Friday Find--Steve Madden

Here's a super fun Friday fashion find (whew, that was quite the alliteration!)!!  I loooove Steve Madden shoes...they're so chic and comfortable.  So I was really excited to see these Steve Madden Petra sandals on sale for $24.94!  They're originally $99.00, friends!  What a discount!

These shoes are beautiful--they're great to wear with skinny jeans, dresses, skirts--it's endless.  And what better way to forget the snow day blues than with some shoes fit for Spring?

These are from DSW and are going fast!  

What's YOUR Friday find?

*I am not associated with DSW or Steve Madden.

REVIEW--The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Valentine's Day is so close...just a few weeks away!  Are you planning on celebrating with someone special, family, or friends?  Well why not add a lovey-dovey book to your reading list?  Today's review is on The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith.  A sweet little romance that will only take you a few hours to read and will give you the satisfactory feeling of falling in love.  Let's get to it!

Isn't the cover adorable?

• Standalone novel
• Romance

The Gist:
Hadley is ticked off at her father.  He went to London to teach for a semester at a university, but while there he fell in love with London AND another woman.  So he's divorced Hadley's mom and is now getting married to Charlotte.  Hadley, unfortunately, is being forced to attend his wedding.  If that doesn't make her grumpy enough, she misses her flight by 4 minutes (4!!!) and is bumped back to a later flight.  But on that later flight she sits next to Oliver, a London boy (with a British accent!) who is able to distract her from her frustration with her father and her fear of flying.  But can you really fall in love with someone at first sight?  And how do you find them once you get separated? 

What I Loved:

• Jennifer E. Smith's writing style was so beautiful in this book.  So engaging, and the prose was just lovely!
• I loved the time frame of this book--it takes place within 24 hours only.  Most books take place in days, weeks, months, and even years, so this was an interesting twist.
• The book was very clean, sweetly romantic, and quick to read.
• It also evoked a lot of emotion from me--I was in love, then sad, and often annoyed. 

What I Didn't Love:

• Ok, let's be honest.  If two teens fell in love on a plane, they would get each other's phone number, become Facebook friends, follow each other on Twitter, or at least learn each other's last name.  Hadley and Oliver didn't do any of these things, which makes for a better story, but a more unbelievable story.
• Hadley's dad goes from being awful to great a little too quickly for me.

My favorite quote:  "That's why flying's so great," he said.  "You're stuck where you are.  You've got no choice in the matter."

A cute, sweet read for Valentine's Day...I give it four heels!

Check back for an outfit based off of Hadley's bridesmaid dress!  See you soon!

 

Bomb-Inspired Outfit

Last week I reviewed a nonfiction (gasp!) book by Steve Sheinkin--it's called Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon and is all about the building of the atomic bomb.  So that means it was set during WWII.  So of course I had to design an outfit today for that time period.  And here's what I created:

I like to imagine that my grandmothers wore outfits like these in the 40s!

Here's the breakdown:

• The plaid pencil skirt was a staple in the 1940s.  I kept the pattern simple here--navy with tan and gray lines.  
• To lighten the look, I added a peach ruffled blouse.  Going sleeveless was probably a little risky for the 40s, but this is an interpretation, right?
• Blue pumps.  You always saw ladies in pumps, and this color nicely complements the clothes.
• A pearl bracelet to keep the outfit soft and sweet.
• A boater hat...I love the hats of this time period! A fun way to add some pizzazz to the outfit!

So what do you think?  Does this show off the ladies of the 40s?

I'll be back tomorrow with a new book review!  See you then!

Skirt--House of Fraser
Blouse--Modcloth.com
Shoes--Aldo
Bracelet--Bloomingdales
Hat--6pm.com

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned.

REVIEW--Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Hello, friends!

Snow, sickness--we're all feeling ready for Spring!  But sometimes that's the best time to read a book, right?!  

Today's book review is on Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin.  This book is totally out of my comfort zone in that it's nonfiction.  And I just rarely read nonfiction (unless it's a biography).  But I had heard great things about this book AND I wanted to read more about the key "players" involved in building the atomic bomb.  So let's get right to it:

• Standalone book
• Nonfiction

The Gist:
This book starts with a German chemist's discovery that uranium atoms can split at two.  This discovery led to a scientific race to build an atomic bomb and control power in WWII.  The U.S., the Soviet Union, and Germany were in a literal race, knowing that whoever built the bomb first would win the war.  The Soviets sent spies to the U.S., Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Einstein sent a letter to FDR, and secrets were everywhere.  

What I Loved:

• I literally had no idea how many people were involved in building (or stealing plans for building) the atomic bomb.  This book was very well-researched--the best word to describe it is thorough.     
• The format of the book.  There were photos at the beginning of each section that showed key players, settings, situations; this added a lot to the reading of the book.
• I love narrative nonfiction because it doesn't read like a textbook.  I appreciated that this book so often read like a story.
• The ending was haunting--as it should be!  We're definitely not free from atomic bombs, and the book made them perfectly clear.
• There were so many perspectives and characters that it was very interesting to see the various points of view.  I especially enjoyed reading about the man who flew the plane that bombed Hiroshima; I'd always wondered about his opinion of the event.

What I Didn't Love:

• Although I loved all the points of view, there were SO MANY people involved that sometimes it was overwhelming.  It was hard to keep everyone straight (at least to the novice of me).
• I was told that this book read like a high intense spy novel, so I expected I read that I couldn't put down.  But even though it is nonfiction, it wasn't a thriller for me.  It was me reading history--enjoyable, but not edge-of-my-seat. 

My favorite quote: "It's a story with no end in sight.  And, like it or not, you're in it."  (The last lines of the book)

So an enjoyable read for those interested in history or those wanting more knowledge of the atomic bomb.  I give it three high heels.  Now let's just hope that everyone keeps their bombs inactive...right?

I'll be back soon with an outfit inspired by WWII, since that's the time period of this book.  See you then!

When the Spy Needs to Stay in Shape...

Hi, friends!

Well, the snow has returned to Indiana...sigh.  I'm sending my best thoughts to the groundhog that he doesn't see his shadow in a few weeks.  We're ready for spring!!!!

But onward we go!  In my last post I reviewed Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz, the 9th book in the oh-so-loved Alex Rider series.  This series is so exciting--full of suspense, thrills, and even anxiety--and I cannot recommend it enough (especially to your reluctant guy readers!).  I've designed a spy-like outfit before, so today I decided to focus more on a "get fit" look.  After all, Alex Rider has to be in good shape if he has any chance of getting away from the crazy villains in this series.  So here's today's look:

A cute look for staying fit...or for going on a mission!

• I love the pairing of the long, tight-fitting shirt with the slim workout pants.  Allows for easy movement while giving maximum effort (baggy shirts won't be getting in the way here).  I think a hot pink color is a perfect spy workout color--it's bold, in your face, and confident.
• Aren't these shoes AWESOME?!  I love the bold neon yellow color with the pink detailing.
• Sunglasses, of course, are just a necessity for a spy.  These are pretty stylish with the animal print.
• The hot pink watch is perfect for workouts and keeps the outfit girly.  Love.

So what do you think?  Would you work out in an outfit like this?

I'll be back Thursday with another book review--keep reading and stay fashionable!

Long-sleeve zip-up shirt--Under Armour

Pants--Under Armour

Running Shoes--Under Armour

Sunglasses--Under Armour

Watch--Soleus (Amazon)

*I am not associated with any of the companies or products mentioned.

REVIEW--Scorpia Rising

Happy Friday, everyone!

I'm very excited about today's review--I LOVE the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz.  I never thought I would be so engaged in a James Bond-like series, but I was hooked from the first book.  I just finished the ninth (yes, ninth!) book in the original series.  Recently Horowitz released the first in a companion series and I am so stoked to read it!

So this review is over Scorpia Rising.  Let's jump right in!

