Something New and Sparkly: The Vacation of a Lifetime

 Fabulous Felt Hibiscus Barrette

Dress: Nicole by Nicole Miller for JCPenney

Shoes: Bucco, Kohl's

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Hat, Candie's, Kohl's

 Fabulous Felt Parrot Barrette

Blouse: Merona, Target

Skirt: Boscov's

Shoes: Qupid, Ami Clubwear

Bag: Loop, Marshalls

Sunglasses: Cloud Nine, Ocean City

Fabulous Felt Iris Barrette

Tee: So, Kohl's

Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney

Shoes: Journeys

Bag: Chinese Laundry, Bloomingsales Florist

Fabulous Felt Seashells Barrette

Tee: Wet Seal

Skirt: Necessary Objects, Annie Sez

Bag: Krystala Creations, Etsy

Shoes: BCBG, Macy's

The other day I saw a rerun of The Simpsons in which Bart is so disenchanted with the seemingly pointless  drudgery of everyday life that he decides to escape it all via a cruise.  Such a vacation is, of course, too expensive, so the whole family pitches in by selling old stuff to pay for it.  The Simpsons are soon having the time of their lives.  Homer and Marge are having "before you [the kids] were born" fun, Lisa connects with kids who are just as intellectual as she is, and Bart is so happy that he makes a phony broadcast about a crisis on shore, forcing the cruise to keep on cruising.  Just as in the classic Christmas Every Day, bliss quickly turns to battle as people fight for food and other resources.  Bart is finally forced to fess up, and everyone returns to the daily grind.  The episode ends with an old Bart in a hospital bed surrounded by pictures of his carefree younger self.  Bart looks at the pictures and smiles, showing us that, however fleeting, it's the good times that define our lives.  

So, what's the link between all that and these barrettes?  On the surface, not much save for the vacation factor (if seashells, parrots, and exotic flowers don't scream getaway, then I don't know what does).  Beneath the surface, a nod to cutting through the red tape of laundry and grocery shopping and other such trials to pursue something that makes you happy.

Who knew that Bart could be so deep?      

Something New and Sparkly: The Most Important Meal of the Day

Fabulous Felt Pastries Barrette

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Jeans: Vanilla Star, Target

Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Wet Seal

Scarf: Boscov's

 Fabulous Felt Toast and Jam Barrette

Dress: Olsenboye, JCPenney

Blouse: Material Girl, Macy's

Shoes: Qupid, Ami Clubwear

Bag: Old Navy

Sunglasses: Fred Flare

 Fabulous Felt Bacon and Eggs Barrette

Blouse: Merona, Target

Skirt: Rampage, Macy's

Shoes: Frederick's of Hollywood

Bag: Wet Seal

Belt: Wet Seal

Fabulous Felt Blueberry Muffins Barrette

Blouse: Merona, Target

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Wristlet: Nine West, Boscov's

Fabulous Felt Pancakes Barrette

Shrug: Express, Marshalls

Tee: So, Kohl's

Jeans: Barefeet Shoes

Boots: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Cappelli

I've always liked breakfast.  Although mine is usually just a bowl of Cheerios, I love the downright decadent possibilities of bacon, eggs, and pancakes that come with a no-holds-barred restaurant outing.  Whether you're at a greasy spoon or a swanky brunch, breakfast is all about comfort and leisure and stopping to smell the maple syrup.  I like to think that these barrettes celebrate that spirit.  You have, by the way, seen them before.  I'm just taking the time to post them in all of their accompanying outfit glory.  

That having been said, I'm really liking the French barrettes.  They seem able to grip more hair than the toothless alligator clips for which I so tirelessly searched.  Which just goes to show that sometimes hoopla is overrated.  Not a bad thing to remember as I plan a wedding :) 

Some More Things I've Been Working On Part II, a Few Choice Vacation Pics, and an Announcement

Just when I thought I was days away from a shiny new shipment of alligator clips I found out that Offray no longer makes them.  This unpleasant discovery blindsided me as I was trying to order them over the phone using information from a catalog someone from Offray had emailed me.  I requested an updated catalog, but once it arrived I found that it didn't list any barrettes at all, just ribbon and other floral frippery!  To say I was bummed was an understatement.  Still, I've made my peace with it and am considering using good old fashioned (and readily available!) French clips instead.  I'm itching to finish and post the 43 new barrette "fronts" I've made since the beginning of this desperate debacle.  I was on such a roll that I made the four barrettes pictured above (two Mad Scientist [because who doesn't love an amoeba?] and two Glamour Girl designs) while on vacation.  Speaking of which, here are a few photos (of the vacation, not the barrette making):    

 A shot of the Ocean City boardwalk.

 A particularly picturesque breakfast.

And finally, some purchases.  This take features a little bit of everything I love: polka dots, leopard, colorblocking, and rhinestones.  I ordered the shoes from Ami Clubwear (they arrived just before I left for my trip), and they turned out to be even more fabulously funky in person.  Even if the bf says that they're a couple of toe-crushers if ever he saw them.   

Which brings me to my announcement.  The bf and I got engaged!  (Leave it to me to bury the lead.)  I won't be blogging about the wedding planning, or much of anything else during the next year, for that matter, if I end up being as busy as everyone says I will.  Still, I may post the occasional craft project update.  So until next time, thanks for reading :)