lifestyle — Home and Garden Diva

The Classic Jewelry Pieces Every Woman Should Own

Buying jewelry, or having it bought for you, can be a lot of fun, and it is easy to have your head turned by fashion pieces in unusual styles, metals and stones. However, while accruing a good collection of costume and statement jewelry is a great way to ensure you always have the perfect accessory for every outfit, there are some pieces that every woman should have in her collection. These are things that never go out of style and are worth investing in. They are also things that when given as gifts, will be kept with you for a lifetime, always reminding you of the special person who gave them to you.

Here are some of the best jewelry pieces to build up in your collection:

A Simple, Delicate Pendant

Whether you prefer gold or white metals, and whether you choose a pendant that is symbolic for religious reasons (like a cross or a St Christopher), for personal reasons (like an initial or a locket with a picture of someone close to you) or simply because it is attractive (like a diamond teardrop), a simple, light chain with a subtle pendant is a great piece of everyday jewelry. These kinds of items tend to carry a lot of sentimental value and you may find you wear it almost every day, with every outfit. It can look delicate and pretty with sharp, professional clothes, but isn’t overpowering enough to overshadow a beautiful evening dress. It is even subtle enough to wear with your most casual outfits.

A Good All Purpose Watch

There are all kinds of different watches for different purposes, like hi tech sports or diving watches for when you are getting active through to glitzy designs to compliment your most glamorous outfits. However, a good watch in a classic feminine style is something that can withstand the elements as well as match all of your clothes. A metal frame and strap tends to look best, because leather can get very worn over time, and a classic analog watch style is the best to go for – digital watches for anything other than sport look tacky. Whether you can afford to splash out on something like a Rolex, Cartier or Tag Heuer style of thing or you go for a similar design by a more affordable brand like Seconda, a good all purpose metal watch is perfect for business, evening and casual use.

The Perfect Stud Earrings

Earrings are one area where it is fun to experiment, with elaborate dangly styles and all kinds of fun metallic shapes always a good way to liven up a simple outfit. However, the perfect pair of stud earrings for your personal style are a must have. They look great with your hair either up or down, and flatter most ear shapes. If you are a glamorous type, diamond earrings or cheaper equivalents (for example zirconia or crystal) are a great choice as they add sparkle without looking too dressy for every day wear. If you like a classic, almost retro look, you can choose pearls or simple gold or silver ball studs. If you like a look that is more modern and funky, you can choose titanium studs in a whole range of colors, or, if there is a stone or color you love, you can invest in some studs in something like emerald, topaz, amethyst or ruby.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source

This post has been contributed by Nolan Grey, an employee at Diamonds on Web. He is a very friendly individual who enjoys interacting with people and helping them through his informative suggestions.

3 Ultimate Chill-Out Zone Ideas For Your Home

by Trish

Ah, the woes of modern life! We all seem to be caught up in an endless sequence that involves juggling work pressure, dealing with financial issues, family, and other social obligations, all at the same time. All these factors cause a lot of physical stress and mental strain, majorly due to lack of adequate sleep and poor eating habits – basically, a rather unhealthy lifestyle. In such situations it is imperative to take some time out to relax, unwind and refresh yourself. But once again, by the time your weekend off approaches, you’re hardly left with any energy to go for an outing, isn’t it? You’d rather stay indoors and laze around. Not a problem. If you don’t have the energy to step outdoors to loosen up a bit and indulge in some fun and recreation, why not bring the fun and recreation home to you instead? Yes, it is possible. Have a look at the following few home recreation ideas to build your very own chill-out zone at home!

A bar in the basement

Have you got a basement at your property? Has it been lying neglected and abandoned for as long as you can remember? Why not give it a brilliant makeover and turn it into an amazing bar! Imagine chilling in your basement with your mates over the weekend, enjoying a few pints and watching your favorite sport on television. You could utilize your personal bar to host small parties and gatherings to socialize with family members or close friends. Or maybe on a weekday, after a tiring day at work, you could just unwind in the bar with a soothing glass of wine. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Swimming pool in the yard

If you have a large backyard or even if you have an extended terrace, you could consider getting a swimming pool constructed. Depending upon the amount of space available there are plenty of interesting swimming pool designs you could choose from. Whether you want to relax in the pool on a hot Sunday afternoon, have a pool side barbecue party with your friends in the evening, or just have a fun session in the pool with your kids and wife, getting a swimming pool constructed at your property is one decision you will never regret. Moreover, it will also go on to add to the aesthetic value of your home.

