This Christmas I Wish For You……………….

My God, I can't believe how quickly the BIG DAY is 

nearly upon us. I hope you didn't get too

wrapped up in the manic-ness of it all.

This Christmas I really wish for you:

* the joy of being able to really kick

back and enjoy the moment

*the joy of not worrying about perfection, but

instead knowing that it will all turn out

OK in the end (so what

if you forgot the cranberry sauce. That is not

what you will remember most in 5 years time ;-)

*the joy of no more to-do lists

*the joy of being with the ones that really matter

(not necessarily those you feel you have to be with ;-)

*the joy of seeing the happiness YOU give to others

*the joy of  belly laughs, tears of happiness and

child-like wonder

*the joy of making time to steal those kisses and cuddles

with your loved ones

* the joy of making fab memories that will

stay with you long after the wrapping has all been thrown

and your Instagram feed has moved on ;-)

* the joy of  receiving (some of us find it difficult to

receive gifts, compliments, surprises……..anything. 

Sometimes we areso focused on the giving, 

that we forget it is OK to

accept and be pampered also.

*the joy of candle-lit lunches and dinners 

(food always seems to taste better in candle-light).

*the joy of  slushy Christmas films 

*the joy of finding quiet moments to reflect and soak 

it all in

*the joy of "no technology" days

Finally I would like to thank you for always

being at my side in this humble space I call 

my blog. I am not a writer and sometimes

find it difficult to come up with anything of value.

So I appreciate every single one of you who make

time to visit. I know how "time-starved" we all are,

so it means even more to me to think I have people

even reading my ramblings ;-)

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and

nothing but the best for 2015.

Year by year it's all unclear, but day

by day we WILL  find a way.

xxxxxxxx

Give Yourself This Gift (it only takes 35 minutes)!

OK, I know tis' the season to be jolly, and the 

last think you want to be thinking about is anything

negative BUT this interview

popped into my Inbox this week 

and it literally

BLEW MY MIND.

I want to ask you to give yourself

the gift of just 35 minutes and listen to this interview.

http://www.oneplanetoneplace.com/doctors-told-die-ignored-survived/

It will make you SO angry (especially the

first 10 minutes where she discloses something

about how our medical system works, that left

me truly flabbergasted) but I hope it will empower you.

Even if you do nothing with the information you

hear, and just allow it to "incubate" until the

New Year, I BEG YOU to please listen to this.

As some of you know (who have been reading my blog

a while), I lost my Mum to cancer at the age of 48.

I have lost friends also, and I am sure some of 

us know of families who will be spending

this Christmas without someone they lost 

to the BIG C this year.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS FOR THEM.

I know my family will be doing back-flips as I

come from a long-line of medics!

They were appalled when I stopped having

annual mammograms 10 years ago (she talks about

this in the interview also)

However, I would love to know your thoughts 

xxxxxx

Posh In Pearls

The Duchess of Cambridge was once again flying the flag for Britain

during her whistle-stop trip to the USA last week.

Kate is becoming known as the "recycling" Princess in 

the British press, but wearing something more than once hardly warrants the 

tag "recycling" ;-)

Nonetheless I think she looked as elegant as always in a

gorgeous cashmere navy coat by Goat and her familiar Annousha Ducas 

pearl earrings.

It is not the first time that the pearl earrings have 

accompanied the Duchess on a tour. 

They were very much a feature when she toured 

Australia last Spring.

The pearl earrings are by Annoushka Ducas 
who founded the globally recognized Links of London.

These gorgeous beauties cost approx £1,000/$1500.
The earrings feature gold hoops with a black rhodium finish
and diamonds all set along the spine.

Yes please Santa!!!

Would love to hear your view on Kate's style.
What do you think about a Princess "re-cycling"? Do
you like the earrings? Nothing special? 
Just a normal pair of
pearl earrings?

I am not a pearl wearer, so don't really
have a view other than they look very
regal, and that is something she always
has to be mindful of (she can hardly start
wearing loud and proud "chandeliers" when
on royal duty).

However is she dressing older than  her years?
Could she still be regal but with a younger vibe
ie Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco?
I personally think she has it right, but as
always would love to hear your views.


xxxx


p.s Update:
Do you remember I wrote a couple of weeks ago about
how I get asked constantly for products by bloggers I don't even
follow (here).
Well, one such blogger emailed me in September asking
for one of our leopard rings.
I dutifully "ignored" the email.
Guess what? I got another email from "blogger
in question" saying "I haven't received my ring yet".
I was so flabbergasted I just had to laugh.
I did reply saying, you were never told you were
going to be sent the ring. She replied saying she thought
by me not replying that was me "being OK" with sending it!!!

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RED HOT MAMMA!

So December has arrived and it's the month

that suddenly sees me want to adorn myself in every 

shade of red imaginable; from flaming

crimson to blazing cinnabar.

Armani Privé

I don't know what it is, but I suddenly want to

channel my inner Mrs Claus and wear red wherever 

and whenever possible (a color I never wear the rest

of the year).

Elie Saab

The need for red talons and lips become a requirement.

I never wear red lipstick or nail varnish any other time

 until the "month of madness" is upon us, and then I

feel the need to become Cruella deVille

Give me the Choos!

Have you met Zita? She also come in yellow gold

These beauties are available here

So are you like me when it comes to wearing this season's

feistiest shade, or do you avoid it at all costs?

Or perhaps you wear it all year round?

Would love to hear your thoughts as always

xxxxxxxx

The Shopping Test I Swear By

I really am not great in the sales.
In fact I am not great shopping. Period.

I still think twice before buying anything for

myself. I guess I still have my Mum's dulcette

tones ringing in my ears when she gave me these

wise words.

" Go home and sleep on it. If you are

still thinking about it 48 hours later, that means

you really want it" (but not necessarily need it of course).

YSL oversized bag. Passed the 48 hour test ;-)

I have used this technique so many times and 

you can be sure 24 hours later, I can't even

remember what it was I wanted to buy ;-)

Something I promise I would never forget in 48 hours (Valentino)

I think it's great to remember that what we 

buy represents how we see ourselves, and how we

wish for others to see us.

You're a smart cookie and let the world know it.

Would love to know your thoughts on shopping.

Are you an impulse buyer?

A throw-away-after-one- season kind of girl?

Do you go armed to the sales knowing exactly what

you want (list in hand, body armor on!) or do you

decide when you see it?

When was the last time you had buyers remorse?

I would love to hear 

xxxxxx

Save Your Haggling For Morocco

OK, here's the thing that's been bugging

me for some time.

Many of my wonderful friends are creatives

of some shape or form.

We are all creatives in some way I think.

So it really bugs me when people feel they have a right

to try and barter our prices down, or haggle

over a product they want.

Hey! I love a good bargain, but I would never

barter with small businesses or creatives.

In the same way if I was having something bespoke

made, I would never haggle. I know that the reason

the price is higher than Target or Walmart is because

I am buying into the whole "process" of something 

being created just for me.

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Hayden Williams

Even if you are a stylist, people are paying to tap into

your knowledge and for you to create a look for them.

Therefore, we should respect that and NOT haggle or

negotiate over the price.

I find it really offensive sometimes.

You see I get between 5-10 emails a week from

bloggers asking me for FREE products!

Some of these "influencers" have NEVER even read my

blog, certainly never commented. So never having taken the

time to build a relationship with me, but then they feel

they have the "right" to ask for a free product as they

are a "fashion influencer"? Am I missing something here?

Some have blog stats that you can count on one hand!

But that's not really the issue for me. It's the fact that they

feel I should be "privileged" that they "found me" on the

Internet.

I was always astounded by their audacity.

A couple of times I turned the tables and said

they could have a product if they show me

their stats, or they can have a product

if they pay the trade price.

Of course you never see them again for dust!

They just wanted the freebie.

Here's the thing. When you give someone something for free

 (and it's not given as a gift from you), you de-value

your product/service/time.

People never appreciate something they are

given for free. Even if they have to pay a

nominal amount, they will value the object/

service/person MORE than if they pay nothing.

Other times I have had customers who contact

me saying they like a particular piece, but THEY think

the price should be X!!!

Whooooooa! Hold on Tiger!

 Are you serious?

Would they walk into Neiman Marcus or

Selfridges in the UK and say to the store manager

they would like to purchase X but only if the price is

what they think it should be?

C'mon people get a grip!

If you want to haggle then go to your local market

or ebay (Morocco is also a good place if you like

haggling ;-)

But if you are buying from an artist who is selling their 

product or service that they live, sleep and breathe through,

then don't haggle.

If you want cheap and mass-produced, then there

are places where you can buy such products with

prices that reflect this.

So this holiday season my wonderful friends,

don't let customers negotiate your worth.

You have set your price for a reason, and if

that sets you apart from the mass--produced

tat that some of the bigger stores sell, then

be proud about it. 

The RIGHT customers

who know value, and who know your worth

WILL find you and they will never negotiate with you.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this (whether you are a creative

or a even "professional haggler ;-"- 

I know they exist. My sister is one of them ;-)

Embellish Boldly

Well this week sees the introduction of more sparkles into 

our boutique just in time for Santa to start taking notes ;-)

These gorgeous pieces are by a Greek designer whose designs

have been in Vogue magazine and Deluxe magazine ( to name a few).

