****DIY Lanvin Raffia Earrings****

I have a twisted love affair with affair with Barneys.  Being that I am not a frequent charger (rather not one at all since I don't have any) nor am I attached to any significant amount of wealth, my frequent trips to their locations and website always end with me empty handed.  I'll touch, dream and even try on but very rarely to I splurge.....even upon entering their outlet locations and seeing Balmain at an additional 40% off the already steeply discounted goods. However I still go back time and time again.  While browsing the jewelry section online one day I put tons of images into DIY Inspiration folder and my first project up is my version of the lovely Raffia Mask and Flower Earrings from Lanvin.

THE INSPIRATION:

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Raffia
• Pearls, Gemstones or any other smaller beads you have 
• Jump Rings
• Eye Pins
• Earring Posts
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Round Nose Pliers
• Scissors
• Jump Rings

WHAT TO DO:

• Begin cutting off small sections of the raffia and tie around your jump ring

• Continue until whole jump ring is covered and their is very little give between strips. 

• Now keep going until 4 jump rings are bursting with raffia

• Trim those wild ends

• Use another jump ring to attach two of the raffia circles together.  

• Gather your chosen beads and get to adding a bit of glam

• Attaching the beads can be difficult depending on how thick the raffia base is but a little bit of trial and error with your round nose pliers will help you find the right width of the loop  
• As you attach your  beads, take some time to fluff up your raffia and create the right amount of character

Just about all of these supplies were already hiding out in my various craft boxes so that is why I chose to use all black raffia.  I will definitely be making another pair using lighter colors and different beads.  As with so many DIY's the possibilities are endless so get creative and have fun if you give it try.  Also feel free to send over some pics of your project and I will definitely showcase them!!!

Seeing Stars

Seeing Stars by naughtybaubles featuring long sleeve blouses

Vanessa Bruno raglan shirt
$305 - lagarconne.com

Organic by John Patrick long sleeve blouse
$242 - lagarconne.com

We Are Handsome elastic waist pants
£104 - farfetch.com

Isabel Marant cut out heels
$580 - lagarconne.com

French Connection vintage style handbag
£250 - mylabel.co.uk

Lanvin antique silver necklace
$2,395 - cultstatus.com.au

Ring
$138 - nastygal.com

****Have You Seen This CAT***

Please let me introduce you all to my new label crush Three Floor.  While checking out Stylorectic's recent blog post I had to know where she got her amazing Lanvin-esque dress from.  Scrolling down to the outfit creds led me to click on a link that is now permanently bookmarked.  Maybe its the quirky/girly/bad ass lookbook that had me sold but I feel as if I need everything in it.  And can we talk about the headband that has just been added to my "Must DIY" list.

Just prepare to fall in love ladies....

****Maxed Out...Never - My DIY****

Currently I am in the land of can'ts...

• I can't get Karlie Kloss out of my mind as she glides down the runway wrapped in Lanvin goodness 

and 

• I also can't seem to find any reasonably priced alternative to said look.

****DIY -- Multi-tasking Suede Choker*****

Hooray, its DIY time again!!!!!

****Recently Released****

 I am really gonna need something from this collaboration in my life....seriously

****I DIE...****

For Lanvin's SS2011 Collection...and I know I am not alone

****So Freaking Out Right Now****

Right now Lanvin has to be my absolute fav designer not only for his amazing chic looks but for his accessories. Every piece is so innovative, daring and truly statement making.  I wish I could afford anything from his collection and routinely check out the Barneys outlet to see if anything in my size happened to show up. Now I may not have to scour.....

****DIY Sundays on Mondays****

What do you get when you  mix coffee, banana fosters ice cream, leather, pearls, chains and Nine Inch Nails.........

****Falling In Love With Rebelling****

Fall 2010's amazingly rebellious runway shows...

****Falling In Love With Rebelling****

With the new season of Project Runway in full swing and fall soon to come, I cant help but remember my favorite Project Runway winner Irina Shabayeva. I mean what girl wouldn't like form-fitting and laser-cut leather, crafted luxurious wool dresses and pants all in moody colors giving its wearer an air of mystery and intense seducing powers from the dark forces that be?!?!?!? Her final collection was absolutely amazing and had me dreaming that I either won the lottery and was able to commission her to recreate her collection just for me or that she collaborated with a retailer that would put her pieces within my price range. As far as I know she never worked with any mass retailer....if this is not the case please let me know so I can scour the web for leftovers....and well I definitely didn't win any jackpot.

Although I never came across a collection from Irina since her big win I didn't like, this season her aesthetic seems even more important to me. In looking at the fall runway shows I was left gasping for air.....and my 4in high heels. From Prada to Louis Vuitton to L'ren Scott, the 50's were ever apparent in their collections. Full skirts, below knee hem lengths, kitten heels, lady-like bags and cardigans.....the conservative nature just didn't sit well with me. Maybe I refuse to accept our current sobering economic situation and still yearn for some of the excess that led us to this point or maybe its the fact that kitten heels and longer skirts are not flattering on me, either way this nudge to a more proper time has me rebelling.

Its not that I don't understand the trend in one way or another and there are countless explanations for it. One reason to explain the shift was a movement toward a more generally flattering look. I mean, the American fashion population in general isn't really made up of Chanel Imans or Heidi Klums and what works for them cant doesn't always work for the customer. With frivolous spending put to a stop, designers had to create a real reason for women to defrost the AMEX card and what better way than to present to them a collection of instantly wearable and flattering pieces. I mean Doutzen Kroes made headlines as the curvy model showcasing the new fall looks and many women were able to relate. Another reason could be looked at as a parallel to what occurred when Dior introduced his New Look that sent title waves through fashion during that period. Similar times....similar fashions. And yet another reason could be our cultures extreme fascination with Mad Men. Everyone is talking about it and its not like it would be the first time we've seen the big or little screen make their way into our closets.

Regardless of the reasons I am thankful for labels such as Balmain, Haider Ackermann, Victor & Rolf, Lanvin and of course Irina Shabayeva. It is with their complex...simple yet extravagant on so many levels...and fresh collections that I was able to breath again as I looked forward to fall. I mean isn't it the best dressed season? Nothing against the other designers taking direct influence from a retro time....I mean all current fashion stems from something re-interpreted.....but for my life right now it just doesn't seem relevant. Right now, with everything else in the world I want to be able to teeter around in excessively high heels anchoring a look of leather and fur. The only thing sobering about my look will be the color since you cant go wrong with grays, blacks and tans. I'm rebelling against the shift and loving every minute of it.

Besides.....how can we shift into lady-like gear after Hole just finished up its summer tore and the Runaways just came out on DVD.....Its just not natural