Friday, March 30, 2012

Locket cameo ring


When I saw this ring at the antique shop I could barely believe mine eyes. A locket cameo ring? Shaped like a book? With an amazing chased band? Oh please. I've done quite a bit of looking around in internetland and I can't find anything like this. Maybe they tend to stay in families and don't reach the auction/retail market very often? I think this is a pretty special piece. Alas, it does not fit me so I just stocked it in the shop!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

It's a sham!


I managed an outfit post! The first one in almost three months. But I'm going to level with you . . . it is a bit of a sham. I'm telling you this because, if you are like me, sometimes you see these kinds of posts and think, "Oh s*$t, she looks so put together! She must be so organized. I bet everything in her closet is folded nicely, her hair smells good, and she is wearing lotion. I bet she wakes up on time every day and always eats a healthy breakfast. I'm so jealous." Well, don't feel that way about me because . . .

1. My armoir is an absolute disaster. It was very easy to select this ensemble because, quite honestly, it was the only thing that wasn't wrinkled. And actually, the shirt is still wrinkled. Oh well.

2. I wear Grandma underwear 100% of the time post-baby. There are at least 5 inches of white underwear exposed above the waistline of my jeans under my tank-top that you, mercifully, cannot see. That's how I roll now.

3. I have only two pairs of jeans that fit me now (this pair and an identical pair) and let's be honest, "fit" might be a little bit too generous a term. If by "fit" you mean I can put them on and take them off without assistance then yes, they fit. The rest of my twenty pairs of pants - including all my favorites - are in the attic in a tupperware bin waiting until next year when hopefully I can wear them again.

4. I took these photos in my bedroom and there is a large, ugly, battery-operated baby swing cropped out of the image on the left. And there is a co-sleeper right behind the tripod. And the bed is not made.

5. RE: My hair. Sooo, it is a different color now. Lots darker. Apparently that is common after having a baby (other mom's out there is this true?) And I just got a haircut with bangs last week. I love it/I hate it. I don't know. The last time I had bangs like this I was in Middle School and that didn't go so well!

6. Hello Crow's feet. Do you seem them? Outta nowhere.

7. It took me almost 30 minutes to get dressed to take these photos because Severen kept waking up from his nap. At one point, I had on my tank top, pants, and one shoe. Then I managed to get on the other shoe. Then the jabot/hat pin. Then I had to sneak into my office to get the bracelets and he woke up again and I felt like a bad mom for ruining his sleep cycle just to do this silly post. It was not a graceful process.

8. I dried my hair with a hairdryer for the first time in months prior to this photo session. My neighbors would not recognize this person you see here as the same person who has been out for walks with the stroller these past few weeks. This is a borderline "Breakfast Club" - type makeover.

9. I do not wear nice outfits or jewelry every day. Most days I wear my Zara stretchy pants and any number of striped t-shirt tops that can be a.) easily lifted for nursing and b.) sustain serious drool and spit up incidents. If you just showed up at my door on a weekday, that's probably what you would find. And a ponytail.

10. My favorite breakfast lately is something I found at the co-op called "The Ultimate Breakfast Cookie." Need I say more?

So why bother with this outfit post at all if it is such a sham? Well, for myself. To prove to myself that I can still get dressed, do my hair and look decent when I try. I might not be able to go to a movie or a cocktail bar but dammit, I can pretend! (Also, I wanted to show you my bangs :))

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Marion Vidal

              



These are a few of my favorites necklaces from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection by Marion Vidal, the Paris-based jewelry designer. I love the shapes and textures.  I wonder what this year's collection will look like?

Images courtesy of Marion Vidal

Friday, March 23, 2012

12 weeks old!



I apologize for the back to back baby posts - I didn't plan that very well. But today is Severen's 12 wk (that's three months!) birthday and I wanted to share these photos with you. I was anxious about trying out the tripod/remote with him, but he was totally game! I think the key is to catch him in a good mood. I hope to get back to some outfit/accessory posts soon, too, since (as you probably noticed) neither my outfit nor my accessories are noteworthy here. Oh! And about an hour after I shot these pics I got a haircut and now I have BANGS! I'll show you next week. Bon weekend!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Our favorite books right now

     

I will be forever thankful to my friend Jamie for gifting these books to us at my baby shower - All in a Day and "Mama, Is It Summer Yet?" The illustrator is Nikki McClure, who uses an x-acto knife to create the pictures (whoah). Because they are high-contrast, Severen loves them. And the stories are beautiful so I enjoy reading them! The first time I read All in a Day to him, I cried. This line in particular got caught in my throat: Underneath that great big sky the earth is all a-spin. This day will soon be over and it won't come back again. 

Illustration and cover images courtesy of Abram's Books

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The mighty oak


This polished wood acorn pendant is so lovely. As the seed of the oak tree, which can live for over a century, acorns symbolized fertility and immortality to the Victorians. This piece dates to that era. I haven't seen much acorn motif jewelry in the last few years (if any?) so I think this piece is quite rare.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Scarf lust



{I, II, III, IV, V, VI}

These scarves from Anthropologie look good enough to eat. Isn't Mother's Day coming up, Mr. Jean Jean? (hint hint)

Images courtesy of Anthropologie

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Really something


This antique (1890s-1910s) hair comb is, as the post title suggest, really something. I just can't believe how beautiful the rhinestone mounting is, like an eagle perched with its wings spread. Wouldn't this be an amazing hair ornament for a bride? You can find it here in the shop.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Victorian photo pins


I think I might have to start collecting Victorian photo pins, especially the ones with handsome, mustached men in them.  I just listed the pin above in the shop (and here is another dapper fellow from last spring!) I love the enamel accents on this frame. Here are a few more examples of that style from one of my favorite jewelry websites.


Images courtesy of Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Two Years


Jean Jean Vintage is 2 years old! The official day was yesterday but I wisely chose to post about ice cream instead (i.e. I forgot about it). So let's celebrate now! You may use the coupon code TWOYEARS2 in the shop through Sunday for 20% off anything you like.

I am very grateful for the last two years. Thank you for your friendship and support!

Fun fact: My first sale was a pair of earrings to the lovely Sheena of No Carnations. Later she did a post of Dorothy Dandrige wearing a similar pair and I was so tickled! 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Eat Jeni's Ice Cream



Let's just take a moment to talk about this ice cream. I made lovey-eyes at the pint of Pistachio & Honey at my grocery store for almost a year before finally splurging and taking it home last week. Myyyy oh my - it was so good that I actually felt a little bit embarrassed when I took my first bite, kind of like when you watch a really, really great make-out scene in a movie. Lucky for me, these delicious ice creams are sold locally. But Jeni's ships all over the place! I've shipped gifts to MA and MN in the last week, which was pretty fun. Cute detail? The flavors are handwritten on all the pints. You can check out all the flavors here.

What's almost as good as eating ice cream? Looking at vintage photos of other people eating ice cream! I like this post from last year.

Yummy spoon images courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams