Junior Mint Hint: I Want Candie's

 Punchy Pendant Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Jessica Simpson, ROSS Dress for Less

Bag: Guess, Macy's

Belt: Kohl's

Striped bangle: Mixit, JCPenney

Stretch bracelets: Princess Vera, Kohl's

 Pastel Princess Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt (a dress!): Kohl's

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Nine West, gifted

Belt: Flotsam and jetsam from my craft room

Black bangle: Mixit, JCPenney

Blue bangle: Kohl's

Stretch bracelet: Cloud Nine

 Red Blow Bling Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Modcloth

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Modcloth

Red bangle, B Fabulous

Stretch bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily

Strawberry print bangle: B Fabulous

For years now, I've been gobbling up Candie's.  I like the brand because it offers lots of staples -- basics with bite that make for nice necklace backdrops.  Sometimes I get caught up in clothes that are overly fancy, which is fine ('cause I'm all for the fanciness), but that can present a problem when it's time to accessorize.  So, it's nice to have a standard-but-special go-to.  Another reason I like Candie's is because it's good quality, which is to say that most of it is made of polyester (a.k.a my miracle fabric) that never fades or wrinkles.  I remember when I first saw it all in the juniors section of the Kohl's I'd visit on my lunch break.  I thought, oh, Candie's, how exclusive, thinking of those iconic and pricey sandals in Macy's.  I didn't think I'd actually own any of it -- which was silly, considering that the stuff is pretty affordable and now takes up prime real estate in my closet.  But then, I was young and naive (and, yes, making less) and not factoring in all those now-famous Kohl's promotions.  These days I'm as addicted to Kohl's cash as much as the next middle class American, earning it only to spend it and then earn some more.  I was at my local store a couple of weeks ago when the teenage cashier handed me my bright green coupon with a somewhat jaded "now you have to come back and spend more money."  "Or go online," I said with spirit (although, looking back, this wasn't so much a retort as it was a confession; a breezy "your-job-depends-on-my-rampant-retail-therapy" would've packed much more of a punch).  That said, I did end up going online this weekend.  I ordered a yellow dress and a red sweater (Ronald McDonald forever!) for a mere twenty-six dollars including shipping.

You know how people say that if you find something you like you should buy it in every color?  Well, since the summer I've been collecting these print, lace-insert tops.  And so I thought it'd be fun to photograph them with some of my candy-themed barrettes.

There is indeed a Junior Mint in there somewhere, although, sadly, no Reese's Pieces.  But then again, I suppose you'd have to head over to Draper James for those (insert groan-slash-drum-sound-effect).  Anyway, these tops come in at least half a dozen more prints, but after the sixth one, I said enough -- it's time to move on to button-downs.  Still, they're good pieces to layer year round.  Tomorrow I'm wearing the red one over a black and white polka dot blouse, cinched with my favorite yellow belt.

I wasn't kidding about Ronald McDonald.

South of the Border Hoarder: Let's Taco 'Bout Brooches

South of the Border Brooches 

Top: Flying Tomato, Marshalls
Skirt: ROSS, Dress for Less
Sandals: MIA, JCPenney
Bag: DSW, embellished by The Tote Trove
Sunglasses: The Tote Trove

What's mean and green and screams Cinco de Mayo?  Guacamole?  No.  Margaritas?  Guess again.  It's nothing edible at all, but our old amigo Kermit (unless you count frog legs as food, which I do not), and he isn't really mean of course, unless he's had a tiff with Miss Piggy.  You may recall that the husband and I outfitted him in a jaunty red scarf this past Christmas.  Now that it's spring, the husband asked me to pick him up a tiny straw hat on one of my many craft runs.  So I did.

It's a little small, but I think that only adds to its charm.  It came in a pack of ten (whoo-hoo!), so I decked out the extras as brooches.  Luckily, I have a whole drawerful of pompoms, which was perfect for this Cinco de Mayo-themed project.  

The finished quasi-sombreros remind me of those straw hat barrettes that were popular in the early 1990s, peddled by places like Claire's (all roads lead back to Claire's, it seems).  Only, those were a little bit country, with pastel bows and flowers, whereas these are a little bit rock and roll, all boho and neon and befitting a mini mariachi band.  Here they are festooning a southwestern wall hanging I have yet to hang in my office, otherwise known as succulent central.  The current cactus count in there?  21.

Anyway, whether you're hitting the local cantina or hanging out at home, festive flare fires up the fun factor.  Well, festive flare and jalapeno poppers.  To which I say, no gracias, as I have an unadventurous, chicken-and-not-hot-cheese-based palate.  

That's why I'll have the quesadilla.  

Bubble Toy Joy: My Punny Valentines

Dress: Demi Loon, Zulily
Jacket: Marshalls
Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's
Bag: Betseyville, ROSS Dress for Less

Sweet Stuff Hairpins

If you grew up in the '90s, or raised a girl in the '90s, or walked through a mall in the '90s, . . . then you know all about bubble pendants.  (Also, the Bubble Boy.  But that's something else from the '90s.)  They used to hang next to the chokers and Koosh balls in Claire's, New Kids on the Block in the background.  (To be fair, you could find more up-market options in Macy's, but no Koosh balls or New Kids, so.)  And they came in all shapes and colors, the neon-hued, elixir-like liquid making them look like magic potion.  I loved them and, always an avid collector, had more than a few next to the Bonnie Bell and Love's Baby Soft on my dresser.  So, when I saw a bag of plastic, heart-shaped versions in the Dollar Spot at Target, I said, you're coming home with me.  I'd picked up some Valentine's treat-themed buttons a while back and knew that they -- along with some rhinestones -- would be just the thing to light up these too-cute hearts.  They turned out just as kitsch-tastic as I'd hoped, all gumball-machine prize like, which was fitting, seeing as how they started out life as party favors.  I'm hanging onto them instead of listing them in my shop.  Partly because of my die-hard collecting ways.  Partly because I don't want to get into the whole liquid/fragile/hazardous thing at the post office.  And, finally, because I like to party.  

I used the rest of the decadent dessert cabs to make hairpins, which are available in my shop (mostly because I made myself some extras :).  I embellished them with Swarovski crystals instead of rhinestones, these being on the classier end of the kitsch commodity spectrum.  Because V-day is no time to cheese it up. 

Unless we're talking fondue.  In that case, bring on the Gouda.            

Zulily Zoo Singhs a Song for You

Dress: Zulily
Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's
Bag: Betsey Johnson, ROSS Dress for Less
Sunglasses: Target

When I was a kid, there was a show called "Zoobilee Zoo."  It came on after "Reading Rainbow," I think, but wasn't even half as good.  It was kind of scary, actually, with grown people running around in animal suits and weird makeup.  But then, real zoos aren't my thing either, even if I did visit one last August.  (Nothing says good times like the smell of monkey poo wafting over the cart where they sell the corn dogs).  No, no reptile pavilion for me; I'm into sales, not scales -- unless they're on a pair of stilettos.  And when it comes to bargain hunting, Zulily is the zoo for me.  I'm growing increasingly obsessed with this online retailer, which offers limited time deals on name brand goodies, and, yes, some already cheap stuff, too.

My last take netted me a boatload (okay, dinghy) of Amrita Singh costume jewelry.  A fixture of the Bollywood stage, Singh designs colorful and ornate pieces as vibrant as any New Delhi production number.  Fun, affordable (at least on Zu), and easy to wear, these theatrical treats are the fast food equivalent of accessories.  (And no, that's not a slam, because deep down, who doesn't love Mickey D's?).  What's more, the product name of the cobalt blue and magenta bib necklace is Tracy, spelled the same way and everything.  No small feat in a world insistent on inserting that superfluous "e".

Finally, my Zulily shipment included a free sample of a Teddy Graham soft bake cookie.  The side of the box says "Meet Teddy," which is disturbing because you're supposed to eat Teddy.  But I guess there's no accounting for sensitivity in advertising.

Or, for that matter, in zoos.

S'up, Buttercup: Happy (Belated) May Day and Word to the Weeds

Fabulous Felt Flower Basket Barrette 

Fabulous Felt Big Daisy Barrette 

Fabulous Felt Cherry Blossoms Barrette 

 Fabulous Felt Daisies Barrette

Top: Monteau, Marshalls

Skirt: ROSS Dress for Less

Shoes: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Nine West, Marshalls

Belt: B Fabulous

Sunglasses: So, Kohl's

May Day is a phrase most often associated with baskets, poles, and airplanes in trouble.  May Day the holiday comes on May 1, which was yesterday (here at the Trove, we're nothing if not timely), a day as beset by clouds, rain, and wind as today in South Jersey and, if the weather gurus are to be trusted, a condition that will persist throughout the rest of the week.  But that's okay with me, because no storm can stop this boatload (okay, life raft's worth) of barrettes on display today.  Inspired by that May Day tradition of leaving a basket full of flowers on a neighbor's doorstep, ringing the doorbell, and then heading for the hills before the poor, confused sap even knows what's hit him, they say, hey, life is lovely, a message made all the more meaningful when delivered by petals that will never perish.  Image-wise, we've got the basket in question, as well as some cherry blossoms and daisies.  And also, for you hard-core types, a few photographs of the real thing.  Now that the weather is (slowly but surely) improving, I've resumed documenting Brigantine in pictures, starting, as ever, with another rousing rendition of "Other People's Flowers."  The purple ones pictured above (the name of which eludes me), are particularly pretty, if a little serious serving sentry on the steps of one of the island's churches.  To be fair, these are my own daisies, purchased (and kept alive) by the green thumb-wielding husband.  Despite my love of fanciness, simple flowers like these are my favorites.  They make me think of the country and cottages and fresh churned butter -- well, them and those 1980s commercials peddling Country Crock, a brand I always believed to be the last word in down-home dairy appeal.  To this day, I have yet to taste it.

So, here's to blossoms and butter and staying up in that plane.  Also, to celebrating spring with barrettes instead of pranks on your neighbor.

Hat Trick Treats Without the Cleats

Very Cherry Necklace

Top: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Skirt: Modcloth

Shoes: Qupid, Alloy

Bag: Marshalls

Hat: Modcloth

Belt: Wet Seal

Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

Ready Set Wren Necklace

Top: Bongo, Sears

Skirt: Modcloth

Shoes: Kensie, DSW

Bag: Gifted

Hat: JCPenney

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

Woodland Wendy Necklace

Top: Delia's

Skirt: ROSS Dress for Less

Shoes: Payless

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Hat: Gifted

Belt: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

Because: 

1) This winter has been "tricky" so far, and as such, too mild for hats -- felt, feathered, or otherwise.

2) Cleats are never a good fashion statement, not to mention the perpetrator of many a lawn massacre.  

3) "Mele Kalikimaka" never gets old.  Which has nothing to do with the hat trick pun but is a nice tie-in for the December tank tops.  And also for my Christmas palm tree.

That's all for now.  Stay tuned for a (marginally) more Christmasy post later this week.

Home on the Strange

Baby Boho Bib Necklace

Leopard top: Express, Marshalls

Cami: So, Kohl's

Skirt: So, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Delia's

Coat: BCBG, Macy's

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Belt: Gifted 

 Fanfare Flare Necklace

Top: Marshalls

Jeans: Mudd, Kohl's

Shoes: Call it Spring, JCPenney

Bag: Betsey Johnson, ROSS Dress for Less

Sunglasses: Rampage, Boscov's

Artie Arrow Necklace

Some saggy baggy elephant leg tie-dyed tights that I cut, sewed, and braided into a belt. Waist not want not, I always say.

Tee: So, Kohl's

Cami: So, Kohl's

Jeans: Vanilla Star, Target

Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's

Bag: Gifted

Jacket: Candie's, Kohl's

Belt: We Love Colors tights repurposed by The Tote Trove

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Rustic Rainbow Necklace

Sweater: Mossimo, Target

Tank: Mossimo, Target

Skirt: Bar III, Macy's

Shoes: a. n. a., JCPenney

Bag: Gifted

Coat: Worthington, JCPenney

If I haven't said so before, Brigantine is a beautiful island brimming with places to walk and things to see.  Which is fine and dandy in the summer.  But once fall digs in its (cute boot-shod) heels, I always fear that I'll be forced to hang up my sneakers.  Not this year.  I found that I kind of like the crisper weather (although to be fair, it's been a lot less crisp than usual, courtesy of El Nino).  For one thing, when I want to snap a few pictures, it's easier to shed the gloves than it is to trowel on more sunscreen.  Also, there's something strange yet peaceful about seeing summery landmarks at rest and -- in a sense -- out of context after the summer people have all headed home.  Kind of like catching a rodeo clown in sweats on his day off -- watching a documentary.  Because a beach is like a range, seaweed and tumbleweed and lobsters and scorpions all second cousins cartwheeling across the same sandy stage.  (And apparently a range is like a desert, given the bent of my metaphors.)  This week's pieces reflect this design dichotomy, adornments, as they were, for dune buggy and pickup drivers alike.  

'Cause ladies can drive pickups, too.  Although admittedly not this lady.  Now, for a few sights I've seen: