The Twelve Days of Christmas: The earrings series, day 9

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A lovely pair today. They were a bit difficult to photograph so I ended up sticking them in a lime … Anyway, they’re glinting ice blue crystals (actually described as Sahara blue by the designer), framed in irregular circles of silver. Last year I discovered a new favourite jewellery store in the Westfield shopping mall in San Francisco – Uno de 50. It turns out there’s a store in London too, and Paris and no doubt in many other global cities as well. Anyway, I treated myself to a chunky ‘statement necklace’ in the company’s ‘Fire & Ice’ series and these are the stud earrings that go with it. The wonderfully friendly (and hence, incredibly effectively salesman) young man working in the shop told me and the baby globetrotter that the designs were inspired by Iceland. Having been on a couple of trips there over the last few years and been enchanted by it, this was an added attraction. It felt as if I was meant to have this jewellery! 🙂

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The Twelve Days of Christmas: The earrings series, day 8

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After a tasteful and subtle pair yesterday, it’s time to go wild today. These are for you, Richard Boyle! They are beaded and dangly and bold. While they look quite African, I think I actually bought them in Mexico. I have a black and white pair too, but I thought today called for full-on multicoloured joyfulness. While they are pretty long – they almost brush my shoulders! – they are light and so not too uncomfortable. This project is certainly helping me rediscover some of my long lost jewellery friends, as I haven’t worn them in years. Welcome back, magical Mexican adornments!

The Twelve Days of Christmas: The earrings series, day 7

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A very subtle and stylish pair today. It was tricky to take a decent pic of this pair – I ended up slotting them down the edge of our dining room table. They do look a little like cufflinks … These were a gift and I find their monochrome colour scheme and the Art eco geometric design super appealing. Nothing garish or blingy about these. They’re not likely to attract attention  (unlike my Day 5 pair, which drew several comments and a very curious pair of chubby baby hands when I first put them on) but they’re great to wear and add the finishing touch to any outfit. I’m working from home today so am in comfy jeans and a warm sweater; these give a slightly sharper edge to my look that reminds me it’s a work day not a weekend.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: The earrings series, day 6

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Here we are, half-way through the Twelve Days of Christmas and only a week to go until Christmas Day! I couldn’t publish this earrings season without including something from my favourite jewellery shop in Paris, Metal Pointu’s. Admittedly most of the pieces I’ve bought from there are necklaces rather than earrings, but I have such fond memories of visiting this little treasure trove in the Marais with my great friends Kate and Shannon. On a girls’ weekend we’d typically make at least two visits to the shop, the first a goggle-eyed recce, the second (and third and fourth!) to make the excited purchases of the baubles we decided we couldn’t leave the city without.

So on my recent 50th birthday trip to Paris I set off as usual to find the store – it was always mysteriously elusive, making me think of Mr Ben’s shop in the old children’s TV series. Filled with anticipation, we combed the streets to hunt it down, only to find, to my intense disappointment, that it has closed down. There is still another branch in Paris, but it feels like the end of an era. And the items I did get from there have now gained an extra layer of allure. Like much of the Metal Pointu’s range, these tear drop earrings are made from heavy brushed pewter and I have a matching necklace. Close up, they are slightly marked and pitted and I love their irregularities. Today they have taken me to a catch-up meeting with some business contacts and this evening will accompany me to meet my dear friend Jo for a Christmas drink.

What will the next 6 days hold? My ears are getting curious, hope you are too!

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Earrings series, day 5

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Unlike yesterday’s entry, there’s nothing understated or subtle about this pair! I believe the technical term for this style is ‘chandelier’. They drip with bright, vivid colour and even manage to incorporate a cheeky bit of glinting crystal. I thought they would add some glitz and glamour to a winter Monday. I have an appointment with my physio, a coffee date with a friend and our toddlers, followed by Christmas shopping in Cambridge and I think these will work just fine for all of those. I might have to take them out for my Zumba class in the evening though, as if they’re hectically swinging around I figure they will be painful in my ears. Coronation Street viewers might see them as coming from the Bet Lynch school of jewellery but I like to think they are more a la mode than brash. I ordered them online after seeing them in my style bible, Stylist magazine. I think I’m going to have fun wearing them today: let’s see if anyone notices them!

The Twelve Days of Christmas – Earrings series, day 4

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For me, these are a small dash of bling, in a (hopefully!) tasteful way. They are rose gold spheres speckled with tiny crystals. I bought them from the Swaroski store just off Union Square in San Francisco. It took me several visits to overcome my hesitation and I’m pleased I did, because these now have a ‘wear anywhere’ ease in my earring wardrobe. I put them in this morning before going out for a run and they’re equally at home bringing some understated sparkle to a work outfit. Love them!

The 12 Days of Christmas – Earrings series, day 3

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This is one of my favourite, fun-to-wear pairs. And they always remind me of my friend and colleague, Linda Woolston, who loves them too! I bought them at the Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain and they are bright red, plump, pouting, sensual Salvador lips. My visit to Figueres was with three wonderful women I met while travelling in South America. For several years, we met once a year, visiting each of our home countries in turn. This made for fun-filled reunions in The Netherlands (Amsterdam,) Denmark (Copenhagen) and the UK (London), as well as Spain, of course.  So as well as being bright and eye-catching, this little pair also carry lots of friendly associations for me.