Monday, April 11, 2011

Turquoise, diaNoche and the Sahara

{beads are about the size of a dime each - hand-faceted natural Arizona turquoise with no dyes or stabilizers}
When I saw this strand of turquoise beads in New York City last month I though of Veronica El-Showk, who writes the beautifully written blog diaNoche Living.

I had to buy these stunning blue beauties! They fit right in with the Spring and Summer fashion trends Veronica has been writing about recently...
{a diaNoche mood board showing Nile Blue as one of the swatches. From left to right:  Roberto Cavalli, Oracle Fox. }


Veronica posts on art, fashion, travel and interior design. Her latest posts have info she gleaned from a recent fashion trade show in Las Vegas on color forecasts for Spring and Summer '11 and '12. Here's an snip from diaNoche Living on the trend "Romantic and Adventurous Bohemian":

"...Think: Skin, suede, all about detail with a little bit of shine, animal print, safari animal, military detail with a pop of color, soft sand pink, peachy nudes, aqua sanded blues, beaded crochet, long, layered, dramatic, ethnic patterns, with wood, bone and metallic details..."

Blue in varying hues show up all over the upcoming Spring and Summer trends as a wonderful accent shade. Adore the pop of the blue necklace on the model wearing the white dress on the diaNoche mood board above!
{diaNoche Casablanca shirt with matte gold silkscreen print}



Veronica introduced diaNoche's apparel line recently, and here's one of her beautifully made shirts. Veronica and her husband Hedeer are world travelers, and there is a strong arabesque influence in her work as well as influence from her Colombian heritage. Look at the beautiful faceted details in the print on the shirt. They are so similar to the faceted shapes of my beads! I love it!

...Now, I have a confession to make. I used to subscribe to all the fashion magazines. I work in a fashion business, after all. But two years ago I let all the subscriptions drop. I enjoy fashion, but the magazines never made me feel uplifted, happy or inspired. 

They always left me feeling a bit sad. I can't put my finger on it exactly. The constant self-help and plastic surgery articles? Pouty underage models in layouts where I couldn't really see the clothing?  Pretty images that seemed vapid once I put the magazine down?
{The beautiful Veronica surrounded by the sands of the Sahara, Morocco}
It's blogs like diaNoche Living that have made me fall in love all over with fashion again. There is a passion and authenticity in Veronica's blog that I found lacking in the magazines. I'm inspired again.

Here's a  quote from Veronica's post "Sahara Sunset", one of my favorites:

"Because there is zero humidity [the Sahara sand] skims off  your skin and gives way to any form of weight or pressure.  It is simultaneously heavy and light and moody during sunset.  At first you find yourself in a sea of  Aperol that intensifies by the minute and then before you know it, it cools down to a soft pink that gives the scarce shrubs a silver hue.  Once the sun has dipped below the horizon, the grey sky turns the sand a gentle neutral amber color..."

Too dreamy! I will be sure to show what I dream up with my turquoise beads, soon. And, take the time to see Veronica's full line of clothing here!

Loretta

14 comments:

  1. Always been a huge fan of turquoise and I wear it with lots of different colors. Can't wait to see what beauties you create with these!
    xo Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I lived in Arizona for sixteen years and got a little sick of turquoise myself but it's appealing to me again....make some fabulous earrings for summer! That model for diaNoche is none other then our Lauren Liess from Pure Style Home and they have some fabulous things! Happy Monday Loretta!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How wonderful to learn about Veronica's blog....I love fashion, so I will check this out!

    Being from Dallas and lots of time in Santa Fe...turquoise is a favorite of mine. I seem to wear it more in the summer now that I live in NY.

    Hope you've had a wonderful day!
    xo Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loretta,

    Thank you! Your words and support mean so much to me. I love how you take the time to really see things and cherish them. Visiting your blog always inspires me and puts a smile on my face so I'm especially thrilled to hear mine brightens yours as well.

    I couldn't help but laugh reading the part on fashion magazines because I know exactly how you feel. When I start feeling that way I like to take a step back and go back to the basics instead of getting caught up in the chase for perfection. Those turquoise stones are exactly those special details that I love about fashion: something beautiful that you can wear and make a part of yourself. Congrats on finding those little treasures and thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Veronica's blog is just as fabulous as she is, she is beyond talented and has such a detailed eye for all things beautiful.
    btw, love the turquoise stones, i bought some white turquoise last year and made two necklaces from it that i just adore. can't wait to see what you make!

    ReplyDelete
  6. that turquoise piece is divine! now off to veronica's blog, thanks for the introduction
    xx
    debra

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOVE those beautiful turquoise beads!! And will most definitely have to check out Veronica's blog. Thank you for the introduction!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Loretta I just love this the images and the quots! I will go check it out!!

    Come and enter my very fashionable giveaway!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  9. turquoise is my fav color! beautiful images!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those beads are gorgeous, what is it about that colour that makes you instantly happy? Also what a gorgeous and talented designer, that top is incredible, so interesting, am heading over there right now!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like turquoise oh so much. These are just so pretty. Thanks for the link to Veronica's blog. Always love your posts!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. In love with those turquoise beads..the color and facets are amazing! After reading this, I feel I have to check out this fashion blog...thanks for the intro!

    ReplyDelete
  13. There is nothing better than a good turquoise necklace. I think it looks beautiful in the Spring and Summer.
    Have a wonderful weeekend full of bright colors and happiness!
    Xo,
    E&J

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Tuquoise and last year a dear friend gave me a stunning necklace and I aslo love Veronica and her blog is so chic as are her t-shirts. I happen to own one that I one and love it, so light and the fit is "sexy" paired with jeans.
    pve

    ReplyDelete

A comment? I'm so happy to hear from YOU!