DIY Studded Heels

So after finding a pair of plain black heels I had some inspiration about how to make them more interesting....

There you have it; a pair of studded heels. I've only put a few on so far but think I may add some more....

DIY Oversized Tassel Clutch Bag: Tutorial

I love huge bags. My boyfriend doesn't understand them and wonders why I can't just use my pockets. So I tell him that just wouldn't be as much fun!

I made this bag this afternoon from some good quality synthetic leather I found in a shop and thought it was time for another tutorial to show you how to make your own.

To make the bag you need:

- Leather or other material for the outer

- Material for the lining

- Stiff Quilting

- Long zipper

Measure out the size and shape of your bag on the quilting. Make sure that the zip will fit it of course!

Then measure out the lining. This should be about a cm bigger all round. You should then pin this to the quilting, folding the excess material over the edges.

Stitch all the way round to attach the lining to the quilting. Next fold it in half (right sides together) and sew the sides together, leaving the opening at the top.

Next measure out th outer material. This should be at least an inch bigger at the sides and at the opening.

Fold it in half, right sides together, and then stitch up each side. Rember the quilting needs to fit inside so make sure it fits comfortably before sewing.

Turn it the right way round. You then need to insert the quilting inside the bag.

Here is the tricky part!

To insert the zip you need to insert it between the quilting and the outer material. To do this you will need to fold over the edge of the outer fabric as this should not have been stitched yet.

 The zipper needs to be inserted in between and pinned as above. You then need to sew the zip in place.

At each end of the bag, either side of the zip, you need to sew the bag together like a seam to ensure that when it is zipped up the bag is fully closed.

I then wanted to add some tassels to the zipper on the bag. Tassels are everywhere right now so I thought they might look quite cool on the bag.

To make a tassel in the same material as the bag, take a piece of the material and cut into it like above to make a 'fringe'. You then need to roll it by rolling the uncut part into itself.

Next take a long piece of the material, or a piece of riibbon, and wrap it around the top of the tassel to tie it together. Take one end and thread it through the zipper and tie off.

I also picked up this tassel in the home furnishings department which I also threaded through the zipper.

Together they should look like this! There you have it; a finished clutch bag.

My Day in Pictures

 (Flower shopping at "Living Flowers")

 (Reworked vintage jewellery at "Junk")

(Unusual candle holders at "Moth")

(Red velvet cupcake)

I always love it when you start your day with no plans and before you know it you've been wandering aimlessly for hours. Today was that day and the location was West Disbury.....and I loved it

Italian Coral

(Fabric Remnants)

Whilst rumaging through the mounds of ouffcuts of fabric in my favourite fabric shop I found these. They are both really lightweight and whilst they are not silk they certainly feel like it.

The one on the right is my favourite as it instantly reminded me of Brioni's 2011 Spring/Summer collection from Milan fashion week.

(Brioni Spring/Summer 2011)

Brioni's collection, whilst mainly focused on monotones of black and white lace, also featured the colour of the season, camel. But it was not the camel that caught my eye; it was the rare inclusion of coral.

Whilst other designers' pallets have featured ballet nudes, jewell brights, aztec patterns or safari prints, Brioni has stepped away from the pack and added a splash of something different to the collection. A colour that on its own is usually associated with a Grandmother's blouse or a bridesmaid's dress, but when mixed with camel looks modern and fresh. Perfect for Spring!

It's not clear from the picture above, but the fabric is of the same shades from Bioni's collection and something this beautiful needs to be worn. I feel a DIY may be coming on.....

In the words of Dolly Parton...

If like me you work in an office, you will probably agree that some days you look at your 'work' wardrobe and it makes you want to crawl back under the duvet.

So with Summer now officially being here (did anyone tell Mother Nature?) I thought it was time to consider adding some elements of colour to my wardrobe and I think any of these I found would do just the job!

('Melissa' by Temptations 11)

(Mysuelly Bag)

('Blair' by Coast)

(Ri2K Suede and Leather Bag)

(Paul Smith Black Label)

(Michael Kors Watch)

(Knomo Yellow Laptop Bag)

(River Island Peg Leg)

Glitterballs and Disco Divas

A lot of the collections on the runway at Fashion Week seem to have been influenced by Studio 54 for Spring 2011.

(Dries van Noten: Fashion week 2011)

(Bianca Jagger)

(Cher)

What I loved about that era was that even when you were in a pair of jeans (ala Cher) you were glamourous. It all looked so effortless. It was a time when everything was carefree and easy, including the hair and the clothes.

Halston Heritage has to date maintained the vibe of Studion 54 in all it's lines, including the current collection. It's full of simple pieces made from luxurious fabrics in vibrant block colours. Ranging from jumpsuits to flirty dresses, the collection is the epitome of Studio 54.

 

So this gave me some inspiration. I have some beautiful fabrics that I have no idea what to do with but this Halston Heritage embellished jacket actually inspired a DIY on a suit jacket I no longer wear.

(Black suit jacket)

(Sequin shrug)

I have as couple of really old sequin shrugs around that I never wear. I thought, in tribute to the Halston Heritage jacket above, the old suit jacket would look really cool with embellished lapels.

So I cut up the shrug and then stitched the fabric by hand to each of the lapels.

This is the end result!

I really like it. I think it definitely has that Studio 54 vibe that I was going for and would look great with me 'Carrie' skirt.

Now I have the 70s vibe I might try and see where else it takes me.

White Chocolate and Orange Cookies

I love white chocolate and I also love tangy oranges so what could possibly be better than a white chocolate and orange cookie on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

I used this recipe to make these amazing cookies. The whole house was filled with the yummy cookie smell that you need after a tough week at work.

I love Carrie....

So the whole country seems to Carrie mad and I'm not about Sex and the City.

The Carrie skirt by Whistles ticks all the boxes this season and at a reasonable price too. So much so that it has been snapped off the shelves and now has its own email address for people desperate to get their hands on one.

However, I have happened to come across my very own vintage 'Carrie'.

It may not be made of chiffon but it's the same bright shade of pink and has the same 'swirlability' as the Carrie. So for £10 it was a bargain!