JenRocksFashion Colorful Musings from the Practical Fashionista…

Did you happen to catch any of the IAAF Track and Field World Championships from Daegu, South Korea which took place earlier this month?  Well, I watched some of the track events and never felt more in awe of the beauty of the human form.  At the same time, I never felt guiltier about skipping workouts or more inspired to do better.  I also observed that quite a number of runners had gold chains dangling around their necks.  Apparently, Runner’s World has taken notice too.

World-class sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross wears a bullet necklace to competitions:

Sanya Richards at the Reebok Grand Prix in 2008

It was a childhood gift from her mother–a reminder for Sanya to run like a speeding bullet.  By 2009, the necklace was so damaged that it had to be held together with a safety pin, but that year she won the gold in the women’s 400 meters at the world championships.  At Daegu, although she didn’t fare as well, she was still wearing her beloved bullet.

My own version of jewelry-as-good-luck-charm is this necklace called “Winging It” that I bought at Verameat in the East Village this summer.

Winging It from Verameat

It’s an 18-inch gold fill chain with a gold brass charm. To me, it’s not a bird wing or an angel wing or a symbol of Icarus.  Instead, it reminds me of the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Louvre:

Winged Victory of Samothrace, 2nd century BC, marble

Sometimes referred to as Nike of Samothrace, the celebrated sculpture honors the Greek goddess of victory and a sea battle.  Of course, I love Nike of Beaverton and have already written about my passion for the brand and what the brand stands for.  So this necklace is my talisman representing courage, strength and perseverance.

I believe I can fly

Hey, it might sound corny but if I combine this necklace with my personal theme song* as I work towards my future goals, the sky’s the limit!

* Currently, it’s  ”How You Like Me Now” by The Heavy.

It was 100 insufferable degrees today in DC.  To state the obvious but tragic fact, no amount of antiperspirant was gonna save you from pitting out that dry-clean-only sleeveless silk blouse.  (Actress Rose Byrne describes it as becoming “a feral mess.”)  Anyway, the scorching temperatures made me think of the movie Heat from 1995.  It’s one of my favorites–DeNiro and Pacino going mano a mano, plus Val Kilmer.  I’ve always remembered this quote from DeNiro’s hitman character: “Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.”  Well, I’m pretty sure my boyfriend Andrew is not planning on ditching me anytime soon, but perhaps he is feeling some non-weather-related heat.  Why?  Because the triumvirate of glamorous weddings this season (Duchess Catherine, Kate Moss, Princess Charlene) has led me to wonder if marriage is on our horizon.  We’ve had many conversations and agree that we’re stuck together committed to each other for the long haul.  Truth is, when we’re ready to take the plunge, we’ll probably elope (Tahiti?  Hawaii?  I’ll take any island ending with an “i”).

However we choose to get married, I already have my heart set on a particular ring.  The Cartier Trinity.  How I love its intertwined circles of pink, yellow and white gold–and actually, I’ve never wanted a traditional solitaire (do I march to the beat of my own drum or what?).

Gold rush: the Cartier Trinity ring

I’d even accept a two-for-one deal: it could be both my engagement and wedding ring.  Totally practical, right?  OK, you’re now thinking, “What an insane control freak!  What ever happened to spontaneity and romance?”  Look, I can’t help it.  My real, full-time job is being a project manager. (Translation: I do NOT like surprises.)  So I consider this Cartier information a useful shortcut, not an ultimatum.

While we’re on the subject of circular things, I think the ring would go swimmingly with these Diego Dolcini heels:

Crystal Lovers Limited Edition sandals by Diego Dolcini

I first saw a variation of them in the Winter issue of LUXE Interiors+Design magazine, way before I even started this blog.  The shoes always stuck in my mind, as did the $9.95 that Andrew spent on the glossy.  The sandals are currently on sale for 50% off the original price of $2,172.  Ouch!  On second thought, they seem much too Solid Gold for my taste.  And, whatever, Andrew may end up buying my ring hot off the back of a truck in the seedy part of town.  But, you know, what goes around comes around…

Update on October 25, 2011: Cartier just unveiled their latest Trinity collection.  A bit more stark and streamlined but every bit as covetable!

Don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got…  Well, no, in fact I don’t own much ice.  No meteor-sized studs in my ears that would be visible from Mars like Oprah’s (I don’t even have my ears pierced.)  No massive tennis bracelet weighing down my wrist and perpetually catching sunlight.  And no ginormous 6.1-carat pink cube on my finger that would make me constantly touch my face, knowing that everyone within my zip code would see it.  But not having massive bling keeps my life pretty simple–no blood diamonds to fret over; no need for a safety deposit box, extra insurance, or body guard; no wishing I were Callista Gingrich.

Most of my real (i.e. non-costume) jewelry is small and modest.  Most were also gifts.  Behold three of my favorites: a heart-shaped pendant that I received on Valentine’s Day, a turtle (symbolizing longevity) with tiny ruby eyes from my aunt, and a necklace that my late father had originally bought for my mom.

Small carats, big sentiments

Jewelry has been on my mind lately because today is my four-year anniversary with my boyfriend Andrew.  I asked for–and received–two decidedly more practical presents: a flat-bed Canon scanner so I can happily scan images for this blog and the new book “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN” that I’ve been dying to read (I’m a huge sports fan, remember?).  He also threw in a big box of Jujubes.  I was delighted!

Jujubes! A good source of sugar and food coloring!

Lest you think I’m not romantic at all, we went out for a lovely dinner last night (grilled Scottish salmon, lobster fricassée).  On the way, we passed a random, kitschy Asian store and liked the juxtaposition between my outfit and the mannequin’s weird burnout velvet cheongsam with kung fu cummerbund.

What I wore to my anniversary dinner: Kate Spade Intarsia cardigan, American Apparel tank, Leifsdottir Pondicherry skirt, Paul Mayer ballet flats, Club Monaco patent leather clutch, Nixon watch, Ann Taylor metal mesh magnetic cuff. (I can't take credit for what's on the mannequin.)

Look, I wouldn’t necessarily turn down a Taylor-Burton-sized gem.  But if given a choice, I prefer being adored to being adorned.  That’s just me.

Happy Anniversary, love bunny!