Flag Day Replay: Putting the Fourth First

 

Bag: Old Navy

Skirt (a dress!): O'Neill, Macy's

Howdy Howlite Necklace

Shirt: Izod, Kohl's

Katy Perry Collection, Nordstrom Rack

Top: So, Kohl's

We celebrated the Fourth of July yesterday, with a BBQ at my parents' house.  Indeed, I took most of these pictures there.  My mom always makes everything so festive, and I couldn't help but capture it.  I asked her if she minded me posting her utensil setup and flowers, and she said "of course not."  For my part, I made cupcakes.  To paraphrase the Dos Equis man, I don't often bake, but when I do, it always comes from a box.  So thanks, Duncan Hines, for letting me fast-forward to the fun part: decorating!  I chose to adorn half with maraschino cherries because one Fourth when I was a kid, my mom put cherries on her cupcakes, which I thought was so special.  She also dyed some of the icing blue and some red (well, pink), as a nod to the flag.  Like I said, always festive.   

So here's hoping that your Fourth is full of food, fun, and fireworks.  And, of course, cupcakes. 🧁

Setting Sail on the S.S. Smiley: Happy Face Place

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's; Bag: Marshalls

Top: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Don't Worry Be Crafty Necklace

Shoes: Unisa, DSW

Bag: Nine West, Marshalls

Smiley Sailor Necklace

Tunic (really a bathing suit coverup!): Miken, Macy's

Fabulous Felt Yellow Dice Barrette; Yellow rose ring: Making Waves, Ocean City; Gray ring: Old Navy; Lemon wedge clip: Wild Fable, Target; Whole lemon clip: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: New York & Company

Dress: B Smart, Kohls; Bag: Xhilaration, Target; Shoes: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Smiley Swan Necklace

Little bow: Carole, JCPenney; Big bow: INC, Macy's 

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Olivia Miller, Amazon

Top: Just Polly, Macy's

Black Cutie Necklace

Love bangle: Boscov's; First yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Both black bangles and black and white bracelet: Mixit, JCPenney; Second yellow bangle: B Fabulous

Skirt: ELLE, Kohl's

Top: Nine West, Kohl's

Affable Anchor Necklace

Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson, Zulily

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Black and yellow are an undeniable duo.  They're equal parts dramatic and mellow, making bees, cabs, and caution tape pop.  And also, of course, smiley faces!  I was excited to make necklaces with these happy face beads and build black and yellow outfits around them.  I also had some black and white anchors, which explains the necklaces' nautical bent.  You might think I'm some sort of sailing enthusiast considering how often anchors come up in my projects.  But no, I just like the way they look and the retro feels they represent.  In reality, I steer clear of boats because I get seasick.  Kind of like how I'm crazy for cacti but have no desire to visit the desert.  Or how I'm into unicorns but not horses.  Also, if by some miracle I met a unicorn, then I'd probably run screaming in the other direction.  

Ah, crafting.  You let me soar while keeping me grounded.  

And that's why you're my happy place.  

Chex Mix Fix

Top: So, Kohl's; Belt: Wet Seal

Boots: Betsey Johnson, Zulily

Black Cutie Necklace

Bag: Princess Vera, Kohl's; Bracelet: Mixit, JCPenney; Ring: Old Navy; Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Dress: Speechless, Kohl's; Blouse: SHEIN; Bag: Sleepyville Critters, Zulily; Shoes: Christian Siriano for Payless

Big Red Heart Necklace

Dress: BeBop, Macy's; Boots: Apt. 9, Kohl's; Bag: Marshalls; Headband: Lady Arya, Zulily

Fabulous Felt Rainbow Rings Necklace

Checkerboard and polka dots and stripes, oh my -- I'm beginning to see a pattern!  The husband took these pics before Christmas, and I must admit that it's nice to post regular outfits again.  Even the ones where I look less than thrilled (I'm talking to you, polka dots).  

As for the necklaces, they're kind of ancient.  But I've been busy in my craft room working on new stuff, which I'm excited to show you soon.

Until then, wear your fashion flair in the great out there to ward off the lions and tigers and bears.  By which I mean unwanted weirdos.       

Wanted weirdos are always welcome.

Blossoms and Berries: Me In-side

Bag: Mix No. 6, DSW

Headband: Candie's, Kohl's; Ring: Mixit, JCPenney; Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily; Socks: Zulily

Ornate Ovals Necklace

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, DSW

Barrettes: SHEIN, Sunglasses: Amazon, Ring: Making Waves, Ocean City; Bangles top to bottom: XOXO, ROSS; Target; B Fabulous; Amrita Singh, Zulily

Crop and skirt set: Almost Famous, Kohl's

Red Confection Affection Necklace

Bag: Old Navy

Sundress: Xhilaration, Target

For months, I saw SHEIN listings pop up in my Pinterest feed without knowing what SHEIN even was.  Then Samantha over at The Big Hair Diaries posted some super cute clothes she got from the site, and I was like, okay, I'm listening.  By the time my sister ordered a bunch of costume jewelry from the very same and was singing its praises, I knew I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to check it out.  

So onto the Internet I went, and there. was. so. much. stuff!  The sheer volume of barrettes, bags, bangles, etc. (because, yes, as always, accessories were my prime destination) was nearly sensory overload.  But I gritted my teeth and dug my heels in and told myself, you will persevere.  And I did and scored this stuff:

Everything was incredibly affordable; the whole haul totaled just over fifty dollars, which was enough to qualify for free shipping.  Plus, Rakuten gave me five percent cashback, which, as always, was an excellent bonus.  I'm so happy with everything, especially the cherry and strawberry heart barrettes I'm wearing with the second outfit.  SHEIN is such a fun place to shop!  It reminds me of a store on the boardwalk, or a flea market stall with the kinds of funky finds that I always imagined but never found.  I'll definitely be back.  Thanks for the tip, Samantha!    

And now, on to the handmade portion of our program.  I really surprised myself with this Red Confection Affection Necklace:

I've had these puffy fabric "hard" candies for ages; I used to use them to make barrettes.  But then the other night, I thought, what if I used one in a necklace?!  I wasn't sure if the jump rings would support it on the chain, but lo and behold, it worked!  I'm so psyched about how this necklace turned out that I may make some others.

And then buy more barrettes to match. :)