Oct 7, 2013 | Fashion
Rirandture (ree-rahn-doh-chur) is a relatively new brand out of Tokyo, the name originating from the idea that a Parisian girl named Lila (or “Ree-rah,” as pronounced in Japanese) has created a line of sophisticated clothing with “couture”-style finishing. (Of course, the word “couture” is used probably with the same seriousness that it is in say, Juicy Couture.) Rirandture is known for its casual but grown-up aesthetic, recently venturing into a more “dressed-up” version of casual style (according to their website). Prices range from $40 for a simple top to around $450 for a wool jacket with peplum detail and mohair collar.
(more…)
Leave Comment
Oct 4, 2013 | Fashion
First of all: What are Maruti Beads? you may ask.
Answer: They are amazingly-detailed, handmade beads in the rich tradition of Indian beadmaking. The clay beads are often adorned with metallic paillettes, braided wire, and tiny rings to bring a textured, glamorous finish to each bead. And each is made by hand!
A little more info about these three types of beads, straight from the MarutiBeads.com website:
Kashmiri beads are made from a mix of marble powder and manufactured resin (polymer clay) while the resin used in Lac beads is from a natural source.Also known as “Bollywood” beads, Kashmiri beads are hand decorated and use a variety of materials for embellishment such as mirror chips, seed beads, silver plating and rhinestones.
Maruti Beads artistically blends the beauty of Kashmiri beads with silver plated side caps to culminate in a one of a kind creation exclusive to Maruti International.
Lac beads are made from a mixture of Lac and marble powder, ornamented with silver plating, seed beads and rhinestones: detailed with metal elements, mirror chips and various embellishments…In short, Lac beads are highly valued individual works of art…Lac is a substance secreted by a tiny insect called Kerria lacca. The Lac insect is so small that a magnifying glass is needed to see it. This little bug dwells in the twigs of host trees and lives off the sap from which they secrete the hard Lac resin. When first harvested Lac resin is brittle and tough however, through a process of slow heating the resin softens into a workable material.
Lac beads to the back, Kashmiri beads to the right, and Maruti beads to the left.
To be honest, I had never heard of Maruti beads before (nor Kashmiri, nor Lac beads), not until a rep from Maruti Beads International contacted me to see if I wanted to review their beads.
They sent me a multi-pack that included Maruti, Lac, and Kashmiri beads to review.
As you can see, each bead is beautifully unique. The attention to detail is just marvelous – and the rhinestones are top quality that really sparkle. Due to their ornate nature, the beads are a bit heavy but each exquisite one stands out. Thrown together into a piece of jewelry they may compete with one another – so probably the best use of them is to carefully choose where to place each one in designs for maximum impact.
I made this pretty beaded bracelet in a flash, using imitation leather cording and a fish-hook closure. The beads would also be perfect as a single focal of a bracelet in an arm party stack (or many bracelets!!), or linked up together Shamballah-style. (You can also see Shamballah bracelets designed with Maruti beads here, and regular bracelets using Maruti beads here.) They can also be linked together into necklaces, or used in drop-style earrings. I love how each tiny bead tells a little story – and in some (not all) the hole is large enough to accommodate Pandora or Dione bead systems.
MarutiBeads.com also sells beautiful copper, glass, and gemstone beads, besides finished jewelry, on their website.
For any bead-lover or jewelry enthusiast I’d definitely recommend trying out these beads in your designs – and with the holiday season coming up they may make a wonderful present for the proverbial woman who has everything.
Which is your favorite style of bead? (I just love that big black barrel one in the center of my bracelet!!) Or what would you make with these? Let me know in the comments section!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a Bead Mix Pack from Maruti Beads containing Lac, Kashmiri, and Maruti Beads for review purposes (ARV=$60). I have not been compensated for this post. The opinions above are my own. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
Leave Comment
Oct 3, 2013 | Fashion
Glasses: BonLook
Drink the Kool-Aid in Beechwood.
