Happy Halloween from LC

Happy Halloween...
Whether you're dressed as a ghost, a witch, a clown, or The Situation...
Enjoy the day, and remember, when it comes to the Snickers snack size bars...
A moment on the lips equals a lifetime on the hips.
Just ask Snooki.

These cutie patooties deserve to win every costume contest of the year.
Let's just pray they don't grow up to be the next generation of Angelinas, J Woww's, and Pauly D's.
There's only so much Jersey that one world can take.

Peace, Love, and Candied Apples,
Love,
LC

On The LC Lust List

Ok...another reminder, note to self, post-it note on my vanity mirror, whatever works...

BUY AN OVERSIZE FLOPPY HAT.

How much am I loving this photo of Olivia Palermo in this super chic hat? Paired with a floral top (or what seems to look like it was maybe a dress at this photo shoot) I want one to call my own, so that when I go on vacation to visit my girlfriends, I can walk out of the terminal looking like I walked off the pages of ELLE.

Keeping It Golden

The first time I saw the season finale of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, I have to admit, I was saying, "What the f@#k is Khloe wearing?"

Upon further inspection, and after really looking at her outfit, I actually really liked it.

It's actually not surprising, considering I'm a huge Missoni fan, a lover of all things Bohemian, and flowy, comfortable dresses. I also love gold jewelry, headbands, and hairpieces that look a little bit "hippie glam," if there is such a thing.

Now that I think about it, I would probably wear Khloe's outfit, if I wasn't all of 5 feet tall. Since I'm pretty short, I generally try to avoid longer dresses, but there's a first time for everything, and this Lotta Stensson dress, which you can purchase for yourself for $435, online at www.shopthetrendboutique.com, is worth it's weight in gold. And speaking of gold, her headpiece by her pal Nicole Richie, $445, by House of Harlow, Nicole's line (named after her daughter, Harlow, is the perfect accessory, and pulls the whole outfit together. She looks like royalty in this outfit, and, stepping out of her white Range Rover, well, she looks like Los Angeles royalty.

The Queen of Calabasas has had some style mishaps, but this time, she's keeping it golden.

Walk a Mile in my Moccasins

During the week, I usually wear either high heels, if I have a meeting to attend, or if I'm running errands or doing business for my own personal businesses, or you can find me wearing boots or cute wedges or sandals to work when I'm in the classroom teaching the young children I now work with. I very seldom have the opportunity to wear comfy shoes, or fun shoes, so on the weekend, that's the time for me to let my hair down, so to speak, and wear whatever I want.

This invites many possibilities. If I'm going out with the ladies for a girls night out, I can wear those platform heels that we all know and love, but rarely have the courage to wear during the regular 9-5. If I'm lounging at home, I can slip on my Ugg boots and be super comfy. And if I want to take a road trip, or go on vacation, I can slide on a pair of Havaianas, the tried and true flip flop that always cushions my feet and prevents me from getting tired at the end of the day.

But one thing I refuse to do is sacrifice style just because it's my day off. And that's why I am SO looking forward to buying a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins, because I had a pair as a child, and I need to resurrect this shoe trend into my shoe closet once again. Although I've obviously grown several shoe sizes since the time when my Dad bought me my very first pair of moccasins, I must say, I'm still in love with the super soft fur lining inside and the comfort that they offer to anyone who is lucky enough to own a pair of their very own.

It's like walking on a cloud when you slip on a pair, so you'll feel like you're in seventh heaven. You don't know what it's really like to live a day in my shoes until you've been there yourself, but these lightweight, durable moccasins will make the journey seem like it's a piece of cake.

(I found an awesome pair of Minnetonka's at DSW Shoes for $25.99 at Gilbert San Tan, in Arizona, but you can also purchase them online at dsw.com or at a DSW near you, or online at Minnetonka.com.)

Oh You Fancy, Huh...

One of the things I really miss since I've been working in my new job is that the dress code is so relaxed and so chill (because it HAS to be--I work with very young children, and they're so active and so prone to spilling red paint and playdough on their teachers and everyone else) is that I no longer get to wear pretty, classic career wear on a frequent basis, unless I'm going to a meeting all day, which is rare. When I'm teaching in the classroom, or traveling, most of the time, jeans are a staple.

Olivia Palermo is one of those women that we all love to hate. I personally don't hate the girl at all; in fact, I think she's very misunderstood. The one thing I do love most about her is her impeccable sense of style. She usually has her finger on the pulse when it comes to selecting high fashion pieces and mixing them with classic pieces like tailored suit jackets that look one part Brooks Brothers, and one part Calvin Klein. She can take a pair of Gucci shoes and a beautiful Balenciaga bag and throw in a top that she purchased at H&M and make the entire outfit look like she just drifted off the runway. This combo, with the gray tailored jacket and flowy, elegant ivory dress, makes me want to swap my new daily wardrobe for something much more chic, pretty, and, well, fancy.

A Deal's A Deal...

So many cheating husbands...so many broken marriages...so little time to blog about all of them.

With all the breakups, shake ups, and screw ups around the country and globe these days, a girl finds herself without a whole lot of time to keep up on them all. I mean, we can barely recuperate from the disaster that was Tiger Woods' love life last year, and now, it seems everyone is singing the blues these days. Yes, one is the loneliest number, but the hotties in Hollywood that are getting dumped lately are so gorg, I doubt they're going to be lonely for long.

Take Christina Aguilera, for instance. With hubby Jordan Bratman now out of the picture, I wonder how long it will take before we see her pretty baby blues batting those fake MAC eyelashes at another gentleman caller, or planting her MAC Ruby Woo lipstick stained mouth on another celeb? I doubt it will be more than a month or so, and I'm usually pretty good at estimating. The real kicker was when David Arquette and Courteney Cox separated. That one really threw me for a loop, because I clearly remember the InStyle interview many years ago, when they first got hitched, and he gave her a ring that was engraved, reading, "A Deal's a Deal" on the inside of the band.

Now the star of Cougartown is free to be on the prowl, and evidently, so is David. Reports have surfaced that he's already rebounded with a new chick, very much younger but not nearly as attractive as Courteney, who is the spokeswoman for Kinerase, and a distinct and timeless beauty, not to mention a star in her own right.

I guess some deals get broken, especially when it comes to Hollywood marriages, but the one I would pick up on would be the Linea Pelle handbag that Courteney has been seen toting around on the set of Cougartown. With stylish zippers, a smart handle, and a sleek black leather finish, Linea Pelle makes a classic investment bag that's sure to stand the test of time.

Which is more than I can say for most marriages these days. Or relationships in general, actually.

To buy a new handbag that is definitely not a dealbreaker, visit www.blueheavenboutique.com where you can buy this Linea Pelle bag for yourself for $395. In a gorgeous, dependable leather, it will be style you can count on. And that's one hell of a lot better than an Arquette brother.

Hey Courteney, you could be in a worse situation. Be glad you didn't marry Charlie Sheen.

Linea Pelle handbag, $395, www.blueheavenboutique.com

Elizabeth & James Dresses...How Do I Live Without You?

LeAnn Rimes sang "How Do I Live Without You" when I was a Freshman in high school, belting out the lyrics in that classic, famous voice. The song quickly topped the charts, and soon everyone was listening to the song. Women were drowning their sorrows after a breakup by cranking up the song on their radios or CD players, and men? Well, they just liked LeAnn. She was young and innocent.

LeAnn is not so young and innocent anymore, and plenty of people feel like they could live without her. Especially Brandy Granville, Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife, a.k.a., the scorned wife who was left for the millionaire musician after Eddie and LeAnn filmed a Nora Roberts movie together. I have to admit, though I am not one to judge people for what they do, even for their affairs or bad relationship behavior, this whole fiasco left a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak, and made me really hate LeAnn Rimes. I feel like the woman scorned, even though I don't know any of these people personally at all.

I would be the first person to criticize LeAnn for any poor choice in judgment, because I think she's a happy homewrecker and Eddie could've done MUCH better if he was going to cheat. To go from Brandi to LeAnn? Please. Clearly, he was money motivated. Sure, we're in a crappy recession, but none of us needs to be that desperate.

Still, I have to give the girl a thumbs up for the Elizabeth and James Soma dress she wore out in Hollywood, which you can purchase on Revolve.com for $445. The color scheme is flattering, the cut is perfect and flowy, and it's something I would personally wear, too.

I personally would not be joining LeAnn's fan club any time soon, nor would I be her friend on Twitter, or Facebook, for that matter, but I will give fashion props where props are due. With all the fashion f#@k up's in the world, it's a sight for sore eyes when someone gets it right. This may be a sign LeAnn is moving in the right direction. This is good, because the one thing nobody can live without is a closet full of flattering clothing.

Elizabeth and James Soma Dress, $445, www.revolveclothing.com

To Everything There Is A Season...Winter Kate by Nicole Richie

On my new and improved Bucket List is to learn how to play the guitar. Although I played the piano in my childhood, I never learned how to play the guitar, and it's something I'd love to learn how to do. Some of my favorite aunts and uncles have played guitar, and one of my nephews plays, too, so it seems only natural that I would take it up as a hobby.

I'm thinking that when I do buy a guitar of my very own, I have to accessorize accordingly. This photo of Nicole Richie in her line, Winter Kate, reminds me just how much I want to grab my guitar, throw on some jeans, and accessorize with gorgeous boho chic jewelry. If anyone can make seed bead jewelry look ultra glam, it's Nicole Richie, and if anyone can pick up on this trend, and run with it, it would be me. This is one of my favorite looks and that carefree, easy, breezy Bohemian vibe is both sexy and vintage, all rolled into one.

Now if only I could pick up the guitar, and actually play something remotely recognizable...

There's a season for everything...even learning a new instrument...but when it comes to designer labels and couture, Winter Kate tops my favorites list.

American Honey

America's sweetheart might unofficially be Meg Ryan, but Reese Witherspoon is most certainly in the top ten list, and her wardrobe certainly helps. Maybe it's her Southern girl charm and the way she never really makes a major fashion faux pas, but Reese usually always is a fashion hit, whether she's running errands, running to the gym, or on the red carpet.

While filming a new movie, she was wearing this pretty Stella McCartney dress in white lace, which is one of my personal favorite fabrics to have in my own wardrobe (it's the ultimate in femininity) and she contrasted it with a sophisticated black blazer and black Wellies. The unexpected mix between boots, blazer, and that gorgeous dress gives Reese an outfit that's unique, smart, and sweet.

And if there's one way to define an American girl, wouldn't those three words sum it up best? I'd like to think so.

Whatever Blows Your Skirt Up

My legs have never been my favorite body part, mostly because as soon as I gain any weight, it goes directly to that problem area. This past year, I went through some pretty troubled times, and the stress made me drop a few pounds...and even my legs started to look a little bit better than they did before. Although they could use a whole lot more work in my opinion, and though I definitely don't have legs like Heidi Klum or Tina Turner, by any stretch of the imagination, I have to say, I've been loving all the skirts and dresses in my closet a whole lot more these days.

This skirt that Hayden Panetierre wore in this photo, by Boulee, complete with studded accents, is exactly the perfect blend of femininity and edge that I would totally love. Not to mention, it would look great up against my bronze tan.

My legs may not look like Hayden's, and I have no intention of getting so stressed out that they'll magically get thinner overnight, but maybe after a few weeks at the gym, they'll be even more toned, and red carpet ready, too.

Which will just give me one more reason to buy even more skirts and dresses. Like I needed another excuse.

Skirt by Boulee, $243

Taking The High Road...12th Street Cynthia Vincent

One of my favorite designers is Cynthia Vincent, mostly because the collections are usually distinct, feminine, and have an element of sexiness that I appreciate and like to blend into my daily wardrobe. But one of my favorite looks from the past two seasons that 12th Street Cynthia Vincent has done is the poncho-like cardigan that has a Navajo print, because it's easy to throw over a lightweight long sleeve knit tee from American Apparel or H&M, and a pair of jeans, or a sleek pair of pants or leather leggings or jeggings and ankle boots, hair up in a chic knot or undone-bun, with oversize Chloe sunglasses to complete the look.

When you're in a hurry, and you're living a busy lifestyle, it helps to have a few pieces in your wardrobe that speak for themselves; staples that let everyone know you have style and taste regardless of the fact that you might have a $4 t-shirt underneath and a pair of slip on flats from Target on your feet. This would be that go-to piece.

Out to Sea

My oldest nephew is only a year younger than I am, so when he left to the military, it damn near broke my heart. He was my best friend growing up, and pretty much like a brother to me. Since his Mom was a young mom, and she married my brother when he was in his early 20's, we grew up together like siblings. So when the opportunities arose for me to visit him wherever he was stationed, I would try and visit. And each time I did, I would get to take a tour of the Coast Guard ship where he and his buddies all worked.

I can tell you that a Coast Guard ship is much different from a yacht; they are not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, and in my stilettos, I almost fell flat on my ass more than once. But the idea of being on the water in elegant clothing is the dream of many women I know, which is why so many women buy into the idea of going on cruises, or taking a yacht out for the day or weekend with friends. And Kim Kardashian is certainly no exception.

Except this lucky biotch?
Got to go out to sea with none other than Miles Austin, the cutie patootie of Dallas Cowboys fame.

Wearing a high waisted black A-line skirt with a beaded silver belt, fitted white top, heels, and a big floppy black Eugenia Kim hat, Kim looks stunning, and is certainly the envy of every woman who not only wants to take a vacation aboard a yacht, but also those who are dying to get in Miles Austin's skivvies. (Or boxer briefs. Whatever the Texans are doing these days.)

To purchase a hat for yourself like Kim's, go to www.shopthetrendboutique.com. Eugenia Kim hat, $230

MAH-JOR Mom-to-Be News

Rachel Zoe has always been my favorite celebrity stylist, and though many people both in the media and the general public like to ridicule her for assorted reasons, beginning with her skinny frame, I have always loved not only her personal style and the work she does with celebrity clients, but her disposition and approach towards her career.

Style A-Zoe by Rachel Zoe made it on my top-ten favorite books of all time list, and since I read books pretty frequently, and since I am a writer, it's pretty tough to make the cut. I'm a MAH-JOR fan of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo (for those of you who don't speak Zoe, MAH-JOR is just one of her catch phrases) and I have been rooting for her to finally agree to have a baby with husband Roger, who is undoubtedly one of the best husbands I've seen on TV...he has been completely supportive of her and all of her ideas and her company, which is hard to find these days.

So, I have to say, when news broke this week that Rachel might in fact be preggers, I was delighted to hear it. While many comedians out there were already starting to crack jokes about her alleged pregnancy, I think she'd be an adorable, stylish pregnant woman.

While nobody has confirmed the report yet, I would be the first to congratulate Rachel and Rodger and send my support.
And if I actually had as much money in the bank as Rachel Zoe, I would send her a Chanel bag to use as a super chic diaper bag. Although I'm sure Karl Lagerfield already has that one covered.

A Bang Up Job

A few months ago, I had my hair cut at the same place where I usually get my massages and sometimes facials, Dolce Salon and Spa. I had a gift card to use and a coupon, so I figured I'd take advantage and save some money. While the girl who cut my hair did a great job, I've been having my hair cut and styled and colored over the last few years by my favorite hairstylists, and when you're used to certain people doing your hair, I guess it's like getting used to a new boyfriend after a breakup with an old one...you can't compare apples to oranges.

Now, the thing is, that haircut was just fine. The bang trim that I got very recently? Yeah, not so much.

When I went into the salon and asked for a bang trim and told the stylist (who was new and had never cut my hair before, ever) what exactly I was looking for, and what look I was wanting to achieve, she didn't really get it, so she cut my bangs shorter than I wanted them, and straight across. They were choppy looking, and I might as well have asked my teenage niece to cut them with blunt scissors. I left the salon ready to cry.

It has taken weeks to recuperate from the bad haircut I got that day, and I was in tears in the Nordstrom parking lot afterwards. I had never experienced what it felt like to have a bad haircut in my adult life. (In my childhood? That's a whole other ballgame.) It was a humbling life experience, to go through the anguish and despair that bad bangs and an inability to style them in any sort of stylish way can bring you. And although the rest of my hair looked just fine, my bangs were shoddy and horrid.

I will be going back to my salon this week for an appointment with my hair stylist so that I get a quality haircut that I know is going to look fab, for at least 2 months.

It's very much like the expression goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The same applies to your beauty pro's.

Today, We Celebrate Your LOVE

Happy Anniversary, to my Amazing Parents...

Thank you for setting an example over the years of what a relationship is supposed to be about...

Working through problems together;
Finding a common ground,
Supporting each other when the going gets rough
Being the best of friends
Loyalty, honor, respect
Spending time together...
Whether it's calling each other to see how the day's going...
Or knowing that you always have a movie date,
A vacation companion and travel partner
A lover to come home to at the end of the day
And someone you can always trust and count on.
Someone to hold hands with as you go through the good times
And a hand to grasp tightly when times get tough, or you're scared...

Your marriage has taught me that real love does last and that it's something worth waiting for
And it taught me not to settle for less than I deserve.
If I had not had parents like you,
I might not have learned how to love myself first.

Thank you for giving me, and all of our family, the love and the example of love that you did...
And someday, I hope you get to be there when I walk down the aisle, too, because I will know that it was
worth waiting for...just like you always told me it would be. ;)

Happy 44th Anniversary Mom & Dad. We Celebrate Your Special Day With You...& Wish You Many More Years Together.

Love,
LC

Good Girls Go Bad...

One of the things I've observed since I've been teaching early childhood students is that even when little girls are 3, 4, or 5 years old, if you ask them who their alter ego is, or, what they want to be when they grow up, they're likely to tell you they want to be a princess.

Most little boys want to be a ninja.

Which, if you think about it, explains SO much about my dating life over the last 15 years.

Our society has raised young girls to believe that the key to happiness is to aspire to a crown of some sort, and to someday become a beautiful princess who is worshipped, pure of heart, and adored by her husband, the prince, who will one day inherit the throne once the in-laws kick the bucket.

Personally, after having viewed every Disney film in existence, especially the Disney Princess movies, I can tell you that we do girls a great disservice by putting these ideas in their heads. The idea that you can go through life being nice and sweet to men and that it's going to lead you to a guy who will whisk you away on a white horse is a load of bull, but more than that, it sets everyone up for disappointment.

Although each princess has some qualities that are admirable, the villainous women of the Disney films are always ignored or dejected. They're the bad girls on campus, the ones who have to fight for what they want because they can't rely on their looks or charm to get anywhere.

The bad girls are always the outcasts, but like the saying goes, good girls go to heaven, but bad girls go everywhere.

The Disney Villains collection by MAC has gorgeous hues and color schemes, shimmery shades that are sure to lure you in and make you want to do some damage to your credit card. The nail polish had me under a spell, but unfortunately for me, I didn't get to my favorite MAC counter in time to get the shade of polish I wanted before they'd sold out.

Check online or at MAC counters nationwide to check out the collection for yourself. If you're a Disney fan (whether a supporter of the Princesses or a lover of the Villains) you'll appreciate the sleek packaging and new colors.

The Skinny on the Faux Fur Vest

Heyyy skinny bitches! This vest is calling your name.

Before I start getting hate mail, (and believe me, I do) please understand where I'm coming from when dishing out the fashion advice when it comes to this chic cold weather trend.

FIrst off, please do not think I am ridiculing anyone who's made the leap to purchase a faux fur vest. I mean, I would buy one, too, in fact, I would love to purchase the one above, except that since my breast size is deceiving, and with the right bra, I could pass for a D cup, I look a little top heavy, which is a look I loathe. I think it makes you look unnecessarily fat.

Which brings me to my next point. If you're toting around a few extra ten, twenty, or thirty pounds on you, I don't CARE what your "dress sexy at every age!" magazines tell you to do. You have no business wearing a faux fur vest, unless you're planning to go to a costume party afterwards and double as Chewbacca. These vests are made for the super slender, and you have to be able to pull off the look with simple, clean lines through the rest of the outfit. They can make your body look at least 10 to 20 pounds bigger than you really are if you're not styling the look right, if you don't pick the right type of fur, or if the vest is not cut right, and if you're already a curvy gal or if you have a little extra cushion here, there, and everywhere, you're going to make a mockery of the vest.

Look, I'm not saying i haven't ever made some serious fashion faux pas myself. For a brief moment in college, I owned a pair of dark denim jeans that were seriously as bell bottomed as Cher or Sonny's, and much too tight, considering I really needed to diet more and drink less liquid calories in my undergraduate days. (Vodka was my BFF.) They looked hideous on me, and it's a lesson I wish never to repeat. Add to the fact that I had some truly heinous pairs of shoes in my closet that I'd wear once or twice and never wear again. My style has since improved; but it's these lessons that I wish to pass down to the next generation. Why have knowledge, if you're not going to share it?

Even if it has to do with faux fur vests, and Juicy Couture's gorgeous version, pictured above, when you've got wisdom to share, and some tough love advice to give, a gift isn't a gift until you give it away.

Ahhh, Snooki, Snooki...

OMG.
Where do I even begin?
Okay, I do better with letters.

Dear Snooki,

I understand that you've had a rough year. Although I'm not big on any shows that involve your home state of New Jersey, including Jerseylicious, Jersey Couture (which, let's face it, there is nothing that could resemble haute couture coming out of New Jersey), or your show, the infamous Jersey Shore, I will say that I do feel sympathy for your issues with men. Hey girl, we've all been there. Some of us have been dumped and looked pathetic more than a few times, especially while under the influence. I, for one, have fallen on the floor at a party, drunk, after I had just kicked a guy to the curb like Beckham. Of course, he was in the process of flirting with his ex-girlfriend, so I didn't really have much of a choice. So, Snooki, I get that you have had some challenges in your life, mostly with those damn "gorillas" that are givin' you a hard time. Hooking up with anyone who has the nickname "The Situation" can't be easy, especially when he can't keep his damn shirt on. (Or his boxer shorts on, for that matter.)

But even with those life events occurring, I would like to think you could find a way to cover it up a little bit more, or at least figure out how to get a better spray tan. We all know you people are all about the "GTL," but it doesn't look like you've spent a whole lot of time at the gym, and your tan kinda sucks, Snooks. And as for laundry? Well, this dress leaves little to the imagination, doll, so I don't think you're having to pay a whole lot at the laundromat, if that's where you're doing your laundry. Which I really doubt that's where you're doing laundry, because you've got to be making some pretty decent money these days, and why wouldn't you have a washer and dryer like most decent, self-respecting working women?

But back to you, Snooki, dear. What I am saying is, next time you go out in public, here's my advice. Man cannot live on bread alone, but neither can woman, and you really should avoid bread at ALL costs. Your muffin top is hanging out of your clothing, and it's really unattractive.

Next time you decide to spend time perusing the likes of Match.com or Find-a-Man.com or whatever the hell the single girls looking desperately for Mr. Right are getting on these days, why not spend some time on a fashion website, or perhaps on your IPad, reading some Tim Gunn style wisdom? This might help you out next time you think of wearing a dress that is the size of a cocktail napkin and that looks like something you'd pick up in a souveneir shop on the Vegas strip, next to the section devoted to latex condoms and lube. This is simply not awards-show worthy, and you don't want to appear on the red carpet looking like you got into a fight with your self-tanner and will probably never see the true color of your skin again.

And although I like you much better than Angelina, and even more than JWoww, I think you could stand to improve your look. Starting with the funky banana clip that you're always rocking behind your bump-it.

Keep It Classy, Girl.

xoxo,

LC