[mydarling]

Albert Camus

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Happy Chinese New Year! It's the year of the snake afterall...

Victorian enamel brooch, 15K gold dotted with seed pearls seen here

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Illustration of Rococo fashion

From Time Rime

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Backwards And Forwards

2012 was an amazing year. I started Mel Scouts in April 2012 and achieved the following:

44 online sales

weekly added 5 new pieces to Mel Scouts

1 brick and motor

1 Mel Scouts video

tabled at two trunk shows

All this could not have been possible without the support of generous friends and family. There were so many new friends I met along the way.  I feel a stronger sense of community just by being in this venture.

Here are some 2013 goals:

weekly add 6-7 new pieces to Mel Scouts

4 brick and motors

4 Mel Scouts videos

table at 4 trunk shows

scout in 4 locations outside the Bay Area

get this Mel Scouts blog up and thriving

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I have been working on simplifying my wardrobe specifically the garments side of the closet. In turn my “formula” is to find unique one of a kind shoes, jackets, and vintage jewelry of course! I’m trying to do this an understated way.

I am currently stunned by the FUNky feel of these moe hair black platforms. Don’t you think these simply made shoes can give my black shirt black pant wardrobe an amazing finish?

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The weekend is here! Ah...time to scout.

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Cameos

Above are photos are two cameos in my personal collection. As a minimalist, I fancy the clean setting of the cameos.

In recent years, I've seen a lot of cameos and felt the need to ramble a little about these beauties. 

Cameos commonly worn in the Victorian period (1837-1901) and were continually worn through 1950s.They come in different materials (shell, agate stone, glass cameos) and were worn as brooches and pendants and are often capture the side profile of different a subject.

I find it fascinating that the subject matter differently through out periods. In the Victorian period - the most common subject were classic characters from Greek mythology.  In early 20th century - it often strayed from the classics and rather were of Victorian women.

Just posted the above beautiful cameo brooch on Mel Scouts which I believe dates back to the 1930s. I hope to find additional beauties in the future for Mel Scouts!

[bellahepworth-deactivated201712]

Re post: Wolfcub

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Above is 3 of the 5 Mel Scouts additions this week.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

Cameos of course!

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As mentioned earlier, I am keen on expanding my scout horizons. I plan on visiting these four US locals in 2013.

“First Monday Trade Days” (Canton, Texas)

Largest flea in the world with beginnings from the 1850s – I’m able to visit on the Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of the month.  Here are some fun bits of info: 6,000 vendors and, 100 acres. I don’t even know how big an acre is – what a concept.

  “Three Fleas in the Big Apple” (New York, New York)

I have only been to NYC once in my life. I’m partly interested in NYC as a general location and also know that I will be able to check out these three weekend antique fleas all at once. I will have to forgive myself if I can only visit two of the three fleas after all NYC has so much to offer.

Brooklyn Flea (weekends)

Green Flea (sundays)

Antiques Garage (weekends)

  “Biggest Outdoor Show in New England” (Brimfield, Massachusetts)

I’m going to find some real oldies at this 3 times (May 14-19; July 9-14; Sep 3-8) a year Antique Outdoor Flea. Going in for those 19th century goodies.

  “Santa Melrose” (Santa Monica and Melrose)

I’m always excited to visit the L.A. area - I’m sure there will be a wide range of unique mid century pieces.

Santa Monica Airport Antique (sundays)

Melrose Trading Post (sundays)

Sorry, no international travel for me --- I’ve got to support the USA.

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Backwards And Forwards

Happy New Years Eve!

2012 was an amazing year. I started Mel Scouts in April 2012 and achieved the following:

44 online sales

weekly added 5 new pieces to Mel Scouts

1 brick and motor

1 Mel Scouts video

tabled at two trunk shows

All this could not have been possible without the support of generous friends and family of course my husband Phil. There were so many new friends I met along the way.  I feel a stronger sense of community just by being in this venture.

Here are some 2013 goals:

weekly add 5 new pieces to Mel Scouts

4 brick and motors

4 Mel Scouts videos

table at four trunk shows

scout in 4 locations outside the Bay Area

get this Mel Scouts blog up and thriving

[melscoutsthat-blog]

Show Your Socks Off

I've been going through a couple look books seeking inspiration in how small nuances can make an outfit standout as a whole. One accessory often overlooked are the use of socks or tights.  Socks can add character by adding texture, give a sense of layering and pull a color in an otherwise simply outfit. You can create a layered looking by folding up your pants to show off your sock collection.

I recently acquired the above socks/tights and am hoping to wear them into sock oblivion.

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1900s Edwardian Carved Coral & Pearl Flower Necklace, 9K Gold Chain, (sold)

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Erie Basin. I have not found any other jeweler who sells such lovely old pieces to the general public. Erie Basin has such an eye for details and somehow has figured out how to acquire such rare stately pieces. 

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This is how you do eclectic. Lovely old ceiling, modern simple clean light, with a modern wardrobe.

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Tartan Takeover

(Above:John Campbell, 1749)

Scottish tartan, commonly recognized colorful grid pattern often thought of as plaid, has been around since the late 16th century worn seriously by Scottish clans.   

Nowadays, there are 14,000 variations and are repeatedly used. You see it worn, on walls, wrapping paper, on bags - you name it - tartan's on it. I happen to know a certain man who wears tartan once a week.  These patterns abound and are much like the spaghetti of mankind's wardrobe. See design sponge for more uses.

(Above: Vintage Maclean tartan postcard from my personal collection.)

Seeing tartan, gives me a sense of comfort and warmth. It's such a familiar pattern to everyone.

My newest obsession are the above Uniqlo blue green pants.