Friday, December 31, 2010
DIY Galaxy Print Top
Ok so this one is more like Didnt DIY. You may remember that a while ago I was ooooing and ahhing over the Dion Lee/Josh Goot Galaxy Print, wondering if I could do it myself using a spray dye technique (check out my post here). Before I got a chance however, a couple of days ago I was perusing the tiny little stores in the Galle fort and came across this top. The little old lady who was selling it told me that she had used a spray dye technique to do it - she was so sweet and talked me through the process so look forward to seeing more galaxy print in the future! She also happily took me through to her workshop that was packed to the ceilings with dyed and printed fabrics she had done herself, and took in the top for me on the spot. Talk about service. Oh, and did I mention it cost less than the price of a coffee? Result!
Spray dye galaxy print top, vintage pleated skirt (£2 from an op shop in north london), river island gladiator flats, zara satchel, antique necklace from Sri lanka, sunglasses £7 from ebay (search for cat eye sunglasses).
DIY Lace Jewellery
Cut a cute shape out of some lace, and then add some beads or studs.
Image: All the pretty birds
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
DIY Ribbon Knit
Using a large needle or knitting needle, thread some ribbon through a cable knit like this - securing in sweet little bows.
Image: I Love Wildfox
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
DIY Knitted Armwarmers
We'll all be needing arm warmers this season what with fashion's penchant for capes. May your own using cable knit socks or by sewing tubes out of a thirfted deconstructed knitted sweater.
Image: Because I'm Addicted
Monday, December 27, 2010
DIY Shell Necklace
As mentioned in my last post, I've been hitting the beach in the south of Sri Lanka, and its been gorgeous - so quiet and wild. We've been staying in a beachside national park where the monkeys play while you're having breakfast, a big grey elephant rubbed itself against our cabin last night and you can hear the waves while you sleep. I trawled the beach this morning for some DIY materials like shells and rocks. I found this lovely burnt orange and white shell, perfect match for my shorts and straw hat. Then set about making myself this gorgeous shell necklace - why not do a little DIY while hanging by the pool? I tapped a hole into the top of a shell and passed a silver chain through it. Perfect and simple holiday DIY. If you're on the beach this Christmas why not make one yourself?
Are you following me on twitter? Blogging is light on atm but I have been uploading pics and updates to twitter so go here to get amongst it. Love getting your questions and comments. Hope you've all had an amazing Christmas!
Are you following me on twitter? Blogging is light on atm but I have been uploading pics and updates to twitter so go here to get amongst it. Love getting your questions and comments. Hope you've all had an amazing Christmas!
Hittin the Beach
Am totally ready to hit the beach. Bring. It. On. (click on image to go through to Polyvore and see the brands). Will be basking in the sun like a lizard.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
DIY Blanket Coat
Cut arm holes in a wool blanket, and throw on, wrap around or whatever you want, to keep warm this winter.
Image: Studded Hearts
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wish you were here
Am enjoying an utterly chaotic and colourful Sri Lankan trip. Visiting temples, curry for BLD (breakfast lunch and dinner), travelling in bajas, swimming in gorgeous lakeside pools, sleeping in colonial four poster beds, feeding elephants and meeting the most gorgeous and friendly people with the most radiant smiles. Buying trunkloads of DIY materials. Best Christmas Ever.
I've saved off a few posts for you so you don't get bored while I'm away.
DIY Leopard Collar and Love Heart
Leopard print collar and loveheart back inspiration from Bitching and Junkfood.
Images: Bitching and Junkfood
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
DIY Sheer Deconstructed Shirt
Bitching and Junkfood is always a massive inspiration for DIY. This sheer deconstructed top is no exception.
Image: Bitching and Junkfood
Sunday, December 19, 2010
DIY Zanotti Heels
OM-effing-G I have just come across one of the best DIYs I've seen in a very long time. The lovely bloggette from A Matter of Style let me know about these amazing Zanotti inspired heels she made out of a pair of Primark shoes by drawing up a pattern and cutting them out. Head over to her blog and have a look at a few of her other DIYs, this is one of many.
The inspiration:
The inspiration:
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Best DIY Trends of 2010
What DIY trends rocked your socks in 2010? I have gone back through my archives and had a look at the DIY trends that got a whole lotta of airtime. But don't think for a moment I'm saying these DIY trends are passe. Not at all! I'm not a trend hunter and I don't really buy into the 'new trend of the moment throw everything else you own out' attitude to fashion. Feel free to take these trends from 2010 through to 2015 if you you feel like it. A good DIY never gets old.
Collars
Miu Miu and Carven inspired a wave of collar DIYing, with most of us recessionistas preferring to DIY rather than buying for an arm and a leg. Why not cut a collar off a thirfted shirt or make one out of leather? Embellishment such as beads, studs, sequins, buttons and fringing added to collars on shirts was also seen on blogs, editorials, online stores and designers alike. A very satisfying DIY trend indeed. Check out all my posts on collars here for a bit of inspiration and some tutorials to make your own.
Images: Le Chic Muse / me
Shorts
All eyes have been on shorts in 2010, and they were (and still are) the bum cover of choice for festival goers and picnicers alike. Those of us not wanting to splurge on such tiny items went in droves to thrift stores and set about customizing denim, leather, linen and cotton shorts or trousers. Cutting off and making highwaisted is an easy and cost effective way to get amongst it. The adding of scalloping, lace, studs, rips and a whole host of other embellishments took the DIY a step further. As a rule I didn't buy shorts from anywhere but thrift shops as they are just so easy to DIY. If you don't have a sewing machine, a double fold over of the hem and then a light hand stitch works just as well in taking them up. Check out my shorts posts here if you feel you didn't get amongst it enough and need to get some inspiration. I know all the southern hemisphere peeps will be thinking about getting into shorts right about now so why not pop down to your local thrift shop and DIY your own?
Images:Transient Expressions, Internodiciotto , SRC783, my own, The Velvet Bow, my own
Chain Harnesses
A very easy DIY that has been pretty popular for a while now (don't hate me if some of these trends have roots back earlier than 2010 - I'm definitely no fashion historian!). I think Rumi from fashion Toast and I Heart Norwegian Wood had a hand in the popularity of these body embellishments. So incredibly easy to make - basically all you need is some chain, jump rings and some small jewellery pliers. Check out this tutorial from Monoxious here for some inspiration. Don't buy when you can DIY.
Images: Fashion Toast
Shoulderless
Just about everyone who saw this gorgeous picture of Hanneli Mustapata was inspired to make a shoulderless shirt. It helps that she is so utterly adorable and makes it look so chic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that it was this image that sparked a whole series of designer copies, and millions of DIYs. I was very happy with a similar one that I made, and it was incredibly easy. Check out my tutorial here.
Images: Hanneli Mustapata, my DIY, Sophia from Owl vs Dove
Turbans
Channeling the 50's vibe, who doesn't love a good turban? The blogosphere provided a multitude of great tutorials for all of us to copy this past year. The Man Repeller and Honestly Wtf did a great job in showing us what to do so we could rock some great bad hair day headwear. Head here for some inspiration and a few tutorials.
Images: Man Repeller, Honestly Wtf, Frassy, Studded Hearts
Mouse/Rabbit Ears
Again, not going to bother to go back and analyse where this trend surfaced (I'm sure that Marc Jacobs and Madonna weren't the first to get amongst it) all I'm going to say is that ears as headwear is fun. And DIYable. Totes. Check out this great tutorial here from Carolines Mode. Its well easy to do, innit.
Embellished Shoulders
Shoulders were big in 2010 (and 2009? I can't remember), both physically and metaphorically. Eager DIYers added embellished shoulder pads to cardies, blazers and plain tops. Fringing, sequins, studs, buttons and just about everything else was added to shoulders. Truly easy and always cute. Still loving this look.
Images: Anywho, Style Scrapbook, LFW day 2, Gary Pepper Vintage
OK there are sooo many more DIY faves from the last year, what were yours?
Collars
Miu Miu and Carven inspired a wave of collar DIYing, with most of us recessionistas preferring to DIY rather than buying for an arm and a leg. Why not cut a collar off a thirfted shirt or make one out of leather? Embellishment such as beads, studs, sequins, buttons and fringing added to collars on shirts was also seen on blogs, editorials, online stores and designers alike. A very satisfying DIY trend indeed. Check out all my posts on collars here for a bit of inspiration and some tutorials to make your own.
Shorts
All eyes have been on shorts in 2010, and they were (and still are) the bum cover of choice for festival goers and picnicers alike. Those of us not wanting to splurge on such tiny items went in droves to thrift stores and set about customizing denim, leather, linen and cotton shorts or trousers. Cutting off and making highwaisted is an easy and cost effective way to get amongst it. The adding of scalloping, lace, studs, rips and a whole host of other embellishments took the DIY a step further. As a rule I didn't buy shorts from anywhere but thrift shops as they are just so easy to DIY. If you don't have a sewing machine, a double fold over of the hem and then a light hand stitch works just as well in taking them up. Check out my shorts posts here if you feel you didn't get amongst it enough and need to get some inspiration. I know all the southern hemisphere peeps will be thinking about getting into shorts right about now so why not pop down to your local thrift shop and DIY your own?
Chain Harnesses
A very easy DIY that has been pretty popular for a while now (don't hate me if some of these trends have roots back earlier than 2010 - I'm definitely no fashion historian!). I think Rumi from fashion Toast and I Heart Norwegian Wood had a hand in the popularity of these body embellishments. So incredibly easy to make - basically all you need is some chain, jump rings and some small jewellery pliers. Check out this tutorial from Monoxious here for some inspiration. Don't buy when you can DIY.
Shoulderless
Just about everyone who saw this gorgeous picture of Hanneli Mustapata was inspired to make a shoulderless shirt. It helps that she is so utterly adorable and makes it look so chic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that it was this image that sparked a whole series of designer copies, and millions of DIYs. I was very happy with a similar one that I made, and it was incredibly easy. Check out my tutorial here.
Turbans
Channeling the 50's vibe, who doesn't love a good turban? The blogosphere provided a multitude of great tutorials for all of us to copy this past year. The Man Repeller and Honestly Wtf did a great job in showing us what to do so we could rock some great bad hair day headwear. Head here for some inspiration and a few tutorials.
Mouse/Rabbit Ears
Again, not going to bother to go back and analyse where this trend surfaced (I'm sure that Marc Jacobs and Madonna weren't the first to get amongst it) all I'm going to say is that ears as headwear is fun. And DIYable. Totes. Check out this great tutorial here from Carolines Mode. Its well easy to do, innit.
Embellished Shoulders
Shoulders were big in 2010 (and 2009? I can't remember), both physically and metaphorically. Eager DIYers added embellished shoulder pads to cardies, blazers and plain tops. Fringing, sequins, studs, buttons and just about everything else was added to shoulders. Truly easy and always cute. Still loving this look.
OK there are sooo many more DIY faves from the last year, what were yours?