Study Groove

I just realized that it has been way too long since my last playlist,  so today I have a very special treat: my study tunes! I've mentioned before that I can't study in silence,  and while apps like Coffitivity are perfect non-distracting white noise machines, sometimes it is just a little more fun to study with music (if the subject allows it). 

I believe that the secret behind a perfect study playlist is balance, too mellow and it will make you sleepy, too upbeat and it will be distracting. It should, however, always end on a high note,  something that screams "break time!" (seriously, singing along to your favorite song can be an amazing way to clear your head and re-energize).  Finally, my number one tip is to avoid songs that remind you of TV shows.  I know it sounds silly, but  there is nothing more annoying than the sudden desire to watch the Forever Pilot just because that one Beck song popped up in your playlist… And yes, I realize that I included the Virgin Suicides theme song, but it is somehow different with movie soundtracks (The Last Kiss soundtrack got me through more all-nighters than I can count). 

Listen on Spotify

What is your favorite study soundtrack? 

And good luck to anyone studying for something! 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

The Best

The best, that is exactly what this little sweater is. The cropped sleeves, the little buttons, the navy anchor...  I am pretty sure I found spring's best sweater. And it's from H&M (their sweater game is on point this season), which means it is super affordable, too.  

H&M sweater

Whatcha still doing here? Go get it!

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Couch-ella

I am not at Coachella, but I'm not gonna dwell on that or spend hours on Tumblr envying those who are (ok, maybe I did that yesterday), because who says that I can't enjoy it from my couch? 

And no one's stopping me from dressing up either. It would, of course, be a little silly to go all out for watching a livestream, but these toned down looks are definitely couch appropriate: 

Wildfox  Jumper / Plaid Fringe Top / Paige Denim Skinny Jeans / Whistles Boyfriend Jeans, / Steve Madden Fringe booties / Vans / Steve Madden Sandals / H&M cotton scarf / H&M for Coachella glasses

No you just gotta tune in, enjoy, and repeat the whole thing next weekend.

Who was your fave act this year?

Coachella

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Tassle-Town

I've always had a thing for fringe (or tassles), especially on bags.  One of my most used bags is actually  a little fringe number that I got at H&M a couple of years ago: 

While I don't think that I'll ever find a bag that I love as much as mine, I wouldn't mind a second one to add to the rotation. And there are so many great options:

Rebecca Minkoff  / H&M / Karen Millen  / /Proenza Schouler / 

Topshop  / Yves Saint Laurent 

The Rebecca Minkoff one is hands down my favorite, it's the perfect size and color. So if I am going to buy one bag this year it is probably going to be that one. 

Are you happy that fringe is making a comeback?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Happy Feet

Spring always means new shoes, and as much as I tried to talk myself into liking the running shoe trend, it just isn't for me. I love it on other people, but I just don't feel like myself if I'm wearing running shoes when I am not actually working out.

…But that doesn't mean that I'm opposed to sneakers all together, especially considering recent improvements:

Vans  /Converse / Keds

I used to own a pair of gray Vans with a flamingo print, that were rather questionable, but I love the sleek look of the new leather versions.  They're understated enough to go with almost everything,  but still  kind of edgy – which is always a plus.  

I've never been a fan of girly Converse styles (those ballet flats are the worst!), they just never look right, but the "Shoreline" might be their best invention yet!  They look exactly like  the classic ones, but the shorter tongue prevents that clown-shoe look, and the scrunched back ensures a perfect fit. 

Keds, Keds, Keds, I'm not ashamed to admit that I own more than one of the designs from the Taylor Swift collection, which has less to do with my love for Taylor, and more with my love for stripes and anchors. While Vans and Converse can easily slip into juvenile territory if they have crazy prints, the classic nature of Keds is a little more forgiving, and I love how a cute printed shoe can add a little something extra to an otherwise plain outfit.  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Penmanship 2.0

This is officially the longest time I've ever gone without blogging, but I do have a good reason, a Master's thesis that  required my undivided attention.  But now that's done and to celebrate I made my own font (nerd alert).  

Between my dad and me, there are at least four of those handwriting tablets floating around. But why go through the trouble of setting up an extra device when you can just save your own handwriting  as a font? That's right, you can save your own handwriting on your computer, and it is super easy, too:

Go to My Script Font, download and print the template, fill it out, scan it in (Don't have a scanner? Just use this),  name your font, and download it. That's it!  

You might need a few tries to get it to look just right (make sure to really follow the guidelines or the spacing will look wonky), and be sure to try out different pens to see what works best for your handwriting. 

Have fun!  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura