This is a big one...

Well August 2015 turned out to be just about the best month, ever. After months of nervous waiting, Dave and I bought a very own house together. If that wasn't enough to start the 'Jeez this is exciting and scary all at the same time' brain cogs turning, that lovely boy got down on one knee the second we stepped foot over our very own threshold! My first words were, of course, "I'm gonna puke". Seemingly unsatisfied with this, he asked the question again to which I planted a big smacker on him and shouted "Of course!".

Now. I'd always reassured him that should the day come where the mood took him  - we'd go shopping for the ring together. I'm picky. I'm happy with that. He gets sweaty at the just thought of present buying. I'm less happy with that. An engagement ring situation would end badly for both of us if left to him, surely? I'll refer you to a selection of previous 'presents': opaque white nail varnish, a second-hand basket of bath salts, the unauthorised Michael Bublé autobiography, and who could forget my 30th birthday when I received an ASOS voucher and a chess board. Case and point.

So, imagine my horror, once having said yes, as he reaches up at me with a ring box. Shit.

WELLSLAPMYASSAND BLOWMESIDEWAYSHEFUCKINGPULLEDITOUTOFTHEBAG.

Check this out. Dave is the best. And I never doubted him for a second...

 

The ring is from AC Silver in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne. I've admired it for some time now. It's bursting with beautifully unusual vintage and antique jewellery and the staff are truly lovely. If you have a passion for antique jewellery and you're in the North East, it's a must visit.

This French Art Deco style ring has been crafted in 18 carat yellow gold with a platinum setting. The feature emerald cut diamond is collet set to the centre of the design and flanked with two brilliant round cut diamonds, also colet set in platinum. The subtly elevated ring shoulders blend seamlessly with the plain 18ct yellow gold, hallmarked ring shank. The French owl hallmark (indicating a combination of gold and platinum) struck to the exterior of the ring shank is very clear.

In short - it's an absolute BEAUT and I love, love, love it. I really couldn't have chosen better myself.

Note to self: you can never berate Dave again for being terrible at buying presents. Now what to buy him for his birthday tomorrow...?!

Zoe Alexander UK

 

Created by Steve and Adriana Walkington, Zoe Alexander also designs fabulous maternity clothes. Be sure a to make a visit to their site, because there's loads to look at - the jewellery is a collection of unique quality gemstones set in 925 sterling silver and bronze, finished exquisitely plated with 22ct gold. From amethyst to zirconium hand selected from all over the world, there are loads of choices to embellish any outfit.

 

 

http://www.zoealexanderuk.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice Ice baby

Buzzfeed has gotten me through many an insomnia-ridden night. It's been my saviour whilst sat at the back of boring meetings and during the majority of the World Cup. I'd say I forget 99% of the stuff I read on there but this one I had to share. I only found it the other day, but it's actually from 2010...Summer, you're welcome.

 

Presenting the absolutely bizarre and therefore totally worthy of a share: 'Ice Me' 5 minute Chic*:

 

 

 

http://01mathery.tumblr.com/post/780507546

*Originally found via http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/ice-ice-baby

Freedom Found in Topshop



Did you know that Topshop sells a piece of Freedom jewellery line every two minutes?
Did you know that they've now launched a second line called Freedom Found? Well, here's the news...

This line is all about that moment when someone sees you wearing something fabulous and you have that "Wow, where did you get that?" moment. Taking inspiration from trips to vintage hotspots around the globe, the pieces are entirely modern but definitely have a retro, vintagey feel compared with the Freedom line.

Simplicity is key here. There are only 27 pieces in the range and the collection is limited to 300 of each item, compared with a normal high street run of 30,000.

So grab them while you can!

collar £30



Rhinestone earring £8.50



Green triangle earrings £10

Yes please Ringly!

So, I've stumbled across something and I can't decide whether it's total bonkers or absolute genius...but i'm swaying towards the latter. People, meet Ringly.

Yep, there it is. "Wearable technology". You can connect to your phone THROUGH A RING. And get this, the ring in question doesn't look like it's just come out of a kinder egg, the designs are actually really rather hot. I would wear them even if they weren't tiny technological geniuses. Which they are, so double bonus!

Ringly connects to your phone and sends you customized notifications through vibration and light - both of which you can customise with four vibration patterns and five colours. The Fall ring collection (below) is crafted with 18K matte gold 3 micron plating using precious and semi-precious stones.

Prices are $145/£85. Whaddya think? I love them all, here they are:

'Into the Woods' with emerald

'Daydream' with rainbow moonstone

'Stargaze' with Black Onyx

'Wine Bar' with pink sapphire

...and it Get's Better!

Not only do Dear Rae do marvellous pieces for everyday, they also do commissions creating stunning one-of-a-kind engagement rings. You can't tell me these aren't WOW....

(again all of these photos are from https://www.facebook.com/DearRaeJewellery/)


Here is a 9ct yellow gold ring, with a cognac diamond and rope detail:

 

A baguette cut white diamond set in 9ct yellow gold:

This is a 1.14ct pear shaped black diamond, with a rose gold band:

Here is a 0,80cts white rose cut diamond set in 9ct gold:

Let me tell you about Dear Rae...

Cape Town's Dear Rae has got to be my favourite brand of the moment - although I hate to say I don't actually own any of their pieces yet! SOON, promise.

 

The pieces are made in gold, silver, brass and copper, with the occasional gemstone and are designed to be worn everyday. As their website says, "they celebrate the beauty and ease of simplicity and translate into functional jewellery."

 

I could buy everything in the collection to be honest, which you can do here: http://dearrae.co.za/

 

If you're lucky enough to be able to visit the store though, go for it. From the photos on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DearRaeJewellery/) it looks like it would be an absolute treat of a shopping trip.

 

The photos posted below are all from their Facebook page, as I thought they showcased the pieces a bit better, but have a look on their website and see for yourself!