5 September Things

September just flew by...  But it was filled with lots of awesome discoveries (and some rediscoveries):

Paige Denim 

I'm usually not one to go crazy for designer jeans. They have their benefits but so far I never really felt like it was worth the splurge, and usually ended up back at H&M ...but then I came across Paige. I had heard great things about the label, so I took a couple of pairs into the changing room, and let's just say I had a really hard time deciding which ones to leave at the store since I couldn't possibly justify buying four pairs of jeans. What I love about them is that even though they are incredible soft and comfortable (seriously they feel like pajama pants), they don't lose their shape and look as good on day five as they did on day one. And don't even get me started on the fit… Best. Jeans. Ever.

Burts Bee's Red Dahlia
I Love Burt's Bees tinted Lipbalm (their pigmentation is amazing for a sheer balm!), and Red Dahlia is the epitome of a great fall color.

Superstar Car Wash
I recently rediscovered this, and have been listening to it on repeat all month. It's actually one of the first albums I ever bought (if I'm not counting all the Disney soundtracks and NOW compilations), and I'm still a fan of the band today, but for me none of their newer albums do even come close to Superstar Car Wash …I only wish it was available on vinyl.

Steve Madden Fringe Booties

Another rediscovery, I bought them back in spring and never wore them much, but they quickly became my favorite early fall shoes.

Scream Queens

Scream Queens might simultaneously be the best and the worst thing on TV right now. The show combines everything I love (campy horror, 80s music, and cool hats), but I also see why people might not enjoy it. Satire – especially if it's this crude – isn't everybody's cup of tea… But I think that goes for all Ryan Murphy shows, you either love them or hate them, and this one's no exception.

What's your favorite September thing?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

1989 …again

I love Taylor Swift, always have always will. But I'm also more of a rock girl, and when I heard that  Ryan Adams was covering Taylor's album, I was more than just a little excited (there was jumping involved).  It's so unexpected, but that makes it so great. Judging from the previews, the 80s vibe seems to be even stronger on Ryan's cover versions, and some songs give me the impression that Taylor Swift + Ryan Adams = Bruce Springsteen  …Which again, unexpected, but in the best possible way. 

It is also always a nice thing to see different genre come together, because there's really no reason why a Ryan Adams fan can't enjoy a Taylor Swift song (or vice versa). So whether you're a fan of Taylor, Ryan, both, or maybe even neither check out Ryan's 1989, you might just be surprised:

via Instagram

The digital version will be available on monday, and copies on CD and vinyl are to follow.  

And if you can't wait until monday, then scroll through Ryan's Instagram for a couple sneak peaks:

@misterryanadams

(Welcome to New York and All You Had To Do Was Stay are my faves so far.)

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Splurge or Steal: Fringe Sweater

Fringe sweater, let's file that under things I never knew I wanted. 

I practically live in simple sweaters as soon as it gets colder, but they can be a bit boring at times, so I'm not opposed to a little update for this classic staple piece – especially if it involves fringe:

Burberry Fringe Sweater 

Still, as beautiful as it it, there's no way I could justify splurging on the Burberry version (it's almost a 1000, yikes…). But turns out that I don't have to, as I found the perfect alternative for a fraction of the price:

Belle+Sky Fringe Sweater (on sale for 50!)

I only wish it would come in navy, but we can't have everything.  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Get the Look: Plaid on Plaid

I love plaid anything, but I always thought that plaid skirts can be a little hard to pull off when you're in your 20s.  They either look too schoolgirl-like or too matronly – but there is one way to fix that (as proven by Olivia Palermo): add more plaid!

source

Pairing a plaid skirt with a plaid shirt, makes the school-girl staple look effortless and stylish. There are however a couple of DOs and DON'Ts:

DON'T: 
Go matchy matchy, you want a contrast!

DO: 
Repeat colors!
The secret lies in matching the colors, and not the patterns. If your skirt is blue with hints of red, like Olivia's, reach for a primarily red shirt.

DON'T: 
Get a skater or a pleated skirt,  you'll look like you're 12 (or going to a costume party).
Simple minis and pencil skirts are your friend!

DO:
Keep it simple on the bottom,  that means nude or black flats.
(Or pumps if you're opting for a longer skirt.)

Aéropostale Plaid Shirt  / River Island Skirt / Jeffrey Campbell Bow Flats

Topshop Flats / River Island Wool Skirt / Maurices Plaid Shirt

Are you a fan of plaid on plaid? 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Camo and Wine

If you are planning on purchasing only one high-end makeup item this fall, make it one of these:  

Burberry Runway Nail Collection & Palette

Camo nail polish and makeup! Maybe I watch too much Duck Dynasty, but I feel like camo makes everything better.  The nail polish set comes with a  black, a khaki, and a green polish, and the eye palette with black and green eyeshadow and a cream highlighter.  Quality wise, the nail polish is not  better or worse than polishes from other luxury fashion brands, and aside from the khaki the colors aren't anything special, but the set as a whole is simply a gorgeous thing to have. The palette on the other hand, is more than just nice to look at. The colors are easy to blend, can be used for a number of different eye looks, and have a super silky finish that really makes camo catwalk appropriate.

If the camo trend is not your thing (that's ok, more for me), then  you should check out Olivia Palermo's collaboration with Ciaté,  especially the "Napa Valley" nail polish:

Ciaté

A good wine-red is n not easy to find. Essie's Wicked is my favorite deep red, but it's a little too dark to pass as wine,  and their Bordeaux has the perfect coloring, but is so runny that it could pass as actual wine. So this red that Olivia has labeled her "fall favorite", is a godsend.  Quality wise, the polish is amazing, with a formula that includes a special dual polymer mesh lock technology and volcanic glass it'll look flawless and glossy for days.  Be sure to also check out the rest of the collection, as the palette is also pretty great:

Ciaté

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Fall Reading

I love this time of year, when it's still summer but the first Halloween decorations start popping up everywhere, and it's warm enough to sit outside but cool enough to need a sweater when you curl up with a good book on the patio....  

And talking of books, here are my current favorites:

 

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan: "Hunger Games light" - that's how a friend described Nerve to me, and while the emphasis lies on light, I definitely got the Hunger Games vibe from it (minus all the dystopia).  Nerve follows Vee, a shy girl who enters in an multiplayer online game that promises the players amazing prizes for performing dares.  It starts off easy when Vee is challenged to pour water over herself in a crowded coffee shop, but before she knows it she finds herself playing for her own life. I was a bit torn about this, the first chapter had a weird vibe to it, and it took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I did I was hooked.  If you're looking for a quick and fun "bubblegum thriller", then Nerve is what you need.

The Undertaker's Daughter  by Kate Mayfield: Can you imagine growing up in a funeral home? For Kate Mayfield this was the reality. In a voice that is reminiscent of Harper Lee's young Scout  Mayfield  writes about the ups and downs of being raised in a funeral home in Jubilee, Kentucky, during the nineteen sixtes and seventies  While The Undertaker's Daughter is definitely not the lightest read, it does not feel as heavy as the the load of serious topics it deals with. The book might not be for everyone, but if you like episodic memoirs that are a little on the odd side, you will  LOVE this.

Bag of Bones by Stephen King: I'm gonna be honest I only bought this because I really enjoyed the movie (in an "it's so utterly ridiculous it's awesome" kind of way), but now I'm so glad I did! It's classic Stephen King with very touching components, that make it sweet without compromising the scary side. If you enjoy a good haunted summer house story, with a number of shocking family secrets thrown in, then Bag of Bones if the book for you.  

What's on your reading list?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura