Aquamarine Engagement Rings

The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word ‘aqua’ meaning sea and ‘mare’ meaning water. According to the legend aquamarine originated in the treasure chest of mermaids and since then has been associated with the ocean. In the olden times, aquamarine was worn as amulets by Greek sailors to please the sea God.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March and recommended gemstone for couples celebrating their 16th and 19th anniversary. Aquamarine is believed to bless a couple with happy marriage life and develop compatibility with every passing day. Aquamarine is considered a lucky gemstone for the wearer and brings joy and wealth to him or her.

In the Ancient times people used aquamarine water to cure eye related problems. Some also believed that it is a preventive against seasickness and reduces the effect of snake venom. The other myths associated with the stone are, it protected against wiles of the devils, cure headaches, insomnia and other ailments.

A variety of mineral beryl, aquamarine is found in many places like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Russia, Afghanistan, Angola, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria. But Brazil has become the leading aquamarine producing company today. The largest and most highly valued aquamarine was mined in Brazil in the 20th century and weighed 243 pounds. Another noted aquamarine is 879.5 carats, sea green in color, is displayed in British Museum of Natural History. In United States this gemstone is found in Colorado and is the official gemstone of the state.

The chemical composition of Aquamarine is (Be3Al2 (Si6O18)). It has a specific gravity of 2.68 to 2.74 and a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8. Aquamarine is free from inclusions and is often has good clarity. The blue colored inclusion free gemstone is less susceptible to cracks and nicks like the other gemstones. It’s clear and pale blue hues makes it perfect gemstone for jewelry.

Aquamarine is a popular stone in the jewelry industry and is often paired with metals like gold and silver because of the complimentary and cool tones of the stone when set with these metals. Aquamarine is generally heat treated in order to enhance the color, if the stone is very light colored. In, Aquamarine jewelry the more darker the stone, the more valuable it is. Aquamarine is one of the most preferred gemstone when it comes to engagement rings especially for them who plan their engagement in the month of March.

Online jewelry websites like Angara brings you the exclusive collection of Aquamarine jewelry and loose stones. Celebrate the birthday of your loved ones with a fine piece of jewelry which she or he can cherish for the times to come.

White Aisle - helping people around the world

Please do check out this lovely website making a line of bridal accessories like dress sashes and ring pillows, 100% of profits go straight back to helping get young women in Cambodia out of brothels and into work www.whiteaisle.com

Cherry Blossoms

This theme has been sitting on my computer now for ages but I revisited it and dragged it out. It is my first cherry blossom theme for a wedding and having been working on my Japanese themes it seemed appropriate to bring it out from the archives. Check out Reviva Weddings new online shop for many cherry blossom themed ideas plus some fab inspiration for event decorationsTop Row image The Knot, Murano Glass Cherries, Cherry Blossom image Harold Davies, Cake Maisie Fantasie.

2nd Row Placecard the Knot, Cherry Blossom image DaphneandClio.com, Cherry Blossom lights Graham & Green.

3rd Row Cherry Jam Favour MS, Cherry Favour White Aisle.

4th Row Cherry images The Knot

Japanese Themes

Japanese weddings, are usually expensive and are always very calm and serene.

The Japanese theme begins with the bride'a attire who traditionally wears a white silk kimono, signifying purity, which can cost up to £20,000!

The bride can change into up to five kimonos throughout the day.

A groom wears a haori on the top and a hakama on the bottom all in black.

Although not necessary some brides choose to wear a traditional wig for their wedding day dressed in artificial flowers, gold combs and pearls.

The wedding party will also wear kimonos in a colour usually chosen by the bride.

Traditionally the Bride and Groom enter the ceremony from opposite sides of the room to the sounds of drums and flutes and attendants wave paper streamers over their heads to signify purity and to keep evil spirits at bay.

After the ceremony the couple will drink sake or wine and then trade glasses nine times to symbolise their new bond.

If you are incorporating a Japanese theme into your wedding, here are some great ideas from cold sake cucumber cups to different ways of folding napkins to achieve an authentic look at a fraction of the price.

Top Row Cucumber Cold Sake Cups MS, Yellow fan www.existenz.co.jp, table setting ebay.blogspot, sake cups karakutokyo

2nd Row Cherry blossom chopsticks Reviva Weddings, White Spoons Reviva Weddings,

3rd Row Rabbit napkins karakutokyo bridesmaids stock photo, table setting ebay.blogspot

4th Row silver fortune placecard holder Reviva Weddings, Kimono Napkins karakutokyo chinese favour boxes Reviva Weddings,

Cake Topper Reviva Weddings

Paper Table

You have got to check out this website www.papertable.com with interactive table laying!

Well worth a visit.

Japanese Themes

A friend here in Marbella that runs a Japanese restaurant called Sushi des Artistes, opposite the Marbella Club, asked me to put some ideas together for a Japanese theme party or wedding. Whilst I am working on this project and researching ideas I came across this brilliant designer from Toyko and you have just got to check out this website for inspiration, such a talented designer and photographer.

These napkins folded in the shape of kimonos are just wonderful.

www.karakutokyo.com

Reviva Weddings Online Shop

Are you getting married in Spain?

Reviva Weddings are thrilled to announce the imminent opening of their online shop. Reviva Weddings shop will feature over 2400 innovative, fashionable and unique accessories available for you to purchase for your wedding here in Spain.

Reviva's online shop will feature unique wedding favors, table top accessories and decoration, cake toppers and serving sets, centrepieces, napkins, ceremony and reception decorations, fashion and bridal accessories, personalised wedding gifts, wedding guestbooks, albums and pens, gifts and wedding keepsakes, comical and novelty ideas, unity sand and candles, some great themed wedding ideas, stationery and decorating supplies.

Now you will be able to purchase items directly from Reviva Weddings from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered to your venue here on the Costa Del Sol or if you are having reception décor we can deliver and set-up on the day. Reviva Wedding's shop will be online during the month of February.

If you would like to be notified when our online shop is active please visit our website www.reviva-weddings.com, send your details via our contact form, quoting 'Online Shop opening' and we will add you to our Shop opening mailing list.

Come on girls let's start shopping!

First, like forsythia

The crocus and hyacinth are making their first moves, and I'm feeling their urge to burst out into the sun. I finally had a moment to make my first piece for spring--this cheerful little minidress in gold cotton brocade.

Vintage Chic

Top Row Button Heart LMLMK, Table Setting Floralia, Rose in Teacup & Cake MyWeddingFlowersIdeas

2nd Row Bunting LMLMK, main image Idyllic Days, Napkin Matthew Dickinson Flowers

3rd Row Birdcage Idyllic Days, Bouquet MS

4th Row Miniature Cakes & Ribbons in Trees MyWeddingFlowersIdeas, Teacups and Cake Stand Idyllic Days

Whilst Vintage Weddings are currently all the rage, sadly they are not so popular here in Marbella, as they are so quinsentially English.

Create the shabby chic style using an eclectic mix of china, beautiful miniature wedding cakes on cake stands, pearls and roses for table centres, birdcages for your table displays, ribbons tied to trees, buttons and bunting.

Image from www.lovesmelovesmeknot.co.uk

Just had to add this image of this wonderful vintage bag, as have a thing about bags!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love the tulips, look good enough to eat and of course the cakes are good enough to eat!

Another wonderful creative idea from MS

Preparations for Governors Ball US

Check out the preparations for the Governors Ball in the USA, the Amercians are just so good at this, think I will move there!

Go to Yum Sugar to see the before and afters as they prepare this fabulous event based on The Oscars with reds and golds

Sevillian Oranges

Image from Floralia

Table Setting Hostess with the Mostess

Everytime I look out my kitchen I see my orange tree just about to blossom which inspired me to work more on an orange themed wedding with a citrus twist.

Small orange trees decorated with orange organzas, citrus centrepieces, citrus cocktails or bucks fizz, even miniature marmalades as favours would be a good idea to compliment the theme.

Top Row Bouquet, Bridemaids, Favour Box -The knot, Cocktails MS

2nd & 3rd Rows Rose table arrangements and centre image The Knot, Citrus Arrangement Hostesswiththemostess

Citrus cake MS, Chair Decor The Knot, Gladioli setting BellaFiori Events, Lanterns The Knot

Mimosa Weddings

I have been concentrating on what truly reflects Spain and how to create weddings to compliment the seasons here in Andalucia. Driving up the mountain to my home here all the mimosa trees and bushes are flowering thus giving me the idea to create a Mimosa themed wedding using the fashionable yellow and greys but with an Andalucian touch of terracotta.

Mimosa perfume tins Yves Rocher

It has been difficult to source images to refect this scheme but I picture bunches of mimosa in terracotta jugs, acacia honey pots for gifts, terracotta votives, mimosa cocktails, and polka dot favours and fans in yellows.

Top Row Mimosa tree, Knitted ring www.twistedtwee.co.uk, votives MS,

mimosa tree www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk

2nd Row buttonhole The Knot, flamenco dress image www.flamencoshop.com

Yellow table setting www.weddingwishesashlandor.com

3rd Row yellow polka dot favour MS, Yellow bouquet MS

4th Row Mimosa Punch www.brideorama.com, Acacia honey favour The Knot,

Image of Mandelieu Mimosa festival www.mandelieu.com

Invitations www.sandstoneinvitations.com

Here are some of the images I have found to reflect a Mimosa themed wedding and check out this fabulous recipe for Mimosa cocktails, don't need a wedding as an excuse to make these!

Mimosa Cocktails

Large jug
2 cups clementine or orange juice
2 cups pear juice
½ cup Cointreau
Two bottles chilled dry cava
2 cups ice cubes
Orange slices and fresh sliced strawberries for garnish
Combine the orange juice, pear juice, and Cointreau in the punch bowl and mix well.

Just before serving, slowly pour in the cava.

Add the ice cubes, garnish with orange and strawberry slices, and serve.

Museum Piece

I was asked to design a piece for the Action/RE-Action Runway show. "Touching Warms the Art" is an exhibition of jewelry made from tactile, non-precious materials hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Crafts. For the fashion show, each clothing designer selected a piece of jewelry from the show and designed a garment in response to it. I chose a magnificent wire neckpiece by Berenice Ramirez, and made this dress (many thanks to Gretchen Jones for modeling). You can see more photos from the show here.