Autumn Enchanting

Fall is my favorite. There is a romance to all of it, and I wish there were a magical land where Octobers were eternal. Mixing work wear into a college wardrobe has been tricky, but this outfit was a good mix between the two. Never before have I bought two of the same pair of shoes, but for my birthday, I purchased these from Nine West in brown (shown here,) as well as in black. The back is a stretchy material, and the rest is a pristene leather. I sometimes struggle to find boots that lack a lot of embellishments, which can date a pair of shoes. These boots don't have any buckles, chains, or odd embellishments that might but a "date" on them. They're comfy and versatile and I love them. The sparkles on this tank are great for a night out, but when I threw this brown blazer over it, it turned the top into a appropriate look. I can't get over my neighborhood right now; the colors, the air, the postcard quality scenes, all call my name on my drive home. 

Just so you know, there is an "Autumn Jazz" radio station on Pandora and it is perfect. Yes, I am listening to it as I type this up. Enjoy fall for what it is. Ignore all of the stores rushing Christmas. Enjoy the now, and enjoy Christmas when the time is right! Get out there, shine bright, and embrace the enchantment that is Autumn. 

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps 

Top: old, similar here 

Blazer: Banana Republic 

Jeans: Banana Republic 

Boots: Nine West 

Outside of the Lines

While flip flops and ball caps are my preferred look for summer days, that isn't acceptable in most workplaces. Nonetheless, I refuse to be boring when I go to work, and mixing prints is a trend that isn't too obnoxious for the office. I've always said that my favorite color is stripes, and I loved pairing them with this round patterned skirt. Color outside of the lines this week and mix it up with patterns.

Until Next Time,

Lauren Elizabeth Millsaps

Top: similar here or here
Skirt: old, but similar here
Belt: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Purse: Forever 21
Pumps: Nine West
'C' Necklace: Gift, similar here
Sunglasses: Karen Walker

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 

The Real Life Uniform: Work Wear

My life is a little weird. Ever since I was eight years old I knew that I wanted to be an attorney. I graduated high school early so I could start college early so I could start law school early. Besides fashion, academics is my number one passion. One day I hope to become an international humanitarian or environmental attorney and advocate, and that comes at the price of being extremely busy all the time. I spent five months of this year living in DC working for an environmental law firm and now that I'm back in Charlotte, I am a Charlotte Research Scholars Fellow on campus this summer. What that means is that I have spent the past few months researching natural disasters and methods of awareness. The end of this project is near which means my time is scarce and my outfits are more corporate than blogger-esque. On Wednesday I present my research at the annual Research Symposium and will be blogging about that experience and the outfit I chose to wear. For now I hate to leave my blog empty and wanted to post some of the outfits I wore while working in DC this past winter/spring. My time in Washington was hands down the best time of my life; I learned to truly live. I will be returning to DC one day. Be on the lookout for a blog post discussing what I wore on my days off in DC, as well as how amazing living in the city really was.

 My future employer?

 Night out still in work clothes

 Senator Kay Hagan

 Courtroom outfit pictures as one does.

 My beautiful, wonderful, genius of a roommate Jordan on Graduation day.

 Senators don't go to work in shabby buildings.

 Orientation playing it safe in black on black as usual.

 My go-to work bag. Never without water or my planner.

Did you think I walked to the hill in Heels? hahahahaha NOPE. My Keds were my lifeline in DC!