I first discovered the gorgeous jewellery brand Cabinet Jewellery, founded by Gemma Critchley who spent her childhood growing up in the Cayman Islands, at the beautiful Mercantile boutique in the Grand Cayman Marriott Hotel. As a huge lover of the Caribbean, I was captured by the spirit of wanderlust encapsulated by the Cabinet pieces, as well as the nod to island life and the tropics.
Based in Devon, Cabinet produces its gold and silversmith work in the UK, ensuring quality craftsmanship and execution of their designs with some seriously tropical roots. With Gemma’s father working in marine biology, focusing on sea turtles, she has inherited his love for the ocean and natural island habitats.
With a range of necklaces, bracelets rings and earrings in sterling silver, 9ct gold plated and 9ct solid plate with prices starting at GBP45 for a simple pearl necklace to GBP375 for a solid gold palm pendant, the collection is so beautifully curated it is hard to pick any favourites. And what I also love about the brand is the fact they are not trend-led, but embrace the idea of ‘slow fashion’ which is increasingly more in vogue as sustainability becomes more important in our daily choices. They design pieces of jewellery with stories to tell, and want the wearer to create their own unique collections that mean something to them and reflect their own style, with the emphasis on layering.
Inspired by dreamy tropical seascapes and a love for uncomplicated mindful design, during a year in lockdown with no escape to a sun-kissed island, I have very much enjoyed looking at the collection and dreamy photo shoots, trying to pick what pieces I would purchase to bring me a taste of the tropics during the cold and grey London winter. Finally, settling on the Dream Coin Pendant, which makes me think of sitting on a tropical beach under the the moon and stars and looking at the shimmering ocean; and also the Royal Palms pendant, which was inspired by an 18th century lithograph Gemma discovered in a flea market (both pictured below).
I would encourage everyone to find your own personal ways to incorporate some sunshine and tropical vibes as we continue to navigate what living in a post-pandemic world means and until we can reunite with our dreams on faraway shores. As Gemma says “The choices we make tell a never-ending tale about our personalities that continue to unfold with every new day.“
In the meantime, while a tropical break may be a few months away, I think I will indulge in a little more escapism – am seriously in love with these Eden Earrings based on the beautiful shape of the Monstera deliciosa, one of my favourite tropical plants and which symbolises happiness and big dreams in feng shui. Bring on the sunshine!
With love Sangeeta x
Picture credits (except for pic 5) : Photographer Chloe Upton
Nestled away in a secluded square, just a few minutes walk from Liverpool Street station in London, is the fabulous Devonshire Club. I was delighted to visit the club on a site visit, as part of my job as BD Manager for a city law firm scouting for events and corporate hospitality venues, when it opened in 2016 and fell in love with it immediately. The club quickly became my go to to place for client meetings, as well as socialising with friends.
Shortly after turning 40 years old, I had created a wish (or bucket) list and one of the items on that list was to join a private members club. I had got to know several clubs as a guest of members, but hadn’t found one that completely resonated with me, or was convenient in location to my job, until the Devonshire Club opened.
Over the last few years, private members clubs are no longer seen as the sole domain of gentleman of a certain standing, although those clubs still exist particularly around St James. There is an ever increasing offering of clubs available throughout London catering to a variety of tastes and professions.
City life can be very demanding, so having a sanctuary to escape to during the day or on the way home is very appealing. In a way it becomes your home from home and from the moment I walk into the uber stylish reception at the club there is always a warm welcome, and in the spirit of a good members club, the staff in the bars and restaurant quickly get to know you by name, and what your favourite drink is. The club has also been a great place to network and make new friends.
For me, the Devonshire Club has the flair and feel of a high-end Mayfair club, but with the convenience of being in the square mile. Spread over 5 floors in a converted East India Company warehouse, it really is an oasis of peace and comfort. The interiors were designed by March and White and have a definite retro nod, but still oozing glamour and there is a real attention to detail in the choice of soft furnishings which give it a feminine charm and indeed the club has many female members which was another compelling reason for me to be a member there.
I also like the choice of distinct spaces for entertaining, working and relaxing. The club boasts three bars (the Champagne bar on the ground floor is my first choice for after work drinks and bar food, while the divine Library bar upstairs is perfect for meetings), two lounges, fabulous Restaurant Number, 5 which serves seasonal modern British cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Adam Gray (formerly of Skylon and Rhodes 24 restaurants), and a gorgeous garden for al fresco drinks and dining.
And to top it all, the club also has a fantastic gym run by Truth Gym, with some of the most stylish changing rooms have ever been to and which have been very handy when getting ready for events after work even when not using the gym, included in the price of membership, which considering the cost of other gyms in the city, makes the membership package really cost effective.
Other members’ benefits include reciprocal clubs across the world and a carefully curated events calendar throughout the year. My top members events were a special Havana club dinner which I was invited to and attending Ant Middleton’s (of SAS : Who Dares Wins TV fame) outstanding and inspiring talk.
Finally, Devonshire Club also offers 68 guest bedrooms which are stylish yet comfortable. I have not yet had the pleasure to stay there, and since I live in London, could be seen as a bit of an overindulgence on my part, but there have been several late nights in the city when I was tempted to try and was good to have this option.
As mentioned above, I think the choice of a private members club is a very subjective one. I have visited most of the clubs in the city and although there are elements of each that are captivating, for me the Devonshire Club fits my own personal style and needs the best.
Looking forward to seeing how the club continues to grow and flourish for many years to come.
Visit the club’s website for more information on how to become a member.
Later this month (22nd – 31st March 2018), the fabulous 508 Kings Road Art Gallery in Chelsea London presents an exclusive exhibition of the work of Darren Baker, one of the UK’s most collectable artists. In 2011 Darren was commissioned to paint HM The Queen, the painting was unveiled by Princess Anne at Westminster Abbey and since then his reputation has continued to grow and he has painted Prime Ministers as well as numerous members of the sporting elite including; Lewis Hamilton, Steven Gerrard and Amir Khan.
The new collection is a showcase of his critically acclaimed painting style and the work produced since his call to fame consisting figurative work, portraiture, still life, interiors, cityscapes and animal portraiture. He is acknowledged as one of the leading painters of the classical realism genre, his style displays the influences of both the Dutch Masters and the contemporary realist school. The authenticity of his figures causes a momentary confusion in the viewer as each nuance is conveyed with such accuracy and truth that we find ourselves questioning whether we are looking at a beautiful photograph or an extraordinary painting.
Darren is exceedingly talented but remains modest and incredibly down to earth. He is a real talent in the art world and I can only imagine that his work will increase in significant value as the years go by.For more information check out 508 Kings Road or Darren Baker.
As some of you know, I co-founded a luxury bridal accessory company many years ago and spent many happy years surrounded by the glow of wedding preparations, lacy gowns and sparkling accessories, so its always a real pleasure when I receive press releases about new bridal collections such as Berta’s Seville Collection. I have featured the incredibly talented Israeli designer Berta Balilti on the blog before as I love her truly artistic approach to bridal fashion.
Her collections are considered among the most praised and anticipated in the world, boasting luxurious fabrics and unique detailing and textures for her dresses. And as someone who is passionate about PR & Marketing, have always been in awe of her ad campaigns. The Seville collection shot in the tantalisingly beautiful Spanish city of the same name is absolutely breathtaking so I just had to share some images with you. And as London comes out of one of the most bitter winters we have had for many years, I for one needed desperately to see some pictures of romance, magic and a hint of the summer to come. Let me introduce you to Berta’s new 2018 Seville collection celebrating the design and craftsmanship capabilities to their max. If I were a bride to be, I would be utterly spoilt for choice! What an absolutely gorgeous collection. Check out the website to find out more about the brand.
I am delighted to feature the stunning Diamond Dust Collection: an incredible collaboration between esteemed contemporary artist Simon Claridge and legendary English photographer Terry O’Neill whose work features at the National Portrait Gallery in London and is considered one of the great British photographers of our time. He gained renown documenting the fashions, styles, and celebrities of the 1960s, and for over six decades he has photographed the frontline of fame, from the greats of screen and stage, to presidents, prime ministers and rock stars.
I first came across Simon Claridge’s work in 2008 when the art gallery near my offices in Canary Wharf invited me to attend a preview of his debut collection and was wowed by his work. My favourite piece was ‘For your eyes only’ a limited edition print, which was so seductive, powerful and simply stunning. It was also first piece of art I had ever bought.
