Make-it-Monday: One Earring

Is there anything sadder than losing just one earring?

Um, yes.

But losing an earring is a special kind of frustration. It leaves you with one perfectly functional, yes useless, piece of jewelry. I have a graveyard section on my jewelry tree devoted to earrings who lost their mate. But thanks to some creative thinking (and clever suggestions from the Internet) I'm slowly repurposing them.

My favorite way to use an old earring is to turn it into a necklace. It's ridiculously easy to do this with hook earrings. Go to Wal-Mart, Michaels, or JoAnn's, picked-up some silver chain, jump rings, clasps, and a pair of jewelry pliers. It took me all of five minutes to turn my pretty earring into a pretty charm. Voila, new life for an old earring!

IT'S ALIVE!

Got a solitary post earring? Try using it as a thumbtack for your corkboard.

(Photo by Cup + Penny)

You can also attach a brooch back to an old earring - wear it on your lapel like a champ. Or glue it onto a headband for a little extra sparkle.

Really, just about anything can be bedazzled it with old jewelry. I took a spin through Pinterest, and found some really great ideas. For most of these, all you need are pliers, wire cutters, and metal adhesive.

(Photo by georgiapeachez)

(Photo by georgiapeachez)

(Photo by theresamariejewelry)

(Photo by Ryoan)

(Photo by Ruffles & Stuff)

(Photo by Ruffles & Stuff)

(Photo by Ruffles & Stuff)

"All this is great, Galen, but what if I just don't want to lose my stuff in the first place?" Well, if your earring comes off while you're at home, you can try to find it using the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Put a pair of pantyhose over the nozzle and run it over the floor. When you get to the earring, the pantyhose will trap the sucker for you (this also works for contact lenses). Thank the lovely Gillian for this tip - she's the one who taught it to me!

I once heard someone say that for post earrings, you can put a dab of eyelash glue on the backing. It'll give you a boost of holding power. You'll have to clean your earrings every time you wear them, though - be sanitary, ladies!

UPDATE: Tune-in next week when I show you how to make your own necklace in less than ten minutes. I guarantee you'll spend more time assembling your lunch than your jewelry.

Fashionable Friday: Pink Lady

The weather in Atlanta has been ridiculous the past few weeks. Rainy, then sunny, unusually warm and then unusually cold - and then the next day it happens all over again. I've taken to carrying a light jacket and a winter coat in my truck, just in case. Last week, while running errands with my Very Excellent Boyfriend, my foresight came in handy.

This was my base outfit - a nautical shirt, my favorite flared jeans, and my most comfortable boots.

Shirt: Thrifted (Old Navy)  Jeans: Plato's Closet (Seven for All Mankind)  Boots: Rag-O-Rama  Scarf: Bought from a show  Ring: Souvenir  

The scarf is an old favorite - one of many items that I bought from a show.My friend Katie wore it during Anton in Show Business in college. When the play closed, our designer let us purchase costume pieces, and I just jumped at this lovely scarf. I also got a leather jacket from that production - you might catch it some other time.

The ring is from Arrow Rock, Missouri. I did summer stock there after my junior year of college, and I bought this ring at an antique shop in town. My friend Liz was with me that summer, and she told me that she likes to buy jewelry and clothing in lieu of typical "souvenirs." Snowglobes, magnets, and postcards are nice, but it's extra fun to wear a memento. Now when I travel, I keep an eye out for pretty things to add to my wardrobe.

When the sun started to fall and things got chilly, I whipped-out a recent purchase...

The Pepto Bismal Blazer! Had you forgotten it? I hope not!

Always Captain Morgan when you have the chance.

I really love this jacket - it's such a cheerful color. And I love how it clashmatches the scarf - they're not a normal combo, but somehow I love them together.

Top it all off with a Belle hairstyle, and I felt like a princess all over town - even at the post office.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone! It's the last weekend of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and I'm pretty depressed. I'm gonna miss stomping my foot and belting my face with this crazy group. Wish us broken legs and full houses!

Fashionable Friday: Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head

Did you watch Community?? Did you??

I did! With friends! That's right, I still have friends after posting the High School Musical Footie Pajama Picture. For the second time.


I'm always nervous when a show comes back from hiatus - expectations are so high, and if the first episode doesn't WOW, it all seems like a waste. But as always, the study group did not disappoint. I love New Jeff, New Annie, New BrittaandTroy, and even Old Pierce. It's going to be a fun senior year.

As far as my life is concerned, things are good. Today I have an 8-hour rehearsal for And Then They Came For Me, followed by an 8 PM Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. How am I so lucky? How is it that I can spend an entire day doing what I love most?? The world is really very good to me.

My wirld was good yesterday, too, even though it was a bit dreary. Rainy days really bum me out. To compensate, I like to bust-out pretty patterns and bright colors. I laced my saddle shoes with bright blue ribbon, and donned an antique necklace from my aunt.

Also, here's my big secret: the jeans? They are PAJAMA JEANS! They were given to me for Christmas two years ago, and I tell you, they are divine. No one has ever called me out on wearing fake denim - and more than one person has complimented me on them. They're perfect for a super lazy, disgusting day like this one.

Jeans: PAJAMA JEANS!   Shirt: Urban Outfitters   Raincoat: Target   Shoes and purse: thrifted   Necklace: gift

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a long day of errands to do between sudden showers.