made in england...

well, it has been far too long since my last post. i guess you could say i took the summer off, although that was certainly not my intent. the past several weeks have been filled with weddings, showers, vacations, etc. we are finally starting to get back into some sort of a routine and with that, my posts to you will become more frequent, i hope!

i wanted to start back right, and share with you one of my very favorite collectibles. wedgwood, particularly the jasperware variety, is among my most favorite treasures. developed by josiah wedgwood in the 18oo's, it is most recognizable in its blue and white ware, but in fact, comes in a variety of colors. pictured above, are some of the company's newest and some of my personal favorite hues.

fortunately, i am lucky enough to live in the city which hosts the largest collection of wedgwood jasperware, outside of england. the dwight and lucille beeson wedgwood collection comprises over 1400 pieces and is among the permanent collections on view at the birmingham museum of art. i have also had the pleasure of meeting lord piers wedgwood on several occasions, both as an admirer and collector of his family's pottery and also as a stylist featuring his collectibles in my women's lifestyle magazine. it is always a joy and an honor to reunite with lord wedgwood and add a new autographed piece to my collection!

Until next time...

Cheerio!

" a girl must be two things: classy and fabulous" - coco chanel

antique sterling silver ring box

as promised, tonight i am bringing you favorites from the world of fashion and accessories. i have been working with some wonderful estate jewelry and vintage fashions this week and it has begun to make me wonder..."was i born serveral decades too late?" ...."and in the wrong tax bracket?" how i would love to own some of these pieces! i have to brag on my husband though, he did suprise me with a gorgeous antique diamond and sapphire engagement ring two years ago which i absolutely adore and will treasure always. other than my ring, i'm afraid it's "faux chanel" and "prado" for me. but i can still hope, right? i'll have sweet dreams tonight with these little gems under my pillow!

enjoy!

image sources: hats and veils, fay cullen

a conversation with...

so today i planned to show you some of the beautiful estate jewelry and vintage fashions that have inspired me this week... i had it all planned out, until my phone began to ring...

i did not recognize the area code or phone number, so i decided to let it go to voicemail. when i checked my messages, who had left me a voicemail...but Bernard Maisner!! yes, that's right...the calligraphy master that i wrote about on my previous post was calling my cell phone! i quickly returned his call and we had a lovely chat. i reminded him of the gorgeous invitation that he mailed to me four years ago and we discussed how he could help me on my magazines. after gushing over his work for several minutes, we exchanged information and made some plans for future photo shoots....i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! in honor of today's phone call, i feel it only appropriate that i share with you a few more images of mr. maisner's incredible work. how cute is his umbrella!!! stay tuned for vintage fashions, coming tomorrow....

yours truly...

today i am inspired not only by my photo shoot, but also by my best friend's upcoming wedding, to share with you my love of calligraphy and letter writing. sadly, this beautiful craft seems to be becoming a lost art. however, there are those that still devote their time to perfecting this skill, and one of those masters of this beautiful art is new york's own bernard maisner. mr. maisner's work has fascinated me ever since i was lucky enough to receive one of his hand lettered invitations in my little mailbox. my roommate at the time received the mail first that day and inquired, "are you invited to buckingham palace?" this amazing bit of stationery has become a favorite keepsake of mine that i will treasure always. here are a few examples of mr. maisner's work as well as some calligraphy and letter writing accoutrements that are sure to inspire.

enjoy!

image sources: bernard maisner, papersprout, vickerey

welcome!

the art of entertaining is certainly one that was inherited from my mother and grandmother. both experts in hospitality and household management, it was they who instilled in me a love of "the finer things" and of making one's guests feel special. names such as waterford, wedgwood and limoge were familiar to me at an early age and were ever present in our homes.

this early education is what prompted me to study art, photography and interior design at my university and eventually to become a photo stylist for magazines highlighting the same collectibles that i grew up loving. by starting this blog, i hope to share a few of my loves of art, hospitality and entertaining, and hopefully inspire you as well! thanks for visiting.

cheers!