Hello all! Now I am finally back on the West Coast again, after spending the last 4 days in New York attending Lucky FABB. What an amazing experience! If you’ve been following along on Instagram or Twitter, you may have seen my quick updates and snapshots of the fun. It was such a whirlwind trip – and though I’m glad to be home – I wished it could have lasted longer. Here are some of the highlights from the event: (more…)
1. ChicWish Baroque Embossed A-Line Sleeveless Dress, $50.92 / 2. BonLook.com Cobson Glasses in Midnight Blue, $99 / 3. BonLook.com Russian Doll Sunglasses, $49 / 4. Romwe Caped Navy Blue Boat, $82.99
5. Romwe Color Intrigue Galaxy Print Legging, $19.99 / 6. ASOS Paul the Panda Sweater, $34.71 / 7. ASOS Suppose Pointed Heels, $43.61 / 8. ChicWish 3D Flower Embellished White Shirt, $38.17 / 9. ChicWish Diamond Jewel Stone Necklace, $16.92 / 10. ASOS Across Body with 2 Front Buckles, $17.80
Columbus Day is now upon us and the sales are happening quick! Don’t let some great deals pass you by…
Shop ASOS.com and get up to 50% off during the Mid Season Sale!
You can get a free pair of sunglasses with any order over $99 at BonLook with coupon code FREESUN.
Shop BonLook.com Now
ChicWish is offering Free Shipping and 15% off your first order.
Romwe is having a Columbus Day sale where you can get an additional 14.92% off of $50 of sale items with promo code 1492.
Happy shopping!
xo
Carly
Rirandture (ree-rahn-doh-chur) is a relatively new brand out of Tokyo, the name originating from the idea that a Parisian girl named Lila (or “Ree-rah,” as pronounced in Japanese) has created a line of sophisticated clothing with “couture”-style finishing. (Of course, the word “couture” is used probably with the same seriousness that it is in say, Juicy Couture.) Rirandture is known for its casual but grown-up aesthetic, recently venturing into a more “dressed-up” version of casual style (according to their website). Prices range from $40 for a simple top to around $450 for a wool jacket with peplum detail and mohair collar.
First of all: What are Maruti Beads? you may ask.
Answer: They are amazingly-detailed, handmade beads in the rich tradition of Indian beadmaking. The clay beads are often adorned with metallic paillettes, braided wire, and tiny rings to bring a textured, glamorous finish to each bead. And each is made by hand!
A little more info about these three types of beads, straight from the MarutiBeads.com website:
Kashmiri beads are made from a mix of marble powder and manufactured resin (polymer clay) while the resin used in Lac beads is from a natural source.Also known as “Bollywood” beads, Kashmiri beads are hand decorated and use a variety of materials for embellishment such as mirror chips, seed beads, silver plating and rhinestones.
Maruti Beads artistically blends the beauty of Kashmiri beads with silver plated side caps to culminate in a one of a kind creation exclusive to Maruti International.
Lac beads are made from a mixture of Lac and marble powder, ornamented with silver plating, seed beads and rhinestones: detailed with metal elements, mirror chips and various embellishments…In short, Lac beads are highly valued individual works of art…Lac is a substance secreted by a tiny insect called Kerria lacca. The Lac insect is so small that a magnifying glass is needed to see it. This little bug dwells in the twigs of host trees and lives off the sap from which they secrete the hard Lac resin. When first harvested Lac resin is brittle and tough however, through a process of slow heating the resin softens into a workable material.
Lac beads to the back, Kashmiri beads to the right, and Maruti beads to the left.
To be honest, I had never heard of Maruti beads before (nor Kashmiri, nor Lac beads), not until a rep from Maruti Beads International contacted me to see if I wanted to review their beads.
They sent me a multi-pack that included Maruti, Lac, and Kashmiri beads to review.
I made this pretty beaded bracelet in a flash, using imitation leather cording and a fish-hook closure. The beads would also be perfect as a single focal of a bracelet in an arm party stack (or many bracelets!!), or linked up together Shamballah-style. (You can also see Shamballah bracelets designed with Maruti beads here, and regular bracelets using Maruti beads here.) They can also be linked together into necklaces, or used in drop-style earrings. I love how each tiny bead tells a little story – and in some (not all) the hole is large enough to accommodate Pandora or Dione bead systems.
For any bead-lover or jewelry enthusiast I’d definitely recommend trying out these beads in your designs – and with the holiday season coming up they may make a wonderful present for the proverbial woman who has everything.
Which is your favorite style of bead? (I just love that big black barrel one in the center of my bracelet!!) Or what would you make with these? Let me know in the comments section!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a Bead Mix Pack from Maruti Beads containing Lac, Kashmiri, and Maruti Beads for review purposes (ARV=$60). I have not been compensated for this post. The opinions above are my own. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
What I wore to the “Back to School with Portland Bloggers” event on Sunday. (more…)
REIF, a clothing and accessories brand out of Portland, OR, has become a local mainstay in the fashion landscape and one of the best examples of young design in the region. Known for fashion-forward stylings, fabrics, and prints (LOVE REIF’s collaboration with Pattern People!!), designer Lindsey Reif infuses her urban line of with elements of her small town upbringing in South Dakota.
From REIF’s press sheet:
REIF clothing and accessories blur the line between edgy innovation and classic sophistication. The brand’s unique designs fuse elements of the past with modern silhouettes and textiles, giving way to a line of timeless, quality attire. Since its debut in 2008, REIF’s versatile apparel and accessories have appeared in television, music videos, and editorial shoots. Authenticating the brand’s slogan “Die Zeit ist Reif” (German for “The Time Is Ripe)…REIF exhibits both originality and approachability in every garment.
All of the turbans from the above collection are available at REIF online and select styles are also available in select boutiques in Portland. You can also shop REIF’s ready-to-wear collection of gauzy midi-dresses, covetable button-downs, and crop tops here (I have my eye on that motorcycle jacket!!)
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.
