Tiaras Fight Back!

 I just had to share with you an exciting post that I found on one of my daily blog feeds.  Tiaras have taken a back seat in the fashion stakes over the past few years as a more simplistic fashion approach has been the focus, probably as a result of the huge global economic downturn of resent years.  But it looks like the trend is turning.  

'The Beauty Department' features some stunning contemporary tiaras and headbands in one of their latest posts.  Here the big news is that not only is more exciting, lavish head wear being featured, but it looks like tiaras are making it into fashionistas daily lives and not just being saved for special occasions.

The Beauty Department 'Crystal Crown'

Take a look at the rest of The Beauty Department's blog for some other lovely headbands featuring crystals and gem stones.  Very inspiring with lots of great ideas for your hair.

Time to start jazzing up my daily look!

Louise x

Gloomy days

I would have to say that at the moment I am not very impressed with our 'summer'.  Rain is pouring non stop today and the house is already filling with my children's friends.  Even my dog who is a great fan of wet has not given me any hassle for a morning walk - phew!  On the plus side though, today is a perfect day to get on with my 'granny stripe blanket'.  

I have for some time been following Attic24 on Facebook and fell in love with Lucy's design for a Granny Stripe Blanket which I would have to say looks loads better than mine, but as this is my first attempt at crochet for years - not bad.

I am so glad that I started this project before we went on our family holiday to Brecon as the weather there created the opportunity for me to really get stuck in to my blanket (always look for the silver lining!).   We were lucky though to have a break in the weather and managed to get up Pen y Fan which had spectacular views.

Image from Geograph

The thing I love about my blanket is the way that I can throw any colour at it and somehow it just seems to work which is lucky as unlike Lucy's version (which has the most co-ordinated lovely choice of wool going), mine grew according to what wool I found in the local Brecon knitting or charity shops.  To be honest wool buying joined my other summer addiction of cherry eating and most mornings were spent with a quick recce into Brecon for one or the other, but mainly both.

Image from Pixabay Yum!

Imagine wrapping yourself up in a blanket of endless colour in the depths of winter, to be honest it will probably be the depths of winter by the time I have finished making it!  Watch this space for photos of my finished masterpiece.

But in the mean time here's a picture I took only two days ago for you to remember that the sun does shine - sometimes!

Weymouth Bay, Dorset

 

 

 

What lovely projects keep you busy during rainy days?  

Louise x

 

A Morning Walk

First of all a really big sorry for being so lame about blogging.  The truth is I have been up to my eyes in finishing a degree through the Open University whilst juggling family, Tiara Heaven and my other passion, teaching piano (the reason for my degree).  Something just had to give and I am afraid social networking just had to bite the dust for some time.  But now I am the happy owner of a BSc (hons), (I take a bow) and can finally now get on with life and invite you into my very creative study free world.  

p.s. this lovely lady is def not me! Image from Flickr

So enough about my apology, lets get creative.  It is always hard to create new blogs about the work that I am doing at Tiara Heaven because I always hold the privacy of my customers as a top priority and would hate to put up images of designs before their big day has arrived.  So I thought I would share inspiration ideas.  Often my own inspiration comes from nature, I know it is a bit of a cliche but owning a very energetic dog and living on the coast means that everyday I am out witnessing the changing seasons, seeing how the weather effects the tones of nature.  Yesterday was one of those moody low cloud days which seem to be plaguing this summer (when its not raining!), but I love the effect this can have on the sea making sky and water become one.

One of the many beaches from my home town of Weymouth in Dorset.

 

I love days like this down the beach when the greys and blues merge into one to create a lovely calming effect and the lack of wind stills the sea.  

The sandy browns and greys of the pebbles compliment the subdued tones of sea and sky.  Bringing this into my work can be achieved by using Swarovski Pearls in light blue, light grey and bronze for that special seaside touch.

Pearl colours can be found on the Tiara Heaven website

However when life feels perfect there is always a dog to bring you back down to earth!  My working cocker spaniel decided that far more interesting than the beautiful relaxing tones of the sea was a rotten stinky old fish and I had to leg it up the beach to drag it out of his mouth - yuck.  Luckily it was tough as old ropes and even my dog could not chew through it - phew!  

Here he is doing his favorite activity of swimming after a stick.

So goodbye from me and Salty the Sea Dog and don't forget next time you are searching for colour inspiration to look around you or to check back here for more dog walk creative thoughts.   Hopefully next time stinky fish will not feature! 

Louise x

Tiara Heaven gets Pinterest Happy.

