Dear Readers,
We appreciate all of the support you have shown us this past semester. Our posts for the semester have reached their conclusion. However, make sure to check back for new tips, trends, and projects when we return in the fall! Have a wonderful summer break!
Best,
Madeline & theLook Bloggers
I’m a firm believer that a pretty outfit can better an ugly day, but even I am having trouble onsetting the gloom of cloudy spring. Too chilly for shorts, too windy for a skirt, and too gloomy for a sundress, jeans and leggings have wormed their way back into my week and for this I am quite unhappy. However, while rifling through my black and blue collection of trousers this morning, I found the answer to all my problems (really!): the candy-colored jean. I’m partial to all things cranberry, and while such colored pants trended early last spring, they are making a comeback when paired with equally colorful edgy tops and footwear. A cheerful and feminine color, cranberry can be supplemented by almost any other hue to create instant jubilance. I wore my pants with a multi-colored shirt and, dare I say, felt the clouds part ever so slightly at my bright ensemble. This versatile color can be worn through all weather and seasons, which makes them a no-brainer, as they have been dominating street style across the globe. Such bliss!
-VBW
If you’re anything like me, preparing to go home for the summer break (or winter, or spring, or the weekend) includes compiling a long list of restaurants I must visit before time’s up. No offense Harris, but you just don’t do it for me. I can’t be the only one, though, since “The Foodie Movement” seems to be sweeping the nation, and especially college campuses. New York Magazine describes this “Foodie-ism” as “youth culture,” explaining, “Food has become a defining obsession among a wide swath of the young and urbane. It is not golf or opera. It’s more like indie rock. Just like the music of, say, Drag City bands on a nineties campus, food is now viewed as a legitimate option for a hobby, a topic of endless discussion, a playground for one-upmanship, and a measuring stick of cool.”
Apparently many college campuses have taken the hint and have begun to cater dining halls towards students’ refined and demanding palates. The Washington Post highlights a few universities, including the University of Maryland, American University and Virginia Tech, each of which offer gourmet restaurants on campus. 251 North, allegedly “the hottest eatery in Maryland,” cost the school $13 million to open, yet “Maryland officials said dining costs remain flat year-over-year because a new dorm opened, creating more on-campus meal plans to offset any price increases.” Additionally, cafeteria prices have not been raised beyond the typical yearly increase. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Who knows, maybe when we return next September, that vacant field behind Cro will have been turned into a chic, 5 star cafe. I totally see it happening.
If you’re going to be around Providence this summer, here are a few of my favorite foodie hotspots you should check out:
East Side Pockets: the best falafel I have ever had. Order quickly and smile, you may get a free piece of baklava.
Kabob and Curry: if you like Indian, go. $10 buffet on Sundays!
Red Stripe: get the Red Stripe Grilled Cheese with prosciutto, poached pear and basil. My stomach is actually growling.
Meeting Street Cafe: the cookies are as big as my face. Also the reason why I gained fifteen pounds my senior year of high school…
Good luck with exams! Happy summer!
What must you have this Monday?
-MLR
One really great spring/summer trend for any girl to try is a floral headband. Perfect for a windy day on the beach or a music festival, these headbands are easy to buy or make yourself! Simply buy a stretchy headband from Forever 21 and use hot glue or sew fabric flowers around the band. Get some inspiration from these looks to make your own fun floral accessory!
Or check out this link for a DIY tutorial:
http://mylatestobsession3.blogspot.it/2012/04/diy-floral-headbands-round-two.html
Sources:
-DLM
Sunday brunch is without a doubt my favorite meal of every week. I grew up in Washington DC, a city that takes brunch VERY seriously. I love trying new restaurants in Georgetown when I’m home on breaks and prefer to judge restaurants based on how well they achieve that delicate balance between breakfast and lunch. With summer approaching we will no longer be subjected to the carrot pancakes and potato puffs of harris brunch. Instead, I urge everyone to take advantage of your respective towns, cities, etc and start scouting out the best brunch in your area.
Brunch doesn’t always have to be at a restaurant. Throw a brunch for you and your closest friends or have a brunch style picnic outside! One of the best parts about hosting brunch is that there is no set menu so people can bring any kind of breakfast or lunch food. Don’t forget to whip up a few bloody mary’s and mimosas to go along with your tasty spread! Check out these great brunch cocktail recipes to go with these delicious ideas for a tasty time!
