Occasion Matters: A Guide to Selecting Jewelry That Fits the Moment

Jewelry carries a quietly powerful quality. It sits close to the body. It lights up when you lift your hands, when you turn your head. And yet we tend to pursue it in haste, too often as an afterthought. Pick something familiar, something safe. But the occasion is vital, more important than we like to admit. Not because of rules, of course, but because moments have different emotional weight.

#1 Everyday Moments Deserve Thought To

Most days are not big days. These are days of work, of errands, of periods in between. To be sure, however, the clothes you wear during those hours determine how you feel. Jewelry that is comfortable and personal does the trick that usually works best as part of daily life. Pieces you do not identify until they glint in the mirror.

This is where the subtlety shows up. Basic studs, a thin chain, and a ring that is a part of your hand. A lab grown oval half moon ring, for example, might look modern and feel soft at the same time, noticeable but not loud. And it naturally makes a space in daily life without taking too much of it. And sometimes, just that’s what you need.

The Quiet Truth About Co-Parenting That No One Prepares You For

A lot of couples that have children together don’t anticipate that they’ll ever parent apart, but not all relationships are meant to last.

For a lot of divorced or separated parents, co-parenting becomes a new way of parenting and something that no one really prepares you for.

Some quiet truths of co-parenting are useful to know so that you can at least be prepared for it, if it’s a situation that ever becomes real for you.

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What Families Really Learn When Caring for Loved Ones at Home

Caring for loved ones at home can be a challenge. There are a lot of valuable lessons that can help to ensure growth within those who are providing care and the bonds that are often strengthened within the family.

Families who have to adapt and care for ageing loved ones can learn a lot from caring for them in the home. This guide will look at how dynamics can change and what life lessons can be learnt in this next chapter of their lives.

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On a Budget? Try These Indoor Date Night Ideas

As you know, date nights are important to keep a relationship healthy and alive. We're all so busy these days raising children, trying to hold down a social life, go to the gym, exercise, go to work, study. You name it, you can believe that it's going to take up all of your time, but your relationship also has to be a priority on that list.

When you add kids into the mix of everything else, when you're feeling busy and overspent, the last thing you want is to lose sight of why you fell in love with each other in the first place. A solid marriage is a family solid foundation, which means that you need to make sure that you have injected enough date nights into the year to feel like you are a couple and not just parents. Date nights should absolutely be a priority for you, but if you're on a budget, you may want to try these indoor date night ideas instead.

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1. Set up a movie night. You can learn where to watch the Dune movie, set up blankets, food, drinks and more to make a movie night that rivals any cinematic experience. Movie night at home is actually a fun idea because you can pause anytime somebody needs the toilet. You can pause to have a chat about the movie as you watch it, and you can even pause too, you know. The trick to this one is to make sure that you're spending your free time in front of the TV by elevating it and making it special. You're not just slumping on the couch to watch Netflix after a long day, you're setting a scene.This should be your indoor adults only movie now. 

2. Go for some fine dining. In your dining room, you can lay out the most beautiful crockery and cutlery, light some candles, put out some fresh flowers, and cook something amazing. The best part about this particular date night idea is that you can take turns cooking something so fantastic. One of you could make a dessert earlier in the day to store in the fridge or freezer while the other one cooks the main meal. That way you're sharing something together. We wouldn't necessarily recommend you cook together in the kitchen because for some couples that is a good way to divorce early.

3. Turn up the music and pour out the drinks. So you don't want to do a movie night and you don't want to necessarily sit formally at a dining table to eat. How about putting a low lined coffee table with snacks and different drinks of soft and alcoholic persuasion and just relax and have a conversation. You can still light some candles and keep the lights low. You can have a little fun with wine or make some cocktails. You can nibble, but most importantly, you can focus your attention on one another and just talk. There are some fun cocktail recipes out there that you could try online and there are so many that you can pick from. When you put the music on low in the background, you can put your feet up together and just remember why you fell in love.

4. Have a date that's all about dessert. If dinner is more than you want to do, you could just focus on dessert together. You could pick up something from a local bakery, you could cook a dessert that you'd love, or you can even get the ingredients to make ice cream sundaes. You can make it even more fun by taking the food outside and having a picnic in the garden over the summer. You could even blindfold each other and try to guess each other's dessert. A dessert date can be as fun as you want, and it can get a little naughty towards the end if you want it to go that way too.

5. Play some board games. When was the last time you had a chance to play some board games together that didn't involve the children? If it's been awhile you should find some board games in your cupboards or even buy some board games specific for couples and sit together and play. You could put blankets out on the floor or just lounge on the couch if you want to, pair it with the wine and cheese tasting board and you can have a lot of fun nibbling, bonding, and having a good giggle.

Gifts for loved ones

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If you are looking for a gift for a loved one look no further than this gift guide that is filled with a varied selection of gift ideas including beauty, fashion and jewellery.

Licensed to Charm jewellery

Licensed to Charm is a designer and maker of charming jewellery with a story. Their stunning jewellery is unique and full of character. The lovely range of Licensed to Charm jewellery is designed and exquisitely made in the UK by highly skilled artisans. The Licensed to Charm collections include both officially licensed ranges and their own special design creations.

Below are just a few gift ideas of jewellery from Licensed to Charm that are ideal for gifting to your valentine this Valentine’s Day. Get ready to fall in love with the charming jewellery.

Helping Your Child Make New Friends

Making new friends can be a daunting task, but it’s a common element of life, and we all go through moments where we have to connect with people to form friendships. Having a healthy range of friendships is going to greatly boost confidence in your child, and give you the freedom to let your child go further with their skills.

In this guide from a senior school in Surrey, we take a look at the ways you can help your child make new friends, including the ones that can last for a lifetime.

The ultimate guide to moissanite

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Image courtesy of Lily Arkwright.

Now you might be wondering what is moissanite and why should you consider moissanite for your lifetime engagement ring? 

Moissanite is amongst one of the most ethical and sustainable engagement ring choices out there and it is fast becoming a staple in the jewellery world and all for the right reasons! Moissanite rings make for a gorgeous ring choice and today we have comprised an ultimate guide to why you should join all the other savvy couples who are opting for this fantastic gemstone as their engagement ring. 

Sex toy gift guide

GIFTED

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Christmas time is a wonderful time to spice up your sex life.

‘Tis the season to reward the nice with something naughty. Give the gift of orgasms this Christmas for those special people in your lives! 

Here are some orgasmic products that are perfect as a sexual and sensual gift to make this Christmas go with a bang.

How much to spend on an engagement ring?

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Thinking of popping the question to your beloved and pondering how much to spend on the engagement ring? 

 

When you decide to declare your love and ask ‘the one’  would they do you the honour and marry you, a big consideration is the engagement ring. As well as thinking about the style of ring, the cost of the ring is a big consideration. 

 

Similar to the style of the ring chosen, how much you decide to spend on the ring is a personal choice. Financial situations are different for everyone which can impact on the size of your engagement ring budget. Plus opinions on the importance of an expensive ring can differ, perhaps you think ‘the ring’ has to be an impressive sparkler showcasing a beautiful cut, colour and clarity with a big price tag or on the other hand you might think saving your money for the wedding or future together as a married couple is more important and opt for a modest, reasonably priced engagement ring.

 

Whilst everyone will have a different number for the cost of an engagement ring there are a few ways that people decide on the amount they want to spend. Take a look below at some of the ways that people decide on how much to spend on engagement rings.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

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Say "I Do" To These Essential Wedding Reception Tips

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Okay, we know the wedding ceremony will be at the forefront of your mind when planning your wedding - this is the moment when you finally gaze into the eyes of your loved one and say those magical two words, "I do" in front of your friends and family - but you don't want to neglect your planning for the reception afterwards. For your guests, at least, this is possibly the most important part of the day - the opportunity to eat, drink, and get merry - but it's also time for you to let your hair down after the pressures of the day, so it's worth giving it some special consideration.

Here then, are the tips you need to say "I do" too when planning your wedding reception.

Ideas for a cosy date night in

Quality time as a couple is important to help keep the relationship happy and healthy. Regular date nights are fantastic for reinforcing a couple's bond, keeping communication flowing and ensuring the spark is still there. But for couples with kids date nights can be tricky. Finding the time, energy, inclination, money plus a babysitter to have regular date nights can be challenging.  

Thankfully you don't have to venture from home to have a date night. The beauty of a date night in is that once the kids are in bed you can enjoy quality time as a couple from the comfort of your own home. Whether you watch movies together on a Panasonic wireless home cinema system or enjoy a meal for two at home date nights in at home can be the ideal solution for couples with kids who struggle to make date nights out work for them.

Love and money

When two people find love with each other they become linked in many ways. They spend time together from social outings to holidays to daily life. They often live together, perhaps buying a house or renting a new home together. Some couples decide to start a family by having a baby together or adopting.

Saying Goodbye, But Staying Friends

There is no artful tool, handy advice or intense knowledge that surrounds how you handle a divorce amicably. More often than not, divorce is going to hurt someone in the relationship, and unfortunately, children often become those who are hurt the most. Couples fall out of love; it happens often and when it does, joint commitments like the mortgage and children become all the more complicated. The only way for a couple to manage their children’s feelings and futures with their own separation, is to ensure that they maintain their friendship afterwards - not an easy feat!

The evolution of romance: How has the dating world changed over time?

In 2018, you might be forgiven for thinking that romance is dead – with a myriad of dating apps, speed dating with Naturally Dating and social media meetups, the dating world can seem daunting for many of us. It’s possible, however, that different generations simply express their affection differently. A recent study by eHarmony found millennials to be the most romantic age group of all. To examine how each generation expresses love and affection, we’ve teamed up with engagement ring retailer Angelic Diamonds.

Keeping a casual relationship casual

Relationships and sexuality are varied and personal. Living in the eclectic world we know today the array of relationship types and sexuality are spoken of more and more, with people being more outspoken and honest about their lifestyle choices.

Casual relationships are a common relationship that a number of people experience and enjoy. In simple terms often a common casual relationship is a relationship with no long term relationship commitments and where both parties want things to remain casual with no specific devotions to each other as they enjoy the moment. Casual relationship can be simply about sexual needs and/or about satisfying  emotional desires. These relationships avoid the boundaries, personal dedications, commitments and long term hopes and plans that are seen in regular romantic relationships.

There are many reasons why someone wants or prefers to indulge in a casual relationship. Commitment is not for everyone and as such a casual relationship can appeal to many. Perhaps no-strings-attached relationships excite them. Maybe they are single and love being so but want to experience a lusty or emotional connection with someone on a one-off or irregular basis. Casual relationships can be easier to end with no emotional wreckage. With no long term commitments they allow a person not to feel tied down by a serious relationship. Some casual relationships are open and allow experiences with more than one partner. Perhaps they have recently come out of a serious, long term relationship and do not want that type of relationship again.

Online dating in your 40s

Dating can be a daunting prospect. Putting yourself ‘out there’ in the hope of finding the right person takes courage and confidence. Getting to know someone and letting me get to know you is not always as easy as one would hope it is.

Past relationships and experiences can have a negative effect on looking for right person for you as you open the next chapter of your life. For example, if lack of trust and commitment issues was a problem in a past relationship it can be difficult to open up and trust someone new. Likewise, if you have self-esteem issues the prospect of being ‘judged’ whilst dating can be too much to bare.

But dating is not all bad. If you can overcome worries about dating you may just find that special one to complete your life. Dating can also be a lot of fun too. If you are looking for something serious rather than no-strings, casual dating you might just be surprised to enjoy the experience of meeting new people and gaining confidence as you date until you find the one for you.

A family law solicitor's guide to self-care during divorce

When you go through a divorce, it becomes easy to spread yourself too thin and forget about yourself. If you’re wondering about your kids, your ex, your parents, your friends, your work, or really anyone who isn’t you, then it’s time to stop. When you start looking after yourself, looking after other people won’t be an effort anymore. It will happen naturally and be more genuine, leaving everyone with more energy and positive feelings at the end of it.

As divorce lawyers in London, we see countless men and women come through our doors who are harried, stressed and emotionally exhausted. Living in London is stressful enough, without the ultimate stress and emotional hardship of a divorce. You may wonder how we’re qualified to advise people about what to do right, when we make our living from what’s gone wrong, but the reality is we see how many people aren’t taking care of themselves. Divorce solicitors in London have countless experiences of dealing with distressed individuals, and we’re experts in keeping a calm and professional demeanor while encouraging self-care.

This has such a knock-on aspect on every area of their life, leading to less rational decision making, further breakdown in relationships and a tougher time for the kids — as well as just being unhealthy for you. It’s time to take charge and take care of yourself. Here’s our advice for how — and why — to go about self-care during your divorce.

Valentine’s Day - What do women really want?

With February swiftly approaching so is the annual holiday of Valentine’s Day. The day when it is traditional to send a card to current or prospective Valentines.

As with most traditional, seasonal holidays the idea of Valentine’s Day has become very retailer driven and materialistic. The expectation of it being simply about an anonymous love themed card being sent to a loved one or a desired Valentine is overlooked by many for more extravagant declarations of love.

The world of dating

Dating can be a minefield. First there’s the challenge of finding prospective dates and arranging a date that suits the both of you. Do you keep it brief with a quick coffee date to begin with? Or perhaps a dinner date? Then there are the options of a cinema date, or a fun and lighthearted date doing an activity such as bowling. Heck the possibilities are endless and really depends on both you and your date, your personalities and interests and what you both feel like would be a good first date.

Then there’s the dreaded ‘what do I wear’ challenge to overcome. Once you are on your date you have to overcome nerves and hope that the conversation flows well and that you both have complimentary dating etiquette.

It can be really hard to put yourself out there in the hope of finding that special someone, the one who is compatible with your life and the idea of your perfect partner.