Looking Back: The Fantasy of Joan Rivers Jewelry

Living in New York City all those years ago, yes back in the dark ages when Starbucks was just a dream in the minds of New Yorkers (hard to believe I know), I was so lucky to be exposed, in a good way, to the world of Joan Rivers Jewelry. I eagerly watched as her line of jewelry launched on QVC; exciting times for so many reasons. I started collecting immediately with a heavy emphasis on her enamel pieces. In the early years, many of her pieces were made in Rhode Island. Yes, that Rhode Island. Believe it or not, Providence was a Mecca for jewelry design and talented designers and the quality of the craftsmanship of the pieces flowing out of the workshops was magnificent.

Pantone Spring 2015: Scuba Blue

Turquoise by any other name, including Pantone’s Scuba Blue, is still just turquoise right? Clearly, a lovely choice for the Spring 2015 Fashion Forecast and always a favorite of lots of people. I have long been a fan of the color turquoise, little known fact about me – the walls in my bedroom as a kid at one time were the most soothing shade of turq. Yes – with frilly white curtains and comfy white bedding. Think St. Lucia and you’ll get the idea. That being said, one would think that my closet would be overflowing with clothes in various shades of the color. Wrong – I have never really felt comfortable wearing articles of clothing from the turquoise family.

34 Degrees? Hooray -- Cozy Sweater Weather!

Sing along with me..."it's the most wonderful time of the year" – yes, I know those lyrics were actually penned for Christmas – but I’m singing them today because I love the crisp cold sunny mornings and clear-sky twinkling star evenings of fall. Such a rebel, me! 

10,000? Could it be Possible?

Oh dear, at some point earlier in the week I posted my 10,000 tweet. For those of you who might not know exactly what that means – I’ll say my 10,000 tweet on Twitter. Okay, for a person who resisted Twitter for a year or so, I sure seem to have jumped in with both feet! That number couldn’t possibly be right…could it?

Seen on the Most Famous Women -- Yes, That Would Be You!

Part of me wants to shout “I don’t care what celebrity has worn what in any movie or video” – but then I know full well that saying that could come back and bite me in the butt thus quenching any spark of interest from stylists and wardrobe gurus around the world. (But, didn’t I just put it all out there? Yes, I did so I doubt that “coming to a screen near you” will be in my vernacular anytime soon!)

Open Arms & 2013

This morning I joyfully welcomed a new year with wide open arms. The New Year greeted me in return with glorious sunshine and blue skies – an unusual sight in this part of the world. But, I’ll take it. For me, the sunshine feeds my soul and reenergizes my body – I love it for that! Although it is only 28 degrees this morning, I’m sitting on my patio, bundled in one of my favorite toasty cabled afghans, letting the sun shine on my back, sipping fresh Peet’s coffee and enjoying the gifts of Mother Nature. It’s a lovely picture, isn’t it?

R.J. Graziano Cozies Up

Yes, it's true, I do shop at both HSN and QVC (gasp!); mostly for items for the house, oh and okay, an occasional piece of jewelry. (Occasional...interesting word choice...thank goodness there is no lightening today.) While, of late, both venues have been offering a lot of "disposable jewelry;" however, if you're astute and really keep your eyes and ears open you can find some interesting and well-made items interspersed throughout.

Let's Hear it for Chrysocolla

Over the weekend I "listened" in to Carolyn Pollack (Carolyn Pollack Sincerely and Relios) on QVC while working in the studio. I was so happy to see that she has a few new pieces built around one of my favorite gemstones, chrysocolla.

Chrysocolla -- Strutting It's Stuff

Thought I would share a few chrysocolla pieces with you -- since I did mention it in my last entry. It is really a neat gemstone (did I just say "neat" like Richie Cunningham or Annie Hall?) -- a relative of turquoise -- but in some ways I think it is more interesting. Maybe because it has more color to it -- or maybe it is the mix of color. Not sure -- I just know I have always been drawn to it.