Top 10 Luxury Watches – Unveiled at 2010 Annual Swiss Watch Shows
January 19, 2012 | 
Author The 2010 annual watch trade shows in Basel and Geneva, Switzerland, didn’t disappoint the enthusiasts and jewelry industry waiting too see the latest watch trends unveiled. While some luxury watch brands focused on technological advances, others announced updated timepiece designs and new collections. Below is the list of the top 10 luxury watches introduced this year:
Audemars Piguet
The Audemars Piguet Quincy Jones Limited Edition watch, releasing only 500 pieces, is delivered with a 45 x 40mm oval blackened stainless steel case, automatic movement, engraved Quincy Jones signature on caseback, a two-sector dial with piano key design on the outermost area and an off-center inner oblong black circle usual for the series. It also comes with a black alligator textured strap with a blackened stainless steel folding AP clasp.
Breitling
The Breitling Superocean high-end diving watch comes with a 42mm stainless steel case, the in-house Calibre 17 automatic movement, an unidirectional ratcheted diver’s bezel, and dials available in Abyss Black, Abyss Silver, Abyss Blue, Abyss Red and Abyss Yellow. Strap options include Diver Pro or Ocean Racer rubber straps, or a stainless steel Professional bracelet.
Cartier
The Calibre de Cartier – the luxury brand’s first timepiece aimed only at men — sports a slimmer 42mm stainless steel case, the new, in-house 1904-PS MC self-winding movement, choices of a black or white dial, and a crown that features a synthetic spinel cabochon. The alligator strap comes with a stainless steel folding clasp. The masculine Cartier Calibre is available in steel, 18K rose gold or a combination of the two.
Chanel
The sporty yet sophisticated Chanel J12 White Ceramic women’s watch – durable and reliable for diving — sports a 33mm high-gloss white ceramic case, quartz analog movement, stainless steel and white ceramic rotating timing bezel with blue indicators, a white dial with blue hands and a white rubber strap.
Chopard
The Chopard Superfast Chrono racing watch boasts a robust design with a 45mm sophisticated stainless steel case, automatic chronograph movement, a black dial with date display, black rubber pushers and crown, and a black rubber strap with a steel folding buckle.
Omega
Sleek and fashionable, the Omega Constellation ’09 watch features a 27mm stainless steel case, quartz precision movement with rhodium plated finish and 32 month power reserve, a brown mother-of-pearl dial with an embossed ‘Supernova’ pattern, diamond bezel and hour markers, and an 18K red gold and stainless steel bracelet.
Panerai
On the larger side, the Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Military 8 Day watch features a 47mm matte aluminum-based composite case, notorious in-house Manifattura movements – specifically, the P.2002/7 Calibre hand-wound – a rugged, brown dial and vintage leather strap
Patek Philippe
This year’s Patek Philippe Annual Calendar watch – first introduced in 2006 – features a now-larger 40mm 18K white gold case, a Calibre 324 S QA LU 24 H self-winding movement with week, date and month indicators, and a two-tone rhodium/silvery gray dial with 18K white gold applied hour markers. This classic men’s dress watch has a black crocodile strap with an 18K white gold folding clasp.
Tag Heuer
Re-issued to celebrate Tag Heuer’s 150th anniversary, the Tag Heuer Silverstone Chronograph Limited Edition watch – with only 1,500 pieces released – features a 42mm stainless steel case, in-house Calibre 11 automatic movement, and a blue or brown dial with a matching, perforated alligator strap. Each Silverstone is also numbered and inscribed with “150th Anniversary 1860-2010.”
TW Steel
The large, prestigious TW Steel CEO TECH watch features a 48mm rose gold PVD case, quartz movement, a black tachymeter chronograph dial and a black rubber strap.
The above luxury Swiss watches can be found at their respective brand websites.
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Best Christmas Gifts For Your Wife
Your wife is easier to shop for than you might think, as long as you know her well. Women, in general, are romantic creatures who love to see that you still see her through loving eyes and with a tender heart. Another way to impress your wife is to buy her a gift that says you pay attention to those things in life she most enjoys, so when choosing a great Christmas gift for your wife, take along this list of suggestions suitable for every budget.
Best Christmas Gift For Your Wife — Think Together Time
1. Buy your wife a gift card for dinner out at a romantic restaurant. Slip it into a hand-written invitation to join you there soon for a quiet dinner for two.
2. Buy a pair of cozy pajamas for each of you. Place them in a pretty gift basket. Add a great DVD you’ve both been wanting to watch, some microwave popcorn, and a soft throw blanket in her favorite color. Include a note asking her if the two of you can get cozy and watch a movie together soon.
3. Get a gorgeous calendar, and mark a day a month on it designated as “couple time only.”
4. Another great gift for together time is a basket full of things for a shower or bath for two: candles, body wash, a couple of fluffy towels, and some massage lotion makes for a romantic evening bath together.
5. Say you love her all over again with a beautiful classic piece of jewelry: a diamond eternity ring, a string of real pearls, or a pair of diamond earrings.
6. Make reservations for a weekend away. Write up the itinerary, slip it into a pretty Christmas card, and tuck it among the branches of the Christmas tree.
Best Christmas Gift For You Wife — Hobbies and Interests
1. Does she scrapbook? Buy her a new one and slip a few of your favorite photos of the two of you between the pages.
2. For the book lover, buy her some of the paper backs she’s been wanting to read, or buy her a set of leather bound classics.
3. Get her a great leather tote bag to store her yarn, her sewing things, or her workout gear.
4. Buy her a great piece she’s been wanting to add to whatever she loves to collect.
5. Best Christmas gift for whatever she enjoys the most: a coffee table book full or information and great photos.
6. If the budget allows and she loves to travel, buy cruise tickets for the two of you.
Best Christmas Gift For Your Wife — The Fashion Loving Woman
1. A gift card to her favorite fashion store put inside a romantic Christmas card is a great present.
2. Buy her a cashmere scarf and matching gloves in her favorite color.
3. Sneak a peek at her sweater size, and buy her one in a color that matches her eyes.
4. Write her a romantic letter offering to take her shopping for a brand new outfit, treat’s on you. It says you know her well but saves you wondering about sizes and styles. Include a gift card to a nice cafe for lunch out to round out the day.
5. Are shoes her thing? Find an empty shoe box, fill it with a variety of stocking stuffer items, and slip in a gift card to her favorite shoe boutique.
6. Write her a love letter or draw her a silly picture. Put it in a frame, and tuck into the corner a gift card to her favorite spa for a massage or a pedicure to wind down after her next shopping day.
It’s still the thought that really does count the most, and any of these great Christmas gifts will tell your wife: I know you well and I think the world of you!
How Are Gemstones Mined?
Have you ever wondered where the sparkling gems in your jewelry come from? For that matter, the pain and effort that it takes to bring those beauties to you?
Gemstones cover a long distance before they are actually fit for wearing as jewelry. Even after a gem is ready for sale it has to be placed and secured in metal to make jewelry that you ultimately buy from a store.
There are gem mines all over the world (except pearls and corals which comes from the water source) and some countries are known for the type of gems mined there. For example, ruby mines of Burma and diamond mines of South Africa. Ratnapura or City of Gems in Sri Lanka is famous for its sapphire and ruby mining along with some other precious stones. Amethysts are mined all over the world but those with the highest saturation are mined in Australia. Emeralds are mostly found in mines of Mexico while Brazil is the largest source of sapphires. Russia is famous for alexandrite deposits. In the underdeveloped world, gemstones are still mined by small scale miners using rudimentary tools, fire and homemade explosives.
Gems form in the earth’s crust when the molten rock below it rushes through the crevices formed in the area where lava meets the lower most layer of earth’s crust. Once the super hot lava starts cooling down it starts to crystallize. Sometimes when the process of cooling is fast, instead of crystal a non-crystalline stone is formed after solidification. The type of stone that eventually forms depends upon the type and saturation of various minerals in the cooling lava. Rubies, for example, are formed from corundum or aluminum oxide.
Most gems are mined after a tedious search process but in rare cases landslides cause a precious rock to be laid bare. One of such reported incidents include the accidental discovery of sapphire in Kashmir in 1880 where foot long rocks of sapphire were discovered by a hunter.
Gemstones that are mined are in a rough form and only experts can sift gemstones from worthless rock. Production of high quality rough gemstones is in short supply and there is a huge demand for them. In fact, acquiring rough gemstones is one of the most challenging jobs in the gemstone industry.
Rough stones have to cut and polished and this stage makes all the difference between making a profit and losing money. Skilled workers and precision cutting machines are used to give them the appearance of sparkling gems. Heat can improve the color and clarity of a gemstone. For example, citrine is made from heating amethyst. Tanzanite is almost always heated to remove brown undertones and to give it a sparkling blue or purple color.
Some gemstones are used in the natural form: crystal or non-crystal. Most gem stones are however cut and polished before they are sold to stores or jewelry manufacturers. Here again there are two ways that gems are cut and polished. Opaque stones like opal gemstone and turquoise are cut as cabochons- highly polished and cut convexly but without facets. These are fashioned to reveal the precious stones’ color and surface properties. Transparent gems are usually faceted, which is cutting with a faceting machine by polishing small flat windows at regular intervals and exact angles.
The color is the most fascinating and attractive feature of a gemstone. Cut and polish is instrumental in bringing out the best in gemstone. Daylight or white light is actually a mixture of different colors. When it passes through a substance, some of the colors are absorbed and others pass through. The unabsorbed color is what we see, which is white light minus the absorbed colors. The same material can reflect different colors despite being made from the same constituents. For example, ruby and sapphire are both made from aluminum oxide but exhibit different colors.
The story of gemstones does not stop here. These are then placed in metal to make jewelry like pendants, rings etc. The job was initially done by artisans using hand tools. The job has partially been taken over by sophisticated machines for mass production. Some extremely intricate designs are still made by hand and valued much more than machine made jewellery.
Is That Turquoise Really Real? – How to Tell Fake Turquoise From Real Turquoise
Have you been shopping for turquoise recently and been confused on how to tell the difference between fake turquoise and real turquoise? Price may give you a clue but it doesn’t always guarantee what you’re buying. If the price is low you can be pretty sure that it’s fake, but if the price is high you can’t always be sure that it’s real. There are sellers of turquoise who either don’t know that they don’t have real turquoise, or they are misleading you in order to make a very large profit. This article will help you to determine the difference between fake (imitation) and real turquoise.
Let’s first discuss real turquoise. Real turquoise is known as Natural Turquoise. Most Natural Turquoise is quite porous and soft which leaves it vulnerable to staining and changes in its color. There are some instances where the Natural Turquoise is quite hard, but this variation is rare and difficult to find and quite expensive. In order to make the bulk of Natural Turquoise more durable and suitable for jewelry use it is treated in a process which stabilizes it. Stabilization ensures that the stone is both durable and retains its original color.
Stabilization is achieved by treating the turquoise with a clear resin to both seal and harden it. Stabilization does not include applying any dyes or coloring to the turquoise, rather it ensures that the stone retains its natural color. If any dyes or coloring is added to turquoise it is no longer a Natural Stabilized Turquoise, rather it becomes an imitation product called Dyed Turquoise.
Turquoise is usually found in nature intermixed with other stones which shows up as grain in the turquoise. Higher grade turquoise is more pure and includes very little, if any, grain. The grain in Natural Turquoise is both uneven and randomly distributed. It may show up as large areas of darker color (brown or black) or as more of a spider web formation. The strings in the spider web should be random in their thickness and shouldn’t look like uniformly thin strings – Nature is random in its creations. Also, if you break open a piece of Natural Turquoise you should see that the color is consistent throughout, if it’s lighter in the center then it has been dyed. Looking at the inside structure you should see that the grain is random within the stone, dyed products will show the grain only near the surface of the stone and the hole in the center of the bead as these areas are where the dye for the grain enters the stone.
You will also notice that the surface area exposed by the breaking of the stone will be not be smooth, rather it’ll have a texture to it. To spot real turquoise you should note that when a piece of turquoise is broken and you look at the interior surface the color is consistent, the surface is bumpy, the grain doesn’t originate from the surface (but it is close to the surface in this stone sample it due to its random nature of distribution) and that the hole in the center isn’t ringed with a darker color.
Fake Turquoise is often called Dyed Turquoise and can actually look very much like real turquoise; however, it’s not a ‘real’ turquoise and you shouldn’t pay real turquoise prices. Most dyed turquoise is made from stones which are similar to turquoise and have been dyed to look like natural turquoise. Typical stones used for this are howlite and magnesite. Dyed turquoise can also be created from reconstituted turquoise which is ground into a powder then re-formed using an epoxy resin with coloring. Whether it’s made from reconstituted turquoise or another material dyed turquoise has its place in the turquoise market as it offers a low cost alternative to natural turquoise which can look nearly identical to natural turquoise.
Looking at a cross section of a broken piece of dyed turquoise you would easily see the difference between dyed turquoise and natural turquoise. You would notice a brown grain on the cross section which originates from the surface of the bead and only penetrates a small distance into the stone. Also you would see that the dark dye used to create the grain has colored the hole in its center – the inside of the hole itself would have the color of the dark dye.
The outside finished surface of a typical fake turquoise bead would show a spider web pattern with the grain in a consistent width. This narrow graining is an easy way to quickly identify dyed turquoise because in nature the grain in turquoise is caused by the inclusion of other stones – the dark inclusions wouldn’t be spread in a thin uniform spider web manner. Another thing to notice is if the blue dye is slightly lighter in the center of the stone; this would be because the dye didn’t soak all the way through the bead.
