Key-spiration

There's something about keys that I'm drawn to time and time again. I must clarify, though, that my obsession is not new. It is well documented in 'Alix's Baby Book' that my first word was, in fact, key. Although I have no memory of the momentous occasion when my mouth first formed the word key, the word and symbol clearly made an impression in my mind. My recent (newly-awakened) love affair started approximately 18 months ago when I first discovered these:

Tiffany's collection of keys knocked my socks off. It was the perfect combination of cool elegance, understated beauty and timeless design. The key on the far left was featured in 'Alix's Christmas List 2009' and (thankfully) was given to me by my parents that year. I wear it often and still LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Last spring I got my first tattoo. And while I had known since 2006 that I wanted the word 'trust' somewhere in my tattoo, the key was a (relatively) last-minute decision (But, nonetheless, a great decision).  

And so, the moral of this is, I Love Keys. Here's some more key-spiration.

Beautiful necklace from ghostlovejewelry

from Bohman, flickr

Tangles Antique Skeleton Key Necklace from DreamingSquid

Key Wall Hook Solid Black, Cast Iron by FourRDesigns

Keys by Stewart Leiwakabessy

Personalized Old Fashioned Key Dessert Set for Two by happiestdaysdesign

Vintage Keys, Set of 7: Pottery Barn 

Jessica Kagan Cushman

I'm IN LOVE with these "Nantucket" bangles from Jessica Kagan Cushman.  Each resin bracelet has on it either a quote, phrase, or quirky comment.  I love the Wizard of Oz quotes! Usually I find things like this too kitschy and not at all cute, but the simplicity and color (or lack thereof) of these makes them truly luxe.  This week, they're featured on Gilt Groupe for $60/each (reg. $130) or you can go to Jessica Kagan Cushman's website to buy ($99). Below are my favorites:

"Fashion can be bought, Style one must possess"

"After all...tomorrow is another day"

"Keep calm and carry on"

"Dim lights, thick smoke and loud, loud music"

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"

"We must be over the rainbow!"

"What, this old thing? I've had this forever"

Images from JessicaCushman.com

The Gilded and Glittered Holiday

My father hates glitter.  From a young age, I remember attempting to bring glittered crafts home from school and sunday school but being stopped short of entering the car.  I don't remember tears, but I'm sure there were some as I was forced to stuff anything glitter into a bag (or worse, being thrown away) before getting in the car for fear that some of that magical glitter would escape and be forever embedded into the car's upholstery.  But my father's hatred of glitter didn't end with my sisters' or my childhood- just the other day he went into a christmas store, and as the story goes, was appalled by all the glitter on everything and was nervous that some of it would get on his shoes.  Needless to say, that visit was short.
I tell this anecdote because, unlike my father, I LOVE GLITTER.  I love sequins, and shiny metallics and gilded everything.  I love the silvers and the golds and the icy blues of the holiday season.  I love things dipped in glue and then dipped in glitter, and if some of the glitter falls off, it just makes everything merrier... right?  This post is about all the lovely glitters of the holiday that are showing up in fashion and accessories and are absolutely perfect for the upcoming days.  Do not shy away from mixing as many as these amazing finds together as you can.  It's the holidays!  Go Glittery! (p.s. I need to find a holiday party asap to wear these amazing things... scratch that, I need to find a job so that I can buy these things...)

Gem-Laden Snood (circle scarf) from J.Crew $99

Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats from J.Crew $188 (gold)

Disco Sequined Silk-Chiffon Jacket by J.Crew from Net-A-Porter $495

Sequined crept T-shirt by Vince, from Net-A-Porter: $295

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Night Sparkling sequin-embellished silk waistcoat $355

D&G Sequin-embellished crepe mini at Net-A-Porter $375

(...and this is exactly what I was looking for to wear to law prom.  Why, oh why am I always a season early with my ideas?)

Antik Batik Pop Sequined chiffon dress at Net-A-Porter $625

(I LOVE LOVE LOVE this... paired with some opaque tights and booties and a sequined hair bow)

Halston Heritage Metallic ruched jersey gown at Net-A-Porter $475

Falling Snowflakes Necklace from Ann Taylor $138

...in other news, I'm an official licensed Texas attorney... scary and exciting all at the same time!  Now I'm just waiting for a prosecutor position to open up somewhere (read anywhere) in Texas.

Diamonds! Jewels! and Rings, OH MY!

Sigh... it's been a rough day.  But, do you know what makes bad days better?  Antique Jewelry.  For the past hour, I've been perusing Christie's and feeling infinitely better than I did just a few hours ago.
How could these pieces not make even the worst of things better?

An early 19th century gold and silver-mounted amethyst and diamond cluster ring- Lot 256;

Only $1700! (I say only because I know what is to come)

An Important Coloured Diamond Ring by Van Cleef and Arpels; Lot 2364;

Estimated around $300,000

BRACELET ART DECO DIAMANTS, PAR BOUCHERON- SO, SO Cool; 

For sale at Paris Auction; Estimated at up to $150,000.

Everyone, let's have a collective "le sigh"