Bookish Fashion Delight: Lucy in Narnia

In honor of the new Chronicles of Narnia film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, & because I got this adorable (& large) plush lion for my nephew for Christmas + snow…

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

-C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

“Every moment the patches of green grew bigger & the patches of snow grew smaller…more & more of the trees shook off their robes of snow.  Soon, wherever you looked, instead of white shapes you saw the dark green of firs…” –C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

What I’ve Donned…

-long fur coat --- vintage (yard sale (This coat was only a couple dollars!  I couldn't pass it up!)

-white oxford shirt --- French Toast (Target (I think this came from the kids' section.=))

-plaid dress --- Converse One Star (Target)

-black knee highs

-brown mary janes --- Earth Spirit (yard sale)

Bookish Love From Out the Wardrobe,

-Bess-

P.S.: My nephew was scared of Aslan!

P.P.S.: Am I crazy to dress up like this?  Part of me wonders! =)  I don't wear the ensemble out - just for the photo, but still...  I am crazy!

Nancy Drew, I Love You!

When I heard that my good pal & sis in Christ - Grace - over at “From the Desk Drawer of a Young Writer,” was having a “Nancy Drew Inspired Blog Party” I got excited (to say the least=). So, taking a short break from Purity & Romance posts (only sort of - cause Miss Drew is a great model of modesty & purity), here’s a post in honor of that timeless “titian-haired" detective girl. Oh, & don’t forget to join Grace in her fun Nancy Drew event extraordinaire (see the link below)!
Join Grace’s Drew Party Here: http://fromthedeskofayoungwriter.blogspot.com/

Yep, I’m a true Drew fan! What can I say, I devour the books, pretend my car is a little blue roadster, carry a mini flashlight in my purse (just in case), & keep my eyes open for mystery! No, I’m not crazy! And, yes, I’m serious! Here’s the top 5 reasons I love Nancy:

1. She’s smart. (Nancy can solve the most perplexing & baffling of mysteries. She cracks secret codes & uncovers hidden motives! She’s a genius!)

2. She’s super thoughtful. (If ever anyone needs a hand, Nancy is there! She goes above & beyond!)

3. She’s independent! (Cruising around solo in her automobile is fine with Nancy. She doesn’t chase after boys (like this recovering ex-boy chaser=), & dreaming about males is not on her sleuthing agenda. Nance doesn’t even need a gaggle of friends to uncover a major clue, but she does have a faithful & true circle of pals who are always ready to help.)

4. She’s a girl who likes to eat! (The books always describe in detail Nancy’s meals & snacks. How many books with girls as the main characters do that? Nancy has a healthy appetite & enjoys a well prepared spread. Don’t go sleuthing on an empty stomach!)

5. She goes to church. (Many of the books make references to Nancy going to church. She’s got great values & knows what’s truly important! =)

Need I say more? Nancy Drew, I love you! My name should be Nancy instead of Bess! =) (Bess & George (this George is a girl=), are 2 of Nance's greatest chums!)

Oh yeah, click below to see my older Nancy Drew inspired posts!
http://bessbag.blogspot.com/search/label/Nancy%20Drew

-My Nancy Picks-

Magnifier Glass Necklace - www.modcloth.com - $15.99

Op Plaid Roll Cuff Tunic - www.walmart.com - $9.00
Black Fedora Hat - www.kmart.com - $5.99

"Lock It" Necklace - www.modcloth.com - $16.99

-Some Nancy Polyvore Fun-

Here's some clips (+ a song from Relient K of all groups) from the old Nancy Drew movies with Bonita Granville as Nancy. I've seen all 4 of these flicks from the late 1930s, & simply love em. So good, clean, funny, & fun. I recommend em!

Bookish Fashion Delight: Nancy

Oh, Nancy! What a super sleuth you are!

The Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene

BOOK 1-
The Secret of the Old Clock

What I've donned (left):

sweater set - vintage - (this used to be my aunt's)

gloves - vintage - (from my grandma=)

tweed skirt with pockets - To The Max - (thrift store!)

brown tights - (Dollar Tree)

Black Flats - (Walmart)

Old Clock - (it's a mystery...=)

What I've donned (below):

yellow wool blazer - Paul & Joe For Target - (thrift store)

blue scarf - vintage - (my mom's)

white button down shirt - French Toast - (Target - Kid's Dept.=)

yellow sweater vest - WeatherVane - (thrift store)

trousers - Old Navy - (Old Navy)

oxfords - Timberland's - (thrift store)

shoulder satchel (clue kit=) - Mondani - (thrift store)

Nancy's Sleuth Kit:

Nancy's Accessories: gold detective hat necklace - (yard sale); Counter-Top Culture necklace - (made by me - see tutorial here: http://bessbag.blogspot.com/2010/03/tuesday-tutorial-countertop-culture.html); Nancy Drew bag - (I got this for my birthday, but sadly have never carried it yet! It's not too sturdy or large, but I love it anyways=)

Drew Clue:

-Did you know Carolyn Keene was the pen name of a whole set of authors who wrote the Nancy Drew stories!

A while back the wonderful Ashley over at Bramblewood Fashion, created a Nancy Drew Fashion post that was mysteriously comissioned by one of her readers. Well, I was that reader! Ashley did an amazing job (I especially love her Polyvores=)! Click the link to see the post: http://bramblewoodfashion.blogspot.com/2010/02/nancy-drews-style.html

Oh, I love Nancy! She's a real go getter!

To see some Nancy Drew clips & more scroll down to the bottom of Bess' Bag & click play on my Nancy Mixpod. (CLUE: Turn off my main Mixpod 1st!)

Bookish Fashion Delight: Beatrix

Oh, Beatrix! What a charming & imaginative artist you are!

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (& other titles) by Beatrix Potter

What I've donned:


Libertine for Target blouse (thrift store); heart locket; Peter Rabbit bag(yard sale); David Benjamin wool jacket & skirt (I got these at a yard sale where you could stuff a bag for $1! I purchased this wool set for literally less than a buck!); off-white tights (I really don't wear white tights much (I prefer the darker colors), but these seemed a little Beatrix Potter-y =); Flexisole shoes (yard sale - They're a tiny bit too big, but they were only (you guessed it) $1!)

Beatrix Facts:
-Beatrix kept a journal that she penned in a secret code!

-She authored & illustrated more than 20 books!

-The Tale of Peter Rabbit began as a letter to a sick child Beatrix was fond of. This is my favorite Beatrix-inspired outfit. Perfect for a holiday in the Lake District! =) The film Miss Potter is a lovely film about Beatrix & her life. I highly recommend watching it if you haven't (I own it =). It's rated PG.

What I've donned:

Faded Glory jeans (Walmart); Royal Silk vintage blouse (thrift store); Daniel for "Spellbound" tweedy jacket (I think this was my aunt's); Timberland's leather & canvas oxford shoes (thrift store - I just got these the other day & I love em'); Peter Rabbit pin (on jacket) & Peter Rabbit necklace (made em' myself)

Scroll down to the bottom of Bess' Bag for some Beatrix-inspired clips, etc. - including the Miss Potter preview! (Hint: Turn off my main music player 1st) Click on the link below to send a free Beatrix Potter e-card: http://www.peterrabbit.us/us/ecard-form.asp

Beatrix was a talented artist & writer! Discover what gifts God has given you (& then work on whatever they are, thank God for them, & use them for His purpose & glory). He has blessed us all uniquely!

Hope you enjoyed this little bookish romp!

Bookish Fashion Delight: Alice (+ Freebie)

Oh, Alice! What a strange & curious tale you have!

Alice's Adventures in

Wonderland

(& other Alice titles) by Lewis Carroll

Oh dear, I've shrunk down to the size of a dormouse!

Now, I've shot up like a telescope!

What I've donned: white detailed top - Faded Glory (yard sale); blue & white striped dress - Old Navy (thrift store); white skirt (to give the dress a little more length & fullness) - Isaac Mizrahi For Target (Target); red mary-janes - Alice Crocs (appropriately named =) (crocs.com); black knee-highs; pocket watch necklace - borrowed from the White Rabbit (just kidding; I made it myself)

***

There's lots of excitement about the new "Alice in Wonderland" film from Disney. I'm curious about it myself! Check out the link below to download "Alice's Theme" from Amazon for free! Snag this while you can, who knows how long it will last! =)

LINK (Track 1): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039F67GE/ref=dm_sp_alb

Lewis Carroll Quotes:

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

"No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise."

><>><>><>Follow God's Purpose><>><>><>

Love,

-Bess-

Bookish Fashion Delights

Hello all! I’m excited to announce a new series of posts to soon come to Bess’ Bag: Bookish Fashion Delights! In the coming days I will be posting fashion inspired looks (from my personal wardrobe) inspired by beloved book characters & authors. Ever since the Jo March photo shoot for Rebecca’s Little Women challenge ("A Young Lady’s Blog"), I’ve been itching to do more. So, check back & while you wait here’s some hints to what will be coming soon…

P.S.: I’m a finalist in Rebecca’s Little Women Challenge in the categories: Little Women Photo Shoot & Little Women Inspired Post! If you haven’t, go check it out (see sidebar button) & vote for me (well, as it says, if I’m your favorite). Thanks!

Louisa, You're Such the Literary Fashionista!

In typical Jo-fashion, I'm out-of-doors with bare feet & a stack of marvelous books. I intended to work on my writing, but as you can see from my crumpled companions - I had a bit of trouble.

What I've donned: a denim skirt I found at a yard sale (with a white lacey petticoat underskirt); a Ralph Lauren button-down (I unearthed this at a thrift shop); a Mossimo bolero (Target); a silver pen necklace (it actually has a working pen hanging on the chain - also from a yard sale); vintage rings; & a sweet little book & bow locket pin (you guessed it, from another tag sale) (my book is Louisa May Alcott's masterpiece, Little Women, of course).