10 weeks to Christmas

Can you believe it is just 10 weeks to Christmas! Normally by this time of the year I have bought all my Christmas presents, confirmed who will be visiting us over the Christmas period and planned my menu for our Christmas lunch. Well, needless to say, I have not done a quarter of this! Maybe it is because my plans have changed slightly this year and I will not be at home for Christmas.

However I still have to buy Christmas presents! So pen and paper in hand, I begin to make my gift list! This is the easy part. The next step, which is the hardest, is deciding on a present for each person. This always stumps me. Thus the reason for my early start each year. Another reason for starting early in the year, is that I get to spread the expense over the year or at least over a few months. More money in my pocket over the festive season!

Browse around my online shop, DeVigniDesigns, for fantastic Murano Glass jewelry that will make choosing and buying your Christmas gifts a tad easier.  

How to wear a scarf

A scarf is a fun and functional way to accessorize your wardrobe as well as keep you warm when there is a chill in the air. They are the fastest way to add a pop of color, texture and layering to your outfit. 


But how do you tie a scarf? Is there a right and wrong way? Oh, it is all so confusing! Well, I have found out that there are so many cool ways to tie a scarf. 


Below is a video from you tube "How to Tie a scarf: 4 scarves, 16 was". It is very easy to follow. You could also check out the website scarves.net for more ways to tie a scarf.

Winter wear

Winter is upon us in South Africa so everyone is scrambling for warm, comfortable and cozy clothes. The rule of thumb for buying winter clothing that will not go out of fashion is sexy, classy and classic. Buying a few good quality essentials that will last you a good few winters is a great way to save some money. You could always top up your wardrobe with some seasonable fashion items that won't break the bank.


Your "must have" winter wardrobe list must include the following essentials:

• A Trench coat that does not go out of style. Try a black, white or khaki or maybe all 3!
• A warm casual Jacket for those not so formal days.
• Sexy Boots; whether they are ankle boots, mid calf, knee highs, fluffy boots or even cowboy boots. Choose a flat and a high heel boot that you can interchange for various occasions. Stick with black and brown boots that won't go out of fashion. You can always top up your boot collection over time.
• Boot leg jeans for a slimmer look
• A cozy Knit Sweater to keep the cold at bay
• A Turtleneck or polo neck will keep the warmth in and they are relatively inexpensive. I personally stay away from these as I have big girls! No need to emphasis what you already have in abundance.
• Scarfs are a good way to introduce some vibrant colors, patterns, textures and sophistication to your outfits. They are they are reasonable inexpensive so keep a few in your wardrobe.
• Gloves for those icy fingers! It's not nice shaking cold hands. There are so many choices out there. I prefer an all weather set of gloves. You could have a few sets in various colors and material to mix and match with your outfits. 
• Leggings or tights to go with your dresses, skirts or even pants.
• Hats are good for those bad hair days as Winter takes it's toil on our hair. There are many slouch beanies, berets and head wraps to choose from.
• You just cannot forget about that little black dress even in Winter! 

Pairing up a few of these essential items will take your outfit from average to fabulous in seconds.

Queen Elizabeth 2 - Tiaras and Hats

Queen Elizabeth 2 was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926 in London, UK to her parents Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George V1) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She married her distant cousin, Phillip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh on 20 November 1947. They had four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. She became Queen on 6 February 1952 at the tender age of 25 and was crowned on 2 June 1953.


Queen Elizabeth 2, the ever glamorous queen, is celebrating 60 years on the throne this week.  

  

       

                  

  

  

 

 

  

Birthday Gemstones

A birthday gemstone is also called a birthstone and is associated with the month that we were born in. Birthday gemstones have been given as birthday gifts since ancient times. In fact, it goes back to the times of Moses! From the first century it was said that wearing your birthstone will bring you luck. Where not try it out for a month or more to see if your birthday gemstone does indeed bring you luck!

Month	Birthday Gemstone
January	Garnet
February	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine
April	Diamond
May	Emerald
June	Pearl
July	Ruby
August	Peridot
September	Sapphire
October	Opal
November	Topaz
December	Turquoise

Interesting facts relating to your birthstone:


January - Garnet
Garnet signifies eternal friendship and trust. 
The name Garnet comes from the Latin name of pomegranate, granatum. To the ancient world, garnet was a tiny glossy red gem, bursting with fire and brilliance. Garnets are most commonly found in round, oval, and cushion cuts. The versatile Garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, colorless, occasionally black, brown and many shades of red and green. The most common color of garnets is reddish brown.


February - Amethyst
Amethyst is believed to keep the wearer clear-headed 
and quick-witted. Treasured by the ancient Romans, Amethyst was worn as a talisman to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus. Amethyst comes from the Greek "amethystos" which means "not drunken." Amethyst is the most highly valued member of the Quartz mineral family and it has purple hues that vary from very pale to dark. The medium-dark to dark tones are considered the most desirable and of course, are quite a bit more expensive than the lighter tones.


March - Aquamarine

Aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the 
wearer to remain calm and level headed. It is a gem whose name means sea water, it captures the beauty of the sea. This member of the beryl family, which also includes Emerald, is found in a range of pastel blue and greenish blue shades, from the palest hint to a deep sky blue. The elegant icy color looks as fresh with earth tones as with other paste shades. And it is the perfect accompaniment to grey and navy.


April - Diamond

Diamonds are linked to love, eternity and strength.

They are our most popular gem. They have great brilliance, plus the delightful quality known as fire or dispersion. (This is the ability to take in white light and throw back flashes of color.) Diamonds are graded into dozens of catagories and only 4 qualities, commonly known as the 4 C’s. COLOR, CLARITY, CUT and CARAT

May - Emerald

Emerald is a symbol of rebirth, It is believed to grant

the owner foresight, good fortune and youth.

The timeless appeal of Emerald can be summed up in three words written in the year 50 AD: “Nothing greens greener.” Roman historian Pliny the Elder was explaining the desire for the supreme green gem not only in Rome but throughout the ancient world.

June - Pearl

Pearls are linked with chastity and modesty making it something of an angelic, pure birthstone. They are unique among gemstones as they are the only ones found within a living creature and the only ones that requires no fashioning, (cutting or polishing) before use. Nothing is as elegant as a simple strand of Pearls against a black dress. But cultured Pearls today have an exciting range of colors, sizes and shapes that make them ideal for a wide range of jewelry.

July - Ruby

Ruby is a stone traditionally linked with protection and harmony.
It is named after the Latin word "ruber" for red. It is one of the most expensive gems. Large rubies being rarer than comparable diamonds. Many rubies are an essential part of royal insignia and other famous jewelry. The Ruby color range includes pinkish, purplish, orangey, and brownish red depending on the chromium and iron content of the stone.


August - Peridot

Peridot is linked with protection against evil and night terrors as well enhancing the properties of healing drugs. The fresh lime green of Peridot is its distinctive signature. The color of most gems is caused by traces of other elements but the color of Peridot is an integral part of its structure. If you love citrus tones or earth tones, you'll find that Peridot is an integral part of your jewelry wardrobe.

September - Sapphire

The Sapphire is linked with faith and purity, as well as foresight. 
Sapphire comes from the Greek word for blue, sappheiros. 
This gem provides the most beautiful blues of the gem 
kingdom. The ancient Persians believed the earth rests on a giant sapphire. Its reflection, they said, made the sky blue. But Sapphire doesn't have to be blue to be beautiful. Sapphire also comes in beautiful pinks, yellows, oranges, and peach and violet colors. These other colors are often referred to as fancy Sapphire. In fact, Sapphire comes in every color but red, because a red Sapphire would be a ruby 
as both are the mineral corundum.


October - Opal

The Opal is linked to purity, hope, innocence and friendship. 

The name Opal evolved from the Greek "Opallus" which means to see a change in color. Later, the Latin word "opalus" came to mean precious stone. 

A beautiful Opal is one of a kind: a natural artwork with a unique pattern of rainbow flashes of color unlike any other. It's as individual as your personality. You may prefer an Opal that serenely glows with pinpoint flashes of the blues and greens of the sea and sky. Or you may fall in love with a gem that flashes broad patterns of red and yellow, with all the bright festivity of carnival in Rio. And with its rainbow appeal, Opal complements everything in your wardrobe. 

November - Topaz

The Topaz is linked with sanity, healing and life, as well as being connected to strength. 

The golden glow of late afternoon, the reddish orange of sunset and the pink of dawn's first light, these are the colors of Topaz, a gem with the warm tones of the sun. Like the sun, Topaz is flattering to the skin, lighting up your face with a golden glow that enhances every color in your wardrobe.

December - Turquoise

This precious stone was once linked to happiness, fortune and luck, making it a very popular gem in centuries gone by. Turquoise, with its distinctive robin's egg blue, is among the oldest known gemstones. It graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and adorned the ceremonial dress of early Native Americans.

Murano Glass Facebook Shop

After much ado, I have finally launched my DeVigniDesigns Facebook shop! 


My customers now have an option to purchase my Authentic Murano Glass Jewelry via:


Facebook: www.facebook.com/devignidesigns 


Online shop: www.devignidesigns.com


Mobile: www.devignidesigns.ecwid.com


Home Party: Enjoy a personalized shopping experience at home with your friends when you host a fun and easy Murnao Glass Jewelry Home Party. 

