a personal style blog by Lauren Pfieffer

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

My Heart Skips a Beat.

Red Dress, Necklace, Cut Out Boots: Thrifted.
Black Hat: c/o OASAP.
Tights: JCP.
NYX Matte Lipstick (can't quite remember the color name!)

Hello everyone!
I forgot my tripod back home while I was there for spring break, so I was thinking I wouldn't be able to take any outfit photos this week. But....I went and got coffee with my good friend Haley today, and if you remember she took all of my photos for me in Italy. The patient soul, ha. So after getting some delicious coffee at Tree City here in Kent (I got a salted carmel latte, yum!) we snapped some photos outside in the downtown area. Haley, if you're reading this you're the absolute best and I appreciate you so much! 

The weather is warming up here in Ohio which makes me h-a-p-p-y indeed. We had a massive snow storm though this past weekend in my home town, and I was delayed to come back to Kent an extra day. I had a bridal shower to attend for one of my best friends, Sabrina (where I'm a bridesmaid) and I almost didn't think I was going to make it back in time! Thankfully I did and it all went beautifully. I can't wait to see her as a stunning bride this coming May-- I've known her and her fiance since my freshman year and even went on their first date with them together! So excited to see them get married

Also, thank you all so much for the feed back + encouraging words on my last fitness post-- it is incredibly appreciated! You all showed interest in learning more about the foods I fix and am eating, so I think I might dedicate a little post to that in the near future. Any other things you all would like to read/see let me know! I also recorded a video of a haul of internship clothing I've picked up for my Nordstrom position this summer, so I need to get around to editing that to hopefully show you all soon.

Thanks so much for reading; love you all! x

With much love, Lauren.

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

My Fitness Journey!





Displaying IMG_4823.jpgencouragement for people trying to loose weight.  Weight loss takes time.
Hello everyone!

I've got a little something different for a post today. I wasn't sure if I was going to talk about it or not on the blog, but after some thinking I feel like now is a good time to start talking about it-- my fitness journey!

Growing up I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years of my life and never had to worry about the things I ate. The thousands of calories I burned during practices allowed me to eat anything and everything I wanted-- mostly just junk food because I had no consequences of eating all of it. I stopped swimming my sophomore year of high school and vowed to keep exercising and kept up with running for a bit but it soon fell to the wayside when my OCD kicked into overdrive my junior year, and then depression my senior year. I lost all motivation and desire to exercise, and since I had never developed good eating habits, I continued the diet I had when I was a competitive swimmer without any real thought. 

I knew I was gaining weight all these years but it didn't really matter to me because I accepted my body and loved it. It made me so happy that I could be a healthy role model for other girls for my curvier body type, and it was a dream come true to be featured in Seventeen and teach other girls how to dress for their pear shaped body. My freshman and sophomore years of college I lived on campus so I just ate from the cafeteria and didn't have to worry about fixing my own meals. And then when I went to Italy, I just ate pasta pretty much every day because it was cheap and I was on a budget. I never really had to learn how to cook for myself.

When I came back to the States to Kent for the second half of my junior year in college, I found myself living in an apartment and for the first time, having to completely cook for myself. I didn't know how, so I was just buying a lot of frozen meals or fixing easy, very unhealthy meals. I began feeling seriously sick every night--awful stomach aches, heart burn, bloating, and just feeling so sick...it was triggering my OCD in a way that hadn't happened in a long time, and I was reverting back to always being in a panic and having to call my parents multiple times a day to calm down my fears. I didn't really know what to do...I feel feeling awful, it was affecting my mental health, and I was just stressed with having to get an internship for this summer. And then the thought kind of dawned on me....why not start living a healthier life style?

I've tried doing so in the past but for all the wrong reasons. Self loathing of my body, desire to fit into a piece of clothing I once did, a push fueled by a fitness obsessed boyfriend. None of those times it was ever for ME. So I decided in the middle of February to start living and healthier life style and I've continued it for the last month and a half.

I've cut back on my junk and learned how to cook real meals. Lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy alternatives to things I was eating-- but NO cutting back on the amount of food I eat. I started using My Fitness Pal to track the things I was eating and was shocked at how unhealthy the things I was putting in my body were and how much I was really consuming. I started small, not cutting out every unhealthy but gradual switches. And still, I treat myself, every day. If not I would go crazy. It's about balance-- you can have the things you want, just in moderation. I've learned how to cook a lot of meals that are a LOT healthier than what I was, and it's actually been very fun and exciting to learn.

