This was a hard newsletter to write as the difficult economic times seem to overshadow everything.  We've got recommendations from everyone and we are keeping our spirits high.  We are starting our holiday show next week and we hope you will all stop by.  We've also put in our Southern show schedule so you can plan a visit.

OUR HOLIDAY SHOW

We invite you to our annual Holiday Show located in our showroom at 818 Madison Avenue on the fourth floor:

Wednesday December 10 — Saturday December 13, 11 am - 7 pm
Cocktails daily from 4 pm - 7 pm

EXTENDED HOURS:

To help with your holiday shopping needs, we have extended our hours in December beginning Monday Dec 15th:

Monday thru Friday, 9 am - 7 pm
Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm

UPCOMING SHOWS

Miami Beach:  January 22—26

Nashville:  February 5 —8

Palm Beach:  February 13—17

Washington, DC:  March 6—9

Naples, FL:  March 12—14

1STDIBS

Read our profile on 1stdibs.com scheduled for next week or the week after.  1stdibs is the premier and most prestigious source for the finest antiques, mid-century modern, decorative arts, and now vintage and estate jewelry.

IN THE PRESS

• DEPARTURES - Sep 2008, "The Snake Charmer", page 150
• VOGUE - Dec 2008, "Follow My Lead" & "Racing Stripes"
• ELLE - Dec 2008, page 347
• LATINA - Dec 2008 / Jan 2009, "Wear White From Head To Toe on New Year's Eve", page 139
• BRIDAL GUIDE - Jan 2009 / Feb 2009, "Antique & Chic"

CUFFS

Cuffs are hot, and we just bought two great ones.

• 23A309 - an 18 karat yellow gold, wood, and pearl with citrine cuff style bracelet, Seaman Schepps.
• 23A320 - an 18 karat yellow gold hinged cuff bracelet, David Webb, circa 1980.

Below, in Marcella's selection, you will see a great shagreen cuff.  We have these in many colors with various decorations.  I wore a beauty the other day, gray with a strip of diamonds and turquoise.

ANIMAL BROOCHES

We love animal brooches and these tiny ones are especially adorable.  We like to wear several together.

• 23B256 - an 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and ruby squirrel brooch.
• 23B257 - an 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and ruby koala perched on a white gold branch brooch.
• 23B255 - an 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and ruby elephant brooch.

CARTIER CIPULLO

We continue to believe Cipullo will become increasingly collectible.

• An 18 karat yellow gold, onyx, and carnelian necklace with pendant, Aldo Cipullo for Cartier, circa 1970s.  The necklace can be worn without the pendant or interchanged with another pendant.
• An 18 karat yellow gold, onyx, and carnelian dangling earrings, Aldo Cipullo for Cartier.  The dangling hoops can be reversed with the onyx on top.

I've been wearing these and have loved them.  The colors go with everything.

LONG CHAIN NECKLACES

This is a look that I didn't wear until recently.  I love the two VCAs; the black and red really go well together and make a statement.

• 23N212 - an 18 karat yellow gold and carnelian Alhambra necklace with 20 clover sections, Van Cleef & Arpels.

I wore these with a dark red cashmere sweater but the carnelian color also worked with reddish brown.  Very versatile.

• 23N211 - an 18 karat yellow gold and onyx Alhambra necklace with 20 clover sections, Van Cleef & Arpels.

• 23N306 - a yellow gold, frosted rock crystal and black onyx necklace.

This is a big look for the money.

UNUSUAL PIECES

• 23N316 - an 18 karat yellow gold hammered flat link necklace, circa 1980.
• 23A280 - an 18 karat yellow gold and enamel bracelet, Cartier Paris.  The bracelet is designed with circular shaped links in blue enamel depicting symbols for safe travel with a St. Christopher in the center.
• An 18 karat yellow doorknocker style earrings, Aldo Cipullo for Cartier, circa 1970.
• 23E317 - a pair of 18 karat yellow gold earrings, designed as large half hoops of abstract circles, Paloma Picasso for Tiffany France, circa 1989.
• 23R314 - an 18 karat yellow gold and tiger's eye ring, Dinh Van for Cartier, size 6 (cannot be sized).

PRETTY JEWELRY

• 23S304 - an 18 karat yellow gold camellia brooch with matching earrings in original box, Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1998.

Very reasonable for VCA.

• 23R300 - an 18 karat yellow gold and diamond dome shaped ring set with a total of 33 round cut diamonds, approximately 2 carats, circa 1970, size 6 1/2.

This ring is a serious bang for the buck.

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL

• 23R062 - an 18 karat yellow gold, aquamarine and cabochon sapphire ring, Seaman Schepps, size 6 1/2.

This is a serious bargain.

• 22R913 - a 14 karat yellow gold band style ring, Ed Wiener, circa 1960, size 7.
• 23E335 - a pair of 18 karat yellow gold and rock crystal earrings, Pomellato.
• 23R348 - an 18 karat rose gold and diamond (approx. 1 carat center stone) ring, size 8.5.

STAFF HOLIDAY GIFT PICKS

GUS

Being an intrepid shopper that I am, I cannot be limited to only a few selections.

• 23N079 - an 18 karat yellow gold, peridot (approx. 98.55 carats), fancy intense vivid yellow diamond (approx. 9.20 carats) and diamond (approx. 2.25 carats) necklace, Tiffany.
• 23R208 - an 18 karat yellow gold, tanzanite (approx. 6 carats) and platinum set diamond ring, Schlumberger for Tiffany, size 6.
• 23N258 - an 18 karat yellow gold and diamond (approx. 2 carats) tassle necklace, circa 1960.
• 23A358 - a pair of 14 karat yellow gold and smokey topaz bangle bracelets.

JANE

These gold and diamond Kutchinsky earrings are my favorite piece we have right now.  They are big and fabulous and they look great on everyone!  I love these gold and diamond knot earrings because they are just a classic gold and diamond earring and can be worn day or night!  Gold and diamond bracelet is a fun bracelet with a circle of pave set diamonds, feels so great on the wrist!

• 23A363 - an 18 karat yellow gold and diamond (approx. 2 carats) bracelet, circa 1950, French.
• 22E830 - a pair of 18 karat yellow gold and white gold doorknocker earrings set with pave diamonds, approximately 8 carats, Kutchinsky.
• 23E285 - a pair of 18 karat yellow and white gold knot earrings set with diamonds, approximately 6.48 carats.

ASHLEY

Diamond earrings and a diamond cocktail ring transform any holiday outfit into a sparkler! The gold bracelet is a classic, the perfect accessory for everyday wear or a night out.

• 23E322 - a pair of contemporary platinum, rock crystal and diamond earrings, Vitrine.
• 23R248 - a platinum and diamond dome ring, approximately 5.50 carats, David Webb, circa 1960.
• 22A737 - an 18 karat yellow gold polished curved link bracelet, Cartier.

MARCELLA

I love the gold bracelet because it has a very unusual geometric design and is a very chic 40's bracelet.  I love the yellow gold and diamond earrings because they are just a fun, easy to wear pair of earrings that can be worn every day or dressed up and worn at night!  I am designing shagreen cuffs in several colors with various antique and deco pieces on top.

• 23A347 - a 14 karat yellow gold and pink shagreen cuff bracelet with a cameo surrounded by a gold starburst.

We have found these shagreen bracelets in many colors and adorned them with old bits and pieces.  They are sensational. 

• 23E251 - a pair of 14 karat yellow gold and diamond earrings, approximately 2 carats, circa 1950.
• 20A665 - a 14 karat yellow and pink gold chunky retro bracelet.

NOEL

My gift selection represents a sampling of the only men's accessory besides a tie for us to make a statement, and green is my favorite color.

• 23C291 - a pair of 18 karat yellow gold and malachite acorn cufflinks,  Schlumberger for Tiffany.
• 22C082 - a pair of 18 karat yellow gold and malachite sugarloaf cufflinks.
• 22C107 - a pair of 14 karat yellow gold and green enamel abstract cufflinks.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS

TO READ

This section is blank this month because for the first time ever I was so mesmerized by the election that just watching news shows and reading the newspapers took up all my normal novel reading time.

TO GIFT

As many of you know, I'm something of a sports nut.  Ivan Maisel, the son of my friend Frieda Maisel has written a new book, The Maisel Report, which is the ultimate college football junkie's book.  Ivan has written about college football for twenty years, the last 6 for ESPN and before that for Sports Illustrated.  He loves the game and talks about the most overrated and underrated players, coaches, teams and traditions over the last years.  This is a very enjoyable read for your favorite football fan, and might be just the thing to put under the tree.

TO DINE

Since I don't get downtown very often I asked Hobby to give me her latest downtown favorite.  Her current choice is Pepolino 281 West Broadway between Canal and Lispenard (212.966.9983).  It is a very authentic Northern Italian restaurant in Tribecca with chefs from the famous Cibreo in Florence.  Hobby's favorites are all the homemade pastas, the oven-roasted branzino and the ricotta cheesecake.

TO SHOP

It is with some trepidation that I write about my latest find, Roundabout (646.755.8009) at 31 East 72nd Street for new and resale couture.  I actually have pangs about sharing, afraid you might snare that AKRIS jacket before me.  But I'm over it and want to share.  I have bought three jackets in just a few weeks, two AKRIS and one Issey Miyake.  I swear if the stuff has been worn it was once or twice as it is in impeccable condition.  Frankly the shop reminds me of us; fabulous taste and favorable prices, just what you're looking for in this dreadful economy.  It is owned by a very charming couple and the salespeople are very good.  It is open 7 days a week, with new merchandise arriving all the time.  Sunday is a busy day and each time I've been in, I have run into someone I know.

A few weeks ago we went to a baby shower for our very own Hobby Holmes Cole who is due in December.  A wonderful time was had by all and I made a wonderful new friend.  Hobby's mother-in-law Nancy has a children's shop, Toadly Kids, in Norfolk VA.  You can call her 546.774.7284 and she will choose a gift wrap and send.  Trust me, this is an elegant Southener with beautiful taste.

MONEY SAVING TIP

Marcona almonds at COSTCO…are about $7 a can, shelled…when warmed absolutely scrumptious.  This is a real find, thanks to Ann Marie and Martin McNamara.  Don't forget to check COSTCO for various frozen hors d'oeuvres, the selection is marvelous and the price is right.

Another moneysaving tip from Ann Marie.  An old favorite, Goddard's Dry Cleaning Spray.  Her new favorite is sold at Home Depot and is called Folex.  It says it is for carpets but you can use on anything, after checking for colorfastness.  You then throw it in the washing machine.  Ann Marie says it is a miracle product.

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