About Me

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hi, I am a 40+ year old who loves jewellery and all things sparkly. I also enjoy trying out and reviewing new makeup products, finding stylish walking sticks, reading and writing book reviews. I will review anything from bird tables/ hedgehog houses to the latest fashion! My Instagram account is @sparkling_magpie

Saturday, 20 April 2019

Rose Quartz Round Ring Holder

I purchased this rose quartz round ring holder (£12) by XISSJewellery from Not on the High Street.  It is a very pretty stone, measuring 5/6 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm in height. As rose quartz is a natural gemstone  each stone is unique and comes in its own little cotton bag. Rose quartz is supposed to promote love, release stress and bad vibes and promote good energy.  I don’t know how true this is but it is a pretty stone that I will use in my blog photos rather than real life as my cat is a magpie who steals my jewellery if I leave it out!!! 


I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own. 

Z for Accesorize: Labradorite Diamond Shaped Ring

My favourite stone is labradorite.  It is such a magical stone, so interesting and alluring as you look at the seemingly none distinct grey stone suddenly produce flashes of blue and green as the light hits it.  Z for Accesorize have produced a diamond shaped laboradite gold plated ring (£15). It is a small elegant piece which is timeless and will go with anything and can be worn in any season. It fits comfortably on the finger as the band is very slim.  





I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own.

The ring is available here and all Accessorize stores.



Z for Accesorize: Rainbow Moonstone Star Signet Ring


Made for the Z for Accesorize range, this rainbow moonstone signet ring (£15) is gold plated with a semi precious  rainbow moonstone in the centre of the star shaped engraving. It is an elegant and weighty ring, comfortable to wear and the rainbow moonstone takes on different hues in the sunshine making it mesmerising and a gorgeous piece to wear in the spring and summer months.  

I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own.





Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Beak & Claws: A Review of Chantecaille Tourmaline Lip Cristal


Chantecaille e have created three limited edition Lip Cristals as part of their 2019  Polar Ice Collection. Inspired by the Aurora Borealis and the icy glow of the glacial ice, the colour palate for this collection is vivid and sparkling. I chose the Lip Cristal in Tourmaline (£42) a sparkly vibrant lipstick in a pinky/ bluish hue. Chantecaille will be planting a tree in Kenya for every sale of the Lip Cristals in an attempt to help offset the effects of climate change.     

The bullet case is white with a polar bear embossed on it. The case is quite weighty and there is a satisfying click when the lid is popped back on.  Despite the crystalline shimmer the lipstick is smooth to apply and does not feel gritty on the lips. The lipstick leaves a metallic opaque wash of colour on the lips which lasts for several hours, leaving the lips glossy but not feeling greasy. The formula is lightweight and doesn’t transfer. 

Chantecaille aille lip products are expensive but I enjoy using them as they are free from parabens and phthalates and Chantecaille is a cruelty free, philanthropic brand.  

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own. 



Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Review: Tatty Devine EU Passport Necklace

A fun fact about me, that very few people are aware of, is that I have 7 degrees in different aspects of EU politics and law including a doctorate examining the EU policy process. Naturally I am a Remainer, and like many others  was gutted by the results of the Referendum in 2016.  Tatty Devine have created a collection of  acrylic jewellery which supports the EU and  Remainers. 

 I chose the EU passport necklace (£25), which is also available as a brooch. The little maroon passport measures 2.8x2cm and is made from lasered acrylic with gold ink detailing. The text on the passport reads “we are European at heart”, the EU stars are underneath and  there is a gold  broken heart at the bottom of the passport. Naturally there is a plectrum with the Tatty Devine logo embossed on it.  The tiny passport hangs from a gold tone chain which is adjustable from 44 to 49cm in length. The necklace arrived in a Tatty Devine gift box.  There are several other items in this collection but I chose the passport as I think whilst it is cute and contemporary in design it also reflects a pivotal, and disastrous, moment in UK politics and I will be able to wear it for years to come and reflect upon what a disaster the last few years have been in politics.  I think Tatty Devine have been brave as they are one of the few businesses to  directly address the issue of Brexit and how it will negatively affect small businesses. So many larger firms and the media are skirting around the issue because “it’s the will of the people”. I shall wear my necklace with pride for many years to come. 
I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own. The collection is available from all Tatty Devine stockists and their online and flagship stores.



Friday, 5 April 2019

Review & Competition: Chamilia Disney Dumbo Follow Your Dreams Bolo Bracelet

This month’s competition prize is a Chamilia Disney Dumbo Follow Your Dreams Bolo Bracelet (£65) I purchased one from my mum as her Mothers Day present as she is very ill,  needed cheering up and loved everything Disney. The Dumbo bracelet comes packaged in a cute Chamilia embossed drawer style gift box and a matching pouch. The bracelet itself is made from sterling silver with a little silver cloud embossed in black enamel  with “follow your dreams”. There are also some tiny Swarovski crystals embedded in the cloud.
 A tiny Dumbo hangs from the cloud. He has sparkly blue Swarovski eyes, pink enamel ears and wears a gold electroplated hat. The bolo closure is embossed with Disney on one side and the Chamilia logo on the other. My mother has just had a stroke and has little use of her hands but she can still adjust the clasp herself by sliding it up and down.  The bracelet is adjustable and is around 9.4” in length.  



Competition:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rules: 
Entry is through the Rafflecopter widget
All compulsory options must be completed.
Open internationally
Competition opens on 4 April 2019 and closes on 1 May 11.59 pm GMT
This competition is not endorsed or affliated with Chamilia. 

I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own.

The bracelet is available at all Chamilia stockists.



Monday, 1 April 2019

Deadly Desires Fawn Headdress

I was lucky enough to win this unusual fawn head dress in Deadly Desires_ Uncanny Cat’s Instagram giveaway. I thought I would review the head dress on my blog as the piece is so unusual and would look great at all the summer festivals. Deadly Desires creates unusual but reasonably priced head dresses. The designers started their business in 2018, visiting all the small festivals, fairy fest and Pride.  Designs are inspired by nature, folklore, fairytales, art and history. The design process can be rather messy as the artist like to surround herself with colours, potential additions which will inspire and shape the final creation. Most of the headdresses are commissioned,  bespoke items. Ideas are  bounced back and forth between the artist and client until the perfect creation evolves.  


My fawn headdress has a satin pink headband which is comfortable to wear. The fawn horns are very eye catching, ponk and glittery. They are light and don’t make the headdress uncomfortable to wear.  The headband is festooned with flowers and is clearly influenced by nature and bright summer colours.  My item came beautifully packaged in a holographic box and pink tissue paper. I would recommend Deadly Desires to anyone looking for that unique head dress as they are beautifully hand crafted and reasonably priced.  More of her designs can be seen on her instagram page or online shop.

I won this item in an Instagram competition but this has not influenced the views expressed in this blog post.