Oct 5, 2010 | Fashion
Photos: Celebrities, ASOS.com; Runway Photos: Marco Madeira for FirstView.com; Scarf photo: Devon Jarvis for Elle.com; Autumn Cashmere Leopard Cardigan. Style It Chic! Array by me.
Another Monday Tuesday, another edition of Style It Chic! (Yes, this was supposed to post yesterday, but I just couldn’t get it done fast enough.) It’s now the beginning of my one of my favorite months of the year! In this post series I will be taking one item or trend and showing you how to emulate that look – for much, much less than what you might pay at retail. I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think of this style of post!
Fashion inspired by our furry little friends is HUGE this Fall with faux fur and animal PRINTS populating retail shelves and Must-Have lists across the ‘net. And a little pop of leopard definitely brings your Summer ensembles into Autumn with an amazing ease. Add a leopard-print scarf, booties, hat, or pair of gloves for a little…or go for a lot with a voluminous coat. I’ve donned a cardigan in my favorite hue of gray (Snow Leopard – yay!) [cardigan from Ann Taylor, scored on Ebay since they no longer sell it] and styled it 3 different ways below:
1. Eclectic Layered
(Hat: Christie’s Crown Series; Sequined Chain Necklace: Forever 21; Satin-Edged Cardigan: (worn underneath leopard cardigan) Old Navy; Mixed-Chain Cuff: Target (check the Clearance bin in-store!); 2 DIY feathered bangles; Hue reversible tights)
If your leopard layer is cropped or short-sleeved at all, go for the unusual by layering a cardigan or sweater underneath it. Ward off the chill of bare arms by covering up with leg- or arm-warmers or elbow-length gloves for a retro-style look. Pair pieces that are different colors and see what sticks – sometimes a mish-mash of hues works to your advantage!
2. Leopard-on-Leopard
(Leopard-print Bra: Warners, Twisted Chain and Rhinestone Necklace and Boyfriend Watch: Forever 21; Rough-Cut Quartz Heart Ring: gem & mineral tradeshow; Wire & Rhinestone Wrap Ring: Payless; Destroyed Jean Shorts: Hudson; Velvet Ribbon worn as belt; Hue footless tights; Steve Madden pointy flats; DIY Shoe Elastics)
Mixing and matching patterns is always a toughie – but what could be easier than going full-on double leopard? The rules: wear no more than 3 pieces and only use at most 2 different colors and sizes of the leopard print. Keep your other pieces in solid, coordinating colors to keep the eye focused on the print. There’s a fine line between looking like you got dressed in the dark and looking cute and intriguing. (And yes, I’m showing my bra – which I usually don’t do – but in this case it’s super-subtle since the similar prints fool the eye. If you’re not feeling as daring, then try a leopard camisole underneath instead!)
3. Downtown Cool
(Velvet Cord Necklace: bought at Michael’s in the jewelry section, Silver Bangle Set: Forever 21; Grommet Watch: Hot Topic; Lace-Edged Camisole: Target; Skinny Black Jeans: Alloy; Alloy Sia Wedge Booties – BTW there’s currently FREE Shipping for orders of $25+ with code AFS25A AND 15% off your order with code ALPW15B at Alloy.com!…if you can’t use both codes together at checkout online try ordering over the phone instead, I’ve had success with a rep allowing both codes to be used before.)
Sleek and chic is the name of the game. Use as a light layering piece – over another huge trend for Fall 2010: LACE! – and play with the fun of prints with a minimalist commitment. I’ve added a pair of skinny jeans and some super-wedges for an on-trend re-interpretation of urban chic.
Are you breaking out your animal prints now that Fall’s in full swing? How would you wear leopard?
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 4, 2010 | Life, Score!
Super-super tiny image. Sorry.
I know, I know, you guys are probably all giveaway’d out. And I’m not even sure “giveaway” is a verb!:-P
But here’s the final one ending TONIGHT at 5 PM EST – win a $100 Gift Card usable at both Marshall’s and T. J. Maxx!!
(multiple, multiple comments are allowed! Yay!)
Out of the 10 bloggers participating in this challenge, the person whose post generates the most comments will receive the gift card to giveaway (there, I used it!;-) to one of their lucky readers!
I’ll be picking the winner from the comments via Random.org (if I win, that is) so hurry hurry hurry get those comments in now!
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 3, 2010 | DIY
I had purchased a bag of Bing cherries a little while ago, and they languished in my fridge for awhile. I guess I kind of forgot about them.
So when I pulled them out I realized that I had to use them up fast since they were turning a little brown here and there.
I made this Berry Cherry Pie to use them up.
I love that it doesn’t use canned pie filling (I like some cherry pie filling but not all – many are super-sweet and too syrupy, and make my throat hurt). Since this version uses fresh cherries, it has an interesting, subtle taste. And it doesn’t need a lot of sugar either – which is why I’m sharing with all of you! (As you may have noticed – the recipes I’ve begun to share here are basically adapted recipes of sweet and decadent things…just made lower in fat and sugar and better for you. I love my sweets – but I love them even more when they have more “good” than “bad”!)
Here is the recipe, which I found on Recipezaar.com (now Food.com) and adapted.
DIY Low-Sugar Berry Cherry Pie Recipe
(serves 8)
Ingredients:
*1 store-bought frozen pie crust
Filling:
*4 c berries (I used cherries and frozen blueberries that I thawed in the microwave)
*1/2 c sugar (or you can use powdered fructose, but decrease to 1/3 c OR to taste)
*1/4 c water (I used the juice that drained off the blueberries when I thawed them)
*2 T cornstarch
*1 T lemon juice
*1 T vanilla
*1 dash salt
Topping:
*1/2 tsp cinnamon
*1/2 c brown sugar
*1/2 c flour
*1/2 c oats
*1/4 c butter, melted
1. Bake the pie crust according to directions for a “one-crust filled pie” (usually 400 degrees for 10 minutes). DO NOT PIERCE PIE CRUST WITH A FORK PRIOR TO BAKING – if bubbles form, push them back down.
2. Meanwhile, cook all the ingredients to the Filling EXCEPT the berries together in a saucepan on medium heat, whisking, until well-blended (about 5-7 min).
3. Stir in the berries.
4. Fill baked pie crust with Filling. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
5. Stir all the ingredients for the Topping together EXCEPT for the butter.
6. Add the butter to the Topping and combine.
7. Sprinkle the Topping over the pie so there are no gaps.
8. Place some tinfoil around the edges of the pie crust to prevent browning and bake for about 45 minutes until Topping is golden and crunchy, and filling congealed.
Hope you try this some time when you have a lot of berries, fresh or frozen (strawberries? blueberries? blackberries?) to use up!
xo
Carly
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Oct 3, 2010 | Life, Score!
If you happened to miss it – there’s currently 2 giveaways accepting entries right here on my lil’ ol’ blog.
The one ending tomorrow is for the Gift Bag from the SELF Women Doing Good Awards – which is crammed full of $100 worth of L’Oreal Paris beauty and makeup products!
All you have to do is be a Chic Steals follower and leave a comment on the post in the link below saying what charity you liked from the post (and Tweet it, FB it, and re-post it for more entries).
It ends TOMORROW (Sunday, October 3, at 11:59 PM PST), so…
There’s only been 14 entries so far, so odds are looking pretty good for anyone who enters! Good luck!
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 2, 2010 | DIY, Life
Projects I’m working on.
Currently, I’m working on a ton of things, and they’ve all been at various stages of completion for awhile. I was pretty busy this week with stuff from Lil Tot’s school, job-searching, and general organization, so I’ve been putting these projects off.
From top, counterclockwise: vinyl Goth-style Bunny Bag still in pieces, bronzed leaf head garland, silky polka-dot scallop shorts, Tiny Crosses Necklace and Dangle Cross Earrings for my Etsy shop (haven’t photographed or listed yet), DIY Vita Fede ring that doesn’t look as nice as I’d like. I’m not sure whether to deem it a FAIL and scrap it, or forge on. Anyway.
I also didn’t end up posting a DIY Roundup this week for a couple reasons: one, I just didn’t get to it, and two, the number of submissions for my DIY Roundups is slowly tapering off.
This makes me think that it’s not something that you guys want to read about here – so I’d like to hear what you really think of it!
Thanks so much!
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 1, 2010 | Media
PBS journalist Johanna Blakely posted an opinion piece the other day on how copyright protection with literally “cramp our style.” It’s a fascinating article, and one I COMPLETELY agree with. (And the crux of why I began Chic Steals in the first place!) My take on this:
The fashion industry must have knockoffs or else it won’t survive.
Nothing is truly new or original anymore, it’s all been done. To claim copyright to a design (i.e., allow big, powerful companies with lawyers and tons of $ to claim copyright to a design) will only cause the industry to stagnate and truly destroy any innovation whatsoever. It will prevent the formation of new businesses, the rise of new designers, and everything will be a mess of copyrights and infringement lawsuits and settlement payments to companies that are ALREADY rich.
Fashion is aspirational and there always need to be designers that distill the pieces from the fashion-forward mega-brands and bring them to the public at an affordable price.
Copying or “being inspired by” is completely necessary to the industry – and to consumers. An exact copy – logos and everything? Stitching and all? Same materials, same size, same design – created by rubbing off the original? Wrong. There’s a fine line between “inspiration” and “copy.” “Copiers” will never be as revered as those who devise the trends and are always pushing the boundaries: the forward-thinkers of fashion. But they’re equally as necessary to the dissemination of fashion to the public and the health of the industry as a whole.
It’s like I always say – if you’re going to copy, PAY HOMAGE and say “inspired by.” If you’re a company beyond a certain size and doing a certain volume a year, don’t rip off from the little guys. You’re supposed to be the innovators. Innovate. Don’t hide behind a mistaken and self-righteous “I did it first, so there! It’s mine!” And I’m looking at YOU, Ms. von Furstenberg. Bah.
Thanks, Jenn, for the link! You are always so on top of things:-)
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 1, 2010 | DIY
This week flew by in a flash!
I’m sure you all were feeling the same, as this week’s DIY Roundup only received 5 entries!:-(
There’s something about the beginning of Fall that just gets everyone their busiest…
Nonetheless, I had a great time visiting all your blogs and checking out your pieces. You’re all so creative! Here are the top 3 projects:
Shy Shirley has linked her version of a BCBG Max Azria leather tassel necklace – and the results are just FAB! I love her addition of beads to the final piece – stroke of genius.
From our friend from last week SewPetiteGal, we have a beautiful embellished-shoulder tanktop. Again, it’s so well-done I can’t tell it’s not RTW – and it’s so elegant! Just beautiful!
This scarf is a wonderful alternative to the usual knit or crocheted scarf, and it’s so feminine and looks beautiful for Fall! Great job!
Thank you so much for sharing, and please enter any other projects you have in my next DIY roundup!
If your project has been featured above, feel free to grab the button below.
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 30, 2010 | DIY
Inspired by Candace Ang‘s ruffle necklaces, I created a super-simple, super-affordable version for one of my submissions for Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge back in early August.
You Need:
*Cream Sweater Style Stretch Trim
*Large Silver Pyramid Studs
Additional Tools/Materials:
*silver necklace or chain
*sewing machine
*hand-sewing needle
*matching thread
*pliers
*chain-cutting pliers
How to:
1. Cut the Stretch Trim in half.
2. Zigzag stitch the two halves together along the long sides on the sewing machine. (Slightly overlapping them is best.)
3. Securely knot a long piece of thread on your needle, and make long, basting stitches along the long side of the trim piece you just made.
4. Pull thread tight to gather the trim – and knot securely on the other side.
5. Sew back through the top gathers to secure.
6. Stud the trim and fold the stud prongs down on the underside.
7. Cut chain necklace in half, and stitch both ends of it to the top ends of your ruffle piece.
Fuzzy and fun – this was sooooo quick to do.
Totally tactile, this fuzzy trim makes an edgy statement with all that metal peeking out!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 29, 2010 | Fashion, Score!
As I’ve been hinting since last week, there was a Challenge given to the bloggers in attendance at the Marshall’s event last Tuesday (where I learned a lot about off-price retailing – check out my write-up here if you are interested in this particular sector of the clothing market).
10 Bloggers were in attendance at the event, and we were each gifted with a $100 gift card to use to purchase some items to work into our wardrobes.
Then we had to incorporate the items we bought into a Week’s Worth of Outfits, mixig them with other pieces that were already in our wardrobes.
So here’s how I styled the above items my week:
Also wearing: Claire’s rhinestone earrings; Forever 21 ruffled-front blouse, wool tuxedo jacket, and mixed chain bracelet; Alloy Victorian booties
Also wearing: Target 3-strand headband; envelope necklace from Reyney’s Etsy shop; Forever 21 collegiate blazer and goldtone chain ring; Newport-News oversized patent clutch; Alloy Parker Wedge heels
Also wearing: Jeans Warehouse white ribbed tanktop; tie-dye cardigan (also from Marshall’s); gold coin long necklace from Aldo’s; Forever 21 woven belt; Old Navy Trouser Jeans
Also wearing: chainmail viscose top from soo long ago the label’s gone; mixed white bangles from Pineapple County in Honolulu; vintage bangle; Old Navy chain pochette
Also wearing: DIY filigree dangle earrings; DIY scarf; Claire’s “Dream” 2-finger ring; Forever 21 studded clutch and heeled combat boots
Also wearing: Forever 21 sequined chain necklace; Ann Taylor leopard-print cardigan [Ebay]; Old Navy satin-edged cardigan; Target mixed-chain cuff; 2 DIY feathered bangles; Hue reversible tights
Also wearing: DIY spiked headband; silver key necklace from Japan; Urban Outfitters tassel bag; faux fur foxtail available in my Etsy shop; convertible Victoria’s Secret top worn as skirt; Alloy Marlane boots; cape from Ideeli slung over shoulder
A CHALLENGE FOR MY READERS!
So the challenge for you guys is: GIVE ME YOUR COMMENTS! The blogger with the MOST comments on their Week of Outfits post receives a $100 Marshall’s gift card to give to one of their readers!
So…to be entered in the drawing to win a $100 Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx gift card…
Leave your Comments on this post!
As many times as you want! Tweet it, blog it, post it on Facebook! Tell me what you thought of my outfits, if you liked anything I picked…anything! I really want one of my fabulous readers to win – so the more times you comment, the more I’m likely to win this!
If I am the one to receive the most comments, I’ll be picking one comment from this post [with the help of Random.org] and awarding the reader the $100 Gift Card! As you can see from above, if you shop smart there’s a TON of great items you can find at Marshall’s…so for anyone who’s longing for something new for Fall…to spice up their back-to-school wardrobe…needs to get some cute outfits for the kiddos…wants to get a head-start on Christmas gifts…or is desperately in need of a new coffee table…this $100 Gift Card will sure some in handy!
Contest is open until Oct. 4, 2010 at 5 PM EST.
So comment up a storm because we’ve got a lot of other bloggers to beat!!;-)
Check out the other bloggers’ Week of Outfits at:
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 27, 2010 | Fashion
Fall is here and I have shoes on the brain!
Overstock.com is a great site to shop at a discount (always!) for everything from furniture to kids’ clothing, to books, crafts (my fave!;-)), to women’s outerwear, clothing, handbags, jewelry, and shoes. It’s always a treasure hunt because you never know what you’ll find on sale there. Plus, they offer $2.95 shipping on your entire order! (And currently they’re also having a promotion for Free Shipping on Outerwear to a continental U.S. address!)
They’ve also shared with me a coupon code just for you:
Enter code 121728 at checkout
to receive 10% off your entire order!
So as I wrote, I’m definitely in the market for a new pair of shoes for Fall. But what should I pick? Boots made for stompin’? Demure little booties? High, high heels? Here are some items that caught my eye: (and the best thing is, they’re both under $43 if you use the coupon!!)
Go Max Prestige 8 Platform Stiletto Heels, $15.29 with coupon
Penny Loves Kenny Cavalry Short Boots, $32.39 with coupon
Maybe you’ll be able to find some other goodies there?
Shop Women’s Shoes on Overstock.com Now!
xoxox
Carly
FTC Disclosure: All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code. Read more about my Disclosure Policy here.
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