4.11.2011

The Yellow Clutch

Rock and Republic Jeans. Vintage Fur Coat. Equipment Blouse. Zara Heels.* DIY Leather Clutch.

This weekend was as relaxing as it was productive. I hit the gym, managed to run all of my errands, finished Kelly Cutrone's book and sewed a new leather clutch. I was given a new sewing machine on Saturday (thanks Kathy!); after a mini lesson and a successful trip to Britex in Union Square this yellow clutch was born. I simply followed these directions and voila! I was very impressed with the leather selection at Britex, blues, greens, pinks, reds you name it. So many possibilities! I'm working on another clutch now that is slightly larger and beige with a red zipper. 
*I'm a big FAT cheater.

69 comments:

Alex said...

so cool that you made that! and a random sidenote: I was pleasantly surprised to see a picture of you smiling with teeth showing!

Priscilla Francine Makeup said...

Love the jacket, jeans and shoes...I think I want to try to make my own clutch good idea

Nikki! said...

I'm still loving those Zara pumps though!

Alicia said...

@Nikki, haha, thanks girl! even though i cheated on Lent! ;P

Amber said...

Hi Alicia! I've been following your blog for a couple months now and LOVE it! I've gotten much inspiration from you.

p.s. Obviously you can only be the judge of what's cheating for you, but I thought it was a really good idea to make the clutch vs. buy one during your fast. I thought it was intentional. Either way, it's a killer DIY project and I'm totally doing it.

Alicia said...

@Amber - thanks for your sweet comment. So glad to hear I've inspired you, that's the goal ;)

I actually cheated and bought the Zara pumps I'm wearing, whoopsie! This Lent thing has been harder than I anticipated. BUT that was the idea with the clutch. I wanted a similar clutch from American Apparel so I decided to make my own!

Marissa said...

i really like your clutch, however I will not be trying to make one for myself...i still have a diy bracelet that is kicking my behind (and from the sound of things it shouldn't have taken more than an hour.

cute look!
PinkPopMash

janettaylor said...

What perfect platforms! :)

Rosie said...

Love the clutch...and your shoes are to die for.

Alex said...

Wow I can't believe you made the clutch - it's so cute. I'm such a wannabe homemaker but it always fails miserably. Oh well - yours is incredible as are those shoes.

http://louboutinsinlalaland.blogspot.com/

Kat Tanita said...

love your blog, so happy that I stumbled upon it!! Thats a great jacket. i am also loving your coachella picks, im not going but my little sis is and I forwarded this onto her :) check out my blog!

http://withlovefromkat.blogspot.com

XO
Kat

Josie said...

I LOVE that adorable little yellow clutch! Chic, roomy, and easy... Brilliant. And your blouse is too cute.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Caroline said...

LOVE it!! So greta that you made it yourself ... inspiring!!! :)

Polly said...

Wow how clever are you. You look delicious, that jacket looks so cozy.

Lynzy said...

I have been wanting to venture out and purchase some fabric to make one of these clutches ever since American Apparel made them in some bright colors. I love yours!

jillian m. said...

awesome job with the bag! i would have never known. and it gives your outfit such a bright and refreshing pop of yellow. love it!

Sabby V said...

Love the DIY bag, the color is so great!
Sabrina
http://missworkingirl.blogspot.com/

Julie and Lauren said...

Love the heels! Happy Monday!
Xx

Deidre said...

The clutch looks fabulous!

hip hip gin gin said...

Totally impressed that you made that clutch, it looks great! I always have big DIY plans that seldom turn into actual completed items. Maybe as soon as I find a project I should buy all the supplies to shame myself into following through, haha. And I love that adorable blouse!

Taylor said...

Love the clutch obviously I made a number last weekend!!! I am in the process of making lots more, i have a ton of faux and real leather to get busy with!

asequindressatbreakfast said...

head to toe-SO CUTE! it is painful to be in love with DIY projects and beautiful things, but totally unable to work a sewing machine! have you thought at all about selling on etsy? i'm thinking of opening my own little shop-could be fun!

http://asequindressatbreakfast.wordpress.com

Nicole Marie said...

oh my gosh way to go! it's so cute! britex is sooooo overwhelming for me

CessOviedo said...

Good job on the clutch! Color is just so springy, love your shoes too they are adorable!

Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

Haha...I couldn't last either. I'm thinking chocolate would have been easier to give up! That clutch is fab...can't wait to see the bigger one too! xo

Dee said...

I absolutely LOVE yellow bags/purses/clutches.

http://inspired-days.blogspot.com/

Tracy said...

I love this! You made it look so easy! I'm definitely going to try it out! YAY for DIY!

tracy
www.projecttracy.com

Erin said...

Love the purse (nice way to get around not buying anything- HA!). I also love the fur... you look fantastic!

Christine said...

love your style, as always :) you are so crafty! xoxox

Amber said...

Looks amazing!! Wow!
Amber's Notebook

Kathryn {Sweet Tea and Champagne} said...

I'm DEFINITELY trying this!! Yellow, electric blue, ruby red... I can see the possibilities now. xo

Kathryn
http://sweetteaandchampagne.com

kimbirdy said...

you made that?! amazing! i love the shade of yellow you chose. it's perfect!

idratherbeshopping said...

what a fantastic diy project, alicia! you're so crafty :)

xo,
joAnn

Marissa said...

This looks exactly like the American Apparel clutches everyone has been carrying this season (I have one in lime green) but I'm sure was made for a fraction of the price! Love your lip color- what is it? xoxo Marissa

http://happiness-is-the-little-things.blogspot.com/

Alicia said...

@Marissa - I know, the AA clutches were what I was trying to re-create.

My lipstick is Makeup Forever #10? I think. From Sephora!

Marissa said...

Entirely obsessed with this clutch.. I've been wanting the AA one for awhile now, but it just seems so expensive for a plain clutch. I think I've found my alternative! Thanks for sharing - it looks fabulous paired with your fur coat!

XXXO
Marissa

Collections said...

Love the DIY clutch and your heart blouse looks great!

I'm having a $100 dollar Shopbop giftcard GIVEAWAY on my blog! Come check it out :) It's open to international bloggers as well.

Collections Giveaway

Crystalin said...

I just saw this on Style Scrapbook and pinned it to my boards :) Loved that you had a go at it!

Hello Cupcake said...

Look at you go! Cute clutch!!!!

Jaime said...

wow i am so impressed! i had my eye on the AA one. CUTE shoes :)

rebecca said...

,,,i'm not as talented as you, this gal can't sew to save her life so i purchased (not 1 but 2) at AA and i l.o.v.e. these clutches, they're all the craze right now,,you did a fine job on that sweet lil clutch, hip-hip hooray for you!,,,i shall visit my local zara for those to.die.for pumps,,,love the pop of color on your lips,,, what a great way to begin the week,,,

RosaLovesDC said...

Such a gorgeous bag lady!
Love it!

Natalie Suarez said...

i LOVE the clutch! such a nice pop of color! :)

natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

la petite coquine said...

That bag is darling-what a divine DIY! And since those shoes are so terrific, I think Jesus will let it slide. I've also said that to my friends who gave up books and cocktails, who I encouraged to break their Lenten fasts. I'm an awful influence!

Alicia said...

@la petite coquine - thanks for the support! And who would give up books?!

Benedicte MAGEN said...

great !!

http://www.theupperfashion.com

April said...

That clutch looks amazing...you're so crafty! Love the pop of yellow in the mix of neutrals. Happy sewing with your new machine!

this free bird said...

Love that clutch Alicia! Looks kind of like the one Taylor (Curly) did last week. Twins!!

xo,
C

BlueVanilla said...

So CUTE! Great idea!
xx
Hot Pink Day

Caitlin said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is awesome. Can't wait to see it in person.

Bravo my dear!

Erica said...

I wouldn't mind if you made me a clutch next :).. it turned out so cute!

ELIZABETH said...

I agree with Erica. Can we put in an order for a particular color?

Kastles said...

Love this all! The shirt, jacket, and clutch! And I don't think making your own clutch is counted as cheating :)
<3 Kastles
p.s- you rock that lipstick well, as usual!

Helena from BrooklynBlonde said...

Ooh loving this outfit so much. Might me one of my favorites!

Kate said...

Look at you go, ms. crafty! That's so awesome that you made this clutch! Loving the bright yellow! The tan with the red zipper also sounds awesome!

Laetitia said...

Your vintage coat is so cute!

xoxoxox

Shop Sweet Things with Jeanne said...

How cool is it that you made your own clutch! I happened to do a post today on the perfect clutch and JoAnn told me to pop on over cause she told me that you made your own... so super cool! love that you picked the yellow leather too! only if i had a sewing machine and crafty like you, i would save myself a lot of $$.. sigh :)

Alicia said...

@Shop Sweet Things - I'm sure you could make your own, it was actually pretty simple!

The Bohemienne said...

Great job on the clutch! This outfit is so cool; I really like the fur jacket.

Danielle said...

CUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEE outfit. Neat-o clutch!! Inspired! I have you on the sidebar of my blog! i love it.

JennaBrooke said...

Love the yellow leather clutch with the fur coat... so luxurious looking. And I've also read Kelly Cutrone's book. Loved it! She's definitely an inspiration to women.

www.justsomethingspecial.wordpress.com

Sarah {Raving Fashionista} said...

What a simple and wonderful way to make a clutch!! Definitely must try that asap!! Thank you for sharing :)

xo www.RavingFashionista.com

Savvy in San Francisco said...

Love the color! Who would imagine that you could make it so easily? Maybe I need to dust off my sewing machine that has been buried in my closet for YEARS! Did you happen to notice if Britax had a turquoise color leather?

Alicia said...

@Savvy - yes they did have turquoise! as well as a royal blue too!

lauraa said...

I've been reading through your blog and I have to say, I have a big crush on your style. I would so happily wear everything you post! Feeling pretty chipper to have found your blog
xxx

Alicia said...

@lauraa - ahh, SO sweet!!! thank you!

Carla McCarthy said...

Love your outfit! I die to wear my furs in Florida! I know I can't :(

htt://www.cougarvintage.blogspot.com

His and Hers said...

Awesome clutch! Love the color you selected too. Those heels {cheat or not} are gorg!! ;)

The Snake Hunters said...

I love your clutch! I've been wanting to start sewing leather on my old Pfaff, but I can't find sweet leather like that! Where do you find your's? It's amazing!