On Monday night, I was one of nine chosen girls that got to play in the Shimansky store at the V & A Waterfront. It was all so glamorous and intimate. We had free reign in the showroom and access to whatever we wanted to try on. Trays of jewels worth millions, sales assistants, champagne, sushi, make up artists, photographers, hair stylists and nail technicians. We were given the Shimansky 'My Girl' perfume (delicious) and Emma Jude walked away with an actual diamond via a draw.
Guys, it was such a fun night. I missed your cuddles at bed time, but it was also nice for mommy to go out and feel a bit glamorous because sometimes being a mother is just not fancy. Or clean. Poised. Hygienic. Sometimes being a mother means picking up failed potty training attempts, wiping your sniffles with my shirtsleeve and having unidentifiable objects spat in to my hand.
The hair stylist was from Scar Hair and he is SO talented. Obviously I chose Marilyn Monroe for inspiration, because she was a classic beauty with a womanly and hourglass figure (not a fan of skinny, bony gals) and she is the poster girl for femininity and sexuality, obviously. I wanted a look that was soft and feminine, so we went for curls, long lashes, feline eyes and soft shades of pink and brown - the palette my mom always uses on my face too.
I fell in love with the yellow diamonds. All the ones I show below are ones that I'd tried on. I also wore this big ring that looked almost white, encrusted with precious stones - you can see it in the pictures below. Also, the one 4 carat ring I chose had a price tag of 2.4 million. I spoke to Mr Shimansky and he said they sell several of those. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? But really, there are a lot of 'regular' priced, beautiful pieces there too. The staff are so professional and helpful, they make you feel so welcome and their knowledge on the stones is beyond anything you would think possible. There is even a little museum on the history of diamonds - it was so stylish, but also warm and friendly.
The other eight ladies / socialites were Natalie (Tails of a Mermaid) and Misha (Brandslut), Nikki, Emma (Emma Jane Nation), Fran (Open Wardrobe), Lize Hartley (Sixty Winters), Jules (All Dolled Up) and Emma Jude Jackson
I found this great article on how to choose an engagement ring, and it includes loads of tips of a practical and personal nature. Also tips on setting a budget, how much to spend, research to do and how to secretly choose the right ring for a gal: Article However, rings are not just for engagements and tradition gives us all sorts of excuses to receive jewelry. Like, you are supposed to get a precious stone for each baby that you give to your husband *side eyes Graeme* and then there are birthdays, anniversaries, Tuesdays, Christmas, valentine's day... the anniversary of the first time you ate toast together - really, there are so many reasons.
In all seriousness, when you're at the Waterfront again, go to the clock tower building and have a look around their store, try on a few rings - send me a picture! I can't promise that there will be champagne, sushi and make up artists, but GURL... There are diamonds!
