crowns

Growing up, my cousins and I used to sit through Easter brunch waiting for the egg hunt to begin. Before we started the highly anticipated contest, we topped off our perfectly pressed holiday garb with handcrafted crowns. Here's a guide to making your own Easter tiaras and masks with your little bunnies.

Want the royal treatment? For under $20 you can commission Miss Crowland to create a Custom Queen Portrait of your profile. The artist takes a photo of your face and neck and imposes it onto the image of the portrait of Queen Elizabeth. It's a pretty cute and cheeky idea, and an obvious choice for those of you who love decorating with silhouettes.
Still interested in being queen for a day, but silhouettes aren't your thing? See my other finds when you read more

Mothers the world over call their children prince and princess as a term of endearment and entitlement. While the toy stores and costume shops are filled with plastic versions, why not give your child the chance to play their royal part with a beautiful, handmade crown from My Cakies?

These adorable, retro-looking crowns ($35) are made of 100% wool felt and wool felt blend with vintage buttons used to decorate the six designs. Tot friendly for birthday celebrations or everyday dress-up, the cotton-covered elastic back of each crown means that your child can grow from Prince to King.

Beach loving princesses will swoon over The Mermaid's Palace seashell tiaras. Using authentic seashells, pearl beads, rhinestones, and other pieces, artist Kari Jeanne Lobdell adorns fabric wrapped metal tiara bands so they can be molded to fit any sized noggin.

If I were styling a flower girl for a beach wedding, I'd pick out one of these gems for the special occasion. Prices on the decorative accessories run between $35 — $150. Tiny tots will be drawn to the magical pieces but they are probably best suited for older girls as they are crafted with small parts.

I know this Rosanna Kings Road Porcelain, $30-$40, is named for kings but I go ga ga over anything with rich, golden crowns on it. Does that mean I have a queen complex? Anywho, I bought these plates after I perused the recent Vivienne Westwood exhibit at the De Young museum in San Francisco. They aren't machine-washable but I love them as a wall display to be used as dessert plates for the most royal of guests.

Something you didn't know about me: I am a tea drinker, not a slave to coffee. I have a cup of Earl Grey, or English Breakfast, every morning and how lush would it be sipping tea out of a cup fit for a king queen?