I took her to the gargantuan Garden State Plaza mall, because it’s a hilarious regional phenomenon. Usually neither of us are shoppers, but for some reason we really enjoy wandering into stores together and commenting on the merch. We’re also good at convincing one another to buy stuff.

This time, I convinced Christina to buy this very tight black shirt with gathering at the side and on the sleeves. “This is how we do it in JERZAY!” I cheered. She looked like a mega-babe.

We noticed as we walked around that all these stores were showing thin headbands with either feathers, glittered appliques, or some other kind of pizzazz affixed half-heartedly onto one side.

Christina: “Wow, we could totally make these ourselves.”

Christina, 4 or 5 stores later: “It would be fun to do a craft, eventually; I haven’t crafted in a while.”

Me, 2 or 3 stores after that: “Umm, would you kill me if I said I didn’t feel like going to the bars tonight?”

Christina, 3 more stores: “Let’s actually go to a craft store and make the headbands! And let’s make barrettes too.”

So began our OCD Craft Night. We went to AC Moore, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Michaels to find our supplies. We pigged out on huge slices of penne alla vodka pizza (yes, it exists) and drank Dr. Pepper for creative fueling. Then we dumped each different kind of spangle in its own individual bag–so the spangles would not touch, of course–and laid out some dish rags to protect the counter.

One Katy Perry album (with a side order of Chromeo) and half a stick of hot glue later, we produced these:

Christina’s are really classy, cute, and wearable. while mine are admittedly kind of tacky. You know what, though? Only something garish and flamboyant will take the attention away from my huge mop of curls! As sure as the sky is blue, I’m gonna wear those dang barrettes in public!!

Epilogue: The next day, I saw this in People magazine.

Mischa Barton, eat your headbanded heart out. Christina and I are about to blow up your spot!