Category: Inspiration

Rustic Holiday Decor Inspiration

Everyone has their own way to decorate for the holidays, and while we’re obviously huge fans of sparkle and  sparkle we also appreciate the simpler things in life. We’ve gathered some of our favorite ways to display holiday cheer with a rustic twist. The key to rustic holiday decorating is sticking to a neutral color palette, using natural elements like pine cones and branches, and featuring simple textures like burlap. How do you decorate for the holidays?
Rustic Holiday Mantel

Christmas Nook

Kinfolk Natural Home and Holiday Decor, Studio Choo with Another Feather

Branch and Bottle Brush Wreath

Rustic Christmas Tree

Halloween Shoes DIY Roundup

When it comes to Halloween costumes, the component that is usually left untouched is the footwear! We have a feeling that that’s because people are intimidated to DIY with shoes, but fret not DIYers! The internet is chock full of easy DIYs that will step up your costume game, literally. Here are a few of our favorite shoe DIYs for those who would like to delve into costume shoe customization.

Boot DIYThis boot DIY is perfect for costumes that require boots in hard-to-find colors or superhero boots!

Paw Costume Feet DIYWe have to give this DIY a round a ap-paws for allowing us to make a cute pair of costume paws.

Spooky Skeleton ShoeKeep it simple and spooky with a pair of DIY Skeleton Canvas Shoes!

zapatos4Last but certainly not least, witch costumes are a Halloween staple, so it only makes sense that we would feature these awesome DIY Witch Heels!

Sartorial Steampunk Inspiration

Steampunk fashion is usually characterized by a careful mix of Victorian-era garments paired with science-fiction elements. This Halloween, if you’re interested in stepping up your costume game, try a steampunk style. A steampunk costume can sate both your need for high fashion AND fantastic embellishments. Plus, there are so many sub-genres of steampunk to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits you! Easy ways to add authenticity? Use muted and natural tones. Back in those days the bold colors we get from synthetic dyes were practically impossible to achieve. Gears are almost a staple in steampunk fashion and accessories. Don’t be afraid of heavy metals! Tack on the chains, buttons, and nailheads to get that industrial look. Looking for steampunk essentials before Halloween? Check out our Steampunk Halloween Shop!

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Steampunk Airship Captain Dita von Teese

Steampunk Captain

High Fashion Steampunk

M&J Trimming - Halloweenmask@janhobbins

Halloween Mask Inspiration

Halloween is getting closer and closer and we are super excited for one of our favorite holidays. Halloween is a day to be creative and bring your favorite characters to life, or you can make one up. One big deal for Halloween is, what to do with your face! If you’re still thinking about what to be for Halloween, or you just need some creative ideas to get your creative juices flowing, well then, here we are to help. We’ve gathered some pretty unique mask ideas. Sometimes you don’t even need a mask, just apply some make-up and face paint, and let your face be your canvas.
M&J Trimming - DIY Rabbit Hole Mask

Alice in Wonderland Inspiration. How cool are these “Rabbit in Hole” masks?

M&J Trimming - DIY Ice Queen Mask

Ice Queen Mask. Soooo iceyyyyy! You can add some sew-on jewels to make the effect pop.

M&J Trimming - Glitter-Eye-Mask

No mask needed for this Diamond Mask inspiration. All you need is some make-up. You can add rhinestones and apply with body glue. Perfect for those last-minute costumes.

M&J Trimming - Halloweenmask@janhobbins

Going to a ball soon? This Masquerade Mask is perfect for you! We love how the lace and purple colors all combine so beautifully.

Superhero and Super Villain Costume Roundup

With NYC Comic Con having just passed and Halloween on the horizon, we’ve been obsessing over comic book hero costumes! We’ve collected some of our favorites to give you inspiration for your costumes. And since we know that Halloween is the ultimate holiday for playing pretend, we gathered up some of the less-savory super villains as well!Aquawoman Costume

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Wonder Woman Costume

Female Joker

Green Arrow

DIY: Comic Book Hero Mask

This week’s DIY is almost limitless. We’re giving you the materials, but it’s up to you whether you want to use them for good or evil. Using craft foam, elastic, Brilliance sew-ons, and a steady hand; we’ve created a mask that is perfect for your super heroic alter-ego.
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What You’ll Need:

Craft Foam
18mm Foldover Elastic
Scissors
Stapler
Needle and Thread
Brilliance 4mm x 8mm Navettes, 9mm x 18mm Navettes7mm x 10mm Pears,  & Flatbacks
E6000 Glue
X-Acto Knife
Pen or Crystal Katana
Face Mask Printout or Drawing

DSC_02341. Staple your face mask printout to your craft foam.

DSC_02362. Outline the image with your pen with medium force. You want to make an imprint of the design on through the paper and onto the foam.

DSC_02373. Use your knife to cut away the excess foam.

DSC_02454. Decide on the layout of your sew-ons.

DSC_02525. Sew them onto your mask.
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6. Glue the Brilliance Flat Backs onto the desired areas.

DSC_02537. Glue the elastic to the edges of your mask, and let dry.

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Going Batty Halloween Decor Inspiration

This Halloween we’re planning on featuring one of our favorite flying mammals: bats. These tiny flyers are synonymous with all things sinister including vampires, blood and the spookiest night of the year! Here are a few easy ways to add bats to your decor this season.
Bat Branches Home Decor - M&J TrimmingThese decorative bat branches are so simple to recreate. Just tie black satin ribbon to branches, and boom! Halloween decorations that are easier than tying your shoes.

Bat Mobile - M&J Trimming

Nothing like the “bat mobile” we’re familiar with, this awesome decoration is perfect for your next party!

Halloween Cloche - M&J Trimming This Halloween cloche is the perfect decoration for those who like a little glitter and sparkle around the holidays.

Bat Wing Fan - M&J Trimming

This subtle DIY may go unnoticed until guests peek at the ceiling, but once they do, prepare for awe and wonderment.

 

 

Bat Door - M&J Trimming

Simple yet sinister, this DIY features a flurry of bats swarming onto a doorway. Only the brave will knock on this door.

 

M&J Trimming - howtowearankleboots9

Ankle Boot Inspiration

A few posts back, we came up with a round-up of your must have essentials for the fall season. One fall essential we mentioned was to always keep a pair of booties in your closet. Well let’s elaborate of these little beauties. Booties are ankle boots with a heel of 2″-3″ high, usually, they can be higher. They are great to pair with jeans, dresses, and skirts, and they can easily turn a casual outfit into your ultimate party outfits. Here’s a round-up of different ways you can style up your favorite booties, whether you’re wearing them for work, taking a walk around the block, or just hanging out.

M&J Trimming - howtowearankleboots9

This outfit is so fall season! Add a leather jacket to finish the look.

M&J Trimming - Grey Dress+Black Booties

Chic combination. You can also throw on knee-high socks for those colder days.

M&J Trimming - 7-cool-urban-looks-with-skinny-jeans

This outfit is perfect to go to work, pick up the kids, go out for lunch.

M&J Trimming - Spike Booties

Very casual outfit. Looks so comfy. Check out her spikes on the back of her booties, so chic!

M&J Trimming - brown-leather-booties

Booties + Over Sized Sweater = Perfection for fall

 

 

 

M&J Trimming - Knee High + Heels

How to Wear Knee High Socks

Attention all sock lovers! We’ve rounded up one of our favorite styles of socks, and how to wear them with different styled outfits. Yes, we are talking about knee high socks! Is layering season, and what’s a layered outfit without something to layer your shoes with? Knee high socks are so great for this season. It always compliments your outfits, and it’s your shoe’s best friend. Here we have different ways on wearing knee high socks. For embellishments on knee high socks, add a lace trim, or ruffled trim around the top edge of the socks, or you can add buttons on the outer sides for detail.

M&J Trimming - enhanced-buzz-26654-1383623709-1

We love this outfit combination!

M&J Trimming - Rainy Days

Perfect for those rainy/snowy days.

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It’s all about the layers!

M&J Trimming - Knee High + Heels

This combination is just so adorable. The ideas are endless!

M&J Trimming - sl41

Knee high socks works with all different styles of shoes.

All Things…Leather!

Who loves the fall as much as we do? Fall is such a fashionable season filled with layered outfits, over sized sweaters, leather jackets, and…let’s stop at leather jackets. Leather is such a world-renowned material that it has urbanized the fashion industry. You see practically anything made out of leather whether it’s real or faux. There’s leather jackets, boots, pants, handbags, hats, even accessories like bracelets and watch straps. The ideas are endless when it comes to leather. So gear-up everybody because we have gathered some unique styles with a dash of leather. This is all things leather!

M&J Trimming - Leather Pants

Chic up your style with some leather pants and/or boots. The drape affect goes great with this outfit!

M&J Trimming - Layered Outfit

The perfect layered effect with a dash of leather.

M&J Trimming - Leather Pencil Skirt

Keep it professional in this leather pencil skirt.

M&J Trimming - Trussardi Spring 2015 2

Be bold and fierce in red leather.

M&J Trimming - Leather Jacket

This outfit is just perfect. We love the patent leather burgundy shoes for a pop of color.