The Top Knot....

Leave it loose, pull it tight, add a braid. The top knot is not only the perfect solution to a 'bad hair day' but there are endless possibilities with this fun little (or big) bun. Use a sock to create the donut shape, or just messily throw it up. (Although for the sake of your hair try not to wrap your hair elastic too tightly around your hair as this will cause breakage of those beautiful locks). Whatever way you chose to wear it I love the top knot and lean on it often for those days when I have to rush out the door and a simple pony tail just isn't doing it for me. What do you think about the top knot? Love it or hate it?

Much Love...


All photos via Pinterest. 

Striped clutch DIY...

I made a couple leather clutches a few weeks ago out of some leather fabric I had laying around un-used. I decided one needed to have a little colour and I had seen a few of these self painted clutches so thought I would give it a shot. What have you DIYed lately?

Tape off the bottom portion of your bag being sure to press the tape down firmly so you do not get any bleeding of the paint. 

Paint the bottom portion of the bag in white for a base coat. Since the leather is black and I am planning on using light colours for my stripes a base coat will allow the colours to be true and not have any black show through. 

Once your paint has fully dried remove your original piece of tape. Apply two more pieces one that will be directly on the painted line of your first colour and a second about half an inch above.

Again apply your base coat of white paint to this thinner line.

Apply your colour when your base coat has dried. I applied two coats of each colour to make sure they were solid colour with no white showing through. Once your paint has fully dried remove it and voila! You can apply modge podge or a clear sealant over the bag so that your paint wont get ruined over time and use.

Much Love!

DIY Chevron Clutch Tutorial...

For this DIY I was overly excited to see the finished product I failed to take step by step photos! I will do my best to explain my process in writing along with the photos that I managed to remember to take. It is a very simple DIY with minimal steps. The hardest part is getting the chevron stripes to be geometrically accurate. As well the taping process is a little time consuming but putting in the effort and time will ensure that your stripes are measured perfectly! This DIY would work perfectly with a clutch, wallet or any other bag you want to use. I would suggest using a bag that has more structure to it as it is much easier to work with and paint.

1. Create a chevron template out of a thin cardboard. This will help immensely in the taping process ensuring that your stripes are all the same width and shape.

2. Use a small piece of tape to secure your template in place on your bag and begin taping your line. Right along the bottom and top line of your template. Trim any access at the ends where your tape meets at inside and outside corners. This will ensure you have sharp corners. I made my template one inch to match the same width of the tape. (You can see in the photo below I was left with an area at the back where I had to make a thinner stripe) Make sure you press the tape down firmly to the fabric as to not allow any bleeding.

3. Once you have taped all of your stripes onto your bag you can start painting. I painted using very thin coats. Using thin coats will make sure that you do not have any paint streaks and lines. (those paints lines from using a brush) The photo below shows the bottom stripe with one coat of paint while the top line shows two coats.

4. Let your paint dry before moving on to the next coat. (which takes only a couple of minutes with the Martha Stewart paint that I used (the paint is multi surface craft paint in Grey Wolf) I ended up doing 3 coats of paint which was the perfect amount of coverage and since I used very thin coats it wasn't too thick.

5. Once your paint has fully dried carefully pull off all of the tape from the bag and voila! You have a custom chevron clutch!

You can spray your coat with a clear sealant or use a thin layer of modge podge to insure that with use you won't get any scratches in your paint.

Much Love...

Everybody knows that a broken heart is blind...Outfit Post...

It was terribly hot outside today to the point where it was hard to breath. Although it has cooled down a tiny bit tonight I cannot believe I decided to venture out in jeans. With the humidex it felt like 47 degrees! Don't get me wrong I love heat and love summer and it can stay as long as it likes but all I can say is wow. That being said I stayed very casual today with little to no accessories other than my two tiny silver bracelets (that I never really take off).

What I wore:

Sunglasses - Ray Ban in Cockpit.
Top - Navy blue cotton button up tank from RW&Co.
Bag - I found this cute little white clutch at the thrift store the other day, added a grey chevron pattern to it and Im in love. (tiny tutorial to come)
Pants - White skinny jeans from H&M.
Shoes - Brown leather sandal wedges from Aldo.

Title lyrics - The Black Keys - Little black submarine.

DIY Cap Toe Pumps...

For this project I chose to use Martha Stewart Crafts multi surface acrylic paints. A regular white for the base coat as I wanted the green to really pop. The main colour I used the same Martha Stewart multi surface in Sea Glass. I love this almost sea foam, mint green colour! Against the dark brown of my shoes it really pops! 

1. Tape off the toe of the shoe pressing down the tape firmly so you do not get any bleeding. If there is a noticeable sole (or even a small one in my case) tape that as well to make it easier to paint without any slips. 

2. Paint each toe with a coat of white paint for the base coat. I did not worry about it being perfect I just wanted to make sure there was enough coverage.

3. Add two coats of your colour of choice and remove the tape before it dries. And voila! Your very own personalized cap toe shoes. How easy was that? I had a little bit of bleeding onto the sole of the shoe but with a little nail polish remover and a Qtip it comes off so easily.

Much Love...

It's empty in the valley of your heart. The sun, it rises slowly as you walk. (outfit post)

What Im wearing:

Sunglasses - A great go to pair of vogue oldies.
Top - Vivienne Tam white tank.
Bottoms - Coral skinny jeans. I bought these jeans this weekend and am in love with the colour of them!
Shoes - Colour splotch pumps by Naughty Monkey. I adore these heels, I love the bright colours and the little leather bow on the back.
Belt - My beloved brown leather belt by Tommy Hilfiger.
Bag - Black leather envelope clutch. I made this bag today and am so pleased at how it turned out. I have never made a bag before, nor have I sewn with leather so I was nervous. Pleasantly surprised at the end result.
Jewelry - Necklace - Gold leaf from Forever21. Ring - gold bauble from H&M.

Title lyrics - Mumford and Sons - The Cave.

Much Love...

Lusting Over: Floral Shorts

I have my eyes open for the perfect pair of floral shorts. It seems like I find a style I like but am not thrilled with the floral pattern, or a pattern I like and not thrilled with the style (you get the point). With that being said the hunt still continues but I thought I would share with you some adorable pairs I came across online. 

1. Frey hem short from Delias - $30. 2. White denim short from Delias - $25. 3. TNA conductor shorts from Aritzia - $70. 4. Neon rose cutoffs from NastyGal - $68. 5. Full bloom shorts from NastyGal - $68. 6. Pleated floral shorts from Forever21 - $16. 7. Floral denim shorts from Forever21 - $20.

Much Love...