Mar 28, 2010 | Fashion
Polyester Crinkle Jacket with Leopard Cuffs: from Japan
Earrings: thin silver hoops with star detail from Japan
Cotton Top: Love Stitch
Rings: handmade studded ring, rhinestone knuckle ring from Forever21, (similar
here)
silver and rhinestone twig ring from
Icing by Claire’s
Shoes: Metro7 black suede wedge boots
Studded Flap Bag: from Japan [XOXO brand]
What I wore last Saturday to that networking event I was so psyched about. (one of these days I’ll actually post an outfit on the day I wore it. Won’t that be something?!!)
The daffodils I planted last fall are about to bloom. They are supposed to be white, with a pink ruffled center. [They aren’t, as I found out once they did actually bloom. The centers are orangey-salmon, and the outer petals are cream. Pretty, but. Grrr.]
Hub says my runner’s watch is supremely unfashionable. Just the excuse I need to go shopping for a new one, he he!
This Love Stitch top is so unusual. It’s a sleeveless tunic top with a crochet faux outer layer at the neckline and upper back, and the front can be tied with a thin tie. It has flaps at the bust with button-detailing, and ruched sides anchored by more buttons.
It’s totally wrinkled from a long day of sitting and walking around…but it definitely looked nicer earlier in the day.:-)
Normally I don’t go for the more boho vibe most of Love Stitch’s stuff has, but I thought the detailing was superb (which made its $29 pricetag on Ideeli a real steal! Making all those flaps, sewing all those buttons…blech. Not something I want to invest my time in, so thus, Totally Worth The Money – TWTM for short haha!) BTW, if you’re not an Ideeli member, feel free to use my invite here…they have some great sales on the way, like Tarina Tarantino accessories, paper denim & cloth jeans, Indulgems jewelry, Elements5 hair tools, Tommy Hilfiger shoes, BCBG Generation handbags, French Connection separates, and Voom by Joy Han dresses, all coming up in the next 2 weeks. Whew!)
Some more photos:
My favorite studded-flap bag from Japan.
I got out of the event what I wanted to: met some cool people, got more of a grip on the local industry scene here, got some decent advice etc. No full-time job leads just yet – pretty much everyone said “just show up at the companies you want to work at and pitch them!” Just gotta work up the cojones (and portfolio of course!) to do that. I got some MAJOR drawing ahead of me, I suppose.
Hope you guys have a great weekend!
xoxoxo
Carly
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Mar 27, 2010 | Life
There I’ll be contributing a weekly article for “How-To Tuesdays” on the Threadbanger blog where each Tuesday I’ll share a fabulous DIY and accompanying step-by-step tutorial.
I have been wanting to work with them for almost a year now, and I am so honored to be able to have the opportunity to do so. Yay!!!:-D
Check out the video below about how to turn 4 men’s shirt sleeves into a skirt…wherein Corinne makes the announcement about my joining the blogging crew over there! (Announcement is at 04:37)
Woot! Can’t wait to get started….this Tuesday, I’ll be turning an old tanktop and a men’s t-shirt into a quick-and-easy chic tank dress for your sewing pleasure.
Brooksie is so funny. LOL
(The link to my Men’s Shirt to Cute Summer Dress Tutorial that Corinne mentioned is here, btw.)
xoxox
Carly
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Mar 26, 2010 | Fashion
Okay…I know, she doesn’t look anything like me. But one can dream, right?
Brought to you by the girls behind Like.com, Covet, and Weardrobe, Couturious is like paper dolls all grown up (and wearing designer outfits!)
Though it’s still in beta, stocked with the latest designer collections, it’s a fun mix-and-match site where you can try on the latest outfits and play stylist for a day. Plus you can network with other users, rate other looks, and find yourself a featured Stylist on their homepage.
Love it!
The outfit above and its details are here if you are interested.
xoxox
Carly
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Mar 26, 2010 | Media
Seriously, what runs through your mind looking at the above ad?
I mean, who is this appealing to?
What does she look like she’s doing? And where is she going??!
Really, Mr. Paul Marciano!!
I feel that in the past couple years Guess ads are getting more and more…um…skankalicious. The brand has always been about sexuality – both subtle and overt…but something like this I feel kind of crosses the line, like those American Apparel ads. (warning: semi-NSFW images if you click)
Is this post-feminism at play or just some guy’s misogyny? (Or being totally out-of-touch with his consumers?)
What kind of woman would buy this?
What’s your take?
xoxox
Carly
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Mar 26, 2010 | From You
I am so intrigued! Please send me a direct link or the photo…the URL is not loading. I hope I can help you out!!
xoxox
Carly
Could it be this top?
Let me know, trashywriter!
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Mar 26, 2010 | Fashion, From You
from Formspring.me:
Hi! I’m a Portland girl (like you) and I’m heading off to New York tomorrow to enjoy the city. Any recommendations or places you loved that you’d like to share with me? =]
Hi! Wow, New York! I’m no expert, but a couple spots that I enjoyed (and mentioned on my blog) were Crumbs Bakery, metalliferous, M & J Trimmings, and shopping at little stores like STEPS Boutique and Strawberry. I would have loved to peek in more high-end boutiques like Albertine, What Goes Around Comes Around, Patricia Field, Opening Ceremony, Topshop, Eryn Birnie, and hang out in F.A.O. Schwartz and Dylan’s Candy Bar. Plus a stroll through Central Park always says “New York” to me! (As well as a bag or hot nuts from one of the street vendors late at night:-) And watching the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center (probably gone in March, tho…) Yeah, okay..not an expert…:-)You may want to scroll through my blog where I ask my readers for suggestions – the had some pretty good ones.
Anyone else have some suggestions for her?
Thanks!
xoxoxo
Carly
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Mar 26, 2010 | Life
Finally! I’ve got my voice back – la la LA – and Lil Tot seems to be on the mend, after about a week of staying inside and doing NOTHING.
I managed to reorganize my tights drawer yesterday with the Perfect Sense Drawer Organizer. I never trust those things that are like “AS SEEN ON TV!” or items you’ve seen a million places already that just look kinda hokey and unreliable…but this actually does what it says it does and it doesn’t feel like it will fall apart at a single breath. Though I didn’t take a before piccy, this is what my drawer looked like AFTER…
Everything all neatly stored away.
Apparently the diagonal divider makes 31 or 32 compartments, depending on how you space it…and that’s FABULOUS, except that I have more than 32 pairs of tights AND socks, so of course I still have to figure out what to do with the overflow. (As you can see from the photo, I’ve stuffed 2 pairs of tights into the same compartment here and there, he he.) I definitely have Too Many Tights!!
I’ve also lined the walls of the drawer with perfume sample inserts ripped out of magazines…I also cut up my magazines once they’re about 3 months old, saving any photos of clothing, shoes, accessories, or bits of advice that strike my eye. I also cut out those perfume inserts, open them up, and line my clothing drawers with them. The scent wafting out of an open drawer is beautiful, and it lingers on my clothes all day. (That was a little tip I found in the book Wear More Cashmere: 151 Luxurious Ways to Pamper Your Inner Princess, one of my faves that gives little everyday tips for indulging your inner glamour girl.)
And…drumroll please…I also reorganized my under-the-sink storage in my bathroom. It was pretty awful BEFORE…
And now I think it looks tons better AFTER.
Okay…I have a huge amount of stuff.
I used a bunch of Crystal Clear Shoe Drawers and a Crystal Clear Oversized Shoe Drawer atop one Crystal Clear Sweater Drawer that I bought from The Container Store (tho you can also buy on Amazon thru the links above if you don’t have a local Container Store). Granted, it would probably have looked neater had I used drawers with non-see thru plastics, but I like to see what’s in my drawers. I also have my old Kit n Kaboodle makeup organizers (remember those from the 80’s???) and a couple of empty cardboard boxes from Amazon.com orders and chocolate assortments (they’re the perfect size for little boxes to further organize the insides of my drawers with). More places to put things once I need them!
