<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:13:11 GMT--><rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:rss="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:cc="http://web.resource.org/cc/"><rss:channel rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/"><rss:title>Elfing It - The Elfster Blog</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/</rss:link><rss:description></rss:description><dc:language>en-US</dc:language><dc:date>2008-12-01T21:13:11Z</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</admin:generatorAgent><rss:items><rdf:Seq><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-jaded-rat.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-big-diamond-you-can-afford.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/more-stunning-diamonds.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/small-things-diamond-necklace.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/the-unconventional-wedding-rings.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/diamond-ring.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/in-the-meantime.html"/><rdf:li rdf:resource="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/win-a-sustainable-bamboo-bracelet.html"/></rdf:Seq></rss:items></rss:channel><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-jaded-rat.html"><rss:title>A Jaded Rat</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-jaded-rat.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-01-29T03:52:29Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center" align="center"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img style="width: 300px; height: 380px" alt="jade_necklace_year_of_the_rat_zodiac.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/jade_necklace_year_of_the_rat_zodiac.jpg" /></span></p><span class="full-image-float-none"><p>&nbsp;</p></span><p>Jade&nbsp;is a well-regarded gemstone in&nbsp;Asian culture.&nbsp;During&nbsp;Chinese New Year, one can find at many businesses jade money trees to ensure&nbsp;wealth (tree) and luck (jade).&nbsp; </p><p>Jade has lived a very long and prosperous&nbsp;life.&nbsp; This gemstone existed through many Chinese empires&nbsp;and was once so valued, artisans were&nbsp;only&nbsp;able to supply to&nbsp;the demands&nbsp;of&nbsp;emperors and their family members.&nbsp; Jade's significance in Asia can be compared to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Western view of gold and diamonds. Today, Jade is still respected, though not&nbsp;as difficult to obtain&nbsp;(unless it is an antique, which can auction for enormous amounts of money).&nbsp; </p><p>Jade symbolizes good and beauty. It was also described from ancient Chinese text to encompass benevolence, loyalty, wisdom, courage and integrity. This <a href="http://www.mudanboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=44" target="_blank">jade pendant necklace </a>has the traditional pendant but nicely modernized with a silk cord. A no-brainer gift for someone born in&nbsp;the Year of the&nbsp;Rat (<a href="http://www.mudanboutique.com/learn_more/chinesezodiacs.html" target="_blank">click here</a> for zodiac sign chart).&nbsp;</p><p>Check this out. It's only $18. Unbelievable deal or what?&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-big-diamond-you-can-afford.html"><rss:title>A Big Diamond You Can Afford</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/a-big-diamond-you-can-afford.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:20Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/diamond_pendant_necklace_lucite.jpg" alt="diamond_pendant_necklace_lucite.jpg" title="diamond_pendant_necklace_lucite.jpg"/></span><br>

Ever since I've been better informed about the Diamond Cartel, I've become less inclined to buy or receive new diamonds. Here is a diamond alternative I find quite lovely, and incredibly humorous. It is made of mirrored Lucite, so it shines, just like diamond. <em>(chuckle)</em> This <a href="http://www.supermarkethq.com/product/624" target="_blank">Diamond Necklace</a>, however, will cost you only $40.]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/more-stunning-diamonds.html"><rss:title>More Stunning Diamonds</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/more-stunning-diamonds.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:15Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/stunning_diamond_necklace.jpg" alt="stunning_diamond_necklace.jpg" /> </span></p><p>Yet another alternative to real diamonds. This black and white &quot;Stunning Diamond Necklace&quot; will sure get a chuckle out of everyone, except maybe her... at first.&nbsp; Oh, she'll grow to love it eventually!&nbsp; Hand-made by artist Irina Blok, this <a href="http://www.iloveblocks.com/wishlist.html" target="_blank">Stunning Diamond Necklace</a> is an even better deal at $25. </p><h5><sub>via <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/item/96B8E4F6/Wishlist-Necklace" target="_blank">ThisNext</a>&nbsp;</sub></h5>]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/small-things-diamond-necklace.html"><rss:title>Small Things Diamond Necklace</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/small-things-diamond-necklace.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:12Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-none"><img alt="diamond_necklace_silver_pendant.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/diamond_necklace_silver_pendant.jpg" /> </span></p><p>A less flamboyant alternative, a silver pendant etched with the diamond symbol. From<a target="_blank" href="http://www.supermarkethq.com/product/609"> Small Things</a>, Portland, Oregan, the necklace is $50. &nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/the-unconventional-wedding-rings.html"><rss:title>The Unconventional Wedding Rings</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/the-unconventional-wedding-rings.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:10Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/ziptie_wedding_rings.JPG" alt="ziptie_wedding_rings.JPG" title="ziptie_wedding_rings.JPG"/></span></p><br>

Since we're on the topic of engagement rings, here is a set of unconventional rings that I would consider for myself... [if and] when I ever get married, that is. The ziptie is one of my favorite utilitarian products ever designed. I think it quite funny the relationship between ziptie and marriage... These <a href="http://www.supermarkethq.com/product/533" target="_blank">Ziptie Rings</a> can also be purchased individually. $180]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/diamond-ring.html"><rss:title>Diamond Ring</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/diamond-ring.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:10Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/diamond_ring.jpg" alt="diamond_ring.jpg" title="diamond_ring.jpg"/></span></p>

You have to love all the wonderful designer alternatives to the real thing. This <a href="http://www.supermarkethq.com/product/610" target="_blank">Diamond Pendant Ring</a> is $45 and much more hip than a real diamond. However, a word of warning to you fellows out there... Do not, let me repeat, <strong>do not</strong> give this as an engagement ring. We don't care how good of an excuse you may have, you will be single immediately if you try to pull this one. (Buy a beautiful gemstone ring as an alternative).  ]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/in-the-meantime.html"><rss:title>In the Meantime...</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/in-the-meantime.html</rss:link><dc:creator>kristine</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-18T12:00:05Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/unwedding_ring.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1197935899015" alt="unwedding_ring.jpg" title="unwedding_ring.jpg"/></span><br></p>

Since I'm forever the bridesmaid and never the bride, I'll settle for this fabulous <a href="http://www.fancyjewels.com/product.php?id=unweddingRing_rings" target="_blank">Unwedding Ring</a>. Very clever design and funny as all heck. Since it'll have to be purchased by moi for moi, I'm very glad it's only $60.<br><br>

<h5><em>(ps. Don't be sad for me about the bridesmaid/bride comment. I'm a very happy and content being single.) </em></h5>]]></content:encoded></rss:item><rss:item rdf:about="http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/win-a-sustainable-bamboo-bracelet.html"><rss:title>Win a Sustainable Bamboo Bracelet</rss:title><rss:link>http://blog.elfster.com/jewelry/win-a-sustainable-bamboo-bracelet.html</rss:link><dc:creator>Elfster</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-13T05:54:06Z</dc:date><dc:subject></dc:subject><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span class="full-image-float-none"><img alt="bamboo_bracelets.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/bamboo_bracelets.jpg" /></span></div><p>Hey! There's still time to sign up for the public gift exchange <a target="_blank" href="http://www.elfster.com/green-gifting/default.aspx">Green Gifting</a> at Elfster.com. You will feel good about doing good, and plus, you automatically enter to win one of twenty <a href="http://www.sahalie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11354&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C5%2C1112&iProductID=11354" target="_blank">Sinu Tribe Bamboo Bracelets</a> from <a href="http://sahalie.com" target="_blank">Sahalie.com</a>.<br />&nbsp;<br />The goal of Green Gifting is simple... </p><p align="left" style="text-align: left;">Reuse&nbsp; -&gt;&nbsp; Regift&nbsp; -&gt;&nbsp; Regenerate&nbsp; -&gt;&nbsp; Reduce Waste. <br /><br />Regenerating interest and desire for a product will extend its life, which means we keep it out of a landfill somewhere. Such an easy change to our lifestyle can potentially trigger dramatic results. But it will require critical mass to make that trigger happen. So come join and help us with our effort to spread the word and influence change.<br /></p>]]></content:encoded></rss:item></rdf:RDF>