who's that lady?

It's a dreary day in New York City today, so I spent some time putting together press kits with samples of our hottest fall earrings to send to some magazines. Right now, I can't say which ones, but you will see for yourself in the upcoming weeks. Fashion editors who are familiar with my collection sometimes call or just come over, but we like to send out some gifts and samples once in a while. You never know when they need a particular style or color for a photo shoot or story, and I like to be prepared. Of course, there are some celebrities who have seen my jewelry and actually just bought it, and then, when they were photographed wearing it, sales went through the roof.

Sometimes, the stylist for a particular celebrity has an earring or bracelet in mind when they are working with their clients, so we'll get a call asking for a particular piece, and we are more than happy to send it over. Rachel Ray showed up in People this week, wearing my Goddess earrings along with a great outfit to show off her new "2 jeans sizes smaller" figure. InTouch has shown some of my rings, I love the caption that says "J. Lo hates to leave it home" shown with my Iceberg ring, which is on sale at robertachiarella.com for $58. I have some doubts it's my ring that she is wearing in the picture, she certainly could afford a diamond that size.

There are some real, honest-to-goodness famous people who shop for my jewelry and wear it in public. Wendy Williams has been on TV wearing some of my pieces, and Janice Huff, meteorologist at WNBC-TV here in New York can often be seen wearing some of my jewelry. We get both excited and exhausted when the request comes in for Deal or No Deal, as they need enough of the same item for all the models holding the cases. Luckily, we usually have enough in stock, or have enough time to frantically call the factory, in Rhode Island, to make some right away!

A great photo shoot came out in Vogue Patterns, people who sew were thrilled to see them re-issue some vintage patterns for dresses that Lucille Ball or Rita Hayworth might have worn back in the day. I love the way they presented this jewelry, the way they used my earrings on these women, it just looks so cool and well, vintage! This magazine really knows how to use photography and accessories to show you an elegant, expensive look.

We've got our own vintage thing going on right now, with the re-issue of Mi Prima bangle, which was one of the first items I ever made. Back in 1991 I found a Bakelite bracelet in an artesan gallery in Manhattan. While chatting with the owner, I learned there was a man who had some stock of bakelite from the 1940's, and I was able to buy it and make it into bracelets. If you need to know, Bakelite is the first plastic ever produced, having been invented by a chemist named Baekeland in 1909! Anyway, the original bangles were noticed by Womens Wear Daily in 1992 when they put my first collection in their magazine, and the rest, as they say, is history! Ciao.

it still looks this way in my dreams

The new world trade center is being built as we read this, and will once again be the tallest building in new york. Here's a reprise of last years entry.

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September 11th. A sad anniversary. I really loved going to the World Trade Center, loved the excitement that it brought to downtown manhattan. So many memories, of a wonderful, more innocent time.

Here's a personal trivia fact! My brother and I were downtown one day way back then, and as we walked towards the trade center, we realized something unusual was going on.

We came upon the filming of King Kong. When we asked the crew what was was happening, they told us that they needed a really large crowd, and if we wanted to be in King Kong's death scene we should stick around.

Little did we know that the crowd had to stand there for hours and chant "KONG--KONG--KONG", and we couldn't leave till the shot was over, but we did it anyway. It was one of those 'only in New York' moments.

I sure miss the World Trade Center, and hope that, like me, you'll never forget.

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the new one world trade center, under construction

September

It's labor day weekend, amazing this summer that really never started is now finishing. In new york, at least, we didn't have much hot weather, no super-humid-sweat-producing heat waves, and only a couple of days where it was really hot. Go figure, but that's mother nature. The city is filled with tourists, and people are starting to shop a bit, maybe thanks to my summer sales and some great new pieces, the fall jewelry is selling like hotcakes.
My email subscribers received a special offer for the 'bib necklace' and it looks like I will have lots of shipping to do when I get home, we've sold plenty already.

Like most new yorkers, we consider the long weekend a special opportunity to get out of town. We have journeyed up to Canfield, Ohio. I'm visiting friends and making a pilgrimage to the Canfield Fair.
There are so many things to do, it's perfect weather and the trip up here was a great drive. Car trips and state fairs are a great way to spend the labor day weekend, and we are all having a great time. Here I am with a giant white turkey! There are lots of other farm animals here on display, some are even for sale. I really wanted to buy the cow, you never know if it's going to end up as somebodys dinner, but I don't think we can take it home to manhattan, and my brother would rather have a goat.
They have all the entries from the apple contest, each one shined and polished. Of course, if you didn't want a nice fresh apple, there was no shortage of fried foods, can you imagine deep-fried Oreos or Twinkies!

At the end of the fair the farmers come back to claim their produce, we are guessing it will end up at a roadside stand or farmers market. The thousands of ears of corn on display will be used to feed the farm animals, nothing goes to waste in this fair!
The Canfield Fair is really a great piece of americana, seeing all these people enjoying themselves, surrounded by food they have grown, animals they have raised, etc. It's sort of like my life, surrounded by jewelry I've made (or something like that)! Ciao.