Brighten your rainy day with Diddybears

With the weather being pretty naff this last few weeks and the choice of 'indoor' stuff wearing thin i remembered that i had downloaded the printable for a 'Design-a-bear' over at Diddybears .
Under the fun and games tab at the top of the page you will find the printable with a gallery of submissions, best design has the chance of being made into a REAL bear too, how cool!!
My girls have spent hours pouring over ideas, sure we have printed out about 20 copies! but it kept them happy and most importantly QUIET!

If you haven't already found Diddybears you are seriously missing out! They find in the palm of your hand but are completely sublime!
You can customise any bear that takes your fancy or commission your own, like i did! I ordered a pair for my husband for our wedding anniversary. The time hasn't come to pass them over yet but they are expertly made and each one has its own personality.
Sure they aren't toys but a beautiful girl for a new baby to grace their room or an heirloom gift to admire forever, or simply for the young at heart.
Service is absolutely fabulous and even on commission turn around is fast. I couldn't be happier with them and i really hope my husband will feel the same.

Her new collection has just hit the shop with LOADS of new colours and designs, Moriarty has to be my favourite! Not to mention the awesomeness that is Rainbow Diddybears!!

Moriarty

If you haven't you NEED to stop by even if its just for a browse, or bookmark for christmas! If you have littlies that enjoy being creative or are just a little fed up then get them on the case!

L xx

Repaired vintage pieces

It seems not many of you know, but La-chic-unique also undertake all kinds or costume jewellery repair work even on vintage.
Even the smallest jobs like replacing stones or fixing broken links or clasps. These are real bug bears to jewellery wears, especially costume jewellery, as the high street items aren't generally finished off well as they are mass produced so many links will be loose and the clasps damaged before you even get to wear it but fear not, for just £1 an item to repair clasps or links this is the cheapest way of keeping hold of your treasured costume jewellery.
I also repair vintage costume jewellery, so the same again with missing stones, links and clasps, as these are the things that will break first.
I also up cycle, which means you can send me a broken piece, which is unrepairable and refashion it into something else that you can continue to love for many more years.
To utilise this service please use the contact for at La-Chic-Unique or alternatively email me at lizipants@yahoo.co.uk

So now you know the services i can offer you, how about checking out some up cycled vintage jewellery?

This beautiful vintage engagement ring, is sterling silver and the shank has been gold plated. there is no wear to the shank or damage. absolutely beautiful condition for its age, circa 1940.
The stones will be paste or glass (a vintage version of CZ) but are all secured into the shank with no damage.
When i bought this it has a stone missing but i have replaced it so is now clean and in tact ready to give to your vintage loving hunny or just for treating your self.
A beautiful alternative to a modern engagement ring and if it wasn't to big for my tiny fingers you wouldn't be getting to see it!! POA and more photos are available upon request.

Next up is a beautiful ornate silver tone hair slide. Its on the large side but has simulated pearl in the centre and some cute cabochons on both ends. One side had a missing pearl and I've replaced it with a contrasting blue one, looks really stunning. Perfect for a bride or brides maid, or just for the vintage lover.

£8 including postage.

Thanks for stopping by

L x

Up Cycled with @beadsmorebylois

The every so lovely Lois from Beads and more by lois, sent me some gorgeous gun metal findings to blog about and they have been sat on my work bench for a few weeks now.
As beautiful as the lovely deep grey findings are i had struggled to find the perfect accompaniment for them and the longer i looked at them the deeper my creative block become.
But after finding 3 huge bags of broken jewellery at a charity shop last week, i found THE most perfect set a damaged beads to use with them.

They are a vintage, twilight blue bead that are circa 1970 i would guess from the way they have been strung, The clasp was broken so i used this gorgeous oval spacer bead to balance out the way the beads hung and reattached a new clasp and the most amazing owl stamping.

As you can see they are short, but with all the glamour at the back it really sets off this beautiful set of strung beads, perfect for an evening event where understated but beautiful is a must!

i feel almost inclined to keep them myself, I've totally in love with the deep colours, makes a fabulous change from the silver , gold and brass and a fabulous addition to your A/W wardrobe.

L xx

What colour is your t shirt Review

Like all little girls my girls love 'shaking their thang' the minute music with a catchy beat comes into ear shot, whether we are at home or out, in the street! And YES they have done that!
So when the lovely people over at Monkey and Bo asked me if i would like them to review a fabulous new collection of children's songs i jumped at the chance, i mean who doesn't love watching mini people hit the dance floor!

So heres a little background on the CD we where sent.

What Colour is your t-shirt?
Music for the under 6's- a collection of 10 original songs for children written and performed by Nick Cope.

The former lead singer of the Oxford band The Candyskins has returned to the music industry and now devotes his time to writing and performing engaging folk-based songs for children.

Nick writes songs about rings that really matter to little ones; jumping in the mud, colours, counting along with monkeys and exploring their surroundings. There's lots of chance for kids to join in!

'What colour is your t-shirt?' is an enjoyable collection of songs the will be loved by both children and their parents.

Now I'm not one for taking the word for all press releases, but this CD does really hit the spot! Its a refreshing take on children's song CD's, believe me we have hundreds and i really didn't feel like my ears would bleed if i sat and listened to it all.
Nick has a lovely voice and the kids really took to it straight away, getting in their and having a good old boogie!
Emma took a particular liking to 'As i lie here in my bed'. She has slight OCD when it comes to brushing her teeth and this really seemed to tickle her.
All the songs where lovely to listen to and the lovely guitar accompaniment was a refreshing change. I would happily recommend this for anyone going on regular car journeys, i can see myself singing along in no time!

Nick now runs popular music and movement sessions weekly for early years in Oxford and he is currently putting together a songbook to accompany the lyrics on his first CD and more. Creating a children's book that is not only a companion to the CD but will also be able to stand alone to read and enjoyed by both parents and children.

He is also putting the finishing touches to his next CD which will include many of his other popular songs such as ' Think of an animal' 'Let's take a walk and 'My socks'.

To find out more about this awesome CD or sessions with Nick please contact Debbie at Monkey and Bo debbie@monkeyandbo.co.uk.

Shiny New Shop

As some of you may know, some of you have been waiting with bated breath while the rest of you probably have no idea what I'm talking about, finally our new shop and re brand is up and running with a massive great big, bear hugging thanks to the most wonderfullest person Diddybears .

She has turned my painfully, style struggling Mr Site online store into an all singing, vintage, parisian feel wonder store with her design genius!

I can, hand on heart, honestly say i am totally in love with what she has done style wise with the shop. Especially when using the create.net frame its exactly what i had dreamed it would be. It captures the unique beauty in my jewellery and makes it more marketable and accessible for all to see.

Its grown up but pretty and its easy to get lost browsing through the pages of up cycled and vintage jewellery i currently have for sale.

Its let me move a little further away from those like styled items on the web at the more and made it that little more unique to me.

I can now offer more than just jewellery too, gifts and vintage clothing and accessories will be coming soon. As soon as i have stock piled enough to make it worth while offering!

Possibly cake pops and cards, all handmade from other small businesses, will also be available!

This month has been quite successful in way of opportunities, even though sales have been very thin on the ground with the summer holidays in full swing!

We will be offering a subscription offer in Vintage Life Mag, which will be available around christmas time!

We have been at Earth Salon again supplying jewellery for their goody bags.

We have started working more closely with Carrot Top PR.

Our ad will be in Septs issue of the London University Guide.

And we are sending some fabulous goodies over to Daisy Green Mag for a review.

So all go here, loads of charity auction items off to be raffled off for some fabulous causes and new items in the pipe line!

So what ya waiting for, dust off your credit card and set off browsing our shiny new shop

L x

La Chic Unique in conjunction with Earth Salon

This isn't our first encounter with Earth Salon as last month we provided some one off pieces for a fabulous bloggers event they ran.
This month was no exception with a fabulous new product, a goody bag and bags of visitors!
Heres some sneaky pics from the event.
To see our other event with Earth Salon or to see how Carrot Top PR can help your business too then pop over to Carrot Top PR

Sept Countdown

For all my mummy readers i can imagine you are creeping towards the end of your tether (i know i am) with having the kids incessantly nagging at every possible opportunity so the Sept countdown begins!
With only 2 weeks to go for me the nerves are also starting to set in.  This will be Emma's first term at 'BIG' school and as excited as she is I'm absolutely terrified!
Now i know her support is all put in place, the t's have been crossed and the i's dotted but every time i look at her i can't stop worrying!
Am i doing the right thing by her sending her to mainstream school? It doesn't matter how many times people say to me, " its whats best for Emma in the long term" i can't help feeling I'm making a mistake!
Now, knowing me as i do, i know i am completely over reacting! i know she will love it, i know she will flourish but she's my baby and she's not ' school ready'!
She is still refusing to use the toilet at home, as much as her language skills are progressing beautifully she still isn't talking as id like for her age, and as we are STILL waiting for appointments regards her health we are just stuck in limbo while they get their finger out their ass and sends us an appointment!!
So for all you first time school mums out there, breath deep and practice not crying!! As in a few weeks that tiny person will suddenly not need you quite as much ... it'll be a sad day indeed!
Also...WOOHOO we'll be able to drink a whole brew thats still actually warm!!!

L xx