Antique-Inspired Jewelry: Pyrrha

Earlier today, my fabulous friend Rachel introduced me to a great line of jewelry, Pyrrha.  I've always admired intaglios, wax seals, crests and designs from times gone by.  This great brand takes these fragile pieces and gives them a fresh, more permanent life in sterling silver, bronze and gold.  Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds and Katie Holmes regularly wear Pyrrha.  These rustic yet beautiful designs are great dressed up or down.  A few of my favorites are below, the first one I just purchased for myself a few moments ago- exciting! Check out their website and pick your favorites. I love that each one tells the history and symbolism behind each design.  

Fun Finds: Jewelry, Lamp and Finials

I've recently invited a few new things into my life: two pieces of vintage jewelry, a sleek industrial lamp and a trio of aged finials.  As you know, my favorite jewelry maker is the fabulous Christine Wallace.  Just today, she finished a horse-inspired brooch for me made from vintage chains and pins.

 

She also made a bracelet for my mom built around a vintage shoe buckle I purchased several years ago, which will now go into the gift closet for a future birthday or celebratory gift.  Once again, I'm so happy to have pieces brought to life with Christine's one-of-a-kind eye. 

Last weekend, I went to Atlanta with my girlfriends and found this lamp at the Horchow/Neiman Marcus outlet 50% off!  My friend can confirm there was an audible gasp when I saw this on the shelf.  It was love at first sight, even before (but especially when) I saw the price tag. 

I am also very pleased with my new trio of finials from where else but Epiphany, my favorite Nashville store.  I love these on my table, but I have a feeling I'll move them around to different areas of the condo just for fun.  They'd be great together or separate from each other.  

I hope you all have as much fun out there as I have had recently finding fun unique things to cherish!

Event: Three Blind Vines

Friday, February 25th.  Friends, pull out your calendars and mark that date because you now have plans! On this night, Franklin’s finest will attend the annual wine tasting event Three Blind Vines. This party for a purpose gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste different brands of Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec while benefiting a great cause, the revitalization of the Franklin Theatre. 

A 1920s speakeasy theme sets the stage for a glamorous evening.  Although this attire is not required, it is recommended and I strongly encourage it.  

I’ll be there to judge Best Dressed Man and Best Dressed Woman. Compliments of my friends at Creed, the Best Dressed Man will go home with a bottle of the internationally revered Green Irish Tweed cologne. My favorite jewelry designer, Christine Wallace, has created a custom pair of art deco earrings with elements from that romantic era for the Best Dressed Woman. 

Friday, February 25, 2011  |  6p – 9p  |  Jamison Hall in The Factory  |  Franklin

$25 per person, $30 at the door + 3 bottles of wine per team 

 1 Sauvignon Blanc, 1 Malbec and 1 repeat of either
Teams consist of 1-3 people

Click HERE for tickets 

Click HERE for more information 

Unsure of what to wear? I’ve collected some speakeasy style reference images to spark some ideas. Pull inspiration from these below, make it your own and have fun with it!  

 

Additional Information

Admission includes entertainment, food from your favorite local restaurants and chefs, and the wine of course. 

Back by popular demand, the silent auction is sure to afford many opportunities to bid on desirable items throughout the evening.  

The fabulous Mandy Johnson will be at the event, capturing images of all the night's best moments and styles.   

In addition to competing for the best style, you also compete as a team against others for the best wine.  The teams that bring the most favored wine of the evening (determined by vote) go home with all unopened bottles. So bring your favorite wine and pull out the pearls, feathers, vests, suspenders, hats, etc and step back in time for a truly special event.

 

Inside Scoop: Christine Wallace Vintage Jewelry

It has been such a thrill to recently discover a truly amazing artist, Christine Wallace.  Her jewelry creations are one of a kind and flawless.  Using the finest vintage elements together in ways that blow my mind, I am a huge fan of every single thing she makes. 

I first was introduced to her work when my cousin Victoria asked Christine to make earrings as gifts for bridesmaids and shower hostesses during her wedding festivities.  

 

Obsessing over the fine details and originality of each piece, I asked Christine if she would consider making some "man jewelry" for me.  She said yes!  Check back very soon for photos of the amazing pin she made for me that I recently received.  She's also working on a necklace for me, so I can't wait to see what she'll come up with for that piece. (Of course I'll share pictures of that as well) Below are some of her other recent works that will give you a great feel for her style. 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to check out more of her work, travels and items for purchase through any of the following avenues:

Website: christinewallacevintagejewelry.com

Etsy Store: etsy.com/shop/ChristineWallace

Blog: christinewallacevintagejewelry.blogspot.com/

Holiday Gift Ideas

I can't believe how quickly the holidays have arrived.  To kickstart the shopping season, I wanted to share a few items that could make excellent gifts for yourself or your loved ones.  

