Takedown-Inspired Outfit

I recently reviewed Takedown by Allison van Diepen--a book that I was so excited to see published since my students (and I) love van Diepen's urban-themed books.  Takedown was excellent, and I have to admit that the brass knuckles on the cover had me feeling pretty tough!  I was excited to design an outfit based off the characters in this book, because I am definitely the OPPOSITE of gangster and this gave me a chance to play around!

So here it is:

Don't mess with me, yo.

So here's the breakdown of the look:

• I knew I wanted a quote t-shirt, and this one had the perfect amount of "urban" without being too much.  It's a little tough, right?
• You gotta have high tops if you're going for a gangster look.  The book mentions shiny shoes, and I thought these added a nice feminine touch with the aqua stripes.
• I paired the high tops with skinny cuffed jeans.  I know, I probably should've added saggy jeans, but this is a girl's look, after all.
• A leather jacket to accent the shoes and add a touch of "tough girl."
• I didn't want to over-accessorize with a giant $ necklace (although the book mentions them!), but I thought a star was something a girl would wear.  A bright spot of bling.

So what do you think?  Does it pull off a "gangster" look?  Would YOU be bold enough to try it?

I can't wait to show you how I've been styling my bedroom--we have the coolest accent wall above our master bedroom.  That post will come this week and then I'll share about some fun posts coming up!  See you back here soon!

Shirt--Monki Katy

Jeans--Frame Denim

Jacket--Diana New

Shoes--Adidas

Necklace--Isabella via Overstock

*I am not associated with any of the companies/products mentioned.  All opinions are my own.

REVIEW--Takedown

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Today's review is on a book I've been dying to read--Takedown by Allison van Diepen.  I can not keep van Diepen's books on my library shelf--especially Snitch and Street Pharm.  Guys and girls love her books, and I have to admit that I'm a fan, too!  She mostly writes "urban" fiction, or gang-related books.  And even though that is a totally different lifestyle than I'm used to, I get hooked in her stories!

Her latest, Takedown, follows her urban theme...I mean, check out this cover:

Pretty rough, right?  Very different than the girls-in-dresses covers that I usually read!

• Standalone novel
• Urban/realistic fiction

The Gist:

Darren sells drugs on the street for Diamond Tony, the infamous leader of the drug ring.  But after he takes the fall for Diamond Tony and serves two years in juvie, he wants revenge.  So he teams up with the police as an undercover informant.  But this is very risky--so risky that Diamond Tony would kill Darren on the spot if he knew.  And before Darren knows it, the violence and fear is out of control.

What I Loved:

• This was just liked van Diepen's other books--page-turner, action-packed, adventurous.  I was totally involved in the book from the first chapter.
• I loved the characters, especially Darren, Jessica, and Darren's little brother.  There was really a family unit among so many of the characters, even those who weren't really family.
• I really love the cover--I'll be honest.  It's tough but still kind of pretty.
• Darren writes music and shares his lyrics every few chapters or so.  And I really loved the lyrics!  A great added feature of the book.

What I Didn't Love:

• Darren kept using the word "knapsack."  Really?  I think he'd say "backpack" or just "bag."  "Knapsack" sounds so dated.
• The ending was very fast...in fact, the book built up SO MUCH for the ending, and it was too quick.  I wanted it a little more drawn out.  

My favorite quote:
"Outside the brick wall
A canister is hid
Put there by a friend
Then a lighter is lit
The flames spread like fear
The flames burn like tears
The walls of juvie burn
The flames of wasted years.
White Chris sits on a hill
Watches the fiery sight
'Merry Chris-mas to all
And to all a good night.'"

Four stars for me--a great read! 

Be back tomorrow with a Darren-inspired outfit.  See you then!