DIY : Spiked Jacket

In July I wrote a post that talked about mixing girly prints with spikes and different ways to sneak this bad girl look into any outfit. After I ran across a picture of Rihanna in a jacket with spiked shoulders, I wondered how difficult it would be to make. Before taking on this DIY adventure, I checked online and discovered that they are usually around $100.00, and frankly not nearly as cute.

Found on Google

Found on Google

I found a cropped, 3/4 sleeved, faux-leather Jacket at Forever 21 on clearance for $4.99...yes people, I SAID FIVE DOLLARS!

 I didn't want a jacket with 4-inch spikes like Rihanna (a little too dramatic for my liking), so i ordered smaller gold ones (100 for $20.00 online ).

 I carefully placed 22 of them on the two shoulders of the jacket and fastened them with a screwdriver ( which leaves me plenty more to do other projects).

With a few Accessories this bland $5.00 jacket becomes a show-stopper for under $10.00.

My next mission: Spike a jean jacket and add crystals. Make sure to check back for that post in the future.

[True.Fashion.Love]

Venice Beach...

For those of you who aren't my friend on Facebook/ Twitter (@inkednsewn) you might not know that this fall semester I am going to be a Style Guru for www.collegefashionista.com. My first post goes live September 5th!

The first post is going to be a Bio along with a full body street shot of myself. When I looked at the previous fashionista's bio posts, a lot of them had simple pictures in front of their house, or really cool artistic shots. 

After looking at about 20 different pictures I decided to call up my friend Rebecca in Marina Del Ray and plan a "photo-shoot day". Even though we felt like amateurs, a few people walking and driving by stopped and watched me strike some poses. Yes... it was intimidating at first, but after a few minutes it was actually kind of cool to be in the spotlight. One person even asked "are you a model?", which was flattering because I'm definitely only 5'5" and no where NEAR a size zero. 

Here is the picture I chose along with shots of my shoes and accessories. This look can be hyped at Lookbook.nu so if you have a minute, like my picture please :). 

An even cooler part of the day was that the artist of the wall I was taking pictures in front of was ACTUALLY THERE! 

If you ever need amazing art in the Los Angeles area, search for Juan Carlos Munoz Hernandez. I actually did a little research about him when I got home and he has been a part of some CRAZY AMAZING pieces in L.A. Check out his ArtSlant Profile  to see his work! He also asked me to mention his co-artist on one of his pieces Alex Kizu. :)

Here are a few other shots I took...

Not only did I get some cool pictures (photo credit to Rebecca Schneider ), we got some great sandwiches and did a little thrift store shopping. I found two brand new pairs of shoes and they only cost me $46.00 total. STEAL!

These Nine West canvas heels would look PERFECT with some skinny cargoes or shorts and they were only $10.00!

The second pair is Jeffery Campbell Lita look-alikes. Sparkly enough to get attention, but not so crazy that they would distract you from the great jeans or top I am going to pair it with. Plus, unlike the J.C. version, they are not as high which is more practical for me (since no matter how hard I try, I always prefer sandals and flats). 

All in all, It was a perfect day in L.A.

[True.Fashion.Love]

Stylish Students...

Every fashion conscious girl knows that and outfit can be completely ruined with a hideous Jansport/ knockoff backpack. ITS LIKE AN UNWRITTEN RULE! However, every student knows there is nothing worse than having a gorgeous designer bag and an armful of textbooks and binders.

Luckily for those with this problem, designers have taken these stylish students into consideration and provided great bags that are both functional and fashionable.

Two bags that I have are...

This gorgeous 100% leather cut-out laptop carrier which includes straps to securely fasten my Mac book into place. You can't really tell but it is a burgundy color which compliments any Orange, brown, nude or gold I wear to class. I purchased this online a few years ago and it is as beautiful as the day I got it.

For the days I choose not to wear outfits in the "brown family", I opt to use this Coach backpack that I bought at an outlet for $99.00 last winter.

Patent leather straps with a sturdy zipper allow me to pack this bag with the heaviest of textbooks and schlep them around with ease...

Other great bags to choose from...

Found on Google Images

This Marc Jacobs backpack for $178.00

Found on etsy.com

This camel Dooney and Bourke backpack with fringe tassels (which are rampantly coming back into style).

and my Fashion Fantasy...

Image found on Google

This Louis Vuitton backpack retailed at a heartbreaking high price of $595.

Go back to school in style.

[True.Fashion.Love]

Blog-a-holic Rehab...

When my parents came down to visit this weekend, my mom and I seized the opportunity to do a little shopping and found a few things I couldn't bare to leave behind...

This worn Lynyrd Skynyrd Tee, which I strategically placed holes in to compliment with my distressed jean shorts (that I created in an earlier post), was only $10.00.

The second thing I got was new burgundy boots from Steve Madden. I have become obsessed with them and actually wore them to an interview yesterday and quickly got a compliment confirming how fabulous they are :).

The last thing I got from my mom and her friend (who is like a second mom) was this throw pillow...

By taking an XL tee they did their own DIY project and turned it into something completely new. Just what my bed needed!!!

This is definitely proof that growing up around creative minds WILL rub off on you eventually. 

Within the last week I've been told I have become a blog-a-holic.

Well this addict isn't going to rehab anytime soon.

[True.Fashion.Love]

Denim Dreams...

