DIY: Screw Nut Bracelet Tutorial

We all know that with a little accessorizing, an outfit can go a long way or even be transformed from day to night. In fact, styling an outfit with accessories adds personality to the look because no one person would style an outfit the same. Yet, many prefer to spend their cash on clothes rather than jewelry. So, if you're that type of girl then this post is right up your alley. If you've read my previous post on metal-inspired bracelets, then you would know that that was a teaser to this DIY bracelet tutorial.

Making your own jewelry is one of the easiest way to look trendy without splurging on pieces that you might only wear for a couple of times before burying them in the back of your closet. Plus, you'll be the only one rocking your one-of-a-kind jewelry. But if you decide not to wear them anymore, at least you wouldn't feel bad about it because the cost of making them is dirt cheap.

Start ransacking your dad's toolbox and your grandmother's sewing kit for supplies to make this super easy bracelet that cost less than RM2 to make!

You'll need:

• 14 screw nuts (ie: square nuts, hex nuts, etc)
• Three 23cm satin rope
• A large button
• Scissors
• Heavy duty glue

Methods:

1. Gather the three satin ropes at one end and tie all of them together with a loop knot as a closure to the bracelet.

2. Glue the ends of the knot you made earlier to secure it in place. Then, trim off the excess rope.

3. Tape your ropes to your work surface to anchor them in place and prevent them from sliding. Alternatively, you can clip the ropes to a clipboard. Then, start braiding your ropes for 1/2 - 1 inch depending on your personal preference and the size of your wrist.

4. Add a screw nut to the outer rope on the right and push it all the way to the top, then cross it over the middle rope to hold the screw nut in place.

5. Add another screw nut to the outer rope on the left and push it all the way to the top, then cross it over the middle rope again like regular braiding. Make sure that you only add the screw nuts to the outer ropes one at a time and never the middle rope.

6. After you've used up all the screw nuts, make a regular braid like in Step 3 for about 1/2 - 1 inch.

7. Tie two ropes (side and middle) together with a knot using the other side rope.

8. Push the rope you used to tie a knot earlier through one of the button holes from the back.Then, push it through another hole diagonally from the top, then, under and over again through the remaining holes to form a crisscross pattern.

9. Tie a knot at the back of the button to secure it in place. Trim off all the excess ropes. Don't forget to add glue to the ends of the knots to secure them in place as well.

Voila! You have a new bracelet. Make sure you allow the glue to dry before you wear it out.

What do you think?

What do you think of this tutorial? What are your thoughts on the hardware inspired bracelets? Would you try this trend or have you tried it? Have you got your hands on DIY bracelets or any other jewellery? If you did, share with me your DIY tutorials.
Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Flat-tastic Smoking Slippers

If you knew me personally, you would know that I love wearing my skyscraping heels on dates, special ocassions, nights out or when I'm simply in the mood. As much as I love teetering around in hazard-tripping stilettos, I would say I'm more of a flats-kinda-girl - I seek retreat from my trusty comfortable flats any day.

Every woman I know who wears achingly high heels would have a pair of flats stashed in their cars or under the office desk for emergency relief of their feet and back aches. But why reveal them in chagrin when they deserve as much attention as their stiletto counterparts? With a plethora of flats to choose from: brogues, loafers, oxfords, slippers, moccasins and ballet flats; your style would still not be sacrificed and is anything but flat except your footwear.

Give a chance to your flats to make as big of a shoe statement as heels, or even bigger. Turn the heat up this season by switching your classic ballet flats to these wallet-friendly smoking slippers that ooze the right amount of androgyny in its masculine cut to add class, spunk and dressiness to any look. All you need is just the right pair in an eye-catching shade and design with just as much sass as heels and an in-your-face attitude written all over it.

