Loopy for Loom Bands

It's the summer craze that's taken the world by storm after making the leap from the schoolyard to the streets - of course I'm talking about Loom Bands! I'll confess that when my 8 year-old nephew first asked me to buy him some I didn't know what on earth he was talking about, but now it seems like the whole country has gone loopy for looms - and not just the kids. Everyone from the Duchess of Cambridge to David Beckham has been seen wearing Loom Bands, so I quickly hopped on the band wagon a couple of weeks ago and enlisted my nephew to teach me how to loom with the best of 'em. I'll tell you now it's addictive, but I'm not sure I'd ever attempt to make anything more adventurous than a bracelet - say a Loom Band dress for example - but that's just what two loom-mad  ladies from Wales have gone and done. Yes, Helen Wright and Kathryn Burnand have hit the news for making a body-con dress from more than 20,000 of the brightly coloured plastic bands - not only that but their creation has attracted a bidding frenzy, finally selling for £170,000 on eBay. Maybe I should rethink that comment about not attempting to make anything adventurous after all...

*Since writing the above I've heard that the eBay buyer has sadly pulled out of the sale, but I hope the ladies still manage to make a mint from the project they only ever hoped of making £50 profit from.

Japanese Jewellery

If there's one souvenir I always like to bring home from my travels it has to be a piece of jewellery. Whether it's ethnic beads, a Bedouin necklace or a hand-braided friendship bracelet, these are the kind of keepsakes that can reveal so much about another culture or country and can be carried with you wherever you go to remind you of past adventures. Jewellery designer Clizio Ornato obviously shares my philosophy. She calls her Letters from Japan collection 'ready-to-wear travel memories'. These origami earrings, postage stamp cuffs and japanned necklaces are guaranteed to get you dreaming of far off climes - and booking flights to the orient.

























Clizio Ornato Letters from Japan collection available at Boticca

Japanese Necklace in "Yoake" Kimono Print, £102
Turquoise Origami Earrings, £46.50
Letters From Japan Cuff, £110
Silver "Yoake" Daybreak Ring in Kimono Print, £102

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all you Shopaholics  over on the Emerald Isle. In my book, any man who can clear an entire country of snakes definitely deserves a pint of Guinness or two raised in his honour!

Of course, you could always celebrate by indulging in some emerald jewellery? These vintage inspired pieces by 1928 at House of Fraser are sure to make you friends go green with envy. What do you think?



Starburst Toggle Bracelet, £38

Starburst Button Earrings, £26

Yekka Photo Bracelets

With Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest and the rest we've never taken so many photographs - and yet most never make it out of cyberspace. But what about those extra special pics that hold important memories and take you back to an amazing moment? Well, Yekka have come up with the perfect solution...

With their personalised photo bracelets you can carry your memorable moments with you wherever you go. Simply upload 4 of your favourite photos, crop and zoom to your heart's content then order - EASY! Printed on luxurious chiffon fabric and finished with a sterling silver clasp, a truly unique bracelet is yours for just £29.99 - and UK delivery is FREE. Go on, wear your heart on your wrist!

J Crew Jewellery

God bless America, home of the brave and land of some of my favourite brands! What's more, those generous Yanks don't keep all the good stuff to themselves. First they gave us Banana Republic, Forever 21 and Victoria's Secret, and now J Crew has joined the ranks and followed their compatriots over to our shores.

A favourite of America's first lady, J Crew is well worth a look if it's a label new to you. I particularly love their range of statement costume jewellery. You sure know when you've got this white paste-set beauty hanging around your neck (pictured left, £165), but boy it's worth it!

White goes with everything, right? I'll be wearing this necklace, my first J Crew purchase, throughout the festive season whether with a cocktail dress for Christmas drinks or to add a little sparkle to a relaxed jeans and jumper combo.

Brooch The Subject

For a while it's been hard to find any nice brooches on the high street, so for me it's usually a case of wearing pins that have been passed down through the family or else scouring antique fairs and charity shops for new additions to my collection, as these places always seem to have a ready supply of good old fashioned cameos and the like.

On a mission to prove that brooches aren't just for grannies, or old fashioned for that matter, I've currently got a Wedgewood blue cameo proudly pinned to the lapel of my pink winter coat. Said brooch always manages to attract comment - but not always for the right reasons. For instance, take the time I ventured into my local supermarket...

I can only assume the checkout staff had been given strict instructions to try and make polite conversation with every customer because, let's face it, why else would a teenage boy remark on a brooch? His exact words were: 'That's a nice brooch. You don't often see girls wearing brooches. Maybe it's because they're so old fashioned.' Oh dear! Thankfully I wasn't buying much so I could smile and leave before the poor boy dug himself into an even deeper hole. Heaven forbid he had asked what I do for a living! I suspect he meant well and never intended on suggesting I was wholly unfashionable, but he did hit upon a salient point - why is it more girls don't wear brooches?

Well, maybe the new selection from Topshop will help give the brooch a better reputation. I particularly love these two designs (pictured above, £12.50) - the spiked one is very Mawi don't you think?

Elkin Pop-Up Shop

Everyone knows the area around Carnaby Street is pop-up shop central, but you might not have heard which store will be swinging open their doors at Kingly Court next week...

From 29th July - 4th August you'll be able to get your greedy hands on gorgeous Elkin jewellery at their Kingly Court pop-up shop.

If the name Elkin is new to you, the brand was launched by London-based fashion stylist Eliisa Makin when demand grew for the bracelets she was making in breaks between photoshoots. I love the 'Dead Romantics' skull friendship bracelets which come in a variety of different colourways, (£35 each, pictured above).

I'll be popping along to Kingly Court on Monday to check out the new collection, so I'll be sure to keep you posted about what's in store.

If you're not in London, don't worry - Elkin are just about to launch a shiny new website so you can shop online.

Jenny Packham No.1

What have I got in common with Jennifer Aniston, Keira Knightley and the Duchess of Cambridge? Not a lot - but we are all big fans of Jenny Packham's romantic designs. That's why I was so excited to see the latest Designer at Debenhams...

The Jenny Packham No.1 occasionwear collection features everything you need for that summer wedding or a day at the races. Alongside the dresses, there are shoes, clutch bags, feather fascinators and of course some glittering Jenny Packham jewellery to complete the look.

Jenny Packham No.1, Brooch £25

Jenny Packham No.1, Necklace £35 

A total magpie when it comes to anything shiny, my eyes lit up with delight when I saw the latest additions at the Debenhams jewellery counter. The only problem was choosing what to buy. In the end (apologies to the very patient sales assistant) I settled on a necklace and a brooch.

Luckily my Mum was with me so I could give her some very clear hints as to birthday presents.

Astrid & Miyu Competition

The 10 PR press day at 5 Cavendish Square showcased some beautiful bling courtesy of online costume jewellery boutiques Celliana and Astrid & Miyu.

I loved the selection of Astrid & Miyu cuffs and bangles on display - especially when they are piled on together. But my favourite design has to be 'Screw You Cow' (the animal print cuff pictured centre, £34). Great name don't you think?

Like what you see? Well, right now SalesGossip have a great competition running. They've got 6 £50 Astrid & Miyu jewellery vouchers to give away. Click here to enter.