I’m wildly fascinated by the French fashion in The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, the [book] I’m reading this month. But who doesn’t the French amaze? The style in Hugo is elegant, sharp, and very parisian.

Though the train passengers’ style is most captivating, I can’t help but admire Hugo’s smart clothes. While many shop owners and the occasional librarian describe him as dirty or filthy, he always tries to look very put together.

I feminized Hugo’s outfits and added a few accessories and a notebook that reminded me of the one he carries with him everywhere.

Not many girls realize how easy it is to work the menswear look while still looking feminine. Add alot of jewelry, curl your hair, and wear a little lip gloss and you’re cute as a button. It’s also the time to work oversized handbags or patent leather kitten heels with thigh high socks.

But my favorite accessory is definitely the hat—a cloche, fedora, beret—you name it, I’ll wear it.

Happy Friday! Look out for an outfit post on Monday.

-Evan

…keeps a cold away. I own about twenty hats in all different styles: fedoras, knits, cloches, skull caps, snap backs because I can’t stand when my head/ears are cold. Ever.

Dress-Thrifted Necklace-Tiffany’s Bracelet-Thrifted Shoes-DSW Tights-HUE Hat-WenWear

I wore this to dinner (Perenino’s ITALIANYUM) on Saturday, and I couldn’t resist adding this gray knit hat my cousin made me to my outfit. The yarn has sequins! But not too many. The perfect amount, I think.

Perenino’s isn’t that fancy but I couldn’t resist dressing up. I’ve been stuck in the house all weekend writing a history paper about WW1 and I couldn’t wait to get out! I did take a break to pick up The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (children’s books for lifeee). I loved the movie and the book is fascinating!

Hope your week is well. I’m so glad to be back to blogging. Trying to stay warm! What do you wear to keep toasty?

Love, Evan

My homecoming week was the weekend before Halloween. It’s a shame I’m just getting to it now, but oh well.

This week was a blast! Spirit Days are the best invention of high school. All these photos were taken on Game Day and the day of the dance.

Our drum line has status. Don’t they look legit? On game days, they play through the whole school, including the library.

Every grade was assigned a decade. Juniors got 80s. It’s fate! How did they know this was my favorite decade ever?!

Sadly, that locker on the side that says Evan is not mine. It belongs to a different Evan. Woe is me.

We took these photos at lunch. Jasmine is on my right, Kyla is on my left.

The pep rally was a blast. That’s me, Annamarie, Jasmine, and Kyla rocking out in our school spirit colors.

This is me with Kyla and Chisom.
We actually won the game! I almost cried when we scored that first touchdown. You don’t understand how bad my team’s history was…

This is the night of the dance. I went out to dinner before with Gayle and Madison.

My homecoming dress was inspired by this one from Project Runway. See the similarities?

I wish every weekend was like this one.
Love, Evan

Pretty Photos for a Lovely Wednesday. All photos are from rookiemag.

These photos are from London Fashion week. All looks are by Meadham Kirchoff. Aren’t they just wonderful? The bows! The royalty! The hats and the hair and the colors. I love everything about these.

I’m still drowning in school and SAT Prep class and trying to keep my DVr recordings under control. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving break and I can really produce content!

My lack of creative exercise is killing me.

Love, Sweeteelou

School has officially ruined my life. By life, I mean all the hours I spend on the internet being
“productive.”

I have so many photos from the past month to share. I hope to get to those soon. I can’t even promise that posting will be any less sporadic. It’s NaNoWriMo and my novel is already being neglected this far in the game.

Crown: DIY
Dress: Anthropologie

Trying my best!
Love, Sweeteelou

fairy tales by sweeteelou featuring asos

I bought ten yards of tulle this week to complete this DIY. Now I can’t stop thinking of ways I can wear it! I can be a fairy princess or confuse the masses and dress it up with studs, denim, and chokers.

I did both for this outfit. I’m obsessed with bralets even though I don’t own one. I don’t think I could wear them to school, but I’ll find a way.

I’m not a big fan of sequins or studs because the former can easily be cheesy and the latter is overused by punk drunk middle schoolers everywhere (Did your fellow classmates ever stud their agendas? It got out of hand). But I like the way the two have been popping up lately, in clever, subtle ways. I think the sequined sneaker and the studded clutch mix the best of both worlds!

I’ve been craving new accessories too. I’ve always loved bows, but something new for me is animal jewelry and brooch/pin/button wearing. They’re unique accessories that can highlight any outfit.

Lastly, the denim vest. How do I not have one?! I’ve been blogging about getting one since June! I saw a cute one at Old Navy but I’m holding out because I really want to thrift one!

The struggle.

Love, Evan

Lately, I get really excited about some event and then days before, I’ll be totally deadpan about it. For example, two weeks ago, it was my sixteenth birthday. I was delighted! And then a couple days before I was just dreading the twenty sixth of September. I did not want that day to come. Ever.

But my birthday wasn’t a disappointment. It was great fun. I went out to dinner with my parents and my mom baked me a cake and I got blue boxed (Breakfast at Tiffany’s status). Kyla decorated my locker and Annamarie baked me a cookie and it was lovely. I wore this thrifted dress from Goodwill, tights from Macy’s, and new shoes from Payless.

For some reason, it still felt bittersweet. Sixteen is such a milestone in American society. And in sixteen more years, I’ll be thirty two. It’s something that is hard to handle. I’ll be an adult then.

Does more growing happen from 0-16 or 16-32?

Love, Evan

(Chalkboard in my room. I made an InsideOut poster summarizing our last four retreats)

A couple weeks ago, the week before my birthday actually, I went on a church retreat called Vertical Reality.

Vertical Reality is in north Georgia (where HunnyBooBoo hails from) in the mountains (where it’s actually peaceful and no butter/ketchup spaghetti is eaten). It’s crazy fun. There’s a lake with water slides and a zip line. There’s hiking, rock climbing, and quantrum leaping (you climb this giant telephone pole and then jump off) too. The coolest thing is the almighty blob. It’s a giant floaty that sits on the lake. One person sits on the edge, while a slightly heavier person jumps onto the floaty behind them and propels the other person into the air and into the lake.

Even better than all the activities is spending time with the girls in my small group. They are legit the greatest. Lizzy is the gorgeous redhead and Heather is the beautiful brunette with the green tips (You might recognize them from here).

Love, sweeteelou

I’m antsy to do art. I love making things: drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, DIY projects, etc. But I’ve really really really wanted to collage. I haven’t had time yet so this moodboard will quiet my urges…for now.

This moodboard is actually named after the backwards moving movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (a beautiful movie, entirely too long, but beautiful), and not after the music video above (I just really like that song).

I recently watched The Mist, a movie adaptation of a book by Stephen King. This is the best suspenseful movie I’ve ever seen. It competes with Shutter Island and Paranormal Activity. It’s gory and outlandish, but real and ingenuous at the same time.

Anyways, it took on the image of the future, my future: the mysterious savagery of adulthood (seriously, the savagery in this movie runs high). And it contrasts so much to the the 80s/90s teen queen/angst stuff I’m into now. I feel so comfortable with Andie and Duckie and Angela and Rayanne. But at the same time they will be TEENS FOREVER while I have to get up in the morning and grow and and wander into adulthood everyday.

That is not consoling. So I’m chasing childhood instead. I bought a pair of overalls last week. And I want obnoxiously bright, plastic clippy barrettes to spazzily decorate my hair.

Wow. Have you guys watched Freaks and Geeks? Newest object of my obsession affection.

Featured: The Mist, Pretty in Pink, Royal Tenenbaums, My So-Called Life, RookieMag Photoset, Book by Ned Vizzini, Madonna, Google Images

I don’t speak Spanish. I’m quite horrible at Spanish. But ‘despues de la lluvia’ sounds much better than ‘after the rain’.

This post signals new beginnings. Since school started, I haven’t done anything to creatively express myself. I also got caught in the numbers and stats of blogging and started churning out formulaic, lifeless posts. But if I don’t start channeling life into something, I’m going to burn out, so I’m taking control of my blog.

The rain has been killer in Georgia for the past few days. I welcome my Wellies, though the other day, I walked to the bus stop barefoot because I didn’t want to get my shoes wet (fashionista probs). I’ve been rocking the untamed bun lately, because humidity and hair never mix.

School is dull, but I look forward to math everday. My math teacher has stylish potential. Usually, she matches the color of her shirt to the exact same color of her pants. But today she wore these black capris with palm frond and hawaiian flower print that were amazing! I envy her for them. I’m keeping an eye on her.

Hope you are having great weather. Love goes out to all my followers who stuck through my hiatus. And since I’ve been gone, I turned sixteen! An outfit post of that day coming soon!

octobering from sweeteelou on 8tracks Radio.

Love, Evan Dress - Shop Ruche. Rain Boots - DSW. Tights - Sock Dreams. Belt - Mom’s. Necklace- Tiffany’s.

I realized I was in a blogging rut. Be back next week hopefully. I love you all!

Shirt: Target
Skirt: Homemade
Necklace: Mall
Shoes: Payless

Sorry about the slacky posting! How’s school going?

Love, Sweeteelou

Dress - Goodwill
Shoes - Payless
Flower Clip - Sold Here

Another amazing thrift find. Goodwill is the best place on earth to me. The five dollar rack of dresses in my shopping heaven. I’ve been looking for a lace dress for awhile now and I’m so glad I didn’t succumb to that 50 dollar piece at Delias.

I love the way my hair turned out in these videos. I don’t even remember what I did. But I get a Notebook-y-NicholasSparks vibe from it. What do you think?

I think I’ve got school under control now. The first football game was on Friday and we lost…34-0. There’s always next week! I’ll share some photos from the game soon.

Love, Evan

Stephanie, from In the Land of Style, nominated me for the Liebster Award which helps publicize fashion blogs. It’s really sweet of her and I hope all of you check out her blog. Her style is amazing and her quotes are incredibly inspiring.

With this award, there are some rules. They are as follows:
1) Post 11 things about yourself
2) Answer the questions the tagger has for you
3) Write 11 things for your 11 nominees
4) Tag those nominees in your post and tell them about it on their page
5) No tag backs

11 Things About Me

1. I went to three different schools for each year of middle school. Being the new kid three years in a row was tough! Now I’m extremely sympathetic to new students at my school. I’m basically the self nominated new kid representative.
2. I had surgery in the seventh grade for my scoliosis. The curvature in my spine got really bad so I was in the hospital for three weeks with two surgeries to cure it.
3. I can’t see anything without my glasses. I’m a negative 5 in both eyes. I refuse to cross over to contacts. I love my glasses!
4. I’m obsessed with health foods. I love cooking and planning menus and visiting the farmer’s market. I also watch a ton of food documentaries and read nutrition books.
5. I wear a size 12 shoe. It’s hard to find shoes. Really hard.
6. I own 25 dresses and counting.
7. I’m 5”8.5. Most of my friends are short.
8. I can twist my tongue upside down. I don’t know if that’s a skill.
9. I watch Spongebob Squarepants entirely too much. I can’t quote more episodes that I’d like to admit.
10. I met James Roday from Psych at the airport. Psych is the best TV show in existence. Watch it!
11. In my future house, I’m going to have a library. I read about 60 novels a year. I need some place to store all of them!

11 Questions from Stephanie
1. What is your least favourite fashion trend?
Wearing leggings as pants. I don’t know who started this trend, but it needs to end.
2. Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! Television, books, and people on the street. I scribble outfit ideas in the margins of my school assignments. It probably annoys my teachers.
3. How did you come up with your blog name?
My mom has called me Sweetie Lou since I was a bitty baby. Then my friends caught onto it and it stuck.
4. Do you prefer high heels or flats?
I’m five foot eight and a clumsy buffoon, but somehow I still love heels. I’d rather go barefoot any day though.
5. What do you look for in a fashion blog?
I look for personality and quality photos. I like blogs that look like they took time and effort.
6. Favourite scent?
I love the smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey, which, coincidentally, are the same ingredients in my face mask.
7. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
Going to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo with my best friend. It was the best week of my life.
8. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I’m both, actually. I like the peace and quiet of unnatural hours.
9. What is your favourite quote?
“Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating. ” -Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
10. If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Mother Teresa. She holds the key to world peace.
11. If the world was actually to end in 2012, how would you spend your last day alive?
I’d go home to California and I’d go to the beach and I’d call everyone for the last time and tell them all my secrets.

My 11 Nominees
1. A Pixie’s View on Fashion
2. Kinks are the New Pink
3. Fashion Goggled
4. Daily Dose of Dana
5. Mermaidens
6. Joyful Outfits
7. Trendy Teal
8. Ruby Book
9. Edward’s Hair
10. Harris Reed
11. Crying While Eating

My 11 Questions
1. What’s your favorite movie and why?
2. What is your favorite item in your closet?
3. What’s your favorite word?
4. What do you do when you don’t know to wear?
5. If you had to be a celebrity for one day, who would it be and why?
6. How would you like to change the world?
7. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?
8. What is your biggest pet peeve?
9. Why did you start a fashion blog?
10. How are you? Really.
11. What’s your favorite song at this very moment and why?

Love, Evan

Here’s this month’s Wild Things capsule wardrobe. The combinations are endless and everything is under fifty dollars.

P.S. A Capsule Wardrobe is a collection of clothing which is designed using only interchangeable items, in order to maximise the number of outfits which can be created.

Outerwear September by sweeteelou featuring a cable knit cardigan

Tops September by sweeteelou featuring a chiffon tank

bottoms september by sweeteelou featuring flare jeans

Skirts and Dresses September by sweeteelou featuring a leather dress

Shoes September by sweeteelou featuring roman sandals

September Bags by sweeteelou featuring messenger bags

Accessories September by sweeteelou featuring hue tights

See the mood board for this month’s theme [here].
Love, sweeteelou

September means the beginning of my favorite season: fall. I love everything about fall. I like the cool weather and the falling leaves. And I love wearing chunky knits and soft tights.

Featherstone by the Paper Kites is an amazing song accompanied by an equally fantastic music video which is the inspiration for this month. This video is heavily inspired by the Wild Things. Look out for the Capsule Wardrobe on Friday!

Love, sweeteelou

I love September. I love fall and I love my birthday.

School has been intense lately so I’m going to keep posting light.

I really want to do a DIY this month because I haven’t made anything with my hands in weeks and it’s killing me!

Email me for questions or comments you might have. I’m interested in collaborating or partnering with other bloggers!

You can follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, or Bloglovin. You can find me on 8 Tracks, IFB, Flickr, and ASOS Fashion Finder, too.

Look for this month’s theme on Wednesday! (:

love, sweeteelou

Hat: Florida Boutique
Dress: Thrifted, American Eagle
Shoes: Payless

These photos were taken on the twelfth, the day before school started.

I went to the Back to School Bash, which is a carnival at my church. There were food trucks, bouncy houses, and, of course, the mechanical bull.

It was all lots of fun and a great way to end the summer. Plus, there was this one food truck with amazing Barbecue! Yum.

So above, you see two more of my friends, Charlei and Wesley. Wesley goes to my church and I brought Charlei with me for the first time ever.

Charlei calls me Bombshell when I keep my hair like this. Hence the title.

Now I’m three weeks into school, and it’s not a Bash at all.

Hoping for a better week!

Love, Evan

Harris Reed has been all over my blog this month. See him again here and here.

I got the chance to interview him last week and I’d love to share our conversation with you guys. Make sure to follow his blog!

Me: What made you start your blog?

Harris: —- I started my blog because I always knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry. I felt that doing a blog would be an effective way of showcasing my progress and my adventure of making a name for myself in the world of fashion.

What opportunities has your blog brought you?

—- Besides getting recognition, I have gotten the opportunity to work with some amazing brands. Having a blog was the gateway to starting my own clothing line, getting the chance to see inside of designer’s collections, and being in the loop with some top people.

How do you feel about the menswear blogging community? How would you like it to change?

—- I feel that the menswear community is very over looked. You never really see a “known” male fashion blogger. My goal is to make people take account of the fact that men have just as much to say about fashion as women do.

I know you own a t-shirt line. What was your inspiration for that?

—— My Tee shirt inspiration came from so many diffrent elements: from Alexander McQueen to even Twilight. One night I remember looking at my mom and at the same time we said “Crown with a Skull.” And that is how the Harris Reed line was born.

What are your goals for your blog?

—— My goal for my blog is to be taken seriously by some of fashion’s elite. One of the main reasons I started a blog was to be taken seriously. When you’re 16 no one will give you the time of day, but when you have a huge following and Kelly Cutrone and Maggie Ward internships, and a tee shirt line under your belt, people take notice of you.

What is your go to outfit?

—— My go to outfit is a pair of mustard jeans with one of my tee’s, a Lanvin blazer, a fedora and a vintage Balenciaga bag with All Saints boots or Prada black loafers

What does fashion/style mean to you?

——- This will sound so cliche, but fashion is so much of my life. I wake up in the morning looking forward to wearing that outfit I pulled together the night before. My style is a huge part of my life, from wearing it to making it.

Do you think you inherited your eye for fashion from anyone in your family? I know you have a sister. Do you influence her style?

—- I get my eye for style from my mother, Lynette. I used to love to just be in her closet surrounded by stilettos stacked higher than I was at the time, and just feeling so at peace.

I do influence my sister’s style. I push my style on her like crack. There is not one day that goes by that I dont try squeezing her feet into a pair of Jeffery Cambell’s or a high low dress.

Love, Sweeteelou

Shirt: Goodwill
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Customized Converse (You see my name on the back?)

The day these photos were taken, I was at Orientation for my Junior Year. Now, I’m on my eighth day and it’s been pretty good.

This outfit is my go to outfit for lazy days. It has a certain mmph to it that I love even though it’s extremely casual.

Love, Evan