Big Red Valentine Hearts

Plato

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete until another heart whispers back."

William Shakespeare

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

Vincent van Gogh

"Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence."

Frank P. Jones

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

Robert Frost

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

🌹♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥🌹

"People come and people go,

In and out of your life and so,

When one shines bright among the rest,

And is there when needed, you’re truly blessed.

That is how I see you, friend of mine,

And why I’m sending this Valentine."

By Karl Fuchs

Happy Valentine's Day Peeps! Spend it well. xoxo

You may also enjoy:

Valentine's Day Truffles

A Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Savvy Shoppers

Georgous Ruby Jewelry But Small & Pricey

I've had my eye on these Effy rubies and diamonds in 14k rose gold hoops selling on Macy's website for a while because they're classic and gorgeous! I love the rose gold and baguette-cut rubies sandwiched between 2 lines of small round diamonds. But because of the small size of the earrings (mentioned in the reviews) compared to the relatively high price, I don't think we're getting enough for our money even when they go on sale. It isn't the greed of Macy's or Effy (the vendor) in particular that I fault for being so costly. Universally across different retailers, we are now charged more for less than substantial pieces of jewelry. Why?

Lali Jewels (left) and LeVian (right)

Gem-quality rubies (and red gemstones in general) are rarer in nature, therefore rubies tend to cost more per carat than sapphires or diamonds. (Gem-quality emeralds are even rarer so cost more per carat than rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.)

Le Vian (left) and Effy (right)

To be called a ruby the corundum (stone) must be red. Frankly, some of these ruby stones I'm featuring on the blog look more like pink sapphires online, but perhaps they are darker in the retail store? To recite an industry saying, "It's a pink sapphire if you're the buyer and a ruby if you're the seller." Both can be lovely gemstones, just be sure the price matches its color!

The jewelry featured in today's post is beyond cute and so tempting, especially near Valentine's Day. I just can't believe the steep prices of over $1,000 for such slight pieces!😳

Why has dainty jewelry gotten so expensive? One reason is the price of gold is higher so now we're asked to pay through the nose for flimsy pieces of jewelry!

Is it worth it? People must decide for themselves, but if I saved up weeks of salary in exchange for tiny earrings or a thin ring, I'd be disappointed after opening the box regardless of how pretty the design is. Perhaps I'd feel somewhat taken, and clearly, I'd feel I could do more with the money elsewhere.

Macy's in-house brand (left) and Lali Jewels (right)

One way to lower the cost of fine jewelry is to find pieces in 925 sterling silver instead of 14k or 18k gold, suitable for earrings, necklaces, also rings, and bracelets you don't wear daily, i.e., jewelry you don't bang around. Like gold, silver is a precious metal yet softer than gold. I own 2 pairs of earrings (10'' round freshwater pearls and 4-carat lab-grown white sapphires with silver posts. Each durable pair costs under $100.)

Even freshwater pink pearls with tiny marquise-shaped pink tourmaline earrings (below↓) are pricey! Some people love delicate jewelry, but how much are customers willing to pay for it?

Macy's in-house brand (left) and LeVian (right) - all the jewelry is sold on Macy's website

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Friends, is love ... as in the love of gold jewelry blind? Nowadays are you buying or passing on fine jewelry?🤔

You may also enjoy:

Pearls: Queen Of Gems

Ultra Stunning High Jewelry

Is Jewelry A Waste Of Money? 

India's Famed Koh-i-Noor Diamond

Nordstrom's Valentine's Day Themed Offerings

Part II: At Nordstrom🌹

While consumers can great an assortment of pleasing merchandise at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, IMHO, Macy's has a better selection of quality goods at every price point so you can find a wide selection of fabulous merchandise for less there. You'll spend more at Nordstrom and much more at Saks Fifth Avenue for desirable stuff, plus the promotions aren't as deep as the sales at Macy's due to each department store's respective business models.

That said, posted on today's blog are some lovely Valentine's Day-themed articles suitable as gifts or a splurge for yourself.

I selected only jewelry that is sterling silver or 14k gold, so no fashion jewelry pieces. To find them search for "hearts earrings" or "14k gold hoop earrings" on the retailer's website.

Diptyque (1) fragrance or (2) a candle in a rose sent.🌹

The last fun piece from Cult Gaia is an over-priced acrylic box clutch purse typical of some of the articles Nordstrom carries (also it was characteristic of the now-defunct uptown Barnes). The Venus et Fleur rose in a box (look up 👆) is another enchanting overpriced item. Appreciate them for inspiration, then go out and find something similar to get the same effect for less if you wish! Here is the Eos by Cult Gaia bag at Saks Off Fifth Avenue discounted but still a lot of moola. Keep looking until the price is right.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

For him:

(1) Faherty cotton and cashmere cardigan, (2) Jo Malone London cologne, or (3) Ugg slippers  

You'll find everything featured on Nordstrom's website here.♥

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Valentine's Day Jewelry

Photo: Effy Jewelry

Nothing beats getting jewelry for Valentine's Day, not that we can expect to receive it every year. Still, perusing beautiful pieces is fun and absolutely free! 

Effy Jewelry

Moreover, a Savvy Shopper is a mindful buyer who spends more time looking than shopping; and who abhors excessive buying and unsustainable consumption. As with all material things ... and especially when buying fine jewelry you only need a capsule, not a collection of these sparkling gold or platinum luxuries. Think in terms of acquiring a capsule of carefully curated pieces that you love and want to wear every day, as well as, to galas. You'll never tire of wearing the same rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces time and again as long as you love them. 

Also if you're lucky enough to receive a gift from your Valentine and know his budget, don't be afraid to hint. Significant others aren't mindreaders, and you know your tastes. Getting jewelry you'll wear is more important than surprises you'll keep in a box. Furthermore, so what if your gift arrives after February 14th as you'll have it for a lifetime.

So now let's have some Valentine's Day fun. Here are several red rubies (in the mid-price range) I like and think you will too.

 From jeweler Effy's website:

And a few pretties from Macy's website -- Effy happens to be one of Macy's jewelry vendors along with other jewelers. If you see an Effy piece you like, check both websites to get the best price. The heart necklace above was for sale on both sites. It's still available at Macy's:

♥♥♥Happy Valentine's Day Peeps!♥♥♥

You may also enjoy:

Pretty Hearts For Her

Ruby The Scarlet Stone

Valentine's Day Truffles

Spinel: A Case Of Mistaken Identity

Sending Valentine Hearts To My Readers

Plato

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete until another heart whispers back."

William Shakespeare

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

Vincent van Gogh

"Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence."

Frank P. Jones

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

Robert Frost

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

🌹♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥♥💋♥♥♥♥🌹

"People come and people go,

In and out of your life and so,

When one shines bright among the rest,

And is there when needed, you’re truly blessed.

That is how I see you, friend of mine,

And why I’m sending this Valentine."

By Karl Fuchs

Happy Valentine's Day Peeps! Spend it well. xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day To You

Give us some of your candy little bear.😍

Perhaps it's the vivid red color, or falling in mid-February with not much else to compete with it that's appealing, but getting yourself a little treat for Valentine’s Day seems like a great idea, no?

If you work and save up your money, why not be good to yourself once in a while? If I don't crave chocolate on any other day, I will succumb to temptation on Valentine's Day. And when I receive gifts nowadays, they often aren't exactly what I'd pick for myself, so why not get a little something for myself that is precisely what I want? See how easy it is to justify buying yourself a gift? xoxo

A large department store should help us find the right something. The following selection is available at Macy's, both in-store and online:
 
An assortment of chocolate covered Oreos, or a box of  Godiva chocolates that you can share with family and friends.

Fine jewelry to match your budget and tastes ... something you've wanted for a long time! Pearls are always lovely and affordable!

There is no shortage of cute hearts whether it is fine, or Kate Spade fashion jewelry. A Macy's sale makes them budget friendly, and any of the choices can be worn beyond Valentine's Day.

Lancome Monsieur Big Eyeshadow Palette, or Borghese 3-Piece If Lips Could Thrill Gloss Gift Set, if you are a makeup maven.

I tend to be very practical when buying things for myself, even a splurge, yet I don't enjoy it any less! Sometimes we need a new pair of flats for our wardrobe, or a warm cashmere wrap that endures, or Ugg slides to keep our feet warm around the house. A useful article to fill a need brings much joy!

These last 2 items: a Kate Spade New York Watch and Deny Designs Wonder Forest Kiss Lips Coffee Mug are super adorable! Fun to wear, or use every day of the week. Daily mood lifers, it's unlikely you'll get tired of either!

Don't hesitate this Valentine's Day to get a little something for yourself!♥


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Happy Saint Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day Readers  
10 Wardrobe Pieces Every Woman Should Own  
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