Saturday, March 17, 2012

nailed it: go green


Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Everyone knows wearing green on SPD is a must- & who doesn't love an excuse to go in theme for a day? But dressing for a certain occasions can sometimes feel a little unnatural & goofy. &, let's face it, wearing a four-leaf clover on your chest is a little cliche...

...so
the perfect medium is a fun, green pastel palette for your fingertips! It's the best way to avoid getting pinched & get into the Saint Patty's spirit without feeling overdone & contrived.
Giving yourself a french-tipped manicure is now easier than ever with Sally Hansen's Nail Art Pens. They don't over-bleed the polish & give you an extreme amount of control of the design you're trying to achieve. They're great for tipping your nails or going for more intricate designs.
Give yourself 2 thick coats of Essie's "navigate her" for a ridiculous amount of slick shine that looks professionally done [but leave ample drying time in-between each!]

This look will leave your less than chic friends feeling green with envy in 3 easy steps.

{nailed it: go green}
1. Essie - "Navigate Her"
2. Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen - "Chartreuse" 


lauren jerdonek.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

escapades: sxsw






SXSW is in full swing which means two things: 1. Music festival season has officially begun & 2. We now have the perfect excuse to tailor new shopping trips for each one.

South By is every music lover's dream-- a week full of running around the city discovering your new favorite band, finally seeing a veteran performance & of course, eating lots & lots of tacos. Although I'm mega-bummed I couldn't join some friends who hit the open road & headed out west this week, I'm living vicariously [& jealously] through their tweets, Instagram photos & making many trips to the Mexican restaurant down the street.

However--
Just because I'm stuck listening to my Spotify version of the week [search "sxsw: twic by lj" for my favorites], it doesn't mean that I'm not dressing like I could be in the front row pit of Delta Spirit or partying at one of the lounges.

Here are my go-to looks for an Austin-inspired wardrobe 
[all from ASOS & Nasty Gal]

lauren jerdonek.



Monday, March 12, 2012

turn of events: the ugg







I've had three major moments in life where I've questioned everything I thought to be true: 1. Santa Claus' nonexistence left me in tears every night for a month [ask my mom]. 2. Finding out Drew Seeley was the voice of Troy Bolton in the first High School Musical and not Zac Efron had be doubled over & on a Disney boycott for a week [an incredibly long time in tween world]. & now this...

I present...
A non-ugly Ugg.

I'm talkin' a pair of Uggs I never want to leave my feet. I'm talkin' a shoe-lover's paradise. I'm talkin' what is soon to be the envy of all my friends. 

Voila!



I have never been pro-Ugg. In fact, I seriously spite those who claim they're just so "warm & fuzzy" & "go with everything" [fashion over function, ladies]. So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw these lil' mamas on display when I was out shopping tonight. 

Whether you opt for wooden heel or woven wedge, you cannot go wrong pairing any of these with a white sheer dress or pastel ankle-cut trousers for the perfect sunny day look. 

Regardless of which pair you decide to go with, I can guarantee one thing: they will leave you feeling warm & fuzzy.


{looks}
1. Lucianna - "Santorini Ikat"
2. Marcella - "Mint"
3. Lauri - "Lipstick"
4. Cynthia - "Natural"
5. Callia - "Chestnut"
6. Onoria - "Cuoio"

lauren jerdonek.



nailed it: floral tip

One of my favorite parts about spring break is that there is plenty of me time. & as much as I love to get pampered at the nail salon just as much as anyone, I change my polish as often as I change my shoes. 

Florals are popping up everywhere on the runways for springtime- from Peter Som to Altuzarra, designers are pretty much making their bold blossoms a wardrobe necessity for the next few months.

I'm a mega-fan of nail art: It's a fun way to incorporate seasonal trends in an unexpected & affordable way. But [let me tell you], your 7 year-old brother has a steadier hand than I do, so Sally Hanson's Salon Effects are a great way to cheat the system without looking cheap. Add a pop of bright polish to the tip to give your self-manicure a polished, playful & professional look.




{nailed it: foral tips}
1. Sally Hansen salon effects - "Spring Fever"

lauren jerdonek.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

creeper: cool girl




 


lauren jerdonek.





bullseye: city escape

Most think spring break is synonymous with sea salt & sandals. But some of the chicest of vacations are city destinations like New York, Chicago or Seattle

& if you're making the trip to site see & shop, you're [obviously] going to need to make a before-travels stop at Target to load up on some city-escape essentials. Whether it's your first time in the big apple or you're a frequenter of Michigan Avenue, no one wants to dish out lots of cash for a pre-vacay shopping trip.

Soo--

You can score all the beauty essentials + an outfit & accessories for only $100!





Headed to a surf & sun SB after all? Check out my Target Beach Break Essentials


{beauty essentials.}
{first-timer}
{native}
{upper-sider}
{artist}


lauren jerdonek.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

bullseye: beach break essentials

We're just days away from a week of relaxation, which means suitcases are opening & we're beginning to pile in the bikinis, sundresses & short-shorts. But what is a beach break vacay without some last-minute essentials for days upon days spent under sun? & what better place to make that last-minute stop than ever accessible, adorable & affordable Target.



