I admit it. I am completely smitten with the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy by E.L. James. I am one of those people who you’ve heard about that read the first book in one sitting. All 382 pages of it.

Is it the best thing I’ve ever read?  Absolutely not. Not even close. In fact, Bared To You by Sylvia Day is probably better. But it was my first introduction into real erotic literature. I’m not taking about the Danielle Steele and Harlequin Romance novels of yesteryear.  I am talking about real erotica… and in this case, a mix of kink/BDSM and vanilla erotica.

It’s sexy. So…so… SeXy.

Your significant other will be thankful you are reading it. Trust me

Ana Steele and Christian Grey are very complicated characters… characters I grew to love.  As for the whole BDSM world they live in?  Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I wasn’t fascinated by it.

But I digress, we aren’t here to talk about 50 Shades. We’re here to talk about baubles, and these pieces would be perfect for your inner (or outer) Ana Steele!

Sexy plus Bondage-y = 50 Shades-y

Throughout the 50 Shades novels Ana heeds the words of her “inner goddess.”  I envision her inner goddess to look something like this…

 Mud Flap Jill Necklace by Wendy Brandes, $1,600 (also available in silver $500 and rose gold $1,600)

An inner goddess should be as sexy as the things she is telling you to do.  Mud Flap Jill is perfect!

As for the rest of your jewelry…

Jennifer Fisher’s Jewelry is perfect for anyone who has a soft spot for Christain Grey or Ana… or just loves spikes and bondage-y looking accessories.  Like me.

 From left, top: COURAGE Cuff, $425; Pierced Ring, $280; TRUST Cuff, $425

From left, bottom: Infinity Key Charm, $600; Handcuff Ring, $225; Stud Cuff, $11,000 each

From left, bottom: LOVE Cuff, $425; Bandaid Cuff, $540; NO FEAR Cuff, $425

But, we can’t let Jennifer Fisher have all the fun!  Check out the great options below.  Some handcuffs. Some leather. Some chains.  What’s not to love?

From left, top: Stella & Dot Zabala Necklace, $248; Jessica de Lotz Handcuff Necklace (top), $713; A.L.C. Handcuff Bangle Set (bottom), $495; Fleet Ilya Cuffs, £120/set

From left, bottom: Made Her Think Reverse Open Cuff, $99/each; Bauble Bar Noir Crystal Cascade Necklace (top), $82; A.L.C. Double Bondage Bracelet (bottom), $375 ; Jacquie Aiche Leather Tassel Mala Necklace, $500

Now, of course, we can’t talk about all of this sexy jewelry without highlighting the ever-so-fabulous body chain! The types of body jewelry available today are simply out of this world.  They can go from day… to sexy night… straight to the bedroom!  Your choice.

From left: ARMOR Aeon Body Chain, $530; ARMOR Toro Body Chain, $155; Lascivious Aiko Waistcoat, £89;

Necklace for the shoulders by mylittlebride, (SOLD OUT)

And my absolute favorites:

From left, top: Cornelia Webb Draped Chain Dress, $1,189; Jacquie Aiche Dimaond Filagree Body Chain, $2,315

From left, bottom: Bliss Lau Kinetic Body Chain, $459; Cornelia Webb Fringed Chain Arms, $507

Sexy, no?

I want one of each please.  Including a Christian Grey!

Have you read 50 Shades?  What did you think?

What do you think of bondage-y jewelry?  Yay or nay?

Each month I look forward to the FTFCommunity blog event because it always makes me think and get creative!  We had a lot of freedom with the August’s theme because our host, Kristy Eléna (of  Full Time Fabulous), selected “inspiration” as the focus.  What inspires us?

I had this idea in my head that I was going to do a variety of collages, as usual, focusing on different things that inspire me.  Things like the beauty all around us.  Editorials.  Bloggers I admire.  The textures and colors that are found in nature.  My photography.  Tom Ford.  Traveling.  New experiences.  The things that you can see in the collage above.

Then I thought I would focus on my heritage.  My family.  My friends.  The people I love and admire and that inspire me every day.

But when it comes right down to it, my biggest source of inspiration is this:

This photo of my brother and I was taken sometime in the late 1970s/early 1980s.   Many, many things have changed since then, but one thing that hasn’t is our relationship.   I often wonder if we would be as close as we are today if it wasn’t for his autism. I like to think yes we would be… because he is my hero.

He is my strength.

He is my inspiration.

What inspires you?

**********

Thank you to Kristy Eléna and Sunglass Hut for hosting this FTF Blog Event!  If you would like to read Kristy’s own response and check out the other entries, please click here.

“Are you ready to be Fierce?”

So asks the beautiful, talented – and undoubtedly fierce – MJ of Fierce: Beauty and Fashion.

MJ’s blog is a veritable melting pot of fashion and beauty goodness.  If you are looking for unbiased product reviews and fun beauty tips – check her out.  If you are looking for insight into fashion – plus-sized or otherwise – check her out.  If you are just looking for another great blog to follow- Fierce is it.  MJ manages to successfully meld different topics she is passionate about into a wonderfully cohesive blog, while also contributing regularly to Yahoo! Shine, Friend Friday and attempting to try every color eye shadow there is on the planet!

I was thrilled when she agreed to be a contributor in my monthly guest blogger series and am particularly excited about the topic she chose. So far we have seen how fashion photography and celebrity style inspire, now MJ will take us on a musical ride…

**********

I first want to say what an absolute pleasure it is to guest post today on Beautifully Invisible. The fashion commentary on here is amazing and she’s such a great blogger. I sit here with my fingers crossed hoping I can do her blog the fashion justice it deserves today! (Note from Beautifully Invisible: You did all this and more, doll!  Thanks again for this fabulous post!)

Today I wanted to talk about one of major sources of fashion inspiration, which isn’t found in the usual places. Then again, I’m not the typical fashionista, for not too long ago I traded in some of my tomboy wears and ways for a more girly-girl existence. I didn’t grow up flipping through pages of Vogue and ELLE or watching runway shows. Though I enjoy all of those things now (in excess to make up for lost time!), those aren’t the real places where my style and fashion sense come from. You’ll find it on my IPOD.

Good music has a way of going beyond just dancing. It conveys a mood. It stirs a memory. It has a way being the soundtrack for a period in your life. I cannot function without music. I drive to music. I do my hair to music. I blog to music and I even get dressed to music. I put on a song, open up my closet and depending on what the music is saying to me determines what I’m wearing that day. Video Phone by Beyoncé makes me want to break out the stilettos while Clocks by Coldplay would put me in a black sneaker, dark jeans, and matching beanie kinda mood.

So  I thought it would be fun to take four popular songs that I’m sure you know and create some outfits based on them!

What’s my Name? by Rihanna

Rihanna herself is getting bolder by the minute, down to her fierce red hair.  The song itself is a very sexy one, but not reveal-everything-sexy.  Rather, an almost confident kind of sexy. So I went for classic dresses where the color makes a statement.  The trendiness comes in with black accessories – from big chandeliers to a sparkly clutch!

Closet red cut-out back dress, $42 GBP; Burning Desire Dress, $78; BCBG Dante Heel – Black Suede, $90;
Bakers Womens Vickie Lace Platform Pump: Shoes, $80; Betsey Johnson ‘Get Your Glitz On’ Sequined Bow Clutch, $65; Bonne Nuit Big Button Earrings, $22; Lucky Brand – Gypset Geodes Stone Cuff (Multi) – Jewelry, $28; Jet & Silver Large Oval Chandelier Earrings, $20

Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day

Whenever I listen to anything by Green Day, I automatically reach for my jeans and some type of plaid. I guess it’s because I get a very laid back and minimalistic vibe from the song. That doesn’t mean looking like you rolled out of bed though!  You can still go neutral in colors and find clothes with a great, feminine cut, like the two plaid blouses I found for this set. Chill mode doesn’t call for heels but you can still go with cute flats and add that rocker vibe with your accessories.

BKE Metallic Plaid Shirt, $30; Dellal Top, $95;  NEW! VS Hipster Bootcut Jean, $50; Miss Me Boot Stretch Jean, $98; Naughty Monkey Heads Up Boots, $99; REPORT ‘Lilburn’ Studded Flat, $60; Stasia’s Chain & Rhinestone Studded Black Faux Leather Cuff Bracelet, $44; Pretty Large Flower Studs, $14; Origin Beanie, $40; Tasha Double Metallic Headband, $28

Run this Town by Jay-Z

When this song first came out it was my “I’m going to take over the world” anthem!  The beat is hard hitting and the lyrics are really gritty and no-nonsense.  So, as any girl who is going to take over the world (and look good doing it!), I need stiletto heel boots, some type of chain-inspired jewelry, and a cool biker jacket.  Oh, and you can’t forget the shades!

FOX Wing It Womens T-Shirt, $27; Womens tops – Going out tops, shrugs, blouses & more | New Look, $17 GBP; Twisted Heart Biker Jacket, $234; ASOS Super Sexy Flare Jeans, $48; Baby Phat Sophie Boot – Grey, $87; Cara Accessories Leather & Chain Bracelet, $48; Chain and feather necklace, $13 GBP; baby phat Women’s 2047 Round Sunglasses, $165

Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve

My fashion inspiration for this song has absolutely nothing to do with the song itself but rather the movie it’s associated with – Cruel Intentions. I must have watched that movie a million times and whenever that song comes on I automatically think of school uniforms! Granted I’m not a fan of that outfit but I have no problems rocking a nice pencil skirt, a cool blazer, and a blouse with some edge to it!

Classiques Entier Tie Neck Stretch Silk Blouse, $94; Zip-Pocket Blazer, $52; Black Tuxedo Jacket, $50 GBP; Velvet and ponteroma skirt, $55 GBP; Rhinestone Platform Heels, $58; Sia’s 3 Inch Silver & Black Lined Hoop Earrings, $27; Plastic sunglasses, $5.99

Once again, I thank Beautifully Invisible for letting me spread my craziness today on her blog.

Now it’s your turn!

Are there any particular songs that spark your fashion sense? I would love to hear it down in comments!

**********

If you haven’t already done so, check out MJ’s blog here: FIERCE
and follow her via Bloglovin’ here and twitter here.

You can also check out her posts on Yahoo! Shine here.

Do you ever feel like your computer is an extension of yourself?  I don’t mean an outlet for your creativity or thoughts.  I mean a physical extension of you – like it is one of your extremities.  I mean an “oh look, her hand has fused with her keyboard” type of extension.

Dilbert via NotCot

Do you ever feel like you have to be wired in constantly because you might miss something?  Like you might go crazy if you can’t check your email?  Facebook?  Twitter?  Your blog?  Your RSS feeds?

Have you ever gone on a vacation and packed your computer and/or smartphone and/or IPAD with you just so you maintain that access?

Image via Skool of Lifology

Yeah.  I have.

I am one of those people who at the very least has my iphone with me at all times.  I incessantly check my emails, both work and personal, even if I am on vacation.  I have to at least have the option available to me to plug into Facebook, twitter and the like.  I may not do it, but I have to know I can!  I live on my PC at work, and I spend way too much time on it at home.  It’s only gotten worse since I began blogging and engaging in the community – now there is SO MUCH MORE to miss!

Which is why I have decided to completely disconnect this weekend.   (Actually, as soon as I post this because I have tomorrow OFF! YAY!) I don’t do this often, but sometimes it is necessary.  No PC for me.  No internet on my iphone – calls only.  By default, this also means no blogging.  I’ll be back Monday.

In the meantime, I just wanted to share a few quotes that inspire me and occasionally help me refocus when I need to.  Like now.

Image via What to Wear

Image via Killlion Fashion (NSFW)

Image via Helder Luis

Image via Life of a Busy Wife

Image via English Baby

Image via thopics

Image via warmenhoven & venderbos

Image via Wall Flowers and More

Image via CSI Seattle

Image via Vacuum the Void

Have a great weekend everyone, and if you have a moment, I’d love to know what inspires you when you need to refocus!