narcissist: a dainty oxymoron

I've never been a guy's girl. 

In the fourth grade, I had this short sprint of mentality, thanks to Mary-Kate Olsen's character in the 1999 blockbuster hit "Switching Goals," that if I were to play soccer during recess with the boys (& sweat a lot), I would become a lot cooler & desirable than the girls who were making up dance routines to Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'" & practicing their high jumps & toe touches on the playground.

That theory was put to rest when pretty quickly when I was called out for picking up the ball with my hands, crying over a broken nail & someone commenting on how red my face was, all within twenty minutes.

Still, at 20, the only sport I seem to excel in is pinning a dozen swoon-worthy guys to my "gentlemen con swag" Pinterest board in less than a minute. (I'm trying out for the USA Olympic team next week, keep your fingers crossed!) However, even though every pore on my body exudes excess amounts of girl, I'm finding ways to include some masculinity into my wardrobe. Enter, the military jacket.

The military jacket has saved my outfits countless times since its purchase. Although I have worn it with pretty much every piece in my closet, today I played one of my favorite games called "Fashion Oxymoron," in which I pick the two most opposite items in my sight & wear them together. The outcome is always successfully repelling.

I'm all about tease mid-photo shoot.

Every photo set needs a "she looks like an asshole" pic.

Oh, stoooooop it!

This is a military-inspired look...

{contents} Forever 21 military jacket + Forever 21 lace dress + Urban Outfitters belt + 

Vince Camuto heels + Vintage Gucci}

lauren jerdonek.

creeper: orange you glad?

lauren jerdonek.

escapades: cfda awards winner

My dedication to Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen has been a devout one. Not only did I consider them relatable in my younger years, but as my style started to emerge as I grew I found I constantly pulled inspiration from the trendsetting sisters.


Flash forward ten years later. 


Last night, Mary-Kate & Ashley won Designer of the Year at the annual CFDA Awards (the Super Bowl of the fashion world) for their luxury label, The Row. As demented as my logic might be, I feel a since of pride for the two as they won, beating out those whom are considered to be equally-esteemed. The Olsens have finally proven themselves as legitimate, cutting-edge designers & I'm having to question whether or not these are the same girls who were Michelle Tanner.


I love The Row because every piece that derives from any given collection always has one underlying theme: classic.


My favorites from 2012 The Row collections:

lauren jerdonek.

narcissist: hibiscus this

As I sit under my sun-shielding umbrella, sipping a pina colada listening to the Hawaiian waves crash against the beach, I can't help but soak in a little tropical inspiration for today's look. Okay, you caught me: I'm not sipping a pina colada. Or in Hawaii.

Can't a girl dream? 

Although I'm not reaping the benefits of Honolulu's finest UV rays, or any rays for that matter, this past weekend I fully committed myself to a summer of island-inspired prints that even the biggest Kahuna would be envious of. 

Bright, bold, tropical flowers are a divine & fun way to channel your inner-islander without feeling obligated to wear a coconut bra, grass skirt & constantly recite optimistic proverbs. Altuzarra & Stella McCartney are just two of the designers that covered their collections in saturated blossoms, making the mix of ocean blues, striking pinks & vivid greens a staple palette for the coming months.

Below, yours truly demonstrates:

{contents:} shirt: silence + noise + skirt: zara + clutch: big buddha + shoes: jessica simpson} 

Aloha,

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.