Folksy Fairy Tale: Snow White Steps Out

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Mushroom Magic Necklace

Headband: Michaels

Chockful of charms.

Bag: Delia's

Top: Allegra K

Bag: Marshalls

Socks: Amazon; Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Little tulip clip: Wild Fable, Target; Big tulip clip: A New Day, Target

There's something about a fairy tale forest -- that inspires me to stay inside.  Away from the bugs and the heat and the poisonous mushrooms, where I can create my version of what I think the great outdoors should be.  So, that's what this is, from my Mushroom Magic Necklace to my Snow White-inspired second fit.

You'd never know that my favorite Disney princess is actually the Little Mermaid. 😏 

Red, Yellow, and Blue: The Core Color Crew

Sweater: Forever and Ever, Kohl's

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Mom's lemon bars.

Dress: ModCloth

Bag: Dancing Days by Banned, ModCloth

Top: Nine West, Kohl's

The husband's tools of the trade.

Shoes: Nine West, Zulily

Headband: Goody, Target

Flame Game Necklace

Bag: Mellow World, Kohl's

Top: ModCloth

It seems like it's always time for the primaries.  But before you can say, "Tote Trove Lady, are you crazy?  You can't make jokes like that in today's political climate!," I'll say this: I'm only crazy about color, especially red, yellow, and blue -- the trio, triumvirate, and trifecta that give way to every other hue in the rainbow.

I love how primary colors mix to make everything from green trees to purple grapes to orange sunsets.  Also, how they morph into Snow White, Wonder Woman, and Wonder Bread with a whirl of the gown, cape, or circusy circles.

And that's why I wear them so often and am wearing them today.

Magical, memorable, and, dare I say, matriarchal.

That's the power of primaries.

Even if I was tempted to say the power of Pine-Sol instead.

Ring Thing: Relishing the Embellished

Sweater: Hooked Up, Macy's; Skirt: H&M; Bag: Royal Monk, Mocloth; Shoes: Ami Clubwear; Necklace: SHEIN; Headband: Express; Vertical striped bangle: Amrita Singh, Zulily; Horizontal striped bangles: B Fabulous

Ring: PinkBopp

Hat: Wild Fable, Target; Sweater: Bar III, Macy's; Skirt: Mudd, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon; Boots: Simply Vera, Kohl's; Necklaces: Amrita Singh, Zulily; Maroon bangle: Iris Apfel for INC, Macy's; Yellow bangle: B Fabulous; Green bracelet: Cloud Nine, Ocean City; Purple bracelet: Etsy

Ring: PinkBopp, Etsy

As you know, I'm a big fan of PinkBopp rings, which are handmade by the lovely and talented Samantha.  Each one is bursting with beautiful embellishments, a colorful collage at your (and on your!) fingertips.  So when I saw this red, yellow, and blue butterfly dazzler, I knew I had to have it -- and ended up getting the purple one too!  

Both rings inspired me to build super bright outfits.  The rainbow sweater is an old favorite that I wear a lot, whereas the checkerboard sweater is new (I bought it last summer on clearance but never wore it).  The butterfly ring reminded me of Snow White, so I went with red, yellow, and blue pieces to complement it and set off the rainbow.  The purple ring demanded (what else?) more purple, plus green and orange to make it pop.  Without meaning to, I ended up with one look in primary colors and one in -- yes -- secondary colors.  Talk about a happy accident, art class edition!  Even if this isn't an art class, but a blog.     

So yeah, I had a lot of fun styling and wearing my new rings.  But I can't sign off without showing you their packaging.  How cool is this fruit-tastic box, beach-themed ribbon, and thank-you written on Lisa Frank stationery?!  

Samantha put so much thought and creativity into every detail, making for a one-of-kind handmade shopping experience.  So if you love unique accessories that will make people ask, "Where did you get that?," (my mom asked me this when I wore the butterfly ring yesterday!) then be sure to check out PinkBopp.

And, as always, keep that color wheel spinning! 

Movie Moment: Mirror Mirror

With the emergence of ABC's "Once Upon a Time" and movies like Mirror Mirror and this summer's Snow White and the Huntsman, the popularity of Snow White is at an all-time high.  I had the good fortune to see Mirror Mirror this past Sunday, marking my first trip to the movies in more than a month.  Star-starved as I was, I enjoyed watching Julia Roberts's evil queen, Lily Collins's (yes, she of Phil Collins lineage) Snow White, and Armie Hammer's prince charming.  In this rendition we get a modernized glimpse into the queen's motivations as well as a PC spin on the damsel in distress song and dance.  This time it's Snow White who rescues the prince, proving that a girl can have her crown and wear it, too.  The dwarfs are amusing as comic outcasts, as is Nathan Lane as the queen's fumbling and put-upon valet.  Still, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.  The tale ultimately follows the plotlines of the original, with winter blossoming into the spring of a royal wedding.

Later that day I delved into "Once Upon a Time's" much darker backstory of how the queen got to be so wicked.  It made for an interesting contrast to the frothier Mirror Mirror, underscoring that there are many sides to a single story.  Apparently, the queen began life as a nice, normal lovestruck girl.  But then her mother murdered her fiance (as so often happens in these sorts of setups), a turn of events unwittingly precipitated by a child-aged Snow White.  As they say, all heck broke loose, and the wicked stepmother persona was born.  I hear that Snow White and the Huntsman promises to be even more disturbing.  Which means that I'll have to skip it.  Psychological thrills can be intriguing, but I can't abide the kind of gore conjured by the word "hunstman."  

Etsy Favorites: Princess for a Day

 Snow White Swarovski Crystal Bib Necklace, Glamour Puss Couture

 Aurora Layered Boutique Bottle Cap Bow, Fox Hollow Bows

 Princess Cupcake Toppers, Kati's Cupcakes

 The Little Mermaid Necklace, Glamour Puss Couture

 Princess Jasmine Necklace, LL Couture

 Belle Pinwheel Bottlecap Bow, Hair Bow Depot

 Character Lollipop Tree, Sweet Lotus Treats

And just for fun: Ursula Cameo Necklace, Carlea Pink

I recently saw a commercial for the 3D re-release of Disney's The Lion King, which made me think about how that was always my least favorite Disney movie.  I know, I know; who doesn't love The Lion King?  If you've been reading this blog for awhile, then you know that I'm not exactly an animal lover.  So, why am I calling attention to such an unflattering trait?  Because remembering my lukewarm feelings about The Lion King reminded me how much I love Disney princess movies.  However un-PC it may sound, there's just something about wearing a ballgown and living in a castle that appeals to me.  Thus inspired, I did an Etsy search on Disney princesses and came up with some pretty cool stuff.  Most of it is for rocking your outfit, some of it is for rocking your party, and some of it seems just for kids.  Not that that last one should stop you from getting in on the fun.