A Ruby for Protection

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July babies, if you're anything like me you've often wondered why your birthstone couldn't have been, say, a diamond or even an aquamarine or a sapphire. Not to say the ruby isn't or can't be a beautiful stone, but I just have a ton of ruby jewellery from when I was a kid--including a snake ring with a ruby eye that still scares the bejeesus out of me--that's not exactly au courant. But when I happened upon this ruby ring from Erica Weiner it started me thinking:

Derived from a 19th century Scottish design the mirror image of the letters reads "May it watch o'er you." Cute, no? So I decided to see what other ruby jewellery I could scrounge up just in cause M is a little short on birthday gift ideas. I'm all for helping a dude out. For other modern birthstone designs check out Refinery29, for more ruby ideas read on.

Brian Danielle Ruby Hamsa Necklace

Kenneth Jay Lane Ruby Dream Cocktail Ring

KatDesignsNYC Once Bitten Multi Strand Necklace

The Sutra Ruby Chandelier Earrings

Melinda Maria Ruby Cigar Ring

Sky Dreams Ruby Tanzanite Necklace

Wendy Mink Ruby Cluster Drop Earrings

Anita Ko Diamond and Ruby Snake (eek!) Ring

Calico Juno Olive Jade O Pendant Necklace

MINU Jewels Ruby Jade Double Bracelet

Most Wanted Designs by Carlos Souza Cross Necklace

Gara Danielle July Birth Month Necklace

Lulieyal Glass Framed Ruby Glass Earrings

Of course, if jewellery isn't on the agenda this birthday I wouldn't mind getting something with red soles either...

What's your birthstone? Do you like it?



EDITED: I just heard the horrible news about Marija at Holding Court.
She was such a lovely person who will be missed by many.
My heart and prayers go out to her family.

Supported By: ruby rings

2 Saturdays ago: 25th Birthday Fete!

Fact: Planning a birthday party is always harder than it should be.

NYC Truth: Organizing a party in Manhattan will drive you to madness.
Real Life-ism: Nobody cares about your party [as much as you do].
Conclusion: Calm the eff down, plan something fun for all, and wear a pretty dress and shiny shoes that make you happy.

It's such a blessing to gain WISDOM with age. *Whew.*

Thus:
The fun plan took the form of an improv comedy show at the UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE, starring actors and writers from "30 Rock," "The Office" and other hilarious shows, followed by dinner at La Bottega, located in the Maritime Hotel.

Pretty dress? Check!


Shiny shoes? Check!

(ELM, SB and The Bunny)


I think my friends are gorgeous.
I've noticed lately that my peers--meaning specifically those people born in 1984 and 1985--are looking ravishingly gorgeous and seriously radiant.
Quite simply, they look the best they've ever looked.
Even on Facebook, when I peruse current photos of people I haven't seen in the flesh since we were 9, it's obvious to me that they've reached a beauty "critical mass."
Mind you, that isn't to say that the best isn't yet to come, because I think it is, but this is a pleasant plateau to reach following the not-yet-distant-enough pains of pre-and-post-adolescence.

I think there will certainly be a time in my life when I'll gaze with jealousy upon the cellulite-free and curve-less figures of teenage girls, and long for that phase in my physical development (which, if I'm honest with myself, never actually existed).

But for now, I think my friends, and even I, look the way we're supposed to--and hopefully feel a little more comfortable in our own skin, too.
That sense of peace is a true birthday gift.

They're such a happy bunch; I'm tremendously and unduly lucky...

(A(K)K, EJS and LAT)


(LAT and BJE)


(DM and CCR)


(MVG, G(A)S, and CLB)


(ELM and SB)


(CJM)


(DM, CCR, ESG and CJM)


(CJM, MVG, G(A)S, and CLB)


(CLB and CJM)


(BJE, CJM and LAT: Even wearing heels it's sort of hopeless with these two...)


(Princeton Girls: LAT, A(K)K, MVG, EJS, and CJM)

I've got a GOOD FEELING about year #25...
In the words of the wrapping paper on one of my gifts, here's hoping that every day grants each of us a...

Cxx.

Last Thursday: Aging a Quarter-Century in the company of Dinosaurs

So, it happened. I turned 25.

I had been dreading the occasion for no particular reason, but it's been a week now and 25 has been nothing short of DELIGHTFUL.

On the day itself I arrived at work to discover a lovely (and scrumptious) box of Jacques Torres chocolates sitting on my chair, courtesy of two co-workers:

Later in the day I grabbed some yummy Shake Shack and my co-workers and I held a little picnic in Central Park. The weather was PERFECT:


When I returned from lunch, a pretty package was sitting on my desk, containing
SUGAR SWEET SUNSHINE cupcakes!

Remember my friend, MBS?
Well, all those nice things I said about her in a previous post weren't merely lip service.
She took it upon herself to make my day EXTRA special by calling up--from her far away home in Kansas City--my favorite cupcakery in NYC and having a half-dozen bits of baked euphoria delivered to me. Talk about the PERFECT surprise. I am still in (sugar) shock.


After scarfing down burgers and cupcakes, I had to make my lardy-self presentable for the American Museum of Natural History's Spring Safari.
The vintage rental I was hoping for fell through in the end, but it allowed me to slip into one of my favorite Lilly pieces in my collection: The lobster bubble dress!


Turning 25 in a room with a 65-million-year-old dinosaur puts things into perspective...



As you can imagine, everything was swathed in Lilly fabric: tablecloths, pillows on seats, and the handsome attendees.


Somewhat against his will, I photographed this fine gentleman in his PANDAMONIUM trousers!

(I love a man who isn't afraid of pattern.
Full Disclosure: I own the shift in this print.)

Speaking of Pandamonium, the print made it easy to spot Janie, Lilly's Design Director, in her customized gown. For all of you who voted for this gown on the Lilly blog, you made the right choice! She looked fantastic:


Celeb DJs Harley Viera-Newton (in green) and Cassie Coane (in black) provided the beats in the Hall of Mammals and had everyone dancing:


Adding to the energetic and colorful ambience was the Lilly print team, who painted several pieces over the course of the evening:


Since I had some birthday money burning a hole in my clutch, I gave into the temptation I resisted on Tuesday at Christie's, and bid on a 3.1 Phillip Lim bag in the silent auction...and won!




I also took home another bag that night:


My gorgeous date, EJS, doesn't often pose for photos but made an exception for my birthday. Good karmic acts pay off! I ADORE this photo:


Thanks to EVERYONE who made April 15, 2010 a magical day for me from start to finish and then some.
Cxx.