Inspired By: February's Best Selling Book Covers

So many books, so little time. Most of the best sellers this month seem to be fast-paced, suspenseful cliffhangers, with the exception of Safe Haven. So if that's your favorite type of novel, then this is the month for you! What your favorite type of genre?

Safe Haven

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Written by the romance master Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven is about a mysterious young woman named Katie, who suddenly appears in a small town in North Carolina. Her arrival raises questions about her past since she avoids forming personal connections with people. However, after meeting Alex, a widowed store owner, she starts to let her guard down and tries to forget about her haunting past.

 

To dress like the cover (and like a woman in a romance movie), pair a floral dress with a sunny yellow jacket and black wedges. Or go casual in a bicycle print shirt, black cardigan, yellow jeans, and flats.

P.S. -- The movie came out February 8th!

 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

 

Touch & Go

Written by Lisa Gardner, this thriller is about a family's mysterious disappearance and the woman who investigates it. The Denbe's are a perfect family with a perfect life and a perfect daughter, but investigator Tessa Leoni is called into the Denbe's home after they're abducted. Tessa must race against the clock to find this family and uncover their secrets.

 

Dress like the perfect family with a perfect life by wearing a perfect party dress -- sequins in silver, blue, and gold with a black blazer, cool clutch, and lace-up wedges. Be perfectly casual in a lace-shouldered cardigan, white tee, floral jeans, and cobalt flats.

 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

 

The Dinner

Written by Herman Hoch, this internationally best selling novel is a suspenseful, controversial story about two families struggling to make a difficult decision over dinner. Each couple has a 15-year-old son who is being held accountable for one horrible act, which is being investigated by the police. As dinner progresses from civil to hostile, these parents will show just how far they're willing to go to protect their child.

 

Look your best at dinner (or anywhere) in a tweed blazer, peplum top, black jeans, and yellow pumps, or perhaps in a gray maxi dress with a moto jacket, slick heels, and sunnies.

 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

 

Private Berlin

Written by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan, Private Berlin is a fast-paced cliffhanger about the disappearance of Chris Schneider, a superstar agent at Private Berlin, Germany's headquarters for the world's most powerful investigation firm. When he goes missing, Mattie Engel, another top agent and Chris' ex, is determined to find him even if it means uncovering secrets that could bring all of Europe to the brink of destruction.

 

Dress to kill in a hooded jacket, white blouse, red jeans, and studded boots. Or maybe do some espionage work in a black sweater, bouncy red skirt, black tights, and wedges.

 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

 

What book(s) did you read this month?

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Five Spring 2013 Fashion Trends

*Written in collaboration with Matches Fashion.* 

Are you as excited about spring fashion as I am? I love seeing what new trends are blossoming and incorporating my favorite ones into my wardrobe. Almost every spring season the recurring trends are pastels and florals, and while that's always true, this spring it's all about being bold and having fun.

ONE | Black & White

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Black and white is already everywhere and has probably gotten the most attention; everyone is getting excited about it from designers to high street shoppers. I'm in agreement too, whether you choose to adopt the 60’s style dresses or keep to the more neutral black and white separates you can’t go wrong with black and white. There is something effortlessly chic about this trend and the major advantage is that it is so easy to wear without breaking the bank. If you are on a big spending break then have a rummage for those staple pieces we all have in the closet and update them with a few accessories. Alternatively if you are a sucker for punishment check out Marc by Marc Jacobs SS13 collection so you can lust after some designer picks.

TWO | Bold Prints

Well it wouldn’t be summer without a couple of bold prints thrown into the mix and this season does not disappoint at all. Floral is usually the big contender and tends to be a safe bet every year as it perfectly sums up the season. And who doesn’t love a bit of flower power when it starts to warm up? However this is not the only go-to print this season as things are beginning to look a little more abstract with designers using bold and figurative prints too. Unlike the whimsical flowers we would expect from previous SS collections, the prints that have lined the catwalks are more gutsy than girly showcasing a clever mix of bright and bold prints from geometric designs, global inspired motifs and even a bit of animal print.

THREE | All-White Ensembles

If you are not interested in the big bold prints then white has to be the perfect antidote to the riotous prints and colour clashing styles out at the moment. Good news again as it is such an easy trend to wear. White is the perfect colour for summer as it is fresh and simple, and although it may not sound ground-breaking in my opinion you have to be a bit brave to opt for a completely white outfit. My favourite picks for this look would be a simple but elegant white cotton dress that can be your go to piece for the whole summer.

FOUR | Stripes

For me this has to be my favourite trend emerging from the catwalks for summer. The reason being is that it seems to be mixing with every other trend out there to create the perfect spring/summer look. There are so many ways you can wear the stripe which is why I think it seems to be one of the big winners. From thick, thin, vertical, horizontal lines to classic monochrome or meshed with bold prints like floral and tribal, it is no surprise that it is keeping everyone happy this year. My favourite pick for this trend would be the simple black and white flare dress as it adds a little bit of retro to the average stripe. However the best thing about this style is that there are no definite rules -- as long as it’s striped it’s in!

FIVE | Metallics

This is one of the inevitable trends each year that is most likely going to split the crowd into those who love it or hate it. However, whether you are a lover or a hater of metallics there is no denying that this trend is going to get bigger with many high street stores already adding a bit of shine to their fabrics with shimmering foils and holographic finishes. Burberry seems to be the one leading the pack with this trend with the SS13 catwalk shows that displayed a multi-coloured array of futuristic-inspired pieces. I think this trend is a bit of a tricky one as you do not want to end up looking like a disco ball but you can certainly make a statement with your look without going overboard with some well-picked metal-inspired pieces.

Which trend do you like most?

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Outfit: Uniform

This outfit has been my uniform as of late. Easy, comfortable, and perfect for walking in the remnants of Nemo.

But I would love your opinion on something -- do you think these boots are too tall for me? Usually when I get tall boots I like the top to hit an inch or two below my knee, but these are right at my knee since I'm only 4'10". Looking at the pictures, I think they seem all right, but I was wondering if I look at all ridiculous. Thanks in advance for your input!

Shirt // Old Navy
Jeans // Forever 21
Boots // Breckelle's Outlaw Boot via Amazon {also at UrbanOg}
Watch // Target
Ring // Marc Jacobs (gift) {similar}
Coat // Old Navy
Lipstick // Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish

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Inspiration: Wide Brim Hats

After getting this lovely cloche hat, I've been craving a neutral, wide-brimmed hat for spring and summer. Something that looks chic and will keep the sun off my face on hot days. Based on the pictures below, don't they seem to work with every kind of outfit? I would wear them with a blouse and jeans as well as a flowy dress.

What's your favorite type of hat?

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(Images via unknown, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)

New Buys

This weekend it's going to be raining in NY, so I'll be lounging at home reading The Great Gatsby for school and drinking Brazil Gourmet's Mango Juice Nectar, my new favorite drink. What are you doing this weekend?

ShoeMint's Adrienne Heels (on sale!)

 Forever 21 nail polishes & Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten

LUSH's fruity Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar (exclusive for V-Day), clean-smelling Honey I Washed the Kids soap, and a sample of Chou Chou toothy tabs (solid toothpaste!). 

 Forever 21 soft jeans & silky trousers

Forever 21 lace bras {similar}

I was kind of unsure about them since they're unlined, 

but they actually hold up my C-cup boobs really well! Yay!

What new things have you bought recently?

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Inspired By: Beautiful Creatures

Although it took me forever to read (that book is the definition of the word tome at 563 pages), Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is an interesting, multi-layered YA fantasy novel. This witchcraft romance is told through the eyes of Ethan Wate, a teenage boy in fictional Gatlin, South Carolina, who falls for the new girl, Lena Duchannes, who is a Caster (or witch).

 

At the start of the novel, Ethan dreams about a girl who turns out to be Lena. He discovers that on her sixteenth birthday she will either be claimed for the Light or the Dark and has no control over which she will be. Ethan wants to help her and figure out how he's connected to her.

 

There's so much history and background information that everything feels so real at times (though at times it does slow down the story). And of course there's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet plot to it since Lena's uncle and Ethan's housekeeper (who is more like a mother figure to him) try to keep them apart. While the magic is fascinating to read about, the best part of this novel is the characters; they're believably complicated and most of them are just plain cool. I would recommend it if you like YA fantasy.

The movie was really great if you're thinking about seeing it!

Lena Duchannes

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Played by Alice Englert, Lena Duchannes is a Caster, a loner, and the new girl in Gatlin. As Macon Ravenwood's (the town shut-in) niece and an outsider, she is immediately disliked by the popular girls in school, especially after "strange" things start happening after her arrival. Lena has a casual and girly style with a bit of an edge. To emmulate her, try slipping on a black moto jacket over a purple and black dress with black pumps and red lips. For a day at school, wear an army jacket, lace shirt, black flowy skirt, and lace-up boots. Don't forget to wear Lena's signature necklace of tiny momento's.

Ethan Wate

Played by Alden Ehrenreich, Ethan Wate lives with his writer father, who stays in his room all day writing, and Amma, his housekeeper who takes care of him and who is a seer. Although he is told to stay away from Lena by Amma, he wants to know why he is connected to her and why he can protect Lena from magic when he has none himself. As a regular high school kid, Ethan has a casual style -- try a denim jacket, button up blouse, dark wash jeans, and Converse. Or maybe a leather jacket with a striped tee, gray jeans, and wedge booties.

Ridley Duchannes

Played by Emmy Rossum, Ridley Duchannes was once a goody two shoes like her cousin, Lena, but she's now a Dark Caster. She is also a Siren, which means she easily manipulates people and does so frequently, mostly for the fun of it. To dress like the old Ridley, don a bright, cheery yellow dress, a thick belt, strappy boots, pink lipstick, and pink blush. If you'd rather dress like the new Ridley, wear a black lacey dress, velvet blazer, heeled boots, burgandy lipstick, and smudged black eyeliner. Though not pictured, don't forget Ridley's signature lollipop!

Wesley "Link" Lincoln & Emily Asher

Played by Thomas Mann, Wesley "Link" Lincoln is Ethan's best friend. He befriends Lena despite the fact that his mother is constantly trying to get Lena expelled. Played by Zoey Deutch, Emily Asher on the other hand hates Lena because Lena's dating her ex, Ethan, and because she believes Lena is dangerous. Go for Link's casual cool vibe by mixing prints -- plaid shirt, striped top, green jeans, spiked sneakers, and a pork pie hat. To dress like the popular girl, wear a bright yellow jacket, floral dress, nude wedges, and fun floral jewelry.

 

What do you think?

Have you read the book? Did you / will you see the movie?

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(Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12)

February Wishlist

Immediately after finishing this wishlist, I bought the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten (pictured below) because it was only $3 on Amazon and I had a gift card balance, so it ended up being free! So now I have three Revlon balm stains. I think this is verging on addiction territory!

{Click here for info}

How cute is the stuff above?

What's on your wishlist?

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Outfit: Casual Stripes

While my dad, sister, and stepmom went away to Florida for four days (so jealous!), I went over to their house and played with our dog, Princess, so she wouldn't get lonely / pee in the house. I also decided to snap some quick outfit pictures since I'm sure you're all bored of staring at a brick wall background.

Anyway, just wearing a plain ol' super casual outfit. I wear this sweater a lot and yet it hasn't appeared on my blog until now. My casual go-to in colder months is a plain t-shirt underneath a sweater or with a cardigan, jeans, and boots. But I wore sneakers because I felt they were being neglected.

My dad got me this Marc Jacobs ring as a Valentine's Day gift.

I used to not like the color yellow, but lately it's been growing on me, so this is perfect.

Princess lounging around

Sweater // Delia's
T-shirt (underneath) // Walmart
Jeans // Forever 21
Socks // Forever 21
Shoes // Forever 21
Ring #1 // Forever 21
Ring #2 // Marc by Marc Jacobs (gift) {similar & similar}
Lipstick // Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten

What's your go-to casual outfit?

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