Horse-printed chiffon shirt: ASOS (bought on sale – see below for similar)
3-ring necklace: 100yen shop (Tokyo)
Black faux fur bag: handmade by me
Chain-link belt: ASOS (bought on sale)
Wool wide-leg pants: Banana Republic (thrifted)
Suede lace-up booties: Target (a steal since they were on clearance sale in-store!)
What I wore to Lil Tot’s Spring performance for his school on Friday. (more…)
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counter-clockwise from top right: Free People Vintage Bolo Necklace ($298), Elliot Atkinson Runway (photo by Morgan O’Donovan for DazedDigital), Egoist Cross Stone Bow-Tie NC (1,995 yen), DIY by me
I am such a necklace person; I always feel naked if I’m not wearing a strand (or two or three) of something metal and glittering at my neck. But sometimes I want to break away from the something-pendantlike-strung-on-a-chain rut…and the bolo tie necklace is the perfect piece to do that. Whimsical and retro, this style of adornment has been seen lately in the offerings at Free People and the runway at Elliot Atkinson (and was in countless shops when I visited Tokyo last Summer). Of course you can find bolo ties on Ebay or thrift shops…but you can also make one that’s all your own quite easily – and from stuff you probably already have in your craft drawer! Here’s how:
Materials: (more…)
Leave CommentNew York Fashion Week is now in full swing, everyone – and even if we all can’t be there, we can peruse the collections, get a glimpse of what’s to come in a little less than a year, and start formulating ideas for what to buy and what to DIY. Here are a couple possibilities for at-home creativity:
Catherine Malandrino
Cut long rectangles in the front and back of a leather skirt, leaving the side seams intact, and sew (or use leather glue) to affix mesh panels on the inside of the cuts.
Imitation of Christ
This tie-front buttoned tube top would be such an easy DIY…just refashion it from a men’s chambray button-down! (And use the scraps for the neckerchief;-)
Thakoon
Girly up a standard trenchcoat by gluing (or sewing) a swatch of pink leopard printed fabric over the collar.
Zac Posen
Make your own chic capelet like the one at Zac Posen by sewing together the edges of a faux-mink throw and making slits low down where your hands would go. An instant cold-weather topper!
all images from Style.com
xoxox
Carly
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I’ve actually been up on Mt. Hood all weekend since my in-laws have arrived to stay for the week and they always want to go on a trip out to Timberline when they visit. I could have done without it (considering I’ve had a bad head cold and sinus infection since last week), but when when the in-laws are in town, there’s not much choice in the matter. 
Besides, I was hoping the skiing practice would help Lil Tot, who has been taking snowboarding lessons on and off through the Winter, but still isn’t a very confident skiier. (Of course he has a head cold and sinus infection too – which is where I got mine – so he wasn’t up to much activity either.)
But he tried and even managed to ski by himself a little bit on the flat parts!
We managed to ski down a green slope yesterday without incident, but today Hub and the in-laws insisted on going up to the top of the mountain because they were bored with the kiddie slopes. Splitting up was not an option either, and so I worked super-hard to push a 6-year-old who can’t turn down a very steep, sloping mountain on fresh powder. 
I can’t believe I didn’t put my foot down and refuse to try skiing this. Look at that slope!!
But a quarter of the way down I went over a hardened ball of powder, my left leg started sliding away from me, and Lil Tot (wedged in-between my skis) pushed outwards with his legs, and we went down in a big heap. My left leg was wrenched outwards out a weird angle, and when I tried to stand again I found my knee had turned to jelly. With Lil Tot frantically crying because he thought we’d never be able to get down, I was able to get us [slowly] down to the bottom of the mountain again, and then loop around and back to the lodge. At least we didn’t have much time left anyway before we had to head home.
My knee is feeling pretty weird, but hopefully a good soaking in a hot bath tonight will help things. Note to self: when steering other human beings down the mountain, stay on the flat paths!!!;-)
Despite our skiing mishaps, I always enjoy the food at Timberline Lodge (though if you’re staying for more than 2 days it gets a bit repetitive).
Full Breakfast Buffet: blueberry pancakes with raspberry sauce and maple syrup, raspberry jam croissants, maple bacon, lodge sausages, assorted cheese, fresh fruit.
Lunch Cheese Tasting Plate: Smokestack, Smokey Blue, and Brindle cheese with smoked hazelnuts, crusty bread, and peppered pear preserves. Strawberry Lemonade.
The cheeses drizzled with rosemary honey.
Vegetarian Dinner Tasting Plate: sauteed broccolini and baby carrots, poached duck egg, celery root and pine nut pot pie with raclette cream.
Pink Lady Apple Pie with pine nut brittle, brandy cream, and salted caramel ice cream.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
xoxox
Carly
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If you celebrate V-day with your significant other and want to look your best on the big day…here are a couple tips for romantic makeup, hair, and outfits. With just a little bit of effort, achieving the whole package just got a little easier!
A great look starts off with your face – and what better way to find inspiration than a slideshow of different romantic looks from Refinery29?
From Nicholas Penna, Jr., owner and lead stylist at SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham:
The Sock Bun: Start by blow-drying hair with a natural bristle brush; once hair is dry, apply a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum to the shafts and ends of hair. Using a fine-tooth comb to smooth out bumps, slick hair back into a high ponytail at the crown of your head and secure it with an elastic. Cut off the end of a clean, unwanted sock (where your toes would be), and roll it up into a donut shape, placing it around the base of the ponytail. Tilt your head slightly forward and spread your ponytail evenly around the sock so that half of your hair is toward the top of the sock, pointing toward your forehead, and half is at the bottom, pointing toward your back. Use a second hair elastic to wrap and secure hair around the outside of the sock, creating a ballerina-bun at the crown of your head. Twist remaining hair in one direction and use bobby-pins to tuck and clip the ends underneath your bun. Finish with a light application of hairspray.
Sleek, “Wet-Inspired” Hair: Start by combing through wet hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles, and add a walnut-size dollop of styling balm to the top half of wet, tangle-free hair. Brush your hair towards the back of your head with a fine-tooth comb and secure it tightly with an elastic. Twist hair gently, and wrap it into around the base of the ponytail to create a round bun. Use bobby pins to secure the end of your ponytail and tame fly-aways. Run a fine-tooth comb through the top of your hair up to the bun to smooth over any bumps, and finish with a generous amount of an extra-hold hairspray.
Bouncy, Volumized Hair: Start with a classic blow-dry using a round, natural bristle brush and a palm-full of volumizing mousse. Once hair is dry, add volume to the top of the head by teasing the hair using hairspray and a round brush. After desired volume is achieved, curl hair away from the face from end to root with a large barrel (2″) curling iron.Using a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum, rub your hands together and gently run your fingers through the curls to separate them. Finish the look with light hair spray and you’re red carpet ready!
Smooth and Sleek Hair with a Center Part: Start by parting wet hair directly in the center of your head using the edge of a fine-toothed comb. Dry hair with the nozzle attachment of your blow-dryer, and a natural bristle brush, pulling hair and the dryer downward to smooth out hair. Apply a pea-sized drop of smoothing serum from the shafts to the ends of your hair. Run a straightening iron through your ends to straighten out any waves and voila, you have a classic look for day or night!
Need some ideas for what to wear on your hot date? Want to go beyond “sexy and red?” Try checking out looks that other stylish ladies on Chictopia have put together:
And if you’re still stuck for a gift, try out this handmade chocolate box from Delia Creates:
or this geek-chic Lego heart necklace from Iridium on Karmaloop (try a DIY if you have the parts!):
or a whole bunch of ideas of what to craft for your guy over at Dollar Store Crafts (heart-print boxers from ILoveToCreate.com):
Hope that gives you some ideas for the Day of Love!
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!:-D
xoxox
Carly
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Mercedes-Benze New York Fashion Week is now fully in swing, and already the news and trends we have to look forward to next season are trickling in. But first and foremost: what to wear around town and to the shows this week.
Rue La La offered up a curated boutique yesterday on some must-have pieces to wear in NYC (curated by Lauren David Peden), and though the offerings dwindled quickly, I thought I could offer up some affordable possibilities instead.
Looks from left to right; click on the links for an affordable option:
LOOK 1: gradation sunnies, knee-length tweed coat, textured fur scarf, terracotta striped top, grey skinny jeans, black ankle booties, structured black tote bag
LOOK 2: oversized sunnies, fluffy fur stole, black-and-gray striped sweater, knee-length black wool coat, black skinny jeans, leather over-the-knee boots, large brown tote
LOOK 3: zebra finch fur mid-length coat w/ black belt (original still avail. here!), light gray silk drape top, colorblock bag, gray skinny jeans, black knee-length suede boots
LOOK 4: amber sunnies, cropped leopard faux fur jacket
, mulberry-colored doctor bag, suede wedge ankle boot
LOOK 5: black cocoon coat, colorful silk scarf
, blue leather gloves, gray drapey long-sleeved dress, quilted black structured handbag, black tights, suede wedge ankle boot
(And if you still want to check out the Rue La La boutique to see if anything’s left, use this invite here!)
Hope this gives you some styling ideas for some high-fashion citified wear!
photos from Ruelala.com; arrays by me
xoxox
Carly
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So January ends with a whimper and now February hits, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Here in Portland we’re enjoying the characteristic couple weeks at this time of year when the Winter rain stops and we get warm[ish], sunshiny days. That’ll all be over pretty soon and we’ll have afternoons of hail coming in a month or so. Oh well. We can all warm our hearts with a little DIY in the meantime…
Taylor & Demolish did a DIY Rhinestone Collar Necklace. (Boy, it seems everyone’s got collars on the brain these days!!) LOVE it!
Speaking of rhinestone necklaces, you can also DIY your own version of a Dannijo rhinestone necklace using a vintage bracelet and some neon nailpolish with Going West. (I know we’ve all seen nailpolish-coated rhinestone necklaces before…but is Dannijo’s piece inspired by them or the other way around? Which came first: the original or the DIY? Hmmm…..)
Warmer temps are on their way! Make some sassy studded DIY shorts with Jen Ell’s Revenge. I’m feeling the spaced-apart grid pattern she used – a new take on this ubiquitous trend.
How pretty and easy is this Turn a Necklace Into a Headband DIY from …love, Maegan?? Just a couple stitches and a hair elastic and you have yourself a beautiful, one-of-a-kind hair adornment.
Okay – this Cinch Bag tutorial by Sweet Verbena is awesome!! So stylish and unique – and imagine changing the cinching ribbons so your bows are different-colored…or decorated…oooh!!
I received a reader question about creating stylish lingerie, and I didn’t get back to her immediately since there seems to be a dearth of good patterns for undergarments. BurdaStyle posted 9 patterns for the boudoir, which although they aren’t DIY per se, can definitely help get you started on creating your own underpinnings.
DIY EVENT ALERT! This Saturday (Feb 11) from 12 – 3 PM at your local Free People Boutique, customers will get to create a special DIY for their Valentines. Get more info and RSVP at their Facebook page here. (Find your local Free People store here)
Going on a tropical getaway anytime soon? Need a new cover-up for the beach or pool? How about a quick and easy clothing project that requires no sewing? This DIY Caftan video on Craftzine should satisfy all those yearnings and more!
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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I’m a member of the Portland Blogger’s Brunch group: a meetup of about 50+ local bloggers who meet once every two months to network, talk about all things blogging, and make some local blogger friends. I went to my first meetup in December, and it was so much fun!
Yesterday we had our February meetup, hosted by Nicole of Nicole-Marie Who? (above) at her lovely apartment meeting room setting. 
We enjoyed a delicious brunch of mini croissants, quiche, chocolate truffles, ambrosia fruit salad, coconut macaroons, and champagne and orange juice. (more…)
Hair: rolled back at the sides and secured at the back in an under-roll with bobby pins
Faux Gem Studs: Forever 21
3 rings gold necklace: 100yen shop (Tokyo)
Silver Studded Cardigan: DIY of a Forever 21 cardigan (tutorial here)
Long Ruffled Tank: ShopAKIRA
Rings: Tiffany, Cartier, mocha, unknown
Metallic Skinny Belt: Forever 21
Black Jeggings: UNIQLO
Grey Cable Socks: Target…?
Leather Boot-Covers: DIY (tutorial here)
Wedge-Heel Booties: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Manicure: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Winter Funderland
I always try to dress up a bit on days I have class since it allows me to pull out and enjoy some of my favorite things from my closet. (more…)
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Finally! There’s been some great DIY projects floating around, and though I’ve been super-busy and unable to dive into any of them, I hope those who have a little more time on their hands will try some of these out.
Look What Melissa Made posted this cute-and-easy Chain Collar DIY Necklace. Love how it’s a removable Peter Pan Collar – but wait, it’s a necklace – but wait, it’s a collar! A great way to sweeten up any outfit.
Still got collars on the brain? Try one of the 4 DIY Collar ideas that Refinery29 shared, including adding tips to a collar studding a collar, making a necklace out of leather, and cutting a collar off a shirt and securing with a button.
If you’re in the mood for something fun, short, and poufy, try making a DIY Man Repeller Miu Miu Skirt, courtesy of Chictopian RunwayDIY. Pleating is super-easy to do, and once you try it, I assure you the finished product will be an exact dupe of the original!
Beyond the Open Spaces has a great new take on the ubiquitous DIY Tassel Necklace; she’s added rhinestone chain and a button to make the finished piece 70’s fabulous. Check out her tutorial for matching earrings as well!
The series on sewing basic hems on A Beautiful Mess is really helpful, and can help take your sewing skills to the next level! Also check out her series on basic stitches and basic seams, and sewing leather, knits, and stretch fabric, which totally clarifies the process.
Add a studded ribbon edging to details on your bag with The Inner Sole of Cutie Booties. This is a great way to add some interest and make something look a lot more expensive than it really is!!
Geneva from A Pair and a Spare shared her DIY Metal Neck Cuff how-to on the Harper’s Bazaar Australia website. It uses a piece of aluminum flashing from the hardware store and comes out looking runway-ready.
Since it’s still technically Winter in many areas, you can give life to an old sweater by giving it a Fair Isle-style makeover…with safety pins! Inspiration & Realisation has the tutorial for this Moschino-inspired beauty.
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.
