2012...It's A Wrap!

     Happy Monday everyone!  So, it is officially the last day of 2012.  I decided to do a little re-cap of my short time so far as a blogger.  I started this at the end of this past summer...marking December as my 3rd month!  Woohoo!  haha.  I seriously love it.  I love writing, art, history & fashion...but most of all, I love sharing it all with you.  I have so much fun typing away about my daily life & ventures...whether they are travels to new far away lands...or just down the street to the beach...everyday is an adventure that needs a fantastic outfit to go along with it!  Someone once said "everyday is a fashion show," & I 100% whole-heartedly agree!  Taking pride in how I look for life's daily experiences makes me a very happy girl & I would like to thank all of you.  THANK YOU all for supporting me & taking an interest in all the little stuff that I love!  Means a million. Seriously!!!
    Don't fret...I'm not going anywhere!  I have decided I really like this blogging & I'll be here next year for more!  Stay tuned to Ms. Blonde Bangs for lots of new adventures, ideas...& most of all-great outfit inspirations!  I leave you with one last photo of lovely holiday lights. Love you all!  Be safe & have a grand time tonight ringing in 2013!
                                                                                    ~HAPPY NEW YEAR~

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A Retro Flair

Blouse & Shorts: both Forever 21 (similar blouse here & similar shorts here)...Crossbody Bag: Juicy Couture (amazing purple versions here, here, here, & here)...Heels: Steve Madden (similar here)...Sunnies: Dior (model Cinquante)...Earrings: Amrita Singh...Chain Bracelet: vintage-Gram's closet! (similar here & here)...Ring: House of Harlow 1960...Lip Color: Revlon Lipstick Moondrops in Persian Melon topped w/Mac lipglass in Like Venus.

   Hello fellow fashionistas!  First & foremost, I would like to sincerely apologize for my lack of posting!!!  I am so behind that it's embarrassing!  However, I am BACK!
 
   On that note, I would like to talk about the fact that it is now November...which means the holiday season has officially kicked off!  (HUGE smiles for miles from this blondie).  I love this time of year...I love the feeling when you walk through the bustling malls full of sales & hurried shoppers; family & friends reconnecting (in my case, I will be the one flying across the country to reunite); beautiful decorations & colorful lights being hung across neighborhoods & cities nationwide...all of which make me feel very warm & welcome!  I wish I also had the liberty to say that its the time of year I get to pull out my scarves, fur vests & boots from the back of my closet.  Unfortunately, in my case, I'm still waiting to dust my winter gear off ha.  Its still quite warm here in the Keys and that, my friends, is a big downer.  I have always wanted to live somewhere cold & snowy for the holidays...and unfortunately being an Arizona native & now a south Florida resident...it just does not appear that this is going to happen for me! Ha ha, oh well...guess thats why you'll see me blogging away in shorts this holiday season.

   It's no question that this outfit was calling me back to the 1970's, a decade I would have definitely enjoyed living in!  The music was Jive Talkin' & the clothes were flared & fantastic.  Wearing high waist shorts, a floral blouse, gold large metal framed sunnies...I felt as though I was channeling the iconic Farrah Fawcett.  Hope you all enjoy the outfit flashback.
 
   Leaving you with my promise to post frequently (girl scout honor), I bid adieu & wish you all a very Happy Friday & a great start to your weekend.  :-)

 

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Halloweenie

1. Start w/a pan of brownies.

2. Grab one bag of each: green M&M's, white frosting+orange food coloring-or-orange frosting, black gel, candy corn & pull'n'peel twizzlers.

3. Cut brownies into squares or rectangles @ desired size; break off white tips of candy corn; rip twizzlers into 1in size.

4. Ready!

5. Frost brownies, then place twizzlers for mouth & white pieces of candy corn for fangs!

6. Use black gel to draw hair.

7. Place M&M's for eyes & use black gel to draw pupils.

8. TA-DA! 

Made my minnie Mouse skirt w/satin, ribbon & the ole' needle & thread!

Minnie Mouse!

Simple pilot costume thrown together w/items out of my closet.

 I saw this cute monster brownie idea in the grocery store & decided to try it out & share it w/u guys!  Hope you enjoy!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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Stroll Down Duval St.

Shirt: Forever 21...Shorts: Forever 21 (similar here & here)...Sandals: Steve Madden -oldies (new version here)...Sunnies: Gucci...Bag: Rebecca Minkoff...Necklace: Cara Couture Jewelry...Watch: Triwa...Arm Candy (left to right): Target, Noir Jewelry, Ettika, & a random (similar here)...Lipstick: Revlon in "Hot Coral."  

   We decided to spend a few days in Key West this past weekend.  Key West is one of those places that is unlike any other.  From the moment you step foot into the downtown area of the famous Duval St., you feel the vibe as though you were no longer in the U.S.

      

   The architecture dates back to the early 1800's when Key West was originally under Spanish control & known as "Cayo Hueso," which literally means "bone key."  This name was given due to the scattering of prior native inhabitants on the island.  The first residents originated from the Bahamas & were known as "Conchs," in reference to the native Conch Shell (as seen in the image above).  To this day, native Key's residents are commonly referred to as Conchs.  Key West has endured many changes over the years of ownership, including the most recent in the 1980's when they declared themselves to be the "Conch Republic," independent from the United States.  Writer Ernest Hemingway, former President Harry S. Truman, musician Jimmy Buffet, treasure hunter Mel Fisherman & designer Calvin Klein are just a few of the infamous residents at one point or another to call Key West home.  (Historical information courtesy of Wikipedia 2011).

   Yes, I'm aware that many of the items I'm wearing have been seen in my previous entries...but it just goes to show great pieces can always be transformed into new outfits!  So, for this sunny afternoon, I threw on something simple & comfy for hours of walking around & enjoying eclectic food, refreshing drinks, local music & good company.  Hope you enjoy the images of local artwork, architecture & of course, yours truly!  Happy Tuesday. 

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