skirting the issue

The truth is this: When it comes to holiday dressing (& daily dressing in general) I always feel guilty throwing on a dress. Besides Googling the answers to your astronomy homework, a singular cylinder covering two major zones of your anatomy just seems like the biggest cop-out in the game. With the exception of the high school prom & maybe (just maybe) your wedding, I challenge your creativity & self-confidence in pairing more provocative pieces together primarily for the sake of originality & my amusement. 

Although the result of said challenge for me personally is usually leather pants, this holiday season I'm dipping into the pond that holds a similar type of cylinder covering only one major zone of that said anatomy. Because, contrary to this generation's Einsteins Taylor Swift & Boys Like Girls, two is not better than one. 

I give you, the festive skirt.

1. drinks with friends

2. date night

3. dinner with boyfriend's parents

4. company holiday party

5. new years eve party

6. holiday party with friends & family

lauren jerdonek.

boyfriend: mr. burgundy

Never in a million years would I have dreamed of lumping a fictional, (local) Emmy-awarded anchorman into the same category of such swanksters like Andrew Garfield and Zac Efron. In fact, I'm sure I'm committing some kind of fashion cardinal sin even comparing the two! But sometimes, ya gotta do what you gotta do.

  If there's one thing I've learned in my experience with guys (cue laughs!) it's that if you want them to listen, you need to give them something they want to listen to. So, alas I have shamefully resorted to Mr. Ron Burgundy in a plea that guys to show their support for the autumn 2012 champion color.

Burgundy in menswear was all over the runways for fall/winter 2012 collections in February. From Tommy Hilfiger to Ovadia & Sons, the legend of the deep hue lived on. 

Now, do I expect you gentleman to dawn tailored suits to 9:30 chemistry lecture? Yeah, I do. But I know you wont. So, five burgundy items that you're down to flaunt & that're girlfriend-approved.

Stay classy, San Diego. 

{contents: 1. NN07 basic tee + 2. Beams Plus Zip-Up Jacket + 3. Illesteva Sunglasses + 4. Common Projects Leather Low Top Sneakers + 5. Canili Woven-Silk Tie}

lauren jerdonek.

current: little black jacket

I'll be the first to admit that both of my parents have it goin' on up in the ole noggin. And, as most parents do, they did all they could to inflect their wealth of knowledge & bounty of intelligence onto my brother & I.

However, growing up, the moments in which I would leave the land of boy bands and Barbies were rare. Although my obsession with Justin Timberlake's corn rolls and choreographing multiple routines of Aaron Carter's "Aaron's Party" consumed most of time until recently (no shame), not all of my parents' wisdom went to waste through one ear & out the other. 

Perhaps one piece of advice that resinated the most with me resulted from a phone call to my mom after an office blunder that I've since forgotten; "It's okay if you have to cry, just wait until you get outside." Since that day, every meeting gone terrible, phone call gone ruthless or friend gone friendless has yet to initiate my tear ducts (I've also stopped buying waterproof mascara for an extra incentive)

But there's always an exception.

And its name is usually "McQueen."

On a quick gallivant to NYC last summer, I forced my roommate into to Met Museum for Alexander McQueen's "Savage Beauty" exhibit for what would be the most incredible, magical and fulfilling 90 minutes of my life (no exaggeration) & sobbed the whole way through. Alas, Alexander had broken the public meltdown spell.

Although every morning I rip another day off my countdown to the Big Apple move in a few months, I was feeling especially nostalgic of my Savage Beauty afternoon when Karl Lagerfeld & Carine Roitfeld's "Chanel: Little Black Jacket" exhibit came into town last week.

The exhibit is in celebration of Mr. Lagerfeld's book which features over 120 ways to wear Chanel's classic tweed black jacket on the likes of everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to Theophilus London. A simple, fitted black jacket is by far the most timeless & essential piece every man, woman & child need in their wardrobe. It is the every-transforming "it" item for every outfit having the ability to dress-up or edge-up companions as casual as the pajama. Magic, I tell you.

Take a look below of my favorite shots from the book & exhibit as well as my favorite black jackets of the moment.

{contents} 1. red valentino + 2. helmut lang  3. see by chole + 4. oscar de la renta

{photo cred: karl lagerfeld}

laren jerdonek.

current: chevron print

Chevron isn't a new pattern. In fact, Italian fashion powerhouse Missoni has been bringing us the zigzag print for decades now.

However, chevron did catch us off guard this season as a mega-trend. From dresses to accessories, nail art to apartment decor, style-savvies everywhere are giving the classic stripes an update.

One of the most fun things about chevron is that the print can literally be taken in any direction. Paired with neons or wide bottoms, the print becomes retro; paired with a skinny jean & pump, the print transform into an unreal level of chic.

{contents: 1. topshop belt + missoni luggage, gifted + haute hippie maxi + ruche shorts + asos stackable chevron rings}

lauren jerdonek.

boyfriend: the tourist

My love for menswear is no secret. 

In fact, I admire & respect well-dressed guys way more than I do my own gender.

I also love collaborations amongst retailers, especially when that retailer happens to be Urban Outfitters. Earlier this spring UO announced their collaboration with Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast [right this way...] & just this past week they launched a new collection with one of my favorite menswear brands: Burkman Bros.

Burkman Bros. founders & head designers Doug & Ben Burkman designed this collection, called "The Tourist," based off the inspiration they took from a trip to Greece.

The best part: You can get an entire look for under $100.

Go. Now.

lauren jerdonek.

chromatism: coral

Every season has it's trends. 

From patterns to fabrics & drapery to cuts; most collections are so cohesive with one another, it makes you think all the top designers take a weekend trip to Karl Lagerfeld's secret chateau in France & draw two or three colors out of hat over a bottle of Chardonnay & just like that, our seasons colors are created!

If that is the case [& can we all take a second & picture a room full of Prabals & Marcs], then whoever drew the darling color coral has lucky fingers.

The reason that coral is so amazing out of the three statement colors this spring [the other two being cobalt blue +here+ & tangerine], is because of its versatility.

You're not limited to coral clothing but can reach out to coral polish, lips, cheeks, eyes & even hair for those of you daring enough! Here are my fav corals of the season:

{contents} 1. diane von furstenburg dress + 2. proenza schouler bag + 3. steve madden wedges + 4. urban outfitters sunglasses + 5.  givenchy lip & cheek tint + 6. dior vernis in "bikini" + 7. jil sander shorts + 8. sephora hair extensions

How are you coloring yourself in coral this season? I personally think I'm going to experiment with the reef-worthy tips this weekend with my friends!

lauren jerdonek.

current: to dye for

Whatever you're doing right this minute: stop. & go get yourself a printed pant. More specifically, a tie-dye jean.

I know what you're thinking, tie-dye print is so grade school summer camp. Although reminiscing of mosquito bites &  burnt marshmallows is so not chic, designers like Isabel Marant & Proenza Schouler had no shortage of twirly bold prints for their spring/summer collections.

These ladies don't look like their getting ready to sing kumbaya around the fire, do they?

No, no they do not.

{contents:} 1. isabel marant +  2. paige  +  3. current/elliott  +  4. textile elizabeth and james + 5. isabel marant

lauren jerdonek.

geeking out: instagram x fashion

You know those people who think that downloading the Instagram app on their phone instantly makes them a professional photographer? 

Yeah, that's me.

I mean, not only have I convinced myself that "Valencia" & "Walden" have turned me into a modern-day Henri Cartier-Bresson (photojournalism courses pay off, my friends), but its competitor-no-more, Facebook, has done wonders for my self-esteem; making me think I am way more popular than I actually am all thanks to a "like" button.

& now, the two are brother & sister. 

This morning, Facebook bought Instagram for one. billion. dollars. (talk about a shopping spree...) One billion! Do you know how many Celine bags I could buy with one billion dollars? A lot. & even though Facebook is one of the most popular sites on the Web (We're all guilty of having two different FB browsers open at the same time), doesn't that cash seem like an obscene amount for such a small screen?

Let me break it down for you.

A few months ago, a bunch a rich, old men told Instagram they were worth $300 thousand. & even though that would buy more Birkin bags than are even produced, that wasn't good enough for the {thirteen} employees of Instagram. So, the company decided to open their iPhone-exclusive clique to Anroid users making them worth $500 thousand as of last week. Next month, Facebook is expected to make a 100 billion dollar i.p.o. offering (translation: Facebook stock is going to be precious & expensive in a few weeks), so they can afford to spend a bill or two on some luxury items a.k.a. Instagram. 

One of the beauties about the app is that it adds an element of emotion & personality that no other platform has been able to accomplish yet. & the fashion realm has definitely caught wind of the trend. Here are my favorite style-snaps throughout the past few weeks from bloggers, designers & stylists that I stalk.

{1.} Definitely just another girl who is in love with everything Leandra Medine touches. Her sense of humor tangled in with her taste-making fashion is divinely strange & amazing.

{2.} Any workplace that throws piñata Tuesday fiestas is an employer I will forever show loyalty to. & that's exactly what Refinery29 does.

{3.} My boss recently got back from a trip to Brazil & uploaded this photo of a student. Dedication.

{4.} I get weak in the knees for menswear, so following the Grungy Gentleman only seems natural & necessary. Not only is he the blogger for menswear looks, but is also a Hoosier (represent!) He uploaded this photo of Norm, a 78 year-old man who hasn't missed an IU game in over 50 years at the Elite 8 rounds.

{5.} If you've ever been around me for, oh, 3 minutes, you know how I feel about Nylon. It can be summed up with the phrase "my bible"

{6.} Not ashamed to admit my extreme & ongoing girl crush on Chelsea Kane. Not only do I want her wardrobe, but we share one common love: Native American Headdresses.

{7.} Marc Jacobs International does a beyond amazing job of connecting with their huge audience by uploading exclusive photos & backstage footage.

{8.} If you missed yesterday's love confession to Eva Chen... right this way

My turn- - - - 

Here's my life through my favorite Instagrams over the past few months.

  

{1.} a photo my friend, who lives in Paris, sent me last week. Swoon.

{2.} a teaser of the most exciting news that's hit my inbox in the history of ever.

{3.} hipster inception: My favorite polaroid of Bay & I at her birthday party in February <3

     

{4.} my family & I spent winter break in the Bahamas for my dad's birthday.

{5.} North Carolina landing pad. Dodging aviation, nbd.

{6.} like I said, sucker for menswear. Even if that is my brother...

    

{7.} the journalism school vending machine- where almost every breakfast, lunch & dinner are made.

{8.} if I could live in the look forever, I would. At a friend's basement party.

{9.} I took this photo Lollapalooza weekend. Unfortunately, I lost all documentation of the trip to a mud-pit dance battle. No regrets.

  

{10.} I got this top on a trip to London with my mom & just recently rediscovered it.

{11.} a night that felt like summer. Music, drinks & people I love.

{12.} my Bay again. She's a model & I'm her groupie. It works.

& finally...

...the most chic of all pictures, my best friends & I on a January trip to the East Coast. The bathroom: our natural habitat. 

lauren jerdonek.

birchbox: march 2012

We're now a week deep into April & I've just gotten around to indulging in March's Birchbox goodies. As you can recall [refresher], I'm a new obsessor of the Birchbox brand & as a subscriber, I'm sent a box of handpicked beauty items that are tailored to my profile every four weeks.

It's beautiful--

This month, I opted to receive the party box option that was curated by my idol, Eva Chen, from TeenVogue.

Eva is the Health & Beauty/Special Projects editor at the magazine powerhouse & is the mastermind behind my favorite social network handles: @evachen212 on Twitter, Whatever Eva Wants on Tumblr, has an amazing Instagram collection & is even an avid checker-inner on FourSquare (a social network I limit exclusively to her & my dad). She does an amazing job at interacting with her fan-base & gives incredible advice, something I completely admire.

Plus, who doesn't love to follow her daily chronicles throughout the NYC?

But, now for the main event! 

{contents clockwise}

1. essie luxeffects in "as gold as it gets"

2. tarte lipsurgence lip tint

3. kerastase elixir ultime hair oil

4. kate spade new york "twirl"

5. twistband hair tie

I'm so excited to use all the new products, & as soon as I do I'll be sure to let you in on my buys.

lauren jerdonek.

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.

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"

2. Essie - "Tour de Finance" 

lauren jerdonek.

creeper: cool girl

 

lauren jerdonek.

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.