De-tangle for a re-tangle.  Take note in women’s hair history and get inspired by styles that have swept us away for centuries.  Today’s modern day chick typically opts for the up do for special occasions, however that’s not the case anymore.  Time to treat everyday as a special occasion!  Thakoon showed intricate hairstyles with woven colored and textured materials up and down his runway.  More creative and eye-catching Fall/Winter trends: bold fabric combos.  The other “PS” love of our lives, Proenza Schouler gets the gold medal for taking printed fabrics and infusing together in unexpected, j’amazing ways.  Get inspired by these two trends and create style of your own, especially since the hair comb is making a comeback!   

To create, Pick up hair combs from you local drug or beauty store.  I’m a huge Goody fan, personally! Rip pieces of cotton material into 1” strips.  Leave a little bit of a frayed edge will give you more texture.  If you want a cleaner look, cut your fabric strips with scissors.  P.S.- If you cant find fabric, cut up an old tee that may be lying around.  Double knot two 12” strips on one end of a tooth.  Weave the fabric in and out of the teeth, and repeat with the second piece.  Double knot both pieces together on the last tooth, and snip the ends.  You’re ready to rock the up do and adorn your hair with the ultimate DIY accessory.  Get creative with your hair style using bobby pins, and other styling tools for various looks.  P.S.- if you love to rock the high-bun, add a comb to the base of your top knot to top off!

Dazzle with a tassel… everybody is doing it!  We adore to adorn dangly accents from curtains to coats.  This season, tassels are popping up all over the place.  Burberry’s  big and bold tassels throughout their Fall/Winter 2011 Collection,  inspired a DIY that is to DIE for.  From their boots to their bags, we’re utterly taken by their stunning and rich leather tassels.

It’s on:  to make bold tassels reach for a leather-like material.  Cut 2 rectangle pieces approx. 16” x 6” inches.  Use a marker and a ruler to draw straight lines, which will transform into future fringe.  Leave a 1” inch space from the top and mark lines spaced 1/4” inch from from each other.  Use fabric scissors to cut the leather.  Once cut, glue the cord to the inside of the fringed fabric on one end.  P.S.- make sure to glue on the inside, not the outside of material.  Continue to glue and roll the fringe and cord together.  Hold in place for a few seconds until the glue sets.  Once rolled to the end, either tie tassels onto a bag handle or use a super strong tape to secure on the inside of the bag.  P.S.- You can remove tassels and tie onto just about anything and everything in your closet or home.  Get creative. Take the plunge and take to the tassel! 

Dots, dots, lots of dots!  The power of the polka dot is proving to be one of the strongest trends for Fall/Winter.  While some may dance the polka, you may want to wear it on your sleeve. Marc Jacobs FW11 Collection fused the classic black & white combo with darling dots from head to toe, which is our DIY inspiration.  Only Marc could dream up this over-the-top pop of polka, reinventing a classic look with a modern twist. 

It’s on: Reach for fusible fabric which is available at most fabric stores.  You can also purchase online.  BONUS—Its’s very inexpensive!  Trace your polka dot pattern on paper.  I suggest using a bottom of a cup or any other circle you may have.  Cut out the pattern and place on top of fusible fabric.  To speed up the dot cutting, fold the material back and forth, which will result in multiple dots cut.  After you have cut out a bunch ‘o dots, place them a straight line on a white cotton tee shirt.  P.S.- Use a ruler or straight edge to help keep them in line.  Make sure you place them adhesive side down.  Feel free to have the dots go off the tee shirts edges, you can trim at the end.  Row by row, iron as you go- making sure the dots are totally fused on.  Once all the dots are adhered to the tee, use scissors to trim the hanging material. 

You may want to wash, for the first go ahead, and hang to dry. Keep some extra dots on hand incase you have any fallen soldiers aka, polka dots. Dance the polka… don the dots!

P.S.- Join the the mod squad.  This season, my friends at WHO WHAT WEAR and I are massive Mondrian fans…craving classic grid patterns.  YSL created iconic mod styles using the Mondrian grid, and this Fall Prada is taking note. Follow in the footsteps of Prada’s bold pattern, seen on the FW11 runways, and get inspired to create a version of your own.

Here’s how:  Cut the sleeves off of a t-shirt , at the seams  (or use a tank if you already have).  Measure and cut strips of navy ribbon.  The length of ribbon should be one inch longer than the shirt on each side. Leaving extra ribbon is always best, you can always trim the excess.  Use a ruler to measure equal distance between each “line” (will vary depending on your size shirt).  Apply small amount of fabric glue to the back of the ribbon and place vertically, dabbing with your fingers to set.  Cut shorter strips to cross horizontally, again making sure the ribbon is evenly spaced to create your grid pattern.  Cut small squares of raspberry red colored ribbon. *P.S.- DIY tip! Use clear nail polish to keep the ends from fraying!  Glue squares on the intersections of the navy ribbon grid.

For the collar and button detail, first create a paper collar template. Measure with a ruler and create a collar that is about 2 inches wide (depending on size of your shirt).  Use the guide you made to cut out the felt.  Cut a straight strip the same width as the collar and the same length as your shirt - to create the side panel.  Glue both collar and strip of felt onto shirt using a moderate amount of glue, setting with your hands, and letting dry for approx. 10-15 minutes before sewing on buttons.  Sew buttons onto collar and along the felt strip.  Lastly, trim any long pieces of ribbon and/or felt that are hanging off the edges-  and you are ready to join the Prada parade!

Make your mark in the world… with a marker!  Introducing Stained by Sharpie.  Sharpie’s first ever fabric marker allows you to scribble, draw, color and stain the day away.  My love affair with the iconic brand is no secret.  I was honored by being chosen to “start something with Sharpie”, partnering in the exciting launch.  A DIY clutch was in order.  This season, everyone who’s anyone is joining the clutch craze.  It’s timeless, stylish, and wreaks of chic.  

P.S.- CHECK OUT THE BEHIND THE SCENES CLUTCH CREATION VIDEO!

To create a clutch using Stained by Sharpie, outline a canvas bag using a ruler for straight lines, and add your own desired details.   Begin shading in top flap and continue to fill in using different pressures to create a lighter or darker shade.  Use a ruler to measure equal lines and create quilted effect (Approx. 1”).  Outline diamond quilting and add stud.  Place studs where lines intersect, and add stitching detail with dotted straight lines around the border. Next, cut slit for grommets, aligning on both sides and hammer together. Purchase a grommet kit for this step.  Feed chain through all four grommets, using safety pin to join ends of chain (or simply connect with pliers).  Add a fun tassel and “stained” faux hardware inspired by the fab clutches seen on the runways this past season.  Finally, Glue a gem or bauble on for the finishing touch!  

P.S.- A DIY CHALLENGE FOR YOU: START SOMETHING WITH A SHARPIE.  UPLOAD YOUR DESIGNS ON SHARPIE.COM!

PS- It’s a heat wave, and nothing is hotter than Proenza Schouler.  We look to Jack and Laz each season to get swept away in their chic world that’s full of oooooh’s and aaaaaah’s.  The designing duo’s inaugural costume jewelry collection is Perfectly Stunning.  In one word: J’amazing, actually.  The whimsical mash-up of  baroque and modern flair is a must have this season.  I cannot dream up anything more magical, and my partners in crime, WHO WHAT WEAR agreed! PS- I’d be lost without PS!

To create a baroque-styled necklace:  Slice and roll out 9 pieces of clay.  Each piece should be rolled out to approx. 1/4/ inches.  Once rolled out, draw each pendant pattern onto parchment paper for each shape.  Place pattern on top of clay, and use carving knife to trace around the pendant drawing and gently pierce through the paper, cutting the entire shape out of clay.  After each piece is cut, carefully place onto a non-stick baking tray laying pieces just as the final version will look.  PS- Be sure to match the pendants very close to one another in order for the jump rings to be able to connect.  Use a toothpick and/or chopstick to carve detail ridges in pendants by gently pressing into the clay, making soft, curvy detailed lines.  Using a toothpick, poke holes into pendants.  Be sure all holes line up perfectly before baking and make sure they are big enough for the jump rings to fit through.  Bake in oven at 275 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Bake time may vary depending on oven.  Let cool for an hour.  Use a lightweight sandpaper to smooth out outside edges, and achieve a clean, soft look on top.  Use pliers and connect each pendant together with jump rings.  To finish off, loop ribbon through the end jump rings and glue to finish off.

Dive, snorkel, and scour for coral!  The branchy marine organisms are sea-tasticly chic.  Studied by Marine Biologists and incorporated into our fashion and interior Icon’s designs, coral elements continue to inspire and intrigue us all.  As the father of the Sea, Jacques Cousteau once said, “when one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.“  In the spirit of the sea, sharing, and helping to make lives more beautiful, it’s time to get your DIY on.  Next beach stroll,  be sure to collect your thoughts and pretty pieces of coral to create this j’amazing cuff. 

It’s on: Collect your coral treasures!  Cut and fold mesh wire (traditionally used for sculpting) into your cuff.  Create the cuff shape by wrapping around a glass that is comparable to the size of your wrist.  After achieved size and shape is reached, fold the sharp edges back about one inch.  This will soften the ends of cuffs and keep the wire from poking into your skin.  Using your glue gun, apply small dabs of glue to coral (not too much- it will ooze through the wire), and place onto the cuff.  Hold for a few seconds till set.  Get creative with sea-life combinations.  Weave string and shells for an ever bolder cuff.  Yes to coral. yes to cuffs. Get involved!

PS- IF YOU LOVE CORAL, SHELLS, AND CREATURES GALORE, YOU MUST GET THE   CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES BOOK!