Back to School/Fall Trends, Episode 1: DENIM

Today I looked at the calendar: July 31. WHAT? Where did summer go? In a few weeks (or even a few hours for some) schools will awaken from their summer hibernation and be once again full of life...or something like it. 


I know for me the start of school always meant one thing (excluding the new backpack and school supplies frenzy): a back to school shopping trip. The clothes bought on this groundbreaking shopping trip were to remain, untouched, in my closet until the highly anticipated first day of school arrived. 


Now (three years into college) back to school shopping is more like...fall preparation. A time to get my bearings on the season's trends and to see what I can add to the overflowing rack of clothes that keeps me company in my room. The next few posts are going to be about just that. No, not my overindulgent shopping or my socially awkward relationship with my closet, but the trends of the season to come. Today's topic: DENIM.

I realize this familiar fabric has had it's moments of misfortune in the past. I mean...what isn't red carpet ready about this?:

Yikes. Not cute.

Denim has come a long way since it's  initial appearance in the United States in the 1950s, though, and there are definitely a million ways to wear it. Of course, there are some donts, but there are some definite do's as well.

DO.

Invest in something denim that you can wear a million different ways. 

For example, a seventies inspired, midi length (aka mid calf) high waisted skirt can take down like three of this seasons top trends with just a little changing up in the styling. A trend within a trend, Lauren? Yes. Get ready to receive your acceptance into the fashionistas of America. 

DONT.

Invest in something denim that you can only wear one way.

I think i'm just going to continue to refer you to the picture above of the DENIM TUXEDO AND EVENING DRESS. You just don't REWEAR that.

DO.

Step outside of the box when it comes to the way you're wearing your denim. 

Take denim out on the town! It can be completely chic in an evening look, or even in different styles of tops, skirts, and all that in between, but there are clear exceptions to the potential of it's chic.. (you know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't even have to say it).

DONT.

Just wear denim in your jeans.

That's boring. And, if you do wear it in your jeans, find cool jeans! There are more styles out there than just bootcut, wideleg, and skinny. Explore your options. A good pair of denim harem pants can be a more exciting addition to your wardrobe than you know.

DO.

Take your denim further than just your clothes. Experiment with denim bags, shoes, belts, hair accessories, and jewelry. Wearing a dark denim pant can be super complemented with a denim shoe in a lighter wash. Which brings me to my last point..

DONT.

Be afraid to mix washes or colors! 

Yes, we've all seen that tragic pair of patchwork denim pants, or maybe even that friend of yours who wears the entire denim ensem...but the combination just doesn't look right. This isn't to say that every shade of denim will look good together, but to give the idea that certain shades of them will. The most effective way to make this happen is to beware of the undertones of your blues. Hold your pieces next to each other before sporting them out on the town (or even to the grocery). As with all colors, blues have cool tones and warm tones. Getting the right mix isn't as hard as you'd think. Just pay attention.

until next time,

Lo

Fashion Week at Your Fingertips

Fashion week...we've all heard about it. It happens in countries all over the world, at least 2 times a year, and gives fashion designers a chance to present their newest collections to the world (or at least to whoever is in the tent). There are weeks for spring/summer, fall/winter, couture, swim, holiday...and probably even more that I have failed to list. 


For the most part, unless you are looking for it, we (as a mass) remain pretty blind to what is shown on the runways of Milan, Paris, and Berlin. In fact, a lot of us don't even know what's shown in New York. The good news? These shows that are put on all over the world are completely accessible without the insane ticket prices, airfare, or even moving from that position you're sitting in right now. How? Youtube.


Channels all over the 'tube have completely dedicated themselves to showing clips of fashion shows or entire fashion shows that are put in a million different places. These shows are uploaded fairly soon after they are executed and, even better than watching in person, you can watch these shows however many times you want and whenever you want. Who says fashion week has to a be fashion-infatuate dream?


I'll be listing a few names of channels that I depend on for seeing shows, as well as some shows that were just put up (Berlin fashion week just took the stage as well as several swimwear shows). The internet literally puts more of the world at our finger tips EVERY day. Explore it.

(this one was actually from New York's latest fashion week in March)

MBFashionWeek

MercedesBenzTV

[CHIC.TV Fashion]

MBFWNewYork

until next time,

Lo

And then I felt like Rocky.

Lets start with a recap:

A couple of weeks ago I tried a program called hot yoga, AKA 90 minutes of bikram yoga in a room heated/kept at 105 degrees (this feels comparable to sitting in an oven in the desert). I really enjoyed the first session and was signed up for a beginners program that spanned 7 consecutive days. I had every intention of being committed to those seven days and seeing what kinds of results they produced...and then I got scheduled for like 4 double shifts during my 7 consecutive days. Needless to say, I wasn't able to attend most of the classes. I was able to go to one other session...and at that session, for the first time in my life, I thought I was going to faint. I blame this on the fact that there were more people in the room (more breath being exhaled, less open space, more body heat, etc) and that I hadn't had enough water that day (because God knows before you go you need to drink like a milk jug's worth of h20).

Hot yoga is a really great program. It completely relaxed me, put me in a good place mentally (and physically), and made my body feel fantastic...after class was over. Personally, I get the most out of workouts when I can enjoy them, at least somewhat, and therefore put my all into them. When I was at hot yoga I felt like it was more of a struggle than it was worth. I do plan on still practicing some of the postures, but as far as going back to another class...I think not.

Being in the experimental fitness phase that I'm in right now, I decided to try another new type of workout last night. This workout: kickboxing. 

Walking into the big studio room at the Y, I didn't know what to expect. My friend, Corrine, had invited me to go, and I'm always up for trying something out. I'll admit, I was a little intimidated being surrounded by punching bags, medicine balls, and hand weights, but I tried not to let it show. Class started out with doing laps around the room. First running, then squats, then high knees, and a few other variations...and then she (Claire, the instructor) released a bear- one lap around the track outside, 5 sets of stairs (running up and down them), and then circuit training started. Please note: by this point, I was wheezing. No one likes a wheezer, it's not cute, but I refused to give up.

The circuit training was made up of 3 parts: a stair stepping portion, a hand weights portion, and a punching bag portion. The stair stepping portion had things like mountain climbers, toe taps, squat jumps, etc. It was probably the hardest part of the circuit for me (crazy intense cardio). The hand weights were just different kinds of lifts (this was a little difficult too, as my arm strength is comparable to that of a small cat or a rag doll). My favorite part of the circuit was the punching bag. Jabs, roundhouse kicks, crescent kicks, fist slaps...talk about a way to deal with anger and frustration. I felt like a bad ass. And whenever I'd feel my endurance starting to wear a little thin, the playlist (going strong in the background) always seemed to switch to something that would pump me up again. By the end of the circuit training I was starting to see why Corrine goes to the class so often.

We did a series of other exercises using the bag (punching and kicks) and then ended class with some crunches and planking (sans photos). On the way out of the studio I was feeling great. Yeah, the workout was hard, but it was really great cardio and I felt like I had accomplished something. 

Zumba easily has the spot in my heart as my favorite workout, but I think kickboxing just pushed itself into the number 2 spot. I know I can't wait to go again, and I highly recommend trying it out if you haven't ever thought of it or have just been kind of nervous because you don't know what it's all about. It's definitely worth your time (and your abs will thank you in the morning).

until next time,

Lo

If I say Couture, you say..?

Couture. Not only does the average person not know how to say it, but most don't even know what it means. From a glance through the pages of fashion magazines, one might assume it's any sort of clothing put out by a designer. In fact, one might assume it's any sort of clothing put out by anyone at all. Though one of those assumptions is more right than the other (I'll let you guess which one) neither of them are correct.

First, lets start with how you SAY it. I've heard it all: kuh-ture, coo-tore, coo-tuur. But let me break it down for you. Say it with me: Cuh-two-or. Obviously when you say it for real you don't break it down into those seemingly over simplified syllables, but you get the gist (or you just butchered it worse than most).  

Now that we can say it, let me explain it a little more. Couture is a shortened version of the term, "Haute Couture." (Hint: Haute does not = hot, haute = hote). So what does THAT mean? Couture pieces are one of a kind pieces that are made of expensive fabrics and usually with the use of fine hand sewing (and lots of it).  The pieces are made with extreme attention to detail, and are sometimes more avant garde (or extravagant) than the typical ready to wear pieces (ready to wear = pieces that can be taken from the runway and worn on the street).  

Designers are only entitled to call themselves couture designers if they have been deemed so by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris (in Paris). These designers put out two couture collections a year (along with meeting a few other requirements) and also put out ready to wear collections as well. Couture designs do not have to be soley dresses, or completely overstated. Creative freedom is given to the designers.

Armani Prive', Couture,  Fall 2011

Chanel, Couture, Fall 2011

Dior, Couture, Fall 2011

Dior, Couture, Fall 2011

Giambattista Valli, Couture, Fall 2011

Jean Paul Gaultier, Couture, Fall 2011

Valention, Couture, Fall 2011

Bouchra Jarrar, Couture, Fall 2011

Givenchy, Couture, Fall 2011

Couture is truly fashion as art. If you would like to view more of these collections you can check them out here

Until next time,

Lo

That's Hot

A few weeks ago my friend Rachael invited me to go to hot yoga with her. Initial thought: Oh God. Is this going to be like flirty girl fitness? Wrong. So wrong.
Hot Yoga is a 26 posture yoga sequence developed by Bikram Choudhury, and is also called Bikram Yoga. According to the Bikram website:

"It has been proved and experienced by millions that these 26 postures systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function.  Each component takes care of something different in the body, and yet they all work together synergistically, contributing to the success of every other one, and extending its benefits."


The difference between a normal yoga class and hot yoga? Hot yoga is performed in a room that is kept 105 degrees (F) and 40 percent humidity. The classes are 90 minutes long and are taught by Bikram Yoga Instructors.


Some of the benefits of hot yoga are as follows:

• Works every organ, gland, nerve, tendon, ligament and muscle in the whole body every Bikram Yoga session
• Expands your capacity to breathe deeply and fully
• Prevents injury and may prevent or improve chronic illness
• Promotes better sleep, you may even need to sleep less
• Fabulous body toning effects
• Weight loss or gain depending on your body's needs
• Improvement in posture and body awareness
• Improve the healing and regenerative powers of your body
• Improvement in T-cell function and your immune system
• Lengthening and strengthening of muscles
• Increased flexibility
• Improvement in metabolism / digestion
• Gives the body a cardiovascular workout without negative impacting forces
• Nervous system is exercised
• Endocrine and exocrine glands are massaged and stimulated to better function
• Muscular and skeletal network are enhanced
• Weight bearing exercise will help prevent osteoporosis
• Improves heart and lung function
• Improves back conditions of pain and misalignment
• Improves flexibility of your spine in its range of motion in all directions allowing the improvement in function of your central nervous system. Better nervous system communication means a better functioning body and mind
• Helps cultivate a sense of well being and a more peaceful mind
• Integration of both sides of the brain to improve memory, learning, body coordination and balance

Today, after pumping myself up for a week, I was finally ready. Rachael and I walked into that studio and I was totally not intimidated...until I walked into the actual yoga room...my jaw dropped. IT WAS SO HOT. When the instructor was greeting the class she said to me, "And Lauren, since it's your first time, your biggest goal is just to stay in the room the whole time." Hello, confidence breaker.

Finally, after 90 minutes of learning about what sweat REALLY is, the lights went out and we were left to breathe and leave at our own pace. I felt tired, and sticky, and gross... but I also felt overwhelmingly great.

I signed up for a 7 day yoga class, and  I'll definitely be doing a follow up post after my seven days are up to let you know what it's done for me. I'm really looking forward to the results.


Until next time,
Lo

Patriotic Style

When I went to the park for the firework show last night it was impossible not to notice the variety of patriotic inspired outfits that people were sporting. Red, white, and blue was the obvious color scheme of choice (as it was Independence Day), and stars embellished everything from headscarves to socks. 

Americana style is easy to spot, but some definitely put more of a fashionable spin on it than others. I was cruising lookbook this morning and there were a whole lot of 4th of July outfits posted. Here were some of my favorites:

Until next time,

Lo