Since coming back from Tokyo and getting up at 1 or 2 in the morning for the first 5 days or so, I’ve had some time to kill waiting for the grocery store to open so I can start my day. I’ve dove into my video collection and pulled out everything video that I used to love growing up – mainly because I wanted to re-visit the fashion from that era. It’s amazing to see what looks silly to our eyes now – and what fashions are still around! Here are some of my favorites:
The ultimate sleepover movie in the 80’s! I had no idea that it had been Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt in the two lead roles for the longest time, even after they both became known for the rest of their careers. Remember Helen Hunt’s beret with the grasshopper on it from the DTV tryouts? Or her outfit where she changes on the school bus simply by flipping her Catholic School uniform inside-out and securing it with the help of velcro? SJP’s outfit where she competes at the dancing competition for DTV killed me – I even made a similar version way back then, scribbling on a cut-up white t-shirt with pink fabric paint and pairing it with some hot pink spandex leggings.
I can watch this movie over and over again – and even now, when I’m at least 10 years older than everyone in the movie, the cool kids still look “cool.” Remember Cindy Mancini’s outfit that got splashed with red wine? Suede fringe and rabbit-foot earrings! I was always shocked at the boldness of it.
Who could mention iconic 80’s teen movies without including The Breakfast Club? Kids from all the different cliques in school are forced to spend a day with each other in detention – and emerge friends. (At least for the day.) Molly Ringwald was wearing that pink outfit that could pass for fashionable even today – and gives Ally Sheedy a makeover (I preferred her before all in black though!). I think anyone who watches this movie will find all of the characters relatable, even if they themselves identified as a “jock” or a “nerd” during high school. (sorry I don’t know why the above video isn’t loading:-(
The ultimate 90’s high school makeover tale. Who didn’t want to get up and put together her outfits like Cher? Watching it brings you back to all the great mid-90’s fashion: over-the-knee black socks, clunky-heeled shoes, bright colors, matching plaids. Why is it that movies with “makeovers” appeal so much?? This has three: the high school math teacher, Tai (Brittany Murphy, R.I.P.), and Cher herself. And it just makes you smile!
Watching the whole TV series was like watching 10 years of fashion fly by. I was always partial to what Donna Martin wore in the high school years – but all the flowered, breezy minidresses, combat boots, black velvet chokers, and bodycon dresses bring back memories.
Did you have any “fashion-inspirational” movies that you loved growing up?
Featured in The Japan Issue (Issue #24 of CutOutandKeep.net’s online zine “Snippets) is my article Crafter’s Paradise, with a short list of some of the best craft stores in Japan, as well as mention of some interesting crafts unique to this country.
Thanks so much to Cat and the whole Cut Out + Keep team for including this!
xoxox
Carly
P.S. It seems some of the links weren’t included in the article; you may be looking for the online shopping sites for Yuzawaya and Tokyu Hands; as well as the English Map to Nippori Fabric Town, which I’ve relinked.
P.P.S. Also, here are some Tips for Shopping at Craft Stores in Japan:
GO EARLY. Most stores open around 10:00 AM (or even 11:00 AM!!), and get fairly crowded as schools let out in the afternoon. Aisles tend to be smaller, so sometimes fighting crowds in the late afternoon/early evening can prevent you finding some treasures.
BRING A TAPE MEASURE.Japan uses the metric measuring system, so if you aren’t familiar with meters and centimeters, make sure you have converted your measurements to metric prior to going, or you bring a tape measure with you so you can estimate yardage better when buying fabric.
KNOW THE LINGO. Finding someone who has the English vocabulary of crafting-specific terms and tools is like searching for a unicorn. If you don’t speak Japanese and don’t know the names of what you’re looking for, look up the words you need online before you go. I really like this online dictionary. (P.S. Even if you speak very, VERY good Japanese and you don’t know the term exactly and think you can go to the store and describe what you’re looking for and the sales staff will just fill-in-the-blank helpfully, think again. It’s a little strange, but most Japanese people are unable to supply the word in a guess-what-the-foreigner-means guessing game of words. And even if they know what you’re talking about, they’ll usually lead you to what you want in the store, never actually supplying the word you’re grasping for.)
BRING A SAMPLE. If you’re looking for something similar to something you already have (say you want to replace a broken clasp on a necklace you have), and you don’t know the exact specifics of size/type of what you need, just bring it. The staff will usually be happy (and oftentimes, relieved) to help you find a replacement or duplicate if you have a visual sample with you. Also, the system for designating the size of headpins, eyepins, clasps etc. is completely different from that of the U.S., so bringing a sample will help avoid confusion.
DON’T OPEN YOUR PURCHASE IN THE STORE. This is true at any store in Japan. Your bag will be taped shut at the top to prevent theft. The person at the register may ask you if you’d like to consolidate your shopping in one bag (if you are carrying a bag or two from another store), and place all your bags into a single large bag from their store, taping the top closed in the process. If you’re going to open it, wait until you’re outside the store; it’s just good manners.
I love the idea of using a wicker or straw handbag once the weather warms up. There’s just something about an airy, earthy bag that spells summer to me. Using a basket as a handbag reminds me of delightful childhood stories, dressing up as Alice, tea parties, picnics on the lawn…And baskets are just about everywhere! Check out a thrift store or a garage sale for the most affordable baskets imaginable. (Baskets with built-in lids are a lot harder to find, but they’re certainly out there!) Craft stores like Michael’s or Jo-Ann’s sell them (but for a lot more than thrift).This scan from the May 2011 issue of Ray magazine presents a wonderful assortment of basket-style handbags…and though the prices are something to gasp at, there are oodles of wonderful DIY ideas in there as well. Dress up baskets with silk flowers, scraps of lace, purse hardware, pompons, paint, ribbon, or gems, for starters. Add a satin lining, a dried starfish, a vintage brooch, sequin trim, bows, or even a teddy bear’s disembodied head. (!) I DIY’d a half-moon clutch a couple years ago, by stitching on some puka shells and adding a little tassel pull and braided trim I made from raffia.
So if you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, there’s always Ebay, which is a great source for baskets, straw totes, and wicker clutches. (Like this one below – which looks oh-so-Chloe S/S 2011!)
The only difficulty is narrowing it down to the one you want!
Well, according to Emitations.com – check out the amazing infographic above that they put together about the iconic Kate Middleton Ring! (Probably the most well-known and discussed ring of late…)
If you are looking to purchase the affordable version of the Kate Middleton ring in Sterling Silver or in silvertone (or any other jewelry inspired by Kate and the Royal Family), Emitations has an entire page of possibilities!Also: Until May 9th, take $4 off a $40 order with code HN440, and take $12 off a $80 order with code HN1280 (So the Kate Middleton ring in Sterling Silver would end up at $70 using code HN440, for example.)
What do all of you think? Is the appeal in owning what feels to be a part of history? A pretty jewel? An icon of royalty? Do tell!
xoxox
Carly
Arbitrarily I have decided to make this week all about rings here on my site. One-fingered, two-fingered, sterling, precious metal, gemstones, faux, real, what-have-you – it’s all about finger-adornment!
If you have any questions about rings: how to organize them, how to clean them, and (best of all, IMHO) how to make them…either leave your questions in the comments or shoot them to me via the Formspring.meAsk me anything box in my right sidebar. —–> I’ll be getting to them all week long, so send them my way!
So first things first, here are some books to learn from and be inspired by:
Another technique and tutorial book; this one also includes tutorials for rings made of Precious Metal Clay (PMC; similar to Art Clay Silver), which is a material people familiar with PolyClay can learn to use quite easily.
Jinks McGrath, a well-known name in metalsmithing, has written this book which details ring-making for bench jewelers. Though this is certainly not for the hobbyist or beginner, the principles and techniques covered in this book are for fine jewelry and will familiarize anyone with how to properly create a durable piece of jewelry and work of art.
Sorry, but we’re talking long-haired elves in tights. I figured a list about rings would not be complete without the One Ring, hmmmm? (Plus, the extended editions add almost an hour of cut footage to the movies -hence, more elves in tights. All the more reason!;-P)
And to get further in the mood, here are a two DIY Ring Tutorials I’ve shared here on the blog:
Erika from SnobStyle TV shared a video on how to tie-dye something for E! News. I just love it when mainstream news and media brings attention to DIY!
Though the video is from awhile ago, tie-dye is still totally on-trend for this Spring!
And if you’re looking for more how-tos, Parents Magazine has a couple more tie-dye patterns (though you have to scroll through the slideshow (which takes forever, the patterns are on page 5 and onwards).
White cotton t-shirts may look a little Grateful Dead, but try it out with fitted shirts, a blousy tunic, or even a maxidress for the 2011 re-interpretation of this. Tie-dye never goes away, baby!;-)
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.
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Arbitrarily I have decided to make this week all about rings here on my site. One-fingered, two-fingered, sterling, precious metal, gemstones, faux, real, what-have-you – it’s all about finger-adornment! 
