About Morganite

Photo: DonGuennie (G-Empire The World Of Gems)

I don't need to own lots of fine jewelry to love it. Jewelry is one area of a department store where I might browse. Fortunately, I have the willpower to look without buying, just like when walking through a museum, I know I won't be taking a van Gogh home. Looking at cases of sparklers is fun!

All featured rings from Macy's

A few months ago, a Macy's sales associate mentioned a gem, morganite, I have never heard of as one of her favorites. Now I'm learning it's a popular engagement ring choice. I wonder how it is I got to my age without knowing what morganite is? Learning something new daily!

It turns out, morganite is a pink beryl -- a mineral compound consisting of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. The beryl family of rocks includes emeralds and aquamarines also. Morganite is valued for its pretty pink hue and relative hardness. On the Mohs 10-Hardness Scale, diamonds rate a 10 while morganites are a 7.5-8. So they are considered durable enough for a ring setting, yet softer than diamonds, sapphires and rubies.

Morganite was discovered on the coast of Madagascar in 1910 and named after robber baron/banker J. P. Morgan. The stone ranges from a rare light pink to peach and rose-colored. Orange-yellow flashes can also occur in it. Often morganite is heat treated to enhance the pink color and remove the orange.

Photo: Gemstones on YT

Morganites are lovely in rose gold settings, which is likely why engaged couples are drawn to select it. Although a wearer can't be as careless with it as a diamond (as morganite stretches easier), a morganite costs less (at about $300 per carat vs $1,000+ per carat for diamonds). Certainly, it is cheaper to replace a morganite after 20 years of daily wear. That said, it's wise not to wear any rings while doing manual labor. A diamond will stretch too, as will the gold medal!

Ahh, Mother Nature produces exquisite beauty, and human artistry improves it. A piece of jewelry is Mother Nature aided by a human hand. Billions of years of rock formation cleaned, cut and set into a lovely design.

Did you know of morganites before stopping here today?

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Maybelline Total Temptation

Maybelline launches its new spring colors. The name of the collection, Total Temptation™ says it all. So, let the seduction begin: As consumers, we don't stand a chance! Because. The quality and colors of the makeup are very high-end. At $12 or less, the cost of each individual item is unbeatable ... and enticing. We want.😍We need.🙃We want!🙏 The collection includes:

1) Total Temptation™Eyeshadow + Highlight Palette - It's an all-in-one set of shadow and highlighter shades to define the eyes and kiss the cheeks. Contains 8 eyeshadows and 2 cheek highlighters for a glamorous, yet natural look.

2) Total Temptation™Washable Mascara - The formula and brush build soft, full lash volume. The mascara is whipped and infused with coconut extract and comes in 3 shades of black: Blackest Black, Brownest Black and Very Black. Make-up maven and friend of THE SAVVY SHOPPER, Angie Smith, says, it's the best Maybelline mascara yet! Thumbs up!

3) Total Temptation™Eyebrow Definer - The pencil crayon end is as smooth as silk with a teardrop-shaped applicator to fill in brows. Brush them with the other end for a fuller yet natural finish. Available in 4 shades from blondish to deeper browns.

 Extra tip: To avoid looking harsh (like classic actress Joan Crawford), go a shade or 2 lighter than your hair. Exception: You hair is white, then you have to go a shade darker.)

Oh Maybelline, lead me not into temptation again! As I can find it all by myself in the drugstore (or Bed, Bath & Beyond) makeup aisle.


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MD Complete Skincare Is Dermatologist Level

MD Complete is advertised as skincare made simple ... indeed, it is. The preparations are mixed to deliver "dermatologist level" results. The high concentrated ingredients are reported to be active, potent, multitasking, effective and long-lasting. And based on ingredients, the claims are true. 

There are 2 formulas: the green label treats acne, and the blue label combats the effects of aging.

The items are sold separately, but the kits tend to be the best value. As an example for anti-aging: the New Wrinkle & Radiance Trio helps to erase lines and wrinkles, as well as, improve skin tone.

Here's what you get in the kit: 

Step 1) is the Eye Wrinkle Corrector - A pea size amount has retinol and peptides to improve the look of crow's feet and fine lines. Step 2) is the Retinol Vitamin C Concentrate - to nourish, hydrate and moisturize the skin. Step 3) is a Wrinkle & Radiance Remedy - Apply 1-2 pumps of active ingredient Tretinoin .025, a retinol used to increase cell turnover and speed up the production of collagen. The cost of the trio is $69; however, with deals for new customers, I paid about $62. (It works out to $20.33 for each product, which is a great price for high concentrations of anti-aging ingredients.) Definitely look for coupons before ordering.

