Sep 23, 2011 | Fashion
Hair: worn in a topknot with the help of my Odango cushion
Cleopatra Crescent Necklace: Forever 21
Ginger Chiffon Blouse: Forever 21
Multicolor crystal earring set: bought in Japan
Convertible faux-leather bookbag: Ober Tasche, bought in Japan
Watch: Citizen Eco-drive
Rings: wedding rings; Beyond Rings Gunmetal Claw Ring, bought at HauteLook
Super Stretch Colored Skinnies: Divine Right of Denim for Forever 21
Zipper suede heels: Sam Edelman (bought at Nordstrom Rack)
Do you all have an outfit that not only makes you feel like a million bucks – that you can put on any time and instantly feel awesome no matter what – and that garners you compliments everywhere you go? Apparently, this is one of those MAGIC OUTFITS for me. (more…)
Sep 21, 2011 | DIY, Fashion
Whew! That Fashion Week went by in the blink of an eye (and now we’re on top London), but I’m still collecting ideas for new projects to begin later this season and into next. Spring? Already? Wha-….?
The trends on the runway were captivating; the ideas full of Spring and renewal. Who didn’t swoon over the pastel minimalism at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the bold prints at Anna Sui, and the metallic fringe at Marchesa? Though minimalism and fresh colors dominated, I was still inspired by the latest round of DIY possibilities. Hit it, girls!
Alexander Wang: Embolden a pair of basic leggings with some fabric paint – just first use some painter’s tape to mask off geometric graphics.
Alice + Olivia: Thrift a diaphanous chiffon curtain and sew the vertical sides together. Thread a ribbon through the top pocket (where the rod would go); tie at the back of the neck. Cut off the excess bottom and slice a side-slit for an easy, springy halter dress.
Band of Outsiders: Create a contrast-y dress by adding a black collar (cut off another shirt if need be, or just by covering the dress’s existing collar in black fabric, and iron-on some black trim at the waist.
Carolina Herrera: Re-invent the LBD by adding the front of a white shirt, cut out, to it. Create the unique belt by simply cutting the negative space out of a 2-3″-wide red belt.
Cynthia Rowley: Cut jagged pieces from gold lame (or use gold lace!) to embellish the shoulders of a simple black cocktail dress.
Donna Karan: Use black elastic straps and hand-sew them to a mini bustier.
Erin Fetherston: Use a graphic print to create a simple sheath (or find something that fits the bill off-the-rack). Use a fabric marker to “color in” areas of the print for a bolder, eye-catching piece.
Jen Kao: Take a simple trench and dye it military-green, reserving the bottom for a dip-dye of lavender and orange sherbet.
Juan Carlos Obando: Punch large holes with a leather punch or using a pair of scissors (or even a scrapbooking punch!!) in a leather or vinyl jacket for a sultry peep-show.
Kimberly Ovitz: Cut out triangles from the sides of a sheer white blouse.
L.A.M.B.: Take a plain tote and cover side-to-side with a layer of neon yellow-green duck tape. Add more tape (or even vinyl trim!) – this time in camel – in geometric lines across the front.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Replace the buttons of an otherwise unremarkable blue blouse with bright orange buttons. Tack on some khaki pockets (salvaged from an old pair of trousers or an overcoat) to a pair of dark blue pants.
Michael Kors: Cut the sides out of a python-print maillot. Cut the top from the bottom, add a belt in the middle, and hand-stitch each end to the top and bottom of a belt buckle. (Don’t swim in it!)
Monique Lhuillier: A bright wrap dress (dyed?) can be made edgier with pieces of black lace affixed to it strategically.
Some of these I’ll probably be doing tutorials for in the coming months. See anything you’re just dying to know how to make? Leave it in the comments section, and if it’s possible, I’ll make it so!
Also: Part 2 (N-Z) Coming Soon!
xoxox
Carly
All photos found at Style.com. Layouts by me.
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Sep 16, 2011 | Fashion, Score!
Heard of ShopSosie? No? Me neither.
But I did a double-take once I checked out their offerings: colorful, on-trend, not-to-twee, and nothing over $100. And right now you can get a voucher for $45 for a purchase on their website…worth $75 on their site.
Sounds to me like a deal!
I’ve started to put together my virtual wishlist…how about yours?
(link goes to Revinery29 Reserve where this deal is hosted – deal ends this Wednesday or until the vouchers are sold out!)
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 11, 2011 | Fashion
The 9/11 Monument that stands in New Jersey – a gift from the people of Russia.
Diverging from my usual topics of fashion and DIY, today I just wanted to post something simple. It’s been 10 years since the tragic date of 9/11/01 – and if you are an American like myself, you probably know exactly where you were when you heard the towers had been hit.
I was in Japan, visiting my then-boyfriend [now Hub]’s house. When he came upstairs to tell me that the World Trade Center had just been hit by an airplane, it took me awhile to put it all together in my head and realize he was talking about the World Trade Center, in New York City, NY, USA. I turned on the television and was stunned, thinking I had tuned into some Hollywood movie halfway through. For the next day or so I was unable to reach many of my friends who lived in New York due to the phone lines being completely tied up.
Though I was lucky enough to not know anyone personally who was involved in the terrible loss of life on that day, it was a moment felt around the world that impacted everything since, and changed the way the world sees terrorism.
The names of all the victims killed in the attacks.
I just wanted to step back a moment and remember that day, and all who gave their lives then, and even now, in the aftermath of 9/11.
xoxox
Carly
photos source
Sep 9, 2011 | Blogging, Fashion
Though I sometimes post a big-name brands piece that I feel was “inspired” somewhere else in my Inspired Alert! posts…this is an entire blog filled with that – straight from the runways.
I’m utterly inspired in turn…and in awe of how much time is put into all of this, as well as the blogger’s fantastic eye for similarities. Author Diana Marian Murek is a German fashion designer who now lives in Milan and writes for Italian Grazia, and her comparisons of newer runway looks and advertisements with looks and ads from the past is mind-boggling.
from INTO THE FASHION
For tons more whoa!-like moments and interesting similarities that make you go “hmmmmm…..,” check out
Just amazing!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 6, 2011 | Fashion
Rhinestone hoop earrings: Icing by Claire’s
Watch: Citizen Eco-drive
Ribbon-edged rope-tie sundress: handmade by me
Wedge espadrilles: Old Navy
I found an old sheet at Goodwill awhile back that was in great condition – and the perfect lightweight, tightly-woven washed denim cotton that would lend itself to a pretty summery dress. I drafted a pattern wayyyyy back in May, intending to make the dress for Memorial Day – and then never got around to it. Then I wanted to get it done for the Fourth of July. And of course I still didn’t do it. Story of my life!
In any case, I finally pulled my act together and made it this Labor Day Weekend, and broke it out on Monday to wear. Sadly, we’re experiencing an infestation of yellow jackets in our backyard under our house’s eaves – so every time we bring food out for a barbecue or picnic we get attacked. Thus Labor Day was heralded by a picnic indoors (though we played a little soccer in the backyard away from the yellow jackets’ nests earlier).
The advantage of using a sheet for an upcycle is that by crating the pattern carefully, one can utilize the finished edges from the sheet, and save a lot of time in the finishing of your piece. I used a striped grosgrain ribbon overlaid over the finished edges, and cotton rope (I think it’s actually for thick corded piping) as an accent.
It’s breezy and swingy and just perfect for the hot weather that has finally returned!
Hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing weekend and great Labor Day holiday (if you celebrate it!)
xoxox
Carly
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