Something a little different for you today. As Midlifechic grows I’m finding that I’m being approached by lots of brands who are keen to work with me. This is immensely flattering and in another life I’d try running a hugely commercial blog and accept all of their offers. However as things stand, I just don’t have time to write about anything I don’t genuinely think is great so 98% of the time I take a deep breath and gently turn the offers down. Today though I want to introduce you to Claudia Bradby pearls. (Disclosure time – I haven’t been paid for writing this post but I was given a necklace for me and a competition prize for you).

So, Claudia Bradby are on a mission to bring pearls back by creating contemporary pieces of jewellery. As it happens they are already ahead of the curve because I’ve noticed that pearls are starting to trend amongst the 20-something bloggers. Although I am a huge fan of French style, there is something about this jewellery that underpins the best of British chic. In fact Kate Middleton is a fan and before she married Prince William, she commissioned pieces from them in her role as accessories buyer at Jigsaw. You can still buy the Kate necklace that she designed. This is their look, very English, very understated.

Claudia Bradby pearls Midlifechic review

Margarita long pendant, Manhattan studs

Claudia Bradby pearls review

Mimi rope necklace; Signature Moonstone necklace; Eclipse necklace; Essential bangle; Constantine bracelet; Lucia bracelet; Essential earrings

Claudia Bradby pearls review

Margarita bracelet; Margarita earrings

Claudia Bradby pearls review

Glitterati necklace; Coco necklace; Druzy earrings

Hopefully these images help you to understand why I am so enthusiastic about this find. It is exactly the sort of understated styling that I know you and I aspire to. If you have a great quality capsule wardrobe with a few standout pieces of jewellery, you really don’t need to have very many clothes to look chic.

So, although I haven’t been paid for this piece, they did invite me to choose a piece of jewellery. I was on holiday in Turkey when the email came through and choosing felt like an impossible task. My delivery arrived last week. I often find that jewellery that has been bought online can be a bit of a letdown when it arrives because it is packaged cheaply however this wasn’t the case with Claudia Bradby – beautiful hand tied boxes with sueded pouches.

IMG_6411

IMG_6412

So what did I choose? I went for the Bella Silver Pearl and Heart necklace which I know I’ll wear forever.

cn25hrts_1024x1024

I’m also wearing some pearl earrings that I bought a long time ago and having seen the simple way they dress up a jeans outfit, I’m going to take Claudia Bradby’s advice and stop saving them for best.

Midlifechic reviews Claudia Bradby pearls

Bella silver pearl and heart necklace, Majorica earrings (bought in Mallorca); Hush jumpsuit; Jigsaw Milly shoes in ginger

Claudia Bradby pearls review

The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that there was a second box which contained something very thoughtful sent in the context of my recent posts about work life balance. I’m saving it to show you next week – you’ll understand why when you read the post I’m planning to write.

In the meantime, Claudia Bradby have very kindly offered a competition prize which is exclusive to readers of Midlifechic. It’s the first time I’ve run a competition so it’s very exciting. I’m using Rafflecopter to make sure it’s all fair and above board and I’m happy to post the prize internationally so if you’re outside the UK you can join in. I’m not adding any tricky questions or tie breakers so please do enter – it’s another way of letting me know that you’re out there reading my blog and making it all worthwhile! The entry link is at the bottom of this post – good luck.

You’ll notice I’m wearing the Hush jumpsuit again today which is currently my best buy of the season. I’ve been wearing it for work, at weekends and for going out – it’s so easy to dress up or down with different shoes, jackets and jewellery, it’s incredibly comfortable and, for those of you who were concerned about creasing, because it’s rayon it doesn’t crease too badly. It’s sold out at the moment but there is a reorder list for the next delivery in two weeks’ time so if you want one, you need to put your name down.

So, what else has been happening? Well those of you who follow me on Instagram know that I made a very happy Sunday night escape to London with Mr MC. Here we are arriving at the hotel which is on a typical London street lined with Georgian houses.

Nikki Garnett, Midlife Chic

Whistles double faced blazer; Cos draped neck printed shirt; Cos orb pendant necklace; Boden silver belt; Next relaxed skinny jeans (custom dyed); Boden scallop points; Whistles Fleet tote bag (available in burgundy and chestnut this season), Longchamp le Pliage travel bag.

We stayed in my favourite part of London, Marylebone, at Ten Manchester Street. It lacked the sparkle of the Great Northern but made up for it with its location. For those of you who don’t know Marylebone, it has all of the best shops – Whistles, White Company, J Crew, Conran Shop, Eileen Fisher etc and of course if you walk east, you’ll hit Selfridges at the end. As you can see I was very happy to be amidst my favourite shops and now it was time to reward Mr MC for his patience with a glass of wine.

Midlifechic

We ate at La Fromagerie and again later at Busaba Eathai and we drank too much wine which is why there is no photo of the following day! So yes, I paid for my indulgence because I had to visit a luxury gift fair for work which was hot, tiring but also inspiring.

Happily I now have a week off work – you’ll remember that I negotiated it as part of my new work life balance package so that I could spend one last week with my eldest before the dreaded day next Saturday when we take him to university. He seemed rather alarmed when I said I wanted to wrap him up for a week and watch the Lion King on a loop whilst I stroked his hair like I used to when he was little… I suspect I’d have to catch him first!

I will also be doing a week of intensive mornings at the gym to try to rebuild my shoulder so by the time you see me next, I may be a worn out sobbing shadow…or I may be a newly liberated Wonderwoman – who can say. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a roller coaster week. In the meantime this is the lovely Claudia Bradby essential silver pearl necklace worth £57 that you could win in the competition.

silver_essential_necklace_1024x1024

One winner will be chosen at random on 2nd October and I will notify you by email. Just add your details and thank you for entering – I hope you win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway