Afterglow - 17 Sundays A/W 2014 Range

02:40 Lauren 0 Comments


Holy fucking shit.  

17 Sundays have just dropped their highly anticipated Autumn Winter range for 2014 and it is goddamn beautiful. I want it all. Seriously, GIVE ME EVERYTHING. 

Some of the range is up on their website already and I have just clicked the "buy right now, please send me everything yesterday" option on a few pieces already. I cannot wait for these little beauties to arrive and take them for a test drive. 

Here's my current purchase list: 


I pretty much want to have babies with this jacket, such is my love for it. I'm actually hoping that the temperature dips dramatically over the next few weeks just so I have an excuse to wear it somewhere (other than around my house with the air-con blasting). I'm basically a magpie so give me something with a bit of shine and sparkle and I am so there.  











In the words of Rachel Zoe, when it comes to these pants "I die." 

For anyone whose read this blog recently, you'll know I'm a covert of the whole "sports luxe" trend going on right now and these pants don't so much as fill the brief as they actually are the brief. They are everything and then some. I spent way too long thinking I couldn't wear slouchy pants because they made my legs look bigger. I bought a pair of 17's slouch pants last year and I've been a changed woman ever since.
 Give me a bold print and a full skirt and I'm a happy camper. I love the blue and orange print and I especially love the pleated fullness of the skirt. I plan on wearing this beauty to work with a crisp fitted white tee, a top-knot bun and some tan heels while I soak up the last of those summer rays. Come Autumn and you'll find me rockin' this skirt with some sweet ankle boots and a killer tailored blazer. 
Usually I'm not a fan of the 'brand t-shirt' but there's something about this offering from 17 Sundays that has me feelin' a little somethin'-somethin' for it. 
It comes in white with black print but I'm far too spill-happy to spend $60 on a shirt that's inevitably going to end up with a huge coffee stain on it after the first time I wear it. I love the gold foil print on the black shirt and I especially love it with the leather leggings. I plan on wearing mine pretty much everywhere and with everything. Expect to be bombarded with pictures very, very soon. 







Keep your eye out over the next week or so for full outfit posts. I don't know about you but I'm excited.

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Accessories, Accessories - Part I

02:10 Lauren 0 Comments



 Is there such thing as too much/too many accessories? Sweet baby Jesus, I hope not. This girl owns around 478 belts and double that in earrings. Don't even get me started on handbags.

The beautiful thing about accessories? For the most part, they don't come in sizes. I wear the same size earrings as Miranda Kerr. Winning!

I'm a huge believer in accessories making (or breaking) the outfit. Srsly. Accessories are awesome. They can instantly brighten up a dull outfit or transform your look from boring to bloody-brilliant. 


Samantha Wills Bohemian Bardot ring 

 My faaaaaave go-to brand when it comes to jewellery is undoubtedly Samantha Wills. I discovered the SW range about 18 months ago and ever since I've been slightly obssessed (to put it mildly). The range is un-ashamedly bohemian with a luxe twist. Think gorgeous turquoise stones set in burnished gunmetal with crystal accents and huge bunches of wooden bracelets. In other words, their range is to die-for. 





If you're looking for something just as glam with a lower pricetag, your options these days are endless. Sportsgirl, Lovisa, Diva, Equip, Forever New, Asos Curve and even K-Mart are filled with fashion-forward and affordable beauties just busting to be added to your collection. 


Here's my picks for the very best in affordable/luxe accessories available right now: 

 Watches 
Asos Curve have this seriously swoon-worthy watch available right now.  

 Why you want it? 

 Every wardrobe needs a versatile watch. I mean, imagine being able to find out the time WITHOUT CHECKING YOUR PHONE. Magic! 

 This beauty has a timeless (hah!) vintage feel that's so efortlessly chic it's always going to be in style. Did I mention that this baby can be yours for under $40? Run, don't walk. 





Marc Jacobs is a man after my own heart. Time and time again he puts out products destined to have me living in poverty for the foreseeable future. This Marc by Marc Jacobs watch is at the top of my current MJ hit-list.

 Why you want it? 

 DID YOU SEE THAT PHOTO?! It's a thing of beauty! 

 David Jones stock this little baby which will set you back a cool $229 (totally worth it). 


Rings 
Asos have so many good rings available right now. I'm currently crushing on this vintage and pearl set. 

 Why you want it?

 For under $25 bucks you can walk away with 7 rings - that's one for each day of the week! 

 The rings can be worn individually or throw a few on to give your hand some major bling action. They're delicate enough to wear every day or you can save them for a special occasion. Good value, great fashion. 




I'm a sucker for anything Samantha Wills. I am a little bit in love with this statement cocktail ring. 

 Why you want it? 

 Aside from the fact it's pretty and shiny and sparkles, it's actually a great investment. Rings like this one add such high impact to any outfit and with an adjustable band, anybody can indulge. The ring retails for $110 but you are guaranteed to feel a million bucks when you slip it on your finger and head out. 


Belts 
 This belt from Asos Curve is the perfect solution to almost any outfit crisis (OK, maybe not, but it's still pretty cute). 
Why you want it?
Add it to a slouchy dress to define your waist or thread it through a skater skirt for a more glam look. For $9.90, it's too good a bargain to resist. 




 This super luxe, super chunky belt from City Chic is just dying to be taken out on the town. For $29.99 this stretchy belt can be yours to wine and dine with. 

 Why you want it?

 Every wardrobe needs a dramatic statement belt and this one is pretty darn on-trend. Wear it with an oversized T-Shirt dress and metallic heels to really turn heads. 





Headbands 




This turquoise button headband from Sportsgirl is tres chic. 

 Why you need it?
Everybody has bad hair days, or if you're like me, lazy hair days. Wear this lovely creation to make it look like you actually attempted to tame your mane. For only $12.95 it's a steal. Team it with a simple tee and some jeans and you'll be the queen of simple chic. 


This Summerblossom Flower Crown is TO DIE FOR. I'm a huge believer in the power of the Flower Crown and Summerblossom's handmade creations should be making their way into your collection. 

 Why you want it?
Be brave! I know a lot of people shun the idea of flower crowns out of fear. Nobody wants to look like a hippie-toting-festival-going-try-hard. Nobody. But gosh darn, flower crowns are fun y'all. Get on board! Give it a try and I guarantee you won't look back. 


Earrings 
These Sportsgirl cuties are as cute as buttons. 

 Why you want it?

 These studs are the perfect way to add a pop of colour to an outfit without over-doing it. The best part? They're only $5.95. Buy them in every colour. 
Be still my beating heart. These Samantha Wills earrings are the perfect example of laid-back glam. 

 Why you want it?

 These earrings scream "effortlessly chic". Dress them up with a gorgeous party frock or dress them down with skinny jeans and a tank top and gold sandals. For $99.95, you'll find plenty of ways to incorporate these beauties into your wardrobe.




Sunglasses
Say what you like about Sportsgirl, but in my humble opinion, nobody does affordable, on-trend sunglasses quite as well as they do. 

 Why you want it?
If you're anything like me, you've broken around 5932 pairs of sunglasses in your lifetime. This pair can be yours for $34.99, they're awesomely oversized to shield your face from those days when you just can't be arsed to do your makeup AND they have UV protection to protect your peepers from the sun. 


These Mimco cat-eye glasses are just too damn gorgeous for my liking. 

 Why you want it?

 50's glasses are making a mother of a comeback and this pair is truly one of the best out there. The cat-eye effect is subtle and oh-so-glamorous. Wear them and wow. 








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#TBT Gaga Oh Lala

22:51 Lauren 0 Comments

Throwback Thursday - GagaVision Style. My first time wearing the Origami Dress 


One of the very, very best exeriences of my life was winning tickets to go and see Lady Gaga at an exclusive concert at Sydney Town Hall (aptly renamed Sydney Monster Hall for the event). 

 My bestie and I are massive Gaga fans. I became a fan kind of accidently. I had her album for a long time before I'd actually listened to it. My sister took a liking to "Love Game" and wanted to go see her in concert. At the time, Gaga was supporting The Pussycat Dolls tour of Australia. Neither of us were particuarly fond of The PCD so we hesitated to buy tickets. As fate would have it, they announced on the day of the concert that tickets were buy one get free. We pounced and ended up going along, somewhat aprehensively and completely unsure of what to expect. Oh. My. Gaga. It was beyond my wildest expectations. From the opening number, I was hooked. I saw her first solo tour of Australia twice. I gobbled up her albums. I listened to all of her interviews. I loved her. 

 When they announced the premise for the Gaga Monster Hall concert, my initial reaction was "I'll never win tickets" because seriously, every Monster and her little sister were desperate to win. After discussions with my BFF, we teemed up and decided to kick the competition in the balls. Mediocracy was not acceptable. We spent a small fortune on wigs, costumes and props and spent our weekends dressing up and scouting locations for potential shots. We posed out the front of cathedrals. We went to an old goal (now a major tourist attraction) dressed in coats with Gaga costumes underneath and bags full of props to sneak photos in dipilated gaol cells. We went hard. 

Entry # 567
After two weeks, we still hadn't received that fated call. We had one last hurrah, a big weekend full of ambitious photos and designs but it was with empty-hearts. We were despondant, to put it midly. I returned to work on Monday morning feeling resigned to the fact that we just wouldn't be going along. It was still early morning when my phone rang with an unfamiliar Melbourne number. I answered aphrensively - half-hoping, half-too-scared-to-hope. 

 "Hi, this is Take 40. Have I reached Lauren?" 

 "Oh my god." (insert 10 minutes of squealing here) 

 As soon as we knew we were going along, we immidiately swept into action. We knew our costumes had to be bigger and better. We wanted to take things to the next level. We immidiately decided to recreate Gaga's Origami dress.  The only hitch in our plan was that neither of us knew how to sew.  We eventually tracked down a wonderful Japanese seamstress named Kyoko who didn't immidiately hang up or freak out at the prospect of recreating a Gaga costume on a budget. She was flippin' delightful. The only catch was that she didn't have time to make the dresses AND the origami diamonds, so we were charged with making the diamonds ourselves. Cue 2 weeks of sleepless nights, cardboard, glitter, superglue and scissor cuts. It felt like the origami diamonds WOULD NEVER END.  Eventually though, we'd made our designated 100 diamonds and our seamstress was charged  with hot-gluing them to our dresses. What could possibly go wrong? Only everything! Luckily, nothing did and we ended up with the costume of our dreams.  

 We went to Sydney the night before the big day. We checked into our apartment, hung up our dresses and promptly went to the bar across the road to drink cocktails and celebrate. We'd made it, motherfuckers! The day of Gaga dawned bright and early (well, as bright and early as you can get in freezing July weather). We walked up the road to The Hilton Hotel, got our magical tickets, got our coffee and reported back at 11am for a security briefing (I'm not even kidding, it actually happened). In line at the security briefing, we made friends with two INCREDIBLE people - a gorgeous couple named Mitch and Brett. Naturally, I decided we should be Best Friends from this point on. 

 After the security briefing, we headed off to Napoleon Perdis to get our makeup done. At this point I was so nervously excited I could barely sit still. We had our makeup done and I could see everything start to come together. After a quick last minute shop in Pitt Street Mall with an old friend, we headed back to the apartment to get our Monster buts ready for Mother Monster. 

 When I put the costume and the wig on, I felt equal parts ridiculous and incredible. I was almost unrecognisable but at the same time, I'd never felt more like myself. 
Gaga Oh Lola


 We decided to get a taxi to the Town Hall instead of walking (even though it was probably less than 900m) because heels combined with Gaga dresses just ain't made for trekking around a cold and windy Sydney. Getting into the taxi without fucking up 100 origami diamonds was a mission. Getting out of the taxi without fucking up 100 origami diamonds was a nightmare. But we did it. 

 As soon as we crossed the road to line up for the Monster Hall, two things happened. Firstly, my new Best Friend's Mitch and Brett arrived and told us we looked "fucking amazeballs, girls". Secondly, I got my first (and only) taste of what it's like to be truly famous. Someone yelled out "Oh my God, look at those girls" and (what felt like) 5000 cameras and flash-bulbs started going off. Everyone wanted to talk to us. We did interviews with Channel V, Channel 9, The Fix, Take 40, Austereo, Sydney Morning Herald, Ninemsn just to name a few. We recorded a special video message for Lady Gaga (in which I, drunk on my new-found fame, called Gaga 'babe'. Multiple times.) It was intoxicatingly wonderful. The hardwork, the super-glued fingers, the sleepless nights were all worth it. 

 The concert was amazing. Seriously, amazing. I cried. Multiple times. 

 Afterwards, we left and decided to hit Oxford Street with Brett and Mitch. Many, many cocktails were consumed. We were mini-superstars all over again with everyone in the bar wanting to get photos with us. We danced until 3am when we took our tired and tipsy selves back to the apartment (via the 24 hour convinience store to get 2 minute noodles and Powerade). After not-enough sleep, we were up and heading home to a life slightly less-glamarous than the previous 24 hours had held but with 2 new friends and enough memories to last a lifetime. 


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Confession: Hello Darkness, my old friend

04:46 Lauren 0 Comments

In so many ways, this feels like a 'coming out' post. No - I'm not gay. But I'm coming out as plus-size. Stupid, I know, but for the longest time I was in denial. I knew what size I was, but I couldn't say the words out loud. I never mentioned the dreaded 'p' word to my friends. To anyone.

 I was ashamed.

 Of my size. Of my body. Of my clothes.  

 I was different. 

 It wasn't too long ago that I would never even dream of sharing photos of my body, clothes and wardrobe with the world. I wanted to, but I was shy. Too scared to take the risk and too damn proud to admit that I couldn't shop at Witchery or Shieke like (what felt like) everybody else. 

 I can't pin-point the exact moment that it changed and I no longer cared about being plus size and truthfully, I doubt there was one. It happened slowly, gradually, I didn't even realise it had happened. I think it came from getting older but maybe it just came from being tired of pretending to be something I'm not. Something I may never be.  

 I've always been overweight. In high school I hung out with the so-called popular kids. I was the chubby-but-funny girl. I hovered between a size 12 -16 throughout school. I could still fit into the same clothes as my friends, although they looked slightly different on my rounder body than on their frames, but I could camouflage a little better. I was happy at school. Insecure, but comfortable. Popular, even - I was voted School Prefect in Year 12. 

 It was after school that things changed. I deferred Uni for a gap-year working at a local newspaper. I went from spending the day trekking around the school yard to sitting at a desk for 9 hours straight. I went from not eating lunch (I never ate at school) to long lunches at the local pub or cafe. The shock of being out of my normal, comfortable, safe school environment combined with the weight gain sent me into a horrible depression. There were other factors and incidents of course, but the depression was all-consuming. I was suddenly more aware of my weight than ever before. I didn't fit into my old clothes. I didn't know where to buy new ones. I didn't want to. I had gained weight but I had lost so much of myself and self-worth. 

 Hindsight is a funny thing. I look back and I can remember the depression so clearly but I can't remember when it started to lift. I know that the darkness felt like it would never go away, and in so many ways it's never really left me. The darkness has become a part of me, an old friend that occasionally comes over unexpectedly for a cup of tea and a chat. I don't know if I'll ever be able to completely cut-ties with her, but I do know now how to get her to leave. Spend a lot of time with friends. A lot of time alone. And sometimes, just a whole lot of wine. 

 When I clawed my way out of the darkness for the first time all those years ago and started to see the world again, she looked different, a little brighter and a little bit sadder than before. Bits of the old me did come back but somehow I've morphed into a different person yet again. Lola. Lola is the best and the worst of me. She can be the life of the party or the ghost in the corner. She can be a confident chatterbox or an anxious looker-on - sometimes both at the same time. She drives me crazy. She can be such a bad girl. 

 I love her, this new-version of me. 



















Lola + Co (clockwise L-R): Half-Cup, Big, Lola, Mayo and C-Bear at Bone's Wedding. 


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Terrible Tuesdays

01:50 Lauren 0 Comments

This is my Tuesday face. Freckles, wrinkles and all. 

Tuesday's are such a blah day, right? I mean, I've never met a Monday I actually liked and Wednesday is 'hump day' and Thursday is just a hop, skip and a jump away from Friday. Tuesday's are kind of like that cousin you sorta-didn't-really-like but your parents made you play with them anyway. 

When I come home on a Tuesday, I want peace, I want quiet and I want a book. A cup of tea wouldn't go astray either but we can't all have everything. It's to my eternal annoyance that I have a standing dinner-date each and every Tuesday night. People want to spend time with me - say what now?! 

Anyway, I thought I would share with you my outfit from this evening. I rushed home from work and put together the quickest, most comfortable outfit I could possibly find.

Et Vola - Terrible Tuesday Outfit ala Lola 

The skirt is a $20 bargain from Target and the top is actually a Peter Alexander PJ top that's so damn comfortable I often wear it out. The shrug is an old Paper Heart one that I purchased a bazillion years ago and still wear to death. It's actually a size 10 but it's so oversized it fits me perfectly. I added some Samantha Wills boho earrings to brighten the whole thing up - a pop of silver and turquoise makes the outfit a little bit less monochrome. 

Until next time, lovers. 

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Lola Lust-Haves - Sports Luxe

21:27 Lauren 0 Comments



 I've been watching the trend of 'sports luxe' grow and evolve and I must say that I'm currently loving the absolute shit out of it. It seems like everywhere I go, someone is rocking a fierce SL combo and I come down with a severe case of outfit-envy. Think cute sports-insipired tee-dresses, leather running shorts, bomber jackets, leather baseball caps and luxe sneaker-wedges (ala Jeremy Scott)  Swooooooon. 

 There's quite a few options out there for plus-size girls at the moment so I thought I'd share with you a few of my faves (aka my lust-haves) 
I heart this dress from Asos Curve. It's perfectly simple but when paired with the right accessories (leather baseball cap & sneaker wedges, anyone? ) it has the potential to make a super cute sports luxe outfit. 













This hoddie is adorable x 1,000. The sheer sleeves = swooooon. Pair with a cute pair of leather shorts or leggings, high-top sneakers and hoop earrings and you have yourself some sporty-luxe goodness right there. 








 I love the shit out of this dress. That is all. 
Another Asos Curve goodie. Seriously, Asos has so many goodies right now I can't even deal with logging on to their store. I like this dress for a slightly more glam night-time sporty feel. The different coloured sleeves give it a baseball/jersey edge but the snug fit of the dress makes me want to take it out and dance alllll night long. I'd pull my hair back into a sleek high pony-tail, swish some bronzer on my cheeks, grab my super-cute leather back-pack and take this little beauty out on the town. 





 This 17 Sundays embelished sweat top is to. die. for. The studs give it a nice edge and is perfect to give your wardrobe a little sports luxe addition. I quite like how it's styled in this photo but it would work with a tighter bandage skirt or some leather leggings as well. Love the hoop earrings too. 
 This 17 Sundays basic body-con dress is a wardrobe must-have. Perfect for those Sunday morning brunches and lunches, this little number just needs a few teeny tiny accessories that we all have lying around to give it a sports luxe vibe. Find your cutest (and whitest, if possible) sneakers, your old hoop earrings, a cute sports watch and a high-pony and your good to go. If you're feeling adventurous, add this cap from Sportsgirl and you'll be lookin' mightly fine. Please send me photos so I can gawk at your sweet style whilst trying not to have that aforementioned outfit-envny.

 This 17 Sundays bomber jacket really puts the "bomb" into bomber. And it's on sale. Run, don't walk to their website. Now. What are you waiting for? Seriously. Go.
















I could go on (and on and on) about all the options out there right now but instead I'm going to encourage you to explore for yourself. Forever 21 + have some fantastic skater skirts, leggings, bodysuits and tee's which are on trend AND adorable. Asos Curve also have about 4739 other options and Sportsgirl is pratically overflowing with THE perfect accessories so check them out if you're feeling like dipping your toes in the sports-luxe trend. Come on in, the water is fine! 

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Monday Madness - Featuring Estelle + City Chic

22:56 Lauren 1 Comments

Mondays suck. There, I said it. As far as days go, Mondays are undoubtedly the actual worst. I work for a newspaper and Mondays are also our big deadline day (aka the busiest day of the week) so it's a double whammy of crapiness when my alarm goes off every Monday morning. 

 My Monday morning outfits are usually a little punchier that the rest of the week - they have a little bit more colour, a little bit more somethin'-somethin' to help me kick Monday in the teeth. Today's outfit was no different. I recently picked up a lovely little bargain from Myer with this gorgeous Estelle dress.  I adore the bright colours and the cut. It was on sale (yay!) but they were out of my size (boo). I liked it so much that I ended up getting the size bigger and I wear a belt with it (coincidently, from a different Estelle dress) to nip it in so it doesn't just hang awkwardly. I love that the sharpness of the leather and the studs on the belt contrasts so perfectly with the floral femininity of the dress and gives it a nice (albeit slight) edge. 

 Given that I AM (sadly) off to work, I paired it with this cute City Chic draped blazer. The sleeves are sheer making it perfect for Summer heat while still protecting me from the overpowered office air-conditioner. The blazer helps to give it more of a work/corporate look while still maintaining the bright/fun-ness of the dress. 

 Because the dress is quite bright and the print quite stark, I kept my accessories to a bare minimum - just a gold bangle and a black & gold ring (both from City Chic) and a swish of red lipstick (Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic in Marlene) and I was out the door ready to brave another stinkin' Monday. 


Hope your day was better than mine, lovers! 



1 comments:

Sunday Funday with 17 Sundays

01:30 Lauren 0 Comments

Dress: 17 Sundays  via The Iconic. Bag and Sunglasses: Sportsgirl. Ring: Samantha Wills. Shoes: The Iconic

Let me preface this post by saying that I am a HUGE fan of 17 Sundays. I discovered their brand just before a quick jaunt to Bali and I purchased quite a bit of stuff from them before my travels (more on that later) and ever since then I've been pretty darn impressed with their clothes. 

I'd had my eye on this Knitted Jacquard dress for quite awhile before I finally purchased it through The Iconic store just after Christmas. The material is a touch too heavy for my liking in the extreme Summer heat we've had lately but I can see it being the perfect trans-season dress and I'm itching for a chance to wear it. When I do, you'll be be the first to see. 



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