Happy Birthday, Michael.

From Google and me.

New Random Photos

Quick shots of some Bergdorf Goodman windows from last week!

Etsy Front Page Thursday

Front Page last night on Etsy, but I was in bed and found out this morning. The featured item was "Mrs. Danvers' Romantic Gothic Necklace", here.

I Love A Good Storm!

I have been offline for a week (not including trips to the Apple Store and my local library to use the computers) and after having the logic board and video card replaced this morning, couldn't wait to upload this storm video that I took last week, on August 18. I was hoping to upload it to NY 1 so they could show it as the lightning was RIGHT THERE and seemingly hitting the next rooftop.

I've lost electronics in the past to lighting hitting my building, so I was pretty happy not to have lost anything this time. I notice that other people also filmed this storm, so you can see it from a few different vantage points.

Front Page Feature!

Very nice to see this on a day when my computer has had a meltdown and I am without one - I'm at the library and am hoping I can upload this widget!

Yay! It worked! Mine is the orange coral necklace.

Newport Nostalgia Costume Ball

I was entranced by this set of pictures by New York Times fashion reporter Bill Cunningham commemorating the 22nd Vintage Dance Week of the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers held last month in Newport, Rhode Island. Mr. Cunningham's copy states:

"The group's members share an interest in the dances and the clothing of the period between the Civil War and the Jazz Age. Each of the five nights is devoted to a ball or dance of a particular time. The daytime activities includes tea on July 28 at Blithewold, an Edwardian mansion with an arboretum in Bristol, R.I. On July 29, a formal ball unfolded at Beechwood, the Newport Home of the Mrs. Astor, Caroline. To see Beechwood under those circumstances was a step back in history at a time when the will of the last Mrs. Astor, Brooke, is being dragged through court in New York. The original Mrs. Astor still reigns supreme in her gilded Newport ballroom."

Here's the link to the page at the NY Times so you can see the pictures more clearly.

I was jolted by photographs 8 and 11, which show one Judith Holcomb wearing a famous gown by Charles Frederick Worth. It looks at a distance to be a beautifully made, somewhat simplified replica of this dress, owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I have seen this dress close up, and it looks as fresh today as it did over 100 years ago.



It's lovely to look at these wonderful photographs and see how much care was put into this event so that the fashions for the most part actually look correct, with appropriate hair dressing, shoes and I imagine, jewels. If you look carefully, you'll see different silhouettes, from the 1860s (#22)to the Edwardiam Era(#29).

I wish that I could see them in larger detail so that I could see what the menswear looked like as well. I am thrilled by the visuals from the Garden party and daytime shots - so many of these photographs look like they could be paintings of the period by Tissot and others. #2 and #23 especially could be paintings. #21, which shows a lady in a fabulous bustle ensemble, could be a lovely scene from the French Impressionist room at the Met.

If one is fortunate enough to be able to afford, prepare for and attend an event like this, what a week this must have been! Here's some information about this year's event. The site also offers some interesting costume resources full of fashion history, patterns, reproduction historic clothing retailers, fabric sources, etc. A great deal of effort was clearly put into the clothing, and why not, in that setting? You'd hardly want to show up is some sad ersatz costume at an opulent Newport mansion! Bravi to everyone involved!

Bloody Romance Treasury

I really love the look of this Treasury, titled, Bloody Romance, curated by Zwzzy on Etsy. I think it's so well-balanced and has something for everyone and am pleased as punch to have had my earrings been included. I would love to see it on the Front Page, as it's so totally worthy!

Magical Treasury Wednesday!

Thanks to EtherealCreations, I am in a gorgeous Treasury today. Just check out all of these wonderfully imaginative creations. I'm in the upper right-hand corner - the blue etched glass bracelet.

The link is here, for as long as this Treasury is active.

I'm also in another Treasury with an item from my other shop on Etsy, 2 vintage Sascha Brastoff ashtray/cigarette holders.

Thanks to Numeric Design, who has a neat shop!

Gothic Summer

The wet weather we've been dealing with in the Northeast, and its cooler temperatures (yay, but nay to the humidity) makes me yearn even more for Fall. I know that it will be here before we know it, but I'm already thinking of Halloween and darker fun events. I found a terrific vintage locket last week and this romantic gothic piece just came together, and finally, finally, I found a use for some problematic chain that I bought two years ago that just never worked with anything. I think of Mrs. Danvers when I look at this - you know that she'd keep a picture of Rebecca in there, don't you agree?

New This Weekend

Chalcedony and Rutilated Quartz for cooling summer jewelry...I found some pretty stones locally and was inspired to make these pieces. I gravitate toward green - there is tons of the color in my shops and I have to remind myself sometimes to add other colors!


I combined aqua amazonite, minty jade, crystal beads and chalcedony in this new necklace. It's 24 inches long and goes over the head easily.

I also have a bracelet that so simple in chalcedony and sterling silver.

This rutilated quartz has subtle needles throughout. I saw some clear and black rutilated quartz, but the stones weren't as polished as I'd have liked. Next time - I am entranced by that color combination, but this soft green bracelet is most Serene and Calming.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My beloved father turned 93 about 2 weeks ago, and we had a little family party for him. He's my best friend and business adviser, and as he ran his own successful business for many years, I've learned a lot from him. Love you, Dad, and may this year be a wonderful one in every way.

Nobody eats cake anymore, or admits to, so we had half a small cake left over! It was a strawberry shortcake, but the side facing the camera got stuck against the box, and that was my failing attempt to fix it. Dad's getting a little help from a grandson, but he blew out all of his candles!