House of Holland inspiration hosiery

DIY Skeleton tights

Apologies for how long I have left you without any new blog posts, but I have been fairly busy the past few days, and there really wasn't enough hours in the day, as much as I wanted there to be. There has been a recent influx of this 'hipster goth' style about, and as much as people resent the style, I really like it (google it if this term has left you somewhat lost). Some of my favourite clothing brands like Black Milk and House of Holland for Pretty Polly have featured these great graphic leggings and tights and therefore I thought I'd make my own.

What you'll need:

• Tights
• Fabric Pen (I used a Sharpie linen pen)

First you'll need to put the tights on and mark out your knee with the pen, you don't have to be great at drawing, I drew a rounded triangle, google a skeleton if you want the exact shape.

Then draw on the rest of the bones to your satisfaction, making sure that you draw them in the right place, I would walk round in the tights for a bit so you know they are in the exact position and they won't fall down or the likewise.

It is then just a case of filling in all the bones to your satisfaction. I slipped a small piece of paper underneath the tights to avoid the pen going through onto your legs.

I teamed the tights with a loose silk shirt and doc martens combo, and they look great.

dip top hair

DIY Dip dyed hair

The biggest hair trend around at the moment is ombre/dip dyed hair and it is really easy (yet messy) thing to do at home.

What you'll need:

• Hair Bleach if you are not already blonde (I used L'oreal perfect blonde creme highlighting kit)
• Plastic Gloves
• Colour Hair Dye (I used Directions in pink, available on-line or from a hairdressing shop)
• Tin Foil

There are loads of tutorials on youtube, the one below is the one I used, you can also search the internet and there are a lot of hopeful tutorials to help you do the dip dye. It is really easy to do, so worth a try. First you need to bleach your hair (if it is not already blonde), following the instructions in the packet, the l'oreal one is really easy so I would recommend that, it is form boots. Once you've bleached the ends of your hair then all you need to do is colour it with your chosen colour and there you go. follow the video below for step by step guide. If you have no one to help you, what I did is part my hair in the middle and back, and put half the hair on one side and half on the other and then I just dyed the ends.

going leopard mad

DIY Leopard print cross shorts

I have so many denim shorts, they are so cheap to buy from thrift stores, and there is so much you can do with them. Here is a small tutorial on how I customised a pair with a leopard print cross.

What you'll need:

• Fabric (I chose leopard print)
• Fabric glue
• Scissors 
• Shorts

First you'll need to draw and cut out a fabric pattern, I chose to make mine in the shape of a cross but you can do whatever you desire. You will then have to place the pattern on top of the fabric and pin it down in place, and carefully cut around it.

It is then just a matter of sticking down the fabric shape wherever you want to place it; I put it on the back pocket and on the front. 

ongles léopard

Nail Stickers by Divided at H&M

Really don't think they'll last long, but for the moment they are great, although giving me slight hysteria as I stare down at my fingers whilst I type on the keyboard. I am not known for being neat, but yes, I would say they are fairly tricky and fiddly, but do give them a try for yourself. 

Seen it, Need it, Got it

DIY Stud Collar Shirt

Alexa Chung has often been seen wearing an amazing studded collar shirt, the minute I saw it I wanted one, and it is really easy to make your own. I went to H&M and found a really nice semi sheer shirt for £7, and also made another one using a denim shirt which I already owned. 

What you'll need:

• Studs (I bought iron on studs from Ebay, they are a lot easier to use and less messy than glue)
• Iron 
• A shirt

 It is then really easy all you need to do is iron on the studs, noting that they are all evenly spaced out, the iron needs to be fairly hot and be held down for about 20 seconds directly on top of the studs, make sure not to move the studs as you place the iron on; and there we go. For the denim shirt I made holes in the collar, and screwed on the spike studs, which I also bought from Ebay. Very good.

Hard & Soft

DIY Spike Stud Shoulder Pads

I am in love with all the studs and spikes around at the moment, so thought I'd do a post on creating a DIY spike shoulder jumper. The thing I like the most about the studs is teaming them with the soft, i.e. sheer fabrics, jumpers and shirts, this way the clothing still feels feminine, so I have chosen to team my studs with a vintage cable knit jumper I picked up in Bristol.

What you'll need:

• A jumper or cardigan 
• Studs (I got mine from Ebay)
• Fabric glue
• Leather 
• Scissors 

First you'll need to draw out a shape onto the leather, I chose to do  circle to go on my should, but you can do it in any shape, a heart for example if you are feeling more adventurous, and then cut the shape out. After this you can either glue the studs onto the leather, which I did, or you can screw them on, for this you'll need to punch holes in the fabric. Think careful where you place your studs so that they look neat and even.

Finally all you need to do is glue the leather studded shape onto the jumper shoulder, be careful not to glue it in the wrong place, i.e. too far down the sleeve, and there you go, an edgy studded jumper.

Getting in the Christmas spirit

DIY Glitter Heel Boot

For many weeks I have been wanting to update these boots, as they have been laying around unworn, and with christmas only a few weeks away I thought it was the perfect opportunity to inject some christmas spirit into my wardrobe.

What you will need:

• PVA Glue
• Sandpaper
• Fine Glitter
• Paint Brush
• Hair Spray

Firstly you'll need to rub the heel you are planning on customising with sandpaper, this is so the glue and glitter will stick.

Then in a bowl mix half the glitter with some glue (as shown below), mix it until it has a thick consistency and you can no longer see the glitter.

Then paint the heel of your boot with the glitter, glue mix, until none of heel is visible. Wait for the heel to dry and repeat this step. You can keep repeating this step until they dry and the wood underneath is completely covered, it took me 3 steps.

Finally spray with hairspray to keep the glitter in place, and voila!