Owner, Author at Chic Creative Life

Easy Music Festival DIY’s

Apr 24, 2013 | DIY

Music festival season is in full swing…and now is a great time to refresh some of your old faves in the closet and get them ready for the circuit! Here are some on-trend festival fashion DIY’s that can get you ready to rock out in a flash:

How about some DIY Suede Fringed Gladiator Sandals? So easy using suede fringe by-the-yard!

Turn a men’s t-shirt into a DIY Chain-and-Bead Halter Dress. Stitch on another tube of fabric to the bottom and you have a maxi-dress, or leave it short for a cute festival look or pool cover-up.

Layer on lace with my DIY Lace Top to Lace Vest tutorial. Looks especially cool layered over denim!

Make your own sheer DIY Lace Maxi-Skirt…From a Curtain for super-cheap (mine cost $2.99 for the lace curtain from Goodwill!)…even cheaper if you already have lace lying around.

While on the subject of lace…you could also attach lace to your boots for a pair of DIY Lace-Covered Boots to pretty up your steps.

And speaking of boots, you can also DIY your own version of those Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up Boots, as long as you can find the base boots to poke holes into.

A DIY Bra Strap Headband is a great way to re-use an old bra strap – and adorned with a fancy pin, it looks equal parts boho glam and Art Deco festive.

Jazz up a tote bag with studs and fringe to make a DIY Biker Babe Fringed Tote. Coordinating biker dude sold separately.

Everyone needs a scarf to accessorize at a festival. Try my DIY Necklush tutorial, or my DIY Leopard No-Sew Scarf from a T-Shirt tutorial.
Go the flower child route and make a pair of DIY Flowered Ballet Flats. Just a hot glue gun and some lace scraps and fake flowers are all you need.

If you’re up for a challenge, why not recon a guy’s button-down into a hot little DIY Jumpsuit Romper?

Or into a DIY Cute Summer ShirtDress? Totally festival- (and warm weather-) worthy.

Every outfit needs accessories too…and you can raid your fabric or home furnishings store for these DIY Curtain Rings to Boho Bangles.

And finally, you can also DIY your own Festival-ready Customized Rucksack with Kate’s Closet on ASOS. An oldie but a goodie! 😉

Are you guys looking forward to DIY’ing anything for any upcoming festivals or events you’re attending?

xo
Carly

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4.19.13 Outfit: Graphic Black and White

Apr 21, 2013 | Fashion

Gold Cone Stud Earrings: Forever 21. Urban Sweetpea Double Oval Personalized Initial Pendant Necklace: c/o Max & Chloe. Long Triangle Pendant Necklace: H & M (similar here ). Funnel-Neck Wool-Blend Walker in Black/White: Nine West, c/o GigaSavvy. Leather collar blouse: DIY (similar here). Bracelets: DIY Spike-End Bangle, DIY stretchy beaded bracelet. Striped Tote: freebie with Sephora purchase (similar here). Black jeggings: UNIQLO. Neon-strap sandals: Forever 21.

United Nude Platforms · 7 For All Mankind Skinny Denim · Picnic at Ascot Totes

The cherry blossoms dropped a couple weeks ago, but the plum blossoms are just raining down! It’s like snow here in Portland. Just gorgeous wherever you go.It’s in stark contrast to the content of the news this week. (more…)

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Personalized Jewelry from Max & Chloe

Apr 18, 2013 | Fashion

MaxandChloe.com is one of the premiere destinations online for fashionable, fabulous jewelry – servicing all price points from $5 – $1500, and carrying more than 300 designer brands. They also offer one of the widest arrays of personalized jewelry on the Internet.

(Ring: Blue Bijoux Gold Zipper Ring, also c/o Max & Chloe)

I’ve been wanting an initial necklace for awhile (and had been thinking to DIY one, but due to the cost of the metal stamps I didn’t want to splurge for an entire set when I only wanted two letters for my necklace). I had also been wanting a delicate necklace to layer with other necklaces: something non-obtrusive, understated, and chic. Max and Chloe contacted me and offered an item of jewelry from their collection, and I quickly snapped up the Urban Sweetpea Double Oval Personalized Initial Pendant Necklace ($90).

I was truly taken with the vintage-esque typewriter font, oxidized for readability, set in the teensy-tiny oval tags. For the personalization, I ended up choosing a C (for my name, Carly), and a K for…well, someone close to my heart🙂

I have been wearing it nonstop since it arrived in the mail (accompanied by a very elegant Max & Chloe-branded pouch…in which all their jewelry is packaged, by the way!).

Here are some other personalized pieces from the Max & Chloe website which caught my eye:

1. Kendra Phillip Reversible Cursive Initial Pendant Necklace, $50 / 2. Jordann Sterling Silver Magnolia Signet Ring, $230 / 3. Rose Gold Swirly Initial Stud Earrings, $90 / 4. Nashelle Identity Initial Ring, $50 5. West Avenue Jewelry Diamond Sweetheart Pendant Necklace, $595

6. Sandy Hyun Personalized Yellow Stud Earrings, $35 / 7. Carrie Saxi Siver and Gold Double Initial Bracelet, $100 / 8. Grey Lee Charmed Initial Wrap Bracelet, $100

Which piece(s) catches your eye? I’m drooling over the Jordann Magnolia Signet ring, but the Nashelle Identity Ring is a lovely (and affordable) substitute.

Come back tomorrow to see how I wore my Urban Sweetpea Double Initial necklace!

xo
Carly

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DIY Gold Typography Word Art: Dream It, Make It, DO IT

Apr 17, 2013 | DIY

So having been so inspired by gold-appointed typography art, I just had to make some myself to hang in my new office. The great thing about DIY’ing it is that you can choose anything: any word, phrase, or saying that has special meaning to you – and forever memorialize it in paint and glitter. It looks so chic livening up a freshly-painted wall!

You Need:

pre-cut picture mat / large piece of white cardstock / gold craft paint / loose gold glitter (not pictured) / printout of your words / Mod Podge (not pictured)

Tools: paintbrush / tape / something to protect your surface / craft knife / pencil & eraser / ruler / bowl for paint

How To:

(more…)

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Inspiration: Gold Word Art

Apr 15, 2013 | Life

Just Be Cool (source unknown)

I’m finally nearing the end of my personal Iliad [my home office makeover] and am now beginning to think of what I want on my newly-painted, white white walls. I’ve gone with a white-gold-birch theme to the room, so am currently inspired by slick gold typography (to match with my DIY Glittery Gold Nugget Geometric Pushpins).