This season dark forest greens are lush. Lift the tones of the cosy long Pieces cardigan in Trekking Green with pop of pink by layering up with a super snuggly scarf in shades of pink. Accessories with out favouirte Gola Elan sneakers in forest green and fucshia pink and a matching Hexo beanie in Trekking Green.
Bold stripes are every where this season, so you can get your colour hit all in one jumper. We love this the Sugarhill Marina jumper with it's sumptious emerald green, pink, cream and highlights of lavender and mustard. The Roka Canfield backpack and Gola Elan's match perfectly and we've topped it off with a Hexo beanie in a matching cream.
Layer up on the shades of green to aqua for a gentle blend of this uplifting colour, then inject some hot pink pin stripes and crossbody bag for a little zing.
Get three stars with the fab Sugarhill Brunswick Jersey top with fabulous bright greens and soft pinks. This loose fit, muted pink and green striped top features a contrasting green collar and hot pink embroidered stars. Enjoy comfort and style with this retro-inspired design.
Blouses are set to be one of the hardest working pieces in your wardrobe. With a sharper look than a t-shirt yet more comfortable than a shirt. Best of all, there's a blouse out there to suit everyone - whether you're looking for a statement collar or a bold print.
Our edit of the best blouses includes top picks from Pieces and Sugarhill. We've picked blouses with intricate lace, pretty ruffle detailing and puffed sleeves. See more below.
Layer up on ruffles with a Pointelle cardigan that allows the blouse to be become a feature. This blouse looks great worn casually with jeans too.
Elevate a classic Spencer dress with feminine Broderie Anglaise blouse. Keep it simple with pumps or dress it up with some boots. These dungaree dresses also look fab with a the lace high-necked blouse, allowing the sleeves to become a real feature.
This high-neck lace blouse can be worn form work to night out and for casual days. It's so versatile and captures the romance of some our fav TV shows. We're also loving the Artist blouse. Beautifully tiered and oversized, layer it over some tailored trousers for an effortless style.
Looking for something a little bolder? Try the gorgeous dark green Sugarhill blouse with Leopard print spots in black and pops of pink. It's casual yet smart styling make this so easy to wear, with little puff shoulders and a key hold button back, the small details make this a wardrobe favourite.
Embrace double denim, honestly its back in! But this time its a little different, forget Shakin Stevens, double denim has had an update. This fab denim shirt has a lovely blossom pattern, you can wear in done up for a smart look or wear it open with your favourite tee or lace cami.
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Aromatherapy gives you that extra little boost just when you need it, and with so many ways to enjoy your favourite scent its a super easy way to relax and unwind.
Diffuser - Add 3-4 drops of oil to the recommended water volume
Massage Oil - Add to carrier oil for direct skin application.
Facial Steam - Add 2-3 drops to hot water, thoroughly stir your oils into the water, cover your head with a towel and lean your face over the steaming bowl (about 10 inches away). Close your eyes and inhale deeply through your nose for 1-2 mins, Repeat 2-4 times, as necessary.
Hot Bath - Add 5-10 drops to a table spoon of carrier oil and add to your bath, wait until after you have finished filling the bath and the water has been turned off.
Hot/Cold Compress - Fill a small bowl with water, add 2-5 drops of essential oil. Stir briskly, soak the cloth, wring, and apply.
Shop Essential Oils & Diffusers
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1. First up in our fab skirts for Spring/Summer is this gorgeous maxi skirt with a button front and split. It has a gorgeous print which we just love. So easy to accessorise with a racer back vest top and our fave Gola Coaster sneakers in white. Perfect for a casual day out or dress it up with a smarter blouse for a wedding.
2. For that romantic vibe how about this beautiful meadow flower print midi skirt. Definitely a good skirt for swishing about in! We've styled it with a cute cardigan over a corn flower blue vest top and pearl accessories. Keeping it easy to wear and casual with some Gola Flacon shoes or add some strappy sandals to elevate the look.
3. Girl power meets flower power! This fab floral midi skirt has a ruched detail for a bit of flirty style. We've kept the colour on max here with a bright pink slogan tee.
3. Wrap yourself up in style with this lovely ditsy print wrap around skirt. We're loving the floral flourish detail of the frill. It looks full of Spring style teamed up with a tee and denim jacket.
1. Erase Your Face - these make a great Secret Santa gift for teens and ladies alike. Just add warm water and these eco friendly face cloths will remove all your makeup.
2. Glitter Socks - we all love a sparkly sock for Christmas and these make a great Secret Santa gift. Give the gift of warm tootsies and a little glamour for their feet, these one size wonders are always a hit.
First up in casual summer dresses is the tunic dress. Now, this is a great little dress to have in your wardrobe. It's very versatile as the length looks great over turned-up jeans. Layer with a jacket on those breezier days and style with sneakers. When the sun comes out you just have a lovely cool floaty dress to wear.
Even on the best days, come the evening, you often need another layer. This fab Sugarhill casual summer dress looks just as good with a cotton jumper over the top.
We can't get enough of the shirt dress. This smart casual summer dress is perfect for lunch out with the girls, or for the school run. Easily worn over leggings or skinny jeans on a fresh day, or wrap up with a coatigan.
The maxi dress is another classic casual summer dress that's really easy to accessories. Opt for a denim jacket or light cardigan and for that chic look a pashmina is a handy wrap around that's easily kept handy in your bag.
We love a handy backpack on these changeable weather days. It just makes life a bit easier to have somewhere to pop that extra layer until you need it. These Roka backpacks are weatherproof too, so you'll never be caught out!
These seasons must have camera bags also go great with casual summer dresses. Pick a shade that contrast with your dress to get a really chic look.
When it comes to footwear we love to team up casual summer dresses with sneakers or flip flops for day wear. Come the evening its easy to switch them to something more glamourous.
The final touches for casual summer dresses is of course some cool shades.
So there you have our top tips for styling casual summer dresses. Check out the collection now and get ready for summer!
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Looking for sustainable gifts for her? With the planet in mind we've put together our top brands that focus on sustainable gifts. Using recycled materials, or with a reusable way of life ethos.
The theme of World Earth Day 2022 is 'Invest In our Planet' calling for businesses to shift towards sustainable practices. So with this in mind, I thought I’d do a little roundup of sustainable gifts ideas from some of our brands.
I’m no eco-warrior, but I do believe a few small changes can go a long way. Each time I look for new brands I keep in mind sustainable gifts and sustainable fashion. I’m not totally there yet, but as I say, a few small changes is where it starts.
As eco friendly as they are practical and fashionable, these fab backpacks by Roka are made with 12-15 recycled plastic bottles. They are really durable, weatherproof and incredibly well thought out. But mostly we love the colours! As sustainable gifts, they are top of our list. They also come in cornstarch-based, biodegradable packaging.
Roka - PET material (polyethylene terephthalate, raw petroleum-based material) is widely used in plastic bottles and other food packaging all over the world. Roka uses recycled PET (or rPET) in their sustainable bags giving new life to a material that’s not biodegradable and would otherwise end up in landfills or the ocean.
Roka also wanted to improve manufacturing. So their new method uses 85% less energy, 80% less water, and 65% fewer emissions than traditional methods. Next, they took a closer look at our packaging and completely redesigned that as well.
Paddy Wax Candles - Often when you buy a scented candle you’re left with an empty container. Paddy Wax design its containers with repurposing in mind. You can clean out the containers by popping them in the freezer overnight to make crack out any wax left and make them into plant pots, storage jars and keep-alls. Not only that Paddy Wax are part of the One Tree Planted scheme. So far they have planted 10,000 trees from sales of their candles, making this sustainable gift a great choice.
Look no further than ocean-loving Dock & Bay towels. Made from recycled Dry-Q material that also performs brilliantly at drying super quick and making shaking sand off a breeze. They also come in bio-degradable packaging.
Chilly’s Water Bottles - these guys believe in a reusable way of living cutting down on the use of single-use plastics. So instead of buying water in a plastic bottle, you have just one cool bottle for life. They also keep your drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. You can even refill your bottles at most cafes for free using the App https://www.refill.org.uk/ A sustainable gift that makes life with less plastic really easy.
We love the clothes from Sugarhill for their stylish approach to sustainable fashion. They use a few different fabric options like Lenzig Ecovero and organic cotton.
Organic cotton is grown without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or any other toxic chemicals. The eco-conscious methods used in organic farming, support a sustainable environment, helping to maintain soil fertility resulting in 100% natural cotton, with no hidden nasties. It's hypoallergenic, so won't irritate your skin.
What is LENZING™ ECOVERO™? This product is made using LENZING™ ECOVERO™ an eco-friendly sustainable alternative to traditional viscose. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ is derived from certified renewable wood sources using an ecologically responsible production process, meeting high environmental standards. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ generates 50% fewer emissions and water consumption than standard viscose and is fully biodegradable.
We’ve heard a lot about fast fashion, but we are seeing a change. Pieces use recycled Polyester in quite a few of their fabrics, and also they use organic cotton in some of their jeans. Checking the labels of the products you buy can help you when you want to make a better choice and try more sustainable fashion, so keep an eye out for those.
Yes! we’re seeing some of our jewellery brands switching to recycled silver to produce their collections. You can also do your bit here by getting any old pieces of broken jewellery and selling them for scrap, or even having them remade into something brand new.
We love a giggle and we love a fresh smelling soap, so stocking Go La La was a no brainer. They contain no artificial ingredients, no palm oil and are paraben and SLS free. So they’re fun, effective and kind! Each soap is wrapped recycled paper label and sealed with a biodegradable sticker made from sugar cane.
That’s our round-up of sustainable gifts and sustainable fashion that we currently have. We choose them because we love the style, quality and most of all the brand ethos. We hope to add more and more products like these to our collections and do our little bit for a better planet. We’ve also just signed up for the One Tree Planted project to offset some of our own carbon footprints by donating a percentage of our profits. We hope you like these sustainable gift ideas and if you’d like to see more on these items we've put them all together on one handy page. CLICK HERE
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The burn time of Paddywax candles varies depending on the vessel and the environment in which the candle is burning. But as a rule of thumb: every ounce of wax gives 6-7 hours of burn time. So an 8 oz. candle would last up to 56 hours!
Paddywax candle pots and jars are designed with repurposing in mind to be eco-friendly and keep the memories of burning your favourite candle alive. The glass jars can be re-used for creams, sweets or jewellery pots. And the colour pop pots look fab when reused for little plants, or cotton buds. The choice is endless.
We love to repurpose things here at SugarMango, especially when they are pretty little candle pots. So we've put together a little guide to help you prepare the pots for their new life.
How to prepare your candle pot for reuse:
1. Place the used candle in the freezer overnight.
2. Once frozen, lightly tap the vessel on a soft surface until the wax pops out. It's sometimes helpful to use a utensil to crack the wax and help it pop out in pieces.
3. Using a soft cloth, remove any remaining wax, wick, or glue dot. Then, give the vessel a good wash!
4. Let the candle live on by using the now empty vessel for another purpose!
]]>For a cool street style add some Gola sneakers with hints of metallic that mix and match with a crossbody camera bag. And for those chilly Spring days a gorgeous soft knit cardigan in pastel shades will keep you chic and cosy. Simple minamilst jewellery completes the look.
Styling a denim jacket couldn’t be easier, team it up with a checked skirt with a fenimine frill and some Gola plimsolls. To carry all your day essentials try one of our fabulous Roka backpacks picking out the colour to match your footwear. Cute accessories will finish off the look with a soft cream cord cap, cute porcelain 1&8 necklace and some sunnies.
You can style denim jackets over bright summer maxi dresses too, this piece will see you through all the seasons. You can even go double denim with paler summer jeans. But don't be tempted to wear double denim all in one shade, it looks best when you mix and match, or you may look like you're straight out of the Eighties.
An absolute staple of any wardrobe is the skinny jean. These look so good with baggy sweatshirts like this fabulous Sugarhill one of vibrant green. This colour goes so well with denim. Or keep it super classic with a cotton cream knit if colours not your thing.
If you’re going for sneakers try turning up the bottom of the leg to show a little ankle.
We’ve picked out the colours of the Gola rainbow coasters for the accessories keeping to the emerald green theme with a Roka backpack and porcelain earrings with gold.
Take a classic tunic denim dress and sprinkle generously with some prints. We’ve added dark blue leopard print leggings, but come the warmer weather you can go bare legged. To break up the denim blue add contrasting accessories with golden Gola sneakers with a hint of animal print and a tan crossbody bag with gold camouflage strap. To finish off, try these gold fan earrings.
So there you have it, our top 3 ways to style denim for women this Spring that will also take you through to summer with a few different accessories.
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We're so excited to have our latest drop of Sugarhill Boutique clothing in our Bournemouth boutique. Sugarhill Boutique clothing are an independent boutique designer fashion full of fun and colour. With top quality fabrics that have a quintessential British seaside style. Sugarhill Boutique love to add quirky details with embroidery that we absolutely love.
This Spring is all about fresh colours and love. Our top pick is the Sugarhill Callie jumper in fresh aqua with a leopard print featuring pink hearts. It's a lovely new twist on the classic leopard print that we have come to adore. This is always a super popular piece. The fit is true to size and wears beautifully. The Astrid lightning bolt jumper also comes in this super fresh aqua shade with a pink and silver lightning bolt flashing across the front and back.
We can always rely on Sugarhill Boutique clothing to have a mix of modern styles and something a little bit retro. This gorgeous green cardigan with pastel stripes across the bottom and sleeves is going to be a top favourite. We're seeing this emerald green coming through all this season and this could be the key piece for your spring wardrobe.
Carrying on with the emerald green is the Amour sweatshirt. Sugarhill Boutique clothing love to take a classic shape and inject some fun into its with quirky lettering and words. They are always made with the most lovely organic cotton and feel as good as they look.
The classic Sugarhill Brunswick t-shirt has been given a little love with a pink embroidered heart and contrasting collar. Made with 100% organic cotton this quality t-shirt never disappoints.
Sugarhill Boutique clothing has a relaxed fit and is true to size, so you can easily buy these pieces with confidence. They're so easy to style, just wear with jeans and sneakers for a laid back look that still looks like you've made an effort ( even though you've just slung it on).
