Does anybody ever actually run out of nail polish?
Today’s bangles: Elsa Peretti X from my dad, red Indian rhinestone bangles from Goodwill, brass and black bangle, strange stretchy metal bracelet, Swarovski crystals now for sale on Chairish.com, tortoise shell bangle.
Lately I’ve been thinking about the liking of comments etiquette on WordPress. I don’t know about you all, but my process is to read a post, and only if I like it I do I then “like” it. I’m discriminating with my likes.
But when it comes to comment likes? No holds barred. I like them all across the board. It’s maybe a politeness thing, a sort of ‘thank you for replying I will now reward you with a like’, right? But so, why do they offer this feature if we all are sitting around in a like circle jerk? Was that too graphic? Did I just lose out on your like?
Don’t get me wrong, my likes make me happy and I appreciate both giving and receiving the likes. But I’m just wondering what it means if it’s so easy to dispense. Is there any value to a comment like?
Where to start today? Blogging always feels like a diary entry, doesn’t it? And all you snoops keep reading my super private thoughts!
Thanks to my favorite jeweler, Isabella Hutten who mended the assortment of bracelets my mom gave me recently (mostly pieces of my Grandmother’s) I am wearing day 2 of charm bracelets.The figuinhas for luck and the big guy that is actually my mom’s from when she was a girl.
My mom was raised in a military family but her mom was Brazilian (thus me being Brazilian and all- my mom was living with her Auntie and Uncle when my parents married and birthed yours truly)… So her early life she lived everywhere and saw much of the world. This bracelet is made up of all those places. Panama, Alaska, Brazil, Virginia, Maine, Italy, France. New York State which has an accent over the e in New for some inexplicable reason.
Anyway, my honey, too, was raised in a military family. I asked him over dinner last night if he ever thought of the fact that any kids we may have and I would share a very similar childhood, while his was so very different. I realized that this was something that connects my mom and him, tho his family was Air Force and my mom’s was Army. Both are so strange and alien to me. Back to my question though, his answer was yes, he had thought about it. That was just about the full extent of his reply.
So here’s the point: you know how they say women marry men who are like their fathers? Well, I think I married my mom.
Today I made a huge mistake. I posted an opinion about current events on facebook. Such a rookie move, right? So of course it spiraled into this whole thing where suddenly my nutso militant Israeli high school swim coach is fighting my dad’s college roommate’s wife about politics. I hate this kind of thing.
Usually my facebook updates are stuff like “It probably would cost the same amount to buy jelly sandwich ingredients as it did to buy this jelly sandwich but I figure this kind of thing is best left to the pros.” But anybody caring to participate in that dialog? Nope. Now my stomach is turning at the thought of looking at facebook 🙀 internet bickering is the worst.
Today’s bangles: Gem charm bracelet of my Grandmother’s from Brazil, my lucky figa charm bracelet, and another of my Grandmother’s- English four pence coins attached as a bracelet.
#3 VERY GIFTED: GIFT IDEAS
Gifts for:
*The Soft Core Romance Novel Reader
*The Hello Kitty Lover
*The Patriot
Listen, I do not shop in malls. I don’t know where to find them despite the rumor that they are around. Somewhere. But for me, malls are like Capybaras, I know they exist, people love them, but I just don’t know anything about them. However, as you all know, I watch TONS of TV. And something I see all the time is Kay Jewelers. Every kiss begins with? Kay. Or cock, as my husband insists on saying. That’s him! Not me! I didn’t say that! So to continue my simile, Kay is the bowtie on a Capybara. Or something. So I looked them up. I was curious if they are ethically sourced jewelry. Quelle surprise, they are! They have “extensive policies” in place for the sourcing of the gems, gold, everything.
So Kay Jewelers? Not my usual cup of tea, but this is a gift list and I like a challenge.
First up the blue (? diamonds come that color?) and white diamond, sterling silver heart.
It’s pretty cheeseball, but there is something sweet about it. I would wear this, I think. But really it’d be suited for an older lady. Maybe a grandmother? Or a lover of Romance Novels, not the explicit kind, mind you, but the Barbara Cartland varietal. Which I swear *cough cough* I know nothing about.
Hello, hello kitty!! I love you. I would give these to my nieces if their ears were pierced. So cute. Is it weird that the Hello Kitty studs are more expensive than the diamond pendant? I think so, too.
Interesting Kay category: patriotic jewelry. Because you only really love your country if you’re wearing a red, white and blue diamond ring? Ok, that does sounds like something I would do. This is where my Mother in Law (and all military moms/wives) and I crossover. Patriotic expression thru jewelry. I think she might wear hers year round whereas I would save mine for the 4th of July, so as to compliment my Babe-raham Lincoln dress. (It’s got hot shirtless presidents all over it, I love it.)
This *is* the best item in the patriot category, but not necessarily something a MIL would don. So for her, I would go with this flag pendant.
Now you can go ahead and check patriotic Mother in Law, cutie pie niece, and Barbara Cartland fan off the shopping list, you are welcome.
The daily disclaimer: I would be remiss if I didn’t offer the link to my online store… I write these posts for my love of jewelry and gift giving, there’s no sponsors here but ME for MYSELF 😀
Lately I’ve been all about the Goodwill bracelet finds. There’re so many treasures to be found at Goodwill, stuff that has a feeling to it. It’s beautiful that one item was cared by somebody, and now it’s under my watch. There’s a special link between me and them. I think that’s why I love ID bracelets so much. It’s actually pretty funny how I have this odd little collection of other people’s ID bracelets, but none in my own name.
The flag charm bracelet is also a Goodwill find. My dad was a big flag collector, a vexillologist if you will. I paid more than my usual Goodwill budget to purchase this guy, $19.99, an outrageous sum in the world of Goodwill shopping! Now armed with my inherited collection of flag books I’ve set about IDing the various flags.
From left to right:
1. Italy (but the center stamp is slightly incorrect)
2. Netherlands or Luxembourg
3. UK
4. USA
5. Canadian Red Ensign (the predecessor to Royal Union Flag which was replaced in turn by the familiar Flag of Canada)
6. France
7. Belgium
8. Tria Juncto In Uno medal: “the Order of the Bath”, 4th most senior of the British Orders of Chivalry
9. Standard of the Governor-General of the Belgian Congo 1936-1960
10. Luxembourg or Netherlands
11. USSR
12. Belge flag number two
13. Poland
So what I’ve deduced so far is this is a Belgian charm bracelet from the early to mid 1900’s, maybe a collection of Belgian allies? I don’t know. I welcome anybody with some historical insight to chime in! What do all think? Any theories?
Last night at dinner my mom gave me this bracelet 👆 that I am wearing today. It was black with tarnish and she was uncertain if it was from her mom, or from my namesake, my mom’s Aunt Margaret. I am basically Nancy Drew when it comes to the internet sleuthing, and I successfully Nancy Drewed the isht out of this puppy.
First, I polished this up, then I started my research. Through my googling skills I quickly found some very similar pieces listed on eBay and Etsy. These were variously listed as vintage Mexican or Aztec of Mayan. But, from what I’ve seen, Taxco (Mexico’s main silver city) stamps their silver Taxco. This bracelet has no such stamp. Nor does it sport the standard, legally required 925 that indicates a piece is Sterling. But all of this could maybe be explained due to the age of my new bracelet.
However, internet sleuthing was not yet complete! There is a stamp, it’s simply one I hadn’t seen before. 0.900…. Again to the google where I learned this is a South American manner of stamping silver.
Mystery solved! Between my Grandmother (Brazilian) and my Great Aunt (American) this bracelet was most likely my Grandmother’s. So from one Brazilian to another, thank you Grandmother! And thank you Google.
Tiffany charm’s are pretty much universally beloved, but I am here to search out for you something special this holiday season. Think of me as your personal shopper. Welcome to 16 days of jewelry gift ideas for the special lady (mom, grandma, lover, daughter, sister, saint) or kind sir (father, brother, boyfriend etc.) in your life. It’s the time of the year where Very Bangled —-> Very Gifted.
Now, as you all know, I own a shop. I trudge thru the front lines of the gift giving mania each year. With my many years of battle scars I have several tried and true gift giving theories. Listen up, because I aim to hit these targets on your behalf for 16 days leading up to the holidays.
1. Most women love a gift tradition. I don’t know what came first, my love of bracelets or my dad giving me bracelets. But now almost my entire collection is thanks to my dad, and I love it. Best part of the gift tradition? Once you’ve set yours, you are golden for gift ideas on every occasion. Just continue the tradition! It’s a promise of the future of your relationship, and a special reminder of the specialness of that relationship.
2. The gift is about you, the giver, more than it is about the receiver. That moment where you’ve scored that something special for your loved ones? And their eyes gleam bright because you hit the nail on the head? That is the BEST feeling ever. But sometimes you will miss the target, and that’s okay. That’s why there are gift receipts. It’s better to shoot and fail then to tie yourself in knots and give nothing. It REALLY is the thought that counts.
3. Always go with your impulse. There is no nicer saying than “I saw this and I thought of you.” It’s heart warming. But that being said… don’t always impulse PURCHASE the item. Write it down for later. You might find something even better, but do NOT wait until the week of Christmas to complete your purchase. We, the retailers are picked clean by that point and that impulse item will be long gone.
4. Give something you love. This ties back into the gift is about the giver. You reveal a special part of yourself when you give a gift. Share that with your loved ones, they love you and giving something YOU love is sharing that love. I’ve found that my most cherished gifts are those that I would never have picked for myself, but once it’s mine, it’s so much more special because of that relationship that I have with the gift giver.
5. Stay within budget! This one is kind of derr but you can always find something special within budget. That’s the entire point of vintage. Don’t blow your money on the name. Tiffany’s costs more because it’s Tiffany’s, but is it worth more? No. Let me put it this way, do you want to give earrings and matching necklace for the same cost of one dinky little charm? YES. The answer is yes.
6. Customize! Always customize. If there’s ever an engraving or monogram or add her name option? Do it. It makes the item extra special. Years later she can look back and say “Oh yeah, that’s from Christmas 1994”.
7. Remember this is supposed to be FUN. There is no failure in gift giving. If you are unfortunate enough to have someone in your life who makes you feel bad about your gift choice? Well, they are serious jerks. That’s plain mean, inconsiderate and RUDE. They are crossed off the list for next year. No gift is deserved, gifts are wonderful opportunities to spoil the people you love, but if they are too bratty to appreciate that? Than they won’t appreciate anything ever. Don’t beat yourself up over their bad attitude. You tried your best.
Did you slog thru everything? No? No matter, I’m keeping this list in consideration and you just need to follow my recs. Starting Monday the 24th, for 16 days straight, I will give you a gift idea for every type. Trying to shop for someone specific? Tell me their fav TV shows or sports teams, interests, hobbies or anything and I’ll dedicate a post to it. You know I love this stuff. It’s the thrill of the jewelry hunt!!
You guys remember that Bond film, right? Rhinestones are forever? If not forever, per se, they are at least decent amounts of time. “Rhinestones are decent amounts of time” doesn’t have the right ring, however. It’s not exactly catchy.
Today I’m wearing my Goodwill bow bracelet, my sterling knot from Hiho Silver, and a vintage rhinestone piece I was given for being a bridesmaid. Best yet?? Rhinestone panda clip ons. Now pandas, they are forever.
Today is a subtle day. Orange and black, because the Giants are going to the World Series. Which is bittersweet because baseball was one of those me and my dad things.
Today’s bangles: the newest Goodwill find, both the seaside charm bracelet and the NYC charm bracelet and my Orange October Hermès Calèche. Oh and what’s this? My awesome Giants necklace made by I’m Your Present
Very Bangled 