Buying An Emerald Ring The 4 Cs

Photo: TK, trying o locate source

Yesterday I popped into Tiffany & Co. to try on a few emerald rings for fun. I wanted to start with heirloom-quality stones to refresh my memory on their appearance and price, and oh boy, did Tiffany deliver! The emeralds are stunning, ultra expensive ... yet small for the price tag. The design and quality of stones are top-notch, making even a 1/4 carat of emerald surrounded by diamonds ring a showstopper. As much as I love looking and trying Tiffany rings on, the price points for tiny stones are beyond what I wish to pay ... and for the purpose of this post I'll assume you, too, want a bigger stone for less money. So today, let's go shopping for emerald rings!

Photo: emcogem

Here are the 4 Cs that determine the value of an emerald, especially vital if you seek a larger stone:

1) Color - The color is the most important characteristic, but it is also the most subjective of the 4. Emeralds are a variety of beryl, a mineral whose green color comes from the impurities of chromium along with vanadium that are determined by where they are mined. Often customers prefer darker greens over lighter stones and a blue-green hue (cool) over yellow-green (warm). It doesn't make one better than the other, yet due to demand does influence price. Coveted Columbian emeralds tend to be bluish-green. (Click here for countries where emeralds are mined.)

When jewelers examine the color of emeralds they also

consider tone and saturation. The tone is the lightness and darkness of the emerald on a scale of 0 (white) to 10 (black). Fine emeralds fall between 2 and 8 on the scale. In this range, ultimately the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As it turns out, customers gravitate to #5, #6 and #7 in color↑. I think of saturation (another name for tone) as the opaqueness or transparency of an emerald. I value opaqueness in leggings, but I desire as much transparency for the $buck$ as I can get in a colored gemstone as it shines more!

The Maximilian emerald 

2) Cut (My 2nd important characteristic is usually listed as 3rd by experts. Trust me: I'm right, and they're wrong!🙂 Let me explain why.) The skill of the cutter determines the beauty and larger-look of the stone. A great cut maximizes the color, size, brilliance and takes note of the inclusions in the emerald. In fact, of the 4 precious gemstones, emeralds are per se a fractured stone. Its fractures/inclusions, called Jardins, are accepted as a natural characteristic and mark of its unique beauty. Emeralds without Jardins are 99.99 out 100 times fake.

3) Clarity - We discussed how an expert cut enhances the clarity of a gem. More light bounces off of it. Unlike diamonds, impurities and inclusions -- Jardins -- in emeralds are common and considered part of its natural beauty. Jewelers say: Each emerald has its own fingerprint of how it was formed by nature billions of years ago. With diamonds (carbon), you want them as clean as possible, yet nature rarely makes an emerald (beryl) clean (without Jardins). In French Jardin means "garden." And if an emerald doesn't have them, have it tested. You're either set for life ... or own a fake! 

Wallis Simpson's ring

4) Size - As with all gemstones, bigger stones are rarer so prices rise exponentially per carat. Each additional carat of the same quality of emerald more than doubles and triples in price. Rats!!!

Just like emeralds, shoppers are all unique, so different strokes for different folks. Personally, I would forget about buying heirloom-quality emeralds. You'll have to pay $8,000+ for 1/4 carat stone surrounded by 1/2 carat of tiny diamonds. Paris Hilton, you can ignore my advice. 

😍Macy's comes through again! What an Effy beauty on a budget!!

Everybody else, if you consider commercial-grade stones, a 2-carat emerald is not cheap either, yet reasonable and doable as a luxury splurge for a working person on a budget (especially during a Macy's jewelry sale)! Moreover, a stone over 2 1/2 carats gets very expensive, what you would pay for a car, or the downpayment of a house.

Every splurge should be worth the money spent! When the verdict is, "I LOVE it," without going broke, it is.💚


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Fearless Girl With Collar

Thank you, Notorious RBG for your service to our country. R.I.P.

New Yorkers have much affection for their Fearless Girl statue which stands across from the New York Stock Exchange. Recently someone put a collar on her in a nod to Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died at age 87 late last Friday of cancer. What a touching gesture and image. Justice Ginsburg championed women's equality and liberties through her opinions and rulings on the high court.

Another way to honor our late justice is to make sure you vote. Election day falls on November 3rd. Due to COVID fears, many states are making it easier to vote by mail-in ballots ... but oh, the days are getting shorter to request a mail-in/absentee ballot. On Google (or another search engine) type: "Request absentee ballot _____ (fill in your state). Please do so ASAP, and when you receive your ballot in the mail, fill it out and mail the ballot back ASAP so there is no time lag to be counted! You don't want to miss the deadline because a sorting machine was mysteriously removed from the local US Post Offices in your state (as is reported by several US Post Offices).

Photo: Facebook

What an important election 2020 is! Exercise your right (and privilege) as a citizen to vote! It's vital to a healthy democracy to put intelligent, duty-bound people into office(s) who can do the job(s)! Vote for your own best interests! Be heard!! Make your voices count by voting!

Moreover, fill out your 2020 Census here if you haven't done so! Being counted in the US Census helps your state get the Federal money it needs for free public education and other vital services. Let's do our part to keep democracy strong!

Photo: From Twitter

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Anti-aging Skincare Update

Choices help Savvy Shoppers save money, and it's fun to try new products. I love finding drugstore skincare for less with effective anti-aging ingredients that science says really works! Like a drugstore, Ulta offers a wide selection, convenience and reasonable prices, so lump the beauty retailer together with drugstores, as places to find good skincare on a budget. The following anti-aging elixirs should be on your list to try:

For day -
1) The Ordinary Buffet - The exciting ingredient in it is Matrixyl™ 3000 peptide complex. It firms, hydrates, brightens and smooths the texture of the skin. Price: $14.80.

2) The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% - This is a high concentration of vitamin C with squalane (a moisturizer) - Some customers complain of a burning sensation, but I don't find it too intense perhaps because I apply it after The Ordinary Buffet mentioned. You get used to the slight sting which lessons over time with use. Vitamin C Suspension brightens, hydrates and smooths the skin's surface. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. This combo from The Ordinary is half the price of my usual serums adding up to a lot of savings per year. Cost: $5.75.

3) Sunscreen - Right now I use a Wallgreens (drugstore generic brand) with SPF 50 made for babies. Best anti-aging product you can buy! Cost: 2 for $5.

For night-
4) CeraVe Skin Resurfacing Retinol - Has .03% Retinol, 3 effective ceramides, licorice root (a skin brighter), and niacinamide, as well as, moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter. Retinol speeds up cell turnover. Ceramides are fatty acids that act as barriers to the skin to keep moisture in and microorganisms out. Price: $16.95.

5) Azure Hemp & Retinol Sleep Mask - A Korean beauty night cream that is ultra-moisturizing containing rich omega fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants. It is not greasy and rivals the quality of its competitors L'Orèal, Olay and Neutrogena yet costs far less. Cost: $14; or $5.99 when T.J. Maxx carries it. The ointment is my T.J. Maxx dreamy-creamy discovery!

6) CeraVe Healing Ointment - A must-have to protect and soothe dry skin all over your body all-year-around. It has hyaluronic acid and ceramides 1, 3, and 6-Li. $17 - $25 at Target, Walmart and drugstores.

Have you ever watched Vloggers on YouTube go on and on with their skincare routines? Sometimes layering more products on their face than dermatologists recommend ... so money down the drain. These 5 products are all you really need for day and night ... letting you save and simplify your skincare simultaneously. I mean, really I just want to get out of my bathroom!🙂

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Coach Emery Crossbody Bag

To save money know what you want.

As much as I admire Chanel and Hermes, bags are not an item I spend thousands of dollars to buy. I don't overspend on goods that wear out with use (and in fairness the luxury market isn't intended for value shoppers). Jewelry is more my luxury buy temptation ... yet, I can get a nice piece of jewelry -- real gold and stones -- for thousands less than what either of these designers charges for their bags. $7,100 is crazy for a Jumbo Chanel Double Flap, and $11,900 is too much for a Hermes Kelly bag (it has a shoulder crossover strap). The Birkin starts at $12,000 (and does not crossover).

My purse of choice is Coach which I feature here. I love the indestructible leather and good craftsmanship of Coach bags. I covet their new Emery crossover bag because it is a return to the 2 Coach bags I bought decades ago. Made of thick pebble leather which never scratches or seems to age, you can get it wet in the rain or snow, and it takes the abuse. I don't wish to baby a bag (although I do take care of them).

The new colors of Emery bags just launched at $395, however I plan to wait for this bag to go on sale. If you buy last year's colors, you can get this bag for less than half price. I want black which Coach never discounts, so I must wait for the sales of other retailers who carry the bag.👀 

That's fine with me as I have a bag to use (and no events to go to) while I patiently wait for the best price. 

Some would call it minimalist, others might say sophisticated, the Emery Crossover Bag is perfect for me. Classic black with gold hardware (ahh, reminds me of jewelry🙂)! Sleek and compact with inside and outside compartments to organize essentials. A sturdy shoulder strap keeps my hands free.

The bag just re-launched and isn't going anywhere soon. Tick-tock, the countdown for this gal begins!

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L'Orèal Night Cream

L'Orèal's anti-aging night cream(s) have top-notch anti-aging ingredients. A sibling of luxury brand, Lancome Paris, the retailer formulates effective lotions and potions with proven ingredients bar none, yet customers won't go broke using them as they are available at drugstores, at times selling for $10-$12 a jar. 

A gripe I have about L'Orèal's beauty line is the same one I have about Lancome, namely some of the creams have fragrance, and I don't understand why the company puts perfume in a product that goes on a face. It is unneeded, usually unwanted, and drying to people with sensitive skin. Why create problems for your stellar brand? Nonetheless, the facial treatments are excellent moisturizers containing key anti-aging ingredients that work.

1) Age Perfect Cell Renewal - is the newest night cream and it is fragrance-free. There is no artificial color either. The pink tone of the cooling night moisturizer comes from peony petals. To treat a dull complexion, it contains lipohydroxy acid to exfoliate surface skin cells for quicker cell turnover to bring millions of new skin cells to the surface. I got a free sample from the drugstore to try. The night cream moisturizes without greasiness and feels lovely. And believe it peeps, I woke up even more beautiful this morning!😉

2) RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask and
3) RevitaLift Triple Power Angi-Aging [Fragrance-Free] Moisturizer - #2 is an overnight mask, but there is no fragrance-free option on the market. Naturally some customers dislike the smell of the perfume but love the effectiveness of the cream. If not for the perfume I would highly recommend it. #3 is a lighter fragrance-free formula containing the 3 top proven anti-aging ingredients both jars contain: pro-retinol (a stabilized retinol derivative), vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to soften wrinkles, as well as, firm and brighten skin. Both creams are paraben-free, mineral oil-free and dye-free ... yet only one, #2 (the lighter moisturizer) is fragrance-free. Oh why L'Orèal, why? 

This year I'm even more determined to find beauty products which rivel expensive luxe brands for less. Join me, if you wish! If nothing else, 2020 is a great lesson to be mindful in life.

Truth! Another thing that makes a person more beautiful is having a beautiful character and spirit. Remember and strive my lovelies!💋


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The Kentucky Derby 2020

Photo: AP

The one and only time I attended the Kentucky Derby was when I was 16 years old. My high school friend, also a Debbie, had an adventurous mom who was brave enough to take 4 teenagers to Churchhill Downs with 1000s of other people. We had fun, and our chaperon did too. Hours before the race we watched a young man climb up a tall metal light pole and take off all his clothes, tossing them to the ground and then watched the police wait for him to climb down to take him away. Poor naked lad, he missed the race! All in all a mellow crowd, the excitement saved for the race itself. Near the start of the race, my namesake and I separated from our group of 5 to find a spot pressed against the fence in the infield to watch the horses run by, and we succeeded, as the spot we randomly selected turned out to be the starting gate that becomes the finish line! The rest of our party decided to watch the race on big television screens set up under a roof area. This was a time before cell phones, yet we knew exactly where to find each other after the race ... the cashiers' widows to cash in our winning tickets!💰💸🤑

Every year I long to go back to the Kentucky Derby but must watch it on television. This year I'm not alone. Nobody gets to go to the Derby, and we will all have to watch the 2-minute race at home.

So to celebrate the 146th running of the historic race, I'm going to hook you up with 2 traditional Derby cheese dips to eat in the comfort of your living room: 1st up is Benedictine Cheese dip. You can leave it as cheese dip. It is also popular to make Benedictine Tea sandwiches:

Benedictine Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

Bluegrass Bites here

1-8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 peeled, seeded, drained, and finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup minced onion (or green onions)
1/4 cup finely chopped dill
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise (regular is fine, but do not substitute flavorless non-fat mayonnaise ... never buy it!)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
A shake (or to taste) of hot sauce (I use Louisana hot sauce, but Tobasco is used too, or to tone down the heat, you can use black pepper to taste ... but why would you?)
Optional: a couple drops of green food coloring

Fresh slices of bread if you make sandwiches, or vegetable sticks and crackers for a dip.

