8.23.2012

DIY Necklace for Cosmopolitan India.


*Please read all the steps before you begin, there some suggestions in the later steps that contradict the beginning - efficiency through trial and error.*

This is kind of long overdue, but we were waiting for the hard copy, but we can't do it any longer. So Cosmopolitan India was doing a DIY feature for their July issue and they asked us to contribute! YEH! We feel so international or should we say cosmopolitan (bad pun totally intended)! We always talk about doing a craft-day and were planning on making something anyway, this gave us a good reason to get our act together and actually make something. We were inspired by this awesome VPL piece and below is our take on it. I'm sure you could use bungee cord and get some resin from an arts/crafts store or online and replicate it, but we went with something simpler, which still made a statement - rope and neon! We will do an update post once we get the hard copy and scan in the feature, the .pdf we have right now is just not clear enough


You’ll need:
• A pair of very sharp scissors
• A thick rope, measured to the desired length around your neck with an additional
six inches for making the tie in the back of the necklace.
• A secondary rope, thinner than the original, cut about three times longer then the
thicker piece.

Before you start: You should always get both pieces longer than recommended just in
case something goes wrong and always double-check before you cut because you don’t
want it to go to waste!

Measure the thicker rope around your neck, keeping an inch extra, snip the rest off for
later. You’ll use it to make the tie in the back of the necklace.


Step 1: Take both pieces and align at one end.

Step 2: Take the thinner rope and go underneath the thicker one.

Step 3: Fold the thinner rope over the thicker one and take it underneath itself.

 Step 4: Repeat the process until you’re about an inch and half away from
the end and tie secure knots at the end to keep the rope/thread from unraveling. You can
also tape the end to make it even more secure, which is what we ended up doing.

 If you do end up using tape, make sure the second piece (our neon yarn) is not slippery and has enough traction because if it doesn't, it'll just unravel even after you tightly wrap it.

 Step 5: This is where the extra rope we had you save comes in handy. Take that piece and
cut it in half. On one end of the necklace, fold over the rope so it makes a loop and secure by wrapping the thread continuously. (If you plan on using a rope as the secondary piece, you can get a matching yarn to finish off the necklace.)

We actually made this part harder then it had to be. But you know, hindsight.  Here is the first place we contradict the beginning - you don't have to cut and save some extra rope, you can just keep the main piece long enough in the beginning so that you can make the loop. Secure as stated on top.
Step 6: On the other end of the necklace, take the last piece of the extra rope, and secure it by wrapping the thread to the edge, just like in the last step. Cut any excess thread off, once you’re done wrapping it around and finish by tying very secure knots.

Second contradiction. Once again instead of cutting and attaching the extra piece later, just keeping the rope longer in the beginning, that way you don't have to cut and attach it, all you have to do is finish it. Hopefully that made sense. 

 Viola! You’re done! Your necklace should look something like this! You
can always add a personal touch with charms, lockets, even safety pins…even an old lock
lying around the house attached at the center would add just the right touch.

J modeling the end-result. 

Good luck!

S

8.22.2012

J's life via Instagram.


We're all pretty big foodies, so here's a food appreciation post courtesy of J's iPhone.

1. J's mom's chole bhature.
2. Clam chowder from Hog Island Oyster Co. in San Francisco. S and J finally had it last week and it was spectacular.
3. Seviyaan made by J's mom.
4. Baked tilapia with quinoa, spinach, strawberry and cucumber salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, J's creation. 
5. Best latte ever from Cafe Madeleine in San Francisco, with S's chocolate art. 
6. Zucchini bread with cranberries made by J using zucchinis from her garden.


8.16.2012

Intergalactic cat sweater.


Sweater: Asos 

How awesome is this sweater?! I fell in love with this the moment I saw it. It combines pretty impressive subjects like cats, galaxies, and gems. I apologize for the creases I tried my best to smooth them out but it did not work.

Also sorry for the lack of outfit posts my camera girl a.k.a my sister started school so she's too busy at the moment to help. However the weekend is almost here so I shall have outfits up soon! =)

A

8.12.2012

First published shoot.


Not ours. Images belong to Alexander LeKing and Inprint magazine. Please do not use.

Photographer: Alexander LeKing
Make Up and Hair: Lisa Teller
Stylists: Ruak Styling (S and J)
Model: Shane Swenson at Look Model Agency

These are pictures from S and J's first published shoot, incidentally it was also our first shoot with a male model. 

Here are some more, that didn't get published.
Copyright: Alexander LeKing

8.09.2012

Oh Fall I can't wait for you.

Fall outfit

Who here is as excited about Fall as I am?! I can't wait for sweaters! They are my absolute favorite clothing item. They are like a warm blanket that's acceptable to wear outside. I've begun dreaming about my outfits and decided a collage would be a good outlet.

If I'm wearing a sweater, the outfit usually revolves around it, and this sweater is so cute, so the outfit had to be too. The sweater is from Miu Miu so it's quite expensive, but I know I can find an alternative, and since I've become a D.I.Y expert (she said laughingly) I think I can just re-create the collar. The skirt is also Miu Miu... wow, I think I've developed an obsession. Anyway, the skirt goes so well with the sweater it seems like they belong together. The Asos cat clutch adds some quirkiness, which is always nice. The brogues are the icing on the cute cake.

Thankfully the weather in S.F is perfect sweater-weather unlike Tracy, which is 100 degrees today.

A

8.08.2012

D.I.Y Pearl Heel Loafers.

Before
After
I've mentioned here and there about how I've been trying to acquire more sensible shoes due to my move to San Francisco. I've been lusting over the new Miu Miu loafers. Sadly, due to the fact I have no dinero, I had to compromise. I found these basic black velvet loafers at Zara and thought to snazz them up myself. I wanted crystals, however the crystals I could afford were to small for what I wanted. I then remembered I had pearls and black and pearls is always a winning combo. I love the end result, now obviously they are no Miu Miu loafers, but they are adorable and I love them.  This was such an easy D.I.Y it took me about 10 minutes. 

What you need:
 pearls or crystals  (whichever suits you best)
 a pair of loafers or these

After you get everything you just need to sit down with some good music on and glue the pearls or crystals on the loafers. Now just be careful to keep them straight and space them out evenly.

 I'm thinking of applying something in the front but I don't know yet. Any suggestions?

A

8.05.2012

A handful of recollections.

These are just some various photos I took which I started to edit and decided to share. Some are from my phone, so that's why they aren't such great quality.

1. A pretty hair shot.
2. & 3. My new Zara top.
4. & 5. Me at the pier in S.F
6. New earrings from Asos
7. My two favorite things coffee and cookies.
8. The earrings make an appearance again! They are just that fabulous! I forgot to mention they are clip ons! I sadly do not have my ears pierced yet.

Hope you're having a lazy sunday like me also.

A

8.03.2012

Confessions of a Shoeaholic.


Flats:Asos

I've been searching for a pair of red flats for a while now... it is a staple item.  A pair of red flats can make any outfit more exciting, and come on how can you resist not wearing an all black outfit with a bright pair of red flats?! I was ecstatic when I saw these on sale at Asos, because not only was my search for red flats over, but they had the additional detail of a gold heel! I was head over gold heels! I can't wait to style an outfit around these beauties. 

A

P.S Asos has these flats in other colors also.

8.02.2012

Vacation Time.

Top: Zara, Skirt: Asos: Flats: Zara, Jewelry: Forever 21

Oh how I wish I could escape for a little bit and go somewhere. I wanted to keep in theme with the skirt and look like I was on vacation. I should've added a margarita or something to add more authenticity to the outfit. 

A

P.S I love how my hair is matching my skirt.