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Category: General

Julia Ballentine Fine Jewelry

Meet Julia Ballentine and her exquisite jewelry pieces. Julia Ballentine has worked in the jewelry industry for nearly thirty years, earning her certification as a Graduate Gemologist with the Gemological Institute of America early on. In 1992, she began her career at Christie’s Auction House in New York, where she was a cataloguer and gemologist. This was followed by many years at Tiffany & Co where she worked as a Buyer, a Product Development Manager for Engagement, Statement and Schlumberger jewelry, and also as the Manager of the Tiffany Pearl Lab. In 2001 Julia left Tiffany and went back into the antique and estate jewelry world with an exclusive boutique jeweler on Madison Avenue and reconnected with exceptional vintage jewelry. Her experience also includes working at Christie’s London, jewelry design coursework at NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology, design work in Florence, Italy and Appraisal Certification through USPAP. She has been a member of the Jewelers Board of Trade since 2005. She is a graduate of Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and has a B.A. from St. Lawrence University, as well as a G.G. from the Gemological Institute of America.

Over time, Julia discovered that there was a need for excellent customer service and wanted to help navigate what can be a very tricky industry. In the spring of 2005, taking advantage of the relationships with suppliers and craftsmen that she had built in her years in the industry, she launched her business on a referral-only basis. It was a natural progression to start Julia Ballentine Fine Jewelry, sourcing beautiful, high-quality jewelry for her friends and private clients. 

Today, Julia’s website includes available beautiful, fun pieces. This website represents a fraction of the jewelry that she sources and designs for her clients. She specializes in custom design work and is happy to consult on individual projects as time permits.

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Best Butternut Squash Soup

Thanks to our awesome blog sponsor BodyBalance365 for today’s awesome recipe.

As temperatures drop and we start spending more time indoors, this is when that first round of “winter colds” start to spread. Nothing is better to relieve sore throat pain, clear your sinuses, and warm you to your core than a bowl of soup. Butternut squash is loaded with Vitamin A, B, C, potassium, and magnesium so this is a nutrient-rich and delicious soup — all year round! 

The BEST Butternut Squash Soup is so delicious!!!! Bon Appetit!!!!

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Ingredients:

2-2 1/2 lbs. butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cut into 1″ cubes

1 lrg. onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 lrg. sweet potato, diced

4 Tbs. unsalted vegan butter or organic butter 

6 cups vegetable stock

kosher salt

ground pepper

ground nutmeg

Directions:

Melt butter

Saute onions until soft. Add carrots, celery, squash and sweet potato. Cook for 5 minutes

Add stock, 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat.

Cook for 35-40 minutes until squash is tender.

Use an immersion blender (or Cuisinart) to puree when the soup is cooled.

Add nutmeg and pepper to taste.

This Week’s Best Sellers

I am so happy to share this week’s best sellers with you. Most of the items featured I have tried on myself. I love the clogs, the coat from J Crew is perfection, and I just ordered the leopard dress (it is on sale too). But I think you are really going to love everything in this week’s edition. Email me and let me know what you get!!!!

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  1. I tried on these clogs over the weekend and fell in love.
  2. This leather skirt is fabulous!
  3. I am in love love with this J-Crew coat. The sterling vest is incredible.
  4. This is the perfect leopard dress…love the smocking!!
  5. Everyone needs a neutral sweater for the Fall/Winter
  6. Here is another perfect camel winter coat..
  7. How cute is the top with feather sleeves?
  8. These Tory Burch rings are gorgeous!
  9. I have not tried this yet but this dewy foundation gets rave reviews…..
  10. This sweater is beautiful…Love the green
  11. Love the pink color….
  12. You have to try this candle..it makes a fab gift too!!!

PeachSkinSheets Donates Thousands Of Sheets To Displaced Ukrainians

The Original PeachSkinSheets has donated 8,000 sheet sets and 1,000 sheet separates to the Missouri-based nonprofit Convoy of Hope. Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, the relief organization has delivered critical supplies—food, water, mattresses, baby food, hygiene kits, and generators—to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. Today, they can add PeachSkinSheets’ bedding to that ever-growing list. 

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For PeachSkinSheets’ Founder and CEO Karen B. Levine, who in October 2021 donated 12,000 sheet sets to efforts in Afghanistan and Hurricane Ida Relief, giving back is simply part of the brand’s ethos. “Our hearts go out to the millions of Ukrainian displaced refugees who have lost everything, many including hope,” shares Levine. “As the conflict continues, we want to be a source of support for those in need.”

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The PeachSkinSheets team values human connection. PeachSkinSheets selected Convoy of Hope as its warehouses in Ukraine, Poland and Romania are able to distribute life-sustaining supplies as soon as they arrive.

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About PeachSkinSheets: Founded in 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, by Karen Levine, PeachSkinSheets is dedicated to going the extra mile for customers with essential bedding that does more at an affordable price. Made from a breathable, high-performance athletic-grade SMART fabric, they’re the best bed sheets for hot sleepers due to their thermal control and moisture-wicking properties. They’re not just made for luxury, they’re made for the real-life challenges you face in getting a good night’s sleep. To learn more about PeachSkinSheets, visit peachskinsheets.com. USE CODE NICOLE15 for a 15% discount sitewide!!!! You are going to LOVE these sheets!!!!

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion for feeding the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator every year since 2002. Convoy of Hope has served more than 200 million people since it was founded in 1994. For more information, please visit convoyofhope.org.

Disaster, Restoration – Getting Your Home Back On Its Foundation

Disasters can happen to anyone at any time. A natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, can cause extensive damage to your home. A manufactured disaster, such as a fire or flood, can also leave your home in ruins. No matter what the cause of the disaster may be, it is important to take action right away to begin the restoration process. This blog post will discuss some of the steps you need to take to get your home back on its foundation.

1) Assess the damage:

The first step in the restoration process is to assess the damage. This will help you determine what needs to be done in order to repair your home. Take photos of the damage as well. This will be helpful when filing an insurance claim. Finally, it is important to make a list of all of the damaged items. This will be helpful when you are trying to determine what needs to be replaced.

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2) Contact your insurance company:

The next step is to contact your insurance company if you have homeowners insurance. They will need to see the damage in order to process your claim. In some cases, they may even send an adjuster to your home. Be sure to keep all documentation from the insurance company in a safe place. This will be helpful when it comes time to file your taxes.

3) Find a reputable restoration company:

After assessing the damage and contacting your insurance company, the next step is finding a reputable restoration company. There are many companies that claim to be experts in disaster restoration. However, not all of them are created equal. Do your research and read reviews before hiring a company. Be sure to ask for references as well.

4) Get to work:

Once you have found a reputable restoration company, it is time to get to work. The most important part is the foundation; get a reliable company to do the Foundation Repair that is needed. The sooner you begin the restoration process, the sooner you can get your home back to normal. The company will likely start by cleaning up any debris. They will then repair any structural damage, replace any damaged belongings, and call for assistance if needed.

5) Prevent future damage:

Once your home has been restored, it is important to take steps to prevent future damage. This may include installing storm shutters or making changes to your landscaping. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your home is better protected in the event of another disaster.

In conclusion, if a disaster has damaged your home, it is important to take action right away. The sooner you begin the restoration process, the sooner you can get your home back to normal. Be sure to assess the damage, contact your insurance company and find a reputable restoration company. Lastly, take steps to prevent future damage. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your home is restored to its original condition.

Designer Bags For Much Less

Pre-owned handbags are an excellent way to get high fashion at a lower price point. I searched the internet for some of the best deals on some very stylish bags for you for fall. Click on the numbers below for more information or to purchase.

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Click on the numbers below to purchase or for more information:

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, ELEVEN, TWELVE.