my egyptian loot

perhaps as enthralled as i was with the great pyramid, the sphinx, the royal mummies and the enchanting egyptian culture, a peek at king tutankhamun's jewelry collection would have a "chapter" of its own in my travel journal. unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the egyptian museum, and i had to rely on savoring that moment as i stared at the incredible pieces. 


there were about 5 or 6 glass showcase tables displaying what they have found on the youngest and arguably one of the most controversial pharaohs in egypt. the intricate design, the stones used, the grandeur of each piece left me breathless. i was awed, i swear you could almost see me drool. from earrings to collar necklaces, even a mummy belt to hold the bandages together! 


it wasn't just the gold or how priceless these items are. what i can't get over most is how they appeal to me as strongly now as it may had to their people during their time. how they appear so current, i can imagine reading them in a "must have list" on vogue today. 


disappointing as it is, i can't seem to find images of the other extravagant pieces. i did find one, and an appropriate one at that. tut's collar --

i couldn't help it. i just had to have my own! 

look at the detail!

when i wore this at work, people keep commenting about my "cleopatra" look. yet they're clueless it was king tut himself who inspired this piece!

my other fab finds (some given to friends, most kept for myself) --

necklaces, rings, cuff, all from Khan el-Khalili market

necklace, bangle, from Sheraton Luxor

shoe sketches

lately i find myself getting that same 'ole feeling when i see beautifully drawn shoe sketches, the way i would feel when i see an actual pair of fierce footwear. i can't even bring myself to call them "the next best thing", they're so pretty i can stare at them the whole day.

i wish i could draw and come up with my own to-die-for-shoe-designs. for now, i'll wait for K and M to grow up and turn my shoe dreams to reality.

sketch by 6yo M, with curly-cue heels

I need therapy

The year has just started, and already I have purchased X number of new pairs. I don't want to reveal it, as I feel too guilty over the splurge. BUT. I. JUST. CAN'T. HELP. IT.!


During one trip to a shoe haven (read: great designs at rock bottom prices), my heart was actually palpitating, after just one look at the "new arrivals" section. 


I always get comments how they can't imagine how my room looks with all these shoe boxes. I tell them, it's not my room I'm worried about, it's the other rooms in the house that are threatened to share space with my "babies". 


This video made me smile. I hope I don't end up looking for shoes in the kitchen drawers.