Men: where y'at?

"Where y'at" : cajun. the traditional New Orleans equivalent to "what's up" or "how are you." The only appropriate response unless something is wrong is "aright."

Reasons why you should bring your husband/boyfriend to the Birmingham show on Friday:

1. We'll have beer.

2. We'll have Cajun food.

3. He might buy you a Valentine in the form of jewelry.

4. Since you never know what to get the guy for Vday, you could buy him a Valentine. A.Lee's photographs will be for purchase. Here's what you can expect:

5. We're gonna pass a good time, yea.

Laissez les bon temps

...ROULEZ!

That's right. Let the good times roll! It's Carnival time, y'all.

Sweet Lindsey Westbrook offered to host a Cherche' jewelry party at her home in Birmingham. I couldn't let the Mardi Gras season escape without doing something to honor the season. So a Mardi Gras themed Cherche show it is!

I'm pleased to be showcasing some of Andrew's photography, as well! He'll have photos from The Plains, NYC, and maybe a bayou pic in there. (I'll feature a sneak peak before the show next week.)

Of course we'll have Mardi Gras music, king cake, light cajun appetizers, beer and wine!

I know what some of you are thinking. Do I have to show my ta-ta's to get jewelry? The answer to that is "no." Just bring cash or check.

See y'all there.

What I love about jewelery

I got my inspiration for today's blog post from my new, sweet, witty friend (by marriage), Sarah Barry. I say 'by marriage' because if I wouldn't have married Andrew, I wouldn't know his best friend's adorable wife, SB. She writes what she loves about blogs here and here. Comparatively, I write what I love about jewelry.

I do love jewelry. I don't have a poignant answer today, but I just love how jewelry can "make an outfit" when I seemingly have nothing else to wear.

Jeans and a white T? Throw on a turquoise necklace.

Black pants and a black shirt? Grab an amazing pair of earrings.

And if you're like me and have an extensive jewelry collection, it is so fun to dig in your jewelry box and don a piece that you haven't worn in quite some time. To me it feels like I got a fresh, new haircut or something. It just feels good!

Here's some great "statement" pieces. Don't worry, I have some dainty pieces for you dainty girls in another post.

The cuff is sterling. The other is costume. Both make a great statement.

Big earrings for a big personality.

I love bracelets. I love these in particular.

Large gold-filled bangle. Great for stacking.

Just plain gorgeous.

Since I've started this little jewelry business, I have naturally worn more jewelry. You know, in case I run into some of you who actually read this blog. It really is fun, and I have to say, I haven't had to buy clothes because I've gotten more creative. N0w I know some of you have young kids and wearing jewelry is impossible. But always be sure to treat yourself! You'll feel great because of it.

Perfection

I just love my everyday china that I registered for eons ago at Ware's in Auburn. I even got a very generous gift card toward my china from Andrew's parents for Christmas.

Ware's called me months ago to tell me that my initial pieces I ordered came in, but it wasn't perfectly painted, so they sent it back to France.

WHAT?!

If I had known it was hand painted from France, I wouldn't have registered for it. (Well, maybe I would have, but at least I would have been prepared for this non-sense.)

To add more grief to my situation, Andrew accidently broke one of the few pieces I had when the salt shaker came crashing down on the hot, fragile salad plate! UGh!

Here's what all the fuss is over.

Empire by Gien

Pretty, ain't it?

(Especially when you have the lemons, florals, and perfect sunshine cascading through the windows. Our home is exactly like this picture. All the time.)

I should have told those fancy, china people at Ware's, ya know what, I don't like perfect. I don't want perfect hand-painted china. I want the china with mistakes that show character. That's why I registered for Match pewter. It's old-looking, on purpose! It looks like the Match people dropped it a few times before shipping it off. That's my kind of perfect.

See? Character.

I really don't mean to insult Ware's. I'm just ready to serve dinner on my dang china that I registered for a year ago!

I say all this to tell you what I've been reflecting on and realizing lately. Life isn't perfect. It isn't always pretty. Things are going pretty great for me right now, but it hasn't always been that way, and it won't always be that way. There's something that I like to call the "Christmas card syndrome" or the "facebook syndrome" that displays this facade of perfection. We send out our best moment in greeting cards, receive the best quoted Scripture from Christmas cards, and see the most beautiful babies and wedding photos on facebook.

It all comes down to this: We showcase our best moment when it's really just a snippet of our {photoshopped} life. But what's underneath is what's real, raw, and full of character. The way I see my banged up pewter may be how God sees us and still loves all of us. Maybe He sees His perfection through our weakness.

"'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest upon me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Isn't it funny that my "perfect" china won't seem to come in the mail, but the one of the pieces that did arrive broke into tiny fragments. Maybe it's God's way of telling me that nothing is perfect apart from Him. (Psalm 16:2!) This may be a far-fetched analogy, but He spoke to me through all of this every day life "stuff."

I've never claimed to be or tried to be perfect. Those people annoy me anyway. I know better than to think that someone has it all. I think that God has placed so many gifts in each of us, but He's also put struggles in our lives too. That way, we always see our need for Him.

"There's no such thing as perfect people

And there's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God."

"Perfect People" by Natalie Grant

God does require perfection. (Well, I'm in trouble.) Ah, but He's bigger and smarter than we could ever be and knows perfection will never be attained by us alone.

And to that I say, "Hallelujah! Thank You, JESUS!"

"What the H#%%" are black jets?"

I have been busy "cherche-ing" for jewelry, amongst other things, so that is the reason for my neglect to the blog. Christmas, New Years, mountain trips, engagement parties, weddings, starting a {real} job, joining a bible study, and relaxing have been at forefront these past few weeks, but I'm back and ready to write.

I've had time to search for some great items since I have a small break from jewelry shows. (The Lord has already been so gracious in providing upcoming shows in the weeks to come, and I will inform you promptly I finalize dates.)

On my searches, I've come across the most intriguing of stories. I have learned so much about antique jewelry since my short time of being in the business; I thought I'd share some things about vintage jewels that fascinate me.

Below are vintage earrings: black jets.

So here's what I've learned about jets:

Queen Victoria made black jets popular when she wore them in mourning after her husband, Prince Albert, died. Soon after, it was all the rage. Aside from mourning, it was the new, popular way to be stylish. Queen Victoria had an immeasurable effect on jewelry and fashion other than black jets. She has an entire era named after her for a reason.

Prior to the 1950s and 60s, jets were made from coal. Now, they are made from plastic or glass. To be honest with you, I have yet to tell if the "black jet" pieces I carry are made from coal or glass. I know for sure that the long strand that I own are made prior to the 1950s thus being made of coal.

I'll never forget when I was living in Charleston, and my two Auburn friends, Katey and Lauren, asked me what I was wearing that night. I told them "probably a dress with my black jets." They started laughing AT me and asked me what the hell "black jets" were. Well girls, now you officially know. Below is a picture of that night with Lauren, me, and Bridget.

*note: Bridget may know what black jets are.

Queen Victoria made black jets endlessly popular in England and France. I made them something to laugh at when going out on the town once. Same thing, right? Either way, I think black jets are fabulous.

What in the world?

My new year's resolution? Floss more. Nothing like finding dentures in a flea mall to remind us about our dental hygiene.

Happy New Year!