I didn't start out on my healthier life style with exercising-- I was just going to concentrate on eating healthier to feel better and less sick. But one random day, I just got the urge to go to the rec center in my apartment complex-- I did it, and I ended up loving it. I looked forward to going back every day, as a part of my routine that I've grown accustomed to, and I love the release of stress exercising gives me and the endorphin high afterwards. I've become so in love with it, that usually I exercise 5-7 times a week. I would be lying if I said I LOVE healthy eating, but I do LOVE exercising. Both are important though!

It's been amazing to see how much better I feel. I no longer feel sick at night; no longer am having panic attacks. I feel light, free, and so much happier and healthier. That was the biggest goal for me-- to feel better. Body wise, it's also been exciting to see changes in myself from the work I've been doing. Over a month, I lost five pounds which is crazy. It was slow and a lot of hard work, but 5 lbs is actually a ton and I am so proud of myself. It's not about the weight though. Weight is just a stupid number society tells you to go by-- I'm more into about how my body feels and the new found strength I've gained. I am so much more confident in myself. As I said, I loved my body before-- it was fantastic to be a role model for others in being a pear shaped girl. But I was not healthy-- I wasn't treating my body the way it should have been treated and although I don't hate the way I looked, I hate the way I went about my health. Not saying that if you look to me for body inspiration that you should feel bad about your body-- that is NOT the case. We are all different in our bodies. For me, it was time to push towards a healthier life style to feel better; it doesn't mean we all have to. You can't do it if someone else tells you to or you do it so you look like so-and-so. You have to do it for yourself; because you want to be the best version of you! It's not easy. It's a long process if you do it the right and healthy way and it comes with lots of obstacles. I probably should, but I don't necessarily have 'goals.' I just want to continue this journey I'm on and see where it leads me. The only goal I have is to keep living this healthy lifestyle and developing good habits to treat my body right so I can be the best version of me that I can be ♥ 

I can keep you all updated on my progress as I work along if you'd like, but if it's not something you all are interested in then it can be more so of just a passing by sort of thing. Let me know and thanks for your support! x

With much love, Lauren.
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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Youtube Favorites.


//A lovely, quirky soul who is possibly the most excellent thrifter I've ever seen. A beautiful soul inside and out that not only shares her thrift hauls, but her struggles with anxiety, meditation techniques, and vegan lifestyle. Also, her teal blue hair always gives me major envy!//

Videos to Watch:  
ANY of her thrift hauls

//A naturally gorgeous gal with the most soothing, gentle voice known to man. I always enjoy watching her videos before bed with a cup of tea. She's my total girl crush: style wise, beauty wise, and lifestyle wise. Madelynn posts an array of artfully put together videos of natural looking beauty looks, fun DIYs, and ootds of her killer style//

Videos to Watch:


// Many of you probably already watch Estee-the hilarious Canadian gal living in London with her boyfriend and adorable pup Reggie (who I am equally as obsessed with). This girl will have you rolling on the floor laughing at her stories and little quips, but not to mention she offers up such a breadth of advice and knowledge in her videos. She's a girl after my own heart with a love of lipstick, and I'm always trying to take tips from her natural makeup looks. Her vlogs of her daily life in England are hilarious and interesting, and not to mention I'm loving her #healthybutton series on her fitness journey as I am on one as well! There's nothing I don't like about the lovely Essie Button//

Videos to Watch:

//I've followed Coury's blog Fancy Treehouse for quite a few years now, and was thrilled to pieces when she started a youtube channel recently to document her every day adventures with her darling daughter Goldie. Ever since Goldie was born, I have dubbed her most darling little girl of all time. Seeing her in photos was one thing...but on camera she is the biggest little ham and cutest little thing. I love her obsession with princesses and the little mermaid, and her little toddler world is just the dreamiest-- making you want to be a kid again, too. Goldie is seriously a little light; watching her will brighten up any of your days//

Videos to Watch:

What are some of your guy's favorite youtube channels? I'd LOVE to hear them!

With much love, Lauren.
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Monday, March 23, 2015

Be Our Guest.

Polka Dot Blouse,Tapestry Purse, Stone Earrings: Thrifted.
Blue Dress: H&M.
Bunny Flats: Le Bunny Bleu.
Lipstick in MAC's Please Me.

Hello everyone!

Styled up this outfit the other day and everyone on instagram told me (and I definitely agree) that I look like princess Belle. That got me thinking...I haven't watched any of the Disney Princess movies in FOREVER! Maybe 11+ years? I would watch a few over this spring break to get caught up, but they're all on VHS tapes :( We don't even have a VHS player anymore, so they're ancient, uncrackable relics now. Still not giving them up though-- they're a part of my childhood!

 Man, it snowed today though here in Ohio; such the pits! What a spring break, eh? That's Ohio though for you. I'm going back to Kent a little early from my spring break for a wedding shower of my friend Sabrina, whose wedding I'm in actually! I haven't been to a wedding since I was 11, and have never been in a wedding at all,so it's something I'm really excited about. I met Sabrina my freshman year of college when she was a fashion major, too (now she's an amazing nursing major!), and we've been friends ever since. She's actually an exchange student from Malaysia, so it's always incredibly interesting to hear about her life and culture back home. Hopefully I can show you all some photos of the wedding when it takes place in May, and the beautiful bride to be :)

With much love, Lauren,
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Peter Pilotto for Target Outfit.

Peter Pilotto for Target Dress, T-Strap Heels, Earrings: Thrifted.
Black Faux Leather Jacket: H&M.

Hello everyone!

Here is the Peter Pilotto dress I thrifted a few weeks ago that I was telling you all about! I am still excited about it and can't wait to style it up even more ways. It's just such an interesting piece for my wardrobe and allows me to experiment with more looks for my style (since I don't really know where it's going lately).

Anyways, I am home for spring break right now! I don't have any big plans-- mostly just relaxing and hanging out with my family and my boyfriend. Our one year anniversary is coming up here in the beginning of April and I can't believe it. I know I don't talk about him much on here, but it's just because I made that mistake majorly with my high school boyfriend. It wasn't pretty watching everything end and play out here on my blog. So when I started dating Ryan, I just wanted to keep the relationship more offline so as to not go through that whole mess again if anything happened, and I feel like its worked out well for me. I am excited to spend some quality time with Ryan this spring break though since we don't get to see each other too often, and definitely looking forward to having a little celebration for our anniversary soon! The day he asked me out last year involved donuts and exploring in Akron...maybe a repeat again for this year?!

Hope you all are enjoying the first days of SPRING finally being here!

With much love, Lauren.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Old School.

Burgundy Dress: Modcloth.
Camel Beret: AA.
Tapestry Heels: Thrifted.


Hello everyone & Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's typically not a holiday I'm fond of because in college it just means a bunch of drunk people keeping you up at night and no more promises of chocolate coins anymore like in elementary school. Growing up can be the pits, man. But since having traveled to Ireland this past November while living in Europe, my heart has grown a little softer for the holiday. Today reminded me of my love for the country and the wonderful time I had there-- it was my favorite of all the places I visited. I am so eager and looking forward to going back some day. I WILL. I didn't get to explore near enough as I wanted, and am already dreaming again of those beautiful rolling green hills, charming accents, and friendly folks again...My grandparents are taking a trip to Ireland in a few weeks and I am BEYOND jealous of them! 

Funny story about these shoes. When I first started blogging five years ago, Jeffery Campbell Litas and Foxys were all the rage. They were the shoes the biggest bloggers wore, and you couldn't go one scroll down the lookbook.nu page without seeing a gal sporting one of the two styles. I was young and impressionable, and I felt like if I could just have a pair of those shoes...it would mean I was an established, successful blogger like those I admired. I was only in high school though without a job and couldn't ever afford like, what, a pair of $150 shoes? So I never got a pair.

Five years later, Litas and Foxys are nowhere to be found on anyone in the blogosphere (probably collecting dust at some Plato's Closet somewhere). I went thrifting this past weekend and kind of gasped when I saw these Foxy knock offs. I remember I loved the tapestry ones back then, and the fact that these look alikes were in my size, my fabric choice, and only $3...I grabbed them up so darn fast. There was no way I wasn't coming home with them. I think it's funny to finally 'get a pair' after all these years...having the shoes when I first started blogging would have never made me cooler or a better blogger and that's something thankfully I can realize now. But I love that when things are meant to happen, they'll come around in their good time. Like most fashion choices in my life, I usually get my hands on things years after they've gone out of style but it doesn't make it any less special to me. x

With much love, Lauren.
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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Listen for the Train.

