The Weekend Post: How to Get the Engagement Ring You Really Want #AD

Choosing the right engagement ring is no easy task. It is the ring you will be wearing for the rest of your life. That’s why you need to ensure that you absolutely love it right off the bat. But making sure that you get just the right ring can be a bit tricky.

That’s why it is best to approach this matter carefully, so as not to come off too controlling or crazy. Help your significant other make the best choice by tactically approaching this matter and offering some (not-so-subtle) hints.

Research your options together

One of the best ways to ensure that you get the engagement ring you’ve always wanted is to simply show it to your partner. But don’t just simply show them the ring you’ve already chosen. Instead, talk to your partner and see if they would be interested in doing some joint research. That way you can both explore various options out there, while you will get the opportunity to drop hints whenever you come across something you like. Since you are starting your life together, you can also read this cost guide and settle on a budget you both feel comfortable with. This way both of you will get a better picture of what’s out there and what are your options when it comes to choosing the right engagement ring.

Show pictures of your preferred style

On the other hand, if you don’t want to go with such a direct approach, you can always take a more subtle route. For instance, if you’ve already talked about the proposal and you know that it is coming, you can start putting together a proposal scrapbook. Here, you can print out various pictures of engagement rings that fit your style. Then, simply leave your scrapbook somewhere where your partner will surely find it a hope that they take the hint. Alternatively, you can always “accidentally” stay logged in on Pinterest on your joint computer, right on the page where you pinned all the engagement rings you really like.

Ask a friend to help you out

The next option is to rely on either your or their best friend. Talk to a friend you know will be willing to help both of you out and ask them for a bit of help. You can either suggest to your partner to ask the friend in question if they ever need help. Or you can simply ask your friend to get involved directly and simply offer help to your partner. Chances are neither of them will deny.

Learn to trust your partner

In the end, we can sometimes be a bit too controlling without even realizing it. Since your partner obviously loves you, chances are that they know more about you than you may think. So, it may be a good idea to simply let go and allow your partner to surprise you. Tell your partner that the ball is entirely in their court when it comes to choosing the right engagement ring. Let go of any control and simply allow yourself to be surprised. Chances are you’ll end up loving the ring you receive even more than the one you might have picked out yourself.

Engagements are beautiful but people sometimes make them into a bigger deal than they actually are. If you end up stressing too much about it you can easily forget to enjoy this wonderful part of your life. So, maybe just try to relax and let go and trust us, everything will turn out great in the end.

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The Luxury Jewellery Gift: Browns Rosa Mer Collection Morganite and Diamond Stud Earrings

They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend and their classic appeal has only increased over the decades, making them a covetable luxury gift to find underneath the tree. Santa, are you reading this?!

For those who prefer to purchase high-quality, luxury jewellery, perhaps as investment pieces in their collections or simply to provide that extra 'wow' factor on a special someone's face this Christmas, Browns has something to delight everyone.

Browns are family jewellers who are a member of The National Association of Jewellers which makes gives them the much revered 'mark of quality' in the business. They offer a range of beautiful and unique jewellery pieces, alongside prestige watches and engagement rings in a vast number of classic and contemporary designs.

Their latest jewellery collection is named Rosa Mer which aims to embody the grace and elegance of the Pink Sea and I was simply over the moon to receive their new Morganite and Diamond Stud Earrings to show you what you can expect from this beautiful line of jewellery.

These delicately stylish earrings feature an oval cut Morganite stone in the centre secured by a claw setting, which is offset by bright white round brilliant cut Diamonds at the top. The piece is set within solid 9 carat Rose Gold with classic butterfly fastenings to complete the studs.

I think you'll agree with me that they are absolutely beautiful. The perfect accessory to a very Merry Christmas!

Browns Rosa Mer Collection Morganite and Diamond Stud Earrings* (£250, link) - shop the full collection exclusively at Brownsfamilyjewellers.co.uk

Is jewellery on your wishlist this Christmas?

