Friday, February 27, 2009

Double the FUN, Half the Price!


The more you know, the less you need. Aboriginal saying.

Since Spring is (almost) in the air, I know nearly everyone is beginning to think about doing Spring shopping. To make shopping a little more fun and affordable, Edit by Lauren is offering a special promotion this Spring called "Double the Fun, Half the Price." Pick a favorite friend, your mom, daughter, sister, spouse or significant other and share a customized shopping trip designed just for the two of you! I will work around your lifestyle, body type and budget, making sure that you are buying only the most flattering, fabulous clothes possible. You show up at the mall/stores of choice and I will already have clothes pulled for you, ready to try on! You'll be amazed by how much time and money you will save...and how confident you'll be in the clothes you buy!

Here's how it works: You and your shopping partner each pay $50/hour (instead of regular rate of $100/hour) for the first 3 hours. After 3 hours, the price drops to only $35/hour per person! 2 hour minimum required. Dual shopping trips must be reserved by May 1, 2009, but can be redeemed anytime. Contact me at lauren@editbylauren.com to book an appointment!

Hoping to shop with you soon!
Lauren

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Fab New Way to be GREEN: Recycling Dresses!


All of us girls know the drill: You get the invite to a wedding or formal event. Your initial excitement is quickly drowned out when the dreaded question: "What will I wear?" comes to mind. You toy with the idea of buying a new dress, but then your responsible side tells you that you really shouldn't invest in yet another new dress...God knows, you have a closet full of dresses! But then again, the thought of wearing the same dress you wore to the last wedding just isn't too exciting at all...especially since all 800 of your Facebook friends have already seen every dress you own in your online photo albums!

Here's a genius solution: A consignment dress boutique, called LeDress Boutique, that just opened in Buckhead! LeDress is a new concept in shopping for that special dress. The store consigns and sells Bridal, Evening, Prom Gowns and Designer Cocktail dresses. LeDress has a super informative website that outlines both their concept and consignment process at www.LeDressBoutique.com.
What a fabulous idea! Can we call ourselves "green" for recycling dresses?!

LeDress Boutique
3255 Peachtree Road #6 (on the Peidmont Road Side of the Container Store Building)
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.842.1955

Stylishly yours,
Lauren
www.editbylauren.com

Monday, February 23, 2009

Big Savings on Old Navy's Spring Collection! 4 Days Only!




Old Navy is offering a significant discount of 30% off its new Spring Collection (on styles for the whole family) today through Thursday, February 26th. Just enter promo code "NEW30" at checkout. This discount is exclusively for online shopping. I must warn you that if you browse Old Navy online, you will be more than tempted by the store's impressively fresh and vibrant Spring clothes!
Just to mention a few, this sunshiny yellow hobo is a mere $ 16.50, this "perfect for the beach" maxi dress is $34.50 and these "make your outfit pop" red T-strap wedges are only $19.50...and these prices are before taking that 30% off!

Happy Shopping!
Lauren
www.editbylauren.com

Friday, February 20, 2009

Spring '09 Trend Alert: The Trench Coat


I love it when it just so happens that a particular season's "must-have trend" is also a classic wardrobe staple. That's the case this Spring with the popularity of the Trench Coat. Since the trench is one of the most classic items a woman can have in her wardrobe, this is a piece, if purchased this season, you will continue to wear for years to come! It's perfect for the unpredictable weather of spring and will come in handy on the rainy/overcast days of summer.

I think designer Michael Kors would agree since he was once quoted: "Put on a trench and your suddenly Audrey Hepburn walking along the Seine."

Although you can't go wrong with the classic, go-with-everything khaki-toned trench, there are a lot of fresh color choices available this season. I am pretty obsessed with this hot coral-pink trench by Kensie (pictured above left). Kensie clothes are available at Bloomigdales and Dillards, as well as numerous boutiques/retailers nation-wide. Go to www.kensie.com/stores to find a store near you.

Chadwicks is featuring a classic double-breasted tie-waist trench in a variety of colors at an absolute steal of a price: $39.99. (pictured above right)

Gap and Banana Republic also currently have a good variety of trenches.

Remember that a tie-waist is a "must" when it comes to a trench...and is also one of the most flattering coat-styles on any woman, since it emphasizes the small of the waist.

Stylishly yours,
Lauren
www.editbylauren.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

New Jewelry Line at Target


Bold statement jewelry is totally in this season and is an easy way to add instant glam to a "plain-jane" outfit. You'll notice that charm bracelets, specifically, are making a big comeback these days. Check out the new Erickson Beamon designer jewelry line currently at Target. I love the charm bracelet pictured...what a unique gift for a girl friend, priced at a mere $29.95! Check out Target's website to view the full selection of Erickson Beamon for Target jewelry. If you decide to buy online, Target is now offering free shipping on orders over $50.

Stylishly yours,
Lauren

Sunday, February 15, 2009

JC Penney: Not just for vacuums anymore


I am pleased to announce a "new" place to find cute designer clothes for swell prices. JC Penney recently introduced two new designer lines: I (Heart) Ronson by designer Charlotte Ronson and Allen B. by Allen Schwartz (Allen B. blouse priced at $50 is shown in picture to left). Check them out online at www.jcp.com. I was impressed that the store's website allowed me to search for local JCP stores that had my size in stock, in case I want to try on something in person, and that, if ordering online, JCP is currently waiving shipping fees for purchases over $69.

Stylishly yours,
Lauren

Friday, February 13, 2009

TGIF at Sage Clothing!


I just love Fridays, don't you?! Here's yet another reason for some Friday-love. Sage Clothing is offering "TGIF Friday's" in February by offering a 20% storewide discount during each Friday this month. I love Sage because it offers stylish, unique clothes at a great price (most items are under $100) in a boutique environment.

Sage has three stores:
Buckhead: Buckhead Market Place, 37 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30315
Midtown: Brookwood Place, 1745 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Forsyth: The Avenue Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway Suite 130, Cumming, GA 30041


Happy Friday!
Lauren

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Trusty Ol' Cardigan Just Got Better



"The classics are always modern."
Edward Bulwer-Lytton



I have a slight obsession with V-neck cardigans (or "cardis" as I like to call them) these days. They are a no-brainer way to totally expand your wardrobe since you can layer them over any dress, tee, blouse or camisole. They look great open, belted or buttoned. I think this is one of the most practical pieces for transitioning your wardrobe into spring and to throw in your luggage when you travel over the spring/summer months, to ensure warmth for cool evenings and airplane flights. Luckily, a lot of happily-bright spring colors are hitting the stores this month and the selection of cardigans is plentiful.

I am very impressed by the look, feel and price-point of the Gap's "New V-neck Cardigan." Priced at a reasonable $44, this cardigan comes in 16 colors!! I am particularly found of the colors "purple loganberry" (shown above), "calypso" and "studio green."


Another to try: Old Navy's "Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigans", priced at only $29.50. Although this version doesn't come in a wide array of colors, I love the length and men's styling. I think I might have to pick up the "Dark Sea Blue" Striped (shown on right) one for myself!! (Remember to check the websites and order online for the best assortment of sizes and colors.)

Stylishly Yours,
Lauren
http://www.editbylauren.com/

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What Women Want this Valentines Day!


Edit by Lauren has recently partnered with personal trainer, Lisa Culling, owner of Make Healthy Choices! It only makes sense that many of Edit's clients desire more lean, toned bodies to showcase their stylish clothes and I couldn't be more confident to refer my clients to Lisa. What makes Lisa unique is that she offers in-home personal training for women-only. The implications of this "in-home" service are plentiful: 1. Lisa brings the gym equipment to you 2. you can stay at home with your kids while you work out 3. no gym-fee required and 4. Lisa is a woman (and a mother of two) and understands women's bodies, and more importantly, the crazy-busy lives that most of us lead! Check out her site at http://www.makehealthychoices.net/...it's a really great site and worth a visit! :)

Since Lisa and I are both women (obviously), we know that there are probably more men out there than would like to admit that have absolutely no idea what they are going to give their sweetheart this coming Saturday for Valentines Day. We put our head's together and thought we might be able to help out these men and their special ladies in one fair swoop. How? Men can purchase a stylishly packaged gift-certificate for perfect combination of services from both Edit and Making Healthy Choices and all you women can actually get a gift that will look a whole lot better on your thighs and around your tummy's than a box of chocolates! So if you are a woman reading this, you might want to forward this idea to the man in your life. And men, just contact Lauren (lauren@editbylauren.com) or Lisa (culling@bellsouth.net) this week and we will do whatever it takes to get this cute little gift in your hands in time for Heart Day!

There are two packages to choose from:

1. The Ultimate Valentines Day Sweetheart Special:
  • Four 1-hour training sessions and a complimentary 1-hour fitness analysis and goal setting session from Make Healthy Choices PLUS a 2-hour complete wardrobe/closet consult and 2 hours of personal shopping from Edit by Lauren. $500 ($650 value)
2. Valentines Day Sweetheart Special:
  • Four 1-hour training sessions and a complimentary 1-hour fitness analysis and goal-setting session from Make Healthy Choices PLUS a 2-hour wardrobe/closet consult. $350 ($450 value)
Happy (early) Heart Day to you!
Lauren
http://www.editbylauren.com/

Monday, February 9, 2009

Turning Spring Cleaning into Spring Shopping


I don't know about you, but I always seem to get the itch to clean, organize and discard as soon as the weather turns warm and sunshiny! (I guess that's why they call it "Spring Cleaning!") Well, it is looking like Spring has arrived quite early in Georgia this year, considering it is only the beginning of February, and temps hit near 70 degrees over the weekend. I woke up to a gorgeous April-like day on Saturday and immediately had a craving to clean and organize every nook and cranny of my house. I have learned that when this mood hits, it is best to strike while the iron's hot, since I don't crave cleaning all too often! And, of course, with all the organizing, along came the cleaning out of the closets...I guess you could say that I took my own advice from my last posted article! I filled up a few large Tupperwares with clothes, shoes and accessories that just don't do it for me anymore. I am getting ready to haul them over to my favorite local consignment shop, Panache Consignment Boutique, located in the Suwanee Town Center (pictured above). I have been eyeing a new trench and some funky new wedges, so I am hoping that my "consign pile" might provide a guiltless shopping spree early next month...

If you live in the North Atlanta/Duluth/Suwanee area, I highly recommend Panache for either shopping for some good deals or selling your gently used clothing and accessories. It is a large store with a friendly owner named Karen who will give you a 50/50 split on your items that sell. Best yet, whatever doesn't sell, Panache donates to a local charity.

I love it when Spring Cleaning = Spring Shopping!

Panache Consignment Boutique
3930-B6 Charleston Market Street
Suwanee, GA 30024
770.945.5227
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Stylishly Yours,
Lauren

Thursday, February 5, 2009

New Year, New Closet!

This month, I began writing a monthly style column for a North Atlanta Women's magazine called "Northside Woman." Here is my first published article:

New Year, New Closet!

Why do most all of us have a closet full of clothes and wake up, most days, feeling like we have nothing to wear?

I believe we feel this way for two primary reasons: one, we keep thinking we’ll find something “new” inside the closet; and two, we are all terrified at getting rid of anything. We’re all packrats at heart, afraid that as soon as we give away something, it will come back in style; or we’ll suddenly lose the 10 pounds we’ve been trying to lose for two decades and that “perfect” pair of jeans will finally fit.

So we keep our closets jam-packed with sentimental sweaters, jeans that have been through at least two presidential administrations, bright colored cocktail dresses that we’re certain will come back in fashion in another year…or two…or ten. Then as we attempt to pick out an outfit in the morning, we open our closet doors to the mass quantity of clothes that just no longer work for us. The “good” clothes are stifled out by the “bad.”

Ever heard the saying “less is more?” Well maybe we should all begin using that mindset when it comes to our wardrobe. I firmly believe that doing a closet audit, even if it means ridding yourself of half your clothes, will make you feel that you actually have more clothes and more things to wear.

Why? Simple: the articles hanging there will fit, be stylish and be more visible. This is a difficult task and many of you will not be able to do it on your own. Just like it is difficult to push yourself in a gym workout without a trainer or a friend, it may be harder than you think to say goodbye to clothes that have lived with you for a long time. So grab a fashion-forward, honest friend (who can say “yes, your butt really does look big in those pants!”) or a professional to help cull through the trash to get to the treasures.

You will need to try nearly everything on, so have a full length mirror, good lighting, and a few hours to complete the task. Here are some tips to make it simpler.

Rules of Good Riddance:
  • If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.
  • If it doesn’t fit you right now, get rid of it. (Unless you have just had a baby, you can keep it until you get that baby weight off!)
  • If you don’t love it, get rid of it.
  • If someone gave it to you as a gift and you hate it but are keeping it out of guilt, get rid of it.
  • If you don’t feel fabulous in it, get rid of it.
  • If you bought it because it was on a great sale, but have never worn it, get rid of it.
What to do with the banished goods:
  • If it is a designer brand item, consider selling it on eBay. You just might be surprised by what the price a bid-war might get your item up to!
  • If it is good quality, take it to a local consignment store.
  • Take the rest (or the above, too, if you don’t feel like messing with it) and donate it to your favorite local charity.
Your reward will be the feeling of having more to wear and a maybe even a little extra padding in your wallet; either from what you sell or from the tax receipt you’ll receive when you donate. That’s a win, win! Just be sure to spend the newly earned money on something you really LOVE and feel fabulous wearing.


Here's to the new year!
Lauren
www.editbylauren.com