So I’ve never done anything like this before, but I fancied a try at it and actually it was a lot of fun!

What? The John Greed Valentine’s Day Blogger Challenge
Where? Found via Amy at Cocktails in Teacups
Why? Why not… yay!
When? NOW!!

This has taken me forever! And I’ve actually found it really difficult. I very rarely buy anything for myself and so actually trying to make a wishlist or shopping list is very tricky. My friend Amy, who I found this challenge from, tackled the challenge by actually looking for pieces for other. This is usually the kind of thing I would do – better to give than to receive. However as I don’t want to copy, I’ve tried to come up with items I’d like, though there are two little gifts that aren’t for me.

For those of you who have read some of my other blog posts, you will know that I am separated from my ex (husband) and have been for about two and a half years. I have spent the last two Valentine’s Days by myself (or at least with friends celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day) and even now I have a partner, will struggle to celebrate this year. Why you might ask? Well Valentine’s Day is also my Wedding Anniversary… yikes! At first my partner and I decided not to celebrate Valentine’s and instead celebrate a “15th February Day” the next day. However I’ve realised that I’m only going to make Valentine’s Day a taboo day if I continue this way, so we will be celebrating along with every other couple. That said, we are on a super tight budget as times are hard (not to mention we have a holiday booked in half term that we’d really like every penny spare for) and have agreed to only spend around £10 on each other.

So really this challenge appealed because I know that I won’t get anything like this for Valentine’s Day. All my current jewellery is from my ex and so really I don’t wear any of it any more. In an ideal world, where money was no object, these would be my Valentine’s picks.

Top Left Corner:
Silver Bumble Bee Stacking Ring – Having never liked my full name (Belinda), I have often been shortened to Bel or just B. Some of my closer friends have made B into Bee. Because of this I’ve always had a huge soft spot for bees and this ring is simple but both delicate and pretty.
Follow Your Heart Stacking Ring – Obviously the concept of stacking rings, is to stack (though I have never owned any before). Therefore I thought it would be nice to have two of them. This second ring says “Follow your heart” on it and over the years I have found that these are words to definitely live by.
Obviously being separated from my husband, I no longer wear my wedding ring or engagement ring. My fingers feel very bare without them and it would be nice to have something to replace them.

Top Right Corner:
Heart and Key Necklace – For some reason I have always had a soft spot for anything with a heart on it. This necklace really appeals to me, especially with the Valentine’s theme, as people often claim to give away or to get, the key to someone’s heart. Again delicate and simple, this is exactly the type of necklace I would wear on a regular basis.

Middle:
Double Woven Pink Leather and Silver Starter Bracelet – Until recently I had a silver Pandora bracelet that was filled with Disney Chamilia charms. However my bracelet broke and so I purchased a Chamilia leather one instead. Since doing so I have started to see a lot of charms I would like. I much prefer the leather of my new bracelet to the silver of my last and so I would love a Pandora one to start a Pandora charm collection. The pink seems very Valentine, as well as being a colour I like (and something a little different) and the double loop will allow for plenty of charms.
Silver and Pink Enamel Heart Charm – Of course if there is going to be a new bracelet, it would be nice to have a charm to start it off. As I mentioned before I have a love of anything with hearts on it and this one just appealed visually to me. It’s pink to go with the bracelet and also to signify Valentine’s. I believe charms should remind you of who or why you were given them and this would do exactly that.

Bottom Right:
Bad Luck Earrings – I hardly ever wear earrings, despite having my ears pierced for years. Because I don’t wear them, no one buys me them and I also don’t think to buy them myself. On the odd occasion I go to wear earrings, I find I don’t like any of the ones I own. As such these earrings jumped out at me and appealed to my sense of humour. As I mentioned in my last post, I am not at all superstitious, in fact quite the opposite. I love the number 13 and I almost laugh in the fact of superstitious worries. These earrings sum all that up, along with being simple, small and just what I’d wear.

So finally that leaves me with two other purchases. This is where I break the rules a little. On Valentine’s Day there have always been two special people in my life, ever since they were born. Every year I try to buy them a little something on Valentine’s Day, to show that its a day about all types of love, not just that of boyfriends and girlfriends or husbands and wives. For my very special daughters, these would be my picks.

Rose Gold Bright Star Necklace – This is for my eldest daughter, Megan. She is 8 years old and without a doubt my “Bright Star”. She is smart, beautiful and funny. She has my attitude and while that frustrates me at times, I’m incredibly proud of her. I picked this particular colour bright star necklace, because her favourite colour is pink. This is everything she is to me, summed up in necklace.
Princess Necklace – This is for my youngest daughter, Lily. She is 4 years old (almost 5) and is definitely my “Little Princess”. She is crazy about Disney Princesses and loves to dress up like a princess too. She is obviously the youngest and therefore even has princess tendencies. Though she isn’t always the most ladylike of girls, she would definitely suit being a princess if that was actually a career opportunity.

So that sums up my John Greed Valentine’s Day Blogger Challenge. Though it took me ages, I had a lot of fun looking through the website. Perhaps you might like to give it a go yourself? And then maybe even leave the link lying around for your other half to see… sly ;)