The best gift a person can give is hope
As a parent to two daughters, ages five and two, I’m trying to instill the idea of charitable giving to them at a young age. When it comes to giving back, it’s all about baby steps. Many people think that in order to do any good, hundreds of dollars need to be spent. Not so. After a wonderful chat with my friend Sarah Smith from Sarah’s Hope® Jewelry, I found myself repeating her words in my head. “You can make a difference, no matter how small the gesture may seem.”
The question is… what drives you to make a difference?
It’s true what they say, “The little things really do make big differences.” I feel good about the fact that I encourage my daughters to drop spare change into the Salvation Army’s red kettles over the holidays. And every year, we pick names off a local giving tree and shop for gifts to help families fulfill their wish list. It may seem like small potatoes, but where giving is concerned, every bit helps.
Making small steps as a family fills me with great joy, but so does being part of something larger like Jewelers Mutual’s upcoming program called Hope for the Holidays—a contest that puts value in charity and lending a hand to others.
How do you give back during the holidays?
Starting Monday, October 17th at 12pm (CDT), you can share your story for a chance to win a beautiful jewelry set ($500 retail value) from Sarah’s Hope Jewelry – a socially responsible jewelry line that helps provide microloans and small business training to women in impoverished situations throughout the world and the US. PLUS, receive a $1,000 donation from Jewelers Mutual to your favorite charity.* Four finalists will also walk away with Sarah’s Hope pendants ($200-290 retail value) and a $200 charitable donation. Nothing “small potatoes” about that!
Grand-prize earrings from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Elia Rose collection
Grand-prize interchangeable ring from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Karen collection
Grand-prize pendant from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Elia Rose collection
That’s not all! Help Jewelers Mutual reach 12,000 Facebook “likes” and one random Facebook fan will win Sarah’s Hope earrings, PLUS a $200 donation to their charity of choice!*
This is the time of year to take the focus off the “stuff” and put it back where it needs to be. Over the weekend, think about ways you give back. Then get ready to enter Hope for the Holidays (found on Jewelers Mutual’s Facebook page), which starts Monday, October 17th at 12pm CDT.
*Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. To see if your charity qualifies, visit www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Due to state laws, the contest is not available in Rhode Island. One entry per person. Void where prohibited. Contest begins October 17, 2011 at 12pm CDT. Voting begins at 11/15/11 at 12:01pm CDT.
Diamond pendant goes to mom-to-be
The grand-prize platinum and diamond Simon G. pendant
What does a guy do when he wins a diamond pendant? Just ask Jorda Young, the grand-prize winner of Jewelers Mutual’s Some Like It Haute sweepstakes in partnership with Platinum Guild International and Simon G. Jewelry.
Jorda said his first reaction when hearing he won the beautiful platinum and diamond Simon G. pendant was, “Great, the first thing I ever win gets to go to someone else!” Joking aside, Jorda has big plans for the pendant. As any good husband would do, he’s planning on giving the pendant to his wife. “She is currently pregnant with our first child. I hope to hold onto it until that special day,” said Jorda.
That’s one well-deserved “push” gift! With the baby due in March, the hardest part for Jorda will likely be how to keep it a secret until the little one’s arrival.
Jorda may have never owned a piece of platinum jewelry or anything from Simon G. before, but he’s no stranger to Jewelers Mutual’s Personal Jewelry Insurance policy, thanks to a recommendation he received from his jeweler. We hope Jorda decides to keep his wife’s pendant equally safe. Congratulations, Jorda! Your wife’s a lucky gal.
Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for another exciting opportunity that will surely get you in the holiday spirit.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Help Jewelers Mutual reach 10,000 likes on their Facebook page by clicking “Like” at the top of the company’s page, and you’ll have more chances to win exciting prizes! Already liked Jewelers Mutual on Facebook? Great! Now spread the word about how fun insurance can be.
6 ways to be Fall Fabulous
What girl doesn’t want to slip her feet into a gorgeous new pair of heels and tote around a designer handbag? But a fashionista can’t stop there. Oh no. No wardrobe is complete without adding some bling to the ensemble. Even if you can’t go all out (myself included), you can feel like a fashionista by sprinkling your wardrobe with a few of the latest styles without having to be obsessed about it, or break the bank.
Need a solid resource for top jewelry trends? Do what I do and turn to Jewelry Information Center, and the American Gem Trade Association – both top-notch jewelry resources to keep you up to speed on the latest jewelry fashions.
Here are six fall jewelry trends that are all the runway rage this season and can help revitalize your wardrobe:
- Stand out with neon—Neon could look great with heavy neutrals in fall and winter (but I’m thinking in moderation, girls).
- Go long—Sure to turn a few heads, dust your shoulders with extra-long duster earrings.
- Get choked up—Sure wish I hadn’t cleaned out my jewelry box from the ‘90s. From delicate chains to hard-core metal cuffs the choker is back with serious style.
- Embrace botanical—Delicate floral designs in hard metal provide the perfect balance.
- Cuff and cluster—A bold cuff or a cluster of bangles are a big hit. Mix metals or go for earthy tones and pair with a large cocktail ring.
- Lay on the filigree—Choose carefully to avoid the doily look around your neck, unless that’s the look you’re going for. Regardless, it’s the new trend popping up this season and can add pizzazz to a simple neckline.
[Source: http://www.refinery29.com/six-fall-jewelry-trends-to-try-right-now]
Go bold or go home.
Dare to pair some of the latest trends in jewelry with the in vogue fashion trends for fall and make a statement. Fall also calls for animal prints, furs, lace, and asymmetric styles. Don’t forget a cape – the must-have of the season according to top fashion designers. Click here to learn more about how to properly protect your new bling for seasons to come.
Does your jewelry hold a winning story?
You know that feeling you get every time you look at your favorite piece of jewelry and a flood of wonderful memories rush over you?
…Your engagement ring and the day your true love proposed, or the watch your grandfather gave you at your high school graduation, or the birthstone necklace you received the day your daughter was born, or the diamond earrings you bought the day you finally got your big promotion…
Jewelry holds powerful stories, marks special moments and symbolizes significant events and relationships you’ll cherish for a lifetime. The understanding that jewelry is more than just a pretty object is why I love working at Jewelers Mutual. Not to toot the company’s horn, but it’s true. They really get that jewelry celebrates the magic moments in a person’s life. That’s why we couldn’t resist helping sponsor Jewelry Information Center’s (JIC) Sparkling Snapshots Contest, which kicks off Monday, September 12th.
JIC is asking people to share their stories and photos online of their special life moments or the fine jewelry connected to them. This weekend, get a head start. Open up your jewelry box, think about the pieces of jewelry that mean the most to you and the stories that you hold dear to your heart. Look through your photo albums to see what snapshots truly capture those treasured memories in action. Then, get ready to submit your stories and photos. The entry period runs from Sep. 12th through Oct. 31st, with a public voting period and judging to follow.
The grand-prize winner – announced Dec. 12th – will receive a luxurious spa getaway for two to the Montage Deer Valley Resort and Spa in Park City, Utah, a True Knots diamond necklace, a Louis Vuitton travel jewelry case donated by Jewelers Mutual and a feature in the “MC Notes” section of Marie Claire Magazine. JIC has really outdone itself this time!
Click here to check out the exciting contest details. If you liked their Ultimate Proposal Contest, the Sparkling Snapshots Contest is going to have you grinning from ear to ear.
Don’t forget! There’s just 2 weeks left to enter Jewelers Mutual’s Some Like It Haute summer sweepstakes, where a dazzling diamond and platinum Simon G. pendant could still be yours! If you entered already, way to go! Make sure you get your friends to enter too because you’ll receive one extra entry for every friend who signs up. What better way to close out summer than by donning a new piece of sparkling bling!
Anne
Tyler
Jessica