We really love Sugarhill Boutique clothing for its attention to detail and vibrant colours. The Maggie t-shirt is a great shape, again in the fabulous organic cotton and with embroidered lettering in a rainbow of colour. With a sunny outlook and a nod to retro vibes Sugarhill Boutique really encompasses our own ethos of happy clothes that wear and wear.
You can find all of these pieces to buy in our Bournemouth boutique shop or if you don't have time to pop in you can buy them here on our website. We offer free delivery over £50 or free Click & Collect from our Southbourne shop.
Finding a crossbody bag colour that goes with your wardrobe can be tricky. Try going for a neutral tone, our favourites are khaki, navy and black. These are great all-rounders to fit with any wardrobe. You can then add your crossbody bag straps to add some contrast.
These work just as well for day and evening and a pop of metallic always adds a bit more shimmer to your outfit. Pair them with replacement crossbody bag straps that also have a metallic style. We love the interchangeable bag straps with stars and camouflage patterns with these.
Pick 2 or 3 replacement crossbody bag straps to extend the use of your crossbody bag. Try some matching tones for a classic style or we really love to add a bit of neon to make them pop. You can then change the look of your crossbody bag without having to take all your stuff out. No more leaving your keys or cards in the wrong bag!!
You can easily clip our crossbody bag straps to your favourite shoulder bag and bring it bang up to date with a fresh style. Choose a replacement bag strap that has similar tones as your bag and it will look fabulous again.
To keep your leather crossbody bags in tip-top shape give them a little love now and again. Use a little clear shoe wax to keep the leather from drying out and your bag will keep its looks for ages.
So there you have our top tips for replacement crossbody bag straps, now all you have to do is choose your favourites!
]]>We all like a giggle at Christmas right? And novelty soaps and socks are a great Secret Santa gifts or stocking fillers. I know they always go down a treat with my lot. We couldn't stop laughing when these fab vegan soaps came in and the boob socks have been a bestseller every year. You're friends will love them to.
For us colourful Christmas gift ideas for her is super easy. We are naturally drawn to them like magpies to shiny things! So whatever her favourite colour we have it bright and bold!
Our absolute favourite thing this year has been these neon dipped candles. They so awesome and look great on a mantle piece or pepping up the dinner table.
You can't wrong with these snuggly Christmas gifts for her. We all love a big soft scarf to wrap up. We have lots of colours and patterns to choose from, but of course the colourful ones are the best!
Beanie good girl! Couldn't resist that, sorry! But seriously, beanies make a great gift and are perfect for the winter season. We have lots of great colours and they're only £12, so its a gift that won't break the bank.
At Christmas we love to get the sparkles out with our fabulous glittery and patterned socks. You thought socks were just a gift for men, but no, us girls love em too!
That's some of our favourite Christmas gift ideas for her this year. You can find them right here on the webiste or better still pop into our lovely boutique here in Southbourne. We'd love to see you.
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Starting with the pumpkins I bought some papier mache ones from Hobby Craft and a supply of bright paint to create an ombre pumkin in bright pink and orange. Start with a base of white paint and gradually build up the colour using a soft brush or sponge to blur the shades together.
To make the oak leaves I used crepe paper in four gorgeous shades cutting three sizes out to get that lovely fullness to the garland. Once cut out came the fiddly bit, I used florist wire to give the leaves strength and to be able to wind them together. Cutting each leaf in half I glued the wire bewteen to the two halves and once dry started to wind them together covering with florists tape to create a branch like effect. I'm so please with the results, they came out much better than I had imagined.
Finally I set about making the stags head. I found a great downladable template in Etsy which I cut out and glued the pieces together. Sounds easy right? Well the first attempt didin't go to plan as I couldn't read the numbers on the template, but after writing them on with pencil it all became clear. It took me a full morning to put it together, but I think they look awesome.
This is a very easy project to do, but it does take up some time, about halway through I always wish I hadn't started, but once it comes together I'm always proud of my work (if you don't look to closely)!
Want to see it for yourself? Then do come and visit us!
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Why do I love Gola trainers so much? I'll tell you. I love the retro styling and quality firstly, they are sooo comfortable too. Gola Classics range brings the past into the future by blending iconic designs with the latest fashion features.
I love the Gola Bullet style from 1976, which has been updated with a modern styling, I've opted for the white Gola trainers with the trident snake skin details in soft pink, grey and yellow. These will look just as fab worn with skirts as they do with jeans, so don't be afraid to mix it up a bit.
Not ready to give up your summer dresses yet? Me neither! So add a some leggings to keep your pins warm. Our fabulour Black Colour leggings are perfect for this and come in plain gloss or funky patterns. They look great with long sweaters and hoodies to and are my go to accessory for Autumn.
A simple open front cardigan looks great with a midi dress to, look for complimenting colours to draw out the pattern and mix up those florals and bold stripes for a modern style.
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I stumbled upon a post by the artist Rachel Baxter and fell in love with the posh cockney art prints immediately. I just couldn't resist the Ballroon Blitz print and have it in pride of place in the dining room. So it was a no brainer for me to get them for the shop and when I found out she lives in Poole, well it was meant to be!
Rachel has been working as a graphic desinger and illustrator for the past 14 + years and her work has taken to some exoctic places like Dubai. But the call of old Blighty and a passion for working on her own designs bought her home to start a new chapter in her life.
Posh Cockney is a mix of British upper-class phases with cheeky cockney rhyming slang that add a splash of colour to your walls and smile to your face. These make a fab gift and come beautifully presented in eco-conscious packaging.
Rock and Rara use one paper stock, in two different weights: A5 + A4: G.F Smith Naturalis, 330gsm and A3 + A2: G.F Smith Naturalis, 250gsm. Naturalis is a smooth uncoated paper stock and is made in the Lake District, UK. It's FSC certified, 100% virgin ECF fibre and acid-free. G.F Smith Naturalis is one of the best performing uncoated stocks currently available thanks to the use of the finest photographic-grade pulp in its manufacture.
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The first week or two were spent sitting in front of the news waiting to here anything positive, just a glimmer of hope was all I needed to sustain me, frantic web searches for information on loans and emails to suppliers asking for delays in orders.
This was one of the most stressful times of my life, and believe me I've had my fair share. Luckily support came from customers and suppliers with words of encouragement and shortly afterwards the government announced the finacial support. What a relief, I now knew I'd be ok. Little did I know that the expected 3 month lockdown would happen not once but two more times, with a total of 7 months being closed.
But us small business owners don't give up easily, I busied myself with online courses to improve my knowledge of websites and social media, and set myself a goal to improve my online presence. While I watched others on Instagram working out or home schooling I attached myself to my computer and dug into SEO, keywords and analytics.
This time enabled me to grow my women's online boutique presence and continue trading during the pandemic lockdowns. My focus was to bring my collection to my customers at home, I missed our interactions and chitter chatter, but with some great support from my customers I never felt forgotten. It's great to be back now and trading properly. One positive from lockdown has been so many new people discovering their local high street, just from having the time to walk around their neighbourhood.
My hope for the future is that people will now rediscover their love for small local independent businesses and want to live in places with vibrant high streets that offer a community. The vibe in my Southbourne high street is really buzzing with people and full of great businesses that really deserve to do well, and with our fantastic community behind we will thrive.
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This Ocean-fresh fragrance with sparkling Sicilian lemon and marine, refreshing lily of the valley, and base notes of sandalwood and clove is reminiscent of the beach. Even the beautiful colgone bottle has a nod to beach finds of pebbles and frosted sea glass. Inis Fragrance is a unisex scent for body and home that the whole family can enjoy.
Never tested on animals Inis the Irish word for 'island' where it is made. Inis the Energy of the Sea is the signature scent of Fragrances of Ireland, a boutique perfumery based in County Wicklow, Ireland. For over thirty years, Fragrances of Ireland has been creating perfumes and toiletries inspired by the magic, beauty and nature of Ireland.
The ocean is a place of wonder and magic, its energy is the inspiration for Inis Fragrance the Energy of the Sea. Since 2001, they have been a core funder of the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group - dedicated to the protection. conservation and better understanding of whales and dolphins in Irish waters and around the world. Their work helps ensure that the seas of the world will continue to be a source of delight and joy for generations to come.
]]>One & Eight jewellery is a collection of contemporary minimalist jewellery for modern women, and they're on a mission to create timeless pieces that can be worn by people of all ages.
Using fine precious metals of sterling silver and 14 carat gold plating these dainty pieces come in the most adorable packaging of reusable glass bottle with a cork stopper that really evokes the minimalist style in their jewellery creating unique, beautiful gifts.
As well as the silver and gold necklaces and earrings One & Eight use handmade porcelain charms. One & Eight porcelain necklaces and earrings are hand crafted by talented ceramicists in their Devon studio. Each porcelain charm is fused with high quality silver and gold components to create a distinctive elegant collection of minimalist earrings and necklaces.
The One & Eight team of four lovely ladies, Suzie, Rach, Tasha and Ali are ethically motivated to produce jewellery that has a minimal impact on the environment for their sustainable jewellery brand.
We are so happy to be One & Eight stockists for the Bournemouth area and we're sure you will love them as much as we do, prices range from £24 to £32 making them perfect jewellery gifts for women with fine taste.
]]>That sounds great, but isn't it the same as talc? The reason Beach Powder is doubly awesome is because it's talc free. Talcum powder is hydrated magnesium silicate - H2Mg3(SiO3)4 (which has been associated with ovarian cancer) and is not an ingredient of Beach Powder, so no nasty ingredients, and completely safe to use on children whilst being kind to the environment too, even the packaging can be recycled.
There are two versions available, original and shimmer. The shimmer version contains cosmetic glitter made from natural minerals and is plastic-free, so it won’t pollute the sea or water sources.
