Spring

It's been said the millenials --or maybe it's just millenial hispsters-- aren't buying diamond engagement rings anymore. They go for coloured stones like sapphires or emeralds. I think it's a cool idea, especially since they have such pretty wedding sets now in all sorts of stones. Plus, a girl with a hair colour like the rainbow is too non-traditional for a diamond, right? Anyway, Spring's around the corner. Thank God.  And I am loving everything minty, fresh and pretty. I love bath salts from here. This pretty emerald set from here. This whimsical kid's room with the melon wallpaper from here and this tablescape done by here.

Imelda's Jewellery

In my teens my aunt started calling me Imelda Marcos on account of my trying to rival Marcos at her 3000-strong shoe collection. I took offense at the comparison, obviously. But still, I wonder what my aunt would think now if she saw my closet...

Anyhoo, everyone knows of Marcos for her bad shoe habit and also her and her husband's swindling ways. It was that swindling that also supported Marcos' jewellery collection. The Philippines' is currently trying to sell all of Marcos' confiscated jewellery and the former first lady, now 87, had put up a strong fight in court, claiming that her husband's government salary could have amassed her jewellery collection which perhaps rivals that of any royal house. Well, now it appears that Marcos has lost the court battle and the Philippines can now auction the jewellery...problem is: will they... given that the Marcos family supposedly has close ties to the President Duterte? Anyhoo, I am here for the jewellery and not the corruption. When is politics anything but corrupt?

Valentine's Week

Work until you need no introduction, says Bonang Matheba. I believe that and I believe it applies to every profession. So I am taking that statement to heart this Valentine's week. And speaking of heart, I think it could be a good idea to indulge in some self love for women this week. Check out what Essays of Africa says about it.

And if your'e gonna indulge yourself, my advice is to start with jewellery--wear it while you are alive and at least you can say you have little valuables to bequeath to your daughter when you die. Of course, you could just buy pretty costume instead...try StellaDot.

Also, if you are thinking about getting something for a girlfriends then this is a sweet update on your grandmother's potpourri. It's available at Candle Delirium.

Also, I know everyon wears red on Valentine's day but this spread from Architectural Digest and Bonang's outfit  is making me thing sumptuous green.

Easter on the Brain

I've always felt that purple is the colour of Easter. This week, everywhere I look, I see purple. I think the internet is sending me subliminal signals to anticipate Easter. I have no speacial plans for Easter yet but my friends are coming to visit and I have to get planning. Anyhoo, here's what interested me this week:

The pretty bag by Kate Spade, Japan which I feel sells far prettier stuff than Kate Spade, New York.

The story of this Australian artist who is 105 years old. It's never too late to pick up a hobby. Loongkoonan started at the age of 90.

I have hair envy and am actually thinking of getting some unusual colour in my hair and I love the matt nail polish too. I am all over pinterest looking for a new hair style.

This origami-looking thing is wall art from Acanthe.

The colurful room was shot by Nicolas Mathues for Elle Decoration which is not the same as Elle Decor.

Finally, Christies advises on signed jewellery, which of course is more valuable that unsigned jewellery. It's a great read if you are thinking about starting a jewellery collection.

Go Big or Stay Home

In case you are wondering what to do or where to go New Year's Eve 2016: my suggestion is to stay home with lovely friends and family and make a wonderful party night at home. Or, if you do go out, wear a giant piece of jewellery. Happy New Year!

Glass with Class

Marie Kesslasy is the creative director of the Parisian jewellery house Gripoix.  Just for your information, it's all glass (pâte de verre)--albeit glass with class. The designs are very 1930s and 1970s, no?

The Alternative Emerald: Malachite

Emeralds are super expensive. When I lived in Barbados I used to go to the Colombian Emeralds store on Broad Street to sigh dramatically over the emerald jewellery. I am not likely to own a significant piece of emerald jewellery soon but I love the shimmery and dense green colours of this precious gemstone when it is set against my skin. On my trip to Southern Africa in April I decided that I could let go of my emerald dreams and live some malachite reality instead. I bought six malachite bangles at Green Market Square in Cape Town. Malachite is a semi-precious gemstone very similar in colour to emeralds and I am sure most of you have seen it incorporated into design.

 

 

Image from Simplified Bee

 

You'll run out to get some malachite when you hear that it brings wealth, peace, prosperity and abundance, healing, serenity and calm.

 

 

 

1stDibs

 

Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

 

Malachite is a Russian favourite. The country has huge deposits of the stuff.

 

 

 

I don't feel the colour is soothing when incorporated in interior décor. I think it's lively and vibrant and I could see how faux treatments like digitally printed malachite slabs are now the rage in Italian productions.  Malachite is also toxic when wet so better go far the digitally printed clay slabs in your bathroom. I also love the wallpaper prints too.

Until Next Time Southern Africa

I am blogging from South Africa this morning. I spent two full weeks between Cape Town and Harare. I had a lovely exchange. Harare doesn't really have a big marketplace for souvenirs. There is  a small little flea market where I got some lovely carved ebony salad bowls and you could find great marble carvings there too. There is scope for the market to grow in Harare. So, today, on my last day here, I will spend the day in Green Market Square in Cape Town and I may go over to the V&A Waterfront. I hope to find some necklaces and a little doll for my daughter. I am not a museum person. I love architecture and historical landmarks. I wanted to take the ferry over to Robben Island. But I am genuinely worried that I will become a big emotional puddle when I see the cells that held Mr. Mandela and the others. So I am thinking maybe I save Robben Island for when I have company/moral support.

Until next time, Happy Independence Day, Zimbabwe.