Jewellery That Goes With Absolutely Any Outfit And Make Perfect Gifts

There are certain items of jewellery that you can wear at any time or even all the time as they don’t warrant any special occasion or event. These extremely versatile pieces of jewellery make ideal gifts for almost anyone providing you have some idea about their sense of style. Obviously, shopping online for these items is the most convenient way of buying as there is an almost infinite choice of styles and designs and you don’t even have to leave the house! If you are buying for a family member, this is quite an easy task as in all likelihood, you will know what they like.

But what sort of jewellery do you buy as a gift? Well, unless you are buying for your significant other, it’s a good idea to buy something attractive rather than symbolic. Silver is a good choice of precious metal as it goes with almost anything and is usually well received by all age groups. If buying for children or older people, look for something age-appropriate, many websites will have a drop-down menu where you can buy something for various age groups.

Please see below for a list of jewellery that are usually considered safe choices if you are buying as a gift or wearing it for any occasion:

Bracelets – Bracelets make excellent gifts for both men and women regardless of age. The choice on offer is wide and varied and range from chunky solid silver bracelets to dainty ornate pieces that look good on smaller people. Resist the temptation of buying anything too gaudy or extravagant, best to keep it simple for a timeless look.

Rings – Rings are slightly harder to buy as gifts as they are highly personal. This is obviously not a problem if you are buying an engagement ring or wedding ring for your fiancée but for everyone else, care should be taken. Again, something relatively simple yet attractive in silver or tungsten will usually tick the boxes as a gift that is thoughtful yet understated.

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Earrings – Earrings are probably the easiest jewellery to buy for yourself or even as a gift for someone. The usual, common-sense approach of not buying anything too loud or extravagant applies, unless of course you know the recipient will appreciate them! From diamond studs for your wife to pearl earrings for your mum or grandmother, there is certainly a world of choice when it comes to earrings.

Necklaces – Providing you know the recipient fairly well, you can choose from a wide range of necklaces to suit all. They don’t have to cost much and in fact, you can get some really quite stunning tribal style necklaces that are certainly on-trend for many people.

The most important thing to consider when buying jewellery is the quality. It should be well-made and obviously not too cheap. It may also be worth checking that the retailer has a comprehensive returns policy, this is especially pertinent if you are buying a wedding or engagement ring and you get the wrong size in error.

First Image Source: Pexels

What To Look Out For When Buying Glasses Online

In today’s digital age, purchasing goods online is like second nature to us. From technology and holidays to fashion and health products, there are no limits to what can be brought through the World Wide Web today.

Even though buying online is normal these days, there are still a number of things you want to look out for. It’s true that not all websites and digital stores are created equal, so you’re going to want to weigh up a few of the considerations in this article.

When it comes to men’s polarized sunglasses, you may want to look at Humps Optics for the ultimate solutions. With a great range to choose from, you’ll find a variety of styles to suit your budget and fashion preferences. They are a trusted store which is also another important factor as many online optical stores will say they are fit for purpose but in reality, they just aren’t up to the standard for providing sufficient protection for your eyes.

So, whenever you are about to buy glasses, whether sunglasses or everyday optical glasses, you will want to consider the following factors.


What To Look Out For When Buying Glasses Online


* How Durable They Are
– You want to ensure the quality is there. If they break on the first few wears or the frame chips, then the quality and durability obviously were not strong enough. Opting for well-known brands on accredited stores provide good insight into the best quality glasses for the type of purposes you are looking for. You want to ensure they are offering polycarbonate lenses that are resistant to scratches and glare and offer high UV protection.

* Be Extra Careful For Complex Prescriptions – If you are seeking an intricate prescription such as multifocal lenses, then you may want to leave this for instore or at least have your exact prescription written by an optician before searching for it online. This way, you know exactly what you’re looking for.

* Look For Vision Insurance – Some websites do not accept vision insurance which means you might lose out on money saved. You will want to search around to see if insurance is something the online retailer offers.

