Musical Inspiration from my April

As promised, I am back with another edition of music that I could not get away from throughout this month! The grouping includes an interesting mish-mash of folk (surprise, surprise...), acoustic, country, and even a little mainstream goodness. Some songs are new, others are old, and one is even older (good ole John Denver), but this month's soundtrack all comes together to be quite marvelous if I do say so myself.

1) You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
2) Forgive You - Vedera
3) Cemeteries of London - Coldplay
4) I Met Up With the King - First Aid Kit
5) Bird Song - Sherree Chamberlain
6) We Sing - Vedera
7) Ambulance - Eisley
8) The Girl - City and Colour
9) Electric Bird - Sia
10) Grandma's Feather Bed - John Denver
Description: Beautiful songs (some happy, some sad, some indifferent) that have inspired my April.

Download the playlist on i-Tunes!

What songs, albums, or artists made your April fabulous?

xoxo,
Sarah

Pretty Picture: Girls in Coats by Danny Roberts

It is no secret that Danny Roberts is my favorite fashion illustrator, and I might or might not have a secret crush on him. Anyway, I was browsing his etsy shop recently and fell completely in love with this painting, entitled Girls in Coats. Whether I am savoring every moment in them during winter or eagerly anticipating weather that allows me to pull them out again, coats draw me in all year round. So it is not surprising that this painting especially caught my eye.

If you have not discovered Danny yet, do not waste another moment! Check out his fantastical blog Igor+Andre right now!

xoxo,
Sarah

Casual Evening Out

Most of my previous looks have shown me in dresses and skirts, but, believe it or not, I actually wear skinny jeans most days. I am especially in love with jean leggings because they are very flattering on my twiggy legs. I wore this outfit out to dinner with my parents and some long-time family friends last night!

What I Wore:
* Bright yellow tunic from Heritage 1981 (sold in Forever 21)
* Gray cardi from Target
* Jean leggings from Pacific Sunwear (I have two pairs already)
* Classic kitten heels from Target
* Deep red vintage bag from my grandma
* Silver cut-out earrings from H&M (my go-to earrings that look FAB with almost anything in my closet)

Check out this look on Lookbook or Chictopia!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. How do you like my French braided hairstyle?

Dressing for Earth Day can be every day!

Yes, I realize that it is not Earth Day anymore, but it sure was fun while it lasted! Celebrating this day definitely makes you stop and think about all the innovation surrounding the green lifestyle. And for fashionistas like me, fashion is one of the first things on the mind, so it is especially intriguing to watch independent (and some mainstream) designers in their efforts to become more eco-friendly.

The cultural movement toward being environmentally and socially aware has encouraged the fashion industry to work with new materials, seek out and use local labor, find new uses for old things, and watch the entire production process from seed to cloth. Realizing these byproducts of the green movement is enough to even grab the attention and appreciation of those who are not necessarily into the movement itself--simply because it has fostered creativity and innovation. Really, you have to admit that there is something very interesting and fun about the need to be green and socially responsible.

While we are on the subject, here are a few seemingly-obvious but easy ways to incorporate a green perspective into your wardrobe:
* Buy vintage clothing and accessories - Rummage through your local thrift stores or online marketplaces like Etsy and Market Publique. And check with your grandma or great aunt!
* Wear hand-me-downs (only if cute though!) - Be open to free clothes from relatives or friends. You might already share clothes with your best friend or sister, so that works too!
* Support eco-friendly designers - Check out Matt & Nat, Fin Oslo, and Lu Flux for starters! 
* Build a sustainable wardrobe with staple pieces - Look for classic silhouettes and interesting details.
* Host or attend a "Swishing" clothes-swap party - This is such a fun way to change up your wardrobe just a bit. Gather up several items of clothing that could use some new loving and get together with friends or the community to swap. Planning one of these awesome events is on my to-do list!

As we are in the green-loving spirit, let me remind you to keep a lookout for my eco-friendly column on N.E.E.T. Magazine's blog twice a month, where I go in-depth with eco-friendly designers from all over the world!
 
Get the Eco-Friendly Look...
1) Amber Dobby Dress II (eco-friendly materials) - $398 - Shop Substance; 2) Woven Clutch (organic cotton) - $40 - Greenloop; 3) Honeycomb Charm Necklace (ethical fashion) - $620 - Juno & Jove, Inc; 4) Knee-High Socks (organic) - $8 - Sock Dreams; 5) Vintage Oxfords - $67 - Kenaione; 6) Vintage Cardi - $34 - Paradox

xoxo,
Sarah

Pretty Picture: Boredom with Bubble Gum

Flickr can be so addicting sometimes. Just typing in a few words like balloon or bubble will send you perusing for hours, just because there is so much out there. But even though there is an abundance of talented photographers, it is always a treat to stumble upon a new one like the author (BOP33P via Flickr) of today's inspiration pretty picture.

The bubble-blowing model above is also the photographer  and creative mind behind all her pictures. Be sure to take a look through her photo stream on Flickr, where she is currently finishing up a very cute series through the alphabet ("A is for..." or "B is for...").

Oh, and as pictures inspire me, you can expect more loveliness from a fashionable perspective!  

xoxo,
Sarah

Latest Obsession: French Braids

 

A couple weeks ago while watching a movie, I started playing with my hair, twisting it around this way and that. Before long, I managed to have a very loose French braid coming around into a side ponytail. Wondering if it was even presentable, I ran to the mirror to check out the style and realized that it definitely had potential to be street-wearable. 

Since my first go at this style was a complete accident (after all, I was styling blindly), I have continued to perfect the look. Thanks to the numerous tutorials online, getting braiding tips from the pros is easy and fun. In general, Ford Models and fashionface.tv (pixiwoo on youtube) are my go-to sources for hair and makeup tips. Always fantastic!

Here is my favorite braided style from Johnny Lavoy at Ford Models:

If only I had an extra hand at my beck and call...braiding can sure make your arms tired after a while! Good thing that the finished result looks pretty and bohemian. And it really does not take that much time,  making it a great way to stylishly pull your hair back, especially if you are in a hurry.

Next time I document one of my outfits (or the next few since I am a bit obsessed), expect a French braided look with my hair!  

 

xoxo,

Sarah

P.S. Yesterday was my DFOF posting day, and I am quite in love with the collage I created about hot air balloons. Go on over to see and read for yourself!

Random Red Bag

Yes, the red bag is just a small part of my outfit, but it definitely adds the needed POP of color. It has been very rainy these past few days, and today I needed a dress-up outfit that is semi-warm and easy to keep dry. As much as I love my rainboots, they do not look that chic with a pretty skirt and top. But since my oxfords are not suede, they are great for wearing in the rain!

What I Wore:
* Black top with ruched sleeves from Ross
* Red vintage purse from my grandma
* Cream vintage belt from my grandma
* Skirt with blue stitching from Forever21
* Black tights from Target
* Black oxfords by Maripè from a MASSIVE closeout sale

Hype this outfit on Lookbook and vote for me on Chictopia!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I apologize for the poor coloring in my photos. It has been so gray outside lately, and the lighting inside is not very good either. Of course, it ends up making everything look quite retro, which is always a plus in my eyes anyway...sometimes I feel like I belong in a different era. But you can expect better quality and coloring in the future! <3