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 26 September 2020

Review: Pouch for Purpose. Milk for Orphaned Elephants


I first saw the Elizabeth Scarlett Pouch for Purpose,  Milk for Orphaned Elephants on the Chantecaille UK Instagram page. 

Elizabeth Scarlett creates luxury cosmetic pouches, inspired by nature and wildlife. Designed in London (UK) and made in Qingdao, China, the pouches are made from soft materials whilst also considering how sustainable the material is. The ethos behind the brand appears philanthropic and rather like Chanticaille’s as she selects an endangered animal - the profits from a previous Watsmu turtle pouch went to the Local Ocean Trust to help support and protect  endangered turtles off the Kenyan coast and donates the profits from that pouch to the specific cause. 

The elephant pouch costs £28 (it can be monogrammed for £14). Each pouch provides 2 bottles of specialist  milk for orphaned baby elephants in the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. The milk is mixed by hand and   2 bottles are fed to each orphan every three hours night and day.

Elizabeth was inspired to create a mother leading her calf so each pouch has a hand painted and embroidered  mother/ calf motif. The pouch is made from cotton velvet. The pattern is on both sides of the pouch and is presented in a dust bag. The pouch is lined in cotton and measures 20x30cm. It has a gold zipper closure and is machine washable at 30’. 

                     

The pouch is a luxury pouch that is also philanthropic and ethically sound. I would use this as a clutch bag as it is so beautifully embroidered and detailed and the colour of the pouch is so vibrant!

I am pleased I saw this item being promoted on the Chanticaille IG and I will definitely watch out for her next charitable Pouch. 


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

Tuesday 22 September 2020

Review: Chantecaille Safari Chic Eye Trio


The Chantecaille Fall 2020 collection consists of an eyeshadow palette and three limited edition Lip Veils.  The Safari Chic Eye Trio  (£72) is a trio of elegant wearable suede textured eyeshadow shades inspired by the African landscape at  sunset and the endangered African  elephant. Each shade has an elephant embossed on it and has a tonal overspray. As the palette is part of their philanthropy collection it supports their long term charitable partner Space for Giants who aim to protect African elephants and their natural habitat. 

Sylvia and her daughter Olivia completed the Walk for Giants which follows the ancient migratory path the elephants take to Kenya. This experience inspired the earthy tones of the collection and the three eyeshadow shades. The first is a beautiful deep taupe meant to represent the reverence of Kenya but I think the deep taupe shade reflects the colour of the elephants’ hide. The second is a reddish clay tone, inspired by elephants rolling in the red clay. The third shade is a golden shade inspired by the dry grass and golden tones of the elephants’ habitat. All three eyeshadows are very wearable either as one look shades which can either be worn as a wash of colour which can be built up for a more dramatic look or can the eyeshadows can be blended together very easily. The brush included in the palette is great for applying a wash of colour. 

        

I didn’t use arm swatches in this post as I wanted to show how dynamic the shades are on the concave of the eye and how easily the shades blend together. The only downside to the palette is that the shimmer is only an overspray which wears off quite quickly. I would have preferred half of each shade to be a shimmer or the whole shade to have shimmer all the way through. 

        

The packaging is gorgeous. The case is plastic and easy to wipe down. The elephant reminds me of the lenticular books I had as a child as the elephant appears to be moving as the case is held at different angles. The mirror is very useful as it is useable as is the brush. The eyeshadows are in magnetic pans and are removable. 

I really like this palette. Yes it is expensive, but all the colours are neutral easy to wear tones that work well together or on their own.  The brush is good quality and I love the packaging. 


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

Friday 11 September 2020

Review: Acdria Butterfly Transparent Ring



In the last few years I have purchased several items of Acdria jewellery. I was also lucky enough to be gifted 2 pieces last year by them. I have reviewed the Butterfly hair pin and common blue butterflyButterfly bangle and Tiger butterfly studs, so when I saw there was a transparent acrylic butterfly ring (£21) available I added it to my butterfly collection. 

The ring is handmade and available in three sizes. The pattern is a miniature version of the bangle. The ring is made out of resin and is very elegant and minimalist. Like all Acdria jewellery the pattern isn’t twee or cutesy. The butterflies look realistic, as though they are fluttering around my finger. The ring came promptly and nicely packaged in an Acdria embossed gift box.


I will continue to purchase from this company both for myself and for gifts,  as their customer service is excellent, their products are designed and made in the U.K., are cruelty free and vegan friendly and I love their aesthetic. 

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

Saturday 5 September 2020

#Win Lola Rose Morgen Necklace

 This month’s blog/rafflecopter prize is a Lola Rose Morgen Necklace (oringinal RRP £70) in peony quartzite. This vibrant orange necklace is very tactile and chunky! It measures 40” and has and adjustable Chinese knot closure. The beads are smooth and measure 35x25mm. The large pendant is angular and not symmetrical, giving the necklace a quirky look! The necklace will come in the traditional light pink Lola Rose pouch.

Enter here >>> a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: must complete the mandatory Rafflecopter option
Competition opens on 05 Sept 2020, closes on 30 Sept 12am GMT 2020
Competition open worldwide
Competition not affiliated with Lola Rose Jewellery