Nov 28, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Pink polyester and lace dress: handmade (but not by me). Pocket Watch Necklace: DIY. Velvet Ribbon Belt: DIY. Beaded Bracelet: handmade by me. Sparkly tights: unknown. Suedette Bow Booties: Paprika.
Day 24 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 24.
I found this amazing dress at the Goodwill Outlet back in May – since I bought 42 lbs. of clothing I was charged 89 cents a pound at the time…and since this dress weighs less than a pound it probably was about 60 cents! I was taken with the fact that it’s obviously home-made, and yet the workmanship is impeccable – the perfect pintucks at the front, the pearl buttons and tiny button-loops, the lace inset at the back and collar. Who was the woman who labored on this beautiful piece, putting so many hours into it? It seemed such a shame to leave it at the Bins, so I brought it home, and altered the hem to an asymmetrical shape (it was kind of a midi-length, which I didn’t care for). I have very few asymmetrical pieces in my closet, and I thought that it would offset the very vintagey and demure feel to the top. I think it just needs a pressing and it will be perfect!
I tied a velvet ribbon around my waist since the dress is gathered there but it was sans belt when I found it.
I also bought a lot of vintage watches on Etsy awhile back, and in the lot was a single pocket watch. I wasn’t sure what to do with it for awhile, but finally I got the idea to string it on a chain and wear it as a necklace. I love its ladylike feel!
(And if you’re looking for pocket watch pendants…there are a number of stores and e-tailers that sell them ready-made – like Shop Ruche, Urban Outfitters, ASOS.com, or Modcloth, …or you can find vintage pocket watches on both Ebay and Etsy all the time and make your necklace exactly how you want it!:-)
The bracelet I made back in 2004 or so when I saw a similar Colette Harmon piece in Modern Bride magazine. The amazing colors and subtle patterns in all the beads and charms are incredible! I’ve never worn it (except for this picture) – and I’m thinking of selling it.
I just love my hair right after it comes out of hot rollers…so fun!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 27, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Cable-arm striped sweater: DIY. Cropped Sweatpants: Forever 21. Stirrup socks: DIY. Clog Wedges: Forever 21.
Day 23 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 23.
The first snowfall of the year!
We woke up and the whole world was covered in an icy dusting. Schools were closed, the roads frozen, and it was pretty chilly all day (though it warmed up a little by late afternoon).
She’s in her natural element.;-)
I myself wanted to be comfy and relaxed – and that means a nice, cozy sweater!
Source: A Pair and a Spare
I was inspired by this incredible hybrid sweater I spotted on A Pair and a Spare recently. It seemed so easy to make…just pull off the arms of one sweater and sew them onto another. I used a men’s sweater for the striped body and a women’s piece for the sleeves – and I can attach the striped sleeves to the cable-knit cardigan and have another hybrid piece in my wardrobe!
Tutorial for hybrid sweater coming soon!
I wrote a DIY tutorial for these Alexander Wang-style stirrup socks for Foam magazine back in May. It was published to their online edition, then they reorganized everything and it was somehow losst in the shuffle, so I can’t find it online anymore.
I’ll post the tutorial for these Alexander Wang-inspired stirrup socks soon!
I found these awesome wedge clogs at Forever 21 the other day and was instantly smitten. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always been searching for shoes that completely eliminate the toes visually – so that they’re like little triangles, or elf shoes (or tissue-boxes?) extending straight from the ankle to the toe. (I even entered my own version in some shoe design contest for Steve Madden on Brickfish!)
I know, it’s a strange fascination. I didn’t win the contest or anything.:-)
80%20 is the only shoe I’ve ever seen that kind of does that, and now I’ve found an even more affordable version with Forever 21 (though they don’t completely eliminate the toes they’re still kind of clompy and elfin and I just love that). (not available online yet, but I’ll link them in when they pop up)
On another note, it’s my little brother’s birthday today…he’s 30. It’s crazy to think he’s 30 and he’s my “little” brother!! Now we’re in the same decade again!
Happy Birthday, Bro!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 24, 2010 | By Carly J. Cais, DIY, Fashion
Black-rimmed glasses: Tommy Hilfiger. LS Black Tee: Forever 21. Smock-dress made from 2 men’s shirts: handmade by me. Ball rings: Claire’s. Snaptape and vinyl belt: handmade by me. Charcoal Boots: Doc Martens.
Day 22 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 22.
Lil Tot finally seems about 70% better (the fever’s down though he’s still sniffling from allt he drainage from his sinuses), so he’s back to school. And I’m rushing around trying to get done the million things I had to put off while taking care of him last week.
The dress is made from 2 men’s shirts following the instructions in the Japanese book Kakkoii Couture Remake. It was pretty easy, and I’ll have to file the method of making the neckline away in my bag of tricks, as it turned out surprisingly flattering.
I’ll be sharing the how-to on making a smock-style dress from 2 men’s shirts soon!
Yes, the glasses are real – they’re my distance glasses for driving and watching TV. I always forget to wear them, though, and they’ve been gathering dust in a drawer for awhile. Whenever I put them on it’s always a revelation how much I can see while wearing them, and how blind I am without. And then I forget to put them on the next day.
The belt I made as part of a mini-collection to take with me to Fashion Week and sound out the possibilities of producing it as a line. I found with this belt, unless I can source snap tape with the snaps off-set to the right of the tape by 3/4″ (or have the snap tape manufactured for me), it would be impossible to produce quality multiples of this piece. The seam allowance on snap tape is just not enough for edging the belt, alas. Plus I need belting vinyl as well, and I have no idea where to source that. Ah well.
Hub said when I remove the belt I look like a pregnant art teacher in this dress. Hmmmph. It’s loose, easy-to-wear, and comfortable, so whatevs! (I also think it would work great as a nightshirt.)
Happy Monday, everyone!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 24, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
LS Tee: Petit Bateau
Draped Rose Chiffon Skirt: DIY
Studded Cuff: Target
2-finger Pyrite Ring and Spike Ring: handmade by me
Diamond-pattern pale blue tights: unknown
Suedette Tie Shoes: Lela Rose for Payless (2009)
Quilted Bag: indio (Japan)
Pierced Rose Brooch: DIY
Day 21 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 21.
Sunday at home recuperating from the long shoot from the day prior. But I still wanted to take a couple DIY items for a spin – and put together an outfit in dreamy pastels.
When I first saw luv aj‘s pieces, I thought they were a wonderful solution to connecting large statement pieces onto ring bases without soldering. Many jewelry artisans cannot solder (myself included). Not being able to do this simple construction method (though goodness knows I’ve tried!) often limits the designs you can create, especially when it comes to rings (which usually need to be soldered together lest the stone pop right off the base).
But wire-wrapping is an ingenious solution to the problem of connecting the top to the ring, and completely eliminates the need for soldering! I tested it out on a couple similar designs. (The drawback is the rings are incredibly uncomfortable on the fingers. I wonder if luv aj’s versions are easier to wear?)
This skirt I made from a curtain valance. Yes, a curtain valance!! If you ever check out Goodwill (or any thrift store that sells home items), you can probably find some curtain valances that have chiffon overlays to them. I was struck by how beautifully they were draped – so I bought the pair ($3.99) and made a skirt out of one. When I draped it onto my body I found the waistband wouldn’t sit right, so I did have to make some darts at the waist…and sew a front-seam and hidden fly. It’s not perfect – it’s DIY, after all!
But if you have any valances at home lying around, or spot any at the secondhand store – they really look lovely as a draped, twisted skirt – a style of skirt that is so popular now (just look at the recent collections of Alexander Wang, Burberry, and Celine, for example).
The Pierced Flower Corsage is so easy to make: just a silk flower from the craft store, with rings threaded through it, or grommets added and rings and ball beads through those. I made two and thought the rose one went better with this outfit.
Hope everyone had a great Sunday!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 24, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Fur-Hooded Army Coat: DIY. Infinity Cashmere Scarf: Steve Madden. Striped sweater: unknown. Silver Wings Necklace: DIY. The Diva Fit Trouser Jean: Old Navy. I Love NY Tote: DIY.
Day 20 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 20.
Shoot day! I’ve been working on props, graphic design, and production design for the pilot for this web series called SET THEORY (website should be up and running soon). It’s been a hectic couple weeks, but I managed to pull it together for the shoot this Saturday.
It was awesome. We were shooting at a farm and had a helicopter, Christmas cows, a couple of RVs, people in alien masks, and a flat that I dressed as a video store (okay, I had some help:-). It was great to spend time with a bunch of creative people and remember how much I loved working on set for a shoot (I’ve worked in production on indie films and commercials, and in casting for some TV series before.) It’s always a lot of work but super-fun! You know when your nails end up completely grimy by the end of the day that you’ve done a good day’s work.;-)
So since we were in an open barn or partially outside for most of the shoot, and since it’s November in Oregon and I was out on a farm, I needed to dress appropriately. The jacket I bought from Forever 21 while ago, and had been planning to add fur trim to the hood since I felt it was a little plain without.
Tutorial on adding fur trim to hoods coming soon!
I won’t show you the hat I was wearing (it’s a doggy face). Or the shoes I was wearing (which were a pair of knockoff Uggs that got really dirty).
A tote bag made out of an “I LOVE NY” t-shirt. It was so fast to make!
The tutorial for this will be in the next issue of Cut Out + Keep’s “Snippets.” Stay tuned!
The necklace I made from a pair of cheap wing earrings from Claire’s, adding them to a chain. I always wanted a pair of angel wings necklace, but I had this really specific idea of what I wanted and I couldn’t find what I was looking for in stores…so I just made it. Nails are alternating Maybelline Wet Shine in Juicy Tomato and a coral color from the 100yen shop in Japan that I don’t think I’ve EVER worn up until now. I’m really liking these candy-style nails!!
I’m off to dress a set!
What I was in charge of on-set:
The video store set – starting off, it was just a black wall and counter. (I wasn’t sure if it was okay to show the actress’s face in this photo or not…)
Plus the theatre background. Again, it was just a plain wooden wall, and we added fire alarms, a curtain, wires, and some notes. I also made the Shakespearean hat sitting on the stool.
I got to wear a luchador mask and push a broom as a Extra, too.
The helicopter was cool.
I can’t wait to see how they edit everything together…and how my Luchador janitor performance was!!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 23, 2010 | DIY
Combining 2 weeks into one since I got so busy since the second week of November.
Annette featured my Lace Top to Lace Vest tutorial in her 25+ Free Vest Patterns on Craft Stew. She’s included a whole bunch of really great vest patterns and projects that I can’t wait to try!
Ever wanted to make a Hermes-style clear purse? Scottish Toile shares her how-to here.
Cupcakes and Cashmere posted a Semi DIY for those Yves St. Laurent fringe pumps that are making the rounds on teh interwebs. Instead of spending the $69.95 on the Steve Madden pumps, though – you can find the same version for $39 from Newport-News or $32.90 from Alloy. Or you can even take a plainer velvet or suede pump and add Bondo to the heels to sculpt them just like the originals, like christeric did.
My Vintage Secret shows you how to make your own pair of DIY shearling boots. Just like the Burberry Fall 2010 version:-)
Bye Bye Soccer Mom shows off her studded pant cuffs DIY – done so simply with iron-on grommets, they look edgy and fabulous!
Suzannah at Adventures in Dressmaking shares her tutorial for making a leaf-embellished cardigan. Her finished piece looks perfect enough to be sold at Anthropologie!
xoxox
Carly
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