Arrived in Tokyo!

Jun 16

Arrived in Tokyo! Arrived on the other side of the world yesterday and still getting acclimated. Day and night are reversed after a 10-hour flight, utterly confused by all the newfangled gadgets in my in-laws’ newly-renovated house, and completely unable to post anything marginally coherent on my blog. Finally figured out a cellphone connection so I’ll be Instagramming my trip over the next month- follow me on Instagram to see tons of #traveldiary photos of Tokyo, yummy eats, and uniquely Japanese products and locales. Above, top row: my in-laws’ new foyer and floral arrangements, a mini peach pineapple from Okinawa, a deodorant that acts like roll-on paint primer (!) to block any unwanted smells, roasted green tea and black bean ice cream, tempura shrimp carcass, a tempura master at Tenyu.

Follow along to get a daily window into Tokyo!

Follow Me on Instagram

Hopefully in a day or two I’ll resume posting as normal.

Carly

Categories: Announcements

2 Comments

Announcement: Changes Are in the Wind for Chic Steals

Jun 5

Announcement: Changes Are in the Wind for Chic Steals Hi all! Big changes are on their way here, so I just wanted to let all of you know what’s in store.

First: An entirely new logo + branding. I’ve been working on this awhile to create something that’s hopefully a little more reflective of the Chic Steals aesthetic.

Second: A whole re-design to the site. It’s amazing. And oh so chic. But it also means that things might look a little funky here and there, as I cull plugins and create re-directs and fit the content to the new design. The new design + logo is rolling out within the next 2 weeks, so stay tuned!

Third: New content and post series. Yes indeedy, I’ve been hard as work on some new (and hopefully interesting) content (and some of it you’ve seen already – including my new Monday Lookbook feature, F.I.L.L.: Friday I Love Links, and One Piece, Three Girls). Collaborations. Guest posts. Videos. More features of Portland. And I’m deleting old posts that don’t fit in with the new look and theme. But don’t worry – there will still be a ton of fashionable DIY’s and tutorials going forward!

Fourth: Better interaction. I’m upgrading a lot of things besides the site’s design, including moving soon to MailChimp for my newsletters (now with photos, yay!), and new strategies for Facebook + Twitter. Up until now I haven’t done a lot on either platform, but I’m figuring it out, and as a result, there will be more posting and more info on both of those networks coming in the next month.

Hope you guys like the new look to everything! As these new things come about, please feel free to give feedback~

Thanks so much for sticking with me so long, and welcome to the new!

xo
Carly

Categories: Announcements

2 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

2 Comments

Don’t Forget to Enter the DIY Couture Book Giveaway!

Apr 28

Dont Forget to Enter the DIY Couture Book Giveaway!

Last chance to enter, you guys!

I’m giving away TWO copies of this book, so you have double the chances of winning. But hurry – the giveaway ends tonight!

Enter to Win DIY Couture Now!

Carly

Categories: Announcements, Giveaways

1 Comment

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Feb 14

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

photo from my DIY Chocolate Erasers post from last year.

If you are celebrating V-Day this year…may it be a wonderful one! And even if you’re not celebrating it, may you have a lovely day regardless!

Carly

Categories: Announcements
Tags: Valentine's Day

0 Comments

Creatively Chic Podcast Episode 4: The Crafting Tool That Does EVERYTHING

Jan 29

image source

Ever wish for a craft supply that could just do it all – from home décor, to outdoor projects, to accessories and jewelry? Amy Anderson is an expert crafter and the ambassador for Mod Podge, the amazing all-in-one crafting product. (And the author of the book Mod Podge Rocks! Decoupage Your World.) In this podcast she shares how to incorporate this multipurpose item into your making repertoire and how it helps glue, finish, and seal all your projects. She also runs 5 websites devoted to making crafty things, including DecorHacks and Cookfail, and touches on how to start sharing your crafty creations and writing with an online audience.

You can hear the episode (for free!) from WebTalkRadio.net or iTunes. Listen to it here:

Listen to Creatively Chic Ep. 4: The Crafting Tool that Does EVERYTHING

The next episode airs February 11, so stay tuned!

