DIY FOR DUMMIES: denim vest

I've been wanting a denim vest for awhile, but haven't found one to my liking. All of the ones I found at thrift shops looked like they'd fit a large guy in a motorcycle gang and also smelled like a large guy in a motorcycle gang. All of the ones I found at the mall had that lame new, but trying to look distressed thing going on. WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?


I was looking for my raincoat  last weekend and I stumbled upon this denim jacket that belongs to my mom. She hasn't worn it in awhile, so I convinced her to let me have it and cut the sleeves off. It's Liz Claiborne. Is there anything more punk rock than a Liz Claiborne denim vest? I THINK NOT.

 Put your jacket on a flat surface. I used my bed.

 Cut a little with your scissors just before the sea of the sleeve. Then cut around the sleeve. Repeat on the  other side. If you want frayed edges, leave a little border of denim from the sleeve and put the vest in the wash a few times.

That's it! You could attach some studs or embroider your name if you're feeling super crafty. I love wearing my vest in place of a cardigan because it creates the illusion in my mind that I am cool!

Do you ever borrow steal your mom's clothes? More importantly, is anyone else watching the "Going Into Labor Day" marathon on Lifetime right now?!

-Gabby

i wanna be a vivian girl

I am bummed out because summer is almost over and school starts next week, which means I have to get up before the sun does. I am excited learn, but it's going to be hard to not to be a stressed out grouch for the next nine months...high school is kind of like pregnancy minus people rubbing your belly and getting you food whenever you crave it and instead of a baby you get a diploma. I MAKE GREAT ANALOGIES.

But the start of school means the start of fall weather. I can wear tights and sweaters and layer things and not have to shave my legs(what?). I want to look effortlessly cool like the Vivian Girls in their video for "Take It As It Comes," but I think I am too neurotic to look effortlessly cool and I am okay with that.

-Gabby

CRAFTERNOONE: Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is kind of haunting my life you guys and I don't like it. Last week he was shopping on Walnut Street in Philadelphia (according to the local news) and  I had gone shopping on Walnut Street in Philadelphia last week too! THEN, I embroidered him. CREEPY STUFF, RIGHT?

I am kind of exaggerating, I GUESS. It was my friend Lisa's birthday this week and she is really into Justin Bieber, so I made this for her. His necklace says her name in a heart! I pay attention to detail and retain information, despite what the teachers who made me repeat preschool will tell you!

Here I am looking hot! I am wearing my Rodarte for Target dress over a pear print Espirit top from the early nineties. I also wore a thin navy belt, but you can't see it...I'M A FASHION BLOGGER.


The jury is still out on what I think of Justin Bieber. I think it's better that tween girls are obsessing over a heartthrob who is under 18 and not a (known) drug addict rather than like that guy from Twilight who kind of looks like a foot. But I can't get into his music and he reminds me too much of this kid I went to elementary school with who got his hair professionally highlighted in THE FOURTH GRADE and bragged about listening to gangster rap on his Ipod, which was a big deal because this was when Ipods cost $500 and weighed 2 pounds and I was in THE FOURTH GRADE.


What do you guys think of Justin Bieber? Have you ever made someone a gift from scratch? More importantly, did you go to elementary school with some weirdos too?

-Gabby

new items in the shop

I've just listed some new items in my Etsy shop. I'm particularly fond of this cute schoolgirl sweater set. It makes me wanna channel some retro cheerleader vibes for fall. Grab it before I change my mind about selling it!

Black macrame handbag to feed the needs of your inner classy lady.

 Cute little embroidered(!!) bag with a peacock.

Get em while they last!

-Gabby

JAZMIN BERAKHA

Artist Jazmin Berakha creates works of embroidery featuring graphic prints and cool girls that I am obsessed with.

To see more, visit http://jazminberakha.tumblr.com/

I would apologize that this is turning into an embroidery appreciation blog, but I CAN'T.

CRAFTERNOONE: lazy girl's guide to embroidery

Embroidery is really easy and I know this because I am an expert on it ever since two weeks ago, when I glanced through a book about it at Barnes & Noble. Grandmas make it seem hard only because they want to protect their craft from people like me who want to abuse it to make ironic wall hangings!

For this project, I embroidered a bunted banner that says "snoozefest" to hang over my bed because every night in my bed is a party and by party I mean a time to watch Netflix Instant Watch by myself. This could also be made as a pretty special way to say happy birthday or breakup with someone, depending on what you make the banner say.


To make your own, you will need:

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just start calling me Nigella.

It has come to the point in the summer where I am wearing the same shorts for three days straight because I am too hot and I don't care. I got kind of desperate today and went shopping in my KITCHEN.

That's right, I am wearing an apron as a dress. I think this is one of my best ideas yet. Not only is it pretty cute, but I can freely eat spaghetti while wearing it and say "It's fine that I splattered sauce on myself! That's what aprons are for!" Also, it should be noted that this is a wrap around apron, which means no children were scarred in the process of wearing it.

I wore it with these vintage leather wedges that I got a few weeks ago for $3.

Along with these earrings that were also $3!  The sage old man at the thrift store told me I would get far in life because I knew what I wanted re: me asking him to take the earrings out of the display case for me. So that was nice!

-Gabby