Dyed turquoise has its place in the turquoise market. It provides a low cost alternative to natural turquoise yet can look very much like the real stone. Just be sure that if you’re getting dyed turquoise that you’re paying a much cheaper price than natural turquoise.
How to Dress Classy With Little Cash
1. Basics for Work- Keep good basics in your wardrobe that are truly timeless and will last the test of time and fashion trends. Key basics include black dress pants. Have about 3 good quality pairs. You will want at least one pair to have a pin stripe which will give your body some length and add variety, as well as one pair with a cuff on the bottom, and one without. All pairs should have a crease running down the leg for that dressy look. Avoid anything with pleats which is currently outdated and tends to make you appear larger in the frontal area anyhow. DO invest in good quality, but inexpensive tops such as short sleeved and ¾ length tops with Lycra (to keep their shape) in both v-neck and round neck styles. I recommend black, white and red, if you cannot wear red, perhaps gray. These are key for under blazers with pants and can also be worn with jeans on a casual Friday.
You will want 2 or 3 nice black skirts, a pencil skirt, or slight A-line, printed skirt and one that is more airy and fun. Dress shirts for women are more popular than ever. You will want to have some variety here. I recommend buying shirts that fit your shoulders and arm length properly and have a bit of Lycra or stretch fabric so you can move freely. These can be bought anywhere such as Winners, Ross for Less or department stores. Keep winter and summer colors. Important to any business wardrobe is the suit. You will need a black, navy and lighter color suit such as camel for summer. You can wear your blazer with your skirts too, no need to buy a skirt suit. When buying shoes keep the same in mind, find at least 3 comfortable pairs of shoes, perhaps a pair of flats, and 2 pairs of heels, one lower and the other a higher pump style. I don’t believe in having all the colors of the rainbow on my shoe rack, especially when on a budget. Black and brown always work, throw in a pair of camel color for fun. The overall idea here is to have classic pieces that won’t go out of style the last for years as to not constantly be buying clothes. I firmly believe in investing in these basic pieces so they’ll last a long time. Look for sales, clearances and wander through thrift stores to find what you need to build your basic wardrobe.
2. Make Accessories Work for You- Whether they are shoes, sunglasses, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, belts, scarves, handbags or hairclips, find the ones that you love best and buy many at low cost shops. The key is to dress up a wardrobe many different ways without blowing your budget on pumps and expensive handbags. The best thing to do is buy all sorts of accessories for as little as you can. These keep your wardrobe interesting by adding color, texture, shape, and bling! A couple shops I love for this are Le Chateau, H&M and mall kiosks. I find the best inexpensive jewelry, trendy shoes and hair clips. Buy a bright orange or red handbag from Payless Shoe store for $20 and pump up your black suit for work, or jeans and a t-shirt. Hollywood stars use the same tricks just on a different budget.
The best tip is to wear a great outfit with one or two accessories maximum that pop! My mother used to dress extremely well because she picked out accessories and clothing that looked great but cost next to nothing. This is because she looked in stores like K-Mart as she couldn’t afford designer or even mall store prices. Put on a Blazer and jeans with a pair of cute flats and have one significant piece like a great necklace to really make your neckline pop. When hair is done up, this is the best time to show off shoulders and your neckline, so draw attention with some great earrings and necklace. Even a funky watch can jazz up an otherwise low-key outfit.
3. A Scarf Is Your Best friend- Scarves have so many uses that it is hard not to have any in your wardrobe. Scarves can act as a tie around your hair in a ponytail, tied around your neck, used as a belt around your waist or simply ties to the shoulder strap of your handbag for a flirty look. It is good to have variety. Black and Red are my favorites however I have some softer colors such as pale pink and beige with light brown in full stripes, polka-dots are very in right now also. The scarf belt goes great with a sexy top and pair of jeans. When you are bored with the pattern or color switch them up with your friend’s for variety.
4. Focus on your Face- Even if you don’t feel like your wardrobe looks like a million bucks, put on a smile. It goes a long way and brightens your face! A little makeup really makes a difference. The 3 essentials I would recommend are Mascara, Lipstick (or a great gloss) and some blush. This will add color to your face and make your features pop. I have never bought into the notion that Designer expensive makeup is best. I’ve used Cover girl my whole life and have always had compliments. Their products are ¼ the price of department store and I can buy them anywhere. The key is to keep the makeup simple and light. Don’t wear heavy foundation and loose powers with bright lipstick and heavy eyeliner. The key is to look natural and elegant with the right light shade of blush and lipstick and a black/brown or black shade of mascara. Spend less money on makeup but spend more time on mastering a natural look that is even.
5. Buy Quality Shoes that Last -Always buy quality shoes that can last you 2-3%2B years. Ensure that they are a simple color and style, but more importantly that they have a good sole and heel lifts. Shoes aren’t made the way they used to be. I find myself having to replace my lifts on most of my shoes since they are plastic. They wear down quickly causing potential accidents as you glide across floors in those heels. The shoe repair shop will put great quality lifts on and it is inexpensive. Replace these every year or as needed with wear so that the heels of your shoes stay looking new. In addition, shine your shoes regularly and buy scuff removing solution. A great pair of shoes can look like trash when they have not been taken care of.
If you really do crave something trendy then let it be for a particular outfit, or dress where the shoes will not be frequently worn. Why not get the knock-off style at Payless Shoe store or another discount shoe store? Then you’ll get the style and price you want and don’t have to worry so much about the durability.
6. No Tattered Undergarments! -Many women focus on their outer wardrobe and forget what is hiding underneath. It is important to frequently wash your bras as well as camisoles etc on delicate cycle. It is very unappealing to see a well dressed woman with a tattered, dirty bra strap peeking out of her top. Likewise, underwear and socks need to be replaced when stained or tattered having holes or elastic coming apart. This is not sexy for your partner or for yourself! I typically buy a bunch of inexpensive clearance rack panties that look like designer knock-offs with all the lacy styles. I usually pay around $2-$5 per pair and they look great! If they get ruined in my washing machine or wear with time I can just toss them without thinking twice. While we are on the subject, ladies do buy bras that fit your cup properly and are seamless. There is nothing worse than a great blouse with seam lines or nipples showing!
7. Accessorize but don’t overdo it-Classy women look classy because they don’t overdo it. Wearing a great dress or outfit with a single ring, pair of small earrings and a small necklace is fine. Wearing a suit with a ring on every finger, watch, bracelet, heavy makeup, hair in an elaborate clip, a belt, a scarf around the neck and bright shoes is overkill. Nobody knows what to look at first! When you get ready to leave the house, look into a full length mirror with your entire outfit including a hat or handbag if included. You will often slowly start to strip a couple accessories away or tone down bold shoes and handbags. Remember, simple is best. Add one or two killer pieces that will have you feeling great and getting compliments along the way.
8. Don’t be Afraid to Shop in Thrift Stores- I can’t tell you how many things I’ve been able to snag there. The key is to go into an area that is more well-to-do or exclusive. Often people with a lot of money can discard things faster for new items such as great sweaters, blazers, handbags, you name it! My last purchase there was actually a set of hot rollers that retail at $70 that I picked up for $16! I bought an $80 pair of great brown boots that were never worn for $6!! I’ll admit, you have to make some time to sift through a lot of duds till you find a few keepers, but it is well worth it. Buy items that have their original bold color, no fading! Make sure there are no holes, or stains. If there is a small area that is inconspicuous, by all means grab the item if you can fix it. You can also find some fun handbags, belts and jewelry.
9. Wear clothes that Fit You!r Body- There is nothing worse than seeing a beautiful woman in skin tight dress pants, breasts hanging out, and the visible appearance of flab around the waist or back due to tight clothing. Looking slimmer is not about wearing more fitted clothing, clothing with breathing room and comfort will not only make you look better but feel better too. Classy women don’t let it all hang out! If something in your wardrobe is too small but you love it, keep it until it does fit (maybe use it as motivation) and find something new.
10. You don’t Need Brand Names to Look Good- Today with so many great knock-offs and fun styles to choose from, there is no need to spend $450 on a pair of designer sunglasses. I have a $17 pair of Gucci knocks-offs that I bought in the airport, and have got more compliments on those than a real pair of Ralph Lauren shades. Likewise, people see how well your outfit is put together more so than they do what brand you are wearing. I see a lot of wealthy people wearing brand name overkill and they don’t look classy, they look tacky. Don’t be a walking billboard for a brand name, just be an original and wear what fits you and what you feel good in.
This article was inspired by many women that I have worked with, spent time with, seen walking the streets, and those that have told me that they simply don’t have the money to dress well. If my mom in her early thirties could dress classy in K-Mart clothing and get compliments, you can too! You need an objective eye and patience to find what looks great on you. So, give your charge card a break and find out how fun it is to buy a few items with a $20 bill!
Tips and Ideas for Making Bead Christmas Ornaments
Have you always wanted to create your own beaded ornaments but have little experience with bead work? Provided in this article are some simple tips that will help you create stunning and beautiful hand made beaded Christmas ornaments that will make your home more festive this holiday season.
