3rd Annual Music Inspiration Challenge Recap

Last week I finished the 3rd Annual Music Inspiration Challenge!  I was thrilled to finish it in only a matter of weeks.  It's amazing what you can get done when you aren't doing last-minute wedding errands!

Here's my recap, with outfits in order of songs:

1. Starry Eyed - Ellie Goulding
2. White Sky - Vampire Weekend
3. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg
4. Electric Twist - A Fine Frenzy
5. What You Waiting For - Gwen Stefani (clean version)
6. It's Not Unusual - Glee Cast

7. She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
8. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
9. Big Black Horse and The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
10. My Man My Moon - Feist
11. (If You are Wondering if I Want you To) I Want You To - Weezer
12. Dear in the Headlights - Owl City


And I must say this really got me out of my shell.  Notice no boot cut jeans and only one pencil skirt.  I am please with the outcome!  
I think next I'll do THIS LIST that I gave my sister!  

"Deer In The Headlights" - Owl City

This is my final outfit in our 3rd Annual Music Inspiration Challenge. I'm kind of sad to see it go- I've felt a lot of inspiration to create some looks I never would have thought of otherwise.

This look I would think of and did actually wear right as the challenge started. I just thought it may be cheating since it was a date outfit I'd already thought I'd wear. But when I watched the music video for "Deer In The Headlights" I realized it's a casual love story about a meeting at a convenience store. I started thinking of the times I actually go into a convenience store, which isn't often. Every time has been on a road trip, in an emergency, or just swinging by after a party or event with friends. The latter is more often than the other 2. Usually I'm dressed in casual party attire and we just need that midnight Slurpee or want a soda and swing by on our way to the next event.

This outfit totally fits the bill for a casual party or date outfit that could definitely end with me having that moment of noticing someone and getting caught like "Deer In The Headlights." And maybe this did stretch me, because most my outfits are taken at work or right after with a completely different dress code. Perhaps I need to embrace the weekend casual/date looks more often!

Jacket: Anthro, gifted, Jeans: LEI, $10, Shirt: Gap, Thrifted, $6, Shoes: Target, Bag: Nine West, Thrifted

"Black Horse And The Cherry Tree" - KT Tunstall

I went country for this song, thinking about the references to the horse and the cherry tree- both things found in the country and rarely in the city. I envisioned the female character letting go of a love that wants to get married, and her independently realizing that "you're not the one for me." That just screamed pointy kick-A style cowgirl boots, and bright colors to symbolize the boldness of the realization and declaration that it's time to move on with life.

Skirt: AE via Buffalo Exchange, Boots: Latin Market, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Cardigan: Last Chance

"What You Waiting For" -Gwen Stefani

I once again turned to the music video for inspiration which included all things Alice in Wonderland. I knew instantly my blue and white polka dot shirt with the peter pan collar would be involved. It took me a while to figure out how to combine the sweet innocent Alice with a work appropriate ensemble, but I think I finally somewhat figured it out.

Dress and boots: Last Chance, Jacket: AE via Buffalo Exchange, Shirt: AE, Socks: Target, gifted

"She's Blinded Me With Science" - Thomas Dolby

I had a difficult time coming up with what I wanted to do for "She's Blind Me With Science," until I talked to my sister last night.  I was thinking maybe a school girl cerebral look, but then Hillary suggested adding neon green to any outfit.  The more I thought about it, the more I wanted a neon to compliment a prep school look to bring in the 80's.  I also remembered my favorite science teacher, who made learning so much fun by always adding a cool experiment to compliment what we'd learned that week.  I always looked forward to that class as I did things like make ice cream in a coffee can learning about salt and freezing properties, I walked on a bed of glass, build an egg-drop machine, and we tie-dyed.  My teacher wore a tie-dyed lab coat with all kinds of neon colors.  So to honor one of the first people who really made me love school and learning, I knew neon was a must! 

 

Prep school blazer, shirt, and sweater vest plus a pop of neon on a skirt seemed to fit the bill! 

 

 

Skirt: Loft, $3.50, Blazer: Part of $40 suit from NY&Co, Shirt: NY&Co, $8, Sweater Vest: Target, $3.75, Pumps: Famous Footwear

"My Moon My Man"- Feist

Originally I had nothing for this one.  Then I watched the music video and smiled at the creativity that is Feist. I loved the trench coat and the lady-like shirtdress worn throughout an airport moving walkway.  It's been an unseasonably warm winter, so the trench was out, but another bright, jacket I knew could take the place of the trench, and I figured I'd add an equally bright dress just to celebrate amazing weather.  

Thanks for a great song, an amazing outfit, and an even better music video for inspiration Feist!

Dress: Anna Sui for Anthropologie via Buffalo Exchange, Jacket: Anthropologie, Shoes: Target  

"Electric Twist" - A Fine Frenzy

I took inspiration from a couple places- first of all the upbeat and bubbly tempo...it just said "do something whimsical," which I interpreted a fun pattern or loud colors.

I also looked at the album cover, and loved the structured suit that Alison Sudol wears.  

So I did what I could to come up with a whimsical, business ensemble.  Here's my take: 

Shirt: H&M, Blazer: Romy, Skirt: Thrifted, Tights: F21, Shoes: Famous Footwear

"It's Not Unusual" - Glee

I can hardly believe I'm winding up the last couple outfits of this winter's Music Inspiration Challenge!  It's been so fun!  And oh yeah, watch out Blaine- I may just be inspired by your outfit so much that I copy it almost exactly!

Polo: Gap, Pants: Thrifted (Old Navy originally), Belt: Target, Shoes: Vintage (gift from sister), Earrings: NY&Co

"Starry Eyed" Ellie Goulding

When I watched this video and looked at Ellie Goulding I just kept thinking, "Glamrock, hipster, sparkle." That seems to sum up her look and her style. And so that was my take. A little rocker with some black leggings, a little glam with a sparkly tank, and some hipster stripes combined into one.

Cardi: Target, Tank: F21, $12, Under T: Nordstrom, $10, Leggings: Costco, $15, Heels: Target, $13

(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To- Weezer

I absolutely love this song! When I ran a half marathon 2 years ago this was one of my playlist songs to set the pace for my run, so I've heard it many times. I instantly thought of the line, "you took me home to meet your Mom and Dad," which made me think of an outfit I would wear to meet someone's parents for the first time.
I've tried to avoid the music videos this challenge, but I was so curious to what this one would look like after I'd already thought up most of this outfit. The yellow the female wears stood out to me- I mean who couldn't use a little more yellow in their wardrobe? And I absolutely love the hipster sweaters and 50's vibe. That sealed the deal for me! Introducing my latest aquisition- the striped hipster sweater at the Loft 50% off coupon sale, which just seemed to pull everything I thought I wanted for this one together.

Sweater: Loft, $25 after coupon, Skirt: Anthro, $20, Shirt: Anthro, $20, Shoes: Nine West, Necklace: BR, $6