My Cherry Blossom Tree

Posted on March 26th, 2010 in Fashion, Nature

My cherry blossom tree lives on a tiny cobble stone street in the village of Saint Paul near the banks of the Seine. I walk past it every week and have been waiting for this moment for it to bloom. Cherry blossoms bloom at the beginning of each Spring. The flowers only grace us with their beauty for a short time each year before they float away, and thus in asian cultures the cherry blossom is a symbolic metaphor of the ephemeral, temporary, nature of life. I photographed the flowers I picked from my tree with heirloom jewelry equally as symbolic to me for the same reason. Most of this vintage jewelry has been given to me by others, and these pieces serve as beautiful wearable reminders of those who gave them to me, the lives these enduring crafted pieces of metal and jewels have known before mine, and like the cherry blossoms the emblems of love and affection they are to me.

I admired this ring in the jewelry case of an antique shop during the year I worked there before moving to Paris. I love rose gold and I named it the carousel ring. When I left, all the dealers pitched in and bought it for me as a surprise parting gift. It was so sweet and I will always think of them and my time there when I put it on.

The tenants of these buildings must be enjoying their view of the pretty little tree these couple of weeks.

This is ring is not antique, but I bought it when I moved here for myself and love it so much. Someday I hope I will pass it on to someone very special.

When I went to take some pictures of my tree the evening sun was setting and the sky was glowing at twilight. I made it just in time to get some shots.

In the middle is a necklace my dear friend Rachel found in NYC and gave it to me for my birthday. It reminded us a bit of Carrie on Sex and the City’s signature necklace in season five. The other two pieces were  given to me by my grandmother on my father’s side. She loved costume jewelry and had an amazing collection, some of which I have been lucky enough to inherit and cherish very much.

That little glowing dot on the left  is actually the moon coming out.

This is a garnet ring I inherited from my grandma. The shape reminds me of a beautiful hydrangea. Underneath is a bracelet also given to me by one of the dealers from the antique store for my birthday that year. It’s made from broken pieces of antique china.

Just after the sun set on my way back home I stopped on the Seine to take this picture. It’s really simple things like being able to do that why I love living in this city so much.

I have much more antique jewelry to share with you, but I will save those for another time. Lastly, I must note for this little shoot I was inspired by the latest entry of Katie at Fashion Clocked showcasing some beautiful roses amongst her shoes. If you don’t know her blog, stop by and check it out.

Morgane et Salomé

Posted on February 1st, 2010 in Fashion, Shopping

I met Morgane and Salomé this past Christmas at a gift fair I stumbled across at the Mairie du 4eme one very cold and rainy night. Umbrellaless I was running home from my metro stop when I spotted their stand and after a second glance I had to stop. I instantly fell in love with this icy-blue collar, and when those clever sales girls remarked how well it went with my blue eyes I couldn’t resist. Sofia and I went back to find them later that weekend and were lucky enough to track down their stand again and score some more of their fashionable goods. I invested in another collar and Sofia adopted a charming little cap sleeve velvet vest with tassels that drape down your shoulder.

Worn with: Tiffany & Co. key necklace, Tiffany & Co. tear drop necklace, Uniqlo oxford blouse.

Morgane and Salomé make all their pieces by hand. You can see it in the fine details.

This was my second piece from the creators. I initially bought it to give to my sister for Christmas but decided to keep it for myself. My lucky sister got an adorable pair of M&S’s underwear in coral from their lingerie collection.

Worn with: Rebecca Taylor sequin top, Manoush Sweater, vintage dress.

I hang my M&S pieces out on display for fashionable decor, rather than hide them away in my jewelry box where they get wrinkled. They are just as pretty for decoration as they are for wearing.

Each piece comes marked with the french flag and Morgane and Salomé’s logo so you know it’s hand-made at their Paris atelier in the 17eme.

Morgane and Salomé will customize all their pieces with the colors you desire and the sizes you need. You can order on their website and they will ship to you anywhere in the world. Otherwise you will have to find them at some of the small fashion fairs they attend or wait for these two talented girls to hit the big time on the mass market. Visit their site to see all their delightful goods and upcoming events. www.morgane-et-salome-creations.fr