Barbarella

The seemingly bleak economical and environmental outlook these days leaves people yearning for protection and security. This climate can't help but impact designers during their creative process, so it is no wonder tougher, utilitarian jewelry is making its way onto the scene. Case in point? Staple Brit label Burberry Prorsum and the recently launched Dannijo. Both lines used barbed wire as inspiration for bracelets that send a "Don't mess with me" message. Juxtaposed with dainty, ethereal dresses, these bracelets will keep you looking sharp all spring!

From left: Dannijo bracelet; Burberry Prorsum bracelet

What You'll Need:
3 yards thin leather cord
Jewelry clasp
One bead
Superglue
Scissors

Begin by cutting two pieces of cord, each one yard long. Tie a knot at one end, then twist the two strands together and tie another knot about six inches from the opposite end. Slip on your bead then tie another knot, adding your jewelry clasp, to secure it in place. This serves as the length of the bracelet that you will wrap around your wrist.


Now it is time to make the barbs. Cut your remaining yard of leather cord into five inch pieces. While pinching the small piece of cord to the bracelet with your thumb and forefinger, wrap the loose end around itself and over the end you are pinching about three times. Leave the last loop a bit loose and slide the end of the cord under the loop, which acts as a knot to keep the barb from unwrapping.


Put a dot of superglue over the knot and snip off the excess cord. Make one barb at four inch intervals along your entire bracelet.


xx,CC

Waist Management

While one typically thinks of cording and tassels as a home decor staple, Hannah MacGibbon clearly had another use in mind for the drapery accents while designing the Chloé Fall 2009 collection. After a rocky first season as head designer for the French fashion house, MacGibbon finally struck a high note as she adorned her collection of comfy coats and khakis with demure fringe accents on clutches, blouses, and, of course, belts. Wrapped around a luxe velvet skirt, the interwoven metallic and black silk threads recall the regal days of the court of Versailles. What better way to infuse a little luxe into your everyday wardrobe?


What You'll Need:
Black velvet skirt (thrifted for $5.00)
Black and metallic cord (approximately 2 yards)
Two black tassels
Black satin ribbon (1/2" width)
Needle
Thread
Scissors

After threading your needle, stitch around the end of the cord a few times so it will not unravel. Attach one tassel to each end of the cord by sewing through the center of the tassel and knotting multiple times. Wrap the satin ribbon around the spot where the tassel meets the end of the cord and secure by sewing for a finished look. Wrap your belt around a velvet skirt for a runway ready look or add to skinny jeans or harem pants for a look all your own!


xx,CC

Buckle Up

The holidays are officially over, your energy is zapped, and there is nothing to look forward to in the dreary months of February and March; it's no wonder you wake up every morning and throw your hair into a lackluster bun or braid! Thank goodness Eugenia Kim, milliner to the stars, is here to save the (no good very bad hair) day with her embroidered buckle headband. Handpicked by Lucky editors as a surrealist statement piece, it's the perfect winter accessory - everyone will notice your shining hair and cute new eyeshadow instead of the same coat you've been forced to wear since November.


What You'll Need:
One piece of felt
Wide headband
Black grosgrain ribbon 2" width
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Black Sharpie

Begin by cutting the piece if felt into a wide strip. Be sure it is long enough to cover the entire headband; cut diagonally along the arrows below.


Put a dot of hot glue on one end of the headband, and press one end of the felt strip down on the glue. Make thin lines of glue along the inside edges of the headband and press the felt under. Make sure the felt is smooth along the outside surface of the headband. To create a finished look (and prevent glue from yanking out your hair!) glue the black ribbon on the inside of the headband. Cut off the excess ribbon with scissors.


Now it is time to add the trompe l'oeil buckle with a Sharpie. Near the top of the band, draw a large square covering the entire width of the headband. Draw a smaller square inside. Next, draw the long lines of the "belt" on either side of the buckle ending in a point. Go back and add details such as stitch marks and belt holes.


xx,CC

Learning the Ropes

Marc Jacobs has a reputation for doing some pretty off the wall designs, leaving his audience with either a "love it" or "hate it" opinion. For his resort 09 handbag collection Marc catered to the yachting crowd - quite literally - with his line of "Fluo Passementary" handbags (def. - trimming with braid or cord). Working with neon rope typically used to station a yacht or sail boat to the dock, Marc created beautifully woven works of art to add as decoration on his simple leather satchels. Whether taking a trip someplace warm or battling the brutal cold, this handbag adds the perfect pop to any outfit for the new year.


What You'll Need:
Handbag
Assorted rope (found at Home Depot)
Flat back gems
Hot glue gun
Scissors

Begin by taking your largest gauge rope and create symmetrical loops around the front center of the handbag. This takes a bit of experimentation until you come up with a design you like.


