Pastel Yell: Fluff is Enough

Skirt: So, Kohl's; Shoes: Anne Michelle, JCPenney; Sunglasses: Amazon; Bag: Francesca's; Striped and orange bangles: Mixit, JCPenney; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Beaded bracelets: So, Kohl's

Top: Crave Fame, Macy's

Mint Candy Bow Necklace

Top: Yellow top: Forever 21; Skirt: Mossimo, Target; Belt: Candie's, Kohl's; Sunglasses: Amazon; Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon; Striped bangles: B Fabulous; Yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Rose bracelet: Francesca's; Green bracelet: Parade of Shoes; purple bracelet: Etsy

Top: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Purple Candy Bow Necklace

Cardigan: So, Kohl's; Camisole: Mudd, Kohl's; Skirt: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney; Shoes: B.A.I.T., Zulily; Sunglasses: Amazon; Bag: Amazon; Lilac bangle: Don't Ask, Zulily; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Yellow bangles: B Fabulous

Yellow Candy Bow Necklace

Skirt: Indigo Rein, Macy's; Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, DSW; Sunglasses: Amazon; Bag: SHEIN; Beaded bracelets: So, Kohl's; Flower bracelet: Belk; Watch: Zulily

Top: Crave Fame, Macy's

Pink Candy Bow Necklace

As a kid, I loved to play dress up (I know, I know, big surprise).  Few things made me happier than piling on the bangles, necklaces, and Lady Lovely Locks clips, even if just with a sweat suit, and I'd convince my sister and cousin to join in.  It made me feel like I could be anyone -- but also, at the same time, myself.

These candy bow necklaces remind me of that.  And also of carnival treats.  They, and these outfits, are all about color and sugar, a real cotton candy aesthetic.  I had a grand time making them and time traveling too.  

Speaking of which, I still remember my first bag of cotton candy.  I was five, and it was a delicate blue except for the places where my spit or sweat had touched it and turned it turquoise.  I was entranced by this whimsical witchcraft, cramming fistfuls into my mouth as my family and I walked along the Ocean City boardwalk.  When I'd spotted the blue bag dangling in the window of one of the snack shacks, I was more intrigued by its color than what it might taste like.  So it was a bonus when I realized that it was delicious.  It made those sticky fingers so worth it!

To this day, I still enjoy a cotton candy Rita's water ice or two every summer.  Just as I enjoy wearing this (okay, a replica of this) cotton candy barrette I made many summers ago.  Instead of a blue bag, I went for the retro stick style in not one but three colors.  Like the spun sugar confection itself, it's an oldie but goodie that still makes me smile.

Fabulous Felt Cotton Candy Barrette

You hear that, summer?  I miss you.  Hurry up and get here already!

Corsage Dressage: Happy Valentine's Day

Topiary trees: Handmade by me for my wedding almost nine years ago :)

Shoes: B.A.I.T., Zulily

 

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Bag: Amazon

Garden Guest Star Necklace

Sweater: Sweater Project, Marshalls

Bow: SHEIN; Cake ring: Bead Passion, Etsy; Blue ring: Delia's; Yellow bangles: B Fabulous; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Shiny bangle: H&M

Dress: POPSUGAR, Kohl's

Perky Pink Bird Corsage Necklace

Sweater: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Choker and bangle: Simply Vera, Kohl's; Comb: Ella & Elly, Zulily; Necklace: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Dress: Betsey Johnson, Zulily

Shoes: Penny Loves Kenny, Zulily

Bag: Modcloth; Barrette: The Tote Trove

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Strawberry bag: Dolls Kill; Heart bag: T-Shirt & Jeans, Amazon

Dress: Three Pink Hearts, Kohl's

Razzle Dazzle Rose Corsage Necklace

Once upon a time, I used to make something I called corsage necklaces.  They were kitschy collages of flowers and other feminine things mounted on felt and strung up with pretty beads.  You know, kind of like the corsages that girls used to get from their dates.  Only mine were fake, so they could last long after the chaperones were caught playing tonsil hockey.  Anyway, I think that Valentine's Day is the perfect time to showcase these tokens of nostalgic romance.  The corsage/dressage rhyme is just a happy accident -- I know that the d-word means horse dancing (thanks, Comcast commercial!).  Which is kind of fitting, considering those ornate Kentucky Derby hats and winner's wreaths.

So go for the gold and go for the bold.  In fashion or crafting or whatever makes you whinny.

Or, better yet, just chillax and enjoy Valentine's Day!

Palm Tree-A-Palooza: Hey You, Unicorn

Skirt: H&M

Bag: Amazon; Mint belt: Wild Fable, Target; Neon belt: Izod, Marshalls; Sunglasses: Amazon; Flower clip: Capelli, ULTA; Ring: Express; Striped bangle: Mixit, JCPenney; Rainbow bangle: B Fabulous; Glitter bangles: Target; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney

Top: Rebellious One, Macy's

Shoes: ALDO, Macy's

Skirt: Decree, JCPenney

Bag: Zulily

Shoes: B.A.I.T., Zulily

Skirt: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

You know how you spot a grove of palm trees and breathlessly wait for a unicorn to emerge, its flowing, rainbow mane threaded with hibiscus and a pina colada tattooed on its rump?  

No?

Maybe I've watched one too many of those scenes of horses galloping on the beach after one too many pina coladas.

Just kidding.  You know I don't drink.

And I never kid about my adoration for unicorns.  That's why I pulled out my favorite tee, a fifteen-year-old-plus relic featuring one that's also a pegasus.  

Top: Next Era, Kohl's

It was the perfect thing to complement my two new wonderfully whimsical unicorn rings from PinkBopp.  Here they are beneath an explosion of pompoms and rhinestones:    

And here they are au naturel (unless you count my nail polish):

And, finally, here they are in their Lisa Frank sticker-bedecked keepsake box:

If that's not magical, then I don't know what is.  

Unless it's a unicorn drinking a Shirley Temple and playing the ukulele.  

Americana-Rama Arrivederchi

Bag: Old Navy

Bracelet and ring: Mixit, JCPenny; Beaded bracelet: Plymouth Plantation gift shop; Red ring: Miami accessories cart

Howlite Delight Necklace

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, DSW

Top: So, Kohl's

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

Bag: Amazon

Bangles: B Fabulous; Bow: Carole, JCPenny; Ring: Cloud Nine, Ocean City

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Big Red Bow Barrette Brooch

Bag: Nahui Ollin

Shoes: B.A.I.T., Zulily

Dress: Live To Be Spoiled, Kohl's

Cherry necklace: Candie's, Kohl's; Choker: Cape May accessories shop

I know it's weird to use an Italian word in a post about America.  But sometimes when you're going out with a bang, you also have to end with a vowel.  And all countries are intertwined anyway, even if our pizza and pasta are about as Italian as apple pie.  That said, today marks the last day of the U.S.A's birthday week.  So, I dressed for a proper sendoff in red, white, and blue -- and a little yellow.  Because no picture -- or fireworks display -- is complete without a splash of sunburst.  And what's an outfit if not a slice-of-life picture?      

Especially when it's a portrait of people enjoying apple and pizza pie.