Totally nuts

........ is my life at the moment.

I have no time for anything.

I don't know my arse from my elbow.

Christmas orders have gone CERAZY, I don't know if I can keep up.

Mr C&B leaves for a 2 week trip to Afghanistan on Sunday (gulp).

I have no time for my blog (sob) and I so desperately wanted to tell you how incredibly shit (with a capital S) the Designer Baby Show was.

I will return once I get on top of this heap of orders.

Missing you already ♥

Red.........

....... is not just my favourite colour!

This months Red magazine is pretty hard to beat.

Not only is there a great Chambers & Beau product placement (buy yours here) in the Christmas gift guide, the lovely Jools Oliver is the cover girl. Looking amazing just weeks after baby number 3 and sounding her usual down to earth self in the interview. I have a slightly heightened interest in her as I am currently making up a necklace for her. She chose the Billy Classic with an extra sequin with the names of her girls, Poppy, Daisyboo and Petal (sooo cute)stamped on it.

I am hoping that she will totally love it and share the C&B name with all her fellow yummy mummy friends and celebrity chums.

Red's icing on the cake is an interview with Stephen Swoon Moyer of True Blood. Am I too old to stick this picture on my studio wall?

I have also been featured in the Nov/Dec issue of You and Your Wedding. A hot 50 perfect gift list feature and the Molly Classic necklace comes in at number 5 - Woohoo!

I am hoping that these little bits of press editorial are going to kick start my Christmas rush. It is slowly starting to build up mostly due to my presence in the Not On The High Street catalogue. Slightly bored with making shirt collar stiffeners already, if only they had featured one of the necklaces (sigh).

The cufflinks have been a big hit in their first week with the editors of both GQ (very cool chap apparently) and Square Mile magazine requesting pairs with their own personalisation.

Finally, I will be exhibiting for the first time next Sunday at The Designer Baby Show. I am currently totally unprepared but will hopefully pull it all together just in time. Come along if you can for 10% discount off everything in the range and to enter a FREE prize draw. I just need to work out what the prize should be - any suggestions?

So, that's all folks. Wish me luck and hope to see you there x

BOO

Mr C&B grew up in the States. He was slightly disappointed by the trick or treating. It is fair to say that Ashburton didn't really embrace Halloween. But, the little poppets dressed up (any opportunity) and we knocked on a few doors.

Sam held out a fake poo and said 'trick or treat' in the smallest scared voice possible. He told everyone he was Draclia and they came home with a little stash of goodies.

I took our pumpkin out the window when our treat supplies were getting low, snuggled up on the sofa and finished them off myself.

A thoroughly enjoyable affair!

Could only have been better if Bill (of True Blood) could have joined me - SWOON♥

♥ on your sleeve

I have finally pulled my finger out and gotten round to adding cufflinks to my collection. Really it was an obvious thing to add, the perfect gift for any special men in ones life, but they involve soldering and I was being a little lazy. No matter, they are here now and are available to purchase immediatement.

You might notice that I also now have a new size of font just to mix it up a little. The possibilities are endless as you can see just from the few featured below.

I also have new motif stamps and combinations of new charms for Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. But I will save those for another post.

Hope you like x

Dear Readers,

I feel an apology is in order. I am terribly sorry to have been so neglectful of late. Just so many other things to do! I suddenly realised too how annoying for all of you who keep dropping by (humour me please) to be faced with that big fat arse each time (see previous post)!

So, here I am, back for now although hopefully things are going to be busy for the next few weeks so my posts might be a tad sporadic!

One of the things that has been keeping me busy is online Christmas shopping. Figured I should start early in case things get too hectic. Unsurprisingly I have managed to come across a few things for myself.

I love these carved wood angel wings - perfect for my bedroom wall

(I so hope Mr C&B reads this post - I couldn't make it an easier for him right?).

Anything from the talent that is my sister and brother in law will always make me very happy indeed.

And, finally, what I am aching to get is a painting from my lovely friend Lu, aka Sarah Bowman, aka The artist of Ashburton!

Her work is wonderful. I have worked out exactly what I would like in my still life, colours and all and I know exactly where it will hang in the house.

I realise that this is way too much to expect for Christmas but if I manage to sell enough of my jewellery then I am going to treat myself . So please feel free to help my cause and get shopping my lovelies ♥

In other news - I have been contemplating a fringe and then I saw this gorgeous image and my mind was made up.

I was going to post a photo of me with my new look but the similarity was just so uncanny that I didn't bother! (NOT).

Enjoy the rest of your weeks x♥x

Today...

....is day five of my refined sugar ban.

It was getting really silly.

I mean eating cooking chocolate chocolate chips in desperation silly.

I decided that if I tried to sort out this crazy chocolate/cake/biscuit addiction and get off my fat arse and do some exercise, there is a (faint) possibility that I could look like this....

Via Daisy Chain - image by Rosie Hardy

Otherwise I fear I might end up looking like this....

Via my fashionable girly crush

Happy Weekend ♥

What are the chances?

A conversation I had today with a man trying to order a necklace.........

Tom - I cannot pay by paypal as it is my wife's account and I want it to be a surprise.

Me - No problem. If there is no rush you could send a cheque?

Tom - I don't have a cheque book.

Me - Actually, I just noticed your phone number is local. Are you in Newton Abbot?

Tom - Yes.

Me - Well I am only in Ashburton!

Tom - Really (surprised). Great, so I could come and collect it and pay you then?

Me - Perfect!

Tom - My wife has a friend who has one of your necklaces.

Me - I wonder if I might know her.

Tom - Maybe, her name is Charlotte Smith.

Me - And, who are you?

Tom - Tom Smith

Me - Did you go to school locally?

Tom - Yes

Me - I think I went to school with you.

Tom - Who are you?

Me - Amy Elson.

Tom - OMG!

Me - I was going to say, didn't I snog you when we were at school?

Both - Lots of (slightly embarrassed) laughter.

He is coming to collect it later this week. Will start working on the outfit now, must look my best!

Small world huh?

Names have been changed. Wouldn't want to upset the misses!

This week

MONDAY - bumped into The Hon Kirstie Allsopp in my home town and had a little chat with her. Celebrity spotting in Ashburton is pretty much unheard of so there was much excitement. She later tweeted that she was looking at the C&B website and thought it all looked totally gorgeous - Woo hoo!

TUESDAY - received copies of Wedding ideas and I'm pregnant magazines - small features but any press is better than nothing. Getting lots of interest from brides to be at the moment which is exciting - a whole new avenue that I have not explored yet.

WEDNESDAY - made sloe gin with my lovely girl friends. Was great fun but am thinking that the pre Christmas tasting night will be even better.

THURSDAY - had some stock called in to amazingly gorgeous boutique Anna's . 6 stores across London - will be thrilled if they place an order - fingers crossed.

FRIDAY - Stressing. The Not on the High Street Christmas catalogue comes out in a few days. Over 400,000 copies get sent out. My shirt collar stiffeners are being featured and I have 100 pairs in stock. Thinking that out of 400,000 people maybe more than 100 of them will be buying a pair (or not). OMG - is that enough? If not, how many to order? Remember I have never done this before!

SATURDAY/SUNDAY - .... and relax

I L♥VE Christmas. this year I feel more excited than ever. My first Christmas in business - I wonder how it will go. As well as all the press I have organised I have also signed up to exhibit at The Designer Baby Show in November. Need to get my head round stand design now as well as everything else. So much to think about and am completely behind with my orders but Xfactor is calling.

No one will mind waiting one more day will they?

Happily Ever After

Yesterday Gillian got married to Travis. She bought him a Chambers & Beau keyring as a wedding gift and also bought a necklace to wear on the big day. It was personalised with their names and the wedding date. I think she hopes to add more charms in the future when they start a family.
I hope they had a wonderfully special day. They were kind enough to ask the official photographer to send this image.

Shame we don't get to see the rest of the outfit but I am sure she looked amazing.
Don't I just get the sweetest customers?

