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Handcrafted Silver Jewelry: The Plus-Size Woman’s Dream

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:04:14 +0000

There’s little argument that we live in a world designed for our thinner sisters. Those of us who are more bountiful can often feel as though we’re on the outside looking in – especially when it comes to fashion accessories. Sure, we can buy accessories like barrettes and earrings, but when it comes to pendants on chains, bracelets, and rings, we’re often out of luck. The chains simply aren’t long enough, the bracelets are too tight, and the rings simply aren’t big enough. That’s why it’s a godsend to find handcrafted silver jewelry made by artisans who care enough to create lovely pieces that “fit” plus-size women.

Silver Chains

The challenges we face in the world of fashion accessories are often a matter of chain length. Whether for necklaces, bracelets, or anklets, the answer is to find chains that are custom-sized for any length. Thanks to the Internet, custom-length chains are only a few clicks away.

When you’re shopping for silver chains, look for a source that offers dozens of different kinds of chain. You’ll then have the same kind of selection that average-sized women have. Perhaps you like box, rope, or bar and link chain; maybe you like the elegant sophistication of herringbone or the more substantial Byzantine or Madeira styles. The bottom line is that you should have access to a wide variety of choices that are .925 sterling silver and that are priced by the inch.

Clasps and Fasteners

The telltale signs of quality bracelets and necklaces are the clasps and fasteners. When jewelry is assembled commercially, the fasteners are literally the weak links; all too often, they simply come apart and cause you to lose your chain. High quality handcrafted silver jewelry, on the other hand, has caps that are soldered on and jump rings that are soldered closed so that the ring connecting the clasp to the chain can’t open.

Rings to be Treasured

Gemstone rings are wonderful fashion accessories, but they also make great gifts. While there are traditional birthstones for every month (January – garnet; February – amethyst; March – bloodstone or aquamarine; April – diamond; May – emerald; June – pearl or moonstone; July – ruby; August – sardonyx or peridot; September – sapphire or lapis lazuli; October – opal or pink tourmaline; November – topaz or citrine; December – turquoise, zircon, or tanzanite), there are also astrological birthstones based on a Zodiac sign’s ruling planet.

You know that you’ve found a reputable establishment when it’s upfront about whether or not its gemstones have been enhanced. If a stone is not naturally mined, its description should indicate that it has, for example, been heated or irradiated (an accepted practice, since some stone colors – like ruby and sapphire – rarely occur in nature). Similarly, it should be noted if a stone is reconstituted from powder or stabilized using liquid acrylic. Again, the jewelry industry approves of these methods, but they should still be disclosed.

Final Tip: Bigger May be Better

As plus-size women, we have the luxury of being able to wear larger pieces of handcrafted silver jewelry. Don’t be afraid to opt for wider chains, larger earrings, or bigger gemstones. We can pull it off – beautifully!

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Buying A Watch As A Gift

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:58 +0000

A nice quality designer watch will be a much appreciated by either gender. A fine quality designer watch will always make a big impression.
Tak the time to consider some of our suggestions and this will go a long way to helping you make the right choice.

The first thing you need to do is do a little research to discover what the person likes.
Consider your options: gold, white gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, leather bands, etc.

Each of these options has its own style and makes its own statement. Take the time to choose the one most fitting for the recipient.

Select a basic watch style. General watch types include the mechanical wind-up types, self-winding and quartz, which are powered by batteries.

Look for extra features, such as a built-in calendar, an appointment alarm, a heartbeat monitor, etc. Have fun customizing the watch to the recipient’s specific lifestyle.

Shop only within your price range, watches can run upward of $10,000, so set a range first and then limit your shopping to your budget.

From complicated watches made for divers or trekkers to fashionable watches that do a bit more than tell time, sports watches are all the rage.

Choose a sports watch with basic features if you’re not buying it for a specific sport. These include alarm(s), water resistance, a timer or stopwatch function, an illuminator and the original band.

Opt for more advanced features if you know they will be used by the wearer. These can include altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass and data-link features.

Choose a sport-specific watch if you know what sports the recipient enjoys. These include specialized watches for divers, runners, surfers, etc.

