Books Archives

What I’m reading: Vol. 96.

April 17, 2018

Good morning, my darlings!

I can’t believe it’s already mid-April! Our cherry tree has already fully blossomed and lost all its petals. That means it’s officially spring in the DC area, even though the outdoor temperatures have been characteristically tempestuous. We did have one really beautiful day over the weekend and Mr. DitL and I went for a walk outside in the sunshine and it was utterly glorious.

I want to take a minute to thank to all of you who have checked in with me over the past couple of months. This health stuff has all been super weird to deal with and knowing that you were out there wishing me well has definitely helped. I really do have the best readers.

I’m finally starting to feel more like myself, although I’ve still got a ways to go. I’m really happy that I’ve been able to get back to working sometimes, although it also makes me crazy that I haven’t been able to stick to any kind of schedule. (I do love doing things in an organized manner.) I’m just trying to do my best to lean into the chaos and be grateful that I am on the mend.

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading:

A Duke in Shining Armor: Difficult Dukes by Loretta Chase. This is a reread for me and I loved it just as much the second time.

A Rogue of Her Own by Grace Burrowes. I really enjoy this series! Four bluestockings united by a mysterious bequest, each unexpectedly finding love. Sign me up.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. Mr. DitL and I started re-listing to the Harry Potter books on tape in December. It’s definitely slowing down as we get to the later books…I just know what sad things are coming and I’m not always in the mood to hear about them! We just bit the bullet though and finished book 6. It ended like it always does, and I cried like I always do.

Internets:

I recently met the lovely Karin Jacobson and she gave me a very sweet mention on her blog. Thanks, Karin!

Vogue’s analysis of the jewelry we just saw on fashion week’s runways!

Royal Blue Diamond Surfaces After 300 Years.

The Egyptian Artifacts of a Little-Known, Victorian-Era Woman Collector.

The NYT released new obituaries for women who weren’t properly memorialized in the past.

If you’re in the mood for a gemological tidbit: How Does a Trapiche Emerald Form?

There are tiaras on display at Kensington Palace!! You want to see these pictures.

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My #OscarJewelry recap recap.

March 5, 2018

That’s not a typo! Post-awards show days were my very favorite when I had a boring desk job and I still adore them: it’s so fun seeing what all the celebs wore and what reactions those fashion statements have elicited from the internet at large.

It’s 4 pm on a Monday, so you definitely deserve a break by now. Bring on the #OscarJewelry recaps!

“A lot has happened since last year’s Oscars. Revelations and repercussions have reverberated through the industry as secrets came to light and tyrants fell. The upheaval even affected red carpet fashion, with actresses using the commodity they are the most frequently reduced to – appearance – to take a stand against abuse.

I’ve always known that the entertainment industry was full of talented women, but the #MeToo movement has taught me that it’s full of strong women, too. Some of them may look like pretty dolls, but they’re warrior queens.“

From Strong Women, Strong Jewels: Fierce and Formal at the 2018 Oscars, my own #OscarJewelry recap for Instore Magazine.

#OscarJewelry coverage from elsewhere around the web:

The Story Behind Gal Gadot’s Epic Oscar Night Jewels, from Vogue.
Adam Rippon’s 2018 Oscars Look Is Bringing Queerness To The Oscars & Twitter Is Loving It.
The Best 2018 Oscars Jewelry and Stiletto Drops: Top 2018 Oscar Jewelry Trends from Cheryl Kremkow!
The Oscars-Inspired Jewelry Every Woman Should Own by Beth Bernstein for Instore Magazine.
The Oscars’ Most Dazzling Diamonds by Ashley Davis for National Jeweler.
Allison Janney’s Oscars 2018 Jewelry Was Worth More Than $4 Million from Town & Country.
The 2018 Academy Awards: Our 5 Favorite Jewelry Looks by Melissa Rose Bernardo for JCK.
Salma Hayek Brings The Bling to The Oscars Red Carpet from Harpers Bazaar.
The 2018 Oscar Jewels we Covet, by Beth Bernstein.
Sam Rockwell Wears Leslie Bibb Cufflinks to the 2018 Oscars from E! News.
The Best Jewelry at the 2018 Oscars by Marion Fasel.
The Best Dresses and Jewelry from the 2018 Oscars Afterparties from US Weekly.
Hollywood Stylist Kate Young on How She Chooses Jewelry for the Oscars from Town & Country.
How jewels became the stars of the Oscars’ red carpet by Rachelle Bergstein for the New York Post. This isn’t a recap, but it’s interesting!

Some less jewelry-focused Oscars coverage:

Despite all the Time’s Up talk at the Oscars, women in Hollywood are doing worse now than they were a year ago.
Frances McDormand’s Oscars Speech Proved That Real Leaders Help Others Succeed.
See the Dress Rita Moreno Re-Wore at the 2018 Oscars.
I’ve worn glasses since I was 8, and wasted many years feeling unattractive in them. I cheered my nearsighted ass off seeing Lupita Nyong’o whip out her specs at the Oscars and just casually leave them on.
Tiffany Haddish’s Pro Tips On How To Deal With Sexual Harassment.
Keegan-Michael Key celebrating Jordan Peele’s Oscar win for “Get Out” is the best thing you’ll see today.

That’s it for now, but if I find more #OscarJewelry coverage worth reading, I’ll add it here later!

Featured image source.

What I’m reading: Vol. 95.

February 28, 2018

Hello darlings,

If you follow me on IG, you already know I’ve had some personal stuff going on this week and it’s definitely been slooowwwwwingggg down my blog schedule. It’s frustrating, but such is life! I’m working on sorting myself out and then we’ll be back to business as usual.

For now, though, I’ve got some fun internets for you below and we’ll be back to the jewelry we all love to love soon.

xoxo,
Becky