Caged to Cut-out

In winter we saw the 'cage look' (primarily with shoes) which was a big hit with celebrities.  For spring the look was reinvented and is now recognized as 'the cut-out trend.'  For Spring/Summer '10, the style was adopted by Zac Posen, Gucci, and Channel.  As for those wearing the look - it's more a question of who isn't.  This look is not for the faint heartened - it's bold brave and usually involves a lot of nude skin.  Cut-out is essentially pieces of fabric removed from a dress, most commonly in a pattern.  It can look amazing, but on the other hand, too much cut-out can look trashy.  So don't take this trend overboard, just embrace it on board!

Shopping Burns Calories...and is therfore justified

Sunday was a shopping day, needless to say I was completely exhilarated the entire day.  It began with aimless wondering in my 4.5 inch heels, an undertaking I would come to regret.  It wasn't a day of looking for specific things, but rather trying to produce excuses of why I need an item.  For example:
"I really need these brown sling-back heels!" 
"Don't you have a pair exactly like that." 
"No." 
"Lauren, you are wearing the pair I'm talking about right now." 
Pause.  Panic.  Smarty drop bags on floor in front of my feet. 
"What shoes?" 
Besides being bullied out of buying a fabulous pair of shoes, my day was extremely successful.  First was this navy dress from TFNC London.  It reminds me of something my Grandmother would have worn as a young woman - shabby-chic.  Next is the pair of jean shorts from Selfridges.  They are extremely teeny-tiny, but I figured if not in your teens, when else?  I like them a lot because their stripes make them more formal than distressed denim shorts.  Other favorites include "Pearl of Wisdom" OPI nail polish, which I just used today.  It's a pinky-white with gold, purple, and blue reflexes.  Love it! No shoes were purchased, but lots of skirts as the weather is starting to improve (knock on wood).  Overall, the day was super successful (apart from my feet) and a special thanks to my wonderful fashion adviser! xoxo

Be Kind!

One of closet friends is an English girl, who lives and goes to an all-girlschool around half and hour away from me.  I know her from dance school, and she is the sweetest most innocent thing in this world.  She is also exceptionally talented.  But lately I had noticed how quite and withdrawn she was.  Considering she's usually so out spoken and involved, I knew something was wrong.  Then last weekend she confided in me that she was having some friend issues.  She said that her best friends had abruptly turned on her and the people in her class were no longer talking to her.  She said she felt isolated, disheartened, and moreover she had completely lost her confidence.  It seems like a crime that her amazing personality is being compromised by a group of lame chiennes.  I gave her my advice, which was to ignore them, let it pass, and most importantly, not to allow them to affect her.  When I got home, I felt I had not done enough.  I can't imagine going to school and not having anyone to laugh, play, or share with, to be stripped of your confidence. So I titled an envelope "save for a rainy day."  Inside I put a talking Hoops and Yoyo friendship card.  Let me explain that it you receive a Hoops and Yoyo card, you are part very select group of girlfriends.  With the card, I put silver necklace with the word 'love', meaning I love her, she should love herself, and no matter what, I was there for her.  "Save for a rainy day," means exactly that.  I told her to save it and until a really distressing day.  Who know, that may be as soon as tomorrow.  So before you decide to make a girl miserable at the dispense of your self-esteem - don't.  Treat thy self, as thy wishes to be treated.  Tale as old as time-true as it can be.

Green and Grusome

If green isn't my favorite color, then my name isn't Karen Millen.  Which it's not.  So it isn't.  Confused?  So am I only about my relationship with the color green.  When I think of green, I think of gardens and spring, and when I think of wearing it I think of vomiting, no pun intended.  But I was inspired by InStyle's Color Issue (April '10) and decided to take a risk and buy something bold and green.  It wasn't too hard to find as it seems, green cargo is hot this season.  Unfortunately, this dark green was not to the satisfaction of my co-shopper and best friend.  So we kept searching for an item that perfect minty/forest green, and, twenty four non-green items purchased later, I found something.  To be honest it was an act of desperation, buying a green......nail polish.  Oh well, no exactly what I had in mind, but I think it's time to simplify my relationship with green.  I shouldn't have one.

Breakfast at Tiffanys

I have a fantasy about Tiffany.  It's pretty ordinary.  The princess fantasy of owning beautiful jewels, the hope and joy the  atmosphere gives, the sense of achievement and satisfaction when receiving a piece.  Also the glamor involved, as you feel as though you are part of a select group.  And lastly, in the words of Holly Golightly, you feel as though nothing bad could happen.  I read Breakfast at Tiffany the summer before I turned fourteen, and saw the movie soon after.  I was automatically in love, particularly with the stunning Audrey Hepburn.  She was the essence of elegance and chic style, a thing only most of us can dream of becoming.  Unfortunately we don't have chic persona in common, nor taste in diamonds.  Holly Golightly dislikes them, were as I'm a fool for them.  Anything diamond, I go week at the knees and it’s a reciprocated love.  Recently I've had my sights set on this gorgeous Tiffany ring above.  I dream about it all day, which is probably all I'll ever do because it costs more than my kidney.  Sigh.  Keep you updated on the quest for this beautiful creature.

Jewlry!

Confession: Since I've moved into my new house, I have never completely unpacked.  Ooch.  It's  been almost 11 months and I still am in possession of at least six completely untouched moving boxes located at the back of closet.  This past weekend I unpacked box number one out of six and found a huge portion on my costume jewelry collection.  It was exhilarating realizing how much shiny stuff I had.  Each piece reminds me of a person, place, or event, which makes it uncomprehending that I could have gone so long without missing the collection.  My favorite and expensive jewelry was unpacked and I was very conscious of their whereabouts for obvious reasons, but overlooking my other pieces was quite alarming since there were a lot of them and most were very valuable to me.  But I can now put my shame aside and share that my jewelry is neatly hung on an adorable vintage rack I bought last weekend.  Toché.

Sun and Sand '10

May 27th is a date to remember girls, as the latest Mac collection is coming out.  This collection is all about a bronzed beauty and a summer shimmer.  The packaging is completely adorable with orange and green highlights, covered in seashells and starfish.  First, there are five beautiful shadows, all pastel, but nevertheless gorgeous.  Next, there are four lipsticks ranging color from red, burgundy, pink, and coral, with matching lip glosses and lip pencils.    They also have some super-cute eye khols, and lastly lots of bronzing products including powders, creams, and body oils.  Judging by previous collections, these products are going to be a great quality and the colors look incredible.  You can guarantee I will have busted my savings on the Highlight Powder in Marine Life, the Eye Kohls in Float On By and Rosemary and Thyme, and all the shadows.  Can't wait!  :)

Meow!

Spoiler alert!  This summer's catwalks are getting catty.  It's all in collaboration with the main theme this summer - Desert Storm.  Believe me, it's smokin'.  At first it may seem similar to lat year's Tribal Trends, but nudes are still very intact, as opposed to last year's adventurous bights.  It's very out-back Australian, but obviously influenced with cat prints.  The runways, magazines, and stores are full of our favourite kitty patterns, in particular chetah and leopard.  But keep in mind that the wrong styles can  tacky, so try to keep your outfits G rated.  Apart from that, there is really no way you can mess up this look.  It' stylish, cool, and it screams bring on summer!

Blushing?

This is for the cosmetic girl who laughed at me after I asked for purple blush. 
After a rather color-less spring/summer collection being released, a way to brighten you look is cheek.  I first noticed the trend in a winter 17 Magazine and have been hooked ever since.  I love wearing bright pinks and lilacs.  With the right technique, you can achieve beautifully bright cheek and perfectly flirty.  Unfortunately, us gals are not as glam as someone like Kim Kardashian, and we can't pull off kohl rimmed eyes or bright lips as well as a bright cheek, so keep the rest of the face simple.  So, if your going down to your mac counter this weekend, be sure to pick up Full Fuchsia or Breathe of Plum.

Sex and the City

Watching Sarah Jessica Parker gracing the screen was my coming of age.  I knew her and knew of the show, but I had never watched her or it because of my pre-mature age.  Sex and the City isn't exactly child-friendly.  So, when I turned fifteen, my friends and I gathered to watch the movie.  We must have seen it at least six times in the space of thirty hours.  I was ecstatic about the movie, but moreover I was ecstatic about Carrie Bradshaw.  Let me explain that I've known since I was six years old that I wanted to be a writer, more specifically a columnist.  And since the age of ten I've known I want to work in fashion.  By the age of fifteen I realized I wanted to be Carrie Bradshaw.  We have many similarities already; we are both writers, love fashion, and buy vogue before dinner ALWAYS.   I am super excited about seeing Sex and the City 2, which is released on May 28th in the UK.  You can bet I will have my ticket booked well in advance!

Dress Codes

Camilla Morton is the person I aspire to the most.  One reason why is because she claims "Dress codes are for people who don't know what to wear or how to be chic."  What is more true in life?  (Sigh.)  To set trends, you need to break rules, or in this case the code.  My proposition/challenge for you is tomorrow, when you are walking through your mental wardrobe, dare to be different and ignore the code.  Trust me - if you have enough good taste to be reading this website, you'll obviously have enough to put together a hot rule-smashing outfit!

Bye Bye Bangles

While exploiting the fashion world and changing trends forever, Coco Chanel said "Take one thing off before you leave the house.”  Only then, apparently, can you have the perfect outfit.  For the past few years, it seems the public have bee completely oblivious to these wise words, including myself.  Over-accessorizing has become extremely à la mode, with celebrities sporting layered necklaces, over-the-top rings, and arms full of bangles.  Lauren Conrad even quoted, "My perfect outfit is adding one thing on!" in reference to Coco Chanel.  Apart from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Momsen, have you guys seen anybody layer their bling?  Because yours truly hasn't.  In this month's magazines their has also been an absence of jewelry over-load.  So I'm sad to say I think this trend has passed.  I'm back to the simple necklace and occasional bracelet in opposition to my usual symphony of jingles as I walk around.  I'm sad to see it go, but I'm sure my wallet won't!

I Heart Taylor Swift

Sigh.  Oh how I have worshiped Taylor over the years, which I why I am thrilled to announce that Taylor will be joining the fabulous Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, Queen Latifah, and Ellen DeGeneres in the Cover Girl family.  She will be promoting "easy, breezy, beautiful" line's new luxury collection in January 2011.  She deserves this position as she is a beauty inspiration.  Her golden curls are legendary and have become very popular in the teen world.  He winged eyeliner, although not completely original, is also a look she has trade marked.  Taylor told WWD, “I’m a huge makeup junkie,” - that's what we like to hear!

Death Of The Neon

The Fall/Winter '10 the runway presented 'the death of the neon'.  I know this comes as a shock because all we have been seeing since Summer '08 is neon, neon, neon.  Not this time!  The trend for Spring/Summer will be a complete opposite to the color blocking seen last year.  Think nude colors like white, peach, grey, icy blue, and washed out nutmeg.   For the fall, we are expecting to see nudes and blacks.  Personally, I'm not sad to see those colors go because they have been played a little too much.  In conclusion, au revoir neon colors.  I've loved wearing you, but its time you were sent to the back of my closet and only brought out for raves!

Clear Skin (finally)

The perfect accessory is said to be a smile.  What's also great to accompany it is great skin.  As a person who has struggled to achieve this, I am an expert on how to get your own perfect complexion. 
Your skin consists of three layers the hypodermis, demis (which contain elastins that make your face non-wrinkly), and most importantly, the outer layer, the epidermis.  It takes a month to take cells to move from the lower layer to the top layer, so it will take on average a month to achieve new, better skin. 
On top of your skin rest a layer of oil that acts as a barrier and stops bacteria and essentially the outdoors from penetrating the skin.  No matter how prone to breakouts you are, it is crucial that you moisturize to keep this layer functioning.  You also need to clean and tone your skin to eliminate bacteria.  I recommend doing this twice a day.  Clean your makeup brushes too because over time they collect bacteria.  Wash your fingers before you touch your face because they are dirty and oily.   Don't ever 'pop' or 'squeeze' a spot because a zit is the skin's natural way of eliminating bacteria and collecting it on the surface.  Popping it will only release the oil into the skin again.  Another suggestion is removing your makeup before you go to bed because it contains oily ingredients that will create breakouts. 
I ALWAYS use the Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System.  It cleanses, tones, and moisturizes and is extremely popular with teens.  I do use additional products but this is my favorite and I strongly recommend it.  Other recommendations are the Clinique Pore Minimizer which help reduce or minimize pores which makes your skin a more even brighter skin tone.  Clinique gentle exfoliate and Clean and Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub help get rid of dead skin cells, again making your skin brighter.  Other cheaper alternatives to a cleanser include the Neutrogena Visibly Clean Blackhead Eliminating product, which is ideal for blasting out blackheads.  The Nutrogena Wave is a vibrating face cleanser is also exteremly good because the vibrations help clean 10x deeper than regular soap.  To put on actual zits I use the Clinique anti-blemish gel, and it's been my BFF most days.  This How-To hopefully will also be you new BFF!  Updates will be make soon :)