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 into my felt-bin just looking at this sweet creation…
xo
Carly
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So the $10 million dollar question is…are you going to wait in line for the Maison Martin Margiela collection at H&M?
I’m debating whether to swing by the mall on Thursday and check out a couple pieces, though probably not buy. It’s not like I need them after all.
What do I need want are the color variations of the perfect metallic hair-ring…I picked up gold the other day, and now I’m kicking myself for not picking up silver and copper. 
Similar to what was seen on the Dries Van Noten runways for S/S 2012, H&M has put out their version (which looks similar to a couple plastic ones with metallic foil on them I’ve had since the 80’s…I think they were Goody, originally.)  Deliciously minimalist, problem-solving construction so your hair isn’t falling out of your DIY napkin ring/copper plumbing piece you’re making do with. Sometimes DIY is not always the answer to a basic construction problem…and buying at retail price will save you a lot of time and frustration. 
I have fine hair and find that anything metal and heavy will slip right out of it. The H&M piece has an inner ring that secures the hair elastic, and a snap closure that’s easy to apply, and is only $4.98.
By strange coincidence, all the metal I was wearing today was H&M…gold metal hair-ring and copper choker bought Sunday, and gold elongated pyramid earrings purchased back in June or so. Nails are suede-finish Amber by Julep, a perfectly-matte, velvety-finish dull gold.
As for the Margiela collection, I’m thinking possible DIYs for that hitched-up turtleneck (safety-pins applied under the hem to hitch things up)…that trompe l’oeil bodysuit (just tack on a black bra to a nude long-sleeved leotard)…
…that glove clutch (attach gloves to your clutch bag with some leather glue
…those hand-painted loafers (paint your black loafers with some white latex [not acrylic, and not leather] paint)…that pieced-together coat (2 different coats, stitched together into one)…
…and those plexi wedge pumps…though I’m questioning whether time and effort is better spent just buying those heels as-is. Sometimes just plunking down the $4.98…or in the case of the plexiglass heels, $299…is an actual cost-savings when it comes to something that needs to bear weight and be flexed multiple times in a day, like shoes…
Also, the $20 million dollar question: Will you buy something knowing that it is extremely recognizable [and may remain so for years] in the collective conscious as from a certain collection, store, or designer?
xoxox
Carly
Margiela for H&M Collection photos from Refinery29.com. See the whole collection here.
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I’m sure some of my readers may be wondering why I’ve been M.I.A. for a few days lately…but there’s been a reason for that…
I’m so incredibly excited to announce that I am the newest intern at H.D. Loft Studios!!
photo from H.D. Loft Studios’ Tumblr
The search for an internship, or a way to begin my career here in Portland in video and animation production, has dragged on for more than 2 and a half years for me. In the meantime, I’ve been channeling my energies into this blog, which has grown by leaps and bounds…but I always hoped that it would be more a hobby for me and not my sole source of income. Since having my son I’ve wanted to go back to video production as a career, but just couldn’t seem to make things happen here.
Finally, this is the first step. 
H.D. Loft Studios is a brand-new Portland-based production studio set and prop and wardrobe rental house with an amazing collection of vintage items, a full-capacity wet/dry production stage and photography cyclorama, and a superbly talented crew behind it.  (With mind-boggling credits throughout the music video and fashion industries!!) I can’t even put into words how humbled I am that they thought me a good enough fit to bring onto their team! I’ll be interning with them until the end of Summer, and I literally bounce out of bed every morning thrilled to be able to go to work.
So far I am working on social media, brand strategy, photography, and prop styling for them, but as they grow I hope to assist in any way they have need. It’s so exciting to see how things develop!
Wheee!!!!!
xoxxo
Carly
P.S. I’m still going to be updating Chic Steals and continuing posting here, though I’m still trying to figure out how to work around my schedule and still produce timely content. I hope all of you will forgive me if I am not so regular in my posting schedule and there may be days when I’m just unable to update.
other studio photos from H.D. Loft Studios’ Facebook
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Yes, that’s right – I’ve added TWO new colors to the range of faux furs I stock for my tails and puffs in my Etsy store. (And coming in the New Year…BAGS!!)
So many customers have requested black fur, but I haven’t found a pure black faux fur that is as high-quality as my other furs. What I could find, however, is a fur that has a midnight black fuzzy base, with longer light brown/blond hairs sprinkled throughout. It’s very plush and realistic.
Inspired by Prada’s line of brightly-colored fur accessories, I’ve also stocked a Limited-Edition Crimson fur for the holidays! I only have 1 yard of this, so when it’s gone, it’s gone! It’s of the same style of fur as my White tails, with long, wispy hairs. It’s very light and airy.
I’m now offering Puffs, Medium-sized Tails, and Full-Sized Tails in my Etsy shop, in all 6 colors including the new Black and Crimson. 
Please check it out – or send it to your friends if you think they’d be interested!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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I’ve been super-busy (besides making Thanksgiving dinner, LOL!), and have also updated my Etsy with new variations of my popular faux fur accessories.
AND! To celebrate, I’m offering up a coupon code, valid from 11/24 through midnight PST on 11/28: Get 15% off your entire order from my Etsy store with code
I’ve also got two more colors of faux fur coming in (though UPS is taking an extremely long time to deliver them to me…grrr…) so stay tuned for BLACK and CRIMSON tails and puffs in the near future!
Thanks so much!
xoxox
Carly
~Please Tweet or share this post on Facebook to spread the word!~
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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.
