Bookish and Belle

I've been wanting to make a studded friendship bracelet for a long time, but I didn't want to use just any old studs, I wanted some serious spikes. So, I ordered some online and got to work.

Since I was using screw-back spikes, I wove the bracelet around the spikes and then tightened them with a screw driver when I finished. But if you're using traditional studs (like these for example), you can weave the bracelet and add the studs after.

I do, however, highly recommend the high-impact look of some serious spikes like these ones. The final product is a friendship bracelet with edge. As such, I've taken to calling it my "frenemy bracelet."

To balance out the large spikes, I made my bracelet about twice as wide as a normally would. The method is just a traditional chevron weave (you can find lots of tutorials on youtube if you don't remember from high school) but I used two doubled over lengths of each color.

Here's how you can make your own . . .

01. Measure two lengths of six colors of embroidery floss. Each length should be as long as your arm from shoulder to fingertip. I chose a mix of colors that I thought would be good for fall. But, if you want to use fewer colors, just use more lengths of floss. Double over the floss and tie a knot. Secure it by taping it down to a table or gripping with a clipboard.

02. Organize the floss so that you have from left to right:

two strands of color 1, two strands of color 2, two strands of color 3, two strands of color 4, two strands of color 5, four strands of color 6, two strands of color 5, two strands of color 4, two strands of color 3, two strands of color 2, two strands of color 1.

How to make a spikey studded friendship bracelet (or "frenemy bracelet")

03. Begin to weave a chevron design. As I said, youtube has lots of tutorials for this part. Video will give you a better idea of how to do it than I ever could with photos.

04. When you've completed stripes of 4 colors, add a spike and continue weaving, making sure to know the next row of floss tight around the spike. In another six stripes (between the same two colors as your last spike), add another spike. Add a third another six stripes on, and end your bracelet a few stripes after that at your desired length.

05. Finish the bracelet by braiding the remaining floss into two braids, knotting and trimming it, and tightening the spikes with a screwdriver.

07. Wear your frenemy bracelet with pride! You just DIYed a one-of-a-kind statement piece!

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Friday, August 31, 2012

What I wore today: 08/30/2012 (Black and Gold)

As I mentioned in this post, one of my favorite things to wear when I'm not at work is a band t-shirt with a pretty skirt. It's just such a fun and unconventional combination. Yesterday, I kept the whole look black with gold accents, pairing a vintage Spice Girls t-shirt (loved them when I was a kid in the late '90s) with a sheer skirt that can easily be dressed up or, as in this case, down. What do you think?

Spice Girls t-shirt - Vintage
Pleated sheer skirt with high-low hem - Target
Jeweled leopard sandals - Target
Letter-charm chain belt - DIY from a Dior keychain (tutorial here)
Studded-bottom bag - eBay
Honey bee earrings - Anthropologie
Studded friendship bracelet - DIY (tutorial coming soon)
Wishbone ring and mountain-lion leather cuff - Stylemint
Arrow ring - Anthropologie
Giraffe bracelet - Target
Starburst bangle and others - Forever21
Pavé cable link bracelet -J.Crew
Necklace - J.Crew outlet

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

What I wore today: 08/21/2012 (Leathermint)

Leathermint outfit: vegan leather peplum top, mint green BDG jeans, quilted flats, peter-pan collar necklace, etc. - Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie

I strive to find balance when it comes to fashion. I like feminine, romantic, even girly things, but I also like things that have an edge. For example, on my birthday I accessorized a twirly birthday dress with a studded headbands and added a leather jacket to the mix.

So, when I heard the words "peplum" and "leather" in the same product description, my heart skipped a beat. A classically feminine shape constructed in a tough-girl material? Sign me up!

For its inaugural wear, I paired the sure-too-be-a-go-to-favorite top with my mint jeans (because color stories inspired by Andes Mints are always a good idea), and added a Peter-Pan-collar necklace to bring a bit of demure charm to the look.

Of course, I'm already thinking up ways to transition this top into fall. What about layering a leather jacket over it for a bold leather-on-leather look? Or, how about layering it over a black cashmere sweater? I love the idea of a leather shell with cashmere sleeves?

The possibilities are endless.

Vegan leather peplum top - Urban Outfitters
Mint jeans - BDG, Urban Outfitters,
Quilted flats - Modcloth
Peter-Pan collar necklace - Anthropologie
Baroque sunglasses - Prada

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

What I wore today: 08/15/2012 (Pop of neon)

Pop of neon outfit: gray AG "stevie" jeans, snakeskin shoes, chambray shirt, DIY neon necklace, neon bangle, J.Crew pavé cable bracelet, sparkly suede clutch

I wore this outfit for a casual dinner-and-a-movie date with my (wait for it...) fiancé last night. At first, I wanted to get dressed up a bit more, but I eventually realized that what I really wanted was to be comfortable. So I started with a simple palette of gray jeans and a chambray shirt (tucked in at the front to add a little visual interest), and added some pops of neon to keep from looking drab.