Guilt

Speaking of necklaces.....this morning I was racing to get out to work and searching frantically for the necklace that goes so perfectly with my ballet pink sweater.....stung! hit right between the eyes....I realized I have a problem! I was pulling out little jewel bags and rolls searching for the necklace and rediscovering necklaces I had forgotten. I truly have a stash and I really like all of them...one after another I found tucked away under lingerie, notes from my children and all the bits of my life that I keep hidden in my dresser drawers. They were like old friends...they attended fun events with me, sad days and picked me up on the day we met. I suddenly remembered after my parents' deaths the sorting out of their things...oh no, if I die before my husband, he will see. He will be disappointed in me for my weakness
and utter frivolity...I now feel like Madame Bovary. What to do?? Murder is not the answer; suicide seriously limits all future occasions to which I could wear said necklaces. I must furtively ponder options....tomorrow. Tonight I will wrap two or three around my neck and go out and laugh and sip champagne!

Collet -set riviere necklaces

Sometimes I am sooo slow. Recently we had a necklace returned to J. Crew that was so pretty. It was an amethyst stone colored necklace of simple round stones that sat on the collar bone. we all took turns playing with it..trying it on and I just loved it. I noticed how the colors just lit my face and the sparkle was sophisticated not garish. Then I remembered "The September Issue" the fascinating documentary about Anna Wintour...the high priestess of the fashion world, and the necklaces she wore throughout the movie. I love the way she dresses..beautiful, feminine dresses and skirts, immaculately tailored and her necklaces. She wears three collet -set riviere necklaces of amethyst, citrine and aquamarine ...either alone or together. They are elegant, timeless and add color to the face of women of a "certain age". Who would know better how to dress than Anna? I saw it in my own experience of playing with the necklace at J. Crew. It is far prettier than the classic pearl strand. Pearls add glow but no color or sparkle. I often think to myself that once women hit a certain age ...they have to add color to their faces...either through jewelry, scarves, clothing or make-up. The riviere necklace is perfect! Then it took a day before I realized that, of course, J. Crew copied the necklace from the film knowing that everyone would notice every detail of Anna's dress. Yes, I was slow on the uptake here but I am glad to have discovered it.....it's as though Anna gave the advice just to me and she was soooo right.

My Bride

Two weeks ago when I was working at J. Crew, a young woman came in with a friend looking for a dress. She brought two dresses into the dressing room and neither fit that well. I questioned her about the event she was shopping for, much to my surprise , it was her wedding...next Saturday! She seemed too casual. I asked her friend discreetly the circumstances and she said it was on and off again and now due to time it was on. The timing of what I wondered, pregnancy..she didn't look at all pregnant..perhaps she was marrying a man being shipped off to duty. The bride felt no compulsion to discuss it further and I liked and respected her privacy. Anyway..I told her I would check the back where we sometimes have fancy party dresses being shipped to other stores.
Shock! We had a wedding dress...I grabbed it and ran it out to her...just noticing it was a size 6 and thinking it might fit. She was shocked as well. She tried it on and it looked as if it was made for her. Ivory silk chiffon graced her figure and olive skin...she looked enchanting. At that moment, she realized she was getting married. She couldn't catch her breath and had to walk away to think. The price was reasonable but she, at that moment, realized her life was changing forever. I watched her become a bride and wife in a flash in her eyes. After her walk, she did come back to purchase the dress. She said it was meant to be...a dress that fit her perfectly one week before her wedding...We all like to think that "things are meant to be"... not random luck. The magic was in seeing that young woman face and desire her future with that one dress. The power of one dress can be magical!

MET Gala

The best fashion party of the year was held Monday at the MET. Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey and Patrick Robinson of the GAP were host for the Costume Institute's biggest fundraiser. The gowns were beautiful, the people all beautiful and yet is seemed flat to me...all brands. Oprah represents her own brand, Anna - Vogue, Patrick - The GAP....it semed liked the ultimate commercial evening for fashion. The red carpet was filled with beautiful, professional posers...selling a movie, a designer, a t.v. show, the Patriots.....
I have always enjoyed the costume institute..it introduced me to the fabulous fashions of YSL, Josephine's Bonaparte's wardrobe, yes..the Jackie O. show...and the fabulous Poiret and Chanel....This show was to honor the American Woman...yet the spirit seemed to be represented by the American Brand. Meanwhile, the Victoria and ALbert Museum in London is doing a show on Grace Kelly...which somehow seems to represent what the American woman always aspired to and classic American fashion style..sweater sets and pearls of the 50's. Pristine WASP American grooming on display though Grace was Irish American...ironic, no doubt.