Posted by Lara on Nov 21, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Since the beginning of the financial crises, there has been a decisive move for investors toward the more tangible asset. Certainly we have seen that the price of gold has never been so high and it is on the up. This would also seem true for other such commodities.
Perhaps, slightly less obvious, but certainly a serious investment potential is the gemstone; tangible and desirable asset. This does not just mean diamonds, but Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires. When I saw the engagement ring that Prince William gave to Catherine Middleton, apart from the sentimental value of being his mother, Lady Diana’s ring, it is astoundingly beautiful. A wonderful blue sapphire. Much more unusual, in my opinion, then a diamond. See Vogue’s list of favourite engagement rings, moving away from the more traditional diamond.
They say that no two gemstones are cut the same and it is this that makes them so incredibly unique and special. The focus is back on purity and the ultra-precious. This is portrayed by the fact that “the Benchmark of $1m a carat, has risen to $2m a carat for a gemstone of the highest quality,” according to the Financial Times’ article in ‘How To Spend It.’
Diamonds have seen a strong recovery since the downturn. They hold and grow in intrinsic value. Diamonds are more then just the 4 c’s (clarity, cut, carat, colour), they are a piece of art and a thing of beauty. As Andrew Coxon, executive VP of De Beers Diamond Institute so rightly said, “The eye, brain and heart measure the qualities of a stone in a flash, producing an emotional reaction that the client should trust.”
Posted by Lara on Oct 31, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Kenneth Jane Lane is a designer of jewellery who is infamous for his costume jewellery designs. His career started with designing shoes for Dior and Scassi, but he moved into the realms of fake jewellery which resembles and embodies the finest jewellery.
Kenneth has dressed the likes of Onassis, Barbara Bush and The Duchess of Windsor with his costume jewellery designs. He has sold his pieces for 19 years on the shopping channel QVC, including the Pave Ball Cocktail Ring. Perfect for halloween is the Swarovski crystal snake ring which can be bought on net-a-porter.com.
The inspiration comes from woman and knowing what they love and want. He says “all the women I know who wear real jewellery wear mine too, it’s more relaxed.” His style is glamorous, chic and opulent.
Posted by Lara on Oct 17, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Tilda Swinton is an eminent actress. I remember her most vividly as the witch in C.S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion, the witch and the wardrobe. Her pale white skin and fine features suited the character perfectly. No one can doubt that she is a brilliant actress winning an Oscar in 2007 for Michael Clayton.
The Scottish actress was voted won of the Top 10 best dress woman by Vanity Fair. She is now the face for Pomellato as it launches a new line – Colpo di Fulmine or Love at First Sight. The rings feature multicoloured semi-precious gems including Garnet, fire opal, blue topaz, peridot and amethyst. I first spotted the advertisement in the FT’s ‘How to spend it’ this weekend. Watch out for the seductive and beautifully crafted pieces.
Posted by Lara on Oct 11, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique As if she has not got her fingers in enough pies, Cheryl Cole has teamed up with Fawaz Gruosi – founder of De Grisogono, to create her own ring collection.
It is good to see her back and recovering from her illness. The ring is designed to be worn on the little finger, or ‘pinkie’ and has been launched side by side with her new single Promise This. The ring has engraved the word ‘Promise’ and is made of rose gold and blackened silver.
If you are interested in this designer collaboration and to hear her new single, you can buy it at http://www.eboutique.degrisogono.com/ for a mere £770. You have to be a big fan to spend that kinda cash.
Posted by Lara on Aug 30, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique I came across this wonderful jewellery designer named Diana Porter. her designs are simple and captivating, using her years of experience having received the seal of approval from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
I enjoyed reading about how she came into this creative passion having spent many years working as an actress and teacher. Check out her Biography.
My favourite piece was the hearts collection.
Her inspiration is beautiful. She describes it as a “synthesis” of her life experiences. The jewellery is a must to see and her story is inspirational.
Posted by Lara on Jul 24, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Do you remember as a child wearing or even making your very own friendship bracelets? When you had time on your hands, you could sit down with a cushion on your lap and safety pin an array of colourful threads to the cushion. Learning how to tie different knots to create different patterns which the end result was a lovely bracelet. Even better was the look on your best friends face as you gave them this gift.
Designer Carolina Bucci has made her own version of a lucky friendship bracelet. Red bracelets are available at Browns fashion for £150 each. If this is too pricey for you, why not design your very own, it will certainly be very satisfying.
Posted by Lara on Jan 24, 2010 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Hearts are often used as symbols of Love or the symbol of spiritual, emotional, moral and intellectual core of a human being.
The celebration of Valentine’s Day is a global event where loved ones will send one another gifts, cards, roses or take each other out for meals.
I like the idea of the ‘Love Coupon’ which is a voluntary IOU between lovers, promising a form of romantic activity sometime in the future. This may include a night of kisses, a romantic dinner, a getaway for two, amongst many romantic ideas.
A heart shaped gift is traditional for valentines. A heart pendant, heart charm, silver heart charm and heart necklace are all fabulous for your loved one.
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.