Hello Nadal.

 Currently making an array of amazing salads with my sister to take to Wimbledon with us, how exciting! The weather's supposed to be sunny too. Will be sat on Henman Hill (or is it Murray Mount now?) enjoying our three punnets of strawberry's and a glass of Pimms - how English.

Really unsure about how to dress at a tennis event, do I go with a tennis skirt or may go for some jeans, smart/cas!

Will let you know how the trip goes, will try and take some lovely photos. Fingers crossed I successfully set my sister up with Rafael Nadal, wish me luck!

Love
VRAT xx


PS, Seville photos are coming, we're just sifting through them, we took so many!

I love Seville

It's such an amazing city, I would recomend it to anyone! Will update you when I return, there is a queue to use the hostel comptuer and I don't want to be a hog now! Love VRAT xx Ps, Went to an amazing antiques market this morning it was a lot of fun!

Mad Hatters tea party!

Ooo suits you Sir!

Mmm

Choccy and Danish Mia

Gorgeous wee teapot.

Ryan, Robyn, Joe and I

For Grandad's birthday we went to the Rose Leaf Cafe in Leith for a wonderful afternoon tea. Instead of the tea we enjoyed cocktails out of tea pots i.e. 'pot-tails' and drank out of china tea cups! We also made or bought our own mad hats, I wish I had a photo of mine, it was adorned with big white polka dots and multi colour feathers with a huge great bow on the front! 

Such a cute little place, we enjoyed a Berry Bakewell cocktails, delicious!

Love VRAT x

(PS, Thanks for the photos Choccy!)

Seville

This time tomorrow Joe and I will be on a plane en route to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, in the very south of Spain. I've been online weather watching for the past two weeks and it had been in the 30C's everyday - thinking I need a lot of suncream!

Plaza de Espana

One thing I am really looking forward to are the many markets they have. There's such a range antique and collectors markets to animals to junk to art and painting to a hippy market! They all tend to open towards the end of the week and start business very early in the mornings. Definitely going to be rifling through looking for some beautiful bargains - cannot wait!

Looking forward to eating tapas, drinking sangria and site seeing in the sun! Will post some photos and fill you in on our Spanish adventure.

Love VRAT x

Medieval ring

 Here's a quick link to a film about a Medieval diamond ring on the antiques roadshow - an amazing story. Let's get our metal detectors out! 

Love VRAT x

(PS, sorry I can't get the film up, it's refusing to upload so the link will have to do!)

Bonhams

I am exited to be heading back to Bonhams on Sunday working the Jewellery and Silver sale, (it's on Wednesday 8th June)! I work with a great bunch of girls and we always have the best time being surrounded by jewels and gems in all shapes and sizes, naturally. 

In this sale there looks to be some amazing pieces.

 (Image taken from: http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18848/lot/165/)

This is a beautiful seed pearl and diamond swallow brooch, circa 1900. It show five swallows each at different stages in flight graduating in size. Each one is set with half-pearls to a single or round brilliant-cut diamond head.

 

                (Image taken from: http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18848/lot/175/)

This gorgeous necklace caught my eye because of the unusual multi gem-set pendant suspended from a beautiful ropetwist chain. The gemstones included are, in the centre sits a pink topaz within a surround of aquamarine, emerald and garnet such a beautiful combination. This piece dates from the 19th Century.

          (Image taken from: http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18848/lot/281/)

I love peacock feathers I was so excited when I saw this (mainly because the VRAT logo is a gold peacock feather) maybe it's a sign that I should purchase it..? 

This dates from the 1960s, it's realistically modelled and the eye of the feather is a cushion cut sapphire. Absolutely love this!

Love 

VRAT x

Day trip

To work on improving and sending the Vintage Rings and Things word out I went to visit McCann Erickson Communications House earlier in the week to get a few ideas and tips. McCann Erickson are a global communications firm, with offices all over the world, working with companies ranging from Harley Davidson to Sizzler pub grub! 

Here's a small fact for you, I discovered that Mad Men, the amazing TV programme, is based on McCann Erickson when they first started out in New York in the late 50's. I was really excited when I found that out!

Anyway, the website was a hit, I was really pleased with that feedback! I

Love

VRAT x