Be sure the band will fit comfortably around the person’s wrist. It should be somewhat adjustable.

Check the guarantee and return policies so that the watch can be returned if another model is desired.

Set the watch to the correct time prior to wrapping.

If the watch is quartz, include an extra battery wrapped as a present topper.

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Give A Heart Necklace This Holiday

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:00:39 +0000

The holiday is almost here and you know what that means! That means that it is time to start thinking about getting her that perfect necklace. All women fall over themselves to get a heart necklace. The heart shape is the universal symbol of love and this holiday season is the season for you to get the love of your life her very own heart shaped necklace.

You have a few different choices, many actually. It seems like the heart necklace is getting more and more creative all of the time. Who knew that there were so many things to be done with a simple heart design? It is amazing what these jewelers come up with and they are all so gorgeous.

There are a multitude of gem choices for you to choose from as well as metals. You can choose silver, platinum or gold. I have even seen some magnificent copper heart necklaces out there in stores. Of course the two top sellers as far as gems go are rubies and diamonds but that does not mean you cannot choose a different stone. If the love of your life loves aquamarines or emeralds then choose them, whatever will make her the happiest of all is the way to go.

There are also a few different places that you can go to buy your heart necklace. There are the typical offline stores that are a favorite among many and there are the stores online. When it comes to online shopping you can choose a retailer, a wholesaler or even an auction site. Each of these types of stores have their own pros and cons. My advice is to check out all of you options in order to see where you can get the best price on the most gorgeous heart shaped necklaces. Chances are you will find the best deals online so start there.

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Shopping Offline And Online…

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:00:11 +0000

Shopping is an activity that almost of all us have to endure rather we like it or not. Not everyone was born to shop, while if you ask most of us women, we were! Shopping can be extremely fun, especially when you find that perfect item, you have been searching for or find a great deal. When you want to shop online, there are a few things you should be mindful of so you do not make wrong choices or become confused. This article is geared towards helping you have an enjoyable shopping experience online.

The first thing you want to make sure of with any online retailer is to make sure they are extremely secure. There are a few things you can look for to ensure this, first you should look for some sign of a digital certificate in use by that specific retailer. Shopping online is a great resource for those without a lot of time to spend in a department store, but it should be with a retailer that has the consumer’s best interest in mind from beginning to end. When being transferred to the screen to make the transaction, look at the bottom of the webpage and make sure you see a symbol that resembles a “lock” it should be closed. If you click upon this, it will provide you with all details about the security and its verification. Another strong indication will be the web address; it should begin with https and not http

Another thing you should look for is the shopping standards the online store has with their procedures. You should have ease in shopping and checking out, everything should run smoothly beginning to end. You will required to provide shipping and billing information, occasionally you could be asked to think up a password and username to ensure that you will have easier access in your future shopping ventures.

You should also check that the website offers a high level of customer service and support. Email only is not efficient; they should clearly publicize their business telephone number, email address, and physical address. You should not be afraid to call them prior to doing business with them if you want to make sure they are a reputable and real company. Make sure you feel comfortable in shopping with any online retailer prior to any transaction.

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Fashion Tips for Women Online

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:24:43 +0000

A noted philosopher and politician Aristotle once said, women are the best creatures of god.

And for ‘you’ creatures that are bold, beautiful, gracious and smart, wrapping and carrying yourself is of utmost importance. According to the varying shape and size or body shape and colors, etc, here are few wrapping and carrying tips i.e. Fashion Tips For Women.

But before jumping into those tips to make you smarter, beautiful and bold definitely you would like to know What is Fashion for Women, especially if you are a bit extra cautious about your looks and appearance.

Fashion For Women

Women are directly linked with fashion. It would be right to say that the word fashion is synonyms to woman. It is something more than wearing clothing. If you are an urban beauty, the fashion trend and style should go well and that too in advance with you. Few of the factors that define your fashion statement are body frame, skin tone, level of comfort and personal attitude.

So beautiful ladies, come on, lets have a feel according to your body frame, skin tone and after all your level of comfort.

