Tuesday, December 31, 2013

READing Your Style: Scent on a Journey (Part 3)

I hope this Christmas season you took my advice on buying fragrances as gifts, and that the flow chart descriptions of scents provided by InStyle Magazine helped you to look at the world of perfumes and colognes more clearly. Since the beginning of my expedition to become more familiar with scents and fragrances this season, I have done a zillion scent tests on basically any fragrance I could get my hands on: Parfumes, Colognes, Eau de Toilettes and Parfumes, as well as air fresheners, car fresheners, and body sprays. I found that the combination of materials used to create scents contain certain scent notes (i.e. Top, middle, base, and oriental notes) that must be balanced as to appeal to the smeller in a certain way.  As I mentioned in Part 2 of the READing Your Style: Scent on a Journey series, I am a visual person, so studying and reporting on fashion through the use of my nose has been quite different. I have been able to smell a lot of the fragrances out on the market in the past few months, and considering this is the time where fragrances products make their highest profits and promote the heaviest, I have been able to really study the subject of Part 3 of BBC’s Fragrance Series. It’s funny because while fragrance is an invisible product, when it comes to selling the product, as I always say, “It’s all about the visual!” The last part of the BBC series has to deal with the sociological aspect of scent fashions and how scent makers determine the tastes of regions to market scents. I have been taking the time to recognize what are the differences in how each fragrance in the market smells, and what I found for myself is that while it is important for the actual scent to resonate with the individual and their scent preferences, selling the scent has a lot to do with how the product is packaged. Considering how massive the fragrance industry is, and how accessible fragrances are, an invisible product needs a visual in order to stand out to its perspective owner, so I have been comparing the scent of a fragrance, to its packaging to tell if one can easily determine what the scent smells like, and how well each brand sends that message about the contents in the bottle.  


The marketing and research that goes into creating fragrances for a particular market is a fascinating process because scents tend to be region appropriate. As we learn from the above video, in Russia, heavy, rich smells tend to be the favorite; in China, light, airy scents are preferred; Brazilians enjoy fruity smells, and Arabic countries prefer the musky, oriental scents of the Victorian era. It’s interesting to think about what smells tend to turn on a region of people and generate that euphoric sense of attraction. In the focus group sessions performed by predictor of global scents, Ann Gottlieb, she offered some interesting reasons as to the shifts in popular appeal and the demand for certain trends in smells. Lately, I’ve been preaching about the power to enhance one’s style and appeal by simply finding a signature scent or fragrance. Even if you are not the best dressed, it’s fascinating how intriguing a person can become when that proximity threshold is broken by an electrifying scent that catches our attention and transports us from our normal train of thought. Finding a signature scent—one that you can be exclusively known for—which burns an image of who you are into someone’s mind is a powerful way to make an impression, which in my fashion, is the beauty of fragrance. Fashion is all about developing an allure, and smells, while we tend not to think about them often, have an unconsciously grabbing hold on our desire to interact with others. Perhaps, going into the new year, I implore you to pay more attention to what you want your signature scent to say about you.




To help you out I’ve found some online sources above for choosing fragrances that could help you find a scent perfect for who you are, or someone you want to get a fragrance for. Even though Christmas is gone for 2013, don’t forget,  Valentine’s Day 2014 is around the corner. The last type of scents I feature in this series are Fresh scents.

~*Happy New Year!*~  

WHICH OF THESE AROMAS ATTRACTS YOU THE MOST?

Grass OR, Citrus Fruits OR, Ocean Breezes

*Grass:

DO YOU LIKE A HINT OF SWEETNESS?

If you DO prefer a hint of sweetness:

Boss Jour Pour Femme
Honeysuckle and freesia never over-powder the juice, which has a zippy hit of fresh lime.

If you DO NOT prefer a hint of sweetness:

Penhaligon’s Vaara
Carrot seeds, coriander, rose, and saffron give an earthy edge to this light, woodsy mix.

*Citrus Fruits:

DO YOU PREFER A CLEAN, A CRISP, OR A FLOWERY FINISH?

