The STUFF Sisters

Learned Behavior

They always made the day about loving everyone, not just your lover.

My parents taught us to love Valentine’s Day. And I do.

When my mom got flowers from Ed’s Dainty Corsages on 31st and Cherry from our dad, the three little tow-headed blondes who had climbed into the back seat for the adventure to midtown got single roses wrapped in waxy paper and tied with a curling ribbon bow.

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Unlucky in Love

I have never been lucky in love. I have written a collection of tragic love stories. They are heartbreaking because I love without limits. I throw myself into love wholly and completely. The crashes are devastating.

I have grown hesitant and protective since my last failed attempt. But, I still dream of love stories to be written by me. It takes a certain kind of bravery to keep trying and I like to think I have that type of courage.

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Casey Faces Her Election Frustration

I am buying myself a new piece of jewelry today. I know many of you know I am being completely serious. But, for people who don’t know me as well, let me explain.

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Human Geography

I’ve been intrigued by the concept of what I am calling “human geography” – the mapping of my daily life. I don’t think this is really a science, but I am still going to watch for the minute details that show me my way through my rich, full life.

For the past few months, I’ve been intrigued by the concept of what I am calling “human geography” – the mapping of my daily life. Not just how my car steers itself to Starbucks for my iced black tea, but the way I live in my environments. My desk. My kitchen. My bedside table.

I became mesmerized by my dressing table. So at the end of several weeks, I’ve stopped to snap a photo before I clean. I usually tidy up my room on Sundays. That’s when time stands a bit more still for me.

In the wreckage that remains on that surface, I can clearly see my week. Events. Work. Patron parties. Nights out. Charity luncheons. Sometimes I can see the change of season by the weight and scale of the necklaces left in my wake and not put away.

This week ended with AIDS Walk. I wear my red ribbons sporadically all year long, but, in the week butting up to the Walk, I am daily in my pursuit of conversation starters pinned to my lapel. It works. It’s called awareness for a reason. Clerks at the bank asked if I was walking. My server at Starbucks. A customer.

I don’t think this is really a science, human geography. But I am still going to watch for the minute details that show me my way through my rich, full life.

New Works Arrive by Catherine Weitzman

Today I was thrilled to take photos of new Catherine Weitzman pieces. Her work is incredible. She lives in Hawaii. (Yes, I am jealous.)…

Today I was thrilled to take photos of new Catherine Weitzman pieces. Her work is incredible. She lives in Hawaii. (Yes, I am jealous.) Her work is inspired by the nature that surrounds. She often uses actual leaves, twigs and wildlife finds to cast her designs. Like this necklace.

I also love how she turns little stones and gold into these soft, flowing earrings. They feel amazing in your hands. They are delicate and playful.

This is a new and very interesting combination. Amethyst and aquamarine set in gold vermeil. I like the little gold faceted beads at the top of the stones. It’s the little touches that make her work special.

I would enjoy owning any (or all) of these pieces. But, I must share. So…they are at the store waiting for you.

Bold Beauty

I started wearing reading glasses about a year ago. And I have noticed I have been wearing more and more jewelry at one time lately. Do you think when I grow up I can be as bold and beautiful as Iris Apfel?

I scanned this photo from the October 2009 issue of American Style Magazine.

Iris Apfel is an amazing woman that you can read more about in the New York Times here.

Organizational Freak

I am an organizational freak. I could spend days just organizing stuff. No joke. Ask anyone I know. I actually put my toothbrush back in the same exact spot everyday. This blessed gift (I am choosing to be positive about this quirk since it doesn’t warrant medication) comes with a love of hardware stores, art stores, office supply stores and paper warehouses. So last week, when these little wooden trays arrived at the store, I was short of breath all afternoon.

I even worked the staff into a dither last week with my uncontained joy.

Aren’t they cool? Don’t you just want a giant stack of them? Won’t they solve all your organizational needs? Won’t your neighbors and friends be amazed at your new sleek and tidy shelves, drawers, desktop and cabinets?

oohhhhhhh. ahhhhhhhh.

Okay, okay I am calming down…

Just one more for the road! It’s like organizational porn.

Summer Blues

I am on “re-entry” from vacation. I was missing the bright blues of Florida today. I found them cheering me along from all over the store. Here are few.

: Summer blues surround me at work.

Into the Wild

This morning we had a mag-a-lanche in our office. The pile of magazines I keep stacked next to my desk slid over and made it impossible for us to get in and out of our office. Something had to be done.

My sister, Sloane, and I share magazines. The mags she passes to me are often sprinkled with post-its that point out “don’t miss” finds or interesting articles. I do the same to her in reverse. As I worked my way through the pile this morning – digging my way out of our office – I peeked at a few tempting stickies popping out.

This treasure was marked in a Veranda issue from months ago. This gecko bracelet by Chopard’s is going on my “must have one day” list immediately. It makes me wish I was dating a fantastically romantic guy who was smart, witty, responsible and fabulously rich so I could I slip this hint into his dresser drawer for Valentine’s Day.

Maybe next year?

Casey

Hopeless

I am hopelessly in love with jewelry. It wouldn’t be fair to say I have a favorite jewelry artist, since looking at my dresser top filled with a mess of this past week’s choices tossed in a clump – all a jumble – reveals that I clearly don’t play favorites.

I will say, however, that Jes MaHarry is a remarkable artist. Her work speaks to me.

I believe she is one of America’s finest craftspeople. I believe her work will be studied, written about, collected and shown for many generations to come.

And I know that none of that matters. Because it is clear to me that Jes was called to create each piece as strongly as I was called to discover the ones that I own. It is in this connection that I find the beauty of collecting her work.

Casey