Crossing Threads is the collaborative work of Lauren and Kassandra Hernandez. Based in Sydney, they create textural fiber art. Take a look behind the scenes

From don't-mess-with-me chain necklaces to soft power pearls, statement necklaces have an impressive history as a power prop

. The first check of memory-at age 4 years- was a little tiny voile gingham made for me by my great MaMa. She was a wonderful seamstress and of course I loved a check even then. Certainly not my first, In Fact- I never met a check I did not like... Another check -a small yellow one sewn for a colonial dance in the first grade also comes to mind-as does the dance partner-still not happy at that pairing. My mother wore them. We picnicked on them. There were aprons, tablecloths, napkins- dress by Adrian I've heard it said that a house will speak to you-If you listen. Has yours talked to you lately? The house I left 5 years ago spoke in dulcet elegant tones. It wanted to speak French-but I insisted not. It knew I was right- that said- it was very Continental. A formal room of Manuel Canovas linen floral curtains on the wall, silk damasks-you get the picture. The house I live in now spoke immediately-Besides saying Help! -it said-in a calm voice-You love checks! Why not? I don't count them for this story, that would mean I was on shaky ground in using more than One. Two. Three? Red Checks Blue Checks, Tan Checks-throughout the house. Checks find their way into my design projects too. They live comfortably in any room and I especially love them looking smart & yes-even a little chic in my own bath (above) where the walls are a sort of spiritual misty lavender and two shower curtains are made up in a large red voile check- paired with a Chanel poster. Neither has complained about the placement. Clients rarely reject a check-unless they have a lingering hangup about kitchen towels or tab curtains from there own past. When thinking about checks - think Versatility. My list of rooms that wear them well: the kitchen of course- though this one is maybe too obvious-like shells at the beach cottage. I love checks in a Nursery- large Blue checks from Greeff- with scallopy valances and canopies, a Master Suite- large Blue Schumacher checks for the curtains, bed coverings, a headboard in a room with yellow walls, the Guest Room- Black check curtains paired with a small red windowpane quilted checks & Black check twin headboards, finishing with a black and white Brunschwig toile paper on the walls. A CHECKERED PAST GREAT ROOMS- Memorable Checks Charles de Beistegui at Groussay Interestingly -in the 18th century, slipcovers were necessity, keeping the many fine furnishings from the inevitable weather -dust and dirt that permeated the most sound houses. The Duchess of Norfolk had check covers for all of the furnishing in London's Norfolk House. She was quite firm that the color scheme of each room be echoed in the check. From the inventory the Duchess noted for the ground floor Great Drawing Room the case covers were in 'blew and white check' to match the 'blew Imbost Paper.' a 1947 Check Evening dress and stole-timeless & as beautiful today as it was 64 years ago. Carolina Herrera Fall 2011 The ever elegant Carolina Herrera (above) a does not hesitate to use a silk check for the tailored ball gown- How much do you love this dress? When made of silk or silk tafetta, Checks are elegant, romantic- equally unexpected- large bold checks in the Living Room & tiny ones on dog collars. Large or small -in silk- a check abandons its ordered regimented nature and swishes from skirt to curtain to pillow. Gorgeous silk checks from Kravet, Stroheim & Romann, Cowtan & Tout and Robert Allen. A silk check from Carelton V (above) in my bedroom has something of the little details I love. I used this check with a finely stitched diagonal playing over the pattern on a French chair. Some find checks an easy fix- I could not agree more! Often easy is best. In culling tear sheets and scrap books-I found little french chairs dotting the pages : in the late Nan Kempner's closet- a check covered French chair & check boxes peak out of the curtained closet. in Carolyne Roehm's makeshift office in Weatherstone's carriage house-serving after a fire swept through the main house in 1999. (below) Checks can also double as trimmings & bands to add detail to chairs & curtains. - details count checks used as trimmings A 1957 day dress photographed by John French with the check pattern running on the diagonal to create a completely unique look. As with any sort of sewing- simple or complex-the matching of seams must be perfect. NOTABLE CHECKERED PASTS GREAT ROOMS -Memorable Checks Valentino's Living Room check Curtains & dining chairs beyond When ask about his love for checks and plaids? Valentino says- "Why not? Squares are such perfect shapes." According to IN Style 2006 - all of Valentino's homes are stocked with checks and plaid towels, sheets, pillows, linens-as well as curtains and sofas. (above) Valentino's Appia Antica Villa- in Rome. Adolpho's take on the romantic check- inspired by the 1967 Swedish film Elvira Madigan (Vogue 1968) Nicky Haslam something about Chairs Nicky Haslam used a check in his own dining room at the Hunting Lodge-once owned by John Fowler. An elegant room with formal notes- more gavotte than minuet. Nicky Haslam's Hunting Lodge Dining Room (above pages from Nicky Haslam's website here) , I love Haslam's use of a large check on the backs of leather chairs in the Kitchen of this project (at left). The checks used over 40 years ago for evening skirts would be perfect for dining with Nicky at the Hunting Lodge. I bet Colette, Nicky's colleague , has one ready and waiting just in case-I can not imagine she doesn't. She has a decided penchant for finding the perfect fabric from their library an having something made up to show stopping effect. an evening skirt made from yards & yards of blue and white gingham check taffeta (from Vogue 1968) A curtained day bed canopy in my upstairs hall with a simple coarse tan check of cotton trimmed in a wooden tassel trim GREAT ROOMS- Memorable Checks Perhaps one of the most famous room-at least the room of checks I fell in love with at age 11. In the early 1970's Gloria swathed the family's Living Room at their Southampton home- Summertime in beautiful check gingham. Jack Robinson photographed the rooms and family for House & Garden in June 1972. Checks are forgiving in a sense that relatively inexpensive ones can made top notch rooms-however impeccable workmanship is imperative-Seamstresses that match checks, upholsterers that do the same. The pink checks shown here are from Pindler & Pindler and along with these two large patterns matching smaller checks are available. I used a tiny Cowtan & Tout windowpane on the cupboard to keep it covered and pretty- The Cowtan and Tout checks probable have the best of all the Checkered pasts- The color range is beautiful-still one of the best to the trade and the grounds are equal to the color. How many times has Eaton Check (pictured below) come to the rescue? Each time I use it is looks new, fresh-crisp. What a check should be? Really-I never met a check I didn't like. it's a toss up! .

Can you imagine being able to look magically leaner with just a few adjustments to your outfit? While it appears to be some kind of sorcery, optical illusions are not just a style for visual arts, but they can also serve as a fun and practical fashion tool. With the right technique and a little creativity, you can create harmonious proportions in your everyday outfits. We at Bright Side know that all bodies are beautiful in their own way, but if you’re looking for more confidence, here are 12 optical illusions that can easily improve your self-esteem.

Метафизика просто. Что такое синестезия и как она работает в тонком зрении и осознанных снах? Как использовать синестезическое зрение для работы с магией?

Cowls come in different shapes and styles. Some are more voluminous, some drape lower and some sit high on the neck with lots of fullness. Take a look at the three options I put together for you to try and give your Bronx Dress a different look. This technique is the most common way to create a cowl neck and add fullne

The real women who served as muses to Charles Dana Gibson - the illustrator who popularised the iconic Gibson Girl look of the 1900's

A strap skirt, vest and blouse with a picture of a cat innocently playing with a persimmon. The color of the skirt has a cute retro feel to it. Tighten the included necktie to complete a casual and elegant literary girl. strap skirt Vest (light brown/dark brown) blouse strap skirt small size Total length: 72cm Waist: 54-68cm medium size Total length: 72cm Waist: 60-74cm L size Total length: 72cm Waist: 66-80cm XL size Total length: 72cm Waist: 72-86cm XXL size Total length: 72cm Waist: 78-92cm vest small size Length: 49cm Bust: 88cm Waist: 70cm medium size Length: 50cm Bust: 94cm Waist: 76cm L size Length: 51cm Bust: 100cm Waist: 82cm XL size Length: 52cm Bust: 106cm Waist: 88cm XXL size Length: 53cm Bust: 112cm Waist: 94cm blouse small size Length: 54cm Shoulder width: 36cm Bust: 86cm Waist: 68cm Sleeve length: 56cm medium size Length: 55.5cm Shoulder width: 37.5cm Bust: 92cm Waist: 74cm Sleeve length: 57.5cm L size Length: 57cm Shoulder width: 39cm Bust: 98cm Waist: 80cm Sleeve length: 59cm XL size Length: 58.5cm Shoulder width: 40.5cm Bust: 104cm Waist: 86cm Sleeve length: 60.5cm XXL size Length: 60cm Shoulder width: 42cm Bust: 110cm Waist: 92cm Sleeve length: 62cm _ polyester wearing size small size model dimensions Height: 165cm Bust: 82cm Waist: 63cm Hip: 93cm Strap skirt, vest and blouse are sold separately. The vest is available in two colors: light brown and dark brown. A tie is included with the blouse.

The POWER OF ADORNMENT introduces a new series we call the LOOK BOOK STYLE FILE We will take a certain style & look and show you how we interpret it. We will give you style tips to show how we created

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Inspired by Flemish paintings, particularly those by famed Dutch painter Rembrandt, photographer Sacha Goldberger has created a beautiful set of

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Often in historical costuming, we try to create an outfit with which we’ll look like we just stepped from a period painting or photo. This means sewing the clothes as worn in a certain period…

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Her hair and makeup is always on point.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, "My posture sucks!"? By following these recommendations you'll improve your CrossFit performance.

. . If you want to look taller or slimmer, you need to use the unbroken line as your guide to dressing. What is the unbroken line? Every time you e

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Hollywood hairdresser Mika Fowler looked to Brigitte Bardot as she created a bombshell pony with the Bardot signature teased crown.

Safety Pin Corset : This safety pin corset is a very simple way to get the lace-up corset effect with just a few supplies I'll be you already have. Use this technique to help a loose blazer fit better or create the look of a smaller waist on a fitted blazer.

She just turned 95 and style icon, Iris Apfel, shows no signs of slowing down. FEMAIL chats with the fashion muse about her newly launched curated line for Macy's, 'Iris Meets INC', and more.

Hi Imogen, I´m a big fan of your blog, and I´ve read all of your books :-) I hope it´s alright if I ask you some style advice :-) I´m a petite (5´2´