Getting Prepared For Xmas, Part 2

Christmas is always the busiest time of the year. I always feel like first there’s plenty time to do everything and suddenly the Christmas Eve is just around the corner and need to multitasking everything. Does this sound familiar to you? If yes, continue to read how to avoid Christmas hustle and stress.

In my childhood, my mother were always so stressed out because of Christmas especially if relatives were coming visit. She had to cook all the Christmas foods, clean whole apartment, do grocery shopping, wrap all the gifts etc. I usually tried to helped her with everything that I can. I loved to baked gingerbreads and edges of star tart (I literally translated the word from Finnish language). Our star tart are usually pinwheel shape tarts that have plum jam in the middle. Really tasty 😋 

Nowadays, I don’t have Christmas hustle because I plan everything in forehead. So how you can avoid Christmas stress and spend it more relaxing way?

1. Keep your home basic clean

I know this sound so simple but many start to clean more better when year’s biggest Holiday is coming. Vacuum daily especially if you have pets and even if you don’t have any pets. Those furry friends leaves mess of their own behind. My cats always like to dig up all wooden pellets out from their litter box. Wash floors once in every month and take your rugs outside to tamp them. I don’t how common this is elsewhere but here in Finland we like to tamp our rugs and leave them little while cold weather so they will more fresher when you bring them inside. Also if you live in place where snowing, easy way to give quick refreshment to the rugs is throw them in the snow and cover the rugs with snow and brush them. The rugs are much refresher afterwards. This is old Finnish way to clean rugs during Winter. 

2. Start putting Holiday decorations earlier 

When December start, I always look for our Christmas decorations. I plan what curtains I like to put this year and do I need to buy some new Christmas decorations. Changing curtains takes unbelievable time especially if you wash the windows in the inside like I usually do. In my sofa table I have tea light candles that usually have small seashells within in the Summer but when Christmas time is coming, I like to change it too and put there fake snow with some glitter coated pine cones. You don’t need to put all Holiday decorations in place but some that are also suitable for Winter season too ❄️

3. Shared grocery shopping list 🛒

If you need to do every year same Holiday time shopping, it’s more time saving to save the shopping list than write every year new one. Once you have written it, you can printed it out and laminate it. That way it cannot get wet if there’s rainy weather. I’m not usually use my iPhone for any notes but last couple years, I’ve saved our Holiday time grocery shopping list in the phone. It’s so handy especially when you can share it between your family. That way, the Holiday time shopping isn’t just your responsibility and whole family can buy thing or two from the list. 

4. Buy Holiday foods earlier 

I usually do this every year. I buy frozen things as soon as they arrived in the grocery store. Usually it’s end of the November and people haven’t waken yet for upcoming Christmas so you buy frozen pastries etc. in time without rush. When buying things earlier than needed, make sure they will preserve until you need them and you don’t need to worried if they are gone. 

5. Saving money and wrapping gifts

If you have big family and lots of friends who you need to buy a gift, you can save money by buying gifts around the year and keep an eye when stores have good deals  like Black Friday or Cyber Monday or any other offers. If you like to stay organized, take cardboard box and put name label on it, so you can gather gifts there for specific family member or friend. Also plastic bag will work too if you attach name tag in it. That way, when it’s time to wrap the gifts, you don’t need to sort them out and worried later if you accidentally mixed them. 

If you have a lot gifts, it will be exhausting to wrap them all in once. So I highly recommend that you start to wrap as soon as possible one or two peoples gifts per day that will leave you time to do other things and more important, time for yourself too. 

I hope my five time saving tips will help you to have more relaxing Holiday time and time to enjoy the Holiday itself 🎄

~ Minna

Getting Prepared For Xmas, Part 1

❄️ Happy December 🎄

Can’t believe that final month of this year just begun. Here in Finland haven’t snow much yet and some weather forecasters have been predicted that there isn’t going to be any snow at Christmas time but whether there’s snow or not, the Christmas time itself is lovely time of the year.

🎤 Just before Christmas, I had my own tradition for several years that I went to see my favorite singer. I loved to bought ticket at her Christmas time concert and she sang very beautiful Finnish Christmas songs. As a fan, I loved to took picture of us and usually I bought her new cd. Unfortunately, the concert timing haven’t been good for me lately so I listen her songs at home while I’m making Christmas foods.

This time year is usually busiest time of most of us. Finland’s Post were strike about three weeks so had to close my little Etsy shop for end of the year but I’m using this “vacation time” for creating new jewelry.

I’m hooked on crocheting and tried first time ever to crochet earrings. Long time I searched the tutorial and finally found it. Had to admit that first it was so confusing to crochet because I had no clue which part I’m making so had to blindly follow the tutorial.

First almost finished crocheted earrings.
Love the shape and in the end it was pretty easy to make

Second one was little more quicker to make since I felt like I know what I’m doing and in the end I made a pair for my friend too. She love everything pink so naturally I made her pink earrings. These earrings are so lightweight to wear and love the teardrop shape too. I’m going list similar earrings in BlueBellJewelry as soon as possible.

First one is my friend’s earrings that I made for her and second one is mine in black 

Because my Etsy shop is under vacation mode, I’m attending couple local Christmas sale event. One is already behind but two more is coming up consecutive Sundays. Love these sale events where you can meet people, hear their thoughts, comments and wishes about jewelry what they wish for. I’m happy to develop my jewelry and without people’s feedback I wouldn’t know if I’m going to right direction. 

I took short video of our sale table which was end of the November. My friend kindly shared her table with me and we broke our personal sale goal 🥳 My friend is making all kinds of pouches, baskets and bags from recycled fabrics. Her shop is currently on vacation but she will be back in beginning of January so check her shop out for unique bags and pouches by visiting at AnnikaLDesigns on Etsy. Annika is friendly shop owner who can also make custom orders.

~ Minna

Pairing Perfect Necklace With Different Necklines, Part 3/3

Welcome in my last part of how to choose perfect or right necklace with different necklines. Today I´m going to tell you five more necklines and how pair them with perfect necklace. 

This week I´m going to tell you more of following necklines:

• Boat Neck
• Jewel
• Illusion
• Square
• Scoop

Necklines from left to right: Boat Neck, Jewel, Illusion, Square and Scoop

BOAT NECK NECKLINE:

With Boat Neck neckline clothes, choose necklaces that are collar, bib, long beaded or beaded necklaces.

If you want to skip the necklace, choose a pair of sparkling studs.

JEWEL NECKLINE:

With Jewel neckline clothes, necklaces that are choker or short beaded necklace will look best.

ILLUSION NECKLINE:

With Illusion neckline clothes, necklaces that are short and shape matches with neckline will look best.

SQUARE NECKLINE:

With Square neckline clothes, necklaces that are choker, long chain, have angular pendant that fall on the collarbone work well.

SCOOP NECKLINE:

With Scoop neckline clothes, necklaces that are long or short, have large pendant or multiple strand beaded. Also shorter statement necklace and round short necklace will look good with this neckline.

I hope this inspire you to try more necklace styles with your wardrobe. I would also love to know which of these necklines you wear most. Leave your comment below.

~ Minna

Pairing Perfect Necklace With Different Necklines, Part 2/3

Welcome in my second part of how to choose perfect or right necklace with different necklines. Today I´m going to tell you five more necklines and how pair them with perfect necklace. If you can´t now find yours, have a look next week post.

This week I´m going to tell you more of following necklines:

• Off shoulder
• Queen Anne
• High Neck
• Halter
• Halter Strap

Necklines from left to right: Off Shoulder, Queen Anne, High Neck, Halter and Halter Strap

OFF SHOULDER NECKLINE:

With Off Shoulder neckline clothes, choose choker, asymmetrical, short beaded or long beaded necklace.

