It's Raining Cats & Dogs (Walking Sticks Rendition!)

Welcoming in 2017 with a blog post about cat and dog walking sticks. I saw a post on Twitter stating that 95% of pet owners buy their pet a present - I know I do and he sends them to the other cats in our close! So how about a few walking sticks that are stylish and pet themed. I found all these sticks on Amazon and the stick and cane web shop. The majority are made by Classic Canes and have Derby handles which are easy to grip. The carved head sticks are more ornamental, I know I would have difficulty gripping it due to neuropathic pain in my hands, but they are pretty to look at! The prices range from £22-£54 which seems to be the average price for these type of walking sticks. I have put the links  to all the walking sticks below.

Cats

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/handbag-sized-folding-walking-stick-cats-c2x17437852

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/chestnut-hiking-stave-cat-c2x21281948

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/beech-derby-walking-cane-with-engraved-cat-motif-c2x21132781

http://m.ebay.com/itm/370485764652?_mwBanner=1

https://www.brollied.com/blooming-brollies-silhouette-black-handle-stick-umbrella-cat.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=COq1nrSyldECFe0y0wodF1AGYg

Dogs

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/handbag-sized-folding-walking-stick-dogs-c2x17438015

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/west-highland-terrier-collectors-cane-c2x10467666

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/border-collie-dog-collectors-cane-c2x10467757

http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/pointer-dog-headed-walking-stick-c2x15560476


http://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/Mobile/red-setter-collectors-cane-c2x10467565

Sent from my iPod

Harry Potter Silver Plated Slider Charms: Review & #WIN

The Harry Potter Tour London has a huge amount of jewellery focusing on price points that range from reasonable (£4.95 for a slider charm) whilst the cheapest sterling silver slider charm - Hogwarts letter is a lot more detailed but expensive at £46.95. The silver plated slider charm range is the most affordable (there is also a Fantastic Beasts available range now as well). Made by Carat London some charms, slider bracelets, slider necklaces and HP jewellery are available on their website whilst some others are HP exclusives and only available instore. The Hogwarts in the Snow slider charm and charm necklace (£4.95 and £8.95) are the only charms available on the HP Tour online shop and are also instore. Some of  the charms and bracelets are also available at the platform9/34 webshop which is linked to the Kings Cross Harry Potter shop. The HP Tour webshop focuses on the higher end sterling silver slider charms (£50 and over) which are 3D and ofcourse are much more detailed than the £4.95 range.  The Carat shop also does starter packs that are slightly cheaper with 4 charms in them (£15.95), several spell divider charms (£8) or a bracelet with 4 charms for £19.95.

                                                           

The silver plated slider charms are flat and fit most slider charm bracelets and necklaces. The enamel detailing is quite detailed and the charms themselves are well made. The bracelet comes in three sizes  s (18cm), m (19cm), l (20cm) (£5.95) and is available in silver plate or a black cord. The necklace is 44 cm, costs £8.95 and is silver plated. They all have a branded clasp. The fantastic beasts range has a brownish corded bracelet which ties in with the colour scheme for that range.

I bought the ones pictured for my mum for Christmas. She can add to her collection everytime she goes to the Tour as they are one of the most reasonably priced items in the HP shop. She has arthritis in her hands and whilst she didn't find it hard to slid the charms onto the bracelet she did find it difficult to fasten. 

Competition

To win a silver plated slider charm bracelet or necklace of your choice plus three charms please follow my blog using either bloglovin or the email option or for 2 entries use both, and comment done in the comments. The competition closes on 22nd January 2016 at 11.59pm. 

I purchased these items myself and they are available here:
https://www.harrypotterplatform934.com/products/black-leather-charm-bracelet
https://www.harrypotterplatform934.com
http://www.thecaratshop.co.uk/harrypotter.html
https://shop.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

Hair Jewellery

 

Hair jewellery aka sparkly/ silver/ gold hair clips and bobbles are a cheap and cheerful way of tying your hair back or just keeping it under control and taking your hair a Sep away from scrunchies/ hair elastics. The two I got from Orelia via ASOS were £5 each and the other 3 clips were £1 including postage from EBay. The right hair clip/tie can make your outfit looked pulled together and smart. If you want sparkly hair pieces Accessorize and Claire's Accesorises do some cheap and cheerful paste head bands and clips. Cherry Chau, used to be stocked in Selfridges, makes more expensive hair jewellery which can still be found on eBay and pre loved. Hair jewellery can be fun, cheap and cheerful. 

Tanzanite Chip Bracelet: A Review

I purchased my tanzanite chip bracelet from the Etsy seller Chalso. The bracelet cost £14 plus £2 p&p within the UK.

The bracelet is strung on elastic and will fit up to a 6.5" wrist comfortably. If you put in s request she will make the size of the bracelet to the size you require. The bracelet is strung with tanzanite chips which vary in size from 3-8mm and in depth of blueness. There is one little sterling silver bead which looks cute inbetween the blue stones. The bracelet comes in a little white bag.
                                                   
                                                   

The customer service is good. I got my bracelet within a few days of ordering it and I got a discount as my wrist is much smaller than 6.5" so fewer stones were needed. I think chip bracelets are a great way to be introduced to a stone in order to decide if you actually like the colour of it etc, as they are relatively cheap. 

