Read This Before You Make Your Next Purchase, Regardless Of The Price

Shopping can be so much fun. You get to bring smiles to the faces of those you love by giving them the perfect gift. Of course, a little retail therapy is always great for you, too. Before you dive into your next shopping session, read the following useful tips to ensure you are a wise consumer of goods.

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If you are thinking of buying high-quality jewelry, do your research. 

A jewelry purchase is a huge monetary expenditure you do not want to go awry. That is why when you are ready to buy a valuable piece, such as a diamond, it is imperative for you to do your due diligence and learn more from another Angara review. Read all of the applicable reviews on the gems and jewelry and research the company to ensure you will be purchasing your gemstone from a reputable business.

 

Always read the fine print.

Regardless of what you buy and where you buy it from, you must read all of the documentation before you click to purchase or tap to pay. If the content has been presented for you to read and it expressly states that by completing the transaction, you consent to the terms, you are agreeing to that information whether you take the time to read it or not. It is ok to wait a few moments before you get your retail therapy fix so you know what you are getting into. 

 

When in doubt, ask for help.

You cannot know everything about the product you are interested in, or every product, for that matter. Sometimes you have more questions about something and want to understand it before you spend your hard-earned money. Or perhaps you need assistance with a problem regarding said product. When that happens, your best source of help is through the customer service channels. You should try whatever services are available to you, such as:

 

  • Customer Service Representatives 
  • AI Chatbots
  • Email
  • Social Media

 

Watch this video for helpful tips on how to get better customer service.

Understand the return policy.

One company’s return policy can vary widely from the next. To that end, you need to understand the parameters of the policy before you buy a product. While you may fully intend to keep your items, there is always the possibility that they will arrive damaged from shipping or not work once you are home and ready to use them. Clothing can have imperfections that may not be visible in the store, and the list goes on. Knowing the timeframe in which you can return an item, whether it will be for cash, a credit card refund, or store credit, and whether a sale is final will help you in the event that a problem arises.

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Now that you are armed with information on how to make the best-informed purchases, it is time to go shopping! Sit back on your comfy couch and click away. Or meet your bestie at the mall (they still exist) and grab a pretzel in the food court when you are finished.

How To Choose The Right Jewelry For Any Occasion

When you must dress to impress, it makes sense to complement your outfit with some breathtaking jewelry. Whether you’re dressing up for a social occasion or a business meeting, selecting the best accessories to accompany your outfit makes sense.

Do you find choosing the right jewelry for your special occasion daunting? Maybe the mere thought of it makes you feel overwhelmed and stressed out.

Don’t worry because you’re not alone in this predicament. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place because this handy guide will navigate you through the world of jewelry selection with confidence.

Take a look at the following ten tips, tricks, and inspirational ideas to help you make a statement:

1. Consider The Occasion

Thinking about the occasion might seem like an obvious thing to say, but it’s a crucial point because choosing the right jewelry helps you convey the appropriate message to other people.

Keep in mind that different events and settings call for varying levels of formality and style. For example, you should consider elegant, understated pieces for formal occasions, whereas bold and statement jewelry is more appropriate for parties or casual outings.

Thinking about the occasion will help you demonstrate thoughtfulness and respect for the event’s tone through your jewelry choices.

2. Coordinate Your Jewelry With Your Clothing

Another essential point to remember is coordination. You must ensure your jewelry enhances your outfit to create a harmonious and polished look.

You will doubtless be aware that some footwear works better with specific outfits than others – the same applies to jewelry. The last thing you want to do is wear jewelry that clashes with your clothing and makes a statement for the wrong reasons.

Think about your outfit’s colors, styles, and textures when selecting the right jewelry to accompany it.

3. Choose One Statement Piece Of Jewelry

Whether you’re getting dressed for a formal or casual event, one rule you should always remember is to select a single statement piece of jewelry. Doing so means it serves as a focal point on your body, helping to create a lasting impression of your attire.

The other jewelry you wear should be more subtle. Otherwise, you risk having a cluttered and distracting appearance.

What you select as your statement piece of jewelry is up to you. For example, you might choose a bracelet made of emeralds or a shimmering solitaire diamond necklace.

4. Use Jewelry That Looks Best With Your Skin Tone

As you know, the metal used in jewelry comes in different colors. You’ll also know that some colors work better with your skin tone than others, so it’s worth considering the best hues in your jewelry choices.

You want to select jewelry that harmonizes with your skin tone, resulting in a skin complexion that appears more radiant and balanced. Mismatched color choices can sadly draw attention away from your natural beauty.

If you have cool skin tones, platinum and white gold can be good choices, whereas if you have warm skin tones, you may wish to consider rose gold and yellow gold jewelry.

5. Think About The Color Of Gemstones

You will likely have or like wearing jewelry adorned with gemstones. Did you know that the color of gemstones can also influence your outfit’s overall look and feel?

Different gemstone colors convey distinct emotions and meanings. Take vibrant red rubies as an example – they symbolize love and passion, whereas serene blue sapphires can evoke a sense of calm and elegance.

As with the point above about skin tones, you should also consider which gemstone colors work best with yours.

Photo Source: Unsplash

6. Layer Bracelets To Create A Stylish Stack

Do you often wear bracelets with your outfits? If so, have you thought about layering them?

When you layer bracelets, you create a stylish stack that adds depth, personality, and versatility to your overall look. They help enhance the image you wish to portray and send out the right overall message to others at your social or professional event.

Consider a minimal bracelet stack for a casual event and a more elaborate one for a formal affair. Remember to keep your individual style in mind, as your bracelet stack should look unique yet impressive.

First Lady Jill Biden was Spotted Wearing Designer Heather B. Moore’s Jewelry

On several occasions, First Lady Jill Biden was spotted wearing designer Heather B. Moore’s personalized jewelry. Moore’s approachable designs have helped wearers personalize and memorialize important people, places, and events in their lives. Her designs have won industry awards for more than a decade.

“Our approach is to find out what’s most important to the customer,” says Moore. “It might be a drawing made by one of their children, the date or place they were married, or a note from one of their grandparents. Those define who you are, and we turn them into jewelry so that they are always with you. You might start out with one memory, like the day your child was born, then add to that over the years, one piece at a time.”

Dr. Biden has been spotted wearing several different combinations of her pieces (including at least one with her children’s names), something that the Heather B. Moore collection makes it easy to do.

“We help you pick the right pieces to express your style,” says Heather. “That way, you have a fresh look for each occasion. All of our pieces are handmade in the US, too, and designed right here in Cleveland, Ohio.”

Heather B. Moore was the original designer who brought personalization to fine jewelry. In addition to making her work available through dozens of fine jewelry stores across the country, Moore also offers online design services at heatherbmoore.com for those who don’t have a local source.

“I started this company to help people cherish who they are. Knowing that the FLOTUS is a fan is a dream come true!”

5 Tips on Choosing Winter Outfit Jewelry for Beginners

With winter’s chill comes heavy layers—which can make your favorite pieces of jewelry seem a little impractical.

After all, you think, bundling up means barely any skin exposed. There’s no point in putting on rings when your fingers will be covered with gloves. And the edges of your necklaces cause fabric snags with your precious cashmere sweaters.

Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks to finding the perfect winter outfit jewelry, no matter your style. Here’s how to display your bijouterie in the coldest months of the year.

1. Let It All Hang Out

Just because your ears are covered doesn’t mean your earrings need to be! Try a pair of dangling earrings under your winter hat to effortlessly jazz up a look, as long as you don’t forget to match it with your scarf as well.

Whether you like modern and bold earrings or options with more subtle and romantic details, a little bit of wind can make them look dashing. One caveat to keep in mind: in the worst of windy weather, save your earlobes with studs instead!

2. Add Some Silvery Shine

If you’ve considered buying jewelry online this winter, you’ve probably noticed the uptick in beautiful silvery pieces. Maybe it’s something about the hint of snow or the chilly weather, but silver is always in during the winter months!

You can choose substantial silver pieces to play up the drama of an outfit, or opt for delicate chains like the ones from Dreamland Jewelry. Add a sparkling pendant for a bit of shimmer, and you’re good to go!

3. Stop the Show

Did you know that Sri Lankan brides traditionally wear armbands to ward off bad luck? In the depths of winter, you should do the same—with a show-stopping cuff bracelet to add some flair to your look!

In general, winter is a good time to go big, as larger pieces are less likely to blow around in the wind like delicate pieces will. In addition, thinner bracelets may be drowned by chunky sweaters and oversized jackets.

Don’t forget to pick a cuff bracelet that allows you to adjust the size.

4. Add a Little Length

Longer necklaces look great in addition to your winter collection of turtlenecks, mock necks, and sweaters. When considering the length of necklaces, 18 inches or longer will do the trick. You can layer up for subtle, shimmering accents to a look or opt for heavier pieces to play well with heavier winter shirts and pants.

Make sure to pick smooth, flat necklaces to avoid fabric snags and save your favorite cardigans!

5. Play Peekaboo

It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find stunning ways to display your ring collection! Even if you have a minimal winter outfit budget, consider springing for a pair of stylish fingerless gloves or flip-top mitten gloves to show off your rings.

The latter can keep your fingers warm outside while letting you pull back the fabric for a hint of style once you’re indoors.

Finding the Right Winter Outfit Jewelry

No matter your style, finding the right winter outfit jewelry is all about playing with your winter wardrobe and the pieces you love. There are always clever ways to display your favorite necklaces, rings, and bracelets—and clever ways to incorporate new pieces into your outfits.

We love talking about style and fashion, no matter the season. If you enjoyed these insights, check out our other blogs!

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Affordable, Fine-Fashion, Hypoallergenic Jewelry: Misayo House Exquisite Jewelry Collection

Luxury jewelry tends to carry two myths: one, that it’s expensive and two, that’s it’s a frivolous purchase.  For those looking to shatter these concepts and look good at the same, Misayo House has the exquisite jewelry collection for you.
Made out of the highest quality hypoallergenic materials and stones, Misayo House jewelry is additionally double-plated in either genuine rhodium or 14-18 karat gold (white, yellow, and rose gold). The result is a high-end look that lasts.
Formed on the premise that fine-fashion jewelry can still be attainable, founder Idunnu Tomori carefully creates and curates pieces that rival their high-end counterparts without the hefty price tags.
What’s more beautiful than these jewelry pieces is the good they do for children in need. A portion of each purchase supports the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This cause is near and dear to Tomori’s heart as her younger daughter required a bone marrow transplant in 2017.
Misayo House also continues to support other charitable organizations by participating in nationwide fundraisers, “Shop For A Cause” events.
Why the Jewelry You Wear Right Now Matters
If you thought jewelry was an accessory only to be worn outside of the house, think again. Add some accents to your Zoom and video calls to stand out via your webcam that only shows your shoulders and up.
Choose from Classic Hoops in silver or gold to play up your look or for a hint of shimmer, Classic Stud Earrings compliment any outfit.

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Don’t forget to make a necklace your centerpiece! The LovedBlessed, and Thankful necklaces are best sellers. For an elegant look, check out the Pave Crescent necklace in gold and silver.

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Misayo House also carries a stunning collection of bracelets and rings.

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About Misayo House: Idunnu Tomori started her Atlanta-based business in 2015 to share her love of classic, timeless, and chic jewelry. Misayo, which means “Beautiful Generation” in Japanese, is the middle name of her older daughter, Tara. She stepped away from her decade-long career as a mental health therapist to care for her younger daughter Toni, who was born with Sickle Cell Anemia. In 2017 Toni had a Bone Marrow Transplant which is the only cure for Sickle Cell complications and her donor was none other than her big sister. Tomori began raising money to help provide support to other families at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Toni was being treated. Misayo House affirms her passion to give back as a portion of proceeds is donated to the Aflac Center and other nonprofit organizations.

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend: Your Ultimate Diamond Buying Guide

What does the word diamond mean?

Derived from the Greek word Adamas, the word diamond means invincible, and for good reasons too. Research shows the world’s youngest diamonds are about 1 billion years old, with the oldest ones dating back as far as 3.3 billion years!

Are you getting ready to buy a diamond for the first time? If you make the right choice, you’re setting yourself up for countless years of joy. However, if you buy the wrong diamond, you’ll be stuck with a lifetime of regret.

Don’t worry, though, after reading our diamond buying guide you’ll be able to shop with confidence! In this article, we’ll review what to look for in terms of quality and preference. We’ll also review the top buying mistakes, so you can avoid making them!

Read on to learn exactly what to look for when buying a diamond.

What to Look for When Buying a Diamond

First, our diamond buying guide wouldn’t be complete without going over the 4 c’s; color grade, carat weight, clarity grade, and cut grade. You can use the 4 c’s to assess the quality of a diamond you’re about to buy.

Diamond-Cut

The cut of your diamond can be shallow, ideal, or deep. The different angles of the cut will determine your diamond’s ability to sparkle.

Carat Weight

The carat weight doesn’t have anything to do with the size of the diamond. Instead, carat lets you know how heavy the diamond is. While carat is an important buying factor, your main focus should be on the cut, clarity, and color.

Clarity and Color

It’s hard to find flawless diamonds, however, you can find diamonds that have a crisp, clean look. The cleaner a diamond looks, the better it’s clarity is. Next, the color of your diamond should look either colorless or weight.

Diamond Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a diamond is an emotional decision, and it’s easy to make a mistake if you’ve never bought one before. Here are some of the top mistakes you should watch out for:

  • Choosing price over quality
  • Only looking at colorless diamonds
  • Dismissing melee diamonds

While it’s good to have a diamond buying budget, you shouldn’t let price dictate your decision. If you planned on saving 3 months’ salary, go ahead and save 4 months so you’ll have a little wiggle room. You can also shop for wholesale diamond jewelry to help you get the best deal, while still getting a stunning piece of jewelry.

Next, don’t obsess over getting a completely colorless diamond. Instead, consider buying a diamond that has a hint of color. As long as the color is subtle it won’t compromise the quality of the piece, plus it’ll cost a lot less.

Finally, don’t discount the impact of buying a melee diamond. While melee diamonds are smaller than traditional diamonds, they can still be stunning when you set them in the right band.

Different Diamond Shapes

The cut of your diamond is different than the shape of your diamond. You can split diamond shapes up into 2 main groups; fancy shape diamonds and round diamonds. However, within those 2 groups, there’s a lot of unique shapes you can choose from.

Here are a few of the different shapes you’ll have to choose from:

  • Princess
  • Cushion
  • Asscher
  • Oval
  • Emerald
  • Heart
  • Pear
  • Marquise
  • Radiant

You’ll find that round diamonds cost more than fancy shape diamonds. You have to pay more for round diamonds because jewelers lose a lot of the rough stone during the shaping process. Round diamonds also cost more because they have a higher level of brilliance and sparkle.

However, fancy shaped diamonds are also a magnificent choice. Fancy shaped diamonds, like the princess cut or heart shape, can feel more personal, and they’re trending in the fashion world.

What to Look for When Buying a Diamond Ring

If you’re buying a diamond ring, you must see the diamond loose. When the diamond’s out of the ring band it’ll be easier for you to assess it’s quality. You should also double-check the ring size of the person you’ll be giving the diamond to.

What to Look for When Buying Diamond Earrings

If you already have a diamond ring, you can look for diamond earrings that echo the details of your engagement ring. For a more modern look, consider getting sleek diamond stud earrings with bezels in all metals.

Don’t Lose Your Earrings

Finally, 20% of jewelry owners state they’ve experienced the loss of fine jewelry when traveling. Luckily, you prevent putting yourself through the agony of losing your earrings by buying sturdy earring backs.

Read the Grading Report

Understanding the grading report is a big part of what to know when buying a diamond. The grading report will give you details about the diamond that goes beyond the 4 c’s.

Here are a few pieces of vital information the report will provide:

  • Shape
  • Carat weight
  • Proportions
  • Polish
  • Symmetry
  • Finish
  • Light performance

If you’re getting a small melee diamond, you’ll likely be receiving a diamond dossier report, which is more compact. However, no matter what type of report you receive, it’s important it comes from the Gemological Institute of America.

Gemological Institute of America

Oftentimes the diamond grading report will come from a jeweler who was trained by the Gemological Institute of America or GIA. Working as a nonprofit organization, GIA’s is an impartial 3rd party interested in evaluating the quality of gems and diamonds.

The objective assessment is a must-have when you’re purchasing any type of diamond. If the jeweler isn’t able to provide you with a grading report, you should take your business elsewhere.

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Congratulations! Now you know exactly what to look for when buying a diamond.

What’s 1 new thing our diamond buying guide was able to teach you? Were you surprised to discover that the cut of the diamond is a completely different thing than the shape? Or how about how important it is to see the diamond loose so you can truly assess it’s value?

By knowing what to look for, and what mistakes to avoid, you can be confident in whatever choice you make. For more tips like the ones in this article, check out the rest of this site.

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Lifestyle Alert: 8 Back to School Strategies and oNecklace Bead Bracelet

Life has been pretty busy but this is one of my absolute favorite seasons.  Fall is filled with pumpkins, football games, and trick or treating.

One aspect that has changed due to COVID-19 is the kids attending school.  Every family has made individual choices based on their household.  The similarity amongst everyone is the ability to adjust due to the circumstances.

I have implemented a few strategies to keep everyone’s sanity and wanted to share them below.

Back to School/Virtual Learning Strategies:

1.  Set-up a digital learning space with individual crates for each child.  Crates should be labeled.

 

2.  Create a school binder with all of the teacher information and print schedules.

 

3.  Know the log-in information for each child.

 

4.  Create a daily schedule and put it on a whiteboard.

 

5. Put snacks in a basket for individual grabbing.

 

6. Create a lunch schedule according to in-school lunches.

 

7.  Have a Chromebook/computer tutorial with each child to foster independence.

 

8.  Set alarms in a child’s cellphone for them to join Google Meets.

 

If there’s no homework, kids can do afternoon art projects or go outside!

 

Also, don’t forget that companies like Target, Publix, and Amazon are offering delivery services for various products!

 

oNecklace Circle Initial Bead Bracelet:

I adore a beautiful bracelet.  It’s a simple touch of sparkle that can pull an entire outfit together!

oNecklace shipped an Initial Bead Bracelet that was perfect for my current jewelry collection.  The company allowed me to personalize this particular piece and of course, I added the letter K.

This bracelet is high-quality and coordinated well with my cardigan, camisole, and high waisted jeans.

oNecklace Initial Bead Bracelet

Just like the style bloggers would say, “The bracelet is stackable.”  That means combining several bracelets of varying styles for one accessorized look.

oNecklace Bead Bracelet

Visit oNecklace to purchase a one-of-a-kind, personalized bracelet.  It’s the perfect gift idea as we celebrate the holiday season!

 

 

 

 

 

How To: Shop Your Closet and Create Instant Outfits

Would you believe that I have not been in the mood to shop?  That’s because I’ve been practicing social distancing and focusing on virtual events.  But, there’s always a solution to every problem.

One perspective is that I have always been an advocate for shopping in your closet.  There are so many wonderful pieces in there that you have probably forgotten about.  From accessories to midi dresses, I can guarantee that you’re closets are filled with instant outfits.

A suggestion that I share with my Personal Style clients is to create outfits (in your spare time.)  The worst time to figure out a hot look is right before any event.  Life is a lot easier when you have something to wear!

The outfit shown below is an example of just that.  I was leaving out the door for a lunch date and needed to put on pieces that exuded my personal style.

Cape BlazerAmazon | Cami & JeansExpress | Strappy Heels:  Target similar | Crossbody:  Louis Vuitton similar

 

Merle Dandridge in Bonheur for Greenleaf’s Virtual Press Tour

Merle Dandridge was seen in Bonheur for Greenleaf’s Virtual Press Tour.

Styled by Christina Pacelli

Maelynn Lariat Necklace

 

$195

 

A super chic lariat necklace crafted in sterling silver and embellished with Swarovski crystals complete with a bar-shaped charm.

 

Poppy Earrings

 

$155

 

For effortless style with major impact-try our Poppy Gold Earrings!

Material: Gold-tone brass
Closure: Post
Size: 0.9″ x 0.8″