Growing up, I, like many other young girls, had a musical jewellery box that sprung to life upon opening the lid.

Inside this navy treasure trove, adorned with tiny silver stars, lived a tiny ballerina who pirouetted away, tirelessly, each time I went to take out a piece of costume jewellery. Usually this meant my silver Forever Friends BFF necklace, a choker of some sort, or Tammy Girl mood ring.

I’ve fond memories of coveting hand-me-down jewellery from my mum and nan and placing them, lovingly, alongside friendship bracelets and other tiny trinkets, old coins, and shells, etc.

I remember one year, my cousins Liane and Hollie had this amazing new mini wardrobe to house their jewellery. It was a dark mahogany wood and, if I remember correctly, had a leaded, stained glass door and pale pink velvet folds, into which, they could line up their rings. It was pretty impressive.

And now, 20+ years down the line, it’s like watching us grow up all over again, as the newest generation of our family gets to grips with pretty trinkets, hair slides and headbands. 

As soon as I set eyes on the Miss Anna pieces, I knew I had to show them to my cousin’s little girls, Ava and Ruby. 

I went to visit my family up north and took with me a couple of treats, knowing that they would put them to the test, as they whirled and twirled their way around my Nan and Grandad’s garden. Just like we used to do.

Ava, who’s soon to have a carnival-themed birthday party, quickly fell in love with the colourful acrylic circus clown necklace, and took quite a shine to the flower hair clip, in lemon yellow.

The Miss Anna pieces are a great way for little girls to experiment with accessories, without encouraging them to grow up too quickly. The range is playfully pretty - with little pearls and tiny gemstones, and comes in an assortment of rainbow colours. 

When, out of curiosity, I asked the girls if they too had a jewellery box with a ballerina inside, they both shrieked: “yes!” Anyone that didn’t would just be silly! It just goes to show, some things never change, and why should they - childhood should be magical.

Take a look at my cousin Liane’s blog, for more kids fashion and style inspiration. http://avaandrubyswardrobe.tumblr.com

Photography © Lucie Kerley

As an Anna Lou of London Ambassador, I was kindly gifted the pieces to create this blog post.