Thrift Store Rework: Old Dress= New Top

        + scissors+sewing machine =












I found this dress, with tags still attached, at my local Salvation Army thrift store. Being a sucker for a classic print, black and cream, and a great bargain I scooped it up for $5. While the dress fits I knew I would never wear it as is. Shoulder pads, lining with no give, and the hem length are just not a good combo on a shorter curvy girl. Instead, I decided that the dress would have a fabulous second life as a peplum top (I know peplums are starting to be an old trend but I don't care I think they are fun). With the leftover skirt material serving as the peplum all I had to do was make a few cuts, folds, and stitches to turn this frumpy dress into a flirty top.  My sewing skills are pretty rusty when it comes to clothing so I'm super proud of myself for being able to pull this off. Have you ever reworked/repurposed clothing? How did it turn out?

Fiber One Snackcessory Challenge

A few weeks ago Fiber One contacted me asking if I would like to DIY a Snackcessory to share with all you. Of course I said yes because I can't resist a good DIY challenge and creating a cute bag to protect my snacks from getting smashed sounds like a win win situation to me. Riffing off my pearl encrusted DIY Minauderie and the bold blues and floral I've been noticing during fashion week I decided to decoupage a sunglasses case with a beautiful floral paper and then spice it up a bit with some hardware. Not only will this little bag protect your snacks it will fit your night out essentials so you can ditch your purse and rock the minauderie.

*Make sure to check out the contest at FiberOne.com!

Wouldn't Mandy look great with this?

                                                                                   Source: refinery29.com via Jacqueline on Pinterest

Supplies:

-hard sunglasses case (the larger the better)

-Mod Podge and spray adhesive if you want a quicker dry when laying your paper

-Paint brush

-1 piece pretty paper (mine is scrapbooking paper)

-E6000 glue (a DIYer must have)

-A flat-back piece of hardware (I used a jewelry finding I had in my collection, originally its from Michaels)

-Approx. 6" Chain (if you don't have large link chain you can link smaller strands together for greater visual impact)

-Toothpicks and pen/pencil

Steps:

1. Mod Podge paper to case. I cut my paper in half and then lined up one edge to the hinged edge of the case. Lay case flat. You will work on one side at a time. Spray the glue or paint the MP onto the hinged edge and top of case. Lay paper down flat on theses areas. Wait to dry. 

2. Spray or MP one corner of case and carefully work paper onto surface. You will have to fold or crumple paper to shape it. Let dry. Repeat on other corner. 

3. Trim off excess paper.

4. Mod Podge papered area. Be sure to get under the edges so they don't flip up. Let dry.

5. Flip case over and repeat steps 1-4.

Mod Podge a DIYer's good friend

6. After case is dry you can add the hardware. To create a fake clasp like mine center your hardware at the case opening so that if will fit across both sides. Mark the spot on one side. Open the case up. Using a toothpick spread some glue onto the marked area, going to the lip of the case. Quickly, place your hardware (just half of it) on the glued area and hold till dry.

7. With pen/pencil lightly mark the spots where your chain will attach the the case. Using a toothpick dab glue on one of the markings then press chain into glue. While holding the chain in place put more glue on the toothpick and spread it around the edges of the chain to create a nice seal. When that end is attached repeat at the other end. 

Let dry and Viola! You have a chic new Snackcessory.
Enjoy!

All you need for a night out

Now I want to see yours. Leave me a link in the comments and don't forget to go to FiberOne.com to enter your own Snackcessory for the chance to win a trip to Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Feb. '13 for you and a guest! 

DIY Gift: Tiger Bike Helmet

Sawako Furuno Helmet

Rawwr! My Tiger Helmet

     A few weeks ago my sister emailed me a picture of this super cute Sawako Furuno leopard print bike helmet saying she wanted it. I looked into it and was shocked to discover it was $200. While I couldn't buy it, I told my sister it looked like something I could paint. She got super excited and asked if I could make her a tiger helmet for Christmas. I didn't give her an answer but I knew that's exactly what I would do.
    The hardest part was finding the right helmet with a little brim. After trolling the internet I found great match in the GIRO Surface helmet. After lots of searching on Cyber Monday I was able to snag it for $22, a steal. Everything after that was easy.

Supplies:
-Helmet
-Orange spray paint
-White primer
-Clear Sealant
-Blue painter's tape
-Print out of tiger stripe pattern

1. I printed out an image of a tiger stripe pattern for a visual reference then using painter's tape started marking out the stripes on the helmet. I tore of the both long edges of the tape for all my stripes so that the stripes would be rough edged.

2. Cover the brim in tape. You do NOT want to paint the brim. Then stuff the air vents and head space with plastic bags and then tape over the bottom so you don't get paint inside your helmet.