If you have never made bead Christmas ornaments, you will first need to select either a pattern or a kit. There are many kits available that typically include the beads, needle, thread, glue and any other materials required to begin making bead Christmas ornaments. The next step is to assemble the proper tools.
Tools Needed for Your Hand Made Christmas Ornaments
Pliers are the most important tool for getting started in making your hand made bead Christmas ornaments. Important pliers that are used with bead making include Flat Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers, Crimp Nose Pliers, and Split Ring Pliers.
Another tool you will need is a good pair of wire cutters. If you are making wire bead Christmas ornaments, then wire cutters are absolutely essential. When selecting wire cutters it is important to select the appropriate strength wire cutter for the wire that you will be using. Wire cutters come in both lightweight and heavy-duty strengths. Light weigh cutters will suit your basic needs for the beading wire you will be using.
Lastly, when making hand made Christmas Bead ornaments purchase bead needles. These needles come in a variety of sizes. Choose needles applicable to the project you are making.
Different Types of Hand Made Christmas Bead Ornaments
A simple bead ornament recommended for a young child to make may consist of little more than stringing “pony beads” or other suitable bead onto pipe cleaners. Children can simply place the beads on the pipe cleaners then twist them into various shapes such as bells, stars, candy canes, and Christmas trees.
Here is another way that you can create sparkling and beautiful hand made Christmas bead ornaments no experience required. First gather your supplies. These will include fabric paints (or other dimensional paint), small glass beads (or seed beads) satin finished ornaments, a small tray, and a small cup. First, sketch a simple shape on the ornament with the fabric paint. Ideas for shapes typically include simple snowflakes, trees, and stars, but ultimately the choice is up to you. Create your pattern as simple or as elaborate as you like. After you have drawn your design on the satin ornament with the fabric paint, hold the ornament over a small tray, and sprinkle the tiny beads over the ornament using a small cup. This is similar to projects where you apply glue and then sprinkle glitter over the glue. After your ornament finishes drying, you can hang it with a beautiful cord or complimentary satin ribbon.
It’s as easy at that! So go ahead and gather your supplies and get started making your own personalized hand made Christmas ornaments for the holidays!
How to Attract Good Luck Using Gifts From the Earth
Nature has given us the biggest gift ever, that is the power to bring good luck into our lives by using the own nature as a conductor. Gems, stones, plants, essences, you named it! People like me call it Earth gifts from God. Raw materials or primary materials (wood, metal, stones, etc) were given to us as an opportunity to relieve pains, suffering and to manage energy, we sometimes don’t use that in our favor and live our whole life without even giving it a try.
Even the power of becoming relaxed by the uses of simple exercises poses, meditation and so on can lead you to reach Good Luck into your life. Examples of this are Yoga, Pilates and Callanetics, these exercising methods creates balance and positive energies generating a positive environment and thinking that attracts good luck. Simple habits like Feng Shui your house will bring you good fortune. Balancing Chakras with stones and crystals can help to reestablish a healing.
A Talisman or amulet can be any object with a healing property that is intended to bring fortune into your life, it is not necessary to buy an amulet, you can use any stone, gem, metal or any other object with a property that works right for you as an amulet, some people just prefer to buy a “ready to wear” talisman, as a ring or a pendant, with their favorite stone or gem, you pay for the convenience of having it ready to wear or ready to carry everywhere, that without mention the beauty of some of this garments. Another thing to consider when buying these “garments” are the carvings, some are exquisite handcrafted and carved with animal representations, some animals are believed to bring good luck like the pigs, horses, fish, elephants, and so on… So you are not only adding the stone element into the garment but the animal factor and the value of the craft.
Some of the best Earth’s gifts that can help you to attract Good Luck, Positive energies and Fortune are:
Plants:
Lucky bamboo- Chinese culture believes that a gift of living bamboo brings Good Fortune.
Henna tattoos- The most popular traditional use is tied closely with weddings and bridal preparation; these designs tend to be the most ornate, covering the most possible area of the body. Other uses include the celebration of circumcision, pregnancy, birth, el Eid (the end of Ramadan), for good luck and protection from the evil eye.
Clovers- If it has four leaves it symbolizes good luck, finding a real four leaf clover is an omen of fortune.
Gems (each gem correspond to a zodiac sign for individual good luck) and Stones:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Opal
November – Topaz
December – Turquoise
Citrine gemstone is called the money stone, success stone and merchant stone.
Aventurine- Lucky amulet, good for gamblers, carry it in your left pocket for a chance to attract money.
Agate- Good for protection and health.
Tiger eye- Safety, protection against danger. Clears negative energies from the body.
Burma Jade- people wear jadeite to bring good health and luck, the price doesn’t determine the luck but the beauty, only the color is better. Jade is a source of good energy and wearing it can help protect from danger and bad luck, good stone for children. Attract Love. Stone of wealth, use it as a prosperity charm.
Quartz crystal- Keeps negative energies away it is called the “Universal Crystal” because it brings overall happiness. Used in combination with another stone it enhances it properties. Rose quartz is powerful to attract love, bring peace to relationship.
Carnelian: Happiness and Success
Hematite-Protection in any matter
Amethyst- Travel protection
Moonstone- Great when planning to travel by sea.
Malachite- Protection when traveling by air.
Colors
The color burgundy is said to symbolize wealth, success, and prosperity. Gold reflects spiritual rewards, richness, and refinement. Just as the color yellow, gold is associated with the sun and lucky for just about everyone. In Ireland, green is considered the luckiest of colors. It is also a lucky color for those born under the signs of Aquarius and Capricorn. Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. Purple is a good color for anyone who wants to get lucky – especially people born under the sign of Pisces or Sagittarius. People born under the sign of Libra of Taurus may find red an unlucky color, but Aries or Scorpio should wear red for good luck. In China and other parts of the East, red has the power to bring good luck and symbolizes Love and Life.
Essences
Rose and Jasmine are related to love on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Ginger increases bio-electric energy. It is used for prosperity, wealth and abundance. Cedar brings spiritual balance. Patchouli is associated with all the abundance and prosperity that the earth has to offer us. Cinnamon is a rich scent that oozes with money energy and increases your creativity. For centuries incense has been said to bring good luck and improve conditions for those who burn it.
Animals
Elephants are supposed to be good luck, they should have their trunks up and should be placed in a wealth area of your home.
Turtles- thought to bring good health, longevity, and protection.
Pigs- In Germany if you had a pig to feed your family, you were considered fortunate. The Chinese pig statue is “Fu” which is good luck. It means it can bring good luck and wealth in.
Fish- The fish symbolizes “more” as in the sense of more good luck, fortune, long life, children, etc. Fish charms symbolize perseverance in overcoming the barriers a person must pass through in life.
Chinese Dragon Tortoises have the head of dragon and the body of turtle. It is sitting on a bed of coins which represent good luck and wealth. It is believed as a symbol of longevity, harmony and money.
Cultural deities
In ancient Egypt the eye of Horus was a very common amulet associated with regeneration, health, and prosperity.
Hand of fatima- This palm-shaped amulet is popular in the Middle East and is called a hamsa. It is believed to protect the wearer from the evil eye and is often referred to as the Hand of fatima. This symbol has also woven itself into Jewish culture and is referred to as the Hand of Miriam offering happiness and good fortune.
Some Hindus deities:
Ganesha- lord of success,
Lakshmi- means “Good Luck” to Hindus, goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual,
Saraswati – endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.
Vasudhara – Goddess of Good Luck and Knowledge.
Laughing Buddha is believed to bring joy and wealth to people.
Other:
Crystal balls in feng shui may create harmony and happiness for the family.
Angels- For centuries are believe to be protectors and bringers of good luck.
Coins- Chinese coins are essential ingredients in the practice of Feng Shui. It is the most potent symbol of wealth, especially when tied with yellow, red and gold thread.
Horseshoe- Iron was believed to be from heaven, to possess strong healing powers and to protect against witches. Since earliest times, man has believed that the crescent or U-shape was a powerful protective sign. Horseshoes are nailed with seven iron nails,the most important number for good luck.
Facts about the Holocaust
The Holocaust began with Hitler’s rise to power in January of 1933 and ended on VE Day (May 8, 1945). During this time, more than 6 million Jews and millions of other groups that caught the negative attention of Nazi Germany. While all the murders were devastating to native populations, none were so devastating than that of the Jews. During this period, 5,000 Jewish communities were wiped out and the total that died represented 1/3 of all Jewish people alive at that time.
Due to a series of events, Hitler assumed dictatorial powers in March 23, 1933 when the Enabling Act was passed. With total power available to him, he quickly developed a sophisticated police and military force and used them to squelch anyone who criticized his authority. From this authority stemmed the first concentation camp, Dachau, just outside of Munich which started as a political prison camp but evolved over time into a full scale Nazi concentration camp to exterminate Jews and others.
By the end of 1934, Hiter’s campaign against the Jews was in full force. The Nazis weere claiming them to be mongrels who were corrupting the pure German race and persecutions of the Jewish grew in strength. Those who could, fled Germany to other European countries which gave them safety for a while.
The next major event that led towards the widescale destruction of the Jews was the Meeting in July of 1938 where representatives of 32 countries met in the French town of Evian to discuss the refugee problems created by the Nazis – but since no conclusive action was taken, Hitler took that as defacto notice that no one would act against him while he worked to purge the Jews from his territories.
