Onyx, Turquoise Cross & CZ Bracelet

Remember when I reviewed that awesome bracelet from Channing & Co earlier? How impressed I was with all Channing’s stuff? Well she’s awesomely agreed to sponsor an item for a giveaway. One lucky winner will have the opportunity to win the Onyx, Turquoise Cross & CZ Bracelet which is currently listed in her Etsy shop. This one-of-a-kind bracelet features matte onyx beads, turquoise resin cross & CZ beads on elastic. The combination of turquoise and pink is actually one of my favorite so color me a little bit jealous and the design fits Channing’s goal:

Growing up in a family of five girls, I learned to love jewelry early on. I love jewelry that is fun, classy and edgy. Whether it’s costume jewelry or the real deal, I love it all! Great jewelry makes you feel special. Over the years I have become an artist, a friend and a mother to my son Chance. In learning to balance my multiple roles, I have developed a deeper sense of simplicity.

It is this balance & simplicity that inspired me to start designing and selling jewelry.

The bracelet is on elastic so it will fit a variety of wrist sizes. You can buy it for $40, which is a steal, or keep reading to win it for yourself.

To enter, leave a comment for each of the following types. Please do not leave your email in your comment body as this is an unsafepractice and is not necessary when you leave your email in the comment form itself.

• Take a look at Channing’s Etsy Shop or website and tell me another piece you like. –Mandatory
• Follow Reviews by Cole on Twitter
• Become a fan of Reviews by Cole on Facebook.
• Like Channing & Co on Facebook.
• Add a piece from the Etsy stores to your favorites (leave a link to your profile).
• Add a link to a blog post about this giveaway (must include a link to the direct post)
• Like this post on Facebook
• Add this post to StumbleUpon or Digg
• A link to a Twitter post about this giveaway (once per day) such as: Onyx, Turquoise Cross & CZ Bracelet #Giveaway at http://reviewsbycole.com/2011/12/onyx-turquoise-cross-cz-bracelet-giveaway Ends 01/07 OR you can use the handy Twitter button on the left.

Giveaway will end on January 7.

Good luck!

She wore it frequently. It accented every blouse. Then, one day, she took it off and the pendant slipped from the chain. She set them both in their usual place: the bathroom counter. She didn’t put the pendant back on the chain. When she would visit the bathroom, she saw both pieces until one day, she didn’t. How this happened, she did not know. She searched the bathroom, the bedroom, the laundry basket and the washer to no avail. She decided the cats must have knocked it down the drain.

So she set off on a mission to replace her chain so she could wear her beloved necklace. She bought a fine chain and–lo and behold–it didn’t fit. What was she to do?

Simple, she will give the chain away to one of you!

You can win this triple chain necklace!

And that is why my mistake is your opportunity. Instead of returning it, I have decided to give this chain–originally from Serenity Crystals–to one of my lucky visitors. But this is no ordinary chain. This is a triple chain that drapes around your neck in a unique fashion. The triple chains measure 16″ so it may not hit your collar bone and you can extend an additional 3″ with a thicker chain that is attached to the very end.

The chain is silver in color because of its rhodium plating and this plating withstands wear and tear for long lasting color. The three chains are delicate enough that you can hang your favorite pendant on this necklace (as long as the ring on your pendant isn’t ridiculously small like this) but, honestly, the chains themselves are interesting enough that you don’t need to add a pendant.

I’ll keep this giveaway short and sweet. It will end next Wednesday May 4th. To enter, leave one comment each for each of these entry types:

• Tell me how you’d wear this chain – Mandatory
• A comment letting me know if you follow me on Twitter – @anaesthetic
• A link to a blog post about this giveaway (must include a link to the direct post)
• A link to a Twitter post about this giveaway (once per day) such as: Win a triple chain necklace from @anaesthetic. Visit Reviews by Cole to enter the #giveaway: http://reviewsbycole.com/2011/04/my-mistake-is-your-opportunity-giveaway/ Ends 5/4

P.S. If you’re wondering, I have since found a chain to use with my pendant and I will not let the cats get at it.

Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

For instance, did you know they make Stargate necklaces? As I’ve been trying to finish up the SG-1, I found myself researching conventions and, one thing led to another, and I’m looking at Stargate necklaces. There’s a couple different designs, too, but the most affordable is definitely this one I found on Amazon. The awesome thing? Geeks will recognize it but the pendant itself will absolutely pass as something simply pretty and unique.

Because Neil Patrick Harris can do no wrong (except for not marrying me!), I really need a copy of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. You see, I’ve enjoyed it online and I’ve watched the HD version on Netflix multiple times (especially as of late, yay!) but it likes to glitch and lag at a specific part, every time I watch it. )= I would probably carry it with me everywhere, to watch on the laptop and show the awesome that is Dr. Horrible to everyone. Everyone! Muahaha.

Circuit Cut Heart Pendant

If you didn’t doubt that I was on a jewelry kick or, if you somehow forgot that I am sort of a girly-girl, ThinkGeek sells this awesome heart-shaped necklace with a laser cut circuit design . I’ve really been into necklace and pendants as of late and this one expresses both the girl and the geek. In fact, upon showing it to My Captain, she thought that this necklace describes “Cole” perfectly.

See? This is why I’m not saving any money. LOL

Their jewelry buying guides break it down to steer a confused shopper in the right direction. You can shop by relationship status (dating, married, or engaged) or type of jewelry; Bella True discusses the big 4 which they consider to be rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. There are sections for engagement and wedding rings each and different occasions. Anniversaries has its own page with gemstone listings by year and you can find help for special days like birthdays and births, too. There’s even help if you need to say you’re sorry. Each of thee pages links to specific jewelry items that Bella True thinks it appropriate for these events and relationships (although, currently, all those links appear to be broken).

Lastly, a page lists tones by colour, which can be helpful. There are some suggestions for which colours to go with depending on her personality but they’re rather general and horroscope-like. I may like pink but I’m not really gentle. These suggestions may turn out to be too broad which is why I’d suggest heeding advice on the page “Color her world” which cautions:

But because color is so personal, you need to be careful. She may find any gemstone beautiful, or have a strong preference for only one or two. She might love a riot of different colors, or find it tacky. She may respond to bold colors, or prefer softer pastel tones. How can you know?

Ask her. You’d be surprised how few guys think of this. (Bonus points: Tell her you need to know, but refuse to tell her why.)

Be careful that just because they are appropriate does not mean your wife or girlfriend (or mother or sister) will like them. More often than not, I found the suggestions were not my style in the least. Take these suggestion with a grain of salt. The easiest way to pick out a jewelry item for a woman is to pay attention or ask her directly. The tips hint to fall back to eye colour or birthstone, both of which are green for me; yet, I am not particularly fond of emeralds. You can even aid her friends or family in the hunt. Actually, I recommend asking help from others, especially when it comes to important things like wedding and engagement rings. I picked mine out and would have it no other way. Like I said, sometimes the thought doesn’t count.

Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a “just thinking of you” necklace, these tips for guys can be helpful. Remember to refer to the recipient’s personal preferences over these guides; however. I don’t care what a jewelry store says; if I don’t like it, then I don’t like it.s

On the right is a beautiful heart shaped pendant in sterling silver which can be ordered with your birth stone (I picked Amethyst because I love purple d=). Although it is a stylized mother and child, it could easily pass as a stylized heart alone. It’s a steal at only $59.99 and is also available for free shipping if you have Amazon Prime! Order now and you’ll receive it with plenty of time to spare – maybe you could spend that time planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner?

P.S. The ring? The expensive version similar to mine.