Once you know how you are going to lay out the rope, cut the proper length. Take your hot glue gun and put a dot on the end of the rope to prevent unraveling. Squeeze a thin line of glue on the bag in the shape of your design and press the rope on top. If your bag has a flap like mine, be careful to only glue on the top part of the flap. The rope has enough structure that it keep its shape and hang over the bottom. Continue gluing until your design is complete, then come in with a second (slightly thinner) rope and add to your first design. As a finishing touch, glue a few colorful gems in the center of your loops.


To finish the handbag, tie a long piece of rope around the end of one side of the handle. Begin tying the rope in basic alternating knots, as you would if you were braiding a flat hemp necklace. When you reach the other side of the handle, put a dot of hot glue on each side of loose rope. Once dry (approximately one minute), snip the excess rope off as close to the knot as possible.


xx,CC

Couture Cakery

In an effort to be all inclusive and politically correct, Bloomingdale's theme this season is "Happy Merry Peace Love Holiday." While my personal aesthetic leans more toward Barney's Taste.Luxury.Humor (how awesome are the SNL windows!?) I decided to fully embrace the vision of my place of employment and go all out for the company bake-off. I adapted a red velvet peppermint cake recipe from Southern Living to incorporate our quirky holiday colors. The cake is lined with simple sugar cookie shopping bags adorned with our signature lowercase b. Once the pristine white frosting is sliced, a swirl of neon pink and lime green cake awaits inside to be devoured!


Ingredients:

1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix
3 egg whites
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (9-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
*Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 (2-pound) package powdered sugar 2 teaspoons peppermint extract

Preparation:

Beat first 4 ingredients according to cake mix package directions.

Beat yellow cake mix and next 6 ingredients according to package directions. Spoon red batter alternately with white batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Swirl batter gently with a knife.

Bake at 350° for 22 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

For Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at low speed until smooth. Add extract, beating until blended.

Spread Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. (Cake may be chilled up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month.) Garnish, if desired. Serve within 2 hours.

xx,CC

All That Jazz

Call it the Michael Jackson effect. Since the entertainer's passing last summer jazz shoes have been seen adorning the feet of everyone from It-Brit Alexa Chung to Belgian model Anouck Lepère. Typically in black patent leather or the occasional metallic, they complement every look from cropped skinny pants to baby-doll dresses. For those who tend to lean toward the New York uniform of all black as a fall back option when pressed for time or creativity, there is no better shoe to add interest to an otherwise safe outfit than Christian Louboutin's Fred glitter lace-up shoes. With the amount of complements you'll receive, you'll be toe-tapping and moonwalking your way to the top of all your peers' best dressed lists.


What You'll Need:
One pair white sneakers
Black Sharpie
Glitter & gem glue
Small paint brush
Silver glitter
2 yards leather cord
Mod Podge® or other glitter sealant

First, remove the shoe laces. Color around the edges and stitched detailing of the shoes with a Sharpie. Don't worry about making the lines perfect; in fact, it is better to color a bit outside the lines as well.


Now, cover your work area with newspaper (and keep a vacuum handy for clean up). Begin painting glue on the white canvas of the shoe, one section at a time. Be sure you are covering all the canvas right up to the black edges. Pour glitter on the glue covered part of the shoe, then shake off the excess. Repeat until the entire shoe is covered in glitter. Allow to dry overnight. Dab on a glitter sealant to prevent the sparkles from falling off (however, I still wouldn't recommend wearing the shoes around your house!). For the finishing touch, lace up the shoes with a leather cord.


xx,CC

Ice Ice Baby

Though the weather outside is frightful, there are still a multitude of holiday parties to attend! With tiered party frocks and sequins getting a bit stale, why not spice things up with a cool asymmetrical tank from Elizabeth and James? Pair with satin skinny pants for the office party, opaque tights and a sleek mini for a festive fête, or denim and ankle boots for a casual night of bar hopping. No matter what your plans are for the holidays, the sleet gray jersey and ice hem detail will keep you looking fresh and sparkling all through the night!


What You'll Need:
Tank top
Bugle beads
Needle
Thread (one color matching tank + one color of your choice)
Scissors

Begin by trying on your tank and lightly penciling a diagonal line from under your rib cage to your hip. Lie the tank on a flat surface and cut along your guide. Next, sew the bugle beads around the entire hem of the shirt using the matching thread.


Using your complementary thread color, sew loops around the middle of each individual bugle bead. This adds the ruffle effect along the hem. The thread will pop against the silver beads to add unexpected color to an otherwise soft and subtle top!


xx,CC