Cold Weather Chic

 The first thing I ALWAYS hear when I tell people I'm moving to Wisconsin is "Have you ever been there in Winter? You're going to die." Not exactly the positive response I'd hoped for? I know I've never lived somewhere that experiences snow and freezing temperatures, but I'm doing my best to prepare for the worst.

I will by no means sacrifice style for warmth and comfort; I think there's definitely a way to incorporate both and not freeze your butt off in the snow. That is my own personal mission when I make my move. For now, I've been building an immense inspiration file of "cold weather chic" to help me build my wardrobe.

photos via: stockholm street style, garance dore & we heart it

I know there will be days where I"ll be freezing and just want to bundle up in a sweatshirt and ski pants, but for now I'd like to think I'm going to make an effort to stay stylish! In a perfect world my chilly winter's day outfit would look like this :

So for all of you experienced cold weather chic girls; ADVICE needed desperately.

How do you stay chic in the cold?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. I atually just bought the Sorel boots pictured above during the Cyber Monday Sales at Endless while searching for a pair of waterproof & warm cute snow boots.

Fashion Royalty

So, instead of studying for my History of Dress exam I've been catching up on my blogging-- but I figured since this Vogue Russia editorial features decadent Elizabethan fashion with a twist then im technically still getting my study on right?

It's been on of my favorite classes I've had in college; it combines two of my favorite subjects, history and fashion. It's really interesting hearing about the crazy things people did in the name of fashion (though, I'm sure people could say the same about modern times). I think it's important to understand the history of fashion in order to understand and predict the future of the industry.

xoxo, lauren

Thankful for Threadless

Thanksgiving was perfect; a great mix of visiting family, delicious food, and a huge IKEA trip to furnish my new bachelorette pad. I wore my Threadless Select "London" tank dress that they so graciously let me pick out & paired it with a gold sequined top & glittery heels I picked up to make the look extra festive.

The Select line from Threadless is full of graphic designs artfully created by the Threadless community in super soft and comfy organic cotton. I loved the London print because it reminded me fondly of my time studying abroad there! Here are a few of my favorites from the collection:

I'm also thankful for having my dad be my personal outfit photographer while i'm home! his is defintely a step up from my crappy digital camera!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Congrats to Sarah, the winner of the Parameter Motorcycle Jacket Giveaway!

Trend Forecasting Flashback: a Return to Luxury

The other day I was thinking back about how true the trend forecasting predictions the Doneger Group's David Wolfe made giving a lecture at our school in 2008. He talked to us before the recession had really hit the fashion industry and it's crazy how spot-on everything he said was; a "return to luxury-- or at least the look of it" he predicted. And he couldn't have been more right.

Everywhere you look there is a feeling of opulence in fashion right now, especially in fabrics; faux fur, sequins, rhinestones and tweed.



This trend is really about feeling luxurious and putting on an air of wealth, even if it's just a $15 sequin tank from H&M. I know it's hard to imagine a time when all of these weren't in fashion, but at the time a more casual grunge/boho look was reigning. It's crazy to think that an trend forecasting expert could predict this two years ago.. but I suppose that's what they make the big bucks for hm?

xoxo, lauren

Bachelorette Pad Inspiration

In a few short months I'll be making a "big girl move", starting a "big girl job" & moving into my "big girl apartment" in Wisconsin. Therefore, lately I've been in major home decorating and interior design mode. Beautiful abodes from Apartment Therapy & Decor 8 have taken over my inspiration folders & I've been making rather enormous christmas lists on the Anthropologie site.

Today, I stumbled upon virtual home decor & design magazine, Rue Mag.  I drooled over all the gorgeous, creative and inspiring homes they featured in their holiday issue. Make sure to check out the site; it'll have you itching to redecorate!
 Here a few of my favorites:

I think i've decided the look i'm going for in the living room is a modern bohemian feel (peacock, natural materials, earth and jewel tones, bold photography on the walls, & a book case full of fashion books) and  & the bedroom will be a shabby chic parisian style (lace, sequins, leopard, prints of Paris, & a collage of frames above the bed).

I can't wait to go home and visit my family over Thanksgiving break & start my apartment decorating ventures at the newly opened Ikea! In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions of great interior design blogs or better yet-- affordable stores for home decor?

xoxo, lauren

Making a Statement

When it comes to accesssories, my personal rule is; it's okay to excess-orize. I have a major weakness for big statement jewelry, especially necklaces. Even if i'm feeling uninspired, it's so easy to throw on something large & sparkly and feel stylish.

This Seneca Rising lookbook perfectly demonstrates the power of making a statement with accessories!

It's a lot easier to find statement necklaces in pearls & crystal right now, but I think think the colorful stones pack more of a punch to an outfit!

Would you wear a statement necklace?

xoxo, Lauren

Billy Reid brings Southernbred Luxury to the CFDA

Every year the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)  & Vogue Fashion Fund awards an up and coming designer $30,000 to build their business. The fashion industry seemed surprised when this year's winner, Billy Reid was announced.

Billy Reid was born in Louisiana and raised in the South & started his namesake line in Florence, Alabama. Hardly the fashion capital of the world; every article about him seems condescending about him not living in New York-- as if you couldn't possibly be interested or have a future in fashion living anywhere but the Big Apple!

Well, living in the South myself (which makes me decidely outspoken), I'd like to applaud Billy Reid in his efforts in showing that you can be creative & follow fashion whether you live in NYC or not!

Check out Billy Reid's gorgeous Fall 10 Lookbook:

I wish that the fashion industry could see all the inspiration that comes from living here. It's a different way of life; slow placed southern drawls, canopy roads, and sweet tea; they may not be the bright lights of New York City, but it's certainly beautiful in its own way!

Do you agree that you don't need to grow up in a big city to understand and love fashion?

xoxo, Lauren

A Few of my Favorite Things..!

I think of the holidays as the perfect opportunity to wear a little bit too much sparkle, spend a little too much on a sweater, & eat a few too many red velvet cupcakes.

Cashmere sweaters, knee high argyle socks & sequins are just a few of my favorite things this season! I'm also super excited to start putting up our decorations in the next few weeks and plan our annual holiday party. It may be the craziest time of the year working retail, but also one of the most fun.

What are your favorite things about the holidays?

xoxo, lauren

Fabulous in Fair Isle

It all started by saving a simple fair isle sweater picture to my inspiration file.. which sent me me on a quest for adding one to my cool weather wardrobe and trackin down this winter trend! Dolce & Gabbana had a great take on the iconic weave in their Fall 2010 runway show and gave it an update with chunky knits and furry boots.

So when exactly did this traditional sweater become cool? I don't know but I'm not complaining-- I'm in favor of any look that allows you to be cozy and stylish. It's really easy to give a classic winter look a trendy edge, by pairing it with a trendy buffalo plaid, heeled hiking boot, or lacy cardigan.

How would you style a fair isle sweater?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Congrats to the winners of the Corrie Mae bangles: E, Oh Apostrophe and a La Mode et Plus. Thank you for entering! Make sure to enter to win a Parameter Motorcycle Jacket