Beauty will save

Beauty in everything

Category Archive: Life style

Love jewelry

Georgian gold acronym brooch REGARD, early 19th century.

Georgian gold acronym brooch REGARD, early 19th century.

At different times it happened that jewelry was not just jewelry, but veiled (and not so veiled) confessions. Such jewelry was popular in England at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, most often they were gifts from men in love to ladies of their hearts. The message itself was encrypted in the names of precious stones, from which a word was formed according to the principle of an acronym; most often, it was the word “REGARD”, literally meaning attention, respect. And in combination with other symbols – a declaration of love.

Gold brooch pendant REGARD, England, circa 1800.

Gold brooch pendant REGARD, England, circa 1800.

This exquisite brooch is a pledge of love from the distant past, meaning “The Key to my Heart.” The shape of the key and the heart that holds a lock of a loved one’s hair speak for themselves. But here is a set of pendants with precious stones: ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond, this is the acronym for the word “REGARD”: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.

In addition to “REGARD,” the most commonly used acronyms were “LOVE” (love) and “DEAREST” (dear, or rather, dearest):

  • “LOVE”: Lapis-lazui (lapis lazuli), Opal (opal), Vermeil (hessonite garnet) and Emerald (emerald).
  • “DEAREST”: Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz or Turquoise.
REGARD gold ring with precious stones and enamel, England, circa 1860 1869.

REGARD gold ring with precious stones and enamel, England, circa 1860 1869.

Secret messages of love encoded in gemstones during the Georgian and Victorian eras corresponded with the public’s interest in romance and symbolic meanings. These sentimental jewels could be given to lovers, family members or close friends. In addition to the fact that the dove carries the message in the acronym, the image of this bird symbolizes love and loyalty. Sometimes such decorations were paired, which also meant a happy marriage, since turtle doves create a pair for life, build nests together and raise chicks together. It’s not for nothing that they say about a couple in love: “They are like two doves.”

Gold brooch REGARD in the form of a lyre, England, early 19th century.

Gold brooch REGARD in the form of a lyre, England, early 19th century.

It is believed that the acronym jewelry was first invented by Jean-Baptiste Melleriot from Paris, creating jewelry with precious stones that meant “j’adore” (adore). Napoleon Bonaparte admired Mellario’s jewelry designs and commissioned acronym jewelry for both Empress Josephine and his second wife, Empress Marie Louise.

Gold REGARD brooch with lock of hair, England, circa 1840.

Gold REGARD brooch with lock of hair, England, circa 1840.

In the center of the brooch there is a medallion containing a strand of braided hair, a characteristic sign of this romantic time. During the Victorian era, jewelry with strands woven into them were very popular.

“She was sitting next to Edward, and as he held out his hand for the cup of tea that Mrs. Dashwood poured for him, she noticed a ring on his finger—a ring with a lock of hair set into it.” (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility) .

Secret Lover medallion brooch, probably France, circa 1870

Secret Lover medallion brooch, probably France, circa 1870

But the next brooch-medallion is most likely of French work. A portrait miniature could be inserted into an oval medallion in the form of two glass lenses in a metal frame. Outside, the portrait was covered with decor in the form of a hand with a fan, made of gold with black and blue enamel, turquoise and pearls.

Gold filigree brooch REGARD in the form of a dove holding a heart shaped medallion in its beak, England, early 19th century.

Gold filigree brooch REGARD in the form of a dove holding a heart shaped medallion in its beak, England, early 19th century.

The portrait miniature is sandwiched between two glasses inside the medallion.

The portrait miniature is sandwiched between two glasses inside the medallion.

The secret of the medallion is that the fan could be folded by pressing a tab, revealing a miniature hidden in the medallion.

The secret of the medallion is that the fan could be folded by pressing a tab, revealing a miniature hidden in the medallion.

REGARD gold ring, Birmingham, 1903.

REGARD gold ring, Birmingham, 1903.

Gold brooch DEAREST, Julius Cohen, New York.

Gold brooch DEAREST, Julius Cohen, New York.

Love jewelry Fine details a ruby bracelet, a diamond ring, a hand holding a golden ball a pearl, between the thumb and forefinger.

Fine details a ruby bracelet, a diamond ring, a hand holding a golden ball a pearl, between the thumb and forefinger.

Love jewelry Rare gold hand brooch with luxurious cuff inscribed with the acronym DEAREST in jewels, England, circa 1860.

Rare gold hand brooch with luxurious cuff inscribed with the acronym DEAREST in jewels, England, circa 1860.

Love jewelry REGARD medallion brooch in yellow and green gold, England, early 19th century.

REGARD medallion brooch in yellow and green gold, England, early 19th century.

Love jewelry Gold medallion brooch REGARD, Edinburgh, early 19th century.

Gold medallion brooch REGARD, Edinburgh, early 19th century. Sentimental Jewelry.

Sentimental Jewelry Gold brooch medallion in the form of a lock with a key, England, early 19th century.

Brooch medallion in the form of a lock with a key, England, early 19th century.

Love jewelry Gold medallion brooch REGARD with a lock of hair, England, circa 1880. In this version, the medallion with a lock of hair is mounted on the reverse of the brooch.

Gold medallion brooch REGARD with a lock of hair, England, circa 1880. In this version, the medallion with a lock of hair is mounted on the reverse of the brooch.

Love jewelry Gold REGARD brooch with lock of hair, England, circa 1840.

Gold REGARD brooch with lock of hair, England, circa 1840. Love jewelry.

Love jewelry Pair of filigree REGARD dove brooches, England, circa 1820.

Pair of filigree REGARD dove brooches, England, circa 1820. Love jewelry.

Beautiful love story of chewing gum liners

Beautiful love story of chewing gum liners 'Love is...

Kim and Roberto, real prototypes of iconic characters. Beautiful love story of chewing gum liners ‘Love is…

Beautiful love story of chewing gum liners
The sweet romantic series “Love is …” has become the most popular in the post-Soviet space and the former republics of the USSR. The liners of this Turkish chewing gum were collectible and exchanged. Fortunately, I also have such a romantic collection. But I couldn’t even guess about a beautiful love story behind these bright images. It turns out that behind the images of a romantic couple of lovers were real prototypes. Actually, it was a story about love conquering death.

The author of these images was a cartoonist from New Zealand Kim Grove Casali. Aged 19, she began traveling around the world, and after 6 years she settled in California. There she met her future Italian husband Roberto Casali. It was he who inspired her to create two funny characters – a couple of lovers, the prototypes of which were they themselves.

Kim began to draw various episodes from the life of a married couple on napkins, signing above: “Love is …”, and ending the phrase below with text that matches the picture. According to the artist, it was like keeping a personal diary, which describes how her feelings developed.
More »

Unusual restaurants from around the globe

Unusual restaurants from around the globe. Celebrity Solstice - Restaurant

Celebrity Solstice – Unusual restaurants from around the globe

The Solstice Class of vessels deployed by Celebrity Cruises on behalf of Royal Caribbean International. Other vessels in the Solstice class include the Celebrity Equinox and the Celebrity Eclipse. The main dining room on the Solstice, designed by Adam Tihany. It was a nice departure from the usual way main dining rooms look on cruise ships.
More »

Beautiful Ice Hotel in Sweden

Beautiful Ice Hotel in Sweden

Stunningly beautiful ice sculpture as a part of interior. Located in the village of Jukkasjarvi, unique Ice Hotel in Sweden

Beautiful Ice Hotel in Sweden
Jukkasjarvi is a locality in Lapland in northern part of the country. Meanwhile, the village has become a popular tourist accommodation during the winter months, best known for the Icehotel.
Noteworthy, due to the specific material, the masters, artists and designers have to rebuilt the ice hotel each new year. And the source of ice is the nearest Torne River. In particular, the museum is open mid-December to mid-April. Accordingly, after the hotel closes in April, the ice melts back into the river.
More »

Why Russian Santa is the happiest in the world

Why Russian Santa is the happiest in the world

Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Snowmaiden). Why Russian Santa is the happiest in the world

Why Russian Santa is the happiest in the world

Called Ded Moroz (Father Frost), Russian Santa, undoubtedly, is the happiest in the world. And in particular, he is happier than Western Santa. Why? In my opinion, the main difference between him and any Western Santa Claus – he is not alone. Indeed, this is so cool, as he has a beautiful young girl named Snegurochka, or Snow maiden. According to belief, she is his granddaughter. However, nobody knows anything about her parents, and there is no evidence she is his granddaughter. The fact is – she is just a beautiful girl who accompanies him everywhere. And this is a clue why he is endlessly happy.

Besides, Russian Father Frost doesn’t have to crawl through the dirty chimney, like a thief, to enter a house! Ded Moroz in Russia enters houses quite legally with his beautiful girl. Warmly welcomed in every house. And sometimes even too warmly.

In particular, there is a tradition to treat Russian Ded Moroz with a glass of vodka and delicious food, in every house. So, the fabulous couple visits lots of houses per day… Imagine how our Father Frost looks and feels at the end of the day. And what about children, who are impatiently waiting for the meeting with Father Frost and Snegurochka? All they need to do to get a Christmas present – to tell a poem or sing a song, or just tell how well they behaved.
More »

Rasputins letter to Nicholas about his own death

Rasputins letter to Nicholas about his own death

Rasputins letter to Nicholas about his own death

Rasputins letter to Nicholas about his own death
In December 1916 Grigory Rasputin sent a letter to Nicholas II about his own death: “I feel that I shall leave life before January 1st. I wish to make known to the Russian people, to Papa (the Tsar), to the Russian Mother (the Tsarina) and to the Children what they must understand. If I am killed by common assassins, and especially by my brothers the Russian peasants, you, the Tsar of Russia, will have nothing to fear for your children, they will reign for hundreds of years. But if I am murdered by boyars, nobles, and if they shed my blood, their hands will remain soiled with my blood for twenty-five years and they will leave Russia. Brothers will kill brothers, and they will kill each other and hate each other, and for twenty-five years there will be no peace in the country.
More »

President Putin’s Plane

President Putin's Plane. Ilyushin Il-96-300PU

Ilyushin Il-96-300PU. President Putin’s Plane

President Putin’s Plane
Brand-new Ilyushin Il-96-300PU – construction of this plane, the equivalent of America’s “Air Force One”, started in Voronezh several years ago. Bristol firm “Diamonite Aircraft Furnishings” has won a 10m contract to refurbish the President Putin’s Plane. “All technical information on the closed project is a state secret,” Russian NTV Mir television told viewers. Now let’s look at top-secret interior.

The Russian presidential aircraft is the official aircraft of the President of Russia, when he flies aboard. All aircraft in the Russian presidential fleet are operated by GTK Rossiya. Previously the president had used Ilyushin Il-62, Tupolev Tu-154, and Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft.

More »

Russian Space Hotel With Beautiful Views

space hotel

Russian Space Hotel

Russian Space Hotel With Beautiful Views. Imagine yourself floating in space hotel and looking down on the beautiful Earth and all of those land dwellers. The Russian company Orbital Technologies has released images of their futuristic hotel that will cost $157,000 for a five-day stay, plus $785,000 for the two-day trip on board a Soyuz rocket. Set to be up and running in 2016, the company promises comforts that will far exceed the International Space Station. You can sleep vertically or horizontally and take a shower in a sealed shower cubicle.
More »

Live photographs by Arthur Mole

209th engineers camp Sheridan, 1919. Live photographs by Arthur Mole

209th engineers camp Sheridan, 1919. Group photography by American commercial photographer. Live photographs by Arthur Mole

Live photographs by Arthur Mole
British-born American commercial photographer Arthur Samuel Mole (January 7, 1889, – 14 August 1983) became known for the series of his human photo compositions made during World War I. In particular, Woodrow Wilson, the Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, an American eagle, an emblem of the YMCA, and the Allied flag. Some massive compositions required the placement of to 30,000 people – soldiers, members of the military. John D. Thomas was his partner in this endeavor.

Noteworthy, Arthur Mole is a pioneer in the field of performed group photography. Executing photographs using such large numbers, and relying on lines of perspective stretching out more than a hundred meters, required a week of preparation. In addition, hours to actually position the formations. Mole would stand on his viewing tower and shout into a megaphone or use a long pole with a white flag to arrange the tens of thousands of soldiers into position.
More »