Guest Post: Styles for Fall 2012 Fashion Lineup

Hi guys - this post is aimed towards my readers in the northern hemisphere where it is now fall. I'm happy to be experiencing warm/hot weather right now in Australia, I love the sun!

So for you guys who are experiencing cold weather right now, this post may be of interest to you :)

Firstly, let me introduce you to the guest blogger of this post, Anya.

Anya Sarre is one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Sarre is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.

Do you want to be runway fabulous this fall season? Try some of these comfortable yet daring fashion trends and get comfortable with who you are. Even major celebrities can gain confidence from these fall fashion trends. This year, there is a fashion trend that meets nearly every personality, style and budget. So, let’s get started uncovering what the fashion world has in store for us this fall season.

 
As you step onto your daily runway, show your inner fashionista by wearing printed oversized slacks held up by suspenders. The slacks typically have deep pockets and allow women to appear chic while standing and waiting for a dinner table, lunch table, cab, bus or other appointments. Button-up shirts and trench coats also part of this unique new style worn by women who want a look that is different from the traditional. Try pairing your ensemble with a beret or other fall hat to make the look complete.



Plaids, tweeds and textures are common with this look. Black and whites are quite attractive on women with slick-backed hair and short hair cuts to give the total appeal that a woman has assumed the role of a man in the fashion world. A splash of color, such as purple, may be added to break up the monotony of the outfit. A monochromatic black ensemble with a hat that resembles a police officer’s hat is another way that this look can be enjoyed while remaining authentic.

Even men’s ties are making a comeback in women’s wardrobes. The ties may complement the jackets and overcoats that women often wear. Women’s shoes include high-heeled Mary Jane’s. These shoes are just the right height to provide lift and help the women’s body appear lean and long.

Head out to the vintage stores this season to find the latest fashion trends. Though androgynous attire can be found in standard stores also, many people prefer to shop the vintage stores. It will be a fall fashion trend that you and your friends will not soon forget.  

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Thanks for that, Anya! I always like to read other people's perspectives on fashion because not everyone has the same style or taste. And I particularly like to read about fashion trends - I find it reassuring to know whether something I wear is "okay" and not "out of fashion/so last year". I wonder if anyone thinks the same!

Questjen of the week:

Do you like to be informed about fashion trends? 

Or do you only go by your 'own' style?

♥ Jen xx

 

Natural Products for Hair Care

Hello everyone! I want to start off by saying thank you for the birthday wishes in my last post :D I'm sorry for trolling hahaha, please forgive me! May is coming to an end wow, half way through the year :O And it's almost winter here in Aus and for you lucky people in the northern hemisphere, you guys are experiencing lovely warm weather. As much as I love winter fashion, I despise the rain because that prevents me from going out most of the time ;__; Anyway, enough about the weather...

In my last post I mentioned hair quite a bit (ghd styler and wigs) and hair is going to be the main focus for this blog post too. Have you thought about whether natural products could be used for your hair... like items that you could find in your pantry? Maybe not? Ahaha that's okay, I haven't actually thought about using something like a piece of fruit for my hair but thanks to this guest post written by Audrey Porterman, I have now been introduced to products which are usually found in the kitchen and can be used for cooking and also for the hair! Curious to find out? Read the post below :)


Natural Products for Hair Care

So you don't have to spend a lot of money to have fabulous hair. While a $400 haircut might make your hair look very stylish, a $40 haircut might do the same job. Likewise, while a $50 bottle of shampoo might make your hair soft and shiny, a few ingredients from your kitchen pantry might be able to do the same job.

There are plenty of products you can make at home to wash, condition, and repair your hair and scalp. You don't have to purchase expensive or exotic ingredients to do so either. Most products can be made with items you already have in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas:

Conditioner

Some conditioners can be made with a single ingredient. For example, you can steep green tea in boiling water then let it cool and pour it over your hair for an easy conditioner. Just let the tea sit in your hair for three minutes before rinsing. You can also pour a beer over your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Your hair may smell a bit like green tea or beer, but it will be soft and shiny :)


Other simple conditioners can be made with honey. Try mixing equal parts honey and water and working the mixture through your hair. Rinse until the honey is all gone (may require several rinses...). Instead of water, you can also mix the honey with banana (one banana for one cup honey). Honey also has the added benefit of smelling better than beer!

Source: Flickr

Repair Treatment

Professional restoration treatments can be very pricey, yet they are quite simple to make at
home.

For deep conditioning, try mixing together an egg white, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup
yogurt. Work it into your hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Another great treatment to repair hair and restore shine is a banana avocado mixture. Mash
together a banana, avocado and egg, then add 2 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of
buttermilk, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Leave on for 30 minutes then wash out with shampoo. Don't add conditioner because this mix will have already worked to condition your hair and scalp.

Dandruff Control

A flaky scalp can be unsightly and embarrassing. You can easily treat it with some simple
ingredients.

Apple cider vinegar is not only a health elixir, but it's also a natural beauty remedy. Cover your scalp with apple cider vinegar and wrap your head in a towel for an hour to treat dandruff. Wash it out when you're finished. After a few treatments, you should notice a renewed scalp without the flakes.

Source: Flickr

Olive oil or coconut oil is another great remedy. Apply it directly to the scalp and leave it on for the day. Wash out at the end of the night. It's a great moisturizing treatment for your scalp, and it will help with flakes.

Having beautiful hair doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Using some of these simple home
remedies can help you get beautiful hair and scalp.

Do you have any other favorite home remedies for hair care? Tell us your ideas in the
comments!

Audrey Porterman is the main researcher and writer for doctoralprograms.org. Her most recent accomplishment includes graduating from Ohio State, with a degree in business management. Her current focus for the site involves a management phd and marketing phd.

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Thank you Audrey, what an interesting post. I used to have a flaky scalp and using anti-dandruff shampoos actually didn't do much for me :( If I had known about these home remedies at the time, I would have given them a try! But gladly it is alright now and I no longer have a flaky scalp... I don't know why it has disappeared haha oh well, I'm happy :) So if anyone does and have a flaky scalp and hasn't successfully found a way to combat it, perhaps a simple home remedy could do the trick.

I don't think I'd ever try pouring beer over my hair hahaha but I wonder if anyone is actually game enough to try that out! Honey is definitely the better alternative - it's bound to leave your hair smelling sweet  ^_^

Questjen of the week:

Would you or have you ever tried home remedies for your hair?

My answer: Never

I honestly prefer to use products that have been designed specifically for the hair with directions of use and whatnot. I don't mind that it has chemicals in it, just as long as it is safe to use and highly recommended! Unless desperate times call for desperate measures... then maybe I would give pantry items a try...

♥ Jen

Guest Post: Make up tips for the woman on the go

Hi lovelies, I know I've been pushing out quite a few guest posts lately but I have been bombarded with guest post requests and I just can't say no to well-written content for my blog! It also gives me that extra time to focus on my studies while still having weekly updates here =] Keep in mind that I'm a full-time student and have exams coming up around the corner, eek! I honestly don't know how people juggle working full-time and blogging a few times a week...

On the topic of working and being busy, this guest post is perfect for those who have that type of lifestyle. I would say that mine is sort of like that... but yeah, if you're a woman on the go, here is a post with tips about applying makeup when you may not have all the time in the world. As I go to uni, I don't actually make the effort to put on makeup (I don't have enough time to in the morning anyway!) but it's completely understandable if you're working in the corporate field or in an area where wearing makeup is acceptable/expected.

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Make up tips for the woman on the go

With many modern women toiling long hard hours as they pursue their careers, it can be hard to juggle looking great with working great. While you can get plenty of help with work or child support, applying your make up is still something that you have to do yourself.

The problem many face is that they don't have enough time to complete all their tasks, and would prefer to drop some rather than focus more attention on them. However, extremes, such as avoiding cosmetics completely or lasering off eyebrows and drawing/tattooing them on to save on plucking time, are generally not considered sane advice. With a few simple tricks, applying makeup can be done in a blink of a perfectly mascara-covered eyelash.

Consolidate and minimise your makeup collection

The first tip is to minimise your make up case. With half a dozen products you can cover the major bases. Buy a good moisturiser, foundation and blush for your face, then eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss for your features. The more you add to your face, the longer it takes you to apply. 

Enhance your natural beauty, don’t hide it

You can skimp more, if you're confident. Not all women need foundation, so if your skin has a natural beauty – enhanced by your moisturiser – then you can do without, or go for a tinted moisturiser. If you feel the need for foundation, put a spot on your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. With a sponge, rub the foundation upwards into your skin until smooth. By rubbing upwards, you help to conceal any wrinkles that you may or may not admit to having. As with all make up less is better, especially for the office.

Blinking big eyes

For your eyes, stick to one shade for the shadow. You may like more when you go out, but remember that you're trying to cut down on your prep time and this is an easy way to do so. As well as using in the normal manner, put a touch on a small applicator brush and run under your bottom eyelashes and it doubles up as an eye liner. Add your mascara and your eyes are done. If you find that you have dark circles around your eyes, use some eye concealer or get some more sleep. 

Rosy cheeks

To give your face a bit of depth, rouge your cheekbones in a tone that suits your skin tone and brush towards your ears for a quick and glamorous look. Add your lip gloss or lip stick and you're set to go.

Doing your make up in this way can take as little as five minutes a day, which means you can be out into rush hour traffic and cursing other drivers quicker than ever before!

About the author

Sarah Paige is a Sydney based office worker, chained to the 8-6, helping families acquire child support when needed.

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Thanks Sarah for the lovely post! In this case, less can definitely mean more :) Minimising our makeup collection is a great tip because it is seriously so stressful to be in a rush and not be able to find the item that you need! Having all the necessities in one spot like in the top drawer makes things a whole lot easier and saves time. And it's true - applying makeup can take as little as 5 minutes or less! I've seen many people on Youtube take up this challenge and have been successful.

My questjen of the week:

If you only had 5 minutes to put on your makeup, which tasks would you be able to complete?

My answer:

• Apply moisturiser/primer with hands (10 seconds)
• Apply foundation with a sponge/brush (1 minute)
• Apply concealer with finger/brush (20 seconds)
• Apply loose powder with brush (30 seconds)
• Apply eyeshadows with brush and blend (1 minute)
• Apply pencil and liquid eyeliner (30 seconds)
• Curl eyelashes (15 seconds)
• Apply mascara (15 seconds)
• Apply either lipbalm/gloss/stick (10 seconds)
• Apply blush with brush (10 seconds)
• Fill in brows and comb (40 seconds)

= 5 minutes

They are only rough estimations of how long I take to do each task, not including the time to get the product out of my drawer, open the lid, get the product, close the lid and put the item back. So if I was really given 5 minutes starting from scratch, I'd probably only do what's most important to me which are moisturising, foundation/concealer if needed, eyeliner, curled eyelashes and lip balm, then the rest if I had time spare.

I wouldn't have any time in the mornings to put on circle lenses or false lashes - I would probably need an extra 5-10 minutes at least!

I'm curious to know how long you girls take to put on your makeup in the morning or whenever you go out, and which tasks you never miss or always miss due to any time constraints!

♥ Jen

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored guest post.

Guest Post: When Is It Time to Replace Your Makeup?

Hi everyone! I have a guest post here which was sent to me and written by Sarah Rexman who is the main researcher and writer for bedbugs.org. For this post she has written about how often we should replace our makeup. I actually lack a bit of knowledge when it comes to this (bad beauty blogger right here haha) so it was good to finally be able to know the signs that tell us when to chuck out our cosmetics. I've learnt the hard way many times, especially with some face creams I have used in the past. They would work perfectly well for my skin but after a year later I would develop an allergic reaction to them... and then I'd be too put off to purchase that product ever again... when the only problem was that it past its use by date.

Here is a quick post to let you know the recommended times for keeping your makeup items!

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When Is It Time to Replace Your Makeup?

If you like to keep up with the latest fashions and beauty trends, you may never keep makeup in your bag long enough to ask this question. If you’re like me and you like to keep every eyeshadow and mascara wand until the last application is used, you may need to brush up on expiration guidelines.

Old makeup can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs that can cause infection, breakouts, and other problems. Not sure if that mascara you’ve been using everyday for the last several months is still good? Here are some common guidelines for the best “use by” date on common cosmetic items:

(source: Flickr)

Liquid Foundation and Concealer

Replace every six months. If it looks grainy or clumpy, it’s time to replace it – even if it’s only been a couple of months.

Compact Powder and Blush

Replace every six to nine months. Throw out applicators and brushes whenever they start to get dirty. If you are using expensive brushes that are designed to be reused, make sure you wash them well.

Eye Shadow

Replace every three to six months. Eye makeup should be watched carefully, as bacteria spread through this makeup can cause potentially serious infections in the eye. Remember to replace applicators, as well as the shadow.

Eye Liner and Mascara

Replace every three months. If you have an eye infection, replace all makeup, no matter how long you have had it.

Lipstick and Lip Gloss

Replace every 12 months. Keep them in a cool spots to prevent melting.

Nail Polish

Replace every 12 months. If pigments don’t blend after vigorous shaking, it is time to replace the polish. Polish that has become thick should be replaced.

Sunscreen

Replace every six months. If the product starts to separate, appears oily, or has a foul smell, it’s time to replace it.

The above are all guidelines. Some recommendations allow for keeping products longer, and others recommend replacing them sooner. Evaluating the quality of the product can let you know if it’s time to replace an item. You may need to replace an item if it:

Has a foul odor
Develops a different texture
Separates
Hardens
Becomes discolored

Of course, if you become ill or develop an infection, you should also replace your makeup.

(source: Flickr)

Follow these basic guidelines, and you can prevent infection and nasty breakouts on your skin!

Sarah Rexman is the main researcher and writer for bedbugs.org. Her most recent accomplishment includes graduating from Florida State, with a degree in environmental science. Her current focus for the site involves research for her bed bugs website about baby bed bugs.

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Thank you, Sarah! The item that I constantly find myself having to chuck out and replace are nail polishes - it's such a shame when they start getting gluggy and the formula inside starts separating. Sometimes I can't find the same shade again so I no longer have it in my collection :( The worst thing is when you purchase makeup that you want to keep as your HG (holy grail) but it was only limited edition, thus it's rare to repurchase once the product is finished or needs to be chucked out. This is why it's awesome to have back-ups but then again, you need to take into account its shelf-life before you start using it.

Us ladies tend to spend so much on makeup each year to replace finished and use by items - men will never understand this need for us to update our stash!

Questjen of the week number 2 (check previous post for qjen number 1):

 Do you always follow the rules when it comes to replacing your makeup?

My answer: No... *runs away and hides*

 I do try to and now that I am fully aware of the "rules", I will do my best to abide by them! I need to set a better example as a beauty blogger!

♥ Jen

Guest Post: Find your True Color with Josie Maran's Matchmaker Foundation

Hi guys! I've had to schedule this post today as I am currently busy with mid-semester tests for uni :( I always try to keep my promise of blogging once a week and with the help of a guest post, it allows me to take a small breather for my hectic schedule this week. Blogging usually is my way of de-stressing but lately I have been spending hours on each post (because of my dedication). This guest post couldn't have come at a better time!

I'd like to introduce you all to the author of today's guest post - Alvina Lopez, a freelance writer. More information about her is in the by-line at the very end. She has written about The Matchmaker Serum Foundation which I hadn't known about until I read her post. A very interesting read indeed :) Without further ado, here is the guest post:

Find your True Color with Josie Maran's Matchmaker Foundation

It doesn’t matter which way you look at it when it comes to foundation; it seems like you always have to give up something in one area to get quality in another. Sure, you can find the perfect shade, but if your skin tone is anything outside of the typical “fair, light, or medium” range, you’re going to have to throw down big bucks to get something that doesn’t make you look like a clown. And, even when you do make the investment in expensive foundation, sometimes the ingredients are just the same as the cheap drugstore brands and loaded with harmful toxins. You can go the natural makeup route, but many of those lines have even worse color selection or just don’t work as well as the traditional brands. So, when it comes to finding your perfect shade, what’s a girl to do? Introducing the Argan Matchmaker™ Serum Foundation from ex-model Josie Maran!

If you are having trouble finding the right shade of makeup, don’t want to pay a fortune for a good product and need something high-quality and toxin-free, this is the stuff. 

The foundation comes out of the bottle looking like a white lotion. But, when you rub it on your skin, it magically adjusts to your exact shade and provides perfect, natural-looking coverage.

Check out this Youtube.com user review to see the effect for yourself.

The Matchmaker Serum Foundation is made with organic coconut, aloe vera leaf juice, titanium dioxide (a natural SPF), soy, natural fragrance, and Josie’s popular super-skin ingredient, argan oil.

Chameleon pigments instantly reflect and adjust to your natural skin tone, and the serum is made to change into the perfect shade for you, whether you have fair, medium or dark skin with warm, cool or neutral hues. It comes in only two different shades, light/medium and medium/dark, but they really do match any skin tone.

To use the foundation, squirt a bit onto the back of your hand and blend with your finger. The shade should adjust automatically. Then, take a foundation brush and sweep it over your skin using upward and outward motions. The foundation is so light it feels like a moisturizer, but the coverage is flawless.

To check it out, head to your local Sephora or the Josia Maran’s website, here

By-line:
Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com. 

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Thank you Alvina for your wonderful post! I really want to try this foundation now *_* It made me think 'wow!' when I saw how it adjusted to the demonstrator's skin tone in the video. I always have trouble finding the perfect match as some foundations tend to have a pink undertone whereas my skin has more of a yellow tone. I probably wouldn't have that problem again if I had this foundation haha. It definitely seems like a good investment.

Guest posts don't stop me from including my own questjen ;) Hopefully you guys enjoyed reading this post.

Is it easy for you to find your perfect foundation match?

My answer: Usually no

It's such a shame that my face isn't one shade lol, my forehead is a little darker than my face but my face is lighter than my neck. I don't know how many of you face this dilemma too... maybe it's just me xD I tend to go for the 'natural beige' or 'light/medium' shades to be on the safe side. I never like to look too pale or too tanned!

♥ Jen

Guest Post: Staying stylish with your technology

Hi guys! I have a guest post for you all today aimed for you beauty lovers and fashionistas out there, brought in collaboration with Rentsmart - a technology rental company with a range of products varying from HDTVs to laptops and desktop PCs etc.

I'm sure that many bloggers as well as blog readers out there are big technology fanatics, including myself! I am constantly checking my updates and notifications on all social networking services wherever I am, because it has become so normal for me to stay on top of everything that's going on with friends, family, peers, media and even celebrities! Finding out news about these is really easy and accessible :)

But what about the latest trends in beauty and fashion? Why is it so difficult for me to keep up with two of my top interests?! On my phone and laptop I read blogs, I follow fashion and beauty companies on Twitter, I see status updates from 'liked' beauty and fashion pages on Facebook but I can never find all of the daily news about these topics in one place.

If you're a bit like me and haven't found the perfect forum or app to be in the know of all the latest beauty/fashion trends and styling tips, look no further...

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Staying stylish with your technology

There’s more that you can do with your laptop, iPhone or iPad than surfing the web, making phone calls or e-mailing on the go. And if you’re a fashionista, you might be missing out on the endless opportunities that these different technologies provide to help stay stylish – it’s an untapped well of resources!

If you’re a bit of a novice when it comes to making the most out of your technology, here are some ways that your technology can help you stay on top of all the trends.

Applications on your iPhone

There are thousands of beauty and fashion apps that you can download onto your phone that can help you access beauty, style and fashion tips on the go. From beauty apps that provide you with information on different types of beauty products (such as the Beautyheaven.com.au app), fashion apps that pull all the latest trends, sales and insights from all the big brands (such as the Gucci Style app) and apps from popular magazines (such as Vogue VIP), these apps provide you with all the beauty information that you need, accessible at any time, from your iPhone.

Online shopping

If you haven’t already, it’s time to jump on the online shopping bandwagon. Shopping online can provide you with significant savings, and it’s a more convenient way to shop without having to leave your house. Online shopping also increases the pool of designers that you can shop from – international online shopping sites can ship you their products to you in days! You can access online shopping sites from laptops, smartphones or tablets, making it easy to shop wherever you are!

iPad e-Magazines
 

Referred to as ezines, eMagazines or webzines, there are both online versions of magazines and magazines that are specifically created for the web. Many of these are made to be iPad friendly, so that you can easily browse your favourite title from your iPad while you’re on the go. The inbuilt iPad application Newsstand is designed to help you read your favourite newspapers and magazines on your device, so that you can keep them all in one place. You can also search reading materials to match your interests – such as a number of fashion and style magazines.

If you would like to have an endless stream of beauty products and advice at your fingertips, it might be time to invest in that new iPad or a smartphone that can give you access to this pool of sartorial gold. If you want to spread the cost of this new technology, a smart alternative can be equipment rental. There are a number of companies out there that offer equipment rental – from tablet rental, to smartphone rental – you can even rent a television.

Are you making the most of your gadgets? What’s your favourite fashion or beauty app, online shopping site or e-Mag? 

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I haven't got a favourite fashion app (yet) but beauty app would be the OPI app and... Etude! OPI because it has the full database of their nail polish shades and you can 'test' the colours on a hand. Haha, not an actual hand but one where you can customise the skin colour to match yours, so you'll know how the nail polish would look like if it were on your actual nails! Some particular shades of nail polishes can clash with skin colour so that's why I love this app - it's like trying before buying :D As for Etude, it's just such a pink and pretty app with 2NE1 and you can use a photo of yourself and apply eye makeup on your photo! It's as though you can photoshop a pair of false eyelashes onto yourself hehe~

So there you go, hopefully now you can successfully combine beauty and fashion with technology after discovering new resources and options. I'll definitely be downloading the apps onto my iPod; So glad that they're free!

Guest Post: Luxury Bazaar

Hi everyone, hope you've all had a great week. The weekend is just about to start! Anyway, I just wanted to share with you a guys a guest post provided to me by a company called 'Luxury Bazaar' which specialises in high end accessories such as jewellery as well as fine arts and antiques. Guest posts are welcome here and it's a great way for my readers to discover other bloggers and companies as well as giving them a chance to have a voice on my blog. And isn't it slightly refreshing to hear about another person's perspective? If anyone is interested in being a guest blogger on QuestJen, you are more than welcome to let me know and we could figure something out! Please note that not everyone is guaranteed to be a guest blogger on here, there are some set guidelines etc.

There will be a new blog post written by yours truly (me) on the weekend so keep a look out for that :D

And now I introduce you to an article written by the founder/owner of Luxury Bazaar - Roman Sharf

 Five Pieces of Antique Jewelry that Will Stun Everybody

Everyone knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but what about other forms of jewelry? As these 5 jaw-dropping antique pieces demonstrate, fashionistas have a whole lot more friends to make in the jewelry world than just diamonds!

Victorian Bird Earrings

The majesty, pomp and glory of the bygone Victorian age is fully on display with these exquisite yellow gold/turqouise bird earrings. They are so delicate and pretty, while also sporting a certain confidently playful aesthetic that you rarely see any more. You can tell they were made a long time ago because of all the detailed work on the birds, which stands in stark contrast to the smooth and sharp lines of modern pieces. This is the sort of earring set that would make a splash at any event, whether it be a night on the dance floor or an evening dinner with fine wine.

Classic Platinum Citrine Cocktail Ring

This ring has lots of bling! The stone is so huge that it’s hard to believe it's genuine citrine. Besides the huge raised stone, there are also 12 diamonds perched around the ring. It is rated at a 7.5 American ring size. While the details of its prior owner remain a mystery, one thing is for sure: they were super rich! One could easily see this ring fitting in perfectly at a dressy cocktail party in the 1950s or early '60s (think Mad Men).

Platinum Diamond Burmese Ruby Round Cocktail Ring

Check out this fun antique ring from a prominent estate sale. Talk about stunning jewelry! It’s made from platinum and sparkles with small diamonds ornamenting the centerpiece stone, which is a beautiful Burmese ruby. The pink stone is a perfect color for any stylish lady, and would fit particularly well with a sizzling red dress or black dinner gown. This oversized ring really makes a statement and really puts most modern mall designs to shame.

 

Georgian Gold & Enamel Hair Ring

More than any of the 3 aforementioned pieces, this incredible antique ring has a spellbinding story behind it. Designed during Western Europe's neoclassical period circa 1790-1810, this ring has real hair woven in a pattern under its glass covering. Talk about a conversation piece! The 15k rose gold, French blue enamel, and oversized design of this piece will never fail to draw intrigued glances from fellow party-goers, but it's the presence of real hair from the 18th-19th century that makes this ring so incomparably unique.

