Aug 9, 2013 | Fashion
Initial pendant necklace:
urban sweetpea (c/o Max&Chloe). Tanktop-Chiffon Hybrid Dress:
DIY (tutorial coming soon!). Flowered Snackcessory Case:
DIY (
tutorial here). Faux Druzy Bracelet: Michael’s. Tie Sparkly Sandals: Old Navy (similar here).
I once had a job as the office admin assistant at a ballet school and the sight of all the students filing past in the morning in their ballerina buns, warm-up legwarmers, pink tights, and chiffon wrap-skirts evoked a deep-seated longing to emulate this pretty look. (more…)
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Aug 3, 2013 | Fashion
Try pink and orange together for a funky sorbet pop!
Yesterday I had something completely different scheduled (my usual
F.I.L.L. in which I share fun and inspiring links weekly), but apparently my host server had other plans, as BlueHost servers went down yesterday at 3 AM and took most of the day to get back on-line. As a result, I’m now going with something completely different today.
F.I.L.L. should resume next week, so stay tuned!
Fashionising has put together some incredibly inspiration color combination mood boards – and I’m totally loving the bright pops and unexpected mixes! (It’s a total 80’s revival…coming at ya.)
Here are a couple of my new combinations I’m raring to try: 
Oxford blue and emerald green are coolly sophisticated.
Yellow and turquoise make a refreshing Summer combo!
xo
Carly
Images from Fashionising.com
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Aug 1, 2013 | DIY
I LOVE mixed-media accessories: they totally appeal to my bi-polar personality. 😉 Want a little rope? Sure, let’s start with that. And how about rhinestones? You can never have enough bling. And chain? Yup, got that. How about some ribbon, netting, embroidery thread, beads, and wire? OF COURSE!
I love that this piece is totally over-the top and such an eye-catching statement. (I wore it in this outfit here if you want to see how it stands out against other pieces.) It’s fairly simple to make since it’s really just a lot of gluing. Don’t be intimidated by the amount of materials…you can vary what you use for your own personal style statement! Here’s how: (more…)
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Jul 31, 2013 | DIY
When nail polish starts chipping there are only a few options for you: take it all off, swipe another coat of same-colored polish on to try to hide it, or try a contrasting color layered over top. I’m very much a contrasting-color sort-of-person since I love incorporating different textures and colors into my mani.
One of the easiest ways to fix a slightly chipped mani is by adding a French manicure tip: I love the luxe look of a gold glitter tip! {Click for photos of my version above)
Another great way is with a shiny metallic tip: so chic and polished. I love cool silver too – and this can even be accomplished with a silver metallic Sharpie you may have on hand!
My mani is just a coat of clear – and then silver Sharpie at the ends – and a topcoat. You could also do any color you want, and pair with a gold, rose gold, or other metallic-hued pen for ultra glamour!
How do you extend the life of your mani?
xo
Carly
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Jul 30, 2013 | Fashion
Faded velvet ribbons, Edwardian lace, the beaded applique of a 1920’s dress, aurora borealis rhinestone buttons. Holly’s one-of-a-kind designs begin with her favored raw materials: salvaged antique fabrics and trims. With a career that began by reconstructing vintage garments into wearable pieces, Stalder (along with partner Kate Towers) opened a boutique called Seaplane in 2000, that became a Portland mainstay until it closed in 2008. Since then she moved on to focus on her own eponymous line, opening a new boutique called Haunt with fellow Portland designers Laura Irwin and Rachael Donaldson. The shop is both a retail store and a studio, offering the three designers’ collections and curated picks from other brands.
(more…)
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Jul 29, 2013 | Fashion
Mixed-Media Rope Necklace:
DIY (
tutorial here). Skeleton-print T-shirt: sauce (similar
here).
Fitbit Flex in Slate
. Watch:
Baby-G in White. Chiffon and Eyelash Lace Culottes: as know as de base (Japanese brand). Zippered Tote Bag: Snidel (freebie from
Vivi Magazine July 2013 issue). Ombre Clear-Heel Sandals: JINADICT (similar
here).
I always hesitate when it comes to putting together an outfit to wear while walking around at Summer fairs and carnivals. 
