Tired of winter? Who isnt — except maybe pro-snowboarder Shaun Palmer and pro-skier Shane McConkey.

Even people who make their living off of winter, like tire salesmen, chimney sweeps, and snowplow drivers, cant seem to wait for the frosty days to end. Fortunately theres one good thing about cold weather: winter fashion. Its just fun, with all the layers and bold colors, not to mention the furry lambskin boots.

This time of year, every glossy cover of Elle, Vogue, and Mademoiselle makes me dream of looking like one of those glam girls wrapped up in a delectable sweater and plush boots. Unfortunately every time I try to mimic one of those magazine looks, everything goes astray.

Just this week I tried the tight jeans-bulky sweater-chunky boots look. It looked winter, but it didnt work for winter. I fought with every jacket in my closet, trying to cajole one to button over my new oversized turtleneck sweater. I was relieved when I finally got my pea coat to close, but the relief washed away when I bustled over to the mirror to see that I looked about 7 months pregnant.

All the layering would be great — if I was studying polar bears in the Arctic for the day. I wasnt. I was on my way to work. I made a quick stop at the coffee shop, and the second I walked in, I started overheating. By the time I got to the counter, I could smell my perspiration starting to mix with the wool of the sweater. I like the natural beauty look, but Im not fond of the smell. I was waiting for my mocha and madly fanning myself with a menu, when I glanced down to see that my new furry boots had nearly been ruined by the rock salt scattered on the city sidewalks.

After all the time I spent buying, planning, and putting on my new outfit, my sparkly chandelier earrings were the only thing that survived the morning. They were the least expensive part of my attire, and I got compliments on them all day. Apparently a little twinkle makes people feel good.

Like any smart woman, I resort to black in the wintertime despite what the houses of haute couture scream at us about wearing more color. Black looks good day or night, and for a girl on the run, it doesnt require much thought. The best thing about black is that it hides all types of flaws, like those caused by eating an entire pumpkin cheesecake on Thanksgiving. But black is not only thinning; its a great palette for accessories.

This year, women have a lot of jewelry options. You can fall back on the old basic of diamonds. Or you can try this winters exciting new collections of colored pearls and shells. They look fabulous with black, and they can be as dressy as a diamond necklace, while offering more personality and flare. You can also highlight your eye color with a similar colored necklace. Nothing is more beautiful than a pair of sapphire blue eyes with a matching necklace.

Rhinestones are always a holiday favorite. This season, designers are using them with fiber optic glass and silver. Its a new take on a jewelers staple. Red stones can highlight the flushed skin and rosy cheeks of winter. And the fiber optics in the glass makes the necklaces, earrings, and bracelets glow. The combination creates a look that no one will forget.

And something that will always go with black, more black. Onyx is a gorgeous stone that when highlighted with silver can make a simple black sweater and slacks into a classic cosmopolitan look. Dangly onyx earrings are stunning with pulled back hair. Onyx is great because it can go with almost anything. It makes red more refined, pink more subdued, and white more exotic.

So dont let gray skies and stale snow keep you from feeling beautiful. Next time you go to your closet and feel bummed out about having to squeeze your outfit under your jacket, toss on a gorgeous pair of earrings. Everyone will notice them, even with your jacket on. And unlike that oversized sweater, you can keep wearing them when the warm spring days finally return.

Columbine Quillen is a jewelry designer whose work can be seen at http://www.customfashionjewelry.com

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Sterling silver jewelry: silver and gemstone rings, sterling silver earrings, bracelets and pendants are some of the hottest fashion accessories today! Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today’s fashion conscious public. You know how beautifully sterling silver jewelry complements fashionable clothing and how it sparkles and shines; now here is the rest of the story.

Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was in; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today’s fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

2.) For a slightly more in-depth cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here’s a neat little trick

a)Cover the inside bottom of a heatproof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.

b)Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.

c)Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.

d)Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here’s a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.

We hope you have enjoyed this special report. Please feel free to share it with your friends!

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

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Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is new again as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways. What makes sterling silver a fashion perennial? The answer is clear: when it comes to beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed.

In the hands of talented artists and designers, sterling silver is constantly reinvented to suit the evolving tastes of the women who wear it. But whether as a ring, a necklace, or bracelet, standing alone or presented in combination with gemstones and other precious metalssterling silver is always in fashion.

Here’s a look at what’s hot this year:

Peace of Silver

In 2004, many Oscar presenters and recipients wore gracefully and simply designed Dove of Peace. pin. Embraced by such Hollywood luminaries as Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Drew Barrymore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, it has also been seen on the Dali Lama and Nobel Peace Laureates Oscar Aria Sanchez, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, and former UN Assistant Secretary-General Gillian Sorrensom.

Now non-celebrities may purchase the pin in sterling silver pin to demonstrate both their commitment to peace and their fashion sense. The 2005 sterling silver interpretation was designed by award-winning American jewelry artist Henry Dunay to resonate the energy of Picasso’s Dove Of Peace.

Silver Screen

With the enormous popularity of the Lord of the Rings series, it comes as no surprise that designers have created jewelry based on the elaborately crafted pieces in the films. Based on the actual pendant worn in the Lord of the Rings film, the Arwen Evenstar Pendant is crafted in sterling silver and comes in a wooden gift box. Measuring 2-1/2 inches in length with a 18 sterling silver chain and a Swarovski crystal stone, each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, adding long-term value to its other charms.

Works Like A Charm

Charm bracelets are both wonderfully retro and extremely cutting edge. Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Levigne, Hilary Duff, and other high-visibility high-fashion celebrities are wrapping their wrists in silver bracelets with the hip L.A. brand Eldorado Club.

The Girlie Charm Bracelet is adorned with charming femme-friendly charms including a cat, a cocktail glass, and a kitty.

Sterling Silver - Always In Style for Your 25th Anniversary No matter what list you consult — traditional, modern or the now popular ultra-modern (which includes items like clocks and appliances) — silver is the 21st Century gift of choice for a 25th wedding anniversary. Whether it’s silver’s durability, its strength, its flexibility or its unparalleled beauty, sterling silver is an exquisite memento of 25 years of loving commitment between a couple.

Topping the list of this year’s What’s Hot in silver wedding anniversary gifts, women say they want charm bracelets, hoop earrings, and hair ornaments. For wives who would like to present their husbands with sterling silver tokens, the top of the charts picks are cufflinks, tie clips, money clips, neck chains, and I.D. bracelets.

But #1 for him AND her — a classic sterling silver Tiffany keyring.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick-up your FREE copy of How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped-Off. This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

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