DIY SPIKED NECKLACE

Ok so you probably remember the spiked bracelet I made a few weeks ago (see here). After wearing it a few times and terrifying my friends and boyfriend that I would take an eye out whilst waving my arms around (as I do), I decided it was destined to become a new project. One that presents a little less risk to friends and family.  I love that with DIY you can just keep reinventing your projects. I made a necklace out of it - enjoy!

Click here to see the tutorial for this re-do over at Harper's BAZAAR

These pics are actually outtakes of a couple of shoots I did for Lane Crawford as part of the American Apparel pop up store. More on that shortly.

DIY studded shorts

The jeans I made these shorts of have a long and complicated life. I bought them six years ago, and wore them a lot at that time. Then, I let them down - I was such a bad friend.. However, I always kept them, and I recovered our friendship after a while and I started wearing them again. This was until the moment I decided to transform them in some badass ripped jeans. They absolutely rocked, btw! But.. I love change, so it was time to modify them again: in these studded jeans to be precise. Hope you like them!

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Shorts - DIY; Top - H&M; Bag - DIY; Jacket - Guess

The city trip

Visiting another city than your own is such a great thing to do, even when the relevant city is in your homecountry. However, I learned (by trial and error) that dressing comfortable is the most important thing when doing that. So I decided to style a really city-proof look. I hope you like it!

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Shorts - DIY; Shoes - Converse; Belt - Outfitters Nation; Top - Felicee;
Leather jacket - Guess; Leather bag - V&D

Celebrate life

I don't think something like being overdressed exists. Someone told me this once, and I totally agree with it: Life's a party, but you have to decorate it yourself. Perhaps I'm taking to decorate too literally in today's outfitpictures, but when I came home after finishing my last exam of the week a few hours earlier, I saw these amazing metallic baloons and I couldn't not take them with me when making pictures of my look of the day.

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DIY SPIKED HEELS

As soon as I saw the spiked heels in the recent MSGM AW12 collection (mentioned in my round up here) I knew I would have to have a go at making a version myself. I used a pair of blood red heels courtesy of Tony Bianco and spikes from Studs and Spikes - I love the way the colour accentuates the spikes.

You need
- 6 cone spikes 
- A pair of leather/ suede heels (these are Tony Bianco 'Karr')
- Dart Awl hole making tool (makes life way easier!)
- A screwdriver

How to
1. Look at the seam at the back of your heels and mark with pencil where you want the spikes to sit. You want the spikes to sit apart so that there isn't too much strain on the seam.
2. Using your hole making tool, push through the seam and wiggle to create a hole.
3. Push the screw through the hole, using a screwdriver to twist if it is difficult to get through.
4. Attach your spikes to the screw by twisting.
5. Use the screwdriver to tightly screw the studs on. Make sure the screws are flush with the leather so your the back of your heels don't get irritated.

Voila, all done! Simple right?

I think these dangerous looking heels look great paired with a more ladylike outfit like a lace skirt. Hope you like!

Keep your eyes peeled for more studding projects coming soon - let's just say I'm completely addicted. 

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DIY STUDDED DENIM CUT OFFS

Today I'm going to share with you a guest post from the lovely Julia of Free People. You may remember I posted about embellished denim cut offs a while ago, and so we decided to bring you a project you're all aching for - a tutorial for studded denim cut offs. Julia take it away!

I have been wanting to do this DIY for quite some time now, but with the current denim dressing feature on our website and studded trend I told you about yesterday, the stars all aligned and it finally came together this week! I’ve seen many ways to stud a pair of cutoffs or jeans, but the two images above, found on tumblr, really stood out to me. I love the subtlety of the triangle of studs on the cutoffs, and the torn back pocket folding over to reveal studs on the inside. The best part about this project is how easy and fun it is to do!

What you need: A pair of jeans or cutoffs (I used the fp denim cutoffs) and some studs of whatever shape or size you choose. You can find a variety of studs  on etsy  (or ofcourse studs and spikes).

I decided to use these little silver pyramid studs, and laid them out first on the shorts to make sure that’s where I wanted them.

I was able to poke the prongs of the stud right through the shorts very easily – then just press them down flat to hold the stud in place!

If you want to, you could also sew a piece of fabric over the studs, just to make them more comfortable against your skin.

I wish someone had warned me about how addicting studding can be… I now have the urge to stud all my clothing! 

Thanks Julia! I know that Free People have some studded  bits and pieces too if you are looking for inspiratio for your own studded project. And be sure to check out Free People's blog and keep an eye out for future DIY collabs. 

TREND: DIY DENIM CUT OFFS

Is it just me or are destroyed denim shorts where it's at right now? Ripped, studded, torn, bleached, dyed - it seems you don't have to scroll very far on instagram to see a legion of denim and stud clad bums. It seems everyone is trying their hand at making their own unique pair, and there really isn't any reason to hold back. I mean, who doesn't have an old pair of jeans in their cupboard that need some love?

To start, you use the tutorial I show you here to create the base for your project - a pair of perfectly shaped distressed cut offs. Then, go crazy with studs, paint, lace, fabric, dye (ombre of course!) and bleach to create your one-of-a-kind pair. Pair with thick tights, boots and a coat until summer lets you get your pins out uncovered!

 

Images: Jak & Jil, Pinterest, TFS

Glitter and glamour

Woaa, I think I'm one of the few bloggers who doesn't wear vintage that much. Actually, it was the first time I wore vintage last Sunday. I got a package with amazing items from Shoppalu, and I couldn't wait to try the first item for a special visit I scheduled on the last day of the week. When I write 'the first item' I'm referring to the grey top. I really like the fact it's decorated with pearls, which makes the top very unique (I think uniqueness is one of the advantages of vintage clothing). It's also perfect in combination with the black cardigan I wore before in my latest outfitpost. Both the cardi ánd the skirt are from the party collection of Outfitters Nation.

What do you think?

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Cardigan - Outfitters Nation, Skirt - Outfitters Nation, Top - Shoppalu