Zalora; RM49.90 RM39.92; available in green, blue, tan and black
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Shoes Haven; RM42
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Lunavocy; RM46; available in pink and blue
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Lunavocy; RM51; available in blue and brown
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Lolita Polka Dot; RM55; available in red and blue
Similar also available at Vincci
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Lunavocy; RM69; available in black, silver and gold
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Lunavocy; RM73; available in leopard brown, leopard red and leopard black
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Cotton On; RM79; available in leopard, red, pink, black, green, yellow and tan
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The Arrogant Minnie; RM89; available in blue, black and red
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Smoking slippers are as easy to style as ballet flats but they're more versatile as they could go from casual to formal. Opt for a pair in black patented leather and they would be dressy enough to sport to the office à la Alexa Chung.

I like pairing my hot pink studded pair that I purchased last autumn with a neutral-coloured outfit and minimal accessories to play up my already edgy flats by making them the statement piece. Plus, they make a simple, nonchalant outfit looks like it took more time to put together than it actually did. I couldn't be happier that this autumnal trend is back again for another year on an escalated level; the more reasons to wear my menswear-inspired loafer more often.

DV by Dolce Vita shoes; £39/RM195
H&M top via F.O.S; RM20
H&M jeans; £19.99; RM119
Bag (gifted); price unavailable
Kitschen bracelet; RM10 (last seen here)
Forever 21 necklace; RM7
Moris belt; RM25

These suede smoking slippers are by far my most expensive purchase of shoes and they gave me blisters within the first month of trying to break them in. Like all leathers, they took awhile to become soft and pliable but the soreness from wearing them got me so close to disappointment and regrets of burning my cash; fortunately they proved to be as comfortable as they're stunning and now my most prized pair of shoes.

Photos by Teo Yi Ting

Because I have a penchant for walking fast (result of living in chilly England for a year) and dislike restricted movements from wearing heels, which sometimes makes me feel like I have something stuck up my arse, I kept my eyes opened for nude-coloured flats that go with any outfit. It helps that the flesh tone colour makes my legs appear longer too. Luck was certainly on my side when I spotted the last pair of tan-coloured smoking slippers on the rack for a discounted price at Cotton On last month. I give them the upper hand because they didn't savage the skin on my feet like my Dolce Vita's even on the first wear.

Now, don't my Dolce Vita's look happier with a new sister as it won't be overworked?

Cotton On; RM79 RM30

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on the smoking slippers trend? Would you wear them or do you prefer heels over flats? Which is your favourite? How would you style it? If you know of other places to shop for affordable smoking slippers, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you think!
 

Arm Candy Obsession

In case you hadn't noticed, I have a fetish over piling on jewellery with my ensemble (I can't leave the house without at least wearing an ornament) albeit my rather small, pathetic collection of them. In spite of that, I'm determined to expand my collection without breaking the bank. So, I spent the afternoon crafting my masterpiece of a chic and edgy bracelet from scraps and pieces I discovered in my sewing box and some unused metal hardware I found lying around in the toolbox for years.

Metal inspired pieces are huge this season with studs and pins adding flair and character to classic leather jackets, denim shorts and ordinary tote bags. But because I'm a wimp when it comes to overhauling my pretty okay clothes (unless I'm absolutely sure about it), I thought I would better channel my Project Runway to something a little less daunting that does not give me sudden panic attack in case it turned into Project Throw-Away.

I've noticed a lot of metal nut bracelets lately, both on the market and DIY; I thought it's a really clever idea of introducing something so industrial and make it into something extremely wearable injected with punk rock vibe and an uncanny feminine feel to it at the same time.

Rather than making mine with hex nuts like every other style gurus, I opted for some silver square nuts, merely to be different. FYI, angular geometric shapes are trending this season.

I'm definitely making more of this inexpensive bracelet in different styles and colours to stack them all on my arms. Time to shop for more supplies.

What do you think?

Would you like me to make a DIY tutorial on this bracelet? What are your thoughts on the hardware inspired bracelets? Would you try this trend or have you tried it? Have you got your hands on DIY bracelets or any other jewellery? If you did, share with me your DIY tutorials.
Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you think!