DIY INSPIRATION - JEWELED CLUTCH

Basic clutch + oversized jewels + glue gun = statement bag. Done and done. My prep for Sydney Fashion week has begun and I've been busy knocking up a few special pieces to wear while I'm there. Looking forward to sharing them with you!

Image: Jak & Jil

DIY PREDICTION: JIL SANDER PAPER LUNCH BAG

Even though no one asked, here's my prediction for 2012 - the most DIYed item will be the Jil Sander paper lunch bag. Much like the Jil Sander Market Bag (that looked pretty much like a plastic bag) - this lunch bag was seen at the Jil Sander Mens F/W12 show and is sure to be a hit with DIYers all around the world. Carrying your tuna sandwiches to work never looked so good - or is perhaps all of a sudden cool? Make it out of supple leather for a bag that won't disintegrate at the first sign of rain.

Image: here

DIY INSPIRATION - SASS & BIDE S/S12 ACCESSORIES

The Sass & Bide S/S12 collection has completely stolen my heart.  As  you probably know, it inspired my neon necklaces (here and here) and I was so happy to receive so many pics of your recreations as part of my reader DIY request (more on that shortly!).

This diamond clutch bag in neon patent leather with a chain wrist strap has been haunting me since I peeked at the accessories guide in store when I was in Brisbane. Lets just say it's in the works. I also have a few other S&B inspired pieces waiting to be finished - and don't worry, for those of you who are sick of neon I'm branching out, I promise! You can see the collection entitled 'Seekerstate' here.

Images: Harper's BAZAAR Aus

DIY INSPIRATION - BAG ON BAG

A trend I've been seeing everywhere for a while now is 'bag on bag'. Net-a-porter reported twin and sibling bags as being a key trend it in their recent magazine, and I saw this very cool multi-coloured triple bag over at The Blonde Salad. What's not to love? You could easily make your own by gluing a few different bags together! A mix of colours including neon would work perfectly.

DIY INSPIRATION - MARA HOFFMAN TASSEL TOTE

Tassels have been on my mind ever since moving to Hong Kong where you see them everywhere. I've got so many tassel projects planned I barely know where to start! This one I will save for a long wet weekend.

DIY NEON MARKET BAG

This project has been on my mind for a while and I've been searching high and low for the right raffia bag. I finally found one and got to work making the perfect colour blocked oversized market bag. Exactly what I needed for filling with fruit, veggies and flowers on my Sunday afternoon market run. Ok so I have to tell you - this project has to be one of my all time favourites.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TUTORIAL OVER AT HARPER'S BAZAAR

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TUTORIAL OVER AT HARPER'S BAZAAR

D I Y STREETSTYLE - #PFW

Fashion weeks sooo remind me of that movie Night At The Roxbury where Doug and Steve think that it would be better to have the outside of the nightclub on the inside and the inside on the outside. In the case of fashion week clearly what goes on outside the shows is just as important as what goes on inside on the catwalk. Very happy to see that there was DIY inspiration aplenty at the recent Paris Fashion Week!

Wrap your beanie with mesh lace for a Jil Sander inspired winter look.

Deconstruct a few shirts - sew the front of a khaki shirt onto the sides of a pattered shirt.

Cut rectangles out of a mini white dress

Swap the handle of your bag for some knotted neon climbing rope and linked up carabiners.

Cover a clutch in yellow fringe. Stud the shoulder strap of a handbag. Images: Tommy Ton for Style.com

BUY IT OR MAKE IT

1| Balmain Metallic Leather Skinnies. Buy It or Make It - spray old dark jeans with gold paint.

2| Isabel Marant Gown Cotton and Silk-blend Vest. Buy It or Make It - remove the sleeves of an oversized thrifted blazer.

3| Christian Louboutin Artemis Studded Python Shoulder Bag. Buy It or Make It - stud the shoulder strap of a snake print bag.

4| Amanda Wakely Leather Double Belt. Buy It or Make It - Layer two skinny belts.

5| Burberry Embellished Pocket Scarf. Buy It or Make It -  using a long wool scarf, fold over the ends and sew to create pockets for your hands and then embellished with beads.

6| PS1 Large Leather and Jacquard Satchel. Buy It or Make It - Embellish a leather bag with Kilim or Aztec fabric as done here by Rackk and Ruin. Oh did I mention that this is my dream handbag?

The Blue Fringed Bag

Another man repelling wardrobe item? You got it! I love this bag I bought in Thailand, but the bf and my brother were completely against it. Men. have. no. idea. Right?

Outfit - DIY rug skirt, blue tassel bag, AP&AS white silk singlet.

DIY Fur Chain Bag

This woof woof chain bag DIYed by the lovely chow of heart+bleeker has me all hot and sweaty. I HAVE to make my own - thrifted fur/fauxfur coat and a sewing machine? Check! Wayyy more cuddly than a tamagochi for those of you wanting a puppy as much as me.

Also, I know I have slowed down on posting inspiration pics recently - but have decided that my blog's not the same without a steady flow of Inspiration and other blogger DIYs. Stay tuned!

Favourite things...

When you live in the smallest apartment known to man (welcome to hong kong!) you need a few pretty things to keep you sane and make you smile.

Blogger DIYs

So I've been so busy making dresses and earrings and working on a few other little projects that I haven't had the time to post some of my favourite DIYs from other creative bloggers. Shame on me! I'm drawn to DIYs like a moth to a flame, so here are some of my favourites.
This gorgeous T strap bra by Ivania of Love Aesthetics is amazing and soo simple! Ivania also made a great wrap skirt using a grey marl long sleeved sweatshirt.

DIYs jewellery using fluro/nautical rope are very popular at the moment - with good reason! This one by Andy of Style Scrapbook is amazing. Being a rock climbing enthusiast it the clasp particularly appeals to me. Check it out here.

Another perfectly executed DIY by A Matter of Style - why buy (from Zara) when you can DIY should be my new motto.

Another great DIY clutch from the adorable MJ of Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres - made using a thrifted leather skirt. Perfect!

How amazing is this beaded collar from the lovely Alexandra of She is Red?

DIY Gold Pyramid Clutch

Loving this gold pyramid clutch DIY I found over at Oracle Fox. Its proof that the addition of really awesome fabric makes such a difference to such a simple design.

DIY Zipper Clutch

Life has been so hectic recently, and although I bought all the stuff to make my zipper clutch, I haven't had a chance to sit down and make it. Sob! Was very happy to see that the lovely Andy of Style Scrapbook has put up a tutorial here, and it really is so easy. Head over and check it out, and while you're there why not have a look at the AMAZING camera bag she has designed in collaboration with Kipling.  I really really want one.

DIY Square Leather Clutch

Now that I have a new sewing machine these oversized clutches are just some leather and a zip away. Started one tonight, can't wait to show you the finished product.

Images: Tommy Ton for Style.com, Facehunter, Facehunter, AfterDrk, Who Is Bobb Parris, Because I'm addicted.

DIY Paper Hermes Birkin

This is so amazing I hardly know what to say. The lovely blogger from A Matter of Style made this amazeballs birkin bag out of paper. She even went as far as to stitch the details on. I am in awe. She has a knack for mastering the most difficult looking DIYs. A true genius.

DIY On the Streets of NYFW

I have to say that style on the streets of the fashion weeks always inspires me to DIY soooo much, its always so much more quirky, real and do-able than what you see in magazine spreads and on the runway. Don't let the relaxed nonchalance of the subjects fool you though, these outfits didn't happen over night. What you are seeing is the culmination of hours of outfit planning. I've trawled the net for some up to the minute streetstyle DIY inspiration. Enjoy!

Wrap a very long length of black chain around your neck like this, amazing update to any outfit.

 Ok so this Celine clutch is beyond amazing, head to your local stationary store and find an oversized neon pencil case. In fact oversized pencil case style clutches have been all over the street in NY in a whole range of colours. Go for it.

 This has just got to the the most perfect jeans length. I Die! Or something like that... Anyway, this DIY is pretty straightforward, scissors, opposable thumbs, jeans, done.

Love these snuggly mittens, take a regular pair of wool mittens and sew/glue some faux fur fabric onto the front. Perfect for keeping the winter chills out.

Another oversized pencilcase you say? Why yes! This one has a black tassel attached, thats not too difficult is it.

Images: StreetFSN and Honestly WTF