charm & chain chronicals: fall trend newsletters

Lately, much of my extra-curricular attention has been focused on my freelance work at Charm & Chain where I have been helping the lovely ladies there develop topics for newsletters, among many other fun tasks. I posted this Tropical Trend newsletter back in July and we have continued to develop more on-point trend newsletters since then. My favorite e-mail blast, which actually linked to a blog post I wrote for the site, is the Jewel-Spotting story above. In the post, I pulled some of my favorite street style images from this past NYFW that featured amazing, on-trend jewelry and paired the images with similar pieces available for purchase at Charm & Chain.

In other news, I recently began blogging for one of my favorite shopping sites, global e-commerce destination, L-atitude. My first post for them on different ways to tie a scarf ran this weekend, and I am am still so excited! Check it out here.

Stay tuned for some fresh TNTP content coming very soon!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

adventures in styling: surf bazaar

My ultimate beach blanket fashion fantasy has always included mixed tribal prints and stripes, an armful of bright stringy bracelets, and piled-on ethnic-inspired jewelry. It was these exact elements that inspired this test shoot I styled with photographer Rob Gullixson, model Lacey Nelson and hair/makeup artist Jenni Shaw. Any of these looks would be right at home on a gypsy surfer chick laying on a hammock on the beaches of Tulum. Unfortunately, we had to settle for a studio and some turquoise seamless paper. BUT, I am super happy with the results and truly love each of these looks. 

Now stands the question-- is it really worth it to wear all this jewelry when spending a day in the sand and sea? When the resulting vibes are this fun, I think it's an easy answer.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

want this now: dezso by sara beltrán clutches

I've been lusting after these Dezso by Sara Beltrán clutches for months and I'm so so tempted to pull the trigger. They're roomy enough to fit all your essentials and the perfect style to compliment any summer look. Plus, you already know how I feel about these tropical motifs.

Sara Beltrán's collection of bags and jewelry is beyond awesome. Influenced by her upbringing in Mexico and India, her designs evoke an effortless, beachy-gypset vibe featuring bright colors and nature-inspired details. (I included my favorite piece of her jewelry—a single silver shark tooth on a neon orange cord—in my post on shark teeth.)

In an interview with Refinery29, Beltrán said, "I want my jewelry to make people happy by wearing it—those are the people I hope wear my jewelry. That is the most I could ask for." I think that's motivation enough for me to click purchase.

Shop these clutches here, here and here.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

favorite collections: isabel marant spring '13

The last time we collectively embraced boho-glam as the aesthetic du jour, Rachel Zoe was dressing Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton in fur vests and oversized sunglasses, and we were all obsessed with Sienna Miller's effortless hippie chic. This era was followed by a more grunge-focused period in which we traded in our paisleys for plaids and our bangles for studded wrap bracelets. In light of fashionista favorite Isabel Marant's spring 2013 collection, I predict a bohemian fashion revival and, as a self-declared flower child, I could not be more stoked. The details from this show are a refreshing change from the more minimalist It collections we have pined after the past few years and I am ready to rock all of them!

First: the shoes. They are both bad ass rock'n'roll and look super comfortable in the 2 1/2" inch heel variation. I am currently on the prowl for an affordable take on these studded beauties, but so far everything is slightly over my budget (see these and these, both Jeffrey Campbell). Might have to make an exception...

Next: the patterns. You already know about my current obsession with all things tropical, a trend that was not overlooked in this collection. Exotic florals in black, white and red take form in effortless mini dresses, embroidered skinny jeans and silk blouses. There are also paisley prints (my all time favorite!) in blues, purples and reds seen on a stunning quilted coat and numerous flouncy dresses and peasant tops.

Last: the delicate jewelry. I am known to pile on the chunky bracelets and load up my digits with rings, but I am totally drawn to the simple jewelry styling in this collection. A thin brass choker paired with a doubled up chain is just the right amount of bling for sticky summer nights. 

[images: vogue.com]

Are you ready to embrace the boho revival?

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

home decorating: linda rodin's nyc pad

They say the home is an extension of one's personal style. That is certainly the case for beauty entrepreneur and former stylist/model Linda Rodin, whose whimsical NYC apartment is currently featured on The Coveteur. Having grown up in her mother's antique shop, it's no surprise that Rodin has a penchant for vintage treasures. She is an avid collector of everything from art to seashells to costume jewelry and displays her findings in nearly every inch of her abode, creating a cluttered-chic atmosphere that makes for beautiful photos. This place, in all its girly glory, is essentially my dream bachelorette pad and I would love nothing more than to be invited over for a day to admire all of Rodin's bits and bobs!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: shark teeth

Shark Teeth by theneonteaparty on Polyvore

diy: painted rhinestone necklace

If you follow me on Instagram (@theneonteaparty), you probably caught the above photo of my good friend, fashion stylist and swimwear designer Heather aka Heather Feather rocking a painted rhinestone necklace I customized for her last week. The project was inspired by a genius, "why-didn't-I-think-of-that?!" DIY I came across recently on P.S.-I made this...'s Instagram feed, and I finally got to test it out when Heather so generously surrendered a bunch of her old rhinestone jewelry for me to mess around with.

The project is as simple as this:

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Take a rhinestone necklace (or any other form of rhinestone jewelry) and paint over the stones with your favorite matte nail polish colors. Tada! Tom Binns-inspired jewelry of your dreams! Heather requested a combination of nude and neon pink, so I used "Don't Pretzel My Buttons" by OPI and "Jackie Oh!" by Color Club (available at Harmon). If you choose to use neon nail polish, you need to use a white base coat to make the color pop. If you don't, the sheer lacquer will create more of a stained glass effect on the rhinestones, which you don't want. My white of choice was "I Will!" by L'Oreal. 

Here's what the necklace looked like pre-neonization:

I opted for a singular coat of nude, as to not soften the facets of the stones too much. I painted the accent stones with enough white so that they were completely opaque and then added enough pink to cover all evidence of white paint and until the hue really popped. I decided against a clear top coat to keep the matte effect, but you might want to use it to prevent chipping. Let dry for a few hours, 

and voilà! 

I think it came out pretty well, don't you?

For more inspiration, head over to Charm & Chain to check out their Tom Binns debut, chock full of dazzling neon color combo-spiration for your rhinestone painting desires! And definitely let me know if you try this easy DIY yourself!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa