Tell us a bit about your company
I’m Kelly and I have been running Tantrums and Tiaras since 2007.
Tantrums and Tiaras is a family run business based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.  We offer both internet based sales, as well as the personal touch at our studio and are just 5 minutes from Junction 9 of the M40.

How did you get into the industry?
I made jewellery as a child and when other life events took over, I left that behind in pursuit of other interests.  In 2005 I became quite ill and got bored, very quickly.  It was then that I started making jewellery again.  It soon became clear that I actually had a very strong liking of crystals and pearls which are so obviously bridal and from that, came the idea to make a tiara.  I’m entirely self taught, developing new techniques and concepts all of the time.

What’s your best seller?
I have three best sellers.  They are May (vintage inspired headband), Divine 1 (vintage inspired headband with pearls) and Phoebe.  She’s a lovely traditional style tiara which uses 3mm pearls which give it a really intricate and vintage feel.

Which designer from your industry inspires you and why?
My favourite designers at the moment are Madeline Isaac James, Sharon Bowen and Lindsay Fleming.  I love their interpretations of vintage styles and these are three designers whose dresses are quite different from other designers out there.

Tell us about someone you follow on Twitter that we should be following or an fashion-related blog that our fans should be reading and why?
I love following Wedding Ideas Magazine (@WIMagazine), they’re great for keeping you up to date on all that’s happening out there.  I also like seeing what Rachel Simpson is up to as I do have a bit of thing for shoes so I love getting up to date gossip on what’s coming out.  Finally I love following my sparkly friends.  We have such a great community we’ve built up and although we’re all in direct competition with one another, we work together to ensure a bride gets the best regardless of who it’s from.  We’re also working together to stamp out the copying of designs within the industry and will keep an eye out for each others interests.

Celebrity shoppers- who buys your product or who would you love to see wearing (or using) your product?
I’ve not had a celebrity buy any of my products yet, however if I did I’d like it to be quite a down to earth celebrity like Colleen Rooney or Charlotte Church.  They are both ‘real’ girls who I think my brides would really connect with.  Of course, if Kate Middleton phoned for an appointment, I wouldn’t say no!

What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?
I’m really looking forward to making quite a few big changes to Tantrums and Tiaras this year.  I’ll be having a new website, a new way of shopping, an innovative new product and a new collection which I’ll be launching at the National Wedding Show next February.

Tell us what you think is going to be hot next season
I think brides will want to be a little more girly and therefore will be looking for intricate and floral details.

Describe your personal fashion style
I will change my style depending on my mood and will usually opt for comfort above all else.  That’s probably why I love your shoes so much, they give the girly glamour whilst still being amazingly comfortable.

What is your biggest fashion faux pas?
A Ramsay Street shell suit in the 1990s!

Think back to ‘shoe’ purchase when you were younger, describe them please
I remember being bought these camel colour sandals which I absolutely hated at the time.  I had my eye on some patent black shoes but my mum insisted.  I remember that I wore them for absolutely ages and really fell in love with them.  I wore them beyond when I was supposed to as my toes would stick out the end but finally had to admit defeat when the tiny little heel (which I though was huge!) eventually gave up on me and fell off.

What is your favourite pair of Rachel Simpson shoes?
From Rachel’s new collection I absolutely love the Carmen design.  Very 1920’s Art Deco and will be able to worn again and again, so not just for your wedding day.

Pick a pair of Rachel Simpson Shoes and match it to something you sell, why this combination?
It would have to be Carmen and our Divine 1 headband.  It’s got a lovely Art Deco detailing that would be fantastic with the Carmen shoes.

Describe Rachel Simpson Shoes in three words
Comfortable, girly and stylish.

If Rachel Simpson Shoes is known for its vintage inspiration and simply beautiful shoes, what is your company synonymous with?
Affordable quality – A designer headpiece doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Today’s final look is for the hopeless romantics in all of us.  This divine, floaty, ultra feminine, silk chiffon gown is called Saskia from the Jenny Packham 2011 collection.

Sally Harper, milliner extraordinaire never fails to amaze us with her creations, some bold and in your face, some discreet, simple yet absolutely beautiful.  For this dress, Sally has picked two headpieces, the first adorned with delicate butterflies and the second, a vintage inspired floral tiara.

Pick any of our girls in Ivory and they’re sure to be the perfect shoe for this outfit, but we have picked a couple to help you decide. We couldn’t help but fall head over feet in love with Fleur and Lola, both simple but classic with their own individual delightful touches.

Today we feature our first over the knee frock for ladies looking to say something a little different.

This contemporary, fun and flirty little number comes courtesy of Pronovias 2011 Collection – ‘Agara’ – a truly gorgeous frock if ever we saw one!

Sally Harper hasn’t disappointed us with these beautiful choices of headpiece – one birdcage veil with three vintage inspired flowers nestled within and the other a tribute to feathers complete with cute side bow.

We are going from one extreme to the other with this dress too, something understated but with feathers to compliment Sally’s headpiece – we think Elena and the addition of the Feather and Pearl shoe clip are just perfect and the other a statement in itself – the gorgeous Marilyn in Ivory or even Mink with her sassy side bow!

This creation is from Elie Saab 2011 Collection –  ’Auriga’ – a vintage styled lace gown from one of the world’s top designers using the finest silks to create a classic hourglass silhouette.

