OOTD/A Crafter's Wet Dream

Today I took myself on a date to Mahmoudpaşa, a tangle of streets wedged between the Grand and Egyptian Bazaars that are packed to the gills with street vendors selling scarves, football jerseys, tea sets, and, most wonderfully, craft supplies. Imagine all the sequins in the whole world crammed into tiny basement shops and strings of semiprecious stones hanging from the walls.

I nearly had to take out my smelling salts, y'all.

(Outfit: Dress, Yargıcı, also seen here; muscle tank, Zara; flats, Benetton; sweater, street stall; cuff, Mango)

 

 (Just a few of my purchases: druzy, fang, and evil eye charms for about $10 USD!)

I've been having a lot of fun layering less delicate pieces with this dress, and although I try to avoid muscle tanks that scream "KATE MOSS WOULD TOTALLY WEAR THIS!!!" I was really won over by the flattering cut and the textured linen-cotton blend.

I bought the sweater for about 10USD from a street stall. It's acrylic but has the softness and warmth of cashmere. Half-sleeved sweaters are one of those things that make no real sense but are actually incredibly handy...

Hope you're all having a fabulous week!

-B

DIY Embellished Shades

 DIY embellished sunglasses are everywhere right now, folks. Inspired by runway looks such as Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana, sloughs of fashion bloggers have been posting creative tutorials on how to spruce up your sunnies for cheap!

It goes a little something like this:

Steps 1-3: Hot glue a ton of sparkly shit to your sunglasses.

Step 4: Wear them and be fabulous.

(Top left to right, click for tutorial: Glitter n' Glue, Refinery 29, Studs and Pearls, A Matter of Style)

(The ladies at Nissa Jewelry added some chains to their sunnies- expect to see more of these)

The beauty of this project is that you can be as subtle or outrageous ad you'd like. Pictured above are seed beads, cabochons, nail decals, and even repurposed earrings! Istanbul has a sad lack of craft stores... but it does have a CRAFT DISTRICT. And you can bet that I'll be there this weekend with a keen eye for anything that might look great on a pair of shades. I have a feeling it will be sparkly.

What do you think of these DIY eye candies? Would you rather stick with your unadorned wayfarers?

Etsy Roundup Part Deux

Ladies and Gents, we present to you another Etsy Roundup, curated with love! Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite pick is!

(From left to right: Unicorn ring, Rorschach Ink Blot print, Booksi for iPod/iPhone, Butterfly collar, Nightmare Before Christmas Converse, Lolita skull earrings)

-Claire & Berit

Fall Style Tips II: Right on Time

I've never been much of a watch person. Maybe it's because I've grown up in the digital age, always using my cell to check the time, or because watches have always felt more like an adult necessity rather than another accessory. 

 For reasons unknown even to me, I brought my watch to Istanbul and haven't stopped wearing it since I arrived. I've also noticed that Turkish people are really into watches -my Turkish friends own as many stylish watches as they do bags, and they're sold everywhere by street hawkers. 

If ever there was a right time to invest in a timepiece it's Fall, when we all have to start checking the clock again and act like grown-ups. Watches are practical, versatile, and sophisticated (outshone only by the monacle). Plus, you're guaranteed to find one that suits your style and purpose. 

Fall Style Tips II: Right on Time by raincitystylistas2 featuring asos

Rubber watch, $64 / Watch / ASOS / Geneva wrap watch / ASOS , $35

(Via LookBook)

I'm beginning to appreciate watches as both a practicality and an opportunity to make a statement. What's your verdict?

-B 

NEW SERIES: Etsy Roundup!

We are pleased to announce a new series here at RCS! As some of you may know, we're pretty big fans of Etsy around here (and also the satire site Regretsy, which skewers the stranger items on the site). Not only is it a venue for purchasing unique items you can't find anywhere else, but your money directly supports small-scale crafters, designers, and vintage curators (Just watch out for those resellers though, a.k.a. avoid owl pendants).  

So, from time to time we'll feature some Etsy listings we've picked out of the fray, because they're stylish, intriguing, or simply amusing. We're always doin' it for the lulz.

Without further ado:

(From left to right: Finger Print Embroidery Hoop, Gem Brooch Set, Batman Pendant, Lionel Ritchie Tea Mug, Mermaid Fins, Crochet Viking Hat)

What do y'all think of our picks?

-Berit & Claire

P.S. If you have a moment, check out Berit's Etsy shop! Because what's a post without some shameless self-promotion?

OOTD: Floaty Fabrics

Today I did that thing where I combine two pieces that don't match at all, but somehow work because they share the same texture. This dress was a gift to me for Bayram from a Turkish-designed label called Yargıcı (Yar-guh-juh) that specializes in soft, feminine pieces nautical-inspired gear.

(Dress, Yargıcı; scarf, Grand Bazaar; boots, GeeWaWa; earrings, Mom's; bangles, Pull & Bear; necklace, Istanbul boutique)

-B

On Trend: Spiked Punch

Spikes aren't just for punks anymore! While pyramid and circle studs are common lately, spikes are a few steps farther up the badass staircase. I mean... spiked Burberry trenches? OH YES.

Here's some affordable options for "spiking" your look:

Rachel Rachel Roy Crystal Tip Spear Earrings- $38.00

Spikez Ring by KLxTL- $15.00

ASOS Long Metal Spike Earring- $10.76

Gold Spike Necklace by okalexk- $10.00

What do y'all think?

-B