Style Icon: Lauren Conrad

Ever since I saw the first episode of Laguna Beach, I instantly fell in love with Lauren Conrad. She was my favorite "character" on Laguna and The Hills, as well. She was the girl that I most related to. Through all the drama that the two shows provided, I loved seeing how she handled it. She always dealt with drama in a graceful manner. Not only have I admired the type of person she has shown to be, her fashion sense is out of this world. Consistently she has started many trends. She posted a picture of her new hair yesterday, and I know that she just set the stage for the newest hair trend. Not going to lie, I'm really really really itching to try this new dye job. 

To this day, she's my favorite celebrity. I'm not the typical girl that is obsessed with actors, actresses, singers, etc. But LC is a different story. With that, here are a collection of LC images that have inspired me over the years... 

Perfect curls & pink lips

Rainbow locks

 LC Poppins 

My favorite go-to look

I've always been jealous of her Chanel Jumbo Flap

Her winged-liner is always perfect 

But then again, she is nothing short of perfect. 

Emerald City

Late last year, Pantone named Emerald as the color of 2013. Known for its Pantone Matching System, they are the authority for providing color communication on a variety of platforms. In an interview with the Associated Press, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director the Pantone Color Institute said that Emerald is a "color of growth, renewal, healing, unity and regerneration."

I think Emerald is a gorgeous choice for 2013. It is vibrant, lush, rich, and fresh. Especially with the release of Oz, the Great and Powerful, emerald is sure to be popular. 

In terms of fashion, I think emerald will be most popular in fall. Fall fashion is the epitome of dark, jewel tone colors. However, you don't need to wait for crisp autumn air and crunchy leaves to debut this years hottest color! 

Butter London. Pantone for Sephora. Bauble Bar. Michael Kors. 

Breakfast Blunder

With the ever increasing busy lifestyles, people just don't have time to eat healthy, nutritious meals. Sometimes, they skip meals all together. So often I hear people say that they never eat breakfast, commonly known as the most important meal of the day. Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported that Kellogg and General Mills both have plans to introduce breakfast drinks later this year. Both companies are formulating a milk based drink that they say will be as nutritious as a real breakfast. 

But will it live up to that claim? I think not. Most likely, these drinks will be created using a multitude of chemicals, added sugars, fats and who knows what else! I get it, we're all busy and sometimes a real breakfast just isn't an option. However, I have some alternatives that are far more healthy. 

Available in Strawberry and Mixed Berry, Simply Go-gurt is one of my favorite snacks. Unlike other kid-friendly yogurts, this one is made with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. I personally do not like greek yogurt, so for me, this is an easy, healthy choice. 

Another easy breakfast favorite is whole grain toast with peanut butter. Not only are you starting your day off with some fiber, the peanut butter provides protein and heart healthy fats. 

If you can prepare food the night before, boil some eggs! Hard boiled eggs are compact, healthy and satisfying! 

One of my favorite breakfasts is to take a packet of  "reduced sugar brown sugar instant oatmeal," prepare as directed and stir in about a tablespoon of natural peanut butter. If in season, I like to add some fresh blackberries. Its so good! 

Another great choice is a homemade smoothie. I stress homemade because so many smoothies that you can get from the drive through are made with added sugars. They may advertise that they are "real fruit smoothies," but don't be fooled! Being an advertising major, I know that slogans like that are built upon weasel words. Weasel words are an advertising technique used to make words or phrases seem like they are saying something powerful or meaningful, when really there is a vague or ambiguous meaning behind the words. I love using the Yoplait smoothie mixes. All the work is done for you, all you need to do is blend. I love the Blueberry Pomegranate flavor, and I love adding a banana too it. So good, healthy and totally filling. 

I hope this helps all of you who don't enjoy breakfast! What are your favorite healthy breakfast foods? 

Social Media: Connection or Depression?

I'll admit it, I love social networking. No matter what device I'm using, I'm constantly checking Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. Every time someone interacts with me on any of these platforms, I am instantly notified on my phone. Even though I may not be with my friends or followers in real life, I am connected to them via social networking. 

 While social media has good intentions, being connected isn't always a good thing. Nicole Catenese, writer at Refinery 29, proposes that social media is making us depressed. Because of the popularity of social media, users are finding it more convenient to connect with friends, family and even strangers over the internet instead of in real life. Users are receiving instant gratification from "likes" and comments on the various platforms and are replacing real life interaction with social networking. When all the "likes" and comments become infrequent, users are left feeling lonely. 

Not only that, social media allows users to brag to all of their friends and followers. Being bombarded with statuses, tweets and pictures that show the good aspects of their lives leaves others comparing themselves against others. Often times, users will only post statuses about the good parts of their lives, like going on a vacation, a job promotion, getting engaged, etc. However, it is very rare that users are highlighting the negative aspects of their lives. I cannot think of the last time I saw a status about financial troubles, infertility, a break up or health issues. Comparing someone else's highlight reel with your behind the scenes only creates insecurity. 

I've seen it so many times, especially around holidays. When Christmas rolls around, friends and followers post statuses such as "first status from my new iPad! thanks mom and dad!" or Instagram pictures of the new Michael Kors watch. Last week on Valentine's day, girls every flocked to literally every social media platform available to post pictures of their flowers, chocolate, teddy bears, and jewelry that the best boyfriend ever got them. Although it's petty, I would be lying if I didn't say I was jealous that I did not get to spend Valentine's Day with my boyfriend. 

Every time I see one of these statuses or updates, I find myself being jealous. 

Why does she get to go on four vacations in one year and I dont? How does she afford to go shopping so much? What makes her so special that her boyfriend spoils her like that? 

What I need remember is I don't know everyone's situation, just like not everyone knows mine. Everyone has different circumstances in life and as hard as it is to do, I shouldn't judge a life I haven't lived. 

How do you curb jealous tendencies from social media? 

Repeat Trends

As much as I love fashion and shopping, sometimes it just gets boring. Season after season we see the same trends over and over. Spring is all about pastels. Summer is neon and nautical. Fall brings equestrian style while winter produces chunky layers, glitter and jewel toned colors. With nothing new gracing the runways and store racks, I find myself not wanting to shop. Surprisingly, I'm not the only one who has noticed. 

Samantha Critchell at the Associated Press claims that the hottest trend of 2013 is that there isn't any trends. In comparison to seasons past, 2013 is not living up to fashion expectations. Critchell explained that there are certain trends that are slightly more and less popular, but nothing is definitely "in" or "out." 

Although this might cause despair for those who are craving the next big thing, I don't think the lack of trends is a bad thing. Trends are simply what is hot right now. If each season you run out to Forever 21, or any other "disposable fashion" retailer and spend money to full your wardrobe with the latest and greatest, what are left with when the new season comes around? A bunch of cheap clothes that not only didn't last in terms of quality, but also clothes that are no longer "in."

By having a lack of trends, designers are forced to produce what they like. In response, consumers are buying what they like. Having a wardrobe filled with pieces you like versus what others are telling you to like is beneficial. Not only can you wear those clothes for a lot longer, you start to get a sense of what types of styles you like.

 If you're completely overwhelmed on how to determine what your style is, I suggest creating a fashion board  on Pinterest and re-pinning what you like. After you've pinned a decent amount, go back and look at your board. I  looked back at mine early this week and I was surprised and how consistent my board was. It was eye opening to see how all the fashion I was naturally drawn to fit together!

Staying true to yourself

Today I am writing about a topic that I'm sure every girl (or guy) has dealt with at some point in their life. Starting in middle school, I was bullied a lot. Not just the kind of bullying that is little comments here and there, my case was a bit more severe. I was not only being harassed at school, but on social networking and at my job as well. This lasted for 6 years. When I was being bullied, I felt very alone, depressed and developed a negative self-esteem. I started to believe that there was something wrong with me, not the girls that were bullying me. As a result of being bullied, I spent a lot of time by myself. Its not that I wanted to, but I soon realized that it was better to have few friends then have the wrong kind of friends.

After I graduated, I was eager to go onto college and leave those bullies behind. Sadly, they spent a year after graduation continuing to bully me at my job. Thankfully, they no longer work with me but I'd be lying if I said I didn't get anxious when I see them in public. Once I got to college and I tried to make friends, I truly realized what peer pressure was. It is not typical that a college student doesn't want to go to parties and drink alcohol. I soon realized that me not wanting to drink, go to clubs, spend extravagant amounts of money to "keep up with the Joneses'" and pretty much make a fool of myself for attention excluded me from a lot of things. 

Even though I'm 20 years old, I still find myself faced with this choice a lot: do I want to do something that I'm against so that I fit in or do I want to stay true to myself? Thankfully, I have always chosen to stay true to myself. However, I know that making that choice is not as easy for everyone. Even though I want an amazing group of friends, I want the right kind of friends. Friends that respect me and my values, don't pressure me, and I would love to find friends with similar morals as I. I would be lying if I said that being excluded didn't hurt. But, I've let that hurt motivate me in other ways. I work on school work, go to the gym, paint, read blogs and do other things when I'm feeling down. Its okay to feel upset about being left out, but always remember that its their loss. If you have an uneasy feeling about something, don't do it. Trust your instincts and remember that you cannot reach your full potential if you aren't true to yourself. 

I want to share some of my favorite quotes with you that always remind me about what I truly want in life! 

Don't give up what you want most for what you want now.

Stay true to yourself because there are very few people that will stay true to you. 

Life is funny. Things change, people change, but you will always be you, so stay true to yourself and never sacrifice who you are for anyone else. 

The worst thing is to be successful as someone else. 

OOTD: February 19, 2013

Boots: Nordstrom

Leggings: J. Crew

Chambray Shirt: J. Crew Factory (not available online)

Vest: J. Crew (sold out)

Beauty products I re-buy consistently.

Having been interested in beauty for quite a few years now, I have tried a number of products. Some that I have hated, and some that I have absolutely loved. I know that I truly love a product when I finish it all AND want to purchase the product again. I cant even remember how many times I have bought these products over and over again, but lets just say it has been enough to last me the past few years. 

C.O Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm 

I discovered this product back in middle school and I instantly became addicted. The first makeup product I ever loved was lip gloss. I used to be obsessed with them. Despite all the bright colors and glitters, I always came back to this product. Its a clear balm that not only moisturizes but gives your lips some shine. When it comes to lip color, I'm low maintenance. I want something that matches everything and that I can apply without a mirror. This product fits that criteria! 

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume

I love the way this product applies. It makes my lashes look super full without ever letting them clumping together. I've tried other mascaras since finding this and I've always come back to this product. Its amazing and cheap. 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 Cleanser 

Purity will always be my holy grail face wash. I love that it is gentle yet still effective. It can be used for face and eyes, removes makeup like a charm and never dries out my skin. It is a bit pricey but a bigger bottle will last you a long time. And, why buy cheap products that don't get the job done when you can buy a more expensive product that delivers amazing results? Just a thought. 

Kenra Volume Spray 25

I tried this product last year after hearing Kate rave about it in her hair tutorials. I picked up a small can at Ulta and was blown away. I can go to bed and wake up and my curls still look as fabulous as when I did it. Don't let the price scare you, this is a miracle in a can. 

Essie Good to Go! Topcoat 

I tried this top coat after I heard so many Youtube beauty gurus rave about this product. Before, I never found a top coat I was in love with. None that I tried prevented chips and kept my polish glossy and shiny. However, this product does both. It is amazing! At $10, you cant beat it. My nail polish used to chip within two days but now I can make a manicure last about 5 or 6 days. 

Sally Hansen Extra Strength Polish Remover

I first tried this product at my aunts house. At the time, I was using pure acetone to remove polish from my nails. It got the job done but left the skin around my nails so dry. When I tried this, I was amazed at how effective and gentle it was. Best of all, its super cheap. I buy this at Walmart for around $2. 

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hard as Wraps

This another product I tried because of my aunt. I was visiting her when I noticed how long and strong her nails were. I asked what her secret was and she told me about this product. I immediately bought it and have loved it ever since. I wear this on its own or as a basecoat under nail polish. It makes your nails extremely hard and strong. I have noticed that the formula gets thick about half way through the bottle but it is relatively cheap, so I dont mind buying a new bottle when that happens. 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

When it comes to foundation, I am not into wearing a heavy mask on my skin. My skin is pretty clear and I find that I dont need a full coverage foundation, just a little tint to even everything out. I love this product. It blurs any imperfections but still allows my skin to shine through. I love that it looks natural. 

Ulta Ultimate Brows Shade & Shaper Pencil

For having Medium/Dark brown hair, I have very light eyebrows. They are not very full and the color is a blonde. I use the Ash Blonde shade in this pencil and I find it defines my brows but doesn't look fake, which I love. I have purchased so many of these and will continue doing so! 

So those are all the products I've re-bought quite a few times. I hope this opened your eyes to some great products. Writing this post definitely opened my eyes to how many great products can be bought at the drug store! What are the products you re-buy? 

Modesty never has to be frumpy

All my life I've felt excluded in one way or another. Weather it be because of how I chose to spend my money, enjoy my weekends or cloth my body, someone has disapproved. While I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, it is never okay to make someone feel badly about themselves for the choices they make. It is perfectly natural as a human to disagree or see topics differently than others around you. It is all about how you choose to handle the subject. We are all different. 

