"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

Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall: Coldplay

I love this song, but had a hard time at first deciding what if any outfits it inspired. The more I listened to it the more I thought it would be perfect in a movie soundtrack. You know those movies when the leading lady goes on some exotic trip to Europe to get away from her ex only to find her perfect match?  She's always sad and then finds this amazing rebirth and happiness- much like the lyrics and the beat of the song suggest. Somehow an old flame or a sexy man with an accent shows up to find her spending the day "sight seeing" with no schedule in mind. The two end up having the time of their lives running through cities or historical places, eating at romantic cafes, and walking through amazing naturescapes while falling in love and completely forgetting any sorrows or teardrops shed. And inevitably, the leading lady always has some frilly, girly skirt and a slouchy shirt with a complementing waste belt and heels that no normal tourist would wear for that amount of walking.
Envision that scene, play that song, and hopefully you'll see my outfit!

Shirt: Aero, Skirt: Rampage, Belt: Loft, Shoes: Nine West, Bag: college bookstore years ago, Earrings: Banana Republic

White Sky: Vampire Weekend

When heard this song it felt so warm and bubbly, and I knew I wanted a warm color pallet. I also thought of this cardigan instantly as the fun tempo reminded me of the swirls and artistic pattern. Not to mention the lyrics talk so much about modern art, and other forms of art that inspire the artist. I wanted the paint-stroked cardigan to play up some pattern mixing with stripes and also decided to add a somewhat geometric necklace. So here you have it, my take on a fun, warm, bright, artistic song.


Jeans: NY&Co, Shoes: Last Chance, Striped Shirt: F21, Cardigan: Target, Necklace: BR Outlet

Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop

I already am thankful for this challenge- I never would have thought to put this combo together, but something in Landon Pigg's "Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop" inspired me to find any soft, neutral, romantic piece that I own. I looked far and wide, but finally found enough pieces I would deem fit for a Coffee Shop date the ends in love.

Cardi: Anthropologie, Shirt: H&M Austria, Pants: Aero, Shoes: Nine West, Pearls: Old Navy

Burnt Orange&Turquoise Love

Skirt: Thrifted, Belt: Taken from a NY&Co skirt, Shirt: Loft, Cardi: Jcrew, Necklace: Gift from hubby, Shoes: Target

The 3rd Annual Music Inspiration Challenge

3 years ago my sister over at Overtures and Organza and I both felt we were in a fashion dry spell.  She told me how often music inspires her wardrobe.  I thought about it a minute before I thought, hey, we could use this for inspiration!  And thus the Music Inspiration Challenge was born!  (Check out full details here)
Here's how it works, we give each other a playlist of 12 songs to create outfits to.  You can do anything with the song, like pretend you're dressing up for the music video, dressing like part of the tempo or beat, stealing a lyric and dressing off that, or using the artist's style as your inspiration.  It surprisingly stretches creativity in ways neither of us thought possible before.
The real clincher?  You'd think we would have similar music tastes, but they are quite different.  However, the results have been awesome!

Year 1

Then year 2 I got married, and bronchitis, and almost finished, but not quite.

This year I'm going to finish in 3 weeks with my new playlist.  So without further adieu, here it is!

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

Do you want to play along too?  We'd love to have you and feature your outfits!  Feel free to choose either my playlist or the one I crafted for my sister, which you can find here.  

And may the fashion rut the two of us find ourselves constantly facing in January now be put to an end!  

Mixing Patterns

Shirt: BR, $11, Belt: Thrifted, $1, Shoes: Target, $8, Skirt: Gift from Mom, Necklace: Old Navy, $6

Inverse

I love to mix up my wardrobe with bright accessories, but today was an inverse kind of day. Loving color blocking, and I thought why not go neutral with accessories for a change?
Shirt: BR, $15, Skirt: Thrifted, $3, Shoes: Dillards, $13, Belt: Loft, Earrings: BR, $6

The Bike Ride Date

I needed an outdoor friendly cute date outfit this weekend. Is anyone else as in love as I am with colored pants right?
Pants: Old Navy (thrifted), Striped T: Banana Republic, Cardi: AE, Necklace: Made by me, Shoes: Famous Footwear

I think this outfit worked great so I could go on one awesome date with the hubs doing this:

Kids Say the Darndest Things

There were so many student comments on this outfit and hairdo! Asking if I was channeling Princess Leah wins 2nd favorite, and telling me, "You look great- just like a horse trainer!" I think wins.

Gray Skinnies: Old Navy, Boots: Last Chance, Striped Shirt: F21, Jacket: Loft, Earrings: Custom made

Brilliant!

I can't believe it's taken me this long to copy other bloggers who wear dresses as shirts.  Women- you are brilliant!

Dress worn as shirt: Target, Skirt: Gap, thrifted, Boots: Last Chance, Belt: Gap, Cardi: Loft

Texture

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft, Dress: Romy, Shoes: Target, Tights: JC Penny