Definitely the Gingerbread

Are the cookies really better this time of year? Or do they just seem that way?  

While we ponder this and other existential questions, the Jewelry Doctor stands ready to help with those last-minute gifts for those wonderful people you know—and you, too. (Why not you?)  

More good news: You can do it all without leaving the house. So grab that coffee or cocoa or your other favorite beverage, read this inspiring story from our archives, and then call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244). 

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2013/12/crowds-not-so-pleasing-or-time-to-call.html

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Holidays without the agony.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Teresa Gets a History Lesson--And Great Gifts!

“Oh, Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah , come light the menorah—”

Well, hello! I didn’t see you come in. Just getting ready to put down the eggnog* and get ready to light the first candle of Chanukah.

What’s that? You say you didn’t know Chanukah was here?  That’s what Teresa said.  Read on. http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-perfect-gift-times-eight-or-hark.html

And yes, we can still help with Christmas gifts, too. But Wednesday is right around the corner, so give us a call (415/796-3969; text 415/596-4244) and we’ll take good care of you and everyone who loves you will not magically forget your birthday or anything.  

*Metaphorical eggnog, that is; we save the real stuff for Thursday’s party with Santa, Rudy, and the rest of the fellas.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Ralph, Sam, and Life's Little Miracles

“What are you doing, Ralph?”

“What does it look like, Sammy? I’m drinking a beer and getting ready to watch one of my favorite movies.”

Sammy laughs. 

“Hello? Chanukah starts tomorrow night. And Christmas, last I checked, is Wednesday.” He waits for the panicked look on Ralph’s face. Ten, nine, eight—

But it fails to materialize. How can that be? Has something happened since last year?  Has Ralph turned into the kind of person who doesn’t care about giving gifts?  Sammy is getting worried.

“Sam, don’t you remember I told you about San Francisco Jewelry Doctor? I called Laynie (415/796-3969; text 415/596-4244) two weeks ago. My gifts are already gift-wrapped and hidden in a safe place.”

“Wow,” says Sammy. “I thought we’d go hit the mall tonight, the way we always do.  Oh, well, good for you, I guess.” 

He sighs. “I suppose it’s too late to call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor.”

Wrong conclusion, Sammy!  Do not despair. We have lots of wonderful gifts for those on your list, and you can have ‘em in time for the holidays.  

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/12/last-minute-miracles.html

But don’t dilly-dally. Call us at 415/796-3969 (or text 415/596-4244).  

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us Miracle Central.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Yes, You Can Take It With You

If there were a dictionary of fictitious phrases (someone is probably 

at work on one now), “Oh, I don’t need anything” might well be 

Numero Uno.  

This can lead to a little misunderstanding when people have, shall we say, different expectations.  

“But you said—“ the surprised party says to the disappointed one.

Fortunately, this is completely avoidable by calling your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244). The doctor actually took classes in interpersonal communication in college (and also has access to a decoder ring). She is happy to share the knowledge gained thereby with her happy customers, who are never again caught empty-handed and have a feeling of joy and contentment wherever in the world they travel.  (We hear Brazil is delightful this time of year.)  

While we put the finishing touches on another holiday treasure, here’s a story from our archives on this very subject.  

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-little-something.html

Oh!  That’s the phone. It must be you.

*If you can read this, we’re in the neighborhood.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Later, Somebody Heard the Horse Say, "That Was Impressive." The Doctor Just Smiled.

One minute you’re humming a happy tune, all excited about the party tomorrow night. Suddenly disaster looms. What to do?  

Call the doctor—the Jewelry Doctor, that is. 

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/saddle-up-white-horse.html

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Because we all love happy endings. 

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

“V” Do We Love You, or How A Little Geometry Makes All the Difference

Some of us just plain love a “V” shape. It’s pleasing to the eye (one reason why Art Deco design is such a delight). More than that, the “V” has a feeling of energy about it. It’s got pizzazz.

Are you a fan of V-shapes? According to Alexander Art, you’re in good company: so did the “Old Masters.” 
https://alexanderart.com/v-shapes/

So if anyone turns up a nose, feel free to say, “Honey, if it’s good enough for Titian, it’s good enough for me.” (Drawing a blank, they then think, “I really should know who that is,” and go scurrying off to find that art history book they know is still around somewhere, while you saunter away, all casual-like.)

The Adair Group puts the debut of the V-shape in the world of American fashion to the 1960s, pointing out that the “V” shape in t-shirt design was originally a camouflage, “first used to hide the collar fabric when other shirts were worn over them.”  

Who knew?

Adair points out that one winning quality of the shape is its “sculpted appearance. (“V-shapes) are particularly adept at making your face seem longer and more angular”—a nice effect for those with round or square faces, because it creates a more oval or angular look, “something that’s seen as desirable by many people.”

What’s not to love?

But say your face already is angular? What then? You can still wear 
the “V,” and just say, “It’s all about angles over here.” Nothing wrong with that. Or, if you prefer to soften the look, add a scarf inside 
that “V.”

Here’s a pretty pair of “V”-shaped earrings from Stuller (also available in white gold, rose gold, silver and, yes, platinum, too). https://www.stuller.com/products/87150/?groupId=202616&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

“Wow, those are huge!”

Actually, they’re a wonderful size: 23 x 7mm, as in just under an inch long and a touch under a third of an inch wide. Perfectly suitable for the office, as well as the evening and weekend. 

And did you know the “V” shape is an integral part of many pieces in the Laynie Tzena collection—especially our pendants, in porcelain, Venetian glass, Swarovski crystal, and gemstones? Now you do.

So call your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244) and say, “Doctor, I’m suffering from a ‘V’ deficiency.” We’ll take care of the rest.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Add a little “V” to your life.

*If you can read this, we’re in the neighborhood.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

What Better Gift Than Focus?

If you look at those ads and say, “Oh!  ____________ would love that!”

—how wonderful. That’s the best kind of gift-giving. 

But make sure you’re actually getting what the ad promises. Here’s a well-loved story from our archives about how what you see may not be what you get. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-turquoise-or-whats-big-deal-really.html?fbclid=IwAR2-lbTliJ7guae3EO2-bLNZnSJLxLcpa939j59HILuF4JiUh_gLIlev2oA

And here are two recent news stories about conditions at one of the companies offering the biggest deals today.  

https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-smiles/?fbclid=IwAR0rFfJJzf0A1IFExA-QaSlgX2lYvGjaUArfaFrRGBiITTYFixBraGQveZ0

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/11/amazon-warehouse-reports-show-worker-injuries/602530/

Now remember, your Jewelry Doctor loves the holidays as much as anybody. She is simply saying, “Take a moment. Stop and think about what gift-giving means to you.”  

We hope it means tuning in to the recipient. What will make his or her heart and soul sing?  

We also hope it means paying attention to quality—not only the quality of the merchandise, of course, but the quality of life for the people doing the behind-the-scenes work to make those gifts happen and the quality of community that results when one or two companies force other businesses out.

If you believe in the importance of small business, you can put that belief into practice by putting your money where your mouth is this holiday season (and thoughout the year).

A great start is Small Business Saturday tomorrow. But don't stop there. When you’re making a purchase, instead of asking, "Does (the conglomerate) have this?" (and starting and ending your search there), consider asking, "Could (your favorite small business) have this, or could they order it?"   

So shop. (Ask us about gifts for your favorite people). Enjoy your shopping. Just do it consciously. Do it with your priorities in mind, in a manner that has provided real results for people all over the world for years and years and years: focus.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.