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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD| Emerald engagement rings are fast becoming a popular choice for many. They are still in a stage of uniqueness where they are not common, making any emerald engagement ring an inimitable choice that’s sure to stand out among the crowds. The question arises time and again, however, of ‘are emeralds ok for an engagement ring’?

When people ask this, they’re typically talking about whether or not emeralds are suitable for the general rough and tumble that an engagement ring can expect to face, particularly if it’s being worn every day. Diamonds are not only the typical stone of choice for engagement rings entirely due to their beauty and unmatchable sparkle – they are also incredibly hardwearing. The strongest natural material known to exist; the durability of diamonds is peerless.

So, are emeralds equally as up to the task?

emerald engagement rings

The Mohs Scale
The Mohs scale of hardness puts a variety of minerals on a ten-point scale to determine which mineral is hardest and which is softest. Created in 1812, the Mohs scale has faced criticism for its relative lack of precision, but it is still used by geologists and gemmologists alike. The basis of the scale is to use minerals to attempt to mark other minerals. The mineral that leaves a mark is stronger than the one that is marked, and so it moves up the scale. Diamonds sit pretty at the 10-point spot, being the hardest mineral in the world.

Emeralds sit between a 7.5 and an 8 on the Mohs scale, putting them lower than gemstones like topaz and sapphires, and higher than gemstones like opals and peridots. Most gemstones sit between the 5-point and 10-point spots on the Mohs hardness scale, and emeralds sit in a fairly upper-central position for gemstones.

Emerald Hardness
What does this mean for the hardness of emeralds? Are they durable enough to make for good engagement rings? Well, they are still strong for gemstones, despite not reaching the same level of toughness as diamonds. If your engagement ring features accent emeralds, it is certainly up to par for everyday wear, provided you inspect any claws and the overall structural integrity of your ring roughly once or twice a year. 

For those of you more interested in the antique emerald engagement ring styles, where the emerald is the focal point of the ring and therefore the largest – usually most central – stone, there might be slightly different rules. Large emeralds, simply by virtue of being large, open themselves up to a higher possibility of damage. If your engagement ring is an emerald statement piece of jewellery, it should probably be reserved for more formal occasions, or social occasions such as meeting up with friends, going for a shopping trip, or being on holiday. Everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or any physical labour should be done with minimal jewellery.

Emerald Engagement Rings
Overall, emeralds make an excellent choice for engagement rings. Emeralds ranging between 0.5 a carat and 2.5 carats are generally suitable for being worn the same amount as diamonds of the same size. They’re generally cheaper stones, they have something unique about them due to their colour, and they come in the same range of styles as diamond engagement rings.

If you’re interested in emerald engagement rings, whether it’s due to their wide range of green shades, their overall individuality as an engagement ring, or because you’re curious about having an engagement ring that matches your or your other half’s birthstone, you could certainly do a lot worse. Emeralds are beautiful gemstones that are sure to see you right if you take care of them the way they deserve. 

What do you think – are emeralds ok for an engagement ring to you?
10:30 No comments
AD| Something as simple as a smile actually has a great deal of depth, believe it or not. Take the example set by BBC News, for example, who in 2017 covered 19 types of smile wherein only 6 were for happiness. Each toothy grin, mischievous smirk, or noisy belly laugh communicates a separate meaning, with an abundance of nuance to be tapped into thereafter. Even if you don’t quite realise it, you are constantly communicating something about yourself with every twitch of your lips. 

You may also be reading into other people’s feelings more than you might know when they spare a smile too! With so many ranges of emotions and purposed portrayed from smiles, it’s worth considering how crucial yours could be. So, let’s explore this further. Just how important is your smile?

girl smiling

A Sign of Compliance?
Many women have endured that incredibly patronising moment where they are told to ‘smile more’ by some random person on the street. It’s understandable to be irritated by this remark. After all, it’s unhealthy to adopt a mindset whereby you owe anyone anything, particularly a smile to a stranger. Some people keep such things reserved for the special people or moments in their life, or simply don’t want to walk around looking gleeful without an actual reason to be.

There’s nothing wrong with having your guard up or being neutral with people you don’t know. Therefore, your smile can be a sign of submission, particularly if you hand it out to strangers on the street like a dancing monkey. Some even argue that, for women, looking unapproachable on occasion can be a great asset, and if that’s the way you want to go about things, that’s valid. In the end, using your smiles at your own discretion is all that can reasonably be expected of you.

A Mood Setter
A smile can be infectious, and there’s a lot of power in that! Louis Armstrong was partially right; "when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you". If the more open sort, then smiling can be viewed as putting yourself out there, thereby encouraging others to follow suit and do the same. If you can be the people’s champion in that regard, people may come to view you as a beacon of positivity, and the go-to for a good time!

If you smile when meeting someone for the first time, you’re almost guaranteed to have them return the favour. Most people like to be around happy individuals, hoping their upbeat energy will be infectious enough to give them a lift somewhat. If you can provide that, you’re winning.

A Personality Highlight
In any social engagement, a smile can lift everything up, allowing your personality to sing in all its glory. If you’re more inclined to smile in social settings, you might find you make more friends, or even have better luck with potential romantic partners. Your smile demonstrates a degree of openness, and it can also be the ultimate wordless compliment. After all, you are showing that you are happy with the company you’re keeping in a very organic way, free from the dilution of words. 

To electrify your smile even further, you could consider something like the Crest Whitening Strips from EuroWhite to give your chompers some extra shine. While every smile is a lovely smile, if you’re self-conscious about your own, these fluoride toothpastes and 3D Crest Whitestrips might just help you clamber over a few hurdles. You’ll have less anxiety when you know you’re looking your personal best, enabling you to thrive in any social situation imaginable.

girl smiling

A Tension Reliever
Just as much as your smile can set the mood of a social scene, it can also defuse any unwanted tensions that come from others later on. It sometimes takes a skilful smile to counter negative vibes. After all, everyone is aware of at least one person misery guts in their life killing vibes left and right. Much of dusting these people down and turning their attitudes around can come from your smile. It communicates that you’re above their drama and they should be too, without launching tirades and being confrontational!

Being able to smile through someone else’s negativity can also influence the ‘Debbie Downer’ also. If you’re being bullied, a grin from you could be enough to let them know that their efforts are wasted on you. You could be splitting up a fight between friends, and the smirk can be a signal that their squabble is rather pathetic. Use it wisely, and your smile can turn ugly situations into harmless, forgettable instances.

A Cunning Disguise
The phrase ‘grin and bear it’ has lasted a great many years for a reason, and there is no harm in taking it literally once in a while. A smile can not only defuse other’s confrontations, but also your own. Bored at a friend’s party? Smiling is likely the polite way to conceal your true feelings about the matter. Irritated by a very temporary acquaintance? A grin might just be enough to get you through the encounter unscathed socially. 

Sometimes, a smile can be worn like a mask, seeing you through awkward or unfavourable situations sooner rather than later. Of course, you shouldn’t conceal your feelings in times of true distress, and getting help should be at the top of your agenda in such scenarios. However, for the more trivial, mind-numbing matters in life, grinning and bearing it can prevent sticky scenarios becoming more uncomfortable.

A Professional Tool
Smiles are incredibly useful tools in professional settings, enabling people to ease up and relax when important matters are being discussed. Even the job interview stage benefits from a warm smile. Whether you’re the interviewer or the interviewee, smiling tells the other parties that you’re pleasant and comfortable under pressure. Of course, nobody wants to work with soulless drones all day, so if you can offer a smile, it’s just a signal that you’re positive, upbeat, and happy to be there.

It’s not just about interviews either. Client meetings, monthly performance reviews, customer facing roles; the smile takes the sting out of all of them. You will notice that most shop staff you have dealt with in your life have had a smile on their face, as in that context, it is incumbent with their role and a large part of how they engage customers. 

Ultimately, when you’re selling a product or service, a wide toothy grin is a tool in your arsenal.
10:00 1 comments
AD| The most important decision when beginning to create and make your dream garden a reality, is simply deciding what type of theme/layout you would like to create in the space that you have. Gardens coming in all shapes and sizes depending on where you live and what type of property you own, so it's definitely important to think ahead and plan what you want to ensure it fits nicely. 

Essentially, your garden is an outdoor extension of your home, it's the area of the house you would spend the most time in during the warmer months of the year, so you'll want to make it as aesthetically pleasing and welcoming as possible. This doesn't have to prove costly, as there are a number of tips to take into consideration, for your dream garden to be created on a low budget. When you do your research and plan things well, you can figure out your layout/design, find building materials suitable for your budget, and ultimately have your dream garden exactly how you want it. 

With the resources out there today, you don't always need to hire professionals and many gardening jobs can be done by yourself. Looking online for help and tutorials is a great place to start if you're ever unsure about certain tasks. You'll be able to learn new skills, and feel a sense of accomplishment when you can finally look at your finished garden, and feel extremely proud that you were part of the successful process.

garden design landscaping

Search for Inspiration 
Before designing your garden, looking for ideas and inspiration is something that can really help open your eyes to a variety of themes, styles and layouts that you could potentially bring to your own back garden. There's so many possibilities for what kind of atmosphere you want to create in your dream garden, it can be a real struggle to know exactly what you want. However, there is so many places you can seek inspiration from, and some of them are even free or just require internet access. Pinterest and Instagram are both great online resources when it comes to finding inspiration for certain tasks. You simply type in what you want to look at, and thousands of results come up. Another place to find inspiration is by exploring the area around you. Have a look at neighbours front gardens, have a walk around a local area or even visiting parks. There's so much variety in the environment that it will definitely help you narrow down your design inspiration for your dream garden.

Measure Up and Plan Your Layout
Having a rough layout guide and taking measurements of your garden area are definitely ideal methods of beginning to create your dream garden. This allows you to understand what space you have to work with and also to be able to visualise on paper what elements you could bring to your dream garden before starting any work. You will also be able to come up with multiple drawn plans, helping you to try out different design/layout options before you commit to the final design. You could hire professionals for this, but keep the costs low by doing it yourself. All you need is a tape measure, some pens and paper and you're good to go.

Consider Adding Multiple Textures
Creating your dream garden space doesn't just have to be a grassed area and nothing else. Consider adding multiple textures and materials to create a dynamic atmosphere and interesting look. Adding things like grass, gravel, concrete slabs and wooden patio areas help to add texture and create interest in your outdoor space. With your outdoor space more inviting and exciting, you're bound to want to spend more time outside and admire your handy work.

dream garden

Incorporate Plants
Adding greenery, shrubs and flowers to your garden is the perfect way to inject some colour, texture and life into your outdoor area. This helps make your outdoor space that little bit more colourful, inviting and appealing. It's also a key visual element when planning your garden set up, and you should pick the right plants that you feel will be suitable, manageable and maintainable for your lifestyle. Things to consider whilst deciding on the plants you would like to use include the area where you live, the weather conditions and the amount of space you have.

Create Seating Areas
Don’t forget to create a space to enjoy your efforts. Having somewhere comfortable and welcoming to spend your time in the garden is an essential must have, and something that can be made quite affordable when on a budget. A patio or concreted area is a perfect set up for your garden furniture and a lovely place to relax and look out across your beautiful garden. Choosing a professional domestic concrete supplier might be a great idea for this, as they will offer you the best pricing quotes and use high quality materials to ensure longevity of your building works.

Paint Outdoor Buildings and Fences
Finally, if you're garden is in need of a freshen up, adding a splash of paint to garages, sheds, and fences could just be the answer to all your dream garden needs. By doing this, you can really liven up your outdoor space and give it that TLC it really needs. These outdoor buildings could be the main focal areas of your garden, so it's important to keep them in good condition and well looked after. Paint can be found very affordably at any DIY or home store, and it might be just what you need to make your outdoor garden space go from 0 to 100.

What features would your dream garden have? What low budget tips have you used? 
10:00 1 comments
With the current colder wintery weather, finding the right haircare routine has never been more important. If 2021 is the year you're looking to upgrade your haircare regime, look no further. This year, I'm all over trying to improve my haircare game. I'm making sure to get my hair in the best condition, keep it nourished, and ultimately, grow it longer. 

I've been following a number of different haircare tips, incorporating these into my daily routine, to help with my haircare journey this year. Alongside these haircare tips, I've been expanding the haircare products I've been using, experimenting with different brands and treatments, in order to find those suitable for my hair type and needs.

The Hair Boss Overnight Repair Serum
 "A luxuriously rich serum that revives and repairs damaged hair while you sleep."

Developed by hair expert Lisa Shepherd, The Hair Boss is a current favourite go-to brand of mine to help tackle my hair problems. Recently, I've been trying out The Overnight Repair Serum to help restore my drier mid-lengths and ends, and regain some much needed moisture. With a lightweight formula, you only need a couple drops everyday to get the best results. A little bit definitely goes a long way, and this 30ml bottle is bound to last you a long time.

Formulated with a blend of luxurious hair oils, this overnight serum has seriously been helping to hydrate and replenish my dry ends. It’s an indulgent, and easy way to improve hair health with only a few seconds work, adding that much needed moisture it's desperately needing.

· Chia Seed Oil - rich in various fatty acids that can penetrate the hair shaft to seal in moisture and prevents hair breakage.

· Macadamia Nut Oil - great for calming frizz, tangles, and dullness.

· Argan Oil - can moisturize your hair and scalp and protect your hair from everyday damage.

· Sunflower Seed Oil - deeply nourishing and soothing to dry hair and scalps. It locks in moisture and helps keeps hair healthy and strong.

· Soy Bean Oil - contains many essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

· Coconut Oil - adds lustre, shine and softness to the hair, as well as promoting hair growth.

"Turn back time with our luxuriously rich serum that works to reduce the signs of damage while you sleep. Rich in natural oils the serum provides the hair with vital nutrients and moisture needed for strong, healthy hair."

The Overnight Repair Serum has been a great addition into my haircare routine, so simple to use and requires minimum effort, it's a thumbs up from me! I like to keep this hair serum next to my bed, to ensure the application of the product is so easy and quick. Before I go to sleep, I like to warm 2-3 drops of the product into the palm of my hands, and gently massage into the mid-lengths and ends of my hair. 

I follow this by simply brushing my hair, to make sure all the product has been evenly distributed through my hair, and leave it to work its magic overnight. With regular use of this product, I have definitely seen a change in the texture and appearance of my hair, especially at the ends. The Overnight Repair Serum has definitely helped add moisture and shine back into my hair, and provided that hydration it's really needed on my journey to healthy, strong hair.

Have you tried The Hair Boss Overnight Repair Serum? What products feature in your haircare routine?
10:00 2 comments
AD - GIFTED | When it comes to jewellery, I keep my collection pretty basic as it's not something I tend to wear on an everyday basis. When I do incorporate jewellery into an outfit, I tend to wear pretty small and definitely more subtle pieces, as I find these much more comfortable to wear. When it comes to wearing minimalist jewellery, you don't want to get too fussy.

Top tips when picking dainty jewellery pieces

- Pick simple, clean pieces. This allows you to make a statement with your jewellery choices whilst still being minimal. Think of it in terms of the saying "less is more".

- Go bold with geometric design pieces. If you want to add some interest to your jewellery collection, incorporating chains with pendants might be something to go for. They help being some elegance to your outfit, whilst being super simplistic and easy to wear.

- Stack your statement pieces. This styling technique can really take your basic outfit from 0 to 100 with minimal effort. Layering up 2 or 3 necklaces together is an easy way to make your jewellery stand out, whilst not being to loud and 'in your face'.

- Avoid mixing metals with necklaces. This is something I tend to stick to. When it comes to jewellery, I usually stick to gold as this is my preferred metal. I find by sticking to one metal for necklaces helps to pull the look together and makes it more sophisticated and classic.

Jewel Editions Necklace

A recent addition to my collection has been from Jewel Editions; an everyday jewellery company that combines quality materials, contemporary designs, and affordable prices. 
I decided to add the Gold Moon Necklace* into my collection as I thought it was the perfect addition to my minimal jewellery collection. 

This delicate gold necklace is a subtle and classic piece that can help add that hint of sparkle to any outfit. I've been wearing the necklace alone for a more simple, dainty look, or sometimes teaming it up with something a little more chunky for a more layered look. I find that when I mix different necklaces, it helps to create more of a statement piece that can really bring a more casual outfit to life.

Jewel Editions Gold Moon Necklace

"Representing changing seasons, the ebb and flow of the tide and a symbol of life in many faiths."

Why necklaces are the perfect outfit accessory

-  They add interest to your outfit. Incorporating necklaces into your daily outfits can help add interest and sometimes be a conversation starter. With the right size and style, they can intrigue others to ask questions.

- To dress up a more casual look. Adding statement pieces to casual outfits is the easiest way to take your look from day to night. A t-shirt and jeans might be a simple everyday outfit, but combine it with a statement necklace and some heels, and it's instantly more dressy.

- They draw eyes up to your face. Having a focal point near your face will draw attention to it, and make other parts of your body/outfit less noticeable. 

What jewellery pieces do you have in your collections? What other style tips do you have?

10:00 No comments
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