Soul Vacation.

Floral Blouse (actually a dress, hemmed), White Skirt, White Flats, Pearl Earrings, Leather Backpack, Flower Broach: All Thrifted.

White Lace Collar: gift from reader Kezzie.

Hello everyone!

I (attempted) a little DIY last night on an ugly 1980's dress I had sitting in my closet. It had long sleeves, shoulder pads, and a hem down to the floor. I cut off the sleeves and tried to do a hem which really didn't look all too bad...Until I tried the dress on a it was a bit longer on one side than the other. I attempted to fix and and just muddled the whole thing up royally so I just decided to wear it as a blouse for now. This is your future fashion merchandiser ladies and gentlemen. Yes, I'm scared too ;)

I can't talk long for now because I've felt just awful all day long and it's killing me to write this post. I'm so dizzy I can hardly stand up. Nothing helps but closing my eyes and laying down. I've gotten this before and we're not sure what's wrong...I need to go to the doctor and figure it out before college starts!

Hope you all are well ❤

With much love, Lauren.

P.S. Today is THE LAST day to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a any piece of your choosing from eShakti. Here it is if you'd like to enter.

Kindness.

The other day I was in quite a state of shock upon opening up my email inbox. Perplexed was I when I saw that I had received a $50 e-gift card to Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble...? Hmm, I didn't remember signing up for their promotions and announcements list. I clicked on the email, sure it was some sort of a scam only to find out that it was certainty the very opposite. It turned out to be one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.

I've been emailing back and forth with a sweet reader named Hannah for quite sometime. All of her emails have touched my heart because they are written with such feeling, such honesty, and such heart. Exactly what I want to exude on my blog. It's always been lovely to see an email from her pop up in my inbox and just chit chat back and forth.

This $50 gift card I received on Monday was from Hannah and her family. For my graduation. From people who have never even met me. I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude by this kindness that words cannot even express how I feel. The Nawa family has treated me with more kindness than most people in 'my real life' have ever cared to. Everyday, I am so grateful not only to them, but to all of you incredible readers for your support. Graduating from high school has allowed me to see that this just isn't the end, it's the beginning of a beautiful new journey I get to start with all of you.

With much, much love, Lauren.

P.S. Hannah has her own youtube channel where she pretty much says everything that I long to! She talks about many of the same issues I do here on my blog. It would mean the world to her (and me!) if you could check her channel out ❤

It's the Little Things.

 

Kaleidoscope Dress (for sale!): Forever21.

Purple Beret: Target.

Black Wedges, Gold Chain Necklace: Thrifted.

Basket Weave Clutch: Plato's Closet.

Lipstick in Centrifuchsia: c/o Lime Crime.

Sometimes it's the little things in life that make your heart melt. Like waking up this morning and seeing my little sister left me a note on the kitchen counter before she left for school. It simply just said To Lauren, I love you. We used to fight a lot. We still do. But lately I've realized how much I'm going to miss her. Her giggles and her silliness, the way she wipes her tears with her blanket when she cries. The way she calls me Syd and I call her Lucy, even though my name is Lauren and her name is Gracie. I'll be missing so much of her life when I go off to college. I won't get to see her play away at the piano and excel. I won't get to see her kick the soccer goals and win the game. I won't get to see her bring home that A+ paper on her math test; the grade she gets every time. I won't get to snuggle her and cuddle her, getting the same feeling I got holding her for the first time all those years ago in China.

It's the little things I'll miss.

With much love, Lauren.

P.S. If you're interested, this dress I'm wearing in these pictures is for sale in the shop!

Day To Night.

Polka Dot Skirt (actually a dress), Spectator Purse: Thrifted.

Black and White Flats: Charlotte Russe.

Cameo Necklace: Gift from my grandmother.

Floriana Bustier: c/o Vedette.

Oh hello everyone!

Do you remember a while back when I wore this Katniss Everdeen inspired outfit for Vedette's 'I've Got Nothing To Hide' campaign? Well, I'm back again sporting some more looks with Vedette shapewear! This time how you can take one piece (actually not really used for day or night but more as an undergarment) and make it work for wearing during the day and during the night.

My night look is the top left one. I'm a strong believer that just because it's night time and the look should be more 'sexy' doesn't mean you have to be showing more skin. Sometimes less is more! With sky high heels, vixen pink lipstick, and flirty shapes this would be perfect for dinner and a movie with Matt.

My day look is much more casual, carefree, and retro inspired. It would be perfect to wear this for a day of thrifting to match in with my vintage surroundings. A flippy skirt and spectator flats tones down the sexiness of the bustier. Not to mention a cute little bouffant is perfect to keep your hair out of your face on a hot summer day.

How would you all wear this bustier for day and for night...? ❤

With much love, Lauren.
 

P.S. If you haven't already, enter my lovely giveaway to win your choice of ANY piece from eShakti! They have the cutest retro dresses :)

Summer Daze.

Floral Crown: Handmade.

Blue Floral Romper (for sale!), White Quilted Purse, Tan Clogs: Thrifted.

Pink Flower Ring: Giveaway Win from Ashlyn of Triple Thread.

Hello everyone!

I do have to apologize for the mini rant I went on yesterday. I was just so frustrated. So angry. I know I probably shouldn't write with that sort of angry passion here on the blog, but I never want to feel inhibited on what I can and cannot post. I want it to feel like a place of refuge, safety, and sanity. It's always been that and I never want to lose it. I know it probably scares you all (and frankly I scare myself) but that's who I am sometimes. I'm a real person with real feelings who really does get angry and upset. This is a place to show all that and it just so happens that my 'diary' is read by 563 people.

Anyways, today really was the perfect kick off to the summer. I went to the pool early this morning with my sister and just lazed around the pool side for a few hours in glorious relaxation. I caught up on some of my magazines, and some much needed sun. I'm definitely paying for it now because I've felt sick and dizzy all day; my body isn't used to being out in the 90+ degree heat! After the pool I came back and got dressed for these pictures which were so much fun to take. I'd forgotten what it feels like to take pictures when I'm not tired from being at school all day! They can actually be fun ;)

After pictures I went to Matt's house where we made peanut butter squares and played with his adorable little pup Bella...Such a relaxing, lovely day! I truly am looking forward to enjoying this summer and finding out more about myself before I go off to college. This will be a time of wonderous self discovery ❤

Oh! And before I forget- this little romper is for sale in my online shop! Isn't it too cute? I bought it for the Goodwill Fashion Show but ended up going with a different theme for the collection and it didn't match in very well. I do love it, but I feel as though I already have too many just like it!

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day and thank you for putting up with my craziness.

With much love, Lauren

P.S. If you haven't already, enter my lovely giveaway to win your choice of ANY piece from eShakti! They have the cutest retro dresses :)