Every DIY fashionista knows to NEVER throw away old jeans. You either wear them until they split at the seams and patch the S#!T out of them, or make them into something totally new.

Image found on Google

Even though it was so unlike me, I did make the mistake of buying ill-fitting, distressed, boyfriend jeans a few years back. The desperation of wanting this new trend in my closet lead to harboring a pair of jeans that I was far too smart to actually wear, but felt too guilty to throw away. After discovering my new found love of re-purposing things in my closet, I knew that this would be the perfect pair of jeans to make more than one unique item. 

I first started out buy buying a few items...

-8 liter bucket

-gold metal spikes

-black RIT fabric dye

-scissors

- needle & thread

-wooden spoon

-magnetic clasp

-razor

-fabric glue

Along with a lot of water, I had all I needed to start my two projects.

I first started out by cutting off the part of the jeans that ruined them... the legs!

I used the razor to rough up the edges a little for a more distressed look and put them in the bucket with 1/3 of the dye. After waiting 10 minutes I added the rest for another 5 minutes, rinsed it until the water ran clear and threw it into the dryer for a finished look. 

This pair of grunge, somewhat dirty-looking shorts would be perfect paired with a lace top or a cropped leather jacket. Appearing disheveled and filthy never looked so good. :)

Found on Google Images

Found on Google images

I didn't want to waste the legs of the jeans and was in need of a cuter laptop sleeve other than the bland ones they offer at the Apple store, so with a few cuts and some hand stitching I created a perfect distressed bag. 

I cut out petals and flipped them over to show the lighter, inside of the jeans and held them together with fabric glue. I then added a gold spike as the center of the flower and fastened the bag together with a magnetic clasp. 

Now my sad, old boyfriend jeans are two amazing new items that force me to be lost in daydreams of all the denim things I can make. 

[True.Fashion.Love]

Move Over McQueen...

After seeing Kim Kardashian sporting Alexander McQueen's knuckle duster clutch in the September 2011 Glamour issue, I became obsessed. I crossed my fingers that they would be doing some sort of give-away and I would be the lucky winner or I would stumble upon a 99% off sale, but none of the two dream-like scenarios happened.

When I searched for the clutch a price tag reaching nearly three-grand popped up. It felt like my thoughts of having the bag that put my hands firmly in the spotlight was actually going to end up being nothing more than a dream. 

Good thing I have an imagination and love to re-create great looks for less!

I grabbed a sunglasses case that has been sitting in the trunk of my car for almost a year and a ring that I got from a costume jewelry store for only $1 during winter break. After grabbing a few black crystals from my previous [in loving memory..] post, super glue and $2.00 metal flower beads, I had all I needed to make a knuckle duster of my own.

This bag is perfect to fit the essentials and go out with my girls.

 I'm sure any college fashionista would agree that compared to that bag, mine for under $20.00 is practically free.

[True.Fashion.Love]

Vintage Voyages...

While having so much extra time to myself since summer school ended, I have been fighting the shopping urge and yesterday I lost that battle. I found myself wandering around Down Town Fullerton's cute boutiques and took a step into American Vintage. After 20 minutes of browsing the racks, nothing too unique caught my eye until the sparkling crystals of a vintage bag blinded me.

The sales assistant couldn't open the glass cabinet fast enough, and as soon as she placed it in my hands it was mine. I quickly flipped the tag and the glorious single digit number 8 meant there wouldn't even be a second thought about the purchase. Not to mention the envious look from the sales assistant made it that much better.

Here are a few bags that can turn up the vintage feel on any outfit...

Katheleys.com Circa 1968 (1,250 euros)

Borrowedbling.com ($395.00)

Free People ($248.00)

A little pricey, but unless you get lucky with 'gold-mine' find like I did, all the good ones will be.

Before finalizing the sale, I threw in an adorable little bird necklace...

It was only $5.00 can you blame me?!

$14.00 poorer and an adorable necklace and great vintage bag richer, it was a good vintage voyage if i must say so myself :)

  

In Loving Memory...(DIY)

You may have read my mother's day post which featured a British vintage clutch passed down 3 generations from my Grandma T. Well.. yet again my Grandma has inspired a new, updated bag. When I was too young to appreciate it's craftsmanship, my Grandma T gave me a REAL COCONUT purse. While I thought it was cool that it was real, and I could see the inside of the shell when I unzipped it, I rarely put it to good use. 

While I was home for summer break I fell in love with it all over again, and the fact that it represents my grandma, a woman who gave me a mother that supports all my fashion dreams, made it that much better.

While it was possible to wear as is, I wanted to update it a little and make it more age appropriate to better fit into my wardrobe.

 I took a trip to Joanne's Fabrics and got some jewel glue, black crystals and a gold chain. I also needed black thread (and gold not photographed), a needle, a pair of scissors, needle nose pliers, and the faux leather fabric I have used in a number of DIY projects featured on this blog.

First I cut off the brown shoelace and replaced it with a gold chain, undid a loop and connected it with the needle nose pliers to the other end.

I then took black crystals and lined the top and bottom of the bag.

I took the faux leather and made a shoulder strap to make it a little more comfortable on my shoulder and also prevent it from sliding off and embroidered it with V.V.T (Viola Victoria Thompson) in memory of my grandmother.

Within about an hour of solid working I now have a bag I can wear day and night.

(In loving memory of the woman who gave me the best gift anyone could ask for...a supportive mother).

[True.Fashion.Love]