DIY: Playsuit to top

I bought a really cool leopard print playsuit last year from H&M but I just didn't wear it. It was super short so you had to wear leggings and I am currently trying to avoid leggings so I decided to give it away.

I offered it to my big sister who thought it was a top then TA-DA, magical idea... so I turned it into a top!

Chop off the bottom and sew along the seams in a straight line. Easy as pie. What do ya think?

How to: 6 rings in 6 minutes

After making my first button ring a while back I've wanted to make a lot more and this morning I did. Here is the result:

I made these in a matter of minutes, so simple and great results.

First you need the ring bases, I bought 20 from eBay for less than £3. Then you need some things to put on top. I had 2 rings, a pink one and a leopard print one, 2 matching blue plastic beads, a bead/button that fell off my Desigual bag and I made a bow from some green ribbon.

All you need to do is superglue the tops to the bases. That is it. Simples. I made sure that the 2 blue beads were glued on in different directions so I had 2 completely different rings. The most expensive ring I here is less than £3.50, not too shabby I don't think!

See the full gallery on Posterous

 

 

 

 

Which is your favourite? I'm currently rocking the ribbon as it matches my green jumper. I love matchy matchiness!

 

DIY: Button ring

A few weeks ago I realised that most of the rings I lusted after were ridiculously expensive and I was sure I could do something cheaper. I bulk bought some ring bases from eBay and looked for inspiration. First up button rings. If you have a ring base, these are the easiest things to make, all you have to do is superglue buttons to the ring base. No joke, a 30 second job. 

I'm going to raid charity shops for some cheap buttons for some more exciting buttons but check out my first attempt:

Not too bad I don't think. I'll be playing with more designs, also going to buy some cheap stud earrings for the same effect so I'll keep you updated!

How To: Nailease

Yep, I'm afraid it's another nail post. I do love updating my nails and I've been meaning to do this post for ages so here it finally is.

First up, check out these nails... how awesome are they??

See the full gallery on Posterous

Well this is another one of my little tricks, no need to be a nail artist, you just need a cheat and this one is Nailease. 

These are super quick and easy, the step by step really is as easy as it says on the website:

 

1. Select the size that fits your nail and pull away gently from the full strip
2. Gently remove clear film from top of nail sticker then gently remove clear from bottom of nail sticker holding the silver strip
3. Hold nail sticker by the silver strip and place the rounded side at nail base sticky side down.Note: you can gently pull off and reposition without damaging the strip
4. Firmly smooth the nail surface until wrinkle free. Note: you can gently stretch vertically and horizontally for a wrinkle free surface
5. Fold the excess of the nail strip under the nail. Then gently file off the excess in a downward motion.

That really is it, in fact it is even easier that it seems. I love these and I will be stocking up as soon as their new collection is out I will be taking advantage of the free delivery when you buy 3 pack.

 

Painting

I got a little bored the other night and decided to get my creativity back. I took everything I love; painting, colours and animal print and decided to put them all together.

My first canvas is a purple and blue zebra print. I absolutely love how this turned out. I was surprised at how good it looked.

The second one is a leopard print in pinks with a pale blue background. I am not 100% sure about this one but it is definitely growing on me.

I want to do more of these but I think the leopard print one needs some work if I do another one. I think if I could my life would be filled with animal print and this is another way to get a little more of it. They are currently pride of place on my wall.

What do you think? What other colours would do you think I should do?

Project 365 - Day 93 Part 2 (15/05/10)

Day 93 Part 2: So at last a picture of the dress me and my Mum made. I love it so much and it was perfect for the Summer Ball last night. I felt like a Princess.

Accessorised with Debenhams pink ruffle shoes, pale pink Asos belt, New Look bag, Peacocks earrings and H&M flower in the hair.

Expect to see more of this gorgeous dress.

Much love

Shoes shoes shoes

As some of you may know my Mum and I have been making a dress which I have decided to wear to my university Summer Ball in a few weeks.

As the dress is so summery and bright I have been on the hunt for shoes as I seem to only own black shoes which I think would look a little too heavy.

I have been through all the shops and shoes do not appear to fit me, I have shrunk by half a shoe size which is very difficult. I also wanted pink shoes to go with the pattern on my dress.

I eventually landed online at Asos as their new free delivery was too tempting. I found 2 pairs of shoes I love but am sadly probably going to have to return them.

This pair were only £15 and are very pretty. They are a very similar colour of the underskirt that is going with my skirt which is why I got them. I am a little undecided on them as they are so very high heeled and the heel is skinnier than I am used to so not sure how long I would last dancing in them. They may be a possibility though.