We can’t decide between something lacy to accentuate the dress, perhaps our Lilly or a true vintage classic Duchess, from our new Pearl Collection.  Either would be the perfect partner to this absolutely stunning gown.

Sally Harper, one of our favourite, favourite milliners has chosen this understated yet truly beautiful headpiece that has been designed to say it all without overpowering an already powerful dress.

It’s official – we’re in love!

Bridal gowns come courtesy of our friends at The Wedding Club in Harborne, a simply stunning boutique selling the ‘creme de la creme’ of wedding dresses.  For brides looking for something alternative to the traditional veil, the lovely Sally Harper at Sharper Millinery has added her choices of headpieces and last but not least, yours truly so you are covered literally from head to toe in gloriousness!

Right let’s start with this absolutely stunning dress from the Jenny Packham 2011 Collection – ‘Minerva‘. The ultimate romantic princess silk tulle gown with vintage styled flower applique detail.

Here Sally has teamed it with the ultimate floral display, a satin flower with birdcage veil.

With so much romance going on in this look, we’ve picked two choices – one from our new Pearl collection – the very lovely Venetia, with just a hint of colour to peep out from under the delicate layers of the dress. Or the simplicity of Eva from our Ivory collection.

For information and prices on any of the bridal wear featured in this blog, click on to the websites or speak to Clare at the Wedding Club, Sally at Sharper Millinery or yours truly at Rachel Simpson Shoes.

The winner was a very happy Ashley Jarvis and she was kind enough to send us some piccies of her wearing her brand new friends. “I have already chosen my wedding shoes but these have officially been designated ‘Hen night shoes’. Thanks so much. They are beautiful!”

We love it when shoes and girls meet and fall in love!

Breakthrough Breast Cancer, synonymous for its pink ribbon, is working with the National Wedding Show and some of its exhibitors this year, of which we are one. We are taking the opportunity to do something very special for 150 lucky customers and raise money for this fantastic charity.

Mimi, a favourite amongst us and you, is being given a pink makeover especially for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign which launches with a special ‘Brides at Work’ initiative on 17th September.

150 pairs of limited edition Mimi, produced in Fuchsia Pink Satin with metallic champagne leather trim and the Breakthrough logo embossed on the soles, will be sold in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, in conjunction with the National Wedding Shows in October.

Over 46,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK and money raised from the sale of Mimi Fuchsia Pink will be given to the charity that is dedicated to saving lives and changing futures through research, campaigning and education.

These stunning limited edition shoes will be available exclusively online from 1st October, and with only 150 pairs available they’re sure to go like hot (pink) cakes.

Every day we receive simply beautiful pictures from your special day and we have just put another load of smiley faces and happy feet (courtesy of our shoes) on our gallery for you to see.

For your chance to be pride of place on our bridal gallery and to win a pair of Rachel Simpson Shoes, namely the lovely Lola in Purple Suede, simply send us an image or two of you and your Rachel Simpson shoe. Don’t forget to tell us why you chose your shoe too.

Competition entries need to be with us by end of September and we’ll announce the winner here.  Good luck!

Well if you are then you will have seen our Twitter only offer that we launched today – 25 @ 25!

Every day until Friday we are giving you the chance to buy one of just five pairs of shoes at the ridiculously teeny weeny price of just £25! Today is the turn of Coco in Black who normally retails at £139.

If you are not following us on Twitter yet, then in order to be eligible for this week-long prize slash extravaganza, just click on ‘follow’, retweet to your mates and ask them to do the same and then sit back and watch out which lovely shoe will be on offer tomorrow and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday!

So simple – follow us, tweet us back with ‘I WANT THESE’ and then we’ll pick the first five and send you details on how to purchase the ’shoe of the day!’

Good luck!

Every bridesmaid, groomsman, page boy and flower girl needs carefully co-ordinating with your flowers, the church, the reception and of course the whole time without clashing with your new mother in law!

Your choice of colour can say a lot about your personality, so wait just one minute, put down the burgundy satin and check out our light-hearted blog on picking the perfect palette for your big day!

Be Seen in Green
A green lover is a lover of peace and relaxation, a compassionate soul with a passion for all things wild and free. Not the easiest colour to pull off, especially if you have bridesmaids with different skin tones, so stick to gentle shades and muted tones like our beautiful Marilyn in Teal. Plus you can wear Marilyn in Mink or Ivory to bring the whole look together!

True Blue Baby
You are a truly faithful friend if you are drawn to blue. Always up for a bit of fun and never one to take things too seriously. A trustworthy companion and definitely one of the boys!

We love our Roxy in Electric Blue to really give any game-for-a-laugh girl the edge!

Tickled Pink
Don’t think sugar and spice and all things nice! When we think pink we think of Mimi, one of our classic beauties but taking centre stage in a limited edition Fuchsia Pink (watch this space for more details on this fabulous shoe we are selling for charity) – Pink girls are happy, openly affectionate, the arty type and a girl who has definitely found love at first sight!

Powerful Purple
Well what can we say about you, the lover of purple? A gorgeous mix of wisdom and strong will all wrapped up tightly around a kind, give-give-give centre!

If you love purple, you can’t help but fall for Lola and when you are wearing her, you will stand out in the crowd and although you are far too courteous to say so, YOU LOVE BEING CENTRE STAGE!