The Hands
It all started with one novelty porcelain ash tray in the shape of a cupped hand. I think I got it at a flea market when I was in high school. One ash tray turned into three, and now here I am with over fifteen! I love these things, and they have become a humorous staple of my bedroom decor, keeping everything from jewelry (obviously), to bits and bobs like old dice and devil figurines. Honestly, if I have learned anything, it’s that ash trays make for excellent catch-all dishes; they come with personality and humor to say the least.
The Sardine Box
Another moment of crockery-as-vanity-staple is my porcelain sardine box, which is where I keep my hair ties and loose buttons. Why a sardine dish? Well, the trompe l’oeil factor is fabulous enough, but I find the shape and placement of the sardine as a sort of handle as too good. These were popular at Victorian tables and ensured that the salty cured fish would be kept moist. I just love anything that elevates something as humble as a sardine.
The Candles
You’ll probably notice quite a few empty glasses that once held Diptyque scented candles. I have only really had the pleasure of burning about ~5 in my life. In fact, almost all of the glasses marked ‘Santal’ were found in a discarded box on the side of the road in Boerum Hill! I know one of these things can go for $30 on eBay, which makes that a score to say the least! My favorite candles and incense, which I replenish every year (if I can) are as follows:
• Le Labo Cade 26 – You can only get this in NYC Le Labo locations, and you have to ask for it. It’s the official fragrance of the Gramercy Park Hotel, which is one of my favorite places in the city, and where I associate the beginning of my “blogging career”. That’s for another post.
Cloches
Speaking of candles, and I don’t have many on my dresser in these photos, but I have become a big, big fan of cloches as an accessory to preserve and keep fragrances fresh. Plus, they look like something out of a classic french apothecary or oddities museum.
“book” Box
The paper box in the shape of a book with Venetian decorative paper edges, was my stepmom’s. I inherited it after she passed away. I always loved how she used it as a jewelry box, so it’s where I keep my delicate and special pieces.
Dried Magnolia Tree Seed Pod
Necklace Holder (which I use for sunglasses)
My porcelain hands hold all the jewelry I want to have…erm…on hand. So instead of using a necklace holder for its intended purpose, I use the T-bar shape to hold 3-12 pairs of sunglasses, which I pile on with abandon when I’m feeling careless. Some opticians might suggest keeping your sunglasses in a case, you know, like an adult, but I opt for having them visible at all times. Plus, I like the idea of plucking sunglasses like fruit from a tree.
Toiletries Tray
My Pentax Auto 110 Camera
Added in my windowsill friends, Sanjay the bunny and some plant clippings I got from my aunt, as a bonus.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
