Happy July 4th!!

Freedom's natal day is here.

Fire the guns and shout for freedom,

See the flag above unfurled!

Hail the stars and stripes forever,

Dearest flag in all the world. 

~Florence A. Jones

New Federico Jewelry In...

Federico Jimenez jewelry has always caught my eye in Santa Fe...maybe you have strolled through the square and have seen his beautiful work. We are excited to carry some of his beautiful silver handmade pieces... Unique and embellished his earrings are each a piece of art!

With the tiniest details of silver work, turquoise, silver doves, and sterling rosettes each pair of earrings is beautiful all on it's own! Each piece also has Federico's mark stamped on the back. His large milagro silver crosses are so unique and detailed...each one different and a best seller this summer!

Federico Jimenez, originally from the tiny village of Tututepec, Mexico resides in Southern California where he has been collecting and making jewelry for many years. Today he is a world renowned authority on Mexican silver, Pre-Columbian and Mixtec (pronounced “Mishtek”) jewelry.

He became interested in Meso-American art in his late teens when he and his father uncovered a pre-Columbian Mixtec Indian pectoral chest plate buried under their house. With the sudden ownership of the ancient pectoral, his appetite for antiquities grew, sending him scurrying from village to village in search of more.

In addition to jewelry, he also started collecting Indian costumes. His private collection includes pieces from the contemporary, colonial, and pre-Columbian periods. “I have more that 200 jewelry pieces and 190 traditional costumes. I have no idea what it’s worth, but I keep the whole thing in the Bank of America.”

Federico has organized exhibitions and acquires items for institutions such as UCLA Museum of Cultural History and the National Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. He displays many pieces of his jewelry in the Anthropological Museum in Mexico City.

Living and working in the Los Angeles area, Federico is a popular designer of the entertainment crowd. You’ll see his jewelry worn by Christie Brinkley, Elle McPherson, and once you know his style, you’ll spot his designs on a few “Soap” stars and Ali McGraw can be seen modeling many of his designs in magazines. His current offerings are traditional and elegant stories in turquoise and coral, show-stopping in their simplicity. Put these beautiful pieces with your best suit or with chambray and denim. You’ll love them.

Important collectors and Museums were costumers of his during the 25 years of his business. He and his wife amassed a big collection of Mexican jewelry: Pre Colombian, Colonial,

and Contemporary, as well as Southwest art like baskets, kachinas, Pottery, Navajo, Zuni and Hopi rugs and jewelry.

Also his activities in the cultural community continue. He was a prior trustee of the "Millicent Rogers Museum" in Taos, New Mexico and “The Southwest Indian Museum “in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently a trustee on the board of the "Autry National Center" and "La Plaza De La Cultura" in downtown Los Angeles, CA. which will open to the public in November 2010.

My favorite piece...FEDERICO ROSE CUFF BRACELET with turquoise stone set in the center. Unique cuff bracelet with sterling silver petals...a piece of art! Come see our new jewelry and treat yourself this summer!

Vintage Chocolat Sign

We just got back from a tiring week long trip from market...what is popular right now? Signage...vintage and old, large type signs, vintage farm signs...you name it! Love this vintage style french chocolate sign in our kitchen! So sweet and we only have one left! I can see it being a great focus in a laundry room or kitchen very unique! $82.00

Sunflowers for your Door

This cheerful sunflower wreath makes me smile...wouldn't you love this on your front door to greet you each day? Chocolate burlap ribbon and succulents tied in the bow...whites always stand out on front porches and doors! $88.95

Artisan Confetti Glassware for Summer!

Our favorite glassware for summer parties..confetti glassware is fun and festive for the season!

The latest festive designs from our glass artisans in San Miguel. The raised confetti pebble pattern is distinctive and provides a colorful accent to your home bar or can be used for everyday drink ware. Each piece of confetti glassware is hand crafted and no two are exactly alike. Colored confetti glass is added by hand to each piece during the creative process. Hand blown “bubble glass” is a hallmark of artisan glass blowers and cannot be replicated by modern manufacturing short cuts.
Red Ticking Runner $26.95 Red Ticking Napkins Set 8/$44.95

The brilliant pops of colors in these glasses makes them so pretty! Bring in a great margarita mix in and we can wrap them up beautifully for a special gift! Confetti Pitcher $38.00  Confetti Margarita $17.95  Confetti Tall Cooler $12.95  Confetti Stemless Wine Glass $12.95

Large Rustic Metal Clocks

These large rustic metal clocks have a vintage flare and great old patina! They have been popular this summer for porches and patios....don't you love the large unique numbers and great vintage metal sheen? Great prices as well! Small $46.95 Large $89.45

Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Ingredients
1 jar Lemon Curd, chilled (Pick your jar up at Bonnes Amies)
1 pint light cream, chilled

Directions
Whisk together the Lemon Curd and the light cream. Process according to your ice cream maker's instructions.
Stop when ice cream is thick and creamy.
For Krups Ice Cream makers: Pour chilled curd and cream mixture into the frozen cylinder. Process for 30-35 minutes until the ice cream is thick and creamy. Can be kept frozen for one week in the freezer.

Prepared in the style of traditional English-style custard, our Lemon Curd adds a regal touch of sweet tartness to shortbread, scones, warmed gingerbread, cookies and pound cake. Try spreading our Lemon Curd in between a stack of pancakes. For a real treat, try our Lemon Curd in a pastry shell topped with fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream!

1928 English Home..A New Beginning

 We had the pleasure to help with a move into a 1928 English style home full of wonderful hardwood floors and beautiful character. The couple had recently retired from farming in the Texas Panhandle...moving from the country to the city and fully and beautifully renovating this wonderful home. Love the grey tones she chose...Manor house for her living room and intellectual grey for her kitchen. She is a dear and sweet person that loves her family and her home. An example to many people we don't know a sweeter lady! Enjoy your beautiful new home and we know that many more memories will be made!

Summer Afternoon

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” - Henry James

New Linen Tops In...

 New linen tops in that are cool and pretty for summer....a top selling line here at the shop have you tried on one of these great linen shirts? Shown above is the long white linen button up top 100% linen...would be super cute as a layered dress as well! $70.00 each

All linen garments are made from 100% natural source linen fabric that has special washing process garment dyeing. This process creates a sophisticated look that is easy and comfortable to wear. The slight color variations or minor slubs (color shading) are characteristics of the fabric, giving this garment its natural beauty and comfort.

Burlap printed linen top shown here with our gauze white linen pants...these linen tops are so cute with jeans as well. This burlap tone linen top would work well into the Fall season. 

Linen Printed Top $78.00 Gauze Linen White Pants $70.95

Bright Woven Kilim Bags

 These great bags are bright and fun with lots of texture! Generation-after generation; women work in the style of their ancestors, using colorful yarns to make beautiful objects. Because their art is an expression of the culture, each piece is an individual work of art imprinted with the soul of its creator. The purchase of this collection helps Mayan artisans support their families and shares the culture and heart of these beautiful women. Large woven leather bags $78.95 each

 Simplify your life with one of these beautiful large embroidered clutches...one of my favorites!

$62.00 each

 These knubby colorful leather kilim bags are such great finds! Great for that summer mountain trip or a special gift...love the details of the leather tassels and leather strap handles.

These kilim messenger bags are perfect to hold the essentials you need for a getaway shopping trip. Long leather strap handles make them a great crossover bag....the lapis blue, crimson red and orange colors weaved into these bags are just beautiful! Small $32.95 Large $34.95