Mismatched stud rhinestone earrings: from Japan (I forget the brand)
Sweet Surprise Chiffon Bow Hairclip: Sproos (win it here!)
Crochet top and linen dress: mocha [Japan]
Feathered bangle: DIY (quickie how-to here)
Crochet lace Basket: DIY
Flowered Ballet Flats: DIY (tutorial here)
From the photoshoot last week with my talented friend Dave Lim in Portland’s Forest Park. (more…)
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Lately neon’s been the IT color of the season…and I’m particularly drawn to bright yellow. DIY tassel earrings have been making the rounds for some time on the blogosphere (see …love, Maegan’s version or Studs n Pearls’ version), so I decided to spice up my version with a bit of elegant rhinestone chain around the tops of the tassels. The great thing about using neon embroidery thread for this project? For some reason the quality of the thread is such that it unravels in a heartbeat…particularly annoying for friendship bracelet projects…but perfect for DIY tassels!! Here’s how to make them:
Materials: (more…)
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2 weeks into 1, posted on Thursday, playing catchup as always. It finally feels like Summer here (most days that is) and school years are winding down and I’m gearing up with Summer DIY projects by the dozen. What’s everybody else been up to??
Got 10 minutes? How about making 5 bracelets? Matter of Style posted this Build Your Arm Party awesomeness.
This may be from awhile ago, but it’s just perfect for Summer! Passions for Fashion’s DIY Guide – Draped Skirt is super-easy, non-destructive to your materials, and looks super-elegant!
Virginie Peny‘s DIY Veiled Cap is an excellent take on the omnipresent Jil Sander DIY Net Veil Beanie that’s been making it’s way around the blogosphere. Sporty + chic = instant love!
Found another DIY blog! Trinkets in Bloom has a number of great DIY tutorials to peruse…and I think I love her Striped Leather Purse DIY best. What an amazing transformation!
Cocorosa shared a pair of easy DIY Flower Heels…made with the addition of clip-on barrettes from H&M. (I made a similar pair of flower heels awhile ago, by creating clip-on corsages from flowers from the craft store that I liked. Either way, a little bit of floral prettiness on your feet goes a long way!!)
Just when I was thinking of making a camera strap to replace my DSLR’s ugly CANON-emblazoned one, Chictopians LIPGLOSSANDBLACK come up with an edgy spiked DIY Designer Camera Strap. Gorgeous!
Reware Vintage posted an ingenious tutorial for re-using the metal brackets that come in a picture frame…and fashioning them into a DIY Chevron Necklace. How incredibly cool is that?!
More awesome repurposing: How to Make a Belt from a Scarf from Scarves.net (incidentally written by my DIY blogger friend Stacie from Stars for Streetlights). It may take a bit of sewing, but the pop of pattern and color at the waist can’t be beat!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
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Draped Poly Kimono-Sleeve Jacket: SLY
Mismatched rhinestone stud earrings: bought in Japan
Faux enamel necklace: handmade by me
“To Be Green is To Be Serene” slogan t-shirt; Hinged Silver Cuff: Forever 21
Slap Watch: ?
Upcycled Padded Leather Stud Zip Clutch: DIY (tutorial for body of clutch here; added zipper following this tutorial here)
Ripped Bean Pole Jeans: Insight Denim (similar here)
Perforated Wedge Heels: Qupid
I had the great pleasure to shoot with my friend Dave Lim the other day – and he’s a really amazing photographer.
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Well, I did this step-by-step DIY of a pair of Luxury Jones belt-wrapped boots (as found on FreePeople.com) a little while ago and couldn’t wait to share the tutorial. You need: a pair of vintage Western-style boots with mid-calf or knee-length shafts, 3-4 belts that you like, a sharp box cutter, a pair of shears, and some glue for leather/vinyl. (As well as some matching shoe polish if your leather boots are dirty.;-)
However, I also happened to find this DIY in video form, and must give full credit to Mr. Kate, who shared the how-to first on Youtube:
Think of all the possibilities – if you can just find the right pair of vintage-style Western boots!
Oh well..at least I had fun making them!
xoxox
Carly
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Personally, I’m not a huge fan of pricey designer sunglasses (especially since I tend to lose pairs frequently…or worse, leave them on my car seat and sit on them the next time I hop in.:-/
But I love affordable, on-trend sunnies, and this year I’m breaking away from my usual black, oversized frames towards something colorful and fun. Quayeyewear caught my eye as a great, affordable alternative to the high-priced stuff, that’s made well enough to last through seasons – and mistaken sittings;-). Though the company is based in Australia, the line is available in over 30 countries worldwide, and they offer FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING for any order off their website. Oh, and most of the prices? Around $39.95 per pair.
Left column, from top: Blue 1532 / Red 1461 / Lime 1553 / Leopard 1406
Right column, from top: Pink 1518 / White with Black Arms 1395 / Peach 1525
A portion of sales from Quayeyewear also benefit a number of charities, including Make a Wish Foundation and Teen with A Dream, so these sunnies are also a great feel-good purchase.
What are your go-to sunglasses this Summer?
xoxox
Carly
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Mixed Media Bib Necklace: DIY (tutorial here)
Convertible Chiffon Top: QoJelly
Neon Yellow Chain Necklace worn as bracelet: moussy
Rigs: various (mostly bought in Japan)
Bag: Hermes Birkin knockoff (exact maker unknown)
Double-wrap Studded Belt: Forever 21 (similar here)
Spotted Poly Chiffon Skirt: Thrifted (label says Country Road Australia)
Rho Heels: All Saints Spitalfields
The weather turned super-warm this weekend so I draped myself in chiffon and neutrals. (more…)
Swarovski recently contacted me about their in-house magazine, asking if I’d like to check it out. And of course I said yes! Anything that celebrates fashionable creativity – especially with the high-end name of Swarovski attached – is a must-see in my book!
See the beautiful heat-embossed texture on the crystals on the cover!
The Create Your Style with Swarovski Elements magazine, founded in 2007, is published once a year in Austria [the birthplace of Swarovski]. It typically includes new products in the Swarovski line, tons of tutorials using the crystal elements, ideas and tips, and interviews with artists and makers. It is mainly available online here, but is also available in select Swarovski Elements retailers throughout the world. 
With this fifth issue (Issue Sound), the editors have included the many instances of how Swarovski has collaborated with the music industry for show-stopping costumes, accessories, and stagewear in the past, as well as music-inspired projects that would get any crystal enthusiast excited. 
Covering a wide range of techniques from stringing, bead-crimping, papercraft, resin-coating, sewing, and bead-ironing (!), the 10 step-by-step projects can easily be customized or adapted to your own personal taste, and feature large step-by-step photos that are easy to follow. 
(You can also find some of these projects available at www.create-your-style.com.) The Swarovski Create Your Style community celebrates DIY and crafts utilizing Swarovski Elements, including makers and crystal-lovers from all over the world.
I personally love Swarovski crystal (the brilliance, cut, sparkle, and quality is unmatched by any other crystal brand), and have used Swarovski items in many of my projects and DIYs before (see: Subversive Jewelry Sunken Treasure Necklace; Gossip Girl-Inspired Crochet-and-Bead Necklace for example) 
Though not all the projects in the magazine are things I personally would try, I can easily follow the directions for some of the more unfamiliar techniques to apply them in different projects (can’t wait to try that Cocktail Decoration Bead-Ironing project (pictured above), for instance!)
Swarovski has generously sent me an extra copy of Issue Sound to give away to one lucky Chic Steals reader. Here’s how to enter:
How to EnterEdited 5/26: The entry period is now over and the winner will be announced shortly.
3. Swarovski is also offering another copy of the magazine for giveaway on their Facebook page. So visit their Facebook page and enter there (daily, if you like), to increase your chances of winning a copy of the magazine. (unlimited daily entries until May 31). This giveaway chance is unaffiliated with Chic Steals.
Total: 1 entry per person for the Chic Steals giveaway, daily entries from now until May 31 on Swarovski’s Facebook page.
Giveaway open to U.S.-based readers only.
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I feel silly that I haven’t tried this before. Usually when my manicure chips, I scrape it off and start anew. But a quick swipe of glitter on the tips camouflages things enough that it can last me at least another 3-4 days. Brilliant!
Base color: Essie Lilacism
Glitter: Nails Inc. London Chelsea Embankment*
*I was so happy to have found this glittery gold polish: it’s a really fine glitter, but with maximum, full coverage. I as so sick of glitter polishes that only contained a few sparkles floating in a clear polish…this is just perfect for full-on, max glitter!!
How do you extend the life of your manicure?
(When you aren’t getting gel manicures, that is…)
xoxox
Carly
I’m still getting over the jetlag from my recent trip to Tokyo, getting back into the daily routine, and getting used to it being light until like 9:00 at night here. Summer’s right around the corner, it’s been amazing weather here, and I’m in the mood to air out my wardrobe, upcycle stuff that’s been sitting around, and tackle all those projects that have been on my to-do list for ages! On my radar recently:
Refashion Files is a new daily refashion inspiration blog started by Jen of Tatertots and Jello and Amy of Mod Podge Rocks. It’s a great source of refashioned projects from around the internet. If you’ve done some crafty upcycling, why not submit your own refashioned project as well?
Speaking of refashioning, I’ve come across another amazingly creative blog! Mostly focused on sewing, upcycling, and refashioning, Cotton and Curls has some great tutorials for breathing new life into your old clothes. Try her beautiful draped Stand & Deliver Skirt to get your started!
Make your own shoes? Sure, why not! I CAN Make Shoes offers an easy-to-use downloadable guide to Making Your Own Sandals, for 6.98 pounds. Also available: their guide to making your own Baby Shoes, soles, and insoles for the Make Your Own Sandals Guide ( a mere 2.98 pounds a pair). And if you’re in the U.K.’s Hackney Downs area, you can also sign up for workshops on shoe-making (ballet flats, shoe designing, and shoe upcycling are also offered).
Mega-brand Gap has partnered with the online community Threadless to introduce T-It-Yourself (T.I.Y.) on their Facebook page – encouraging people to upcycle their old tees into fashionable items! The first project in the series involves covering some boring old sandal straps with strips cut from a colorful old tee. Just lovely!
Check out the beautiful Whitney and her recent creative project on her blog Freshly Given: a Greek Style Top refashioned from a maxi-skirt. Just perfect for the summer days ahead!
This is absolutely amaaaaahzing: DIY Spiked Loafers by Chictopians Lipgloss and Black. A whole lotta work – but just droolworthy results. Kudos to those brave enough to attempt it!!
RunwayDIY posted a great DIY of those wavy-hem Stella McCartney MVP Shorts. Sexy and classy at the same time – and I love her choice of appliques!
I have a fun and easy summer dress tutorial/upcycle in the works…and while researching how to do it I came across this video on sewing a Tulle Tutu from Youtube user Gristolin. Beautiful, girly, froufy – and just perfect!!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
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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.
