Are You a Wangster?

If I was currently in a climate where the temperature is above 10 degrees (read, not Manhattan), I would be all over these babies. Shredded denim + chain + Alex Wang = bliss.


Unfortunately, all my summer duds are stored away until May. Head over to Park & Cube for a simple tutorial. You'll come out looking like a BAMF - so fierce that no one on the street will dare mess with you!

xx, CC

No Hassle Tassels

A little bit country, plus one part grunge, add a dash of Parisian sophistication, and you've got what Marc Jacobs equates to "the joy of dressing up" with his Spring 2009 collection. And dress up we will! While many designers took the minimalist approach to reflect the economic downturn, Marc laughed in its face. With models sauntering down the catwalk in tiered skirts, over embellished bags, lurex belts, and armfuls of bangles, Mr. Jacobs definitely took the more is more approach to dressing. No item of his collection screams for attention more than the enormous tassel earrings that dangle dangerously close to the shoulders. And although every business around the world is downsizing, there is no reason your accessories should!


What You'll Need:
Two tassels
Two earring posts
Two head pins
Safety pins (approximately 30)
Jewelry wire
Various color/size beads
Hot glue
Scissors

Start by attaching the earring post to the loop of head pin, which will serve as the base of your earring. String a large bead or stone onto the head pin, then push the pin through the top center of the tassel. Flip the tassel over and put a dot of hot glue on the underside of the head pin. Then slide a bead onto the pin so it sticks to the glue. This bead will be hidden by the fringe, but ensures the tassel will not slip off the post. Snip off any excess length of the pin.


Next, open the safety pins, slide on your decorative beads, then close the pins. Take about 12" of jewelry wire, and begin sliding on the safety pins, alternating with round beads. I added a plain safety pin next to every beaded one to achieve a fuller look like the Marc earrings. When there are enough safety pins to cover the circumference of the tassel, loop the wire through one of the round beads forming a circle.

Slide the circle over the base of the tassel and pull tight.

Twist the two ends of the wire together, snip off the excess, then hide the knot underneath the beads; as they would say in Paris, vous êtes finis!

These ornate tassel earrings will surely lift your spirits - and ensembles - for the remaining months of winter!

xx,CC

Blazin' to Go

Once upon a time, there lived a young girl obsessed with designer clothes. She always did well in school, performed her chores, and cared for her younger brother. Her parents rewarded her with monthly shopping trips to Neiman Marcus, Saks, Barneys, and other department stores. When she began to think she might like to work in fashion for a living, her parents generously allowed her attend college at NYU and spend her summers interning at fashion companies. This girl knew that one day the gravy train would come to an end, as her parents would not support her spending habits forever, and accepting a job in fashion nearly always ends in poverty. Therefore, she learned to fuel her love for fashion by scouring the best thrift and consignment stores around. She was amazed at the finds she'd accumulated over the years (quilted Chanel flap bag at nearly 80% off retail and Christian Louboutin pumps for $40 top the list)! As the young fashionista's style evolved, she came to realize that a designer label alone does not make an item fabulous. One can look just as good in a $5 blazer from Goodwill as in a $500 blazer by Ralph Lauren, as long as it fits well. From that day forward, the young fashionista built her wardrobe around the good quality designer basics she already owned with cheaper trendy items from Zara, H&M, American Apparel, and, yes, even Goodwill. She saved monetarily and lived stylishly ever after.

And so...in keeping with my 2009 resolution, I present five blazers for $5 each. All picked up at my local Goodwill in a matter of 20 minutes.


xx,CC

Black, White, and Red-olutions

If you're like me, you plan weeks ahead for all the productive things you're going to accomplish over holiday breaks. However, that list usually goes out the window in favor of watching tv marathons (24 hours of A Christmas Story on TBS, hecks yes!), catching up on movies/chick lit, and eating Mom's holiday sweets. Another winter vacation tradition that's come to pass over the years is eschewing traditional Christmas morning gifts in favor of post-holiday sales. Always on the hunt for a bargain, I've been searching for the perfect pair of heeled combat boots to pair with girly frocks and tulip skirts for weeks. Santa must have heard my wish because I scored an amazing pair of Kors combat boots on sale at Intermix!


The best part is that they zip up the side, so I won't be scrambling to tie the laces and fasten the buckles when I'm running late for my morning class.

My apologies for being extremely lazy in crafting this vacation, but a new year brings new resolutions. Everyone claims New Yorkers dress in all black, and I've come to realize that I've totally fallen victim to the stereotype. In 2009 one of my goals is to incorporate more color into my daily wardrobe. Now, I know white isn't a color per se, but it's not black. I've fallen more in love with Ann Demeulemeester every season for her classic black and white palate. My second Christmas miracle came in the form of an amazing deal on this Ann Demeulemeester blazer. I just love the black detailing and how the jacket is slightly longer in the front. This piece will be sure to get a lot of wear this coming year.

My other resolution is to be more economical in my spending habits as I'll be an official college grad come May. Since I'll be spending less money at sample sales, I'll just have to get all the more crafty. I'm taking a jewelry making course as part of my studio art minor (gotta love NYU!), so perhaps I'll even share some of my own designs come 2009!

The original Ann D on the runway

xx,CC

Christmas Corsage

We're all aware that sparkly tanks and short party dresses are essential garments for the holiday party circuit, but what's a girl to accessorize with? If you really want to get into the spirit, take a cue from Dries Van Noten's Spring runway by donning a jingle bell bracelet. Available in gold or silver, this bracelet will integrate seamlessly into your wardrobe. The guests will know the party has really started when the cheery jangle of the bells clicking together announces your arrival!


What You'll Need:
Jingle bells in assorted sizes
Black ribbon, approximately 3 yards
Scissors
Hot glue gun

Start by making the bunch of bells that will sit on the back of your wrist. Slide to the center of the ribbon about 5 of the larger size jingle bells, then tie a knot. This creates the base off which you'll string the rest of the bracelet.


Using a hot glue gun, place a few medium size bells in the bunch for a fuller look. String bells through the ribbon on both sides of the bunch. Work your way from larger bells to smaller, stopping when the length of the bracelet fits around your entire wrist.


Tie the ribbon in a larger bow on the inside of your wrist. For a more dramatic flair, tie an extra piece of long ribbon around the knot.


Happy Holidays!

xx,CC

The Hills. The City. The University?

Congrats NYU Fashion Business Association for a great fall fashion show!

Don't let the girls from "The Hills" fool you into believing fashion is a brainless industry. Those headsets are dang hard to operate. Seriously, I don't think NYU should have let me use one before earning my degree. Props to Whit for mastering the use of her headset.

Who else is excited for the premiere of The City on Dec. 29?

Yes, I know the premiere date...

No, I'm not ashamed... *looks around nervously*

Whitney was always my fave.

xx,CC

Beaming Beamon

Vicki Beamon and Karen Erickson are well known for their jewelry line Erickson Beamon, but did you know they made home decor as well? Karen Erickson is single handedly responsible for coining the term "chandelier earring" in the 1980s after her designs, but her passion for chandeliers went one step further.

Behold, the Glam Rock Chandelier.

The antique brass based chandelier is dripping in Japanese glass pearls and Swarovski crystals. The piece has been on display in London's Victoria and Albert Museum for nearly 20 years, and it can be yours for the mere price of $32,500.00! C'mon, everyone needs a designer light fixture to properly see their couture garments underneath. Don't quite have the funds for such an extravagant purchase? Neither did Mama Couturiere. Wanting to spice up an old Williamsburg chandelier in her bathroom, she drew inspiration from this true objet d'art. Now we all know the origin of my creative genes...thanks Mama Couturiere!

What You'll Need:
Lighting fixture
5 strands garland (each 6 ft long)
Scissors

Whether you use a chandelier with mini shades or one lamp, start by cutting the outer fabric off the shade. Leave the inner layer of fabric in tact, and you'll be able to see the wire frame of the shade. For a mini shade, cut your 6 ft strand of Christmas pearl and crystal garland in half. Wrap the garland through the wire lamp frame (to hold in place) in a growth like pattern.


Repeat for all mini shades. If you're decorating a single lamp, you'll want to leave the garland long and wrap it in a spiral around the shade.

xx,CC