Style Inspiration: Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

Tonight I'm going up to San Jose for the weekend where I'll be attending a family function and I can't wait . It's been 5-6 years since I've last visited the Bay Area and while it may be a short trip, I hope I can at least squeeze in some thrift store shopping, a visit to Coit Tower, and stopping by Kara's Cupcakes. 

I also used this as an excuse to make some outfits I would wear. I actually might attempt outfit #2 because I have the top in my closet.

Style Inspiration: San Francisco Bound #1 by aquietnerdything

Style Inspiration: San Francisco Bound #2 by aquietnerdything

Style Inspiration: Moonrise Kingdom

A couple of weeks ago I watched Wes Anderson's latest film Moonrise Kingdom and I absolutely loved it. If The Avengers is my favorite blockbuster film of the year, then Moonrise Kingdom is my favorite indie film. The basic premise of the film is that Suzy and Sam are youngsters in love and they run away from their small New England town. Then it's up to the adults and Sam's fellow scouts to find them. The film was parts quirky and dark with Anderson's esthetic wrapped up in it. I can't wait for it to show where I live because I definitely want to see it again. 

Moonrise Kingdom: Suzy by somedaysmarter

Moonrise Kingdom: Khaki Scout by somedaysmarter

Style Inspirations: Avengers Assemble!

It's been a week since I've watched The Avengers and I still can't get enough of it. After going to the midnight screening, I watched it again with my friends the next day and watched it again yesterday by myself. Plus I'll be watching it again with my brother who hasn't seen it yet on Saturday. To paraphrase a Tracy Jordan quote;

"I love this movie so much, I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant."

This movie was the perfect kick-off for the summer movie season and everything about it was amazeballs.   Although I'm still not over a certain scene in the movie, it's something I knew would happen given it's Whedon we're talking about. 

I was going to write a review for it, but I saw this one and it does much better job than I would have done.  

So instead, I decided to bring back my Style Inspirations post and created The Avengers edition: 

Captain America/Steve Rodgers by somedaysmarter

Steve Rodgers, aka; Captain America, aka the guy Tony Starks dad would not shut up about. A man from the past placed in the present world. At least he got the flying monkey's reference. 

Iron Man/Tony Stark by somedaysmarter

Tony Stark, full of wit and sarcasm. If you start hearing classic rock blasting through the 

speakers in your plane, you know he's just around the corner. 

Hulk by somedaysmarter

I haven't watched the previous two Hulk films, but Mark Ruffalo is one of my favorite actors and I thought he did a great job as Bruce Banner/Hulk. His scenes at the end were nothing short of spectacular. 

Black Widow by somedaysmarter

So what if her main weapons are tiny pistols, she can still kick your ass. 

Hawkeye by somedaysmarter

Going into the movie, I didn't know that much about Hawkeye. But now he's my favorite. 

I do like a guy that can use a bow and arrow. 

Thor by somedaysmarter

He might have lost his penchant for coffee, I don't think there are any Starbucks in Asgard, 

but he still has the best hair. Also don't mess with his hammer. 

Loki by somedaysmarter

Oh Loki, my favorite villain. He's just confused and misunderstood. 

I just want to go up to him and hug it out. 

Style Inspirations: An American Girl Holiday

It's been a while since I did a Style Inspirations post and what a better time to do it than during the holiday season.

Having an American Girl doll was one of the things I wanted so much growing up. I remember one of my friends bringing her Felicity doll for show and tell in elementary school and just wanting to play with it. But the thing about the dolls was that they were so darn expensive and that didn't even include her clothes, furniture, and accessories. So instead, I would spend days pouring over the American Girls catalog writing wish lists (basically the entire catalog) and reading all the books. 

One day when I have a daughter or a niece, I would love to give her an American Girl doll. But for now, here are some ways you can draw holiday outfit inspirations from the dolls I grew up with; Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, and Molly. 

Felicity Merriman Christmas Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring pearl jewelry

Kirsten Larson Christmas Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring platform high heels

Addy Walker Christmas Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring h&m jackets

Samantha Parkington Christmas Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring a cotton knit cardigan

Molly McIntire Christmas Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring mary jane heels

Style Inspirations: Color Me Mine

Every spring and fall season, Pantone puts out their Fashion Color Report. Basically it's the colors that will be most popular and were featured in various designer collections during fashion week. 

This years theme for the women's color report is called Sensible and Spirited:

Taking cues from the great masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside, designers are paying close attention to texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing balance between colors.

Some of the colors might scream spring to you, but they are a great way to add color to the black, greys, and other various neutral colors that is worn during the fall/winter season. They bring in some much needed color during those long winter days. 

Here are some outfits I created, using some of the fashion colors as inspiration.

