A handful of pretty things acquired over the course of the summer…
Essie colors in: 1) Funny Face, 2) Sand Tropez, 3) Turquoise & Caicos
Sally Hansen in Set the Stage, OPI in Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream
I’ve been adding a couple of sparkly nails here and there…
Blouse from Francesca’s Collection
Blouse by Love Stitch
Wedges by Michael Kors
Necklace from Francesca’s Collection
Studs by Emmanuel
Hope you’re enjoying this gorgeous day! 
xx, katie
Sriya has been one of my best girl friends for a long while and I have always admired her ever-evolving, impeccable taste in fashion. She has this way of mixing class with street style and making it look effortless, and it is so inspiring. When we started LFDM, right away I knew I had to do a post on her! Read on and enjoy!
About….
She’s a 22 year old from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History of Art.
K: What inspires your style?
S: I think my biggest inspiration comes from street style, especially in urban areas where people watching always has me remixing my closet. Ann Arbor has definitely influenced me in the last four years because it is such a free-spirited community where everyone is allowed to be eclectic. It’s so different from where I grew up because there everyone kind of conformed to shopping at the same few ‘mall stores.’ I interned out in NYC the last two summers and that was also a big inspiration. Each little nook of the city has it’s own style and it was fun to be Upper East Side posh for a day and laid back relaxed in Park Slope, Brooklyn the next.
K: Who would you consider your fashion icon?
S: I absolutely love Diane Kruger’s style. Not only is she drop dead stunning but also she has a way of wearing even the simplest pieces with ease and elegance. I think that your attitude affects the way clothing looks on you and she carries herself in a way that could make potato sack on her body look couture. She also doesn’t have the kind of style that you can stick into a box. Some days she wears really feminine romantic dresses and other days she’ll rock a slouchy vintage concert tee with worn leather boots.
K: Where are your hidden gems/favorite places to shop?
S: The Getup is my favorite vintage spot in Ann Arbor because they have a ton of amazing accessories from every decade you can imagine. I’ve also recently tried to join the eco-conscious movement by buying as many “green” products as I can. While being environmentally friendly can be kind of expensive for a college student, I found this great organic clothing store in Ann Arbor with decent pricing. Perpetua Boutique carries a lot of dresses, soft tees, and yoga pants as well as gorgeous accessories. The fabric, dye, and processes are always sustainable. My favorite label that they carry is POPOMOMO.
Sriya’s Top 5 Outfits…
I love shirt dresses because you can convert them between seasons easily. I bought this one particularly because it’s silk so I can wear it out and still feel “dressy.” I love the pearly buttons and tabs that tie the sleeves up. Little details like that are always great. Here, I paired it as if I was going out at night with black heels and gold accessories. Military green with black and gold is really complimentary to my skin tone…I think, haha.
Dress: Yellow Is Gold by Sunshine & Shadow
Heels: Banana Republic Spring 2009
Clutch: vintage via The Getup
Coin necklace: BCBG (engraving: “self-love is the greatest of all flatterers”)
Long necklace: J.Crew (gold w/ black stones)
This may sound weird but I think that a woman showing off her back is always super sexy. This picture doesn’t show how low the dress goes in the back but it’s one of those outfits that I love wearing just for the pleasure of turning around. It’s a floral print and has brass buttons going all the way down in the back. It’s extremely slouchy so I paired it with a braided beige leather belt around my waist for definition. I’m a fan of matching belts with shoes so my beige heeled boots were also thrown into the mix.
Dress: Ecote via Urban Outfitters
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Boots: D-Segno Cuban Boots (super faded leather with a chunky wood heel)
I love mixing fabrics in unexpected ways. I paired suede leather ankle boots and a sequined black mini with a slouchy sweater and sequined bag. The sweater keeps the outfit from feeling too predictable. Normally, I would wear it with a silky blouse or tank for a night out dancing but this is something I can see myself wearing some night this fall to a more relaxed bar.
Sweater: J.Crew Spring 2011 (love the shoulder buttons)
Skirt: Michael Kors (sequinned)
Boots: Adrienne Vittadini
Sling purse: Vintage via The Getup
This wrap dress can be tied a few different ways and is made of this amazing material that I had never felt before this purchase. Ever heard of gabardine? It’s a pretty tough material used to make a lot of outdoor clothing like windbreakers but it’s been softened out for this dress and I promise it is super comfy! It’s from that eco-friendly line I was telling you about, POPOMOMO and I purchased it at my secret spot, Perpetua. www.popomomo.com
Dress: POPOMOMO
Nude heels: Via Spaga
Ball pendant necklace: Henri Bendel
Long leaf chain: Banana Republic
Here is a classic summer staple right here: cutoff denim shorts. I paired mine with a feminine blouse and t-strap leather sandals. This photo really doesn’t do the blouse justice. It’s made of very transparent cream silk and barely there straps. It’s constructed with a top and bottom layer and both edges have an amazing lace scalloped border. So feminine.
Top: Thistlepearl via Urban Outfitters
Shorts: BDG
Sandals: Urban Outfitters (I buy and wreck a pair of t-strap sandals from here every summer)
Anyone else think we need to get this girl a modelling contract with Urban Outiftters?!
Thank you, Sriya!!!
xx, katie
Have fun this weekend whilst playing a few of our selected anthems !
Cheers!
xx, katie
We can’t forget about the gents! I’m loving up on these looks for guys. Take note, my friends!
^^ Dear boy, Please iron your clothing. Thx, LFDM
I think that Lo would agree with me that each of these men deserve the title of “Beau of the Week” for their A+ in summer swag!
xx, katie
Need some summer wardrobe inspiration? Check our how these girls rockkk it in their summer swag. Thank you to CollegeFashionista.com for the finds : )
xx, katie
Summer is the perfect time of the year to play around with different styles, new trends, and make-up! We all want to keep our glow in tip top shape, but I know that it can sometimes be difficult to find the right products and proportions to achieve the look. Here are a few of my favorite summertime make-up products to get you glowing in your drop top. : )
Bare Minerals has hands-down been my favorite foundation. It’s light, looks natural, blends well, and good for your skin! I like to start off with their foundation (they have many-a-color to match perfectly match your skin tone) to even out my complexion and allow for a good base to build upon.
Time for the perfect bronzer!
This is how I apply, but I’ve found that everyone has their own way: Sweep on the apples of your cheeks and work up toward your hairline. Move all the way around your forehead as you work from your hairline outward. (This makes it look natural). Put a little bronzer down your nose, and your done! It’s also a good trick to sweep a little across your collarbone if you are wearing a strapless top or dress. I have a few favorites…
1. Bare Minerals in Warmth. This is my favorite, at the moment – it tends to look good on everyone…as you can adjust the color by applying more or less. It also has a matte finish, which is good if you’re looking to add some sparkle to your eyes or lips. It won’t be too much or look overdone.
2. NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna. This has a gold shimmer to it which makes for a really pretty finish. Also compliments many skin tones depending on how much or little you use. Remember though – less is more. When using bronzer, we just want to enhance what our mama’s gave us!
3. Chanel moisturizing bronzing powder in Tan de Soleil. I’ve yet to use this product myself, but have heard amazing reviews. It’s another “not too matte, not too shimmery” products.
BLUSH.
After borrowing this from a girl friend for a post-beach make-up touch up, I found my new favorite blush! It is another Bare Minerals product. Maybe I’m becoming biased, but this is hands-down, one of the best I’ve tried out. The color is Vintage Peach. It is the perfect combination of a peach-pink with gold shimmer. Perfect for layering over a matte bronzer!
EYES.
I don’t like too much going on with eyeshadow & whatnot, since summer make-up is more focused on your complexion. Dust on a subtle gold shade. Try the gold hue of L’Oreal HIP Crystal Shadow in Mystical (also comes with a green compliment shade).
I’m also loving up on Yves St. Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils in black. This mascara gives the effect of false eyelashes, and feels very soft once on as well! Definitely worth a try.
LIPS.
Neon lips are so hot for this summer. Lip color is the perfect way to add a pop to your make-up. I’m loving the Revlon shades in Lilac Champagne (pink/purple) and Bright Coral (looks like the orange-y shade the girl top left in the photo is wearing). These lipsticks can be found at your local drugstore. (This is the reason you’d find me frequenting the Walgreens make-up section.)
Lilac Champagne
Hot Coral
I hope this inspires some fresh summer faces! Remember we’re young & completely allowed to have fun with our look!
Happy Summer
xx, katie
Do you believe that that there is a song for every beautiful, awful, awe-stricken, free-spirited moment? I do. Here is a handful of my favorites at the moment. Enjoy
“Age of Consent” – New Order
“Dancing On My Own” – Robyn
“Smoke and Mirrors” – Paloma Faith
“High & Dry” – Radiohead
“Someday” – The Strokes
“405″ – Death Cab For Cutie
“Gone for the Summer” – Teen Daze
xx, katie