Thanks so much to Amy for the wonderful and inspiring interview!

Thanks for listening and stay chic

Carly

Categories: Announcements, Creatively Chic Podcasts
Tags: Amy Anderson, Mod Podge

2 Comments

And the Winner of the $25 Gift Card from Caress Is…

Jan 28

And the Winner of the $25 Gift Card from Caress Is...

Entry #7: Elif

Congratulations!

The winner has already been contacted to get shipping info.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Carly

Categories: Announcements, Giveaways

0 Comments

Internet Connectivity Problems…

Jan 19

Just a quick note to let everyone know I’ve been experiencing major Internet problems the past couple days at home. I think we need to get a new router since the signal is just pitiful, and keeps cutting out. I’ve been trying to post that tutorial for the DIY Spike Beaded Choker since yesterday…and am still having problems.

I’ve resorted to using my phone for this post. Hopefully I can get to Starbucks tomorrow to post that tutorial since I’m sure you’re all dying to know!!

Thanks so much for your patience-

xo
Carly

Categories: Announcements

0 Comments

Meet My Newest Sponsor: 80/20 Jewelry!

Jan 15

Meet My Newest Sponsor: 80/20 Jewelry! I am so excited to announce to you my newest sponsor for January: 80/20!

Cristina Rose makes the most beautiful, on-trend neckwear and armwear out of high-quality gemstones. She works out of her studio in Brooklyn, NY, sourcing all materials locally. And her price points are super-affordable! The line is also sold at Art on Dean, Built in Brooklyn, Gowanus Girls, Brooklyn Night Bazaar, Williamsburg Fashion Weekend plus The Love US / Manufacture NY Holiday Shop.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from her shop:

Meet My Newest Sponsor: 80/20 Jewelry!

1. Peter Pan Collar Necklace in Black (also comes in white), $30 / 2. Spiked Rocker Necklace with Wood and Swarovski Crystal Beads (you can also choose a pink bead instead of purple), $38 / 3. Uncut Crystal Quartz Necklace, $40 / 4. Asymmetrical Amethyst Necklace with Hexagonal Bead and Copper, $37

Besides sponsoring Chic Steals for the month of January, she is also offering a discount code to all my wonderful readers:

15% off any piece until February 10

Use discount code 15OFF8020 at checkout

Cristina Rose kindly sent me a necklace to style in an outfit…check back later this week to see one of her pretties in action!

Visit 80/20 on Etsy

And if any of you are interested in sponsoring Chic Steals, there are still sponsorships open for this month. If you are a seller of DIY supplies, crafty goods, sewing books, jewelry, clothing, beauty products, or home wares that are chic, affordable, and on-trend, then you would be a perfect fit for my readers! You can purchase an ad here on my site through Passionfruit’s integrated ad system, or email me if you’d like more information, including current stats. Thank you!

xo
Carly

Categories: Announcements, Sponsors

0 Comments

Creatively Chic Podcast Episode 3: The Importance of a Crafting Community

Jan 14

photo source

The benefits of a community of like-minded thinkers can be enormous. You can find inspiration and help, guidance and support, ideas and even new friends by spending time with people who love the same things you do. Cat Morley and Tom Waddington founded the mega-craft tutorial-sharing site CutOutandKeep.net back in 2007, which now hosts over 58,000 tutorials and 140,000 members. Join our chat as we talk about creative inspiration, community-building, Cut Out + Keep’s resident superhero Crafterella, and getting your craft on.

You can hear the episode (for free!) from WebTalkRadio.net or iTunes. Listen to it here:

Listen to Creatively Chic Ep. 3: The Importance of a Crafting Community

The next episode airs January 28, so stay tuned!

Thanks so much to Cat and Tom, who’ve been such a huge source of inspiration to so many people!

Thanks for listening and stay chic

Carly

Categories: Announcements, Cool Sites, Creatively Chic Podcasts
Tags: community, crafting, CutOutandKeep

0 Comments

Category Archives: Announcements

Entry #7: Elif

15% off any piece until February 10

Use discount code 15OFF8020 at checkout