GTS: Mixed Up Dots and Spots

Inspiration: Atlantic-Pacific

There are so many people inspired by her fashion forward yet totally personalized style. I'm simple one of her followers. It might not be original, but it's fun and I feel very cheered up today. :)

The other day when I was at local craft store, the clerk lady was looking at my DIY bracelets and paid compliments. I said "well, I don't think I am genius because I haven't come up my own ideas yet". She said "No worries. It's a good start by copying first. Then when you feel comfortable with what you are doing, ideas will come naturally." I think fashion is the same way. :)

My "Most Fascinating" List of 2011 (1): on Netflix

I'm not Barbara Walter; I have my lists. :)

Since we no longer pay cable, netflix has become my major entertainment resource. At 8 bucks a month, I have hundreds of shows waiting in the queue.

My favorites of 2011

GTS: Embellished Sheer Blouse and Vest

I have to admit that I have never cared for Stella McCartney's design until now when I saw this ensemble from her 2011 Fall/Winter RTW collection:

What awed me was the way she layered a solid vest on a sheer blouse. It's demure, fun yet with a classic "hourglass" silhouette.

I can't afford a few grands just on a blouse or sleeveless top but I think I can borrow the idea with pieces from my own closet.

I got this wool top from Bebe many years ago. And by adding a few of rhinestones on the collar of a boring black sheer blouse, I think I nailed it.

GTS: Bib Necklace

As much as I wish I could keep all the DIY projects coming, I run out of ideas once in a while. :) So I decided to add a new section called GTS - Get the Style. It's more like "Look for Less", "Copy the Look", or "Channeling the Style"....you get the drill.
I am really into the bib style necklaces that Emma Pillsbury has been demo'ing to us in her Glee appearances. Most of her jewelry is by J.crew or Kate Spade. They aren't cheap or impossible to get now.




I got this Kate Spade bracelet at our local Nordstrom Rack for a decent sale price. It's a substantial piece. And I turned it into a necklace by adding another necklace of mine.



As bracelet


Turn it into a necklace

DIY: Daisy Necklace

Inspiration: Kate Spade Daisy Chain Necklace

Seen on Emma Pillsbury in the first season of "Glee"


What Needed
1. Daisy Buttons from local craft stores



2. Gold chains and 6mm jump rings
3. Drill and 1/16 Needle(borrowed from my husband's tool box)

1. Drill 2 1/16 hols on the opposite petals of the button
2. Add a jump ring in each hole
3. Attach the button with the jump rings to the gold chain. I chose to add one button each 2.5 inch of length of the chain.
4. Finish it with clasps of your choice

Finished look:
With Flash


Without Flash


Used the left over small buttons to make a bracelet (4 buttons)

DIY: Chainmail Inspired Bracelet

Inspiration: Medieval Armor Pattern


And tribute to Honestly...WTF

What Needed
1. 31 large jump rings (depending on the length and the size of jump rings, this number could vary)
2. 2 jewelry pliers
3. clasp

Steps (well I am learning how to write intructions)
1. Open 11 jump rings
2. loop 3 closed rings into one open ring


3. Close the ring. Now the four rings should look like this


4. add another open ring from the font of the top 2 rings


5. Add another 2 closed rings, and repeat the previous steps until you get the ideal length


6. Add clasps of your choice at both ends


Finished Look


 

DIY: Vintage Inspired Fur Collar

Inspiration: Vintage Fur Collared Coat (picture from Ebay)

Image source: click ebay Berroco

Ann Hathaway (Classic Actually)


What Needed
1. J.crew Lady Day Coat in Oasisi Green


2. quart of yard of Faux Fur
3. A pin

You may download collar template from online or simply use one of you old jackets as template, double the fabric, cut it following the template, and sew along the egde on the reverse side.

Use the pin to secure or alternatively sew ribbons on both ends.

Finished look:

DIY: Ring Bracelet

This blog is a detailed view of the second bracelet from the top.


I had these stackable rings by Avon for years but as they weren't my size, I ended up not wearing them much. That's until now that I learned how to turn them into a nice bracelet

What Needed:
1. 2mm leather cords cut into 2 pieces of 6 inch each
2. Closures
3. 4 small jump rings
4. 4 small hex nuts (10-32) - get these from any hardware store.
5. Clasps as your choice
6. jewelry plier

- Connect the 3 rings with 2 small jump rings
- double the leather cord on both size, loop through 2 hex nuts on each side to secure the cords on the ring
- add closure to the end of the cords
- Use small jump rings to add the clasps

Finished look:

DIY: Party on the Wrist

Of course I didn't make the watch. LOL

I will blog about each individual bracelet later on. Stay tuned.

DIY: Sweater Guard

Inspiration: Emma Pillsbury from "Glee"
img: u-createcrafts.com/
What Needed:
1. 2 clutch pin backs
2. Adhesive Flowers (from book scraping section)


3. a dainty size bracelet
Finished Look:

DIY: Zipper Necklace

Inspiration: Van Cleef and Arpels "Zipper" Necklace


What Needed:
1. 14" zipper in silver tone (alternatively use 12" or 16")
2. Rhine stones. I got mine at Michaels.

img: velvetchoker.com
3. 1mm leather cords
4. metal chains as optional

- Cut the extra fabric off the zipper on both sides leaving enough space for rhinestones to be secured on
- Tie the leather cord from the top and make a small loop for clasps or ribbon to go through
- start wrapping the leather cord around the stones and zippers
- Leave the end or cut them short.

Finished:

DIY: Military Inspired Skirt

Inspiration: Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen Outfit



What Needed:
1. A Dark color high Waisted Pencil Skirt (Forever 21)


2. Some Gold buttons

Finished Look:

DIY: Studded Collar

Inspiration: Zara Studios Silk Blouse


What Needed:
1. metal square studs; I used 3 of the squares on each side. Triagle should work too.



2. A silk blouse with pointy collar

Finished:

DIY: Jason Wu 2011 f/w RTW "Versaille" Lace Sweater

Inspiration: Jason Wu 2011 Fall/Winter "Versaille" Lace Sweater



What Needed:
1. Black Lace Trims from Jo-Ann
2. A gray sweater shirt by J.crew




Finished Look: