unearthing agate

semi-precious stone, dazzling accessory

Agate, a semi-precious gemstone, is a variety of quartz commonly associated with volcanic and metamorphic rocks. The colorful stone was given its name by Greek philosopher Theophrastus, who discovered the gem between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE. The many varieties (noted by differences in colors and patterning) reflect the region and conditions under which the agate was formed. In antiquity, the Greeks used the stone to make jewelry and beads, while ancient Egyptians used the gem in decoration. Agate was believed to possess incredible powers and virtues as a medicinal cure from scorpion stings and snake bites. Today agate is most commonly used in ornaments and decoration.

Channel your inner gypsy this fall by accessorizing with this dazzling stone... take a break from pearls and combine earthy & classic with this elegant necklace from Tory Burch... or opt for bohemian chic with an agate-studded cuff...

Don't believe me? Check out the agate belts that turned up on the Gucci runway...

5-rock agate necklace, $325

tory burch

agate cuff, $195

toryburch

gucci rtw fall 2008

style.com

a house of gems

If you're not into jewelry or you just can't imagine pairing a chunky slice of agate with your tailored Theory suit, try adding a touch of natural wonder to your home decor with brilliantly colored accessories of brazilian agate... Just looking at these gorgeous gem coasters makes me long for a stiff drink with Holly Golightly and Simon Doonan in a sun-drenched TriBeCa loft while the coasters make a bold, daily statement.

Rab Labs was created in 2002 by London-born Anna Rabinowicz, an accomplished product designer and current teacher at Parsons School of Art and Design in New York. Based in New York, Rab Labs currently offers a selection of coasters, plates, napkin rings, bowls, photo frames, ornaments, and bottlestoppers. According to Rabinowicz, "My intention is to bring natural, warm elements into spaces constructed of hard materials -- steel, glass, concrete, and plastic." Look for RabLabs fresh, natural designs at Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, and (of course) Vivre.

set of 4 brazillian agate coasters, $60

vivre

floral illusion

west elm chair reimagined by robba for a charity auction, 2007

emilio robba, sculptor of flowers

"I always knew that nature would be the guide in my life..." 

Born into a family of Italian artists residing in Paris, Emilio Robba knew from a very young age that his artistic roots would guide his life. He began with painting and studied form and color at the prestigious Beaux-Arts school. His fascination with nature led him instinctively towards the art of floral design, where he rapidly pushed the frontiers...

In 1980 Pierre Cardin asked Robba to create a retail store specializing in fine and unusual flowers. Robba quickly developed his own aesthetic, creating the first "flowers of illusion" collection. The result was an outstanding collection of synthetic flowers that

 offer unprecedented beauty with absolutely no management... perfect for any person who loves beautiful arrangements, but was born without a green thumb.

I was blown away by the flagship store in Paris, located in the charming (and fashionable) Saint Germain des Pres. The two-story boutique was cluttered with unusual and artistic arrangements -- ranging in size from shot-glass sized vases holding a single orchid stem to enormous metallic pots containing exotic cacti, succulents, and palms -- resting atop sleek acrylic tables and carefully lit against metallic pewter walls. The boutique exudes luxurious ambiance and feels more like a museum of flowering plants than a 

retail outlet, a reflection of Robba's joie de vivre.  

inside the beautiful Paris boutique

shades of grey

I found several must-haves to bring back to the states (without breaking the bank)... a sculptured glass vase encasing a vine of thistled wild roses acts as a modern candelabra, holding four votive tea-lights adds effortless elegance to any table and looks dashing when lit... glass tea light candles filled with Robba's signature illusion florals make a lovely gift or a savvy paperweight... and a beautiful arrangement of pink phalaenopsis orchids alongside a succulent tree is a wonderful investment for anyone who likes to be continually surrounded by nature's beauty (and these squared-off jet black vases are the oh so in-the-moment in Paris)... So go ahead and indulge yourself with an artful arrangement:

Emilio Robba Paris (St. Germain des Pres)

63 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris

emiliorobba.com

Emilio Robba Miami

358 San Lorenzo Avenue

Coral Gables, Florida 33146

Emilio Robba Palm Beach

333 South County Road

Palm Beach, Florida 33480

sculptured vase with roses (around €60) 

shades of grey

medium glass t-light with white poppy ($45)

shades of grey

phalaenopsis orchid and succulent tree in black glass vase, $95

emilio robba usa

virtuous virgo

august 23 - september 22

insightful

pragmatic

intelligent

perfectionist

schrewd

conservative

refined

reserved

meticulous

So I know astrology is somewhat of a risky subject, as many people put as much faith in the stars as they did the Ouija board... but, I happen to be a fan of the mystical world, particularly the queen bee of astrological forecasts Susan Miller. Miller, who learned the art of astrology from her mother, has become an internationally acclaimed authority through her website astrologyzone.com as well as her monthly contributions to InStyle and CosmoGirl! magazines and guest appearances on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, 20/20, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. In honor of this celestial diva, I have compiled a shopping guide for every sign, featuring the hottest and most unique finds... look to the stars to find inspired shopping.

If I didn't have a single virgo friend, I wouldn't be surprised. Virgos are are intelligently organized machines that require precise planning and pristine surroundings. They are meticulous perfectionists... the type of girl who has hand-pressed linens on her bed that perpetually smell of lilac, she'd never wear a pair of ripped jeans and dirt doesn't dare hide underneath her perfectly manicured nails. Virgos have wonderfully refined taste in food and fashion and like to stay up-to-date with trends. Most importantly, virgos enjoy constant productivity and intellectual stimulation, whether its a new book or a new project. Honestly, I'm tired just thinking about all that activity.

famous compadres: twiggy, lance armstrong, upton sinclare, beyonce, sophia loren, h.g. wells, hamilton jordan, bill murray, william h. taft, d.h. lawrence, peter lynch, buddy holly, lauren bacall, otis redding, arnold palmer, richard gere, christopher columbus, jerry seinfeld, ingrid bergman, michael jackson, yasser arafat, mother teresa, marco polo, elvis costello, and regis philbin.

Here are some fun VIRGO-inspired items I like... A magnificent compact like these from Estee Lauder adds a bit of glamour to daily make-up routine (just image you are Marilyn Monroe or Doris Day)... There is a reason why Chanel has started so many nail polish crazes -- it doesn't get "goopy" and the colors, both traditional and exotic, are quite fashion forward... Help keep the meticulous virgin organized and up-to-date with the latest iPhone (now available without waiting in line 11 hours)... fabric designer Virginia Johnson makes fabulously chic scarves and pillows in pretty geometric prints... tap into Virgo's intellectual side with a good book, be it a pulitzer prize-winning novel or talked about best-seller... keep things classic buy choosing a timeless silk necktie or scarf from French fashion house Hermes... invigorate desk/cubicle space with fabulous accessories like a Thomas Paul desk tray... in terms of flowers, stay simple and elegant with a bouquet of white calla lilies or a mix of blush roses and hydrangeas... a sweet room spray from John Galliano is perfect for an impeccable beauty... a gold-plated dictionary is the ultimate luxury for a book worm (seriously, who knew they made such stellar reference books?)... and I am absolutely crazy about these fun gold hoops at Fred Flare (apparently so is Beyonce, who sported them in a music video)... last but not least, soular therapy's candle, scented with sage and wintergreen, will keep the body and soul quite virginal...

estee lauder "tuberose gardenia" powder compact, $125, saks fifth avenue

estee lauder limited edition"treasured memories" compact, $60, estee lauder

chanel "le vernis" nail coulour, $20

apple iphone g3, $199

scarf and pillow, $98 and $75, virginia johnson

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, amazon

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, amazon

hermes silk necktie scarf

creation of adam 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle, $66, hobby masters

thomas paul desk tray, $8, seejanework

webster's deluxe dictionary, $160, seejanework

john galliano room spray, $60, barneys new york

virgo zodiac hoops, $10, fred flare

soular therapy astrological virgo candle, $26.00

essential oils: clary sage & wintergreen