The Pink Veranda

I am organizing a birthday luncheon for a dear friend.  I am polishing the silver, bringing out the crystal and using my finest white linen.  I also thought it would be nice to have favors for all of my guests. Years ago someone gave me the book, A Guide to Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux.  I thought this book would be a nice gift for this occasion. I am tying the books with white bows and adding a vintage rhinestone brooch to each one for a little panache! Madame Dariaux wrote this little Tiffany blue book back in 1964, but the advice is timeless. This lovely pocket guide provides advice on fashion in a charming but straight forward manner. Advice that your mother may have taught you, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. Elegance should always have a place in our lives and like birthdays should never be forgotten.

Have I said how much I love One Kings Lane ?  They have mastered the art of finding unique home furnishings and accessories so expertly that I don't have to leave the comfort of my southern city to get fabulous deals on luxe items for my home. So now I am not only drooling over the furniture on their web site but also their jewelry.  Yes, I am now being tempted by Carolina Design .  Not a place, but the person. Carol Workinger is the artist behind Carolina Design and she has gorgeous pieces that were sold on One Kings Lane. What I love about the website is that it is like opening a present, you never know what's inside until you open it, but it's always a nice surprise :)   Here are a few pieces from their "Necklaces We Love" and  "Gold Rush" collection now on sale:   Teardrop Sunburst Pendant, Blue Drusy by Coralia Leets .    Gold Rush, Gold Coin Bracelet by BEN-AMUN .   Gold Chain Link Bracelet by BEN-A...

I love the color of blue topaz.  The pale blue color of topaz looks like a piece of winter ice. I  don't own any jewelry with this stone but I'd love to wear a glittering piece from this winter wonderland :) I love the color of this icy blue and white topaz ring.  Perfect winter jewelry. Pretty rows of topaz on this silver ring. Sky blue stones and lots of bling on these pendant earrings!

One of the many "Wish I Could Have Someday" items on my list is a Chanel bracelet.  I love the cuff and charm bracelets the most, but I would take just about anything that is vintage Chanel. So pretty and classic that they will never be out of fashion.

I love things that are vintage and items that are repurposed.  When the two are combined to make jewelry that instantly makes it special to me. Add some bling and I'm a fan forever!  Lynn Konrad from   French at Heart  travels to France and brings back items like this c. 1920 compass and makes jewelry as she did with this beaded necklace.  Her pieces are one of a kind and oh so pretty! Oo la' la'!