While my year isn't governed by the rhythm of a school year anymore, I still feel like September brings a particularly new and fresh energy to the calendar. I truly enjoy summer, but I LOVE fall... even though in this part of the country September is most normally the hottest month.

With that in mind, I wanted to share some of the newer pieces that have arrived as of late. There is an absolutely stunning five-part ring with brilliant diamonds. We made a version of this last year, which was only in the store for about an hour before someone swept it up as an anniversary gift. I imagine the same might happen with this one. It's truly that special. 

I am always working on unique ways to wear a pearl necklace, and love tracking how it has shifted with the fashions of the times. There were the Victorian ropes upon ropes, which were spectacular, and then of course Coco Chanel and her take on that era, making pearls a staple for the modern woman. Then maybe we jump to the 1950s and the twin-set sweater crowd, who wore a single or double short strand necklace of oftentimes graduated, cultured pearls. After that, most notably, I remember the 1980s and Barbara Bush with her gumball sized, triple strand of faux pearls by Kenneth Jay Lane. 

I love pearls, but need to make them my own way, something I expand on from time to time. I have made clusters of them on gold loops, which hang like a bunch of grapes from a leather cord, as well as impossibly long strands of South Sea pearls in a mix of colors and sizes. I also make what I call pearl scarves, that are open ended, and can be worn in a number of ways. My favorite of all are keshi pearls. Their irregular shapes and the fact that they are non-nucleated really appeals to me. Here, however, I've used freshwater pearls, in an unusual shape to adorn each link of this 18K yellow gold chain, and I couldn't love it more.  

On the wardrobe front, I'm looking forward to wearing our 100% silk Isobel blouse day and night. It looks beautiful mixed with another Liberty of London silk print, as well as with denim or under a suit jacket. I love the attached scarf, with its myriad of ways to tie, as well as the double ruffle on the cuff, which looks just so lovely peeking out from the sleeve of a blazer. The swingy cut looks great both loose and tucked in, and on everyone. We also make it in solid silks, in color-blocked or simply one color. It's a flattering, truly useful piece that will enhance any wardrobe for the fall season ahead. 

It has been hot, so I've been making lots of different herbal concoctions to pour over ice. One I've been making on repeat is a recipe I saw in an email sent from Fanny Singer's website, Permanent Collection. It's so light and delicious, uses herbs I grow in pots around my garden, and is caffeine free. It is lovely to drink at any time of day or evening. I hope she won't mind me sharing with you as well.

A Soothing Summer Herbal Tea

2 long sprigs of lemon verbena (a handful of dried leaves works too)

4 sprigs of thyme

3 sprigs of tarragon

the peel of one tangerine or small orange

1 cinnamon stick

2 tablespoons of dried fennel seeds

Place all ingredients in a carafe or tea pot and cover with boiling water. Allow to steep and cool before pouring over ice to serve.

Enjoy,