The Old and the New: Red, White, and Not Blue

Dress: XOXO; Bag: Tatty Devine, ModCloth; Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, DSW; Sunglasses: Zulily; Headband: New York & Company

Necklace and bangle: RETMOD

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, ModCloth; Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's; Socks: Xhilaration, Target; Bow: Carole, JCPenney

Dresses: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Cherries Jubi-Twee Necklace

Dress: So, Kohl's; Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill; Shoes: Betsey Johnson, Macy's; Sunglasses: Zulily

Dress: So, Kohl's

Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill

Howlite Delight Necklace

Dress, bag, and hat: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon; Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, DSW

Cherry Gem Necklace

Hat: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress and shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Xhilaration, Target; Bow: Carole, JCPenney

Lettie Ladybug Necklace

These outfits feature stuff from all the usual places.  Mostly Kohl's, a little Macy's and DSW, and some ModCloth and Dolls Kill tossed in.  But they also include two somethings of a very different and therefore special origin: Etsy's RETMOD!  I stumbled upon this rad retailer on Instagram, hooked by its dazzlingly bold vintage product posts.  In particular, I'd admired a huge red heart necklace and was psyched to see that it was still in stock.  So I made it my own, along with a matching bangle.  I have so many things that go with both, but for their inaugural outing, my old XOXO polka dot shift dress was the obvious swinging '60s selection.

That said, I've moved on from red, white, and blue to red, white, and black, the colors of, not patriots, but pirates (there's a sports joke in there somewhere, but I'll leave it -- like myself in most of these pics -- on the bench).  And I couldn't let this opportunity of a color palette pass without making some of my own red, white, and black necklaces.  Not surprisingly, all are cherry-themed except one, which has ladybugs -- the cherries of the insect world.

Just think of it as me doing my part to create the vintage jewelry of tomorrow. 🍒🐞

One, Two, Tree Looks: Black and White Brights

Bag: Tatty Devine, Modcloth

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW; Socks: ?

Top: Freshman 1996, Macy's

Bangles: B Fabulous; Ring: Wet Seal; Necklaces: The Tote Trove

Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Headbands: INC, Macy's

Bag: Olivia Miller, JCPenney

Rhinestone Remix Necklace

Top: So, Kohl's

Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson, Zulily; Leopard bangle: JCPenney; Red bangle: XOXO, ROSS; Ring: Miami accessories cart; Barrettes: SHEIN

Skirt: Decree, JCPenney

Brilliant Buttons Necklace

Shoes: 2 Lips Too, JCPenney; Bag: Guess, ?

Skirt: So, Kohl's

Ring: Express; Rhinestone bracelet: Target; Rose bracelet: Francesca's

Top: Current Mood, Dolls Kill

Piece of Fake Necklace

By now we all know that I deem color king queen.  But sometimes nothing beats a black and white canvas to make it really pop.  So with that in mind, I put together these gray scale-based outfits and then piled on the neck candy.  I made two of the pieces by upcycling rhinestone necklaces that belonged to my aunt.  It's fun to find new stuff to use in my jewelry; if it's already in the house, then even better.  

Speaking of home, the cherry tree in the first pic is at the edge of my backyard.  Although the husband and I have lived here for more than four years, I was surprised to see it in bloom.  In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I never noticed it -- or maybe I did and thought it was the neighbors'.  Anyway, I'm grateful that life is slower now so I can appreciate it -- and all the other beautiful things that have always been at my doorstep.

This doesn't, however, extend to the pair of mangled underwear at the edge of the front yard.  

We live on a busy street, near a bus stop.  We see things.

Rudd Stud: Rhinestone in the Rough

Cardigan: Hearts & Roses London, Zulily; Top: Simply Vera, Kohl's; Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's; Green bracelet: Parade of Shoes; Red bangle: B Fabulous

Beading Rainbow Necklace

Sweater: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Boots: Apt. 9, Kohl's; Bag: Tatty Devine, Modcloth; Headband: Macy's; Coral bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Black and white bracelet: Mixit, JCPenney

Un-Ugly Duckling Necklace

Paul Rudd is the kind of hot, hip, and self-deprecating-slightly-dorky leading man that makes women realize that men don't have to be testosterone-spewing alpha males to be sexy.  Just like sparkly stones don't have to be diamonds to be bedazzling (Rhinestone-encrusted jean jacket?  Yes, please!  Aunt Mitzi's tennis bracelet full of blood diamonds and also, possibly, the blood of Uncle Marve?  No thanks!).  So I was especially stoked to hear that Rudd is People's 2021 Sexiest Man Alive.  I'm so glad that this once-upon-a-time geeky dreamboat is finally getting his due.  Not that joining the Marvel universe as the world's most intrepid insect was too shabby either.  

Of course, true fans know that Rudd has had it going on since Clueless.  Awhile back, I read an article saying that Rudd, who played Alicia Silverstone's stepbrother-turned-love-interest in the iconic '90s flick, was "a wry forty-year-old" even then (his real age in the movie?  A callow twenty-nine.). 

Rudd's turn in Clueless is reason enough for me to pull out the plaid (yes, again!).  I'm particularly taken with these oh-so-'90s skirts.  All they need are a couple of big safety pins.  

Skirt: Almost Famous, Kohl's

Skirt: Almost Famous, Kohl's

What's more, their side-by-side contrasting plaid makes for an aesthetic that's classic-meets-edgy.  Kind of like the gentlemanly yet slightly snarky Rudd himself.  Who, by the way, in response to becoming officially "sexy," quipped that he'll now "have to spend more time on yachts."  

Oh, Paul.  That dry -- excuse me, wry -- sense of humor is why you'll always be the object of our (and Jennifer Aniston's) affections. 

Kite of the Living Dead

Top: Derek Heart, Macy's

Boots: ShoeDazzle, Zulily

Skirt: ELLE, Kohl's

Green bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily; Yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Strawberry bangle: B Fabulous; Ring: Gifted

Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon

Bag: Zulily; Shoes: Anne Michelle, JCPenney

Dress: Modcloth, Zulily

Red rhinestone bangle: XOXO, ROSS Dress for Less; Other red bangles: B Fabulous; Scrunchies: Zulily; Sunglasses: Amazon; Ring: Making Waves, Ocean City

Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney

Made them but can't remember the names I gave them!

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Chase & Chloe, Zulily

Normally, I'm not a fan of zombies.  That's why I've never watched The Walking Dead and can't seem to get through "Thriller."  So, I was surprised that when I started to draw, this mutant is what emerged:

Yes, folks, it's a zombie butterfly!  I almost didn't post it because 1) I thought it was too weird, and 2) colored pencils are second only to crayons when it comes to things that are unsophisticated.  But then I remembered that 1) sharing weird stuff with the masses is what I do, and 2) sophistication is for Mr. Belvedere and people who use bidets.  

Anyway, we all have imaginations.  Who knows what drives them?  When I was a kid, I often ended up drawing a beaky gent from the Middle Ages that my mom dubbed "the man with the nose."  Whether he was some manifestation of my subconscious or a mere tribute to the ear, nose, and throat racket, I'll never know.

What I do know is that I love the as-of-yet-not-undead creatures of these outfits or, more to the point, purse paraphernalia: Miss Tatty Devine, Mr. Strawberry Head, and last but certainly not least, the many faces of Miss Harajuku.    

Bag: Tatty Devine, Modcloth

Charm: Staples

Harajuku Lovers, ROSS Dress for Less

Fun, right?  I can't help but notice that their noses are nearly nonexistent.

Still, these bags and this butterfly aren't the only things that represent a fright, excuse me, flight, of fancy.  There's also this kite:

It's still enroute from Zulily, but I'm including it now to take advantage of this post title.  Also, because it's awesome.  It'll live in my craft room as an, ahem, fly on the wall, inspiring me to make creations that are hopefully more cute than creepy.    

Maybe Mary Poppins's face will pop up instead of Cruella DeVil's.