Classic Films: Great Film Directors

It's been a while since I've been able to indulge in watching some classic films. Between my full time job and working on the shop, I just don't have as much free time as I used to. However, when I caught a glimpse of the  Great Film Directors Stamps released by the Postal Service, I told myself I need to make time in my schedule to do so. I suppose I know what film I need to watch next too...The Maltese Falcon. It's the only film portrayed in these stamps that I have yet to see.

I've seen many a John Ford movie, including The Searchers, because N, like many guys, loves a good western, especially a John Ford/John Wayne western.

Frank Capra's film It Happened One Night was one of the first classic films I saw - the energy and charisma between Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable is absolutely magnetic.

And Billy Wilder never disappoints when it comes to having a good laugh and Some Like it Hot is about as good as it gets. Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe...enough said.

image credits: Stamps/John Wayne/Clark & Claudette/Jack, Tony & Marilyn

LOOK: Cicely Bracelet

Summer is here, which means wedding season is upon us. I thought it would be fun to pull together an outfit to wear to one of those summer weddings I know you've been invited to using one of my pieces. Since most of my pieces are fairly casual, it was kind of a fun challenge to try dressing it up. And it goes to show that most any jewelry can be either dressed up or dressed down depending on what you pair it with. 

For a afternoon wedding, I would wear the Cicely bracelet with this gorgeous dress from Anthropologie. With my hair curled and pulled back into a low chignon with this sparkly bobbi pin, I'd done bright red lips and a sweep of shimmer on my cheeks. So fresh and beautiful for a day of celebration!

Havana Clutch/Marbled Waters Dress/Blue Topaz Drop Earrings/Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder/Cicely Bracelet/Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave/Stella Heels/Crystal Crush Bobbi

LOOK: Aix Necklace

This week's Look features the Aix Necklace, one of my favorites! I love the mint colored leather and the unexpectedness of the square beads paired with the round ones. Wouldn't this necklace look great with that geometric tee? Wishing I had this outfit on to get some work done in my studio today!

Happy Sunday!

Aix Necklace/Theory Tee/Snakeskin Belt/Leopard Sandals/Black Shorts/Madewell Bag (similar)

Eats: Crepes

In the midst of my recent vacation daydreams and revisiting past trips, I remembered my visit to France in high school. One of the first things I wanted to try when I arrived was a real French crepe. After all, I had been taking French lessons and learning about French culture since the First grade and it was high time I got to sink my teeth into one of those delectable French "pancakes". 

This past weekend, the craving struck! I really wanted a crepe - stuffed with that hazelnut spread, the infamous Nutella, and strawberries. I probably ate a couple dozen of these that month I spent in France and it was finally time to try to make them at home. I used this crepe recipe and then slabbed a good helping of Nutella and sliced strawberries inside. They were delicious and nearly as good as I remember the authentic French crepes I ate that summer to be. Bon appetit!

LOOK: Mon Amie Bracelets

Since my mind's been constantly drifting into vacation dreamland recently, I thought it fitting that this week's LOOK should reflect my need to getaway. With my 3 for $20 bracelet special going on, I'd pair a stack of bright Mon Amie bracelets with some summertime essentials for a day (heck, maybe even a week!) at the beach. 

Mon Amie Bracelets/Twist Bandeau Bikini/Drawstring Bucket Bag/Straw Hat/Two Tone Sandal/After Sun Rescue Balm/Alba Natural Sunscreen/Jergens Natural Glow & Protect Lotion/Mara Tunic

Of the Moment: A Getaway

What's been most on my mind recently? Getting away! As summer approaches and warm weather (okay, HOT weather) takes over Austin, I can't help but think about escaping to some wonderful, maybe even exotic place. Granted, it's been over 2 years since I've had a real vacation and at least 4 since I went somewhere really vacation-worthy, I think its completely valid that I day dream endlessly about being on a beach (with lots of SPF 50 on) doing absolutely nothing and loving every minute of it. Alas, since no vacation of my dreams is in near sight, I'll settle on revisiting those that I have been on in the past. Here are some shots from some of my most favorite past getaways!

LOOK: Mattie Necklace

For this week's LOOK, the Mattie necklace is paired with a sweet early summer ensemble - - perfect for a lunch meeting or an evening ballet performance. 

Mattie Necklace/H&M Dress/Ban.Do Pom Pom Flower/JCrew Cardigan/Clutch/JCrew Wedges

LOOK: Indian Summer Necklace

This week's LOOK post features the Indian Summer necklace. It's the absolute perfect touch of color to add to your laid back summer wardrobe. I'd pair it with a maxi dress and sandals to wear to a picnic in the park or to dinner on a summer beach vacation!

