What if there was a magical spider that weaved its webs into intricately beautiful creations resembling lace doilies and delicate crochet… transforming abandoned or un-remarkable places into a beautiful work of art…and instead of being repulsed or scared, people would stop to admire its work…
That magical spider may not exist, but these amazing installations by Poland street artist NeSpoon do… so beautiful.
The lovely and creative Geneva of A Pair and a Spare contributed this amazing guest post for our blog!
Fishtail skirts have dominated the recent SS12 runways and are oh so sexy. What better way to jazz up a thrifted skirt than by creating your own fishtail style? Follow my steps below, it’s incredibly simple!
You need:
A thrifted skirt (I picked one with some subtle pleating)
A pair of scissors
needle and thread
an iron.
How to:
1. Put your skirt on and mark where you want the front, and shortest, part of the skirt to finish.
2. Take the skirt off and fold in it half down the front of the skirt – so rather than the back and front lying against each other, it’s the two sides that face each other – the way you might fold trousers before you put them on a coat hanger. Make sure the fold is directly in the middle of the front of the skirt.
3. Lay the skirt on the floor and cut out the front of the skirt – you want a straight line for the first 30cm or so to create the mini part of the skirt, then tapering down to the back and bottom of the skirt.
4. Try the skirt on to see if the cut out is big enough. I did this a few times, cutting more away to suit what I wanted it to look like. It’s always best to take this part slowly and do small amounts at a time.
5. Once you have a cut out that you like, fold over the edge of the skirt about 1cm and iron. You may want to double over twice but my skirt was made out of a fabric that didn’t fray too badly so once was enough.
6. Sew a small stitch all the way around the hem.
7. Iron flat again.
Voila! All done.
Now wasn’t that simple? I absolutely love how this style moves around when you walk! Now that I’ve tested the process I’m going to make a few different coloured versions too.
Amazing!! thank you so much Geneva!
For more DIY Fashion Inspiration visit her blog: A Pair and a Spare. Also be sure to check out our new DIY Projects category!
Paris fashion week to me has a certain unique edge to it that gives the glamorous silhouettes a bit of funk. From tinsel skirts at Balenciaga worn with a structured top half to Chambray denim worn with foiled gold at Balmain, The designers featured at Paris always know how to mix the young with the old.
Valentino brought 1920’s lace back into the picture and wasn’t scared to hit the ground with it, while Chloe brought interested and unique proportions down the runway; I love the exaggerated details in the garments – why not call out a great waistband or a cool sleeve.
Here’re my highlights from Paris, what did you guys think?
Balenciaga, Balmain, Valentino and Chloe – Street style by Tommy Ton via style.com
Fairisle is one of those words that awakens certain senses… it symbolizes chilly weather, playing in the snow and bundling up by a fire to warm your bones, crisp air and red cheeks.
I never knew this, but fairisle is named after a small island in northern Scotland. The traditional knitting technique uses multiple colors to create the signature fairisle patterns, and first gained popularity when worn by the Prince of Wales in the early 1920s. Today its one of our favorite patterns for knitwear and we love it in all different forms – sweaters, leggings, socks, bags, you name it – it adds pattern, color and a touch of coziness to a basic outfit.
Here’s how some of us are rocking fairisle in the Free People office!
We love this cropped pullover to pieces! It’s the perfect sweater to throw on over a tank and jeans all fall and winter long.
I had to get a close-up of these amazing studded ankle boots too!
We’re dying over the new colors in the Pocono sweater leggings – These have snow day written all over them :)
Add some color to your outfit with a fairisle bag like the Peruvian ski satchel!
Lastly, this fairisle tunic is amazing! Just throw it on over some tights and boots, and you’re set!
The fashion blogger and creative researcher here at Free People is a little pixie with amazing style. Using her sharp British eye she blends rich colors and details, and always knows how to style vintage pieces in a way that strays from dowdy. She’s one of those select few who can pull of a vintage floral-print jumpsuit and make it look modernly chic. She rocks the borrowed from the boy look with nostalgic touches of corduroy, elbow patches, and canvas – keeping her silhouette streamlined, but relaxed. A lot of her clothes she either makes herself or she’s picked up on a vintage store run. And then there are those pieces it seems that she is religiously attached to. You can almost bet she’ll have on her black lace-up walking boots and silver rings. They seem to go with everything she wears, always adapting to the spirit of each outfit.
This fall we’re all about borrowing from the boys – giving menswear style blazers, sweaters, shirts and denim a cool girl attitude. We had some fun in the studio last week shooting this video starring our production assistant and stylist intern!
“The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I’ve known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone.”
These days the word “granola” seems to be slightly vague. When you go to the grocery store there are so many versions. It can be made with oats. It can be made with nuts. There can be cinnamon, or vanilla – even chocolate. You get the point. Basically, to be granola it has to have crunch, and it has to be delicious. When you make it at home, however, there are even more versions to experiment with. The options are endless, so I wanted to share some of the interesting granola recipes that have been catching my eye lately. I love the idea of making your own granola, and really controlling what goes into it. I’m still deciding which I should throw together, but if any of you try one, let me know how it is!
Crunchy Quinoa Granola
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons agave syrup
2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300F.
Combine all dry ingredients (oats, quinoa, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds) in a large bowl. Mix well.
In a small bowl stir together all wet ingredients (applesauce, cinnamon, vanilla, agave, molasses).
Pour over the dry ingredients and stir until well coated.
Spread the granola on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Turn it over every 10 minutes or so to provide even toasting.
1 lemon, zest and juice of
1/4 cup date syrup or honey
1 tablespoon rosewater
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup flax seeds
1 cup chopped pistachios
1/2 cup raisins
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300F.
Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, rosewater and syrup/honey in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil. Take off the heat and let cool a little. Set aside.
In a big bowl, combine oats, flax seeds, and chopped pistachios.
Pour the lemon syrup mixture over the oat nut mixture and stir until well combined.
Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Spread the granola evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Stir in the brown sugar and maple syrup until smooth.
Add the oats, dried cranberries, raisins, almonds, coconut, and pumpkin seeds, stirring until granola is evenly coated. It will be moist.
Spread out evenly on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes and stir the granola around. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container. Granola will crisp up once it has cooled down.