DIY Bag lady

Plastic grocery bags are sort of like a virus that never goes away. I take a bajillion to the Wal-Mart to recycle them and — bloop! — next thing I know my bag drawer is stuffed full of them again.

The most recent issue of CRAFT magazine has the dandiest way to recycle plastic bags by fusing them together to make a super material. Here’s how to make the clutch pictured here.

What you need

- Plastic bags (I used about seven of different gauges).

- Parchment paper

- An iron

What to do

- Cut your first plastic bag so that it’s a flat sheet. Layer another bag on top, cut the same way. I used a thick For Love 21 bag for the bottom piece. Sandwich your bags between parchment paper. I set my iron to “cotton.” (Some people might find this too high, but it shrunk the plastic pieces down quickly and fused them permanently. Play around with it to find your favorite setting.) Iron over the parchment paper, fusing the plastic.

- Repeat this several times, until your material is nice and thick. Cut off any rough edges, and then fold your material into thirds. Again using your iron and parchment paper, fuse both sides, forming a seam. Fold your upper flap down, creating the front of the bag. To secure the flap, I glued on some Velcro and topped it with a cheap-o broach for some added flash.

What are you wearing?

I saw Jamila Winstead at a Halloween party and knew I wanted her for “What are you wearing?” This lovely creature was dressed as a Julie Newmar-esque Catwoman, and although her personality is a lot more outgoing than your average cat’s, she is definitely feline in her moves.

Winstead is the mother of two boys; she’s majoring in exercise medicine at IUPUI. No wonder her style philosophy is simple and movement-oriented. “Wear shoes you can run in,” she says.

Winstead’s style is also influenced by her carefree youth, a large part of which was spent in Luxembourg. “They weren’t hung up on a lot of things,” she says.

Winstead, who wears streamlined but multi-faceted look, calls herself “a layerer, especially in the winter.” She’s wearing:

- Two hats (“My bottom hat, it’s not very fancy”).

- Forever 21 coat.

- Target scarf (“I love scarves. I will wear them anywhere.”)

- A turtleneck over a lacy camisole, both in black.

- Leggings, two pairs. “The tighter the clothing, the less heat I lose.”

- Thigh-high socks.

- Minnetonka moccasin boots.

Magic three

Regardless of your political bent, we’re coming up on a historical inauguration. I can’t make it to D.C., but I lived there in 2001 when George W. was inaugurated, and I saw plenty of people running around in floor-length fur coats and cowboy boots. Let’s try a little more style this time around, hmmm?

1. Hail to the chief

Throwing an inauguration party of your own? Red, white and blue is a nice start but partycheap.com has Obama-specific decorations including paper Obama cutouts ($2.52), paper masks ($4.50) and an Obama presidential banner ($55). If your guests are tempted to put down their drinks on your expensive end tables, set out Obama coasters from victorystore.com ($5 for one, with specials for purchasing more).

2. Presidential toast

You need some liberal libations? Jones Soda is selling a citrus-infused cola, “Orange you glad for change?,” available through the company’s Web site, www.myjones.com (a non-Joe Sixpack will run you $14.99).

If your platform includes booze, try this cocktail:

Three-O-Bama

- 1 ounce Three-O Grape Vodka

- 1 ounce Blue Curacao

- 4 ounces Red Bull

Mix ingredients with ice

Garnish with a cherry, and set on an Obama coaster (see above item).

3. One cool cookie

Clare Welage of The Whimsical Whisk in Indianapolis created these Barack Obama cookies (which start at $4 each). You provide the photo, as well as permission from the source to use it. The photos pictured here are available through The Star, (317) 444-4000. Contact The Whimsical Whisk at www.whimsicalwhisk.com