I hate, hate, hate the cheap tatty furniture that most furniture showrooms are displaying in the name of design!!  And if I hear that word ‘faux’ one more time I think I will scream!!!  ‘Faux’ what does that mean??!!  To me it means ‘cheap tatty plastic made in china’ ‘Faux leather’, ‘faux suede’, ‘faux Louis’, ‘faux off’ that’s what I say!! 

With this in mind we have decided to bring a new range to Citrine ~ Reuse, Recycle, Renew.  That is the name of our new range of furniture ~ pre-loved and updated to reflect todays’ taste and todays’ feeling.

Wardrobes, sideboards, cupboards, tables and chairs will all be stripped, treated, painted or re-upholstered to bring them bang up to date!  Take a look here at some examples of recycled furniture.

And Mary was launched in 2009 by Alison and McNeil.

Alison had been lured back up to the Highlands of Scotland, by the ruggedly Handsome McNeil and the promise of a dog called Elvis, after many years living a fanciful single life in London. Alison had always had two main loves in life; the first was enjoying great food and drinks with wonderful friends and family. The second was vintage fashion and trawling the many antique and vintage markets in London and Paris. Always in search of a hidden treasure that had many stories to tell or, alternatively, one of her famous bargain polyester printed dresses.

After taking on a new job selling gorgeous clothing to the many lovely boutiques and independent retailers in Scotland, Alison discovered that they were in need of some quirky but beautiful jewellery and accessories. They needed to be good quality yet still reasonably priced and most importantly to offer customers a unique and individual alternative to what was available on the High Street.

Soon the time that was once spent in bars in the big smoke became time spent designing and creating what has now become the And Mary range. The kitchen table was quickly transformed from a place to eat to a hive of jewellery making activity. Covered in charms and jewellery from years of purchases, at vintage fairs and flea markets, the first collection from And Mary began to take shape.

If you need the Perfect Present for Someone Special, a gift from And Mary will be as unique and lovely as the person you are giving to or if you feel the need to indulge in your guilty shopping pleasures or give yourself a well deserved treat, the collections from And Mary will offer you the fabulous fix you have been looking for.

Perhaps you are in need of a Fabulous Accessory for a special occasion or for the perfect finish to your favourite outfit, look no further than here, from their glamorous hairpieces to their quirky jewellery And Mary will satisfy your every need.  And Mary’s lovely leather purses are all lined in vibrant raw silk or satin.

Take a look here at the butter soft leather pieces  http://www.citrine-online.co.uk/bags/cat_5.html

The daughter of a Parisian silversmith, Véronique’s passion for South East Asia is translated in the intricacy and vibrant colour combinations of her designs,fusing ethnic and contemporary aesthetics.

With a strong belief in the power of jewellery to uplift the spirits, collections are imbued with symbolism and meaning, from crystal stones to ancient talismans.

All Mirabelle jewellery is produced by fair trade suppliers using sterling silver, 22k gold plated metals, brass, semi precious stones, carved mother of pearl, wood , and shells from trusted sources.

Bridging the gap between high street and high end, Véronique’s designs are characterised by a love of texture, form and natural materials.

Mirabelle’s accessibly-priced jewellery box essentials are classic investment pieces, updated with eclectic, fashion-led seasonal collections encapsulating Véronique’s effortless style and freedom of spirit.

Mirabelle’s jewellery is  worn by Cheryl Cole and Natalie Imbrulia.

Take a look at our Jewellery section for some beautiful pieces @ http://www.citrine-online.co.uk/jewellery/cat_17.html

I can’t help be inspired and it sent my mind on a whirlwind of ideas to use and impliment into my own home.  I don’t know about you but I struggle finding unique furniture too.  I love Phillipe Stark and his organic designs but I wanted to be resourceful and recycle.  Well look what I also found!!  Recycled furniture made even more beautiful with the clever use of wallpaper and a good quality paint!!   Bryonie Porter has produced some beautiful furniture by recycling old pieces.  Recycling, eco friendly and beautiful!!

I’m inspired, what about you?? 

How to wear it:

*mix textures, a stiff cotton jacket will set off a softly draped dress

*wear white over your slimmer parts; nude will flatter the rest

*for accessories think arm cuffs, strong necklaces and perspex bangles

Finish with polished, soft curls, use hot rollers for full on glamour.  Shoes are best in muted colours, but go as high as you dare!!

“I’m really happy with how it’s going,” said Richie. “The collection is inspired by the Sixties and Seventies – I’m a big fan of that era; the music as well as the clothes – and I like the idea that clashing, in prints and colours, just didn’t exist then! It’s also inspired by the kind of clothes I like to wear. I think in summer especially, when it’s hot, you just want clothes to be loose and easy. I wouldn’t design something I wouldn’t be happy to wear.”

The designer – who was sporting her new engagement ring along with a Winter Kate floaty top, skinny jeans, ankle boots and trademark floppy hat – admits she does find the media obsession with what stars wear in their everyday lives “a little bizarre” but insists it doesn’t impact the way she dresses.

“I’m just really busy, you know?” she smiled. “My kids are two, and five months, and I’m working a lot as well as looking after them. I don’t have a lot of time to think about what I’m wearing. It’s funny because if they looked closer they’d see I’d probably been wearing the same jeans and tank top for the past four days, just with a different layer over the top.”

Taken from interview with Vogue.com

Explore fashion’s new obsession with deep blue, in every shade from the hottest lapis to the darkest navy.  Ruffles, pleats and embellishment, mixed with bold tribal-inspired jewellery, bring depth, daring and dynamism to springs coolest hue. ‘Parillai’ has the tribal print with the lux of silk, team with toe posts for a great holiday outfit.

How to wear it:

*give luxe pieces a primal edge with a tribal collar

*midnight blue takes on a yet darker allure with the sexiest sky high shoe boots

Finish it with our over the shoulder pouch bag by Mimi Berry in Cloud Blue, or even a scarf tied nonchalantly around your hair to protect it from the hot sun on holiday.  (you could add conditioner in the day and hide your hair under the scarf, hey presto beautiful shiny locks at night!!)

While there are loads of spring trends we cannot wait to explore (extreme wedges, and digital prints, oh my!) we couldn’t help but notice that some of our most-watched dressers have been venturing off into exotic territory and wearing a trend that we have affectionately termed Asian Fusion fashion. Though some of these pieces seem like they could be souvenirs from a trip to the Far East, the current iteration of this look is actually anchored in the American and European fashion communities. Specifically, the style sprung from talents like Marc Jacobs and the inimitable Vivienne Westwood, both of whom sent brilliant brocades, deft draped garments, and gloriously printed pieces down their S/S 10 runways.

Check out our very own Asian Headdress pictured below:

We wanted to dole out a few pointers on how to wear these eclectic and decorative styles. While Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood’s runway shows offered extreme head-to-toe looks (the Kabuki makeup on the models certainly adds to the theatrical aura), we particularly like the fresh way these four fashion-philes are wearing these Asian-influenced pieces. By mixing a cheongsam-style top or a kimono-sleeve jacket with closet staples like silk harem pants, jeans, or chic winter shorts, these pieces are getting decidedly modern fashion cred.

Excerpts from Who, What, Wear

Scorching shades of red stormed the catwalks this season, drenching S/S10′s most covetable pieces with hues of vermilion, raspberry and coral.  Dive in with bright, clashing accessories and just a touch of contrasting black for a look that’s bold, brilliant and bursting with power!!  Have a look at our ‘Gypsy05′ organic cotton maxi dresses that are made in a solar powered factory in downtown LA!! 

Lauren Conrad of ‘The Hills’, pictured here, has it in every colour!  Want to look like a goddess??? You will in this dress, it’s gorgeous and good to the planet too.  (Also available in yellow and shades of grey)

How to wear it:

*romantic ruffles and soft draping jersey add texture

*highlight searing flashes of scarlet with accessories in fun clashing     colours or warm with luxe gold

*pair a long dress with a contrasting jacket for simple evening elegance.

Finish with a clash of colour with a sequin clutch (Check out Accessorize for them), add a bold gold tribal collar or cuff!!  Bright red lipstick would be too heavy, go for a red lip gloss instead!!

 

Each season Mimi launches a new collection for both men and women, which includes everything from sleek weekend bags, sturdy satchels and gorgeous clutch bags, to a diverse selection of ladies leather purses. The range uses beautiful colors throughout, including scarlet reds, yellows, rich browns and bright metallics. All Mimi pieces are made from exquisite Italian leather and are manufactured in the United Kingdom to ensure the highest production quality and ethical standards.

Mimi sells in select boutiques in London, the UK and Europe, as well as internationally in the US, Japan and Australia.

In 2007 Berry was commissioned by Tate Britain to design a unique collection of leather bags, purses and cardholders to be sold exclusively at Tate shops. The Mimi For Tate collaboration was so successful that the range remains ongoing with new styles launched seasonally.