Something New and Sparkly: Fiesta Forever

Felt Flower Fiesta Corsage Necklace

Top: Kohl's

Skirt: Steve Madden, ROSS Dress for Less

Leggings: UK Style by French Connection for Sears

Shoes: Ann Marino, Marshalls

Bag: Marshalls

I never imagined I'd quote a Lionel Richie lyric, much less on the blog.  But it happened.  Still, "fiesta forever" seemed like a good descriptor for my new Felt Flower Fiesta Corsage Necklace.  Like so many of my neckpieces, it turned out bigger than I expected, although not in a bad way.  Its tropical vibe makes me think of an exotic bazaar (sounds so much better than flea market, don't you think?) crammed with colorful tables yielding secrets.  Well, not so much secrets as oddities.  Crumbling, one-eyed statues.  Tinsel-shot scarves.  Perfumes that smell more like potions.  And of course, decades-old, can't-find-it-anywhere-else jewelry.

**As a disclaimer, this necklace is brand new and comes from no such place, but rather a smoke-and pet-free seaside cottage.  Even so, it's nice to paint a picture. :)             

It's Summertime and the Walking is Easy (Almost)

Clockwise: Material Girl, Macy's; Go Max, Marshalls; So, Kohl's; MetroStyle; So, Kohl's; Chinese Laundry, Marshalls; MetroStyle; So, Kohl's   Center: Ann Marino, Marshalls; So, Kohl's

Here's a fresh crop of shoes I ferreted out from my collection. Flip flops, flats, and low heels dominate, just the thing for blister-free summer adventures. (Of course, I threw in a few heels for good measure - what kind of collection would it be without them?) I love them all but am especially partial to the yellow jelly Chinese Laundry flats and the floral Ann Marino slides. Yellow and flowers always scream summer. :)

Something New and Sparkly: Corsages in Bloom

Bright Blooms Corsage Necklace

Its not-so-evil twin.

Tee: Mossimo, Target; Skirt: Steve Madden, ROSS Dress for Less

Shoes: Ann Marino, Marshalls 

When I saw these ribbon flowers on a display featuring little girls' hair accessory pieces in A.C. Moore, I knew they would make an ideal focal point for a new corsage necklace. So, I grabbed a handful along with some colorful wooden and glass seed beads and got to work. The result was the relatively demure Bright Blooms Corsage Necklace (nothing go big or go home about it) you see above. I liked it so much that I decided to keep it, going as far as to build an outfit around it. Then I made a nearly identical necklace to list in my Etsy shop.

If you're anything like me, then you're probably excited about breaking out your warm-weather wardrobe. Summer clothes are just so bright and fun and inexpensive and easy. When else can you get footwear (flip flops) for $5? Or run out the door unencumbered by outerwear? It's so nice to be able to take a walk or run errands without having to wonder where to put your scarf and gloves. Or worse yet, wondering where you lost your scarf and gloves.

What are you most excited about wearing this summer?