Jan 5, 2015 | Fashion, Media
So I feel completely shamefaced to say that I neglected to share my last video project with you guys!
I founded the video and media production company Uncommon Era in April, and have been working here and there producing fashionably awesome online videos, commercials, promotional videos, corporate videos, animations, and crowdfunding videos for a variety of clients.
The latest one we produced for Coveroo: this really neat interchangeable phone/tech cases company that does custom-printing on just about any surface imaginable. (And, incidentally, good friends with Modify Watches, our very first video production client ever!)
Coveroo wanted a video that showed the versatility of the Coveroo cases and appealed to a young, fashion-oriented audience: something fun, youthful, and beautiful.
So, did we do it? What do you think of the video? (Now featured on Coveroo’s website.)
Thanks so much to the Coveroo team, who were just awesome to work with. I’m so glad we were able to make it even more awesome together!
Producers: Kevin Brown and Carly J. Cais, Uncommon Era
Director: Kevin Brown
Director of Photography: Phil Anderson
1st AC: Patrick Blevins
Grip/Electric, 2nd AC: Justen Hundley
Art Direction and Set: Clif Chandler
Styling: Carly J. Cais
Hair/Makeup: Patty Harding
Model: Natasha Ward
Shot in Portland, Oregon.
If you’re a brand or small business looking to get your fun, fashionable story out there on your website, YouTube, or any other online channel – reach out to us so we can craft your awesome together. We only need YOU to make it happen.
xo
Carly
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Jan 4, 2015 | Fashion, Life
Gold Hoop Earrings: Claire’s.
Hi-Lo Sweater Knit in Gosh Garnet: Old Navy, c/o Clorox. Quartz and Epoxy Gold Leaf Necklace: Handmade by me.
Edison Cardigan
: BB Dakota. Tabbed Clutch: Lagunamoon (Japanese; old).
Solitaire Ring in Rose Gold: Shashi.
Skinny Jeans in Rub a Dub Dub: Blank Denim NYC. Quebec Zippered High Heel Booties: Sam Edelman (hard to find now,
available on eBay or
here or
here in a similar style).
I’m trying out Marsala, PANTONE’s 2015 Color of the Year, and I have to admit, it’s not too bad. 
I can get into a rich, deep burgundy when paired with overall neutrals, like my favorite soft greys and blacks. Add a bit of impact with a similar lip color, dark around the eyes, and it works. It still reads Fall/Winter to me, so time will have to tell if I can incorporate this into a more Spring-y ensemble. Like an Iron Chef Fashion Challenge. Except with…kidneys.
Even if you’re not ready to jump on the Marsala bandwagon yet, I’m sure you still have dark, rich colors in your wardrobe that you want to keep looking dark and rich all year round, wash after wash. (For me it would be my beloved charcoals, blacks, and navies that I’m most concerned about.)
Laundry photo by Ryan McGuire.
[Tweet “Faded clothing = definitely not in fashion. #fashiontip #clorox2”]
That’s why Clorox has developed Clorox® 2 Darks & Denim, formulated with 2x the color boosting power and removes 4x more stains than are removed with pre-treating. Plus it won’t cause fading of your beloved darks.
HOW TO REMOVE DEODORANT STAINS FROM DARK CLOTHING
I don’t know about you, but I’m always getting white deodorant residue on my dark tops when I put them on – which leaves me scrubbing furiously in the morning with a pair of pantyhose to try and remove the most visible. But when it comes time to wash you want to remove every last trace of deodorant lest it start to build up on your fabrics (yuck!). You can apply liquid Clorox® 2 Darks & Denim directly to the deodorant stain and rub in. Wait 3-5 minutes (don’t let it dry on the fabric), then wash immediately in the hottest water recommended on the care label with detergent and additional Clorox® 2 Darks & Denim based on your load size.
HOW TO REMOVE OTHER TOUGH STAINS FROM DARK CLOTHING
For tough stains, like wine coffee and grass, be sure to pre-treat. First, remove the garment: do not treat clothing while wearing it. Remove all loose dirt from the fabric and blot wet stains with a clean absorbent cloth. Apply liquid Clorox® 2 Darks & Denim and rub it in. Wait several minutes – don’t let it dry – then wash with like colors.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DARK DENIMS FROM FADING
I love me some dark denim, but sometimes the faded look is not what I’m going for. Though I wash my dark jeans much less than my light, faded jeans, when it comes time to wash I will bundle them all together to save water, and use Clorox® 2 Darks & Denim for the load. Plus I don’t dry my dark jeans in the dryer; they are all air-dried, and come out of the wash looking just the same as when they went it (especially important for brand-new jeans where the dye runs!)
Hope that gives you some pointers on how to keep your dark colors – including the controversial Marsala – just as deep as the day you got them! Do you guys have any tips for keeping your darkest darks perfect?
Do share in the comments!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent an Old Navy top from Clorox to incorporate into a post. I have not been compensated in any other way. The above opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click and buy something through one of the links above. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
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Jan 2, 2015 | Fashion
When PANTONE announced that the Color of the Year for 2015 was Marsala – this dark red, wine/burgundy/brown hybrid…the fashion/design/rest of the world was not quick to embrace. Unlike Radiant Orchid (2014) and Emerald (2013), this one left most people scratching their heads.
I have to admit this dark burgundy color has never been a favorite of mine [I feel it kinda had its heyday back in 1994 in the Grunge Era…yup, I went there]. That being said, it’s a sophisticated, quite underused color that can take on a different tone depending on what it’s paired with. And getting creative with those pairings is key…since the default is usually to go with a Fall palette when confronted with something like Marsala.
Here are a few items that could be paired with this Fashion Challenge…if you want to take it on.
Lucite Green: Aztec Drops, $32
// Aquamarine: Trapeze Coat in Brushed Wool, $161.08 // Classic Blue: Breezy Night Stroll Dress // Tangerine: Rebecca Minkoff Cory Pouch, $35 // Strawberry Ice: I Need a Heel-O Fuchsia Pointed Ankle Strap Heels, $34 // Custard: Yellow Pleated Miniskirt, $16.90 // Scuba Blue: Skyline Selfie Top, $24.99 // Glacier Gray: Gray Lapel Long Sleeve Faux Fur Short Coat, $32.79 // Marsala: Full Flower Crochet Skirt, $39.02
How do YOU feel about Marsala? Can you see working it into your wardrobe in anything besides makeup or accessories?
Come back tomorrow to see how I tried it in an outfit!
xo
Carly
Images source; collage by me.
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
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Dec 1, 2014 | Fashion
Who loves fresh flowers around the home? Hands up if you do! And if you do, you’re probably aware of how costly that can be to maintain. And how hard fresh flowers are to come by at certain times of the year. And the toll they can take on the environment (depending on where you get them). The answer to that: The Bouqs Co. (the new floral kid-on-the-block with awesome South American flowers picked from the side of an active volcano). Yup, you read that right: an active volcano. And yet they offer a huge variety of flowers, delivered FREE (always!), fresh to your door.
The Bouqs Co. kindly sent me my choice of bouquet to review. I chose the Peace Bouq, since I love white flowers in the Wintertime. The website was super-easy to order from and way more intuitive than most floral order websites…you know the ones I’m talking about (that look like they’re been around since 1994). Within 10 days of ordering the flowers were at my door (and you can of course specify what date you’d like them delivered on).
Above is how the flowers come wrapped, to protect them on their journey all the way from South America. The box was very sturdy and the flowers were not crushed in the least from transport.
They had some preservative gel on their cut ends to prevent them from drying out, which easily wiped off. Though some had wilted a bit on the way, once in water they perked right up again.
Fragrant, luscious, environmentally-friendly, FREE SHIPPING…what’s not to love?
Here’s the amazing array of all the flowers Bouqs has to choose from:
See any that strike your fancy? For today, Cyber Monday, you can select any Original-sized Volcano Bouq and use code DOUBLEBOUQ to get DOUBLE the flowers (the Deluxe-size for free!). Valid until the end of 12/1/14.
Also, other promotions going on for Cyber Monday (valid until 12/3/14):
Send at least 4 Bouqs, get 25% with code CYBERBOUQ
Buy a gift card to The Bouqs Co., and save up to 20% off the retail price
You can knock off all your holiday gift-giving, or be super-organized and schedule out your Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, friends’ birthdays, and new baby bouquets all in one go.
Definitely try out The Bouqs Co. and see what it’s like – you’ll be impressed with the quality of fresh flowers, year-round, delivered to your door for no hassle.
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was provided an Original-sized Bouq for review purposes. I have received no other compensation for this post. The above opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you click on a link and purchase something. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Nov 28, 2014 | Fashion, Score!
Have you guys checked out Hatch.co yet? No? It’s a curated marketplace for independent makers who love to personalize their artisanal products based on customer requests. They were just named one of TimeOut’s Best New Shopping Sites and one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 NYC Startups!
Unlike Etsy, the Hatch.co site is curated, which means their team recruits only the top artisanal makers so the products are of the highest quality. Every one of their items is made-to-order and customizable, so our makers take the time to create each order to the customer’s exact specifications!
In full support of independent makers, they are waiving their normal 5% fee for this weekend only in order to give their makers 100% of the sales that they make on Hatch. It’s their way of supporting Small Business Saturday.
Check out my picks above, fully customizable for all your gift-giving needs:
1. Personalized Letters Necklace // 2. Signature Bracelet // 3. Personalized Initials Pillow // 4. Custom Personalized Names Pillow // 5. Personalized Birthstone Pin
I’m also partnering with Hatch.co to offer $15 off any purchase of $50 or more with exclusive code ChicSteals14. (Just email [email protected] with the words “ChicSteals14” after you make your purchase and you’ll be reimbursed for $15)
In this way, you can cross off everyone from your Christmas shopping list, all at one site.
Shop Hatch.co And Get Your Gifts Personalized Today
Happy Shopping!
xo
Carly
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Nov 27, 2014 | Fashion, Score!
The Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday trifecta has snuck up once again this year (how did that happen??!) and I’ve made a large shopping list for all my holiday giving. Just like last year, I’m taking advantage of some major steals going on this weekend. Here are some things I have my eye on:
ASOS
1 // 2 // 3 // 4
<30% off everything with code TGIBF (until Sunday 11/30)>
ModCloth
1 // 2 // 3 // 4
<Currently having sale up to 70% off>
Karmaloop
1 // 2 // 3 // 4
<10% off everything with code FCKBLKFRI (and higher discounts for more purchases + free shipping – check their homepage for details!)>
Lulus
1 // 2 // 3 // 4
<40% off select items, starting Black Friday, with free shipping. 15% off orders of $75 or more with code 1575>
Choies
1 // 2 // 3 // 4
<Up to 90% off select items>
Of course, you could celebrate Black Friday as Buy Nothing Day instead…and just make something awesome. Start with my 200+ DIY tutorials for ideas!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone – and enjoy the deal-filled weekend!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. My full Disclosure Policy is
here.
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