Blame spring fever – suddenly pastels seem relevant. Not that you’ll see me wearing pastel jeans or anything…but something about this spring Louis Vuitton purse was just too sunny to pass up.
I would consider a pale yellow purse to be a “trendy item,” not a classic colour I would invest money on. DIY time!!
Tools Needed
a leather purse / Downloadable LV logo / yellow paint / crazy glue / a piece of craft foam (I buy small sheets from the dollar store – 20 for $2) / scissors & a pen
1 / Paint your purse with as many coats as it takes for opaque coverage. It took 2 coats for mine plus small touch ups. I also painted the straps that came with the bag.
2 / Using your FREE downloadable logo, trace it onto the foam and cut out your logo. Paint front side of the logo until opaque.
3 / Dab crazy glue onto the back of the foam logo and secure it in place.
Done!
What do you guys think? If you aren’t into the pastel/spring vibe this purse would look great in pretty much any colour.
Leave me a comment and let me know if you’ll be trying this, or come hangout with me on Instagram!
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I’m awkward, painfully awkward sometimes. When I have my earbuds in and people try to talk to me… triple the awkward. I knew I should probably buy myself some headphones to limit such encounters and to wear during travel, but the only cool ones I could find by FRENDS cost $260-ish and I have a ton of more important things to spend $230 on.
DIY time!
Tools Needed
headphones – found mine at Future shop for $25
krazy glue / rose gold or copper spray paint / scissors
clear vinyl – I went to my local industrial plastics store and they cut me a few feet for about $5. I chose this material because it’s durable and water resistant. If you can’t find any I recommend any sturdy plastic-like material.
1 / Cut a circular piece of vinyl (mine was 2 inches in diameter and fit perfectly). Make a single cut from the outside to the centre and overlap the edges until you get a very shallow cone shape. Krazy glue your cone in place. Try your cones on your headphones, trim any excess vinyl until the cones fit perfectly.
2 / Apply thin layers of rose gold paint to the cones until completely opaque. I did 4 thin coats of paint. Let the paint dry for a few hours.
3 / Apply a generous ring of Krazy glue around the edge of your headphones and place your cone on-top. The glue will dry in about 10 seconds, so make any adjustments quickly.
And we’re done!
This took me a few hours including paint drying time, but only about 10 minutes of actual work. It cost me about $35 to make, although I keep most of these supplies on hand so I only had to purchase the headphones.
These awesome headphones went with my on vacation and totally survived rough baggage handling and sharing limited space with everything else I own. I also took my last DIY, the Chanel Espadrilles with me and they were another hit, keeping me comfy through airport travel.
So, I’d love to know what you guys think of this DIY?
Leave me a comment, or say hi on instagram!
Cheers!
Alana
It might not be clear from all the luxury products I DIY here, but I truly believe in investing in a few high quality pieces to keep and cherish forever.
I was seriously considering buying a pair of genuine Chanel Espadrilles, convinced that I would wear them everyday and it would be well worth the $800-$1,200 to investment in something beautiful.
Then I realized I hate flats and have never actually worn an espadrille in my life.
Potentially awful decision alert.
When I saw the perfect base shoe at Target, I thought I might as well make a DIY and test run espadrilles to see if I actually need them!
This no-sew DIY took me 5 minutes to make, super quick and super easy!
Tools Needed
suede espadrilles here or here / a small section of suede fabric / iron on adhesive / scissors, iron & ironing board
1. Cut out the provided double C template and trace two copies onto the smooth, paper side of the iron on adhesive.
2. Iron the back face of your suede fabric to the textured face of your iron on adhesive. Trim into logo shapes.
3. Peel off the paper from the adhesive, place the logo adhesive side down onto your shoe and iron carefully from the middle outwards.
And You’re done!
I can’t wait to take these babies out for a spin and see if I fall in love with espadrilles. Plus I love sharing quick and easy DIY’s with all you lovely people, so everyone wins. And maybe… just maybe… I’ll invest in a Chanel pair some day
Are you guys excited to head to Target and make your own?
Leave me a comment and let me know!
xo Alana
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I used to love candy hearts, but you know….sugar is apparently the devil. I used a cookie cutter on fresh fruit and made healthy icing sugar which – spoiler alert – is totally amazing and I ended up eating by the spoonful! It’s raw, natural and husband approved!
I made these for my Valentine, and he happily ate them in about 2 seconds, then moved onto the left over icing. And that’s why I love him!
XO Alana
]]>Are we all soooo glad it’s friday?
Today’s DIY project came about because I really just missed having flowers on my desk. I love the idea of repurposing old perfume bottles and putting a few small flowers in them, but I really wanted a ton of flowers, so I thought of this!
It takes only 5 minutes, all you need is a square or rectangle vase, a printer, scissors and tape, and some flowers.
Using – THIS FREE PRINTABLE – simply cut around the edges, apply a thin strip of tape around the edge and stick it to your vase. Add flowers and there you go!
The template I’ve provided will print out approx 4″ x 4″ labels, so if your vase is smaller just be sure to shrink the printing size to what you need. WIll you guys be making your own perfume vases this weekend? Let me know!
-Alana
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Okay…. I might have a problem with loving ridiculous accessories.
I’m not sure why I love this (sold out) Charlotte Olympia Air Mail clutch, but the heart wants what the heart wants…
The original clutch goes for $950, and I spent about $30 making my own.
I get my ridiculous accessory and I save $920 – I think this qualifies as a life win.
Tools Needed
a white leather clutch / red, blue, gold acrylic paint / black puffy paint / painters tape / scissors
1 / First tape off a painting template for the border – make sure to tape right before you paint, as leaving tape on leather for too long can strip the base colour
2 / Next paint alternating red and blue – I used three thin coats of paint
3 / Remove tape as soon as the paint dries – clean up any edges that bled or look uneven
4 / With a pen, write the lettering and draw the mail stamps – don’t worry about being too precise, the original version has a hand-drawn quality.
5 / With black puffy paint, trace over what you drew
6 / After the mail stamp lines have dried, paint over it with gold paint – three coats should be enough
* / Optional step – use a matte spray finish to seal all the paint – this will keep paint from peeling
Something about holding the clutch makes me want to travel!
Feel free to tell me how ridiculous or how awesome you think this DIY is!
x0 Alana
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Okay, so my co-worker/ hair guru might kill me for making my own shampoo, but hey… if it works it works!
On my recent escape to Kauai I was hungry to soak up as much of the island as possible. I ate loads of island grow fruits, swam in the ocean, and generally tried to allow the beautiful Hawaiian air to enter every single cell of my body.
But I still wanted more (typical island behaviour.)
I decided to try a recipe to soak up even more Kauai, this time through my hair! Using fresh local coconut milk, a touch of vitamin E, and my absolute favourite organic Dr.Bronner’s Lavender castile soap (I’m weirdly obsessed with this stuff), I made my own shampoo.
This all seems a bit too hippie/west coast, but I swear…it worked! It took less than 5 minutes to make, and my hair was silky smooth.
I’ve started making it at home in Canada now, with store bought coconut milk, and it’s just as good. I also find my usually knotted hair has way fewer knots and I can go an extra day without shampooing. So if you want to experience a little touch of island life with me here’s my recipe!
Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup liquid castile soap (I depend on Dr.Bronner’s in Lavender, which is also the most insanely good household cleaner)
1 tsp oil (I’ve tried vitamin E and jojoba which both work well)
10-20 drops essential oil of your choice (since I used the lavender castile soap I skipped this step)
I’ve found this shampoo lasts about 2 weeks, so I’m not sure about a shelf life beyond that point. If you’re worried about the coconut milk going bad, just make half the amount.
I also use this stuff as body wash, it works great and smells so nice!
So what do you guys think? Way to hippie, or just easy and natural enough to be awesome?!
Aloha!
Alana
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Today’s DIY is a big step for me (pun intended) because I can’t stand flat shoes.
I’m a weirdo.
Somehow they are so opposite to heels that I feel as if I’m going to fall backwards. Again….weirdo!
I chose to try flats one last time to recreate this beautiful Miu Miu shoe (see below) and was pleasantly surprised how much I love wearing them!
Tools Needed:
a few packages of rhinestones, I found mine at Michael’s craft store / A pair of nude flats, which I bought from Zara (super comfy!) / masking tape / super glue
-Tape off the section you want to decorate with masking tape
-Starting from the middle, create a pattern with the stones. Once you are happy with the first few, apply glue to the backs on the stones and secure onto the shoe
-I worked a few stones at a time, then let the shoe dry while I copied the pattern onto the other shoe
-Let dry for 24 hours before using
-wear & enjoy!!
I still prefer heels, but these beauties are kind of perfect for the seasonal transition and well as my heel height transition!
Hope you enjoy them!!
xo Alana
]]>Pearls are definitely having a moment right now, and I’m totally on the bandwagon. I spotted this giant pearl bag on the Chanel Resort 14/15 runway, and I love how creative/kooky/ fun Chanel is getting with their accessories. Time to make my own!
(left: Chanel Pearl bag, right: my DIY version)
It’s super easy to make, and when you carry it, it starts conversations for you!
Tools you need:
– one fillable Christmas ornament (I found mine at Michael’s for a few dollars)
– opalescent white paint
-chain (found at a craft store)
-thin white ribbon
– pliers, scissors & paintbrush
Start by covering your ornament with a few coats of opalescent white paint.
Once the ornament is fully painted and dry, measure on your shoulder a length of chain you need and using pliers, release any extra chain. Attach chain to the ornament and squeeze firmly shut on the ring.
Begin threading your ribbon through the chain to give it that Chanel look, making sure the ribbon doesn’t get too twisted as you go.
Knot and secure the ribbon at both ends and voila! You’re done!
This is certainly no everyday functional bag, but its super fun to swing around and take on an evening out.
Are you guys feeling the pearl?
xo Alana
]]>Here we go again!
Another day, another Chanel DIY.
I always look to Chanel for inspiration. The runway shows are always magical and hyper creative, and their accessories are classic with a fresh twist. To say Chanel inspires me would be an understatement.
Pearls are having a renaissance. With unique twists at Dior, Chanel, and Maria Stern, pearls have a new big-city life. In the Chanel SS 2014 shoes above, the large pearl is so understated, so chic, yet totally amazing.
My take on the trend is so copy Chanel directly. But hey, imitation is sincere flattery right?
All you need is a pair of black shoes (with heels you can hammer into), two large faux pearls beads (or real if you’re a baller,) two tiny nails that fit though the pearl bead hole, a hammer, and super glue (I depend on E6000)
– Place the nail where you want the pearl to sit, and hammer it securely into place –
– Cover the nail with a decent coat of super glue, making sure to concentrate the most glue near the heel. Slide your pearl bead onto the nail and hold in place while the glue dries – – Let your heels dry until you are bored with waiting, then try them on! –
– leg kicks of joy are a possible outcome –
Are you guys excited to try this? It took me around 10 minutes to make, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t go do it right now. Seriously, go do it right now.
My sincerest apologies to Chanel for consistently needing everything you produce.
xox Alana
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