So, here's our hommage to Wimbledon today - three pieces of porcelain.

A tennis bag Limoges Box.

A porcelain piggy by local artist Stephen Bartley.

And a Limoges tennis ball box.

RUBY - The Birthstone for July

 

"The Ruby stole a spark from heaven above
To bring the July maiden untold Love."

Notable sources of ruby are Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Their colour can be a pale rose-red but the sought after colour is traditionally called "pigeon's blood" and is a fine even colour and transparency.
In the Middle Ages it was believed that the ruby could relieve pain as well as protect the wearer from drowning and cure rheumatism. The Hindus likened the glowing colour of rubies to an enduring fire.
A legendry ruby, the size of a man's hand, said to belong to the King of Siam in the thirteenth century, was thought to prolong youth. Each night and morning the king rubbed the priceless ruby over his face and neck. When he died, at the age of ninety, his complexion was like a young man's - unblemished and unwrinkled.
The ruby has been the traditional choice of kings and emperors for their Coronation rings. Among the Crown Jewels of France that survived the French Revolution are the celebrated rubies of the Royal Collection. These were redesigned and set with diamonds in 1816. The Black Princes Ruby in the English Crown Jewels is in fact actually a spinel, which is another beautiful red gemstone.

The qualities of ruby are said to be contentment, love and devotion.

Pearls Pearls Pearls Pearls

Yes, the birthstone for June is the wonderfully pretty PEARL!!!!!

All shapes, all colours - we love them all, each one individual.

We have a stunning array of pearl set jewellery in stock especially for this month - so if you are looking for earrings, necklets, bracelets and rings pop over to see us before the end of the month!

In the meantime, here are a few images to tempt you.........

I know the weather's been really poor and you don't feel like schmoozing around the shops dragging your umbrella and waterproofs around, but it should be picking up for the weekend!!! So, pop along on Friday or Saturday and get some inspiration for that big day!!! And, even if you're not "getting" married we still have some amazing displays for ladies and gents formal wear, pretty jewellery, delicious cakes, flowers and much more all under the one roof until Saturday.

And there are special offers to be had, too.

You could win an engagement photoshoot with our wedding photographer Kerry McNair, you can get 10% off the bridesmaid range at Sue Hill Clothing (vouchers exclusive to this Wedding Event), there's a £50.00 voucher to be won for Cherish Vintage who has some very pretty tiaras and hair combs and other accessories, plus a £50.00 voucher to be won for us at Payne & Son. We are also offering a 15% Gold Client Card with any Wedding Related purchase made in store this week. All you have to do is register your details with a member of our staff in store.

And if you need further tempting, we have some beautiful cup-cakes made for us by La Roche and some very tasty Champagne Truffles.................. need I say more?????

The event is only on til Saturday 12th May..................

We're into our Wedding Event now, day number two!

We have the most amazing 1968 Rolls Royce Silver Wraigth Wedding Car being parked 

outside the shop all week.

We have 17 local shops and businesses involved in this event and we are blown away by the 

support and enthusiasm of everyone involved.

We have a very handsome looking groom courtesy of AUSTIN REED.

A pretty wedding dress from JUDY MOTT.

Mother-of-the-Bride by LA BELLE FEMME.

Bridesmaids by SUE HILL CLOTHING.

Tiaras and combs by CHERISH VINTAGE.

Spa treatments by CHAMPNEYS.

Hair and beauty by SW1 HAIRDRESSING.

Wedding Cars by ER HICKMOTT.

Reception area by THE BREW HOUSE HOTEL.

Photography by KERRY MCNAIR.

Honeymoons by GET-TRAVELLING.

Floral arrangements by STYLE WORKSHOP.

Mobile disco care of NOSS RYAN.

Cakes and patisserie by LA ROCHE.

Catering by JULIETS.

Easels and books by TOSETTI & SON.

And much support from SO TUNBRIDGE WELLS MAGAZINE.

The event runs from Tuesday 8th May through to Saturday 12th May, 9.30 - 5pm daily.

Please pop in and see us.

And this is our first display piece for our Wedding Event which starts on Tuesday 8th May!!!!

With very many thanks to Austin Reed for supplying this rather elegant Groom for us.

He doesn't have much to say for himself though...............

Tuesday 8th May to Saturday 12th May.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Only ONE week to go to our Wedding Event.............

We are really so amazed at the warmth and support we have received from all our participants.

This week are getting the shop ready - we are decorating  and re-organising the place so it may be a little different when you next visit us.

And don't feel that just because it's a wedding thing you won't be welcome - of course you will.....everyone's welcome.

So come and join us next week for some great gift ideas for all ocassions - including weddings............