Carrie Bradshaw's Guide to Fashion

I am SUCH a nerd. I definitely went to go see the Sex and the City movie at midnight with my girlfriends. It's crazy how much each of the four characters fits my best friends and me.. I'm the Carrie! Critics will say what you want about the movie (although I thought it did not disappoint). No one can deny that the all the amazing clothes (& manolos!) were an absolute feast for the eyes.

Sarah Jessica Parker had a reported 81 costume changes in the movie, and I about fell in love with every single one. I don't think it would hurt anyone to take a lesson from Carrie Bradshaw & kick their style up a notch and take some fashion risks.

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These are some fashion tips inspired by her:

1. Forget everything you've ever been told about not mixing prints

2. A great pair of shoes can "make" an outfit

3. Don't be a label snob, sometimes the most eye-catching pieces are vintage

4. Belts are not just for pants

5. Don't be afraid to break out an old favorite from the closet

Now everyone go see it!

xoxo, lauren

Eye Love Colored Contacts

Ever since I saw Transformers last summer I've loved Megan Fox's stunning blue eyes with her dark brown hair. Unfortunately, I was born with ho-hum hazel eyes. So, i've been toying with the idea of colored contacts to change up my look a bit. As a contact wearer it's really not a stretch to purchase some colored contacts. It's pretty crazy how much it changes your appearance. It's kind of fun to think of colored contacts as a fashion accessory that you can change on your every whim. I think I'm going to take the plunge and try the sapphire pair, who knows it could become my signature look!

xoxo, lauren

Is Ali Michael Changing the Face (& Size) of the Modeling Industry?

"They're basically being taught that their whole self-worth is measured in how big their waists are"
- Ali Michael [of young models]

This 18 year old runway beauty is making a stand for models everywhere. She is speaking out against eating disorders and unhealthy behavior practiced by models to maintain a waifish figure. Ali Michael has recently been named a rising star of the modeling industry. At what seemed to be the height of her career after booking dozens of runway shows in S/S 08 she came to the realization that she was not healthy. She was nearly starving herself and there was worry her ovaries had stopped working.She gained five pounds and returned to a healthy weight right before F/W 08 Fashion Week. She was sadly turned away from all but a few designers' runways and made headlines with her reported "plump legs".

Is this really sending the right message? Is the fashion industry practicing what they preach? We've been hearing for the last year how healthier looking models are becoming wanted and accepted, but is this the reality?

if you need help contact national eating disorders.

xoxo, lauren

Channeling Hollywood's Favorite Adventure Seeking Archaeologist

I've always been fascinated by archaeology. As a kid my favorite thing to see at Disney World was the Indiana Jones stunt show, and I read tons of books on Ancient Egypt. This past semester I took Archaeology to fulfill my science credit and continue with my childhood interest. Although the career is not as glamorous as its movie depictions it's definitely exciting to literally uncover the past. I'm super excited for the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull movie (Am I the only one who thinks Shia LaBeouf is sort of cute?).

Indiana Jones is great fashion inspiration for Spring 2008. I've been wearing lots of military drab colors lately, neutrals in olive, khaki and black. Of course don't wear all the pieces in one outfit or you could look like an extra that just stepped off the movie set. Wearing one or two inspired pieces adds an adventurous but casual vibe to an outfit.

xoxo, lauren

Fashion Ink

I've been noticing lately the influence of tattoos on fashion. They've made their mark on everything from models, to editorials, to clothes. The Kenneth Cole ad is particularly eye-catching to me. Although Ed Hardy is one of the first to incorporate tattoos into fashion, as you can see it is not the only option. I think tattoo art adds a rebellious edge to an outfit. I don't have any myself, but I think they can be really beautiful and meaningful.

xoxo, lauren

Go International Goes Green

Rogan Gregory of Rogan, Edun, and Loomstate has produced the newest Go International Collection for Target. This collection is 2 years in the making, and best of all is entirely constructed of enviornmentally friendly materials such as organic materials such as organic cotton. This is a huge movement in terms of selling so many "green" pieces in a mainstream mega-retailer like Target.

They have also joined forces with Barney's to debut the collection there where it almost completely sold out in just under an hour. Fashionista.com reports that the pieces look much better in person and is a better quality than any of the previous Go International collections. I can't wait to check my Target to judge in person when it makes its official debut on May 18th!

xoxo, lauren

Five.Cinco. Cinq. Cinque.

Thank you so much to Melinda Melee for tagging me! Haha I doubt many people will take the time to read this, but I'm really bored so here goes nothin'!

5 Things found in my bag/purse:
1. Magazine. I'm subscribed to quite a few so whenever I get bored or have to wait somewhere I pull it out, i always have to be reading something/
2.Cell Phone. My lifeline.
3. Starbucks Card. Caramel Macchiatos are my guilty pleasure!
4. Eco-Friendly Shopping Bag. I've been getting so good about doing this! & it makes me feel good that im doing a tiny part in helping the envirornment.
5. Digital Camera. You never know when you might encounter a moment worth capturing.

5 Favorite Things in my Room
1. Old Diaries. The other night i was re-reading one from middle school and could not stop laughing at how ridiculous i was.
2. Closet. I'm a fashionista. this is a given!
3. Scrapbooks & Yearbooks: These go back so many years & they're fun to look at!
4. Sewing Machine. My christmas present; i've finally found the time to start learning how to use it!
5. Laptop. My cure for boredom.. gossip girl re-runs, blogging, spider solitaire!

5 Things I've Always Wanted to Do:
1. Open up my own boutique/cafe. I'm planning on naming it La Petite Fashionista
2. Travel the world. I spent two weeks as my graduation gift, but it was such a tease because now I'm dying to see more!
3. Buy a Pair of Christian Louboutins/Manolos. Yes they're "status" shoes, but i'd love to feel a little bit like Carrie Bradshaw.
4. Act in a Movie. I used to be really into acting and drama, so it's always been one my secret wishes i've maintained since childhood.
5. Live in Hawaii. My favorite place on earth! (..Paris is a close 2nd)

5 Things I'm Currently Into
1. Learning how to Cook. Next year I'll be living in an apartment and I've had fun learning the basics and experimenting (Does anyone have any recipe recommendations?)
2. Being Enviornmentally Conscious. Yes i'm jumping on the bandwagon, but this is one of the few times I don't mind being a follower.
3. Learning how to Sew. As I mentioned above I just started putting my sewing machine to good use! So far i've just made coasters, but who knows before you know it.. couture gowns?
4. Line Dancing. This little country western bar is the one late night club nearby and I love going there and learning all the steps (i've been dancing since I was 7)
5. Bohemian Style. Boho has definitely made its way into my summer wardrobe.

5 Impressions of Melinda Melee
1. She's a fellow floridian. now i know i'm not the only fashion lover!
2. She's an avid thrifter like myself. I used to volunteer at one and I go about once a week.
3. She takes pictures of her outfits too! Everyone I know teases me when I make them take a daily outfit shot
4. She's discovered the Liz Claiborne Flex Heels. Those are the only heels I can stand wearing for 8 hrs straight at my retail job.
5. She's not afraid of a little color. I love all the jewel tones & prints!

Yay that was fun. Now i'm sharing the love with:

• KIRAfashion
• Sewing Bunny
• Ediot
• Colored Bleu
• Secretista

Anyone else who would like to feel free to tag yourself!

xoxo, lauren

It's Swimsuit Season!

I used to dread going swimsuit shopping every year; it seemed like everything I tried on was unflattering. Swimsuit season does not have to be so painful. You just have to know which style bathing suit flatters your body type best. So here is a handy guide to help you along the way:

• Hourglass: (wider on bottom & top and tiny waist) A two piece with a triangle or halter top & bikini bottoms will emphasize a slender middle.
• Pear: (wider on bottom & narrow on top) Select bottoms in a boyshort or mini-skirt style to conceal a bigger bottom and wear a bright print to draw attention to the top.
• Straight ( narrow on top and bottom; no curves) A cut-out monokini one piece will create the illusion of curves and be super-flattering
• Apple (heavy top, middle, bottom) One piece and Tankinis come in all kinds of stylish cuts & prints. This ruched suit has a slimming effect.

As for the actual trying on process:

• I recommend using a self-tanner or laying outside to get some color, something about a nice glow seems to make every bathing suit look better on.
• Also a cost-effective option is to choose a reversible bathing suit and mix and match tops and bottoms to get more bathing suit for your buck!

xoxo, lauren

When in Rome..

.. Do as the Romans do!

Ever since I got my first pair of gladiator sandals a couple summers ago, i've really admired them. Since I live in Florida, everyone pretty much lives in flip flops. I get tired of rubber flip flops & leather rainbow sandals though. I'd rather wear something more stylish & dressy. That's where the gladiator sandals come in. The"This is Sparta!!" comments from my guy friends don't stop me from wearing them. I like them in a high heel too for a unique look.

xoxo, lauren

Battle of the Brands

Juicy Couture is suing Victoria's Secret for copying their designs & marketing. "Juicy Couture, in its complaint, noted the consistent similarity between their own 'icons, elements, products and marketing strategy' and those of Victoria's Secret" (Reuters) It's true, True they are very similar, but their price points are not drastically differnt. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved. As of now designs can not be copyrighted, therefore technically making it legal (although not very ethical) to replicate them.

xoxo, lauren