Oh, man...peeps. I am freaking out! I love this DIY. Not only because I have been really hoping to add a kimono to my closet, but also because it's budget-friendly and sooo ooooober simple to make. At first, I was like, "I'll just go to the fabric store and put one together. Yeh, it'll be super awesome". HA. 1) I don't have a working sewing machine 2) I was delusional .

After I gave up on that idea (that most certainly would have ended in a pile of scrap cloth and many tears), I started thinking of a different plan of action to make this kimono happen. It ended up involving Target (no surprise there), a big search in the scarf aisle, me draping several different scarves over my bod and my toddler pulling them off of their hooks and making a pile...on the floor. Adventure time.

Soooo. Yes, I made two floral scarves into a kimono! Ingenious. Ha-ha. J/k. I was pretty excited by the idea and how well it ended up working out though.

-the supplies-
two large scarves - 75x28 is a good size | I found 2 floral scarves at target- $14.99/ea.
stitch witch tape
sewing pins, a needle + matching thread

It's official. I am in love with this kimono. It works well with a baby bump, yeh?...& it'll work splendidly without it next Spring. Mads girl was obviously impressed by it, as you can see. Man o man. The styling possibilities- ankle jeans, slouchy tee, riding boots, denim shorts (when the warmth returns)...y mas mas mas. Woooooooooooo. So cool. 

You're thinking about making your own kimono now, aren't ya? If you do end up taking a stab at it, you had better share!...or else. ;)

If you'd like more ideas on how-to style a kimono, head on over here. Also, I call this lady the kimono rocker. You'll soon see why.

*if you have any questions regarding the tutorial, please ask me via camsdipaola(at)yahoo(dot)com. The steps may not make any sense...at all. Ha. 

Gettin' my DIY on with Project DIY

A subscription box filled with pre-prepared DIY projects? Yes, please...and thank you. I love a good DIY project. It makes me happy to sit and create, but that said...it's usually the prepping part that stresses me out a bit. M&J Trimming's Project DIY boxes take care of all of that- supplying everything you need...including tools and step-by-step instructions. It's the coolest.

September's box theme was "Autumn in New York" which *sigh* makes me think of colorful, crisp leaves covering Central park, me holding a hot bevy, casually strolling and chatting with my love...all while sporting the accessories I made with Project DIY ;).

I'll have to make some time to make all of the little projects in my box, but so far I've completed the Horseshoe Wrap Bracelet...and it's dah-ling. Not only that, it was relatively simple to put together. I may just have to wear it today with...hmmmm...a light sweater, jeans and booties. Yessssss.

If you'd like to learn more about #MJPROJECTDIY, you can find them here, on Facebook & Instagram.

diy | jeweled + studded cuffs

I have been dying over the Loren Hope designs for a couple of years now...gorgeous. Just gorgeous. One day I will have a few of their pieces (or at least a cuff :). Right now I just can't justify the price, so I decided it was time to make something similar to accessorize with. I'm being way too kind to myself by saying my version is anywhere near the quality and look of the LH lovelies. Really, but I gave it a good stab!

THE SUPPLIES:
2 brass cuff bracelet blanks
pyramid flat back studs
1 acrylic cushion back rhinestone
1 pronged settings
2 vintage art deco glass stones
E3000 glue - or something just as strong

THE STEPS:
1. glue studs onto one of your cuffs - any pattern you like! - let dry
2. glue acrylic rhinestone into the pronged settings, bend the prongs down to keep it in place & let dry
3. glue the rhinestone onto the middle of the remaining cuff, let dry
4. lastly, glue the glass stones onto each side & let dry

Ta-da! Two statement cuffs to wear and love...at least until you can get your hands on some Loren Hope. ;)

DIY: 3 tier cross necklace

Layered necklaces are a thing right now- big, small...colorful or simple. Soo here you go! This is one I came up with for ya. Instead of having to find and layer three different necklaces, you can just throw this one on and BAM. Layered. 
THE SUPPLIES: 3 beads - any color, shape or size || I found mine at On a String Bead Shop here in Charlotte chain - a good amount...don't know exactly what that means, but you need enough for three ;) ha.  1 lobster clasp 3 lengths of jewelry wire...can't remember what they are really called. eehh. I am on a roll. 5 jump rings
THE STEPS: 1. string the beads onto the jewelry wire and loop the ends 2. separate your chain into three graduating parts- I literally wrapped them around my neck to measure it out --> forgot a step!! 2b. string one bead onto each chain  3.  attach the chain ends onto the jump rings 4. attach the lobster clasp
.....& wear!
I'm thinking simple v-neck tee with cut-off shorts next. 
8-)

Customized Glitter Baseball Caps

I managed to get all of my sisters together to do a fun, Summer DIY yesterday...as you can see above...we know how to be crazy fun together (or maybe just crazy). It was quite the task to get it all going, but once we got started we had a good time. We had envisioned it going brilliantly (at least I did anyways. ha.), but Cat's originally red striped hat had to be totally glitterfied when we took of the tape and realized it looked like a toddler had just dumped a jar of glitter on it...and when I took off my stencil my arrow looked like a splotch of random nada. HA! It all worked out in the end though and we were each able to create a hat that fit our own personal style. 
We also laughed. A lot. That's really all that matters here anyways. :)
THE SUPPLIES: blank baseball caps  craft glue | I chose modge podge glitter | any color you like- we had silver + gold sponge brush  stencils | we printed ours off of the internet + cut them out ourselves *we have yet to do this, but you'll want to spray your hat with a bit of clear acrylic spray so that the glitter will hold and not sprinkle all over you over time ;)
-we found all of our supplies at Michael's-
THE STEPS: 1. place your stencil on the hat + tape it in place  2. dot/blot glue on the hat w/ the sponge brush, over the stencil 3. sprinkle the glitter onto the glue, over the stencil- make sure to pour a good amount on 4. shake the excess glitter off and clean up the hat a bit...there's bound to be runaway glitter everywhere!
& that is that, my friends. 
Moo and I are here in my hometown for another 3 lovely days which I hope don't pass too too quickly...always seems to happen though. Boo! You can follow along with the rest of our hometown trip on Instagram. 

Accessorize Me / DIY: Spiked Bead Necklace

It's been a while since my last DIY on here. I have been learning through blogging and diy-ing that quality is definitely better than quantity. I used to just crank stuff out to crank it out, but...it's not fun and made me feel totally uninspired. My plan now is to only create when I am in love with an idea and am so excited about it that I can't wait to share it with all of you! Sound like a plan?
Anywhooo. Let's do this...
THE SUPPLIES: 1 ft. of chain (or enough to go around your neck) - I chose a thicker chain 1 lobster clasp + 4 jump rings - 3 medium and 1 large jewelry wire  long + colorful spiked beads - you'll find some here and here. 
* I found all of my supplies at On a String Bead shop here in Charlotte, NC. If you live around here...I'd look there. Lovely place- chock full of any bead or chain your heart desires. 
THE HOW-TO: 1. ok, mom moment there. #1 is actually just the supplies you'll need. heh. 2. string beads onto jewelry wire in the order you'd like them to be 3. cut off any excess wire and loop the ends 4. attach one jump ring to each loop 5. separate the chain into two equal parts and attach the two remaining jump rings + lobster clasp 6. attach both chains to the other jump rings (the ones attached to the bead part)...did I mention I am awful at explaining? 
& it's completed! Ready to wear. :)
*did you win the Joules giveaway?  

hat me / DIY: J.Crew inspired raw-edge straw hat

image via.
Yes, I did steal this DIY straw hat idea from J.Crew's 'Looks We Love'!!! I couldn't help it! There. *phew* It's out in the open. ;) So anyways...I can't and won't take the credit for this idea, but what I did do is try it out for myself...and now I'm sharing the outcome with you. It was too easy. You have to try it. 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

wide brimmed straw hat // $3 bins at Target! (loving them right now) scissors &...a head // yours, a friend's...maybe your mom's? 
THE HOW-TO: 1. mark where you would like your brim to start  2. cut all the way around the hat- starting at your mark 3. pop it on your head and act all J.Crew-ish
I'll be wearing these babes on our glorious beach trip in July...it cannot come fast enough!  Thanks for the idea, J.Crew. You da best. 
ps. I still (badly) need votes for the Wallis blogger ambassador competition...if you could spare one :). 

bag me / DIY: straw contrast tote

Maybe you caught my Target place-mat clutch DIY last year? I had so much fun with it that I wanted to try out another handbag made from budget-friendly things I found at Tarjaay. 
what you will need: straw handbag // I found mine in the $3 bins at Target! craft spray paint // small bottles found at Hobby Lobby clear acrylic spray // Hobby Lobby painter's tape
the how-to: 1. tape off all of the areas you do not want to spray paint up 2. paint that thaaang + allow it to try 3. now spray it with the clear acrylic + let it dry again (for a good while) 4. love it, tote it around, show it off...yada yada. :)
I'll be toting one of these babes to Easter mass...Moo has a straw hat. Yeh. We're so ready for this resurrection. 

...............

   FYI:  I shortened the handles for the white one.  I love the look of a short tote...and this was a very easy way to make it happen. 
* additional steps for shortening the handles:

1) un-stitch one side of each handle- you'll be left w/ a hole where the handle was 2) slide the handle back into the hole + push it in further than it was originally- until the handle is as small as you like 3) glue it in place + let it dry 
Done! ..............
ps. I am in the running to become the 1st US blogger ambassador for Wallis!!...so. very. cool.  Vote for me if you have a moment? Right here. Means the world.

Accessorize me / DIY: rings for spring

This Spring accessory DIY literally has 1 step. Okay, maybe 2. Still. Easy peazy puddin' n pie.   ...& here goes that broken record of mine... There is nothing I love more than a simple, totally do-able DIY. 
the supplies: rings assortment of brads Tacky glue  -all found at Hobby Lobby-
the how-to:  1. remove the backings on the brads (I twisted them off) 2. glue them to your rings + allow them to dry
Simple. Cute. Do-able.  The flower rings are a bit like Oscar de la Renta's Spring accessories.  Kind of. ;)
ps. take a peak at what I'll be wearing tomorrow night for a Neiman's launch party...right here. I've never been to an event at Neimans so I may be a bit anxious about my outfit. errrrrr. eehhhhhh.