Pine cone garland - check!

Remember this post from last year? Well, I finally gave the pine cone garland a try. Severen and I collected some cones (spruce, actually) in our yard and at the park. Then during nap time one day I got out my baker's twine and went to work. I really like how it looks on the mantel. Can I leave it up all year?

I'm also thinking about making some pomanders (thanks for the inspiration, Karen!) to have around. Having a house smelling of clove and orange sounds pretty heavenly to me.

Seriously beautiful

     

There's just something about antique, black glass necklaces, non? They demand to be taken seriously. These four, which are all marked for or attributed to Czechoslovakia (ahh how I love that style), are newly stocked in the shop.

P.S. Do you recognize the necklace third from the left? It is the twin to the PAMPLEMOUSSE necklace that was in the shop almost two years ago.

Fashionably late

So, I missed the boat on Cyber Monday - personally and professionally. I felt it looming all around yesterday but I just could not get my hands around it. Then suddenly it was 10 PM and the day was gone.

That means that I am catching up today. I plan to do a bit of shopping online tonight (or maybe a lot) and I hope you will consider doing some shopping with me, too! I've set the coupon FASHIONABLYLATE to take 20% off your order at the Jean Jean Vintage check out. The sale runs today until midnight. Come visit!

What a difference a year makes

I am looking forward to having Severen with us at the table tomorrow. He was with us last year, too, but in a very different way! He loves to eat (avocado, broccoli, hummus, beans, mozzarella, mango . . . ) and I know he will enjoy the Thanksgiving food we prepare with every ounce of his little body. Lately, he has taken to saying "Ummmmmm!" when something tastes good! What am I looking forward to eating the most? This amazing squash recipe. (Make it make itttt!!) Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Here are posts (and pics!) from the Thanksgiving feasts we hosted the past two years.

Seeing stars

All these pieces are new this week in the shop!

First time

Although I've owned it for over a year, I wore this Peking Glass and baroque pearl festoon necklace for the first time yesterday. It felt so good. I paired it with a brooch from Miriam Haskell, although I ended up wearing the brooch on my coat instead of this blazer. I had a great day antiquing with a friend and then an awesome night out to dinner at this new restaurant (just the two of us!) with Mr. Jean Jean. It is amazing what an outing with a girlfriend, a little gussying up, and a nice glass of wine can do for the spirit. I feel like a new woman today. I hope everyone is enjoying un bon weekend!

10 Festoon favorites

As promised, here are a few of my favorite festoon necklaces from around the web. Some are costume and some are fine. All images are linked. Have fun! (P.S. My festoon outfit post is coming tomorrow!)

"Fashion decrees a festoon necklace ..."

It's day two of festoon madness! Woo hoo! Well, I found these advertisements for costume festoon necklaces in my "Everyday Fashion of the Twenties" book and I loved reading them. A couple take-aways for me? Well, to start I'm going to address all of you as Milady from here on out. I'm also planning to incorporate the word tasty into as many jewelry descriptions as possible in the shop. Finally - $2.50? Where is my DeLorean?!

Festoon!

Festoon - it sounds like a party, doesn't it? And it kind of is. It's a party around your neck. The word comes from the Latin festum (feast) or festo (festal garland). Lillian Baker (Art Nouveau & Art Deco Jewelry) defines "festoon" as, "A garland of chain or chains decorated with ornamental drops or pendants which lay on a curve against a woman's upper bosom." Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Raise your hand if you would like a garland of jewels heaving on your bosom. My hand is raised.

I think festoon necklaces are the most feminine of all types of jewelry, especially ones from the turn-of-the-century. These necklaces can reduce me to tears, people. Even hanging on a hook or resting in a jewelry case they look full of life to me. They are the perfect symbols of Edwardian joie de vivre and elegance - just dormant and just waiting to breathe again on the neck of a pretty girl.

Getting on with it . . . I've only had a couple festoon necklaces in the shop (including this one) because 1.) they are really hard to find and 2.) when I do find them, I usually keep them because I love them. But I've been very fortunate this fall and I've found two. One I am keeping (can you spot it in this mess?), and one I am listing in the shop.

So here she is. You can read more about her here.

The rest of the posts here this week will be about festoon necklaces (obsessed much?) I'll do an outfit post featuring one from my own collection, I'll share some old advertisements for them from the 1920s and I'll also post some of my favorites from around the web. Believe me, you won't get tired of them.

None of the above

Today's listings of belt slides, buckles and sash ornaments don't fit neatly into any jewelry category. This type of accessory isn't really on our radar today but I think it should be. And not just for brides! Wearing a piece of jewelry at the bodice of a gown, to accent a high-waisted skirt or to dress up the tie of a plain coat is a great way to add a personal touch to an outfit. These types of things (much like dress clips) are quite versatile, too. For example, belt slides can often be slipped onto scarves and sew-on ornaments can usually be pinned into the hair, especially if you have an up-do!

Here are a couple other things in the shop that fit into this fun, much neglected category of vintage accessories:

DOWNTON rhinestone slide
METEORITE Art Deco arched slide
MISS MAPLE brass and silver buckle

A 17th century reminder

This 17th century memento mori skull medallion is up for auction in Paris in a couple of weeks. It is just over an inch tall with an enamel face, ruby eyes, and a yellow gold skull. The skull hinges opens to eight interior compartments. Expected sale price: $16,500-$19,000.

Can you think of a more macabre symbol for memento mori (Latin for Remember you must die/Remember your mortality)? I think it is terribly effective. Also terribly beautiful.

via Artcurial

Dior Barbie and more

Dior Barbie

1910s Barbie

1920s Barbie

1940s Barbie

Montreal, Paris and London "City Seasons" Barbie

The Queen Barbie post was pretty fun so I thought I would share a few more dolls that I found while wasting precious moments of nap time looking at Barbie dolls. Don't judge.

The Dior Barbie!? Perfect. The 1940s Barbie? Appropriately voluptuous with a rad dragonfly brooch to boot. But my favorites are the three ladies in the "City Seasons" series, mostly because their coats and hats are amazing. I'm ready to order a human-sized version of the Autumn in London outfit right now, feathered beret and all. And the Winter in Montreal Barbie looks a bit like Madeleine Kahn, non?

via Wow Dolls

Five pretty pendants

COLDEST LAKE agate fob with gold fill bail

SPARTAN glass intaglio medallion fob

LOST TO SIGHT Victorian mourning pendant

SNOWFLAKE rhinestone locket

HEMATITE heart with pyrite chip center

All new in the shop today!

Wooden sushi set

If anyone is wondering what I might want for Christmas this year, I'll let you know I have my eye on this wooden sushi set from Dwell Studio. I mean, who wouldn't want to build little pretend maki?! If received, I may or may not share it with Severen.

via Dwell Studio