A few years ago I received a pair of sterling silver earrings engraved with my initial. Those dangling F's on my ears might have been a wee bit ghetto, but I couldn't get enough of them. What is it about monogrammed pieces that we love so much? Are we really that vain? Do we need a reminder of who we are, lest we forget?
Fast forward to today. I find myself hot on the hunt for a big gold medallion necklace with (you guessed it) an "F" prominently displayed on the front. Am I secretly wishing I were one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey? Have I been watching too many of those late night reruns of Sex and the City? Carrie's necklace played such an important part of her character. Is a monogrammed necklace really that different from a tee shirt with a company's logo on the front? Isn't a personalized piece of jewelry just another version of personal branding. Or is this simply the modern girl's version of a dog tag. "If lost, please return to..."
Honestly, I can't say what the reason is behind the urge. What I can tell you is I want one. I want it big, gold and fabulous. And yes...on some level I'm hoping Caroline Manzo wants to adopt me or at least take me in as part of the Manzo clan. I can assure you there will be no quarrels over our jewelry After all, the pieces that belong to me will all be very clearly marked.
I remember my first trip to NYC, we hit the jewelry district in Brooklyn where I designed my name ring with diamonds. Oh it was tres ghetto-chic and I wore it well. I think I still have it. May have to rock that soon!
Posted by: Dawn | June 20, 2009 at 03:28 PM
A few months ago, I bought a necklace from Anthropologie with a brown'G'against a pearl background with a gold chain. It has totally become my signature piece. I never leave home without it! If I had a black AmEx card, I probably wouldn't leave home without that either.
Posted by: Lily | June 20, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Ladies, thank you for standing in solidarity with me. It may border on trendy or be solidly ghetto fabulous...but it's something I think I'll need to purchase and wear with pride. Time to go research and find my perfect piece. Thanks for your feedback! :)
Posted by: franki durbin | June 20, 2009 at 03:59 PM
ooh. I want one of those! I'm a big monogram girl though.
Posted by: beachbungalow8 | June 20, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Seems that suddenly I'm a big monogram girl too :)
Posted by: franki durbin | June 20, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Last years we given by my fab MIL two sets of monogrammed bedding from Peter Reed in navy Blue cord and Greek key. (I guess she's listening when I talk about coveted objects. We also have quite a few things with husband's family's coat of arms but nothing badass enough.
Posted by: angel-arabella | June 21, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Haha, I have been on the hunt for a gold necklace with my intials too! I LOVE the ones you have displayed. And I totally thought of Carrie before you mentioned her. Fashion is all about personalization, so it makes sense that you'd want to have your signature touch involved!
Posted by: Andi | June 21, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I'm totally into monograms too - kind of happened overnight, woke up and wanted monograms on everything. I'm a Southerner so I may be a little late in warming up to them :o)
Posted by: Jenny | June 21, 2009 at 09:03 PM
I am in LOVE with this necklace... Nice post!
Posted by: Michele | June 21, 2009 at 09:56 PM