old-fashioned/modern

an old-fashioned style of stone setting reinterpreted in a modern way.  the designer is brilliant in her considerations of all angles beyond just the bird's eye view.

i love this ring, the way the rock is perched way high with over-sized clasps.  a DIF rock will be a complete waste here as there's not enough light coming from below to maximize the illumination.  nonetheless the design is a nice twist from tradition.  and the outcome is classy, timeless and decidedly modern.

an intentionally flattened 2-D design coupled with a 3-D pattern- all in a classic, vintage, chinese shape that looks "laser-cut".  interesting!

again, i love the way the pearl is boldly set perched up.  the colored "claws" add creepiness..

this can look seriously kitschy and tacky but it's not.  thanks to the deep tapering of the union jack (like a picnic blanket) and the wide chunky band like a man's ring.  the yellow gold with almost a green tint is a brilliant choice.

hands holding up a faceted plate diamond.  it is quite popular in hong kong, the plate diamond (usually without any facet).  since it's cut so thin and priority lies not in the 3C's, even a 5-carat plate diamond becomes almost affordable.  

i LOVE the baguette cut.  something charming about the way these skinny rocks are held (curving towards the band) and the extra clasps on the center emerald make for a nice retro look.  (sorry, your grandmother's hand-me-down is not quite the same).

i'm not usually a fan of colored gems.  but i like the wire-like structures holding up the flower petals.  the way the band is a coil of wire finishes the look.

what a house.

no centrality of main entrance (large door next to small); totally mis-matched windows (except two); animal skulls hovering over the front door (yikes!); street "crashing" straight into house..  all these are signs of bad fung shui.  yet the house oozes an inexplicable charm and a unique personality.  i like!

eerily beautiful

i'm obssessed with arielle de pinto's work.  her hand-crocheted metal chains are at once simplistic, sophisticated and strange.  her masks are the most provocative with a tribal flavor.  innocent enough for a child yet hauntingly mysterious upon closer scrutiny..

straps

put together in the right way can create such sex appeal.  undergarment should never be plain and boring.  if you have the body or even just the guts, i highly recommend these.

captivating image

- is it a man or a woman?

look at me!

i find that red-n-blue eye on a well made up face incredibly enticing.  when i have the time, i'd love to try it out.  firstly, it shows creativity, originality and simply looks GOOD.  secondly, it'll be fun to see what kind of responses it elicits.  when i experiment, you'll be the first to know.

"PERFECT DAY, PERFECT SHOES."

is the title of karen walker's new collection.  

i love the pj pants in beautiful hues and printed silk under an easy tee.  all topped up with great heels and a leather clutch.  real casual & chic.  pretty perfect for me.

how do you celebrate valentine's?

with festive balloons from 99-cent store..

a tower of the finest chocolates from ciel chocolatier..

that opens up like a jewelry box (almost as good as receiving a cartier box)!

hope you feel extra special on this valentine's day.

we celebrated behind the eiffel tower..

2011 is here.

remember all that Y2K paranoia?  well it is now a fact that we have survived a decade into it.

beyond feeling undeniably old, i am energized by the realization that time is slipping away like quicksand.  what better time than NOW to pursue the calling of our lives and what holds meaning in our hearts?

so i wish upon every one of us the sweetest blessings from above and the greatest strength from within to be the best that we can be.  follow our hearts and chase our dreams.  we only live once, so live it right.

or be forever gobbled up..

raw

in 2005, chinese artist zhang huan appeared in his raw beef "muscle suit" in nyc.

and became lady gaga's inspiration?

to my friends here in the west..

be merry & silly !!

wishing y'all in the east..

have a most gluttonous and drunken holiday!!

double rainbow

may be the best thing that has come with the endless weeklong downpour that we have experienced in LA.  it appeared around 5 pm today.  my kids and i were amazed and snapped photos galore.  we were so excited that our hands were trembling.  here are a few out-of-focus pix.

it was incredible that we could really distinguish the colors in the rainbow..

gehry for tiffany

sorry frank, this really doesn't cut.

dear santa

just making sure you don't get me the wrong presents like in previous years.  to simplify matters, i'm offering you two choices:

1.  necklace cum bracelet by van cleef & arpels

ingeniously zip up into a bracelet

"Van Cleef & Arpels first made jewelry based on the design of a Zip at the proposition of the Duchess of Windsor Simpson in the 1930's.  The latest iteration is the Diamond Zip and is made of white gold accentuated with diamonds.  The Diamond Zip can be worn as a necklace when opened and when closed can be worn as a bracelet."

2.  a 2-person ladder tree stand

one is a little pricey but a breeze to carry.  the other is cheap (single-seater only $18.40) but a monster to lug around.  so.. your choice between the two.  please don't come up with a third!

love, vanessa

ps.  heed my request and you'll enjoy extra-delicious homemade cookies filled with valrhona 75%!

x'mas decor

every year, we haul back an 8-9' douglas fir.  it breaks our wallet, kills our backs and diminishes yet another tree.  this year, inspired by the image of the ladder x'mas tree i posted previously, our 8-year old daughter and i spearheaded the project.  after a quick run to 99-cent store yesterday and a stop at target today, here's the outcome.  please give us a like, yikes, or cool.  (thanks for your prompt response, jillian is getting a big kick out of it!)

we started with a vintage wooden ladder and coiled 2 strings of lights around ($20 total).  then hang ornaments galore.  here's a close-up.  (nutcracker in the back, $12.99).

an extra strand of big bulbs ($12.99) renders a new look for our red acrobat's pole by the front door.

size matters!

a lovely gift from mk.

simplicity = beauty

by jillian.

baby poinsettias from 99-cent store dresses up our powder room.

5 baby poinsettias in the bread basket.

delfina delettrez

some of mark walsh & leslie chin's designs definitely bring to mind delfina delettrez.

stunning.  but can it be comfortable with all those skulls rubbing between your fingers?

gold and diamond skull ring, $52,100.  available at CoutureLab.

victorian x picasso!

visage choker, $10,750.  CoutureLab.

yes, the world is in your hand, miss delfina.

my world bracelet, $3,500.  CoutureLab.

you have to give her credit for balancing punk rock + elegance so effortlessly.

gold, diamond and pearl skull earrings, $46,700.  CoutureLab.

simple, modern and effective.

button down silver collar necklace, $2,050.  LuisaViaRoma.

a limited edition of her signature hand bracelet, $3,975.  LuisaViaRoma.

dali-inspired?

silver salome double ring, $475.

i prefer this piece to loree rodkin's anyday.

special order skeleton hand bracelet, $25,600.  LuisaViaRoma.

delettrez is a fourth generation fendi, but she seems to have really made it on her own.  she launched her first collection in paris at age 20, in 2007.  though not every piece is my style, i'm attracted to the youthfulness, fun and carefree spirit, and fearlessness in her work.  qualities that cannot be faked.