Hump Day Homework

Welcome to your first Hump Day Homework assignment!  But don't worry it's not that kind of homework. From now on I will brighten your Wednesdays with something to read, watch, and listen to, to make the time until Friday pass a little faster.

Read:  "Rules of Civility" Amor Towles

I mentioned this  book before, but after finishing it today I just felt the need to stress it's fabulousness again. The narrative is as bubbly as the champagne that flows through the chapters, and the heroines comments as refreshingly dry as the Martinis she loves. But what made me fall in love with it are the literature, art and Hollywood references that are sprinkled through the story - If you want to have a good time, fall in love, and feed your intellect, then Rules of Civility is what you need. 

Watch:  Dirty Girl

After watching the trailer for this I expected it to be your average silly teen comedy - let's just say I was in for a pleasant surprise.  The film isn't perfect, but it's a gem in it's own way. There's something very real and heartfelt about it - and Juno Temple is a joy to watch. 

Listen To:  "Blunderbuss"  Jack White 

 

I've waited months for this, and it's exactly what I expected plus so much more. There's not one song on this album that I don't love.  This is going to be a favorite for a really long time. 

Peace, Love, and Sunshine

Laura

Florals For Spring? Groundbreaking

Isn't it?  But this year the flowers seem to be brighter and bigger than ever.  One of you asked me about a Peter Som dress  that Leighton Meester rocked on Gossip Girl. 

As gorgeous as the dress is, the pricetag isn't so nice to look at, so here are a couple of cute and afforadable alternatives: 

1) Oasis 2) H&M 3) Ted Baker 4) H&M 5) Asos

I just snatched number 2 and 5 for myself, as I have  5 days of Garden Life coming up next month, and I need something besides jean shorts to wear with my wellies.  

Peace, Love and Sunshine 

Laura

Seen On: Water Drops and Bumblebees

I admit, I haven't really cared for GLEE in a very long time. But every once in a while they still do hit the right note, even if it's just in the fashion department.  And last night's episode featured Quinn (Dianna Agron) in not only one, but two amazing Anthropologie jackets.  

The Twill Honeybee Blazer and the Rain Dotted Anorak 

While I adore the honeybee blazer, I feel that at almost a 180 euros it is a little too pricey for such a whimsical piece (and there's that bee allergy - don't wanna wear something that could possibly attract those little beasts), but I had my eyes on the anorak for a while now, and after seeing it in action I'm even more intrigued.

Peace, Love, and Sunshine

Laura

Easter Things

Yesterday was spent with some Easter shopping, and of course I took some pics to share with you:  

I found the bunny ring last week on Asos, and  because the color reminded me of Tiffany's, and the style of Betsey Johnson I couldn't resist. The little étagère is from a local boutique, and the vintage Steiff bunny a flewmarket find.  

On a nonrelated note I felt the need to mention how utterly amazing Tyler Hilton's new Album Forget Storm is. I'd go as far as saying that it is his best work yet (which says a lot considering how much I loved Ladies and Gentlemen). So do yourself a favor and check it out.

Forget The Storm on iTunes

Peace, Love, and Sunshine

Laura

April Answers

So instead of writing an April faves post (which would be pretty much identical with the March post), I'm gonna answer a little style quiz...this should be fun:

1. What is your favorite accessory?

Well there's 2: I'm very crazy about scarves. I love the way a scarf can completely transform a boring outfit into something special, and then there are watches. I don't like overly "blinged out" items, but nothing beats a great chronograph.

2.What do you always carry with you?

iPod, I'm perfectly fine without my phone, but can't be without music.

3.What would you describe your fashion style as?

Well if Nancy Drew had a three-way with a soldier and a homeless person in a barn... Let's be serious for a second, I guess one could say it's preppy with an edge, but I do love my old military jackets, ripped shirts and worn out cowboy boots just as much as my navy cable knit sweaters.

4.Favorite: jeans, sunglasses, heels?

