Ms. Lopez Goes to Washington

All I have to say is, this is why this lady is one of the celebrities I will always have respect for. She embodies grace, elegance, and class...you can't even think of synonyms that don't include "sophisticated" in the list, guaranteed. JLo wore this on a recent visit to the White House, where she and Mark Anthony visited with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She looks absolutely gorgeous, polished, and the picture of Puerto Rican perfection.

This is not Jenny from the Block status, and even if she's bringing Jenny into the White House, she did it with class. Jennifer, you had us from JLo, but this look takes the style cake. Go girl.

Love, Actually.

Happy 43rd Wedding Anniversary, Mom & Dad.
You define what it means to be best friends.
You define commitment, loyalty, and dedication.
You inspire me to wait for someone who is going to love me
at my best...
when I am baking him a birthday cake & lighting all the candles...
when we kiss and forget whatever was wrong with the day...
when we discover a new place, idea, or feeling together...
and at my worst...
After an argument, or when I use every Kleenex in the box to wipe away my tears after
a broken heart,
a disappointment,
a death.
You are Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' and George Strait's 'I Cross My Heart'
all wrapped up
in one couple.
And I'm so fortunate
that of all the blessings God gave me
Your marriage, the family you created for us--
has truly meant the most.

Love,
LC "Your Princess"

The Reality of It All...

I'm not exactly big on celebrities who start their own fashion lines, but considering this particular celebutante has stolen hearts on TV since her teenage years in Laguna Beach, and seeing as how she attended FIDM with the likes of Stephanie Pratt and other alumni, like my good friend Brooke, I figure she has a little more credibility as a designer.

Lauren was always my favorite on The Hills; not only was she my favorite reality star on the show, she was also the best dresser, in my opinion, anyway. From comfy maxi dresses to flannels with skinny jeans, Lauren knew how to put herself together, especially as she got more and more immersed in the fashion industry.

I was so excited the first time I saw her pieces at Nordstrom and other luxury retailers, but the price tag was admittedly a little steep considering the easy designs and simplistic pieces she was designing. Now that she's got a new line out at Kohl's, I feel like the price is not only right, but it's also pretty, fresh, and very LC...both Lauren Conrad, & yours truly. ;)

Pick up the pieces yourself today at your nearest Kohl's store, or shop online at www.kohls.com. Bring a little bit of Hollywood into your closet today.

Very Volcanic

I'm all about exfoliators.

I'm a firm believer of getting rid of the excess, and brushing off the old, and starting again with the new. I like a fresh new finish, a clean slate.

I'm talking about skin here, but that applies to basically anything in life.

Exfoliation is necessary to having the most beautiful, healthy skin. MAC has revolutionized exfoliators by introducing its new Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, which is a dual-purpose foaming, cleansing and exfoliating scrub that blends natural Volcanic Ash with fine sugar crystals to give you polished, perfect skin that is ready for makeup.

Because if you can't start with a beautiful canvas, how can you create a masterpiece?

Pick yours up today at www.maccosmetics.com, or your local MAC counter, where your makeup artists would be more than obliged to give you a sample of the product. Try it yourself today.

Stopping Traffic

This dress from Harmony Lane boutique in Los Angeles actually caught the eye of my own mother before I even noticed it, and she immediately called it a "Lorraine" dress. Meaning, of course, that this is precisely the type of dress that I would not only wear, but run out and purchase probably before I'd put gas in a car that was running on E.

These days, what with my packed closet, a recession that is haunting all of our consciences, and gas prices that are still disconcerting, I would say that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I definitely know that red is my color, it looks great with my tanned skin, and it's a dress I'd love to wear...especially the next time I know I'll be running into a man who's caught my eye...because in this dress? You'll not only catch eyes, you'll stop traffic.

www.shopharmonylane.com to purchase your own dress, this was is Fighting Eel Iris Tube Dress, worn by stars like Kristin Cavallari and Eva Longoria Parker.

New...& Exciting...& Exotic, exclusively at MAC

One of my must-have products in my cosmetics train case? (That's right, my makeup is organized in a train case. And I still have more in organized drawers in my bedroom.) (Don't hate. I did this shit for a living, people.) Back to my beauty must-have: MAC Mineral Skinfinish Bronzer. Why? Because it is lightweight enough to be gentle on the skin, give you a glowy, bronze look, and still add color and definition to your cheekbones while making you look like you stepped off a runway or like you spent a summer in the Mediterranean.

You may not have gone anyplace exotic, but you can always look and feel exotic, for a fraction of the price.

Hey, we're all recessionistas these days, right?

Pick up MAC Mineral Skinfinish today at MAC counters nationwide or online at www.maccosmetics.com.

Style by the Mile

One of my dreams in life is to find a way to mesh my love of writing and my love of fashion into one job that will be lucrative enough to support myself and my lifestyle. That being said, I love any books that have anything to do with fashion, whether it’s about a designer, a photography book, or a book with hints and suggestions about makeup, beauty, or fashion. I have a floor to ceiling shelf filled with books like this; some of those books have been read and re-read over and over again.

That being said, I have loved Nina Garcia even before she was on Project Runway, and even before her days at Marie Claire. I recognized Nina and her sense of style and innate gift for putting together exquisite looks for the pages of Elle. One look at Nina, and how could you not want to be her? Or at least have her career. I remember buying her book, Little Black Book of Style, and reading it over and over again on a flight back to Phoenix when it first came out. I bought her second book, The 100, and now, was overjoyed to pick up a copy of the last book she has written, which could not have been published and released at a more appropriate time.

Style Strategy is a great guidebook that will help anyone, even fashion know-it-alls, reassess what’s in their closets and what to add; it not only is realistic and accessible, it’s also got an introduction that will make anybody stop and reflect on their fashion hits or misses, and know that it’s not about how much money you have; it’s about how you rock the look.

Money can’t buy style, but if you budget accordingly, you can get the most bang for your buck. Let Nina show you how. Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com today.

Surrounded by Beauty

LC's Quote for the Day...
because after all is said and done, when the days
just don't make sense, & you want to call it quits...
all you can do is remember all the beauty left in the world...
and all the beauty left in you. That's reason enough to hit
the ground running...especially if you're running in heels. ;)

27 Dresses...& Then Some.

I have been in a number of weddings. I've been known to be referred to affectionately as "always the bridesmaid, never the bride," or my favorite, "You're like the girl from 27 Dresses!" I feel like saying, "Yeah, thanks asshole, as a matter of fact, it was 28 dresses, not 27."

In all seriousness, I don't know that I will ever be the one to get married. In my family, there are plenty of girls, and all of them have tied the knot or are planning on tying the knot soon, and I'm known as the free spirit, the independent, the one who doesn't commit to anything except maybe a designer handbag, and even that can seriously only last for a few seasons.

But since I've been the bridesmaid or maid of honor in quite a few weddings, one thing I can tell you brings to mind the expression "love-hate relationship" very quickly is shopping for bridesmaid dresses. The bridesmaids dress can be a tool of torture, or one of sheer delight. Either your bridesmaids look stunningly sexy in their dresses, or they shudder at the thought of wearing a pastel colored monstrosity.

The boutique Twirl, which I found in Scottsdale, Arizona (there are Twirl boutiques in various locations, and also, you can hit up their online store) features gorgeous bridesmaids and wedding party dresses in a variety of cuts, colors, fabrics, and styles that are sure to satisfy every member of your bridal party, even those with the most discerning taste.




After all, just because it's your big day doesn't mean that the people you've chosen to help celebrate your nuptials should have to sacrifice personal style. You can look gorgeous in your Vera Wang, but for heaven's sake, don't make anyone feel like Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses...trust me, I've seen plenty a taffeta nightmare hanging in my closet, and it's nothing nice.

To shop at Twirl near you, find a store at: www.twirlboutique.com

The Hopeless Romantic

I love this website, so periodically, I will feature the ones that catch my eye the most. I am a hopeless romantic, and even though I'm a bit of a hard-ass at times, and even though the men I reject seem to think I am "bitter" or "cynical," I am actually quite optimistic when it comes to the topic of love, and considering I've been hurt so many times one would think I would be jaded by now, I still believe very much in happily-ever-after; even if it takes a form that you didn't initially plan on.

I love this website/blog because the thoughts and sentiments are so random, yet so genuine. They are all on strips of cardboard, messages scrawled in haste, but yet with such sincerity.

Enjoy this thought for the day, and whether you have someone or not, you can surely hope, like me, that someday, someone will feel the same way about you.

In Love with Love Quotes. Quote Me.

I am a huge fan of scarves. I wear them all winter long, every morning, because I absolutely hate being cold. I look like a little darling, walking into work in my beautiful peacoats, an elegant scarf tucked in just so, my long locks shaped into curls and cascading over my shoulders. I wear gloves so that my hands stay looking fab even in the cold winter months, and I have no problem layering under my jackets.

And I live in Arizona.

Pathetic, I know.

For someone who doesn't mind dressing like she's about to go skating at Rockefeller Center, even when the temperature is seldom below 40 degrees, scarves are a must-have staple that are organized painstakingly in one of my dresser drawers, according to color, texture, and style.

So it's no wonder I love Lauren's look in this photo; she of course is sporting a scarf by Love Quotes, which is the brand most celebs have been buying these days. They remind me of running through airports, waiting for flights and acting as though the paparrazzos are actually interested in where I'm going.

Yes, I wanted to be a Hollywood starlet, my ENTIRE life.

Dare to dream, LC, dare to dream.

For the rest of us civilians...pick up Love Quotes scarves at specialty boutiques, like Intuition (shopintuition.com) or Harmony Lane Boutique (shopharmonylane.com.)

Nothing But A T-Shirt On (Well, not exactly.)

I love comfy tees; I remember wearing oversize Hanes T-Shirts with cutoff shorts and flip flops in the 7th & 8th grade, when I wasn't as interested in high heels and mini skirts (as I was in my high school days.) I remember one of my cousins telling me "There's no way you will ever be a fashion designer or get into any kind of fashion school looking that way. You look like a slob. You don't even look middle class. You are straight street."

I laugh at him now, because he isn't even middle class. In fact, if this were a caste system, he would not be fit to scrub the feet of peasants.

Truth be told, I wore them because my body was changing and developing in my junior high days; I was struggling to accept the fact that I now had to wear a bra and that I had curves I didn't know what to do with. Some of my friends still had boyish bodies with no butts and no breasts; this was prior to Jennifer Lopez hitting the big screen and making my life wayyy easier. (This is why she will be one of my role models until the day I die.)

The cost factor was miniscule. My Mother loved it. She would buy me t-shirts at Target that cost less than my lunch money for a day of school, and I would try and glam them up with a cute necklace, throw on the same tattered pair of shorts that always seemed to fit and feel comfortable, and a pair of flip flops. Sometimes I'd wear Adidas with ankle socks (and at that time, that wasn't really in style. I wore them, anyway. They made my legs look longer.)

I still believe in wearing what makes you feel good. Eventually I became comfortable and secure in my body. I learned that having an ass and thick thighs isn't always such a bad thing (and ask the gentlemen, ladies, they do not object to looking at strong, thick, svelte legs-especially when they are bronzed, with a skirt brushing against them. I still believe some fashion staples can cost the same as a Happy Meal, and can carry you from runway to work to a night out on the town. I still believe that to look good, you have to feel good about yourself--and if it means only wearing a Hanes t-shirt and sandals, then so be it.

Hilary Duff is spot-on as usual, having jazzed up her shirt with a very ethnic looking necklace that is just gorgeous, and even though she herself is quite young, she is not any less fashionable. In fact, I would venture to say she is the most chic of the week, at least in my book. Go Hilary. It's your birthday. What is it? 19? 20? Whatever it may be, do your thing girl. Even if the top only costs $3.99.

For tops like Hilary's, at a fraction of the cost, hit up Forever 21, H&M, www.topshop.com, or Nordstrom, where I found comfy tees on sale, 2 for $20.

S**t Happens. Fortunately, so does LOVE.

I’m a big stickler about costume design in movies. If the clothing is off, the selection doesn't work, and it doesn't fit the character, sometimes I’m just not as into the movie. However, I love Jennifer Aniston’s looks in ‘Love Happens,’ and when I saw the film with one of my favorite girlfriends, Ashley, we both agreed that she was spot-on when it came to her wardrobe in the movie. Whoever styled her did a great job; she looked very Jen Aniston, but the clothing was also appropriate for her character in the movie.

And the movie? Well, that was just fabulous, too.

Baby Bling

Finding out at the age of 27 that you are going to be a great-aunt seems unrealistic to so many. When I tell people I'm going to be a great-auntie, they usually look at me in disbelief. But, alas, my older brother (who's 12 yrs older than I am)married a woman 6 yrs older than he is, and she had 2 sons, who then became my nephews. We were raised together, same neighborhood, and are more like siblings than aunt & nephews. My oldest nephew got married 2 years ago and just announced to our family that he and his wife are expecting a baby.

Though we don't know the gender yet (it's still too early) we are all overjoyed and excited to see our little bundle of joy for the first time. Babies are always precious, always a gift, even if they are a surprise.

And being the shopaholic that I am, the first thing on my mind was all the adorable gifts out there for expectant parents.

Since this baby is living in California, and will be born in SoCal, he or she will have to be cutting edge, from crib to diaper bag. After all, when you're sharing zip codes with some pretty fashionable babies, you've gotta model yourself after the likes of Sparrow and Harlow and Honor and all the other Hollywood babies out there.

Kendra's kid can move to the side...because my new niece and nephew will steal the show if their Auntie Lorraine has anything to say about it.

Here's one example of an adorable blinging baby rattle I found while shopping online for gifts. You can customize it, and shop online at www.bebecakesboutique.com.

