I am always on the lookout for new materials to try, at the moment I am getting to grips with copper (but more on that later…)

Amber is a semi precious stone that I have often seen, but never used, I’m not sure why, it might be that it’s a colour I don’t ever wear and so don’t gravitate towards. Lately though I have noticed amber in varying colours, some very unusual.

When I looked at Catherine D’ Arcy’s site I was delighted to see how many of these variations she is using in her designs.  Catherine designs  her range and commissions the Mexican Taxco silversmiths to manufacture to her specifications. Her pieces are bold and striking and she uses the most wonderful stones in her amber jewellery.

Some necklaces contain a Dominican fire amber pendant. This particular stone is a rarity outside of the Dominican republic and is considered a collectors item.

But my particular favorite piece of her silver jewellery is this necklace which has a collection of silver baubles attached, it’s whimsical and pretty, very unusual and seriously wantable!

Image courtesy of Corazon Latino

So, since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I could really talk about my lovely Murano handblown glass hearts or my selection of Swarovski Crystal Heart necklaces, but since this blog is all about me, me, me…..! What I am really after for Valentine’s day …..are these gorgeous Ella Doran Orchid China Mugs!  They are offering a 20% promotion at the the moment – so don’t delay!

Image courtesy of Ella Doran

All I’m saying today is that my Christmas present came from……

Boudoir Blush!

I’ve had my eye on this exquisite shirt from The Shirt Company for some time now. They design a range of white or black shirts, with a emphasis on fit and attention to detail.

A good quality white shirt is a wardrobe essential and I could never be without one. Should this gorgeous one come my way for ….say…my birthday……or Christmas ……or even my birthday and Christmas combined, then I am sure I would wear it constantly. I would probably take it off to wash and iron it, but then it would go straight back on again!

Image courtesy of The Shirt Company

Tessa and I both have birthday’s in October and so our house is abuzz with birthday celebration excitement. I normally keep sites I really like bookmarked, that way when the question “so what do you want for your birthday?” comes around, I can hand over a neat and tidy list! I have seen Charlotte Casadéjus at various fairs and love the cushions she makes using vintage and monogrammed linens. I am a linen junkie, I can never resist old, white damask linen, so browsing her site is always very tempting.  Charlotte’s range has increased and she now makes bridal and evening wear, lavender bags and other accessories – these belts look fantastic and I would love one!

Image courtesy of Charlotte Casadéjus

I love the new sculpture that marks the entrance to Parchment Street in Winchester. It’s called The Kite Flyer and it was commissioned by the businesses in the street and made by Marzia Colonna. Parchment Street is a treasure, little independantly owned shops among which are 2 of my favorites – Boudoir Blush – for the nicest selection of underwear and Forme, which is  a treat to browse in as they always have plenty of wantable stuff and their gift wrapping is an art form! I think The Kite Flyer is a wonderful addition to the sculpture in this beautiful city.

I’ve just come across this picture on the Apple site. I’m taking this as a sign that I should get a new Ipod……….

I’ve a friend  who has recently set up a Lifestyle Management Company in Winchester and the surrounding areas. So if you live in Hampshire and are looking for an extra pair of very capable hands to take care of the tasks you aren’t getting around to doing then contact Colleen at Splash.

We’ve just finished watching the DVD of The Illusionist. It’s a story of love and magic , intrigue and mystery – with a wonderful twist – and we loved it!

I’ve just finished reading a book that I think is fantastic and so would love to recommend. It’s called A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry. I found it quite daunting initially, but quickly found myself entirely engrossed and unable to put it down.

The book weaves the story of 4 individuals from the indian caste system during the 70’s.  I felt that I was  given insight into the political and social situation affecting the characters as well as the minutae of their daily life.

I’t’s an incredibly sad narrative, but I also found it moving and uplifting  that people who live in such appalling conditions can still find happiness and joy in their circumstances and surroundings.

If you read it or have read it please let me know what you thought.

The Twinkleberry site is at long last being redesigned!

Of course, Mr Perfectionist (aka Captain Slow) is building it, so it’s bound to take quite some time to finish………..but it’s looking lovely and I am very excited!

One of my very best things must be getting into bed when I have changed my linen. I am a bit of a purist when it comes to bedding and have always only ever bought white pure cotton linen.  I iron all our linen myself ( I know – it’s crazy – but there you are) and both David and I delight in climbing into bed and enjoying the feeling of fresh white cotton, so I was really suprised when I came across Bella Notte Linens and was temped by the most sumptuous, colours and fabrics – I might need to rethink my dedication to white cotton…………

Image courtesy of Bella Notte Linens

This pair of earrings has been very popular, especially with the colder weather closing in and the warm sumptuous colours coming out in our woolies – delicious cranberry coloured pearls hovering over a bronze coin pearl.

Maryam of My Marrakesh has been to Rwanda in the last week. Today her post was horrifying and I have thought about the genocide that occured there all day. I can’t even imagine how she must have felt – hearing and seeing all she did first hand. How is it that we vow never to let these things happen again and yet they do and how is it that one human being can do these things to another?

I found these lovely Rose quartz rectangles some time ago and couldn’t resist them – Why? I don’t know as I am not very fond of Rose Quartz. It’s a very tricky colour to wear unless you are tanned or naturally dark skinned or you have the famed English Rose complexion – I don’t fit in to any of the above categories!

I think I liked these as they are an unusual shape and are so nicely polished, they are absolutely perfectly smooth. Anyway, they have been lurking in my stash of stones and when I came across this chain I just knew they would be perfect.

I am loving incorporating stones and other components into chains at the moment – perhaps you noticed this…….? I think this necklace came out wonderfully and I am re-thinking my opinion on Rose Quartz!

Have you been to www.hejhog.co.uk yet? I would certainly recommend that you visit this lovely site. They sell an interesting and very diverse range of products which are either organic, natural or derived from a sustainable source – something we should all be concerned with.

You could spoil yourself with an impressive range of cosmetics or treat a little one to a beautiful hand made wooden toy.

Flowers go to Shaun at hejhog today for his exceptional customer service!

Dave and I have just returned home from watching “The Bourne Ultimatum”. We loved the first two and could barely wait for the release of the last in the trilogy – and it was fab!

I was a bit disappointed that it didn’t follow the book – Robert Ludlum’s “The Bourne Trilogy” more closely – but none the less – worth going to see. We’ve read the book, we’ve seen the movie and if there was a T-shirt – we’d be wearing it!

I loathe department Stores. I dislike having to trawl through rail upon rail to find something and they just seem to leave very little room for individuality.

When I lived in South Africa, I loved going into the Jenni Button Boutiques. This designer uses wonderful fabrics and makes clothes ranging from the everyday to the outright glamorous and drop-dead gorgeous. Visiting her shops was also heaven for me because everything was so beautifully laid out; you could see the clothes without having to scrounge around.

My last pair of Jenni Button shoes is getting really worn out and so I was thrilled to come across her website recently – unfortunately the site is quite dismal, but the clothes are still dreamy! Fortunately I will be able to stock up next April when we travel to S.A. again!

I came across Jude Miller’s website today and could hardly believe that her creations are made from paper!

I love it when someone who is obviously so talented finds their perfect vocation and is rewarded for it. Jude Miller must fall in this category.

Being a “flower” girl, I really struggled to choose a picture of her work to put up here – I think my favorites must be the Passionflowers, but for those of you who have contacted me recently for wedding jewellery – have a look at the Bindweed Garland, there are all kinds of wonderful things you could do with that!