Indian Summer Necklace/Similar Hat/Dress/Bangles/Tote/Sandals

LOOK: Spring Fling Necklace

Now that the shop is up and running I thought it would be fun to have a new weekly series on My Grammar of Ornament where I feature one of my pieces and pair it up with some things I would wear it with - give it a "look" so to speak. First up: the Spring Fling necklace! A casual yet fun weekend look, perfect for a trip to your local farmer's market or an outdoor evening concert. 

Spring Fling Necklace/Isn't Sushi Lovely? Top/Griffin Sunglasses/Double Skinny Belt/Bridgewalk Sandals/Boyfriend Jeans/Cambridge Satchel

Of the Moment: Color

Since a majority of my free time is spent working on new necklace designs, color has become a predominant theme in my life as of late. I often feel as if I'm on an endless search to discover new-to-me color combinations. One advantage to this all consuming search, color seems to be the thing right now. Lucky for me, this means my search hasn't been too far or too wide because it's been popping up everywhere!

Here are a few colorful things that have been inspiring some of my latest necklaces:

Added bonus: this week's Creative Captures assignment is all about color and pattern! Stay tuned to see what kind of color story I end up capturing through my lens.

image credits: Georgia O’Keeffe’s collection of handmade pastels, Annie Leibovitz via Vogue; Open Window, 1914, Henri Matisse via SFMOMA; A Creative Mint via The Style Files; Cara Accessories, Striped Bangles via Madewell; Aix-en-Provence Market via BonParisian; Terra Necklace via Ship & Shape
               

Photography: Creative Captures Week 2

Week 2 of Souvenir Foto School was all about removing a distracting background, cropping in camera and directional light. I almost succeeded in getting all three done in this photo, but I needed to crop the image down a bit more in post editing than I had in camera. Oh well, there's always next time!

I also finally succeeded in capturing an image that captures my new found tea obsession. Little Dickens, I can't get enough of this stuff - it's just so very good!

Photography: Mount Bonnell Golden Hour

As promised, here are a few more photos from the Golden Hour at Mount Bonnell.

Announcing: Shop MGoO

After several month's of hard work and many years spent dreaming of this day, I'm happy to finally announce the opening of the My Grammar of Ornament Shop, handmade necklaces lovingly made one at a time by me! I've been painting beads, experimenting with all sorts materials and trying out different designs since the beginning of January and I finally got the operation off and running this past weekend. I went to sleep smiling Sunday night, the soft weight of accomplishment shutting my eyes and drifting me off to dreamland. Here's a peak at some of my favorite pieces:

I'm continually making new necklaces with different designs and colors, so be sure to visit often. Links to the store can always be found on the link bar above and in the sidebar. And if you like what you see, I'd be ever so grateful if you'd pass the link along to your friends and family. I'm thrilled to start this new chapter of My Grammar of Ornament and to share it with all of you!

Classic Films: Gypsy

It's been such a long time since I did a Classic Films post, so after watching Gypsy last week, I decided it was time to finally do one. With Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell, how could I not??! The costumes in this film were fabulous; especially once Lousie Hovick (Natalie Wood) finally takes on her persona of Gypsy Rose Lee.

However, Rose Hovick's (Rosalind Russell) style is not be overlooked. As a pushy showbiz mom, she knew she needed to dress the part and some of her outfits were total showstoppers. I also loved the tomboy style of Natalie's character as a young girl - so spot on, even today.

Here's a few things inspired by this movie that I'm wanting for Spring:

1.Blooming Whin Shift 2.Band Stand Chic Coat 3.Daffodil Voltaic Loafers 4.Cold Wave Scarf Necklace 5.Jet Set Slippers 6.Holding Horses Boyfriend Roll-Ups 7.Cropped Lace Blouse 8.Vintage Pajama Set 9.Page Girl Cap 10.Cow Bell

Spring...Just Can't Get Enough

There's a central road that runs up the middle of our neighborhood and its divided by north and south with a median. Come Spring, this median is a vast meadow of green spotted with bright pops of color from all the wildflowers. Lily and I couldn't resist taking a little stroll down it to photograph all the beautiful Spring flowers.

There were these cute little yellow butterflies floating around everywhere. I did my best to try to capture one and this last picture was the best I could do - kind of like a Where's Waldo picture, Where's the Yellow Butterfly?