Merry & Mod at home

Cartier...100 Years of Passion and Free Spirit

 

[Photo by Christopher Smith from the NY Times.]

If I lived in New York, I'd browse the windows of Tiffany's and Cartier on a weekly basis.  Gazing at all the jewels, baubles, sparkling trinkets, outlandish pieces is a sure-fire cure for the mean reds.  There is no use lusting after them - I can't afford them and would never have occasion to wear them, so I don't really want them.  But to imagine of the outfit, the company, the evening, the perfect accessories...that would cheer me up in, well, a New York minute. 

If you find yourself with time to spare on Fifth Avenue, stop by and check out this exhibit celebrating Cartier's finest pieces from the past 100 years.  Or at the very least, read this NY Times article and view the accompanying slide show.  Times are tough, but the indulgence of imagination if a luxury we can all afford.

Mama's helper

  

 

The blanket has begun.  I have accepted the color scheme, which changes constantly as colors are added without a repeating pattern.  I worry frequently about whether or not I have sufficient yardage.  (Perhaps it will be a baby blanket.)  As you see, I have a helper to hold my yarn, which only adds to the pleasure and sooths all concerns. 

new yarn

  

Deep plum, steel gray, buttercup yellow, winter white, blossom pink, pale green yarn arrived just when I most needed a new project.  A giant granny square.  I'm not quite certain if I love the colors; I wonder if a shade of tan or light brown will help or hurt.  Either way it's about the process: simple, relaxing, repeating progress. 

Procession of the Species

 

Bald eagle.  Shark.  Mama bird. 

 

In our natural habitat. 

 

The Procession of the Species is an annual Earth Day event in Bend.  Children, families, all sorts of people dress up like mountains, trees, insects and animals and walk around a few blocks downtown.  I found it tremendously fun and loved the community spirit.  Also, it was a wonderful opportunity to play with glitter and feathers and a glue gun.

Goal Oriented

Discovering the treasure trove of brilliant ideas at Modish Biz Tips was like finding a library, a good (and very successful!) friend, and creative business 101 curriculum hiding inside my computer.  I have been gleefully reading through past posts, jotting down new ideas, and setting all sorts of new goals.  The creator and editor, Jena Coray, cleverly suggests working together to achieve business goals.  The idea is simple:  folks running creative businesses share their goals for the month of April on their personal blogs, leave a note in her comments, and then everyone supports each other.  How nice is that? 

I realize I'm a little late to the party, but here are my goals for the rest of the month, anyway.

• Research local shops as potential vendors.  (This has the added bonus of getting me out and about, alone, window shopping with a piping hot latte in hand.  Lovely.) 

• Photograph, draft copy, and post to my shop at least 5 new pieces.

• Draft copy and experiment with photos for a one page introduction to shops and blogs (both print and email).

• Research the Modish Biz Tips Great Big Blog list. 

Progress.  Feels good. 

new necklaces

 

 

 

 

"You're the prettiest, Mama.  You're the fanciest!"

 

It was a great day for art projects.  Simple and spontaneous...that's the best kind.  He found a little pouch of wood and glass beads on my desk and asked, "Can I have them?  Please, please, please?"  He was adamant that he wanted to make the necklace for me.  And he was surprisingly focused through to the end.  I've been wearing it all day.  Unfortunately, I was unable to take a decent photo of the finished product (my yoga clothes have been well accessorized today). 

 

 

(The red smudge on his cheek is leftover from the thumbprint drawings.)

TV dinner

A rare treat on the evenings my husband misses dinner:  pizza and a movie.  Slowly, I'm learning to bake my own bread.  It's not easy to create the perfect sandwich loaf.  But homemade pizza dough?  Easy as pie.  Pizza pie.  I follow Mark Bittman's recipe in How to Cook Everything Vegetarian and add toppings as my panty and fridge allow.  That means sometimes there is red sauce, always there are cheese and veggies, occasionally some sausage or salami, even an egg.  The only constant is to layer the flavors sparingly - each slice should have a little of everything, but not be too dense or overwhelming - and to let the pizza rest for five minutes after slicing. 

What about the carrots and apple slices, you ask?  I add them to the cutting board and thus I can boast to serve a bevy of healthy options with dinner.  Let's keep it a secret between us that I ate them all. 

this day

Appreciating the present; refusing to panic at at the relentless progress of time.  A few favorite moments...

  

~ Triumphant that I've finally succeeded in making a healthy, lovely loaf.

 

~ Finding pleasure in daily chores.  (And teaching my sons to find the same satisfaction.)

 

~ Appreciating spring sunshine and the lovely shadows cast by decorations still present from past celebrations.

 

~ Loving the growing brotherly tenderness and friendship.  (Praying that I am not speaking too soon.)

 

~ Grateful for a few days of warm weather: a preview of better days to come. 

 

~ Celebrating the change of seasons, rebirth of life, and new family traditions.

bubbles and favorite blanket

 

Decades ago, this blanket lived on my parents' bed.  As a child, I remember my family of five picnicking on it during concerts in the park and days at the beach.  It kept me warm during college - I especially loved the groovy look back then.  It's spent innummerable hours in the trunk, traveling up and down the coast, playing host to countless lazy afternoons and starry evenings. 

It's still a favorite.  As early spring brings warmer afternoons, one of my favorite activities is sitting on the blanket.  I'm the only one who stays put for any length of time - the baby prefers to crawl through the grass and the toddler usually chooses to dig or to ride his bike.  I enjoy the weak sunshine on my face, breathing deeply, treasuring these fleeting moments of calm.

April Birthstone: Diamonds

Dear Readers,

 

I'm pleased to introduce a new feature: a monthly exploration of birthstones.  We begin with diamonds - an iconic stone to be sure.  Next month, emeralds. 

 

Enjoy,

Amy

 

 

*****

There is no stone more revered or more controversial than the diamond. 

 

I wear a diamond ring on each hand.  The first was presented by my husband shortly after our engagement, the second on our fifth anniversary when I was so round with my first pregnancy it barely fit on my finger.  My engagement ring sparkles like a chunk of ice melting in the sunshine when it’s clean.  The design is uncomplicated and elegant, a modest center diamond flanked by two smaller stones set in a thin band of white gold.  My anniversary ring is even simpler: seven tiny diamonds in a row nestled in a slender white gold setting. 

 

These unassuming rings are perfect for me.  I’d rather hear a few heartfelt words, steadily spoken than see an airplane banner reading Marry Me, Amy flying overhead; I prefer my partner to demonstrate his love and commitment to me through honest daily actions rather than by placing a huge rock on my finger. 

 

Besides my two rings, I have little use for diamonds.  In addition to their expense, I feel they are the height of clever marketing.  We are told we must have them to announce our status to the world and our loved ones feel obliged to spend considerable income in order to prove something to the world.  I understand that diamond rings are the classic Western symbol of engagements, marriage, all that good stuff.  Instead of spending two months’ salary on a ring, why not turn the whole concept upside down with something considerably more subtle, or subversive.  I love the tiny diamond rings in the fine gold setting by Me & Ro (found at Twist). 

Melissa Joy Manning’s raw diamond ring is a superb study in contrasts and turns the notion of a perfect stone upside down.  Clarity?  Color?  Cut?  What?

 

Audrey Hepburn is a true style icon, and she summarized my sentiments concerning diamonds perfectly in her seminal role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s:

 

Paul Varjak:  The lady feels that diamonds are…tacky for her.

Holly Golightly:  Oh, I think they’re divine on older women, but I don’t think they’re right for me, you do understand. 

 

 

If you need something glittering for a special occasion – in addition to your smile and personality – there is a simple and affordable solution.  Don’t fear costume jewelry.  Wear it with confidence and pride and no one will question your taste.  One of my favorite moments at my previous job was when a woman wearing a gorgeous necklace encrusted with diamonds and sapphires (which she bought for herself) complimented my Grandma Maude’s rhinestone bracelet.  Proof positive that style is found in the person, not the pocketbook.