d.i.y. shredded-t, NO KNITTING REQUIRED!

i've been wanting to do a shredded t-DIY for a while now. i found there was something REALLY satisfying about shredding this top.  it's highly addictive and fun to un-ravel something that's already been machine-knit.  i did most of the shredding on the train/bus.  kinda like knitting, only UN-KNITTING. ;)

i found this excellent tutorial from childhood flames. she even includes a video !! so helpful.  i found a silver knit top at the salvation army for $1...unfortunately, i don't have a before pic, but it was a form-fitting, long sleeve metallic vintage knit, probably from the 1980s.  this is what i transformed it into.  wanted to used a metallic knit for a little more texture/visual interest. below i did just a basic style so you can see how it looks on....

love the sleeves! the great thing about this is it gets bigger as you shred it so you can chop off excess fabric if you want once it's unraveled.  i did this sleeve thing just before i took these shots.  i may cut the sleeves even more and wear it more like a tank dress.  let me know what you think! have you ever done this DIY?

effortless spring/summer style: where to shop

i'm really into uniforms.  winter: it's a long black coat, or a faux fur one, jeans, a grey or black sweatshirt, and moto boots.  now that it's getting to be spring, i'm looking into transforming the look into spring... i felt like drawing today so here's my "fun-with-windows-paint" inspiration (i did this with my finger on the laptop's mouse pad ha ha)...and some ideas on where to get the look x

to make the winter uniform work for spring, i basically turn the long black coat into a summer dress...i'm working on studding the collar of a vintage blazer i found at the thrift store.  denim jackets or boyfriend blazers are pretty easy to find at the thrift shop, and they are perfect for the cooler days. i bought some studded belts at the thrift shop, and took the studs off of them, and now i'm putting them on the blazer's collar....

try looking for a maxi dress here:

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/store/lifewear/women-slub-maxi-dress/076889-57

here:

http://www.nastygal.com/product/own-the-night-maxi-dress/_/searchString/night%20maxi

or here:

http://www.hm.com/gb/product/10848?article=10848-B

and check out these great flats (comfy!):

clockwise from top left: asos, zara, asos, H&M.

for the pendant and/or cuff, and bag, i'd head to etsy or ebay.  look at these gorgeous finds!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/121735055/70s-silver-lion-pendant-necklace-bright?ref=shop_home_active

http://www.etsy.com/listing/117854716/woven-southwestern-silhouette-print-tote?ref=shop_home_active

i'm totally digging that southwestern bag...what a cool piece.  love etsy for the amazing vintage, it's always great when you get an idea of something you'd like to have but can't find in your local thrift/vintage shop.

there are also have amazing sunglasses on etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/119813864/70s-ted-lapidus-sunglasses-red-gold?ref=shop_home_active

http://www.etsy.com/listing/112210420/vintage-1970s-sunglasses-oversized?ref=shop_home_active

but check these out too...they are all amazing.  i'm lucky to have my 70s vintage pair, but if i were going to make a "wardrobe investment" this spring/summer, it would have to be on one of these amazing pairs of sunglasses.  it's an instant statement piece you can wear with anything! (and you'll have it for years to come--this look never goes out of style, imho).

look for a floppy hat in a garden or outdoor store...also there are a ton of hats in department or discount stores..so shop around until you find one that suits you! happy spring, and thanks for reading 

xo

cool new stuff: spring cleaning, weekend shopping.

i don't usually do this but wanted to share some great finds from this past week/weekend!  i'm trying to get my room spruced up for spring, so a trip to the mother ship of all home furnishings was in order: IKEA. i've been writing a lot more lately so i decided to get a desk...which was a great deal and it's made of real wood! ($129 for, pine, not particle board, and it was made in Poland) (spent almost 2.5 hours with my bf putting this bad boy together...so i'm showing it off on my blog ha ha!)

an awesome, under $5 red plastic lamp! it has a mod, goth-y glow, especially at night, and looks really striking against the grey walls!

the baby sheepskin...this was REALLY small. a lot smaller than it looked online.  but i bought it anyway.  i'm hoping to get a bigger one to cover more of the floor, but it's so nice to put your feet on in the morning.  apparently IKEA used to sell larger ones but they don't anymore :( very reasonable for the price ($30).

and, in the personal style section:

OCC cosmetics lip tar and nail varnish! check out their new sci fi lullabies collection for spring 2013 here. they have really great names and great colors!

i played it safe and bought kava kava (nail polish) and pris (lip tar from sci fi lullabies collection.) all of their products are amazing, but after sampling a lot of the colors i was lusting after online, they just looked terrible on me in person.  i feel everything they make would ROCK on tan-to-darker skinned gals...so...yeah......i am just a pale white chick and i will now be even paler with my almond glitter nails and lips (zombie chic!??!) my friend talked me out of getting the red eyeshadow, but i may eventually go back for it he he he.

the artwork and packaging is super cool too, and all their products are vegan and cruelty-free!

and finally, not one but two new pairs of earrings!! dogeared makes these and they are available at bloomingdales...so cool!! (the skulls were gift ;) yes i have an awesome bf)

wow! so there are my style finds from this past week/weekend...what have you found lately? leave me a comment and let me know, and thanks for reading xo

studded collar DIY

this is really easy, i got an old gap denim shirt at the thrift store for a dollar, cut the collar off with fabric scissors, dipped the whole thing in bleach for an hour or two, and then punched the spikes through using a small manicure scissor to make the hole! the spikes are riveted, they're very easy to attach...this whole thing took me maybe an hour at most.

the (new) NECKLACE?!! + REALLY REALLY VINTAGE clothing!!!

the collar is a making a major statement--worn as necklace or part of a shirt, many of the collars are detachable (i see a d.i.y. in the future-maybe a deconstructed denim collar with studs!)...love the idea of wearing a contrasting black or white collar with a colorful shirt! Just having the collar also adds layers without adding bulk...i've seen them also as necklaces too, with studs, spikes, part of ombre-dipped pieces...such a great accessory, a little different and more subtle than wearing a big necklace!


photo from the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Brown University

update: just got a text from my friend who told me about

 this beautiful wool and velvet icelandic collar

she saw recently.

the collar, which was made in AD 1600-1700 (can you believe it, looks so recent), has a "secret worn close to the heart", in the form of love letters that were folded into the garment while it was being made...i absolutely love this idea of making clothing personal and meaningful, a one-of-a-kind piece that has deep meaning for the one who wears it.  it's a whole different way of looking at clothes. our culture is so disposable today, and often i find myself caught in this same trap-getting excited about a style bargain on mass-produced, impersonal items at stores like h&m and F21!

if i ever get up the energy to start making my own accessories, and clothing, it's this kind of energy i want my garments to have--

BANGarang. (haircut anxiety)

i haven't had BANGS since i was in 6th grade. and it was not a good experience.  i've never opted to try them again, but lately i have been collecting "hairstyle" ideas like these, for when i go back to the salon...

i haven't had a haircut in probably close to 3 years, because i am VERY superstitious about who touches my hair. it borders on the insane...it's like i have to have a spiritual/personal connection with whoever does it. soon, though, i'm probably going to be forced to do something.

futuristic western: DIY studded-jacket

This DIY looks cool and, it's very easy to do.  i finally got around to making a studded collar, something i have been wanting to do for a while now.  this is my first time working with studs, and it was fun, and (almost) painless ;) the whole thing start to finish, took maybe a half hour?

here's what you will need

1 a jean jacket or vest
(this one is from salvation army, and cost maybe $3-4 don't buy something expensive, there is absolutely no reason to)

2 studs. i picked mine up at m&j trimming in new york. (they have great products...SO easy to overspend here) but you can find 'em online too. try here.

3 a knife or nail file to bend the spikes down once they are pushed through the fabric

the materials. i used "colonial gold" pyramid studs, which i bought at m&j trimming in nyc. a nail file, or a knife, to push the studs down, and a vintage jean jacket

 i line the studs up before i push them in.  it's easier to make a pattern first before you go through all the trouble and then decide you don't like it.  also, i line up the two on the the end of the row first before placing the middle one.  much easier.

 i only bend one little arm of the studs down while i'm attaching them.  this holds them in place so i can check placement before pushing them all into position with the file/knife.  that way i can make sure they are where i want them before committing...again much easier if some need to be moved or adjusted slightly.

 

viola! the finished project! denim is a little tough to stud, especially with the pyramid pieces.  they start to hurt your fingers after a while. really easy though! just takes a little time and patience.