All That Glitters

When the weather is dreary and the urge to wear all black hits, I resist that idea and instead opt for the most bright and flamboyant colors in my closet. I know there's a rule against wearing white after labor day, but following the rules is boring. This was what I wore to my Birthday dinner, so I can break the rules if I want. I love the look of a sweater over a collared shirt, and the pop of gold that screams "I'm a three year old child, love me anyway." The bracelet I'm wearing was a birthday gift from my amazing Big, and the earrings are a gift from my parents. 

Until Next Time, 

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Sweater: Old Navy

Collared Shirt: Forever 21

Pants: American Eagle

Sandals: Target

Bag: ASOS 

Bracelet: Alex & Ani 

Romping Around

If you know me, you know that no one loves fall like this girl. I do, however, love to embrace the seasons. As the summer season comes to a close, I had to get my last few uses out of cutouts, rompers, and sandals all day. I wore this look to an event I've been looking forward to forever: The end of Summer Weenie Roast. Two of my top ten favorite bands played, and I think it was one of the best nights I've had in a while. Fitz and the Tantrums, Foster the People, and WEEZER (swoon) performed. The night was amazing, and totally worth the humidity. Rompers are a trend that I never hopped aboard, but at these outdoor music festivals, the 'fashion' can go a little crazy. This is as close as I get to festival fashion, and I won't apologize for not wearing a bikini and cutoffs to a concert. Also, how beautiful is the greenery around my house right now?! Had to throw in a tree comment. Embrace these last few weeks/days of summer!

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Romper: Ark & Co
Belt: H&M, old
Sandals: Jack Rogers
Bracelet: Charming Charlie
Earrings: Forever 21
Bag: Target, old
Sunglasses: Karen Walker 

Simple Shift

When I saw this dress, I was on the fence about whether or not I needed it. I didn't have my "summer glow" at that time and the dressing room lighting wasn't doing me any favors. However, I knew my closet was lacking in the dress department so.... I got it. From $80 to the $20 I purchased it for, there was no reason to say no. Just for kicks I tried it back on today, and couldn't believe how different the color looked against my non-pasty skin. I had this dress styled with a belt and a statement necklace, and realized that it was best served with smaller details. Over-styling isn't my thing, and I wanted the look to be more classic and understated. The gold necklace I'm wearing matched beautifully with my ol' faithful pear earrings and voila, an outfit was born. Oh, and how cool is it to have pockets on a dress! This outfit was actually a practice run for something I have coming up in a few weeks. More on that later. 

Dress: JCrew, also loving this one 

Heels: Franco Sarto

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Earrings: Vintage, similar here 

Girls Night

Days of the Week

One day some genius somewhere will create the Willy Wonka invention where you can taste what you see on a television or computer screen. Until then, I had to post about my absolute favorite ice-cream spot around Charlotte. Tony's Ice Cream in Gastonia, NC is all homemade, family-owned, and always packed out to the max. Now onto the outfit. When I saw this t-shirt in the JCrew of DC, it was full priced, and I couldn't justify it. When I saw it again in the JCrew back home, it was on sale and I had no excuse not to buy it. This t-shirt, emblazoned with Spanish weekdays, called my name and it is hands-down the softest shirt I own. The quality is amazing, and reminds me why I always turn to JCrew when it comes to the basic Tee. I tucked it into another staple from JCrew, this linen skirt. While I believe white is acceptable after labor day, linen is a summer fabric. As such, I knew it was time to use this skirt to its full potential and wear it for a wonderful day around town with 'mon mec.' The locket I'm wearing is an antique store find, and I can't help but think of the movie "Annie" every time I wear it. The biggest bargain find of all are the shoes I wore in this look. They were on sale at target for $5!

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Tee: JCrew
Skirt: JCrew
Shoes: Mossimo 
Locket: vintage, similar here 
Earrings: Swarovski
Sunglasses: Karen Walker
Bag: Aldo (old), similar here

No Elevator

"There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs."I've been reading a book here lately that has an amazing idea about success. To be successful you have to take the stairs. Pass up the easy choices for the harder ones, and they will pay off in the end. This summer was the craziest one ever. I spent more hours than I could count in the library and learned to like coffee. I researched my heart out and gave all that I could to this fellowship. Giving up my summer seemed sad in the beginning, but through this project I scored a meeting with the dean of Duke Law School Admissions! Hard decisions lead to wonderful payoff in the end! For the Research Presentation I wanted to go bold to celebrate my freedom. I didn't intentionally match my poster, but apparently my subconscious didn't want to clash with my work. This dress looks great, but I bought it for the silky feel. Remember to "take the stairs" and watch as it pays off in the end.

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Dress: Banana Republic (sold out) similar
Earrings: Swarovski
Shoes: Franco Sarto 

Not Afraid to Sparkle

Cami: Forever 21 

Cardigan: old, but similar

Shorts: J.Crew

Necklace: J.Crew 

Sunglasses: Topshop

Bag: old, but similar 

Sandals: Kim Rogers 

Since I could remember, scary movies have always been my favorite. Casey and I are huge movie-goers; as soon as a new horror flick comes out, we have to see if it measures up. There's nothing as gratifying as an adrenaline rush from a movie, and nothing as disappointing as a crappy, overdone storyline with zero scare. Weeknights at our favorite movie theatre have $5 tickets, and this was our first "weeknight date night." My favorite cardigan is lightweight for walking around outside before the movie, and substantial enough to keep me from freezing in the movie. My favorite tip to elevate a cardigan is to purchase one in a neutral color and add your own "bling." Use old costume jewelry: earrings, pins, and brooches and no one will mistake you for Hilary Clinton. 

The last photo is one I see a lot of. Casey is always taking a hundred photos of me, and this was one that was taken while I was trying to reclaim the camera. For those wondering, we saw "Deliver us from Evil." It was amazing because of the storyline, but not so much the scare factor. I would give it a solid 8 out of 10. 

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Hockey in a Halter

Halter top: Topshop (similar)

Skater Skirt: Love 21

Wedges: Aerosoles

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Earrings: Vintage

Clutch/Bag: Target (similar)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker

This summer heat wave is killer, but so are the hemlines that come with it. When attending graduations and the subsequent parties that follow, dressing up can be a drag. Silky fabrics are poor choices for hot weather, so I opted for jersey and linen materials. When I have to wear some sort of heel but will be doing a lot of walking that day, I grab a pair of "function over fashion" wedges like these. While I don't think the LA Kings, or any hockey team for that matter, would recommend playing in wedges, it wasn't as hard as you may have thought. 

Damsel in Distressed

Top: Forever 21
Jeans: American Eagle 
Sandals: Franco Sarto  
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Earrings: Swarovski 


Since she finished her high school exams, I treated my sister to a movie and mall date today. The southern summer heat was killer, but I didn't want to freeze in those ice cubes that pass for movie theaters. These jeans were calling my name on the American Eagle Memorial Day clearance rack; for $16 who was I to turn them down? I swear the best cure for cabin fever on a tuesday will always be to get out of the sweat pants and go somewhere, anywhere!

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps