Decoden Deja Vu and Damsels Who Dig Mr. Darcy

I Heart Lemons and Fun Stuff Bib Necklace

Top: Macy's

Skirt: Bubblegum, Macy's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Wet Seal

 I Heart Limes and Owls Bib Necklace

Sweater: Marshalls

Skirt: Material Girl, Macy's

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bag: Nordstrom

I Love Lemons and Dinosaurs Bib Necklace

Cardigan: So, Kohl's

Camisole: So, Kohl's

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Nahui Ollin

Belt: Tournier Everything's $10

I Heart Limes and Sweet Stuff Bib Necklace

Crochet top: Mossimo, Target

Tank: Worthington, JCPenney

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: Iron Fist, Journeys

Bag: B&B, Ocean City

Belt: Wet Seal

"I think being creative is a waste of time and money."  

This startling sentiment was uttered from the always colorful Jennifer Coolidge, this time through the mouthpiece of Elizabeth Charming, a brassy babe on the make in the unlikely milieu of romantic comedy spoof Austenland.  A reenactment experience catering to Jane Austen addicts, Austenland offers romance gigolo-style in the form of amorously attentive "players" purporting to fall head over heels for the patrons.  Coolidge and Kerri Russell, who plays the auspiciously-named heroine Jane, are lamenting over said suitors (one of whom is Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame) while embellishing hats when Ms. Charming makes her (at least to this crowd) unfortunate observation.  Not that there isn't a grain (or perhaps I should say seed bead) of truth in what she says.  Being creative can indeed be costly and time-consuming.  For example, I recently decided to restring my "fun stuff" bib necklace series since discovering that the beads I initially used (gasp!) fade after just a few wears.  (I'd made a couple of the necklaces for myself, which was how I came to know this.)  At first I thought it might be better to just quietly chuck them.  After all, restringing meant going to the trouble and expense of researching and purchasing new beads in addition to the actual reworking of the jewelry.  Not to mention that blabbing it all here on the blog probably wouldn't be good for business.  Still, my love for my bauble-bedazzled (or, as the Japanese would say, "decoden" bedecked) bibs triumphed, and silence has never been my strong suit.  So here are the upgraded versions, refortified with new plastic neon Delish beads.  

As I'm sure any fairy tale (and, in the end, even Ms. Charming herself) would attest, a few extra evenings and expenditures never stood a chance against such a fashion rehash of a happy ending.       

You Look Like a Doily

 Not So Dainty Doily Necklace

Dress: So, Kohl's

Shoes: Guess, Marshalls

Bag: Marshalls

Belt: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Jacket: Decree, JCPenney

These were my wedding shoes.  I purchased them for $12.99 from Ami Clubwear.  They started out life solid red, their only adornment the rhinestone-sprinkled flower perched above the peep toe.  I added Hennytj's lovely pink satin roses and rhinestone buttons as well as craft store peach, yellow, and mint ribbon roses and danced all night with nary a mishap.  Talk about a testament to Gem-Tac!

Garden Guest Star Necklace

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Ami Clubwear, embellished by The Tote Trove

Bag: Krystala Creations, Etsy

Scarf: Gifted

Campus Queen Corsage Brooch

Top: Delia's

Jeans: Sears

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Fred Flare

Scarf: Marshalls

So said Ethan Hawke's Troy to Winona Ryder's Lelaina in Reality Bites when she emerged in a crochet dress to meet Ben Stiller-as-Michael-the-smarmy-record-producer back in the mid-1990s.  A grunge coming-of-age classic if ever there was one, it went right over my head the first time I saw it. (I think I was twelve.)  

Kind of like "Girls."  Yep, that's right.  I'm retracting my former criticism of Lena Dunham's critically acclaimed angst-filled HBO series.  Partly due to my new-found mission to be a kinder, gentler blogger, and partly because I recently watched the entire first season on DVD.  It was good.  Gritty and real and in-your-face and all those other adjectives attached to things that make you squirm.  In the wake of the sad-song-staged final credits, I couldn't help but think that it should be mandatory viewing for twelve-year-old girls, a kind of cautionary tale counseling tempered by a good mom's tough love commentary.  (The irony of my twelve-year-old self lacking the perspective to appreciate even Lelaina's considerably tamer trials is not lost on me.)  Life, after all, isn't all tea house heroine getups.  A point, by the way, most masterfully made in the romantic comedy Austenland, albeit ironically and with more glitter than grit.  But more on that later.  

And with that, we've come full circle.  Not an unfit end for a post starring a doily.