Jewelry Care

Jewelry give you joy and enhance your sparkling personality. Return the favor and learn how to give TLC (tender, loving, care) for your gems and jewels.

Put jewelry on after applying make-up, perfume and hairspray, and take them off them before your nightime beauty regimen. Take jewelry off while having your hair styled or colored. If you're right-handed, consider wearing a bracelet or watch on your left wrist since you don't use it as much as your right. The opposite applies if you're left-handed.

Keep jewelry free of dirt, cosmetics, hairspray, perfume and perspiration. After wearing, wipe them with a clean, soft, damp cloth.

Store jewelry in a clean, dry place. Put each piece seperately in soft fabric bags or in its original box so the harder stones don't scratch softer ones and metal settings.

Ultrasonic cleaners clean jewelry by bombarding them with sound waves, which shake off dirt but can loosen stones from settings or enlarge gem inclusions (slight flaws). It's best to use these cleaners for gold jewelry without stone settings.

Normal wear and tear will eventually weaken prongs and other metal components. Have a professional jeweler examine jewelry once a year and when necessary, repair and re-polish.

Pack jewelry carefully for travel. There are many kinds of jewelry rolls, pouches and bags designed specifically for this purpose.

DIAMONDS:
During ordinary wear, exposure to perspiration and household chemicals can cause dulling build-up. Use a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water to clean. Gently scrub with a soft non-metallic brush especially around the prongs or setting; be careful not to scratch the metal. Have diamonds cleaned and the security of the settings checked once a year.




PEARLS:
Wash in very mild, soapy water and nothing else. Wear them often---the body's natural oils keep them lustrous. Pearls should be professionally cleaned and re-strung every year or two, as ordinary wear and pollution weaken the silk threads that string them.




GOLD:
To reduce daily abrasions and to prolong luster, keep away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. Use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and a soft-bristled brush to clean; to remove grease or oil, dip into plain rubbing alcohol. Use a soft cloth that won't leave fuzz or threads behind to dry and buff jewelry.






PLATINUM:

Platinum can develop a patina of wear, but a jeweler can polish it back to its original finish. Soak in a mild solution of soap and warm water, scrubbing gently with a soft-bristled brush; buffing with a soft cloth maintains luster.





STERLING SILVER:
Clean with a mild soap and water solution, then pat dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a cleaner designed for silver, avoiding any gems set in the piece. Remove tarnish with cleaners specifically made for it. Rub silver with either a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt (tissue can scratch it because of its fibers). Don't expose to light and air during storage.






OPALS:
Never wear opal jewelry in very cold weather, while washing dishes or handling frozen food---extreme temperature variations may cause cracking. Keep away from heat and strong light; they may dry out and crack. Use only a soft cloth and luke-warm water (never hot) for cleaning; avoid commercial cleaning solutions, ammonia and ultrasonic cleaners.





EMERALDS:
Emeralds are often treated using a colorfast oil or similar substance to improve their appearance. The only cleaning method recommended is the use of a soft cloth to gently rub off the accumulation around the gem and in the setting. Have emeralds professionaly cleaned every two to five years.





RUBIES AND SAPPHIRES:
Rubies and sapphires are second only to diamonds in their ability to resist scratching. Use either an ultrasonic cleaner, or a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water to clean. Gentle scrubbing with a very soft brush should loosen most dirt, but be careful not to scratch the metal of the setting. Dry with a clean cotton cloth.





ORGANIC GEMS--CORAL, AMBER AND OTHER OPAQUE GEMS:
Stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, coral, onyx and malachite are sometimes treated to enhance natural color or luster. Organic gems should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth-- these gemstones can be soft and porous, absorbing chemicals and soap that can build up and discolor the stone. These stones need more care than transparent gems since they are essentially rocks and not crystals of a single mineral.

Afraid of Stains?

Tips on keeping white clothes snowy!!

Barbecue sauce.
Soak and rinse with club soda, then wash in warm water. Repeat the process if necessary. Check carefully after washing; if you put something that’s still stained in the dryer, the heat will set the stain forever.

Grape juice or red wine.
Treat stains immediately with club soda, soaking and rubbing gently. Wash as soon as you can.

Lipstick.
Loosen stain with a nonflammable dry-cleaning solvent, then rub with liquid detergent until stain outline is gone. Wash in hottest water safe for fabric.

Perspiration.
Sponge fresh stains with ammonia, old stains with vinegar. Presoak in cold or warm water, then rinse and wash in hottest water safe for fabric, adding bleach if fabric is yellowed. If stain still remains, dampen and sprinkle with meat tenderizer. Let stand one hour, brush off tenderizer and wash. Sponge any garments that have a persistent odor with colorless mouthwash.

How to Choose Flattering Eyeglasses?

Pick out the perfect pair of frames for your face.

1. Pick a shape that’s the opposite of your face: If you have a round face, lengthen it with rectangular frames.

2. A frame should never cover more than one-third of your face or extend beyond your eyebrows or touch your cheeks.

3. If your skintone is warm, try a gold or coral frame. For a cool skintone, go for black or blue-gray.

The Best Ways To Wash Jeans

How can I prevent fading?


To prevent fading, turn them inside out to wash (and dry). This reduces the amount of abrasion that can happen during washing. Wash in warm water and dry on a low setting. Since dark colors tend to bleed, wash separately the first few times. Never wash more than four pairs of jeans at a time. Too much heavy fabric in one load can damage the washer.

Treating Your Clothes Well Helps Them Last Longer

What’s the best way to arrange your closet?
Organize by category, necessity and convenience. Separate work clothes from play. You can also organize by color, but don’t store light clothing next to dark.

How should you store clothes?
Use wooden or plastic instead of wire hangers. Remove dry-cleaning bags immediately so clothes won’t discolor.

What types of clothing should be folded?
Loose weaves, knits and fragile or beaded items. If you’re not planning to wear the item for two months or longer, steam it before folding.

What about bags and shoes?
Don’t hang purses or bags; instead stuff and wrap bags with acid-free tissue paper, which absorbs moisture. Cover purses and put on a shelf to protect them from light and dust. Use shoe trees for shoes and boots, and make sure all items are clean and dry before storing.

Can a closet ever be big enough?
Combat overcrowding by adding a second rack. Donate an old piece of clothing every time you buy a new one. Then buy only things that you’re wild about, no more “maybes.” If you haven’t worn something in a year, donate it.

How can you make clothes last longer?
Buy only quality, well-made garments and treat them like a temple. Wear them with respect and recognize that clothing is perishable. It must be given great care to look its best. Have things cleaned at the first sign of soil, stains or perspiration; inspect clothing after wearing it; and let it breathe before folding or hanging. Allow deodorant, hairspray and perfume to dry before you dress. Make repairs as needed, rotate your wardrobe so you don’t “overwear” specific outfits, be careful to store clothing in a dry, well-ventilated place and select a quality dry cleaner.

Can you ever ignore a dry-clean-only tag?
Dry clean your most cherished delicate clothing and learn the safest and best way to wash the rest. Think about color and fading, texture change and shrinkage before handwashing. Don’t overwash or let items soak for a long time.

Do home dry-cleaning kits really work?
Some are very effective for removing odors and relaxing or getting rid of wrinkles. They can also remove water-based stains like cola, wine, milk, etc. For oil-based stains like ballpoint ink, lipstick and body oils, stick with a professional.

Help! I spilled coffee on my favorite blouse.
People generally panic after getting a stain and take a napkin, dip it in water and rub until they think it’s gone. Never do this. Blot only, with a dry, white napkin. Stains come in two varieties: either water-based or oil-based. If you put water on oil stains, then you’re helping to set the stain. Be sure to tell your dry cleaner what it is.

What’s the hardest stain to remove?
Super Glue.

Long Shorts

Short shorts are HOT........If you're Jessica Simpson. But for those of us who know what cellulite is or have inherited our mother's thighs, knee-length shorts are a lot more forgiving and, best of all, look stylish and dressy with very little effort.


As with capris, you may have to try on a few pairs to find the most flattering length for you. But most women look best in styles that hit right at the knee. If you would rather keep that part covered up, go for shorts that just graze your calves. When creating your look , think nice tops and heels.