Trendspotting: Pink and Orange

Ever since the color blocking trend came about, I've tried to be more adventurous with my color combos. One of my favorites that I've seen is pink and orange, which totally used to clash. I have a pair of bright orange jeans that I've been wanting to try with a hot pink top...I'm just waiting for spring weather to catch up with my thinking. Here are some of my favorite pink and orange looks:

[Golden White Decor blog]

[Marc Jacobs bag]

[Nike sneakers]

[Chiara Ferragni]

[Kate Spade tote]

[Kate Spade top]

[iPhone case]

What's your favorite color combo?

-Lauren

All-Time Favorite Oscar Looks

I love watching the Oscars every year, not only for the actual awards show, but also because it's the most exciting, interesting red carpet we see all year. All the stars and nominees dress their very best and we always see some really interesting and unexpected dress choices. Some daring choices end up being all time classics and others just don't translate well. Here are some of my all-time favorite Oscar looks from over the years:

Hilary Swank

Sandra Bullock

Beyonce

Nicole Kidman

Gwyneth Paltrow

Halle Berry

Jessica Chastain

Charlize Theron

What's your favorite Oscar look of all-time?

-Lauren

Monochromatic

They used to say "don't be too matchy matchy" but like so many other trends, this has changed. The matching colors mixed with different textures is very in right now, especially with bright colors like teal. The black on black and white on white has always been in style but now fashionistas are mixing fabrics and layering items of the same shade. I've been a little bit hesitant to step outside the box in terms of matching bright colors but if you break up an outfit with an off-color belt or accessory, it can make the trend a bit less intimidating. Here are some of my favorite looks:

Teal on teal with purple

Black on black in leather

White on white with a straw hat

Red on red with a pea coat

Burgundy on burgundy with flare pants

What's your favorite monochromatic look?

-Lauren

Business Essentials

My busy season for travel starts next week with a trip to Dallas and at the beginning of each year I try to update my business wardrobe a little bit. I just got a great shift dress from Club Monaco on sale and added a pair of nude wedges to my collection. I've found that a few good staple pieces can take me through the whole year for business events and meetings. Here are some favorites I recommend for every girl:

Banana Republic tall dress / Banana Republic lightweight blazer / J.Crew long pencil skirt / Wallis nude patent pumps / Bric's travel bag / J.Crew crystal jewelry / Banana Republic jewelry /Marc Jacobs laptop sleeve, $68 /Tory Burch Robinson Slim Card Case

What's your favorite business essential?

-Lauren

February's Birchbox Goodies

It's my second time receiving Birchbox and the first time around I was pretty pleased with what I got. I still use the lip gloss and lotion samples they sent so this time I was hoping to try out some different products. I had to wait even longer for this box to get here since winter storm Nemo delayed the delivery! 

My first reaction to this month's box was, wow these products are so expensive! 

Ghirardelli Chocolate - a nice freebie from Birchbox!

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint - tinted moisturizer that I'll be sure to pack for my business trip next week (originally $38)

Color Club Nail Polish - a great red apple color that I'll plan to try soon (originally $8)

Kerastase Masque Chroma Riche - they say this is good for color treated hair and I have highlights so this could be a good addition to my hair regiment (originally $61)

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator - tried this in the shower last night, it's a gentle scrub and leaves your face feeling really smooth and fresh (originally $34)

What's the best thing you've ever gotten in Birchbox?

-Lauren

Nude Embellished Tops

I've been seeing the nude embellished look everywhere lately! I love the skin colored tops but since I'm pale I need the shade to have a little something more to it. The sequins and embellishment make the color stand out so it matches with nearly anything. I picture a nude embellished top with a black blazer and leather leggings or with white jeans and brown sandals in the summer. Here are a few of the best tops I found:

Embellished Tank / ASOS Deco Embellished Shirt / River Island Tunic / River Island Top /  Rebecca Taylor Camouflage Shell  / Lipsy chiffon top / Old Navy sheer tank /


What's your favorite way to wear the nude embellished look?


-Lauren

Firmoo Glasses Giveaway!

Firmoo, an online glasses store, recently sent me a pair of glasses to try out. The frames, seen here, are totally geek chic and perfect for those days when I want to dress casual and tie up my hair in a ponytail. Firmoo has an great variety of eyeglasses and sunglasses in all the trendy styles. 

Today I'm giving away six $30 vouchers for designer glasses from Firmoo. This voucher can be put towards any designer frames seen here. 

The giveaway will run until February 22.

Firmoo / Firmoo / Firmoo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

-Lauren

Friday Five

This week was crazy busy with Valentine's Day and the huge snowstorm on the east coast. I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing 3-day weekend and celebrating Valentine's Day for real with a homemade dinner. I thought I'd share some of my favorite things this week: a gorgeous top from the JCrew spring collection, a cocktail I'm making tonight, one of Kate Spade's new colorful watches, a freebie from Tory Burch's fashion show and a must-have for girls who travel often.

 [This sleeveless jeweled blouse from JCrew]

[This pomegranate cocktail from Nutmeg Nanny]

[This amazing pink Kate Spade watch]

[This Tory Burch wallpaper inspired by the Fall 2013 fashion show]

[This Benefit Jetset travel makeup kit]

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

-Lauren

Black and Pink

Cotton Moto Jacket (Madewell, similar, on sale!), Purse (Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx), Jeans (AG, similar), T-Shirt (Banana Republic), Flats (Banana Republic, similar, on sale!), Watch (Michael Kors), Bracelets (JCrew and Moxie), Ring (Roberto Coin), Necklace (Judith Jack)

-Lauren

3 Ways to Wear Winter Brights

For years I've been buying lots of neutrals like black, white and gray because I know they will match with everything. But now that brights and color blocking are trendy it's easier than you think to incorporate neon shades into your not so colorful wardrobe, especially in the winter. It doesn't have to be sunny and warm to wear the bright shades of yellow, pink, green and orange. Wearing something bright in the winter will make you stand out in the gray weather. Here are 3 ways to wear winter brights:

Neon Chunky Knit Sweater, $90 / J Brand skinny jeans, $340 / OZ Lamb Moccasin boots, $165 / Ralph Lauren messenger bag, $228 / Marc Jacobs Amy Watch, $175 / Stella & Dot Pave Link Bracelet, $49  / Kate Spade Kate Spade square stud earrings, $39 / Joe Brown cashmere blend hat, $33

Dorothy Perkins knit sweatshirt, $21 / Joe's skinny orange jeans, $230 / TOMS suede wedge boots, $89 / ASOS quilted shoulder bag, $28 / Max Bill watch by Junghans, $895 / Zada tear drop stud earrings, $12.99 / Armor Lux Scarf, $33

JCrew Tippi Sweater, $79.50 / Paige skinny zippered jeans, $375 / Madison Harding leather booties, $186 / Rebecca Minkoff neon leather handbag, $238 (on sale!)  / Kate Spade bangles, $38 each / Kate Spade dot scarf, $128

What's your favorite way to wear winter brights?

-Lauren

Recent Finds at TJ Maxx

With the winter markdowns going on, I've been checking out Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack on the regular. Lately I've found some really good deals on things that have been on my wish list, like a lightweight colorful scarf, a hot pink top (kind of like the JCrew shade that has been so popular), and a bathing suit for my trip to Florida. Miraculously, I've found almost everything on my list at TJ Maxx (plus a few extras) after scouting multiple store locations and the deals are too good not to share!

Cynthia Steffe silk shirt, $34.99 (originally $128, similar)

George Stanley notebook, $2.50 (originally $5, similar)

Sephora nail polish, $3.99 (originally $9.50, similar)

American Eagle bathing suit, $14.99 (originally $30, similar)

Torino scarf, $13.99 (originally $25, similar)

What are some bargains you've found recently?

-Lauren

10 Valentine's Day Ideas Under $20

I love Valentine's Day but in my world the holiday comes after Christmas, Hanukkah, my birthday and all my sibling's birthdays. At this point in the season I'm usually tapped out for gift ideas and still trying to pay off my credit card bills. For Valentine's Day, I mostly love getting chocolates and flowers but there are some really cute gift ideas that aren't too expensive at all. Here are a few ideas that caught my eye:

Victoria's Secret lace boyshorts / Victoria's Secret lip makeup / Stila Valentine's Day Pallette / Archipelago Botanicals 'Excursion' Glass Jar Candle / iPhone 5 case / Valentine's Day Chocolates / Stila Rollerball Perfume / Hello Fab Cupid's Arrow Bangle / I Love You Ring / Love Charm Bracelet



-Lauren

Style Spotlight: Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has been one of my favorite style icons for a long time. She can wear a gray t-shirt and jeans or a basic black shift dress and look amazing in both, not to mention she has the best hair ever. She can even match her outfit to whoever her boyfriend is at the moment and still look great (aka Justin Theroux). Here are a few of my favorite ways Jennifer Aniston has rocked some basic looks:

Basic Black & White [Source]

Simple White Shift [Source]

Airport Style [Source] 

Dressed Up in Lace [Source]

Little Black Dress [Source]

Metallics [Source]

Tweed Shift [Source]

More Airport Style [Source]

What's your favorite Jennifer Aniston look?

-Lauren

Today is the LAST DAY to enter the Swell Caroline giveaway for a chance to win a chain link bracelet in the color of your choice, don't forget to enter here!