Hair Flair Dare: Shady Lady

Top: Hippie Rose, Macy's

Belt: Dolls Kill; Shoes: Jessica Simpson, DSW; Bag: Zulily; Heart ring: Candie's, Kohl's; Flower ring: Gifted; Bracelets: So, Kohl's

Kimono: Love By Design, JCPenney

Sweet Squad Necklace

Flip flops: Katy Perry Collection

Punky Potholder Necklace

Dress: Live To Be Spoiled, Kohl's

Yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Pink bangle: Don't Ask, Zulily; Brown ring: Charlotte Russe; Barrettes: The Tote Trove; Bag: Skinnydip London, Macy's; Striped and other yellow bangle: B Fabulous; Blue bangle: So, Kohl's; Maroon bangle: Iris Apfel for INC, Macy's; Floral bracelets: Amazon; Floral heart ring: JCPenney; Blue heart ring: Delia's; Pompom bracelet: Zulily

 

Tank top: Amazon

Bag: Violet Ray, Kohl's; Sunglasses: Michaels; Ring: PinkBopp, Etsy; Hair clips: Amazon; Ribbon necklace: The Tote Trove; Bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily

Shoes: Nine West, Kohl's

Fairy Fish Tale Necklace

Dress: Speechless, Kohl's

Orange Grapeade Necklace

Shoes: Cape Robbin, Ami Clubwear; Bag: Circus by Sam Edelman, Kohl's; Bangle trio: B Fabulous; Barrette: The Tote Trove; Ring: Making Waves, Ocean City; Chunky bangle: Mixit, JCPenney

Ninety-nine percent of the outfits I wear in these posts include things I've worn or would wear in public.  Then there's the other one percent, which is where this candy boxful of rainbow hair comes in: 

I ordered these clips (which are, by the way, for children) from Amazon almost a year ago, and they've been sitting on my dresser ever since.  Then, not too long ago, I got the idea to team them with my most voluminous kimono and Jessica Simpson sandals for festival vibes.  And it turned out to be exactly what I was going for, Lady Lovely Locks crashes Coachella.    

So, why then, wouldn't I wear this look to the post office or Hobby Lobby or Rita's?  I'm not sure, but it might have something to do with the fact that in all of my forty years, I've never, ever colored my hair.  Not even just highlights or for Halloween.  Despite my love of color, I've always been content with my natural dark brown and felt no need to mess with it.  But with each passing day and brand new white strand, I know that that era is ending.  Before long, I'll be checking out boxes of DIY dye, trying to figure out if I'm more of a September Siena or Chocolate Chicory.  And I think, in its way, that that'll be fun -- if also a little scary.  Maybe playing with these pixie tails (to use the official Lady Lovely Locks term) is my way of testing the tress waters.         

Because the answers to all of life's questions lie deep in the archives of '80s pop culture.

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!