Jewelry: Part I

I titled this "Part I" because the discovery that I love jewelry is actually a new one.  So I predict I will have a lot more to say about this in the future.

For the longest time, I didn't wear any type of jewelry outside of watches (which is a staple item for me), or earrings and facial piercings (back when that was a thing).   I just never got into jewelry.  I preferred to make statements with bags, sunglasses, or shoes.

Then slowly, I started paying attention to rings, necklaces, and higher-end earrings more. I think it may have started with a neat pair of diamond earrings my mom gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago.  Then it graduated to a Tiffany necklace that my BF Steve gave me for a birthday.  Then I started scoping out pieces on  my own.

My artist friend recently had an exhibition of his work at a cool little bar/lounge in West L.A.  All can be found at   http://www.neivz.com/ .  I think his work is quintessentially L.A.- lots of personality, unapologetically eccentric, and inherently cool.  The show was pretty rad:

[50% of my friends in this pic are lawyers.  If you have a problem with your image being used on this blog, send me a Cease & Desist.  :)   Note:  My friend also designed and built the furniture displays.]

[The layering pieces on the bottom leftish are modeled by my lovely friend Regina below.]

[Kinda blurry, but cute, subtle pieces.  Perfectly accented with a wine glass.]

[The missing space is where I picked up the wavy-faced ring.]

[Please excuse my chippy mani.  Thinking of getting this item.  Delicate, barely-there jewelry items are the thing again.  But I am really all about statement pieces.]

Ode to LA

             If you know me, it is no secret that I am absolutely in love with this city.  In fact, on a worldwide scale of cities I have been fortunate enough to visit, LA takes a backseat only to my no. 1- Paris, but is still ahead of San Francisco, Beijing, and London.  LA is wonderful in part for the same reason as any of these cities: endless resources and culture right at your fingertips.  It falls in line that the shopping is amazing here!

            One of my fave shopping spots here is Westfield Topanga.  This is up in the Valley, Woodland Hills.  Although I love Hollywood too, the Valley is not exactly the 7^th ring of hell as Ari Gold would often describe it to be.  It’s actually got some amazing restaurants and shopping.  And you don’t have to worry about parking! 

[So rich, so pretty!  I'm sure Mickey Avalon wasn't talking about these, but it applies!]

              It's a massive space filled with high to low end and everywhere in between.  My personal faves- H&M, Zara, Burberry, BCBG, Marciano, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. There is also a macaroon kiosk that serves up my most sought-after French dessert in the world!

  

              The boutiques on Melrose- Lots and lots of cute, reasonably priced boutiques that usually contain unique items.  There’s the high end shops in between too.  I love popping into Alexander McQueen and looking at the amazing clothing artwork, or going across the street and perusing Marc Jacobs, and also the more affordable but still cute off brand, MARC by Marc Jacobs.  Fun bonus: a great little bar is just around the corner, on La Cienaga called the Roger Room. 

                Beverly Center- WAY more built for actual shopping than the nearby Grove.  Even the Wet Seal looks upscale inside the Bev Center.  Lots of variety just like the Westfield Topanga. 

                Third Street Promenade- Santa Monica.  This recently renovated space has two of my faves: AllSaints and Ever.  Really pretty, open air space a stone's throw from the beach:

[I mean this AllSaints...]

[...not this one.]