Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

May 22, 2012

:: all knotted up ::



shirt: gap  |  skirt, knotted:  american apparel | belt + shoes: f21  | necklace: paris, gift  | purse: celine, vintage

After seeing this picture my mind started reeling with ways I could knot a maxi dress or skirt.  It's a fun way to turn something you already have into something new.  Best part is, there's no commitment.  Bored? Simply un-knot the skirt.  Easy as pie- or eating it in my case :-)




May 9, 2012

Currently Coveting : Pom Pom Detailing




Pardon me while I obsess over everything and anything with pom pom trim on it.  Who would have thought?!  I love the Matthew Williamson clutch so much, I'm thinking about diy'ing a similar clutch a la Court & Hudson.

p.s. i'm so coveting this cute little pom pom number too

p.p.s  happy hump day!


Apr 2, 2012

Striped Dress






Dress: self made  |  Shoes : Nine West  |  Belt:  F21 |  Baubles: Swarovski necklace, Apricot Lane, F21, and DIY

Seeing the new Emerson Fry collection inspired me to pull out my sewing machine and get creative.  You can never go wrong with stripes, and the fabric is light and airy - perfect for hot summer days.  

p.s. hope you didn't get fooled yesterday.  alaa tricked me pretty good by coming into the house screaming ( he was mowing the lawn).  i ran thinking that he cut his hand and would have to rush him to the hospital.  thankfully, it was just an april fools prank , but he seriously made my heart stop.  
yes, i am 100% gullible and yes i do love him like crazy.

Just a quick post today.  Hope you had a lovely weekend

Dec 30, 2011

and a happy new year


tutorial coming soon!

Alaa and I will be hosting our annual New Years Eve Party this year and all I can say is that there is glitter EVERYWHERE.  Go out with a bang I say!

Thank you all for a wonderful year.  Here's to an even better one in 2012...hopefully we can make it to next New Years Eve- because apparently the world is going to end?

Dec 20, 2011

DIY//GLITTER GIFT-WRAP

It's crunch time for those of you who still have gifts to wrap!  But don't worry, I'm here today to help you give your gifts in style.  

I used simple kraft shipping paper that I got from the dollar store.

I opted for a simple vertical design.
 Keep an empty paper bag handy so that you can pour the glitter and shake the excess off without making a big mess.  Plus, this is a great way to "catch" left over glitter to re-use.
 This is a trick that I picked up, spray hairspray over the glitter to help set the top layers and minimize the chance of being rubbed off.
 And you're done!  So simple and fun.  My only advice is that it's best to do this the night before, or at least a few hours before, giving your gift.  That way you know your glue has dried and the glitter has set. 

Hope this helps!  Happy Holidays!
xoxo
N

Oct 12, 2011

DIY : Faux Fur Bag

i promised i'd show you how to create your own faux fur bag HERE, well my lovelies..the time has come!

what you'll need:
-1/4 yd. faux fur ( your choice, what color/kind)(p.s. you'll have plenty left over!)
-9 inch zipper
-shoulder strap (go to the hardware section of your local fabric store and choose whichever one you like the best!)
-scissors & needle & thread & sewing machine (optional)

{p.s. the way i measured the shoulder strap was to drape it across my body and I got the desired length.  Then, I added an extra inch or two for construction purposes.}

Step 1:
Decide what size you want your purse to be.  This doesn't have to be an exact measurement, just fold your fabric over on itself and tweak it until you get the right size.  Cut the fabric and what you'll end up with is one long rectangular piece.

Step 2:
Flip your fabric inside out, and pin your zipper to the fabric.  Remember to make sure that your zipper handle is on the INSIDE of the fabric (currently invisible to you).  Play with your zipper, opening and closing it, to make sure that the fit is right. Sew your zipper to the fabric, using either a needle and thread or a sewing machine.

Step 3:
Keep your fabric inverted and sew along the sides of the purse, leaving a little room between the end of the zipper and the side of the purse.  But first, remember to unzip your zipper so that you'll be able to flip the purse inside out.  Trust me, I forgot this step and ended up with a fully closed inverted purse...not fun.
p.s.  you could always line the inside of your purse with satin for a prettier look :)

Step 4:
Remember when I said to leave a little room between the zipper and the sides?  Well that's because you'll be sewing in your shoulder straps there.   The lady who cut my shoulder strap used foam tape to protect the ends of the metal from scratching anyone, i just left them on.  To prevent the shoulder strap from slipping through the pocket you left open, double knot the ends.  
Like so:
FYI, the hair from the faux fur tends to shed!
Step 5:
This is confusing to explain, but I'm hoping the picture will clear things up.   With your purse still inverted, tuck the knotted edges of the shoulder strap through the pouches you made earlier.  Sew the strap into place.  I used a regular thread and needle for this to get a more exact fit.


Step 6:
Flip your purse inside out and voila!  You're done!


Sep 21, 2011

Lookbook: a teaser

currently, my closet has exploded the entirety of its contents into the bathroom.  i'm in the process of re-arranging the layout and switching over to my fall wardrobe (i'm excited just thinking about it) i like to do a seasonal closet purge on things that i know i probably won't wear again.  i'm thinking to throw a "Clothing Swap" Party with a couple of girls in the next few weeks.  i have tons of shirts, shoes, belts, and accessories that i don't wear but don't have the heart to throw away.  have any of you hosted (or been invited to) a clothing swap before?  i'm a little hesitant to do one, because we'll girls aren't all made the same size and i wouldn't want anyone to feel badly about themselves or feel left out.  but, i figure if i throw a lot of shoes and accessories (even make-up!) to the mix that'll ensure that  everyone has a chance to get something good.  i'm envisioning drinks + macaroons+ mini sandwiches +"Bridesmaids" the movie.  what say you?

