Crafts
DIY Prada-Inspired Rose Cabochon Rhinestone Stud Earrings
I'm a sucker for big, sparkly things - and those Prada rose cabochon earrings from S/S 2012 caught my eye immediately. (And if you were the same and thought of DIY'ing the trend, you've probably already seen tutorials by Honestly...WTF, Gloriously Chic, and P.S. I...
Shelley Miller’s Consumptuous Series: DIY Cakes…that Look Like Handbags…that are Really Art.
I find incredible inspiration in the work of Shelley Miller, especially in her Objects of Desire and Scopophilia series (even though that was from quite awhile ago [2005-6!]) Edibles + art? Edible art? Plus handbag design? Just too amazing for words.From the copy...
DIY: Quick n Easy Vintage-Style Iron-On Decal Leather Keyring Charms
While I was in Japan last April/May, despite the unhappy circumstances of my visit I did manage to go to some craft stores to see the latest trends and products. One thing I came across were these beautiful vintage-style iron-on decals by Eruberu Co, Ltd. They're a...
2012: The Year in Review for Chic Steals
Every year on New Year's Eve I republish a list of all my DIY's that I shared on this blog during the past year. This time around, I decided to do a Best Of list as well, to share some of my favorite content from this past year with you: How Do You Maintain Your Life...
Buy It or DIY It: New Year’s Eve Party Outfit
Whether it's watching the ball drop in Times Square, rocking out at a packed party of friends and party-crashers, or just having a low-key get-together with coworkers and their spouses, the perfect party outfit is only a click...or a project...away. Try this on for...
DIY Holiday Chocolate Bark: 4 Recipes to Gift Last-Minute
So it's only two days before Christmas and time is running out. You want to give something thoughtful and handmade...but just can't deal with cookies or fudge. How about Holiday Chocolate Bark? It's super-easy (just melt chocolate chips and add mix-ins!), takes...
It’s My Birthday!
image source (and make that cake with the tutorial here!) Yup, today I am another year older (and the world didn't end, thank goodness)...so just keeping it low-key and celebrating with the family. 🙂 And how cute is this felt cake (above)? Getting inspired to dig...
New York Times Article: Don’t Put a Bird On It: Saving “Craft” From Cuteness
Though this article went live awhile ago on the New York Times, I just recently came across it. It's an article that is part review of the disappointing "Craft Wars" TV reality show with Tori Spelling; part indictment of the crafting movement in modern times. Read...
Object of Desire: Photo-Print Dress
There is this dress that I can't wait for ModCloth to get back in stock...that I see in my dreams... It's a Wonderful Life Dress by Bernie Dexter, $155.99 Bernie Dexter has the most amazing photo-print dresses on ModCloth, but all around the same price point. ...
How Do You Maintain Your Life While Facing Stress? 5 Ways to Deal When It Seems You Just Can’t
photo source It's the age-old question, even more relevant today when so many of us are engaged in multiple, simultaneous projects. I worked a 54-hour week last week at work. We had a shoot at the studio, which went into a second day. Many other things also happened...
Stay Warm This Winter with Chic (and Affordable!) Coats From Macy’s
A warm coat is a must in the Northern climate I live in (Portland, OR), and it's tough to find a good coat that goes with a number of different outfits (and that isn't a huge amount of money). Of course, something that one wears daily from September-June of the year...
Free Product Isn’t Really Free
Found on CraftSnark, a really awesome website with a ton of snarky posters and graphics depicting what it's really like to be a craft blogger. Start reading the posts and you'll get addicted. Or at least, I am addicted. It's.all.SO.TRUE. And yes, often companies...
DIY Easy Pinned Sequin Ball Ornaments
Whip up some sparkling, shimmering ornaments super-quick, and with only a couple of supplies! This can even be a great project for kids to work on their fine motor skills. Materials:sequins in leaf shapes or snowflake shapes / pearl-head pins in red or pearlized /...
Introducing The Stories App – Upload a Holiday DIY and Win a Michael’s Gift Card
I've partnered with Echoed.com that produces this cool new application called "Stories." It's an application that allows users to upload their own photos and write a "story" about the photos, vote on photos you like, and share content. Kind of like Pinterest but...
Slowing It Down
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! A silly photo from work last week; I'm just playing on the photography cyc. Man, does it need to be re-painted!! I have had a completely perfect holiday - and all because Lil Tot has been sick with a cold since last...