Urban Outfitters

UO Backlot Sesh 2013: Day 1 Recap

In true Rookie fashion, all of the amazingly dressed readers came out and enjoyed some fun under our UO Backlot Sesh tent. With amazing performances by
Mount Moriah, Icky Blossoms, Nu Sensae, White Lung, and the incredibly sweet ladies of Icona Pop, we kicked off our week with a bang and a lot of flower crowns. Now it's day two and we're just going to keep the fun times a-comin'!

From Austin

03/14/13 01:30PM

UO Backlot Sesh 2013: Day 1 Street Style

Yesterday's looks were out of control awesome, but what else would you expect from a DIY craft fest presented by the always stylish crew from Rookie Mag?! Here's some of our favorite looks of the day. We'd like to post them all, but I don't think a post can hold 200+ photos...-Ally

From Austin

03/13/13 11:07AM

UO Backlot Sesh 2013: Wednesday, March 13

RISE AND SHINE YOU LITTLE SOUTH BY SPRING BREAKERS! That's right, it's 9AM and I'm writing to you from Austin, Texas after a wild night of petty-cabs, flaming shots and lots of music. Not pointing any fingers, we're all over 21, amirite? JK. We mostly chugged Red Bulls so major shout out to them for keeping us awake until four.

So, today is day one of our UO Backlot Sesh, which will be kicked off by a pizza party and some cutesy DIY crafts hosted by Rookie Mag and a few of their contributors! After we stuff our faces, adorn ourselves in flower crowns and try to bring out the Rookie in all of us, we'll have a day filled with killer music and the hot sun of this weird town. Come grab some free music and free beer! Beer is 21+ obvs, but the shows are all ages.

The back doors open at 1PM (NOTE: NOT 12! Oopsies. Or you could just, like, help us set up if you're antsy?) with artists Mount Moriah, Icky Blossoms, Nu Sensae, White Lung and Icona Pop (plz no Hannah-inspired ideas, y'all). There's going to be a lot of chicks but that's even more of an excuse for you cute boiz to come check out the bands. See you babes there, and don't forget to pick up one of the totes below on your way out the door! ;) -Ally

PS- If you're not in Austin, but in LA, you can still get some Rookie love at the Hattie Stewart pop-up shop at Space 15 Twenty, where Rookie t-shirts are exclusively on sale.

03/05/13 09:01AM

Stitch Culture

Seriously, Etsy is the best website ever. Stitch Culture is a shop that has little hoops hand-embroidered with all your favorite pop culture sayings, so all those "LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE" hoops from 1979 can suck it.—Katie

From Boston

02/27/13 01:28PM

3D Wiener Doodles

Whoa! It's about to get really hard to mindlessly doodle during a boring class or meeting, because with the 3Doodler, your wiener drawings are going to literally burst off the page. But everybody will be so fascinated by your cool gizmo that even your teachers won't care that you haven't been paying attention.

Seriously though, this could be a game changer for artists. People have been calling 3D printing the most significant technological advancement of our time, but it's still something that regular people are confused by, and the pen could be an affordable and fun introduction to the possibilities of the field. The Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its funding goal by more than a million dollars, so it shouldn't be too long before you'll be able to get your hands on one and finally give your cat comics the life they deserve. -Angelo

02/21/13 04:12PM

Black Oak Vintage

One of my favorite Etsy shops is Black Oak Vintage. Run by the amazing Christine, it has an incredible assortment of carefully curated vintage items. She's constantly getting new things, so make sure you keep checking back!—Katie

From Boston

02/06/13 10:26AM

Little Pancakes Jewelry

This necklace from the Little Pancakes Etsy sooo cool. SO. COOL. "Treat yo'self" is probably the most important phrase coined in the 21st century.—Katie

02/05/13 03:33PM

DIY: Valentine's Day Flower Crown

Stop, smell the roses, then use them in this step-by-step guide to making the perfect Valentine's Day flower crown!

What you'll need:

-Fake flowers (white, pink, and red roses)

-Flat wire (1/2 centimter)

-Thin wire

-Wire cutters

-Scissors

-Stapler

-Krazy Glue

-Rhinestones (stick on or not)

-Double sided Glue Dots

-Heart Stickers

-Glitter Hairspray

Step 1: Pull apart all of the fake flowers, until you're left with two petals that are attached in the middle [Picture 2]. Toss the leftover leaves. Keep the hard, white, bell-shaped flowers.

Step 2: Wrap wire around your head until you find the perfect fit. Add two inches to the wire for extra space, and cut it with the scissors. Make a circular loop or twist at one end of the wire so the flowers won't fall off of the wire.

Step 3: Tie the double petals and bell flowers-shaped flowers in a bow. Next, slide the wire through the hole. Push the flower to the end of the wire where it has been looped, so that way the petal bows will not be able to fall off. Alternate between the white and pink flower bows until the whole wire is filled, adding in the bell-shaped flowers every so often (between ever 10 or so flowers). When the wire is filled, add the same loop or twist at the end so that the flowers can't slide off.

Step 4: Spray the flowers with glitter hair spray—go glitter crazy!

Step 5: Add the roses! Using the Glue Dots and Krazy Glue, push the roses in-between the flowers. Use stapler if needed to hold roses in place.

Step 6: Using the Glue Dots, stick the rhinestones onto the flowers petals, spreading them evenly throughout the flowers.

Step 7: Stick heart stickers throughout the flowers, using Glue Dots to hold them in place if necessary.

Step 8: Using the wire cutters, cut a piece of the thin wire (about 6-8 inches worth, depending on how you want it to fit). Slide the wire through the loops made with the thick wire, and use the thin wire to make the now-completed flower crown fit snug on your head by twisting or bending the thin wire to make it tighter or looser.

*make sure to close all wire ends so nothing pokes out!

Step 8: Put it on and have some fun!

(via Notcot)

12/19/12 12:55PM

Shirts and Destroy 3D Skull

Skull things are awesome, and this 3D, plywood skull by designer Begley is especially awesome. The assembly-required skull has a limited edition run of 100 pieces, so you better get to ordering. Perfect for all the morticians in your life!—Katie

12/12/12 02:18PM

Bun B's Jumbo Coloring and Rap Activity Tumblr

Until their book comes out in Fall 2013, Bun B and Shea Serrano's Jumbo Coloring and Rap Activity Tumblr will keep us plenty occupied. There's no doubt we'll have fun making Curren$y paper airplanes, doing MC Serch word searches, and giving our man Drizzy some eyebrows! Check out their Twitter to see some of the activities completed and try to resist doing some on your own. -Ally

From New York

12/12/12 01:29PM

Upstate Holiday Goods

Upstate has produced some special things for this holiday season, including a sharp necktie in a 2" width and several caps in collaboration with FairEnds. The caps are dyed with indigo, but Upstate can do the ties in custom colors upon request—the perfect option for a personalized gift.—Bob

11/30/12 09:12AM

Unicorn Parade

Do yourself a favor and check out the Etsy shop Unicorn Parade. Tanie, the owner of the shop, makes custom glitter banners, and she makes 'em good. She's like a wizard, but instead of a wand she has an exacto knife. I can't wait to order a dozen of these and drape them from every available surface in my apartment. I mean, shit, she can do ombre glitter. I'm sold. -Katie

From New York

11/14/12 10:53AM

Renegade Craft Fair: Brooklyn

The Renegade Craft Fair has been occurring in cities across the States, and in London, for quite a few years now with the first market taking place in Chicago in 2003. This weekend the craft fair comes to Brooklyn for the very first time at the East River State Park located at the Williamsburg waterfront. Come out and support indie craftspeople, take a workshop, or just grab a snack. More info on the event here. -Bob

From New York

11/13/12 11:34AM

A Steady Hand

In the age of digital everything, it's nice to see something so often overlooked like hand painted signs, which are praised in the book Sign Painters by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon out now from the Princeton Architectural Press. With a foreward by Ed Ruscha you just know that the contents of this book are going to be great. If you don't believe me, go on and check out the preview here. -Bob

10/15/12 01:32PM

Norman Porter at AITA

Local Philadelphia based denim company Norman Porter will be holding an exhibiton at Art In The Age showcasing techniques they employ to make their rugged denim as well as show off some of their finely worn specimen. Come by for the opening November 2nd at 6 pm and check it out, attendance of denim nerds is mandatory . -Bob

10/04/12 09:28AM

Holy Room's How to Make Soap

Watch this short tutorial shot at the Holy Room by Majorana and Holy Mustache on how to create your very own soap! Now just imagine all of the possibilities. Making soap in chemistry class was never this fun (or cute). -Ally

10/03/12 10:14AM

Halloween Party Invitation Ouija Board

Create your own ouija board inspired Halloween party invitations with these personalized printable DIY cards by Stellar Stationary. Ouija not your style? Look through their other options for a unique and easy way to throw your monster mash. -Ally

09/28/12 10:03AM

A Day In The Life: Cainnon

Meet Cainnon, one of our Atlanta store Display Artists, who over the next two weeks will be giving us an inside look into the daily life of being a display artist at a store opening. Get ready Fort Worth, we're coming for you!

Hey, y'all! My name is Cainnon and I live in Atlanta, GA with my wife Kiki, our four cats (Ghost, #2, Harry D, & Twiggy) and our two chickens (Purdy & #3). I have been with Urban since 2007 and I am currently a Display Artist at their Atlanta store.

My background is in photography, faux painting, and sculpture. I always wanted a job that would allow me to design freely and construct my ideas with my own hands. Plus, I get to listen to slow jamz like Lenny Williams, Al Green and the Isley Brothers in my workshop.

The best thing about my job is traveling to new places and seeing old faces. I’ve met some of my best friends through the company. I love the culture of Urban and the DIY attitude that we get to approach our day to day projects with. I especially like when things don’t go as planned and shit gets weird.

Outside of work, I love to be outdoors. Rock climbing, hiking, camping, waterfall jumping, tree chopping, woodworking, knife sharpening, gun shooting, grilling, gardening, antiquing, fire pitting, tiki bar lounging and some occasional dancing are what my weekends are like.

I look forward to sharing my adventures of the Fort Worth store opening with y'all! Follow me on Instagram for more updates @Cainnon.

From Los Angeles

09/19/12 09:25AM