Here's the nub: MD Complete skincare is excellent, like The Ordinary brand but costs a bit more. What is good (and bad) about the line is: MD Complete does the work for you by combining ingredients to address your skin issues. You only have to know what you want to treat ... be it: acne, aging, or rosacea, etc. With The Ordinary, you need to study their website to learn which ingredients are right for the problems you are treating, then layer your skincare products to address each issue (such as fine lines, brightening your complexion, reducing puffy eyes, etc.). 

While both companies have highly effective skincare based on science (and the concentration of ingredients), I probably love The Ordinary more (as I do study skincare), because it's cheaper. Nonetheless, since The Ordinary flies off the shelves quickly, it's helpful to have other brands to buy. And  ... we ADORE ♥new finds♥, don't we, dear readers? MD Complete is sold at Target, which is handy! Finally, a fun fact: Singer Marie Osmond uses and is part owner of the brand. 

It's exciting how new lower-cost retailers are changing the skincare industry, making top products and ingredients budget-friendly so we can afford to use them every day!


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Let's Faux Fur It Today

Urbancode Faux Faur Oversized Stole Scarf

I embrace the robust fake fur craze wholeheartedly. If you live in Siberia or Antarctica, few humans should fault you for dressing in head-to-toe animal furs in order to keep from freezing to death, but the truth is: technology has moved forward with synthetic fabrics to the point where wearing real fur is probably unnecessary. Some of the new synthetics are developed with the ability to keep bodies warm in severe sub-zero temperatures. And they cost much less too!

I favor fake fur for a number of reasons. Lots of style is available for less moola, there's no animal cruelty involved, and it fills the need efficiently. Faux fur also warms bare arms and shoulders in breezy-yet-milder temperatures, whereas real fur might be too warm.

Let's do a faux fur roundup. While "liberated" fur adorns many articles of clothing from sweaters to shoes, below I'll limit my selection to coats, jackets and stoles ... which tend to have the dual function of providing fashion and warmth:

Moss Copenhagen Coat	Adrianna Papell Wrap	Unreal Fur Abracadabra Jacket
Unreal Fur Abracadabra Jacket	Say What? Junior Bomber Jacket	Jayley Luxurious Stripe Faux Fur Jacket
ASOS 80's Statement Shoulder Jacket	INC International Concepts Vest Created For Macy's	Boohoo Faux Fur Coat

Real fur is no longer the status symbol of decades ago, and clothing manufacturers have gotten so good at faking it. Faux fur looks as fashionable as animal fur; and at a fraction of the cost, you can take a few style risks with "liberated" furs, such as buying wilder colors along with a goes-with-everything basic: black, gray or brown piece.  Less costly means having more fun ... with perhaps an extra! Do you have a favorite?


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A Humble Pear

A pear makes a delicious snack. Crisp and juicy with some sweetness, it stabilizes your blood sugar in-between meals. There's enough fiber and bulk to stave off hunger. I can't stand being hungry either after I eat a meal ... or a couple of hours before dinner. How annoying! When I need a little extra lunch or something to tide me over until dinner, I like to grab a pear. I don't worry about consuming extra calories as long as I stick to fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks. Often a big pear is enough, but a smear of peanut butter or brie is tasty with it.

Photo: Stylegaze

Pears are 84% water, 15% carbohydrates and about 1% protein/fats. They don't contain as many vitamins or minerals as apples, bananas, or oranges ... only a trace. Pears are mainly healthy due to their high fiber content, which is very good for your digestive tract, and doctors speculate to keep diseases like cancer away. Pears are believed to have hidden benefits that science has yet to understand.

Humans have eaten pears [known as Genus Pyrus, family Rosaceae] since antiquity, and they grow all over the globe. The 5 top growers (in order) include China, Argentina, the United States, Italy, and Turkey.

Free iStock photos

Another benefit of eating pears is, people tend not to be allergic to them. Pears are sometimes given to patients to eat who have lots of other food allergies.

In the fall and winter, I buy pears from street vendors: 2 big pears for $1.00. I buy 6, as they have a long refrigerator crisper drawer life. They last for weeks. Pears will ripen at room temperature and faster if you store them next to a banana. Pears are ripe when the flesh around the stem gives by applying gentle pressure. I once read that a soft pear has more nutrition, but frankly, I prefer it crisp. I will eat any variety of pears but often get Anjou pears. They are plump!

I added walnuts and a few blueberries to ours. The recipe is linked below.

Here's a link to more pear facts and recipes. I'd love to make more rustic pear tarts, but I eat my pears up before thought becomes action. Just like apples, I hear that pears make good cider, which I'm also eager to try!

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The Skirted Swimsuit

From Lands End, a swimsuit style I tend to select for myself.
Wish the body and tan were included! Now let's add a skirt.

Brrrr, it's been very cold here for a stretch of days. Let's take our minds off of shivering and return to the balmy days of summer for a moment.

Last July I spent the night with New Jersey friends who have a swimming pool. The wife lent me a swimsuit. Funny, I would not have picked the style off of a clothing rack. A one-piece with an adorable skirted bottom, it was very comfortable in-and-out of the water. Now I want one too!

Look at some of these cute possibilities. It goes to show that sexy can come in a one-piece or a tankini (which is like a one-piece) with a skirted bottom. We don't have to walk around nearly naked to be sexy, and in public it's often better if we don't.😊

Enlarged the images with a click.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Ruffle-Hem	Coco Reef Solid Slit	Anne Cole Solid Sarong
Profile by Gottex Serendipity Cinch-Tie Slit	Miraclesuit Cheetah Love Knot	Coco Reef Frenza Ruffled

Sophisticated is the new sexy, no? These are far from a grandmother's bloomers. How do you feel about a skirted swimsuit? Do you have a favorite?

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Eye Shadow Launches: Chanel & NARS

Eyeshadow palettes are so chic and pretty, it's impossible not to take notice when beauty companies launch new ones. Designed with colors to mix and match to create a variety of looks, you can go from subtle to dramatic by layering the shades.

Chanel just launched the above Les 9 Ombres palette, which it calls multi-effects shadows. Created by Lucia Pica, the combination of bold and neutral tones are inspired by the frescoes of Pompeii. The 9 long-lasting shades are a medium intensity pigment to make them ultra blendable. Cost: $70

NARSissist Wanted (above↑) is another new high-end eyeshadow palette from retailer NARS. Launched in December, it is also formulated to be very blendable and have staying power. The 12 lovely shades come in 4 textures: mats, shimmers, statins and glitters. Featured are seductive nudes, shimmering rose golds and a versatile range of pale pinks. Cost: $59.

Certainly, the quality is top-notch coming from Chanel and NARS, but if you'd rather spend much less on your eyeshadow palettes, you would not be disappointed with the many choices of Maybelline palettes. The prices may be less, but the quality, selection of colors and rich pigments are high-end. Previously, I reviewed Maybelline's larger (4 palettes of 12 shades) known as The Nudes. The last one here. Cost: About $10 each.

3 of the 7 Maybelline City Minis

Furthermore, last year Maybelline launched 7 City Mini palettes, which are equally stunning, blendable and wearable. Cost: $6-$8, depending on where you buy it.

Joining the 7 other Maybelline City Mini palettes is the newest, The City Mini Palette Shayla with 6 new dramatic hues. Just like the luxe brands, the shimmers are not stark or overwhelming, yet appear polished and natural. Plus, there is no annoying fallout. The Maybelline shadow stays put.

It's always worth knowing what the high-end brands are bringing out. Occasionally you may wish to splurge, but Maybelline (and lately L'Oreal) have truly stepped up their game. For a bit of glamour, customers can't go wrong with any of the eyeshadow palettes. They are all gorgeous!♥



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The Ordinary Skincare Is Extraordinary

In looking for photos, I stumbled upon the BeautyFrenyBlog, so you can also read what another blogger has to say about the line.

As THE SAVVY SHOPPER, I'm always in search of the best skincare (that works according to science) for less. The more choices, the better for consumers. 

In my ongoing research, I've hit upon another excellent skincare line, called The Ordinary, a brand from parent company Deciem. Their beauty team specializes in chemistry and biochemistry to make effective skin products, with a focus on the latest innovations and keeping prices affordable. 

Moreover, the skincare is free of the usual undesirable suspects, such as "parabens, sulfates, mineral oil,  methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, oxybenzone." 

The line is sold in Europe, Canada, and on Amazon, as well as, various online retailers like ASOS.  There are several Deciem brick-and-mortar stores here in Manhattan including: (1) 611 Madison Avenue; (2) 194 Columbus Avenue; and (3) 26 Prince Street. No animal testing is involved in developing the products.

Here's a cheat sheet of best serums compiled by YouTube's Cassandra Bankson linked here. (Updated Jan. 12, 2023) 

By taking the time to read about the treatments via the Ordinary website, you can figure out what your skin needs and build your custom skincare routine. But instead of paying $40+ for designer brands, you pay $10-$20 or less and receive six times the amount. Is that not savvy shopping?

Here are two products from The Ordinary I recommend starting with: 

1) Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane - Fights multiple signs of aging with quicker cell turnover without irritating the skin.

2) Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - Hyaluronic acid attracts up to 1,000 times its weight in water and helps the skin retain moisture. Vitamine B5 supports the formula.

Add other skin care essentials as needed, including direct acids, antioxidants, and sunscreen. The offerings include a face foundation in 12 shades with sunscreen as an ingredient.

Customers and their wallets💸 love💘 The Ordinary beauty! So popular, distributors have difficulty keeping the brand in stock.


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