The no-sew t-shirt necklace project I did recently went so well, I was inspired to keep the crafting going. This week, I attempted a chunky pearl necklace, as inspired by Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This. (That girl has the BEST ideas.)
I started with a string of junk store pearls that I've had kicking around for the past ten years.
I looped the pearls around three times.
I tied off the loops with cotton ribbon (from DeSerres). One piece of ribbon per side, leaving long bits loose to create the tie-closure.
That's it! You too can upcycle an outdated piece like this. And you don't have to use pearls. Any long string of beads (in any colour) will do. Easy peasy.
For me, the best thing about this necklace (and the t-shirt necklace I made a couple of weeks ago) is that neither contains metal. I have a contact allergy to nickel and as a result, I can't wear most costume jewellery. I can't even wear a watch (because even the most expensive ones with gold or titanium bands tend to have a stainless steel back plate). This necklace is soft, light and, as I said, the closure is fabric. (You just tie the ribbon off in a bow.) Finally... a fun necklace I can wear without breaking out in hives. Love it.
It's been awhile since I posted about a good, old-fashioned craft, so today I bring you this piece about the necklace and scarf I made out of an old soft-cotton shirt/dress, inspired by A Pretty Penny and Threadbanger. Here's the inspiration shot from A Pretty Penny:Here's how you do it: get any old tee shirt in an appealing colour and cut it into strips with sharp scissors. Don't worry if the edges are jagged. Pull on the ends of each strip, stretching them out. Stretching the strips will cause the cotton to curl up into a kind of tube and will hide jagged edges. Tie the strips together (just make simple knots) and....
Ta-da! Awesomesauce necklace. Seriously. It's that simple.
I started with an old shirt that had a few small holes. I still liked it, but the holes have kept me from wearing it lately.
(For the record, this shirt was originally from H&M, but I got it from a clothing swap. I try not to support the sweat-shop brands. I suggest you get your tee second hand.)
I'm actually not a huge jewellery-wearer, so I didn't make a hugely chunky necklace. I wanted something a bit more understated. Here it is:
I didn't use the whole shirt and I didn't want to waste the fabric, so I trimmed the remnants and fashioned a pashmina-esque scarf from the leftovers.
This project is super simple, I swear. I wore my new necklace to the CityLine bloggers party last week (which you can catch airing today on CityTV Toronto). *Edited to add: here's a shot of me with Shannon from What's Up Whimsy and Pam from Cherish Toronto at the CityLine Blogger's Tweetup. Note the necklace and pardon my bust. I'm kind of busting out. Oh well.
 This isn't really along the lines of what I usually post, but I just had to brag... I mean, share (ahem) news of my latest Goodwill find: An incredible little hat, made by Toronto's own Karyn Gingras of Lilliput Hats.It's a designer original, yo! And it's local, one-of-a-kind and completely handmade! It's the sort of hat that retails for hundreds! And I got it at GOODWILL. How much did I pay? Funny you should ask. Cheeky too. I paid... a cool $1.50. That's one dollar and fifty cents, thankyouverymuch. It was supposed to be $3, but I bought it on 50% off day.
Believe it. And see it for yourself:
Hats aren't usually my thing. Even though I'm told they suit me, they call to mind memories of Mayim Bialik, Blossom and the early 90s. Memories I've tried hard to forget. But when I saw the Lilliput label inside this little beauty, I just couldn't pass it up. It was actually in the cart of the lady in front of me in the checkout line and I was eying it and lamenting not having seen it first, even before I knew what it was. Something about it just called to me. And luckily, at the last minute, she decided not to buy it. I swooped in. I had to stand in line a second time to pay for it, but the wait was worth it.For out of towners and those who just don't know, Lilliput Hats is basically the very best traditional milliner in Toronto. The College St. store/studio is absolutely adorable and just packed with unbelievable style. Some of Karyn's pieces would make even Philip Treacy jealous. And I got one for $1.50. Yes!I don't care if I do look like Blossom. I'm gonna wear this baby.
Hey all. So yesterday I mentioned that I was going to be featured today in this wishlist series that is currently running on the blog What's Up Whismy. It's happened. I'm there.My pick was a piece of jewellery by NYmetals. They make plenty of stuff in gold (which means I'm not allergic -- hurray!) and it's all very wearable, affordable and everyday. But special too. Here's just a selection of what's currently available:Bird charm necklace, $25 USD.
Orchid earrings, $21 USD.
Tree of life necklace, $26 USD.
Personalized disc necklace, $37 USD.
I really think this store is something special. Consider stuffing a stocking with one of these beautiful baubles this Christmas. Or, you know, buy something and send it my way. I'll be your best friend.
Hey friends! So, I'm working on something and I need your input. It's one of those ribbon/chain necklaces things. They've been everywhere of late. And making one seemed like an easy project.
I started with some chain from my local hardware store.
I made it into a looped necklace using a small key ring to secure the loops at the length I wanted (not shown).Then I added some black ribbon and one or two little dodads from my toolbox for added interest. Here's where I am right now:
What do you think? Am I done? Does it look too DIY? What do I need to add or change to make this work?
Hey readers. So I've been away from awhile. That's 'cause I went to New York.
I would have said goodbye, but I didn't want anyone to hear that my apartment was unoccupied, lest they come and burgle me.
I do not wish to be burgled.
Anyway. I'm back now and ready to rave about all things Manhattan! Are you excited? (You know you are. Don't even pretend you're not.)
Okay. So.
I knew New York would be chock full of all that is chic. I've always known that. But after five days in the city, I really was overwhelmed by it all. Mostly, by the diversity of chicness. And I think that's saying a lot. I live in Toronto, okay? I know it's not Manhattan, but it's probably the most diverse city in the world.
Anyhoo, in honour of this blog's title, here are the three "chicest" things I experienced while in Manhattan proper.
1. The Jonathan Adler store in Greenwhich.
The space was tiny, and I couldn't really afford anything in it, but I didn't see one thing in the Jonathan Adler store that wasn't totally freakin' chic. From the llamas wool rugs (hand-loomed in Peru by weavers associated with Aid to Artisans) to the bits of pottery that made Adler famous, I wanted it all. I especially like his whale stuff like the pitcher shown below, but didn't notice any of it in stock. Sad. Still... it was darn chic. * Store image from The Shophound, whale from JA website. 2. Bergdorf Goodman * CC licensed BG store photo by mi michelle from Flickr.).
My Bergdorf experience was chic, not because of the merch, but because of who we saw there. See, Nathan and I popped into BG on a whim. I felt like terrifying him with a bit of opulence. (He's a socialist who only really buys fair trade clothing, so I knew a pair of $1500 Louboutin's would blow his mind.) We stumbled off the escalator, looking dishevelled (he was carrying a backpack, but hey, at least it wasn't a fanny pack). We ended up smack in the middle of a Manolo's New Shoes book signing event. It was obvious we didn't belong. We were not wearing black. My bright orange Goodwill jacket was like a neon sign blinking "I am middle class!" Nathan's beard and plaid shirt competed with a loud "I am Canadian!" Nonetheless, we hovered. Why not? The next thing we knew, a lovely young waiter was taking pity on us and giving us glasses of champagne (bless you, sir, whoever you are). THEN, I noted a flash of crocodile green to my left. Who was it? None other than Vogue's André Leon Talley, perched on a throne-like chair, looking like a huge Queen. (In the royal sense, not the homosexual sense.) And just beyond him was Blahnik himself, decked out in a shiny purple suit and hot pink loafers (which I think he's worn to multiple signing events. You can check out some AP photos here . God I wish I hadn't been too chicken to snap a few of my own. The only pic I took is this one: Free champagne with the fashion elite? You just don't get more chic than that. Nonetheless, we felt a bit awkward and out of place. We downed our ill-gotten drinks and skedaddled in short order. It was awesome. ( Click here to read more about the celebrities and actors spotted on the trip.)
3. Housing Works Thrift Shop (Grammercy) I expected the thrifting in New York to be a lot better than it was. I thought there'd be Goodwills. Salvation Army's, junk shops. There were a few, but they were small and expensive. And grody. I was bummed. That is, until I found the Housing Works Thrift Shop. Ah-mazing. If I lived in Manhattan, I'd shop here all the time! We hit up the Grammercy location, because that's the one that was near our hotel, but there are shops all over the city, AND you can even browse online.Best of all, the whole thing is a charitable endeavour to help with what they call the "twin crises" of HIV/AIDS and homelessness. From the store's website: "Since 1990, we have provided the highest quality services for homeless men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS in New York City and beyond." You had me at homelessness, Housing Works. In fact, you had me at HIV. I'm officially in love with you. * Housing Works images from the org website . The store wasn't exactly cheap, but prices were reasonable and the selection was good. They had lots of great stuff from clothes to marble top coffee tables to old pianos. (I saw an old upright for a mere $125.) The Robert Rodriquez Jacket (shown here) is $65, and mall-brand stuff is significantly less than that.
I helped a very cool-looking lady with a massive synthetic afro button up a vintage dress from the 70s and fingered some dining chairs before remembering that I was visiting New York, not furnishing my new loft. It was a sad realization.
Anyway, there you have it. In my decidedly inexpert opinion, the three chicest things I saw in New York, where even the bedbugs wear Manolos.
 You know how crazy I've been about birds lately. I can't shut up about it. But after seeing a preview of Dwell Studio's new stuff (the result of a partnership with Robert Allen) via Traditional Home on Dwell's blog yesterday, I got to wondering if snakes might really be decor's latest fauna du jour. I'm thinking they're not. Don't get me wrong, I love what Dwell Studio is doing with snakes (and their trellis in particular). I can't wait to see more of the line. I just don't think snakes will ever be as popular in contemporary decorating as birds have been. They're just too... well, snakey.
That said, I'm not trying to argue that snakes aren't making a comeback. Consider this jewelery: Elizabeth and James:  Jewelry, I get. I think the more avant garde among us will always be attracted to this sort of thing, but as for snakes that slithering all over our homes? I just don't think it's likely. I might do a single sculpture or objet d'art like this one from Michael Healy, but I can't imagine going hog wild for reptiles in the way I have for birds. There's so much negative symbolism associated with snakes, especially in Judaic and Christian traditions. (Consider Harry Potter and the house of Slytherin.) Snakes freak people out. They give folks the shivers, the heebie jeebies, the willies, if you will. As a result, though gritty nature may be a hot decorating theme right now, no matter how many snails appear in terrariums, no matter how many rats become chefs in the movies, snakes will always be a little too much for many. Ssssssssssso there.
 This guy on my softball team wears Kung Fu slippers. Like, the ones you see in Chinatown for $3.99. Like, the ones with the all-cotton sole. Like, every day. Even on the subway.
Whenever I ask him about them he shrugs. "They're not really shoes," he says. "But they're really comfortable."
It's kind of an understatement. I know this footwear staple is hardly an innovation, but I bought my first pair recently and MAN, they ARE comfortable. They are more than comfortable. They are literally the most comfortable things I've had on my feet ever. Ever!
Confession: I prefer to go barefoot. I love shoes to look at, and I love what they do for an outfit, but I've never had a pair of shoes that was really and truly comfortable. Like, comfortable for more than ten minutes. No matter how long they're on for, actually. No matter how far you have to walk. The Kung Fu is. The Kung Fu shoe stays comfy.
 And it's chic. Really, it is! It's black, and not unlike a loafer. When worn right, it has a sort of Audrey Hepburn vibe about it. It might become my go-to shoe.
I know what you're thinking: how can I wear a shoe with a cotton sole around the grubby city? What about the rain? What about the broken glass? What about the urban quicksand? Well, they come with rubber soles too, you know. And sometimes, the ones with the rubber soles are even cheaper than the basic cotton ones.
Regardless, they are comfy comfy comfy. The simple cotton construction lets your feet breathe and the interior cushioning isn't bad.
I know, I know, I know. I'm going on and on about a slipper. A cheap slipper. But it's a chic slipper. I swear.
 I'm no Diane Keaton. In addition to being thirty years younger and significantly more jiggly (in all areas), I just don't have what it takes to rock the menswear look. Nonetheless I am addicted to vintage ties these days. ADDICTED. Even if I only have five minutes, if I pass a Goodwill, I will pop in just to take a quick peep at the ties. (If I only have five minutes, I try not to look at anything else, because if I see something I can't have or can't carry out I know it will only annoy me, but I a tie I can get for the price of a coffee, and if I find one in my bag, I can be sure it will fit in my purse.) Anyway. Ties. I found this clover-motif one just last week. Price? $2.99. Designer? Paul Smith. Original price? Not sure, actually, but ties on the current website sell for a minimum of 59.00 British pounds, which is over $100 Canadian dollars. Deal? As always ... YES! Paul Smith is a fashion guru I don't know much about. (See menswear/jiggly thing, above.) He's a white guy, aging, dapper. I'm not sure what line this tie comes from (do you?) What I know is how much I love it. The graphic pattern, the sheen, the heft of it. It's a beautiful thing. My man wore it to Christmas dinner. But he's really not much of a tie guy, so maybe I'll ultimately include it in some sort of create design project. I'll let you know. More tie finds to come. (Including a HUGE bounty of ties by Elsa Schiaparelli, also snagged at my local Goodwill.)
 Confession: I love sneakers. Even though I rarely wear them (not appropriate at my office, alas) I love them. And I love vintage sneaks the most.
I nabbed this pair of North Star sneakers at my local Salvation Army for a mere $3 in 2009. North Star was and is a Bata company, and these particular kicks were popular in the late '70s and into the '80s. I know they have a hipsterish vibe, but I love them. If you want to rock vintage sneaks like these, without looking like a twenty-something street rat, you can. If the rest of your outfit is simple and grown up (basic jeans, simple tee or blouse) they work. And they're comfortable! Good for long shopping missions, chasing small children, walking dogs. Think about it.
Anyone who knows me knows I buy more than 80% of my stuff second hand. I do this for a lot of different reasons, not the least of which being that I love when an item has a little history to it. I also love owning things that are relatively unique. (Nobody likes a muffin/sheep, do they?) Finally, shopping vintage allows me to afford an abundance of things, but also allows me to feel less guilty for participating in a culture of consumption and capitalism. Often, second hand shops have charitable affiliations, and in not buying new, I'm keeping stuff out of landfills, essentially recycling. Right? (RIGHT?)
But enough of all that high horse stuff. The truth is that I just love vintage.
That said, it's one thing to buy a shirt that you can throw in the washing machine and another to stuff your tender tootsies into a pair of old (potentially sweat soaked, and athlete's-foot-infected shoes. Don't be squeamish! Fixing up old footwear is actually easy.
Step 1: if the exteriors are a bit soiled, use a foam furniture cleanser, just on the surfaces, to tidy them up. DO NOT put shoes in the washer. You'll most likely wreck them.
Step 2: Spray the insides with bowling shoe disinfectant! It works. Alternately, I quick, light swipe of the inside, or a light misting with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water should also do the trick. Even a quick shot of Lysol should work. That said, I really wouldn't worry about it. Most things aren't really as toxic as you might imagine. Chill about it. Your feet will be fine.
Step 3 (If necessary): If you found a pair of vintage shoes you absolutely love, but find they have some major defect like a broken heel or sole, consider buying them anyway. Look for a local cobbler to fix them up. New soles or heels can be had for $10 if you've got a good shoe guy. When I was in Vancouver, I swore by Jimmy's Shoe Renu. In Toronto, I haven't yet found a perfect place, but I'll let you know when I do.
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