DIY spiked shorts

I think I've mentioned just how overwhelming black is in my closet (and I'm fine with it). I really am ready to admit that I'm fashion-conscious - had I been born a boy, I'm sure I'd be a total metal-head, outfit-wise: all black and a few band T-shirts.
As it is, there are a few non-black pieces in my closet, and especially in cases of 'bottom wear' I'm really picky about it. I've had a pair of high-waisted denim shorts which my mother bought me about 4(!) years ago. I've never worn them, because they are plain and boring (and not black). But since a year high waist is in, and unlike many such shorts I've tried in shops they actually fit me around the waist as well.
So how can one improve those boring, plain shorts? Well, here's a (really simple) way.

Spicing up plain black clothes

I guess black head-to-toe is my go-to outfit, just as jeans-and-a-tee is for most people. When I'm in a hurry, or just simply not inspired in the least to put together a decent outfit (this doesn't happen that often, but it does) I pull on my black jeans (I don't have trousers in any other colour) and put on a black T-shirt. Usually by noon I regret I didn't put more thought into my outfit, but if even my black garments were more varied, perhaps it would never turn out boring. (And no hurry should prevent you from accessorizing.)
So here are three small DIYs (and an extra) which I did recently.

7 Seeds

I've never written one, but this is going to be a manga review, and what's more, it's an unfinished series - but it's so amazing I really can't help but write about it. It is a survival-themed josei manga in a post-apocalyptic setting, with a driving plotline and careful, thorough character-building, written and illustrated by Tamura Yumi.
This was the first time I thought a manga would be similarly engaging in a novel format, but this definitely would be, not because the art is awful, far from it, but because it has been ingeniously written, it's incredibly gripping and the characters definitely grow on you more and more - and I think this says a lot.

Sonata Arctica: Stones Grow Her Name

I wanted to write a nice long review about this album, but turns out I really don't have time for it - there's an anime convention in two weeks time, and I want to make some great polymer clay stuff to sell, all the while having to study for my exams. So just a short summary.