Molly Mooooooo

Check out my little poppet rocking her new leg warmers. Am thinking this is going to be the look for her second winter.

Am I scarring her for life?

Do you reckon she will ever forgive me?

Missing Mojo

It just disappeared out the front door this time last week. I am completely lacking in motivation, inspiration and I certainly have nothing of interest to write about on this here blog.

I'm hoping it will return again shortly but if anyone comes across it in the meantime I am willing to sort out some kind of reward.

I will be back soon - sorry peeps, I'm just not feeling it.

Image via this is glamorous. Hmmm, unfortunately this is not my front door. Would die for a hallway like this!

Heirloom Indeed

A sweet story sent to me by a sweet friend......

Went in to give L a kiss goodnight and she starts fiddling with my C&B necklace in an attempt to put off going to sleep.

L: "Mummy, can I look at your necklace?"
Me: "No sweetie, it's time for bed."
L: "Will you wear it tomorrow?"
Me: "Probably, as it's my favourite."
L: "Will you wear it every day until you die?"
Me: "Probably."
L: "Will you wear it after you die?"
Me: "Well you or D may want to have it when I die."
L cheers : "Yay!"

So now I know, she loves your necklace more than me.

Pregnancy & Birth

I picked up the latest issue of Pregnancy & Birth today (not just by chance I must add) and there was my new ID bracelet slap bang in the middle of the P&B Hotlist.
Looks cute no?

Support...

...... SOS Children through the purchase of one of my new Chambers & Beau ID bracelets. Through your support they will be able to give more orphaned and abandoned children a home, an education and a family for life.
Chambers & Beau, partnering with SOS Children's Villages - the worlds largest orphan charity.
Help me give something back by buying a gorgeous personalised bracelet here, here or even here.
xxx

9/11

Last night I watched 'The phone calls from the twin towers' doco. I knew it would leave me blubbing but I couldn't not watch it. It left a really strong message with me to cherish every moment - life is so precious and you never know when it may end.

It got me trying to remember the quote/poem 'Love like you have never been hurt, dance like no-one is watching......... Does anyone know the full original version?

At the end of the program I vowed to myself to try and live like every day might be the last. To appreciate everything and everyone more (I am seriously lucky to have such amazing friends and family around me).

This (I realise by about 7am) is going to be really hard. Sam was shouting at me in one ear and Molly was doing a wee on the floor in the corner whilst I was trying to tweet (getting my priorities right straight away). I swiftly forgot all appreciation.

The only way I am going to remember is to have it tattooed on my forehead unless of course you have any better ideas...................... x

(image via this is glamorous)

I surprise myself!

Finally, Molly has stopped crying. Even if I leave the room for more than 10 seconds, she still doesn't cry. Sam is being very polite and really quite lovely, thanks to the Ben 10 sticker chart we have been working on over the last couple of weeks.

I feel like a peace, of sorts, has descended on the C&B household and I feel sad that tomorrow Sam starts school again (omg, did I really just write that)?

Amazing right? I can hardly believe it myself. So, maybe my kids are rather nice little poppets after all. This means that perhaps I am doing a better job than I thought a few weeks back (see A Mother's Rant).

Earth mother? Maybe not.

Nice mummy who isn't shouting so much? You betcha!

x

Didn't we have a lovely time...

.... the day we went to London town. (Well actually the day we went to London was really quite shit. Someone selfishly decided to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge onto the motorway so we got stuck for hours). I digress, we stayed with beautiful friends for the long bank holiday weekend and they made it totally worth the miserable journey!

I want that one!

I used to spend hours pouring over jewellery and fashion magazines and websites looking for inspiration for the next collection to be designed. Now, with most of my energies going into my lovely new project (chambers & beau) I don't get much chance for such indulgence.

Unless I have a particular design brief for a client I rarely bother which is a shame as I love working on inspiration mood boards....

.... particluarly when I come across something I really like.

This YSL cuff is another addition to my ever increasing wish list. I totally LOVE it. Maybe its the simplicity or maybe its the branding - I mean I wouldn't be quite so desperate for it if the address was engraved to Primani!

