Coming Alive

I was honestly dreading returning to work. After a long trip I expceted to find e-mails and loads of paperwork stacked on my desk. But in actuality, there were no paper monsters ready to devour me; no emergencies had occured; everything was as I had left it, properly stowed in its place.

Better yet, there were a couple of treats waiting for me. My colleague Jana Holstein, who knows me so well, left me this pink tray with a crown, proclaiming me the 'Fashionista Queen.' I think everyone who works with Jana loves her, and it's apparent why. She takes time to do pay attention to the details of a person.

There was also a card (that was spot on) and package (decorated with spots) from Lisa Loria (www.lisaloria.blogspot.com). I've mentioned Lisa several times here, particularly because we both love color and dont shy away from it. So it was a lovely surprise to receive from her these beautiful black and white pieces. I love how the box, the earrings, the bracelet, and even the tissue paper complement each other. Lisa does things so purposefully whimsical. I am a big fan of cameos, so the cameos in all of these pieces are the perfect accent for me. Thank you Lisa for your frienship this past year and for being one of the people who have helped me fall in love with and understand the art of jewelry making : )

I also received this necklace from Marie French (www.mariefrench.wordpress.com). Coincidentally, Marie's piece also was in circular form, just like the pattern on Lisa's box. Being a lover of words, it brings me great joy to find deliberate wording on a piece of jewelry, where words aren't meant to be. Jewelry is a great gift when there are no words, but when a necklace says something, it's even better. The discs are imprinted with "Heart", "Idea", and "Alive". I'm sure Marie would agree with me, that it's those ideas and the heart behind them that keep us alive, that make us feel alive. Thank you Marie, for reminding me that an idea can start small, but with enough passion behind it, it can redefine your life; thanks for making me feel alive.

A Sampling of Kauai

"'And so you are going abroad; and whe do you return?

But that's a useless question, you hardly know when you are coming back,

You will find so much to learn.'"

I just returned from my vacation to Kauai. So often I find it easy to splurge on things that can be purchased from a retailer, but the most rewarding splurge is a trip. I love traveling, and if I save more money and make more money, I hope to go more places. Sure it's nice to drink foreign drinks, eat local cuisine, and buy souveniers, but for me, a trip is about learning.

It's a rare experience to go, live, eat, and breathe as others do, even if it's just for a bit. And the best trips are ones that teach you about yourself. When I went to Europe I went with my boyfriend at the time, and it shed new light on our relationship; it made me realize we wouldn't work out. I went on this trip with some of my girlfriends and it really caused me to re-examine the values I place on friendships, people, and faith.

"'Perhaps you can write to me.'

My self-possession flares up for a second;

This is as I had reckoned.

"I have been wondering frequently of late

(But our beginnings never know our ends!)

Why we have not developed into friends."

I feel like one who smiles, and turning shall remark

Suddenly his expression in a glass.

My self-possession gutters; we are really in the dark. "

The above images are samplings summarizing my time on the island. It can be summed up by beach, liquid indulgences, music and dancing (especially at Tahiti Nui), and nature. Hope you like this taste.

*Quotes are excerpts from T.S. Eliot's "Portrait of a Lady"

A O-Kay

This post is for Kay. She embodies Altered Couture, and when I need something from her, she is always there, ready to contribute. She's a true visionary. Visit her site: www.kaylimdesign.com to learn more, gift, browse, and support.

So I got to thinking, how lucky and blessed am I? 2010 has been bountiful, beautiful, and I witnessed the unexpected. How great is it when acquaintances forgot resurface and reignite? When friendships extend beyond the realm of memory? When what's meant to be, just falls into place? I think 2010 has been remarkable, and I was reminded that I know remarkable people. Thanks to everyone who offered up an ear, offered up support, and paid a visit here.

You know, I thought recently about quitting my blog. I was finding myself so fulfilled in so many other ways ... but then I thought of the regret, of how I'd miss writing, miss sharing, of how I'd miss a potential opportunity to write something that might mean something to someone. And thats what it's all about. For now Im thinking I'm meant to stick with this, to keep going, to keep typing, to keep sharing into 2011.

I'm going on a vacation that I desperately need. I'll post when I return. Merry Christmas and I'll see you in 2011! Enjoy : )

Brown Paper Packages

This time of year everyone is familiar with packages tied with strings. And while we all know what our favorite things are, it's nearly impossible for everyone to discern what those things may be.

Case in point: coworkers. You can work with people every day, but you may not have the opportunity to get to know them and their interests outisde of work. That's why I'm especially delighted when I get gifts from my colleagues at Christmas. Amber Demien wrapped up this stationery from Sabrina Ward Harrison (www.sabrinawardharrison.com) and gifted it to each member of the editorial staff. I love how the brown paper wrapping is really a Trader Joe's bag. Tres green. And these pink bobby pins were handmade and given to me by the Editor in Chief herself (www.thedeliberatelife.typepad.com).

It just so happens I love stationery (e-mail does not compare). I love ink on paper, even when it smears a little. And I love bobby pins. I love that I can throw my hair up or down with a simple fastening of a pin. And of course they're pink, my favorite color. Im not sure if either of my colleagues knew that these gifts would be ideal for me, and that's not the point; they both took the time to gift me with something to call my own. And in a sense they rekindled those memories of favorite things, of the happiness found in little things. How many times in the coming year will I scramble to jot a note, to fix my hair? Many, Im sure. And without realizing it, these associates of mine have given me everything I needed. That's the beauty of giving.

A Chanel Kind of Christmas

So excited to see my friend Susan yesterday (http://www.siciliangypsy.com/). I posted about her, her mom, and their bags not too long ago. While working on putting together a feature for some of our magazines, she gifted me with this bag, which I had admired in their studio. It's called Chanel's Apartment. The fabric is red with settees and chairs fit for Coco patterned throughout. The "No. 5" written on the fabric further conjures up images of Chanel bottles. I cant thank Susan and Maria enough for the bag. It's so dear to my heart.

But there was a catch of course, I had to finish the bag. It was up to me to pick the perfect detail to top it all off. I have quite the brooch and button collection, but when I racked my mind I couldnt think of anything. I went home and went through my jewelry. Wouldnt you know, on Friday my good friend Gigi (www.stuckonheads.blogspot.com) had given me this large brooch she inherited from her husband's family. Guess it was meant to be.

Speaking of Chanel, the Christmas tree above is in Susan's home. Her daughter, Chanel, recently celebrated her 16th birthday. For the festivities Susan broke out all the Chanel bags she had collected and decorated the tree. A Chanel Kind of Christmas indeed.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Wow! So I took an unexpected break from blogging. So unlike me. A lot has been going on, but mostly, work has eaten me alive. For a long time I have been perfectly fine with living and breathing my work, but it wasn't until recently that I realized just how all-consuming it has been. It's nice to to get back to those things that aren't work related. I started this blog because of work, and now I've found that it's more versatile than that. So Im sorry I took a break, but ultimately it has done me some good, it has given me perspective.

I have been so busy running around that I completely forgot to stand in line on Nov. 20 for the debut of Lanvin's collection for H&M. Luckily for me, Alber Elbaz made these really cool sketches, posted pics online, and then auctioned them off with proceeds going to UNICEF. I love the bubbly lines of these clothes, they are so happy, and I love that these works of art were able to benefit others. Visit http://www.lanvinforhm.com/ to see more. I thought this posting would be a nice breath of fresh air - for all of us.

At Home With Sicilian Gypsy

On Saturday I had the great honor of being invited to the home of the mother/daughter team (Maria and Susan) behind Sicilian Gypsy (http://www.siciliangypsy.com/). They have several collections and lines ranging from handbags to jewelry to hair accessories to tanks. I was amazed at the quantity these women produce. Maria's gorgeous house was filled with bags, brooches, and gems in every corner. The quality of their work is exquisite as well. My favorite bag (so far) is the red one with golf print of furniture on it. They call it Chanel's Apartment and attached a vintage Chanel pin to it. Their dress form, Sophia Loren, boasts an exquisite pin collection where customers can match a brooch to their bag when they make a purchase. Being the vintage costume jewelry junkie that I am, I was in heaven. The white dress on the dress form is actually altered from three generations of lace and is meant for Susan's daughter, Chanel. Chanel is quite the aspiring jewelry maker herself. This talented family of women poured me coffee, allowed me to shop, and even showed me their sewing studio. Can you believe all the fabric? The keys are actually from Maria's home village in Sicily.

With such a warm welcoming I truly felt at home with Susan and Maria. I learned so much about them by seeing their work, their history, and their space. I learned that Susan collects everything Chanel (a woman after my own heart) and that Maria studied sewing and textile in Argentina. I learned how they work together: Susan designs and sketches the bags then Maria makes them. They put so much love into their process; it's a true family affair.

Thank you Maria and Susan for taking me in and teaching me so much about your art and sharing about your lives. Stay tuned for upcoming issues of Haute Handbags and possibly a few other magazines to see more of their work. In the meantime, you must check out their site, http://www.siciliangypsy.com/.