The engagement is an important component to marriage as it signifies the intentions of both parties to the proposed union by marriage. Traditionally, rings are exchanged for the engagement, and designs are many, yet the antique look is always there or thereabouts, and with single stone arrangements, greens and blues are very popular in 2017. Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular antique designs with engagement rings this summer.
Edwardian Style – Bathed in intricacy and elegance, an Edwardian engagement ring uses many tiny coloured gemstones, and if you are looking for such a design, you can purchase quality antique diamond rings at Kalmar Antiques, the leading online antique engagement ring retailer, and with so many to choose from, your unique selection will reflect the occasion perfectly. Platinum and, of course, diamonds are used extensively in Edwardian designs, and with oval or heart shapes, the ring has a real look of elegance about it.
The Art Deco Era – The 1920 -30 period saw a radical change in ring shape, with the newer designs reflecting the smart, compact architecture of that period, and geometric shapes with the clever use of black diamonds. Clean cut lines and varying stone sizes make this era a popular choice with modern women, and with opals and onyx, colours can be abound. If you would like to browse some trendy engagement ring designs that are to be seen this year, there are useful lists of fashionable ring designs you can find online.
Post-Depression Engagement Rings – The glamour and grandeur of the early 20th century designs gave way to more practical concepts, with less expensive stones being favoured, and although the trend was still for clean lines, dreamy ovals and pear shaped amber clusters made for a colourful and romantic design.
The Post War Era – This was the time when the angular geometric shapes were left behind, to be replaced by circular and oval clusters, with rubies making a comeback. Modern solutions take the effort from selecting an engagement ring, and rather than spending a weekend scouring the jewellery stores, a few hours of Internet browsing is a far nicer alternative, and with online retailers, you can find lower than retail prices for top quality pieces.
The Swinging Sixties – The 1950 – 60 period saw the arrival of stacked engagement rings, made famous by Audrey Hepburn, and this was the time for gold and entwined rings, reflecting the dramatic changes in fashion that transformed a traditional society in one of rebellion. Diamonds were still fashionable, and with tiny stone sizes and creative clusters, the trend moved towards individuality and uniqueness.
Engagement rings come in many shapes and designs, and with the current trend staying with the elegant periods of the pre-war years, there are many exciting and unique rings to be found with online suppliers, and with your partner, you can browse in the comfort of your own home before selecting something ideal for this very special occasion.
The disappearance of youthful contours from the face can be attributed to a variety of reasons. They include thinning of the skin, gravity, sun damage, loss of facial fat, heredity, smoking and stress. Aging is an inevitable process of nature that we can’t stop. But even as you age, restoring your once vibrant natural appearance from yesteryears is possible. By visiting a certified cosmetic surgeon, you can reverse the effects of time and gravity through a facelift procedure.
What is a facelift? A facelift is technically referred to as rhytidectomy. It is a surgical procedure that aims at reversing the visible signs of aging appearing on your face and neck. They can include sagging of the face as a result of skin relaxation, deepening of the fold lines that appear between the nose and the corner of your mouth, disappearing or falling of fat, jowls and excess fat in the neck that lead to “turkey neck” or what people call double chin.
Why have a facelift? As you continue to age, your skin loses its elasticity. Eventually, you will develop deep wrinkles as your skin becomes loose. While this is a natural process which everyone must go through when growing up, it is also normal to feel bothered about these signs and to, therefore, consider getting a facelift.
It is okay to feel self-conscious about your sagging skin. Some people wear scarfs and turtlenecks not to fight the cold but to hide their aging neck. If you feel younger than you look in the mirror or are concerned that your aging appearance is affecting your personal relationship and career, you should be a candidate for a facelift procedure.
After going through a facelift procedure, patients become more confident about themselves. They no longer feel like there is a mismatch between their appearance and the healthy and energetic vibe they seem to exhibit.
Are there age restrictions for facelift surgery? Age will not play a significant role in qualifying or disqualifying your candidacy for getting a facelift surgery. Other factors that have a more bearing on your ability to undergo the procedure are the elasticity of your skin and your overall health.
Majority of patients who get facelifts are between 40 and 70 years of age. It is, however, not uncommon for people over the age of 70 to undergo the procedure. A qualified plastic surgeon should make the final determination about someone’s candidacy after evaluating their skin’s texture and condition.