3. In a well ventilated area spray the helmet with white primer, make sure to cover thoroughly. Let dry.

4. Spray the helmet with the orange paint. Let dry. Do second coat.

5. Spray with clear sealant. Let dry.

6. Carefully remove tape.

Ignore the black spot. I have no idea what that is.

Enjoy!

P.S. Try different animal prints. I'm tempted to try the original leopard print helmet.

DIY Studded Ponytail Holder from Repurposed Belt

It's currently raining here, and what better excuse for some DIY time than a rainy day. I completed this ponytail holder in about 5 minutes last night. My bf had asked me to cut up his old studded belt to make some bracelets for him. After I did this I was left with a little strip of studs that I didn't want to waste. This project was the perfect use for it.

Supplies:
 -small studded strip of leather
-thin black piece of elastic
-strong hold glue
-small flat nose pliers

1. Cut strip of studs so when you wrap it around your ponytail there is about an inch of open space. Cut right next to the studs so that the tabs are right on the edge.

2. Cut elastic to fill empty space to fit your ponytail with extra space to attach elastic to each end of the studded strip.

3. Open the end tab on each end stud. Peel back bottom layer of leather strip to about each stud's midpoint. Add glue between leather layers and sandwich ends of elastic in between. Pierce stud's open tab into the elastic (is key to keeping elastic in place). Close tab with pliers. Clamp down edge until glue dries.   

4. There isn't a whole lot of stretch in this ponytail holder so you will have to use a regular elastic tie in your hair then slide this over your hair. It will stay in place and add a little interest to your basic hair style.

Rocking the hair fountain look!

Enjoy!

Mod inspired DIY Bold Collar Necklace

I have a slight obsession with classic films and British period dramas meaning my Netflix queues are full of them. On any given night you will probably find me winding down for bed by randomly selecting a movie from my watch instantly queue. A few weeks ago I decided on "The Grass is Greener" starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. While I wasn't in love with the film (laughing away infidelity isn't my thing) I was in love with Jean Simmons bold style. Particularly in one scene where she wears an all orange outfit with matching orange necklace and earrings, one of which sits as a crown jewel in her bouffant. I decided I needed a necklace like that to call my own and what better way to get one than to make it myself.

She's crazy and fabulous!

The complete ensemble

Supplies:
-Several brooches, rhinestones, odds and ends from broken pieces of jewelry, nothing has to match
-Strong adhesive made for metals and plastics
-Spray paint
-Backing strong and soft to handle the weight of the jewels and movement. I used embrodiery cloth because I had it on hand, but now I have to layer it with something else because its so scratchy
-A clasp

1. Cut out a circle from a piece of paper. It will be your guide for the inner circumference of your necklace. To get mine I traced the inner part of a collar necklace that had the same fit I wanted with this new piece.

2. Lay your backing down and position the circle on top of it so that there is enough room to add all your pieces. Position everything in a way you like then use the glue to join each piece to the backing. I had to redo this because I forgot the backing the first time.

 

3. Cut away the extra backing.

 

4. Make sure everything is solidly attached and spray paint the whole thing. It might take a few coats. Finish off with a sealer so the paint doesn't nick or chip.

 

5. When dry and the clasp and viola! You now are ready to rock an amazing one of a kind necklace.

Of course its only right to pair it with an outfit the same color.

Enjoy!

DIY Minauderie

A few months ago I came across a blog post (before I used pinterest so I can't recall the name) about turning a discarded sunglasses case into a clutch. I thought this was a clever idea and knowing I was going to be in two weddings over the summer I thought it would be a great inexpensive way to add some sparkle to my look. I received lots of compliments and everyone was surprised to learn the bag had been a sunglasses case. This is a great DIY because it doesn't take much skill or money, just a little creativity.  Now go rummage through your junk draws to find a case and try this yourself.

Supplies needed:

- 1 hard sunglasses case (make sure it's large enough to hold a night out's necessary items.
-spray paint
-decorative findings
-strong glue

1. Spray paint the case to help camouflage it
2. After paint has dried. Glue on fake closure if you want. I painted a large green plastic pyramid bead to look like a purse snap.

3.Working in small areas, spread glue and place findings.
4. Repeat step 3 until the case is covered. Make sure that you leave space around the edges so case can close.

This does take a little bit of time if you are working with small findings, and I'm not going to lie that I definitely lost a few brain cells from sniffing so much glue, but it was still fun.

Enjoy!

Radio Rockstar a DIY Repurposed Bag

While cleaning out his storage unit my boyfriend found an old radio in its case and thought that I would have fun repurposing the leather box (he knows me so well). Obviously, the case was already a great little purse it just needed to be cleaned up and updated. Using some scrap lace and brassy pyramid stud stickers I had lying around I was able to take this bag from relic to rockstar, all for the grand total of $0. Here's how.

Nice shape and color, just really boring.

Supplies:
Fabric scissors
Liquid Stitch glue (one of my favorite finds in the last year)
Fabric pen
Scrap fabric about 1 1/2 x 4" (should be durable/double layered)
Embellishments (I found these at Michael's in the $1 bin awhile ago. I just remove the foam backing to use)

1. This bag opens like a lunch box with the flap ending in a 90 degree angle. Since I wanted to use it as a purse and not have everything spill out when opened I decided to add fabric sides that would limit how far the flap opened. With this type of leather I wasn't able to sew on the fabric so I used Liquid Stitch to add the fabric. I opened the bag to the angle I wanted it to rest at making sure I could easily access anything inside, placed the fabric inside, marked the angle the fabric needed to be cut at for the flap, and cut it.

Not very cute inside. Another reason to add the fabric strips.

2. Glue fabric in place place. I gave it about a 1/4" lip on the bottom of the bag and glued the fabric to the whole side of the main part of the bag, but only used glue on a small strip on the flap. The flap has a lip that overlaps the body of the bag when closed and if I glued fabric to the whole lip it would have made the bag awkward to close.

Secured by a cute little piece of fabric

3. While that dried I removed the sticker backings from my studs and laid out the design I wanted. It ended up that a random scattering of studs looked the best. I think it contrasts well with the classic conservative shape and look of the bag.

4. Glue down studs. I used Liquid Stitch again because I was out of Super Glue, but I'm not sure how well the studs will hold up with it. I like that LS doesn't mark up leather but I might have to use a stronger multi-purpose adhesive because of the studs.

Done! Now I have a fun little bag that holds all my necessities and will transition well through the seasons.

Have you ever repurposed a bag? I would love to see your results?

Enjoy!

Glitter Glasses DIY

Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins

-Paris Hilton

I can't believe I just quoted PH. Its so true though. I'm a pretty simple girl who prefers dressing solid neutrals and an animal print here or there, but for some reason I'm always drawn to anything that shines and glitters. It's definitely in my veins. Anyway here's another simple cheap/free DIY project for those who like to shine. I got the idea after seeing Miu Miu's new Fall '11 glitter sunglasses. A few days later I was in Target and saw sunnies in the $1 bin so I knew it was just something I had to try. Miu Miu's pair puts mine to shame but they're so wild they make me smile. I can't wait to wear them around my daughter. She'll either want her own pair or be totally embarrassed.

Glitter Glasses

-1 pair plastic sunglasses
-1 tube glitter (I used large glitter because that's what I had but I think fine glitter would help bring the look down a notch)
-modge podge
-sponge brush
-a wide type of tape like duct or masking

1. Cut 4 pieces of tape to fit each side of each lens. Cover the lens with tape.

2. On a well covered surface wipe modge podge onto one arm of sunglasses.

3. Over a paper plate sprinkle glitter over whole arm. Make sure it gets covered. Let dry.

4. Repeat process for other arm and frame. I left the bridge uncovered because I didn't want the glitter bugging my nose.

5. Touch up areas where the glitter didn't stick. Let dry.

7. Cover all glittered areas in a layer of modge podge. This will seal in the glitter which is crucial if you don't want to glitter to fall into your eye and scratch a cornea or something. Not fun.

Enjoy!

Plain Jane to Fancy Feet Prada inspired DIY

+

Black boring shoe

+

Some craft paint and a flat paintbrush

=

Fun shoe DIY

I grabbed these black mary janes from F21 last year after seeing them on another blogger and thinking they looked super cute. Well, they have basically sat in my closet since then. I think I've worn them twice because they usually look slightly off with my outfits. Anyway, I've been on a huge craft kick lately and having contemplated jazzing these shoes up for a long time I decided it was now or never.  Their separate platform and chunky heel were ideal for a bright color blocking paint job. I chose to use craft paint colors I already had that played off the brights/neon trends and that I knew would work together having seen my mom rock this color combo through most of the 90s. After finishing the shoes I realized I must have subconsciously been inspired by the pretty Prada dress that has graced the likes of actress Hailee Steinfeld and the amazing blogger, Wendy B.


Supplies
-2 colors craft paint
-clear shiny top coat craft paint
-nice paintbrush (badly made brushes leave bristles everywhere which will ruin your paint job)
-painter's tape
-razor blade or exacto knife

1. Tape of areas to be painted.

2. Paint base coats. The heel base coat will actually be the color of the smaller top stripe. This will take some time and patience. You will have to paint multiple layers, and trust me when I say the quickest way to do this is to wait for each layer to dry before you paint another one. I always try to just glob on paint and it never works.

3. Once the heel and platform are covered and dry measure off how big you want your heel stripe to be, mark it off, then tape it off placing the tape over the stripe color.

4. Paint the heel.

5. Use razor blade to help remove tape and keep clean lines. Scrape any excess paint off.

6. Paint the heel and platform with a coat of the shiny top coat.

Enjoy!