Book Style: Lullaby

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I love me some Chuck Palahniuk. His twisted brain speaks to me. The very first thing I ever read of his was Lullaby. It still remains one of my favorites. For those of you not familiar with the basic plot, Carl Streator is a newspaper reporter assigned to work on a piece about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Streator, himself, lost his wife and infant child suddenly. As work progresses on his article he notices a disturbing pattern: All of the families involved had a copy of Poems and Rhymes Around the World open to an African "culling song"; the same poem he read his wife and child the night they passed. Streator eventually realizes the culling song works and sets out with a real estate agent, Helen Hoover Boyle, to destroy all the remaining copies of the poem to prevent further deaths. Joining them on their hunt is Helen's assistant, Mona Sabbat, and Mona's boyfriend, Oyster. 

For this Book Style I was channelling Mona more than any other character. A little bit punk, a little bit hippie, a lot of I-do-as-I-please. Also, next time I say I'm going to style a book with a predominantly white cover, sit me down and ask me to reevaluate my decisions! I started with these denim shorts that honestly tie more into the book cover than the book in anyway. I tossed a pair of white fishnets on the legs. An oversized white "Rhymes" tee and an oyster-colored, vegan-friendly moto jacket have the top half covered. For shoes, a pair of "Rhyme" boots in "white peace" will keep your feet comfy and dry while you road trip the country in search of a killer poem. A "Carl" belt adds some weight to the outfit.For jewelry I fell in love with this skull nose ring and "Until Death Do Us Part" ring. A "Mona" pendant and a pair of "Africa" gold studs rounds out the ensemble. 

Does anyone else love Mr. Palahniuk as much as I do? What's your favorite book?

Book Style: The Island

Fact: I rarely like non-fantasy YA.
'nother Fact: I adored Olivia Levez's The Island.

Definitely recommending this gritty and realistic novel which absolutely earns the comparisons it has garnered to Robinson Crusoe and Hatchet. Our protagonist, Frances, is sentenced to a work program on an island in the Indian Ocean in lieu of jail time for her crime. When the plane carrying her, the group leaders, and her fellow juvenile delinquents crashes in the middle of the ocean, Fran's survival skills are put to the ultimate test. There's nothing like hours of solitary time on a deserted beach to really think about the consequences of her actions, either. By the time it turns out that Fran's island may not be as deserted as she assumed, you'll be rooting for this unlikely, and often bristly, hero.

I wanted to do beach-worthy and youthful for today's Book Style. It's not Fran's exact outfit - I refuse to style Spongebob bikini bottoms. Honestly, I'm so far from teenage now that I'm not even sure a 16 year old girl would wear anything I style. Anyways...

Let's start with a "Castaway" bikini. (Not pictured: All the sunscreen you'll want to apply. And reapply. And reapply again.) A pair of "Love Yourself" denim cutoffs seemed appropriate for Fran's journey. A "Françoise À La Mer" tee on top keeps the look easy. A pair of terrier leather flip flops are surely something Fran would love; she has a soft spot for pups, after all. I kept the jewelry simple with sparkly fish earrings, a fishtail bracelet, and an "Indian Ocean" necklace. In the category of Things-Fran-Would've-Loved-To-Have-Had-Handy we have a bright blue pair of aviators and an adorable shark iPhone case. Of course, even stranded, Fran was never without her eyeliner (this one is "Delinquent") and her nail lacquer (this sandy taupe is "Coconuts").

If you want to entertain and challenge your DIY survival skills, check out Olivia Levez's tutorial on how to make a shoes out of your bra!

Character Style: Ronald Bilius Weasley

Ronald Bilius Weasley. Resident smartass of Hogwarts. So used to existing in his brothers' shadows that being friends with super-famous, albeit against his will, Harry Potter seems to be a fairly natural fit for Ron. The thing is, Ron is actually a talented Quidditch player and an incredibly loyal friend - thus, a natural Gryffindor. His nerves and his belief that he is always second best often work against him, but Ron deserves better from his own self-esteem. Even Dumbledore was so aware of Ron's crippling insecurities that he had the foresight to gift him the deluminator. He's also crazy good at Wizard's chess. He's a professional curser, and is often scolded by Hermione for sprinkling in one too many foul words. 

Ron is the sixth of seven Weasley children, and the youngest son. Therefore he's not only "The King" on the Quidditch pitch but also the king of hand-me-downs. He's your standard grade Weasley: Flame red hair, fair skin, and ample freckles. He has blue eyes and is described as "tall and lanky", although, in my book, 5'9 isn't particularly tall. Maybe I'm biased since I'm 5'10 and my 6'4 husband thinks I'm short. Ron often complains about all the maroon he's forced to wear, but it's actually oddly endearing against his ginger locks, and I secretly think he prefers it. He's going to be found wearing trainers, jeans, and comfy tees most of the time. In the winter he'll be bundled up under one of his mum's famous hand-knit Christmas sweaters. The only new things his parent's were ever been able to afford to give him are a new wand (to replace the one mangled by the Whomping Willow) as a reward for his bravery and his watch gifted on his 17th birthday (a traditional coming of age gift for wizards). 

Character Style: Hermione Jean Granger

Trying something new out today: Character Styles! For my first trip down this dangerous new rabbit hole of inspiration, I went with Hermione from the Harry Potter. Only fitting since I'm in the midst of my Harry Potter Book Style series. 

Hermione is whip-smart and shares my overwhelming need to impart her knowledge on the less informed. (I'm sorry, I know it comes off as being a bossy know-it-all, but we just can't help ourselves.) She's also always concerned for the welfare of innocents and less powerful magical creatures and believes in equality with a ferocity I admire. I think she would be a pretty fierce environmentalist, even if she doesn't natural gravitate towards Herbology. She's also, definitely, a bonafide #feministkilljoy!

Physically, she has a rather unruly head of brown curls that she often wears loose or restrains in a braid. For special occasions she has been known to go through the effort of straightening it out into sleek updo's. Her brown eyes are usually buried in a book; the library is one of her favorite haunts. She's more concerned with studies than fashion, so her (off-duty) wardrobe is a mix of casual basics. Comfy t-shirts, oversized sweaters and hoodies. Denim and practical footwear. When she does dress up, for the Yule Ball or Bill & Fleur's wedding, she favors shades of lilac and periwinkle and stuns in simple silhouettes and jewelry. She would, of course, always have a watch on her, can't be late after all. I've never pictured Hermione being particularly fussed about makeup, either. Natural look at most. She's definitely always got a book on her, though. 

Book Style: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

For the third Potter book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I wanted to do a lady-Sirius. As flawed as Sirius is as a character - I mean he makes Harry look like a downright calm, rational planner - I do still love and feel for him. The sacrifices he made out of loyalty to James are heart-wrenching. This outfit is less Sirius-post-Azkaban and more how I imagine a teenage girl version of Sirius would dress!

Of course I stuck with the motorcycle aesthetic. We have to annoy mum somehow! A pair of skinnies in "Grim Shadows Grey" tuck right into a pair of "Remus" boots. On top we'll toss on a witches tee under a "Shaggy Dog" sweater. Slip into a rebelliously bright motorcycle jacket and cinch your waist with a "Prisoner" belt before we move on and discuss accessories. 

A "Sirius" bracelet for your wrist and a rat ring for your fingers. "Moon Phase" earrings will add a bit of sparkle to your ears while a stag necklace will show the whole school where your true loyalties lie. Lacquer up your nails with "Shattered Souls" gold glitter polish and grab a "Stag" bag to hold all your books contraband and the marauders' map. Now off to the Shrieking Shack you go, Lupin is waiting for his pals.