Today I kick off a little plus size fashion blog series I have been aching to do for months. For the next few weeks, I’ll be using Sundays to post Disney princess inspired casual looks. I love the idea of being inspired by the things that make you happy. And Disney? Well, it makes me pretty freaking giant ice cream sundae with caramel, fudge and peanut butter sauce on top elated.

Look there I go, a girl that is strange but special, a most peculiar mad’moiselle! It’s no pity nor a sin that I don’t quite fit in, cause I really am a funny girl- a beauty but a funny girl. I really am a funny girl. I’m BELLLLLLLE. [cut music, hold for applause]

Beauty and the beast was set in France and it felt the only place to really capture a truly “Belle” look. Don’t get me wrong; I am NOT flying to the Middle East for Jasmine or learning how to snorkel in a gown for Ariel. Hell no. Its just life gave me an opportunity and I went all carpe diem up in it.

I love Belle because she was like the original hipster-esque “be smart and make your own decisions “ cartoon idol. She turned down the hottest guy in town to instead end up with a bearded tortured artist type. She was a geek- a hard-core one- and wasn’t afraid to show it. If Belle were alive today, she’d definitely  go to Comic Con. I’d put money on it.

For this Belle inspired look I used a simple white t-shirt from Target to evoke the white sleeves and apron Belle wears up until her fancy sparkly sparkly golden dress moment. To add a modern touch to Belle’s classic blue pinafore I relied on this lovely Cherry Velvet Marcia dress that I sourced through Gwynnie Bee. I love how the cut outs add a modern touch to Belle’s classic country style. I chose a knotted vintage floral scarf to pay homage to the most adorable bookworm ever’s classic white statement bow. The look is finished with a pair of vintage gold and opal studs (thanks Mom!) and black flats purchased from hush puppies.

To mirror Belle’s hair I used side twists to create the volume and shape of her tresses in the original cartoon. I used a neutral palette of eye shadows starting first with MACs rice paper (my favorite base shadow ever), then highlighting the creases with a plum tinted brown and lastly shaping the corners with a rich coffee color. Belle had amazing eyebrows, so I made sure to darken and accent my own eyebrows. Lastly I chose a lovely plum matte lipstick from Wet n’ Wild to add nice touch of both strength and femininity.