As Rothman calls to light, oftentimes these sketchbooks are works of art in their own right, with the added benefit of not having seen the creative process filtered through too many rounds of revisions, editing or cultural critique. They are, in fact, raw.

As a jewelry designer, photographer and all-around visual person, I can relate to the sheer joy of tapping into creativity and exploring ideas on paper. For this reason, I’ve been keeping such books since high school or earlier—the ones pictured above are an example—and encourage all of you, even if not a professional artist, to try your hand at a sketchbook, even a simple miniature Moleskine—perfect for summer beach vacations—and see where it leads you. -Monica

“One woman’s ‘trash’ is another’s treasure”: It’s a cliche saying, but so true. Last week at a panel discussion for the CFDA, I had the opportunity to speak afterward with Mad Men’s costume designer and creative whiz, Janie Bryant. Janie has a passion for the find: flea markets and vintage boutiques are a huge source of inspiration for her and a source, period, when it comes to dreaming up the wardrobes of the characters she is charged with helping to bring to live on TV.

Interestingly, Janie told the audience that she had found Joan (Holloway) Harris’—aka the office manager played by Christina Hendricks—signature pin in a box of assorted junk at a flea market. Creating character out of a flea market stand literally occurred, as the pin became an iconic piece and closely tied to Joan’s presentation.

I love this story because it proves that great old pieces of jewelry, costume or otherwise, can provide a huge look and become the emotional treasures we’re always seeking.

Photo: Erie Basin

Recently, I came across an article in an old issue of British Harpers Bazaar on the subject of wardrobe building blocks. The premise of the piece was that for a woman to create her own individual style, having good classic pieces is key. No matter what her lifestyle is, a stylish woman should always ensure her closet is properly stocked with those basics upon which she can layer key fashion pieces. Adding a great bag or shoe can instantly transform the outfit. It is in fact these building blocks that will allow you to show your true individuality.

Naturally, this got me thinking about jewelry. If you want to create your own jewelry look, and to avoid any jewelry dilemmas, you can also invest in building block-type pieces. These are the always elegant, always chic items you know and love—a chain, for example, is the jewelry equivalent of your crisp white button-up shirt, versatile enough to mix with current trends. Other building blocks include gold or silver bangles and a classic charm bracelet.

So, bring your own character and your own style into your jewelery world now. Have some of those forever pieces that make getting ready in the morning that much easier. -Monica

A love of style knows not the limits of generation or age–and it stays with you throughout your life. I’m so proud of the way my two daughters have cultivated their own personal styles. And, in celebration of Mother’s Day, I’d like to share two personal photos that reflect how an heirloom can be shared and reinvented between mother and daughter.

I adore my daughter Laura’s expressiveness. Here she is borrowing my secret message ball necklace, styled with a flowy white peasant dress, Loeffler boots and a bohemian-chic vest. The necklace, in this context, looks luxe and whimsical.

And here I am, of course, wearing a similar version of the necklace in a much more classic way. I’m a big fan of neutrals, like the black and camel here, offset with by the gold jewelry.

It’s interesting to see how different a nearly identical piece can look when interpreted by my daughter versus me. I’m curious to know: Do you share clothes, accessories and jewelry with your mother or daughters?

-Monica

Currently at the

I am an enthusiast of Viennese arts and art objects. I’m half Austrian and have made many voyages there over the years. Klimt in particular is a favorite of mine. Two years ago, I created a limited-edition, hand-painted frame collection based on the palette of the famous painting, “The Kiss.” , It was finished by hand by an Isabel O’Neil-trained artist using a dry point pen over a 22 karat gold surface.

Aside from the paintings, the jewelry and style relics from that period, such as a graphic black, white and gold belt buckle from Josef Hoffman, are also on display. They’re very precise and distinct—an inspiration to all artists and fashion designers.

Picture: Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Baroness Elisabeth Bachofen-Echt, ca. 1914

Here were the best bits:

1. Bakelite bangles: It’s no secret that I loooove bakelite! I found a wonderful stack full of it in bangle bracelet form at the famous Marche Aux Puces. Bakelite is expensive, but you get a big look for it. I like mixing it with silver and gold pieces for a luxe touch.

2. Antiquarian books: I was so excited when I came across Librarie Chretien at 178 Fauborg Saint Honore. The shop has been around for 150 years and—best part about it—is filled with great old tomes on Cartier and other jewelers. I could spend hours getting lost in there.

3. Photographs of Serge and Jane: What could be more iconic than the famous French crooners? Birkin, who is a huge inspiration to a fresh generation of designers (ask anyone with a sewing machine and a dream of making it big on Fashion Avenue, and they’ll probably mention Jane Birkin as a fashion icon). A photography exhibition dedicated to the career of Gainsbourg, and including photos from the era of his love affair with Birkin, just wrapped at Sotheby’s Paris, but I was fortunate enough to catch it before it closed. How fantastic are these images?

Au Revoir! -Monica

This past week I went to see “Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography,” at the Museum of Modern Art. It’s always a treat to spend any portion of time amid works of photography created with old-fashioned film. Walking through the show, you can small the aroma of the darkroom lingering on the prints. The fact is, I still love to use film. Digital prints just do not match the depth and the soul of a silver gelatin print that comes alive in the alchemy of the darkroom.

The MOMA show also reminds us how many wonderful female photographers there were and still are. Diane Arbus, Imogen Cunningham, Nan Goldin—just a few of the amazing names included in the exhibit. One of my favorites is Gertrude Kasebier—one of the first to take candid portraits of people in their homes. Her photographs transform ordinary environments into artistic spaces. -Monica

Photograph: Gertrude Käsebier, Blessed Art Thou Among Women, 1899, courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Mrs. Hermine M. Turner

And the jewelry is incredible. What really struck me was the individual quality of each piece, each one a work of art in its own right and not just another ring, necklace, or bracelet. The drawings of the pieces are also on display. These were also works of art that I would happily take home and frame.

Here’s my favorite quote from the show: “The recipe for making an exquisite piece of jewelry is akin to haute cuisine: masters employ special techniques to mix and adorn top-quality ingredients, creating something that is far greater than the sum of its parts.” As everyone from the artisan to the casual connoisseur of jewelry knows, it takes more than one person’s vision to create something wonderful and the beauty’s in the many parts that create a complete puzzle. -Monica

I can’t deny that I will continue to buy and shop, but I’ll also be revisiting what’s long tucked away in the depths of my own closet again, searching for the heirlooms I already own. -Monica

Image: Courtesy of Rachel Roy

This May, I experienced deja vu when I picked up my youngest daughter, Laura, at the airport. She had just returned from a semester abroad in Paris, where she studied French, art and business while living with a older single Parisian woman.

The similarities between our experiences were uncanny right down to feeling devastated the day we had to return home. She even went through my same program called the International Education of Students.

However, the biggest points of difference from our trips is that I didn’t have the opportunity to maintain a steady flow of conversation with my family as she did. Before Skype, Facebook, texting and even emailing, my best option to contact my parents, besides a handwritten letter, was a phone call, which I would make every 10 days or so from a post office or phone booth (remember those?) on a street corner.

Laura, on the other hand, always had the opportunity to reach out to us every day. If I didn’t hear from her, I would always find some excuse to write her an email. She was particularly great about taking me on excursions with her. She would often write to tell me in vivid detail about a new shop in the historic neighborhood of Marais or a bistro she discovered while exploring a quaint cobblestone street. Or she would bring me with her to my favorite museums—the Musee Rodin and the Musee d’Orsay—where I spent many, many days writing papers.

Had we signed up for Gowalla or Foursquare—popular online social networks that allow you to literally track participating friends and family on a world map (both offer rewards, like coupons, for visiting certain places)—I would have been able to literally follow her everywhere.

While French lifestyle, traditions, and museums have remained nearly the same since my academic visit, many of the restaurants and stores that she found were new to me. I was able to create fresh memories with her from across the Atlantic without dropping a dime—well, maybe a little money here and there since she found way too many cute boutiques. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to fall in love with Paris all over again through my daughter.

xox,
M

P.S. This week we’ve dedicated our all our posts to Paris and the highlights—historic neighborhoods, unique shops and special exhibitions—of my daughter’s recent trip, as told by her. Check back tomorrow to learn more about what this great city has to offer!