one picture: brights and whites

Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific coming in with
back-to-back posts here on the Neon Tea Party.

I couldn't resist sharing this look with you all:

Mixing brights and whites are a perfect bold summer statement.

It's inspiring me to create a similar outfit with my own white blazer.

Wish there were a close up of her bracelet combo, though, as I spy oranges, pinks, and yellows! You can check out her neons from Toronto jewelry designer Lauren Elan here.

Neon wrists forever!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

diy: bright bracelets

School's out forEVER (today marks my last day of college classes) and I can't think of a better way to take advantage of some newfound free time than by making bracelets. There have been lots of fun and easy bracelet DIYs posted lately via craft goddess Erica Domesek of P.S.-I made this... and Honestly...WTF, and a neon take on one of Erica's designs by Brooke Andersen of Just B. Get inspired this weekend and make some bracelets too!!

Camp throwback cobra stitch, but with funky ribbon and utility cord

Inspired by Marni's SS'11 collection, one of my faves

{Erica Domesek for Who What Wear}

Another Erica rope design, this time with an S hook clasp

A take on Miansai's $95 bracelet for a tiny fraction of the cost

{Honestly...WTF}

Just B's neon pink take on this bracelet by Erica

All you need is some sturdy string and bolts

{Just B}

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

one picture: pink is the new navy?

So down with this theory, via Jak & Jil Blog:

"Pink is the navy blue of India." -Diana Vreeland

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: fashion month sightings

Fashion month neon spottings courtesy of STREETFSN

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: proenza schouler bracelets

Well hello there there Proenza Pre-Spring rope bracelets. Feel free to attach yourselves to my wrists at any time, thanks!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

styling tip: piling on the bracelets

Some subscribe to the belief that one's feet tell a lot about them: shoes, socks, and stockings represent one's profession, style, hobbies and interests. While this is certainly true, I much prefer to interpret the lives of others by looking at their hands and wrists. Bracelets, rings, strings and things all tell the stories of where one's been and who one is.

My wrists are constantly changing in the bracelets that adorn them--both the tiny bracelets that stay fixed on me for months, even years and the chunky guys that make their cameos to jazz up a look. While living in Paris and traveling Europe last semester, for example, I made it a point to buy a bracelet in every new place that I went. The result? I was my own scrapbook of my journeys!

While I've been doing the friendship bracelet thing since the days of Spice Girls and Limited Too, I must give credit where credit is due and admit that my beloved fashion editor muses' own bracelet choices have perpetuated my obsession for keep my wrists ever covered in stringy and chunky bracelet shenanigans.

Voilà Exhibits A and B:

{alex, jess and me in cape cod}

{this summer's usual assortment}

Check out my typical inspiration: editors' wrists in action:

{pictures from style.com}

Bet you're all running to your jewelry boxes right now to jazz up your own wrists, ya?

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

getting crafty: modern friendship bracelets

So Alex and I have been obsessing all year about the laundry list of fun things that we're going to do this summer. This list, which we have actually written down, includes making funkalicious headbands and bracelets for ourselves and our friends. I was very excited to see this post on refinery29 yesterday with pictures of diy-looking jewelry by Lizzie Fortunato for UO: the perfect inspiration for our arts and crafts endeavors!



Also on my mind are the amazing "friendship bracelets" by Teen Vogue's Mary-Kate Steinmiller, which are sold at the Charlotte Ronson store in SoHo. While working at Teen Vogue last summer, I always noticed that Mary-Kate always did wear the best bracelets, so I was psyched to see that she was designing some herself.

Here is a link to a clip from the one episode of MTV's attempt at reviving House of Style, in which MK and Charlotte Ronson show us how to make these adorable bracelets.

Can't wait to hit up M&J when I get back to the city!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

all time favorite spots

There are few things that excite me more than stumbling upon a great little boutique with unique inventory or a delicious, off-beat restaurant. Whenever I'm exploring, especially in Boston and New York, I love to take the business cards of my finds for future reference. I keep a few of my favorites posted up on my bulletin board at my desk.



POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL is a small vintage shop whose second location is on on Newbury St. in Boston. (The original one is in Somerville.) The selection is limited, but what the store does have is wonderful dresses, feather headbands, and great vintage heels. The girl who works there is so sweet too! I bought the black romper there last Saturday!! *[See past two posts. Do I seem a bit obsessed with this romper? I think so.]

AKIMBO is this little tchotchke shop in Copenhagen that carries all sorts of cute toys and gifts, including jewelry handmade by the owner. I could have spent all day there admiring all of the pretty nick-nacks and doo-dads.



I couldn't resist this neon pink string bracelet (obv):


I never take this bracelet off- I've been wearing it since I was in Copen in August. Unfortunately, the pink paint has worn off the little bell.

SUGAR SWEET SUNSHINE is a fun little bakery in New York's Lower East Side. A couple years ago, my friend Jessie dragged me across lower Manhattan to try it out, and it was well worth the walk. In addition to a large variety of creative cupcakes (everyone's favorite) they also have amazing old-fashioned banana pudding (the kind with Nilla Wafers-- so yum!).

OAK is a boutique also located on Newbury St. that carries handcrafted items by all different artists. I love the Lego rings and the plastic candy sprinkle heart necklace. It's an awesome store if you're looking to get a gift for someone special- and the prices are very reasonable. My friend Allison and I picked up copies of Boston's Motion Affair Planner here to give each other as birthday gifts. The MAP is a daily planner + guide of cool things to do around Boston. Flip through one if you ever see it! (Or better yet, buy one for yourself!) I decorated mine, obviously.


BARLOLA is, as the card says, a Tapas Lounge in Back Bay in Boston. Though the card isn't as whimsical as the others on my bulletin board, it is equally as deserving of its spot there. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is delicious (I suggest the tuna canapés) and they are known for their sangria and other fruity mixed drinks. Allison and I had our birthday party here last month and everybody loved it! Really, one of the best nights ever.

OVANDO on Bleeker Street in New York is the most gorgeous florist I've ever encountered. Every time I walk past, which is often, I always tell whomever I'm with that this florist will be doing my wedding flowers. The first time I saw this shop, the window display was covered entirely with bright blue peacock feathers- love at first sight! They always have the pinkest orchids and the most creative window displays. If The Neon Tea Party lasts long enough to see my wedding (and if Ovando is still in business, of course) I promise to upload pictures of my floral arrangements. I actually dream about what they're going to look like. No joke.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa