allora, flora

Speaking of flowers, these beautiful images are from a very old (Issue 02) copy of Bloom:

All photos credited to Cora, except third from bottom: Marcel van der Vlugt and

last two: Thomas Straub

just playing around

This is something new I started working on this weekend--it's a little Buccellati-inspired, I was just playing around with a scrap and a flower emerged. It's sort of an Iceland poppy, maybe a few different flowers would be nice, as stacking rings?

Gold Buccellati leaf cuff, sold to some lucky so-and-so a couple of years ago at Christie's:

realismo magico

I love these portraits by Christian Tagliavini. Maybe he found some 2.5th dimension between 2011 and the Renaissance? To me they are absolutely transcendent.

Dame di Cartone

1503

More art to add to my wish list!

a new find

In doing a bit of "research" I stumbled across the site for a must-visit store in Philadelphia called Material Culture. They sell special hand-made things from around the world...most of which I am now coveting:

Love this indigo:

C'est chic, l'Afrique....mud cloth:

To add to my vessel collection: how pretty are these Syrian copper pots? I'd fill them with water and float candles or gardenias by the front door...

I'm making neutral slipcovers right now, but I always like bright colors against muted ones. I also love the fringe-y elements on these:

And finally, for the garden!

Such a celebration of art & craft...I hope I can make a trip out to visit in person sometime.

fiat lux

I've had these white "Greek" agate beads for almost a year now, feeling like I really need to use them, actually just start using beads in general...a new direction coming on.

These are huge (like 3") and so kind of unwieldy, but the shape and feel of these is so good. Agate has been used in jewelry since the ancient Greeks and is supposed to have protective/healing properties for the wearer.

rock 'n' roll

I know I'm kinda projecting here, but I love the way the jewelry in this image lends itself to the weaponry--the belts and necklaces look like amulets, or even ammunition....

Below, some of my personal (vintage) Navajo finery.

(From The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair)

summer teal

Just a little party inspiration, before I head away to a festive weekend:

(top: Natorium Undine, 1927 and bottom: Music, 1920, both by Florine Stettheimer. From Florine Stettheimer: Manhattan Fantastica)

My new favorite polish color, I'm calling it summer teal--just like the pretty greens in Florine's paintings:

taking it from someone who knows

Refinery29 interviewed the legendary Norma Kamali about her company's history and her secrets of success. Talk about graceful(anti?)-aging! I may become a devotee of her regimen:

R29: You are 66, but you look 30 years younger! You must tell us about all your beauty secrets.

Norma: I feel 30 years younger, so that is good! I use olive liniment for my body as a moisturizer and olive pureed soap...yup just olives pureed to a creamy consistency that we call Olive Only Soap. I use an all-natural self-tanner as a makeup base and a raw-food lipstain. I have cucumber juice and chlorophyll everyday. No pills, unless you count vitamin D3 mega doses and fish oil. I love massages, especially Thai massage, and I work out everyday—and on Sunday!—for two to three hours. I am starting a full series of acupuncture facelifts with Dr. Yang. After the first one, you look refreshed! I think it's a great thing to do if you have a wedding or special event, but I'm trying the series of 12. I believe if you feel good about yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally, you are truly empowered, and you can always feel female no matter your age!