Neighborhood Snapshots

Just a few snapshots from my neighborhood. Proof that simply walking around your daily surroundings can still inspire you to see the beauty in everything.

-Lauren

Leah Reena Goren Does It Again

All photos courtesy of Leah Reena Goren
Leah Goren has done it again with her incredible hand designed patterns. Leah creates and designs all of the patterns featured on her garments herself and all of her clothes are hand-sewn, which makes them even more special. I am fortunate enough to have a custom made Leah Goren "cat dress" and I must say that it is one of my favorite items in my closet. I absolutely love knowing that the dress was custom made for me because it evokes such a loving feeling knowing that a real person made this amazing dress for me and put a lot of love into it. I must say that the attention to detail that Leah spends on each garment is incredible. I seriously don't know how she does it. Now that I've seen some of her new items I know I will have to start saving because I want all of them. Please check out Leah's Etsy store as well as her lovely blog and support this amazing girl!

-Lauren

Elle Fanning by Venetia Scott for Self Service Magazine

So, where do I even begin here? Few lookbooks ever leave me speechless, but honestly this one literally took my breath away the moment I saw it. I guess the first place to start is ELLE FREAKING FANNING! I have to be honest here, I've had a bit of a girl crush on here ever since the movie "Super 8". To me she embodies such an essence of class and sophistication, that its hard not to notice here in anything she does. My second reason for going crazy over these photos is how completely wearable all of the clothes are. I hate when lookbooks are gorgeous, yet not practical for a day at the office. Each of these outfits conveys a sense of 70s, 80s, and 90s vintage that just works. My favorite would have to be the soft flower tunic. I mean, it does have roller skates!

-Lauren

Weekstagram // June 24

This past week, I was on vacation in Hawaii! 

• After twelve hours of traveling, I finally arrived in Maui, Hawaii
• A typical Hawaii rainbow (it is known as the "rainbow state")
• Getting ready to go surfing
• Catching some waves out by the resort
• Standing by the Banyan Tree. Pretty sure I have this same picture from when I was 8.
• Zipling over the Maui Plantation
• I found an anchor near the Whaler's Village so naturally I had to represent Delta Gamma! 
• Not wanting to leave the ocean.

Follow me on instagram @thelaurenrachel

Peace Out Okstupid

After 6 long years, I think it's time to say good-bye to okcupid. I remember the exact day I joined the website my sophmore year of college. I was at a sorority dance (yes, you heard correct) and overheard a group of girls talking about how they had all met their current boyfriends on a website called okcupid. Being the curious student that I was, I figured why the hell not? It's free. What have I got to lose?

Well, it wasn't as black and white as I had hoped. I'll spare everyone the gruesome details and just say that I met probably more weirdos than I ever thought existed in the state of Illinois, had MANY horrific dates, had a few quality relationships, and more importantly, made a few really amazing friendships of whom I can still count on today when I need a shoulder to cry on or just a great guy to hang out with.

In the end, I'm glad that I joined the site because it made me realize what I want in a guy. I'm tired of guys that don't treat me with the respect I deserve and simply think its fun to jump around from girl to girl. I want a guy that has his priorities in order and will treat me with the respect that I intend to give him.

Since graduating from college, my views on life have dramatically changed and I think that's part of just well, growing up. And while okcupid was "interesting" to say the least, I'm ready for someone more stable. So cheers to 6 interesting years, unfortunately I don't think I'm going to miss you!

-Lauren

In God We Trust S/S 2013

All photos courtesy of In God We Trust

So, it's FINALLY starting to get warm here in Chicago. After what was a particularly cold Spring I  think we've made it over the slump. At least I hope so. This ginger (yes you heard right, ginger) is craving bare legs and flowy dresses. All I want to do is prance around the city wearing one of these lovely outfits from In God We Trust. Sunglasses, midi skirts, and bare midriffs? Yes please! 

-Lauren

Samantha Pleet Autumn/Winter 2013 Preview

 
 
 
 

A few weeks ago, Samantha Pleet previewed her Autumn Winter 2013 collection. Ever since I've got eye of it, I've been pretty much obsessed with every piece. For those of you who don't know who Samantha Pleet is, she's a designer from Brooklyn who tends to use organic materials in her clothing whenever possible. So not only are her clothes amazing and beautiful, but they're good for the environment as well. I am pretty much dying over the black and orange shirt dress. It's too perfect! I am lucky enough to own two pieces from Pleet's previous collections and after viewing this preview I know I'll be adding many more pieces in the future. What do you guys think of the collection?

-Lauren

As if!

How amazing is Wildfox Couture's new lookbook? I normally don't like to brag about lookbooks, but this one is AMAZING. I love how they've completely captured the spirit of "Clueless" with a modern twist. For any nineties girl this movie brings back a whole lot of memories. And as much as you'd like to deny it, we all wore those white thigh-highs and wrote with those fluffy feather pens just so we could have one ounce of Cher Horwitz in us. Well done Wildfox or should I say "whatever".

-Lauren