Sep 27, 2013 | Fashion
image by Yanzhou Bao, source
Wow, another week 2 weeks have gone by already! Getting into the swing of things is taking longer than I anticipated. 😉 The air is getting cooler here in Portland, and Fall is definitely getting going. Are you excited? I am! Fall is hands-down my favorite season!! Here are some links I’ve been perusing this week:
Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity
How You’re Holding Yourself Back: Obstacles to Success can help alert you to ways you may be inadvertently sabotaging yourself and your dreams. Check it out for ways to reform and regain that initiative! (Oprah.com)
In How To Get Unstuck And Unleash Your Creativity Today, Accidental Creative founder Todd Henry talks about why people delay their work, why you shouldn’t be comfortable in what you currently do and always challenge yourself, how to prevent boredom and more. (Forbes.com)
I love this TED talk by artist Alexa Meade: such an inspiring insight into her process and artistic goals! (She paints on people, the background, and the objects in the vicinity: an amalgam of traditional painting, live-sculpture/performance art, and photography. So breathtaking!)
Buy It: Shopping Picks
Modcloth has just received a huge shipment of Fall-ready styles, and I love their black-and-white gingham cape. Soooo chic – especially for work!
This gorgeous flowery tote from Ted Baker could indeed pass for a painting – but at $65 it would be the most affordable painting you own. Plus it’s able to fit just about everything you own – or want to tote around with you – when out and about.
This photo-print autumnal Tree of Life sweatshirt has the most breathtaking colors….just where I want to be right now. Beautiful paired with ripped jeans and a blazer!
Make It: DIY
A collection of 30 Adorable and Unexpected DIY Stamp Projects may surprise you with some projects using some unexpected items for stamping. (Buzzfeed)
Craftsy is offering a great new course: Metalsmithing at Home, that teaches you the basics of metalsmithing with just some basic supplies (no soldering torch required!) I can’t wait to watch!
With Instagram square photos have probably flooded everyone’s cameras – but it’s pretty difficult to find ways to display them outside of the phone environment. Enter 10 Ideas for Square Photos, which gives you some great ideas to decorate with them. Love! (ABeautifulMess)
Live It: Lifestyle
Sustainable Business Oregon interviews the producer and host of the radio show Destination DIY about the importance of reusing, creatively making things, and local DIY-centric Portland businesses.
The recent Portland Fashion Week was a valiant effort, but ultimately a re-incarnation of the old classic that fell flat and seemed superfluous. Here’s why. (The Portland Mercury)
Life just gotten too complex? Simplify Your Life with these great tips from WikiHow, and breathe in more zen every day.
Get your FILL every Friday!
xo
Carly
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Sep 23, 2013 | Fashion
EMODA (pronounced eh-moda) was founded in 2010 under MARK STYLER, Inc. (a huge fashion conglomerate housing 15 other Japanese fashion brands). Growing exponentially in only a short time, the brand offers fashion-forward styles ranging from $24 for a basic tee, up to around $170 for a pair of luxe leather boots. In their own words,
We are a trendsetter for all women who enjoys fashion and deliver high-fashion clothing for everyday through our new stylings, matarials, and shapes. Our concept is expressing femininity in women’s strength by adding colors, patterns, and textures in monochromatic themes. Futhermore, we are introducing the fashion with music, art, and culture to create neo fashion form.
Produced by Ena Matsumoto, a darling of fashion magazines in Japan, EMODA has launched an Autumn/Winter Collection playing on textured androgyny and a Victor/Victoria dichotomy.
There is a large closet at home for the chic and stylish couple. Their style has no gender boundary, which is mixture of mode, simple, and casual tastes. They are different unique individuals, “BUDDY COUPLE,” who have perfect chemistry. We introduce its mannish and coquettish, BUDDY-COUPLE-like style that brings out your personality.
(more…)
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Sep 10, 2013 | Media
My good friend Lex Casciato, AKA Little Warrior, is an amazing musician and up-and-coming tour de force in the world of music. She is a regular contributor to Chic Steals, curating monthly original playlists for your to stream on Spotify, add some background music to your space, mellow out to, listen to while working on your latest DIY project, and add a little music into your life.
Here’s what she says about this month’s playlist:
This month we hold onto the last days of summer, so what better to celebrate the remaining days of sunlight than by staying up late and dancing the night away? No pressure to leave the house for the club… just put on this mix and dance around your humble abode and celebrate your life. Hold on to this energy as we transition into fall so that you might remember that while the sun may go down sooner, you can find life in music and in your art. I put a dancey mix of my newest tracks on this playlist, because it’s out of my normal genre. I hope this can help motivate others to move out of their own comfort zones. May summer leave you with a sense of joy, love, and passion for life. Never forget your spark and though it’s cliche… dance like no one is watching.
<3 Little Warrior
Listen and enjoy!
Hope you guys are enjoying the playlists! 🙂
If you missed last month’s playlist, check it out here:
xo
Carly
Described as Portishead and Oh Land meet David Bowie and the Chemical Brothers around a campfire with a drum machine, Little Warrior‘s music advocates peaceful revolution and equality for all. Active on social media, she posts inspirational quotes and upbeat ideas, spreading positivity through images and music.
Find her on: Bandcamp / CD Baby / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr
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Sep 3, 2013 | Fashion
Gold and Rhinestone Watch: DailyLook. Owl and Leaves Epoxy Clay Gold-Leaf Necklace:
DIY (
tutorial here). Dress: Paul & Joe Sister (a recent
Gilt purchase). Bracelets:
DIY Spike-End Bangle with rhinestones (
tutorial here), vintage, Druzy bracelet from Michael’s. Tropical Palm-Print Structured Zippered Clutch:
DIY (tutorial coming soon!). Wrap Espadrille Sandals: Old Navy (old).
I wrote yesterday that I spent most of Labor Day helicoptering over my son to get his Summer homework done, so there was no fun family barbecue or get-together for us. Technically, this is what I’m wearing today: on the last day of Summer vacation for Lil Tot (he is back to school Wednesday). And yes, this is what I would have worn on Labor Day had there been something other than homework on the schedule. (more…)
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Aug 18, 2013 | Fashion
{clockwise, from top left: Lanvin, Alice + Olivia, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Emporio Armani, Reed Krakoff}
Fall is almost upon us – can you believe it? Only a few more weeks until the end of Summer; the end of outdoor picnics, barbecues, lazy-day living, snow cones, afternoon naps, bumblebees, and the scent of freshly cut grass wafting through the air. I am currently undergoing a huge closet clean-out and am making space for new DIY’s and pieces that will truly round out what I have already and help with the transition. Here are a couple pieces I have my eye on:
{ 1 } MENSWEAR COAT
Aryn K Dillon Trench Coat, $130
Taking a cue from the boys, Alexander Wang, Jil Sander, and Lanvin showed boxy overcoats in double-breasted styles. I really love this piece from Aryn K, but you could also skimp on the purchase and find something menswear-inspired (or just plain from-the-mens’ section) at your local thrift store.
{ 2 } THE TURTLENECK
SONOMA Life & Style Warmwear Turtleneck, $20
Yes, it is back – in all its 80’s glory. Layer these under sweaters and overcoats, or opt for under a patterned piece for it to truly read current. This turtleneck from Kohls is super-versatile and won’t break the bank, and is a great doppelganger for styles shown by Alice + Olivia. You could also simply add on a strip of fabric to the neck of a favorite crew-neck top to create a one-of-a-kind conversion.
{ 3 } DARK GREEN
Modcloth Duo Diligence Bag, $69.99
An unusual color, this dark shade can be treated as if a neutral black when you incorporate it into an outfit, without imparting an “I’ve just joined the armed forces” feel. Reed Krakoff’s take on this was a full-on green ensemble, but you could just opt for it in small doses. This Modcloth bag is utterly covetable, but you could also just take part in the trend with a package of Dark Green Rit Dye and a piece of clothing in a lighter color. The Dark Green should take on pretty much anything made of natural fibers, and camouflage a host of sins.
{ 4 } VELVET
ASOS AERO Ankle Boots, $92.82
The luxurious textile is of course having another moment this year, and it’s easy to see why this is a winter staple. Emporio Armani’s Fall Collection embodied the luxury and warmth of this 70’s throwback fabric. Add some texture to your wardrobe in a fun color, like with these ASOS booties. If you’d rather DIY the look, do it the affordable way and try affixing the fabric to a pair of shoes with some Mod Podge.
{ 5 } COLORED LEATHER
ASOS Wrap Kilt in Midnight Blue, $75.94
A little tougher to DIY, leather in dark blues, greens, purples, and burgundies dominated the runways, often paired with punky plaids or soft knits. Zero + Maria Cornejo’s leather trousers were to-die-for! (This ASOS wrap skirt above perfectly embodies the trend – but at a much more accessible price point.) You can always try your hand at painting some leather in order to get the look (though keeping it to non-flexible leather accessories might be best if you’re using acrylic paints).
What trends are you looking forward to for Fall?
xo
Carly
Runway photos from Style.com. Photo collage by me.
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