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! 🍀🎉🥔🍰

Give 'em the Slip Skirt

From left to right: Vylette, Kohl's; Vylette, Kohl's; Candies, Kohl's

Remember the '90s, when slip skirts and dresses came into style, and people were worried about girls going out in public in their underwear?

Yeah, me neither.

Well, these not-so-slinky styles are back.  To, you know, not cause a stir.  Sometimes, seeing old stuff resurface makes me feel -- well, old.  Like, if I last wore something in high school, then how old does that make me now?!  I say this a lot -- but that's because I feel it a lot, especially as I edge toward forty.  Mind you, it's not that I feel decrepit.  It's just weird that I've been around this long.  That said, getting older isn't all bad, especially because it means getting to be part of history.  And when it comes to fashion, everything old becomes new again, proving that old things are not only still relevant, but sometimes better than new ones.  Kind of like when you find an old jelly bean stuck under your couch cushions and discover that not only has it not lost its flavor, but that time has made it tastier.  So, I snagged a few.  Slip skirts, not jelly beans.  (I don't know about you, but I have no desire to end this trend rebirth train with a trip to the gastroenterologist.)  The skirts that I scored are satin (okay, a satiny polyester), that fabric of fabrics for grunge era wannabe lingerie.  The dress has a sheen, too, although it's more matte.  It was fun shopping (online) for them, like I was in Wet Seal burning up my Fashion Bug paycheck, only not in Wet Seal and with more money to spend.   

Speaking of old vs. new, I had a rager of a time pairing my new old threads with the ones already in my closet.  So, what delightfully mad mix debuts in outfit number one?  Why, it's my new tie dye slip skirt with my beloved old Polaroid tee!  You may remember me wearing it here and here.  What can I say?  This tee was made for pictures.

 Striped bangle: Mixit, J. C. Penney's; Other bangles: B Fabulous; Bag: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill

Outfit number two is all about this leopard slip dress.  The husband said I look like I'm (angrily) waiting for my prom date to get out of prison.  I disagree, though, because 1) this dress is nowhere near prom level formal and 2) this leopard is more Barbie than Bratz.  Still, it makes a statement.  And that statement is, "Don't mess with me, or I'll hit you will my "kiss my patch" purse."

Bag: Olivia Miller, J.C. Penney's; Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's; Maroon bangle: Iris Apfel for INC, Macy's; Pink bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily; Other bangles: B Fabulous

Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon; Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily 

Finally, outfit number three brings a cold front with an Icee tee.  It was a gift from the husband, and I've had it forever.  When I put it on, I was surprised by how long it was, then I remembered that that was the style circa 2010.  One hair tie later and it cropped up and got with the program, all the better to flatter the red slip skirt.  Rock on, Ronald McDonald color palette!

Bangle: Gifted; Black and white bracelet: Mixit, J. C. Penney's; Choker: Kohl's

And that about does it for this '90s throwback.  It's been real.  Thanks, slip skirts/dresses.  Also, Courtney Love and Cher (of Clueless, not Sonny and Cher) and every other '90s icon who wore you so well. 

Next up, crocheted beanies with matching hacky sacks.  Just kidding.  

Or am I?

Find me on the quad to find out.

Red and Yellow: Turn up the Meat

 Candie's, Kohl's

The hamburger meat, that is. They say that McDonald's decor is red and yellow because the colors are so garish that they force people to choke down their Big Macs and leave in a flash. Which 1) is insulting to red and yellow and 2) isn't the worst of the Mickey D's conspiracy theories out there. (Worm burgers, I'm looking at you.) Anyway, here's a little poem about this dynamic duo:

Red and yellow, yellow and red
Partners for life of the heart and the head.
Punchy and playful,
They radiate cheer
And make fast food faster
With "Get out of here!"

Red and yellow may bring down the hammer. But they also bring home the happy. The color of bacon and eggs, cherries and lemons, bandannas and daisies, and of course, ketchup and mustard, these proud primaries are as natural as they are striking. And without the calming influence of their sapphire sister, they flame out in a fiery frenzy. Like a sunset. Or, you know. A fire.

So, I was pretty psyched to snap some pics of my new red and yellow dresses. Here I am in the red one (and a new blue necklace!) in my mustard chair. Does this mean that I have to buy a red chair to lounge in while I model the mustard frock?

Only if I can find something that looks like Ronald McDonald's big red shoes.

Or, better yet, his wig.

Indigo Glow Necklace

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.

Mad for Plaid

Because everyone (secretly) loves a cliché. This is the outfit I wore to my grandmother's birthday dinner. As my sister was quick to point out, it's an example of one of my "Ronald McDonald ensembles," meaning I have a fondness for pairing red and yellow. By the way, I think my grandmother really liked the necklace I made her (Make and Tell Challenge 47), and it fit her perfectly. I too am wearing one of my necklaces here. I made it awhile back, when I first started experimenting with ribbon in my jewelry. The tee and skirt came from JCPenney this fall and totaled a low $30 (you can catch a close up of the skirt in my Marvelous Minis post). The pumps are quite old and came from a weird (but sometimes wonderful) little catalog called Metro Style. The clutch is also old and came from Wet Seal. That used to be my favorite store. I went in there recently and left abruptly, painfully aware that I'm approaching thirty and have no business in such a place anymore.