CLEAN:
Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme
The subtle sweetness of mandarin and white pineapple blends beautifully with traces of orange flower and sandalwood.

CRISP:
Coach Poppy Citrine Blossom
Zesty bergamot, black currant, and mandarin take over, creating an eye-opening, invigorating perfume that you'll love misting on in the morning.

FLOWERY:
Tory Burch
The soft, petal like scent of peony and tuberose lingers on the skin after the initial burst of grapefruit and neroli fades into the background.

*Ocean Breezes:

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WEARING A MAN’S FRAGRANCE?


If you are comfortable wearing a man’s fragrance:

Prada Luna Rossa 34th America’s Cup
Close your eyes and imagine splashing over the salty seas on a hot summer day. That's what we're talking about.

If you DON’T prefer to wear a man’s fragrance:

Donna Karan Cashmere
Mist Gold Essence
Bergamont and ivy leaves combine with notes designed to evoke wet gardenia petals in a blend that's clean and sparkling.

Monday, December 23, 2013

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Pisces

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Wearing moonstone can improve your love life. It can bring a new partner into your life, or heal relationships torn by quarrels or misunderstandings. These powers correspond to Pisces magical ability to conjure up romance and glamour and to soothe away disturbing feelings. The ethereal misty nature of Pisces qualifies this sign as one of the shape shifters of the zodiac and indeed wearing moonstone can help you literally change your shape! (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

The twelfth and last sign of the zodiac is represented by two fishes, tied to one another although swimming in opposite directions. The two fishes in water symbolize conflicting currents of emotion and hidden depths.

The constellation of Pisces has been known as Two Fishes as long ago as 2000 B.C. The Babylonian name for this constellation, Kun has been translated as the Tails (of the fishes). Kun is also known as The Band or The Leash (the string that connects the two fishes). Tied to this leash were two fish goddesses, Anunitum and Simmah, who represented the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

In Greek mythology the Two Fishes are associated with the story of Venus and Cupid.  Great and terrible monster named Typhon had a hundred dragon heads, eyes that shot fire, and a voice that was a combination of hissing snakes, bellowing bulls, and roaring lions.

One day Venus (goddess of love and beauty) and her son Cupid were walking along the Euphrates River when Typhon suddenly appeared. His hundred heads flicked dark tongues and eyes flashed fire. Typhon was intent on the goddess’s and her son’s destruction. Terrified and unable to flee, Venus called on her father Jupiter for help. Jupiter quickly changed Venus and Cupid into two fishes, and they jumped into the river and escaped. Another version of this story is that two brave fishes leapt out of the water to rescue Venus and Cupid and carry them off on their backs through the river to safety. As a reward, Minerva (the virgin goddess) placed the two fishes among the stars, where they became the constellation of Pisces.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Aquarius

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Aquarians tend to get so absorbed in their projects they've over the years gained the reputation of being the mad scientists or absent minded professors of the zodiac. The protective powers of the aquamarine can keep the Aquarian out of dangers way as he or she wanders around lost in thought. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)
The eleventh sign of the zodiac has as its symbol the Water Bearer, a human figure carrying a jar or receptacle from which water pours out in a stream.

The symbol of the Water Bearer goes back to both Egyptian and Babylonian religion. In Egypt the Water Bearer was the god Hap, the personification of the river Nile. Hap carried two vases of water, which represented both the South and North Nile, and was considered the sustainer of life. All living things would die without the waters of Hap.

In Greek literature the constellation of Aquarius was called the Water Pourer, and is sometimes thought to represent the god Jupiter, who at a command caused the waters to pour from heaven. It also commemorates Deucalion, the only man to come through the Great Flood unharmed.

At the beginning of creation, gods and humanity lived in harmony during an era called the Golden Age. The earth produced food without people having to till the soil; the waters flowed with wine and honey. Then Pandora opened her box of evils, and plagues and sickness of the mind and body were released on Earth.

The great god Jupiter looked down and decided to rid the world of people and create a new race worthier of life. With the help of his brother Neptune, Jupiter covered the earth with water. Only two people were saved, Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha, who were both just and pious and who worshipped the gods faithfully. They took refuge on Mount Parnassus and when Jupiter saw them he remembered their exemplary lives. He caused the waters to recede and earth to dry up. Then Deucalion and Pyrrha were commanded to cast the bones of their mother behind them. Deucalion interpreted “the bones of his mother” to mean the stones of the earth, and he and Pyrrha began to pick up stones and cast them behind themselves as they walked. These stones slowly turned into human beings; the ones Deucalion threw became men, and the stones Pyrrha threw became women. Thus, Deucalion became the father of a new race of mankind.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Capricorn

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Capricorn has a hidden joyous and even bawdy side that revels in the changing of the seasons, the cycles of life and the wealth of the good earth. The amethyst has the ability to relieve hangovers and alcoholism, and this reflects Capricorn's sober side. The key to understading Capricorn is to focus on its rulership of the cycles of time and its demand, consistent with the properties of the amethyst, for moderation in everything - even moderation in moderation, as Capricorn's occasional dips into the well of ecstacy confirm. it complementes their sign. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

The tenth sign of the zodiac is represented by the Goat, a sure-footed animal who scales the heights by taking advantage of every foothold.

In ancient times, the Goat was depicted as part goat and part fish, with its front half the goat and its back half the fish. In many old drawings and engravings you will see the Goat pictures with a fish tail, and in some astrology books Capricorn is known as the Sea-Goat.

The Sea-Goat in the Babylonian religion was a great and revered god named Ea, who brought learning and culture to the people of Mesopotamia. In the valley of Mesopotamia, irrigation of land and crops came primarily from the flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Because of this, people believed there was an ocean. Every day he came out of the underground sea to dispense his wisdom, and every night he returned there.

By the time of Greek and Roman culture, Capricorn had become associated with the god Pan, a sporting and lusty creature who ruled over woodlands and fields, flocks and shepherds. Pan was a man from the waist up and goat from the waist down. He had goat ears, and goat horns.

Pan was fond of music and was famous for playing the pipes. His shepherd’s pipe, called a syrinx, was actually a nymph who had rejected his sexual advances. Pan turned her into a musical instrument, saying that if he could not have her one way she would be his in a new guise.

In time, Pan became known as the god of Nature. Certain qualities of Pan’s—sexuality, impudence, a love of nature—have become part of the character of Capricorn.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Sagittarius

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

The sign of Sagittarius stands for the power of positive thinking, and the topaz succeeds in warding off the hazards of negativity of mind and body. Sagittarius is associated with the temperance card of the tarot. Both the sign, the card and the topaz, channel healing powers that relieve ailments such as athritis, rheumatism and strains on the immune system. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)
Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac, is depicted as an Archer, but the Archer is not an ordinary man drawing a bow. He is a centaur, that mythological creature who is half man and half horse. Sagittarius is the only astrological sign to have both a human and animal representation.

The constellation of Sagittarius, however, is not just any centaur. It is the great and wise Chiron, a son of the titan-god Saturn. Chiron was a friend and confidant of both gods and men. The gods taught Chiron the arts of medicine, hunting and riding, music, and prophesy. In turn, Chiron himself became a renowned teacher. Among his famous pupils were Achilles, Jason, Castor, and Pollux, and Hercules.

One day, while the great Hercules was hunting a dangerous boar, he accidently struck Chiron in the knee with a poisonous shaft. Chiron suffered the agony of dying, but because he was immortal he could not die. Hercules promised to find death to release him. On his journey Hercules came across poor Prometheus, chained throughout eternity to a rock where an eagle tore at his liver. The supreme god Jupiter had put a curse on Prometheus: his torture would last until someone of his own free will consented to suffer in his place. The dying Chiron took Prometheus’s place. Thus, the curse was fulfilled. Chiron was allowed to die, and Prometheus was set free by Hercules.

After Chiron’s death Jupiter rewarded his noble character by placing the heroic centaur among the stars, and he became the constellation Sagittarius. 

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Scorpio

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

The opal bears rejuvenating and beauty enhancing powers too. Wear opals to bring out your inner beauty and to enhance psychic an intuitive perception, as just as Scorpionic energies enhance one's access to hidden potentials and buried treasure, opals can enhance one's ability to uncover hidden sources of wealth and personal power. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

The eighth sign of the zodiac is represented by the Scorpion, a poisonous creature that can paralyze its victims with the sting of its tail.

The sign of Scorpio suffers from its association with the scorpion, since its symbol is often hated and feared. The scorpion, however, was not always reviled. In ancient Egypt it was deified in the form of Selket, the scorpion-goddess. Selket was the protectress of the dead, and she is often seen on walls of tombs with her winds spread out in a protective gesture.

The classical myth of the Scorpion begins with the death of Orion, a beautiful young giant and a great hunter who was the son of Neptune (god of the Sea). Tales of Orion’s prowess, strength, and manliness are legend. The story of his death is related in many versions. One is that Eos, goddess of the dawn, fell in love with him and carried him away with her. Diana, the moon-goddess, became jealous that Eos should take a mortal lover and commanded a scorpion to kill Orion.

Another version is that Orion tried to rape Diana, and she brought a giant scorpion out of the earth that stung Orion to death.

After Orion’s death, Jupiter placed both Orion and the Scorpion among the stars. They each became a constellation. Orion, with his golden armor and sword in hand, is one of the brightest and most spectacular constellations in the heavens on a winter night. But when the Scorpion, who was placed in the zodiac, rises in summer, the brilliance of Orion fade

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Libra

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

The sapphire's soothing energies correspond to Libra's ability to promote peace love and harmony. The wearer of a sapphire enjoys enhanced perception of others feelings, concerns and needs, and this awareness increases Libra's ability to compromise and mediate conflicts, as Libra abhors disharmony of any kind in human relationships. The sapphire channels the healing power of love to improve sympathy and faithfulness between partners in intimate relationships. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

Libra is the seventh astrological sign and the only one to have a symbol that is neither animal nor human. The Scales represent balance and justice harmony and equilibrium.

                Like the previous sign, Virgo, Libra is associated with the harvest, for in ancient times grains and crops were weighted on scales after they were harvested. The Scales also have a more profound symbolism. They are the scales of judgment for the dead, where souls were weighted.

                In Egyptian religion the scales of judgment were the sole province of the god Anubis, Conductor of Souls. Anubis, who had the head of a jackal, guided the dead through the underworld and made sure they were weighted fairly. He was the master of the balance (the scale). There is in existence a painting, called the Papyrus of Ani, dated around 1500 B.C., that shows a judgment scene. Anubis is crouching by a large scale weighing the heart of a dead person. In one bowl of the scale rests the heart ; in the other bowl Truth sits, symbolized by a feather. In this depiction, the scale is equally balanced. In Egyptian religion, the dead heart (or soul) had to be in harmony with Truth before it could pass into the afterlife.

                The Scales have also long been associated with the concept of justice and the law. We have all seen statues of the embodiment of justice. She is a woman who is blindfolded and who holds the scale in her hands. The Scales are the symbol of impartiality, of rendering to each person his or her rightful due.

                In Greek mythology justice was represented by the goddess Themis, mother of Astraea (see Virgo). Themis and her daughter Astraea are the constellation of Libra and Virgo, who shine side by side in the firmament. The legend is that when the human race finally reaches its Golden Age, Themis (symbolizing justice) and her daughter (symbolizing innocence) will return to Earth.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Virgo

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Traditionally identified as Virgo's birthstone, the sardonyx promotes clear expression, healthy marital relationships and a positive state of mind. Because the sardonyx is a fire stone - ruled by the planet of Mars and associated with the warrior god of the same name - the assignment of this birthstone to Virgo raises problems. Virgo is an earth sign ruled by Mercury and associated with Mercury the god of communication. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac and the second sign to have a human representation rather than an animal one. Virgo is often depicted as a young woman holding a sheaf of wheat, for the constellation of Virgo has always been associated with the harvest. Babylonians called the constellation The Furrow, and it was represented by a corn goddess. The most prominent star in Virgo is named Spica, meaning Ear of Corn.

The legend of Virgo is found in the Greek myth of Creation. The story goes that before men or animals lived on Earth, a race of giants, called titans, ruled the world. Two titan brothers, Prometheus and Epimetheus, were given the task of creating human beings and animals—wings to one kind, claws to another, etc. He was so generous that when it came time to dispense something to mankind, he had nothing left to give, so he asked Prometheus for help. Prometheus went into heaven and came back with the gift of fire. This made man superior to other species, for with fire he could keep warm, make tools, and eventually develop commerce and science.

Jupiter, chief of gods, became so angry at the gods’ secret of fire being given to man that he bound Prometheus to rock on Mount Caucasus where an eagle constantly tore at his liver, though never entirely consuming it. He also sent a curse to Earth, brought by the first woman. Her name was Pandora, meaning “a gift of all the gods.”

Pandora brought with her a box, which she was told never to open. One day, seized with curiosity, she lifted the lid of the box. Out sprang terrible plagues to haunt mankind forever after: sickness and death for the body; anger, envy, and revenge for the mind. At the bottom of the box lay the one thing that had not escaped –hope.

During the terrible times that followed, the gods deserted Earth one by one and went to live in heaven. The very last to leave was Astraea, goddess of innocence and purity. After leaving the Earth, Astraea was placed among the stars and became the constellation of Virgo. The legend is that one day the Golden Age will come again, and Astraea (Virgo) will return to Earth.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Leo

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

The energies of the ruby correspond beautifully to the best qualities of proud Leo the lion, and those familiar with the tarot cards will recognise the image of the lion in the strength card. No animal is as protective of it brood as the mighty but loyal lion. Think of a lioness with her cubs!! Similarly the ruby brings both physical protection and spiritual strength to its wearer. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

Leo, fifth sign of the zodiac, is represented by the Lion, king of beasts. Traditionally, the mythology of the Lion is based on the story of Hercules and the Nemean Lion.

Hercules was the son of the great god Jupiter and the mortal woman Alcmean. Jupiter’s wife Juno, understandably jealous of Jupiter’s numerous love affairs, set herself against Hercules from the time he was a baby. When he was a young man Hercules was compelled to embark on twelve heroic and desperate undertakings, known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules.

The first Labor was to go to the valley of Nemea and there kill the savage and fearless Nemean lion. The skin of this lion could not be hurt by the weapons of man. Stone, iron, and bronze simply bounced off his pelt. Hercules tried to kill the lion with arrows, but they just fell away from the lion’s side. Finally Hercules wrestled with the lion barehanded. Because he possessed such great strength, he managed to get a grip around the lion’s neck and strangle him to death. In the process, the lion bit off Hercules’s finger, which by any measure would seem to indicate he got off lightly.

After he killed the beast, Hercules skinned the magical pelt. From the skin, Hercules made himself a breastplate, and from the lion’s jaw he formed a helmet. This new armor was to prove very valuable during his subsequent Labors.

The constellation of Leo is said to commemorate the bravery of combat between Hercules and the magnificent Namean Lion.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Cancer

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Pearls generate a protective nurturing and maternal energy. Their promotion of love and marital happiness corresponds to the inclusion of pearls in traditional bridal wear, in strands worn on the neck or wrist, in earrings, on the tiara or bridal cap, and on the dress itself. Lovers of water and aquatic recreation by and large, Cancerians will appreciate the South Pacific tradition of wearing or carrying a pearl to ward off shark attacks. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

The fourth sign of the zodiac is symbolized by the Crab, a water creature that is also capable of walking on land. We know that the crab symbol was placed in the zodiac some five hundred years before Christ. The Chaldeans gave it the name of Cancer, or Crab, because the crab’s backward or oblique movement appeared to represent the Sun’s movement upon reaching this sign. When the Sun reaches the sign of Cancer (around June 21) it seems to remain stationary for few days. The Sun’s entry into Cancer begins the summer solstice;  the very word solstice signifies “the Sun standing still.”

In Egypt, the constellation was called Stars of the Water and was represented by two turtles. (This may have been because the constellation was seen at dawn when the Nile was at its lowest; Nile turtles were rather plentiful at that time of year.) Many astrologers think that Cancer the Crab is a melding of the Egyptian turtles and a Babylonian water creature called Allul, which was apparently a kind of tortoise. All three water creatures—turtles, tortoise, and crab—are similar in important ways. They resemble each other in form, and all are hard-shelled and move slowly (like the Sun’s movement on entering Cancer).

According to Greek legend, Cancer is the giant crab that attacked the foot of Hercules while he was engaged in battle with the monstrous nine-headed serpent Hydra. Hercules, son of the god Jupiter and a mortal woman Alcmena, had been sent to twelve difficult and heroic undertakings, known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules. One of Hercules’s Labors was to slay the evil serpent Hydra. Hercules was having his hands full as the crab attacked, for every time Hercules cut off one of Hydra’s heads, two more grew in its place.

The crab’s attack on Hercules was instigated by Juno, Jupiter’s jealous wife, who was set on Hercules’s destruction. Unfortunately, the giant crab’s attack sealed its own doom, for Hercules crushed it before proceeding to dispatch the Hydra.

However, legend has it that Juno was grateful for the crab’s attempt to carry out her orders. As a reward for its obedience and sacrifice, she placed the crab’s figure in the heavens along with other heroic symbols.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Gemini

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

Specifically the wearer of green agate is thought to enjoy enhanced eyesight - a property that corresponds to the well known sparkle in a Gemini's eyes. In addition to its life lengthening healing powers, moss agate brings abundant treasure in the forms of flourishing gardens, material wealth and joyous friendships. Communicative Gemini tends to have sensitive nerves easily strained by information overload. Blue lace agate worn in jewellery or hand held, helps Gemini shed the tensions of every day life and maintain serenity at home and in relationships. (Read more from Frank Pilkington)

Gemini is the sign of the Twins. It is the third sign of the zodiac and the first to have a human rather than an animal symbol.

The myth of the Twins, like that of the previous sign Taurus, also involves Jupiter and his eye for a pretty face. In this story, the object of his affections is a beautiful woman, Leda, married to Tyndareus, king of Sparta. The lustful god of Jupiter, apparently unwilling to try the bull ploy twice (see Taurus), changed himself into the form of a magnificent sawn. Details of the encounter are a bit sketchy, but he did manage to seduce Leda while disguised as a swan.

From this remarkable union, Leda bore two eggs. The story goes that one of the eggs was the offspring of Jupiter, and that the other was the offspring of Leda’s mortal husband. The two eggs produced four children: two brothers, Castor and Pollux, and two sisters, Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. It is unclear exactly whom Jupiter sired. Some versions of the tale say that Castor and Pollux were his immortal offspring. Others have Castor and Helen as Jupiter’s children.

In either case, the twin brothers Castor and Pollux grew up strong and stalwart and inseparable. Castor became famous for his skill as a horse tamer; Pollux was renowned as a superb boxer. When they were young men they joined Jason and his Argonauts on their expedition to find the Golden Fleece. During a storm at sea, two stars appeared over the heads of the twins and the storm miraculously ended. Because of that incident, Castor and Pollux are considered the patron saints of travelers at sea. (During storms at sea, these lights are still seen twinkling at the top of ships’ masts and other tall spires. They are caused by the discharge of electricity. The legend is that if two lights are seen, the storm will cease; if only one appears, the storm will grow worse.)

The twin brothers are described as high-spirited young men. Unfortunately, during a battle Castor met his death. Pollux was inconsolable. At last he went to his father Jupiter to beg him to bring Castor back to life. In turn, Pollux volunteered to give up his own life as ransom.

Jupiter rewarded the brothers’ great love and attachment to each other by placing them in the sky as stars. There they shine in the constellation of Gemini, side by side throughout the ages.

READing Your Style: Legends of the Zodiac - Taurus

Oh joy, to the internet and how it makes life so much more convenient! I have finally found a useful purpose for Pinterest! Now, I have had a Pinterest account for a few months and it has taken me a while to take a liking to it, especially considering all the other social media platforms I already have. But this month, as I was searching for jewelry to feature for this here series on 'Jewelry for the Holidays based on Zodiac Gemstones', I found Pinterest to be a great tool as an online buying guide, especially for all my last minute gifters. What I have been able to do is create a ‘board’ for each sign of the zodiac, and based on the gemstone that correlates with each sign, I was able to scour other Pinterest boards, and ‘Pin’ jewelry that I found to be great buying options based on the gemstone I wanted to feature for each sign. Please visit and follow my Pinterest if you have one, and create on if you don’t, for I have found jewelry of all price ranges from different sources ranging from Bulgari to Etsy.com. If perhaps your “ballin’ on a budget”, I include more reasonably priced look-a-like pieces of the gemstones featured for each zodiac that are made of crystal, and even plastic. In my fashion, it’s all about the look and what your jewelry means to you, not the price! I was pleasantly surprised at how good a resource Pinterest is for shopping and selling. I say, if you are salesperson, consider Pinterest to display your product, especially if you have unique items. I can just imagine how many people want interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, but don’t know where to go to shop for just what they want. For consumers, Pinterest is a great way to find those pieces, and for sellers, it’s a great way to market your pieces to the worldwide market.

The InMyFashion Pinterest


As I promised in my December Editor’s Letter, I hope you find the ‘Legends of the Zodiac’ stories from, ‘The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need’, as entertaining as I did. They are intended to educate and inspire more intimate and intriguing reasons for adorning oneself with such gems inspired by the zodiac. As I have always championed on #IMFblog, items worn with a certain intention make for stronger individual style, and in my fashion, the items we wear provide their own energy in the same way our personalities provide/receive energy from other people. If you think about it, it is interesting how the jewelry we wear, or see others wearing, can affect our mood. Whether it’s more of a mental process, or that gems/jewelry radiate a certain “life energy”, there is something to be said about jewelry’s transformative qualities on our perceptions of ourselves or other wearers.

It has been said that wearing emeralds eases breathing, clarifies eyesight and thought patterns and improves communication, so if you're applying for a loan, asking for a rise or on the search for a soul mate - wear an emerald! Sultry sensual Taurus has a healthy appetite for the material pleasures of the earth. Good food, good wine and of course good loving(Read more from Frank Pilkington)

The second sign of the zodiac is represented by the Bull, an animal that is both fierce and gentle and has always symbolized strength and sexuality.

The myth of the Bull beings with Jupiter, supreme god of ancient Greece, ruler of heaven, of lesser gods, and men. Jupiter had a strong romantic streak, and had numerous love affairs, wives, and mistresses. One such love affair concerns the beautiful Princess Europa, daughter of the King of Phoenicia.

Europa led a very sheltered existence in her father’s palace and knew nothing of the world outside. One night she had a prophetic dream in which a strange woman held out her arms to Europa and said, “I shall bring you to Jupiter, for your destiny has appointed you his beloved.”

Sure enough, that day when Europa and a group of young maidens went out to pick roses and hyacinths in a meadow by the sea, Jupiter saw her and was thunderstruck by her beauty. There and then her determined to have her.

Jupiter knew that an innocent young girl like Europa would run from him if he showed himself in his own godlike image, so he transformed himself into a Bull. He became not an ordinary bull, but a magnificent white Bull with jewel-like horns and silver crescent moon in the middle of his forehead.

Europa was fascinated by the beautiful, gentle Bull, and began to caress him. Finally she climbed onto his back. That was just what Jupiter wanted. He sprang into the air and carried her away to the island of Crete. There, he changed himself back to his true likeness and declared his love for Europa. Under the boughs of a large tree, he and Europa became lovers.

Not long afterward Venus, the goddess of love, appeared to Europa to confess that she was the strange women in the dream. From now on, Venus told her, the continent to which Jupiter had taken her would be known as Europe.

This adulterous love story (Jupiter was married to the goddess Juno) has a happy ending. Europa bore Jupiter three children, and Jupiter took the likeness of the Bull and placed it in the heavens.