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