B O O K S

i received this book for my birthday from the originative last year, but i was in the process of moving so it got stored away in a box. i finally got a chance over the weekend to actually read the first chapter and skim 

through the rest after being intrigued from what i had read so far.

i could not have read this at a better moment.

i found my closet in a state of crisis several weeks ago. one could possibly mistaken it for a boy's wardrobe save maybe the three skirts that i have. i have been buying mostly for comfort (and making sure comfort looks good) but i had nothing to dress up a pair of khakis. i had to make a rule for myself that if i dominated in tom i would have to off center it with some girl and vice-versa.

my signature.

 a signature is like a rule, but it's more permanent and noticeable. it is a part of your look so constant that it defines you, makes you stand out, and becomes part of your fashion identity. ---amanda brooks, i love your style, p26

this book is all about discovering your personal style and how to take staple items and make it your own. i thought i would spend the next few posts blogging about this book, and my new purchases i will be making over the next six months to build up a strong wardrobe that i will hopefully never have to get rid of.

C O O K I E T I M E

i am a sucker for supporting my local girl scout. three boxes. those adorable little daisies got me to buy three boxes when my limit was one. gsa knew what they were doing when they created the daisies. cookie sales must have been down before their existence.

only three days left before the cookies go back in the vault. the fact that i still have two of three boxes left--i devoured the thanks-a-lot (thanks a lot for getting me off my diet)--is still quite commendable. trefoils and thin mints. i must savor them a little longer.

lately i have been buying colors that emulate the khaki palette and i know that burnt orange is a fall color (i am a fall girl) it still color, and i have been void of it for a little too long. time for an upgrade soon.

C O O K I E T I M E by andiaschehera featuring a wool felt hat

S C H U H E

went dress shoe shopping, once upon a time.

came to a sad conclusion that i can no longer sport my nine west favs which have always been a comfort to my soles. they were my first pair of heels and my bodacious calves thank them. now, i find more heels to be uncomfortable due to last years basketball injury, so boots, sneakers, and anything else that is flat takes precedence. but now i have a new job. they want me to get all dressed up and such, and said shoes will not do anymore. but i hast to has 'em. 

enter steve madden. 

i must say that i never cared for steve madden style of shoe, but in recent years i have been impressed with the face lift and he has done me a favor in  combining what i love and what i have to wear into a comfortable compromise. i think i just found my "the one". 

THE TOMGIRL SERIES | Merging by andiaschehera featuring leather booties

O U T F I T

i don't get dressed up for valentines day. i think this year will be different. on the hunt for a valentine's day outfit.

THE TOMGIRL SERIES | Be Mine

THE TOMGIRL SERIES | Polished Pioneer

This Thanksgiving I got to fulfill one of my childhood Frazier induced dreams of visiting Seattle. I honestly had no idea what to expect. I did no research on the place, took no one's word for it and pioneered through the Oregon trail (not really but I did take a train from Portland to Seattle and I am happy to report no wagon wheels were harmed during the process of this adventure).  I was brilliantly surprised. It solidified in my mind that I was born for colder weather. All those layers. Makes a girl like me swoon.

TOMGIRL SERIES | Polished Pioneer by andiaschehera featuring a leather purse

DESIGNER | Suzanne Rae

My heart just melted. Into 85 proof creamy dark chocolate. So rich. So simple. Suzanne Rae. Wwwhere have you been all my life? I was pinning away this morning on turbans (I don't care if they have gone with the wind, I still think they are doable) when I stumbled across this little Philippina gem. Her entire collection for FW13 just proves that simplicity can be so striking.

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | The Great Gatsby::Jordan

The Great Gatsby | Jordan by andiaschehera featuring floral tank tops

Although I didn't care so much for the new version of Gatsby (I haven't seen the older versions but I heard they are no better) I couldn't help but drool over Jordan Baker's wardrobe. She was my one consolation to enduring to the end. Jordan was a golfer and from the book a not so decent golfer, but an athlete non-the-less. Florida winters are normally northern states' fall, and normally you would see people walking around with their favorite college sweatshirt, shorts/pants and flip-flops. Never quite understood the concept, but here's something way more sophisticated if you must indeed wear sandals in the winter Floridians. A thin bomber or varsity jacket with a nice boyfriend coat draped over it and underneath it all some high waisted pants and mid-drift top to make you less toasty.

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | The Great Gatsby::Daisy

The Great Gatsby | Daisy by andiaschehera featuring a raffia hat

Can you tell from the last look and this look, that I am in love with quilted things? After buying my first quilted jacket in Germany last year (geeyah I can't believe tis almost a year!) I have been looking for some good quilted jumpers to pair with slim pants and flowing skirts. I went a more traditional route with Daisy's look with a chiffon pleated midi-skirt and a straw cloche, but broke away from it with the geometric quilted jumper from Topshop. Florida summers can be brutally unpredictable and our autumns are only slightly cooler summers. I am indoors mostly where it is cold, so a top like this doesn't bother me so much. Plus lighter colors reflect the light, so the thought of a light jumper doesn't seem quite as agonizing.

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | The Great Gatsby::Gatsby

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | Gatsby by andiaschehera on Polyvore

The Great Gatsby is always depicted with women in fringe and pearls, and the men in tuxes all living the party life twenty.four.seven. If you are wealthy, I am sure this is not far from your reality, but for us folk who come from small beginnings, style must blend in with practicality. Jay Gatsby did business in an unconventional way: he was a bootlegger disguised as an "Oggsford" man. This look sheds the normal suit and tie attire for the office (why can't they just say Dress code: Must look presentable) and takes the whole mullet approach: business in the front party in the back. Simple shirt, chino, and tie, with a loafer instead of the normal oxfords and paired with a fun quilted moto jacket. All black, with a hint of green, keeping the memory of Daisy close to his heart.

Want to try the tomgirl version? Simple! Try a sheer black button down instead and add some heels if you like.

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | Divergent::Erudite

DIVERGENT | Erudite by andiaschehera featuring an indian purse

 

Erudite faction focuses on obtaining knowledge. The blue color they wear is said to be calming as to aid in their clarity of the mind. I went with something studious yet laid back and not as uptight as some of the Erudite characters come off in the book.

After reading the book, I went back and forth between which faction I would have been in. I am a behind the scenes kind of person, not trying to draw attention to myself, but I am very black and white as well as have a thirst for knowledge. While I was online reading the faction manifestos I saw a link to take the test. It was cheesy of course, but I found out I was...{hold for dramatic pause} DIVERGENT. And it was as I guessed it, a blend of the three I mentioned (so Erudite of me). If anyone of you have read the book, what faction are you?

BOOK INSPIRED LOOKS | Divergent::Amity

DIVERGENT | Amity by andiaschehera featuring BCBGMAXAZRIA

 

Amity faction wears the peaceful colors of either yellow or red or both. Mixing red and yellow together can be tricky as it always makes one think of hamburgers and hotdogs. I broke it up with some neutral colors and used less saturated hues of the two colors. I am interested to see how the movie mixes the two colors. I am thinking less bright and airy to go with whole dystopian theme.