Somehow, life just feels so much better when you’re organized.
xoxo
Carly
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Mar 26, 2010 | Beauty
We all hear the same tired skin care tips year in and year out. You know the ones…“moisturize daily” and “drink plenty of water.” Effective? Yes. Interesting? No. Here are some WEIRD ways to care for yourself that actually work:
1. I’ll have the Bird Poop Please: Based on a traditional skin care secret practiced by the beautiful Geisha of Japan, this facial combines powdered nightingale droppings (generally sanitized using ultraviolet light technology) and delicate Japanese rice bran. This unique mix both exfoliates and lightens dark areas of the face. This facial is known as the “Geisha facial,” and it is showing up as a new offering at many day spas.
2. Extra Ssssspecial Scalp Care: If your scalp is “shedding” and dandruff is an issue, try a scalp massage with Solid Snake Oil Shampoo. The natural blend of oils heals dandruff quickly while making hair buttery soft and shiny. (no oil was extracted from snakes in the making of this shampoo, LOL)
3. Put on SPF 285: When outside, shielding skin from damaging UV rays is vital to combat anti-aging. But what about when at home working or playing near your windows? Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, professionally installed Panorama window film will protect your skin from 99% of the most damaging UV Rays.
4. Pretty in Pink The old tried and true go-to belly fix, Pepto-Bismol, makes a fantastic face-tightening mask. Slather it on with a facial sponge and let it dry. Then remove with warm water. Skin will feel moisturized and tighter immediately. As an added benefit, this mask can also help cold sores heal faster.
5. Knock Your Socks Off! With sandal season around the corner, now is the time to fix those dry, cracked heels and feet. After showering at night, smear Vaseline all over feet especially on the heel area. Don’t be shy! You’ll need to use a lot for it to really work. Next, pull on a pair of thin white socks and hit the sack. When you wake up in the morning remove socks and be thrilled at how soft and beach-ready your feet are.
tips courtesy of Panorama Window Film
And…a couple of my own weird yet wildly EFFECTIVE beauty tips:
6. Super-dry cuticles and nails that won’t grow? Before you go to bed each night, massage cuticles with Neosporin. Within only a few days, not only will your cuticles be healed…but amazingly, your nails will be significantly longer than without the massaging. Make it a nightly habit, and in 3 weeks you’ll be astounded at how fast your nails have grown! (And how strong they are:-) [The Neosporin aids in quick cell turnover, healing, and regeneration, and the massage stimulates bloodflow to the cuticle bed.]
7. Spoon me After a cry and your eyes are puffy, nothing, I repeat nothing feels as good as two spoons on the eyes that have been chilled in the refrigerator (or freezer, for faster chilling). It brings the puffiness and redness down right away, with none of that concern of Preparation H getting into and irritating your eyes [a commonly-recommended remedy for under-eye bags].
8. Black Licorice Chew black licorice pieces when canker sores pop up. Studies have shown that licorice extract has been proven to aid in the healing of canker sores in the mouth. (from Health Magazine)
Do you guys have any weird but effective tried-and-true beauty tips?
xoxo
Carly
images from womansdays.com, usa.lush.com, Panoramafilm.com, drugstore.com, oneida.com, istockphoto.com, amazon.com
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Mar 24, 2010 | Fashion
Lil’ Tot loooves the Nick Jr. cartoon Max & Ruby. Like loves. He begs me to watch it every day. It’s a sweet little cartoon about Max and his big sister Ruby and her difficulties with keeping him out of trouble. Repeated viewings are also definitely helping with Lil Tot’s English vocabulary.
from tvguide.com
He especially loves the episode where Ruby loses a tooth in one of Grandma’s Triple-Nut Coconut Crunch Muffins. So, since he has come down with a cold and has to stay indoors, I decided to make similar muffins with him as a special treat.
I’ve adapted this recipe from the “Coconut Cupcakes” recipe in Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting
by Bethenny Frankel. I really love her healthy recipes and solid advice within – it truly is a whole new way to address food and eating issues. But the recipes are to-die-for! I didn’t have vegan shortening or oat flour or raw sugar, as the recipe calls for, so I made some substitutes and added some things. They do not “puff up” like muffins that use butter and eggs…they are more cakelike and crumby in consistency.
Carly’s Coconut-Banana Crunch Muffins
makes 12 muffins
*3/4 cup sugar
*1 1/4 c whole-wheat flour
*1 1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/3 cup shortening (like Crisco)
*1/2 cup vanilla soymilk**
*3/4 tsp coconut extract
*1 banana, diced
*2 T brown sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper or foil liners.
2. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl, and mix them until well-blended. Add the shortening and cream together with the dry ingredients. Mix the soymilk and coconut extract in a separate bowl, then add to the first mixture, mixing until batter is just moistened.
3. Stir in banana pieces.
4. Scoop the batter into the liners (you can use an ice cream scoop; I didn’t since the batter is quite sticky). Sprinkle on the brown sugar over the tops of the muffins before placing in the oven, which will create a delicious “crunchy” topping.
5. Bake for 20 minutes; rotating the pan after 10 minutes. Remove from oven and then remove the muffins from the pan to cool. They are delicious warm and are more cakelike when cooled.
**(If you do not have vanilla soymilk, use 1/2 cup of soymilk + 3/4 tsp vanilla.)
Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
xoxox
Carly
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Mar 23, 2010 | Media
We all know her as that stylish bombshell who showcases classy, droolworthy outfits with a twist, shares fabulously innovative DIY’s, and muses on everything from interior design to favorite books to hair-style tips and tricks. A quick perusal of her blog ….love, Maegan is never quick: you get pulled into her signature style, and before you know it, you’re whipping up a pair of your own over-the-knee boot-covers or maribou-feather skirt, sympathizing with her personal struggles, and laughing along with her ironic sense of humor that catches you off-guard.
But what really makes her tick? I had the privilege of interviewing her via email, and below are her refreshingly honest answers.
Carly: When, how, and why did you start your blog?
Maegan: I think it was late 2007 …In April I had started an eco blog as a companion to my eco company {besmartbegreen.com} and when I thought I was pregnant a couple months later, decided to make a personal blog as well. Of course, I wasn’t pregnant but the blog remained and slowly became an outlet for all things creative. In all honesty, it helped remind me who I was and what I was passionate about but it wasn’t until mid 2008 that I started taking it seriously when I realized that doing what I loved could possibly pay off.
C: How many hours a day/a week do you put into your site, and how are they divided?
M: Sometimes I sit down to write a “quick” post and 3 hours later finally hit publish! Here’s a breakdown of my outfit posts: Photography, 5-10 minutes. I set up my camera and shoot all my own photos ….I usually take 10-20 shots per outfit because you never know how many usable shots you’ll get. Editing and preparing the post usually takes about an hour. I’d say if you want your blog to be successful, you have to think of it like you would a small business …it’s definitely a full-time job.
C: When do you work on your blog?
M: Whenever I think I need to really.
C: Are you a member of any blog associations or networking groups?
M: I am but I’m not that great at upkeep and follow-through. When I was beginning, I signed up for everything just to get my name out there.
C: How did you learn the ins and outs of blogging and marketing it?
M: I’ve been designing web sites since 1997 so to me, blogging was just an extension of that. Beyond knowing how to code, being familiar with how the internet and search engines work driving traffic to a site is very helpful indeed. I learned everything else by just doing it …putting in the time.
C: You work part-time as a graphic designer…do your coworkers know of your site?
M: Yes, I do still work in an art gallery {for an art dealer} 3 days a week as a graphic/web designer. One coworker knows of my site …she has her own blog {drollgirl.blogspot.com} and a former coworker knows too …but no one else. It’s possible that my boss knows but we have never spoken of it.
C: Could you describe your typical day?
M: Well, it depends on the day really. On T, Th, & F I work in the art gallery from 9am to 3pm. On my drive home I search out a location, park, set up my camera and take my outfit shots. When I get home I upload my images and begin editing my photos and prepare my post to be published the next morning. Check my emails, pay some bills, read a few blogs …and after that, I hang out with my husband and dogs for the rest of the day, eat dinner, watch TV …you know, the norm 😉
C: What’s the craziest request or comment that you’ve ever dealt with regarding your site?
M: Um ….lol. I probably shouldn’t say but …an adorable girl kindly offered to be a 3 in a a threesome with my husband and I. She also offered to carry a baby for me if I couldn’t get pregnant. It makes me giggle but she’s really sweet. In the end, we declined both though. {I shouldn’t say “We” because I’m sure if it were up to my husband, it would have ended much differently} lol!
C: Best/Worst things about maintaining such a well-read blog with so many readers?
M: Best: motivation to keep blogging and doing what I love. Worst: feeling badly about not being able to respond to every email and/or comment I get from my readers.
C: Have you ever been recognized by someone who reads your blog?
M: Only later via a comment or twitter. No one has stopped me in public …and I’m pretty sure my face would turn bright pink with embarrassment if someone did.
C: You’re stunning – have you had a lot of random guys try to pick you up? Any funny encounters or awful pick-up lines? M: First of all, thank you! And secondly, how can I answer this without sounding like a total douche? The answer is yes, guys/men {strangers} have always been ruthlessly obvious about how they feel about me in public. The one that stands out in my head always is from when I was about 13 years old …a much older man looked at me and said “You can spank my monkey”. I learned very young the power of sexuality over men. Because of it, I am extremely guarded when dealing with men because I never really know what their motives are …which I actually don’t like. But I’m getting older so I’m guessing I won’t have to worry about it too much longer, LOL. On the other hand, in the Viper Room one night in the mid 90’s Chris Farley told me I was “Perty” which to this day makes me giggle.
C: You’ve been making and sharing fabulous DIY’s with your readers for so long…have you always been making clothing/jewelry etc.?
M: Actually, yes. We didn’t have a lot of money when I was a kid, raised by a single mom, I had to work to help her pay for my private high school education. I knew if I wanted something I was going to have to figure out how to make it myself. And I did.
C: How did you learn to sew?
M: My mom taught me how to sew when I was a kid. I had a little plastic sewing machine that came with pre-cut pillow patterns of Russian dolls I think. I had very little patience for patterns though and following lines {and rules}. But soon I moved up to using my moms machine …which I still use today because it’s my favorite! It’s from the 60’s and she actually found a duplicate for me a couple years ago but it doesn’t work as well so I steal hers. I have both sitting in my hall closet right now.
C: Were you interested in being a fashion designer at all or going to fashion design school?
M: YES! Actually one of my first dreams was to be a fashion designer. I went to school but never finished. While attending school, I actually met someone who was an emerging leather accessory designer who would 6 years later become my fiance …we broke up on year 7 of our relationship and then I met my now husband 6 months later. In those 7 years, I put my heart and soul into his company and in the meantime learned everything there is to know about leather …not to mention a bit about the fashion industry {mostly as far as Hollywood is concerned though: stylists, films, celebrities. More so than, let’s just say, producing fashion shows}. But I never got the credit I longed for and deserved from him and regret giving my all to something that would ultimately never have my name on it.
C: Any regrets in your life in your career path or choices?
M: I gave up a lot of myself in that 7 year relationship I mentioned above. I gave up fashion design because I thought I was going somewhere career-wise with that person and I gave up acting as well. Those are my regrets …I guess the main regret is the relationship, I suppose. You live and you learn.
C: If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self..how old would your younger self be and what advice would you give?
M: I would tell my 23 year old self to follow your heart …not in men but in life passion. And do not, under any circumstances, forget who you are because others tell you to be someone else. If only I knew that then I’d be in a much different place now, I’m sure of it.
C: What are your plans for the future (career…blog etc.)?
M: Originally, I had hoped my blog be successful so that I could be a stay at home mom and raise kids while doing what I love. But since I’m not getting pregnant, I may have to rethink everything. For now, I’m just taking it one day at a time …but more relaxation would be a plus 🙂
C: And lastly…do you have a style philosophy?
M: If you’re unsure about what to wear, go with a classic, timeless look. You may not be fashion forward but at least you’ll look chic and pulled together. But in the end, you should wear what makes you feel good.
If you haven’t checked out …love, Maegan, be sure to swing on by and see why it’s so darn addictive!
Thank you, Maegan, for your time and for agreeing to be interviewed! (If you guys hadn’t already guessed, she’s one of my blogging idols, so it was a real treat to be able to do so.) 🙂
xoxoxo
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