Independent Fashion Bloggers project: what's in my bag

You may remember the what's-in-my-bag video I made a few months back, but the contents of my bag have changed a lot since then, as has the very bag in question. Plus, IFB is doing a fun project where participants take a photo of the contents of our bags and map it out, much like the last page of Marie Claire (a feature of the magazine that I always love). So, here's mine. Hope you enjoy!

1. My bag

2. My makeup bag - Stephanie Johnson via Anthropologie (filled with everything from Maybelline to Nars, CoverRirl to Dior)

3. Old sets list from my last couple standup performances

4. Luggage repair claim ticket

5. Sunnies - Marc by Marc Jacobs

6. My ballet shoes - I take them everywhere in case the shoes I have on start to hurt me. They're like a second skin!

7. I always have the book I'm reading with me in case I have a chance to escape into it for a few minutes. Right now I'm reading The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters. It's over 800 pages long, but fabulously addictive.

8. Food pairing cards for a few beers I tried at the recent iron-chef style cook-off where I was judge

9. A spare hair tie and clip. I'm never more than a few seconds away from a bun. (Especially important in the summer as long hair can get so hot on your neck)

10. Canvass sunglasses case - Lucky Penny via Anthropologie

11. Tide to-go pen - I'm convinced this was made for people just like me who a) love clothes, and b) spill things a lot. I can't live without it.

12. Space pen

13. Sweetriot chocolate covered cacao nibs

14. Moisturizing Chapstick

15. Dr. Pepper lipgloss

16. My iPhone 3G

17. My ancient Dior wallet

18. My keys - the nail-clipper keychain is shaped like a foot and I love it.

19. Skullcandy earphones (the best!)

20. Looses change - I have no change purse, so there's always a few coins clanking around in the bottom of my bag.

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Happiness and beautiful things

I've been listening to The Happiness Project in my car and it's gotten me thinking about my own happiness, what I can do to savor it when it comes and what I can to to create more of it. It's an extraordinary power, the ability to make yourself happy.

So today, my first day of rest in a long time has been, in large part devoted to doing things that bring me joy. Of course this means a lot of sitting by the pool reading, but I've also been productive. I hung a belt rack in my closet this morning (Using a power drill honest makes me really happy! - something I discovered working in the scene shop when I was a drama student).

Another thing that makes me really happy is getting packages in the mail. I know I'm not alone there; after all, "brown paper packages tied up with strings" is a line in "My Favorite Things." So it just worked out that this was waiting for me this morning...

Mystery package . . . What could it be?

Here's what it was!

Don't you just love eBay?

Then, as I was doing some cleaning/organization/playing with power tools, I came across a pretty clementines box that I've been wanting to do something with. Then I remembered that I've also been wanting to find a more practical and aesthetically pleasing storage solution for my nail polish . . . and voila!

Now I'm sitting by the pool enjoying a talk glass of lime and basil sparkling water and a Marie Claire I've been trying to find time to read for ages.

Okay, I'm gonna jump in the pool now and get some exercise. Then, more Marie Claire. I hop you are all enjoying your weekends!

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DIY fashion-magazine envelopes

Tonight I've been working on a new DIY project, and while it is only tangentially related to fashion, I thought you guys might be interested. I'm making envelopes out of fashion magazines. Here's a quick photo tutorial in case you'd like to make some of your own. If you'd rather buy some, I'll be listing mine on Etsy soon .

First, I printed this template and cut it out.

Then I found a magazine I was done reading.

I ripped out a page with an image I liked.

The image on the reverse side of the page will be the inside of the envelope.

I cut out an envelope shape using the template.

Then I set down the cutout from the magazine, with the image I wanted on the outside down.

I folded up the corner that's cut straight across from one notch to the next.

Then I folded in the sides the same way.

I spread a narrow line of glue along the edge of both sides of the bottom tab and pressed the sides to it to secure them.

Then I pinched the envelope until it opened to make sure it wouldn't get glued shut accidentally.

Finally, I folded the top tab down straight across at both notches.

And voila!

Karl Lagerfeld Rosary

I love this Karl Lagerfeld Rosary made by Paris and available at My Flash Trash, and if you worship fashion, you probably will too. Marie Claire calls it "cheeky" and I think that's just the word.

Hail Coco Chanel, full of grace, you style is with me.

Blessed art thou among all designers,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Karl Lagerfeld