Looks I Love {Ready for Fall} + Rack and Sack Jewelry

It's almost fall and I'm so ready for it! I've been layering like nobody's business by wearing blazers over sweaters and piling on the scarves! Bring on the chill!

All black with a touch of white

{Coco and Vera}

 Colors, patterns, and layers

{A Beautiful Heart}

 A bright pink dress with a dark, patterned cardigan = Love

{Introvert's Introduction}

 Creme + olive & the perfect mix of girly and tough

{What I Wore}

 Boho fall look

{Oh So Glam}

 Love the colors and the "sexy nerd" look

{To Vogue or Bust}

 Seriously love this layered look with the addition of the hat and fun jewelry

{Post Grad Chic}

 This outfit is so cute!

{Room 334}

Love this rugged look

{The Fancy Pants Report}

White, black & red = so lovely!

{Hearted Girl}

♥♥♥

Today I want to tell you guys about Rack and Sack and their jewelry!

Rack and Sack is an online shop that uniquely specializes in both modern and vintage jewelry and accessories. Our selection is made for the chic and modern fashionista with a love for style. The entire collection is carefully selected based on timelessness, quality, and modern aesthetics. 

Rack and Sack was started by a woman on a mission. After moving from the east coast to Los Angeles, Desiree, the founder of Rack and Sack, discovered how much vintage jewelry there was right at her fingertips, so she decided to spread the love. Since Los Angeles is a treasure trove of vintage jewelry, Desiree herself goes in search of that diamond in the rough to bring it to you, so that you can add it to your modern wardrobe at a great price. 

If, however, you prefer newer pieces, Rack and Sack also offers modern jewelry. And if you're worried about seeing the same piece on every girl, whether it's vintage or new, have no fear because there's only one of each item available. 

Rack and Sack has kindly offered 30% off any purchase from now until October 12th

with the promo code: sincerelysara13!

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What looks are you loving right now?

Are you a vintage jewelry-loving girl?

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**This is not a sponsored post, but I was asked to write about this site by Rack and Sack.**

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What I Learned at Slice Magazine's Literary Conference

{What I got: Slice tote bag, Slice magazine, Poets & Writers magazine, 

It's Not Love, It's Just Paris & my name tag}

As you know, I attended Slice Magazine's Literary Conference on Saturday and Sunday. It's a conference that I went to two years ago, but for some reason I felt more open to the experience this time around and therefore learned so much more from the authors, agents, and editors that were there. 

Slice is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit print magazine that launched in 2007 by editors Maria Gagliano and Celia Johnson. At it's core, Slice aims to bridge the gap between emerging and established authors by offering a space where they can be published side-by-side. They garnered rave reviews from authors, agents, and editors alike and have had success in the literary community. {Follow Slice on Facebook & Twitter.}

One of the reasons Slice created this conference was to bridge the gap between authors and the publishing world. The founders wanted agents and editors to give insight into what really happens behind the closed doors of big and small publishing houses, and to help writers with how to transform their novel. 

This is one of the main reasons I really loved this conference. It was not only about how to motivate yourself to write and tips on editing your work, but it gave a behind the scenes look. I now have a better understanding of what agents and editors do, how they think, what they're looking for, and what happens when those professionals have my novel in their hands. 

I could only go to half the panels (since I can't be in two places at once), but I learned so much valuable information from the ones I did attend. I picked out a few talking points that resonated the most with me from each panel since I didn't want to keep it all to myself. 

The Self-Publishing Revolution:

• Digital presses have the same teams and resources that a regular publisher has
• You can both pursue agents and self-publish
• Understand your market!

What You Say / What Agents Hear:

• A query letter should be professional, straightforward, and honest
• Address a query letter personally to the agent
• Add comparative titles in the query: (ie. my novel is a mix of this novel and this novel)

How To Promote Yourself Online:

• No one else is going to market you
• It helps you build a readership for the future
• Authentically engage with your readers / followers
• What does your audience engage with?

The Road to Success:

• Success is different for everyone
• Make sure the changes you make to your novel are ones that you are 100% behind because your name is on the cover

What Really Happens in an Editorial Meeting:

• Editors have to really love the book to want to buy it because they're going to spend so much time on it
• Know why your book is different
• Know what hole in the marketplace your book is filling
• Arm the editor with talking points about your book

Changes: What Happens When An Editor Gets Your Manuscript

• An editor shapes your idea of what your book is going to be and helps you with the process
• They don't edit to change it, they edit it to make it its best
• Be honest with yourself about deadlines
• Hone a two-sentence pitch of your book!

Beyond the Book Deal:

• Submit to literary journals to have your platform already (ie. blog, published stories)
• Build the buzz for your book: blog, social media, family and friends can help

Giants: Great Characters

• What draws you to your characters?
• Turn stereotypes into real people
• Nurture the obsession that initially made you want to write the book

There were a lot of authors, agents, editors, publicists, etc. at the conference, so if you want to follow the ones that have Twitter, I rounded them up for you.

Follow authors on Twitter:

Julie Sarkissian (Dear Lucy), Fiona Maazel (Woke Up Lonely), Adelle Waldman (The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.), Joanna Hershon (A Dual Inheritance), Scott Cheshire (High as a Horses' Bridles), Ted Thompson (The Land of Steady Habits), Jennifer Miller (The Year of the Gadfly), Julia Fierro (Cutting Teeth), Francine Prose (Reading Like a Writer), Bill Roorbach (Life Among Giants) & Patricia Engel (It's Not Love, It's Paris).

Follow agents on Twitter:

Kristyn Keene (ICM), Meredith Kaffel (DeFiore and Company), Michelle Brower (Folio Literary Management), Carrie Howland (Donadio & Olsen), Renee Zuckerbot (Renee Zuckerbot Literary Agency), Kate McKean (The Howard Morhaim Agency), Paul Lucas (Janklow & Nesbit), Chelsea Lindman (Sanford J. Greenburger), Katherine Fausset (Curtis Brown) & Vicky Bijur (Vicky Bijur Agency). 

Follow editors on Twitter:

Jill Schwartsman (Dutton/Penjuin), Molly Barton (BookCountry/Penguin), Calvert Morgan (It Books/HarperPerennial), Sarah Bowlin (Henry Holt & Co.), Gabrielle Gantz (Little, Brown), Maria Gagliano (Co-Founder of Slice and editor at Portfolio-Penguin), Michael Signorelli (HarperCollins), Alex Littlefield (Basic Books), Emily Griffin (Grand Central Publishing), Victoria Matsui (Little, Brown) & Maya Ziv (HarperCollins). 

Follow on Twitter:
Ami Greko (Book Marketing Strategist, Goodreads), Eve Bridburg (Founder of Grub Street), Diana Franco (Publicist, Simon & Schuster) & Karen Fink (Publicist, Random House).

P.S. -- Read what my friend Rachel said about the experience!

If you're a fellow writer, good luck with your writing and I hope you learned something!

Whether you're a writer or not, what did you find most interesting?

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Inspired By: The Classics Vol. 1

As a Creative Writing major in college and grad school, it's mandatory to take literature classes. You can't be a good writer if you're not a good reader. Personally, I've always preferred to take classes on 19th century novels, especially if they're British. So obviously this means I've read a lot of the classics, and while I read most of them because I had to this doesn't mean they're not great works (they're classics for a reason, right?), so I thought I would start a series based on the classic novels we all know and love (okay, maybe sometimes loathe). 

I'm planning to do one once a month, so if there are any classics you want me to do in particular let me know in the comments!

Jane Eyre

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Written by Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre is an orphan who endures oppression at her hateful aunt's home and then later at boarding school, but still emerges with an enduring spirit and integrity. She takes a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the impassioned Mr. Rochester. 

For a studious outfit, wear a lacey sleeveless blouse, a burgundy skirt, studded loafers, a floral journal to write in, a heart bracelet. Or if you want a simple outfit, go for a black dress, denim jacket, heart cut-out ring, oxfords, a scarf to keep warm in those drafty halls, and a cute lantern. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon (free e-book!)

Great Expectations

Written by Charles Dickens, Great Expectations is about young orphan Pip, who one day finds himself in a ruined garden where he meets the bitter Miss Havisham and her foster child, Estella, with whom he falls in love. A secret benefactor gives Pip a fortune, so he goes to London to become a gentleman, but struggles with it and his love for Estella. 

Dress like the crazy Miss Havishem by wearing a white lace dress, crown ring, rose print scarf, and pale pink heels. Or for a darker look, go for a blue floral blazer, black tank top, black jeans, black pointy toe flats, and a silver cuff for the convict Pip helped to escape. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Scarlet Letter

Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter is certainly America's first psychological novel; it revolves around a single act of passion that alters several lives in a small Puritan community through sin and guilt. At it's core, it's about Hester Prynne, a woman who bears the punishment of her sin in silence and who must wear a red "A" for adultery. 

Since Hester wears a red "A," wear a dark red maxi dress, black and white scarf, initial earrings, and black flats. Or wear an outfit based on the cool graphic covers by wearing a black moto jacket, red bow blouse, letter-adorned skirt, hat with "peace," and red ankle-strap flats. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon (free e-book!)

The Time Machine

Written by H.G. Wells, an unnamed Time Traveler recounts his amazing journey into the future by using a time machine that he created. He goes further and further into the future, eventually coming across the childlike Eloi's and the hideous underground Morlocks in the far future.

For a girly look, try on a yellow floral dress, a blue blazer, a clock ring, a black watch, and blue wedges. Or for a Victorian-esque look, wear a peplum black blazer, yellow top, distressed jeans, yellow flower earrings for the two flowers the Time Traveler brings back, a clock necklace, and oxfords. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon (free e-book!)

Which book is your favorite? 

Any classic books you want me to feature next time?

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Review: Heirs & Spares

Written by J.L. Spohr, Heirs & Spares (Plum Street Press) takes place in 1569 while Queen Elizabeth sits upon the English throne and the Reformation inflames the Continent. But in Troixden, just north of France, Lady Annelore isn't interested in politics. Times are hard, taxes are high, and the people in her duchy need her help to survive. When Troixden's sadistic king dies childless, his younger brother William returns from exile to find his beloved country on the brink of war. He's in need of the stability that comes with a bride and heirs, but Annelore, his chosen queen, won't come quietly. Now the future of Toixden lines in the hands of two people who never wanted power and never dreamed that from duty and honor they might find love and the path to peace. 

★★★★★ (4 out of 5)
MY REVIEW

This is definitely the type of novel I would pick up on my own in a bookstore. I'm a huge fan of British and European history (even though Troixden is a fake country) and love when it's intermixed with a story. I like learning and being entertained at the same time, and Heirs & Spares fit the bill perfectly because I learned about the time period and more about how people lived, while also being entertained by the romance and the court politics. Despite Troixden being a fake country, the history and the setting felt authentic.

My favorite thing about this novel is Lady Annelore of Beaubourg. She helped me get into the story because she's a likable main character; she's tough, independent, smart, and has a mind of her own. She doesn't want to leave her widowed father and her home because she knows the people in her duchy need her. She takes care of people by making remedies and by being a midwife, and she doesn't want to give that up at first, which I found completely understandable. Change can be scary.

I also liked the romance between Annelore and King William. It built up slowly, so it was believable, dramatic, cute, and romantic. I found myself rooting for them to fall in love, even though you knew it was inevitable.

I know this story is mostly about the romance, but I wanted more court intrigue and backstabbing. I felt like I was waiting for Annelore to really be mistrusted or backstabbed by someone she thought was a friend, but the court politics weren't as deceitful as I thought they would be. Everything seemed to fall into place too easily for Annelore and William. Maybe I'm just mean, but I wanted their hardships to really test them, but their problems (especially Annelore's) felt too easy to solve.

A times, King William seemed too nice and too great a guy. It's alright to be understanding, kind, and a great king, but it would've been more realistic if he had more flaws. Considering the stressful situations he was in at times, it would've been believable for him to say something he should've have because he was angry or confused. There were even sections in his point of view and yet I don't remember him thinking something real, something he would think but never say. I would've liked to get to know him better, for him to be more three-dimensional. 

Despite some flaws, this story kept me reading because of Annelore, the history, and of course the romance. 

Check out the newspaper that J.L. Spohr sent me:

Exciting News!

Extra extra read all about it!

I've got exciting news to tell you guys!

I'll be writing two blog posts a week for Jewelissima's blog, Trend Alert!

My first blog post is already up! 

Each week, I'm going to publish a Real VS. Deal and a Celebrity Inspired post. 

I also revamped the Trend Alert blog, so if you're curious why it looks familiar that's why.

If Jewelissima sounds familiar it's because they sponsored me last month and the founder Rachel asked me to help her out since it's a new company. Jewelissima features trendy and affordable jewelry and clothing. Seriously, go check it out because they have really cute stuff! (I promise I wasn't paid to say that.)

If you want to keep up to date with Trend Alert's posts, you can do so with Bloglovin!

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