On a completely un-related note...this is what i wore on date night with alaa this past weekend.  it's a modified version because really the whole point of these pictures is to show you the faux fur purse i made.  i love it and i can't wait to wear it out!  i'm imaging a wide array of comments, from positive to negative to confused and in between.   would you ever wear a faux fur purse?  i've got a tutorial coming soon.  trust me, it's SO easy! (and cheap!!)




shirt: ralph lauren polo (mens) - Marshalls
pants: leather trouser /leggings - TopShop
Sunnies : F21 (gift)
Purse: Self-Made
Lipstick: Maybelline "Red Revival"

and yes i did resort to taking pictures of my self sitting on the floor (again) a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.


Aug 22, 2011

glamified chair

since we're currently working on re-vamping the office i've had a few thoughts spinning around on what to do regarding the actual office chair.  right now it's currently a black leather sliding chair...nothing fancy.  buttttttt, if i threw on a white fur throw...well, hmmm...we might have some instant glamification on our hands







Apr 5, 2011

Pretty Present

I'm all about aesthetics.  To me, I want things to give (and receive!) presents that are as pretty as the gifts inside.  I was inspired by these presents to create a pretty little gift to give.




Just wrap your present with butcher paper.  (I love keeping this on hand, it's so versatile and creates a pretty palette for almost anything!).  Lay a sheet of rectangle (or circle) dolly  on top and tape/glue it down.  Adorn with a pretty little bow and viola. 
 Cute and easy.

Apr 4, 2011

DIY: Pink Pants

About a month ago Jessica from What I Wore blogged about some pants that she made.  I become completely obsessed with them and decided this would be a great opportunity to kill multiple birds with one stone (spring break project, my itch to sew, wide leg pants, and to replicate these pants).  So I immediately ventured out to start on my little adventure.  



But it took me a month to complete.




You see, technically I know how to sew.  My sewing isn't clean and neat, and the only teaching I've had has been from my momma when I was a kid.  So needless to say there were many many "What am I doing?!" moments.







So anytime I felt flustered, I would just put the pants down and come back to them with a fresh mind.  It was only the other day that I finally figured out my dilemma.  I sewed my pockets on all wrong, which led to my pants being bubbly, not straight and smooth.  So I'd like to say that I've finally finished my pants, but after wearing them yesterday and looking at the pictures I took, I noticed I need to tailor them a bit more.    But overall, I'm quite pleased with myself.  Who knows, maybe I'll try to sew a pair of jeans next? 





I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is what our family photo will look like in a few years.
I can't wait.
note to self: get more sleep and never leave the house without bronzer again

Feb 8, 2011

Valentine's Day Goodies

Not sure what goodies you'd like to give your friends & family to show your love for them this Valentine's Day?  I've got the perfect round-up of fabulous bloggers who are pretty awesome.


Remember the heart cake I made?  I am baker was the inspiration behind that and these sweet little petit fours.  Check out her blog for tons more inspiration.

As with any holiday I turn to Bakerella.  Aren't these Teddy Bear Cake Pops precious?
And I don't need to tell you that Bakerella's site is filled with inspiration.  
Check it our for yourself!


How about a cute little wreath for decor?  

Did you think I forgot the chocolate?  Never!
Joy of baking has a recipe for some delicious chocolate truffles.

Don't have a sweet tooth?  Try these cute little stickers from Twig & Thistle.  Perfect treat for those with diet restrictions.

Way before I started my blog, I used to stalk Twig & Thistle all the time.  That woman is so creative!
Here are some cute little sandwich bag printables to put all of your sweet treats in.
After all, first impressions are important!


Got any more inspiration? I'd love to see!  

Feb 7, 2011

The time I bought a size 16 dress

My University is dangerously close to a street lined with thrift stores.  Dangerous I say well because..I have no self-control when it comes to thrift stores.  I'm a bit of an over-enthustiastic DIYer and think everything and anything can be made over into something glam. 

Not so much, at least not for me anyways. 
 I just don't have that special *touch*.


After class last week I stopped by one of these thrift stores looking for a long pleated skirt to DIY.  No luck.  But I did keep stumbling over denim dresses.  Seriously who wears long denim dresses?

Then it hit me.

Didn't I spot a denim dress in the BCBG section last week?
Yep!  Granted, it wasn't a long denim dress, but I had high hopes for these here dresses at this here thrift store.
Glorious!

So I bought one and figured if all else fails, the only thing I've lost is my pride  a few bucks.

Here is the before:
 (I wish I had taken a picture of me in it before.  It was literally 10 sizes too big!)








All I did was take it in a few inches on each side and hem it just a tad.  Total time from start to finish?  Less than 1 hour.
(Insert creepy proud smile here)

I can't wait for warmer weather so I can prance around in this beauty! 

Sidenote:  The scarf+ sunglasses has always been an obsession of mine.  
Owning a red convertible and driving around with the top down and my scarf + glasses is on my bucket list.