Mar 30, 2014 | Life
The crossing at Hachiko in Shibuya remains pretty much unchanged since last year.
After spending 3-and-a-half weeks in Tokyo in February and March this year, I wanted to share some of the photos I took. Since the reason we went was for me to take care of my mother who was hospitalized, I wasn’t able to travel anywhere else with my family or spend much time outside of my mother’s apartment or the hospital. So this time around I didn’t take a large number of photos like I had in previous years, but I still was able to take a few shots. Here is my travel diary from Japan during early Spring this year:
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Mar 23, 2014 | Fashion
Spike Rhinestone earrings: Forever 21 (similar
here or
here). Rhinestone sweatshirt: Forever 21 (similar
here or
here).
White Shirt in Lotus Print: Choies.
Green Stripe Mini Face with Black Glitter Band Watch: c/o Modify Watches. Striped Pants:
DIY (
tutorial here). Picaspike Studded Bow Rain Boots: Dizzy (a
HauteLook purchase, available
here; similar
here).
Yup, I’m finally back from 3 and a half weeks in Japan – and still reeling from jetlag. It didn’t help that Oregon changed to daylight savings time while we were gone too – which meant a double whammy of time changes to adjust to. We’ve been sleeping only 4 hours in a row each night – and then taking a 3-hour nap during the day! Still so backwards. At least this coming week is Lil Tot’s Spring Break – so we can stay in and try and catch up on sleep, number 1, and everything that I haven’t been able to do for a month, number 2. Oh, and unpack, and clean the house, and…well, you get the idea. 😉 
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Mar 20, 2014 | Media
My dear friend Lex Casciato, AKA Little Warrior, is an amazing musician and up-and-coming tour de force in the world of music. She is a regular contributor to Chic Steals, curating monthly original playlists for your to stream on Spotify, add some background music to your space, mellow out to, listen to while working on your latest DIY project, and add a little music into your life.
Here’s what she says about this month’s playlist:
They say March roars in like a lion, so to balance the roar, I love listening to acoustic and calming music. I find March to be a time of reflection. (But who am I kidding… I love introspection year ’round. Nonetheless…) As I struggle to adapt to darker mornings and brighter evenings, I find myself needing balance and restoration. I desire to purge things from the prior year that I seldom used, clean house, revamp my quarterly goals, and switch up my music selection. I created this playlist with this sort of mental and physical spring cleaning in mind. May this selection of songs help to channel the roar of March’s lion into a megaphone for your wildest goals, showing you your full potential for the season of growth we are entering.
Love,
Little Warrior
Listen and enjoy!
If you missed last month’s playlist, check it out here:
xo
Carly
Described as Portishead and Oh Land meet David Bowie and the Chemical Brothers around a campfire with a drum machine,
Little Warrior‘s music advocates peaceful revolution and equality for all. Active on social media, she posts inspirational quotes and upbeat ideas, spreading positivity through images and music.Find her on:
Bandcamp / CD Baby / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr
Mar 14, 2014 | DIY
While I was in Tokyo last year, I picked up another felt macaron coin purse kit. (I think I’m a little addicted!)
I made a cute little half-and-half cookie macaron coin purse the year before, and within 6 hours of hanging it from my handbag, I promptly lost it somewhere on the streets of Tokyo. I did look for it, but never found it. (T _ T)
So the next time I went I intended to buy another kit and re-make the purse…except I couldn’t find the same kit again. So I bought a chocolate chip cookie version. 
Here are photos of the process of making these cute little purses. You need yellow and brown felt, a thread and needle, a 5cm-long zipper, 2 pieces of stiff cardboard (like cut from a milk carton), some fiberfill stuffing, scissors, a pencil, brown eyeshadow, and a small ball chain to make these.) 
Hope you like it! Have fun making your own version 🙂
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Mar 12, 2014 | Fashion, Score!
Have you guys heard of Craftsy yet? It’s an online craft video tutorial site – with hundreds of video “classes” ranging from cake decorating, to patternmaking, jewelrymaking, spinning and weaving, knitting, photography, art, and design. 
All their classes classes are engaging and well-planned-out, and you can master a new skill easily on your own available time, from the comfort of your own home. 
I especially love by their sewing classes, which span a range from intro sewing for beginners, to advanced techniques like draping and fitting. You can learn specific techniques (like Beginning Serging), Tips and Tricks to Better Sewing, or even create an entire garment from start to finish (like a pair of Designer Jeans!). 
And you can also purchase items through Craftsy, like sewing patterns, yarn, or fabrics, which help get your DIY projects underway that much faster.[line]
This week I am partnering with Craftsy to offer one lucky reader a free sewing class!
How To Enter is easy; just click on the link below to register with Craftsy to be entered to win a sewing class of your choice from their course catalog (see a full list here)
Rules: Giveaway period is open now for 1 week until March 19, 2014, 11:59 PM PDT. Entries received after that deadline will not be counted. Giveaway is open to entrants WORLDWIDE. You must enter through the link above in order for your entry to be counted. Applicants who are not registered with Craftsy must do so in order to enter the giveaway. If you already have an account with Craftsy, just sign in and you will automatically be enrolled in the giveaway. One entry per person (registered account with Craftsy) is allowed. After the entry period is over, the Craftsy team will pick one entry from all valid entries. Winner will be contacted via email; if they do not respond within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Craftsy and will be compensated per person who registers through this giveaway. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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