the world of alora

I always wear jewelry that means something to me because it helps me stay grounded and reminds me of the people and things I love!

My favourite items to wear are bracelets because they are never too dressy when you are just casually out and about. However, having a whole stack of higher-end gemstone bracelets can make you look like a million bucks!

My favourite bracelets to wear each have a meaning. 

The top one was made by my mother out of beads that my youngest daughter picked out for me. 

When she saw the beads, she instantly thought of me and demanded her grandma make me a bracelet from them haha.

The second bracelet is my mala bead bracelet that reminds me to stay calm and be patient in situations slightly out of my control.

The bottom bracelet is a moonstone gemstone bracelet with a recycled brass spacer from Ghana. I love recycled materials as they make me feel like I’m doing my bit for the environment!

Let me know what type of jewelry you like to wear and what it reminds you of in the comments below!

I’m sure that we’ve all been there.  You need to buy a Christmas present for someone and can’t even think of where to begin!

You may wander from store to store, all over Calgary, hoping for inspiration. You may even scroll through endless online stores trying to find something that catches your eye. 

The trouble with this approach is not only that it is incredibly time consuming, but also that you may not even recognize that ”perfect” gift when you see and will pass it by. 

We’ve all met those people that seem to have a knack for picking out the perfect Christmas gifts and seem to really enjoy the process. 

So what is their trick? 

How can you turn the gift buying chore into a rewarding and successful experience time and time again? 

The “secret” to finding great gifts and enjoying the experience is all in your prep and approach.  There are a few simple things that you can do before you even begin that give you a big head start.  These work whether you are shopping for Christmas, or shopping for any other occasion.

It’s not about you

The first and most important rule in present shopping is to remember that it’s not about you. 

It can be easy to spot something that you love and assume that your friend will love it too – but we are all different from one another, and even best friend may not always love everything that you love.

Be personal and thoughtful

When buying a present for someone, it’s important that you put thought into it and try and match the present to them.  You don’t want to be giving a present that looks like you walked into a store and bought the first thing you saw, or worse, picked something up last minute on the way over because you had forgotten.

Consider their likes and dislikes

Think about what they like.

Pay attention to the things they wear, the things they own, and the things they talk about.  It can be just as important to think about the things that they don’t like. 

Maybe there is a certain colour, or smell, or style that they really like or dislike. 

Maybe there is a place in and around Calgary that they enjoy. 

Noticing these things will not only make it easier to buy a present that they will appreciate and enjoy, but it will also help to strengthen your relationship.

Take allergies or health issues to take into consideration

Make sure when you are buying a present for someone that they are actually able to use it. 

Buying a food basket that includes nut products for someone with a nut allergy is an example of a gift given without a lot of thought. 

Buying a gift card to your favourite Calgary steak house is not a good gift for a vegan; likewise, a gift box of chocolates or candy are not good for someone trying to diet. 

Flowers may seem like a nice gift, until you find out that they have hay fever.

What do they need?

When buying a present for someone, think about the occasion you are buying for? 

• Christmas?
• Housewarming present?
• New baby?

A family with multiple kids may not appreciate another toy in what may be an already toy-filled home. 

Do they have any interests or favourite hobbies that they would appreciate supplies for? 

Unless the gift is a surprise, it is always a good idea to ask someone what they might want and need.

Know your budget

Whatever amount you are planning on spending, it’s important to know what amount you are able to spend so that you aren’t wasting your time looking at things that are out of the price range.  Gifts don’t have to cost a lot to mean a lot.

Is there anything specific that has special meaning to the two of you

When you are thinking about your friend, is there anything that comes up that they may have mentioned over the last few months that would be a perfect starting point for a gift that will mean something. 

Is there a special memory or event that you shared?

Do you have any inside jokes that may translate well into a gift they would really appreciate and that would help them to feel special?

 SHOP THE PERFECT GIFTS HERE

Being able to answer these questions will help you immensely in finding meaningful gifts. 

It may take you a few extra minutes of brainstorming, but it will help you to narrow down your gift search, helping to save you time in the long run. 

When you are looking to buy a unique gift, or even just wanting to treat yourself, buying handmade jewelry is a great option.

Learning to make our shopping more sustainable will go a long way to helping reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, minerals and other resources.

Not only that, but greener shopping can also inspire you to find handmade and sustainable gifts that are made from the heart.

Buying handmade jewelry items is a great way to start if you’re looking to live a greener lifestyle. Here are some reasons that you should consider the benefits of buying handmade jewellery.

No Machines

Handmade jewellery is jewellery that is made by someone. That means that each piece will be a unique work of art. And also, no machines means less electricity and likely fuel was used in the making of the piece, making it the greener choice.

The Time

Each handcrafted item of jewellery requires more time to make. This imbues the piece with a significance that cannot be matched by a machine-made piece. Time is a precious resource; knowing that your jewelry was crafted with intention and purpose has so much more meaning for both the giver and the receiver. 

Knowing the Process

Designers have a love for the product that you can’t find in a mass-produced item. When you hold or wear a piece of handmade jewellery, you can almost feel the energy from its maker.

Handmade is of higher quality

We have all experienced the frustration and disappointment that comes from buying a cheap piece of jewellery. Sometimes causing skin reactions and discolorations, or even breaking or having parts fall off. Handmade jewellery is often made from higher quality metals, by an individual who is checking over their work. The makers are proud of their products and want to ensure that you love the piece as much or more than they do themselves.

Sustainable and ethical

Jewellery makers are often dedicated to sustainability and ethically sourced materials. By nature, being ethical can be much more costly than taking the easy route. Smaller-scale production is almost always higher quality. Especially when it comes to materials that are not cheap materials nor have been sourced illegally, or at least unethically

Support small business

Even if the product is not explicitly made in your local area, handmade jewellery is created by a person, likely in their home, and not in a factory somewhere. This means that your money is going towards paying the creator of the piece you are wearing, and not to lining the pockets of an already rich group of business owners. These are owners who likely had little to nothing to do with the making of the jewellery. Supporting small businesses means supporting a vital element of the economy.

Culturally appropriate

Many small scale makers and designers live in far-flung locations. However, online platforms give them a chance to share the beauty of the styles and techniques of their homeland and culture with others. This helps to foster a deeper connection to individuals across cultural, linguistic and even political boundaries.

Giving back

With the way that many businesses source their products or run their businesses, you will likely even be helping to give back with your purchase. Some businesses donate a portion of their profits to charity, and others source their materials from people in countries who would otherwise have no real incomes. This enables not only the small business owner to support their own family, but also helps support families around the world.

True Beauty

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, gifts that are made with love, that support a small scale business, and that create sustainable alternatives to big box stores are beautiful things. 

Next time you are looking for a gift or trying to find the perfect piece of jewellery to accent that new outfit, or even celebrating something special in your life, choose to buy a handmade piece. You won’t regret it.

You may be on the lookout for mala beads or mala necklaces in Calgary, but don’t know where to start looking. We want to make your shopping for mala gemstone jewelry easy, so we created this handy guide to help make your decision to buy a mala easy!

Are you looking for unique jewelry or unique fashion jewelry? You have come to the right place.

At Alora, we are always creating the most exciting, on-trend fashion jewelry pieces for you to rock to work, brunch, or to sell in your store!

This season, we are focusing on fringe, geometric shapes, and resin earrings that are as unique as you are.

Shop Alora Boutique for the latest in fashion accessories and style.

Alora carries a wide selection of the trendiest fashions and gifts that are perfect for you or a loved one. 

Why Shop Alora Boutique

Alora exists to add beauty and meaning your life! We do this by designing and creating jewelry that reminds you of your values. Not only do you benefit, but Alora donates a percentage of its profits to disadvantaged women through local charities.

Where is Alora Boutique

You can find Alora across the United States of America (USA) and Canada. We wholesale to stores in many states and almost every province in Canada. If you can't find a store near you, don't worry, we ship worldwide! You can help other women and look stylish with the click of a button!

What Does Alora Boutique Carry?

Alora Boutique carries jewelry for now, but we will start selling home decor, clothing, hair accessories, and everything beautiful in the future.

What Gifts Does Alora Boutique Offer?

Our most popular gifts are our gemstone bracelets! They are easy to wear and each piece comes with a meaning  card. For a limited time, you can use the code GEM20 to get 20% off all gemstone bracelets :)

Your friends are a constant presence in your life and provide you with unwavering love and support. Having these amazing people in your life sometimes compels you to go the extra mile to show them how much you care.