Nov 13, 2012 | Fashion, Life
So the $10 million dollar question is…are you going to wait in line for the Maison Martin Margiela collection at H&M?
I’m debating whether to swing by the mall on Thursday and check out a couple pieces, though probably not buy. It’s not like I need them after all.
What do I need want are the color variations of the perfect metallic hair-ring…I picked up gold the other day, and now I’m kicking myself for not picking up silver and copper. 
Similar to what was seen on the Dries Van Noten runways for S/S 2012, H&M has put out their version (which looks similar to a couple plastic ones with metallic foil on them I’ve had since the 80’s…I think they were Goody, originally.) Deliciously minimalist, problem-solving construction so your hair isn’t falling out of your DIY napkin ring/copper plumbing piece you’re making do with. Sometimes DIY is not always the answer to a basic construction problem…and buying at retail price will save you a lot of time and frustration. 
I have fine hair and find that anything metal and heavy will slip right out of it. The H&M piece has an inner ring that secures the hair elastic, and a snap closure that’s easy to apply, and is only $4.98.
By strange coincidence, all the metal I was wearing today was H&M…gold metal hair-ring and copper choker bought Sunday, and gold elongated pyramid earrings purchased back in June or so. Nails are suede-finish Amber by Julep, a perfectly-matte, velvety-finish dull gold.
As for the Margiela collection, I’m thinking possible DIYs for that hitched-up turtleneck (safety-pins applied under the hem to hitch things up)…that trompe l’oeil bodysuit (just tack on a black bra to a nude long-sleeved leotard)…
…that glove clutch (attach gloves to your clutch bag with some leather glue
)…those skirted trousers (throw a similar-colored skirt over a pair of wide-leg trousers)…
…those hand-painted loafers (paint your black loafers with some white latex [not acrylic, and not leather] paint)…that pieced-together coat (2 different coats, stitched together into one)…
…and those plexi wedge pumps…though I’m questioning whether time and effort is better spent just buying those heels as-is. Sometimes just plunking down the $4.98…or in the case of the plexiglass heels, $299…is an actual cost-savings when it comes to something that needs to bear weight and be flexed multiple times in a day, like shoes…
Also, the $20 million dollar question: Will you buy something knowing that it is extremely recognizable [and may remain so for years] in the collective conscious as from a certain collection, store, or designer?
xoxox
Carly
Margiela for H&M Collection photos from Refinery29.com. See the whole collection here.
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Nov 12, 2012 | DIY
Create a quick butterfly clip with a faux butterfly decoration from the floral decor section of the craft store (at Michael’s Arts & Crafts, they’re with the fake birds, nests, twigs, and vase filler).
Have you ever noticed that the most eye-catching Fashion is all about the details?
Make a pretty wrapped bow bracelet with some dead-soft brass wire, available at any craft store, in spools in the jewelry-making section.
Wrap some contrasting soft leather or fabric around the tops of your ankle booties, tying in knots at the sides. Instant colorblocking!
Take the street style photos of Tommy Ton on the JakandJil blog, for instance. His amazing photos capture all the little details of outfits, accessories, jewelry, and all the tiny details about a time, place, and the fashion therein that make the viewers feel in the moment. Plus those little details that feel fresh and unique.
Scribble a favorite saying on your dark bag with a silver paint marker. (Practice first in a piece of a paper before committing to something permanent!)
(And ohmigosh I just realized whose bag this is! I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before. It’s Vivi model Sara Mary‘s bag, signed by Jane Birkin herself!)
Re-string your front-laced heels with an unexpected material, like regular shoelaces, for a sporty look.
The detailing is what makes us individuals.
Click to Tweet the Above!
It’s a way to express oneself, to make that white blouse less standard, that LBD not just off-the-rack.
Cut a tissue-thin tee at the shoulder seams – then re-tie in little knots to create a peekaboo effect at the neckline.
Tack on some veil netting to something surprising, like a knit beanie (such a popular DIY!)
And the details are soooo easy to DIY. (Way easier than patternmaking, sewing from scratch, or even refashioning.)
If you’re into stitchery, make a hybrid coat from parts of other coats. No so much? Cut contrasting pieces of fabric – the add some Heat ‘n’ Bond fusible to the back, and fuse onto the front and inside lapel of a blazer you may already have. Instant facelift.
Make a one-of-a-kind necklace by twisting and knotting different-colored chains together, even incorporating some different materials, like cord or lacing. Add some charms to make it your own.
Practice looking for those details, and noticing what makes it different. If you see something you like, emulate, recreate, re-master, re-mix.
Click to Tweet the above!
Change the look of any sandal by adding a swatch of fun fur to the front (tack in place with a couple stitches under the lacing; the fur will hide it completely). This place sells some great, and very realistic, choices.
Do like Prada did and add chandelier drops to a plastic rainhat for some reflective rain protection.
Add Grandma’s crocheted flowers or doilies (or crochet them yourself!) to the front of a sweatshirt for a modern vintage feel.
You are the genie of your own identity.
Click to Tweet the Above!
xoxox
Carly
All photos from JakandJil.com.
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Nov 11, 2012 | Life
So I finally got an iPhone (an early birthday present from Hub), and I’m loving it! The only thing I miss from my Crackberry was the physical keyboard…but everything else is way better on the iPhone.
I also got sick of waiting for Instagram to come out for the Blackberry…and now I’m finally on this fun photo-sharing platform (albeit a little late to the game) I’m still getting the hang of it, but I’m posting photos of Portland, Fall snaps, my latest manicures, DIY stuff I’m working on, and recipes. Hope to see you there – I follow back!
Photos, from left to right, top to bottom:
1. My last super-healthy indulgence: stove-popped popcorn with lemon-flavored Nutra Sea [Omega-3 oil supplement], Mrs. Dash lemon herbs, and sea salt / 2. Latest mani: 3 coats of Piggy Polish Teal It Like It Us, from the Ulta store / 3. Yummy zucchini spaghetti: shredded zucchini, simmered in butter and olive oil, tossed with spaghetti and parmesan
4. The finished result of said pasta / 5. Sun motif embedded in the pavement at NE Everett St., Portland / 6. Lil Tot’s first English composition
7. My backyard covered in red Japanese maple leaves / 8. Mushrooms I spotted at Lil Tot’s school, growing in the soccer field / 9. Fall leaves piled up at his school
10. I finally learned to solder properly, and made some hammered sterling silver links / 11. Nails Inc. in Trafalgar Square magnetic mani / 12. Portland leaves just beginning to turn yellow for Fall
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 10, 2012 | Fashion, Life
Knit Cat Hat Beanie: freebie from Shibuya 109 Book Vol. 6 (similar here)
Mecha-Rake Ekusute in Long Curl (TGMX color): Priscila
Chain-and-rhinestone necklace: Forever 21 (similar here, or just DIY it by wrapping a bunch of different chain chokers around themselves, and hooking in a couple rhinestone links or beads)
Pyramid stud spiky necklace: DIY
Upside-down sweatshirt: Kai-aakmann (similar here)
Reversible vinyl clutch: freebie from Vivi magazine December 2012 issue
Leggings with attached legwarmers: My Honey Bee
Scrunchy velour boots: GoJane (old)
I’ve had a horrible cold for the last week or so, and Hub went to the Japanese market and brought home a present to make me feel better: the latest issue of my favorite magazine Vivi, and the latest issue of Shibuya-109 Book with included Cat Hat Beanie freebie! (more…)
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Nov 8, 2012 | By Carly J. Cais
I had designed some galaxy photo-print fabric last year on Spoonflower, ordered some swatches, and then sort of forgot about them. I made a silk tank top from one of the swatches, but didn’t do much beyond that.
Made with 1 fat quarter of my Red Star Field Galaxy design fabric, on Cotton Silk. It’s so lightweight and drapey!
A reader recently messaged me on Facebook about that galaxy-print fabric…which sent me into design overdrive! I then put together 8 more galaxy photo print fabric designs, and ordered test swatches on a variety of different fabrics to see how they printed.
I just got them in the mail today (obvs, judging by the fold lines still in them I haven’t ironed out…), and I’m thrilled with how they turned out!
The organic cotton sateen Alternate Blue Galaxy Print (above) I’m using as the backing to the skirt I had planned when I made my first round of galaxy-print fabric.
This is my Sparkle Star Field, printed on Cotton Poplin. Gorgeous as a tablecloth…but even better as a swingy skater skirt or pieced blouse! (I haven’t decided which just yet…)
Clockwise, from top left: Rainbow Star Field on basic combed cotton, Orange and Red Galaxy basic combed cotton, Purple Swirl Star Field Nebula on cotton silk, Pink and Green Burst Galaxy on organic cotton knit.
Of course the test swatches are too small to do much with; maybe I’ll make little purses or scrunchies with them. They were more to just see colors and make sure the repeat was correct.
And also my Purple Galaxy Nebula Burst fabric, which I got done on cotton silk.
I had a blast designing them all, which are originally from hi-res photos of galaxies, stars, and nebulae, completely repeating and seamless. Maybe you’d be interested in using something for your next DIY project? 
And if not, why not design your own fabric? Spoonflower offers a number of tools and how-tos to designing your own fabrics, including vector designs and making difficult repeating patterns.
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
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