Tolena Blog

I have found that when you wear crystals on a daily basis they tend to lose a little bit of their luster. Let's face it, the reason why we choose Swarovski is because they are top of the line. There is nothing in the market that will catch your eye and sparkle quite like a Swarovski crystal.

But if you wear crystals over a period of time you may find that they appear to be a little bit dull, not quite as bright as the day that you brought them home. I am going to talk about 2 very simple and inexpensive solutions that you can do at home to keep the brilliance in the jewelry that you love so much.

Most of the things that will take away from the beauty of a crystal are from everyday activities that most women do to take care of ourselves. Hairspray, lotions, make-up, and even oils from our skin can sit on the surface of each facet and mute the brilliance that really makes Swarovski crystal jewelry so unique.

The good news is that it is not difficult or expensive to maintain this beauty. You will find that a lot of the ingredients that I suggest, you probably already have in the house or can easily be purchased at any grocery or convenience store and you won't break your wallet.

My personal favorite is one that a lot of people carry around with them already, Baby Wipes!!! You will be amazed at how easy it is to restore the shine in your crystals by simply holding a wipe between your thumb and a few fingers and rolling the crystals back and fourth once or twice and move along, continuing the process until you have cleaned all of them. Once you have finished, dry them off with a clean cotton cloth or a tissue, just be sure that it is a plain tissue not the kind that contain lotion.

Another simple way to maintain the brilliance of your Swarovski crystals is to make a solution that contains water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap, it is a very easy and non-abrasive way to get all the hairspray, facial oils and other things off of the surface of your Swarovski crystal jewelry and restore that incredible sparkle.

In a plastic container that has a sealing lid, add 3/4 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 tablespoon of dish soap. Close the lid and shake thoroughly to mix the ingredients. Then place your jewelry in the solution and replace the lid. You will only need to eave it in there for one or two minutes, I would not recommend longer than that unless it is necessary. While your crystals are soaking GENTLY swirl the container for 30 seconds and then let it sit for the remaining minute. Then remove your crystal jewelry and run it under warm water to remove the soap and dry it in a clean cotton cloth. It will look like you just bought it!

Penny Olson is the owner and designer for http://www.Brilliant-Wedding-Jewelry.com. Browse our collection of wedding articles at http://www.WeddingInfoSource.com.

Health

Imagine a less-hectic Miami Beach with fewer clubs, more parks, less attitude, and far fewer people. This is Key Biscayne a scenic island just to the south of Miami Beach. Key Biscayne is a place that seems specifically designed for leisure and relaxation. There are parks everywhere, providing opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, tennis, golf, and picnicking. Long, scenic roads wind around the key, making it perfect for bicycling or rollerblading. Crandon Beach in particular is nice, with calm waters and great beaches making it perfect for kids. The town of Key Biscayne is, if anything, even more laid-back than the beaches and parks. There you will find a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and lodging opportunities, all in a lazy setting that makes it the perfect getaway from Miami Beach. Keeping with the relaxation theme, one of the most appreciated amenities on Key Biscayne is no doubt the spa at Ritz-Carlton.

The spa at Ritz-Carton is an impressive facility. At 20,000 sq. ft. with 21 treatment rooms, this is not your every day, hole-in-the-wall type joint. The interior of the spa is decorated in a West-Indies-plantation style, with a lot of cane and mahogany woods and floor-to-ceiling windows. The treatment rooms include a hydro-therapy suite, couples rooms, and a deluxe Aquarian Suite that includes an Aquarian Tub and Vichy shower (perfect for the heads of puppet governments).

The number and variety of treatments offered by the spa is a little overwhelming, especially for those (like me) who are spa novices. I didnt really trust the notion of a Key Lime Fizz or Coconut Milk Bath (Im sure they are both wonderful), so opted for a deep tissue massage. It was as advertised, and by the end I felt that all of my tissues were quite liquefied. There are plenty of more adventurous treatment options available to those who want to smell like fruit/candy afterwards, and I got the feeling that I didnt take full advantage of my time there.

Such a luxurious destination as the spa at Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne deserves an equally luxurious mode of transportation. Mirage Limo offers you any number of vehicles up to the task. I must say, the a trip to the spa in a limo from Mirage would be a perfect gift for a significant other, particularly if that significant other is a member of the womanly persuasion. Just mull it over.

Nick Jurkowski is a senior editor for http://www.MilleniumLimo.com. The essays above can be found on his night life blog, The Urban Adventure Blog, which is updated daily.

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