Who Is Your 3am Friend?

Since being back in London I am trying desperately to catch-up

with both old and new friends.

Last week I spoke with one of my best friends; we've been

friends for more than 25 years.

After  happy tears and lots of girlie screams

she said to me "Van, you are definitely my 3am friend".

So this got us both debating what gives

someone the "honor" of being your 3am friend?

Who would you call first if you found out you were pregnant,

got the job you desperately wanted, if you won an award?

(after your respective partners and family of course.......

or maybe not ;-)

Who could write your obituary and clean

your computer if your died ;-)

(if like me you are a fan of Greys Anatomy, you will

"get" the above and how important a

3am friend is)

Who would you call first if your had front row

seats for the hottest tickets in town?

Who would drive there and back for you?

Who's seen you do the Ugly Cry?

Who could order for you at a restaurant?

Do you have  a 3am friend or do you think with family

they are not necessary?

One thing I discovered living in Spain was that

because families all live very close to each other,

people never nurtured friendships; they didn't "need"

friends, so they never invested time in friends.

I actually found that very sad. I think we all need

a 3am friend irrespective of how fantastic our 

family/husbands/partners are.

Maybe I'm wrong. 

I would love to hear your thoughts and

about your 3am friend if you have one.

p.s don't forget to see our previous post with details of our Flash sale which ends Tuesday 2 October.

Celebrating Autumn

Having lived in Spain for 12 years,

 I SO missed Autumn. You see there were only ever

two seasons in Spain; Summer and Winter.

Autumn has always been one of my favorite seasons

(along with Spring), so now I am back in the UK

I am really indulging :-)

In celebration of Autumn, take a look at these gorgeous

autumnal pieces

This gorgeous pendant in Silver has been cast

 from real branches taken from the ancient forests 

of the Sussex South Downs (UK). 

I am so excited about :-

*cosy walks all wrapped up

*wearing boots and scarves in September 

(and not flip-flops and shorts)

*comfort food

*gorgeous colors that just stop you in your tracks.

*snuggling up in front of the fire with a good

book or English drama 

(just getting into Downton Abbey;

I know I am one year late to the party ;-)

A stunning ring in Sterling Silver and 18ct gold which 

really encapsulates the form of twigs and berries that are inter-twined 

to form a gorgeous Winter garland. Imagine wearing this 

gorgeous ring this season ;-)

These gorgeous hoops in Sterling silver are cast from real branches 

taken from the ancient forests of the Sussex South Downs (UK). 

They are so original and gorgeous, and will easily take you from day to night.

( Gold version also available).

These stunning earrings in Gold or Silver again have been cast 

from real branches taken from the ancient forests 

of the Sussex South Downs (UK). 

They are simple but stunning glistening drops of buds 

on hand-forged hooks. Length 5.5cm

This is a gorgeous ring (Chocolate Freedom)
for Fall/Autumn with smokey quartz 

that depicts some of the colors of this season; 

it's a clean, ergonomic shape with stunning chocolate 
color stones on one side.  

It is made in Silver and rhodium plating.

I live right on the edge of Epping Forest, 

and I never appreciated just how beautiful 

the scenery could be (or

maybe appreciation of nature is something

that just comes with age!)

This set comprises of 2x 24k gold-plated Silver jewelled hand-hammered 

stackable rings and 1x 24k gold-plated plain stacking ring. 

The colors of these stones remind me of Autuumn/Fall. I think

they would jazz up any outfit.

What do you love most about Autumn/Fall?
Are you mourning the end of Summer
or throwing yourself into the 
new season?

In celebration of my love of Autumn/Fall

I am offering 20% discount off any

of the above items + FREE shipping.

This flash sale is for  1 week only 
(ends TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER)
Just drop me an e.mail and 
I will arrange your discount.

If you want to use a discount on
an item not showcased here, just
drop me an e.mail or a tweet ;-)

Finally. subscribe to our newsletter (box on the top right)

as we will now be doing a MONTHLY draw; one 

subscriber will win a piece from our boutique

EVERY month.

All Autumn images via Pinterest.

All jewellery images via www.luxuria-jewellery.com

Overwhelmed

As most of you know, I left Spain to move back to the UK

this summer.

I principally came back to look after my sick and elderly Dad

who was more sick than I could have ever imagined.

I am not an only child, I have a sister who lives 10 minutes 

away from my Dad. But that's a story for another day.

I'm loving being back in London.

But something else is overwhelming me. 

I've realised my life has been "hijacked".

I can't make plans as there is always

an urgent medical appointment that needs to

be squeezed in.

My life no longer has a timetable. Those of

you who know me, know how my life is scheduled

with military precision.

Suddenly the only timetables are

those surrounding my Dad.

It's dawning on me what a huge undertaking 

I am now part of.

Please don't get me wrong, I am so

pleased I came back when I did.

But being surrounded by someone old and very sick

has started to fill me with dread and fear about my own

old-age.

I've lost my mojo, my creativity, my optimism

for life.

I've lost my freedom, my passion ,

my vision for my business, 

my spontaneity, my sparkle

Nobody told me it would be like this.

Everybody just told me I was doing the right thing.

I'm trying to focus everyday on all that I DO have

........ the most wonderful husband,

friends and faith that are all keeping me on the

right side of the Vodka bottle ;-)

Please don't think I have been ignoring you all

(this is the longest I've been AWOL from

blogland).

I just need more time than I thought to

adapt to my new responsibilities.

OK........now where's that Vodka bottle?