Beauty and Self-Esteem

I was astounded to see this video clip the other day and couldn't wait to share it with everyone I knew. Maybe you've seen it already, but it's short film showing the incredible transformation of an everyday woman into a billboard model.

It's a fascinating watch and it captures the modern day distortion of our natural beauty, into an unreal portrayal of what we now perceive as a 'perfect' woman.

First the make-up and hair transformation and then once the photo's been snapped...it's the computer photoshop metamorphosis that is the eye opener...'Evolution'

This well known company (who i'm not in any way associated with) is proudly celebrating women and I happily congratulate them in doing so. Obviously, selling a few extra soap bars in the process is a bonus...but who am I to judge...I sell gorgeous jewellery for women and I love it!

Now I'm not normally one to pontificate about the wrongs in this world...I tend to like to focus on the good stuff, so here's my chance to shine a light of self-esteem onto a world that sometimes rose-tints it's own glasses.

I believe that we are all incredible women. We are sophisticated and chic, alluring and enchanting, ravishing and unique and passionate and strong. We are amazing beings who are full of emotion and it makes no difference what size or shape we are, it's purely down to how we feel on the inside that makes the difference in our own lives.

If you want to hear me expound more on my personal philosophies then click here, but I did have a strong impetus behind setting up Mia Masri Jewellery and that was to give women the chance to let their confidence, unique sense of style and their own beauty shine forth.

I'll finish my momentary diversion by saying that we could all do with an extra dose of internal happiness. To remember that we are all absolutely DIVINE! So don’t hold back…Take a risk…Don’t ever stop dreaming… And be who you truly are!

Like Kate Winslet perfectly sums up in the film the ‘Holiday’: “Be the leading lady in your own life”.

Check back soon.
x Tiara Girl

Advice for brides-to-be on their wedding jewellery

A few months ago I became part of a panel of experts for a wedding magazine, offering advice to brides-to-be. Over the years I’ve learnt a lot in the wedding fashion world and it’s great to be able to pass on some of this knowledge in their Q&A section.

I'm thrilled to be able to tell you that whatever you are looking for, whether it’s resetting your grandmothers pearls into a wedding necklace, having a replica made of Jordan’s wedding tiara ( ! ), searching on a budget or having a bespoke creation made, there’s something out there for everyone.

I recently had a lady get in touch with me, as she was having a problem finding the wedding jewellery she wanted. Her question was:
I'm wearing an oyster coloured wedding dress, which I’m struggling to get coordinated jewellery for and I am keen to have a classic but stylish, modern tiara. Are you able to help with any ideas?

And here's how I replied:
Hi, if you’re a lover of pearls, I think the best way to go for your classic-chic look is with a gorgeous pearl studded tiara. The wedding world is brimming with variations of pearls in every colour, shape & size, so you’ll have no problem finding something to match that oyster coloured dress. I try and advise my clients to go for either glass or swarovski faux pearls, as not only will this give you a halo for doing your eco-friendly bit, but you’ll also be saving pennies on your budget too! Remember to take a swatch of material with you when tiara shopping, or give your jewellery designer the task of perfectly matching and designing your tiara.

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl

21 Days of Christmas

I can't quite believe it's the 1st December.  I have an inability to do anything remotely Christmassy before the month of December...no mince pies and no Christmas shopping, but this morning I embraced the rather sudden appearance of the month by downloading all my Christmas music onto my ipod and singing along in the car!  I do love this time of year!

I guess it's rather appropriate that my '21 Days of Christmas' Jewellery Sale starts today too. And guess how long it's going on for!?!  I've been busily making space (both mentally & physically) for my 2009 collections and am therefore hugely discounting my jewellery stock. These are items that have very excitingly been used for press photoshoots and displays and are in great condition...and they'll be the last piece in existence after they've been snapped up in my clearance sale.

I have to admit it's with some reluctance that I say goodbye to this jewellery.  These are pieces that I've spent hours over in the designing and making process. They've also made their exciting way into magazines and fashion shows...so I wish them god-speed to a loving new home, where they'll sparkle on a beautiful neck and be admired by all passers by! Bon voyage!

Check back soon.

xMrsTiaraGirl

Down the aisle in style

As we all know, fashion changes over time and I've found that tiaras also go through their own phases.

Like so many businesses, I started out by making tiaras & jewellery for friends who were getting married.  One of the first designs I did was for a friend called Sharlene, who didn't really want a typical 'tiara'.  She didn't want to walk down the ailse with some flashing bling-thing on her head, screaming 'look at me...I'm wearing a tiara...I'm a princess'!  She preferred to go down the aisle in style.

I designed a double head-band style tiara, with clusters of natural quartz crystal gemstones and mini pearls.  She looked glorious for her wedding in South Africa wearing this 'Orion Tiara'...and many, many years later this design is now my current best-seller.

It seems that not all brides are from the Diamante School of Fashion!  Some women are born with natural style and know that less is more.  They simply wish to feel beautiful and radiant on their wedding day...with just an added hint of sparkle.  

Their own subtle way to screaming 'I'm a princess' is more likely to be a siren call, singing 'I'm feel like a Goddess'.

Check back soon.

x Mrs TiaraGirl

It's so exciting!

I've noticed in the past few years that I seem to add exclamation marks to an awful lot of my sentences! It's not that I'm always over excited or highly strung...it's just that, along with little dots(...), the odd dash - and the ever faithful exclamation mark...I tend to find that it presents my 'voice' more realistically...(or is that) dramatically!!!

Anyway, after my teenage years of proper English Education - the Cyber age gives me a freedom my headmistress would turn in her grave at.

The exciting news is - firstly, I'M MARRIED!!!  (Ahhh yes, I forgot the joys of CAPITALS!)

That glorious day was 23rd August and it was just perfect. My lovely husband, Ian, looked dashingly handsome and has since pronounced that I never have to worry again as he will always take care of me.  Such a sigh of relief...(or is that) release!!!

I have now just returned from my honeymoon to fabulous Las Vegas and California and it seems I've not only brought back the sunshine...but I'm also sharing out my happiness in the form of a rather major sale.

Next Monday 22nd September I am having a 2 week HALF-PRICE SALE!!!  (It seems that sales call on all the joys of shouting about the freedom from strict school lessons).  

It's an end of Summer sale where anything ordered on the website gets 50% off.  Whether you've an eye on a huge crystal studded tiara or a dainty hair pin, a sparkling swarovski necklace or simple little pair of matching earrings, it's half price until October 5th.  And that also includes the amazing 'Design a Tiara' orders too!

So...there's reason for my excitement indeed!!!

I promise the wedding photos will follow, but first...back to business.

Check back soon.

x Mrs TiaraGirl !!! 

latest publicity for 'Design a Tiara'

'Wedding' Magazine were in touch a couple of months back when we decided to run a competition with them. They requested a few tiaras to be sent over to photograph for the article...and they've ended up choosing the ever-popular 'Moondust' tiara here.  It's a timeless design that suits the classic bride.  

They've featured my 'Design a Tiara' online service in their latest issue. Here's what they have to say...

"Talented jewellery designer Mia Masri's new Design a Tiara service allows brides to create their very own unique tiara online, so whether you're looking for a simple hint of sparkle of a jewel-studded gold crown, you'll find the perfect style at www.miamasri.com.  We have three bespoke tiaras, up to the value of £300, to be won".

Anyone can enter this competition...and the winner gets the chance to go online to our 'Design a Tiara' feature and create whatever they like (as long as it's under £300...which shouldn't be difficult really...unless you're doing the whole thing in 9ct gold and studded with teardrop crystal cut quartz gemstones!!!)  Then I'll make their own design for them and they get to wear it on their wedding day. I hope I get some of the wedding pictures!

With weddings on my mind, it's only 6 and a bit weeks til my big day.  I know I've not written about my designs here...but I've got a sneaky feeling that my man is reading this blog too.  So I'll have to keep him, and you, in suspense for a bit longer.

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl

London Jewellery Week

London has been sparkling this week with the first ever 'Jewellery Week'.  

Let's hope it becomes as popular and successful and 'Fashion Week'.

