Inspiration: Spring, Longer Days & Invitations

I know that it’s on its way. Spring, that is. While we had hints of it a few weeks back these last few days we are back to rain, clouds and lots of wind. Funny, I do love the change of seasons; however, the winters in this part of the country just seem to drag on for some reason. I shouldn’t really complain, this year we squeaked through without snow or ice unlike many parts of the country. The no snow and ice thing was a really nice change from the norm here. During our spring tease I had a gigantic case of spring fever. The longer warmer sunnier days were so tranquil and the cute little bench in my garden was so inviting.

Black & White: Purist or Out of the Box?

Curious…when it comes to wearing black and white, are you a purist and strictly keep it to black and white or are you a “step out of the box” kind of gal? The spectator look, as it came to be called in the 30s and 40s, always looks sharp to me. And for those of you who are thinking that I am really old…no, I wasn’t around in the 30s and while I was here in the late 40s I was way too young to be paying attention to fashion yet. So, yes, I am old…just not that old yet! However, I love watching classic movies from that time – mostly for the jewelry and the fashion. The tailoring and the fit was always superb in the clothes and the jewelry…well, there simply aren’t words.

Throwback Thursday: Crop Top, Bermudas & 1965

Thought it would be fun to share a few more pix from 1965. These taken by a photographer as tests for a project in the hills of Irvine…long before Irvine was ever developed and there was still an occasional adobe casa sprinkled here and there. Yes, back in the olden days when I had lots and lots of hair and brow! I remember that crop top so well – not only did I love the lines and fit of it – look closely at the neckline – it had a semi-bateau shape with a wonderful soft rolled collar constructed from a soft linen. Sigh, why don’t they make clothes like this in 2014? (Or is that the chant of a granny who thinks everything from the past was better than it really was? Yikes!)

Inspiration: Longer Days, Vibrant Colors, Jewels & Rocks Galore

Isn’t the spring time lovely? Growing up in SoCal, I really didn’t understand the changing of the seasons thing since seventy degrees and sunny about 340 days out of the year usually means that there was never an abrupt change in much of anything around me. That all changed when I moved to New York and had my first real experience with drastic changes in weather, clothes and foliage.

Fanfare Please -- Yellow Calcite & Crystal Quartz

Sometimes simple is magnificent. Case in point – this magnificent yellow calcite and crystal quartz bracelet. You know that my trademark design is usually a three-strand, sometimes five-strand, bracelet or necklace. However, there are times when I sit at the bench in my studio and see a simple, yet stunning, single strand design. This was one of those times.

A Mash of Our Own

No secret, I love a mash of bracelets…always have, always will. It tickles me that the world of fashion has finally embraced the look as well. These days you don’t have to look far to see your favorite fashion blogger or models in an editorial spread donning loads and loads of bracelets. While I love the look, there is one thing that I think I do a bit differently from the norm. Maybe it has to do with my fascination with rocks and gemstones and how I showcase them in my jewelry designs or maybe it has to do with my being slightly claustrophobic. (Bet you weren’t expecting that now were you?)