Georgian Antique Garnet Maltese Cruciform

This fabulous garnet piece came from England and was made some time between 1790 and 1810, which is when these types of pendants were most popular among refined ladies. It’s crazy to think of all that has happened in the world since this piece of jewelry was made! The design takes clear inspiration from British religious iconography, but it also offers a certain natural beauty insofar as its design and layout are undeniably easy on the eyes. The shades of red in the garnet never fail to attract attention as they shimmer all around the larger flower in the center.

Antique jewelry (also called "estate jewelry" because it is often passed down from generation to generation) exists in a whole different category of luxury goods. Each piece has its own vivid history and intriguing story to tell, directly connecting the wearer to the lives, amibitions, and trials of its previous owners. Some of it is stunning with beautiful gems and designs, while some of it holds sweet or sorrowful memories. What is most important, of course, is the future it will experience with you wearing it!

Thanks for that Roman, I absolutely adore those Victorian bird earrings, the turquoise stones are gorgeous! I love accessorising with jewellery pieces and I can never go wrong with a cocktail ring Huge stones and bling is my thing haha. 

Perhaps some of you guys could share with me your current favourite jewellery pieces and accessories - I'd love to know :)

Guest Blog Post - Boticca.com

Hi guys! I know that I said I wasn't going to be back on the blogging scene until I'm done with exams but I happen to have some time to spare right now :) My final exam will be next Tuesday and I must say that having three 3-hour uni exams in one week has been very hectic for me! I'll share more news when I make my official return next week.

Despite being on a blogging hiatus, I still check my emails daily... because I'm kind of addicted to checking my various email accounts - Gmail, Hotmail and Uni email! To my surprise, I received an email from Eliza who works for Boticca.com, a London-based online boutique which sells jewellery and accessories. I actually hadn't heard of Bottica.com prior to receiving the email so I was quite curious about the shop. Those who have been following my blog for a while would know that I absolutely adore accessories, especially jewellery.

Eliza emailed me to ask whether there could be a guest post from Boticca.com on my blog - and of course, I accepted :) I am always welcome to guest posts which fit-in with the theme of my blog so that they are able to interest you guys. If you aren't too sure what a guest post is, it is where the owner of the blog (me) doesn't write the blog post or the entirety of the post but instead has someone else take over and do the writing. It's a great way of networking and for me to let you guys know about other blogs or online shops. If you're interested in being a guest blogger on QuestJen, feel free to let me know.

If you love accessorising and if you love to online shop, I'll leave you guys to read more about Boticca.com below.

I'll be back with a new blog post next week, take care everyone ^_^

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[Guest Post written by Boticca.com]

I'd rather wear a unique story...

Proving that an original idea can go a long way, global accessories marketplace Boticca.com is the first global online destination for jewelry and accessories that connects the customer directly with top independent designers all over the world.

The marketplace is curated and edited by a team of fashion experts, designers, stylists, editors, bloggers and collectors, who illustrate the culture, stories and inspiration behind the collections on the site.

Boticca’s team scours the world looking for the very best emerging designers and puts them all in one place, so that everyone can experience the joy of that rare find and discover the unique stories of these fascinating people and their pieces. With nearly 200 handpicked emerging designers from over 30 countries, Boticca offers a variety of styles, materials and inspiration for accessorizing.

Since its public launch in October 2010, Boticca has garnered a following of celebrities, royalty and customers from all corners of the globe, who look to support emerging designers and wear truly unique pieces with a story.

Boticca.com was born out of an inspired moment when Kiyan Foroughi, one of its founders, discovered an exceptional jewelry designer in the bustling Medina of Marrakesh, and realized that such unique design talent was almost impossible to find and left to chance travel encounters.

Boticca.com was created shortly thereafter to make it easier and more enjoyable for customers to discover high-quality, distinct designer jewelry, bags and accessories with a meaningful story and to connect directly with inspiring designers.

With stackable designer gold bracelets as one of this summer’s hottest trends, customers have been flocking to Boticca for arm candy such as LeiVanKash’s skull bracelets, Anabel Campbell’s Navajo Cuff, and BijouxBar’s Namaste Bracelets.

BijouxBar’s Namaste Bracelets

Campbell’s Navajo Cuff

LeiVanKash’s skull bracelets