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

Love Me a Latte, Write?

What is that I hear? It's Falling-in-love February? I'd say it applies to me only in the context that I'm in love with...my puppy. Duh. I also heard Valentine's Day called Galentine's Day for all the girls without a valentine. I've just been calling it Single Awareness Day. They all work. Sorry, no boyfriend-never did, never will. I'm kidding about the latter. With or without a person to share it with, Valentine's Day is still a lovable day. It makes me happy to see others happy-for the most part hehe. My best friend's birthday is on Valentine's Day, so there's always a reason for me to celebrate. Just because I don't have a boyfriend, doesn't mean I don't have a valentine. Diana and I constantly read each others' minds and we have similar life morals so...I'd say we're meant for each other. She definitely agrees. Thanks for asking me to be your valentine, Diana! You're the real MVP.

Anyways, why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? Where did Valentine's Day even come from? Who is St. Valentine? The answers to these questions are pretty intriguing-you'd be surprised.

The Origins of Valentine's Day

St. Valentine was a Roman priest for the Catholic Church, while Emperor Claudius II ruled in the 3rd century AD. Emperor Claudius banned marriage between men and women because he believed unmarried men were better warriors than married men. Because the Roman Empire was falling apart, he needed a strong army that would protect the empire from its fall. Valentine disregarded the ban of marriage, and instead did the opposite: officiated marriages; Valentine believed marriage was a God-given right. Unfortunately, Valentine became convicted of treason, and was decapitated. He is recognized as a martyr and and saint because he sacrificed his life for the sacrament of marriage. Valentine's Day is on February 14th because that is the day St. Valentine was beheaded.

Valentine's Day became an official holiday in the 5th century under Pope Gelasius of the Catholic Church. Prior to that, it was an annual Roman festival on February 15th called Lupercalia. During the celebration, naked men would sacrifice a goat and dog for fertility and purification. Men would then whip women with the hide of their sacrificed animals because they believed it would increase a woman's fertility. To make matters worse, young men would then partake in a lottery, in which they would draw the name of a woman they would be paired with. Those matches often led to marriages. It was a messed up celebration to say the least. Luckily, Pope Gelasius came to the rescue and abolished the pagan rituals of Lupercalia. It was replaced with Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day has come a long long way. I never realized that it was one of the oldest holidays on the calendar. It has what I'd consider a macabre history, which makes it all the more perplexing and paradoxical.

Styles to LOVE:

Fabulously Feminine

To go along with the theme, I chose a few of my favorite articles of clothing that I love. The easiest way to look subtly Valentine's Day themed, without screaming pink and hearts, is to add a small touch of pink. For example, a pink cardigan instead of a pink shirt or skirt. I also layered a denim jacket on top so that you would only see the bottom of the pink popping out with it on.

'Fabulous' Embellished Top: Abercrombie // Pleated Skirt: Abercrombie // Pink Cardigan: Nordstrom // Denim Jacket: American Eagle

This is an in-between casual and girly outfit. The denim jacket and cotton material of the top are more on the casual end. However, the pleated skirt and beading embellishment on the top is what makes the entire look more fun and feminine!

I stacked my "LOVE" bead bracelet with my chained "Juicy" bracelet with my Seiko watch. 

lookin' sharp

Blazer: Nordstrom BP (Frenchi) // Lace Top: IDK // Pink Denim: Nordstrom (Sanctuary Clothing)

Blazers automatically make an outfit look spiffy and sophisticated. It's that simple.

Can't go wrong with lace. Can't go wrong with colored denim.

What is Valentine's Day without chocolate? Gotta have it!

FREE&FLOWING

Crochet Top: Forever 21 // Tie-Dye Dress: Saks Off Fifth

This outfit isn't red or pink, but it's just a style I thought I'd share. I wore a crochet crop top over a tie-dye dress. I was able to put the two separate pieces together because they were the same color. This is an easy way to create new outfits with the same clothes in your closet!

Flower Crown: Handmade from Etsy 

Have a lovely Valentine's Day/Galentine's Day/Single Awareness Day, everyone!