Small Morsels: Black & White Edition

(Enjoying a cup of tea with my neighbor Fallon as
well as a batch of delicious pumpkin cookies she made)

     As the holiday season lingers forward I find myself taking extreme comfort in the moments that are usually overlooked. Telling secrets over tea and cookies early in the morning with a neighbor, or even finding a quiet moment alone to prepare breakfast for yourself in the AM, both exquisite ways to get your day started. Old family traditions seem to be resurfacing in small quiet ways and I couldn't be happier to welcome a new year very soon! I feel like good things are just ahead! 

(Shopping for holiday gifts in a local antique shop's garden area.)

(An inquisitive pelican outside a window on the Santa Cruz Wharf.)

(A family tradition: drawing on restaurant place mats with my father.)

(Making a hearty breakfast each morning with black coffee.)

      I hope that you all are enjoying the small morsels in life during this holiday season!

Yours,
Nico

Gems and Jewels:

(Natural Boulder Opal pendant paired with two strands of hessonite, a type of garnet that displays the tone of copper and fire.)

      After my parents divorced, I got to spend time with my dad every Tuesday and Thursday after school and every other weekend. He lived in Santa Cruz and I lived in Los Gatos with my mom, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays he would come to my side of the hill (a mountain divides these two towns) and he would take me to do creative things! Sometimes we would paint pottery but one eventful day he took me to a beading store so that I could make my own jewelry and I guess I was doomed to have an affinity for accessories from that day forward. I started working with beads to craft necklaces, bracelets, and my personal favorite item (this was the 90s...) anklets! To this day I still adore the idea of crafting my own personal accent pieces. However instead of making beaded anklets I am drawn to the idea of making jewelry utilizing natural gems and minerals because I love Geology. Here are some of my most loved pieces that I have constructed recently:

(This is the necklace I wear daily.)

(Aren't the rivers of electric water stunning on this piece? It almost looks as if a water source is penetrating a desert, which helps to explain how this type of rock was formed.)

(A shark's tooth pendant capped in silver and ruby on a delicate strand of tourmaline, another well loved piece from my jewel box.)

(An edgy yet somehow feminine necklace that I wore in this recent post.) 

(I know I said that I prefer to use natural gems and minerals but I believe this shark's tooth is just as valuable and precious.)

(A classic blue necklace made with an aquamarine
pendant and a strand of vibrant apatite beads.) 

(A quirky piece made with a vintage silver and amber brooch/pendant and a strand of natural citrine.) 

(I love the charm that this necklace has. Typically insects get preserved in amber but this little bug managed to capture some of it's own. I also adore how the citrine reminds me of a strand of honey dripping off of a spoon.)

      I feel like designing your own accessories is not only a relaxing hobby to have but the result of all your hard work lends a huge hand in creating truly personal style. I really love how my friend Kim designs her own knit wear, which I highlighted in this post. Do you create any of your own personal accessories? If so, please share, I'd love to see your projects! 

Yours,
Nico

The Hello Kat:

      For the most part, I'm a bit of a tomboy. I am continually referencing video games (luckily I gave up World of Warcraft years ago), browsing the men's department for clothing rather than the women's, as well as collecting an array of comic books. But despite all of that, I still love Hello Kitty, after all what girl doesn't? She's like Barbie, covered in feminine pink but Hello Kitty comes without all the ridiculous body proportions. She is an icon from my childhood. Her celebrity like status caused me to covet pencils, lunch boxes, and notepads all graced with her pleasant kitten face. These days I don't collect school supplies so instead I've picked up a few accessories that can be stowed away in my purse! However, my tomboy-esque nature couldn't be curbed all the way because I couldn't resist collecting Hello Kitty action figures as well! 

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

A girl in snake's clothing:

Sunglasses- Vintage Gucci, Necklace- DIY project, Dress- Calvin Klein,
 Watch- Michael Kors, Tights- American Apparel, Silver Ring-
Tiffanys, Bag- YSL, Shoes- Vintage Chanel

      I actually wore this outfit for Thanksgiving dinner last month but wanted to share the look anyway. I have also worn this dress before recently on the blog here but for a holiday I decided to gussy myself up a bit with strappy suede heels (a birthday present found while consignment shopping in November) and a bold fuschia lipstick. I love when a dress in my closet can work for multiple occasions. 

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

Neary Lagoon:

      Here on Satin&Salt I love to share my favorite stylings as well as recipes that I devour, but what I am really trying to highlight is the simple desire to live well. This can be done in many ways, whether it's upcycling old furniture for a custom look that saves a ton of cash, or even making yourself an "unbirthday cake" just because! Today, I am putting a spotlight on living well by visiting beautiful places like Neary Lagoon here in Santa Cruz, California. 

      Santa Cruz has been my home for more than 3 years now and my favorite local hang out is this quiet lagoon. This is my utmost favorite place to take short walks, sit down and read a book, or just witness the local wildlife. Sometimes it is essential to take a break from the everyday chaos of life and just let your brain relax... Don't you agree?

(I felt real lucky to get a moment with this butterfly before it fluttered away)

(Nine West flats that I have been wearing everywhere as of late.)

     Whatever life throws my way, I know I always have a place of refuge in Neary Lagoon, do you have a favorite location to escape to?

Yours,
Nico


PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here!