creative process.

Inside look at my creative process. for nail art. :)

diy. creme de le creme.

Found these online over the weekend and thought I'd make my own version!

Top: Zoe Karssen Crème de la Crème cotton-blend terry sweatshirt $160

via NET-A-PORTER

Bottom: Kate Spade Garance Dore studio pullover $128

via Kate Spade

I found my sweatshirt yesterday (from uniqlo $15) after all of my usual craft stores had closed, but I was by Washington Square Park, so I popped into New University Pen & Stationary, Inc. to see if they had iron on letters. They did, but not was I was looking for.  They did however have vinyl alphabet stickers, so I figured I would just make some stencils & hope for the best.

Supplies:

grey sweatshirt

painters tape

pouncer sponge

fabric paint

scissors

ruler

adhesive letters

Cut out all over the letters you need 

with as much room around the edges as you can manage 

& space everything out.

Tape everything down with painters tape. 

Anywhere that you don't want paint, tape it down.

I used a pouncer sponge and basically you just bounce it up and down.  

Since you are painting in this motion, your stencils shouldn't bleed.

Don't completely saturate the fabric either, use only as much paint as you need.

Ta Dah! I was really worried I would have some bleeding, but surprisingly I didn't.

I did have a happy little accident on the bottom C. Whoopsy. 

I forgot to cover that little spot of the stencil.

Before you wash it, make sure you heat set in the fabric paint by 

hitting it with an iron on the back side. 

Total time: 1 hour & 30 minutes.

Under $20.

(but I already had some supplies on hand)

image via Atlantic Pacific

everything's coming up roses.

This will be the first of many fun new prints.

I just bought a 25 plate pack of bundle monster nail plates from amazon.

Available HERE.

base: essie mint candy apple

flowers: teal from forever 21

diy. embroidered jeans.

inspiration.

Isabel Marant Renell embroidered Jeans originally $660

BDG Cigarette High-Rise embroidered jeans via urban outfitters $78

For the DIY::

1 pair of black skinny jeans (any will do) &

16 native american eagle patches (found on ebay)

Southwestern Totem Bird Embroidered Iron On Patch

available here for $2.27 per patch

total cost for patches $36.32

Pin down all of your patches & make sure everything is spaced out appropriately.  

I chose to sew mine horizontally (bottom to bottom) in four sets down each leg.  

But by all means, use your creative vision and do what you like.    

Next, use your iron and a pressing cloth to temporarily secure your patches.

Even though they are iron on, they aren't magic.  You're going to have to sew.

After everything is in place, tack stitch everything down. Especially the wings. 

Those will be the most inclined to curl up.  This process is pretty easy, but it's not quick.

Each patch took me 15 - 20 minutes.  I won't do the math for you, because it will definitely discourage you.  It's great TV work.  

PS. use a thimble.

embroidered bags à la dolce & gabbana.

I am LOVING these needlepoint / cross stitch bags by Dolce & Gabbana.

Their whole Fall Winter 2013 collection is amazing!  

Lots of over the top painterly floral prints, 

extravagant gold trim & tons of embroidery.

I obviously wanted one of these  gorgeous bags but they are approx. $1800. 

So naturally, I used my resources and took to the internet (eBay).

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana Fall Winter 2013 inspired,

find your own Needlepoint Bags for less... on eBay.

I found hundreds of vintage bags. 

Start searching for your own!

eBay: needle point bag

Etsy: needle point bag

Mine has not arrived just yet,

I will post pictures when it arrives.

I am patiently waiting.

image via SheFinds.com

arg. I can't remember where I snagged this from. :(

greek love. chobani soho.

It's finally happened!  

A non-frozen gourmet yogurt shop with the most delicious creations.

Up until about six months ago, I was under the impression that I didn't like yogurt, 

but after giving Chobani a try, I am hooked!  

I eat at least 2 a day.  It's like dessert that's good for you.

So naturally when I heard that Chobani was opening up shop, I was dying to try it.  

I went in this afternoon for a quick breakfast snack.  The staff there was so friendly and I was more then impressed with my selection.  I'm a sucker for fresh figs & honey (walnuts not so much) but I ordered it as is.  It was AMAZING!  Everything about it was to die for and it was only $4..  I'm definitely going back, and going back often.  

image via serious eats

Fig + Walnut

(Turkish Figs, Walnuts and Honey)

I only tried one, but have high hopes for the others.

images via Chobani Soho

image via serious eats

feminist ryan gosling gets a book deal [unauthorized]

Who doesn't get a kick out of the "hey girl" meme 

that originally gained momentum on F--k Yeah Ryan Gosling?

Apparently a lot of people are into it, 
because as of Tuesday it's been published,

in hardcover.

Feminist Ryan Gosling: Feminist Theory (as Imagined) from Your Favorite Sensitive Movie Dude

by University of Wisconsin women’s and gender studies major 

Danielle Henderson

This book has 120 full color pages of *swoon* Ryan Gosling, 

including some of the blogs most popular entries but best of all, 

more then half of the book is new material. 

Let's get excited ladies.

This book can be yours for only $10.36 on amazon.com

Also, if you haven't read this Dear Ryan Gosling article on Hello Giggles, 

it's pretty hilarious & def worth the read.

diamonds are forever. cintia dicker for wildfox.

IT-GIRL Cintia Dicker is E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!

She's become the coveted campaign girl that everyone lusts for. 

She's the face of everything from American Eagle to Sports Illustrated, 

from Victoria's Secret to Gap, she's definitely having a moment right now.

Here's her latest... Wildfox Swimwear 2013.

images via highsnobiety

pastel hair [still sticking around].

At the news stand Sunday evening, while picking up my weekly copy of Time Out New York, I was  skimming the pages of the September French Vogue.  I wasn't yet ready to drop $15.99 for a magazine, so I took it in quickly.  

One thing I was surprised to see was their page dedicated to pastel hair! Still I thought?  

I was under the impression that dip dyed, dunk it or cotton candy colored hair had been on the way out, but perhaps it deserves another look. 

image via not a lawyer maybe a blogger

Luckily since the trend has been hanging around for a bit, 

there are a few less then permanent options for the ladies who are unwilling to commit. 

But by far, the best temporary solution is chalk staining.  If you've been under a rock, here's are some pictures to refresh your memory.

 

color bug      -      chalk tutorial

image via l'atelier de le mode 

image via new york girl style 

 

image via lila boheme

image via lila boheme