Book Review: Lauren Conrad Style

One of my not so secret indulgences used to be  watching MTV’s “The Hills”, back when Lauren Conrad was still the star of the show. Needless to say the show went completely downhill (no puns intended) once she left reality TV  to pursue her fashion career, and I stopped tuning in and turned to Gossip Girl instead for my bitchfest/fashion fix.

When I came across the new Style book that Lauren Conrad recently put out, I couldn’t resist getting it because I’ve always thought Lauren’s brand of california-chic style was quite stylish and accessible, she’s managed to always look put together,but still comfortable in most of her pictures. The book is a must have for Lauren Conrad’s fans, there are plenty of glossy pictures of Lauren in different outfits for different occasions,looking great by the way, and the content is split into 3 main sections: Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle.

I’ll focus on the fashion part.In this section, Lauren covers the essentials of putting together a workable wardrobe for different occasions like work, school, parties and events. She also included tips on how to conduct a proper shopping hunt (‘cruise around a large department store one time before circling back to grab the piece that caught my eyes the first time round.’) and avoid “skipping regret” (that’s when u hesitate when getting something you wanted and ending up losing it later) and impulse purchases at huge, wallet friendly stores.(buying things you don’t really need just because they are cheap)

She included some types of looks to wear for “first dates” or weddings, as well as for work. ( didn’ really like the office work looks, a bit too cliched, but I guess Lauren Conrad hasn’t spent much time working at a real office job) I love the powder pink dress(above, right) which she recommended for a “first date”, so sweet!

There’s also a entire section on accessories, including shoes, bags and jewellery.

All in all, a nice , glossy “coffeebook”type of book to flip through and look at the pretty shoes and outfits in signature Lauren style. I thought some of the most useful information included was the packing list she compiled for different vacation trips; city trips, work trips, weekend beach trips etc…. great for people like me who constantly get stressed out and way overpack for trips.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Stuffing myself with bak kwa and spring roll crisps. Looking forward to some chill time,it’s been a crazy time at work.

Contradictions.

Twenty ten. Time is flying faster than I can keep up with. Around this time every year I ask myself the same question…where did all that time go? In twenty ten..I will know exactly where my time will go.I am scared and excited at the same time, this is really my first time working on a project on this scale and level,a project the world is watching,every day I’m terrified that someone will find out I really don’t have a clue what I am doing! Working late nights every day, sacrificing all sort of things just to get the job done for the day…I’ve been asking myself if this will all be worth it? I hope so but really, whatever.

Despite being caught up in a crazy schedule of work for the last year I’ve noticed myself slowly changing internally and shifting focus. Where I used to charge ahead full steam in my work related ambitions, albeit blindly,without a care the kind of carnage that could be left trailing behind my actions, now I take a moment to decide if it is worth it, and am i going to get into trouble?

On some days I’ve decided the best way I could spend my time is to spend my day cooking up a storm, make lovely bentos for my boyfriend, learn to knit things as useless presents for people, and whist away the time reading obscure literature and never burdening my brain with silly ambitions to get ahead in life. My life can simply be still, quiet with easy contentment.I suppose this is what people say when they are ‘mellowing” with age.

But then on other days I am charged, I am delirious from wanderlust, I move fast through the hustling urban crowds without ever looking back, I am a reckless soul who will step on toes to get me where i want to be, and I want a lot of things. Moments like this I am never happy with myself, never good enough and guilty for the days I allow myself to be “mellow”. “Have you given up? What about the dreams you had, what about all the things you wanted to be, the places you wanted to go? Get up and go!”

Contradictions. I suppose this cannot be unique for me…becoming an adult (at whatever age you choose to grow up) sometimes mean learning to let go of dangerous dreams in order to grab hold of a life buoy, a thick dose of reality that bring you safely down to earth. That part may be necessary, but it sucks.

Still alive?

Hi blog,

Just checking in to see if you’re still alive and well. I’m been great! Working hard and having fun.  Yes, the economy sucks, we are in a depression…however what I believe is just to continue to work hard each day – honest- to-goodness hard work will trump everything and new heros will emerge from this mess of a financial crisis.     

 I’ve gotten a good tan from biking in Pulau Ubin recently, just did a new video for it , check it out here in all its grainy glory.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jcCYKyt_Cs

On a random note, I tried this ricebox from Shihlin Taiwan snack today, only out of sheer hunger, and it tastes super good, I have no idea why I have not tried it before, all this while?! I could eat it for lunch everyday!

I’ve been thinking about starting a vlog.  recently and eyeing a new toy that will well facilitate this thought - a flip Camcorder ! Not in singapore yet, will be cool to be one of the first to get one. It is the smallest camcorders in the world that is able to capture HD quality videos and plug in directly to the computer for uploading. Because of its size, you can strap it on your dog/cat and see a dog’s view of the world, attach it to a helmet while doing stunts on whatever it is you use, use it as a spycam…the possibilities are endless!

The only negative part about the flip is the limited recording time – internal memory of 4GB and a recording time of 1 hour only, which is not enough!! I’ll have to think about it a bit more.

Have a good monday! *snigger*