September Birthstone

Sapphire

Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm.  Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings.  Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue.  The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue.  Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all colors of the  rainbow.  Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, green sapphire).  Ruby is the red variety of corundum.

October Birthstones

October is another month with two birthstone choices – Tourmaline and Opal.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline has become a favorite gemstone among jewelry designer, and gem collectors the world over. Since it is available in a wide variety of colors, it is ideally suited to almost anyone's taste. Tourmaline also is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone.  These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized.  One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge.  Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.

Opal

The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)."  Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal's beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background.  Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature's heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements. When packed together in a regular pattern, a three-dimensional array of spaces are created that give opal its radiance.

November Birthstones

Two gems are appropriate for November birthdays - Topaz and Citrine.

Topaz

Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colors. Prized for several thousand years in antiquity, all yellow gems in antiquity were called topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized color of topaz is called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czars of the 1800s and features a magnificent orange body color with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and the many popular blue tones.

Citrine

Citrine, the other birthstone for November is known as the "healing quartz". This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.

December Birthstones

The three birthstones associated with December are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise

Tanzanite

Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color.  Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices.  As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as an alternative.  However, it has increased in popularity and now is valued more for its own beauty and brilliance than as a sapphire substitute.

Zircon

Derived from the Arabic words zar and gun, meaning gold and color, zircon is found in a wide range of colors such as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colorless, and red (the most prized color). For many years colorless zircon was used to imitate diamonds.  Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travelers from disease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent nightmares guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep.  Major sources of zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.

Turquoise

The name turquoise, from the French expression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue, through robin's egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent  to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays. Although its popularity fluctuates in fashion, it is a perennial favorite in the American Southwest.

Bra Size Measuring Guide:

How a Bra Should Fit
(Keep Reading Bra Measuring Guide Below)

Did you know that 7 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size! Popular shows like Oprah and TLC's What Not to Wear have dedicated entire shows to the subject. I began to wonder if perhaps I was wearing the bra size. I decided to do some research on behalf of all women on measuring a bra size. I will paraphrase the important parts about determining your bra size using 2 different methods.

What You Need to
Calculate Your Bra Size

Your favorite bra, flexible measuring tape, Trusted friend or bra department associate, and .... a little math!

Bra Measuring Method #1 (Best for Average to Large Busts)

Step 1: Put On Your Favorite Bra.
First put on your favorite bra that you think makes your breasts the right shape and feels most comfortable. Next you will need to find a flexible measuring tape (the kind a seamstress would use). You may also need to grab a trusted friend to help you measure, since it is difficult to keep the tape level around your body.

Step 2: Rib Cage + 5" = Band Size

Step 2:
Measure Around Rib Cage.
The first measurement to take is around your ribcage, just below your breasts. Now add 5 to this number to get your band size. If the resulting band size was an odd number, you will need to round up to the next even number since bra bands only come in even numbers.

Step 3: Bust - Band = Cup Size"

Step 3:
Measure Fullest Part of Bust.
The second measurement should be taken around the fullest part of your bosom with your favorite bra on. This measurement is your cup size. Next subtract your band size from your cup size to calculate the right cup size. Refer to the bra cup size chart below.

Bra Cup Size Chart (Method #1)

<1/2" larger than measurement #2--------------------AA
1" larger than measurement #2------------------------A
2" larger than measurement #2------------------------B
3" larger than measurement #2------------------------C
4" larger than measurement #2------------------------D
5" larger than measurement #2------------------------DD or E
6" larger than measurement #2------------------------DDD or F
7" larger than measurement #2------------------------G
8" larger than measurement #2------------------------H
9" larger than measurement #2------------------------I
10" larger than measurement #2-----------------------J

Bra Measuring Method #2 (Best for Average to Small Busts)

Step 1:
Wear Your Favorite Bra.
I know it seems odd (especially if you are already wearing the incorrect bra size) to put on a bra to measure for a bra, but it is the best way to get the most accurate measurement. Choose a bra that is comfortable, fits you best and makes your breast the right shape.

Step 2: Rib Cage + 5" = Band Size
Step 3: Width of Breast = Cup Size

Step 2:
Measure Around Your Rib Cage for Band Size.
Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the circumference of your rib cage just below your breasts. Add 5 inches to this measurement and round to the nearest even number See #2 measurement on the picture to the right. Step 3:
Measure Width of Breasts for Cup Size.
This is what makes Method #2 different than Method #1. It tends to be more accurate on petite or small breasted women, but can work for many breast sizes. Measure breasts for from one end to the other. In other words, from the outer front edge of one breast mound to the other. Do not wrap around the sides of the breasts. See #3 measurement on the picture to the above. Refer to the table below to find your cup size.

Bra Cup Size Chart (Method #2, Measurement #3)

7" measurement #3------------------------A
8" measurement #3------------------------B
9" measurement #3------------------------C
10" measurement #3-----------------------D
11" measurement #3-----------------------DD
12" measurement #3-----------------------DDD or E
13" measurement #3-----------------------F
14" measurement #3-----------------------FF
15" measurement #3-----------------------G
The above charts are just a guideline of what size to start with at the bra department. You may need to go up or down a band or cup size to get the perfect fit.

Travel Light Tips

Think small: get miniatures of your usual staples, a mini makeup brush set, stick or compact foundation and purse sprays for easy packing.

New Year Beauty Resolutions 2012

Do something different with your hair—add a hair band, pin it up, style it straight or with come-hither waves at the ends.

Wear Some Makeup

Go for the minimal ‘no-makeup makeup’ look by donning tinted moisturiser, cream blusher, a couple of light coats of mascara and loose powder all over for a fresh faced, iridescent glow.

Boost Your Skin

Follow these three simple strategies to give your skin on overall health and repairing lift: one, down at least 7 to 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate your skin; two, eat skin foods like avocado for a dose of natural oils (try mashing avocado and olive oil as a mask); three, get lots and lots of sleep to banish dark under-eye circles and tired looking skin.

Stay Protected

Never leave home without slathering on some serious sun protection, especially if you’re going out in the open.

Colour Update

Visit your colourist and get your roots updated pronto if you have coloured hair.

Scrub It Clean

Make a commitment to removing your makeup every day before hitting the sack—leaving your skin pooling in the vestiges of last night’s makeup could cause breakouts and clog up your pores. Start with makeup remover, and then cleanse to really get all the makeup off.

Don’t Neglect Your Nails

Keep your fingernails looking spiffy between manicures by using a nude nail colour or a shiny top coat for a healthy, coiffed shine.

Get Blemish-Free

When the odd pimple or blackhead pops up on your face, resist the urge to pick at it. For flawless cover up, nothing beats BB cream and a little foundation.

Body Beautiful

Devote a little time to caring for your skin. Restrain from jumping out of the shower and right into your clothes—take a minute to slather on a generous dose of body lotion at least once every couple of days.

A Perfect Match

If you have tanned or dark skin, ditch foundations that are too light for your skin tone. Try a sheer or medium coverage foundation in the right shade—the goal here is to look less zombielike.