Choosing a cosmetic surgeon Facelift surgery is a rather complicated procedure that should only be performed by a well-qualified plastic surgeon. They need to have extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and must possess a particular set of surgical skills. They should also have a highly-developed eye for aesthetic detail. Not all physicians who perform cosmetic surgery have the requisite training in the discipline. You should do your homework before selecting the right surgeon.
When speaking to potential cosmetic surgeons, make specific inquiries about their training and experience. How many successful procedures have they done before? Do they have before and after pictures to this effect? You should study the photos to get a feel of their aesthetic style. Men who want facelift surgery should first confirm whether the surgeon has any experience working on other men. The facial anatomy of man is very different from that of a woman.
Types of facelift procedures
Mini-Facelift Candidates for a mini-facelift are those dealing with mild degrees of sagging skin and jowls. The procedure is less invasive, and the surgeon can tighten deep facial tissues by making short incisions. They make the incisions along the hairline above the ears and/or in the creases that surround the ear. The surgeon lifts the structural tissues around the cheeks and tightens them to refine the jaw, correct jawline and rejuvenate the patient’s appearance.
Standard Facelift Patients dealing with moderate to advanced aging undergo a standard facelift. The surgery calls for more extensive work compared to the mini-facelift. The results are more dramatic and much more time is required for the recovery process. The surgeon makes the incisions just behind the hairline, beginning close to the temples, and passing around the front of the ear, hiding it in the natural folds.
The facelift surgeon will reposition the deeper tissues under the skin and smooth the crease by removing excess skin. It will eliminate the sagging skin under the chin to restore a youthful contour to the face and neck.
The recovery process Although a facelift is a complicated procedure that calls for exceptional surgical skills, most patients can recover quickly. After two weeks or thereabouts, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities. You may have to wait for two more weeks to do strenuous exercise though. The timelines are even shorter for mini-facelift patients.
Patients are usually concerned about how they will look soon after undergoing the procedure. It is a valid concern since you can’t cover the face as you would breasts or the body. Bruising and swelling will appear after the facelift procedure. But after two days, they will start disappearing gradually. After 10 to 14 days, people will barely notice. If you need to wear camouflage makeup, you should ask the cosmetic surgeon when it is safe to do so.
If performed by an experienced certified cosmetic surgeon, a facelift is expected to not only look natural now but also age naturally. However, you will need to do certain things to keep the good look. One of them is to maintain a healthy, stable weight. Significant fluctuations in your weight will make the skin stretch again. A regular skincare regimen is also recommended to keep the skin healthy and to prevent unnecessary aging.
About the author: Dr. Robert Tornambe is a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in New York City. His wealth of knowledge on the discipline coupled with his many years of experience make him one of the leading cosmetic surgeons around.
Have you ever noticed that the world is so noisy today? Everywhere we turn, we are faced with fake news stories, television reality shows, and viral social media videos. The list goes on and on (and on). With so much happening, it is hard to get rid of the noise. Televisions are constantly on, smart phones are at the ready and the people around you are always saying something. Have you also noticed that most of the time what we are hearing is not positive and it does us no good?
With so much going on at one time, it is important that you find that quiet place where you can have some time devoted just to you and what is important to you. It could be time spent with your spouse talking about your relationship. We need that quiet time with the Lord each an everyday. Or it could be time thinking about self-improvement. Whatever you do in your quiet time, it is important that you make the time for it. For my wife and me, we believe that it is important that we turn off the television, the computer and the smart phones about an hour before going to bed. This is time when we talk, read or listen to the Bible. This is something that we try to do each night and are working on making that happen.
Finding Your Quiet Place
Ironically, for me the place where I find the quietest place is in the yard while I am cutting the grass. Oddly enough, the roar of the lawnmower’s engine drowns out the world’s distractions and I can focus my attention on me. I am talking to God about what is going on, mediating on decisions that I have to make or thinking about how I can make adjustments to my life to improve my life. For that hour when I am cutting the grass, the outside world is a million miles away and I am at peace.
The Quiet Place
Where is your quiet place? Do you even have one? What do you do when you there? Let me know in the comments section below.
My hubby and I saw a really cool exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum, and the last day to see it is Sunday, September 17th.
Often when you think of fashion exhibitions, you think of women’s fashion – haute couture dresses, free-flowing ballgowns and the like. However with Reigning Men, menswear takes the stage with this exhibition that was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Drawing on its own collection and from generous loans from private collectors, the exhibition examines men’s fashion from 1715 to 2015, featuring more than 150 pieces including zoot suits, military uniforms, and swimming suits. I have always been fascinated by the changes in men’s fashion, I even wrote my masters thesis on the subject. When I heard that this exhibition was coming to the Gateway City, I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to see it.
Inside Exhibit, Picture taken without Flash
I had requested for press pictures to include in this review; but I never received them from the Museum. It was awesome that we could take my own photographs, as long as I didn’t use a flash.
Excerpt of Exhibit from the St. Louis Art Museum as you enter.
Picture taken without flash at SLAM
Trailer about the exhibit
One of my favorites of the exhibit is Oscar Wilde in a smoking jacket. The richness of the velvet looks regal, but comfy; and transcends the time period that he would have worn it.
Oscar Wilde in smoking jacket Picture taken without flash at SLAM
The exhibit had so much apparel to showcase, I could of stayed there for hours to read the label each label. Do you see the picture below with the traditional Tuxedo jacket with tails and the non-traditional Tuxedo that was donated by Cameron Silver (who sells Halston apparel on QVC) with the tails in the back and in the front where the cummerbund would be. It almost looks like an elaborate apron that would have been worn by a maitre’ d at a restaurant or servant working in an English country manor. To see this garment up close was quite the treat.
Dapper in Tails Picture taken without flash at SLAM
These fur coats remind me so much of photographs that I have seen of my grandfather in his sporty car in the 1950s. Wearing fur was seen as a status symbol and showed off your wealth. I can only imagine how heavy it would have been to wear one of these jackets.
Image from the Exhibit – Picture taken without flash at SLAM
Here is another image from the exhibit – is a look at the aristocratic uniforms and clothing of the 18th Century.
PIcture from the Exhibit
My hubby and I enjoyed seeing the many styles of men’s clothing from the last three hundred years. We ended the experience with a selfie.
J & T taking selfie at the St. Louis Art Museum
If you have not had a chance to see the exhibition and you are in the St. Louis area, please stop by the St. Louis Art Museum to see Reigning Men.
The exhibit had a short run and I am glad we were able to see it before it closed. If you are unable to make it, you can also see the virtual exhibition by clicking here or purchase an exhibit catalogue which includes photographs and descriptions of each piece from the exhibition.
St. Louis, Missouri is experiencing some tough times; so all I can say is I continue to pray for this city and the world. Right now, I am listening to U2 on my Bose while I am writing this. My husband had surprised me with tickets to the U2 concert here in the Gateway City. It was meant to be a part of our 18th wedding anniversary celebration. The concert was suppose to be tonight; but was canceled this morning. On Friday, a local judge ruled a St. Louis Police Officer not guilty in a murder trial of a local man. Protests and unrest spread throughout the city, including the destruction of several buildings and the even the Mayor’s home. I am not bummed at all about the concert, considering the Police Force was not able to provide adequate security for the concert.
Two U2 Tickets
Statement from U2 “Live Nation and U2 regrettably announce their St. Louis show scheduled for tonight, September 16, 2017 has been cancelled. “We have been informed by the St. Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size. We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity. In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert. As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment.” – Live Nation and U2 Fans who purchased tickets online will receive a refund on the credit card tickets were ordered on. Refunds for non-internet purchases will be available starting Monday at 10am at point of purchase.” Statement from U2.com
I know there is anger over the recent decision; but breaking windows at the public library and spray painting the mayors’ home is not peaceful protests. I see images of protestors giving peaceful demonstrations. I see images of tear gas in the air and people running in the streets. I am saddened by this and the way for therapy is for me to pray and write.
The St. Louis I know is a big city with a down home feel and I know that is stained right now.
My head is all over the place but my pastor is so true that the way to defeat violence is on our knees in prayer.
There’s a lot of fear in the air. Psalm 91 keeps coming up in my head and it is a prayer that my husband and I stand on everyday.
Psalm 91Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB)
1 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my hope and my fortress: my God; in him will I secure myself.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the mortal pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings thou shalt be secure: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 Thousands shall fall at thy side and ten thousands at thy right hand, but it shall not come near thee.
8 Surely with thine eyes thou shalt behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, who is my hope, even the most High, thy habitation,
10 no evil shall befall thee, neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thy foot stumble against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he has set his will upon me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and glorify him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my saving health.
We can always show love and keep that flow going each day.
The Joyce Meyer Calendar quote for the day.
“Our heavenly Father wants us to know that we are his precious little ones – His children – and that when we come to Him as such, we show faith in Him which releases Him to care for us.”
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1 KJV
Please stand in agreement with me for peace in St. Louis.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Follow!