Chic-a-pop

A li'l bit of me- fashion, interiors, art, DIY, tradition- and a hint of almost everything. I would love to see models flaunting desi styles on the ramps of Paris and Milan one day.

[chic-a-pop]

Crib to Bench: Makeover Series

"Hello!" says the pastel bench!

Ho ho ho

So our old crib was lying in pile of crap.

I decided to give it an uplift. I sprayed it over with an insecticide first.

Because the original sitting had worn out, I had to look for an alternative. Dad'd digital x-ray machine came in this sturdy box, so I decided to utilize it.

One panel was removed to give way to the box.

I painted the crib over with violet stain mixed in white paint. The outcome was beautiful.

I found some yellow stain in the house too, so I painted the loose panel with it. This panel would eventually cover the side of the box.

Everything in place, I covered the box in a cushion-y spread and covered all visible areas with a beautiful bed sheet and cushions. And viola!

[chic-a-pop]

Bow Ballerinas

So in my last post, I put a tutorial on how to make a bow. So I ended up making three and chose two similar-looking ones to put on my old maroon ballerinas and this was the result.

I just sewed it thanks to the holes in the leather. You can use super glue and go for a different angle and position.

So, happy DIYing! 

[chic-a-pop]

How to Make A Perfect Bow!

1. Take cloth.

2. Cut squares.

3. Fold one and staple along an open edge.

4. Turn it inside out.

5. Lay it like:

6. Fold again and staple.

7. Hold creases in the middle.

8. Wrap a small strip around.

And done!

Happy DIYing!

[chic-a-pop]

Drab to Fab: Canvas Ballerinas

My aunt had these old ballerinas in her garbage, ready to be thrown out. They caught my eye at the right moment. They were torn and dirty and worn out. Only good thing: made out of canvas and hence, could be painted over.

So why would I let an opportunity like this go? I grabbed my scooter and headed to the market and got these beautiful shades of metallic and neon paints.

I chose metallic silver, orange and black and just painted the shoes over. Kept it simple, silly!

And I wore them to work.

If you plan to try this out, do send me a couple of pictures :) Happy DIYing!

[chic-a-pop]

TOTD: Keep Rhinestone Jewelry New Forever!

#TOTD 

Apply some clear topcoat on your jewelry and you're done.

[chic-a-pop]

JINGLE BELLS! A Post Dedicated to Christmas and All Things Winter: Paper Wreath DIY

This gorgeous wreath is adorning my front gate today. Ugly or cute? You decide!

If drooling already, here are the steps:

1. Collect a bunch of visiting cards that are no longer required (I would recommend not using new, unused paper for such crafts). Luckily for me, a colleague got a batch that had his email spelled incorrect so they were not useful as such. Spread them on old newspapers or sheets.

2. Gather supplies for painting, cutting and pasting.

3. Paint them various shades of green.

4. Cut them into the shapes of leaves.

5.A base is needed for the leaves to be pasted, so I chose thermocol sheet and cut it in the shape of a washer.

6. Fold them just a little at the base of the leaf and then staple the end before pasting. This gives them a nice 3-D look. Make sure the leaves point in the same direction. Add as many layers as you want.

7. Take strips of quilling paper for adding little charms.

8. Make marquis, hearts or simple scrolls and paste them over the leaves. 

9. Add a bow or flower at the bottom (can be easily bought from any gift shop), and tada!

[chic-a-pop]

Rock that Crop!

Lusted after a crop top and bought it but got no place to wear? Worry not, sweet child!

Here's a puuuuurrrrfect way to camouflage that belly show-er. You know, after all, God gave us sarees to wear for a reason. So go ahead; steal your mom's chiffons and crepes and throw in a chunky top for that retro look.

Looking for inspiration? Here are some ideas:

 For a saree like this:

Go for tops/blouses like this:

For a saree with a funky print:

Tops like this:

For a saree with a timeless thin border:

Choose crops like this:

[diyhoard]

[chic-a-pop]

The CROP TOP, Back and How!

Well, yes. The cropped top is back, having swooned us in the '70s and again at the beginning of the millennium. Please don't stop me when i say this, but this garment is the single most versatile fashion piece I have ever seen. Oh, so you want me to actually count all the number of ways it can be worn? Okay. Challenge accepted.

Shorts

Palazzo Pants

Skorts

Minis

Midis

Pencil Skirts

Trousers

Jeans

Mullet/hi-lo skirt

Thigh slit skirt

Wraparound skirt

Sheer skirt

Blazer

Leather/denim jacket

Ummmmm.. Need I say more?

Ooo Ooo (Pheobe alert!)

I almost forgot this! A saree! Yes, it can even be worn with a saree!

[the-fashion-anthem]

[chic-a-pop]

Amazing!

[chic-a-pop]

Button Masala

This piece is not gonna cost you a penny and will adorn your wardrobe forever.

Instructions:

The basic requirement is that you have some funky vintage-like buttons that are no longer useful. If not, you can easily procure them from the local craft store.

Gather the supplies as shown above. The fabric should be relatively thick and rigid, so I went ahead with denim. Spread a thick layer of glue over the fabric and place the buttons in your desired fashion. You can mark the boundary before pasting for a rough idea of the final shape.

Optional: Sprinkle powder glitter over the piece to mask the empty spaces in-between.

Let this dry in the sun for a couple of hours. Meanwhile, take two equal lengths of chain according to your neck or the length that you desire. Now we need a closure like a lobster claw or a hook closure from a broken/old piece. I had screw ends of an old bracelet so I utilized them in the necklace and secured them with nylon threads. 

I cut the outline of the fabric and sewed these chain ends to the corners of this piece.

This was the outcome. Loved every bit! So chic!

Happy DIYing! :)

PS. You can make the center piece longer and narrower for a more sophisticated look.

[chic-a-pop]

Nothing Sweaty about These Shirts!

Sweatshirts have come a long way from college and varsity logos on boring colors and have found their ways on runways. A sweatshirt is an intermediate between a tee and a sweater. Historically, sweatshirts were made out of cotton jersey material and intended for purely casual purpose. However, these have become pieces of fine craftsmanship.

Come autumn, printed sweats will be a rage. As in the picture above, quirky prints like comic strips and embroidery prints will make a comeback. Down below are shown classics- floral, paisley and beach print.

So I have put together 3 adorable looks by pairing sweatshirts with pretty silhouettes.

The first one is for a laidback yet fun look. Team up a cartoon print sweat with plaid pants and black leather boots. Add to this, a trademark skull satchel or a riveted leather belt for extra oomph. Finish off with nerdy glasses and you are a casual Goddess!

Sweatshirt: FOREVER 21; Pants: Moschino; Satchel: Jacky Tsai

The second look is apt for a party or a formal occasion. I have created a monochrome outfit with a stripe sweatshirt, black pencil skirt and sequined jacket. The monotony is broken by pink suede platform heels and matching statement necklace.

Sweatshirt: Max; Jacket: Dolce & Gabbana; Necklace: River Island; Heels: Charlotte Olympia

The third is a chic look for a get-together or tea-party. A pastel sweatshirt is paired with pants of a darker shade from the same palette. Danglers and high boots keep it neat.

Sweatshirt: Markus Lupfer; Pants: Vero Moda; Boots: Bata

[chic-a-pop]

Fashion is not about utility. An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.

The Devil Wears Prada

[chic-a-pop]

Old DIYs

1. Lace Jeans

I was tired of my long jeans and didn't want to pay a visit to the tailor to get them shortened. Also, I didn't feel like spending a few bucks on an old, worn out pair. So I took my scissors and cut to the desired length to get that ripped look. Well, it looked disastrous.

Another thought struck: why not decorate those ends? So I took my mom's Indonesian white lace and sewed it across the edges (both sides- as in the picture above). I folded it inside out and stitched it again across the upper edge. Pretty now!

All I needed was:

a pair of jeans

a pair of scissors

threads

needles

lace

a scale, a marker (optional)

2. Embellished Clutch

This used to be a navy necklace case and was no longer in use. I took a broken hair clip and removed its upper floral portion:

I simply pasted this portion to the flap of the case using fabric glue and voila! PARTY READY! 

3. Envelope Clutch

This was made by me inside out.

Here are the steps:

Take a thick, velvety fabric and cut it thrice as long as the desirable dimensions of the clutch, keeping the width same.

Now take a thick foam sheet and cut it two-third the length of the above fabric, keeping the width same.

Sew the two fabrics together. Let one end hang-it'll become the flap of the clutch. You can paste the two layers together before sewing to avoid any mismatch.

Fold and paste the flap to form desired shape (you can copy my style, not a problem! :p).

Paste rhinestones on the flap in whatever fashion you like and let it dry.

Be ready for beautiful results. :)

[chic-a-pop]

DIY #1 Cutwork Back Top

This a DIY that I did today in some 15-20 minutes and the results were beautiful!

All you need:

1. A loose old tee

2. A pair of scissors

3. A scale (or anything that would help draw straight lines)

4. A pencil

I took an old tee that was kinda loose and cut it in several strips of the same width. Later, I put a knot on each of these cuts to form beautiful bows that, apart from looking gorgeous, also tighten the top and make it a size or two shorter and this is how my baggy, undesirable tank top transformed into a lovely tee with a sexy back.

This can be worn as it is for a chic look or can be paired with a contrasting camisole for more coverage and oomph. I would suggest using ice cream (soft) colors for summers.

PS. Works best for a tee that's way too large; for minor size changes, it's better to replace knots with little strips of cloth that make the cuts look like pretty bows.

[chic-a-pop]

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.

Coco Chanel

[chic-a-pop]

Indian, by Design

Indian fashion has slowly, but certainly, arrived on the global fashion scene. The phenomenon may have become conspicuous now, but is definitely not a development of the recent times. Our ideas and designs have been showcased on the international platform quite often and the very fact that they are one of a kind, make them tempting to the fashion forward. The beauty of box clutches has cast its spell on me and it's definitely working. That's why I bring to you, in my first post, pictures of exquisite pieces of fine craftsmanship and the possibilities of blending the latest of trends with the oldest forms of traditional Indian arts and crafts.

Here are some adaptations:

This piece is an example of lacework on the exterior.

Beige clutch with gold Zardosi work

Punjabi Phulkari work

Hand embroidery on this Sabyasachi piece

Tie-n-dye look on Matthew Williamson

Bead-work on this Kunst piece

Fine hand embroidery

Studs inspired by Indian jewelry

Hand embroidery on fabric- paisley motif

Shadow work- Kantha/Lakhnawi work

More embroidery- Kashmiri embroidery or patchwork can also be used