and the oscar for best dressed goes to…

The best part about watching the Oscar’s is obviously the pre-awards show on the red carpet where hollywood’s elite is on display in the best and the worst of designer’s top offerings.  Haute couture doesn’t always translate to feminine elegance while looks that popped on the runway can fall flat up close and under the flash of a thousand photogs.   This year’s red carpet entertainment was no exception with a lot of  hits, misses and irritatingly ‘safe’ snooze-worthy gowns, but here are my picks for last night’s best-dressed in awe-inspiring couture. 

1. Halle Berry killed it and took my #1 vote in this glittery stunner by Marchesa

2. Jennifer Lawrence in this chic and sultry gown by CK

3. Reese Witherspoon in strapless perfection by Armani Prive

4. Mila Kunis in this flirty and feminine gown by Elie Saab

xo,

Lauren

Lovesit Nails: colors and trends from around the globe

I used to blame the state of my expired, chipping manicure on the lack of time or energy I didn’t have to keep up with them.  I rarely have time to get them done during the week and after work the last thing I’d want to do was spend the time removing the chipped polish, buffing, filing and repainting them myself.  But maybe my lack of enthusiasm for keeping my nails freshly polished each week wasn’t so much my lack of enthusiasm for the task itself, but due to the lack of polish options in my own collection.  Recently, I was so inspired by a friend who has gone on a full-blown nail polish splurge, I’ve come across colors, shades and finishes (creme, jelly, sheer, opaque) that make me want to paint my nails every chance I get just to be able to use these gorgeous colors as a daily accessory.  Here’s a compilation of my favorite new nail polish shades from companies around the globe- they’re all accessible through their online shops linked below.  (I love being a girl!)

London’s Barry M Nail Paint is avaiable here

Deborah Lippmann’s luxury line is available here

   

London’s Butter lacquers are available here

Zoya nail polish is available here

Just a little insider tip, to get your nails super smooth and polish ready- and the reason salon manicures always look and last longer is because of this little guy:

Happy Painting!
xo,

Lauren

Hairstyle of the Day: Gwyneth’s Wavy Layers

I love the not-so polished, gentle wavy look of Gwyneth Paltrow’s hair from the Grammys.  It’s so shiny, healthy and fun, I think this style would look great on almost any length as long as you’ve got a few layers to work with.

Here’s how to replicate this quick and easy look:

Starting with clean, damp hair, dose strands with an oil treatment before rough-drying it for texture and shine. Wrap random sections around a one-inch curling iron, taking care to only clip the center of the strands, leaving the roots and ends free – to create that uneven wave pattern. To finish, run fingers through the waves to loosen up too-tight spirals.

Some product and tool suggestions for this hair style:

xo,

Lauren

Fashion Week: Street Style Inspiration

I’m always so inspired and awe-struck watching the videos and reading the reviews from fashion week.  There is so much creativity and passion in one place at the same time, it’s hard not to get swept up in it all.  This year, I was really taken with not only what I was seeing under the tents on the runways, but on the street’s by fellow fashion addicts.  Though there were some similarities in late winter/ spring trends (long skirts, lace-up booties, fur, army green jackets, bold accessories, layers and belting of everything and anything.)  I noticed most women were able to personalize their fashion week look’s by pairing one trendy item with several things totally unique to them.  I love when women take the time to carefully pick out an outfit down to the last accessory because it really gives you sense of who these women are, what they’re feeling and how they want to be seen by the world.  In these situations, fashion becomes an art form since its so expressive, organic and personal

photo courtesy of Vogue.com

Here are some of my favorite versions of the It-List trends for late winter and spring- but remember nothing makes these items more stylish than combining them with pieces unique to you.

           

   

   

    

xo,

Lauren

my Valentine’s Day fashion lust list in shades of pink

  Here’s a little list of items I’m loving right now, inspired by Valentines day in my favorite shades of pink: rose, blush & bisque.  Happy Valentines day, loves!

xo,

Lauren

 

 

        

        

lovesit hair: messy updo for day & night

If only I had known what an easier time I’d have with long hair I wouldn’t have been so keen on maintaining my ‘Lob’ a la Gwyneth all those years.  Though my hair is fine, I have a lot of it and it’s pretty straight but I’d have to straighten it in the morning when it was shorter (shoulder-length) to smooth it out.  Now that it’s long, my morning hair routine takes all of 3 minutes- I wash it at night or in the afternoon at the gym.  To give it a bit of a wave, I’ll usually go to bed with a braid and just brush it out when I wake up so its wavy and a bit messy.  If the roots need a lift, I’ll use a little dry shampoo and then I always slather Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum (previously mentioned here) to make the ends really shiny.  And I’m done. 

What I love about this messy up-do worn by Kim Kardashian, is that its pretty much the same style I go for but it’s a bit more glamorous since her hair is worn up.  This look is great for day, but I think it would also look really sexy and effortless for a chic nighttime look. 

To get the look:

Flip hair over and quickly flip it back to give it volume.  Gather into a high ponytail without smoothing the top of your hair so it’s a bit messy and uneven.  Wrap the ponytail loosely around the elastic to make a not-so-perfect bun and secure with bobby-pins.  Spritz with a shine spray, I love Sebastian Halo Mist.  Add a skinny, nude elastic headband for the finishing touch.

Try one of the elastic headbands from LoveBerman on Etsy:

      

Sebastian Halo Mist Weightless Shine Spray:

xo,

Lauren

lovesit makeup: Chantecaille; An alliance of nature & beauty

Though fairly new on the makeup scene, luxury brand Chantecaille is the brand of skin care and cosmetics as of late, attracting new devotees both on and off the red carpet.  Chantecaille quickly became a new favorite for makeup artists, celebs and makeup junkies with their pure and potent formulated offerings (Angelina Jolie was seen applying their Brilliant Gloss lip gloss in Love at the Golden Globes.)  They offer both makeup and skin care that focuses not only on hiding the imperfections but also healing and reversing the causes of aging (without testing on animals.)  Their makeup is very natural and natural looking, especially the foundation formulas which go on almost translucently but offer the right amount of coverage.  Chantecaille is named after its creators, a New York-based family that started the brand because of their desire to create a product that reflected their own spiritual and holistic focus on life and beauty.   Chantecaille has always sought to raise awareness of environmental concerns by giving back to the bountiful nature that serves as its muse.  Makeup palates inspired by nature, such as the Butterfly/ Les Papillons collection eye shadows were created in 2005 to fund the protection of the Monarch butterfly’s winter habitats.  Since then, many ‘Cause-metics’ collections have been launched as their “continued passion and commitment to the oceans and to endangered species grows stronger and stronger.”

Chantecaille is available at fine stores such as Bergdorf’s, Saks and Bloomingdales, as well as their online store.  I really loved browsing their website because not only was I totally intrigued by their color palates and products, but they also offer very comprehensive Application Instructions next to each makeup look.  Though a bit pricey compared to most other beauty products on the market, a good portion of the sale goes to help nature and wildlife foundations, making this a product that delivers beautiful results while doing good.        

         

xo,

Lauren

lovesit haircare: get glossy

Maybe its this dry winter weather (I would love to blame all of life’s problems on the wintery mix destroying my city), the over-styling, washing and blow-drying I subject my hair to, or maybe my hair just needs a little TLC.  Regardless of why my hair is looking and feeling lackluster, I’ve found a lovely little product by John Frieda that puts the happy back into my locks.  And by happy, I mean silky-smooth, healthy, color-boosting shine that looks and feels like I’ve spent a day in the salon.  I came across John Frieda’s Sheer Blonde Luminous Color Glaze when I was looking for a little hair-repair therapy/do it yourself treatment.  It’s idiot-proof to apply (just add enough to cover your hair roots to tips after you wash & condition, let it sit in for at least 3 minutes and rinse) and costs less than most drugstore shampoos.  There are several variations of the Luminous Color Glaze that including a boost of color with mild dye for different shades of blondes, red heads and brunettes.  The dye in the Glaze is not permanent and it will not lighten your hair color but it will subtly blend away grays and revive your color-treated or highlighted hair.  There is also a Clear Shine version with no color boosting side effect.  I found most drugstores only carry the brunette and clear versions of the Glaze so I ordered my Sheer Blonde Luminous Color Glaze in Platinum to Champagne on Amazon.com for under $10 (sites like drugstore.com and Target.com also sell this product.)  I’ve only used it a few times, but the results are really wonderful.  This product is safe enough to use daily or you can use it only a couple of times a week to give your hair a little pick-me-up.  Enjoy!

        

xo,

Lauren