Andy Warhol Inspired Ring & Necklace For My Sis

Remember I promised to post some of my elf gifts? One of the unique things about my business Loretta Fontaine Jewelry, is I can incorporate a custom image into any of my designs. So, last December I was busy making a lot of custom commissioned pieces for clients as special holiday gifts.

{My nephew is TOO cute!}

One gift I want to share was based on this awesome illustration my brother Dave did of my little Nephew B. His proud Mom, my dear Sister S, snapped an adorable photo of him with a chin full of carrots, and my brother, (a fantastic San Diego-based Art Director and Graphic Designer), made this Andy Warhol inspired image for her.

{Sterling silver Maria ring - it's resting on tool called a ring sizer}

 ...I used the .jpg file he emailed to create miniature original photographs, (they are printed at a local Pro Lab), and here's the ring I made.

{Sterling silver Triple Maria necklace with lapis, peach agate and green agate beads}

 ... and here's the matching necklace. I chose my Maria design, and the sterling silver necklace reverses to show solid blocks of color to match the beads.

{McKenna travel jewelry box in porcelain blue}

As my sister's Secret Santa, I packaged them all up in a new Pottery Barn jewelry box. Reindeers have relayed news to me that she loves the jewelry and wore it out on New Year's Eve!

I've slowly been getting reports from my clients of the responses (all very good!) to commissioned jewelry that was unwrapped over the holidays! It's such a pleasure to make such special custom pieces, and I hope to share more of them in the future.

Loretta

Happy New Year! (with paper glasses and eyeshadow mustaches)

Welcome 2011!

{Yes, the dress did come from a thrift shop - Doors of Hope in West Sand Lake, N.Y.}

I'm wishing everyone a Very Happy New Year! Here's a pic of husband and I heading to the "DECADES" party on New Years Day (thank you fab host Ann Marie!)

I'm attempting an aloof pose as I would suspect a 70s Diva to do, and my sweetheart is looking THRILLED to wear sideburns and a mustache of brown eyeshadow! With an old sportscoat and tie from my Dad, I though we were quite the 70s pair until he added the Irish fisherman's cap, and then I felt as if I were dating the...

Lennox Air Conditioning pitchman from before the turn of the century!

Seriously, 2011 is so hard to wrap my head around. After the craziness of the holidays, the New Year always feel like a fresh start. I have so many things I want to try in the months to come, I feel as if my head could come undone!

Wishing you a Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year,
Loretta

But What Decade is this Dress?

As this year comes to a close, I'm heading to a New Year's Party where the theme is "DECADES." Partygoers need to dress in any decade they choose. 

I'm a lucky girl - the host of the party sent me a dress to wear as well! I haven't seen her yet to ask anything about this dress, but she volunteers at a thrift shop, so perhaps it came from there.

Now, here's my question: What Decade is this Dress?

A small tag on the side seam tells me the dress was made in East Germany. Made of a knit fabric with the bold diagonal pattern printed on, the only fitted part is two simple tucks on the bodice. The colorful op-art design might place it in the 60s, but because it's so unstructured, I'm guessing the 70s. What do you think?

Loretta

We have a Winner!

{sterling silver Triple Lucy necklace with red, apple green and plum multi, with faceted tourmaline beads}

Congrats and a Happy New Year to the winner of the Fantastic Holiday Jewelry Giveaway - Adrienne!

Loretta

Merry Christmas!

{Naughty or Nice list? They find out today! Son H, Evie and Rosie}

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully this post will pop up on December 25, but no, I'm not hunched over my laptop today. I've scheduled this post a few days back (thank you Blogger scheduled post feature!) and today I'm by the tree with my family enjoying the day.

Why does December seem to fly by faster and faster each year? And why do I never get tired of all the preparations and fun? I'm counting my blessings (including the three above) and wishing everyone a Joyful and Merry day!

Are you the open-all-the-presents-at-once family, or a take-your-time-and-open-one-at-a-time family? ...and did Santa get you what you wanted?

Joy,  
Loretta

(p.s. - Don't forget to enter my Fantastic Holiday Jewelry Giveaway  this month! Winner drawn on December 28!)

Pure Style Home Holiday Inspired Lunch

{the awaited issue!}

Have you seen Lauren Liess's home in the latest Better Homes & Gardens?

Everyone following Lauren's blog Pure Style Home had been waiting patiently for the issue to come out. Her stylish house is featured in "Christmas Present" on page 66, written by Joanna Linberg, produced by Jessica Thomas, and with luminous photography by Helen Norman. Back in February Lauren gave us all a fantastic peek behind the scenes at the photoshoot. Now, we finally see the results!

{Santa, come on over! (photo: Helen Norman)}

Of course, her home looks GORGEOUS decked out for the holidays! Lauren's interior design philosophy of "Pure Style" is based on keeping things simple, happy & beautiful. Her decorations are nature-inspired and kid-friendly - she has two little ones at home!

Lauren's holiday palette inspired a lunch at my home last week... It's not as gorgeous as her home, I know, but I had a great time putting it together:

{My dining room - real snow on the evergreens outside the window!}

I had some friends and a sweet bunch of preschoolers over on a Wednesday. My Pure Style Home inspiration was moss and citron greens, silver and copper, whites, spheres, vintage-look fabrics, warm brown woods, natural objects, and a touch of whimsy.

{my son's toys}

How cute and whimsical are these little wooden toys at the table? Lauren had adorable white polar bears at the holiday place settings in her home.

{A wooden church carved by my great grandfather behind the buffet.}

Pears tied with citron green grosgrain ribbon sit at the buffet. I served kid-friendly food, but I still went with Lauren's colors - coppery brown nuts and pears, bright green grapes and a snowy white coconut cake.

{centerpiece detail - white roses, aloe spears and evergreens}

Pulling off this lunch was so much fun. I started by gathering up all the objects around my house reminding me of Lauren's holiday look. Her style is so natural, effortless and charming, you don't worry about perfection. I know I'm not even close to how stunning Lauren's decorations look - but it was a ball (bad pun- sorry!) trying!

{"...I'm running off to join the others!"}

I never did get the photo of my cute little guests and their parents around the table I envisioned. The kids and my son scarfed down their food then ran off to play with Legos before my camera came out. And they would not come back to pose!

{David, Lauren, and their adorable sons Christian and Justin (photo:Helen Norman)}

A Happy Holidays and huge Thank You to Lauren Liess and her blog Pure Style Home for all the inspiration! In the next few days I'll post on how I pulled everything together: 1.The Table,  2.The Dessert, and 3.The Buffet, so stay tuned!

Loretta

(p.s. - Don't forget to enter my Fantastic Holiday Jewelry Giveaway  this month! Winner drawn on December 28!)

Velvet & Linen Ornament on my tree!

{My new ornament on our blue spruce Christmas Tree}

 I was so excited to get my "Junk Girls" ornament in the mail! It's a giveaway I won from the talented Brooke Giannetti on her lovely blog Velvet & Linen. It traveled from California to New York to find a new home on our Christmas tree. Yes, I squealed when I found out I won! Made from a recycled vintage spoon, I love it!

You can buy these ornaments as well as other gorgeous and unique home goods at Giannetti Home, Brooke's shop in Los Angeles. Brooke and her architect husband Steve also offer Architectural, Interior Design and Landscape services. If you haven't read Brooke's fantastic blog Velvet & Linen, do yourself a favor and try it. Like me, I'm sure you'll have it bookmarked to see what beautiful projects the Giannettis will dream up next!

And if you don't live near Los Angeles? Look here, where you can purchase Giannetti Home furniture (many original Giannetti Home designs) and beautiful home goods online.

Thank you Brooke, and Happy Holidays to you, your husband, and your staff in L.A.! (And if you think the silk roses on my New York Christmas tree look nice, than take a look at the real roses in Brooke's California garden)

Loretta

(p.s. - Don't forget to enter my Fantastic Holiday Jewelry Giveaway  this month! Winner drawn on December 28!)