Falling In And Of Love With Pandora

About a year into writing my blog, my life and lifestyle changed overnight. Consequently, my choices in everything, including the jewellery I wore, reflected this. To be truthful, Pandora’s ubiquity was a little off-putting too. I sold the charms that had no sentimental value, and with the exception of a grey leather bracelet and a few charms, I put the rest away and forgot about them.

I redecorated my dressing room recently and it was when I was emptying drawers that I rediscovered my Pandora. Immediately, my own memories came flooding back. Memories of celebrations of happy times with family and friends. There are several Christmas charms that my parents bought for me over the years. A church that my brother and sister-in-law chose for a birthday. And a beautiful dangly sparkly star, a 40th birthday gift from my university friends.

My most-treasured charm though, is a little house; a simple, almost naive design. Poppy and Harry gave it to me just before we moved house almost five years ago. I remember them giving it to me so vividly. I was sitting on Harry’s bedroom floor dismantling his cabin bed, surrounded by wood, screws and power tools. Poppy chose it with her friend, the first time I’d let her go to Leeds on the train. She was only 13 and she bought it, (with equal financial assistance from Harry), to thank me for staying strong during a traumatic divorce and the consequential house move. The charm represents the home I bought for us, the awesome threesome.

I sat for some time, holding it and reliving some memories while simultaneously feeling immensely grateful for my children and my new life.

And then I began to build a bracelet.

The Story Of My Life

I realised just how much I’d missed wearing my Pandora bracelet. Being able to see memories on my wrist is akin to wearing my heart on my sleeve. If jewellery represents the story of my life, then my exquisite engagement ring symbolises a whole new chapter. This silver bangle with a gold heart clasp compliments my ring. It looks beautiful with openworks charms on it but looks chic and elegant unadorned. There are a lot of new Pandora charms since I last looked and most of mine must have been discontinued. Some of the new ones appeal to me. Others, (the Disney ones), do not. But that’s the beauty of charm jewellery. One can create their own unique story built around whatever their heart desires. Just like I have.

This jewellery represents my past, my present and my future.