Tanzanite is a December birthstone so would be great as a birthday gift or a stocking filler for anyone who like deep blue stones in their jewellery.

I purchased my item from here : https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/485488847/tanzanite-bracelet-tanzanite-chip?ref=cat_gallery_2

Whittards Luxury Hot Chocolate Clip Top Tin

 

The Whittards luxury hot chocolate clip top tin is full of delicious hot chocolate and the cute reindeer tin can double up as a jewellery/ trinket holder! It measures 10cm by 9.5 cm and costs £10 from whittards shops or whittards online. It would also be a cute way of gifting someone a present - just squash the chocolate down and put a small present on top! 

The Whittards tin is available here: https://www.whittard.co.uk/m/gifts/shop_by_gift_type/all-gifts/luxury_hot_chocolate_clip_top_tin.htm

Anna Sui LE Adventure Makeup Palette

I recently purchased this Anna Sui limited edition Adventure Makeup Palette (£6 from Amazon UK). It is a magnetised container which is meant to hold little pots of makeup that you buy separately. It is small compact, measuring 10.7 x 2.4 x 7.3 cm and has a great mirror. I have found that it makes a fantastic travel or mini jewellery box. The lid fastens securely,it is compact so fits quite easily in hand luggage or a hand bag and is deep enough to carry rings etc. It also looks great on my bed side table. As it is made of plastic it is quite durable so for £6 including p&p if you have Amazon Prime I think it's a bargain and a great stocking filler for Christmas. 

There is also a gold toned, larger version available for £12.

I purchased this item myself and it is available from:

Allertons.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk

Soft Grip Derby Handle Ossenberg Walking Sticks: A Review

The height adjustable Ossenberg soft grip Derby handle walking stick comes in 19 colours and are either a metallic or a rather more Matt finish. I chose green, blackberry, metallic blackberry and metallic blue. They are adjustable up to 9 times inn length from 75cm to 92 cm. They are £29.95 plus £3.95 postage. Delivery took around 3 weeks. 

I wanted to try these sticks as my hands have been really stiff and I have found it problematic to grip the plasticky Derby handles of my other sticks. I have tiny hands and I found the Derby shaped handle easy to grip. It is quite soft and a bit squishy and doesn't feel cold to the touch as they can do when it is cold. 

I especially liked the colour and texture of the metallic sticks. Even though they look quite dull in the pictures in the sunlight they looked a bit glittery.  They are quite heavy and substantial sticks- I am used to collapsible sticks and I could feel the difference. They weigh 440 grams. 

I liked the overall aesthetic of these sticks, the colours, the gold banding around the top of the walking stick down to the gold adjustable studs, furrule and handle all fitted together showing that whoever had designed them didn't just see them as a functional piece of equipment but something that should look stylish as well as fulfil a function. In the Amazon description they state that "many people see their walking stick as a piece of jewellery and this walking stick fits the bill" .

I really like this range of sticks, there are lots of colours to choose from, it looks stylish and expensive, there are so many colours that they can be matched with the suit etc you are wearing and I felt secure when using it. 

I purchased my sticks from Amazon UK and they are available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00KCZ37UI/ref=sr_ph_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481660000&sr=1&keywords=green+walking+stick

Tatty Devine X Macmillan Cancer Support #win

Back in September Tatty Devine created some pieces - a badge, earrings and key ring in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. Lke all Tatty Devine jewellery they are made from laser cut acrylic with enamel for the Macmillan logo.  They are available to buy in M&S cafes and food halls. I finally managed to get my hands on the earrings and badge today and they are adorable and well worth a donation. The minimum suggested donation is £3 for the earrings and £3.50 for the badge. 

The range is based on Tatty Devine's A/W16 Contemporary Jewellery Collection which is based on all things handmade. The stud earrings are little purple buttons (hypoallergenic) and the badge is a cut out flower. I think if your local M&S still has them any of these items would make great little stocking fillers or secret Santa gifts and the purchase would go towards supporting a great cause. 

 

I am giving away a pair of the earrings and badge - just subscribe and comment done in the comments. c/d 30/01/2017. Open internationally .

