Apr 18, 2011 | Fashion
Odds are, if you’ve been living anywhere except under a rock you will have noticed Chan Luu‘s beautiful beaded wrap bracelets, which have been making the rounds everywhere from the Internet to the wrists of celebs since at least last year.
A little bit boho, a little bit dressy, these bracelets come in turquoise, jade, silver, and a whole variety of semiprecious stones and metals, woven onto leather cords, to add a bit of color and flash to your wrists.
Amazing DIY’er and beader Ruby Mines shared her tutorial last year for making your own (that won Fan Favorite in The Ultimate DIY Competition on Cut Out + Keep!)…and I have to say, I just couldn’t tell the different between the original and her version!! (I think she’s taken down her tutorial since I can’t find it any more…sorry!)
(Edit 4/19: In the comments a reader mentioned a video tutorial for this bracelet done by SewPetiteGal. Check it out if you’re looking to make your own version. Thanks for the heads-up!)
Now Alloy.com has come out with the exact same style of bracelet…except for $14.90. (And using glass, plastic, and wood beads and polyester cording.)
Which would you buy? Pay homage to the designer who came up with the original…or be frugal and snap up the cheaper version? Does the Chan Luu version deserve its $170 pricetag…and is it more ethical as a consumer to buy it?
Discuss!;-)
xoxox
Carly
images from the respective websites above; photo array by me.
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Apr 17, 2011 | Media
Spent a lazy Sunday pulling apart the magazines that have piled up over the past couple months…and came across this Lucky Magazine feature in one of their issues from a little while ago (not sure which one). Sure, P.S. I Made This did a DIY of the obi-style belt back in February, but this is a little bit of a different style – plus includes some sources for buying the leather. Here are the sources mentioned in the blurb above:
All great sources for leather, but I would also add:
(with stores throughout the U.S., this is THE place to get leatherworking supplies, tools, hardware, and skins)
(variety of exotic leathers and hides)
(includes frogskin and metallic hides)
(extremely high-quality, full-sized hides for a variety of end uses)
And, my absolute, all-time favorite:
(beautiful, amazing array of FAUX leathers and manmade vinyls!! Yay!)
My Tips: When using lambskin or lightweight leather in a loose, tied belt like in the picture – all you need to do is cut and tie. (Yay for simplicity! But don’t ever ever EVER use your the same scissors/rotary cutter you use on fabric on leather…that’s a sure way to blunt your instruments.:-( Have dedicated leather-cutters if you can! [I use my kitchen shears that I use to cut other stuff in the kitchen with b/c they’re tough and can really withstand the abuse…but I’ll never cut fabric with them! LOL])
If you want a more structured belt, say like Gucci’s S/S 2011 RTW metallic python version with tassels – finishing the edges properly will make all the difference between looking “home-made” and “couture.” If you’re using real leather, don’t forget to burnish the cut edges!!! (What is burnishing? you may ask. A how-to coming in a future post, chickadees!)
xoxox
Carly
Gucci runway photo Style.com, Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com
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Apr 17, 2011 | Media
Alicia DiRago from Dismount Creative has embarked on a new endeavor: interviewing DIY’ers and crafters in video episodes on her new site MakeIstheNewBuy.com!
I’m so excited about this, and can’t wait to see more episodes with other crafty people. She interviewed me last Thursday, and now the episode is available to view on the site! (WARNING – I am talking for a full 33 minutes!! Get me talking about DIY and that’s what happens LOL:-)
For the list of links and the full video, check out
and
Thank you so much, Alicia, for the interview! I was so excited to be a part of this series!! (And let’s definitely chat more another time…it’ll be my turn to pick your brain then!!;-)
xoxox
Carly
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Apr 16, 2011 | Beauty, Fashion
Some of you may have noticed the clip-in bangs I wear often – I love them soooo much!
They’re so easy to attach – feel incredibly realistic – give me full, luscious bangs without the commitment – and the color is a perfect match for me! They’re actually from the Hairdo line by Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves – and I couldn’t be happier with the quality (and the price – a mere $29!!)
I bought mine from Wigs.com (color: R29S) – and paid full price…but for the next 5 DAYS they’re having a site-wide sale and you can get these bangs for yourself for only $21.75!
I also scooped up the Wrap-Around Pony [tail] at the discounted price…can’t wait to try this style out as I’ve been dying to do a long, sleek ponytail (and my hair is still a little too short to do this).
But of course, anything you buy at Wigs.com is subject to 25% off!
Just enter APRILSALE at checkout to receive 25% off all products!!
Valid until Tuesday, April 19.
xoxox
Carly
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Apr 15, 2011 | Fashion
Lace Dress worn as Shirt: Rampage (thrifted at Goodwill)
Jumpsuit Romper from a Man’s Shirt: handmade by me (my tutorial is here)
Studded Skinny Belt: ? (from so long ago I forgot)
Perforated Leather Clutch: ? (thrifted at Goodwill)
Neutral Trouser Socks: Target
Vinyl Beige Platform Heels: UrbanOg.com (I can’t find this exact style anymore, but a really similar version they have is here)
Hair: curled with hot rollers and pinned into a faux bob
Well, it seemed from my last outfit post that some of you wanted to see more outfits.:-/ So here’s another one for ya!!
(more…)
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