"Runaways" The Killers

It's finally time for me to post the last Music Inspiration Challenge 2013 picture. I definitely took my time doing this challenge, but have taken even longer to get it up! I wore this about a month ago- yikes! Time to start actually posting these pics I'm taking daily!

All I can really say is I thought of the idea of settling down, running away, and becoming some hipster mom fit to be married to Brandon Flowers, which just kept producing the plan to wear a tunic, printed pants, and a headscarf. And any girl married to a rockstar had better throw some cheetah print in there somewhere...

Tunic: Jcrew, $28, Pants: Ann Taylor via Buffalo Exchange, $3, Belt: H&M, $5, Shoes: Mall boutique, $18, Scarf: Vintage Thrifted, $2, Earrings: Gifted

"Dream" Pricilla Ahn

"I had a dream, that I could fly" had birds on the mind.  I also love the soul searching lyrics and feel with the childhood innocence and whimsy of this song.  I went with a sober looking cardi and adult shoes, but wanted a whimsical necklace to tie together the rhythm and lyrics of this song.

Dress: Buffalo Exchange, $24, Shoes and Cardi: Last Chance, Necklace: Urban Peach Boutique

"Stardust" Mika

At first I struggled with Stardust by Mika, all I could think was sparkly, star-based items.  But I did that last year with "Starry Eyed" and didn't want to repeat.  So, I dug deep into the lyrics and pictured this scene of a guy meeting a girl at some dressy party or club and just being so excited that he can't stop hitting on her and asking her to "when can I see you again?"  So I put on that dressy party outfit, grabbed some bombshell red Mac lipstick, and played the part to the lyric.

Shirt: Loft, Necklace: Charlotte Russe, Belt: F21, Skirt: Target, Shoes: Last Chance

"Baba O'Riley" The Who

I have to admit that Baba O'Riley by The Who was a little bit of a tough one for me.  I kept trying to come up with looks, but kept feeling stumped.  But then I started reading more about the band and the song itself.  Long story short, their many images in red, white, and blue moved me to choose their signature color combo, while the idea that this song was written to be part of an opera originally inspired me to go a little more dressy for this look.

Shirt: Buffalo Exchange, Skirt: Old Navy Shoes: Target, Belt: Boutique, Necklace: Charlotte Russe

"Waterloo" Abba

Abba means two things: the 70's, and fedoras.

Hence my platform leather sandals, fringe sweater, and a fedora made their debut into an outfit I really liked and never would have thought to wear without this challenge!

Sweater: Anthro, Skirt: Old Navy, Fedora: Random mall store, Shoes: Target

"Barton Hallow" The Civil Wars

After listening to The Civil Wars "Barton Hallow" I had a hard time finding inspiration at first, but then settled on a Southern belle, warm humid day, country charm look for this one. 

  

Skirt: Last Chance, Shirt and Earrings: Banana Republic, Belt: Thrifted, Shoes: Target, Necklace: F21

December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)

Two things: 

1. This is has an up-beat fun tone!  It instantly put me in a party mood, which lead to some bright colors even in a cold February.  

1. 1963, a great time for fashion!  Cropped pants, girly flowers, and lady like cuts for curvy girls.  That inspired me to bust out my favorite 60's print shoes and build from there.  

Pants: Madewell, Shoes: Random mall store, Shirt: Anthropologie, Cardigan/T: Downeast Basics, Earrings: NY&Co

5 Year's Time

Thank you Noah and the Whale's music video for inspiring a school uniform look, a feeling of youth looking forward, and a blue and khaki color scheme.  

Skirt: Thrifted, Boots: Last Chance, Shirt: H&M, Cardigan: Target, Pearl Brooch and Pearl Earrings: NY&Co

Northwestern Girls- Say Hi

I have to admit that the lyrics and most of the song didn't speak to me all that much, but I tried hard to image this scene of this guy coming back to the Northwest trying to impress girls he used to get no attention from.
These girls were probably in daily attire, wearing boots and flannel shirts to stay warm in the rain, and that's what I went with!

Shirt: BR, Necklace: Franchesca's, Jeans: LEI via Walmart, Boots: Last Chance

Anna Sun

Sometimes at work I get to help fill in with copywriting.  I recently wrote an article for The Phoenix Marathon about great running music that came out in 2012.  I included this one on the list and said the following about it, "Anna Sun- Walk the Moon If the runner’s high you experience during your run could be put to a tune, this would be it!"

I'm marathon training right now and I love the upbeat feeling I get from this tune.  If that feeling could be put into clothing it would be fun, bright, and happy.  I also took inspiration from the music video with many hipsters in bright clothing including some neon.  I'm still getting dressed for work these days, so I pulled that inspiration into a work appropriate outfit, and this is what I came up with.  

Shirt: Old Navy, Jacket: Romy, Necklace: Jcrew knockoff from China, Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger, Shoes: Anthropologie via Downeast Basics

Midnight Dancers

I really love this song, and I picked out a few words/phrases that really helped me I draw inspiration for this outfit: the cobbled streets of Paris, Lovers, break the rules, you had me all along, I can hardly breathe, stay the night with me

So I decided something that was romantic, slightly rebellious, something you could walk all night in, and something that had some Paris inspiration.  Hello iconic striped shirt, ruffled skirt, soft curls, and edgy boots you could definitely walk (or dance) all night in!

  

Shirt: Gap, Undershirt: Shade, Skirt and necklace: Downeast Basics, Boots: Last Chance

4th Annual Music Inspiration Challenge

It's my favorite time of year to be a fashion blogger, the time where my sister and I participate in our annual Music Inspiration Challenge!

Let me recap for any new readers.  Years ago my sister mentioned she turns to music often for outfit inspiration.  A feeling in a song, a music video, an artist, an era- you name it, they all give some serious outfit inspiration!  We decided to give each other a playlist of 12 songs, much like a CD with a variety of songs.  You have to come up with an outfit for each song and post it within a month.

You can see my recaps of 2012, 2011, and 2010 at each of the links.  This challenge always stretches my greatly as my sister and I have very different taste in music.  We both love that since it helps us come up with outfits we never would have come up with sans this challenge.

So without further adieu, here's this year's list that I will start styling and post this week:

1. Settle Down- Kimbra
2. Midnight Dancers- Wolfgang
3. Waterloo- Abba
4. December, 1963 [Oh What a Night] - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
5. Anna Sun- Walk the Moon
6. Baba O'Riley- The Who
7. 5 Years Time- Noah and The Whale
8. Stardust- Mika
9. Dream- Pricilla Ahn
10. Northwestern Girls- Say Hi
11. Barton Hollow- The Civil Wars
12. Runaways- The Killers

I'll be starting my first post tomorrow and posting in two days, brace yourself! You can also play along if you like, we love other friends who feel inspired by music. Also be sure to check out the fantastic things my sister dreams up on her blog as well!

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