a personal style blog by Lauren Pfieffer

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Mixing Decades in Fashion

mixing decades in fashion
mixing decades in fashionmixing decades in fashion
mixing decades in fashion
mixing decades in fashion

One of my favorite things about wearing vintage and thrifting is mixing decades in fashion. When these clothes were first in style, they were worn with other pieces from that decade. Since I have a whole century of previous fashion styles to now pull from, I can mix and match trends from different decades to create a uniquely modern take on vintage pieces. I paired this '60s top with more '70s style jeans and loved the way it looked!

If you follow me on instagram or snapchat (both passingwhimsies) you saw that I hit the absolute thrifting jackpot this past week. I just "casually" stopped into my local Goodwill to drop some things off, and got suckered into looking around, like always. As I was looking at the dress section, I noticed a lot of vintage '60s piece mixed in. It's quite rare for me to find true vintage at the thrift store anymore, so it piqued my interest. I then realized, to my utter excitement, that someone had donated their entire '60s/early '70s wardrobe! This is a thrifter's dream and only comes a few times in life. I gathered honestly the largest stack of clothing I've ever selected at a thrift store and greedily brought it all in the dressing room. Shift dresses of every color in the rainbow, blouses, vests, skirts....I felt like I won the lottery.

I knew I couldn't take it all home though or my mother would absolutely kill me. I've been trying to consolidate all of my belongings since I'm moving to NYC in less than a week, and to buy more unnecessary (necessary to me though!) clothes was just not in the plan. Thankfully, a lot of it didn't fit so I didn't have to make the heart-wrenching decision of what to leave and what to buy. I did get a few beautiful pieces like this late '60s paisley shirt. It is everything I could dream of and more! I also snagged a '70s peasant dress, a Sabrina look-a-like gown, the striped sweater in my last post, and a beautiful floral dress.  My mom didn't kill me, I got some gorgeous new clothes, and I did good by purchasing second hand. Win for all parties involved!

With much love,

Lauren.

Outfit Details:
'60's Top (similar): Thrifted.
Floppy Hat (similar): Thrifted.
Chiffon Scarf (similar for $5): Thrifted.
Cream Heels(similar): c/o from a long time ago.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sisterhood.



One of the greatest roles I've had the pleasure of holding in life is that of big sister. Many of you know of my little sister, Gracie, who my family adopted from China 11 years ago. She was only 18 months old when we traveled to China to make her a part of our family and I was only 11: a little younger than Gracie is now.

In the beginning years as we all adjusted into having Gracie in our family it was especially hard for me. I had grown up as an only child and although I had begged my parents for a little sibling, it was different than I imagined. For quite a few years after we adopted Gracie her and I honestly didn't get along. It may have been the age difference of 10 years or the adjustment of not being the apple of my parent's eye any longer, but I remember a lot of fighting in those first years. Not to say that I didn't love my sister immensely and we had a lot of good times, but it was no easy road we traveled upon.

Fast forward quite a few years when I left for college to go to Kent State and something shifted. I'm not sure if our hearts grew fonder with absence, or her older age: but, we became attached dearly. This attachment only grew and grew with each of the passing years until now where my sister has become my best friend, confidant, and adventure partner.

I would not be who I am without her. It sounds strange that someone 10 years younger could impact my personality so much, but it's true. She has taught me so much in the most surprising ways. We couldn't be more opposite. She is energetic, charismatic, and calm in her disposition. I, on the other hand, show all my emotions at once, am introverted, and have trouble speaking to others. Her natural charm and infectious humor constantly has me in fits of uncontrollable laughter tinged with such admiration for this little spunk of a girl. Even at 12 she is so driven in her passions and pursuits. She's always making me proud.

Our adventures together are some of the best memories I cherish. Somehow we always get into no good to our parent's exasperation when we come giggling in the house, trying to retell our latest exploit. What I love even more though is perhaps the quieter moments I wish would never disappear. When she opens her eyes wide and brings her favorite blanket up to me, asking to cuddle. She curls up into my arms and it's a perfect fit. I'm so glad she's not yet too old or too cool to cuddle with her big sister. I hope she never is.

As I prepare to move to New York City in one week, I am grasping onto every last moment with her I can. Although I have so much to do, none of it matters if I can get in that extra moment to play a board game or ride the bikes around the neighborhood. These moments are priceless. I didn't plan on writing this post, but when I was looking through these photos that she took for me my heart couldn't have been more proud but also broken. Proud because I am so honored to be the big sister of this astounding little girl, but also so broken because I'm moving away. I know I'll be back. Ohio will always be home and Gracie will always be here. We're sisters and that cannot be undone just by distance. The hole in my heart that will be left missing her while I'm away won't be filled by anything or anyone else. It's a spot only she knows how to complete.

With much love,

Lauren.

Outfit Details:
'60s Sweater (similar): Thrifted.
Dress Turned Skirt: c/o Eshakti (old)
Black + White Ferragamo Heels (similar from the brand): Thrifted.
Chiffon Scarf (similar): Thrifted.
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Monday, May 23, 2016

Simple Pieces with Great Impact.

simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
simple pieces with great impact
Hello everyone!

