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Craft Finds »

We're in love with these super bejewelled shoes. Who's going to grab some gems and make their own?

Check out the how-to from Sewing in Stilettos »

These polka dot jeans are so awesome and so easy to make!

Check out the how-to from JennyBevlin.com »

Today's DIY Fashionista is Auna from La Vie En Rose, who's also been taking part in the Pick Your DIY collaboration, where seven bloggers used Pinterest to find Spring/Summer 2013 inspired looks to turn in to their own DIY projects. Auna was inspired by a discontinued cross back shirt from the Social Butterfly House and you can see how she made it below:


 

Outfit details:

Day:
  • Tomato Ankle Skinnies - American Rag for Macy's
  • Mustard Empire Top - Forever 21
  • Jacket - Max Studio
  • Heels - American Rag for Macy's
  • Necklace - Aldo
Night:
  • Tomato Tank - Mossimo for Target
  • Striped Skirt - Charlotte Russe
  • Jacket - Max Studio
  • Heels - American Rag
  • Necklace - Custom made on Etsy
Weekend:
  • Slouchy hat - Mossimo for Target
  • Tomato tank - Mossimo for Target
  • Jeans - Seven For All Mankind
  • Heels - American Rag for Macy's
  • Jacket - Max Studio
  • Bow Necklace - Juicy Couture


DIY Cross Back Shirt

Recreate the look with Auna's Cross Back Shirt tutorial:



How would you describe your style?

Hippie Hepburn! I love classic pieces that are timeless and elegant. They're brilliant for photography, especially since one doesn't have to worry about looking as dated in them as more trendy fashion choices. They're always chic. I also tend to add a little bit of hippie/boho in there- loose fitting dresses + tunics, messy buns and slightly tousled hair + curls, minimal makeup. 

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

That's like asking me to choose a favorite food! Probably my brown fold over boots or my leather jacket. I have about 15 pairs of boots; a pair of great boots can bring the most basic, boring outfit up several notches. I also *love* the black wedges in the photos- they can be dressed up or down and are very comfortable. I try not to wear heels because of ballet, so these are the only ones I'll wear.

Who are your style icons?

Audrey Hepburn, as mentioned above. The 50's + 60's were such a great time for fashion. People just always seemed put together, right down to the hats + white gloves. Also Coco Chanel- she revolutionized women's clothing for decades. For someone more current day- Rachel Zoe. Slightly predictable, but she has been dressing the rich and famous as boho-chic babes for years.

Do you have any favourite designers?

All of the French + Italian greats. I can't choose a favorite. They're all brilliant. 

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?

The hippie side of me struggles with fair labor practices, so I prefer socially conscious companies like Fair Indigo- the ethos paris collection has cute dresses. Fair trade clothing tends to be very basic so that's a great option for classic staples. For more mainstream clothing I go to places like Macy's + Target (admit it, you love their designer collections!) because they require all clothing lines they carry to enforce and follow strict labor laws. 

Do you make or customise your outfits?

I very rarely make an entire piece from scratch, I'm much more likely to customize something through refashioning. It's a lot of fun to imagine old clothes in a totally new way, just by removing sleeves, making pants fitted or shirts loose, changing a neckline, raising a hemline or even sewing pants into pencil skirts!

Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?

I don't like to leave anything alone. Everything that comes home gets customized. You don't need to sew! Add studs or use fabric paint to change jeans- even just the pockets! Iron on patches for elbows or a use great applique. Easily put on new buttons to make a cardigan or jacket look more expensive. Use embroidery, or just contrasting fabric + a hot glue gun to add a monogram. That way you can be sure that you're the only person wearing your item- no matter where it came from. 


Keep up to dat with Auna at her blog, La Vie En Rose »

These adorable macaron hairclips make us want to get stitching and head to Paris!

Check out the how-to from zakka life »

Craft Finds »

These photo candles are such an awesome idea. Which image would you use?

Check out the how-to from Something Monumental »

 

Outfit details:

  • Blazer - H&M
  • Top - Antipodium
  • Shorts - Monki 
  • Socks - Urban Outfitters 
  • Shoes - Deandri

DIY Exaggerated Eyes

Recreate the look with Carmen's Exaggerated Eyes Tutorial:



How would you describe your style?

Little girl who never grew up aha. I say that because it seems like I dress very indecisively, I don't stick to one particular style :) 

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

My favourite piece in my wardrobe are definitely my shoes, specifically my Deandri's and my Hellbounds. My feet wouldn't feel the same without them!

Who are your style icons?

My style icons are ClothesEncounters, PaleDivision, Kate Bosworth, Gemma Arterton and my mum!

Do you have any favourite designers?

Not really, though I like Jonathon Saunders, Mark Fast and House of Holland.

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?

I love, love Nastygal ~ I could live in most of their clothes! I also love ASOS, Mink Pink, Evil Twin and UNIF. But there are loads of great online shops I love looking through such as Theory of Seven, The Scarlet Room and Yesstyle. 

Do you make or customise your outfits?

I used to when I was younger but I've grown a bit more lazy since then aha. If I customize anything I generally crop it. Cropped tops are just great! 

Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit? 

Go on how you feel on the day and don't be scared to wear anything. As long as you think it looks great ~ it will! Personalising an outfit can come from doing something as little as wearing a ring or changing the colour of your nails :) I tend to add feathers or bows to my hair! 

 


Make sure to check out Carmen's blog »

Today's DIY Fashionista is our very own Cat Morley, who's been taking part in the Pick Your DIY collaboration with Charley from Chic Cheat, Auna from La Vie En Rose, Carly from Chic Steals, Alessia from Matter of Style, Sylvia from Dare to DIY, Donatella from Inspiration & Realisation. The seven bloggers used Pinterest to find Spring/Summer 2013 inspired looks to turn in to their own DIY projects. Cat was inspired by a bow clutch from Ruche and you can see how she made it below:

 

 

Outfit details:

  • Dress - New Look
  • 50p Necklace - Hairy Growler Jewellery
  • Bow Belt - ASOS
  • Clutch - DIY (see below)
  • Watch - Mondaine
  • Bracelet - Vivienne Westwood
  • Ring - Tiffany
  • Shoes - Irregular Choice

DIY Bow Clutch

Recreate the look with Cat's Bow Clutch tutorial:



How would you describe your style?

Little old lady meets cat lover with a touch of British eccentricity. I love anything with a Peter Pan collar, tartan, tweed or adorable animal print, especially if it has cats on. Anything with added functionality also gets my ticket, such as my 3D glasses necklace by Tatty Devine which I'm sure will come in super handy when I step back in time and go to a retro cinema one day.



What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

My Burberry trench. I'd wanted one for such a long time and finally found a mac I loved and could afford during the Christmas sales. I also love my crystal cat ear headband, though there are far too few occasions to wear it throughout the year.

Who are your style icons?

Superheroes and supervillains always have the coolest outfits and accessories. I wish it was okay to dress like Catwoman and wear animal ears everyday but instead, I'll settle for my homemade Harley Quinn pyjamas that I get to wear to bed. I'd also love to raid Jess from the New Girl's wardrobe. 


Do you have any favourite designers?

Vivienne Westwood has been my favourite designer since high school. She can add a twist to absolutely anything and make it beautiful. I have a terrible habit of never buying clothes because I feel I could make them at home but I never have that problem with her intricate and technical designs. There's also an amazing designer in Edinburgh called Joey D who recycles old military wear in to fantastic jackets and accessories. I have several of his bags including one with bullets in the strap and another made from neckties.

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?

Shopping on the high street terrifies me, so I avoid the crowds and tiny changing rooms by going online to places like Modcloth, ASOS and Dorothy Perkins. I bookmark items I love throughout the year and check back on them during the sales, to see if the price is right.


Do you make or customise your outfits?

I make a lot of jewellery and accessories but one day I'd love to have a wardrobe entirely filled with clothes I've made. It's actually my new year's resolution to learn how to sew clothes properly with the ambition of sewing my own wedding dress.


Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?

If you're new to crafting, creating your own piece of jewellery or hair accessory is a great project to start with. Also, there's nothing better than being complimented on an item you've made and asked where you bought it.


Check out Cat's blog at CatMorley.com »

 Outfit details:

DIY Screenprinted Bulldog Tee

Recreate the look with Chelsea's Screenprinted Bulldog Tee tutorial:



How would you describe your style?

That's so tricky! I love so many different styles and part of the fun is to make them all fit together. I guess if I had to name it, I would make up something like "Preppy Clean Bohemian." Haha! Sort of what would happen if J.Crew and Anthropologie had a baby who really loved sparkly things. 

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

My current fave is a new acquisition -- it's a white and gold chevron sheath dress from White House Black Market. It sounds simple, but the kicker is that it's entirely made of sequins.

Who are your style icons?

I always love a woman who is quietly confident, and I tend to look to older generations for inspiration. Young Liza Minnelli and Audrey Hepburn were always so fabulous in very different ways. As far as our generation goes, Emma Watson and Marion Cotillard can do no wrong by me. 

Do you have any favourite designers?

I don't really stick to one particular designer or another, but I'm loyal to certain shops. As previously mentioned, I could walk into J.Crew or Anthropologie any day of the week and find a zillion favorites. Other loves are Madewell, C. Wonder, Kate Spade, and Topshop.

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?

My other not-so-well-kept secret shopping place is Forever 21. I know it's kind of in the "fast fashion" vein, but the truth is you can find so many great things there! I go there when I don't have a ton of money but I'm looking for something super-stylish. And my tip is to always go early in the day, before it gets crazy and crowded. 

Do you make or customise your outfits?

I really do love to try to have something mixed into my outfit that I've made, especially as a DIY blogger. It's sort of like wearing your own brand. And if someone asks where you got that particular piece, it's a great conversation starter!

Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Accessories can change the look of an entire outfit. They can take you from day to night, from casual to dressy, and anything in between. They're also the perfect way to make your look your own. I love that you could give two girls the same jeans and black tee and they could create two entirely different, personalized looks by switching up things like bags, jewelry, shoes, and the like. That's my favorite fashion game!


You can check out Chelsea's blog at Lovely Indeed »

Craft Finds »


We need to make one of these adorable purses. Which animal would you make?

Check out the how-to from By Wilma »

Craft Finds »


Add a touch of the Big Apple to your home with a DIY NYC pillow!

Check out the how-to from This Little Miggy Stayed Home »

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