Must-Have Accessories for Spring 2013

So, I have rounded up my 5 favourite must-have accessory trends for the Spring season. It was a difficult choice, but these are fun, easy to find, and wearable.

1.     The Mini

I am obsessed with the mini handbag. It might be the cutest trend of the season and you can get a few in various colours. The Reed Krakoff micro boxer is my all time favourite- Not only do I love the electric blue colour (especially for Spring), but I also adore how it's structured. Below it, is the 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli Satchet. The top handle and snakeskin print are key selling points. 

 Reed Krakoff

 3.1 Phillip Lim

2.     Black and White

This trend is a given as everyone has been talking about it- black and white. You can play up the contrasting colours in either geometric shapes or stripes. I love the Celine calfskin slipper in the colour block. If you are feeling a bit edgier, the Nicholas Kirkwood striped block heel is sure to turn heads. 

Celine

Nicholas Kirkwood

3.     Seeing Clearly

The clear plastic trend seems to be on everyone’s radar this Spring. A beautiful shoe is the Celine Optic Mule, made of shiny calfskin and smoked vinyl. Pair it with an all white suit and you’re the center of attention. If you don’t want to break the bank, I adore the Marc by Marc Jacobs clear top handle satchel. Just be sure to keep the inside of your bag clean, of course!

 Celine

Marc by Marc Jacobs

4.     Pastel Dream

Pastels are sticking with us for another season, which I am excited about. I love the blush Mulberry Alexa bag. It’s an iconic handbag and its more neutral colour gives you the opportunity to wear it at any time. The Alexander McQueen structured Heroine tote is beautiful and I find the pastel colour to be perfect. 

rry,

 Mulberry

 Alexander McQueen

5.     Stackin’ It

I have saved by favourite accessory trend for last- Stackin’ It. I have started following a blog called  Me and Lex, and the sister duo stack vintage and new necklaces above one another to create the look of a bib. I find it to be stunning and I cannot wait to try it for Spring. The bib necklace from Dannijo is a more subtle way of creating a stacked look- or if you’re loving the look...stack on!

Me and Lex

 Dannijo

 - Carolyn Beaudry

Trendy DIY Ideas

I am definitely someone who likes to save a buck.  There is nothing better than finding the most cost efficient way to rock the season’s hottest trends. As a result I love doing DIY fashion projects, what a great way to have the newest stuff for only a fraction of the cost. After going through various sites I have decided that these are two of the DIY tips that I am most excited to try out for this upcoming season. These two DIY projects stood out to me over all the other ones I saw, they are cost efficient, on-trend, and super easy to do even if you aren’t the craftiest of people.

1. The Ombre Jean Shirt (like Kanye’s) – idea from thebudgetfashionista.com

Supplies:

Denim shirt (you can get one from H&M)

Brilliant blue iDye

Navy blue fabric dye

Plastic gloves

Plastic/metal bucket/bowl.

*You can find dyes at Michaels Arts and Crafts store.

 Step 1 – dissolve the brilliant blue dye in the bucket full of water (water to dye instructions on box).

*The website blogger used their sink I would not suggest this it will make clean up much more difficult and maybe even stain.

Step 2 – Dip half of the shirt into the dye making sure that the line across the middle of the shirt is straight. Then let the shirt soak in the dye for 10 min.

 Step 3 – Once you remove the shirt from the dye rinse it out until the water runs off clear, and then hang the shirt and let the it dry. If it is not yet the blue you desire you can repeat steps 1 and 2.

Step 4 – Next dissolve the blue dye in a bucket of water as per the instructions on the box. Then dip half of the area you already soaked in it (1/4 of the shirt) and let it soak for another 10 min.

Step 5- Rinse the shirt again until the water runs off clear, and then let it dry. If the area is not the desired blue then you may repeat steps 4 and 5. 

  

Once the shirt is dry its ready for you to wear!

*You may want to wash the garment to ensure no dye transfer however it may fade the dye.  

2. Crystal Amulet – idea from runwaydiy.com

I am excited about this DIY because its inexpensive and super cute and boho, perfect for this coming summer!

Supplies:

Crystal (you can buy some on specialty shops around Queen St., or children’s shops that sell collectable rocks)

35” of suede cord (can be any colour you choose)

Strong glue (clear or clear dry)

Small Paint Brush

Step 1 - First cut a piece of the suede cord that fits loosely around the crystal

Step 2 – Make sure that the long cord is 30” if not trim off excess.

Step 3 – Brush glue onto the two ends of the long piece of the cord and glue them vertically and halfway down the sides of the crystal 

Step 4 – Brush glue over one of the flat sides of the short cord then wrap it horizontally around the center of the crystal to cover the two ends.

Step 5 – Trim off any excess of the cord and wait to dry.

Once its dry its ready to rock out with your cute spring outfits!

For more DIY ideas and tips you can visit http://runwaydiy.com/ or http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/. These are two awesome DIY sites that I have found and love for cute on trend fashion ideas and tips.

Good luck!

-Adriana Sandu