"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have". - Frederick Koenig
This 1975 ad campaign illustrates the range of Bulgari’s serpent- shaped designs.
After a long, unanticipated blog break (sadly, I wasn't dashing off to NY Fashion Week or slipping away incognito for an unwarranted sabbatical), I've decided the best way to get back into the swing of things is with a little eye candy. Everybody likes that, right? Even better when it involves a little symbolism, a lot of style, and a whole lot of slither!
Straddling the line between accessory and art, Bulgari is the distinguished Italian brand that is recognized by it's quotient for luxury, large exceptionally rare gems, meticulous attention to detail, blending of classical and contemporary, and unmistakeable creative sensibility. Though some might automatically draw parallels with the biblical connotation of the serpent as a symbol of temptation (which could certainly work especially well for some of these pieces!), the serpent's use in the Bulgari collection is reflective of Bulgari's Greco-Roman heritage, where it is a symbol of wisdom, life, and eternity. For the first time in decades, Bulgari has revived their iconic enameled serpent design for their Fall Winter 2011 'Serpenti' Accessories Collection. Through the Vogue Influencers Network, the luxury brand gives us an exclusive first look at their newest collection, as well as opening up their fashion archives to reveal the heritage behind their iconic serpent collection.
Though a multi-generational standard for celebrities and socialites alike; there's a little something for everyone here ... even if only sheer aesthetic enjoyment (one can dream, right?). So go ahead and have a look; I promise the only thing that might bite a little is the price tag.
Bulgari revived the enamel serpent for their FW 2011 Accessories Collection. This small bag is made of luxurious karung skin, and the snake-head closure has a light gold and enamel finish with pear-shaped malachite eyes. (Bulgari.com)
This bracelet was one of the inspirations for Bulgari’s Fall Winter 2011 Collection. The flexible bracelet imitates a coiled snake with white and black enamel scales and pear-shaped diamond eyes.
Originally owned by fashion legend Diana Vreeland, Bulgari replicated this belt so it could have a permanent place in their Historical Archive Collection. This belt is made of pink and white enamel with sapphire eyes.
Available from the FW 2011 Collection, both these medium- and small-sized bags are made of karung skin and their snake-head closures are made of black and white enamel with malachite eyes. (Bulgari.com)
This original hand drawing shows the elaborate details Bulgari put into their accessories. Numerous separate elements were used to make realistic looking scales, heads, and tails.
Available from the FW 2011 Collection, this stylish bracelet is made of karung skin, and the snake-head closure has a light gold and enamel finish with malachite eyes.
Made of karung skin, the snake-head details have light gold and enamel finishes with malachite eyes. Also available in Shanghai red, black, and amber karung from the FW 2011 Collection. (Wallet, Bulgari.com; Belt, Bulgari.com)
This photo of Bulgari’s snake accessories ran in a 1971 issue of Vogue, connecting two iconic brands and introducing Bulgari to the world of high fashion.
If you're dying for a serpent of your own now, but suffering from a little sticker shock, here are some options to check that will lend that luxury look without breaking the bank. Happy hunting!
Sometimes you get email forwards from special people that you just can't help but share. This one in particular almost made me feel like I was somewhere else for a minute, and helped reset my perspective a bit. I couldn't help but continue the share on this, even though it's not in email form. I do hope you enjoy!
Photographer Clark Little stands in the water and waits until the very last second to snap his camera shutter, and then takes a beating when the wave collapses over him.
Waimea Bay shore-break surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Little has gainednationwide recognition for his photography on National Television.. It all started in 2007 when Clark 's wife wanted a nice piece of art to decorate a wall. Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out. Clark 's "view" is a unique view of the ocean that most will only be able to experience safely on land while studying one of Clark 's photos. Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel. Since the recent stir of Clark's work, his images have been runon the Today Show, ABC World NewsNow, Nature's Best Photography, Paris Match(France), La Vie ( France ), Hana Hou (Hawaiian Airlines) magazine, Surfer magazine, Surfer's Journalas well as multiple publishers and newspapers in the U.S. and overseas. He is dedicated to photographing the waves and has published a selection of his best.
These incredible images of waves in the Hawaiian Islands were taken by Clark Little, the number one photographer of surf.
Sun Glints Off Wave
Clark Little/SWNS
Sand in Surf
Clark Little/SWNS
This shot captures sand from the ocean's floor being swept up by a monstrous wave and resembles a sandstorm. Little calls it the Sand monster. "There were clouds of sand ten feet high and I'm standing there. I'm holding on to my camera and my trigger as long as I can. Then I have to jump into the cloud of sand to try to get out of danger's way".
His fans pay as much as $4,000 for his gorgeous photos.
Tubular Shining
Clark Little/SWNS
Beach - Surf Crashes Down
Clark Little/SWNS
Molton Liquid Gold
Clark Little/SWNS
White Tumultuous Water
Clark Little/SWNS
Splash
Clark Little/SWNS
Red Mysterious Shot
Clark Little/SWNS
Break - Wave Crashes Down
Clark Little/SWNS
Beauty - Water Drops
Clark Little/SWNS
This shot is his favorite. With a high shutter speed he caught the brilliant fanned effect of two waves intersecting each other and throwing out this beautiful fan of water.
"Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."
Well, the weekend is here, and just like that bad cold that never seems to go away, so is
the winter weather. It’s
usually about this time every year that things seems to slow down to a
snail’s pace, keeping spring an inevitable two steps out of reach, and leaving
me to hibernate indoors while my skin and my outlook become increasingly tired
and dry. To help cope with this, I've been paying extra attention to the little things that keep me going, and I’ve decided to share some that I’ve found inspiring, and/or recently enjoyable. They have improved my winter
attitude immensely, and will hopefully make your thoughts a little cozier as well.
·TRUFFLED CAULIFLOWER BISQUE – I am admittedly a soup junkie! If there is one thing that would make
me a tragic bitch in the wintertime, it would be NOT being able to eat soup
(though Jay may have some additional thoughts on this). Since I especially love a pureed
veggie-type soup, I was almost ecstatic when I saw Christina Hendricks on ‘The Rachael Ray Show’ making a Truffled Cauliflower Bisque. Because I don't really watch the show, it must have been kismet that I happened to catch this particular segment
and discover what is easily my favorite new winter soup and salad pairing.
The soup has a bacon base, to which the veggies, broth and cream are added (though I'd imagine you vegetarians out there could find some sort of salty substitute). Then, everything is pureed and topped with white truffle oil and bacon crumbles. I am GOING to find a low(er) fat way to make this so I can eat it all the time.
As an accompaniment to the soup, I highly recommend the Tuscan Kale Salad pairing featured in the same clip. The heartiness and bite of the kale paired with the homemade pungent Caesar dressing creates a balance in this salad perfect as a compliment to the mild, creamy soup as well as the cold winter weather.
The recipe for the Cauliflower Bisque can be found here, and the accompanying Tuscan Kale Caesar can be found here.
BATH & BODY WORKS SUGAR SCRUB - If your skin is starting to feel a little short of reptilian at about this point, this is just the thing to make your dry winter skin do a disappearing act, while indulging a bit in the bath or shower. I've always used Origins in the past, but have found recently that Bath and Body Works offers an essential oil sugar scrub (in varying scents) that is just as wonderfully moisturizing and pampering as anything else and comes with a lower price point. I've been using the Lavender Vanilla, which is cozy and warm. Next up to bat for me is their new fragrance, Vanilla Verbena.
RUMCHATA - You will want to walk ... no, run to the nearest store to get more of this stuff once you try it. Caribbean rum blended with cream and cinnamon, and vanilla, this is enough to melt away any winter blahs. It's what you would drink if it snowed in the Carribean - kind of like a mini vacation in a glass. Make sure you check out all of the recipes (drink and otherwise) on the official website.
S
·NEW (to me)MUSIC – For me, some new sounds cycling through the
stereo always keeps the indoors from getting
stale. Recently, I’ve found a few
new favorites, both by sister duos, that I have been enjoying thanks to a few 'last minute' iTunes gift cards Jay put in my Christmas stocking. So, I suppose this section is being brought to you by the letter 'J' and the number '1'. ;)
CocoRosie, ‘Grey Oceans’ – This is the most unclassifiable and
beautiful music I’ve come across in a long time. I love how it somehow manages to simultaneously engage my
thoughts, and soothe my nerves.
This is one of my favorite track off the album entitled ‘The Moon Asked the Crow.’ If you like this one, I highly
recommend taking a listen to ‘Lemonade’ as well.
The Pierces, 'Love You More - EP' - Love The Pierces, love their new EP and can't wait to hear the new album, 'You & I', out on March 14th.
ART - Ok, so this one may seem a little more expansive compared to the rest of my list, but there is something escapist and inspiring about seeing a piece of artwork that really speaks to you. For me, a well-done watercolor is usually very soothing; something about the soft edges and color nuances really put me at ease. When you add in a lion fish as the subject of the watercolor, my so-called 'fish nerd' tendencies can't help but become activated, so when I saw a watercolor that my friend's son was working on, I was hooked. Not only is Alex super bright, but it appears that he is very artistically talented as well. Seeing the progression of his piece, and the care that he took to document it really inspired me to want to create something as well; and there is nothing like that spark of inspiration to make the long winter days pass by even quicker.
I hope you enjoy the progression of the piece as much as I did, and also hope that it instills within you the desire to create something of your own -- we've got nothing but time until spring, right? Thanks for sharing Alex!
