You’ve no doubt seen our jewels gracing the pages of the glossies or on TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing but recently our sparkles took to the catwalk for the Ideal Home Show at Christmas. In a Highend vs Highstreet Catwalk Show with Tanesha Westcarr, our costume jewellery bejewelled the models as the audience guessed which look was a ‘splurge’ and which was a ‘save’.

Tanesha is a Director of leading styling service Styling Says, which is dedicated to working with you to improve your style, whether for a glitzy black tie event or every day at the office. Taking the role of Catwalk Presenter, Tanesha gave the audience insight into the key looks which included Jewel Tones, Metallics and 70s. As each models duo took to the runway for a High End vs High Street battle of the best, it became clear how easy it is to look fabulous regardless of budget.

Costume Jewellery on the Catwalk

For those of you who didn’t attend the fashion show, we thought we’d share a few of the looks which graced the catwalk.

• Our glamorous vintage inspired Forties Darling Earrings enhanced the metallic gem detailing on a blush pink strapless dress (below, left).
• A simple ivory shift dress was accessorized with our jewel-dropping iridescent Cascades of Crystal Earrings and sparkling  Petals of Beauty Bangle (below, centre)
• With decadent jewel tones a key trend, a dramatic scarlet gown was adorned with our luxurious gold tone Treasured Beauty Bangle (below, right)

Who says advent calendar’s are for children? Not us! Glitzy Secrets Advent Calendar is full of sparkle for the modern starlet. Featuring daily prizes, all you need to do is check back daily to find out how you could be the lucky winner of each beautiful ‘piece’ of costume jewellery.

How You Could Be One Of Our Lucky Winners

Perfect to add a touch of glamour to your Christmas, simply click on each day to find what you need to do and where you need to go to win the featured item – it really is that easy. From festive questions on our Facebook page and Twitter to seasonal mini-competitions on Flickr, our advent calendar is fun, full of sparkle and certain to get you in the Christmas spirit.

With prizes including jewel-dropping earrings and bejewelled cuffs to sparkling headpieces and gift vouchers, don’t forget to use the Share buttons below to let your friends in on this very glitzy secret and spread a little Christmas sparkle!

Today, we celebrate the launch of our new look website with the utterly lovely Love My Dress! We are thrilled to team up with the glamorous, gorgeous and vintage inspired wedding blog for Sparkle Week; a week where customers can receive 25% off their order by entering a special discount code when they place their order online and have the chance to win £150 of gift vouchers by entering our fabulous competition.

Glitzy Secrets New Website Features

Our new website brings many additional features to make your shopping experience quicker, easier and much more enjoyable. Just some of these exciting new features include:

• Slideshows full of style inspiration
• Now you can see how our jewels look on a model by hovering over product images
• You’ll find Share buttons on product pages so you can Like, Tweet or Google +1 to tell your friends about your favourite pieces
• A new bridal gallery showcases beautiful brides who wore Glitzy Secrets wedding jewellery and accessories on their special day
• Love a bride’s style on our gallery? Click on her picture to see exactly what she wore
• Want a specific colour of costume jewellery? Now you can narrow down your selection and choose to display on the colours you wish to see!

Festive Sparkle

Sparkle Week also launches the glittering Glitzy Secrets Advent Calender! The festive calendar for grown-up starlet’s, check back daily for prizes and giveaways and to find out they could be making their way into your very own jewellery box.

Last week Royal Wedding Fever was at its height and the fashion magazines were ablaze with Royal ‘Get the Look’ features, as well as trends and style tips for wedding guests. Quite simply, the W word has never been mentioned more! Of course, where there is talk of a stylish wedding, there is talk of Glitzy Secrets costume jewellery and hair accessories so we thought we’d give you a round-up of our jewels gracing the pages of your favourite weekly magazines.

You magazine began the week with ideas for the bridal party and featured Glitzy Secrets Private Jet Earrings for Glamorous Guest style. Look emulated the classic style of Princess Diana’s pearl and diamond earrings with Heiress of Pearl Earrings, a steal at just £14. Closer’s ‘Wishlist’ showcased Vintage Heiress Earrings and said “Glitzy Secrets is your one-stop shop for jewellery and hair accessories. Why not replace a tiara with these dazzling earrings.”

Then it was all about hair accessories for the bride and wedding guests with Hello featuring Vintage Paradise Head Band, Blooms of Beauty Hair Clip gracing the page of Heat and Bella also showcasing Vintage Paradise as well as Pearl Paradise Hair Clip.

