Apr 20, 2020 | Fashion

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So many fashion trends were on the Spring & Summer 2020 runways that seem recycled from past years. Well, that’s pretty much to be expected with fashion – what goes around, comes around! Though I’m not suggesting you indulge in ALL these trends ALL at once (then you would be a slave to the Fashion Industry’s whims)…you might find inspiration to pull out of your own closet, give a dust-off, and enjoy again.
The weather is warming up, the birds and insects are coming out of hiding, flowers are blooming, the world is in lockdown. Let’s look at some pretty things to lift our spirits, shall we?
8 Fashion Trends for Spring & Summer 2020
1. The Crochet Dress
Seen on the Spring runways at Marni, Fendi, and Jil Sander (just to name a few!) this 70’s revival received a modern update this year. Pretty, airy, and feminine, these can display a little – or a lot! – of skin to the warm breezes of Summer.
Recommended: Navy Blue Mesh Panel 3D Floral Lace Double Layer Midi Dress, $40.99
2. The Bra Top
Underwear as outerwear showed up at Dior, Givenchy, and Giambattista Valli. Channel the high-end designers by sporting a demure bikini top or bra that looks less like lingerie and more like a cool lounge top. Even if you’re naturally shy, you can still pull off this fashion trends for spring & summer 2020 by layering under a blazer or lightweight Spring coat.
Recommended: Padded Lace Longline Bralette, $13
3. Yellow Neon
I’ve always loved this color and certainly don’t need the latest crop of designers telling me to go wear it! Though Courreges, Marni, and Balenciaga got with the program this year, neon yellow will always be a neutral in my mind – and something that is cheerful and sunny even on cloudy days.
Recommended: Candidly low heel sandal with tubular strap in yellow
, $60
4. Ruffled Tiers
Prairie-style for days, these ruffled tiers are super-sweet volumes of indulgence at the Christopher Kane, Roksanda, and Alexander McQueen shows. I feel lighter and happier when covered in ruffles (seriously, can you EVER have too many??) and this is truly a welcome trend.
Recommended: DIY Babydoll Dress from 3 Men’s Shirts, $0 if you own 2 button-down shirts already!
5. Bermuda Shorts
Kind of an update on the cropped clamdigger-length pants that were everywhere last year and you had to have model proportions to pull off well >: ( …the longer-length shorts that hit around the knee are a new iteration. Bottega Veneta, Chloe, and Altuzarra offered their interpretations…and paired with a cute color-coordinating blazer these shirts give off a cool, laid-back 2020 vibe.
Recommended: Board Short in Black
, $40
6. Polka Dots
Another graphic print I just adore – they almost act as another neutral when paired with a more busy print, and help a color POP when layered together. Dries Van Noten, Sacai, and Maison Margiela shared their pretty Spring versions of this sophisticated classic.
Recommended: 80’s Vintage Polka Dot Smock Top in White, $39.90
7. Vests
Vests are already a wardrobe staple for me and I’ve been wearing them for years – so happy to see them back in fashion! Something tailored, fitting, and chic is the name of the game – at Celine, Max Mara, Gucci, and Rag & Bone.
Recommended: Jersey Cropped Suit Vest
,$29
8. 1960’s Wallpaper Prints
I’m personally not a huge fan of 60’s wallpaper prints…which showed up in the Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci collections…but I DO love a tropical oversized print! Nothing says Summer so much as large flowers and palm trees! (Evidenced by my DIY Printed Flat-Bottom Zip Samudra-Style Pouch tutorial using my Palm Tree Print Fabric, available on Spoonflower.)
Recommended: Tropical Print Paperbag Waist Belted Shorts, $8.95 (!)
The nice thing is – if you DO want to purchase any of the above – they ALL can be bought online – and all delivered to your home. Except of course the DIY Babydoll Dress – which you can make yourself from 2 button-down shirts on hand!
xo
Carly
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Feb 25, 2016 | DIY

Spring is on its way, bringing a revival of pastel hues, flowery motifs, and lighter fabrics. Want to start the season off with a couple DIY projects to freshen up your wardrobe? Check out these 20 Spring Fashion DIY’s from the Chic Steals archives:

Illusion Jeweled Rhinestone Chandelier Earrings

Super-Easy Tattoo Tights

Tom Binns Neon Cameo Necklace

Colorblocked Bag (or How to Paint Leather with Acrylic Paint)

Easy 1 and 2/3 Yards Lace Dress

Alteration 101: How to Make a T-Shirt Dress Bigger

Colorful Anthropologie Tassel Necklace

Galaxy Print Mini-Skirt

Radiant Rhinestone Belt

Miu Miu Rhinestone-Embellished Flats
And I’m sure you’re looking for MORE Spring projects, so here you go!

Clockwise, from top left:
Flowered Ballet Flats | Floral Applique Cardigan | Prada Rose Cabochon Stud Earrings
Gold Foil Easter Egg Nails | Flower Barrette
Flowered Snackcessory Clutch | Watercolor Scarf | Enamel Bib Necklace

Lace Maxi-Skirt

Flower Petal Top
Happy Spring – and Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
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Mar 20, 2015 | DIY
Welcome to the official First Day of Spring!
Yes my friends, Spring has definitely Sprung…and I bet you’re itching to make some fun DIY projects to welcome the new season. Flowers, Easter, May Day, graduations, prom, baby showers, and other Springtime celebrations? Bring on the season bursting with flowers and loveliness with these great crafts:
1. Enamel Bib Necklace
Celebrating all that is flowery and fun this season, this bib necklace works by collaging charms and buttons onto a filigree backing – and painting with Martha Stewart self-hardening enamel. Amazingly easy for such a fun project!

2. Flowered Ballet Flats
Adorn a pair of simple ballet flats with flowers and lace trim to become lovely and elegant footwear.
3. Flowered Snackcessory Clutch
So sweet as a pairing to a simple outfit…or to take along with you to prom.
4. Prada Rose Cabochon Stud Earrings
Surprisingly simple to make – with a huge impact – these studs sparkle with a chic, ladylike quality.
5. Florald Applique Cardigan
Take your favorite flowered fabric, cut out bits of the pattern, affix Heat ‘n’ Bond to it – and iron onto a boring cardigan for a quick pick-me-up.
6. Lace Maxi-Skirt
Repurpose an old lace curtain (and there are always a ton to be found at Goodwill!) into a pretty lace maxi-skirt for over your shorter skirts, dresses, and shorts.

7. Flower Barrette
Silk flowers from the craft store make this barrette look like a flower crown adorning your hair.
8. Gold Foil Easter Egg Nails
Pretty pastels pop when gold foil is applied haphazardly to the top. Do the same for your Easter eggs for a matching holiday craft.
9. Flower Petal Top
Hand-stitch flower petals down the front of a plain tee to make it floral fabulous with only a small amount of effort.
10. Watercolor Scarf
Use dye to paint a scarf in daubs of color, leave on for a short time, and wash out for a faded, Monet-like quality.
What projects are you looking forward to making for Spring?
xo
Carly
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Mar 7, 2013 | Fashion
Spring is just around the corner! I am so excited to leave Winter’s grip once and for all…and hope that the rainy weather here in Portland will soon give rise to beautiful bursts of flowers (especially in my garden: my black tulips are beginning to show!!)
Along with a change in season comes a change in makeup colors: hues become softer and more pastel…or brighter and more neon. The Pantone Color Report for Spring 2013 includes citrus hues of nectarine, lemon, and spring green, along with violet, emerald, cobalt blue, and robin’s egg.

In addition to these colors, old-school 1980’s holographic silvers, as well as clear and neon plastic, are all over the accessory collections this season. Here are the 8 must-have colors to play with in your makeup for the coming season…

1. Nail Foil on a Roll in Ice-Blue Crush, $1 per 5 ft. roll / 2. CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Intense Blue, $6.94 / 3. Astrogirl Prismatic Eyeshadow Quad, $35 / 4. BareMinerals Blush in Vintage Peach, $19 / 5. Makeup For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in 42, $19
6. Sephora + Pantone Universe Lightspeed Glitter Dust in Emerald, $14 / 7. Sultra Hair Extensions in Cyprus Lilac Solid, $9 / 8. LimeCrime Opaque Lipstick in My Beautiful Rocket, $15.99
What do you guys think? Is color something you’re going to play with in your makeup this season?
xo
Carly
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