Portrait of Camelot

When my boss retired, she made a donation to the library, and each staff member was given a small budget to purchase a few books. The first book I selected is Portrait of Camelot, and it arrived today! It's a beautiful coffee table sized book, which includes a dvd of film footage, edited to accompany the book. I'm very excited to start reading this book, and to watch the dvd.

I also wanted to share with you a gift I received from my mother-in-law for Christmas. A few months ago, the Jacqueline Kennedy Jewelry Collection was featured on QVC. B and I watched, and I mentioned that I've always loved a certain brooch Jacqueline owned and is wearing in several pictures I've seen during the White House years. I had sort of forgotten all about it when I opened my Christmas gift from my mother-in-law: The website says:

"Jacqueline Kennedy purchased the original version of this crystal sunburst pin in June 1961 while in London. It's the symbol of King Louis XIV of France, the Sun King. On a side note, this was also Jackie's favorite historical era."

Here is a photo of her wearing it in her hair at a White House dinner with Andre Malaraux, the French minister for cultural affairs. He approved Jackie's plan for the Mona Lisa to travel to the United States for display in D.C. and New York:

I wore my version yesterday, and received many compliments. I wore it pinned at my hip to a black skirt with a black turtleneck. Some people thought it was part of a belt. The reproduction is just stunning, and very well made (in the USA, no less). I am thrilled to own such a beautiful piece of jewelry!