Category: jewellery

jewellery, life

I still want Bernard’s Watch!*

ramblingmads

But doesn’t every 90s kid? The power to stop time would be incredible. I’d certainly get more done. Although I remember Bernard being quite annoying.

I don’t wear a watch in my day to day, mostly because there are clocks in every room but I have noticed that I’ve started to get annoyed having to scrabble around in my bag for my phone whenever I want to know the time.

I used to wear a watch every day, I’ve been through several over the years, from the pinchy banded one my mum gave me aged 10, through a succession of cheap fast fashion ones that broke or fell apart to a sporty waterproof one from the Science Museum (I think I lost that one). I bought a rather nice rose gold one from ASOS, but I don’t think it’s even been on my wrist and I’m not entirely sure where it’s ended up.

The tiny mechanism inside a watch is fascinating

A few months ago I married a man with a penchant for pocket watches, like someone from the 1900s, he loves nothing more that to clip one of the five or six he owns to his clothes. He even gave his best men personalised ones as thank you gifts. On our wedding day he wore his Grandad’s one and his Grandpa’s cuff links, to show that even though they’re no longer here, they’re here.

Watches can be potent memories, my dad had his grandfather’s gold watch, until it was stolen in a burglary. I curse the thieves, may they never have enough time!

I remember the heavy chunky watch my dad wore in his corporate life, he’d take it off after coming home and put it on the arm of the chair. I liked slipping my much smaller wrist in and feeling the heavy links of the band against my arm. It was a reassuring thing, as long as the watch was there my dad was home with us. He travelled a lot for work and the watch being gone meant he was too.

The only person I can think of that still wears one every day is my mum, she’s worn the same one for years, although both the band and the batteries have been replaced several times. Maybe she should get a new one for Christmas?

There’s something quite satisfying about wearing a watch, sometjing that says “I am in control”. Which I never am.

There was a little girl playing with her brother in the park the other day, she had a kids plastic watch on, and was telling her brother quite loudly that it was home time, showing him her watch. Now that is the kind of watch I need, home time, tea time, nap time.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any watches like that here but I did spot lots of bargains if you were planning on treating yourself or someone else to some new arm candy. This site collects all the best bargains and even gives you tips on how to decide which watch suits you best.

*this post contains gifted or sponsored content but all words and opinions are my own.

Christmas, fashion, jewellery, lifestyle, reviews

Christmas Stars with Jewellery Box* 

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Christmas is coming and if like me you’re part magpie you’ll have your eye on some sparkly gifts, whether for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. 

For some beautiful and fun jewellery look no further than Jewellery Box. 

This UK based small business is a favourite of bloggers, having sponsored the Bloggers Blog Awards, which I attended back in September. 

The team very kindly sent me some really lovely pieces to share with you all. 

I love this necklace, there’s something very soothing about tessalating shapes. The silver chain is delicate with a lobster clasp. Perfect for work to add a little quirk to a smart office look. 
For something more seasonal, how about this dainty snowflake? Adding this to my Christmas Day outfit I think. 

To go with the necklace, these star earrings! So pretty and cute. 
Then to finish it off another star, this time in gold, around my wrist – although it might go better with Boxing Day’s ensemble. 
Everything is beautifully packaged, making these items perfect gifts for your friends and family (or yourself!) 

jewellery, reviews

Review: Martha Jackson Locket* 

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All my life I’ve loved jewellery, from my Nan’s earrings to my Mum’s eternity sapphire necklace. 

One of the earliest things I owned myself aside from a christening bracelet, was a little locket. It had tiny pictures of my grandparents in and was very much a child’s necklace. 

I’ve always loved lockets – the hint of a secret tucked away. They pop up in literature hiding clues to great secrets, passed down through generations. 

So when Martha Jackson asked if I’d like to review one of their gorgeous lockets, obviously I said yes. 

And isn’t it just a delight? 

I don’t wear yellow gold so this sterling silver one suits me perfectly. I can imagine wearing it with so many different outfits – silver goes with everything. 

I chose this one because the silverwork is so ornate and timeless looking. 

And of course it opens, with a space for a tiny keepsake or photo or if you’re feeling Victorian a lock of your love’s hair! 

The key charm hanging beside it fits the whole idea of a locket perfectly – you keep your secrets safely locked away. The charm is an added touch and you can pick your own out, which is a lovely way to personalise it. 

And at Martha Jackson you can even get your jewellery engraved – mine has my full first name (used only by my mum) on it. 

It really is beautiful and by no means the only lovely thing for sale at Martha Jackson. 

And the customer service is excellent, a definite bonus. 

And you’re supporting an independent business, which is always a good thing in my book. 

I’ve got my eye on a few things for Christmas, because having seen first hand how well made – that is a decent clasp and chain – and lovely the jewellery is, of course this little magpie wants more! 

*this post contains gifted or sponsored items but all words and opinions are my own. 

feminism, jewellery, life, relationships, wedding

Wedding Wednesday: Why I chose to wear an engagement ring 

ramblingmads

The other day I read a really preachy article (which I don’t have a link to) about why the writer, as a feminist, wouldn’t wear an engagement ring. 

Now I strongly believe that everyone has a right to their own opinion but the tone of the piece and the fact that she was using feminism as her reason really annoyed me. 

I’m a feminist. I believe in equality, equity of the sexes, and a woman’s right to choose what she does with her life and her body. My mum instilled these beliefs in me growing up. 

However, I don’t feel like those beliefs preclude me from wearing my engagement ring. 

I am aware of the original symbolism of wedding rings and the whole patriarchal problematic wedding traditions. But I don’t see the engagement ring on my left hand as a symbol of ownership. 

Nobody, least of all C, owns me. I am my own person, regardless of marital status. 

I see it instead as a symbol of commitment, of a promise to be a team, to stick together, to be a family. I see it as C’s love and mine for him. We’re going to get married, be together for good, legally bound and all that jazz. Not because society says so, but because we want to. 

And that doesn’t contradict my feminism. This is my choice. Isn’t that what women have been fighting for all these years – the ability to make their own choices? 

adventures in post, fun stuff, jewellery

Happy Flair – plants are friends

ramblingmads

Happy Flair is a super cheery box of bits and bobs from the team at Punky Pins, one of my favourite indie jewellery and accessories companies. 

You can opt for pin only or full flair, which obviously is very me.  Each month’s box is themed and slipped through the letterbox by the postman. 

This month’s is full of all things green. I love my plants, mostly cacti and succulents, and clearly the Happy Flair team have the same taste in plants. 


Inside the box are stickers, a postcard, pin, necklace, patch and a note card. Each box is different but this may just be my favourite. 

fun stuff, happy mail, jewellery, lifestyle boxes, reviews, stationery

Happy Flair

ramblingmads

Happy Flair is a new subscription box from the team behind Punky Pins – a box full of accessories and stationery curated around a theme. Last month’s was Alice in Wonderland and this month’s is cult favourite Clueless, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 

I had to explain what Clueless is to the Mr, who has never seen it. Hopefully I don’t have to do that here. If you haven’t seen it – it’s on Netflix. 

Each box is designed to fit through the letterbox and packed full of brightly coloured flair. Brooches, badges, a necklace, postcards and more. Here’s some snaps. 

Cher’s unique style of plaid suits features too – the clothes in the film were pretty fantastic. 

These boxes are great fun and would make fab gifts for someone else or yourself. 

fashion friday, fun stuff, jewellery

#fashionfriday Magpie Moments

ramblingmads

#fashionfriday is an occasional series where I talk fashion.

Today I thought I’d share some of my favourite jewellery sites, with an emphasis on indie companies.

I am a total magpie, if I see something shiny, I have to have it, and I do love a bit o’ bling to make an outfit pop. Some of the best places to buy fun, purse friendly costume jewellery are online.

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Punky Pins has a big social media presence but is a small UK based company making fun acrylic and enamel accessories. Like these pins

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And my favourite flamingo necklace.

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Love Layyanah is a brand I only recently discovered via Instagram. The quirky gold and silver necklaces, bracelets and rings are affordable and fun. Plus the customer service is excellent.

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Selection of lovely things

Blackheart Creatives I discovered through twitter. Based in Bristol, these fiends with a laser cutter, their acrylic bling is fun and a little bit trashy (which is a good thing). I want these awesome earrings.

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Anyone else now got the song wedged in their brain?

They do a DIY jewellery subscription box, which is great fun and allows you to get creative and make something bespoke in front of Netflix (Kimmy Schmidt binge anyone?)

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Blackheart Creatives

Where do you like to get your jewellery from?

challenges, crafty stuff, jewellery, lifestyle boxes, reviews

Blackheart Creatives DIY Jewellery Box

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I discovered Blackheart Creatives through Twitter and loved the fun things they sell.

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So when they released a DIY jewellery box I leapt at the chance. For £20 you get everything you need to make some pretty cool, totally unique jewellery.

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Unique and fun

I sat myself down in front of The Good Wife last week and had a go. Following the step-by-step instructions was super easy and since the box not only contained the components but also the tools I needed, there was no faffing about.

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Super duper easy peasy

This month’s box contained a pair of earrings and a necklace, which you can put your own unique spin on and make something no one else has.

This was a limited run of 30 kits, but if there’s enough demand, I imagine there will be more in the future. The plan is to give you something different each time and build up your skills and tools at the same time.

The lovely Charlotte even made a how to video for you, if you’re all thumbs or just want tips from the pros.

As a not very crafty person I found it really fun and as you get something unique to keep and wear at the end, complete value for money.

To find out more, visit Blackheart Creatives online, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, they’re a friendly team and respond quickly, should you have any questions.  You can also see everyone else’s fab creations there.

ramblingmads

fashion, fashion friday, jewellery, shoes, wardrobe

Accessorize like your life depends on it

ramblingmads

The inspiration for this post is Iris Apfel, 90 something New York eccentric, whose ethos seems to be “more is more”. She is my aspiration for old me.

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I love her!

As a larger lady (Argh, the phrases we use – plus size, plus size to what??) I have become an expert at accessories. When you have lots of friends skinnier than you, you improvise.

You buy jewellery, bags, shoes and accessories so you don’t feel so awkward in shops that don’t cater for you. So bitchy shop assistants don’t look at you and laugh (I’m looking at you, girls in Top Shop). So you feel like you belong on the girly shopping trip.

To be honest, I hated being a fat teenager, and I wasn’t even that big, just bigger than my friends. The average size woman in the UK is a 16 (what that means varies brand to brand, and even within brands), but shops seem to tail off size wise at a 14.

It is better now, there are a few more options but still, there’s so much shame around being over that average and wanting to wear nice clothes, it makes me furious.

I have been both much bigger than I am today and also much skinnier. Everyone’s body is different, how we got to where we are varies just as wildly.

Without this becoming a therapy session – my weight has medical causes and emotional ones – my relationship with food is a mess. One I’m trying to get a handle on.

My best friend, who I love dearly, called me the accessories queen and she knows everything about me. I have turned adding the right accessory to an outfit into an art form.

It helps to be a magpie, with an eye for sparkly, unusual stuff.

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I love this, it's so true

My cupboard/wardrobe/storage space in my tiny flat is crammed with earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins, bags, shoes, scarves (I got the Mr to put up a scarf rail for me, it’s heaving). You name it, I probably have it, but can’t guarantee I can find it.

Annoyingly I can’t wear earrings much anymore, two years ago I got an infection in my earlobe, ten years after getting them pierced, and since then they’ve been very sensitive to metal. It frustrates me because I have fantastic earrings and good sized lobes to hang them from.

My scarf addiction has caused disagreements, but you can chuck a scarf of any design on over an outfit and make it amazing. Jeans and a T-shirt, funky scarf boosts it from slobbing about to lunch ready. LBD, contrasting design worn like a shawl, gorgeous. Trust me.

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I love finding a necklace that works with different necklines, from collars to décolletage, there’s a different design for every occasion.

An eye catching ring, sparkling in the light, can draw the eye to or away from your nails, depending on their condition. While the right bracelet can set off an unusual length sleeve.

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Shoes are also great at going “hello, I may be wearing a fairly dull outfit to work, but we’re pretty” especially these ones.

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Credit: likecool.com

Or these

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Credit: likecool.con

Sadly, I don’t own either pair, but I do have ones with cat faces and some covered in flamingos.

I’m not really a hat person, I don’t have the right head shape for it, but I’ve noticed the floppy brimmed hat making a comeback and on the right head, it looks fantastic.

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Credit: ebay.co.uk

I started wearing glasses a few years ago as a required thing, but I’ve always loved oversized sunglasses and cats eye frames with plain glass for dressing up and trying out new looks. EBay is great for really cheap frames and TKMaxx has a great selection of discounted designer sunglasses.

Finally there’s handbags, I love a good sized, sturdy bag, but also quirky clutches for nights out or special occasions and tote bags are a cute way to carry your shopping home, especially if like me you resent paying 5p for a crappy plastic bag that will probably break on the way home!

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Spotted this amazing Fendi bag in Venice

What are your favourite accessories? Let me know in the comments.

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, jewellery, love me beauty, make up, nail polish, nails inc, reviews, skincare

Love Me Beauty – a cautionary tale

ramblingmads

It was Christmas Day, I was digesting an enormous lunch watching The Second Best Marigold Hotel (it was OK) from around the Christmas Tree at the out-laws, when my phone alerted me to the renewal of my LMB points and so off I went to see what the boutique could offer me.

While they have added lots of new products to the line up, you still need to get those bonus points (££) to get much.

And as it was Christmas, I thought, oh I’ll get some bonus points, they’ll last me. They did not. I spent them all.

This is not the cautionary tale – this is – do not shop online while under the influence of vast quantities of turkey, just don’t. I could not for the life of me remember what I’d bought so this box was a bit of a surprise when I opened it.

LMB have returned to their silver boxes, I preferred the rather fancier cream and black they sent out a few months back. But I digress. “What was in the box?” I hear you cry. Well here’s what my roast potato enduced memory wipe kept from me.

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A handbag sized make up bag – I actually need this, daft as it sounds, woman of a million make up bags.

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More like a few bits of make up, plasters and paracetamol

Lord & Berry Fluid Delicate Make Up Remover – did I mean to pick this? I have no idea. Blame the parsnips. But make up remover is always useful.

Percy & Reed Foaming Treatment Mask – I like P&R but they are not cheap so getting their products this way is a bargain. I probably did indeed select this.

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Cailyn Mineral Eye Polish in Snow – I have no idea, probably picked out by the stuffing. This is very light, almost invisible eye shadow. My sister would like it, but it’s not very me.

Dr PawPaw Balm – I read an article raving about this Aussie lip balm/chafe balm/grumpy skin balm. The gravy remembered that and put this in my box. I’ll add it to the thousands of lip balms in my life.

Nails Inc in Colville Mews – I love Nails Inc, I love nail polish. Can I blame the fact that I picked a colour I already have on the cranberry sauce?

Roques ONeil Therapie Restore Aura Spray – something I definitely need I think. Spray onto face when frazzled, or opening boxes you have no memory of buying.

LMB have also added a range of jewellery items to their shop, and yep, you guessed it, my Christmas dinner coma picked out a few bits there too.

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Pink quartz earrings – these look like upside down traffic cones. Therefore I love them. Also could probably stab someone with them. Pink quartz is a healing crystal and there’s me with my unicorn horn stabbing people earrings…

Gold necklace with green stone. Pretty self explanatory.

Pointy silver bracelet – again, says exactly what it is. Although when I first looked at it I wasn’t sure if I wore it on my wrist or my neck.

Green thread bracelet with bobbly silver charm – it’s a really good thing I don’t write the descriptions on the website.

Did your food coma induce you to buy anything you don’t remember this Christmas? Or is it just me?

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