 

• Ninth book in the Alex Rider series (You need to read the first eight books--you'll love them!)
• Adventure

The Gist:
Once again, Alex Rider is trying to move on with his life after barely surviving the last mission for MI-6.  He's back at his school with his good friends and is still living with Jack, his "nanny/housekeeper."  But Scorpia, the organization filled with the world's worst villains, has a new client--Ariston Xenopolos, a billionaire who wants the Elgin marbles returned to Greece (from England).  Scorpia's project manager, Razim, schemes to use Alex as blackmail  for this task.  Which means Alex soon finds himself in the Middle East, in the most dangerous mission yet.

What I Loved:

• Everything that I loved in the previous eight books are back in this one--adventure, intensity, villains, thrills.  Just loved it!
• This book brought back Julius Grief, a character from an early book in the series.  I hadn't been satisfied with his ending, so I was glad that he came back in this one (even though he is evil).
• Jack's story.  I was always afraid that I would get to the end of the series and she would be revealed as a secret agent.  I'm glad that she wasn't and that she was vulnerable.  Alex can't escape every mission unscathed, and even though Jack came to an unfortunate end, it made the story more realistic. And by the way, I totally would have done exactly what she did.
• The ending.  Alex's story ends just the way it should.

What I Didn't Love:

• The secrets revealed about Smithers.  Smithers is one of my favorite characters, and I love his big, flabby body.  The surprise you learn about him made me roll my eyes.  I just want him to be big, lovable Smithers.
• MI-6 made a lot of rookie mistakes in this book, especially in having meetings with Alex and Jack.  I expected more from them. 

My favorite quote: "Rooms tell a lot about the people who occupy them.  Blunt had made sure that this room said nothing at all."

A really fun read!  I HIGHLY recommend you read this series--you will LOVE them!

Check back tomorrow for a spy-inspired outfit.  See you then!

Modcloth Uniquely You Style Competition--Check It Out!

Happy Thursday, readers and fashionistas!  I was recently contacted by a Modstylist from Modcloth.com (her job sounds so cool--she basically stays up on trends and helps people create outfits for any occasion!) and asked if I would participate in Modcloth's Uniquely You campaign.  I thought it sounded super-fun, so I jumped at the chance to participate!

In the Uniquely You campaign, fashion bloggers are sent images of Modcloth accessories or articles of clothing; then we get to create a collage with up to 7 other Modcloth products and feature them on our Polyvore pages.  Modcloth will pick their favorite ensemble, and that winning blogger will have their collage featured on the Modcloth Polyvore page.  How fun!  I can't wait to see everyone's entries!  

For this week's contest, I was sent the image of the In the Key of Chic Dress in Polka Dots.  You guys, this dress is so adorable!  It is whimsical and cheery and I immediately knew exactly how I wanted to style it!  So here is my style entry:

 

Isn't it just darling?!  Check out the full link here!

Cardigan      Heels      Clutch      Earrings      Necklace

Here's the breakdown of the outfit:

•  Like I said, the dress is called "In the Key of Chic (polka dots)."  I can definitely see this outfit at a baby shower, a graduation, or any spring occasion!  It's light, full of color, and just plain fun!  I knew I wanted this dress to be the focal point of the outfit, so all of the other pieces needed to fit around it. 
• Because the dress is so colorful, I wanted the accessories to highlight it, not surpass it.  So I chose honey and royal blue--they complement each other well and bring out the colors of the dress.
• The honey cardigan keeps the dress casually formal (yes, you can be casual AND formal!).  If the cardigan is tucked into the royal blue belt, a woman's waist is defined and shown off!
• Aren't these blue heels ADORABLE?!  These definitely keep the outfit fun and flirty--I love them!
• Some simple honey and blue accessories--blue stud earrings and a yellow clutch.  Again, they go with the color theme and keep it whimsical.
• I added a red bow necklace; even though this accessory is small, it does so much!  It draws out the red in the dress, keeps the outfit from being too "matchy," and stays fun.

So what do you think?  Leave a comment below to tell me what you think!  And don't forget to check out Modcloth.com--their clothing and accessories are so adorable!

