To every thing, there is a season (or the lesser known title: Fall, pho, fun)

This afternoon, over a bowl of pho, a few friends and I discussed that you know the season is changing when the idea of eating pho seems like a good idea. Who wants a hot bowl of pho sloshing around in your stomach during those humid summer Seattle days? Not I. But on days like today when its misty and in the 60s, pho sounds like the ticket. Perhaps its the feeling of warm noodles and broth during a chilly and rainy day that excites me for fall, or maybe its the idea of digging out my boots and cropped leather jackets that brings on the anticipation of my favorite time of year.

I love bold colors for any season, but especially for fall. The richer red tones that I tend to gravitate toward mimic the colors of the leaves cascading down tree branches. Walking on a tree lined street with the sidewalk drenched in orange and red from wet fallen leaves gives me that impression of shedding skin, a chance for change, a new life to come.

The colorblocking trend continues to gain momentum in fall and while I'm not a huge fan of wearing bright colors in my clothing, colorblocking in jewelry is another story. Having that neutral color canvas with the pops of color in jewelry set the pieces apart and the accessories then become the focal point.

The combination of orange and red tones with a purple to midnight blue color strikes me as indicative of autumn-- reminiscent of fall leaves against a ghostly indigo autumn sky. Some pieces that caught my eye for the season:

I like the washed out blue and scratched surface of this pendant by Under Distress.   

The orange hue pops on these mod lucite earrings from Betsy and Iya.

Who knew those old jersey knit tshirts would come in handy some day? Jersey bracelet by Rue Trousseau.

A little turn in mod but striking still for fall. Boots Raven earrings.

This stingray skin necklace by Dannijo adds a huge splash of red- pair with a white tshirt and blazer. Deal. Oh and by the way, chokers are the next big thing. 

This labradorite ring by Hard Candy Gems reminds me of a cloudy dark night. 

And this has nothing to do with colorblocking, but I love this cuff by Dannijo for fall. 

The time is drawing near-- let the scarves, jackets and boots dance with the crisp, autumn wind! Leather weather is here! (And go eat a bowl of pho.)

Orphaned jewelry makes room for new pieces

Having worked for many years in the retail fine jewelry biz, I've seen a lot of mishandled and misused jewelry. Spending time trying to restore knotted and tangled chains, dirty diamond rings and scratched pearls, I see these pieces like small dogs in the pound. Sad eyes and snouts pressed against cages, pleading: "Please take care of me."

The story of a necklace

---Sorry, friends, it's been too long. I devoted all my extra writing time the past few weeks to get some pieces ready for the Capitol Hill Art Walk.---

As suggested throughout this blog, I have a love for the stories behind jewelry; whether those stories wrap around events I experienced myself or the memories entwined of vintage pieces. I love the continuous vein jewelry retains and whether we know that story or not, I find it still bears witness on the piece in some form.

I found it at the Urban Craft Uprising

Why is it that self imposed deadlines are always the hardest deadlines to manage? For someone who has a critical eye on what's new in jewels, I sure as hell missed this posting by a few weeks. I've been spinning the post in my head for a while, just never got the chance to put it down.

American as apple pie, but with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream on the side

Another Independence Day celebrated with good old fashioned, Americana fun. Good friends, a few drinks, grilling meat on the patio, water balloons, fireworks... and playing Boggle while dipping my feet into a kiddie pool on the rooftop of my apartment. Yeah I said it, and yes, I'm apparently that classy. I've had my fill of firework sparklers to last me until July 4, 2012. Don't fret, friends; sparklers of the jewelry variety continue to flow through my veins!

The dream of the 90s is alive in Portland

Yes, the dream is still alive and of course, I had that song in my head all weekend long-- thanks, Portlandia (shout-out).

So in the few years I've lived in Seattle, I never had the time nor good fortune to visit Portland, Oregon. Until now.

My day job is butchering Chanel quotes and misusing potato chip slogans

I have a bone to pick with Coco Chanel.

She's a fashion icon, yes, and everything she has ever said is word, and everything she's touched has been kissed by holy kittens. Yes, these are all truths. But, my bone is with that classic Chanel line that has been quoted and requoted a billion times (and here is my own inept attempt to re-quote it. Enjoy.):

"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one accessory." 

I understand the grand scheme that less is more. And if minimalism is your bag, my little Rothko friends, you can stop reading now.