DIY: Friendship Bracelets with Rhinestones

Recently while reading Refinery 29, it struck me that in their list of 9 Editor's Must Haves for NYFW, one of the items was incredibly accessible. It was also the one that Taylor Tomasi Hill listed and she's basically one of my favorite editors so it was probably meant to be. Now the item is:

Friendship bracelets with rhinestones! The bracelets, by Frieda and Nellie, are described as handwoven with vintage rhinestones but I figured who will really be able to tell if the rhinestones are vintage? So get thee to a craft store! I went to Michael's and picked up some embroidery floss, a crystal chain (you can also use an old necklace from Claire's with rhinestones), some clasps, and if you're feeling adventurous, some interesting beads.

And then, if you've never made friendship bracelets, head over to a site that teaches you how to make them and get started! After you've woven a full bracelet just twist the crystal chain or the necklace around your bracelet and attach it to the ends. Ta-daa! 

I'm in the process of making mine and I'll update this post later today or tomorrow with pictures of it once I'm done!

Thanks to Refinery29 for the image!

"I travel light...

...I think the most important thing is to be in a good mood and enjoy life, wherever you are." 

- Diane von Furstenberg*

Despite Ms. Furstenberg's lovely quote, I have packing on my mind at the moment since I will finally be back in Prague soon! I already have most of my winter wardrobe over there but I'm still bringing a new coat, some boots, presents for my roomies, and a few other must have items. What do you always take with you when traveling? If you had to pick one item to take with you when moving to a different country, what would it be? Do you have any items that just give you comfort and peace of mind when traveling (other than a passport)? Here are mine:

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer ($36), 2. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation ($42), 3. Topshop Knitted Stripe Cocoon Jumper (mine is actually a year older but this same basic idea; sadly Topshop doesn't sell it anymore) ($80), 4. American Apparel 3-Pack Unisex Flat Knit Striped Knee-High Sock ($18), 5. Citizens of Humanity Kelly Boot Cut Jeans (I got my first pair when I was 14, nearly 6 years ago. I order a new pair everytime I wear my old ones through. I am actually addicted) ($150), 6. Blackberry Bold 9650, 7. Amazon Kindle WiFi + 3G (yes it is already a necessity) ($189), 8. Fossil Fifty-Four Willow Flap Clutch ($95), 9. Lomography Diana Mini with Flash ($105).

Also, a big thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I've tried to thank everyone personally on  their blog, but just wanted to give a general thank you as well :)

Thanks to Sephora, Topshop, American Apparel, Shopbop, Research in Motion, Amazon, Fossil, and Lomography for the images. The collage was created by me.

A Little Bit Rock, a Little Bit Punk...

I have rings on my mind! My style has always leant toward a more classic and feminine look but I just can't get over these rings! From left to right, top to bottom: Katrina LePenne Talon Ring ($165), Topshop Stone Swirl Ring ($18), Topshop Skull Quad Ring ($28), Topshop Ornate Stone Cocktail Ring ($25), UO/Species By the Thousands Branch Ring ($200), Topshop Cut Out Cluster Ring ($25), Urban Outfitters Cross Double Ring ($18), Cowboy Horse Saddle Pewter Finger Armor Ring ($25.37), UO/BJ by Jules Kim Skinny Curved Bar Ring ($162), Alexander McQueen Hells Four-Finger Ring ($495), Topshop Ram Head Ring ($25), Elizabeth and James Sterling Silver Knuckle Ring ($175).

Thanks to Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon, and Shop Goldyn for the images. Collage by me.

Sunday Crosswords

Crosswords aren't really directly related to fashion but knowing about fashion can help you in all sorts of ways - Jackie O's favorite designer? Oleg C, of course. And first name in fashion? Coco. First name in cosmetics? Estee.

Every Saturday, when we get the Washington Post, I go straight for the magazine crossword. After all, few things are as quickly and cheaply satisfying as getting a clue right. And getting the entire puzzle? You're golden for the week! Until the next weekend's crossword arrives! (If by some unlikely chance someone here does the WashPost Magazine crossword, don't look at my scan :))

Do you do crosswords or sudoku? What's your favorite newspaper to get them from? 

A Short History of Lipstick

What with all the talk of nude and red and purple lips this autumn, I thought I'd do a quick post on the history of lipstick and which colors match which eras - I mean it's been useRd since the ancient Egyptians or even the Sumerians. We always talk about a decade coming back, but what about several centuries?

Ancient Egypt:
Although it was not yet in stick form, instead being a mix of oils and waxes with colors in a pot, the Ancient Egyptians wore blue-black and orange-red colors.

Ancient Greece:

Red and wine colored for most women. However, prostitutes wore all sorts of colors but they aren't exactly the ideal style icon in my eyes.

The Roman Empire:
During the time of the emperor Nero, his wife brought fucus into fashion. Fucus is reddish purple and was used alongside wine colors.

The Middle Ages:
Even though make-up was normally condemned, a white face and rose-colored lips was the only style considered somewhat acceptable.

Elizabethan England (Elizabeth I)
White faces but brighter lips. Elizabeth I thought make up could stave off death and cosmetics vendors were considered to be akin to magicians.

Baroque (1660-1789)
Men and women alike wore make up in bright colors - it was supposed to make you stand out from the crowd. Lips were to be pearl-like.

Thanks to Lime Crime and M.A.C. for the images.

Androgyny a la Woolf

I'm sorry I'm doing so many of these literary themed posts but I've been going through books from high school for a few days and it reminds me of passages that I love and so I start reading and then that turns into "that reminds me of (insert name) A/W 2010 collection" and then I can't think of anything else and they're addictive. I hope people don't mind. That said, we had to read a large amount of Virginia Woolf in school, in senior year it was To the Lighthouse and A Room of One's Own. The second I picked up A Room of One's Own, I remembered that not only is it all about androgyny but also that I bought two copies at the time and the one I was holding was covered in annotations. So I started looking through the annotated copy and came upon this gem of a passage. It didn't really fit with most of the ones I've posted since it isn't explicitly about clothing but it's still well-worded beautiful inspiration. And who doesn't love a bit of androgyny?

"It is fatal to be a man or a woman pure and simple; one must be woman-manly or man-womanly. It is fatal for a woman to lay the least stress on any grievance; to plead even with justice in any cause; in any way speak consciously as a woman. And fatal is no figure of speech; for anything written with that conscious bias is doomed to death. It ceases to be fertilised." 

- A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf, 1929

By columns, from left to right: Zara Lookbook: Crossed Checked Blazer ($129), Blucher with Flap ($149); ASOS MANOMAN Leather Buckle Lace Up Flat Shoes ($109.53); Salvatore Ferragamo "Nearly" Driving Loafers ($312); Nine West Stavo ($69); Tod's Heaven Lacetto ($425); G-Star Roll Sleeve Stripe Linen Mix Shirt ($126.38); Zara Lookbook: Short Cross-Over Blazer ($79.90); Mango Paperbag Waist Trousers ($75.66), ASOS Retro Style Oversized Face Metal Strap Watch ($37.07), Fred Perry Chino Trousers ($134.80).

So go and dress like a man! Because according to Virginia Woolf you'll never achieve anything if you're just a woman. Not vouching for that but you'll certainly look fantastic with some of the menswear pieces! I bought a blazer at Zara recently and I can barely bear taking it off.

Also, I know La Roux is totally over-used when it comes to talking about androgynous style but she's over-used for a reason. She's just so perfect!

And FNO in Georgetown was lots of fun! The weather was perfect, there were lots of people out and it's was an amazing atmosphere!

Thanks to last.fm, Piperlime, Neiman Marcus, Bluefly, ASOS, and Zara for the images. Collage by me.

Fashion's Night Out: DC

I'm heading down to Fashion's Night Out in Georgetown tonight with some friends! Quite excited but all hopes are mitigated by DC's rather straitlaced fashion sense and atmosphere. But we'll see! A list of all of Georgetown's FNO events can be found here.

Some of the spots I'm particularly excited for:
Annie Creamcheese has 20% off everything except Chanel and some designer items. Annie Creamcheese is a vintage store with pieces from the 40s and on. The only caveat being, Annie Creamcheese is fairly pricey. 20% off? Definitely a plus.

Betsey Johnson is having a garden party with wine and FNO cupcakes from Baked and Wired. Considering I would live on Baked and Wired cupcakes if given the option, this is a big deal.

bluemercury is letting visitors pick a favorite make-up look from Vogue and have it recreated by professional make-up artists.

Diesel is giving out free tote bags from their "Be Stupid" campaign.

Georgetown Aveda is offering free consultations and 20% off all products.

Georgetown Cupcake is offering a free FNO cupcake to anyone who asks for it by name. (Again cupcakes are exciting.)

Just Paper & Tea are giving out free gifts with purchases of $50 or more. (School supplies and stationery - again exciting.)

Kate Spade is having a raffle and releasing the new fragrance, Twirl.

At Presse Bookstore, a percentage of the night's proceeds goes to Action Against Hunger.

Are you going to Fashion's Night Out where you live? Are you excited? Photos later!

Thanks to We Heart It for the photo!