A Guide To Bespoke Engagement Rings

Engagements are one of the most exciting life events - whether it’s you and your loved one, or a much loved family member or friend. Unsurprisingly, many people choose Christmas time to propose, due to the special festivities of the occasion, as well as it being more practical to sneakily buy a ring! Choosing the ring itself is a huge task - not only does it symbolise your love for your partner, but they’ll be wearing it for the rest of their life.

Image Source - Mode Diamonds

Diamonds Are Forever
Diamond engagement rings didn't become the norm until the early 20th Century, due to one famous American jeweller creating the association ‘Diamonds are forever’ that we know today. Before then, rings were passed down through family generations, or the gem used was the bride’s birthstone. Now, however, diamonds are the focal point of an engagement ring - another gem might be interpreted simply as a very nice gift. There’s still plenty of choice to be had when choosing your ring, from different cuts of diamond to selecting the perfect style. Be sure that your diamonds are ethically sourced, as many ‘blood diamonds’ are sourced in conflict zones, where workers are heavily exploited and underpaid.

Choosing a Cut and Style
Ultimately, the size and clarity of the gemstone you choose affects what kind of cut you can have. If your partner is a little bohemian, uncut diamonds can look beautiful, creating a more translucent gem rather than a shiny one. For a chic look, an emerald or cushion cut highlights the diamond’s brilliance, as well as looking beautiful either on its own or with additional detail on the band. A traditional favourite is the princess cut, which is small enough to be practical in everyday wear, while also cut to be especially sparkly. Pear or oval cuts are very popular on vintage style rings, which really stand the test of time - a bonus is that they direct attention along the finger, elongating the hand.

Making It BespokeIf you’re looking to really match your partner’s personality, take a start by looking at some of their favourite jewellery if you can - get a sense of the sorts of colours and styles they like. After all, if your loved one loves baking bread, a massive ring isn't practical! Mode Diamonds, like many jewellers, have a basic range of rings that you can then customise to your partner’s tastes. From Sapphire engagement rings to a range of bespoke Diamond cuts. Be sure to keep the metal of the band, and the colour of the diamond in-keeping with their existing jewellery so everything goes together. For an extra touch, you can have the band engraved - with how you feel, you and your partner’s names, or a special date to commemorate the occasion.

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The Body Shop Oils of Life

The Body Shop Oils of Life collection is a brand new collection that is designed to give your skin some oomph! They are infused with black cumin seed oil, rosehip seed oil and camellia seed oil all of which are known for their supreme revitalising and repairing properties on the skin. I know packaging isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but sometimes, there is just something that really captures your attention and this collection, for me, does exactly that because it is far removed from the normal bottles and tubs you might see in store.  It is minimalist but looks incredibly luxurious and it most definitely is a treat to use.

I have three of the products from the range which I have been using for the last few weeks and I have to say that I wasn't expecting to like them as much as I do and I am not too sure I can even pick a favourite from the three, but this is how I use them.

The first product I have been using is the Intensely revitalising essence lotion (£15) and the common theme you will see with these three products is the infusion of three precious seed oils from around the world, known for their revitalising and repairing properties on skin as I have mentioned – Black Cumin seed oil from Egypt, Camellia seed oil from China and Rosehip seed oil from Chile.again you will find those three precious seed oils of Black Cumin, Camellia Seed and Rosehip Seed coming together to form what is called 'a unique bi-phase [oil + water] formula'. This is the first stage of using the three products after cleansing to remove any surface dirt and grime from my skin.  To use, simply shake the bottle and applying to a cotton wool pad and wipe around the face. I love the feel of this lotion on my skin, its texture being a mix between water and oil makes it fresh feeling but moisturising at the same time and as it works, it nourishes the skin.

The Intensely revitalising facial oil (£28) again infuses those three precious seed oils from around the world. The bottle and accompanying pipette, which I absolutely love, because it makes this oil so much easier to use is so lightweight you barely notice it on the skin. I have found that by dropping just three drops into the palm of my hands is more than enough to cover my entire face, rub my hands together to warm the oil and as it comes into contact with the skin, it absorbs almost immediately on contact and leaves no trace behind, something I like from facial oils. It is also non-sticky and it leaves my face feeling really hydrated and moisturised. 

The Intensely revitalising Gel Cream (£25) uses the same three precious seed oils as the facial oil to form what is described as being 'a dewy-fresh gel cream with illuminating micro-pearls'. This gel cream is a much lighter texture to any other cream I have tried before and it makes a perfect partner to the oil. Having already applied the oil to my face. I have then been applying the gel cream afterwards and on the skin, it literally melts on contact and just feels so light that again it has a non-greasy finish, it isn't stick either and what it does do is leave my skin looking and feeling amazing. The illuminating micro-pearls for me, brighten up my skin.

What I love about these products is how easy they are to use.  There is nothing complicated about the three step programme I have followed and it doesn't take up lots more of my time, there is, should you wish, a massage roller for the range if you prefer it, I have been using my fingertips to massage my face as I complete each step using little patting motions I was once shown during a facial to increase blood circulation of my neck and face and it is also really relaxing at the same time.

Have you tired the Oil for Life range from The Body Shop yet?

The Power of Power Naps

We’ve all heard about the importance of so-called "beauty sleep”, the idea being that the more sleep you get, the better you’ll look. Is it true that getting more sleep could be the secret to looking and feeling better?

All signs point to yes. Though it’s certainly not a magical catch-all solution, making sure that you get plenty of rest is just as important for your appearance as eating well, exercising and drinking plenty of water. Lack of sleep leads to bags under the eyes and dull, dry skin, but in the long term it can also have a negative effect on a person’s health, including impairment of vision.

We all know that we’re supposed to get around 8 hours of sleep a day to be at our best. But let’s face it, sometimes that’s just not on the cards. We have busy lives to live, and it’s not always practical or even feasible to get all the sleep we need in one night; anyone with children can attest to this fact!

A great way to get more beauty sleep is to take power naps. We’re not talking about taking an hour or two to sleep off that huge Sunday lunch, but by taking a short amount of time out of your day to get some rest and give your body and beauty what it needs. It’s the ideal way to catch up on your sleep and refresh yourself for the afternoon, especially if your daily routine is particularly high pressure, busy of stressful.

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A good amount of time for a power nap is anywhere between fifteen and thirty minutes. If you’ve ever felt groggy after a long nap, it’s because the longer you sleep, the deeper that sleep is. If you sleep between fifteen minutes and half an hour, your body will have had enough time to feel refreshed but not enough that it’s settled in for what it thinks is a full night’s sleep.

The quality of your sleep is important too. A peaceful and restful sleep will be much better for your skin and hair than a shallow and fitful one. The best way to ensure that your power nap really does the trick is to make sure you have a comfortable place to sleep. This applies to your normal sleep patterns too, so investing in a high quality bed may be the thing to do.

Your bed is more important than you think, and there are so many bed companies that promise you a great night’s sleep that it can be hard to make the best choice for you. Using an online resource like Bedstar, which stocks a wide range of beds and mattresses from several big name suppliers at competitive prices. If you want to ensure a great night’s sleep each and every night, starting with your bed is one of the best ways to do it.

Studies have shown that an afternoon power nap isn’t just beneficial to our looks, it’s also good for our minds and bodies, with people feeling more alert and productive for the afternoon ahead after a quick power nap than those that went without. Why not give it a try and feel more beautiful?

How to Incorporate Metals in Interior Design

Industrial chic has been taking the interior design world by storm over the last few years. This style comeback has meant that features that were previously looked down upon, like exposed bricks walls or iron beams, have now become all the rage. This has also spawned a new interest in incorporating metals and metallic colours into other kinds of styles in the home.

Chrome

Chrome is probably the most popular kind of metal that we’ve been seeing recently. While it was once exclusively the domain of the bathroom, it has since made its way into the rest of the home too. It’s shiny, metallic surfaces are now being used in light fixtures or as the legs of chairs, tables and other furnishings. While nickel is more expensive, and arguably has a less extreme-looking finish, chrome is one of the more cost-effective solutions to furnishing your home that remains popular with those looking for a clean and futuristic look.

Copper

Materials like copper, gold, and brass went out of fashion after their heyday in the 1980s, with many younger designers feeling that they looked old-fashioned or even ostentatious by modern standards. This kind of retro aesthetic is returning, though, and this year Dulex named Copper Blush as the colour of the year. Copper lamps like those found here make for a great standout item in a room, particularly when used to bring a shot of colour into an otherwise neutral space. Another benefit of the material is that its alloys are 100% recyclable, making it perfect for those looking to incorporate eco-friendly materials into their home and lifestyle.

Steel

Finally, steel is perhaps the material most associated with the resurgence of industrial design. There are many different types of steel, each varying in their carbon content, but typically most interior designers stick with the stainless variety. It’s often used in a similar manner to chrome, as an accent to furnishings or as stairway railings, but it’s when it’s used on a larger scale that it’s most striking, like as the main property in coating an entire ceiling or wall. Like chrome, it has a reflective finish that draws the eye, but the duller colour and texture it has better reflects the industrial setting it originates from.

While the industrial style may not be everyone's cup of tea, you may be surprised about how versatile some of the materials can be. Try experimenting with different looks in your own home to see which one works best for you.


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