Posted by Lara on Sep 28, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Healing by using crystals and stones is an ancient art. It is believed that as light reflects off the crystals and stones, the electro-magnetic field of the body, the aura, absorbs energy. The receiver can then become aware of mental and emotional causes of physical disease, and heal. Below are some short descriptions of my favourite stones which have incredible healing qualities.
Amber has a pain easing and vitality boosting effect, enhacing the immune system and protecting against pain and illness.
Turquoise is used for spiritual attunement, healing emotions, balancing the auric bodies, relieving and dissipating sadness or greif.
Rose Quartz is a stone for increasing love and for times of exteme emotional turmoil. It helps for treating cardiovascular health, fertility, headaches, kidney disease, migranes and sexual dysfunction.
Smoky Quartz helps the wearer reach personal and business goals, by calming the mind, bringing perserverance and patience, removing negative feelings and bringing prioritisation to stages of the life cycle. It can also stregthen the adrenal glands, help in treating mental cramps and fertilty.
Jade is a symbol of purity and serenity, promoting good health, harmony and abundance.
Agate is used to bring good luck. It is grounding and creates physical and emotional balance. Working on raising consciousness, it builds confidence, patience and inner peace.
Jasper helps assist people who need to be quick thinking, whilst alleviating stress. Its’ energy is grounding, protecting and nuturing.
On my next post I will go into greater detail about Amber and its’ properties and healing qualitites.
Posted by Lara on Sep 22, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique There is something wonderful about a piece of jewellery which has not been produced for the mass market but it is one of a kind, there is not an identical piece anywhere else in the world. If we are using materials in there natural form then we are never going to have two pieces which are identical.
Two designers who I believe have done this very well are Barbara Westwood and Jacquie Aiche. What do both these ladies have in common? They are designers who take raw materials and integrate them to create their own unique style of jewellery. They have a passion for jewellery which they create and then can be worn by women to express their own individuality. Barbara describes her work as inspired by “a well identified woman, who desires to express herself” and Jaquie describes each piece having “an individual nature that must speak directly to the woman who wears it, capturing her unique mood and essence.” Both women love to travel for their inspiration and have a strong belief in the mystical aspect of the raw materials that they use.
Aiche uses diamonds, gold, rocks and minerals to design bespoke necklaces, rings and earrings with peace signs, evil eye’s, snakes, feathers and wishbones. Her designs have been worn by a number of celebrities and have appeared on television shows in the US. Westwoods designs use diamonds, gold and semi-precious stones. She has been elected to the prestigious American Jewelry Design Council for her striking talent.
Posted by Lara on Sep 21, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique I came across Danielle Stevens Jewelry and absolutely loved the designs. They are simple with a quirky edge. Inspired by artists, designers and fashionistas within her family and from travelling the world to find the finest materials. The end result is the creation of a statement piece of jewelery that every woman loves to wear and enjoy.
I particularly like the ‘Zodiac Necklace’ which are a 10k gold plated 16″ pendant with semi precious stone cluster. These include a description of the zodiac sign which you pick. Another great item is the gold plated necklace which you can add a 3 initial engraving to. This is a great personalised item for yourself or as a gift and the prices are very reasonable.
You could also add an engraved pendant to a charm bracelet. With a silver charm which is 2cm in diameter, you could personalise it with your initials in the same way and wear this on your charm bracelet.
Posted by Lara on Sep 15, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique What is it about running in the rain that is so invigorating and refreshing? Or, infact, do you find nothing less appealing then getting your clothes wet, hair frizzy and make-up running down your face? I am a big fan of running in the rain. It is possibly the only time when being in the rain is pleasurable. There is even a facebook group called ‘Running in the Rain,’ so I am not the only rain lover in the UK. Why not try this charming umbrella charm as a gift?
TEN REASONS FOR RUNNING IN THE RAIN
1.) It feels amazing afterwards
2.) There is no-one else out there to get in your way
3.) It makes your skin soft
4.) It keeps you cool
5.) You run faster to get indoors quicker
6.) It’s a chance to get as wet and mucky as you like
7.) No-one will think you are mad because you will look like a ‘serious’ runner. It is unlikely that someone who hates running will decide to run in the rain!!
8.) A hot shower really feels great after
9.) It makes you more resilient (I think!!)
10.) The air feels easier to breathe
Posted by Lara on Sep 11, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique As I walked through Hyde Park this morning on my way to work, the onset of autumn was visible. The air was fresh and crisp and the leaves turning all different shades of orange and brown. The conkers on the trees in their green spikey cases, not quite ready to drop from the horse-chesnut tree. I learnt that ‘conkers’ is a game traditionally played in Britain, the Republic of Ireland and some former British colonies. It reminded me of when I was a little girl, we would go and collect conkers that had fallen from the tree and then my brother would go through the arduous task of getting the conker on a piece of string ready to battle with his friends in the playground over who would smash whos conker first.
I spent the evening with a friend and we went back to Hyde Park. The weather remained beautiful and sunny, but chilly enough to layer up. We sat in deck chairs overlooking the water with a glass of red wine at the serpentine bar and kitchen. The sun set over the Serpentine and it was a perfect end to the day.
There is great deal of inspiration from being in nature, amongst the trees, plants and animals. One jewellery designer that I recently discovered is Moss Mills. What I like so much about his jewellery is that the designs are inspired by animals and nature. Some of my favourites are the two deers on a necklace called ‘Babes,’ the sausage dog called ‘Milo’ and ‘Mr Hoo Hoo’ the owl. The style of his jewellery is unique and creative. I feel inspired…autumn days.
Posted by Lara on Sep 5, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique It is Breast Cancer Awareness month and there are a number of products promoting the Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon. These include Elizabeth Hurley’s lip design collection, with £5 from each £20 sale going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Liz is the breast cancer awareness ambassador. The Pink Ribbon Shop is another great resource for products which promote awareness and make huge donations to the cause. Visit http://www.pinkribbonshop.com/
At Lara’s Boutique a £5 donation from every sale of the pink ribbon charm will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This month should be a time when we can remind ourselves of the importance of being in tune with our bodies and having regular check ups. Justine Knight wrote an article in Psychologies magazine (October 2009) offering some great advice such as visiting www.breakthrough.org.uk, a website which offers advice on breast health, self-examination and NHS breast screening. The message being promoted is that if detected early through self-examination and annual mammograms, breast cancer is 98% curable.
Posted by Lara on Sep 1, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Whilst catching up with my work colleagues this morning over a coffee, my boss told us all about his daughter’s christening. Apparently she smiled and was adorable the whole way through. She had plenty to smile about as she received so many gifts, although she is not even the grand old age of 0ne, so she cannot fully appreciate these presents until she grows a little bit older.
As I understand, the gifts can be given to the child straight away, or they can be saved until the child has grown up. I am fascinated with the idea as I was neither christened nor have I ever been a godparent. However, it did make me think what would be a individual present at a christening. Later on in the day my girlfriend came over and we were discussing christening presents for her little neice. It is obvious to me now, the perfect gift is a charm bracelet.
The bracelets can be adjusted and will fit a very small childs wrist or an adult wrist. A nice idea would be to add a different charm each year and so build up the collection slowly and in sync with the growing interests and hobbies of the child. As we all know, children’s interests can often chop and change and that is the beauty of being able to add and subtract charms according to these changes. They can also tell the full story of the child growing up as each year will be represented by a different charm. This will always make the bracelet extremely sentimental and standout from all the rest.
I have personally chosen all the charms on Lara’s Boutique and there is opportunity to be very creative and unique whilst picking out the perfect gift for a christening.
Posted by Lara on Aug 30, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique I am a real animal lover and I have put together all my favourite creatures with their symbolic meanings onto my charm bracelet. As a yoga teacher, a number of the descriptions play a key role in my daily practice, for example, transformation and freedom represented by the butterfly, breath control represented by the dolphin, strength and wisdom represented by the elephant, the knowledge of the fish, peace and emotional healing of the frog and creativity, love and protection represented by the turtle. I think that this is a unique way to illustrate what is important to me and to wear it on my person always.
Butterfly charm represents metamorphosis, carefree, transformer, classical symbol of the soul and recurring sentimental theme hovering over the history of jewellery. A symbol of freedom, free spirit, immortality, rebirth, resurrection, grace, light, soul.
Dolphin charm represents kindness, play, bridging man to the ocean, saviour, guide, sea power, swift, intelligence, joy, harmony, connection to self communication, breath control and awareness of tone.
Elephant charm represents long-life, self –preservation, good luck, emblems of the exotic, strength, fidelity, memory, patience, wisdom, intelligence, power.
Fish charm represents knowledge.
Frog charm represents connection with the water element, power of water, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, power, cleansing, peace, emotional healing.
Turtle charm represents self-contained creative source, earth, informed decisions, planning, adaptability, love and protection, healing, knowledge.
Posted by Lara on Aug 29, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique Designers are tapping into a new romantic movement which expresses the enduring quality of both love and precious jewellery. Precious and eternal jewellery has been for centuries linked with love. Vivienne Becker recently wrote in the Financial Times that the designer Shaun Leane feels that the return to romance signifies “our need to stick together, family and friends, to keep treasured tokens of appreciation close to us….people have forgotten that jewellery is always about emotion and romance.” So, how can we channel our romance through jewellery? Can our partner decide what our passions and interests are and then somehow recreate this through a gift? What does the jewellery symbolise? I would recommend creating your own silver charm bracelet and thinking about these questions. Tailoring the bracelet as a gift and creating your own individual symbolism.
The symbol of a heart has always had romantic connotations. Artist Jeff Koons, produced the ‘hanging heart’ which weighs 1,600kg, 2.7m tall and sold for an incredible $23.6 million. Talk about a pricey way to show you care. There are cheaper alternatives such as a heart charm and silver heart charm.
Posted by Lara on Aug 29, 2009 in
Charms from Lara's Boutique The idea that we can carry our ‘life in miniature’ has been used by designer Brigitte Giraudi who is the founder of Miss Bibi, designing everyday objects into bijoux accessories according to an article in this month’s Elle magazine. Amongst her creations are miniature chairs on a necklace, telephone earrings and shoes. What is it that appeals about miniature? Is it the idea that we can carry objects on our person as cute accessories? Wearing a charm bracelet can also be this type of personalised accessory. At Lara’s Boutique, there are a number of sweet accessories which include silver shoe charm and handbag charm. They are everyday fashion accessories, personalised to your particular tastes. You can wear more than one pair of shoes or carry multiple handbags at one time. How cool is that!!