5.17.13 F.I.L.L.: Friday I Love Links

May 17

Welcome to my 2nd installment of F.I.L.L.! Last week should have been my second, but alas, the day got away from me with a dr.’s appointment that ran over-time, an ill-timed meltdown from the Lil one, and other obligations that took over my day, so I never got around to posting it. It was beautiful in Portland here last week (like Summer!), though this week has defaulted back to chilly, drizzly May days. I’ve been inspired by all the Springtime greenery about – the garden Lil Tot and I planted is beginning to sprout, I’m working on a number of DIYs I can’t wait to share with all of you soon, and I have a couple collaborations in the works that I’ll be rolling out in the next couple weeks! Exciting things are on the horizon…

So here are some links that have caught my eye this past week:

Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity

Wintergarden is a beautiful photoshoot done underwater with the talents of photographer Beth Mitchell and designer Begitta. Check it out!

Happiness graffiti and 8 ways to brighten your day from Oprah will have you smiling in an instant, no joke.

Feeling like you’ve lost that mojo? Check out 5 Ways to Stay Creative and be re-inspired!

Buy It: Shopping Picks

Is Brika.com the new curated alternative to Etsy? Their aesthetic is beautiful, and I’m loving every piece of jewelry made by this artist. Anything triangular is in my wheelhouse! (though that sounds like a contradiction in terms…)

I’m coveting these to add to my pants collection. The perfect blend of print and greenery – beachy and chic!

On first glance I thought this was a golden thong! Not quite as racy…or painful, guaranteed.;-)

On a totally different note, these shoes may just be the next generation of hologram. Dark and lovely indeed.

Make It: DIY

Prom is in the air, and these DIY Prom Ideas from Threadbanger should help you with putting those final touches on the perfect outfit.

DIY duo Limberlina are really cool. Check out their blog for some must-do projects!

This is an adorable McQueen Feather Peplum Tutorial from Youtube user Lookunderhere (skip to the 3:26 mark for the tute). I love it…even more with cruelty-free ostrich and turkey feathers from Etsy and Ebay.

Live It: Lifestyle

I’m obsessing over coconut oil lately, and this DIY Hair Conditioning Spray with Coconut Oil looks super-easy and so good for your hair.

I’d love to install a Mini-PC Floating Desk in my redone office. (Even though I’m on a Mac.) Super-chic.

This is so helpful: 4 Easy Ways to Tell if Clothing is Made Well from 24Savvy.

Get your FILL every Friday!

xo
Carly

Categories: Links of the Week

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Neon + White Shopping Picks

May 16

Neon + White Shopping Picks I’m quite obviously having a huge neon moment. Neon and brights seem to evoke the best of warm weather: sunny Summer days, lazy vacations, and fun. Neon looks especially fresh this 2013 by pairing it with white: a bright neutral to offset the eye-searing color pop. Here are a couple of my favorite pieces going into this season:

1. Flowing Sarong Trousers, $79.90 and Studded Clear Tote, $19.80 / 2. Power Play Blazer, $78 and Triangle Collar Necklace, $25.46 / 3. Jack by BB Dakota Intern of Honor Skirt, $40.99 and Santiago Neon Watch, $75

4. Chinese Laundry Joyride Ankle Cuff Heels, $93 and What a Sight Mini Skirt, $10.95 / 5. Caroline Baggi Neon Green Punky Bracelet, $85 6. Release Sunglasses in Wizard White Jade, $25 7. Aldo Bergeron Clutch, $40 and Factory Neon Stud Earrings, $16.50

How do you feel about neon? Too youthful, too crazy, too 80′s? Or can’t get enough? Let me know in the comments section!

Carly

Categories: Objects of Desire, Shopping Finds
Tags: neon

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DIY Healthy Natural Coconut Oil Stick Deodorant

May 15

DIY Healthy Natural Coconut Oil Stick Deodorant I ran out of my old deodorant awhile ago, and was wondering what to do about it. I had been hearing a lot about “natural” deodorants, and wondered if they worked any better than store-bought. With all-natural ingredients and no aluminum, they are undoubtedly better for you. I found some links to various recipes here, changed some ingredients to create a stick-type product, and decided to try my hand at making my own DIY version. Here’s how:

Recipe:… Read More—>

Categories: Beauty, Beauty Products, My DIYs, Recipes
Tags: deodorant

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West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo

May 14

West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event celebrating the release of Studio Choo‘s The Flower Recipe Book at West Elm in Portland’s Pearl District. at West Elm in Portland’s Pearl District. Leading the event were authors Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo, a renowned floral design studio in San Francisco. West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo They provided tons of tips and tricks for creating beautiful floral arrangements, including creating a bed of greenery at the mouth of the container for the larger flowers to sit on, cutting flowers so their heads would sit right at the container rim, and planning the arrangement around a few key blooms. West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo The wealth of greenery and gorgeous blooms available to us was breathtaking: enormous peonies, sweet pea, daisies, liliacs, ranunculus, and tulips dotted the benches at West Elm in a carpet of pinks and reds. West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo We all walked away with a beautiful arrangement we made, a West Elm container, a pair of shears, and a signed copy of the Flower Recipe Book from Jill and Alethea. It was a fun night of learning and a great way to DIY a floral centerpiece for my dining room table.

West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo If you’re interested in flower arranging at all and are looking for a lovely book to help guide you (as well as jam-packed full of breathtaking photos, a stunning coffee table book in its own right), The Flower Recipe Book provides over 40 step-by-step “recipes” to create your own perfect arrangement, as well as longevity tips and tricks and a host of unusual and tips and tricks to gorgeous arrangements.
West Elm Flower Recipe Book Event with Studio Choo

xo
Carly

Categories: Books, Events, Flowers
Tags: Flower Arranging, flowers, Studio Choo, The Flower Recipe Book

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Lookbook from Portland: The Portland Collection Fall 2013

May 13

Lookbook from Portland: The Portland Collection Fall 2013 What could be more iconic and representative of Portland than The Portland Collection, utilizing fabrics from Pendleton’s Northwest Mills? Produced entirely in the United States, the collection has been garnering acclaim since launching in 2011. The independent design team of Nathaniel Crissman, Rachel Turk, and John Blasioli created a Fall 2013 collection utilizing desert tones in solids, plaids, and three jacquards drawn from Pendleton archival blankets.

Lookbook from Portland: The Portland Collection Fall 2013

… Read More—>

Categories: Lookbook, Portland Designers
Tags: Pendleton, The Portland Collection

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7 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts to DIY

May 11

Mother’s Day 2013 is almost upon us…how are you doing for finding that perfect thing for that special woman in your life? Flowers, chocolate, a handmade card expressing love, even a thoughtful gesture can go a long way in showing her how much she’s appreciated! If you’re looking for something to give, here at the very, very last minute, are some Mother’s Day Gift ideas to DIY for that lovely lady:

DIY Vintage Photo Throw Pillow with Freezer Paper

Try using a treasured photo of Mom’s, family photos, or a snap of you + Mom together, for an extra-special way to preserve memories.

DIY Paper Gardenia Bouquet

Real flowers wilt and die…a bouquet of these will last forever! Love the Scrabble tiles anchoring the bouquet, adding a personalized touch.

DIY Geometric Paperweights

These are super-chic and can totally be customized for Mom with a coat or two of paint, glitter, or tape.

DIY Geometric Triangle Art

Or how about this pretty piece of Washi Tape Triangle Art for Mom? The end result is amazing and all you need is a little tape.

Pleated Tote Tutorial

This tote could be made in Mom’s favorite fabric (or even in fabric printed with family photos – see #1). Of course there are a ton of DIY Bag and Tote tutorials out there on the internet if you’re looking for a different style…this site offers a great roundup.

DIY Perfume Locket

Making perfume is surprisingly easy…and a solid perfume locket allows the wearer to carry it around all day, refreshing as needed. You can get all your supplies at your local natural foods store, and fill a locket…or a necklace vial…or a ring…or a compact case…the possibilities go on and on!

DIY Chevron Patterned Party Tray

Find a pretty fabric – and glue it to a tray for a whole new look. (You could even decoupage it with Mod Podge instead of using an acrylic sheet to make it permanent!)

(Hint: If you’re looking for a low- or no-cost alternative gift, Moms also really appreciate a meal made for the family by their partner, kids taken care of and put to bed, and a long, uninterrupted bubble bath all their own…without any little floaty toys or random kidparts and splashes in it. Just sayin.’

Do you have any favorite Mother’s Day projects to share? Add them in the comments section!

Hope you and all the mothers in your life enjoy a wonderful and relaxing Mother’s Day!

Carly

Categories: DIY, Gifts, Inspiration
Tags: Mother's Day

1 Comment

5.03.13 Outfit: Neon Vacation

May 8

5.03.13 Outfit: Neon Vacation

White S-Pro Titanium Necklace: Phiten. Neon chain-and-coin necklace: MOUSSY (from Japan), similar here. Faux druzy turquoise ring: Target, similar here. Neon LS shirt: Forever21, similar here. Casio Women’s White Whale Digital Sport Watch: Baby-G. Photo-print Bodycon Pencil Skirt: DIY (tutorial here). Hard-Sided Geometric Case: ASOS (similar here). Silver strappy sandals: Newport-News (old), similar here.

Call it SPRING Sandals · Nicole Miller Clutches · Max & Chloe Rings

5.03.13 Outfit: Neon Vacation The days are heating up here in Portland, and I’m dreaming of a big, scooping heap of Salt & Straw Blue Cheese & Pear ice cream.… Read More—>

Categories: Outfits

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Lookbook from Japan: Lily Brown Spring/Summer 2013

May 6

Lookbook from Japan: Lily Brown Spring/Summer 2013 Kicking off this new series for my blog called Lookbook from ____* is the amazing Japanese brand Lily Brown, that seemed to just spring up out of practically nowhere back in 2011 and was suddenly in multiple boutiques throughout Japan, offering uber-cute, affordable clothes with a unique twist. The brainchild of the fashion giant mash style lab (who also launched the ubiquitous Japanese brand snidel, as well as gelato pique and FRAY I.D). The Lily Brown girl is retro-feminine, and the Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook caters to that vintage whimsy.

Lookbook from Japan: Lily Brown Spring/Summer 2013 … Read More—>

Categories: Japanese Brands, Lookbook
Tags: Lily Brown

5 Comments

LAST DAY to Enter the ASOS.com $50 Voucher Giveaway!

May 5

LAST DAY to Enter the ASOS.com $50 Voucher Giveaway! The Entry Period for the giveaway is over at 12 PM EST TONIGHT so get those entries in while you still can!

Enter the $50 Voucher to ASOS.com Giveaway Now!

Good luck you guys!

xo
Carly

Edit 5/6/13: Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Categories: Announcements, Giveaways

0 Comments

5.3.13 F.I.L.L.: Friday: I Love Links

May 3

5.3.13 F.I.L.L.: Friday: I Love Links from Style Me Pretty, by KT Merry Photography

Welcome to the very first installment of F.I.L.L.: my FRIDAY: I Love Links list! (Well, I guess it’s really FILLL…?)

I used to do DIY Links of the Week Roundups, where I curated 8-10 links a week, only of DIY tutorials, from all over the web. I did it for 2 years, but stopped doing it this past September when I got too busy with my job.

But I still surf the web, and find amazing content that I’m just dying to share with all of you! (I’ve just been trying to figure out a better format in which to present it.)

So welcome to F.I.L.L., a new weekly roundup of great content, no longer just limited to DIY.

Dream It: Inspiration & Creativity

Needing a kickstart to your creativity? Try 7 Tips to Supercharge Your Creative Productivity.

I’ve just come across Style Me Pretty. Focusing on gorgeous photography and wedding inspo mostly, it regardless provides daily inspiration for all things beautiful and amazing. Where have you been all my life??!

Need some positive thinking and some beautiful typographic inspiration? Positive Inking to the rescue.

Buy It: Shopping Picks

I’ve fallen in love with Furbish Studio and all their chic offerings. These are just beautiful! Swoon.

I am obsessed with this neutral jacket. Topping off breezy Spring outfits, or even over just a bandeau top, it’s the perfect piece for transition weather. (You can also get free shipping to a US address til May 31 with code SOCLEAN50 for purchases $50 and above.)

M&J Trimming is offering discounts this month: 15% off spikes (with code SPIKES15), and 15% off ribbons (with code RIBBONS15). Valid til May 31.

Make It: DIY

Amy Anderson, the amazing crafty superwoman behind Mod Podge Rocks! and a previous Creatively Chic podcast guest, has launched a new blog: WashiTapeCrafts.com. If you love washi tape (and who doesn’t??), it’s a must-visit!

This DIY Sewn Pouf is the perfect accent to a stylish home.

If you haven’t tried them yet, Wordle and Tagxedo create beautiful typographic word clouds.