Funky bikey Chain Necklace

I so want to make one of these. As long as I have my pair of jewelry plier hanging around, and some chain (perhaps from necklaces I am not using anymore) or chain from ACMoore I can brew one up. Just make sure you close the little loops of chain so they won't fall off the main chain that goes around your neck. Funky piece isn't it?

I love cutting out pictures of jewelry out of catalogues and gluing them into a scrap book. Keep yourself your own journal, look around for pieces of chain, charms, photos, old or lost earrings and go to town. The bigger and bulkier the better; the more chains like Chico models are showing, a little gaudy, but stylish if that is your style.

This chain is bikey! I like bikey.

Lace

Are you ever a bit embarrassed when you see that little lace top in the stores today, nice and neatly folded, lace shirt upon lace shirt and you wonder, how would I ever wear that?

You remember in the Victorian age, in those wonderful Pride and Prejudice type movies, where the lace is under the dress, not shown, only for the bedroom, or the lace draped over the lamp shade or over the edge of the bed.

Pick up the same color tee or tank and wear it under that little sheer thing. Or, make the shirt stand out a whole lot more by wearing it over a bright color. That is when a scarf or wrap around the shoulders pulls this whole delicate top together with your jeans and boots.

Silk flower pins are a big thing. In 1975, I wore silk peach earrings with my cream colored Victorian dress to the prom. Now, you can wear one big and bold on the shoulder area of your blouses, shirts, and jackets. This would look like a knock out on a day that you need to feel like it is spring rather than fall or winter; on a day where it is dreary and rainy and throw on a little wrap around raincoat, or the new trend----a poncho on top. Don't worry, the lacy of your arms will show and create a sneak peak when you take it off going indoors and now the whole outfit shows up.


There are shirts that are not completely see through that are made of lace. The Avenue had a black lace shortsleeved shirt with a black liner underneath the lace. This is an adorable little top that can be belted, or worn plain with no belt. Jeans and a lace top are the best thing next to fudge on top of your vanilla ice cream; Yum yum. A squirt of perfume, a bit of lip gloss, a medallion necklace, boots or flats and off you go---fancy or casual. Nothing that sweat shirt or jacket can't go over if you are freezing. Then when you are warm inside by the fireplace, the lace will be a dazzle.
But.......if that is too much lace for you, a nice two or three inches on the bottom of a tank or sew it yourself, on an older shirt or tee, and you have some lace that can really make this outfit snazzy.

Pins and the Uses Of

Do women wear pins anymore? I have a small collection of pins; some with rhinestones, some tarnished because they are vintage, christmas pins like trees, snowflakes...

A couple of new uses for them: Attach a bobby pin into your hair on the side, and attach the decorative pin onto the bobby pin so that it stays in place. If this does not work, you can purchase pins in the hobby store to glue onto your vintage or rhinestone pin.

Attach a group of pins that you don't use onto your leather hobo bag as a detail of glamour.

You can group your pins onto the lapel of your plain navy or black blazer.

I have even used pins on my throw pillows for my bed or couch; just a bit of prettiness.

Jean pockets are pretty plain, so attach a pin to the pocket or thread a scarf through the belt loops and attach a pin onto the scarf.

I have a floral dress that I bought a bit too big. Instead of pulling out the sewing machine and stitching the sides of the dress, gather the dress in the waist area of the back of the dress, and use one of your pins. A vintage pin is easy to find in any thrift shop. I saw this done by a young woman and it looked awesome. It looks great with my floral long to the ankle dress. Many of my pins matched with the dress which was aqua, navy and white with a bit of khaki green/grey. Wear a different colored pin with matching shoes. I tried a red rhinestoned pin and red shoes. Changes the whole look, and still coordinates the outfit. Red earrings may look odd at first, but then when the colors of the earrings, pin on your back and shoes (maybe add an oversized belt) and you can go out to town.