a drop of golden sun

My middle name is Rae, like a drop of golden sun.  And this necklace makes the insane winter we've been having seem sunnier.



The price tag would make my house a little chillier, though.


These vintage $7 earrings make me happy too.



Here's a great print: babushkas AND sunshine.  Try not to smile!



But my favorite all time sun painting is this one, with Akhenaten.  (Speaking of: did you see the awesome Egyptology news?)  I love the sun's hands, and how its feeding ankhs -- little vitamin D packets -- to Akhenaten and Nefertiti. 


Man, I need me some sunshine.  Who's up for a cruise?

presidents day

Nowhere within a 50 mile radius is celebrating presidents day this year, in a desperate attempt to lower the number of days school will be going in june -- but we can still celebrate!


to wear:
this clever founding fathers wig necklace.



to read:
Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt by David McCullough.  I haven't read this yet, but I might have to get it.  Most of what I know about Theodore Roosevelt comes, shamefully, from Arsenic and Old Lace.  

to listen to:
1776 soundtrack.


to watch:
this chilling documentary on North Korea.  Who's grateful for good leaders?

stay warm!

We've had snow snow snow -- which makes me want to buy things.  I think it's some spin on hibernation.  Must make the den as cozy as possible.

Anyway, here are my picks to brighten a winter's day. 

To wear: divine leather hex goodness, $350. (A girl can dream!)

To cuddle: yummy Pottery Barn Kantha throw from used saris.  (Not being sold yet -- watch for it this spring.)




To flaunt: comfy heels, $98.
 


To enchant: lovely suit in stunning color, $115.
 

rope jewelry

Jewelry's on my mind.  I'm tardy to the rope party, but found these great pieces I wanted to share anyway. 


For $230, Sabrina Dehoff has this divine 4- strand rope:




Here's a great necklace from Munted Kowhai (though I would probably change the necklace's name).  I bought earrings from this store and love them.  The necklace is only $35.




Greedy Girl, a must-read blog, had a post today about wonderful The Vamoose.  This knotty nautical bauble is $29.




I couldn't pull off this necklace ($65), but I know some of you who could:




These bracelets smell like sunshine! And they're only $4 a pop.

valentine jewelry

We covered Valentine's Day cards; now for jewelry!  As Mae West said, "I have always felt a gift diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself."


 Geek love.



Loving Naomi Murrell's cheery necklace -- I'm on a big wood pendant kick.



Hourglasses are crazy romantic; is it the  "gather ye rosebuds while ye may" subtext?





So charming, my favorite color combo, and people! That's velvet frigging ribbon!




Understated and adorable.   If I had a brother who had a girlfriend, I would nag nag nag him to buy her this.  (Good thing you're off the hook, brothers mine.)




Because hearts are fantastic.  And girls love sparklies. 
 



Tooth-achingly sweet. 

christmastime in the suburbs

The sudden cold weather makes everything feel like Christmas--it's too early but I'm ready for hall-decking.

This wreath would be fantastic, no?

And for decking out oneself, look at these Australian lovelies:

Sweet rose pendant here, outback-boulder inspired earrings here.

barrezueta baubles

During vacation I came across Lorena Barrezueta's lovely work.  (And also: that's a really fun name to say.  Barrezueta.  Barrezueta.)  She's got gorgeous pottery pieces, and has just started a jewelry line with these little beauties:

Ceramic pendants with 24k gold ASL letters.  Yum.  This is going on my Buying-As-Soon-As-I-Can-Figure-Out-How-To-Justify-It-List.  It's a pity that ASL "L" and the sign for "loser" are the same, but I won't let that stop me.

She's also got some very funny bracelets.

The jewelry's all sold privately, with prices here.