Dropping By

Hello. Sometimes I stop by my old haunt and see what's been doing since I left; I marvel at the odd spam comments that have taken over like so many weeds in the cracks of a building and I get a little misty at the new comments, people who have taken the time to post even though it's been over a year since I last wrote.

Here's an update: I got a job shortly after my last post, and at first I was filling a position meant for two people, so I was burnt out and tired and only wanted to look at jewelry, not talk about it. Then we moved. Then I got engaged. I've been wedding planning a bit, or as much as I can without getting sucked into the vortex that is known as the bridal industry. It overwhelms me, so I even try to stay away from the computer for recreational use, because I somehow end up feeling hopeless as I look at pictures of some perfect garden wedding, where the bride found the perfect use of old aluminum cans and used paper towels.

If you are wondering, we got engaged in Cooperstown, NY over Thanksgiving (2009), first in local (and excellent) restaurant Alex and Ika, and then recreated in front of Babe Ruth in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Fella's original idea was to get down on one knee in front of the Babe's statue, but they had moved him from the lobby to somewhere inside and, after two visits to the Hall of Fame in my lifetime, I was content to get a manicure in town while he browsed. The ring was his grandma's and vintage, of course, from the 30's. The camera pooped out last year and instead of buying a new one, I waste my money on Victorian rings, so you'll have to take my word when I say that it's awful pretty. And I cried.

And that's where I've been. Now let's get back to it. Just because I haven't been blogging, doesn't mean I haven't been bookmarking beautiful things and trying to pay for them by skimping on the caterer! These are for summer, for warm nights when you don't have to wear a cardigan, for earrings that graze your bare shoulders, for the sun still shining when you leave your cubicle for the day, for wearing bright colors since the days are so long:


Art Deco 18K White Gold, Diamond and Emerald Dinner Ring, $595




Antique Style Jade, Coral, Pearl, Lapis and Turquoise Earrings, $49.99




Petite Cobalt Peacock Cuff, $32 (We got one of these for my soon-to-be-sister-in-law and she never takes it off)




Natural Blue/Green Turquoise & 10K Gold Ring, $95





Lisa Levine Slinky Brass Necklace with Mixed Stones, $147.20



I hope you have been well.

Hump-day, as they Call it

Alright, kiddos! Time to anounce the winner of the ever-so-loverly bloggiversary contest... (drumroll please)
The Clothes Horse!

This contest was all official and vetted by my bf ("Honey, pick a number between 1 and 6 please?"), so if you have a problem, talk to him. Congrats, Clothes Horse!

Now, to all the rest of you kind folks who expressed interest, I would be happy to send a little treat in the mail if you are feeling particularly sorrowful about not winning. (I love sending packages and I've got some lovely jewelry goodies just waiting for the right owner.) Just drop me an email at urbanvintagenyc@gmail.com.
In other jewelry news, I am digging this today:

White Flower Bracelet by Metamorph, $40

also this one:




The Square Prince Ring by Senayakin, $250 (oxidized silver and aquamarine)


And in non-jewelry news: oh, people. Work is rough, but at least I get to wear dresses, right? I'll be setting up a proper update around these parts on Friday, and I'll finally get to read my beloved blogs. (Can you tell that etsy is one of the few sites I have access to?)

'Til then...

Acrylic-ville

It's already been a week since my last post? How time flies once the weather starts shaping up.
I'm working on a long one, requested by Penelope of I <3 Clothes, about Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker's recent penchant for pearl necklaces. That should be up by Wednesday.

Today, however, I'll post another thing item that eludes me... an acrylic collar-style necklace. Why, oh why can I not find the perfect one? I came close when reading a post by LC of the wonderful Fops and Dandies, but once I meandered over the site of the jeweler she posted, I found that the necklace was a little too ornate. Not enough bold collar-ness happening. Another close call came at a local boutique... just not close enough. Here are some of those near misses, with a few other interesting pieces that came up on my acrylic quest on etsy.
(And thanks for previous recommendations folks; I do know about alchemy. I just prefer the hunt.)


Migration Out to Sea Necklace by Paraphenelia, $25
[This reminds me of Miss Sarah Brown of Que Sera Sera fame, who always seems to be wearing a great boat necklace]




Black Acrylic Laser Cut Necklace by Marmod8, $25
[as seen on Fops and Dandies]




Reversible Chesire Chain by Beyondwonderland, $39.90
[as seen in Candy Plum--local Astoria boutique]




Black Nouveau Necklace by soigne, $60


This is the one I may end up ordering... you might recognize a similar design from a past Friday Favorites. Love that honeycomb-style shape:


Hexagonal Necklace by Brevity, $30


Ooh and look at another in the Brevity shop:

Cellular 1 Necklace [sold out, but it looks like they will make a custom necklace if you like the design] [Oh, she has a separate non-etsy online shop!]


Off topic, a little, but I think this ring is very interesting:

Black and White Acrylic Ring by Aubeebop, $30

Etsy Torture

I've lately been obsessed with finding a very particular necklace. This obsession (bad) has led me to fruitless hours on etsy, thinking, just one more click and I know I'll find it! Thinking, okay, it's 8:54 now... I can keep looking until 9:02 but no longer. My deadline comes and goes. I miss it.
I can't describe it, really, but it's got to have these little glass flowers that I'm suddenly smitten with:

Something Blue by vieuxbijoux, $16


Minnie Czech Glass Beads by candysart, $12



Sparrow Bouquet Necklace by ERMOriginal, $18



Red Flower Cluster Choker by puffluna, $27


A sampling from etsy:


I don't know... the choker comes closest to my imaginary necklace, but I'm not ready to order it yet. Because, of course, as soon as I do, the exact necklace I am dreaming of will show up.
Let me know if you see it.

Friday Favorites: Bouquet

If you've been watching the runways (or reading basically any fashion blog), it's clear that florals are something big coming up. They've been featured a lot in Fall/ Winter 08 shows, but what's better for Spring?




Vera Meat Lovely Rose Ring, $68
(I bought the last one listed, but she does custom orders and was very helpful! Also, that is not my hand!)





Alexis Bittar Flower Necklace, $145





Zhen-U.N.: Chrysanthemum Bracelet (Sterling), $495








Hannah Louise Lamb Oxi Oval Cutout Earrings, £86







Alex Monroe Double Lily Ring, Silver & Gold-Plate Mix, £120.00







We Dream in Colour Diana Necklace, $48


Next week, I'll try out more of a schedule with this thing. Upcoming posts (tentatively) include: engagement and promise rings (this may run two days), some DIY movement stuff, interesting material combinations...

Tired today (and a bit incoherent) because my mom and I went to a very, very late Eddie Izzard show last night at Union Square Theater. We've been fans for years, and this is our third show and it was lovely. In the very possible case that you have not heard of him, Mr. Izzard is a British transvestive comedian known for his riffs on history, culture and civilization (very funny Youtube clips about flags, British vs. American English and beekeepers, respectively). Now also known for playing the father on The Riches (tv show on FX).

Friday Favorites: A Little More Organic

All from Etsy today...

Queen Ann Hair Combs by Gurlygirl, $155






Sterling and Brass ring by SaraBlythe, $55






Jacobean Embroidered Felt Cuff by Rosez75, $42.25






Text Post Earrings by Foundling, $15







Pale Pink Kunzite with 14K gold-fill chain by Alexaxoxo, $48


I'd like to open the blog up to requests if anyone has them... maybe a pair of earrings you could never find, or a certain stone or you love or even some gift ideas... let me know.

Bad Car

I've had some car troubles recently. Actually, they aren't so recent: about three or so years ago, the City of New York had the audacity to ticket me for a plethora of reasons. Parking, standing, inspection---I just couldn't make them happy! Since moving to the 'burbs, I've managed to avoid any further indiscretions, but the city wouldn't just take a wash on ancient history. Oh no, the CoNY had to threaten me with the inability to renew my registration. They had to play hardball by suspending my license! The brutality.

Anyhow, I have since paid off my debt to society (to the tune of around $800), and am now just trying to clear my name. The DMV has been pawning me off on every other agency in town until today, when I made it to the New York City Finance Offices on John Street. And guess what? It was a pretty awesome experience. My number was called one second after I sat down, the woman was super nice, and the whole thing took less than seven minutes. Way to go finance dept.!

Here are some pieces from Etsy, the overwhelming, maze-like website which reminds me a lot of the DMV and also happens the best place to buy from truly independent artists...


Lavender Stacking Dot Rings by TreAnelli, $65 (for all three)





14K Rutilated Quartz Earrings by MaryaJewelry, $340




Unpreppy Plaid Ring with Garnet by Stellasilver, $60




Oxidized Sterling and Aquamarine Necklace by KrisCross Designs, $95




Hidden Valentine Heart Ring (Rutilated Quartz) by Nina Dinoff, $120
(SO cute!)

EDITED TO ADD:
Keen eyed Molly of Ashcan Rantings was so OTM about my cat. Molly said, "haha your cat = posh spice in the marc jacobs ads. actually your cat > lady becks in the MJ ads" and Blue Floppy Hat of Nonsense on Stilettos concurred. Ladies, on behalf of Fatso Fatterson (er, the cat), thank you!
A comparison:



Vic pics from Chic Stories