D I Y / Minimal Slide Sandals

Hopefully, there will still be a few sunny days left this summer to wear both of these pairs, fingers crossed that it will still be warm in Paris at the end of the month! Absolutely love this chunky yet cleaner, more minimal alternative to the striped Adidas Adilettes, the buckled Birkenstocks and the furry sandals by Céline. I got this brilliant idea from Amalie, who's lovely blog I've recently discovered. It was one of those things that immediately went to the top of my to do list and which I just had to share with all you guys.

instructions (if you need any)
01/ measure the straps of your slides and cut out two pieces of leather.
02/ glue them on.

need:
A pair slide slippers
super glue
leather
scissors

D I Y / Mini Display Column

What I like to do is pretend that my wardrobe is a little boutique and 'merchandise' parts of my clothes and accessories into little collections. That's why I wanted to make one of those display columns you usually see at art galleries and boutiques that showcase the most exclusive, special pieces. A very small one though for my current favorite jewelry that will fit on a shelf.

I chose for moulding plaster instead of concrete, it is whiter, lighter in weight and more delicate. It was a super nice and messy experiment. But while getting to know this material a bit better and trying out several techniques at the same time, I didn't document every single step, but I'll do my best to explain it in words.

1/ Make a mold for your column with the cardboard, it should be about 2mm wider than your perspex cube on each side.(see image 3)
2/ Cover the mold with duct tape on the inside to make it waterproof. Fold the mold into shape and on the outside cover it with duct tape as well to avoid any leakage and to keep it in shape once the plaster will start to set.
3/ Make your plaster mixture and pour it in. Tap on the sides of the mold with a pencil for a couple of minutes to create vibration in the mixture and remove air bubbles.
4/ After a couple of hours remove the mold. But let the massive block dry completely for two more days.
5/ With sandpaper smooth out your column. I made two blocks, one turned out smoother than the other, but I'm preferring this rawer one.
6/ Determine where the plexi block should be, and mark four lines with a pencil. Then with any regular old saw make the incisions about 2mm deep. Smooth out with a file and sand paper


But the first thing I did when it was done: stuff the clear box with all the flowers and leaves from my garden that I could get my hands on and laugh about this miniature Raf Simons for Jil Sander set.

you need
-plaster
-perspex (storage)cube
-cardboard
-duct tape
-file
-saw
-sandpaper

DIY / Pyramid Bag

Lois saw it right away: 'you are making a candy wrapping' was what she said when it was only half done. There is no better compliment than a six year old immediately recognizing your references. I chose white felt, a bit stiffer and a lot cozier than the usual neoprene, which would also work wonderfully for these multi purpose pyramid-container-bags. For now I will be using mine like this to store my socks and tights, might also use one of them as an actual bag now and then.

Here's are the beyond easy instructions, steps correspond with the four images collaged together.
/01 Cut a rectangle out of your felt with one side that is only slightly longer than the other. The dimensions of my large pyramid are 35cm x 42cm.
/02 Sew the long sides to each other creating a tube as shown on picture two.
/03 Close the tube on the bottom with the seam in the middle as shown on picture three.
/04 Finally, fold the opening in the opposite way as the sewn part and close by adding the clip.

need:
felt or neoprene
sweing machine / needle&thread
clip
15 minutes

The Grand Eagle Ball

On the second of July 2013 I travelled back in time 86 years to 1927, at the Grand Eagle Hotel. This was a special event created by Secret Cinema, that brought to life Laura Marling's new album. I managed to get tickets to the last of the events, on extra night put on after the success of the earlier. I'd heard rumours and it sounded so good that I couldn't resist. 

The invitation read:

The pleasure of your company is requested at the 1927 Eagle Ball to be given at the Grand Eagle Hotel, taking place throughout June with a very special performance by Laura Marling. We have reserved you a room for the night. The Master of the Hotel, Thomas Undine and his trusted hounds will be in the Hotel Reception to welcome you. Be prepared for adventure, exploration, romance, secret music and other strange curiosities at the most eagerly awaited Ball of the year.

All should bring one of the following: A suitcase of unwanted clothes. A briefcase or satchel of unwanted books. An instrument. An old Record.

All should bring the following: Flowers for Josephine Undine, the Mistress of the House. A small secret gift for a stranger. A photograph of an old lover. A Map.

Mr Thomas Undine

Indeed there were many curiosities to be found within the walls of the grand old Victorian school building, that the event was hosted in. Everything from the Drawing Room, a room for drawing a miniature of oneself and sticking it up on the wall, to the room at the top of the tower which was full of doves! The evening of exploration, watching short films, watching musicians play in the smaller rooms, and sipping champagne culminated in The Ball, a performance by Laura Marling of past and current songs. It was great. I've signed up the all the mailing lists and I can't wait for the next secret cinema event!

Although cameras and phones weren't permitted at the event there were professional photographers wandering about. Much to my surprise one of the photos that popped up online recently was of me! (Third photo from the top). Which is part of the reason why I decided to share this, so that you can admire my costume. (I will take any opportunity to show off this dress, I love it to bits. Almost literally to bits, some of the beading is fall off, oops!) I had planned on making my own dress for the ball but I didn't finish it in time, as is always the case. This is my only other 20's themed outfit so I went with it. I'd already worn it once a week earlier, to my university's summer ball (also prohibition era themed), where I worked behind the bar. Below is a photo of me from that night. (Note the sparkly hair, I practically drowned it in glitter).

All the photos (apart from the bottom one) were found here. You should click through to see all the other many curiosities there were. It really was like being transported into a new magical world.

dress//thrifted    bag//thrifted    fur shawl//gift    headband//handmade    jacket//thrifted    shoes//TKMaxx

D I Y / Casette Case Iphone Holder

What is it with measurements of iconic devices?
The case of a mini cassette fits an iPhone precisely and is just the exact height and width of its charger. It fits so perfectly that seems as if it was made for each other.

Last week my boyfriend finally joined the fun on the internet, and got his first ever social media account. Even I found out something on his feed that I didn't know; that mini DV cassette cases and iPhones are a match made in heaven. After posting it he got some comments, and I even got a question in my inbox asking 'where to buy this gorgeous clear iphone stand'. So I thought I'd make a post about it; it is just the case of a mini DV cassette!

D I Y / Transparent, Marble Printed Earrings

This DIY is sort of a sequel to these perspex earrings I made a little over a year ago. With a touch of marble they get a luxe, slightly decadent feel to them. Also did a bit of a more extravagant experiment with a larger shape that covers half the ear, can't wait to wear it!

/01 Cut the plexiglass: Make an incision with a stanley knife by letting the knife glide along a ruler. Then lay the plate of plexiglass on a table with the slit just over the edge. By pressing down you´ll be able to snap it off with a nice and clean cut. Now you should have a rectangle which you can again break into smaller pieces until you have two rectangles that are of the sizes you need.
/02 Using any kind of drilling machine (It is recommended to use a drill for metal. As I didn´t own that I used one for wood and it worked just fine.) Make little holes slightly of center, this way the perspex will not be poking your face.
/03 Now you can add the hardware. Roughen up the surface of the flat earrings and the flat top of the bolt and glue together. When dried you can just screw on the bolt with the tiny perspex plate in between and you're all done.
/04 While the glue is drying cut out some of the marble plastic in whatever shape and stick it onto the perspex. I tried out countless figures, interrupted lines, diagonal panels, different layers..etc. It all looked awesome, but in the end my favorite design was the simplest, a block of 'marble' with the perspex surrounding it like a frame.

You'll need
-perspex of (±2mm thick)
-stanley or surgeon knife
-ruler
-epoxy glue
-pair of earrings with a flat surface
-a pair of tiny bolts + nuts
-file
-marble printed self-adhesive plastic

D I Y / Neoprene Bikini

Neoprene is one of my favorite fabrics; it feels so high tech and structured when wearing it. And it is also such an easy material to work with; it can be cut without having to be hemmed, doesn't wrinkle, stays in shape. I've made some clothes with it; but never used it for its intended purpose before; being in the water!
Below are the instructions to make this bikini (it is actually much, much easier than the long text suggests).

/bikini top
Here are some basics to creating a fitted strapless bralette-bikini top. 8 steps, corresponding with the 8 images, save and zoom in to see it more detailed. Just pretend that the little piece of paper is your neoprene fabric and you'll get it!

01/ You can do this on a piece of paper to draw out the pattern first, cut it out and trace it on your fabric. Or you can do it like me and directly draw the pattern on the fabric. Cut a rectangle, measurements; width of the broadest part of your bust, height mine is 18cm high but you can do whatever you want.
02/ fold it in half
03/ sketch a vertical line marking the center of your breast. distance from the fold to the line should be the distance between the centre of both your breasts divided by two. sketch a horizontal line also marking the broadest part of the bralette, the broadest part of your breast. The rectangle should already be this measurement where these two lines cross, is probably where your nipple is.
04/ Now you're going to need two more measurements that are narrower than your fabric is now. With a measuring tape, measure the top of your breasts. Not sure what this measurement is called. Basically just put the measuring tape around your back, under your armpits and above your breasts. Divide it by two, because the fabric is folded of course, and you've got measurement A. Measurement B, will stay the same; the broadest part of the bikini top. And then for measurement C, put the measuring tape underneath your breasts, also divide this by two.
05/As you can see on the image, there is now a space between A and B, and between C and B. 'Move' these spaces to the middle of the pattern where the arrows are, because that is where you want to get a curvy shape.
06/ Now your pattern should look a bit like this, with four points.
07/ Connect A and C with a straight line. And connect B and D with a curved line that touchesthe streight line at horizontal sketched line.
08/ Cut it out, and you've got your pattern.
Then sew it all together and put in the zipper. Make sure the zipper is made out of plastic for swimwear, a metal zipper can get really hot in the sun!

/bikini bottom
This was a whole lot easier: just traced one of my favorite panties.
Was done in under 10 minutes.

what you'll need:
neoprene fabric
plastic zipper
sewing machine/needle&thread

D I Y / Leather Notebook Cover

I carry a notebook with me at all times, use it almost as much as my phone. Made this cover today out of some leftover faux leather to protect it and give it a bit more of a luxe feel. Nice thing is that when the pages of this notebook are all filled, the cover can be removed and passed on to its successor.

/01 Take measurements, draw a rectangle on the inside of your leather and cut it out.
The height of your rectangle should be the height of the notebook + half a cm (for the seams).
The width of your rectangle should be the width of the notebook x 3.5 (It needs to go around 1.5 times + you need a few cm for the folded seam to slide the notebook in)
02/ Make a fold of about 6cm on one side of the triangle and sew on the top and bottom (as shown on image 3).
03/ Slide one side of your notebook in the seam and wrap the rest around it. Cut off excess material if necessary. Find a center spot where the stud button should go and apply it.

need:
/notebook
/(faux)leather
/stud button
/sewing machine/needle & thread

D I Y / Clear Bag With Copper Handles

Put a copper plumbing tube and a bit of plastic together and you'll get a bag!
A nice clear rectangle with copper handles, a combination of two of my absolute favorite materials.
Have fun making one and don't forget to show me a snapshot on instagram!

/ two copper tubes
/ plastic
/ sewing machine or needle and thread

01/ Take measurements. Decide how large you want your bag to be. Mine was 40cm (width) x 30cm (height).
Because plastic seams can rip easily, I decided not to put a seam on the bottom. So instead of cutting two rectangles of 40cm x 30cm,
cut one large rectangle of 40 cm x 60cm and fold it in half, don't forget to add a few centimeters for the tubes, the final measurements of the plastic would be approximately 40cm x 65cm.
02/ Fold the plastic in half and cut out a square in the middle, where your hand is going to go through.
03/ Fold over the four flaps left on the top and sew creating four 'loops' where the tubes will go through. Make sure they are tight enough so that the tubes won't slip out.
04/ Close the bag with a seam on each side, not making it go all the way up to leave a bit of room to open and close the bag.
05/ Put the tubes through the loops (don't worry about their weight, they are actually super light!) and it's finished!

D I Y / DIY Mini Clothing Rail, Facing Front

As you might know, I like to keep the stuff I love out where I can see it, and 'merchandise' my favorite pieces according to season.
Most clothing racks only show the clothes from the side, seeing all sleeves in different fabrics next to each other is nice.
But I wanted something that displays garments as they would be displayed in a boutique. So I made this mini clothing rail that shows clothes from the front.

Here go the instructions:
Take a table leg (the coffee-table length) and screw it to the wall.

D I Y / Clear Hair Barrette

bracelet: thrifted (similar here)

A squished chignon! Sorry clear hair cone, I have a new favorite now.
Wore it straight away all afternoon and it stayed put so well! This is certainly not the last time you'll see it featured on Love Aesthetics!

By now, you probably already know the drill, you'll need:
/ perspex, no thicker than 2 mm
/ stanley knife
/ ruler
/ metal file
/ one of those plastic lemon-crushers you get in your drink
/ vase
/ drill
/ an oven

01/ Measure the perspex to the size of your usual chignon.
02/ Make an incision along a ruler with a stanley knife on the perspex and break it off by putting it on the edge of a table and pressing down the part you want to break off.
Keep breaking until you've got a rectangle in the size you want.
03/ Also break off the end of the 'lemon crusher' (is that what they are called?) and smooth out the edge with a file.
04/ Preheat the oven to 200°C then place your square and your lemon crusher on a non-stick baking tray inside the oven for 5 minutes.
There will hardly be any fumes or smells, but you'll never know so make sure to keep a window open.
05/ Take both pieces out and bend them over a round object like a vase, the clear stick only needs to be bended slightly.
06/ Carefully drill two holes on each side of your bended plastic, do it slowly so you won't get cracks in the perspex.
07/ Try it on!

A peek into my room

Last weekend I finished my room, it feels like an odd thing to say, especially after having lived in this apartment for over a year, but it's finally done. When I first moved in I had a bed (left over from the previous tenants) and a desk (free, from a friend-of-a-friend) but no storage. Over the course of the year I got a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bedside table, a new bed and a chair. I also took my old desk apart, painted the table top white and bought a pair of trestles from Ikea to go with it. Now my room is pretty, functional and everything has it's own space. Needless to say, I've been spending a lot more time in it lately thanks to all the work I put in.

To celebrate my new room I thought I'd share some photos I took of it, I hope you like it as much as I do.