DIY ~ Straw Clutch + Giveaway!

Hi lovelies!  I've got a fun, springy easy DIY for you today - a straw clutch!  You can customize them any way you'd like, I made three different ones to show you some of the endless possibilities.  And you'll never guess the inexpensive item they're made from!  {Click to keep reading!}

DIY ~ Coachella Flowered Purse

Hi lovelies!  As promised, here's my second Coachella DIY for you!  This is a fun flowered purse.  It's over the top, but a total attention getter, and is incredibly fun!  Besides, it's super easy to make and inexpensive as well :)  {Click for the how-to}

Some of My Favorite Things

Happy Friday, lovelies!  I've been running errands and hanging out with my bf's mom the last couple days, and just enjoying relaxing.  I suppose there are bright sides to being laid off work; you have more time to do things and relax!  Anyhow, I wanted to share some of my recent favorite things with you!  {Click to keep reading!}

DIY Bottega Veneta Inspired Woven Clutch

Hey lovelies!  Today's DIY is inspired by the gorgeous Bottega Veneta woven clutches.  Ahhh they're so gorgeous and the leather is so supple.  Yet at about $1,500 I think I'll pass!  I picked up this red clutch at Walmart for less than $5 and spent about $10 on ribbon (I used 2 spools of the ribbon to create the woven pattern, so plan accordingly).  So, for 1% of the cost, I give you my Bottega Beneta inspired woven clutch:

{Steps after the jump}

DIY: M Z Wallace Inspired Striped and Sequined Canvas Tote

When I saw this M Z Wallace bag in the June People Style Watch, I died.  I wanted and *needed* it so badly.  But I knew that it was something I could easily DIY....

I got a large canvas tote at Joann's for $4 and 3 yards of 1.5 inch wide stretch sequin trim, at $5 a yard.  I had Liquid Stitch on hand, and the only other thing I needed was tape and scissors.  Before you cut the trim, wrap tape around the area to be cut first.  This helps hold everything in place.  I've never sewn sequins before, by hand or machine, and I did not want to ruin the trim so I decided to use Liquid Stitch instead, and it's worked perfectly!

I applied the Liquid Stitch in a zig zag fashion, since this is elastic and out of habit I felt it would allow for more 'give' this way.  I wrapped the trim around, making a band that went all the way around the bag.  Repeating this twice more and the bag was complete!  (Let it dry overnight!)

And here's the finished product!  I had only let it dry for a couple hours and didn't want to ruin it, so I didn't really open it up and put stuff in it to style it more like the M Z Wallace one.  But, for a fraction of the cost, I think my creation is pretty spot on! 

xxooxoxo

Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 29 ~ Satin Striped Canvas Bag

For $4, I have a cute new striped tote for spring!  I used a satin ribbon belt with a flower attached, and a tote from Joann's for $4, along with some Liquid Stitch, and I have an awesome tote!  I've been wanting to try out Liquid Stitch for a while now, and I'm really pleased with the results. 

My supplies.  I first detached the flower from the belt.

And laid out the ribbon.  One side of it was a matte finish and one side had a shiny finish.  I decided to do two stripes matte and one shiny.  I put the glue on the ribbon, and pressed it firmly down.  When I went all the way around, I snipped the excess and put extra Liquid Stitch on the end.

Almost halfway done!  

I really like the noticeable difference in the matte/shiny stripes.  I also glued the flower below one handle, I thought it made the perfect finishing touch.  This took about 10 minutes, plus the recommended 24 hours to dry thoroughly, and is so rad!  What do you think my ladies?

xxooxoxo

Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 9 ~ Kate Spade Hello Sunshine Inspired Neon Trim Straw Tote

So this took a little longer than I expected, sorry for posting so late!  When I saw the Kate Spade Hello Sunshine straw tote, I wanted to make it sooo bad, but I didn't want it to be an overt 'copy' of it.  I was inspired by it and immediately thought of a design, using some neon rope I had recently bought at Home Depot.  I picked up the plain, bright pink lined tote at Target for $2.50!!

Materials:

• Plain straw tote
• Neon rope (I've used two different kinds, the design is up to you!)
• Glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Scissors 

Take the rope to make the dots with and coil it two or three times around itself.  Holding that, use your glue gun and put a nickel size squiggle of glue on the bag.  Place the mini coil on the glue, and now add more glue, and keep coiling until your dot has reached the desired size.  Make sure to really glue the frayed ends, so that they don't get out of control.  I also used the tip of the glue gun to push the end against the coil.

Here's one finished dot!  I did all of them different sizes and scattered them randomly all over the bag.

Here you can see the different sizes.  Repeat over and over until you have the coverage you want.

This step is optional, but I really don't like the scratchy handles, so I wanted to cover them too.  I took this neon pink and white rope and glued and wrapped it around the handle.  I glued every inch of it down, since this being on the handle it could easily come dislodged. 

And here's the final product!  It took a while, but it is so worth it.  I can think of countless outfits I can accessorize with this and cannot wait to start rocking it!  What do you think?  If you make it, let me know and send pics!

xxooxoxo
Lia

DIY *Link Love*

Some amazingly talented ladies have been putting together some pretty incredible DIY's recently!  I am so enamoured with some of them that I felt the compelling urge to start doing a *Link Love* weekly post!

The uber creative Maya of Soccer Mom Style posted this amazing tutorial of her DIY inspired by Chanel's Ice Cube Clutch.  I'm in love with it.  Must make this.  Not only did she make the clutch, she made a matching ring as well as an ice box clutch shaped to look like a bottle of Chanel No. 5!

Jessica from What I Wore had two DIYs that I am itching to try.

First, she showed us how she made some adorable white striped sunnies.  So simple!

My next fave is her Denim Wedge DIY.  I just need to find some wedge sandles in need of a facelift now :)

The lovely Alicia from Dismount Creative made a TO.  DIE.  FOR. leather bracelet.  She did such an amazing job and I love it!

Alicia also made a Dollhouse Chair Jewelry Tree to rival that of  inspired by one from Urban Outfitters.  I am going to Hobby Lobby to get the supplies and make my own this week, stay tuned!

I hope you all love these projects as much as I do!  If you have a project you would like included in the next *Link Love* please send me an email :)

xxooxoxo
Lia

Makeover Your Purse, Don't Throw it Away!

I found this purse at a thrift shop a while back for $1.  I thought I'd use it as a clutch, but I recently noticed that there were two loops on either side, where a strap used to be attached.  Now if you have a regular clutch, you could sew two loops on the sides (on the inside) using elastic or some other heavier material.  Otherwise, remove the current strap, leaving the two loops. 

Materials needed:

• Purse, as mentioned above
• Two very large jump rings
• Carabiner clips.  I used 7 large ones, as I just wanted a short strap made of large clips.

Attach a jump ring to each loop of your purse.  With rings this large, I used my fingers to open and close them.

Clip your carabiner clips together, in a pattern you want.  I stayed in the blue/green theme to go with the purse.  Clip the end carabiner clips to each jump ring.  Et voila!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Wear it and love it!

 

The best thing about this?  You now have a completely unique purse that you can be assured no one else has!  Switch up the colors, the length, the size of the strap by using different clips!  The large clips are 99 cents at Home Depot, I'm not sure of the smaller ones.  You could most likely buy them in bulk online for cheap!  If you try this, please send me a pic!  I'd love to see what you come up with!
xxooxoxo
Lia

Thrifting Haul

Last weekend I did some amazing thrifting.  Here are my fashion scores I found, I'm super stoked!  Now I just need to find more skirts, I guess I'll have to go to some more stores this weekend!

This blazer is unbelievable.  I'm so in love with it, not quite sure about the shoulder pads, but I'm kinda liking them.  It's so lightweight it's perfect for spring!  $5.

I fell in love with the print on this blouse, it's pretty loud and bright and obnoxious, which is so me!  It's a little matronly when I put it on.  I may DIY something to it, I may leave it as it is.  $4.

I thought this was so beautiful with the lace trim.  It's rather dressy, which makes me want to instead wear it with jeans and flip flops :)  I love wearing something in a more unexpected way.  $4.

This beautiful silk Banana Republic tunic was only $6!  It's in such perfect condition, I cannot wait to wear it!

I totally remember having tops like this in the 80s, so I needed to get this.  I'm going to DIY it a little, probably cut out the neckline and cut the sleeves much shorter.  $4.

This lovely white linen with lace trim blazer/tunic is so perfect for a light cover up at work or as a tunic with a cami under it for work.  It was $3

How fun is this?!  Hot pink linen blazer.  $2.  Nuff said.

This dress looks sooo much better on than it does on the hanger.  It reminds me of the brown polka dot dress Julia Roberts wears in Pretty Woman.  The silhouette is gorgeous on, kinda has a Mad Men vibe to it.  I paid $6 for it.

 I found these in the men's section {always look there!} and found these incredible vintage navy uniform dungarees.  The rise is a little high and long, but they fit so perfectly throughout the leg that I'll wear them with longer tops.  So amazing! And for $2.50, couldn't pass them up.

 This vintage Carla Marchi bag still had it's tags attached!  And I paid all of $5 for it!

 I love the shape of the bag itself, but I hate the handle so a little DIY restoration is in order.

 I really wanted a snakeskin clutch, so finding this vintage bad boy was beyond!  And it was only $2!

I am such a sucker for vintage clutches, and this was no exception.  I think I may jazz it up a bit with a little DIY action.  $3

 These bangles, one wooden and one lucite, were only $1 each.

This is my faaaavorite.  It reminds me of rose gold.  I paid $4 for it.

I am utterly obsessed with thrifting.  It's so much fun, and the pieces you find are so unique and beautiful.  Yes, it's a pain sifting through everything, but finding those hidden gems really makes up for it.  Here, I got nearly a new wardrobe for less than the cost of a new pair of shoes.  I'm thinking of branching out to some thrift shops farther away, because I'm ready for more amazing finds!
xxooxoxo
Lia