When time stood still

I can’t point the exact moment time actually became something I had to manage and stress about, but it did. I don’t remember feeling the pressure of time as I do now ever before: there was always plenty of it to just waste without any regrets.

It was never too late for anything. Sometimes I just want to go back to that state of mind.

This gorgeous wood watch sent to me by Jord watches made me think about time and how it seems to expand or contract depending on the way we feel. I love that feeling when I’m really happy and grateful for being in a beautiful place, for meeting someone really amazing, for finding a great song and listening to it in a loop for hours, those moments when time seems patient and almost liquid, when it feels I live in a pastel colored, slow motion movie. 

 

And this watch makes me want to capture that peace of mind even if it’s going to be short lived. I usually like to pile on the jewelry, but this time around I felt that my Cora series watch made out of KOA wood and rose gold was enough.  

I can honestly say this watch is one of the most beautiful accessories I have to date. Since I’m the psychotic owner of a huge collection of jewelry, that’s really saying something.

I’m crazy about the idea of a wooden watch that looks like a high end designer watch, but was created with sustainability, efficiency, and experimental living in mind. It kind of goes with me – I’m drawn to retro and vintage design mixed into the modern world we live in.

I can’t help but mention how amazing of a customer service Jord watches has. Rarely have I had such a smooth communication with a brand - thank you, Dan for making this such a pleasant collaboration. Usually working with stores and brands can be challenging, but this time it was easy and enjoyable. They will even customize the size of your watch bracelet to fit your wrist perfectly.

I can’t possibly express how amazing this watch really is so I’m leaving you with a bunch of photos I took that do it more justice than words could ever do. 

 Remember the last time I wore this dress? I like my drama queen moments, that's for sure!

 How cool is that it comes in a wooden jewelry box as well?

Do you ever wear watches? Do you wear them just for utility or as an accessory too?

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Prolong the Life of your Pearls: How to Properly Care for Pearl Jewelry

You all know I’m crazy about jewelry and I’m always fixated on something in particular, right? Well, my latest obsession are pearl jewelry of any kind. Lately I’ve been into everything classic and pearls are just so timeless and elegant (simple pieces like these here too - https://www.lagunapearl.com).

That’s why I’ve been digging everywhere for them and I was lucky enough to find quite a few vintage piece that are really beautiful. But only a few weeks ago I really hit the motherload and I got my hands on 4 stunning pearl jewelry items that are the real deal: two necklaces, a brooch and a bracelet. Don't need to tell you how excited I am about that.

They were just delivered and they don't disappoint, but I really have to clean them up since they are a bit dusty - to say the least. I know that caring for your pearl jewelry is very important in order to preserve them for years and I plan to transform these into some kind of family heirlooms. 

I don’t want to be one of those people that ignore taking care of their jewelry and end up destroying them forever. That’s why I started doing some serious research on the subject and I’m going to show you the result once I’m done with them. 

I read that overlooking the cleaning of you pear jewelry will not only affect the way they look, but also diminish their lifespan and we don’t want that, do we?

After shifting through a lot of information, I think I found the most relevant caring and cleaning tips that will keep your pearls looking amazing for generations to come:

• Pearls should be kept in a safe place away from extreme cold or warmth. You can wear them with other jewelry, but don’t store them in a shared box because they scratch easily. Put them away in a separate box with a soft, pillowy interior or just wrap them in linen.
• Make sure the pearl necklaces are untangled and laid flat in their casing to avoid the pearls rubbing against each other
• Don’t wrap your pearls in a plastic bag – they need contact with moisture to maintain their luster and thickness
• Only use cleaners and solutions that are specially meant for pearl jewelry. Most cleaners are way too rough and coarse for pearls and, instead of helping, will only damage them
• The thought of using clothes or dish detergents, bleach of any kind, cleaners containing ammonia, powder cleaners or even baking soda, shouldn’t even cross your mind
• You can use warm water and soap to clean them, but stay away from the toothbrush or any abrasive pads. Instead, wipe them out with a clean and soft fabric that can be either slightly damp or dry. If you used water, make sure the pearls are dry before you deposit them safely. A final wipe with a delicate cotton towel will do the job.
• Using just a bit of olive oil on the fabric you clean them with, will help your pearls keep their shine
• Be careful not to wet the pearls' string. If you do, make sure it’s dry before wearing them, otherwise it’s going to stretch and gather dirt that’s not going to be easy to get rid of without replacing it all together
• Believe it or not, acetone can be used to remove stains from pearls so you can do that with your acetone nail polish remover
• Pearl earrings should be laid flat after cleaning on a soft cloth and not hanged to dry
• Pearl jewelry should not, under any circumstances, be steam cleaned.
• If you’re thinking about using an an ultrasonic cleaner on the pearls, don’t!
• Don’t wear the pearls while applying perfume, lotion or moisturizing cream. They shouldn’t come in contact with substances that can damage their luster and color.
• Avoid wearing your pearl jewelry over clothes made out of harsh fabrics: rough wool, other accessories made of metal or wood layered in a way that can scratch the pearls
• Don’t bathe, shower or swim with your pearls on
• Have your pearl necklaces restrung by someone who knows what he’s doing once in a while (especially if you wear them all the time). 

Once your jewelry it’s clean, you can work on maintaining it that way. Wiping the pearls with a chamois or soft cloth every time you take them off after wearing them it’s a great idea. This way you will avoid dirt and debris building up and also remove any perspiration that might have gotten in contact with them from your skin. Perspiration is more or less acidic and can affect the nacre coating (natural luster) of your pearls.

If you think you won’t be able to clean them properly because they’re in such a bad shape, you can always take them to a professional jeweler to do it for you. If you do have a special solution created to clean pearls you will manage for sure. Don’t forget to dry them off after cleaning by laying them flat on a slightly damp towel – once that is dry, your pearls should be dry too.

I hope this article was helpful because that pretty much all the useful advice I could gather from around the web.

Photos and gifs:1, 2

How do you feel about pearl and jewelry in general?

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