8 months old (and an outfit)

I don't really do outfit posts anymore because a.) I don't usually wear anything that is worth sharing on the World Wide Web and b.) I usually have portions of Severen's breakfast oatmeal glued to my arm hair. But as Severen and I were getting ready to spend a day in Ann Arbor yesterday I remembered that it was his 8 month birthday (whoah!) and I had on some cute shorts so I thought we should pose for you.

Now, if you actually saw me yesterday you know that I did not end up wearing this shirt. Or the necklace. That's because Severen decided he wanted to try to chew the enamel off of my necklace and I sweat through the shirt in the 10 minutes following this shoot (carrying a 25# boy is a workout). But this is what I was wearing in my mind's eye.

P.S. Isn't the silver ring cool? It is my mom's high school ring. She shares an alma mater with Lolo Jones (fun fact).

P.P.S. Look how little he was when he was 3 months old!

Chastity charm

Now here's a vintage charm you don't see everyday. I would love to see the original advertisement for it. It probably went something like, "He'll know your heart is true when you wear this pretty chastity charm!" I love the ruffle detail on the undies. But perhaps too serious a subject for a teeny bopper's charm bracelet, non? Here is another 1950s charm that deals with a serious issue - the evils of drinking!

via Clovie's Charm

Good page

I'm in love with the front page of the shop right now. That is all.

Cameo sisters

I love finding vintage jewelry twins (or triplets . . . or quintuplets) and I think this pair is especially beautiful. I stocked the black and white "hidden locket" cameo in the shop last night and then stumbled upon its gorgeous blue sister this morning. Their hairstyles and enameling are a bit different, but they are obviously related!

Blue locket image courtesy of Artes-Trouveaux

Midnight hour update

This is happening. Slowly, but it is happening! One hell of a gorgeous update, if I may say so myself. A few cameos for you cameo girls, as well as a rad ca. 1915 retractable reel brooch. My personal favorite? The tiny sterling silver and rhinestone brooch with the black enamel bow. Also, I never thought I would part with the enamel cameo locket but the time has come. You can see it on my bod here.

Check out the shop to see all the new listings!

Colorful carved glass

I love these pretty carved glass deco pieces. They are so fun and colorful. I just listed the ring this afternoon and the necklaces are tucked away in the Jean Jean Vintage necklace drawer.

metalepsis

Metalepsis is a jewelry project by two former architects. The chart above shows all the different combinations of pendants available for sale. Ahhhhh how I love a good chart. I'm partial to c6. Which one do you fancy?

Images via Metalepsis

Real thoughts from a mom-head

Today I'd like to share some random thoughts I've had in the last few weeks. As a collection, they are a pretty good representation of what goes on in my mom-head every day. I invite you to add your own random thought of the day (mom thought or otherwise) in the comments of this post. Happy Friday!

» I feel totally put-together when my toenails are painted. That is time well spent.

» Can I just go to pastry school? All I really want to do is make biscotti. All Day.

» I want to eat Severen's food. It is better than my food. Chicken & apples for lunch?!

» Please God, let me live long enough to watch Severen grow up. That's all I ask.
 
» Coffee makes me a better person.

» I could really free up some time if I wore Depends during the day. Huh.

» Taking a baby swimming, alone, is one of the most complicated things a human being can attempt.

» Should I sell my business? Would anyone want to buy it? Hmmm.

» There should be a naptime game show called, "How many things can you do in 33 minutes?"

» I can't raise my arms above my head anymore. Severen has mangled my shoulders. No biggie.

» Coffee makes me a better person.

» Whole wheat chocolate chip cookies are basically scones. So, basically they are breakfast food.

» Could Severen get stuck in the chimney?

» I don't have time to open bags of food on the little dotted lines = kitchen looks like raccoon carnage.

» If I rub my shoulder & close my eyes, I can pretend that someone else is giving me a massage.

» Gas pumps are the dirtiest, germiest things. Ughhh. Shudder.

» Should our family go as the Bee Gees for Halloween? The answer is "yes."

» How long is my hair now? I am honestly not sure. The only time it is down is the the shower.

» It has been almost 8 months since I birthed a gorgeous boy with a toddler-sized head.

» I can't wait until Severen can drink hot chocolate with me.

Coolest. Locket. Ever.

 

Um, holy shit?! This Masonic Ball locket is maybe one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Folding parts! Secret symbols! A skull and crossbones! And when it is all closed up it looks like something you would want to wear everyday. Gahhhh.

via The Antique Jewellery Company

New today!

All these pieces are new in the shop this morning, courtesy of Severen's unusually long nap.

Locket Lundi

Today's locket is a late 1800s cerulean enamel piece with 10K gold and seed pearls. The interior holds the original glass inserts and photo bezels, as well as a hand-tinted photo of a woman in period dress. These blue Victorian lockets are highly collectible and I am very excited to offer one in the shop.

Tempted by the twin

I found the pink twin (well, almost) to my blue, 1920s Czech glass drop necklace the other day whilst wasting precious time on eBay. I am so tempted to add it to my personal collection. You can see the full listing here.

My little Outsider

jacket | jeans | tee | sneakers

Severen's new favorite thing to do is lean against the couch and stand up. His casual stance and "yeah, I'm drooling, so what?!" attitude reminds me of The Outsiders gang. If I dressed him up in lots of denim he could totally hang with these guys. Can't you just picture him there in the front, right next to Emilio Estevez? He needs a liiiitttle more drool, I think, and we'll have to cut the sleeves off that baby Batman tee. Then it will be a perfect fit. They need a blond guy in the group, anyway.

Midnight rose update

The top row of the shop is new today!

The Natsu Collection

   

       

Many of the scarves from the S/S collection of A Peace Treaty are sold out, but not all! This collection is based on vintage kimono prints, Japanese art and Art Deco design. The inspiration board is pretty awesome. The F/W collection that is on the way from them looks mighty nice, too. Jeez I love scarves.

Images via A Peace Treaty

Batter up!

I just listed a great 1930s baseball charm in the shop. I found this page in one of my old (1928) jewelry catalogs, which shows all the different kinds of sport charms that were available for purchase and engraving back in the day, including a few options for baseballs. I would love to find a bowling charm someday!

Seven months for Severen

Severen is 7 months old now and he has a lot to show for it! He sits and plays with the greatest of ease. He can do a baby version of "plank" pose and I think it is only a matter of time until he figures out how to tuck his knees and start crawling. He loves to eat and enjoys three little meals a day at his weaning table. He says "ba ba ba" and "ma ma ma." He is also an accomplished swimmer and pianist :)

But perhaps the most exciting thing that happened this past month was the appearance of his first two little teeth. I was so proud when they came in, which is silly because that is like being proud of him for having an optic nerve or for growing fingernails. He is a human and humans make teeth . . .  I know, I know. It doesn't mean that he is special in any way. But still, I think he did a pretty awesome job of making those teeth.

For an up close and personal experience with Severen and his teeth - 100% guaranteed to make your day better - please enjoy this home video.