Pacifika Spirit: Blog

Tamanu Oil is featured on Dr Oz!

Pacifika Spirit — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:03:58 GMT

25 Tips for Successful Money Management

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:42:48 GMT

Are you ready to get on track to Health, Wealth and Well-being and access your abundance? The first step is to understand that there are three basic ways to make money: you can trade your time for money (it's called a job), invest your money, or leverage yourself (build a business). If prosperity is what you are after, here are 25 tips to get you started.

1. Understand What Money Is - There is no magic to money. Money is just another form of energy. There is an abundance of money and it can be created out of your speaking.

2. Know What You Want - Be clear about what you want. Money is just a means to getting what you want. The clearer you are about what you want, the greater the likelihood of it showing up in your life. Be sure that what you want also serves to provide value to others.

3. Speak Your Success - Continue to speak what you want in positive terms. Use affirmations to help manifest the things you want in your life.

4. Stop Procrastinating - Procrastination is the number one reason people fail and time is your greatest ally or your worst foe. Get into action toward creating what it is you want by taking one step each day.

5. Have A Plan - Know what steps are needed to reach your goals and what you need to do each day to have it happen.

6. Get Help - You don't need to go it alone. Get help from a professional. When looking for advice be sure to look for someone with professional designations such as a Certified Financial Planner, CPA, Attorney etc.

7. Save a Little From Everything You Earn - If you start early and you save a little from everything you earn, you will take advantage of the power of both time and compounding to reach your goals. It takes less money to reach your goal if you have time on your side.

8. Build a Cash Reserve - You should have 3 months of living expenses in a cash reserve position. This will help you avoid keeping credit card debt that will drain your resources and slow you in reaching your goals. Your cash reserve is the place you go to meet emergencies.

9. Take the Free Money - If you have access to a company matching plan such as a 401(k) plan, be sure to save at least up to the point where you get all of the matching money. If someone is willing give you 3- 6% of your salary just for saving money, take it.

10. Understand How Money Works - There are many ways to have your money work for you. You should talk with professionals, read, and research all the ways you can have your money work for you. Look for ways to create tax-free income whenever possible.

11. Don't Get Greedy - Be willing to take small profits many times rather than trying to make the one big kill that will make you rich. It is true that those who get greedy rarely succeed.

12. Use Professionals - Investing successfully is a complicated game. There is no way you can get all the information you need to be successful and getting this information takes time away from the other things that are important in your life, so letting professionals manage your money may make sense. If they have the resources and the expertise it could pay to let them advise you on your decisions. It is your money, however, so you should monitor their level of success and don't be afraid to move your money if the investments don't perform to your satisfaction.

13. Dollar Cost Average - We know that we can buy things at different prices at different times. As the economy grows and contracts the prices of things go up and down. By investing the same amount of money at regular intervals, your average cost can be less than if you invested all of your money at one time.

14. Diversify - Don't invest in too much of any one thing. If you are investing in stocks, own more than just a few. Even better, invest in different types of things: stocks, bonds, real estate, gold, collectables, etc.

15. Invest In Yourself - You can always learn more. Take the time to invest in books, tapes, and classes that will give you new information and new ideas about what to do and how to do it. Never stop learning and never stop asking questions.

16. Build Multiple Streams of Income - Don't rely on just one source of income. Look for ways to build income streams by investing in things that produce ongoing income, starting a business, writing a book, or leveraging your knowledge on the Internet.

17. Pay Off Credit Cards - By keeping balances on your credit cards you are robbing part of your saving ability. Pay off balances every month so your money can be working for you in a positive way. Remember, a dollar lost doesn't just cost you that dollar, it also costs you what that dollar could earn if you still had it. We call this opportunity cost

18. Know the Risks - Before you invest in anything, know what the risks are. If the promised rewards are high, realize that the risks will be high as well. Only risk the money you are willing to lose and remember Tip #11, don't get greedy.

19. Teach Your Kids - Good money management starts at a young age. Let your children know what you are doing and teach them how to manage their own money. Help them to see that saving a little out of everything they make can add up to future wealth.

20. Love What You Do and Do What You Love - You will be more successful and happy in life if you are doing what you love. It may not seem possible right now if you are in a job you don't like, but you can start by looking for ways to turn your hobby or your dreams into sources of income. Eventually they may become your main source of income and satisfaction.

21. Buy Low and Sell High - Look for bargains in the things you invest in and don't be afraid to sell something that has lost value. Hanging onto an investment that has lost value because you hope it will come back up may keep you from investing in something else that may gain value much more quickly.

22. Don't Be Afraid To Share - As you give of your time and money you will find that your prosperity will be increased. Don't be afraid to give money away to causes and organizations you believe in. As you share what you have, the universe will continue to provide more of what you want.

23. Protect What You Have - As you build your net worth make sure that you put the proper insurance in place to protect what you have worked hard for, and don't forget to protect the largest asset you will ever have - your ability to make a living. Life and disability insurance are ways to leave the legacy you would have left, if you had had the time to earn it.

24. Use the Tax Laws - Take advantage of the tax laws. One of the best ways to utilize the tax laws is to start your own business from home. Be sure to consult a qualified tax expert to be sure you are getting everything to which you are entitled.

25. Plan for When You Are Gone - Managing your money doesn't have to end when you die and you shouldn't let it. By doing proper estate planning you can be assured that your family will be properly cared for and that the plans you put in place will live on.

About the Author:

Marc Cram is a CFP in Durham, North Carolina. He works to protect and increase people's assets using safe liquid investments. Marc holds a free online seminar every Monday evening at 9:00 pm Eastern time and can be contacted through his website at www.cramgroup.com. You can download a free 12 page article on how to safely and conservatively build wealth at www.wealthyyou.us

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 25 Tips for Successful Money Management

The Most Suitable Jewelry For Your Face Shape

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:59:48 GMT

Author: Melanie Spark

Your face is the first thing that most people will notice when they see you. Whether it's a first meeting or someone that you've known for years, your face will leave an impression on others as they think of you. As individuals, we each have distinct features that make our face different from any other. One thing that we do share in common, however, is one of four basic face shapes that we each possess. Among them, oval, round, heart and square. In this article, we will explore ways to identify our own face shape and the jewelry that best compliments it.

An oval face is slightly greater in length than in width. Its soft lines and classic shape will be accented well with pearl earrings, a matching pearl necklace or a trendy ensemble of circle jewelry.

A round face is shaped similar to a circle in that it is equally round with soft curves. If you are looking for ways to elongate a round face, you can do so with a long necklace or dangle earrings. Any jewelry that you choose featuring length will compliment a round face in that it gives your face an elongated appearance.

A heart shaped face, like the symbol of a heart, is wide at the top and narrows to a point at the bottom. For the best compliment, jewelry lovers with a heart shaped face can look for hoop earrings or those featuring a teardrop design, which is known as a universally friendly style that's flattering to every face shape.

A square shaped face lacks the soft curves found on one with round or oval features. In an effort to soften the jawline, jewelry lovers with a square face can choose a drape or waterfall design. Any style with layers will give the face a more curvy appearance and will compliment it nicely.

Now that you know the various face shapes, how to identify them and which jewelry is made to compliment them, it's important to note that some designs are said to flatter every face. As mentioned earlier, the teardrop design is one that compliments all face shapes in that it provides soft curves, an elongated design and a polished finish that draws the eye to the accessory and away from the actual shape of the face.

In conclusion, there are various face shapes and facial features that come together to create each person's individual appearance. While the information above is intended to be a reference guide for those looking to identify their face shape and learn how to compliment it with the help of jewelry, the only one who knows what looks best on you is you. Certain types of jewelry appeals to some more than others, and this is why we enjoy choosing from a large variety of styles. If you're in the market for new jewelry and aren't quite sure what to choose, consider shopping for sterling silver accessories that offer an affordable way for you to increase your collection without spending a fortune. Regardless of your face shape, the look of a smart shopper is a flattering look on everyone.

About the Author:
For more information on sterling silver cubic zirconia jewelry and cubic zirconia engagement rings, visit Almost Diamonds at http://www.almostdiamonds.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Face Shapes

Fine jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:59:03 GMT

Description: Looking for the right diamond? Find the perfect one at http://www.jeweler.com

Sterling Silver Jewelry is a Great Gift Idea

Pacifika Spirit — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:54 GMT

Author: Gregoriy Krakovskiy

Jewelry has always been an object of immense fascination for women. The quest for newness in jewelry is one that has been ongoing for ages together as craftsmen strive to create innovations in design, material and styles to satisfy the embellishment needs of women and decorate their beauty.

Jewelry was originally made using precious metals and rare gems. This attribute made people yearn to possess such masterpieces that were rare and unique. Jewelry’s worth was based on the metal, the stones used and the craftsmanship. These factors made jewelry an unattainable aspiration to many and a luxury that only the elite could afford. In recent years there has been a paradigm shift. The use of sterling silver has made jewelry a dream come true to those who have been just gaping at the windows of jewelry shops. Silver has been used as a metal for jewelry for long, but silver as such is too soft a metal, and pure silver is seldom used for making jewelry. Sterling silver, however, is a harder alloy lending itself for exquisite craftsmanship.

Sterling silver is 92.5 percent of silver and the remaining an alloy that is predominantly copper. Sterling silver offers just the right material properties like malleability and flexural strength and allows itself to be crafted into intricate designs. Another great advantage is that sterling silver can be gold plated or plated with rhodium to make it look like platinum, giving it the appearance of one of the most expensive metals at the price of silver. One more unbeatable feature about sterling silver is that the metal can be given an antique finish to add a touch of nostalgia and a classic look to jewelry.

Sterling silver jewelry has now swept the market and one can find an endless collection of beautifully crafted rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pedants and jewelry sets. Among the most popular of choices is the cubic zirconia studded sterling silver jewelry. Cubic Zirconia or CZ as it is popularly known, so closely resembles a diamond that only the well trained eye can tell the difference between the two. The combination of platinum like sterling silver finished jewelry studded with flawless diamond CZ is truly ethereal and regal.

Though sterling silver came as a cost effective replacement for expensive jewelry, it has found the rich, the elite and the celebrities too building up huge and varied collections of sterling silver jewelry, which otherwise would have not been possible. Today, sterling silver jewelry designs are celebrity inspired and designer inspired. There is not a single intricate craftsmanship that is not possible to imitate with this wonderful metal. Sterling silver jewelry can now be shopped with just the click of a mouse and right from the comforts of one’s home. There are many jewelry sites that offer wide collection of unique jewelry at rates that are down to earth.

About the Author:

Gregory Krakovsky is a sterling silver jewelry expert. On his website www.bluewella.com you can find all sorts of sterling silver products.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Sterling Silver Jewelry is a Great Gift Idea

Six common questions about sterling silver jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:58:14 GMT

Author: Greg Peterson

Sterling silver jewelry has been a popular commodity for thousands of years. One of the obvious reasons is the affordability over other precious metals gold and platinum. The large variety of sterling silver jewelry requires certain knowledge in order to choose the right piece and also keep it in good condition as long as possible. The followings are the most common questions concerning sterling silver jewelry.

How do I clean sterling silver jewelry?
It depends. Usually, it is sufficient to use a jewelry cloth (with two layers of cloths in different colors) that you can get from a jewelry accessory store. Don't use any hard object to clean sterling silver jewelry; even paper towel could scratch the surface. You should rub any dirt off using a jewelry cloth, not fingernails. Silver-dip is another commonly used sterling silver jewelry cleaner, which can also be obtained from jewelry store. The entire silver jewelry is immerged in the solution for half a minute to a minute and then rinsed with water. Make sure the silver jewelry is not plated with any other metal before using the silver-dip or the plating will be damaged.

Where do I store sterling silver jewelry?
It is very important to store sterling silver jewelry properly when it is not used. The ideal place to store sterling silver jewelry is cool and away from sunlight. Heat and light will turn a silver jewelry yellow and cause it to tarnish quickly. Even indoor light source like florescent lights or light bulbs turn the color of silver jewelry over time. If you expect not to wear a certain piece for a long time, put it in a air-tight bag and store it in a drawer.

What types of silver jewelry plating are there?
Unlike gold and platinum, however, pure silver is rather unstable and oxides rather quickly. Therefore, silver jewelry is usually plated with another metal to protect it from tarnishing. There are two kinds of plating for silver jewelry: nickel and rhodium plating. Nickel plating has a more whitish look and rhodium plating has a darker look. Rhodium is used to plate white gold and platinum jewelry and is much more expensive than nickel, and it give better protection to the silver underneath. On the other hand, some silver jewelry is not plated. For instance, high polished sterling silver jewelry does not have any plating and the surface is polished by machine to render shininess. Also, "oxidized silver" jewelry is oxidized on purpose to give a dark antique look and is not plated with any other metals.

How do I know the purity of my silver jewelry?
The purity of sterling silver refers to 92.5% of silver in the alloy. In order to confirm the purity, the metal itself has to be sent to a laboratory to be tested. However, most of the sterling silver jewelry produced nowadays has a "925" stamp to indicate the authenticity of the jewelry. Although there are cases where stamps are forged and the metal is either not silver or the purity is not as stated, they are very rare.

How about engraving and resizing?
Engraving and resizing of sterling silver rings is rather simple due to the ductility and relatively low melting point. However, make sure your jeweler understands the process of refinishing the ring and that they possess the necessary equipment to do so. Not all jewelers have the equipment to recoat the rhodium plating after cutting and welding the ring. Also, rings set with stones are sometimes not resizable because resizing might cause the stones to pop out. Such settings include channel and invisible settings.

Can I wear sterling silver jewelry if I am allergic to nickel?
Yes, just make sure the jewelry is pure sterling silver, not plated with nickel. Even Rhodium plated sterling silver jewelry sometimes contains a nickel layer between the silver and the rhodium to act as an adhesive. Hence, buy only high polished sterling silver jewelry if you are allergic to nickel.

About the Author:

Greg Peterson got his MBA from MIT business school and is now working as marketing manager for jewelry businesses featuring wholesale sterling silver jewelry and wholesale hip hop jewelry.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Six common questions about sterling silver jewelry

Eve's Addiction

Pacifika Spirit — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:06:17 GMT

Get the latest styles in sterling silver jewelry including sterling silver bracelets, sterling silver earrings, sterling silver necklaces, and sterling silver rings.

Bullet Proof Abalone

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:36:36 GMT

travis

Police officers and soldiers walking in the line of fire may one day want to stop and thank the abalone. That is because engineering researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are using the shell of the seaweed-eating snail in an effort to develop a new generation of bullet-stopping armor.

The colorful oval shell of the red abalone is highly prized as a source of nacre, or mother-of-pearl, jewelry, but the researchers found another non-cosmetic use—the shell has an incredible ability to absorb heavy blows without breaking.

The abalone produces a helmet-like home made with 95% calcium carbonate "tiles" and 5% protein adhesive, said Marc A. Meyers, a professor in UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering, and engineering graduate student Albert Lin.

The highly ordered brick-like tiled structure created by the mollusk is the toughest arrangement of tiles theoretically possible, the researchers said.

An abalone shell can't stop an AK47 bullet. However, laminates of aluminum and other materials have been disappointing as armors. Meyers said a careful examination of the steps taken by abalone to make their shells may help materials scientists develop similarly lightweight and effective body armor.

"In our search for a new generation of armors, we have exhausted the conventional possibilities, so we've turned to biology-inspired, or biomimetic, structures," Meyers said. "The laminate structure of abalone shell has stimulated our group to development of a new synthetic material using this lowly mollusk as a guide."

Meyers said a key to the strength of the shell is a positively charged protein adhesive that binds to the negatively charged top and bottom surfaces of the calcium carbonate tiles. The glue is strong enough to hold layers of tiles firmly together, but weak enough to permit the layers to slip apart, absorbing the energy of a heavy blow in the process. Abalones quickly fill in fissures within their shells that form due to impacts, and they also deposit "growth bands" of organic material during seasonal lulls in shell growth. The growth bands further strengthen the shells.

The precise way that building blocks of shells assemble determines their strength, and many of those details have been unknown. "Contrary to what others have thought, the tiles abutting each other in each layer are not glued on their sides, rather they are only glued on the top and bottom, which is why adjacent tiles can separate from one another and slide when a strong force is applied," Meyers said.

Abalone are currently critically endangered in many parts of the world, in fact the only hope for the abalone in certain parts of africa and asia is in the hands of aquaculture institutes and commercial fish farming.

About the Author:

Travis is charge of the sales and online marketing of Camara Consulting, a software development firm, based in Cape Town, South Africa. He also currently does SEO work for Absolute Aquaculture Africa, specialists in african aquaculture.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Bullet Proof Abalone

3 Ways to Use Your Special Talents to Double Your Income

Pacifika Spirit — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:14:12 GMT

Author: Raymond Aaron

Figure out what your special talents are. We all have special talents that you can focus on to double your income, as well as get the most out of your time and make the most out of your life. Unfortunately, we often spend our lives doing other things entirely!

But if we think about it, it's not usually that hard to figure out where our special talents lie. It's often just a matter of getting up the courage to say it to the world. Sometimes, it can be scary even to admit it to ourselves! This is where it really pays off to surround yourself with supportive friends and family.

Go ahead and make a list of things you feel you are unusually good at. Next, make a list of the things you would do if you didn't have to work for a living, and if you could get support from everyone who's important to you.

There's a good chance that these two lists will cross over into each other in some way. And there is a 100% chance that use can use these lists to double your income!

Note the insights you have gained from finding out your special talents. It's possible you may have discovered some special talents you have, that you have been mostly ignoring. Or, you may have seen, when you compare the two lists, what you really want to do with your life--even if you've ignored it up until now.

There is also a good chance that when you compare one list to the other, you're going to find a way to make your living using your special talents.

This may or may not mean that you can instantly start doing what you would most love to do. That is usually difficult to do straight off the bat. What many people don't realize is that it IS possible, which is why you've got to:

Strategically orient your life around your special talents. This can mean a lot of things. It may mean taking half an hour a day to focus on your special skill or talent, whether you can make a living with it or not. (Even an hour a week is better than nothing; consistently doing something every day is best of all, however.)

It's also time to see where your special talents might be applicable to making a living--whether in your current field or some other. In fact, it may even be time to change careers!

That can be pretty scary. But I can tell you right now that even if you have to take a pay cut, you'll have a lot more opportunity over time to double your income from what it is now, as long as you're doing something you love. You talent doesn't factor in so much here as your willingness to devote loads of time, energy, and effort.

Then again, you may not have to change career paths at all. You might be able to double your income simply by focusing on the things you are good at and love; simply outsource those tasks that you hate.

This may seem expensive at first. But the things you are able to get done with the time that outsourcing frees up will make up for the money you spend to outsource--and they may even double your income!

About the Author:

Raymond Aaron is an internationally-famous dynamic professional speaker on the topic of DOUBLE YOUR INCOME DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 3 Ways to Use Your Special Talents to Double Your Income

Popular_Articles..

Organic Skin Care

Tamanu Oil - the Ultimate Benefits

Healing Acne Naturally

You might be using these 3 cancer causing chemicals right now!

Jewelry

How to care for your pearl jewelry

How to care for sterling silver jewelry

What's your beach jewelry personality?

How Pacifika Spirit Got Started

Popular blog entries

Pacifika Spirit — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:31:53 GMT

Organic Skin Care

Tamanu Oil - the Ultimate Benefits

Healing Acne Naturally

You might be using these 3 cancer causing chemicals right now!

Jewelry

How to care for your pearl jewelry

How to care for sterling silver jewelry

What's your beach jewelry personality?

How Pacifika Spirit Got Started

7 Steps to Making your Own Jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:20:06 GMT

Author: Temp

Making jewelry can be a difficult sounding process, but in reality all it requires is a little hard work and determination. If you have both of these, then ultimately you aren't going to have much trouble when it comes to making your own jewelry. Whatever type of jewelry you want to make, the process from going to conceptualization to the final product is a seven step process. The process is laid out below for you to follow.

Step 1: The first step to any kind of project involves brainstorming the project itself. If you skip over this step, then later on you are going to come to a point where you find yourself struggling for direction on where to go and once that happens the project is more likely to stall right in its tracks than to do anything else worthy of note. Jewelry is something that needs to be conceptualized first, so the first step towards making your own jewelry is figuring out what it is you want to make.

Step 2: Once you have figured out what it is you want to make, then it is time to figure out what kind of material you want to make it from. What kind of material appeals to you? Gold and silver might be a bit too expensive for a first project where you might need to give yourself the time and the energy needed to get it wrong a couple of times first, but stainless steel jewelry is very cheap and therefore can make an excellent first project for making your own jewelry.

Step 3: Let's assume for the moment that you've decided to go with stainless steel jewelry; now that you know what specific kind of jewelry you want to make and what you want to make it from, it is time to decide what style you want to make it in. While it's all well and good to think that you're going to make an earring, figuring out exactly what that earring will look like is also a very important thing to do.

Step 4: Once you've figured out the type and style of jewelry you want to make as well as what material you want to make it from, it is time to go ahead and find instructions on how to make that specific type of jewelry. These instructions are available either from your local crafts store or even in many places on the internet. Instructions aren't necessary for simpler items like earrings where it's really just a matter of following your own stylistic instincts, but at the same time they can be useful guides for you to follow.

Step 5: Now that you have everything figured out and are ready to rock and roll, it is important that you gather all of the materials together at once. There is nothing worse than being partway through a project and having to leave it alone because you forgot to buy something. Double and triple check your list before going to the store and make sure you have everything you need before starting your work.

Step 6: Assemble the jewelry, either through your own method of doing so or alternatively through whatever guide you happen to have tells you to do.

Step 7: Take a look at your finished product and enjoy wearing it around. There is a certain amount of pride associated with making your own jewelry and the ability to show that jewelry around, whether it is stainless steel jewelry or anything else, is something worth considering.

About the Author:

316Steel.com is the world's leading stainless steel jewelry manufacturer and wholesale stainless steel fashion jewelry supplier. 316Steel.com provides a vast catalog of wholesale stainless steel jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, rings, and more.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 7 Steps to Making your Own Jewelry

You might be using these 3 Cancer causing chemicals right now!

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:20:47 GMT

Why I became an “all natural” convert

It all started with propylene glycol. I read an article which stated that this ingredient, which de-ices airplanes and is a coolant and antifreeze can also be found in your food, cosmetics and medicine. It is a possibly cancer causing and irritating to your skin, yet it can be found in almost every skin product on sale today.

To be fair, the argument for propylene glycol or PG is that it is safe when used in small quantities. But to me, a little bit in my food, on my skin and in my medications sure can add up!

Check your labels people!

Most people don't think anything of putting chemicals on their skin. You may think as long as the moisturizer has a label that states, “with shea butter” it's good for you. Think again! If you check the label on the back many moisturizers have mostly chemicals with the “all natural ingredient” close to the end of the list. Now remember that labels list ingredients from the highest percentage to the lowest. So how much of that aloe are you actually getting? Not enough to benefit your skin, that's for sure.

Make up

You may think that creams and makeup are just going to lie on your skin and won't make a difference. But did you know that most women eat up to 5 pounds of lipstick a year? I sure don't want to be eating any Butyl Paraben or propylene in the process! Did you also know that you aren't supposed to use Retin-A on your skin when you're pregnant? Why? Because creams can be absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream. So try to use them as little as possible or better yet avoid them altogether!

Three Chemicals to avoid:

1. Propylene Glycol

This ingredient is used because it can feel cooling to the skin, it also traps moisture in your skin however, the chemical is known to irritate your eyes and skin. It may also cause liver and kidney damage. Now it may be safe in small quantities, but if you're using many of these items at once, it will add up. Read more about the dangers of propylene glycol here.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

This ingredient is found mostly in shampoos, facial cleansers, soaps etc. Basically anything that foams. SLS is used because it is cheap and helps these products feel “foamier”. It is considered highly irritating and harmful to your skin and scalp. SLS may cause cancer and can cause an imbalance in your hormones. Read more about Sodium Lauryl Sulphate here.

3. Parabens

Parabens are used as a preservative because it reduces bacteria in a wide variety of skin care and cosmetics. They are used in small quantities and some if the parabens are called Butyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Methyl Paraben and Propyl Paraben. Parabens have been shown to be a possible cancer causing chemical and have been found in breast tumours. Again, it is safe in small quantities but if you look at your labels, you'll find that almost everything that you put on your skin or face contains parabens, even creams that say they are “all natural”. Read more about Parabens here.

So make sure and check your labels; buy natural products and reduce your risk of cancer!

Fashion Jewelry Trends 2009-2010

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:34:01 GMT

Fashion Jewelry Trends 2009-2010

Author: Custom Jewelry

The gold is more expensive than ever, so many people are turning to Fashion and beaded jewelry. They are so beautiful and the designs are getting better and better, so you do not have to buy poor design.

Fashion Jewelry comes in many different colors, are affordable and changing all the time. They are made of silver and alloy metal beads, glass, plastic, etc. There are hundreds of online stores that offers trade and charming designs and sizes. Even celebrities are wearing more and more costume jewelry.

If you need something unique or different, look at the small outlets online. There you can find some unique pieces and one off designs. Best of all, you can sit on your comfortable couch, navigate through the hottest jewelry and just wait for it to arrive at your door.

Wedding Jewelry: Jewelry is a great way to add color to your wedding outfit. The bride and bridesmaids can find jewelry for the big day. Pearls are a classic, but you can always be different and add quartz, jade or turquoise for that touch of color.

Beaded: Many people love beaded jewelry. It is a great way to treat yourself and is perfect for friends or that someone special.

Handmade: Most women want to follow the latest fashion trends by the buying and wearing one off costume jewelry. We all want to look beautiful and love to wear classic jewelry with a bit of exclusivity.

Victorian style: are becoming so popular, there are so many online stores that specialize in Victorian jewelry.

Silver Jewelry: We all love the silver and will always be in demand and very popular all over the world because it is affordable and stylish.

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Fashion Jewelry Trends 2009-2010

Wedding Jewelry - The Pearl Necklace

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:32:49 GMT

Wedding Jewelry - Pearl Necklace

Author: Custom Jewelry

One of the most unforgettable and amazing highlights of your life is your wedding day. Your wedding day is the day that you and your beloved will be united in front of friends, family and for you religious folk, united by God. Of course everyone knows that this is the bride's day. Every bride wants to be the most beautiful for this special event, so the bridal outfit and accessories are very important. It helps if a bride is prepared with her bridal accessories way beforehand. One of the main effects of Bridal Jewelry is to add more charm to the aura to the bride. Completes the look on all of the bride, from the head to fingertips.

Many jewelry designers agree that pearls are the best accessories in bridal jewelry. Pearls make the bride look stunning. It has a timeless and classic elegance that catches all eyes. Here are some tips on selecting pearls for bridal wear:

There are many types of pearl necklaces, from an ultra long necklace, choker, princess, rope, opera, to the matinee. The pearl necklace is usually 14 to 16 inches long and stays in the collar bone, and this classic length is a perfect fit for the classic look a bride may want. This works perfectly with the wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.

A bridal necklace usually measures 10 to 14 inches long. This consists of at least three strands of pearls. This can be perfectly combined with a plunging neckline, or a Strapless V-neck wedding dress. This type of pearl necklace adds a great look for a classic bride.

Unlike collars, a pearl princess necklace is far longer in length, usually 17 to 19 inches long. This type of necklaces are very famous for its versatility. Princess necklaces go well with any dress and is currently quite trendy. To be more creative, you can combine different types of pearls to create a pear princess necklace.

The opera necklace measures 27 to 36 inches long. This can be used normally with high necklines or wrapped in double strands. This is very popular among major fashion designers for its sleek look. Pearl rope can be used if you want an even more dramatic look. For an example of Pearl rope take a look at Wedding Jewelry. The Pearl rope usually measures 40 to 72 inches long.

The price of these bridal necklaces, however, depends on the quality and weight of the pearls. When compared with other necklaces, the cost of metal jewelry are much more expensive than pearls. However, it really does not matter if the pearls are much cheaper than other jewelry metals, the important thing is that is goes with the bride's fashion sense.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Wedding Jewelry - Pearl Necklace Browser

Men's Jewelry Is Hot!

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:31:09 GMT

When we talk about jewelry, we usually think about women, who wear more jewelry, buy jewelry for themselves more and like receiving jewelry as gifts. However, there has been a marked growth in the market for Men's Jewelry . In fact, a 2004 survey by an industry group of jewelry found 62 percent of women thought men wearing jewelry as being attractive or sexy, 40 percent said men should wear more jewelry - more than wedding rings.

When asked why men should wear more jewelry, more than half the women who saw wearing jewelry as a sign of confidence and success or a man who cares about his appearance. Almost a third said jewelry looks good against your skin. Obviously, men's bling-bling is cool, and this article includes basic information about the options available, so men can add just the right bling to their wardrobe.

What You Need to Know

The first rule for a man of jewelry is not being excessive. Perhaps ;ike Mr. T. enough you have enough gold chains and earrings to finance a small country, but pity the fool who tries to match the fashion brand statement T!

Among precious metals, gold and silver jewelry remains the most popular, but industrial metals and platinum - stainless steel, titanium and tungsten - have debuted with rave reviews. When surveyed about what was attractive male jewelry, watches score the highest marks. Necklaces and rings tied for second and third, cufflinks and bracelets were almost even. Earrings and body jewelry completed the top vote-Getters.

Rings

Men's rings revealing a man's personality is growing in its success. For those with a budget, a modest set cubic zirconia ring set in silver or gold ring tone is a great start, which can easily be upgraded for sparkling diamonds or precious gemstones afterwards. You can also choose the traditional (precious metals) or you can jump into something modern (industrial metals), which, by their durability, have become symbols of strength and energy.

When wedding bells ring, the bride usually gets all the attention, but why should she get all the ice? Grooms' rings can be a simple band of diamonds with an accent, or a big, strong diamond ring with sparkling cloves. Love (and marriage) should last forever, so this is definitely the time to choose the wedding band you really want without worrying about the price. Sales and big discounts are always available if you only search for them.

Necklaces or chains

Men Necklaces (more often referred to as neck chains, or chains) generally range from 18 to 24 inches in length. This is sufficient to prevent choking necks, but not so much that the string extends below the sternum. PThings that hang from the chain are "pendants" or "medallions." In general, the pendants are sold in chains, but not always. All these terms are used interchangeably, so be sure to read the descriptions carefully and know exactly what you're buying.

Dog tags appear to be the most popular videos necklaces, religious jewelry, but pure gold and silver chains are also trendy, and probably always will be. Most men avoid large slopes, but the definition of "large" is strictly an individual choice.

Cuff Links

Twins may be more known mens jewelry item and can only be used with a French-cuff shirt, but are quite noticable when they are won . What cuffs lacks in versatility, they make up in diversity. This places them among the most popular mens jewelry pieces.

Twins come with professional symbols, team logos, classical and abstract art grounds, which are available on all metal accents and all kinds of precious stones. They even come in glass and crystal. Twins are an opportunity for a man to show his employment, ethnicity, hobbies or anything else about himself, while showing his good taste, elegance. It is an opportunity to display fine jewelry that no one should overlook, especially a man wearing a French cuff shirt (I think).

Bracelets

A few years ago, mens bracelets were uncommon, but times have changed, men love bracelets! Gold bracelets - yellow gold, white gold, two-tone, gold, etc. - are probably the most common with the silver, sterling silver following closely. Other metals are in the mix, while for some, leather bands are a must. It really is a what-you-want-is-what-you-get and an opportunity to show your personal style.

The ID bracelet is a perennial favorite, although the name is a little misleading. It's basically a wrist chain with an engraved plate. You can engrave your name, your wife's name (and birthdays or anniversary for absent minded people), alma mater or personal motto. If you have a medical condition, medical alert bracelets are great, especially those with a small compartment to hold vital information - the name of your doctor, allergies, medications, etc.

Earrings

Ever wonder why pirate movies are full of guys wearing an earring? It was to pay for the funeral, if they get shipwrecked and washed ashore dead. Fortunately, this is not something men need to worry about the 21st century. Men's earrings began to be popular again a few years ago among specific groups, but have since been widely accepted as "legitimate" jewelry for men (whatever that means).

Money Clips

Nothing beats the feeling of pulling a money clip full of bills from your pocket (unless you have so many bills that do not fit). Money clips are the minimalist form of a wallet and are increasing in popularity as cash is increasingly replaced by debit cards. Sound strange? It is not, some new money clips are designed to carry cash and cards in a secure, compact format. If it's really elegant look that you're after then a money clip is worth having. Want to protect your paper and plastic? Get a money clip in titanium or tungsten.

Religious

Whatever your faith is it can be expressed with men's religious jewelry. It is as beautiful as it is affordable. From the cross to the Star of David to the charms of Asia, the selection is as wide as human philosophy. Some icons of jewelry have come to transcend any church or religion: Many people are sure they have a guardian angel to protect them, and you do not have to be a druid who is fascinated by a Celtic knot.

How do I care for my jewelry?

Store jewelry in individual pouches or in separate compartments of jewelry boxes, when possible. Keep away from chemicals or harsh materials. If the pieces are set with precious stones or other ornaments, always keeping their weaknesses in mind when cleaning. If you can give your jewelry a clean from a professional jeweler.

The using silver jewelry will often prevents a lot of tarnish, but silver should be cleaned occasionally. Commercial polishing cloths or polishes work best when tarnish first appears. Gold and platinum requires less maintenance, but occasionally a complete cleaning is a good idea. Any gold or silver plated jewelry can chip and wear through, so replate them every few years to keep them looking their best. Soft metals should not be worn and should be avoided. Even deep engraving or molding will be slightly degraded after a few decades. One reason platinum is hot these days is its durability and has extremely slow to degrade.

Titanium, tungsten and stainless steel jewelry is highly durable, but should be cleaned occasionally with a simple immersion in warm water with soap or detergent and wipe with a soft cloth. Do not use harsh abrasives on stainless steel, which can damage its natural protective layer. Gemstones can be easily cleaned with a soft brush and mild dish soap mixed with water. Do not rub too hard, however, some stones as they can be damaged.

Should I appraise my jewelry?

On making any major purchase, an independent valuation (an estimate of value by a third party) is a good idea. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not certify assessors. Certifications are given by industry organizations. Certified appraisers are generally reliable, but fraud and counterfeiting can be found in any industry where their are expensive items. Since the jewelry is a great way to pass wealth from generation to generation - as estate jewelry - an appraisal may be necessary for tax or insurance, but never think of jewelry only as an investment or an inheritance. Fine jewelry is fashion jewelry - use it and enjoy it!

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Men's Jewelry Is Hot!

What's your beach personality?

Pacifika Spirit — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:41:40 GMT

What's your beach jewelry personality? » Fun Trivia Maker

How to care for pearls and other blog articles:

How to care for your pearl jewelry

How to care for Sterling Silver jewelry

Six tips for shopping online

Tamanu Oil - The ultimate benefits

How Pacifika Spirit Got Started

sterlingsilverjewelrysterlingsilver

Giving a Gift That Means Something - Starfish Jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:27:59 GMT

You may have noticed that starfish are a very popular theme in jewelry. They appear on necklaces, earrings, bracelets, toe rings, and so much more. Starfish are simply pretty to look at, but depending on who you ask, they also have some significance. In other words, starfish are symbolic. The symbolism is something different for many people, but if you know someone who likes starfish, chances are that they will appreciate a gift of starfish jewelry.

Many people wear starfish themed jewelry because of the symbolism. A couple of the more common beliefs are that starfish symbolize:

- The Virgin Mary
- Fertility
- Happiness
- Wealth
- Peace and Love

As you can see, there are many different ideas about what the starfish symbolizes and these are just a few examples. If someone in your life likes starfish it may just be because they think they are beautiful, or it may have a deeper meaning to them. Whatever the case may be, buying starfish jewelry will make them happy, making it fun to give.

If you want to give something that they don't already have, why not shop for a starfish necklace? There are many different styles that are readily available, some of them made out of very common materials as well as finer materials. You can choose to buy something really affordable or have something that has fine gems in it. There really are a lot of opportunities to choose from when shopping for such a necklace.

Other options include starfish earrings. The person in your life who likes starfish may already have a bunch of rings, toe rings, and even necklaces but if you haven't seen many pairs of starfish earrings, why not add something to their collection that they don't already have. As is the case with necklaces, you can buy really affordable earrings as well as more expensive ones, depending the materials that you choose. There are some truly beautiful earrings out there for you to choose from, giving you a wide variety of options.

Other pieces that you might want to think about include pins and broaches, hair pins, bracelets, rings, toe rings, and anklets. As you can see, when it comes to starfish you have a lot to buy that will please the starfish lover in your life. Simply shop around a bit and see what is out there. Think not only about your budget, but what the person already has, what they will wear, and about their overall style. There is a lot to choose from, so have fun shopping so you can give them something that they will love to wear and will cherish for years to come.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. If you know someone who likes starfish, chances are that they will appreciate a gift of starfish jewelry. If you want to give something that they don't already have, why not shop for a starfish necklace? There are many different styles that are readily available, some of them made out of very common materials as well as finer materials.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller

How to care for your pearl jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:10:53 GMT

Pearl Jewelry is timeless. Your pearl jewelry will never go out of fashion and now there are such a variety of colours and designs and pearl mixes that there is a pearl piece for everyone. You have selected your pearls, but what is the best way to care for them?

Yes dahling, but are they cultured?
Pearls that are available for wear today are cultured, which means a human has inserted a bead into the oyster or clam in order to create the layers of hard, iridescent substance or nacre. Natural pearls are extremely expensive and are usually vintage pearls.
There are freshwater and saltwater cultured pearls. Pearls have different classifications according to their shape and sheen:
Spherical Shape: these are the most expensive, the rounder the shape, the more expensive it is
Symmetrical: shapes such as drops or ovals which are the same on both sides but not round
Baroque: Irregular shaped pearls, each are unique and can be quite beautiful

Acid Allergy
Pearls are very susceptible to any kind of acid and chemicals. So you should wear your makeup and hairspray before putting on pearls. You should also avoid cleaning pearls with any harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubs. The nacre is easily scratched and will absorb colour so you should be aware of that when wearing your pearls.
Usually cleaning with a soft cloth and very mild soap works best. Pearls also need to breathe and have a tendency to dry out, so do not store pearls in air tight containers, unlike silver which oxidizes. Finally, your silk cord will periodically need restringing. If you follow your common sense and remember that:

Pearls are easily scratched
Pearls do not do well with harsh chemicals and acids
Pearls should be stored so it can breathe

You will enjoy your pearls for years to come.

About the Author:

Lakshmi Gosyne is a teacher, loves organic products and manages Pacifika Spirit. She lives in Northland, New Zealand with her husband. Read her blog to find information on South Pacific treasures.

Links to other websites

Pacifika Spirit — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:49:27 GMT

Link Market - Free Link Exchange, Link Swap and Link Trade Directory
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Collibri Therapies
One of the best massage therapists in New Zealand. The chosen massage therapist for the Royal New Zealand Ballet company!

Silver Artz
Here at silver artz our aim is to bring to you beautiful silver, gold and fashion jewellery for men, women and children. We also keep a small selection of unusual and special occasion gifts. Our products are of exceptional quality at very affordab

How to care for Sterling Silver Jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:19:02 GMT

Silver metal on its own does not tarnish, however, silver is extremely soft and needs to be mixed with other metals in order to hold its shape. With sterling silver, the alloy or other metal (usually copper) makes up for 7.5% of the jewel, or flatware. When the alloy comes in contact with the oxygen in the air, it will begin to tarnish or yellow the silver. Eventually the alloy in the silver will oxidize and turn a dark almost black colour. If you have a soft polishing cloth you can usually easily make silver shine again.

Prevention of Tarnishing

Remember to keep your silver piece in a zip locked or air tight container to prevent tarnishing.
Store your jewels in a cool, dry place
Take jewelry off when showering, bathing or swimming as this will speed up oxidization.

Cleaning your Silver Jewelry

Clean your jewelry with a soft clean cloth before storing to get rid of dirt and oil.
Use a soft treated polishing cloth to remove tarnish
Do not use abrasive materials such as toothpaste or brushes as this will scratch the metal

Patina

Over time, silver jewelry will have darkened areas as well as lighter shinier areas. Some styles, such as the Balinese style earrings already have a patina or antique look. This is to increase the contrast of the designs, so over polishing these pieces will actually change the look of the piece. With sterling silver jewellery, polishing and cleaning will always clean the patina leaving a beautiful shiny piece. Some people prefer the look of these darkened or antiqued silver, if this appeals to you, leave your sterling silver the way it is.

Follow these tips to ensure that you keep your silver pieces as beautiful as ever.

About the Author:

Lakshmi Gosyne is a teacher, loves organic products and manages Pacifika Spirit. She lives in Northland, New Zealand with her husband. Read her blog to find information on South Pacific treasures, or information on the culture of the South Pacific. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook for updates, news and more.

The Land of the Long White Cloud

Pacifika Spirit — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:20:03 GMT

Maori Culture is very rich and I can do it little justice by trying to describe it in a blog. However I can try to cover some general truths about this intricate and unique culture as well as recommending sites where you can find further information.

The Past: The first people of Aotearoa

Before the time of European discovery, another group of travellers arrived on the shores of Aotearoa. They were originally from the island of "Hawaiki" (a mythical homeland in tropical Polynesia). These travellers upon arriving in New Zealand, had easy access to food and shelter in the form of the great Moa (huge flightless bird) and the beautiful Kauri trees. Unfortunately, over time, food grew scarce and the Maori became fierce fighters and great warriors. This is when Europeans began to discover Polynesia and Aotearoa, otherwise known as New Zealand, was first discovered by Europeans in 1642 by Abel Tasman.

European Arrival

Maori struggles began after the arrival of Europeans and in February of 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was drawn up between some Maori Iwi and the Queen. Due to differences in language and intention, there has been many disputes of exactly what the Maori chiefs were signing. These disputes still exist today. With increasing European influence, Maori culture, language and customs began to decline. However, from the 1970s onwards there has been a revival in Maori language, culture and art.

Aotearoa Today

Aotearoa is very proud of its culture and heritage. Some common distinctions from the rest of polynesia would be the impressive haka or challenge that male warriors give to their enemies. It is seen at an international scale at the beginning of every All Black's game. Kapa haka, involves a variety of styles of Maori singing and dancing which come in a specific order. Most cultural events for the Maori take place on the Marae which is a sacred space as well as a gathering place of their Iwi or "tribe".

Maori people are very skillful carvers, weavers, jewellers and artists and they create beautiful bone, greenstone (jade) and wood pendants from cultural creatures and symbols. They are beautiful singers and dancers and love to sing along with the guitar (which most know how to play well).

There is so much more that I have not touched on here, but if you go to http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/ or http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/ you will find out much more about these amazing people.

About the Author:

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Pacifika Spirit — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:48:35 GMT

Previous Blog Posts

Pacifika Spirit — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:10:29 GMT

How Pacifika Spirit Got Started

Tamanu Oil - The ultimate benefits

Just How Big is that?

Tahitian Pearls Jewelry by Editor123

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:37:38 GMT

Tahitian pearls are said to be among the most beautiful gems in the world. They are produced or grown from Pinctada margaritifera which is a black lipped oyster found around the French Polynesian islands. Usually growing up to 12 inches in diameter, these black lipped oysters produce pearls that are 8mm to 15 mm in size. Pearl production of this type of mollusks is a costly enterprise of which only about 5% of the cultivated pearls fall into the very fine category because of its extreme sensitivity to the culturing process. Tahitian pearls are highly valued for their round shape, high luster and a nearly blemish-free quality. When made into fine jewelry, these pearls are set as pearl strands in necklaces and bracelets or as studs in earrings. These pearls are truly unique.

Tahitian pearls as jewelry are made extraordinary and special because they come in different colors. These pearls are usually set in silver that compliments their naturally dark colors. Traditionally called as black pearls, most Tahitian pearls are metallic silver to brown with overtone colors such as pink, gold, silver and reddish purple. The naturally dark colors of these pearls make them uniquely a rare find and treasure especially those truly black ones. The names peacockgreenish black, champagneyellowish grey, Aubergine or Cherrypurplish black, Silver grey, Tahitian goldgolden black, Moon grey pale grey and Pistachiogreenish grey are among those specifically given these beautiful pearls. The rare black Tahitian pearls are highly valued among the existing cultured pearls. Pendants and rings are also available with these pearls set in silver.

About the Author:

The article is contributed by a professional content writer, having experiences of working in different industries. For further information on Tahitian Pearls and Tahitian Pearl Necklace please visit http://www.alohapearls.com/

The Big Bang Bracelet by Chery Bruce

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:36:14 GMT

Unless you've been living under a rock, then I'm sure you know just how hot the big bangle bracelet has become. Over the past few years, we've watched as this fashion accessory has become a true staple of jewelry must-have mavens everywhere.

The origin of the bangle actually started in ancient times, with Greeks, Hebrews, Romans and Egyptians wearing the bracelet as a symbol of status or religion. Bangles were at one time, even part of the official uniform of war. Today, the bangle is back, it's bold and it's beautiful.

Thin gold or sterling silver wire bangles were all the rage in the 60s and 70s with huge stacks of bracelets worn on each arm for a fun-loving funky vibe. In the 80s it was more about bright chunky neon colored bracelets that added bold attitude to edgier fashions. We're seeing a comeback of all these decades in today's fashion choices. Designers are flooding the runway with bangles, both thick and thin.

The music industry has led its influence to the bangle bracelet, producing trends that are fun yet wearable. Stars such as Lauren Hill of the Fugees and Gwen Stefani have performed in gold wrap bangles that adorn the arm. Hip hop and pop stars seem to share one thing in common - love of the giant gold bangle.

For thin wire bangles, the of-the-moment look is best described as laid back bohemian, with stars such as Nicole Richie and Ashley Olsen rocking the trend. Delicate bangles are meant to be worn in bulk, mixed with other metals and flaunted on each arm, day or night. These designs play homage to a retro vibe of the flower children era and compliment almost any everyday look.

Textured bangles are a fashion forward approach to this basic bracelet. From faux snakeskin to natural fibers, you can't go wrong with an organic approach.

Read more related articles about earrings and necklaces, jewelry sets and sterling silver jewelry.

About the Author

Posted by Cherry Bruce, you can find more articles about shining sterling silver jewelry and charming jewelry sets on my blog: jewelry style.

Buying Fashion Jewelry online by Mandy Jones

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:34:44 GMT

If you like to stay ahead of the fashion trends then accessorising with fashion jewellery is a great way of doing that. You can update many pieces of clothing by adding a chunky necklace, a pair of hoop earrings and a bracelet that is dripping in charms. There are many places to find pieces of fashion jewellery, department stores, unique boutiques, from catalogues and the easiest way is to buy your fashion jewellery online.

There are many online jewellery stores that can supply your fashion jewellery needs where you can browse through the jewellery collections at your leisure and match your earrings, your bracelet and your necklaces. The one great thing about doing your jewellery shopping online is that you can do it at your leisure and the time that suits you and your schedule. If you feel like shopping in the middle of the night you are able to do it no problem.

Before you start to search online for your fashion jewellery you have to decide what type of fashion jewellery you are looking for. Are you looking for designer pieces? Then if that is the case you will have to look for your earrings, bracelet and necklaces on sites that specialise in these pieces. There are many sites that have all the latest pieces of fashion jewellery that cater for the people that want what the latest designers have to offer.

Maybe you are looking for a piece of fashion jewellery that is a little bit more unique. Then you need to search the internet for handmade pieces that are more unique. There are some great designers out there that have beautiful collections of handmade fashion jewellery. If you are looking for something that is a little bit more unique and unusual then these are the sort of online jewellery stores that you want to be buying your fashion jewellery from.

If you are a casual in your dress then maybe earrings are the things you should choose to add some fashion accents to your wardrobe. Earrings are always fun and earrings can be added to any outfit and depending on the occasion can be the only piece of handmade fashion jewellery that you need to make that fashion statement.

You can add a funky fashion statement by adding many colourful bracelets. Fashion bracelet jewellery is a fun way to brighten a plain jumper or a dress. Maybe you are buying the bracelet for a more formal occasion? Then a plain silver bracelet or a plain gold bracelet is what you are looking for or for something special a bracelet that is set with precious stones.

There are many earring and bracelet sets out there available to purchase from online fashion jewellery stores. So if you are wanting both earrings and bracelet as your fashion jewellery purchase it may be cheaper to buy your earrings and bracelet as set as to buying your earrings and bracelet separate.

About the Author

Mandy Jones has been designing fashion jewellery for most of her working life. She has designed and made pairs of fashion earrings and unique and original bracelet for many of the leading fashion companies and collections of her fashion jewellery can be found in all the major stores.

Shopping for jewelry online: 6 tips

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:32:53 GMT

Shopping online can be daunting, and shopping for jewelry can be even more troublesome. Here are a few tips to help make your online shopping experience a good one.

Why shop for jewelry online?
When shopping for jewelry in a store you have salespeople pushing you to buy as well as an environment where you can’t really compare items from different stores.
By buying jewelry online, you have million of different styles at your fingertips for a fraction of the cost that you would buy in stores. Jewelry is small and easy to ship to your door, and the convenience of buying jewelry in your own home can’t be beat.

Research for the style, prices and quality that you want.
You do have to be an informed buyer when shopping online. Do you want silver, gold, platinum jewelry? What about the style? Beaded or belcher? Read about jewelry that would be best suited to you before you decide to make an online purchase. This research will only take a few minutes and few clicks of your mouse and will make online purchasing easier and quicker.

Make sure that the online store you are shopping in has specs (quality of jewelry, how it’s joined, the hallmark and the size)
If you have been researching the jewelry that you want, you want to make sure that the vendor you’re dealing with gives you these specifications. A picture is not enough in determining the size or quality of the jewelry. Most jewelry sites will have this information listed with the jewel if not you can contact them for more information.

Call, email or contact the vendor if you have any questions
If you’ve fallen in love with a piece, but can’t find information or just want some more pictures or specs to make your decision, you should email or contact the jewelry retailer. They will be happy to help clarify any questions that you may have. If it is difficult to contact the retailer, it may be an indication that you don’t want to buy from them.

Check Shipping options as well as Shipping companies
Some companies have free shipping over a certain amount. Make sure that the shipping prices are factored into the overall sale. Also check for insurance. Pacifika Spirit uses New Zealand Airmail which covers insurance for up to $250 dollars. If there is no insurance please find out if you need your jewelry insured and if it would cost extra.

Make sure that there is a return policy and read the fine print
Even if you’ve gone through all of these steps and you may still receive something that you’re not thrilled with. There should be a return policy for all items in the store. Some stores have restocking fees and some don’t so make sure to read the fine print and know exactly what you’re getting into.

About the Author

Lakshmi Gosyne is a teacher, environmentalist and manager of Pacifika Spirit. She lives in Northland, New Zealand with her husband. Read her blog to find information on South Pacific treasures.

Why silver is the best metal for jewelry

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:26:09 GMT

When I want to add some sparkle to my outfit I have plenty of choices. I could choose gold, silver, platinum or plated jewelry, but I usually reach for my sterling silver pieces. Why? Because my silver pieces are usually trendier, chunkier and look better with my outfits and on my skin. An added bonus of choosing sterling silver instead of fashion jewelry or plated jewelry is that I have sensitive skin which gets red and itchy with “fake jewelry” and I can have it all at a fraction of the cost of gold and platinum.

The background on Sterling Silver

Silver, like gold, is a very malleable metal alloy. Silver is actually so soft that it cannot be used on its own to create jewelry or silverware. Sterling silver usually mixes 7.5% of another alloy with pure silver. This alloy is usually copper. The mixture creates a beautiful and durable metal which is strong enough to hold many different shapes and many fine details can be crafted using this metal. The strength of this metal makes sterling silver perfect for intricate jewelry pieces. Silver filigree was very popular since the days of the Egyptians and has been perfected to an art in Malta and Sardinia. There are many theories as to why sterling silver is called “sterling”. One theory believes that sterling came from the mines in Scotland but the most popular theory is the mint mark that Norman pennies carried (small stars called steorling).

The wearable metal

Silver jewelry is meant to be worn and will tarnish if it is left unworn. But silver is extremely versatile. It can be worn with just about anything in any situation. It can be subtle enough to be worn every day or stunning enough to be worn in the evenings.

I love to wear silver dangly earring with a beautiful top and a pair of jeans or a chunky ring or bracelet which can be worn to the office or to a party. Sterling silver can look stunning with a leather jacket or elegant with a summer dress.

Caring for your sterling silver jewelry

The downside of sterling silver? Again like gold, once mixed with an alloy, the other metal will begin to oxidize which will cause the silver to tarnish. Tarnishing is usually causes a creamy color or a greenish color. Usually proper storage and wearing your sterling silver jewelry regularly will diminish the oxidization. Storing your jewelry in an airtight container to reduce oxidization or an anti tarnish storage bag. You can also polish your jewelry with a polish coated soft cloth. Many silver jewels also come with an anti-tarnish coating.

What is anti-tarnish?

Anti-tarnish is usually another metal: Rhodium which is a member of the platinum group. Rhodium is one of the most expensive metal alloys; it is silvery in color and just adds to the beauty of your sterling silver jewelry.

Pacifika Spirit has only the highest quality sterling silver jewelry with Rhodium anti tarnish.

About the Author:

Lakshmi Gosyne is a teacher, environmentalist and manager of Pacifika Spirit. She lives in Northland, New Zealand with her husband. Read her blog to find information on South Pacific treasures.

Healing Acne Naturally

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:23:41 GMT

Acne and natural skin products

Although I got the occasional pimple, I didn’t suffer from acne until I was in my late teens and early twenties. It was horrible. Acne has a big effect on your self esteem and confidence as well as your social patterns. I wore thick amounts of makeup just to leave the house – which in itself didn’t help matters – and when someone looked at me, I believed that they were disgusted. I was constantly worried about my appearance and I started to look for every cream, lotion and potion I could find that would help me.
The problem? My skin was very sensitive and I could not use strong detergents like benzoyl peroxide for very long. I tried very expensive over the counter meds, I tried some dermatological oral and topical meds, and I even tried those late night TV infomercial solutions. Some of the items worked, but dried out my skin and I continued to have huge acne problems well into my twenties.

