Festive Gift Guide 2013

It’s payday, hurrah!! Every year, November payday means only one thing for me: time to start my Christmas shopping. It’s like an annual alarm clock, set to remind me that it’s only, what, 26 days until I can indulge in a big turkey roast, novelty gifts from the family and far more Quality Street than any one person could possibly need. So if, like me, you’re gearing up to face the The Big Shop of 2013, then here are a few gift favourites from us here at H.Samuel.

Firstly, we have the all rounder. This gorgeous Sekonda set comes complete with watch, bracelet, and necklace, so she’ll have everything she could wish for in one gift! With a matching ball design and generously embellished with glistening white crystals, each piece can be worn individually for just a dash of sparkle, or altogether for a glamorous, co-ordinated look. Come day or evening, this set will work for all outfits and occasions, and is sure to please your chosen wife, girlfriend, sister, daughter, auntie.... you get the picture!

For something with a more homely, festive feel, then this Swarovski crystal bauble is perfect. With a delicate clear ball design, the centre boasts a simple Christmas tree finished with a scattering of glistening Swarovski crystals and a pearly white ribbon to hang from. Elegant and Christmassy to the T, this bauble is the perfect keepsake for a family member, giving them something they can treasure each Christmas for years to come.

So on to one for him. If you’re looking to make an impression this Christmas, then giving something unique is the perfect way to do it. In a sleek silver tone with a crisp rectangle design, these stylish cufflinks can be engraved with his initials for a personal finishing touch. Boasting a mother of pearl detailing, these cufflinks will offer a handsome finishing touch to his outfit, blending classic and contemporary styling for a look that will work with any shirt this party season. Not much of a shirt guy? Then take a look at some of our other personalised gifts to find the perfect present for him.

Tired out from doing all that shopping? Envious of all the great gifts you’ve been buying for everyone else with your hard earned cash? Oh go on, treat yourself! After all, you surely need some new accessories for that work Christmas party?? This taupe imitation pearl and crystal ball bracelet from fashion jewellery label Mikey London is a personal favourite of mine for the party season. Simple with just the right amount of sparkle, the taupe hue of the imitation pearls is sophisticated and versatile, whilst still bringing a classic edge to your look. And, what’s more, you can wear it all year round, so no need for buyer’s guilt!

Find the perfect Christmas gift with H.Samuel.

Christmas Glamour

With the imminent arrival of payday next week and the scraping of coins at the bottom of our purses soon to be a distant memory (well for at least a week anyway), that means only one thing; it is time to get festive! It’s time to get shopping for those Christmas presents to wrap and place under the tree, time to buy the must-have novelty Christmas jumper, but most importantly, it is party season and, after all, here at H.Samuel sparkle is what we do best.

The trusty LBD is a fashion favourite and certain to be a fail safe way to ensure you look great at any festive party you have this season. The swing dress has been an ever popular choice in the last couple of months, and this slip dress version from New look is no exception. Not only does the trusty LBD ensure you will look fab, it also allows for a little experimentation with your accessories. From sequins to colour, inject something a little different into your look for statement, stand out style. 

These earrings from Martine Wester are perfect for adding a dash of contemporary colour and sparkle to your LBD. Complete with a pear shaped black crystal and flashes of purple, these earrings are elegantly edgy and, teamed with a chic up-do and bright lips, would give your look a dose of effortless glamour. 

Although statement has to be one of my favourite trends, Christmas isn’t Christmas without delicate fairy lights and a little sprinkling of glitter and this is definitely a rule to stick by when it comes to your jewellery. This elegant silver and cubic zirconia figure of eight pendant would be sure to add minimalist sparkle to your look but still have maximum impact. Team with a pair of subtle silver studs for a classic and timeless look. 

Not everyone likes to wear a watch with their party look, but mine is always a must-have accessory whatever the occasion. So whether you’re looking for statement or just to ensure you arrive at the ball on time, a watch from H.Samuel is perfect for fashionable timekeeping. This beautiful watch set from Sekonda boasts extravagant crystal embellishment and comes with a matching bracelet, pendant and earrings, sure to bring your favourite dress alive this party season and, at only £49.99, this striking set would make for the perfect Christmas gift too. 

Looking for something with a little more statement? Then why not indulge in everyday elegance with Casio Sheen. We’ve all seen the TOWIE adverts and who can resist a watch that not only has a statement and on trend bracelet but also lights up!? 

From Billie to Lucy, the cast of TOWIE all sported these watches in the scenes of The Only Way is Essex and with a little Swarovski element sparkle, this Casio Sheen watch can easily be worn from day until night. For a limited time only, Sheen are giving away a pair of Babyliss straighteners with every Sheen purchase from H.Samuel in store & online. Watch, check! Hair, check! 

Countdown to Christmas

Here at H.Samuel HQ we’re all feeling the cold; with the rain splashing on the windows and everyone hugging tightly to their hot water bottles, I think it is safe to say that winter is well and truly here. Although the weather might be miserable, we haven’t let it dampen our moods because the countdown has begun for our favourite time of year.  With less than 50 days to go until Christmas (and only 2 paydays!) it’s time to start thinking gifting before panic mode sets in.

To limit the risk of stress, we’re taking a look at some of our favourite festive gift ideas to help you say it better this Christmas.

It seems we aren’t the only ones keeping warm with a trusty hot water bottle this winter. This adorable collectable from Me to You shows Tatty Teddy all cosy and ready for bed. Whether you’re starting up someone’s collection or just adding to it, collectibles come in all shapes and forms and can make the perfect gift for a loved one. From our cute Me to You teddies, to stunning Swarovski crystal pieces and even quirky Magnificent Meerkats, there’s a collectible to suit everyone.

From something you would give to a collector, to something they will only receive once. For those of you who are thinking of popping that all important question this Christmas, this special gift may be a little harder to choose. This classic solitaire from The Forever Diamond makes for a timeless choice. Simple and elegant, this ring will take her breath away. With the 73 facet flower cut unique to The Forever Diamond and a unique twist of glistening diamond detailing running along the shoulders, this ring offers plenty of seasonal sparkle.

Looking for something to give to him? A watch is a stylish and versatile gift which he will get plenty of use out of (and will make sure he isn’t late any important occasions!). This sleek watch from Citizen is complete with their solar powered Eco-Drive technology, meaning that he will never need to replace the battery. With an on-trend blue dial and illuminating features, it makes for the ideal gift.

 Take a look at H.Samuel for more festive giftspiration.

Fashionable fun

As fashion trends are constantly changing it can become difficult for us to keep up with them. Accessorising your look is just as important choosing the outfit and with the high price tags of fine jewellery it can sometimes put them out of reach. This is where costume jewellery takes it’s proud place as not only is it influenced by the fashion world, it can be a far more affordable option making for the perfect alternative. With the exciting arrival of our Fashion boutique, which features new collections from brands such as GAIA, Buckley London and Betsey Johnson, staying on trend has never been easier.

GAIA is a young British brand that brings us stylish hand crafted jewellery with pieces in sleek sterling silver or plated with either warm yellow gold or fashion favourite, rose gold. The collection features a combination of delicate and bold pieces adorned with crystals and semi precious stones. Dainty bracelets form the bulk of the collection and with a mystical inspiration many of them featuring spiritual motifs, like this rose gold-plated evil eye bracelet, perfect for stacking together these bracelets are an on trend favourite. We’ve even spotted our favourite Kardashian sisters sporting the evil eye bracelet trend!

  

From spiritual to statement, New York fashion designer Betsey Johnson is known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished and the over the top. Her collection contains quirky pieces, heavily adorned with crystals and print. From Parisian inspired jewellery to designs with a unique sea life influence there’s a style to suit any trend. Embrace this season’s animal print trend with these adorable leopard print heart earrings complete with chic black bows, perfect for taking a walk on the wild side this season.

As we approach party season, sparkle is absolutely necessary which brings me on to Buckley London! This beautiful collection has been designed in the UK using the highest quality materials including 18ct gold plating. With stunning statement pieces set with large coloured stones and fashion forward two-tone and tri-colour jewellery the collection has a lot of variety.  

Inject some twinkling flower power into your style with this glitzy crystal pave set flower ring. Wear alone for statement sparkle or stack with other rings to create a contemporary look. 

Buckley London is perhaps most recognised for their close partnership with the Royal British Legion and their crystal adorned red poppy, which has been worn by celebs such as Gary Barlow and even worn by Kate Middleton. This glamorous stone set poppy brooch is £10 and £3.33 gets donated to the Royal British Legion (Charity number 219279), perfect for showing your support with stand out style this remembrance day.

Be ready for any trend this season and explore our Fashion Boutique at H.Samuel.

MW by Matthew Williamson

It’s always exciting when we welcome a new collection of watches to our repertoire, but even more so when it is an exclusive, all-new watch line from world renowned fashion designer Matthew Williamson. With stylish embellishments and pops of colour, the MW by Matthew Williamson watch collection perfectly reflects the striking and glamorous style we've become accustomed to seeing in the designer's revered clothes and accessories.

To celebrate the launch of the fantastic MW by Matthew Williamson, we hosted a prestigious two day event at a luxurious London hotel. On the first day Matthew himself and his design team attended an exquisite private afternoon tea in the Pavilion Penthouse overlooking the rooftops of Mayfair. This was a tightly knit affair attended by journalists from publications such as Vogue, Red, Harper's Bazaar and HELLO! These VVIPs got the chance to talk to the designer himself about the collection and his inspiration, whilst getting up close to the unique and quirky designs that make this range of watches so special.

