Jun 14
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    Stripes Ahoy! From the high seas to the haute summer streets, fashionistas have been lining up for this classic nautical look ever since French fashion pioneer Coco Chanel famously incorporated it into her personal resort style.   Embraced and carried through the seasons by generations of designers from Jean Paul Gaultier to Marc Jacobs to The Row, stripes stretch beyond trend.   Add a dash of DIY by re-purposing a retired T to create the perfect summer pouch with a pop of color, and show us why your motto is stripes and stripes forever! To create, grab a striped tee, turn inside out and wrap rubber bands tightly around each sleeve.  Cinch the waist, and wrap two bands around tightly for extra support.  Keep in mind, the further down you gather and wrap, the larger your bag will be.  Snip a 1/2” inch below each rubber band and flip fabric right side out.  Find a long zipper  in a fun contrasting color and secure to the opposite sides of the neck by stitching.  P.S.- Reinforce stitches by sewing with thread doubled.

    Stripes Ahoy! From the high seas to the haute summer streets, fashionistas have been lining up for this classic nautical look ever since French fashion pioneer Coco Chanel famously incorporated it into her personal resort style.   Embraced and carried through the seasons by generations of designers from Jean Paul Gaultier to Marc Jacobs to The Row, stripes stretch beyond trend.   Add a dash of DIY by re-purposing a retired T to create the perfect summer pouch with a pop of color, and show us why your motto is stripes and stripes forever!

    To create, grab a striped tee, turn inside out and wrap rubber bands tightly around each sleeve.  Cinch the waist, and wrap two bands around tightly for extra support.  Keep in mind, the further down you gather and wrap, the larger your bag will be.  Snip a 1/2” inch below each rubber band and flip fabric right side out.  Find a long zipper  in a fun contrasting color and secure to the opposite sides of the neck by stitching.  P.S.- Reinforce stitches by sewing with thread doubled.

    Jun 07
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    There’s nothing more expressive than music and fashion…and when the two collide, inspiration and excitement thrive.  If you’re lucky enough to attend this weekend’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, swing by Gap’s late-night “Be Bright At Night” event to get crafty and personalize tees. Grab bold paints, patterns, stencils and more to discover why T-I-Y is the new D-I-Y! Whether you’re attending a music fest or rockin’ out to your own playlist at home, get into the Summer DIY spirit by grabbing a Gap Favorite Tee and create an Aztec print inspired look. Cut up kitchen sponges in various sized triangles, dip into fabric paint and stamp your heart out. P.S.- plan out your pattern before you start on a piece of paper or fabric scrap.  Let dry completely, and then you’re ready to live by the words of The Beach Boys…”T-Shirts, cut-offs and a pair of thongs - we’ve been having fun all Summer long”.

    There’s nothing more expressive than music and fashion…and when the two collide, inspiration and excitement thrive.  If you’re lucky enough to attend this weekend’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, swing by Gap’s late-night “Be Bright At Night” event to get crafty and personalize tees. Grab bold paints, patterns, stencils and more to discover why T-I-Y is the new D-I-Y!

    Whether you’re attending a music fest or rockin’ out to your own playlist at home, get into the Summer DIY spirit by grabbing a Gap Favorite Tee and create an Aztec print inspired look. Cut up kitchen sponges in various sized triangles, dip into fabric paint and stamp your heart out.

    P.S.- plan out your pattern before you start on a piece of paper or fabric scrap.  Let dry completely, and then you’re ready to live by the words of The Beach Boys…”T-Shirts, cut-offs and a pair of thongs - we’ve been having fun all
    Summer long”.

    May 29
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    This Spring designer’s collections were booming with blooms of colorfully layered prints, and none of them wowed us more than Prabal Gurung …the king of injecting a dose of tech-style in his textiles. To get in touch with our own flower power, we teamed up with our friends at Who What Wear to create an accessory that pays homage with decoupage…and brings together a few of a style savvy girl’s favorite things - DIY, fashion, technology, and flowers!    To create, you will need wooden or plastic bangles, as your blank canvas.  Gather real or faux flowers in a color scheme of your choice.  Group and arrange the flowers in a pattern and snap a picture with your phone or camera.  Send to print, as is, or upload to photoshop and duplicate to create a repeat pattern.  Once printed, cut out strips or small pieces which you will use to cover the inside and outside of your bangle.  Using Mod Podge, cover the inside of the bangle by “painting” the back of the paper and securing to the wood or plastic.  Continue all the way around, wrapping the edges of the cut outs, to cover the edge of the bangle. Continue on the outside and then add a final layer of Mod Podge once the bangle is completely covered in the flower print.  Click here to check out the step by step video with Hillary & Katherine of Who What Wear! 
    This Spring designer’s collections were booming with blooms of colorfully layered prints, and none of them wowed us more than Prabal Gurung …the king of injecting a dose of tech-style in his textiles. To get in touch with our own flower power, we teamed up with our friends at Who What Wear to create an accessory that pays homage with decoupage…and brings together a few of a style savvy girl’s favorite things - DIY, fashion, technology, and flowers!   
    To create, you will need wooden or plastic bangles, as your blank canvas.  Gather real or faux flowers in a color scheme of your choice.  Group and arrange the flowers in a pattern and snap a picture with your phone or camera.  Send to print, as is, or upload to photoshop and duplicate to create a repeat pattern.  Once printed, cut out strips or small pieces which you will use to cover the inside and outside of your bangle.  Using Mod Podge, cover the inside of the bangle by “painting” the back of the paper and securing to the wood or plastic.  Continue all the way around, wrapping the edges of the cut outs, to cover the edge of the bangle. Continue on the outside and then add a final layer of Mod Podge once the bangle is completely covered in the flower print. 

    Click here to check out the step by step video with Hillary & Katherine of Who What Wear! 

    May 24
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    It should be of no surprise, a pop of neon brings “tiers” of joy to our eyes. A cascade of bold brights works day or night, and Summer’s the ideal time to radiate shocking hues. Designers like Tom Binns and Oscar de la Renta have shown us that jewels are more chic with a colorful streak…unlock your own inner glow with this DIY neck candy!  To create, hit up your local hardware store for these colorful key identifiers. Layout a pattern and secure each circle with jump rings. Once you have your finished “bib” add 2 jump rings and a chain to finish off!  P.S.- Visit Elle Magazine for more DIY’ness with Erica.

    It should be of no surprise, a pop of neon brings “tiers” of joy to our eyes. A cascade of bold brights works day or night, and Summer’s the ideal time to radiate shocking hues. Designers like Tom Binns and Oscar de la Renta have shown us that jewels are more chic with a colorful streak…unlock your own inner glow with this DIY neck candy! 

    To create, hit up your local hardware store for these colorful key identifiers. Layout a pattern and secure each circle with jump rings. Once you have your finished “bib” add 2 jump rings and a chain to finish off! 

    P.S.- Visit Elle Magazine for more DIY’ness with Erica.

    May 17
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    The timeless and playful polka dot gets its name from a dance, so what better way to sport its fun & flair than on a pair of cute dancin’ shoes. Vionnet stepped it up this season with colorfully embellished sandals that bring new meaning to the term eye candy…now it’s your turn get inspired and dip into some dots!    To create, find the perfect pair of blank ballet flats. Follow the curve and lines of the shoe as you use puffy paint to dot a design.  Step out in style as you DIY your way into your own personal dotted heaven! 

    The timeless and playful polka dot gets its name from a dance, so what better way to sport its fun & flair than on a pair of cute dancin’ shoes. Vionnet stepped it up this season with colorfully embellished sandals that bring new meaning to the term eye candy…now it’s your turn get inspired and dip into some dots!   

    To create, find the perfect pair of blank ballet flats. Follow the curve and lines of the shoe as you use puffy paint to dot a design.  Step out in style as you DIY your way into your own personal dotted heaven! 

    May 10
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    You don’t need yellow diamonds to let your inner light shine…a little bit of epoxy is reason enough to add a sparkling addition to your batch of spring baubles!  Add a sweet accent to your look with a simple yet bold pop of glittery gold.  Get on board and see for yourself why all that glitters is glam.     To create, mix the two-part epoxy clay with your fingers.  Find a setting that suits your style - we opted for a multi-prong setting .  (The setting we used is available in store only- reference item # 1012/G).  Roll out small balls of the epoxy clay, and cover with a dusting of fine glitter. Use glitter to cover the entire surface of each “gem” and dust off the excess.  Allow to harden (approximately 45 mins) and attach to a chain.      P.S.- CLICK HERE FOR MORE EPOXY CLAY IDEAS!

    You don’t need yellow diamonds to let your inner light shine…a little bit of epoxy is reason enough to add a sparkling addition to your batch of spring baubles!  Add a sweet accent to your look with a simple yet bold pop of glittery gold.  Get on board and see for yourself why all that glitters is glam.    

    To create, mix the two-part epoxy clay with your fingers.  Find a setting that suits your style - we opted for a multi-prong setting .  (The setting we used is available in store only- reference item # 1012/G).  Roll out small balls of the epoxy clay, and cover with a dusting of fine glitter. Use glitter to cover the entire surface of each “gem” and dust off the excess.  Allow to harden (approximately 45 mins) and attach to a chain.     

    P.S.- CLICK HERE FOR MORE EPOXY CLAY IDEAS!

    May 03
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    Step into the spotlight in the coolest of shades with a nod to retro Hollywood glamour. Tom Ford masters sexy chic with frames that bring stylish drama to any look, day or night. Make a statement and prove your future’s so bright with this purrrfect DIY. To create, re purpose an old pair of sunnies by adding a shapely accent. Decide on the shape and style for your pattern and trace onto paper. Create two of these and “test” on your sunglasses to make sure you’re happy with the shape and size. Trace the pattern onto a think black piece of fabric or leather.  Use glue to secure onto each frame.

    Step into the spotlight in the coolest of shades with a nod to retro Hollywood glamour. Tom Ford masters sexy chic with frames that bring stylish drama to any look, day or night. Make a statement and prove your future’s so bright with this purrrfect DIY.

    To create, re purpose an old pair of sunnies by adding a shapely accent. Decide on the shape and style for your pattern and trace onto paper. Create two of these and “test” on your sunglasses to make sure you’re happy with the shape and size. Trace the pattern onto a think black piece of fabric or leather.  Use glue to secure onto each frame.

    Apr 24
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    Be bold. Be you. Be jeweled! Our friends at Who What Wear and I agree that there’s no limit to the amount of sparkle you can put in your step this season.  Footwear, accessories, and everyday denim are getting a luxurious twist, as seen in Christopher Kane’s collection for J Brand, which is popping with outrageous patterns and overstated pizzazz.  It’s time to take last year’s ordinary cutoffs to the cutting edge!  To create:  Start with your favorite pair of jean cutoffs.  Use a ruler and a pencil to create a grid pattern - size of grid and spacing depends on your preference (our lines are approx 1/2 an inch a part).  Use a pencil to draw grid and then trace over with white puffy paint.  Once dry use a real or fake flower to dip in fabric paint to create a stamp. Stamp the flower shape directly onto shorts in an alternating pattern.  We used about 9-10 stamps per each side of short. Once paint is dry use fabric glue to secure large paillette sequins to the center of each “flower” shape.  Once all are in place and dry then glue the larger flat back gems to the center of each sequin.  Finally secure the smaller gems between each “flower” shape. (Approximately 5-6 per side).  Allow to completely dry before wearing. 

    Be bold. Be you. Be jeweled! Our friends at Who What Wear and I agree that there’s no limit to the amount of sparkle you can put in your step this season. 

    Footwear, accessories, and everyday denim are getting a luxurious twist, as seen in Christopher Kane’s collection for J Brand, which is popping with outrageous patterns and overstated pizzazz.  It’s time to take last year’s ordinary cutoffs to the cutting edge! 

    To create:  Start with your favorite pair of jean cutoffs.  Use a ruler and a pencil to create a grid pattern - size of grid and spacing depends on your preference (our lines are approx 1/2 an inch a part).  Use a pencil to draw grid and then trace over with white puffy paint.  Once dry use a real or fake flower to dip in fabric paint to create a stamp. Stamp the flower shape directly onto shorts in an alternating pattern.  We used about 9-10 stamps per each side of short. Once paint is dry use fabric glue to secure large paillette sequins to the center of each “flower” shape.  Once all are in place and dry then glue the larger flat back gems to the center of each sequin.  Finally secure the smaller gems between each “flower” shape. (Approximately 5-6 per side).  Allow to completely dry before wearing. 

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