The Passionate Collector^® Blog

The moment I saw this umbrella {pictured above} I instantly fell in love. At first glance I thought there were actual petals hanging down. How cheery would that have been? But even as is this fabulous umbrella would brighten up any grey day. In fact, I would pray for rain just for an excuse to stroll down the streets with this little beauty.

And what’s even better is that The Passionate Collector has so many more to choose from that are all equally as fabulous as this Brown with Gold Flower Umbrella. You’ve got your animal prints, your bold + bright colors, your more subdued tones with subtle accents. I secretly–or not so secretly–want them all, and I’m not usually one to gush over an umbrella. Oh, did I even mention the fact that they are each custom handmade in Italy? They truly are a work of art!

So go check out the rest of the collection of fun + funky umbrellas. you’ll find yourself saying, why hello, fall, give me your worst!

If you’ve been browsing the celebrity gossip and fashion mags in the line at the grocery store lately maybe you’ve seen us.  The Passionate Collector has been in US Weekly, Lucky, Redbook, just to name a few over the past year.  You can check out all the publicity HERE if you want the inside scoop.  Now get yourself to those newsstands today!  You don’t want to miss out on any of the bling!  {Oh, and the gossip.}

Thanksgiving is fast approaching which means one thing:  the frenzied flurry of Holiday shopping is officially upon us.  Black Friday, my friends, Black. Friday.  You know how it is, the crazy people looking for a hot deal get up at four in the morning to head over to the nearest big box store to fight all the other crazies for a Tickle Me Elmo doll.  Now unless you just like the sport of it all I’m here to offer you another solution.  One where you can keep your jammies on and even sleep in if you want to.

Black Friday doesn’t have to be so dreary when you shop online for those hot deals.  Check out what’s new at The Passionate Collector and receive 20% off any of THESE items.  From pashminas to purses to funky umbrellas {and everything in between}, I’m sure you can find something for that special someone on your list.  Bold, bright color is what’s in this holiday season, so ditch the drabness of black and check out what’s new in the shop this Friday!

Is a vacation with laptop in tow still a vacation???  Do the French take their laptops with them on vacation??  That’s something I need to find out.  Because the French take vacationing seriously.  I think for many Americans, myself included, a vacation with a laptop is really a signal that the venue may change, but the mindset is more resistant.  However, the lack of internet service is a none too subtle reminder that you are farther away than you thought.

Vacation in Athens

Yesterday, at the National Archeological Museum and the new Acropolis Museum in Athens [just opened in July 2009], we saw a treasure trove of artifacts from various periods of ancient Greece.  How to recognize Greek statues based on the finesse of the sculpting, the smile or seriousness of the mouth.

Greek Sculpture

Lots of grave markers with Greek ladies picking out jewelry from their jewelry boxes to take with them before dying.  An interesting concept that the ancients had.  When did the handing down jewelry to the family come in?

And lots of gold jewelry that still looks as beautiful as the day it was worn.  Beautiful repousse, intricate detailing that is astounding to see.  Adornment goes waaaay back.

[Wow!  Church bells at 9PM on the island of Lemnos, Greece, near Turkey.  I haven’t heard bells in a while.]

Beautiful weather, strong sun 65-80 degrees, no clouds in the sky.

Today, the Museum of Lemnos had an astounding collection of pottery [extraordinarily well preserved with very sophisticated texturing] that made one of the archeologists on our trip absolutely gleeful.   I, on the other hand, took pictures of…the jewelry!!!

Just imagine if you were opening some junk drawer you’d forgotten about and there, among the ruins, were these delicate gold pieces you had forgotten about.  That would be pretty darn exciting, wouldn’t it???

Last week we had the pleasure of eating and working in Philadelphia. What a great city! It is a beautiful and historic city with great food and a neighborly sense of hustle and bustle. And did I mention good food?

Like The Flying Monkey chocolate and banana cupcakes that are so yummy you don’t want it to end. And Reading Market (right across from the Convention Center) which is a cornucopia of eateries–only a few of which I had time to visit. What a treat.

And, we happened to be in Philly during Restaurant Week–an opportunity for locals and visitors to try restaurants that might otherwise be out of their price range.

A special shout out to Noble and The Plough and Stars for their delicious food.

But, we came for business and business we did.

Fresh (or rather bleary-eyed) from the Governor’s Conference for Women in Philadelphia yesterday with 4000 women and several stalwart men attending, we met some new friends and heard from some wise and inspirational speakers.

And everyone loved our jewelry–which was, of course, the very reason for attending.

Thank you Philadelphia.