The second day was full of excitement for a bigger audience, as media contacts from the UK’s most popular publications gathered. With draping curtains, sumptuous red and pink roses and elegant glass cutlery including quirky tea pots and cups, the elegant setting created a quintessentially English spirit in keeping with the British roots at the heart of the MW by Matthew Williamson label. From amongst the decorations, gold, silver and rose gold timepieces glistened, showcasing the brand new collection of ladies’ MW watches.  The emphasis for this day was on fun, with the journalists getting to admire and play with the watches amidst the lavish setting of roses heady with scent and cakes sprinkled with gold. They were thrilled with the day and tweeted their favourites from the collection. Glamour magazine were particularly taken with the Glamour range!

We may not have been able to invite you all to this wonderful event, but we can invite you to cast your eye over the fabulous MW collection now available in selected stores and online. A personal favourite of mine is this chic rose gold-plated bracelet watch. In keeping with the flourishing trend of pink this season, the blushing hue of the rose gold is enhanced with a striking fuchsia framing around the bold black dial, finished with sparkling crystal detailing for that glamorous touch signature to My by Matthew Williamson. Complete with pyramid stud detailing on the bracelet, this timepiece is all you need for femininity with a contemporary edge.

Another must-have from the range is this stylish, limited edition model. Available in fresh stainless steel, classic gold-plated or trendy rose gold-plated, there are only 500 of each of these statement MW by Matthew Willamson watches, so if you want to invest in this exclusive style you better act fast! Boasting a retro inspired design and bold coloured dial, these exclusive lines deliver the iconic vibrancy and energy of the Matthew Williamson label.

Shop the fabulous MW by Matthew Williamson watch collection, exclusive to H.Samuel.

Trick or Treat?

Now that we are well into October it’s finally acceptable to get excited about the approach of Halloween! However you celebrate it, whether you choose to get all dressed up and throw a Halloween party, stay tucked up under a duvet watching a scary movie or head outdoors for a little trick or treating, in this blog post we are taking a look at some of our festive inspired jewellery and collectables to get you into the spooky spirit.

My favourite thing about Halloween is spotting the warm orange glow that comes from creepily carved pumpkins dotted along people’s doorsteps, setting the scene for all the Trick or Treaters. But as much as I like seeing them, I don’t actually enjoy carving them myself, until I get past the bit where you scrape out the seeds from the inside. This little guy from Me to You avoids all the mess of a real pumpkin and makes for the perfect Halloween treat… ok, so he’s not that creepy, but he is very cute!

For those of you that fully embrace Halloween and all the spooky things that come with it then throwing a Halloween party is the perfect excuse to fill your house with scary decorations. If you remember Maleficent from sleepy beauty then you will probably agree that she is one of the scariest of all the Disney villains. This stunning figurine from the Disney Showcase Haute Couture range is a must have addition to any Halloween event and is sure to give your guests a fright.

If you don’t have any plans to get dressed up this Halloween, but you still want to get into the festive spirit then why not give your looks a little bit of a Halloween inspired twist. This stunning necklace from Martine Wester with deep red and black crystals complete with spikes, has a glamorous and mysterious finish and the best thing about it, is you can wear it all year round.

Happy Halloween!

Take a look at our festive inspired treats at H.Samuel.

Pretty in Pink

This year autumn/winter fashion has taken an unexpected turn; the darker autumnal shades we usually see at this time of year have been pushed aside to make way for something a little softer. For all you girlie girls out there, you will certainly have picked up on this particular trend and spotted that the high street has been painted in various shades of pink. From subtle pastels to bold, vibrant hues, the colour pink is filling the shops in every shape and form. If you’re ready to embrace the new ‘it’ colour this season, then join us as we take a look at how best to accessorise your new pink wardrobe.

By the looks of the A/W ’13 catwalks, one item that seems to be the chosen favourite for this feminine trend is, surprisingly, the coat. Designers such as Christian Dior, Miu Miu and many others sent their models down the runway wrapped up in pretty pink outerwear. Flattering and feminine, the colour pink can come in all kinds of shades, ranging from dusky nudes to vibrant fuschias and everything in between. One of my personal favourites has to be rose (rose gold that is) and, whether you opt to keep cosy in a piece of pink knitwear or cover up in a fashion favourite oversized pink coat, there is no better way to complement your chosen pink look than with the warm, rosy glow of a rose gold watch. This bracelet watch from Tommy Hilfiger is strikingly simple and will give a chic finish to your look.

Special occasions and evening looks are the perfect time to accessorise with a bit of sparkle, so to stay looking fashion forward pink sapphire is an ideal choice. Usually complemented with diamonds, pink sapphire jewellery is both elegant and on-trend. This stunning diamond and pink sapphire pendant will add a touch of vintage glamour to any occasion.

 Although the fashion world has only just started embracing the colour pink for the Autumn/Winter months, Breast Cancer Care has been at it for years. Every October Breast Cancer Awareness month takes place, with a whole load of brands joining forces to back the cause by launching special pink products to raise awareness and funds for the charity. Chamilia have taken part in supporting this by bringing us this sparkling pink breast cancer ribbon bead. Both inspirational and beautiful, for every bead sold £5 is donated to Breast Cancer Care.

 Discover watches and jewellery in this season’s hottest colour at H.Samuel.