(more…)
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Jul 25, 2013 | Fashion
It’s the middle of Summer, temperatures are rising, and it becomes so much harder to look chic and effortless. Plus you’re not covered with accessories and coats and scarves and hats and the like…so it may be more difficult to incorporate DIY pieces into your outfits. But here are some great ideas from street style photos for you to start your DIY list for the [mid-] season:
via Obaz.com
Jazz up a pair of cutoffs with sequin and beaded trims (M&J Trimming has some great ones!)
via WiolettaM’s Lookbook.nu
Add a pretty printed fabric over a panel on your satchel with some Mod Podge.
via MeganCavallo on ModCloth Style Gallery
Liven up a plain black skirt with fabric paint in wide bands.
via Ashley Tarkington on Lucky Community
Craft up a Trina Turk lookalike dress by adding some bright bias binding to the edges of a neutral dress, and wear with a black stretchy elastic belt.
via FashionDistrict.org
Add some pretty felt flowers to the brim of a straw hat to match your outfit…extra points if you put them on a pin-backing and make them removable. 😉
via FashionDistrict.org
Add fun to a plain cotton blouse by printing it with tiny animals (using a stencil or stamp) and fabric paint or ink. Instant DIY print!
via Atlantic-Pacific
Add a favorite saying to a loose sweatshirt or T-shirt with some bold iron-on letters.
{source unknown}
Try your hand at ombre-dyeing by dip-dyeing a white silken blouse with indigo hues.
via FashionHotbox
Make that plain tote you carry everywhere tons more fun with a bag- or box-shaped iron-on graphic. (You could also just paint your own, or try just outlining it trompe l’oeil-style with a Sharpie!)
via With Love From Kat
Hand-sew colorful tassels to the edges of a printed scarf for a Moroccan vibe and a punch of color.
How are you DIY’ing your outfits this Summer?
xo
Carly
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Jul 24, 2013 | Fashion
I can’t get this image of this chic woman at the Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014 out of my head – I pinned it to my Pinterest board recently and have been lusting ever since! Her outfit is totally next on my DIY list! It’s so perfect for Summery weather, and yet so incredibly polished. (And so DIY’able!)
Just pull your hair back into a low bun and pair with some sunnies you’ve DIY’d with some cut metal pieces (a la my DIY Alexander Wang Zipper Sunglasses tutorial) or added a couple white stripes with nailpolish or washi tape to. Cut the sleeves off a tight black T-shirt and chop is to rib-length. If you’re comfortable with sewing, the skirt you could make yourself from a basic pencil skirt pattern, using a graphic striped fabric (I swear Jo-Ann’s has something really similar to that lattice!). Add a black flounce to the hem using a curved piece of fabric, then applique over it with fruits cut from quilting fabric and use Heat N Bond to secure! (Like how I made my DIY Floral Applique Cardigan.) Pair with a pair of navy satin pumps and a dark green perspex clutch (you could totally use a clear lucite jewelry box and paint the inside with green glass paint) – and you’re good to go!
And if you’re not following me on Pinterest yet, please do! I’d love to see you there! Lots of outfits and DIY ideas to get inspired by:-)
xo
Carly
image via Fashionising.com
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Jul 23, 2013 | Fashion
I couldn’t wait to share with all of you the latest lookbook images from the Japanese brand m.soeur. Designed by Kyoto-born Emi Ono, the line is ethereal and lovely, incorporating tea-dyed and hand-made silk flowers and lace into accessories, jewelry, and removable clothing embellishments. Inspired by trees, flowers, and natural elements, the designer also creates custom settings for earrings and rings in twisted brass and silver. (Love their signature floral earcuff! – above left.) Check out m.soeur’s breathtaking creations for 2013 below, and see previous collections on their official website here.
m. soeur is sold in select boutiques throughout Japan, and in France (find the list here), and online at i-Lumine and ZOZOTOWN.
xo
Carly
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Jul 21, 2013 | DIY
Back when I worked on the May campaign with Martha Stewart Jewelry, I actually made a couple of pieces while playing around with the treasure trove of supplies I was sent. (Only my DIY Enamel Spring Flower Bib Necklace made it to the blog for the campaign post.) But I also made these earrings, and though I don’t have a shot of me wearing them yet (Hub has been working odd hours ever since we got back from Japan), I still wanted to share the how-to with all of you.
I’ve always been drawn to the intricate nature of filigree pieces and love its versatility (I even used it for the backing of the bib necklace above!). It reminds me of ancient scrolling and iron work – perhaps more suited to Guinevere’s or Cleopatra’s time than the modern minimalism of today. Of course these jewelry findings are not true filigree (which is made of soldered wire that is curved and bent to form patterns), but instead is created with dies cutting the pattern into metal. Incorporating them into your jewelry will add a sophisticated touch with a vintage feel, and adding crystal components and a wash of color from the Martha Stewart Jewelry line is a great way to truly customize your pieces. And you only need to be able to link jumprings and wield a paintbrush! Here’s how: (more…)
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