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Shani Gilchrist

Critic. Essayist. Journalist.
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Traveling with Sisi

June 30, 2011

Mr. M and I are just back from a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles, prompting me to take some time off from the various writing projects that I've been juggling with summertime child wrangling.  Now that I'm back, it's back to the juggling grind as I fit some writing in at nap time (it's Kara's day off from the kids and she is enjoying herself at the beach for a long weekend).

Assuming none of the sleeping munchkins wakes up in the next hour, my next task will be the beginning of a plan for a fall hunting weekend with some friends we met on our last trip to New York.  Florian and Wolfgang Koechert are cousins who are in the family business (along with Wolfgang's brother, Christoph) of jewelry design.  A.E. Koechert was founded nearly 200 years ago in Vienna, where Emmanuel Köchert became the Kammerjuwelier, or Chamber Jeweler for the Hapsburg-Lothringen imperial family.  During this time, the firm designed the diamond stars that adorn the hair of Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the acclaimed portrait of the young royal. The stars caused an international sensation that is currently resurfacing across Europe.

 

It just happened that on our first evening at The Carlyle on this last trip, the Koechert's were showing their jewelry in America for the first time.  At a cocktail party held in the Versaille Room at the hotel the firm's stars and more modern pieces were on display for a glowing crowd to fawn over.  Everything was breathtaking.  The design and craftsmanship is intricate and exquisite, and all is done in-house at their Vienna headquarters.

Currently, A.E. Koechert jewelry is only available in the shop of the Neue Galerie in Manhattan, but the company is exploring a further reach into the American market.  For more information, visit the company web site at www.koechert.at.

Please forgive the iPhone photos... this was an unexpected pleasure!

In BEAUTIFUL THINGS
← AN EXCEPTIONAL TOUR- VIENNA 1900 AT NEUE GALERIESHOWING UP →

Instagram

Guess what? I made an attempt at writing today! I wrote a whole word! 🤨
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#amalmostwriting #sorta #heyitried #dontcallitacomeback #yet
Guess what? I made an attempt at writing today! I wrote a whole word! 🤨 . . . . . . . . . . . . #amalmostwriting #sorta #heyitried #dontcallitacomeback #yet
Working in the lobby at @sterminshotel four years ago. Our entire family has been itching to go back there. Maybe this summer!
#latergram #london #sterminshotel #historicplace #travel #askaboutthesecretpassage 💕
Working in the lobby at @sterminshotel four years ago. Our entire family has been itching to go back there. Maybe this summer! #latergram #london #sterminshotel #historicplace #travel #askaboutthesecretpassage 💕
Jr. is growing up so darned fast. 😭😭
Jr. is growing up so darned fast. 😭😭
A couple of weeks ago I picked up @imaniperry’s “Looking for Lorraine: The radiant and radical life of Lorraine Hansberry” after reading a @bookcritics newsletter announcing candidates for the #johnleonardprize. I’m finding this first chapter challenging to read as it brings back some feelings about my own work and life over the last few years but, as great books do (especially in the first chapter!), it’s helping put a thing or two into perspective. Or at least inspiring me to mull them over. This isn’t the worst way to spend a (very) cold November morning by the fire, that’s for sure!
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#amreading #bookstagram #imaniperry #lorrainehansberry #lookingforlorraine #rainydayreading #itscoldoutside
A couple of weeks ago I picked up @imaniperry’s “Looking for Lorraine: The radiant and radical life of Lorraine Hansberry” after reading a @bookcritics newsletter announcing candidates for the #johnleonardprize. I’m finding this first chapter challenging to read as it brings back some feelings about my own work and life over the last few years but, as great books do (especially in the first chapter!), it’s helping put a thing or two into perspective. Or at least inspiring me to mull them over. This isn’t the worst way to spend a (very) cold November morning by the fire, that’s for sure! . . . . . . . . . #amreading #bookstagram #imaniperry #lorrainehansberry #lookingforlorraine #rainydayreading #itscoldoutside
Saturday’s #ABAYLD panel was the first time I’d had the chance to speak with The Hon. Jay Richardson (he was the federal prosecutor for the Dylann Roof trial, and is now Fourth Circuit judge). It was an honor to speak as part of this group. Sending big thanks to @scbaryld for including me.
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#paneldiscussion #motheremanuel #charlestonsc #respect #remember #listen #getthestorystraight #makeactionablechange #talkingisgoodifitleadstoaction #latergram 
#Repost @scbaryld with @get_repost
・・・
About this weekend... our members, under the leadership of @tommyprestonjr helped put together quite the @abayounglawyersdivision Fall Conference! Saturday started with a powerful Mother Emanuel program that included discussion of how Charleston reacted and continues to grow in issues related to race. This was followed up by an epic #legalhistory walking tour designed by @patrickcwooten that led our guests on a multi-hour history with cameo appearances by Judge Hendricks and attorney Rutledge Young, Jr. A great learning experience was had by all! We so loved getting to show off our South Carolina Lawyers and residents as well as the City! #gpyld18
Saturday’s #ABAYLD panel was the first time I’d had the chance to speak with The Hon. Jay Richardson (he was the federal prosecutor for the Dylann Roof trial, and is now Fourth Circuit judge). It was an honor to speak as part of this group. Sending big thanks to @scbaryld for including me. . . #paneldiscussion #motheremanuel #charlestonsc #respect #remember #listen #getthestorystraight #makeactionablechange #talkingisgoodifitleadstoaction #latergram #Repost @scbaryld with @get_repost ・・・ About this weekend... our members, under the leadership of @tommyprestonjr helped put together quite the @abayounglawyersdivision Fall Conference! Saturday started with a powerful Mother Emanuel program that included discussion of how Charleston reacted and continues to grow in issues related to race. This was followed up by an epic #legalhistory walking tour designed by @patrickcwooten that led our guests on a multi-hour history with cameo appearances by Judge Hendricks and attorney Rutledge Young, Jr. A great learning experience was had by all! We so loved getting to show off our South Carolina Lawyers and residents as well as the City! #gpyld18
I made some stuff today. 🎉
I made some stuff today. 🎉
My mother used to keep candles in the freezer to minimize dripping when lit for the dinner table. This also makes them last a bit longer. I’m carrying her tip over to hurricane prep today. (Sorry to those of you who are seeing this twice!) #goawayflorence #beprepared #hurricaneflorence2018
My mother used to keep candles in the freezer to minimize dripping when lit for the dinner table. This also makes them last a bit longer. I’m carrying her tip over to hurricane prep today. (Sorry to those of you who are seeing this twice!) #goawayflorence #beprepared #hurricaneflorence2018
The week so far...
Monday: kitten scratched me up while I was putting her in a carrier to go to the vet. 
Tuesday: impulsively started pulling things from the garden without wearing gloves. ...and there’s still a hurricane coming this way... 🤦🏾‍♀️ #nomoreplease #ouch #itchy
The week so far... Monday: kitten scratched me up while I was putting her in a carrier to go to the vet. Tuesday: impulsively started pulling things from the garden without wearing gloves. ...and there’s still a hurricane coming this way... 🤦🏾‍♀️ #nomoreplease #ouch #itchy
You’d never believe they got into a slapfight this morning. Arthur lost the slapfight. #arthurtheliterarydog #needahashtagforthecat
You’d never believe they got into a slapfight this morning. Arthur lost the slapfight. #arthurtheliterarydog #needahashtagforthecat
What I wanted to say to @s_thornwell0: How can I use this pic to bribe my child to stop giving me a hard time about his Latin homework?

What I almost said, but didn’t because wow that would’ve been dorky: Hey, remember when you played in (and won) the Elite Eight at Madison Square Garden? I watched from the handicapped section because the night before I had a teeny bit too much wine, tripped over my purse, and dislocated my knee. I also caught the flu. Totally worth it! That was the most epic and fun sport-spectating trip ever! #omgimthedorkiestmom #sindariusthornwell #gamecockbasketball #beyonce #jayz #otrii #columbiasc #sodacity #famouslyhot
What I wanted to say to @s_thornwell0: How can I use this pic to bribe my child to stop giving me a hard time about his Latin homework? What I almost said, but didn’t because wow that would’ve been dorky: Hey, remember when you played in (and won) the Elite Eight at Madison Square Garden? I watched from the handicapped section because the night before I had a teeny bit too much wine, tripped over my purse, and dislocated my knee. I also caught the flu. Totally worth it! That was the most epic and fun sport-spectating trip ever! #omgimthedorkiestmom #sindariusthornwell #gamecockbasketball #beyonce #jayz #otrii #columbiasc #sodacity #famouslyhot
Cat who has yet to be named has joined our crazy house and we love her. #bengalkitten
Cat who has yet to be named has joined our crazy house and we love her. #bengalkitten
His life is so hard.
His life is so hard.
Still waking up a little unsure of where I am in the mornings and expecting this to be what I see. 
#jetlag #morninglight #latergram
Still waking up a little unsure of where I am in the mornings and expecting this to be what I see. #jetlag #morninglight #latergram
Leaving Scotland. 
#latergram #daddysboy #sweetbaby #scotland #farewell #travel #whenwasthis #whatdayisit #jetlag
Leaving Scotland. #latergram #daddysboy #sweetbaby #scotland #farewell #travel #whenwasthis #whatdayisit #jetlag
Finds from @oxfambooksbyresroad. An 1872 History of Glasgow and Alice Walker’s The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult.

#score #oxfambooks #antiquebooks #alicewalker #books #glasgow #scotland #gilchristsinscotland #yeswerestillhere
Finds from @oxfambooksbyresroad. An 1872 History of Glasgow and Alice Walker’s The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult. #score #oxfambooks #antiquebooks #alicewalker #books #glasgow #scotland #gilchristsinscotland #yeswerestillhere
This is the #Scotland That makes my heart go pitter-pat. Well, this and Perth. And Gleneagles. And parts of Edinburgh. And parts of Glasgow. And also a glass of aged @laphroaig. 🥃

#scotlandhighlands #benmore #instalight #happyplace
This is the #Scotland That makes my heart go pitter-pat. Well, this and Perth. And Gleneagles. And parts of Edinburgh. And parts of Glasgow. And also a glass of aged @laphroaig. 🥃 #scotlandhighlands #benmore #instalight #happyplace
Mussels, wine, a fire, and a book after an insanely fabulous day of hiking and wandering. Will be asleep soon. 😴

#mussels #wine #book #fire #vacaymode #scotland  #gilchristsinscotland
Mussels, wine, a fire, and a book after an insanely fabulous day of hiking and wandering. Will be asleep soon. 😴 #mussels #wine #book #fire #vacaymode #scotland #gilchristsinscotland
When I saw that @riverheadbooks had posted this photo of my sunroom (from my @thislitlifestyle account), it made me feel a bit homesick. I tend to be a bit wimpy about vacations lasting more than a week... 😝 
#Repost @riverheadbooks with @get_repost
・・・
🖤 “He’s like a perfect, windless pond, her husband once said. You throw something in just to watch it sink, and you’re going to see it on the bottom staring back at you for the rest of your life.” -Lauren Groff, FLORIDA 🖤 ...... gorgeous photo by @thislitlifestyle
When I saw that @riverheadbooks had posted this photo of my sunroom (from my @thislitlifestyle account), it made me feel a bit homesick. I tend to be a bit wimpy about vacations lasting more than a week... 😝 #Repost @riverheadbooks with @get_repost ・・・ 🖤 “He’s like a perfect, windless pond, her husband once said. You throw something in just to watch it sink, and you’re going to see it on the bottom staring back at you for the rest of your life.” -Lauren Groff, FLORIDA 🖤 ...... gorgeous photo by @thislitlifestyle
It’s hard convincing myself to go exploring when there’s a reading spot like this in the house. #GilchristsInScotland
It’s hard convincing myself to go exploring when there’s a reading spot like this in the house. #GilchristsInScotland
This summer vacation isn’t all leisure. I’m also working on some serious reading (and hopefully some serious writing). Currently giving in to my jet lag while reading W. Anthony Eubanks’s essay, “What Makes Me Black?” In The Hedgehog Review. 
#amreading #bythefire (whut?!) #thehedgehogreview #universityofvirginia #culturalcriticism #essay #essentialreading
This summer vacation isn’t all leisure. I’m also working on some serious reading (and hopefully some serious writing). Currently giving in to my jet lag while reading W. Anthony Eubanks’s essay, “What Makes Me Black?” In The Hedgehog Review. #amreading #bythefire (whut?!) #thehedgehogreview #universityofvirginia #culturalcriticism #essay #essentialreading
Guess what? I made an attempt at writing today! I wrote a whole word! 🤨
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#amalmostwriting #sorta #heyitried #dontcallitacomeback #yet Working in the lobby at @sterminshotel four years ago. Our entire family has been itching to go back there. Maybe this summer!
#latergram #london #sterminshotel #historicplace #travel #askaboutthesecretpassage 💕 Jr. is growing up so darned fast. 😭😭 A couple of weeks ago I picked up @imaniperry’s “Looking for Lorraine: The radiant and radical life of Lorraine Hansberry” after reading a @bookcritics newsletter announcing candidates for the #johnleonardprize. I’m finding this first chapter challenging to read as it brings back some feelings about my own work and life over the last few years but, as great books do (especially in the first chapter!), it’s helping put a thing or two into perspective. Or at least inspiring me to mull them over. This isn’t the worst way to spend a (very) cold November morning by the fire, that’s for sure!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#amreading #bookstagram #imaniperry #lorrainehansberry #lookingforlorraine #rainydayreading #itscoldoutside Saturday’s #ABAYLD panel was the first time I’d had the chance to speak with The Hon. Jay Richardson (he was the federal prosecutor for the Dylann Roof trial, and is now Fourth Circuit judge). It was an honor to speak as part of this group. Sending big thanks to @scbaryld for including me.
.
.
#paneldiscussion #motheremanuel #charlestonsc #respect #remember #listen #getthestorystraight #makeactionablechange #talkingisgoodifitleadstoaction #latergram 
#Repost @scbaryld with @get_repost
・・・
About this weekend... our members, under the leadership of @tommyprestonjr helped put together quite the @abayounglawyersdivision Fall Conference! Saturday started with a powerful Mother Emanuel program that included discussion of how Charleston reacted and continues to grow in issues related to race. This was followed up by an epic #legalhistory walking tour designed by @patrickcwooten that led our guests on a multi-hour history with cameo appearances by Judge Hendricks and attorney Rutledge Young, Jr. A great learning experience was had by all! We so loved getting to show off our South Carolina Lawyers and residents as well as the City! #gpyld18 I made some stuff today. 🎉 My mother used to keep candles in the freezer to minimize dripping when lit for the dinner table. This also makes them last a bit longer. I’m carrying her tip over to hurricane prep today. (Sorry to those of you who are seeing this twice!) #goawayflorence #beprepared #hurricaneflorence2018 The week so far...
Monday: kitten scratched me up while I was putting her in a carrier to go to the vet. 
Tuesday: impulsively started pulling things from the garden without wearing gloves. ...and there’s still a hurricane coming this way... 🤦🏾‍♀️ #nomoreplease #ouch #itchy You’d never believe they got into a slapfight this morning. Arthur lost the slapfight. #arthurtheliterarydog #needahashtagforthecat What I wanted to say to @s_thornwell0: How can I use this pic to bribe my child to stop giving me a hard time about his Latin homework?

What I almost said, but didn’t because wow that would’ve been dorky: Hey, remember when you played in (and won) the Elite Eight at Madison Square Garden? I watched from the handicapped section because the night before I had a teeny bit too much wine, tripped over my purse, and dislocated my knee. I also caught the flu. Totally worth it! That was the most epic and fun sport-spectating trip ever! #omgimthedorkiestmom #sindariusthornwell #gamecockbasketball #beyonce #jayz #otrii #columbiasc #sodacity #famouslyhot Cat who has yet to be named has joined our crazy house and we love her. #bengalkitten His life is so hard. Still waking up a little unsure of where I am in the mornings and expecting this to be what I see. 
#jetlag #morninglight #latergram Leaving Scotland. 
#latergram #daddysboy #sweetbaby #scotland #farewell #travel #whenwasthis #whatdayisit #jetlag Finds from @oxfambooksbyresroad. An 1872 History of Glasgow and Alice Walker’s The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult.

#score #oxfambooks #antiquebooks #alicewalker #books #glasgow #scotland #gilchristsinscotland #yeswerestillhere This is the #Scotland That makes my heart go pitter-pat. Well, this and Perth. And Gleneagles. And parts of Edinburgh. And parts of Glasgow. And also a glass of aged @laphroaig. 🥃

#scotlandhighlands #benmore #instalight #happyplace Mussels, wine, a fire, and a book after an insanely fabulous day of hiking and wandering. Will be asleep soon. 😴

#mussels #wine #book #fire #vacaymode #scotland  #gilchristsinscotland When I saw that @riverheadbooks had posted this photo of my sunroom (from my @thislitlifestyle account), it made me feel a bit homesick. I tend to be a bit wimpy about vacations lasting more than a week... 😝 
#Repost @riverheadbooks with @get_repost
・・・
🖤 “He’s like a perfect, windless pond, her husband once said. You throw something in just to watch it sink, and you’re going to see it on the bottom staring back at you for the rest of your life.” -Lauren Groff, FLORIDA 🖤 ...... gorgeous photo by @thislitlifestyle It’s hard convincing myself to go exploring when there’s a reading spot like this in the house. #GilchristsInScotland This summer vacation isn’t all leisure. I’m also working on some serious reading (and hopefully some serious writing). Currently giving in to my jet lag while reading W. Anthony Eubanks’s essay, “What Makes Me Black?” In The Hedgehog Review. 
#amreading #bythefire (whut?!) #thehedgehogreview #universityofvirginia #culturalcriticism #essay #essentialreading

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