If anything cheers me up, it’s arts and crafts… and if anything makes me want New Years to happen now, it’s this headband DIY.  I know this is what I’m wearing to bring in the new year.

Star Headband DIY

What You’ll Need: Metallic pipe cleaners, two pieces of ribbon, hot glue gun

Step 1: Take a pipe cleaner, and fold it in a zig-zag 10 times, about 1/2 an inch for each fold.  Make sure you have left over at the end.

Step 2: Unfold the pipe cleaner into a star shape.  Twist the ends together to secure, leaving the extra poking outward of the star.  Make about 8-10 stars.

Step 3: Tie the stars together in a line, using the extra pipe cleaner to wrap around the neighboring star.

Step 4:  Hot glue gun your ribbon on the outside stars, to tie in a bow on the back of your head.

All done! Quick, easy, and leaving everyone starry-eyed.-alyson

DIY: Foam Envelope Clutch

Now that the holidays are fast approaching, it’s time to start planning for all those holiday parties you’ll soon be invited to. Such events call for at least a few sparkly additions. Since my Christmas list grew a tad bit this year, I’ve had to be a little thrifty with my seasonal clothing shopping. It’s a good thing I enjoy making my own accessories. Here’s one DIY which is simple to use, friendly to the wallet, AND disposable …because let’s be real, glitter tends to lose it’s sparkle after New Years.

What you will need: 3 sheets of your choice in foam paper, a sewing needle, thread (that matches with the foam), a ruler, scissors, and patience.

1. Begin by taking your ruler and drawing a giant “X” in the center of one of the foam sheets. This will leave you with 4 mini triangles. Then, cut out one of the triangles for the top flap of the clutch.
2. Once you’ve cut out your flap, proceed with taking the other two foam sheets and begin stitching the edges of the foam together. 
3. As you sew the foam together, only sew the two sides and the bottom together, leaving the top open. Proceed with taking your triangle flap and sewing it to one of the foam sheets you’ve left un-sewn. Then BOOM! You’ve got an eye-catching, easy my make, and way easy on the budget clutch! -brittany

DIY: Skeleton cut-off shorts

After a night of lurking blogs, I came across a ridiculously rad DIY project that I just had to try out. I have the painted skeleton Slip Ons, the Vans Girls Shoe Fly tee, and now…I think it’s appropriate to bring in the painted Pelvic bone cut-off shorts. I know it looks like I’ve become some-what of a bone glutton, but it’s only because I have yet to find something much cooler than painting your bones on the outside of your clothes. Agree? Great.

What you need: Black shorts (I used thrifted black denim jeans and cut them), a paintbrush (Use a skinny one to get straight lines and a thicker brush so you can lather on that paint), a white pencil, and of course white paint.

1. First begin tracing your awesome pelvic bone. You can get a reference photo to use from the interwebs.
2. Once you’re all sketched out, begin drawing out the lines of your pelvic bone with your thin brush and paint. Try to stay in between the lines.
3. Lather up the paint within your lines - the more worn it looks, the better. I personally hate having my paint look too perfect.
4. Let dry for an hour or two. BOOM. You now own the coolest shorts of all time. What’s the next DIY you’d like to see? -brittany

DIY Lace Cat Ears

I’ve gone back and forth with myself these past few weeks as I’ve tried determining this year’s Halloween costume. All I really need is a costume that makes an impression, while being friendly to my dear buddy, the wallet. PLUS - it would help if there were some aspects that I could take away and wear on an everyday basis. Alas! I opened up the shiny pages of Nylon and was immediately inspired! I decided to become a cat and create my own lace ears, as I’ve seen on several blogs and magazines recently. The ones in the magazine didn’t quite fit my budget, so I kept it real DIY on those cat ears! Let’s go!

What you need: A plain wire headband (you can find one at any hair supply store), thin wire, wire cutters, lace of your choice, a hot glue gun, and scissors.

1. To get started, measure out 5 inches of wire and carefully cut it into 2 pieces. So each piece of wire should measure out to 2.5 inches.
2. Then shape your ears. You can either make them round if you prefer the “mouse” look, however I think cat ears are much more purrrfect.
3. Cut out 2 sheets of 4 x 4 inched squares. Then carefully dab hot glue around the ears…to avoid glopping the glue, I would spread it out thinly so you can’t see it through the lace. Once you’ve covered both sides of the wire ears, gently glue the loose lace to the very bottom of your ears. I find the best way to do this is to roll the bottom lace inward so that you don’t have and messy fringe peeking out. Then, you can wear your lace cat ears year round… even if it’s not for a Halloween costume! -brittany

Here’s a DIY I made to create the perfect checkerboard pattern for your nails.  Try it out, so you can sport them with your Washed Checker Slip-Ons to match!

What you’ll need: 2 colors of polish, top coat, and Scotch tape

1.  Apply the first color on your nails, like a regular manicure.  Let it dry completely.

2. Take two pieces of tape to create a square in a top corner of each nail.  If your polish is not dry, the tape will ruin it and you’ll have to start over!

3. Take your second color and apply it in the square that you made with the tape.  Take the tape off immediately after you paint it.  (It’s better to do each nail at a time, rather than paint all of the nails and then take all of the tape off, like in the photo).  Let that dry all the way.

