Sundays are for…Girls-Inspired Fashion!

Sunday has long been our favorite night for TV. Between the fairy tale drama Once Upon A Time, True Blood, and Mad Men sunday is just a very special night of the week. But now there is a new kid on the block, who might be cooler and more realistic than the rest. That newbie is Girls, the controversial yet undoubtedly brilliant new show that focuses on 4 girls in their young twenties, making mistakes and learning to live on their own. Even if you are not in that particular situation, you can relate to the struggles and confusions of being a young girl. Yet, another thing that comes with being a young girl is FASHION. Much like Sex and the City, each girl on Girls has her own look, and here we are to break it down for you, Lace Affair style.

Hannah: Lots of layers and patterns including plaid, skirts, scarves, tights, and chunky shoes. Recreate the look with our Just Peachy Skirt and Bohemian Beauty Scarf in White.

Marnie: Sophisticated and feminine, always put together and perfectly coifed. Get the look with our Born to Blush Blazer and Retro Attitude Sunglasses in Black.

Jessa: Cultured and adventurous, this look is all about being mis-matched and bohemian. To recreate it, check out our I Heart Hemp Top and Fashionably Floppy Hat.

Shoshanna: Young and classic, this look is all about being prim and proper while staying on trend. Get the look with our Ravishing Rosette Cardigan and Pretty in Pink Studs.

Which character’s style do you love the most?

xx Lace Affair

Sundays are for…Inspiration!

Come on, a new week is about to begin while this one comes to a close…how about a little end-of-the-week inspiration? We are all about finding ways to help you enjoy every moment, be it with something small like extra sleep, or something big, like changing the way you think about those around you! Here are our favorite Inspirational Life Tips…don’t worry, this is no infomercial

Be You!

Probably the most important life tip we can give is to always be yourself! No job, boy, friend, or activity is worth losing yourself and what you value the most.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

You know that feeling you get on your birthday, where the whole day is filled with possibility and hope? Why not start everyday that way, and see if it actually makes the day better!

There’s a List for That

We love lists! Observational, to-do, bucket, you name it! Making a list will help you visually be more in control, and figure out what you really want and need.

There are No Obstacles

Remember that every bad experience is really just an opportunity to learn something or to test your own strength. Going full steam ahead even when you think you can’t will eventually make you stronger!

Find Your Inspiration

Research strong and intelligent women throughout history and find what about them inspires you. Someday, you might be the person someone else researches.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or life tip?

xx Lace Affair

Sundays are For…DIY Organization!

Sunday is the perfect day for DIY projects. After a long and lazy weekend, sometimes a girl needs a creative project to get her ready for the week ahead. And what better project than one that can also improve your living space? These DIY Organization projects are amazing ways to help give a little order to your life, and as a bonus, amazing stress relievers!

A Strong Week

If you have a family with crazy schedules, or even if you just want to make your week a bit easier, fashion a weekly board with graphically-pleasing wallpaper, whiteboards, and space for important papers.

Hang Ten

Got too many shoes and nowhere to put them? Yea, we know the feeling! However, using some hangers and string, you can create wall hangers for every pair of shoes you own!

The Beauty of Organization

Some things have amazing multiple uses once you think outside the box! Coffee beans can keep your makeup brushes upright, a grater can become an earring holder, and pins + wood=necklace storage for the naturally fabulous!

A Sunny Idea

Don’t leave your precious sunnies lying around, waiting to get broken. Instead, you can use an old picture frame and some wire for a fashionable sunglass display!

Hide & Seek

A nifty pull-out cabinet can fit all of your kitchen essentials and hide away when you’re done. For small apartments and dorms, this space-saving trick is amazing!

What is your favorite DIY Organization trick?

xx Lace Affair

Sundays are for…Canning!

So, whenever a new foodie trend emerges, it feels like every food and DIY blog has it covered. Does anyone else feel that way? The latest all-over trend is Canning! While it may seem scary to can your own jams, spreads, and veggies, it is actually surprisingly easy and way healthy! Here are some fun recipes and important tips for a great Sunday activity!

Spring Cleaning

The most important tip that any canner will tell you is to WASH your jars first! Make sure to sterilize them in boiling water and dry them completely! This makes the process healthy and keeps icky bacteria away!

You are What you Can

The coolest aspect of canning is that it is a way to preserve fruits and veggies that would otherwise go bad. Make them into delicious spreads and jams, and enjoy fresh produce even in the winter!

Practice Makes Perfect

Like anything, canning may take a few tries to get it right, but the process is fairly simple and straightforward. Numerous food and home blogs have step-by-step tutorials to follow!

Mix it Up

Once you get the process down, you can experiment with fun flavor combinations, like fig, bourbon, and vanilla! Toast will never be the same again…

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

When you are a canning master, you can begin to spread the wealth with friends and family! Canned items make amazing holiday presents, just add a homemade label and some ribbon!

What is your favorite part of canning?

xx Lace Affair

Sundays are for…Celeb Beauty Tips!

Sundays are our favorite here at Lace Affair, because you get to plan a whole new week of outfits, meals, and beauty ideas! So, this week, why not look to the stars? No, not your horoscope, although that’s fun too, but the celebrities who inspire us with their amazing style, perfect figures, and incredible skin. What are their secrets? Read on and find out…

We Want Moore

To get Julianne Moore’s perfect complexion, turn to nature. Julianne uses as many natural and eco-friendly products as she can, and she has the healthy look to prove it!

Carrie On

For the dancers out there, Carrie Ann Inaba is an idol! She recommends investing in Dr. Scholl’s insoles to avoid toe-pinching and the face-wrinkling it causes!

Baby, It’s Colbie Outside

We love the bohemian, tropical look that Colbie Caillat is always rocking and wanted to know her secret! It turns out that she relies on spray foundation for that just-airbrushed look!

Label-Worthy

We can’t think of a more fresh and natural-looking celeb than Selena Gomez. She never forgets how young she is, but she still uses her enviable bank account to invest in quality labels (think Chanel, YSL, & Guerlain) that last forever.

From LC to DIY

One of our favorite personable celebs is Lauren Conrad, who even has her own beauty blog! Her favorite DIY tip is to learn how to do your own nails…it is a talent that obviously comes in hand-y!

Which celeb beauty secrets do you use?

xx Lace Affair

Sunday Spotlight: Cupcakes and Cashmere

Of the copious number of fashion blogs I pour over on a daily basis, Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere stands out as one which I continuously return to for both fashion and lifestyle inspiration.

I love her easy beauty tips, fun DIY ideas (like this tutorial for mermaid nails), clever interior design advice (turning vintage suitcases into a unique nightstand - genius), and scrumptious recipes (please make these delectable prosciutto and brie sandwiches, then thank her!).

One of my favorite features of Emily’s blog is her Friday Five Things series, where she spotlights 5 simple pleasures from the week, from favorite meals to party decorations to cute office supplies. For me, it’s a reminder to cherish the little things around us that make us smile, things that we can easily take for granted in our busy workweeks!

And, of course, the outfits speak for themselves.

Fun and unabashedly feminine, Emily’s style incorporates lace, pink, and girly silhouettes while still being grown-up. She’s a great example of mixing masculine and feminine, high and low pieces, and florals and lace with leather and studs.

To channel Emily’s looks, try pairing these Lace Affair pieces with some fierce heels and killer bright lipstick:

1. The 28th Dress, $39.99
2. Dynasty Purse in Green, $49.99
3. All Wrapped Up Skirt, $39.99
4. A Touch of Royalty Earrings, $14.99
5. The French Connection Top, $49.99

Happy Sunday everyone!

Until next time,

Lace Affair xxx