Caribbean Skies – The Ultimate Cruise Accessory by Caprilicious

Hello folks, how are you today? I have been awol for a few weeks as I have been out and about with friends and work. This week has seen me relaxing at home and playing in my garden and rummaging in my bead stash, which is when I get my best ideas - or remember ones I had put aside for another day. 

I took a trip to Amsterdam to catch up with one of my oldest friends from medical school. She flew in from the US, jet-lagged and slightly dazed, so we took things easy — pottering about the city, going for long walks, and dipping in and out of quirky little shops whenever something caught our eye.
Most of our time was spent simply enjoying each other’s company, reminiscing about our student days. We arrived at medical school at the grand old age of seventeen — wide-eyed, clueless, and convinced we’d already conquered the world just by getting in. If only we’d known what was ahead!
Still, I’d say we’ve done pretty well. She’s now a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School (yes, that Harvard), and I couldn’t be prouder of her. And while I may not be Ivy League, I’ve carved out a respectable corner of the world for myself as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Warwickshire and Clinical Director of my unit — which, let’s face it, is nothing to sniff at.
Two wide-eyed girls from medical school — a few decades on, a lot of laughs (and some tears) later, and still going strong.

In Medical School, Bangalore; circa '78-'79

Amsterdam 2025

I made up for all the giggling and nostalgia by being thoroughly grown-up the following week, when I travelled to London for the MRCOG Part 3 exams. It was back to serious consultant mode — although I did manage to squeeze in an evening with a lovely young friend (one must maintain balance, after all).
The rest of the time, I was the picture of professionalism — meeting a host of former trainees who’ve since blossomed into respected colleagues all over the UK. It was genuinely heartwarming to be remembered fondly, both for the teaching and support I offered during their time at George Eliot, and — perhaps just as importantly — for the annual barbecue I host as a send-off. Apparently, education and a decent grilled sausage leave equally lasting impressions.

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​Caribbean Skies - Sun, Sea and a Splash of Sparkle

Picture this: you're lounging on the sun deck of a cruise ship, a gentle breeze ruffling your kaftan, a fruity cocktail in one hand, the promise of adventure on the horizon… and around your neck, catching the sunlight with every turn of your head – Caribbean Skies.There’s something about cruise holidays that brings out our inner diva. Maybe it’s the sunshine, maybe it’s the sea breeze, or maybe it’s the fact that you don’t have to cook for a week. Either way, one thing’s for certain: you need jewellery that can keep up with you — from poolside piña coladas to late-night dancing under the stars.

Enter, Caribbean Skies..............

This necklace was made for holidays. The kind where your bikini is under constant pressure to perform, your sandals are bedazzled within an inch of their life, and you carry yourself like you’re starring in a low-budget Bond film – minus the peril and plus a lot more rosé. ​This necklace is pure, portable glamour. A joyful cascade of turquoise, seafoam green, smoky brown and ice-clear sparkle, she’s got all the vibes of a Caribbean escape — without the passport drama.

Let’s talk beads. The smoky quartz nuggets are plump and luxurious, with the kind of moody sophistication that says “yes, I’m on holiday, but I still have impeccable taste.” The pale green agate adds a whisper of freshness, while Czech glass beads bring the shimmer and shine. And then, of course, the show-stealers: those soft blue Peruvian opals.
Ah, Peruvian opals! They’re dreamy little stones, often milky and mysterious, like morning mist over tropical water; or someone bottled the sky after a thunderstorm and turned it into gemstones. But what makes these ones special is the shape — quirky, irregular, angular… they look like they’ve just tumbled out of a mermaid’s treasure chest. Each one is different, each one perfect in its imperfection, held apart by little chunks of iolite. Peruvian opals are said to be stones of love and gentleness, thought to reduce stress and increase confidence – though frankly, once you put this necklace on, you’ll be strutting your stuff without any celestial assistance. 
And just when you thought it couldn’t get more flamboyant – boom! – in come the massive iridescent glass dagger beads. These are the life of the party, catching the light with every move you make, and flashing fire like miniature disco balls. Think Carmen Miranda meets Studio 54, with a bit of mermaid energy thrown in for good measure.

Despite its dramatic flair, Caribbean Skies is surprisingly light and easy to wear. Whether you're sashaying along a sun-drenched deck or lighting up the dance floor at dinner, this necklace brings the good vibes with none of the faff. No clasp-fiddling, no heavy dragging around your neck – just throw it on, feel fabulous, and prepare to turn heads.
At Caprilicious Jewellery, we don’t really do ‘tame’ – and why should we? Life is too short for boring accessories. Caribbean Skies is unapologetically bold, joyfully bright, and designed for women who want to make a splash – with or without the ocean.

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And then there's the shape – not your standard round bead affair. There are cylindrical beads, nuggety beads, triangles, little blobby ones that look like someone got overly excited while glassblowing – all jumbled up in the best possible way. The result is movement, texture, and an effortless, “Oh this? I just threw it on” attitude. 
And despite all this richness, Caribbean Skies is light and airy – the fashion equivalent of a sea breeze. You won’t feel weighed down or overheated. She’s breezy with a bikini, elegant with a kaftan, and utterly glamorous with a long dress at dinner. 
An ornate silver-tone bead sits at the centre like a little exclamation mark, and the floral hook clasp ( easy to manage after a couple of glasses of prosecco) keeps things feminine and flirty. It sits close to the neck so the necklace won’t flap about in the wind or tangle in your beachy waves (jewellery should never fight with your hair), and catches the light and the eye!

So if you’re planning to sail off into the sunset (or just manifesting it from your garden lounger), this necklace is your perfect plus-one. She doesn’t answer back, she doesn’t get sunburnt, and she’ll make you look fabulous even when you’re covered in factor 50 and wearing slightly-too-tight flip-flops. She won’t judge your second dessert, and goes brilliantly with SPF and sass. 
If you’re off on a cruise, heading for sunnier climes, or just want to feel like you’re sipping rum on the deck of a yacht (we won’t tell), Caribbean Skies is the necklace for you.

That's me for this week's belated edition of the Caprilicious blog. I'm going to continue the rest of my time off in the manner which I began it - doing very little. My garden is growing like a mad thing this year and it's so much fun looking at the plants coming back into their own. The hostas in particular, are green and beautiful - and haven't yet been attacked by the slugs. 
Have a wonderful week and I'll catch you soon.
Until then
​xx

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