Instant Chipped Manicure Fix! Extend the Life of Any Mani With Glittery Tips

5.17.2012

I feel silly that I haven’t tried this before. Usually when my manicure chips, I scrape it off and start anew. But a quick swipe of glitter on the tips camouflages things enough that it can last me at least another 3-4 days. Brilliant!

Base color: Essie Lilacism

Glitter: Nails Inc. London Chelsea Embankment*

*I was so happy to have found this glittery gold polish: it’s a really fine glitter, but with maximum, full coverage. I as so sick of glitter polishes that only contained a few sparkles floating in a clear polish…this is just perfect for full-on, max glitter!!
How do you extend the life of your manicure?

(When you aren’t getting gel manicures, that is…)

xoxox
Carly

Nails

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DIY Links of the Week 5.07 – 5.13.12

5.16.2012

I’m still getting over the jetlag from my recent trip to Tokyo, getting back into the daily routine, and getting used to it being light until like 9:00 at night here. Summer’s right around the corner, it’s been amazing weather here, and I’m in the mood to air out my wardrobe, upcycle stuff that’s been sitting around, and tackle all those projects that have been on my to-do list for ages! On my radar recently:

Refashion Files is a new daily refashion inspiration blog started by Jen of Tatertots and Jello and Amy of Mod Podge Rocks. It’s a great source of refashioned projects from around the internet. If you’ve done some crafty upcycling, why not submit your own refashioned project as well?

Speaking of refashioning, I’ve come across another amazingly creative blog! Mostly focused on sewing, upcycling, and refashioning, Cotton and Curls has some great tutorials for breathing new life into your old clothes. Try her beautiful draped Stand & Deliver Skirt to get your started!

Make your own shoes? Sure, why not! I CAN Make Shoes offers an easy-to-use downloadable guide to Making Your Own Sandals, for 6.98 pounds. Also available: their guide to making your own Baby Shoes, soles, and insoles for the Make Your Own Sandals Guide ( a mere 2.98 pounds a pair). And if you’re in the U.K.’s Hackney Downs area, you can also sign up for workshops on shoe-making (ballet flats, shoe designing, and shoe upcycling are also offered).

Mega-brand Gap has partnered with the online community Threadless to introduce T-It-Yourself (T.I.Y.) on their Facebook page – encouraging people to upcycle their old tees into fashionable items! The first project in the series involves covering some boring old sandal straps with strips cut from a colorful old tee. Just lovely!

Check out the beautiful Whitney and her recent creative project on her blog Freshly Given: a Greek Style Top refashioned from a maxi-skirt. Just perfect for the summer days ahead!

This is absolutely amaaaaahzing: DIY Spiked Loafers by Chictopians Lipgloss and Black. A whole lotta work – but just droolworthy results. Kudos to those brave enough to attempt it!!

RunwayDIY posted a great DIY of those wavy-hem Stella McCartney MVP Shorts. Sexy and classy at the same time – and I love her choice of appliques!

I have a fun and easy summer dress tutorial/upcycle in the works…and while researching how to do it I came across this video on sewing a Tulle Tutu from Youtube user Gristolin. Beautiful, girly, froufy – and just perfect!!

If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!

DIY Links of the Week 5.07 5.13.12

If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)

xoxox

Carly

-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-

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DIY, Links of the Week

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Portland’s Museum of Craft Featured in Cut Out + Keep’s The Road Trip Issue of Snippets Magazine

5.15.2012

I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Portland’s own Museum of Contemporary Craft awhile ago to contribute an article to Cut Out + Keep‘s online magazine Snippets. And it’s finally live!

Read “Museum of Craft” in Snippets’ The Road Trip Issue

Thanks so much to Cat and the whole Cut Out + Keep team who included me!

Though the museum is small, it does highlight the strong craft movement and history of a variety of disciplines, mainly focused on the Pacific Northwest. It was really interesting to gain a sense of time, place, and handiwork as displayed there.

Have any of you ever been to Portland’s Museum of Contemporary Craft?

xoxox
Carly

~If you have a friend who loves Portland, museums, or crafting, please share this with them! Thanks:-) ~

Featured in..., Magazines

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5.11.12 Outfit: Colorblock Top and Demure Bottom

5.13.2012

Colorblock Chiffon Top: DIY of a thrifted top (tutorial here)

Leopard-Print Bra: Warners (similar here)

Rings: from Japan; Cartier, Tiffany

Clear Bangle: unknown

Black Box Clutch: no label, thrifted

All-In-One Dress (worn as a Midi-Length Skirt): Norma Kamali

Metallic-Heel Low-Heeled Velvet Pumps: R&E

Nail Polish: Essie Lilacism

This year low-heeled shoes are back, and though I’m usually drawn to super-high heels I decided to give my feet a reprieve with this low pair.

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Outfits

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Happy Mother’s Day!

5.13.2012

French Love arrangement from Floral Art

To all the mothers and mothers-to-be out there:

Hope your day is a lovely one, filled with joy!

~Happy Mother’s Day~

xoxox
Carly

Holidays

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DIY Colorblock Collar Chiffon Top: A Goodwill Find Upcycled!

5.12.2012

Awhile ago I found this lovely bright chiffon blouse at my local Goodwill. It was a couple sizes too large for me and a little outdated in shape; I decided to upcycle it into something more fitted and modern. Colorblocking has been on-trend for a couple seasons now, so I decided to add some contrasting fabric to the collar*. Here’s how:

You Need:

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Clothing, DIY, Tops

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DIY Links of the Week 4.9-5.6.12

5.09.2012

I think I haven’t posted a Links of the Week roundup in over a month!! Can it be? I’ve been so busy while in Tokyo taking care of my Mom, trying to keep up with classwork for the two online classes I’m taking this semester, and not often able to connect to the internet, that surfing online to find some great DIY has been pushed to the back-burner. But now I’m finally home again and am gladly catching up on all my DIY reading! Like:

Ever wanted a pair of jeans that were uniquely you? Well now you can get them, by DIY’ing your own custom jeans with GetWear. Choose from a variety of washes and shapes to design your perfect pair, including rise, buttons, embroidery, pocket style, and thread color.

Though I normally restrict my roundups to fashion, jewelry, and accessory items, I couldn’t resist including this amazing DIY Faux-Woodgrain Laptop Cover made from Con-Tact paper, by Fine & Feathered. Retro cool in the best way! (And you could definitely re-appropriate this idea for any hard-sided clutch you have!!)

Speaking of Con-Tact paper, Soccer Mom Style has come up with another great project using it: DIY Heels with Metallic Detail. So chic and elegant – and the possibilities for what to add this metallic paper to are endless!

I always love discovering a new DIY blog; Creme de la Craft has made my week. Every week, she posts a new tutorial utilizing everyday objects. Her DIY Neon Pyramid Necklace (using straws!) is a great project to start with!

Whimseybox is a craft-of-the-month club that every month sends you a goody box full of crafting supplies for just $15! They also share some great projects on the blog to give you some ideas for what to make with your box full ‘o craft goodies. Check out these Washi Tape Slap Bracelets that use pretty tape to makeover that old 80′s staple.

Summer’s almost here and it’s time to break out the fun sunnies to complete your outfits. How about customizing your own pair, with some Mod Podge, paper, and Madigan Made’s how-to post on Mod Podge Rocks?

Natalie’s Creations posted this great video tutorial for how to make a Dolce & Gabbana-inspired lace dress…from a t-shirt and a curtain panel! Creativity at its best!!

Add an oversized corsage to your look, with Stripes & Sequin‘s DIY Ban.do-Inspired Bloom Pin. This would make a lovely and chic addition to any outfit.

If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!

DIY Links of the Week 4.9 5.6.12

xoxox

Carly

-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-

~If you liked this post, please share it!~

DIY, Links of the Week

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Back Stateside!

5.07.2012

Somehow managed to get 190 lbs. of things stuffed into 4 suitcases and not get charged for being overweight; coralled up the fam and made it to the airport on time for our 3:30 PM Sunday flight, and was absolutely thrilled to find the SHEL’TTER TOKYO pop-up shop at the Narita Airport to squeeze in some much needed retail therapy before getting on the plane. Still kicking myself for not buying a pair of suerrow dangling spike earrings when I saw them; at the time I was thinking to jusy DIY them but a 9-hour flight and crazy jetlag later, coupled with Lil Tot waking up every hour last night in tears because he was “too awake to go to sleep!!” has completely fogged up my memory and now I can’t remember how they were constructed.

I did manage to find a beautifully-draped SLY kimono-style neutral jacket and a neon-painted necklace by moussy so will console myself with those; Narita Terminal 1 has heretofore only had boring touristy gift shops or overpriced luxury brand shops, so finding some trendy Japanese fashion stores (in addition to SHEL’TTER, Graniph [offering up trendy T-shirts including a line designed by Milton Glaser], and UNIQLO) literally made my month!

Now have to go grocery shopping to fill up my completely-bare fridge again, and unpack to ward off the exhaustion quickly creeping up on me…

xoxox

Carly

Announcements, Cool Stores, Japanese Brands

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15 Chic and Springy Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (With a Little DIY Thrown In!)

5.04.2012

1. Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy, $14

2. Diane von Furstenberg Alana Vintage-Inspired Cat’s-Eye Sunglasses, $150

3. Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit, $22.95

4. Celeste Stein Missoni Tights, $19.95

5. Arancia Dolce Sweet Orange Replenishing Bath Foam by Palatium ~~$45~~ marked down to $27…PSST! Get 40% OFF with code ChicEmpress here, valid until May 13, 2012!

6. Crafting with Cat Hair Book, $15.95

7. Knitted Dove Eyelet Elly Jacket, $88

8. DIY Decorated Basket Handbag

9. Cherry Tangerine Arrangement by Floral Art, $85 (delivery to L.A. area only…or take inspiration from the arrangement and DIY your own!)

10. Cupcake Bath Bombs, $32…or just DIY your own with this how-to: DIY Cupcake Bath Bomb

11. Carol Hochman Rosewalk Garden Bermuda Pajama Set, $59

12. Morning Dew Earrings by JooJooLand, $45

13. Dolce Vita Women’s Nels Flat, $149

14. ASOS Leather Bright Laptop Case, $63.60

15. DIY Flowered Hair Clip

Mother’s Day is just around the corner…are you still looking for the perfect gift for Mom? I love that this holiday happens to coincide with, so I always match my gift to the lovely, flowery season. Above is a small collection of ideas for great gifts for the woman close to your heart: from handbags to accessories, bathtime indulgences and clothing, the Mom with a great sense of humor or avid gardener…it’s all there. Plus, a couple of these ideas are DIY-able…so I’ve just linked to the tutorials.

And for some more DIY home decor inspiration, check this video out for some items that would be great (and easy!) to make for Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day!
xoxox
Carly

~If you liked this post, please share it with anyone looking for Mother’s Day Gift ideas!~

Gifts, Holidays

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DIY Lace-Covered Boots

5.02.2012

I still have a ton of lace fabric from that curtain I bought last month to make my DIY Lace Maxi-Skirt…so I did a couple projects before I left for Japan to use up the extra. One of the DIYs was re-vamping a pair of granny-booties with a lace covering and making them into the perfect booties for Spring. With all the flowered boots popping up in retail stores lately, I figured it was high time to do a pretty feminine lace version! Here’s how:

You Need:

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DIY, Shoes

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