winter blues......

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  As I begin this post I am looking out my window at a very dreary gray sky, bare trees, and about 2 feet of snow on the ground!  So I thought, why not daydream about going somewhere warm and tropical?!  What would I pack and where would I go?  I would most likely head back to St. Maarten where my hubby and I got married!  St. Maarten is hands down my favorite island with it's upscale, posh French side brimming with fabulous restaurants and its Dutch side filled with streets of shopping!

St. Maarten!

Taken at sunset... so beautiful... love the cloud formations!

Packing all my favorite essentials.... a lovely maxi dress by Hale Bob, my Chanel tote, Tory Burch Sandals, lots of swimsuits and a good book!

A little black dress, perfect for my romantic evenings... from Boston Proper

LOVE this dress!  Comes in black too and is available through Victorias Secrets.  What I love about this is that it travels great... no wrinkles!  and I can pair it with any of my Lauren Hampton Belts!

My beach read:   On the New York Times Best Seller List:  based on the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh

and lets not forget the tropical drink!!

makin whoopie.......

Happy Valentines Day!  Hope everyone has a wonderful day with their loved ones!  Make some whoopie with this delicious recipe!

xoxo
Lauren

about face........

Happy Tuesday to all!  Well, we survived the blizzard here in Connecticut and most have finally dug themselves out!  We got about 18 inches but other parts of the state got 36!  We have been in our studio more than usual due to the inclement weather and are working on lots of gorgeous pieces for Spring!  But more of that in another post!

Right now I want to talk about BB Creams!  I started hearing about these a year ago and now if you open any magazine you will see numerous companies promoting theirs!   BB Creams, stand for blemish balm, or beauty balm and have been sold for years in East and Southeast Asia.  It has only been in the past year that we have started seeing them introduced here in Western markets.  So what the heck are they???  They are an all in one facial product that replaces serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation and sunblock and can be worn alone or under foundation for heavier coverage.  I had to share my favorite with you which is called Camera Ready by Smashbox!  I love this stuff!  I hate caked on foundation so finding this has been one of my favorite beauty finds!  It evens out skin and provides a very light coverage, giving you a flawless complexion!

roberto cavalli.......

Good Morning to all my fashionistas out there!  Hope your week is off to a good start!  I had a little down time last night so I decided to take a look at some of my favorite designers Spring 2013 looks from the runways.  What caught my eye was Roberto Cavalli's cool bohemian looks and some gorgeous belts!  I love the way his designs celebrate a woman's body with spectacular cuts, floaty femininity and gorgeous color!

Love the blue and white pattern and the belt!  Reminds me of a Lauren Hampton!

A Lauren Hampton - Handmade Buckle and Black Braided Strap

White and Lacy

Love the laser cut look on the black fabric on her waist... maybe black leather?

Lace and silk....

Gorgeous fabric

Love the jean jacket/vest with the skinnys...

blue and cream....and silky

I could see this dress with a pair of boots and a jacket for cooler weather!

I'm a sucker for anything blush colored!

Black and White....

The details..... lace bottoms, intricate cutouts...

Beautiful skirt....would love it with just a plain white T!

Would totally wear either of these but the white I am in love with!!!

Have a fabulous day!  

xoxo

Lauren 

favorite things.....

Being stuck indoors in this grey, cold weather has me reading more fashion/beauty magazines in the evening and is giving me more time to organize and sort through my beauty products.   When is the last time you sorted through all your beauty essentials and makeup?  I did and realized that since I did it about 6 months ago I have found some new and amazing products that I just love!  Wanted to share them with you!

One of my favorite finds is my Bain de Terre Keratin Protein (sulfate free!  That is the key!) Reconstructing Shampoo.  I first found this in the beginning of December while out shopping at Marshalls!  I bought it just because I needed some shampoo.  I am forever changed!  My hair went from dry and brittle and totally frizzed out to soft, shiny and manageable overnight!  I even had people stop and compliment my hair (this has NEVER happened!!!).  I started running out of this stuff about a week ago and went online and found it on Amazon (is there anything Amazon doesn't have???).  Try it for yourself!  I also use the conditioner as well and then a bit of Moroccan Oil before I blow it dry!

Would love to hear about your favorite beauty finds!  Do share!

BAIN DE TERRE KERATIN PROTEIN RECONSTRUCTING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER (SULFATE FREE)

From Left:

Murad Essential C Day Moisture:  Love this stuff!  Instantly tightens skin (need that!) and feels and smells fabulous!

Touche Eclat by Yves St. Laurent:  My highlighter/concealer all in one!  This is magic in a tube!  I use it to highlight cheekbones, inside corners of the eyes, etc..  pricey but lasts a good 6 months.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate: Use this every night before bed.  This product is great!  Totally changed the texture of my skin, tightens and makes it glow!

Dior Show Mascara:  Hands down my favorite mascara ever!  Costs a bit but worth every cent!

Chrisian Dior Lipstick:  Sheer and loaded with moisture for these cold, dry days of winter!

Kerastase Lait Vital Conditioner:  Definitely up there in price (ummm seeing a theme here?) but gives my hair an extra dose of moisture on really dry days!  I use this once or twice a week.

My newest find..... Grande Lash MD!  Started using about three weeks ago and just beginning to see some longer lashes!  It says it takes about 6 weeks so I will report back in another three!  Liking what I see so far though.  Also great to use on your eyebrows as it will also help fill in those sparse spots!

Have a beauty-full day!

trend boards......

It's a snowy, windy day here but I am immersed in looking ahead to warmer, sunnier days to come!  I love making trend boards for each season as inspiration for new designs!  Here are some of my new ones......

Stay warm!

fabulous combos.....

Good Morning everyone!  Wow, it is so cold here this morning!  It's 18 degrees outside and is supposed to get even colder tomorrow!  I'm glad I am all snug and warm inside my studio today creating away!  Working on lots of gorgeous pieces for an upcoming show this weekend and some beauties for my Spring shows as well!  Here is some fashion inspiration for you!

Have a wonderful day!