You will not believe this, but I finally did a DIY project! A very easy, sorta bootleg DIY project, but still… Trust me when I say this is a major accomplishment for someone as lazy busy as me.

The project

I bought a pair of black and white striped rayon pants at Goodwill last weekend (I was actually there to donate some stuff, but you know how that goes). They’re run-of-the-mill rayon, elastic waist, straight-leg pants–exactly what I was looking for, but I wanted to make them a bit more harem-ish:

Step 1

I rummaged through my dusty craft container and found a spool of  black satin ribbon, then grouped the pants, ribbon, and a bobby pin (more on that later) on the counter.

Step 2

I cut a small, (approx. 1/2 inch) vertical slit in the hem of the pants. These happened to have a pre-made slit, so I just sliced through it. Don’t bother measuring–it’s not that serious.

Step 3

Cut a length of ribbon approx. 2 times the circumference of the hem. Again, measurements are for losers–just eyeball it and you’ll be okay.

Now, this is where it gets bootleg: wrap one end of the ribbon around the bobby pin. This is what we’ll use as a “needle.”

Step 4

Thread the ribbon through the hem, in one side of the slit and out the other .* The bobby pin makes it easy to grasp the ribbon through the fabric, so just scrunch and pull until it comes through the other side:

Step 5

Now gather the hem, tie a bow et voila! Easy, comfy, pseudo-harem pants!

Rock ‘em and enjoy the breeze!

What do you think? Useful or extra-bootleg?

*That’s what she said.

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A while ago, I was talking to my brother about a manuscript he’s been working on for years. As I tried to determine whether he was planning on snail-mailing an actual handwritten manuscript to a publishing house for consideration (people still do that?!), the same thought that pops up whenever I work on the magazine hit me:

Don’t wait for people to give you permission to do what you want to do.

If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to be a magazine editor, create a magazine. If you want to start a conference for people who like to dress up as furry animals, start a conference for people who like to dress up as furry animals. In other words, as a wise man named Michael Jordan once said, just do it.

The ‘net and all of the brilliant (and not-so-brillant) people who congregate online have opened up a world of possibilities for a number of traditional (and not-so-traditional) careers. I explained to my brother that he could start a blog, create an e-book, self-publish with Lulu or Cafepress or Blurb or any of the other online platforms, promote on Facebook or YouTube or Twitter, and sell on Amazon.

It takes a lot of time, a lot of work, and a fair amount of luck, but it can be done. And–pay attention, because sometimes this is the most difficult part to grasp–YOU can do it.

While the web isn’t exactly the great equalizer everyone seems to think*, if you have the heart and can handle the hustle, you can carve out a space for yourself and do what you love.

Are you doing something you enjoy? Or is this all just a pipe dream?

*You still need to be able to afford a computer and internet access, or have the free time to use the services provided at, say, the library. There are still a lot of people who aren’t able to do either, so no, not everyone is included in this “great revolution.” Sorry.

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While I’m much too busy lazy to actually do anything about it, I’ve always loved the idea of do-it-yourself fashion. Unfortunately–or maybe fortunately–the height of my forays into hand-crafted apparel and accessories peaked right around the time of neon puffy paints and Jams shorts.

However, my generosity compels me to share some of the best DIY tutorials from talented bloggers across the web. From bib necklaces to Miu Miu-inspired minis, here are some great ways to further personalize your look, glitter not included:

From “The Miu Miu inspired skirt tutorial”, Kingdom of Style

From “DIY: Studded jeans and more”, Miss at la Playa

From “How to: Scissor a baggy shirt into a bitchin’ top”, Cheap JAP

From “Glamourai DIY/Candied Crumbcatcher”, The Glamourai (cover girl for Style Sample Magazine issue 2!)

From “Welcome to my Bleach Party”, Femme Rationale (Style Sample Magazine issue 1 cover girl! Hmmm…is there a pattern here?)

Have you done any interesting DIY projects lately? Share so I can get all excited and then not do it!

Read these, too:
Blogger Jewelry: Rare Jewels
Excited/Exhausted
Casual Style: Sweat Me

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This past weekend, The Boy and I braved the heat and humidity and hung out at the Over-the-Rhine/Gateway Celebration.

We checked out some of the local vendors and marveled at the creative talent. You know I was all about the clothes and accessories!

I bought a pair of earrings from Amy at Ovenfried Beads. Can’t you see recreating a funkier version of the star necklace from the YSL Spring 2008 show with these star-shaped pendants? I smell a DIY project…

We talked about the tees from Wire&Twine–the Cincinnati Subway Map (for optimists) was my favorite. I really wish we had better public transportation…y’all know I hate driving.

We stopped by Lavomatic for some wine and a bite to eat. We both wound up ordering the mushroom lasagna, which was amazing!  Because I couldn’t resist dessert (I can never resist, really), I had the delicious white chocolate raspberry tarte. Mmmhmm. I’m really going to have to hit the gym this week!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting?

Read these, too:
Tagged-I’m it!
Travel Equals Food: Eat your heart out!
Style, Menswear Inspired: Suspended Belief
 

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So, I’m browsing through my RSS feeds and see a post from The Cut about the Michael Jackson wardrobe auction. Like most children of the ’80′s, I was a huge MJ fan and had the albums, posters, and accessories (I’m telling you, I would rock the f*&% out of that pendant necklace if I still had it) to prove it. I click the link to the auction catalogue just to check it out and perhaps reminisce a bit.

I wasn’t prepared, y’all. I was not prepared for the shiny, sparkling inspiration staring up at me from every page, or the sudden burning desire to wear rhinestones all the time.  This stuff is amazing and I want it all!

Apparently, I’m not the only one who was inspired:

Yeah, I’m looking at you Christophe.

Is the Bad-era leather not right in line with this (and next) season’s most prevailing trend? Does it not provide the perfect counterpoint to the Thriller-esque military jackets and Off the Wall sparkles and rhinestones? AM I LOSING MY MIND OVER HERE?*

*The correct answer is an unequivocal yes

Seriously, all I need are a few American Apparel pieces, 17 bags of rhinestones, a string of turkey feathers, and a day with a Bedazzler. I know that sounds crazy, mostly because it is, but please allow me to indulge my completely unrealistic and highly unlikely DIY fantasies:

Images: American Apparel, Hancock Fabrics, Rainbow Feathers

I suppose at least part of the attraction is the psychological desire to relive a part of my childhood, when times were easy, I was (mostly) innocent, and glitter and military jackets went hand-in-hand. Now, I’m not saying I’m actually going to execute all of these ideas–I am extremely lazy, after all–but for now, for the first time since approximately 1987, I really want to dress like Michael Jackson.

Am I the only one?

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