Santa Maria Becky Jacket: Rebecca Minkoff (similar
here). Necklaces:
DIY (of square faux goldstone beads found at Jo-Ann’s), layered onto Forever 21 collar necklace, over H&M spiked rhinestone necklace, over
DIY Wire-Wrapped Gold-Dipped Quartz Necklace (tutorial here). Rose gold watch:
DailyLook. Black jeggings: UNIQLO. Rainboots with bow detail: Dav, a
Hautelook purchase.
What I wore to the “Back to School with Portland Bloggers” event on Sunday. (more…)
Leave Comment
Oct 2, 2013 | Score!
Really, really love listening to music? Want to feel the music all the way down in your toes and immerse yourself in its world? Need to upgrade over the tiny and flimsy earbuds that came with your phone? Monster N-Tune Headphones may be just what you’re looking for! 
I was recently sent a pair of Monster N-Tune HD Headphones to review, and was pleasantly surprised at the sheer durability of the product, and the quality of the sound through them. The headphones come packaged in this very slick case, with a soft microfiber pouch to house them in while you’re on the go. Just cinch the drawstring, and you can throw them in your bag without any worries over them being crushed or tangled. These headphones are practically indestructible – and no matter how much junk you’re carrying around in your bag (guilty! 😉 they still emerge intact. The band that goes over your head can be twisted, yanked, or even crushed – and it withstands everything that you can throw at it no matter what. 
Since the headphones are available in 5 different candy-bright colors, you can personalize your ‘phones with your choice of color (and I was especially thrilled that the pair I received was in my favorite blue hue!). Giving a nod to the fact that many people use their phones for listening to their tunes, the tangle-free cord also includes a universal in-line remote that can answer phone calls (as well as play and pause the music).
The sound quality is fantastic, and the compact on-ear style allows you to become completely immersed in the music (and doesn’t mess with your ear adornments 😉 They block out the surrounding environment completely so you can focus. Plus they work double-duty: not just for music, I’ve also been using them for all my video sound-editing lately, and they’re a lot more comfortable and light than my old outdated “cans” [those huge ear-covering headphones used by sound editors]. 
And with the holiday season coming up, a pair of headphones in the recipient’s favorite color would add a dose of awesome to their music – and thrill any young music-lover with your great taste. Just sayin’!
Enter to Win a Pair of Monster Headphones (ARV $150)!!
How to Enter:
1. Visit the Monster Headphones page on Walmart.com.
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me which is your favorite N-Tune color for a chance to win!
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
BlogHer will pool entries from participating blogs and select a sweepstakes winner at random and will contact the winner with details about fulfilling the prize.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/2/13 – 11/1/13.Please let me know if you have any questions.
Good luck!
xo Carly
To win your very own pair of N-Tune headphones (valued at $150), read all about the Monster headphones here and let me know in the comments of this post which color you prefer. The comments on this post will be aggregated with the comments on the posts from the other bloggers participating in this review, and 25 pairs will be given away. This giveaway will close on Nov 1.
FTC Disclosure: I was provided a pair of Monster NTunes headphones for review purposes as part of a paid campaign with BlogHer and Monster Headphones. The above opinions are my own. Monster Headphones is also providing 25 winners in their giveaway with a pair of headphones each. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
Leave Comment
Sep 30, 2013 | Fashion
REIF, a clothing and accessories brand out of Portland, OR, has become a local mainstay in the fashion landscape and one of the best examples of young design in the region. Known for fashion-forward stylings, fabrics, and prints (LOVE REIF’s collaboration with Pattern People!!), designer Lindsey Reif infuses her urban line of with elements of her small town upbringing in South Dakota.
From REIF’s press sheet:
REIF clothing and accessories blur the line between edgy innovation and classic sophistication. The brand’s unique designs fuse elements of the past with modern silhouettes and textiles, giving way to a line of timeless, quality attire. Since its debut in 2008, REIF’s versatile apparel and accessories have appeared in television, music videos, and editorial shoots. Authenticating the brand’s slogan “Die Zeit ist Reif” (German for “The Time Is Ripe)…REIF exhibits both originality and approachability in every garment.
xo
Carly
Leave Comment
Sep 29, 2013 | Blogging
Today, in the midst of strong thunderstorms, high gusts of wind, and a record-setting amount of rainfall this weekend, I ventured out to attend the Portland Bloggers September Meetup: Back to School with Portland Bloggers.