A gaming room – up in the attic or out in the garage

When it comes to relaxing and unwinding, nothing comes close to the ultimate chill-out zone – a gaming room! How about cleaning up your attic and turning it into a fantastic gaming room? Or maybe you could take up the same project in your garage instead, if that’s more convenient. Having a personal gaming zone at home can be epic – an ideal way to escape from daily stress, office tensions and pesky partners! The main things that could go into your game room would be a pool table, darts, a television set for gaming and movies, a couple of cozy sofas, a mini fridge to store soft drinks, milkshakes or beers, and a few table games like Checkers, Uno, Jenga and Monopoly.

So say goodbye to stress and anxiety by investing in these incredible home relaxation and recreation ideas – a permanent solution to all your modern life woes.

Attached Images:

License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source

Jennifer Atkinson is a house wife and loves to keep her home neat and tidy. Along with the usual activities that she undertakes to keep her house clean she also has a chill out zone i.e a swimming pool in her house where she unwinds after the days work. She suggests using the services of Sunbreaker pools if you want to construct a swimming pool at your place. She also likes to blog about various household issues.

How to Make Your Property Into a Pad

by Trish

Every guy I know has a secrete yearning to own a ‘pad’. When you’re young, successful and single, having a bachelor pad that shows off your success and your sense of style can serve not only as a great way to impress friends and potential partners, but also as a reward for all your hard work and validation of your success. Having a great flat that has all the bells and whistles means you’ve ‘made it’ and it’s a sure fire way to be the envy of all your friends and colleagues.

But how do you make a flat or a townhouse into a real bachelor pad? Here we will look at the secrets to making your flat say ‘success’ and ‘style’ even if you aren’t actually bringing in the mega bucks yet.

Minimalism

The first thing you need to focus on is creating a minimal design that doesn’t feature too much clutter or crowd out your spaces. Many people who want to have the best looking homes will make the mistake of decorating them with as much as they can find and stuffing them full of trinkets and items, but all this does is to dilute the impact of each thing on display and make the space look untidy.

By having just a few items on show instead you can make sure you choose only your very favourite belongings to display which means the average quality and value there will be greater. Furthermore this will create more open space which makes the rooms look larger and thus more luxurious (and more relaxing to spend time in).

Light

To further make your space look larger you should try and open it out as much as possible and use large windows and light colours to ensure lots of light gets around the room. This will make everything look instantly cleaner, instantly bigger and instantly more relaxing.

Using an open plan layout can also help with this and that’s a great way to make a space look modern while enabling you to entertain. An open plan kitchen that is nevertheless separate from the main room will allow you to cook and prepare food while guests relax on the sofa, or to eat your cereal on the counter while you watch TV before work.

Flooring

A wooden floor or concrete floor is a great way to avoid patterned or coloured carpets which date and stain and also a great way to make your home easier to keep clean.

Technology

Having lots of technology in your property is a great way to make it seem more luxurious, more automated and more modern. A big TV has long been a mark of success, but other smaller elements like having a tablet computer on a coffee table or a more advanced shower with multiple shower heads and settings can also sell the fact that you’ve spared no luxuries.

Taste and Variety

Wall Plates

To have a real pad you shouldn’t just be trying to demonstrate your resources but also your taste and lifestyle. Choose some items to display then that will show off where you’ve travelled and your hobbies and interests, but again keep these more minimal – so that means one piano or guitar, or just one tribal mask from your gap year. These also serve as fantastic conversation starters.

Attached Images:

License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source

Susan Lewis is a home maker and has bought her first home recently. She says that Investment in Property in Melbourne is on a high these days as a huge number of houses have been sold and bought.

Top Feng Shui Tips For The Bedroom

by Trish

Our bedrooms were designed for two activities: rest and romance. However, our busy lifestyles, coupled with the need to constantly multi-task or exercise, has rendered the bedroom more of an extension of the office or the gym than a haven for rejuvenation. The ubiquitous television has furthered reduced the bedroom to a gathering place for strangers rather than a sanctuary for solitude.

By using the principles of Feng Shui, we can restore our bedrooms to the heavens they were intended to be as well as increase our vitality, our health and the quality of our romantic relationships.

The First Easy Steps

Remove electronics

Feng Shui for the bedroom begins with removing all electronic and electrical devices from the bedroom, especially the television. If there is a need for an alarm clock, then place it as far from the bed as possible. However, all other electronic and electrical devices need to be removed from the room, including the telephone.

Electronic devices emit electrical signals even when they are turned off. These signals interfere with your sleep cycles as well as the energy in the room. Removing these interferences will result in more restful sleep.

Clear the Air

Another easy step is to open the windows every day so that energy in the room does not stagnate. This can also be accomplished by the use of a ceiling fan, but don’t use the fan while you’re sleeping.

Assume the positions

The principles of Feng Shui state that certain positions and styles of furniture are better than others. For example, the bed should:

• Not be placed under the window because this weakens your energy.

• Be placed against a solid wall.

• Not be in line with the door, which is called the coffin position, although the door should be plainly visible.

