Tampa Bay's Talent

I had a wonderful time at Tampa Bay Fashion Week! It was a great represenation of local talent & beautifully planned event. It was super exciting to be a memer of the press and right in the action with all the photographers. Here's my reviews of the collections!

House of Ska by Ivanka Ska

The Look: silver & black brocade tied into each outfit, impeccable tailoring, a couple daring necklines, simple but flattering sillhouettes, dresses for any age, perfect cocktail party attire

X'quisite L'egance by Shante Styles

The Look: garnet&gold, asymmetrical ruffles, luxurious silk & comfy jersey, evening gowns and minidresses, a fewthe standout piece is the voluminous gold dress on the left

Xotica Clothing by Pat McGhee

The Look: great use of prints & textures,bold outfits for the risk taking fashionista, over the top in a good way, capes, brocade and lace, the black fringed dress is the standout piece

Maison Rouge by Rhonda Shear

The Look: classy lingerie, moulin rogue-esque sillhouettes, nude&rose&gold color scheme, dvf-like headpieces, satin, structured corsets, rosettes and ruffles, uber feminine

Chic Bridal Designs by Sam Varela

The Look: bohemian wedding gowns, backs as pretty as the fronts, embroidery, giant floral headpieces, floaty and romantic, evening gloves, my dream wedding dresses!

Remarquable Designs by Essence Flowers

The Look: futuristic cut-out bathing suits, floor length grecian gowns, knots & braids, very rachel zoe, draped jersey fabric, i would wear everything that graced the runway!

xoxo, lauren

Great Style Isn't Limited to the Runways

(Photos from the Sartorialist, Facehunter, & Cafe Mode)

Sometimes I spend just as much time looking at stylish street style of fashion week go-ers as I do the collections! You might spot a couple familiar faces here; Susie of Susie Bubble (in the bottom right corner) and the fashion editors at Teen Vogue (the picture above). From the daring looks to the "safe", it must be quite a lot of pressure to find the perfect outfit for fashion show.

I'm actually experiencing quite the same issue right now! I'm on my way to Tampa Bay Fashion Week to cover the events. It's my first time actually attending shows and not just being a backstage volunteer so I'm honored and excited andddd still trying to find that perfect outfit. When I get back I'll have photos from all the shows I attended featuring local talent & reviews of all the collections. Wish me Luck!

xoxo, lauren

SS09 Make-Up DIY & ADesign Brush Giveaway!

Congrats to My Polychrome Life, winner of the Stella Accessories Contest!

One of the things I love about fashion week is all the beautiful make-up on the models at the shows. The clothes may be the centerpiece, but the make-up artistry is the necesary finishing touch for the look. Diane von Furstenburg & Erin Fetherston were two of my favorite looks, both incredibly wearable off the runway as well.

ADesign has offered to giveaway 3 of their make-up brushes for my readers; so gear up for another give-away! These are the brushes up for grabs:

The unique design and tip of this concealer brush will create a streak free and natural looking cover up. Work your pointed concealer brush gently along the lash line, working your way to the tear duct to achieve a flawless eye touch up


A precise angle to fit the curve and natural shape of your lids. Great for applying a base or all over highlighter.

The unique tip of this brush will give you an extra edge when defining your eyes. The pointed tip will create depth in the crease area. Also use this brush as a blender to soften shadows together.

What's your essential beauty product?

Leave your answer in the comments to win one of ADesign's cosmetic brushes!

xoxo,Lauren

London Calling

What I love about London Fashion Week is that its so much more avant-garde than New York. The designers design much less for the consumers and more to show off their creativity and artistic talents. This results in shows featuring crazy fashions, maybe better for inspiration than actually wearing, but intriguing nonetheless. Check out a few of my favorite shows from the week!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Don't forget to enter the contest below for a chance to win a hair accessory by Stella Accessories!

Stella Accessories [No, Not the Stella from Project Runway that Loves "Leatha"]

Stella Accessories is a fantastic up and coming hair accessories line I wanted to introduce my readers to! Their work is gorgeous & affordable, and just my style. Check out my interview with the lovely ladies & make sure to leave a comment below for the chance to win one of their handmade creations! (Contest ends Monday!)


LPF: How did you come up with the name for your business?
Stella: We came up with our name because of our dog Stella! She is our little princess!


LPF: What is the background of the creators of Stella Accessories?
Stella: The creators of Stella Accessories are Samantha Vigorito, Danielle Zuckerman, Taylor Sugrue, and Alexia Panza. We are four roommates who met a year ago through going to school for fashion. Taylor and Danielle are from Manalapan, NJ Samantha is from Monroe, CT, And Alexia is from Ft. Laurderdale FL. We are all currently fashion students working our way into the industry at FIT and LIM College in NYC.


LPF: What kinds of goodies do you sell & what makes your accessories special?
Stella: We sell headbands, hair pins, and hair combs. What makes them so special is that we hand-make all of our accessories so each one is unique and a little bit different!


LPF: Where do you find the materials used in your work?
Stella:We find the materials we use throughout the city and through our collection over time. Some of the pearls for instance may have once been a necklace from our mother, while some of the charms are vintage earrings from thrift shops around the city.


LPF: What advice do you have for other young entrepreneurs?
Stella: The advice that we have for young entrepreneurs is to never stop believing in your goals, and don't just say you will do something and regret not doing it. Take action!


LPF:What kind of girl do you see wearing your accessory creations?
Stella:The types of girls that wear our accessories collection are typically fashion forward consumers. Some of our headbands and more intricate than others and require a trendy girl with desire to be fashion forward and a trend-setter!! We also have more simple types for girls who have more of a classic sophisticated look a 'la Blair Waldorf.


LPF: Where can we buy your amazing work?
Stella: We are currently working on our website so customers can conveniently order hair accessories online, but for now just e-mail stellaacessories@gmail.com . Through this e-mail you can let us know which headband you see that you want or explain an idea you may have of something you want us to create specifically for you.

xoxo, lauren

p.s. to check out more of their designs, check out their new website!

Fall into Autumn Trends

I've just begun planning out my fall wardrobe wish list-- it's hard to think about cool weather when I'm walking around in 90 degree sunshine every day! Here are my picks for fall:

1. Plaid Skirt: Wear this trend a la gossip girl with bow headband and streamlined blazer.
2. Patterned Tights: Perfect for dressing up a little black dress.
3. Slouchy Knit Hat: Pair with perfectly messy waves for a look straight out of an Alexander Wang runway show.
4. A New Twist on the Cashmere Sweater: This v-neck cardigan vest is just as soft and luxurious as the traditional sweaters yet more versatile and trendy.
5. Fringed Scarf: Great paired with a solid colored tee and skinny jeans. Look for eye catching ethnic prints & colorful patterns.
6. Tan Heeled Boots: A girlier look than last years popular flat heeled boots. Wear with tights and a dress or tucked into jeans.

What are some of your fall fashion must-haves?

xoxo, lauren

Aminogenesis: Amino Acids are No Longer Just "Building Blocks of Proteins"

I was lucky enough to recieve a sample of this innovative beauty product by Aminogenesis. This is no ordinairy face cream. The whole composition of the product is something entirely new and innovative. The before & after pictures are quite amazing transformations and its exciting to see the future of the beauty industry. It repairs and aids many skin care issues from wrinkles to dryness to acne! Many of the most detrimental skin damage is done as a teenager and young adult (all of those hours spent laying on the beach as a Floridian will definitely come back to bite me in some years).

Ron Cummings, the founder of Aminogenesis answered some questions I had concerning anti-aging skin care for those of us who may think we don't need it yet.

L.P.F:What are some benefits to beginning anti-aging skin care as a young adult?

Ron Cummings:The depletion of amino acids leads to all kinds of problems like pre-mature aged looking skin. Nourishing it with what it needs is the same strategy as nourishing your body with proper vitamins. So its both a reparative and preventative strategy that should be started as a young adult. The basic premise of AminoGenesis is this: All human tissue is made of specific amino acids, which are also essential to your skin for proper health function and beauty. If your skin becomes depleted of amino acids, it cannot perform its functions very well. as a result things start to go wrong. There is a cascading effect: IE depletion of amino acids leads to dehydration which leads to over production of skin oils which can lead to acne. Also, certain amino acids inhibit bacteria, which is a major contributor to acne.

L.P.F: What are some preventive measures that should be taken to protect skin at a young age?

Ron Cummings:We are exposed to sun all year around. In addition harsh weather depletes the skin of amino acids too. Using Photolagen all year is a smart strategy.

