When a Country Cousin Comes to Call . . .

 Another Nameless Necklace

Top: Mossimo, Target

Skirt: Strawbridge & Clothier

Shoes: Nine West, DSW

Bag: JCPenney

Jacket: Hot Kiss, Marshalls

 Country Charm Corsage Necklace

Top: Marshalls

Skirt: Kohl's

Boots: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Gifted

Hat: JCPenney

Shabby Chic Corsage Necklace

Top: Mossimo, Target

Tank: Marshalls

Skirt: Kohl's

Shoes: Madden Girl, DSW

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Mudd, JCPenney

. . . she might wear something like this.  Although I usually prefer the flash of circusy ensembles, there are times when I want to look demure, like a heroine in a Nicholas Sparks novel.  There's something timeless about such picket fence fashion, a kind of innocence that makes you think of old photographs and spring walks into town.  Of course, I couldn't help but undercut all this sweetness and light with some edgily urban black.  Even storybook girls need something to silence the crickets.  

Secret Garden Treasures

 Pink Pearl Garden Necklace

Cardigan: Merona, Target

Tank: Gap

Jeans: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Material Girl, Macy's

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

 Blue Pearl Garden Necklace

Top: Wet Seal

Jeans: UNIONBAY, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Marshalls

Rainbow Rocks Necklace

Dress: Macy's

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Pink necklace: B Fabulous

Fabulous Felt Blue Garden Necklace

Dress: JCPenney

Shoes: Not Rated, DSW

Bag: Old Navy

These Pink Pearl Garden and Blue Pearl Garden necklaces have a secret - a secret compartment, that is.  They're lockets!  I didn't realize this until after I'd nabbed the pendants off of a Michaels clearance rack, but when I did, I thought, "that's nifty!"  Not to mention handy for keeping favorite photographs or trinkets or, heck, even M&Ms close.

Speaking of the unexpected, this (surprise! surprise!) Rainbow Rocks Necklace is a product of some leftover pearls and rhinestones.  Somewhere between retro and princess, it has that kind of rescued-from-the junk-box feel.  As well it should, originating from the bottom of my supply heap.  Which is far preferable to originating from the depths of some musty estate sale according to this princess.

And last but not least, we have the Fabulous Felt Blue Garden Necklace (garden names grew rampant in this post), which was inspired by the out-for-a-walk-to-pick-flowers sundress with which it's pictured.  I got it for $12 online from JCPenney, beguiled as much by its simple, old-fashioned charm as by its price tag.  As I mentioned in a past post, I've decided to give the department store a second chance despite its coupon ban.  Me and JCP, we have history.  Which is precisely why I purchased two more creation-launching pieces this past weekend.  But more on that (much) later.

Sparklies from Unlikely Sources

 The Necklace That Has No Name

Top: Rampage, Macy's

Jeans: Princess Vera, Kohl's

Purple wedges: Betseyville, Macy's

Tote: Betsey Johnson

Chartreuse sandals: BCBG, Marshalls

Clutch: Candie's, Kohl's

Polka Dot Posy Brooch

Top: Kohl's

Skirt: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Wristlet: Nine West, Boscov's

Hearts and Unicorns Necklace

Sweater: Kohl's

Jeans: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Well, not that unlikely.  After all, there are no candy wrappers or office supplies at play in this post's pieces. Just some cast-off bracelets (i.e., the fuchsia and chartreuse chains in the Necklace That Has No Name and the ring around the unicorn in the Hearts and Unicorns Necklace) and a perfectly lovely silk flower from Etsy's HennyTJ that I intended to use as wedding finery but instead nestled in the more everyday nest of - what else? - felt.  

My undisputed favorite of the group is the Necklace That Has No Name, so labeled because I see no need to saddle unEtsy-bound baubles with monikers.  It's probably the boldest (not to mention bulkiest) necklace I've ever made, and I'm torn between really, really wanting to wear it and quaking in fear that it'll break as soon as I put it on.  Which probably isn't the best thing to admit when one is in the (albeit avocational) business of selling one's jewelry, but then, I'm sure I've said worse.  

Changing tactics, I'm excited about all the print bottoms, especially jeans, in stores this season.  The old print top-solid bottom combo gets old after awhile, so the role reversal is especially fresh.  Not to mention that solid (or, as in the case of this striped sweater, less busily patterned) tops make for nice necklace backdrops.               

Leopard and Lips

Purple Patty Sparkle Necklace 

Blue Betty Sparkle Necklace 

Pink Polly Sparkly Necklace

Sweater: Poof, Boscov's 

Skirt: Wet Seal

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Guess, Marshalls

       Pink Punk Necklace

Top: Kirna Zabete for Target

Leggings: Petite Sophisticate

Skirt: Kohl's

Shoes: Paris Hilton, Marshalls

Bag: Princess Vera, Kohl's

Scarf: Express

 I Believe in Unicorns Necklace

Top: Mossimo, Target

Skirt: Material Girl, Macy's

Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's

Bag: Cloud Nine, Ocean City 

Belt: Wet Seal

Scarf: Wet Seal

Kind of sounds like a 1980s hair band, huh?  A little wild, a little wanton.  Sort of like ". . . a little wild and a little strange, when you make a home out on the range," a la "Hey Dude," but then that's a post for another day (even if the scarf in the last outfit kind of looks like it belongs on a bank robber in a spaghetti western).

In honor of the age of excess, I went overboard with the rhinestones in this, my latest neck candy installment.  (Oh, and there's also a unicorn crammed in there at the end.  For an extra special note of nostalgic kitsch.)  Because, in the words of shoe designer extraordinaire Beverly Feldman, "too much is never enough."    

Calling Colonel Mustard Back into Battle

Dress: Macy's
Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's
Bag: Gap
Jacket: Candie's, Kohl's
Scarf: Marshalls
Tights: Marshalls

Every now and then when I put on one of the outfits I've photographed on Tammy, something goes awry.  For instance, this morning I found that the lines of the Queen for a Day Necklace didn't quite jibe with the neckline of this dress, and that the belt didn't work at all (literally, as it was falling off of me!).  So, I switched tactics and appealed to the considerable charms of this yellow scarf. (It looks a little chunky here but is much more attractive in person.)  Not only did it provide a more flattering backdrop, but the yellow really made the jewels pop.

Calling Colonel Mustard

Tee: Mudd, Kohl's

Jeans: So, Kohl's

Boots: Jessica Simpson, Barefeet Shoes

Bag: Marshalls

Blue scarf: Express

Red scarf: Boscov's

 Queen for a Day Necklace

Dress: Macy's
Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's
Bag: Gap
Tights: Marshalls
Belt: Wet Seal

You may have noticed that I've dispensed with the Something New and Sparkly tagline (because let's be honest, these days I'm always writing about something new and sparkly).  Even so, it's glitz that radiates from the root of this post (and why not, with this Queen for a Day Necklace).  Because if there's one consolation for the cool-down of summer's hot hues, then it's the celebratory burst of pre-holiday sparkle.    

This morning when I photographed the mustard jeans outfit, I thought I'd struck gold.  But then a stop at Macy's led me to this jauntily jewel-toned dress.  A pair of striped tights and one be-bowed belt later, and the condiment-inspired jeans had a run for their money.

It's little indulgences such as these that make me feel like queen for a day :)