Monday, December 28, 2009

Monograms, Even When You're Not Sure What They Mean. And Unexpected Presents.


My mother gave my daughter the necklace above. Not for Christmas, mind you. Here's Christmas.

Theory "Sasha" Cupid Tribal Black Dress. Who thinks up these names? (I'm telling you. Wear this stuff when you are young and pay no mind to any flaws you think you've got. They are defeated by your sheer youth and, well, youth.)

Which looked so fabulous on, the morning of December 26th my mother emerged from her wing of the house holding something sparkly, and said, "Here darling. I never wear this. Would you like it?" Jaws dropped, just a little. "This would be so much more unusual than a long necklace."

Good moment for Mom's credo, "A simple thank you will suffice."


It's apparently from the family. My mother says those medallions spell out Martha. Hmm. Perhaps in code. We could make neither hide nor tail of the monogram. But we really didn't care.

My daughter works. In New Jersey. No socialite she. We're very, very thankful for health insurance. But this is my family and these are the artifacts.

Generosity in all its forms is at the top of my list of the Universal Good. Mom, thank you. Simply, thank you very much. Now if I can just get my daughter to take a lot of pictures of the wearing said necklace...

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30 Comments:

Blogger DocP said...

Beautiful necklace! I love vintage/family jewelry.

December 28, 2009 at 11:02 AM  
Anonymous Jan said...

Oh, my! That is LOVELY! Your mother is something else.

December 28, 2009 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger Susan B said...

That's a really gorgeous and unique necklace! Even if you can't find the MARTHA in it...

December 28, 2009 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger Jessica Ryan said...

Love vintage jewelry. Love hand me down heirlooms. That necklace is gorgeous. Jerzee ain't so bad. Some parts are rather gorgeous.

December 28, 2009 at 12:20 PM  
Blogger Suburban Princess said...

I love inherited jewelry - I have a few rings from my side and my husband's side that have been passed down through the generations!

December 28, 2009 at 12:35 PM  
Blogger Bumby Scott said...

Let me first say that your mums come back was true WASP. Delightful. Second,as to the little black dress..I do not care how old or how married we men are. Ladies, if you can pull this dress off , we are forever yours. It's not called "Cupid" for nothing. (Does this answer, who named it and why?)

As always, Bumby Scott.

December 28, 2009 at 1:21 PM  
Blogger hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for posting the image of this fabulous heirloom! I adore vintage jewelry and this is a true gem. "Martha" now if it is not obvious, maybe it is in another language? There should be clues, hallmarks, a makers mark and then the gold rating...looks European, maybe pink gold I'd hazard a guess that it might be from the art nouveau era. Curiously it might be French...I just have that feeling. Would that be a possibility? The diamonds must be mine cut and sparkly! Please please post a photo of it on her neck! I'd love to see how it sits, high or low. How wonderful for you daughter!

December 28, 2009 at 1:38 PM  
Anonymous julia::ordinarysaturdays said...

Gorgeous necklace. Your daughter must be well-loved.

December 28, 2009 at 2:38 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

So beautiful! And a simple thank you does suffice lol! Your Mom is making me chuckle :D

December 28, 2009 at 2:40 PM  
Blogger Belle de Ville said...

Lovely necklace. Quite unusual.
In my opinion the very best vintage jewelry is that which is given to you by your family.
But given my family and how the D-IF ascher cut went my stepson's wife and not to my daughter as promised, I've impressed on my daughter my personal motto of "If you don't have it in the family to inherit, make your own money and buy it for yourself".
I really do like the Theory dress...for a girl your daughter's age where youth indeed conquers all.

December 28, 2009 at 4:03 PM  
Blogger SLynnRo said...

OOOH. I love it. Too bad my mom has the jewelry taste of a Vegas cocktail waitress.

December 28, 2009 at 4:35 PM  
Blogger QueenBeeSwain said...

family bijoux are just the best and it always feels like you're putting on even more power- for lack of a better way to put it- when you don the jewels that the ancestors have worn too! this is a LOVELY piece :)

xoox

kHm

December 28, 2009 at 5:20 PM  
Blogger Menopausal New Mom said...

It's absolutely beautiful, what a gorgeous piece of jewelry and wonderful gesture!

December 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM  
Blogger Buckeroomama said...

What a beautiful piece. All the more so because it's from family.

December 28, 2009 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

My mom is very generous. Always has been. And my daughter was the first grandchild:). I confess that vintage/estate/antique jewelry is one of my cravings. Inherited or purchased with hard fought salary. Glad you all enjoy.

December 28, 2009 at 9:01 PM  
Blogger Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Stunning and sentimental too; what could be better?

December 28, 2009 at 9:55 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

What a beautiful necklace...in all ways.

December 29, 2009 at 3:46 AM  
Blogger The Mrs. said...

I love that necklace! Maybe it's Martha stewarts!!! LOL. I tagged you on my blog today. xo

December 29, 2009 at 7:31 AM  
Blogger The 5 Bickies said...

Gorgeous and so unusual. I would LOVE to wear that necklace. Will your daughter let you borrow it?

December 29, 2009 at 8:10 AM  
Blogger Patsy said...

more importantly, will your daughter let *me* borrow it?

December 29, 2009 at 9:12 AM  
Blogger Tish Jett said...

Yes, indeed, thank you, thank you very much. LOL. You were number one on my list. I don't know whether I get what I deserve, but I definitely got what I wanted.

The necklace is beautiful. Jewelry that circulates inside a family with the stories that go with it are/is always the best gift/gifts ever. Syntax, syntax. . .

Et merci encore. I'll be back before the 31st to wish you all sorts of appropriate good stuff.

Tishx

December 29, 2009 at 9:28 AM  
Blogger CDS said...

Love the necklace. I adore monograms on everything!

December 29, 2009 at 6:14 PM  
Blogger A Refocused Life said...

The necklace is so beautiful and interesting. I believe anything pasted down through a family is special. I have a beautiful black pearl necklace that I cherish, but I feel the same about an old pocket knife, a harmonica, a pocket watch, an old lace tablecloth, and a strap of old harness bells. They are special because of their history, meaning, and memories for me. I loved this post.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I hope you get the same enjoyment from your harness bells as I do.

December 29, 2009 at 6:19 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I love this necklace & the story! Very wonderful to get sparkling things from the family on christmas {or any time}! Hoping you are enjoying these days before the new year starts up Lisa, sending lots of happy wishes your way!

December 30, 2009 at 12:15 PM  
Blogger Miss Cavendish said...

What a lovely gift and a pretty dress to accessorize it!

December 30, 2009 at 12:29 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Dear LPC-

I just wanted to say Happy New Year. I enjoy reading your posts so much. You have an amazing 'turn of phrase'. i often find myself thinking 'I wish I had thought of saying it that way'.

This post triggered what some might think of as the dark side of inherited/shared treasures. More simply, this may sound childish.

This bestowing of gifts from grandmother to granddaughter, sidestepping the daughter, is a slippery slope.

Poor grandmothers ,I guess. Is it a no win situation?

I wanted my mother to be generous with my 3 daughters certainly, but I also still needed her to be generous with me.

There you have it.
My end of the year confession.

On that note-
Happy New Year!

Laura

December 30, 2009 at 3:05 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

Laura - asking for generosity from loved ones is a good thing. Thank you. I will ask if my daughter will lend out the necklace too:).

January 1, 2010 at 10:55 AM  
Blogger Duchesse said...

Exquistie necklace; I find it mysterious - any idea of the period? Who was Martha?

I advise women to buy (or influence the giver, if appropriate) to acquire vintage pieces. That way no one at work (or elsewhere) can fault you for wearing an impressive piece by day.

Have you had the necklace apprasied and insured, or had your mother's apprasial updated? If not, you may want to do so.

January 1, 2010 at 1:35 PM  
Blogger Lauren @ Adventures of a Southern Newlywed said...

What a beautiful necklace! I am sure your daughter was tickled to be able to be the newest guardian.

I hope you have a Happy New Year!

January 2, 2010 at 8:14 AM  
Blogger LPC said...

I should have my daughter get that necklace appraised. Good thinking. And Lauren, thanks!

January 2, 2010 at 12:08 PM  

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