May 11, 2009 | Fashion
As Know As de Base dress, carved quartz heart-shaped ring I bought at a gem show in Portland, silvertone watch, DIY magazine clutch, SPANX tights, Maison Gilfy peeptoe booties.I love this dress with all my heart. As Know As de Base is a teensy weensy little Japanese brand actually manufactured in Japan (!); a rarity nowadays. They make everything out of Roppongi, and it’s kind of expensive because everything’s made in small runs. (There are a number of brands under the As Know As umbrella; de Base is one of the more trendy ones.) The dress is cotton and silk, and couldn’t be more gorgeous – it has a little apron-like thing in the front, that is only anchored on one side. (I think I’ll sew down the other side since it has this tendency to pile over onto one side of the drawstring as I walk.) I took a photo to show the lovely double-front – you can cinch each separate drawstring in the bust to create a different look depending on if you want it tighter or want your whole front hanging out.;-)
The clutch I just picked up a long envelope-style white thing from Target for like $10 on sale…and then glued the front of one of my magazine covers to it. (I
could have made the magazine clutch from scratch, but I’m just too darn lazy.)
Extra points if you know which magazine I used! (I *was* searching for a vintage French Vogue on Ebay that might appeal, and then I was like “I don’t even
read French, let alone French Vogue,” so I decided to use what I do read.)
I also love Maison Gilfy to death…their stuff is the perfect blend of hard-edged, trendy, and tongue-in-cheek… I know it’s hard to tell with all the black, but the booties have this spike 4″ heel on the back, and the top folds down – you wear them permanently folded (though I guess you *could* wear them laced up the ankle if you wanted) and they have double laces. As soon as I saw a shopgirl wearing them I had to buy them – and congratulated myself on finding them for 11,000 yen ($111) on sale from 13,500 ($137)…and then after I bought them saw the knockoffs for 6192 yen ($62) from
RyuRyu, I think (but I could be wrong; it might have been
Kawaism)….
nope it was Venti Anni, and they’re still available, but they only ship to a Japanese addy.) Go fig. But check out
Maison Gilfy’s website to look out their clothes and awesome shoes anyway!
**Maison Gilfy will only ship you stuff if you have a shipping address in Japan. So buy on your trips to Tokyo!May 10, 2009 | Fashion
Woohoo! I love Karmaloop for their quirky, street-oriented, edgy fashions. This stuff is going fast, but if you can, grab it before it all goes. Here are a couple of my faves:
ALSO…$20 OFF ORDERS OF $100 OR MORE Now through May 31st, enter code JUMBO at checkout. Choose from Free Shipping on orders over $25 with code REKA09 or 15% OFF the entire order with code TASH09! Both offers are valid through December 31st, 2009. Whew! That’s a lot of promotions!
-Carly J. Cais
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May 8, 2009 | DIY
I have (just like probably every other crafter out there since the Dawn of Time) an unbelievable amount of pretty beads sitting in my arsenal with nowhere to go. Mismatched, funny shapes, unusual colors…acrylic, pearl, glass…you name it, I probably have it. So I love the idea of taking a dead-soft piece of fine jewelry wire and wrapping up all those unmatched beads into a more beautiful shape, thus recycling all of my unusable cast-offs. (I used 18 gauge wire, I think, in a silvertone, but you could definitely go higher-end with sterling or 14K gold…a gift for Mom, perhaps?) The wrapping takes awhile, since it takes some time to perfect your shape as you’re doing it…and then using two wires you wrap a little chain around the shape’s edges to secure the piece. Finally, add a jumpring on each side, cut a length of chain in half and attach each end – the chain gets a clasp. And voila! Finally, a use for all those extra mismatched beads.
I made a clover and a heart – and in using the beads, tried to choose ones in a similar color scheme. I think they turned out pretty well – and it’s funny, since I can pretty much remember where each bead came from…it’s like each piece in the shape has its own little story. That green rectangular glass bead I found on the floor of the A & P when I was 8…that gold filigree bead was from a birthday party favor bag when I was 10…that acrylic shimmer heart was from a grab bag I ordered when I was 23 and making jewelry from my tiny apartment in Philly….
I have both the clover and the heart up for sale in my Etsy Shop. They’re $16 each if you want to check them out! And definitely grab some jewelry wire and make your own – in any shape imaginable! It’s a fun project that takes about an hour or so.
-Carly J. Cais
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Apr 30, 2009 | Fashion
For all those of you who happen to live in the NYC area (or are visiting next week)…from Wed, May 6 to Sun, May 10, Rebecca Minkoff is having a huge sample sale from 10 AM – 8 PM every day!
Grab a fab bag, a cool-colored tote, maybe a breezy tunic? Get there early – because it’s sure to blow out quickly!
Check out RebeccaMinkoff.com to shop online if you can’t make it down to 33 W 17th Street for the sale.
-Carly J. Cais
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Apr 27, 2009 | Score!
Arden B. is offering you a chance to win a
Hollywood getaway for a make-over and fashion photo shoot plus a 4-night stay at the beautiful Sheraton Universal Hotel! Don’t miss out – sweepstakes ends on 5/3!
Click here to enter
-Carly J. Cais
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Apr 15, 2009 | Life
With Spring in the air and looser, more drapey shapes on the horizon, why not head out on a break from boring? What to pack: a pair of cropped, flowy pants, breezy blouse, some on-trend gladiator-inspired sandals, stacks of bangles, and a roomy metallic hobo. If it’s a staycation, you’re all set; if it’s an actual va-cay, don’t forget a floppy hat, oversize shades, and vintage valise.
HERE’S WHERE TO GET THE LOOK:
BREEZY BLOUSE This flattering, feminine washed silk blouse skims in all the right places, and is amazingly versatile. Depending on your mood, it’s…
…a beach coverup! (pair with soft camel-hued gauchos and a straw sandal)
…office attire! (with slim-cut black pants and cropped matching jacket)
…80s fabulous! (wide red belt and leggings)
…worth every penny of its $88 price tag! (Peter Nygard smocked blouse at Dillards.com)
CROPPED TROUSERS Shopping for the eco-chic versions of the season’s must-have pieces can feel like a far-flung experience. The antidote? The UK’s Fashion-Conscience.com, where everything is under one roof – from well-established brands to emerging designers – and all clearly marked as Vegan, Sustainable, Recycled, Fair-Trade, and/or Organic. These slouchy cropped Camilla Norback trousers are 100% organic cotton, and would look equally fab with red pumps and a striped boatneck tee sailorgirl style, or with laceup gladiators and a loose, open vest. For more fashionable ideas with a conscience, be sure to check out their blog. Navy Cropped Bow Trousers $84 (on sale) at Fashion-Conscience.com.
DRAPEY CHAIN NECKLACE For under $20, rock this chain-festooned garnet-colored pendant with everything from your LBD to a Mischa Barton’esque ensemble complete with fringed boots and short-shorts. The 24″ length is go-with-everything perfect, as is the price. Nadia Necklace $16 at ShopTheLook.net.
LACE-UP SANDAL/BOOTIES A cross between a peep toe bootie and a sandal, this happening hybrid from Dolce Vita is the new go-to shoe for slouchy rolled boyfriend jeans, your fave mini, or with bare legs and a belted oversize cardi. They’re even surprisingly practical, thanks to the covered 2″ heel. And no, you won’t see them on every Jane, Jill, and Sally because they’re a limited-time exclusive: web-only at UrbanOutfitters.com for $168.
STACK OF BANGLES Multi-colored, multi-material, multi-faceted…Spring calls for bangles stacked high up on the arm, the more multi, the better. For now, pile ’em on with a crochet top, harem pants, and oversize shades; with a slinky halter dress and some Chanel No. 5; or with ripped jeans, peeking out from under the rolled sleeve of your boyfriend jacket. And when the stacked bangle trend becomes passe, simply wear separately. Oasis Pearl & Cream Etched Bangle Set $20 at ASOS.com.
METALLIC DUFFLE Totally of-the-moment, this trendy spot-on copper bag features a cute chain tassel, roomy pockets, and slouchy-chic unstructured silhouette. Originally $80, 1Site1Price.com is carrying it for just under $30, along with other fab deals on brands like FarylRobin, Fornarina, C&C, and GR8 Buddha. Be ready to do some searching, but a little legwork always unearths a great find or two – and if you buy 4 items, you’ll get an additional 10% off and free shipping. La Mode Copper Bag $30 at 1Site1Price.com.
And with this article we bid a fond farewell to our column dedicated to Chic Steals & Fashion Deals. Instead, look for our fresh weekly article on everything DIY. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the launch of Don’t Buy…D.I.Y.!
-Carly J. Cais
published April 14, 2009 on FashionTribes.com
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Apr 7, 2009 | DIY
My article about how to make your own Katherine Hamnett-style big-letter tee was cross-posted to ThreadBanger! I am so utterly thrilled – check it out here at http://www.threadbanger.com/post/11800/how-to-turn-an-oversized-tee-into-a-graphic-letter-dress. Wow!
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Apr 2, 2009 | DIY, Life
Now, having had some experience with iron-on transfers in my DIY projects, I have to say most of them suck.
You’re stuck with whatever dopey transfer they sell ready-made at the store (though I gotta exempt Generation T stuff from that) or that you can print out from your computer. The “flexible” materials look like you just pasted something onto your shirt (read: shiny, overly matte, and muted colors [if printing from your computer), transparent areas are rendered slick and obvious if you don’t actually cut away the backing on those parts [meaning you can’t transfer tiny letters or designs with complex edges], and the materials really don’t flex. The results look oh-so-homemade, never like something you could actually buy in a store. You have to fiddle with pillowcases or sheet protectors in order to iron them, and the smell? Like burning plastic.
But instead I went straight to what the professionals use for the t-shirts they manufacture on a large scale and actually sell in stores.
I was completely amazed with the professional results (see photo below) even with using my own home iron. It was not exactly quick (oh, to own a heat press!), but it was fun, and did I mention the results looked fabulous??! (Well, as long as you aren’t looking at it with a microscope.) Plus, as the transfer heated up, the aroma of baking cookies (no joke!) wafted into the air. And the company let me buy just 2 sheets of the stuff, without any hassle at all, making my online order a grand total of $7.
A few things to consider when using this product:
*Shiny plastic side of the sheet is UP and peeled off your clothing after the transfer has cooled. Matte side is down and stuck to the clothing. Don’t get them confused or you’ll cover your iron with gunk.
*Use a bigass wooden cutting board inside the piece of clothing to stabilize it for the transfer.
*No stupid pillowcases/protective papers needed. Iron directly onto the plastic sheet stuck to the top of your transfers.
*You are fusing the transfer onto the fibers of the shirt. Most irons have little holes in the bottom, the reason for, I assume, is to totally screw up any heat transfer appliques you ever attempt. This means that with a home iron you’re going to get areas of direct heat, and non-direct heat (thank you, stupid little holes). Therefore, your transfer is going to look “bubbly” unless you apply heat AND force AND then reposition the iron on the same area, to minimize uneven heat application.
*Cold Peel means COLD PEEL. Don’t peel off the upper plastic layer until it has shrunk away from the transfer’s edges slightly, is a little “bubbled,” and is room-temperature. The shiny decals on my version? They’re from the letters I peeled while still hot – the adhesive between the plastic layer and the transfer didn’t peel off with that layer.
*The heat transfer material comes as one big sheet, and you can do anything with it – trace letters, cut it into tiny shapes, whatever you want; the possibilities are endless. Since I was able to spell out my entire t-shirt message on one whole 9 x 15″ sheet, I still have one left over for a rainy day. Order enough to feed your DIY-cravings!
-Carly J. Cais
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Mar 28, 2009 | Fashion
(I’m not sure what big name they’re all knocking off…if anyone could help me out…?)
LOVE this shoe – and fatefully snapped up the Steve Madden version since I mistakenly thought it was a light nude. (It looks like a very light beige, non?) Well, when it arrived I found out the color was more like a puke pinky-brown..completely icky. Plus one of the shoes had pen marks on it and gouges on the toe area. They at least accepted the return and refunded me (which they wouldn’t have had I just not liked the color)…but still! Wide band, sort of half-sandal, half shoe, what’s not to love? (But I’m staying away from the $180 price tag.) GoJane.com used to have their version in fuchsia and nude as well, and so I’m hoping they’ll get the nude back in stock…if not, I’ll just have to make them myself!
Tell me it’s not completely impossible to find the perfect nude summer shoe??
-Carly J. Cais
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Mar 27, 2009 | Fashion
(left: Black Halo Keyhole Ruffle Sheath, right: Ann Taylor “Ruffle Sleeve Sheath Dress”)
For over a year now, Black Halo has kept everyone slavering over their ladylike dresses – namely the Jackie O., seen on just about every it-celeb in a variety of colors – the black jacket dress, vaguely reminiscent of a higher-priced RM dress – the Maureen dress, a collar-less version of the jacket dress – and the keyhole ruffle sleeve sheath. They are sophisticated, sleek, and upwards of $300 (the keyhole ruffle dress is specifically $345).
But what’s this? Here we have a doppelganger from Ann Taylor. Sure, it’s minus the Mandarin collar and has a button closure at the neck, but darn it if it doesn’t look pretty similar. (The seaming in the dress is exactly the same as the Black Halo version!)
So what do we think? Spend $189 on the Ann Taylor dress, or splurge on the $345 Black Halo original?
(BTW, if you happen to be a size 4, you can snap up the wine colored keyhole dress from ChickDowntown.com for a cool $138, rendering the whole debate moot.)
-Carly J. Cais
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