Serious Christmas Spirit: Abu Dhabi Hosts $11 Million Christmas Tree

The Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, just debuted its $11 million dollar Christmas tree. Kind of puts your $50 six-footer to shame, huh?

A Tree's Best Friend.

Before you ask what could possibly make a tree--even a 43-foot tall tree--cost $11 million, we'll tell you: jewelry. Lots and lots of jewelry. The artificial tree is bedecked with 181 pieces, including diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies, along with "more mundane gold and silver balls and bows." Well yes, we would expect that nearly anything put next to a $3.5 million diamond set would strike one as "mundane."

A Record In The Making.

Because hosting a massive piece of thief-bait isn't enough, the hotel is looking to get the tree recognized by the Guinness Book Of World Records as "the world's most expensively dressed," going up against a Japanese tree dressed to the tune of $10.8 million. If Emirates Palace does take the honor, it will join their Guinness record for the world's most expensive shot of alcohol (a $2,000 cognac). Here's hoping.

Thought this article was well worth mentioning...you will always know what you are purchasing with Two Blonds & Co. We are cost-conscious shopping gals and always looking for the best of everything...for less!

Jewelers seek ways to make pearls more expensive

by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:28pm PST

Many women own or would like to possess a strand of pearls or pearl earrings, and yay, the cost of the precious baubles have dropped drastically in recent years. China has been producing massive quantities of cultured freshwater pearls, so now a necklace made of real pearls costs what we used to pay for fakes—as low as $20. Affordable luxury items? We are not mad at that! But the New York Times says high-endjewelers are freaking out and trying to devise ways to up the price tags.

Natural pearls are fished from oysters living wild in the ocean—most by a few companies off the coast of Australia, rather than in farms—so retailers claim they are more rare and more attractive and thus justifying a higher price tag. "Natural pearls have a much quieter luster, which is really appealing," jeweler Viren Bhagat told the Times. Back in April, Christie's sold a collection of natural pearls for $7.1 million. "It goes to show the appreciation buyers have for things that are no longer produced," said Rahul Kadakia, Christie's head of jewelry to the Americas.

But these days freshwater pearls can be tinkered with to resemble natural ones so well that even jewelers have been fooled. (Does every market have counterfeits these days?) Since freshwater pearls are still real pearls, and in our opinions, equally lovely, we don't see a reason to splurge big bucks for overpriced natural ones. We may even gift some freshwater pearls this holiday season!

MAKE YOUR SKIN SPARKLE!

In order to show off that incredible jewelery...you need incredibly beautiful skin! Skip all the expensive creams and gels...follow a simple regimen that takes only minutes!

Your most gorgeous skin ever—in just 10 minutes a day!

• by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Mon Dec 13,

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• Our facial skin is one of the first things people notice about us, yet—when our lives get super busy—it's also one of the first things we neglect. Sure, makeup can cover up imperfections, but having a genuinely pretty, natural glow really isn't as difficult to achieve as you'd think. For most folks (barring serious medical skin conditions like eczema) a simple, well-thought-out, 10-minute daily skincare routine is all you need to look great. And no worries if you can't squeeze it in during time-crunched mornings. Manhattan dermatologist Eric Schweiger M.D., says an evening skin regimen is actually much more important to maintain. These four easy steps will help you achieve a flawless face in next to no time.
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Step 1: Cleanse
Dr. Schweiger says there's no need for a fancy, expensive makeup remover, so cut down on time and your beauty budget by thoroughly washing with a gentle cleanser that removes products and oil but doesn't over-dry.
Time spent: three minutes

Step 2: Moisturize
No matter what your skin type, you should slather on a light lotion to your face and neck every night. For this, Dr. Schweiger says to look for oil-free products that are also fragrance-free.
Time spent: two minutes

Step 3: Apply retinoids
"Of all the anti-aging and photo damage correction products on the market, retinoids have the most scientific evidence," explains Dr. Schweiger. He says retinoid creams, either prescription or over-the-counter, can be the most beneficial. "Retin-A, Renova, and Tazorac have been shown, in one month or two, to decrease fine lines and wrinkles." Three times a week use a pea-size amount on your face, and once or twice a week apply the cream under your eyes to banish those dark circles. Retinoids should always be applied at night since they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Time spent: three minutes

Step 4: Hydrate
"Toners are not necessary—they over-dry the skin and can actually increase oil production, and then the cycle is hard to break," says Dr. Schweiger. But he does suggest a final application of moisturizer after the retinoid cream to prevent redness and flaking, especially in the winter when skin is drier.
Time spent: two minutes

Really, that's it! Ten minutes of devoted attention is all your face needs before bed. If you follow these steps every evening, an a.m. quick rinse with face wash and a light SPF will get you out the door and on your way to a gorgeous glow.