Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2016

Mother’s Day will quickly be upon us. Gifts for Mom don’t need to be expensive to show your love & appreciation.

Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas.

1. Rose Mini Drop Earrings – $30 CDN  – Andrea Kelly Designs – This customer favorite design adds a soft dash of color in a timeless style.  On trend Rose Quartz colored mini drops earrings are available in gold or silver.  Did I mention they include a specially selected jewelry pouch AND free shipping!
2. Ahyoka Fringe Tote by “Love Art Soul” –  $195 CDN  paired with a divine Buttercream Clothing 3 in 1 dress – $78 CDN   Add a touch of boho chic to Mom’s look with a large tote bag and a super versatile 3 in 1 poncho/dress/skirt.  Better yet, add meaning to your purchase by shopping local.  These combos are handmade in Alberta & British Columbia. Did I mention Ahyoka means “She Brought happiness”.
3. Decadent cupcakes – $6 CDN – CRAVE – my fav is Crave Cupcakes but really, any will do!  Mother’s Day is a great time to splurge on a sweet delight that Mom might not otherwise indulge in.
4. Lacy – $30 CDN – Andrea Kelly Designs – what better way to say I love you than with a heart?  Lacy is a customer favorite and doesn’t break the bank either!  Free shipping & a specially selected jewelry pouch included.
5. Stop & smell the roses – British Rose – $6 CDN – The Body Shop – a lovely scented cream or soap is always in style.  Pick a scent that Mom loves and she will think of you every time she uses.

Don’t forget that gifts for Mom don’t need to be expensive to be thoughtful.  Check out this post on gift ideas for Mom that don’t cost a dime.

Whether you splurge on a gift or make one from the heart, remember the most important gift you can give Mom is love and appreciation.

What would you add to the list?  Comment below with your favorite gift idea or way to celebrate Mother’s Day.

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Symbols of LOVE

When it comes to love it is sometimes hard to put into words the emotions we feel. Symbols of love have long been used to express ones feelings.  So let’s look at some popular symbols and what they mean. 

The Heart

The heart is one of the most popularly recognized symbols of love because it is a person’s heart that falls into the intoxicating emotion called love. When two mutually agreeable hearts meet, that’s where love blooms.

The heart is also a symbol of charity, joy and compassion.  It can be used to show love, unity, cohesion, attraction and romance.  Giving a heart necklace symbolizes your loved one wearing their heart next to yours.

The Rose

Roses have long been thought of as a universal symbol of romantic love, beauty and perfection.  Different colors of roses can be given to convey different messages.

 

The meaning of rose colors

Red Roses: one of the most universal of all symbols of love, red roses represent true love, passion and romance.

Yellow Roses: appreciation, friendship and joy.

Lavender Roses:  enchantment and love at first sight.  The color purple has long been associated with royalty.

Pink Roses: first love, gratitude, innocence and sympathy.

White Roses: Innocence, purity, spirituality.  Often used in weddings, white roses are also known as the bridal rose.

 

Mini Engagement Ring

 

Diamonds

Diamonds are worn to symbolize eternal love. Wearing diamonds in an engagement ring can be traced as far back as the 15^th century.  Greeks believed diamonds were tears of the gods while Romans believed they were splinters of fallen stars.  Diamonds represent faithfulness, love and purity.

Cupid

Cupid is a winged Roman god, also known as Eros.  Eros in Greek translates into romantic pure emotion and often thought of as “love at first sight”. Cupid is commonly  shown blindfolded with a bow and arrow.  The blindfold symbolizes love’s blindness while the notion of being pierced by cupid’s arrow will render one to fall hopelessly in love.

 

Celtic Love Knot

The Celtic Knot is another age-old symbol of love.  The interlacing design of the Celtic love knot symbolizes love having no beginning and no end, the intertwining and binding of two souls.  A variety with three knots laced together symbolizes the unity of God, Man & Woman.

Love inspires, Love conquers, Love makes the world go round.

What is your favorite symbol of love?  Comment below…

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The Tale of 3 Yogis

Have you ever put a big idea on your vision board and then it came true?

As a small business some steps seem bigger than others.  I’ve long envisioned a “look book” photo shoot that embraces my love of yoga by using yoga instructors to model my jewelry… but how to start?

With the spirit of Inspired Action my first step was to go to one of favorite yoga instructors, who also happens to be an incredible photographer, Jamie Hyatt.    Jamie took the  photo shoot to another level but by introducing me to three amazing yogis.  Each with a fun giving nature radiating from them, smiles that melt and an energy you couldn’t help but gravitate toward.

As a way to say thank you and give back each yogi has a special discount code that anyone can use on my website to receive

10% off any online purchase PLUS  10% is donated to a charity of their choosing

  Tanya is a an accomplished yogi, singer and songwriter.  I’ve had the privilege of taking some of Tanya’s Hot Vinyasa classes at Soul Hot Yoga.  She finishes practice by singing with her amazing voice  – A truly spiritual Savasana!

Tanya has made a career out of her two passions, yoga and singing.  She loves to voice her gratitude by giving back – check out #moveforpeace or find her on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, tanyaryanmusic or tanyaryan.ca

She can be spotted at yoga studios in south Calgary, Foothills, or if you turn on the right radio station.

Use code TANYA 

for 10% off your on line purchase AND  10% of each purchase donated to The Rowan House – High River

If you have ever attended Crystal’s Hot Core class at Soul you will never  be able to listen to “Uptown Funk” without thinking of  her grueling walking plank series.  My abs hurt just thinking about it!

Crystal received her 200 and 500 HR teacher training certificate from World Conscious Yoga Family as well as a 150 HR adjusters training course from Bohdi Tree Yoga Studio.

She’s had the pleasure of spending time in India studying, teaching and practicing her passion yoga. Her inspiration comes from her lovely Guru Vishvaketu, from music and from witnessing  people fall in love with the practice of yoga. You can follow Crystal on her yoga journey finding  her on Instagram

Use code CRYSTAL

for 10% off your on line purchase and 10% of each purchase donated to DINO – Dogs In Need Organization

Ariffa Lalani was first drawn to yoga for its physical benefits but soon fell in love with the emotional healing and feeling of belonging that the yoga community offered her. Ariffa has completed a 200 HR certification at Yoga Passage and is constantly inspired by all instructors that cross her path.

If you want to expand your soul and make room for all things good please find Ariffa on her website

Use code ARIFFA

for 10% off your on line purchase and 10% of each purchase donated to YWCA

Look Book.. coming soon and can’t wait!

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November Birthstones – Citrine and Topaz

November Birthstones

Just like October, November is one of the few months that have two official birthstones. Citrine and Topaz are the birthstones for November. Lets explore the meaning of each of these.

Citrine aka the ‘Healing Quartz’

Citrine is one of the official birthstones for the month of November and is known as the ‘Healing Quartz’. This golden stone of zodiac jewelry supports health and vitality. It is also believed to encourage energy, hope and warmth to its wearer. It is a stone symbolizing manifestation and imagination as well as personal will. It is deemed to carry the power of the sun thus being warm and comforting.

This stone comes as a yellow, transparent variety of quartz with colors that range from pale yellow, honey, golden yellow and sometimes almost brown, sometimes containing sparkle inclusions. The name citrine first came from the French word citron which means lemon.

Most natural citrines are pale yellow while most of its commercial variety are either heat treated Amethyst or Smokey Quartz. Of all the gemstones, it is one of the most affordable being plentiful in nature. Citrines are frequently found in Bolivia, Brazil and Spain.

Topaz, aka the ‘Fiery Topaz’

Topaz is the other birthstone for November and is known for exhibiting a wide range of magnificent colors. Topaz was symbolic to the Egyptian Sun God Amon because of the fiery intensity of its’ glow. It has been used in talismans and amulets since ancient times.

Citrine is known for depicting gentle qualities while topaz is the opposite. Citrine brings about healing, peace and prosperity while the ‘fiery’ topaz brings passion and determination. Legend has it that topaz can control heat and that it has the ability to cool down boiling water which constitutes anger in a person.

The term topaz came from the Greek word ‘Topazion’ or ‘Topazios’. In some cases, however, it is believed that the word came from ‘Tapaz’, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘intense dedication’.

The November birthstones, citrine and topaz, are both popular for their healing qualities. Topaz has been reputed to be extremely effective when it comes to healing blood problems, tuberculosis, and insomnia as well as in controlling bouts of anger. On the other hand, citrine improves mental clarity and stimulates memory. Both stones also help in relaxing the mind and body.

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How To Clean Silver Jewelry: Easy DIY Cleaner Recipes

Wondering how to clean silver jewelry?

We’ve made it easy for you by rounding up the best and easiest DIY cleaner recipes. While I have already shown you how to clean silver jewelry, like earrings at home in a previous post, I want to share how easy and yes, effective it is to clean silver.  In fact, any precious metal jewelry  can be cleaned with DIY recipes that are gentle and chemical free.

Here are the best easy DIY jewelry cleaner recipes for you bookmark, pin or print out and keep.

Clean Silver Jewelry Using Toothpaste

That’s right. Good, ol’ fashioned toothpaste. This recipe claims that not just jewelry, any silverware that you  may have will be shiny and tarnish-free with toothpaste.

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

This recipe uses the baking soda that we’d shared earlier about but as well it adds vinegar for an additional punch. PLUS, it claims to make your silver sparkle without any scrubbing. Now, that’s easy, right?

Shine Your Silver Using…. Salt

This recipe from the Jewelry Making Journal shares how you can get the tarnish off silver pieces using the humble salt. Worth a try, don’t you think?

Jewelry Cleaning Tips

This article outlines jewelry cleaning tips not only for silver pieces but for gold, diamonds and pearls as well.

Silver Jewelry Cleaning Tips

This is the post I’d mentioned earlier as well and shares my tips for cleaning silver earrings and getting the tarnish and dullness off with ease.

Things To Keep In Mind When Cleaning Silver Jewelry

1. Don’t try to ‘scrub’ the tarnish off using a toothbrush or harsh scrubbers because that will lead to scratches.

2. Always buff and shine your pieces gently with a special silver cleaning cloth

3. Use these DIY recipes with a single inexpensive piece to begin with.

4. If your silver jewelry is only silver coated, abrasive cleaners may wear off the coating entirely.

5. If you’re unsure about cleaning your jewelry at home, please consult a professional jeweler. Yes, you can email me.

Disclaimer: Always check to see if you have manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your earrings. These tips are strictly for informational purposes and not intended to replace original instructions in any way. 

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