So before you next go to the beach grab a tube of Beach Powder from us and enjoy getting sandy toes with the knowledge that when you leave the beach you will be able to get rid of sand instantly, with no rubbing, so that you can picnic, apply sun cream or slide on your sandals with no sand and no fuss.
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I've always had a love for gemstones, but what stones are semi precious and what stones are precious?
The difference between semi precious and precious gemstones is based on the stones rarity, the main four precious stones are well known as Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby, with everything else falling into the semi precious stones status.
But not all semi precious stones are equal, this broad description can be further defined into bands of rarity, clarity and colour. Most gemstones have inclusions, even precious stones have these, and the fewer inclusions the higher the clarity of the stone and also its rarity which in turn increases its value.
Some of the rarer semi precious stones are Tanzanite which can come in a range of shades of violet blue, Aquamarine which varies greatly in clarity with some being cloudy to the most sort after being very clear and free of inclusion, Tsavorite Garnet which is beautiful dark green, and my favourite Tourmaline which has a watermelon colour banding and if you're lucky to find a super rare blue Tourmaline you'll expect to pay a premium.
More common semi precious stones are Peridot, Amethyst, Citrine, Topaz, Garnet, Labradorite, Lapis and Moonstone to name but a few, these gemstones are most commonly found in fashion jewellery brands and set in silver.
Even with in these more common gemstones the family it originates from expands into a range of shades offering some exceptionally beautiful colours.
Take the beryl family, the most famous stones are Emerald and Aquamarine, but lesser known but just as beautiful stones are Morganite which is a pale lilac pink.
Garnet is commonly known as a red semi precious stone but it also occurs in various colours and each has its own name, for example, pyrope (red), spessartine (orange), hessonite (brownish red to yellow), rhodolite (pink red), tsavorite (green), demantoid (green), colour-change (green/red).
Topaz also has a large collection of gemstone colours included in its family with beautiful blues to whisky browns and totally clear. The most sought after and valuable of all natural topaz is referred to as 'Imperial topaz', which is orange/peach/golden yellow in colour.
Browse our gemstone necklaces here.
Browse our gemstone bracelets here.
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They realised the need for a durable bag that was also practical, versatile, fun and fashionable. So they grabbed a sketchbook and set about designing the first Roka backpacks, with Emma taking the role of marketing and PR.
Roka Backpacks now come in over 20 fabulous colours, five designs and a range of sizes to suit everyone's needs. These cleverly designed backpacks are not only super durable and weather-proof, but they are also practical for all your needs.
Perfect for commuting they have a handy padded inside pocket for your tablets or laptops and plenty of room to organise everything you need for working on the go.
We've had amazing feedback from mums who have bought these Roka backpacks as an alternative to nappy bags. They wanted something that was more fashionable and fun colours. Perfect for getting all your kids stuff in with room for some of your own things too! Of course, being a backpack it's easy to carry everything while keeping your hands free for grabbing runaway toddlers!
Roka backpacks are a great travel companion with two sizes to choose from that fit the cabin bag size. Most airlines allow bags up to 45 inches (length + width + depth) or 22" long, 14" wide, and 9" deep (check with your airline though as sizes can vary).
Great as hand luggage the Canfield Small Roka Backpack offer plenty of pockets to organise your travel essentials. There's even a hidden pocket to keep your passport ready for easy access. The Canfield Roka backpack is also a great day bag to see you right through your trip.
Our favourite from the collection is the Roka Canfield Small Backpack as we find this to be a great everyday bag. But if you need something a little bigger then go for the medium which will carry up to a 17'' laptop.
They really have thought of all the details with this backpack. Its weather-proof exterior boasts a handy front pocket to the front, a magnetic flip over top with a chunky zipper to keep your items safe, two water bottle pockets ( I use mine for an umbrella). And a little bonus secret pocket on the back. The super-strong straps are adjustable and of course, there are hand straps that make carry so easy.
Inside Roka have made things easy to organise with two interior zipper pockets and a padded back pocket for your tech.
Let's not forget the latest addition to the Roka family, the Roka Finchley Sustainable Backpack. These backpacks are made from 12 to 15 recycled plastic bottle found on beaches. Offering the same well thought out design, with weather-proofing and durability.
Their production not only uses recycled materials but also uses less energy than traditional methods.
They are a little bigger than the Roka Canfield backpack and the material has a matt woven finish. The Finchley Sustainable Backpack comes in earthy tones that reflect their planet-friendly design.
Fancy something a bit different? The Roka Paddington round backpacks come in the same high quality as you would expect and make a fun fashion accessory for your outfits. Popular with walkers thanks to the weather-proofing and enough room to keep a spare sweater or rain jacket. You'll never get caught out by the weather again.
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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about self care and how fashion is part of my identity that makes me feel, well like me! Being stuck at home and having no need to think about what I’m wearing has actually affected my sense of wellbeing and those days I make the effort I feel so much happier and productive. Fashion is after-all empowering your own self care.
