Bling on the Blingage

Needless to say, I've been away from the blogosphere for a long time. Last December, I packed my bags for a 5 (that turned to 8) week holiday to Cebu. When I'm home, I put my blog breaks on and use all the time to spend with loved ones and get some me time. Online time is limited to work emails and instant messages on Twitter, Facebook, and Skype. 

Before going on holiday, I normally have froulala tableaus 

to help me pack wisely and organize wardrobe essentials for the trip. 

I love mixing hi and lo for a gypset style with trinkets 

I've collected over the years.

Basic colors red, black and gold come to glam life 
when expressed in different materials and textures such as

corals, onyx, feathers, shells, shagreen, 
braiding, knits, and embroidery.

The babouches are an old purchase from 
a Casablanca souk 11 years ago

and the military vest is from 
Marche aux puces de la Porte de Vanves

 Still channeling more gold and mixing old and new

into my holiday wardrobe,

I made a ball and chains bracelet to go with

the traditional Philippine tambourine necklace 

laid on exquisite piña fabric.

Piña is a pineapple fiber made from 

the leaves of a pineapple plant.

It is combined with silk to create fabric. 

Staying close to cultural roots keep me grounded.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones but  

layers upon layers of Color and Gemstones 

will never hurt me.

Inspired by the colors and textures of exotic travels 

and smells of not too distant lands.

  This Decodent necklace made with 

jade, coral, and rhinestone balls was inspired by 

a Shanghainese art deco vibe (hence the name).

It was the perfect accessory for 

an impromptu trip to Singapore

during Chinese New Year.

This Hip-Hop necklace with galenas dipped in gold and silver was inspired by talks on gold futures. I wanted to add a dash of Midas touch when we debuted in High Point last Fall.

It goes well with both my silver and gold pieces whether 

I'm wearing a black dress or just a plain white tee and jeans.

I think it looks rather fierce juxtaposed against one of my favorite vodka brands, Crystal Head Vodka . Alex bought it for me on one random trip to ABC knowing I would like the bottle. I liked it even better when I read that it is filtered over diamonds and has no  artificial additives. "Quadruple distilled and filtered three times through charcoal followed by triple filtration over Herkimer Diamonds, Crystal Head Vodka is exquisitely packaged in a skull bottle crafted by master artisans at Milan's Bruni Glass Company. This "pure spirit" is produced in Newfoundland, Canada, without any artificial additives such as glycol, citrus, or sugar."

Organizing these wardrobe tableaus start when I put on my almost everyday uniform of yoga wear on mornings when I'm not rushing about. I pick through my accessory pile and set them aside. When I need a break from office work and selling furniture, I create in other ways and BLING it on! Christine from On a String bead shop in Myers Park helps me fasten my ideas together with her deft hands. She also has a fabulous selection of beads which I incorporate with my collection.

 

Fleasurable Finds

Many of you are probably still braving the stores with your shopping lists to ward off the tryptophan high. I seriously started Christmas shopping last August (the earliest ever) though it feels like I shop all year round especially when I see the right gift for a certain person. Last November 5th, I got one of the last available spots and joined  Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar on their Metrolina  jaunt for the Fall International  Collectibles and Antiques Show. Not even the descending Rothko-esque clouds threatened the afternoon of fun and learning. 

 

It was just the inspiring activity I needed after weeks doing High Point Market. I went with interior designer friends who are Metrolina vets, Wanda Horton and Davetta Moore---the perfect companions for this Metrolina newbie. Fashion of the day was flea/vintage inspired of course, so I wore my vintage abstract print top from a St. Augustine, FL shop which I got eleven years ago (it's one of my faves, I've kept it all along), shearling vest from Wellington , New Zealand from a trip 8 years ago and a pretzel necklace from the Spitalfields Market in London from 3 years ago. 

Eddie was brimming with clever and creative ideas for the home, holiday tabletop decor, and gifts that I will definitely be shopping more in flea/antique markets for future home needs and gifts. This also ties in with a recent conversation on Twitter about affordable luxe.

Here is Eddie talking about how we can update this sheet 

by cutting the fringe and lining it with a clean trim.

As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

lovely bric-a-bracs that will individually

add character to any existing tableau

He talks about everyone's love for blue and white china 

and how we can update it by mixing patterns

 admiring the orange mixed into this blue and white pattern,

it reminded me of this store window display
along the West Palm Beach antique row.

for the numismatist 

Wedgwood black jasperware for the avid golfer

heavenly Wedgwood

Eddie emphasizes the importance of adding live greens 

into a space and jade plants are perfect for the more 

manicured than green thumbs out there (like me)

ceremonial gear

old photographs are enchanting but they creep me out a little

Davetta Moore, a Charlotte interior designer, 

with her favorite print.

brooches and jewelry that can be used as napkin rings

or curtain tie back accents

He stopped to say that the pair of 

 70's Rococo wheat sheaf tables are very "Elle Decor".

get the look for $250

The easiest way to update old lamps would be to 

change the finials aside from the shades.

Jaithan Kochar, Eddie's partner, rocking the military chic look.

Being a furniture girl, I have a fascination for old tools

Furreal

Oh Suzani!

 Antlers and other natural curiosities intrigue me 

and  I'll fill up a roomful of it if I could. 

Yes, perhaps quite cringe worthy for some of you but I love it!

It brings back memories of our trip to 

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg 

I wanted to get this duffel bag and dreamily fill it up with a few good finds. Metrolina is definitely worth coming back to and I will, once I've stop gypsetting. I left with nothing (which was quite a feat) but frabjous tips from Eddie Ross. He was amazing, totally in his element, and oozed with warmth and charm. Follow them to a flea market near you!

me, Wanda Horton, Eddie Ross, Jaithan Kochar, Davetta Moore 

On another note, yet similar thread.... Allow me to introduce one of my best friends, Zeb Grant, from Atlanta. We met in France the summer of 2007 and knew from the start that we were kindred spirits. He can wield a scalpel very well (in a CSI-ish way ;-)) and uses the same precision with his interior design and floral design talents. I was so thankful that he came to help us with SNUG last High Point Market. We love to eat and shop and can swing a foodie/flea market/high street/high fashion roadshow anywhere any day! 

I got these woodworking tools for Alex in St. Ouen. 

Zeb helped me search and carried them back to our hotel.

It was a great small assortment of tools for the 

SNUG partner who really enjoys crafting furniture.

He crafted this amazing chest which was his signature piece and came in different finishes.  It was hand painted and distressed by Dyan Lowery who is also a SNUG artist, among other hats. The artwork on the chest was inspired by an antique chest that was almost falling apart brought back from France. On a side note, Alex and I grew up surrounded by and making traditional furniture. SNUG is quite a departure from that but we believe and understand  the value of the old to make and appreciate the new.

Zeb got these beautiful architectural etchings

 and had them framed when he got home.

I think it's safe to say that his baby, Gracie, approves of them too.

This painting was also a great find and works well 
in the corner of Zeb's pad.

While I was trying on fab fur coats, 

Zeb got this magnifying glass from the

 Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill

He just put up his tree the other night before going  off to the woods of Kentucky to experience new delights which includes skeet shooting---(don't worry Zeb-I did it too, once, with the beau in the Virginia hinterlands at The Homestead) 

I got this purportedly Balmain dress from Porte de Vanves. Zeb is right next to me in his signature color wielding a wood tool but I cropped him. He made me swear that I wouldn't post any of our photos with our lardon  laden cheeks from this trip.

Old keys hold some kind of mystery and I got these from P de V too. Check out The Antiques Diva report on Portes de Vanves and  make an appointment before you head to Paris. When I am back for a serious shopping trip, I will definitely call Toma Clark Haines, I am a fan of her blog. I will also download The Paris Apartment's cool IPhone app Keys to the Fleas, perfectionnez n'est-ce pas? 

Here are some fleasurable finds from my stash:

aside from exploring the temples of Angkor and precious gem shopping, 

make sure you check out the markets of
 Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

a miniature tole set from Wellington, New Zealand

a picture perfect scene I captured 

at a Greenville, South Carolina antique market

To read more about elegant thrifting, check out 

The Find by Stan Williams,

the @elegantthrifter no less