Nov 23, 2009 | DIY
Note: Though this is a somewhat long and rambling post about shoe adornment, I do include a quick-and-easy DIY for the shoe elastics above. Scroll down for the tutorial!
As evidenced by the above Polyvore I made, elastic-banded pumps are in, in, in! I love how the black stretchy part over the upper contrasts so sharply with a shiny patent.
But I get the weird feeling that these will also be passe in a couple seasons. What to do??? I love that in Japan they’ve taken the idea of shoe-adornment to a whole ‘nother level with shoes that feature removable bands so you can change up your look whenever you get bored.
Even though the above shoes were in a magazine a couple years ago (!), you can buy the bands separately, in red, holographic silver, white, brown, gold, or black, for about $9 a pair here. If I started making sets – like a set of 3 pairs – and sold them for $12, do you think they would catch on in the States? 
The concept of shoe bands is kinda similar to shoe clips, but just…bands. If you opt to adorn the top of your boot, then maybe Bandits are for you! They carry a number of different styles, not just the Southwestern-inspired motif pictured above.
Bandit boot chains above. Adding to DIY list pronto.Their boot chains are completely covetable, and a lookalike of
LitterSF‘s boot chains, only about $20 cheaper. But I digress.
Shoe bands! Right. So why buy when you can…
You guessed it!
DIY!
D.I.Y. Removable Shoe Elastics…Cause Why Not??!
(This is soooo simple!)
I have the skinniest, boniest feet ever. I know.
You need:
*your favorite pair of heeled shoes
*about 8″ elastic
*sewing machine
*thread matching elastic color
(sorry, no photos…but you can definitely figure it out!!)
1. Start by puting on the pair of shoes you want to adorn with elastics. Wrap a piece of thick elastic around the upper part of your foot (halfway onto your arch). The band needs to go all the way around the pump and overlap about a 1/2″ on the underside, in front of the heel. Make sure it’s tight so it won’t slip down (just not too tight since we don’t want to crush our foot bones!).
2. Cut elastic to correct length.
3. Sew on a sewing machine – just reinforcing the overlap area on the elastic.
See? The meeting of the two ends is at an angle – NOT straight on.
I’ve found they work best when the elastic overlaps at an angle – NOT one side meeting the other side exactly – to accommodate the curve of your foot. Repeat for other elastic.
Only really necessary for 1.5″ wide elastic like this; for the thinner types of elastic it doesn’t really matter.
Presto! It’s like you have a whole new pair of shoes!
And I also tried adding thinner elastic to the ends of silver vinyl belting for a different look…and sparkly silver ribbon for yet a third look. Both have thinner pieces of elastic sewn onto the ends of the contrasting ribbons. (The elastic is only about 1.5″ long in-between, for the underlay part and to allow the band to slide over the widest part of the shoe at the toe.)
You could do virtually anything! Chain overlaid onto ribbon…frilly ribbon with grosgrain in the center…a line of sequins…anything at all!
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 21, 2009 | Fashion
I am sooooo sick. So utterly sick. Stuffed-up sinus, drippy nose, 4 infections in my mouth, swollen lymph nodes, body aches…blech. So since I feel so awful, I’m going to think of pretty, lovely things to covet to bring a little sunshine into my life:
1. Triple 5 Soul The Suspended Skirt, $89, Karmaloop.com. LOVE that you can remove the suspender part and wear the skirt as is.
2. Twinkle by Wenlan Cabled Sweater Cape, $288, Anthropologie.com. Coolest sweater in the history of sweaters.
3. Red Wool Beret, $8.95, Amazon.com. I’m totally studding this out with pyramid studs from Studsandspikes.com!
4. Apostrophe Cable Tights, $6, Sears.com. I’ve been searching for cabled tights everywhere!
5. Melody Ehsani The Chain Ring, $88, Karmaloop.com. Totally in-your-face hard-edge.
6. jadelousie Black Lace Vest, $30, Etsy.com. Perfect for laying under a cardi or sticking out from a blazer or denim jacket.
7. Vling Skull Necklace, $14.99, Vling.bigcartel.com. Made from a vinyl record – so cool!
8. Litter Catwalk Shoe Chains, $98, Littersf.com. I might just DIY these.
An early xmas wishlist, perchance?:-) What do you gals have on your wishlists?
xoxo
Carly
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Nov 19, 2009 | Fashion
Have you ever felt like you shoulders were just too bare and in dire need of adornment?
Enter
Babette Epaulette, a new line of jewelry designed specifically for those shoulders in need. With sassy names to the line (“Cigarettes and Eyeliner,” “Tattoos and Stilettos,” and “Harlots and Scarlets), the pieces are crafted out of spikes, fringe, feathers, studs and chains. (
So on-trend!)
Nothing makes a girl feel sexier than bringing out a side of her personality she didn’t know she had. If you have a friend looking to dabble in danger, the amazing neo-concept accessories from Babette Epaulette are the perfect gift for her. The first ever shoulder jewelry line will make anyone who puts one on ooze confidence when they strut down the street and turn heads– in a good way. From $100 – $140.
Where to buy for those of you so inclined? The link to
their online shop should be live very soon.
-Carly J. Cais
Nov 17, 2009 | Media, Score!
It’s time to vote again! Check out the video below with Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin [which focuses on slow design and sustainability in its clothing and home goods lines]. She says my look needs MORE accessories! Hahahahahahahaha….
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/10032373001?isVid=1&publisherID=1612833736
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Nov 17, 2009 | Score!
Sometimes it’s fun to go vintage and over-the-top. A throwback to the grunge years of yore, the plaid shirt is back this year, and it’s better than ever, with frilly, girly detailing and a feminine fit. Top it off with a large leopard coat and oversize sunnies, and you’re mixing prints, becoming larger-than-life, and skating the line between fabulous and just plain “out-there.” Be big, bold, and unapologetic – pairing your large top with a streamlined bottom in the form of skinny dark-rinse denims and over-the-knee socks. Love it!
(oversize sunnies, vintage faux fur leopard coat, Priorities Red English Plaid “The Delia” Shirt, handmade chain necklaces, handmade chain-and-pearl mailbox number necklace, dark-rinse skinny jeans, ribbed over-the-knee socks, slouchy flat suede boots, oversized leather tassel weekender bag)
Styling Tip: People may criticize your outfit – hey, we all have opinions when we come to fashion! The most important point to styling something is that the end result makes you feel fabulous. If you don’t feel you’re rocking it – no matter how on-trend, classic, or socially-accepted it is – dump it! For instance, I feel incomplete unless I’m wearing something I’ve made myself. Though it may be a bit much to some eyes, I layered on gold chains with this outfit – included one with a pendant made from one of those bronze numbers you might have on your mailbox. Now it’s perfect!
Thank you for looking and I’d love to have your vote on Bluefly.com or StyleList.com!
xoxoxo
Carly J. Cais
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Nov 16, 2009 | DIY
I became obsessed with making myself a Panja [i.e., back-of-the-hand jewelry piece] since seeing the above in Vogue October 2009. For all it’s highbrow designer, impossible-to-make-yourself fashion spreads, once in awhile the magazine showcases an idea that’s just mindblowingly awesome. How cool is this rhinestone-and-chain Alyssa Norton piece that the model above is wearing? (All her jewelry is really eclectic and covetable…to sum it up to its lowest common denominator, she likes wrapping silk thread around rhinestone chains; making rhinestones “cast” in metal and set into jewelry as if precious stones; barettes with dangling cords and rhinestones; and chain mail. Def. check out her site if you get a chance!)
But I’ve had Panjas on the brain since about 2005, when I saw the above Hahn An Su (sp?) design in a Vivi Magazine. I didn’t know what they were called then, but I definitely wanted one!
