Chic Steals x Wander and Hunt DIY Kits Available Now!

CHICSTEALFORWANDERANDHUNT1I’ve just completed a super-fun collab with DIY kit shop Wander & Hunt – and designed 2 special DIY projects just for them.

CHICSTEALSFORWANDERANDHUNT3  diy-kit-wander-and-hunt-1-(3) The first, the DIY Radiant Rhinestone Belt, was actually inspired by a rhinestone belt I spied on Anthropologie.com this past Winter, and figured it would be a snap to re-create. For $29 you get the ribbon base, felt for attaching the rhinestones, glue, a skewer, and an absolutely HUGE amount of rhinestones to deck out your waist embellishment. Gorgeous over a plain shirtdress or even a light coat, this will be an accessory you reach for again and again to dress up your outfits.

Check out the DIY Radiant Rhinestone Kit Here

diy-kit-wander-and-hunt-1-(4)For the second project, the DIY Gem Pendant Necklace kit, I drew inspiration from a Dannijo bejeweled pendant I saw on Pinterest. Again, for just $29 you receive a bevy of gems, glue, a skewer, PVC plastic, endcaps, jump rings, and a rope for the necklace. The design is super-chic – and creates a fabulous statement!

Check out the DIY Gem Pendant Necklace Kit Here

You can also check out all the other DIY kits available at Wander & Hunt here (everything under $70!), as well as all the other supplies and materials that they offer. They have a ton of tutorials on the site as well, so you can get your DIY on without even buying a kit. Standard shipping is also free worldwide!diyanthrojeweledbelt_done2wander-and-hunt-projects-50

Thanks so much to the team at Wander & Hunt for making this happen! I had a blast designing these projects. 🙂

What do you guys think of these kits? Have you ever bought a DIY project kit – and was it worth it? Let me know in the comments!

xo

Carly

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Spring Clean Your Closet with Goodwill’s Help

too-much-give-to-goodwillImage source

Spring is finally here – and that means Spring cleaning! I always head to my closet first and foremost to do a major purge this time of year. It’s cathartic and frees up my mind to get rid of lots of old junk that has accumulated – and that I no longer wear and enjoy. And what do I do with everything I pull out of that overstuffed madness? I head to Goodwill and donate it all – since I know it creates jobs and helps my community: one of the best ways to create a local impact by investing back into it. (more…)

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DIY Gold-Speckled Easter Egg Nails

0.diyeastereggnails_introphotoSince Easter is coming up soon, I was collecting some images of inspiring egg decoration. I landed upon this, and began thinking…what about doing this to your nails? So I did. And it turned out amaaaaaazing. (Who doesn’t love chic gold leaf, right??!) diyeastereggnails_done3Here’s how to do it too:

You Need: (more…)

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DIY Gossip Girl-Inspired Starburst Safety Pin Blazer

done1*This project I contributed to Snippets Magazine: The New York Issue on Cut Out + Keep in 2010, and am re-posting to my blog here.

A la Balmain or a la Jenny, this blazer is looking sharp!

inspirationThough it only appeared onscreen for the briefest of moments, this was Little J’s take on an elegant cover-up to take her straight to the Ambassador’s Dinner and show up Damien. Making your own is easy, just by adding multiple safety pins to a blazer in need of a makeover.

Materials:
materialsBlack fitted Blazer  /  Medium-large size silver Safety Pins

How To:step1 1. Start by inserting a couple safety pins in a fan-shape at one of the side-seams of the blazer, right where it hits your waist. Try not to push the safety pins through the jacket lining.Add more safety pins in-between the first row.

step22. Keep alternating placement as you fan out from the side and create a “starburst” pattern.

step33. Add a few larger safety pins near the edges.

step44. Repeat for the other side of the blazer.done2
So easy- and so impactful. This piece looks great over skinny jeans, or even a slinky dress for a night out!
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Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Studs & Pearls Book Review & Giveaway

Studs & Pearls : 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion is from the eponoymous blog Studs & Pearls by Kristen Nunez, founded in 2010. We’ve been reading each other’s blogs for quite some time, and we’ve been frequent commenters on each other’s projects. Kristen’s DIY’s are always fun, simple, and have major visual impact. With this book you can get a ton of ideas for how-to’s that can easily take your basics and jazz them up a notch.

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The book covers DIY basics, like Tools and Supplies, and then dives straight into the projects. It includes 30 projects, with multiple variations on each so you can put your own spin on them.  studsandpearls_book5It covers a variety of techniques, including fabric dyeing, stamping, no-sew projects, trim embellishment, and painting.   studsandpearls_book8Plus the photography features real-life girls (like in street snaps) modeling the finished creations so you can get an idea of how the DIY’s will look when worn.studsandpearls_book3

Most of the projects are extremely easy so even beginners or kids/pre-teens can get in on the fun. It’s a great jumping-off point for those just getting started to DIY.studsandpearls_book6studsandpearls_book7It also includes many projects that speak to current trends, like the embellished sunglass case-turned-clutch trend, trim-detailed mini-skirts, tie-dye, embellished sunglasses, beanies, mixed media embroidery thread-and-chain bracelets, and cocktail rings. Many of the project use easily-available or unusual materials, so supplies are a cinch to come by. (There’s a directory of sources and where to buy in the back.)studsandpearls_book9

This statement clutch turned out so pretty with some well-placed painting!studsandpearls_book10An interesting take on the plastic tube bracelet.

studsandpearls_book11These cocktail rings from buttons are particularly pretty.studsandpearls_book12 studsandpearls_book13

Overall: It was nice to see all the variations on all of the projects. Many of the techniques are quite simple, which speak well to a young audience maybe not so familiar with DIY blogs and projects elsewhere. (There are 3 projects that do require a higher skill level, with dyeing and sewing a dress, but they stood out as somewhat incongruous next to the other projects.) It does provide inspiration and ideas on the variations, as well as styling tips, so it can be very useful in planning out your project. This would be a great book for a young teenager or someone who is just getting started to DIY.

Score: 

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Studs & Pearls : 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion by Kristen Nunez.

Enter using Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

xo

Carly

FTC Disclosure: I was sent a copy of Studs & Pearls for review from Laurence King Publishing. I am sponsoring the giveaway and shipping the item to the winner at my own expense. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.

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