Friday, January 18, 2013

Music Friday Flashback: Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Sing 'Don't Pull Your Love'

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you outstanding songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In this installment, we searched back 42 years and found this AM soft rock hit called "Don't Pull Your Love." Originally recorded in 1971 by the trio of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, it reached #4 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. More than one million singles were sold, earning the group a gold record.

image

In the song, Dan Hamilton's powerful and expressive lead vocals capture the anguish of a broken relationship. He fears that his girlfriend is going to take off to a new city, so he begs her to stay. His plea includes these memorable lines: "Haven't I been good to you? What about that brand new ring? Doesn't that mean love to you? Doesn't that mean anything?"

Back in the '70s there was a running joke about whether Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds was a duo, trio, quartet or quintet. Without seeing the names written out or the punctuation used, one could assume that the group was any of the following: a duo ("Hamilton Joe Frank" and "Reynolds"), a trio ("Hamilton Joe," "Frank" and "Reynolds"), a quartet ("Hamilton," "Joe," "Frank" and "Reynolds"), and even a quintet ("Hamilton," "Joe," "Frank," "Ann," "Reynolds"). Of course, all of these are wrong.

Our baby boomer readers will certainly enjoy this moment of nostalgia. For our younger readers: Welcome to a soft rock classic that seems to have grown better with age. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along. The video is at the bottom of this post.

"Don't Pull Your Love (Out)"

Written by Dennis Earle Lambert and Brian Potter. Performed by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds.

Don't pull your love out on me, baby
If you do then I think that maybe
I'll just lay me down and cry for a hundred years
Don't pull your love out on me, honey
Take my heart, my soul, my money
But don't leave me drownin' in my tears

You say you're gonna leave
Gonna take that big white bird
Gonna fly right out of here
Without a single word
Don't you know you'll break my heart
When I watch you close that door?
'Cause I know I won't see you anymore

Don't pull your love out on me, baby
If you do then I think that maybe
I'll just lay me down and cry for a hundred years
Don't pull your love out on me, honey
Take my heart, my soul, my money
But don't leave me drownin' in my tears

Haven't I been good to you?
What about that brand new ring?
Doesn't that mean love to you?
Doesn't that mean anything?
If I threw away my pride
And I got down on my knees
Would you make me beg you, "pretty please?"

Don't pull your love out on me, baby
If you do then I think that maybe
I'll just lay me down and cry for a hundred years
Don't pull your love out on me, honey
Take my heart, my soul, my money
But don't leave me drownin' in my tears

There's so much I wanna do
I've got love enough for two
But I'll never use it, girl, if I don't have you

Don't pull your love out on me, baby
If you do then I think that maybe
I'll just lay me down and cry for a hundred years
Don't pull your love out on me, honey
Take my heart, my soul, my money
But don't leave me drownin' in my tears

Don't pull your love out on me, baby
If you do then I think that maybe
I'll just lay me down and cry for a hundred years
Don't pull your love out on me, honey
Take my heart, my soul, my money
But don't leave me drownin' in my tears



Thursday, January 17, 2013

Remorseful Thief Returns Four Gold Rings to Chicago Family — 15 Years After Stealing Them at a Teen Party

Calling herself "a dumb kid who finally wants to right a wrong," a remorseful and apologetic thief stunned the Riphagen family of suburban Chicago when she returned four gold rings snatched during a teen party — 15 years ago.

Along with the rings was a heartfelt note that read, in part, "I am writing to you to apologize for being in possession of something I am sure you truly value and miss. I was at a party in your home many years ago and regretfully, stupidly took something that I should not have."

image

She asked forgiveness for the pain and heartache she caused the family, and ended the note with this mature observation: "As an adult I realize how sentimental items like this can be."

The rehabilitated thief was right on the mark. What she took were four cherished keepsakes of the Riphagen family: The mother's wedding ring, a ring the father gave the mother when their first child was born, and a set of grandparents' wedding bands that had been intended for the children when they reached adulthood.

One of the grandparents' wedding bands was intended for Margot Riphagen, 31, who was only 16 years old when she hosted a party that got a bit out of hand. She told ABCNews.com, "I invited a few friends over and then all of a sudden there were all these people there I didn't know. We immediately noticed stuff was missing."

image

The anonymous note, along with the jewelry, was sent to Riphagen's mother at her place of work. "She was shocked," Riphagen told The Huffington Post when asked about her mother's reaction to the unexpected return of her sentimental treasures.

"We never thought we would get any of the stuff back," said Riphagen. "It's completely amazing and wonderful, and we're all thrilled about it. It's a super-positive thing and a great way to start the New Year."



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Blue Ivy Carter Celebrates First Birthday With $80,000 Diamond-Encrusted Barbie

When Forbes reports that your parents are the highest paid couple in the world, you might expect a really special present for your first birthday — and a fun party to boot. Well, Blue Ivy Carter was not disappointed on January 7, when her parents Beyoncé and Jay-Z hosted a princess-themed gala and presented their birthday girl with a dazzling custom-made diamond-encrusted Barbie doll, according to The Sun. The doll is said to be customized with 160 diamonds set in white gold. Price tag: $80,000.

image

The power couple, who earned a staggering $78 million combined in 2012, reportedly spent $200,000 on the party, which included a $2,400 cake, $95,000 for pink and white roses, and $30,000 for special goodie bags for their young guests, featuring toys, princess outfits, personalized engraved gold pens, playhouses and jewelry.

image

“Nothing’s been too big or expensive for their little princess," a source told The Sun. "They wanted her first birthday to set the tone for the rest of her life. They work hard for their money and the first thing they want to spend it on is their baby girl." The source added, “It’s hard to imagine how they can top this next year — or what her Sweet Sixteen will be like.”

image

Blue Ivy is no stranger to elaborate presents. When she was only five days old, the New York Post reported that the infant had already received more than $1.5 million in gifts, including a $600,000 solid gold, handmade rocking horse designed by Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka, a $15,000 Swarovski crystal-studded high chair, $45,000 coach carriage crib and a $30,000 magical windmill playhouse.



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Golden Globes Report: Jessica Alba Looks Ravishing in $5.8M Harry Winston Diamond Necklace

Of all the beauties who walked the red carpet at the 2013 Golden Globes Sunday night, none were as stunning as Jessica Alba, who blinded the paparazzi with her platinum and diamonds. The 31-year-old mother of two redefined the word glamour by donning a $5.8 million diamond necklace by Harry Winston, and finished off the look with complementary diamond stud earrings and a pear-shaped diamond cluster ring.

image

Long, dangling statement earrings were the biggest fashion trend of the night. A-listers such as Megan Fox, Julianne Moore and Debra Messing each wore earring styles that nearly brushed their shoulders. Fox accessorized with jaw-dropping pink Lorraine Schwartz earrings; Moore wore Bulgari diamond earrings in a geometric sunray motif; and Messing pulled her hair back into a sleek ponytail to show off shimmering mother-of-pearl earrings from Samira 13.

image

Bracelets worn in multiples were another popular trend. The 23-year-old Hayden Panettiere looked sweet in an off-white gown accessorized by four diamond-station bracelets in yellow gold; Nicole Kidman wore an antique blue enamel and gold snake bangle from Fred Leighton; and Connie Britton stacked four Lorraine Schwartz diamond bangles in white and yellow gold.

image

We also liked the look of Zooey Deschanel, who decided to accessorize her retro-style Oscar de la Renta gown with a simple, clean and classic cultured pearl necklace by Kwiat.



Monday, January 14, 2013

1792 Half Dime Made From First Lady Martha Washington's Silverware Sells at Auction for $1.41 Million

An extraordinarily rare 1792 half dime that was ordered by U.S. Founding Father George Washington and minted from the silverware belonging to First Lady, Martha, was sold at auction last Thursday for $1.41 million.

image

Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said the half disme (an early spelling of "dime" that's pronounced "deem") is one of the very first American coins struck in December 1792 after the Mint Act was passed. The Lady Liberty on the coin is said to resemble Martha Washington herself.

For a nation in its infancy, the coining of these half dimes was of enormous political significance. It was a bold expression of national sovereignty that would be recognized around the world.

Legend has it that George Washington was so excited by the prospect of minting a coin for the U.S. that he offered his wife's silverware to provide the raw materials for the first batch. The first coins were actually struck in the cellar of Philadelphia saw maker John Harper using the new Mint presses because the official Mint was not set to start production until the following year.

The makeshift mint produced approximately 1,500 silver half dimes in 1792. Of that number, it is believed that only 250 still exist.

image

Although the half dimes were worth five cents, they were not called nickels until 1866, when the composition of the silver coins was changed to a combination of copper and nickel. People started to call these new coins "nicks" or "nickels."

On the obverse side of the coin we see a likeness of Martha Washington posing as Lady Liberty, the year 1792 and the motto "Lib. Par. of Science and Industry," which is translated to mean "Liberty Parent of Science and Industry.” On the reverse side is an eagle flying, the phrase "Half Disme" and the legend "Uni. States of America."