These were more expensive and were still only £40 which isn't too bad. I love love love these. I found the ankle strap a little sore and annoying though which is why it is off in the second picture. I particularly love the little flowers on the side, so cute and add that little something different. They would go great with the '50s style of the dress. They are pinkier in person, less nude coloured but still very light which makes them quite neutral, good for my a colourful dress like mine. These definitely have to go back though as I don't like the ankle strap and when it is off my feet slip out. Other than that they are PERFECT. Such a pity but nevermind.

Keep an eye out for hopefully another more successful buy. Or I may keep the first pair, I will see. I love shoes, wish I had an excuse to keep pairs that I don't wear.

Project 365 - Day 64 (15/04/10)

Day 64: A little colder today than it has been hence the multiple layers.

Faith boots, grey socks, leggings, denim shorts I've made, Primark t-shirt, H&M cardigan, leather jacket, Mum's scarf and Turkish earrings.

It's supposed to warm up again tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that.

Much love

My Favourites

Project 365 reached the end of its second month a few days ago so I'm going to pick my favourite outfit from month 1 and month 2 and see if you agree.

Month 1:

I chose my Day 10 evening outfit as I love all the parts separately and I love them even more together. My red dress is so versatile and can be worn with anything but I think the black tights, gladiator heels and leather jacket make it edgy not just classic. The black clutch with the pink flower really makes it a little less boring and the blue earrings and necklace add a statement that I always love to do. If I went out more often this would be a look more regularly seen.

Month 2:

For the second month I chose my outfit from Day 36 which was for going to a lecture. I loved it as it was dressed down but still made a bit of an impact and wasn't boring. I love my leather jacket as well which helps. The top is one I made and have worn it as a dress so always love things I make a little bit more. I was surprised it looked as casual as it did so think I can make things more versatile in my wardrobe. I will probably be wearing this outfit again in the not to distant future.

So what do you think of my choices? Do you think they are my best two outfits of the first 60 days of Project 365?

Making a dress...

As I said on my post yesterday I have been making a dress. Many reasons why I decided to do this but I'm pleased I am. Me and Mum have been working very hard yesterday and today and hopefully we will be finished tomorrow. But for now, here is sneak peak.

I already do not want to take it off, it makes me feel so glamorous. It's a 50's style dress and makes me feel like a mixture of Doris Day and Marilyn Monroe, two personal style idols.

I fell in love with the fabric straight away and when I bought it the cashier asked if I was making a 50s dress, I obviously got the right vibe from the fabric.

This picture only shows a little of the dress and does not show it off so keep an open mind for the finished product.

I've learned so much doing this dress; how to properly sew darts, gather a skirt, make an underskirt but mainly that pretty much every mistake can be repaired pretty easily when dressmaking.

Looking forward to showing you the final product. Watch out for it. Should be loverly I think.

Project 365 - Day 58 (09/04/10)

Day 58: Couldn't get to my computer in time so sent this picture before midnight and am filling it in just after so it still counts ;)

Had a busy day, I'm making a dress. Hopefully I'll be able to show you it soon. It should look gorgeous. Lots of colour & floral pattern of course, it is me after all. I'll be keeping you all posted.

Back to what I'm wearing; brown Faith boots, leggings, orange Miss Selfridge skirt, Primark "Tutti Frutti" t-shirt, New Look leather jacket and Mum's scarf.

Off to bed now, sleep tight all

Much love

Project 365 - Day 57 (08/04/10)

Day 57: Ahhhhh I love the weather today! AMAZING!! I walked out with my flowery blazer on and had to take it off and replace it with my cardigan as it was too warm, this is actually awesome!!

So today I wore pumps (not in picture, NO socks, leggings, a one shouldered dress that I cut the sleeve off, red belt, H&M necklace, New Look cardigan and gold earrings. I am so happy but shocked by how much black I am wearing.

More colour tomorrow me thinks.

Much love

P.S. Rubbish picture quality today sorry.

Project 365 - Day 56 (07/04/10)

Day 56: I thought I'd show you my outfit with my jacket on and off as this top has cool sleeves, today it has been worn by my mum, my big sister and me today. Not as gross as it sounds, mum bought it and put it on but didn't like it so gave it to my sister who tried it on (it looked lovely on her) and then I tried it on for fun so she let me where it out for an evening at my friends as what I was during the was covered in fishcakes (I make a mean fishcake but I'm messy!). I think it's a fun top and it looked lovely on my mum and my sister, it has a touch of the '70s about it which is always good.

The rest of my outfit: brown Faith boots, leggings, shorts I made, top already explained (I think it's from Sainsbury's), New Look floral jacket, long necklace (a present so no idea where its from) and earrings from Turkey.

I like this look today, colourful and fun but surprisingly flattering.

Well I'm off to bed...at last.

Much love

Project 365 - Day 51 (02/04/10)

Day 51: Another super busy day; made fish pie (for the first time) for 11, then made lots of cakes (they're pretty!) and did some babysitting tonight.

Due to the first two activities my top is covered in a mixture of food products but ah well, its a busy but productive day. And you can't see that it's dirty in this picture so it technically doesn't count.

Wearing blue tights, shorts I made, blue vest top & pink H&M cardigan.

I'm enjoying the beginning of the long weekend and three more days to go. WOOHOO!!

Much love

Project 365 - Day 36 (18/03/10)

Day 36: I've had one of those days where whatever you wear is annoying or ugly or uncomfortable. It took me ages to get ready, very annoying. Due to this I am wearing what I plan to walk out the door in, which I do not usually do when I have hours before I have to leave.

Brown Faith boots, leggings, shorts I made, top (which I have worn as a dress) that I made, New Look fake leather jacket, gorgeous earrings from my lovely friend Flick and an orange H&M flower in my hair. I love the earrings so gave you a close up.

I hope the weather stays warm, otherwise I'll have to alter my outfit when I go to my lecture.

Oh icey blue nail varnish today.

Much love

Project 365 - Day 29 (11/03/10)

Day 29: I feel really 'bleurgh' (technical term obviously) today so decided to cheer myself by giving myself them morning off work and by dressing up nice for my lecture this afternoon.

Wearing my turquoise tights, orange & black skirt (more about that below), Primark t-shirt, New Look cardigan, H&M blue flower (lovely Christmas present) and I'm even wearing make-up today. I haven't had a chance to dress up nice for a few weeks so its nice to do so now.

Now the skirt: this was a Gold by Giles Deacon dress (from New Look a few years ago) and I turned it into a skirt. I love this pattern and colour and everything, its so much fun and I do like that I can now wear it a bit more dressed down than what it was like before.

I feel much happier being dressed up, it looks cold outside though so I'm not looking forward to venturing out.

Wish me luck

Much love

Project 365 - Day 21 (03/03/10)

Day 21: Sorry its late today, had a busy day with errands and lectures, better late than never though.

An interesting outfit today, grey socks, leggings, shorts I made the other night, green long sleeved top and a really cool yellow top.

This top was a present from my Mum when my parents went to France last summer. It's really nice and of course so very colourful and patterned. It had an elasticated end but I tried it on today and felt like it looked really strange so I cut the elastic out to make it more flowy and floaty which I really like. It feels so very summery :) It's got big pockets on as well which I love on clothes.

Tonight I'm having a PJ night with friends so I'm gonna try and get some pics of comfy, slouchy PJs for a post tomorrow. Comfy PJs are the best :)

Much love

Look what I just made

This is obviously the only thing to do on a Monday at 11pm - make a pair of shorts. I was bored and have been meaning to do this for weeks after I wore these jeans to a lecture and realised they were too short due to my rubbish washing skills - I have lost many an item of clothing to this.

Not a great pic and where my legs look weirdly ballooned by the shorts (which they didn't actually look in the mirror) but it shows 'em anyway. I literally just cut the legs off in a (very uneven line) and rolled them the hem up twice. Easy as pie.

I like doing this and wish I had a sewing machine up here to play with more stuff! Though I would probably fail my degree...why didn't I do fashion design or dressmaking? Ah well!

Project 365 - Day 15 (25/02/10)

Day 15: For some reason I look like I'm peering over the camera in this. I'm pretty sure I wasn't...

Anyway, this cardigan thing is great, it was from www.boohoo.com and has lots of cows and trees and stuff on - it's fun. I made this skirt about 4 years ago from a pair of jeans that shrunk in the wash and got too short, it's something I wear quite a lot as its so very comfortable. My blue tights that are also very comfortable and very thick.

Having a comfortable day today as I'm sure you can tell by the excessive use of the word in this post.

Much love

Project 365 - Day 14 (24/02/10)

Day 14: First things first, a long Distance HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big sis :)

I love birthdays, especially in my family so always hate being away!

Today's outfit is an attempt to coax out the spring weather from wherever it is, however I also had to be practical *sad face*.

My top is a summer favourite, from Dorothy Perkins, about 3 years old. Purple cardigan of course, shorts that I made and pink tights. These tights are colourful but are also my thickest pair so I won't freeze once I head out to my lecture.

Hope you all have a colourful day, if enough of us do it then maybe spring will decide to come out!

Much love