Details can be found on Tatty Devine's blog: https://www.tattydevine.com/blog/2016/09/tatty-devine-x-macmillan-cancer-support/

Save Erlenbek Dotcom - a necklace to help fundraise for his surgery

Erlenbek Dotcom is a beagle puppy who needs life-saving surgery. At first it was thought that he was suffering from the fatal condition Patent Ductus Arteriosus - where a valve in his heart didn't close after birth. The treatment required involves either open heart surgery in order to seal the valve or keyhole surgery and the insertion of a device to fix the valve. Both these are one off surgeries which would allow him to carry on living his happy life. After Dotcom had a scan on his heart on the 9th December, however, his heart condition was found to be even more serious than first thought.  He has Pulmonic Stenosis - there is a blockage in the heart itself whereas before when it was thought he had PDA the valve outside his heart was affected.  This means the surgery will be even more delicate and specialist in nature and cost even more money as he will need referring to another canine cardiology clinic.  The heart scan he has just had cost £500 and unfortunately for Dotcom and his owners both operations cost around £3000 and as its a congenital defect treatment is not covered by his insurance.  His owners are desperately fundraising so Dotcom can undergo treatment and tthey have opened an Etsy shop - erlenbek.etsy.com where they are selling necklaces, a beagle calendar, sleeping beagle Christmas cards which feature Erlenbek Piper Maru and a Christmas card featuring Dotcom when he was only 10 weeks old.  They are also selling some original signed prints and a little accessories bag. 

                     

               

The necklace I bought cost £13.99 plus shipping and is handmade by Cordula Decker who is the proud owner of Erlenbek Elsa Inu. All the proceeds from the necklace are donated to the appeal.  She has made these necklaces as part of the fundraising effort to save Dotcom and there is only one of each so they are unique pieces. The necklaces have nickel - free clasps and  I found mine easy to grip when fastening it.  The wooden beads are hand painted and the other beads are  acrylic.  The necklace is extendable from 37cm to 42cm. They are eyecatching, unusual and delicate necklaces. They are not heavy or bulky to wear, fitting comfortably around the neckline.  The colours available at the moment are lime green, black and violet, brown and teal and black and pink. Other colours are available on request. 

I purchased the necklace myself  and all items are available in the Etsy shop.

The just giving site is: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dotcom

Twitter: @AvaBeagle

Blog: erlenbek.wordpress.com

Etsy shop: erlenbek.etsy.com
Elsa Inu's twitter: @ElsaInuBeagle

#December #Birthstones: #Tanzanite; #Turquoise & #Zircon

December birthstones are all the blues: tanzanite; turquoise and zircon. Tanzanite is a relatively new gemstone, first found in Tanzania in 1967 (hence the name) and its first distributors were Tiffany & Co. 

Tanzanite is supposed to be able to transpose negative thoughts into positive and help the wearer think for themselves rather than be influenced by others. It helps to realise your dreams and change negative thoughts into constructive ones. Tanzanite is a creative stone and also helps to get rid of lethargy. 

Zircon is the oldest gemstone and its name it taken from the Arabic words zar and gun - gold and colour as originally zircon was used as an alternative to diamond. It does not refer to or mean the artificial stone, cubic zirconia, which is made in a lab. Zircon is mined and looks like a diamond would do both in colour and lustre. They can be heat treated and the brownish variants are often heated to become blue and golden in colour.

In the Middle Ages zircon was though to aid sleep and bring the wearer honour, prosperity and wisdom. Now zircon is supposed to increase self confidence and help the wearer love themself, open their heart and bring compassion. Zircon is a grounding stone meant to inspire, motivate and guide the wearer and help them achieve their goals. Golden zircon is supposed to bring prosperity. 

Turquoise comes from the French for "Turkish stone" as it was thought to originate in Turkey. In ancient times it was believed turquoise would change colour if the wearer was ill or in danger. Traditionally a love charm, it is also a symbol of success and good fortune. It is supposed to relax the mind and protect the wearer from harm. Turquoise, especially turquoise rings, are supposed to keep away evil spirits. Turquoise represents a happy life and good fortune.

Healing Chakra Bracelet: A Review

I bought this bracelet from Etsy UK seller SoulCafeConnect. It cost £4 plus £1.50 p&p. It is a healing chakra bracelet and the stones are: amethyst; sodalite; peridot; citrine; garnet;aquamarine and carnelian. It is a one size fits all bracelet so is slightly to large for my small wrists, but I like it. The stones are smaller chips than my other chakra bracelet so it doesn't get in the way so I can wear it all the time. It brightens up dark winter work wear and can be spun around so different stones are on show so it looks like you a wearing a different bracelet. 

The customer service and delivery were great. I got it within 3 days of ordering and it came in a little organza vag and was packed in a Jiffy bag. Obviously semi precious stones are no replacement for medical treatment and this is stated in her item detail. The bracelet is meant for spiritual support not replace your Doctor's advice. I bought it as I liked the colour combination but if it helps me feel better that's an added bonus.

                                                       

I bought this item myself and it can be found here: 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/279468052/chakra-bracelet-healing-crystal-gemstone?ref=hp_rv

Chakra Bracelet

I purchased my semi precious chakra chip gemstone bracelet for £3.50 plus p&p from CrystalCornwallUK on Etsy.  The chips are sodalite, agate, amethyst, hematite, citrine and green Quartz.  The stones are quite tactile, chunky, eye catching and substantial in size. 

My bracelet came within 3  days of purchase and I love it!

I purchase this item myself and it can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/transaction/1193652060