Storybook Hook: Styling Cinderella

Pink top: Candie's, Kohl's; Navy top: Wet Seal; Wall art: Hobby Lobby; Hooks: Kohl's; Cacti: Five Below

Every story needs a hook.  Unless, of course, the hook is Captain Hook because Peter Pan's a bit of a downer.  Then again, negging on a Disney classic is no way to win friends and influence people.  Or promote jewelry.  

So it's a good thing I have these heart hooks.  They'll hang in my craft room and be a nice home for my new necklaces.  As for the earrings, they're hooks unto themselves -- minus the dismemberment.  

Annie Anchor Earrings

Fruit Flight Necklace

Claire Bear Necklace

Twee Sea Earrings

One fairy tale where I can hang my hat is the Amazon original Cinderella starring Camila Cabello.  A joyfully modern version of the classic, it reimagines the kingdom as a culturally diverse, albeit still economically disparate, universe in which its title heroine is an aspiring fashion designer with moxie and a sense of humor to match.  This Cinderella -- or, rather, Ella -- rejects the idea that peasants -- and women -- should know their place, eventually inspiring those around her to open their minds.  Even her evil stepmother (Idina Menzel), who utters the loathsome line "Every girl is worth more when she smiles," momentarily melts her ice queen armor to reveal her humanity.  But this retelling isn't just about breaking the glass ceiling -- or should I say slipper? Amazon's Cinderella is also just plain fun, exploding with exuberant musical numbers including a tribute to the prince (Nicholas Galitzine) featuring Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man," and costumes so colorful that they eclipse even the digitally remastered incarnation of the 1950 cartoon.  Indeed, Billy Porter, who plays Cinderella's Fabulous Godmother, is miles more stylish than that old biddy in the blue poncho.               

Another thing I like about this version is that Cinderella and the prince really connect instead of meeting for a single, silent dance.  Oh sure, their romance is still speedy (there's only so much bonding that can go on in two hours), but even Ella pokes fun at that.  Most importantly, they talk to each other like people instead of caricatures and discover that they're more alike than different.  

And when it comes to love, that's what every woman -- princess or peasant --wants.  

No wonder Captain Hook was single.

Something New and Sparkly: My Kind of Math

Top: Material Girl, Macy's
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Nine West, Macy's
Bag: Chinese Laundry, JCPenney

Top: Merona, Target
Skirt: Xhilaration, Target
Shoes: Material Girl, Macy's
Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

I'd never been a fan of math in school, but when it was time to take geometry, I thought that I might like it.  I mean, how could I not get into a subject devoted to shapes?  Very easily, thanks to those formula-ridden, impossible-to-solve proofs!

Years later, I've found all the geometric-inspired glamour I'd been missing in this Lucite Necklace from Erica Domesek's P.S. I Made This (yes, the very same tome that brought us last week's Big Ball Necklace.)  Fun and funky, the Lucite Necklace tackles a new style equation by taking triangle rulers from classroom to closet.

Here's the how-to.  It's mercifully much simpler than any math problem.

1. Snip a metal jewelry chain to the desired length.

2. Connect the triangle rulers to the chain with safety pins overlapping in the center.  P. S. Design your translucent treasure in different shades. Triangle rulers are available in pretty pink, baby blue, and yummy yellow.

I found my triangle rulers, etc., in these $1.00 sets at Five Below.  At that price, I sprung for the whole rainbow!  Not content to stick to the twin pieces of plastic pictured in the book, I strung up all five, then embellished them with rhinestones.  The result was large and in charge and electric.  And a tad bit pointy (it pays to close your eyes when slipping this one over your head).  Still mesmerized, I went on to make a slightly more wearable version with just three protractors. 

Take that, Pythagoras. 

Something New and Sparkly: Games and Goodies

Every now and then I like to make some jewelry that's just for me. I've always loved necklaces made from kawaii erasers (I can still remember how amused and dazzled I was when I first saw them for sale in several Etsy shops) and felt the urge to add some more to my collection.

I made the first necklace with a bunch of fruit- and dessert-themed erasers I've been sitting on since my birthday. I applied a coat of clear nail polish to each one for shine and protection from dirt. Then I stabbed each with what I can only imagine are earring findings (metal rods topped with loops), fed a jump ring through each loop, and hung each charm from a chain.

The second necklace is made from - believe it or not - a miniature Candy Land game that doubles as a key chain. The "box" actually opens into a magnetic board, complete with tiny cards and two tiny gingerbread men playing pieces! (I apologize for not taking a picture of this and will be sure to do so the first time I wear it :) I found the key chain at Five Below (it was one of the pricey $5.00 items) among a collection of others featuring such other classic board games as Sorry!, Trouble, Clue, and Twister.

Speaking of Five Below, I found the key lime pie eraser charm that stars as the pendant for the last necklace there also (another $5.00 item). It was already packaged in the plastic case, complete with a hole at the top, which was ideal for adding a jump ring.