Tiara Heaven on Pinterest

I have had a personal account on Pinterest for the last two years and have enjoyed pinning everything from yummy recipes, glamorous dresses, quirky sayings and a multitude of inspirational images for sparking new ideas for Tiara Heaven designs.  

If you have not come across Pinterest before, it is basically an online pin board where you can store images and website articles that interest you on your very own personalised pin boards.  When you pin something onto a board, it becomes public so that people can share and swap ideas, and like Facebook, you are able to follow people or just certain boards that you like so you can have a constant flow of inspiration coming your way.  

So of course it was only natural for me to think how great it would be to use this inspirational creative social networking device to give brides to be (and grooms), future prom queens and debutante princesses a constant flow of ideas for future celebrations.  

Welcome to Tiara Heaven on Pinterest!

From Style Me Pretty Website
Image by Charlotte Jenks Lewis

I decided to create boards in the same Wedding Themes style from the Tiara Heaven website to make it easy to find ideas for themed weddings.  How about this lovely romantic table setting as suggested on the Style Me Pretty website for a countryside Carefree Romance style wedding?

Or if High Glamour is your thing, how about this stunning dress with exquisite back detail?

Found on promdresshouse.com

For those of you who would like a little more Understated Sophistication how about this fresh youthful look that would be perfect for city weddings?

Found on Buzz Feed
http://www.glamour.es/moda/tendencias/galerias/especial-novias-2013-guia-infalible-para-una-boda-cool/9125/image/643269

Not forgetting all of those Little Touches that make a special day one to remember for all those lucky enough to be invited to the celebration.  How about these lovely gifts to give the young guests on your big day, with the addition of a paper tablecloth, children will be entertained for hours!

Found on en.paperblog.com
Photo source ehow.com

And of course it would be a bit remiss of me if I did not include some of my Tiara Heaven designs for Pinterest followers to have a nose at.  Below is the 'Grace' headband that was inspired by the ultra glamorous Hollywood film star, fashion icon and real life Princess Grace of Monaco, Grace Kelly.  This elegant yet eye catching design is perfect for brides wishing to bring the past into the present and is perfect for the inspiration board 'Bygone Times'.

Grace Headband from Tiara Heaven on Pinterest
www.tiaraheaven.co.uk

So happy pinning to you all, I am sure that you will find a multitude of inspirational ideas for every element of your life on Pinterest.  But be sure to check Tiara Heaven's boards out, I will be pinning all manner of beautiful images to inspire you.

Bye for now

Louise x

Get Creative

Let me introduce you to the ultra creative Rachel Smith, owner of the craft workshop company 'Craft Me Pretty'.

Rachel's workshop is Based in Grantham and she regularly runs weekend workshops in everything from creating wedding accessories to lamp making at lovely venues across the Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire area.

Rachel was approached by lots of 'hens' who wanted to do something a little different for their parties and so she started running jewellery making events where friends could have fun whilst learning something new.  Rachel's sister company 'The Handmade Hen' offers the very best in hen party activities using fabulous venues all across the UK.  Every bride to be is catered for as Rachel has created not just wedding jewellery and tiara making workshops, but has a whole array of fun and quirky hen crafting parties to choose from.

Hen Party Fun

 How about choosing a 'Cupcake Making Party' where you and your friends can make fabulous cupcake bouquets, each decorating 7 delicious cupcakes using butter icing, sprinkles, sparkles and hand made fondant shapes.  Cupcakes and sugar paper flowers are then formed into a bouquet shape, wrapped in cellophane, secured with lovely ribbons and kept pristine to show off to family and friends in personalized gift bags.

Or how about this for a really fun idea for a hen party, 'Knicker Decorating Party'. Decorate your party pants with a fabulous array of ribbons, lace, diamante, paints, buttons and more. Now that should be a very fun two hours!

Always on the look out for ways to bring the wonderful world of craft to her customers, Rachel has also created a range of lovely items for you to buy straight from her Craft Me Pretty website.  My favourite range is the vintage silver plated hand stamped cutlery.  What a lovely gift these reasonably priced items would make.  Rachel takes the time to make sure that they are extra special by wrapping the lovingly shined cutlery in ribbon and tissue paper and sent out in a brown paper parcel tied with string - how lovely to receive a parcel like that!

I will leave the last words from a very satisfied customer, but before I do, I will say that if ever you or a friend fancy trying your hand at some of the wonderful craft workshops from Craft me Pretty or The Handmade Hen, Rachel will always do her best to create an experience that you will love, where ever you live in the country.