Dress, Cardigan, Hat, Necklace: Thrifted.
Boots: c/o Pink and Pepper.

Hello all ♥ 

Wow, wow, wow you all are serious angels for the kind words on my last post. I felt just so dumb writing + admitting how I miss sometimes the old 'vintage Lauren'...but as always, you all lifted me up with words of support for any phase in my life I'm going through. It means so much! 

Got to have a relaxing Saturday to myself today to thrift and wander around Kent to take pictures. I went to this Goodwill in a local town I visited about a month ago and it wasn't there anymore, lol? It had actually just moved somewhere else, so "lucky me" I actually managed to go on the day of its grand re-opening + their tenth anniversary. Crazy is an understatement to explain that place. Had two great finds though so it was worth it. I actually got a brand new, tags still on it. Peter Pilotto for Target dress for only $5 which had me stoked. I was intrigued by the collection actually when it came out but would have never bought anything because the pieces we're too out of my comfort zone to try for the price tag. For five bucks though I thought, sure! I'll give this a go. And I'm so glad I did. I got this dress right here and it's unlike anything I've ever worn/owned but for some reason I'm drawn to it and trying it on I was sold. Drop waists in general tend to look pretty awful on me, but this is finally one that works well. And all the crazy prints together and colors shouldn't work together...but somehow Peter pulls it off to make a magnificent dress that I'm excited to wear. I think I might take it for a spin out for some outfit photos tomorrow-- stay tuned!

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend wherever you are! x

With much love, Lauren.
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Love Me Like You Do.

Cotton Blouse: Forever21. 
Circle Skirt, Wide Brim Hat: c/o OASAP.
Cut Out Boots, Necklace: Thrifted.
Lipstick from Kiko Cosmetics in Italy.

Hello there!

I posted a photo of my senior pictures the other day on instagram (@passingwhimsies if you want to check it out), and it was interesting the responses I got from people. Nothing bad at all (lots of super sweet comments!), but people were just saying how princess like I looked and how the vintage look suited me. Sometimes I miss dressing in vintage; I really do. Posting that photo reminded me of who I used to be and how much I've changed. Not that I don't like who I am right now and how I dress, because I do. I guess I just never saw myself like this. I didn't ever expect to start getting into the style of clothes I am now or wearing my hair a certain way or looking to certain things for inspiration. I just figured I would always dress in vintage and it would be a passion of mine. And it still is-- I still drool over photos of beautiful vintage dresses and when I come across them in the thrift store I almost always can't pass them up. But as a day to day dressing style it's just not conducive with my life anymore. It became a persona for me and I felt like people weren't seeing me for Lauren, but for the 'retro girl' who was fun to look at. I wasn't into what I was wearing and sacrificed warmth, comfort, and accessibility for wearing these super delicate pieces. As a college student going to and from classes and living in a state where the weather stinks about 85% of the time, it just got too hard.

I miss aspects of vintage style dressing like the awesome community of gals it is. It's such a niche style of dressing and all of the friends I made when I wore head to toe vintage was amazing. And I miss just the respect of it, as silly as it sounds. People respected me and noticed me a lot more. It wasn't an every day thing to see someone dressed that nicely or a style so different, so I was able to be treated in a different way and admired differently. As vain as that sounds (super vain and I hate myself for it admittingly) but, I miss it. I just feel ordinary now like there's nothing particularity special about how I dress. Anyone can dress how I do-- it's not hard, it's not definable...it's just kind of 'meh' to be honest. 

I don't know, I'm just in a really confused state of my personal style right now. Posting that throw back photo of me wearing vintage brought up a lot of feelings. I feel like people don't like me as much when I'm not wearing vintage. It sounds weird and stupid but it's true. There's not something quirky, interesting, and sweet about me anymore. There's just this confused style that can't make up its mind. The problem is, I don't want to necessarily go back to the style I was doing. That wouldn't fix things because I don't feel like it represents me anymore after all the experiences and growing I've had. So I'm trying to find a new place where I feel confident and secure in my way of dress like when I found vintage. I don't know if it will be more boho like in this post; European; or the slight retro twist on modernity. It also doesn't mean I still don't love vintage and want to dress in it from time to time because it does make me feel beautiful and it is still a part of who I am. I guess what I'm trying to say is I just don't want it to be what I'm known for and expected of. I want the outside of me to fit the new inside I feel.

With much love, Lauren.
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