I always love when January arrives! Aren’t the holidays stressful? Not a fan. Wish more people admitted this, however, I do love the energy of New York City during the holidays. I used to set goals for January for many years. I realize that if you set too many goals, you’re setting yourself up for failure by risking being overwhelmed. So if I could leave you with one little piece of advice for the New Year: set one goal at a time spread out over 3 months. Then add.
THE ADVENTURINE
PRESS
I am very excited about some recent press coverage that came out. One of my favorite jewelry websites, The Adventurine by jewelry historian, author and expert, Marion Fasel, included me as “one of six designers who will be huge in 2018!” Wow, what an honor, and I am truly overwhelmed to be included in such great company. You can read the full story here.
MARBLE
MONTHLY INSPIRATION
From the time I was little, marble excited me. Weird? Maybe. I grew up in a pretty formal home built in the 1920’s and the entryway had a marble foyer floor (which FYI is never ever practical especially when it rains or snows, or when you decide that “sock ice skating” is a good idea). As a creative kid, I would actually sit on that floor often and pay attention to the veins of color running through the marble and the crystals within it and be fascinated with the variation and how each square was different. It was Kelly Wearstler’s work at The Four Seasons (formally Viceroy) in Anguilla where I saw a book matched marble slab. I incorporated this into my own design work, and it’s why I am attracted to Agate and why it’s such a big part of my collection. I spend hours and hours finding the perfect part of the rough agate to include in my pieces based on color and pattern. I love that each one is different and while the overall design of the piece is the same, you’re always getting something unique.
MIAMI BEACH
TRAVEL
My husband and I wanted a quick trip during the mayhem of December and decided on a get away to Miami to celebrate our anniversary (6 months late). I have always been inspired by the beautiful Art Deco architecture in the city. We opted for a short domestic flight and flew to the Fort Lauderdale airport. I recommend flying from Newark or White Plains and never fly to the Miami airport. It always feels chaotic and congested. After a quick and easy flight and 30 minute Uber ride, we arrived at the gorgeous new Four Seasons at The Surf Club. Not sure about you, but unless I am having a girls trip, I have zero tolerance for the loud house music and scene at some of the South Beach hotels, so this was the perfect spot for us. You can read a little history of The Surf Club here (include a link to click to the below copy).
The rooms were gorgeous, the beds were very comfortable, the pool setting was great (it was a very quiet and cool weekend, so I can’t speak to a busier time), and the people were all incredibly nice, though service was spotty (this was more at breakfast and lunch). The location was somewhat far from South Beach (about 20 minutes) — we were happy relaxing at the hotel but could have easily gone in their house car if we wanted to venture out. We ate locally as per the hotel’s suggestions and highly recommend Atlanktikos at the St. Regis Bal Harbour for Greek food. Delicious! The hotel’s restaurant, Le Sirenuse for breakfast and lunch was just okay in my opinion. In fact, their room service breakfast and lunch was much better. The dinner experience at Le Sirenuse was much better, like stepping back into the 30’s, so of course I loved that. The service was wonderful, the presentation was absolutely beautiful, and the food was very good. Overall, it was an incredibly peaceful, relaxing few days and for all the fun South Beach evenings I’ve had over the years, I didn’t miss being in the middle of that one bit!
WINTER SKI LOOKS
FASHION
1.Prada Faux Fur Padded Jacket 2. Sorel Women’s Out N About Faux-Fur Lux Booties 3. Fendi Roma Striped Ski Pants 4. Sofia Cashmere Metallic Knit Fur-Pom Beanie 5.Madeleine Thompson Sweater 6. Portrait Cut Diamond Earrings 7.White Gold Tiny Scale Studs with White Diamonds 8. Empire Ring With South Sea Pearl and Diamonds 9. Empire Ring with Black Onyx and Diamonds
CULTURE
DOCUMENTARIES
I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such talent every day in New York City. More importantly, I feel so lucky to be surrounded by strong, creative, smart and powerful female entrepreneurs. Recently, I saw two documentaries (have I mentioned I have always wanted to make a documentary), by two good friends, and I was blown away by how amazing they are.
BOMBSHELL: If you don’t know much about Hedy Lamarr, she is not your typical old-Hollywood actress. This documentary is about the life and career of the acclaimed Hollywood movie star and underappreciated genius inventor. Hedy was hailed as the most beautiful and glamorous in the world. However, that was only the surface that tragically obscured her astounding true talents. Foremost of them was her inventive genius that a world blinded by her beauty could not recognize as far back as her youth in Austria with her homemade gadgets. This film explores Hedy’s life, which included escaping a loveless marriage on the eve of Nazi Germany’s conquest of her nation to a new career in Hollywood. However, her intellectual contributions were denied their due even when she offered them in the service of her new home during World War II. Only after years of career and personal decline in her troubled life would Hedy learn that her staggering aptitude created brilliant engineering concepts that revolutionized telecommunications, which forced the world to realize the hidden abilities of a woman it had so unfairly underestimated.
I am not going to say much more except this movie speaks to the way women have evolved over time (still WAY more evolving to do). The fashion and jewelry is gorgeous, the story while at times is funny and uplifting, is also sad and frustrating. It is just so many things — I adored it!
STEP: This new documentary follows the senior year of a girls’ high-school step dance team against the background of inner-city Baltimore. As each one tries to become the first in their families to attend college, the girls strive to make their dancing a success against the backdrop of social unrest in the troubled city. Going into the lives of these women and seeing their hurdles just to graduate high school to me is what stuck out the most in this movie? More importantly, how being a part of something is so instrumental in a young woman’s life to achieve success. The passion and love that the educators have for these women is inspiring. And of course, the dancing is amazing and speaks to me as someone who danced for 18 years.
BRAVO to my friends Alex and Amanda- you’re inspiring women every day and you should be very proud!
As always, we are here for you for anything you need. Whether it’s a custom piece of jewelry, a viewing appointment or even a question about any of my recommendations, please feel free to reach out.
X,
Doryn