And then recently I saw this photo posted at Maverick Malone. She’s such a cool girl – and has great style – she just wrapped this broken necklace around her hand and wrist and called it a day. Love.
I don’t really know much about Panjas, so I am unable to educate anyone about them (and if they have religious significance I’m very sorry for my desecration and sacrilege) but….
Perhaps you can feel a DIY coming on?? LOL
I’m not paying $805 for the Alyssa Norton piece! So here’s the DIY:
How to Make a Panja [Back-of the Hand Jewelry]
You Need:*1 post rhinestone earring, pictured above (I used these earrings I got from Forever21 for $9.80)
*2″ flat silver curb chain
*1 small silver jumpring
*1.5″ wide x 8″ long piece of black fusible stretch mesh interfacing
*1 pair sew-on snaps
*needle + black thread (doesn’t have to be silk but can be if you like)
*pliers
*sewing machine
*iron
How-To:
1. Push the earring post through the center link in your chain piece. Using pliers, bend down and around the chain so the earring is secured and there’s no scratchy post end sticking out.
2. Wrap the chain around your index finger – cut to size. Secure with a jumpring.
3. Fold both long sides of mesh interfacing in towards center. Fold again in the center so you have a long rectangular strip with all raw edges enclosed. Iron flat – the heat of the iron will fuse the mesh together.
4. Sew along long edge of mesh to secure the folds you made.
5. Fold each shorter end over and secure with hand-stitching.
6. Place earring flat and stitch bottom rhinestone dangle to center of black mesh. This is the tricky part – you just need to weave in and out of the rhinestones with your needle, securing them both together and down. You don’t want the rhinestone dangles to move too freely across the back of your hand – so sew together inbetween the settings, and be carefuly of the thread catching on the rhinestone prongs.
7. Wrap the thread around the black mesh for a textural effect. (Here, to make it exactly like the Alyssa Norton piece, you can smudge silver fabric paint at intervals onto the black mesh, and decorate with rhinestones. I chose not to because I wanted more simplicity.
8. Hand-stitch a snap and its counterpart to each end of the black mesh.
You’re done! Super-easy, right???
Feeling the backs of my hands are sad and naked now without my Panja….
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxo
Carly
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Nov 15, 2009 | Fashion
There’s nothing like a popularity contest to prove just how unpopular you really are.
I’ve been completely bummed out about how I’ve been ranking in America’s Most Stylish Blogger Competition. But TODAY, FINALLY….I’m not dead-completely-utterly-indescribably…LAST. I’m SECOND-TO-LAST!!!!:-)
Totally made my day! *dances around room now that I don’t suck the most out of everybody for once* I’m RANKED 7 OUT OF 8!!!
Yippeeeeeee!
(And if you haven’t voted yet today…do you think we can shoot for #6 out of 8??? 😉
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Nov 15, 2009 | DIY, Fashion, Media
I’ve written before about how much I adore Vivi [a monthly Japanese women’s Magazine published by Kodansha]. It’s so jam-packed with trendy, opulent items – the styling is always spot-on – the girls are gorgeous…AND many of the pieces featured start my styling and DIY wheels a -spinning.
Case in point: this studded black cardigan! Totally DIY-able…just pick yourself up some heat-set square studs from Kandi Corp (or your local craft store if they sell that kind of stuff…FYI Jo-Ann’s and Michael’s DON’T!) and jazz up the button plackets and front pockets with a line of studding. But this was from the November issue of Vivi…so let’s move on to the December one.
How cute is this? Jazz up a plan black sweatshirt or sweater rolling around in your closet with sweet little bows in every color of the rainbow.
For winter, try adding a bit of fur [faux!] to an outfit – like with a ribbon-tied collar or puffy removable cuffs. Boudoir-feminine.
How cool is the
chain-adorned jacket on the top right? Totally DIY it!
I DIED when I saw this spread: 5 items [print tee, leopard scarf, studded cardi, lace gilet, slick leggings] on sale from 10/23 for 10,500 yen!! [About $110.] From Spiral Girl, one of my favorite brands. *sigh* Will likely be sold out by now – and I totally would have rocked this every day as my go-to outfit this winter. Curse those fools who wait an entire MONTH before shipping Vivi to the U.S.!!! Would that I had knooooo–o-ww-wwwn!
I’ve never seen anyone wear
a corset belt over a ski parka…but she looks undeniably chic
…and not at all bulky here.
This was a spread where they showcased Taylor Momsen’s style and Peaches Geldorf’s style. Taylor’s looking pretty fierce and fabulous. (We’ll skip Peaches hahahaha.)
This
little striped shirt under a poufy black dress with bow at the back + red beret [upper right] screams Parisian-chic to me. Maybe I’ll just start with the red beret.
Girly, ruffly, chiffon-y finds.
Love.
Fabulous idea: a removable, ribbon-tied,
embellished collar.
Slip over a tee to jazz up a basic outfit. Totally DIY-able.
I’m in love with these shoes. Suede, over-the-knee, cuffable, and with removable studded ankle belts and chunky studded heel for 7000 yen [$78]?? Me WANT!
Studded Converse? Check. Cute
military accessories? Check.
Rhinestoned-bowtie? Check, check, and CHECK!
Hope this has given you some ideas!
To see more from this issue check their homepage out here. (Rollover the Table of Contents page and you’ll see clickable items where you can click and view the pages if you can’t read Japanese.)
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxo
Carly
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Nov 13, 2009 | DIY
As you may have seen in my most recent entry for America’s Most Stylish Blogger Competition (I’m getting a little tired of writing that by now;-) All the shameless self-promotion is wearing me down!), I styled the hot pink miniskirt with a DIY band jacket that I made from a jacket I already had in my closet.
No joke! Here’s the DIY:
1. Use a jacket that is a shorter length with a little mandarin collar or similar collar to what you want your final jacket. (A boxy shape and flimsy material for the jacket is best!)
The underside of the pinned edge.
2. Pin under your hemline, using safety pins, to create that cutaway band jacket shape. Iron if you want to create a crisp, sharp edge.
3. Pin shoulder pads inside the shoulders, using safety pins. (I used foam Dritz ones in Large that I got at my local Jo-Anns. Alternatively, you can rip them out of a jacket you already have – but you need them big to create that strong structured shoulder, so double them up if you can!)
4. Sew decorative trim onto the front of you jacket in scalloped curliques. (I just used matching thread and long basting stitches. This took awhile, but wasn’t very difficult.)
The inside of the jacket showing my basting stitches.
The trim on the outside encircling the buttons.
5. Optional: If you want, to create more of a “couture-looking” line below the shoulder, take in the sleeve in the upper arm area a little. (By sewing a line inside the sleeve seam line in the upper arm area.) This will make your shoulder pads “pop out” and give it that Balmain-look. Ideally speaking.:-)
PLUS, once you get tired of the look, remove your safety pins and shoulder pads, cut your basting stitches, re-iron your hem and your jacket is back to the way it was! *sigh* Multiple options in the same garment are just so, so lovely.
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly Multifunctional Cais
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Nov 12, 2009 | Score!
There’s about a hundred sales/specials emails in my inbox right now…
Just wanted to share with you guys:
——————
WET SEAL
Take an Additional
30% Off Clearance at
Wetseal.com;
Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off in Sweaters and Jackets
——————-
Get a jump on all that holiday shopping, perhaps? 😉
-Carly J. Cais
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The concept of shoe bands is kinda similar to shoe clips, but just…bands. If you opt to adorn the top of your boot, then maybe Bandits are for you! They carry a number of different styles, not just the Southwestern-inspired motif pictured above.
Bandit boot chains above. Adding to DIY list pronto.
Presto! It’s like you have a whole new pair of shoes!
