Saturday, November 29, 2014

My Christmas shopping picks

Holiday Shopping for girly girls
Stay warm, comfortable and cute with my picks for holiday shopping!

I wanted to post a mix of items that I both use and love and may be on my own wish list but are great gifts for any gal on your list. These items can be great for lots of girls you may know: Does she like to cook? Does she live somewhere cold and snowy? Is she a beauty product junkie or need a little extra pampering? All of these items are on trend and great for this time of year!
Living in Pennsylvania means I spend months being bundled up but with some of these items below you can look cute while staying warm! I have always loved red and there are a few items on this list that incorporate the new trendy buffalo plaid pattern. Red accessories like the red Hunter boots, Kate Spade bag buffalo plaid scarf make a great pop of color to any outfit! Don't forget to stop by your nearby outlet mall; designers like Kate Spade and Tory Burch have awesome items for the designer name for a huge percentage less than the retail versions.
Many of these items can be pricey but don't forget that I am a firm believer that you should never pay full price for anything! With this weekend being the beginning of holiday shopping with both Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, I have seen all of these items on sale. Here is a quick breakdown of some of my latest deal finds: Old Navy 50 % off in store, Express 40% off in store, Sephora; check your mailbox I just got $15 off $50 starting Wednesday December 3. Kohl's; extra 15% plus earn Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend.


Enjoy my picks fashion, home and beauty picks!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Summer and Fall Graphics

Trend Update!

I am a trend seeker as much as I can be and when I say trends I mean what is affordable and trendy as opposed to crazy runway trends that have no purpose in real life! One trend I never thought would come back are graphic tees but they seem to be gaining momentum this summer and I'm sure into fall also. I got rid of many "brand name" graphic tees and swore them off for years opting for classic solid, striped and recently printed tees to both dress up and down. However, the cute and whimsical twist with some of these graphics has even made their way into skeptical closet. I searched for (ok maybe stalked) the mint "Amor" tee (below) from Old Navy for a few weeks after thinking about it in the early spring. My store seemed to have received another huge shipment of these so I was thrilled to see this included with others! For $9 I could not resist this subtle basic that happens to be on trend.  I think it will be a fun piece to wear now and layer with sweaters or even put with sweats when I'm hanging out with "my amor!" Of course being the sappy romantic I am I have to say my next piece may have to be the "kiss" tee from J. Crew Factory.

What do you think of the graphic trend being "back?"

Check out some of my picks from J.Crew Factory and Old Navy below!



Summer and Fall Graphics


Short sleeve top
factory.jcrew.com


Knit top
factory.jcrew.com


Cotton tee
factory.jcrew.com


Old Navy short sleeve top
oldnavy.gap.com


Old Navy fitted t shirt
oldnavy.gap.com


Old Navy mint green tee
oldnavy.gap.com

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Crazy for Neon


 Summer fashion is always a time to push the limits and I always find myself paying close attention to the fashion magazines. However there are certain trends that even though they may make a "comeback" I ignore them because it will always be a summer staple to me. Between trends like: seersucker, plaid, white denim, gladiator sandals and of course NEON you will always see me rocking some of these trends even if it is in small doses. Many adults I know laugh at me wearing neon because it is a total throwback to the 80s but I love this trend no matter what. Neon colors can be worn in small doses like accessories or swimwear or even in beauty products like nails or lips. This can also make a great night look by making a statement by looking both stylish and sexy! An added bonus with neon is that it can make a pale girl like me with a moderate tan look very tan. Notice I posted this Old Navy dress again because I love it's versatility!

I love a great neon swimsuit or a top paired with white jeans. This is one trend I will be sporting all summer especially on my toes with these great new neon shades from OPI! Show off that summer glow with my picks below!





Crazy for neon


Old navy dress
oldnavy.gap.com





Victoria s Secret bikini
victoriassecret.com


Michael kors jewelry
piperlime.gap.com


Bracelet jewelry
factory.jcrew.com


Express drop earrings
express.com


OPI white nail polish
$56 - nelly.com


Tory Burch Robinson Smart-Phone Wristlet Wallet, Neon Green
cusp.com



How will you be wearing neon this summer?

xoxo 
Lauren

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Fruity Favorites


Let me first start out this post by explaining that I am a huge fan of patterns! Don't get me wrong I love basic tees and jeans but over the years I love anything plaid, floral, houndstooth, Vera Bradley, nautical, you name it! I just think patterns amp up any outfit whether you are wearing jeans and a patterned top to the grocery store or pairing a pattern pant or skirt with basic top for work. Mixing it up with pattern and color makes you instantly look more pulled together!

To more accurately explain where my love of patterns came from. Even as a young girl I remember my mom dressing me in patterned shorts, overalls and dresses. When you're young being pattern crazy is adorable and it truly is funny how things come full circle as an adult! Seen here in my throwback picture I am about 5 wearing an early pattern: OshKosh strawberry print overalls! So needless to say I am glad fruit patterns are back! (Think I could rock this in a larger size now? ;)


My first love of this trend was the J. Crew factory Charley sweater in the tangerine print! Then Target had a "must have" pineapple button down blouse but I opted for the cardigan version to wear over dresses and such in the summer on a cool night.
I recently wore this over the Citron Old Navy eyelet dress for my brother's high school graduation and should have left the cardigan on because my shoulders got major sunburn! Ouch! (If you see any of these Old Navy dresses on sale at your store- get it ASAP because it is comfortable, flattering and can be dressed up or down!)

I paired it with a necklace from here but here is another option and Old Navy sandals (old).




The most recent pattern trend has me super excited because not only is it adorable but as a dietitian, I am able to express my love of fruit and fashion in one shot! Pineapple prints especially with other fruit prints as strong contenders such as lemons and oranges! Yellow and orange are always colors I wear in the summer and this is such a fun new print to create a conversation piece! (aka you will get adorable comments ladies!)


Would you wear this trend?


Fruity Favorites


Old Navy eyelet dress
oldnavy.gap.com


J Crew orange sweater
factory.jcrew.com


Shirts top
target.com


Old Navy drawstring shorts
oldnavy.gap.com


Kate Spade woven handbag
neimanmarcus.com



J Crew tech accessory
factory.jcrew.com





Stay healthy, Stay trendy!

xoxo
Lauren

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Steal vs Splurge


Left is J. Crew factory version and right is the Our World Boutique version

I have always loved J. Crew factory and it definitely seems to be my store of choice lately! I have mentioned I like a mix of price points in my wardrobe and as much as I love their style, I just cannot spend a lot on more trendy pieces like certain accessories. However, there are tons of trendy jewelry stores and websites that offer fun statement necklaces, bling-bling earrings and bracelets that can be layered up that we can afford and do not feel guilty about if we do not get a certain number of wears out of them to make the piece feel like a good fashion investment.


















The J.Crew factory version this season is available in several colors after the red beaded rose was such a huge hit with J. Crew retail last year. Check out the yellow, coral and white factory versions here. Promotional pricing may vary from time to time.

A few months ago I discovered Our World Boutique for their on trend pieces with great quality, great service and not to mention great prices that you can pick up some statement pieces in multiple colors ;) So during one of my J. Crew factory trips and drooling over the jewels I found a yellow beaded rose necklace that would be a nice sunny addition to my spring and summer wardrobe. However, the ticketed price was $69.50 (sales fluctuate 30-50% off from week to week) I was determined to find a similar necklace at a more budget friendly price! I was thrilled when Our World Boutique restocked these in 3 flower, 5 flower and 7 flower versions in a wide variety of colors! But wait for the price! Wait for it... wait for it... Only $7.99-$12.99! My yellow version is available in the 7 flower version. Like I said get yourself a bouquet of colors to brighten up your wardrobe at that price!! Wowza! Check them out here.

I cannot wait to wear the yellow beaded rose necklace with lots of color combos and a variety of clothing with both button downs for work or even sundresses on the weekend!


Happy Spring!

*Note this necklace was courtesy of Our World Boutique to showcase the item for styling options as well as a review.*


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Splurge vs Steal

Now I love good quality pieces but I also love a good deal. J. Crew Factory and Old Navy are two of my go-to stores but J. Crew Factory can also run a little pricey. Nautical looks are one of my all time favorite trends and this trend is back with avengance this spring and makes an anchor loving gal very happy to pick up more pieces! On the left is the Old Navy sweater available now for $15 and the J. Crew Factory sweatshirt with nautical ropes for $45.

            Old Navy                                                       J. Crew Factory


I also wore the sweater shown with an anchor print white chambray shirt from Old Navy available here.  It is super soft and the perfect length to layer early in the spring or wear tucked in or open with shorts. Did I mention I am a new chambray shirt addict?


Do you like designer looks for less? Have you jumped aboard the nautical trend?

Anchors away!

Lauren