Inspirational Goods

I'm always looking for inspiration for new designs, colors, trends, etc. Here are two fabulous sources that I am currently crushing on.




This beautiful line of fragrance products from Lollia Life, is designed by Margot Elena. She has designed products for Restoration Hardware, Disney and Red Envelope as well as for her own company Archive.


I am absolutely in love with the packaging. Her choice of motifs, patterns, and colors combine to create such a beautiful and soothing collection of images that makes me crave her products.





I particularly adore the collection of candles with their accompanying crystal embellishments. The peacock, bees, and florals are so delicate and refreshing - I love it.
These fantastic cuffs from Erickson Beamon are beautifully composed. Their colors are so crisp and happy. You can find them on Net-A-Porter.

These stunning pieces are made by Bijoux Heart - also available on Net-A-Porter. Every piece they design is more beautiful than the next.




Isn't this ring to die for? Delicious....





I'm also inspired by this collection of rings from Rings Eclectic and Roberto Cavalli.

And then there is this beauty !

I hope you find these as inspiring as I did. Enjoy!

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Glory Hallelujah - Barney's has come to Vegas

Yet another mega resort has opened on the Las Vegas strip - The Pallazzo - sister hotel to The Venetian. Not that this isn't a reason to get excited with new world class restaurants and entertainment galore but this particular resort brings with it something of real value and distinction - a full size, three story, chocked full of over prices designer dud's, Barneys New York in all it's high end retail glory!!!!!!


This refuge away from the casino for fashionistas who'd rather gamble their spare dollars on whether or not that $375.00 pair of Rockin Republic jeans they buy will still be in style in three months was determined to keep out the "riff - raff" at the door. We were confronted by no less than four employees who were positioned in a human barrier between unqualified, eager, fanny pack wearing, looky-loos and the inner sanctum of the store fit for only the chosen few. I asked if they wanted to see my credit report or bank statement and they replied that they only wanted my first born - to which I answered - you can have him!!!!! We successfully navigated the fashion gauntlet and we we're in.


My husband was chastised by a snappy, overeager, employee for snapping these pics on his phone so we only got a couple but he did manage to document the cool three dimensional frame motif of the wall paneling. I loved it. So many times satellite stores in Vegas are disappointing - too small - not enough selection - never as good as the real thing - thank goodness Barney's took the smart route and built us a first class full size version. The only thing it's missing is a cafe.



Along with the Barneys comes a three story shopping mall chocked full of designer boutiques. Although very few are open I had to show you the Tory Burch store.


I didn't want Joni (Cote de Texas) and Patricia ( Patricia Gray) to think they are the only one's shopping at TB!!!



The Pallazzo itself is less than spectacular. It went up in a flash and it shows, very little attention to detail and a weird confusing mix of styles that just doesn't work. There is a spectacular element at the front desk - a mural of sorts consisting of a painted scene covered with a layer of faux mercury glass tiles. It makes a beautiful statement that they would have been wise to repeat throughout the hotel. Just in front of the front desk is a less than striking fountain made with a giant, acrylic, Lalique sculpture. Frosted acrylic and water do not mix my friends! And what's with with the weird funeral urns everywhere? I felt like I should be scattering ashes.


Design inadequacies not withstanding, this should turn out to be an amazing property once it's finished and all of the stores and restaurants are open. Las Vegas is just an amazing place to live!

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Modern Bondage

Bangles and Cuffs are all the rage! Everywhere you turn there is a stack of colorful arm candy to shackle your wrists with. Personally, I love them in theory but when I wear them I inevitably take them off because I work so much on my computer and they get in the way of my feeble typing skills. I've been sporting my collection more of late and here are a few that I am lusting after right now.

This amazing assortment comes from one of my favorite - although way above my budget - vintage jewelry sellers, Carole Tanenbaum. Pieces from her amazing collection of over 10,000 items are being sported by A-list celebrities galore.


Bakelite, a vintage, early plastic product {formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol (a toxic, colorless crystalline solid) and formaldehyde (a simple organic compound), with a wood flour filler, it was the first plastic made from synthetic components - via Wikepedia}. Bakelite jewelry was the rage in the 30's and 40's. It is enjoying a huge resurgence now with an equally large price tag. The classic bracelets shown above are vintage bakelite.



Carole Tanenbaum's book Fabulous Fakes is a treasure trove of vintage costume jewelry. It's a great source for design inspiration and color research.



Jewelry designer Mark Davis is working his magic with vintage bakelite bracelets. He embellishes them with semi-precious jewels and sells them for an astronomical ticket price at Barney's New York. They range from $2900 - $8900! That's some very expensive costume jewelry.





Lee Angel is the innovator behind this line of enameled geometric bangles in great color combinations sure to set off any outfit. Available at Neiman Marcus they are very affordable between $80 - $200! Pretty reasonable for NM!






Just as colorful and much more affordable is the new enameled collection from J. Crew. When did they get so hip? I love the one in the center. It will be mine - oh yes - it will be mine! And with a price tag under $200 it might just happen.


Banana Republic's take on brights is another enameled collection with vibrant colors and geometric lines. They have a classic and timeless look.




R.J. Graziano is the designer of this bright gold and black crystal cuff.





For the more subdued in color but equal in impact these gorgeous cuffs will fit the bill. The gold piece is stunning and the Kenneth Jay Lane Stone Cuff would be great with an evening gown or jeans and a T-shirt.





Sure to stand the test of time is this John Hardy, Jaisalmer cuff. It has a great shape with the sides flaring up above the center.





The new, very vocal version of the bangle by designer Jessica Kagan consists of pre-ban ivory bracelets hand engraved with witty sayings and quotes. She now offers a plastic version to bring the price down to you and me dollars.. Recently she was very outspoken when Chanel allegedly ripped her design off on the runway. Her response was to produce a bracelet engraved in bold letters with the statement " Ripped off by Chanel" . I guess that says it all! I got the "Don't You Know Who I Am?" bracelet from my husband for Christmas. Yes, I'm a lucky girl!



Well my friends, hurry up and get yourself over to Grandma's house and search through the attic for her old bakelite jewelry. You can make some serious bank selling it on on Ebay.

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My Favorite Book Stores

I'm heading out to California tomorrow for a week at the beach at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica. The hubby is working down there next week so I get to take advantage of his all expenses paid hotel room! One of my favorite things about Santa Monica is that it is the location of two of the best Art & Architecture book stores in the world.

The first is Arcana: Books of the Arts located on the Third Street Promenade


They specialize in rare and out of print books on 20th century art, architecture, design, & photography. They have an inventory of over 100,000 books which they are currently beginning to list on their website. They have many items that are one-of-a-kind, signed, limited or deluxe editions and extremely scarce.

This not a bookstore in which to sit and have a latte whilst paging through a new release. They are very serious about their product as you can see in this photo showing many of the volumes which are encased in plastic sleeves for protection. You can practically feel your IQ increasing just by walking across the threshold.



If Arcana is a bit to intellectual or intimidating for your taste you can walk about one block west to 214 Wilshire Blvd - the home of Hennessey & Ingalls Art & Architecture Books
In operation since 1963, this store is the largest art and architecture bookstore in the country. It is a landmark for the design community and a magnet for designers, architects, students, art directors, and anyone interested in the visual arts.


I can spend hours in here looking through the immense assortment of books and manuals. It is a cheerful, quiet, store staffed with knowledgeable employees who all seem to have a genuine interest in the books they are selling.

If you are looking for a book that's written about a subject that has anything to do with the arts or architecture and it's in print, it will be on the shelves of this store. If you are ever in Santa Monica you must treat yourself to a visit to these two establishments. You will never want to go to Barnes & Noble again!

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Shopping in San Clemente

During my week away from work I spent a lot of time doing what else - working! I scoured southern California for unusual and unique finds and came across quite a few worthy of note.

Our first stop was the quaint little township of San Clemente. Hugging the coast just south of Dana Point, it is a tiny bit of somewhat unspoiled old California. Many of the old architecture remains and it still has that laid back slow Cali atmosphere familiar to anyone as old as I am ( I'm not telling but it rhymes with forty seven - ughhh).

The main shopping boulevard is the Avenida Del Mar. It is packed with a number of quality shops, restaurants, and antique consignment stores. One I would highly recommend is CHRISTOPHER / LEE LTD, at 158 Avenida Del Mar. Among the lovely items you would expect to find in most home decor stores they have found some real gems - and when I say gems - I mean GEMS!!!



These spectacular pieces are from a local Laguna artist - Philip Kiluk. I am told that Mr Kiluk was a sought after muralist and oil painter who traveled the world practicing his craft. In the course of his travels he collected vintage jewelry and mementos which he now crafts into stunning works of art. I apologize for my bad photos. They do not do justice to the superb craftsmanship of each piece.




This gilded, bejeweled bird is the centerpiece of a magnificent crucifix. Many of the components that Kiluk uses in his creations are everyday objects such as vintage jewelry, belt buckles, watch findings, etc. His frames contain small collages made with items such as vintage postcards stamps and trading cards.



For more info contact: Christopher / Lee Ltd 949-369-0265

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Beautiful Bounty

I'm on my way to Laguna Beach, California on Tuesday for some R&R with my sister and my daughter. I plan on taking a trip up the coast to one of my favorite stores in all the world Bountiful.




No doubt you've heard about it or seen photos, but nothing less than a thorough inspection in person does it justice. It is a ramshackle collection of rooms and outdoor spaces that look as if they could fall down at any moment. Tiny, rickety stairways lead upstairs past eye candy galore into small rooms filled with treasure. The whole place is just chock full of shabby chic morsels of delight.




My favorite thing about the store are the dogs. Last time I was there I was greeted by two lovely rescue greyhounds. They follow you throughout your journey - around the store - up the stairs - outside to the beautiful gardens. I wanted to buy them and take them home.



The owner, Sue Balmsforth, whom I was lucky enough to meet a couple of years ago, has a keen eye for unique finds. Almost everything has a crackled, well aged coat of white paint or a gilded finish. She stocks a fantastic line of beeswax candles that come in a huge array of shapes and sizes. The cabinet that houses them is almost as impressive as the candles themselves. I have never seen them anywhere else. I can't remember the brand name but I will post it after I get back hopefully with some new pictures of the shop and of course the dogs.

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