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

Thursday 18 January 2024

Review: Charlotte’s Web Jewellery part 1

I first noticed Charlotte’s Web jewellery brand years ago when I set up an Instagram account. I must have entered every competition going to try and win one of her new innovative and beautiful spinning rings but alas I never succeeded in my quest! Now CW make spinning rings, spinning bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings. 

Due to my ongoing root canal saga I have been looking for items to distract myself whilst I have to undergo painful treatment. Charlotte’s Web popped up in my emails offering a discount and then a few days later some free earrings with purchase so I have made several purchases which I am going to separate into mini reviews as each item deserves its own blog post. 

So, what or who is Charlotte’s Web? Charlotte Howarth founded CW in 2005. She is the inspiration, creative director, founder and main force behind the brand. she was inspired to create the jewellery line over 20 years ago during a trip to India when she visited Rajasthan.  She returned a few years later, made friends with local artisans and gem cutters and CW slowly became a reality. Charlotte returns every year to work with her team and source ethically mined and cut gemstones, ensuring that her jewellery is all ethically sourced and well made, so it will last more than a lifetime. Her designs are deeply rooted in India,  are inspired by both Buddhist and Hindu spiritual practices with holistic benefits for the wearer of the jewellery. 

I have made a conscious decision that I will not purchase fast fashion jewellery but only purchase considered pieces which I know haven’t harmed people, animals or the environment. I shall only purchase items from philanthropic eco-jewellery brands.  CW pieces are only made in small batches so are not mass produced or generic items that can be found cheaply/ easily elsewhere. The gemstones and birthstones are guaranteed to be 100% conflict free and are handpicked by Charlotte. The silver, copper and brass is recycled and gold pieces are 24k gold plated onto silver. They do not use nickel, lead, cadmium or cyanide-based chemicals nor do they employ underage workers.  There are medical and pension policies in place for her workers. CW only work with fair trade workshops who only employ local artisans. She visits her teams regularly to ensure that they are being paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions. So CW is definitely an eco-jewellery brand that cares not only about its customers but also about its workers and that is the most important reason why I chose to purchase a spinning ring (and other items) from them. 



 Recently her brand has been undergoing a makeover. Her branding has been redesigned. Sadly the web motif has been replaced by a very understated and elegant pink theme (to reflect the pink city of Jaipur) with a flash of gold (which glows in the sun) for the Charlotte’s Web logo. The new packaging is recycled FSC paper which can be recycled 100s of times which adds to their determination to be sustainable and an eco-jewellery brand. 

 The CW packaging is elegant, discreet and letter box friendly. The jewellery arrives in sturdy cardboard packaging and is then carefully wrapped in CW tissue paper plus a thank you postcard, so no need to wrap it if the item is a gift! 

So that is the introduction to who CW are and I hope you enjoy reading about my purchases in the next few blog posts and enter my competition too!! 


Among other stockists CW pieces are available from:

Etsy- Etsy

Their own website - Charlotte’s Web 

Wolf & Badger - Wolf & Badger 

Not on the High Street -  NOTHS







Thursday 4 January 2024

Book Review: In The Greek Midwinter by Mandy Baggot

  

Set in Athens, Greece, this novel follows the story of Jen who has decided to surprise her boyfriend by visiting him in Athens after they had to cancel a romantic trip to Paris due to his work commitments. When she and her best friend, Bonnie, arrive in Athens (surprise) David isn’t there to greet them. 

Jen is obsessed by Christmas, she is immersed in it all the year round as her business is based upon it! whereas Astro, the Greek waiter she meets via an dating online website detests it! Slowly their relationship develops but will their pasts, especially Astros’s prevent them finding a future together? 

I loved the vibrant and in-depth descriptions of Athens and the green Christmas traditions. I also enjoyed reading the day to day interaction between Astro and Jen as their relationship grew and developed. 

Both characters are complex and they need to deal with the past before they can truly move forwards. The novel has two storylines, one is about the characters finding themselves and the second is their romance slowly developing  with a gorgeous backdrop of Athens at Christmas. 

This is a fun, festive romantic comedy coupled with self discovery for the main characters. A great novel to snuggle up with next to the Christmas tree over the festive period. 


I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.