4. Repeat step 2, but in the opposite corner that the first square is in.  This will create the checkerboard pattern!

5.Paint the second squares and remove the tape immediately, just like the first squares. Let it dry fully as well, add a top coat, and you’re done! -alyson

DIY: Spike necklace

My philosophy with fashion is if you can’t afford it, you better learn how to make it. I think we can all agree that having a healthy DIY habit can’t be wrong… especially if it’s things that you fit into your daily wardrobe. That brought me to make this easy Spike Necklace which literally takes 15 minutes to create.

Here’s what you need: Leather rope, about an inch length in chain, 5 small key rings, 5 different sized spikes, and scissors of course.

1. Take your chain and put your key rings on each ring of the chain, excluding the end chain rings.
2. Then once you’ve got your rings all set up, open up the rings to place your spikes.
3. Once your spikes are all laid out evenly, take 20 inches of the leather rope and cut it down the middle so that you can tie each end of the chain to each end of your leather rope. Voila! An easy necklace to create and wear! What are some of your favorite DIY’s? -brittany

DIY: Chain woven bracelet 

I’ve been on this crazy accessory making binge, if you haven’t noticed. It might have to do with the fact that before I moved I thought I wouldn’t find a craft store anywhere near my new spot, so I ended up buying all the clasps and rings I could ever need in a life time. Of course, my assumption was wrong. So instead of wallowing over my little mistake, I decided to make lemonade out of my lemons, and create some new jewelry for my wardrobe. This new chain woven bracelet is one of my favorites, it goes with everything! Learn how to create your own below.

Here’s what you need: Embroidery thread (2 colors or more are preferred),  needle nose pliers, two different styles of chains (a big chain and a small chain), a bobby pin, a closure, and 2 split rings.

1. First measure out both chains to wrap around your wrist. Use your pliers to open and close the ends of the chains. Then taken one of your split wrings and slip it on one end of one chain, attaching it the other chain. Add the necklace closure to the ring.
2. Cut 4 strands of each color of thread and tie it together. Take your bobby pin, and use it as a needle to wrap it around one side of the bigger chain. As you reach the end, tie a knot to keep the thread secure.
3. Once you’ve got the side of your bigger chain wrapped with the multi-colored thread, connect it to the smaller chain by using the bobby pin, once again, wrap it through every other hole of the smaller chain in a diagonal motion.
4. Finally, tie your thread securely to the end of the chain, and you’re good to go! Trust me, you’ll be wearing this bracelet everywhere you go! -brittany 

DIY Studded Ankle Wrap:

 Besides my love for Vans sneakers, I’ve become quite the accessory fiend these days . However, not just any accessory will catch my eye - It’s got to have character and a sense of uniqueness to become an obsession of mine. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but ankle wraps and cuffs have been on the brain lately, so I decided to create one for myself that isn’t too bold, yet not safe either.This was a really simple DIY project to create, however I must warn you - working with a hot glue gun can get pretty brutal.

Here’s what you need: 2 skinny belts (I got mine from Forever 21), 50 cone studs, and a hot glue gun - OR you can of course use crazy glue as well.

1. First straighten out your belt, and mark the area you plan on placing your studs. Be conscious of the fact you’ll be wrapping the belt around your ankle a few times, so you may not want to place studs throughout the entire belt length. 
2. Now that you’ve got your starter mark, start to press in the needles exposed on the studs so that you’re left with a flat surface to glue. I used the floor to press the stud needles in, but you can use a pencil too.
3. Once your stud’s needles are pressed in, carefully get your hot glue gun and dab a little glue onto the back-side of the stud, then place it on the belt. You want to create a neat row of studs. Also remember, that if you’re worried about burning your fingers with the glue gun, use crazy glue instead.
4. Create two rows of studs, separated by at least 8 inches of belt, and give about 3 hours to let glue set completely. Once all is well with your ankle wraps, rock them with your Sk8-Hi Slim, and watch yourself become a major trendsetter. -brittany

DIY Leather Wrap Friendship Bracelet:

When you go to Summer camp, you learn several different things: Like how to build a proper fire, the importance of mosquito spray… and how to get your hands dirty in some pretty awesome crafts. One of my favorites is the friendship bracelet. A few months ago I shared with you the cute Hex Nut Bracelet, but this time we’re going a little more traditional.

What you need: At least 15 inches of leather rope, your favorite color of embroidery thread, scissors, glue, and some tape.

1. Start off by securely taping your leather rope to a sturdy foundation. Make sure you leave at least 2 inches of the leather rope at the ends.
2. Get your first color of thread and tie a knot where you want to start wrapping. Once you’ve located your “START” spot, dab a bit of glue on the area you plan on wrapping. Careful - this part can get pretty messy. 
3. Begin wrapping your thread tightly around the leather rope. To ensure you’re getting a clean wrap, momentarily push up the thread so that it stays tight as you continue wrapping.
4. Once you have finished with one color of thread, dab some more glue on the end, and use your fingers to press the glued thread to the leather.
5. Get your next color of thread and knot it around the rope at the end of the previous color…this will also help secure the previous thread to the rope. Once you’ve knotted your thread, continue wrapping the next color around the leather rope. Continue doing this with as many colors as you like. You can even get a little creative at wrap your thread around the entire leather rope.
6. Once you have completed wrapping your bracelet, make a knot at one end, leaving enough space to slide the other end of the bracelet into the knot. Then, tie the open end to the other side of your friendship bracelet. Voila! You can make bracelets for all your best girlfriends! -brittany