Inspired By: Sleepy Hollow

We've all heard of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving about the superstitious Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman that terrorizes him and the secluded town of Sleepy Hollow. Since I grew up living close to the actual town (so far I haven't seen any ghosts or headless men walking around), it's something of an actual legend around here. I grew up believing that someone named Ichabod had actually seen a Headless Horseman, and only later realized that it was just a short story (that was a sad day). 

So of course I'm beyond excited that a new show called Sleepy Hollow is coming to TV! It looks dark, spooky, and suspenseful, with a dash of humor. The show is on FOX on Mondays at 9pm EST. The first show already aired this past Monday, so be sure to watch it online. 

Ichabod Crane

{Click here for item info}

Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) is resurrected in modern day Sleepy Hollow alongside the Headless Horseman, who is now on a murderous rampage. Ichabod realizes that he not only has to stop the Headless Horseman, but that it's just the beginning -- this Headless Horseman is the first of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. 

For a more 1776 look, wear a jacket with lots of buttons, a gray blouse, black jeans, and brown knee-high boots. Or if you want to go more modern, try on a black moto jacket, striped peplum top, jeans, and two-tone boots. 

Abbie Mills

Lt. Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie), who is skilled in profiling and threat assessment, teams up with Ichabod Crane to help stop the Headless Horseman. Abbie has had her own supernatural experiences and is determined to help him because she wants to rid her once sleepy town of all things evil. 

For a bad ass cop look, go for a brown leather jacket, white button up, jeans, gun ring, and quilted boots. Or if you're hunting bad guys off duty, wear an anorak, black tee, olive cargo pants, star brooch for her badge, and buckle boots. 

Captain Frank Irving & Katrina Crane

Captain Frank Irving (Orlando Jones) is the new head of the police precinct and doesn't believe Ichabod's story or that supernatural evils exist, but when strange things start to happen, he reluctantly turns to Ichabod for help. I made his bureaucratic outfit more office-appropriate: wear a printed blazer, white top, blue pencil skirt, gold watch, and nude pumps. 

Katrina Crane (Katia Winter) is Ichabod's late wife, who is trapped in a netherworld. In his determination to rescue her, he uncovers secrets about her that spark a lot of questions. For a more modern interpration, try an orange bow dress, brown cardigan, embellished belt, and heeled oxfords. 

Will you be watching?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

(via FOX & Bing)

My Novel: Trust Fall Playlist

Most of the time when I'm writing my novel, Trust Fall, I'm listening to music. I created a playlist that gets me into the mindset of the story, or into a certain mood for a scene. In other words, it gets me pumped! Well, not really since the tone of Trust Fall is dramatic, thoughtful, and moody most of the time. However, if I'm writing a fight scene (yep, there are a few of those), then I'll listen to upbeat and exciting songs. 

Not only does the mood of the song help me write, but in each song there's usually a phrase that reminds me of the story in some way. Here are some of the lyrics that inspire me to keep writing. 

• VersaEmerge's "Stranger": "Stranger, I know so well / You got me tripping over myself / Can't trust in you / 'Cause as I reach for your hand / I still sink into quicksand / Isn't my good side worth rescuing?" 

• OneRepublic's "Counting Stars": "Lately I been, I been losing sleep / Dreaming about the things that we could be / But baby I been, I been prayin' hard / Said no more counting dollars / We'll be counting stars / Yeah, we'll be counting stars." 

• MS MR's "Bones": "Boy with a broken soul / Heart with a gaping hole / Dark twisted fantasy turned to reality / Kissing death and losing my breath / Midnight hours / Cobble street passages / Forgotten savages, Forgotten savages... / These are hard times / For dreamers." 

• Katie Costello's "Stranger": Stranger I've known you for so long / I found you lost with a compass in the fog / Stranger you know me too much / Illusionary self had not been touched... / Stranger you've followed me so far / Until the roads converged, as did the stars." 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you listen to when you write?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Outfit: Keep It Cozy

Mother Nature seems to be confused because one day it's 90 degrees and the next it's 60. On one such cold day, this is what I wore. That day also happened to be both Yom Kippur and my brother Ben's birthday. Terrible, I know. Even though he couldn't properly celebrate with cake until after sundown, he got some pretty cool presents. I got him a watch tray and a gift card to Kohl's, while my other brother Leo gave him a blue t-shirt that reads: Trust me, I'm an accountant. Ben's in grad school to be a forensic accountant. 

If you can't tell from the following pictures, I like fun and quirky rings. I'm always looking for a ring that has character, whether it's a teacup ring, a shield ring, a ring that's actually two pieces, a cute bear ring, or a turquoise bow ring. So, of course, I couldn't resist when I saw a scalloped edge ring and an ampersand ring. 

I want to thank Jewelissima for this beautiful necklace and the other wonderful goodies I received in the mail! Also, be sure to check out Jewelissima's latest blog posts!

Sweater: American Eagle | Necklace: c/o Jewelissima | Jeans: American Eagle

Scallop Ring: Forever 21 | Ampersand Ring: Fifth & Mae | Knot Ring: gift 

Shoes: Betsy Johnson via T.J. Maxx

Have a great day!
P.S. -- Yesterday was my 500th post! Yay!

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

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!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

{Click here for item info}

What looks are you loving right now?

Are you a vintage jewelry-loving girl?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

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?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram