Preserving Fresh Flowers November 28, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Flowering, Flowers, Gardening, Organization, Women, Women's Stuff.add a comment
Fresh flowers are truly a wonder of nature. Fresh flower bouquets make wonderful birthday, anniversary and Valentine’s Day gifts.
Preserving fresh flowers isn’t a difficult process. One of the first steps in preserving fresh flowers is to spray the flowers with hair spray. The hair spray helps to preserve the color of the flowers. Next youíll want to hang the flowers upside down in a dark, dry and cool place. A very popular method for preserving fresh flowers is to press them. Pressing them involves placing them between two pieces of wax paper or paper towel. Once youíve done that youíll place them in a book and then place several books on top. The weight presses the flower into a flat position.
Preserving fresh flowers with this technique enables you to use them as additions to photo albums, scrap books or picture frames. By preserving fresh flowers from their special day they can place them in a frame along with a wedding photo.
When preserving fresh flowers itís important to begin the process before the flowers die. If you wait too long the flowers will lose their color. Preserving the flowers wonít bring the color back and youíll be left with darkened unattractive flowers.
If you like the appearance of preserved flowers but you arenít interested in doing it yourself, many craft stores sell them already done. They see the appeal in preserving fresh flowers for their customerís convenience and they will have a new assortment available regularly.
Many people utilize this and incorporate the flowers into craft projects for their home. Without the time or effort involved with preserving fresh flowers they can still enjoy their beauty.
Preserving fresh flowers is a lovely way of capturing a special memory.
Organizing Issues, I Need Space! November 23, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Apartments, Cleaning, Closets, Furniture, Jewelry tips, Lifestyle, Organization, Style, Women, Women's Stuff, handbags.add a comment
Home Storage Ideas to Add More Space
Do you live in an apartment building with small or no storage space? Just because a room is small does not mean you can’t turn it into your dream space. Below are some creative strategies to maximize your space and manage your stuff!
· Examine your room for hidden spaces. You do not have to look for secret doors. Look instead for spaces among your things, above and/or below. Just think of other areas where you can place your stuff.
· The suitcase stack. Typically, you can find vintage suitcases for fairly inexpensive prices at yard sales. Use them to add extra storage space to your home by stacking them up (in a horizontal position) with the biggest at the bottom and the rest placed one on top of each other creating a pyramid of suitcases.
· Make use of folding furniture. If you do not have enough room for a kitchen table, you can use a folding table that is mounted on the wall. You can easily fold it up when you don’t need it.
· Store items under your bed. Obtain a few plastic boxes in which you can place small items. This way you maintain orderliness under your bed.
· Put spare blankets in a bag to increase space.
· Stack dishes on shelves and craft multi-level storage cabinets or utilize a small cubbyhole for cans of vegetables and consommé.
· Dressers are not only meant for the bedroom. Dressers add more storage space. You can also place them in your living room or kitchen. To remove the seemingly bedroom-like impression with the dresser, try painting it a color that matches your living room or kitchen.
· Use shoe racks to organize your shoes. Do not place your shoes under your cabinet. This will only make your cabinet more disorganized.
· Containers: Classify items according to their use and place them in small or large containers. Place all your hair care products in one container and put it near the shower so that it can be easy to reach.
· Be practical yet creative in decorating your space. Build shelves on top of doors or window to add more storage space. You can add small decorative items to make it more attractive.
· You can also put up shelves for small items at the sides of your cabinets. There you can place your shoes, hats or handbags.
My Circle of Friends November 18, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Family & Friends, Friends, Men, Relationships, Women, Women's Stuff, handbags.add a comment
We have a very close-knit circle of friends. It’s interesting to note that this group is not any particular age range. Our friends include children that play with our kids, teenagers whose parents we are close too, and even older people in their 70’s and 80’s.
It’s a strange way to be, but we’ve worked it to our advantage allowing us to include individuals from all stages of life in our circle of friends.
The father is a hardworking guy in his mid-50’s. I guess we view him as sort of a father-figure and will often go to him for advice or to work through everyday problems that arise. His wife is a very cool woman, in her early 50’s, with a killer fashion sense, great cooking skills and terrific tips on saving money and keeping your house in order. Then there’s there 19 year old daughter. Surprisingly, she has no problem hanging out with us 30-somethings, even if our children are around. She thinks we’re a lot of fun and somehow we hold more of a draw then other young people in her own age group.
When my husband and this young guy get together they are ridiculous. They play and fight like they’re both young kids and have so much in common it’s almost scary. Our children are never left out – this family always makes a special effort to make the kids feel involved and wanted.
Our circle of friends may not be vast, but it is full of the sort of people that add a quality and richness to our lives that we can’t live without!
How to Clean Jewelry..The RIGHT WAY November 12, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Cleaning, Gold, Jewelry, Jewelry tips, Silver, Style.add a comment
Your jewelry is an important investment, and it retains its appearance and value longer if it is properly cared for. Here are some tips to ensure the long life of your gems.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold is tarnish-resistant, although it can get smudged and grimy. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils can cover your jewelry and cut down on its brilliance. Jewelry cleaning removes this residue and restores the original luster of your jewelry.
Professional jewelry polishing cloths are an efficacious and inexpensive way of keeping your gold collection glittering and radiant. These treated cotton cloths help to dislodge tarnish and to buff jewelry to a brilliant shine.
Never wear jewelry in the swimming pool or while doing chores. Though gold is said to be non-reactive, the fact is that contact with chemicals such as chlorine in pools or household cleaners will discolor or even damage your gold jewelry mountings.
Even though many commercial products are available to clean gold jewelry, a basic solution of detergent and water goes a long way to restore the radiance of gold, and a soft brush helps to gently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Every now and again it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a mixure of 1 portion ammonia and 6 parts water for about a minute. Make sure to dry and polish your gold jewelry with a soft cloth or chamois afterwards.
When you are not wearing your jewelry, proper storage is essential. Be careful that pieces don’t tumble together in a crowded jewel box if you want to avoid scratching and loss of radiance. Ideally, store your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case, or even a compartmentalized box so that every piece of jewelry resides in an individual soft cloth pouch. In damp climates, storing jewelry in small resealable plastic bags can extend intervals between cleaning, especially for silver.
It’s important to check the stone settings of your jewelry sometimes for any damage to the bezels or prongs. Immersing the jewelry in rubbing alcohol for a couple seconds will restore the gorgeous sparkle to cloudy stones. It’s critical to dry the jewelry thoroughly after cleaning prior to wearing or even storing. Pave set (glued in stones) jewelry should never be soaked in water while cleaning gold jewelry, as these glues, especially those used in older jewelry, are often not waterproof.
Special Gems
Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are relatively hard, though the later two can still sustain scratches. However, pearls, emeralds and opals are softer and need a gentler touch. Emeralds and opals contain water in their matrix and may crack if they are allowed to dry out. Regular application of cod liver oil from the drugstore every few months is recommended by antique jewely dealers. Avoid exposing pearls to vinegar and other acids, as they will dissolve. To clean pearls, simply wipe them with a soft damp cloth. Pearls should be worn frequently to expose them to skin oils. If they dry out, their luster will diminish, so don’t clean them with alcohol or detergents .
Ultasonic Jewelry Cleaners
Do not use them on pearls and opals — they will be damaged.
Silver Cleaner
Line a broad flat dish with tinfoil, then place your silver jewelry in the dish spaced out so they pieces do not touch. Mix together 4 cups of hot water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this over the silver and leave for a few minutes until tarnish is dissoved, then rinse and polish with a soft cloth.
Make sure you remove the silver as soon as it is clean, and don’t let it soak for hours as the electrolytic reaction will continue.
About the author:
Frank Hague is interested in Jewelry and Diamonds
Look Fashionable at the Beach! November 9, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Beach, Hair, Jewelry, Purses, Style, handbags.add a comment
It’s that time of year when we pack up our bags and head to the beach for the day to enjoy those warm sunrays and the refreshing sound of the lapping water.
So what constitutes a good beach wardrobe. Well there are certain essentials that none of us forget. On goes the swimsuit and bathing suit cover, flip flops on our feet. Beach bag has been packed with the essentials – sunglasses, floppy hat, towel and a good book. Great – got the basics covered but what about the rest.
So if we are so prepared for a day at the beach, why is it by the time we get home we look pretty worn. Here are some helpful tips to make your day at the beach fun and keep you looking fashion fresh all day and all the way home.
First before you leave home, if you’ve got long hair pull it into a high pony tail or fun knot. Use some funky hair accessories that will stay in place when you’re swimming. Try a fun colored bobble or some firm fastening clips in bright summer colors. If you pull your hair up your neck will stay cool and you’ll look fresh all day with your neat hairdo.
Second slather yourself in sunscreen before leaving the house, then toss the sunscreen in your bag so you can reapply after a swim or every few hours. A sunburn is not only unhealthy and painful, it’s unattractive, so don’t let yourself turn into the lobster of the day. Your sunscreen should be a SPF of 15. It doesn’t hurt to use a strong SPF on your face or your entire body if you burn easily.
Your beach bag should be large enough to hold your supplies for the day. Why not get something fun and fashionable to keep you looking fashion fresh. Make sure you’ve got all the daily essentials in your bag – sunglasses, sunscreen, a good book, a floppy hat, some lip gloss, and any other makeup touch ups you’ll want. If you plan to wear eye makeup make sure it’s waterproof. Stay away from heavy foundations. If you must apply something use a bronzer moisturizer. It’s also a good idea to bring lip balm with an SPF15 to protect your lips. It never hurts to put some moisturizer in the bag. Include a snack and plenty of fluids. It’s important not to get dehydrated.
Okay great we’ve got the basics covered now what about the wardrobe basics? If you’re planning to wear a swimsuit it’s usually easiest to put it on at home, that way you’re not chasing down change rooms. So great – first on goes the swimsuit. Now what to wear for a cover? Well you’ve got plenty of choices. A tank top and shorts, tank and skort, or a nice light cotton dress all work well over top. Choose something that’s easy to put on and take off, and choose fabrics that breathe to keep you cool. I also suggest including a long sleeved cotton blouse just incase you start to burn you can protect your shoulders and arms.
If you’re planning on heading out later in the day without returning home you might want to toss a pair of jeans or long skirt into your bag. If your outing is going to extend into the evening you’ll want to include a sweater for the cooler evening air. If you’re worried about your evening wear getting sandy or wet at the beach, then place them in a separate bag and leave them in the trunk of your car. That way you are guaranteed they’ll remain fresh.
My favorite beach look is this. And what’s perfect is it keeps me looking fashion fresh throughout the day and takes me right into the evening. First I like a swimsuit that’s got lots of support and is bright and cheerful. I throw a fitted tank on top and throw on a loose flouncy long skirt. The long skirt serves me through the evening and also works great to cover up if I’m starting to burn. I choose a lightweight material in a darker color with a pattern that accents the colors in my swimsuit. Flip flops are my footwear. Depending on where I’m heading after the beach I choose either a basic pair or one of my funky pair with rhinestones or crystals. Easy to walk in, feet breath, and terrific for an evening out. I keep a fitted light weight sweater in my car, and take a long sleeved cotton blouse down to the beach. I usually choose a long sleeved and long length blouse because it’s versatile. I can knot it to create a short blouse, wear it long as a beach cover, and put it on if I start to burn on my upper body. I usually choose white or a soft pastel depending on my other colors. I like white because it’s cool to wear and refreshing to look at. Every year I buy a fun new beach tote that’s big enough for the beach but not too big as to take it with me for an evening out. I like a fun bag that’s full of character.
Since I always feel naked without my jewelry I wear fashion jewelry to the beach. That way should I loose something I won’t be out a lot of money and I won’t feel so bad. I like to keep the earrings simple and elegant. I may or may not wear a necklace. Often I’ll toss a funky wood necklace in the bag to add to the evening outfit. I like to wear a couple of fashion rings just to add the finishing touches. Now if you’re fussy about tan lines you’ll probably want to forgo the rings. I toss my watch in the bottom of my bag so I can put it on later.
That’s it – simple is the key. Keep your beach wardrobe choices simple but fashionable. Think ahead so you can go from beach to an evening out without hassle. Remember to always make your fashion statement!
About the author:
© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/home.html
Do You Need a Coach Purse? November 7, 2006
Posted by Rex Freiberger in Coach, Designer Bags, Handbag Addiction, Purses, Style, handbags.add a comment
Women worldwide pride themselves with their coach purse. These designer, top quality purses are a must for the fashion savvy individual. The Coach Brand is well known for its quality and fashion. Although they carry many fashionable items, such as wallets and even PDA holders, they are known for their handbags.
The Coach purse is part of the American culture. For years, and generations, they have been produced and loved by Americans and other countries. The company prides themselves with designing the perfect bag, one that provides functionality with American fashion. Known also for their top quality leather, Coach purses are not only durable, but make a statement about the individual whose arm they rest on.
The Coach purse can also be found in local department stores of higher quality. There are many styles and colors available to the consumer these days. With each purse, the consumer receives a unique, one of a kind, work of art. While purses may seem similar, the method from which they are created produces this uniqueness.
The Coach purse is not for the faint of heart. While they, and their accessories, are fashion statements, they are pricey. The price reflects their quality, uniqueness, and style. While this price may be too high for the ordinary, the high class, fashionable individual will not be without this fashionable accessory.
About the author:
Mike Yeager
Publisher