Babies are heaven-sent, so buy your little angel the best of the best. If you have to make an entrance into the world, it might as well be a stylish one.

Here's to You, Mrs. ROBERTSON...

I love shopping online. Then again, I love shopping in stores, boutiques, thrift stores, vintage boutiques, whatever. I love shopping in convenience stores if there is something cute to buy. My new favorite online store of late is ShopRobertson.com (www.shoprobertson.com) where you can find a plethora of designers, from the well known to the lesser known labels that leave you Googling like a crazy person to find the looks from the latest Life & Style Magazine.

To look paparrazzi worthy, hit up the website for yourself today, and if you like this top worn by Miss Hilton herself, it is $97, from Lauren Moshi, and it's the Lips Swing Tank...and in my opinion, would be a lot cuter if it was put together by anyone other than Paris herself. Check out Shop Robertson today, and look as though you just stepped off of Robertson Boulevard in LA.

Something to In-VEST In...

Vests are everywhere...and I love the versatility of a well-structured vest. Pick the right one, in a neutral shade, with a great fit, and you can create a more Bohemian chic look, or make it look more professional and chic for a polished, Posh Spice look. Whether you're choosing to look like Rachel Zoe or more like Victoria Beckham, the choice is yours, but make sure you select a quality vest that will last season after season. Even when this trend dies down a little, you can bet your ass it will resurface again shortly after. You really can't go wrong when it comes to vest purchases these days. It's an in-vest-ment that's definitely worth making, and in today's troubled times, that's something worth looking into.

The Bikini Babe

Even though the days of summer, sunshine, and 100 degree weather are winding down, and I must bid adieux to all my backless tanks, skimpy sundresses and, (sad!) not wearing a bra on weekends, I still have the desire to shop for sexy swimwear. Especially because, over this summer, I worked my ass off at the gym so that at some point in the year, I'd actually feel semi-decent parading around in a bikini.




I think one of the sexiest lines out there is by Caroline D'Amore, D'Amore by Marceau. D'Amore is a socialite, model, actress, and designer who covorts with the likes of the Kardashian girls, and whose line has also been featured on their hit shows. She's also starred in several shows, is appearing in a movie soon, and has graced the covers of magazines like Santa Barbara Magazine and Teen Vogue. All that experience in the fashion world aside, her bikinis and bathing suits feature figure flattering swimwear that is cutting edge and will make you want to live at the beach.

As if I needed another reason to make the move to Southern California.

(You can find D'Amore by Marceau swimwear at www.shopdashonline.com, and other fine retailers.)

Lady in Leather

Ashley Tisdale is not #1 on my fashion radar; she's not the celebrity whose look is most closely similar to mine, but I will say that after seeing this photo of her in a few fashion mags and gossip rags, she is growing up into a little fashion plate, and I loved her leather jacket mixed with a comfy tee, topped off with an adorable little newsboy hat in tweed. This is a great transitional look for Fall and a terrific way to continue rocking the tanks and jeans while staying a little warm in the Fall.

I found great leather jackets on sale at Nordstrom over the weekend (yes, they are already making their debut in stores in Arizona, where the weather is still very warm outside) and at Express, as well. You can easily find an adorable jacket for under $100...and this is a look that will definitely take you through Fall in style.

The Three W's

My Must-Have book of the moment is, hands down, Who What Wear, by the same founders of the popular style and fashion blog, Who What Wear. (www.whowhatwear.com) If you’ve never visited the website, whose founders are particularly stylish and chic women, now is the time, my friends. Think Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, all congregating around a laptop, researching the latest and greatest and creating a virtual look book of fantastic ensembles that will surely garner second looks. The book has vivid illustrations, helpful hints and suggestions, and interesting information about designers, dossiers, and couture. For the true fashionista, this is a have-to-get on your next trip to Barnes and Noble, or while perusing Amazon.com, as I frequently find myself doing these days.

Remembering 9-11

Seasons change, so do cities. People come into your life and people go, but it's comforting to know: the ones you love are always in your heart and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away.

-from Sex and the City, I Heart NY, 2002
(as spoken by Carrie Bradshaw)

In Memory of all those who lost their lives on 9-11-2001.

The Bonds of Sisterhood

There's something about sisters. My Mom has a younger sister, and my Auntie Gloria seriously might as well be like a sister to her. Even though they all may have disagreements from time to time, they're there for each other at the drop of a hat. My parents didn't have any other daughters except for me, but my Aunt Pat (my Mom's sister) has 3 daughters, and they are just as much my sisters as biological sisters could be. In fact, we are closer than most sisters who are connected through DNA.

