Look of the Week & DIY Video: Boyfriend Jeans

I'd like to introduce you to the brand new Vancouver Vogue Youtube channel! I'll be posting videos on DIY projects, thrifting finds/how-to's, and whatever else you want to see. To start off, I've got an easy DIY project on how to make your own boyfriend jeans; don't spend $80 on a pair when you can get the desired effect yourself for less than 10 bucks! I promise you it's super easy and no-sew.

Give it a try, and when you're all done, check out how to style your new boyfriend jeans below:

The jeans have a very rugged, casual feel to them, so to fit my style, I needed to up the chic factor. Thus, voilà leopard heels! Leopard is everywhere right now, but I like to keep it to the accessories. I particularly like how leopard goes with olive or wine, hence the blazer I thrifted (see Thrifty Thursday later this week for the details). Throw on some cat eye shades to keep the look feminine and refined. By far my favourite accessory of this outfit is my box of macarons...all the way from Paris, courtesy of my lovely friend Katrina! She was kind enough to help me satisfy my macaron obsession with a selection of the parisian cookies from Biscuiterie de Montmartre! Délicieux!

Blazer-?, Sweater-Neiman Marcus(thrifted), Jeans-Banana Republic(thrifted, DIY project), Sunglasses-H&M, Watch-Fossil, Heels-Shoe Cult by Nasty Gal

follow me / make your ownLYST

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

DIY Project: Scallopped Shorts

If you've got a pair of shorts you're thinking of getting rid of, consider doing this easy DIY instead. In the end, you'll have a super cute pair of shorts that are perfect for summer time! I got a huge bag full of clothes from my nana last year, and I've been working through it one by one, seeing what I can create to fit my style. I know scallopped shorts have been huge in the fashion blogosphere since last year, so I thought it would be an easy way to mimic the style. The best part of this DIY is you don't even need a sewing machine: just pick up some Fray Check from your local Walmart or fabric store, and you're set! This is also a great way to raise the hem on shorts without requiring a lot of work.



You'll need to decide how big you want the scallops to be, and pick a circular item that is that size. I chose a shot glass. Use a fabric pencil or some chalk to trace your scallops onto the shorts.



When you're done tracing them, use fabric scissors or regular ones that are equally as sharp to cut along the chalk line.





Once you've cut all the way along until the scallop pattern is complete, you'll want to go back and fix any fraying bits. Take your Fray Check and line the edges of your shorts with a thin layer. Give it time to dry and disappear. When it's dry, go back and cut off any loose threads; it should be much easier to clean them up now, because the Fray Check hardens the fabric slightly.





And voila! Once you've finished your lovely new pair of shorts, here's some inspiration for how to wear them!











Shorts-Carrol Reed Collection Petite, Shirt-Spicysugar Collection (via The Little White House, Shoes-nicole (via Ross Dress for Less), Sweater-mac&jac, Purse-vintage

Happy Styling! xo

DIY project: Vote for mine on Facebook!

Hello there lovely fashionistas!

I've got something a little different for you here today. I recently entered a Modcloth facebook contest, highlighting creative DIY projects! I decided to pick a project I did last year for an ABC (Anything But Clothes) party at my school. Some of you may have seen my project already here in my marketing class' commercial for the Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas. I made the dress from things at the local dollar store: extra-large playing cards and plastic tablecloths. It was a frustrating project to perfect, but I'm so glad I went all-out, and I actually ended up winning costume of the night! Yay for free champagne and concert tickets :)

Anyways, so if you like my project, please head on over to the Modcloth facebook page's Got It Made contest here to add a vote to my count! The contest closes this Friday at 11am PT. I promise to style a fab Modlcloth outfit if I win!

Hope this inspires you all to create your own DIY projects! Check out the other contestants too, there's some amazingly creative people out there.



Happy Styling :)

Look of the Week: My Design DIY

Voila! I present to you: my first design. Now, I admit I really only designed the skirt, which appears here as a gown; but I designed the skirt with this style in mind. I actually debuted it at a Christmas Formal at school last year, and it got quite a few stares and comments. Probably because no one around here wears a gown. Ever. Well, maybe to the opera or something, but that's about it.

So the dress is made from a layer of silk and a layer of silk chiffon. It's done with a simple elastic waist, which is easily hidden by a thick belt. A corset or strapless top finishes off the style, so that it appears as if it's one seemless look.

The design was inspired by a dress by Jenny Packham back in 2010, seen here. It ended up looking very different than her design, but the idea of a light flowing chiffon skirt with a structured corset top is still evident.

If anyone hears of a soiree I can wear this beauty to, let me know! For now, it hangs in my closet looking very lonely..

















Skirt-My own design, Corset-La Vie en Rose, Belt-Urban Behaviour, Heels-Fioni, Ring-H&M, Coat-Urban Behaviour

Halloween Time! DIY Costumes

Happy Halloween everyone!

I can barely hear myself think right now with all the firecrackers going off outside...I celebrated Halloween this past Friday, since I had a midterm exam tonight. This was definitely the most last minute Halloween costume I've ever made, but I thought I'd share it with you to give you some DIY inspiration.

I've never been a fan of pre-packaged costumes, so this year would be no different. The only thing different thing year is that I put the whole thing together in just 2 days! I decided on going as Black Swan this year. I love how dark and dramatic the costume and makeup is: perfect for Halloween. The costume would be even easier and cheaper to put together if you already have dance clothes, but it wasn't hard to find the right pieces nonetheless.

I picked up a crinoline from a Halloween shop and rolled over the top a couple times to make it pouf out like a tutu. The top is a corset I found at La Vie En Rose, which I topped off with some feathers. I purposely sewed them on instead of gluing them, so that it's still wearable after Halloween. The crown was the only cheap one I could find, so I blackened it with permanent black marker. The hair was the easiest part, since I do it up in a bun for work all the time anyways. Lastly, I watched a few makeup tutorials before attempting to do the eyes myself. I put on a layer of white cream as well, to get an even whiter complexion (yes, I actually CAN look paler). The makeup was done with NYX black powder eyeshadow and some old silver cream shadow. The blush is a dark rose colour, which gives a more sharp look than lighter shades. The look is finished off with a nice dark lipstick, mine has a dark purple hue.
My only suggestion is to put on a good base, something to seal the eye makeup. Unfortunately, mine began to blur as the night went on.

And to answer your question, that handsome looking guy in the mustache beside me is my boyfriend. He went for a Reno/Detective look this year: complete with aviators, gun, badge and handcuffs. The mustache was best best part...unfortunately it was pretty hard to keep it on, short of supergluing it!

I hope you all had a creeeepy weekend! What were you for Halloween?







Corset-La Vie En Rose, Crinoline-Spirit, Flats-Sirens, Feathers-Dressew

And so it begins..

Hello fashionistas!

This marks my very first post here on my blog Vancouver Vogue! I have waited a long time to start this blog, to make sure that once I start I have the time to keep coming back every week. You can read more about me in my profile, but essentially I am a Business student majoring in Marketing, and dreaming of a career in fashion. I hope to post little inspirations to me, DIY projects, outfit photo shoots, my own personal designs, and MUCH more as time goes on! I will also try to keep you updated with local fashion events and chic and fun things to do in and around Vancouver. If you have something you wish me to write about or if there is something you would like to see here more often, please let me know! As I am just starting this adventure into the fashion blogging world, your suggestions are infinitely helpful and much encouraged.

I look forward to hearing from many of you as time goes on, and wish everyone a fabulous week!