Everything Old Is New Again

Anne Hathaway photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue

I'm rather loving this photo of Anne Hathaway a la Holly Golightly in Vogue, and not so much for the jewelry.  I'm rather enamored of the updo.  It's a such a clean classic look and particularly flattering if you want to emphasize your clothes, your jewelry or your swan like neck....on second thought maybe this look needs to be reserved for those under 30.
Still, I would love to get all dressed up this weekend with big blingy brooch in my hair.

like this Mid-Century Chaumet Diamond Brooch in Platinum
You don't think that the diamond hair ornament would be over the top for a Saturday night soiree, do you?

Jewelry Biz - It Takes A Thief...Or Two

Amazing is correct.
In the news
Ring worth nearly $700,000 taken by savvy thieves

Two well-dressed men walk away with Cartier store's most expensive one

ROME — Police are trying to track down two men who stole a Cartier store's most expensive ring, but one thing is clear: the bilingual, elegantly attired thieves were savvy. 

Without pulling a weapon, the two men walked off with a 500,000 euro ($693,000) diamond-encrusted ring Tuesday evening from Cartier's store on Via Condotti, a toney shopping street near Rome's Spanish Steps, police said.

Talk about messing up the 'Know Your Client' rule!

But I truly do feel sorry for the poor saleswoman who got totally bamboozled by these elegantly attired gentlemen I mean cheeky thieves, speaking Arabic and French.  

She probably thought that they were Saudi royals and that she was on to making the big sale of her year.

Around Town - The Santa Monica Vintage Expo

After years of following Mary Kincaid's Zuburbia blog, I was pleased to finally get a chance to meet Mary last weekend at the Vintage Clothing Expo show in Santa Monica. 
Mary is a specialist in vintage clothing with the eye of a museum curator.  She can spot a Lilly Ann, a Suzy Perette, a Galanos, a Ceil Chapman or just about any other classic American fashion designer at a distance.  Her blog is highly informative with posts about vintage designers, where to shop for vintage items, vintage picks of the week and a weekly eBay round up. 

So, not only does does this busy woman blog, she has an online boutique where each item in her vintage collection is hand picked for its special design aesthetic. 

I'm really excited for Mary because she will soon have her vintage clothes featured on 1stDibs...and if that isn't a recipe for success, then I don't know what is.

(perhaps Beladora will be invited to join the 1stDibs crew one of these days...........)

Around Town - Dinner and the Scene at BOA Steakhouse

So where do you go for a family dinner on a drizzling Saturday night to soak up the LA scene?

The answer of course is the sleek and sexy BOA Steakhouse on Sunset Boulevard

The menu was basic and straightforward, american cuts of steak and potato type of side dishes, except of course for the de rigueur Kobe and Waygu beef, which all respectable restaurants seem to have to serve now.  The wine list was extensive.  The service was helpful and friendly.

But let's face it, you don't go there for the food.  You go there for the scene

and sitting at the front table, there was quite a scene to be seen especially in the loungy bar.

Would I go back there, probably not except maybe for the chocolate hazelnut cake, which was delicious.As

Also, it might be nice in the summer months, when you can sit outside on the terrace.

But I could happily skip the bar scene which seemed to consist mostly of hipsters and hookers.
The LA demimonde, if you will.

(I wish that I had taken a photo of that not so young curvy brunette in the turquoise sequin halter style top, uncovered midriff and white jeans with sparkle playboy bunny logos on the back pockets, I kid you not.  Who wears that on a rainy October night?)

As usual I wore my typical conservative outfit of which nothing was new and most was really old.

A Ralph Lauren black label long cashmere long sweater and matching shell in chocolate brown over a Michael Kors wool pencil skirt in heather brown, all purchased 3 years ago (on sale) at Neiman Marcus.

A pair of Patrick Cox pumps purchased in Paris 12 years ago but seldom worn due to the high 4 inch heels.

An alligator belt that had belonged to my husband, and that I had shortened, which had to be close to 20 years old and a vintage alligator clutch by Kleinberg Sherrill that was 25 years old.
Oh, and the scarf, which I believe I bought last winter sometime....in fact it is very likely that I picked it up at Walgreens for maybe $7.99.

Naturally, I wore some old jewelry too.

I'm glad that I went to BOA, just to see what all the hype was about. 

But now it's been there, done that.

I can move on.

Estate Jewelry Look Of The Day - The Victorian Locket

I know that you think that it is all champagne, caviar and chicness chez Beladora.  But some Friday afternoons it is so cold in the office that I just end up with my scarf wrapped turban style around my head.
Don't ask why, it's just how I roll.
OK, enough about me...here is what I wanted to show you.

Antique Victorian Locket Pendant with Amethyst in Silver and Gold from Beladora.com $395

What is really cool about this locket,
aside from the unbelievable price (and don't forget your BHB discount code)
is the fact that it has two Victorian photos on the interior
and the woman in the photo appears to be wearing this very locket.  Click on my link to see the details.
A little bit of living history, non?
OK peeps, have a great weekend.