Archive for the ‘Gift Idea’ Category

I admit it. I am a sucker for gorgeous jewelry. When I met Magally last year, I was smitten.

I was walking by her booth at a show, and only caught it out of the corner of my eye, since I had pretty much finished shopping (read “had already exceeded my budget”). But there was a certain glint of silver…

Magally-designed silver bouquet bracelet

I walked back and looked again. Two smiling faces welcomed me as I took another look, a little bit longer one. There was something so magical about all the luminous dangling silver–so dainty and simultaneously modern–that took me by surprise.

Sure, I sell a lot of silver. But this was extra special. This silver shone in the booth. This was pure silver.

Magally earrings - Pure silver and rubies!

Pure silver is softer than sterling, but it is well suited for this jewelry. (FYI, earwires on Magally’s jewelry are sterling silver for added strength.) It starts as a fine thread and is transformed by hand into breathtakingly unpretentious, sophisticated jewelry.

Ruby Necklace

Magally, Claudia and I talked for about an hour–about Magally’s inspiration for her jewelry (her grandmother’s crocheting) and about each piece itself. I was fascinated by the tiny silver balls that comprise most of the pieces. They are not static so they move around (making them a bit challenging to photograph!). They do look very much like tiny grapes, but also remind me a bit of drippings on a sand castle, you know the way you take the wet sand in your hand and just drip it onto the castle you are building. Those little balls are an integral part of Magally’s jewelry.

More beautiful Magally Ruby Drop earrings

But those little balls reflect light and that is the genius and true beauty in Magally’s designs. No matter which piece you try on–and I tried on almost all of them–they bring light to your face and, usually, quite a nice smile! Magally’s pieces would make a magnificent present any time of the year, but especially at Valentine’s Day!!

Magally Ruby Lariat Necklace. 40 carats of rubies!

Onyx and Gold Dangle Earrings $135

Last night, I saw the movie “Bride Wars.” In the first few minutes, there’s Anne Hathaway, looking as gorgeous as ever, wearing the chandelier earrings we sell! I was so excited.

And, as I sit here writing, our first-ever YouTube video is now live. Check it out and enjoy!

Golden Fortune Life is a Circle Bag $58

The Life is a Circle Bag was selected as New Age Retailer’s “Best in Show” at the NY International Gift Fair.

Multi Tie Tote $85

In the news are the recycled bags we carry. Congrats to Rebagz for having its Multi Tie Tote named InStyle magazine’s “#1 Eco-bag”.

Sun Rice Cinchy Tote $90

And congrats to the Cinchy Tote being Spa Life magazine’s one of the “9 Must-Haves of 2009.”

Definitely an exciting week for the Passionate Collector team!

Ok actually I don’t have a countdown. That would be kind of excessive and creepy. 17 days folks until Valentines day, not a lot of time. Heres the breakdown for a great Valentines day experience:

• Finding the perfect Valentines Day gift: 5 days of non-stop shopping on Guys Guide and Passionate Collector.
• Wrapping the gift: 2 days (it has to be good!).
• Finding a good hiding place for the Valentines Day gift: 1 day.
• Creating the best Valentines Dinner possible: 9 days minimum.

Having the best 2009 Valentines Day ever: Priceless.

A Red Heart Encrusted in Swarovski Crystals $120.00

Time is a precious thing. To all my fellow guys out there trying to make their girl happy this year for Valentines Day; lets not mess this one up boys.

Knowing me I would probably do something dumb like offer to watch The Sixth Sense on Valentines. The Guys Guide has me covered on gifts for my wife but I’d like to throw this out to the community – Got any good movie ideas for Valentines Day? Gift ideas for Valentines Day helps too, I mean I’m not picky here but I would really like to make this year a good one.

We just had our second kid and my wife needs to know she is super appreciated around the homestead. I’m not saying a movie is my first idea for Valentines Day but if it comes to that…let me know what ideas you have.

While your thinking of a good move idea check out the new badge for the Passionate Collector:

Email me at adam at thepassionatecollector.com to get the code and I’ll kick that over right away. Not a bad lookin’ code eh? Ooh and it’s pink for Valentines Day.

Matte Silver Hammered Bangle Set

I came across this bracelet set and I think this would be a great idea for the silver jewelry lover in your life. Thoughts?

Digital audio editor or fearless daring???

If you google the word “audacity,” the first thing that comes up refers to the digital audio editor. Can you imagine what it would be like for people from another country or planet to get all the geek definitions before the language definitions?

Anyway, in my world, audacity is a wonderful daring, and this year, 2009, I am officially declaring as the Year of the Audacious Woman. Whaaat???

2009 = The Year of the Audacious Woman.

The economy is in the toilet, people are out of work, kids who are in school are really worried about the job market and people are wondering how and why we have outsourced so many jobs overseas. And why our educational system lags behind so much of the developing world.

What sense does it all make?? Not much. But I am hopeful that we can make a difference.

And how, you might ask, shall we do that? With some audacity, some gumption and good old-fashioned chutzpah.

Now I was a pretty timid kid when I was little–but, every once in a while I’d get up my courage, go out on a limb and just DO something. Something often unexpected and out of character, which only made the experience more delicious. When I think about it, I can recall several times when I surprised everyone–especially myself–with the creativity and, you guessed it, audacity of my idea, performance, or whatever.

Gold Leaf Tortoise Bangle - Bracelet

So, I think we need to be a bit audacious in our behavior and what we demand of the world. Maybe we need to make our own luck. Maybe our expectations should be that we have to work for everything we get and if we put in a mediocre effort, we should get no more than a mediocre reward.

When did Americans get the sense of entitlement that pervades so much of our society? Like things should just be handed to us. Like I’m smart, so things should be easy.

Do you know how many smart people are out there doing very little? Why is that? Have you ever looked at successful people and figure they must have been really lucky to get where they are?

Well, yeah, I’m sure some measure of what they achieved was through luck, but I can guarantee you, that most of it was through persistence, determination, sheer hard work and audacious behavior.

I never quite understood just how people made their own luck, as the expression goes. I guess those times when I was out on that limb were infrequent enough for me to grow up somewhat mystified as to how to live a goal-oriented and audacious life.

So what if I am a late bloomer. I feel like I can be audacious now. There’s no time like the present.

Crackled Turquoise Necklace

As a small business entrepreneur, I’ve learned I have to be nimble. I’ve realized that without my own sense of determination, there isn’t another person who is as devoted to this business as I am. I need to keep driving forward.

I may not be able to control the economy, but I can do my part. I can buck the odds and keep my business growing. How? Not by luck (though that would be nice–some editorial in Lucky and InStyle magazines would help), but by sheer hard work and a little daring.

And to all the other woman out there who say, I can’t possibly do that, I will say: yes you can. If you don’t who will? If you don’t stand up for your family, or your business, or your team, who will?

This is the way we should see ourselves–big and bold and beautiful. Put it out there in the universe–for this is the year of the audacious woman.