Posts Tagged ‘Forever 21’

Wrap Bracelet “Tutorial”

3 Comments

This is the most complicated tutorial on my blog to date. I kid, I kid. You probably already have everything on hand, it’s just a matter of repurposing. And maybe you’ve already done this before.

melissaesplin-wrap-bracelet-leather-tutorial-2

Yes, make an awesome, hip, trendy, amazing wrap bracelet in a matter of seconds.
melissaesplin-wrap-bracelet-leather-tutorial-4

Find the skinniest skinny belt in your closet.

Wrap it around your wrist a ton of times.

Fasten.

melissaesplin-wrap-bracelet-leather-tutorial-5

Mind blown? I sure hope so. The gold belt above I scored as part of a sweater set at H&M. I made the hot pink one from leather cording and a lever-back clasp.

melissaesplin-wrap-bracelet-leather-tutorial-6

I measured the leather cording to my waist and glued the leather into the end cups. Each wrap took 2 minutes to make and an hour for the glue to dry. So I can wear these as itty bitty skinny belts or multi-wrap bracelets. I like these as bracelets as they’re flexible, comfortable and don’t get in the way.

melissaesplin-wrap-bracelet-leather-tutorial-1

Outfit details:

  • glasses: Coastal.com
  • scarf: thrifted
  • blazer: H&M
  • top: Forever 21
  • pants: target
  • shoes: thrifted
  • bracelets: handmade and H&M
Leather and clasps courtesy of endlessleather.com (cording here, clasp here).

 

Style: Teal and Cobalt Duds

3 Comments

I’m going for a monochrome vibe here. I can’t get enough of deep teal and cobalt blue. I think this combo is the new pink and red.

This top is my new favorite, it’s pleated with a peterpan colar and bishop sleeve. If it’s not on my body, it’s in the laundry.

I got these shoes on super sale at Target. They don’t match much in my wardrobe, but they’re darling!

I made this bracelet at CRAFT night. I love the metallic finish. Make one with this tutorial.

Outfit details:

  • top: Forever 21
  • necklace: Ann Taylor Loft
  • pants: Ross
  • shoes: Target
  • Bracelet: handmade

Style: Silver And Blue

3 Comments

No make up and crazy hair today. I’m going to a clothing swap tonight so I’ll probably get make up on before I go. Maybe. I’m itching to layer with sweaters soon, but I have to remind myself to enjoy these warm days of late summer/early fall. We’re in for a long winter, up here in the mountains.

  • necklaces: Forever 21, twig creative (I think)
  • top: thrifted
  • belt: hand-me-down from grandma
  • pants: Ross
  • shoes: c/o Blowfish

I sorta want to foil the tips of these shoes in silver. Not sure how well they would wear, but the idea sounds nice.

My grandma has killer taste. She turned 88 on Sunday, but she still acts like a 70 year old.

Refashion: Darts + Jeans

26 Comments

I have this regular problem that I can’t seem to find pants that fit in both the waist and the legs. I don’t feel this way, but according to most clothing stores my legs are disproportionately large compared to my waist. I think my legs are fine the way they are, so I’ve been trying to figure out easy ways to alter my jeans.

I’ve taken jeans in from the back seam, but it always looks glaringly noticeable. Susan took some jeans in at the side for me, but I’m too lazy for her sewing skills and for jeans that were only $10. I’ve also tried the elastic approach and making my jeans bigger, but I wanted something easier. Yes. Even easier.

Then I had this genius thought while Chris was complaining of the same thing with his pants. I was pinching and thinking of how to take his pants in, then it dawned on me. DARTS. It’s virtually invisible and takes less than 5 minutes. That’s my kind of fix!

I was so proud of my original idea, then I remembered that I saw it somewhere else way before I thought of it. Liz has two tutorials on how to take in pants with darts. You should check them out. Doing darts is super easy. It’s a little less noticable on pants that don’t have decorative top stitching, but I’m more concerned about the fit and the fact that I didn’t have to do any unpicking in order to get the right fit.

Much better silhouette.

See, I smile when my pants fit right. Also, I smile when I’ve just gone clothes shopping. I went on a bit (for me) of a clothes shopping binge last week. It feels so nice to have new duds!

Outfit Details:

  • headband: handmade
  • necklaces: handmade, c/o Tai Pan Trading
  • top: Forever 21
  • cuff: handmade
  • jeans: Forever 21 (I love their $10 jeans)
  • shoes: thrifted

Do you have a magic brand of denim that fits you perfectly, or how do you alter jeans to make them fit you?

Handmade: Floral Top

10 Comments

I was planning on making this top before heading to the beach last month, but that never happened. The fabric has been taunting me to make it into something for months. I originally got the fabric for Project Run & Play, but that never happened. I still have a load of fabric and projects in my head inspired by that series. I should work on getting through that list. I think it would be swell if I could make Penelope’s back-to-school wardrobe. I need to take advantage of that before she starts getting picky about her clothes and realizes I’m the antithesis of cool. Time is ticking away!

 

I used the pattern I created for last year’s summer dress for drafting the top. It’s really helpful to keep paper drafts of projects you’ve previously made. It made sewing up this top a real breeze. Because of the grain, I didn’t have enough continuous fabric for the back piece, so I pieced the back together, with a yoke. I think I might experiment a bit more with this in the future with sheers or pleats. It’s got a lot of potential.

I did a high-low hemline for the top. It may seem that’s all I’m doing these days, but I’ve really always been obsessed with them. I remember in 9th grade wishing the backs of my shirts were longer than the fronts. I may have made the back a little too long for this top, so when I get a bit of time, I’ll unpick and rework the hem. For now, it works just fine if I belt the top or tuck the top in.

Outfit details:

  • earrings: i heart a million little things, etsy
  • top: handmade
  • belt: handmade (with tutorial)
  • jeggings: H&M
  • shoes: Forever 21

Fabric supplied by Fashion Fabrics Club. Connect with FFC on Facebook and Pinterest

mobile site