Over the years, Simon and I have remained friends and I have watched as his work has become even more impressive, featuring well known iconic figures and his now signature use of diamond dust in his paintings. I also love the story of how after graduating with a degree in fine art, Simon began working at an art gallery in Windsor but each night he painted, consumed by the dream of one day having his own work hanging on the walls. One morning, he decided to replace the window display with his own pieces. By lunchtime, he’d sold all of them and never had to work in the gallery again.
In this latest collection, Simon has taken iconic images from Terry’s hallowed archives and applied his signature diamond dust style which he has applied thoughtfully, to retain the essence of the original exposures and showcase the style of both artists.
I was delighted to catch up with Simon at the launch of the new collection at the gorgeous Castle Gallery in South Molton Street in London over the summer.
My favourite piece in the collection is the one featuring Frank Sinatra on the Boardwalk in Miami, taken in 1968, on the first day of filming ‘The Lady in Cement’, as Frank was walking from his hotel to the film set. Terry has commented that “This was the first time I ever saw Frank and I was astonished by the mere power of his presence, mesmerizing the crowd as he walked casually past.” The story of how the picture was taken is even more intriguing. Terry had been given a letter from Ava Gardner who he had met in London, which he delivered to Frank. The letter ensured that Terry could take pictures of Frank without being pushed away by the bouncer entourage!
The collection also features icons such as Mohammed Ali, Raquel Welch and Brigitte Bardot.
I absolutely loved the Diamond Dust collection and can’t wait to see what exciting new work Simon has in store for us in the future!
With love
Sangeeta x
Note the pieces are available on paper and canvas : Framed Silkscreen on Paper with Diamond Dust | Edition of 150 (from £995) or Framed Silkscreen on Canvas with Diamond Dust (from £2,995) – contact Castle Galleries or Simon Claridge for more information.
I am thrilled to share with you the sensational NEW collection from avant-garde design house Berta Bridal. The S/S 2016 collection takes its inspiration from the 18th century in the aftermath of the French Revolution, and reflects a time when women started to feel more comfortable with wearing clothing to emphasize their figures.
Israeli designer Berta has a truly artistic approach to bridal fashion and her collections are considered among the most praised and anticipated in the world, boasting luxurious fabrics and unique detailing and textures for her dresses, which are also evident in the higher price tags, with gowns retailing on average around GBP 5,000.
The signature figure-hugging gowns are however incredibly lust-worthy and sure to create the requisite wow factor on a bride’s big day. There are so many gorgeous dresses in this new collection, I am not sure how you can pick just one though. Here are some of my top-picks:
In order to achieve a timeless regal look, Berta has combined many new elements in some of her creations, such as beaded boleros, tulle capes, beaded cathedral veils, and detachable dramatic tulle & lace trains.
For more information and a list of stockists visit the website – Berta Bridal. Happy browsing!
As we leave a particularly cold winter behind, Spring brings with it a renewal of spirit and eagerness to repair and restore our tired bodies before the summer. And especially for those getting married, now is the perfect time to start a special skin and haircare routine. If you have visited the Olivier Laudus boutique who will have seen we are housed within award-winning hair salon Jordan Burr in London’s West End, so I took the opportunity to ask co-founder Glen Burr on how to ensure you have perfect wedding-day hair.
Glen’s top hair tips:
Six months before your wedding day, start to get your hair trimmed regularly to encourage healthy growth.
Perhaps you want to change your hair colour or style – make sure you do this well before your wedding day so you still have time to change it if you don’t like it.
It is a good idea to have regular conditioning treatments in the three months leading up to your wedding; these can be done in-salon or at home. Hair can become dry and brittle over winter months so some tender loving care is essential!
Give your hair a break from your irons, blow-dryer and hair curlers in the 3 weeks leading up to the wedding so your hair can regain its natural healthy sheen.
And remember to nourish from within. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and maybe even take a specially formulated vitamin for hair, skin and nails.
Competition time…
The lovely folks at Jordan Burr have given us a 25ml bottle of Moroccanoil® Treatment as a prize. This amazing smelling oil can be used for conditioning and styling and gives tired hair a much-needed boost.
Simply follow me @SangeetaLaudus on Twitter and RT the competition message to enter.
Wave goodbye to winter and start to give your hair some tender loving care this Spring.
Lots of love
Sangeeta xx
Terms and Conditions
We will announce the winner on blog and Twitter.
Please email us (sangeeta@olivierlaudus.com) to claim your prize within 2 weeks.
The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
The competition is open to UK residents – if you live outside of the UK we will need to charge you postage.
The competition ends at midnight on 11 March 2015.
Every bride wants to look her best on her big day and there are heaps of fast weight loss diets and boot camps out there promising amazing results. However, losing weight should also be about getting healthy and I have always believed that is most successful if it is an enjoyable process, sustainable and done within a realistic time frame.
So I was thrilled to meet and chat with London based health and fitness expert Tuomas Isaho – founder of Clay and Lime and get his thoughts on how brides could best approach their fitness goals.
Tuomas challenges conventional and trendy training methods – his philosophy is “To train smart. To get fit, not broken.” He typically trains brides for 3 to 6 months preceding their wedding, but has found that many continue with the programme after their wedding. He has also trained a few brides and grooms together in the lead up to their big day – finding that by motivating each other they are able to achieve great results.
Tuomas’ top five tips:
1. Start moving, now. Walk 10 000 steps every day – it is the only smart and proven way to boost your metabolism – even if your date isn’t set yet. Pedometers are cheap to buy and a great way of measuring how you are doing.
2. Clean up your diet – unhealthy foods have somehow become a daily feature in our diets, and that isn’t how it should be. The bulk of your diet should be made of healthy, nutritious food. You can allow yourself two unhealthy items – not whole meals – a week.
3. Don’t diet. Conventional diets focus on quick weight loss, but they fail in one essential area – keeping the weight off – they are not about promoting health which should be the core goal. And therefore they are generally not sustainable.
4. Add resistance training into your weekly routine. Aim for 4 times a week, 25-30 min at a time. Focus on your posture to get the healthy, lean and strong look – choose exercises that work your upper and lower back, obliques (sides), bum and legs – with some rear shoulder and arm moves. I don’t believe that women should ever do press-ups and no one should ever do abdominal crunches.
5. Live by the above 4 rules – make it your lifestyle. It is how we humans were designed to live. You’ll be fit and healthy – and remember that the healthier and fitter you are, the happier you will be in the run up to your wedding day.
I was really impressed with the passion Tuomas has for what he does – he genuinely cares about helping his clients. And it is refreshing in an age where we are bombarded with the next ‘in’ way to lose weight to meet someone who is taking it back to basics – looking at what our bodies were designed to do – and with health at the heart of it.
We love seeing our accessories paired with beautiful dresses and so when the lovely folks at Ellis Bridals approached us to borrow some pieces for their 2014 Blossom Collection shoot we were only too happy to help! I am sure you will agree that this year’s collection was just breathtaking.
So here is the behind the scenes low-down just for you plus a hint of what’s to come in the new season.
WD: How was the shoot styled & where was it shot?
EB:We chose a beautifully grand building in the centre of London to shoot the Blossom Collection, its detailed walls and wonderful large windows served as the perfect frame to the designs. Being the Blossom Collection we filled the room with fresh flowers giving the shoot an almost dreamlike quality as they arced across the back wall and surrounded the model giving great depth to the imagery. Dotted around the room we also arranged a selection of handpicked antique furniture, which along with the opulent building also echoed the brands illustrious history.
WD: What was the inspiration for the Blossom Collection?
EB: A blossoming flower brings new life. It represents true feminine beauty and their transitory nature embodied the collection. The new designs and imagery were a real progression for us, and the blossom flower worked perfectly as a symbol of change.
WD: What can we expect next from Ellis Bridals next collection?
EB:The new dresses for 2015 are very varied, ranging from slinky 1920’s numbers to glamorous ball gowns in flowing soft tulle all with the brands signature delicate detailing. The designs will have an even more clean, fresh feel to them working in a range of new fabrics and colours but still with strong romantic overtones running through it.
We can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2015!
To continue our 10 year birthday celebrations at Olivier Laudus we are pleased to give away these gorgeous cubic zirconia faux pearl drop earrings. Art deco inspired, they are the epitome of understated glamour.
To enter, all you have to do is follow us on Twitter @OlivierLaudus and RT the competition.
For more ideas and gorgeous wedding accessories for the style conscious modern bride please visit our website
Best of luck!
Sangeeta x
Terms and Conditions
We will announce the winner on our blog and Twitter.
Please email us (sangeeta@olivierlaudus.com) to claim your prize within 2 weeks.
The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
The competition is open to UK residents – if you live outside of the UK we will need to charge you postage.
The White Diaries
