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

Sunday 10 January 2021

Review: Gisela Graham Candy Cane Decorations


 As with the previous post, I know I uploaded way too late, but as I packed mine away I thought I would upload them anyway! The Gisela Graham acrylic decorations cost £7.99 for 12 with Amazon Prime. Made from acrylic they measure 12x3cm. They look good enough to eat!!! They make great tree decorations as they can be used to accent larger ornaments or bulk out displays if they are looking rather sparse! If you have a Christmas table display they would look great tied to a napkin with a ribbon or made in to a small Christmas present tied to a Christmas gift bag, or again tied in to a big bow and secured on to a present, elevating the look of your gift! Again I find they make great blogger props as they are flat, easy to position, eye catching but won’t dominate the image, but still give the idea of Christmas or the festive season. I think these are very reasonably priced considering all the different ways they can be used

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

Review: Gisela Graham Gingerbread Christmas Festive Decorations


I know it’s time to pack our Christmas decorations away until next year but I just wanted to review some Gisela Graham gingerbread decorations that I meant to photograph before Christmas, but due to the evil depression raising its ugly head, I didn’t. These also make great blog props as they are small and eye catching but don’t detract from the main item in the photo. 

 I chose the gingerbread person, reindeer and Christmas pudding. The are all flat pieces and are made out of poly dough and decorated with iridescent glitter. Each one features a tiny robin  in its piped decoration. The gingerbread man measures 8x6x0.5 cm, the reindeer 7x6x0.5cm and the pudding 7x7x0.5. 

 They all hang beautifully as decorations and the glitter glitters in the sun or when Christmas lights are on. They also make great blogger props as they are not too big that they take attention away from the main item but instead elevate and complete it. I always enjoy using, it indeed admiring, Gisela Graham decorations and accessories. They are reasonably priced, fun and also just that little bit different.

I purchased these items myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Tuesday 5 January 2021

#WIN Sterling Silver Miffy Necklace


This month’s blog/rafflecopter prize is a Licence to Charm Sterling Silver Miffy Necklace (£55). The classic standing Miffy measures 1.5cm in height and the chain is extendable 40-45 cm. 

Enter here —— a Rafflecopter giveaway

                  

 Rules: 

must complete compulsory Rafflecopter option;

Open internationally;

Closing date 31 Jan 11.59pm;

Competition not affiliated with Licenced to Charm. 


Paper Roses A Gift For All Occasions


I decided I wanted some new blogger props that didn’t look like the traditional marble, gold glass etc item but would last a long time and add continuity through my Instagram feed and posts. I searched Etsy and found a few sellers who are located in the U.K. (postage from elsewhere is astronomical). The roses are from AlanaPhoenixandCo and cost £15 for a single stem rose. I chose red, dark blue and purple. As the flowers are all hand made no two are alike. 

 The flower heads measure around 9cm in diameter and the flower and stem around 30cm. The roses are available in lots of different colours and can also be made from maps, music manuscripts etc so this type of art is also a form of recycling.

                 

 I like that the stems can be manipulated so I can adjust them to take photos of jewellery, for example, laid out in the  rose itself. I really like my flowers, each one comes in gift paper and a tag, so would make a lovely gift.  I think I will purchase a button hole rose next to use with smaller, more delicate pieces of jewellery.