More birthday fun for me

I just ordered myself two birthday gifts paid for with my Christmas/birthday money!* These shoes, the Allie, that I've mentioned before from Miz Mooz in brown. It might still be a dark color, but it IS a move away from black. In fact, I wanted the red ones but they are out of stock right now. I'll try to pick them up later this year, if I'm lucky. I also bought myself this coral necklace from BeadFantasy on Etsy. Jewelry is a great way to bring color into your wardrobe when you already have most of your clothing basics but they happen to all be black. I've had pictures of similar chunky beaded necklaces in my scrapbook files for years. Check out the beaded necklaces being sold by Anthropologie, Banana Republic, and J. Crew. Of course, the one I really want is way over my budget but aren't they pretty? Coral Cabochon Bib necklace, $58 Gumball Machine necklace, $128 Bubble necklace, $150 *When you go back to college at my age and spend a year unemployed, your father feels generous, so I got money instead of gifts for both occasions!