Luck be a Leprechaun: Top o' the Midnight to You . . .

Sweater: So, Kohl's; Skirt: ModCloth

St. Paddy's Day palette.

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Cookie cake!

Sweater: Poof, Marshalls; Dress: ModCloth

Let the green games begin.

Nautical Knot Necklace

Bag: Cat & Jack, Target

. . . because it's closer to midnight than morning.  But I couldn't let St. Pat's pass without sharing the wearing of the green -- and rainbows.  So enjoy this celebration of little green men.

Or, rather, one little green lady.

Criminally Cozy: Shaking it Up Shamrock Style

I may have missed out on getting a Shamrock Shake this year.  But I wasn't about to let St. Pat's week pass without reading a green-themed cozy.  And Irish Milkshake Murder, which is comprised of novellas from Carlene O'Connor, Peggy Ehrhart, and Liz Ireland, was the perfect pick.  Each tale features a mint milkshake and characters that are just as colorful, including an Irish dancing duo, sheep-shearing enthusiasts, and elves in leprechaun clothing.  St. Paddy's décor and treats abound, homing in on those holiday feels.  It's almost as if no one's been murdered at all.

What more could a cozy -- and festive -- fan want?  Not a thing.  

Except that Shamrock Shake.

Racing Rainbows

Sweater: Pink Republic, Kohl's; Skirt: ModCloth

Bag: Kate Spade

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

Somehow, it was St. Patrick's Day.  It all went by in such a blur that I felt like I wasn't chasing, but racing, rainbows.  Because as I often say, parenthood is like running a race that I'm always losing.  And I say parenthood instead of motherhood because the husband feels the same way.  There's just so much to do, and you can't do it all, so you do the best you can.  That said, those rainbows sometimes remain somewhat within reach.  And on March 17, they took the form of this pic of our little family.

And also of me as a leprechaun lady. 🍀🌈

Post St. Patrick's Day Pose

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Scarf: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

It's never too late to celebrate the wearing of the green.  Or to enjoy a St. Patrick's Day mystery or three.  Because it wasn't until late last night that I opened this trio of Irish-themed novellas: Leslie Meier's Irish Coffee Murder, Lee Hollis's Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker, and Barbara Ross's Perked Up.  All three small-town sleuths find themselves in hot coffee -- and hot water.  Thankfully, my own holiday was limited to lounging under the archway.  

Here's hoping that yours was as exciting -- or as uneventful -- as you wanted!💚

Have a Heart or Three: Heartland Stand

Top: Wild Fable, Target; Skirt: Cat & Jack, Target

Print: Burlington Coat Factory

Crafty Cupid Necklace

Boots: Wild Fable, Target

Hair ties: Marshalls

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Tank: Nine West, Kohl's

Dress: Modcloth, Zulily

Heart Harbor Arbor Necklace

Barrettes: Michaels

Red bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Rainbow bag: Betsey Johnson

Sweater: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Heart Flower Bower Necklace

Bow: Carole, JCPenney

Bag: Target

I'm closing out Valentine's week with a bang.  It's hearts, hearts, and more hearts here at the Trove.  First, with more big bauble necklaces, then with the wooden heart candy dish that the husband made for my mom.  For me, he made the lip-shaped lipstick holder.  I'm psyched to display my Sephora lipsticks in it, especially because their cases are so cute and colorful.  

This is the first post in a while where I'm not wearing maternity leggings.  Instead I concentrated on kitsch, although I did wear leggings when the husband and I went out for V-day dinner on Saturday (more on that later).  Anyway, I bought the pink tank in the first pic a couple of years ago but never wore it because it was too big.  Now it fits perfectly, especially layered under that suddenly-too-small yellow top and over that below-the-bump skirt.  It's fun to see what fits I can finagle!      

Maybe by St. Patrick's Day, I'll have morphed into a rotund rainbow.

Keys, Please: Last Call for St. Paddy

Sweater: Paper Heart, TJ Maxx; Dress: Esley, Modcloth

Fancy Fawn Necklace

Hair clips: Marshalls

Bag: Circus by Sam Edelman, Kohl's

Top: Jessica Simpson, Zulily; Skirt: Banned, Modcloth

Key to Kilkenny Necklace

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Heart barrettes: SHEIN; Other barrettes: So, Kohl's

Sweatshirt: Macy's; Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bag: Cat & Jack, Target

Coat: Anthropologie, Zulily; Skirt: Amazon; Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Sassy Circles Necklace

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

"Keys, please!" is what every teen yells before peeling out for the mall.  But this isn't about that (also, most teens don't say "please," and only grifters still frequent the mall).  It's about how I made three new necklaces that all have to do with that jagged thing that fits into locks.  It's also a little bit about St. Patrick's Day (yes, still!), but we'll get to that.  First things first: I didn't plan the key theme.  It just happened based on the supplies that I had and the outfits I wanted to wear.  The craft goddesses work in mysterious ways, not unlike Ronald McDonald.  

 

I made the Fancy Fawn Necklace from a vintage-style motel keychain.  Not that it's from an actual motel, of course, but rather, Oriental Trading.  I saw all that blank yellow, green, and pink plastic and thought, those would make great canvases.  So I stocked up.  A doe and a couple of cherry cabochons later, and this yellow one became a pendant!

The Key to Kilkenny Necklace was a no-brainer.  I will say that the keys were an afterthought, though.  The four-leaf clovers came from a pair of earrings I got on clearance, and I needed some charms to fill in the middle.  So these keys were it.  I guess necessity really is the mother of invention.

Finally, I made the Sassy Circles Necklace using keyrings leftover from keychains I used to make a necklace years ago.  At first I was worried it might be kind of blah, but I ended up loving it.

And now for the St. Patrick's portion of our program.  Here are some pics from yesterday's dinner at my parents'.  My mom is the most festive person I know, and I like to think that I get my sense of whimsy from her.  I was with her in Marshalls when I bought these St. Paddy's hair claws.  At first I said, These are ridiculous.  Then I was like, I've gotta get them. 

 

Here's the husband hanging out with his Peeps:

And also the sour cream and shamrock potato chips he found for us to try (spoiler alert: they're delicious!):

And finally, the whole clan -- minus Mom the photographer:

We may not be Irish . . . but we do like to party! 🍀🎉🥔🍰