Work it out 2011 | Part 2

Yesterday we discussed what to wear when you start your fitness regiment in 2011, now let's talk about some at-home workout tips:

♦ Workout in your basement or rec room whenever possible. It builds character.
♦ Always wear a side ponytail when you are weight training on the trampoline at home.
♦ Everything is more fun when you wear striped compression tights, especially leg lifts.

♦ Whatever you do, don't let go of the treadmill handle bars.
♦ Let a friend know when you start your workout, just in case repetitions "D" or "K" don't quite work out and you need rescuing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Work it out 2011 | Part 1

It is just about time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions and I thought I would nudge you along with a two-part blog feature on fitness. Today's post is about how to look your best when you are out on the track . . . or just learning against the fence next to the track . . . or even just standing on astro-turf. Whatever you are doing to get fit in 2011, here are some things you should consider for the best results:

♦Try wearing sheer pantyhose under your shorts. It feels really great.
♦Buy two velour tracksuits the color of your grandma's den. One for you, one for a friend.
♦Feather your bangs before you head out for a jog. You will feel like you are going faster.
♦Ditch the socks. You don't need them if you've got pantyhose on silly!
♦If you find yourself leaning against a fence with two guys with amazing hair, please don't stare.

Tomorrow's post (and then back to jewelry, I promise) features some of the equipment you will need to reach your fitness goals in 2011.

Conroy & Wilcox

The jewelry from Conroy & Wilcox has so much personality. I especially like their rings. They use a lot of yellow gold and most of their diamonds are rose cut. Their stormy-gray diamond engagement ring is oh-so-lovely.

Two reasons to be happy

Two highlights of my Jean Jean Vintage year came via Johanna and Kathlynn, wonderful ladies who each had weddings this fall. What made their celebrations extra sweet for me was that they both chose to wear jewelry from Jean Jean Vintage.

Both of these gals are quite fetching - they could wear gym socks around their necks and still be the prettiest girls in the room. They also have fantastic taste. They both chose 20s-30s necklaces to complement their unique wedding dresses and amazing hair ornaments. Kathlynn chose a briolette crystal necklace with a lattice finding and Johanna wore an Art Deco rhinestone drop pendant. Jo also selected a Czech amber glass, brass and enamel collar for her rehearsal and Kathlynn picked out a delicate filigree and faux pearl drop necklace to take on her honeymoon in Italy.

It was a real privilege to be a small part of their celebrations and thinking about it will forever and always bring a smile to my face. Thank you and congratulations dear friends!

Christmas Eve, 1983

This is one of my favorite photos from a Christmas Eve of yore. Unfortunately I don't have that jumper anymore, but I do plan to wear some darn cute shoes to dinner tonight and I hope to style my hair in a similar way. I hope you all have a wonderful evening and a great weekend! I'll see you on Monday!

The truth

Because it's Christmastime, and at Christmastime you tell the truth, I must share a little secret. I listen to, and enjoy, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album this time of year. I like it because it was (adorably) my Dad's one and only foray into new age/electronic music and he loved it and played it over and over at the Duffelmeyer Family Christmas gatherings from roughly 1986-2002. It reminds me of him this time of year. Here is a little sample of the first track, Deck the Halls. Please do not judge.

A touch of red

I really wanted a candy cane last night before bed but we didn't have any candy in the house. Maybe that is why I went looking for red in the shop! Here is what I found.

Fantasia

I absolutely love Walt Disney's Fantasia. I watch it once a year, usually right around this time. It was released in 1940 as Disney's third full-length feature movie, after Snow White and Pinocchio. It was an unusual animated film (and a box office disaster) with eight segments all set to different pieces of classical music.

My mom took my brother and I to see it in the theater for its 50th anniversary in 1990. I was nine and I was bewildered. I loved the pretty goldfish swimming to the Arab Dance from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, and the centaurs running around to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. I was thrilled by the chaos in Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and totally freaked out by the Night on Bald Mountain part. The movie, and the music, are forever burned into my brain.

He stole my heart

Sometimes I buy a locket because I fall in love with the person inside. That's what happened here. This locket is spectacular - early 1920s, manufactured by the Marathon Company, sterling silver, designed to be worn on a ribbon, etc. All great statistics, but nothing compared to the picture inside: A black and white portrait of a young American soldier posed in his WWI Army uniform. He is so darn handsome, with his serene expression and his arms crossed. He is wearing his felt Montana peaked hat and a well-fitted tunic with large buttons and several pockets. What happened to him? How and where did he serve in the war? Who wore this locket and carried his picture? More importantly, who will take care of him now? I just listed this piece in the shop, and so his story continues . . .

(Note: Marathon makes great lockets so if you ever see their mark and the price is right, buy it up and add it to your collection.)

To me, love me

Welcome to the Jean Jean Vintage blog, version 2.0! I gave myself an early Christmas present and engaged the services of the very talented and professional Rachel Follett of Ironwood Design Studio, who came recommended from Lauren of Dear Golden Vintage. She gave my blog the full spa treatment and she lived up to - and surpassed - my every expectation. I hope you enjoy the new layout and the new look as much as I do! Don't forget to check out the "Latest Find" option on the menu, where I'll be posting photos of my latest, greatest jewelry discoveries.

For your stocking

Here are a few great pieces from the shop, all $35 or less and just perfect for dropping in a stocking. Shipping is on me if you purchase any of these sweet items today! Just write "STOCKING" in your message to me when you check out in the shop.