Glimpses

Just a brief post about things that I'm enjoying right now.  :)

A gorgeous red rose in a cracked glass holder. Sent two weeks ago (as part of a larger bouquet)  from one of my best friends and STILL thriving. Which is practically impossible in our chilly house in the middle of winter. I smile every time I pass by it in the living room.

Slightly blurry shot of NYE silver crackle nail polish (since removed, because I can only stand to have my nails done for like, two days). One of my other friends applied this just outside the restaurant - I had forgotten to do my nails, so we went to a CVS and bought this, sat down at tables outside a restaurant and she painted my nails. Then one of our other friends showed up and she painted her nails. Never underestimate the value of an impromptu manicure!

And while I'm on the subject of hands and hand-related things:

This ring was a gift from one of my best friends (the down-n-dirty manicurist referenced above). She makes jewelry and I fell in love with this...and it showed up on Christmas day.  Two glorious pieces of chrysoprase and her own metal work.

And last but by far not least, one of my Christmas gifts from my husband. Purchased from another jewelry artist at the Tempe Arts Festival in early December. It was the stone that sold me - such gorgeous color! And green is something I wear often, so this and the ring above will get a lot of outings. Plus, though I didn't know it at the time, this ring is a great counterpart to these:

They'll be gorgeous with white pants, chocolate brown, black (of course)...I love rich colors!  :)

2011 in Shoes

I've already written a little about how my 2011 went...the second half of the year was (or at least, felt like) a near-total loss. The jaw surgery in June started the downward slide, especially since the recovery is taking waaaay longer than expected. Then my Dad's illness, and now (as of two weeks ago), a second surgery for me...and this week I will be starting PT on the mouth since I can't open fully. It's more of a problem than you'd think! Sandwiches are out, as are steaks and the like...I'm still eating mostly soft foods. And since it's been almost 7 months since the original surgery, my doctor says PT is necessary. Boo.

So...I'm going to just focus on the surface stuff and recap my shoe purchases from last year, while I try to get  life back on track.  :)

I own a LOT of summery shoes and sandals, (that's what happens when you spend 25 years in a super-warm climate) so I didn't buy much early in the year. The first shoe purchase was totally unplanned - I was in Arizona for a festival and went shopping with a friend. I was debating these (forgive the quick and dirty sink shot):

Until my friend mentioned that she had bought these:

 
Just the week before. And since SHE had a pair...well, I wasn't going to leave that brightly colored goodness of a wedge on the shelf any longer. :)  They are Qupid brand, which I've never heard of. But they're easy to wear and didn't cost a fortune. A good impulse purchase. :)

TThe other spring purchase was these:

Seychelles. I'm still trying to build some sort of black shoe wardrobe, so they were practical as well as fun.

And then shoe shopping came to a halt (as did everything else) until the fall. First up were these gorgeous Nine West heels:

Gorgeous, comfortable, and sexy - possibly my favorite shoe purchase this year.

But possibly my second favorite purchase this year was the Badgley Mischkas (it's very, very close):

These lovelies had some great fun out to dinners and also on New Year's Eve.  :)

And then there was the little run of buying very late in the year

Nine West again. Just as comfortable as the suede in the same style. First worn to my husband's birthday dinner...and we both enjoyed their initial outing.  :)

And these:

Which were lovely, and quite comfortable, but just a little...off. The pointy toe was almost *too* pointy, and the heel was probably only a half inch lower than my other pointy toed shoes, but that was enough to make them not quite right. So back they went. And these came home instead:

I've really been wanting color-blocked shoes this year, and finally found some in the right colors! I can't find these online anywhere, and I suspect they might be made just for DSW (which is where I bought them). As with most Nine West, they are supremely comfortable and easy to wear. They haven't been worn yet, but I'm thinking maybe next week. I'd wear them this week but the weather is in the 30's right now, so boots are trumping any kind of open-toe shoe.

And these showed up for Christmas, from one of my best friends:

They are actually a lighter and brighter purple than the photo shows. And you know I've been looking for purple shoes...I'd actually seen these back in September and my friend got them for me for Christmas. She is a good Santa.  :) 

So not a bad shoe year at all. It's been hard to find styles I really love since the "stripper shoe style" took over (more about that in a future post), so I was glad to at least see that color and animal print held their own this year.

Next on the list are some cute but practical boots!

A Giraffe Unlike Any Other, Plus Snakes and Unicorns

This is a repost from my other site. Original post date  8/31/11.

I have a fondness for animal-themed items. And in my fantasy shoe world, these would have to get worn at least once a week! In optimal weather, of course...no rain or mud for these lovelies:

these are from the Jak and Jill blog, and so awesome that I had to share them. The back ties, the rhinestoned legs, the glorious colors...I love seeing everyday things elevated to a work of art. By Louis Vuitton (surprise!).

My own animal-themed collection is small, but here it is (all jewelry pieces, of course):

Vintage Whiting and Davis mesh snake bracelet, circa 1950's:  

The piece that started it all. I've had this ring since my early twenties:

 Peacock ring:

 this is a better shot for the colored rhinestones:

Elephant ring. Not expensively made, but he is so cute and he's on elastic. I don't wear him often because I don't want the elastic to break, but he's good fun. :)

 it's hard to tell, but his ears as well as his eyes have rhinestones:

overexposed shot to show detail:

and finally, my zebra ring. I suspect he won't wear overly well either, as his blackening disappears a little bit with every wearing. But I could not resist him.

 headshot:

I hope to add more animal themed items over time. And just maybe, a pair of fanciful critter shoes!   :)

Oh, Stella!

Anyone know the iconic scene from A Streetcar Named Desire? Marlon Brando, oozing hotness, stands on the street at the bottom of a staircase and yells out "Stella!" "Hey, Stella!" at the top of his lungs. Stella (Vivien Leigh) slowly makes her way down the staircase to him. They embrace, and the rest is cinematic history.

Brando might not have shouted out to these pumps, but they definitely would have turned his head. The Behold the Badgley Mischka Stella:

Trust me - they are even more beautiful in person. The lace, the beaded details, the elegance - these *might* just end my search for black lace shoes. A semi-reasonable $225 at Zappos, Nordstrom, or Piperlime.

And if you don't like the "natural" color, they are also available in a peacock-tail blue, your standard black, or white (which would be perfect bridal shoes!).

My husband gave me a Nordstrom gift card for my birthday, and guess which ones I brought home??




Oh yeah. These are going to be a most excellent addition to my shoe wardrobe.  :)

The Ones That Got Away

This is a repost from my other site. Original post date 8/12/11.


Certain shoes just don't make it into my closet, either because I found out about them too late, when no more were left in my size, or they just don't fit my budget. The (mostly) unglamorous life of a jeweler with a home studio doesn't dictate $700 shoes. I know, poor moi. But I always love a good design and a classic glammy shoe, even if I don't get to wear it. So here are a few choices that I am unlikely to ever own:

Oscar de la Renta, $745 @Nordstrom. I have been searching for the perfect lace pointy-toe pump for years. And this is it...however. $800 for something I might, at best, be able to wear twice a year? I guess you know why I am still searching.  :)

 I cannot imagine the universe in which I would wear these. Especially in this color. It doesn't include walking around Roswell in them, that's for sure. Target run? Starbucks? Publix? Yeah, I'm just not seeing it. But they are like a work of art (though I do confess to not understanding the idea of an open toe ankle boot, not in the slightest). And this gorgeousness is on SALE:  $567, down from $1260. It's not really helping. Someone please buy them so I can live vicariously through you:  Alexander McQueen bootie

I saved this image as "crazy" because they kind of are. It seems to be a mix of diamante and patent leather, in a crazy cutout platform semi-boot style that laces up the front, yet still requires a zipper in the back to put it on. Huh? But somehow, it's kind of working for me. I think it's the shiny parts. I never really met a bit of bling I didn't like. From the Solestruck site, which claims as its motto " to rid the world of ugly shoes, one pair at a time" or some such  Let me just say, that I actually find a fair number of very ugly shoes there. But to each their own...they've almost redeemed themselves with this example of shoe porn.