It was simply by chance we came into contact; she contacted me

and asked me to look at her portfolio and I "dangerously"

fell in love with everything ;-)

Available here

Available here

These are just the first lot of designs added this week to our boutique.

There are plenty more on their way.

All the ring designs have a matching pendant and are all exquisitely crafted

in silver, gold vermeil and embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Each design is made to order.

These pieces will really turn heads this party season (and 

for all the right reasons ;-)

This will be in our boutique later this week

I am offering my blog readers a $60 discount off any piece

for a very limited time.

Your discount code is AMARIS-60 and your

discount code expires on  Sunday 9 NOVEMBER.

So if you are interested get your

little booty over here

I would love to know what you think of  my new offerings

and also just how your week has been 

xxxx

The Wonders Of This Week

I seem to be writing more and more of these types of

post as I start to take notice of all the 

"wonders" around me (it's a really nice feeling too ;-)

This week saw the joy of:

*"I see! I get it!"

*long phone calls with your BFF about nothing

*the joy of conversations (with BFF) which

are impossible for others to understand ;-)

*the joy of Godiva chocolate and crocanti dipped

strawberries bought for me by "Hubalicious"

*the joy of being in the flow;losing all 

sense of time and place

*the joy of being on a "news-diet" for the last

5+ years and knowing I made the right decision

* the joy of finding the last designer label sweater

in your size AND color

* the joy of  open fires and warm textiles

* the joy of taking of your heels off after a LONG day

*the joy of just being cosy

*the joy of feeling everything eventually connects

*the joy of  online shopping ;-)

Do share some of your "wonders/joys" this week

Happy Weekend Lovelies

xxxxx

Wise Words

These are just some of the wise words

I "try" (try being the operative ;-)

to live by.

This was very much my Mum's mentality (even when we were 

at school). There was just no way I could play hooky ;-)

This mentality has subsequently stayed with me and helped me achieve

so many things I thought were impossible.

Don't you just wish more people would do this?

This quote sums up one of my biggest fears in life.

What wise words do you try to live by?

xxxxx

p.s despite losing my Mum at a very young age to cancer

I NEVER support cancer charities. Pop over to this post

I wrote last year that proved quite controversial and read

why ;-)

The Wonders Of This Week

Those of you who have followed me for a while

know that Autumn is really one of my favorite seasons.

I have lived in a country that really only had 2 seasons- 

Winter and Summer. This really made me appreciate the wonders

of Autumn.

Here are some of  the joys  of my week.

* long walks in the forest with only the crunch

of the leaves for company

* flushed, cold cheeks

*revisiting old books and finding

hidden gems you missed the first time around

* homemade, rustic comfort food

*an excuse to wear cashmere

(and waiting anxiously for

notification from Catherine Robinson

that my cashmere poncho is back in stock)

*listening to the rain beating against my bedroom

window and knowing I don't have to get up

just yet if I don't want to

*going back to my luxurious creamy

face creams (who I unfaithfully ditched

during the warmer months).

Body oils, hair oils, facial oils,

home fragrance oils, olive oil,,,,,,,,,,

Autumn makes we want to break out the 

oils (of every description).

*the joy of always having someone to share

things with

* the joy of receiving an unexpected gift

*the joy of watching my garden slowly start to

"shut down" for the winter

*hot chocolate

*seeing 2 of my new ring designs in production

and feeling like  a new mother about to give birth

(OK, I know it's not quite the same ;-)

*rainbows

*the cake that emerged golden and beautifully dome

shaped, and stayed that way

*decadent TV

Stunning Madeira Garnet earrings available here

Here's your $35.00 off discount code

(BLOG 35)

Offer ends October 16th 2014

Would love to hear what made your heart sing this week

xxx

Happy Weekend

How true is this?

I DO  have plans though: 

*catching up on all my magazine reading (and 

coming to terms with the fact that there is no longer

a chance for me to be Mrs Clooney :-(

*catching up on last weeks episode of Downton Abbey and 

Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares

*trawling through my recipe books for warming 

Autumn recipes

*lunch with my bestie on Saturday

*lunch with my Daddy on Sunday

*packing away Summer clothes (I can't pretend anymore

we are having an Indian summer)

*no technology........OK, maybe just Instagram ;-)

What about you?

Have a lovely one whatever you are doing

xxxx

It's Not Just About The Money

"Money won't buy happiness, unless we exchange it for the things

that will bring happiness.

If we don't know how to get happiness out of five dollars, 

we won't know how to get it out of five hundred,

or five thousand, or five hundred thousand".

How true is this?

How many people do you know who "seem"

to have everything but are just never happy? :-(

What things (that don't cost a lot of money)

make you feel really happy?

Wishing you ALL a week full of happiness

xxxx

Extract: Eleanor H Porter

Hi Gorgeous! Just One Thing.

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