I’ve been roped in to a DIY obsession that’s got me all tied up at the moment.  I cannot stop weaving and knotting for the life of me!  Currently, were seeing the macrame and summer crochet trend all over the place.  Don’t think hippie-chic looks and handwoven plant hangers- Macrame and crochet looks are back in a modern and wearable way.  Chanel’s SS10 collection is bursting at the seams with this delicate, light-weight design that’s to die for.  Oscar de la Renta proved this trend is gonna stick around for a bit as we spotted some macrame cameos in his Cruise 2011 show as well.

To create you own version of this macrame-style rope necklace, grab a spool of rope and loop around your thumb.  Weave over and under your fingers, back and forth until you create 2 rows of rope of each finger.  Remove the bottom string over the top on each finger, until you leave just one row left.  Continue to weave over and under, always creating 2 rows of rope and pulling the bottom rope over the top.  After you’ve created your woven design, remove from the fingers, loop the strand through all the finger holes, add beads and chain- and you’re ready to roll!

July 4th holds a very special place in my heart.  I share the same name and birthplace with our beloved country, amERICA (get it!?).  The historic city of Philadelphia hosted the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and also has stars & stripes bragging rights because of another crafty lady Betsy Ross, who stitched up our Nation’s flag there. 

Celebrate Independence Day the right way and pay homage to amERICA the beautiful’s birthday with a barbecue!  Think twice this year before you discard the dishes and cutlery.  Round up and recycle plastic forks, napkins, a coaster, buttons and shells and declare a DIY with the help of a trusty glue gun.  Secure finished embellished brooch to dresses, bags, and tops with a safety pin to sass up your style.  Check out Design*Sponge for the FULL Step-by-Step tutorial

P.S.- God Bless America, and the BBQ Brooch!

Bloom where you’re planted!  Currently, I am holed up in my summer house in Montauk, NY where I love entertaining! As I always say, Decorating and DIY go hand-in-hand.  Whether you escape to a beach house or indulge locally in summer entertaining, the perfect accoutrement is eye-catching clusters of pretty flowers in bold vases of varying heights.  Inspired by pottery genius Jonathan Adler’s vases and fashion designer Paul Smith’s famous colorful and happy stripes, (which I’m forever drawn to….yes-pun intended). 

Make your own striped vases using empty milk cartons and Sharpie Twin Tip markers.  Cut the tops off, wrap with white masking tape and stripe away! 

Pollinate your Summer style with Polynesian-inspired accessories.  Fashion’s tropical thunder is striking from the shores to the city streets with this exotic trend.  The sounds of South Pacific and Gilligan’s Island’s Ginger are classic Tropical treasures I’ve always bowed down to, but my current crush stems from Richard Nicoll’s SS10 collection which is alive with sprinkles of hula-happiness!  Whether you’re on vacation or on your way to a summer soiree, no tiki torch can hold a candle to this straw-sational statement necklace.

Pick up Straw Finger Traps, reach for scissors and a glue gun and you’re in business.  Cut and glue pieces of the straw finger traps together to create rustic, lush flowers, then simply tie and knot them together with twine to create your accessory.  P.S.- Get creative and make brooches, headbands, and belts!

Summer Solstice is upon us and it’s time to get down with BBQ’s, Braids, and all things Beachy & Boho! I love to sport summer accessories that are easy, breezy, and will help crank up the temperature.  In keeping with my everyday modern and tres eclectic ways, I look to the Southern California vibes of the stylish Coachella festival, ROXY surfer chicks, tall teepees, and hints of Stevie Nicks. These sunny free spirits have a fashionable aura that I’m utterly in awe of and make me want to be part of their tribe!

To make your beachy boho headpiece, get some rawhide material, colorful beads, feathers, and neon tape.  Braid approx 1.5 yards together, leaving some strands at the end to add beads and feathers.  Secure feathers on with Duct or Gaffers tape. 

**P.S. - For all of you West Coasters, we will be on-hand making these headpieces with ROXY at PacSun’s Summer Solstice Beach Ballyhoo on the Santa Monica Pier.  See ya there!

Summer is upon us, which means we’re all showing a tad more skin and a lot more accessories.  What better way to be bold than baring a sleek cuff bracelet? Diane von Furstenberg’s Sahara bracelets have been keeping me up at night, as I dream about the chunky woven, stacked beauties.  Paired with bold colored dresses and eye-catching skirts, a cuff bracelet is the icing on the cake!

For your version of a vivid cuff bracelet, pick up jumbo hair rollers. Chances are your local beauty supply store will carry.  Use long pieces of colorful embroidery string or thin rope for your striped accent.  Weave in and out the roller holes, and double knot off at the end.  P.S.- if you use a a nylon material, be sure to burn the ends of the knot so they don’t fray.  Show your stuff… sport a chic cuff!

We are all giddy and ruffling our feathers to kick off the summer season.  Keeping cool and looking good is easy, breezy and effortless with the help of our light-hearted friend, the ruffle!  Whimsical breaths of girlish charm show a playfulness and elude to an anything-goes-attitude!  Mixing the ruffle with the ever-popular asymmetrical trend results in a summer crush that wont let you down.

Purchase a pack of white tees (the more tees, the more ruffles you can create).  Cut off a few inches from the bottom hem.  The wider the panel, the larger the ruffle. Cut off one sleeve with sharp fabric scissors for the asymmetrical neck.  Scrunch, pin, and sew to the diagonal neckline.  If your tee is too loose around the underarm, add a few stitches or pin it to achieve the perfect fit!