Curiously colourful rowing fashions

If I told you I’d tickled Sir Steve Redgrave’s ear with a feather, you might get the wrong idea. But the problem with ‘substantial’ fascinators is they sometimes get in the way. I was at Henley, on the lookout for curiously colourful fashions, when I bumped into the Olympic rowing superhero at the Leander Club. He towered over me, even in my skyscraper heels, and we had a ffffascinatingly close encounter.

It’s so exciting when men make an effort to dress up – and Henley Royal Regatta is an occasion when they can go overboard (not literally, I hope). Rowers seem to go to all sorts of lengths to look original. One fellow had even cut up his old school curtains to create a strikingly unique Hampton School jacket (below).























Under a table, I spotted these fabulous socks, worn by an ex-naval officer, in port red and starboard green. I wasn’t so sure about the shoes though…


There were the usual striped ensembles – including some with very distinctive buttons.
























And there were plenty of unique accessories...

















... from brightly coloured watches to curiously clashing ties, preppy waistcoats and suave cravats.


















I bumped into my old friends from Bedford Rowing Club, whose flower corsages were wilting a little in the sun.



















And for some, the heat of the day was all a little too much.

Not so for 99 year old Rex (below) who kept me amused for ages with tales of Henleys past - and he'd been visiting the regatta since 1936!








By the way, in case you’re wondering about my unusual charm necklace, it was one from ShopCurious, which can also be worn as a belt.

Oh, and you can read more about the Henley dress code over at the Dabbler.

Will You?

Bling bling

I’m curious to know if you received a bonus this year? High rollers might be tempted to purchase some serious 'statement' bling this Christmas – perhaps a Swarovski crystal studded Mercedes, like this one, recently spotted at the ICC building in Hong Kong.







If you’re looking for something with a little more investment potential, how about an original 1960s disco coin belt, from ShopCurious. Made from collectable British coins from the past century, the chain belt incorporates old h’pennies (equivalent to 0.005p in today’s money), as well as florins (two shilling pieces) featuring Edward VII, George VI and early examples from our current Queen’s reign.





A recent news item stated that even 2p coins are now worth much more than their face value, due to the appreciation in value of constituent metals, such as copper. These coins have also been coated in gold paint, adding to the uniqueness of this quirky accessory.

As we just about hang on to one last vestige of our independence from the rest of Europe, this might make the ideal gift for a friend who’s big on nostalgia, or simply looking to celebrate our traditional British currency and heritage.






Designed to be worn as a belt, this would also make a curiously individual necklace – and if things get really tough, you could always melt it down. All in all, I’m quite impressed by this very versatile bit of bling.

Are you?

Memories of maharajas

If you’re in London this weekend and looking for something worthwhile to do, you might find it difficult to choose between the gazillions of things on offer. However, if you can get in, I’d recommend the new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum: Maharaja - The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts.










Maharaja means ‘great king’ - and the curiosities on display certainly show the wealth, power, and cultural influence of this stylish, princely ruling class – as well as their observance of ‘rajadharma’: the duties and behaviour appropriate to a king. Apparently, the vision of a king in all his splendour is believed to be auspicious – there's even a term, 'darshan', the propitious act of seeing and being seen by a superior being.



Some of the highlights on display include a procession scene that includes a life-sized elephant, complete with ornamental chair … plus the elephant sports its own ultra-dangly stylish silver earring. Another centerpiece is an original Rolls Royce 'Phantom I' car that is stunningly huge, with magnificent sweeping lines – a veritable style icon, and suitably fit for a maharaja.






There is also the gloriously glittering patiala necklace, a ceremonial piece that was re-set by Cartier for the Maharaja Bupindha Singh and would have even Mr Graff drooling. There are several quite extraordinary saris belonging to maharanis (maharajas' wives), including one in divine satin with spider-like coral sequin detail - bang on trend, though almost a century old … And there's a fabulous Art-Deco mirrored men’s Cartier dressing table set that’s to die for. The vintage fans with peacock feathers and exquisitely enamelled handles are awesome. By the way, the peacock is the national bird and is thought to provide a watchful eye over the people of India.





The exhibition covers the life of the maharajas during a period from the end of Moghul rule in the early 18th century up to the partition of India in 1947. There is plenty of evidence of the generous patronage provided by the maharajas, including some curiously contemporary modernist pieces of furniture by Eckart Muthesius, the architect of the most recent palace, commissioned by the Maharaja of Indore in 1930 – along with portraits by the French artist, Bernard Boutet de Monvel.




Although their cultural heritage and traditions are still appreciated to this day, due to escalating costs and dwindling incomes, most of the Indian princes have sold off their assets, transformed their palaces into hotels, or even opened their own museums.








We’re not suggesting that you attempt to follow in their footsteps, but, if on visiting the V&A, you acquire something of a fondness for elephants and jewels, we’re sure you’ll like this rather charming and totally unique Indian silver lucky elephant charm necklace with semi-precious stones that’s available at ShopCurious.



Do you?

Tribal village

When I go travelling, I like to meet the locals. Tourists often find themselves subject to traditional dances by ‘locals’ who dress up especially for the occasion, or displays of handicrafts that are shipped in from far flung places. If you’re lucky, you get to see the real thing, as I did in Zambia a couple of years ago.









You’ll note there are no electricity cables in the main part of this village (above), they’re just along the roadside where they lead to the main part of the town. Villagers line the road with stalls selling their wares.







The reason I mention this is that the beautiful earthy colours and unusual design of one of the unique hand painted pendants available at ShopCurious remind me of the Zambian tribal village I visited.

I think this stylish necklace is so original. The painting style has more than a hint of Picasso about it and there’s only one of these – it’s a mini work of art in its own right. What’s more it’s eco-friendly too, as the pendant’s made from recycled wood. This would make an unusual gift for someone with a love of unique accessories, or who’s into timeless and collectable curiosities.




If you’re still curious to see an authentic tribal village at first hand, I just found Kawaza Village on the internet. Looks perfect for adventurous types with desire to experience an alternative natural lifestyle.

Do you?

Love is in the air

It's that time of year when 'lurve' is in the air and restaurants all over town (probably all over the world) are looking forward to upping their prices for that one special night - when most of us will be sitting indoors wishing we were out enjoying ourselves with the partner of our dreams and the rest will be arguing over the bill for dinner, or something far more trivial.

Meantime, to airline crew, 'love is in the air' isn't just a song by John Paul Young, but a rather appropriately named dating website. What fun - unlike the St Valentine's Day Massacre - a nasty gangland conflict in Chicago during the Prohibition Era in 1929 (and nothing to do with Ronald Reagan's first major film role in the 1937 feature, Love is in the Air).

Anyway, enough curious facts: I've decided to devote a few blogs to the universally celebrated institution that is Valentine's Day. I'd like to start by mentioning that ShopCurious is the perfect place to find a truly unique Valentine gift for the love of your life - in fact we've got some very romantic gift ideas in store for you over the next week or so.

To wet your appetite, here are a couple of items of jewellery that you might like to request as a special present for being so nice - or even to present to yourself for being so special:



These stylish vintage 1960s dangly clip on earrings are adorably cute and would work really well with any outfit from jeans to a jumpsuit to a little black cocktail number. They'd make an unusual gift too - and you can even create a little heart shape by putting them together as shown in this pic (ahhhh, how sweet!)





Or add a dash of romance to your life with this quirky-but-classic sterling silver lucky elephant charm necklace. It's incredibly wearable, yet also something of a collectors' item that will never cease to stun with its eclectic colour combination of beautiful semi-precious gemstones.




You might just decide to forget about the meal for two in future and invest in timeless and unique accessories instead.

Will you?

Purple rain

Well, we have been experiencing some very curious weather. I haven't seen any purple rain yet, but these stunningly beautiful alpines seem to flower in London for at least six months of the year - if not more.







Here are a few photos (taken on my terrace by Kurtay) of some of the unusual and amazing jewellery by Aris Geldis that's available at ShopCurious. What I love about these pieces is the use of totally natural materials, the fact that they're handcrafted, very individual and yet also completely wearable. This unique necklace looks like something inspired by art deco and the 1920s. It's handpainted and has the most extraordinarily clever design - I'm truly smitten!

These pieces of iridescent painted carved crystal have to be one of the iconic jewellery designs of the year. The fabulously original necklaces are artisitic and quirky, yet also highly collectable designer curiosities. A unique accessory like this would work equally as well with a dress for the Oscars as it would with a t-shirt and jeans. Simple, classic, timeless, naturally beautiful and inspirational are some of the words I would use to describe this very special pendant.


And for la piece de resistance, there's a limited edition super-stylish luxury version for lovers of beautiful things who can afford to look really different. Style with brains is one thing, but sometimes a little money helps too:

Take a closer look at the £20 note. First of all, it's purple. And secondly, it features Adam Smith - whose "insights into human nature, the organisation of society, the division of labour and the advantages of specialisation remain at the heart of economics", thus spake Mervyn King. Interestingly, Smith's major work was entitled An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Sounds like something we could do with today?

The new-style £20 notes, introduced in 2007, are apparently much better from a security point of view than the previous ones, with more ultra-violet features. Just as well - we've had enough rain in the UK, I'm voting for purple sunshine!
Are you?

A little bird told me

I was sitting at my desk this morning when a curiously cute little bird appeared outside my window. It simply sat and looked at me .. and I thought this bird is just waiting to be photographed. So I grabbed my camera and wondered how I could catch a crafty shot without scaring it away. First I thought I would poke my camera through the blind and capture it through the somewhat rain-splattered window (remind me to call the window cleaner!), then I decided to venture nearer - towards the door ... and I was just about to open it when the pesky bird flew away. So I looked up said bird on the internet and here's a photo of one very similar - a goldfinch. Though mine seemed even prettier than this.

If you're equally curious about the colourful variety of nature, there are some beautifully hand painted mother of pearl pendants available at ShopCurious. These are vintage pieces, which have been recycled with the addition of a matching necklace made of natural materials (like rice pearls and crystal) and an inventive antique style magnetic clasp. Each one of the pendants is totally unique.


I believe that these are originally from Persia (can anyone verify that?) and quite a few of the designs feature rather exotic looking birds. Some of the birds look like doves and others more like birds of paradise (maybe those are imaginary varieties dreamed up by a curiously creative artist?) Do let me know if you can identify any of these. Will you?