New Set-Royal Purple Perfection

New listings and I need opinions. My new favorite color obsession of the day is bright PURPLE. <3

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75133068/purple-and-antique-studded-gold-bright

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75133493/purple-and-antique-studded-gold-bright

Try It Out Tuesday- Revamp an Old Tee!

So tired of the usuals in your closet? Transform your basic boring teeshirt into something fresh and new for free! Personally, I am a fan of the one shoulder shirt, I think they are great for summer and can easily be dressed up or down. For something a little more night-life-esque use a black or white tee, but for a fun, funky, summer style you can use a bright color like mine!

First, find a tee shirt that's a little baggy, because you're going to be cutting it down the side and re-sewing it up. (I used a size Men's Medium tee from H&M that cost $4.80)

Then, cut the collar off as you desire. I made mine really wide and went with the raw-edge look, but its up to you how you want the shoulders to look. Remember that you're going to need to have one sleeve pretty much intact for it to look right.

Once you get the collar how you like it, use a ruler to draw a straight line, starting at the shoulder and ending at the bottom of the shirt, down one side of the tee on the side where you want the shoulder to be cut off. Make sure its straight or your tee might come out sloppy. Cut down this line, detaching the shoulder.

Now using a sewing machine or hand stitching, sew your shirt back up.

Finally add a little flair to your tee. I sewed wooded and nut beads across the collar for a boho look, but you can use sequins, fabric, bows, lace, buttons, rhinestones, anything you think would make your shirt awesome.

And viola! You've just created your own awesome fashion. Enjoy!

Best Nail Colors of 2011

As I'm typing today I'm realizing how badly I need to redo my nails. There's nothing worse than the chipped nail polish look, or even worse...the chipped toe-nail polish. :O And its just about then that I realize that I own about 4 colors of nail polish only, and they are all the same pink-y red variety. So I'm challenging myself to man-up and invest in some new nail colors this season.

So I'm asking for some opinions...Best nail color of 2011? Thoughts? Brands? Shades? I wanna hear from you!

Arm Candy

Favorite part about summer? The excuse to wear bright colors all the time! I love it. Short post today, but I'm giving you all a little arm inspiration. The bigger the better :) WORKITWORKIT!

Funky, Chunky Rainbow

Adorable Anthropolgie

Threading Trend

Royal Blue Rendezvous

Enjoy the day!

xoxox

Chelsea

Another Sunny Day

This week in NY, despite the severe storms, has also been smokin' hot and full of bright sun. I woke up this morning to the beautiful sunrays coming through my window and I couldn't help startng to hum "Another Sunny Day" by Belle and Sebastian, because it really is just another great sunny day.
I'll be keepin it real in Queens all day today for a Phillies/Mets game with my wonderful boyfriend, but while I'm gone I'm going to leave you all with some wonderful sales on sunglasses, because we gotta protect those peepers.

11.99 at Modcloth

 

5.80 at Forever21

14.00 at FredFlare

19.95 at AJ Morgan


And of course you need an adorable case to put them in!

15.00 at TopShop


Enjoy!!
xoxo
Chelsea

Feature Friday! Swoosh by Scrollwork

"Pajama party pants and lingerie daywear for the rogue romantic"

Swoosh by Scrollwork is a line of up-cycled, thrify, intriguing, complex, and absolutely stunning pieces of wearable art. Based in Riverbank, CA, these designs, although originally designed for dancers, will inspire you, seduce you, and captivate you with their wonderfully bright colors, funky, bold patterns, and intricate designs.
Their designer, Scrollwork, describes herself as a newbie to fashion design, but the artsy, charming quality of these pieces gives off the stigma of a well-established and professional line. Scrollwork started in speechwriting and editing, with a background in dance, which inspired her to create costume dresses from vintage materials, and Scrollwork designs were born. However, I think these funky, fabulous dresses and outfits could work on the runway, not just the dancefloor.

Her process is creative and intriguing, just like her designs. She starts with sketches of everything that inspires her, from all over, and runs with it, of course keeping in mind how the pieces will function for a dancer.Her designs are born from vintage and thrift store finds, both from her closet and from special shopping trips and the costumes are always a work in progress, never quite finished until the performance begins.
And they are so awesome and cool to look at I want to wear them all day!

Check her out and give her some love on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShopatSwoosh
Her blog: www.scrollwork.blogspot.com
And her Etsy: www.scrollwork.etsy.com
Hope you're all as inspired by these designs as I am :]
-Chelsea <3

Hot Hair Braid

The relaxed, laid-back side braid has always been a summer favorite, but next time you go out, why not switch it up with a braided up-do? It's super easy, super cute, and a really pretty style for a graduation party or picnic.

 Glamour Magazine gives us the 5 easy steps:
1. Start with hair that hasn't been washed in a day, because it has more texture and is easier to style. Spray Volumizer through dry hair and scrunch it with a blow dryer to get height.
2. Next tease some of the top sections of your hair for a little more texture and volume, and smooth out with a paddle brush.
3. French braid your hair into loose pigtails, starting at the temple.
4. Take the right braid and work it into a coil at the base of your neck, then coil over top of that with the left braid and secure with bobby pins.
5. For an even more relaxed look, pull out a few strands from the front of your hair and curl with a wide barrel curling iron.
http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2011/05/hairstyle-idea-copy-this-amazi.html

To add some flair try these hair accessories, cute and cheap from Forever 21:

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc_hat_hairgoods&product_id=1087593348&Page=all&pgcount=25

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc_hat_hairgoods&product_id=1076807538&Page=all&pgcount=25


Pair with a sundress, wedges, and a cute bracelet and you're all set! 

http://us.asos.com/Vila-Vila-Full-Cheesecloth-Tunic-Dress/vvhnp/?iid=1538362&cid=8799&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=3&clr=White&mporgp=L1ZpbGEvVmlsYS1GdWxsLUNoZWVzZWNsb3RoLVR1bmljLURyZXNzL1Byb2Qv
$20.30


http://www.dsw.com/shoe/coconuts+goodwin+wedge+sandal?prodId=222614&category=dsw12cat550002$29.94

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74553236/brown-blue-and-green-twisted-glass
$30.50


Enjoy!
-xoxox
 Chelsea

Orange Glow

Something about warm weather makes me fall in love with warm colors. And today is no exception. I feel like all day I've been drawn to the color orange. I found some really cool orange pieces on Etsy that just made me really happy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/27865961/honey-pouch

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61621893/svedka-recycled-upcycled-colorful-glass

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73621833/s-t-a-r-r-i-s-e-peach-chalcedony-white

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73520055/orange-poppy-bowl-handmade-stoneware

So pretty, no wonder I can't stop favorite-ing everything on Etsy!

Seaside Love

I make jewelry, but I am also obsessed with buying jewelry. And right now one of my favorite summer trends is the seaside inspired jewelry. Not shell jewelry, I always think that looks kind of tacky, but the colors and charms that bring me right to the beach. Its love. So I decided to post some of my favorites, while I listen to Seaside, by The Kooks (also love). Hope you enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70532124/of-sand-and-sea-silver-starfish-necklace?ref=tre-4dd5650bcb8b6d9129bdf3d6-15

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51381494/deep-blue-sea-ring?ref=tre-4dd5650bcb8b6d9129bdf3d6-4

And my own twist on the style, The Seaside Kelly Necklace, named after my best friend Kelly.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72158098/seaside-charm-beaded-glass-necklace

New Listings

So if you follow my shop you probably have figured out that I am OBSESSED with coil earrings. I could honestly make them for the rest of my life. Here's some pics of two new pairs I just made. Suggestions for new colors welcome!
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/74553435/aquamarine-circle-earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74552926/multi-colored-bright-beaded-coil

Floral, Floral Floral

I am a poor college student, trying to make a living with my craft, but look great at the same time. So naturally, I'm obsessed with Forever21. Its the only place I've ever been where I can buy 5 bathing suits and gladiator sandals for under 50 dollars. And they're clothes are adorable!
My favorite summer trend from them right now is the bright, short, floral skirts they're selling for about ten dollars. I have like 8 of them and I literally want to wear them every day! So cute.

But because I am also an Etsy seller, I figured that I would support some local artists with handmade and vintage skirts that fit this trend, AND don't break the bank.

This one is a great, brown and blue floral vintage skirt from SRO Boutique in Brooklyn. Supercute, light velvet materials, and perfect for a date night pared with cowboy boots or pumps.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73846141/sro-a-line-skirt-brown-velvet-floral?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=floral+skirt&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fclothing%2Fskirt


Or how about this adorable coral skirt? It makes me want to play outside and frolic around, or pair with my new Aldo wedges (its love) and strut around town like a queen. I'm obsessed.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71828344/coral-floral-gathered-skirt?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=floral+skirt&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fclothing%2Fskirt

And one last adorable skirt that I am in love with. The blue, oh my god this pattern I cannot get enough of it. Summer is finally here! Short, sassy, vintage, everything that fashion should be. Pair it with gladiators and a floppy sunhat and you're good to go!

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/49224595/sale-bias-cut-aline-skirt-size-12-14?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=floral+skirt&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fclothing%2Fskirt


That's it for my first blog post! Check back soon for my latest rants on summer style.