Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

I have been wanting to read Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, so I was excited to add it to my list for the Everything Austen challenge. The book is now one of my favorite Jane Austen inspired books and kept true to the original characters - except, of course, for that part about Darcy being a vampyre. Grange makes her novel feel like a continuation of the story by weaving in bits of dialogue from Pride and Prejudice, but still keeping the story fresh. A very fun read for Twilight and Austen fans.

Links a La Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Our Differences Unite Us

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

Coming off of Ashe Mischief's Independent Fashion Blogger's Post (Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode), you all brought your A-game in posting the links a la mode -- which made it extra hard to edit! This week, the theme that I saw emerging throughout the posts is one of celebrating our unique diversity; each site has a different take and approach to fashion, art, beauty, media, lifestyle, music - you name it! From the dry shampoo trials at Dramatis Personae to Le Petite Cecile's observations regarding the bleached eyebrow trend, you all brought a new perspective to each topic at hand, a sign that indicates how wonderful and creative the blogosphere truly is. Get even more excited for Halloween with cmykaboom and Idiosyncratic Style costume suggestions that are sure to make you smile, along with DenimDebutante's discovery of the "zipholder". All in all, one things' for certain: we've got an amazing community of bloggers!

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : October 29th

• Clutch 22 -A Blogger's Fairytale - The Making of Seattle Indie Designer Jesica Milton's "Jordie" Dress


• cmykaboom -Halloween Hauteness: Top Ten Halloween Costume Ideas


• Dramatis Personae - The Dry Shampoo Trials (Part 1)


• DenimDebutante - The Zipholder


• Fashion Pulse Daily -Favorite New Eco-Find: the Cool Indie Designer Eco Duds at Green is Black


• ferOHHHsh - To Ugg or not to Ugg?


• girl friday -A Guide to Styling & Buying Scarves.


• Idiosyncratic Style - Stylish Last Minute Halloween Ideas


• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode


• Le Petite Cecile - To Bleach or not to Bleach, That's the Question.


• Lillys Garden - Dirndlpunk ROCKS


• Mama Fashionista -- So What if I'm a (Perfume) Slut?


• Prom Mafia -Warning:This Image has been Photoshopped: Should a Disclaimer be Used on Photoshopped Models?


• Oranges & Apples -Flats or High Heels? Investigating Shoes that are Both Comfortable and Stylish


• Queen Gilda: Thesis Collection: Sketching, Fabric Choices, and Final Edits


• Retro Chick -Style Snapshot - 10 Questions with Eyeliah of Style Symmetry


• The COVETED -Learning More About Vintage from The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping


• The Demoiselles -- Pay Homage to the Classic Graphic T-Shirt


• Think Thru Fashion - Behind the Scenes at a MAC Halloween Photo Shoot


• Vue Society - RTW + Alterations vs. Custom Made


• Workchic - Shoe Smitten Shows Workchic Readers the Best Tall Boots for Those with Hard to Fit Calves

Things i LOVE Thursday

Learning Michael Jackson's Thriller routine

This bandage dress from Arden B.

Getting ready for Halloween

Finding solutions to problems

Finally getting a copy of Lost in Austen

(Thank you Lights, Camera...History!)

DKNY Silk Ballerina Dress

Lately, I've been searching for the perfect little black dress, and while I am not claiming this is it, the DKNY Silk Ballerina Dress immediately took me back to my dance class days. Inspired by Degas, this demure dress can easily be turned into a flirty LBD by adding a statement necklace or a jeweled belt. Très bien!

Something Sparkly

Ok, I admit it. I have a thing for sequins. I wear the shiny whenever I want regardless of the season or the time of day, so Coach's new Sequin Spotlight shoulder bag is a dream come true. It is the ruby slipper of handbags and the perfect show stopper for this holiday season.

Northanger Abbey

A gothic romance is the perfect type of novel to read this time of the year, so for the Everything Austen and Readers Imbibing Peril challenges, I chose to read Jane Austen's comedic take on the genre, Northanger Abbey. After watching the 2007 TV movie, I fell in love with Henry Tilney, and he is just as wonderful on the page. The story centers around the imaginative Catherine Morland and the people she meets while vacationing in Bath. Her journey to maturity is entertaining and at times, all too relatable.

Links à la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Thrifty Chic

Edited by Retro Chick
There’s a thrifty feel abound in this weeks Links á la Mode. Maybe we’re all saving money for Christmas, or perhaps we’re all those recessionistas I hear so much about. Oranges and Apples spends a week living out of a capsule wardrobe to prove it can be done, Further Ado tells us why “Investment Dressing” is just another way that Fashion Magazines try and part us from our cash, Style Symmetry shows us 3 ways to work the same plaid blazer and Fashion is my Crush saves money by making her own studded vest (that’s a waistcoat if you’re British…)
As the end of October creeps closer and the nights draw in this weeks Links á la Mode also, inevitably, includes some Halloween inspiration from The New Wave and Style Amor along with the usual amazing mix of give-aways, interviews and reviews that we’ve come to expect.
Of course, if you need more tips and tricks remember to check out all the submissions for this week in the Links á la Mode thread.

Links à la Mode : October 22nd

• A Typical Atypical – Make me a… 1940’s wartime woman
• Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan.
• Bobbins and Bombshells – Sharin Foo of The Raveonettes. A modern Hitchcock Blonde with a guitar.
• Fashion in my eyes – Revlon fantasy eyelashes review and giveaway
• Fashion is My Crush – DIY Embellished Vest: make your own hardware strewn vest with some beads, studs & chains.
• Fasshonaburu – Alyssa & Vyque go to the local Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out
• ferOHHHsh – Blatant Designer Knockoffs- Not just in the back of vans anymore.
• Further Ado – Investment dressing – is it a real investment, or another women’s magazine catch-phrase used to encourage us to buy, buy, buy?
• Idiosyncratic Style – Q & A with amazing photographer Dana Brushette
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – Emily Howse A look at an up-and-coming fashion graduate with a taste for ethical production, architectural inspired pieces, and plenty of ruffles.
• Little Miss Makeup – Brown is the new gray! Learn how to do a smoky eye for daytime.
• Oranges and Apples – The Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Roundup and Reflections
• Prom Mafia – 80s Done Right: How to Rock the 80s Fashion Trend
• Retro Chick – Win an organic cotton jumper, worth £70 from Urban Buzz
• slsvgg Fashion – Lily Allen’s jewellery line has finally been released in Selfridges
• Style Amor – Need Costume inspiration with a bad ass fashionable twist?
• Style Symmetry – Three Ways to Wear a Plaid Blazer This Season!
• Styletastic – A roundup of SS2010 runway shoes – what will we all be wanting to wear on our feet next summer? (Or not as the case may be)
• The Coveted – Behind the Scenes at Christian Francis Roth
• The New Wave – DIY Halloween inspiration from the S/S 2010 runway shows
• The Working Wardrobe – Something to Remember: Your Work Attire Not Only Represents You, It Represents Your Workplace. Think Before You Dress.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Being a stand in on a new movie

Making Chocolate Chip Scones

Reading Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

Learning about Universal Design

These Dollhouse Cianna Studded Motorcycle Boots

Product modeling for Non Phiction

Girls' Weekend!

Von Vonni Sequin Convertible Dress

artfulwears.com

It's never to earlier to start holiday dress shopping, so when I saw this dress, while doing some online shopping, my imagination took flight. Grecian, tube top, halter, this Sequin Convertible Dress by Von Vonni can be worn in a multitude of ways making it the perfect piece to get you through the holiday season. And, unlike other convertible dresses, this dress is available in Small through Large.

Costume Ideas

The leaves are changing, and Halloween is just around the corner. If you still haven't decided what you want to be this year, here are some suggestions:

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga Costume by Icedivastar featuring Victoria's Secret shoes

Lady Gaga has taken Halloween by storm and is one of the top costumes this year. Gaga has tons of crazy looks to choose from, and most key items can already be found in your closet. The only down side is the 50 other Lady Gagas partying with you on Halloween. DIY Tip: buy safety glasses at an auto supply store and glue lace over them for instant Gaga appeal.

Penelope

Penelope by Icedivastar on Polyvore.com

If you have not seen the movie Penelope, you are missing out. Starring Christina Ricci and James McAvoy and produced by Reese Witherspoon, Penelope is a modern fairy tale about a family curse, a pig-nosed girl, and the power of love.

Flapper

Flapper by Icedivastar featuring Monsoon accessories

I love period dramas, but a bustle and train is a bad idea for anyone planning to party hardy this Halloween. But despair not, indulge your love of period costumes by dressing up as a flapper. Seductive and functional, you can make like the Roaring Twenties and party the night away.

Links à la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Ethics and Morality in Fashion City

Edited by Ashe Mischief
This week’s Links á la Mode covers the gambit in regards to the ethical and moral questions surrounding fashion right now…. we have Confessions of a Fashion Editor’s take on fashion blogging & paid posts, and Oranges and Apples reports on a German magazine’s ban of professional models. threadbared talks about Lara Stone, French Vogue, and the controversial use of blackface in recent issue, while Hong Kong Fashion Geek revisits the argument about fashion, price discrimination, and designer knock-offs as Alexander McQueen sues Steve Madden.
As usual, there was a spectacular round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of checking out!

Links à la Mode : October 15th

• Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Morality, the law, and fashion blogging
• Denimaniac: – Best Denim Shops Q&A with LA’s Mister Freedom
• dramatis personae – Costumes from Holidays Past…
• ferOHHHsh: – Champagne from a shoe?? J’Taime Le Rituel!
• From Betsy With Love – Bringing some Lynchian Style to the Web!
• Grit and Glamour – Manscaping 101: Guys should groom, not preen. A little chest hair never hurt (but a shaved chest does).
• Hong Kong Fashion Geek – What’s the harm in Steve Madden doing an Alexander McQueen knockoff? Is it really sue-worthy?
• idiosyncratic style: – Idiosyncratic Style: Dare to put your legs center stage this season.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Poll : How do you feel about Sponsored Posts?
• Large Black Diary: – Austie has a beautiful collection of hair accessories
• Oranges and Apples: – German magazines bans professional models – an in-depth disussion
• Prom Mafia – Betsey Johnson does DC.
• Rags to Reverie: – Five tips for shopping at an American Apparel Flea Market
• Retro Chick – Lusious Lingerie: Vintage Style from Fred & Ginger
• sweetarchivia: – Review of Man Shops Globe event held at the San Francisco Anthropologie store
• The Art of Accessories: – The Art of Accessories shows you how to accessorize your winter wardrobe with tights.
• THE COVETED – SPUN Around: Integrating organic basics in your wardrobe.
• The Curvy Fashionista – The Business of Plus Size Fashion: Blogger turned boutique owner Marie Denee discusses the growth of plus size fashion.
• The Working Wardrobe – Virtual Dress Code: How Professionalism is Working its Way into the Avatar Wardrobe
• the3st: – The First EVER Philadelphia Fashion Week is this week. Interview with the directors of the week:
• threadbared: – We react to the recent Lara Stone editorial in French Vogue in “Blackface, and the Violence of Revulsion.”
• mode.ulation: – Mode-ulation is back from hiatus..we bring you a quick glance through Paris fashion week with the cutest trend – the updated toga.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Watching An Affair to Remember

Eating donuts and apple cider

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Surprise packages in the mail

The Stephanie Shoe from ShoeDazzle

Les enfants du paradis

Topshop's Embellished Biker Jacket

Proper Toppers - The Fedora

My love affair with hats began at a young age. Big straw hats with lace or ribbons and snug little knit caps were a staple of my pre-teen wardrobe, but it wasn't until college when, I discovered the fedora, that my love turned to obsession. From The Roaring Twenties to Indian Jones, the fedora's versatility should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe.

Indiana Jones Officially Licensed Crushable Wool Felt Fedora Hat

Cha Cha's House of Ill Repute "Hemlock"

Eugenia Kim "Alexis Fedora"

White House Black Market Wide Brim Fedora

Barmah Crushable Wool Felt Trilby Fedora Hat

The Theatre

A recent trip to the theatre reminded me how desperately I am in need of a wardrobe update. The basics for an evening out, I discovered, are:

1. A dress that you can play up with accessories or that can stand on its own.
2. A pair of trendy shoes that look good with or without tights.
3. A clutch that is big enough to hold the necessities - cell, lipstick, keys, money and ID.
4. A fabulous jacket that adds to your outfit while, also, keeping you warm.
5. A conversation piece such as a cocktail ring or a statement necklace.

What's great about this list is that these items can be found at every price point!

The Theatre by Icedivastar featuring Dorothy Perkins bags

HLMN Weekend Roundup

The Beauty Chick takes a look a Go Girl's practical line of products.

Beauty Junkies Unite swatches of one of the hottest new nail polish shades, Jade from Chanel!

It's "Armani Everything" at Best Things in Beauty, where you can read all about the new Rouge d'Armani lipsticks and Crema Nera OMC3 and enter a giveaway contest for OMC3 ($185).

Denim Debutante talks about why she didn't go to Fashion Week.

"Match you nails to your emails!" Dell and O.P.I. at FeroHHHsh.

Kelly of Gouldylox Reviews sits down with Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals.

Hot Beauty Health is giving you the latest jacket trends for fall!

The Informed Makeup Maven gives away her must have Napoleon Perdis essentials.

Krasey Beauty explores glamour's Gothic side with Illamasqua Dystopia.

Lipgloss Break is giving away Pure Silk shaving cream.

Check out review and swatches of Chanel Glossimers at Makeup4all.

theNotice tries on Fall's dark lip trend -- and throws some blue and violet into the mix!

Obsession Confessions of Glamour and Love has tips for dry hair and skin in colder weather.

Prime Beauty learns that thin is not always in, with hair at least.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Sicka Than Average wants you to dip into a sea of pink with these BCA-themed fashions and cosmetics

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Links à la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Fashion Roller-coaster

Edited by Jennine
Wow… we’ve got an interesting bunch this week… word from fashion weeks has put us on a roller coaster from the creepy toenails on Shoe Daydreams to the stunning Alexander McQueen on ferOHHHsh, a much needed shopping bill of rights ondramatis personaeand Bay Area Style File wonders why cigarette cases are marketed to teens at Urban Outfitters. We’ve also got some new faces in our round up including one of my favorite French blogs, Morning by Foley whose beautiful photography reminds me how sweet fashion really is.

Links à la Mode : October 8th

• 39th and Broadway – Stop Glamorizing the Recession!
• Bay Area Style File – Crimes of Fashion: Chain Mess Cigarette Case
• Bobbins and Bombshells – Fashionable History: Veils
• BRICK MY LANE – The Longer Length SHOWstudio
• dramatis personae – Ashe Mischief’s Shopping Bill of Rights
• Fashion Pulse Daily – Goth Chic Rules the Runways
• ferOHHHsh – Alexander McQueen Spring 2010: McQueencaps.
• Fete a Fete – Dolce & Gabbana Fragrance Anthology
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – FTC Ruling : An Ethical Double Standard?
• Little Black Book – Velvet touch
• Morning by Foley – A beautiful afternoon with girls, a fairy and bows…
• Prom Mafia – Halloween – Recessionista Style. How to make smart and stylish choices when deciding on a Halloween costume.
• Rags to Reverie – A stunning editorial from V Magazine and how I got my copy from New York City
• Random Fashion Coolness – Garance Doré
• Retro Chick – Ethical Design Spotlight – SPUN
• Shoe Daydreams – Bad Trends in Feet – Gargoyle Toe & Clear Claws
• Style Symmetry – New divine dresser to watch out for Giant Dwarf!
• Sweet Fancy Treat – Interview: Uma Turan – Milliner
• THE COVETED – Berrylicious Colors and a New Mascara to Die For from Benefit Cosmetics
• The Curvy Fashionista – The Real Curves behind the cover of Glamour’s November Issue
• the3st – Interview with Marina Makaron

Things i LOVE Thursday

Coconut m&m's

Panera Bread bagels

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Spending time with my family

Rimmel Lash Maxxx Waterproof Mascara

SNL's Norwegian Actor's Playhouse

Pink Ribbon Hat

Modern Girl: Judy Jetson

Growing up, The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones was a favorite movie of mine partly due to my love of Judy Jetson. Who better to dress up as for Halloween than this futuristic teen queen? Red leggings worn with a skirt or dress are key to nailing Judy's look, and a red lips headband pays homage to her digital diary, DiDi. Don't forget the awesome ponytail!

Judy Jetson by Icedivastar featuring Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry

Rock & Candy Pepper Boots

WhoWhatWear featured these shoes in a Schooled in Style episode a couple of months ago, but the shoes were not available on the Bakers Shoes website...until now. Rock & Candy Pepper black suede boots are embellished with rhinestones and metal accents and are the perfect way to introduce the military trend into your wardrobe à la Sgt. Pepper.

T-Shirt Lei Necklace Winner

The winner is:

fashionfrugality

More contests coming soon!

Links a La Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Edited by Debutante Clothing

I just turned 35. It’s a landmark year not just chronologically, but style wise. I am now approaching that next age bracket in the How to Dress for Your Age features in mags. You know the ones. Thank goodness for my blogger pals here at Independent Fashion Bloggers. You’ll find some of the best style guides here this week. Guides such as Mischief My Dear’s advice on finding the perfect LBD and Fasshonaburu’s Spring 2010 trends guide. But beware the urge to dress too sexy. 39th and Broadway tells you why toddlers and stilletos don’t mix, and Squareectomy questions the taste level of visible thongs. Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : October 1st

• 39th and Broadway - – Toddlers, Stilettos, Thongs, Oh My!


• Awakened Aesthetic - – features t-shirts by the Samburu Project, which provides drinking water to the Samburu District in Northern Kenya.


• Bobbins And Bombshells - – veiled headband fascinator DIY tutorial


• Debutante Clothing - – vintage paper dresses that are anything but disposable


• Fasshonaburu - – Sure peaked shoulders and sequins and tribal were on the runways… again. But here are five NEW trends to come out of Spring 2010 NY Fashion Week!


• fête à fête - – Vouelle’s new Fall-Winter 2009-2010 shoe collection, straight from Paris!


• Friend in Fashion - – A vintage tale: gorgeous lace & bows


• Hong Kong Fashion Geek - – VPL’s anatomy-inspired spring collection, and how to replicate the skeletal fascination right now


• Idiosyncratic Style - – Awesome style from the brit drama Skins


• Independent Fashion Bloggers – When should you start charging money for your blogging experience?


• Jewelrywhore - – Madeleine Albright is kicking butt with her brooches


• Mishief My Dear - – four versions of the Little Black Dress that should be in every woman’s wardrobe


• Oranges and Apples - – A guide to vintage shopping in Berlin


• Squareectomy - – More Exposed Bits: the less flattering side of the fashion world


• Super Kawaii Mama - – Travel Essentials to keep it glam! The secrets to staying fancy in flight.


• The Coveted - – Do Fashion Blogs Glamorize Smoking?


• The Demoiselles - – Elle answers a reader’s question about being an in-betweeny – not quite plus size, not quite “regular”


• The Fashion Planner - – shows you how to get the look of Marc by Marc Jacobs.


• The Working Wardrobe - – perfecting the business “ice breaker” by working your accessories (that don’t thaw out your assets).


• Where Is That From? - – eco fashion show featuring local Toronto designers and design collectives

Things i LOVE Thursday

Birthdays

Bubble baths

College football games

Bowling with friends

Making new costumes for my etsy store

Seeing the Phantom of the Opera on stage

The stack of new books I have to read

(Thank you Stephanie for Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters)