Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumn Inspiration



Embrace the change of season with some autumn inspiration for your home. 


The Willows has a beautiful collection of fall decor and accessories to give your space a warm and welcoming feel. 


Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy. The palette of fall colours introduces rich copper, burnt orange and earthy tones to your space. 


Let The Willows help inspire you!


Stop by today.


The Willows Casual Home
#290-10816 Macleod Trail S.E.
Calgary, AB


403-225-9797

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Cubic Zirconias - not just for smart people

If you’re, say, a chemical engineer then ZrO2 will mean something to you. You will understand the process of melting together zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide (another word for calcium, but you knew that) at extremely high temperatures, 4,982 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact, to grow cubic zirconia crystals. To you, this will make sense. You may even be able to picture the process in your extremely smart mind.

For the rest of us pictures speak louder than words (especially when the words are broken down into scientific permutations).



Cubic Zirconia is a hard and visually flawless man made ‘diamond,’ and the only competition for diamonds in the market place for the last 35 years. The crystals became internationally popular when Swarovski & Co. started mass producing them in the ‘80’s. Although colourless when processed, CZ’s can be manufactured in a variety of colours.





Now we don’t have the mind of a chemical engineer, but we do understand economies of scale and for our money, CZ’s are a beautiful and cost effective way to own stunning, quality jewelry while still having money left over for the mortgage.



And CZ's last. Simply cleaning them with a mild cleaner and a small brush will keep them brilliant for a long time.