Cat Appreciation Month and Amethyst

Did you know Febuary was Cat appreciation month?  

Picture courtesy of Pink Memo
I did't until I came across this article

Picture courtesy of Good Morning Kitten
And one of my favorite BLOGS on Cats

Donut Brownies

Do these look yummy or what? Another recipe to add to my growing list of things to make form Picky Palate.

 Recipe from PickyPalate.com

A few months ago I shared a few goals with you, one was to finish reading "The Help" and finish my business website.   It hasn't happened - It bothers me because if I say I'm going to do something grrrrrr

I have to throw jewelry in the mix
Check out this Owl-Motif Jewelry

In honor of the Amethyst

Picture courtesy of Anthology Magazine

Picture courtesy of Anthology Magazine 

Nail Art Obsession

Picture courtesy of Fashionista.com

 Would love the following for spring

picture courtesy of Fashionista.com

Which one is your fave?

Amethyst is for Febuary

This month's traditional Birthstone is the Amethyst, it comes in different shades of purple from light to dark and has long been considered a color of royalty.
A favorite gem of Catherine the Great and Egyptian Royalty.  


This weeks picks for "purple"

Starting with this gorgeous Marie Antoinette Ring created by the one and only Wendy Brandes

Picture courtesy of Wendy Brandes

Maybe I wouldn't buy this couch but I still think it's cool.

Picture courtsy of Funky Sofa

Then of course there are the shoes I love shoes from the 
Roger Vivier Aristo Bohem Collection

Roger Vivier Aristo Bohem Collection
Picture courtesy of View On Fashion 

What's your favorite color and would you wear it?

Tucson Gem Show 2012

This past weekend the HB and I headed south about 100 miles to Tucson for the Gem Show.  There's about 30 independently owned and operated shows going on  simultaneously during this event every year with about 3,000 exhibitors citywide.  

We went attended GJX, AGTA and JOGS my goal was to stock up on a few types of semi-precious stones and we were successful.

My lovely husband as we were dropped off by a car service shuttling people from different locations.

In front of the Tucson Convention Center

 I'm admiring the gorgeous amethyst in it's organic form.  I think I like it so much because I wonder if I like it so much because it's my birthstone? 

Thanks for visiting.

BIG

Last week the one and only Wendy Brandes won the 2012 Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award.  

Picture from Wendy Brandes

She is who I respect and look up to in the industry, I aspire to follow in her foot steps.  Congratulations Wendy !!


Jewelry Trends 2012
I love "stand out" accessories aside from jewelry of course handbags and shoes are my obsession - I like these items to say "look at me". 
Here are a few jewelry pieces I selected from the 2012 Spring Collection collection of several designers.

Giuseppi Zanotti

Picture courtesy of Giuseppi Zanotti

Givenchy

Picture Courtesy of Givenchy

Herve Van der Straeten

Picture courtesy of Herve van der Straeten

Dries Van Noten

Picture courtesy of Dries Van Noten

Kimberly McDonald

Picture courtesy of Kimberly McDonald

 Valentino

Picture courtesy of Valentino

 Bidermann

Picture courtesy of Bidermann

Michael Kors

Picture courtesy of Michael Kors

Take a peek at the complete listing of jewelry and other accessories.
Which are your faves?


In honor of "Big"

These are definitely big earrings this model is wearing 

picture courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue

Do you love the layered look of necklaces?
Check out this tutorial on how to Layer your necklaces

The Year of the Dragon

The Chinese New Year is today January 23, 2012 it is the year of the Dragon. In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal from the Chinese zodiac, it is believed that the particular new year adopts the characteristics of that animal of the zodiac. Unlike the perception of the dragon in west to be of an evil and destructive entity, the Chinese revere the dragon as a symbol of power, superiority, and luck. Therefore, 2012 is predicted to be a year of prosperity and luck.

In honor of The Year of the Dragon:

John Hardy Naga Sterling Silver  Dragon Bracelet

JR Dunn Jewelers

And who wouldn't love this lovable guy?

 From Pete's Dragon

Happy New Year!! 

Want a wine glass that doesn't spill ?  This wine glass  is for you...

Look at these Beauties coming out in Spring 

Brian Atwood

Spring Shoes 2012

We're still in January and in honor of the Garnet - birthstone for January I've included some more "red" inspiration 

So Versatile 

Red Poncho from Shop Frankies

You can wear it year round

Classic Crepe Blazer 

Christina Makowsky

I miss the snow...

A picture from back home 

a snowy day in the Seattle area

I look forward to and appreciate your comments :)

I feel like a Flake

It's been so long that I've written that it makes me feel like a flake and I don't like it.  This is not an excuse I'm just saying.  So this past November and December flew by in the blink of an eye.  With so much to do I never had a minute to sit down and write.

Back In November we went on the “Architects’ Own Homes Tour” presented by GNOSIS Ltd Friday night started with a little get together at Taliesin West with an intro from each Architect and what inspired them to create and design their house.

Saturday and Sunday we toured a total of about 12-13 houses throughout the valley.

The pool at this house was amazing because of the way it fit in such a small area there wasn't a lot of land to this property.

The front of the house

A very contemporary residence.

Yes those are rocks that you would stand on when showering (above)

This was a bathroom in one of my favorite houses

A bit too contemporary for me

 Living room in another house that was a fave for me

• Winter - We're in the heart of Winter and cold and flu season is lurking everywhere if you know someone who's in need for a household remedy check this out by Fab Housewife
• The Birthstone for January is the Garnet and it's color ranges from rich red to orangey red. 

In honor of the garnet checkout of these beauties:

Bracelet from Ippolita gold and garnet combo

Picture courtesy of Neiman Marcus

A gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous purse I would love to have:

From the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pre-Fall 2012 Handbags

Will probably retail over $2,500.00 US dollars (my guess)