*I was contacted by Modcloth to enter their Uniquely You contest.  I am not being compensated for this post and have no other connection to Modcloth.  This is simply my design and my opinions!

 I'll be back tomorrow with another book review--see you then!

Aristotle and Dante...-Inspired Outfit

Happy Wednesday, friends!  

Today was a surprise for me--my boys' babysitter was sick, so I only worked a half-day and stayed home with the kiddos...which is definitely why this post is getting up so late (those boys are so cute that I give them all my attention!).

On Monday I reviewed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a beautifully-told story of two guys trying to discover their real identities (and yes, all the other secrets of the universe, too!).  Today's outfit is based off of Ari, the protagonist.

There are two traits of Ari that really drove this outfit design for me--first, he always wears an old rock n' roll shirt and scuffed clothes (much to his mother's chagrin), and second, he has started taking Dante's advice by reading some classic literature.  So with those two in mind, here's what I designed:

So let's discuss it, shall we?

• So I chose a classic rock n' roll shirt, of course.  I love the typography on this one and it looks a lot nicer than the old threadbare one that Ari struts in.  A bold shirt that could easily be worn under a long-sleeved button-up shirt for a dressier-yet-comfy look.
• Some scuffy-ish jeans (yes, I just used the term "scuffy-ish!") to play off the t-shirt.
• Some white converse shoes.  Dante could care less about shoes but Ari stuck to the standards of wearing shoes.  Converse just have that classic cool and relaxed look.
• I found this great rubber bracelet with "Of Mice & Men" typed on it.  I wanted something literature-related, and this was a cool way of incorporating it.

So what do you think?  Do you see the inspiration?

Tomorrow I'll be back with a very fun post--I'm entering a fashion contest!  Come and comment on my design, would ya?

T-shirt--Amplified

Jeans--Snake & Dagger Rock Viper 20 Years jeans in vintage look

Shoes--Converse

Bracelet--Hot Topic

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned.

Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Happy Monday!

The snow is melting in Indiana and we're starting to get back to normal.  It's nice to be back on a schedule!

Today's review is on Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz.  I had heard so many people talk about this book and how it was beautifully written, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  So let's jump right in!

 

• Standalone novel
• Realistic fiction

The Gist:

In El Paso, TX, fifteen-year-old Ari and Dante are growing up and discovering themselves--and then they find each other in the process.  They're in transition from being boys to men, and they're looking to discover themselves in the "secrets of the universe."  Ari struggles to learn about his brother Bernardo (who is in prison), his father's connection to Vietnam, and his first attempts at driving.  A story of discovery and growth.

What I Loved:

• This was definitely beautifully written.  I felt invested in the characters and engrossed in the imagery.
• I liked the set-up of the book; there weren't regular chapter breaks but had chapters within larger sections.  An interesting grouping that really added to the story.
• There were some profound moments in the book that didn't seem pretentious or over-the-top.
• There were only a few characters in the book, which really give you a good look at them.  And the parents were great characters--not weak as we so often see in YA lit.

What I Didn't Love:

• This book is tough to sell to my students--a book about boys discovering themselves?  It's just not fast-paced enough for students to jump for it. 

My favorite quote: "I wondered what that was like, to hold someone's hand.  I bet you could sometimes find all of the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand."

An enjoyable read--not super fast-paced, but it kept me feeling invested.

 

 I'll be back on Wednesday with an inspired outfit for the guys!  See you then!

Book Review: Allegiant

There has been so much buzz about Allegiant, the third book in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, since it was released last fall.  That's because the ending is surprising--I mean, REALLY surprising--and it doesn't wrap itself in a pretty bow like we've come to expect as dystopian readers.  And after a week of faction outfits, I'm now going to tell you what I thought of this final book!

• 3rd book in the Divergent series
• Dystopian

WARNING--There are spoilers below.  Read the book if you don't want to be surprised.

The Gist:

Tobias' mother, Evelyn, and the factionless are now in control of the city.  They want to disband the factions but keep control of all the residents.  As a result, a group called Allegiant forms; their purpose is to leave the city to find/provide help and possibly start a revolution.  Tris and Tobias join the Allegiant and head for the fence.  But what they find outside the city is nothing like they expected.  

