Best and Worst Looks of 2012

2012 has been a year, has it not? Obviously, in a year's time, there can be many fashion ups and downs, a lot of which one doesn't remember as the year closes... well, that's what I'm here for, to remind you!

BEST

Claire Danes in J. Mendel and Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackerman, both at the Golden Globes

The Year of Nails

This year I feel like I have see everybody and their sister's nail art online. Instagram and other such photo sharing apps have made it possible for everyone to share their fave manicures whether they had it done at the salon or did it themselves. I have seen so many that now I actually feel that there are really good and then there are the poorly done. I guess the overload of sassy manicures has made me somewhat of a snob now, that I tell the man when I see one I don't like "if you're gonna post your self manicure online, make sure you clean the nail polish off your skin on your fingers, gah!"... and he looks at me with a blank stare. Anyhoo, I have seen some great manis on our fave celebs and thought I would share some of them as well as the polishes I plan to pick up (if I don't already own them) so check them all out after the break!

Outfit Post: Working It

I think you guys remember the post I did on eShakti a week or so ago? Well, I wanted to show you what I wore with that fab.u.lous dress and how I did my hair and makeup to complete the look. You will have to let me know what you think!

• G by Guess Jackson Booties
• Dress c/o eshakti
• Rachel Roy Moto Jacket (similar)
• Petal Necklace from Etsy (Sea Lillie)
• Purse, thrifted (similar)

An Ode to Delia Ephron

I write this post as an ode to Delia Ephron. Technically an "ode" is related to music but at the end of the day, what do I care?  I saw Delia speak a couple weeks ago at the Massachusetts Women's Conference. While I owed her and #MassWomen this post directly afterwards, boy is this dang wedding taking up a lot of my time! (2 weeks to go people!) Anyhow, I have to say that out of all the brilliant keynotes and breakout session speakers at the conference, Delia Ephron was the most honest, touching and entertaining out of the bunch, in my opinion (with Brene Brown in a close second).

When I first looked at the schedule of speakers and the breakout sessions, I was immediately drawn to the Delia Ephron breakout session because, admittedly, I love The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which Delia penned the screenplay for. The session topic was basically dealing with crossroads in your life and working through them. My first impression was, eh, while I really want to hear Delia speak, I don't really consider myself at a crossroads. I'll just plop myself in the sesh and see if I can glean anything fun or interesting from this talented author. Once I was there in the flesh? It was a totally different story. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved Delia, her attitude and that fierce leather jacket.

Of course, she warmed up the crowd with one of my favorite topics, SHOES! She was looking natural and comfortable that day, wearing what she feels is one of the best items in a woman's wardrobe, her boots.

Once, she started getting into the meat of her session, Delia began to tell her story of how she became an author, what led her and brought her to where she is today. She spoke of family and of her relationships with those in her life, citing funny things her Dad said to her growing up and learning from her sister, author Nora Ephron. I could type out all the notes I took as I was feverishly trying to remember all the nuggets of wisdom or just plain amusing things that Delia said. Rather than doing that, I will just share some of my favorite quotes from Delia that day, which I can honestly say are some inspirational sticky note shiz, my friends.

In regard to women having the career, the family, the husband, the kids, etc... "Having it all is different for every woman." Amen, sister.

In regard to supporting women in your life and building eachother up."You're sisters with every woman you meet and don't forget it." Girl, preach it.

In response to an inquiry from an audience member about searching for your passion, while Delia didn't have the perfect answer for the woman, (I mean how can you direct someone on how to find something that has to be organic) Delia said something I loved. "An ideal life consists of things you're passionate about whether it's statistics or Crème brûlée." WORD.

At the risk of sounding a little creepy, I just thought Delia was awesome and I am so happy that I scooted up front to catch her session. I have a new appreciation for her work and also for the actual crossroads I happen to be at in my life. I so enjoyed her and the women that were in the session with me.

Huffington Post article on Delia's Session: huff.to/SBu6WE

You can grab Delia's latest book, The Lion is In, which I am bringing on the honeymoon with me, because dang if I have any time before then. Let me know if you've read it or if you attended the session at #MassWomen, I'd love your thoughts on it!

Wedding Crafting, Flower Votives

The other day I had a mini panic attack. It wasn't just about wedding decor but it was about the fact that I hadn't crafted any of my wedding decor. I claim to be Miss Crafty-Pants but I hadn't done anything more than shopping for shabby chic decor for my wedding tables. Well, I decided that wasn't me so I obviously took to Pinterest for inspiration. Afterall, I had been pinning things this whole wedding planning experience but hadn't put anything to good use. That was when I was reminded of a craft that I had seen on Dollar Store Crafts. She had compiled some of her favorite wedding craft finds over time and I was immediately drawn to these Rose Votive Candle Holders from Two Crafty Mules. I am not one to follow tutorials exactly so here is my take on the candle holders. You'll have to let me know what you think!

Massachusetts Conference for Women 2012, Morning Keynotes

As some of you may already know, I attended the Massachusetts Conference for Women this past week. At the largest conference of it's kind in the United States, me and 8,000 of my closest friends, all got together for some serious "woman power" moments... and maybe a couple of tearful moments as well. It was one those things, where the night before I was stressed about getting up earlier, getting there on time, looking good but being comfortable... all the things that weigh on me when my "norm" is changed. Once I was settled at my breakfast table, preparing for the first keynotes, I was able to get myself excited and began to feel the energy of everyone around me.

Making It Up

Though I would do a quick post on my makeup look from the other day. I was really pleased with how it came out with so little makeup used so thought I would share. The eyes were looking really blue and the lips really corally/pink. Muah xoxo

• L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, $8.99- This is absolutely my favorite mascara these days. It is amazing with my short lashes and even when on, it's not clumpy and my lashes are soft. A steal, if you ask me.
• Almay Intense-I Bold Nude Shadow - For Blue Eyes, $6.30, I love this eye shadow because as you can see, it's fitted for blue eyes, but not to worry, they make it for hazel, green and brown peepers as well!
• Becca Cosmetics Beach Tint in Guava for Lips and Cheek Stain, $25.00, A little pricey yes, but this beach tint doubles as lip gloss and cheek stain so it's twice as useful. I love the way it looks and has a nice scent.
• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Concealer, $29.00, Concealer is something I don't mind spending a little money on. You know I love my Miracle Skin Transformer Treat and Conceal but I use this for my under eye bags, because yes, I have them.

Have you ever just had a "good makeup day"?

Holiday Outfit Idea [Guest Post]

Whether it’s your first time with your boyfriend’s family for the holidays or just another party with your family, you definitely want to look stylish and festive for whatever occasion you are celebrating this winter. Here’s an outfit that can take you from one party to the next while still being comfortable and appropriate.

Kate Spade Sprinkles Wristlet, Tory Birch Jeweled Eddie Flat, Banana Republic Striped Knit Cowl, J. Crew City Mini in Dublin Tartan, Baublebar Emerald Taylor Bib, J. Crew Factory Stretch Pinball Bracelet

*Lauren from Pretty Pieces is a 24 year old technology journalist based in the Boston area who likes to blog for fun about fashion, shopping and bargain hunting. I love preppy styles, being from New England, but I can also rock a New York City black on black outfit. I'm mildly obsessed with Tory Burch flats and I'm a big sucker for sale items and outlet stores.

In my spare time, aside from blogging, I can be found cheering on the New England Patriots, eating way too many cheese products and fawning over golden retrievers.

#GirlProblems

Built an Outfit Around Shoes, Yep

This Sunday, the man and I didn't have too much to do besides go to Toys R Us to pick up some Giving Tree gifts and some odds and ends from the grocery store. Obvi, you don't have to look magnificent to head out shopping but hey, you can look cute right? I just recently purchased some Minnetonka Moccasins Fringed Moc that have become a surefire staple in my collection these days. I knew I wanted to wear them, simple as that... but that meant I had to build my outfit around the moccasins. No big, I suppose. Shoes are my thing, so I am used to it. ;-)

eShakti is Just My Size

As I sit here writing this blog post, I am looking at a pile of clothes that I plan to give to Salvation Army. This is a normal thing for me, to always have a trash bag, sitting near our laundry space, waiting for me to find clothes that I just don't see myself wearing any more. Some are well worn, for sure, but the majority of the clothes I am giving away just never fit that great. You know what I am talking about, right? You order a shirt online and just loooooved it but when it got home, it didn't look quite as you imagined but nevertheless you kept it in case something changed? Yeah, that's me.

Enter eShakti, which just happens to such an amazing concept. Here's the deal: You go onto eShakti.com and you choose the item of clothing you want to order. Theeeeeen, you can alter it before it ships to you. Are you a shorty like me? Well, then get your dress hemmed accordingly. Do you like long sleeves instead of sleeveless? Well, add some sleeves sistah! Where else can you get your clothes customized before you actually get them? All styles come in all sizes 0-36W, with customization. Seems to me like eShakti has hit a wide demographic that most retailers struggle with hitting.