Pretty (Ugly) Chritmas Sweaters

I love a good ugly Christmas sweater, but sometimes it's also nice to have something with a little more sparkle, like these amazing amazing options from H&M:

H&M

Check out more designs here (How cool is the one with the vintage flacon?) 

And H&M is also killing in in the present department, just check out this adorable phone case with matching tech gloves:

H&M

Santa would approve!

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Wild Things

Is it just me or is Zara seriously hitting it out of the park  this season? 

Especially when it comes to bags:

See more at Zara

Leopard, crocodile, autumn hues....

What's not to love? 

Peace, Love, and Lobster

Laura

Early Fall Essentials

Summer isn't over yet, but the first signs of fall  are creeping up everywhere. And after months of wearing flats and tank tops I can't  wait to break out  my boots and sweaters.  Sadly it's still a little too early for that, but here are a few things that you can already rock now, without looking like you're seasonally confused:  

Red Plaid Top / Overknee Socks / Sam Edelman Ankle Boots 
 Elizabeth and James Bucket Bag / Catarzi Hat

I love the way a good hat can dress up any outfit. So put away the straw fedoras and floppy beach hats, and wear a structured wool number with  denim  shorts and a chambray shirt (Emma Stone has been rocking this  look all summer).  

Plaid flannels are perfect for when it's still too warm for sweaters but too cold for T-Shirts, and when they're red and black they're super in style.  

And there is absolutely no reason why you should hide your knee socks under  your boots when you can show them off with adorable – summer appropriate – booties.  

Last but not least, the perfect fall bag.  I'm in love with this Elizabeth and James bag (it's a leopard bucket bag!), but any good fall bag (or backpack)  is an easy way to incorporate a fall piece into your summer wardrobe. 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Stars and Stripes

Happy Fourth of July to my American readers!  

I said before that wearing full on flag prints can be tricky (and tacky if you overdo it), but if there's one day where it's totally okay to forgo this rule, it's today.  

And leave it to a true American icon to make me want to dismiss the rule all together – because no one does Stars and Stripes like Ralph Lauren:

Neckholder Top

Cardigan

Boyfriend Tee

Oh, and this entire collection is currently on sale on ASOS. 

You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Gift Guide: Fashionista

No matter if you want to treat yourself, your best friend, your girlfriend or your wife, you can't go wrong with these fashionable picks: 

Gift Guide: Fashionista

Zara Sequin Sweater / Gap Fur Trimmed Parka / J.Crew Leather Skirt / Zara Ballet Flats / Marc by Marc Jacobs Purse / J.Crew Necklace  / Hunter Rain Boots

1) J. Crew statement necklaces are a great gift for any fashion lover,  especially because there are so many different styles to chsose from.
Tip: Try Etsy for a wallet friendly alternative.

2) Who doesn't love a sparkly sweater?

3) This leather skirt might not be for everyone, but that's what makes it perfect for some.

4) Everybody needs a warm parka, and this Gap one comes in two adorable designs.

5) A little black bag is a great staple, a little black Marc Jacobs bag is the way to any Fashionista's heart.

6) These Zara flats are cute, comfy, and on sale.

Happy shopping!

Peace, Love, and Twinkly Lights
Laura

Pineapple Express

What are the odds? The day I finally decide to put on that crazy print romper I got last summer,  IFB challenges us to write a post about our favorite prints.

I usually prefer solids over prints, and I have to admit that this River Island romper was a joke gift from my mom in an attempt to mock my fondness for pineapples. But since it was rather hot today, and all my shorts were in the laundry I figured why not...

pineapple express by novachecknerd 

To make the tropical print a little more town friendly I paired it with brown Sperrys and a simple linen cardigan.  And lets just say I may have found a new appreciation for tropical prints.

Peace, Love, and Sunsets

Laura

Strawberries and Cream

Wimbledon is not only about tennis, it is also about Fashion. But there's no reason to save your white skirts for the court:

Tory Burch Sweater / Zara Skirt / Keds Shoes 

Simeon Farrar Canvas Tote  / Links of Links of London Bracelet

That Tory Burch sweater gets the Triple Crown…

Peace, Love, and Cupcakes

Laura

Rebel Rebel...

This year's Met Gala was held under the motto "Punk: Chaos to Couture", and while some guests took that quite literally (Madonna, Miley, Christina Ricci) these ladies played it safe with a more minimalist approach. And sometimes playing it safe is the way to go:

Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga 

 Dakota Fanning in Rodarte

Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung

Notice the safety pin detail on Carey's dress? Punk Minimalism at it's best.  

Peace, Love and Garden Parties

Laura 

Pictures via Style.com

Work it Girl...

At first a was thrilled when it was finally warm enough to break out my ballet flats and boat shoes, but it wasn't long before I started missing my trusty old work boots, and it may have something to do with this picture of Kiernan Shipka for Foam Magazine:

source

I guess boot season isn't over yet, and there are so many to choose from...

 ASH / Steve Madden

Copo De Nieve  / ASOS 

Peace, Love, and Spring Showers
Laura

Botanic Blouse

When I saw Alexandra Chando wear this gorgeous floral print blouse on the Lying Game a few weeks back, I knew I had to have it. Garden Festival Season is coming up, and how cute would this look with a pair of jean shorts and green wellies? 

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I was even more excited when I found out that the blouse is from Zara (as I am saving up for a very special coat, and don't want to "waste" money on trendy items I'll wear once or twice), but the excitement disappeared as soon as I realized that it is from last season, and sold out... 

But that should make the chances of it being on ebay higher right? Well sort of. It was on ebay, but other Lying Game fans were after it too, and the price was far beyond anything justifiable...

So I moved on until I stumbled across this: 

AHAI SHOPPING

Ahai Shopping is a Korean online store that sells ...let's call it designer inspired pieces. I actually went on the site because a friend recommended it for Betsey Johnson-esque costume jewelry, and while I didn't buy any jewelry I finally got my blouse for $9.99:

Floral Shirt

The only downside is that the worldwide free shipping is on the slower side. I've shopped on similar Asian sites before, and when they say 15 to 30 days you should expect 29. I usually don't mind the wait, but since I want to wear this to an event in the very near future, I didn't want to take any chances, and decided to pay the $16 express shipping fee - which is still a steal compared to the ebay price.

So check out Ahai, you might just find something you've been looking for.

Peace, Love, and Spring Showers

Laura

Seen On: Crumpets and Cloche Hats

How great was the Pretty Liars season finale? So many new questions...  but I'm not here to discuss red coat theories with you, this is all about the Liar's wardrobe. After her little "vacation" Spencer and her impeccable fashion sense are back and better than ever. Although there is, of course, nothing wrong with spending a week in sweats (or a mental institution) every once in a while…

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Just out of Radley, and already serving tea and crumpets in an lovely Anthropologie cord dress. Oh Spence, how I've missed you...

Anthropologie

And then there was the hat: 

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I'm so glad to see her reunited with her hats, sadly this particular one seems to be impossible to track down. Anthro does, however, offer a good selection of cute (and spring appropriate) alternatives, like this amazing straw cloche:

Anthropologie

Or  the red cotton version:

Anthropologie

EDIT: Spencer's Cloche is from Anthro as well (just not available in the EU store)

Peace, Love, and Coffee Breaks
Laura

Simplify, simplify...

I saw this packing guide on Tumblr, and figured I should share it here. Because well 1) it's brilliant, 2) the example happens to fit my own style to a tee (except that I'd throw in a trench coat or two), and 3) it doesn't only apply to packing, but is also a great example of how to build a wardrobe:

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We should all tape this into our suitcases…

Peace, Love, and Coffee Breaks
Laura