Category Archives: Bridal

Accessories/Jewellery/Bags, Bridal, Interview, Shoes

An Interview With Crystal Bridal Accessories

Summer is well underway here in the UK and weddings are in the air…my interview this week is with a fabulous bridal company that are definitely worth looking up if you have a wedding coming up later in the year or are planning your nuptials  beyond! I’ve been chatting to Amy of Crystal Bridal Accessories…Hi Amy! Please introduce us to yourself and your company:Amy_Karim

I’m the MD for Crystal Bridal Accessories, a mum of three girls aged 10 and 5 year old twins and I love shoes!

What made you start up your business?

I was working as an e-learning tutor on a local schools project and discovered I was having twins…I decided that I wanted to take a career break but as I am such a workaholic…I thought perhaps I would need a ‘hobby’ whilst on my break. I love jewellery and I adore shoes – the bridal industry is full of sparkle and glamour and all things beautiful…so this all combined to create Crystal Bridal Accessories. The aim was to create a one-stop shop for the best bridal accessories on the market so that brides can easily find everything they need to accessorize their bridal look!

Swirl_Pearl_Comb£45_model_shot_www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.ukWhen choosing stock for your shop & website, do you have a set criteria or do you go with what grabs you at the time or a bit of both?

A bit of both really! I won’t put anything on my website which I wouldn’t wear myself…I really do believe in choosing only the best, most beautiful things and putting them all in one place together. Some of the criteria is based on current bridal dress trends and quality of the items – everything  has to be manufactured to a high quality otherwise I won’t even consider it.

You have your own exquisite jewellery range too – where do you get your inspiration from?

Ava crystal bridal belt mood shot_£249_www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.ukThe inspiration for my Signature Collection comes quite simply from a mixture of gaps I’ve seen in the jewellery market over the years combined with vintage design! The backdrop necklace was my very first idea for my own piece because I noticed that there simply wasn’t anything so glamorous for brides as a back piece…all the other pieces in the collection are designed to mix and match so that brides can choose one piece – such as the Ava Studs – or add the Ava Necklace and Ava Belt depending on how much glamour they want to create!

What’s the most unusual item of jewellery you’ve designed or have you had any strange design requests?

The most unusual accessory I’ve designed is the Ava bridal belt…it is completely unique as it’s made entirely of crystals and a refreshing change to the other types of bridal sashes you can buy which are all set on ribbon or satin. The brooch with tassels and navette crystals gives it a distinct vintage edge which is all the trend nowadays!

To date, what has been your most popular item ordered from your website/ shop?

This would have to be our rose crystal trailing flower bridal brooch! 

What’s your most favourite item in your collection?Grace_Forehead_Band_model_shot_£55_www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

My favourite item is our own Grace Forehead band – I love the simplicity of it but it is still such a glamorous fashion statement!

You do a shoe dyeing service for the blushing brides & for other special occasions, so what has been the most popular colour in recent seasons?

Cadbury Purple and Fuchsia are always the most popular colours – but we have seen a trend for more peach / blush nude shades as well recently.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Marina_exclusive_Harriet_Wilde_for_crystal_bridal_accessories_£419_www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.ukI love my High Street brands…Zara, Mango, Aldo and Warehouse…but most of my shopping is done online…of course!

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Asos…of course, Zara, Mango… and as I’m a mum, I love the French site Vertbaudet for their pretty kidswear!

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Hmmm…very practical…but I’ve got my eye on a Knomo laptop trolley for my trips away 

Model_shot_Charlize_shoes_£299_www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.ukBoots or Shoes?

OMG…shoes all the way! I’m not really a boots person…a pair of peep toe heels transform your look instantly!

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about you.

Our website www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

Join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CrystalBridalAccessoriesLtdSheffield

Follow us on twitter @wedding_queen

It’s been a real pleasure to chat to you Amy and your accessories are certainly exquisite…thank you for joining us.

Linda x

Photos published with kind permission of Crystal Bridal Accessories.

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Bridal, Food/Drink, Interview, Shoes

Pink Heaven – An Interview With Cuppies ‘n’ Cream

1254This week I’m delighted to welcome onto the blog the talented Natalie from Cuppies ‘n’ Cream, home of exquisite and delicious cupcakes …… Hi Natalie, please introduce yourself:4

Hi, I’m Natalie, I’m 30 years old (eek) and I live in Wokingham, Berkshire. I am originally from York but have lived down south for 8/9 years now. I do still have quite a broad Yorkshire accent though! I run a bespoke cake and cupcake company called Cuppies ‘n’ Cream.
I loved your cakes when I saw you at the Northampton Shoe Museum – how long have you been making cakes?
I have always enjoyed baking & have been making cakes, biscuits and treats since I was little.  My mum often reminds me that she would often come home to find I’d baked cupcakes (or buns as we called them then) – I’d have added something completely random from the cupboard and use up all the butter too. I remember the first time I discovered food dye and made some horrendous green cupcakes!233
Your cakes are extremely yummy – where do you get your inspiration from for the flavours and topping ideas?
I love trying new flavour combinations and will often use seasonal fruit and fresh produce. I believe in using real flavours rather than artificial ones. I often visit food fairs and will buy treats for myself and then develop a cupcake/cake flavour from that too. Sometimes some flavours may seem quite strange but they actually work really well. I like certainly flavours to be strong too. For example I love lemon cakes to be really zesty and strong or coffee cake to blow your head off a little 😉
What’s the most unusual flavour cake you’ve made? Have you had any strange flavour requests?
The most unusual flavour that I have made would have to be chocolate and Mexican chillies! The customer was specific that I had to use Mexican chillis.  Whilst this is becoming a more popular flavour now at the time it wasn’t so people were a little thrown with it! But, it did taste very yummy with a lovely kick to the icing. 
To date, what has been your most popular cake?
My most popular cake flavour has to be chocolate fudge.  Its super moist, decadent and of course full of chocolate!
What’s your favourite cake that you have ever made?Alice1
My favourite cake has to be my Alice in Wonderland tea party cake.  It was very time consuming making all the little pieces, but was really good fun and I struggled to hand this cake over!
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I would say I go for quite classic styles, A-line dresses and skirts, heels and ballet pumps.  I love vintage dresses and have recently been searching for these. I’ve found some beautiful pieces and love how they fit. I’m a typical English pear shape (big hips and a small waist) so find these styles suit me so much more. I love cropped chinos with blouses and little blazers too. 033 (640x580)
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
My favourite shops… oooh this is a hard one! I would say that overall I love French Connection (for pretty summer dresses), Reiss (for trousers and blouses), Topshop (for vests and tees), online I love shopping at Aldo as there isn’t one local to me, Notonthehighstreet, Etsy for one off pieces and of course my new found love of vintage boutiques.  One my new favourites is a lovely little shop called Alexandra Vintage in Reading.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
On my “need” list I currently have nude peep toes (for summer weddings), I’m travelling to Venice in June so also want to find some nice comfy flat sandals that are still a little glam, and I have a lovely polka dot dress that I’m looking to find a matching skinny red leather belt to go with. I also really want a new leather tan coloured clutch bag.094 (640x480)
Boots or Shoes? 
ooooh Im going to say boots, no shoes! yes, def shoes. I love boots, they keep you warm and can really jazz up any outfit. I have a lovely pair of suede shoe boots too.. but overall it has to be shoes. I love heels too much! They make feel a little more special and fancy!
whitetowerprofessionalLinks you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
My links are:

Thank you Natalie, I really enjoyed our chat and your cakes!!! 

Linda x

Photos published with kind permission of Natalie Dickinson.

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