MY Definition of Beach Boho

You have probably heard the term "Beach Boho" before. What, exactly is that? Well I am going to give you Tappingflamingo's idea on that subject.

Beach Boho...Beach Bum....Beach Hippie....Beach Cottage...However you want to refer to it..these are all synonyms...at least in my opinion. 

Can you be Beach Boho and not live near a beach? Of course you can! I was fortunate enough to grow up close to a beach, but since I left for college, then got married, I've only been able to live near a beach for 5 years...and I've been married for 35 years!  So, what I do is dress my body and my house in the beach style. 

I even opened up an online store with handcrafted jewelry that is in this style..."Whether she cruises the high seas on a ship, hang tens on a surfboard or just likes a quiet walk along the shores...Wearing a creation from TappingflamingoBling will keep her favorite places close to her heart and soul."

So...what does one who dresses and decorates in the Beach Boho style wear? What does she have in her home? Well, I will show you...

As far as my makeup, I like to go very simple. I do use a self tanner, as I am a natural blonde. I have blue eyes, and very light skin. Because of this, I do have to be careful. Growing up in Florida, I did worship the sun quite a bit, and as I have grown older, I'm starting to see the consequences of that. I still love the feel of the warm sun on my skin, I'm just careful not to get too much.

But back to the makeup...I only wear foundation, and blush. Occasionally  I do wear something very light on my lips, but that is it! If I was not allergic, I would wear mascara. 

spending some time with my little girls, Sox

As far as my hair goes, I love to wear it long. My friends ask me all the time when am I going to cut it. I don't see that happening...EVER! I've tried that, and it is just not me. So what if I am almost 60, I have very healthy hair, and I am going to keep it long. I style it very simple. It is cut to shape around my face, and I have bangs. Sometimes I do try to curl it, but for the most part it is straight, because that is how it like to be.

When I dress, I always...well 99% of the time have Birkenstocks on my feet. This started out because of my feet issues...plantar fasciitis, bunions, neuropathy, etc...all due to my dancing days. I do love the fun Birks, though. 

Mom and I in our bright colors

I love to wear bright colors, and most of the time I am wearing capris and a pretty t-shirt. During the few months of cool weather we have, I will wear cropped leggings and a short flowy dress or tunic.

Jewelry...here is the fun part. I LOVE jewelry...and this is why I opened up my shop. So I can make more and share my talent with the world. 

Usually I am wearing shells, 

beaded wire wrapped shell necklace by TappingflamingoBling

or crystals. 

freshwater pearl and crystal geode necklace by TappingflamingoBling

Sometimes I wear long necklaces, 

freshwater pearl and lavender sea glass bead necklace by TappingflamingoBling

sometimes short...

aventurine and wire wrapped broken shell necklace by TappingflamingoBling

hardly ever a choker, though. 

Earrings, 

Czech Bead earrings by TappingflamingoBling

YES! 

carnelian earrings by Tappingflamingobling

And I love rings! 

They don't have to be expensive, though. This one was less than $45, including shipping and tax!

recycled guitar string bracelet by TappingflamingoBling

Bracelets, yep! 

waterproof surfer style bracelet set

Love to stack them. 

recycled guitar string bracelet and waterproof surfer bracelets by TappingflamingoBling

I love to mix them too!

So, how is my house decorated? Well, I call it eclectic. 

Most of the pictures I have are beach themed. 

I like to collect salt and pepper shakers

and I love dishes...I think that is my weakness.

I love light airy curtains, and lots of windows. 

So...there you have it. I am a Beach Bum Boho Hippie Cottage type of gal!

Oh and by the way...I play the mountain dulcimer...and that is about as hippie as you can get....

Upcycle/Recycle Old Guitar Strings

Do you play a stringed instrument? How often do you change out your strings? What do you do with your old strings? Well....I'm here to tell you about a fun way to recycle your strings. 

Why not upcycle them into beautiful pieces you can wear? 

When I was a little girl...like about 10, I wanted to learn to play the guitar. My parents got me a guitar for Christmas, and I took a few lessons. My teacher wanted me to learn to read music, and I soon learned that I had a very difficult time with that. Sadly, due to frustration, I quit.

Fast forward 45 years.... A friend of mine invited me to her mountain dulcimer group. Reluctantly, I went, and boy, am I glad I did! Long story short...I was bitten by the bug. A few months after attending the group, I purchased my first dulcimer, and now...four years later, I still enjoy playing the mountain dulcimer!

With close to 30 people in our group in Kentucky, everyone was always changing out their strings. Soon, they were bringing me their old strings saying, "We know how crafty your are...I bet you could figure out something to do with these."

The first thing I thought of were bracelets. These are some of my first pieces.

Then I made earrings...

Christmas ornament....

and even keychains!

There are several companies now that are collecting old guitar strings and recycling them. They separate the metal and nylon strings. The metal strings are melted down and made into new metal alloys. The Nylon is recycled into industrial plastic appliances. This is all good, but to be honest, because of the process involved, this is not necessarily the best way to recycle.

The best way to recycle anything is to reuse it, and the second best way to to upcycle. Now since you really cannot reuse guitar strings, upcycling them is the best way! The brightly colored beads from the strings make great beads for jewelry, by the way....

If you are looking for a fun, unique way to save the planet by recycling, make something out of your old strings. If you are not crafty, or you don't have old instrument strings, and want to support the recycling of these metals....let me know. I can hook you up with a set of strings wrapped in a unique way....

TappingflamingoBling can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Youbube as Tappingflamingo. She also has a shop!