Around Town - The Griffith Observatory

What's the second most fun thing that you can do in the evening in Los Angeles for free?
Yep, you guessed it

Last night I was fortunate enough to have a private tour of the Griffith Park Observatory, which has just celebrated its 75th anniversary. Even if the city sky was so ridden with fog that the telescope was useless, I could still enjoy observatory's exhibits amid the 1935 Art Deco architecture.
Apparently winter has started already in Southern California so it was time to drag out the winter wardrobe.  Naturally, I managed to action some jewelry that would work with my wool cardigan and skirt in jewel tones of ruby and sapphire.
So voila, the photo. Yes it is me at the event in my chunky faceted ruby bead necklace. Does the photo look a bit odd,  but I've been photoshopped onto a photo with a different vista from the observatory.  I liked this background better because you can see the Hollywood sign in the background.
(Question: as long as I was photoshopping myself, why didn't I make myself taller, thinner and younger like a Rlaph Lauren model?)

Well anyhoo, here's the jewelry

Chunky ruby beads, funky ruby earrings and a vintage Concord diamond watch. It worked.

Also, not to be missed at the Griffith Observatory, the Light of the Valkyries show at the planetarium set to the music of Wagner's Ring, that was created to coincide with the Ring Cycle that was presented by the LA Opera.

Lindsey Lohan Channels Grace Kelly in Vanity Fair

It's cold and damp and drizzling outside and guess what...
I am happy

Look what came in the mail today
I've been anxiously waiting for the October issue of Vanity Fair to arrive so that I could let you know that some vintage jewelry from Beladora2.com made the Grace Kelly inspired Lindsey Lohan photo shoot styled by Jessica Diehl.
OK, so Beladora2 did not make the cover shoot
but we are more than thrilled to be in this sensational two page photo by Norman Jean Roy.

Here's the bracelet

Cultured Pearl and Diamond Bracelet in 14K from Beladora2.com $1250

Here's another simple yest elegant bracelet that was also used in the shoot

Cultured Pearl and Gold Bead Bracelet in 14K from Beladora2.com $265

So please, if you don't subscribe to Vanity Fair, pick up a copy or borrow a copy from a friend so that you can see these gorgeous photos.

Getting Zighy With It

With pleasant memories my vacation in Cabo San Lucas still lightly hovering in the back of my mind, I happened to find these photos on a blog post.
Aha I thought to myself.  While the One and Only Palmilla was all lush, green and tropical,
was this the kind of  desert meets the sea environment that I was really looking for in Mexico?

Warm dry air, check
clear blue water, check
sparse rocky hills, check
empty beaches, check
Where in Baja California is this lovely hotel?

Well, as it turns out, this rocky resort is not in Baja at all 
This magical place is the Six Senses Hideaway on Zighy Bay in the Sultanate of Oman and posted by Nouf from Saudi Arabia, a beautiful blogger with a sophisticated sense of style, on her Boho Mode blog.
I will add it to my long list of places to visit.
Now....if I can only find some clients in the Emirates to give me a reasonable excuse to go there....

Music Appreciation - From Chopin to Hendrix

I adore the music articles in the WSJ Life & Culture section
Last week I was all about Chopin's Preludes
Chopin's Small Miracles - Despite their brevity the Preludes loom large musically
You might like the very fast
Prelude Op. 3 by Chopin master, Ivo Pogorelich
or the forceful 
Prelude Op. 15 by Maurizio Pollini
or the long and longing
Prelude Op. 45 by Ivo Pogorelich 
Yes, Pollini probably plays the Preludes better but he just isn't as romatical as Pogorelich, is he.

This week I'm on to other music entirely
String Quartet Does Hendrix - Turtle Island's new album is  a tribute to his genius

Here is more about the group going Hendrix


I'm pleased to see classically trained musicians having an appreciation of Hendrix

Mixed Messages From Vogue - I'm So Confused

Is Vogue style schizophrenic?

Vogue.com gives us the August Best Dressed List including these two images of Leigh Lezark, whoever she is and Beyonce.

Are these the kind of clothes that you have to wear to make it to Vogue's Best Dressed List?

And then we have the Classic Revival in the Vogue print issue featuring these 1960s -1970s inspired looks, clean lines, reasonably sized ladylike bags, tasteful good jewelry.

Why is Vogue all over the place?  

Doesn't Anna Wintour have a clear fashion vision or is she trying to be everything to everyone?

BTW, I'm thrilled that we are finally moving back towards classic styles, although there is nothing elegant about those chunky heeled yellow shoes.

Is anyone besides me getting a Ali McGraw 'The Getaway' - Faye Dunaway 'Thomas Crown Affair' vibe from these fashions?