• Not be placed underneath overhead beams as this symbolizes the possibility of death.

Headboards should be made of wood rather than metal; padded headboards are also acceptable. There should be ample free space under the bed in order to facilitate the free flow of energy.

Sharp corners should be avoided in Feng Shui because rounded shapes facilitate the free flow of energy whereas sharp corners block it.

Mirrors facing the bed are verboten in Feng Shui. The energy leaves the body at night and will be startled if it sees itself reflected in the mirror; this will cause restless sleep or nightmares. Large mirrors are also thought to promote infidelity.

The Finish Line

Keep your bedroom free of clutter.

Displayed items should be kept to a minimum and only displayed in pairs. In other words, use two candles, two nightstands, and so forth. This promotes the concept of a couple whereas a single item promotes the concept of singlehood. However, twin mattresses should be avoided because this promotes separation. Try to use symbolic items, such as the endless knot, that promote the relationship.

Avoid having an aquarium in the bedroom as the movement of the water will promote the perpetual movement of energy in the room and will result in restless sleep. Plants and flowers promote the very active yang energy so they should be avoided as well.

Your bedroom should be relatively quiet and only items that pertain to you and your partner should be in it. Pictures of friends and relatives should be displayed elsewhere. Use cool and soothing colors such as tones of beige, green, blue and lavender and avoid bright colors such as red, vivid purple and so forth, as these promote the movement of energy rather than tranquility.

By using the concepts of Feng Shui in your bedroom, you can revitalize your romance as well as your individual energy and restore your bedroom to the haven it was meant to be!

Jeff Gross is a freelance writer and marketing consultant for Arverne Long Island online presentation. He enjoy’s in finding new creative ways to improve online visibility of his clients.

photo by: conceptDawg

How Diet And Fitness Can Help You To Live A Health Lifestyle

by The Diva

When you think about living a healthy lifestyle, what does that really mean? Basically it means utilizing a balanced diet and fitness program, and quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and maintaining a normal weight. To the average person who is strapped for time and busy with job and family commitments, maintaining your health may seem overwhelming. It does not need to be. As we will see, small changes in your daily living can mean big changes in your health.

Eating right does not have to be a chore. Simple changes you can make while on your next visit to the grocery store can get you on the right path to eating better. Small substitutions like eating more fruit and veggies and eating less refined and processed foods over time saves calories and increases nutrient content. You shouldn’t make yourself get rid of your total way of eating and begin with something that is restrictive. Feeling deprived leads to failure. Take it slow and savor each new item that you add to the menu.

Exercise does not have to be a dirty word. If your the type of person who has a sedentary lifestyle, being in a gradual manner and increase your level of activity as you obtain your small goals you have set up for yourself. It might be simply utilizing the stairs at your place of work instead of going to the elevator. As time goes by, you may think about walking for a part of your lunch break. Eventually you may want to join a fitness center to increase your progress. Go at a pace you are comfortable with and enjoy.

If you are a person that smokes, think about doing a smoking cessation program. There are numerous medications that are in patch, pill as well as gum form that can help you in stopping. Speaking to a counselor or following a quit-smoking buddy has demonstrated to assist people who smoke to quit at a higher rate then attempting to go it by yourself. Side effects of smoking include rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath and more serious problems like cancer, emphysema and heart disease can eventually develop.

Consuming alcohol in moderate quantities has in reality been demonstrated to help the cardiovascular system. However, consuming more than a glass or two a day can cause liver damage. The liver acts as a giant filter system of the body. When you end up clogging the filter, your inner body will not work right. Jaundice, gallstones, blood clotting difficulties, organ failure and death can result when the liver is compromised.

Maintain a healthy weight for your body type by improving your diet and fitness lifestyle. You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) by dividing your body weight by the square of your height, or a much simpler method is to use one of the many BMI calculators available online.

You may have let yourself go. Your body feels sluggish and you have no energy. You may have health issues that run in your family. What should you do? Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Add healthier food choices to your diet gradually. Make health and fitness part of your daily routine. Stop smoking and drink a glass of red wine with a meal. To maintain a normal weight, eat right and increase your activity levels. The lifestyle goals you set for yourself are that much closer when you make small changes over a period of time.

Walking is the number one exercise performed by people daily. If you are a walker then you know how important a role the weather plays in your exercise schedule. Stop being a slave to the weather. Treadmills are the ideal way to stay in shape. You do not have to worry about walking in inclement weather and you can exercise in the comfort of your own home. This will help influence you into exercising more and getting into the best shape possible. Stop using the weather or time as an excuse. Get on that treadmill and start walking to a healthier new you. Click here for more information: Fitness Equipment Home Gym also Ballys Fitness and at Fitness Models

The Classic Jewelry Pieces Every Woman Should Own

A Simple, Delicate Pendant

A Good All Purpose Watch