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Flower Power. Summers Hottest Fashion Accessory.

Courtney Sixx's How2Girl Guide to Floral Fashion for Summer Music Festivals.

Being married to a musician or a being a "Rock Wife" as some people would like to call me although I hate that label, I've been very fortunate to have traveled all over the world watching my husband and his bands Motley Crue and Sixx: AM perform these past 6 years. In fact, as I sit here typing away on my laptop I'm looking out the window of a double decker tour bus overlooking the exquisite German countryside on our way from Frankfurt to Warsaw.

It's early June, it's gorgeous out and there's no denying the energy and buzz of the long awaited music festival season is in the air, so thick you can cut it with a knife. It's no secret that summer is the season of the worlds hottest music festivals in the all over the world but especially in Europe (which is why we're here, well it's actually why my husband is here. I'm here for one reason and one reason only... European fashion, food and wine. Just kidding. Sort of.) No but seriously here in Europe, festival season is at it's absolute peak and I'm a lucky lucky lady to be along for the ride of a lifetime. With that being said, I get to see A LOT of festival fashion. The good, the bad and the fabulous! From the beginning of festival season at Coachella to Download Fest in London FLOWER POWER is making waves like never before. So without further a due. I'm giving you my spin how to turn your favorite blooms into your hottest accessories this festival season.

1. Bring out your inner Kendall Jenner Coachella hair vibes with this spin on Summers hottest hair look, buns. When I think of double buns I think of Princess Lea or Scary Spice but not anymore thanks to the lovely Kendall bringing them back! Love that girl. This summer I've put my own spin on buns by dressing them up with your favorite flowers.

It's as simple as grabbing a handful of flat head silver barrettes. (Available at Michaels Arts & Crafts) Cutting the stems off of your favorite flowers and hot gluing them onto the barrettes. If you're working with roses a great trick is to blow in the center loosening up the bloom and then starting from the outside and working your way in pull the petals away from the center to open up the Rose, which will not only double the size but will make it easier to adhere to the barrette. I played around with large and small flowers to add some dimension. Once you get your buns secure with bobby pins, fill in the crown of your head with your creations and bamn! You now have the hottest hair of the summer.

Who says flowers are only meant to have adored around your home, for gifts and for entertaining? I say it's time to add a some extra oomph to any outfit at your favorite festival by turning your favorite flowers into floral jewelry. This is such a simple and oh so chic way to dress up any look in minutes without breaking the bank. All you need is your favorite color Orchid or any other flower that you can find multiple blooms per stem and some green or gold floral wire. (Available at Michaels Arts & Crafts) To make a necklace, cut your stem, cut two pieces of wire and carefully wrap the wire around both ends of your stems. Put the necklace on and secure in place by tying the wire into a loose knot. As for the ring, using a smaller stem of flowers, secure both sides with wire and weave in between 2-3 fingers depending on the size of the stem knotting or twisting the wire loosely to stay in place. I have to say, I would totally rock a floral necklace to a party, a luncheon or even a wedding. It's literally the prettiest and least expensive piece of jewelry you'll ever own.

2. What festival is complete without a flower crown? At Coachella this year I saw crown after crown but the majority looked like they were straight out of The Tournament of The Kings at Medieval Times. You know, the place where you go for your birthday when you're little, that or the Excalibur in Vegas. You know which ones I'm talking about. Think Maid Marian in the cartoon version of Robin Hood Who really want's a crown made of tiny cheap silk roses and the long, long ribbon? While that look is cute if you're 11 it just doesn't do it for me when it comes to festival fashion. If you're going to bother with a flower crown it better be real blooms! (It's just what I believe in).

For my crown I chose large flowers like Peonies, Sunflowers and English Garden Roses to show you to be brave! Large crowns can most definitely be rocked. However, whatever flowers tickle your fancy will work perfectly. In my opinion there's no particular flower that works best but if this is your first time it can be a little easier working with smaller and lighter blooms.

Small or large flowers, your choice, it all depends on how big you want your crown to be. Start off by taking a piece of floral wire and forming it into a circular shape making sure it fits comfortably around your head leaving it a little extra room because it will get tighter once all of the flowers are on. Next, tape the ends of the circle shut using floral tape. (Available at Michaels Arts & Crafts) Now for the fun part. Add some pretty greenery to camouflage the fact that you have a giant wire covered in green tape around your head. To do this secure each stem of leafs to the circle using floral tape wrapping it 3 to 4 times making sure it's secure. If you're running short on time this entire project can also be done with a hot glue gun although if you are working with heavy blooms like Peonies you will most likely need wire as well. Once you have your crown covered in greens it's time to add your flowers. Cut the stems off of your flowers leaving about 2 inches and securely tape, wire or hot glue onto your crown rotating different shapes, sizes and colors as you go along. Tape normally does the trick but if you feel the flower is a bit heavy or isn't staying in place bust your floral wire, and I promise you, it will not move! After you've finished adding your flowers try it on making sure it's even, comfortable and most importantly looks fierce and wala! Watch out the flower child has arrived.

3. Looking for a splash of flowers without making an entire crown? Maybe a crown feels a little too hippie or whimsical to you, or maybe it just seems like too much work. Dry those tears girl because I have THE PERFECT solution for you! To get a killer pop of flower power in less than 5 minutes all you need is a tiara, a handful of flowers and a hot glue gun. I found my tiara at Party City for $3. Smaller blooms like yellow Daisies are ideal for this look because the type of tiara that works best is a small one. We're talking 7 years old birthday tiara not Miss USA tiara. For this project you can use floral wire if you want but honestly, I prefer the glue gun. It's just so much faster but once again it's totally up to you. Grab a handful of flowers, cut the stems off all the way to the very base and hot glue or wire onto the tiara. I have say this is my all time favorite piece of floral fashion because it is so quick, super simple and compliments any outfit with the perfect pop of color and fun!

4. Feeling exceptionally daring? I created this floral fascinator for my trip to the 142nd Kentucky Derby this year which was obviously the perfect occasion for it. If you're brave and really want to turn heads at festivals this year this could be the perfect fit for you! It sounds a little complicated but just bare with me. Start out with a thick headband. (The kind you wore when you were little.) Next using floral chicken wire mesh (Available at Michaels Arts & Crafts) wrap the top of your headband in wire almost making a giant bow. This is what you will be adhering your flowers to so make it as wide and as tall as you want. Next pop off the stems of your favorite silk flowers. (Also available at Michaels.) Hot glue onto the wire mesh and play around with different shapes, sizes and colors until you have all of your mesh covered and have the exact shape you like. Cover the sides of the headband in small flowers. Try it on to make sure it's comfortable and secure and get ready to turn your next music festival into your very own catwalk. Just try not to whip anyone in the face with your fabulous floral fascinator while you're rocking out. This is also a fun look for a tea party or a luncheon requiring hats.

For more fab looks for less go to http://www.How2Girl.com, listen to How2Girl Radio on iHeartRadio and follow me @how2girl

 

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