Diamond Dragonflies and Art Deco Insects

A couple of years ago - long before I embarked on this ‘I’m going to run my own business and be perpetually poor’ adventure ;0) and could actually spend money on myself - I was wandering around the awesome alleys and laneways of Melbourne when I came across an amazing store – Sine Qua Non.

Unfortunately they don’t seem to have a website, but if you are near the corner of Flinders Lane and Degraves, you will find them, and what you will find inside is a gorgeous Aladdin's cave of jewellery.

I have had the pleasure of visiting – and buying – from this store several times.

My first purchase was a beautiful pair of earrings that I just could not resist!

Speaking with the store owner, he told me that the woman who makes them, Catherine Popesco, got hold of a whole bunch of original 1800s jewellery moulds in Paris and now makes earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches with those same moulds.

A piece of very wearable history.

My second purchase came about because I had to show a friend “this amazing store that is full of things I love”and… well, I found another thing that I couldn’t resist!

I’ve been calling this my art deco dragonfly but I’ve just realised that it is definitely more art nouveau than deco.

This one isn’t a Catherine Popesco, but it sure does make me think of 1800s Paris.

But you know what’s even prettier?!

The real thing…

Photographer David Chambon has captured a series of macro shots of insects covered in morning dew… stunning as any diamond jewellery!

You can find more at his website.

Here is a quick tip to keep your much-loved jewellery looking it’s best… it’s actually something that I already knew but have never actually put into practice… bad Denise!

Make sure that jewellery is the LAST thing that you put on when you are getting ready to go out.

Hairspray and perfume both leave their marks on your jewellery, which was made abundantly clear to me when I grabbed my earrings to take a photo… ick!! Luckily, mine were easy enough to clean as the beautiful Austrian crystals are embedded in a clear resin, but if it was a more intricate design then it would be a much harder job to get the gunk out.

Take my bad behaviour as an example and save your jewellery! :0)

Have a lovely weekend!

Denise xx

A quaintrelle life

I have a new favourite word!

Quaintrelle!

I don’t know how I’ve lived my whole life and never come across this word before.

From Wikipedia… a quaintrelle is a “woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life’s pleasures.”

Sometimes I feel we are all so busy getting through the Monday to Friday that we don’t make time for the things that we are passionate about.

I’m going to find a really pretty font, print out “Quaintrelle” in large letters and stick it on my mirror to remind me not to go through life passively, but rather passionately.

Life isn’t a practice run… as far as we know we only get one go through.

So from now on, although tracksuit and cargo pants are easy, so are skirts, tights and dresses… in fact, a dress is one piece so technically even easier than pants and a top. I am not tracksuit pants!! That’s not who I want to be… (except at the gym). I don’t feel like me when I dress down… I lack zip, vim and vigour when I slop around and don’t take care with my appearance.

I’m not making judgement calls on anyone else and what they choose to wear… I’m simply saying that is NOT how I want to present myself to the world and, more importantly, to me!

So ‘Quaintrelle’ on the mirror is going to be my coach and a life of passion my mantra.

I hope you have had a great – PASSIONATE – week and that more of the same is to come this weekend!

Who is this gorgeous creature, you ask? Why, one Betty White! Now there’s a lady who has lived her life with passion!

Denise xx