6.24.2016

Book Style: Lullaby

Lullaby
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I love me some Chuck Palahniuk. His twisted brain speaks to me. The very first thing I ever read of his was Lullaby. It still remains one of my favorites. For those of you not familiar with the basic plot, Carl Streator is a newspaper reporter assigned to work on a piece about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Streator, himself, lost his wife and infant child suddenly. As work progresses on his article he notices a disturbing pattern: All of the families involved had a copy of Poems and Rhymes Around the World open to an African "culling song"; the same poem he read his wife and child the night they passed. Streator eventually realizes the culling song works and sets out with a real estate agent, Helen Hoover Boyle, to destroy all the remaining copies of the poem to prevent further deaths. Joining them on their hunt is Helen's assistant, Mona Sabbat, and Mona's boyfriend, Oyster. 

For this Book Style I was channelling Mona more than any other character. A little bit punk, a little bit hippie, a lot of I-do-as-I-please. Also, next time I say I'm going to style a book with a predominantly white cover, sit me down and ask me to reevaluate my decisions! I started with these denim shorts that honestly tie more into the book cover than the book in anyway. I tossed a pair of white fishnets on the legs. An oversized white "Rhymes" tee and an oyster-colored, vegan-friendly moto jacket have the top half covered. For shoes, a pair of "Rhyme" boots in "white peace" will keep your feet comfy and dry while you road trip the country in search of a killer poem. A "Carl" belt adds some weight to the outfit.For jewelry I fell in love with this skull nose ring and "Until Death Do Us Part" ring. A "Mona" pendant and a pair of "Africa" gold studs rounds out the ensemble. 

Does anyone else love Mr. Palahniuk as much as I do? What's your favorite book?


6.23.2016

Book Style: The Island

The Island

Fact: I rarely like non-fantasy YA.
'nother Fact: I adored Olivia Levez's The Island.

Definitely recommending this gritty and realistic novel which absolutely earns the comparisons it has garnered to Robinson Crusoe and Hatchet. Our protagonist, Frances, is sentenced to a work program on an island in the Indian Ocean in lieu of jail time for her crime. When the plane carrying her, the group leaders, and her fellow juvenile delinquents crashes in the middle of the ocean, Fran's survival skills are put to the ultimate test. There's nothing like hours of solitary time on a deserted beach to really think about the consequences of her actions, either. By the time it turns out that Fran's island may not be as deserted as she assumed, you'll be rooting for this unlikely, and often bristly, hero.

I wanted to do beach-worthy and youthful for today's Book Style. It's not Fran's exact outfit - I refuse to style Spongebob bikini bottoms. Honestly, I'm so far from teenage now that I'm not even sure a 16 year old girl would wear anything I style. Anyways...

Let's start with a "Castaway" bikini. (Not pictured: All the sunscreen you'll want to apply. And reapply. And reapply again.) A pair of "Love Yourself" denim cutoffs seemed appropriate for Fran's journey. A "Françoise À La Mer" tee on top keeps the look easy. A pair of terrier leather flip flops are surely something Fran would love; she has a soft spot for pups, after all. I kept the jewelry simple with sparkly fish earrings, a fishtail bracelet, and an "Indian Ocean" necklace. In the category of Things-Fran-Would've-Loved-To-Have-Had-Handy we have a bright blue pair of aviators and an adorable shark iPhone case. Of course, even stranded, Fran was never without her eyeliner (this one is "Delinquent") and her nail lacquer (this sandy taupe is "Coconuts").

If you want to entertain and challenge your DIY survival skills, check out Olivia Levez's tutorial on how to make a shoes out of your bra!