Oct 15, 2012 | DIY, Fashion
Fall is my favorite time of year, especially October that culminates in the spooky, cool holiday of Halloween.
Gothic-inspired black becomes commonplace this time of year; crosses and skull jewelry abound, and crazy, dark makeup looks hardly out of place. But why buy when you can DIY? Here are some ideas for must-have pieces this time of year…that can still be worn beyond the holiday, and that are all easily duped with a little creativity:
I WANT: Chunky Skull Jewelry
BUY: Chibi Jewels Tiny Skull Stud Earrings, $45 / Karma Mantra Crystal Skull Bhaala Bracelet
, $48
…or DIY: Fire Mountain Gems Bead Mix, Imitation Howlite, $7.40 / Oriental Trading Co. Silvertone Skull Charms, $4.99
I WANT: Gothic Printed Clothing
BUY: Romwe Cross-Print Distressed Jumper, $35.90 / ASOS Foil Tapestry Skull Shirt
, $31.66
…or DIY: use my Alexander McQueen-Inspired Skull-Print Scarf Tutorial as inspiration, but cut a cross stencil and use Simply Spray in Silver Glimmer
, $10.12 on a sweater instead / Dritz Graphic T Flock Iron-On Skull-and-Crossbones in White, $4.99 / Halloween Spirit Collection Foil Skulls on Black Fabric, $6.79
I WANT: Tights That Make Me Shudder
BUY: Pamela Mann Sheer Crosses Tights, $15 / BAT Print Tights, $13.23
…or DIY: use my Super-Easy Tattoo Tights Tutorial and draw your favorite shapes on yourself! Laundry Sharpie Marker & White Sharpie Paint Marker
/ use Six Six Sick’s DIY Rodarte 3 Ways Tutorial for a spooky spiderwebby look to your tights, and use Mary Maxim Mohair Glitter Yarn, or some other non-scratchy soft mohair yarn if you’re dying for a knitting project
Yarn photo source
I WANT: A Dark Cut-Out Dress
BUY: Shakuhachi NY Sweat Dress, $158 / Roped MaxiDress, $88
…or DIY: Take a long T-shirt and do this to it. Hanes Beefy T Adult Short-Sleeved T-Shirt, $10.50.
Scissors photo source
I WANT: Deep Oxblood-Colored Lipstick
BUY: Makeup Forever No. 44 Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick, $19
…or DIY: Beetroot Lipstick: 1 tablespoon beetroot powder, 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (or regular glycerin if you are okay with using animal products), 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil or olive oil. 1) Put the vegetable glycerin and beetroot powder in a saucer and stir the mixture until it’s smooth. 2) Add the vitamin E oil and apply. [source: Guardian News and Media]
Any Halloween-style projects you’re inspired to do this time of year?
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 23, 2012 | Fashion
According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2012, we’re seeing bright colors that pop set against darker, more traditional Fall Colors.
Interestingly, we also saw oxblood (a deep, dark maroon red), black and navy paired together, and winter white all over the Fall/Winter 2012 runways last Spring. Here are a couple things that I’ve been eyeing for the coming season:
First Row: 1. Dolman Pullover in Teal, $36.90 / 2. Karen London Matal Earrings, $74 / 3. Mixed Media Master Dress, $52.99 / 4. Crooks and Castles Apache Box Tee in Navy, $48
Second Row: 5. ASOS Bow Gloves, $8.62 / 6. Shrunken Corduroy Jacket, $79.50 / 7. Kelly Pointed Wedge Shoes, $59.95 (and if you’re not a member of SoleSociety yet, here’s your invite!)
Third Row: 8. Split-Tone Layered Tights, $19 / 9. Bring Me Along Studded Orange Tote, $56 / 10. ASOS Little Miss Metallic Ballet Flats
, $43.12 / 11. Knit Mustard Dress, $43 / 12. Miss Me Floral Skinny Stretch Jean, $99
And I think I’m going to get back to resurrecting my DIY Fail Sweater, stat!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 13, 2012 | Fashion
Sure, they may be a bit conservative overall, but these Mazi Skimmers from Alloy are also so pretty and sweet. I think the blue dotted print may just become my new favorite for work – and Fall 2012!
They also come in a wine, black, and standard leopard-print, and I love how the girly edge looks peeking out from some long dark jeans or punctuating a flared skirt.
I’ve been overwhelmed with re-designing Chic Steals…and am thinking about abandoning the dev site and just making everything live as-is, and tweak as the days go by. Not an ideal experience for all of you guys, but doing it this way may prevent conflicts and bugs in the long run… I apologize in advance! Plus work has been long hours, school will be starting next week, and I still have another project to finish up soon…
I love being busy but right now I have had too many days in a row being woken up at 4 AM when my husband gets up to go to work…it’s beginning to take its toll. And New York Fashion Week is just wrapping up and I haven’t even started to check out the Collections yet! I think the first 2 weeks of September are the busiest of the entire year…who’s with me on that??! At least I don’t have to worry about what shoes to wear to work!;-)
xoxox
Carly
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Aug 17, 2012 | Fashion, Life
It was Springtime in Tokyo and the cherry blossoms were in bloom whilst I was there.
As many of you know, my family and I traveled to Tokyo, Japan in April of this year to take care of my mother who suffered a spinal stroke. (Who lives in Tokyo for her job.) Though I didn’t have much time to take photos in the beginning of my trip, near the end my mother’s condition had improved, so I was able to do some activities with my family and take some pictures.
You can see Part 1 of my travel photo diary here. Here are the rest of the photos I took during my trip: (more…)
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Aug 7, 2012 | Fashion
I’ve been after a slightly-chic-er-than-plain, comfy ballet flat that will pair well with jeans, skirts, and take me through airports and long flights with no foot pain whatsoever. I’ve found it in this sweet little ballet flat from Sole Society. Love the warm color palette and gold detail!
Here a couple ways to style it:
And of course, you could always DIY the metallic toe with a bit of spray paint like in my DIY Miu Miu Rhinestone-Embellished Flats tutorial. For some reason that gold toe just ups the fashion factor.
xoxox
Carly
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