Tour of My College Apartment.

Hello everyone!

I'm super excited to show you all a tour of my college apartment I've lived in for two years now. I've loved living by myself in a single apartment after having a slew of roommates, and I've really had the chance to make things my own.You can view the post and read some Q&A about my place over on my dear friend Hannah's blog, The Fashion Cookbook. I've been online friends with this lovely lady for a few years now, and finally got to meet her last summer while we were both interning in the city. Drop on by, say hello, and check out what inspires my living space!

With much love,

Lauren

Vintage Christian Dior.

Hello everyone!

I've had this vintage Christian Dior scarf since the fall and have yet to work it into an outfit! Ashamedly, I've been using it as a decoration piece in my apartment (kind of too afraid to use it). I thrifted it for only $2 at a local charity shop in my hometown, and I couldn't believe my luck. I don't think I've ever come across Christian Dior anywhere else in the 7 years I've been thrifting. It's rare in general for me to find super high end pieces, but sometimes people do donate them. I wanted to add a little extra "something" to this outfit, so I thought the scarf tied around my bad was a perfect accent. I wore it the other day tied around my neck and loved that, as well! Although it's scary to take vintage-designer items out for a spin, they deserve to be used and loved just like any other piece. 

These photos are from my lovely Saturday spent in downtown Kent. It only took me 22 years to realize I love Ohio...then of course I'm preparing to leave it! Downtown Kent is really adorable and I wish I would have spent more time here the last four years. I went to my favorite coffee place in town and picked up a french toast latte and an adorable coffee cup cookie. I went into the used book store and found the most amazing book of poems about New York City. I had to buy it, and I've been reading little bits of it every day since. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, as well. Let's conquer this week! x

With much love,

Lauren

Outfit Details: 

Blue Sweater (similar): Thrifted.

Suede Skirt (similar from ASOS!): Thrifted.

Cameo Necklace (very similar): Thrifted.

Mini Vera Bradley Purse (similar style in such a cute powder blue!): Thrifted.

J Crew Bow Flats (similar): Thrifted

Christian Dior Scarf (love this similar Dior): Thrifted.

Feminine Double Denim.

Hey guys!

Not sure if it was all the good vibes you sent out after my last post, but I received some amazing news the other day. I've been posting updates on my senior project throughout the semester as I've progressed. It's been a lot of work and the center of much of my stress. I've been working so hard on it because the top portfolios showcase at an event in New York City to companies looking to hire. Since I want to live in New York City it is an opportunity I really wanted. 

I woke up yesterday morning to an email saying I had been selected as one of the fifteen top portfolios in my senior class! I was half asleep so I didn't quite comprehend at first. And then I thought...maybe they accidentally sent this email to me! But no, I was chosen. I am so grateful, honored and excited. I put a lot of effort into this project, and it feels very gratifying for it to all pay off.

I'll be going to New York City the 18th and 19th of May to present my portfolio. I know I've posted a few previews of it on the blog (here and here), but if you'd like to take a look at the condensed project I turned in I have it up on my LinkedIn. This one is the gist of the important parts in my paper. You probably don't want to look at the 36 page one (ain't nobody got time for that). 

Thank you all for believing in me and supporting in me! I think you all believe in me more than I believe in myself. Early 20's are quite the tumultuous period in life because so many huge changes happen. I'm lucky to have this little space of the internet with you all to have positive and encouraging interactions with!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend ♥

With much love,

Lauren. 

Outfit Details:

Scalloped Denim Shirt: Thrifted.

Dark Denim Skirt (similar): Thrifted.

Suede Guess Jacket(similar high end/low end): Thrifted.

Lace Up Sandals (very similar): Wal-Mart

Just Bloom.

"A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms."

I've been in a really difficult season of my life lately comparing myself to others. As graduation is approaches, many of my classmates have had exciting job opportunities for their post-grad life offered to them. It's hard not to compare and get down on yourself. I've been putting in applications since January, revising my resume and cover letter, working part time to save money to move, and trying to make sure my senior project is perfect so I get picked to show case in New York. You see yourself doing all these things and know how much effort you're putting in, and when nothing comes of your labor...it's easy to get down.

These people deserve the things they've achieved and I'm happy for my classmates. There's no reason to not celebrate in their joy just because I'm not where they are yet. Still, I just can't help but feel like a failure in the process because I've had 0 interviews and nearly 0 responses to my applications put out. I've gone to bed every single night for the last 8 months thinking about New York and how I'm going to get there. The thoughts often keep me up. They race around and around as I work myself into a panic of realizing that I have no job with graduation less than a month away. Other times the thoughts are calming. I think of my dreams and what I want out of life and imagine what it will finally feel like to be in New York City again.

A lot of times I wonder what I'm doing wrong for everyone else to be achieving success around me while I stay stagnant. Am I not trying hard enough? Is my cover letter not great? Do I need more experience? Have I put enough applications in? I've contemplated all these answers to as why I may not be succeeding in the things I want and trust me, I've attempted to fix them all. You know what I've found though?

I'm not doing any of those things wrong.

The things am doing wrong? Doubting myself. Comparing myself. Belittling myself at not being good enough or smart enough or accomplished enough. Things as large as a post-grad career take time and commitment to make happen. It didn't happen over night for any of my classmates and it won't happen overnight for me.

When you've been working months tirelessly trying to make your dreams come true with little leeway, it's important to take a step back and realize what you do have.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising.

I have a plan of where I want to live.

I have a passion, hunger, and drive for getting where I want.

With these things I will succeed. It may not be on the same time table as everyone else, but it'll be in my own moment right for me.

Flowers don't compete to be the best and brightest bloom. They just grow and become what they were destined to be.

So should you. So should I.

With much love,

 Lauren.

Outfit Details:

White Blouse (very similar): Thifted.

Vintage '70s Scarf (similar to mine & I have a floral one, too!): Thrifted.

Black Denim Button Front Skirt (very similar): Thrifted.

Black Strap Flats (very similar): Thrifted.

Patent Envelope Clutch (similar): Thrifted.

How to Wear Wide Leg Jeans if You're Short.

Being 5'3 and pretty curvy on the bottom half of my body I've always been told by fashion magazines not to wear wide leg jeans. I've stuck to skinny jeans since high school, thinking it was the only flattering pair of denim I could sport. Skinny jeans get boring though and a more wide leg is coming back in style, which is refreshing. I've contemplated buying a pair of wide legs and gone back and forth thinking "I really want them but they don't look good!" I finally just said absolutely SCREW IT and bought a pair at the thrift store for $5 last week! They're Levi's 515's (sold at Kohl's) and I'm obsessed. Here's some tips for buying wide leg jeans if you're thinking about purchasing a pair. Or better yet: forget any fashion rules and just get a pair anyways.

 

1. Go for a darker wash. A solid, darker wash stream lines the leg and always looks classic.

2. Avoid whiskering. Whiskers are the light fades of color across the thigh region of jeans for a stylistic touch. They tend to accent thighs, so since I'm curvy there I shy away from them.

3. Wear heels. Totally optional for a more elongated figure (and less chance of the bottoms dragging on the ground). A pointed toe makes your legs seem even longer. Another great shoe option are nude sandals/pumps!

4. Don't be afraid to try short sized. The jeans I'm wearing in these photos are 8 shorts and they're perfect! I'm 5'3, so I'd say if you're my height or under these are a great option if you're not wanting to invest in money to tailor.

5.Thrift the jeans. I didn't want to make a big commitment to buying wide leg jeans if I was unsure how they would look on me or how to style them. Buying a pair for $5 at Goodwill made me feel less guilty about my purchase and more excited to just experiment with them. 

Like I said, if you're weary about wearing wide leg jeans these tips can help you find a pair. Still, if you want to just go for it and break all these tips, that can be done too! Fashion rules are meant to be broken. x 

With much love, Lauren

Outfit Details

Levi 515s: Thrifted.

White Laser Cut Blouse (similar): Forever21.

Tan Duster Sweater (similar): Thrifted.

Black Patent Heels (identical): Payless.

Black Brim Hat (similar): c/o OASAP.

Small Bucket Bag (similar for $30): Thrifted.

Just Me and My Green Friends.

Hey guys!

It's been super rainy (and snowy?) here in Ohio which has been limiting my ability to take outfit photos. A friend of mine recommended the greenhouse we have at Kent State to maybe take some photos in. I ended up loving it! Over the past year or so I've really grown to love plants and studying living organisms. I bought a few succulents back in Novemeber and miraculously they're still alive! I want to buy a lot more plants to take care of since they bring such a nice atmosphere to rooms, but with moving approaching I need to hold off. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy all of the lovely plants at the greenhouse here and now! 

I'm just fascinated by all the different textures of plants (see the last collage of photos above). They are so beautiful and an inspiration for different aspects of fashion whether it's designing or putting outfits together. The shirt I'm wearing is in collaboration with Ohio Explored and Echtra Outfitters. It's actually a perfect match for the location of these photos because for every one of these shirts bought, 15 trees are planted! Love the idea of promoting  life and renewal in my home state ♥

Hope ya'll had a great weekend! x

With much love, Lauren

Outfit Details:

Ohio Explored Echtra Outfitters Shirt (c/o)

Red Shorts (super similar for under $30): Thrifted.

Straw Boater Hat (identical to mine): Thrifted.

Nude Cutout Oxfords (similar): Forever21 (old).

Did Someone Say Iced Coffee?

Hi guys!

Happy F-R-I-D-A-Y. I think it's safe to say it's everyone's favorite day of the week. I'm sittin' in bed right now with a big ole cup of coffee before I go into work later. Where I will drink more coffee. Because my life revolves around where I'm getting my next cup of coffee, ha. We got Lavender syrup in yesterday, and to say I am over-the-moon is an understatement. I've been obsessed with Lavender lattes since I first got one in NYC last December, so now it's dangerous that I can have one every shift. Some people think they taste like soap. I think they taste like everything good in the world right in one cup. x

Ohio weather has been bouncing off the walls crazy and can't seem to make up its mind at all! Half these photos were taken by a beautiful bush blooming outside the fashion school, but then it started thundering, lighting, and raining. I had to run for cover tottering in my heels with a giant metal rod (not the best idea), and shot the rest of the photos under building cover. This weekend calls for lots of snow which has me incredibly displeased. A snow storm last weekend killed off all the blooms before I could take photos with them. Poor little things never stood a chance.

Hope ya'll are doing well! Have a lovely weekend ♥

With much love, Lauren.  

Outfit Details:

Black Turtleneck: Thrifted.

Faux Leather Jacket(similar): H&M.

Grey Skinny Jeans (similar from H&M): Aeropostle.

Black Patent Bow Heels (super similar to mine!): Thrifted.

Lipstick in NYX Liquid Suede Lipcream.