Directions:

Teatime magazine here.

Chop everything as finely as possible and using a potato masher, mix it up in a bowl. (Yes, you can use a food processor if you wish.) 

This simple cheese dip makes delicious sandwiches, but I do not know why as you would not think so!

For the 2nd authentic Derby cheese dip: Kentucky Beer Cheese, I must turn you over to Chef John. His video is so much fun to watch, it is not to be missed. Sooo tasty too!

Below are links to some of the other traditional Kentucky Derby eats I prepare (at times someone brings) whenever I invite friends over to watch the race ... normally held on the 1st Saturday in May. This year our COVID pandemic postponed the Derby, which will run on Saturday, September 5th without any spectators at Churchhill Downs. The loading of the horses into the starting gates happens at 6PM. The race begins around 6:30PM. Check local listings for all the Derby coverage if you wish to see features about the horses, jockeys and owners.🌹

So this year like no other, we are all equal and in it together watching from the comfort of a couch!🙂


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Flower Launches 4 Petal Play Shadow Quads

1. Berry-more: Inspired by the company founder, the Berry-more quad features universally flattering berry tones in a range of finishes. 

Back in 2016 THE SAVVY SHOPPER featured the beauty line Flower by Drew Barrymore. Its quality is as good as the behind-the-counter luxury brands yet costs much less! The more Flower products I try, the more I love them. 

2. Gilded Lily:  Classic nudes, and rich browns for a stunning, failproof everyday look. 

For my birthday I got 2 new Flower lipsticks whose formulas and colors rival ultra-expensive Charlotte Tisbury! Yet I paid less than 1/4 of the price without sacrifice. I have Naked Petal, Cinnamon Crush and Autumn Rose -- and could have kept going with several more.

3. In Bloom: Light-reflecting, celestial colors to illuminate and flatter all eye colors. 

Now Flower has launched 4 new Petal Play Shadow Quads. Luxe formulas that are crease-free and long-lasting, each quad is curated with rich pigmented colors that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of chic looks.

4. Black Iris: Easy-to-use taupes and purples to create your go-to smoky eye with ease.

Gorgeous shades to flatter on all skin tones ... for $11 bucks a quad, you can't go wrong! I like them all, but if I must pick one, it would have to be two -- #2 and #4. Nudes and smoky eye hues are no brainers.

How about you?


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Champorado, or Chocolate Rice Pudding

Photo: Food Network

Whenever possible -- sometimes it's not -- I try to lighten up desserts, making them a tad healthier. It turns out there's a Pilipino chocolate pudding called, Champorado, usually containing butter and cream that you can make creamy and tasty by using condensed milk. More protein with less fat is an ideal substitution. I got the idea to make pudding with condensed milk from Goodcook ... this is a tweaked version of their pudding. You could even use regular milk, however, a can of condensed milk makes a richer pudding.

Many recipes suggest using sticky sushi rice, but I use regular supermarket (or Target) white rice -- that is to say, whatever is easy to get, and it's still delicious. I have no trouble eating it!🙂

Here is the recipe:

Champorado (=Chocolate Rice Pudding)

Ingredients:

3/4 white rice
1 1/4 cups of water 
12 ounce can evaporated milk
3 tablespoons cacao powder, or dark cocoa powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate pieces (I use a Lindt candy bar.)
1/4 teaspoon salt (or a pinch)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
My optional ingredient: 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee (brings out the chocolate flavor) 

Directions:

1) In a saucepan, toss in the rice, water, evaporated milk, cacao (or cocoa) powder and sugar.

2) Heat to a low simmer and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes to tenderize the rice. The mixture should still have liquid so there is sauce for pudding.

3) After the rice is tender, turn off the heat and add the rest of the flavors: dark chocolate pieces, salt and vanilla extract. Toss in the optional instant coffee here if you wish. 

4) Pour into dessert dishes. I say 2 portions, but you could get 3 to 4 still ample servings if you wish. Top with chocolate shavings, or whipped cream.

Eat warm (if it's nippy outside), or chilled (if not). Now you can expand your culinary horizons by switching back and forth from traditional rice pudding to chocolate rice pudding. Enjoy!


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Bite The Bullet For Vionic Shoes

Vionic Desiree Quilted Ballet Flat - meet my new fall shoe!

If you have high arches, there is nooo way around buying shoes with solid arch support if you ever want to wear ballet flats or sandals, including flip flops. I do wear Old Navy rubber flip flops around the house and my neighborhood, but never, ever if I plan to walk more than a few blocks on city concrete.

Memory foam never works for me for more than a day. With wear rather than forming to the shape of my foot, the form decompresses flat as a pancake. Naturalizers, always stylish and moderately priced, are made of leather too soft to hold my feet in place as I walk, and without steadiness, my feet feel tired at the end of the day.

So far the most supportive shoes I've come across with excellent arch support are made by Vionic. Unfortunately, they are expensive, although "cheap" compared to many overpriced designer shoes, as well as, foot surgery and pain!

Also consider this truth: We're ALL falling apart every year of our lives, wearing out various body parts day-by-day!😅🦶🦷 As we age, we lose the fat layers under our feet; and our muscles and tendons lose elasticity which can lead to foot pain. Good supportive shoes prevent futher damage and pain. Paying the piper for a proven benefit is a must. For happy feet, do it!

They have a Chanel look if you think about it.

Have you noticed how many brands of shoes are no longer made of leather uppers? I'm open to fake leather for jackets or purses, but shoes are the one item I really need to stick with real leather over man-made materials if they're going to be problem-free. Leather shoes mold to my feet and let my tootsies breathe. Often man-made materials have no give, and they buster. The shoes are stiff and hot, not so with genuine leather.

Luckily I got the last pair of Vionic ballet flats in my size with 30% off of the full price of $119. Let's say like me, you wear a US size 8 - 8 1/2 depending on the shoe brand: Vionic recommends going up 1/2 size (order 8 1/2) for their closed-toe shoes, and go down 1/2 size (order an 8) in their sandals. With choice galore, I wouldn't have bought a quilted look, however, I think the style will grow on me. What I love is the upper Nappa leather with the dressy patent leather toe and what Vionic calls a "biomechanically designed" footbed to hug my arches. It's some sort of orthotic comfort arch support -- and that is why customers bite the bullet for Vionic shoes.

Vionic Tide Aloe Toe Post Sandal - Bite the bullet if you can't find a sale. 

I just ordered Vionic's thug sandal based on how good the ballet flat feels. They are podiatrist approved (per my research over the years) "if you must wear thongs." The foot doctors say don't wear them exclusively, switch off. Ideally, you want shoes to stabilize your heels, yet most sandals with heel straps aren't much better than these strapless thongs. With the end of summer sales + an extra 10% off promo, I paid $30. A steal! Normally they are as expensive as the shoes. Know that I was flexible on the style of both pairs of Vionic shoes to find discounts in my size. Both shoes had to be leather as discussed. The sandal had to have one additional characteristic -- a dark interior footbed and sole so the sandals never look dirty. (I was open to black, navy, or pewter colors.)

So these are my shoe tips for feet with high arches + how to score a good price. Vionics are the bomb in comfort!!!🧨 And perhaps one expensive pair with good arch support (per season) is always the way to go. A lesson we often forget when tempted by cuteness, right?


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Featuring Eye Beauty

Ulta has new eye makeup! Since we put on face masks in April to flatten the curve of COVID, I haven't worn any makeup although I see other women wearing it. Shhh, I think nobody is the wiser. Makeup would get all over my mask and look ugly!

And what's more, I'm a false eyelash virgin😂 as I have never glued a pair on. Would they feel like spiders on my eyelashes? I'm up for finding out!

I like Ulta's selections. The top image is makeup to create a subtle eye for a daytime look, the bottom image is for a dramatic night time look. 

Here are the products, for the top image click here:

1) Automatic Eyeliner - Available in 18 colors.

2) Ardell Naked Lash #422

3) MAC Powder Kiss Eyeshadow - A selection of 10 colors.

For the dramatic eyes featured in the 2nd image click here. They are:

1) Dose of Colors Smokey Soiree Eyeshadow Palette

2) Dose of Colors Cutting Edge Eyeshadow  Palate

3) Lilly Lashes Faux Mink False Lashes Miami 

4) Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara - in 2 colors.

In all probability, we will be wearing our face masks for another year. Without a doubt, the beauty industry is suffering. Sales have dropped since people are staying home and/or aren't making any money. Isn't it tempting to at least play with some eye makeup at home ... perhaps for a Zoom call?

Have you been wearing makeup during our pandemic?

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