(End of) Summer Reading List

Although I was deprived of sunlight for the majority of the summer (thank you infohell), I only recently realized how closely I resemble the color of white paste, or snow, if you prefer. Normally my skin would be bronzed and glowing by the end of August but instead it looks as though I've been trapped indoors for months. The simple (but deadly) solution would be a trip to the tanning salon; however, I have decided to go cold turkey and say goodbye to indoor tanning once and for all. So instead I lathered on my SPF 30, skipped on over to the pool and caught up on my current summer read Love Walked In.

Summer is the best, and probably only, time all year I am able to read anything of pure enjoyment so I'm trying to take advantage of the remaining two weeks of freedom as much as possible. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in at least two more books before its back to Eugene and the chaos that is college. What's on the top of my list you ask? Well...

1. The Time Traveler's Wife--I refuse to see the movie before I have read the book.




2. Julie and Julia-- Again with the book-before-movie thing. It lasts longer, ok? Sidenote: I think its funny how Mastering the Art of French Cooking is now on the New York Times Bestseller List. Everyone wants to be just like Julia Child. I guess it wouldn't be too bad.




3. Choke--I don't know much about this book other than its about a man who has a sex addiction. Author from Fight Club. A friend recommended it. We'll see.




I was contemplating reading the Twilight series this summer but, once again, decided against it. For some reason I just can't get excited about books that have become a literal obsession for millions of people. It creeps me out a little bit. I might join the club once the hype dies down or at least simmers for awhile. Same with Harry Potter. I know, I know, I just can't do it.

Do you have any good book suggestions?

-L.

Back to Black

Okay so I know I shouldn't keep talking about the same few trends over and over again but how could I have forgotten about Express? I don't think I've stepped foot into an Express store since the 9th grade when I bought a pair of jeans, but after hunting online through their fall collection the other day I fell in love. amor. liebe. armastama (that means love in estonian, I looked it up). But seriously, they've nailed the edgy/classic look down to a science and their prices are extremely reasonable. For signature pieces... hello, baby.

Exhibit A-(Minus The) Leather Vest- $69.50


Let's play a game. Try and think of all the different ways you could possibly wear this vest. Over a lace dress with ankle boots, with skinny jeans and pumps, leggings and knee-high boots... I could keep going. This is number one on my list. Period.

and Exhibit B-The Boyfriend Jacket- $98

Dress it up, dress it down. Whenever you can use one piece to smoothly transition from business to casual to party, I'd say it's a must-have.

More favorites- The Mid-Thigh Pencil Skirt and Zelda Skinny Leg Bleach Dye Destroyed Jean

I don't think I will ever get over my black clothing phase. Classic, timeless, sophisticated, enough said.


-L.

Trend: Over-the-knee-boots

We've seen them on the lovable Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) in the Devil Wears Prada in 2006



... and spotted them on Upper East Side beauty Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) in Gossip Girl in 2007.



Now they're all over they runways and have been tagged the shoes of next season. So what do we think of these lovelies?





We're in for a year of classic lines and neutrals in 2010, so the over the knee and thigh high boots are the perfect way to make an otherwise classic ensemble turn heads. Simply fabulous.

-L.

I <3 Zara

The only thing worse than lusting over an item that you can't afford is being head-over-heels in l.o.v.e with an entire collection that is unreachable. Zara, my darling, why must you reside so far away?

The Fall/Winter 2009 Collection from Zara is a flawless combination of every one of my current style cravings. Edgy yet sophisticated, this collection is little black dress meets vampire (does that make sense?). Leather bombers, acid wash, shoulder pads, menswear with a feminine touch; I could swoon for days. If anyone finds a good deal on a plane ticket to San Francisco, let me know immediately. I just don't know how much longer I will last.









-L.

Top 5: Handbags

The handbag: a must-have for every girl's wardrobe.

I never used to be a handbag junkie; I figured there were more important items to shell out my savings on. That sure changed quickly though. There is just something so completely irresistible about the perfect slouch, the smell of real leather, the feeling of quality. I swear you could be in sweats and still look glamorous with the right handbag.

I daydream about bags on a regular basis so I thought I would share my current favorites.

Here are my top five:













1.) Christian Louboutin Studded Leather Tote- Saksfifthavenue.com
2.) Chanel Black Classic Quilted Handbag- Chanel.com
2.) Deena and Ozzy Split Tote- Urban Outfitters.com
4.) Andrew Marc Audrina- Piperlime.com
5.) Burberry Tonal Jacquard Check Hobo - Nordstrom.com

So I'll admit, the majority are a little out of my price range. A girl can dream though, can't she?

What are your favorites?

-L.

The end of the road...

There comes a time, after you have had a goal in sight for months and months, that you make it to the "home stretch"; the end of a long road that has gotten you to this point. Yes, there is still much to be done but there is no turning back now.

This can be true of a lot of things: losing weight, saving money for something special, or working towards a promotion. For me, this long road that I have been slowly trudging down (or so it has felt) for the past six weeks is leading me to the end of INFO HELL! Ok, it wasn't that bad. But I'm so excited to be done I can hardly concentrate on actually finishing the project. Hence why I have decided to spend my time finally adding an entry to the blog.

So, whatever your goal or dream, keep pushing through until the end. It feels better than you might think.

image here

-L.