Pimp And Protect: The Crystals That Keep You Safe In The City

Posted by Styloko

Former Sunday Times Style Features Editor Ruby Warrington recently relocated to New York, where she’s now based as a US correspondent for the paper.

In her weekly Styloko column, Ny-loko, she dissects NY style through British eyes – will she ever dress like one of them?

A reformed shopaholic, her wardrobe mantra these days is ‘quality over quantity’ (check out her Lust List), while her idea of shopping heaven is her new West Village apartment, complete with walk-in wardrobe.

Carrie Bradshaw, eat your heart out.
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Since moving to New York (and getting used to the prices – no, things aren’t 30 per cent more expensive, you’re just paying in dollars, doh!) I have purchased: one Marc Jacobs ‘Single’ handbag; one silk t-shirt by Vince; one T by Alexander Wang sheath dress; one J.Crew sweater (as discussed previously); and one Rag & Bone jumper. Wow, written out like that you’d think I’d been brainwashed into only liking American labels.

But by far my favourite ‘fashion’ purchase to date is the ring I picked up in my local crystal shop when I first arrived. Stick, Stone & Bone (right opposite Rag & Bone, actually) sells every kind of crystal, lucky charm, divining twig, tarot pack and smudge stick (for ‘smoking’ the bad vibes out of your abode) going, and I have to say I’m hooked. I had my aura read in Chinatown when I first arrived (as you do), and was told I needed ‘protection’ in the city.

It was only when I lost my brand new iPhone, burned my hand on the oven and received an (accidental) smack in the face while out running on three consecutive days that week, that I took the advice seriously and bought myself a multi-coloured crystal ring to ward off evil spirits. And I think it’s worked. Things have been going great ever since – and even better, it goes perfectly with all my other New York purchases.

As I type, I’m ‘charging it up’ in the Ibiza sunshine, as instructed. Brainwashed? Moi?