A-List inspired engagements

Throughout 2012, we saw a whole host of celebrity engagements including that of, Drew Barrymore, Angelina Jolie, Kelly Clarkson and Keira Knightley. From the traditional to the contemporary, celebrity engagement rings have traveled the diamond spectrum and we have loved every second of it! It is safe to say that in the lead up to Valentine’s Day we are almost certain to see some proposals and what better way to assist you in finding your perfect engagement ring than with a little A-list inspiration?

Keira Knightley stepped out in May 2012, proudly boasting her traditional diamond solitaire ring. This classic style of engagement ring is truly timeless and is sure to sit perfectly up against the wedding ring of your choice. This 18ct white gold third carat diamond ring is ideal if you’re looking for something with a little elegance, as well as an eye-catching diamond. 

Next we have ‘Brangelina’ where Brad Pitt finally presented Angelina Jolie with the long awaited engagement ring and he certainly did not let her down! The emerald cut sparkler is sure to stop people in their tracks, with a large centre stone surrounded by sparkling diamonds in the shoulders. This ring is sure to make a statement and, as I have said many times before, I do love a statement piece of jewellery!

With statement in mind, it is essential to look at the elegant designs of Mr Neil Lane. Neil Lane is one of Hollywood’s most prestigious jewellery designers, with a celebrity following that even Angelina herself would be jealous of! With vintage inspiration cemented firmly within these luxury designs, they are also unique and often display beautiful twists and decorated shoulders. 

If you’re looking for an Angelina-inspired engagement (or you would just like to imagine Brad Pitt giving your the ring), Neil Lane is certainly one to watch, as these rings are sure to make you feel every bit the glamorous LA starlet. 

One of the newest recruits to join the engaged celebrity group is Kelly Clarkson. Her fiancé opted for the increasingly popular trend of the coloured diamond. Her canary yellow diamond engagement ring is certainly a showstopper, with an emerald cut centre stone complete with a halo of white diamonds and diamond set shoulders. 

I have been completely won over by this contemporary trend of coloured diamonds, which came as a shock even to myself as I am quite particular when it comes to jewellery matching outfits. However, If like me, you’re a fan of the yellow diamond, then this radiant lemon diamond ring is perfect for adding a dazzling and contemporary edge to your engagement.

So as we look back on some of last years most extravagant celebrity engagement rings, it almost seems obscene not to credit the long awaited engagement ring that Mr Big presented Carrie with in Sex and the City. After the eventful and dramatic receiving of her engagement ring from Aiden, we all watched in anticipation as we waited for the Big reveal of the ring. 

Although, as every Sex and the City’ girl will know, all Carrie really wanted was a huge wardrobe, the next best thing was of course, a black diamond ring. If you’re thinking of heading towards the dark side to mark your engagement, a black diamond is perfect for monochrome chic. This white and treated black diamond ring is utterly striking, with a teardrop centrepiece stone finished with a white diamond halo.

So if this Valentine’s Day you are hoping to receive the ring of your dreams, from of course, the man of your dreams, make sure you choose your own personal diamond style. From traditional to contemporary, find your perfect engagement ring at Ernest Jones. 

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Fashionably late?

With the excitement of New Year officially over, it is the time of year where we can look ahead to next season’s key fashion and jewellery trends. Okay, so there may still be snow on the ground and a weather forecast that will frighten even our warmest of coats, but dreaming of the Spring/Summer’13 paradise is definitely warming us up. 

Hilary Alexander, fashion correspondent from The Daily Telegraph, recently wrote an article for International Jewellery London highlighting the upcoming jewellery trends that graced the catwalks in Fashion Weeks across the world last Autumn. Hilary sighted jewelled brooches, Liz Taylor inspired necklaces and “pearls the size of marbles” used to accessorise the staple S/S’13 designs. With these beautiful designs ready to be worn and loved this S/S’13, it is clear statement is extremely important and certainly something worth adding to your jewellery box in the forthcoming seasons. 