We took over Studio Space in SW Portland for the 2-and-a-half hour presentation on Making Money Blogging (#makemoneyblogging, which you might have seen mentioned on @PDXBloggers Twitter feed throughout 😉 
With drinks sponsored by Black Rock Coffee Bar and yummy snacks, we were treated to presentations from Jenni, the founder of Portland Bloggers (from AWellCraftedParty.com), Suzannah (AdventuresinDressmaking.com) and Bee (TheSpicyBee.com). We also had the pleasure of hosting CPA Jackie Wheatley from Rainbow Tax & Accounting who offered up some great advice about accounting for bloggers, Kim from Todays Creative Blog who shared her own story of success in becoming a full-time professional blogger, and Tarun and Pepper from Recomonk who introduced Recomonk as a way to help consolidate affiliate links and recommended products into a single interface. (I jotted down a ton of great info to implement on my blog!)
There was so much useful information, “class photos” taken which will be turned into a “yearbook” online (and available for download soon from the Portland Bloggers website), free patterned notebooks, pencils, and M&M packs, delicious snacks (YUMM prosciutto and provolone rolls and dark chocolate almond bark!) and valuable time networking with other fellow bloggers (over 30 in all!). Overall it was a huge success as an event – and hopefully something we can repeat again later in the year for those who weren’t able to make it this time around.
What I wore to the event…outfit deets coming soon!
Check out PDXBloggers.com/blog for the Powerpoint slides from the event in case you missed it (will be uploaded soon!) – or would like the information to have at your fingertips to review and keep on hand.
So glad to meet up with my fellow bloggers and Portland creatives – and hope to see you all again at the next event!
xo
Carly
I volunteer with Portland Bloggers to do their graphic design, website design/maintenance, and video work, as well as attend events when they mesh with my schedule. Have any questions about blog-related branding/graphics/visual stuff?
Send them my way and they can be addressed on the Portland Bloggers blog or in a future video tutorial!
Sep 28, 2013 | Fashion
So the finale episode of AMC’s hit show Breaking Bad is airing this Sunday – how excited is everyone for it??! I confess I only got into watching the show this last Spring, and although I did binge-watch it on Netflix in marathons, at times I had to take a long breather from watching because I was finding it too much. It psychologically insinuated itself into my life, where the storylines would stay with me, the characters’ motives and acting still thrilled upon reflection, and the visuals would flash before my eyes at random moments. (Okay, a little not good for daily life.)
But of course I was dying to find out what happened next! So after taking a 3-month hiatus from the show, I finally dived back in – just in time too, so I can celebrate the final episode this Sunday with an intimate gathering.
And I couldn’t resist getting crazy and crafty and whipping up some Breaking Bad-themed stick puppets – totally silly, I know – but they work great as decorations for the food table, or for everyone to grab their favorite character from the show while watching. (I admit I only thought of this yesterday at 11:30 AM, and figured “somebody must have already made some Breaking Bad puppets,” but Googled it and found nothing.) 
So even though it’s at the eleventh hour, here are the patterns and instructions for some of the main characters from the groundbreaking TV series: (more…)
Leave Comment
Sep 27, 2013 | Fashion
image by Yanzhou Bao, source
Wow, another week 2 weeks have gone by already! Getting into the swing of things is taking longer than I anticipated. 😉 The air is getting cooler here in Portland, and Fall is definitely getting going. Are you excited? I am! Fall is hands-down my favorite season!! Here are some links I’ve been perusing this week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
How You’re Holding Yourself Back: Obstacles to Success can help alert you to ways you may be inadvertently sabotaging yourself and your dreams. Check it out for ways to reform and regain that initiative! (Oprah.com)
In How To Get Unstuck And Unleash Your Creativity Today, Accidental Creative founder Todd Henry talks about why people delay their work, why you shouldn’t be comfortable in what you currently do and always challenge yourself, how to prevent boredom and more. (Forbes.com)
I love this TED talk by artist Alexa Meade: such an inspiring insight into her process and artistic goals! (She paints on people, the background, and the objects in the vicinity: an amalgam of traditional painting, live-sculpture/performance art, and photography. So breathtaking!)
Buy It: Shopping Picks
Modcloth has just received a huge shipment of Fall-ready styles, and I love their black-and-white gingham cape. Soooo chic – especially for work!
This gorgeous flowery tote from Ted Baker could indeed pass for a painting – but at $65 it would be the most affordable painting you own. Plus it’s able to fit just about everything you own – or want to tote around with you – when out and about.
This photo-print autumnal Tree of Life sweatshirt has the most breathtaking colors….just where I want to be right now. Beautiful paired with ripped jeans and a blazer!
Make It: DIY
A collection of 30 Adorable and Unexpected DIY Stamp Projects may surprise you with some projects using some unexpected items for stamping. (Buzzfeed)
Craftsy is offering a great new course: Metalsmithing at Home, that teaches you the basics of metalsmithing with just some basic supplies (no soldering torch required!) I can’t wait to watch!
With Instagram square photos have probably flooded everyone’s cameras – but it’s pretty difficult to find ways to display them outside of the phone environment. Enter 10 Ideas for Square Photos, which gives you some great ideas to decorate with them. Love! (ABeautifulMess)
Live It: Lifestyle
Sustainable Business Oregon interviews the producer and host of the radio show Destination DIY about the importance of reusing, creatively making things, and local DIY-centric Portland businesses.
The recent Portland Fashion Week was a valiant effort, but ultimately a re-incarnation of the old classic that fell flat and seemed superfluous. Here’s why. (The Portland Mercury)
Life just gotten too complex? Simplify Your Life with these great tips from WikiHow, and breathe in more zen every day.
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
Leave Comment
Sep 26, 2013 | Fashion
Welcome to the latest installment of One Piece, Three Girls – where I feature a single article of clothing, jewelry, or an accessory from a local boutique, styled into 3 different looks for 3 different ladies. (See my feature with Portland’s Mabel & Zora boutique here!)
For this post, I had the opportunity to work with Flutter in the North Mississippi district of Portland. If you’ve never been to Flutter, you really must go next time you’re in town – because it is a treasure trove of amazing vintage, handmade pieces, eclectic ephemera, candles, papers, ribbons, books, masks, succulents, soaps, and home decor oh my! 
They operate their website on Flutterclutter.com and it is indeed a clutter….of spectacular finds! (more…)
Leave Comment
Sep 23, 2013 | Fashion
EMODA (pronounced eh-moda) was founded in 2010 under MARK STYLER, Inc. (a huge fashion conglomerate housing 15 other Japanese fashion brands). Growing exponentially in only a short time, the brand offers fashion-forward styles ranging from $24 for a basic tee, up to around $170 for a pair of luxe leather boots. In their own words,
We are a trendsetter for all women who enjoys fashion and deliver high-fashion clothing for everyday through our new stylings, matarials, and shapes. Our concept is expressing femininity in women’s strength by adding colors, patterns, and textures in monochromatic themes. Futhermore, we are introducing the fashion with music, art, and culture to create neo fashion form.
Produced by Ena Matsumoto, a darling of fashion magazines in Japan, EMODA has launched an Autumn/Winter Collection playing on textured androgyny and a Victor/Victoria dichotomy.
There is a large closet at home for the chic and stylish couple. Their style has no gender boundary, which is mixture of mode, simple, and casual tastes. They are different unique individuals, “BUDDY COUPLE,” who have perfect chemistry. We introduce its mannish and coquettish, BUDDY-COUPLE-like style that brings out your personality.
(more…)
Leave Comment
All of the turbans from the above collection are available at 
