Updated usually on Mondays and/or Thursdays!


Monday, March 23, 2015

Springin' into Style


Happy Spring all you awesome, stellar, talented readers! We've only got 8 days before we're hopping right into April; Easter is right around the corner! Before I go any further, a big hug and high-five to Diana and Eve for all their contributions and hard work on the past two posts. New faces are especially important in order to follow suit with the purpose of Letrendary: to educate the readers and myself of how fashion, culture, nature, and literature impact our society and the world beyond. I can only follow through with this goal by featuring individuals of various backgrounds, ethnicities, styles, and knowledge. The beauty of style is like the beauty of a person-every being has a distinctive personality, mind, and identity. In the same way, a fashion is custom to the individual. In celebration of the new season, here are a few fads that I'm loving. Maybe this will inspire you to try a different style this season-or even better, give you ideas of new outfits with what you already have-enjoy!

ESPADRILLE: spring's shoe of the season

                      Espadrilles: Soludos http://www.soludos.com/

The espadrille has become especially popular within the past years. However, what you may not know is that the shoe originated from the Pyranees! In fact, the shoe is so historical that the first ever espadrille is estimated to have been handmade 4 THOUSAND years ago! The production of the espadrille, however, became widespread in the 13th century. The sole of the shoe is made of braided jute rope, which is the very thing that makes this type of shoe so unique and iconic. The shoe is wonderful because it allows for your feet to breathe, and they mold to the shape of your feet. I bought this pair last summer, and I love them because they are exactly how the original espadrilles were-jute rope soles with ribbons around the ankles.

THE MIDI DRESS

  
A new style that I'm loving is the midi dress. It goes past the knees, but it's nice because it is not as long as a maxi dress, which can be more of a hassle. It's the a way to be classy and fashion-forward. It stands out because not as many people wear midi-dresses. The midi dress is like an effortless girl-next-door look. The floral pattern on this dress is perfect for the spring. I'd strongly encourage investing in a midi dress if you ever have the chance! I paired it with red Converse to dress the look down and to accentuate the red flowers on the dress, but sandals would look fine also. 

 
                                   

CHAMBRAY AND LACE



Chambray Tank: Abercrombie // Lace Skirt: Abercrombie // Statement Necklace: Nordstrom BP // Stone Chain Bracelet: Francesca's


Besides the fact that I have horrendous spring allergies, I love the temperature and symbolic meaning behind spring. Spring is a time to refresh! New goals aren't exclusive to January 1st or the dawn of a new school year. Spring is the season of new beginnings; it's all about working toward the greater things that have yet to come.


SPRING TOPS

                                                                             Swan Top: Nectar Clothing// Handkerchief Top: Abercrombie


Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a happy week! 




Monday, March 2, 2015

Guest Post by Eve: Novel Styles

World Book Day

Hello, lovely Letrendary readers! I’m a new face on this blog, and I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to guest blog this month, in honor of World Book Day. Books have always been wildly important to my life, influencing the words I use, the way I think, and certainly the way I dress. There’s something so magical about the power of a mere twenty-six letters to draw a reader into a novel new world (Good pun? I think so.), transport them through space and time, making so much accessible from the comfort of the reader’s own home. Sure, my kind of adventure is one that I don’t have to leave my couch for, but the goal of my outfits is to take those stories and wear them out into the world.

March 5th is World Book Day, a fabulous event that encourages kids to fill their minds with the wonders of reading. Fostering that love of books is so important and so beneficial at a young age. It shouldn’t just stop there, however. I certainly hope my own passion for reading never dies out. I encourage all of you to pick up some good reading material this Thursday, and pass some on to a younger generation. For more information about World Book Day, check out: http://worldbookday.com

Dress: Modcloth // Shoes: Deelux Vintage
I love this cute, vintage-inspired dress with its matching Peter Pan collar and sleeves— refreshing pear-colored accents. The floral-pattered cream lace gives it a nice, delicate touch.

There are two books that lent inspiration to this outfit.

The first is The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath. The color of this iconic cover, designed by Shirley Tucker, matches the accents of the dress, and the book, first published in 1963, comes from the same era as the inspiration for the outfit. The Bell Jar is a dark novel, following the slow unraveling of Ester Greenwood. The book is uniquely accessible because it appeals to a raw place of emotion, taking the reader on a journey through Ester’s eyes, making her choices feel deeply understandable, even rational. Plath drew on her own experiences with mental illness, and likely speaks to that troubled part in many of its readers. A visceral read not to be taken lightly.


The second book is The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Widely known for its cult following of angst-ridden teens, Stephen Chbosky’s award-winning novel utilizes the same color palate. 

Despite its faults, there are many things for which Perks should be commended, namely its courage to speak up about subjects that are readily made taboo by most media. Like The Bell Jar, this book may just be the kind of thing a struggling teen needs to hear. I think books are some of the best sorts of friends, and often times, they can do the same with poetry what a sympathetic shoulder does for those who need a cry.




Dress: Moon Zooom Vintage // Flower Crown: Handmade


This pale blue dress was a lucky find. Vintage and thrift stores are always my go-to shopping locations on a budget for interesting and distinctive outfits. A sheer floral lace is layered around the simple dress and clasps in the back. I paired the dress with my handmade flower crown (a staple in any fairy’s wardrobe), playing on the floral theme, and tying in a little of the blue from the dress with a splash of pink.



Wes Anderson inspires many of my outfits. I love the 60’s vibe and remarkable colors of his films. His most recent movie,  The Grand Budapest Hotel, is now released as a screenplay! I bet the eccentric and winding tale makes for great reading, and definitely great inspiration. I drew from the colors of the building itself and the surroundings for the crown and dress combination.




Another muse was The Islanders by Christopher Priest. It’s that
same blue hue, and the graphic design nerd within me is squealing with glee over the artistry of the cover by Amazing15.com. Priest transported me, not by overarching plots, but through deeply intriguing vignettes of life in the strange and beautiful Dream Archipelago. I have never read a book like this one, and I doubt I ever will again. It is a truly unique experience.
These are my all-time favorite heels. Those who know me know I have a weakness for mustard yellow, and these fabulous kicks are my dream come true. They are a great highlight for any outfit, spicing it up with a dash of bright color.





The Great Gatsby’s beautiful vintage cover sports the same color. This is a brilliantly written book, discussing disillusionment with the jazz age through tantalizingly rich language and imagery. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s crowning novel is a must-read.

Finally, my hair is a Victorian-inspired ‘do. It’s a simple way to get my wild curls out of the way in an elegant and unique style.

Well, that’s all for me. I hope you have a stimulating and stylish World Book Day. Cheers!

~Eve