FASHION BY THE RULES: Christmas Wish (es)

Somehow with all the events of everyday life becoming more stressful, is it possible that our Christmas Wishes became more realistic? The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be a time pregnant with possibilities of good times, wonderful gifts, both given and received, and just about a month that seemed a whole lot more care free than the other 11 months.

In honor of both sides of the coin, let’s have a look at what those wishes might be.

One might simply wish for a white Christmas (“just like the ones we used to know”), or a “cottage” by the sea in Newport, a yacht like Paul Allen’s, a diamond watch, an Hermes Kelly bag in Croco, a made to order couture gown or suit, a diamond and emerald necklace or maybe just oodles of money that you can spend as you please on yourself and everyone else you know and never worry if there will be more.
On the flip side, wishing for a less dysfunctional government, a news day without any political or cultural zealots (including Sarah Palin), a 3% unemployment rate, more time to spend with your family and friends without worries, a cure for Cancer and all diseases, less days felled with news of  disasters and death, and just maybe a month or so of “happy news” rather than all the bad news we get barraged with on a daily basis.

Whichever you wish for, whatever your combination, let’s just hope that this year you do get what you wish for, no matter what else might be going on around us, and just maybe your wish(es) will be granted.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you.

Don’t forget to look for me on Facebook and at http://www.examiner.com/aging-style-in-new-york/jeffrey-felner.

Ten Minutes with Jewelry Designer Emily Miranda

It may seem like an oxymoron, but many of the otherworldly pieces by Emily Miranda Studio are  crafted using materials from the natural world that’s all around us. Consider, for example, the showstopping cuff coaxed from freshwater pearls, rhinestones, silk cord, and seashells. The truly daring can draw a crowd with the claw earrings featuring herk diamonds, pyrite, gold leaf, and alligator claws. Emily’s work also gives homage to other artistic traditions with pieces such as the leafy Matisse necklace and the origami-ish folded ring. She claims to “not get out much,” but wearing Emily Miranda jewelry is sure to get you through more than a few fashionably festive doors.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Emily Miranda Studio is. . .

Emily: A wearable, fanciful sculpture venture.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Emily: Bold, discerning, intelligent, curious.

Oligoville: How’d you end up as a designer?

Emily: By way of painting, by way of sculpture, by way of cakes.

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Emily: About a year ago, through spending way too much time working alone, superlative family and friends, and an ongoing series of fortunate accidents.

Oligoville: How do cakes fit into your design life?

Emily: For me they were the gateway drug to jewelry design.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Emily: Birds, animals, insects, bivalves, aberrant conchology, folded paper, line drawings.

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Emily: Coffee, email, studio, studio, studio, sleep, repeat.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Emily: A lutz & patmos cashmere track suit under French plumber’s coveralls, and a suede apron with lightning bolts sewn on it. No kidding. Cashmere socks and clogs.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Emily: I’m trying to limit everything to coat pockets at the moment.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Emily: Tons of rookie mistakes. Too many to name. I keep a quote by Winston Churchill nearby: “Success is going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Emily: To make exactly what I like and have other people like it too.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Emily: Bigger, better, faster, stronger. I’d also be thrilled if I could pay my mortgage on time.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Emily: If someone tells you “it can’t be done,” please note that they have never tried it themselves.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Emily: Lots of NPR and audiobooks. When its time to rock out, The Stooges. I chill to Philip Glass.

Jennifer Meyer’s got the Fever

Too early to be making your Christmas list? Possibly, but after you glance at this stunning jewelry, you might start writing it on the closest post-it within grasp. Jennifer Meyer designs luxurious pieces that every woman regardless her age needs. She began designing jewelry when stopping her hopeless search for a leaf charm for her necklace and deciding to create her own instead.

Jennifer’s jewelry gained national prominence when her trademark leaf-shaped 18-karat gold charm, which to her represents “turn[ing] over a new leaf,” was worn by Jennifer Aniston in the Break Up. Now, Jennifer’s lines of rings, charms pendants and necklaces can be found in Barney’s New York and various boutiques throughout the country.

What caught my eye about this jewelry was its fun, flirtatious attitude. This line dares to be different, but still maintains that crucial aspect of class. The diamond-embedded wishbone necklace and the Buddha pendant are just two of many pieces in Jennifer’s line that are eye catching and delightful. Perfect for any occasion and with the words “stylish” and “gorgeous” being chosen to describe them, how could anyone not want to be the owner of Jennifer Meyer’s Jewelry?

So Santa, baby, hurry down my chimney tonight, oh and don’t forget the four-leaf clover gold necklace. Cheers!

Next Page »