I never dreamed that writing one's memoir was such an eye- opening way to figure out who you are, and even more surprising, learn how you got to be who you are. The following account (written mainly for my children and grandchildren to read) started out to simply chronicle the colorful mix of our ancestry. I guess I am now the matriarch. You can take that as a qualified statement that I am just getting around to admitting that I am becoming perhaps a tiny bit older and that it's about time I write all this down. I shall be writing as truthfully as good taste and common sense allow, but I will remind the reader of Winston Churchill's admonition to his readers: "I care not one whit for accuracy. Praise is good enough." My feelings exactly.
The book explores the origins of the word tiara which derives from the head ornaments of Persian kings. The term tiara encompasses the diadem, said to have been invented by Dionysos, god of wine, the Kokoshnik from early Russia, and the wreath of flowers, perhaps the most appealing source of inspiration for the modern jeweller. Tiaras are considered as emblems of love and marriage, as symbols of aristocratic heritage, and as works of art in their own right in a range of styles from the antique and neo-classical to art deco. The stunning array of contemporary designs indicates that tiaras are now most definitely items of high fashion. Many are shown alongside either their original designs or photographs of their owners from the Queen Mother to Madonna. Tiaras, Past and Present traces the history of these magnificent jewels from ancient time to their re-emergence in the First Empire, through the work of famous jewellers like Faberg , Cartier and Boucheron to the extravagant contemporary creations of Vivienne Westwood and Versace. Tiaras of all types glitter throughout the pages, breathtaking in the sumptuousness of their stones and the intricacy of their design. The tiara is indeed pre-eminent among jewels, and this book is a celebration of them.
For the world’s best mom, cherished girlfriend, or diva in need of adoration, this royal volume presents more than 35 projects for a proper coronation. Written in the sparkly spirit of celebration, its fabulous creations are adorned with everything from silk flowers to glitter and beads, and fashioned from bases made of wire, paper, cardboard, or even a store-bought headband. Add glamour to girl’s night out with glimmering tiaras crafted from salvaged costume jewelry. Make a Sweet 16 unforgettable with a gold filigree crown. Each one is fit for a real princess, and appears in a shimmering close-up shot.
From New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller M.J. Rose comes a provocative and moving story of a young female architect in post-World War II Manhattan, who stumbles upon a hidden treasure and begins a journey to discovering her mother’s life during the fall of the Romanovs. Sophia Moon had always been reticent about her life in Russia and when she dies, suspiciously, on a wintry New York evening, Isobelle despairs that her mother’s secrets have died with her. But while renovating the apartment they shared, Isobelle discovers something among her mother’s effects—a stunning silver tiara, stripped of its jewels. Isobelle’s research into the tiara’s provenance draws her closer to her mother’s past—including the story of what became of her father back in Russia, a man she has never known. The facts elude her until she meets a young jeweler, who wants to help her but is conflicted by his loyalty to the Midas Society, a covert international organization whose mission is to return lost and stolen antiques, jewels, and artwork to their original owners. Told in alternating points of view, the stories of the two young women unfurl as each struggles to find their way during two separate wars. In 1915, young Sofiya Petrovitch, favorite of the royal household and best friend of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, tends to wounded soldiers in a makeshift hospital within the grounds of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and finds the love of her life. In 1948 New York, Isobelle Moon works to break through the rampant sexism of the age as one of very few women working in a male-dominated profession and discovers far more about love and family than she ever hoped for. In M.J. Rose’s deftly constructed narrative, the secrets of Sofiya’s early life are revealed incrementally, even as Isobelle herself works to solve the mystery of the historic Romanov tiara (which is based on an actual Romanov artifact that is, to this day, still missing)—and how it is that her mother came to possess it. The two strands play off each other in finely-tuned counterpoint, building to a series of surprising and deeply satisfying revelations.
The tiara has played a glittering role in the lives of the elegant and extravagantfrom the doe-eyed Audrey Hepburn in the film classic Roman Holiday to generations of England's royal family—representing the height of sophisticated glamour. Worn for centuries by nobility and high society, tiaras are enjoying renewed popularity among today's movie stars and modern brides. Created in conjunction with an exhibition of tiaras at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this magnificent volume showcases more than 75 of the world's most exquisite tiaras adorned with everything from delicate feathers to ornately decorated, gold fleur-di-lis scrollwork set in diamonds, pearls, and sapphires. An essay by Diana Scarisbrick, curator of the exhibition, traces the tiara's history, and dozens of photographs show tiaras worn by Russian princesses, British royalty, American socialites, and many others. Taking a lighter, popular culture approach to a traditionally high fashion subject, Tiara will delight aficionados as well as those less familiar with the tiara's artistry, who will be astonished by the array of styles, shapes, and showstoppers from around the world.
Symbols of success and happiness, jewels for the head are among the most spectacular jewelry created over the last two centuries. From the diadem offered by Napoleon I to Pope Pius VII, to the model created for Romaine Brooks (an onyx and diamond bandeau anticipating the Art Deco style of the 1920s), these jewels have long fascinated anyone with an interest in precious jewelry. Chaumet plays an important role in the history of jewels for the head, and this rich volume draws on unpublished photographs and documents from its incredible collection to trace the evolution of this unique jewelry. Images of eclectic, imaginative treasures, together with Chaumet's most beautiful creations, result in an opulent homage to beauty, originality and style. Illustrated
From the author of Doomed Queens, an entertaining and informative look at the lives of over 30 princesses from the past and present. Welcome to Bad Princess by Kris Waldherr, where you’ll discover what really happens after “Happily Ever After.” From the war-torn Dark Ages of Medieval Europe to America's Gilded Age, and all the way up to Kate Middleton, Bad Princess explores more than 30 true princess stories, going beyond the glitz and glamour to find out what life was really like for young royals throughout history. A mix of royal biography, pop culture, art, style, and pure fun, Bad Princess is a whip-smart, tongue-in-cheek spin on the traditional princess narrative, proving that it takes more than a pretty crown to be a great leader. Praise for Bad Princess A SELECTION OF THE JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD “Perfect for tweens . . . This is a great book to recommend to readers who want a taste of history with a side of fairy tale princesses.” —School Library Journal “Snarky and sympathetic . . . Power to the princesses, right on!” —Kirkus Reviews “Packed with history and context, Waldherr uses an animated, well-rounded approach in this engaging look at princesses in life and lore . . . This absorbing, thought-provoking, and intriguing exploration of a perennially popular topic will both entertain and inform.” —Booklist
It's not true. It can't be.Four DNA tests. Only one positive. The man claiming to be my father is quite literally the worst option imaginable. This isn't happening to me. For the first time in my life, I know who I am and where I want to be and, in the blink of an eye, everything is spinning so utterly out of control.I thought the fight with Maddy was the worst thing I faced. It's not. I've grown up in a house of lies and it's all crashing down on the five of us, and I have no idea how to protect the ones I love best from the fallout. They've all made it clear, they're not going anywhere. Worse, I don't know how to keep them from wading into this fight. I can't imagine my life without all four of them. I don't want to. We can survive this, right?*Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the forward in her books. Contains some bullying elements, mature situations, and is recommended for 17+. This is the seventh in a series and the story will continue through future books.
2021 Christopher Award - Books for Young People WSRA Children's Literature: Picture This 2021 Recommendation List Penn GSE Graduate School of Education, The Best Books for Young Readers of 2020 Black Caucus of the American Library Association BCALA, 2020 Best of the Best Booklist Read Across America, Picture Book of the Month March 2021 A mother-daughter story about celebrating a special fashion tradition. Tiara has a gift for storytelling; her momma has a gift for making hats. When a new store opens that sells cheaper hats, Momma has to set her dreams aside, but Tiara has an idea for helping Momma's dreams come true again.
It's no secret that most girls, at some point, love all things princess: the poofy dresses, the plastic tiaras, the color pink. Even grown-up women can't get enough of royal weddings and royal gossip. Yet critics claim the princess dream sets little girls up to be weak and submissive, and allows grown women to indulge in fantasies of rescue rather than hard work and self-reliance. Enter Jerramy Fine -- an unabashed feminist who is proud of her life-long princess obsession and more than happy to defend it. Through her amusing life story and in-depth research, Fine makes it clear that feminine doesn't mean weak, pink doesn't mean inferior, and girliness is not incompatible with ambition. From 9th century Cinderella to modern-day Frozen, from Princess Diana to Kate Middleton, from Wonder Woman to Princess Leia, Fine valiantly assures us that princesses have always been about power, not passivity. And those who love them can still be confident, intelligent women. Provocative, insightful, but also witty and personal, In Defense of the Princess empowers girls, women, and parents to dream of happily ever after without any guilt or shame.
