Sep 3, 2009 | Fashion
piling on the necklaces…
Seriously, up until Summer ’09 when I thought of J. Crew…well, what sprung to mind wasn’t “trendy” or “fashionable”…I’m sorry to say it was more like “staples” and “fusty.” (I love that word…learned it from that old Judy Blume classic Just As Long As We’re Together.) Silly old me.
what a fabulous idea: pairing old rolled-up sweats with pretty cardigan and rhinestones!
But when I received their August ’09 catalog, I literally gasped.
I wanted pretty much everything on each page.
perfect lighting and khakis punched up with multi-necklaces and bright blue…
Everything. And I am not a J. Crew person (though I did attend a college where everyone was swathed from head to toe in J.Crew for some inexplicable reason…these were the days when J. Crew was the Prince of Preppiness) but suffice it to say, I drooled over this catalog.
The photography, the redesigned “staples,” the eye candy jewelry…but more so the styling! Oh, the styling!
collegiate Russian princess layering on her jewels? Check! (All images above from JCrew.com)
The multi-layered necklaces, ankle socks with mismatched pastels, shoe clips, flowery embellishments…
boxers layered under shorts and then cuffed onto the outside? I gotta get me some of those!
wearing a tie over a ruffled blouse? Brilliant!and this flower necklace thing??? GORGE!
All other images found via Alice in Wonderland
Leave Comment
Sep 3, 2009 | Fashion
Stuffed with end-of-summer goodies, Intuition’s Grab Bags are a great way to score fashionable celeb-inspired finds for way, way less… at $19.99, $29.99, and $59.99, with one item of clothing plus 2 accessories, these bags are the perfect way to stretch that hardworking dollar further!
Plus the excitement of not knowing what you’ll get…just choose your size, add to your bag, and check out! (But please, kind god, do not let anything from that 6126 line of leggings fall into mine…) 🙂
-Carly J. Cais
Leave Comment
Sep 2, 2009 | Fashion
How cute are these cosmetic bags? And what a great idea! 4-in-1 is like music to my ears. And it will match everything…everything I tell you! I’m just going to hit up my local Target and see if they’re as cool in person…or just cheap-looking. If they’re even slightly ok, I am definitely rocking them out with my next outfit!
(I’m liking the “Multicolor” print on the left much more than the “Snake” print…how about you?) Plus you can definitely just link up any small cosmetic cases/envelope clutches you own with the help of a hole-punch and a grommet-setter..thread through your own bracelet/clutch strap and you’ve just DIY’d this “which purse did I put my cellphone in again??” look!
Who says you can ever have too many bags??!
xoxo
Carly
Leave Comment
Sep 1, 2009 | DIY
So you can buy your own even at Fred Flare ($18) or Macy’s now…but early this Spring I couldn’t find these anywhere except online for the staggering price of $72 or something (this was somewhat before the trend broke and Lucky Magazine had showcased one of those headbands in January or so, sparking my interest). So I made my own with a pack of feathers bought at Michael’s for $2.99 (I think they’re guinea?? but don’t quote me on it LOL), and a plain black headband from Claire’s for $3.50.
I cut out an oval from a stiff piece of felt, and hot-glued the feathers onto it, beginning at the top of the oval and working my way to the bottom. This created a nice overlap and I was able to use the fluffy down feathers at the bottom that goes right above the ear, so I look like I have some nice old-man fuzz growing out of my ear there – exactly what I was going for!!
Then I cut out another oval of felt and sandwiched the headband in-between the two ovals, to create a stiff curve. The whole process took about an hour because I was picky about the placement of the feathers.
Of course, I could have just bought a hat pad at Michael’s (which they NOW carry, 6 months after I completed my project) or online at plumesnfeathers.com. (But then again DIY’ing it really gives you complete control over the types of feathers and the placement of them…so to each her own!)
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
Leave Comment
Aug 31, 2009 | Fashion
Alright, so shoot me…I love Forever21. Sure, their clothing and jewelry is cheaply constructed and will fall apart quickly, but when it comes to staying on top of the trends (and producing low-priced knockoffs) they’re the US’s answer to the UK’s ASOS. (ASOS is better-designed and a little more fashion-forward, IMHO, but F21 is the closest we’ve got stateside.) Is it just me, or does the necklace above remind you a teensy little bit of that House of Harlow black geometric necklace? (below)
(Edit 4/19/11: Actually, the Forever 21 necklace is a knockoff inspired by a necklace by Amrita Singh. Touche.)
And Girlprops.com…another cheap affordable accessories destination…with their version of that Fiona Paxton beaded chained elastic thingy necklace as seen on Hilary Duff (and if you already saw this in May 2009 issue of Cosmopolitan, I’m so sorry – it just took me awhile to get on the bandwagon).
[I’m going to DIY mine and add on a whole bunch of spangles and mirrored bugle beads so it looks more like the original version and not just a strip of elastic.]
What do you all think? Original Necklaces vs. Knockoffs: Chic or Cheap?
Leave Comment
Aug 30, 2009 | Beauty
The new wave of extensions for 2009: shiny, holographic Bling Strands that add a metallic sparkle to your hairstyle.
Very simply tied on to your hair at the root (the same as your average hair extensions), Bling Strands come in 15 colors and cost about $2 – $4 a strand for a salon to add them to your hairstyle. Find a list of participating salons here. (The average hairstyle uses about 10-15 strands, just to give you an idea of the cost involved.) They last about 4 weeks (depending on how often you shed hairs), can be shampooed and styled with regular products, and can be blow-dried, curled, and flatironed as long as you follow the directions.
Find out more about the product on their website.
It seems a good idea in theory, and maybe more geared to cheerleaders or people performing onstage – not the average woman. I’m not sure about you, but to me, on the elderly lady they make her look like she’s trying out for the Ice Capades. The only style I really like is the punky one with the woman who has the coppery color in her bangs – the rest remind me too much of some limited-edition Bratz doll or something. (I think I’d be digging them much more if the strands were purely metallic, not holographic-print.)
What do you guys think? Chic – or cheap?
Leave Comment
Aug 29, 2009 | DIY
Hello again, lovely readers – I’m back but giddy with jetlag and am dealing with the myriad of other things I need to catch up with: home, garden, Dr’s apps, etc. Boring, boring, and boring.
Which means no new posts for awhile…? (I’ll try to sneak a few in here and there, promise.) I’m also working on some step-by-step DIY’s with photos…which threaten to take the bulk of the next few weeks.
So, to fill the void, here’s the how-to project sheet from Jo-Ann Fabrics to create an “Absolutely Charming Wristlet.” I’d debate with them about the accuracy of the title…but for Jo-Ann’s, it’s not half bad, and I’m sure you crafty ladies can jazz your versions up even more!
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
P.S. Oh, and I am also getting back to everyone who was so kind to comment on my posts while I was away…one by one! Thank you for taking the time to comment – I’ll be visiting your blogs soon!;-)
Leave Comment
Aug 28, 2009 | Life
Thankfully, just in time before all of you got completely sick with my Japan-themed posts.;-)
I’m back, utterly jetlagged (doesn’t help when you have a 3 yr. old who can’t understand that no, 2 AM is not technically morning yet, nor an appropriate time to want breakfast and then to go to Gymboree), the garden’s overgrown beyond imagining…but I’ll be getting back to blogging on a regular basis once more once I’ve settled in again. I’ve got some great DIY’s on the way, as a Japan-themed (uh oh) giveaway coming up, so stay tuned!
xoxxo
Carly
Leave Comment
Aug 27, 2009 | Fashion
Just to keep all of you in the loop…
Here are some DIY’s (with step-by-step tutorials) that I’m working on and plan to be posting in over the next couple weeks…
So stay tuned!
Christopher Kane Gorilla-Print Dress (photo: Style.com)
Christian Louboutin for Rodarte Spiked Platform Pumps (yup, THOSE ones! [in black])
Candace Ang Ruffle Necklace
Vice & Vanity Ruffle Necklace
Maison Martin Margiela Glasses Necklace
And some DIY projects I’ve made that I haven’t written step-by-step tutorials for but will be posting photos of the finished product anyway.
Alexander Wang Studded T-Shirt DressRisto Bimbiloski Zip-Front Cream Dress
Pierced Flower Brooches
Â
Raquel Allegra Shredded Tee
Velcro Word! Tee
Tanktop + High-Waisted Bubble Skirt Dress
This is also serving as a reminder list to myself in case I’m boring you guys. Anything you else you’re dying to see tutorials of? Let me know!
xoxox
Carly
Leave Comment
Aug 26, 2009 | Fashion
I’m sure you guys have seen this already as it’s been around forever, but…in case you hadn’t…”Signe Chanel” as found on Youtube. The making of the full collection, in 5 episodes – utter fabulousness.
Enjoy!
xoxox
Carly
Leave Comment
