Day 60 - Silverleafed leaf necklace from The Silvery

I had never heard of The Silvery until a friend bought me this necklace for my 30th birthday and I love it. It's a real leaf that's been silver leafed and I've since become a huge fan of The Silvery. I have bought a few presents from them and they've been nothing short of wonderful in terms of their customer service.

I can't recommend them highly enough as they really are fantastic and I am in love with their shell pieces - am hoping to drop enough hints to the husband for my forthcoming birthday...! Whenever I wear this necklace I always get compliments and love telling people its a real leaf!

I even got two 1p coins silverleafed by The Silvery for our anniversary a few years ago and we ended up using both the coins in our wedding. Why two 1p coins? Well when we were buying our flat in the height of the credit crunch (seriously it was when Lehmann Brothers and Northern Rock went under - getting a mortgage was unbearably stressful!) we would hide any 1p coins that we found in the flat in a secret place hoping they'd bring us good luck.

It worked and we ended up getting the flat and we kept a little pot of lucky pennies as a stand by which we still have today.

I managed to retreive the first two from the bottom of the pot and The Silvery kindly silverleafed them for me. I wear mine as a necklace (on the wedding day it was pinned to my bouquet, above) and the husband wore his attached to his pocket watch (my wedding gift to him, left).

Wedding images courtesty of the marvellous Mark Colombus.

Day 59 - black necklace and pendant

This was the first piece I ever made, and it was from a kit - I think I got it from an art shop as it was in the sale and I thought I'd just have a bit of a play but I kind of got a bit hooked!

Its just black plastic so it's super cheap but it looks more expensive and I have a certain amount of pride knowing it was my first piece.

Jewellery making kits are a really simple and easy way to dip your toe into the world of jewellery making. You can find them all over ther place so if you fancy giving something new a try I'd definitely recommend it.

Day 58 - Azendi silver necklace

This lovely necklace was a birthday present from my parents-in-law. It's from a store called Azendi which is online and also has lots of shops in the UK - the one we went to was in Richmond. I like the brushed texture of this one and the fact its a nice classic simple shape so it can go with anything.

They have some really beautiful pieces online, lots of really expensive looking stacking rings and some really stunning bridal pieces too. Go have a look!

The Sunday Summary

Sorry, it's been a few weeks since I last did a proper Sunday Summary - with my back completely broken I've been in a bit of a fug; struggling to work during the week then just exhausted at the weekends. I'm on some strong painkillers and starting to feel better now but its taken a while and it will take some time more. While I've been off I got to thinking that I haven't made much jewellery recently so I am going to start making some more again soon - and I was going to do a but of a tutorial on here too so look out for that in the next month or so. 


I've also decided that the Sunday Summary is going to be where I highlight my favourite Shop of the Week...which this week goes to Oliver Bonas. I used to go past Oliver Bonas all time time on my old commute but since moving jobs almost a year ago I don't really go past it any more. Which is probably good for my bank balance but not so much for my happiness. I popped into one this week and was really impressed by the jewellery they have in at the moment. I am always really impressed with their sale prices but even some of the full-priced pieces were still really affordable. My favourite piece? These brilliant birdie earrings! 

Day 57 - Accessorize blue butterfly earrings

I have the matching necklace that goes with these earrings but I think if I wore them together it would just be overkill! It's been feeling really nice and Spring/Summer these last few days and these just seemed to really fit the vibe today. Accessorize tend to do this range most seasons but in a different colour - a year or so ago they did it in a bright fuchsia pink shade that I looked everywhere for but never found. Which was even more annoying when I later mentioned this to some friends who all said they'd seen it! Grrrr!!

Day 56 - purple crystal bracelet

This is another Oliver Bonas purchase, the colour hasn't come out too well in the photo but its a really unusual dusky pinky purple colour. 


The crystals really catch the light and I wore this with jeans and a purple slouchy top. Well, it is a Saturday!

Day 55 - Oliver Bonas earrings

I kind of broke my rule about not buying anything new for these babies. They were a spontaneous purchase after I saw them in the sale in Oliver Bonas and they were such a bargain I just couldn't say no. They were only £6 and I really like them. I wore them with a mostly blue outfit and the shades of blues and greens along with the gold really pulled the outfit together and dressed it up a bit more. I love that jewellery has the power to be able to dress-up a whole outfit!

Day 54 - Accessorize charm necklace

Wow, so today I  had to actually go through all the posts to check that I'd not worn this already and its only day 54. I dread to think what it's going to be like come day 289! Maybe I need to categorize my jewellery so that I know what has been worn and what hasn't!

I got this necklace not too long before I got married last year in the sale from Accessorize. I like that its got lots of colours that don't normally go together - its nice to wear it with an outfit that matches one of these colours so it brings it out in the necklace - in this case I went for red to match the rose, but its also done a great job of bringing the blue out as well. Double win!

Day 53 - shell flower necklace

This, again, is another of my own pieces and I probably made it around the same time as the shell pendant I wore earlier in the week. I really like this one but I may restring it as its a touch too long and the clasp at the back, whilst lovely, keeps getting loose - its a T bar and a loop and the T bar sometimes slips out. I often get comments on this one so its nice to be able to say that I made it myself. I also really like the unusual earthy tones in the flower itself and the pearl in the centre.

Day 52 - Eclectic Eccentricity clock necklace

This is one of my favourite purchases from Eclectic Eccentricity and it was from one of their great flash sales. Its a mini gold cuckoo clock and was only £2 or £3. I don't wear much gold so when I do it tends to be because there is some yellow or bright colour in my outfit and as you can see in this case its a bit of yellow! Eclectic Eccentricity have got some great pieces in at the moment, I love some of their quirky dinosaur stuff in particular. You should definitely keep an eye out for their sales and you can get some amazing deals if you are quick enough!

Day 51 - Handmade turquoise and shell necklace

This was one of my earlier jewellery designs and I don't tend to wear it too often as its quite a summery piece. However I was wearing top to toe black and wanted something to make the whole thing 'pop'. I love the shades in the pendant - they are almost hypnotic and remind me of looking into the sea or a pool and seeing all the blues and greens shimmering beneath you. 

Day 50 - Heirloom engagement ring

I think this was my great aunt's engagement ring but I may have come to that conclusion of my own accord rather than it being a pure statement of fact. Like the ring I wore yesterday, its gold, platinum and diamond and its a really stunning ring. I've had it for some time now and often wear it as, much like the ring from yesterday, I am sure this piece of jewellery has seen a fair few parties, big life events, maybe some trauma but a whole lot of life. 


I can't afford 'classic' time pieces of jewellery much like I can't afford expensive 'classic' clothes - I know the cost per wear ratio will be better in the long term but I do tend to focus on costume jewellery because a) I don't earn a fortune and b) I like the way it can jazz up an outfit and to do that its often trend-led. So the few expensive, classic pieces of jewellery I do have I treasure as I know that they may not be 'in this season' but they are 'in for life' and can tell much better stories!

Day 49 - Antique diamond ring

I still wasn't doing too well with my bad back so this weekend I wore a lot of rings rather than bracelets or necklaces which feel a bit more 'outfit' than rings do. 


This one is an old ring that used to belong to my great aunt. She was an incredibly glamorous woman who worked in the theatre and was one of those elderly relatives I was always fascinated with as a child. Sadly she died about ten years ago but she's often in my mind as I have some of her pieces of jewellery and I like to think that when I get old, I'll probably be a lot like her. 


This ring has a platinum front on a gold band and the plate on the front has 5 diamonds with a cut out pattern around them. In this picture it looks like an X but its more subtle in real life. Its really simple but oh so pretty and its nice to be able to wear something that you know has lived a little - I often wonder what stories it has to tell...

Day 48 - shell necklace

I think I made this necklace but I am not 100% sure - that's pretty bad isn't it?! 


I have a bit of an obsession with the swirly pattern and often find myself doodling it. Apparently its a sign that I am not enjoying what I am doing at that exact time - haha, I'm going to remember that the next time I find myself doing it during a 3 hour meeting...!


I'm having a bit of a dress down day today so this necklace feels like it fits that relaxed vibe.

Day 47 - teal glass bead earrings

These were one of the first pieces of jewellery that I made myself so they are a little rough round the edges but I really like the colour (plus they really matched the cardigan I wore today!)


Is it really bad that usually my outfit starting point is the jewellery and then I work the rest out around that?

Day 46 - Multi-stone necklace

This was another present; people who know me, know that jewellery is a pretty fail-safe present! Problem is I am not sure where it's from. I know that it's either QVC or Oliver Bonas. I think its the former but I know it looks like it could be the latter! I remember the person who bought it for me saying that QVC has some really nice stuff and I was surprised, but after having a look online there are some really good pieces so don't be put off! I like the fact that this necklace is pretty neutral so I can wear it with lots of different outfits. It's a mix of silver, pearls and gemstones and it often gets lots of comments and compliments.

Day 45 - Silver heart necklace

Well, it is Valentine's Day after all. I don't know where this one is from as it was an anniversary present from the husband. It has a matching set of earrings and I like the fact its simple and small. 


I always admire people who have one really subtle classy necklace that they always wear - I sometimes think I should try to be like that and with this necklace I did try...but I just can't, I have an unabashed obsession with having to wear lots of different things. I suppose if I was different I would be much richer, but maybe my life (and certainly my wardrobe) wouldn't be...

Day 44 - Long Accessorize necklace

Well, I managed to get into the office today which was a feat in itself. I hadn't banked on the number of stairs I have to deal with on my commute, nor the sheer ferocity of tube users when half the network is down! Thankfully I made it in and have been working through the pain with the help of tea and sympathy (or in my case, diet coke and Freddo Frog chocolate!)


It has meant that I have been able to put proper clothes on for the first time in ages which means we're back on with the challenge. Today I wore this Accessorize necklace which I wasn't going to buy at all, but I'd spotted the matching bracelets which I fell in love with and as they were all in the sale I went for it. I actually got the bracelets as a present for a friend but decided to self-gift in the end and I am so glad I did! I'm sure I'll show you the bracelets another time and you'll see what I mean!

Day 34 - 43...an apology!

Last week I had to leave work early as I had mysteriously done something to my back and it was killing me. The next day I woke up feeling so much worse so after a few hours at A&E I was sent home with a selection of hardcore painkillers and muscle relaxers and told to rest up. On Monday I wasn't feeling any better so went to my GP who gave me some more drugs to help and ordered me to rest. 


So to be honest lovely readers, jewellery has been the least of my worries! I've been stuck with a hot water bottle practically strapped to my back for almost a week and dosed up to the eyeballs on codeine, tramadol and diazepam (which incidentally, my spell check wanted to change to diamanté!) How ironic. I'm still not doing too well and the osteopath thinks it might be a slipped disc so I've been really feeling it. I wish I was able to wear some sparklies the whole time as that may have cheered me up but I was in such a bad way I couldn't even manage that. Hopefully normal service will be restored shortly, thanks for bearing with me x

Day 33 - Lola Rose green necklace

This one is a bit statement-y and I LOVE it. It's a Lola Rose necklace that my husband got for me for my 30th birthday. Sadly it seems that it was another one of those 'I want it but can't afford it can you buy it for me as a present?' moments that seem to happen all too often close to my birthday I have noticed!! I got it at the London Fashion Weekend that I have mentioned before. This was a real bargain, I wish I'd snapped up more, but I don't know what excuse I could have used to justify it...Hmmm, must work harder methinks!

Day 32 - Accessorize butterfly necklace

I probably have enough Accessorize jewellery to restock several of their stores were they to suffer some sort of extensive fire or water damage. Seriously - I could take out shares! I think that Accessorize do butterfly jewellery very well and this is one of my favourites, it always gets comments and is a nice addition to a simple outfit to feel a bit more 'done'. 

I wear it a lot in the summer as that tends to be when I think I can get away with wearing gold or brass chains. It was quite nice to wear it in the winter though as the white/cream butterfly is pretty neutral anyway.