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Welcome to the Deco Belle Inc. Jewelry Blog
Saturday, April 23, 2011
 Here at Deco Belle Inc., we love jewelry, accessories, traveling, exploring, and food! Food the world over, delicacies that are not easily replicated across the globe, yes, we love that. This week, the San Pellegrino sponsored 50 (and 100) Best Restaurants in the World list has been published. We have not yet been to the top three, but did do a bit of research to prepare ourselves for when we find ourselves in the neighborhood, and for our blog followers to enjoy as well:
 #1 - Noma in Copenhegen, Denmark has not only taken the top ranking of Best Restaurant in the World (according to Restaurant Magazine, sponsored by San Pellegrino) for 2011, but has also earned this prestigious position last year as well. Run by acclaimed chef René Redzepi, the restaurant boasts two Michelin stars.
Known for its reinvention and interpretation of the Nordic cuisine, the name is an acronym of the two Danish words "nordisk" (Nordic) + "mad" (food) = noma. A modern take on Nordic cuisine, the restaurant itself is located in an old warehouse on the waterfront in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of the Danish capital, near the Greenlandic Trading Square (Danish: Grønlandske Handels Plads). The square itself references Greenland, but only because this square was for 200 years the hub of trade to and from the Faroe Islands, Finnmark, Iceland, and in particular, Greenland. The goods were stored in the warehouse here, before being traded off to European markets.
 From reviews that we have read on various blogs and travel websites, the standard here is 12 courses, one reviewer noted that the meal lasted 3.5 hours. An interesting course was a clay garden pot filled with edible soil (made with malt). Way to think out of the box.
One comment read "Worth every Øre (penny)", and another noted that it is worth adding yourself to the waiting list as that is how they earned a seat in this award winning establishment.
 #2 - El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. This family restaurant is founded and operated by three brothers specializing in traditional Catalan meals, with the eldest brother, Joan Roca as head chef, middle brother Josep Roca being the sommelier, and the youngest brother Jordi Roca in charge of the desserts. The three Michelin star restaurant has steadily risen in the Best Restaurants in the World ranking, starting in 2009 at 5th best in the world, then in 2010 moving up one spot, to 4th best, and now making it to second best in 2011. (El Celler de Can Roca images courtesy of gastronomyblog.com)
 Prix fixe courses are set for the Feast Menu (9 courses and 2 desserts, €145), Tasting Menu (5 courses and 2 desserts, €115), and Signature Dishes Menu (3 courses and 1 dessert €95), and one can add on complimenting wine selections at €45 for a flight of wines.
(Image: A plank of wood with anchovy bones embedded into rice tempura)
It is a 1.5 hour train ride through the countryside from Barcelona, and from what we read, well worth it. Also, the earliest booking is at 9pm, with meal times at traditional Spanish hours.
 #3 - Mugaritz in San Sebastián, Spain, in a sleepy village to the south of town. A remote part of the city more like it, in a beautiful setting of the basque countryside, up windy roads and narrow streets.
 This Spanish restaurant, like El Celler de Can Roca has also ascended to it's current position. In 2007, Mugaritz ranked as 7th best in the world, in 2008, it moved up to 4th best, now it has moved up to 3rd best in the world.
 A tour of the kitchen is granted for inquiring guests. The clay potatoes pictured right, are mean to look like zen pebbles.
The complete 50 Best Restaurants in the World list:
1. Noma, Denmark
2. El Celler De Can Roca, Spain (+2)
3. Mugaritz, Spain (+2)
4. Osteria Francescana, Italy (+2)
5. The Fat Duck, UK (-2)
6. Alinea, USA (+1)
7. D.O.M, Brazil (+11)
8. Arzak, Spain (+1)
9. Le Chateaubriand, France (+2)
10. Per Se, USA
11. Daniel, USA (-3)
12. Les Creations de Narisawa, Japan (+12)
13. L’Astrance, France (+3)
14. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Paris, France (+15)
15. Hof van Cleve, Belgium (+2)
16. Pierre Gagnaire, France (-3)
17. Oud Sluis, Netherlands (+2)
18. Le Bernardin, USA (-3)
19. L’Arpege, France
20. Nihonryori RyuGin, Japan (+28)
21. Vendome, Germany (+1)
22. Steirereck, Austria (-1)
23. Schloss Schauenstein, Switzerland (+7)
24. Eleven Madison Park, USA (+26)
25. Aqua, Germany (+9)
26. Quay, Australia
27. Iggy’s, Singapore (+1)
28. Combal Zero, Italy (+7)
29. Martin Berasategui, Spain (+4)
30. Bras, France
31. Biko, Mexico (+15)
32. Le Calandre, Italy (-12)
33. Cracco, Italy
34. The Ledbury, UK (new)
35. Chez Dominique, Finland (-12)
36. Le Quartier Francais, South Africa (-5)
37. Amber, China (new)
38. Dal Pescatore, Italy (-2)
39. Il Canto, Italy (+1)
40. Momofuku Ssam Bar, USA (-14)
41. St John, UK (+2)
42. Astrid Y Gaston, Peru (new)
43. Hibiscus, UK (+6)
44. La Maison Troisgros, France
45. Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athenee, France (-4)
46. De Librije, Netherlands (-9)
47. Restaurant de l’Hotel De Ville, Switzerland (-33)
48. Varvary, Russia (new)
49. Pujol, Mexico (new)
50. Asador Etxebarri, Spain
The 51-100 Best Restaurants in the World list:
51. Quique Dacosta, Spain
52. Mathias Dahlgren,Sweden
53. Attica, Australia
54. De Karmeliet, Belgium
55. Les Amis, Singapore
56. The French Laundry, USA
57. Frantzen/Lindeberg, Sweden
58. Tetsuya’s, Australia
59. Fasano, Brazil
60. Hakkasan, UK
61. Rust en Vrede, South Africa
62. Jean Georges, USA
63. Oaxen Krog, Sweden
64. Bo Innovation, Hong Kong
65. Momofuku Ko, USA
66. Zuma, UK
67. Maison Pic, France
68. Mirazur, France
69. Manresa, USA
70. Marque, Australia
71. Fäviken, Sweden
72. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Hong Kong
73. Die Schwarzwaldstube, Germany
74. Mani, Brazil
75. Coi, USA
76. Caprice, Hong Kong
77. Nahm, UK
78. La Grenouillère, France
79. Vila Joya, Portugal
80. Tantris, Germany
81. WD~50, USA
82. La Colombe, South Africa
83. Semifreddo, Russia
84. Le Gavroche, UK
85. The Bazaar, USA
86. La Pergola, Italy
87. Malabar, Peru
88. Gäste Haus Klaus Erfort, Germany
89. Bar Boulud, England
90. Kitcho Arashiyama, Japan
91. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, USA
92. Wasabi, India
93. Sant Pau, Spain
94. Akelare, Spain
95. Masa, USA
96. Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, UK
97. Le Meurice, France
98. L’Arnsbourg, France
99. Chaika, Moscow
100. Andre, Singapore Labels: awards, culture, food, holidays, travel
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
 It is our pleasure to introduce laser-cut silhouette designs from Pebeta Teta, a cool, conversation starting, and earthy mix of eye-catching jewelry.  Also included in our debut of these Argentine designs are a throwback to the 1980's with a Ms. Pacman inspired mirror finish brooch. More pins are available in this collection such as the big rose and bee brooch.
 We met designer Sol Maria Zwierzynski Sudak at her showroom and got a behind the scenes peek into what motivates the designer and drives the flow of the art form for her. We asked how the silhouettes in nature came about and the solid color of black resin for these designs. In her own words:
"Los colores de los collares son todos negros porque al tener tanta forma, cada uno de los modelos parecia que era bueno mantener una tranquilidad, una sobriedad de cada modelo para que se vea bien la forma, y que es lo que cuenta, el collar, la historia de el collar, mas que mezclar lo con colores y hacerlo como algo demasiado colorido."
 English translation: "The colors of the necklaces are all black because upon featuring each shape/form, each one of the models showed that it was good to maintain a tranquility, a moderation for each model so that the form would be showcased better, and that is what counts, the necklace, the story of the necklace, more than to mix it with colors and which would be too many colors together".
Our Pebeta Teta designs can be found in our website under the Region "Latin America", more Argentina designers to be featured by mid February. As always, our New Items section features the latest additions to our collections from around the world. Labels: accessories, argentina, culture, designer, fashion, quotes
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Monday, November 30, 2009
 At Deco Belle Global Jewelry, we enjoy traveling, and discovering new jewelry, cultures, landscapes, sights, sounds, and also, expressions from adventurers and explorers. To quote the famous Bruce Chatwin:
"The word 'Patagonia', like Mandalay or Timbuctoo, lodged itself in the Western imagination as a metaphor for The Ultimate, the point beyond which one could not go. Indeed in the opening chapter of Moby Dick, Melville uses 'Patagonian' as an adjective for the outlandish, the monstrous and fatally attractive;
(photo: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile)
Then the Wild and distant seas where he rolled his island bulk; the undeliverable, nameless perils of the whale: these, with all the attending marvels of a thousand Patagonian sights and sounds, helped sway me to my wish
...Patagonia was also a land of strange beasts and birds. 'Pen-gwyn' is thought to be a Welsh expression for 'flightless bird'; the Elizabethan sailors had a superstition that jack*$% penguins were the souls of their drowned comrades..." -Bruce Chatwin, Nowhere Is A Place, Travels in Patagonia, 1985
 The end of the earth indeed, also the jumping off point to the Great White Continent, Antarctica.
(photo: two penguins at center getting perilously close to three sea lions seen on the extreme left, Antarctica) Labels: art/lit/film, culture, quotes, travel
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Friday, November 27, 2009
 Etiquette: Gifts for the Bridal Party
To thank her bridal party for all of their support and participation in her dream wedding, a bride may want to consider the following gifts: jewelry, jewelry cases, and personalized stationary.The bride chose the colors, style of dress, and overall theme for her bridal party, thus a nice thank you gift is in order. The groom cannot go wrong with engraved anything for his party, flasks, glasses, multi-purpose knives, cufflinks, money clips, and the ever popular pen set.
 Jewelry is the most popular gift for a bridal party. Preferably the gift can be presented before the wedding to be used in both the main event and beyond. Formality of dress is the key factor, as well as colors and styles. Many brides choose jewelry (necklaces, earrings, or bracelets) in different colors and designs of a similar style, customized for every bridesmaid in her party whom all are wearing the same color dresses.
If the entire wedding party is wearing the same dress style, jewelry may follow suit, though this does not allow for a personalized (if albeit glamorous) gift. To customize for each bridesmaid, tailor each jewelry item with consideration to formality, does this bridesmaid like bold and eye-catching designs, colors, large versus small sizes, or a more subdued classic preference. Also which item would each bridesmaid wear most, someone with non-pierced ears would better appreciate a necklace or a bracelet, or some ladies may prefer necklaces over bracelets and the like.
 Another hot trend in bridal party gift giving is jewelry and cosmetics cases. These items can be both useful while traveling and in the comfort of home. This is not as personal a gift as jewelry itself, but colors, and styles may be customized for each party. Many of these cases can even be monogrammed to personalize the gift.
In our times of electronic communication domination, heartfelt written notes are a lovely touch. Personalized stationary is a very thoughtful gift and definitely customizable to each bridesmaid in the bridal party. It may be enough to turn the most die hard texter/e-mailer into a letter writer.Labels: accessories, culture, event, gift, magazine, travel
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
 Our very first magazine debut! Deco Belle Inc. is represented on both the cover of this summer's Mocha Bride Magazine, throughout the magazine pictorials, and in our original article: Summer Trends
Our Paris Gold collection of earrings were mostly represented throughout the photo shoots. Namely the Rock Crystal faceted, Duchess Victorian bow Pearl, Jenevieve Art Deco inspired, and Aubrey Pearl long earrings.    The entirety of our Summer 2009 trends article can be found below in our jewelry blog. We are writing new articles for the Fall 2009 issue, stay tuned for updates.Labels: art/lit/film, beauty, culture, deco, event, fashion, magazine, paris, usa, vintage
by: Deco Belle Inc.
 Original article as submitted by Deco Belle for Mocha Bride Magazine Summer 2009:
 As Eartha Kitt sang 1962, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”. But today, crystals and pearls are too! Bring on the bling in clear crystal, or colored gemstones, and cubic zirconia (CZ). Save a considerable sum while being in style for a summer wedding. Rhinestones are out of style, as Swarovski crystals offer fire and brilliance at a low price, with a luxe look.
 Vibrant colors are hot on the catwalks for this season. These intense hues of aqua, lapis, coral, lemon, peach and hot pink are rainbow bright now! Intense blue and aqua jewelry can definitely take care of the adage: Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue. Colorful crystals and CZ set in gold or silver offer a dramatic statement for modern gowns, and a striking accent for strapless or skinny-strap dresses.
Dramatic upswept hair lends very well to another hot trend this year, the demure stud earring.
 Studs, or button earrings, are feminine and traditional, and are always in good taste. Larger stud earrings have a vintage charm. The 2009 Oscars showcased this trend as well as the other IT shape for this year: the drop earring. From Michelle Obama (the First Lady is also a major stud earring trendsetter, since official portrait to European visit) to Angelina Jolie, drop earrings, are all the rage.
 A dramatic turn from these trends is lace filigree; it’s the new, old thing. Lace is delicate, darling, and delightful, and makes any dress complete with that traditional, romantic look.
Also, collar or statement necklaces are in right now; be sure to pair with small earrings that grant the focus to the grand necklace.
 Bridesmaids are generally allowed more color, and more drama with both dress choices and accessories. Our global jewelry store at Deco Belle Inc. has often honored requests to send duplicates of certain jewelry items for a bridal party, as the bride often gifts her bridesmaids jewelry that they can use in the wedding, and if it’s fabulous enough, to be worn at various occasions.
Whether you want to accessorize glamour, romance, or modern, there are various ways to implement the spring and summer 2009 trends in your wedding. Wishing you the best on your special day, I hope that these tips will help you stay stylish, without breaking the bank.
-Deco Belle
Deco Belle Inc. Global Jewelry
Labels: accessories, art/lit/film, beauty, culture, deco, event, fashion, gemstone, holidays, magazine, paris, usa, vintage
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Friday, October 31, 2008
With the approach to November comes the Day of the Dead, or All Saint's (and Soul's) Day. Deco Belle Global Jewelry would like to shed some light on this celebration.
 The celebrated Day of the Dead, as it's known in Mexico and most of Latin America as well as the Czech Republic, and All Saint's Day (Nov 1st), and All Soul's Day (Nov 2nd) is approached as a joyful event to celebrate and honor the lives of the deceased.
Throughout Mexico, the traditional mood is jubilant, with emphasis on celebration of the deceased. Offerings of the deceased's favorite food and beverage are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. Time and meals are spent at the grave site of a loved one as a means to enjoy a meal with the loved one.
 In most regions of Mexico, November 1st honors deceased children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. Goodbye October, and hello November! Visit our Taxco page to see more Mexican sterling silver jewelry. Also, new Taxco sterling silver jewelry to be added through mid November.
 During the Nepali holiday of Gai Jatra ("Cow Pilgrimage") every family that has suffered a loss of a loved one within the previous year makes a construction of bamboo branches, cloth, paper decorations and portraits of the deceased, called a "gai."
 Traditionally, a cow leads the spirits of the dead into the next land. Depending on local custom, either an actual live cow, or a construct made of paper maché or other materials, representing a cow may be used.
The festival is also a time to dress up in costume, including costumes involving heated topics of the day such as political comments and satire.
 In Kathmandu city, children are dressed as "cows" complete with straw horns and elaborate paper decorations, sometimes leading a real cow in a procession that, according to custom, must pass before the window of the old Royal Palace. Visit our Himalayas page for more Tibetan gemstone jewelry. Deco Belle Global Jewelry brings you jewelry from around the world at your fingertips!Labels: culture, holidays
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
 Happy 4th of July! As Americans, we have the utmost respect for our flag and are to never intentionally damage it in any way, there is one known case of the American flag being torn to pieces and celebrated for it. This was explorer Robert Peary (1856-1920) whom scattered the shreds at the North Pole, he was the first recognized American to arrive at the North Pole in 1909. Recognized as there was a controversy over the first American to reach the North Pole, the accepted history is that Robert Peary was the first American to make it to the top of the earth. Power to the People! “The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing. Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the People, who have... a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean the characters and conduct of their rulers. There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free 'government' ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among people." - John Adams (1735-1826)  Famous historical painting by John Trumbull (1756-1843), named Declaration of Independence. Consequently, this painting appears on the reverse of a $2 bill.
Various metal salts are employed to create the vivid colored explosions that we enjoy on our independence day. Barium makes green, copper makes blue, and aluminum makes it all sparkle! At Deco Belle global jewelry most of our jewelry is crafted with 925 sterling silver metal, but we also carry gold, gold plated, Alpaca Silver, and Turkmen silver jewelry. We also have a wide selection of USA jewelry including jewelry cases, travel organizers, and accessories. www.DecoBelle.com Labels: culture
by: Deco Belle Inc.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
 The green fairy is now legal in the United States! Absinthe, the wormwood (long believed to be a hallucinogenic) and anise spirit with its unusual glowing green color and flames abound, is now not only sold in bottle form, but one can make their own lollipop version with our handy DIY link below.(Image courtesty of Alandia)
This mysterious spirit was rumored to drive belle époque artisans mad, numerous artists and writers living in the late 19th and early 20th century featured absynthe in their works, even adding the addictive liquid in with their paints.
 Famous absinth drinkers were Vincent van Gogh, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (of Moulin Rouge fame), Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Edouard Manet (not to be confused with Claude Monet, a painter from the same era, we don't want to start Absinthe drinking rumors). Such a part of life was represented in Edouard Manet's The Absitnthe Drinker painting. With its association with bohemian culture, absinthe prohibition became the target of social conservatives of that time. (Photo by Eric Litton)
The flame is a twist on the absinthe preparation ritual, though a special slotted spoon is often needed to produce the cloudy, milky effect.
We at Deco Belle found a Toulouse-Lautrec family crest spoon in this great shop in Berlin to complete the ritual in its entirity. Hermann was quite helpful with teaching us all about this mysterious liqueur. Wir lieben dieses Geschäft!
This intense colored spirit is portrayed as a dangerous drug. The chemical thujone, present in only small quantities, was blamed for its alleged harmful effects. Although absynth was vilified, no evidence has proven it to be more dangerous than ordinary liquors. A revival of absinth began in the 1990's in the European Union, with authorization of its manufacture and resale was, this after its nearly world wide ban in 1915.
 Absinthe tastings are in style as this drink is legally distributed for the first time in a century, people are curious as to what the hype is about. You can enjoy your very own Absinthe lollypops yourself with this handy recipe, DIY absynthe lollipops!
La Fee Verte est retournée! DecoBelle.com global jewelry at your fingertips, with our fingers on the pulse on the good tasting world treats!
Labels: culture
by: Deco Belle Inc.
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