Germany started World War II with the invasion of Poland in September of 1939 and in 1940 established Jewish ghettos in Poland where they could be isolated from the rest of society and kept an eye on. Conditions in the ghettos were deplorable – not enough food, water, space, sanitation facilities, etc., and many died from the horrid conditions.
In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union and began the implementation of the Final Solution – the beginnings of the systemized destruction of the undesirables. At first they were just gathered up, shot and thrown into mass open graves. It is estimated that over 1 million people died in this manner. But it wasn’t efficient enough so more and more death camps sprang up.
From this point, the Germans worked on more and more efficient ways to liquidate the undesirables by bringing them to death camps to systematically kill them and recycle any valuables for the war effort. And in this instance, a valuable was a healthy person – so the Germans would work the prisoners until they had no more energy to produce and then kill them. In effect, that had millions of slaves being forced to work to death to help the Germans in their war efforts.
This atrocity continued to the end of the war – with liberation not happening until July 1944 and later. In July 1944, the Soviet Union liberatated Maidanek concentration camp and then in January 1945 – Auschwitz concentration camp and so on until Nazi Germany was totally defeated and all peoples were freed.
All told, there were only about 200,000 Jewish survivors by the end of the liberation and the death counts from the holocaust were estimated to be around 6 million Jews and millions of other people who did not fit the Aryan mold.
What Is The Best Color To Wear To A Wedding?
A wedding dress can be a complicated thing, if you are invited to a wedding. It should be a right choice of dress. The color of the wedding dress should fit the occasion and the current fashion.
Wedding clothes depend on the season. There are special clothes, if the wedding is held in the morning. Your wedding dress should be light colored and you should be a lot more conscious of the color of the dress you wear to a wedding. Men always plan to wear a suit, nice sports coat and slacks with tie. Women wear a neat dress, skirt or suit or can even opt for something comparatively colorful and floral.
For evening weddings, any dress can be worn for a nice dinner out. Men should wear suit and women should choose colored dresses such as skirts and elegant suits. It can be a darker with more sophisticated colors and fabrics that is chosen for a morning and afternoon weddings. Jewelry can be more and women can choose to carry a small evening bag rather than a purse.
There are dresses that indicate formality and informality of what to wear to a wedding. Some wedding invitation may demand casual attire. Casual attire with mild colors and high heels can be worn for second weddings and beach weddings. Women can also opt for casual attire, such as skirt or suit with flat shoes. Men can wear a black suit and slack with tie or without a tie. Casual wedding for men does not mean jeans and sports shoes.
Cocktail attire can be worn for an evening wedding with a little emphasis on sophistication. Women should wear appropriately that matches elegance and stylishness and should look modest and classic rather than sweet and pretty. Men should be in their dashing dresses and definitely not tuxedos.
Normally, wearing black to a wedding is not allowed. This has been a long outstanding tradition, which has been overturned now. Today even the bridesmaid wears black. If you prefer to wear a black color to a wedding make sure you wear some accessory like a scarf or a blazer in red or other colors. Plain black dress may look like you are standing in a funeral. Wearing white is the most popular color and best color to wear to a wedding. But the dress you wear should not outshine the bride’s dress. If you plan to wear white choose carefully and accessories with other colors. And remember that the bride is the star of the day.
The Importance Of Reading
It is a well-known fact that when there were no televisions or computers, reading was a primary leisure activity. People would spend hours reading books and travel to lands far away-in their minds. The only tragedy is that, with time, people have lost their skill and passion to read. There are many other exciting and thrilling options available, aside from books. And that is a shame because reading offers a productive approach to improving vocabulary and word power. It is advisable to indulge in at least half an hour of reading a day to keep abreast of the various styles of writing and new vocabulary.
It is observed that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively higher IQs. They are more creative and do better in school and college. It is recommended that parents to inculcate the importance of reading to their children in the early years. Reading is said to significantly help in developing vocabulary, and reading aloud helps to build a strong emotional bond between parents and children. The children who start reading from an early age are observed to have good language skills, and they grasp the variances in phonics much better.
Reading helps in mental development and is known to stimulate the muscles of the eyes. Reading is an activity that involves greater levels of concentration and adds to the conversational skills of the reader. It is an indulgence that enhances the knowledge acquired, consistently. The habit of reading also helps readers to decipher new words and phrases that they come across in everyday conversations. The habit can become a healthy addiction and adds to the information available on various topics. It helps us to stay in-touch with contemporary writers as well as those from the days of yore and makes us sensitive to global issues.