Deep Teal

Pantone Deep Teal by somedaysmarter featuring a silk ruffle blouse

Orchid Rush

Pantone Orchid Rush by somedaysmarter featuring high heel shoes

Honeysuckle 

Pantone Honeysuckle by somedaysmarter featuring low rise pants

Style Inspirations: Cartoon Heroines

 If you still don't what to dress up as for Halloween, how about one of these cartoon characters? Their outfits are easy to replicate and you can probably do it with items you already have in your closet.

Sailor Moon by somedaysmarter featuring wedge heels

Judy Funnie by somedaysmarter featuring platform shoes

Daria and Jane by somedaysmarter featuring black flat shoes

Marceline the Vampire Queen by somedaysmarter featuring mid rise skinny jeans

Style Inspirations: What to Wear While Waiting For The Great Pumpkin

Have a Halloween event you have to go to and don't know what to dress up as. Well here are some ideas.

Shaun from Shaun of the Dead

As long as you don't get too much red on you, this is the perfect outfit to wear while running away from zombies. Remember to aim for the head and if you have to use your record collection as a weapon, use the crappy albums first. Then all you have left is to do is hide out at The Winchester, have a nice cold pint and wait for the whole thing to blow over.

Shaun of the Dead by somedaysmarter featuring short sleeve tops

Penny from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Everyone's favorite petition name collector. Lover of laundry and frozen yogurt. Dated a superhero.  Also... (highlight since it is a spoiler) the one person that had to die because Joss Whedon loves to kill off your favorite character.  Which is why to make it even more authentic you need to add a piece of shrapnel to the costume.  

Penny by somedaysmarter featuring frye shoes

Taylor Swift

All you need is a sparkly dress, cowboy boots, and a guitar and you're set. Curly blonde hair, being interrupted by Kanye West after winning an award, and a boyfriend who will you later write a song about not included. 

Taylor Swift by somedaysmarter featuring gold hair accessories

Pan Am Stewardess

There was a time where air travel was a glamorous event and not just another mode of transportation. Relive those days as a high flying Pan Am Stewardess. You won't see any of them making their way down the emergency slide with two beers in hand when the passengers get unruly.

Pan Am by somedaysmarter featuring kitten heel shoes

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Style Inspiration: Jane Eyre

Last week I finally watched Jane Eyre and I liked it so much I ended up watching it twice in a row. It's such a moody and romantic film and I thought Mia Wshikowska and Michael Fassbender were fantastic as Jane and Mr. Rochester. For today's style inspiration I wanted to translate some of Jane's 19th century dress to today, which is very easy to do. With small flower prints, plaid, lace-up boots and even a cape, you can channel your inner Jane Eyre without having to wear a hoop skirt and bonnet.

Jane Eyre #1 by somedaysmarter featuring an asymmetrical dress

Jane Eyre #2 by somedaysmarter featuring tote hand bags

Jane Eyre #3 by somedaysmarter featuring slip on shoes

Style Inspirations: Picnic at Hanging Rock

When it comes to scary movies, I like those that have a physiological, suspenseful, and mysterious bent. The ones where it's more of an unseen force or apparition rather than someone with a mask wielding a knife that the characters need to fend off. I was more freaked out by The Grudge than Scream. One movie that gave me the creeps after I watched it is the 1975 Peter Weir film, Picnic at Hanging Rock.

A summary about the film:

Three students and a school teacher disappear on an excursion to Hanging Rock, in Victoria, Australia on Valentine's Day, 1900. Widely (and incorrectly) regarded as being based on a true story, the movie follows those that disappeared, and those that stayed behind, but it delights in the asking of questions, not the answering of them. - IMDB

Screen caps from Adore Vintage

It might not be your typical scary movie, it's unfolds at a much slower pace, but it does make you think twice about hiking up rocky terrain in the Australian heat. Of course another thing I liked was the costuming in the film. Although it is set in the 1900s, there is a slight 70s influence since brands like Gunne Sax and Young Edwardian were popular at the time. Styles like this are still influential and you can see it in brands like Rodarte, Charles Anastase, or Lover. The outfits I picked give a nod to the costuming in the film but while still being modern to wear in real life.

Picnic at Hanging Rock #1 by somedaysmarter featuring leather boots

Picnic at Hanging Rock #2 by somedaysmarter featuring a tie belt

Picnic at Hanging Rock #4 by somedaysmarter featuring a pleated dress

Picnic at Hanging Rock #3 by somedaysmarter featuring vintage necklaces

Style Inspriations: Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan currently plays the 11th Doctor's companion in Doctor Who and while her on-screen style is filled with plaid button-ups and denim mini-skirts, her off-screen style is the opposite of that. I love her vintage feminine style. Plus she has the most beautiful red hair that makes me want to be a ginger, even for a day. For this weeks Style Inspirations, I recreated three outfits that Karen has worn and the all the pieces in for each outfit is under $50.

Karen Gillan Dress Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring a braided belt

Karen Gillan Shorts Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring a skinny leather belt

Karen Gillan Sweater Outfit by somedaysmarter featuring suede lace up boots