The Aquatic Treasures collection from Clarins is timed perfectly for summer. 
The collection which features shimmering shades of gold and bronze looks flattering on most complexions. 




Aquatic Summer Treasures Summer Bronzing Compact. 



This Aquatic Summer Treasures Summer Bronzing Compact is a glamorous bronzing compact, packaged very prettily with a handy mirror included and a shell-inspired design. What I like about this bronzer is that it has 4 customisable designs, all slightly different. Not sure if one is too dark? Mix it up with a lighter shade. The shades are matt and thus very natural looking and the powder feels soft and easy to blend with a brush. Added to the formulation are soft focusing pigments. This gives you a very flattering slightly luminous effect on the skin without the high shine of some bronzers. It could also be used for contouring the skin or even brushed lightly on your legs.




Also, Clarins are very proud of their innovative "anti-pollution complex" in this compact which fights the signs of premature ageing and loss of radiance linked to pollution. 






Truly Waterproof Mascara
If like me, you are always on a quest to find a good waterproof mascara, you probably spend hours browsing the beauty counters as soon as the summer season hits us. Getting the combination right can be tricky. Firstly you want a great waterproof formulation, one that stays put through swimming, tears, watering eyes and the heat. The mascara wand is vitally important too. This has to curl and define to enhance your lashes.  How the product is distributed on the wand is crucial. Even distribution is key here, as you want the product to coat each lash and you don't want the mascara to be clumpy.  So I was looking forward to trying the Clarins Truly Waterproof Mascara.

Application of the product was easy and smooth - the fine filaments of the brush appear to coat every lash, gripping it from root to tip. For best results and a more enhanced look, I recommend applying it twice. Added ingredients of bitter orange tree wax and olive squalane nourishes, conditions and protects from sea water, chlorine and other such nasties. I was very pleased with the product, as it opened up my eyes and was still a natural look. If you want a false lash effect this is not the product for you though. At the end of the day, it did slightly smudge but had more staying power than other mascaras I have tried. Remove with a good waterproof mascara remover.

Fix' Make-Up

Clarins Fix' Make-Up is a must have hero product for summer. Why? Well, it is a fine mist spray that works by fixing your make up with a fine polymer film. The spray feels cooling on, and non-greasy and it is suitable for all skin types. Fructose and Rose Cohobat keeps skin supple, whilst Vitamin C and Grapefruit brightens the complexion. Shine is also absorbed with fine microspheres of Silica. 




I could have done with this product when I visited Florida last year. My makeup melted off my face, the weather was so humid! Keep this in the fridge to freshen up on the hottest of days and in your handbag to fix your make up in place if you are out partying after a day in the office. I am waiting for a super hot day to try this out, so will report back in due course if this helps my makeup stay put, although the spray certainly feels cooling on the skin.

So here are some of the Clarins Aquatic Treasures selection for Summer. They also have some gorgeous shimmery Ombre Iridescente Eyeshadows in Aquatic Rose and Aquatic Grey, as well as lots of other summery products. So get your flip flops on, and get down to the Clarins counter at your nearest department store to get yourself in the summery vibe.

The History Of The Charm Bracelet



Charm bracelets have been popular as a personalised adornment since 400-600 BC. In years gone by they were used as an amulet to ward off bad luck and some of the first charms were made of shells and clay, then later, rocks, wood and gems.

Queen Victoria wore a charm bracelet and she is credited to the rise of popularity of charm bracelets amongst the European noble classes in the 19th century. We have come on a lot in today's society but the popularity of charm bracelets is still strong today. Modern ladies have decided they prefer bead charms and clip on charms to the soldered charm bracelets of yesteryear. The European style charm bracelets emerged in 2002, a thick silver chain holds a number of beads which are threaded through.  There are many brands of charm bracelets, but one of the most popular today is Pandora.

Pandora 



Pandora was started in Denmark in a small independent jewellers in the early 80's but it wasn't until 2000 that the concept of the Pandora charm bracelet was created, initially for the Danish market. Pandora grew quickly after that, and is now sold in over 70 countries. Consumers love the pretty modern designs and the way of telling their own story through the individual charms.

Pandora's charms are high quality and hand finished. Bracelets range from the traditional thick snake chains, to thinner chains, cord bracelets and even bangles. Each charm screws onto the bracelet and also dividers are available for added detail. Beads are affordable, and sold at a range of prices but what matters most is the way the Pandora beads tell a story that is individual and unique to you. That is what makes Pandora special - You. Your memories, your experiences and your stories, and the beads you choose to weave the rich tapestry of your life. Charms that really mean something to you.


With more than 600 charms to choose from you will be spoilt for choice. 

First love and lasting love can be symbolised with the Together Forever charm, whilst a marriage can be symbolised with many of the Love charms available - the Bride and Groom charm or the First Dance charm for example. If you have just bought a new house, then the Home charm is perfect and if you have a special birthday there are the 21, 30 or 40 charms. There are charms for babies being born, pets and graduations. I love the travel charms such as the suitcase and aeroplane as I'm always off on a new adventure.



Where To Buy Pandora

I like buying jewellery through independent shops as I always feel you get service personal to you. Robert Gatward Jewellers sell a wide range of Pandora to suit your needs through their four Pandora stores (in Abingdon, Thame, Ipswich and Windsor) and they have well trained, personable staff that give you help and advice if needed. Did you know that when buying a Pandora bracelet, you should allow 2-3 cm of extra space for the charms if you plan to fill it up?


On their website is a nifty Pandora enquiry form so they can tell you which of their stores stock the jewellery you require and they also do a free of charge mail order delivery service. I mean how convenient is that! Just give them ring and your Pandora jewellery will be delivered to your door in no time. You don't even have to live close to their stores.

If you want to find out more check out the Pandora range from Robert Gatward Jewellers.

You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter too which is especially good if you want to ask them a question about their jewellery.

Tell me, do you own or would you buy a Pandora bracelet? What charms would you have to signify your story?

* A post in collaboration with Robert Gatward Jewellers. All words and opinions are my own

Sometimes you just need your friends around for a good chatter. Good friends can be great at listening, be a shoulder to cry on and can help cheer you up. I like to surround myself with friends that make me laugh, after all, laughter is the best medicine as they say. 

My friend Patty is a lovely woman. She has a disability and it never gets her down, even after having lots of operations, she still has a smile. Linda, my friend who I met through Zumba is a breath of fresh air, always laughing always bubbly, a mad cat woman as I say with affection.  Rachel is a bit of a foodie like me, and loves a good pub quiz, which is where I met her. When we meet up food and/or drink is always involved and lots of laughter!  The two Lucys are my lovely online friends, bloggers, compers, and are totally bonkers.  They both have big hearts and always make time to listen to me at the end of a computer. I have met both of them and they are amazing. I have lots of friendships online through my love of entering competitions and blogging.  




Friendships are good for you. There are many research articles that say friendships boost self esteem, boost mood and offer support. Having a great network of friends may even make you live longer. An Australian study of nearly 1500 people found those with a large network of friends outlived those with fewer friends by 22%.  

So make time for your friends, and if your social circumstances change, why not make some new friends? If your child starts school for the first time, take some time to chat to the others mums, they are not all scary - honest. if you go to a fitness class, say hi to the others in the class, or if you take up a new hobby, such as sewing, photography or bingo for example, there will be others in the same situation as you, unsure of themselves and what to do.


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This is a guest post by the lovely Samantha from http://cocobutterblog.co.uk/

I have never tried products from the beauty brand Yves Rocher before. Did you know they are the number 1 beauty care brand in France? 

History
Yves Rocher started the brand in the 1950's in France after a local healer gave him a secret recipe for a cream. Yves made it by hand and before he knew it, it was a sell out. Through his passion for plants and years of study he created the 'Botanical Beauty' ethos, and now Yves Rocher sell to over 30 million women each year.

Products
There are many products in the Yves Rocher brand, from face care, body care and haircare to makeup to nutrition and well being - a complete holistic approach to beauty.

The Research

Did you know that actual research has shown that the happiest people are those that actually DO good for others? Whether that is giving up your free time to volunteer in a local charity shop, doing the shopping for an elderly neighbour or even paying for the coffee of someone behind you in a cafe.

When we do good things for others we reduce our own stress, including the physiological symptoms. When we are stressed for long periods the immune and cardiovascular systems are affected and abnormal cellular changes can cause premature ageing. 
Lebara - A Company That Helps Others

Lebara was founded in 2001 by Rasiah R Leon, Baskaran Kandiah and Ratheesan Yoganathan.

They shared a vision to create a mobile phone company to help migrant communities keep in touch with loved ones back home. They wanted to do this by providing high-quality, low-cost products and services. Yet an important part of the culture of the company is the desire to give back to ethnic communities all around the world.

If you’re a non-traditional bride, here’s a low-down on some different types of engagement rings.

In the past couple of years, there has been a fashion for non-traditional engagement rings. That means that more men are buying non-traditional diamond engagement rings, and rings bearing different stones, like the bride’s birthstone are becoming more popular.

While many of these stones aren’t ideal for everyday wear, here’s a look at different options for non-traditional engagement rings.

Topaz Rings

Topaz comes in a variety of beautiful colours from orange, and blue to yellow and even colourless. Typically colourless stones are treated in a lab to add colour. Topaz is a strong stone and is the official birthstone for the month of November. It is a relatively inexpensive stone and a good choice for a bride on a budget.

Opal Rings

Opals are able to express a huge spectrum of colours and often you’ll notice multiple colours flashing across the stone, which is called a 'play of colours'. They’re perfect for the non-traditional bride who loves unusual stones. Opals are a soft stone so it is important to treat your opal carefully to avoid damaging it and remove your ring before gardening or housework for example. Some people believe opals can be damaged by water but this is only doublets and triplets (multiple layers glued together), not solid opals.

Amethyst Rings

Amethysts shine a stunning violet shade and is a variety of quartz. It’s the official February birthstone. The hardness of these stones can vary which makes it easy to cut it into a range of shapes like hearts, ovals, squares and much more. If you’re not keen on seeking out diamond engagement rings in Melbourne, an amethyst engagement ring could be ideal for your non-traditional bride. Amethysts are generally a cheaper stone to emerald, ruby and diamond and so make a cost-effective engagement ring when money is tight. They are also the birthstone of February so are great if you were born then. 

Pearl Rings

Pearls are classified as organic gemstones. Pearls are unique since they’re formed within oysters – living creatures. These are the most valuable organic gemstones in the world and one of three recognised birthstones for June.

Pearls are simply breathtaking but are a soft substance and may not be the best choice for an engagement ring. Since pearls form naturally in a living mollusc they come in a huge array of shapes like oval, button, and drop.

Emerald Rings

Emeralds are extremely precious stones. Emeralds come in an illuminating green shade and are high in demand. Compared to some of the other stones, emeralds do well as everyday wear engagement rings as they are a fairly hard stone. They do, however, need special treatments such as periodical oiling to maintain their shine.

It’s worth the inconvenience though as emeralds will remain incredibly shiny. However, over time, too many of these treatments can damage the structural integrity of the gem and emeralds can start to crack or show big blemishes.

Diamonds 

Diamonds are still a great choice. Diamonds are still the best stone for the perfect engagement ring - whether you are from London or New York, Paris or Melbourne. When it comes to day in and day out wear and durability, nothing beats these stones, as they are the hardest precious stone there is.

Diamonds can be worn all year round no matter how humid and hot the weather may be. As they are hard stones brides can feel at ease knowing their diamonds will truly stand the test of time. There’s no worrying about abrasions or cracks.

While alternative stone engagement rings might be popular with today’s non-traditional bride, nothing quite beats a timeless, classic diamond.

* This article was contributed by Media Buzzer

Win your choice of necklace from Kewei Design

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5. Look Around

How’s life? Are the cities all full of happy people living happy lives? How is the environment? National debt? Any civil or global unrest or war?

Take all of these things into account when buying and selling gold in any time of crisis whether political, economic, environmental, or a random act of God.

In times of crisis, the value of gold goes up. In times of a collapsing currency, the same thing happens. Buy low, sell high.