Mixed Metal { Bracelet DIY }

I love layering a ton of bracelets to finish off an outfit. Lately, I have been a fan of mixing metals which was once considered distasteful. Not anymore! There are definitely certain pieces that work well together while others do not, so have fun trying pieces together until you find the perfect combination. My favorite layering bracelet broke, so I found similar beads and restrung my old bracelet and made several new. I love that they are silver, gun-metal, bronze, rose gold and gold so I can pair them with pretty much every piece of jewelry I own! See below for the super easy DIY steps.

Supplies:

Mixed Metal Beads (Preferably different shapes and sizes)

Clasp

Crimp Beads

Beading String

Scissors

Pliers

All items can be purchased at Michaels or a local bead shop. If you prefer shopping online, try beadaholique.com

1. Measure string to wrist and add about 6 inches of slack for clasp, crimp beads and making mistakes! I usually cut a 12" string to be safe.

2. String crimp bead on first, then one end of clasp. Loop end of string back through crimp bead and tighten with pliers.

3. Now that one end of string is secure, start stringing beads in any pattern you choose.

4. Once all beads are on (about 6.5" of beads), repeat step 2.

5. Cut away any extra string. You have a fancy new bracelet!

Orange Crush

{Denim Vest J Crew, Dress One Teaspoon, Heels Zara, Necklace Zara, Sunnies Dior, Bracelets Madewell, Gorjana, Club Monaco and my DIY bracelets-see this coming Thursday's post}

DIY-Terrarium

On a family trip to San Diego in November my sister took my mom and I to the cutest home boutique, Pigment, in North Park. They had the most amazing "build-your-own-terrarium" materials so naturally I had to try! I do not have a good history with keeping plants alive, so succulents are a great option if you do not have a green thumb:) I love the way they turned out. How fun would it be to have a DIY terrarium girls night? A little wine and a cute project....FAB!

Materials:

Open-face terrarium (I bought mine at West Elm)

Potting Soil

Pumice Pieces

Terrarium appropriate plants (air plants, succulents)

Sand

Decorative elements (Moss, Rocks, Glass)

Gloves

 

Air Plants and SucculentsDecorative Elements
Step 1: Using a spoon, add base sand to the bottom of orb. Smooth.

Step 2: Scoop pumice onto base sand in the desired area for succulents. Add 1/2 inch of soil over pumice. Place and submerge plant into soil, covering roots and smooth with spoon.

Step 3: Spoon in top sand all over soil for coverage.

Step 4: Add decorative elements.

Step 5: Hydrate plants. For succulents water every few weeks. Air plants let sit in water for an hour once a week.Voila!!

How to Wear Tie Dye Shorts: Part II

By popular demand (ok, maybe just a few of my friends), I wanted to show how to style the DIY Tie Dye shorts I posted a few weeks ago. My uniform as of late has been shorts and booties with a light layer on top for the mornings. I have been continuously adding chambray shirts to my closet in every shade. They are a great layering piece when jackets are too heavy.  I love the way these shorts turned out! I will have some DIY pant tutorials coming up soon. Have a fab day!

xx, S

{BDG Chambray Shirt} {Madewell tank} {DIY Shorts...tutorial HERE} {Charles David booties} {Sideways Cross Necklace, ShopPublik } {Mixed Medal layering necklace, Pacific Trading Co.}

DIY: Paige Premium Denim Inspired Shorts

My inspiration for this post came from these Paige Premium Denim Tie Dye jeans. Numerous bloggers have been creating their own version of these jeans, and because I have a love for tie dye, I decided to tackle the DIY project too. As much as I love the skinny jeans version, I felt I would wear them as shorts more often. Busy prints can be overwhelming if you're not used to wearing them, so start with shorts or skirts and work your way up to jeans.

Supplies:

Rit Dye in Wine Bordo, Petal Pink, Tan and Denim Blue

White Jeans or Shorts (I bought a pair of skinnies from PACSUN and shorts from Target, just in case they didn't turn out...would not want to ruin an expensive pair!)

 3 Mixing buckets

Sponge Paint Brushes

Rubber/Latex Gloves

Follow dye instructions for mixing on the back of the box. Liquid form or concentrate will work fine. I followed Aimee from SwellMayde's color and mixing combos!

Tips:

Pre-wash denim. It will help remove any remaining residue and/or chemicals. Also will help the dye set better.

Make sure to dye one side, let dry over night, and then dye the back side. Make sure the water mixed with dye is HOT to help set color.

Wait for the denim to dry completely and then wash inside out to preserve color. I did not wash with any other clothing to prevent bleeding.

The Paige jeans are slightly more splattered with color. I decided to do a series of X's and brush strokes to avoid looking like all of my other tie dye garments. Do whatever you like best!

 I have a feeling I will get a few more months out of them since there has been no sign of it cooling down in LA. Final product...happy girl:) Xx

DIY Fringe Crochet Shirt

Mike and I decided to join our friends on a last minute trip to San Francisco this weekend for Outsidelands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park. My friends and I have an ongoing love for tie dye so it's only fitting that I makeover an old tie dye tank. It's inexpensive and relatively easy, and the result will be perfect festival attire!

Supplies:

Long Tank (mine is American Apparel)

Ruler

Scissors

Pen or chalk

Step 1: Measure how high up you desire your fringe to start from the bottom of your shirt hem. Dot with pen or chalk as a guide. Cut strips of fabric up to your mark, about 3/8" to a 1/2" wide, all the way around the circumference of your hem.

Step 2: Knot two pieces of fringe together near top of cut. Repeat around the circumference of shirt.

Step 3: There will be two strands of fringe hanging from each know. Take one strand from one knot, and a second strand from adjacent knot, and tie together using same technique as Step 2.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3, creating a third row of knots around circumference of shirt. Once complete, trim fringe to desired length.

Ready to wear!!

DIY Braided Chain Bracelet

Last week my friend Yaara sent me this great DIY bracelet idea from Pinterest. I am very pleased with the way it turned out and am looking forward to making more for my friends!

Supplies:

10" Chain Link
Crochet Needle
Clasp and Jump Ring
19 Ft Cording (Same or combination of colors)

STEP 1: Measure chain around wrist to obtain desired length. Cut 19 12" pieces of cording.  Set 18 pieces aside, and knot one to the end of chain.

STEP 2: Loop cord through crochet needle. Set aside.
STEP 3: Separate remaining 18 pieces of cording into 3 bunches of 6. Knot the ends of bunches and braid cording together using 2 pieces of cord per strand. Repeat to remaining 2 bunches.

STEP 4: Now you have 3 braided cords. Knot the ends of the 3 cords together and braid. When finished, lay parallel to chain.
STEP 5: Once braided cording and chain are side by side, loop needle and cord through braid, then back through chain and repeat all the way down. I then looped the cord back up the chain to make the braid more secure. Once done, knot the ends and clip off any extra cording.

STEP 6: Attach clasp and you're done!

My mom made the blue, green and gold bracelet:)

DIY Vibrant Crystal Necklace

These vibrant necklaces are majorly trending at the moment and I can't get enough of the bright color combos. I decided to give it a go and try making my own, thanks to Miss B at AgirlAstyle. All you need is a crystal necklace, nail polish and a clear top coat. I found this crystal necklace at Forever 21 for $10! Choose any nail polish color combination you'd like and paint each crystal as if you were painting your own nails. I did two coats for a more opaque finish. Let dry overnight and then apply the clear top coat. Voila!

$10 at Forever 21! J Crew's bubble necklaces sell for $150!

I opted for two shades of hot pink and added the second shade of yellow after the first shade did not turn out as I had intended.

Drying nicely on a vase near my workspace:) I am looking forward to testing a few more color combinations and I'm sure I will be doing an outfit post wearing them soon! Send me pics of your designs as well~Xx