Thanks again Aminogenesis, and for more information visit their website!

xoxo, lauren

Channeling:Indiana Jones, Romance Novel Heroines,and Jack Sparrow

Now that New York Fashion Week has come to a close I've had the opportunity to look at tons of collections and these are the last of my favorites! I just love that none of the collections seem to be stereotypical spring/summer; sundresses, tropical colors, and tropical prints. Is it bad that I'm already anxious for Spring 09 clothing to be in stores? Onto London Fashion Week..

On a completely random side note. I'm going to be attending Teen Vogue Fashion U in October-- are any of my readers/fellow bloggers going to be attending? Let me know!

xoxo, lauren

In Case You Didn't Know..

Check it out on Lifetime!

xoxo, lauren

Marc, Proenza Schouler Boys, and DVF.. oh my!

One of the best parts about being a fashion merchandising classes is being in classes surrounded by people as in love with fashion as I am. It's nice being able to chat about which shows we found disappointed and what trends we're seeing for spring. I've been loving every second of the shows and I have some more of my favorite looks for you!

xoxo, lauren

I <3 the 90's

I'm a child of the nineties-- I grew up watching Clarissa Explains it All, Babysitter's Club, and Salute Your Shorts. Lately, 90's fashion seems to be poppiing up everywhere from the runways to editorials. I scored this colorful heart shaped digital/paint splatter print dress on a recent thrifting venture. I've been loving the neon brights, mini-dress hemlines, and acid washed jeans.

Is it too soon to be rocking the [tasteful] 90's garb already?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Stay tuned for more fashion week updates & reviews!

Only the Beginning: Fashion Week Days 1 & 2

While I have oodles of homework and projects to work on, ,my motivation has been not letting myself look at fashion week pictures until i finish! Thus, my first batch of fashion show reviews & favorite looks from NY SS09 Fashion Week !

What shows is everyone else loving so far?My personal favorite is Alexander Wang, i think his show will be the source of several SS09 trends.

xoxo, lauren

S/S 2009 Fashion Week!

As I sat in class today all I could think about is that right now Fashion Week is going on in New York and how much I wish i was there! Hopefully some day I'll get the opportunity but for now I'll hav to settle for scouring style.com for runway pictures and reading behind the scenes gossip at fashionista. Check out the jam packed schedule for the week & live vicariously through the fashionistas who get the opportunity to attend!

xoxo, lauren

Tricky Trends: Fall 2008

Fall 2008 is full of hard to pull off trends. Love them or hate them they're all over stores for fall. Before you decide it's not for you here are some tips for wearing these tricky fall trends. I'll offer a difficulty factor (on a scale of 1-4) and how you can rock these seemingly impossible looks.

1. Leather/Latex Leggings

Difficulty Factor: 4

How To Rock Them: While celebrities are often seen sporting these with tiny tees and stiletto heels this look might not be the most practical for us mere mortals. I reccommend a longer, somewhat baggy rocker/vintage tee or a short sassy dress.

2. Statement Necklaces

Difficulty Factor: 1

How to Rock Them: Bold jewelry is a great way to amp up a boring outfit. Pair with a simple solid colored v-neck tee and jeans to ease into this trend. For a bolder look wear with a jewel toned scoop neck dress.

3. Baggy Boyfriend Jeans

Difficulty Factor: 3

How to Rock Them: Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham have been wearing these around Hollywood alot lately. Take cues from them and pair with a slimmer shirt on top for balance. The best part of these is that you can usually find a pair lingering in your dad or boyfriend's closet!


4. Sheer Blouses

Difficulty Factor: 2

How to Rock Them: This is one of those looks that seems much harder to wear than it actually is. To keep from looking too scandalous make sure to wear a camisole or lightweight tee underneath in a similar color.

xoxo, lauren

A YSL Counterfeit Nightmare

I'm all about being inspired by runway collections and designer's creations, but I draw the line at exact duplications of someone's artistic talent. Forever 21 often has runway "inspired" pieces which are questionably ethic, but this is just wrong. EXACTLY duplicating the recently deceased Yves Saint Laurent's priceless Mondrian Dress and slapping a $23 price tag on it is just a fashion sin. The CFDA has been battling cases like this for a long time and hopefully designer's can someday rest knowing that their work will not be cheaply replicated and mass produced.

What would YSL think if he were around to witness this?

xoxo, lauren