Some new inventory and updated Spring calendar

I had some new inventory floating around, so I put some new items in The Queen Bee. 

It's hard to see, but that's a flat, gold filled bangle with black enamel and a safety chain. Many of you ask for just that criteria. 

I got these crown cufflinks converted to earrings. It's quite appropriate that these sit in The Queen Bee. Also shown is a brass brooch/pendant on a long chain with cabochon stones. 

This is a great right hand ring for someone who loves big statement jewelry. It gorgeous on the hand. 

I'm planning out my spring calendar to get substantial new inventory for those of you who are asking. There's a potential trip in March, and my trip to France is confirmed. We fly out on the 17th of April. I'm going for leisure, but I certainly intend to come home with a stash that is up for purchase. You might have to fight me to keep some of it, though. 

Let's just hope I stumble across the right pieces at the right prices. 

Real women wear brooches

The other day in the mountains, my mom and I got dressed to visit a few of our favorite shops. I got her friend to snap one of us to document our trip, but honestly, I wanted to show you that we wear brooches. 

I've had a lot of Cherche' customers admire the brooches in my collection, but are hesitant to wear them. Here's proof that real women wear brooches.

Here's a close-up of my brooch/pin.

Hello ladies

set in gold filled; has bale for chain. 

from the left: set in 10k; set in gold filled. Both have bales to wear as a necklace; both have stick pins to wear as a brooch. 

{G.F. pendant SOLD}

Dare to be different: Gold Edition.

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

Coco Chanel

Oh, the words of the great fashion designer. I couldn't agree more with these words of wisdom. I think most women would; after all, it's on countless facebook quotes. But I dare to point out that most young women I know act in a completely different way than Ms. Coco Chanel indicates. We need to have the David Yurman bracelet, Tiffany & Co. necklace, or John Hardy ring. We must be like everyone else.

Well I dare to be different. Don't let me mislead you; I do like some of these great current designs. I may even wear them occasionally (stacked and mixed with antiques of course!) I find more intrigue, though, in old findings. It's different. It's what we say we want to be.

Disclaimer: It's always okay to copy your momma.

There are a few vintage designers that I would like to tell you about. Of course there's the great Coco Chanel. She needs no introduction. But Chanel has peers that you may not be familiar with. I would like to introduce you to them.

Next time you're out antiquing, look on the backs of jewelry. You may recognize these designers after learning about them as I have. It's embarrassing how excited I get when shopping; it's like finding a little treasure when I recognize the designer. Shopping this way is certainly more fun than walking into Tiffany's and buying something with mindless pursuit. Okay maybe not. But you get my point.

Coco Chanel: the most chic in haute couture. Authentic 1980s gold earrings. These were clip ons, but made into posts. I saw a documentary on Chanel not too long ago. I encourage you to read about her life and success. It's very inspiring.

A little treasure chest of vintage findings.

Sarah Coventry: one of my favorites. In my mountain birthday post, you may remember the gorgeous bangle by this great designer.

Florentine jewelry box: Make sure it reads "Made in Italy" when antiquing as this one does.

Art designs: I look forward to finding more of these Art pieces! Pretty and dainty.

Florenza: Made in the 1930s and ceased operation in the 1980s. Most pieces have a Victorian look. This is a gorgeous brooch can also be worn as a show-stopping necklace because of the well-made pendant.

Miriam Haskell: Maybe my favorite designer. She made pieces in the 1920s-1950s. Even Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball wore her designs for professional and personal use!

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." Coco Chanel

Gettin' married?

A girl on her wedding day: oh the drama. It's often forgotten that the wedding day is a celebration of the beautiful blessing of marriage rather than the hoopla of wedding festivities.

Having said that, I am a Southern girl that searched high and low for the elements that represent all things true to the taste of Andrew and me. And I enjoyed doing it. (For the most part.) One of the best compliments that I received after the wedding was that the atmosphere really exuded my personal style! I worked so hard for that sentiment to be there; I worked so hard for this day to be beautiful; I just wanted everything to go perfectly. Well it didn't, but that's another story.

You can't control the mishaps that happen on your wedding day, but my theory was that I could control the elements that encompass the wedding before the big day.

I had what I call an "elegant garden" wedding. So I wanted the details to be represented in this theme. Having a love for all things vintage, I started looking for brooches to give the final touch to my wedding dress ensemble. I really searched far and wide for the right antique brooch. We scrounged together lots of grandmothers brooches from mom's friends, and I even had a pair from a shirt that I bought in college! I looked in every jewelry store in Baton Rouge. Nothing would do. Well my momma finally found one on a trip that was just what I was looking for. It was actually fun to search for the perfect piece. (You'd think I would have realized my calling then, but it still took a few more months for that epiphany.)

So I had the brooch, and I was all set on my wedding day. As we were all getting our hair done on the big day, I saw that my hairdresser put the sweetest dainty flowers in both of my sister's hair! Well I had to do the same, but instead of the flowers, I pulled out my brooches from the shirt I got in college, and we put those in my hair! It was complete! I needed a unanimous consensus, though, that it was "just right" from all the girls.

It's funny how I tried to plan it all, but little sparks of creativity just happen when you least expect it.

I've had several inquiries from brides about brooches in particular. Here are some that I have for sale.

I'd love to help you look for the perfect piece of jewelry that represents you for your special day!

I love this vintage pearl and rhinestone brooch. Very "wedding day."

This is a gold tone pearl brooch. It has been beautifully preserved. It's a heavy piece that would be great with a wedding that is similar to mine: garden-y.

This gold filled brooch is sweet and dainty for the bride that is both of those things as well. The pearls are in excellent condition.