Yarwood-White BrideStyle

Make Me! - Mothers Day Jewellery Workshop

We are very excited to be teaming up with the fabulous Make Me! Modern Craft and Lifestyle Workshops, The Medicine Garden, Cobham on the 2nd April where we are putting on a Mothers Day Jewellery Making Workshop.

When you were little, your mums favourite gifts were those that you made for her, this year come and join us, learn a new creative skill and take home a beautiful personalised bracelet to give to your mum this Mothers' Day.

During this morning workshop you will learn basic jewellery making skill with our very own Clare Yarwood-White.  You will master wire wrapping techniques using simple hand tools and will be able to create your own bracelet design using gemstones, sterling silver charms and beads.  You will also complete a simple pair of matching earrings (perfec for keeping for yourself if you want to!)

Personalise your jewellery by choosing colours, shapes and stones with meanings that are personal to you and your mum.  All of your jewellery will be carefull wrapped in beautiful gift boxes ready to present to mum.

 Alternatively, why not bring your Mum along as a special Mothers Day treat and save 20% when you book two places.

The workshop includes the use of all tools and materials, gift packaging and a take home workshop pack with tea or coffee and homemade cake included.  The workshop costs £65 and is on from 10am till 1pm on the 2nd April 2011.

For more details or to book contact Melissa on 07711 392 228.

As a special gift to you MakeMe Workshops would also like to give you 20% discount on future workshops booked on the day and we will be giving 10% off all of our jewellery.

Rushing off?  Why not stop for a bite to eat at the wonderful Hot House Cafe where you will receive a 10% discount.

Charming...

Charm jewellery is everywhere right now, but I think the best charms reflect your individuality and personality.  By definition your collection of charms should be different to everyone elses.

As you will have seen on the blog last week we showed you a sneaky peak at our new Enchanted Garden Bracelets, these are now available on our website.  The exciting thing is that each one is made with a different combination of charms and is completely unique, so there is certainly an element of surprise involved when you order one of these!

Last year we were asked by swanky boutique Luella's Boudoir to design a "something blue" charm for them.  This dinky little charm features moonstone, a blue freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal for essential sparkle.

We designed this cute little charm as an exclusive for Luella's, it is not available on the website but you can use our bespoke service to design your very own unique charm.  Charms like these can be worn on any bracelet or necklace.  Here we have the Something Blue charm on our Vine Pearl and Crystal Bracelet.

Are you rocking the charm trend?  Where do you wear them, and what is your most special or unusual charm?  We'd love to know!

Sneaky Peek at Enchanted Garden Bracelets

We are very excited about a new collection we are designing to add to the Enchanted Garden Collection.

Each one of these is made with an eclectic mix of gemstones, and every bracelet is one-of-a-kind.

They are currently on sale in the gift shop at The Medicine Garden, where we are now based, and are flying off the shelves faster than we can make them!  So they will be appearing on our website very soon.

They have a very organic design, and are popular for every day wear, or for relaxed summer or beach weddings.  They also look fabulous on Honeymoon.  Please let us know what you think!

The bracelets have been designed to work with our Enchanted Garden Necklaces:

Astrid's Wedding

When Astrid Joss, the fabulous Shopping Editor at Brides Magazine was planning her wedding it was filmed in a six part series.  It was an exclusive behind the scenes look into how one of the leading wedding industry figures planed her big day.  The series takes you through Astrid choosing her dress, cake and flowers to list only a few.

We were delighted when she asked us for some jewellery for the lovely Mother of the Bride to wear on the big day.  She choose our stunning Angel Earrings in gold.

 

Click on the Angel Earrings above to take a peek at the series and see the gorgeous earrings in the flesh in episode 6.  

These stunning gold earrings with diamante spheres, ivory pearls and crystal also come in silver with matching accessories, perfect for any occasion.

Why stop at this gorgeous collection for your wedding, they are perfect as anniversary presents, check out our new "from this day forward" section on the website for some more ideas.

 

Have a wonderful Christmas to you all, we hope santa brings you some lovely presents!

 

Tiaras are the New Toasters

Traditional gift lists have been going out of fashion for a while now, whilst honeymoon funds, charity donations or experience lists are becoming more and more popular.

We have noticed a similar trend among our customers.  Increasingly tiaras and jewellery for the bride to wear on the big day are being bought as wedding gifts by parents or close family members, fiancés or even bridesmaids clubbing together.

This has the double benefit of helping the couple make their wedding budget go further, whilst the bride receives a gift that she really wants.

Modern couples don’t need another toaster, and older generations such as aunts or grandparents can sometimes find choosing from a wedding list a bit impersonal.  I think offering to pay for part of the wedding attire is a fantastic way to give an extremely personal gift, and makes Great Auntie Maureen feel very proud to see her gift worn on the day.

In most cases the bride will liaise with us directly about her wedding jewellery, and the final purchase will be made on her behalf, but we have had a few cases where the gift has been a surprise.  So far, in every case the bride has been thrilled with the jewellery that was chosen for her.

Alternatively gift vouchers or bespoke packages are an option so the bride can enjoy the experience of choosing the accessories herself.

A New Wedding Community

 
David and Kim Herbing married in 2007, and were inspired by the experience to create a new business in the wedding industry.  The result is The Wedding Community - a unique wedding website where couples can plan their wedding, get inspiration and connect with other couples.

The speed and effciency with which their business has gone from tiny acorn to huge oak has been quite breathtaking.  I remember sitting in my garden just last summer with Kim and David and discussing the concept, and today the site is up and running, looking beautiful with a huge following.

Have a good rummage around the site and you'll find plenty of useful and inspiring information. Kim and David have recruited a band of experts across all sectors of the wedding industry (I am the resident wedding jewellery expert) and new articles are being added all the time.

Currently highlights include a competition to win £250 towards your hen or stag party, and a video of the 2011 Trends Bridal Fashion Show from the British Bridal Exhibition.

Have you found your sole mate?

I hope you have found the most glamorous, twinkly, spikey, sky-scraper, to-die-for shoes for your wedding day, because you deserve no less.

However, I think we all reach an age where we are no longer prepared to have bleeding feet in the name of glamour (somewhere around 28 in my case, interested to know if you are there yet, but I digress...) so if you fear you may not make it through the night in your chosen beloved shoes, these ingenious little babies are what you need.

Folding ballet flats that pop in a tiny purse, and can be whipped out in time for your star performance in the middle of the dancefloor to the Proclaimer's "I would walk 500 miles".  Which you could happily do in these pretty pumps.

www.cocoroselondon.com
 

Choosing Engagement Rings: A Guide for Men

Choosing an engagement ring can be a particularly tricky task for a man, torn between wanting to keep the element of surprise, but at the same time not wanting to make a costly mistake. 

There are some simple pointers he can use to help him make the right choice and ensure any tears from bride to be are those of happiness!

 

1. Does she normally prefer to wear silver/white gold/platinum jewellery or yellow gold? Many women have a strong preference for one or the other, and it is easy to check by looking at her favourite pieces.  This will help narrow down the colour of the metal you go for.

 

2. What style of jewellery does she favour, traditional, contemporary, elaborate or simple?  Does she suit chunky rings or finer, more delicate bands?

 

3. Would she want a classic diamond, or perhaps a more unusual coloured stone design?

 

4. Does she wear her jewellery all the time, including when sleeping or playing sport?  If so, you may decide to go for a more practical rub-over setting rather than a claw setting that could catch.

 

5. Has she admired a friend or celebrities ring, or one in a shop window?  Often a woman will have dropped some heavy hints about the ring of her dreams; it’s just a case of listening out for them.

 

In addition, consider her personality, her dress style, her hobbies and lifestyle.  If you are still unsure, consider asking a sister or close friend who knows her well (but can keep a secret!) to give you some advice.  If after all the above you still find you can commit to the woman but not the ring, try popping the question with an dazzling dress ring, and shop together for the real thing.

Slipper Shame

Own up, how many of you have embarrasing slippers?  Once you are married (and therefore officially a grown-up) this simply won't do.

As someone's elegant, respectable other half, it's time to ditch the greying-pink fluffy cutesy numbers and go for something all together more befitting a woman of your status.

Luckily, slipper and loungewear company Ruby & Ed have a selection that you won't be embarrased to take on honeymoon.

Another small step toward style-utopia.