Alright, so it’s been 3 weeks again, but my relaxing Summer has gotten oh-so-busy what with my mother visiting me, a trip to Arizona, and school and work taking up much of my time.  How about you guys?  Are you all gearing up for the coming Fall season and…gasp!…the various Fashion Weeks around the world?  Can it be that time again?  Before we head off to our various virtual fashionable destinations, let’s gear up with a little creativity along the way…

Love this easy DIY Macrame Tank by the girls of LipglossandBlack on Chictopia.  Perfect festival…or late-Summer…or Labor Day party wear!

BLDG 25 [the official blog of Free People] posted this Yoga Mat Bag DIY for all the yogaphiles out there who haven’t yet found the perfect bag to tote around the only necessary piece of equipment for classes.  Depending on the fabric you choose, the webbing for the handles, and the type of cord for the closure, you could make this totally boho or seriously luxe.  I love that it’s all up to you!

Oh, sheesh, the Internet is being silly again.  Lauren Conrad posted a DIY video on Youtube of her version of the ubiquitous “Bookshelf Box” (also available from many retailers in various forms for many, many years), which involved her buying new books, ripping out their pages, and gluing their spines to a box to create a concealed box that looks like a set of old tomes – and teh Interwebs rose up as one and denounced her.  (See full discussion and original DIY video on The Look on Today.)  Cool to destroy books in the name of DIY – or pure sacrilege?  An example of the uber-wealthy but brainless elite doing wasteful things – or an idea to re-use what a changing society no longer wants?  (Perhaps she should have just bought the book spines for her project from OriginalBooks.net and saved herself all this hullaballoo?)

Create your own DIY Blinged-Out La Sardinia Camera with Refinery29…which is basically another version of a Japanese-style deko-den (or “decorated cell phone,” though in this case it’s a decorated camera).  If you’re looking for Deko-Den design inspiration (that can really be applied to any hard-sided accessory you have utilizing the correct glue for your parts), 2 of my favorites are KiraKira Shouten, and the design collection on Matome Naver.  When it comes to stuffing as much junk onto your camera (or phone), it’s all about balance and quality!;-)

Because I’m Addicted posted these awesome DIY Leopard-Print Shorts‘ a little while back, but I think these are still totally on-trend and do-able for anything you got.  All you need is a sharpie, your stencil, and a little bit (or a lot) of patience..but it will pay off in the end.  Me-OW!

I just love the ingenuity of 2nd Funniest Thing‘s DIY Starfish Bracelet – using Fimo and a little bit of sculpting ability.  (With screwdrivers;-)  How amazing is her final creation?!  I’m just dying to try this out!

This Paint-Splattered Umbrella is just awesome.  So easy – but such a chic result – from Design for Mankind.  Who’s heading off in search of a translucent umbrella now in order to try this makeover??

Check out this Halter Top from a Shirt tutorial over at Wobisobi – it’s so goshdarn cute!  With just a little snippery – and some great choices for trims – you have yourself a perfect top for that late Summer barbecue or beach venture.

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

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!  (Original 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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Can you believe the month of July is almost over??  This Summer is just barrelling along!  While we’re undergoing a renovation at work (7-day workweek, anyone?;-) the rest of the blogosphere has been busy whipping up some fabulous projects.  Here are a few:

I love things that are visual and even though everyone’s gravitating to Pinterest these days, sometimes collaging is just as fun. Check out these DIY Polyvore Sets (remember Polyvore?) for some make-it-yourself inspo!

Did you know?  Cat Morley, from the amazing Cut Out + Keep tutorial site, is now Crafter to the Stars!  She sewed up a sequined cat-shaped fascinator for Audrey Kitching.  See the full tutorial here.

Check out a new DIY blog I discovered; Greenie Dresses for Less!  Lots of easy and cute DIY tutorials, like her Lace Edged Socks that add a bit of sweetness and whimsey to an otherwise standard pair of footwear.

I do love a man’s shirt makeover!  Try this DIY Men’s Shirt into a Cut-Out Dress upcycle from Chictopians Lipglossandblack, and get through the rest of Summer with a bit of buttoned-down style.

Need something easy and breezy for those super-hot days?  How about a DIY Maxi, from 10 Summer Perfect DIY Maxi Dresses, by All Women Stalk.  Love that geometric piece!

Short of Something posted a great tutorial for a pair of DIY Shorts with a sweet polka-dot pattern.  Fabric paint, a skewer, a ruler, and a little bit of patience is all you need for this makeover!

It’s about time someone DIY’d those vaguely Stylestalker-esque Grommet Leggings!  Trash to Couture‘s version is spot-on and uber-sexy.  Her handiwork is just amazing!

And, for all those low-backed tops and dresses that are probably already in heavy rotation in your Summer wardrobe…try this DIY 5 Minute Low-Back Bra tutorial from Tights and Tea.  No need to buy a different or convertible bra!

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

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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Rolling 3 weeks into 1, what with computer mishaps, being super-busy with work, and school projects seeming to take over my life.  But you guys have all been up to some fabulous DIYs, so let’s check them out!

I’m in love with these decked-out DIY Deko heels by Youtube user 01b0o!  How snazzy are they – and think of the possibilities of pattern and design with crystals on your shoes!

Though technically not a DIY tutorial blog, ReFashionista has posted daily for 366 days her refashions of ugly thrift store garments (and even – gasp! – her wedding dress).  Get some great ideas for refashioning, remaking, and upcycling your own way out of outdated hell.  (And for more inspiration, see New Dress a Day, who’s also currently doing the same thing!)

Chictopian Headbandit discusses the DIY Controversy: in short, DIY vs. knockoffs, and how fashion bloggers play who create DIY tutorials deal with it.  A must-read!

Did you know?  A piece of fabric + a bangle = endless cute dress combinations for Summer! Watch the video by Youtube user DWDShoes here.

Now, to get on with the t-shirt refashions…

Bust Magazine turns an oversized T into a racerback tank.   Reminds me of …love, Maegan‘s DIY Jersey Tank tutorial…hey, great minds, right?!

Speaking of DIY’ing your tee, why not try Refinery29‘s take on the DIY Cut-Out T-shirt?  Cool, breezy, and a little bit edgy, it looks fab over an outfit or as a beach cover-up…and I love how they offered up some styling possibilities too!

Revamp your basic white tee with Short of Something‘s tutorial on striped tie-dyeing.  I love the results – and all you need are binder clips, plastic wrap, and rubber bands!  Ingenious.

To round up my collection on T-shirt refashioning tutorials (seriously, it’s the Summer of T-shirt Recon!!), Rookie Mag posted their DIY Ruffled Tees tutorial as well.  Love the girliness of the finished piece!

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

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-

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