Our Hearts Are With You, Los Angeles

I may have left my heart in San Francisco back in 2019, but now it’s breaking for Los Angeles. While we’re freezing here in the desert of Tucson, Arizona, what with its icy, polarized winters, the City of Angels is, in contrast, on fire. The devastation is paranormal as the fires rage on, carried by angry winds. My heart literally aches for L.A., which has been all but decimated by fire. The city is in ashes, but my hope for it remains alive.

And although it seems glib to consider fashion at this time, I am compelled to sit down at the computer and bleed, as Ernest Hemingway described the act of writing. So what’s on my style agenda lately? Hearts. Lots of them. Maybe it’s because the world needs more love, or maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day is advancing upon us. Then again, perhaps it’s just fashion’s favorite shape motif-of-the-moment, manifesting in the most earnest, pure, genuine way. But whatever the reason, these hearts put a smile on my face and put the sentiment of just a little more love and caring out there in this world. And isn’t that really what life is all about? Love? And fashion? I mean, what else is there?!?

Right now I’m completely fixated on the sterling melted heart, above, created by Tucson jewelry artist, Marnie Ehlers. There’s something about its lopsided asymmetry that I find utterly charming. This draped effect is a result of working with metal clay, Marnie told me, which works like clay, “but fires to metal,” she said. It consists of microscopic particles of metals such as gold, bronze, copper, or in this case silver, mixed with an organic binder and water. Metal clay can be shaped like soft clay. When it’s dry it can be fired in a kiln with a hand-held, high-temperature gas torch. The binder burns away, leaving pure metal. Fascinating!

I’m wearing my heart on repeat. My wonderful mother bought me this pendant-chain combo at the Southern Arizona Art Guild for my birthday. This is a heavy, substantial necklace in stature, slightly weighty, but it’s really the form and its contours, as well as the unique luster–a tumbled satin finish–that I find most interesting. And it’s a result of this satin finish technique that imparts a bright, pearly-white sheen to the sterling and renders polishing unnecessary! How fab is that?

I can totally wear this piece with jeans and a sweater, or with a more elevated ensemble. Casual or dressy, its versatility is unmatched. A finely-crafted piece of art like this always looks right. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, this is a one-of-a-kind piece, signed by the artist, which means you will never find another one exactly like it! Now that is something I can fully support!

If you’ve got your heart set on something similar, please contact Marnie at her website:

https://www.goodmusedesigns.com/Gallery.html

Next up: I am positively *lovestruck* for the Love Actually Pearl Gram Clip, which are these teeny-tiny, pearl-encrusted, rhinestone-studded custom-initial heart hair clips by Lelet New York, above. Taylor Swift embellished her couture coif with these darling little clips, below. Their petite size and luxe attention to detail make them more than a lust, but a must. Just look at how gorgeous they are on Taylor! Adorable, yet seductive! I must say, she looks flawless.

I bought the clips in my boyfriend’s initials and wear them like a rich-girl tattoo, because, let’s face it, at $138 per heart, love for your locks does not come cheap! This will look especially cool for Valentine’s Day. You can design a whole look based on these itty-bitty hearts, which are whimsical and romantic, begging for an ornate hairstyle to adorn, or even a simple braid.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve is effortless with Kurt Geiger of London, who make the sweetest little heart-shaped purses. They’re on-trend and reasonably-priced. If you’re searching for a heart of gold, like the famous Neil Young song, then I have for your consideration this quilted cutie above, complete with a chain hardware strap and the brand’s signature eagle, awash in impressive gilding.

Whether you opt for silver or for gold, or anything in between, I encourage you to consider adding a little love into your wardrobe with a hearty helping of hearts. “I believe the heart has an infinite ability to love,” Marnie stated. “All of our experiences and the people we love and hold in our hearts are folded and fused into something that is uniquely individual to each of us.”

If you’d like to send more than love and prayers to Los Angeles, I also urge you to donate to a Los Angeles wildfire relief fund. In the meantime, wear a heart as a symbol of your sentiments. Goodbye, Los Angeles…and hello.