April and I, in particular, grew up being really close, just like sisters. I always needed her. I guess I needed that reassurance, the advice that comes from having a big sister. Even though we may not have always seen eye to eye, we love each other and are there for each other when it counts. And one thing that always bonds us together is shopping, and fashion. Priscilla, our baby, is 19 and a college freshman, and she is a little style junkie, as well. When we hit the stores, the MAC counters, or the salon, everybody knows us, and we're a familiar fixture on the fashion front.

So it's no wonder that I love, love, love Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. These shows always remind me of my 'sisters' and they are always dressed in clothing that mirrors the personal style of my sisters and I.

Not to mention, they're crazy biotches, just like we are.

Sisters may argue, or fight, or bicker, and they may not always agree. But sisters also heal, comfort, and one thing they never disagree about is that looking fab is not an option.

Catch Kourtney and Khloe take Miami on E!. Check E!Online for times & locations. And to look like a Kardashian yourself, visit their online store: www.shopdashonline.com.

Glowing Goddess

When I was a little girl, I was always darker than the other kids in my family. I was, in fact, several shades darker. I remember my family telling me once that I was adopted. I would cry & cry; in junior high, I remember I would use powder that was at least 2 shades lighter than my actual skin tone for about 2 weeks, until my nephew told me that I looked like Michael Jackson after he had gone through skin bleaching.

As a teenage girl, I started to become interested in beauty pageants; my dream was to run for Miss Arizona. I would work out and lay out and tan so that my skin would look golden. Bronze it was, and so that I wouldn’t get tan lines as a grown woman, I’d spend plenty of time lying on the beach on my vacations, by the swimming pool, or in the tanning beds. This fake baking and toasting on a towel ritual was not good for my skin, I knew, but I’ve kept up the same cycle through the years, even though I wish I could say I haven’t.

The other day, while shopping at Sephora, I met a wonderful cosmetic rep for NARS who was not only funny and personable, but also a beauty connoisseur like I am. It is no wonder we had a long discussion about my blog, writing, and my penchant for NARS products. She said, “Wow, you have a great tan, you should try our body glow!” She gave me a sample, and swore she would make me a believer.

I took it home, eager to find out if she was right. As I smoothed on the NARS Body Glow on my body, I noticed an immediate difference in my skin tone, a delicious, pretty scent that was vaguely reminiscent of pina coladas on the beach or slathering yourself with tanning oil; and it felt like it was conditioning my skin the entire day.

Although I know now that I am not adopted (although some days, when my family drives me crazy, I want to believe that I am) and even though I have cut back considerably on my tanning, I still want to be a bronzed goddess just like the next girl. Body Glow by NARS will make you a believer, and in the process, leave you looking like a Brazilian supermodel who just stepped off the beach.

Hey, a girl can dream.

**Shout out to Raquel from NARS for all her beauty advice & the sample; what an incredible representative for this company—you are an asset to the beauty brand & thank you for all your help!

For all NARS products, as well as Body Glow, check out the Neiman Marcus counters near you, Sephora, or their online website.

Baby Love

Lorraine’s Beauty Must-Have #1: Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Lotion (The Original is my FAVORITE) has always been my go-to lotion when I want my skin to feel sensational, soft, and silky. Since I suffer from horrible migraine headaches which are sometimes made more severe when I am exposed to scents that bother me, I have to use very light fragrances, if anything at all. Some days are worse than others, but the one lotion that never fails to make my skin glow is Johnson’s Baby Lotion. You can always find coupons in the Sunday paper that will save you up to $1.50 off the price of the lotion, which can sometimes bring the total cost down to $1.50. You can get a whole month or two worth of lotion for yourself, keep your skin looking gorgeous, and still smell beautiful while also sticking to your budget. While I consider this one of my beauty must-haves and one of my best kept secrets to baby soft skin, it is a tried and true industry favorite and something I think you should definitely add to your shopping cart, whether at Babies R Us, or your local Target store. Good skin is priceless, but thankfully, you only have to spend a couple bucks to get luscious, inviting skin from head to toe.

www.target.com for stores near you, and www.babiesrus.com to order online or find a store that’s closest to your home.

Beauty & the Braid

So, I’m Mexican American. One look at me, and I’m sure you’d probably think to yourself, “Well, duh.” Sometimes I am asked if I am Armenian, or Italian; but I am proud of my culture and my heritage, and there are so many beautiful things to appreciate about my background that I always try to incorporate little nuances of my heritage into my personal style. Things like Tory Burch sandals or billowy peasant tops with delicate embroidery remind me of the Mexican woman in me, maybe even of the somewhat bohemian looks my Mom and her sister wore when I was very little, and the comfort and style that go hand in hand. But the one thing that always reminds me of being Mexican is when I braid my hair.

