Treasury Tuesday – Fruit of the Gods

What is it about pomegranate that is so seductive? Others have thought so throughout the centuries as well, as the pomegranate has been a symbol of abundance and fertility for many cultures. Maybe it's the color, a life giving blood tone or maybe it's that it holds hundreds of tiny seeds, the very start of life and hope. Regardless, it is an inspiring fruit for which this gorgeous treasury was created. Curated by Sinéad from Irish Viking Designs, this collection features some luscious finds, including wire, photographic, and contemporary art. My square button ring "Cinnamon Sally" found herself in this pretty mix too!

To view individual items in this treasury, click here.

Last Week's Treasury Tuesday:

Earth at Play

The Sunday Snag – Asian Influence

This was quite the snag! No, really guys. I've always loved these dresses, but they have never been within my reach financially. But I snagged this one up for $30 on Ebay! The listing said that it was 1930s/40s, but I think that it is probably more of a late 50's or 1960's piece. Shoot, even if it isn't vintage at all, it's still a snag! The fabric is a beautiful silky satin in inky black and the multi colored embroidery runs from the top of the left shoulder, curving all the way down to the hem of the dress. The embroidery is highly detailed and depicts a dragon and a phoenix. I still can't quite believe I own this dress. It is just too beautiful and seems more a piece of art than clothing. 

Once again, I didn't wait until I had my hair or make-up done to snap a photo in it! I just can't help myself. I quickly unwrapped it and put it on. Truth be told, my husband had to help me put it on. This dress is my exact measurements, so it was a rather delicate business to secure it. There is a side metal zipper and hooks/snaps along the bust and neckline. Believe me, this is a "walk and sit pretty" dress, not a dancing dress! No big meals for me in this one! I haven't begun to consider accessories for this yet. I just threw on a pair of modern shoes for the photo. If any of you have suggestions, I'm all ears!

This style of dress is called a cheongsam or qípáo and I gave you an example of a vintage woman wearing one on my Friday Photo Swoon this week. Although the originals are much older, the style most known today (like mine) started in China in the 1920s, but did not became popularized in the West until the 1950s and 60s. The version we are familiar with is a body hugging, knee-length or longer dress with side slits and mandarin collar. From what I can gather through sources like Wikipedia, the dragon and phoenix depicted on mine represent a male (dragon) and female (phoenix) yin and yang. Often, dragons and phoenixes were seen together in weddings symbolizing a blissful marriage. 

Here are two examples of a cheongsam worn by Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly in the 1950s. They are a very similar shape to mine and Taylor's looks to be in a dark colored satin material too. Kelly, always the impeccably elegant, has paired hers with a fur wrap, gloves, and a slicked back hairstyle. Taylor's version is much more casual and somewhat playful with her hair down and a minimal of accessories. I couldn't find specific photo credits, but you can find versions of these photos on Pinterest. I do know that the photo of Grace Kelly was at an awards show (possibly a Golden Globe?).                                                                                                          

Last Week's Sunday Snag:

Boudoir Bellini

Saturday Shop Talk – Paradise of the East

"Paradise of the East"

Personality: The Fortunate and Fruitful 
Places you'll find yourself: Enjoying all the gifts of friends and family that life has graciously given 

This golden pendant was made from an antique metal button depicting flowers and bamboo. The background surface has a beautiful brushed texture that enhances the light and the relief. 

View my entire shop here.

Yesterday's post, Beijing Beauty, set the tone for an Asian inspired weekend. Stay tuned for tomorrow's Sunday Snag, where you'll get to see an addition to my closet that I'm super excited to share with you!

Last Week's Saturday Shop Talk:

Of Fans and Fantasies

Friday Photo Swoon – Beijing Beauty

{Image via Smitten Kitten on Pinterest}

This classic beauty is kicking off an Eastern inspired weekend for me. She is just the first lovely intro into a fun Saturday Shop Talk and Sunday Snag, so stay tuned! 

Judging by the furnishings and her outfit/style, I would say this photograph was shot in the late 1950's to early 1960's. The dress style is a cheongsam or form fitting Chinese dress that altered a bit as it moved West and became popular here. Come back on Sunday for a fuller description of this style and its history. 

Don't you just love her elegant look? The floral sateen of her dress softens the quite masculine decor she's photographed in. I also particularly like the tiny fan like detail at the neck clasp of the dress that accents her face and bobbed haircut. 

Last Week's Photo Swoon:

Fan the Flame