Great Gifts: Versace for Rosenthal Bottle Stopper

Found unused and in the box, this crystal bottle stopper by Versace for Rosenthal would make an excellent gift. The Medusa head is amethyst color and the stopper is clear crystal etched with the Rosenthal and Versace names.

YSL Copper Earrings

While I'm definitely still feeling gold tone jewelry, I've been grabbing copper as well because I feel it coming on the horizon. In part because of the price of gold but also because, when done well, it looks fresh to me. For the past few seasons everyone has been doing rose gold as an alternative to gold and gold tone, but I think copper has the potential to emerge as a huge trend in the coming seasons.. we'll see.

Givenchy Rhinestone Pendant

This simple Givenchy pendant necklace hangs low which will look great come spring when we are wearing less heavy garments and lighter layers. The shape is not a circle or a square which is nice and has the signature G clasp. Dated 1982.

Cardboard Bangle. Yes, Cardboard!

I'm sorry I didn't get a better shot of this amazing cardboard bangle. It is a hardened version of the cardboard used in egg cartons, punctuated with mirrors. I've never seen anything like it but I hope to find more- because it looks so great on!

Great Gifts: Pierre Cardin Logo Tie Clip

One more great gift for now. A vintage goldtone Pierre Cardin tie clip. For the dapper man in your life.

Great Gifts: Pierre Cardin Resin Cufflinks

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean one must end all gift shopping. Think about next year. Think about birthdays. Think about gifts for yourself! This is a great set of Pierre Cardin mod cufflinks. Yellow resin balls with gold hardware in a nice Pierre Cardin logo hard case. Think about wearing these with a vintage tux and all the heads you'll turn.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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).

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.