Kicking off this new series for my blog called Lookbook from ____* is the amazing Japanese brand Lily Brown, that seemed to just spring up out of practically nowhere back in 2011 and was suddenly in multiple boutiques throughout Japan, offering uber-cute, affordable clothes with a unique twist. The brainchild of the fashion giant mash style lab (who also launched the ubiquitous Japanese brand snidel, as well as gelato pique and FRAY I.D). The Lily Brown girl is retro-feminine, and the Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook caters to that vintage whimsy.
Welcome to the very first installment of F.I.L.L.: my FRIDAY: I Love Links list! (Well, I guess it’s really FILLL…?)
I used to do DIY Links of the Week Roundups, where I curated 8-10 links a week, only of DIY tutorials, from all over the web. I did it for 2 years, but stopped doing it this past September when I got too busy with my job.
But I still surf the web, and find amazing content that I’m just dying to share with all of you! (I’ve just been trying to figure out a better format in which to present it.)
So welcome to F.I.L.L., a new weekly roundup of great content, no longer just limited to DIY.
I’ve just come across Style Me Pretty. Focusing on gorgeous photography and wedding inspo mostly, it regardless provides daily inspiration for all things beautiful and amazing. Where have you been all my life??!
Need some positive thinking and some beautiful typographic inspiration? Positive Inking to the rescue.
Buy It: Shopping Picks
I’ve fallen in love with Furbish Studio and all their chic offerings. These are just beautiful! Swoon.
I am obsessed with this neutral jacket. Topping off breezy Spring outfits, or even over just a bandeau top, it’s the perfect piece for transition weather. (You can also get free shipping to a US address til May 31 with code SOCLEAN50 for purchases $50 and above.)
M&J Trimming is offering discounts this month: 15% off spikes (with code SPIKES15), and 15% off ribbons (with code RIBBONS15). Valid til May 31.
What could be more Summery than beautiful photographs of must-visit vacation spots? And nothing can herald the coming of this season more than wearing said photos on your person: an apparel-fueled mental vacation, if you will.
Get A Life is a series of photo-printed tops for men, sold at Wal-Mart for very affordable prices (around $9 and up, and now available on eBay by the hundreds). Their pieces are made of a stretchy polyester, which makes them wonderfully-suited for women’s clothing (especially bodycon styles!). These T-shirts, since made for men, are already oversized (read: TONS of workable fabric!)…and very easily remade into something perfect for a woman…and perfect for fun in the sun. Here’s how:
Music festival season is in full swing…and now is a great time to refresh some of your old faves in the closet and get them ready for the circuit! Here are some on-trend festival fashion DIY’s that can get you ready to rock out in a flash:
Turn a men’s t-shirt into a DIY Chain-and-Bead Halter Dress. Stitch on another tube of fabric to the bottom and you have a maxi-dress, or leave it short for a cute festival look or pool cover-up.
Make your own sheer DIY Lace Maxi-Skirt…From a Curtain for super-cheap (mine cost $2.99 for the lace curtain from Goodwill!)…even cheaper if you already have lace lying around.
While on the subject of lace…you could also attach lace to your boots for a pair of DIY Lace-Covered Boots to pretty up your steps.
A DIY Bra Strap Headband is a great way to re-use an old bra strap – and adorned with a fancy pin, it looks equal parts boho glam and Art Deco festive.
Jazz up a tote bag with studs and fringe to make a DIY Biker Babe Fringed Tote. Coordinating biker dude sold separately.
The cherry blossoms dropped a couple weeks ago, but the plum blossoms are just raining down! It’s like snow here in Portland. Just gorgeous wherever you go.It’s in stark contrast to the content of the news this week. (more…)
MaxandChloe.com is one of the premiere destinations online for fashionable, fabulous jewelry – servicing all price points from $5 – $1500, and carrying more than 300 designer brands. They also offer one of the widest arrays of personalized jewelry on the Internet.
I’ve been wanting an initial necklace for awhile (and had been thinking to DIY one, but due to the cost of the metal stamps I didn’t want to splurge for an entire set when I only wanted two letters for my necklace). I had also been wanting a delicate necklace to layer with other necklaces: something non-obtrusive, understated, and chic. Max and Chloe contacted me and offered an item of jewelry from their collection, and I quickly snapped up the Urban Sweetpea Double Oval Personalized Initial Pendant Necklace ($90).
I was truly taken with the vintage-esque typewriter font, oxidized for readability, set in the teensy-tiny oval tags. For the personalization, I ended up choosing a C (for my name, Carly), and a K for…well, someone close to my heart🙂
I have been wearing it nonstop since it arrived in the mail (accompanied by a very elegant Max & Chloe-branded pouch…in which all their jewelry is packaged, by the way!).
Here are some other personalized pieces from the Max & Chloe website which caught my eye:
Which piece(s) catches your eye? I’m drooling over the Jordann Magnolia Signet ring, but the Nashelle Identity Ring is a lovely (and affordable) substitute.
Come back tomorrow to see how I wore my Urban Sweetpea Double Initial necklace!
So having been so inspired by gold-appointed typography art, I just had to make some myself to hang in my new office. The great thing about DIY’ing it is that you can choose anything: any word, phrase, or saying that has special meaning to you – and forever memorialize it in paint and glitter. It looks so chic livening up a freshly-painted wall!
You Need:
pre-cut picture mat / large piece of white cardstock / gold craft paint / loose gold glitter (not pictured) / printout of your words / Mod Podge (not pictured)
Tools: paintbrush / tape / something to protect your surface / craft knife / pencil & eraser / ruler / bowl for paint
I’m finally nearing the end of my personal Iliad [my home office makeover] and am now beginning to think of what I want on my newly-painted, white white walls. I’ve gone with a white-gold-birch theme to the room, so am currently inspired by slick gold typography (to match with my DIY Glittery Gold Nugget Geometric Pushpins).
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
Kicking off this new series for my blog called Lookbook from ____* is the amazing Japanese brand Lily Brown, that seemed to just spring up out of practically nowhere back in 2011 and was suddenly in multiple boutiques throughout Japan, offering uber-cute, affordable clothes with a unique twist. The brainchild of the fashion giant mash style lab (who also launched the ubiquitous Japanese brand snidel, as well as gelato pique and FRAY I.D). The Lily Brown girl is retro-feminine, and the Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook caters to that vintage whimsy.
from 
What could be more Summery than beautiful photographs of must-visit vacation spots? And nothing can herald the coming of this season more than wearing said photos on your person: an apparel-fueled mental vacation, if you will.
How about some 
Turn a men’s t-shirt into a 
Layer on lace with my 
Make your own sheer 
While on the subject of lace…you could also attach lace to your boots for a pair of 
And speaking of boots, you can also 
A 
Jazz up a tote bag with studs and fringe to make a 
Everyone needs a scarf to accessorize at a festival. 
Try my 
Go the flower child route and make a pair of 
If you’re up for a challenge, why not recon a guy’s button-down into a hot little 
Or into a 
Every outfit needs accessories too…and you can raid your fabric or home furnishings store for these 
It’s in stark contrast to the content of the news this week. 
I was truly taken with the vintage-esque typewriter font, oxidized for readability, set in the teensy-tiny oval tags. For the personalization, I ended up choosing a C (for my name, Carly), and a K for…well, someone close to my heart🙂
So having 
