Making it Personal with Links of London

I’m not sure if there was something in the water last year, but I’ve had a recent rush of the most gorgeous god-children and other miniature cuties appear in my life!  Deciding what to buy them to celebrate their arrivals has been so much fun, and alongside an obligatory Sophie la Girafe, I decided to give them all some of their very own engraved treasure to welcome them into the world. 

I headed straight to Links of London, knowing they not only have a renowned selection of covetable, yet affordable, jewellery, but they also generously offer complimentary engraving.  From pens to pendants, watches and tie bars, Links of London is filled with copious amounts of personalised giftspiration and I was spoilt for choice.  

For the boys, I decided to get sterling silver cufflinks with their initials (can we take a moment to appreciate that I have a god-son called Lukas Axel… #FutureRockstar #JusSayin…) and for the girls I got gorgeous sterling silver and 18kt gold heart-shaped disc charms engraved with their names.  These hearts can be added to charm bracelets or worn alone on a necklace, and although these gifts might not be ones the children can immediately enjoy, they will feel all the more special and sentimental once they can. 

The pieces of jewellery I hold most dear are always completely unique to me, engraved with my name, or of those closest to me, personalised with meaningful dates, lyrics or sweet, ‘in joke’ phrases.  These pieces instantly become heirlooms, and the reason why I tend to veer towards this idea for presents for others, and ermmm, myself.  What?!  You didn’t think I was going to leave myself out of this equation, did you?!  Do you not know me at all by now?! 

With my sister living in New York, my mother living in Kenya, and with me living in London, I thought I would engrave us some matching Links of London friendship bracelets with each of our initials engraved on the cord's toggle. How sweet?! 

Now, purely for safety (slash, fashion) purposes, I decided I obviously needed to road test all three bracelets together... Which annoyingly, has now made me want more, as they are the perfect stacking bracelet...

Fear not, friends, I managed to behave.  Both my mother’s engraved 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil & Taupe Cord Mini Friendship Bracelet, and my sister's engraved 18kt Yellow Gold Vermeil & Ruby Red Mini Friendship Bracelet, were both dutifully wrapped up and sent to each of their far-flung destinations! Severe brownie points all round. 

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In collaboration with Links of London
Photography: Joseph Galvin
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass

Links of London's Royal Ascot Collection

In just under a week, one of the most fashionable events in the entire British social calendar commences; Royal Ascot.  Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the four-day racing festival has become a pageantry filled national institution, one where both the horses and the elaborate hats in attendance share focus and press. 

With a strict dress code, Royal Ascot is synonymous with sartorial elegance, thus, whilst inevitably enjoying a lil’flutter on the GG’s, it’s always the elaborate hats which have my eyes on stalks each year. Underneath all the silk flowers and high-fashion head toppers however, it is just as important to make sure your jewellery is just as on point (to point).    

Luckily for the attendees, and all race aficionados in general, for the second year running, Links of London are back in the saddle as the official jewellery license holder at Royal Ascot. The much-loved British jewellers and have once more designed a stylish, racing-inspired collection that will not only complete your look, but will be treasured by its owners for many more years to come.   

Amongst the specially crafted diamond necklaces, colourful charms, and engravable cufflinks for the often-overlooked gentlemen, I decided my favourite pieces from the Links of London Ascot Collection were the Horseshoe designs.

Simple in style, with an obvious nod to horse racing, the delicate chain bracelets, pendants, rings, earrings and adjustable cuffs available in sterling silver, yellow gold vermeil and 18k rose gold, are utterly timeless.  

I’m hoping that by wearing some of this collection I will have some luck at the races, and beyond…    

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Hats: Jess Collett Milliner
Seville Dress: Tephi
I'm a Goddess Jumpsuit:  Bozena Jankowska
Bag: Baraboux

In collaboration with Links of London
Photography: Joseph Galvin
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass

Summertime with Links of London

I was thrilled to be asked by Links of London to visit their Chelsea store recently and make an edit of my favourite summer pieces.  With so much to choose from, from the contemporary to the timeless, you can imagine this was quite a task!  However, being a total rose gold fiend and a real sucker for some personalised engraving, my choices took far less time than you would imagine...

The 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil & Taupe Cord Mini Friendship Bracelet (RRP. £140.00) was my first choice. The shimmery metallic cord is perfect for the summer, especially when paired with other bracelets, for an on-trend layered look.  Which brought me quickly to choosing the more classic Effervescence 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Bangle (RRP. £120.00) with its bubble-like design working perfectly alongside the friendship bracelet.  This beautiful, will-go-with-everything, duo is a great mixture of bohemian and traditional, and will be so useful this summer in the city and on the beach, from day through to night. 

I decided to pair the Narrative 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Small Oval Disc Pendant (RRP. £95.00), with the Narrative 18kt Yellow Gold Vermeil Long Pendant (RRP. £85.00) and engraved the very apt first lines of the song my father used to sing to my sister and I to help us go to sleep, “Summertime… And the living is easy.”  It’s funny how something can suddenly become so special once personalised with such a simple message, but the necklace automatically became a treasure.

Come and meet me and the the team from Hello! at the Links of London store (491 Oxford Street, WC1 2AU) this coming Thursday 23rd June, from 6pm - 9pm, where you can enjoy some delicious canapés, some even more delicious cocktails, and 20% off your (full price) shopping.

Photography: Ella Sadika

Hair and Spray Tan: Secret Spa

In Collaboration with LINKS OF LONDON

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