Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Fun Plastic Nautical Sailor Necklace


This adorable plastic toy has been made into an even more loveable necklace! The sailor is hollow plastic and is attached to a plastic chain made up of varying red and blue links. This is the kind of artful piece that can completely change the way an outfit looks. If anyone saw the recent article on Iris Apfel in Italian Vogue you will remember that they compared her collection of 1980's plastic charm necklaces to colorful and intricate Native American jewelry. In color and scale this necklace can have the same effect as a large stone pendant, only with more whimsy.

Gold Tone Multi Layering Chain Necklace



This nice layering piece is made up of two different styles of 10 gold tone chains. It is a classic piece that can be worn over and over again and one can use for layering to make other pieces of jewelry feel new.

Elegant Abalone Serving Tray

While I don't normally post non-fashion related decorative objects, I couldn't resist sharing with you a picture of this North Carolina find. Yes I'm still here and I found this beautiful abalone and resin serving tray. It has silver toned handles and a thick layer of clear resin protecting the natural abalone.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Antique Doctor's Bag Purse




Also found in North Carolina, this is a stunning antique bag that I was so happy to find. I love the doctor's bag shape but often they are too big and clumsy. Not that big bags are always clumsy, but doctor's bags in particular are too wide to comfortably hold at your side. This is a mini size and has a chain shoulder strap. These two characteristics make this bag utterly wearable and totally comfortable. Because of it's age, the leather does have some wear which I don't mind at all. I may have it repaired but probably not. The brass hardware is also a little banged up but is so unique that it looks like a well earned patina. Notice the modern looking brass feet. Also the clasp- my favorite detail. This bag is definitely being tucked away as part of the permanent collection- I love it!

Aigner Logo Clutch


Well I'm in North Carolina visiting the family for Christmas and decided to venture out and do some shopping yesterday. I found a few pieces at much better prices than I usually find. This is a simple wine leather clutch by Etienne Aigner and has a medium sized brass logo fixed to one of the handles. I'm calling this flap a handle because I don't know what else to call it- there is one on each side and it makes it easier to hold onto the bag, which I found out while shopping as my arms filled up. The quality of the leather is high with a soft supple hand. In perfect condition and complete with logo printed lining. Has a spring framed top so it stays securely open and closed.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Great Gifts: Faberge Egg Dusting Powder




Loving the packaging on this Faberge Woodhue dusting bath powder. This is another lovely decorative piece. In the shape of an egg, a signature for Faberge which is known for their jeweled egg sculptures. Unopened and and complete with box, pamphlet, and pouf.

Pink Lucite Earrings Judith Hendler


Collectors have been going crazy over Judith Hendler's vintage Lucite jewelry. I can't be certain that these are by Hendler, but they are certainly in her style. The dangling pieces are hand cut and polished and not flat as they appear in the photos. They have nice depth and visual weight to them. They are a great color and in perfect condition.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Rhinestone Christmas Earrings


Earrings with this kind of color contrast definitely get noticed and I noticed these in particular because of the green and red Christmas colors. They are a bit grandma but during the holidays someone chic could pull them off with the right outfit and hair.

Italian Bead Evening Bag


This bag is quite old and very well made. Whomever made the bag actually crocheted each bead into the design- they were not applied afterwards. The chain is nice, varying between the black plastic beads and goldtone chain. With all the holiday parties coming up I thought this would make a nice casual evening purse.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

1970's Gucci Oxblood Shoulder Bag




Since we're starting to see some more structured bags out there in human proportions, vintage bags are going to be a great option for women looking for something different. This very feminine shoulder bag in 1970's oxblood leather would make an elegant day bag. The serpentine interlocking G's look more like a design element than a big logo statement. Supple leather lines the bag which has one inside pocket and a snap closure under the logo.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Clear Lucite Cuffs

I'm not done with my lucite collection just yet.. a few more pieces to go.. I love these clear cuffs. They are wide but not heavy. The photo does not show the shape as well as it should but the opening for one's arm is perfectly round and the outside is more of a convex square shape. Be daring and wear one on each arm like a mod wonder woman!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Lucite Donut Earrings




I am calling these "donut" earrings because I want to eat them up! Also because the round shape is plump and full just like a donut. My favorite donut is a jelly donut but I actually like honey buns more than donuts. Now I'm hungry!

Marbleized Lucite Bangle

Everyone loves lucite and when I came across a few pieces this weekend I grabbed them knowing that they'd make someone happy. Usually I prefer clear or translucent lucite but this is a nice clean marbleized white (marbleized with oyster). The shape is nice with the overlap area adding to the visual weight of the piece. I know this is a small detail that no one would notice, but I appreciate that the ends are shaped and do not have a hard or blunt cut. I believe this was handmade and not molded since the circle is a little bit irregular (which only adds to the value if you ask me).

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Gucci Navy Triangle Shoulder Bag






The navy monogram logo is my second favorite Gucci monogram. My favorite is brown with orange G's. Navy suits this shape perfectly though because it is clean and modern and doesn't look too vintage. The triangle shoulder bag is one I have never seen before. It is the perfect size, especially since smaller shoulder bags are finally beginning to replace those ubiquitous giant totes. This bag worn with high waisted denim would be so right. It is in perfect condition and definitely authentic. The serial number is embossed in gold beneath the tag.

Great Gifts: Dior Swirl Bowl



This Christian Dior bowl has a subtle swirl shape and gold painted trim. It is a lovely piece that I found in it's original Dior box. This would make a great gift for the host or hostess of a holiday party since it would make the perfect serving bowl. If I were serving with this bowl I'd fill it up with Swedish Fish!

Kenneth Jay Lane Embellished Hoop Earrings


These Kenneth Jay Lane hoop earrings have a series of colored beads running down them. There is a great contrast between the opaque colored beads and the richness, depth and handmade quality of this gold finish. Signed on the back K.J.L.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Gold Leaf Earrings

Again, these look as though they could be a detail on a chandelier, or a drawer pull, or part of an ornate molding. People should accessorize themselves the way they do their homes. It would be much more fun and way less expensive!

Deco Aztec Mask Earrings


I've been buying a lot of earrings lately and they are in the style that- had they been decorative accessories- Kelly Wearstler might use in one of her interiors. Definitely the playful jewelry like the domino earrings fit into this category. So do these for me. They look decorative. They are wonderfully architectural, with hammered gold tone structuring and open areas like windows and enamel in colors like painted walls.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Great Gifts: Nina Ricci Logo Tie Clasp


You don't have to say it- I know that no one wears tie clasps anymore. It is difficult to make a tie clasp look modern. However on a really sharp guy with well tailored clothing this could be just the accessory he needs. I really love the way the logo is subtley etched onto the face to catch the light. Once again this appears to have never been used and is in the original box. Notice the Nina Ricci logo is a lion for the men's accessories but it is a woman and child for all of the women's items.

Great Gifts: Reposting Dior Lapis Keychain


Posted this item a few weeks ago but with the holidays approaching I thought I should propose it as a gift option. It is a goldtone horseshoe shape with a Dior stacked charm dangling off. The gold ball is threaded and is removable for adding keys. The other ball is lapis. Like the cufflinks it has never been removed from the original Dior grey velvet box.

Great Gifts: Dior Cufflinks



I see vintage Christian Dior cufflinks fairly often- but not cufflinks that look so modern. Another great detail is that these have never been removed from their signature Dior grey velvet box. The gold opens up to reveal dark dark brown glass with the Dior logo. They are also signed on the stem. I'm starting to showcase some items I think would make great gifts- because they are unique, special, and in a condition appropriate for a gift. I am going to repost an older post of a Dior keychain since it fits this theme.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Nina High Heeled Salmon Booties





This color looks so fresh to me! When I bought these some stranger commented on how you could only wear them if you found clothing to match. What?!? I would love to see these worn with a completely different color- like lapis blue for instance. Like the Nina boots below, I bought these because they are special and because they have barely been worn. The color is spectacular (better in person because the leather gives it more depth). Note the cap toe detailing and the perfectly matched laces. Also I love the 70's era lining printed with the Nina logo. They are by Nina for Timothy's in a size 8.

Rhinestone Domino Earrings


Another playful and whimsical homemade jewelry option. These earrings are made from linked together domino pieces which have rhinestones in the place of the spots. These might be a little too wacky for most people but since I've started on this trend I couldn't pass these up!