Merry & Mod at home

June Birthstone: pearl

Pearls, the most ladylike of adornments, are a classic fashion accessory.  When I started thinking about pearls, what I like and dislike about them, my mind soon focused on Michelle Obama.  Whether or not you admire her wardrobe choices (and oh, I do) it's hard to deny that she is a true icon of American style. 

Mrs. Obama's pearls frequently feature an unexpected twist: oversize, layers, paired with other stones.  Also, Mrs. Obama does not fear faux pearls, as long as they are lovely.  Let's look at a few highlights: 

 

When her husband claimed the Democratic nomination in 2008, Mrs. Obama showed off her best assets: bare arms, whittled waist, luminous smile.  I love the contrast of the Barbara Bush-style oversize faux pearls with the black Azzedine Alaia belt.

 

Tons of sparkle, millions of pearls.

 

First of all, the cardigan and striped tee she's wearing are from The Gap.  Secondly, I want a strand of opera length pearls, too.  Finally, she wore the same cardigan a few days later to harvest the White House vegetable patch with a group of school children.  See: there is no shame in wearing something that works well over (and over) again.

 

This statement necklace by St. Erasmus, which Mrs. Obama wore with a fuchsia Michael Kors sheath to the White House Correspondent's Dinner, is astounding.  It's a combination of freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, and a fine gold wire thread.  To read more about it, check out mrs-o.org.

Finally, Mrs. Obama was recently honored by the Council of American Fashion Designers.  In her videotaped acceptance speech, she wore a classic white oxford shirt and a double strand of pearls.  She says that the ingenuity and craftsmanship of American designers contributes to our economy and culture; this creates a global influence that exports the American spirit in addition to fashion.  It's revealing that she thanks American designers for making fashion liberating, inspiring, but "most of all fun."  She proves that you can be a wonderful mother, a smart woman of strong values, that you can have a successful career, and still look fantastic.  Inspiring. 

May Birthstone: Emerald

The engagement ring is an emerald, and the dim light from the window is refracted green and white in it.  The rings are silver, and they need cleaning.  They need wearing, and I know just the girl to wear them.

The Time Traveler’s Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger

Few gemstones conjure an image of color as pure and saturated as the emerald.  Mention the shade and immediately images of sparkling cities built entirely of the green gem, the color of thick summer grass and fresh leaves, might flash through your mind.

 

As for emerald jewelry, the above example by Tiffany & Co. follows a traditional path: an emerald flanked by diamonds. It’s a little too traditional, a little too stereotypical for my taste.  (I admit that I'm impressed by the perfection of such a large stone.  Inclusions are highly common in emeralds; and clarity of this level is rare.)  A less obvious, and thus in my opinion more special, piece is the emerald swivel ring by Marie Hélène de Taillac, found at Barneys.  A big and beautiful stone in a simple setting incorporates two of my top characteristics of quality jewelry design – movement and ingenuity.

 

My favorite emerald ring comes from a favorite book, The Time Traveler's Wife.  A handsome time traveling rascal asks his alcoholic musician father for his mother’s engagement and wedding rings.  The dialogue preceding the quote at the top of this post is rife with heartrending truths as one man mourns his lost love and another prepares to propose.  Again, it comes down to the story behind the jewelry.  Where did it come from?  Who gave it to you?  Why?*

For more reading on emeralds, look here and here and check out this book from your local library (mine has been renewed twice).

* An answer beginning “I bought it for myself” is perfectly valid and, I will argue, equally romantic. 

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.