Alexis Mabille inspired

Hello my lovelies! Hope all is well for you ... So unless you have been on another planet, you know that this week is Paris Fashion Week, and yes I decided to pay a bit more attention this time - 1) because I am French and I used to live in Paris - and I love to hear where they are hosting the shows; 2) because my favourite brands are presenting their SS2012 in Paris (Celine, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Vanessa Bruno...). But what caught my eye as well is the Alexis Mabille collection, it is really young and fresh and I KNOW there is a DIY project there.

I love the men shirts turned tops and the use of sleeves as belts (100% upcycling) - I mean that is genius right? The first outfit is TOTALLY wearable at an evening work do - even now at this time of the year. I really like the combination of the flower pattern and stripes of the second outfit, so cool for the summer days. Third outfit, again, show more shirt upcycling alternatives - it can be a top or a skirt... So time to raid your husband, boyfriend, partner wardrobes... or local charity shop!

This inspiration is coming at the right time for me as I decided to think about the Buy Nothing New Month initiative..

So the aim is to buy nothing new in October, with the exception of essentials (food, drink, medications, hygiene products) and borrow, swap or buy secondhand whatever you need (they also mention get fit and repair...). You just buy nothing new. This particular initiative is Australian, but I am sure that you will find ways to apply it wherever you are..

So I may have to change my daily web browsing routines to new websites such as ebay and gumtree... and check out again these charity shops and other flea markets... Plus use some of the yarn and fabric that has been sitting for a while in my hobby room. I am actually quite excited about this!!! I will let you know how I get on.. By the way if you have done something similar in the past, let me know, I would love to hear your tips!!

Pay and Display - Magazines

Hiya! Hope everyone is doing OK. I am starting to be quite excited about this bank holiday weekend (Monday is off in the UK, yeah!)

I need to tell you something - I am a MAGAZINE addict - with a strong bias towards monthly glossy fashion and interiors one. Every so often I will also indulge in weekly celebrity gossip ones, as well. AND I cannot bring myself to get rid of the glossier ones, or cut them (yes, I will photocopy the pages I like and would rather than zillions of post-it notes onto the pages - sad, I know). This is getting a bit out of hand. So here are my TWO solutions to my addiction.

I could build walls out them a la Elding Oscarson (see the Oktavilla project)

I have many, but not that many (only because I did get rid of some when I moved twice last year). So here is a smaller project (via pinterest), that I could definitely see myself doing (we are missing a couple of seats in the main room).


So guys, what do you do with your old magazines? Any project that has caught your attention? Would be great to see your ideas as well!

{Pouches and clutches - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hiya guys! Another Buy it or Make it feature.. And this one is very exciting. I am obsessed with bags, really. My 30th birthday present was... a bag (a Celine one, beautiful). When I got my first real job I bought myself a bag (a Gucci one)... This is the ultimate purchase that always makes me feel better..

Anyway there are many different types of bags, and today I am on the hunt for pouches and clutches. Personally I am not a fan of clutches because my HUGE purse does not fit in them. Pouches seem to be good compromise. Here is a collection of big and small pouches you could get out there ...

1. Carry-All Pouch, American Apparel; 2. Huxley stingray-trimmed leather clutch, Anya Hindmarch; 3. Grey Lazer Cut Suede clutch, Topshop; 4. Rose Wow Envelope Clutch, Accesorize; 5. Medium Animal-print calf hair pouch, Newbark; 6. Sloan oversized leather clutch, Michael Kros; 7. Feather Clutch bag, Asos; 8. Tan Leather Karma Embossed Clutch bag, Topshop; 9. Pyramid Metal Tip Clutch, Asos.

I am loving this selection, and that Topshop clutch bag will be mine - it is only a matter of time!

It may be hard to convince you to make your own, but you should check out the three DIY projects I lined up for you. There are seriously inspiring.

Firstly, that feather clutch from Asos. Forget about buying it, you should go and check out the very instructive blog of Anne at WobiSobi. She made hers from a feather duster (I knew they were useful for something), hot glue and a discarded bag she had, absolutely awesome!

I am sure you have come across this DIY project or others inspired by this one. Brooke at JustBBlog made this amazing pouch out of the American Apparel Carry-All and acrylic paint. She was inspired by a Celine pouch in a similar colour scheme. It should be on everyone's to-do-list. Go and check out how she did it on her blog.

Finally, I love this final project because it is an upcycling one. It uses those plastic bags we all tend to collect in our kitchens to make the most useful pouches. Lilly happens to have found a plastic bag with a really funky pattern on it - I want to know where she shops. My Sainsbury's ones are definitely not that cool (note to self, only shop where cool plastic bags are given). I can see me using the method of fusing plastic bags and making alternative fabric out of them. Just brilliant!

Did I buy it or make it? Well, I have not bought it... just yet but I will. Then again, I made this 'amazing' (M words not mine) pouch... and the tutorial is coming out tomorrow (available now)... So stay tune guys!

PS: Thanks again to all the bloggers who let me post their DIY projects! Guys you are awesome. And contact me if you have an obsession you want me to look at!