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The Weekend Post: 6 Items You Need To Look Classy This Winter #AD

Ladies, it is no secret that most of us are more focused on our fashion choices during the summer days. We spend more time than we want to admit in front of a mirror, trying to create a perfect outfit for a sunny afternoon or night of dancing underneath the stars. However, things change when the winter comes, and staying warm and comfortable becomes far more important than looking stylish. Luckily, you can still look completely fabulous and classy this winter without having to sacrifice your comfort. Include these following items into your wardrobe and you will easily pull off a classic, timeless look. 

A little black dress 

Regardless of what time of year it is, this evergreen item never goes out of style and can help you get ready in a minute for any type of event. It doesn’t matter whether you are going to a classy party or having a cup of coffee with your friends, in this versatile piece of clothing you will always look your best. You can wear it with a pair of black pumps, a sexy pair of stilettos or even over a white button-down shirt, depending on where you are going. 

An interesting piece of jewellery 

We can all agree that the right piece of jewellery can elevate any outfit. During the winter when most of your body is covered with layers and layers of clothes, opt for a necklace with an interesting pendant or a great-looking pair of earrings with moonstone like those from Moon Magic. A classy piece of jewellery and a bold lip colour are always a good combo, so dare to attract some attention. 

Classic cardigan 

Just as the little black dress, a nice cardigan can be styled to look any way you want. If you are aiming for a more hipster look, baggy grandpa cardigan paired with skinny jeans is the way to go. In case you want to look classy and sophisticated, wear a cardigan instead of a hoodie when going to a concert or a football game. 

Brown knee-high boots 

There are so many ways you can wear brown boots, and for some reason, they always look a little bit classier than the black ones. Since you will wear them during the winter, make sure you don’t opt for a heel that is taller than two inches, or you won’t feel comfortable, especially when walking in the snow. You can wear these boots with skinny jeans, skirts, leggings, and dresses and not make a mistake, so find a combination that looks best on you. 

Dark-wash boot-cut jeans 

Yes, skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans are more modern, but a classic pair of boot-cut jeans never goes out of style and is perfect for those cold winter days. Whether you are going to dinner, getting ready for work or simply going for a walk, you can always rely on these jeans to make you look good. Choose a pair without any fading or embellishments if you are going for the classy look and make sure to have them hemmed to perfectly hit the bottom of your heel. You can wear these jeans with black pumps and a white dress shirt, or take it up a notch with a back blazer and a fabulous scarf. 

A brightly-coloured scarf 

Don’t be afraid to add some colour to those gloomy winter days! It is amazing how with just one brightly-coloured scarf an outfit can look more classy, stylish, and complete. This simple piece of clothing will keep your neck warm as well as help you pull off a fancy look without trying too hard. 

With these items, you will be able to great the following season looking classy and gorgeous without sacrificing your comfort.

[This is a sponsored post - stock image from PixelBay]

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Newbridge Silverware - Amy Huberman Jewellery review + UK GIVEAWAY!

Mother's Day is fast approaching and if you're still searching for that perfect gift, why not check out these beautiful jewellery pieces from Newbridge Silverware?

Established in 1934, Newbridge Silverware has been a revered name in silver and tableware, especially in their home country of Ireland. The brand has become synonymous with fine creativity, craftsmanship and quality, but did you know that they also have a wide range of jewellery available too?

Below are some eye-catching and stylish pieces from their new Amy Huberman collection (inspired by the Sun, Moon and Stars), to treat your mum to this Mother's Day.

 Newbridge Silverware Amy Pendant* (£34, link)

Detailed coin-style necklaces have always appealed to me as they have a timeless Boho-esque charm to them, and the Amy Pendant is something that can be worn every day. Featuring an embossed detail of Sun, Moon, Stars and Birds at the centre and presented on a delicate long chain, this pendant is 14K Gold-plated and has a protective anti-tarnish layer to keep it looking its best for longer.

Newbridge Silverware Amy Bangle* (£34, link)

Keeping with the theme of being inspired by the Sun, Moon and Stars, Amy Huberman's signature Amy Bangle is a solid 14K Gold-plated band that's easy to slip on and off, and it looks great on its own as a statement piece or layered with other gold coloured jewellery. Like the pendant above, it features an embossed Sun design which is accentuated by two small Stars and a crescent Moon.

 Newbridge Silverware Amy Drop Earrings with Sun and Stars* (£26, link)

If your mum loves earrings, this special set of Amy Drop Earrings with Sun and Stars makes a lovely gift and has a really youthful vibe to them - they're particularly dazzling when the sunlight catches them! These earrings are also 14K Gold-plated and feature the same anti-tarnish layer as the other pieces in this collection, each of which is presented in its own light blue gift box.

UK GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate Mother's Day, I'm giving away a pair of the Newbridge Silverware Amy Drop Earrings with Sun & Stars (worth £26) to one lucky UK reader. To enter, just pop your details into the Rafflecopter below and a winner will be chosen at random next week - 02/04/2019 - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My Style: MantraBand - 'Enjoy The Journey' & Personal Musings On Life #MindfulJewellery

Mindfulness is one of the many mainstream wellbeing trends that I sincerely hope sticks with a lot of people who explore elements of it to incorporate into their everyday lives. Whether it's discovering a new favourite self-help book, getting into the habit of taking 10 minutes out of your day to feel 'present', or just wearing a simple band of silver to remind you of a meaningful message, make Mindfulness part of your life this year.

They say that the gifts you'll come to cherish and remember for years to come are those that have some kind of meaning to them, and they're also often the unexpected ones which bring about the biggest smiles. A stranger complimenting you on your commute or a random act of kindness when you're having a bad day, it's that sort of thing.

The other day as I picked up some parcels from the post depot, I found a small black jiffy bag amongst them with my name and address neatly written on the front. There were no sender details on the back and inside was this MantraBand carefully wrapped in delicate tissue paper. With no accompanying note to suggest who had sent it or where it had come from, I assumed it may have been a PR gift of some kind, so I happily took it out of its packaging and popped it onto my wrist. I loved the message 'Enjoy The Journey', but didn't think much else of it.

That same evening, I received an email from an old friend who I haven't spoken to in a few years. It was such a pleasant surprise to hear from her after all this time, and she had sent the MantraBand after seeing it in a shop with that age-old popular rhetoric, 'I saw this and immediately thought of you'. I'll be honest here, tears were streaming from my eyes by this point because the 'Enjoy The Journey' message immediately became so much more than three words engraved onto a band of silver.  It reminded me of one of the last times that we'd met and had a night out in a pub, just laughing and chatting about those deep, philosophical musings which occur between like-minded souls. For her to remember this as well, so vividly, well it just warmed my heart.

'Enjoy The Journey' was one of those musings that we often had, and it's always been something that I said I would get tattooed at some point, but never did (I still haven't plucked up the courage to get a tattoo of any kind so this bracelet is a happy alternative).

We get so wrapped up in the craziness that is this fast-paced, never switched off, modern day living, with our obsessive fixations on the future and how amazing our lives will be, if only we had this and if only this would happen etc, that we often forget to be present in the here and now.

To me, 'Enjoy The Journey' sums up what we should all be striving for. Yes, it's fun and exciting to have ambitions and plan goals for the future, but it should be equally fun and exciting to appreciate what we have right now, and really enjoy everything that happens which leads up to fulfilling that ambition and achieving that personal goal.

So enjoy the here and now and wear your mantra, literally, on your sleeve, as a daily reminder. Be more present, be mindful and enjoy life now with your family, friends and loved ones. Don't take anything for granted and don't wish your life away because it's not Instagram-perfect. Enjoy the journey, your journey, because you only get one journey to live.

I'd like to dedicate this blogpost to Josephine :)

You can find your own MantraBand to gift to a friend at naturisimo.com

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Christmas Gift Guide: Gemstone Silver Jewelry Moonstone Rings review

Jewellery is always a popular choice for Christmas gifts, and this year, the trend for semi-precious jewellery is bigger than ever, so it's the perfect time to pick out some statement pieces.

When I was younger, I used to buy a lot of my jewellery from high street shops like New Look and H&M, but the older I get, the more I want to invest in better quality pieces with real gemstones. Some of my favourite pieces are vintage finds that I've discovered in flea markets, charity shops and the occasional auction house, and whenever I look for 'new' jewellery, I tend to gravitate towards styles that have an 'old' feel about them. 

The same goes for when I'm purchasing jewellery as a gift - I think there's something so wonderfully timeless about a classic looking piece that someone will cherish for many years to come, and I was particularly excited when Gemstone Silver Jewelry asked if I'd like to review some of their rings. One look at their website and I was smitten!

Gemstone Silver Jewelry is a US online retailer who specialises in Moonstone jewellery and they have a strong bohemian and vintage-esque style that I love (they also have a whole range of healing chakra jewellery which looks amazing, so it's well worth checking out). They kindly let me choose some rings to review and they are absolutely beautiful!

From top to bottom:

Moonstone Ring Azure Drop* ($37, link)

All of Gemstone Silver Jewelry's natural rainbow moonstones are ethically sourced from around the world, and the Azure Drop Ring is striking enough to be worn as a statement piece, but also small enough that it can be layered with other rings (such as midis etc) if desired. Set in 925 sterling silver, it's available in a range of different sizes.

Moonstone Ring Shielded Beauty* ($47, link)

The Shielded Beauty Ring is inspired by ancient Hindu jewellery designs and features an intricate display of 925 sterling silver that embraces a natural round rainbow moonstone at its centre. I quite like wearing this one on its own and it's received many compliments from family and friends.

Moonstone Ring Dreamy Teardrop* ($51, currently on sale for $33, link)

Embrace your inner hippy goddess with this boho classic - an eye-catching large Dreamy Teardrop Ring! I've always wanted a ring like this, and the sheer quality of both the sterling silver setting and the teardrop shaped moonstone is even better than I expected. The large moonstone really catches the light and reflects an enchanting spectrum of silver, blue and purple hues.

Moonstone Ring Neat Enticement* ($47, link)

Perfect for stacking, the Neat Enticement Ring is another sterling silver, classic boho-inspired style of ring, and its smaller size is ideal for those who enjoy layering their jewellery to compliment their outfit. I find this one so easy to wear because it just seems to go with everything!

Discover the full range at Gemstone Silver Jewelry

Do you like receiving jewellery for Christmas?

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Currently Loving: oNecklace Evil Eye Necklace review #PersonalisedJewellery

Jewellery is something that I love to gift to friends and family, whether it's for their Birthdays or a big celebration like Christmas, and I often jump at the chance if there's an option to personalise it. It turns an already lovely gift into something extra special and thoughtful!

Judging by the number of people that I know who cherish their personalised jewellery, I'm not alone in appreciating this concept, so I was over the moon when oNecklace got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to review one of their pieces of jewellery.

oNecklace is an online retailer who specialise in high-quality, personalised jewellery and they have a huge range of products to choose from in a variety of materials such as Sterling Silver, 24K Gold Plated, Rose Gold and Cubic Zirconia. There are rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and jewellery sets, all of which can be personalised from a selection of options, and they're a popular go-to site for Carrie style name necklaces.

After a good browse through their website, I decided to choose the Evil Eye Necklace because I've been wanting one of these for a while now. The 'Evil Eye' is an ancient concept that crops up in many different cultures around the world, especially in West Asia and usually has the same meaning. It's often described as a "curse or legend believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they're unaware to cause them misfortune or injury".

To ward off this unsuspecting 'Evil Eye', people wear talismans that are decorated with some kind of eye insignia to protect them. Wearing an eye is almost like saying 'I'm watching you back, so don't glare at me!", and I've always liked the idea of this, despite not being much of a superstitious person myself. 

The necklace arrived carefully packaged in a gift box and it looks even better in real life than it did online on the website. I love it!

I chose to have the Evil Eye Necklace personalised in a number of ways and I'm thrilled with the final result. First, I chose the material as Sterling Silver (you can also choose to have this design in 24K Gold Plated or Rose Gold), the chain length as 18", the chain itself to be a 'box' chain, and finally, I added my Birthstone Alexandrite to be the centre of the eye which I feel goes really well with the Silver.

It's an eye-catching (see what I did there?!) piece of jewellery and I've had plenty of compliments and questions about it since I started wearing it. Will it protect me from the glare of the 'evil eye'? Only time will tell ;)

oNecklace Evil Eye Necklace* retails for £30.76 from onecklace.co.uk

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Currently Loving: Sacet Lujia Perched Butterfly Necklace review #EthicalJewellery

Taking pride in your jewellery purchases and investing in some beautiful, ethically made pieces that you'll cherish for years to come, needn't be as expensive as you may think. The latest addition to my collection is this stunning, yet simple piece from Sacet. 

If you think ethical jewellery looks too 'hippy' for your liking, Sacet will definitely help to change your mind! Sacet brings together a wealth of designers and talented craftspeople who are committed to transforming the designer jewellery industry by focusing on bringing a more sustainable approach to people, profits and the planet. This means that everything you purchase from Sacet is ethically and consciously crafted; the people making your jewellery are paid fairly for their work, their communities and livelihoods are supported, and all the materials used are ethically sourced. 

To help spread the word about what they're doing, Sacet very kindly asked me to review one of their pieces and I had the pleasure of choosing the Lujia Perched Butterfly Necklace, which immediately caught my eye when I was browsing their website.

Packaged in an elegant, eco-friendly (made from recycled materials) white gift box, this necklace has been designed by Meng Zhang, a London based designer who holds a MA in Jewellery Design from the prestigious Central Saint Martins. She's won numerous awards and has been featured in Harper's Bazaar, as well as being shortlisted in a design competition for the luxury Parisian brand, Chaumet.

The Lujia Perched Butterfly Necklace is a beautifully simple and timeless design which features an abstract perched butterfly on a delicate chain, or it can be turned around and presented as a classic heart. This interchanging design is something that definitely drew me to the piece because it's almost like having two necklaces in one! I've lost count of how many compliments I've received from friends and family since it arrived, and I love how it pairs so well with so many of my outfits, especially this vintage wine-red lace dress.

Made from recycled sterling silver, this necklace is available in three different chain lengths (16, 18 or 20 inch) and comes in three colours; Silver (as shown), Gold (18k Gold Vermeil on Sterling Silver) and Rose Gold (18k Rose Gold on Sterling Silver). 

 Sacet Lujia Perched Butterfly Necklace in Silver* retails for £59 and is available from sacet.com

Have you purchased anything from Sacet?

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Currently Loving: Zessoo Black Onyx and Snowflake Obsidian Bracelets review

Ever since I was a teenager, I've been mesmerised by gemstones and crystals, reading countless books about their meanings and cultural associations. Naturally, my jewellery collection reflects the beauty of these natural stones, and two of my latest additions come from the cruelty-free fashion brand, Zessoo.

You may remember my original post last month about Zessoo and their amazing vegan-friendly wallets which are made from leaves (yes, really - check out that feature here if you missed it!), and I was over the moon when the founder AJ Joshi asked me if I'd like to review some of their jewellery as they have a huge range of gemstone bracelets. 

Each bracelet is made from stones that are 100% natural (never tinted, dyed or made of recomposed material) which are sourced worldwide from areas such as South East Asia, Brazil and Africa. Once found, the stones are cut and polished in India, and then sent to Thailand to be hand-strung onto high-quality 4-ply elastic bands to ensure long-lasting durability. It's worth noting that Zessoo works only with suppliers that can guarantee traceability and high ethical standards along the whole production chain, from extraction to cutting, and then polishing and stringing, so you know that everyone who makes these has been treated humanely and fairly.

