Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Gem Gossip Visits Isadora's Antique Jewelry in Seattle, WA
These summer days in Nashville were getting too hot and steamy, so another #JewelryRoadTrip was planned and no, I did not throw a dart at a map--it was a no-brainer when I realized how many of my favorite stores I love following on social media actually had one thing in common--they are all located in Seattle, Washington! A trip to the Pacific Northwest was destined to be in my future, I just didn't realize how much of a "near-future" it was going to be! And hey, Southwest just added Seattle to their growing list of nonstop flight destinations from Nashville. As if that didn't steer me in the Seattle direction enough, I found out my favorite hotel chain, Kimpton Hotels, has several great choices with ideal locations in the downtown area, and Hotel Vintage seemed perfectly suited for me!
Our first stop in Seattle was an antique jewelry store I have been acquainted with for a long time, Isadora's Antique Jewelry. Constantly browsing their jewelry selection online from a couple thousand miles away never stopped my jewelry dreams from being crushed as thinking they were "too far away." The mother-daughter team and crew of sales associates does an incredible job of keeping everyone near and far informed on their latest finds, new must-haves and amazing acquisitions. They have a devoted group of clientele who love antique jewelry just as much as owners Laura and Elizabeth, which is by far the duo's favorite part of their business. They say, "Seeing such enthusiasm when someone walks in and buys a piece from us is indescribable! We love our customers and love seeing them wearing our jewels. We don't regret selling so many once-in-a-lifetime pieces because we know we get so much joy seeing our customers happy and oftentimes get to see the pieces regularly as our customers are lifelong clients!"
There have been so many pieces I've fallen in love with over the years from their store, it was such a delight to walk through their doors and have their virtual world become a reality. First off, their shop's location is undoubtedly the best in all of Seattle. They have a corner storefront located just above Pike Place Market, where the infamous red neon sign lights up just a few steps from their front door. This tourist attraction sees millions of people a year. The history of the market melds perfectly with the antique jewelry which they sell--did you know the market first began in 1907? There are lots of pieces from the early 1900s inside the shop! Isadora's first opened its doors over 40 years ago, with several locations in between, its current and most recent is ideally situated for a day spent checking out Seattle. There's just something slightly romantic about this area (minus the fish smell that fills the air from fish vendors hurling large fish through the air)! No wonder antique jewelry has been doing well selling in this area for years!
An important aspect of Isadora's Antique Jewelry is how strict and curated their inventory is--every piece is hand-picked by Laura and Elizabeth. They both chuckle, as they realize how similar their tastes have become over the years. And did you know that Isadora's does not sell any new pieces--not even antique reproductions! Everything is either vintage or antique, all-original in design and make. They have a firm commitment to preserving the future and the past, with buying antiques as their main way of building upon this commitment! I love how Laura has passed down the love and appreciation for all things antique to her daughter Elizabeth.
I had such a fun time experiencing Isadora's, trying on rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets from all different eras. See something I'm wearing that you can't find online? No worries, just drop the team an email at info@isadoras.com
Below you'll find some of my favorite items from my visit, just click on the items to shop!
1601 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
Follow on Facebook
Follow on Pinterest
Follow on Instagram
from Gem Gossip http://ift.tt/2ahuStr
Monday, July 25, 2016
SHOW ME YOUR RINGS! LXXXV
{from top to bottom:
@heartof_antique_gold is a fun collector to follow on Instagram, great collection and great taste
Suzanne Kalan is one of my all-time favorite designers, such amazing rings
one of my favorite looks from a #LenoreParty Bellflower Bay dressed to kill
No.3 is a shop located in San Francisco specializing in finely curated jewels
Jaimie Geller Jewelry showing us some Joelle Jewellery, love the black gold with diamonds
Djula Jewelry excels in diamonds...and rings!
Estate Jewelry Mama rocking pieces from her shop, one for every finger
Arrow & Anchor Antiques admires Laurel Stearns' personal ring collection while at A Current Affair vintage market
Arik Kastan stacks up their classic eternity gemstone bands with a few other favorites}
from Gem Gossip http://ift.tt/2arAxy5
3 Important Security Tips for College Students
Being on a college campus is fun but it’s also easy to gain a false sense of security and feeling of safety when surrounded by your peers. Continue reading to learn about 3 important tips to remember for college students.
Image Source: Flickr
Lock Your Door
College dorms are configured and regulated to create the safest environment. However, there are still potentials for break-ins and burglaries. Remind your college student that his or her dorm should always be locked whenever he or she leaves, whether it’s for a shower, a quick run to the vending machine or anything else. Laptops and other valuables are easily grabbed and anyone who looks like a typical college student can easily leave the building. It may be beneficial to invest in a computer lock to better secure the essential device against would-be thieves. Source: ProtectYourHome
Leave Your Valuables Cautiously
Burglaries and petty thefts are some of the most common crimes students face on campus, so international students should always make keeping their valuables secure a priority. If you’ve set up a temporary work desk in the library, it may seem like a drag to think about packing everything into your bag again when you want to go for a bathroom break. But resist the urge to leave your personal items lying around on the table.
Laptop and phone thefts are incredibly common in campus libraries, so either study with a friend who can watch your valuables when you need to take a break or be prepared to pack everything back into your backpack. Source: USNews
Use the Buddy System
What this means is that you should never walk alone. There is power in numbers; the larger your group, the lesser your chance of being attacked. This precaution should be particularly observed at night and whenever you need to walk past silent or desolated places. When returning from reading sessions or church services at night, make sure you walk in group. The greater the number of people you walk with; the better and safer for you. However, you should not use this principle as excuse to join a campus cult or gang; as there is no safety or protection in them. Source: ExpertSecurityTips
While the threat of danger may not always be your first assumption, it’s important to be prepared. For more information contact us now!
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
(604) 259-2953
from Mr. Locksmith http://ift.tt/2a04Pno
3 Tips to Help Prepare for a Home Improvement Project
Any remodeling project can seem overwhelming, but with some minor preparations, it’ll be a smoother renovation process. Here are 3 tips to help you prepare for a home improvement project.
Image Source: Flickr
Plan
Familiarize yourself with the tasks required by the project. The first step in preparing for any home project is to make sure you understand what you will be doing; this will prevent unforeseen messes, setbacks, and trips to the hardware store. This step is of special importance for those attempting a repair for the first time.
- The Internet contains a wealth of information regarding home improvement projects. Video hosting sites like YouTube feature many “how-to” demonstrations of common home repair tasks. Discussion forums geared towards home improvement can be used to ask specific questions or address concerns as they arise in your project.
- One of the most important things you can do when studying a home repair is to make a list of the tools and supplies you will need. This will prevent you from having to stop work midway through a project or trying to improvise when you don’t have the right tool. Source: wikiHow
Search and Inspect
Invite a realtor or interior designer over to check out your home. Many realtors will do this as a courtesy, but you will probably have to pay a consultation fee to a designer. Check with several designers in your area; a standard hourly fee is normally less than $100, and in an hour they can give you lots of ideas for needed improvements. Even small suggested improvements, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home.
Not every home improvement is cosmetic. Deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems — you can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s broken. Hire an inspector to check out the areas of your home that you don’t normally see. They may discover hidden problems that could negatively impact your home’s value. Small problems (such as a hidden water leak) can become big, expensive problems quickly; the longer you put off repairs, the more expensive those repairs will be. Source: DIYNetwork
Final Preparation Steps
Examine the fine print of the contract.
Finalize household arrangements. Now that you know when the work will begin, make any additional plans, such as reserving storage space for furnishings or booking a hotel room for the day when the water will be turned off.
If possible, carve out an oasis for yourself. Select a room that will remain relatively untouched by the chaos and equip it with whatever you might need to keep yourself sane for the duration. (A DVD player, electric teakettle, yoga mat, earplugs, etc.) Source: RealSimple
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114
from Kerrisdale RD http://ift.tt/2a7l6pc