Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea-Inspired Outfit

Hey, readers and fashionistas!  A few weeks ago I reviewed Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke.  It was a creepy, mysterious supernatural that I absolutely loved!  And today's outfit is inspired by Violet and her growing relationship with the strange new guy in town, River.

One thing I loved about this book was Violet and River's date nights.  They were a bit more mature than the typical date-outdoor vintage movies in the town square, picnics with bread and cheese, elaborate cooking, etc.  And even though Violet and River's relationship is skeptical at best, their dates are swoon worthy.  They even dress in vintage costumes that they find in Violet's basement--a true trip down antique lane!  So that's what I was thinking about for Violet's outfit--a vintage take on a date night outfit.  And here it is:

Doesn't it take you back a few years?!  I love this for a date night.  So let's get into the details:

• The white lace top and knee-length printed skirt have a 1940s vibe.  They are sweet and respectable pieces while obviously very feminine.
• Look at those shoes!  Adorable, and I love pairing a darker skirt with light shoes.
• The light blue belt connects with the shoes and brings together the top and skirt as one cohesive piece.
• The pearl stud earrings and thin silver watch are vintage-inspired.  Simple, elegant, and reminiscent of times gone by.

So what do you think?  Someone wearing this (especially a teenager!) gives off a more respectable air and that they care about the date.  Better than jeans and a hoodie, right?

I could see Violet wearing this as she and River go off to try a pizzeria and then read poetry in the park.  Couldn't you?

Want the specifics of this outfit?  Check them out here.

A little strong or a little sweet...Pretty Girl-13-Inspired Outfit

Well, I made it through the first week of school!  And it was probably my BEST start to a school year that I've ever had (score!).  I'm loving my students and the direction that our semester is taking.  Just feels good to be back in the swing of things!

Last week I reviewed Pretty Girl-13...not my favorite book for sure, but I knew it gave me some great outfit inspiration.  In the book, Angie has several personalities that often take over.  So I thought I'd take an article of clothing and show how to style it for two very different personalities.  The article?  A long-sleeved flannel shirt.  Fall is coming up--the perfect time for flannel.

So here's what I designed:

Isn't that flannel shirt so cute?!

So what kinds of personalities are you seeing?  Angie had one personality that was like her protector, her "strong" side, so that's the outfit on the left.  And then Angie sometimes communicated with a child-like personality, hence the soft and sweet look on the right.  Let's break them down.

To toughen up a look, add skinny jeans and a leather jacket.  The flannel softens the jacket but the whole outfit still has a stronger appeal.

To soften it, add a flare skirt with a glittery belt and pearls (fake will do!).  This really "girls" up the outfit and keeps it looking sweet and innocent.

Which one do you like better?  I could see myself wearing the outfit on the left to a hayride and the one on the right to a dinner out.

Tomorrow I'll have a new book review on a book that I just COULDN'T put down!

Flannel shirt--GAP

Jacket--Nelly.com

Jeans--House of Fraser

Skirt--NewLook

Pearls--Blue Nile

Belt--Old Navy

*I am not associated with any companies/clothing items mentioned.

45 Pounds (More or Less)-Inspired Outfit

Hey, readers and fashionistas!  Earlier this week I reviewed 45 Pounds (More or Less), which chronicled Ann's desperate attempt to lose about 45 pounds before her aunt's wedding.  I didn't want to design a how-to-lose-weight outfit since diets can be too trendy and dangerous, but I did have another fashion idea.  So this post is going to show you some ideas for showing off your best body assets (modestly!)--arms, waist, or legs.  Your clothes really do determine what body parts you're accentuating, so if you'd rather show off your legs than your arms, use a few tricks to get the focus lower.

So here we go!

Showing off your arms:

Cap sleeves!

Cap sleeves cover just to the edge of the shoulders and show off your arms all the way down.  A great option for dresses or blouses, especially if you've been working out those triceps and biceps!

Showing off your waist:

First, belts.  Whether an outfit comes with a belt or you add a brightly-colored belt to an outfit, this accessory cinches right at the waist.  If your waist is the tiniest part of your torso, you'll want a belt to show it off.  Second, peplum tops.  These are all the rage right now and flare right at the waist.  Great with jeans or a pencil skirt underneath!

Showing off your legs:

You've got all kinds of options here.  Shorts with a blazer really shows off the legs (especially if you have patterned shorts).  The longer sleeves on top attract the attention to the legs.  You'll want to stick with skinny pants/jeans since they obviously slim your look.  And nude pumps always make your legs look longer!

So remember--you don't always have to lose weight to look/feel better.  You can just dress with a few tips to accentuate your strengths.

I'm an arms/shoulder kind of girl...what about you?

*All images found via Polyvore.  I am not associated with any items/companies represented.

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone-Inspired Outfit

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone is an odd book to review during Valentine's Week, but for some reason I am often drawn to murder mysteries.  But by designing a cute outfit today, maybe I'll make up for that???

