Book Style: Breakfast At Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote is an undisputed classic, although I do prefer the movie to the book in this case; I just think the movie evokes more of Holly's personality, so shoot me. I think this edition's cover is particularly apropos as it conveys the city life, 1960s, and the trademark Tiffany blue all so beautifully. Since Holly Golightly is technically a working girl, albeit a rather high-end one, I decided to play with that theme a create a corporate working girl appropriate outfit. A simple sheath, minimalist blazer and sexy but classy pumps work well together. Some Tiffany jewelry was a must, of course. I love these cat-eye frames to pay homage to the retro look this book title will always invoke in any of us that have ever seen the Audrey Hepburn film. 

Book Style: The Jungle Book

I love this simple, graphic Puffins Classics cover of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. I don't think any outfit based on a book set in tropical India could be anything but warm weather appropriate; I decided that a dressy, Summer evening, drinks-with-friends outfit would be perfect. Leopard print trousers, a breezy white blouse and strappy flats make an easy and chic ensemble. I chose a statement making tiger ring and a more delicate elephant necklace to help draw in some of the novel's famous characters. A simple clutch and jungle green nail varnish complete the look.

Link Love: 08.24.13

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• This interactive "Haunted House" Tokyo art museum is awesome.
• Are they a pair of hot dogs or a pair of legs? You'd think the answer is an easy one until you check out this Tumblr.
• Hank bought a bus. (And now the Mister wants one too!)
• So I never really stopped wearing them, but Birkenstocks are big again! (And that makes me fashionable again!)
• Be prepared to be disturbed and little bit oddly heartwarmed by this story of a boy, his knee and a very unique injury.
• Sophia McDougall hates the "strong female character" and I have to agree with her. This is a must read article!
• Ooooh, pretty pictures of the Seattle Great Wheel.
• Literal fire and ice moments captured by an amazing Russian photographer.
• I found the best thing: Online Chip's Challenge!!!!
• Let's put the moon into perspective, shall we?
• Did you know that some of the most famous founding fathers were mere teenagers? I sure didn't.
• Learn how to pronounce those tricky food words. Trust me, when you find our you've been saying quinoa wrong for years you feel pretty dumb.

Book Style: Punch

Punch by David Wondrich is a very well researched book on the origins of Punch (capital p on purpose) and contains many wonderful, historical recipes for real Punch, not the super sweet, sherbet floating, neon colored stuff we drink at receptions these days. But the cover offered up the quintessential punch pink hue and I ran with it. And if we're drinking Punch we'd better have on a fabulous party dress. Toss in a few nautical references as thanks to the sailors who most likely brought Punch's ancestor home to England for further tinkering and perfection and we've got the outfit I wish I could rock to the next Spring wedding I get invited to.

Book Style: The Beekeeper's Apprentice

The Mister gave me The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King as a bit of a challenge for this Book Style set. It's one of my favorite books in the whole world because it is the first book in the Mary Russell series, a Sherlock Holmes pastiche. That being said, yellow is my least favorite color ever. But I have wiped the smug smile off my husband's face with this one; he just gave me a nod of approval actually. Guess it helps to know (and love) your characters so well. I wanted to maintain the tomboyish, academic look that Mary embraces throughout most of this first novel. I think I achieved that with her trademark "sturdy boots", walkable shorts, and geek-chic eyewear. The silk material of the shorts and the bling of the, oh-so-appropriate, Alexander McQueen honeybee jewelry harkens to her heiress status. Did you notice that the cozy wrap sweater also sports a honeycomb motif? And no Mary Russell outfit would ever be complete without a nod to Holmes; a 221B necklace does the trick here. Oh, I almost forgot, that delicious chocolate nail varnish is called "The Professor".

Book Style: The Vesuvius Club

Tackling the first Lucifer Box novel, The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss (yes, that Mark Gatiss), was a bit of a challenge since the color scheme didn't exactly inspire me immediately. I ended up having quite a bit of fun creating an evening look with a sexy tuxedo, though. Touches of orange and saffron really draw everything together and I love the contrast of the cream corset over the citrus-y blouse. This ring is my hidden treasure; the stone is named "volcano". Get it? Vesuvius/volcano. The scarf is another bit of insider, I've already read the novel, humor: The print is a millipede.

Link Love: 08.17.13

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• Have you ever committed any of these common makeup mistakes? I know I sure have.
• I think this might be my favorite story of the year: A Russian man counter offered a sweet credit agreement with a major bank, they accepted without reading/noticing the changes, and now that they have noticed, they're a might upset. Only problem is, it all looks legal. Go Dmitry! 
• The abandoned Walmart in McAllen, Texas has been turned into an amazing public library. I do love it when the things I hate are replaced with the things I love.
• If you really want to depress yourself, you can use this online calculator to figure out how many more times you will see your parents before they die. Yeah, depressed.
• Love Amanda's translations for things that book snobs notoriously say.
• Maybe it's the fact that I catch my bus at the train depot everyday, but I've been fantasizing about taking a train trip somewhere for our next vacation and this list of iconic train trips is not helping things.
• Prepare to be awed by these elderly women who really know how to embrace life. #MyNewIdols
• In case you don't know why you shouldn't text and drive, a little reminder.
• Kaleidoscopic art!
• I am all for this anti-date rape glassware. How to we make this happen everywhere?
• Facebook may not be struggling as much as some predicted, but it's still losing popularity and I am fascinated by this article written by a 13 year old about why she and her friends don't use it.
• I may be a little late to the game here, but I just discovered Tatty Devine jewelry and I'm in love.
• Meet the two real life candidates for the inspiration behind Snow White.
• And while we're on the subject of fairy tales: Some of the weirder Grimm's fairy tales you've forgotten all about.
• These 16 gorgeous bookstores are now on my bucket list of places to visit.
• JTT!!!!! (Sorry for the squealing, but he was my first celeb crush and I wondered where he'd gone to.)

Fairy Tales Revisited: Little Red Riding Hood

Fairy Tales are a nice marriage of my literary loves and my love of folklore and mythology. They also make me reminiscent of the more whimsical time that exists only in childhood. So without further ado, I present my newest series that highlights some wonderful ways to pull some of our favorite childhood fairy tales into our modern lives:

1. Cutest little tote bag ever! I love this Little Red canvas tote that is tucked inside the wolf plush. I would totally carry this everywhere.
2. These custom heels are completely out of my walk-able realm, but a girl can dream, right?
3. As someone who wears glasses all the time, I appreciate this "All the better to see you with" soft glass case so much!
4. This clutch is a nice mix of whimsy and glamour.
5. I really might need this 3D Red Riding Hood necklace.
6. Super cute Red + Wolf pillow!
7. Antique Red Riding Hood spoon ring. This is brilliant.

Book Style: The Great Gatsby

While it was almost nearly instinctual to go the flapper girl route with a Gatsby-inspired outfit I decided to challenge myself and attempt something different. I think this resort outfit vibes 1920's very well. Loose and comfy pants with an Art Deco-esque structured blouse. I went ahead and brought in hints of red and coral with the accessories. Aren't those shoes to die for? A slouchy boyfriend sweater and a straw cloche help combat the elements on those Northeastern coastal beaches.

Book Style: Shades Of Grey

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde is a great example of modern speculative fiction and should never ever be confused with 50 Shades of Grey. The book is set in the future and is a dystopian tale that focuses on a humanity that has evolved (or devolved?) to be highly sensitive to color. People live in a highly structured society built around a caste system based on the highest color a person can see naturally; Ultra-violets at the top and Greys at the bottom. 

I chose a felted wool shift because it's utilitarian and futuristic in its simplicity. I love the paint drip tights and the Pantone chip nail ring; I think they help pay homage to the colorocracy in the tale. The barcode ring and spoon earrings will make much more sense after you've read the book. (And on that note, when are we ever going to get the sequel Mr. Fforde???). I wanted to bring in the rainbow spectrum with subtlety and I think this manicure and these Jeffrey Campbell booties do a great job. I also love the rainbow hued floral necklace that is a nod to the gardens with pumped-in synthetic color that are mentioned in detail.

Link Love: 08.10.13

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• Following up on my review of Homeward Bound, I found this great little interview with the author, Emily Matchar.
• If you spent the bulk of your childhood and adolescence in the '90s like me, then this rather thorough list of y/our childhood toys will make you rather nostalgic. 
• J.K. Rowling is a fabulous author and an even more amazing human. All of the royalties from her no-longer-secret novel, Cuckoo's Calling, will be donated to charity. Rock on.
• Book-inspired ice cream flavors. My favorite is the Clockwork Orange (duh!), but the Oliver Twist is pretty funny and that Whirled War Z is a brilliant play on words.
• Fellow Americans, you too can flex your patriotic muscles and help select the US Luge team's new outfits. Here's the direct link to the voting site. (I'm torn between "Silver Wave" and "Racer").
• In case you haven't seen this awesomeness yet: Concentric sphere cakes done up to look like planets. I'm not sure what's more mind blowing, the dedication to detail or the fact that there are perfectly round cakes inside of other perfectly round cakes.
• Who wants to try and make this DIY wrapped wire wall art with me?
• Gingers (or redheads if you refuse to indulge my faux-Britishness) might be going extinct. What!?
• I would be terrified to come across any of these in person, but I have to admit that these are some freaky-cool looking spiders.
• Meredith Bryan decided to try being nice instead of keeping her walls up and was surprised by the feedback. Turns out if you're nice people will reciprocate.
• Remember how so many ignorant people were all freaked out about having an interracial family in a Cheerios commercial? Well these kids' react just the way you'd expect to the controversial commercial: They don't understand what's different about the family at all. Kid brains are way better in a lot of ways.
• If you're not familiar with the Henrietta Lacks case, let me summarize: Her cancer cells were harvested and have been used for important and profitable research for years. Without her knowledge and without any sort of repayment. Her descendents weren't so happy about this and it went to court. Well now a compromise has been reached. 
• Meet Gabrielle Turnquest, the youngest person to pass the bar exam and become a barrister in the United Kingdom in several centuries. She's only 18 and an American to boot. So rad.
• Oh, and while were on the subject of exceptional young women, meet Thessalonika Arzu-Embry who is preparing to receive her bachelor's degree in psychology at the ripe old age of fourteen!
• I love Birmingham's (Alabama) solution to a outdated tunnel that was dark and consequently dangerous: They had a happy-inducing light installation installed. Now it's lit and artistic.
• Enjoy this mini Empire Records reunion.
• Finally, in sports news I really wish would happen: The MLB is considering a lifetime ban for A-Rod.

Book Style: Lolita

Even if you've never read the book or watched the film, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov has become ingrained in our cultural consciousness; you say "Lolita" and people will instantly begin envisioning a seductive young girl. If you have read the book, you'll know that the narrator frequently references the titular character's complete American-ness, from her obsession with pop-culture and her teenage ways. I thought I'd sex up the girl next door with a mini circle skirt in red leather and a playful bra peeking through a basic white tee. The classic sneakers are made more playful with a strawberry print and no Lolita outfit would be complete without a red, heart-shaped lollipop necklace.

Book Style: The PDT Cocktail Book

Playing with the PDT's speakeasy theme by encouraging the prohibition era's Art Deco and flapper vibes. I can just envision myself sipping on a gourmet cocktail in a dimly lit bar while wearing all of this finery. I wonder if I could manage to pull something like this together in time for the Holidays this year?

Book Style: Bad Unicorn

I had so much fun with this set. You know I loved Bad Unicorn for all of its geeky wonderfulness, so, amping up the rainbow hues in keeping with the cover art, I put together the ultimate geek girl outfit. Comfort is key here. (The truth is, I would wear this outfit everyday.) I tossed in some robot, dragon, AND unicorn jewelry since they all pop up in the book. I also, rather cheekily, chose "Princess Arcade" nail varnish which will make you giggle if you've read this wonderful book. 

Link Love: 08.03.13

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• I'm not a huge beach person (it's hot, I burn like a lobster, and sand gets in awkward places) but this beach library is the best idea ever.
• Be prepared to feel extra lazy after you watch this amazing video of a paralyzed man dancing like a pro with the help of crutches.
• Pixar is crafting another masterpiece that reminds me a lot of this old Disney cartoon short.
• George H. W. Bush did the most awesome thing ever.
• This is major news for those of us that use bikes as one of our principal means of transportation: Groundbreaking court case convicts careless (and highly insensitive) cyclist of manslaughter for killing pedestrian.
• I'm not sure what to think about the woman who rode her horse into a McDonald's after being denied service at the drive thru. I mean, why didn't she just tie the horse up outside?
• This article reflects a lot of my feelings on the craft beer movement. (Just a hint, beer snobs suck.)
• Want to put your commute into perspective? Watch this video of the rush hour from hell er in Beijing.
• Considering we now live on the other side of the country from most of our family, this high speed transport would be awesome if it happened soonish.
• I've become mildly obsessed with the best podcast ever, also know as Welcome to Night Vale.
• Okay, Zonkeys are frickin' adorable.
• These honeycomb sculptures are pretty amazing.
• Which of my Seattle blogging buddies wants to check out the new Habitat cocktail lounge in Nordstrom with me?
• Sweden is so good at recycling that they now have to import waste.
• Literary coffee? Yes, please!
• I will never be fully domesticated, but I do love some Martha Stewart and I really like this article about the (non-domestic) lesson we can learn from her.
• Summer feet blues? Here's some help.
• A digital detox is something we should all give a try.
• As if being tall wasn't awkward enough sometimes, now I find out I'm more likely to get cancer because of it. Just great.
• Speaking of tall girls: Hayley Campbell is hilarious and totally understands what being tall in a world of petite women and short men feels like.
• I need this Deborah Lippmann punk nail trio. Two of the shades are straight from the runway.
• Here's a graphic reminder to be safe at the lake or on the river this summer.
• So, apparently our healthcare costs are way out of control if the royal birth, with all of the special treatment Kate received, cost less than the average American birth.
• Ruslan Khasanov new Pacific Light art video is amazing to look at.

Book Review: Homeward Bound

I came to this book in an odd frame of mind. See my friend Amanda had started to read it, was incensed by it, and promptly put it down and called it horrible. So when it crossed the counter at my former bookshop in Richmond I felt oddly compelled to read it, expecting to also hate it and then have something interesting to rant about on here. But Homeward Bound by Emily Matchar was a very compelling read, and, sorry Amanda, I found myself agreeing with a lot of her points.

I'll be honest, I think approaching this book as a childless woman, who works outside the home probably led to a different reaction to a lot of the points than approaching it as a mother or someone who is self-employed. So just keep that in mind for yourself. Basically this is a breakdown of the back-to-our-roots mentality that so many in my generation are embracing. Emily covers everything from the crafting resurgence (Hello Etsy!) to the homesteading phenomenon. If you want to better understand attachment parenting, homeschooling, self-sustainability or anything else even hovering on the fringe of this cultural subset I strongly suggest giving this a read. I also think a lot of our parents, mine are Boomers, would better understand the twenty-somethings desire to earn less and be more satisfied if they picked up this book and paged through. I'm going to recommend this book, even if you only read it to find out why it's been so controversial, I think you'll be better for it.