QUEEN ANNE NECKLINE:

With Queen Anne neckline clother, choose pendant necklace, short necklace, short pendant necklace or round beaded necklace.

HIGH NECK NECKLINE:

With High Neck neckline clothes wear large pearl necklace, long chain necklace, long pendant necklace or multiple long chain necklace. It´s important that necklaces have simple and clean design.

HALTER NECKLINE:

With Halter neckline clothes wear V shape jewelry, necklaces that have large or slim pendant, choker necklace or short necklace that matches the shape of the neckline.

HALTER STRAP NECKLINE:

With Halter Strap neckline clothes wear long necklace, small pendant necklace that have sharper end, choker or short beaded necklace.

If straps have visual details, pair with large stud earrings instead of necklace.

I hope this inspire you to try more necklace styles with your wardrobe. I would also love to know which of these necklines you wear most. Leave your comment below.

~ Minna

Pairing Perfect Necklace With Different Necklines, Part 1/3

I hope your November has started well I´m pretty excited this month posts that will come up. 

During November I´m going to write how to choose perfect necklace with your favorite blouse or dress. This series consists of three parts and each part I will present five different necklines. So if you can´t now find yours, have a look next week post.

This week I´m going to tell you more of following necklines:

• Sweetheart
• Straight across
• Semi-sweetheart
• V-neck
• Asymmetric

Necklines from left to right: Sweetheart, Straight Across, Semi-Sweetheart, V-neck and Asymmetric

At first sight, it might seem like sweetheart and semi-sweetheart necklines are same but actually sweetheart neckline go little bit deeper than semi-sweetheart. Also straight across different from these two. The neckline is literally straight. So what kind necklace is best combination for each of these?

SWEETHEART NECKLINE:

With Sweetheart neckline you can wear bold pendant necklace or necklace that have curved beads or pendants that will end just above neckline. Look for shapes circles, teardrops and ovals.

STRAIGHT ACROSS NECKLINE:

With Straight Across necklines, choose choker necklace that have simple design or made of beads. Also long chain necklace will work too.

If you want to skip the necklace and wear earrings instead, choose statement looking earrings.

SEMI-SWEETHEART NECKLINE:

With Semi-Sweetheart neckline clothes you can wear choker that have simple design or made of beads. Also long drop chain necklace, short beaded necklace and necklace with curved beads or pendant will look good with this neckline.

If you want to skip the necklace and wear earrings instead, choose statement looking earrings.

V-NECK NECKLINE:

With V-neck neckline clothes you can wear long or short pendant necklace, longer beaded necklace, drop chain necklace or angular shape necklace. Simple necklaces like one bead necklaces are best choice for this neckline. Also necklaces that have similar V shape will work too.

ASYMMETRIC NECKLINE:

With Asymmetrical neckline clothes you can wear long or short beaded necklaces, chokers, asymmetrical necklaces, long chain necklaces and necklaces that have big pendant work best with this neckline.

If you don´t want to wear necklace, choose statement style earrings or long earrings and combine them with cuff or bangle bracelet. That way you let the neckline speak for itself.

I hope this inspire you to try more necklace styles with your wardrobe. I would also love to know which of these necklines you wear most. Leave your comment below.

~ Minna

Earrings For Different Face Shapes

Happy November!

This week´s blog post is all about earrings and how to choose perfect earrings for your face that will compliment to your outfit as well.

There are 6 major face types which I will represent more closely in the below:

• Round
• Oval
• Heart
• Square
• Diamond
• Rectangular

But first you need to determine which face type you are. It´s very easy to figure out which face shape you have.

Simply tie up your hair and stand in front of mirror straight without leaning towards it. Use lipstick, soap or any other non-permanent marker that will be easy to wipe clean from the mirror and draw your face lines by following your hairlines. DO NOT include your ears!

After you have figure you which is your face type, read below which earrings will be perfect for you and you don´t need to struggle anymore in order to get right earring pair for you that will fit perfectly to your face and not just to your outfit.

My friend draw for me this face shape illustration. Below is more explanation of each face shape 

ROUND:

Characteristics: Your face shape is round when drawn outline resembles a circle. Your face is widest at the cheekbones and you have round chin line. Your face is close to same length from tip of your nose to all sides.

Earrings: Drop, chandelier or long dangle earrings. Avoid any round hoop or button earrings because these will highlight the roundness of your face

OVAL:

Characteristics: Your face shape is oval when drawn outline remind like an egg. Your forehead may be slightly wider than your chin. You have rounded jawline to chin. Oval shape face is slightly longer than they are wide.

Earrings: Long, teardrop, pearls, studs and triangular earrings are best choice

TRIANGLE:

Characteristics: Your face shape is triangle when face width measures about two thirds of the length of the face. Triangle face shape have broad jawline with narrow forehead.

Earrings: Favor chandelier or teardrop shape earrings

SQUARE:

Characteristics: Your face shape is square when drawn outline is not tall but wide wide at all points. Your forehead, cheeks and jawline have similar widths. 

Earrings: Long round earrings, hoop earrings, oval shaped earrings or medium size round earrings. Avoid square shape earrings which will highlight the squareness of your face

RECTANGULAR:

Characteristics: Your face shape is rectangular when drawn outline is longer than it´s wide. Your forehead, cheeks and jawline have same width.

Earrings: Favor stud, teardrop shape, long narrow earring or irregular geometric earrings. Avoid earrings that will add volume to your jawline like some cluster earrings or dangle one pearl earrings.

DIAMOND:

Characteristics: Your face shape is diamond when drawn outline is narrow from forehead and chin. Diamond shape face widest part is your cheekbones. Your forehead and chin are narrower than your cheekbones.

Earrings: Dangle, long or small stud earrings will look good. Make sure the earrings will end before your jawline because that way the dangle earrings will balance your diamond shape face. Avoid wide or button earrings.

In addition there´s also heart shape face which have narrow chin and broad forehead. If you have heart shape face like Reese Witherspoon, wear earrings that are rounded at the bottom. Also chandelier and teardrop shape earrings will work too. Avoid wearing slim drop earrings because it will draw attention to your narrow chin.

I hope you have fun time to figure out which face shape you have and find now perfect earrings for your face shape that will flatter your face and your outfit too. I would also love to see your face shape comment below.

~ Minna

PS. If you like the earring at the end, head to my Etsy shop BlueBellJewelry

Size Guide - When Size Is Everything

I´ve been worked as seller in different store. Being seller in a grocery store is not so hard than being seller in the cloth store.

I never thought that being seller in the cloth store can be any different than being seller on a regular grocery store. I love customer service and highly valued it. 

I learned a lot when I was a seller in a two different cloth store. When customer walks in, I try to serve her/him best possible way. I must admit that most of my customers were women and beside being seller you also are temporary friend for them. Some customer may tell you most painful things when they coming to buy new shirt for parties or special occassion that they have and my job was to figure out what size cloth they were use. Of course, back then was Winter so I always had to ask it. Some customer told directly what size they were using and some whispered it to me like it was big secret or they might shame the size they will need. Can´t wonder how big value the small tag is for some people but it also goes for jewelry too.

I personally haven´t trusted the size labels for years now. I consider them more like guideline and they do not define me and the size label shouldn´t define you either. It doesn´t hang there to tell you whether you are good or bad person. 

Good thing about the jewelry is that there isn´t hang any size tag to let the world know what length necklace you wear, what´s your ring size is etc. So take a honest measure of your ring size, wrist size or anklet size. Choose the necklace length that is most comfort for you.

Cheating about the size does only hurt you and I personally think that too small clothes or jewelry will not look as good as the right size.

~ Minna