Today's outfit is based off of Amelia.  When she was found dead on the side of the road, she was wearing a sundress.  That, added to the summer setting, was the outfit's inspiration.  And here it is:

Let's break it down:

• A sundress was an obvious choice.  I love the colors in this dress--orangey/red with a blue backing.  Very summery and light.
• The orange sandals complement the dress and reinforce that this is an outfit for warm weather.
• A deep brown belt adds some shape to the dress and keeps this from being a "warm color" overload.
• The arrow earrings felt perfect for the setting--warm summer nights--and kept the outfit pretty casual (after all, Amelia Anne is walking on a road shortly before her death).
• A simple gold bracelet rounds out the outfit with an extra, girly accessory.

To me, this outfit shows a girly yet not-over-the-top side...what do you think?

Tomorrow I'll have my Friday Find--this time it's fashion-related!  See you then!

The Way I See It-Inspired Look

Happy Wednesday!  On Monday I reviewed Melissa Anderson's book, The Way I See It.  It's a biography on her time as Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.  So I decided (of course!) to design an outfit based off a good old prairie girl (but no bonnets allowed).  So here's what I designed:

 

Here's the breakdown:

• I had to go with plaid, of course!  I picked a cute plaid tunic dress that has a little bit of country flair.  The colors are deep and perfect for the end of summer/fall season.  This particular dress is $35 through shopruche.com.
• Brown boots--yes!  Very country, indeed, and these are super cute with the double buckle detail.  These are BYO Banjo Boots for $50.
• The dress didn't have much around the waist, so I added a skinny belt.  The yellow really brightens up the outfit.  I think the belt is perfect for showing off those hips!  This is from Fossil for $32.
• Dainty hoop earrings keep the outfit a little glamorous without going overboard.  These are Alexis Bitter hoops for $195.
• I love the big purse (more like a bag, really) with the double colors of black and white.  This particular one is pretty pricey, though--$2550 from Sac de Jour.

So what do you think?  Is this a contemporary interpretation for a Little House look?

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

Between Shades of Gray-Inspired Outfit

On Monday I reviewed Between Shades of Gray, one of my favorite reads ever!  So I was really excited to design an outfit based off of Lina, the main character.  When I met Ruta Sepetys last week, she asked me how I would design an outfit for this book since it was set in Siberia.  And I really didn't know.  But I love what I've come up with for Lina!  Here it is:

 

Now, I don't expect anyone to wear this outfit in Siberia, so let me explain the inspiration:

• I knew I wanted the main color of the outfit to be gray, because let's be honest--the book has a depressing premise.  Lina is not going to be in bright pink!  This dress is simple but has lace, which is very reminiscent of the past.  And this particular dress is pretty inexpensive--$50 at Target!
• The shoes (which are NOT inexpensive--they're Alexander McQueen's at almost $500!) also give the simple look.  I wanted some girly flats, and I think these show it off best.
• I wanted simple accessories with some meaning.  The charm bracelet (around $150 at Tiffany's) is sweet and girly and demonstrates Lina's love for family and art.
• And then I added some pops of green.  Why green?  Because I was an English major and learned that green is the color of hope.  And Lina has so much hope in this book--and she really has to have hope, because otherwise she would never survive.  So I added two green accessories--a belt (less than $10 at Target) and stud earrings (around $42 at Macy's).  

So what do you think?  I just love the adaptation of the book!

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

Pregnant Pause-Inspired Outfit

On Monday, I reviewed the book Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan.  In the book, Eleanor gets married in an orange dress (not necessarily the best choice for a wedding but this is an awkward marriage).  So I decided to create what I think would be fitting if I were to get married in an orange dress.  I used my own wardrobe for this design since I had all the pieces I wanted.  Here it is:

 

The image is a little blurry (sorry!) but let's just say it was an early morning when I took this photo!

So let's break it down:

• The orange dress is short and summery and very fitting for an informal wedding.  Easy to move in but still shows that you're taking the day seriously.
• I threw a cream blazer with it to formalize it a bit (the dress is sleeveless). 
•  A gold glitter belt adds some fun while accentuating the waist; even when I was pregnant I loved wearing thin belts.
• Cream flower heels are a soft, sweet touch.

Dress--Francesca's Collections

Blazer--Charlotte Russe

Belt--Charlotte Russe

Heels--DSW

*I am not associated with any of the above companies.

 

So what do you think?  Do you think someone could pull this off in a last-minute, informal, courthouse wedding?  I do!  Get it?  I do!  

Come back tomorrow to see my review of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl!

OOTD (3)--Leopard Skirt

Today's Outfit of the Day is a great look for fall if you're wanting to step it up a bit.  The colors are deep browns and blacks but the overall effect is comfortable and flowing--that's fall, right?

Here it is:

This is also a great way to incorporate leopard print into your wardrobe without it being over-the-top.  Subtle but effective.

Adding a brown/gold belt accentuates the waist and dresses up the look while gladiator sandals keeps it comfortable.  Simple accessories--bangles and stud earrings.

I wore this on a Saturday when we were traveling to visit some friends at a local university.  This was a great outfit to wear for a comfortable trip but still sent the message that I wanted to look nice.

Skirt--TJ Maxx

V Neck T-shirt--Target (I wore a cami underneath since the shirt was a little see-through)

Belt--Target

Sandals--Boutique I found on vacation

Bangle--gift

What do you think?  What's a great comfortable yet dressy look that you've designed for fall?

*I'm not being sponsored/paid by any companies mentioned.  Just an outfit I put together!