Seeing the Forest Through the Accessories

 Fabulous Felt Rain Forest Rhumba Necklace

Dress: XOXO, Boscov's

Shoes: Marc Fisher, Marshalls

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Scarf: Boscov's

 Fabulous Felt Dewy Deco Necklace

Dress: Annie Sez

Shoes: Chaps, Kohl's

Bag: Xhilaration, Target

Fabulous Felt Rain Forest Flowers Barrette

Top: Macy's
Tank: Old Navy
Skirt: Macy's
Shoes: Nine West, DSW
Bag: Nine West, Boscov's
Scarf: Boscov's

Few things say lush like a rain forest.  (Well, except for maybe endless margaritas.)  This week's trio of treats was inspired by just such unfettered foliage.  Unified by the cleansing palette of spring's celebrated mints and emeralds, it echoes the paradoxically soothing excitement of this breath-taking biome (to indulge in a word most at home in a grade school science textbook).  The result is a bold bubble of beauty minus the mess - and, in this case, the malaria.  If only real life could be as serenely bug-less.          

Hey, Sailor

 Fabulous Felt You Are My Anchor Barrette

Top: Victoria's Secret

Jeans: Olsenboye, JCPenney

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Kenneth Cole Reaction

 Rose Riot Corsage Necklace

Dress: Jessica Simpson, Marshalls

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Old Navy

*If the two shots of this Rose Riot Corsage Necklace look a little bit different, then it's because they are.  To my dismay, I ran out of pink acrylic pearls halfway through making the necklace in picture number one.  I couldn't find any more in the stores, so I settled for the oversized white acrylic pearls to finish the job.  Guess what?  I ended up liking the asymmetrical, funky look better than the matchy-matchy one that I initially went for.  So, I've listed the (still perfectly pretty) pink version and look forward to sporting the "mess-up" one myself.  Let's hear it for happy accidents!       

Fabulous Felt Gone Fishing Barrette

Top: Urban Outfitters

Cardigan: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Skirt: So, Kohl's
Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney

Shoes: Not Rated, DSW

Bag: Loop, Marshalls

There comes a time in every blogger's tenure when she must decide whether or not to assume the voice of a pirate.  So before I sail on, Bill Murray-as-What-About-Bob?-style, with this week's silly soliloquy, I've elected to assume that voice now, as in, "Thanks for not making me walk the plank on account of me wordplay, me mateys."  

With that, time to shove off (to the rest of this post).

The Jessica Simpson dress in outfit number two is va-va-voom in a down-home kind of way, not unlike Ms. Simpson herself.  Perhaps if Brandy had donned such a stunner, then her sailor would've never said, "my life, my lover, my lady, is the sea."  Then again, she probably could've suited up like a Vegas showgirl with similar results - he seemed like just that sort of cad.  Most men (or sea creatures; I'm talking to you, SpongeBob) would do anything but "sail away, sail away, sail away" from such delightfully nautical nonsense.  Take that, Looking Glass.  On second thought, don't.  Cad notwithstanding, you still beat out Enya.

A Tale of Two Sparklies

 Candy Cottage Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's
Skirt: JCPenney
Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's
Bag: Gifted
Belt: Wet Seal
Jacket: XOXO

 Rhinestone and Pearl Necklaces

Top: Allen B, JCPenney
Jeans: City Streets, JCPenney
Shoes: Simply Vera, Kohl's
Bag: Candie's, Kohl's
Jacket: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

I somehow ended up with two of the brilliant bauble strung out in the very first photo.  So, there was nothing for it but to repurpose the spare into some new, punched-up pieces.  I used the graphic from my beloved Candy Land bandage box and the necklace's ends to make the first and some less kitschy but nonetheless striking jewel-toned beads and the necklace's center to make the second (along with its companion choker).  The results are music to a mixed media maven's ears.  Which isn't the least bit braggy because, in this case, I am that maven.

When Unicorns Attack

 Unicorn Club Necklace

Blouse: Decree, JCPenney

Camisole: Marshalls

Jeans: Allen B, JCPenney

Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Bisou Bisou,  JCPenney

 I Love Birds Barrette

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Necklace: So, Kohl's

Bag: Journeys

Fabulous Felt Yellow and Orange Flowers Necklace

Dress: JCPenney

Shoes: Alloy

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Jacket: Decree, JCPenney

Growing up, Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Twins series was among my favorites in the young adult fiction genre.  Although I was more like bookish Elizabeth, I found fashionable Jessica more interesting, a fascination that extended to her membership in the exclusive Unicorn Club.  Looking back, this seems odd because the Unicorns were pretty darn mean.  But then, I was probably more charmed by their enchanted mascot and signature color purple than by their catty camaraderie.  Either way, the whole Sweet Valley connection is fitting considering the 1980s vibe of the Pantone color chart's current pastel royalty.  Now, if only Diablo Cody would hurry up with that movie . . .   

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Fabulous Felt May Flowers Necklace

Dress: Necessary Objects, Macy's

Top: Kohl's

Shoes: City Streets, JCPenney

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Scarf: Gifted

Top: Mudd, Kohl's

Skirt: Decree, JCPenney

Shoes: Nine West, DSW

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Fabulous Felt Yellow, Purple, and Pink Tulips Necklace

Top: Merona, Target

Sweater: DKNY, Macy's

Skirt: Metaphor, Sears

Shoes: Guess, Marshalls

Bag: Eleven Peacocks, Etsy

May may be some months away, but today marks the advent of spring.  Which means sunshine, bright clothes, and flowers.  Make that Easter flowers, what with the bunny hopping down the trail at the end of March this year.  So, I'm celebrating with the season's go-to garden triumvirate of daffodils, tulips, and irises.  As ephemeral as spring itself, the flowers in these pieces are among my favorites, especially the daffodils with their triumphant trumpets and cute, curly crowns.  

No trumpets today, though.  They're a little tough to translate in felt.             

Living Green

 Fabulous Felt Cherry Blossom Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Cardigan: Candie's, Kohl's

Jeans: I Heart Ronson, JCPenney

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: DSW

Fabulous Felt Flower Power Necklace

Dress: L'Amour by Nanette Lepore for JCPenney

Shoes: Anne Michelle, Barefeet Shoes

Bag: Chinese Laundry, JCPenney

Fabulous Felt Pink and Yellow Flowers Necklace

Top: Monteau, Marshalls

Skirt: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Belt: Wet Seal

These days, it seems like I'm on a mint mission.  Light bluish greens fit for a fairy tale or a 1950s kitchen are packing a pastel punch everywhere, and I am officially enchanted.  My fascination has spilled over into Trove territory, inspiring me to make jewelry that meshes with these frosty fashions.  I've found that nearly-mint cyan felt is my friend, and I've been using it for leaves instead of my usual lime.  Speaking of which, I can't help but think that mint is to spring what lime is to summer.  Mint is tea and petit fours at the club; lime is slushies and fries at the beach.  You know.  Different but equally delicious.    

Stay tuned to see what else comes down the peppermint pike.