If you're going to smoke indoors and want to ease up on the aftermath, smoke near open windows. Blowing the smoke out the window and keeping your burning cigarettes as close as possible to the window is the best way to cut down on the lingering smell of the smoke. To ensure that the smoke doesn't drift back through the open window, consider using a small desk fan aimed toward the window. Keep the smoke going outward, and you won't have to worry much about masking the smell later. All you need to create nice-smelling smoke on your exhales is a toilet paper tube, some dryer sheets, and a rubber band. Stuff as many dryer sheets as you can into the TP tube and fix one sheet at the end, holding it in place using the rubber band. When you smoke, blow the smoke through the other end of the tube. It'll smell much less strongly. Doing this won't eliminate the smell of the smoke, but it will make it smell much less intense. The smoke coming off the cigarette while it burns is still a major issue, though, so combine this with other methods, like smoking out the window and using masking scents. Keeping a good supply of scented candles and strong incense to burn while you smoke is a good idea in masking the smell of the cigarettes. Incense is a particularly good option, especially if you already burn it regularly because it smells like smoke already. Suspicious parents or roommates might not recognize the undertone of cigarette funk underneath the Nag Champa. If you're in a carpeted room, there's that much more opportunity for the smoke to become embedded in the room. If you want to get rid of the smoke smell, consider getting out the vacuum and giving the carpet a once-over. Vacuuming won't be enough by itself, but just agitating the carpet some can help air it out a little bit. Febreeze is a smoker's best friend. Its odor-eliminating properties and clean scent do wonders for masking the smell of cigarettes indoors. Keep a bottle handy and regularly treat fabric surfaces (as well as clothes) that you want to remove the clinging smell of smoke from.

Summary: Keep the window cracked. Use a homemade smoke scrubber. Burn incense and candles. Vacuum. Spray Febreeze on curtains, carpet, and other fabric.

Drinking too much alcohol can cause your uvula to swell. If you notice that it swells and then goes away on its own, try reducing your alcohol intake. If that doesn't work, and your uvula continues to swell, see a doctor. Cigarette and cigar smoke is an irritant, and if you're getting a lot in your throat, it can cause your uvula to swell. If you've having problems with a swollen uvula, quit smoking. If acid reflux is contributing to your swollen uvula, try to manage your symptoms. In addition to taking antacids when you feel a problem, try eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that trigger your reaction. If you are struggling to control your acid reflux on your own, talk to your doctor to create a personal treatment plan.

Summary: Avoid alcohol. Stop smoking. Address acid reflux problems.

The cut of a diamond will influence how the stone redirects light, causing it to glitter. Many consider this to be the most important feature of a diamond ring. Even an expensive diamond, if cut poorly, can look lackluster. The main categories of cut are: Ideal cut (sometimes called "Excellent"), reflects the most light possible back to your eyes, making the diamond sparkle brightly. Very good cut, reflects slightly less light back to your eyes than an ideal cut. Good cut, reflects most of the light that enters the diamond back to your eyes. Fair cut, reflects noticeably less light than a good cut, but is generally considered to still be a quality gemstone. When a diamond seller talks about the color of a diamond, they're actually referring to its lack of color. Diamonds are rated on a scale that goes from D to Z. Diamonds that are perfectly white are the most desirable/expensive and are ranked at D. Color grades can be minutely different from each other. Selecting a diamond with a unnoticeably lower color grade can save you a significant amount of money. Ranks F to E will only have minimal traces of color that can only be detected by a professional gemologist. Ranks H to G are nearly colorless. The difference between these and higher color grade diamonds will only be noticeable when compared side by side. Ranks J to I will generally have a detectable warmth to their color tone, usually in the form of yellowness, but are still considered to be near colorless. Ranks worse than I will have noticeable yellow tones coloring the gem. Even the most expensive diamonds will likely have minute flaws and imperfections. Gem experts call these "inclusions." For high quality diamonds, these inclusions may only be visible with a microscope. However, too many flaws or the wrong kinds of flaws can make your diamond cloudy. Clarity grades, from flawless to visible flawed, are rated: FL (flawless), IF (internally flawed), VVS1, VVS2 (very, very slightly included), VS1, VS2 (very slightly included), SI1, SI2 (slightly included), and I1 (included). You might save some money by choosing an SI1 clarity diamond. These often only have flaws visible under magnification, making them a more economical purchase without looking cheap. Before purchasing a diamond with a SI rank or worse, verify with the seller that the diamond is "eye clean." This means there are no imperfections visible to the naked eye. Small amounts of boron are frequently trapped in diamonds, causing a slightly milky appearance in the stone. This is called "florescence," and it is rated from Faint to Very Strong. Unless you are able to appraise a diamond in natural light to ensure there is no milkiness, you should avoid Strong or Very Strong florescent stones. Looking at your diamond from above will give you a better idea of how the stone will look when placed in a setting. While most people evaluate the size of a diamond by carat weight (CTW), this can be deceptive. Even small diamonds that have been cut correctly can appear sizable. You'll also want to look at potential diamonds in many different kinds of lighting. Some stones look beautiful in bright light, but lose their appeal in everyday lighting. Carat total weight (CTW) is the weight of all the diamonds in the ring, including side stones. When only the CTW is listed, ask the diamond seller about the quality and weight of the centerpiece stone. If the seller does not want to share this information, this is likely a sign a sign that the diamond is low quality. The shape of your diamond will highlight different features. Round brilliant cuts will bring out the sparkle in your diamond. Step cut diamonds, like Asscher and emerald cuts, will reflect flashes of light as opposed to sparkle. Longer shapes, like oval, pear, and marquise cuts, can be suitable for longer fingers. Some other shapes for your consideration: Round Princess Emerald Radiant Heart Cushion You'll want your diamond to have been graded by an independent authority so you know you're really getting what you're paying for. This is also known as a certificate, and will include an evaluation of cut, clarity, color, carat weight, light behavior, apart from providing other measurements such as fluorescence, proportions, alignment, symmetry, and fingerprint. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gem Society) are two of the diamond grading authorities in the US. Beware of diamond grading scams: Diamond grades can differ from one lab to another, and also from one gemologist to another. This is due to certain shortfalls of the human eye, apart from other integrity issues. Note that the price of the diamond differs based on the diamond grade. There have been many diamond grading scams because of such subjective grading practices.
Summary: Select a cut that maximizes sparkle and beauty. Equip yourself with knowledge about diamond color. Identify your ideal clarity. Take florescence into account. View potential diamonds from above. Pick the best shape for your diamond. Verify the diamond is certified.