Winter White

By Lauren

This past weekend was my bridal shower, and what an amazing shower it was! Check back in for tomorrow's Wedding Wednesday to see all the fun deets. For now I'll just show you the outfit. 

I love this Theyskens Theory dress because it does that winter white thing so well! It has texture and shape while still being flattering. The modern shillouette needed a little punch of color with the shoes, so when I found these navy Nicholas Kirkwood's on sale ar Saks, I nearly fainted from pure shoe joy! 

Julie's dress is DVF and looks like a beautiful water-color painting in person. It's hard to find a fancy dress for the daytime, what is your go-to outfit for these types of occassions?

 

SAG Awards: Trend Report

By Julie and Lauren 

Overall, it was a pretty quiet night on the red carpet last night. No real show stoppers or fashion wins. Although one thing's for sure, jewel tones and brights are making a bold statement for spring! And if it wasn't jewel tones and electric blues, the stars shined in understated neutrals and shades of grey. 

Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein.
Seriously love her.  Can't wait to see what she chooses for the Oscars.

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta.  No fuss, all fun.

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa. No real surprise, but consistently good. 

Lea Michele in Versace.
Gorgeous gown and sexy moment, but kind of seems like she's
playing dress up in her mommy's closet, no? 

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji.
Not our favorite dress, but she's adorable and does a great job dressing for her body.
That little top knot is just too cute. We <3 you, Minnie!

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga.
The dress had so much potential on it's own, but the choker is better left in the 90s.
At least she doesn't take herself too seriously!

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab.
We love this oh-so-chic 70s moment. Vintage and cool with a fresh, modern twist.

Seems like they're holding out for the Oscars. We'll just have to wait and see...

Any favs?

Fashion Finds Friday: KARL

By Julie 

It's official. I've found my new obsession.

 The super-chic, contemporary line, KARL, from Chanel's cult icon Karl Lagerfeld certainly lives up to it's big name with this week's exclusive launch on NET-A-PORTER. In classic Chanel style, the line is dominated by black with pops of pale pink and glittering details like sequins and studs-- Parisian punk meets downtown sophisticated and cool. 

Here's a peek at a few of my favs. 

Me likey!

You??

Drew McGukin Interiors - Quick and Easy Refresh

By Lauren

If you're sitting around your apartment wishing you could update your decor, Drew McGukin Interiors has a simple, but chic solution for you. Whether you live in a Manhattan rental or a suburban home, this small change dresses up your space by tailoring the details. 

Check out these bookcases that Senior DMc designer, Erin, recently created in her West Village apartment by pairing a daring paint color with a unique wall-covering. Drew is always pushing dark colors for bolder impact and Erin went for it!

Start with unfinished wooden bookcase, whichever size fits your space. Consider the base and crown moldings. If they are missing...add them! Then add your coats of paint with a medium to high gloss finish. 

Once it's dry, size and cut natural papers or wallpapers to fit the back of each shelf and adhere using Suregrip. Google is a great resource to determine which adhesive best fits the material you are using.  

Why go for a plain bookcase when you can add a little extra something! The team at Drew McGukin Interiors believes that darker and stronger colors make for a richer final look - especially to pop the papered shelves. 

Small project for big change, right?

XOX

Wedding Wednesdays- Amsale Bridal Event

By Lauren and Julie 

Last week we were invited to visit the Madison Avenue flagship salon of Amsale Bridal Couture. We even got to meet the designer herself and hear her perspective on wedding planning and finding the perfect dress!

Just like her gowns, Amsale Aberra is elegant, refined and sophisticated. She has such a sense of calm and confidence about her, which makes it easy to see why so many brides turn to her expertise when planning their big day. She designs for the 'modern-classic' bride and wants her clients to be able to look back at pictures and be just as happy with the way they looked as they were on their wedding day. 

A sea of gorgeous gowns.

Adorable heart-shaped beat salad toasts

Julie might have found 'the one'!

We both loved this sweetheart neckline and romantic love-knot detail.

All the ornamentation was perfectly feminine and understated.

Wedding gowns are gorgeous, but so much fun when there are unexpected details in the back.

Lauren wants to re-create this shot on her wedding day. How gorgeous?

Amsale says that having a 'sense of humor' about it all is the key to success! Many brides get entangled with all the details to try to make it all 'perfect', but a healthy attitude helps make it all work out in the end. 

Wise words!

XOX

Hippopota

By Lauren

There are many different genres of art and thousands of artists in New York so sometimes it can be hard to weed through it all and find what speaks to you.  Last month, while reading Goop, I came across this artist based in Brooklyn with a very unique concept - to conceptualize the sentimental.

His company is called Hippopota because it came to fruition when he realized that his son's favortire stuffed animal, a hippo, could become a subject of art that lead him to make it a large gallery mounted photograph that will always bring about happy thoughts.

You can send in anything that is sentimental to you, whether it's a childhood keepsake or memorobilia from a special time and place. I love this because it's modern art with a twist. 

A favorite toy

A cork from the bottle of wine on your anniversairy

The gallery mount keeps the images sleek and ultra modern, but the subject matter makes it special just for you! I think it's an amazing concept that could make a great gift!

What would you send in to be photographed? 

Baby Shower Bliss

By Julie

Last weekend my sister and I co-hosted a baby shower in Los Angeles for our 'sister-in-law', the mama-to-be. The guestbook was a thumbprint tree from Bleu de Toi Etsy Shop and served as a sweet little take away, which can also be framed for the nursery. There's even a little baby bird snuggled between the mama and papa... can you imagine how cute that little thumbprint will be?!

My thumbprint is the neutral green because I can't quite decide if I think it's a boy or girl.
Guess we'll have to wait for the surprise in a few short months!

My sister's homemade Brown Butter and Rosemary Nuts. Seriously delicious and a party hit.

Mimosa bar with Prosecco and fresh squeezed tangerine and ruby red grapefruit juices.

Loved the sweet, soft-striped straws and the baby pictures of the future parents.

The appetizer spread also included my Mom's famous Dungeness Crab Dip and homemade potato chips. 

Gifts galore for the Mommy-to-be. 

A Lagrotteria party isn't complete without our favorite hometown treat of English Toffee from Foodstuffs! My Mom smuggled the goody bags in her suitcase all the way from Chicago : )

I really can't wait to be an aunt and squeeze the little bundle of joy!

The countdown is officially on...

XOX

Tangerine-Kale Breakfast Smoothie

By Julie 

So, I've really been trying to stick to my 'healthier body inside-and-out' New Year's resolution and breakfast smoothies are certainly a part of my game plan. 

My sister and I concocted this refreshing green smoothie earlier this week and I've been recreating it at home and at my local juice bar ever since. The refreshing treat is a healthy, satisfying afternoon snack or the perfect morning pick me up. I swear, it tastes good, don't be alarmed by the questionable green color. 

Ingredients:

1 whole banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)

1 bunch froze kale

4-5 frozen strawberries

1 cup tangerine juice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

 Are you sticking to your New Year's resolutions?

Leopard Frenzy- LGS

By Julie and Lauren

As part 2 of our blogger mash-up with Luxury Garage Sale, we decided to highlight how fun it can be by working with your best friend and partner! It's amazing to see how a simple trend can be interpreted in so many different ways from personal style to home decor and accessories.

We love this photo of Brie and Lindsay wearing leopard print shoes. The different silhouettes and funky prints totally speak to their personalities and persona's-- Lindsay is edgy and cool, Brie is flirty and feminine.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Left: Lindsay, Right: Brie

We wanted in on the leopard fun, too!

Julie's Leopard Outfit- Flirty and Feminine

Pants: JCrew, Shirt: ALC: Wedges: Steve Madden, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Necklace: J Crew

"Nothing packs a punch more than leopard print mixed with brights. The crazy combo is a little bit retro and a whole lot of color-blocking, which makes it the perfect foray into the new season. The wide legs are the perfect transition piece for Spring."

Lauren's Leopard Outfit- Edgy and Cool

Dress: See by Chloe, Watch: Timex from J.Crew, Shoe: Chloe, Belt: Zara, Jacket: United Bamboo

"I love a slightly different version of the standard leopard print paired with army green. The combo is so 'African safari chic'. A more clunky shoe and an over-sized jacket paired with a cute silhouette is a great way to add some edge to an otherwise classic, cocktail dress. And of course, I love pattern mixing... hence the striped belt paired with the leopard dress."

How do you incorporate leopard into your wardrobe?

XOX