Shiva is one of three major gods in the Hindu religion and his role is Destroyer of the Universe (but only so the universe can be recreated).

When he’s depicted as a man, he’s usually shown holding a trident, with three stripes of ash across his forehead to hide his third eye, and a cobra around his neck.

The cobra, which is able to shed its skin, represents Shiva’s powers of destruction and regeneration.

But snakes aren’t the only creatures capable of shedding their skin. We humans can metaphorically shed our skin, too.

Interestingly, snakes that are about to shed their skin are said to be “in the blue,” and it’s often that itchy feeling of having it all but still feeling unsatisfied or of being lost and needing to “find yourself” that are primary clues that it may be time to shed some skin of your own.

You may need to shed something tangible — a job you hate, a person who creates more pain than joy in your life, a miserable roommate — or you may need to shed something intangible — a bad habit, your constant need to be right, or an incorrect belief that’s holding you back.

But it won’t be easy. And it will take some time.

If you’ve ever witnessed a snake shedding it’s skin, you know that you can expect to be uncomfortable and writhing around and expending a lot of effort while the destructive part of the process is occurring. But, just as a snake slithers away afterward with glistening skin and newfound freedom, you’ll find yourself glowing and liberated when you’ve completed your hard work of shedding, too.

And that’s when the regeneration phase begins and the real magic can happen!

You see, the wonderful thing about being human is that we are all like Shiva.

We’re all born with the power to destroy and rebuild our lives in ways that better serve us and humanity.

We can all become exactly who we wish to be instead of being the person others compel us to be.

And one way to remind yourself of this incredible ability, which makes you just as powerful as Shiva, is to wear a beautiful vintage cobra necklace occasionally.

Today’s VPOD would be one fine choice. This vintage 1970s enamel necklace features a mosaic of bright colors and hypnotizing rhinestone eyes.

It’s a stylish and empowering reminder for an aware Vintage Crusader!

Available at Frock NYC.

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I’ve recently been spending my evenings with David Bennett’s and Daniela Mascetti’s irresistible tome, Understanding Jewellery. It’s 496 pages of pure jewelery delight written by two Sotheby’s experts and filled with 919 of the most drool-worthy pictures of jewelry you’ll find anywhere.

And get this: each image has been taken to show the piece of jewelry at its actual size. Now THAT is what I call attention to detail!

This reference work for dealers and collectors worldwide is like a crash-course on gemstones, explaining where they come from, testing methods to identify precious from semi-precious stones and tips for assessing quality and detecting fakes. Then it takes us on a trip through jewelry history from the late 18th century right through the end of the millennium.

People often ask me how to develop their “eye” for quality vintage pieces. I truly believe that poring over reference books like this one, which highlights some of the finest jewelery pieces ever handled by Sotheby’s, is a sure-fire way to hone your style-detecting muscles.

While the cost of these pieces puts them out of reach for most collectors, studying them and ingraining their qualities into your own style DNA will help you make better selections among the pieces you CAN afford to add to your collection.

And, of course, you need not always purchase pieces with actual gemstones.

While I adore the elegant and sparkly genuine gemstones that adorn the pieces depicted in this book, I much prefer to wear costume treasures like today’s VPOD.

This vintage statement necklace by Yves Saint Laurent features synthetic carnelian and faux banded agate. Sure, it’s still not cheap, but it packs a way bigger style punch than ten less expensive necklaces combined.

And that makes it a simple choice for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Easterbelle’s Emporium. | Discovered at TheFind.com.

(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

If you’re a February birthday girl, you’re bound to love today’s VPOD. After all, amethyst, the purple variety of quartz, is February’s birthstone. And this is one of the most magnificent amethyst necklaces ever!

Dating from the 1940s, it has super cool modernist vibes and an interesting asymmetric display of dangling amethyst gemstones.

And who uncovered this treasure? That would be Christian Madrigal, the genius proprietor of TheFrock.com, an online boutique which offers perhaps the most well-curated collection of vintage evening gowns in cyberspace.

But you won’t find this little lovely at TheFrock.com. No, no, no. To snag this beauty you have to visit Christian’s lesser-known storefront at VandM.com.

And it’s definitely worth the trip for a discerning vintage fashionista!

Available at MadriGallery.

(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs is one of Aesop’s most beloved fables. Surely you remember it:

A farmer’s goose lays a golden egg every day. In an attempt to get to the gold inside, the farmer kills the goose only to discover there’s no gold there. And because of the farmer’s greed, he no longer has a goose laying gold eggs!

While stories like this are amusing for children, it’s only when we become adults that we can recognize the morals of the stories and truly appreciate their lessons.

And for a fashionable reminder of the message about greed from this Aesop’s fable,  just snag today’s VPOD.

This vintage necklace by Hattie Carnegie features a goose that is literally laying a golden egg. And when you gently tug on the egg, the wings of the goose will rise and fall.

It’s a very rare and interesting piece for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Bengem.

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Vintage 1930s Draped and Beaded Evening Gown (redhousevintage) | Vintage Turquoise Print Maurice Dress (cork123) | Vintage 1960s Woven Wicker Handbag (citrinedream) | Vintage 1990s Versace Couture Cocktail Dress (betz6358) | Vintage Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Floral Earrings (hawaiibeads) | Vintage Paco Rabanne Nautical Skirt and Halter Set (koko1954) | Vintage Edwardian Coat (those12days) | Vintage 1930s Satin Wedding Lounging Gown (mynoble) | Vintage 1940s Grey and Chartreuse Day Dress (cheapthrillsvintage) | Vintage Limited Edition Yves Saint Laurent Necklace (remark16) | Vintage 1980s Khaki Safari Jumpsuit (thriftwares) | Vintage 1950s Alfred Shaheen Sarong Sundress (venusdjangoanddot) | Vintage 1970s Ethnic Gauze and Sequin Tent Dress (lacedwithromance) | Vintage 1960s Jackie O Dress and Coat Set (booboopeedoo) | Vintage 1950s Mexican Dress (gambinica) | Vintage 1950s Lace Ruffled Prom Dress (tangleofthorns) | (Disclosure: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from Bay sellers. Zuburbia is, however, a member of the eBay Partner Network).

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