Lace Case

Holiday Tea Party Scavenger Hunt 2012

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:15:58 -0500

1. Find 1 lipstick or Chapstick
2. Find three places you have both travelled to
3. Take a goofy picture and post it on Instagram, tag #holidayteaparty12 @lvp11
4. Find a receipt
5. Find a business card
6. Name 3 musicals that were out in theaters this year or will be out by end of 2012.
7. Find an old student ID
8. Name People’s sexiest man alive for 2010, 2011, and this year 2012.
9. Take a picture of you two drinking out of tea cups and post it on Facebook, tag @leah Laura
10. Write a status about the tea party and tag yourselves and @leahviloria #holidayteaparty12

Beach Goddess: What is in for this summer? White dresses with...

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:52:00 -0400

Beach Goddess:

What is in for this summer? White dresses with flowing skirts, winged sleeves, or in any kind of eyelet, crochet, or lace fabric. Textured anything will add a great free spirited kind of attitude to any white attire.

TIMELESS ELIZABETH TAYLOR LOOK FOR SPRING: This season the pants...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:50:07 -0400

Elizabeth Taylor - Crop top & Pants

Sweetheart Bandeau Top

Crop Tank

Front Tie Crop Top

Harem Pants

High Waisted Floral Pants

Paper Bag Pants

TIMELESS ELIZABETH TAYLOR LOOK FOR SPRING:

This season the pants get higher and the tops get shorter. Pair a simple crop top with a high waist baggy pant (like a Harem pant) to recreate this Elizabeth Taylor look. Sexy meets classy. To modernize this look, pick a vibrant top to match a muted bottom, or choose colorful bottoms to compliment a simple top. You can even keep it neutral with white and khaki/brown tones like shown in the original picture of Elizabeth.

Date Night Ideas in LA

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:10:00 -0500

Sick of doing the same things for date night?

Well, I have found a few fun things to do in the valley and in the city, that will strike you and your date’s fancy… whether it is a first day or your longtime beau!

Dinner & Entertainment:

Carousel Restaurant : Friday and Saturday nights this Mediterranean restaurant provides dinner and a show! You can dress up, dine, and enjoy a live band accompanied by belly dancers!

Good Conversation and Drinks:

Next Door Lounge : If you want a romantic atmosphere, along with an era experience, Next Door Lounge provides a 1920’s speak easy experience that will give you and your date something to talk about.

Creatively Stimulating:

Wine and Canvas : Wine and Canvas is a 3-hour painting class, where you are led how to create your own copy of famous masterpieces. While you are hard at work at your easel, you can enjoy a glass of wine (or two). There are multiple locations stationed in local hangouts. (Minimal transportation)

Movies:

The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre : Want to enjoy old classics, indie movies, and obscure films? This cozy theater plays a random array of movies that reviewers say the programming is what draws them into this place.

Music:

The Blue Whale Bar : If you want to impress your date with great jazz music, the Blue Whale provides a theater type setting to be entertained by the performers, and a bar in the back where you can entertain them with your conversation.

Games:

Ali Mama Cafe : This is a great, casual, date night hang out. Along with the recommended hookah, coffee & tea, there are board games and cards provided for you to use at your leisure!

Active:

Rent bikes from Sea Mist Rentals

Take a late afternoon ride and Bike the Santa Monica Bike Path

Comedy:

Upright Citizens Brigade Theater :The improv shows at UCB will provide great laughs for you and your date. Great humor and great comedy performed by well-known actors and those in training. Either way, they have a variety of different themed showcases to choose from.

Dancing:

Dance Downtown : Dance with your date beneath the pretty lights of Downtown LA. There is no dancing experience required, in fact, dance lessons for beginners are sprinkled throughout the night. Move to the rhythm of the DJ/live music and dance hand in hand, cheek to cheek, all night!

Happy dating!

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is..."

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:04:36 -0500

““The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.””

- Pearl Buck

IN HONOR OF THE INTERNET BLACK OUT: MY FAVORITE BLACK...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:39:00 -0500

Eileen Fisher Cascade Coat

Louboutin Decoupata Strap Boots

Kate Spade Knightsbridge Laptop Bag

Betsy Johnson Black Bangle Watch

Diane Von Furstenberg Urara Dress

Guess Moto Zip Skinny Jeans

IN HONOR OF THE INTERNET BLACK OUT: MY FAVORITE BLACK THINGS

Many sites are blocking out their websites in protest today due to the SOPA episodes and the threatening anti-piracy bills that are currently going around. In honor of the protest I will have a BLACKED OUT fashion blog entry of my favorite black looks.

DESIGNER VINTAGE HANDBAGS: OLD TREASURES I love vintage designer...

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:47:56 -0500

Susan Gail Vintage

Chanel Caviar Red Camera Bag

Vintage Gucci Carry On

Vintage Hermes Crocodile Strap

Vintage Louis Vuitton Satchel Messenger

DESIGNER VINTAGE HANDBAGS: OLD TREASURES

I love vintage designer bags. Although, these are definitely NOT affordable… they are nice to look at to admire the architecture of purses from Hermes, Chanel, Gucci… Although I may not be able to own one, they are still nice to look at.

FASHION IN PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN FRENCH John French was a fashion...

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:39:53 -0500

Photo by John French

Photo by John French

Photo by John French

Photo by John French

Photo by John French

Photo by John French

FASHION IN PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN FRENCH

John French was a fashion photographer from London who captured stunning, classy, and refined looks through the lens of his camera. Even though the pictures are developed in black and white, you can still see the richness of color in the clothing through the contrast in the photo. The way the models are styled are elegant and what make me truly admire vintage fashion.

COLOR BLOCKING Add this to your building blocks of fashion. You...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:55:00 -0500

Vince Camuto Jorgie Pumps

Kate Spade Blaine Tote

Magaschoni Dress

Rochas Fuschia and Cream

Prada Caramel Black Patents

Madison Marcus Blouse

J. Crew Resin Necklace

COLOR BLOCKING

Add this to your building blocks of fashion. You can take pieces of clothing that block off different vibrant colors together or even color block a whole outfit. You can take a color wheel and take one wedge of the spectrum, run straight across a line to the color opposite the wheel and clash both colors in an outfit. Limit the number of colors in a blocking to 3. Since we are still in winter I like to block neutral colors such as black and brown/cream to resonate the cold weather. When spring comes around, I will transform my color palette to brighter and louder colors. Have fun with it year round.

GO IN STYLE: THE JACKIE O WAY Jackie Kennedy ranks one of the...

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:53:00 -0500

Trench pea coat

Eryn Brinie Wool Trench Pea Coat

Banana Republic Bijoux Sheath

Sheath Dress

Kate Spade Carroll Garden Stud Clipons

Michael Kors Grayson Shades

Matching Skirt/Jacket Set

J. Crew Vintage Tweed Jacket

Top Shop Pencil Skirt w/ Belt

Rachel Zoe Charlotte Chain Strap handbag

GO IN STYLE: THE JACKIE O WAY

Jackie Kennedy ranks one of the most popular among all the First Ladies probably for her radiant beauty, but most importantly, her effortless fashion. Her personal style would leave an impact on fashion design for decades after her time. If you want to recreate her style, try a few of these elements to truly capture the Jackie O look.

Tips:

Big over-sized glasses
Matching jacket and pencil skirt set
Big button earrings or big stud clip-ons
Sheath dresses with simple pea/trench coats
Small and simple clutch/handbag— short strap

OUTFIT INSPIRED BY ART: TEAL BUBBLE FLOWERS by Alan Buckle I...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:56:00 -0500

Teal Bubble Flowers by Alan Buckle

OUTFIT INSPIRED BY ART: TEAL BUBBLE FLOWERS by Alan Buckle

I took the contrast of teal, gold, and white and interpreted it through the richness of the dress accented with circular/bubbly jewelry just like the bubble flowers in the picture. Art can be a great muse for styling.

BLACK AND BROWN: THE ODD COUPLE Whoever said black and brown...

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:03:00 -0500

Black and brown outfit

Fendi Bag

Alexander McQueen Flats

Black and brown wrap bracelet

Black and brown manicure

BLACK AND BROWN: THE ODD COUPLE

Whoever said black and brown don’t match was off their rocker. I’ve seen it done for years without looking tacky. It’s my favorite combination of colors. Here are a few of my favorite black and brown pairings.

THE BLAIR WALDORF PROJECT:Gossip Girl is on it’s fifth...

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:25:00 -0500

Big Bows

Lace, tights, and pumps

Bright Pea Coat

Big Bow

Floral Fishnets

Ruffle Top and Lace Dress

Red Wool Peacoat with ruffles

Black Ruffled Tote

Red Classic Bow Pumps

THE BLAIR WALDORF PROJECT:

Gossip Girl is on it’s fifth season now, and I have recently been captivated. I spent all of August watching every episode to catch up. I find Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe to be the most chic and fashion forward out of all the characters on the show. Her outfits are timeless, somewhat a modern royal look. I want you to be able to recreate this Upper East Side style that normally would cost a fortune. I bet you I can find pieces that as a whole will cost under $200 to recreate the Blair Waldorf look, is that a dare? Oh yes, it is.

Black Grosgrain Bow on Headband $8.00

Forever 21 Floral Fishnet Tights $5.80

Mod Cloth A Meal in Monaco Dress $89.99

Charlotte Russe Tiered Ruffle Wool Coat $42.99

Payless Fioni Bow Pump $19.99

Classic Bowknot Ruffle Leatherette Satchel $29.50

TOTAL: $196.27

Tips: Blair always wears a great head piece. In earlier seasons it was big bows and as she progressed to college it was thin and chic head bands. Think classy and girly. Ruffles, Lace, pumps. Think modern day princess.

MOVIE INSPIRED SHOES TROY: Joe’s Jeans Helena Banded Wedge...

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:52:00 -0500

Troy

Helena Banded Wedge

Grease

Pour La Victoire Prima Pump

Cinderella

Enzo Angiolini Platform Pump

Pretty in Pink

Michael Kors Cutout Sandal

Thelma and Louise

Grit Leather Distressed Booties

MOVIE INSPIRED SHOES

TROY: Joe’s Jeans Helena Banded Wedge Bootie from Urbanoutfitters.com

GREASE: Pour La Victoire Prima Pump from DSW

CINDERELLA: Enzo Angiolini ‘Smiles’ Platform Pump from Nordstrom

PRETTY IN PINK: Carmella Pink Cutout Sandal from Michael Kors

THELMA AND LOUISE: Grit Cowgirl Booties from Steve Madden

FASHION HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF! I have found that dresses have...

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:29:21 -0500

1920's Flapper Dress

Top Shop Ultimate Fringe Body Con

1930's

Top Shop Shirt Dress

1940's

Top Shop Belted Shirt Dress

1950's

Top Shop Burnt Out Spot Dress

1960's

Top Shop Jacqueline Dress

FASHION HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!

I have found that dresses have the most dramatic transitions through the years, it really defines the fashion of each era. I thought I would compile a set of dress patterns starting in the 20’s and ending in the 60’s and compare them to dresses from Top Shop to show how greatly the trends in the past have influenced fashion designers to this day.

DRESS LIKE A 1940’S HOLLYWOOD STARLET: I grew up loving...

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:38:00 -0500

Ginger Rogers in a sheer top

Truly Stunning Dress

Judy in a silky top and skirt pair

Gumball About You Top

Work Swap Skirt

Ginger Rogers in bow collar dress

Dance Show Dress

Judy in a collared shirt/jacket

Library Luncheon Jacket

Light of Dawn Top in Sky Blue

DRESS LIKE A 1940’S HOLLYWOOD STARLET:

I grew up loving Ginger Rogers and Judy Garland who starred in one of my favorite movies, “Easter Parade”, which was produced in the 1940’s. I loved that era and the fashion that came with it. I wanted to recommend some modern outfits that were inspired by Judy and Ginger. All these items can be found on Modcloth.com where they sell indie, retro, and vintage dresses, it is a perfect resource to recreate these starlet looks!

BEDROOM MAKEOVER: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE THEME UNDER $200 Pride and...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:40:00 -0500

Inspiration: The Bennet Living Room

Victorian Flower Duvet

Chandelier Table Lamp for Night Stand

Add silhouettes or Victorian flower pics

Place on top of dresser

Hang on wall

Place on book shelf, stores jewelry too

Simple Window Treatment

BEDROOM MAKEOVER: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE THEME UNDER $200

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite novels/movies of all time. I love anything Victorian inspired so I thought I would find a cheap way to revamp your room into a Bennet home environment.

Bedding: Mia Floral Duvet from Pottery Barn $14.99

Night Stand Lamp: Chandelier Table Lamp from Amazon $52.99

Room Accents:

Black Victorian Inspired Mirror from Ikea $39.99

White Wall Cluster Collage Frame from Target $14.99

Gold Taper Holders from Open Tip $5.99

Book Boxes from Pier1 Imports $12-$14

Window Treatment: Toorie Curtain from Anthropologie $49.95

MAX TOTAL: $192

HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT IDEAS: TACKY (but classy) SWEATER...

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:48:00 -0500

Far right is me and my tacky sweater!

Urban Outfitters Pullover

Present Pullover

Open Front Sweater

Work Party Top

Black Skinny Jeans

Brown cardigan to contrast the top

Red puffy sleeved dress for NYE

Black ruffle tiered dress

Nice teal halter dress

HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT IDEAS:

TACKY (but classy) SWEATER PARTY:

These parties can be a fashion statement too. Head to the nearest consignment or vintage store. They have a plethora of items to choose from. I sported a bedazzled black sweater that would have been great with some gold leggings (if I had any). You don’t have to look horrendous. Urban Outfitters has some great pullovers that could be considered tacky… but you could make it trendy if you wore it with confidence!

HOLIDAY WORK PARTY:

You always want to look casual during a holiday work party. I would wear a silky top with a pair of black or dark denim skinny jeans. Throw on a cardigan and your ready to mingle with the coworkers.

NEW YEAR’S EVE:

There is always the misconception that you have to shine out the crowd with tons of glitter and sequins. I say keep the dress simple and classy and doll it up with a bunch of bling. That will certainly get people’s attentions. Stick with warmer tones of purple, red, or an emerald green/teal would look really nice. I really am into puffy sleeves or a nice classy strapless dresses with tiers.

Hopefully your holiday outfits look great! Reference Forever21, Urban Outfitters, and Lulu’s for some great holiday outfits. I used these stores to find my looks.

TEA PARTY TIME! I love to host parties, and I love doing girly...

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:05:00 -0500

Place Cards

Goody Bag

Goody Treats

Food trays

My Guests

All the Girls

TEA PARTY TIME!

I love to host parties, and I love doing girly things. I thought I would combine the two and invite all my girlfriends to a Holiday Tea Party before everyone left for the holidays. It is simple, easy, and fun!

First I organized the venue. Through Yelp, I found Chado Tea Room. There were two locations near me. One in Pasadena, and one in Downtown LA. I chose the one in the Valley. This place was perfect because they catered for Afternoon Tea. It is a British Custom that was meant to be a small snack that would fill in the gap between luncheon and dinner. It is a British custom that serves tea accompanied by sandwiches and baked goods. I studied in London two years ago and I was unable to partake in High Tea Time or Afternoon Tea so I figured it would be perfect to have here in the states.

Once I reserved the table for my party I sent out the invites and began to prepare! I required everyone to dress in their Sunday best, or Kentucky Derby inspired outfits. I prepared simple goody bags that were labeled “It was a cup of tea to have you” and stuffed them with bags of tea and tea cookies (tea cookie recipe).

During the party I put place cards on their plates. Once my guests arrived they all struck up conversations and we were served tea sampling throughout the whole afternoon. They provided three tier food settings that had sandwiches, scones, and desserts on the bottom.

After we had finished dining we played some games. We played Scattegories with the letter “T” and played trivia with answers that began with “T”. The winners of those games won prizes such as little whisks, potato peeler, tea cups and other little cute kitchen items.

It was a huge success and I think all the ladies had a great time having the tea party they dreamed of having as little girls.

WINTER MUST-HAVE: The Infinity Scarf I’m over the...

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:00:09 -0500

Me in my personal fave-- tasseled scarf

Skinny infinity scarf

Homemade Infinity Scarf

Kim K. in Infinity Scarf

WINTER MUST-HAVE: The Infinity Scarf

I’m over the patterned, plaid, triangle bib-looking scarves. The infinity scarf screams classy, and it easily dresses up any outfit whilst warming the neck during these icy times.

I wanted one so bad last year I had my mom crochet me an infinity scarf, I was hooked. I like how the infinity scarf double wraps snugly or loosely depending on what kind you get.

My most recent find that I love is the infinity scarf with hanging tassels. Gives it a nice bohemian touch. I suggest you buy one now and save yourself the embarrassment with last year’s pashmina.