Sunday, September 21, 2008

Jewelry Trends for fall/winter 2008

With the introduction of the autumn season, the leaves will be changing – and so will jewelry. This fall there are a myriad of trends and accessory options
for local "fashionistas" to add to their outfits. Whether bold colors or simple
sophistication, there's something for every role and every look.

Be prepared for combinations of muted and vibrant colors, and dramatic, yet
refined jewelry pieces! Many of this season's styles will include themes similar to those of the spring and summer, while others will conjure visions of fall, drawing inspiration from Autumn’s brilliant foliage colors, such as burnt oranges, yellows, greens and reds. We are extremely excited to introduce some of our new jewels, which are sure to add a little 'oomph' to both casual and formal attire. It's all about unique pizazz.

Here are some trend highlights from lia sophia this season:

Soft Spot. Light lavenders, blues, pinks, and white are traditional spring and
summer colors, but will continue to add subtle touches of softness to wardrobes in
the coming months. Either on their own or intertwined with deeper hues, these
pastels will add a feminine touch to any attire.
Many Metals. Octagons, squares, ovals, and asymmetrical geometric and organic shapes will be represented in gold, silver, copper, and hematite finishes – either separately or in various combinations. These pieces will add classic style in more traditional gold and silver two tone pieces, and add a contemporary edge in fresh ensembles of silver and hematite.
Natural Style. Nature's colors, textures, and materials inspire the jewelry looks of fall. Sky blue, sea green, earthy brown and sand tones, and a vivid range of semiprecious stones and shells, including turquoise, agate, and jade, take the stage in updated jewelry silhouettes. Elongated necklaces, which can double as fashionable belts, are accented with wooden beads, mother of pearl, or tiger eye drops. Chandelier earrings fuse richly colored pearls and inlaid abalone. Wide rings and stackable stretch bracelets display textures evoking rippling water and pebbles.
Back to Black. Never losing its luster, black will continue to be a staple in jewelry. The popularity of this timeless neutral comes from the fact that it goes with absolutely anything you wear, and it effortlessly exudes class and sophistication.

lia sophia, an industry-leading direct selling company, provides a large selection of high-quality, beautifully-crafted fashion jewelry with exceptional attention to detail. The company's 2008 Fall/Winter collection of eye-catching, get-you-noticed pieces complements just about every individual's personal sense of style.

The company's artisans are committed to designing unique pieces that are sure to last a lifetime. lia sophia offers its selections through in-home demonstrations and connects women to their dreams by offering Advisors, Hostesses and Customers an extensive line of high-quality products and an unparalleled opportunity to own their own business.

For more information about lia sophia, or about the Fall/Winter collection,
sign up for the Beauty ReMarks e-zine at QueenoftheSpa.com

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Dry Cracked Hands? 3 Steps To Smoother, Healthier Skin

The skin on the backs of your hands is in many ways like the skin on your face. Sadly, our hands take quite a beating over the course of our lives and we do very little to pamper them the way we do our faces. We plunge them into buckets of cleaning chemicals, dig holes, and rarely remember to use sunscreen. The result? Dry, itchy, even cracked and bleeding hands that can be painful at worst, and embarrassing at least.

If only we had taken the time to learn to pamper our skin the way we treat ourselves to fine dining, great movies and other of life's simple luxuries. Now, you can reclaim your long-lost beautiful hands with a simple 3 step process that's quick and easy, and leaves hands feeling sensational to boot!

This quick 3 step hand treatment is a perfect pick-me-up that will exfoliate, soften and protect your hands and leave you feeling soothed and refreshed in the process.

1. Apply a gentle exfoliant to dry hands. I recommend Almond Oil Refining Hand Scrub from The Body Shop. It warms as it exfoliates, can be used wet or dry for on-the-go exfoliating, and the fine salt crystals are similar to microderm in terms of coarseness.

2. Rinse the exfoliant and apply a small amount of hand wash. The creamy, yet lightly scented Almond Oil Hand Wash is great for men or women. Lather up, singing "happy birthday" in your head before you rinse. This gives you time to really scrub the hands. Use a massaging motion as you scrub and rinse in mildly warm water to continue stimulating circulation and cleansing.

3. After the final rinse, blot dry (you don't want to be bone dry or soggy) and apply a hand lotion to retain moisture. Depending on your skin condition, I recommend the following:

The Body Shop Almond oil Daily Hand and Nail cream (normal skin)

The Body Shop Almond oil Intensive Hand Rescue (drier skin - a great night treatment)

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector (dry, chapped, cracked skin)

Here are a few bonus tips to take hand care the extra mile:

* At night, you can slip on a pair of cotton socks or use The Body Shop Moisturizing Gloves after you apply lotion for speedier results.
* Take time to exfoliate and pamper your skin at least once a week.
* Use Sunscreen to help prevent "age spots". To even out skin tone, try The Body Shop Moisture White brightening serum. Originally designed for the face, the licorice extract will work on your hands, too.
* Wear gloves when you're doing work, out in the weather or putting your hands "through the paces".

You'll be amazed at not only the condition of your hands, but also how much more relaxed and revived you'll feel after a quick hand treatment. The massaging motion helps to relieve tension and soothe the senses, which always goes a long way toward making your whole being feel better - not just your hands.

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Lisa M. Robbin Young gives "face time" to hundreds of women each month, as a skin care consultant, author and entrepreneur. Sign up for her free newsletter, "Beauty Remarks" and get a free copy of her book, "Saving Face" at http://www.queenofthespa.com