New Directions

OK, YF-Bers… after taking a bit of a vacay from writing – a much needed time for introspection – I’ve decided to take YF-B in a new direction. While I absolutely love encasing myself in everything fashion, it can and has become a bit… surfacey. And while What Color is the New Black, and How To Effectively Wear Stripes are valid topics, my little blog is never going to reach the sublimity of those like The Man Repeller, FashionToast or Stylelist (if this is the first you’re hearing of these blogs, please Google them now. Your life will become better).

And on my sort of sabbatical from blogging, I had one of those “a-hah” moments where I realized that this whole time I’ve been trying so hard to write like them and become fashionably relevant when really I should have just been me. A girl who tries, fails often, dreams up new life goals weekly, and has insight into some pretty cool things (like fashion, beauty, health, love, and God).

I’d still like to be able to offer thoughts on upcoming trends and awesome DIY’s that don’t take a miracle to pull off… and I feel like I also have more that I can offer the cyber world. So, I would like to take this time to formally invite each of you to join me in going beyond the Brocade and deeper than DVF. To start figuring out what our lives should look like, setting goals, being healthy, not settling for average all while looking and feeling utterly fabulous. There’s no red or blue pill, no list you need to sign, just a simple “I’m in” will do.

If you have anything you’d like to know more about, ideas for what you’d like to see here on YF-B, or just general thoughts or comments, please feel free to shoot me an email at Lauren.Zeinstra@gmail.com.

Stay fabulous.

XOXO,

Lauren

The Real “It” Factor

It’s Monday night (or Tuesday morning?) and I just had a revelation about the “it” thing that everyone keeps talking about. You know, the “it” factor, the “it” girl on the scene. Well, I have some news for you – the REAL “it” isn’t about the latest handbag, or conveniently utilizing your summer favorites as your fall staple pieces. No, there has to be something more behind the real “it” factor – something that can never be “so last season”, or “only appropriate in your 20s”.  There HAS to be something that we’ve all been missing.

And then it hit me.

“It” isn’t about how you drape and accessorize for an outward appearance, or how well you recreate looks from your favorite runway shows. It’s about the words and the thoughts that you feed your soul. Not the words of the great philosophers or the thoughts that make us feel warm and fuzzy – I’m talking about REAL WORDS and REAL THOUGHTS that make us reconsider our life choices, and feel compassion for those that have wronged us, and feel joy even in the midst of the most trying situations.

“The good works that God had in mind when He thought of you were so glorious that He declared across the ages that you were His very own masterpiece. God has had His eye on you since the beginning of time to do something so extraordinary through your life that even angels would stand back in wonder and long to do what you were created to do!”

“So here’s what I want you to do. God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well adjusted to our culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix our attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” – Romans 12:1-2

All this being said, I still completely support a solid Steve Madden purchase (I’d be crazy if I didn’t), and I’m going to continue to scour the outlets searching for the best deals on designer swag; however, it’s vitally important to remember that the real “it” factor lies in our Savior, and we are nothing without His love, grace, and strength.

XOXO,

 

Lauren

The Purge Before The Splurge

I love summer as much as the next girl, but I must admit that I’ve been yearning to layer chunky sweaters over skinny jeans with my Steven Madden riding boots! And so, my weekend was spent with hours filtering through Pinterest and the pre-fall look books of my favorite designers, and daydreaming of how perfect the new Burberry line would look in my closet. And then I looked at my closet, and noticed the tank I have been holding onto all summer because there might be a time when it would look perfect, and the dress that I definitely remember wearing to a BBQ when I was in high school, then there are the brown wedges circa 2009 that were a questionable impulse purchase at the time and definitely have no room in my fashion future. It’s time to purge – and I know I’m not alone.

Knowing myself, and my strange attachment to clothing, I’ve decided to take charge with this new desire to minimize and have given myself a tight timeline to go through my closet (and my shoe racks!!) by the end of the week, putting everything into separate piles: Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash.

Here are my thoughts on when you know it’s time to pitch an item: If it hasn’t been worn in over a year; If it has an Abercrombie or Hollister tag and you’re over the age of 19; If it’s been through the wash so many times that you can no longer read the care instructions; If you’ve ever thought “I can sew that back on” and still haven’t. I promise that there is an upside to downsizing!

After you’ve gone through your wardrobe and have everything out of your room that you no longer want or need, decide what is OK to sell and what is OK to donate. If you’re unsure whether something holds value to resell, take it to your local consignment shop and ask! If you don’t have a preferred non-profit to donate clothing to, check out Buffalo Exchange! They have a network of amazing local non-profits, and can donate anything they are unable to purchase from you.

Here’s the fun part… give yourself a goal and a reward for all of your hard work! My goal is to sell enough to be able to reward myself with a pair of Steve Madden boots – something practical for fall, and exciting enough to actually WANT to go through my closet. It’s ground breaking.

Have fun and GET AT IT!!

XOXO,

Lauren

Push It to the Maxi

From Betsy Johnson to Roberto Cavalli, one of the hottest trends for summer is the Grecian inspired maxi skirt! My go-to maxi style is a high-waisted extra long silhouette, as this synchs the waste, and one of the best aspects of this floor length skirt is that it lengthens the body to give you that “legs for days” look. Legs for days and a tiny waste? Sign     me     up!! Unfortunately, if you’re at all like me, Betsy and Roberto are a bit out of the budget, but check out these fabulous options that will keep you rocking your street runway, and still eating three meals a day!

For some fashion eye candy, check out this high waisted maxi skirt by Hinge, that also happens to come in a shade of this season’s hottest color: Paprika! Pair it with sky-high wedges and jaws will drop. What’s even more exciting is that this little number is currently ON SALE at Shop.Nordstrom.com. As always, click the photo to head there.

Hinge at Nordstrom

For a less expensive option, try this maxi from Forever 21 in light blue. Pair it with some strappy sandals for a cute hippy-chic look.

Forever 21

Nervous about going floor length? Go for a hi-low style to ease your way in.  One of my fav’s for the season is this Sanctuary number in “Minty”, which is ALSO on sale at Shop.Nordstrom.com! Pair with funky heels for a night on the town, or keep is casual with Grecian sandals – either way, be ready for some envious stares.

Sanctuary at Nordstrom

For a less expensive, but completely fabulous option, check out this abstract hi-low option from Forever 21. Make a bold statement by adding a bright shoe, or for a less-is-more look, stick to a black heal or flat.

Abstract at Forever21

With these looks, you’ll be set for a chic summer filled with BBQs, rooftop patios, date nights, and girls nights, all while looking young and fabulous.

XOXO,

Lauren  

Launching YF-B

Fall… could there be a more perfect time to start a blog about fashion? I didn’t think so. With the legendary September Issue of Vogue coming out in just a few short weeks, and designers debuting their masterpieces after months of slaving over design desks, I’m proud to also be presenting my brain-child: Young Fabulous and Baroque.

As every young chicette-in-training knows, staying educated in current trends is simple; creating a wardrobe out of current trends on a college or entry-level salary, however, can sometimes prove to be too challenging. Well, challenge accepted – after all, you’re talking to a seasoned professional, here!

This blog is dedicated to the fashion addicts, and the DIY enthusiasts. To all the women out there who have ever eaten top-ramen for a month straight in order to afford a Diane Von Furstenberg tote, or chosen shoes over dinner, I understand. And now is the time to rise up and say, I WILL eat my cake and have my Jimmy Choo’s too!

Here is the place where you can find news to fuel your fashion craving, DIY’s to supplement your need to re-vamp your jewelry collection, and steals on look-a-likes that could fool Anna Wintour herself… or maybe just that cute guy at the bar. Nevertheless, this will be the perfect stepping stone to get you from last year’s drab to this year’s fab – without ruining your credit score.

Stay tuned dolls!

Xoxo,

Lauren