Reminiscing about Venice

While I was browsing the web I came across these two videos of Venice that started me reminiscing about Venice and what I great time I had there last year. It really is the city of love. The views are so breathtaking! I am sure you will enjoy the videos as much as I did!

Around Venice

Another video taken around Venice

Murano Glass Rings

I have added Murano Glass Rings to my current line of Murano Glass jewelry. They look absolutely fantastic. I must say that the photos don't do them the justice they deserve! This is however what is expected when you photograph glass.

The Murano Glass rings are handmade using the glass sheet technique with silver foil 925 and gold foil 24kt.adjustable band. 

More styles and designs are available on my online shop DeVigniDesigns.

Murano Glass Round Ring Diam.25

Murano Glass Rectangular Ring 25x20

Murano Glass Square Ring 25x25

Wedding Anniversary Colors

An anniversary is a time to remember 

about a couple's life. 

A time to recognize that the strongest bond 

is the love between husband and wife. 

Through times of happiness and times of sadness, 

love grows continually and they become as one heart, 

The other staying with them, in memory, 

even when they are apart. 

Each anniversary is special and may cause a shed tear, 

for the bond grows ever stronger and stronger 

When love is shared for another year.

Do you have an anniversary coming up and need to buy a present for your loved one? Do you stick to the traditional gifts that limit you or do you follow the modern day route of an anniversary color? An anniversary color is more flexible and your imagination is your only limitation. 

Anniversary Colors

Year	Colour
1st Wedding Anniversary	Yellow
2nd Wedding Anniversary	Linen White
3rd Wedding Anniversary	Fawn/Light Brown
4th Wedding Anniversary	Green
5th Wedding Anniversary	Turquoise
6th Wedding Anniversary	White
7th Wedding Anniversary	Off-White
8th Wedding Anniversary	Bronze
9th Wedding Anniversary	Terracotta
10th Wedding Anniversary	Silver
11th Wedding Anniversary	Turquoise
12th Wedding Anniversary	Oyster White
13th Wedding Anniversary	White
14th Wedding Anniversary	Ivory
15th Wedding Anniversary	Ruby Red
16th Wedding Anniversary	Silver
17th Wedding Anniversary	Yellow
18th Wedding Anniversary	Blue
19th Wedding Anniversary	Bronze
20th Wedding Anniversary	Emerald Green
25th Wedding Anniversary	Silver
30th Wedding Anniversary	Green
35th Wedding Anniversary	Coral
40th Wedding Anniversary	Ruby Red
45th Wedding Anniversary	Sapphire Red
50th Wedding Anniversary	Gold
55th Wedding Anniversary	Emerald Green
60th Wedding Anniversary	White
65th Wedding Anniversary	Sky Blue
70th Wedding Anniversary	Platinum
75th Wedding Anniversary	Diamond White

Murano Glass comes in a whole spectrum of colors, designs and products that will make fabulous anniversary presents.

Jewelry & your face shape

Have you ever thought about how jewelry can enhance your face shape? Not to worry as not many of us do! 

Before you can determine which jewelry would suit your face shape, you need to determine what your actual facial shape is. 

To determine your facial shape:

• Stand in front of a large mirror in a room with good lighting.
• Pull your hair away from your face into a bun or a ponytail.
• Trace the shape of your face with an erasable marker or an old lipstick onto the mirror. An alternative would be to ask someone to take a photo of your face.
• Step away from the mirror and evaluate the shape you have drawn or the shape of your face in the photo.
• Compare the shape of your face with the below illustrations to determine your face shape.

Illustrations of face shapes

Now for the fun part! Determining which jewelry will suit your face shape. Look for your face shape below to see which jewelry you should be wearing to enhance your natural beauty.

Heart/Inverted Triangle/Diamond Shaped Face:

Earrings: dangle or drop earrings help to lengthen the face.

Necklaces: chokers help contrast and soften the sharp angle of the chin.

Round/Square/Triangular Shaped Face:

Earrings: try elongated shapes such as ovals or angular shapes such as rectangles. Square shaped faces look particularly well in teardrop earrings.

Necklaces: look for necklaces that elongate your face, typically necklaces that extend below the neckline (28" to 32").

Rectangular/Oblong Shaped Face:

Earrings: choose short or round earrings to contrast the longer face shape.

Necklaces: chokers, especially if you have a long neck.

Oval Shaped Face:

Earrings: dangle earrings (not too long), preferably angular shaped.

Necklaces: can be either long or short (if you have a long neck, then chose a shorter necklace)