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:

+

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

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: graduation cap

So the reason I haven't blogged in 21 days is because I have spent the last three weeks living it up as a graduating senior, going on excursions to Martha's Vineyard and Foxwoods, making a quick trip down to the Jersey Shore with my boyfriend, going out every night of the week with the excuse of our last nights in Boston and entertaining visiting family. 

Within all the madness, however, I could not pass up the opportunity to go all out when presented with the crafting challenge of cap decorating. While some paint a witty phrase ("Thanks Mom and Dad!") and others glue on a few meager rhinestones (sorry, Liv, your ΔΓ, really was cute!), that certainly was not going to cut it for me. Instead, I decided to explore the contents of my craft bag (yes, I have a craft bag) and make a collage using my favorite scraps.

First thing was first, though: it was obviously going to be neon pink.

After painting a thick layer of white paint and painting that over with two layers of pink, I painted some lace purple, made a ribbon flower, cut an "M" stencil out of a paper plate and laid everything out ever so thoughtfully.

A little rearranging, a bit of glue and...

Voilà! The finished cap in action, backstage at graduation!

Check out Alex's too- Love the hashtags!

Here's a closer upper but blurrier shot via Alex's Blackberry.

And so, in true form, I graduated on Sunday with a neon, multimedia collage of pretty little things on my head. Now that I have done so, I am back in New York (for good!) in search of a job and hopefully a great one. Possibly making more super funky grad caps? Yes? No?

Anyone want to hire me?

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: neons + neutrals

Love today's post on Who What Wear combining neons with neutrals. A pop of florescent with tame tones always makes a big statement, and this combo is just right for this spring/summer season. 

Looks like the Neon Mom knows what's up.

Check out the original post here.

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: is that you, mom?

Spotted at Sydney Fashion Week: The Neon Mom*

Thanks again, Tommy Ton!

*My mom would never actually wear this much neon.

That's what I was born for!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, NEON TEA PARTY!

This week marks two years of neon enthusiasm on this here blog! I'm so proud to have made it this far, blogging for 24 months, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!

To celebrate, here's a list of some things I've been coveting recently: everything from kitschy banners to rings that perfectly balance fierceness and delicacy.

{fabric garland inspiration}

- - sewing instructions here and here - -

{free people's primal scream collection}

- - shop it here - -

{the perfect delicate statement rings}

- - tom binns and cc skye - -

{i'm a sucker for turquoise accents and swirly iron}

- - from anthropologie - -

{my dream house would obviously have a neon front door}

- - tips and more doors here - -

{a daily reminder to love life}

- - from catbird nyc - -

Peace, Love and 2 YEARS OF Neon,

Marisa

want this now: neon batchel

{images via vogue and fashion squad via honestlywtf}

Absolutely NEEDING one of these monogrammed neon batchels from the Cambridge Satchel Company. They come in fluorescent green, orange, yellow AND pink! Alex suggested I ask for one for graduation. I wanna ask for all four. Mom? Dad? Please? Available here.

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: fashion month sightings

Fashion month neon spottings courtesy of STREETFSN

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: orange lace, and fp spring '11

FABULOUS news kiddies: this spring, NEON is here. to. stay. I dare say it shall live on forever, even if no where else but my closet (and this here blog, of course). But as long as designers keep sending acid brights down the runway, my favorite stores will continue to dream up neon confections at lower prices that satisfy my perpetual thirst for the brightest of colors and allow me partake in the fun.

H&M, my top pick for fast fashion mega-retailer, is notorious for taking close inspiration for its designs from the runway, which is great for us fashion victims. So when my best friend Alex pointed out this dress to me there, my second thought was: "OH HI Proenza and Christopher Kane Spring '11! So wonderful to see you at H&M on Newbury Street!"

(My first thought, of course, was: "PUT THAT THING ON MY BODY RIGHT THIS SECOND.")

{sequin slip: free people, necklace:

marc by marc jacobs, shoes: nine west}

A modest $19.95 compared to its $5,000 counterparts. Heck, it's practically FREE! How's that for rationalizing unnecessary dress shopping?

But even beyond the price, the dress is perfect. The sleeves make a statement with their elbow-grazing length while avoiding full sleeve overkill. The silhouette is a shift dress, NOT a body con dress, thank todd, meaning that the use of sheer stretch lace here is flirty not slutty. The length is short enough to wear out at night, but long enough to feel comfortable walking into Chabad for Shabbat dinner sporting it. And the color? Well, that just goes without saying.

And don't I look ready to attend my very own NEON TEA PARTY?! That's always the point, after all.

Here are the images of what inevitably inspired this thrilling creation:

Christopher Kane SS '11

Proenza Schouler SS '11

{all images style.com}

SWOOOOON! Oh how I wish I had to budget to acquire the real things for my wardrobe!!

While we're on the topic of neon and Proenza (what else would we be talking about, let's be honest), looky looky the resemblance between something off the same runway and something I tried on yesterday at Free People.

Free People

Proenza

SPOOOKY!

And while we're on the topic of neon and Free People, look what else I got yesterday:

Neon pink flowy collar blouse! $88 YES YES AND YES!

And while we're still on the topic of what I got yesterday at Free People:

English rose print flutter shorts with lace trim!!! $58 Wow, what a combo of elements.

In conclusion, yesterday was quite the exciting day for my closet and I am BEYOND ready for warm weather to arrive and let me wear my new purchases.

More Spring '11 neon enthusiasm to come.

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: the ultimate neon necklace

{photo from stylecaster via because im addicted}

I believe I am experiencing what I like to call a neckgasm---and it feels expensive. Thanks for this, Harley Viera Newton and Tom Binns!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: confessions of a sockaholic

The Neon Tea Party's prediction for fall's must-have accessory: SOCKS!! Yes, socks, ladies and gentleman (mmhm Hemal--who by the way was wearing very lovely olive and navy argyle socks tonight!). I saw this three-pack of socks from J. Crew a few weeks ago when I was flipping through the new catalog and, seeing as they are neon, I obviously fell for them. They look soo much cuter in the catalog than online, fyi. Anyway, they had slipped my mind a bit until I had the sudden (yet common) urge to play dress-up and I decided to pair fun socks with my black Chanel oxfords and grey suede booties. Unfortunately, my cutest workable pair say I Love NY all over them and did not fly with my roommates, so now I turn back to the perfect hot pink-fluorescent yellow-turquoise trio of ankle socks, which will so wonderfully fit with the look that I'm trying to achieve. In the meantime, I've got the I Love NY's and a grey pair with pink butterflies which are on my feet right this very moment!

How do you feel about the sock-heel or sock oxford combo? Ever tried it before?

(Yes, I know this post is at almost 3 AM, but I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't do it now! Teehee.)

Okay, off to bed!

Peace, Love and Neon SOCKS,
Marisa

Even MObama and NYMag are feeling the Neon Necklace Love

Just saw this on The Cut and obvs had to post it.

And for the record, I too love... Tom Binns.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

summer '0neon: me in necklace form

Walking past the Free People store on 3rd and 75th with Alex on Saturday, I found my soul mate. Hanging on a mannequin in the window, paired with a simple white tank and denim cut-off was the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on: a neon pink, chain-and-stone oversized bib necklace! I saw myself in necklace-form in that window and immediately dashed inside, heading straight to my soon-to-be possession. I picked it up and absolutely flipped: not only was it exquisite, but it was also affordable at only $32!! Totally meant to be!! (If you've been shopping with me, you probably know that I believe in shopping destiny- case in point, my excitement at being cosmically united with the magnificent neon creation.) So I bought the necklace and obviously wore it all weekend.

{first outfit with the necklace to spend saturday afternoon eating

our way through street fairs downtown}

{exploring the west village and checking out street art with my mom on sunday}

I also wore it to dinner at Mezzaluna with Avery on Saturday evening paired with my new violet silk-lace-and-rhinestone top from the Phillip Lim sample sale and to my dad's for Memorial Day dinner with the neon yellow tank under a blue-and-white tye-dye tank dress from Zara, shiny black AA leggings and my new studded black sandals. It's quite surprising that a neon necklace can still look fab with neon tanks galore!

It kind of looks like those beyond-amazing Lanvin Spring '09 necklaces, don't you think?

{picture from style.com}

Expect to see more of the chronicles of the neon soul mate necklace!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

want this now: neon mj bags on gilt

Neon Marc Jacobs bags on Gilt! Ay ay ay!!

This one is somewhat in my hypothetical price range- and the color is out of this world:



Don't love the shape of this bag, but the color is so me:



I truly adore all of the froggy clasp MJ bags-- especially this turquoise sequin one:


My heart melts...

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa