Million Dollar Rubies Sold

Imagine owning massive top-quality rubies! Let's take a look at 2 stones sometimes called the king of gems that were sold in 2023. 

First up is The Sunrise Ruby, a rare Cartier Burmese ruby, set with 2 side diamonds in a platinum ring. Last year it was sold at auction by Christie's from the estate of Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten for $13,055,000, less than predicted due to a bit of controversy that is unrelated to the gemstone's origin. In 2015 Ms. Horten paid $30,300,000 for the ruby. According to Christie's, the price was higher in 2015 due to the back and forth of 2 bidders at the time.

Below👇are different angles of the cushion shape, brilliant cut Sunrise Ruby. It weighs 25.59 carats.

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Mozambique, a country in Southeastern Africa, is emerging as a rich source of premium-quality rubies. Our 2nd gemstone is a Mozambique ruby that fetched $34,800,000 at Sotheby's last year, setting a new record for the price of a ruby. 

Called the Estrela de Fura (Porchugese for Star of Fura) Ruby, at 101 carats uncut, it's both the largest gem-quality ruby ever found, as well as, the highest price ever paid at auction! Cut down to 55.22 carats by gem dealer and cutter Francois Garaude into a cushion shape, this stunning ruby bears remarkable symmetry and balance. It is gigantic, unheated, and clean making it a rare natural ruby. The ruby's pigeon blood color is equal to the celebrated Burmese rubies. Under ultraviolet light, the Estrela de Fura ruby radiates a strong fluorescence. 

In addition to oohing and ahhing, all I can say is a regular person's rubies are very small and flat in comparison!😊

BTW, The Sunrise and Estrela de Fura rubies were acquired by anonymous private collectors. The new owner of Ms. Horten's ruby lives in the Middle East. I always hope these huge ideal gemstones eventually end up in a museum so the public too can see them.

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And now here are jewels for average people like you and me. 😛 

Below👇are smaller, less-perfect rubies from Macy's or Saks. Perhaps not heirloom nuggets, yet they are pretty too, no? Each piece is 1-9/10 carats, a versatile size that can be worn both daily and to galas ... and the cost is more attainable. Remember my motto: First a dreamer, then a realist!

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Don't Buy Too Far Into The Future

I wrote a post nearly 4 years ago about a habit, namely stocking up, I wanted to break. I'm happy to report: I changed! My new purchasing pattern is to Buy One Plus One for many common commodities. You can replace an old habit with a better habit, maybe not suddenly, but one step at a time. Not buying more t-shirts, soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, or body balms than what I need has not caused any shortages or hardships.

Even when an old favorite is discontinued I've never had to go without. A new and often better product takes its place. Nor have I had to overpay for soap, shampoo, conditioner, or t-shirts because I didn't buy a dozen during a sale. Aren't these the two main reasons we tend to stock up?

In fact, I can think of a few instances when buying a stash of everyday products resulted in a waste of product and money. 

In the late 1990's I loved the Bath & Body Shop's Freesia Scented Body Cream. When the shop's sales manager told me freesia was being discontinued, I bought up a supply to use for when I couldn't buy it. Big mistake! Despite being sealed, scented body creams have a short shelf life. They go bad after 2+ years. The fragrance vaporizes and the ingredients in the cream separate. Moreover, skincare has improved by removing drying agents such as alcohol and adding essential ceramides to restore our skin barrier.  Although I loved smelling like freesia I never understood why I had dry skin until after I stopped slathering on my freesia body cream in winter. The alcohol in the body cream I thought was moisturizing my skin was drying it! 

After I'd bought far too many t-shirts at Express, a newer cut and fabric launched at Old Navy that I prefer. 

Bars of soap from various retailers have been replaced by less messy liquid soaps, as well as, post-Covid hand sanitizers. Yet to this day, I'm still going through my bars of soap, sometimes putting one in a soap dish on the kitchen sink or laying them on shelves inside my wardrobe ... because what else do you do with too many bars of soap? The world has moved on from solid bars of soap!

Often buying a stockpile of a product during a sale is not as cost-effective as just buying one plus one as needed. Our needs are always evolving. What you need today may change tomorrow. So buying too far into the future repeatedly leads not only to clutter but to a waste of product and money. We end up with products after we've moved on from valuing them. 

We simply need enough of an item so we don't have to run back to the store every time we turn around. Usually buying one plus one is the right quantity. I'm happy I nipped buying too far into the future!

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The Atlantic Diet Explained

Image: USA Today

Not all doctors are on board with the Mediterranean Diet, but they seem to approve of its cousin, The Atlantic Diet. 

Summed up from USA Today and the Today Show, the Atlantic Diet consists of eating:

• 
  Plenty of unprocessed fruits and vegetables
  
• Lean meat and fish - singling out beef, pork, and cod
• Eggs, milk, and cheese
• Called "Pulses" - beans, dried peas, lentils and chickpeas
• Olive oil and nuts - especially almonds, walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts
• Lots of bread, potatoes, rice and cereal
• Red or white wine in moderation

The Atlantic Diet focuses on eating fresh whole foods and is less restrictive than the Mediterranean Diet by allowing you to consume a generous amount of carbohydrates. On the Atlantic Diet, you can have starches 6 - 8 times a day. Still like its cousin, it lowers the risks of heart disease.

The Atlantic Diet seems balanced, doable, sensible, and delicious! No wonder doctors support following it.

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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

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Stylin' In Lands' End Summer Dresses

Summer, my favorite season, is always on my mind. Lands' End is already selling its summerwear ... and look at all the super cute and practical dresses!

The dresses featured range from 100% cotton to nearly 100% cotton with a touch of spandex. All are machine washable and dryable. I also like the casual smart style of the dresses. Dress them up or down, with a change of shoes and accessories. They can go from afternoon errands to a night out on the town.

This last-bottom dress👇 is really a beach coverup but doubles as a lovely summer dress. The dresses come in multiple colors and patterns. 

My experience with Lands' End cotton dresses is the cotton fabric is substantial and durable. It takes decades to wear the dresses out making them good investments. Plus they go on promotion often!

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One Pot Enchilada

Photo: Betty Crocker Even on Super Bowl Sunday, we're not a chicken wings family, we like to eat easy, yet balanced, nutritious meals. One-pot/pan dishes are fabulous for dining with the family or entertaining guests. Healthy and flavorful, you spend more time engaging with your guests than disappearing into the kitchen to fuss over a hot stove of individual appetizers. A balanced dinner without tons of cleanup after the meal is also a plus! More and more I'm turning into the Queen of one-pan dinners! Below is how I make a delicious Tex-Mex dish using all the good stuff without having to wrap separate sloppy bites of ingredients:). One Pan Enchilada Ingredients: Photo: Betty Crocker 1 large onion, (or you can use green onion), chopped 1 large red pepper, chopped 2 stalks of celery with leaves, chopped 1 cup corn, fresh, frozen, or canned 1 can 15 ounces of black beans 1 can of 15 ounces of diced tomatoes 1 can 10-ounce enchilada sauce (or make it) 4 cups water 3 cups uncooked penne, curly or small shell pasta (I used whole wheat penne) 1 large bouillion cube, any flavor. 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or make it) 8 ounces of extra sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded Chopped cilantro leaves, fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, and a squeeze of fresh lime Optional: Toss in leftover ground beef, shredded beef, shredded chicken, or diced ham in step 1, if you are a meat eater. About 8 ounces as a guide. If you don't have corn, feel free to substitute frozen mixed vegetables. It works too. Directions: 1) In a large skillet or pot grill the celery, bell peppers, and onion before adding the corn, beans, tomatoes, bouillon, enchilada sauce, and spices. 2) Bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered on a stovetop on medium heat on low medium heat for 5 - 10 minutes. 3) Add the pasta and simmer until al dente and the sauce has thickened. About 12 - 15 minutes.  4) Next top with the cheddar cheese and let it melt. 5) Crown with the chopped cilantro, tomatoes, onions, and a squeeze of lime. Serve after the top layer of cheddar cheese melts. If you still want a wrap, warm it in a microwave and eat it as a side piece of bread. Open a bottle of wine and add a side salad with a vinegarette dressing and you're all set to watch the game. You may also enjoy: The Voice Premieres On NBC Healthy Oscar Night Munchies #Shorts: A Red Wine Boldness Chart R.I.P. Prince (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016)

Sensational Skin Serum Trios Sold Cheap On Amazon

Amazon has become a fantastic place for finding effective affordable skincare sometimes from niche or small-batch merchants, as opposed, to large commercial cosmetic companies. Choice is a consumer's best friend.

Speaking of choice, ELbbuB is an Amazon Choice brand with lots of satisfied customers based on many 5-star reviews. The skincare has clean nurturing ingredients in supportive combinations based on science that really work to prevent aging and maintain the skin. A budget-friendly trio consists of the following essentials:

1) Vitamin C 20% Serum has Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol & Amino Acids  - Best used as a daytime serum to brighten, nourish, and protect the skin.

2) Hyaluronic Acid Serum plumps up the skin with moisture. Moisturizing dry skin takes years off a face by making you look dewy, i.e., soft and lustrous. 

3) Retinol Serum is used at night to repair the skin and stimulate collagen. Treats wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage. Firms and softens wrinkles by promoting faster skin cell turnover.

The trio set is super inexpensive, yet customers get a bargain whether they order one, two, or splurge on the trio set of serums, so you save by ordering only what you'll use.

Another impressive, affordable brand sold on Amazon containing clean ingredients from nature with tons of satisfied customers who leave 5-star reviews is Eclat skincare (previously featured on the blog).

1) The Vitamin C Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, & Vitamin E. Ferulic Acid stabilizes and increases the effectiveness of Vitamin C, and protects the skin from free radicals and sun damage.

2) Its Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum has 2.5% Pure Hyaluronic Serum + 3% B5, Vitamins C & E, and Aloe.

3) The Retinol Serum is 2.5% Retinol.

Escat also offers its essential serums as a trio set or sold separately at a super reasonable price meaning cheap enough to use every day! Even cheap enough to splurge on a trio set to try a new serum from a new (to you) beauty brand!!👸🏻

Additionally, Escat has an anti-aging night cream and sun protection. When you buy an Escat serum, the retailer includes a note thanking you and hoping you love its skincare. It's a nice touch!

Splurge and save with skin essentials that won't break the bank!

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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

.

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

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Delvaux Tempète Is The Hermès Bag Alternative

Regardless of what critics say about how Hermès does business or what it charges for its Birkins and Kellys, everybody agrees the quality especially the craftsmanship of Hermès handbags is impeccable. You cannot buy a better-made bag, and the company has no shortage of luxury customers. Despite its cost, a Birken is the world's #1 best-selling luxury bag.

Repeatedly I've disclosed that I'm not a bag maven and would never spend more on a handbag than what I pay at Coach. I love my capsule of Coach bags. They fill my every need for status😛, style, and usefulness around town, but it doesn't mean I don't admire Hermès or other exclusive handbags. Is there anyone who doesn't love touching and examining leather goods, especially from the top-of-the-heap, stellar brands? New York City is a fun place to browse! You get to know fashion and labels whether you buy them or not.

Delvaux Tempèux is a handbag for consumers who want the peerless quality of Hermès without playing the games or paying the price of Hermès. Nowhere near cheap -- at $5,900 -- but far less than a Birken or Kelly and customers don't have to wait years to buy it, nor cultivate a relationship with a sales associate by making prior purchases just to get offered a Birkin handbag that is sometimes not in your color of choice. In fact, Hermès' way of doing business has given rise to a healthy resale market, where Birkens often cost much more than what owners paid for them new.

Founded in 1829 by luggage maker Charles Delvaux, Delvaux is a Belgian fine leather goods company. 

Bar none, the Delvaux Tempèux is a gorgeous handbag made of full-grain calf leather and lining. With a sleek, functional design and gold metal hardware, it has a closure I personally like over Birken's and Kelly's more complicated closures. Unlike a Birken, this bag comes with a crossbody strap.

If you pine for a Hermès handbag without the wait or added expense, the Delvaux Tempèux is the perfect bag for you! Just like the Hermès Birken and Kelly, the leather and craftsmanship of the Delvaux Tempèux is flawless. You can get it in the standard sizes and the usual variety of colors and leathers just like Hermès handbags. Industry people like to call it an "if you know you know" bag. You can call it checking all the boxes without nonsense for a lot less moola.

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