Ring a Ding Ding

A recent comment on some rather splendid frocks led me to the gloriously gorgeous and surprisingly reasonable Ruby Grays, a purveyor of vintage and antique engagement rings of some considerable elegance.

A quick browse exposed these little numbers: proof if proof were needed that the ecological and ethical choice of ‘second-hand’ rings need not be dusty, dirty old stones… Obviously I’m biased, but seriously…Just look at these Bobby Dazzlers!

Continental Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring £1,100

Victorian Diamond & Pearl Engagement Ring £1550

Ruby & Diamond ‘Toi et Moi’ Engagement Ring £1800 (love the concept of ‘toi et moi!)

Classic Three Stone Diamond Ring £1800

And then it goes from rather reasonable to RATHER LARGE ROCKS. Anyone got a spare kidney? If I did, I know what I’d be spending the proceedings on….

One Ascher Cut Diamond Ring £10,500

1.2ct Single Stone 18ct Gold Engagement Ring £10,800

1.06ct Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Engagement Ring w/ Diamond Shoulders £9,900

Variations on a theme

Individuality amongst related items… Mugs that are the same style in different colours… Glasses that are handmade to the same specifications but each have their own idiosyncracies… Pretty things that keep me smiling in my little life…

 

 

Semiotics Mugs in five colours each £12

 

Oresund Mugs in four colours each £10

 

 

 

Ladies in Waiting Dinner Plates each £22

Bake by Numbers Pie Plate £28

 

I’m feeling a session at a paint-it-yourself pottery session coming on… Just goes to show how effective naive simplicity can be. Gorgeous. Utterly Gorgeous.

Ladylike Chic

What with turning 30 this year, an all (have I mentioned that I’m turning 30 this year at all?!) I figure I may need to embrace the trend detailed below.

As I have been dressing like a 1940s housewife of my own volition for the last 8 years, this may not be too much of a problem.

Now.. has anyone got £3000 I can borrow…??

Carolina Herrera Waterfall Print Dress

Carolina Herrera Metallic Jacquard Dress

Elie Tahari Toni Sleeveless Dress

Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Coatdress

Bluemarine Wool Pearled Dress

Oscar de la Renta Printed Party Dress

Full Length Elegance

With the rise (or is that ‘fall’) of the maxi style over the last few seasons, the wearing of long gowns for evening events has been reinstated as an appropriate style of frock. I’ve always been a fan of adhering to dress-codes: if I’m told Black Tie is required, I wear long. And so I’m delighted to see such elegance and beautiful gowns have returned to the scene, without so much as a whiff of the puffed-sleeve meringues of yesteryear.

 

J Mendel Sequinned Chiffon Gown 

Elie Saab Strapless Gown

Elie Saab Beaded Gown

Lela Rose Embroidered Ballgown

Jason Wu Strapless Chiffon Gown

And there are even bridal gowns to be found…

Elie Saab Beaded Tulle Gown

Zac Posen Mermaid Gown

Such simple, breathtaking elegance.

Oh for an occasion to swan about in such gorgeousness.

Colour Blocking for the Autumn

Pretty

Pretty expensive

But pretty nonetheless

Nina Ricci Wool-blend and lace tshirt 

Balmain Silk-Satin Wrap blouse

Diane von Furstenberg Reara Two Tone Dress

Giambattista Valle Colourblock Cocktail Dress

Etro Wool Coat

Blumarine Lace Top & Skirt

Proenza Schouler Spiral Dress

Scrummy Cakes

Tautology?? Possibly…

But check this out for eye candy… All courtesy of Faircakes & Faces, based in Surrey.

Shabby Chic? Tick – in a variety of options – and check out that little birdie!?

Children’s cakes with a heady dash of sophistication in there too.

  

Wedding cakes based on Henna tattoos on the left and Victoriana tattoos on the right.

Extraordinary painterly skills and some beautiful sugarcraft in there too.