May 4, 2014 | DIY
*This is a project I shared in Snippets Magazine: The New York Issue on Cut Out + Keep in 2010, and am re-posting here on my blog.

Serena sported this beautiful vintage-style necklace in an early episode of the addictive Gossip Girl TV series. Its charm was its modern take on the beautiful art of crochet – and the delicate balance between darkness and fragility. Plus, with some appliques from the sewing store it’s a cinch to make. Here’s how:
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Apr 2, 2014 | DIY
*This project I contributed to Snippets Magazine: The New York Issue on Cut Out + Keep in 2010, and am re-posting to my blog here.
A la Balmain or a la Jenny, this blazer is looking sharp!
Though it only appeared onscreen for the briefest of moments, this was Little J’s take on an elegant cover-up to take her straight to the Ambassador’s Dinner and show up Damien. Making your own is easy, just by adding multiple safety pins to a blazer in need of a makeover.
Materials:
Black fitted Blazer / Medium-large size silver Safety Pins
How To:
1. Start by inserting a couple safety pins in a fan-shape at one of the side-seams of the blazer, right where it hits your waist. Try not to push the safety pins through the jacket lining.Add more safety pins in-between the first row.
2. Keep alternating placement as you fan out from the side and create a “starburst” pattern.
3. Add a few larger safety pins near the edges.

4. Repeat for the other side of the blazer.

So easy- and so impactful. This piece looks great over skinny jeans, or even a slinky dress for a night out!
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Feb 19, 2014 | DIY, Fashion
When I first started blogging back in 2008, Cut Out + Keep was the very first tutorial-sharing site that I joined. I loved its scrappy, can-do attitude and the welcoming community there. I ended up posting 61 projects on the site over time, as well as being featured multiple times as a Crafty Superstar, a DIY Fashionista, and contributing to their online zine Snippets.
So when the founder of Cut Out + Keep Cat Morley asked me to try to DIY TIlda Swinton’s unique style, I said of course! Who could resist a how-to about that avant-garde icon? (Plus, she’s my favorite actress hands-down.) Click on through to find out how you can DIY her edgy look at home:
Thank you to the team at Cut Out + Keep for the feature!
xo
Carly
Photo courtesy of Cut Out + Keep.
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Apr 1, 2013 | DIY
Declare your love for the Big Apple! Take that shirt showing genuine NYC pride and remake it into a stylish totebag. LOVE is in the details! Here’s how to make your own:
You Need:
I Love NY T Shirt (mine is a unisex Large) / White Thread
Tools: Tape Measure / Chalk / Sewing Machine Needle for knits / Scissors / Pin(s) / Serger /overlocker (optional)
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Mar 28, 2013 | DIY
*This project was featured here in the New York Issue of Snippets Magazine on Cut Out + Keep in 2010; I’m just re-posting the tutorial on my site.
This last season of TV’s Gossip Girl has seen the two female leads wear some awfully big, flashy earrings in true 80’s throwback style. Taking a leaf from Blair’s Dynasty-inspired playbook, I’m DIY’ing another version of a pair of oversized gemstone earrings, using fabric and mesh tulle.
You Need: (more…)
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