A little gem. Literally.

A small piece of jewellery at a bargain price.  The Alouette range that jewellery designer Alex Monroe has designed exclusively for Evans.  I have had an Alex Monroe bee for 3 years now and I love it.  Wear it regularly and it always gets commented on.  A super easy piece to wear. 

Rugrat Three (who's 8) had said she wanted to buy me something special for my 40th birthday and gave me £7 in my birthday card from her money box (yes I did cry) and would like me to buy something I could remember.  (I know, I know, sob sob sob).  As bright as she is, she's totally unaware that £7 buys utterly diddly squat that is going to last longer than about 20 minutes.  However I thought that with just a little sub, a piece from this collection would be an idea.  (I will admit it did cross my mind that if it was pap, then we could sub a larger amount and get something from his main collection)

But obviously, the collection sold out online in two hours.  Allegedly.  Regardless it sold out super quickly and there was nothing left on the website when I went to look on Friday.  However of course there are tons and tons of it on ebay.  For ridiculously inflated prices.  Now people have every right to do this - and there are always going to be buyers.  However it irritates the bejeezus out of me.  It's irrational, I appreciate that.  But massively irritating I find it nevertheless.  

I did see though, that it was also sold through certain stores, my local one being one of them.    So last night I thought I'd give them a quick call, positive that they'd guffaw down the phone at me and tell me it had sold out on the first day with a queue having formed before they'd opened.  Wrong.  They had the entire range still in store. 

Let's guess where I was headed at 11o'clock this morning?  Oh yes.  

And they did indeed have the whole range.  The staff seemed baffled as to why I was so excited - they'd apparently had another person on the phone who was giddy and was also heading in later that day.  Excellent staff product training there.  (they were absolutely lovely though and we had a fine old chat about how pretty it all was) 

I also did take my bee necklace to compare quality.  Which was difficult to be honest, as an original Alex Monroe piece is gold plated (or solid silver or solid gold but the one I have is gold plate).  These are gold tone.  At which point I did get a bit sniffy...... But then I thought - dear god woman - you paid £45 odd for a gold tone necklace from NW3 by Hobbs which is still going strong 3 years later!   This is £20.  What do you expect?

Detail wise, I was very impressed with the necklace which we bought.  I promise, the detailing is clearer in the flesh. 

There is also a bracelet for £35 which is very pretty.  Didn't quite work on me for some reason (plus it was one of those very irritating clasps that you need help with.  In my book that equates to me ever wearing it as The Husband isn't here in the morning and the chance of one of the RRs being able to do it without my very short fuse blowing is low.  I am Cruella De Vil in the morning - and frequently in the evenings as well but glossing over that.  Patience is not a virtue of mine.) 

Earrings - again very sweet but too delicate for me (I'm morphing into Pat Butcher on the earring front).  Ring and another bracelet.  




There are also stud leaf earrings and a longer leaf necklace which can be seen here. 



So the reason for my blog is - check your nearest Evans store if you're interested.  At the very least they do make a really lovely gift.  And if you haven't ever had a look at original Alex Monroe jewellery, please do go and drool. 

Moving on to a round up of what I've been wearing since last week.   And yes, my clock is broken.  I procrastinate about changing the battery though, as if I take it off the wall it is totally and utterly impossible to get back on.

Last Wednesday night for an evening function.


White l/s longline top - Baukjen
Black swing polo neck - Reiss
Washed indigo skinny jeans - Boden
Earrings - bought from friend
Black Madonna stud wedge trainers - Ash
Black lock pocket bag - M&S

I am seriously over this cold weather now.  Thank god it's been sunny last week.  At least I got to crack out the shades and look vaguely less corpse like. (as in you couldn't see half of my face - nothing to do with getting some sun!)  I fear I am going to have to get cosy with the fake tan this week.  Am concerned if I sit still long enough, someone will cart me off to the undertakers. 

I shall be back tomorrow with another random new High Street lust.  Have shocked myself with this one.  Admittedly I only have photos and haven't tried any of the clothes on yet.  Any guesses?