How To: Make a Braided Headband

So a few posts ago, I showed you all my braided headband and I promised to reveal what I made it out of. I took a pair of old sweatpants that didn't fit me anymore, cut them into strips, sewed the strips together, and braided the strips. I've made a step-by-step process of how to make this easy hair piece, DIY style!

What You'll Need:

• sweatpants, t-shirts, old jeans, really anything you don't need anymore
• thread
• pins
• sewing needle
• fabric scissors
• any ribbons, lace, sequins, satin, or other embelishments (optional)

Step 1:

Cut a big square out of the fabric you're using.

Step 2:

Cut out six strips of fabric that are about 10in. long. You can make them whatever width you like.

Step 3:

Pin two strips together at the ends so they become one long strip. 

Do the same for all six. You will now have three long strips.

Step 4:

Sew the strips together where you had pinned them.

Step 5:

Sew all three long strips together at one end so they are aligned to braid.

Step 6:

Braid the strips together. 

Step 7:

After you've braided until the end, sew the ends together. This is when you'll have to make sure it's the right size. Wrap it around your head to see if it fits. If it's too long, cut the braid shorter and sew at the ends. If it's too short, you can sew an extra strip onto the ends of each strip.

Step 8:

                                                           Sew each end of the braid together.

And there you have it! A cute braided headband that you can make out of whatever your heart desires.

Take a look at some of my other creations and variations.

Adding Yarn-

Adding Satin-

Adding Lace and Chains-

Have fun and be creative!

Yet Another Way to Wear Ripped Tights

The Look for Less: Lauren Conrad

I absolutely love the new trend of leather leggings and I really like the way Lauren Conrad put this casual outfit together. Her flowy black and white blouse is just the right length and her turquoise Rebecca Minkoff clutch adds a pop of color. I'm seriously thinking of using this outfit as inspiration for something I'd wear to school...that is when I finally buy leather leggings! I searched for similar elements of this outfit to make it less than an average priced Rebecca Minkoff bag.

                                   

• 
  
  Liquid Leather Leggings-Amiclubwear-$9.99-find at Amiclubwear.com
  
  
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  Polka Dot Tank Blouse-Wet Seal-$18.50-find at wetseal.com
  
  
• 
  
  Purse Gems Clutch-perfumeshop-$12.00-find at perfumeshop.com
  
  
• 
  
  Mossimo Delano Pumps-Target-$12.49-find at target.com
  
  

Total Outfit Cost: $52.98

A Rebecca Minkoff Bag: $485.70

Erin Fetherson Brings Back Memories

Erin Fetherson brought together a runway show that seemed to be inspired by the 1940's. It reminded me of clothes that you would find in your grandmother's attic while playing dress-up as a child. The lace gloves and tea hats are like the quintessential accessories that finished your outfit. Fetherson also incorporated some pieces that make her collection modern with a tulip-style brocade dress, a ruffled jumpsuit, and black booties. As I see the models in these old-fashioned inspired looks, I can just feel the summer breeze while sitting on my grandmother's porch, the smell fresh lilacs in a crystal vase, and the taste of tea in dainty tea cups.

My predictions: Time after time, designers are always reflecting back to the trends of yesteryear. There's something about the class and simplicity of past decades that is never out of style.

Erin Fetherson

My grandma and I would have little tea parties and I'd dress up in her clothes. I remember wearing her clip-on earrings that I loved. She's the main reason I grew up to love pearls, and to this day they're my favorite things to put on my ears!

What are some of your dress-up memories?

Ripped Tights-Best When Worn with Black Boots

One trend that's lots of fun right now is ripped tights. They look good with the wildest of your outfits, or the simplest. They can give a little bit of grunge to a girly outfit, or add to your all-out rocker look. The best part of this trend? It can be totally free! You really only need a plain pair of black tights you don't wear anymore and scissors. While you are wearing them, snip big holes, little holes, medium holes, whatever floats your boat! Then, tug on the tights, pulling the holes away from each other, to create runs. An easy DIY project like this is customizable so you can make them the way you want. You can slash holes all around your tights or just give them a few tears. Whatever look you go for, these tights will give any outfit loads of spunk and get you double-takes as you strut your stuff!

Ripped tights look great with black ankle boots, florals, bright colors, jean skirts, off-the-shoulder shirts, short dresses, and layered necklaces.