Easy DIY: Floral Shades

Hello!

I don't know about anyone else but I'm thoroughly sick of the weather in the UK! I swear it decides to snow whenever I want to do anything. Despite the plummeting temperatures, last week I decided to do a quick summery DIY to cheer up the miserable day!

I remember being completely taken by the 3D flower sunglasses from A-Morir last summer; they're so beautiful and perfect for festivals.

The A-Morir 'Phillips' and 'Cass' styles:

These styles will set you back around £200-300. They're handmade to order and I'm sure are worth every penny, though at that price, they'd cost around the same as the holiday itself for me!

Taking inspiration from these, I thought I'd have a go at making my own.

First, you'll need a cheap pair of sunglasses.

I bought a couple of wayfarer styles from Primark- can't a wrong for £1 a pair.

You'll also need some 3D plastic flowers with a flat base.

You should be able to find some in any good craft/bead/jewellery making shop. I got mine from a bead shop in Affleck's Palace, Northern Quarter, Manchester- also my go to place for cool charms for jewellery making! The have an online shop too, here.

Pretty handily, they had some strips of three linked flowers in various colours which saved a lot of time and effort. A three-link flower was 50p a piece.


Then simply glue your chosen flowers to the specs wherever you like. I simply added a strip of three to either side at the top, but you could go all out and add single pieces all around the rim.

(I used Loctite superglue if anyone needs a good glue recommendation. I've found it to be the best I've come across for this sort of thing)

And voila!

Total cost £2 a pair! What do you think?

I think these make a great alternative to a flower crown, don't you?


Have you come across any cool summer DIYs lately?

Love,

Foxy x

Fanny Pack

Hello!

This is a quick one before I jet off to Portugal tomorrow! I haven't been on a proper holiday in a while so I'm very much looking forward to it.

I'm currently throwing clothes about the flat and trying on holiday outfits as, obviously, I haven't started packing yet.

Last night I finally got around to customising a bum bag I bought a while ago so thought I'd show it (re. the post title, the phrase 'fanny pack' always amuses me, I'm pretty immature like that).

I got inspired before starting.

And here's mine.

Before:

Bum bag, £5, Blue Rinse (Manchester)

After:

Holiday outfit trialling! Hat, £8.50, French Connection via ASOS sale, Dress c/o Forever 21

Okay, I'm off to order a Chinese and finish packing- adieus!

Love,

Foxy

x

Lately...

Hello!

Today I bring you a really lazy quick post to show you what I've been up to recently.

I have an Android phone and was a little too excited to finally be able to get Instagram a few weeks ago!

I'm hoping that the app will get me posting a little more regularly; it's pretty addictive and I'm finding that I take more photos when I'm out and about which can only be a good thing, right?

So here's my little 'Life in Instagram' montage:

 

1. Gorgeous flowers and card from my workmates at Flannels Fashion- I start my new job tomorrow, eek!

2. Last day at work treats.

3. Customising thrifted denim

4. Curry at my fave Indian restaurant (Mughli in Manchester)

5. First time using my lovely teapot and floral tray (even though I've had them about half a year)

6. New TIGI hair products, Rockaholic Fun Times flexible hairspray and Groupie texturising spray, from TK Maxx (the best place to buy TIGI!).

7. New hair via Toni & Guy

8. Being broken down and rescued by the RAC

9. Vintage typewriter spotted whilst charity shopping in Didsbury, Manchester

I was reading up on creating these grids but wasn't keen on the idea of faffing about with html; the intention was that these posts would be nice and quick to do.

I have an Instagram widget at the side of this blog and then discovered that I could embed a larger version in a post and, voila! Very very easy. the widget is from SnapWidget if you're interested.

Only problem is that you can't pick and choose from the images you've uploaded to Instagram- not too much of an issue, presuming that you liked all of the images you originally posted.

If you'd like to follow me on Instagram, my username is the same as my Twitter- 'katieafox'. Please feel free to comment with your username too if you have the app.

Would you like to see more of these types of posts?

Love,

Foxy x

Hair today gone tomorrow...

Hello!

I'm trying to be less sporadic with my blogging; can you tell? Less than a week since my last past- got to be some kind of record there!

Anyway, I thought I'd do a post today as I've just had my hair did (hence the very cheesy title!) and it looks pretty cool. Reason enough for an outfit post I would say.

Cross earring: ASOS; Collar tips: eBay; Denim shirt, £10, Urban Village Vintage; Vintage St. Michael jumper: £1, charity shop; Shorts (barely seen, if at all!): 50p customised Levi's, car boot sale; Vintage Chiltern bag: £3.50, eBay; Shoes: £24.99, New Look

Had my hair done at Toni & Guy- I never go anywhere else!

I bought this oversized red jumper from a charity shop yesterday. It's an old Marks and Spencer St. Michael one and was on the £1 rail- would be rude not to take it home.

*Do you like the fact I've taken today's photos outside? I think they look much better though I have to endure a bit of embarrassment as I live in a block of flats and get worried that people will see!

My shorts, which admittedly, you can't really see- hence the last photo, were born of the jeans i mentioned in my last post.

Here's a closer look:

The corner of my living room looks like a mini sweatshop at the moment; whenever I come across vintage jeans I have to buy them, vowing to turn them into shorts at my earliest opportunity. Well, this never happens and I have now built up quite a collection of the little buggers. With a few days off work, I've decided to have a big customising session and sell the pairs that I don't want on eBay ready for the summer's festivals. My kitchen table is awash with studs, stars, pins, American flag and leopard print material and patches of scrap leather.

Back to the present and on a completely unrelated note, I also bought these leggings today:

I got them from a great little cheap shop in the Arndale centre in Manchester that sells a lot of the same clothes as the big highstreet fashion websites. These were just £5 each.

I've long been lusting after the ones from Black Milk, but with a price tag of 75 Australian Dollars a pair, these will do just fine!

Have you stumbled across any great bargains recently?

Love,

Foxy x

American Pie

Hello!

I'm feeling creative at the moment and itching to customise some clothes.

My latest DIY idea came after a hungover afternoon watching The Coneheads! (perfect early 90s easy viewing!)

What caught my eye was Connie Conehead's denim jacket.

You have no idea how hard it was to find this picture!

I love it and now I must have one!

I've trawled the internet for American Flag denim jackets without much luck. I think I can have a bash myself though.

Inspiration

Even Rihanna has one!

My fave. Lita's too- love this girl!

All I need to get my hands on is another vintage Levi jacket to decimate, some American flag print fabric (old Tshirt?) and maybe some studs.

Can't wait!

Have you got any DIYs lined up?

Foxy x

Wicked and I'm lazy...

I know, I know, I promised to blog more now that I've finished uni! Truth be told, I've generally been revelling in  having very little responsibility while it lasts. In all honesty, for the most part I've been either drunk, hungover or working (in the bar) since handing all my uni stuff in.

Here's a little update anyway. I'm dying to get into doing some more DIYs now I have more time on my hands, it's just getting around to it...

Here's a really easy thing to do:

Men's Tshirt, £2, Charity Shop

I hacked the sleeves off a men's tee then simply cut thin strips (about 1-2cm wide) into the bottom. Looks really effective and great for summer (if we're going to get one!) of course.

And excuse me having NO makeup on here, think I'd just got out the shower after the gym!

This one isn't really a DIY, but I thought I'd show you my new bargain playsuit.

Belt, 50p, Charity Shop

I don't usually pop into COW vintage (Digbeth one, Bham) because I find it a bit overpriced but on passing I thought I'd have a little browse.

I spotted a rack of playsuits marked half price. This one was originally £8 so I got it for just £4!

It was a little longer, which annoyed me in the end so I took my scissors to it (more often than not the case with all my clothes!)- and voila!

And yes it DOES look like a dress, but looky here:

Definite playsuit from the back!

So yeah, I definitely want to do some more challenging customisations soon! On my list is...

This T Shirt which I have been dying to make ever since I saw it on the Di$count blog.

And I really really want a body harness!

I thought I could probably have a go at making a chain one like this:

£15, ASOS

But I really want a leather one like these BEAUTIFUL ones by Zana Bayne (thoroughly out of my budget unfortunately!).

I'm thinking I could re-work a cheap bondage version from eBay?!?! 

Haha what do you think?

Foxy

x

Lately.

Todays post is more of a picture montage.

As my regular readers may have gathered, I'm rather busy at the moment! I have so much uni work it's untrue, but everything will come together- I hope. 

Not one to leave my little blog in the lurch though, I've taken a few pictures of things I've been up to/ buying/wearing recently. Enjoy!

I went charity shopping a few days ago so most of this stuff is what I bought on the trip (I went to Harborne, Birmingham by the way).

Scarf (worn as turban), £1.50, charity shop

I'm a bit obsessed with wearing vintage scarves as turbans at the minute...

I can't find the tutorial I used, but there are some great video tutorials on YouTube.

Another scarf (£1) and vintage Jane Shilton chain bag (£3.99) I picked up charity shopping:

Vintage Chiltern bag from eBay- only £3.50!

Finally bought the Barry M nail effects shatter polish. I've heard the Models Own one is a bit shite- have you?

Soon to be baking, when I get time. Pink cake tins (£4.99 for two, Aldi), cake stand (£6, vintage home fair, Birmingham).

And here's another picture of me to cheer you all up- me rocking dissertation chic, i.e. grubby tied-up hair, baggy men's shirt, boyf's tee with sleeves hacked off, leggings, flip flops and geek specs (I assure you they have real lenses, so a necessity rather than an accessory!) 

And do check out my project's blog to see how it's coming along.

Hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine- I'm not!

Foxy

x

P.S I just wanted to say a little thanks to everyone who reads my blog. I'm still amazed by how many views I get even when I go walkabout for a week or so and don't post anything! I've just gone over the 50 follower mark and I'm chuffed :) so yeah, thanks to the people who follow me and leave comments on my posts- I'm very grateful! 

She works hard for the money...

Well, not the money, nor the love- just the degree!

As you've probably noticed, I haven't posted on my blog for a while; not because I can't be bothered but because I am literally drowning in a sea of uni work!

As a final year student, it's all getting a bit much at the moment but fortunately, it'll all be over soon- either via a triumphant hand-in, or death by stress.

As I haven't really had time to do anything for myself, I thought I'd give you a little update on my project (a creative fashion magazine- have a look at the blog!)

I've been all-over the place this week, out on location for the magazine's photoshoots (there's some behind-the-scenes posts on the blog)

Today I was in the studio, where we photographed the various fashion DIY's featured in the magazine.

I wanted to show you this one in particular, because I think it turned out really well!

It's my take on the AMAZING McQueen knuckleduster clutches. You'll have to get hold of a magazine for more details, but it was a hell of a lot cheaper than these beauties:

£1,140, Alexandermcqueen.com

£835, Net-a-porter.com

£1,157, zappos.couture.com

I got my makeup done at the shoot for my little 'Editor's' picture in the magazine- first time I've ever had someone else do my makeup! I don't think our MUA was too happy with me; I'm a bit funny with people poking things in my eyes and kept blinking, not to mention the watery eyes!

It was a bit heavier than what I'm used to, though I was assured it would come out lighter in the pictures!

The makeup was heavier than this at the time, I've smeared over it with several tissues and washed the lipstick away with a much-needed brew since!

I also posted this picture as I realised I haven't put one up since I dyed my hair red. And yes, it doesn't look very red in the picture! It's been red a few weeks and inevitably faded quite a bit; I'll be sure to post one as soon as I re-do it!

In other news...


I remembered something interesting I did which wasn't to do with my project- but someone else's!

The fabulous Purple Boot Media are creating a series of 'webisodes' on fashion bloggers and asked to do an interview with little old me! (have a look here). I'm quite nervous to see how it turns out; I hate how I look AND sound on camera (hideous voice, thank god I work with the written word!) so it should make for, erm, interesting viewing!

They've already filmed some awesome bloggers like Jack of Über Brum (a Birmingham street style blog) and one of my personal favourites, Jazmine of Jazzabelle's Diary.

Exciting!


Foxy

x