Thursday, April 21, 2011

DIY

CLUTCH; adjective. “Exactly what you need, exactly when you need it”- according to the Urban Dictionary.  As fate would have it, I think we all want and need a new clutch at this very moment as we start to prep for our Spring/Summer weddings, and festive parties.  Toting around a chic mini clutch to cruise the town is essential for every one of these occasions.  The pretty and petite evening clutch screams refined, in the most delicate and unassuming way.  Small is the new BIG thing- just look to the runways, red carpets, and street style mavens for proof.  PS- I just gushed to BARNEY’S NEW YORK all about my latest handbag obsession! Check it out. To “PS” a luxe evening clutch of your own- reach for a sunglasses case- I used my TORY BURCH gold case (PS- Her glasses are j’amazing).  If you don’t have a sunnies case- use all sorts of other small items— even try a pencil case!  Punch holes in opposing sides, and add a metal jump rings and thin chain (connect with pliers).  This will serve as your lovely chain strap which can also be tucked inside if you wish to not always use.  Find a decorative trim, trip to fit- and use spray adhesive glue and set in place.  Once dry- you are ready to hit the town and look fly. Have an affair to remember and CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HOW-TO VIDEO
Click HERE to watch video



Welcome to Stripe City: The global destination for horizontal, linear, and colorful eye-candy.  This perfect storm combines unexpected and breezy bold stripes with the hues we are seeing all over the runways.  Prada is clearly the front runner with their SS11 collections.  Prada’s designs use a bevy of bold colors donned on dresses, handbags, and shoes.  Their palette of bright orange, pink, black and white is flawless.  My good friend, style innovator, Andrew Mukamal, and I dreamed up the ultimate ipad clutch inspired by this seasons must have color combo.  It’s perfect for our on-the-go adventures and also works as a non-tech accessories, to tote around town. To create a version of your own, reach for a durable kitchen drawn liner, heavy duty, colorful tapes (Duck, Gorilla, and Gaffers are my favorites), Velcro and scissors.  Measure (by wrapping your ipad around), and cut to size.  Fold bottom half up, and tape all around to seal and secure.  Continue to tape and smooth away any lumps and air bubbles. Stick pieces of velcro as the clasp and your clutch is complete!  Get creative with your patterns and colors.  Yell it from your pipes: I love STRIPES!



The “Art of the Trench” is a beautiful thing.  The trench coat is quite possibly one of the most classic staples that everyone should own.  My friends, Hillary and Katherine of  WHO WHAT WEAR, who have a new j’amazing book, “WHAT TO WEAR, WHERE”, agree that one of the most coveted pieces this spring hails from BURBERRY.  Designer, Christopher Bailey, added a new spin on the iconic trench coat, giving us goosebumps with metallic accents to embellish.  Severe and sexy spikes are certainly a Spring trend to steal (say that tongue twister!) Get inspired by Burberry, and create your own version.  Reach for lots of chopsticks (use anywhere from 50-100 pairs or more if you crave more spike-age).  Using a handsaw (carefully) and cut down chopsticks tops.  If you don’t feel comfortable with a saw, try heavy duty clippers.  In a well-ventilated area, spray paint the spikes, gold.  Wait till dry, flip over- and spray to cover.  Use chalk to outline where the spikes will go.  Use droplets of hot glue on the bottoms of the spikes, place down- and hold for a few seconds till they set.  Remove any straggly glue hair strands, let dry- and rock it!



It’s time for a Spring fling with a touch of bling!  I bow down to the masters of bling:  Judith Leiber, Lorraine Schwartz, Neil Lane to name a few.  Adding a touch of glimmer and sparkle to your look, will make everyone look to you as a style starlet!  Boasting a unique accessory such as a decedent headpiece or encrusted belt is all that is required for an instant update to set up your look and kick up those heels.Creating a convertible accessory will take just minutes!  Reach for a piece of ribbon.  Measure to your size.  I suggest a double-faced ribbon or a grosgrain ribbon option.  Next, choose from a wide variety of gems.  Scour eBay or flea markets for vintage options or try M&J Trimming for oodles of options to oogle over.  Find the center point of your ribbon and use your glue gun to secure down.  Lay flat to dry and you’re ready for any Spring fling!  PS- Get creative with color combos and try your hand at making shorter version for cuff bracelets!



P.S.- LOVE IS IN THE AIR! Whether you heart St.Valentine’s Day or simply steer clear of it, we should always remember to love ourselves day in and day out, (Hallmark holiday aside).  I will trade a box ‘o chocolates for jewelry any day of the week, and I’m sure most of you would too!  Here is my DIY love life advice: Don’t wait around for your crush to come through with bijoux…. P.S.- MAKE IT YOURSELF!  Follow in the footsteps of leading sweethearts Audrey Hepburn and Carrie Bradshaw, who always seemed to be doused in layers of pearls, while looking for their leading man. To create a stand out, chunky, pearl statement necklace just reach for 3 strands of long pearl or beaded necklaces (experiment with different colored options), wide ribbon, and a decorative brooch.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HOW-TO VIDEO with Fashionista.com and get ready to fall head over heels in love with this lovely neck candy!  xoxo
Click HERE to watch a video



Cut - it - out… Literally!  There’s no time like the present to give yourself a present!  Being crafty and creating fun fashions can take seconds.  Case in point: The cut out sweatshirt! REIMAGINE, REUSE, &  REINVENT this very instant.  Take two things you probably already have at home: a sweatshirt and your trusty scissors and get inspired by the casual cool Alexander Wang and the athletic inspired looks were seeing all around.  Going the distance is easy when you sport the sporty look like a DIY Champ! P.S.- My good friends at Fashionista.com and I both agree that GREY is the new BLACK!  We teamed up for a fun video DIY.  Click HERE to watch the how-to- and say P.S.- I made this…!



Peruse your closet and prepare to POM! Currently, we’re seeing the fluffy pom pom detail all around us.  Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney have made a seasonal statement with touches of pom poms on bags, whereas Sonia Rykiel took to the Pom as inspiration for the hair shown at her FW10 show.  We can’t get enough of this puffy and whimsical wonder. Right now, grab a bag… embrace this cozy and cute trend, get inspired and get crafty.  I opted for this cute FOREVER 21 bag paired with gray POM POMS. Use your trusty glue gun and dot a dab of glue on each pom and place on the bag. Make sure you don’t leave too much space between each pom, they should completely cover your surface.  Feel free to get creative with your colors and infuse the pom on practically anything and everything! P.S.- October is Breast Cancer awareness month- try and infuse the color and cause into your life! Sharpie is spreading the word, which benefits The City of Hope! Get involved.



Do you MARVEL over MARBLE? I DO!  Whirls, swirls, twists and turns is the name of the game.  Marble surfaces, sculptures, and architecture have made their mark in history for centuries.  The delicious markings have inspired fashion, accessories, apparel, home decor and even food!  I teamed up with my friend Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, where I showed her how to MARBLE PAPER and make cool things.  P.S.- It’s very easy, and SO fun.  Anyone can do it and it ALWAYS turns out looking J’AMAZING! CLICK HERE to watch the DIY video.  Learn how to marble your own paper, and create decedent lamp shades, necklaces, and stationary!  All you need is Methyl Cellulose, Paint, and Cotton/Watercolor Paper (the rest you probably have at home but check out the full tutorial on Design*Sponge).  P.S.- For a shortcut, purchase decorative marble paper at your local fine art store and get creative!
Video is HERE



Lucky Charms are magically delicious and so is JEWELRY!  One of my favorite jewelry designers, Dana Lorenz of Fenton/Fallon continues to wow us season after season with her over-the-top statement pieces, terrific textures, and sparkling situations. Dana recently invited me and a few other fab friends over and let us loose in her shop. She graciously gifted charms and broken pieces of past collections for a special P.S. project!  I loved the idea of blinging out my fall bag with a bag charm using her fun elements. To create a chic bag charm, re-purpose broken or old jewlez, charms, pendants, pieces, basically anything fun you can get your hands on.  Tie your bits and bobs onto string or cording and secure to a binder ring. Make sure you hang at different lengths to create a staggered effect. Clip onto your bag with a carabiner clip and you are one leading lucky charm lady!

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