Purple and silver skeleton leaf drop earring

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Vintage blue and white floral print necklace in silver

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Vintage pink and green floral print necklace in silver

New listing from RogueJewels 8.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1kWUcC5

Art deco flapper necklace in silver

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Silver tiny drop earrings featuring white pearl resin

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Silver tiny drop earrings featuring violet resin

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To be named necklace

New listing from RogueJewels 8.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1kWU8Cj

Motivation and willpower mala prayer bead bracelet

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Strength and plenty mala prayer bead bracelet

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Support mala prayer bead bracelet

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Relationship healer mala prayer bead bracelet

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Amethyst and tiger's eye mala prayer beads bracelets

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Glass pearl and tiger's eye beaded stretch bracelet

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Inspiration and success mala prayer bead bracelet

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Learning and communication mala prayer bead bracelet

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Healing rose quartz mala prayer bead bracelet

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Confidence and strength mala prayer bead bracelet

New listing from RogueJewels 6.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1piugFs

Communication mala prayer bead bracelet

New listing from RogueJewels 6.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1tlbTz9

Energy mala prayer bead bracelet

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Adjustable red waxed cotton love bracelet / anklet

New listing from RogueJewels 3.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1qVT2sn

Illness and rituals

My plan to bring a little treat each day fell by the wayside.  Life always seems to get in the way.

Over the last two weeks I've almost given up caffeine, going from several cups of tea and coffee each day to one cup of coffee or tea mid morning.  I've not consciously banned it or set hard and fast rules, but I have enjoyed feeling a little more authentic, not permanently wired.  I hadn't realised how often the stress I felt was actually caffeine induced.

Making tea, whether it's black, green or a tisane, is a little ritual in itself.  It's lovely to relax a little while the tea brews, and know that for 90 seconds, all you have to do is breathe.  It's strange how such simple rituals can relax you, or be indicative of your mental health.  I recently attended a very interesting training session with Dr James Warner, a consultant psychiatrist and expert in dementia (see more here) who referred to the process of making a cup of tea as a sequential event which goes through almost every aspect of cognitive functioning, including abstract thinking, motivation, personality and judgment.

Who knew a simple cup of tea could be so powerful?

Reading this article on The Healthy Apple inspired me a little.  So here I am, with a chronic cold and sore throat but sat in the seat with the best view in the house, sipping an apple mint tea and just relaxing.  My recipe was a little ad hoc but is here below.

Apple mint tea

One green tea bag

Five mint leaves

Half an apple sliced thinly

Honey to taste

Add two cups of water to a saucepan (I used large mugs to make a mild blend).  Heat the water to boiling.  While the water is heating add one green tea bag.  Roll and crush five fresh mint leaves, add to the water.  Thinly slice half an apple (I used a pink lady and a mandolin to slice).  Add to the mixture.

Bring the water to the bio and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.  Add honey to taste, add more mint or boil for longer for a strong taste.  Beware the bitterness of a green tea boiled too long.

Strain to serve.

Bronze ship's wheel earrings

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Silver heart key earrings Alice in Wonderland

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Shabby chic Love tag necklace in silver

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Beautiful antique bronze skeleton key on antique bronze chain steampunk victoriana alice in wonderland

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Halloween silver coloured grave or tomb stone drop earring steampunk gothic

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Tree of life pendant in antique silver steampunk kitsch

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Steampunk vintage double quaver / eighth note earrings antique bronze

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Custom anxiety bracelet

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Ruby red petrol lustre glass pearl drop earrings

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Dragon red double pearl earrings on antique bronze wire

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Daisy flower hair grip

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Alice in Wonderland antique silver ace of hearts card earrings steampunk

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Silver tree of life earrings

New listing from RogueJewels 2.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/13gppnf

Good morning!

This is me this morning

Well we can dream, right?  In all seriousness, who wouldn't want to look this healthy, happy and completely content?

Last night's pamper mission took the form of an indulgent evening curled up with my honey and simply relaxing.  It might sound strange but I love the evenings where we can spend a whole evening together in the same room, but each be doing our own thing.

Today's a long day for me, so I have a lot of scheduled posts showing you some of the unique items I have for sale  I can't wait to start making some new creations at the weekend, but have some custom orders and a lot of hours in the office before then.

What do you plan to do to today to nurture or pamper yourself?  Or are you saving up so you can be just like that woman on the beach?

New lower price! Gothic ornate cross pendant necklace in silver

New listing from RogueJewels 5.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/15d4O8T

Loving my new wire wrapped ring. Not loving how much I need a manicure!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/1qkUTVp

Dali soft clock earrings in antique silver

New listing from RogueJewels 2.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1igziLV

Silver tree of life earrings

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Hot pink and white cameo pendant necklace on silver.

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Love tag bracelet in silver

New listing from RogueJewels 4.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/15x2k2z

Tension

If you read the blog then you will know that, this week, I am on a mission to pamper myself.  There's a good reason for this.  Almost all weekend I have resembled this: 

I do have problems with my neck and back, and have had the mother of all tension headaches following treatment on Saturday!

Heading in to work carrying two heavy bags and loaded down with painkillers and cold compress strips, I do think that there has to be another way!

What is your favourite way of treating yourself when you feel less than brilliant? Do you have a ritual or therapy, however big or small, that helps you to cope?

Please share, because what I'm doing at the moment clearly isn't working!

Rituals and treats

I have an outlook on life that some may consider a little selfish.

I work long days, and have a good number of daily responsibilities, like any woman I know.  Each day I try to make sure I have a little time to myself.  Sometimes, that is ten minutes on the commute to work, other days, like today, it's an hour sat with my laptop and with one of my pets playing around my feet (my pet rabbit Bandit today).

I try not to feel guilty, but it's about soothing your soul, feeling a little nourished each day.

This week, I'm going to try and share what I have done each day, to look after myself and nourish myself.  I'd love to hear your ideas, what you do for yourself to feel a little more human.  By all means, if you have an idea of something I should try, let me know!

New blog layout

The urge to spring clean has passed from house, to etsy shop and now to the blog!

Check out the fresh new spring design, at direct odds with the soggy view out of my window.

Vampire teeth earrings in antique silver

New listing! 2.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/1keZ5bV

Feather earrings in antique gold

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Blue marble and white beaded necklace

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Faceted crystal tear drop beads

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Silver and turquoise glitter earrings featuring vintage watch parts

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Silver and blue earrings featuring vintage watch parts

New listing! 5.99 GBP, by RogueJewels via Etsy http://ift.tt/18QFmrJ