One topic in particular that comes up time and time again is how I dress.  If I had to describe my style, I would say it is: classic, with a touch of preppy, and a heaping cup of modest. Wait a minute, what 20 year old girl wants to describe herself as modest? I do. And I'm proud of it. People seem to have this preconceived notion that dressing modestly means wearing a turtle neck and a floor length skirt. Maybe that works for Little House on the Prairie but it doesn't work for me. 

Last week, the Associated Press reported that Tampa, Florida is host of the first ever Christian fashion week. Their message is simple: modest does not equal frumpy. The show featured 9 designers whose creations ranged from men's fashion to bridal gowns. In addition, not all of the designers were of the Christian faith, but all displayed an immense interest for designing modest, but beautiful clothes. 

While I don't believe you have to be of any particular religion to dress modestly, I applaud the creators of this event. Too often I see girls on campus parading around in low cut tops, short skirts, and their belly button rings clanging about because their midriff is showing. Coincidentally, these same girls complain that boys do not respect them. I wholeheartedly believe that if you do not respect yourself, no one else will. The easiest way to change the way people view you, is to change how you view yourself. Wake up knowing each day that you are beautiful just the way you are and do not have to show off your assets to garner the attention of a boy who only appreciates the appearance of you. 

Spring Wishlist

Although there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, spring is coming ! I love spring so I'm very excited.  Of course, a new season means new clothes. Here are a few pieces I''ve had my eye on...

When they first became popular, I never jumped on the Chambray shirt bandwagon because I figured it would be out of style before I knew it. Much to my dismay, that was three years ago and now I find myself actually wanting one. I'm very hesitant to follow trends and would much rather invest my money in classic pieces. However, the Perfect Chambray Ex-boyfriend shirt from Madewell is too cute to pass up. 

The next item on my wishlist has not only been around for a few years but is something I've been hesitant to try until recently: leggings. Sure, they're comfortable to lounge around in but I never truly believed I could wear them as pants. I think they look very cute, but I worried how they would look on me. I bought a pair randomly at the mall and have literally lived in them. I've worn leggings to class every day this week. I'm really particular about the leggings I buy, though. I hate when they fade and of course, they need to be opaque. I've heard such great things about the J Crew Pixie Pants and I'm dying to add them to my wardrobe. 

Okay, so I'm not sure if you can consider this a "wishlist" item since its sitting in a box at my room at home......but it is anyway. Mint is the it color for the spring season and when I saw this bag, I knew I needed to own it. Being a college student I felt guilty buying a $200 purse. So, I tried to be a good girl and just ordered a mint wristlet. Being a good girl went out the window when I saw how absolutely beautiful the color was! This purse is definitely going to be a staple piece for the spring and summer. 

A few years ago, I bought a pair of boat shoes. I hardly ever wore them despite them being super cute and comfortable. The pair that I bought had gingham details and I felt like they were hard to match things with. I know you're not suppose to be matchy-matchy but I don't like the idea of wearing denim with a green based blue, like teal, mint, or turquoise. What I like about these topsiders is that they're neutral, they would match with everything. 

So these are a few of the items I'm currently lusting over. What do you have your eye on for spring? 

You no longer have to choose...

For the past 8 days, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week has been in full swing in the Big Apple. Dozens of models have graced the runways to present the fashion world with the latest collections for this upcoming fall.  As I sit here and write this post, the final show, Calvin Klein, has been finished for over an hour. Six months of long and hard work for the designers and production teams has finally paid off. While MBFW didn't go off, exactly as planned because of the winter storm that hit New York, it is safe to say that fashion lovers and critics everywhere are pleased despite the mishaps. 

Because of the winter storm, not only did Marc Jacobs have to reschedule his show, Michael Kors had to wear Uggs to MBFW. According to the Associated Press, Kors arrived in a pair of UGG boots before changing into a more appropriate show choice for New York's biggest week in fashion: black leather. 

Associated Press's story took me back to my own self vs. self conflict I have on a daily basis: do I want to be warm and dry or cute and fashionable for class? While you may feel like you have to pick only one choice, I'm here to show you that you no longer have to choose.

LL.Bean Duck Boots 

Made famous by bloggers such as Sarah Vickers, these iconic boots are not only stylish but warm. They are lined with Thinsulate and are guaranteed to keep your toes dry while also turning a few heads. 

UGG Classic Short Boots

Okay, so these may not be the best boots to wear in a blizzard BUT they're pretty darn toasty. And I happen to think they're cute.

Hunter Original Tall Gloss Boots

These Hunter boots are perfect for when it's a bit rainy out or when the snow is starting to melt into slush. These are the quintessential  no-fuss all weather boot. Simply wipe with a damp cloth and you're good to go!

I hope this post helps all of you aspiring fashionistas as you ponder if you should be fashionable or cozy. 

Favorites: Nail Polish

Ever since high school I have constantly been painting my nails. I don't think I have ever gone longer than a day without having nail polish on my nails. Don't only does it help you look more presentable, it adds a little something extra to any outfit. Like most girls, I love getting my nails done. However, I can't justify spending $20 a week for a manicure that chips after a few days. While I'm not the best at painting my nails, I have gotten a lot better. Plus, I can change my nail color as often as I want when I do them myself! With that being said, here are a few of my favorite nail colors of all time...

Zoya Diem

This is my holy grail nail polish. Diem is a soft, pinky-peach base with subtle shimmer. I think this color is appropriate for any situation, especially a work environment. It makes the nails look perfectly groomed. Sadly, Zoya is not producing this polish currently but it has not been discontinued. I have seen it on some webstores which reminds me that I need to pick up a few bottles of this! This is the only nail polish that i have come close to using the whole bottle. My bottle has gotten a bit thick, though. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Ruby Do

This color is so pretty! I have been wearing this on my nails consistently for over a month. Its the perfect shade in between red and purple. I think this a color that is more for fall and winter but I will be sad to give it up when spring has arrived!

Opi Glitzerland 

This polish is an all-year favorite of mine! It is the perfect gold metallic polish. I am more of a silver jewelry girl but I definitely love wearing this on my finger nails when I'm wearing gold accents. The formula of this polish is a charm to work with, as well. It dries quick, applies evenly and doesn't bubble. What more could a girl want?

Zoya Gia

And last but not least, the perfect red. Gia is a classic fire engine red. In my opinion, every girl needs a true red in her nail polish collection. I love love love painting my toes with this color!

While these aren't all the nail polishes in my ever expanding collection, these are the colors I reach for the most no matter the season or circumstance. What are your favorite nail colors? 

Favorites: Healthy Snacks

Two years ago I made a promise to myself that I would become healthier. While I didn't have a negative body image, I knew that living an unhealthy lifestyle and being sedentary would negatively impact my future. The past two years has been quite the journey but I'm forever impressed with myself that I'm positively changed myself and paved the way for a healthy future. 

Along my journey, I've been introduced to new foods. Here are some of my favorite healthy snacks.

KIND Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein.

Oh my, these are delicious! I love anything peanut butter and have grown to love dark chocolate. I like these a lot more than Cliff bars because they're all natural, which is always a plus.I always keep one of these in my school bag in case I get hungry in between classes or when I'm at work. 

Recently, I've been loving red seedless grapes. They're so good and I never tried them until a few weeks ago.

In the summer, I practically live off of strawberries. I especially love strawberries with Reddi-whip on top. Its not the healthiest but you gotta indulge sometime. 

Another snack I really love is a banana with peanut butter or an apple with peanut butter. Peanut butter just makes everything taste so good. Story time...

When I was in kindergarten I tried to eat a whole jar of peanut butter while my mom was in the shower. Needless to say, I didnt go to school that day. I had such a stomach ache!

Quaker Popped Caramel Corn

THESE ARE SO GOOD. They have all the great taste of caramel corn without getting stuck in your teeth. So good. 

So these are just some of my favorites! Enjoy your day!

Look for Less: J. Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet

While doing some online window shopping this morning, I came across a rare jem. Anyone that is a fan of J. Crew or a prep knows the hype that surrounds the J. Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet. But with a $125 price tag, many shoppers have turned to Etsy or other jewelry sites in hopes of finding a replica of this bracelet. However, I hate buying replica pieces of anything. In junior high while everyone toted around a fake Chanel bag, I was saving for a Coach purse. Not as glamorous but authentic. What I found this morning not only is a real J. Crew bracelet, but it is far from the $125 price tag.

I present to you the Factory Gold and Crystal Link Bracelet.

It’s original price is $36 but is currently on sale for $27. I immediately ordered this bracelet when I saw it. It is backordered until the 25th of February but it is safe to say it won’t be out of style for quite some time.