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| Perkins Cove. Photograph By Alexis Kletjian |
This summer has been a mix of highs and lows for our family; our lives have changed forever in just a few short months. With this transformative outlook on focusing on what makes us happy and keeps us inspired, I am ready to step into fall mode filled with early mornings, brisk air, schedules, and cozy layers. However, we are taking one last week (or two) to indulge!
September is already proving to be a busy month.
September is already proving to be a busy month.
I hope your summer was great and your fall promises to be even better.
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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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| Dress and Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
With school out, it is time to take a break from the grind, enjoy summer, and stop to smell the roses. Literally. As any creative spirit knows, not only is it paramount to make time and space for the things we love, we also need to be with the people we love. Slow down, become undone, and let things unfold as they may.
Summer is perfect for just this type of relaxation, so here is what's on deck for us:
Education, Design, Literature & Backgammon
Photography, Collaborations & Charity
Rock Climbing, Bike Riding, Cooking & Picnics
Connecting, Yoga, Sleep & Positivity
Tell me, what's on your summer to-do list? Leave a comment below!
On Sunday, I had the pleasure of visiting Joy Street Studios, a collaborative workspace in Somerville, MA that is the home for studios of artisans in all genres. The attraction? Joy Street Studios was hosting none other than Jean-Noel Soni, the award winning gem cutter that is Top Notch Faceting.
After many months of watching his sought after gemstones appear (and disappear) on Instagram it was wonderful to finally met Jean-Noel, and witness the brilliance of his award winning gems in person!
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| Jean-Noel showing a crystal, photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
Jean-Noel was raised by his mother, who had a passion for collecting antique jewelry. It was through her inspiration that he sought out a class in metal smithing. The (highly unusual) teacher of the class demanded gem cutting cabochons as a prerequisite before he began his education. It is there that Jean-Noel developed his admiration for the crystal, in all its forms. He has such appreciation for the stones he selects, some never get his special faceting at all.
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| Nigerian Phenakites shown in a rough specimen and beautifully faceted by Jean-Noel Soni |
In the few short years since Jean-Noel has been faceting gems, he has won two AGTA Spectrum Awards. He won first place in 2013 for the Innovative Faceting category with a 7.7 carat pink and gold bi-color West African Tourmaline, and recently won third place this past February, 2014 for a 24.12 carat Tanzanian Color Change Garnet in the Phenomenal Gemstone category.
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| Award Winning Phenomenal Color Change Garnet by Top Notch Faceting |
Not only is this award winning garnet phenomenal in its own right, but phenomenal actually describes the type of gemstone it is - and that it displays a phenom of color changing abilities. View the video of this gorgeous Garnet sparkling on my hand at the event.
Some of Jean-Noel's favorites gemstones are Garnets, Tourmalines and Spinels, and he presented many in his relaxed style of open dialogue where he shared each gemstone's journey from rough to faceted in a variety of shapes and colors. He not only cares that his gemstones are ethically sourced, he is also focused on forming lasting relationships with the collectors of his creations and seeing their journey through to the end. Jean-Noel travels across the country connecting with collectors, jewelers, students, and other industry professionals in the way of the old school - a handshake and a smile.
I want give a very special thank you to the beautiful and talented Zoe Juanita Beatty, otherwise known as MakaZoe, who graciously hosted Jean-Noel and many guests in her studio while he completed his East Coast tour, making it possible for me to be able to experience his "wizardry" in person!
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| Photograph by Alexis Kletjian |
A LITTLE GIRL WITH BIG DREAMS
I used to write stories as a young child
I was always pushed to be exceptional at anything I tried, or told not to try at all
I always got back up after I failed, even if no one was there to witness my failure
I was surrounded by skilled craftsman, the sounds of their machinery still loops in my head
I didn't have the gift of sketch, so I learned to use my vivid imagination
I see everything in shapes, which I credit my education in pattern drafting
I learned you have to protect your soul, yet give back to those who support you
I always knew that any dream is never too big, no matter how small you are
What are you dreams? Are you living them?
What are you dreams? Are you living them?
You may have noticed a resurgence in the popularity of snake themed jewelry as of late; February 4th closed the Chinese "Year of the Snake" as we welcomed the horse proudly galloping in to take over. Snakes have been featured everywhere because of their prominent place in history, and there is no sign of this popular motif slowing down any time soon. Antique jewelry featuring snakes is highly collectable, and even more romantic than you may realize. Serpents symbolize wisdom and eternal love. Snakes will long reign supreme with their elegant scales of eternal acceptance since they have been a part of ancient jewelry creations and many other areas of original design.
Possibly one of the earliest serpent engagement rings was Queen Victoria's when she wed her first cousin, Prince Albert, in 1840. Her serpent engagement ring was accented with an emerald set head (also Queen Victoria's birthstone). At the time birthstones were a common gemstone of choice for engagement rings. Victorian jewelry has an ageless beauty, and a nostalgic value as jewelry was fashioned with hidden meanings to tell a story or send messages through the material composition, color, shape, and featured gemstone.
This image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was a re-enactment of their vows captured on May 11th, in 1854 by Roger Fenton, a pioneering British photographer. At the time of their wedding, photography was not fully developed as an art form, so they set out to capture their love with a new medium called re-enactment photography. Roger Fenton continued to photograph Queen Victoria throughout her life, and his work became synonymous with the time. If you live on, or happen to visit, the West Coast you are very lucky, for many reasons, but this time because you will be able to see Roger Fenton's work which is currently on loan for the exhibit called A Royal Passion : Queen Victoria and Photography, and on display at the Getty Center in Los Angles through June 8th.
If you have been following me on Instagram you know that I love to capture a moment. Lately I have been feeling nostalgic when I look back on my own amateur photographs. It is fitting that I also currently find myself deeply affected by the enchanting elements and symbolism rendered in antique jewelry.
As for our piece at the jewelers bench above, I find myself attracted to the simplicity of the negative space, yet I admire the beautiful details of the serpent in its eternal shape of love. I am adapting this piece from a cuff link to a one-of-a-kind ring for its new life, while its counterpart is destined to be something entirely different. This ring is a very special piece for me. I wish for it to be my own, as it is difficult for me to part with my creations. However, I want to pass it on to someone who will be as enamored with this snake charmer as I, mainly because it also carries an emotional piece of my own personal history which I will reveal once the ring is complete.
Few people are immune to the classic and timeless allure of Victorian jewelry. I know I am not. The Victorian era is the longest influential period in English history dating 1837 - 1901 in which romanticism had a significant impact on the development of jewelry, which continues to this day.
