Posted by Lara on Oct 31, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique The dragonfly is associated with late summer and early autumn. Its associations are different in each culture, but in general they are related to renewal and positive force of life. Living a short life, they are also creatures which represent living life to the fullest.
In Japanese culture a symbol of ‘martial sucess’ due to the similar sound of the words ‘dragonfly’ and ‘victory’ in Japanese. In Japan they are symbols of courage, strength and happiness. The love for these animals in Japan is evident in the fact that there are 200 traditional names for the different species. Some Native Americans believe that dragonflies symbolise the souls of the dead.
If you see two dragonflys paired together this represents love and maturity. Try wearing a dragonfly amber pendant with the positive association that the dragonflies symbolises.
There are well known theories relating to the ‘Butterfly Effect’ which claims that ‘the impact of a trajectory on initial conditions results in a Butterfly Effect. Lorenz’ paper, Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set off a Tornado in Texas(1963), explains how a single butterfly wing flap can influence a weather system halfway around the world given that Earth’s atmosphere is sensitive.’ The Lorenz Attractor is universally accepted by scientists as the “chaotic map” of the dynamic Butterfly Effect; yet, attraction continues to evolve. The wings of a dragonfly draw a map as well.
Posted by Lara on Oct 24, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique According to Vogue.com, Tiffany & Co key pendants have become a whole lot more popular, thanks to the stamp of approval of one of Gossip Girl‘s central characters, Blair Waldorf.
The Fleur de Lis white gold key is a whopping £1,975, perhaps not suitable for every budget. Treat yourself to a key charm at £12.95 or key charms with diamante detailing at £13.95.
Posted by Lara on Oct 22, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Recycled jewellery with a personalised touch.
Based in Los Angeles, Laura Elizabeth has created an amazing collection of eco-freindly designs made from semi-precious stones, gold-filled and silver chains. The collection is simple designs each with a unique twist. The pieces she has created are all named after female friends and family members who have been important in her life. These names are symbolic of the community and empowerment that her jewellery creates by every woman that chooses to wear a piece.
Amongst my favourite designs are Hope and Jamie. She has also collaborated with designer Marla Zack to create a pair of earrings called Wings of Courage, made from recycled silver or gold, each pair of earrings can be unique by picking a coloured stone to represent a type of cancer, disease or disorder which can be worn on the earring. For example, the creator Marla Zack who is a breast cancer survivor has used pink quartz ‘as a symbol of healthy renewal of the delicate beauty of life, and of the strength and power of hope.’
The designs are beautiful, unique and also have meaning behind them. Laura has gone one step further by donating a portion of sales to environmentally conscious causes.
Posted by Lara on Oct 19, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Around March 1888, De Beers found one of the largest diamonds in the world, weighing an astonishing 234.65 carats. This beautiful stone was bought by the Maharaja of Patiala, hence the name of the stone. In 1928, Cartier set the stone as a centre piece of a ceremonial necklace that came to be know as ‘The Patiala Necklace.’ Part of the largest single commission for Cartier.
The necklace is now on display at the Victoria and Albert museum exhibition ‘The Splendour of the Raj.’ The story goes, that after the end of the Raj, the necklace disappeared. In 1998 someone came across its’ remnants in a second hand jewellery shop in London….all the big stones were gone. Cartier restored the remains of the necklace over four years, having to use white sapphire, topaz and cubic zirconium. The original necklace contained about 2,930 diamonds and weighed 962.25 carats.
The exhibition also has on display saris, turbans and animals embellished with jewels, portraits and ceremonial swords. Running until January 17th 2010, a must see for those who are interested in seeing the Maharja’s Royal Courts.
Posted by Lara on Oct 12, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Bagsnob is an amusing blog that I came across which has the latest information on bags, clothing, designers and jewellery. The owners Tina Craig and Kelly Cook are no pushover when it comes to serious advice on the latest trends. I love their style of reporting, it’s fun and informal but they are not afraid to be honest with their advise. So, if you want to be in the fashion “know” I would check out Bagsnob asap!!
If you love bags then try a bracelet with the all your favourite bag charms: Bag Charm, Clutch handbags, Handbag charm, Purple handbag, Purple clutch, Purse.
Posted by Lara on Oct 5, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique One of the latest additions to the De Beers Enchanted Lotus collection is a diamond ring ‘where delicate lotus flowers are woven into hearts with infinite threads of diamonds‘ as seen on Vogue.com. This is a truly gorgeous ring, with intricate details and 1.41 carats of dazzling diamonds.
The lotus flower represents purity and virture as the divine symbol in ancient Asian tradition. The flower grows from the mud but it is unstained, which holds a spiritual promise. For the Hindus, it represents the god Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi, with Vishnu being described as the ‘Lotus Eyed-One’ with the unfolding petals suggesting the expansion of the soul. For the Buddhists, the Buddha is also represented on a pink lotus flower.
Posted by Lara on Oct 3, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Amber is a light, organic substance that is usually orange, yellow or green in colour. It is a fossilized resin (not sap), which is a sticky organic substance produced by trees for defense against disease and insect attack. Any insects or organisms that are found in amber are well preserved.
Amber is produced by a process called amberization whereby tree resin fossilizes into amber due to hardening, the loss of volatiles and polymerization. The process is estimated to take 2-10 million years.
Amber is most commonly used in making jewellery and is well known for the insects and other inclusions trapped in it. These include insects, spiders, frogs and lizards. It is extremely important for documenting the fossil record of animals, particularly small insects that do not get preserved in sedimentary rocks. Some features unique to amber are circular, radical cracks called sun spangles which are made by heating and cooling the amber. There are of course fake imitations of amber, one of the most famous is called ‘The Piltdown Fly’ found in the Natural History Museum. This specimen is a carved fake in which a modern housefly has been inserted into a piece of Baltic amber.
Amber is mainly found in the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, Burma, Mexico, China, Japan, Lebanon, Sicily and Borneo.
It is a light, warm and beautiful stone which is supposed to have pain easing and vitality boosting qualities, enhancing the immune system and protecting against pain and illness. Different types of amber jewellery include amber earrings, amber bracelets, amber necklaces, rings and amber pendants. It is extremely valuable with the power of millions of years enchanted in it.