Phoenix rises

Sadly we received a call from our friend Craig in Italy yesterday morning to advise that someone broke in and set fire to our little holiday villa in Palmoli. The old lady who lives up the hill saw the flames on the roof and called the fire brigade who managed to put out the fire before it started in the new extension.  Unfortunately, the old cottage with the lovely oak beams is now gone, and all but the thick stone walls remain.

The meter thick wall that separated the buildings acted as a fire barrier but the extreme heat has damaged every window, melting the fridge, boiler and electrics and what hasn't burned or melted, smoke damage has done the rest. 

At present we are shocked although as we are unable to see the damage with our own eyes, so it seems quite surreal. Luckily no-one was hurt and we have insurance but cover will not be confirmed until we meet with the Loss Adjusters in Italy thereafter the Insurers confirmation. It will be an anxious couple of weeks to say the least. Fingers crossed it will all go as smoothly as possible.

As it was our holiday house, we didn't leave anything of sentimental value, just our hearts in what we tried to achieve. Based on evidence that they didn't take anything, we suspect this incident has something to do with the builder based on our lengthy legal dispute, which was settled earlier this year in our favour but clearly the judgement of the law wasn't enough.

We simply can not comprehend what would posses anyone to do such a malicious act. We have made so many lovely friends in Italy and we would never tarnish all Italians with the same brush.

It took 3 years searching for a property, and another 3 years planning and building. We wanted to introduce Abruzzo to friends and family and enjoy our little part of Italy, and this year all our efforts were coming to fruition. Now we're back to where we started and it just means more hard work.

Of course we're bruised but by no means broken.  We are not victims and we will rebuild. From the ashes, the Phoenix rises.

Thanks for all your well wishes and support xxxx

What next?

Python clutch in natural

Dyed Python folding clutch in Turquoise

I had these really simple folding snake skin clutches made for me whilst I was away in Bali as I've been wanting to introduce a new line.....

Exotic skins

My new compulsion for exotic skins

I love love love my new watersnake tote!  Perfect everyday

Sticky jaw toffees

After attending the wash-out school fete last Saturday afternoon I suddenly remembered the sorts of treats we used to have as kids.  Sticky jaw toffees, loaded with sugar, sugar and errrr more sugar, I looked up the recipe and made a batch for my girls.  These little sweeties took me back to a place where the sun always shone, at least in my memory, the southern shores of Sydney.  But when I came to taste them, they didn't seem as good as when I was a kid, eeek!  Too sweet for me, but the kids loved them.

Along came Amber

All too often, I am disappointed to receive an item purchased online which literally didn't measure up to my expectations, all because the picture didn't show anything to measure it up with, even though all the measurements were given.  It's actually quick hard to work out how big something is, like jewellery for instance.

At least when I'm madly scouting the net-a-porter sale, I can quickly gauge the size of an item before seriously considering it, because they always show accessories on a model.  So I thought, what a great idea!  Perhaps I should do the same.

Then along came Amber!  My latest model and friend.  I saved her from some very dull industrial unit, where she was literally chocking in bubble wrap.  Ha, hum (and actually between you and I, hoping she could surprise me with a good sort out of my very messy work desk whilst I'm sleeping).

I had to pierce her earlobes, so that I could thread earrings. A little more crude than they do in Claire's Accessories with my pedestal drill, made a little bit of a mess of the backs, but she didn't complain.  And every now and again, I will be detaching her arm so I can photograph some bracelets, but I promise to be gentle.

No doubt you will be seeing a lot more of this bubbling blonde modeling my jewellery, as I slowly update all the pictures on my website.  I am sure she will be a great guide to purchasing from now on....

Star design

It's been such a long time since I blogged that I can't believe where the time has gone other than making so many lovely customers happy with their purchases.
And of course, soooo many new designs, when I'm not making good order, I just don't know where to begin..

flip to gold or silver, can be personalised

I am loving stretching what is fast being my signature style of mixing gold and silver in new designs and there are certainly more to come this year. For this coming Christmas I released the new star charm on bangle which quickly got snapped up by the Huffington Post Fashion writer Sarah McGiven and here it is in the 4th of July celebration peace.  She's a great blogger too!
In seeing this feature in the Huffington post, Laura my 7 year old fashion girl picked the hot pants and sleeveless star top, just her style!

Ever since I designed this flashing silver and gold star bangle, I have not only received great reviews, but I have worn it myself (whenever I'm not in my studio working) and even had ladies stop me at the airport whilst on a quick break in Portugal!  I pair it with the new gold heart on sterling silver bangle and large hoops with gold heart earrings for great movement and a flashes of light.  Now all 3 new gold/silver designs are available to purchase on my website.

Happy shiny nails

One of my friends just returned from a sunny holiday flashing her lovely tan AND these amazing gold foil toenails (yes I know the above are hands). They look like solid gold.  Where have I been?  Errr in my studio.
Anyways, next day, I'm at the local swimming pool taking my kids to their lessons and I see 2 other mother's wearing different designs with this same foil on their toes, one with a cook black and white check, so now I'm thinking I'd better get me some for my hols later this year.
I've done a quick search and found a huge selection including a Rio Nail Foiling kit on Argos, although I have to cringe at patterns and stick on rhinestones (not my style).  Nor would I have them on my fingernails, but I just love the gold on twinkle toes, perfect for seaside holidays, and I've just spotted plum too. Immediately hooked.  The above picture is from Rio Nails Metalix kits

Sugar sweet

I don't think I've lusted over ANY clutch, or bag for that matter, as much as I have this little stunner by Mui Mui.  It is everything I could ever wish for in a handheld, the colour is my style of sugar pink and the perfect gold embellishment finishes the cut, except for one little problem; it's made of velvet and at £760, you just know it's not going to last the distance!

Italian Salami like no other

As you know I not only have an affinity with Italy and it's fresh food, but we also have a small holiday home there in an unknown area called Abruzzo so visit regularly.  Our lovely friend Pietro runs the local hotel/restaurant where he serves THE best, freshest food at very reasonable prices, a bottle of vino rosso Montepulciano de Abruzzo will set you back a whopping 6 Euros!
They stay true to the seasons and what is available at the time. Great cappuccinos to pop in for in the morning and his wife stays locked in the kitchen, slaving over the freshest traditional Italian cuisine.
His signature dish is served bubbling in a terracotta pot with handkerchief sheets of freshly made pasta, mouth watering tomato sauce and local asparagus.  I have tried to re-create this dish for my kids, but it's never the same, until my last trip when we worked out the magic ingredient.  Ventricina.
We have become absolutely addicted to Pietro's home made Ventricina, a spiced salami like not other and a traditional meat in Abruzzo. Served either on a cold platter of meats or in this delicious pasta dish.  No doubt there are many secret ingredients and spices that make the Ventricina taste so good but we have certainly spotted the main couple, lots of fatty deposits mean it's tastier, rosemary, lots of chilli and..... fennel.
In our next trip this summer, I am hoping he might spill the beads on his secret recipe and even show me how it's made
I went onto Luigis mail order and it's available to buy at around the same price as Pietro's but I can't imagine it would be anywhere near as tasty.  This stuff is absolutely smashing.
We WILL be bringing some back this time.