It's so lovely to be back. I've been busy since I last posted about my move to NYC coming up in June. I graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Fashion Media two weekends ago. It was a very strange day to finally graduate after working towards it for four years. The day was filled with all happiness and no sadness. I loved college, but I am ready to move on to the next stage of my life. I'm excited to get out there and start utilizing my knowledge instead of containing it inside a classroom. My education at Kent was great, but I think that a hands on learning experience in the industry is where I'm really going to exponentially grow in my skills.

I moved out of my apartment the next day which was a HUGE task. So much stuff accumulated after living in that apartment for two years, that it was a nightmare to move it all back home. I just finished unpacking everything yesterday and can finally see the living room floor again. My mother is relieved!

Right after my graduation and move, I flew to New York City for two days to showcase my portfolio that was selected as one of the top in my class. It was a great and very rewarding experience to be able to talk to alumni and possible employeers. I received helpful and encouraging feedback on my work, and left NYC with some contacts and possible beginnings for a job.

I'm in Ohio for just a little bit now before I move to NYC officially. I've been trying to tie up loose ends and get all of my appointments taken care of. Being back in the city last week for the showcase made me more eager than ever for my move. Sometimes being away from NYC I wonder if it's not as great as I remember, but every time I return I'm reminded it really is home to me.

Excited to update you guys about my journey in the next few weeks! I should be posting regularly again with outfits before I leave. I want to soak in Ohio's beautiful landscape for a few more shoots before it's concrete and sky high buildings from here on out.

With much love,

Lauren.


Outfit Details:
Romeo and Juliet Couture Dress: TJ MAXX
Nude Sandals (similar): Payless
Sunglasses: Aeropostale
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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

I'm Moving to New York City!


Well, Brooklyn to be exact, but yes it's true! I am moving to New York City. Guys...I am over the moon. I've known officially about the move for awhile now, but wanted some time to process things before I wrote about it. 

Everyone knows I've wanted this for so long. Flash back to last summer I remember getting in a taxi with all my things, crying as I stared out the window having to say goodbye to the city that changed my life. The driver probably thought I was a lunatic, and to be honest I felt like one. I never knew three short months in one place could impact my life so greatly. I was changed from the inside out completely. I even chopped off all my hair after my summer in New York City because I wanted outside to reflect how I felt inside: free. 

In that taxi ride home and every day for the last nine months I vowed I'd get back. I didn't know how I'd do it or when, but I promised myself I would. When something in life impacts you so greatly like that...it's almost like an addiction. It's all I thought about. Morning, noon, night.  I almost began to wonder if maybe my memory of NYC wasn't as good as my mind thought it was because I idealized it so much. Perhaps the whole summer had been a fluke. That's why I visited in December to see if moving back to NYC after graduation was REALLY what I wanted. I was surprised when I took that trip because it wasn't what I expected. Instead of feeling giddy about being in NYC I was calm. It confused me at first because I felt like maybe NYC had lost its magic to me. Then I realize it had never lost its magic: I just wasn't an awestruck tourist anymore. I felt calm and peaceful in NYC because I was home and it felt like I'd never left. It was where I knew I was supposed to be.

After my trip in December I frantically began applying to jobs to feel like I was making strides toward my goals. I wanted to feel like I was making progress and not just at the standstill I'd been at for the last five months. I became very discouraged when I heard back from no one. Not even no's. Just silence on the other end. I would call my mom crying; frustrated and desperate. I wanted this so badly...more than anything I had ever dreamed of in life. I had so many doubts about how I would do it. With no one getting back to me I felt like my dreams were slipping away. It couldn't be done. I was stupid to think I could move to New York City and anyone would hire me. In these past winter months I was very down on myself. My confidence plummeted as I saw all my classmates around me securing jobs while I couldn't even get a no: let alone an interview. I felt worthless as I applied for these jobs I felt I wasn't qualified for because I was entry level. I kept trying to remind myself I was worth something and that someone else would see I was worth something, too.

It had been an idea I tossed around, but as I grew more and more desperate the idea of moving to NYC without a job became more of a serious consideration for me. I'd gotten a job as a part time barista this school year so I could save money for the move, so why not just make the move and do it? I talked to mentors and many didn't think it was so crazy of an idea. A lot of them had even done it themselves. I'm such a rational, safely-led decision maker that the idea of moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world without a job absolutely terrified me. As I went over and over the possibility in my mind though, one thought kept poking its way through.

You want this Lauren. You want this so badly that you're willing to do anything and everything to be there. You're not going to let yourself fail. Even if you do fail, you did so after you tried everything you could. So why not just do it? Take the shot, take the chance. Believe in yourself instead of setting yourself up to fail.

So many months as my confidence dwindled I'd lost the belief in myself that I was worth something. Those around me, family and friends, could see it, but I'd become blind. I realized it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself, time to stop saying "but what if this happens..." and just DO IT.

So I booked an airbnb for three months from June 1st to August, secured a flight, and decided "I'm going to move to New York City and no one is going to stop me." 

It's the scariest and most risky thing I've ever done, but I can't wait for this crazy adventure. I have some job opportunities thankfully in the works at this point, but nothing is guaranteed ever. I'm still going without a job, without any real security and just relying on my own self-determination to get me through.

Thank you all for being with me through this journey and for the uncertain road that is before me. I love you, truly. You all often believe in me when I don't believe in myself. But you're teaching me, (slowly because I'm stubborn) that I'm worth something. I hope that I can always teach you that in return, too. x

With much love,

Lauren
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Sunday, May 8, 2016

Spring Transitions.


It's that time of year again: not too warm yet not too cold. It's a confusing time for dressing. Wearing shorts and a tank top feels chilly, but wearing a turtleneck with jeans feels stuffy. Solution? A little bit of both worlds! This sweater + shorts combo is sort of an odd pairing, but it worked for this in-between day. 

Wearing heels with shorts was also a bit risky for me. It's a combo I usually avoid because of an offhanded comment made back in high school calling me "a slut." Which is ridiculous, but it stuck with me all these years. Having bare legs with towering heels does leave me feeling somewhat uncomfortably exposed, but how is it any different than a mini skirt? If anything shorts offer a bit more coverage so you're not showing your bum with a brisk wind! I'm four years out of high school now and it's silly to let meaningless comments still dictate my style.

Like the above coffee shop sign says, finals week is here. Thankfully I'm not worried. Most of my school work was turned in weeks prior, and only one or two small finals are left. Having easy finals still detour me away from drinking coffee like I have hard ones. I'll welcome any excuse for coffee houses having special deals and staying open later! Bring on the coffee this week guys. x

With much love, Lauren


Outfit Details:
Turtleneck (similar): Thrifted.
Denim Shorts (very similar for $25): Thrifted.
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Thursday, May 5, 2016

Suede Situation.


Hello everyone!

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been interested in DIY pieces for my wardrobe lately. I blame it on having to make frequent trips to Hobby Lobby lately for grad cap supplies. Just seeing all the thousands of crafting options gets my heart palpitating! Like frayed hem jeans, I've been wanting to try the suede choker necklace trend. I really like how they bring attention to the neck and simply add extra dimension to an outfit. I knew it would be super easy to DIY a custom one for myself instead of purchasing one at a store. To be honest...I probably spent more on materials to make this necklace than it would cost to purchase one at a fast fashion retailer, but hey-- the project was fun! And super simple. All it took was measuring out a piece of suede to my desired length, wrapping it around my neck in the desired style (there's a million other ways you can, as well), and then adding some beads to the bottom. Total time took less than 10 minutes and I know I'll work this into plenty of other outfits this summer!

In other news just 9 days until I graduate! I've got everything prepared and ready to go. My graduation dress I bought from a vintage shop a few months ago, and I just picked up some strappy, nude sandals from Payless the other day. They're a little flimsy, so I hope I don't pull a Lizzie Mcguire. My family and grandparents are all coming up to Kent State to watch me graduate and then we'll be going out to eat. I'll be moving out of my apartment the next day which will be the hardest part. I get really emotional when things finally become "real," and it will be hard to pack up my life here and leave it behind. I don't know when or if I'll ever be back in Kent again. There's really no reason to ever come back in particular. My heart is filled with so many fond memories though that I'll never forget! 

Going to go to one of my favorite coffee shops & take outfit pictures downtown to soak in every last bit of this place.

With much love,

Lauren

Outfit Details:
Checked Dress (similar top): H&M.
Suede Midi Skirt (similar & on sale!): Thrifted.
Black Sandals: c/o Boohoo.
Belt (similar from Forever21): Thrifted.
Mini Backpack (similar for $22): Thrifted.
Hat (similar): c/o oasap.
Suede Choker (VERY similar from Forever21 or also here): DIY. 
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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

DIY Frayed Jeans.

DIY frayed jeans
DIY frayed jeans
DIY frayed jeans
DIY frayed jeans
DIY frayed jeans
DIY frayed jeans

Hello everyone!

Although I'm an avid thrifter I've never been a DIY kind of gal. I'm just not super creative when it comes to crafting, and I lack the patience and precision to get things just right. I've seen frayed hem jeans everywhere though and have really wanted to try the trend out for myself. I picked up a pair of light wash, slightly flared jeans at the thrift store so I could experiment with them. Fraying the hem of jeans is incredibly easy and thankfully for me, doesn't require much precision! All you do is cut off the desired amount on the bottom of the jeans so you have a raw edge to work with. From there, you take a seam ripper and just pull the threads loose to give them that frayed effect. I think DIYing your jeans is a really fun activity and a lot less stressful than DIYing other types of clothes. It's so easy to pick up a pair of denim at the thrift store to mess around with as you wish. If you mess up, there's still hundreds of pairs of denim for you experiment with. I really want to try distressing, embroidering, and ironing on patches to my jeans next. I'm kind of addicted! x

With much love, Lauren

Outfit Details:
Frayed Jeans (very similar for $25): Thrifted DIY.
Striped Boat Neck Shirt (very similar): Thrifted.
Red Neck Scarf (similar): Thrifted.
Patent Envelope Bag (similar): Thrifted.
Black Ankle Strap Sandals (similar): c/o Boohoo.
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