My goodness gracious, can you believe it’s May!? There’s pollen on everything, I’m wearing a sundress, and I have 200 emails asking me for Vegas appointments. It’s all very exciting, really – even the pollen, because it means flowers – but it’s certainly a busy time of year.

I’m doing my best to catch up on a few things I had wanted to show you before I jet off for Vegas, but I have rather a lot to catch up on (and some exciting new projects in the works!) so we’ll have to see how it all plays out.

I hope you’re all enjoying some lovely spring weather! Are any of you preparing for Vegas jewelry week too?

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading:

Portrait Jewels: Opulence and Intimacy from the Medici to the Romanovs by Diana Scarisbrick. It’s true! I’m reading a nonfiction book. Jewelry related, of course. I’ve had this one for a while, but only ever flipped through it. I just started really reading it in depth and it’s pretty fantastic. Great pictures, too.

Slave to Sensation and Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh. This series is much more SciFi than I normally do (by which I mean it’s SciFi) but it was recommended by someone whose taste I trust, so I’m giving it a go and it’s rather fantastic. I’m only two books in so far, but I’m looking forward to reading the rest. Very creative, comprehensive world-building and engaging storytelling, not to mention the super hot romance plotlines.

Internets:

I’m in the New York Post! Rachelle Bergstein wrote an article about “Gem-fluencers” and I’m one of the 5 she interviewed. Thank you, Rachelle! (Rachelle also wrote this book, which I loved).

Analyzing Every Tiara Meghan Markle Could Wear at the Royal Wedding.

Apparently Millenials ARE buying diamonds…for themselves.

This 99-year-old hostage was freed after she told her captor to “knock it off.”

French Theater Troupe Plans Fantastical Hanging Garden Inspired by Jules Verne and Leonardo.

The Rockefeller Knickknacks: A preview of the poodles and Roman busts that adorned Peggy and David Rockefeller’s East 65th Street townhouse and various country estates.

History’s Most Fabulous Men Wore Jewels! By Levi Higgs for The Daily Beast.

A Stroll Through the History of Women’s Shoes With Stuart Weitzman at the New York Historical Society.

‘Harry Potter: A History of Magic‘ available on Google Arts & Culture.

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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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