Through My Looking Glass

Nothing Dresses Up A Plain Tee Like A Statement Necklace

[photo source: Dylanlex]

Over the couple of months, I’ve been coming across these elaborate statement necklace which I found out were from this blog - ME AND LEX. A sister-duo that brings necklace layering to a whole new level. I’m not exactly an avid necklace wearer but when I do it usually trends along bold and metal elements with a rather tribal feel which is why I just had to attempt my take on this statement necklace. While there are a couple of ways to attempt this, I’ve included a tutorial following the steps I took to make my statement necklace.

What You Need:

1. 3 bold metal necklaces [that you are willing to dissect]

2. Pliers

Looking at the necklaces, roughly imagine how the pieces are to be stacked. I started by removing the components from two of the necklaces with my pliers leaving the third as my base necklace. By separating the necklaces, extra chains and jump rings can be used to piece the necklace together without having to necessarily buy extra.

I wanted to keep the third necklace at the end of the stack so I worked upwards.

Placing the necklace on a flat surface, start to join the metal parts with the loose jump rings. Keep a spacing in between layers as the natural droop will align the layers nicely.

Once the first layer is done attach the second layer. By breaking up the triple-layered necklace, I used them as fillers or separators to reveal an interesting break between the layers.

Going on to another separator which is now the top layer I was pretty much out of chain so, I removed the base necklace endings and extended the chain with the loose chain from the other necklaces.

Maximising the dissected necklace pieces, I attached the smallest separators with the jump rings onto the base necklace which elongated the necklace layers even further.

The final product!

Pair it up with basics and it’ll instantly edge up your casual look!

KJP At Rockstar

[Group photo snagged from Cheryl]

Have been craving for a Kiel James Patrick bracelet for a couple of months now. This sweetie was my purchase from Rockstar by Soon Lee - a multi-label store in Singapore carrying brands like Baggu, Converse, Timex, Pointer, KJP and much more including the latest collab with Al & Alicia. They’ve expanded and just yesterday opened their latest store at Orchard 22. Really love the fresh wide space of the place.

So on to the topic of KJP! Very nautical in vibe, this piece is from the Triton collection. The Triton knot or Sailor’s knot is used for tying light lines, awning stops, reef points, cord on packages, and in fact is put to such numerous uses by sailors. This piece is the Lenny Mooring model and like most of the bracelets includes an anchor clasp which is the most unique part. Great piece to be worn alone or layered with wooden elastic bracelets.

Rockstar by Soon Lee website: http://www.rockstar.com.sg

Kiel James Patrick website: http://kieljamespatrick.com

Euro Treasures

Shopping in Europe was pretty awesome. I didn’t come back with a whole lot but I definitely spent and was really satisfied with what I came home with. Only a few minor let downs… one was a tweed blazer that I should have just paid for but rushing back to the hotel before checkout made me give it a pass, a pair of black wedge sneakers which were flooded in Rome but I took it for granted to be in abundance within Madrid and Barcelona and lastly my biggest letdown was the Chanel classic flap jumbo in caviar which was sold out throughout the destinations I traveled and my alternatives too were out of stock at my last destination in the Barcelona store. All in all though there was the usual high street stores like Zara, H&M, Mango, Massimo Dutti which were slightly cheaper than the stores here.

A bunch of my favorite purchases while I was in Rome, Madrid, Portugal and Barcelona besides the earlier post of the antique toilet roll holder.

My first few purchases in Rome, I’ve been eyeing one for the longest time and planned to buy one in black or lagoon. In the end, I left the store with a matching wallet which was not planned.

Got this in Madrid. I initially wanted a turquoise neon version but after seeing this piece online I decided to settle with the more rich and elegant teal.

I saw this on the way to Bottega and returned back after to get it. It is so unique and the store was filled with really unique bags.

My rebound purchase after being disappointed for the last time at Chanel in Barcelona. But honestly I did like the design and shape of the shades - simple, chic and versatile.

I’m usually not one for souvenirs but I just love the things in those touristy souvenir shops. I purchased the mask in Rome to add to my humble collection of Venetian masks. Its so intricately designed and pretty durable. The scarf is a typical Spanish designed scarf which I bought in Madrid while the fan I bought in Sevilla.

Depending on time, I might be putting up a post on shops to check out when your in Europe which I enjoyed.

Anna Dello Russo For H&M

Image Source: H&M

Just a couple of pieces I would love to get my hands on… yes I am still dreaming! I have been ogling after the latest upcoming collection that being Anna Dello Russo H&M collection. Bold, statement pieces with a touch of Venetian flavour. A little on the pricey side but the collection is just yummy (since Versace for H&M). And the packaging! I’d be happy just to have a couple of em’ boxes! Haha! Unfortunately I will be out of town when it releases here. Am hoping to drop by a H&M store in Spain… hopefully they’ll be carrying the collection there minus the crowds coz H&M here is insane during these collection launches.

My Lil Pooch Bracelet

My lil fluffball Pablo is an adorable toy poodle with a really oddball personality. With him turning 10 years old (70 years old in dog years) this year I wanted to have a lil memento. His usual hair appointment was approaching and a light bulb lit. I Googled dog fur bracelet and found a website that specializes in creating horse hair bracelets as well as dog fur. The bad part was that horse hair and the dog fur used were long smooth, straight strands and well a poodle’s hair (as it is called) is curly. I was inspired and took on the challenge starting with researching spindle techniques.

With the bag of his hair in short strands it was going to be difficult. No spindle and lazy to create a diy drop spindle I fluked it. Following the plate technique I gathered his hair into a bunch and then rolled the piece together forming dreadlock-like pieces. I needed 3 to plait into a bracelet. It was not that simple a task, joints between the pieces were weak so it was a whole lot of patch and roll. I then dyed the pieces diluting the dye in hot water and squeezing off the excess color followed by washing and disinfecting them before leaving it to dry. The result left a pastel hue of pink and blue while keeping the last strand his natural hair color. Following the 3-strand plait I finished it off by wrapping gold threads and weaving it through the plait. Doubled the gold string for a little more sparkle. Add a crab claw hook and loop and it’s ready to wear.

A lil doggy memento to add to an arm-party!

Just One Of Those Shopping Escapades

City Plaza

City Plaza - a place that girls have shopped at least once in their life but never wanna admit it. Well this place is great! Got these skull tees at a steal - $10 each! Ended up getting both coz I couldn’t decide which colour to settle with. Am gonna attempt at DIY with the white top to recreate a Premonition Designs’ inspired piece. I’m currently flowing toward maroon hues so I grabbed this basic metal collar tip top when I saw it. Yay!

SCAPE

Every Sat, Scape is like a maze of stuff and I needed to get new pieces for my accessories collection (not like I don’t have enough!). Found the bone/rib cage ring that I passed on during my latest GoJane order and was in total need of a simple silver necklace so those were must have buys. The other stuff was the shopaholic in me just going crazy which is hard not to at Scape. I especially love the dragon ear cuff/earring which I’ve seen online previously but never got to ordering them.

H&M

Whenever I head to town, H&M is a must must shopping stop to make. I just lurve H&M’s variety and for the most bit its easy on the wallet. Snagged an arm cuff that was rather similar to the Topshop one I wanted but didn’t come to Singapore’s stores. Another piece I’m glad I got was the hair cuff! Great piece that adds a lil pizazz to a ponytail. And that dress! For just $24.90 how could I not leave the store without it! Wore it for my momma’s birthday dinner yesterday. Will post pics of that and my latest GoJane order in my next post.