After an amazing and rewarding 6 years of Mai Pearls, the time has come for me to look into new ventures. Sadly the Mai Pearls website will be shut at the end of December or January. I will be sure to let you know if I decide to open Mai Pearls again in the future.

Fur trims:

Creative ways of using jewellery (not necessarily wintery):

I hope this has given some inspiration.

Sources:
http://www.youandyourwedding.co.uk/fashion/phillipa-lepley-wedding-dresses-2011
http://www.ritvawestenius.com/designs.html
http://inspiredweddings.blogspot.com/2010/05/accessorizing-with-best-bridal-jewelry.html

My favourite ice rink is Somerset House presented by Tiffany and Co. This ice rink is especially magical after dark inside the courtyard of Somerset house. You can do anything from Club nights to children’s stories. This Rink is open from 22 November 2011 - 22 January 2012 to book tickets go to http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

Be warned that this is a very popular and busy ice rink. I would even suggest going early in the morning if you need plenty of space. I would also recommend booking early as the tickets sell out very quickly.

The National History Museum is also a personal favorite of mine. Though it is not quite a picturesque as Somerset House, it is still a wonderful experience. The National History museum doesn’t have as many specific events and sessions as Somerset House, but this should make it easier to for those who really just want to ice skate. This ice rink is open from 4 November 2011 – 8 January 2012. To book tickets go to http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/ice-rink/tickets/index.html

When going to the Natural History Museum, do be prepared to wait in line and have your session very strictly timed. It does have a lovely café and I always have a lot of fun there. Again do book early.

If you wanted to have a longer winter/Christmas experience than just your allotted hour on the ice, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a fun day out. It is also good for people in your party who don’t fully appreciate ice skating and tend to make very good friends with the side of the rink when they go. Winter Wonderland is open from 18th of November until the 3rd of January. To book tickets go to http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/tickets.

Be warned that Winter Wonderland does not have the same picturesque elegant feel that the other two rinks have, however it is a full on Christmas experience and probably better for parties with Children.

The Abernathy Pearl

This 44-grain freshwater pearl was found in Scotland in the River Tay in 1967. The Scottish often refer to this pearl as ‘Little Willie’.

The Arco Valley Pearl

This pink and brown pearl dates back to the 11th Century and was supposedly a gift from Marco Polo to Khubilai Khan, the emperor of China. This pearl is an impressive 2301 grains. The pearl gets it’s name from the aristocratic Austrian family it was owned by during the 20th century.

The Hope Pearl

The Hope Pearl is one of the most famous salt water pearls. It is so named because it was owned my Henry Philip Hope, who is also recognized for owning the Hope Diamond. This pearl is gold and white and weighs 1,800 grains. It is currently residing in the British Museum of Natural History. Go and take a look at this amazing pearl.
There are many other notable pearls out there, so keep your ears open for news of them.

Sources
Pearl-Guide.com. (2011). Famous Natural Pearls. [Online]. (URL http://www.pearl-guide.com/famous-pearls.shtml). (Accessed 17 November 2011).
Internet Stones.com. (2006). The Arco Valley Pearl. [Online]. (URL http://www.internetstones.com/arco-valley-pearl-genghis-kublai-khan-marco-polo-575-carat-natural-saltwater-pearl.html). (Accessed 17 November 2011).
Anderson, K. (2008). Scottish Pearls. [Online]. (URL http://www.scotlands-enchanting-kingdom.com/scottish-pearls.html). (Accessed 17 November 2011).

1. Marriages are often planned by the parents of two families having similar wealth and social standing. If the families of the couple getting married do not like each other, there is little chance of the couple being allowed to marry. Therefore, there is no option to dislike your in-laws.

2. The marriage is officiated by the signing of a marriage contract stating what both parties should expect financially during their marriage.

3. There are sometimes gifts of heavy gold jewellery given to the bride to wear on her wedding day. This is similar to a dowry.

4. Even though couples are technically married after the contract is signed, there is still a wedding ceremony. However, this wedding ceremony is split into separate female and male parties, so, there is no chance of meeting anyone at your friends weddings.

I learnt these wedding traditions from various people I talked to in Dubai. These traditions may not be the same for every family, but they give an interesting flavour of a different wedding experience.

1. Jewelry: Indian women have certain jewelry they wear every day. They wear a special necklace to signify that they are married and other pieces that have sentimental value. I am a lover of having certain significant classic pieces I wear every day, for example I have a pair of rose pearl stud earrings I received from my 18th birthday which I wear every day. I find that it makes your every day jewelry very special and personal to you, but do have a good collection of special occasion jewelry also.

2. Scent: Arabic women keep themselves impeccably clean, due to their religion and the heat. They also all wear a very strong and often very personal perfume. It is a pleasure to be around these women and experience the scent they have chosen to represent themselves. I don’t like wearing too much perfume, but I think I have learn to stick to one perfume for a fair period of time so people think of me when they smell it. At the moment I like to wear ‘Coco Mademoiselle’ by Chanel.

3. Make up: Both Arabic and Indian women are rarely seen outside without a full layer of makeup. Arabic women wear a lot of make up (I am assuming) because it is usually the only part of them that can be seen. Indian women wear make up to beautify themselves, but also to show their status eg. Married or un-married. Even though, with my English upbringing, I don’t like to wear a lot of make up, I appreciate that these women always make the effort to look their best. This is a practice I will attempt to follow.

Thank you Women in Dubai for these exceptional examples of every day style.

Mai Pearls has been honoured as a finalist for the ‘Sheerluxe 2011 awards’ in the wedding jewellery category! The Sheerluxe awards are given to exceptional online companies.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Mai Pearls it is your help that has got us this far. If you feel that Mai Pearls is worthy of the Sheerluxe award, please support us by voting for Mai Pearls to win the ‘Sheerluxe 2011 award’.

To vote:

Go to: http://www.sheerluxe.com/online-shopping-awards.aspx

Login to the site

Vote for Mai Pearls under Wedding Jewellery. (There are multiple categories but you only have to vote for Wedding Jewellery.)

Thank you again for all your support and your votes.

Personally I like simple v-neck cashmere jumpers with dark-wash straight jeans a good belt and some simple pearl jewellery. I have a wardrobe full of them in every colour.

Here are some of the best shops to find good cashmere jumpers this winter:

1. Cheaper option: Uniqlo and Zara do some lovely simple cashmere jumpers. They are not very expensive and I have some from Uniqlo that I have used constantly for the last four years. Both shops are well worth going into to stock up on a few colour options.

2. My favourite: Pringle of Scotland have beautiful cashmere jumpers they are my favourite they feel beautiful and I tend to have to treat myself to one each year.

3. Expensive option: If you want really fine cashmere with a bit of a edge to it and you don’t mind spending a fair amount Louis Vuitton and Fendi tend to have one or two beautiful cashmere pieces in their Autumn/Winter collections.

Whatever you do make sure your jumpers and hand washed. I have lost a few precious pieces because I left them in the laundry basket foolishly assuming everyone would know to hand wash them.

We were recently blessed with some letters from the children this money helps. I thought I would share some excerpts of them with you.

Dear Uncles and Aunties:

"I really appreciate your kindly help to me. I am studying in Lizi Center Elementary School. My parents worked very hard to pay my tuition. Now their burden is lighter because of your help. I want to see you and say thank you in person."

"You have been helping me since grade 2. There was one time my parents do not have enough money and they decided to ask me stop studying. I was very sad. However now I can go to school every day happily. And my parents do not need to be so tired. Thank you. I will study hard and get a good degree."

"Since I cannot return your affection today with anything else except, I can only say thank you with all my mind and all my heart, and I want do some good things for others, just like you do for me. I want to show my appreciation again, thank you very much!"

"Thank you so much dear aunts and uncles. I won’t disappoint you. I will work hard and let the world be more beautiful in the future."

"Now I am in grade three, I got 90 points last semester and I am happy with that. Thank you so much for your help and love. I am 14 and going to be in grade 4. I will not fail you. I can feel your warm and love which give me strength to live. Happy everyday!"

Thank you all for your help in supporting these children.

2. A good idea is to have a ceilidh as part of the evening entertainment or for all of it. It is great fun and every one can get involved as you are told exactly what you are supposed to be doing on the dance floor. This is a relief for those joining in and also those who have to watch.

3. If you have a group of over excited friends, like us, put them as far away from the head table as possible. They will be quite content entertaining themselves and they won’t spoil your wedding day.

4. Let your friends know what colour the bridesmaids dresses are to avoid confusion when they all randomly decide to turn up in the same colour dresses as the bridesmaids.

I wanted to list some of the best trends I have seen for Autumn/Winter 11 so far:

1. Pearls are actually a massive Autumn/Winter trend this year, with Donna Karen actually naming her collection “Pearls of Wisdom.”
(http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-DKARAN) Make sure you finish off your outfits with some pearls this season.

2. Camel Coats are in again this season. Which is great news if you bought one last winter, but even better news for people like me who didn’t get round to buying one last winter. The first places I am going to look are Max Mara and Burberry for a classic investment coat. If I find I can’t spend that much Zara often has nice camel coats and Spitalfields market in London has some brilliant coat designers that (if you make friend with them) may make you a coat in the exact fabric that you desire.

3. Fetish leather is also in this season. Personally I have never seen anyone who has managed to pull off head to toe leather (maybe I haven’t been to the right places). It is worth thinking about purchasing (or finding in the back of your wardrobe) a good leather statement piece. You can look at Vogue for some inspiration http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2011-12-autumn-winter/fetish/gallery.
Saying all this, I have yet to find myself a good leather jacket so I may have to start there.

Start working with those three. I’ll add to these throughout the season…

Have fun building/ planning your Autumn wardrobe. I know I will.

Sources: Vouge.co.uk, Style.com, Elle magazine, Tatler magazine and personal experience.

When did you start Mai Pearls?

Henrietta: May 2005 was my first sale – I had a very small table, really a card table sized table at Badminton Horse Trials.

Why did you start the company?

Henrietta: I lived and studied in Beijing for a year before and when I returned to the UK to look for a job I was not sure what job I wanted to do but I did know that I wanted to stay connected with my time and experience in China and with the Chinese people. It took a little while to realize that what I really wanted to do was to start up my own business.

What was you background before Mai Pearls? Was it in jewellery design?

Henrietta: No, I studied History of Art and Chinese language at university. I am a quick learner!

What are your main inspirations for the jewellery?

Henrietta: I am mainly inspired by the catwalk colours along with designs that I see around me in magazines, being worn or in shop windows. My suppliers are very inspiring as well, they have loads of pearls and stones in their workshops for me to play around with whilst I am creating a new design.

What is your favorite thing about Mai Pearls?

Henrietta: There are 2 things; the charity that I support – it does great things. Once a year I receive translated letters from some of the children that the money has gone to help and their words are so encouraging. I also love the flexibility that having my own business gives me on a day to day basis.

Where do you see Mai Pearls going in the future?

Henrietta: From strength to

Following Mai Pearls Fashion Shoot, we asked Lexi a few questions about her love for pearls! Here is what she said:

Do you have any pearl jewellery?
I love pearl jewellry and I wear my studs and small pearl necklace everyday! I only take them off to shower! I also have some larger necklaces and drop earrings for when I want my jewellery to make an impact or its a special occasion.

How did you start wearing pearls? What do you like about them?
I've worn them since I was about 11 as thats when I got my ears pierced and they were one of the only two styles we were allowed at school and from then on I got hooked on pearls. My mother and sister also wear pearls as they both have quite a classic look and I suppose I copied them grwoing up.

What is favourite everyday style or going out style?
As I wear suits and high heels everyday for work I love going out in Jeans and a smart top, being casual is a novelty so when I'm not working I tend to go for that look.

When and how do you usually wear pearls?
Do you have any tips for when wearing them? I do wear them everyday, I even sleep in my small stud earrings! I always think pearls look better with a tan (not great if you live in the UK!) and I love the Mai Pearls pieces with amethyst and rose quartz, great for the evening or if you have to be smart during the day.

Visit our website to see the results of our fashion shoot! We can only say that Lexi, Freya and Serena did a terrific job! Well done, girls!

Lexi looked amazing wearing our Pearl & Ribbon Champagne Necklace. This pearl necklace can be worn either dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. The organza is light and combined with the pearls, creates a feminine look.

Lovely Freya and Serena are only, 4 years old and 2 years old respectively! Both looked stunning specially wearing our Mai Pearls Children Collection!

Freya wears Pearl & Heart Necklace. This beautiful flower girl dress was kindly lent by Little Bevan.

Serena wears a dress from Little Bevan and a lovely Rice Pearl Necklace.

Last Friday saw Mai Pearls' very 1st fashion shoot.

A great job was done by Lexi our adult model and Freya and Serena our child models. We were kindly lent some stunning flower girl dresses by Sarah from Little Bevan, the girls found it particularly sad having to give them back at the end of the shoot!

The images will soon be launched online so watch this space...