An Unchained Medley and Two Hippie Crashers

 Blue Bauble Chain Necklace

Top: Alloy

Tank: Express

Skirt: Denizen by Levis, Target

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Jacket: Decree, JCPenney

Scarf: Express

 Neon Cameo Chain Necklace

Tee: Alloy

Blouse: Candie's, Kohl's

Camisole: So, Kohl's

Skirt: Denizen by Levi's, Target

Jeans: Marshalls

Gold pumps: Aubrey Brooke, DSW

Olive pumps: Nine West, DSW

Chartreuse coat: XOXO

Navy jacket: Wilsons Leather

Teal clutch: Steve Madden, Macy's

Sunset clutch: Apt. 9, Kohl's

 Magenta Madness Chain Necklace

Tee: JCPenney

Blouse: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt: Boscov's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Eleven Peacocks, Etsy

Totally Toadstool Necklace

Dress: Wet Seal

Camisole: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Shoes: Call it Spring, JCPenney

Key to the Kingdom Necklace

Caftan: Allen B, JCPenney

Camisole: Free People

Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Gifted

Scarf: Kohl's

I was all set to post this trio of righteously rhinestoned chain necklaces when a duo of hippie dippy doodads came along and messed up the configuration.  Kind of like how those free-wheeling folk singers of the 1960s muscled in on the classic crooners of the 1950s.  But then, it's the interplay of establishment and counterculture that makes things interesting.  Like a sleek shift dress paired with a fringed hobo bag, a structured button-down teamed with embroidered boots, or a commune sprawling on the lawn of a corporation.  If I squint, I can almost make out the mushrooms and daisies all wrapped up in pinstripes and the spritely alfalfa sprouts festooned with paisley.  Did I mention that the corporation in question manufactures haute couture muumuus?  Style while you sit, my friends, all wrapped up in a fresh contradiction.      

A Tale of Two Sparklies

 Candy Cottage Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's
Skirt: JCPenney
Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's
Bag: Gifted
Belt: Wet Seal
Jacket: XOXO

 Rhinestone and Pearl Necklaces

Top: Allen B, JCPenney
Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney
Shoes: Simply Vera, Kohl's
Bag: Candie's, Kohl's
Jacket: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

I somehow ended up with two of the brilliant bauble strung out in the very first photo.  So, there was nothing for it but to repurpose the spare into some new, punched-up pieces.  I used the graphic from my beloved Candy Land bandage box and the necklace's ends to make the first and some less kitschy but nonetheless striking jewel-toned beads and the necklace's center to make the second (along with its companion choker).  The results are music to a mixed media maven's ears.  Which isn't the least bit braggy because, in this case, I am that maven.

When Unicorns Attack

 Unicorn Club Necklace

Blouse: Decree, JCPenney

Camisole: Marshalls

Jeans: Allen B, JCPenney

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Bisou Bisou,  JCPenney

 I Love Birds Barrette

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Necklace: So, Kohl's

Bag: Journeys

Fabulous Felt Yellow and Orange Flowers Necklace

Dress: JCPenney

Shoes: Alloy

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Jacket: Decree, JCPenney

Growing up, Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Twins series was among my favorites in the young adult fiction genre.  Although I was more like bookish Elizabeth, I found fashionable Jessica more interesting, a fascination that extended to her membership in the exclusive Unicorn Club.  Looking back, this seems odd because the Unicorns were pretty darn mean.  But then, I was probably more charmed by their enchanted mascot and signature color purple than by their catty camaraderie.  Either way, the whole Sweet Valley connection is fitting considering the 1980s vibe of the Pantone color chart's current pastel royalty.  Now, if only Diablo Cody would hurry up with that movie . . .   

Lemon Lights it Up

 Eastern Romance Necklace

Dress: Nicole Richie for Impulse at Macy's

Shoes: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Nine West, Boscov's

Scarf belt: Nicole Miller, Marshalls

Scarf: Express

Hat: JCPenney

 

Junk Drawer Necklace

Blouse: Allen B, JCPenney

Tank: Worthington, JCPenney

Jeans: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Rocket Dog, JCPenney

Bag: Gifted

Jacket: Decree, JCPenney

Long necklace: JCPenney

Canary Queen Corsage Necklace

Dress: I Heart Ronson, JCPenney

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Nothing says happening hippie quite like a big, floppy hat.  Unfortunately, another thing that says it is boring earth tones.  So, I like to infuse brooding boho ensembles with a shot of yellow.  Enter the canary clompers in the first outfit.  And, for that matter, the canary itself in the last one.  Although more ladylike than boho, that severe gray dress was just begging for a splash of sunshine. 

Something New and Sparkly: Inspired by Kohl's

Back view.  Lace insert-accented backs seem to be trendy this season (I have a couple of others), although this tee is a couple of years old.  But then, who am I kidding?  I'd wear it whether it was trendy or not :)

Fabulous Felt Black Bow Necklace

Dress: Kohl's

Tee: Allen B, JCPenney

Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Etsy, Eleven Peacocks

Scarf: Wet Seal

Headband: Gifted

I saw this bow-print knit dress in a Kohl's circular a couple of months ago and fell in love with its girly simplicity.  Yet I didn't see it in the store until a month later.  Apparently, its belated appearance was meant to be because I was able to score it for just $8.  It didn't take me long to start dreaming up a black version of my Fabulous Felt Bow Necklace design to wear with it.  Because the dress is off-white, I couldn't go with white for the felt "wrinkles" and center knot, or for the ribbon.  So, I improvised with yellow, purple, red, ice blue, and gray, which I ended up really liking, and finished the piece with black grosgrain ribbon printed with white polka dots.  Then I made another necklace to list in my shop, switching to the more striking white ribbon with black polka dots. 

Speaking of polka dots, I like this pink and white polka dot background so much that I'm thinking of reshooting a lot of my felt pieces against it.  I'm already in the midst of editing the text in all 366 of my listings, which is an admittedly tedious - not to mention humbling - task.  I've been finding way too many typos and format inconsistencies for my liking.  But that's partly because it's taken me years to decide just how I want my listings to sound and partly because I'm usually doing a bunch of things at once and don't always take my time like I should.  I'm sure many of you can relate.