Sparklers and Shine for the Holidays

The holiday season will soon be here and everything will be in full BLING.

Sparkly lights on trees,
Candles glowing in windows
Jackets and dresses with lots of sparkles and shimmer
My favorite of course - rhinestone jewelry.

When I was young, I never appreciated the jewelry of the 1940's and 1950's.  I didn't think about the craftsmanship or beauty, being too young to have the fine appreciation.  I find the history of jewelry so interesting.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Hollywood inspired a demand for gorgeous gowns and costume jewelry - it was the glamour era.  Coro and Trifari were the pre-eminent American costume jewelers of the 1940's successfully imitating Art Deco (my favorite era) precious jewels.  Albert Weiss learned to design and make costume jewelry at Coro and in 1942 he founded the Weiss Company.

Available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SVintageCollection

Joan Crawford, a famous Hollywood actress helped to popularize Miriam Haskell's designs which by some are considered an art form.  Louis Kramer founded Kramer Jewelry creations and created glistening, exuberant designs.  Lisner, another top designer was known for their much-loved aurora borealis rhinestones.

The next time you look at a vintage designer's jewelry - take a better look.  Notice the shape of the stones, the glisten, the prong sets, the clasps; just like old homes, they just don't make them like that anymore.

My recipe is from the glamour era   This salad just like vintage jewelry is now very much in fashion.



Classic Wedge Salad

Take the outer leaves off an iceberg head of lettuce.
Do not core
Cut in half and then half again or as small as a wedge as you would like.
Top with crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes and chopped green onions
Dollop creamy blue cheese dressing on top.