Bright light city gonna set your soul on fire? Better be dressed for the occasion. This Vegas showgirl-ish headband is so redonkulously easy I feel like I’m being redundant by explaining it — but it’s impressive nonetheless. The headdress can double as a garish feather collar. Viva Las Vegas!

What you need

- 1 headband.

- Bias tape or seam binder.

- Hackle plates. (I used hackle plates of feathers from Jo-Ann, which cost $1.99 apiece. These feathers come grouped together in little arcs and have beading applied.)

- Strong adhesive. (I used hot glue.)

How to make it

- Wrap the seam binder around the headband, applying glue where necessary to bond the items. Once the headband is covered, apply the hackle plates to the top of the headband, molding the plate as needed so the feathers stick straight up.

- Clean up any glue threads and this baby is ready to wear.

What I’m Into

In Bulgaria, there are sacred, celebratory rituals that involve dancing on hot coals. Nataliya Kitic has never tried this tradition of her homeland, but that makes sense — to walk across hot coals, she’d have to take off her shoes.

“Shoes are my favorite,” she says.

In fact, Kitic’s shoe designs won the Fashion Group International’s award for the Midwest. Kitic is now a fashion design student at the Art Institute of Indianapolis.

Kitic learned to sew when she was little. One of the pieces she’s most proud of, along with the shoe designs she’s pictured with here, is a symmetrical jacket with raglan sleeves and a pleated collar. She likes to draw her designs in the sketchbook she takes with her everywhere.

“Every moment that something hits me, I put it on the paper.”

Here’s what she’s into right now:

Geometric shapes: “Like with the top detailing. It might be simple, but the details make it more chic and wearable.”

Big necklaces: “They can be all kinds of shapes.”

Pleats: “I kind of like big pleats.”

High heels: “Stiletto heels.”

Kimono sleeves: “They’re in the forecast for 2009.”

Magic Three

Kitten prints: Even if you haven’t a touch of whimsy, local freelance illustrator Candice Hartsough McDonald’s cat illustrations will warm your heart with their sweet sensibility. McDonald, who sells through her Etsy shop, www.cordialkitten.etsy.com, creates prints as well as felt, plush stuffed animals based on her characters. Prices start at $12.

“Winterize Your Skin” beauty event: Please tell me your skin isn’t getting all scaly and yucky from the cold. OK, phew! But even if your skin is supple and lovely, you should still do yourself a favor and head to Nordstrom at the Fashion Mall Jan. 23 and 24 for the “Winterize your Skin” beauty event. This in-store event will feature skincare demos and tips, facials, makeovers, samples and special giveaways from all cosmetic and skin-care line. Interested customers can register by contacting contact Margo or Jessica at Nordstrom cosmetics, (317) 810-9809.

Burt’s Bees Radiance Serum promises a better complexion in just four weeks, and, with its ingredients of royal jelly, licorice root extract and glycerin, it wouldn’t be a reach to guess that the serum will give skin a more even tone. You can purchase the serum directly from the Burt’s Bees Web site, www.burtsbees.com; $18 gets you .45 of a fluid ounce.