[caption id="attachment_298" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Are you battling to find that perfect gift for someone who has everything and flowers are just too predictable? Here are some great alternatives for you to consider: Chocolate – The key to every woman’s heart! Cards – Especially when they are hand-made. It lets that person really know how much you care. Don’t forget… words say it best, so write from the heart. Photographs – If you are like me I never get a round to printing photos so I really appreciate when someone gives me a beautiful photograph. A photo is a gorgeous gift when it is put in even the simplest of frames. Costume Jewellery – A beautiful and accessible gift. No need to worry about sizing either. Choose a long architectural/statement necklace to stay on trend. Body & Bath – Especially candles, because women rarely buy body and bath products for themselves, yet we love it! Books – Coffee table books in particular. Stuffed Animals – For the inner child in all of us!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_247" align="alignnone" caption="Investing in costume jewellery can be an inexpensive and effective way of updating your look and staying on trend. We suggest spending approximately 30% of our clothing budget on accessories as they are essential to completing an outfit. Maximize the lifespan of your costume jewellery by... Cleaning: Avoid cleaning jewellery with soap and water as soaps will leave a residue on the metal. Water/moisture will cause rust, so if you know you will be in direct contact with water, it is advisable to remove all your jewellery. Costume jewellery should never come in contact with ammonia, vinegar, alcohols or any other acids as it will corrode quickly to a non-repairable state. The best option for cleaning is to use a very soft, slightly damp cloth. Ensure that your jewellery is dry before wearing or storing it. Storage: How you store your jewellery is dependent on the space you have available. Temperature and moisture can affect the life span of jewellery therefore store it in a room or drawer that does not get warmer than normal room temperature all year round. We recommend placing jewellery items in individual mesh or organza bags so they don’t get tangled. These bags are translucent enabling you to easily find each piece of jewellery. Place silica gel sachets (found in your vitamin bottles) in the bags to remove moisture. Avoid: Lotions, hair sprays and perfumes - they can alter the finish and/or cause jewellery to tarnish."][/caption]