BAFTA BEAUTIES + BLING

So cold, blustery February nights usually means an awards

ceremony of some kind in London.

And yes, it was cold and gale-force as predicted for the BAFTA's

(the British Academy of Film and Television Awards).

By now you know the winners and the "very gracious" losers.

But here are some of my favourite sparkles that 

shone out on the night.

Wow!!! I think Annabelle Wallis looks gorgeous (she reminds me so much

of the Spanish actress and wife of Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky).

Anyway, I digress. 

She was adorned in stunning Chopard ruby and diamond chandelier earrings.

OK, so I am not a great Winslet fan, but she did look gorgeous

in her Antonio-Berardi figure hugging, fishtail dress which was 

accompanied by David Morris pieces.

Julianne Moore wearing vivid Emerald earrings by Chopard

to accompany her Armani Privè gown

Saoirse Ronan wearing the most gorgeous sugar-sweet 

3-strand coloured sapphires by Chopard

Do you like these?

"Gothic Goddess" Alicia Vikanda wearing stunning diamond drop earrings by LV. 

I "think" her dress was also by Louis Vuitton.

The stunning Angela Bassett wearing earrings by 

Maxior Joias

Finally Julie Walters BEFORE her Cinderella moment; she lost one

of the earrings which she confessed were on loan to her and cost

more than her house!!!! Not the time to lose your sparkles Auntie Ju!!!!

Thankfully the 22ct pear-shaped diamond earrings set in purple

infused Titanium were found :-)

There you have it. My quick round up

of some of my favs.

Any favourites?

Happy weekend Lovelies

xxxx

All images by Rex Features

What Exactly Is It?

OK, it's that time of year again when I profess to not

being romantic, but get told every year I am ;-)

But here's the BIG question.

What is love?

*it is so many different and contradictory things

*in the early stages loves is excitement, 

butterflies, headiness and constant breathlessness

*it is the ache of separation and the joy and

comfort of being together.

*it builds irresistibly and relentlessly

moving from"I" to that first moment 

when you say "we" (and it sounds so right).

*later when the infatuation has simmered 

down from boiling point, it becomes something

much stronger and  less transitory

*love is all around for the taking. But to

seek it out seems futile. It's like chasing a 

butterfly. Only she you sit still does it come and

sit on your shoulder.

*it cannot be avoided or denied

*love is the wonderful, mysterious mortar

that binds two souls together.

This is LOVE.

I've found it.

I hope you have too.

So what is love for you?
What small little gesture does your
partner do that melts your heart?

Happy Valentines

xxxxx

Iconic Engagements

Jeweller George Pragnell has created some stunning

info-graphics detailing some of the most iconic engagement

rings and proposals.

JFK kept Jackie Bouvier's known love of Emeralds in mind when

he picked out her yellow gold engagement ring with the help

of his Father. The ring boasts a 288 carat diamond with a 2.84

emerald flanked by 2 baguettes

Grace Kelly's stunning 10.47 carat emerald cut diamond is now valued at 

approximately $4.3 million. The Prince originally popped the question

with a more modest ring but upgraded it when he learned that actresses

of a similar calibre were walking round with much bigger rocks!

Mel Ferrer chose Audrey Hepburn a non-traditonal stacked set of

bezel rings. These are now estimated  at around $10k.

The massive diamond was originally known as The Krupp diamond but later

become known as 'The Elizabeth Taylor' diamond.

It's estimated worth is now around $8.2 million

I guess by now we all know that Prince William proposed to Kate with the beautiful

12 carat blue Ceylon sapphire ring that belonged to his mother Princess Diana.

The ring was originally purchased for $40k which is now estimated to be 

worth around $430k.

So there you have it, some iconic proposals and engagement rings.

Now despite being a lover of all things sparkly, I didn't want

an engagement ring!! Yes you read that correctly. I opted for 

designing my own wedding band with the diamonds incorporated 

into my band. Those of you that know enough about me 

know that I don't do traditional or conventional too well (much to

the anger of my Spanish mother-in-law!!!) Can you imagine?

 I also don't do delicate jewellery well as I don't have lovely

slender fingers (more chubby, little, chipolata sausages;-)

So this was an option that worked really well for me and I still

get stopped by strangers who ask me about my wedding ring some

20 years later. 

What about you? Did you have a traditional engagement ring?

If you had millions to splash would you spend it on jewellery?

Did you veer away from traditional when it came to your

engagement/weddings?

Would love to hear your thoughts as always.

xxxx

Images courtesy of George Pragnell and Daily Mail (UK)