It is no secret that I am obsessed with statement jewellery; from collars to cuffs, there is always room to accessorise my outfits with a uniquely bold and exciting piece of jewellery. One of my must-have pieces that I refuse to leave the house without is my watch - not just any watch - a bold, eye-catching and of course statement watch.

In the past few years we have seen the rise of women sporting androgynous clothing, from loose fitted shirts to tailored trousers and blazers. This trend has opened up women’s wardrobes not only to a whole new structure of clothing, but has also given birth to the statement fashion watch. 

From DKNY to Michael Kors, we have seen a surge in chunky, masculine watches worn by women, not only as a timepiece, but as a striking fashion must-have. 

This DKNY ladies watch is the perfect example of masculine chic. With a sleek stainless steel bracelet, diamante encrusted bezel and a clean black face, this watch is ideal for adding a touch of glamorous functionality to your look. This watch is sure to look equally as impressive with a casual daytime outfit as it would with a sophisticated evening ensemble. Enhance the bezel with a pair of your favourite diamond earrings for ultimate night-time styling. 

As a self-confessed gold addict, Michael Kors has long been one of the favourite men in my life, with his desirable range of gold-plated watches. With the popularity of rose gold soaring over the last year, this rose gold plated watch from Michael Kors is a fresh alternative to the classic gold statement watch would be a welcome addition to my jewellery box. The Spring/Summer trends for 2013 are set to bring the ever popular pastel palette back to our high streets, making the perfectly pink tones of rose gold the perfect accompaniment to this delicate and feminine trend. 

Monochrome is also set to be one of the feature trends for S/S’13 trends which I blogged about here, so if you’re looking for a contemporary take on the statement watch, why not opt for this Emporio Armani white ceramic watch? This fresh white bracelet combined with the subtleness of the mother of pearl face is a great and simple way to tie the monochrome flair into your wardrobe. 

If you’re looking for more of an alternative to the statement watch, then unleash your wild side with this Gc rose gold-plated, snakeskin strap watch. The perfect way to add eye-catching glamour to any look.  

Not forgetting the men themselves, of course, this Emporio Armani black ion-plated watch exhibits contemporary sophistication. This watch is sure to keep up with the monochrome trend as well as adding an edgy styling to both a daytime and evening look. 

Snap up some of these Fashion watches in our up to half price sale. But hurry, ends Tuesday! 

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Gatsby Glamour

With over three months to go, the hype around the latest up-and-coming film adaptation of The Great Gatsby is already buzzing. Based on the 1920s novel by American author and Hollywood scriptwriter F.Scott Fitzgerald, the plot details a complex tale of love in post-war New York. Directed by Baz Luhrman, best known for his memorable adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the cast includes Leonardo Di Caprio (also starring in Luhrman’s Romeo + Juliet as the love-lorn Romeo), Tobey Maguire (AKA. Spiderman) and Carey Mulligan, an emerging british actress who first claimed recognition alongside Keira Knightley in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.  

Whilst we love a good costume drama - even more so when it features Leo suited up to the nines – it’s The Great Gatsby fashion that’s really been brewing a storm in the media. From Glamour magazine to Vogue, the twenties style has been sighted as a must-have look for Spring/Summer ’13.

Carey Mulligan, who plays Gatsby’s love-interest Daisy Buchanan in the film, dons the iconic “flapper” look of the twenties, teaming short-bobbed hair and straight dresses with dazzling jewels and strings of beads. Inspired by the ornamental extravagance of the French Art Deco style, jewellery became ever bigger, ever bolder and ever more colourful during the twenties. This showstopping Le Vian 14ct white gold diamond and sapphire ring is the perfect piece for boasting a dash of Daisy’s enviable allure, and if you’re looking for an all-rounder, the divine blue of the sapphire is the perfect accompaniment to a faithful Little Black Dress.

To achieve ultimate flapper girl glamour, it needs to be big, it needs to be intricate and, most importantly, it needs to sparkle. This Swarovski Primetime necklace ticks all the boxes, offering an extravagant yet elegant piece great for evening dress and partywear. 

For just a subtle touch of Gatsby chic, these 9ct white gold peridot and diamond earrings are ideal. Combined with a vintage tear drop shape and glittering diamond halo, the peridot gem creates a delicious vintage style teamed with the essence of the vivid Art Deco colour palette.

If you aren’t one for colour and show, opting for a classic string of pearls is the perfect way to recreate the simply timeless style of twenties fashion guru Coco Chanel. This 9ct white gold cultured fresh water pearl and diamond necklace does vintage sophistication, with an added touch of diamond sparkle to subtly reflect that glamorous flapper girl edge.

Whether you want to go all out and nail the Gatsby flapper style from head-to-toe, or merely add a subtle touch of vintage to your look, twenties-inspired jewellery is a staple for your SS’13 collection available at Ernest Jones.

The Great Gatsby is released in cinemas in May 2013. However if, like us, you can’t wait until then, check out the trailer for a sneak preview...

Sale style

So the 4th of January has arrived and it seems as though the over-indulging in delicious food and excitedly opening our Christmas presents is now just a distant memory. For the majority of us, this week has meant only one thing; back to work. So now we’ve all been catapulted back into reality with often a bumpy landing, its easy to recognise where January gets its negative perception from. I’ve often heard this described as the January blues and, with the inevitable diet stress and those dreaded 5/6 week paydays, it’s easy to see why.

I’m trying to head up my own 2013 health kick, which has so far consisted of Chinese food and the prospect of cocktails for the weekend, which clearly shows it’s going well, right? Ok, no, denial is a word that springs to mind. But anyway enough of that…

I am ready to put a positive spin on 2013, with a brand new year to look forward to full of fun and exciting plans. Also, if like me you  think of yourself as a  a bit of a summer goddess, then the countdown to summer can officially begin! Hoorah!

There’s one teeny, tiny, rather insignificant factor as well that, for me, makes January that little bit less depressing and that is my birthday! So besides being another year older it also brings about an excuse to over-indulge in food and drink again - and let’s not forget the presents.

However, there is one thing I hate about my birthday, and that is the dreaded question of ‘what do you want?’ It’s so hard choosing presents so soon after Christmas. However, this year, with sales now being in full swing, I thought it the perfect opportunity to pick some of my favourite pieces from our up to half price sale. So family and friends, if you’re reading keep up as this is one huge and quite frankly helpful hint!

One of the first things that caught my eye was this Ted Baker acrylic bow cuff. As I’ve said many times before, I’m a sucker for statement jewellery and love anything that is sure to stand out. I think this would accompany a sophisticated evening outfit perfectly. I’m a huge fan of the lady-like fashions we have seen in stores in the recent months, including the knee length pencil skirts. Teamed with a plain high necked crop top, the gold detailing and the bow design is sure to add that extra splash of glamour and feminine chic.

As stated in my last blog post, monochrome is set to be a big hit in the fashion world for Spring/Summer, so why should your timepieces be any different? I’ve had my eye on these contemporary ceramic watches for a while now, and this DKNY white adaptation seems to tick all the boxes. The gold detailing really gives this minimal design an extra edge, and transforms it into a respected high fashion piece of wrist wear. I mean, would we expect any less form Donna Karen herself?

My next pick has to come from Le Vian®. I’m a self-confessed chocolate lover and when it comes to diamonds there is certainly no change. Therefore my ultimate birthday dream would be this Le Vian® 14ct white gold and Chocolate Diamond® ring. The elegant square cluster is absolutely show stopping, and is sure to turn heads. Personally, I’d never take this ring off, however, I think combined with evening wear, whether it be for a night on the town or a sophisticated dining, is sure to add that extra touch of Hollywood, glitterati elegance.

So whether, you’re looking to pull yourself out of the January blues or you have or are buying for a January birthday, be sure to take a look at the Ernest Jones up to half price sale. 

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