Top Trends This Spring

My favorite season is right around the corner, which also means my favorite colors, fashions, and trends are ready to bloom again!

Here is my list of Spring line favorites for 2011. =]

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs.

With playful colors and swinging silhouettes, these 70's inspired looks will have you wanting to dance your way right into Summer.

2. Oscar de la Renta.

Oscar has always had a main idea in mind when creating his pieces: to celebrate femininity. Prints, patterns and florals may be a standard go-to when it comes to spring attire, but this line has a fresh new take on retro spirited aesthetics.

3. Calvin Klein.

Whites, whites, and more whites. "Less is more" is certainly a phrase to live by this season. Klein's Spring line features emphasis on clean cutouts, sleek lines, and all around sexiness with very minimal color.

4. Donna Karan.

Donna Karan's theme for this season: Easy. Her clothing hangs on the body in a way that appears classy and elegant, never sloppy. Karan gives credit to the Earth for her inspiration of design. This year's spring collection was done in a monochromatic pallete of neutrals. Simple and chic, never boring.

5. Diane von Furstenberg.

Alas, Diane von Fursternberg. Did you really think this Spring fashion article would go without mention of the queen of bold textiles? The inspiration of her line this season is "Goddess." The theme definitely came through at New York Fashion Week. This Goddess is not the mythical ancient Greek kind but the strong female who can take on anything. The line is stock full of colorful prints, layers, dresses, and tailored suites. The line also featured bright monotone separates that when paired together would turn heads. DVF, you have outdone yourself again.

So there you have it. If you can't tell, I'm raring and ready to go. Spring needs to get a move on because I'm over dull colors and thick boots.

Cheers to you, up and coming season. I am your biggest fan.

xoxo,
laura

iPhone 4 update

I can't believe I'm updating my blog from my phone! Yes, that's right. I'm taking a test run with my new iPhone 4 and had to see if I could actually post to my blog from my cellular device. This is crazy!!








My cute boyfriend at the dinner table Tuesday night. I love, love, love my instagram app!






And this was during our walk in downtown Grand Haven. :)

So there you have it, my blog post via Apple iPhone 4G.

xoxo,
Laura

Precious Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

My weeks have been absolutely FLYING by! I can't believe how quickly the past few months have gone. I am usually wishing winter away, and now I feel like it's slipping right on by. The sun is shining today and it's a gorgeous V-day. =]

Life has been pretty spectacular lately. If I could have one wish, however, it would be a new job. I have been searching for a career since I graduated in May. No such luck. The job market in West Michigan is absolutely dreadful in the film, video, and media industry. Ridiculous idea for a college major? Maybe. Regret it? Absolutely not. The right job is out there for me. I just need to keep my chin up and be thankful that I went to school for something that I love.

Quick recap of a view events that happened since my last update:

My sister and I at my cousin's benefit for his brain cancer. We raised thousands to support him and his family! So proud.

At my cousin's twin boys 5th birthday party.

Finally! A girl's night with my best friend Stacey. Out for drinks and dancing with the ladies.

I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's day and you get to spend it with that special someone. Tonight, Kyle is spoiling me by making me dinner with a few surprises up his sleeve. =] The best.

xoxo,
laura

You Can Steer

I thought I was officially done with posting on my blog after so much time had passed and I kind of lost the urge to update on my life.

Things have changed immensely for me. I have been constantly on the go and trying to get my life/future figured out. I want to feel accomplished. Now I know what people meant when they said graduation is scary, welcome to the real world.

Recent News:

Josh and I broke up.

I decided to move to Grand Haven with my friend Wendi.

I've gained a new perspective on life.

I'm doing things for myself. What I want. Not what others want of me.

I know it sounds selfish, and sometimes I believe it is myself, but I want to make sure I'm doing what I want to do. I need a fresh start.

I want to blog again. I want to do it because I love it, not because I feel like it's an obligation. I want to be able to look back on this and say "I'm glad I put that in writing."

So here's to a fresh start.

I'm Back!

I'm back! Life has been absolutely NUTS lately. I can't believe it's been two months since I've blogged, been on chictopia, and even had the internet in my own room. As sad as it sounds, I finally feel like my life is back together now that I have technology back in my life. It's so nice to step away from it from time to time, but I really don't know what I'd do without it.

So, since I've last updated, I've done a lot of things. I started my internship at Digital Video Services in Grand Rapids (I interned here once before when I finished at my Media Arts school), I moved back to Muskegon and am still working at Buffalo Wild Wings as well as doing choreography for the dance team, I went to California with Josh to visit his parents and enjoy a much deserved VACATION, and now, here I am!

Here's a little update through photos:


(Whitney, myself, and Stacey on the SkyDeck in Kalamazoo after SATC2)


(The ladies ready to go out for my cousin's bachelorette party)


(Josh and I at the Grand Canyon)


(Petting SHARKS @ the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA)



...and some outfit shots for good measure. I'm finally back in Chictopia land after being MIA. Here's my most recent:




(Floral Top: H&M; Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters; Wedges: Payless)


And since I've done so much shopping lately (having been on vacay and all..), here are some of my fresh and new summer faves!






I have every intention of keeping this blog updated as much as I can this Summer. However; every time I say that, I manage to fall back and lose track of time. I'll work on that.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, I look forward to seeing more of everyone! <3

xoxo,
laura

so far behind..

I am so behind on my blog it's overwhelming. I missed out on updating so many wonderful things.. so here goes another huge update of trying to catch up on lost blog-time.

On Saturday, May 1st, I graduated from Western Michigan Unviersity with a BA in Film, Video and Media Studies. My parents, grandparents, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Rick, and of course, Josh came to Kalamazoo to watch my commencement. It was insanely long (Arts & Sciences has the largest commencement), it ended up being almost three hours long.






And then on Sunday I had my family graduation party at Fricano's Muskegon Lake. I made a slideshow of my college years and showcased it at the restaurant. We ate yummy pizza, took lots of pictures, and I opened all of my cards. It felt like high school again! I am so blessed to have such an incredible family + Joshua.







I'm so glad Stacey made it out to my family party as well. We've been best friends since childhood and it wouldn't be a family celebration without her there. We've been through everything together.


(Wearing: Mayberry Dress from Modcloth, Nine West grey t-strap heels)

Last week consisted of picking up shifts at bdubs and working as much as possible. I have consistently stayed away from social networking, blogging, etc since I moved back to Muskegon. Mainly because I still have not set up my desktop computer in my room here, and for some reason I really don't like blogging from the laptop. Plus, most of my photos are on my other computer. Once I get everything finally set up, things will seem much simpler.

This week I started my internship at Digital Video Services on 40th St. in Grand Rapids. I actually interned there back in 2006 after graduating from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. They added another branch to the company called DVS Creative, where I will be concentrating mainly on post-production and the creative end of things. I'm very excited for the opportunities it will lead to and it's great to be back in the field. So that's what I'm doing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-5. Every day in between I'm still slaving away at Buffalo Wild Wings and trying to save up.

Hopefully now that I'm more settled in Muskegon I can update on a regular basis again. I hope you all have a fantastic week. <3

xoxo,
Laura

D O N E

I finished my last day as a college student today!! What a great feeling. I handed in my paper to finish off the semester and all I wanted to do was skip the whole way home. I still don't think it's sunk in that I have graduation on Saturday. This week has been SO good to me.

Last night to celebrate finishing my final paper, I met up with the gang at Up and Under to watch game 7 of the Detroit Red Wings. I thought it would be nerve wracking, but the Wings were RUTHLESS. 6 to 1 win and Datsyuk had a hat trick!


Katie and I




And I've totally been slacking on outfit posts lately, so I figured I'd throw them all into one. These are from the past week:


(Dress: Heritage1981, White Jeans: Charlotte Russe, Bag: Target)


(Lace top: Wet Seal, Trousers: Victoria's Secret)


(Head to toe in Forever21)


(Head to toe in Forever21)



I'll be in Kalamazoo until Friday so I can pick up my tickets for commencement. Then on Friday afternoon/early evening I will be judging the dance team auditions for Mona Shores. I loved helping last year, choreography is my PASSION. I can't wait to work on some new routines for next season. After that, I'm having a celebration/party at my house! So excited to see friends.

Saturday I'm heading back to Kalamazoo (so much driving!) to graduate at 6pm. My parents, Josh, and grandparents will be in attendance. =] Then, I'm either staying in town for the last night and seeing Four Finger Five at Bell's, or I'll be heading back to Muskegon since my family party is on Sunday.

Seriously, HOW blessed am I?! I'm such a happy girl this week.

Take care everyone! LOVE!

xoxo,
laura