-RMR
Fitness Friday
One of the most important factors of being healthy is having an efficient metabolism. Unfortunately, the older we get the more that metabolism starts to slow down…. This can lead to weight gain and having low energy. The good news is that there are certain ways to boost your metabolism… regardless of your goal for exercising, whether for weight loss or to stay fit, maintaining a speedy metabolism is absolutely necessary! Here are some tips to kick-start your metabolism.
1) Lift weights to gain muscle: Muscle burns calories even when you’re not working out (fat does not). People who have more muscle then fat will be able to burn calories much more efficiently… that means you can actually ENJOY your dessert!
2) Water, water, water: drink up everyone! In order to most efficiently burn calories, you need water! Dehydration can slow your metabolism and leave you fatigued.
3) Do NOT skip breakfast: Listen to what your mother has always told you….breakfast is the most important meal of the day. By the time you wake up you will have gone anywhere from 7-10 hours without eating… waiting until lunch to eat forces your body into starvation mode (this means your body stores fat rather than burning it away).
4) Eat smaller meals, but more frequently: Eating large meals two to three times a day is not only terrible for your digestion but it has consequences on your metabolism as well. Think of eating as “fueling.” If you have little snack throughout the day you’re constantly fueling your body with the energy to burn more calories!
5) De-stress and relax! : Stress can create hormonal imbalances in the body, thus throwing off your metabolism. With finals approaching (most likely accompanied with over- eating), you are more likely to have higher stress levels. Find ways to reduce your stress and be more conscious of your eating habits…. protect that metabolism of yours!
-ER
My fingers are crossed that the weather for this Floralia will be warm enough to wear shorts. I recently came across Runwaydreamz, a clothing brand that has denim shorts in bright ombre hues, American flag embellishments, studs, ikat print embellishments, and anything else you can imagine.
However, after a long semester, the contents of my bank account are looking quite sparse and the $162 price tag on some of these babies has a repelling effect. My suggested alternative is to make your own version using this project by Cruel/Thing. All you need is some bleach, colored dye, studs, and a couple of hours. Happy crafting!
-MAE
I am a huge shoe lover. True fact. And so I understand the anxiety related to figuring out what you are going to put on your feet for the summer months. There are a lot of factors to take into account— texture, color, weight, style…loafers don’t go with everything (also a true fact).
SO, to give you a lil push in the right direction, here is some shoe-porn for inspiration.
Think light or bright colors, and twists on simple classics like brogues and desert boots.
Mancini Suede Penny Loafer - Paul Smith
Wear with light blue shorts and white tee
Leather and Suede Boat Shoes - Lavin
Wear without socks, with chinos and a dark blue cable-knit sweater
Contrast-Sole Suede Derby Shoes - Gucci
Wear with light tones to accentuate the soles of these beauties.
M1 Canvas Desert Boots - Opening Ceremony
Wear with rolled up pants and a comfortable plain tee shirt.
Suede Desert Sneakers - Lavin
Wear these more urban sneaks with some slim jeans and maybe some colorful socks.
Classic Suede Brogues - Yves Saint Laurent
Wear with jeans and a colorful shirt for a more casual look.
- MSS
I’ll be the first to admit my wardrobe has a pastel personality; my knees grow weak with buttery yellows, light browns, and pale greys and beiges. While spring welcomes colors of all shades, my new favorite trend for this week (after all, it’s Floralia season!) is the ever-so fanciful neon. While such bright hues were once reserved for raves or work-out gear, adding a subtle pop of neon (oxymoron?) is a bold way to spice up a regular day. My favorite accents are pencil-thin belts, sandals, miniskirts, or even a cute bra if you feel like showing more skin. One of the perks of neon is you can pair nearly any few shades together and your ensemble will not clash; that said, make sure to proceed with caution when mixing neon anything less bright. Some of my favorite combinations are orange and brown, pink and black, purple and grey. Go ahead, be bold, and get your ne-on!
-VBW
Heads up! Mother’s Day is May 13th, so instead of making a card and an IOU coupon the night before, start looking now for something special. Harper’s Bazaar provides a Gift Guide by the Spring Trends, so take a look at their ideas and get inspired. 
As much as I would love to lavish my mom with Chanel, at the current moment it’s a little out of my price range. Etsy is a great place to find unique, handmade and affordable gifts. From clothing to housewares to jewelry, there is something for everyone.
For only $33, this sweet monogrammed necklace can be personalized with your mom’s initials (or yours and your siblings).
Or, get really crafty and make a gift yourself! My friend, Tara, has an awesome blog and recently shared these ideas she found. I know my mom would love everything on this list, especially the candy caramel truffles and French macarons.
With so many options, now I just need to choose one!
What must you (and your mom!) have this Monday?
-MLR
Each week we get closer to summer, I get more excited about lounging by the pool or going to the beach. One of the most fun (and easy!) additions you can make to your new wardrobe is a new bikini or one-piece suit! Every year, swim wear seems to follow the same themes: bright colors, triangle or bandeau tops, flirty ruffles, or a sporty-mod look. However, one thing I love about this season of swimsuits, aside from the above, is the new super-structured look in some collections. From strategically placed cut outs to color blocking, strong lines and structure in your new swimwear is flattering on any body shape, not to mention great for support. Here are some of my shopping faves:
1. Simple but edgy, this one-piece comes in similar two-piece version
2. This peachy number is from H&M- great to show off a bronzed tan!
3. Another fun, colorful look
4. Color blocking at its best! This top could easily be paired with a simple pair of black bottoms so you only have to buy half the suit!
Where to Buy:
1. http://www.lulus.com/products/volcom-solid-intuition-one-piece-swimsuit/48259.html
2. http://www.hm.com/us/product/97705?article=97705-A
3. http://www.freepeople.com/beaded-rays-one-piece
4. http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/colour-blocked-bustier-bikini/invt/5745460920819/&bklist=
-DLM
This saturday I decided instead of posting a recipe I would focus on a type of pornography that will make your mouth water.
I discovered this amazing website last spring during finals week, and I honestly can say that my final grades were compromised due to the overwhelming deliciousness that this site threw at me. The website’s tagline is “Click Drool Repeat” which very fitting considering I can never just look at a one or two photos. Mouthwatering dishes such as “Asparagus bruschetta with goat cheese, crispy shallots, basil and grain mustard vinaigrette” are photographed so exquisitely that I want to reconsider my Econ major for a career in food photography.
I strongly encourage everyone to go to Foodporndaily.com IMMEDIATELY!
- RMR
ps. make sure its foodpornDAILY.com not foodporn.com
Feeling less than enthused about working out? Sometimes the same old routine just gets…well, boring. To keep you motivated consider switching it up! With summer right around the corner you will have more free-time… sign up for an exercise class (kickboxing, spinning, or pilates!) with a group of friends!
It has been proven that working out in groups can actually lead to more productive gym sessions; you can motivate each other and work towards similar health goals. Besides, getting into a different routine will be more effective in keeping your body toned up… your body becomes accustomed and adapts to your workout, which eventually can lead to less calories burned. Continuously incorporating different exercises will give you the best results possible (this will serve you well with bikini season approaching!)
-ER
I stand by the belief that the smallest of embellishments can make a statement, or simply add visual interest to an outfit. This week, I found this embellished t-shirt project by I Spy DIY. I think it’s an easy way to turn one of your old shirts into something perfect for Floralia, or a night out on the town. The beauty of these instructions is that there is no sewing required—all you need is a shirt (knit or woven), appliques, and fabric glue. Happy crafting!
-MAE
While GQ and Esquire are a go-to for mens style, and Tommy Ton is our favorite mens fashion photographer, sometimes we get b o r e d. We need new places for inspiration!
Here is a roundup of our current favorite mens fashion blogs.
1. Dapper Lou
This blog, presented to us by Lougé Delcy is a showcase of the work and style of men in editorials or on the street.
2. Todays Tie
A blog dedicated to exactly what the title would suggest: tie-spiration
An all-around menswear man who can show off his personal style while answering all of your fashion questions.
As simple as it sounds— a street style (and item wishlist) blog for urban menswear.
A mix of personal style and DIY with an appreciation for great craftsmanship and fashion shows.
- MSS
