Maui Wowie

During the 80's Maui & Sons was reserved for the beach bum surfer dudes & those who wanted to be one. This brand would definitely be a staple in Zach Morris' wardrobe. The brand has re-issued some of their designs to be sold at Opening Cermony and Oak.. or you can snag an original off of Ebay or a local vintage store. If you haven't noticed already I love all things hawaiian and beachy; it's the surfer girl in me. So, even though these are not necessarily for girls, I would definitely rock one with some white skinny jeans & metallic sandals.

xoxo, lauren

"Without Music Life Would be a Mistake"- Nietzsche

With Coachella Music Festival this week and lots more on the way I thought it would be a good idea to highlight music festival fashion. The most important thing besides looking fashionable is to dress for the sticky, humid summer weather. Go for tops and dresses in lightweight floaty fabrics, comfortable shoes, and a trusty pair of shades to top off the look. You also might want to bring along a permanent marker, you know, for the occasional rocker autograph. Anyone who can manage to look stylish during these concerts that span over days, gets major kudos in my book!

Does anyone have any exciting summer concert plans?

xoxo, lauren

Closet Detox: Phase 1

I have two confessions to make:

1. I am a huge shopaholic

2. I am a packrat (I still have clothes from middle school!)

This results in an abrnormally large & unneeded wardrobe.

When I left for college I literally left half of my wardrobe at home because there simply was not enough room in my dorm room to fit all of it!

Surviving an entire school year without a lot of my clothes made me realize how little I actually wear them. fact I barely recognized what was missing. So, now that I'm home from the summer I am doing I never once wished I had a certain shirt or dress. In what I like to call.. A Closet Detox.

Phase 1 is simpling going through all my clothes and dividing them up into different groups: Keep (essentials), Sell (to Plato's Closet), Garage Sale (which will be held next month), and Give Away (to a local thrift store). It's an overwhelming process & i'll keep you updated on the progress! I'd love any helpful advice for anyone who's done the same!

xoxo, Lauren

Endless Summer

My summer has officially started.. Four months of working, school, interning, with some beachgoing and vacations thrown into the mix. I found this 05 Jessica Stam editorial that seems to capture the perfect balance of summery sophistication; the contrast between the bright colors & dark lipstick is genius.

I absolutely love summers here; the weather can get a little hot and humid, but most of the time its a little slice of paradise. So, in celebration of being done with exams and first year of college, I think i'm going to go do some shopping!

xoxo, lauren

Carpe Diem!

Carpe Diem for those who don't know means "Seize the Day" in Latin, and that is exactly what I did today. I started up a conversation with a fellow coffee-drinker looking at clothes on his laptop and discovered he is a young entrepneur, designer, and graduate of my college. He was representing his brand wearing all of their clothes, which remind me a lot of something Nate Archibald would be sporting on Gossip Girls. The line started out as a premium denim line but has now expanded to clothing & i'm excited to watch them continue to grow! So basically, what i'm trying to say is take advantage of every opportunity life brings you, you never know what it could amount to!

xoxo, lauren

"I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet"

I thought i'd post a sampling of some outfits from the past couple of weeks. My style literally changes every day but I like going for more polished but fun looks.The weather's been so crazy that I can never be quite sure what to wear. The first picture is my favorite, taken this weekend in the panhandle of FL by my dad. I had a much needed relaxing weekend. This is our last week of classes & exams next week, so that could explain a lack of posts!

xoxo, lauren

Thinking Green

So, I know eco-friendliness and sustainability has been shoved down everyone's throats lately but, for good reason. It's going to have a big impact on our generation. We're going to see tons more of it incorporated into fashion as I'm sure a lot of you have already seen.

Greenloop is a website that features stylish eco friendly clothing made out of natural materials (organic cotton, bamboo, even rubber tires!). Yes, you will pay a bit more to rock clothes that are good for the enviornment, but won't you feel a lot better wearing them? Obviously, no one is expected to suddenly convert their entire wardrobe, but it's not difficult to make a tiny dent in becoming more green conscious. I'm seriously going to try to obtain a "greener" lifestyle. Honestly, I think canvas bags & enviro sax like those above are a whole lot cuter than plastic bags anyways...

xoxo, lauren

Wasson Your Mind?

Ever since I saw a picture backstage Alexander Wang's runway show with him & his B.M.F.F. ( best model friend forever), I had to find out who this fabuous girl was. The edgy beauty is Erin Wasson.. who is pretty much a jack of all trades in the fashion world; part model,stylist, anddd jewelry designer.

Today I was inspired by her style. Wasson always wears black but its never boring because she pairs it with eye-catching accessories, and unique combinations. She just looks very effortless with her unkept hair & baggy t-shirts, but then again she is a model which means she can pull this look off. For the rest of us mere mortals it takes a bit more effort.

xoxo, lauren

Here I Go Again on My Own

It's one of my last weeks living in dorms on campus and I could not be more excited. I can't wait to have my own bedroom, be able to park my own car, and cook meals in a kitchen! Next year I'll be living in an apartment with my best friends and it's going to be quite an experience. Lately I've been seeking tons of inspiration from Apartment Therapy. I've learned I have a thing for bright colored walls & catchy prints. These are a few of my favorite rooms that I've found.

Does anyone else have any home decor website reccomendations? Or know of places to find affordable&chic furniture & decor? I'm planning on making an IKEA trip this summer.

xoxo, lauren

Natural Beauty

• 1. Hamadi Ginger Soymilk Hair Wash, $18
• 2. Nvey Eco Organic Lip Luster:Armor Rose, $24
• 3. Malie Organic Body Polish: Coffee Macadamia, $42
• 4. Farmaesthetics Eye Make-up Remover, $19

April 22nd is Earth Day so in honor, I'm going to try and feature some eco-friendly beauty products and clothing. When i was younger I used to follow my dad into the Natural Foods Store and spend hours in the make-up aisle experimenting with the organic make-up and products. Who knew my dad could have an influence on my future fashion decisions?

Environmentally conscious products are becoming more popular than ever and for good reason. They are filled with products that smell good & are good for you! Beware of the companies that are "greenwashing", misleading consumers with their ethical enviornmental branding and advertising. Sticking to products that are certified organic is your best bet!

xoxo, lauren

Welcome to the Jungle

I get inspired all the time by random things in my life. For example, right now we're reading "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Ernest Hemingway in my literature class. As a result I'm currently sporting a zebra striped shirt, bead necklace with a wood pendant, and short sleeved cropped khaki jacket. The safari-esque style was seen all over runways as well. Animal print is timeless and doesn't have to look tacky if you pair it with more polished, tailored pieces. Also, check out that great safari coffee table book, that would instantly give a room an exotic jungle touch.

Get the look with:

• military-style cargo jackets, dresses, and pants.
• khaki, olive, and chino
• beaded/wood accents
• animal prints
• tribal prints

xoxo, lauren