Goodbye, Rebel Blue-Inspired Outfit

You guys!  Tomorrow I leave for YALL Fest!!!!  I just cannot wait for it!  I will be vlogging my trip, so stay tuned for next week to see all the details!

And if you can't go a few days without seeing me (haha!), check out my YouTube channel for some videos I'll be uploading.

Yesterday I reviewed Goodbye, Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell.  It was such a fun read that inspires you to think beyond the typical day-to-day busyness.

Today's outfit is inspired by the protagonist, Rebel.  She likes to push the limits and sometimes admittedly jump past those limits.  She has a hard time fitting into the established life of her family and longs to be independent. 

And that is all reflected in this outfit:

I know, I know--there's practically no blue in this outfit.  But Rebel doesn't play by the typical rules, right?

• Distressed jeans and a rock n' roll T-shirt give Rebel the edgy look.  
• The other accessories are also edgy and not straight-from-the-mold.  High top, black-toed shoes, stud bracelets, and a fringe purse all work together to make a "rebellious" outfit.

What do you think?  Would you wear an outfit like this?!

Want to see all the specifics of the outfit?  Check it all out here! 

Cubs Day

Any baseball fans out there?  Today's post is all about a baseball hat--a Cubs hat made by Fanatics, in fact.  My husband grew up a Cubs fan and we're spending part of our 10-year-anniversary trip this summer at a Cubs/Cardinals game, so today's post is inspired by that.  Since I want to look both cute for my anniversary and supportive of the home team, it's time to do some outfit planning.

Let's start with the hat I chose.  It's girly and yet casual and shows off your team spirit!  This is an easy hat to dress up (for those who don't like wearing team t-shirts) or dress down in full-on team gear.

So here's the outfit I designed to complement the hat:

Isn't it so cute?  It's perfect for a special day at the ballpark--which is exactly what I plan for my 10-year-anniversary.

• The denim dress is short (perfect for hot days) with long sleeves (perfect for afternoon breezes).
• The tan wedges take the look up a notch, dressing it up.
• A white bag stays within the Cubs' color scheme and is easy to store during a game.
• Red tassel bracelets and a Cubs bracelet are fun accessories to add some pop.
• Butter London red nail polish is a perfect addition.

So what do you think?!  Would you wear this to a Cubs game?  Do you like how the hat adds a casual touch to the look?

Atlantia-Inspired Outfit

Ahhh, I am so excited about today's outfit!  After reading Atlantia by Ally Condie, I couldn't wait to design something fit for a siren!  Atlantia is all about the setting and characters, so your senses are in total overload as you read.  I could hear the water outside Atlantia, hear Rio's Siren voice trying to break through, see the beauty of an underwater city--there was beauty just in the setup of the story!

Today's outfit is completely inspired by Rio.  She's a Siren (but trying to hide it), and with Sirens comes this insane beauty and hint of danger.  So let me show you what I designed:

Umm, I need a place to wear this dress.  Someone throw a really fancy party and invite me--fast!

Gosh, can't you just see a beautiful, dangerous Siren wearing this to a party?  Now Rio herself doesn't want to flaunt her Siren status, so I can't say she would wear this...it's just an inspiration.

• The dress--which is GORGEOUS--is completely inspired by the water, the scales of fish, and the sexiness of a Siren.  It completely draws the eye and takes all the attention--just like a Siren.
• The black tights and black heels give a sense of power, control, and danger.  Again, all Siren qualities.
• The silver clutch keeps the feminine side of the look.
• A little cheesy, but I couldn't resist throwing in this necklace.  I wanted a silver dainty necklace, and a music note was too good to pass up.  What would be a Siren without her voice?  A Siren like Rio trying to hide her voice!

So what do you think?  Do you think I got a Siren spot on?
Want to know the details of the outfit?  Find them all here!

I can't wait to show you the outfit I wore yesterday while the hubby and I played hooky!  Well, not really--we took vacation/personal time like a good adult should.  But not being at work on a Tuesday felt like playing hooky!  That will go up tomorrow!

If I Lie-Inspired Outfit

Hi, readers and fashionistas!  School is one. week. away.  Where did this summer go??!?  I have to admit, though, that I am excited to get back into the school schedule.  I have some REALLY exciting events planned for this school year and I just can't wait to get started!

Last week I reviewed the book If I Lie by Corinne Jackson--I loved Quinn's story of finding forgiveness and acceptance within her small, military-proud town.  Since Quinn is a military girlfriend for part of the book, I thought I'd design a cute outfit for girls welcoming home their soldier men.  So a little patriotic and a lot girly and cute!  Here it is:

I debated on whether to go with the bold red dress or something softer, like an olive green (military color).  But I think this color has a much more welcoming appeal.

• This sundress is cheerful and flirty.  I love that it has a young factor but could be worn by women of all ages!
• The jean jacket vest pairs nicely with the dress, both in material and color.  I like the layer that it adds without being as bulky as a full jacket.
• I love these tan wedges.  The color is understated so that the dress gets the full attention, but they're summery and sweet.
• A white watch and tan purse accent the look nicely and keep the patriotic feel.

What do you think?  Would you wear an outfit like this?

Dress--Emily and Fin (Modcloth)
Jacket--Madewell

Wedges--Modcloth

Watch--Marc Jacobs

Purse--Valentino

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

More reviews coming soon!  Keep checking back!

Finally Back! A Just One Day-Inspired Outfit

Well it has been awhile.  Like a LONG while.  From a sick baby to a girls' weekend to a Shakespeare festival and a book March Madness competition, my personal and professional lives have been beyond booked!  But things are FINALLY starting to slow down and I'm feeling like I'm able to breathe again.

So here's an outfit that I designed to go with my review from two weeks ago, Just One Day by Gayle Forman.  I loved this book and can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!  I decided to design a chic-looking travel outfit.  Because if you're going to visit Europe, you need to ditch the tennis shoes and fanny packs and get cute!  So here's a comfortable but stylish travel outfit:

I love the color mixture of coral and turquoise...don't you?

• The coral shorts and heart graphic tee are comfortable yet contemporary.  A carefree look that still lets you look put-together.
• Gladiator sandals, ever the trend, are a worthy alternative when looking for comfortable footwear.  
• The light turquoise watch keeps you on schedule and has a more glamorous look than simple athletic watches.
• A crossbody bag (the new fanny pack!) keeps your special items close, and this turquoise bag is the perfect pop of color.

So what do you think?  Could you see yourself traveling in this outfit?

I'll be back tomorrow with my own outfit of the day--a way to dress up a T-shirt!  See you then!

Shirt--Modcloth
Shorts--American Eagle
Sandals--Sole Society
Watch--Olivia Burton
Bag--MG Collection (Amazon)

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

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!

The Madness Underneath-Inspired Outfit

Happy Friday, readers and fashionistas!

Yesterday I reviewed The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson.  In this book, main character Rory is back at Wexford Academy and helping a secret ghost society stop a new batch of dangerous ghosts.  Well, she's kind of back at Wexford, because really she is completely behind in her classes.
So today's outfit is inspired by her two lives--one as a student at a boarding school and one as a ghost hunter.  Here it is:

Even though I am neither in a boarding school nor chasing ghosts, I could totally see myself wearing this.

So here's the outfit:

• The blazer is an obvious choice for a boarding school uniform.  This one has a great shape to it (it accentuates the waist and has a great shoulder line) and has that classy prep feel.
• Even though boarding school students don't typically wear jeans, they are a necessary item for late-night ghost hunting.  These are great--they're kind of scuffy-looking and bring down the seriousness of the outfit.
• These boots are awesome (and from Target!) and make running around super easy.
• The purse (a Rebecca Minkoff) is completely classy and can be worn across the body.  Rich students have to have nice handbags, right?
• And the red stud earrings are simple yet bright.  And this is a murder mystery, so maybe reminiscent of drops of blood?!

I hope you like the look!  I'll be back throughout the weekend, and next week I'll be reviewing a book by an author who I'm totally claiming as a friend--you'll find out why on Monday!

Once-Inspired Outfit

Yesterday I reviewed the book Once by Anna Carey, the second book in the Eve series.  So today's post is an outfit inspired by Eve, our protagonist.  In Once, Eve becomes a princess and is required to visit various places during the day--gotta keep up appearances, you know.  So today's outfit focuses on that.  I designed a day outfit suitable for a princess visiting her subjects.

 

 Sweet and girly...just like a princess.

So let's break it down:

• A floral day dress, kind of reminiscent of the 50s.  It's sweet but not too soft (with colors like red and black thrown in) and easy to move around in.  The thin belt is perfect to accentuate the waist.
• Simple black ballet flats with a bow.  Of course this dress could easily be paired with heels, but the flats give it more of a day look.  And someone in flats seems less intimidating--just the message a princess wants to send to please the crowds.
• A bright orange clutch brings some "pop" into the outfit.  And doesn't this dress just look so much better with a clutch than a large satchel purse?
• Delicate peach nail polish--so sweet and clean-looking.
• Some stacked bracelets in traditional pearl (a princess must have pearls!) and black pearl and a few bangles.  I love the flower on the black pearl bracelet--it counterbalances the peach flowers in the dress so nicely!  These bracelets add a kick to the outfit while keeping it semi-traditional.
• Black stud earrings.  A princess wouldn't wear giant dangly earrings during the day--soft and sweet with studs.

So what do you think?  Could you see a princess in this outfit?

I'll be back tomorrow to review the third and final book in the Eve series, Rise.  See you then!

The Host-Inspired Wardrobe

In the book The Host, the Seeker and her cohorts wear black all the time (in the movie, they wear white, which I know can be kind of confusing).  So it got me thinking about the best black accessories/pieces that you should have in your closet.  Black is one of my favorite colors to wear because it can match with just about anything or tame down a bright outfit.  So here are my favorite choices:

 

• A large black purse.  A black purse can basically fit every season and go with any outfit.  A staple must!
• Black nail polish.  Yes, I know this can seem bold, so give deep purple a try if you're afraid to take the leap.  Or start with your toes for a less dramatic effect.  But dark nail polish highlights your nails and sharpens your outfit!
• A black scarf.  I love scarves for fall, but even a black scarf can tame a bright summer outfit!  I especially love infinity scarves tied in a circle.
• Black heels.  Wear them with dresses, skirts, jeans--you name it.  So classy!  The ones pictured are my favorites--they're from Madden Girl.
• Black skinny jeans.  I can't imagine my life without skinny jeans.  Black is just a go-to color that gives you a blank canvas for your outfit.

So what do you think?  What black items are staples in your wardrobe/beauty closet?

Catch me this weekend for a peek at a new bathroom accessory and an outfit of the day!  And Monday I'll be back with a review on Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan!