Suspended Bead Earrings

When the seasons are changing, do you get the urge to make accessories?  I find they can be an easy way to update a wardrobe without spending a lot of money.  During the spring and summer, I've noticed I use brighter colors and more natural materials.  And spring cleaning has me reevaluating pieces I've had for a long time.

Here's an easy project for when the jewelry bug hits.  All it takes is two jumbo beads, a length of chain, and earring hooks.  I've had the large red beads since I started college, but I could never find the right project for them.  Finally, I realized they were bright enough to stand on their own and I love how well the color shows up in my dark hair!



Aren't they lovely?  They're perfect for adding some fun to a casual outfit; I've worn them with a navy dress or a crisp white blouse and wide leg jeans.  Sometimes, you just have to let an idea grow in the back of your mind.  It may take a few days (or years!), but it's worth the wait!

- Cristy

Business Casual for Spring

When it comes to looking fancy, I'm usually more of a dress girl.  A dress is a comfortable one piece outfit, so what's not to like?  But recently, I'm learning the benefits of mix-and-match, especially when running from work to school and back again.  Here, the white blazer is both business and weather appropriate, while the front zipped skirt adds a bit of funk.  The skirt's pockets also make up for the blazer's lack of them...



Whether at work or in class, the right outfit makes me feel ready to take on the world!



The shoes are my favorite addition.  Pretty and feminine, but practical for a busy day.  Also, I've yet to find an outfit that doesn't work with bright red shoes!

Do you need multiple outfits during the day too?

- Cristy

Blazer - New York and Company, Blouse - Max Studio, Skirt - Forever21, Shoes - Jellypop

Rainy Day Casual

I know it's hard to believe, but those legs and arms actually belong to the same body...  After months of pants, I love that we're getting such a beautiful spring here in North Carolina!

The dress is actually one I altered last year.  My mother compared elbow-length sleeves and navy color to African girls' school uniforms, so I knew they had to go. I followed the back of the collar under the armpit and around the back for a halter neck effect.  I can never decide whether to change out the fabric buttons for gold ones, but I love how the cut highlights the points of the collar!

A peek at my accessories:  Wing earrings and a cursive Love ring



Of course, it rained in the afternoon, so I swapped the sandals for rainboots and grabbed an umbrella!  I swore I wouldn't fall victim to the rainboot trend that ravaged colleges everywhere, but these were impossible to resist.  I'll give them their own post someday, I swear...



Until then, I'll leave you with another shot of my amazing umbrella!  I picked it up the summer before last in China out of necessity, but have you ever seen a shiny silver umbrella before?!



Tell me, how do you dress for the rain but stay stylish?

- Cristy

Belt - Time After Time Vintage Thrift, Sandals - Franco Sarto, Earrings - Forever21, Ring - Modcloth, Rainboots - Joan Boyce

Petal Necklace

The most instant gratification DIY's for me are always jewelry.  I love playing around with beads, findings, and wire and most jewelry supplies can be bought fairly cheaply.

For this necklace, I was inspired by the contrast of the metal chain and soft felt.  I also wanted a lightweight statement piece.  Requiring only two materials, this certainly fit the bill!



Materials: a length of chain (I used about 1 foot.), felt, a petal template (mine is 1.5x3 inches)

I also chose to stitch my pieces together rather than using hot glue.  I think it's a bit sturdier and I don't actually have a hot glue gun...



For complete instructions, see Chloe's tutorial.  She chose to use leather, but the general idea is still the same.

Do you wear any felt jewelry?

I'm a Maxxinista!

This spring weather has obviously gone to my head.  I had a couple free hours between classes yesterday, so I drove down to my local TJ Maxx and Marshall's to take a peek...



From TJ Maxx, a Max Studio blouse.  It's comfy and definitely versatile, plus there's side ruching.  I don't know what it is, but I've been obsessed with ruching and cowl necks for the last year...

TJ Maxx listed the retail price as $40, although the still-attached (!) original tag said $58.  (I got it for a much more reasonable $19.99.)

From Marshall's, hangers!!  Believe me, there is always room for more of these in my closet...  At $9.99 for 19, they're cheaper and nicer than any Walmart set and the felt coating will keep dresses secure (comparison price: $18).  I bought a pack of these in green previously and worried that I'd start finding green fuzzies all over everything.  Since that hasn't happened yet, I snagged these as well!

I've also been looking for a walkable pair of sandals for work.  They recently changed the dresscode policy so now, if I want to wear jeans, I have to pair them with a >1 inch heel and a blazer.  I initially had nude sandals on the mind, since they're so trendy right now, but I think I love these more!  They feel nice and secure and, with only a 2.5 inch height differential, my toes should last a 6 hour shift!  They were a bit of a splurge at $39.99, but Franco Sarto sandals generally retail for $80-100 and I should be able to pair the muted yellow with most of my wardrobe!

Anyone else excited for more summer shopping?

- Cristy