She Sells Sea Shells

When I was very little, long before I’d ever set foot on a tropical island, I would lament the end of summer as though it were a dying friend, stealing even the coldest, rainiest days to run along the beach and brave the frigid Atlantic Ocean.

Not much has changed all these years later. I am still stealing every hour the beach has to offer, along with its greatest natural treasures.

The earliest hours are my favorites, and if I had my wares, I’d be up with the sun. This is my favorite time because it is often the calmest. The perfect opportunity for a private stroll, where I always stop to collect sea shells.




The shells themselves of course vary by indigenous location. Some of my favorites are these very perfect and tiny clam-like shells.

Shell jewelry is beyond a doubt the most perfect beach accessory. I have a strong of the most remarkable shells which, despite their varied sizes and shapes, create the ideal bikini co-conspirator.

For centuries, certain cultures believes that shells were gods and embodied mystical powers. I love shells of all colors, but these are the ideal iridescent white, and go with just about everything. Because they’re shell, I never worry about maintenance, sun exposure, perfume, or suntan lotion – nothing is going to penetrate these sturdy suckers! Sea or sand, my shells go where I go.

I recently fell in love with these olive, round shells which nearly, at first glance, look like freshwater pearls. While most shells often signify summer, these weather the seasons, and look as great in a business meeting as they do with a bright summer cocktail.

When I first arrived in NYC 12 years ago, a friend gave me the most beautifully perfect shell. It was a delicate, pure white conch-shaped shell, the kind which, when the mood struck, I could hold up to my ear and attempt to hear the ocean’s mysterious hum. At that time the shell was the most meaningful gift as throughout each and every city move (and there were a lot of them) I carefully packed the paper thin mollusk and carried it from place to place. Apropos, as shells have to make a similar weathered journey of survival before they land on shore.

For so long that shell made a valiant pilgrimage from box to bedside, borough to borough, until it met an untimely domestic demise 10 years after its purchase. While nothing can take its place, I continue to search for shells wherever there’s a water’s edge. And no matter how old I get, whenever I see a conch, I hold it up to my ear, close my eyes, and listen to the sounds of the sea.

Star Light, Star Bright

I grew up on the South Shore of Boston, and my grandparents had a beachfront house on a small island off of Scituate Harbor called Humarock. We spent all of my summers there, and some of my happiest memories began the moment my parents’ car crossed that tiny little bridge and my lungs filled with fresh, salty air. I spent the first two decades of my life initiating summer this way, with long days under the sun, only to be called in by my mother’s insistence to eat or put on a hat (both actions, I assure you, were met with much resistance).

As with most beach towns, there was little to do besides explore, in and out of the water. To the right, was, eventually, the public beach and never of much interest. But to the left were “The Cliffs”, a desolate residential area where the houses braved atop gigantic boulders, and the sandy beach gave way to mossy rocks, and anything and everything the fierce Atlantic Ocean had forced ashore.

The greatest of all currency was sea glass (glass perfectly dulled by the ocean), which we would collect and trade, along with the most beautiful shells and rocks. If we were lucky, we would find a jellyfish, and attempt to save it by tossing it, lovingly, Frisbee-style into the water. And if we were very, very lucky, we would find a starfish.

Here is my lucky friend Christine on a recent trip to Jamaica!

A long, long time ago starfish were considered magical creatures. And with excellent reason. How many other living things possess the ability to regenerate pieces of themselves? It was believed that starfish possessed a connection to the stars in the sky, and the people thought to reside there.

I recently gave four of my favorite girls starfish earrings I made to commemorate the opening of our kids’ tour at The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. The starfish charms themselves are metal and the posts are 14K gold plate to protect sensitive ears like mine.

Shells, seahorses and starfish speak “summer” to me, and I can’t get enough of the three. I have a seahorse necklace that’s very popular, strung with white and aqua glass beads, so beautifully made that they look like real seaglass! This double strand necklace also has clear glass with light green and blue crystals. So pretty!!!

Summer jewelry is so much fun – the brighter the better! I use shells so often in my beadwork. Sometimes throwing them all together in multiple strands, like this glass and shell choker, and long strand shell charmer.

As I was searching for a recipe to include in this post, it came to my attention that there really is such a thing as starfish soup! It doesn’t seem like it would be my personal taste, so I decided, instead, to include this sweet, refreshing summer drink called The Starfish:

· 1 oz. Moët and Chandon White Star
· 1 oz. Lemoncello
· 1 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
· 1 oz. Un-sweet Iced Tea
· 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
· Muddle orange slice and mint leaf in Collins glass.

Rome has no shortage of stars in the sky, but I was lucky enough to stumble into a beautiful side street decorated with star-gazing lights. Just goes to show that there are cosmic connectors the world over, and found in the most unexpected places.

A Pearl Of A Girl

When I was a very little girl, my family took a trip to Disney World, and as a treat we paid a diver $5 to swim down to the bottom of a tank full of clams, pull one ashore, and pry it open in front of us. We understood from the outset that we were not promised a pearl, but my brother and I were lucky enough that each of our clams did in fact contain a pearl. My brother’s, if memory serves, was light blue. Mine was a deep, dark gray, so gray in fact it was nearly black. For thirty years I’ve kept the pearl in its original baggie, and moved it from jewelry box to jewelry box, hoping to one day make something out of it in effort to preserve this precious childhood memory.




There’s much folklore about these glorious treasures of nature, starting with beautiful Venus, who was said to have risen from the ocean on a clamshell, as depicted here in one of my all time favorite images, thanks to the great Botticelli.

Legend has it that pearls are ruled by the moon, can be worn to strengthen the mind, and even help control anger and increase memory. It’s also said that pearls have a calming effect, and my theory on this is that they immediately spark a sense of warm tradition.

It’s understandable that the traditional white pearls aren’t for everyone – and there’s no need for them to be in order to receive all the incredible cosmic benefits of this magical stone. When I saw these hot pink pearls, I knew I need to have them! They’re the perfect three-strand necklace, because they go just about anywhere, yet never allow an onlooker to mistake the wearer for a school marm.

Even white pearls don’t have to be so formal. But losing formality never means you have to give up on elegance. The off-set chocolate and cream colored shells give this white pearl choker a perfect touch of whimsy.

My friend Christine and I are HUGE fans of these delicious yellow pearls – we both own a strand, and every time we wear them people always stop and ask, “Where did you get those???”

I confess to having a pair of coin pearl earrings that I wear with just about everything – everywhere. Coin pearls, as with other freshwater pearls, come in so many fantastic colors.

Sometimes the simplest pearls make the most elegant statement. Here’s a picture of me, modeling a lengthy strand of freshwater pearls with mixed glass crystals. It’s the kind of necklace that can be perfectly accessorized with a formal black clutch, or a Caribbean sunset.

Considering pearls are said to bring wealth, fame, popularity, good health and happy marriages, it’s a wonder why, in these tough times, we don’t see women utterly drenched in them! Maybe I should wear mine more often.

La Noche de Las Chicas!

Girlies, and jewelry, and margaritas – oh my! What better way to spend a May 5th than with some of the coolest chicitas—and frosty drinks—Nueva York has to offer. Watch as I put my eight years of Spanish study to its bestest use in decades – my high school maestro would be so proud!!!

Muchas gracias to our gracious hostess, Christine Seisler, for lending her fun Chelsea apartment and trustworthy blender, both of which made the evening feliz and festivo.

Few people know that Cinco de Mayo originated as more than an excuse to drink obscene amounts of tequila, but rather as the day the Mexican Army won the Battle of Puebla over the French in 1862. It’s said that Americans have appropriated this day and celebrate with more entusiasmo than those who reside in Mexico, which really isn’t at all surprising, as Americans are always looking for a way to combine other country’s victories with alcohol. La manera norteamericana!

And there we all were last night – ready to partake in that great American tradition! In attendance were my dear friend Judy (right), and new dear friend Nell.

Nell went home with a pretty jasper and chestnut necklace, highlighted with tiger eye and even more jasper!

She and Judy had a duel over some very pretty shells which Nell won by channeling the powers of el día de madre.

I have known Kathryn as long as I have been in New York (si, es verdad!) and she always leaves with everyone buzzing, “Quién es esa chica???”

My darling Ericka brought her two sweet friends Diana and Heather, and I can’t get enough of any of these girls. Why do we not hang out more, I ask you???!

And, of course, we all felt so lucky that our very own nearly-eight-months embarazada Phyllis came out for the event! None of us could stop buzzing about her little one, who we’ll all meet within the coming weeks!

The backdrop for the evening was a jewelry party, where girls could purchase pretty things to match their moods.

As the hostess, Christine chose a lovely lavender shell necklace.

Ericka was there also to scope out jewelry for her upcoming nuptials a year from now.

Can you see the bling her betrothed gave her on the other side of the margarita?

Just today I found a recipe for Bobby Flay’s White Peach – Silver Tequila Cocktail, which I am sure (ahem!) I will need quite a bit of practice in order to perfect for next year.

2 ripe white peaches, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/4 cup silver tequila
1/4 cup peach liqueur (recommended: Creme de Peche)
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons simple syrup
Ice cubes
Slice peaches, for garnish
Mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions
Place the peaches in a food processor and process until smooth. Pass through a mesh strainer into a bowl.
Combine the peach puree, tequila, liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve over ice in rocks glasses. Garnish with a slice of peach and mint sprigs.

There’s almost nothing in the world easier than quesadillas. If you don’t believe me, try this recipe below:

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Salsa
Sour cream
Guacamole
Directions:
Heat half of the butter in a large skillet.
Place 1 tortilla in the pan.
Sprinkle both cheeses on top of tortilla. Place the other tortilla on top.
Use a plate, skillet, or pan lid to press down tortilla when cooking.
When one side starts to get a little brown, add remaining butter to pan and flip over to cook the other side.
When cheese is melted, remove quesadilla from pan.
Slice into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

Thanks so much to all of our great girls for making an incredibly rainy night so bright and fun. Viva la cinco de mayo!!! Until next year – adios!

Amazing Agate

In my opinion, no other stone makes more of a statement than amazing agate. Judging from this great feature in Marie Claire’s March issue, they couldn’t agree more.

Agate is characterized by its fantastically bright color, and natural swirling patterns. It can be found in many different kinds of rock, but most commonly unearthed through volcanic rock.

Agate was first unearthed over 3,000 years ago off the Sicilian coast. The Egyptians used this luscious stone as a ceremonial decoration.

What I love most about agate is that, no matter how similar, no two stones are exactly alike. They each have their own distinct footprint, and remind me so much of the inside of a tree trunk. Many years ago, my friend Nicole gave me this pretty brown agate stone, mounted in silver.

Years later I returned the favor, by stringing this hot pink agate with matching pearls and silver beads.

There are so many ways to make a statement with this stone. Here I’ve string a bright blue agate onto gold and indigo glass beads, to create a necklace that’s perfect thrown over a comfy sweater or summer t-shirt.

Agate can be carved into many other shapes, one of my favorite being this “horn” shape. I don’t know if you can tell from the photos, but this stone is the palest pink, but has a vibrancy and an iridescence that makes it glow.

According to legend, agate is believed to be a discerner of truth, and an emotional healing stone. If you believe in astrology, and your astrological sign is Gemini, you should wear agate to keep calm and focused. (No wonder this stone is so hot in these crazy times!!!)

No matter what sign you are, agate is also said to enhance courage, protect against danger, and improve perception. It also protects against insomnia. So wear your agate in perfect truth and – sweet dreams!

Tea for One

Tea and me have a long history. My mother is an avid tea drinker, and I suppose you could say that we lived in a tea soaked household. I can’t remember my fist cup of tea, but I can remember on very special afternoons when my mother would take little me on a trip to Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel for high tea, served in the most perfect flowered china.

When I moved to New York City some years ago, one of the first places I was taken was West Village’s Tea & Sympathy, an authentically English tea spot, where they serve afternoon high tea, complete with finger sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream, and the most delectable fruit jam I’ve ever tasted! They are, by all accounts, a tiny little joint, and I didn’t mind waiting for as long as it took to get a table, and afterward, visit the gift shop next door for PG Tips, Branson pickle, and any other English exports I’d been missing.

I’m Boston born and bred, and I often blame my Beantown heritage for my fascination with tea. There’s hardly any tea incident as infamous at the Boston Tea Party in 1773 when, three ships loaded with tea attempted to port in Boston Harbor. Refusing to pay the tax, the governor of Boston essentially told them to sit there until they were ready to make his demands. And so, on that fated December evening, King George ordered British warships to block any and all ships heading in or out of Boston, blocking the harbor until the tea was paid for. Even though Boston’s trade would be ruined, Boston still refused to pay for the tea! Legend has it that a group of colonists disguised themselves as American Indians and went aboard the ships – and threw the tea into the water. Talk about taking matters into your own hands!

Tea, in its most natural state, is such a beautiful color wheel. When I lived in Sunnyside, Queens, I used to take a trip to the tiny local Lebonese grocer for a small cup of sweet Lebonese tea – the perfect pick-me-up, and something I make at home as a special treat for guests, or just for myself.

Because I love tea so much, many generous folks over the years have given me the most remarkable tea sets and tea pots. It’s tough to choose my favorites, there are so many. (There are so many, in fact, that many of them are in storage!)

This pot was made by Tiffany’s, and though new, has a traditional feel that makes me feel proud to use it.

When I was in Chianti recently, I picked up these delightful, diminutive creamer and sugar bowl, so small they’re best for “tea for one”.

A long time ago a dear friend gave me these antique sugar bowl and creamer. The design is painted in genuine gold! (They’re beautifully paired with my Tiffany pot, don’t you think?)

I loved these tea pot and tea bag charms so much I made earring out of them!

For centuries, tea has been thought as a cure-all for illness. Everyone knows that green tea is loaded with anti-oxidents, but did you also know that black tea has healing properties, too? Tea contains polyphenols known to fight cancer.

This ginger tea recipe is the perfect remedy for an upset tummy (ginger is a fantastic digestive agent). But it’s also remarkably tasty. Give it a try:

4 1/8 slices of fresh ginger
1 small sprig of fresh rosemary or fresh mint, or 2 strips of lemon peel
½ tsp. of honey

Add to a cup of boiling water, and allow honey to dissolve. Voila! Instant goodness. You can even ice it in the summertime.

All I know for sure is that nothing beats a strong cup of tea on a cool spring morning. It’s a soothing drink which never fails to make me feel at home.