SPOTLIGHT: Pink & Lilac Bling!...

Time to reveal some more of my bling ring collection - I've done a count and yes, I have more purple rings than any other ♥ While I most certainly have a passion for this particular hue, it must be popular with the community in general as there seems to be more variety to choose from in the stores, and I'm sure glad of that! And of course I have to have ALL the different shade variations to match my outfits now don't I? These were all purchased at Goldmark, and all within my budget max (actually all three were under $35)

Love the straightforward simplicity of this one - just one big stone that's way pretty enough on its own. It sits high and mighty, but both the band and setting are solid and sturdy, so I'm not concerned about knocking it. The colour of the stone in this pic is a pretty good match - in some lights it looks lilac purple, in others, blue purple, which is another reason why I love it so much ♥...

I looked at this pink lovely every time I went into the shop over a period of six months, and ummed and ahhed because I don't wear a lot of what I call Barbie pink, and the lights in the store made the colour of the stone look just that - incredibly fake. But I succumbed in the end, and delighted I did because in most other lighting conditions, it's this gorgeous magenta-ish hue. Definitely princess worthy, but I'd say other customers felt the same way about it as it needed a darn good clean when I got it home, so I suspect it had been in the display for quite some time. Always delighted to help out and give a sparkler a good home ♥...

This triple banded sweetie was one of the first rings I bought when I started my bling acquisition journey, getting on to 3 years ago. I'd been going through some challenges, and this was my reward to myself for making it out the other side without losing the plot, so there's quite a bit of sentiment attached to it ♥ Still sparkles like new, it's a perfect fit, and being flush, I don't have to take it off when wearing gloves in winter. I still see this particular setting from time to time in Goldmark, with pink, aqua or clear stones, but I reckon I scored the pick of the bunch...

Still on the hunt for yellow or orange stones -  might have to take the plunge and extend my search to the online world...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Purple Bling!

Being a purple fanatic, I'm forever checking out what's available bling-wise, and here are a few more little treasures I've picked up from Goldmark over the last 6 months. From memory, these were all under $30, and therefore 100% guilt-free lol. This first one is such a pretty colour - actually, to be honest, I don't have it any more! A week after I bought it I wore it when visiting my parents, and my Mum loved it so much (and I mean REALLY loved it), and it looked gorgeous on her hand, so I figured it was meant for her. She's mad keen on purple too (I wonder if colour-love is hereditary?) and it matches a few of her outfits perfectly. A couple more and she'll be a bling-babe too ♥

Not the best photo of purchase #2 (it's so much prettier in real life) - this was my replacement for the one that's now on Mama's finger. It's way more of a pinky-violet hue, but I tend to wear this shade more often than true purple, so it all worked out just right. Nowhere near as blingy as #1, but I love the square shape, it looks almost quietly elegant on my hand, and it does have a couple of subtle sparklers either side of the main stone. The raised setting has a delicate filigree design on two sides, and it only set me back $19.95 ♥

And here is my most recent addition - this gem is fit for a princess! Sadly my camera isn't able to capture the beauty of it's cut, colour and gleam - half-way between purple and violet, it seems to suit my skintone the best of all, and the surrounding diamantes catch the light brilliantly. There's more silver in the setting too so it's heavier - built to last I'd say. This is my current fave, and the one I wear most often...

I have a few more up my sleeve (or rather in my jewel box) so there'll be more bling posts up soon ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Neutral Bling!

More from my bling wardrobe ♥ Despite being white/colourless, they have a very important place in my collection - it's quite a challenge to find affordable blingy rings in all the colours of the rainbow, and these "neutrals" are exceptionally versatile in that they go with just about anything, and look ritzy-ditzy when I'm wearing black, white or grey. This first one is my latest acquisition, from Angus & Coote. It was WAY over my budget, but just happened to be in the window with a half-price ticket attached ($49.95) - score! My camera doesn't do it justice at all - it's the most flashy ring I've ever owned, and just this side of OTT lol...

This little gem is from Goldmark - it was in the front display for 3 weeks looking lonely and unloved, and for $19.95, I figured it was meant for me. The triangular shape makes a refreshing change from the traditional round or square, and it's interesting how different it looks when I wear it with the point facing down...

And lastly here's a freshwater pearl, also from Goldmark - doesn't technically qualify as bling, but it does have some pretty sparklers either side. My Mum gave me her pearl ring almost 30 years ago, but it was stolen when I was burgled shortly afterwards, and as I wasn't insured, I didn't ever replace it. Understandably I've wanted another one ever since, and while this isn't anywhere near as stunning as Mama's Mikimoto, and there's no sentiment attached of course, but it does have the most beautiful lustre, and it's a perfect sphere. Reduced from $69 down to $29, well now, how could I resist?

I do so love rings, and never EVER leave the house with naked fingers (or bare ear lobes for that matter). The best thing about bling is that it's wearable with party outfits, office clobber AND jeans - there simply aren't any rules ♥

And remember to visit Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - not to be missed if you're looking for some terrific bloggers to follow ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Multicoloured Bling!

A quickie post to share another of my passions - bling-rings! And the sparklier the better ha ha. I used to buy cheapie ones from places like Lovisa or Colette, but found the gold or silver finish always came off after a few wears and they looked tatty, so these days I only go for Sterling Silver settings - my budget unfortunately doesn't stretch to anything gold. I also have a self-imposed limit of $50 per item so that I can maintain my makeup addiction (whoops!), but fortunately there are a few stores where I can indulge my love of finger ornaments, and stay within my budget. All the rings below were purchased from Goldmark sales over the last 12 months, and all were under $40...

I'm crazy in love with them - the stones are Swarovski crystals, they're so colourful and bright, and you know how I love to match my outfits ♥ I keep hoping they'll release a purple or emerald green variety (hint hint Goldmark!). They glimmer and gleam like mad, and so far none of the stones have fallen out - mind you I always remove them when washing my hands, so that helps keep them intact...

The RRP of these is $69.95, and the trick with Goldmark is to regularly check their displays - there's usually one corner of the front window where they put their "specials", and I just wait till they appear there on sale, and then pounce!

Sizes are limited, and I'm lucky all these fit on my middle finger, but sometimes they have a few to choose from. My local store always puts them into a pretty purple velvet pouch too - such a girlie treat, and makes me feel like a princess ♥

Happy Spring everyone!

Take care of you,

kats xxx