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?

Guest interview 3: Inspirational Women

As a continuation in this series,

I would like to introduce you to

the lovely Sharon 

We have only known each other

a few months, but again it's one of 

those connections that just felt natural.

(Wait til you read about an act of kindness

Sharon performed; it will blow you away).

Tell us a little about how you got into event design consulting?

When my kids were little I needed a  creative outlet 

so I started volunteering for their school events and fundraisers. 

I built up a reputation over the years of being a 

super creative hard worker

You also do fashion consulting. Which of the two do you prefer?

`           

            I enjoy both but I still mostly do event design just because 

there’s more of a need for that here in my community. I just love helping people come 

 up with creative ideas and helping them feel really good about their decisions.

Sharon, earlier this year you showed the ultimate 

act of kindness to a stranger 

that really shook me to my core. 

Can you tell us a little about this; 

how it came about and what moved you to do this? 

I was added to a friend’s group, someone who had kidney disease 

and was using Facebook as forum for awareness and talking 

about what she was going through.  When she wrote a comment saying

 ‘if more people would understand how horrible life on dialysis is,

 more people would be willing to donate their kidney.” 

Something just clicked in me and I decided to look into doing it. 

Seven months later I was a kidney donor. Once my mind went there 

everything just kind of fell into place. Read more about this journey to kidney donation

HERE

As a “yummy-mummy” of FIVE, and such an active consultancy business, 

what is your strategy for not neglecting yourself? Tell  us one of your beauty secrets ;-)

Well, I’ll tell you a secret. I don’t really officially work that much. 

I focus first and foremost on my family, then my blog and then if I have time I’ll do some jobs.

 Prioritising and knowing what’s important without feeling guilty and is key to finding balance. 

I’ve learned to say no and give up on things if they will interfere with 

my family or stress me out too much. 

Here’s a weird beauty secret that I do:

 Every morning after coffee, I make myself a cup of green tea. 

Once the tea bag is steeped I squeeze it out and rub it all over my face before I put my makeup on. 

Then I drink the tea. This way I get all those anti oxidants inside and out!

if you've seen Sharon's picture on her blog,

you know this tip works!

If you get to play “hookie” for the day, 

what is always on your fun-list to do?

I’d love to go sailing or just hang out on the beach with a group of close friends. 

I love the water and the sun and making wonderful connections with people!

Which celebrity would you just LOVE to style, and why?

Jennifer Lopez because she is so hot and I can relate to her body type. 

She is a super star, she is gorgeous and she is 

smoking hot without being a stick. I love that!

What’s one common style mistake women over 40 always make?

I’m going to say the opposite of what so many others say. 

Don’t start dressing matronly just because of the number of your age. 

Dress the way you feel and wear what makes you happy. 

It’s the inner beauty that shines through anyway. 

Just because a magazine editor officially says something is silly on a 

40 something doesn’t mean it doesn’t suit you and your personality. 

I am young at heart and will wear my hair long as long as I 

like the way it looks and it makes me feel great. If you have great legs, 

go ahead and where your skirts to your knee. 

If you like color, go ahead and where it in a fun yet sophisticated way.

 It’s all about balance at this age.

Which celeb do you think has the best style/look at the moment?

 Olivia Palermo and Blake Lively always look super stylish. 

Kate Middleton is the best for classy and ladylike.

How would you describe your style? 

I like sophisticated style with a bit of an edge. 

I also like rocker chic but I would tone it down and make it a bit more classy. 

I’m currently having a love affair with vibrant color blocking!

The  place currently in first place on your travel “wish-list” ?

I was recently in Italy which was my dream, 

but I didn’t get to see enough! 

I would love to travel along the Mediterranean 

and visit the Southern coasts of France, Italy and Greece!

Book or Kindle? 

Book!

What are you reading at the moment? 

Umm I don’t have much time to read...but I should definitely try to read more! 

I started Fifty Shades of Grey a while back but decided 

I really disliked the book a lot. I found the book to be a completely 

unrealistic female fantasy and the female character was just very unappealing to me. 

I like a strong woman who needs a lot more in her life than 

just exciting sex and the need to convert a man!

Who do you consider to be one of the most inspirational women and why? 

Diane Von Furstenberg hands down. 

I’m a young at heart woman in her 40’s and I find her to be an amazing role model. 

She has aged so gracefully, is still so full of life and remains 

relevant and successful with the younger generation in her fashion business.

What a fabulously inspiring woman.

Here's my thoughts on Sharon's interview ;-)

What did you think?

Could you give your kidney to a stranger?

Share your thoughts about this lovely woman.

Guest Interview 2: Inspirational Women

This "Inspirational Women" series was inspired by

some of the wonderfully creative bloggers I follow.

I wanted to showcase women who I felt were

inspirational in one way or another; however

big or small. One thing they all have in 

common is that they all 

followed their dreams. or 

lived their life authentically.

First up is the the lovely Catherine Robinson

who started her wonderful cashmere company

 Here's our interview:

 How and when did you get started in business?

 Once I had decided on what I wanted to do I had to find a 

supplier/manufacturer to make my products for me; 

it took awhile to find the right company, a lot of research, 

endless samples and negotiations. When that was all 

in place I worked with a web designer to create my website…

my business started in January 2010.

What was the inspiration for working with cashmere?

I adore it ;-) I wanted to work with a luxury product and 

specifically knitwear. It was also important as a small business 

to work with one size products and my first product I designed 

and had manufactured was the cashmere poncho; I wanted to design 

a product that was versatile and could be worn in a 

number of ways and would be an essential garment 

in a woman’s wardrobe.

What was one of the biggest obstacles 

you faced when you started your biz?

 I don’t think I necessarily had any obstacles…

it was very new to me and all consuming and 

I realised quite early on for something to actually happen 

you had to be consistently telephoning, 

mailing and meeting people…nothing would get done 

unless I was pushing for it; it took a lot of discipline!

What did you want to be when a young girl?

 Perhaps, like a lot of young girls, I wanted to be an air hostess…

it seemed so glamorous, I think by the time I was 14 I had changed 

my mind and it was always fashion I was interested in…

and I have worked in fashion most of my life.

If you get to play “hookie” for the day, 

what is always on your list to do?

 I live just outside London so I would definitely be driving 

into town for the day….

visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, 

having lunch in Hyde Park 

and then a little shopping in Harrods with my daughter 

who now lives in London…a perfect day.

Which celebrity do you think epitomises your brand?

Yasmin Le Bon…I know she likes wearing poncho’s 

and she would wear it simply or add her own twist and style to it…

she would look absolutely beautiful in my chocolate cashmere poncho!

Your favourite perfume at the moment?

Allure Sensuelle by Chanel

 Your fav app?

I don’t really have a favourite one.

 What’s playing on your iPod at the moment?

 I’ve just recently begun to enjoy listening to classical music 

and on my iPod at the moment is…

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto…

it simply takes my breath away.

Book or Kindle?

Book…I adore books!

What are you reading at the moment?

The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama…

I’ve read this book a few times and it’s 

just a book I enjoy to read again and again.

The one beauty item or beauty brand you can’t live without?

I’ve been wearing Clarins since my early twenties, 

so I would be lost without that!! 

Their Beauty Flash Balm is always in my make up bag.

 The place currently in first place on your travel “wish-list” ?

 It would be Italy…my favourite country and 

it would be beautiful Florence with my husband 

for a wonderfully 

romantic few days before driving 

to the Amalfi Coast…now that’s two places!

Amalfi coastal road

 Who do you think has the best look/style today?

 I know I’ve already mentioned her but I love Yasmin’s style and flair…

she always looks fabulous whether modeling, 

on the red carpet or out walking her dogs…

she has an innate grace and elegance and she looks as beautiful today 

in her forties as she did in her early modelling days.

Which piece from your collection would make a great gift ?

I think my cashmere socks make a wonderful gift to a girlfriend…

a little bit of luxury… and for a more expensive gift 

my cashmere poncho is the perfect gift to wrap yourself in…

sheer indulgence.

shop here

Who do you consider one of the most inspirational women and why?

 For me, Audrey Hepburn has been an inspirational lady…

not as an actress, although I admire her talent but for her way of being, 

her humanity and serenity, her kindness and humility 

and her passion and work and deep love and 

concern for the welfare of children. 

Through her role as ambassador 

for Unicef she raised the world’s consciousness 

to the plight of children in the Third World and inspired 

others to continue her work. A lady of such refined elegance 

and grace and inner beauty…she inspires me to be a better person.

Thank you SO much to the lovely

Catherine for her inspiring insights.

Here's one last word from me, taking

inspiration from this interview ;-)

I would love to hear your thoughts on this interview

+ dreams. Are you dreaming big?

Are you living your dream?

However big or small, tell us?