7th anniversary gift ideas

So it's your anniversary.  What to get her? -  is the question on his mind. Sadly if not unfairly, the onus is always on the husband/partner/boyfriend procure that present that she is sure to find special and make her gasp at his thoughtfulness.  Mind you he has to get it right every year and outdo himself year after year after year.  I certainly don't envy them.  It's a bit like tennis where top players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and now Andy Murray have to prove worthy of their tennis ranking match after match, grand slam after grand slam.

If you are a traditionalist then that's half the battle won as all you have to do is google presents for sevens years of marriage or seventh anniversary gift ideas which is certainly going to narrow your choices.   Mind you as you can see below you have traditional and modern presents in the Anniversary Gift Guide.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that copper is a traditional 7th anniversary gift as no woman would be disappointed to receive a unique handmade copper jewellery gift set like this copper necklace and copper earrings gift set entitled "grapevine".   This unique jewellery piece is an absolute favourite with the ladies.

Jewellery gifts for her is always a safe fall back position but gifts for her should always be about the person and celebrating the uniqueness of your relationship with that person.  So feel feel to stray from this set menu anniversary gift guide and buy your woman the gift that words would simply cannot express.

Anniversary Gift Guide

Anniversary	Traditional	Modern
1st	Paper	Clocks
2nd	Cotton	China
3rd	Leather	Crystal & Glass
4th	Linen (silk)	Electrical Appliances
5th	Wood	Silverware
6th	Iron	Wood
7th	Wool (copper)	Desk Sets
8th	Bronze	Linens & Lace
9th	Pottery (china)	Leather
10th	Tin (aluminium)	Diamond Jewellery
11th	Steel	Fashion Jewellery, Accessories
12th	Silk	Pearls, Coloured Gems
13th	Lace	Textiles & Furs
14th	Ivory	Gold Jewellery
15th	Crystal	Watches
20th	China	Platinum
25th	Silver	Sterling Silver Jubilee
30th	Pearl	Diamond
35th	Coral (jade)	Jade
40th	Ruby	Ruby
45th	Sapphire	Sapphire
50th	Gold	Gold
55th	Emerald	Emerald
60th	Diamond	Diamond

denim dresses - the latest denim must have this summer

Denim is a year round wardrobe staple that we can all admit to wearing, be it a pair of denim jeans or a denim jacket. But do you have denim dress in your wardrobe? I know I don’t. The denim dress is the latest denim must have this summer and it does not just stop at dresses. Stella McCartney in her spring summer 2011 collection in addition to a denim section of tunics and shorts has produced 70’s style A-line skirts which you can team with soft blouses like silk and denim blazers in boxy shapes to create the ideal work wear this summer.

Stella McCartney boxy shape denim dress spring summer 2011

While the boxy shapes do not appeal to me, I am already reaching for my brown leather belt and metallic brown leather sandals to complete the look. Copper jewellery really contrasts well with the denim look so I will finish off with copper earrings and maybe be a copper necklace or bracelet depending on which denim dress I choose and the occasion of course.  Here's my short-list of denim dresses from La Redoute.

It's summer so you can keep it cool with this lightweight denim dress with contrasting seaming to create a fantastic figure-hugging effect.  What I especially like about this dress is that it can be both dressy or casual depending on your accessories. My copper cuff bracelet and oval leather handbag is great for a casual look.  For a more dressy occasion my Peruvian silver jewellery necklace and earrings set and blue coral ring will be ideal. 

 silver jewellery gift set - necklace and earrings

stunning blue coral silver ring (adjustable)

You can create a very relaxed and laid back look with this Safari-Style Denim Dress.  A new take on your regular denim shirt dress and stylishly accessorised with brown leather belt and neck scarf.  I would only need a pair of copper earrings to complete this look.

I'm really liking this last look though I would prefer the wedged sandals shown above instead of the boots. Another ultra light softly flared denim dress accentuated with a crochet inset at the neckline.  A fabulous combination of two key trends this summer the crochet trend and the denim dress trend. 



Accessorizing with copper jewellery

Spring is officially here and I say this not because we had 17 degrees weather yesterday and it's great again today but because my hay fever is kicking in which I absolutely dread but hooray for spring.  On such great sunshiny days there is no way I'm wearing trousers so out came my long printed gypsy skirt from la redoute which felt sooooo good.  My woollen trousers and cardigans only set me on fire in this great bout of weather.

Time to pack away those heavy coats and sweaters and bring out the light denim jackets, my spring summer wardrobe staple. I do love this look with the rust color skirt and denim shirt picking up the blue in the skirt. 

But I'm going to play Gok Wan here and add a brown leather belt or even a blue leather belt some copper earrings and a copper necklace and copper bracelet (my personal favorite being my bali girl copper jewellery set).  Then put on my rose metallic brown leather sandals and grab my oval brown leather handbag or maybe the red for a bit of accent colour and voila I look like I just stepped out of vogue - talk about transforming high street into designer high fashion.  

Go nude this summer

I can't help it when I think about spring summer I think about colour, the brighter, the bolder I say  So I am having a hard time going nude this summer.  But as in life, balance is essential so a diversified wardrobe will certainly ensure that I can create different looks when I want.  By now you should have realised that when I talk about going nude, I'm talking about subtle shades of colours, natural nudes, creams, whites and neutrals.  Sorry guys!!!!

Adopting the nude fashion trend is easy.  You can wear plain neutrals in one colour or choose to mix different shades of white and eggshell colours.  Me I prefer the latter and my cream boyfriend blazer really comes in handy for this trend.  Got to mix it up with some separates like white vest and beige shorts for a casual look or for that romantic nude look go for cream tops with frills, crocheted lace and pearl buttons or eggshell silk or chiffon dresses.     

While I'm tempted, I'm not going to go for colourful jewellery but stick to bronze jewellery to add deeper richer tones to my nude look.   The hues in Munique's copper and brass jewellery really accentuates this neutral look.  Less is soooo much more with this look that I would only wear one or two pieces of jewellery depending on the outfit.  Since I always wear earrings, I will definitely choose some copper earrings and because it's summer I may lean towards a flower earring like this heliconia earring.  This contemporary style jewellery is perfect not only for summer but year round. 

Animal print and Cheryl Cole

Animal print has come a long way since Fred Flintsone’s animal print dress. In fact I cannot remember a time when leopard print has not been in fashion. Marks and Spencer has hit the mark with this leopard print dress accessorized with leopard print shoes and leopard print bag. click here to shop this look and make it your own. I do love the accent of the red belt.


The red belt on the dress from Marks and Spencer is reminisccent of the red trim on this leopard print dress worn by Leighton Meester and accessorized with open toe red shoe.
Whether it is a trend that takes your fancy, the animal print trend is here to stay as it is never out of fashion. Leopard print as a part a relevant fashion trend is a must have for any capsule wardrobe. For those who find wearing animal or leopard print a bit much then go for leopard print accessories like scarves, belts, handbags or even handmade jewellery accessories like this feline copper pendant. Feline copper bracelet and copper earrings are also available.

While sequence and glitter is always a favorite christmas party wear, animal print can certainly be jazzed up with accents of red accessories to capture that christmas spirit and still look sexy and glamourous. Below we see Ola Jordan looking absolutely glamourous in leoapard print dress performing a foxtrot with celebrity partner -sports presenter Chris Hollins on Strictly Come Dancing - week 8.



Leopoard or animal print is a favorite with celebs like Cheryl Cole who in thew last XFactor 2008 with Alexandra Burke wore a Dolce & Gabbana Pre-Fall 2008 leopard print ensemble and also accessorizes with animal print handbag and leopard Louboutin shoe boots.

Purple Dresses

For a formal or dressy do, this Nicholas Millington dress is perfect. The folded effect is great for hiding any lumps or bumps resulting from a little festive over indulgence. The strapless neckline is great for showcasing your favourite necklace.

This Miss Sixty Purple Jersey Dress has a very flattering wrap over front and corset style waist. A great dress for any party or Christmas event.


This purple V necked dress by Diesel is perfect to take you from day time to evening. The V neck is a flattering style and looks great with a medium length necklace, black opaque tights and ankle boots.

The shops are awash with purple dresses this winter. I love the deep rich tones of purple. They are great for an evening out or a Christmas party. When accessorising a purple dress, you can always opt for classic black accessories or try something a little different like handmade jewellery in copper which looks amazing with purple. I love these 'dotcentric' copper and brass earrings by Anderson at Munique Fashions

Munique’s exotic copper range

Munique’s exotic copper and brass collection is inspired by the flora and fauna of the Caribbean. This handcrafted copper collection by Anderson showcases dramatic pieces of art in the form of pendants, necklaces and bracelets that will get any girl noticed. For that elegant evening out, this Grape Vine piece will create drama at the neckline and have others asking you “where did you get that”. Complete with matching copper earrings and you have a perfect and timeless addition to your jewellery collection. Muniques products are specially handcrafted so we do not stock large volumes and are not on the high street. If you value differentiating yourself from the crowd then don’t wait … buy online at http://www.muniquefashions.com/