Jun 21, 2013 | Fashion
photo from FashionISing
Welcome to another installment of F.I.L.L.! It’s now been almost a week since I’ve come to Tokyo, and I’m working on cleaning up my computer’s digital innards (which sounds so horrible and TMI in a way), working on some design projects (if “working” means “thinking about vaguely but not actually doing anything on them”), and sorting through my online reading list on Bloglovin (as you may well know, Google reader is going away very soon – so follow Chic Steals here on Bloglovin!). Since I feel I’m finally over the jetlag (*insert a pat on the back here in lieu of doing any other real work otherwise), here are some links online that have caught my eye this past week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
Yulia Brodskaya’s paper art is so amazing. [Can you tell I’m a little obsesessed with quilling lately??] (ColourLovers)
Appealing to the Renaissance in all of us: Simon Casson’s baroque-style collages are a mixture of past and present. His painting style is so rarely seen nowadays! (ItsNiceThat.com)
10,000 Letters of Love music video for The Sound of the Ladies made with paper cutouts from a Silhouette Cameo. No words – just spectacular. (How About Orange)
Buy It: Shopping Picks
While in shopping heaven [Tokyo], I may or may not bust my clothing allowance. But I may or may not buy these clear-heeled sandals instead. A girl’s gotta have priorities.
Oh, BaubleBar, why do you taunt me so?? This Spiked Quad Strand is GORGE, but is only available for a limited time. But it’s only $15. Yup. That sort of taunting.
Once again, I am on the hunt for an uber-cute Summer dress. This one fits the bill to a T – and, who can resist lobsters??? I know I can’t.
Make It: DIY
So Father’s Day was last week. So what? Trust me, the man in your life needs a DIY Bow Tie immediately. How incredibly dandy! (Lavaguy.com)
Summer is in full swing and that means: gardening! Check out The Huffington Post’s roundup of DIY Planter Ideas. (Huffington Post)
One of the newest crafting materials on the scene is Mod Melts, made from meltable Mod Podge (!). Check out this adorable DIY Embellished Clutch using Mod Melts. (FabricPaperGlue)
Live It: Lifestyle
Drooling over this yummy recipe for Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Anything with brown butter is a must in my book! (JoytheBaker)
A response to accusations of buying into fast fashion fads: Your $10 T-Shirt is Not the Problem. A very thoughtful read that addresses the economics of fashion in the United States. (TheBelleJar blog on BlogHer.com)
So useful for any time anyone snaps a photo of you: How to Look Good in Photos. Ham it up with confidence and employ these tricks to look like a million bucks each time! (FashionISing)
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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May 31, 2013 | Fashion
Nanogarden photo by Wim Noorduin/Harvard University
I can’t believe May is almost over! This month has just whoooshed by, and I mean whoooshed, leaving a huge mess in its wake! I’m leaving the country in TWO weeks, just when Portland gets gorgeous and Summery…and trading it in for unending rain during Tokyo’s steamy-hot rainy season….followed by mosquitoes breeding in droves as soon as the rain stops. I’ll be bringing my open-toed rain-proof sandals! School’s almost out and the year is wrapping up…and there’s been a ton of interesting info online this past week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
An installation of colorful masking tape in Japan. I wonder who got all that washi tape when they were done with it?
This may be an older post, but it’s still super-relevent. 21 Ways to Be More Creative will help kickstart those creative juices when you hit a roadblock!
Amazing micro-flowers: Nanogardens grown on the surface of a penny. Is “nanogardening” the next new thing?
Buy It: Shopping Picks
Designer merchandise is currently on sale at Saks.com, and you can snag a gorgeous Summer shirtdress for only $55 (marked down from $138). Can you say score??
All tortoiseshell glasses and sunglasses are on sale here for 15% off
for the month of June. Snag them while you can!
Oh, I need this dress in my life, state. It would be the perfect Summer dress….plus chevrons. Who doesn’t like chevrons??
Make It: DIY
5 Anthropologie knock-off ideas for your home will help beautify your living space easily.
This DIY Racerback Muscle Tee Recon video will have your old tee festival-ready in no time.
I’ve just discovered a new DIY Blog/Tumblr: Dream a Little Bigger, which has a ton of links to tutorials all over the internet. So many great projects to visit!
Live It: Lifestyle
If you shop cheap, this is a must-read: How to Make Your Fast Fashion Items Last. Take care of them, and your affordable clothes may just live through their first wash.
Now’s the time to ramp up your interaction online: Your social media profile might be your next credit score.
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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May 24, 2013 | Fashion
photo by Eric Standley
Welcome to my 3rd installment of F.I.L.L.! It’s been a crazy-busy week, and I have even more ahead. 3 weeks until I head to Tokyo for a month, 3 weeks to get tons and tons of DIY’s done and posted! Yikes. But I’ll rally and get it done. For some reason, there’s always like 1-2 weeks in a year I feel everything hinges upon, and I’m heading into them. So, while I buckle down to get some major work accomplished, here are some links that have caught my eye this past week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
Every wanted to manifest what you see in your dreams? Computers can now detect what subjects are dreaming…at least 70% of the time. Now all they need is some method to record it.
Life Hacks: How to Jumpstart Your Career gives some great advice on how to jumpstart anything. Just implementing a few of the productivity hacks in the list will double or even triple what you get done in the day.
See Eric Standley’s Stained Glass Art made from paper, and prepare to have your breath taken away. Seriously amazing handiwork.
Buy It: Shopping Picks
Totally amazed at this: Reet Aus, the world’s first mass-produced, upcycled clothing line. You can order Reet Aus, or other upcycled, sustainably-manufactured clothing lines (there are a few) at the TrashtoTrend website.
Is it wrong to want this chic monochromatic bikini so much? I figure it would be pretty DIY’able if one were so inclined, but I kind of want to buy when it comes to swimwear.
This is the chic-est dress imaginable, perfect for a night on the town. It is a night on the town, really. Point-blank.
Make It: DIY
I adore this DIY Lighted Constellation Canvas! It’s so dreamy and romantic – and perfect for any room.
How To Make Clothes Look Vintage and Worn is a great collection of tutorials for faux-ageing your stuff.
Simone Heng of CheapnChic.net is a DIY blogger based in Dubai, with a ton of awesome DIY tutorials on her blog. Check them out!
Live It: Lifestyle
In the wake of the clothing manufacturing factory collapse in Bangladesh, news outlets are beginning to examine the consumption of low-cost clothing and the social and economic ramifications. Watch NBC Nightly News’ The Cost of Cheap Clothes for some insight.
NastyGal is a Fast-Growing Retailer says the New York Times. I’ve been following them for awhile, and have been amazed at the company’s growth and success.
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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May 17, 2013 | Fashion
photo by Beth Mitchell
Welcome to my 2nd installment of F.I.L.L.! Last week should have been my second, but alas, the day got away from me with a dr.’s appointment that ran over-time, an ill-timed meltdown from the Lil one, and other obligations that took over my day, so I never got around to posting it. It was beautiful in Portland here last week (like Summer!), though this week has defaulted back to chilly, drizzly May days. I’ve been inspired by all the Springtime greenery about – the garden Lil Tot and I planted is beginning to sprout, I’m working on a number of DIYs I can’t wait to share with all of you soon, and I have a couple collaborations in the works that I’ll be rolling out in the next couple weeks! Exciting things are on the horizon…
So here are some links that have caught my eye this past week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
Wintergarden is a beautiful photoshoot done underwater with the talents of photographer Beth Mitchell and designer Begitta. Check it out!
Happiness graffiti and 8 ways to brighten your day from Oprah will have you smiling in an instant, no joke.
Feeling like you’ve lost that mojo? Check out 5 Ways to Stay Creative and be re-inspired!
Buy It: Shopping Picks
Is Brika.com the new curated alternative to Etsy? Their aesthetic is beautiful, and I’m loving every piece of jewelry made by this artist. Anything triangular is in my wheelhouse! (though that sounds like a contradiction in terms…)
I’m coveting these to add to my pants collection. The perfect blend of print and greenery – beachy and chic!
On first glance I thought this was a golden thong! Not quite as racy…or painful, guaranteed.;-)
On a totally different note, these shoes may just be the next generation of hologram. Dark and lovely indeed.
Make It: DIY
Prom is in the air, and these DIY Prom Ideas from Threadbanger should help you with putting those final touches on the perfect outfit.
DIY duo Limberlina are really cool. Check out their blog for some must-do projects!
This is an adorable McQueen Feather Peplum Tutorial from Youtube user Lookunderhere (skip to the 3:26 mark for the tute). I love it…even more with cruelty-free ostrich and turkey feathers from Etsy and Ebay.
Live It: Lifestyle
I’m obsessing over coconut oil lately, and this DIY Hair Conditioning Spray with Coconut Oil looks super-easy and so good for your hair.
I’d love to install a Mini-PC Floating Desk in my redone office. (Even though I’m on a Mac.) Super-chic.
This is so helpful: 4 Easy Ways to Tell if Clothing is Made Well from 24Savvy.
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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May 3, 2013 | Fashion
from Style Me Pretty, by KT Merry Photography
Welcome to the very first installment of F.I.L.L.: my FRIDAY: I Love Links list! (Well, I guess it’s really FILLL…?)
I used to do DIY Links of the Week Roundups, where I curated 8-10 links a week, only of DIY tutorials, from all over the web. I did it for 2 years, but stopped doing it this past September when I got too busy with my job.
But I still surf the web, and find amazing content that I’m just dying to share with all of you! (I’ve just been trying to figure out a better format in which to present it.)
So welcome to F.I.L.L., a new weekly roundup of great content, no longer just limited to DIY.
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
Needing a kickstart to your creativity? Try 7 Tips to Supercharge Your Creative Productivity.
I’ve just come across Style Me Pretty. Focusing on gorgeous photography and wedding inspo mostly, it regardless provides daily inspiration for all things beautiful and amazing. Where have you been all my life??!
Need some positive thinking and some beautiful typographic inspiration? Positive Inking to the rescue.
Buy It: Shopping Picks
I’ve fallen in love with Furbish Studio and all their chic offerings. These are just beautiful! Swoon.
I am obsessed with this neutral jacket
. Topping off breezy Spring outfits, or even over just a bandeau top, it’s the perfect piece for transition weather. (You can also get free shipping to a US address til May 31 with code SOCLEAN50 for purchases $50 and above.)
M&J Trimming is offering discounts this month: 15% off spikes (with code SPIKES15), and 15% off ribbons (with code RIBBONS15). Valid til May 31.
Make It: DIY
Amy Anderson, the amazing crafty superwoman behind Mod Podge Rocks! and a previous Creatively Chic podcast guest, has launched a new blog: WashiTapeCrafts.com. If you love washi tape (and who doesn’t??), it’s a must-visit!
This DIY Sewn Pouf is the perfect accent to a stylish home.
If you haven’t tried them yet, Wordle and Tagxedo create beautiful typographic word clouds.
Live It: Lifestyle
Play with liquid nitrogen and make your own DIY Alcoholic Dippin’ Dots. Seriously!
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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