Image Source: Unsplash

* The Returns Policy – Shopping online always comes with risks. It is tricky to try a pair of sunglasses on to know that it suits you and that you feel comfortable wearing it. This is why you want to ensure there is a good returns policy in place so you can try before you commit to the purchase. There are also great apps you can download that help you see how frames suit your face before you purchase. There are online retailers who will send you a pair to try on before you buy!

* Ensure The Store Has Different Styles – You need variety when shopping online. Make sure the online store has a mixture of frames you like so you have plenty to choose from, depending on the activities you are doing and your personal stylistic preferences.

Above are the online shopping tips to keep in mind to ensure that you get not only a quality purchase but also a pair of sunglasses you need and want.

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A Guide To Calculating The Value Of An Antique Diamond

Diamonds take literally millions of years to form under intense pressure from tectonic plates, and these pure carbon stones are very valuable in their own right, yet when we are talking about a diamond that is set into an antique jewellery item, there is much to consider when appraising its value.

Image Source: Pexels

The 4 Cs
The 4 Cs are used to grade diamonds, namely: cut, colour, clarity, and carat. To a large extent, the same would apply to a diamond set into an antique piece of jewellery. Admittedly, cuts have been developed a lot in the past 50 years, and modern diamonds tend to have more brilliance than stones from antique or vintage jewellery. 

The Cut Of The Stone
As mentioned, diamond cuts of today tend to make the stone more brilliant, and if you are looking for a suitable diamond engagement ring, Kalmar Antiques has a collection of engagement rings at very attractive prices, and with a range of cuts, you can choose one that best shows off the stone.

The Clarity Of The Diamond
There may be surface marks on an old diamond and this could affect its value. If an antique diamond has some inclusions, this would affect the price also. It is important to clean a diamond that is inset into an antique jewellery item prior to inspecting it for clarity.

The Colour Of The StoneImage Source: Pexels

Some antique diamonds have a yellowish tint and this can affect the value, and generally speaking, the less colour, the higher the value. Many vintage jewellery items contain coloured diamonds, as they have always been popular, with pinks, blues, reds and yellows commonly found in antique and vintage rings.

Carat Size
One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, and as you would expect, the lower the carat weight, the less valuable the diamond. It is difficult to know the exact weight of a diamond when it is part of a jewellery item, and most jewellers could make a calculated guess. Here is some more detailed information concerning the grading of diamonds, which is recommended reading if you are a novice collector.

Have The Diamond AppraisedImage Source: Unsplash

If you want an accurate appraisal of a diamond, you can ask an expert to assess the stone, and this will give you an accurate assessment of its value. Most jewellers offer such a service and if you are buying a diamond antique or vintage engagement ring, you can ask the dealer for an appraisal of the diamonds. In some cases, the real value of the diamond lies in the value of the antique jewellery item, which might be extremely rare and therefore have more value than the flat price of the stone.

If you are looking for that ideal vintage diamond engagement ring, start your quest with an online search, as the online antique dealer has a wide collection of quality items, all at very affordable prices.

JT Style File: Mad For Plaid

Hi Lovely People,

Christmas is right around the corner and I must say I decorated and cleaned over a period of days and it really made relaxing and even more enjoyable. I plan to share some of my holiday favorite decorations so stay tuned. As I am writing this post, I am listening to the Bible app Dwell. I just came inside from playing with my hubby and puppies in the freshly fallen snow. I am a little different, I would rather play in the snow than be on the beach in the wintertime.

It has been hard to find a good plaid skirt. I happen to see on QVC a tartan plaid skirt from the Joan Rivers collection. The color options were red plaid and blue plaid. I decided to get the blue and was priced at $66.00. The fabric content is 65% polyester and 35% rayon. I have until January to return it if it’s not what I think it should be. I actually had to size down to an extra small because the skirt is fully gathered and if not styled right can seem quite overpowering. I carry my weight in my hips so I have to be aware of that kind of style moment. The skirt also has an elastic waist and pockets. In the image below my hubby and I are in the process of getting out Christmas decorations so what a perfect time to take a picture. I literally was feeling the variation of blues with the denim jacket and turtleneck.  I went with black tights and  L’artiste ankle boots in a olive with a floral pattern to spice it up a bit.

I decided to accessorize the outfit with a Joan Rivers Poinsettia bee brooch. Even though the colors are red and green it doesn’t give off holiday so the bee pin can be worn all year long.

The QVC models styled the skirt as more of a holiday party and they each wore heels. However, I wanted to see what a casual ensemble would look like. I must admit the skirt is very full so I may still be on my search for the right plaid skirt for me. I have two wool plaid skirts that I have had for some years and was seeing what was out there in the fashion arena.

I am very self-conscious of my hips and if anything accentuates them anymore I am not a happy camper. I am not body shaming myself just aware of certain parts of my body that I don’t want to look any larger than what they are already.

Do you wear plaid? How do you style it, skirt, pants, scarf, dress? Please let me know.

JT Style File: Fall to Winter

Hello, Beautiful People,

This week has been a whirlwind of fall to winter in a day. On Sunday, my hubby was cutting up the leaves with the lawnmower while I worked on bringing the perennial plants inside the house. Then on Monday, the very next day, we had at least 3 inches of snow. I really enjoy watching and playing in the snow so I was tickled pink.  I’m have been listening to Christmas music for a while now. I am different. I actually like to play in the snow, I enjoy it and thank the Lord my hubby does too.

JTwisdom in GILI quilted coat

My hubby photographed the burning bush with its red leaves covered so delicately in snow. It snowed off and on throughout the day.  It was beautiful. Even though Monday was Veteran’s Day, my hubby and I still had to go into work because it was no holiday for us.  My hubby and I had to take it slow in the JEEP.

Burning Bush covered in snow

What do I wear?
When temperatures are from mild to cold what are we suppose to wear?
I learned long ago that I have to dress for the day. It’s been colder than normal this November so the layers pop out of the closets. With a high 27 one day,  I pulled out a soutache sweater that I recently purchased (on sale) from Soft Surroundings. It retailed for $90 but I snagged it on sale for an amazing price of $19.99. The sweater has a wide bateau neckline so I added a slim-lined turtleneck and I paired the sweater with my Isaac Mizrahi brocade print pants, Clark ankle boots, and Patricia Nash leather backpack.

I haven’t taken many pictures because I’m working on getting my body more tone and tight. No body-shaming just a fact. After nine years of blogging, I’m still surprised that I do what I do. It has only been God that takes me out of my comfort zone. I have never been a size 0 and don’t have a million followers but I have always been told that if you touch one person’s life it’s all worth it. Being thankful and grateful, I am humbled. God is good.

I am listening to some Harry Connick,Jr. right now and it feels like the holiday season.  Check out the video to the song, Just One of Things, Harry Connick, Jr. A Celebration of Cole Porter. Jazz was a favorite of my daddy’s and it’s rubbed off on me.

Fab Fashion Giveaway

Fall is officially here and you know what that means. The temperatures are falling, the leaves are turning and the holidays will soon be here. This is my favorite time of the year when I get to wear my cashmere sweaters and leather coats, and the chance for snow is an everyday possibility.

I’m joining Katherine, from Katherines Corner for her annual Season of Giveaways!

There is a new giveaway every Saturday until Dec 14th! This is giveaway 1.

Please remember to subscribe and follow Katherine, her Sponsor, and all her Hostesses to earn all your entry opportunities.

Katherine –Katherines Corner

Lisa- Casa Bouquet

Bev- Eclectic Red Barn

Karren- Oh My Heartsie aGirl

Diane- Mamal Diane

Nancy- Nancy oh the Home Front

JT Wisdom- Bubbling with Elegance and Grace

Disclaimer -from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherines giveaways may have sponsors and/or reviews included. Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided through a sponsored giveaway. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to readers in order to provide an informed decision before the purchase. Katherines Corner and its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines (subject to product availability). This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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