[DIY Inspiration] Rope Necklaces

Over on Pinterest, I have been busy pinning DIY accessory inspiration, and when I looked back at my board I noticed a pattern emerging: Rope necklaces. I made a couple a while back (here and here), but am jonesing to make another. I've been collecting rope obsessively (honestly, I need to stop) and plan on sporting a collection of statement utility style neck pieces this spring/summer, stay tuned. 

[DIY Storage] Caboodles

Look who got a super chic makeover:  Caboodles! My childhood go-to for carrying around an extensive collection of lipsmackers (Dr. Pepper obvi) and Vanilla Mist perfume, has reinvented itself and, once again, is an integral part of my everyday life. As I prep to do some traveling in the upcoming months, I now have a fantastic carrying case for all my jewelry making supplies. I can't wait to break this out at my next DIY party and reminisce about Tiger Beat, Mall Madness, Jordan Catalano...dreamy sigh 

Now I have a place to store my I Spy DIY Sharpies! Take a peak inside after the break...

[Inspiration] Oscars

Dying to hear what everyone thought of the fashion at the Oscars! Angelina's leg, too much? Emma Stone's dress, gorg but too reminiscent of Nicole Kidman? Rooney Mara, too simple or just simple enough?

I was scouring the red carpet for DIY inspiration and saw a couple embellished sleeve/waistband combinations that are not only DIYable, but could also be translated into a look appropriate outside of award season. Stay tuned for the tutorial this week, and if the mean time, flashback to my Golden Globe DIY.

[Giveaway] BonLook Glasses

First off, I need everyones help, I am looking for a new pair of black glasses and am having an impossible time deciding, which is your fave?

Second, I am super excited to be giving away your very own pair of BonLook glasses!  

When you have to do to enter:

Like BonLook on Facebook and follow on Twitter

Like ISpyDIY on Facebook and follow on Twitter 

Leave a comment below.

Anyone who enters can use the code ISPYDIY10 and get a $10 discount. I will announce a winner next Friday! 

[My DIY] Neon Glasses case

With my ever growing collection of glasses, it is impossible to keep track of them all, so I came up with a DIY to sort my specs, matching the outside to the shape inside, all while adding a pop of color into my everyday. 

Supplies:  Glasses case, Glasses (mine are BonLook, seen here), Puffy paint, and chalk or painting crayon. 

[My outfit] Glasses Girl

(Glasses:  BonLook, Scarf: H&M,  Dress: Zara, Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes: Forever21, Leather Jacket form high school, Bracelets: DIY Button bracelet, DIY chains, Chloe+Isabel,  Threadsence wrap)

This may be a #fashiongirlproblem, but when I put my outfit on this morning it did not even occur to me that I was mixing prints. Leopard = Neutral, Dots = Neutralish, Tan Ostrich Bag = Neutral.  

In retrospect it was a whole lot o' pattern, but somehow it all works together to create the perfect "lunch/strolling in Soho with my BFF" outfit. I also had to take my new Button Bracelets for a spin, and I think they are fitting into their new habitat quite nicely. 

Also, as you may have noticed, I am a bit of a glasses girl, so I am super excited to have a new sponsor who will indulge me in one of my biggest obsessions (most their glasses with lenses are under $100!). 

Welcome BonLook, and stay tuned tomorrow for a spec inspired DIY!

[My DIY] Button bracelet

The other day, a button fell off one of my coats, and instead on sewing it back on I decided to turn it into a new bracelet! Once I made one, I could not stop. Instead of ripping the fasteners off all my jackets I stopped by M&J Trimming and stared at the "wall of buttons" for far too long, and picked out a bunch.  Next on my list is a summer set made with Nautical buttons! 

Supplies: 1 yard of wax rope,  2 buttons (one large and one small)

I can't wait to mix these in with my everyday wrist of bracelets.

Make in a million colors, steps after the break!

[my DIY] Striped pants

Forever 21 Trousers, Jacket H&M, bracelets: Chloe + Isabel, Accessorize, and chain and Rhinestone DIY (pin the step-by-step here) gifted Ugg Australia duffel bag

I am a dress and skirt kinda girl, but am loving the trouser look, so wanted to test it out - with a DIY spin of course! I teamed up with Forever 21 and tested out a striped style I had seen on the runway.  Also in an effort to add a little color into my wardrobe, I recreated on a pair of blue trousers, check out the DIY on Forever 21's blog, The Skinny. I have also been pairing black and blue together a lot (seen here), I remember the days when I would NEVER wear the combo, and now I rather like it.  One trend I will not be testing out is baring the midriff...

[DIY EVENT] WWDMAGIC Day 3

At our booth on day three of WWDMAGIC we made a project from my book: Gwyneth Paltrow inspired feather earrings. With a huge range of colors and shape feathers, I was constantly amazed with the different combinations everyone was coming up with. And it was amazing seeing all the ladies (and some guys) walking around the convention with their bright feather creations. I must say, I had an absolute blast DIYing at Magic!  More photos after the break...

FOLLOW ON TWITTER - PINTEREST - BLOGLOVIN 

[as seen on] Nylon.com

My DIY gold shoes were snapped by Nylon mag during Fashion Week!

[Webisode] Spring Fashion Trends

For this month's Conversations on Style I am chatting about Spring trends, including one of my

favorite topics: Bracelets. We swing by one of my favorite vintage stores, Screaming Mimi's, and then to 

Toho Shoji in the Fashion District to buy DIY supplies for this and this bracelet (a great place to shop if you are on the lookout for chain and rhinestones).  

 FOLLOW ON TWITTER - PINTEREST - BLOGLOVIN 

[DIY Event] MAGIC Bracelets

I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine's Day! I am out in Vegas at WWDMagic doing DIY workshops. Today we made a spin on my chain and rhinestone bracelet, mixing up the chain and suede rope color. The DIY booth was packed with people so excited to make their own, and I could not help but snap some pics of everyone's combinations, tomorrow we are make a project from my book, so stay tuned. 

More after the break!

[Quick Pic] Fashion Week

I must say that this last week has been pretty incredible, from hanging out with old blogger friends and meeting some of my online favorites, to speaking at IFB and being nominated at Bloglovin (thanks for all the votes!), to sitting at shows of my fave designers and being back stage at DVF, I could not have had a better few days.  I am exhausted, but too giddy to sleep. Since its way past midnight and I am flying to Las Vegas to do a little DIY at WWDMagic in a couple hours, I just wanted to post a quick pic of me and some of my fave blogger ladies after the Rebecca Minkoff show (more pics here). Stay tuned for more from Vegas this week!  

[My Outfit] Newspaper Clutch

(Moscot Sunglasses, H&M Jacket, Express shirt with Chanel buttons, F21 Skirt, Aldo Boots, DIY Heartbeat necklace, Isabel+Chloe Necklace, DIY Bracelet, DIY Newspaper Clutch)

 I had a fantastic time speaking at the IFB conference yesterday, and it was beyond amazing meeting some of my readers. You truly make all the work I put into my website and book in the last year worth it. On the panel I spoke a bit about my transition from working fulltime at InStyle to a full-time blogger, and how amazing it has been to fully focus on something that has been my passion since my days of tiedye and puffy paint in Wisconsin. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all my readers, your creativity constantly inspired me and makes this the best job possible. 

[My DIY] Newspaper Clutch

After stumbling across this photo, I knew I wanted to take what looks like a rolled up newspaper, and turn into a clutch. Perfect to pair with a classic outfit, I love how this becomes a newsworthy statement piece. A flat clutch works best for this project, and after spotting one at H&M for under $20, I raced home, grabbed my ModPodge and the latest headlines to create the look. 

Supplies: Newspapers, Paintbrush, Clutch from H&M,  ModPodge from BlickArt

There are a couple ways to do this DIY: 

You can measure out each side of your bag and cut out the correct size pieces to attached to the clutch. 

OR my technique: free hand cutting and patch together pieces to cover each surface.

Steps after the break...

[I Spy Video] Fashion Week

During this week I am going to keep you updated via video on the happenings of Fashion Week and all things surrounding it from a blogger's POV (while trying to not get hit by a car...)
Follow I Spy DIY on twitter to get video updates as they are happening!

[DIY Inspiration] Frames

(from Pinterest Home DIY board)

This weekend I did a little thrifting and came across a bunch of frames at a secondhand store, and instantly thought of the jewelry holders I've seen floating around Pinterest. With my DIY jewelry collection ever expanding, I thought this could be the perfect way to store them, while also putting each on display. It would also be a fun way to showcase the ridiculous amount of glasses I own. Or I love the idea of turning an oversized frame into a moodboard for project inspiration. 

The questions is, do I leave the frames mismatched or give them a coat of gold spray paint for a uniformed look?

[my outfit] Spotted

(DIY heartbeat necklace, Chloe + Isabel  Horseshoe and Link Necklaces, DIY wrapped chain bracelet, gifted beaded bracelet, Chloe + Isabel Bracelet, ID bracelet by Market Publique, F21 Shirt)

We are experiencing a heat wave here in Wisconsin, 40 degrees in January! I turned quite a few heads at the mall today with heels, a short skirt, and sheer shirt. I've been having a fantastic week hanging back home, recharging and preparing for Fashion Week. I am super excited to be speaking on a panel at the IFB conference next week (get your tickets here!), seeing some shows, and going to the Bloglovin' Awards (vote here!). 

I hope to see you there! 

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Ugg Winner! 

Shoemint Winner!