
Drink More Water
It may sound easier said than done, but it is so important. One way to help you improve how much water you drink is always to have a filled water bottle with you. Have it by you at work, or in the car or your bag. If you always see the bottle, you will remember to drink from it.
All the best to you and your new goals to a better you!
by | Nov 30, 2015 | Fitness, Review |
Hello Beautiful People!
Whether you are new to exercise or have been active for many years, the key to achieving a healthy lifestyle is setting and achieving fitness goals. With so much information out there about fitness and nutrition, it may be overwhelming to the beginner. Without the help of a personal trainer, you may not know how to get started. Working with a personal trainer can be have its benefits, but at a price that may be out of reach for many people.
Instead of investing in a trainer, there are other options available. You may want to purchase a fitness tracker that can guide you in the right direction. The popularity of fitness trackers have taken off in the last few years because so many more people are taking charge of their own health. Recently, Verizon Wireless provided BubbingwithEleganceandGrace.com with an opportunity to sample one of these fitness tracker – the Fitbit Charge HR. After trying the Fitbit for twenty-one days, I would recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of their current fitness level and how to take it to a higher level.
Getting Started
Setting up and getting started with the Fitbit couldn’t be any easier. Firstly, I downloaded the Fitbit app to my smartphone and created an account. Once I created the account and signed in, I followed the step-by-step instructions on my phone on how to to sync the Fitbit with my phone and how to get started. In only a couple of minutes, I was ready to go. Out of the box, my Fitbit needed to be charged. Included with the Fitbit is a charger that connects to my computer. Charge time is one to two hours, depending on how low the battery is. A fully-charged battery will last about five days. One great feature of the Fitbit is that you will get a notification on your phone and via email when the battery is low and needs to be charged.
Jay using the Fitbit Charge HR while doing P90.
Use for the Fitbit Charge HR
Fitbit offers several choices when selecting the tracker that is right for you. Each type of Fitbit monitors steps taken per day and miles walked; but I wanted one that would also monitor my heart rate; so I selected the Fitbit Charge HR. The Charge HR also monitors the quality of my sleep and allows me to add my daily water intake and weight change. Also, the HR ensures that my heart rate was within the acceptable levels while at rest and that it was elevated enough during my workouts.
Fitness experts agree that an active lifestyle leads to a healthy lifestyle. Being active means walking at least a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. With the Fitbit, its easy to see if you are on track with this number. With just a glance at the FitBit, the display monitor lets you know how many steps you have taken for the current day. Depending on how active you are, this goal may seem to easy to achieve or difficult to reach. After using the FitBit for a week, I realized that I was not getting to the 10,000 level of steps on a consistent basis and the FitBit motivated me to reach that level. I made sure that I was active throughout my day, at home and at work because I wanted to make sure that I met that goal. You can monitor the number of steps on the FitBit or on your smartphone using the app.
Screenshot of the FitBit app showing my daily progress.
A second feature that I like about the FitBit Charge HR is that it monitors my heart rate throughout the day and while I am exercising. Having your heart rate in the right zone, whether at rest or while exercising, is key to a healthy lifestyle. I recommend checking with your doctor to see what your passive heart rate should be and then use the FitBit to ensure that it stays within this level. You can also take the information gathered by the FitBit and give it to your doctor who can determine any additional monitoring is needed.
Heart rate monitored throughout the day.
While exercising, your heart rate needs to be elevated to a certain level to be considered in a fat-burning stage or a cardio stage. When setting up the FitBit, these levels are determined by your age. Once your rates are established, the FitBit will tell you if you are in the right zone when exercising. One of my regular exercise routines is the stationary bicycle. The first time I rode for 30 minutes and realized that my heart rate was not elevated high enough to be considered a good fat-burning exercise. I needed to increase the speed on the bike and then found the rate zone that I needed to be at to be the most effective for me.
Heart rate during a P90 cardio workout.
The image above shows my heart rate during a 40 minute cardio workout. Without the FitBit, I would not have known if I was in the right zone or if my exercise was effective. Based on this information, I could increase the intensity to have better overall effects.
Thought out the day, the FitBit will send notifications to your smartphone or to your email, letting you know if you have achieved a goal, or if the battery needs to be charged. This provides great motivation to keep using the FitBit and working towards a healthy lifestyle.
Smartphone notification after achieving the 10,000 step goal.
After trying the FitBit Charge HR for 21 days and seeing what it can offer, I would recommend it to any one who would be interested in taking charge of their health and making some healthier adjustments. I found out that I was not as active as I had originally thought and that I needed to increase my cardio workouts in order to achieve a fat-burning heart rate. Without the FitBit, I would have not known these things. In addition, after talking with a friend at work about what this FitBit can do, it motivated her to purchase one of her own. Being healthy is such a key to enjoying and having a long productive life. And if a small device that you wear on your wrist can help with that, I would highly recommend it. Don’t wait until the new year to make any changes, start now. Your body will thank you.
DISCLAIMERS:
Verizon Wireless gave BubblingWithEleganceAndGrace.com the FitBit Charge HR to demo for 21 days, after which I returned it back to Verizon. I did not receive any monetary compensation to write this review. All opinions and comments are strictly my own.
With diet and exercise, always consult with your doctor or your health professional before using a fitness tracking device, starting any new exercise routines or if you have any medical issues that would prevent you from exercising.
by | Nov 29, 2015 | Food, Review |
Hello Elegant Readers!
I pray that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. I believe that Thanksgiving is not limited to one day a year, but it must be a lifestyle of gratitude and thanks.
In addition to thankful lifestyle, we must also live a healthy lifestyle. Along with regular exercise, we must eat the right foods in the right amount at the right times. Dietary experts tell us that Omega 3 is an essential ingredient in that healthy lifestyle. Omega 3 is found in many types of seeds and fish, like salmon, caviar and sardines. But if you do not like fish or want to get more Omega 3 in your diet, you may want to consider adding a supplement to your daily routine. I love fish; but I also want to take an Omega-3 supplement almost everyday because I want to have as much Omega-3 in my diet. I recently received a complimentary bottle of the Omega-3 Supreme Fish Oil supplements from Life & Food, Inc.
Omega-3 Supreme 1400mg Fish Oil with +75% Omega-3
Information about the supplements, as provided by Life & Food, Inc.
○ Highly concentrated and pure, pharmaceutical grade
(above 75% Omega-3)
○ 644/336 EPA/DHA levels
(Meeting GOED standards).
○ Fish Oil concentrate made from IFOS 5-star
certified fish oils (raw material).
○ Contains the minimum recommended 1,000 mg
of Omega-3s per serving.
○ Sourced from wild Alaskan caught Pollock.
Sustainable and certified operation by MSC.
○ USA Manufactured and laboratory
tested in FDA, GMP, NSF certified facilities.
○ Molecularly distilled, clean refined and tested.
○ Easy to swallow soft gelatin capsules.
○ Enteric coated for max absorption and no fish burps
Why Omega-3 Supreme 1400mg Fish Oil
Visiting your favorite vitamin store or searching online, you find many brands and types of Omega 3 supplements, at all price ranges. After trying Omega-3 Supreme Fish Oil softgels for the last month, I recommend that you give them a try, for the following reasons.
2 softgels contain 1400 mg pure fish oil concentrate
○ The softgels are easy to swallow because they are round and fairly small. They go down easily with only a small amount of water. I have tried much larger capsule from other brands and had issues swallowing them because they would get caught in my throat. I did not have this problem with these from Life & Food, Inc.
○ There is no fishy aftertaste or burps, which is a common issue with many Omega-3 capsules. You want take the fish oil capsules for the benefit of the fish, but you don’t want to taste the fish. With these Life & Food softgels, you will not have that issue.
○ There is 1400 milligrams of high-quality Alaskan pollock oil in these softgels. The fish oil is sustainably collected and is certified from the Marine Stewardship Council, a non-profit organization that addresses the problem of unsustainable fishing, and safeguard seafood supplies for the future. Having this certification is important to me because I know Life & Food, Inc shares the same concerns that I have for the environment.
DISCLAIMER:
I received the Omega-3 Supreme softgels at no cost in order to write to this review. All comments are strictly my own.
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