Declare your love for cool tools and be a cut above the rest!  Girls on-the-go with modern, multifaceted style need to be prepared for anything that comes their way.  Enter life’s must-have accessory; the Swiss Army knife.  For centuries, these legendary tools have battled rogue threads on our cocktail dresses, smoothed chips in perfectly manicured nails and so much more.  Our pocketknife pal stays put in our purse and is as essential as lipgloss!  Aside from the obvious “fix-it” functions, we’re big fans of using this handheld toolbox to DIY. Read on to learn how you can create a coveted “kiltie” embellishment for heels in need of an overhaul.  

To create, trace and cut a template (almost like a stretched trapezoid) on paper.  P.S.- The size will depend on your shoe size.  Be sure to measure the template to the shoe before cutting and also leave a few extra inches toward the upper portion to tuck into the shoe.  Use your Swiss Army knife (on a cutting board with a flat surface) and cut two pieces of fabric.  Any type of suede or leather-like material works.  Use mini snips to cut two-inch slits. Continue to use snips to create an inverted “V” fringe.  Pierce two tiny slits with your knife half-way down.  Feed cord through the holes, leaving space for your ankle to fit in. Lastly, add a bead detail to the ends and tie a cute bow.   Get creative with your colors of materials, cords, and shoes-  mix and match your heart away…

Your  Swiss Army pocket knife pal is super sharp… your DIY style should be too!

Delicately over-sized and deliciously refined, sums up the wonderful world of Lanvin.  For Fall ‘11 Alber Ebaz dreamt up stunning crystal and sequin embellishments on everything from jewelry to gloves, to shoes, belts and more! Loose the diamonds, and loose yourself in some Lanvin inspiration for this sequin belt DIY.  

To create, measure and cut a piece of double satin ribbon (length will depend on waist size).  Be sure to leave approx. 6 inches on both ends so you have room to tie around your waist.  Arrange sequin patches onto the ribbon. P.S.- it’s okay if they overlap.  Once you are happy with the placement, use fabric glue to apply to the back of the patch and adhere onto felt.  Hold in place for a few seconds to set. Trim around the felt for a clean and finished edge.  Be sure to allow the embellishment to completely dry before attaching onto the ribbon, use a generous amount of the fabric glue. P.S.- A glue gun also works well.  Let belt dry completely before sporting.

P.S.- Check out more images of this project over at Who What Wear!

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! 

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!

Don’t walk to the beach… run!  It’s the time of year when millions pack their beach bags to head towards the sunshine and sand for some R&R.  Donning a cute bikini is a DO, as is donning proper sun protection *P.S.- Protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays will lessen chances for wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer, and eye damage- so take note and action!  I recently took a trip to the Bahamas, where my friend Rebecca Minkoff (one of the most amazing & creative business-savvy ladies I know), was sporting a j’amazing over-sized beach visor.  I died to DIY this, P.S.- just ask her! 

Yes, you can make it!  Here’s how: Reach for a sun hat.  I picked up a $5 straw hat at Kmart.  Use sharp scissors to slice off the top part of the hat, leaving a lip of approximately 3 inches. P.S.- Save the top of the hat for a cute bowl- I filled mine with pretzels, true story!  Next, slice the brim of your hat with a slight curve on the ends.  Note: if you have a tiny head, you will have to make your space between sides larger.  Use scissors to make 4 tiny holes approx. 1-inch from the outside of the hat.  The holes could rip if made too close to the edge.  Lace rope (or opt for ribbon) through the holes and tie together for your sensational sun hat! 

P.S.- Check out Refinery 29’s Sun Hat roundup that may inspire other sunny DIY’s.

Friends are Flowers you pick for yourself, and I’m lucky to say that I’m blessed with the worlds most amazing bouquet of besties! Actions speak louder than words, so don’t just tell your friends how much they mean to you, show them! My friends at WHO WHAT WEAR and I agree that the demand for colorful and cool friendship bracelets using the COBRA stitch are back in a major way! I’ve been drawn to MARNI’S take on the friendship bangle creation for quite some time. Get inspired and get involved. Create chic BFF bracelets that represent the color your clan brings into your life. Everyone needs that reminder as well as a new accessory from time to time… make a note, and make a bracelet.

To create: Cut 3 pieces of ribbon or colorful rope (12” for base, Ribbon A & B approx 1 yard). Fuse together the ends of the 2 colors of ribbon with a small drop of glue. Do not start using ribbons, until completely dry. Tape down the shorter, center ribbon, to a steady and flat surface. To begin with the Cobra stitch, use Ribbon A, and cross over the center (base ribbon) making a loop. Bring Ribbon B under the tail and through Ribbon A’s loop. Once knotted through, pull Ribbon A & B equally, that will knot around base ribbon. Continue pattern and alternate the lead Ribbon from side to side. PS- If your pattern starts to go Spiral, that means you knotted on the same side and should un-do, and start on the alternate side. Once you have a Cobra pattern that is long enough for a bracelet, double knot ends, trim and tie off for a Chic Cobra Bracelet. Brave your Bestie on your wrist for a bold accessory, but more importantly- a blissful reminder of your BFF. PS- Check out MORE J’amazing versions of friendship bracelets on WHO WHAT WEAR!