This week I'm making an eyepatch for blogger, author & TV host La Carmina and showing you how-to make your own.

When Carmina got in touch to say she was going to the Maldives and would love an accessory to wear on a pirate-themed show, I knew it was the perfect chance to get creative and make something a little out of my comfort zone. Mixing the pirate-theme with steampunk and just the right about of girly glitz, I came up with this bejewelled heart-shaped light-up eyepatch.

"Cat dazzled me with her custom pirate eyepatch. Her heart-shaped, sparkly design perfectly encapsulated my Goth-meets-cute Japanese style, and the purple matches my hair. The patch fit well and felt great, thanks to the fuzzy lining underneath, which felt like my Scottish Fold cat's fur! When I put it on, I feel like I can steer the ship as Captain, through any rocky waves!"

Can you tell my readers who you are and what you do?

I'm fortunate to have a career that lets me share my passion for alternative and dark culture worldwide, through my journalism, books, blog and TV shows.

When I started La Carmina blog in 2007, blogging as a career was unheard of. I simply enjoyed blogging about Gothic clubs, Harajuku fashion and Asia pop culture.

Gradually, my site connected with an audience, leading to projects and travels I never thought possible. I wrote three books (including Cute Yummy Time and Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants), and have appeared in TV shows like Bizarre Foods, Oddities, Kawaii TV, and a promo for Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.

Everything came together into a "pirate ship," or TV fixing and hosting company that I run with “First Mate” Naomi Rubin. Some people describe us as coolhunters, since we give insight and access to underground cultures, filming TV shows in Japan and worldwide.

Today, I travel constantly for my work in travel TV presenting and journalism. I have a global video series on Huffington Post / AOL, where I explore alt culture worldwide (Prague, Miami, Hong Kong and more). You can see my television clips here ; they include The Doctors, The Today Show, Food Network.

When you were a kid - what did you want to be when you were older?

I always wanted to do something creative, but wasn't clear on the exact path to take. Before the Internet, it was much harder to break into industries like TV without inside connections. I supposed I wished for a life where I could travel and explore different creative pursuits, and I'm fortunate to be able to do this today.

What are your best and worst habits?

I can be cat-like and sleep for 14 hours straight. Not sure if that's good or bad!

How would you describe your style and who are you ultimate style icons?

My personal style is heavily inspired by Harajuku's colorful style tribes: kawaii nail art, pastel Goth, gyaru romantic dresses, big eyelashes. I don't have any specific fashion icons, but I love looking at Tokyo street style.

If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you choose and, if you could join any band which would it be?

I'd be my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow, so I can be treated like a fuzzy Pharoah all day! It might be fun to be a member of Motley Crue for one day in the late 1980s, but I'm not sure I would survive the debauchery and hairspray.

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

There's so much to love about Tokyo, from the wild street style to the underground parties. I'm a huge fan of the theme restaurants, especially Alice in Wonderland and cat cafes. You can find out more about them in my book, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants.

Do you do any crafts and what do you like to make?

I used to do more crafting, but since I travel constantly for my work these days, it's hard to find time. However, when I visit a new destination, I like to create accessories that reflect the environment. For example, in Hawaii, I decorated my hair and hats with fresh local flowers.

Where do you find inspiration?

From walking around cities, exploring underground culture, and talking to people. I'm often surprised by what strikes me in each place. I became obsessed with Art Nouveau design and architecture, for instance, after traveling to Berlin and Prague.

What would your dream day look like?

Sleeping in, eating mind-blowing sushi, and lots of snuggles with my earless, flat-faced cat!

Finally, if you could have three wishes, what would they be?

If I can't go with an infinite number of wishes, then acceptance, adventure, and a life full of smiles.

You can keep up to date with La Carmina's adventures on her blog. Who do you think I should craft for next?

This week I'm crafting a set of customized knuckle rings for rapping rockstar, Princess Superstar and teaching you the technique to make your own using any design you like!

Princess Superstar has been inspiring me since we started playing her records as students and I've been lucky enough to interview her for Snippets and have a singing lesson from her since. I was super excited to get the chance to craft for her and even more excited to see her rocking these knuckle rings on the red carpet.

"love my knuckle rings by cat "cut out and keep" morley! she rocks and so does her site. xo princess superstar"

Can you tell my readers who you are and what you do?

I am Princess Superstar and I am lucky enough to make music!

When you were a kid - what did you want to be when you were older?

I wanted to be marilyn monroe or a scientist:-)

What are your best and worst habits?

My best habits are always striving to be a better person, to be of service to others. My worst is falling short of those goals. I also can totally overeat like a crazy person!

How would you describe your style and who are you ultimate style icons?

My style is ever changing but it always has an element of street to it. I am excited about the new record- The New Evolution- because the style is going to be utopian, white flowy magical future cult-wear and part hiphop street!

If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you choose and, if you could join any band which would it be?

Go back to 1969 and be George Harrison in the Beatles.

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

NYC because that's where I live with my baby and man.

Do you do any crafts and what do you like to make?

I am terrible at crafts. But now that I have a baby we make collages with stickers and crayons and gluing on crap to paper. That's about all I can artistically achieve!

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything, you never know where it will hit. Walking in the woods, reading something on Facebook, a funny dream. It's always all around you just have to grab it.

What would your dream day look like?

Sleeping in, cuddling with my baby, drinking fresh made green veggie juice, then coffee, making some music, going to yoga or running in the park, nice dinner with my boyfriend- oh wait that is what we do almost every day (maybe minus the sleeping!) :-)

You can find out more about Princess Superstar and hear her music at her website »

This week I'm making a paper doll necklace for my favourite crochet designer, author and yucky stuff eater, Twinkie Chan and teaching you how-to make your own, featuring all your favourite accessories.

When I first came up with the idea of making a paper doll necklace, I knew I'd need to find a star with an awesome wardrobe. Twinkie Chan was the perfect candidate with her awesome line of crocheted accessories Yummy You. It's not every day that you get to dress someone up in a sushi scarf, fried egg brooch and put a blob of ice cream on their head!

"This paper doll necklace is so cute and fun and has so many possibilities for customization and personalization of your own! This would make a great gift. You could make a paper doll necklace of your friend's celeb crush! I also really loved that Cat included a "closet." What an adorable detail! Thank you so much!"

Can you tell my readers who you are and what you do?

Hi, I'm Twinkie Chan! I'm a crochet designer in San Francisco specializing in fun, unique, food-themed accessories like cupcake scarves and cheeseburger fingerless mitts. I have an Etsy shop for my handmade items as well as a licensed brand called "Yummy You! by Twinkie Chan" that I created to make my handmade designs more affordable and accessible.

When you were a kid - what did you want to be when you were older?

I actually wrote out a little timeline recently!! Mermaid (but a boy in my school told me I couldn't be one because they have BLUE blood) --> waitress (I thought their outfits were cute) --> veterinarian --> farmer (my BFF's father had inherited a farm in Iowa at the time, and we were obsessed). Then later in highschool, I wanted to go into biotech/genetic engineering, as I loved science. But in college, I wanted to be a fiction writer, since my major ended up being English with a creative writing emphasis!

What are your best and worst habits?

Best: I'm a very self-motivated worker, and I love to take on challenges! Maybe too many! Worst: I have terrible eating habits and don't exercise! I just love cookies and brownies so much!

How would you describe your style and who are you ultimate style icons?

Everyday at home, I'm honestly a real t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. But if I'm going somewhere, I'm all about bright colors, cute pastels, ruffles, peter pan collars, bows, polka dots, hearts, super girlie stuff with influences from Japanese street fashion and the girls department at Target! I don't think that age should determine what colors we are supposed to wear. As far as style icons, I'm gonna go there and say Zooey Deschanel. That's right, I said it! I think she is super cute, classic, and always looks put together with a quirky/vintage twist!

If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you choose and, if you could join any band which would it be?

For one day, I'd want to be someone with a farm, who subsists off the land! If I lived on a sheep farm, I could spin my own wool from scratch!

Can I go back in time and be a Spice Girl? Twinkie Spice?

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

In my head, I love Fiji, even though I've never been there. I love the idea of the tropics and nature and bright colors and strange creatures. But I also don't like hot climates, and I'm also very allergic to bug bites, so I think perhaps it's best that I never really go! :P At the end of the day, I just really love being at home, snuggling with my doggies!

Do you do any crafts and what do you like to make?

I love crocheting, but I would love to learn how to sew and make clothes. I also like to hand-paint on t-shirts and tote bags, make jewelry sometimes, decoupage on journals and storage containers, and generally like to glue stuff to other stuff.

Where do you find inspiration?

I just think inspiration is everywhere! I don't have one particular place. This is going to sound hippiedippie, but I think maybe inspiration is a state of your own mind, and not a place you go or something you have to find. I think you just need to be open, and you'll always see neat, beautiful things in your everyday life.

What would your dream day look like?

It would probably have to start with having more than 24 hours. I wanna eat lots of junky, yummy food with all my friends and loved ones, go to Disneyland with perfect weather, watch a drive-in movie in our pajamas, make s'mores around a fire, watch movies from the 80s in our sleeping bags, and fall asleep at sunrise in a big pile of puppies.

Finally, if you could have three wishes, what would they be?

Health and happiness for everyone. And one silly one for me: the ability to stop and start time, like Evie from "Out of This World"!

Check out Twinkie Chan's blog or pick up some of these accessories she's modelling from Yummy You!

Being invited to your first fashion week is exciting but can also be quite intimidating. When Tom and I received press passes for our first London Fashion Week in 2009, we were sure it was a mistake and that they'd realise that as soon as they clocked eyes on how unfashionably we were dressed and snatch the passes back. Eventually we realised that we had as much right to be there as anyone else and so do you! So here are my tips and tricks for surviving your first ever Fashion Week:

1. Manage your expectations

First of all, I'm going to let you in to a little secret and destroy the illusion that fashion week is nowhere near as glamorous as it seems in the movies and magazines. In reality, it's a lot of standing around, caffeine-fuelled early mornings, rejection by the bucket load, and, if you're doing it right, a lot of work. The front row seats are few and reserved for celebrities and industry experts who have worked their way to the top through years of hard work. More than likely, you'll spend your first season crammed at the back between hundreds of other bloggers and journalists, stretching to get a good view of models over a sea of cell phones and cameras. If you're lucky, you might get a spot on a bench near the back, which feels like heaven after hours of standing. But don't get disheartened, as magical things can happen if you're in the right place at the right time and we've still got the paparazzi photos and goodies bags to show from the time we were rushed forward to fill a couple of empty front row seats at the Savoy.

2. Apply for a press pass

It's best to apply for your pass well in advance, when registration first opens for your best chance of being approved. If you still haven't heard back as the week approaches, feel free to chase up the press office to check on your application. They're really busy and it's no surprise that an application might get lost in the sea of requests. You're blog will need to have the right credentials to be approved for a pass, so if you might need to get a little more creative if you're not a big enough publication yet. Get in touch with magazines, local papers and zines and offer to provide their coverage, as they often get extra passes and will appreciate a free reporter. If it's okay with the editor, you can then share the coverage on your blog and you'll have something to show the Fashion Week Press Team on next season's application. If you're not lucky enough to get a pass this season, you can still be part of the event by watching shows online and providing reports and feedback on your blog. Once you've built up a reputation as a fabulous fashion reporter, they'll come begging you to attend next season.

3. Request invitations

Sadly, securing a Press Pass doesn't guarantee entry to shows and you still need to request invitations from each of the designers individually. You should be able to find contact information for each of the press teams via the fashion week website or press room. At London Fashion Week you're provided with a mail merge files, so you can send one email to all of the press teams in one go. It's best to be polite and not too pushy when requesting an invitation. Let the publicist know why you should be invited and what coverage you'll provide in return. If it's a designer you really love, add a personal touch to let them know you're a fan, as this will make your request stand out from all the template-written applications. And finally, make sure to include any essential information like traffic stats and your address, so that they can send out your invite.

4. Plan out your schedule

With dozens of shows running at the same time, it's impossible to see everything, so it's important to prioritise the shows that you're most excited about along with the ones you have invitations for. Study a map to get an idea for where venues are located and research how long it will take to get between shows when planning what you'll attend.Shows rarely run on time and won't start until the front row celebrities take their seats, no matter how "fashionable late" they are, and it's important to arrive early to get a good place in the queue, so you'll need to schedule in extra time at either side of. Though the actual shows only last for a matter of minutes, you can expect to queue anywhere up to an hour beforehand and you might still be turned away if the show is overcapacity, even if you have an invitation.

5. Dress the part

Planning out what to wear can be one of the most daunting tasks of all but Fashion Week is far more about individual style than wearing expensive designer brands. You'll see attendees dressed in everything from the latest designer couture to old season high street brands, so don't worry about getting looked up and down if you show up in your usual attire. Professional and comfortable always works best for me and if you're crafty, it's also a great opportunity to show off something you've made and if you're lucky, a few journalists might ask for a quick photo.

Though heels might help you get a better view of the catwalk when stuck at the back of a packed room, you're going to be spending a lot of time on your feet queuing for shows and running between venues. I'd suggest packing a pair of flats for the day and you can still slip in to your killer high stilettos for the evening parties. It's also a good idea to stick an extra tote in your bag, as you'll pick up all kinds of flyers, magazines and press releases throughout the day. Don't worry about it if you're attending London Fashion Week as you'll be treated to a lovely Mulberry tote when you pick up your pass.

6. Get in to shows without an invitation

Don't give up hope if you don't receive an invitation to a show you were hoping to see. Head along to the venue early and ask the publicist in charge if there are any Standing Tickets left. They'll often have a few extra on hand or have had some cancellations earlier in the day. You'll also win brownie points by not being arrogant enough to demand a seat. If it's still a no, stick around anyway as they'll often let in a few stragglers when everyone else has taken their seats. The front row and seated tickets will be let in first, followed by standing tickets and then it's a free for all. It can get pretty pushy a this point, so make sure to hold your ground and if you get the go ahead from security, walk in quickly without hesitation and grab a good spot. Shows early in the morning, late in the evenings and during the work week tend to be less busy, so there's more chance of getting through the door, sometimes even if you don't have a press pass.

Top Tip: Though most shows will take place at the official Fashion Week show space, bigger designers will host their events at landmark venues and secret locations. Check Twitter just before the show, as attendees will often tweet their invitation and you can head along for some celeb spotting.

7. Be polite

You'll no doubt witness a lot of "don't you know who I think I am" moments at Fashion Week, so that staff and security really appreciate it when you're polite. Sadly there can be a lot of snobbery in the fashion world but there's nothing more satisfying than seeing someone who has arrogantly push in without a ticket get turned away while you patiently wait in line. You can tell who the really important people are by a gold star or special coloured sticker on their invitation.

8. Have fun and make friends

Fashion Week is a fantastic time to network and make new friends. Strike up a conversation in the Press Room or while waiting in line for a show. Complimenting an outfit or accessory is a good ice breaker with fashionistas. Be generous and give away any spare tickets for shows you can't attend. There are lots of perks during the week, like free hair cuts and makeovers that remain unadvertised, so having good relationships with people in the know is everything. If you're still standing at the end of the day, the evenings are filled with fashion parties all over the city offering free drinks, goodie bags and a glimpse of celebrities. You may need to RSVP for the more exclusive ones but keeping an eagle eye on Twitter should help to keep you in the loop.

I hope you're feeling a little more confident about attending. Have fun and don't worry, each season is a learning experience and you'll feel like right at home in in no time. Any questions? Just leave me a comment!

• These old photos of Detroit mashed-up with the modern day are so eerie.

• Lauren on CO+K made a Grumpy Cat Brooch.

• This Dad's guide for how-to do a ponytail made me giggle.

• The Sadness Of Pain Au Chocolat is so sad.

• This video of an African Bull Frog playing on an iPhone is amazing. Make sure to watch until the end!

• I wasn't sure if I agreed with these 21 Brilliant British People Problems until I read this one (which I do all the time).

• This Obama sushi is so cool.
• They've mad a real life Pixar lamp and I want one so much.
• Richard Branson's Top 10 Tips For Making Lists.

Which interesting links have you spotted?