We just got back from the Palm Beach Show and enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. It was a very good show. Next Wednesday evening we open the Avenue show at the Armory on Park Avenue at 67th Street.
AVENUE SHOW: March 10-13, 2011—Park Avenue Armory (645 Park Avenue)
Thursday-Saturday from 11am—7:30pm
Sunday from 11am—5:30pm
If you would like to come to this show, please call Jane at my office, and she will assist you with passes.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Academy Awards, especially since our picks were spot on. The only quibble we had was that we wish there could have been a tie for best supporting actor between Christian Bale (the winner) and Geoffrey Rush. Our favorite jewelry looks were the exquisite cabochon emerald and diamond drop earrings worn by Diane Keaton, and the 19th century diamond Rivière necklace worn by Nicole Kidman. Both went perfectly with their dresses, unlike the jewelry worn by Helen Mirren. We also did not like the two pairs of earrings worn by Melissa Leo (a diamond stud and a three stone diamond drop). Either would have been OK, but not both.
Two other looks we quite liked were Cate Blanchett’s lovely lavender Givenchy dress and Van Cleef and Arpels vintage collection jewelry, and the purple Rodarte " pregnant" dress on Natalie Portman. We were interested to read recently that she was a science and math whiz at Harvard.
We have a natural sapphire from Sri Lanka that is almost 10 carats. It is set in gold, surrounded by diamonds à la Princess Diana/Kate Middleton. It is $13,500.
We bought some really cute animal brooches, and are featuring them this month. Last month's we had an ivory elephant that was very popular. We found a new one in mother of pearl, with a big baroque South Sea pearl on its back, trimmed in gold with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. It is $3250. Marcella has found these wonderful French bakelite brooches and studded them with diamonds. Some of you have admired my cat she did for me. She found another one in red and it is $1650. Over ten years ago we had an adorable little 40's dog with sapphires and we have found another. We think he's a Scotty, with a sapphire coat and a diamond collar, for $6750.
Continuing the animal theme, we bought these one of a kind earrings with tremblant birds. They are in platinum, gold, rubies, and diamonds, by Barry Kieselstein- Cord. They are $10,500.
We bought two chain necklaces that are fabulous. The first is a charm necklace in gold for $5750. The second is a long antique chain for $3250 that can be worn doubled or tripled.
Another necklace we bought is 19th Century, and looks much better on than off. It is gold with peridots, pearls and diamonds, and it is fabulous on skin. It is only $2250.
We put together a page of young people's jewelry. The gold bracelet with a jade disc is $850, and is a good mixer bracelet. The fat gold hoops are $1250. The gold flowers are $350.
You know we love 40's jewelry. We have a wonderful gold ridged snake necklace for $5750. We have three pairs of earrings that work perfectly. The cornucopias are only $950 and curl into the face. The swirls are $1250. Lastly we copied a pair of my favorite earrings with gold balls and diamonds for $3250. This lovely covered watch is a great 40's piece at $2750.
The gold and diamond drops are very sexy and are clip-ons. They are $3250. The gold and diamond leaves go up the ear, and are $5250.
We bought two pairs of everyday earrings that are quite nice. The black onyx and gold are $550. The gold nautilus shells are $1650.
These five sapphire and diamond rings are size 5 1/4 and only $1250 for the lot. This gold band with cabochon and faceted sapphires is size 6 and is $650. If they happen to be in your size, you're in luck.
We have three platinum and diamond rings worth mentioning. The one that looks like three bands put together with a combination of baguettes and rounds is size 5 and, at $3650, is a big look for the money. The double round is a 5 3/4 and is $17,500. The two stones weigh 3.69 carats together and there is a further .60 carats in the ring. The sapphire and diamond band is a 6 3/4 and is a dream at $2250 if it fits you.
MARIE CLAIRE Magazine, March 2011: Silver statue pendant
QUEST Magazine, February 2011
We are happy to point out that Ashley Mendel Fox was featured in the February issue of Quest magazine. The article, titled The Perfect Ring, details Ashley's designing of engagement rings and other jewelry. In addition to photos of jewelry, there is a beautiful picture of Ashley in all her glory, pregnant with twins.
We would also like to mention that our jewelry is featured in Nina McLemore's sales brochures and website. It looks quite lovely with her pretty clothes.
I have asked Joan Helpern to be my special correspondent for restaurants as she goes to new places all the time. Many of you in New York know Joan, but for those who don't, she's the Joan of Joan and David.
This Dovetail sounds terrific and I am eager to go. Dovetail is located at 103 West 77th Street (between Columbus & Amsterdam) 212.362.3800. Exceedingly pleasant, low key, conducive to conversation! Definitely not established as a place to see and be seen, but as a small, professional, informal dining establishment presided over by those who know what they are doing and why they’re there. And on the west side! The food is excellent, creative, varied; the staff behaves with pride and interest. The menu changes throughout the week; the choices have subtle international variety. Nothing is exaggerated or excessive; nothing you choose is ordinary or dull. Reservations are necessary and respected. Not inexpensive but fair for the quality of both food and service.
Il Buco is located at 47 Bond Street (between Bowery & Lafayette) 212.533.1932. There are days, more normally weeks, when I think I know what I’d like to do and believe I know better than anyone else what is happening worth making the effort to face the icy February winds of New York.
But, I have a friend even more difficult than I, even more controlling. She was determined to have her birthday dinner on a recent evening (during a raging storm) in a dark, isolated part of NOHO. I, familiar with the area primarily as a destination for the Public Theatre, sputtered and complained about dragging myself there (albeit in a taxi). Convinced I would remain unpleasant and grumpy, I entered. Will I never learn! It was literally a fairy tale I found myself part of. As I slowly edged my way through a tiny, odd shaped room here, a little room there, oddly flowing whimsical space, I kept stopping to look at each of the decorative touches. Old, old, odd items rather than antiques, though the mix was indeed eclectic. We found ourselves at a charming, cozy table for three in the third room of this very old townhouse, which was originally probably a railroad flat. The background warm and cozy, the candlelight flattering, the clientele ageless and both modern and appreciative.
The menu was eclectic with Greenmarket, French and Mediterranean subtly blended. Portions were perfectly spiced, presented, and sufficient rather than gargantuan. Can I say civilized, can I say discriminatory even in the middle of such a fairy-tale setting? Yes, I can! There is a room below entry level which people who frequent the place obviously love. I, too comfortable, too lazy (even though I admit to being inquisitive) did not even make the effort to examine it for myself.
What is romantic? What is unusual these days? What causes one place to stand out above the crowd and yet be a crowd-pleaser at the same time? Whatever the combination is in this city of food, of those who come, those who go, and those who conquer — Il Buco is recognizably superior and charming — and, oh yes, professional. But nothing comes without cost. It’s always much easier when it’s not exorbitant and wonderful. This is.
I saw Black Swan and thought Natalie Portman was sensational and deserved the Best Actress Oscar. I didn’t love the movie and would not consider it for Best Movie. I am still not sure what was real and what she imagined. She is in every scene, and you are mesmerized.
I don’t usually read biographies but I got Life, Keith Richards' autobiography on my Kindle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He's led a wild and crazy life, and since he is my generation, I can identify completely, although I was much calmer. I dreamed of being a rock star.
We want to brag a little. The April 2011 issue of Vanity Fair has a feature article on Jo Nesbo, the Norwegian crime writer, highlighting his latest book published in America, Snowman. We have already raved about it as we got the Canadian edition. We love his hero Harry Hole. By the way, they have a picture of Nesbo and he is gorgeous. You must read these books.
I was late in discovering Hakan Nesser, a Swede whose first book, Mind's Eye, was the third to be translated into English. Like Henning Mankell, his books feature a crabby Detective, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren. This one features a man convicted of murdering his wife, only to be found innocent after he is killed on his release. Van Veeteren must find the real killer.
The Cooper Hewitt Museum opened an exhibit of Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry, which will run until June 5th. It is magnificent and we urge you to see it. Our friend Nicolas Luchsinger, who is the national sales manager of Van Cleef, was very involved with this show.
I went to the Benefit BrowBar at Bloomingdale's again, and found a different operator, who was also wonderful. She recommended a Benefit product called Brow Zings. It's a tiny little case with a mirror, wax, and powder to color your brows. It comes with directions, a teeny little angled brush, a teeny little blending brush, and a pair of ultra teeny tweezers to catch the stray hair. My eyebrows look quite nice.
If you would like to be added to our newsletter, please send us your name and email. |