What causes acne?
First, your skin cells become sticky, do not shed properly and block your pores which build up an excess of sebum in your pores. This happens due to many different factors, skin failing to slough off properly, rubbing your face with your fingers, stress and other things. There then is a build up of bacteria which feed on the sebum. This bacterium is popularly known as P. acnes (Propionibacterium acnes).

The first stage is the microcomedone stage. At this stage, the pore is not yet inflamed, yet you can see that there is something going on underneath. It takes two forms:
Whiteheads – Which look like a very small white dot due to the build up of bacteria.
Blackheads – Which look like a black dot and is hard to the touch due to blocked pore.

The first stage may heal up on its own or become inflamed which leads to:

Papules – This is the initial stage of the pore’s walls breaking which then causes white blood cells to enter.
Pustules – a full-blown zit or pimple, which is the stage where the white blood cells make their way to the surface of the skin.
Nodule – A break in the bottom of the pore’s wall which can be very sore to touch.
Cysts – A strong inflammatory reaction can result in very large lesions.

So that’s how acne is formed. I remember getting horrible scars because my acne would flare up and become severely inflamed. But I can now go out in public with very little makeup and fairly clear skin.
Now can I give you a miracle cure for acne? No. I still get acne, but it is much less frequent, do not leave ugly scars and go away in a few days. Here are a few steps that you can take to relieve yourself of major acne for the long term. Remember, this is not a miracle cure!

Get your skin to work for you not against you
Now at the same time of my major breakouts, one of my sisters had lovely skin. Did she diligently wash her skin before going to bed? No. Did she have a beauty regimen? No. Did she even apply any cream to her face at all? Not really. Then what was going on? How come my skin which was getting all the scrubs, rubs and potions had these huge acne cysts and she would occasionally get one little pimple on her nose? That wasn’t fair! Or was there something else to it?

If you look at how acne is formed, it is caused by a blockage in the pores. Now most people intuitively think that they should be scrubbing their pores clean. But the secret is to get the skin to slough off efficiently and produce less sebum. Your skin is like any other organ. If it feels like it is too dry it will produce more oil. If it feels it is under attack it will send the white blood cells to search and destroy. If there is something wrong it will become inflamed. So I decided to try an experiment and here is what I found:

Add good oil and moisture to your face
Every night I rubbed in some high quality moisturizing antibacterial oil. Now tamanu oil, shea butter, or lavender oil will be the best as they are antibacterial as well as moisturizing, do your research, but make sure that the oil you choose will be absorbed into your skin and not clog pores. Tea tree oil is antibacterial but not for moisturizing, so I would recommend tea tree only as a treatment for inflamed acne.

Get good bacteria onto your face
The most amazing skin cream is available to you for pennies and it is right under your nose. Believe it or not, its yoghurt! Yoghurt has some beautiful properties. It is cooling and soothing, ph balancing and it has bacteria which love eating P. acnes. I use it with a touch of turmeric to soothe my entire face.

Use AHA or Vitamin A to help slough off dead skin cells
These are the only “chemicals” I’d recommend if you need help with your cell turnover. Alpha Hydroxy Acid comes from sugar cane, and is proven to increase cell turnover as is vitamin A. I used it together with the antibacterial oil, which helps because vitamin A is absorbed better in oil. This is good especially for older women as this reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles. However, use is not recommended for pregnant women as too much vitamin A is bad for the baby. Also remember to add sun block to your routine every morning as it makes you more susceptible to sun damage.

Wash your face less frequently
This will be very counterintuitive. I had a hard time doing this, as I felt my face needed washing constantly. Now I just do a thorough cleansing of my face at night with my shower and just apply moisturizing sunblock in the morning before any makeup. This allows my skin to develop its own oils and build up its own barrier against oil and dirt.

Just how big is that?

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:15:34 GMT

You're looking at a tube of face wash, a tube of cream or a bottle of perfume and if you're anything like me you're wondering, "Just how big is this?" Is three ounces big or small? Photos don't help either. They can make a product look bigger or smaller than it really is. Here are a couple of tips:

100ml is approximately 3.3 ounces. For math fans one ounce is 29.5 ml so you can use the calculator tool on your computer to help determine the exact amount.
Some websites have their products in ounces and some in millilitres. Hopefully the website with your products lists both. If not you can use google to convert ml into ounces.
But just how big is 100ml? I need to visualize sizes so 100ml is about 2cm by 5cm by 10cm. In inches that's approximately half an inch by 2 inches by 4 inches. So for every 25 ml (approximately 1 ounce) add 5 cm or one inch in height.
Have a ruler handy. Preferably right on your computer. I recommend the site http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/.

Tamanu Oil - the ultimate benefits

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:12:34 GMT

The Secret of the Pacific

Buy pure Tamanu oil here for under US$20.

Tamanu oil comes from the plant species Calophyllum inophyllum. The tree is called many different things such as the “poon” in India, the “feta’u” in Tonga, the “bintangor” tree in Malaysia or the “ati” or “tamanu” tree in Tahiti. However, this tree can be found in South East Asia, Australasia, Madagascar, East Africa, the Pacific Islands, the West Indes and South America.

The tree is an evergreen hardwood which flowers twice a year and in time produces round fruit the size of an apricot. The fruit yields a large nut which is where the oil comes from. The nut is originally composed of whitish yellow kernel. The nut is then dried for a month or so and the kernel turns into greenish amber coloured oil. Tamanu oil be easily absorbed into the skin and has a rich nutty fragrance.

Tamanu oil boasts of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. It has a soothing effect on the skin and can be used on mucous membranes. It also improves the skins elasticity and firmness. Tamanu oil can be used on scars and stretch marks as it is completely natural. However, it is made from a nut so those with less severe nut allergies should test it on their wrist before using. Other things that tamanu oil can be used for:

Sunburn
Dry skin
Rashes and allergies
Blemishes and acne
Burns, cuts and wounds
Psoriasis
Dermatitis
Rosacea
Hemorrhoids

You can visit http://www.tamanuoil.info/ for further information and pictures.

Buy Pure Tamanu oil here.

How Pacifika Spirit got Started

Pacifika Spirit — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:09:38 GMT

Who is behind Pacifika Spirit?

My name is Lakshmi Gosyne and I was born in Trinidad and Tobago which is a small Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. My grandfather chose my name, because it is also the name of the hindu goddess of "prosperity and light". I moved to Canada when I was very young and most of my schooling and work experience happened in Toronto. The travel bug caught me when I was in my early twenties. I love to travel and enjoy learning about many different cultures.

The dream of Pacifika Spirit

Pacifika Spirit started long before this site. It started as an I idea in my mind when I visited Hawaii's Polynesian Centre. There I got a taste of the different cultures in the South Pacific. I enjoyed Aotearoa's exhibit – even though they were fierce warriors – because of how interesting and complex the Maori culture was. There were so many islands in the South Pacific. I had to travel there!

Moving to Aotearoa

Years later, maybe luck, or fate intervened and I met Jonathan. He was from New Zealand and was visiting his brother in Toronto. We fell in love and got married and before I knew it, I had moved to New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa by the Maori. After getting over my homesickness, I found a world full of natural beauty, an intruiguing past and lovely people. I had come to the "land of milk and honey" literally.

Why should you shop here?

• You will learn more about this wonderful part of the world

• Find products that will give you a sense or flavour of the South Pacific

• These items were chosen for you not only because they are beautiful and of the highest quality but they also best represent the countries of origin.

• I chose pieces that I would love to wear and own myself.

• You will continue to learn more about the pacific with new product launches and more unique items.