How Bazaar . . .

 I Heart Pink, Yellow, and Turquoise Necklace

 Let Retro Ring Necklace

Dress: Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Delia's

Scarf: Boscov's

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

 Forever Feather Necklace

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Eleven Peacocks, Etsy

Sunglasses: JCPenney

 Artsy Amulet Necklace

Dress: American Rag, Macy's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Delia's

Scarf: Wet Seal

Sunglasses: Cloud Nine, Ocean City 

 I Heart Hippies Necklace

Top: Material Girl, Macy's

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: XOXO, ROSS Dress for Less

Belt: Candie's, Kohl's

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

 A Bicycle Built for Hue Necklace

Top: L'Amour by Nanette Lepore for JCPenney

Skirt: L'Amour by Nanette Lepore for JCPenney

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Marshalls

Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

Natural Wonders Necklace

Top: City Streets, JCPenney

Camisole: Casual Corner Outlet

Skirt: Xhilaration, Target

Shoes: Alloy

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Brown belt: New York & Co.

Silver belt: Boscov's

Yellow scarf: Marshalls

Blue scarf: Boscov's

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

. . . that it's Labor Day!  I'm sure that I'm not the only one wondering how summer could be over.  I went to the beach two times this weekend instead of one (I tried for three, but the sun sapped my skin, if not my spirit) and to Rita's three times instead of two (apparently, the lure of the treats is stronger than the lure of the tides), trying to cram it all in.  Why, I don't know, as it's bound to be nice until October.  I guess it's because sunshine or not, once you flip the calendar to September, something in the air is different.  Indeed, shades of autumn seem to have crept into this week's ensembles, their earthiness whispering of bonfires, fall festivals, and other homespun gatherings.  That's where I was going with the whole bazaar thing, by the way.  As I've said before, I like the idea of them, and of flea markets.  To me, descriptions of dust and disorder (think closed-off parlors, trap-door attics, and never-cleaned closets) are always the most interesting, maybe because it's in just those sort of settings that characters in novels discover long-lost heirlooms and bombshell letters.  Also because of those fashion magazine spreads in which elaborately and eccentrically dressed models lounge around in abandoned barns and crumbling mansions.  (Incidentally, I have a bone to pick with magazines, but I'll save that for another post.)  It's the contrasts that I find intriguing, glamour and squalor smashed up side by side.  Even if, in my experience, most bazaars are long on seediness and short on sparkle.  But I hold out hope for finding a rhinestone in the rough, er, rummage sale, yet.

In closing, thanks for the comments on last week's post about photography.  I appreciate the tips, as well as the confirmation that I'm not alone.  Deep down I think I always knew that the only antidote to snapshot snafus is a little (or perhaps a lot of) elbow grease.  I have a few tricks that I want to try out, baby step-style, over the next few months.  So be on the lookout for some sort of (subtle) transformation.  Or maybe just for a mannequin who isn't headless.