Ralph Lauren Ginger Boyfriend Jeans, Ray Ban small aviators, vintage sandals that I got for 50 cents at a flewmarket.

5.What is your favorite fashion store/shop?

Asos.com, hands down - H&M, thrift stores and higher end department stores for "real world" shopping.

6.What is your favorite fabric in clothing?

I could say leather, I could say cashmere, but let's be honest it's whatever cotton blend the free people thermals are made of.

7. Who is your favorite designer?

Christopher Bailey (Burberry)

8. Who/what inspires your fashion?

TV, see this post.

That's it for now, feel free to answer the 8 questions in the comment section - I'm curious ;)

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura (select comment as: Name/URL - and double check to make sure your comment shows up - sometimes you have to try twice!)

An Open Letter to Hollywood (and the Easter Bunny)

Here's the deal: I love Easter! Bunnies, candy, pastel dresses, and no shopping stress – the perfect holiday, right? Wrong! For me a holiday isn't complete without the corresponding movie marathon, which seems to be the one department in which the holiday shows serious deficits.

Of course there's always Charlie Brown and Easter Parade – but that only makes two, and if you're not into cartoons or musicals you might have a problem.

Sure we have Hop, which is definitely a step into the right direction. But it did not come out until last year and is for kids (which doesn't stop me from watching, anything that involves James Marsden delivering candy is a win...actually scratch the candy part, James Marsden alone is totally enough).  

But what about those long Easter weekends before E.B. hopped into our home theaters? Two years ago I actually resorted to watching House Bunny (I was desperate!), it turned out to be an okay movie but I guess it's needless to say that I was a little disappointed about the lack of Easter eggs...

Then there's that one time when I was 14, and decided that Donnie Darko (What? There's a rabbit on the DVD!) would be appropriate holiday entertainment. Well it's not. Don't get me wrong, it is an interesting, quirky film that would be right up my ally now ...but it was too much for my 14 year old self.

Another childhood Easter memory involves Critters 2. Actually I'm not sure if I even watched this on Easter, but I do remember furry hairballs from outer space killing the easter bunny, which seems like a fantastic movie premise ...when you're 12, and scared of furry hairballs from outer space...

I'm not asking for a major blockbuster, that involves Nick Cage hunting down the last Easter egg, Shia LaBeouf saving the world from an evil bunny robot attack, or Reese Witherspoon being stuck in a love triangle with the Easter Bunny and a hot british hare (...wait, I'd actually love to see that one). All that I'm asking for are some fun, little, made for TV Easter movies. So, someone please call ABC Family and tell them to get on that, because with felt 16 Christmas movies a year, you'd think there'd be some room for Easter...  

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura  (select comment as: Name/URL - and double check to make sure your comment shows up - sometimes you have to try twice!)

Happy Birthday!

Today is not only the Birthday of the amazing Elin (See what I did there? Magician name because you share your birthday with the great Houdini),  it is also the Birthday of this blog. That's right! I've been doing this for a whole year, so lets break out the party shoes and celebrate! 

 ...and talking of party shoes I recently splurged on a very nice pair of black patent oxfords. They are impractical, the opposite of robust, and not that easy to pull off - but the sheer fabulousness is worth it. 

My favorite ways to wear them are actually on the casual side. These shoes add instant glamour to a simple sweater dress or boyfriend jeans. For a dressier look they look best paired with a sparkly dress.  Keep it on the shorter side to balance out the fact that they are technically men's shoes (the flatter the shoe, the shorter the dress is always a good rule of thumb).

Product List

And now it's cupcake time, Birthdays and all...

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura  (select comment as: Name/URL - and double check to make sure your comment shows up - sometimes you have to try twice!)

Eeeep!

...yep the title of this post is indeed "eeep".

Because I'm already halfway out the door on my way to the mall I'm gonna keep this short. I just got my Neuro-Linguistics paper back and *drumroll*... A+, 1,0, VG! 

Here are some macaroons and awesome music to share my joy:

Peace, Love, and Sunshine 

Laura