Monday, February 6, 2012

St. Valentine's Day Blues!


Oh My! What Shall  I do?!  I am having the Gift for Saint Valentine’s Day Blues!

Why it is 2012 and a Leap Year, and I should be liberated and free and able
to eventually ask him/her to marry me!  And yet here I am on 02 of 02 of 2012
and I cannot even figure out what to give him/her on Saint Valentine’s Day!!!

We tweet, we friend, we blog, we text…….  it is just not enough to show our love,
through abbreviated characters, let us give the sparkle and pizzazz of our hearts!

What a post  modern dilemna!!!

Well dear blog reader of Elinor Coleman’s Vintage Mirage— here we are to your rescue!

Show your love for the special one in your life with Jewelry and Scarves!  Yes, we refer to the wonderful items in our store such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, lockets, pins, cuff links and scarves. Why Scarves you ask? Well because for some fashionistas, yes the fashionistas we love and cherish- both men and women- scarves and pins are being worn as necklaces!

Such a unique twist of the fashion world, and so current?  Well no, when you think about scarves, imagine the notion that they originated way back in the early hunting and gathering era, those nomadic days, when women wrapped fabric around their bodies and heads, often to carry infants, food, and firewood.  The men realized that the fabrics also protected them from the wind and the sand and the rain.  And if she or he or they felt so inclined, they could wrap their special partner in the same fabric and create a momentary shelter, an intimate home. Wherever they  were.  A moving sense of home, space without walls  and with the gathered/found rocks, sticks and bones- the universal  fasteners/ tools.

Then ponder togas, which were rather extended scarves around the body, draped of course, attached at the shoulder with a large broach/pin or even a knife.  The Aha! moment, the concept and origin of jewelry! To fasten the fabric so that it would not slip off and fall to the ground or colliseum floor of the senate. Or in the street as you sauntered through, watching for Cleopatra’s divan passing,  with beautiful boys carrying her.

And  now to the coup de gras, with some personal memories.  Elinor Coleman the owner of Vintage Mirage lived and worked in Europe.  So she has direct certified knowledge when
she instructs customers in the arts of tying scarves around the neck or around the strap of a purse. As long as French women and men fashionistas have been speaking French, smoking Gitanes cigarettes and wearing berets on their heads, they have dressed with a scarf as a symbol of abandon and accessory laissez faire.

So when you come into the store and want to purchase one of the many scarves on display- silk, nubby cotton with ribbon and vintage button embellishment, pashima  cashmere with sequin and embroidery, and vintage city scapes or flower patterns and finally the hand woven scarves from Central America and Africa—ask us, and we shall demonstrate several ways of wearing and arranging the scarves for you. Yes, you are welcome, it is our pleasure.

Well then, back to the marvelous and special qualities of jewelry.  Such luster, such sparkle which shines and reflects and warms the skin and makes women and men alike glow and send out love and energy like the sun and moon. So jewelry is always a wonderful gift for the one you want to ask,  “ Will you be My Valentine?!”

How intimate and unique is this simple question?!  You can sing this, you can dance this out with gesture, you can write this, you can give a card with this question as well.  You can also give food.  So why not explore and do all of the above?! It is a leap year you know, so take a chance.  Just the idea of leap year reminds me of leaping around, so pick up your feet and go with the flow.  2012 and the vibe of communication invites all cupids to express themselves in all ways.

For the special woman/man  in your life give a one of a kind antique locket. You can put a miniature photo of yourself inside, so she/he will carry your love near her/his heart.
Pearls say love because they come from the sea. We have so many different colors and shades and shapes of pearls that you can express your devotion and creativity in necklaces, bracelets, pins, and earrings.

Heart shaped gifts are  a traditional and  beautiful shape for a gift for your loved one. We have necklaces, pins, lockets,  earrings and bracelets with hearts of all kinds. Some are sparkly and all are unique, many are designer vintage pieces. So historically and traditionally  they were given to a loved one and carry a wonderful tradition already infused within.

Oh now, you may wonder what you could find to give to that special man/woman in your life?!
Well,  a pair of vintage cuff links are a special gift and so much fun.  A gesture and hint of future dressing up events, or adding a twist to the encouragement of personal style for your special man/woman.

So many gentlemen come into our store looking for cuff links because they are wearing French cuff dress shirts.  And these cuff links in some cases also include  a matching  tie pin. Speaking of Roman togas, one pair of sterling silver cuff links in Vintage Mirage are made of genuine Roman coins! I know! How cool is that?!   And then we have a splendid collection of Victorian and Edwardian watch fob chains.

There is also at this point in time the most current focus on physical fitness and diet. What better way of showing your love for him/her than by giving a gift which is free of calories and trans fats?!! Do you really want to disrupt the New Year’s Eve resolution number one? Do you want that guilt thrown at you when she/he tries on the bathing suit this June?!

For the metaphysical, philosophical and esoteric special ones in our lives, the wonderful vintage and modern crystals – did we mention that we have an extensive selection of jewelry—make excellent gifts.  And further, we are saving you from stress and anxiety . You do not have to stress out that you cannot afford diamonds.  The variety of  affordable and real gemstone  jewelry offers many possibilities of enhancing the loved one’s eyes and hair, with even birth stone favorites.  Why the Aurora Borealis, or the full spectrum rainbow glimmer of these crystals, made with extra fine gold dust, shimmer and reflect the colors around them.  Much better than diamonds.  And then of course, you have enough money in the budget for dinner for two.

So dear VINTAGE MIRAGE  blog reader and follower, we hope we have put some humor, love, assistance, history, and creative suggestions out in the blog land for you.

Will you friend us on facebook? Did you look through our collection of wonderful photos of items in our store?  Will you come into the store and talk to us, and of course buy something?! We do look forward to your visit. We are as you know, an independently owned and operated woman owned business.

Will you be My Valentine ?! We need more love in this world.  And we need more jewelry worn every day too!

Have a lovely Saint Valentine’s Day!
Elinor Coleman
Elinor Coleman’s Vintage Mirage
written under The Purple Dancing Jaguar