04.11.13 Outfit: Flowy, Showy Road Trip

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Oversized Sunnies: Jeans Warehouse. Imperfect gold earrings: maygloba. Copper choker: H&M. Cloak-Designed Long T-Shirt in Landscape Print: Choies.com. GLAMOROUS Magazine Clutch: DIY. Rings: HauteLook, H&M. Rose-gold Crystal Watch: DailyLook. Wide Copper Cuff: ASOS (similar here). Convertible Midi-length dress (worn as skirt): Norma Kamali. Strappy suede heels: Abaete for Payless.

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Today Brooke and I ventured to the Salmon Street Springs in the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a lovely park that skirts the waterfront of the Willamette River that splits Portland in two.  Notwithstanding minor parking issues (like a designated 15-minute zone) and heels that I found offered no metatarsal support (like none whatsoever! How I keep forgetting to implement shoe inserts in these is beyond me), we still captured some great pictures in the early morning light. (more…)

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April Sponsor Spotlight: The Plaid Barn and a Giveaway: Goodie Box Stuffed with $50 Worth of DIY and Crafting Supplies!

The_Plaid_Barn_giveawayIt’s April already – which means a brand-new sponsor for Chic Steals and an amazing giveaway too!

The_Plaid_Barn_logoThis month’s sponsor is The Plaid Barn: a one-stop destination for daily sales of crafting and DIY supplies, all highly discounted from 60% off and higher.  With items ranging from 5 cents – around $40 at the very most, all the supplies available on the site are super-affordable…and are of extremely high quality, rivaling that which you can get at retail stores (for a huge markup in the stores, that is).  They have offered sales on washi tape bundles, mini clothespins, flower barrettes, printed scarves, pretty cabochons, and typewriter earrings (just to name a few), as well as DIY kits and grab bags full of lovely supplies. (Even after the Daily Deal has expired, you can still purchase supplies and kits here.) You can also hear an interview with founder Lindsay Edens that I did in my last Creatively Chic podcast here.


Caress Passionate Spell Finer Fragrance Elixir Body Wash Review + $25 Gift Card Giveaway!GIVEAWAY: A Box Stuffed with $50 Worth of Crafting SuppliesCaress Passionate Spell Finer Fragrance Elixir Body Wash Review + $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

Caress Passionate Spell Finer Fragrance Elixir Body Wash Review + $25 Gift Card Giveaway!How to EnterCaress Passionate Spell Finer Fragrance Elixir Body Wash Review + $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And that’s it!

Giveaway open to anyone, WORLDWIDE!

Giveaway period is open from now until Sunday, April 14, 11:59 PM PST.
Winner chosen by The Plaid Barn representative and notified by email.
Good luck!

xo
Carly

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Going to Lollapalooza, Coachella, or Bonnaroo? Here’s Your Music Festival Fashion Must-Haves!

musicfestivalfashionHeading into music festival season what’s on everyone’s minds (besides the great music and fun parties on the horizon)…is the fashion!  Lollapalooza, Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Bonnaroo…wherever you’re headed there’s some must-have attire you need to bring.  Here are a few awesome must-haves for your next music festival or concert event (or other Spring gathering):

Happy Musical Festivities – and Rock on, ladies!

xo
Carly
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DIY Mini-Skirt Inspiration from Chictopia

festival-style-reverse-skirt_400I love lurking on street-style blogs for many reasons, one of which is the MAJOR DIY inspo I can find there. Looking at the variety of other people’s outfits always gets my creativity wheels a-churning, thinking “oh, I could do this to a skirt I already have!” or “use an applique and you’d be able to make that!” etc.  I find that the street-style blogs geared towards a younger audience (Lookbook.nu and Chictopia.com, for example) are such a treasure trove of inspiration for embellishment, cutting, studding, and clothing alteration that you can’t find anywhere else (and that you can easily make yourself).  Given that Spring is in full swing already and skirt hemlines are rising, here is some mini-skirt inspiration sourced from Chictopia’s member style photos and shopping section:

festival-style-reverse-skirt_400Tibet Cross Skirt, $47

If you’re one for embroidery, you can embroider little crosses all over a chiffon skirt like in Hetterson’s Embroider a Pine Tree Dress for Frolic! Tutorial.  You could also use fabric cut into cross-shapes, backed with Heat ‘n’ Bond…or even tiny cross appliques.

SONY DSCfrom user MARSELL

A DIY tutu is no problem…you just need a couple yards of tulle, a little time, and this great DIY Tulle Skirt tutorial from Cotton & Curls.

buckled-zara-boots-chain-cross-bag-asos-bag-wrap-skort-zara-skirt_400from user STYLELIMELIGHT

Looks like that white Zara wrap skort is suddenly having a moment.  You could totally DIY something similar with a bit of white, stiff fabric using my DIY Simple Wrap Skirt tutorial.

penelopes-vintage-skirt_400Vintage 90s Corduroy Zip-Up Skirt, $30

Create a zipped-up look to any skirt by tacking a zipper down the front.

latiste-skirt_400Aloha Peplum Skirt, $34

Make this yourself by using A Matter of Style’s DIY Peplum Skirt tutorial – it’s so detailed and the finished product is amazing.

satin-elle-jacket-studded-aldo-pumps-wolford-stockings_400from user THECOVERTBOUTIQUE

You could totally change the look of any skirt you own by throwing on a removable peplum over it…I did a tutorial for a puffy DIY Jil Sander Gathered Removable Peplum awhile back, and ...love, Maegan has a great tutorial for a flippy, soft removable peplum of leather (easily converted to use with your favorite fabric).

yellow-cotton-on-shirt-black-stradivarius-shirt-yellow-little-paris-skirt_400from user ZEANVO

I love this pretty yellow skirt with this contrasting black print!  You could DIY this by hand-painting trees onto the bottom of a skirt with fabric paint…or even going the extra mile and making your own DIY Screenprinted Tree Skirt (and my tree image is available here if you’re interested).

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Punching Leather Skirt in Black, $58

To DIY this takes a great deal of time and precision…but you could do it to a thrifted leather skirt, using a leather punch and Syl and Sam’s DIY Scalloped Skirt tutorial.

blanco-skirt-blanco-blouse_400from user TWENTY7THINGS

Easily make a wrap-style tulip skirt from a large scarf like Lions, Tigers, and Fashion Oh My!.  Perfect for a beach cover-up or a chic boho look to any outfit!

What are your favorite mini-skirt tutorials?

Happy skirting!

xo

Carly

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DIY I Love New York Tote Made From a T-Shirt

done2*This project I contributed to Snippets Magazine: The New York Issue on Cut Out + Keep back in 2010, and am re-posting here on my blog.
Declare your love for the Big Apple!  Take that shirt showing genuine NYC pride and remake it into a stylish totebag. LOVE is in the details! Here’s how to make your own:
You Need:materials
I Love NY T Shirt (mine is a unisex Large)  /  White Thread
Tools: Tape Measure  /  Chalk  / Sewing Machine Needle for knits  /  Scissors  / Pin(s)  /  Serger /overlocker (optional)
How to: (more…)
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03.10.12 Outfit: Portland Bloggers Meetup and Creamy, Dreamy Layers

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Pink Blazer: Zara (similar here). Spike Beaded Chain Choker Necklace: DIY (tutorial here). Cone Stud Earrings: Forever 21. Tiered Raw Silk Tunic: ShopAKIRA (similar here or here). Studded Purse: Nicole Lee (old – similar here and here). Bear Keychain Charm: ?. Beaded Stretch Bracelets: DIY. Spike-End Bangle: DIY (tutorial here).  Black Jeggings: UNIQLO. Gold-Capped Ballet Flats: Sole Society (similar here and here).

pdxbloggers-4Backtracking a bit to share what I wore to the March Portland Bloggers’ Meetup Event “Strike a Pose” 2 Sundays ago.  (I still need to post photos from that super-fun day…which I will…soon….) (more…)

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DIY Gossip Girl-Inspired Mesh Rhinestone Earrings

done2*This project was featured here in the New York Issue of Snippets Magazine on Cut Out + Keep in 2010; I’m just re-posting the tutorial on my site.
inspiration

This last season of TV’s Gossip Girl has seen the two female leads wear some awfully big, flashy earrings in true 80’s throwback style. Taking a leaf from Blair’s Dynasty-inspired playbook, I’m DIY’ing another version of a pair of oversized gemstone earrings, using fabric and mesh tulle.

You Need: (more…)

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DIY Gold-Dipped Wire-Wrapped Quartz Necklace

0.diyquartzgolddippednecklace_introSo, in case you missed being able to attend the Free People Portland x Chic Steals DIY Event over the weekend, here is the tutorial for these pretty wire-wrapped quartz pendant necklaces!  Inspired by the Banjara Wishbox Pendant Necklace http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?exit=ProductDetails-Image&id=404915087 available at Free People this Spring, this quartz necklace is fairly quick and easy to make – and looks lovely layered with other necklaces, or all on its own as a standout piece.  Here’s how…z.diyquartzgolddippednecklace_done2

You Need: (more…)

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Free People Portland x Chic Steals DIY Quartz Necklace Event Recap

freepeopleeventcarlyjcais
Hello lovely readers!  I really enjoyed meeting some of you at the DIY Event with Free People Portland that I taught on Saturday.

freepeoplediyevent_3About 20 people came during a 2-hour period to learn how to make a beautiful gold-dipped quartz necklace.
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Explaining how to wire-wrap.  Some of the quartz pieces were pretty slippery!

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Comparing to my finished example of how to twist the ends of the wire.

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Adding the liquid gold gilding to the ends.

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It was so awesome!  There were people of all differing levels of DIY ability and interest: some seasoned makers who were already quite experienced with wire-wrapping, and some who were just getting their feet wet.

freepeoplediyevent_10Also: if your store or boutique or event is interested in hosting a DIY project event – drop me a line!  I’d love to work with you:-)

freepeoplediyevent_7Thanks to everyone who came to the event – and to Free People for hosting me!  It was lovely to meet all of you!

freepeoplediyevent_finishednecklaceP.S. And for anyone who wanted to stop by and couldn’t…I’ll be posting the tutorial on how to make one of these necklaces tomorrow!  Stay tuned…

xo
Carly

Event photos by Kristin Rosario

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