We don’t have to neglect our wardrobe though, we don’t have to live in clothes that make us feel less of ourselves. Style can be comfortable and practical too, you just need to work out what clothes make you happy.
Now that we have a roadmap of coming out of lockdown, the school run is imminent, and getting back to spending time with our friends and family is getting ever closer, so these last few weeks of lockdown is the perfect time to start afresh, put away those sloppy clothes and find your style again.
I’ve put together some style guides to help you get there, let's start with you lovely mums first as you get to strut yourself on the school run in just a few weeks.
Take a step into mum style fashion! Now mum fashion needs to be practical of course, so I’ve chosen comfortable layering styles that you’ll be happy in and have a little street style to them, elevating the classic hoodie and leggings to something altogether more chic and individual.
Mum Style 1 : This is a great look for on the run mums, super comfy and stylish and so easy to chuck on in a hurry as you dash out the door with kids under your arms!
Mum Style 2: Styling up the classic sweatshirt and jeans is really easy, Breton stripes always look chic and to elevate this look even further wear classic trench coat and sneakers, you'll look like you stepped out of the Metro heading for Paris fashion week.
Pieces Sweatshirt Blue Stripes £30 - not so slouchy sweatshirt, this brings some French chic to an easy to wear casual look, wear with straight legged jeans like these from Blendshe Casual Jeans £44.95. Keeping this on the chic theme Pieces Gtretchin Trench Coat £60 looks great with casual pieces. Roka Paddington Round Backpack £49.95 keeps your essentials safe from the elements. Add a little sparkle with a simple silver necklace of stars £42.99
Gola Bullet Trident Sneakers (coming soon)
Mum Style 3: I really love this look, it's easy to throw on in the morning and you're set for what ever the day may bring especially if you're mixing school runs and meetings up, or managing to squeeze in a cheeky coffee with a friend.
Pieces Shirt Dress £30 - Super cute, stylish and easy to wear just layer over jeans or leggings or go bare legged, whatever you choose you'll feel really feminine in this piece. I love bold stripes and patterns mixed together, just make sure the main colour is carried through as with the coral in this cardigan from Pieces £35. Style it with this Black Colour Elvira crossbody bag and add a little shimmer around the neckline with a gold necklace £44.99, sneakers, boots or sandals, whatever suits your day.
Happy Rainbow sweatshirt £54 - cosy and easy fit for a casual style you can wear it anywhere, style with our relaxed joggers £48.99 and a bright Roka backpack £59.95 that fits all you day essentials and has a special pocket for a small laptop or tablet for working on the go. I always like a bit of jewellery to finish off a look so here I've chosen a rainbow gemstone bracelet £34.99. Gola Harrier Trainers to complete the look (coming soon)
Sugarhill Callie Pink Leopard Print Jumper £55 this one's always so popular, it has a lovely easy fit and is machine washable for an easy life! Wear with our best selling Suzy D joggers £48.99 which can be styled casual with sneakers or elevate the look with smart ankle boots, I've gone for Gola Bullet sneakers and the grey Roka Paddington backpack to tone down the pink adding some simple huggie hoop star earrings £24.99 just to finish off the look.
So there you have it my top 5 mum style outfits to bring you wardrobe joy as we spring into a year of hope. If you want more style tips head over to our Instagram for daily inspo and the latest finds.
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, it is believed that birthstones originate from the bible when Moses sets forth directions for making special garments for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and these 12 stones became linked to the zodiac signs and then to the months of the year.
You may have noticed that the birthstones for Zodiac signs aren’t always the same as the Birthstone month. This is because the dates for zodiac cross over the months, so the corresponding zodiac signs for Aquamarine is Pisces (February 19 - March 20) so with this cross over of dates you will also find Aries falls within the March birthstone month. The reason for this cross over is purely down to the jewellery trade who decided that birth months was easier, personally, I prefer Zodiac signs as these have more significant meaning.
You can find all the dates and zodiac signs here
Brazil is the world's leading source of gem-quality aquamarine for over 100 years. But it is also found in the following countries Afghanistan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Tanzania, and Zambia are all sources of aquamarine.
Aquamarine is a beautiful green/blue gemstone which comes in a range of shades and qualities, it is quite rare to find these stones without flaws so they command a higher price than other gemstones.
The March birthstone of Aquamarine has its own meaning and not surprisingly this stone is thought to bring tranquillity, clarity of mind, serenity and harmony to the wearer. It’s powers become stronger when worn during the zodiac signs dates and brings transformation like its Spring month of new beginnings and embodies hope, loyalty, purity and truth.
Shop our Zodiac collection here.
To celebrate what makes Southbourne such a unique and inspiring place to own a small business. Because I believe that a vibrant high street, such as ours, filled with creative shops, restaurants and cafes is the heart of the community.
Behind the counter, I wanted to make a bold statement in giant pink lettering. This was a lot of fun to make and surprisingly I didn't make too much mess!
When thinking about the theme I turned back to my own memories of when I was a teenager. I would spend Saturdays wandering around the local shops with my friends. Because trying on clothes and buying the latest records or just hanging out in a café was a great way to relax.
I remember the joy of the Woolworths Pick'n'Mix and the magic of the gift shops. That feeling of happiness carrying home bags filled with goodies to rediscover when I got later. These early experiences still stay fresh in my memory because of the personal connections and being part of the community. I hope our shop spark similar memories for you!
Now the owner of my very own Bournemouth clothes shop in the suburb of Southbourne, I feel this sense of belonging from behind the counter. Because being an owner of an independent Bournemouth clothes shop isn’t just about selling fashion and jewellery, it’s so much more.
Making connections with your customers, conversations, caring about each other and getting to know each other makes it all worthwhile.
By being a part of this amazing high street I have met so many incredible people. I believe that if we all stick together and show love and support we will get through this pandemic and our high street and community will not only survive but thrive.
You know the old saying ‘birds of a feather flock together right? Well, that’s what it’s like in Bournemouth clothes shop Sugar Mango. Like-minded women flock together and create a magical strength that keeps me flying high. To symbolise this I created flocks of paper birds flying around the shop.
So this one’s all about you! A celebration of people coming together to support one another and create the world we want to live in.
But what is it that draws us in to the importance of jewellery and gemstone powers?
As I go through my own jewellery box I’m filled with memories of people and places, from the oldest piece given to me by my Great Aunty Ivy some 40 years ago of an old coral cross, now its not something I would wear, but I keep it because of this connection to my aunt. Each piece of jewellery brings a memory of someone that is important to me or a place I have visited. Even the gemstone jewellery I created in India over ten years ago still remains in my memory, each piece has my personnel connection to it as when I see it again being worn by one of my lovely customers I remember clearly picking the stones out individually and placing them together for my design in the room of the jewellers I worked from in the back streets of Jaipur with the sounds of the vegetable market sellers outside and the monkeys jumping around the rooftops.
Jewellery charms remain as popular now as ever, although fashion trends have changed how we style them, once ornate bracelets of hanging charms would adorn our wrists each charm marking a special event in life, even though simpler styling has evolved now, the importance of jewellery meaning something has remained.
I've always been drawn to this style of jewellery, I love mixing charms with gemstones to make jewellery meaningful, it's the perfect gift, as it makes it so personal for years to come, just like my own charm bracelet I find treasures from my Grandmother, Mothers and Friends of silver charms dangling from silver bracelet with intricate moving parts and memories of childhood.
Sometimes the importance of jewellery has to be reimagined and the connection changed. After my divorce I had no use for my wedding rings as they no longer held happy memories, so I had them melted down and from this molten metal a new meaning emerged that symbolised who I am now, a simple golden word ‘Rebel’
With so many charms and gemstones to choose from it's not hard to tell your unique story with the jewellery that you wear. Here are my top five gemstone meanings that I love to use in my jewellery designs.
These beautiful gemstone meanings can be a powerful reminder that we are loved and in someone's thoughts, when combined with a silver charm the meaning the importance of jewellery as a gift becomes even more powerful and will be even more significant to the wearer for good luck, strength and love.
SHOP OUR COLLECTION OF MEANINGFUL JEWELLERY HERE
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Labradorite was one of the first gemstones I really fell in love with, no two stones are ever the same, they glow with beauty showing the lines and cracks within that were made thousands of years ago deep in the Earth waiting to be discovered and treasured as they came into the light.
‘There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’. At Sugar Mango we believe that it’s our imperfections that make us unique and beautiful.
One of my lovely customers bought lots of of East of India porcelain keepsakes before Christmas and I asked her what she planned to do with them 'Smash them' she said! 'I'm going to break them up and then do Kintsugi which is the old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold, encouraging us to recognise that we must learn that there is beauty in the cracks and then give them as gifts to my loved one's with personal messages of love and support'
What a wonderful way to personalise a gift and also recognise what makes us all so special, our flaws, our heartbreaks and our failures. You might think that's a bit negative, but by embracing our so called 'failures' and accepting them, not as failures after all, but as the very things that makes us the wonderful individuals that we are.
When I first came across Rough Gemstone Jewellery on one of my trips to India I really was inspired by these odd shapes and uneven surfaces, how beautiful I thought, as I ran my finger tips over the surfaces of these stones I could almost feel their energy, there was nothing false about them, nothing hidden or disguised, just their raw natural beauty.
Other gemstones known for their distinctive markings and inclusions are Moonstone, a beautiful white semi translucent stone that has a blue shiller.
Prehnite in a cloudy apple green also has unique cracks and lines within it's depths, and stunning Turquoise stone jewellery has always been highly prized for it's imperfect beauty of river like veins that crisscross it's landscape.
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