lovesit: new twist on an old classic

March 31, 2011 2 Comments

There are few items in my closet that I wear more than my favorite fitted black blazers.  They instantly polish and add the perfect touch of sophistication to any outfit, for any occasion.  It’s no secret that I have an over the top obsession with Theory, but there’s a reason- their clothes are just SO functional and flattering.  Recently I came across this updated twist on their classic black blazer so unlike anything I’ve seen from them.  The Bennira wool and silk-blend jacket has a draped collar which hangs just right over any blouse or dress and its slightly cropped in the back, making it a little more edgy than your classic jacket.  I can’t wait to wear it on the weekends over dresses and out for dinner over my favorite tops.  During the week I’ve been wearing it to work to dress up an ordinarily basic ensemble and over my favorite sheath dresses.  It’s featured on Net-a-porter.com for full price but the Theory outlet’s are currently selling it for $99.  For more details, visit here.

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: all american, affordable clothing since 1969

March 30, 2011 Leave a comment

   

On a total whim I decided to pop into the Gap on my way home the other day to look for a few basic items I needed to stock up on.  It’s been so long since I’ve shopped at the Gap I wasn’t really sure what to expect beyond the basic white tanks and tee’s I was looking to grab.  I had no idea they were going to have a delicate’s section that could rival Victoria’s Secret, or the most comfy, drapey tanks that could rival Alexander Wang and blousy pull-over top’s that looked like Elizabeth & James’ overpriced shirts.  Not only are they offering a great selection of basics, but their shirts, pants and wear to work collection were updated with modern cuts and clean, trendy silhouettes that are the perfect addition to mix and match with your favorite wardrobe items.  My only advice: ignore the store displays- the models and table displays are kind of messy and dowdy at first glance.  It wasn’t until I picked the items up or tried them on did I really envision myself buying them.  This is not the most glamorous place to shop, but if you can go in and shop without looking to the store displays for what to buy, you’ll have a better shopping experience.  Here’s a selection of item’s that really stood out to me and of course, all are super affordable (including the perfect little beach cover-up at the very end I couldn’t go home without.)

  

  

 

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: collection of wear with anything tops

March 29, 2011 Leave a comment

Here’s a selection of blouses and tops, from casual to dressy, that I’ve fallen in love with because of their versatility and feminine appeal.  I think these tops really could be paired with just about anything, for any event- under a blazer for a dressy, sophisticated night out with friends, with leggings for a chic weekend ensemble, or paired with your favorite pair of jeans for a casual but effortless look.

  

   

    

 xo,

Lauren

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the ultimate (simple but insanely delicious) comfort food.

March 22, 2011 Leave a comment

My friend introduced me to this recipe that combines two of my favorite hearty comfort foods which quickly became a staple recipe in my kitchen.  The following recipe for Ratatouille Sloppy Joe blends the flavor, color and nutrition of ratatouille, a traditional French vegetable stew, into an all-American favorite-Sloppy Joes.  A French flair and an optional call for ground bison help add a sophistication to this typically messy sandwich.  This meal is delicious and satisfying served on its own, but I’ve come up with alternative ways of serving the leftovers  so I can continue to make this as often as I want without making the same meal twice.  I love using the leftovers as a delicious meaty/sauce layer on homemade pizzas, in a lasagna, served over a plate of pasta, in a sandwich or as a base for a thick stew, or, simply freezing the leftovers for when I need them.  

Ingredients:
1 tsp EVOO
1 lb extra-lean bison or turkey.
3 gloves garlic
1 onion, diced
2 tsp chile powder
3/4 tsp mustard powder (I used dijon mustard from my fridge)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust according to personal spice preference)
1 bell pepper- red or green
1 zucchini, diced
1 eggplant
1, 1/2 marinara sauce
1 tbsp honey or agave syrup
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
8 sandwich buns or homemade biscuits* ( I prefer to serve this dish with my own freshly made biscuits, recipe available here.)

- Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.  Add oil, meat, garlic and onion and cook for 5 – 8 minutes, breaking up meat with a spoon while cooking, until no liquid remains and the meat is browned.  Add chile powder, mustard, and cayenne, stir well and continue to cook for 1 more minute.  Pour the mixture into a bowl and set aside.

-Return pan to heat and add bell pepper, zucchini and eggplant, stir and saute for 3 – 4 minutes.  Add meat mixture back to pan, stir well and reduce heat to medium.  Cook for an additional 10- 12 minutes, stirring often, or until all vegetables are tender and cooked throughout.

-Add the marinara sauce, 2 tbsp water and honey to the pan, stirring until meat and vegetables are coated.  Cook until sauce is hot and bubbling.  Season with salt and pepper & enjoy!

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: backyard bling

March 21, 2011 Leave a comment

Even during the daytime, how fabulous and creative is this little backyard chandelier?  My friends and I came across this unexpected piece of decor at a Napa winery while touring the owner’s backyard.  I can only imagine how romantic it would be in full effect, lit up under the stars providing the perfect outdoor dinner party ambiance.

 

 

 

xo,

Lauren

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sparkle is my favorite color

March 17, 2011 2 Comments

Ever since I can remember sparkle has always been my favorite ‘color,’ so you can bet I tend to gravitate toward jewelry designers who are heavy-handed with the bling.  I’ve shown the amazing creations of Dara Ettinger in a previous post here, but I had to bring her up again because she continues to create really gorgeous jewelry I just cannot get enough of.  I love the natural element of agate and geode jewelry; the fact that all stones are unique in color in size so you’re really getting an individual piece no matter how many of the same style are produced.  Another jewelry designer I’ve been a long time fan and customer of is Alexis Bittar.  Bittar is last year’s CFDA’s accessory designer of the year award winner, who’s high-profile clientele includes Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga.  His jewelry is unmistakeably modern and each season’s collection offer’s bracelets, necklaces and earrings created in so many different mediums.  From lucite (my personal favorite), to semi precious stones dipped in gold and silver, explosions of swarovski crystals in abstract and clean-cut designs, there really is something available for everyone no matter their personal style.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from Ettinger and Bittar’s current collections.  Enjoy.

All the Ettinger pieces shown below are available here:

All the Bittar pieces shown below are available here:

     

   

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: a few great things

March 16, 2011 Leave a comment


Here’s a little list of things I wanted to share that I’m really loving and can’t live without- from snack ideas to helpful beauty products.  Enjoy :)

I hate the harsh scent of nail polish remover but this all natural alternative is completely odorless.  Keep a jar at the office to swab off any chipped manicures before heading out for after work drinks.

One of my favorite new scents on the market- the new perfume offering by Pucci, Miss Pucci hits all the right top notes- it’s so fresh with a hint of citrus, rose and light woody musk.  And the playful bottle is too pretty not to keep on display.

Almonds are the perfect little snack I always try to have on hand and keep extras at work- I love the convenience of these healthy little alternative 100 calorie snack packs.

This over the counter 8% retinol complex is so potent it has actually visibly reduced fine lines from my face while zapping any zit overnight.  This product was originally recommended to me by my aesthetician and it has made a huge difference in my overall anti-aging skin care routine.

I spend hours in front of my computer everyday and I usually clock at least an hour or more after work on my laptop.  Whether my eyes are feeling irritated and red from too much time in front of the monitor, the dry heat in my apartment, or I’ve just gotten too little sleep, the best eye drops hands down are from Rohto.  My favorite is their cooling menthol drops which actually give your eyes a dose of gentle cooling relief while reducing any redness.

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: Theyskens’ Theory design collaboration

March 15, 2011 Leave a comment

I love anything Theory, so obviously I was an instant fan of the pieces created by the collaboration of designer Olivier Theyskens and Theory.  Beyond their initial collection, they continue to churn out gorgeous pieces with sharp, imaginative tailoring giving the traditional minimalistic Theory brand clothing and accessories an edgy feel.

Talking editors through Theyskens’ Theory, Theyskens explains some pieces are lingerie-like, dressed in prints based on his own paintings; and there was a wide array of denim, silk and leather pants from high-waisted flares to cropped jeans specially treated to look permanently wrinkled.

Most of the blazers are designed with a triangle cut from the back of the collar. “It’s what I do to mine,” says Theyskens, explaining that he likes the look of jackets with shoulders shrugged forward. Hems, too, cut away, and shirts with splices up the side seams so they can be worn with the front tucked in and the back pulled out.

Here are some of my current favorite pieces from Theyskens’ Theory (available here), in my favorite shade of clothing- black.  The following pieces are both graceful and artful but not overly designed.

 

And pair any of the pieces or looks above with the following two items for instant, timeless glamour:

 

Here are some highlights from the Theyskens Theory Fall 2011 RTW Collection:

 

 

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit: parisian street style – get the look

March 14, 2011 Leave a comment

I am so in love with this timeless menswear inspired, minimalist look captured on the streets of Paris courtesy of The Satorialist.  These strappy lace-up booties add an edge of chic sexiness while the clutch adds a yummy pop of muted color.  Nothing is more feminine and chic than menswear separates tailored down to fit a woman’s frame paired with the right accessories.

 Here are some suggestions to recreate the look:

               

xo,

Lauren

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the gift of love in a bottle

March 11, 2011 Leave a comment

While recently vacationing in Napa with some girlfriends, I got to enjoy some of my favorite guilty pleasures - wine, wine and more wine, the spa, lounging and laughing with friends and amazing food in one of the most gorgeous and serene destinations.  It was hard leaving all this behind, but the idea of enjoying my favorite wines back home through wine of the month clubs was pretty exciting- plus, who doesn’t love getting packages in the mail.  There is no doubt that anyone who enjoys wine in the slightest would love getting such a gift for a special occasion.  However, no wine of the month club could compare to the creative and romantic gift idea I came  across while at my favorite vineyard, O’Brien Estates, which combines love and of course, wine. 

One of the unique elements O’Brien Estate offers their guests is a set of wines which tell a story of a deepening relationship between 2 people.  The story is told through the names of each wine and the poetry on the back of each label written by either Bart or Barb O’Brien.

Barb and Bart decided to tell a story of a deepening relationship between 2 people by naming a series of wines after different phases of a relationship.  They took turns writing poetry for the back labels.  These wines are packaged in a 3 bottle gift set called the Romantic Trio and a 5 bottle set called the Romantic Portfolio.  

“Our goal is to touch your heart before the wine touches your lips…”

 

Here is some of the poetry from our Romantic Portfolio of wines:

Attraction
Chardonnay

(when you actually meet your love)
When our eyes met
My heart said hello
Are you the one for whom I long?
Are you?

Each Romantic Profile wine set comes with a plaque you can engrave with the recipients names, date and small note, making this a perfect wedding gift when you want to give something memorable and creative.  These gift sets start at $249 and are available for purchase here.

xo,

Lauren

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lovesit decor: glass and wood accent pieces

March 3, 2011 Leave a comment

I really love blending texture, print and materials when it comes to picking items to adorn my apartment.  West Elm has always been a favorite go-to of mine (previously mentioned here) and their most recent catalog’s decorative offerings was no exception.  I was really impressed with many of the objects available because not only are they perfect accent pieces but they look like legit pieces of art and are all so affordable.  Here are some of my favorite items, all currently available  at westelm.com

1. I LOVE these recycled Spanish glass vases and jars- this color palate reminds me of sea glass and these items would look fantastic alone or mixed and matched together.

 

2.  There is nothing I love more in an apartment or house than lots of wood; furniture, floors, exposed beam ceilings and of course accent pieces.

  

3.  The following two items are both functional and decorative:

These glass perfume bottles are so fun and chic I’d love to have them both on my nightstand table or bathroom counter -  and the glass shadow boxes offer a unique and charming way to display your favorite keepsake items or jewelry (tip: mount them on the wall and use the canvas liner backing to hold your earrings.) 

 

xo,

Lauren

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Best of Oscar’s Hair: get Reese’s retro pony

March 1, 2011 2 Comments

 
I really think Reese can do no wrong when it comes to playing dress up.  Not only did I love the dress she wore to this year’s Oscars, shown here, but I was loving her uber-chic and retro 60′s inspired hair.  This mod look is totally a style that works for her and p.s. that is all her own hair- no extensions!   This super high, va-va voom ponytail is the epitome of red carpet glam and I’d love to try to recreate this look for my next dressed up night out (if I can get the front to achieve and maintain a level of volume without channeling Snookie.)  Here’s a step by step guide for getting this look, courtesy of Renato Campora of Fredric Fekkai.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Step 1:  Create the foundation for the style by applying Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel and the Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Smooth Finish Serum.

  

Step 2: Blow dry hair with a large, round brush to enhance fullness and volume.

Step 3: Divide the hair into two sections.

Step 4: Using a 1 1/2-inch curling iron, create movement and volume on the bottom layer.

Step 5: Tease the roots of the top section to create the volume.

Step 6: Finish the look with hairspray to secure the silhouette and shape of the style

xo,

Lauren

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