Volume 6 - Issue 35

December 2004

Welcome to Another Day in Paradise.

It's that time of year again, where we think back on all we've done and where we've come in the past year, what are hopes and dreams are for the coming year...and well, what we want for Christmas too. Being surrounded with beautiful things is an occupational hazard, last month I wanted to buy every painting, this month I'm dreaming of bold silver necklaces.

A dramatic piece of jewelry can change you, how you look, how you feel and how others see you. A discussion with Mercedes, owner with her husband, Mario, of Alberto's jewelry, brought up this point. While we were admiring many of the large, dramatic and beautiful pieces they sell I commented that neither of us were wearing much jewelry. She said, no, she doesn't often wear much jewelry, but when she does people are always quick to compliment her appearance and can't always pinpoint what the change is. We talked about how even a small piece can change your entire appearance, just makes your shine a bit more, we guessed. Jewelry has been worn and worshipped since…well since as long ago as we've been able to dig up about the past. People wore shells and beads before they found diamonds and then gave the twinkling of gems mystical powers, I'm starting to think there is some truth to it. Being bejeweled seems to elicit a reaction, a raising of one's chin. And as for being attracted to it, try walking past a shiny case of silver glinting in the sun, see if you can resist it. It must be a primal thing because humans aren't the only animals who love shiny things, just ask an orangutan. Or try a bit of sparkle for yourself, see if it transfixes everyone who comes in contact with you. Think not that you have to be a certain type of person to wear such pieces, think of the jewelry as making you so. And well, why not, 'tis the season.

Here's hoping you and yours a bright and shiny new year,