Montauk

Image via Wikipedia

Do you ever keep going back to the same place because somehow it inspires you?  Whether it is the air, the natural lighting, the sounds of the sea, beach combing, the art, the music, the scenery, the people or simply the atmosphere the place exudes.  Something draws you back.  I feel this way about many places for different reasons.  Montauk is one of those places. 

                                    

I find that places that don't change over time maintain a romantic quality.  Last year it was Maine, which has this quality.  This year is was back to Montauk, also a place that time has in many ways left alone.  It has a vibe that is unlike anywhere else in the Hampton's.  There is no pretense.  There is little in a way of a "scene".  Though that is the one thing that has changed since our last trip to the East End now three summers ago.  There are some new hautes to spend time...still a good vibe while quiet during the week, I don't think weekends hold true to this comment.  I hear the Surf Lodge has caused some controversy over holiday weekends which is not welcomed by the locals of Montauk.  Like I said we were there during the week & life was calm. 

Checking out the local boutiques to see what jewelry designers are featured was inspiring.  I love the idea of nature becoming jewelry.  While I lived in NYC no one would have dreamed of wearing geodes hanging from ones ears or a fossilized piece of tusk as a bracelet, very cool... nature recycled as jewelry.  This movement can been seen in many boutiques along the East End, fashion magazines & online.  Agate has been overdone in this medium, the next natural phase would be to explore more elements from the earth.  Not everyone can afford nor wants a diamond, ruby, or sapphire~also gifts from the ground we walk, but for those of us who have been over-exposed to the world of jewelry we want what is new, what has not been done before.  I guess this is true with any art form.  It makes sense that jewelry would move in this direction.  Let's look for this around us, it is everywhere: department stores, lesser chain boutiques like Forever 21, even TJMaxx is featuring jewelry from new genre.

Left:  image of the fossilized mammoth bangle is by Dean Harris, sold at Barneys New York & retails for $600.00.  Right: Citrine Big Tower Ring by Paula Mendoza on Vivre for $525.00.  So much jewelry going natural...