Hee hee..

Couldn't help but post this. Apparently horses in the Edwardian era favoured long, blonde and ever so slightly crimped hairstyles

Swarovski crystals..

Hand-decorating our brand new 'Tattoo' cards  with Swarovski crystals. So sparkly! No other crystals compare to Swarovski in our opinion. Below some fantastic images of Swarovski installations.

Pearls

I recently visited the new V&A Pearls exhibition, which displayed the most exquisite of pearls from Roman times up to present day and Mikimoto.

Pearls have long been a favourite in Anzu illustrations, as on our Congratulations card which features painted Diamond and pearl strands, so the exhibition was very inspiring.

There was a combination of amazing pearl jewels and tiaras, portraits and even Queen Elizabeth II's soft gold evening dress worn for a Paris state event. It was decorated with the most beautiful bee, wild flower and wheat motifs. Absolutely lavish in detail with exquisite gold embroidered leaves and seed pearls scattered across the gown.

The most ethereal Elizabethan portrait. In periods of this portrait pearls were a symbol of fertility and life.

There were also many celebrity pieces: Elizabeth Taylor's ear-rings, Marilyn Monroe's Mikimoto choker and most amazingly King Charles I's Pearl earring, which he was wearing when he was executed(read more of that story here)

There was also an impressive array of tiaras. This crown-shaped hat was from Lucknow and embroidered with tinsel (!) and seed pearls.

Tiaras have often featured on Anzu products. Here is a detail of our Queen's jewels print. This illustration was inspired by the Cambridge Lover's knot tiara, which features diamonds and large Oriental pearl drops.

Images via V&A, Adorngirl.com and Anzu Ltd

Valentines

It's still not too late to order for Valentines. Just drop us a line info@anzu.co.uk or call us to see our lovely new Tattoo Valentines collection!

Happy New Year!

Have a sparkling New Year!

With love from Anzu x

Hello

Really enjoyed seeing the Hello, my name is Paul Smith exhibition at the Design Museum. Here are some of my favourite corners, and Paul Smith quotes.

'You can find inspiration in everything. If you can't, then you're not looking properly'

'Take it easy, grow gently, and you'll have a lovely life'

'Every day is a new beginning'

'Don't dress for fashion, dress for yourself'

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful day,

Anzu x

Images from top: Anzu Angel wings card, Angels in Manhattan, photograph for Vogue by Paolo Roversi, Ileana Makri angel earrings with brown diamonds from Barneys, Art nouveau angel at Kirche am Steinhof, An Angel playing a Flageolet by Edward Burne-Jones, Angel dress by Alexander McQueen.

Festive windows

Some of our favourite Christmas windows this year. Silver stags in an icy frost at Asprey,

an explosion of pink and stripes at House of Hackney,

fun Flamingos, pineapples and palm trees at Lunda & Curious,

a gingerbread Kremlin in Zurich,

gilded tree and birdcages in Penhalgions,

traditional wooden Christmas decorations in Zurich.

Starry nights

Anzu Christmas tree card from the Diamonds are Forever range, hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Antique diamond star brooch. These star explosions were popular in the Victorian era.

Van Cleef & Arpels diamond snowflakes.

Anzu Christmas Star Trail card, also from our Diamonds are Forever range.

Aquamarines and icy diamonds

We love Aqua and white for Christmas decorations, and icy diamonds and aquamarines inspired our Diamonds are forever bejewelled Christmas cards this year. Above our Anzu Aquamarine decorations card, hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Romantic details from the Tiffany windows this year.

The Anzu Snowflake decoration card. To buy simply click here !