At Charming Chick we carry a fantastic selection of personalized jewelry. The items we carry are finely crafted, stylish, versatile and make outstanding gifts. Monogram jewelry is a terrific way to let that special someone know that you are thinking of them. Sterling silver pieces of monogram jewelry are classic, elegant and can be worn and enjoyed for many years to come. We will be featuring just a few of these stylish pieces -- be sure to browse our website to view the our collection.

  

 

This elegant monogram black onyx pendant on 5-strand seed bead necklace is the perfect accessory to add to your fall wardrobe. This super chic necklace adjusts from 18-20 inches to fit with most necklines. The personalization is a fabulous touch to this piece and is available in four font styles.

 

 

 

This gorgeous sterling silver toggle bracelet is a wonderful piece of jewelry. It is sure to become a signature piece of jewelry to anyone who receives this. This finely crafted heavy-link bracelet fits in perfectly with any attire. It can be worn daily and the toggle clasp is secure but also stylish as well. The round charm can be personalized for an extra special touch.

 

 

 

 

Our sterling silver square ring with black lettering is a dramatic and stylish look. It is available in a variety of sizes and the personalization comes in three font styles. This ring definitely makes a statement and will be worn and enjoyed for many wonderful years.

These beautiful diamond-shaped copper monogram earrings are simply stunning. The euro-wires give the monogram plates perfect amount of movement. The hammered finish adds interest and an artistic touch. Of course the monogram makes these earring especially yours.

The last item we will feature on the blog today is this sterling silver monogram bangle bracelet. The delicate filigree design is exquisite. It is a true heirloom piece which will be worn for generations to come. The bracelet is oval to keep the filigree monogram on top. The bangle opens easily on the side with and open hook clasp and it is available in 7 or 8 inch.

The kids will be heading back to the class room in the next few weeks -- so back-to-school shopping is in full swing. If you have started to think about getting your kids prepared for the year ahead, you may have wondered what the hottest new "must haves" for girls. Well, you can wonder no more -- we've got the answers for the most stylish back -to-school accessories.

 

 

  

1. Chunky and Funky Accessories ~ This is the latest trend in jewelry. The bigger the bling the better. Rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are all being worn big and bulky. Stacking bracelets is also a really popular fashion trend as well. So make it bold!

 

2. Totes and Backpacks ~ Every student needs something to carry their books and supplies in. Many girls today are opting for stylish totes versus the traditional backpack. These colorful totes from Charming Chick are stylish and water-resistant. They are also popular for cheer, dance team, basketball, softball and other sports.

 

3. Scarves ~ A monogrammed scarf is a fantastic back-to-school it or those ladies heading to high school or college. Scarves are a popular fashion accessory. A cashmere scarf is a classic and stylish touch to any outfit -- and the monogram gives it a nice personalized touch.

 

4. Super Stylish Cosmetic Bags ~ Cosmetic bags are not only perfect for toting your toiletries they are also great to use for storing and organizing school supplies. With all the pockets and zipper compartments they are fabulous for all the paper clips, pens, highlighters and more, they are great for keeping things at your finger tips.

5. Sorority Jewelry - If you know a college girl who will be joining a sorority this year, you'll want to pick up some gorgeous sorority jewelry so she can wear her letters proudly! We have a great selection of sorority items to choose from.

At Charming Chick we have many other great accessories to get your school year started right -- be sure to to shop around.

  

The fall semester is almost here, which means freshmen across the country will be heading to college campuses everywhere. Many of these students will be leaving home for the first time. They may be far away from family and friends and all that is familiar. It can be a little scary but it is a very exciting time as well. For some students the Greek life has great appeal. After all, joining a sorority can really have a positive impact on your college experience and your life. They stress academics, provide opportunities to enhance leadership skills and teach you how to work with others to meet a common goal. You will create great memories and develop life-long friendships So if you are thinking about joining  a sorority, we have some tips on how you can make it through rush week.

  

 

Rush week is the time when you get to check out all of the sororities your college has and the sororities can check you out. It's a good way for you to get a feel for the house, what Greek life is all about and connect with people who share your similar interests. While rush week and be a lot of fun, it can also be a bit stressful. There will be a lot of meeting, talking and smiling going on. You will start early in the morning and keep on going until late in the evening. So how do you get through it and appear fresh and confident?

1. Get a good night's rest and eat healthy meals - you are going to be on the go and you will need all the energy you can get. A big part of having that energy is getting the right amount of sleep and having good fuel for your body.

2. Be prepared - you'll want to make sure that your purse has a good supply of mints, deodorant, supplies for a quick touch-up to your hair and make-up, a mirror, and some anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.

3. Take a Timeout - be sure that you are taking time to get a drink of water and to rest your feet and your voice. This will help keeping you looking and feeling your best.

4. Be Yourself - you'll want to be sure to be yourself -- you'll be so glad you did! Part of being yourself also includes being honest about what you want out of a sorority. You don't want to join one just because they asked you, you want to know that they can challenge you and offer you exactly what you are going to need.

 

5. Have Fun - Though rush week can certainly be stressful, make sure you stop to enjoy this experience as well. You are meeting tons of new people from all walks of life. You also get to socialize and learn a lof about yourself. Enjoy!

Can it really be so? Are the final weeks of summer already upon us? Sadly, it is true. While we do need to seize the summer while we still have it -- now is also the time to start preparing your children for the school year ahead. While some kids across the country have already headed back to the classroom, others still have a few weeks to prepare.

  

If you want to make sure your children are fully prepared to head back to school, then keep reading. On the Charming Chick blog today, we have some great tips to help you and your child get organized and even excited about the new school year.

{Tip 1}

Help Get Your Kids Familiar with the School

  

If you have children who will be attending a new school, or little ones who are attending for the first time, you'll want to take some steps to get them familiar with their new surroundings. Many schools host an open house. This is where you and your child can tour the school, see their new classroom and meet their teacher. If your child's school isn't having an open house, you can call to schedule a visit a meeting with the teacher.  Another thing you can to is to read stories about school to your children to help prepare them for the big day ahead.

{Tip 2}

Get Back in the Routine Before the Big Day

  

During the summer, we tend to slack on routine a little. For kids, the warm days mean eating lots of popsicles, living in their swim suits, and skipping a bath here and there. You might even let your children stay up later, sleep in longer, and eat at all hours of the day. However, if you want to do your kids a big favor -- you need to get them back on track. It doesn't have to happen all at once but you need to slowly work into the routine.You can push their bedtime back, schedule meals and snacks times close to when they can expect them during the school year, and get them up and going and active earlier in the day.

{Tip #3}

Prepare Your Children

  

 

Never underestimate the power of a new backpack filled with all the supplies your child will need throughout the school year -- or at least for the beginning of it anyway. This gets kids excited about their first day of school and it helps them feel prepared for the year ahead. Some new school clothes will definitely add to the anticipation. Your kids will want to go back to school!!! Plus, you don't want to get your kids to get dressed for the first day of school only to discover they grew two inches over the summer and now they won't fit into last year's clothes. You'll want them to feeling confident and ready for anything the school year can throw at them.

{Tip #4}

Be Positive!

 

Whenever you talk to your kids about the school year ahead be sure you do so in a positive way. You can talk about how exciting it will be to see some of their friends that they missed during the summer. You might mention that you have heard some really great things about their new teacher. Aks them about the outfit they planning on wearing for the first day and if they would like you to prepare them a special lunch? You can even tell them stories about your poswitive first day experiences. This can help them to really look forward to the year ahead.

(via www.gemstone.org)

  

Peridot is the gorgeous green birthstone designated for the month of August. It is the perfect gemstone to represent this beautifully warm month. Its olive to yellow-green coloring is reminiscent of billowy summer fields. It is said to bring the wearer peace, luck, and success. It was also believed to bring success to relationships, calm anxiety, and make the wearer more articulate. Even if peridot isn't your birthstone -- you still might appreciate all that that it has to offer.

 

 

 

Something interesting that you may not know, is that the peridot has a very long and rich history. It was mined by the ancient Egyptians -- there are even ancient writings that document the mining of this gemstone as early as 1500 BC. It was mined for thousands of years from what was once known as St. John's Island -- along the  Egyptian Red Sea. It was refered to it as "gem of the sun" by the ancient Egyptians .

This dazzling gemstone is also said to glow a brilliant green when held under artificial light -- and is known to some as the "Evening Emerald". In fact, some jewelry pieces that were once believed to contain emeralds - including those from Cleopatra's jewelry collection - were later discovered to be peridot!  

 

 

 

Peridot is a type of olivine, which is a common mineral found in volcanic rock. While olivine is a very common mineral; the gem quality is much harder to find. Another fun fact about this grass-colored gemstone, is that it has even been found in meteorites! It is also happens to be one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color.

 

Peridot's stunning hues makes it a beautiful accessory for any season.  It also looks absolutely fabulous when paired with other semi-precious gemstones such as blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, pink tourmaline -- actually there aren't many stones that peridot doesn't look great with. When you pair it with other colored stones, it makes your jewelry pieces even more versatile.

Happy birthday August babies. Enjoy your beautiful birthstone!

  

Earrings are a girl's best friend! Okay -- maybe diamonds are but earrings have got to be a close second! Every woman should have a nice variety to choose from.  Do you want to know why?

  

Because your earrings are speaking to people. You may not realize it but it is true.  Sure, for some people they are simply an every day fashion accessory. They put them on each morning without really thinking about it.  However, others might pour over their extensive earring collection trying to select THE perfect pair. Are you trying to send a message with your earrings?

  

Earrings...

can be simple,

or sophisticated.

  

  

They can give people clues about you, like:

  

you are an animal lover,

a sports fan,

 

  

you hope for peace,

  

  

  

or that you are a SURVIVOR!

 

  

They can also be festive,

  

  

flirty,

  

  

  

and fabulous!

  

Earrings are certainly fashionable and can really add the crowning touch to a favorite outfit.  They are also a great way to compliment any hair style. If you have short hair - or even on days that you wear your hair up, or pulled back - you will really be able to show off your lovely baubles. 

 

 If you love your earrings, you'll also want to be sure that you store them properly. You can store them in a  jewelry box  with soft lining. Just hook each pair into each other, so they stay together and are easier to find. Be sure not to lay stones on top of each other. You don't want them rubbing together and getting scratched.

If you have sterling silver earrings, you'll want to store them with anti-tarnish stripes. This will help them to keep them in ready to wear condition. You should have a polishing cloth available though, you can just give them a quick wipe to shine them up quickly.

 

You carefully picked and planned exactly what you wanted your wedding bouquet to look like -- but once you say "I do" what can you do to preserve your flowers?  They can be preserved, and enjoyed for years to come. On the Charming Chick blog today, we have some ideas that can help you to do just that!

 

 

There are several different methods that you can use to preserve your wedding bouquet, if you or someone you know, is experienced at drying flowers, you can save a lot of money but saving money isn't always the most important thing -- especially if this is something you have your heart set on.

You can look for professional preservists in your area. Some of them actually have the ability - and skill - to disassemble the bouquet, freeze-dry all the parts, ans then put it back together. This is a pretty advanced technique and will not work for every bouquet or flower. You should talk to the preservist several weeks before you wedding so you can find out if the flowers you have chosen are suitable for this method.

 

 

Note: Many preservists also need the bouquet a day or two after the wedding, so if you are jetting off on your honeymoon right after your nuptials, you'll want to ask someone to deliver your bouquet.

If you would like to preserve your own bouquet, here are some instructions on how you can do that. Remember, it's best  to start preserving your bouquet the day after the wedding.

{1.} Purchase some silica gel from a craft supply store. Important: If you have pets or children around, be sure to take great care to ensure that there are no silica granules left out that they could get to. There are other materials that people use for drying such as sand, but silica is the most popular choice.

{2.} Cover the bottom of an airtight container - which is large enough to hold your bouquet - with about 2" of the silica gel.

{3.} Place your flowers on the silica. If they are open, stand them upright, leaves can just lay flat.

 {4} Carefully add enough silica get to cover the flowers. Do this very gently so you don't damage the flowers. You don't want to crush them.

{5.} Cover the container with and lid to begin the drying process. After a couple of days, you will want to check the flowers to see how they are progressing. Check them often to ensure that they are dried just the way you would like. Be sure that you don't leave them in the silica too long -- you don't want them to  become too brittle.

{6.} Carefully lift the flowers from the gel and be sure to remove all the granules from the petals. Then you can arrange the flowers are you wish. Some brides will even showcase their bouquet - along with other wedding mementos - in a keepsake box.

Temperatures - in most of the country - are very hot!  It is important to remember that high temps, can cause some serious health problems for many folks. Because of this, you'll want to keep cool and stay hydrated. A great way to do this, is by making sure you have water and/or other fluids with you, with you wherever go. At Charming Chick we have some stylish and functional insulated totes to make this easier for you.

  

  

Using our Personalized Navy Blue Cooler  is a great way to beat the heat. It is perfectly designed for a road trip, a day at the beach, or a picnic in the park. It will keep all your items nice and cool, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink when you need it most. It features a heavy vinyl interior, an adjustable shoulder strap, two exterior mesh pockets, a zippered outer pouch, an easy close cell phone holder, dual zippered entry for quick access and expandable cord on top for convenient clothing, bottle or magazine storage. This awesome insulated cooler also includes free personalization. Now that's cool!

The Personalized Black Insulated Cooler is another great tote that we have available at Charming Chick. It features a black vinyl exterior with a stylish silver panel. The zipper pocket, is lined with vinyl, so it can safely hold any of your valuables that you wouldn't want to get water damaged -- you can store your phone, MP3 player, keys, etc. knowing they will stay safe and dry. The insulated center pouch expands to hold ice, food, and refreshing beverages -- which will help you keep hydrated. The other great thing is that it folds flat for easy storage. Since this insulated cooler comes with free personalization -- it also makes a fantastic gift.

The last insulated cooler we are featuring today is our Aloha Cooler Tote.  This is just perfect to store your water and other beverages in when you head outside. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy - and comfortable - to carry with you where ever your day takes  you. This cheerful tote can also be embroidered especially for you. It is available in a variety of fonts and thread colors.

 

Stay safe. Stay Cool. Enjoy your summer!

 

Also, be sure you keep your pets out of the heat and provide lots of fresh, clean, cool water!

 

Your mother. Your grandmother. Your sister. Your wife. Your aunt. Your daughter. Your friend. Just about anyone who hears the words breast cancer - is able to picture the face of someone they know and love - who has been diagnosed with this disease. With today's advances in early detention, prevention, and treatments -- breast cancer doesn't necessarily have to mean the end. It is however, the beginning of a long and hard-fought journey; which is why doctors, the American Cancer Society, The National Breast Cancer Foundation and countless others, encourage early detection in the prevention of breast cancer.

 

 

 

 

Early detection has saved countless lives. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

 

 

*1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

*Over 30% of women are diagnosed after breast cancer has spread beyond the localized stage.

*When breast cancer is detected early (localized stage), the 5-year survival rate is 98%.





98% survival rate!!! That is fantastic an extremely good reason to make sure you (and all the other lovely ladies in your life) have an early detection plan in place. Plain and simple -- early detection saves lives!









Before you put together your early detection plan, it is important that you speak with you doctor, and consider your risk factors. Some factors include your gender, age, race, and genetics. Your life style can also increase or decrease your risks. Eating healthy, staying away from cigarettes, drinking only in moderation, and getting regular exercise, are helpful in preventing breast cancer -- and other cancers as well.



Early detection usually starts for women in their 20's. Being aware of visual changes in your breasts such as pitting, scaling, or the nipples being red or swollen are all good reasons to schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you ever see or feel anything that doesn't seem right, never feel silly about calling to get it checked out. It is always better to error on the side of caution. In addition to noticing visual changes, be sure that you are performing monthly breast self-exams. If you aren't sure how to do them correctly, just ask your doctor or you can visit the American Cancer Society and read their detailed guide on self-exams.





For women 40 years or older, should have a mammogram every 1-2 years. If you have high risk factors, or any other breast health issues, you might want to start your mammograms starting at age 35 or sooner. Speak with your health care professional to see if this is something that is right for you.



While there are certainly no guarantees, the facts are -- early detection has saved thousands. If you want to help bring awareness and raise money to help fight cancer, there are a number of organizations that do this. Three of the largest - and most popular are the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breat Cancer, and The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Do you love your pet like family? You should! They enrich our lives in ways we can not even begin to understand BUT should you include your pet in your wedding? Many brides and grooms say -- yes! They want their four-legged - and even feather friends - to be part of their special day. So how do you incorporate your pets into your ceremony? We have some ideas to help you do that.

 

 

Things to Consider

 

If you have your heart set on having your furry,feathered, or scaly  in your wedding you are going to have to check with your venue first.  Some venues are pet friendly - especially if you are planning an outdoor wedding  - but many are not. If having your pet is a must for you, you'll probably want to research venues before you make your final decision.

 

 

You'll also want to consider how loud or crowded the venue will be and if that is something that you pet can handle or not. If you are going to include your best pal, you want to be sure they are comfortable and happy, otherwise it could be very disappointing to you.

 

 

 It is also wise to have someone who is not in the bridal party, be your pet's escort. This way you will know that your friend is safe and being cared for. It you have decided to let your pet be the ring bearer, the escort can bring them up to you if you like, unless they are very well-trained. Some brides and grooms want to have the flower girl or ring bearer escort their pet down the aisle. This might work okay if the child can handle the pet. You don't want either one to be dragged down the aisle.

  

If you decide it's probably not a good idea to have your pet participate in your wedding you can still inclue them in different way. Have a cute little (dog, cat, bird, etc.)  figurine placed on top of the cake -  next to your cake topper - to represent your pet. You can also put photos up of your pet or include your pet in your engagement photos. Another great idea, is to request that people can make a donation to one of your favorite animal charities such as the ASPCA or local shelters or rescues.