As a little girl, I remember my Mom braiding my hair to dance folkorico; sometimes with ribbons braided through my hair. I remember my Dad telling me I was the most beautiful little princess in the world after my brother’s girlfriend (now his wife) had braided my hair in two French braids on either side of my head. I remember my long, dark hair being braided into a tight braid for school, because my Mother swore if she let me wear my hair loose, it would look unkempt and disheveled by 10 am. (She was right.)

So it is no wonder I am loving all the braids on celebs these days, and on the covers of magazines and the pages of lookbooks. I think they look feminine, delicate, and vaguely reminiscent of my Mexican American childhood. They remind me of being a woman, of feeling pretty and sexy and uninhibited, all at the same time. And they are very of-the-moment right now.

Did I Shave My Legs for This?

Those of us who are in the dating game completely understand what it’s like when you meet someone new, and the flirtation and tension builds and builds. Perhaps the most exhausting part of it all is the anticipation that mounts every time you know you’re going to see that person. It’s most difficult for the ladies. We carefully pick out our best ensemble, make sure our hair looks like we just stepped out of the salon, and get our routine mani/pedi/bikini wax. We slip on our “sexies” under our clothes to feel a little more sensual, and we make sure our brows are plucked and our skin is soft.

Maybe this is just me.

We try to make certain that we look like we were at a photo shoot for People’s 50 Most Beautiful issue, or as close to it as humanly possible. We try to ensure that when we do see the person we’re into, that things will go according to plan (or at least in line with your expectations and hopes.) But in the end, it is a gamble. No matter how utterly flawless you may feel when you walk in the door and see them, they may not say or do exactly what you’d like them to. And sometimes? The disappointment from what they do (or don’t do) can make you feel like you put a whole lot of energy into all of this. You walk away feeling a little rejected and like the day was a total waste of makeup.

For the guys out there reading this, the only comparison I can give you that would maybe help you understand what I’m talking about would be blue balls, and cold showers.

Those of us who don’t have balls? We experience this frustration on a pretty routine basis, generally between the ages of 14 and 40. It’s called the world of dating. And it can be a real bitch.

But sometimes we experience this feeling when we get all pumped up over something new and exciting that we hope to experience or purchase, and then it disappoints us, or lets us down in some way. It isn’t what we thought it would be. Or, we aren’t treated quite the way we hoped we’d be treated.

I felt this way this past Friday when I was shopping a little late at Ann Taylor. I had been leafing through Elle and Vogue all afternoon, and saw all the pretty new ad campaigns for Ann Taylor. I saw the silky fabrics and professional looks, and was so excited to walk in and see what I could add to my Fall wardrobe, especially because Ann makes great clothing for professional women.

So what let me down?

The customer service, that’s what.

I’ve been to Scottsdale Ann Taylor so many times and had exceptional service. I’ve bought a few tops and skirts at Fashion Square, and also when I’ve been traveling, and had a good experience. Of course, Ann Taylor can be a little pricey, but they have awesome investment pieces, too, so it’s a trade-off that’s worth it.

At San Tan Village, I was totally ignored, looked at, up and down, but not acknowledged.

I shop like a madwoman. I spend money. I keep the economy going. I love fashion, and when I shop, I am always put together. Pay attention to me, or at least act like I exist. This is the cardinal rule of working in retail; customer service is crucial.

I guess I had hoped for so much more from my shopping experience, and, unfortunately, this store just didn’t deliver. But, just like this game we call dating, I’ll eventually throw myself back out there, and hope for the best, and hope that I’m not let down again.

Because just like shopping, at times, you may have your disappointments. But the euphoria of the experience? That’s what keeps all of us going back for more.

Not So Desperate

When I first started teaching 6 years ago, a girl who was in one of my English classes came in one Monday morning and loudly announced, "Ms. C, I was watching TV last night with my boyfriend, and we both looked at each other and said, wow, she reminds me of Ms. C!"

"Really?" I questioned. "And who was this character?"

"Well, she's on this show called 'Desperate Housewives,' and she's a high maintenance little Mexican woman. She has your same style and look, but the funny thing is that you kind of act like Gabrielle, too."

I spent the next several days contemplating my life choices and behavior, and whether or not I gave people the impression that I was anything like Gabi Solis on Desperate Housewives, cheating on her husband with an inappropriate younger stud muffin who plowed through a little more than her lawn.

Was I high strung? Self-absorbed? Always at the salon? Constantly shopping and worried about my figure?

Okay, well, maybe she wasn't completely off base.

I don't flatter myself to believe I am on par with Eva, especially considering that in real life, she wears a double zero and is built like a 6th grade girl, and I have plenty of junk in my trunk and I wear a size 4 or 6. Which, in Hollywood, is like a 20.

But I do love Eva's style, and most of the time, thanks in part to her stylist, Robert Verdi and her glam squad, including hairdresser Ken Paves, she generally looks striking, no matter where she is photographed.

This look? Casual for day, but the leggings? Oh, how much do I love leggings? They transition from day to night with a few changes in your outfit, and are comfortable and wearable. And right now, they're a fashion must-have.

I know that I can be a little spoiled at times, and I do love to shop and get beautified at the salon more than the average girl. But that's just part of the magic that is LC, and certainly, part of what makes Gabrielle Solis the TV star we all love, even when she says or does things we might hate.

And 'desperate' is the last word you'd ever be able to use to describe either of us.

For the best deals on leggings, check out your local Forever 21, where I found great leggings in various lengths, textures and fabrics this weekend, starting at $4.99. And check out Express, or www.expressfashion.com, where you can get amazing deals on quality leggings, like buy 1, get one half off.

Big is Back

A few years ago when the Sex and the City Movie came out, I remember being so anxious to see it for the first time. I had been looking forward to it since the very last episode of Sex and the City, when I cried like a member of my immediate family had just died. I mourned the ending of Sex and the City for months, and found little to console me, except that as soon as SATC ended, Desperate Housewives started, and used Desperate Housewives as a means of replacing my addiction.

I think what excited me most about the movie, besides getting to see the cast back in the act again, was the wardrobe. I was anxious to see what crazy looks Carrie would be wearing, and what looks Patricia Field, the costume designer for SATC would pull together for the movie.

How thrilled was I when I found out a long while back that there would be a second SATC movie? I will be the first in line outside of the movie theatre, in stilettos, of course. And when I stumbled across photos of Chris Noth & Sarah Jessica Parker filming the next movie together in NYC, I was super excited to see what's next. Who knows how Mr. Big will let Carrie down this time around, (as he usually does) but one thing's for sure, the style will probably not leave us feeling disappointed.

Bust out your Martini glasses, ladies.

Big is back.

The Latest Gossip...

Ahh, to be young, rich, and beautiful.
Even those fortunate enough to have but one of those adjectives working in their favor rarely can come close to possessing everything that the characters on Gossip Girl have.

I think if I was going to be a spoiled prep school brat, I'd be Blair Waldorf. She is obsessed with perfection, eats 2 strawberries for breakfast, and stops at nothing to try to get into the college of her choice, and to get whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. She makes no apologies, and she is a go-getter. While she may be a bitch at times, she is also loyal to the people she loves. She falls for one of her friends, Chuck Bass, who ends up screwing poor Blair over (after he takes her virginity in his limo, of course.) She loves the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. She adores her Dad. She wears timeless, classic pieces but finds a way to make them sexy & chic at the same time. She has a rocky relationship with her mother, Eleanor, who's a designer. Eleanor expects Blair to be perfect, all the time. She compares her to every other girl, and always thinks nothing Blair does is good enough, or worthy of praise. Though one could argue that she loves Blair, she is also very critical of her.

It's like we are soul sisters, separated at birth.
Except that my mother is not the next Donna Karan, and I didn't grow up as a Park Avenue Princess.


Nevertheless, I absolutely love Gossip Girl, and I think what got me hooked on the show more than anything was the costume design, done by costume designer Eric Daman.

Now that the Gossip Girl crew is in college, I can't wait to see the new season, and all the developments. No matter what the drama may be this season, one thing's for sure...these Upper East Siders will be outfitted in the world's most exquisite couture.

Though I loathe self-important aristobrats in real life, I am strangely drawn to this show, and all of its pill-popping, Am Ex card-carrying Manhattan socialistas. I can hardly wait to see what kind of backstabbing happens this season.

And as they say on Gossip Girl...

You know you love me...

xoxo,
LC

;)

The Writing's on the Cardboard...

Even in my increasingly verbal life, which I must say, after a long day of talking, writing, and lecturing, can be a bit overrated, sometimes I find myself at a total loss for words.

Either that, or, simply put, I am a chicken shit who still has her junior high fear of rejection.

Men? Men, for the most part, seem to have the same communication issues from time to time. They either express too little, or sometimes too much. Either way, when someone gets it right, they should be applauded, if anything, for their bravery & effort.

Today I discovered this adorable website, www.cardboardlove.com, which is a very creative blog that featres daily messages, all written on cardboard pieces. I picked this one to highlight on my blog, because I thought it was just about the sweetest sentiment a man could ever offer a woman. Or maybe that's just me. :)

Even simply reading the notes, day by day, seems to not only lighten any negative mood you might be in, they also inspire love & romance, and make you realize how important the little, simple things in life really are. After all, we should never wait to tell the people we care about what they mean to us, whether they are our closest friends, whether we have a little crush, or whether we are madly, passionately, inconveniently falling for them.

Life's just too short.

Scribble it on cardboard.

<3

Kate the Great

There are few people who I would venture to say are 'role models' in my life. In order for me to call you my 'role model' (and sincerely mean it) there are standards you have to meet. That is why I have very few women in my life that I would call my personal role models, because I hold myself to a higher standard than most ladies do, especially women my age.

I don't really consider any celebrities my personal role models, but I do have fashion icons that I admire and respect for their personal taste and style. There are few women out there who usually get it right when it comes to dressing themselves. When it comes to style, I believe you either have it, or you don't.

Kate Moss, bless her heart, would not qualify to be in the running for a guest spot on the "LC's Role Models" episode of my dream talk show. She's had some bad personal habits in the past, some of them no doubt accounting for her teeny tiny, rail thin figure. (If you need a hint, the keyword here is: BLOW.)

But I do consider her to be a woman with inimitable style, and someone whose look so many of us who love fashion take cues from on a pretty frequent basis.

So how much did I love this photo of Kate, in a look that inspires me to venture into my own closet, and pull out some pieces that were very 'Kate Moss.'

Role model or not, when it comes to style, Kate is definitely influential.

Love From A-Zoe

I have a love-hate relationship with so many things.

-Gladiator Sandals: on the one hand, they look so chic and now; one the other hand, I'm constantly worried I look like I have cankles.

-Brazilian Waxes: so many advantages, I can't even begin to list them; yet paying $80 to have a woman with a bizarre Swedish name spend time near my va-jay-jay with a large wooden stick resembling a tongue depressor with a large glob of hot wax on it isn't exactly a cake walk

-Most of the men that I meet: (do I even need to explain?)

-Bras: yes, like my Mom told me when I was 12 and would bitch about wearing a "grown up girl bra" my boobs have lived to thank me, they are still perky in all their splendor because I've bought the best (and sexiest) bras ever through the years; yet I often feel feminists of the 60's were sorely misunderstood because after a long, hot day, I want to rip mine off and throw it in a Long Island garbage can and light a match just like those bra-burning hippies of yesteryear.

-And finally, the biggest love-hate relationship of all:
REALITY TELEVISION.

However, I make an exception when I talk about Rachel Zoe Project. I love, love, love all things Rachel Zoe because my dream job in life is to be a fashion stylist. I absolutely adore fashion; I could shop all day long, I watch runway shows in awe and wonder; I read countless fashion blogs and look at photographs and read Elle and Vogue cover to cover like an archaeologist in a newfound tomb.

The new season is coming soon, and I couldn't be happier.

Rachel Zoe has styled the likes of Cameron Diaz, Anne Hathaway, and most famously, Nicole Richie, and she helped me when her book came out (Style A-Zoe) because I had just had a lumpectomy, and didn't know for sure if I had breast cancer. I was terrified to go through chemotherapy; the possibility left me petrified. I was afraid I'd lose my hair, which is one of my trademarks, and was afraid, most of all, that I'd lose my looks, something I had always, admittedly, had a love-hate relationship with, as well.

Her book made me want to get dressed everyday and go out into the world looking fabulous, and I will always feel indebted to Rachel for giving me that reason to get out of bed in the morning and never take my life for granted. It may seem silly to some that a book about fashion is what did it for me, but in this world, we take positive when we can get it, right? After all, the one thing I'll always love, and never hate? Fashion.

Watch the new season, coming up this September, on Bravo. Check the website for more information and for times in your area.

That's SOOO LC

My favorite people in the world, those who know me best, sometimes have my personal style almost pinpointed down to a science. Of course, I like to keep 'em guessing, so I always try to throw in an element of surprise, to give 'em something unexpected, perhaps, from time to time. But most people who know me very well can see a handbag, or a shade of lipstick, or even, in this case, a dress, and say, "Oh, that's SO Lorraine."

When I saw this dress on Halle Berry, the words almost immediately escaped my own lips, so yes, this dress is very Lorraine, and it's 12th Street Cynthia Vincent, one of my personal favorites (I've mentioned this designer on Dreaming in Dior before.) This is yet another dress I'll want to add to my collection of dresses that are perfect for going on a date. But since I seem to be the girl every man wants to befriend, and not try to possibly, some day, make his girlfriend, I guess I'll be wearing it on a date with myself. Party of one? Right here, baby.

That is SO Lorraine.

;)