A slightly different take on the jewellery stories series today, inspired by the fact that, having had various guests in and out for a week and a half, my house is surprisingly tidy and everything is in its place. This does not happen often!
Since the move, and acquiring a chest of drawers that functions as a dressing table, my jewellery has had a much nicer place to live.
I acquired this gorgeous amber glass dressing table set many moons ago, but until now haven’t had anywhere to use it. Now my pendants live in the smaller one, and necklaces in the larger, with brooches and stud earrings in the one which doesn’t have a lid.
My rings live on and around a little donkey I’ve had since I was a child – he never fails to make me smile, but unusually doesn’t have a name even after all this time.
And when I travel, I take my dressing table with me in this little black box – it fits into every bag and suitcase I own, and as it’s solid, keeps my jewellery safe when I’m on the move.
If you’re looking for something similar, John Lewis have some gorgeous things in their jewellery boxes and rolls department – both for at home and for on the move. I’m currently lusting after this beautiful crystal bird box – don’t you think she’d look perfect on my dressing table?
Where do you keep your jewellery? Do you have an unusual solution for storing it? I’d love to see – drop me a line or let me know in the comments!
One Sunday with my parents, after a very lovely brunch at Wivenhoe House Hotel, we went over to see the Beth Chatto Gardens.
I’m both sad and astounded that I’ve lived in Essex nearly six years, and in Colchester just over three, and somehow haven’t ever been here before!
Five acres of informal, beautifully tended and imagined, landscaped gardens and water gardens, and some incredible examples of plants and trees I’ve never even heard of abound.
Some spots would be perfect for reading, thinking or just letting the inspiration sink in…
and other spots make you feel like you’ve just crossed the bridge into fairyland.
I did my usual from-where-I-stand shot surrounded by blossom,
When we booked tickets back in May 2012, I had no idea a year would pass so quickly. I had no idea what I’d do, what I’d achieve, what I’d feel in one year, and I couldn’t have imagined, then, having this life of mine by the time Cybher rolled around.
“it was wonderful to be surrounded by people whose first question was ‘what do you blog about?’ rather than ‘what the hell is a blog?’ :)” ~ Cybher 2013
Just a speedy one as it’s somehow half past eleven on a Sunday night as I type, and I have work tomorrow – eeek! More on all of this when it’s less late…
Short version: Saturday: Cybher, fabulous people, fizzing with ideas, squeee. Sunday: amazing brunch, the visual feast that is the Beth Chatto gardens and a blissful sunshine-filled afternoon with Mum & Dad, using the bbq for the first time.
A weekend of pure magic is over… and I’m looking back and sighing with happiness at every moment of it.
On Friday, The Night Circus arrived at Tea and Sympathy, my favourite place in Colchester. The dress code was black and white and circus-appropriate, with a red accent for the reveurs – those who had read the book. (And if you’ve read it, you’ll know why!) For those that haven’t had the pleasure, the theme was around the book The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern.
My red accents were my sequined shoes, scarlet lipstick and a peek of a red bra… 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever felt more thoroughly myself, though my outfit wasn’t entirely appropriate for the multi storey car park where we put the cars when we arrived… lol. But I’ve always been fascinated by the circus – my burlesque name is a tribute to my obsession with Enid Blyton’s circus stories!
I arrived with Gabby and Chris, after the quickest house tour in the history of the world, and we wandered in a haze of happiness through the shop, up and down the tiny, twisting staircase, to hidden rooms, magic and wonder at every turn…
There were fire dancers, burlesque from Miss Fanny Darling, magicians, fortune tellers and some cocktails, which I’m told were lethal… I declined to sample them, as I quite fancied getting home without getting arrested!
Here’s Gabby and Chris, looking like they belong with the Cirque…
Miss Fanny Darling as the Raven…
And the incredible fire dancing duo (I have plans for a skirt just like that one… I LOVE IT!)
I’ll leave you with the video of the fire dancers – a little taste of the most magical evening I’ve had in a long, long time! With thanks to Tea and Sympathy for making dreams reality 🙂
I'm Carla, a quirky thirtysomething with a penchant for unicorns and glitter. I believe in magic and make-believe, and the gorgeous rebellion of making your life absolutely your own. And I'm a proud multipod!
Proud to be both girly and geeky, when I’m not writing, photographing or daydreaming, you can find me dancing burlesque, riding my bicycle Bluebell, growing herbs and collecting typewriters.
2020 Things
Things I want to do in 2020. Partly from my Daydreams To Do list and also from my general goals for the year.
~ Steampunk events
~ experiment with film cameras
~ walk more
~ explore Colchester
~ beach time
~ kitty portraits
~ western riding
~ spa days
~ silversmithing
~ learn to make bath bombs
~ recreate Lush's Angel's Delight soap fragrance
~ work in sterling silver
~ build a catio
~ handwritten letters
~ photobook of the house project, the cats, Poppy & Dad
~ print my own photos
If you’re looking for something similar, John Lewis have some gorgeous things in their jewellery boxes and rolls department – both for at home and for on the move. I’m currently lusting after this beautiful crystal bird box – don’t you think she’d look perfect on my dressing table?
Where do you keep your jewellery? Do you have an unusual solution for storing it? I’d love to see – drop me a line or let me know in the comments!
