SIA: Fish out of water

Woo-hoo, it’s SIA time again! This week’s inspiration is a stunning watercolor illustration by 3-time Caldecott Award winner David Wiesner.

Inspiration:

Flotsam illustration – David Wiesner – Watercolor on paper, 2007

Interpretation:

And I was inspired right away! Usually, I have to sit with the inspiration art for awhile — as I like to do when visiting museums, as well, just sit with the paintings and soak up the vibes — but this one spoke to me immediately. I think the Wiesner’s stunning colors helped speed up the inspiration.

My coral salmon-colored pleated skirt was a no-brainer, and I paired it with a new striped top I scored at Old Navy with a gift-card last week. (And the top was on clearance, woo-hoo!)

Details:  Pleated skirt:  Florence Adams c/o giveaway  /  Striped tank:  Old Navy, gift-carded last week  /  Denim jacket:  Kohl’s, old  /  Flats:  Payless, new and on sale  /  Trench:  Marks & Spencer, Abu Dhabi, 2008  /  Pearl cluster earrings:  Old Navy, gift-carded in winter

I also added in extra details to play off the inspiration fish in the illustration. I went to my go-to rope braid hairstyle as it reminded me of gills, and my pearl cluster earrings represent fish eggs for this inspiration look. Tee hee!

And could I resist twirling in my pleated skirt? OF COURSE NOT!

Link ups:  SIA  /   YOLO Mondays  /  Monday Mingle  /  My Style Monday  /  Sunday Style

Related articles

• SIA: Soft and sweet (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Coral pleats (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Make Do and Mend…..rescuing a permanent pleat skirt that lost it’s pleats (princesspincurls.com)
• Navy + coral pleats (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)

Navy + coral pleats

Today, I felt like going for a feminine look. My pleated skirt definitely fit the bill, and pairing it with navy felt like a fresh color combo for spring. Plus, stripes!

Details:  Coral pleated skirt:  Florence Adams, c/o giveaway  /  Navy striped shirt:  H&M, last winter  /  Flats:  Payless, new  /  Navy skinny belt:  Kohl’s, gift-carded last spring  / Silver bar earrings:  Kohl’s, old

And here’s how I looked returning home from work. I liked how the coral pleats peeked out of my navy trench coat.

Link ups:  Friday’s Five  /  Casual Fridays  /  Fashion Informant Fridays  /  Watch What I’m Wearing  /  Sunday Style  /  IFB Project #95:  Show Us Your Stripes

Related articles:

• Coral pleats (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Classic Trench (thethreadengine.wordpress.com)
• Simple in stripes (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)

SIA: Soft and sweet

It’s SIA time again! This week’s inspiration is a painting from one of my favorite artists, Mary Cassatt.

Inspiration:

“Feeding the Ducks,” Mary Cassatt, 1895

Interpretation:

After looking at the painting for some time, I decided to go for a modern update of the woman in orange and navy. Alas, no puffed sleeves.

I definitely wanted to keep that soft, easy feeling the painting evokes, so I kept my hair down and the accessories sweet (see my bee earrings below, made with old dictionary definitions). And boats make me think of straw and wicker, so out came my vintage wicker purse.

Details:  Polka-dotted skirt:  Lands’ End, gift-carded this winter  /  Orange gingham shirt:  Old Navy, gift-carded last spring  /  Navy skinny belt:  Kohl’s, gift-carded last spring  /  Flats:  Payless, new  /  Vintage wicker purse:  Chicago art fair, old  /  Bee earrings:  discontinued jewelry site, old

And yes, those are new flats to replace my sadly departed and beloved bronze flats (see yesterday’s tribute post). My bronze flats were on the lighter side of bronze, so I thought this champagne-y hue echoed my original pair (and will still be a versatile color), while the mix of fabrics recalls the detailing on my grey flats. They’re super comfortable, as well — the entire Dexflex and Dexter lines at Payless are all straight-out-of-the-box comfortable — and I scooped them up on sale with a discount code!

Happy Monday!

Link ups:  SIA  /   YOLO Mondays  /  Monday Mingle  /  My Style Monday  /   Monday Bloom  /  Copycat Linkup

Related articles

• Blue stripes + florals (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
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• American Art: Mary Cassatt (laurettadimmick.com)
• Nail Art: Small Metallic Polka Dots (thedailyvarnish.com)

Coral pleats

Spring is here, and the sun is shining, so I couldn’t resist the temptation of unveiling my new pleated skirt! I recently was the lucky winner of a Florence Adams gift card via the Sisters in the City style blog (woo-hoo!). And this coral pleated skirt was one of the items I chose (the other being this jet statement necklace, last seen here). It was hard to narrow down the color of the skirt, as there are so many options; I had originally wanted red, but it wasn’t in my size. And I don’t have much coral in my wardrobe, so I just went with it!

This pleated skirt was made for twirling! I love the drop waist detail, which is quite flattering, and the skirt material has a nice drape and weight to it. The pictures make the color look more pink, but it’s definitely on the coral side in real life.

Details:  Pleated skirt:  c/o Florence Adams giveaway  /  Sheer floral top:  Fall fashion swap  /  Denim jacket:  Kohls, old  /  Turquoise wedges:  Payless, old  /  Gold hoops:  Birthday gift from mother-in-law, last summer  /  Cross pendant necklace:  My mom’s

My husband helped narrow down my shoe choice today. I often like to pull out different shoe/belt/jewelry options and ask Sam to make the final pick. He went for the fun retro-inspired turquoise wedges — the other finalists were my bronze flats, pewter metallic wedges, and my denim wedges.

And this sheer floral blouse — last seen here, layered over stripes — is quickly becoming another closet MVP. Its floral pattern includes touches of both turquoise and coral (so I am color-coordinating my turquoise wedges, Mom, just to put your mind at ease ).

And, of course, I had to slip in a cheesy pose! You’re welcome.

Link ups:  WIWW  /   Wardrobe Wednesday  /  Get Your Pretty On   /  Dress for the Day You Want  /  Whatever Works Wednesday  /  Random Wednesdays  /  What We Wore, Read & Made Wednesdays  /  Whatever Whenever Wednesday

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• Peach and Pleats (theautumnissue.com)
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Captain Ms. America

We’re getting closer to my one-year blogiversary on Monday, so if you haven’t already (thanks to all those who have entered so far!), please help me celebrate by entering for my first-ever giveaway, a $25 Old Navy gift card. Just click here for all the details!

And now it’s time for another Style Imitating Art challenge! Today’s look was inspired by a mustachioed Captain America. Oh, yes, that’s right. Mustachioed Captain America. (Say that 3 times fast!) If that’s not awesome, then I don’t know what is.

Inspiration:

SIA challenge — Mixed media painting — Alex Gross

I looooove me some red, white & blue (see here, here, here, here, here, here and here just for starters), so the biggest obstacle for me was to narrow down my options. And I *still* have two looks for you — one workplace appropriate (that I did indeed wear to work) and one casual. Just call me Captain Ms. America.

Interpretation #1 (work):

Having no star patterns in my wardrobe (first-world problems, I know), I paired dots and stripes together instead. I double-looped my belt to look more interesting, and as a subtle riff off superhero buckles and emblems. To infinity! And beyond!

Details:  Dotted skirt:  Lands’ End, gift-carded in February  /  Striped blazer:  Gap, gift-carded last summer  /  Red skinny belt:  Target, winter  /  Grey flats:  DKNY via Macy’s, Fall 2011  /  Navy trench:  Jason Wu for Target, Winter 2011

Interpretation Look #2 (casual):

For the casual look, I simply switched out my grey flats for my new red-and-white striped canvas flats, and my striped blazer for a chambray shirt. That’s it! Thirty seconds, and presto, new outfit! Superman really should have come to me for advice on the art of the quick change.

And no, I never pass up an opportunity for cheesy humor. Or cheesy poses:

And sure, my pose is really more Wonder Woman than Captain America — I am equal-opportunity superhero!

Details:  Chambray shirt:  Target, last summer  /  Striped canvas flats:  Target, new

I gotta say, I felt super-cute and super-comfortable all day! Which look do you prefer?

Link ups:  SIA  /  Casual Friday Link Up  /  Friday’s Five Linkup  /  Friday’s Fancies

Related articles:

• Captain America Infographic | MilitaryVALoan.com (militaryvaloan.com)
• Marvelous Captain America Cupcakes (betweenthepagesblog.typepad.com)
• Possible Concept Art from Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (collider.com)
• Lace confessions and dark florals (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)