Tips to Get the Best Diamond Ring for Your Money

Editor

Every guy wants to buy the perfect proposal ring for their beloved. And being one of the major purchases we make in our lives, it’s important to plan ahead and understand the elements and the processes involve when buying one. Not only will it make your girl happy, but saves you a fortune as well.

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Talk Finances

Before you start shopping for an engagement ring, determine first how much you’re willing to spend for this jewellery. If your lady is involved in the entire planning process, sit down and discuss about your finances—not only about the ring, but in general. Consider each other’s opinion when it comes to dealing with big purchases before deciding on the budget for the engagement and wedding ring.

Strategize the Setting

If your budget doesn’t allow for a larger stone, create an illusion of additional carats by going for a halo setting. The circle of smaller gems around the centre stone will make your diamond appear bigger, as well as lend a classic, vintage look to the ring.

Consider Pave Diamonds

Any woman will love to flaunt a flashy rock, but not everyone can afford it. Well, thanks to pave diamonds for the proposal ring for your engagement in Singapore you can mimic that glamorous look. These diamonds are tiny stones that add distinctive look to engagement rings. Because they are so small, they are much more common and less expensive. For a stunning yet more affordable diamond ring, consider buying a smaller center stone and then lining the band with pave diamonds. You’ll get as much sparkle as the regular-sized diamond, but for a lower price.

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Pick a Prong

Remember: less metal means lower cost. Therefore, a prong setting (which secures the stone like a tripod above the ring band) is a much more practical option than a bezel one (a metal ring that encircles the edge of the stone to hold it in place). Since most part of the stone is visible in a prong setting, this is also a great way to showcase the diamond and allows much easier cleaning. We advice, though, to go for platinum if opting for this setting, since this metal is highly durable and can hold your centre stone firmly in place.

Go for Gold

Platinum has plenty of pros: It’s a natural metal, so its colour won’t fade; it’s durable, perfect for those with active lifestyle; and it gives off a beautiful shine and polish. But of course, all those qualities come with a price. And since platinum is 30 times rarer than gold, expect to pay a hefty price for a platinum engagement ring. If you want to mimic the look (but with fewer benefits), white gold could be your best choice. It’s a lasting element; resistant to tarnish, rust, and corrosion; look very pretty, and—the best part—it’s easier on the wallet.

Get It in Set

If you wish to get more savings, purchase your proposal ring in set. Sometimes, it’s easier to score better deals if you buy her engagement ring and wedding band at the same time. You might even get more savings if you buy your wedding band in the same Singapore jeweller, too.

When looking for best deals, keep in mind that the cheapest is not necessarily the best deals—as you usually get what you pay for. Look for ones that are reasonably priced and resonates a beauty that gives a big bang for your buck.

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What to Do When We Run out of Ideas?  

Editor

 

In every endeavour we find ourselves in, there will come a time that we will run out of ideas. That is natural but we need to quickly regain it before we lose interest. We have to accept first that there is always a need for fresh ideas and perspectives regardless of the field.

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What do we do when we run out of ideas? The good news is that we are not alone and we can implore the help of other people. Let us explore the things to do when we run out of ideas:

  • Expose ourselves to new ideas: There are times that fresh and bright ideas come to us in fleeting moments but we tell ourselves that these ideas were not so great in the first place. As a result, we forget these ideas and do not realize its potential. When we think that that idea can influence our work, there is nothing wrong to take a note and refer to it in the near future. Our smartphones can help us with the jotting.
  • Seek new perspectives: Sometimes we need to go out and see what the world offers. We should not be imprisoned in our office and think of new perspectives. We should go out and see the world. Who knows we can stumble upon ideas for our next story or creative businesses presentation.

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  • Ask for feedback: If we are confused or bemused, we can ask for feedback – that is constructive criticism. It will do the trick. If we ask for feedback, we have to approach someone with no other agenda but to help us.
  • Create our first draft: The first draft will surely lead to the second, third and the final draft. We should not underestimate the power of first drafts no matter how vague or dirty it is.
  • Try brainstorming tools: If we do not want to wait for an idea, then there is no choice but to force them out from us. There is no use to wait for flashes of inspiration especially if we are lacking time. There are different tools that we can consider when brainstorming like paper and pen.
  • Consider collaborative exercises: Considering collaborative exercises are fun and memorable. With the help of our colleagues, we can surely think of fresh ideas.

Singapore is powered by fresh ideas. We are where we are because people with fresh and bright ideas made it happen. It is time that we contribute something for a better Singapore so, whenever we run out of ideas, we should remember the things mentioned above and we will see the difference.

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Dealing with Concussions  

Editor

Worse things happen but we can take solace from the idea that we are prepared to handle it. For example, we do not want our children to suffer concussions but because of their dauntless actions, we should at least know how to deal with it so when it happens, we can lessen the injury.

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Many Singaporean kids or even adults go to hospital emergency rooms because of concussions. Concussions are usually from heavy blows on the head. The heavy blows often lead to unconsciousness and confusion. If our child suddenly becomes unconscious because of a heavy blow on the head, we have to call the medic or rush him/her to the hospital.

Also, there is a need to call the medic or bring our child to the emergency room immediately if we notice vomiting repeatedly, agitated, weak, neck pain, seizure and slurred speech. If the victim does not suffer any of the symptoms mentioned above, we can consider first aid remedies before bringing him/her to the hospital.

Here’s how to deal with concussions:

  • Prevent the swelling: The victim should stop the activity that caused the concussion. In the case of our kids, when they realize that the blow hurts, they will stop it. It is important that the person stop whatever activity he/she is doing and then rest. We also need to apply ice unto the affected area using a washcloth.
  • Treat symptoms: The pain will be there and it will not go away instantly. For the pain, we can consider over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol). We should be careful not to give Aspirin or Ibuprofen as it may make the bruising worst.

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  • Monitor: We have to make sure that our kid is okay even if he/she insists that he/she is okay. If it is possible, we should be by their side for at least twenty four hours and observe or monitor their condition.
  • Go to the doctor: Concussions are serious so doctors should be in the picture even if we think we successfully treated concussion. It is crucial that concussions are checked by the doctors whether it is serious or not. Should the symptoms persist after discharge, we have to consult the doctor again especially if the patient develops conditions like recurring headache, vomiting, dizziness or drowsiness and confusion.

If the concussion is successfully treated, the patient’s condition will improve after seven to ten days. Hopefully our child now understands the repercussions of reckless activities. We need not be afraid of concussions if our child’s life depend on it.

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The Top Favourite According to CN Traveller UK  

Editor

Even if we travel every year, the world is still a big place. We cannot possibly cover every place in our lifetime but at least we have to try. If we are not into travelling, perhaps this is the time that we think about moving outside Singapore and seeing the world.

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Determining what country to visit next is not easy especially with the diversity but we can start exploring countries listed in the recent study of CN Traveller UK. The magazine features 2015 Readers’ Travel Awards. This allowed travellers to vote their favourite country. This is enough to begin with. Here’s the list:

1. Italy: Italy is this year’s top destination. Actually, this is the fifth straight year for Italy to claim the top spot. Tourists love sights like Galleria degli Uffizi, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Palazzo Ducale, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Duomo, Certosa e Museo di San Martino and many more.

2. France: France does not fall behind at number two. Many travellers consider France for its romantic vibe. Famous sights include Cathedrale Notre Dame, Musee Toulouse-Lautrec, Cite Royalede Loches, Citadelle de Besancon, Musee d’Art Moderne, Parc National des Calanques, Musee Fabre, Les Arenes, Eiffel Tower and many more.

3. USA: America is still one of the favourite destinations of many tourists. There’s the Maui, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Yosemite, Washington DC, New York City and many more.

4. Spain: Spain is the fourth favourite country because of its attractions like Palacio Real, La Concha, Alhambra, Ibiza, Mosque of Cordoba, Museo Nacional del Prado and many more.

5. Greece: Greece is still a tough country despite its financial turmoil. The country still offers good time and nice views like the Acropolis of Athens, Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Meteora and many more.

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6. Australia: Australia is famous for its Melbourne City Centre, Sydney Opera House, Port Jackson, Great Barrier Reef and many more.

7. New Zealand: New Zealand will bring us closer to nature with its green landscape and blue waters. There’s Milford Sound, Abel Tasman National Park, Fiordland National Park, Bay of Islands, Lake Taupo and many more.

8. Thailand: Thailand is the first Asian country included in the list for the top ten most favourite. The place offers grand sights like Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and many more.

9. Turkey: Although in Asia, Turkey has European influence. Sights include Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and many more.

10. India: India will not be left behind with all its marvels like the Taj Mahal and numerous temples.

Now that we know the top countries, we should at least learn the top city destinations for this year. The cities include Paris, New York, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Sydney, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Berlin and Florence. If we notice, most of the top cities like Rome, Venice and Florence are from Italy. So, Italy being the number one country is not a surprise after all.

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Singaporean Desserts For the Sweet Tooth  

Editor

Singapore has always been known to be one of the best dining destinations in Asia. There are numerous dishes and a wide variety to choose from for locals and tourists alike. While Singaporean food is best known for hawker dishes and hawker stalls, they also have some of the best local desserts in all of Asia, some of which you may never have heard of and some of which may be a little familiar to you.

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Mango Pudding

Well, it’s not an entirely local dish, as it is better known to be a local dish in Hong Kong. However, mango pudding is one of the most popular desserts in Singapore. Mango pudding usually consists of gelatin, ripe mangoes, sugar, evaporated milk, and, in some cases, it’s also served with sago.

 

Chendol/Cendol

Again, this is a dish not entirely local to Singapore as it is found in other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Chendol is mainly based on coconut milk and rice flour turned into jelly-like noodles. In Singapore, it is served with red beans and gula melaka.

 

Pandan Cake

Pandan cake is probably the staple when it comes to Singaporean desserts. Simply put, it is just light sponge or chiffon cake flavored with the juices from pandan leaves, which then produce the green color that makes it distinct from all the other cakes. When made with pure pandan extract, some would actually add green food coloring to simulate the natural coloring of pandan leaves.

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Apom Berkuah

Everybody loves eating a heaping stack of pancakes drenched in maple syrup and topped with a lot of butter. Well, Singapore has its own version of pancakes. Apom berkuah is made from coconut water and from rice flour instead of the usual all-purpose flour. And, instead of maple syrup, it’s best paired with banana sauce.

 

Chin Chow

Chin chow is simply known as grass jelly. The jelly is made from the leaves and stalks of a plant known as Mesona chinensis, which locally grows in a lot of Southeast Asian countries. The leaves and stalks are boiled together with starch and potassium carbonate to attain that jelly-like consistency. There are a lot of ways to enjoy this dessert. It is often turned into a drink by adding syrup made from coconut sugar or by adding soy milk.

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Most Beautiful Beaches in the World  

Editor

As Singapore is simply just a one-city state, locals seeking to go on vacations, especially on beach escapades are constraint on their choices. There aren’t too many beaches in Singapore for locals to enjoy. Moreover, rapid urbanization has degraded the quality of some of the local beaches available in the city. However, Singapore is known to be one of the busiest ports in the world and has easy access to many international destinations. Thus, it won’t be very difficult for Singaporean locals to reach some of the following beautiful beaches found worldwide.

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Bora Bora

Bora Bora belongs to a group of islands of French Polynesia located in the Pacific Ocean. Due to the amount of luxury resorts, Bora Bora has been a very popular tourist destination for those looking to go on a beach escape. It is best known to be an island for those seeking a quiet atmosphere while enjoying the luxurious offers of the resorts found on the island.

 

The Hamptons

Better known as expensive residential properties for the upper members of the economic society in New York, the Hamptons are actually home to one of the best beaches in the world and some of the best luxury beachside resorts.

 

Langkawi

Found in Malaysia, which makes it a lot closer to home than some of the best beaches in the world, Langkawi is a popular destination for tourists. The island is composed of two main destinations. The Southern Islands is where most of the tourists are, while the Northern Islands are secluded and more peaceful. There are plenty of activities to be done in Langkawi such as visiting the Sky Bridge and the Kilim River.

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Lanikai Beach

Located in Hawaii, which is mostly known for beaches and resorts, Lanikai has been consistently a member of the top of beaches in the world. The word Lanikai literally translates to “heavenly sea”. That is the exact reason why a lot of tourists would seek the serenity of one of the world’s best seaside sceneries.

 

Seychelles

This destination is actually a country composed of 115 islands located in the Indian Ocean. Of the number of islands located in the country, the more popular is Anse Source d’Argent due to its pink sands and clear turquoise waters. This makes it one of the most popular beaches for photographers.

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De-Cluttering Your Smartphone  

Editor

Our smartphones can accumulate clutters like our personal computers. Clutters may be in the form of unused applications, temporary files and identical pictures. This clutter can affect the performance of our smartphones plus it can reduce the available storage space of our smartphone.

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Unfortunately, not all Singaporeans know this so they just go about their everyday lives without giving some thought about their smartphones and its performance. However, for those who are worried about the performance of their smartphones, here are some applications that we can consider for de-cluttering our smartphones:

  • Clean Master: Clean Master is only available for Android users. This application can assist us in terms of detecting and removing junk. The dashboard will show us the amount of memory and storage devoured.

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  • Memory & Disk Scanner Pro: Memory & Disk Scanner Pro is only available for iOS users. This application helps determine how resources are consumed for iOS devices. The dashboard displays the memory and disk usage real time.
  • Mobile Assistant: Mobile Assistant is available for Windows Phone. The application banks as a cache cleaner – it can clear out different things such as our browser files, videos, wallpapers, downloads and the like.
  • Storage Cleaner: Storage Cleaner is available for Windows Phone. The application cleans up temporary files. Before cleaning, the application will show the space available, the status and the space consumed by such files. The dashboard is easy to navigate with the delete button to get rid of the files.

The applications are first featured on TechRepublic.com. These applications will surely make a difference. What are we waiting for? We have to act right away.

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