In Which You can Win a Prize!

Hi folks! I'm finally back after a (thankfully) abbreviated family vacation plus one horrific day of work wherein I had to respond to 90 e-mails.

This'll be short and sweet today as I got word that I'll be heading into an office on Monday. They're picking up my computer today, along with all other my other work junk, and I've got knots the size of Texas in my stomach. New people! Having to work with the old people again! No more laying out in the park! No more talking to the kitties! (Well, technically I can still do the last, but it doesn't seem quite so crazy when it's just you and the kittens.)

Vacation was as fun as it could be. My mom and I usually make the best of things which means we hit a lot of gift shops and ogle things far too expensive. She had to forcibly talk me into at least one of my purchases this year as I didn't want to spend the sum--a sum so relatively small I'm ashamed to admit it as I'll seem stingy. But hey. I'm on a budget.

What else? I tried to stay away from my newly growth spurted 13-year-old cousin. Prior to arriving, word was he'd sprouted five inches and had a voice change. I told the BF and he said, "I know how 13 year old boys think! I don't care if he's your cousin, don't touch him!" Wise words.

Anyhow, here's what I picked up at my new favorite store, Mark August, in Chatham, MA...



Resin Bangle (made to look like sea glass)



Burmese Ruby ring on 14K gold Wire


Last but not least, the contest! Because, as I mentioned in the previous post, today is my Blog-birthday! One year ago today, I was just a bored little girl sitting in an office who loved jewelry. Not much has changed, except I've got a whole bunch of writing on the Internet that proves just how much I love jewelry. So here's the deal:
If you'd like to win the necklace, just leave me a comment saying so. My mom will pick one at random and I'll let you. Someone better want this necklace, people! I agonized over my bloggiversary giveaway!




This lovely little basket necklace from Yankee Ingenuity in Chatham, MA. My old college chum Mr. Bungle revealed to me that the baskets are actually jewelry versions of the Nantucket Lighthouse Baskets, an old timey craft that began in the early 19th century on Nantucket Island, and was adapted from baskets local Indian tribes used.

This one doesn't have a penny like the traditional ones: it's sweet and delicate and sits just right. As with the other giveaway, I'm so sorry international bloggers, but I wouldn't be able to ship it to you! Canadians I'll take, though.

I know I was only gone a couple of days, but man, I missed this (do you see the kitty ears?):

Brooklyn Flea Jewelry

I'm stashing some money away so I can head to Brooklyn Flea next month, the new flea market that's open every Sunday (rain or shine) in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. My deepest loves include all things available at flea markets, garage and yard sales... vintage clothes, old timey jewelry, knick knacks... The idea of finding some hidden treasure=my siren call.

Here are some lovely pieces from the jewelry vendors listed on the Brooklyn Flea website:


Magda Bracelet by Gabriela de la Vega, $1300



Enamel Flowers with Pearl Earrings by Teresa Kahres







Megan's Strawflower Adornment at Bonbon Oiseau, $288





Red Peony Necklace by Gavin and Lily, $65




Tiny Wave Necklace by Odette NY, $95 (Large, $132)



Yuzen Earrings by Yova Designs




Forest Nymph Necklace by Eswera Jewelry, $80

Astoria!

The new neighborhood doesn't have a ton in the way of boutiques, but I did find a great little place called Candy Plum that sells some lovely and interesting jewelry, which, you can imagine, made my day.

My first trip there, I bought a celebratory "just moved here" ring by jeweler Jessica Lord, who doesn't seem to have any online presence that I can find. Unfortunately, it broke very quickly as I tried to shape it to my finger, and I don't even have a photo to show you, though it was quite nice, with a circle of what looked like tourmaline beads on gold wire. I opted for a merchandise credit and got to talking with one of the owners, who felt so bad about the ring that she put something in a box and gave it to me for free. I opened it hurriedly outside to find a ring that I love so much I've been wearing it every day (it's also by Jessica Lord, who uses this wreath style on several other of her pieces available at the store):



I went back with my mom this weekend to use up the credit that had been burning a hole in my wallet and came home with something I had been eyeing. Unfortunately, I don't know the designer [UPDATED: the designer found me! jo.Espinell made the gorgeous necklace below], though they had several other necklaces with different color ribbon:




So, yay, Astoria for coming through with the cute jewelry!
Two more things:
1. I got a haircut and I think I may need advice, as I hate it. That's tomorrow.
2. I tried Yoga and liked it, but my body is sad from all the pain.

Home

Well, they had to take the door off the hinges to get the desk in, my e-mail won't leave my outbox for some unknown reason and already there are little paw prints covering everything, but I'm settled! It was surprisingly easy, all things considered.

Today's post is just a catch up, to get back in the swing of things. I've been neglecting comments and that's definitely a punishable sin.

I've been meaning to take pictures of my how my jewelry is set up, to maybe give people some ideas on organization, and yesterday, I finally cleaned up enough to be okay with showing part of my bedroom to the world. Click on pictures to enlarge.

This is a basic shot of the jewelry corner in our bedroom:



And here are some details:

The bird is from Urban Outfitters, a place that carries quite the array of jewelry hanging things at reasonable prices. The two mosaic-ed hangers are from a shop in Piermont for about $10 each.


The anchors were a DIY project... sorta. There's a local (crappy) "general store" in town that sells all this stuff you never, ever think you'd want, and then suddenly the very thing you require can only be purchased there. I think these stores mostly inhabit beach towns--cheap towels, .50 cent Christmas ornaments, etc. We found the anchor there, as well as the bird and boat hangers. BF put some screws in the anchor, letting them stick out about an inch. I then painted them white and we crazy glued buttons to the tops. I've had this things for three years and it has not once fallen down or lost a button. I remain impressed.


BF's mom gave me this jewelry dresser for Christmas:
I use it for the non-costumey jewelry.

The tuppwerware chills on my dresser top alongside cosmetics:
Top drawer: earrings
Middle drawer: ring
Last drawer: everything else


The Christmas present ring (now joined by stacking rings) gets it's own box:

For now.

Thanks, everyone, for all the working-at-home support. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mood Rings

On a recent vacation to Cape Cod, I found Mood Rings all over the place, but they looked like distant cousins of the kind I liked as a kid. They came in a variety of shapes--from animals to hearts to the basics, with really lovely trims. My grandma was even getting into the act, neglecting to give me directions as I drove aimlessly because she was too busy trying to figure out what color hers was turning.
I can't see why they wouldn't make a comeback. It's been a couple of years since the last go round and they are rather stylish nowadays. The one above set me back about $4 and has an adjustable stainless steel band, but the design is really modern and it dresses up and basic outfit. The added mood factor is priceless. ("Hmmm, let's see once and for all if I really hate this co-worker. Yes! It's grey/ yellow! I knew it! Thanks, mood ring.")


Cocktail rings have become quite a fad, perhaps one that will stick around as the rings lately have been beautiful, and affordable. This beauty, purchased in Chatham, MA, only set me back $30--more than worth it. Also, I should calculate the cost of the bitchy saleslady too. The ring actually cost me $5,000. But it's a great way to make a bold statement with a simple sheath.




I was right about grey for fall (and end of summer), so I think I should be right about mood rings too. Though nobody but my boyfriend really knows about the grey thing and there's a good chance he wasn't listening.

Anyhow, lucite had it's day.