Jun 3, 2011 | Fashion
Hey everybody – just a quick announcement to let you all know that I’ll be changing my username on Twitter.
Up until now I’ve been @carlyjcais…but that’s my name, not my blog’s. I figured that would be a little confusing.
So from here on I’ll be
@ChicSteals
A lot easier to remember, right?:-)
If you’re following me on Twitter, there’s nothing special you need to do. Everything will be automatically updated in your feeds and my feeds, so no worries. Just if you want to mention or DM me, it will have to be @ChicSteals from now on!
So sorry for the confusion – I’m still keeping @carlyjcais as my own personal Twitter, but that will be solely for animation- and media-related stuff. If you’re interested in such things, including the Portland multimedia, animation, and videography scene, please feel free to follow me @carlyjcais for tweets pertaining to that.
See you on Twitter!
xoxox
Carly
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May 31, 2011 | Fashion
I’m so excited to introduce to you Zoara.com, a brand-new sponsor for Chic Steals through the month of August!
Founded in 2008, Zoara.com is the culmination of over 50 years of combined professional expertise in the diamond and jewelry industries. For decades the company’s founders and management have been offering high-end jewelry and diamonds to the public in retail stores throughout the United States. They also have a showroom in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where you can visit and see their array of jewelry and loose diamonds, as well as consult with a staff jeweler to create a custom crafted piece.
Now that it’s the end of May and we’re heading into engagement and wedding season fine jewelry might be on your mind – or not – but even so this site is incredibly extensive and the photos (and product videos) are brilliantly-detailed so you always know exactly what you’re getting. Plus – they’re pretty affordable compared to some other online fine jeweler’s, and seeing all the types of rings and settings and diamonds they offer, I now wish I could go back in time and get my wedding band from Zoara instead. (*sigh* Something to keep in mind for an upcoming anniversary perhaps…)
(from left to right: Heart-Shaped Engagement Ring, Scroll Accent Diamond Stud Earrings, Multi Hoop Earrings, Diamond Studded Key to My Heart Pendant)
They boast a fabulous array of diamond and pearl stud earrings, engagement and wedding bands, right-hand rings, religious jewelry, bracelets, men’s jewelry, and diamond pendants. Even more appealing to a DIY’er like myself is their option to Design Your Own Engagement Ring, where you can choose first the cut of diamond, and then the setting to go with it. (just click on the Search button in the “My Ring” box to the right of their screen to access the diamond selection tool)
Rings are available in 14k or 18k, white gold, yellow gold, or platinum, so there’s guaranteed something for everyone.
The company founders and management are involved in the world’s leading professional diamond and jewelry communities for decades – which means that when you buy from them, you get tons of expertise at the click of a mouse. Today, they continue to serve as members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT), and the Manufacturing Jewelers Suppliers of America (MJSA). Their operations stretch the globe, including Belgium, Israel, Brazil, and India.
If you’ve ever wanted to design your own engagement or wedding ring, or thought about buying a piece of fine jewelry (or adding one to your birthday/anniversary wishlist!;-) definitely check them out, price things, and see if there’s anything sparkly that happens to catch your eye!
AND Zoara.com has generously offered an exclusive coupon code to all my readers:
Get 10% off all jewelry with code CHIC10 at checkout!
(excludes loose diamonds)
Thanks for being a sponsor!
xoxox
Carly
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May 30, 2011 | Fashion
There are soooo many high-end items out there that could be so easily DIY’d. Case in point:
D&G A/W11 Colorful Letter Necklace 
Drill holes in old-school alphabet magnets and string on a chain.
Marni Plastic Necklace
Use different colored spoons and deform them following this tutorial. Use a heated awl or needle to poke a hole at the end of each “petal” for stringing.
Jean Paul Gaultier Trench Dress
Cut off the left arm and lapel of a black trenchcoat – saving a little fabric to create a flap for decoration at the bustline.
Tom Binns Safety Pin Chandelier Earrings
Just add some safety pins to a cheap pair of diamante chandelier earrings. Super-simple.
Kotur Box Clutch
Repurpose a sunglasses case and adorn with a big, sparkly brooch.
Marc Jacobs Embellished Sandal
The embellishment looks easy enough – just get some colored plastic raffia (in the gift-wrap or floral section of the crafts store) and wind around a domed button. Secure to shoe with a glue gun or a shoeclip for removability.
Charles Anastase S/S11 Flowered Dress
Hand-sew (or use-eek!- a glue gun) to attach silk flowers to a long mesh sheath dress. Wear over another dress, of course;-)
YSL Slanted Wedge Heels
Buy a pair of wedge heels that are a couple sizes too big – and punch extra holes in the ankle strap to keep them on. You may have to get the front straps made smaller by a cobbler – OR you could just fold the excess over on itself and glue with leather glue.
xoxox
Carly
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Scans from Marie Claire Magazine; other photos from Style.com or elsewhere on the web – if I’ve used your photo without credit, please let me know and I’ll fix it or remove it!
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May 23, 2011 | Fashion
Feel up to a little wearables DIY?
Instructables.com (the largest Do-It-Yourself community on the web) is partnering with BurdaStyle (the largest sewing community on the web) to bring you the BurdaStyle Fashion Challenge. All entries must involve your own clothing creations, whether you’ve been inspired by the runways or had a vision in a dream. It doesn’t matter where the inspiration comes from, as long as the final handiwork is your own. This contest is focused solely on garment design and construction, not accessories.
To enter the BurdaStyle Fashion Challenge submit a Step By Step, Photo, or Video Instructable documenting the process and/or final product of a garment you’ve either sewn by machine or hand, knit, crochet or a combination of garment creation techniques.
They have a huge amount of amaaaaazing prizes (over $3500 worth!), including the Grand Prize: a featured blog post in BurdaStyle, a Singer 191-D20 Industrial Sewing Machine Singer Stylist 11 Serger, a $100 Indygo Junction gift certificate, and a $100 Sublime Stitching gift certificate.
The contest runs until June 12, so get those entries in soon!
****Contest only open to U.S. residents****
Good luck to everyone who enters!
xoxox
Carly
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May 21, 2011 | Fashion
Batwing Sleeve Shirt: ASOS.com
Long Side-Tail top: Spiral Girl
Quartz point “Fang” Necklace: handmade by me
Rings: DIY Pamela Love Arrowhead Ring (tutorial here), Rock Crystal Heart Ring from a rock & gem show, Forever 21 Regal Knuckle Ring
Marbled Perspex Molded Hard Case Bag: ASOS Premium
Dark-Rinse Jeggings: Forever 21
Ann Demeulemeester-style Lace-up Boots: DIY of Forever 21 booties (tutorial here)
Feeling like crud. (more…)
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