Fool's Gold Rush

My favorite Wheel of Fortune clue is 'Before and After'.
My favorite part of this outfit is the pyrite necklace. Fool's gold! I remember going to a place when I was a kid where you could pan for "gold" and other gems and you were allowed to keep what you found. It was a big deal for my 8 year old self.

Moving on, I didn't fit tights or leggings into this outfit because I'm already moving on to spring. I can't help it. Especially since it's been 75-80 degrees 'round these parts lately. (I don't mean to brag...) Our SoCal winter may return, and I may get to wear lots of layers again, but for now I'm moving on to lighter things. Though this outfit might be a good season transition with the sweater. If it's not quite warm enough yet, you can always add the tights and a scarf and jacket!

Oh, and just an FYI, I was inspired to put together a sweater with pleated skirt after this outfit post at The Fashionista Next Door. I loved her look with the scarf and over the knee socks, but once I found this floral skirt I was all Spring Ahoy!

 

Sweater: Delia's
Necklace: Specimental Design at Etsy

Boots: Target

Skirt: Forever21

Round on the Ends, Hi in the Middle

Today's collection is inspired and based on my traveling with my husband to Ohio today! It's where I grew up and I am so looking forward to seeing my family.

 

Cutting Board: AHeirloom on Ety
Covered Bridge Print: Laurie's Designs at Etsy
The Heart of it All Print: Lil Burritos at Etsy
I Heart Ohio Necklace: Truche at Etsy

FUN FACT: I grew up in Ashtabula County, which is "famous" for it's collection of covered bridges. It's currently home to the world's longest covered bridge, and the world's shortest is being constructed as we speak in my hometown of Geneva.

So anyway, why am I going to Ohio in mid-January to visit when the summer is generally more awesome? (Everyone loves a segue disguised as a rhetorical question!) It's because my family is having a winter cookout, which sounds crazy enough, but it's not just a winter cookout, it's The Winter Cookout. In it's 37th year, The Winter Cookout is an annual event that our friends and family look forward to. We've got a fire outside, a spit with lots of meat, a pond for skating (if it's frozen enough!), snow for playing (usually), a hundred and one CrockPots full of comfort food and... what am I forgetting? OH! My dad's bar in the garage where we keep warm.

Bar, you say? Like your dad keeps some beer and some stools at his work bench kind of bar?
Not really. Here, I'll show you:

(This was a Thursday night in June 2010. My husband and I had just flown in that afternoon... then people started coming over to visit and have drinks. That's my dad in the back, me in the green in my traveling outfit, and various friends and family all with us.)

So bar. BAR. We've always had the actual bar in the garage, but over the years it's kind of turned into a real looking bar. It's always been a lot of fun to have. What you don't see, is that the side of the room where the camera is is my dad's full work bench.

I'll conclude here. I don't do too many personal posts, but hopefully this one was worth it.

Stock Up On: Paper Products

No, not those paper products. These paper products! Check out these fun jewelry items made out of paper.

Necklace: Lena Sekine at Etsy
Earrings: Paper Demon Jewelry at Etsy
Ring: Blush Envy at Etsy
Bracelet: Squishy Sushi at Etsy

Sunday Splurge

How about this super-luxe looking necklace for a Sunday Splurge? It's from Blossom Shop where Karin creates new items out of vintage components. This one, in particular, features a gorgeous pink flower complimented by gold chain and pink quartz and glass beads.

Camellia Necklace: Blossom Shop at Etsy

Stock Up On: Circle Necklaces

I love circles, and I love these necklaces.

Sea Pottery Necklace: Link Design at Etsy
The Blue Planet Necklace: Strung Out Designs at Etsy
Copper Big Circle Necklace: Muse Glass at Etsy

Casual Friday

If I worked in an office that implemented "Casual Friday", I'd wear this. The jacket seems pretty necessary. Has anyone ever worked in an office that wasn't cold?

I actually have those shoes in black. They're super cute and a really nice suede-like texture. I wouldn't wear them if I'm going to be on my feet all day, but really cute for minimal-walking days.

Chiffon Dress: Aerie
Jacket: Forever21
Necklace: Fallen Angel Designs at Etsy
Shoes: Target

Oh! And in other news, I purchased a complete outfit as shown in one of my past posts! I've ordered it all online, and given that everything fits properly, I'll definitely be showing you guys. Any guesses as to which one I chose?

I'm a Loner, Dottie; a Rebel!

One might consider this ensemble a little... rebellious. Or maybe outrageous? I think it's fun.

Top: Buckle
Shorts: Forever21
Pocket Knife Necklace: Contrary at Etsy
Clogs: Go Jane
Nail Polish: Drugstore.com

Understatement Necklaces

We all know the importance of a good statement necklace, but what about the understatement necklaces? Simple necklaces don't have to be boring. Here are a few you can add to your collection that are interesting without over-powering your decolletage.

Love Bird and Leaf Necklace: Delicacy J at Etsy
Freshwater Pearls Necklace: PoleStar at Etsy
Blue Briolette Necklace: Janie Liu at Etsy
Bubble Necklace: My Cellar Door at Etsy

A Day at the Beach

Or the pool for those of us who prefer chlorine over sand. I put this together with prompt from Lillyella's Couture du Jour monthly challenge. The challenge has no budget, so I decided to make it applicable (and more difficult!) and keep it under $100. As you see, I just barely made it! My goal, though, was to create something that could be worn as an outfit, say, if you're going to a pool party or running to the store to stock your cooler before the beach.

Swimsuit: Spiegel
Skirt: Forever21
Necklace: gkrissica at Etsy
Sandals: Urban Original

Sunday Splurge

I saw this on a post over at Katrinshine in an interview with Lana of Fun Embroidery at Etsy. I sa-wooooned over it instantly and knew that I had to share it with you all.

Embroidered Necklace: Fun Embroidery at Etsy

Lunch at the Lake

I love this daytime look. It started with the shoes. They also come in tan, but what fun is that? The dress is breezy and simple, with the bow adding interest without being distracting. I chose a smaller, pretty necklace so as to not compete with those amazing shoes.

Shoes: Piperlime
Dress: French Connection
Necklace: Piper Blue at Etsy

Day to Night

This dress is perfect for going day to night in. The pattern is bright and fun enough for day time without being too dark, yet isn't too cheery for night time. Keep the jacket in your car for when it gets chilly at night!

Dress: Kohl's
Necklace: Forever21
Jacket: Charlotte Russe
Bracelet: Uniquely E at Etsy

Not Just Another Day at the Office

Break out of the same old office attire with these inspired items that won't take you too far out of the box. Replace your tired slacks with this pleated skirt. It nods to the classic pencil skirt but adds something new and trendy to your outfit. These open-sided platform pumps will help refresh your day-to-day, as will this gorgeous chalcedony choker which should be worn under the white shirt to bring a bold splash of color to your decolletage.

Shirt: Converse One-Star at Target
Skirt: Forever21
Necklace: Armillata Designs at Etsy
Shoes: Journeys

April Showers and All

You know the saying... celebrate May with your love of flowers. Flowers in your hair, or on your hand, on your arm or around your neck!

Headband: Frayed and Fancy at Etsy
Necklace: Ruby Rouge Jewellery at Etsy
Ring: DareDream at Etsy
Handbag: Lisa Wine Studios at Etsy

L'amour des Oiseaux

Here are a couple of sweet accessories for you, or for a bird-loving friend. The first, a tiny terrarium necklace with a teeny robin's nest inside. The second, two delicate, bronze-colored bird hair pins. Both hand made!
Necklace: Woodland Belle
Hair pins: Woodland Belle