An Evening With Enzoani

One of the great perks about my job is being able to attend fashion-related events. I was so very excited to have been invited to the Enzoani show in Newport Beach, at the gorgeous Marriott, Fashion Island.

Enzoani is an eveningwear brand, specializing in bridal, prom, and other formal wear. Their offshoot labels include Blue by Enzoani and Love by Enzoani. Several people at the event wore their Enzoani duds and dresses were all over on display.

Unfortunately though, it was ridiculously hot and the staff was very unorganized. So unorganized in fact, that my colleague and I left before the actual fashion show. I love seeing fashion shows, so that should give you an idea of how disappointed/frustrated I was with the event. I don't mean to come here to complain nor do I mean to put this company down in any way, I just wanted to share the reality of the situation. Hence the lack of photos. Enzoani really does make some glamorous dresses, but sometimes things don't always go as glamorously as you had planned. Such is life.

The silver lining: there were complementary cocktails. At the end of the day there are always silver linings, good company to be had, cocktails to sip, and hopefully, another fashion event.

Toss the Bouquet

My friend Julie (www.julienuttingdesigns.blogspot.com) showed me this Etsy shop, saying she thought of me. I'm totally blown away by these bouquets. Some are made with fabric, others buttons, others satin, and then there are the bejeweled ones. These beauties range in price to accommodate any bride's budget. I think this would be a great way to incorporate heirloom family jewelry without worrying about wearing it all. Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/reallybadkitty to see more. These are obviously not bouquets you will ever want to toss.

Red, White & Blue ... Well, Sorta

Just added these three beauties to my Etsy faves and thought they looked nice together ... nice enough to post. I know I am a little fashionably late in paying my patriotic respects, but I think these gems are well worth the wait.

Top: Dreams of Persia by Christine Wallace (www.christinewallacevintagejewelry.blogspot.com). Christine is one of my new favorite jewelry designers, look for her in the Fall issue of Jewelry Affaire (out October 1, 2011).

Center: Vintage and red hair bling from one of my all-time favorite Etsy shops, www.etsy.com/shop/ohfaro.

Bottom: Jamie always out does herself (www.simplymeart.com).

Screaming Summer

Olu means "comfort" and Kai "ocean." And these are without a doubt some of the most (if not the most) comfy shoes I have ever worn! I am not much of a sandal girl usually (I prefer high in the sky high heels because I'm short enough to get away with it) but these shoes are beyond fabulous!

I got this gorgeous pair from my friends at OluKai (www.olukai.com). I picked them out (their make and model is Hili in Berry) and it was a tough decision, let me tell you. I love the brown on brown color scheme too. But if you know me, you know my favorite color is pink.

When I finally put these shoes on yesterday, it was a true Cinderella moment. I'm completely in love with this pair! They are effortlessly cool, perfect for summer in Laguna, and they don't detract from the rest of my ensemble. And did I mention, so comfy?!? I wish I had these while in Kauai. The good news is, every day in these shoes feels like a day on a Hawaiian beach : ) Oh, and did I mention these shoes are environmentally responsible in how they are manufactured? It doesn't get any better than that.

Do yourself and your feet a favor, and grab a pair (for water or land) today. It will make your summer.

TY OluKai!!

A Spiritual Affaire

I was at the gym last night desperately trying to get back into shape when I got a call from Paulette (www.summerlandcottagestudio.blogspot.com) asking me to go to the Art A Fair opening night gala. I figured since I was already out of shape, I may as well go.

Im so glad I attended, though! I was able to run into Cherie FitzSimons-Orr, who I attended Art A Fair with last year (http://coutureovercoffee.blogspot.com/2010/08/art-fair.html) and who can be found in Jewelry Affaire's sophomore issue. Cherie was with her daughter this year, making it a true family affairt.

Another mother-daughter duo I had the pleasure of meeting was Elena Marty and her daughter Joanne. It was Elena's first year at Art A Fair, and I was so impressed and bedazzled by this woman's designs. She has only made jewelry for two years, but look at these stunners! I was honored to wear one of her necklaces for a bit, and it was a dream come true. The necklace with red stones and the gold multichain earrings are some of my favorites, but really everything was great. You'll be hearing and seeing more from Elena in an upcoming Jewelry Affaire.

One of Elena's friends who stopped by the booth pulled me aside and told me that what makes Elena's jewelry special is that she has a spiritual connection with the things she makes. For so long I have talked about that familial connection we can have with jewelry, but for some reason I overlooked the spirituality of it too. Wedding bands, prayer beads, rosaries, these pieces can be both sentimental and spiritual. Seeing the amazing faith Elena's family and friends had in her work restored my own; faith that sometimes Wednesday nights can be just as lively as a weekend; faith that there will always be new artists, new ideas, and new appreciation for the work we both do; and faith that the people who are meant to be a part of my life are placed there because they will always give me the unwavering support and love I will need.

I'm so glad I answered my phone, through in my gym towel, and had a glass (or two) of wine with these friends and their family members. Art A Fair (http://www.art-a-fair.com/) always signals the beginning of summer in Laguna Beach, so if you want to enjoy the sun, artistry, and excitement of a real Laguna summer, you have to come down and indulge.

Happy (official) summer!

The Typist

"The typist home at teatime, clears her breakfast, lights
her stove and lays out food in tins.
out of the window perilously spread
her drying combinations touched by the sun's last rays
on the divan are piled (at night her bed)
stockings, slippers, camisoles, and stays."
-T.S. Eliot

I grew up typing on my grandparents' typewriter. Sometimes I wouldn't write words, but would rather mess with the keys to see how all the jumbles of black inked shapes crowded around each other to form unreadable things. I understand computers are a must by today's standards, but in all honesty, I miss the typewriter. There's something much more magical about seeing your words get stamped out in front of you.

I am currently in awe of artist Keira Rathbone (www.keirarathbone.com) who does some incredible things with her typewriter, sketching real people and places with punctuation marks. Pictured here is a rendering of Kate Moss. Keira's website tells where she will be "typing" next. What's even more beautiful about this artist is her look. I love how she embodies vintage style.

Seeing a typist brings to mind one of my favorite Eliot poems, The Waste Land. Although the typist only has a few lines' mention, some literary professors have argued that this character is the most interesting in the whole poem. I am so intrigued by this woman who is associated only by the objects she surrounds herself with. I hope that you are surrounding yourself with beautiful and meaningful things today.

Every Piece Tells a Story

What comforts you? Chocolate? shopping? wine? old friends? trusted words? For me, it is all of those things and sometimes it is simply getting back to work.

I'm lucky to work on such a beautiful magazine as Jewelry Affaire. It truly is my baby. I was with it since the beginning and worked really hard alongside my colleagues to present the lovely jewelry people make, many times in order to give great comfort.

Last week had some rough patches, and though it was hard to sometimes buckle down, I was excited to get back to working with jewelry. I received a package from my friend Jennifer Valentine (www.sacredcake.blogspot.com) who will be featured in the next issue. She gifted me with these green earrings (she remembered that green is my favorite jewelry color). Imprinted on the presentation below her shop name is the phrase "Every piece tells a story." It reminded me quickly that the story should always come first, should always be what we are chasing after. And though it is easy to get caught up in beautiful things when they surround you, one should never lose sight of the story; those words that provide the greatest comfort.

Thank you Jennifer for making lovely jewelry and reminding me why I write and share stories. Oh, and thanks for the cool feather hair pin too (the gold one on the packaging). It really was the perfect way to punctuate this gift. What will your story be today?