Thank You, Internet

 Top: Gap / Sweater: LOFT (Buy here, currently 50% off, for $22.50! Small sizes unfortunately sold out, though) / Pants: LOFT  buy here, $59.50) / Flats: Target (similar with cap-toe, here for $19.99) / Necklace: bought in Italy / Glasses: Coach

 

I wanted to say a quick "thank you" to the internet today, and primarily to the style blogging community out there.

Overall, I have been AMAZED at the kindness, love, and support that flows through the style blogosphere; I have met some truly lovely women whom I greatly admire, and I completely enjoy making those connections. We all know that the internet (and, obviously the world), is full of not-so-nice people, but what this community has taught me is that it is even more full of kind, creative, and loving people, from whom I draw endless inspiration and support.

So, that's all to say a great big "thank you" to those of you who follow, comment, or just stop by for .01 seconds, and to those of you who put yourselves out there on your blogs every day and face the big scary Internet with humor and grace. You all inspire me to do it, too.

Hope your week is going well, and thanks, as always, for stopping by. :)

Right Around the Corner

 Top: Gap (similar, similar) / Sweater: Forever 21 (similar, similar) / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny, size 00 (same) / Shoes: Target (similar) / Necklace: from Italy / Bracelet: vintage, inherited from my Nana / Bag: from Unique LA  

Today was my favorite day (weather-wise) that I've had in New England as of yet. In the morning it was all blustery winds and bright blue skies, fading in the afternoon to a perfect 75 degrees with a light breeze and warm sunshine. It was the best combination of fall-is-just-around-the-corner and I-don't-want-to-leave-summer-quite-yet. I spent a good chunk of my downtime today (all of it, really) sitting in the sunshine and reading The Sun Also Rises.

Perfect weather, really, for what I was doing the rest of the day, which was Orientation! My program starts classes next week, so this week it's all meeting advisers, signing up for classes, figuring out study cards, and meeting new people. I am so excited to be back in school again, and cannot wait for it to start! Before classes, however, I've got to tackle a big move this weekend into my new/permanent apartment, though it can't be as bad as the Bigger Move across the country, right? :)

In the meantime, I'm going to go enjoy a bit more of this late-summer sunshine. I think I need to store up on it in order to have any chance at getting through my first New England winter.

Hope you are all having a great week!

Counting Down

Top: Gap / Cardigan: from a local boutique / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Belt: Target / Bracelets: DIY (how to, here!)

 

So the good news is I "inherited" this belt from my mom. Hooray for free stuff! The bad news is is broke all of two hours after taking this picture. :-/ It was a cheap-y belt from Target, so I suppose the fact that it lived for a few years is quite good.

I'm trying to be mindful of what I buy on the (super) cheap and what I spend my money on. Colorful skinny belts that will last a few years? $20, max. But, classic bags or workhorse shoes that will last forever? I'm trying to work up the courage to spend more on those sorts of things. Thus, my decision to buy that beautiful Cambridge Satchel as soon as I move to, fittingly, Cambridge, MA.

Speaking of which, I have only 3 days left working in the elementary school I've been in for the past year, 5 days left at this job, 10 days until I move, 11 until I start school, and 12 until my birthday! Whoah, there. I'm a serious combination of excited and nervous for what the next few weeks has in store. Wish me luck!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!

Spring Green

 Top: from a local boutique ($12) / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target leopard print flats sz 7.5 / Bag: BCBG / Necklace: from a farmer's market

 

I have a few new rules for myself right now as to what I should and should not buy. The number-one culprit on the not-to-buy list is any solid colored, short sleeved cotton t-shirt (my wardrobe staple since high school). In leui of that, I'm trying to get slightly more "grown up" shirts instead, be it by virtue of cut, fabric, detail, or color.

This shirt is still, obviously, a solid colored, short sleeve shirt, but!, it is made of silk (which wrinkles, apparently, no matter what), and has at least an interesting button detail on one shoulder. I think this makes it a "blouse" rather than a "shirt." And blouses are totally grown up, right?

Pre-Valentines Day

 Sweater: H&M sz xs ($15.00) / Vest: LOFT (gift) / Jeans: Gap 1969 jeans sz 0 / Shoes: Target leopard print flats

 

 

Hello! I'm back! And you know what I've learned in the past week? Valentines Day is a Really Big Deal in elementary school. I went to a Jewish elementary school, where teachers "conveniently forgot" to give us homework on October 31st rather than acknowledge Halloween, and there was absolutely no talk about eating copious amounts of chocolate come mid-February.

So, imagine my surprise when, suddenly, my students are gearing up for the coming holiday with more effort and care than Thanksgiving and Christmas combined. I've already received five Valentines (Pre-Valentines? Rehersal Valentines?), and the promise of massive amounts of chocolate come the 14th. (Not that I'm complaining.)

To brighten up your Monday morning, allow me to submit the text of one of my favorite pre-Valentines that I have recently received (all original spelling and grammar preserved for maximum adorableness).

On the outside: Open it maybe it a dog i dont know open it open it [I have no idea what this means]

On the inside: Hey ms. Lauren I just wanted to ask who is your Valintine? Because I think I found you one it's a girl and she is ten and her name is [Reanne]. you filled me whith lot's of love Happy valintine. ms Lauren is the Best!

:)

Crisp Oxford

Top: Gap sz xs / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Flats: Target sz 7 / Shades: Target / Bag: BCBG / Necklace: inherited from my grandmother / Hair pin: Banana Republic
 

 I am a habitually casual hair person. Chronically so. I would rather sleep 10 more minutes than figure out what the heck to do with my hair, so usually it is either a) down or b) in a messy bun. Today's variety was putting a little sparkly pin into my messy bun. Classsssyyyy.

You may scoff, but I'll have you know that I got all the validation I needed when she said "Hey, that clip makes your hair look...done." :)

Also: this is possibly my favorite outfit from the past few weeks. It's so easy and yet it makes me feel all kinds of put together. Thank you, classic oxford, thank you.

Grey Skies

Top: Gap sz s / Sweater: from a local boutique / Jacket: Zara sz xs / Pants: Gap 1969 Always Skinny Jeans sz 00 / Scarf: Forever 21 / Shoes: Target

   

This Zara "leather" jacket was one of my best finds in the past few years. I'd been looking for a dark brown, versitile jacket for quite a while, but had never found anything that looked nice enough but was still within my price range. Shopping with some friends about a year back, I stumbled across this little thing, I believe for about $60-$70. Ya, a bit pricey for me, but I considered it long and hard and thought, in the end, that it was worth it. I'm so glad I made the splurge because I wear this thing all. the. time. Yay for Fall so I can start breaking it out again!

Outerwear is definitely one of the places where it can be hard to skimp on cost. In order to have jackets that keep you warm and/or dry, you might have to shell out a bit of cash. Since I live in LA, I'm able to get away with jackets like this (made out of Polyurethane/Viscose/Polyester, though fully lined and surprisingly warm), which cost way less than nice wool ones you might need on the East coast. Believe it or not, I have still managed to find a cheap warm wool coat (on sale for $25!) that got me through 90% of my winter semester abroad in England, also from Zara. So, I'd highly recommend that store if you're looking for decent outerwear on a budget!

From the Boyfriend

 Top: Urban Outfitters ($12.00) / Sweater: Gap / Jeans: Gap 1969 sz 0 / Shoes:

Target Leopard Print Flats sz 7.5 ($12.99) / Bag: BCBG / Earrings: Gift

 
 

I felt all of today like I'd stolen my boyfriend's outfit. A good deal of his daily "uniform" is a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a cozy sweater, and comfy jeans. Ok, he probably wouldn't wear the leopard print flats though. Or carry a purse. So at least there's that...

This comfy button-up is one of my favorites. I got it in the sale section at Urban Outfitters (my #1 stop when walking into that store, where everything is stupidly overpriced unless it's on sale). Petite sizes seem to often be hanging on sale racks, so I get lucky more often than not. I would recommend that petites don't dismiss non-petite-specialty stores out of hand; most of the items in my closet come from the regular ol' stores (as in, not the Petites section of LOFT, Banana Republic, etc.), and, of course, they also mostly come from the sale sections! Granted, at 5'4", I am a taller "petite" than most, but if you're feeling like there isn't enough variety in those specialty sections, don't give up on everything else!

Real Simple

Shirt: Gap sz xs / Shorts: DIY Paige jean shorts / Scarf: bought in Spain / Necklace: bought at my local Farmer's Market ($15.00) / Shoes: Target Leopard Print Flats sz 7.5 (bought with a Gift Card; $12.99 but out of stock online)

Ah, lazy Sundays. And lazy bloggers who post their Sunday outfits on Wednesdays. This outfit is a variation on what could be referred to as Lauren's Uniform: jeans, a solid-colored short-sleeved shirt, flats, simple jewelry, and possibly a scarf. Done and done. Lazy blogger, indeed.

 Two new things in this outfit today! My Target Leopard Print Flats ($12.99 but out of stock online), and this lovely necklace, bought at a local Farmer's Market ($15).

First, the shoes: I bought a size 7.5 because the size 7 was sold out online, but, alas, 7.5 is a bit too big. I put in insoles, which fills up a bit of space, but even then...I really should have a 7. I love, however, how they take such a simple outfit like this one and make it a bit more interesting. I'm debating weather or not to keep them.

And, the necklace: I LOVE this little thing! I've been keeping an eye out for a longer pendant necklace for a while now, and I stumbled upon this little beauty at a local Farmer's Market the other week (I bought produce too, don't judge). I love the fact that it is a working watch...it reminds me of men's pocket watches and the good ol' days. Or something like that.

Target Leopard Print Flats

I have run holes into the bottoms of my favorite black flats. :( The boyfriend advises (and rightly so) that I should really stop wearing them, so I've recently been on the lookout for their replacement. I've tried on a ton of flats from a ton of stores, but nothing has been quite right. My top complaints are: a) too much toe-cleavage (am I the only one who hates it?), b) too wide, and c) not comfortable enough to walk all day in. Boo.

The next pair I'm hoping will be the big winner are these leopard print flats from Target. They are a fantastic $12.99 (but I ordered them for free with a Target gift card!).

A bit different than my old basic black, no? But, hopefully they'll fit my wardrobe (and my feet!) Just as well.

For cute shoes on a budget, I cannot recommend Target enough! I've gotten some great shoes from there including my favorite Elliana Wedges ($24.99):

 and Pearce Pumps ($29.99):

(Ok, I can deal with a bit of toe cleavage. But only a bit!)

 Any recommendations on comfy, cute flats that you can wear all day?