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl

Doing the best we can

It's just over 10 weeks until my wedding day now and I'd like to say that I'm perfectly calm and everything is done.  I'd like to...but I'd be lying!!!  It seems a little odd to me that life hasn't stopped to allow me to spend hours meticulously planning our wedding...so there's still tons to do!  

I also like to think that we have the power to change our lives and make them what we choose...but sometimes I'm not the most shining example of my own philosophies!  I do get stressed...I do get a bit overloaded and overwhelmed...I do get caught up in the little details and sometimes forget the bigger picture (but my gorgeous fiance gently reminds me what's important)...and I do keep trying my best every day.  

And in all honestly...what more can we do in life than doing the best we can? You can't be any better than your best! Your best might not be as good as someone else's best, but you can only try harder...which is still doing your best!  

So...in these busy pre-wedding days I have to admit to having the odd conversation with myself, (actually, these conversations have been going on for years...they're just rather more frequent right now!) in which I keep reminding myself that I'm doing great, and that I'm doing the best I can, and that everything is fine! 

Well...I've got to be my own best friend haven't I?!?! I spend every minute of every day hanging out with myself...so there's no point in saying nasty things to myself! Sometimes though, that's easier said than done...seeing as I am still only human.

So, really my philosophising leads to only one conclusion...that everything is perfect just as it is.  That doesn't mean we stop dreaming or striving for our goals...it just means we can make the choice to live in the present moment...one day at a time.

The romantic chic-flick the 'Holiday' sums it up perfcetly in one phrase... "Be the leading lady in your own life".

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl

The singing tiara & the lucky winner...

It's the beginning of June and our Tiara Giveaway Competition has come to a close. The countdown has finished and we've picked our lucky winner...a bride-to-be called Tamlyn who's getting married in May 2009. Tamlyn gets to choose any tiara of her choice from our current collection worth up to £170...I'll let you know which tiara she ends up choosing soon.

Whilst we're on the subject of competitions...we've now successfully teamed up with You and Your Wedding (who've given us a 'Best of British' stamp of approval) to offer a bride-to-be the chance to win the Entwine Tiara.    

The Entwine Tiara is not a tiara that screams "I'M A BARBIE PRINCESS"!!! It won't appeal to the diamante crowd who want blindin' bling...and it won't appear in American prom queen top listings.  

No...the Entwine tiara (were it to have a voice!) would sing a soothing, celestial melody!  It would appeal to the modern bride who dreams of an understated and subtle tiara with a hint of sparkle...and it would endeavor to make you feel like a Goddess on your wedding day.

No wonder it's a best seller...so why am I giving it away?  Hmmm...maybe there's a screw or two loose eh!

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl

Fairy Godmother to modern brides!

I began working on one of my favourite tiaras yesterday...the Elegance Tiara. Brides magazine have shown interest in writing a feature about 'Design a Tiara', and they've requested a number of tiaras to photograph for the 'possible' article, including Elegance.  But I have to confess that my stock is almost empty...so I'm making a few pieces to send onto them this week.  

The 'Design a Tiara' feature is such an amazing step-by-step process to designing your own tiara. I came up with the idea, as most of my bespoke clients loved a particular tiara design...but wanted it in a different colour...with different jewels etc.  So talking with my brother Paul, a genius web creator & designer, the idea of an interactive online feature was born.  Paul has spent many, many hours creating and refining this ingenious online designer...and we recently launched it on our website MiaMasri.com.

All you have to do is follow the step by step links...pick a ‘skeleton’ tiara design, add one of the base styles to your chosen piece, and you’re on your way to creating your own tiara. Choosing the jewels is my favourite step and it just adds the finishing touches…as you get to select various colours & sizes of Swarovskis, pearls & gemstones to complement your wedding colour theme!

It's my way of offering a bespoke tiara to everyone...without the bespoke price-tag and without any diary complications and geographical restraints...and the best bit is once you've had fun creating your tiara, you get to just sit back and relax while I make your own design by hand!

That's as close to being a fairy-godmother as I can get right now!!!  I think it's the perfect solution for the modern bride...who can now get exactly what she wants!

Check back soon.

x TiaraGirl