With such a wide range of bracelets to choose from, I decided to pick two that featured stones that I didn't already have in my jewellery collection; Black Onyx and Snowflake Obsidian.

Black Onyx is often seen as a strong protective stone, one that helps to shield a person's body and mind from negative energy, as well as helping to ground them in the here and now. It helps to prevent the draining of personal energy during times of emotional turmoil such as periods of stress, confusion or grief. 

I was immediately drawn to the beautiful and unique pattern of Snowflake Obsidian, which is a volcanic glass that's created when lava cools down. Revered as a stone of purity, many believe that it has healing properties which can help to balance the mind, body and spirit, calming the senses and clearing built up toxins that can prevent the flow of positive energy.  

A rudraksha seed (in Gold or Natural) is added to each bracelet, and these are harvested from trees growing in the foothills of the Himalayas. Like semi-precious gemstones, they're highly valued for their protective and healing virtues and have been traditionally used as prayer beads for centuries in Hinduism (the name translates as 'Lord Shiva's teardrops'). Rudraksha seeds are believed to increase concentration, clarity, memory and bring peace of mind and prosperity, as well as providing spiritual and mental guidance in meditation.

I was absolutely smitten when the bracelets arrived because they looked and felt more incredible in real life than I was expecting. The high-shine glossy finish on the stones is superb, and I've had so many compliments and questions about them from friends and family! If you're looking for some new gemstone bracelets, definitely check these out.

Zessoo Black Onyx and Snowflake Obsidian Bracelets* (£29 each) are available from zessoo.com

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Sunday Style: Moonstone Magic Jewellery - Dropping Wisdom Pendant review

When I was about seven or eight years old, my grandmother bought me a beautiful moonstone necklace for my birthday. It had a large oval shaped pendant and I remember being utterly mesmerised by this magical looking gemstone that would look different when it caught the light at various times of the day. 

Sadly, I lost the necklace when I was a teenager during a family house move, and despite being upset by it at the time, I haven't really thought about it in recent years, until an email popped up in my inbox from a company that specialises in moonstone jewellery. 

When I visited their website, I couldn't help but think about the necklace that I had lost, so when they asked me if I wanted to review one of their pieces I jumped at the chance. 

Moonstone Magic Jewellery are a jewellery company based in Florida, USA and they create beautiful pieces of jewellery using genuine Rainbow Moonstone Gemstones and 925 Sterling Silver, all of which are handmade. Their pieces are heavily inspired by a youthful, fun and creative bohemian lifestyle, and as I like to think of myself as a hippy at heart, they immediately appealed to me.

Their online shop is a cornucopia of rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings, and I was thrilled when Moonstone Magic let me choose a piece to review. I was spoilt for choice, but naturally, I checked out their pendants first and after some serious umming and ahhing, I decided to opt for their Dropping Wisdom Pendant.

When the pendant arrived, I was smitten. The Rainbow Moonstone is simply stunning - it almost looks like a piece of trapped ice and when it catches the light, it changes colour gradually, moving into grey, blue and even some pink tones depending on the direction that the light is coming from. 

This classic teardrop shape is wonderfully elegant and it really adds that finishing touch to any outfit. I'm so happy to have finally found a replacement for the moonstone necklace that I lost all of those years ago - thank you Moonstone Magic!

Moonstone Magic Jewellery Dropping Wisdom Pendant* ($65) is available from MoonstoneShop.com and is supplied without a chain.

Are you a fan of moonstone jewellery?

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Arm Candy: Happiness Boutique Rose Gold Double Spike Cuff Bracelet review + 10% Reader Discount!

Getting a piece of new jewellery in the post is just as exciting as opening up a brand new lipstick to me, so I was thrilled when Happiness Boutique asked me to review one of their gorgeous pieces.

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The £6 One Off Beauty Box Bargain - Love Me Beauty

Just before Christmas, I spotted a beauty bargain that was too good to miss. Love Me Beauty were offering new subscribers a box for just £1 and I was scrolling through their online boutique faster than you could say 'Yes Please!'.

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