What I Loved:

• We got answers.  I've read some dystopian series that have left me with so many questions, but I felt like the questions that I had were answered in this book.  
• I couldn't predict what would happen next.  It was unexpected the whole way through (as were the earlier books in the series).  I was such an engaged reader.
• The ending--I know!  I know!  I know!  Everyone hates the ending.  But I was okay with it...I really was.  Tris couldn't be an immortal character--there had to be something that would stop the reckless life she was living.  When she initially walked into the lab (at the end of the book) and the death serum didn't affect her, I literally rolled my eyes.  I mean, come on, there has to be SOMETHING that gets to her.  And then there was.  Well played, Veronica Roth.  I've never read a book where the narrator dies, so this was very interesting for me.
• I love Christina.  And she lives, so I'm happy.
• Tobias flying down the zip line.  A great way to end.

What I Didn't Love:

• The dual point of view.  I know that it was necessary (Tobias has to continue the story for Tris), I would have rather Tris tell the whole story and then Tobias pick up for her at the end.  This is for two reasons--one, we hadn't really seen all of Tobias' flaws until this book and it changed his character for me, and two, there were times when I couldn't remember if Tris or Tobias was talking.
• So David just gets to wheel around at the end with no major consequences?  Huh?  And Evelyn's factionless soldiers don't escort Marcus out of the city when they exile him?  Weak for me.
• All of the genetically pure and genetically deficient talk--too much.  I was so over reading all the science parts (but again, I'm not an Erudite!).

My favorite quote:  "I sigh.  I may like to run, but I hate climbing stairs."

A really enjoyable read that has stirred up so much conversation (and emotion!).

I'll be back on Monday with my 100th post!  It's a new review!

Welcome to Dauntless!

Ahhh, Dauntless.  The brave and often reckless.  Definitely NOT the faction I'd choose (even though I've joined a CrossFit gym and love it!).  This the faction that Tris chooses, and we get to see her personality blossom as she shows off her adventurous side.

The Dauntless wear a lot of black and relish their tattoos; those two features inspired today's outfit.  And here it is:

Oh yes, it's so Dauntless.  Here's the breakdown:

• I definitely wanted black leather pants...they are the epitome of an edgy, dangerous personality.  You don't often see a shy person rocking these out!
• In the novels, Tris frequently comments on the tattoos that she sees people choose (and the Dauntless have many!).  So I chose a one-shoulder drape top; this shirt allows a woman to show off her awesome shoulders AND any tattoos she's had there.
• See the black flats?  The Dauntless would need flats for all the running/jumping/etc that they do.  These have really fierce spikes on them that send out that "don't mess with me" attitude.
• I wanted at least a hint of color, so I threw in some blood red nail polish.
• I envision the Dauntless wearing their hair like this--it's a low bun that allows a woman to be super active.

So what do you think?  Could you see Tris wearing something like this?!

I had SO much fun designing outfits for all the factions this week!  Tomorrow I'll let you know what I thought of Allegiant, the final book in the series.

Come to Bed red nail polish by Butter London--$15
Jane Norman one-shoulder drape top--$23
Saint Laurent leather trousers--$2890
Zara leather flats with studs--$100

*I am not associated with any of the companies or products mentioned.

Welcome to Abnegation!

Ahhh, Abnegation--the selfless.  This is the faction that I would strive to choose.  It's a tough one--they are completely selfless, choosing to forgo any semblance of pride or selfishness in order to serve others.  This is the faction that our protagonist, Tris, was born into, and she is pretty honest in describing her difficulties in fitting within the lifestyle.

As would be expected, the Abnegation residents wear gray.  This color keeps them unnoticeable in a way and definitely out of the spotlight.  So that is the color inspiration for today's look.  I chose to make this outfit an athletic look, because the Abnegation focus on working and helping rather than sitting around.  And I kept this look relatively inexpensive, since the Abnegation wouldn't spend much on their looks.  Here's the result:

Here's the breakdown:

• Of course I wanted gray as the most prominent color, so I chose a gray active long-sleeved shirt to go over a plain white tee.  These are comfortable, flexible choices that are just not in-your-face pieces.
• I wanted to add some color, though (this is, of course, an inspiration look rather than a direct representation!), so I added sky blue shorts.  the Abnegation faction always seems peaceful and calm (until the end of Divergent, but that isn't entirely their fault), and that's what light blue means to me.  And these are comfortable shorts that aren't revealing too much of a girl's body!
• These are cute tennis shoes that match the color scheme perfectly!  And Nikes are pretty universal, so I could see all members of the faction wearing the same shoe.
• Abnegation residents wouldn't wear jewelry (that shows too much pride), so I chose a simple athletic watch since it is a tool as much as a piece of jewelry.

So what do you think?  Did I pull it off?  Tomorrow is the final fashion day--I'll conquer the Dauntless look!  See you then!

Gray active shirt--Old Navy--$25
Merona T-shirt--Target--$7
Daniele Alessandrini shorts--$152
Nike Flex Experience tennis shoes--$60
Timex Ironman Triathlon sports watch--$55 (JC Penney)

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned.

Welcome to Erudite!

Ok, 2014--we need a do-over.  Although New Year's Eve was super fun and relaxing in our house, we have now been hit twice by the flu (in addition to this crazy Indiana blizzard!).  This time it's my husband--poor Luke, he is just miserable.

But enough about us--let's move on with our next faction outfit!  Today is Erudite, the highly intelligent and very proud!  The Erudite are known for wearing blue and for engrossing themselves in studies; they are the teachers, scientists, doctors, etc.  Again, a more professional look was inspired by this faction, and here's what I designed:

A professional, sleek Erudite look that I could honestly see Jeanine Matthews (Erudite representative) wear.  Here's the breakdown of the look:

• This outfit is all about this dress!  The royal blue is just stunning and I love the sleek lines in the black detailing.  This style dress--with the little ruffling around the waist--is very trendy right now but still very professional.  A perfect choice for the Erudite!  *No wonder this dress is stunning--it is a Michael Kors and retails for about $525.
• I added a black blazer just to keep the dress professional.  The Erudite wouldn't be about showing off their skin, so this extra piece would keep them trendy yet modest.  This is from House of Fraser and is about $98.
• Black pumps--a given.  This outfit just wouldn't look as sophisticated without them!  These are Balmain black suede and run about $390.
• These chandelier earrings keep the outfit young and fun.  And they're inexpensive--$22 from JC Penney.
• Some clean nails that add just a hint of color was what this look needed.  This is OPI's "Bubble Bath," a popular choice for a neutral nail.

So, how did I do?  Does it look inspired by the Erudite?

Tomorrow we move on to Abnegation--Tris' original faction that focuses on being completely selfless.  Could YOU live in the Abnegation faction?  

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned.

Welcome to Candor!

Hi, friends!  Yesterday I designed an outfit inspired by the Amity faction from the Divergent trilogy.  Today I'm moving on to Candor, the faction known for those who tell the complete, and sometimes blunt, truth.  I have a student who I jokingly tell would DEFINITELY belong in Candor--he's completely honest with me, even when it's something I don't want to hear!

The Candor faction is all about black and white--because the truth should be just that, right?  Their symbol is a weight scale, so I felt that this was pushing my outfit to be more business-like than casual.  And here's what I designed:

Totally Candor, right?!

Here's the breakdown:

• Because I wanted a business look, it seemed only obvious to go with nice black pants (J Jones New York for about $37) and a printed top.  I love this polka dot blouse with the tie in front; it's professional but fun at the same time.  This top is no joke--$435 from Avenue32.com! 
• Aren't these heels awesome?!  Again, very professional, but they add a bit of fun and surprise.  I can just see someone clicking down the Candor halls in these shoes.
• I love the size of this white watch with black lettering.  It's a bold accessory that really completes the look.  And it's only about $40 from The Buckle!
• Black hoop earrings are feminine and sweet, but again--professional.  These particular earrings are Steve Madden and retail for about $22. 

