I just received a shipment of necklaces from Carmen Veca in Milan. I commissioned these pieces especially for Carina New York. And I must say, they are absolutely beautiful. I have two favorite necklaces from this collection: Francesca and Beatrice. These are both very glamorous, high-fashion necklaces. Beatrice is made of crocheted, soft metal, and adorns the neck.

Francesca is a gorgeous, cluster necklace. The frame is also of metal and it is a soft clustering of beads.

I went to LA for a few days on a business trip and made a pit stop at a vintage shop on Melrose Avenue called Decades. I learned about Decades when watching an episode of Rachel Zoe (this is one of Rachel’s favorite stores).

Decades has a contemporary store downstairs and a vintage couture shop upstairs. I loved the vintage couture shop. First of all, it’s a very glamorous store. You walk in and there is a flight of stairs covered in leopard print rug. Then the shop is at the top of the stairs. The walls are painted white and the hardwood floors are a deep, dark color.

They have a few accessory cases and then the walls are lined with racks of dresses and clothing. There was a lot of color, which I love. I saw this peach/color floor-length dress with beautiful beading. And then a very lovely yellow blouse with a pretty floral pattern.

This is definitely one of my favorite shops. Definitely worth a visit if you are in LA. One day, I would like to carry vintage couture pieces in my store.