Trendy Aromatherapy Oils

Not too long ago aroma therapy products were more exotic than they are today. The mass marketing of essential oils and their increased availability to the public has made all kinds of aroma therapy products available to us including bath soaps, bath gels, shampoos, body sprays, candles, candle burners and all kinds of creams and potions.
Aroma therapy products have also been extended to include burners for essential oils. These are usually vessels into which a few drops of an essential oil are poured to create an aromatic blend. A candle is burned beneath the aromatherapy burner to warm the oil and disperse it through the air.

Of course one of the oldest and most classic form of aromatherapy is incense. Incense sticks and cones are made from a powder that is dipped in an essential oil. Cheap essence is dipped in perfume or synthetic scents. When shopping for these types of burned aroma therapy products look for ones made with essential oils.
Aroma therapy products also have many therapeutic uses including the curing of headaches, the relieving joint pain and helping an individual experience less stress. Certain oils such as lavender and marjoram are known to relieve insomnia. Other types such as sandalwood and patchouli are used for massage. Applying geranium oil to the wrists is thought to reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause in women.
Various aroma therapy products can also produce different types of psychological moods. For instance orange oil can produce a feeling of joy or elation. Peppermint oil can help an individual feel more alert. Rose oil may actually put you in a romantic mood. If you have a racing brain, lime oil may help you chill out.
Some oils also have antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Good examples are pine and eucalyptus oils, which help stave off the propagation of germs in your environment.

Trendy New Age Gifts

Do you have a friend who is into everything New Age? Here are some ideas for some gifts.
Perhaps the most obvious gift from the earth is a crystal. There are thousands of different kinds of crystals and semi-precious gemstones that you could give as a gift in the form of spheres, polished stones or terminated crystals. This includes such stones a rose quartz, onyx, jade, lapis lazuli, amber, agate, carnelian, moonstone and mother of pearl. Wooden jewelry inlaid with these stones also falls into this category.
Anything made of wood would also be qualified as having wood energy. That would include such objects as a wooden bead curtain, bamboo chimes or a deer knocker style Chinese fountain.
Another great gift from the earth are Salt Lamps. These are chunks of crystallized salt that improve air quality by emitting negative ions that purify and energize the air.
Scents of every kind fit into the gifts from the air category. This includes incense, incense burners, aromatherapy oils, essential oils and essential oil diffusers and burners.
Chimes and bells that blow in the wind also make great gifts. Copper chimes that are hollow tubes are said to disperse negative energy. Bamboo chimes will bring good luck.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful symbols of water are shells. Shells of all kinds symbolize the ocean which in turn symbolizes the womb of Mother Earth. Mother of pearl jewelry also falls into this category.

Fountains are the most obvious of water-based gifts. Feng Shui fountains made of river rocks, metal or plastic make lovely interactive gifts for both children and adults alike. Best of all they bring you good luck.
Candles are the obvious example of a true gift of fire and often in New Age circles candles are charged with intentions. The color of a candle can also symbolize its intention. For instance a blue candle can symbolize peace and an orange one can symbolize joy. Scented candles can also have metaphysical or therapeutic qualities. Lighting a lavender scented candle, for instance, can bring peace and tranquility to a bedroom.
Fire is also a symbol of purification, which is why smudge bundles made of sage, sweet grass or copal fall into this category. Smudging is used to clear for meditation and natural healing ceremonies and cleansing. Often a ceremonial feather fans the smoke.
Chinese Fogger or Misting fountains create a mystical atmosphere with moving fog and changing lights. These designer devices offer wonderful natural healing for cleaning the air of dust and particles. They attract negative ions that help lift one’s mood as well so this is a trendy cure for the winter blues.

Fashion Fierce Jewel Boxes

The decorative jewelry box is subject to trends just like any other item in the fashion or home décor industry and in recent years we have seen these personal treasure chests take a departure from the usual dark wood cases that have dominated the market for decades. This style of decorative jewelry box will probably never go out of style as it is classic but still in recent years we have seen a departure from the almost funereal look of the traditional jewelry box.
There is another style of decorative jewelry box that will probably never go out of style and that is the floral shabby chic style. These boxes are usually white and hand painted on top with floral designs. The motif is usually roses. The Victorian look is coming back in furniture because it is also associated with seventies look type furniture. Think Stanley Kubrick and the half modernist, half contemporary look of the living quarters in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Yet another cliché but popular style of jewelry box is the Chinese lacquered jewelry box. This type of box is usually black and painted with red or gold details. There is usually a fold out tiered shelf, a small diamond shaped mirrors and red tassels on the lids and drawers of the interior compartments.
Yet another collectible that is fashionable again is the little girl’s jewelry box with the spinning ballerina inside. Although many of these were made from chipboard and fabric you can still find wooden ones that are painted white and have the little ballerina spinning around inside.
Faux marquetry is also a big trend in jewelry boxes and so is wood that has been painted to look like it is marble. Inlaid decorative jewelry boxes also seem to never go out of style.
Wooden trinket boxes are found in almost every culture. Perhaps this is because they have always been so easy to construct and because it is a conceit of mankind that there must always be a place to store things that are tiny and precious.
One of the most basic styles of wooden trinket boxes is the simple hatbox style. These boxes are often octagonal, triangular, oval or square shaped and simply have a lid that can be removed. The lids can be hand painted, carved or inlaid with gems, shells or other kinds of woods.
Yet another common style is the case style of box. This type of box looks like a matchbox but instead the lid slides off of the top to display the contents inside. This type of box is often unlined so that the top of the lid slides back and forth smoothly.
In precious wood boxes the most fashionable ones are burnished so that the burl of the wood is apparent. These boxes are sleek, highly varnished and have no visible lock or clasp. They are considered to be the ultimate synergy of post modernism and nature.

Corsets Are Big in Fashion Again

Corsets were extremely popular in the middle ages and then again in the early nineties and now here we are again with another wild resurgence of interest in this sexy garment.
Originally corsets were not worn to give you a sexy waist. They were worn for medical purposes. Mainly they were used to keep sloppy postures straight and to hold in hernias. In the Middle Ages they were known for causing women a lot of health problems. Basically the woman’s rib cage would be so constricted by the garment that she couldn’t breathe and would not be able. The result would be a beautiful passed out woman on the floor.
Cosmetically these sexy corsets do pull in a big belly and help mold and shape the torso. Typically they are made of cloth, leather or rubber and laces hold the whole structure together. Old fashioned corsets contain whale bones or wires to shape up the body even more. Nowadays they also come in all kinds of satiny, silky and stretchy fabrics. Today’s corsets are infinitely more wearable than other types.
Corsets are considered to be sexy because they emphasize the waist and bust while cinching in the waist so that it is as small as possible. This makes a figure extremely feminine. Studies have shown then men are most attracted to figures that our hourglass in nature.
There are health benefits to wearing one to this day. A corset can reduce back pain and also help people with sore lower ribs. Wearing a corset may help a deformed stomach and liver. Some people who feel cold like the way that the garment seems to hug them. The biggest benefit has to do with feeling sexy.
A corset can also help reduce body fat by inhibiting the appetite without conscious dieting, sliming drugs or cosmetic surgery. However to fit into a corset means shallow breathing for some people as well as a reduced oxygen supply. Also they can cause Glenard’s disease; deform lower ribs, which may lead to organ failure or dehydration. Wearing a corset may also deform stomach and liver.
If you are going to wear a corset try not to buy one that is too restrictive. Make sure you can take a deep breath while wearing it because even nowadays when corsets are not designed like torture devices people have been known to faint and pass out from wearing one that is far too tight.

More Cool Symbolic Gems

As not everyone can afford rubies, sapphires and diamonds it is good to know that there are also many semi-precious stones out there that also raise your vibration to attract prosperity.
Agate: increases perceptions, awakens hidden talents, helps you do what you love so the money will come.
Amber: absorbs negative energy and transforms it into positive energy calms nerves, healing, keeps you on track
Bloodstone:, rapid healing, courage, living in the “here and now”, helps you see each failure as a step to success
Carnelian: dispels laziness, rage, jealousy, envy and fear, good for acting, writing and creativity
Citrine: money drawing, cheering, clears the aura, the only stone that does not hold negative energies and needs no cleansing.
Coral: stimulates the imagination and connection to spirit guides so that you are in the right place at the right time
Cat’s Eye: happiness, luck, serenity, protection, the ability to see the big picture
Fluorite: brings order to chaos, helps to see reality behind illusion, keeps your finances organized and helps you deal with the right people
Hematite: improves intellect, protection, transforms negative energy to the positive, protects you against bad luck when it comes to maintaining your business
Jade: money and luck drawing (but not recommended for those born in the year of the Rat or for Geminis
Lapis Lazuli: esoteric mysteries, channeling, awareness, intuition,good for assisting with wise financial decisions and good for women in business.
Moonstone: new beginnings, hoping, wishing, good for freelancers and healers
Obsidian: grounding, protection, dispels negative thoughts, good for those who work in the healing arts
Opal: brings out the best in you, acting from the heart, invokes visions so you can run your business ethically
Pearl: faith, charity, innocence integrity, spiritual guidance, teaches you to be philanthropic
Peridot; attracts friends, cleanses heart, happiness, keeps you connected to customers
Pyrite: psychic protection attracts love, friendship, good for those in the psychic business, pyrite is sometimes called Fool’s Gold and is used like a kind of magical foil to bring prosperity.
Quartz (clear): balances energy fields, restores harmony, intuition, it also keeps chi (energy) flowing smoothly through your life
Quartz (smoky): dissolves negative energies, resentment, enhances self-esteem, and attracts business
Sandstone: creativity, building solidarity, social life, clarity, makes you stand out in a crowd which can be invaluable for people who make their money through sales
Tourmaline: harmony, unconditional love, intuition, helps you do the right thing so you run an ethical business
Turquoise: improves communication, intuition, creativity, protection, and wisdom, good for anyone who does commercial transactions of any kind
Zircon: strength, virtue, integration of body and mind, helps you become a master at what you do

Symbolic Gems Are Fashionable

Holding stones is called psychometry and the idea is to sense the prosperous vibration of the stone and then manifest wealth to you. This is a very trendy conceit that makes the shopping for personal adornment even more significant.
There are several precious stones that are at are powerful wealth bringers. These are the diamond, emerald, ruby and amethyst. Traditionally these prosperity bringing stones were set in wedding rings so that the marriage would be prosperous. These more precious the stone the more merit it will seem to have when it comes to bringing wealth.
The sapphire, which is a vivid dark blue, will help give you power, focus and determination so that you have the discipline to make more money. Wearing one been known to rescue people from poverty and bestow them with extra spending money to be used on fun activities. It is also associated with the throat chakra which rules communication. If you are in sales or have to do some pitching or fast talking on the phone the sapphire can definitely assist you.
Diamonds vibrates at a frequency that strengthens your intuitive abilities and also strengthens your defenses. It helps you perceive beyond surface appearance so you can get the big picture and stay focused on making progress. It is also a stone of manifestation which can bring your wishes into reality. The motto for the diamond is “Grace Under Pressure” because they are created from pressurized carbon. This is a good motto for today’s busy fast-paced lifestyles.
The emerald is used to restore balance to financial situations. Traditionally, an emerald was also thought to bring the owner financial security. It is thought to help you learn lessons, so you don’t repeat mistakes as well as balance your checkbook! The emerald assists you in drawing what you need to you and of course the glittering green color of this stone symbolizes growth.
The ruby is the best stone to wear when your finances are running low. The blood red light of the ruby helps to dispel feelings of discouragement and self-doubt and infuse your heart, mind and aura with the qualities of success, affluence, attractiveness and personal victory. The ruby will help you make sure that you always have the good things in life but it can also make sure that there is always food in the cupboard
The amythest has the effect of clearing up the clutter in your life and many Feng Shui masters place a hunk of it in a room to clear toxic vibration. His in turn assists in the attracting of prosperity. Amethysts help release fears and anxieties that might be lurking in your subconscious and preventing you from moving forward by bringing them to the surface.

Fashionable Maternity Wedding Dresses

The pregnant bride is a little more common than she used to be just a few decades. Being with a child before you are married is no longer taboo. Believe it or not one in five brides is pregnant nowadays when they walk up the aisle. Of course not all of those brides have baby bumps that are showing. Still the fact that twenty percent of brides are pregnant has spawned a whole new genre of wedding dress known as the maternity dress wedding gown.
The fact is that the traditional style of wedding dress often has a tight waist so new designs are in order to accommodate growing bellies. It is quite hard to fit into a normal wedding dress when you are expecting because many of them are so tailored and restrictive. Many of them actually have corsets that make it difficult to breathe.
Also if you are pregnant you may not necessarily want to be wearing high heel shoes. That is why flip flops; ballerina slippers and even running shoes have been blitzed up as wedding wear for brides to be.
If you do want a tailored wedding dress you usually have to order them three to six months in advance. The problem is that few pregnant brides know what size they will be in a few months when it comes to walk down the aisle.
Usually the “design solution” is a dress with an empire waist. These dresses are fitted under the bust under the bustline and then the fabric falls to the floor. This means that the size of your belly when you do walk down the aisle is not going to matter. The dress will expand with you as your pregnancy does.
There are also some beautiful Greek Goddess and A line styles out there that also look very nice on pregnant brides. Usually the bigger and more “float” the skirt the better it will look. The more fabric that is draped around you the easier it will be to conceal the pregnancy if that is your intention. However that is not usually the goal of some brides. Many get dresses sewn that actually showcase the roundness of their belly because they are proud to have a new baby on the way.
Don’t be afraid to show your pregnancy when walk down the aisle! The trend now is to choose a dress that will really show it off!

Shopping Online Pros and Cons

Should you shop for your fashions online? Those who have been using the internet a long time say it is a good idea. However the easiest things to buy online are items like belts, shoes and purses.
This is because sizing can be an issue. The sizes small, medium and large no longer really exist as a standard so if you are shopping mail order or online you need to look on the website to see what if they have some kind of sizing chart. Sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from country to country as well. This means knowing your own dimensions and then checking the size charts.
It is just not the vaguer S, M and L that is affected by these variances. You also need to look at the actual sizes and their dimensions. A size ten in London, England is not the same dimension as a size ten in New York or in Tokyo, Japan.
Yet another big disadvantage of shopping online is that the pictures don’t often match what is online. The pictures can even show you merchandise that is different than what you have selected. Sometimes the color is off as well. You don’t get the same hue as the item really is if you look at it online sometimes. This is because different computer monitors will register different colors.
One tact is to try on the same outfit that you see online and then order it online if you see it for a cheaper price. That way you know you will get the color and fit that you want.
You should probably avoid buying from an online retailer that does not have any size charts at all. This is because there is more of a likelihood of having to return the clothing. Speaking of returns you also really need to look into the website’s refund policy. There are a lot of unscrupulous merchants online that do not provide swift or fair customer services.
However the best thing about buying online is always going to be the price. You can always get a good outfit for much lower than you can in the stores. Some would say that is why shopping online is practically the worth the return.
Look for a good site that has a phone number and an email and try to buy from reputable sites only. A good site will have a decent return policy.

Good Luck Gifts for the New Year

The beginning of the New Year’s Season brings the promise of a fresh start. Here are some cool ideas for gifts.
Know an ambitious type who needs help with their motivation and inspiration? A flashy red ruby or garnet helps bring them prosperity, ambition and good luck for the New Year.
Another mythological motivator has to do with poultry! A small statue of a rooster also inspires listless people to get up in the morning and get out into the world and achieve!
Know someone who is in need of some love or who wants to have children? A good luck charm made out of copper sets a prosperous tone for the New Year. A charm in shape of a rabbit can bring them good luck as well as fertility. A pink gem such as a pink sapphire can also bring luck.
Dolphins also bring love. A silver dolphin charm makes a very nice gift.
According to the rules of Feng Shui a picture of anything in pairs including birds, flowers or animals can bring good fortune. A picture of two peonies or two roses brings a new romance.
A lucky peacock’s feather can bring the talented fame and fortune. So can a red and black fan.
Sentimental types love snow globes. You can make a wish and shake the globe to bring good fortune all year. Make sure that whatever is inside the snow globe relates to what you are wishing for.
Do you know someone who is a bit psychic or who wants to develop their occult side? If so then a natural seashell helps increase their natural intuition. A sleek black Egyptian cat can bring esoteric wisdom.
Know someone who wants to get ahead in life. A sculpture or wall plaque of the world helps horizons and think of the big picture throughout the New Year. The same goes for someone who loves to travel. A statuette of St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of all travelers, is also a good idea. Some people would put a picture of a ship sailing on their wall in order to expand their horizons and also bring good luck.
For good luck give someone an iron horseshoe that can be nailed above the door also makes a good gift for this sign. Any star shape hung over a door also brings the same along either a touch of fame.