Another YSL cuff.

Mock croc on jewellery always works for me.

And these Hermes (I think) leather bracelets are just fabulous.

I will have one of each please, thank you very much.

Have a feeling I will be wanting for a rather long time.

:(

Keep on coming

with the birthday treats. How long can I milk this for?

Lovely cupcake card from Laura - you know me so well with the red and white polka dots x

Gorgeous beach hut picture made by my very clever big sister x

Notice all the cake and chocolate - birthday treat to myself - slendertone belt!

Happy birthday to me :)

I'm gunna be....

35 tomorrow - Gaahhhhh.

My lovely friends gave me a gorgeous birthday brunch this morning.

I am a very lucky girl!

(excuse terrible photos taken with iphone)

I LOVE celebrities

Omg, my NBF gets everywhere doesn't she? Nothing like celebrity endorsement for a bit of press - The Daily Mail (online) no less.

Get me!Will try not to post about her again else she might think I am turning into a stalker. Because obviously she reads my blog everyday.

x

A mother's rant

Unfortunately I am the type of person who worries when they realise that they are not worried about anything. Currently my main worry is that I do not have enough time to do all the things I should/want/need to be doing. The list seems sendless - blogging (not just the writing but looking at others and commenting), working (building my own business and designing for others), tweeting (why did I think it would be fun to get so addicted to another activity), housework (which always comes last) and of course the kids.

I feel so frustrated that I do not have time to do all of the above that it is probably having a negative effect on the little critters - omg, something else to worry about!

Sam (5) is behaving like a moody teenager although unfortunately not one who stays in bed late in the morning and Molly (20 months) just follows me around the house crying ALL THE TIME. She is so cross and I don't know why. I should have realised this when she was much younger...

These feelings will soon pass I am sure and things will quickly look brighter again. I just want to know how everyone else seems to be able to juggle so much stuff (so well) and seem so calm with such happy families.

Are you feeling my pain?

Is 6pm too early to open the red wine?

How long is it ok to not clean your bathroom for?

You get the picture x

Weekend wishing

Loving these Pierre Hardy boots for Gap. But which ones to choose? They come in navy too - hmmmmmm. Available mid September from Gap stores.

Thinking that I might have to get a slendertone belt. Have been following Bea of Dulwich mum on twitter - omg she makes me laugh so much. Her tweets about her exercise regime - popping on the belt and pouring herself a G&T seriously make me chuckle. The thought of creating a six pack whilst making a few necklaces each day seems like heaven to me.

Lazy - moi?

And finally my dream car of the moment. Way too cute. I'll have it in baby blue with the soft top and maybe a stripe down the middle. Not very practical maybe but I can handle travelling light if it's in one of these. Anyway once the slendertone starts working we will all be able to squeeze in easy!

Name the cat

Somehow this week we went out for a little stroll and ended up coming home with a new cat. The picture above is not of said cat as she will not come out of hiding from under the bed but she looks pretty much like this. Really, really pretty, dark grey and green eyes. She is lame so doesn't walk too well and she is very scared (guessing she must have had a tough time before she arrived chez C&B). We are struggling to come up with a name for her so if anyone has any good suggestions.........................

P.S - apologies for lack of posts and comments. Kids school holidays really mucks up the schedule huh!

Birthday Treat

Mr C&B took me away for an early birthday treat on the weekend. It was totally and utterly super amazingly lush! He surprised me with a lovely stay in the Veuve Clicquot room at Hotel Du Vin in Bristol. We ate beautiful food all weekend and drank champagne in our double baths. He took me for a mega shopping trip, I was soooo spoilt. We felt like we did before Sam and Moo came along and I think we fell in love a little bit more.

I will not be complaining about him for ages after this divine weekend. I feel so relaxed, rejuvenated and happy. He will certainly be in my good books for oooh two weeks at least I reckon.

'For god sake, can you put that bloody bin out - how many times do I have to ask?'

Well, a good few hours anyway!

x