The best part? You can get both the beauty essentials & an outfit for just at $100! 

But not everyone plans on being a beach bum all week. Come back every day this week for more spring break occasions & Target buys to go along with them!

Which look do you plan to snag before taking off?

lauren jerdonek.



{beauty essentials}
{the adventurer}
{the bohemian}
{ms. brightside}
{the classic}

Monday, March 5, 2012

geeking out: star wars x balenciaga

"Commitment" is definitely the adjective I would give Balenciaga head designer Nicolas Ghesquiere after reviewing both his spring and fall collections back-to-back. 

In September, Ghesquiere fitted his models in shapely, futuristic silhouettes & has continued his space ball-robo theme with an 80s twist for Balenciaga's fall collection [presented on Sunday].

And although the designer can do no wrong in my eyes, I couldn't help but feel a slight inkling of "deja-vu" from younger years when I was going through the lines. & that's when it hit me...

...Star Wars

Collections are meant to tell a story, and this one just so happens to remind me [pretty accurately] of Sundays spent trying to figure what the heck was going on in Return of the Jedi while my dad & brother spoke Ewoke [...kidding]. So, I've dedicated an evening of matching up pieces from Balenciaga fall & spring 2012 with some of the Naboo's finest. 

Tell me I'm wrong.



May the force be with you.

lauren jerdonek.


Sunday, March 4, 2012

current: neon & neutrals

 It's true. The neon/neutral mashup isn't breaking fashion news.
In fact, the trend made its official comeback last year & has only picked up speed since. & although it's every fashion girl's goal to make a statement, you never want the adjective "obnoxious" in your photo caption.

Which is why after spending months in wintery hues, I'm so ready to start incorporating fluorescents into my wardrobe. & to avoid being deemed over-glaring, I'm taking to my closet to pull out some timeless pieces to pair with the phosphorescents


Designers like Peter Som & Jason Wu are backing the continuation of the trend, too, showing their models in nothing but bright & brighter.



{look one. look for less.}
1. Tank x Madewell
2. Neon skinny jeans x ASOS
3. Crossover x Target
5. Leopard booties x Charlotte Russe
{look two. look for less.}
1. Scarf x Urban Outfitters
2. Belted Dress x Forever21
3. Cardigan x Forever21
4. Black tights x ASOS
5. Booties x ShoeMint

lauren jerdonek.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

wardrobe: madewell spring 2012

A few days ago I stopped by the Madewell spring 2012 collection trunk show [hosted by twin studies blogger, Emily Farra] & was pleasantly greeted with a rack full of pastels, bold stripes and playful dots.

And I was in fashion bliss.

What I love most about Madewell is they consistently produce lines that girls want to wear all the time. From the basics to the statements, Madewell gives us collection pieces that we can transition from a day of classes to a night on the town-- with no adjustments to be made.

I got my hands on the catalog, which is officially out March 6th on their website, & my favorite looks of the season are below!





lauren jerdonek.

Friday, March 2, 2012

wardrobe: best coast x urban outfitters

When Best Coast's vocalist Bethany Cosentino broke the news through Twitter that she's pairing up with Urban Outfitters to produce her very first clothing line, I was thrilled.
Best Coast is one of my favorite bands & I've always admired Bethany's dainty style with a total edge.

This summer I saw the band perform [in the pouring down rain] at Lollapalooza & wanted to snatch the strappy/lacey little black number right off her.

Which made me start thinking about all of Best Coast's music videos & Bethany's urban-hip meets Jagger leather style. 

So...
In celebration of Bethany x UO, I have pulled my two fave Best Coast vids and scoured urbanoutfitters.com to find looks inspired by her ensembles in each.

{1}




{2}

The line comes out in [May]

lauren jerdonek.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

birchbox: february 2012


A few days ago, I received my first Birchbox in the mail- and to say that I'm unbelievably stoked would be the understatement of the decade. What is this little brown box you ask? Well besides it being my new favorite thing [ever], Birchbox members "will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch."

Basically-- 
when your membership is finally activated [I was on the waiting list for-eva], you get to tailor your monthly box with everything from your complexion tone, to your favorite aspects of beauty, to your favorite food. When the Birch babes stuff your box each month, they see what you like & want and fill accordingly.

They charge your account automatically & you can cancel whenever. {It's pretty much Netflix for fashionistas}

Here's what I got this month. 
& oh yeah, it's only ten dollars. Talk about a deal.


{contents clockwise:}
1. jouer lipgloss in "birchbox pink"
2. color science travel puff
3. eye rock tattoo eye liner in "classics"
4. juicy couture perfume, "viva la juicy
5. show stoppers fashion tape in nude & black

I'm so excited to use these new products, & as soon as I do I'll be sure to report back.

lauren jerdonek.