Aurora Borealis Designs

The simple things in life are sometimes the sweetest...a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream, the downy soft fur of a cuddly puppy or a walk on the beach, to name a few. The latter happens to serve as inspiration for designer Annie McFarlane, of Aurora Borealis Designs. Based in Leland, Michigan, McFarlane works in sterling silver, using found objects from her walks like Leland bluestones, Petoskey stones and luminous beach glass.

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The collection is comprised of unique, organically shaped pieces, the final product informed by the stones themselves, which are "tumbled by nature, never by man!" McFarlane's passion for beautiful and charming Leland is evident in all her pieces, the process giving her a way to "capture a beach walk and release it into the designs."

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The Aurora Borealis Designs studio is located on the Harbor in Leland and is a popular stop for those in search of an elegant memento of their time in the area. If there's a more stylish way to take the stunning beauty of the beach with you, no matter where you may roam, we haven't heard of it.

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Come meet Annie McFarlane and view the latest Aurora Borealis Designs collection on May 9th from 11a to 5p. Linger a bit longer in Roanoke for the Style & Charm event, featuring special promotions from many area boutiques like Katharos Art & Gift, Rescued Relics and more.

 

Toast & Dragon Trunk Show

One of the things we love most at The Trove is introducing our customers to unique, handcrafted jewelry from talented artisans. We jump at the chance to throw trunk shows that enable us to offer not only even more amazing treasures but to host the passionate people behind the brands. This month, we're more than thrilled to present Toast & Dragon, by Boston-based fine jewelry designer, Denise Fenoglio.

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Toast & Dragon celebrates the beauty of nature, conveyed via fine metals and gems, in organic shapes, colors and textures. Informed by her time living in France and her extensive European and Middle Eastern travels, along with her studies at the prestigious North Bennet Street School in Boston's historic North End, Fenoglio has created a gorgeous collection of feminine and expressive pieces. The designer chooses her materials from ethical and environmentally-sound sources and uses natural, non-enhanced precious and semi-precious gems in her designs. She finds inspiration for each one-of-a-kind piece from the stones themselves and looks to nature to inform the silhouette and final details.

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Jewelry is more than just stylish adornment - it is deeply personal and can be a reflection of who we truly are. Along with treasured pieces from our jewelry boxes come stories about their origin, some passed down through generations. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful event with Denise and Toast & Dragon and perhaps add a new piece, and a new story, to your collection.

Meet Denise Fenoglio and experience Toast & Dragon on April 23rd from 1p to 8p, with wine and hors d'ouevres starting at 5p.

Spring Renewal

Springtime is all about renewal. Mother Nature comes out of hiding, making herself known by way of warm sunshine, budding flowers and chirping birds. In this spirit, we Trovesters are going through a renewal of our own. We're rebooting our blog so we can kick off Spring 2015 with fresh ideas and new perspectives. We have some exciting things planned and can't wait to share them with you, online and in store!

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Taking Shape

The building is taking shape.  Technically it is done; we have a certificate of occupancy.  But a certificate of occupancy does not a store make.  We have many, many tasks ahead of us, but for some reason they don’t feel like work.  

Another big part of the pre-work we are doing is coming up with our store’s branding and identity pieces.  I’m learning so much by working with one of my cohorts who has a background in PR with the Denver Broncos!  (and a was in the army to boot, so I tend to listen when she speaks!).  Also, we have enlisted the help of a dear friend of my daughter’s, Anaîs.  This woman is a godsend—talented, creative, timely and responsive.  We’ve been doing most of our work via email and across a 3 hour time difference, but it hasn’t mattered a bit.

Here is a peek at our logo:

Thanks Anaïs for creating such a classy logo for us!

Here is the mock up of the sign:

Leslie & Mark with the paper version of the sign.  They won't have to stand there forever!

Side view of store and barn.  Big plans for big fun in the barn!

Do you like?

Our tag line is:  a store of delightful things.

We hope you’ll visit us on or after November 8 to see it all come together!

Imaginary Store

I used to have a store—back in the ’90s.  It was fun and a headache and it  made me happy and frustrated.  I’ve always wanted to have another one and have toyed with the idea for years.  It got to be such an obsession that a dear friend started calling it my “imaginary store” to remind me that my thoughts were rather deluded.

Well, the imaginary store has some bones.  I got tired of talking about it.  Time to act.  Stay tuned for future updates but for now, here is a pic of it coming to fruition:

Working hard to make a cookie cutter 1980′s bank branch have more personality!

Bangkok Street Food

I am of the firm belief that some of the best food in Bangkok can be found on the street being sold by vendors set up on seemingly every corner.  I have sampled the most delicious coconut ice cream, served with coconut meat and chopped macadamia nuts and the tastiest “mini pineapple” which my daughter proclaimed was better than any candy.  The following pictures prove my point that whether it was from a cart on the street or inside a market or from a boat that was part of a floating market, food in and around Bangkok may be the best when you are looking at the person who prepared it!

If I could eat one thing over and over again, it would be this Pad Thai. With a Singha to wash it down!

The epitome of chicken satay. What I’d give to find that on a street corner in my home town!

Nature’s Candy!

Heading to the floating market.

And to wash it all down…

Deciding what you want to eat at the floating market is the hardest part!

Dessert! Sticky Rice with an amazing topping of caramelized coconut.

Market Flowers

Orchids are my favorite flower.  So delicate, so easy to care for, so seemingly exotic, even though many of the species really aren’t.  Visiting several vegetable, fruit and flower markets in Thailand was a visual treat.  Orchids and lotus flowers abound.  A large bouquet of orchids could be had for about $1 USD.  Oh to have cut orchids in large bowls around my house!  I will settle for two or three stems in a plant!  I will let the flowers speak for themselves:

Pile of Orchids–$1 USD for a large bunch.

Take your pick! The choices are overwhelming and all beautiful.

More varieties of orchids. How to decide?

Fresh Lotus Flowers–I’d never seen these in such abundance.

The subtle flowers are inspiring. Remind me of watermelon tourmaline jewelry…

Lotus in their natural state.

Sampaguita Flower leis. The Sampaguita flower is a type of jasmine and has a wonderful scent.

Making Sampaguita Leis in the market. Bangkok, Thailand.

Thai Coffee

 I’ve been out and about lately–when I found myself in LAX every weekend for four in a row, I thought I had died and gone to heaven!  Not what you might expect me to say, I know, but if I’m in an airport that means I am coming or going from an adventure and that makes me happy.

When I travel, I love to experience food.  Really, food is my souvenir.  A recipe I brought back from my trip is for Thai Coffee.  This really helps a person make it across time zones, believe me!

Thai Kah-Fe

1 double espresso

2 T sweetened condensed milk

Spoon the condensed milk into a glass of double espresso and allow the milk to settle at the bottom of the glass.  Serve hot with a coffee spoon and stir to combine the coffee and milk before drinking.

Also, completely delicious over ice!!!

This recipe is courtesy of “At the Table of Jim Thompson,” an amazing Thai cookbook.

Lady-like Pumps

 A beautiful shoe trend I noticed on my recent trip to NYC is the predominance of lady-like pumps.  The trend points back to the pointed toe, kitten heel, single soled shoe.  Still available are the more rocker style platform pumps, but the new trend makes them look down right tart-y!

Manolo Blahnik–always classy.. Via Barneys.com

I am particularly loving the new heels–the thin, flat heels at Louis Vuitton and the inventive whimsical heels at Marc Jacobs.  When worked in combination with the mod black and white palette it feels like a combination of the 50s and the 60s–in all the best ways!

Here’s the idea…black and white looks fresh again! Via NYTimes.com.

I’m so happy I saved some of my old pumps from the early 2000s, but I’m sure I won’t be able to resist a new pair.

Musings on Tennis Shoes

 I’ve had a struggle with wearing tennis shoes in cities and on trips.  I have always felt too touristy or out of style, but my feet sure appreciate the support and ease of walking in tennis shoes.

I recently consulted with a fashion maven to see what her opinion might be about how to get around a city and still be on trend.  What to do?

Her advice was tennis shoes!  She had specific brands in mind, depending on your budget…

For the flush of bank account, behold the Lanvin tennis shoe:

Lanvin Suede Sneakers via Barneys.com.

Yes, Lanvin, the French fashion house, makes a tennis shoe!  It is adorable, I must admit.  So, instead of dropping beaucoup dollars on the stilettos you only wear once a year, why not get your price per wear with a tennis shoe?

Also saw these Golden Goose tennis shoes while perusing the Barney’s site–I like the skater boy look:

Golden Goose Tennie–image via Barneys.com.

Oh the other side of the budget coin, consider Chuck Taylors by Converse.  Long worn by hipsters, musicians, and other creative types, Chuck Taylors come at a price point that is definitely easier to swallow.  I recently went on the Converse web site and you can even customize your own!  I’m debating on a pair of washed gray ones and think I may pull the trigger.  Maybe some bright colored ones for summer…

Chuck Taylors via The Finish Line.

Marimekko/Chuck Taylor collab via Zappos.com. Hits the black and white trend!

Spring Time Chucks! Via Zappos.com.