Strip Tease At The Office-Green Tip

When we need office stuff...think green. Thinking “green” not only contributes to helping our planet, but also saving company dollars. Purchase a “power strip” for your home office so you can plug all your electronics into one place and unplug them all with a single pull at the end of the day. I did a Google Product Search and you can get a pretty good one for under $20.00. Electronics and appliances eat up energy even when they're not being used. This is know as “standby” or “leaking” electricity.

The wasted standby power of individual electronic devices is typically very small, but the sum of all such devices can be significant. To switch off several devices that are often used together such as a PC, a monitor and a printer it is advisable to use a switchable power strip or surge protector with multiple sockets. It's also recommended that equipment that needs a controlled shutdown sequence, such as I laser printer, not be plugged into such a strip as it can damage them. In those cases it's better to turn them off at the appliance.

A recent study from the University of California showed that the average California household pays between $50-70 every year to keep things humming while their electronics are just sitting around. So thing of what your home office saving might be and give Mother Earth a green strip tease at the office. - CT

Buying Pearls on the Internet

Pearls are coming back as a fashionable accessory. With it being the birthstone for June, it's also the symbol of purity, the third and thirtieth wedding anniversary gem, and the symbol of a happy marriage. It also makes the perfect gift for the bride-to-be and her wedding party.

Whether you're looking for the “must have” white pearl necklace or a pair of bold black pearl earrings, who can you trust to make an informed decision when shopping on the internet for pearls? How can you be confident when buying from a reputable source? As with shopping for anything else online, here are a few basic safeguards to consider:

Return Policy – A returns policy exceeds the legal minimum 7 working days which demonstrates confidence (10-30 days returns is typical).
Privacy Notice – A good privacy notice is easy to find, easy to read, and provides online visitors the opportunity to make informed decisions about the collection and use of their information.
Contact Information – The website should provide full “Contact Us” details . An address, telephone number as well as a business e-mail address.
Guarantee – A guarantee or warranty for workmanship of the goods (12 months is typical).
Payment Method – Clearly displaying the credit or debit cards accepted.
Shipping Cost – Any shipping or handling cost clearly displayed.
Testimonials – Genuine customer testimonials displayed.
Photos – Large blow-up detail photos of the goods.

CT Jewelry Design.com meets all the above criteria which is displayed on our website and upon request. We're always open to our customers' personal requests and would love to hear from you. Simply contact us at carolyn@ctjewelrydesign.com.

The pearl is the perfect piece of jewelry for any occasion. While there is no right or wrong way to chose pearls, there are a few things you should consider:

Color – While color is a matter of preference, rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skin types, while cream and gold-tone pearls are flattering to darker complexions.
Luster – The luster of a good-quality pearl should be bright, not dull. Any pearl that looks too chalky or dull indicates low quality.
Surface – Cleanliness of the pearl surface refers to the absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks. A pearl with a clean surface will have a higher value than a spotted, bumpy or cracked one.
Shape – It is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl. While rounder pearls are more valuable, asymmetrical or baroque pearls have a unique charm and are available at a more reasonable cost.
Size – Pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. The average pearl sold today are between 7 and 7.5 millimeters. Typically, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it will be.
Akoya Pearls – These are the classic cultured pearls. They are the most lustrous of all pearls and the most expensive.
Freshwater Pearls – These pearls are easily cultivated from freshwater mussels rather than saltwater oysters. They are produced in great abundance and are moderately priced. Their unique shapes and beautiful pastel colors make them perfect gems for those on a budget.
Swarovski Crystal Pearls – While there are many faux pearls on the market, Swarovski crystal pearls are manufactured pearls with the base being an actual crystal bead that has been finished with layers of highly luminous pearlescence. They are considered one of the finest products of their kind in the world.

Remember you get what you pay for, so buyer beware of all those “unbelievable offers”. Pay attention to suppliers who inflate their prices to then reduce prices by 60-70%. This is simply a marketing tool. The best advise is studying and comparing pearls with a reputable e-tailer for your pearl purchase. - CT