DIY: Leather Fringe Crossbody Bag

I've been seeing inspo fringe purses everywhere, and yesterday realized I have this ivory leather clutch that I made last summer yet never use, plus tons of leftover leather. So I made myself a crossbody leather fringe bag in literally one step. So great for when I'm going out and only need a small bag to put my phone, camera, and wallet in, instead of my usual massive mom-purses.

What you need:
A purse
Fringe (or fabric to cut into fringe)
Fabric glue (or you could sew it)

Sorry for my very un-vacuumed floor... I'm in the process of packing up my room

What you do:
1) Take bag, glue on fringe.

2) DONE!

And as a teaser for tomorrow's post featuring my friend Ben's (not so) secret inner model, here he is working it with my new bag.

DIY Inspiration: Chain Fringe Jewelry

I think it's also time that I introduce you all to two more of my favorite bloggers ever, and their chained jewelry that I'm obsessed with.

loveMaegan is who and what I want to be when I'm 35. She's super adorable, super fashionable, not afraid to be relaxed and let her personality show. She has tons of awesome nail art tutorials, hair tutorials, and DIY ideas (seriously, like a million of them), including this chain headband. She also has the most beautiful hair ever and I'm totally jealous.

Perfect for my (not so) secret inner hippie!

I also have a total (wo)man crush on The Man Repeller. Seriously, I dare you to read her blog for like three minutes and not crack up laughing. She mocks fashion by embracing it, using it against itself (my personal favorites have to be her plastic skirts, worn to keep her "nether-regions dry" - HA). She also sparked quite the controversy when she failed the ultimate man repelling challenge and got engaged!

In collaboration with Dannijo, she recently came out with this "eye" inspired jewelry collection, including this awesome "eyelashed" ring. Considering they're selling for $100+, I think I'll have to stick to DIY'ing myself one. ASAP.

Blue Valentine Series: Ombre Fringe Necklace

On the second day of Blue Valentine, I decided to try and make... the ever-popular fringe necklace, this time actually featuring the color blue!

The inspiration

The outcome

I originally wanted to bleach the blue fringe to make it ombre from white to blue, kind of the reverse of this one. However, apparently the fringe I bought would be impervious to nuclear attack, because even after an hour of sitting in undiluted bleach, it was still as blue as ever. So onto Plan Silver Sharpie!

What you need:
Fringe
Chain
Necklace clasp
Pliers of some sort
White or silver sharpie (or bleach, if your fringe is less hearty than mine)

What you do:
1) Cut a length of chain as long as you want your necklace (keeping in mind that the fringe will hang down a bit), and attach the necklace clasp to the chain.

It's a heart! Kinda.

2) Sharpie (or bleach) the ends of your fringe. If you're feeling thorough, flip the fringe over and color the back side too. My sharpie was dead by this point though, so I didn't. I also added some extra glue at the top and sides of my fringe just so it wouldn't unravel.

3) Whip-stitch, sew, glue, or otherwise attach your fringe to the chain at the center.

4) Wear!

What I'm Loving

I'm not one to predict trends. I'm even less liable to actually look forward to them. However, I am super pumped about:

HATS! I discovered a few years ago that I am one of the lucky ducks who can actually wear hats. I don't claim to be able to pull off many items of clothing (I'm not nearly emaciated enough, thank goodness, for most of them), but I've been secretly rooting for the rise of cranial accessories since that day. And it looks like my prayers to the fashion spirits have been answered!!

Update (Jan. 27th, 2012): what did I tell you?? 

This one has basically become my thesis wardrobe. I'm finally embracing that beanies can be cool, thanks to this lovely lady. All I need now is pink hair. (this hat of hers is a little crazier, but I'm head over heels -haaaa- for this one)

BURNT ORANGE! Or dark yellow. Or mustard. Or whatever name you call this general collection of colors, I'm digging it so much that I'm knitting myself a cardigan this color. But really.

 

via Diane von Furstenberg

SHEERS! It seems like everything has been made sheer recently, especially maxi skirts and sheer panels on dresses or shirts. I'm so jumping on this trend train.

via asos.com 

via asos.com

via asos.com

via ShinyPlasticHag

and looking forward just a bit... FRINGE TOP BATHING SUITS! (A girl can dream that it's summer already right?) I mean, how cool is this. It's so unbelievably impractical, so why do I love it so much? Maybe because it emphasizes the ta-tas, something any girl with my body build wouldn't say no to.

DIY here!!

All photos via lookbook or or polyvore, unless otherwise noted