Visit Gem Gossip for our feature on Hollywood Glamour, sealed with a kiss.
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Stay tuned for part two...
When I am looking for the ultimate treasure hunting adventure, I head to the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts - no question! Brimfield, located in southeastern Massachusetts, is the largest antique show in New England, with three shows per year, and over 5,000 dealers from all over the country spread out in acres of booths. The dealers' tents stretch on for at least a mile, lining both both sides of Route 20. Anticipation is high, because I never know what I will find at Brimfield, but I know that when I do find something, it will be good. I am always on the prowl for beautiful vintage jewelry that inspires and complements my collection, but I am equally open to finding that one thing (or things) that will complement our home in personality and style.
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| Antique Jewelry Factory Molds |
This year, my husband and I joined forces with Danielle Miele of Gem Gossip and her fiance Matt on our fun-filled 24 hour Brimfield adventure. After corresponding electronically for a while, it was a thrill to finally meet Danielle in person, join in her 30th birthday celebration, try on her gorgeous engagement ring (it fit me!) and watch her slip on one of my bangles from my upcoming fine jewelry line (it fit her!) and swap lots of jewelry/puppy/family stories. If you've had the pleasure of meeting Gem Gossip in person, I'm sure you have come to know how truly sweet and genuine Danielle is - a treasure in the jewelry industry!
Bright and early in the morning, we scoured the general fields for jewelry deals, (the one known for jewelry wasn't quite open yet) and although we didn't find anything that fancied us, we bonded and laughed over the many interesting items the myriad dealers were hawking. We did, however purchase a few "ice breakers" to bring us treasure hunting luck. We traveled and sweated our way down many an aisle on more than half of the fields throughout this blistering day before parting our separate ways with hopes of connecting again in the near future for more adventures.
I realized after the fact, we never took any pictures together! I was too busy getting to know Danielle and having fun, which is fine by me, because I'm all about enjoying life, living in the present and savoring the moment.
Brimfield is a great source of inspiration not only for home decor, DIY projects, industrial and antique findings, it is also a unique setting to converse and connect with like-minded treasure hunters, dealers and artisans, which provides countless opportunities for re-defining (or strengthening) your personal style.
SPECIAL TIP : Brimfield has a new app that helps you find what you are looking for!
Read more tips on shopping for jewelry deals at Brimfield on Danielle's recent post from our trip, as well as archived posts from fellow jewelry treasure hunters by clicking here!
Read more tips on shopping for jewelry deals at Brimfield on Danielle's recent post from our trip, as well as archived posts from fellow jewelry treasure hunters by clicking here!
I will share my purchases in an upcoming post - stay tuned!
Have you ever been to Brimfield? I'd love to know what treasures you have found.
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| Horses in pursuit at Saratoga Race Track |
I love when I get invited to an event that not only coincides with a project I am working on (an equestrian charm bracelet) but also includes big hats, brunch, and gambling with fabulous friends old and new. On Saturday, twenty of Boston's most fashionable ladies boarded a luxury bus in high style, generously provided by America's Best Racing and headed to the Saratoga Springs Race Track!
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| Defeated jockey at the end of a race. Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
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| Wicked Strong, our hometown horse. |
Noelle of Rue Le Chat, our trip organizer, did double duty as interviewer of her guests for The Jockey Club who produced a televised piece for the event which aired on Fox Sports News on Sunday, and is now on you tube. If you ask me,
this is her true calling! I love to be on the other side of the camera for candid when given the chance,
so naturally I captured a picture of her in action.
this is her true calling! I love to be on the other side of the camera for candid when given the chance,
so naturally I captured a picture of her in action.
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| Noelle of Rue Le Chat Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
When planning your attire for Saratoga, a fascinator is a must! I sat next to the hilarious Heather of Glamorous Baggage, (watch out Amy Schumer) who chose this fantastic creation by Galvinized Headwear. Taking best hat at the track, she was also our most-photographed beacon while walking in the sea of Saratoga fans.
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| Heather Foley of Glamorous Baggage |
Upon our Saratoga arrival, we were met with a delicious buffet brunch alongside the much anticipated
bloody mary and mimosa bar (it was a long ride). We indulged.
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| Heather at the Mimosa Bar provided by Fasig Tipton |
During brunch, we learned about a special horse from Centennial Farms, Wicked Strong, who was named in the honor of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. I was thrilled to learn that Centennial farms also donates a percent of Wicked Strong's earnings to the One Fund Boston, which supports the marathon bombing victims and their families.
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| Wicked Strong at the Kentucky Derby |
During our lecture on how to bet, we learned :
"The essence of the game is when you are holding a ticket you also own a horse, for a minute."
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| A hometown racing fan rooting for Wicked Strong |
Before the betting began, we were able to meet a lovely horse named Black Jack.
I captured a few beautiful moments of the ladies and their mutual affections.
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| Black Jack and Georgina of Notes on Lifestyle Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
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| Black Jack and Khatu of I am Khatu Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
I definitely have more inspiration now for my equestrian charm bracelet project after being up close and personal with these beauties. I enjoyed getting all dolled up in hats and heels, practicing a little photography, and being
the Saratoga show stoppers of the day!
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| Christine of Rules for the Modern Girl |
But, most of all, it was fun spending the day with a great group of ladies in varying interests. Although, we did
end up all have one thing in common after we rested our feet, the Saratoga souvenir : flip flops!
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| Vanessa of Without A Measuring Cup |
Thank you to America's Best Racing for providing us with the opportunity to come and win!
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| Noelle and Holly of Holly Dolly |
To see more images of our day-trip to Saratoga visit my Instagram page
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| Black Jack and Vanessa of Without A Measuring Cup Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
Search the following instagram and twitter hashtags for more coverage from our trip!
#Bosatoga #AmericasBest Racing #BetOnIt
View the Jockey Club's Video footage from our trip.
To read more of my Day-Tripping adventures and jewelry trip inspirations click here!
View the Jockey Club's Video footage from our trip.
To read more of my Day-Tripping adventures and jewelry trip inspirations click here!
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| Co-Mingling Designers at Quadrum Gallery |
Last week I had the opportunity as Gem Gossip's Boston correspondent to visit Quadrum Gallery, a distinctive collection of artisan jewelry, located in the prestigious Mall at Chestnut Hill in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, for a feature on Gem Gossip. As an emerging fine jewelry designer, it was a fun-filled and inspirational afternoon; I am honored and humbled they mentioned me in their recent blog post as their favorite new Bostonian! A girl could only dream of being showcased alongside the talent that fills their jewel-box display cases. Certainly something for me to aspire to...
Head on over to Gem Gossip , the jewelry industry's favorite blogger, to read about my visit, how I styled some of my favorite jewelry designers and witness the refined and elegant spirit that is QUADRUM.
Thank you again to Gem Gossip and Quadrum Gallery for the opportunity!
Now that Spring has arrived lets take a glance back into my favorite jewelry adventures this winter.
There is more to be found in our pages!
Happy Reading.
Mastered the trend of mixing modern and antique jewelry at Fancy Flea Antiques
Played in the vault with some of the rarest jewels ever seen at Shreve Crump & Low
Wrote two stories for Gem Gossip as her Boston correspondent
Took a day trip to the Met to see Jewels By JAR
Answered 20 Questions
Which post was your favorite?
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| Brooch on Exhibit at Jewels by JAR |
Museums, large and small, offer an abundance of inspiration through their special exhibits, and offer us rare glimpses into our past cultures and ancient civilizations. I intend to make a point to spend more time in the presence of some of the greatest treasures from our world. Sometimes I feel like the opportunities to visit our many great museums are taken for granted - there is so much to offer in terms of creativity as not just artists but also as individuals – a proverbial food for the soul.
I have been wanting to return to the Met ever since I learned the Jewels by JAR exhibit was coming last Fall. Sunday was the JAR exhibit closing day, so I hopped on a plane to New York City to take it in before the show closed. “JAR” stands for the initials of a famously reclusive Paris based jewelry designer, Joel Arthur Rosenthal. He is renowned for designing highly artistic, three dimensional pieces, that are granted only to those who he personally chooses to own and wear his masterpieces. David Bennet, the chairman of Sotheby's Geneva, has said "in terms of creativity - JAR is without peers."
Thousands of people have flocked to the Met this winter to see JAR’s first American exhibition, which was filled with 395 spectacularly unique jeweled masterpieces. Unfortunately, the show was met with mixed emotions. I read the underwhelmed reviews before I saw for my own eyes what JAR himself might have wanted to say about his creations and singularly specific point of view.
If you weren't able to experience the JAR exhibition for yourself, picture an almost pitch black room with only enough light to shine down on the glass cases lined in various shades of rouge velvet, shedding small amounts of light on the incredibly imaginative and fantastic creations he created for this exhibit. Experiencing jewelry is an emotional experience, and in my opinion, the mood was meant to strike an emotion of desire - not bring out the critics in everyone. You might have seen the dust, finger prints, inclusions, and the imperfections of yourself or in the whispers of the huddling strangers all within the darkness of the exhibit. You may also have seen, as I did, the raw talent of a reclusive, talented and fearless creator. I think his genius lies not only in his artistry – but in his withdrawn, yet controlling, public image. He doesn’t let just anyone get too close to him … or his work.
Visit our instagram page to see more of images from my day-trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Did you get the chance to visit the Jewels by JAR exhibit? I'd love to know what your favorite piece was.
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| Estate Diamond Bow Pin courtesy of Shreve, Crump & Low |
It's not everyday a girl gets a tour of the vault inside of Boston's beloved Shreve, Crump & Low. I'm told it's actually an honor bestowed on very few! To see what is hiding inside the vault over at Shreve, Crump & Low's Chestnut Hill location read our story for Gem Gossip - the jewelry industry's favorite jewelry blogger. Big thank you to Shreve, Crump & Low for the amazing experience and letting me play with some of the rarest jewels ever seen.
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| Antique and estate jewelry provided by Fancy Flea Antiques and Jewelry |
Every jewelry collector has a weakness - something they just can't get enough of - and mine is bracelets. I had the pleasure of stacking some of our diamond and gold bangles (from our upcoming collection) with some gorgeous antique, diamond and Victorian pearl bracelets from Fancy Flea Antiques. For me, I can't justify investing in a new bracelet if it doesn't match or compliment at least two of those I already own. Mixing yellow and white gold with diamonds is a classic choice and can be easily done. Normally pearls would not suit me, but I might be having a change of heart!
I recommend when shopping for vintage and estate jewelry to remember what you already own, and bring your favorite items with you. I like that I can add or subtract to make a loud or quiet statement. It is more interesting and always personal when mixing estate jewelry with modern jewelry. If carefully curated, it will guarantee no one else will have what you feel represents your unique personal style.
Hands and fingers are the style makers in a conversation, choose wisely what they say about you.
To see more antique jewelry from Fancy Flea Antiques read our story posted on Gem Gossip.
