Objects of desire
A recent Saturday morning stroll aprés the perfect blowout turned into a stride when raindrops began to fall. Ducking into a used bookstore (entre nous: I actually prefer the word vintage–it sounds less “dusty”) for a much-needed coiffure cover, I discovered the book Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (available at amazon.ca). Reading countless pages of “dearest darling” and “my truest love” made me think: In our march for equality, have we managed to stamp out chivalry altogether?
We have bid a fond farewell to the era of manners, minks and magnificent jewels, when love and longing could not be expressed by words, but rather with rubies as succulent as strawberries or with swimming pool-size solitaires (sigh!). After all, jewels have taken centre stage in many great love affairs throughout history. Think of the Taylor-Burton diamond, weighing in at over 69 carats, or the Duchess of Windsor’s flamboyant ruby and diamond feather pins.
So when a love letter from Birks recently appeared on my desk, I felt a Wuthering Heights-style flush spread across my cheeks. I had been invited for an evening of baubles and bubbly to celebrate the launch of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique at Birks on Toronto’s Bloor Street.
Upon my arrival, Birks was abuzz with the chic elite peering into cases that glowed with fine gems from this Paris-based jeweller. Gold floral bouquets sprouted from rings, while diamond-frosted bracelets were lined up like sugary confections. Then I spied it: the bejewelled butterfly ring. When it fluttered into my line of sight, I knew instantly. I had found the object of my desire. It is like Liz Taylor once said: “I believe that I am their custodian, here to enjoy them, to give them the best treatment in the world, to watch after their safety, and to love them.” Whether she was speaking about men or her baubles, one can never really be certain. But it sure sounds like the making of a great love affair to me.
Check out the ring Sarah fell in love with, plus all the other jewellery she oohed and aahed over, in our slideshow.
 for a much-needed coiffure cover, I discovered the book Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (available at amazon.ca). Reading countless pages of "dearest darling" and "my truest love" made me think: In our march for equality, have we managed to stamp out chivalry altogether? We have bid a fond farewell to the era of manners, minks and magnificent jewels, when love and longing could not be expressed by words, but rather with rubies as succulent as strawberries or with swimming pool-size solitaires (sigh!). After all, jewels have taken centre stage in many great love affairs throughout history. Think of the Taylor-Burton diamond, weighing in at over 69 carats, or the Duchess of Windsor's flamboyant ruby and diamond feather pins. So when a love letter from Birks recently appeared on my desk, I felt a Wuthering Heights-style flush spread across my cheeks. I had been invited for an evening of baubles and bubbly to celebrate the launch of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique at Birks on Toronto's Bloor Street. Upon my arrival, Birks was abuzz with the chic elite peering into cases that glowed with fine gems from this Paris-based jeweller. Gold floral bouquets sprouted from rings, while diamond-frosted bracelets were lined up like sugary confections. Then I spied it: the bejewelled butterfly ring. When it fluttered into my line of sight, I knew instantly. I had found the object of my desire. It is like Liz Taylor once said: "I believe that I am their custodian, here to enjoy them, to give them the best treatment in the world, to watch after their safety, and to love them." Whether she was speaking about men or her baubles, one can never really be certain. But it sure sounds like the making of a great love affair to me.Check out the ring Sarah fell in love with, plus all the other jewellery she oohed and aahed over, in our slideshow.){kind=link}