Have a great weekend! 

Too Much is Not Enough

This is a repost from my other blog. Original post date 8/5/11.

Since I am still recovering from jaw surgery, I am not making as much new jewelry right now. So I thought I would focus a little on my second -- I mean, third love (after Mr B and the jewelry): shoes. If I gave up jewelry designing for any reason, I'd probably want to design shoes. And since I don't design them, I do my best to participate in rampant comsumerism (*wink*) and collect them. My day job doesn't usually involve opportunities to put on some fancy heels, and when I'm at a festival, I'm on hot asphalt or grass for 10+ hours, so that doesn't work either. But I cherish any opportunity to indulge my collection. :)

Here's one of my favorite pairs:

Beverly Feldman embroidered beauties. In a classic pointy toe pump. So much fun! Usually I wear them with a classic LBD or a very simple outfit because these babies are always the star of any outing. I found them several years ago at a DSW for well under retail (usually $200+). And they are THE most comfortable pumps I own.

Beverly Feldman's motto is "Too much is not enough" and if you've seen some of her other shoes, that is certainly true. Not always, I think, in a good way, but these shoes, at least, walk the right side of that line.  :)

Detail shots:

and for those of you who wear a size 10, there is currently a pair available on eBay:  Feldman Shoes

Missoni for Target

Yesterday's work was interrupted by the launch of Missoni for Target. It kind of briefly took over my life...

The day began at 8:15 a.m. yesterday morning. It should have begun earlier, but my alarm failed and I woke up just before 8 a.m. - no time for shower, hair, makeup (hey, I remember what happened with the H&M / Stella McCartney launch!)  - and jumped in the car. I hoped I'd go to the local target, pick up what I wanted, and head home. Not exactly! As everyone now knows, what was supposed to be a six-week supply of inventory simply vanished in just a few hours. And I ended up on a road trip to nine (yes...nine) different Target stores to get the items on my list (and then some!).

Here's the haul. First, of course, the shoes!

The flats were totally necessary (right?). Though I would have preferred a different color combination, when you're not paying $500 or more for your shoes, I guess you don't get that many choices.  :)  And while the pumps are a bit undramatic, they're growing on me. I actually don't own a pair of basic black shoes and these might just fill a wardrobe gap. They're also quite comfortable. And the wellies - I've been meaning to get some for work (outdoor festivals can get very wet and muddy), so why not a Missoni pair?

Next up, the clothing:

Two hoodies. The first one is supposed to be loungewear, but I have no problem wearing it as regular outdoor clothing. It's velour and I think it's going to get a lot of use. The second one is like a heavy cotton knit and comes down to about mid-thigh. I can see this with skinny jeans or leggings easily. And the color combination is really different than anything else offered through the Target collaboration.

The first dress is a keeper. It's a little unstructured for my taste, but I belted it and it looks a lot better that way. I don't usually wear much black and white, but this dress is adorable. 

The second dress is going to be returned. I didn't try on anything yesterday, figuring it was better to "grab and go" than waste time in a dressing room. So I bought everything in two sizes and will return what doesn't work. And this dress doesn't work on me at all. C'est la vie.

Oh, this troublesome skirt! Of the three skirts offered, this was the only one I wanted. And at the first three stores I visited, there was only one left on the rack. An XL. Every time! I finally found a medium and snapped it up, but a medium is a bit on the big side for me. So I may have to stalk it on eBay for a smaller size, if it doesn't magically get returned to a Target near me. But it's absolutely a keeper and possibly my favorite piece of clothing from the entire collection.

Another item that just didn't work for me. Loved the feel of the knit but unfortunately it's going back. I'm just not really a button-up cardigan girl.

Next, intimates:

The bra, thong, and panty bottom (what is supposed to be a bikini bottom but it feels like underwear) are all gorgeous and comfortable. The romper I thought was a camisole, and I don't wear rompers, so it's going back. The robe is quite disappointing as well - a M/L is too big on me and it is one of the few items that really felt cheap to me. And the velour shorts just aren't quite cutting it. Considering that I'm keeping quite a few of yesterday's purchases, I won't miss them. 

I also got some boot socks and hosiery, but won't bore you with those photos. And one last clothing item for Mr. B:

It's not a great photo on the Target web site, but it's actually a pretty cool tie. 

On to home dec:

Love, love, love the candles! Soy based, in fun holders. I bought three of the zig zag and two of the abstract print.

There were more colorful frames available, but the offerings in this collection don't exactly match my home colors, so I went with a neutral frame. Hard to see in the photo but it's brown, black, tan, and gray. I don't like the asymmetry of having it stand vertically so will use it horizontally instead.  :)

The pillow is a great accent. And the throw...is likely going back. Because I really wanted THIS one:

but it was long gone at ALL the stores I visited. Another potential eBay stalking. I like the feel of the other throw, but it's just not going to work with our interior colors.

Fun storage crates. I never can organize enough (hello! I *am* a Virgo!) and these will be cheerful up on the shelves.

On to linens:

Love the towels. I bought two bath sheets but may not keep them...we really don't *need* any more. And since I've kind of blown this month's (and next month's) shopping budget, they may just have to go back.

I can't find the bedding on Target's site at all, so these pics are snagged from eBay. The first is the bedding that my ever-patient husband brought home from South Carolina. He happened to be working in a Target yesterday (which never happens) and spent a few minutes texting me phone snaps. I think these will be a great neutral for our master bedroom. Definite keeper.

These I am a little less sure of. I think they could work for the guest room, but I haven't quite committed.

Kitchenware!

We can never have enough coffee mugs in our home (even though I don't actually drink coffee). So, a little Missoni zigzag for the kitchen.

Another eBay photo - we also never seem to have enough drinking glasses. So I got eight of these plastic tumblers.

My husband and I enjoy entertaining, especially with apppetizers and small plate items. And we never have enough small serving bowls (you'd think we don't have enough of anything, eh?) . Ta-da! 4 pretty bowls for the table.

And now, what may be one of my absolute favorite items from the collection (and I *know* they are Mr. B's favorite):

Fantastic martini glasses! Love the subtle etching, the thick stems, and the heft of these is perfect. They're a little shorter than traditional martini glasses too. Very helpful when you're on the third round.  :)

Last but not least, accessories:

A great clutch:  right size, right color, right price.  :)

LOVE this. I've been needing a new tote for work, and this is perfect. Faux leather on the bottom, and it even has brass feet underneath. It'll be sturdy enough to handle being dragged around, sitting out in the weather, and all the hard knocks of festival life. Exactly what I've been looking for.  :)

The top bag probably will get returned. I liked the print, but it's not quite the right size for - well, anything, really. So it's not  likely to get much use.

The middle bag is a travel shower bag, with a hook for hanging up in the shower or on the towel bar of a hotel room. I already have one, but it's a little bulkier than this, and of course the colors here make me smile.

I have never treated myself to a cosmetic bag - it's always been some freebie or giveaway bag. I don't carry a lot of cosmetics with me, but usually need a little holdall to keep things together. So for $8, I now have a cute cosmetcics bag. 

In the course of shopping, I manged to freeze two credit cards. I suspect it was the "many large purchases in a short amount of time at Target" red flag. My cell phone died so I couldn't call to clear things up and I had to pull out my Amex eventually. Not a big deal as I knew a lot of things would get returned (I bought two sizes in each clothing item, since I didn't take the time to try on anything). 

Quite a run, and making it to nine stores in 5 hours was crazy! But worth it. Missoni is one of my favorite brands and I am glad to be adding their designs to my home and wardrobe. 

Oh, and one more thing. When the Target web site finally came back online today, I ordered this beauty:

Hopefully it fits! It's not available in stores, so I took my chances since I haven't seen it in person. But it may turn out to be spectacular.  :)