Sorry, wrong number

It feels like just yesterday that I mentioned a novelty bag and noted that they often work best once they are vintage...well, it was actually 1 week ago to be exact.
And, while I admire designers who can mine the depths of handbag history, and create something new from the old, some styles were just meant to stay put in the archives.

The Betseyville by Betsey Johnson Call Me Betsey Satchel looks remarkably like the easy to find vintage Telephone Bag I wrote about back in April 2006. This redux version looks like a child's toy, maybe a Barbie Doll case (it even comes in Barbie ready shades of pink, lavender or teal). It doesn't help that the dial is just an applique, and the bag is small, about the size of an older telephone. Part of what made the original so darling was that it actually worked...in the days before cell phones, carrying your phone had some surprise value.
I do think that it could make a cute gift for a younger girl, which is who the Betseyville line is, I believe, ultimately intended for. At $65, it's also reasonably priced for that market.

Now, suppose you do have a thing for the telephone inspired, but don't want to be that obvious...

While I have no way of knowing what the actual inspiration behind it was, it seemed kind of a funny coincidence that this Betsey Johnson bag, the Golden Goddess Shoulder Tote immediately brought to mind that 1970's icon of wired communication, the Sculptura Donut Phone (the rotary version).

The Goddess Tote is also priced a bit more for the adult wallet, at $395. Maybe go for a mother/daughter telephone look and get one of each. Both the Betseyville Call Me Betsey Satchel and the Golden Goddess Shoulder Tote are available from Nordstrom.

The Sculptura phone, in the push button style can be had for $60-$80 from vintage purveyor Do Wah Diddy. (you can also try your luck on eBay, but they seemed more expensive).

Jeans fit lousy these days 2

We have a winner for the Tummy Tuck jeans, based on the question from the first entry . The winner is Misty (aka Christy T), randomly selected from the 28 contest entries which designated the McCalls pattern #6985 as the worst fitting of all.

Tangentially, I'd mentioned a delightfully intriguing draft from a vintage German pattern drafting book I have. A scan of the crotch curves is here (in the forum). I plan to test it very soon. I think it will be very flattering, particularly for the bottom-endowed. I've never seen this in any other drafting book.

Prehnite: Misty and Romantic

Prehnite is one of those gemstones that no one has ever heard of until suddenly you start seeing it everywhere. Discovered in the 18th century in South Africa by a Colonel von Prehn, prehnite is usually a light green colour - a distinctive green not quite like any other although I have seen people confuse it with green tourmalinated quartz. It is also found in Namibia, Germany, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, India, Austria, and Canada as well as Scotland, Australia and France.
I like prehnite for its "misty" quality of green; some would say almost a milky quality although I disagree with that term. It does have black inclusions occasionally, but often these inclusions simply add to its beauty since the contrast with the pale green is quite beautiful. The prehnite bracelet above can be found on our Unique Gemstone Jewelry page, and the one below on the Unique Handmade Bracelets page. The prehnite bracelet above is simply two strands of prehnite blessed only with sterling silver for an accent, while the bracelet below also has the lovely lampwork beads of Suzette Celestin of Gaslite Lampwork. For those of you interested in the metaphysical aspects of gemstones, prehnite is best known for promoting lucid dreaming and is known as a protective gemstone with regenerative properties. It is also said to encourage energy flow through the body.
And here, because graduation is coming up, I've included a prayer box necklace with a difference: lampwork beads and genuine natural aquamarines. It's also loaded with sterling silver and would make a great graduation gift for a young girl who's special to you. Of course, the greatest part of the gift would probably be the prayer that you could write on a tiny piece of paper and put inside the prayer box so that it could accompany her on her journeys after graduation.

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sprite on rundle street

Stepped into the market in Adelaide, South Australia today to stock up on fruit and chocolate and wound up meeting Trude. (Norwegian, of course. I think I have inbuilt Scandi-radar). Most girls here are wearing shorts and tees through the drought season, but Trude opted for something more along the lines of Edwardian- bohemian. I particularly liked her coiffure and jewelled headband.

A happy ebay purchase!

I bought this suit on ebay this week and I am super happy with it! It's a woven rayon suit, with decorative mother of pearl buttons around the collar. The suit is made by Handmacher, which always has great styling and details, very well made. The skirt fits me too! I have a hard time getting jackets and skirt to both fit me. The color is a light khaki and it's a great lightweight for Spring.

I can't wait to wear it - come on warm weather!

There are still good, honest ebay sellers out there. I bought the suit from goodsax, accurate description and measurments, nicely package. So go check out her auctions, just don't bid against me! She also has a website at http://www.rickrack.com/

My Picks!

Left to right: Recycled Denim Skirt, $34, www.azjeans.com; Lurex Denim Mini Skirt, $22.99, www.azjeans.com; Grey Mini Skirt, $19.50, www.wetseal.com; Miranda, $59.50, www.abercrombie.com

Left to right: Porkchop Pencil Skirt, $27.50, www.westseal.com; High Waist Denim Mini, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Indigo Denim Mini , $88, www.jcrew.com; Star Denim Skirt by Alexander McQueen, $223, www.shopbop.com

Denim obviously comes in many colors but I’ve always been drawn to darker and “dirtier” hues of denim like the mini from Abercrombie above. That said, a nice baby blue denim skirt is a classic and provides the perfect contrast to the bright, block colored tops that are everywhere this season. Make sure you get a skirt that isn’t too tight. Though it may look good in the store once you start walking it’ll continually ride up. Go for a slightly bigger size that will shrink in the wash to the perfect size.

Sweet sales items I found!

I always mean to do this at least once a month, but tragically I am usually too busy to get to it. But here is another addition of hot steals I found on the web (aka cool clothes on sale!):



This cute dress by Lily, at Nordstrom, is on sale for $42 from $108 and all sizes are still in stock!!



Alfani Woman Deep Surplice Top, was $65, now $47.99 at Macys.com



Aphrodite Wrap Front Bathing Suit 50% off! Was $79, now $39.50 at AlwaysForMe.com


Crochet Gauze Dress, was $69.99, now $34.99 at Silhouettes.com

Leonor Greyl: Luxurious Hair Care

I alternate between five or six brands of shampoo, and my shower is starting to eerily resemble shelves at salons. My poor husband has no idea what he is putting on his hair and body, and often uses whatever is closest to him. The reason I use so many brands is because I've never really found one that I can't live without, (though I have many I "like") so I just keep switching around depending on my hair needs. But I think I have discovered the ultimate in hair care and can now throw away all the random bottles in my shower! Leonor Greyl, (a well known Parisian brand in Europe, but little known in the United States) is possibly the most luxurious and amazing hair care I have ever come across. (Jump to see the details!)
My favorite so far is the Volumizing Shampoo and Dry Hair Fleurs de Jasmine Nourishing Treatment Mask . Not only is my hair fabulously smooth and shiny afterward, but I do not feel any residue after using it for two weeks straight. What I love most, however, is the variety of products Leonor Greyl offers. If my hair is dry one week from hormones or PMS, I can switch to a dry hair shampoo. If I am oily from humid weather, I'll switch to the appropriate shampoo for the climate. The most interesting product is the Before Shampoo Treatment oil. You coat it on your hair to protect from sea/pool water and shampoo it out later. And if I ever start experiencing hair loss, there is something for that, too! I'll still have half a dozen bottles of shampoo in my shower, but they'll all be from Leonor Greyl. I can't wait to try the sun-care hair products when I go to Florida in May. Finally, a hair line has enough variety to keep me happy! There is even a multi-use body and hair shampoo, so my hubby can just grab and use without worrying about what he is using! At BeautyExclusives.

Dry Hair Care: This is great if you've been using a flat/curling iron too much, making your hair dry and brittle.

Colored/Permed Hair Care: I don't color my hair, yet. But, I plan on trying this when I do.

Curly/Frizzy Hair Care: I have a friend who has a patch of frizzy hair on the back of her head after giving birth. I'd suggest using this on that area. :)

Fine/Limp Hair Care: I have a lot of hair, so this does not happen often, but there have been moments when I use a heavy conditioner too often, and my hair gets limp and wimpy.

Dandruff Hair Care: This is gross, but during the winter months, my scalp got really flaky. I saw a dusting of flakes on my black sweater and almost gagged. The problem has gone away, but I could have used this during that time.

Oily Scalp Hair Care: The minute I go home to tropical Asia, the oil glands in my hair go into overdrive. I will keep this with me the next time I go home.

Hair Loss Hair Care: Not happening yet and hopefully never will, but you never know.

Hair Care for Men: Now this is nice--made for the needs of the Alpha male.

Multi-Use Body and Hair: Can you say, made for the hubby?

Hyères-ing

>> Just a note to say that I may be without an internet connection for a day or so whilst I'm settling into Hyères and roaming around town with my laptop looking for a WI-FI connection (rustic villa that I'm staying at is exactly that.....rustic.....). There's some timed-posts going up today (timed blogging never feels right to me...) but commenting will be scant....

Now... there better be some bloody wi-fi... or I'm getting a cheapo Ryanair flight back pronto...

i came, i saw, i oystered

...and I'm still in awe.
It's been a busier weekend than I had anticipated, but please check back in the next day or two for NYC.

Update: et voila!

I'm on a rough-edged ruffle high...

(1 and 2)

Ayyyy! Puzzle Corner

Manolo says, the Spirit Fingers challenges us to identify the Bond girls.

What I'm currently thrilled a-boot.

Praise ye, thrift gods. At long last, I have finally discovered the perfect boots that my heart has been aching for. Last Saturday, Dean and I took advantage of Goodwill's 50% sale for some new fall attire, and while perusing the shoes, there they were. They almost seemed to call to me, "Aari, here we are, please purchase us and enjoy our super soft coziness and delish chocolate milk-y color immediately." Which I, of course, did. (I didn't even wait until I got home, I whipped those babies onto my feet as soon as I got in the car.) Revel in the beauty that is my vintage Etienne Aigner boots:





Glorious.

Moonstone, Opal, Coral, and Snow?

I was working on this moonstone bracelet today when the secretary came in and announced a 100% chance of snow! Now, everyone else is probably sick of the stuff, but we really haven't had a snow this year here in Northeastern Arkansas, so I'm looking forward to having a few inches fall - yes, even though I'm also dreaming of spring. I really am tired of the one day it's 55 and the next day it's 35 weather, so snow or spring, warm or cold, one or the other!
The moonstone bracelet above is made of rainbow moonstone in different shapes and sizes - no lampwork, just the rainbow moonstone and sterling silver (some great sterling from Bali came in this week). I always think of rainbow moonstone as a "Spring" gemstone, maybe because of warm, moonlit nights that lead up to the hottest days of summer. Anyway, you can see my mood.



The next bracelet is made of blue Peruvian opal with sterling silver. Some nice deep blue colour comes through on some of these nuggets - very pretty. More of that Bali sterling is here, mixed with sterling charms from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes (I have got to go to Thailand).

The lampwork this week is in the two coral bracelets below: the first is created of peachy and reddish-orange coral with beautiful, beautiful lampwork glass beads from a new lampworker (new to me; as you can tell from looking at these beads, this artisan has been doing lampwork for quite a while). The two tones of the coral match the two tones of the beads.

The bottom bracelet is made of blue coral and features gorgeous matte beads by Robin Weber. These lampwork beads have a strange depth for beads that do not have a glassy polish and an unusual matte look. They're perfect with the blue sponge coral; the large oval bead is Montana agate with its dendrites against the creamy translucent white creating fern-like patterns.
Now keep your fingers crossed for about 4 inches of snow (at least) that will not be troublesome and look pretty for a couple of days. Then, Spring can come blowing in!


coral
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