So you guys have probably noticed in my Twitter feed for today that I’ve been blabbing on about Marshall’s (and totally clueless when it comes to character limit when tweeting from my phone. Sorry – I only use Twitter from my computer!).
Why? What’s up with that? Here’s a little explanation…
xoxox
Carly
Another one of my submissions for Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge back in early August – this time, a bag makeover!
Materials:
*Pink Ethnic Stripe Sash
*Brown Ethnic Stripe Sash
*pin back
*Cream Gardenia
Additional Tools/Materials:
*ugly old clutch handbag
*scissors
*fabric glue
*hot-glue gun
*small piece of scrap fabric
How-to:
1. Squeeze out a generous amount of glue onto the flap of the clutch, and press the Pink Stripe Sash onto it. Allow about a 1/2″ overhang on each side, and cut.
2. Add more pieces of stripe sash, overlapping the edges slightly as you go all around the clutch.
3. For the back add the contrasting color stripe for interest.
4. Fold under the overhang of the Sash, securing with the glue gun.
5. Hot-glue the pin onto the back of the Cream Gardenia, and glue a small piece of fabric over the pin back to secure it.
6. Cut two ribbons (like prize ribbons) from the leftover Sash.
Glue together with fabric glue.
7. Pin Cream Gardenia over prize ribbons, and pin to front of clutch.
What do you think? Does it look better now?
Everyone deserves a makeover!
xoxox
Carly
Welcome another installment in my brand-new Style It Chic! series of posts. (Can it have been a whole week since my last one already??) In this series I will be taking one item or trend and showing you how to emulate that look – for much, much less than what you might pay at retail. I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think of this style of post!
On the heels of last week’s Denim Shirt 3 Ways, I decided to stay with the shirt theme and this time take the green army shirt for a whirl. Right now military-inspired trends are HUGE – just ask Lucky Magazine, Marie Claire, and Vogue for starters! For Fall 2010 designers such as Burberry, Fendi, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta filled the runways with chic trenchcoats, shirt-dresses, chino pants, and button-downs, all in camo-inspired hues of olive green, khaki, and camel. Paired with boots, shearling, and brass buttons their look is straight-laced uniform…but paired with some unexpected pieces it can be brought down to the streets and totally wearable. With a thrifted olive green men’s shirt (going to the Army & Navy Surplus store would have yielded more authentic results, but alas I only had my local Goodwill, where I chose a man’s button-down shirt in that coveted olive green color) here are 3 ways to wear the army shirt:
Shirt buttoned up and tucked in to a flirty, silky skirt. A cross-body bag breaks up the mannish shape to the shirt. Finished off with warm tights and boots for walking, this outfit works perfectly for sightseeing or a day full of being out and about around the city. Collegiate casual at its best.
)Trying on all the trends for Fall 2010! Shirt worn open with cuffed sleeves in place of a jacket. Leopard print scarf for a dash of the animal. Gold accessories – marine cap – fur at the ankles – there’s a whole lot going on – so maybe picking and choosing what’s best is the name of the game.;-)
I have chosen not to alter the shirt to fit my frame – though you can do so with yours by following my tutorial here.
So how would you wear the army shirt? Do any of these styles appeal to you at all?
xoxox
Carly
Can you believe Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is over already???! It seems like this week has just flown by – and there’s still so much to talk about, covet, drool over, and be inspired by from the shows and the people and the creativity and the general fabulousness of this event.
So, at least for now, to console those of us who weren’t able to make it there in person – here are the giveaway winners!
For the Fashion Gift Bag Giveaway:
And for the Makeup and Beauty Gift Bag Giveaway:
The winners have already been contacted to get their shipping details.
Congratulations to our winners and thank you so much to everyone who entered! 🙂
xoxox
Carly
In the home stretch now, everyone! Another one of my submissions for Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge back in early August.
Materials:
*White Sweater Style Stretch Trim
*Gold Circle Studs
Additional Tools/Materials:
*thin headband
*sewing machine + needle for knits (optional)
*hand-sewing needle
*matching thread
*hot-glue gun
How to:
1. Sew the Stretch Trim into a tube down its long side. (I sewed it on the sewing machine but you can hand-stitch it if you prefer.) Turn right-side out.
2. Cut into 3 pieces: 1 longer for the large flower, and 2 shorter for the two smaller flowers.
3. Hand-stitch the two ends of the long piece of Trim together, to form a circle.
Make 5 loops in the circle and push inwards to the center, stitching through the center area.
4. Pull the thread tight to gather the loops.
5. Sew a few times more all the way through the center to secure.
6. Repeat Steps 3) – 5) for the two smaller flowers. I made only 4 loops (4 petals) for each.
7. Dab some hot glue in the center of each flower, and glue down a Circle Stud.
8. Hot-glue each flower to the top of a thin headband. (For more security, I’d recommend hand-sewing the flowers on, looping the thread around the headband.)
And that’s it! This of course can be accomplished by using any scrap fabric or ribbon you have – though it works particularly well with “puffy” fabric like this sweater stretch trim because it creates a tube-like appearance to the flower petals.
Everything’s in bloom during the summer!
xoxox
Carly
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
