May 31, 2012 | DIY
2 weeks into 1, posted on Thursday, playing catchup as always. It finally feels like Summer here (most days that is) and school years are winding down and I’m gearing up with Summer DIY projects by the dozen. What’s everybody else been up to??
Got 10 minutes? How about making 5 bracelets? Matter of Style posted this Build Your Arm Party awesomeness.
This may be from awhile ago, but it’s just perfect for Summer! Passions for Fashion’s DIY Guide – Draped Skirt is super-easy, non-destructive to your materials, and looks super-elegant!
Virginie Peny‘s DIY Veiled Cap is an excellent take on the omnipresent Jil Sander DIY Net Veil Beanie that’s been making it’s way around the blogosphere. Sporty + chic = instant love!
Found another DIY blog! Trinkets in Bloom has a number of great DIY tutorials to peruse…and I think I love her Striped Leather Purse DIY best. What an amazing transformation!
Cocorosa shared a pair of easy DIY Flower Heels…made with the addition of clip-on barrettes from H&M. (I made a similar pair of flower heels awhile ago, by creating clip-on corsages from flowers from the craft store that I liked. Either way, a little bit of floral prettiness on your feet goes a long way!!)
Just when I was thinking of making a camera strap to replace my DSLR’s ugly CANON-emblazoned one, Chictopians LIPGLOSSANDBLACK come up with an edgy spiked DIY Designer Camera Strap. Gorgeous!
Reware Vintage posted an ingenious tutorial for re-using the metal brackets that come in a picture frame…and fashioning them into a DIY Chevron Necklace. How incredibly cool is that?!
More awesome repurposing: How to Make a Belt from a Scarf from Scarves.net (incidentally written by my DIY blogger friend Stacie from Stars for Streetlights). It may take a bit of sewing, but the pop of pattern and color at the waist can’t be beat!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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May 16, 2012 | DIY
I’m still getting over the jetlag from my recent trip to Tokyo, getting back into the daily routine, and getting used to it being light until like 9:00 at night here. Summer’s right around the corner, it’s been amazing weather here, and I’m in the mood to air out my wardrobe, upcycle stuff that’s been sitting around, and tackle all those projects that have been on my to-do list for ages! On my radar recently:
Refashion Files is a new daily refashion inspiration blog started by Jen of Tatertots and Jello and Amy of Mod Podge Rocks. It’s a great source of refashioned projects from around the internet. If you’ve done some crafty upcycling, why not submit your own refashioned project as well?
Speaking of refashioning, I’ve come across another amazingly creative blog! Mostly focused on sewing, upcycling, and refashioning, Cotton and Curls has some great tutorials for breathing new life into your old clothes. Try her beautiful draped Stand & Deliver Skirt to get your started!
Make your own shoes? Sure, why not! I CAN Make Shoes offers an easy-to-use downloadable guide to Making Your Own Sandals, for 6.98 pounds. Also available: their guide to making your own Baby Shoes, soles, and insoles for the Make Your Own Sandals Guide ( a mere 2.98 pounds a pair). And if you’re in the U.K.’s Hackney Downs area, you can also sign up for workshops on shoe-making (ballet flats, shoe designing, and shoe upcycling are also offered).
Mega-brand Gap has partnered with the online community Threadless to introduce T-It-Yourself (T.I.Y.) on their Facebook page – encouraging people to upcycle their old tees into fashionable items! The first project in the series involves covering some boring old sandal straps with strips cut from a colorful old tee. Just lovely!
Check out the beautiful Whitney and her recent creative project on her blog Freshly Given: a Greek Style Top refashioned from a maxi-skirt. Just perfect for the summer days ahead!
This is absolutely amaaaaahzing: DIY Spiked Loafers by Chictopians Lipgloss and Black. A whole lotta work – but just droolworthy results. Kudos to those brave enough to attempt it!!
RunwayDIY posted a great DIY of those wavy-hem Stella McCartney MVP Shorts. Sexy and classy at the same time – and I love her choice of appliques!
I have a fun and easy summer dress tutorial/upcycle in the works…and while researching how to do it I came across this video on sewing a Tulle Tutu from Youtube user Gristolin. Beautiful, girly, froufy – and just perfect!!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://www.chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/diylotwfeaturedbutton.png” /></a>
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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May 9, 2012 | DIY
I think I haven’t posted a Links of the Week roundup in over a month!! Can it be? I’ve been so busy while in Tokyo taking care of my Mom, trying to keep up with classwork for the two online classes I’m taking this semester, and not often able to connect to the internet, that surfing online to find some great DIY has been pushed to the back-burner. But now I’m finally home again and am gladly catching up on all my DIY reading! Like:
Ever wanted a pair of jeans that were uniquely you? Well now you can get them, by DIY’ing your own custom jeans with GetWear. Choose from a variety of washes and shapes to design your perfect pair, including rise, buttons, embroidery, pocket style, and thread color.
Though I normally restrict my roundups to fashion, jewelry, and accessory items, I couldn’t resist including this amazing DIY Faux-Woodgrain Laptop Cover made from Con-Tact paper, by Fine & Feathered. Retro cool in the best way! (And you could definitely re-appropriate this idea for any hard-sided clutch you have!!)
Speaking of Con-Tact paper, Soccer Mom Style has come up with another great project using it: DIY Heels with Metallic Detail. So chic and elegant – and the possibilities for what to add this metallic paper to are endless!
I always love discovering a new DIY blog; Creme de la Craft has made my week. Every week, she posts a new tutorial utilizing everyday objects. Her DIY Neon Pyramid Necklace (using straws!) is a great project to start with!
Whimseybox is a craft-of-the-month club that every month sends you a goody box full of crafting supplies for just $15! They also share some great projects on the blog to give you some ideas for what to make with your box full ‘o craft goodies. Check out these Washi Tape Slap Bracelets that use pretty tape to makeover that old 80’s staple.
Summer’s almost here and it’s time to break out the fun sunnies to complete your outfits. How about customizing your own pair, with some Mod Podge, paper, and Madigan Made’s how-to post on Mod Podge Rocks?
Natalie’s Creations posted this great video tutorial for how to make a Dolce & Gabbana-inspired lace dress…from a t-shirt and a curtain panel! Creativity at its best!!
Add an oversized corsage to your look, with Stripes & Sequin‘s DIY Ban.do-Inspired Bloom Pin. This would make a lovely and chic addition to any outfit.
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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May 4, 2012 | DIY, Fashion
1. Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy, $14
2. Diane von Furstenberg Alana Vintage-Inspired Cat’s-Eye Sunglasses
, $150
3. Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit, $22.95
4. Celeste Stein Missoni Tights, $19.95
5. Arancia Dolce Sweet Orange Replenishing Bath Foam by Palatium $45 marked down to $27…PSST! Get 40% OFF with code ChicEmpress here, valid until May 13, 2012!
6. Crafting with Cat Hair Book, $15.95
7. Knitted Dove Eyelet Elly Jacket, $88
8. DIY Decorated Basket Handbag
9. Cherry Tangerine Arrangement by Floral Art, $85 (delivery to L.A. area only…or take inspiration from the arrangement and DIY your own!)
10. Cupcake Bath Bombs, $32…or just DIY your own with this how-to: DIY Cupcake Bath Bomb
11. Carol Hochman Rosewalk Garden Bermuda Pajama Set, $59
12. Morning Dew Earrings by JooJooLand, $45
13. Dolce Vita Women’s Nels Flat
, $149
14. ASOS Leather Bright Laptop Case
, $63.60
15. DIY Flowered Hair Clip
Mother’s Day is just around the corner…are you still looking for the perfect gift for Mom? I love that this holiday happens to coincide with, so I always match my gift to the lovely, flowery season. Above is a small collection of ideas for great gifts for the woman close to your heart: from handbags to accessories, bathtime indulgences and clothing, the Mom with a great sense of humor or avid gardener…it’s all there. Plus, a couple of these ideas are DIY-able…so I’ve just linked to the tutorials.
And for some more DIY home decor inspiration, check this video out for some items that would be great (and easy!) to make for Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it with anyone looking for Mother’s Day Gift ideas!~
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Apr 10, 2012 | DIY
Yup, these last two weeks have been crazy for me, which is why I’m again condensing my Links of the Week into one post. But there’s still DIY to be found!
Do a quick n easy DIY with Because I’m Addicted and her DIY Tuxedo Pants. Heat ‘n’ Bond, an iron, and a pretty ribbon are all that are required!
Dying to DIY that hair necklace you may have seen Kim Kardashian sporting recently? The Beauty Department has the how-to for the newest hair accessory on the block!
Four Flights of Fancy has shared some great DIYs on her blog: I especially love the DIY Acorn Pendant! (Couldn’t you just see something like this in Anthropologie??!)
There’s some great inspiration and ideas as well over on DIY Fashion Accessories. Check out her painted Chevron Flats!
Add some boho chic to your tech gear with Free People‘s tutorial for Wrapped Headphones. Dangling down from your ears they look almost like hair wraps…but aren’t. (Just in time for Coachella, too!)
My boring old Canon camera strap needs a cute makeover…and I’m loving the vintage-inspired DIY Camera Strap from Design Love Fest! Also: when you’re done using your camera, unhook the strap and wear as a long necklace with the swivel hooks at the back of your neck as the clasp. How cute would that be??
The addition of lace to a pair of old shoes makes them so sweet. A Lemon Squeezy Home has the tutorial (and btw, the lace is removable for when you get tired of it!!)
Make a pretty art deco watch with Kristina J. Love her choice of chain and charms!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://www.chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/diylotwfeaturedbutton.png” /></a>
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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