Splashed dyed neon tights

Trying to brighten up a drizzly day with my neon tights. :)

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Tights - We Love Colors; T-shirt - Monki; Bag - Esprit; Jacket - River Island

DIY NEON YELLOW CAP TOE HEELS

Neon cap toe heels have been on my mind for a while, ever since I posted this.  I decided to have a go at making a pair as the second project in my ongoing collaboration with Tony Bianco.

You need:

A pair of rounded or pointed pumps (these are Tony Bianco 'Karr', which are a great everyday heel)

Masking tape

A paintbrush

White and neon yellow acrylic paints

How to: 
1. Tape off a cap toe at the front of the heels with masking tape.

2. Make sure to press hard on the edges of masking tape.

3. First do a coat of white paint. Let dry for a few hours.

4. Then do a couple of coats of yellow paint.

To remove the brush strokes which were quite pronounced on my suede heels, wait until the paint is semi dry, and then wet your fingers with water and smooth any lines. I found this made a huge different to the look of the cap toe.

5. To reduce the chances of the paint cracking when you take off the masking tape (this can happen when doing multiple layers of paint) and giving you a shaky line (nothing worse), rather than waiting until the paint is completely dry, I removed the tape when the paint was still a little moist and then put aside to dry overnight.

Et Voila! Such a simple update and bang on (neon) trend. Outfit pics to come - the weather has been horrendous in HK but as soon as the sun is shining I'll be getting a few pics in these babies.

Thanks Geri + Sophie for inspiring me to have a crack at the cap toe! Simple as can be.

Btw - do you follow me on bloglovin? Google friend connect is undergoing changes so it's a great time to sign up to another feed and start discovering more blogs! xx

READER DIYS - THE NEON NECKLACE

I can't explain how happy I am to have seen so many of your amazing DIYs recently. I've posted a few of them over at my Facebook page so you should definitely pop over and have a look. Couldn't help but post a few of  the super cool DIY neon necklaces you've done. I have to say I love all these different versions, you guys have inspired me to make some more! Feel free to check out the original projects if you're forgotten what they look like (here and here).

Some of these projects were sent to me via instagram by linking @apairandaspare on image posts - so if you do your own DIYs I'd love you to let me know about it. Happy DIYing!

Big big thanks to (top to bottom left to right): Hayley via instagam, Shades of Aquarius , my bloggable day, Lily Pad, Vintage Jumble Affair, The Albrecht , Style Alter, Hannah from The Daily Muse, Monica Rose, Lily Pad.

DIY INSPIRATION - NEON SHOES

Ok so neon seriously won't quit for me - and I think it's going to be pretty big this coming summer too, if the neon shoes I see everywhere are anything to go by. I've got my eye out for some neon leather paint as we speak...

Apologies for my ongoing addiction to anything neon, I swear this will fade some time soon...

Kurt Geiger, Opening Ceremony , Sass & Bide

Senso Agnes, Sass & Bide, Kurt Geiger

Diane Von Furstenberg, Lanvin, Stella McCartney

DIY ROKSANDA ILINCIC NEON BLOCK HEELS

You may remember a while ago I posted here about a pair of amazing neon block colour heels I spotted at a collection preview eveing, which turned out to be Nicholas Kirkwood for Roksanda Ilincic S/S12. How fricking cool are they? I knew that they were a prime candidate for a little bit of DIY action, and was so happy when a reader Katie let me know she had made a pair herself. How good!

You need:
A pair of block heels - Katie used a white faux leather pair that had a wooden block heel.
White and neon yellow spraypaint
Painted tape or masking tape

How to:
1. Tape the edges of the heel of the shoe so that none of the spray paint gets on the rest of the shoe.
2. Do a light coat of white spraypaint as the base and then follow with the neon yellow.
3. Leave to dry.
4. Remove the tape.

Done and done.

Thanks Katie!

DIY NEON CUFFS

To add to my series of DIYs using nought but a bottle of neon spraypaint (bag and necklace), I present a set of DIY neon cuffs inspired by none other than Sass & Bide (who else?). Double cuffs have been the arm party guests of choice for a while now, so why not wrap your wrists in neon? This is another one of those projects that is so simple you could do it with your eyes closed, and drunk. Hope you like - and aren't sick of seeing projects involving spraypaint!

This was my inspiration.

You need:
A set of cheap cuffs (you can use leather, plastic or metal)
Neon and white spraypaint (non-toxic!)

How to: 
1. Wipe your cuffs clean.
2. Lay on some scrap paper in a well ventilated space and spray with white. Do a number of light coats to fully cover.
3. Once the undercoat is dry, spray with neon yellow.
4. Leave to dry overnight.

Done!

Wearing: DIY neon cuffs, DIY distressed denim shorts, Nat-sui flats, Insight tribal printed bikini, raffia bag from bali, Karen Walker sunglasses.

DIY INSPIRATION - NEON EMBELLISHED JACKET

This would be so easy to do! And so perfect for spicing up a winter coat.

Image: Blond Salade

DIY INSPIRATION - NEON MITTENS

Ummm how flipping cool are these neon mittens? My  friend Anna of South Molton St Style made some inspired by these Purl Bee Paint Pail Mittens.

For her version Anna used the neon tote bag tutorial that I put up last week over at Harper's BAZAAR. The mix of neon and neutrals is so right and I'm so very happy to see neon transitioning into winter with ease. How cute would these look peeping out of your navy wool coat? Certainly puts an on-trend spin on the average and generally a bit naff mittens you see around the traps.

So happy that this project has led me to The Purl which is a knitting and craft website filled to the brim with amazing projects and brilliant photography. Book. Marked.

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

DIY GOES CELEBRITY

Thrilled to see this recreation of my neon necklace DIY project - done by none other than Monica Rose, stylist to the stars including the Kardashians. Once again DIY projects prove they can blend with and complement traditional high fashion! You can check out her blog post here.

Top image via Monica Rose

DIY TRENDS OF 2011 - YEAR IN REVIEW

The DIY 'year in review' post has to be one of my most enjoyable of the whole year to write. It's a chance to look back at the trends that inspired us – and to recap the best projects of the year. I'm posting this a little earlier than usual so that if there were any projects you didn’t get a chance to do, you can plan ahead for your holidays as a time to get seriously crafty. After all, Christmas is a time for family, for friends… and for spray painting the crap out of things, right? Oh and make sure to check out my post for 2010 to see how things have evolved.

Neon

Coming to a high note at the end of this year and sure to continue at full throttle well into next summer (thank you Sass & Bide SS12!) – neon DIY projects are the shiz-niz. The Cambridge Satchel Co brought florescent yellow and orange (previously best worn in vest form with a hard hat and steel toe boots) to the forefront for the hipsters, and those of us without the cash to splash on a new bag sought out a cheaper option. If you follow me you’ll know my addiction to getting crafty with neon spray paint is slightly out of control and I'm sure I've lost more than a few brain cells from spraying in unventilated spaces... Check out:

• Neon Collar Necklace
• Neon Pin Necklace
• Neon Necklace

Zip Clutches

Everyone was keen to be seen clutching over sized pencil cases this year - thanks to Celine and a host of other brands. Although American Apparel got on board selling a bank balance friendly version, DIYers everywhere knew we could make one for less. Check out:

• Yellow Clutch
• Gold Clutch

Arm Parties

Ok, so is there anything that Leandra of the Man Repeller says that doesn’t go viral? Aptly coining the trend of wearing a kilo of jewellery on your wrists an ‘Arm Party’, the look was very quickly seen on the streets and in magazines. Many thanks to Tommy Ton who seemed to be able to pick a editorial-worthy arm party on the street at 5 miles. A flurry of DIY arm party tutorials popped up in no time, including friendship bracelets, leather bracelets, rope bracelets, diamante bracelets, watches and cuffs. Never one to shy away from telling people what to do (feel for my poor harassed boyfriend!) I did a little HOW TO for putting together the perfect arm party. Check Out:

• Hex Nut Bracelet
• Scarf Watch
• Friendship Bracelets
• Bungee Cord Bracelets

Dip Bleached

As soon as I saw the Dries Van Noten A/W11 collection I knew that the dip bleached trend would be H-U-G-E with DIY fashionistas all around the world, and I wasn’t wrong. Probably because it’s so simple and cheap – who doesn’t have a bottle of bleach and a pair of old jeans lying around? This was one of the biggest trends of AW11, and it was so good to see such a range of different dip bleached items and looks attempted. Check out:

• Dip Bleached Jacket
• Dip Bleached Shorts
• Dip Bleached Jeans

Lace Embellished Sportswear

Is it just me or are designers purposefully choosing collections that are easy for us to emulate ourselves? The amazing lace embellished sportswear that came down the runway at the Jason Wu A/W11 show is one example of designs that appeal directly to cheap and cheerful DIY projects. And many of us got amongst it didn’t we? Adding back scalloped lace to jeans, tops, sweatshirts and just about everything else. To my utter surprise, Jason Wu even posted the lace embellished jeans I did on his Facebook page - you can imagine how happy I was to see a designer embracing a DIY project based on their collection. Check out:

• Jeans
• Sweatshirt
• Long Sleeved Tee

Jil Sander Brights

Another collection we all went ga-ga over was Jil Sander S/S11. Colour blocked maxis, white tees and the ubiquitous market bag worn to perfection, these looks filtered down to the high streets in a matter of days. But as usual, it took only a matter of seconds for DIY bloggers all over the world to make their own Jil Sander inspired creations. Check out:

• Pink Silk Maxi Skirt
• Orange Maxi Skirt
• Pink Market Bag

Glitter Shoes

Ok so unless you live under a rock (or this is the first time you’ve clicked on my blog) you'll know that everyone is mad about glitter. On feet of course. Glitter adorned hoofs bounded down the runway at the Miu Miu A/W11 show and promptly into the hearts of DIYers everywhere. Man, Miu Miu sure know how to start a DIY trend don’t they? The bird embellished collars were an epidemic in 2010! Probably because it’s so frickin easy to do, it seems we've all enjoyed getting amongst the glitter shoe trend – regardless of how difficult it is to rid your home of glitter once a project like this has been completed on your dining room table. Hands up if you’re still dusting glitter out of your bed? Check out:

• Glitter Heels
• Glitter Finished Boots
• Glitter Backed Boots

A Hint of Tribal

A huge number of collections over the last couple of seasons have had a Tribal/Aztec element to them – anything printed, colourful and full of texture is go in my books. And can we talk for a minute about the December Issue of Vogue Australia that paid tribute, in its entirety, to everything tribal? Burberry, Mara Hoffman, Carven, Sass & Bide, Missoni and a host of other designers mixed prints, colours and textures. What else were we to do than to have a go at making some tribal inspired projects ourselves? Check out:

• Raffia Collar Necklace
• Beaded Heels
• Tribal Necklace

Hardware Store Jewellery

Last but not least, bloggers all over the world decided this year that they would rather shop for accessories in their local hardware store than anywhere else, and set about making nuts and bolts into bracelets, rings and necklaces. What wasn't to love? Check out:

• Rings
• Bracelets

And there you have it! The best of the best DIY trends witnessed in 2011. This list of projects should keep you knee deep in craft during the Christmas holidays and well into 2012.

Please don't look at this list as a definitive overview of this years DIYs - amazing projects have been done on a weekly basis by DIY bloggers and websites all over the world but sadly I didn't have the time or the perserverance to include them all. If you are looking for more inspiration, make sure to click on the DIY Blog links in the right hand bar which will lead you to many many more amazing projects.

Images via: Myself, Honestly WTF, I Spy DIY, Style Hurricane, Because I'm Addicted, Style Scrapbook, Man Repeller, PS I Made This, Stop It Right Now, Chic Steals, Love Aesthetics, Le Fanciulle,  Lions, Tigers and Fashion Oh My.

DIY NEON NECKLACE

One thing I love about DIY projects is that they can be a continual work in progress. For me this is a (somewhat) sustainable answer to fast fashion - you can makeover an item a million times and get the satisfaction of having lots of different items, without the wastage. Two birds one stone as they say. This DIY necklace is an update to the white necklace project (seen here). A re-spray with neon spraypaint was all I needed to transform it into something entirely different. Hip hip horay for DIY!

You need:

Rhinestone necklace

Neon and white spray paint (non-toxic ofcourse)

How to:

1. Lay the necklace on some newspaper/magazine in a well ventilated area.

2. My necklace was obviously white from the previous project  so I just re-sprayed with neon. Do yours white and then neon for the neon to pop. Do a number of light coats, letting it dry for a few minutes in between so that the spray doesn't pool on the surface.

3. Leave to dry overnight.

All done! I can see this necklace going though a number of other tranformations in the next couple of months.

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DIY INSPIRATION - NEON BLOCK HEELS

Neon block heels, just do it! If you're hadn't noticed already neon spraypaint and I are besties.

Oh and my favourite colour combination is currently what you see above - crisp white and neon. Not very Autumny but I think Hong Kong forgot about the change of seasons... it was 32 degrees celsius yesterday.

DIY Neon No-time Watches

Found this super cute DIY recently when trawling the internet - thought it would be recent but turned out these neon no-time watches were whipped up in 2008 using thrifted mens watches... Trends being cyclical yadda yadda. Check out the DIY here. I think these would look amazing amongst a stacked arm of bracelets.