Shamballa bracelets were traditionally made from hematite beads and metal, but over time the materials used were taken from the fashion trends at the time of making. Many modern fashion jewellery designs utilise Swarovski crystals, cubic zirconia, plastic, resin, metal or hematite beads, while the more expensive fine jewellery designs would usually have precious gemstones or diamonds. Many Shamballa bracelets are made from waxed linen or nylon string featuring a traditional macramé manual toggle locking mechanism. The popular design element of Shamballa bracelets is a "disco ball" bead which looks like a tiny silver ball with lots of small shiny crystals evenly spread around them to create the characteristic "disco" play of light.

In Tibetan Buddhist tradition Shamballa (also spelled Shambhala or Shambala, Shambhala or Shangri-la) is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia. Over the years Shambhala became an epitome of Pure Land in Buddhism. It is a fabulous kingdom which took more spiritual meaning rather than just physical or geographic. The Shambhala myth reached Western cultures as the place of pure spiritual being.

Shamballa bracelets generally express deeply personal connections to epic notions like karma, inner peace, tranquillity and happiness. Many western people began to wear them during yoga sessions, meditation and martial arts practice, although usually the bracelet is bought as a latest fashion trend accessory to be worn every day.

There are may ideas as to what Shamballa bracelet represents and it's meaning is usually a personal choice, but the general idea that is commonly associated with it is to promote one's health and well-being. It is also one of the hottest accessories right now and is a "must-have" for any fashion conscious individual!

Can't decide on the colour? Choosing jewellery colour for autumn - that's a no-brainer, really . Look around at mosaics of fiery scarlet and burgundy, rich gold, lemon yellow, hot orange and ripe coral, warm hazel-brown and pale silver and many other Nature's breathtaking colour combos that can be used as guidelines to choose a piece of jewellery that will look good with your complexion and style. My personal favourites are lapel brooches in shapes of amber maple leaves. Crystal enamel lizards and exotic multicoloured fire-bird birds look stunning on a jacket lapel as well. Vintage gold or bright purple teardrop earrings, glistening in unison with unpredictable autumn skies, definitely take the cake in terms of what I'll choose to wear today to add more sun.

As autumn's alchemy trails its way delicately through the park near my home, I shuffle along. Hopefully, tomorrow there will be more sunshine and I'll wear a warm amber pendant to go for a stroll in the park and read Basho's haiku:

fragile twigs
breaking off the scarlet papers
autumn wind

Colours of the stones. That's what fascinates me most of all. Not only of stones, it could be any splash of colour. Peach, geranium, golden yellow or brown, soft blue, lavender, plum, lemon, tea with milk, lime green, solid black ... The problem is not in choosing one colour. Make colours match – that's what demands real talent . I don't use contrasting colour schemes often but if I do, I do it with jewellery. It's all about balance. If I wear a plain dress with no patters, then I can go for a bolder set of earrings, a brooch, or a bracelet: with stripes, spots and dots. When my outfit is a burst of colour or has patterns, I choose subtle accessories.

Colour is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment. Claude Monet had an extraordinary sense of colour and light. For me colour is definitely a joy and ... therapy. Scents are also a great way to relax. My cappuccino is tempting me so I have to stop here. Mmm, with cinnamon, my favourite.

One more thing I enjoy when I'm still at home – leafing through Vogue and sipping my coffee. I don't usually devour all columns at one gulp; I take it one at a time. The sickening smell of fresh print and smooth gloss. Fresh Vogue with fresh coffee – a healthy well-balanced breakfast . But I do actually read it, honestly.

Now I'm reading about Biennale des Antiquaires (Grand Palais, Paris; 15 - 22 September 2010). It is one of the major annual fairs in the world of jewellery, fine arts and antiques. One of the many participants is the legendary House of Cartier. They will display a collection devoted to the world of birds: a sapphire and diamond brooch in the form of a bird, emerald wing earrings and jillions of other sparkling eye candies.

Can't afford Cartier at the moment . It doesn't mean that it would be a no chicness autumn for me. There are loads of wonderful "everyday" jewellery available: bird brooches, wing earrings, thin bracelets with charms, long chandelier earrings and all kinds of pearl jewellery. These are the main trends. Not new but offering a wide variety for a girl with any budget to indulge her personal preferences.

Where are those days now when the summer seemed brighter, my neighbourhood - larger than the entire Universe, and all that mattered if you are allowed to go swim in the river? Yeah, you guessed me right - a nostalgia-prone type of girl. On a lazy Sunday like today I'd do nothing but hang out on my friends' terrace enjoying a sunny, cloudless sky, remembering old good days. I'd pull on my jeans and snickers (I won't climb trees but who knows ), no makeup, but my favourite bracelet is a must. I don't really care if it doesn't go well with the rest of the outfit. It's not even a glamour vs. casual case, personal style vs. fashion trends, it's just who I am - be yourself; everyone else is already taken. My Sundays are carefree. That's what they are meant for:

Wear my favourite jeans and jewellery. Either a wooden bracelet or a silver and gold one.
Listen to Strereophonics Maybe Tomorrow.
Go crazy and eat watermelon all day .
Watch La Dolce Vita. Have to get more Kleenex. There will be floods of tears. Happens every time I watch it.

What's your to-do list for this weekend?

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is my old flame. It's a branch of heaven on earth for the lovers of the Renaissance. I can see myself walking through the Uffizi's halls, the world's oldest gallery, gazing at genuine works of art, awe-struck but happy. I have this annoying habit to build up false expectations but I'm sure that a stay in Florence will be on of the best memories that will nourish mind and soul for the rest of my life. Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio ... They used to live and work in Florence. Imagine walking through the streets these great men once walked.

Florentine streets will never lose their charm. Renaissance palaces, churches, parks, ateliers and studios where you can find delicate glassware and ceramics, fancy and elegant jewellery. Check out my Italian: Firenze è una perla preziosa!* But the main attraction is the people. Have you visited the Sartorialist blog? That's one of my favourites. There you can see cool pictures of stylish people on the street from all over the world, from Italy as well. Modern-day Romeos and Casanovas, Lauras and Beatrices. By the way, the Sartorialist is on the "Vogue loves it" list. I got my September issue last week finally! It has some really nice jewellery recommendations but let's save it for the next post.

I'm listening to Ludovico Einaudi now, one of my favourite contemporary Italian composers. His Primavera is a masterpiece, I think. That's what I feel looking at the face of Venus (Sandro Botticelli's the Birth of Venus).

*Florence is a precious pearl!

My Friday treats. A cheesy bacon and potato omelette and French toasts with peanut butter (who said it's just for kids). A treat for my mind and soul – a book on architecture I never had time to start reading: The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard.

My Friday look. It's a bolder look. And it usually takes less time to come up with something more daring than all smooth and simple. Hmm ... is everyone like this or it's just me? I won't wear any career killers but some of my choices for Friday are a no-no for Monday. Today it's a bit softer look but more appealing and flirtatious than usual, a lovely look not only for a Roman goddess but for a down-to-earth girl like me . A mocha off the shoulder dress with chunky, romantic antique jewellery. Kind of a sneak peek for my colleagues and friends at upcoming attractions for this Friday night.

My Friday song. See-Line Woman (also Sea Lion Woman) - a cover of a traditional American folk song by Nina Simone, or a more recent cover by Feist. Love its rhythm. It sets the right pace for the whole day and night, and makes me want to use my feminine charms, at least to give it a try:

see-line woman
dressed in green
wears silk stockings
with golden seams
see-line woman

Have a great weekend, everyone. Amo venerdi!

*The word for Friday in Italian venerdì is derived from Latin dies Veneris - "day of Venus".

With four pounds more or less, I'm happy with my body. It took a long time to finally acknowledge it, believe it, live with it and enjoy it. It's always been two extremes with my diet. Either if it tastes good, spit it out or a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. Now I'm somewhere in the middle, though often it is like walking on a tightrope trying not to fall back into either of the extremes.

One of the people who inspired me and still motivates me to be myself is Christina Hendricks (as Joan Holloway/Harris in one of my favourite television series Mad Men). I'm talking about the way she looks mainly. I wouldn't want her character to work in my office as a colleague . You don't want to pick on Joan, she'll snap back at you in the twink of an eye. But I love her character's witty dialogues, especially between her and Peggy.

It's the 1960s era and I love it. I would wear any of Joan's outfits to the office now. They are elegant and feminine. I like the way she uses jewellery to make accents. She often wears pencil skirts with brooches and a pen necklace to outline her hourglass shapes. Even Lynne Featherstone, the equalities minister, said, "Christina Hendricks is absolutely fabulous," praising her no-skinny model type image.

That would be another way of falling into extremes though. Skinny or curvy, you are to appreciate what you have. Another pinch of wisdom from Pamela Redmond Satran: every woman should know that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents... But I swear every time I look at Christina (Joan) I think if I were a man... What? I think I'll stop here .