For The Wall...

Art is always a great gift, especially when the proceeds go to a great cause.  Pictured below is one of many beautiful paintings by local artist Martha Case Nemer named It's Pear-fect.  This 16x20 oil for $275 makes a lovely addition to any wall.  Sold exclusively at The Cotton Mill during the holidays, 100% of the sale goes directly to The Melvin Case Christmas For Kids Foundation which has supplied over 10,000 toys and stuffed animals to needy children in the Nashville and Upper Cumberland areas of Tennessee through United Way, Upper Cumberland Region, Renewal House, Green Hills Rotary, Martha O'Bryan Center and McNeilly Center for Children. 

 The Cotton Mill   |   4009 Hillsboro Pike   |   Nashville, TN 37215   |   (615) 298-2188

For The Doll...

How many of you have a long list of girlfriends, cousins, sisters or coworkers to shop for, yet have no clue what to buy as a fun little item or where to start looking?  There is always a need for gifts in the $10-$30 range and you'd be surprised how many great online sites make it easy to find unique, high quality items at a great value.  My fabulous friend Linda introduced me to Neiman Marcus' online outlet site www.lastcall.com  Check that out for great discounts on designer items.  Tons of options at each click.  

Another great site is www.GILT.com  I LOVE this site.  Free to join, after a quick registration you receive a daily list of the sales they offer. From super high end to cute and affordable, you can find something at a great value that you love every single day.  I can always find great pieces for the women in my life without breaking the bank. Take for example the ring pictured below.  By designer Kendra Scott, this would normally sell for around $75 or $100 but on Gilt it's only $35.  Cute, right?  

Register and start the fun: Click Here To Join GILT!

For The Tall...

At 6 foot 3, I know how hard it is to shop for tall guys.  You can't imagine my frustration each time I fall in love with a shirt on the hanger, only to discover that the proportions are completely wrong for me.  I'm comfortable with the idea of alterations, as I have many of my things tailored to fit, but this can really only be done if the length is ok.  Usually if the length is good, that means that I've had to up the size so many times that the shoulder seams are down to my elbows.  It can be very frustrating.  That is why I am thrilled beyond belief when I find things that fit perfectly off the rack, but usually that means it's off either a Dolce & Gabbana or Marc Jacobs rack.  The most amazing sales specialist at Saks in New York introduced me to the shirt pictured below.  It's a soft, long, slim-fitting Marc Jacobs oxford with contrasting buttons. Could I ask for anything more?  I think not.  If you have a man in your life who needs a great shirt or any killer Marc Jacobs piece, call up Jesse at Saks and order one (or tons) asap. 

Jesse Whiting   |   Saks Fifth Avenue   |   611 5th Avenue   |   New York, NY   |   212.940.2082

For the Belles of the Ball...

It's no secret that my favorite and the best fragrance line I've ever discovered is CREED.  As CREED celebrates its 250th year in 2010, it is opening its archives to reveal historically significant letters, client orders and royal warrants from two and a half centuries of service.  Napoleon III granted CREED a royal warrant in 1855.  For Napoleon III, CREED made the fragrance Cuir de Russie, which means “Russian leather.”  While CREED Cuir de Russie is no longer available in the U.S., the fragrance Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie, made for the wife of Napoleon III, is offered today.  I'll bet you can think of quite a few ladies in your life who would enjoy this special product. 

And to complete the royal treatment this season, as always, they offer complimentary gift wrapping with every purchase at www.creedboutique.com.

Q&A: Vintage Jewelry

In our very first Q & A, a reader asks, "Are you a fan of vintage jewelry and if so, what's the best source?" Without a doubt I am a fan!

Creations from the past continue to and forever will inspire future designs. Among the most amazing vintage jewelry are designs by Miriam Haskell. A collaborator with CoCo Chanel, Miriam’s handcrafted pieces were one of a kind. CoCo and Miriam were among a new class of independent women who began their careers designing jewelry to complement high fashion clothing in an exclusive market.

Miriam opened her first boutique in 1926 and her brand continues to create new and vintage-inspired pieces to this day. The old, original pieces are very hard to find. If you’re lucky enough to locate at an antique show or online, you’ll probably pay a pretty penny; the really unique pieces only appreciate in value.

Explore the Miriam Haskell brand online at www.miriamhaskell.com and keep your eyes open when you’re out & about at your favorite antique shops! And here's a tip... I learned that Miriam Haskell designers have joined forces with JCrew to create some exclusive designs so be sure and check that out.