Red Poets Society and Purple Pose: A Hint of Halloween

Top: Allegra K, Amazon; Skirt: Vanilla Star, Macy's

Girly Ghost Necklace

Bag: Olivia Miller, JCPenney

Hair clip: Target

Boots: Impo, DSW

Top: Madden Girl, Macy's; Skirt: Wild Fable, Target

Stylish Skulls Necklace

Bag: Skinnydip London, Macy's

Barrettes: INC, Macy's

Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's; Socks: Amazon

Jacket: XOXO, JCPenney; Skirt: So, Kohl's

Glam Ghoul Necklace

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Sunglasses: Zulily

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

It's late October, and you know what that means: time to scare up some spooky.  And I can't do that without the ruffled, violet top I've worn for the past two Halloweens.  Part fright night, part '90s, it puts the Poe in poet's blouse.  And it looks especially bold with red -- Red Hat Society colors notwithstanding.  

Speaking of hats (and the heads that support them), I got into the spirit of things by making some skull necklaces.  Even the ghost one has a tiny skull dangling from the center if you dare to get too close.

That said, I'll be steering clear of the occult.  

Unless it comes with candy.

Pink Lemonade Parade: Markers and Muumuus

Tunic: Cool Melon, Zulily; Kimono: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

The yellow rose of Jersey.

Dress: Nine West, Kohl's

'80s-rific Sharpies I found in my office.

Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill

Cowgirl clip: Wild Fable, Target

Big necklace and bow bangle and choker: Simply Vera, Kohl's; Fringe bangle and barrette: INC, Macy's; Collar clip: Hobby Lobby

Vest: Lisa Frank for XOXO, Macy's

Dr. Brown's has come to town.

Kimono: Love by Design, JCPenney; Bag: Elly & Ella, Zulily

It seems that I've entered my muumuu era slightly ahead of schedule.  But June is just around the corner, and so is this baby.  My docs tell me that I'll be induced as early as June 6 on account of my oldness.  They should have a definite date for me later this week.  It's all happening. 

Until then, I'm living the Whac-A-Mole life of completing one baby prep job only to have five pop up in its place.  That and the paperwork of pregnancy, i.e., making calls and filling out forms to continue my benefits.  But I still make time to read, craft, and blog to block out the impending assault on my body.      

Because it takes a village to raise a mom.  And that village is a self care retreat.

Front Porch Pics and Bigfoot Tricks

 Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Sunglasses: Party City; Colonel Cutie Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's Skirt: Modcloth

Top: Rebellious One, Macy's; Skirt: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney; Sandals: Katy Perry Collection;  Bag: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's

Cuddly Critters Necklace

Hair clips: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Sunglasses: Michaels

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's; Sandals: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Nautical Nourishment Necklace

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Boscov's

Sandals: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Skirt: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney; Bag: XOXO, Ross

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

If there's no place like home, then there's there's no place for pictures quite like the front porch.  So that's where I am in all four outfits here.  We've got florals and palm trees and even Bigfoot -- even if I thought he was a monkey when I was making the Cuddly Critters Necklace.  It wasn't until I flipped the charm and saw "SASQUATCHIN" on the back that I realized I was in the presence of greatness.  Of course, Satchy's tutu-wearing companion of a fox may have something to say about that.  

Never let anyone (not even Bigfoot) tell you that a beast can't be a ballerina.

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. 🍒🐞