"Fantastic! It is what is says, a course for beginners. Takes you through the basics to produce several items of jewelry, of which you get to take home. The tutor was very helpful and willingly went over anything that wasn't clear to the students. I look forward to her next course and will be booking that. Finally if you are just starting I would recommend this course.

Hazel - Beginners Beaded Jewellery Making"

Louise x
Tiara Heaven

How to contact Rachel Smith:

Tel: 07891 229887

Email at http://www.craftmepretty.co.uk/contactus.html 

Craft Me Pretty

The Handmade Hen

Twitter

Come Rain Or Shine!

www.loveumbrellas.co.uk

In some cultures it is said to be lucky if it rains on your wedding day and with the weather being so dreadful at the moment, I thought this was a perfect time to introduce you to one of my twitter friends, Love Umbrellas.

It struck me what a fantastic idea it is to create beautiful umbrellas that not only compliment, but enhance an outfit. They keep you nice and cool in the sun (I know it's hard to remember at this time of year!) and stop the rain from spoiling your lovely hair and dress when the clouds burst - perfect.

BRIDAL UMBRELLA PACKAGE x 3 Heart Shaped Umbrellas, 2 plain and one bridal umbrella with flower edge 

Love Umbrellas is the brain child of Klair Ward who started the company back in 2011 after being made redundant from her job as a retail manager.  Klair's inspiration came after creating umbrellas for her friend's wedding as she could not find anything suitable to buy.  Friends and family just could not resist them and so Love Umbrellas was born.

A bespoke umbrella for a My Fair Lady photo shoot with black lace and ivory flowers - Photo by http://www.mcavoyweddings.co.uk/

Klair creates a huge variety of designs, from children's to Gothic style umbrellas and with the large choice of colours available, all at very affordable prices, I challenge you to not find a style that you will adore.  Love Umbrella even offer a hire service, so there is no excuse for worrying about the weather on your big day, Klair has it all covered!

 Image taken by Rossendale Photography 2012

Why wait for your wedding day to use one of these lovely brollies?  With our weather as 'interesting' as it is, there are an unbelievable amount of opportunities for showing of your individual style.  Imagine turning up to a day at the races with a parasol like the ones featured above and I know many friends (and daughter) who would love to get their hands on the limited edition owl umbrella - now that would be one stylish school run!

LIMITED EDITION - 'Twit Twoooo' umbrella £21.95

As for my own personal favourite, I would be cheering as soon as the heavens opened with this rainbow coloured beauty, isn't the shape fab!  Now there is no chance of feeling down in the dreary weather with this ray of sunshine overhead.

Rainbow Pagoda Style Umbrella £14.95

Take a look at Love Umbrellas Facebook page for some inspiring images of all the brides and customers who have bought one of Klair's umbrellas.  I would have to say that not only are they a practical addition to keeping safe from the elements but they are also a lovely prop for wedding day photographs.  With Valentines Day just around the corner I will leave you with the great image. 

 Image from Vibrance Photography

So next time it rains, don't feel down, just think how stylish you could look!

Louise x
Tiara Heaven

How to contact Love Umbrellas:
Email: info@loveumbrellas.co.uk
Website:  http://www.loveumbrellas.co.uk
Phone: 01706 220540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveumbrellas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveUmbrellas

Debutante Glamour

Well the first thing I would have to say is Happy New Year to you all.  I hope you had lots of festive fun and were able to relax as much as is possible at Christmas time.

I was thinking about what my first blog of the year should be about, but after catching up with the Christmas Downton Abbey special featuring Rose's presentation to the king, I decided it just had to be "Debutante tiaras".

The definition of a debutante according to the Collins English Dictionary is "a young woman of upper-class background who is presented to society, usually at a formal ball".  This tradition is still alive and well today, but has a modern twist.  According to The Telegraph, debutantes are no longer restricted to societies social elite as a new breed of wealthy celebrity now make a welcome addition to the proceedings.  

The Queen Charlotte's ball was first introduced in 1780 when the  young debutantes would be  introduced to the monarchy at Buckingham Palace (remember the stunning scenes of Downton Abbey) but from 1958 it has now been held at the Royal Courts of Justice and is seen as the ultimate summer event by many would be debutantes.  "In the past debutante balls were seen as a rite of passage for the young women of the upper classes, an opportunity to introduce themselves to society and seek out a potential suitor, but for today's debutantes the Season is seen as an opportunity to wear a designer gown, party their way around Europe, and do a little something for charity." (Mail Online)

Ophellia Debutante Tiara from Tiara Heaven

To uphold this wonderful tradition, Tiara Heaven have launched a Debutante Collection where all suitable tiaras can be made with precious metals and stunning glamorous additions to complement any would be debutante's gown.  As all tiaras are handmade to order, all designs can be altered to suite requirements, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sarah Debutante Tiara  from Tiara Heaven

I'm off now to practice my poise - finding it hard to balance a laptop on my head though!!

Louise x

Get Versatile With Hair Vines

I must first of all say a big SORRY for my total lack of posts.  I've been so busy the last year that I am afraid blogging has taken a complete back seat!

I have managed to catch a few minutes between orders and I thought it would be about time I gave you some ideas for this season's hair.  This year is all about hair vines.

These versatile, elegant hair decorations are perfect for a 'less is more' feel for the modern day bride.  They can be worn in as many ways as your imagination can come up with, entwined through your hair for subtle sparkles to worn on the brow medieval style.

  And don't forget that because each vine is hand made especially for you, you can decide what colour it will be.  Perfect for bridesmaids or nights out after your big day - now that's value for money! 

Beaded Wedding Flowers Spring Special Offer

The 'Cherished Bouquets' are a real hit but as I promised to treat you all with special offers, I thought it would be nice to create a bouquet using seed beads that are not in my colour chart as part of a Spring Special.  It is always good to get to know lots of different aspects of the internet so I decided that it would be fun to make this offer available to everyone through E-Bay!

Click here for info on the Pearlised Pink Bouquet

 
The stunning bouquet features large pearlised pink flowers with clear Swarovski crystals at the centre of each flower. For some time I have been wanting to offer crystal bouquets as part of the Tiara Heaven collection but I wanted to create a contemporary stylish look that would complement a bride no matter what her style.  Each flower is hand-beaded by myself in my Dorset studio.  The Swarovski crystals sparkle in the centre of each flower. The handle is wrapped in white satin ribbon and the bouquet is finished using a pale pink organza wrap.

Click here for info on the Pearlised Pink Beaded Bouquet

The posy that I have created will not only be a lasting heirloom but in a time when getting married abroad is common, having your flowers ready and safely packed away in your suitcase will mean you will have one less thing to organise.

The lovely posy shape means that after your big day, the flowers will sit perfectly in a vase creating a stunning decoration for years to come.  The flowers can also be divided to provide keepsakes for the Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids or whoever you feel would love the lasting memory of your wedding day.

Click here for info on the Pearlised Pink Corsage

To go with this lovely bouquet I have also created a 'Mother of the Bride' Corsage and Grooms buttonhole both in pearlised pink.  As I am aware that many of you like to have matching buttonholes and corsages for guests I have made several available. 

Click here for info on the Pearlised Pink Buttonhole

Happy E-Baying and watch this space for future special offers.

Louise x

Prom Queen Competition with Wessex FM

Fantastic news for all those 2012 Prom lovelies out there, I have been busy talking to the fantastic people at Wessex FM (Dorset) who have decided to run a competition to find a local Prom Queen who will win a dress, hair and beauty and a hand made tiara from myself from the Prom and Bridemaids Tiaras/Headbands collection that will be made to match the lucky ladies Prom Dress.  There is also a surprise prize as mystery transport has also been arranged that is so secret, even I don't know what it is.  Here's the information from Wessex FM detailing how the competition will be run:

Be the Wessex FM Prom Queen 2012!

Wessex FM has a special competition for all young ladies who are looking forward to their end of year prom!
You can be the belle of the ball by being crowned the Wessex FM Prom Queen!
All you need to do to be a winner is contact us via the form below, and tell us why you should be the Wessex FM Prom Queen 2012.
You have a limit of fifty words!  You might want to make us laugh, make us cry, make us think, with your message.  We'll pick out five of the best and then the listeners of Wessex FM will then vote for their favourite to be our overall winner!
We've got a package of brilliant prizes to give away, including:

	Your Prom Dress!  Thanks to Bridal and Ball in Weymouth, you'll look stunning on the night in a dress from any of the collections to the value of £250!		Hair Styling! Have your hair and makeup done ready for the big night by an expert stylist at Iroka in Weymouth!
	Your Tiara! A beautiful hand crafted tiara from the Prom/Bridesmaid Tiara and Headband Collection at Tiara Heaven in Weymouth!		Transport! We'll take you and a friend (or your date) from your home to your prom, Wessex FM style!

If you would like to enter the competition, go to the Wessex FM website for the entrance form.   Good luck and I look forward to making your tiara. x