Celebrity Engagement Rings

Whether we like it or not current trends in engagement rings say bigger is so much better. Just have a look at what style engagement rings celebrities are choosing. And of course what's good for them is good for the rest of us.

J Lo's engagement to Ben Flick also started an interesting trend of consumers seeking out pink diamonds. In no other time in history have pink diamonds been as popular as right after J Lo placed that pink diamond engagement ring on her finger.

Do any of you remember Marilyn Monroe sexily purring "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend?" Do you have any idea what that did the engagement ring market.

Guys are still paying for that statement. Sure back in the 50s women knew it wouldn't be sensible to wear such a large engagement ring but that didn't mean a gal couldn't yearn for it.

Today a women wouldn't feel in the least bit guilty about wearing such a diamond, in fact there are many a women that judge how well they are loved by the size of the rock they are wearing because they "know" what Marilyn knew, that "diamonds are infact a girls best friend."

When we see the engagement rings worn by stars like Madonna or Catherine Zeta-Jones we take notice and their choices influence the trends that follow. Celebrities are the leaders in setting fashion and jewelry trends.

Madonna with her Edwardian engagement ring and Catherine Zeta-Jones's antique styled 10 carat diamond ring has revived the desire to own a beautiful antique engagement ring. In fact it's one of the hottest engagement ring styles in 20 years.

The size of the diamonds in current styles has also grown from the average one carat to over three carats. That's a pretty big rock that's going to set you back a bit. But girls know they deserve it!

If you aren't sure whether bigger is better than have a look at the jewels at this years Oscars which are said to total over $50 million dollars in value. Wonder how many vaults it took to keep those locked up for the night?

With bling being the in thing one has to stop and wonder how the heck normal average working guys plan to pay for these rings. When their fianc?s are asked the standard answer is "doesn't matter I'm worth it.

That's great if your guy is earning a 6 figure salary but wait what if he's not. What if he's joe average living from pay day to pay day. What should he do move into the bush and give up his home, perhaps take up walking and sell his car?

Wait guys maybe you can get away with a really good quality cubic zirconia. No guarantees but it might be worth a try. Most of the high end ones can only be identified by a quality jeweler. Then again maybe she won't care as long as it's big and impressive.

Okay girls lets be real here. Dreaming and lusting for that big 5 carat rock is just fine. No problem with dreaming, but when it comes time for your man to buy that ring remember that the ring is not what you are marrying so perhaps it's time to consider the quality and quantity of the husband to be rather than the ring.

Big diamond or little diamond it doesn't matter as long as the two of you are blissfully happy. Let the celebrities wear their big diamonds and let them sparkle and shine in the lime light. It doesn't matter because you got your man! That's what counts!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have 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 <a target="_new" href="http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/">Estate Jewelry International</a>.

Five Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books

1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion - depression glass, blue and white pottery, silver, paperweights, or furniture of any period - there is a book to arm her on her next antiquing adventure. Look for pocket guides to slip in handbags during shopping excursions or more complete reference books for curling up by the fire. Prices start at $9.95.

2. Write On

Give mom a chance to sign her name with flair with a gift of an exquisite writing set. Direct from Italy is the Francesco Rubinato collection of old world writing instruments. This distinctive collection of fine writing instruments and accessories includes quill-tipped pens, glass pens, wax seals and exquisite desk sets; all attractively boxed for gift giving. Sure to make mom smile every time she writes a note.

3. Homemade Gifts

Antique stores are treasure troves of small dishes, teacups and plates in glass, ceramic or silver. All at affordable prices. Fill one up with her favourite candies, chocolates or flowers, wrap it in tissue paper, tie it with a bow. Mom is certain to appreciate this one-of-a-kind present. Prices starting at $4.

4. Wrap It Up

Vintage napkins, tea towels, crocheted doilies can take the place of wrapping paper for small gifts. Secured with a pretty ribbon, it's sure to delight mom. Prices starting at $3.

5. Hook It

Mom will love a handbag caddy designed to keep her handbags off the floor. It's a new and improved version of a style from days gone by. And it keeps pickpockets at bay, so mom can enjoy a stress-free meal. Price is $34.50.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration, caning and rushing repairs, custom reproductions, upholstery, teaches courses on antiques and does appraisals for estates and community events. He can be reached at 416-785-4555 or by visiting <a target="_new" href="http://www.takeaboo.com">http://www.takeaboo.com</a>

What Your Handbags Say About You

You can tell a lot about a person from the clothes they wear, but you can also tell a lot about a person simply from the handbags they carry. It's hard to believe, but you can find out a number of things about a women's personality just by looking at the type of handbag she sports. Below you will find a number of handbag styles and colors as well as what each specific type of handbag says about the owner.

Styles:

Under-the Shoulder ? Handbags which are smaller and fit tightly underneath the shoulder indicate class and sophistication. A women working in an upscale office or someone of high stature would choose this form of handbag.

Big and Bulky ? Big, bulky and oversized bags are casual and are often associated with younger individuals. These are used for individuals who carry a number of things (binders, books etc) and require a lot of space. Down-to-earth, lower-maintenance women would carry this type of handbag.

Designer ? Designer handbags often cost an arm and a leg and therefore are usually associated with high-maintenance females. Females who are confident and require top of the line accessories will settle for nothing less than a name-brand designer purse. Guys ? watch out for these girls, they tend to be a handful.

Cigar Box Purses ? A women who carries a cigar box purse likes to be unique and stand out from the crowd. These women have minds of their own and cannot be told what to do. They are comfortable in their own skin and tend to be very independent.

Leather with Buckles and Zippers ? Women who choose leather purses with lots of buckles and zippers are leashing out their wild sides. These women tend to act before they think and are always ready for a good time. The extra buckles and zippers tend to signify a &quot;bad girl&quot; image.

Colors:

Bright Colors ? Bright colored handbags like pink, purple, bright blue and green indicate that the woman is fun, friendly and approachable. Women who are out-going and sociable will tend to choose these colors. This is the type of woman who will strike up a conversation with a complete stranger.

Black and Brown ? Women who choose black or brown handbags tend to be more reserved and are often mistaken as being snobby or restricted. These types of handbags are often associated with down-to-earth women, who are shy at first, but open up after a while. They tend to exude a shy confidence, which is sometimes mistaken as someone who thinks she's better than others.

The style and color of your handbag says a lot about you. Choose your handbag very carefully and remember you can choose more than one style. You may feel like being reserved one day and the center of attention another?it's natural to want different things in life.

Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of <a target="_new" href="http://www.designerhandbags101.com/">http://www.designerhandbags101.com</a> - a site that offers information about <a target="_new" href="http://www.designerhandbags101.com/designer-handbags/">handbags</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.designerhandbags101.com/designer-handbags/louis-vuitton.aspx">Louis Vuitton handbags</a>, coach handbags and more.

Oakley Sunglasses! A Global Brand That Defines The True Meaning Of ?Vision?

It's amazing that it has been 30 years since the Oakley name has been introduced, and that this incredible brand of Oakley products originated from a man that started off with a line of motocross goggles back in 1980!

Oakley's reputation has grown since then to be the industry leader in the manufacturing of high-quality sunglassproducts. Their successful journey started with their first high-performance line of Eyeshades?, and branched off into numerous options of sunglasses including M Frames?, Zeros?, E Wires?, A Wires?, Eye Jackets?, Moons?, the X-Metal?, series Mars?, Romeo?, Juliet?, and the introduction of the eyewear called OVERTHETOP?!

The Oakley product line has since grown including prescription eyewear line, Oakley watches, Oakley clothing, footwear, and a wide range of accessories that will be touched on in another article.

Top Oakley Frames Are Designed For Purpose!

Oakley frame options are extremely extensive, so I won't go into the features of every frame and lens they offer. What I have done though, is listed some of their top designs, and I will go into detail on how they will benefit you.

*M Frames: For the person looking for some serious eyewear protection, the Oakley M Frame? is classified as essential equipment for the extreme athlete! Consisting of features that include true Polaric Ellipsoid? geometry, where the lens is contoured in three dimensions to match the curvature of the eye. This patented technology provides you razor-sharp clarity at all angles of view, and you get complete protection against the wind, sun, and side impact.

The M Frame? is ultra-lightweight and extremely comfortable, but don't let this fool you into believing that they will not stand up to extensive abuse. These glasses exceed ANSI Industrial standards for high mass, and high-velocity impact protection!

All the lenses are constructed of pure Plutonite?, which blocks 100% of all the UVA, UVB, UVC, and harmful blue light, offering incredible clarity at the highest level, and the lens options are removable and interchangeable to adapt to a variety of light conditions. The M Frame with hinges for a customized fit, and the Pro M Frame with a hingless design with subtle pressure and flexibility for a secure fit, also come with optional RX implants that are custom grounded to give you optimum corrective prescription optics.

Other frames to consider for the extreme water-sport buff is the Oakley lines including the Oakley Water Jacket? with glare reduction, and vented lenses that combat against all elements on the water. This lens has a formulated hydrophobic coating that prevents water droplet build-up. These are great for athletes that like to play hard in the liquid playground!

Another one to contemplate is the Racing Jacket? that will attract anyone looking for a lens that doesn't easily fog up. They include the best clarity with the patented XYZ Optics?, and have the best defogging ventilation called Ram-air surge ports, combined with Unobtainium? nosebombs, and earsocks that keep the frames securely attached to the hingeless, lightweight frames.

Oakley design! It Doesn't Hurt To Have The Best Protection Make You Look Great

If style and your fashion presence are important to you, but you don't want to compromise your vision safety, Oakley protection has you in mind! They know that how you look and feel is truly the reason why they produced the complete line of Oakley wires, and X Metal frames.

Wire Frames: There are approximately fifteen styles existing, including the hatchet wire, crosshair, and whisker, along with many other wire frame sunglasses. Depending on what style you choose, you will quickly notice the unique wired frame styles, and quality features ranging from the patented hydrophilic Unobtainium? earsocks to ensure a snug, secure fit, the XYZ Optics? for maximized clarity at all angles of vision, the Plutonite? lens material for 100% UV protection, Polarized lenses, and optional Iridium? coating to reflect glare and heighten contrast. What this means for you is that these particular sun glasses not only have a fantastic fashion look, but also will provide you with the best eye care protection from all the bad elements on this planet!

X Metal XX: What can I say! How can you not be impressed with a sunglass that includes Explosive compounds that are vaporized at 3600?F, and is the only frame offering 3-D sculptured, hypoallergenic, all-metal frames on earth! Part of the X- Metal frame family such as the Romeo and the Juliet, it has matched features from the two to enhance coverage for people with larger facial sizes, and now provide new options from Titanium Dioxide plating, to true 24-karat gold finish. Available in a prescription lens as well.

With Oakley making a presence in well over 100 countries around the world, and now with Oakley online giving access to millions of people via the internet, their growing message is that they would like to be recognized as the innovators of reinventing the concept of eyewear. Their passion that ignited the optical industry has provided their vision to become not only the best optical product providers, but also the leader in quality fashion, and an exciting line of accessories!

About the author: William is the owner and the author of &quot;1st In Cool Eyewear&quot; available at <a href="http://www.1st-in-cool-eyewear.com/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.1st-in-cool-eyewear.com</a> A great source for cool sunglasses and a wide variety of sunglasses available online. Find and compare sunglass sites for Oakley sunglasses, Polarized sunglasses, discount sunglasses, designer sunglasses, and sport sunglasses, all in one convenient location.

Diamond Hoop Earrings: The Divas Choice

Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don't lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl's best friend

-- from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

Diamond hoop earrings are perfectly popular these days, thanks to young pop divas like Jennifer Lopez or J-Lo, hiphop diva extraordinaire. J-Lo is also known for spreading the trend of the chandelier earring, and other cascading-style ear ornaments.

Now take another diva and examine her choice of jewelry. We're talking about actress Elizabeth Taylor and her special fondness for diamonds. When she was dubbed a Dame of the British Empire, the nation held a "black tie and diamonds" event, to commemorate her love for that specific precious stone. Diamond hoop earrings are part of Miss Taylor's not inconsiderable jewelry collection.

Take hoop earrings up another level and what do you get? Precious stones set into the hoops. What precious stone is considered the most popular, the most prestigious, and the most in-demand throughout the ages? Of course, it is the diamond.

Diamonds are formed over a period of a billion or more years deep within the Earth's crust - about 90 miles deep - and is pushed to the surface by volcanoes. Most diamonds are found in volcanic rock called kimberlite, or in the sea after having been carried away by rivers when they were pushed to the surface.

Hoops, for their part, come in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. Sometimes they are so fragile as to create cascading earring designs, and at other times they are so thick that you can set stones and other materials into them. Hoop earrings used to be a favorite jewelry style among ancient Central and South American tribes, at a time when gold flowed freely and primarily held only decorative value.

Combine the youthful appeal of hoop earrings and the distinguished status of the diamond and you'll have an entrancing diamond hoop earring. A small, thick hoop earring made of fine silver or gold may be studded with diamonds. Conversely, a hoop earring may also host even just one diamond, snugly fitted into its metal niche. Diamond hoop earrings are a unique design, pursued and appreciated for their earthly elegance.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.morninglightjewelry.com">http://www.morninglightjewelry.com</a> to pick up your FREE copy of &quot;How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.&quot; This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at <a target="_new" href="http://www.morninglightjewelry.com">http://www.morninglightjewelry.com</a>.

Louis Vuitton Handbags

Louis Vuitton is a name recognized throughout the world. Known for their fabulous design and quality product. One must ask how did Louis Vuitton handbags come to be?

In the early 1800s Louis Vuitton trained as a luggage packer for a wealthy Parisian family. He was then appointed by Napoleon III to pack the dresses of the Empress Eugenie. Little did he know this would be the start of his rise to fame.

Because of his extensive luggage knowledge, Louis Vuitton began designing luggage for the wealthy who traveled. His first invention was to design luggage that was flat and therefore easy to stack in railway carriages.

It gained popularity at lightening speed. It didn't take long before his competition was copying his design. Soon after Louis Vuitton marked his luggage with distinctive stripes and checkerboard patterns.

In 1854 the Louis Vuitton business came to be, as luggage began to be replaced with Vuitton's ideas for handbags. Who better to design women's handbags than someone who was an expert in luggage.

Originally the Noe bags carried 5 bottles of champagne. To Louis Vuitton's surprise the Noe bag was extremely popular, and it wasn't long before wealthy woman began to carry this elegant bag.

The Damier Canvas design debuted in 1888. In 1896 the monogram design was launched in an effort to counteract the replicas his competitors were marketing. The monogram logo was made of an intersection of the initials LV, finished with a curved beige diamond and 4 point star intes.

Still today, Louis Vuitton is recognized for its high quality purse. At the factory level, if a purse does not meet the Vuitton standards it is destroyed.

Louis Vuitton has been in business for an amazing 3 centuries and continues to be fore front in the hand bag industry.

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. Please visit us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/">http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/</a>

Your Fashion Style is Important!

Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement, and how you're perceived. Stand straight and carry yourself with grace. You will radiate self confidence.

Here are some fashion tips and advice to look and feel good. Don't forget your jewelry accessories are like the icing on the cake. They are the finishing touch. Dress to Impress and Make Your Fashion Statement!

<B>Fashion Tips<B> <LI>Make sure your wardrobe has plenty of neutrals on hand - they are perfect for mixing and matching. They can be dressed up or down with the right jewelry additions. </LI> <LI>Not a one of us woman has the perfect figure. We all have flaws. Accept your flaws and work with them </LI> <LI>Know your body and what looks good. You are logically attracted to clothes, styles and colors that flatter your figure. Experiment a bit, and try something a bit off your normal habits </LI> <LI>Tailored outfits are flattering to most all figures </LI> <LI>Buy styles that flatter your figure and don't forget that finishing touch with your jewelry </LI> <LI>To make a short neck look longer wear a sccop neck or open collar shirt, complete the look with a long necklace <LI>Large breasted women and women with wide hips can optain balance by using shoulder pads </LI> <LI>Make sure your panty hose fits properly </LI> <LI>Don't bare all - leave something for the imagination. Entice with your a glittery necklace or choker, and don't forget the earrings </LI> <LI>Leather stretches so if your buying a leather skirt or pants make sure they are snug when you purchase them. There are also some fabulous faux leather products on the market that can give you great wear for a season or two without having to worry if they'll still fit next year </LI> <LI>Dress up your look with glittery jewelry, accent a line with a necklace. Don't forget your earrings and bracelets. They add the finishing touch to your look. You can completely change your look just by changing your jewelry. Dress it up or down! </LI> <LI>If you find an outfit in a magazine but its too pricey for your budget don't fret. There are terrific department stores and online sites that sell very similar for much less. Your jewelry is the same. That fabulous designer parure that costs way more than you can afford - your certain to find a similar in an online store for much less. Clip the picture and keep it with you so you can match </LI> <LI>Set your budget and stick to it. Purchase plenty of mix and match pieces to get the most for your money. And don't forget to complete your look with jewelry. Mix and match your jewelry pieces also. </LI>

Make your fashion statement! You are a unique individual with your own look. Portray your self confidence and turn those heads!

? 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 <a target="_new" href="http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/">Estate Jewelry International</a>.