Lust List
Laura Colonnese, Brand Manager at Thomas Lyte shares her ‘Lust List’ with Sheerluxe readers here:
Laura C
Top 10 Lust List
Having put together my lust list for Sheerluxe this month I wanted to share those items which didn’t make the cut.
Given I have recently had twins girls, running around in heels is not ideal and I find my wardrobe is now full of ballet pumps, so I am always on the look out for exciting patterns or colours and I have my eye on Oscar De Le Renta’s snakeskin ballerina flats.
Oscar De Le Renta
I got married in lace so I always look for an excuse to wear it whenever I can. I love 3.1 Philip Lim’s lace shift dress, perfect to wear on my anniversary!
3.1. Philip Lim lace dress
I had a wonderful conversation last weekend with girlfriends as to what would make their lust list and my gorgeous sister-in-law Nicole, admitted that it had to be Valentino and I have to say she is right, this seasons cream embroidered mini dress is quite sensational.
Valentino
Attention to detail is a must for me and 3.1. Philip Lim is famed for detail. I love this ribbon and beaded embellished sheer cotton top.
3.1. Philip Lim
As many of you have probably realised by now I have a penchant for soft muted tones so you can imagine my delight when I came across Giorgia Scarpa’s pretty blush drawstring bag at Matches.
Giorgia Scarpa
Candles Candles Candles…. I love them and my favourite this season is Carriere Freres Industrie in Royal Lilly.
Carriere Freres Industrie
Thomas Lyte delivers again! FA Cup Trophy
See our master Silver Smith Kevin Williams on repairing the FA Cup Trophy Here:
After watching the game and engraving the cup live at Wembley Stadium Kevin Williams was interviewed on Talksport Radio – Listen to the whole interview here
G, what a cool concept!
I’ve always had a strong aversion to wearing necklaces with your initial on it. I’ve always considered it a bit too twee. Today I have succumbed. In my defense it is excusable in light of the whole concept of the piece and the fact that the ‘g’ doesn’t signify an initial.
I found it at Collect at the Saatchi Gallery. I made my usual bee-line straight to one of my favourite galleries: Holland’s renowned and highly respected contemporary jewellery gallery, Galerie Marzee.
At the end of the display drawers stood a card stand- the old school wire rotating type that modern card shops have seemingly shunned but that can still be found holding postcards by any English seaside. The stand housed a variety of A5 clear plastic cards each containing a piece of architecture trace upon which was presented a single piece of jewellery. Amongst the fabulous array I found this little gem by jeweller Akiko Kurihara: a simple sterling silver pendant shaped like a ‘g’ with the significance of the piece weighing exactly 1 gram! I loved the concept so much that I thought it warranted an exception to my personal aversions and made an instant purchase. The happy-clashing colours of the yellow silk thread with the oxidised silver sit fantastically against the simple yet effective packaging to make this piece an attractive display of art in its own right!
Top 10 Little Fashion Gallery
Being a recent mother of twin girls my delight in shopping has increased even more. Much to my husbands horror I have discovered a whole new world in retail. As I mentioned in last weeks blog we have a record number of weddings to go to this year and I have to ensure my tiny tots are suitably stylish. Here are my top picks for a well dressed family.
Antionette Dress Vintage Blooms
This charming little dress has three quarter sleeves and it does up at the back with a zip.
Trotter French Style
This classic French style dress has exquisite detailing. I love the wide sash and pretty collar.
Bonpoint
Bonpoint Eshani Dress has beautifully embroided neckline with little buttons at the back.
The Catherine Malandrino cotton bow-front dress is perfect for a warm summer day in the English Countryside. I just love the beautiful feminine tiered petal embellishment. Team with some funky patent shoes and the Thomas Lyte Curtis Patent Leather Clutch Bag in Black and you will have a look that is right on trend.
Catherine Malandrino
Thomas Lyte Patent Clutch Purse
Finish off your outfit with Freyer Leaf Earrings in 24ct yellow gold.
Freyr Leaf Earrings
And to ensure I stay smelling fresh throughout the day I am never without the new Thomas Lyte Sterling Silver Test Tube Atomiser.
Test Tube Atomiser in Sterling Silver-Sian Matthews MHA
For the man if your life never underestimate the importance of detail. I would recommend the Thomas Lyte Sterling Silver collar stiffeners to make sure his collar looks sharp and neat with the Thomas Lyte round cufflink in sterling silver. For contemporary Savile Row tailoring opt for English designer Richard James. His silk ties are the perfect finish to a suit.
Thomas Lyte Collar Stiffeners Lyte Flower
Thomas Lyte Cufflinks in Black Enamel Sterling Silver
Richard James Tie
Back to Benches
Design went back to the benches this week, a place where, as a jeweller, I feel very much at home. Working on a new contemporary range of cufflinks I felt the need to get my hands on some metal so I headed over to Thomas Lyte Silver to feed on inspiration. Rooting through the vast array of base metal sheets, rods and wires I was left to my own devices to break saw blades and gather together a range of mock-ups that could be turned into swish and shiny new cufflinks.
The boys tried to teach Mark (our engraver who’s fast becoming a skilled apprentice silversmith) and I the old hand silversmith’s way of strip feeding solder into the flame. It was much more fun than the traditional jewelers approach of snipping and precisely placing small strips of rolled solder but after a few laughable attempts (one mock up contains more easy flow solder than base metal!) I shelved the new approach and decided it’s probably best to come back to it when I’m working on significantly larger pieces -or have the time to sit and chip pools of excess solder off the heat plate!
All in all a fun yet productive day, watch this space for the results!
Top 10 5th Anniversary Gift Ideas (Wood)
The 5th wedding anniversary is a key milestone in your marriage. Betrothed for half a decade, your relationship resembles an aging oak tree in that it grows stronger with each passing year yet remains flexible without breaking. Staying with tradition, the 5th anniversary symbolic gift is wood. One of the oldest materials known to man, it comes in an amazing variety of products. Steering away from the obvious, I have selected a few ‘different’ wooden gift ideas that will ensure your 5th anniversary is a stand out.
- Custom Made Wooden Vespa Scooter
This stunning hand made wooden Vespa, is the work of Portuguese Craftsman Carlos Alberto.
Custom Made Wooden Vespa Scooter
- Stella McCartney Wooden Accordian Clutch Bag
A modern take on the original 1940’s Concertina Bag, this unusual clutch sold out on Net-A-Porter in a matter of hours!
Stella McCartney Wooden Accordian Clutch Bag
- Nasomatto – Parfumes with Wooden Notes
Unique fragrances for men and woman available from £100 per 30ml can be purchased from SPACE.NK.
Nasamotto Wooden Inspired Fragrances
- Invest in a Rain Forest Plantation
This is the gift that really keeps on giving, not only are you investing in the sustainability of the rainforest and giving back to the environment, but could also see you very lucrative returns.
Ethical Investment
- Jewellery Chest in Wenge Wood
Expertly handcrafted and lined in suede, it couldn’t hurt to slip in an exquisite piece of jewellery into this luxury wooden jewellery box from Thomas Lyte.
Jewellery Chest in Wenge Wood
- Humidor in Wenge Wood
Spoil your husband with his favourite cigars encased in this luxury masterpiece from Thomas Lyte. Handcrafted in Wenge wood and lined in Cedar it comes complete with hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.
Humidor in Wenge Wood
• A perfect gift to serve cheeses to your beloved during a cosy evening in front of the fire.
Wood Puzzle Serving Board
• They may just look like blocks of twigs whihc they are but they are actually big enough to be used as decorative features like a bench or coffee table.
Wood Blocks
• Bring the outside in with these beautifully carved birds. The naturally neutral colours makes it easy for you to set up home for them in any room of your house.
Wooden Birds
• Disney commissioned UK-based sculptors and a group called Morpheus Prototypes to build this wooden sculpture of Wall-E as a gift for Pixar/Disney Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter.
An impressive gift for anyone who appreciates craftsmanship as well as a bit of fun!
Wood Robot Commission
Top 10 4th Anniversary Gift Ideas (Flowers)
Say it with Flowers – the flower is symbolic of the blossoming partnership between husband and wife in their fourth year of marriage. Celebrate this meaningful moment with a contemporary take on the traditional floral theme… Let’s step away from cut flowers or bouquets for a minute and see what else there is to offer:
- Rose Gold and Rose Quarz
Available exclusively from Astley Clarke, this Rose Quarz set in 18ct Rose Gold ring will certainly say more than flowers..
Rose Quarz & Rose Gold Ring
- Professionally Landscaped Garden
Give your other half the ultimate gift experience of having the garden of their dreams. Professional landscapers Floral & Hardy have years of experience in this field and are also at the forefront of eco-friendly sustainable designs.
Professionally Landscaped Garden
- Flower Arranging Course
A creative partner might enjoy an artistic flower arranging course. Esteemed floristry school McQueens offers 1 day to 6 week courses starting at £290. Private lessons are also available
Creative Flower Arranging Course
- Patent Leather Clutch Purse
For a more subtle approach this stunning patent leather clutch purse from Thomas Lyte has an exuberant floral lining on the inside which promises to delight.
Leather Clutch Purse from Thomas Lyte
- Floral Silk Tie
Make a statement with a pure silk woven floral tie design from Thomas Lyte, available in more colours.
Pure Silk Woven Tie from Thomas Lyte
Thomas Lyte discovers Polo
Given Thomas Lyte’s continued relationship with Polo in the Park we invited a few friends to join us in a Discover Polo Day experience. Last Wednesday we left the office in favour of the Polo field and had a great time learning the history and rules of this fabulous sport. To our surprise we even managed to have a few chukkers.
