DIY FRIDAY: EASY VINYL CLUTCH

OUTFIT DETAILS: TOP  ||  JEANS  ||  WEDGES (available in a few sizes right now -- hurry before they're gone!)  ||  CLUTCH (made by me, tutorial below)

I'm excited to share a really simple and fun DIY project today! This little fold over clutch makes such a great gift, and it's really versatile -- you can use it as a clutch, a diaper and wipes pouch, or a wallet, and you could make it any size!

If you make it as a diaper pouch gift, stock it up with diapers and wipes before you bring it to the baby shower. If you make it as a clutch gift, throw in a pretty lipgloss and some cute sunglasses!

Click through below to find the really easy instructions.

photos by rad and happy

THE MOST FLATTERING SUNGLASSES FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

Last week we got a new dresser for our master bedroom, which meant I did a little closet organization with the newly added extra space. One of the first things I pulled out of my closet and put in the dresser were all my sunglasses. For the last few years they've been piled in a bowl on the shelf in my closet, but now they are neatly arranged in the top dresser drawer, all laid out and easy to see. I'd forgotten how many different styles I owned and how many pairs I hadn't worn in years!

Sunglasses are one of my favorite accessories, not only because they protect my eyes, but they often complete an outfit for me. I love wearing all kinds of styles of sunglasses, but there are definitely some that I know I look better in than others. For example, my rectangular pairs are the most unworn of all my frames because they are the least flattering for my face shape. My wayfarer and round pairs are the most flattering, and thus get worn the very most.

Do you know what glasses are best for your face shape? Here's a quick little cheat sheet:

Square Shaped Face: Round or cateye (avoid any pairs with sharp angles)
Round Shaped Face: Oversized, rectangular, and cat-eye (avoid round pairs!)
Heart Shaped Face: Cat-eye or round glasses (avoid rectangular)
Long Face: Anything oversized, especially round (avoid any pairs with small or narrow frames)

Oval Shaped Face: Anything and everything. Buy them all!

So now you're probably thinking you need a new pair of sunglasses, right? Well you're in luck. Today I've teamed up with SunglassesShop to give away one pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses of your choice*!

Enter through the rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will run for one week, and the winner will be notified via email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*polarised/titanium and limited edition frames excluded. 

DIY LEOPARD FOLD OVER CLUTCH (TUTORIAL)

An oversized fold over clutch has been on my sewing to-do list for ages. They're such gorgeous statement bags, and perfect for date night and fancier events. The problem was that I didn't have a good fabric to use. I was always on the lookout, but could never find anything that I really loved. Then last month, in a stroke of good fabric buying luck, I found myself with three fabrics that I realized would all make amazing oversized clutches. The only problem was that with three choices, I was having an impossible time deciding which one to use for the clutch! 

So I pulled out my new Sprout by HP and used their drawing program to draw out a pretty little fashion illustration. Then I used the overhead camera capability to take a photo of all three potential fabrics, and then stuck them in the illustration to see which one I liked best. It was still a tough call, but finally I decided.

Based off of my drawing, which one would you have picked?

Of course I went with Leopard. It's classic, chic, can be dressed up or down, and well, leopard is just my favorite. I whipped up the clutch and then styled it for date night with a leather jacket, white denim, and a gray sweatshirt.

hand-me-down martin + osa leather jacket (similar splurge, similar save here and here) 

similar sweatshirt

dittos jeans, c/o

lulu*s caged heels, c/o, similar here

clutch, made by me (similar here and here)

baublebar earrings, similar here

sonix iphone case

After I made the clutch, I created this simple oversized fold over clutch, and then used my Sprout by HP to create my tutorial. It's not like my regular tutorials with basic illustrations -- I used the overhead camera to take images of the fronts and backs of the fabric I used, and then added those images into my tutorial so it's easier to differentiate the pattern pieces! 

Click through to see the tutorial!

LOVE KNOT (AND A GIVEAWAY!)

lulu*s dress, c/o

sheinside jacket

bcbg heels via dsw

 lulu*s clutch, c/o

urban outfitters sunglasses

accessory concierge cuff, c/o

LEILA jewelry love knot necklace, c/o

________________________________

I've professed my love for delicate gold jewelry here a million times, and honestly I love it all. But every once in a while there's a piece that makes me stop and instantly fall in love, and this love knot necklace made me do just that -- it's so simple, but simultaneously special and stunning. It's not just a pretty necklace, it's interesting and meaningful, and I love that. It's like a tiny statement necklace! And so many pieces from LEILA jewelry are like that -- they're simple and minimalist designs, but they're special and unique. I think you'll love them just as much as I do. 

So I'm excited to team up with them today and give away $75 to their shop for one lucky winner -- Merry Christmas to you! 

Enter with the rafflecopter widget below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW TO STYLE A STRUCTURED JACKET

The structured jacket trend is one of my favorites right now. It's a perfect completer piece, and a closet essential that every woman should own. Don't confuse them with blazers -- these jackets don't have lapels, and they're usually a little more cropped and boxy than a standard blazer.

I've seen them in all shapes and sizes, some patterned, some basic, some tweed, and they're all amazing. BUT, they need to be styled properly to insure that you don't walk out of the house looking like Professor Umbridge (especially if your jacket is tweed!)

photos by sara walk

4 TIPS FOR STYLING A STRUCTURED JACKET

1. Stay away from matchy-matchy. This is a sure way to get you into Umbridge territory. Also, it will give the feeling of a pant suit, which can look dated. So if you're jacket is red, like mine, stay away from red bottoms (or any hue close to red). If your jacket is gray, be careful with black, gray, or white bottoms. You get the idea.

2. Add some contrast. I threw on some distressed jeans to create some good contrast against the structure and maturity of the jacket. They offset each other nicely to create an outfit that isn't too structured or too casual. 

3. Add a touch of playfulness. Another way to add contrast, similar to the distressed jeans, is to add a playful piece, like a graphic tee, a baseball cap, or some tennis shoes.

4. Create balance in your outfit with nicer accessories. If your outfit is entirely casual, but you've thrown a nice structured jacket on, the jacket will look out of place and your outfit won't have balance. Add some nice, sparkly jewelry, or a pair of heels to strike the perfect balance between dressy and casual. 

(and if you're looking for a few good jacket options, I shared a few of my favorite structured jackets over on Babble)

jacket: c/o lulu*s

tee: made by me (tutorial here)

jeans: gap

heels: rock and republic (similar)

ray-bans: c/o sunglasses shop (similar)

bracelets: c/o the shine project (10% off with code 'merricksart10')