So what do you think?  Would you wear this if you were Candor?

Tomorrow we're moving on to Erudite, the smart and somewhat proud.  See you then!

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned.

Welcome to Amity!

Hi, readers and fashionistas!  Wow is it COLD in Indiana!  We are in blizzard conditions and have a few days off of school--it is FRIGID here!  Luckily we still have electricity and heat in our house, but so many Hoosiers have had to re-locate to emergency centers.  My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected!

This is an exciting week for me here at Stylish in the Stacks...because it's Allegiant week!  At the end of the week, I'll be reviewing this final book in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth...so leading up to this review, I'll be designing outfits for each of the five factions in the book.  Isn't that so fun?!  

So I thought I'd start with the faction that I would probably join--Amity.  The Amity are emotional, sympathetic, sensitive talkers.  They love nature and the camp feel.  This is totally me--I believe God blessed me with the gift of emotions (and tears!) and I love being in cabins.  

The Amity wear red and yellow, so those colors obviously inspired today's look.  Now I'm not taking it too specifically (in other words, I will also incorporate other colors), but red and yellow will be the featured colors.  So here is my Amity look:

Aagh, I think it's perfect!  Here's why:

• The shirt is the obvious focal point in the look.  It is bright yellow and features floral lace details.  Since the Amity are so nature-oriented, I knew the floral pattern was perfect.  This particular shirt is Moschino Cheap & Chic and is a whopping $383!
• The jeans were simply a casual addition to the outfit and gives it that rugged look.  These are the brand Supertrash and retail for about $165.
• Red TOMS--yes!  Very natural and philanthropic-driven.  They add the pop of red that I wanted and keep the outfit down-to-earth.  
• A few subtle additions keep the outfit girly and casual.  The brown wrap bracelet keeps the outdoorsy look (found on Zappos.com for $190) and the red headband add in a little more red (found at Nordstrom.com for $10) for the faction color scheme.

So what do you think?  I LOVE the look and would definitely wear it in the Amity faction.  How about you?  What faction would you choose?

Tomorrow we'll move on to Candor, the honest, truth-telling faction in black and white.  See you then!

*I am not associated with any companies or products mentioned above.

Three Rivers Rising-Inspired Outfit

Well, the New Year brought the flu into our house.  It's been a rough couple of days for Luke and I, but we're hopefully at the end of the flu bug...fingers crossed!

Earlier this week I reviewed Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards, a historical novel in verse based off the Johnstown, PA flooding of the late 1800s.  So that's the basis for today's outfit!  I decided to go a little rich and a little poor (since there were a variety of socioeconomic characters) and a little past and present.  And here's what I created:

I think it's super-cute!  Here's the breakdown:

• The dress is a denim shirt dress (from Target for $20).  This is such a classic piece for women because it can be dressed up or down.  It was a perfect choice for this book because it fits the low-end in terms of budget and the color obviously matches the flooding in the book.
• I love the hat--this is probably my favorite part of the look.  I wanted muted colors (lots of browns) and something that targeted the past, and this hat does just that!  I found this hat on Amazon for $37.
• The tan wedge heels keep the outfit contemporary and fit for summer.  These are Jimmy Choo and retail for $575 (wow!).
• A wrap watch keeps my brown color going throughout the outfit and adds a nice touch since the dress has 3/4-length sleeves.  This watch is $13 from Body Central.
• And finally, these Kendra Scott white pearl earrings ($52) keep the outfit super-classy and maintain the high-end budget look.

So what do you think?  Do you see the inspiration from the book?

I'll be back next week with a super fun week of outfits...you Divergent fans are going to love it!  See you then!

*I am not associated with any companies/products mentioned.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends!  May your 2014 be filled with grace (for grace is abundantly given to us), joy, excitement, and peace!

I've made a few resolutions for the year--to finish at least one Pinterest project a month, to start and maintain a regular cleaning schedule, and (of course) to READ!

So from our family to yours...Happy New Year!