A bit of BLING vintage style

As the party season hots up. Change the look of your evening gown by adding a sparkling piece of vintage jewellery.
A bling vintage brooch pinned to the lapel side of your dress as a corsage or used as an accent on the plunge of your bust-line. Just the one brooch, necklace or bracelet will add that something special to any clothing and transform you into a glamorous individual.
 
Pin a brooch to a silver material hair band for a total unique hair accessory. Or add a twinkling brooch to a plain clutch bag. Two brooches on a pair of heels, a belt or even on the plunge at the back of a dress. Just a sprinkle of imagination can transform a sober jacket into an couture outfit suitable for a glitz Hollywood party.  

With a truly vintage piece of jewellery your look will be unique and no one else in the room will have the same copy.

Diamante is fabulous under party lights and rhinestones even better. Add bling in the form of a vintage necklace, dress clip or bracelet if brooches are not your thing.

Swag rhinestone necklace. Pre owned jewellery from recent years. Just covered in bling.

Liven up denim with this sparkling denim clip brooch. Push onto denim buttons available in several different colours and styles.

  Beautiful vintage brooch with deep sparkling rhinestones. So versatile and easy to wear.

Brooches pinned to the clothing can be found in Jewels and Finery's white vintage brooches category.       

Gardener's World Show NEC visit

Took a day out and Mark and I went to the NEC, just a short car ride to visit the Gardener's World show.
The sun shone all day - a novelty as it has rained nearly every time I have gone previously.

Loads of stall on gardening paraphernalia, a huge marque of plants and flowers, show gardens and food stalls to taste and buy both foods and drinks

This was the first time I had not drove to the event and so it was nice to be able to sample some of the drinks - ginger beer alcoholic drink, damson gins and try some of the most tastiest sausages and cheeses.

Here are some of the gardens on show

 
The first photograph is the Gardener's World's garden Greenacre full of edible plants

The second again is Greenacre with the cottage garden planting. have always loved the informal planting in a cottage garden

The third photograph is Alice in biodiversity land designed by Solihull school pupils

The fourth is a peaceful garden with a waterfall and a natural feel

The fifth photograph is the footballers one - see those giant footballs!

The sixth is also the footballers garden with the large BBQ and an outdoor jacuzzi - didn't like the football theme but that jacuzzi oh yes.

The seventh is an Indian inspired garden of peace and tranquility - loved the floral petals and colours in this one.

The eighth photograph is by the children of Walmley junior school, Sutton Coldfield. Back to nature. the children were so excited and were showing their enthusiasm at the show.

The ninth  and last photograph of a garden called The Growing Fit Garden. At the back is a set of kettles. Now the only reason I know this is because there is one in the middle of my living room floor at the moment. Curtsy of my oldest son. Delivered the other day and too heavy for me to lift. Still when he looses interest in it, I am sure it will make a great door stopper!!

Back to Jewels - recently added vintage jewellery and pre owned contemporary jewellery

Two black love cats brooch

Enameled insect brooch

Vintage necklace bead slices and chain

Mirella by WAP Watson

I have written several articles on Exquisite jewellery by WAP Watson and soon will publish further information
But the company also produced the Myths and Magic range as well as the lesser know range of mirrors and trinkets called Mirella.
The Mirella range was named after an employer of the company. I have only been looking for Mirella items in the last couple of months, but both the pieces I found are marked, so easy to identify.

 

  

Interesting small trinket box in a gold metal and red velvet style material. Topped with a poodle holding a faux pearl.

In very good condition and has the Mirella signature on the bottom

 

The other item is a hand held mirror

 

The mirror is decorated with faux pearl beads and a faux turquoise stone. Also in a heavy gold metal and in good condition with slight rubbing to the gold plate.

The mirror is signed "Made in England" on the top of the handle on one side.

 

And the Mirella signature on the other side of the handle.

 

This design was popular as I have had a lady previously contact me regarding Mirella pieces and this was the one she had. At the time I estimated this as being produced in the late seventies. But at present I am not sure how long this range was manufactured for?

WAP Watson also produced a range of souvenir spoons and associated items. Now I am a closeted spoon collector as well but don't tell anyone. Unfortunately I now collect so many things this house is bulging!

The spoon collecting started in the seventies when my pen friend Nancy came over from the US. We went to all the tourist places and she collected souvenir thimbles, so I started to buy a few spoons and got hooked. 

Now I just buy the occasional one or two that are special. This collection now runs into hundreds, but I have not counted for a long time. So now is the time to dig the Exquisite one's out and get photographing as some are quite old.

Been a bit slow adding more items to Jewels and Finery but here are a few...

 

To be added shortly 

Vintage faux jade bracelet Seventies

 

Diamante leaf brooch  

 

Bright wood vintage necklace

That's all for this Saturday morning. Take care

 

Make a Rainbow

Make a Rainbow

If your world looks gloomy and you're feeling grim and glum.
Make a rainbow for yourself, don't wait for one to come.
Don't sit watching at the window for the clouds to part.
There'll soon be a rainbow if you start one in your heart.

Take some lovely thoughts out of a poem or a prayer.
Turn it over in your mind and let it linger within,
and hold on to the magic word that lets the brightness in.

Work your own small miracle and make the dull day glow.
Put some sunshine into life and let the glory show.
Make a rainbow for yourself with colours brave and gay,
and underneath its golden arch your cares will fade away.
Patience Strong

Today found a book of poems by Patience Strong, this one just stood out and I thought I would share it with you.

It was such a glorious autumn day I went for a walk to the local shops. In the charity shop I picked up a few books and many laughs. Why one of the assistance was wearing a pair of bunny ears, I still do not know.

Our garden is slowly going to sleep for the winter. The hydrangeas are fading but the magic is still there. Caught this one little guy looking out through the foliage. The nights are drawing in as Halloween approaches. I do love this time of year.





We have some lovely autumn coloured vintage bead necklaces. They are just ideal to colour co-ordinate with this glorious season.


Vintage two strand necklace

Long bead vintage necklace

Rainbow bangle