Makes me laugh...

Makes me smile...

... the real Maya and Ruhi.

Umrao Jaan

Umrao Jaan is a Bollywood film, first made in 1981, then re-made in 2006. The first features Rekha (above), and the latter, Aishwarya Rai (below), as the famous and ill-fated Lucknowi courtesan, Umrao Jaan.

The story of Umrao Jaan is set in 1840, and begins with a little village girl named Amiran, who is kidnapped and sold to a brothel. Unlike the usual unfolding into abuse and torture, Amiran is well taken care of and schooled carefully and painstakingly in the arts. She grows up into a beautiful young woman, highly skilled in the seduction of, and entertainment to men.

Unlike any other prostitute, Amiran is a courtesan who is cultured in the fine arts and can hold her own in intellectual conversations, spout classical song and poetry, and hypnotise her audience with her every insinuation in dance. After her debut at a high society wedding, Amiran is renamed Umrao Jaan. From there, her life is an ensuing roller coaster ride of events fit for a riveting watch. Even if it is 3 hours long!

I have not seen the 1981 version, but I was completely bowled over by the new one with Aishwarya Rai. The set, the costumes, the choreography, the directing, and not to mention, the jewellery! Absolutely stunning, and totally breathtaking.

The movie was filmed in Jaipur, Land of the Mughals, famed for their artistry, poetry, and yes, courtesans. If you ask me, it's a must-see. If not for a great story, then for a peek into the ostentatious refinery and awe-inspiring sophistication of the Mughals.

The Klimt earrings

The Klimt earrings are inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt, one of my favourite artists of all time.

Gustav Klimt (b.1862, Vienna – d.1918) was a forerunner of the Art Nouveau movement which was inspired by Naturalism, Realism and Symbolism. Some of his most acclaimed works are those in which he employed gold leaf, with tendril elements, the mosaic form and clever juxtapositions of realist portraits with abstract graphic elements.

The Klimt earrings pay homage to the visionary talent of this great master. With structured swirls, fluid lines and a mosaic of stones, the Klimt earrings are wearable art, in honour of and tribute to the great Gustav Klimt.




I really have to get down to making more of these. They're so elegant, cool, funky, and (I have been told), very very flattering. ;)

I will survive

Seriously, it was the last thing I wanted to do: take a 20-minute walk to the yoga centre for and hour and a half's session of yoga. But I have had one yoga teacher say to me, "The more you don't want to go, the more you should go." Basically the more resistance you feel, the more your body actually needs the stretching and the exercise. Makes sense.

In all the yoga sessions I have had, all the positions that are supposed to be stimulating and energy-giving, have always sent me straight to bed around an hour later. I swear, I come home from yoga sessions, and I can hardly keep my eyes open. I suppose yoga just helps to loosen things up, so that my body can recognise what it really needs, which is probably something as simple as solid, deep, undisturbed sleep.

And now, I will pull another late night, because of the power nap I had after today's yoga. Which means tomorrow will be another god-awful morning.

And so the cycle begins again...

Chic and Unique wedding

I recently had a customer purchase these

to go with this.

I am just so excited because it's for her wedding! My signature Chic and Unique hoops are by far the bestsellers. But to pair the super-bling purple hydrothermal quartz with this gorgeous, and oh-so-unique wedding dress... That's just SO exhilarating!

Late nights = missed mornings

The past couple of mornings had gone missing. I have been sleeping so late that I have to go back to sleep after I wake up! Basically I peel myself out of bed when the alarm goes off at 5.30am, see Maya off to school, comeback, then see Ruhi off to school, come back, kiss the hubby goodbye, then I go back to sleep for a couple of hours!!

On the other hand, my nights have been quite productive. After the kids go to bed, I keep one eye glued to the Style Network, and the other on whatever project I am working on. Until about 1 am.

I'm just not sure if this is a good system. 'Coz tomorrow morning, I have a yoga lesson, and I am wondering how I am going to survive that... :(

On my Lust List...

I just can't get over how super-cute these are! Custom-made positive affirmations, that only you can see, in the mirror!! It's just a matter of time before I get myself one of these, I swear. Lovingly handmade by Ela & Company.

A Muse

Frida Kahlo. Born in 1907 in Mexico, and rose to artistic fame for her inimitable style and relentless ambition to express her political satires, her art and her Self.

And she was a Vogue cover girl too.

How. Cool. Is. That?

Rings and things

Moonstone, Banded Agate, Howlite

Chrysoprase

Amethyst

I have had a recent spate of interest in the my wrapped rings... :)

I suppose statement jewelry is in this season, and with the dank economy and people generally in shopping doldrums, these huge, organic pieces are cunningly uber-cool. No fuss, back-to-basics rock formations, boho chic wirework.

Hmm... yummy.

Forced holiday

Amidst all the madness of having to complete over 60 orders, and running out of material, having the supplier make a super boo-boo with my order, I have also had to take the real Maya and Ruhi to Phuket...

Wallpaper lovelies

Gorgeous tote bags...

... super-unique necklaces...

...oh-so-chic lampshades, pretty notebooks, classical-looking reusable lunch bags, and lovely, lovely wallets. All from vintage wallpaper! You gotta check them out at drawflowers.

dooce.com

I am inundated with orders at my Etsy shop, and I have this super blog to thank. My signature Chic and Unique Hoops, with turquoise, were featured in yesterday's entry.

Heather's blog has a huge following, and the traffic it has generated to the shop is PHENOMENAL. Do check out her site, 'coz she has lots to offer. Style tips, home decor ideas, interesting web finds... pretty addictive stuff! ;)

Andy McKee

My all-time fave. And he's so cute too, no? Nyes...

Enjoy!

The Wedding Party Set

This set was commissioned for a client to wear for her wedding reception. It's a rather diva-esque look for a very sweet young thing, but I think therein lies the fun of it. She is pairing this with a striking turquoise dress and deep pink peep-toe heels. How sexy is that!

A wall of amethysts, Swarovski pearls, onyx and vermeil accents, dripping with pink sapphires... so gorgeous, and so luxe. My client has very kindly agreed to let me publish her wedding pics of her with the set on. So watch this space! ;)

On my Lust List...

Just how cute are these? I'm thinking of getting a bunch of these to let sit around the house...

Now why would anyone want a bunch of stones with writing on them, you say? I don't know, but they so utterly romantic, completely sentimental, and undeniably cute.

These are available at sjengravings.

*sigh*

Chunky bangles

These are my new thing-to-do. It's a stray away from my normally 'olde worlde' style, but I really like how these are so modern looking yet so organic.

First I use a long stretch of wire to forge two bangles, and then I strap on the flat stones to secure the two bangles into one thick one.

The clean lines juxtapose the lovely natural bands of the stone, and I just got my hands on a whole bunch of lovely flat stones... ;)

These are available at my Etsy shop now.

Blackadder is the best

If you have never watched Blackadder, you must. So clever, so sharp, so dry. I end up in stitches no matter how many times I've watched it... Here's an excerpt from my fave episode, Ink and Incapability.

Incidentally, yes, that is Mr. Bean, and the moody and caustic Dr. House. Enjoy!

So much for tidying up...

Do you think, maybe, I should, perhaps...

... tidy up?

Nyes.

Bedtime story

So I just came out of the room from telling Those Two a bedtime story. Tonight I was compelled to share with them (my impromptu version of) Romeo and Juliet. After 15 minutes of storytelling, Maya looks at the clock and says "That was 15 minutes, but it felt like half an hour", and Ruhi says "What's his name again? Roneo??"

:S...

Getting down

OK. Today, I will be super-productive. I have to make up for the fact that I am skipping yoga class. It MUST not be futile. Despite the fact that These Two are home from school from having a bad cough and low-grade fever. They entertain Them Two Selves anyway...

OK. I am going to work.

Catching up...

Somehow I have gotten behind on my orders. Plus there are so many new things going on in my head that I want to sit down and materialise... Argh.

On one hand, I think I might be more productive if I were more organised. But then again, to get organised will take too much, well, organising. Then I'd be spending my time organising and not getting any work done! Right!?

Argh.

Change in agenda...

I originally started this blog to showcase my jewelry. Since then I have found that the process of blogging is not ideal to the purpose of showcasing, so am now going to use this space in a more, well, true to form, way.

From now on, this will be where I "think aloud", so to speak. Let's see if this catches on...