Body Frame- Are you a plump women, if yes, try avoiding sleeveless cuts. Choose dark color clothing rather than lighter shades. Or prefer over a range of dull colors like dull blue or dirty blue. If you wear small prints and vertical line prints, you will look slimmer. If you have extra pounds in you, avoid kota sarees and cotton sarees and stick to Chiffon and Georgette Sarees.

Choose beige and fawn colors, if you have a medium structure. In case of blouses, try on nets as these are of great help in disguising physical flaws.

Thin women, cheer up, you will look gorgeous in all the color ranges. All the colors and shades will suits on you. You also can try on sleeveless, deep cuts and strapped blouses.

Skin Tone- If you have fair complexion, gold with a blend of copper will make you cool. If you are a medium / wheatish colored, prefer mix shades of white, beige and bronzy golden. If you have dark skin, prefer to wrap yourself in golden copper shades.

Personal Attitude and Level of comfort- Your attitude and level of comfort is very important along with your appearance and clothing sense. If you want to maintain a cosmopolitan outlook but do not feel very much comfortable with western wear, try Indo Western style. A blend of Indo Western style should add an extra charm to your personality. A boat necked saree with a squared necked blouse is definitely for a shy and introvert women. Bold ‘n’ beautiful should choose from sleeveless, deep-necked blouses and may be straps.

So no matter what is your body frame and skin tone or how bold is your personality, fashion is for you, LADIES.

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The Shopping Splurge

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:00:04 +0000

Should we SPLURGE?

That is the unrequited question for womankind, isn’t it? This is quite possibly the “age old” question for the fashion savior-faire crowd of the world. The answer should come effortlessly; unfortunately we can’t all afford to say yes to every expensive pair of heels that summons us or every pricey piece that catches our eye.

What exactly is it that causes us to lose all common sense and spend more than our bank accounts or maxed out credit cards will allow? Splurging is like a drug that picks you up out of that dark hole on a bad day. It can also serve as a reward system. “I just got a promotion, why can’t I buy those pair of Manolos I’ve been hopelessly drooling over at Neiman for the past 6 months?” Sometimes it’s all about the label, sometimes it’s all about the trend, sometimes it’s just the way it makes you feel. The important thing is that it’s fun and it feels good to splurge…on occasion that is. This is where the savvy splurge comes in. A savvy splurge should be something that could be considered a “good investment.” It is these splurges that will last through the ever changing trends of the fashion world. But who is to say that the great pair of pink Ugg boots with the jewels on them or that super-cute hobo peasant skirt aren’t going to carry us through the 21st century? For all you girls out there who think every trendy piece of jewelry and every must have pair of shoes will in fact make a comeback in the year 2015, we might have a thing coming to us when those credit card companies decide to decrease our spending limits, or worse yet, suspend our cards!

So, the key to splurging is deliberation and occasion. If you’ve really thought it through and honestly, after you leave the store and come back a couple times, believe you absolutely HAVE to have that purse, go ahead and SPLURGE! Just make sure this process doesn’t tend to happen on a weekly or even monthly basis. And for those of you who don’t have the liberty of splurging on an $800 bag, stores like Forever 21, Styles for Less and even the local vintage shop or quick online clothing wholesaler come in handy for those ever-popular trends that might be over with a blink of an eye. So when you decide to take the plunge, make sure you are going to get the miles out of those pricey additions to your already fabulous wardrobe.

Happy shopping!

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Mystery Shopping

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:00:55 +0000

There is nothing for free. But how about almost free, or free with little effort? Ah ha! Now that you’re paying attention, let’s talk about the world of Mystery Shopping.

Mystery Shopping, or being a secret shopper, is merely evaluating a product or service, and then getting paid to do it. The only stipulation is that you must be covert about it. The list of assignments is literally endless. You could be asked to go to a fast food restaurant, a clothing store, an employment agency, a car repair establishment, receive a bouquet of flowers, get your eyes checked, be a potential renter in an apartment complex, or eat out at a fine dining restaurant. Many will reimburse you for the item they required you to purchase and also give you a small bonus ($8-$15) on top of that. Sometimes you’re allowed to spend $40 for dinner and you’ll get an extra $10 if you submit your report on time. Other times you will be reimbursed only for what you purchased and that’s it. Each company compensates differently.

Like everything, there are a few downsides. Perhaps “areas of consideration” is a more appropriate word to use here. What is your time worth? Sometimes you’ll be offered a gig where you have to stay in a store for 20 minutes and interact with different employees. Then you need to come home and fill out a three page report detailing every single tidbit that happened. You may have driven 40 miles round trip and you’ll get a check for $10 when all is said and done. Consider how much your time and a tank of gasoline is worth. The assignment may fit your situation just fine. Also you may be asked to go to a boatload of fast food restaurants and purchase Crabby Patties. Now suddenly you need an entire new wardrobe because it appears your dryer is shrinking all of your pants. You just need to evaluate where you want to go and determine if you are willing to do the assignment for the agreed upon compensation.

Getting started is rather simple. Google the words “Mystery Shoppers” or “Mystery Shopping” or “Secret Shopping”. From there you’ll see a plethora of companies that work in this arena. Visit each site to sign up to become a shopper. They’ll ask you for basic contact information. Some will ask why you want to be a shopper. Others might ask for a sample of your writing. This is to insure you can complete an evaluation report. It could take 4-6 weeks before you hear back from some. Some will phone you, some will send you emails and some will send assignments in the mail (note: most have done away with snail mail assignments). Register with as many companies that interest you.

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Good Girls Guide To Buying Lingerie

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:00:24 +0000

With the popularity of Lingerie boutiques in shopping malls across America the stigma of buying and wearing lingerie is now a thing of the past. However for women who’ve never bought lingerie before or are still a little shy about visiting a store here’s our guide for styles you are likely to encounter.

Baby Doll Set
A baby doll set encompasses a large category of lingerie items. Basically it’s a two piece set, consisting of a robe or loose billowy top and matching bottom. The top is always loose fitting and comes in just below the bust line, like an empire bodice. The top is very loose fitting and short, ending at or just below your rear. Baby doll sets are available in wide variety of fabrics from silk and satin to sheer lace.

Chemise
A chemise is a short flowing A-line gown that’s longer than a baby doll. The top usually has spaghetti or halter straps. The angular shape of a chemise looks good on almost every figure type. If you are concerned about your mid-section look for a style that has built in figure control. Sometimes a chemise comes with a matching bottom, but this varies from style to style. The fabric choices range from patterned and solid silks to very revealing lace, so there is something for everyone’s taste.

Camisole
A camisole is female undershirt. It is loose fitting and has thin spaghetti straps that go over the shoulder. It’s usually paired with a matching bottom. Camisoles are now also available as outwear. While they are not usually worn as formal office attire, they can be worn for casual occasions.

Corset
A corset is the opposite of a camisole. It’s a structured garment that has bones or ribs to force your body into certain proportions. The effects of a corset can be very dramatic, and can create a very enticing curvy shape. Some corsets are more difficult to wear than others, depending on how much shaping they are doing. If you’ve never worn one before choose something that’s not so difficult to get into. Corsets are also now being made as outwear. While not something you would wear to the office, they are perfect for a dinner party, club or night on the town.

Bridal Set
A bridal set or merry widow as it’s sometimes known also covers a wide variety of items. Basically it’s a set that consists of a bra, corset or camisole top. It also has matching panties, and usually a garter belt and stockings. The styles range from silk or satin sets with full coverage to skimpy string sets with very minimal overage.

Boy Shorts
If you’ve never heard of boy shorts think of sexy hot pants for your bedroom. They offer full coverage on the sides and some coverage on your rear. Conservative styles cover most if not all of your rear, the more daring styles give you partial coverage. Boy shorts are figure hugging or shaping, something those of us with less than perfect bodies will appreciate. They come in wide variety of fabric choices from comfortable cotton to see through lace.

Bikini
Bikini bottoms offer full coverage on your rear, and have thin straps on the side. They are available in loose fitting of figure hugging styles in a wide variety of fabric choices.

Thong
A thong offers full to minimal coverage in the front, and has thin sides usually 1” to ½” in width that come to a t shape in the rear. The t-shape gives you practically no coverage on your rear. Thongs are now worn just as frequently outside of the bedroom as they are in it. If you are wearing tight, or figure hugging clothing a thong is your best solution to combat visible panty line. Cotton, lycra or micro-fiber fabrics are the most comfortable for extended wear thongs.

G-String
While the back of a thong has very minimal coverage with a narrow strip a g-string offers you no coverage, with a simple single strand or string, usually 1/8” or less in width, not for the faint of heart.

Garter Belt
A garter belt is made of piece of fabric that wraps around your hips and usually has four straps (one for the front and back of each leg). Sometimes the straps are attached to the lower edge of a corset or camisole top. These straps attach to the top of stockings, holding them up. The proper way to wear a garter belt is to attach the stockings first, then put on your panties. While this may look strange you’ll understand why the first time you need to visit the bathroom.
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Use A Catalog Today

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:00:51 +0000

Most people that I know love to shop for new things. There is something great about getting something new to wear or to use in your home or office. The problem, however, is that there are so many places to shop that it can become a time consuming event that no one really has time for. I have found that one of the best ways to shop for all the things I need and want is to use a catalog.

Using a catalog for shopping has become my new best friend. One of the greatest things about it is that I can shop from home. No more piling the kids in the van and heading off for hours of shopping at various stores. It can be much easier and much more time efficient to stay at home, let the kids play, and shop from a catalog.

The great thing today is that most stores have a catalog available to customers. You can easily call the customer service department of the store you are interested in and have a catalog sent to your home for little or no charge. Some stores even allow you to sign up for a subscription to their catalog online. Think about the stores you love to shop in and then figure out how to get a catalog from each of them. By using a catalog you will not have to sacrifice finding great items at any of your favorite stores.

Using a catalog to shop allows you to really explore your options before making a purchase. You can compare similar products and prices in different catalogs and make sure that you are making the best purchase for you. The more catalogs you collect, the more products you will have to choose from. Gather a catalog from as many stores as you can and then enjoy searching them for the best deals.

Because my life is so crazy and busy, I find that there is no better way to shop than to use a catalog. I find that using a catalog rather than hopping around from store to store saves me so much time and energy. I can browse a catalog when I just have a few spare minutes instead of waiting to shop until I have a few free hours.

If you are looking for a simple way to take care of all your shopping needs, consider shopping from a catalog today.

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Change Your Shopping Habits To Save Gas, Save Money, And Enjoy

admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:00:55 +0000

Today, when I was filling up my car at a mind-boggling $3 per gallon, the truth of the moment hit me. Why are we still driving around town to buy the things we need when most of it is easily available online?

With online retail offering wider selection and lower prices than ever in history, doing your shopping at favorite web sites just makes sense. Almost all sites offer fast delivery with shipping costs dropping in recent years. It also makes a lot more sense for the environment and economy if one large truck delivers our purchases rather than all of us driving all over town individually. In the end we save money, save gas, and do our part toward lowering gas prices and improving the economy.

Of course, one of the main reasons we like to shop at our favorite stores is it’s fun! Nothing helps me relax like spending time picking out a lovely item for my home. I’m sure many of you feel the same.

You don’t need to forsake that enjoyment when you shop online. Today web sites offer vast selection that no “brick and mortar” store can. For example, the online store I founded specializes in LUXURY items for bed and bath. If you don’t want just the same old sheets, for example, you can come to my store to find a very large selection of luxury sheets.

And when I say “large,” I mean FAR bigger selection than any local store could ever offer. On my site, you can browse among over 200 name-brand products covering every style and color you can think of.

My store is just one example of what online shopping can be. The key to understanding this massive electronic shopping movement is to know online stores offer much more depth. Whereas Wal-Mart usually only offers 2 or 3 versions of a single product, online stores often specialize in a single area, offering hundreds of versions of a single product.

You can choose from different product versions that have come from all over the world, many with stylistic features and technological innovations that you may not have thought of.

Additionally, online stores let you use handy search features to quickly browse through their many offerings. Watch for links at the top of many pages that let you click to either more general pages or more specific information on a particular product.

Once you get the hang of online shopping — and by now most of us have — doing your shopping on web sites is fun and fast. Change your shopping to online retail sites. You’ll have fun, save money, get better selection, and do our nation and economy a big favor.

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