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, 27 June 2024

Review: Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag


I first saw the Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag in jade green (£75) when browsing Instagram to search for ethically made products which support good causes. I used to subscribe  to the WWF many years ago. I had the t-shirt, stuffed panda, magazines etc. I only stopped because I wanted to support more charities on an adhoc basis. I have also been looking for an ethically made vegan leather bag, obviously for ethical principles but also because I tripped over a hedgehog when I was going out in the evening to put the hoggies’ food out. As I can’t look down I felt my foot touch him, lost my balance and flung myself to the side to avoid landing on him and potentially squashing him. He got out of this fiasco unscathed, I did not. I landed on the shoulder which is pinned. The pins are now no longer where they should be. I need to use a lighter bag to avoid putting pressure on my shoulder for the foreseeable future. As I was feeling pretty miserable I decided to buy jade green Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag.

The WWF x Fenella In The Wild Collection supports the WWF’s Save Our Wild Isles Campaign. The bag is jade green, measures 7.5 D x 16H x24W.7.5  It is made from vegan leather (recycled RPET FABRIC  which is a new type of environmentally friendly recycled fabric. The yarn fabric is made from recycled coke bottles and mineral water bottles, also known as coke bottle fabric).  The bag comes with a beautiful crossbody adjustable strap and a tassel zip. There is a pouch pocket on one side of the main bag compartment and a inner zipped compartment. The bag has complimentary gold hardware and a sturdy zip. The inside of the bag has the same print as as the strap. 

The bag arrived carefully wrapped in Fenella Smith London embossed tissue paper. The bag is incredibly light but does not look cheap or fake as some vegan leather items sometimes do. The “leather” is textured and feels very tactile to the touch. The strap design and the inside of the bag are works of art. The birds and flowers are so detailed and intricate. I love the tassel. As someone who can’t look down and has difficulty gripping small items such as zips the tassel makes it so easy to undo and fasten my bag without me worrying I haven’t pulled the zip all the way and I at risk of getting pickpocketed! 

I love my bag. I can fit quite a lot in it, my wallet, phone and camera plus it supports a great cause. I have used my bag continually since I purchased it and will continue to do so. It is one of the best items I have purchased. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to support an ethical brand and especially to anyone who has hand problems and/or needs a lightweight but smart looking bag. 

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




Monday, 3 June 2024

Charlotte’s Web Part 3: Review & Win Aqua Chalcedony Infinity Universe Earrings

 Charlotte’s Web aqua chalcedony Infinity Universe earrings (£35) are one of the most affordable pieces on the website. Handmade from sustainable silver and ethically sourced aqua chalcedony cabochons the stones can go from a dull blue to a greenish hue depending upon the light. The cut and colour of the stones makes the earrings look like hey are part of a warm inviting ocean. The hooks are easy to slide in and out (I haven’t tried this pair for hygiene reasons as they are a prize) and as I have coordination issues I find they are the easiest to put in/ take out. They are packaged I the new style gift box.

I really like these earrings. They are elegant, eye catching, timeless, feel light so won’t drag the ear lobe down. I am only using them as a prize as I have nowhere to wear them where they will be admired and appreciated, annoyingly I am developing an allergy to silver and my ear lobes swell if I wear silver for any length of time, and I also have so many pairs of earrings that I cannot possibly wear them all in one life time!  As with the pendant I want them to go to a home where they will be worn and admired as so much effort goes into each piece. This competition will be on my Instagram account - Sparkling_Magpie (@sparkling_magpie).

Rules:

Competition is open worldwide;

Competition opens 4 June 2024, closes 5 July 11.59pm GMT; 

Must follow my IG account;

Comment on the competition IG post;

Comment on other IG posts for extra entries;

The competition is not affiliated with Instagram, Meta, Facebook or Charlotte’s Web in any way. Please contact me if you have any queries;

Good Luck!

Gray 






Charlotte’s Web Part 2: Review & Win Rajput Serenity Turquoise Silver Spinning Necklace

I started this series back in January with an introductory post about 
Charlotte’s Web as a jewellery brand and how it has evolved. Time and my depression took over but I finally feel more like me again so I thought I would reboot the series with two reviews and giveaways, this one is for my blog and a smaller one but just as gorgeous on my Instagram. 

Inspired by Charlotte Howarth’s love of India, Charlotte’s Web Rajput Serenity Turquoise Silver Spinning Necklace is a tiny sterling silver ring charm adorned with two tiny pearls and pieces of turquoise. The silver is sustainable and stones ethically sourced. The spinning principle is the same as the rings - there are three rings which spin independently of each other. The ring  pendant is £48 and the sterling silver adjustable snake  16-18” chain is £24. The chain has both a little CW tag on it and a chain extender. 

 The pendant would be great for those who like to fiddle to help relieve anxiety, reduce stress etc but don’t like to wear constricting rings. My fingers swell in the summer so I much prefer to wear looser jewellery like necklaces that don’t feel constricting on the skin. 

I was really torn about using this piece as a competition prize. I love the idea and concept but I just don’t like or wear turquoise or pearl jewellery so I feel it would languish at the bottom of my jewellery box unworn and unloved. It doesn’t deserve this fate as so much thought and detail has gone into it!

*** Emma Jane Forster is the winner***** I don’t know why it isn’t showing up on the Rafflecopter app. 

Enter here >> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

Competition is open worldwide;

Entrants must complete the mandatory Rafflecopter requirement;

Competition opens on the 4 June, closes on the 5 July 11.59pm gmt.

The competition is not affiliated in any way with either blogger or Charlotte’s Web. I purchased the item myself so please contact me via email if there are any queries;

Good luck!