Lucky Charms are magically delicious and so is JEWELRY!  One of my favorite jewelry designers, Dana Lorenz of Fenton/Fallon continues to wow us season after season with her over-the-top statement pieces, terrific textures, and sparkling situations. Dana recently invited me and a few other fab friends over and let us loose in her shop. She graciously gifted charms and broken pieces of past collections for a special P.S. project!  I loved the idea of blinging out my fall bag with a bag charm using her fun elements.

To create a chic bag charm, re-purpose broken or old jewlez, charms, pendants, pieces, basically anything fun you can get your hands on.  Tie your bits and bobs onto string or cording and secure to a binder ring. Make sure you hang at different lengths to create a staggered effect. Clip onto your bag with a carabiner clip and you are one leading lucky charm lady!

P.S.- NEVER SAY NEVER TO NEON!  I love infusing bright and funky highlighter shades into my world.  My good friend, the uber talented Ben Watts, is known for his always electric and punchy photos.  I’m always inspired by his fashion infused Art and Photography. Chances are you have seen Watt’s work gracing International fashion magazines and billboards. His 2nd and most recent book that came out this year, Lickshot, is dope- so check it! Also, he contributed some fab shots to my new Book, so get excited!

To make this fun, eye-catching, crazy-cool heels- hit up your local sporting goods store for reflective running bands.  I picked up a thick and thin style at Eastern Mountain Sports and Modell’s.  Use the already existing velcro (trim down if necessary) and wrap around your heels.  It’s a quick and easy way to rev-up and re-vamp your stems! 

Pantone declared TURQUOISE as the color of 2010.  I must admit I’ve always declared my devotion to this rock solid hue!  Turquoise, the blue-ish green-ish mineral gets tumbled into stones, polished into perfect accessories, and painted all over town.  This happy hue of a rock, makes any outfit pop and standout.  My fashion friends, TORY, RALPH, & OSCAR often drip and drape collections always making it work in turq!

To make your version of the turquoise-inspired statement necklace, hit up local toy stores, 5 and Dimes, or AMAZON for Parachute Men toy soldiers. Purchase a few packs and pick out all the blue ones.  Another option is to spray paint them with a coat of turq paint, if you cant find the hue you want. Find your center point of the necklace, knot on the middle man, and continue to space equal distance on both sides, securing with knots as you go.  Double knot a turquoise ribbon on either end, and snip excess.  P.S.- Look fab, look poised… look chic in your faux turquoise!

Slap on an apron, it’s time to stir up your fashion croc pot for a super chic ‘n classy case.  Boxy silhouette bags are making a huge comeback for Fall/Winter 2010.  Louis Vuitton is bringing the sexy lady back, while Ralph Lauren continues to knock us out with versions of his famously luxe Ricky bag (yes! Named for RL’s knock-out wifey).

To make a faux croc carryall of your own, purchase or re-purpose a lunchbox.  Use tools to punch two holes in each side.  Thread chain (test out a desired length before cutting) through one side, and connect with pliers after threading through the other side.  Add dome nail heads onto the bottom corners for “feet” by pushing and bending back sharp pronged corners.  Finish off with a j’amazing brooch that’s DIYing for a reinvention.  P.S.- I love all things wild and animal-eque… a la Kieselstein-Cord! 

Put a little PEP in your step and a WOW in your wardrobe with a refined, sophisticated, and slightly sultry peplum skirt! These classic styles that were once on hiatus are premiering on the runways and back on television.  AMC’s Mad Men is in one word J’AMAZING! Take style notes from Joan Holloway who proves that pencil (skirts) and pen (necklaces) are a must.  Banana Republic is having a Casting Call for Mad Men… I wonder if Don Draper is judging?

To create a retro-inspired skirt, reach for a curtain panel (use a panel with a skirted top).  Gather, and pin top (front) to create a slight pleat every few inches.  Sew and reinforce with stitching where pins are holding material in place. Flip material to the backside.  Cut to desired length and hem by stitching. To finish off the back, use kilt pins to connected material. Cinch and style with a bold belt and you’ve got a perfect peplum!

P.S.- Click here to submit your best Mad Men style and enter for a walk-on role on the show.  I think my friend Jessica from What I Wore is spot on!

Diamonds may be a girls best friend, however I’ve always hankered to dazzle and drip in colorful precious stones.  Were you born into a blah birthstone?  Teter between Aquamarine to Amethyst?  No matter what stone you want to own, consider your wish granted! I’m currently crushing on these gems: Mary Katrantzou’s Fall 2010 Collection of Kaleidoscope graphic gem dresses, McQueen’s Gold Angel heels, I’m fallin’ for Fallon, and hot for Harry Winston! Bling is IN.  Achieve this look by recycling your fashion magazines into gemstone earrings fit for a queen (or you)!

Cut out colorful gem ads and editorial rocks and secure onto card stock using a glue stick.  Paint a layer of Mod Podge. Once dry, cut out around the outside silhouette of your earring.  Use a glue gun and adhere onto a wide ribbon, trimming around the edge and leave a slight border.  Punch a little hole and slide in your earring wires.

P.S.- Gems are truly truly truly outrageous!  (obvious 80’s Jem reference for the younger set).

Dear Oscar de la Renta, Thank you for helping the world realize there needs to be a clutch for something other than lipstick and tic tacs!  Your new OdlR ipad clutches  recently caught my eye, while walking down the runway, and P.S.- they’re j’amazing!  Far from Geek and beyond Chic, everyone wants an ipad AND your fab bag to tote them around in.  I “P.S.”-ed my own version using my fav Gorilla Tape, electrical tape ( to add striped detail ) and an inflatable travel pillow case!  

I was inspired to create this project based on a competition I participated in where the winner will receive an I Pad! This week I was asked to attend the first ever Charlotte Russe Project Mannequin  Style-off Contest.  My theme was  a “Fashion Week” look.  I DIY’ed a necklace out to tights to accompany a lace dress with an army shirtdress and Chanel-style bag.  Click here to check out the look and vote for me!

P.S-If I get the most votes I win an I Pad for the case I DIY’ed above! Help me win… and I’ll send a P.S.- reader a DIY case too!

I’m in it- to win it.  Get involved!