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Jason Wu Lace-trim Sweater available at Net-a-Porter.com

 I tend to label myself as a bit of a contradiction when it comes to fashion.  I love the edgy looks, but give me a little feminine lace and my knees will buckle with adoration. Wearing lace with an edge can certainly take a questionable turn when done incorrectly.  So, when I saw the looks from the Jason Wu collection that included a sweatshirt style sweater with lace trimmed sleeves,  I thought it was the perfect balance of casual and dramatic and I knew it was the perfect opportunity to test my DIY skills.

So here are a few steps to make your make your own Jason Wu inspired lace trimmed sweater

Here is a list of what you will need:

- a Raglan Sleeve Sweatshirt, Sweater or Tee. I chose a raglan sleeve so there would be less issues with the shoulder seam.I just purchased mine at Loft today so it is very new. It was availabe in 2 colors.

- Roughly 1 2/3 yards of lace trim (depending on the length of the sleeve of your garment). I used a 4″ wide double scalloped edge trim.

- Spray adhesive for Fabric.

- A scissors, a tape measure and straight pins and fabric marking chalk (if preferred).

 Step 1:

Cut the lace trim 1″ longer than the full sleeve length for each sleeve. Wearing my sweatshirt, I held the sleeve-length piece of trim at the top of the neckline, letting the trim fall straight down my left arm. Facing a mirror, I moved the lace into place so that it was in the area on the sleeve that would show the lace trim equally in front and back. I pinned the lace in place at top and at the bottom. 

- Do this for the right sleeve as well, keeping in mind to line up the scalloped edges so they “mirror” one another.

 Step 2:

Measure the distance from the raglan seam at the collar to the lace trim edge.  Make this measurement equal on both sleeves. Crisscross pins to keep lace in place

Do the same measurement at the cuff. Measure from the sleeve seam to the edge of the lace. Do this to both sleeves.  Crisscross pins to keep lace in place.

Make 2-3 more measurements up and down the sleeve so that the lace is in the same position on both sleeves.

Pin as you go along on both sides of the sleeves; keeping the lace as flat and taught as possible. Crisscross pins as needed.

Step 3:

In a well ventilated area (wear gloves and mask if needed), prepare for spray adhesive by choosing 1 sleeve. Cover rest of garment with a towel as needed to protect.

With 1 sleeve laying flat so lace is flat and in full view, unpin the lace trim at the neckline and along the edges, marking the edges of the lace placement with the pins or with fabric chalk. Leave pins at cuff so lace remains attached at one edge.  Pull back the lace onto another towel (it will still be attached at the cuff making it easy to lay back into place without having to touch the tacky adhesive. 

Spray the lace trim along the entire backside length, leaving about 1/4″ on each end clean and unsprayed  (I used a strip of tape along each end to stop the spray from adhering to the lace). Once the entire length of trim is sprayed, carefully press the lace trim onto the flat sleeve, lining up with your pins/chalk mark placement lines. Pat the lace down as you go with your gloved hands or a towel.  Pat gently along full length of lace to make sure it is completely adhered to the sleeve, especially at the collar seam and cuff seam edges. 

Leave the sleeve flat, checking it to make sure all the lace is adhering to the sleeve. Leave to dry.

Do the same thing on the opposite sleeve.

Step 4:

Remove all pins, trim the collar edge and cuff edges of the lace trim; leaving a bit for a raw edge look. Or trim close to the seam edge as possible for a cleaner edge.

 Let the entire garment dry in a ventilated area until all tackiness is gone and the adhesive is completely dry.

My finished Loft Sweatshirt with Lace Trim

 I promise to show some better outfit pics as soon as my photographer/husband is back from his business trip. In the meantime, here is me wearing my Lace Trim DIY project.  I love it!  What do you think?

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Jason Wu x Target Image *

After being obsessed by the fabulous look of the popular Designer iPhone covers from Marc Jacobs and Tibi, I decided that I couldn’t let my investment in a perfectly protective, albeit bland and white, Speck iPhone cover continue. 

An image was obviously necessary for me to stay on trend.  However, I am someone who likes to change things often (clothes, furniture, nailpolish, you name it) and I knew one great iPhone cover look would not satisfy me.  So, I decided to transform my iPhone cover using various photos that I could print and affix to the back of my cover myself.  And, an image I could change at will.

Here are the steps to DIY your own fashionable iPhone cover.

You will need:

-Sheets of Avery See through Ink Jet Labels

-A sharp scissors

-An Exacto knife

-A ball point pen

- computer images of your favorite pictures. I used images of my son, my personal Chanel stamp collection and a recent Jason Wu for Target sketch released by Target.

Here are the steps:

1. Size your images and print them on the see through labels. Size the final print size slightly larger than your actual iPhone.  Let printed image dry.

2. Place your iPhone on the top of the printed image and use the ball point pen to trace the outline of your phone on the back of the printed sheet. Cut out with scissors or your Exacto knife; careful to go slightly inside the line so it won’t be visable.

3. Peel  the backing off the image and place on the back of your iPhone cover (with phone removed). Place as desired so when you cut out the camera hole you won’t ruin the look of the image.

4. Once affixed, smooth label firmly. Using your Exacto Knife, make an “X” in the camera hole location and then glide the knife around the edges to remove the image from that area.

Place iPhone back into the case. Voila, you are now ready to show off your style, your inspiration or your beautiful child (the photo of my son in goggles makes people immediately smile – making it easy to take great photos).

When you are ready to to switch out the image, peel of the label and use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser to get off any residue.  Then affix a new image.

Keep in mind the label is not waterproof, but it will last a week or so. Have fun.

Finished project using an image of my Chanel stamps.

* I used the Target image for personal use only and to show the beauty of the project and how you can replicate the illustrative look. I do not encourage using images without permission. All other images I used were from my own collection of photos.

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A few weeks back I posted my love and my collecton of brooches. I also mentioned I was going to try the latest DIY idea of making my lovely, yet boring, custume pieces a bit more colorful. I chose not to go the paint route for this project, but instead went with my trusty Sharpie collection.  My young son actually helped me with some of the coloring, making me think it would be a fun idea for just about everyone (How cute would this be for a little girls Birthday Party Project!). I actually love the idea of DIY fashion projects with my children and have a couple more up my sleeve. Below is a group shot  of our  final product. I look forward to wearing them is Fall and Winter and I’m sure well into Spring and beyond.

 A couple of tips I want to share on this project will make you even happier about the Sharpie route versus paint or nailpolish; if you don’t like it, take some nail polish remover and a Q-tip, this will remove the marker colors from the “stones”.  So, if you change your mind, you can start over with a different color.  Also, I thought the black was a bit harsh on the top brooch so I did a soft swipe of the nailpolish over the black with a Q-tip to give it softer, more vintage look. I think I have some earring that would look amazing with this technique.

Also, the top brooch was actually purple and as you can see, I went right over them with the blue and lime green and you can’t even see the purple anymore. Even if you find a piece with colored stones, the Sharpie method will still work. Good Luck.

xo

c.

Here a few shots of the project from the beginning and part way through. Enjoy.

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One on-trend look this Fall that you can easily accomplish via  DIY (Do-It-Yourself) is the Ladylike look of a bow blouse.

Bow blouses have always been a favorite of mine because I am seriously addicted to scarves. It’s easy to accomplish a bow blouse with the use of a scarf; updating what you already have to make it feel new.

We are seeing lots of color this season and the use of a colorful scarf is the perfect opportunity to make a statement this Fall.

I’m taking a cue from the master of all things fashionable: Karl Lagerfeld.  Mr Lagerfeld once stated:

“You come first, the clothes later. Reinvent new combinations of what you already own. Be creative.”

I took his advice this morning with a sleeveless, black, bow blouse from Trina Turk (circa early 90′s).  I added a new Missoni x Target square scarf (this Erdem Jungle Print  at Barneys.com is perfect) for a bit of color and to really accentuate the bow blouse trend.  I love it and think it really freshens up a basic top that I have adored for years, but haven’t worn.

I’m not super girly (my friends call me a “fashion contradition”) so, I added this Streets Ahead studded belt and layers of necklaces to stay true to my own personal style.

What do you think?  Will you give this DIY a try?  Let me know.  I’d love to hear how you wore it.

xo

c.

Style Tip: Use a square scarf folded in a triangle and roll it into a long scarf, then tie into a bow. This will give it lots of volume and really show off all the colors.

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