So after all that anticipation, the Royal Wedding may be over but, at Glitzy Secrets, it’s just the start of wedding season which means there’s many, many more weddings to get excited over!

Finally, after months of speculation about Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, the world caught sight of the most talked about bride since Princess Diana married Prince Charles. Kate’s wedding dress was designed by the very talented Sarah Burton, creative director at Alexander McQueen. The utterly fabulous Alexander McQueen label was always a hot favourite and, according to a press release issued by St James’ Palace, Kate chose the British fashion brand for the “beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing”.

Classic and understated, the gown featured an ivory satin bodice with cinched waist and padding on the hips, a hallmark of McQueen designs. With embroidered lace sleeves, a slim plunging v neckline and full skirt, Kate chose a style very similar to the wedding gowns of the iconic Grace Kelly (below left) and Princess Margaret (below right). In a further nod towards the timeless style of Grace Kelly, Kate also chose a delicate silk tulle veil with embroidered trim.

Keeping her wedding jewellery and accessories to a minimum, Kate wore a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, which was leant to her by The Queen, and a pair of diamond drop earrings by Robinson Pelham. The tiara was originally belonged to The Queen Mother and was given to The Queen on her 18th birthday, while Kates bridal earrings were a gift from her parents.

It was clear that Kate’s choice of wedding gown and accessories signified her style to perfection. Simple, captivating and effortlessly beautiful, it’s safe to say Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge will evolve into a modern day Grace Kelly and a style icon in her own right.

Glitzy Secrets is delighted to welcome The Emma Phillips Bridal Studio as a stockist of its vintage wedding jewellery and hair accessory collection. A gorgeous, art deco inspired haven located in West Wales, the boutique features a stunning selection of wedding gowns by acclaimed designers such as Paloma Blanca, Ritva Westenius, Jean Fox, Impression, Sylvia Rose and Jasmine.

In addition, you will find bridesmaids dresses by Impression and Jasmine, award winning shoes and jewellery including a selection of Glitzy Secrets jewels, making Emma Phillips Bridal Studio a one-stop shop for all your wedding day must-haves.

Situated in Carmarthens’ boutique area of Nott Square, you’ll discover two floors of sumptuous bridal dresses, bridesmaids outfits, shoes, vintage inspired jewellery & accessories for your special day - most available exclusively at the Bridal Studio. With fabulous Spanish wedding guestwear and custom made millinery, the boutique is also sure to delight your VIP wedding guests.

Visit the Bridal Studio and you’ll receive a warm, friendly and attentive service, all in the privacy of a spacious second floor viewing room entirely dedicated to you & your guests. The boutique is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Contact Emma Phillips Bridal Studio or locate your nearest stockist of Glitzy Secrets vintage bridal jewellery and wedding hair accessories by clicking here: Glitzy Secrets Stockists

Royal Wedding Fever has gripped the nation as we all eagerly wait to see Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot. With endless speculation about Kate’s gown, hair style, wedding jewellery and tiara, it’s safe to say Ms. Middleton is undoubtedly the most talked about bride in the world at the moment.

The big debate is whether Kate will follow tradition with a classic regal wedding tiara or opt for a more contemporary headpiece or hair flower. Either way, it’s one of the most significant style statements Kate could make…

A Classic Royal Tiara

It’s almost difficult to imagine a princess without a sparkling tiara or crown! As the Middleton’s do not have a family tiara, it’s likely she will wear a ‘piece’ from the Royal collection or be given a tiara as a wedding gift from the Queen. One of our favourites from the Royal Collection is the Strathmore Rose Tiara (below right), which was given to the Queen Mother by her parents. A divine 1920s floral design worn lower on the forehead, this would beautifully adhere to this season’s roaring Twenties wedding trend.

A simple delicate diamond or pearl and diamond tiara, as opposed to a bejewelled crown, would compliment Kate’s petite frame and would be perfect to give modern style to Royal tradition. Classic Romance Tiara and Pearls of Nostalgia Tiara are our top choices for brides who adore a classic look fit for a princess.

A Contemporary Wedding Headpiece

If Kate decides to make a dramatic statement, she may choose to wear a wedding headpiece or even a hair flower, instead of the somewhat customary tiara or crown. If a headpiece or side tiara has been decided, it may be that a ‘piece’ of jewellery from the Royal collection has been adapted to make a customised design. Of course, more significantly, if Kate adorns her hair with a simple hair flower, it shows a relaxed wedding style for this modern day Royal couple.

A side tiara has been one of the most popular wedding hair accessory trends for several seasons and, less formal than a traditional tiara or crown, it could be a good compromise for Kate. We adore Exquisitely Precious Side Tiara for modern Royal wedding style! Alternatively, if Kate opts for a chic up-do on her wedding day, a dramatic headpiece worn at the side of the head would be on trend for vintage inspired style. Bouquet of Grace Headpiece is perfect for brides who want a statement yet less formal accessory.

Whether Kate follows tradition or not, it’s certain she’ll look every inch the modern day beautiful Princess and her style will provide inspiration for many brides-to-be.

Glitzy Secrets Vintage Headpiece Featured on the Cover of Brides

Achieve cover girl style with Glitzy Secrets Vintage Bouquet Headpiece, as featured on the cover of the March/April edition of Brides magazine.  Featuring a crystal encrusted sweeping floral design and beautifully combining influences from the timeless glamour of the 1940s with the drama of 1920s vintage headpieces, it’s a treasure undoubtedly worthy of heirloom status.

Statement wedding headpieces are a popular choice for brides who adore antique chic style.  A stylish alternative to the traditional tiara and with more diversity, this type of hair accessory compliments a variety of hairstyles with effortless class.  Position at the side of the head above a low side bun for ’40s movie star style or a cute bob for fabulous 1920s flapper style. 

For a modern take on vintage, compliment a divine wedding gown with a statement jewelled headpiece and keep all other accessories to a minimum or, if you prefer a dramatic bridal look, coordinate with a pair of showstopping chandelier earrings and bejewelled gem encrusted cuff. 

To shop Glitzy Secrets collection click: Vintage Headpieces 

Every lady deserves an utterly fabulous valentine gift but flowers and chocolates… again?  A bouquet and a box of goodies are nice enough, but they aren’t the kind of presents that will last.  Valentines Day gifts that look beautiful for longer than a few days and are calorie-free are the order of the day, so why not make her sparkle with divine jewellery? 

Need a little inspiration? Let Glitzy Secrets be your personal shopper and you’ll find loads of Valentine gift ideas with the kind of wow factor she’ll love for years to come. 

Valentines jewellery doesn’t have to be about hearts and flowers in shades of pink and reds.  Whether the lady in your life adores the timeless glamour of vintage jewellery, is a bride-to-be planning your special day or whether she has an eye for anything that sparkles, we have the perfect Valentines gifts for her.

Timeless Valentine Jewellery

The girl who loves the beauty and style of bygone eras will adore Valentines jewellery worthy of heirloom status.  Treasure of Yester Year Bangle, an ornate jewelled cuff adorned with smoky crystals, or Precious Heirloom Brooch, a 1920s Deco style ‘piece’,  are sure to delight and are easy to mistake for precious antique gems.

Buying Special Valentines Gifts for Brides-to-be

Buying for a bride-to-be? A luxury jewelled wedding garter by Garters of Charm is the perfect Valentines gift for her.  An exquisite and decadent collection adorned with a removable Austrian crystal charm of your choice which your fiancée can wear as a necklace full of treasured memories after your wedding day, it’s safe to say it has to be the most romantic and unique Valentines gift!

Glamorous Gifts and Gorgeous Jewellery

For the lady who adores glamorous movie star style, Valentines jewellery with an abundance of sparkle is a must.  Precious Heiress Earrings, with their show stopping crystal chandelier design, or jewel dropping Forties Darling Necklace will add a touch of red carpet glamour for every special occasion.

And if the idea of choosing a jewellery gift fills you with fear, Glitzy Secrets gift vouchers are the answer.  After all, what girl wouldn’t be thrilled to go on online shopping spree?

There’s just one thing to remember please guys… now you have the perfect Valentines gift, you’ll need to decide on somewhere equally fabulous to take her so she can show off her jewels!

Launched today, Pearl Extravaganza Headpiece by Glitzy Secrets is already a hit with the press.  Gracing the page of Wedding managzine’s hair supplement, this divine hair accessory combines classic vintage style with a touch of contemporary charm.

A versatile bridal headpiece, it looks fabulous worn as a traditional tiara, alongside a chic French pleat or to adorn a timeless chingon, as Hair Stylist to the stars, Errol Douglas, shows in Wedding magazine’s feature.

Glitzy Secrets Stylist says “Pearl Extravaganza Headpiece is divine.  I’d use this to achieve a modern day Audrey Heburn look and secure tiara-style in front of a high bun. Coordinated with a multi-row pearl necklace and a vintage-inspired wedding gown, it will beautifully create contemporary princess style.”

Click to buy: Pearl Extravaganza Headpiece