Must Have of the Week: Betsey Johnson Earrings

Valentine's Day is this Friday. If you're in the market for a fun and festive accessory or a gift then these adorable earrings might be just what you're looking for. Betsey Johnson never fails to design super cute and feminine pieces and these earrings are no exception. Adorned with pink rhinestones, hearts, and bow ties, these cute little bears are perfect for V-Day.

Pick up these earring here.

-BL

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Lauren Designs Team USA's Olympic Ceremony Looks

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Making it to the Olympics is a dream for many of the nation’s athletes. There is a powerful association with representing your country and wearing your Team USA gear.

Most Americans who are not athletes live vicariously through Team USA. The Olympics pull the entire nation together and people show their pride in our country.

Everyone wants Team USA to represent the nation's best assets while competing and make the country look as wonderful as possible.

For me, one of the things I always look at during the games is what the athletes are wearing. I want Team USA to look powerful, confident, classy, and All-American.

Personally, I think a team’s uniform says a great deal about their country. It's what people see first about a nation while watching the games at home. So that uniform better be a great representation.

This year, American designer, Ralph Lauren has designed Team USA’s uniforms for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Lauren first won the contract to outfit USA’s athletes in 2008 for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. He has designed the team’s official ceremonial outfits ever since.

His partnership with Team USA was running smoothly until it was discovered that the uniforms designed for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London had been manufactured in China. This information was upsetting to American officials and U.S. senators created the Team USA Made In America Act of 2012 in order to make it a requirement for all USA Olympic uniforms to be officially produced and manufactured in the United States.

Even after this controversy Lauren went on to design for this year’s Olympic Ceremony. His designs are not out of the norm. They include classic Polo shirts which were to be expected along with sweaters, cardigans, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and pea coats, all made in the USA.

In my opinion the sweaters look outdated. They are covered with large knit American flags, the Olympic logo, snowflakes, reindeer, and other designs. Looking at one might conjure up the thought of an 80’s Christmas sweater.

The American flag and the Olympics logo are both things to be extremely proud and supportive of but I wish the cardigans and sweaters were just toned down a bit

I have to say the best part of Lauren’s Olympic collection is his pea coat. It’s navy with a single red stripe and features the official logo for the U.S. Olympic Team and Lauren’s signature pony. Overall, very nice. The coats definitely have the All-American look and also a regal and powerful vibe.

I don't really care for the sweatpants that Lauren created for the Olympic ceremonies. Yes, they’ll keep our competitors warm, but for the ceremony a nice pair of dress pants would have been much more appreciated in my eyes.

Lauren designed the Opening and Closing Ceremony looks for Team USA. Nike will be providing the uniforms that athletes will actually be competing in.

Other countries’ Olympic Collections are either hits or misses. France looks clean and modern with minimalistic blazers, pants, and sweaters designed by Lacoste. Sweden’s uniforms designed by H&M give a modern twist to Sweden patriotism. My personal favorite goes to Estonia who’s Olympians will be looking very chic in black and white sweaters, jackets, and hats.

My question and many other's is should Lauren continue to design for Team USA in the future?

You’d think with his popular preppy All- American style that he would turn out the perfect fashion representation for our team, but in some cases I think he went a bit over board. The sweaters are too much but the Polos and pea coats are a step in the right direction. Lauren has been in charge of Team USA’s fashion choices for awhile so maybe it's time to see what someone else can do.

I’d love to see Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Tom Ford, or even Rag & Bone design a collection for Team USA. I think each would bring a cool, modern twist to the preppy style the U.S. is known for.

I can see team USA blazers, collared shirts, and cardigans with each of these designer's spins on them and I think any of them would do a great job.

Yes, I think Lauren’s everyday designs apart from his Team USA collection really show off an Americana look. It doesn't get any more American than a Polo, jeans, a plaid button-up, or khakis. Even his more runway ready looks have a very American aspect to them. They are tailored, classic, elegant, and dignified, all of which describe the USA. I can find pieces on his website from any of his lines completely unrelated to the Team USA Collection that our Olympians would look wonderful styled in.

I don’t have any problem with Lauren designing for Team USA. I think he’s a great fit. What I would like to see is for him to modernize his designs for the Olympics and bring a bit of an edge from his Black Label and other line, Denim & Supply Co. to the pieces.

At the next Olympics I hope to see Lauren fit Team USA in looks that show the unique and classic elements that are shown in The United State’s ever evolving fashion scene.

Check out Lauren's designs for Team USA during tomorrow's Olympic Opening Ceremony.

What do you think of Lauren's designs?

Let me know in a comment!

-BL

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Flappy Bird: Major Fashion Statement?

There is nothing on this planet more frustrating than watching a little animated bird plummet to the ground.

If you can relate to this then you've definitely played a game or two of Flappy Bird. For those who haven't added to the irritations of your everyday life by downloading this game, you've probably heard about it through social media or through a friend or family member's aggravated yells at their phone.

But, is Flappy Bird just the world's most annoying game or is it also the next big fashion trend? You decide.

Check out these fashion picks that resemble your least favorite bird.

For more about the items featured click here.

What's your high score?
Let me know in a comment!

-BL

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Must Have of the Week: H&M Top

Celebrate Valentine's Day (or Single's Awareness Day) with this funky graphic crop top from H&M. It features a hot pink kiss pattern that's perfect for V-Day and has the super popular scuba feel material. Pair this edgy but still feminine top with your favorite black high waisted jeans or skirt and minimal accessories for a festive look that isn't tacky. 

Pick one of these tops up for yourself here.

-BL

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Music Meets Fashion: How the Industries are Influencing Each Other

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I'm a huge music and fashion fan. So it's safe to say that I love the Grammys. I love seeing my favorite artists perform live but most importantly I love seeing what they're wearing.

It seems to me that the music industry, especially in the past few years, has really been influencing the fashion industry. It's no surprise to see a boy-band heartthrob or a chart topping popstar exquisitely dressed sitting front row at some of the most well known designer's shows at fashion week. Nor is it surprising to see them designing their own line for that matter. It has become more and more common to find out that a famous musician has become a high fashion muse - for example Lady Gaga and Versace or Miley Cyrus and Marc Jacobs.

Many of these musician muses have been featured in ad campaigns in the place of super models. Why? In my opinion I think it has to do with how much the singers and musicians have been influencing this generation.

Personally, I don't have any problem seeing Cyrus or Gaga in an ad campaign. I think their own personal styles really fit nicely with the design houses they are the face of and honestly I enjoy seeing them wear that designer. Gaga in Versace is just perfection.

I just find it interesting how much music really does influence our clothing choices. We might find some of these famous popstars' styles to be a little bit over the top but I think we seem to emulate them unknowingly.

For instance think of all the hairstyles celebs like Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Cyrus, and Gaga have had. At first we think they're really out there but just look at how huge the bright and pastel colored hair trend has grown since Perry's bright blue "California Gurls" hair made its debut. After a while these seemingly crazy trends find their way into our own wardrobes.

The relationship between music and fashion also works the other way around. Gaga has a song called "Donatella" and Tom Ford's name has been dropped a good amount of times by other artists. These popular musicians are shining light on the fashion industry and bringing attention to some incredible fashion powerhouses.

Yes, these musicians' senses of style may be a bit out of the ordinary, but you know what? I applaud them for it. At times maybe their fashion choices may be used to create headlines and publicity for their latest endeavor but that's not always the case. 

I think sometimes we don't think about the fact that is takes guts to walk down the red carpet in these eccentric get ups. Think about it. Would you personally walk out of the house in a dress made out of meat without questioning your outfit? No, you'd probably second guess yourself. 

So cheers to the musicians who are confident enough to rock lights, neon hair, crazy platform heels, funky glasses, and any other fashion risks. 

We have to give thanks to these people because we wouldn't have anything to talk about or look at without them. You can only comment on so many ball gowns and little black dresses. 

So go ahead and live vicariously through Gaga's wigs and Katy's glittery get ups and let's say thank you to our unique musical fashion daredevils. 

-BL

Who's your favorite musician muse?

Let me know in a comment!

*This is NOT a sponsored post*

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The Bethany Mota Spring Collection to Make Its Debut

Bethany Mota, you may know her as Macbarbie07, is only eighteen-years-old but she's living out every teenage girl's dream (well, at least mine). She's the designer of her very own fashion collection in partnership with the huge American retailer, Aéropostale.

It all started when she was thirteen-years-old and made her very first YouTube video as an outlet to escape bullying. Since Mota’s beginning in YouTube’s famous beauty community a lot has changed.

Flash forward to now. Mota has over 4 million YouTube subscribers, more than 1 million Twitter followers, and over 2 million Instagram followers. She’s a social media celebrity.

Not everyone knows who Mota, the beauty and fashion guru, is but huge companies have taken notice of her and her videos. On December 8, 2013 Aéropostale launched its brand new Bethany Mota Collection. This collection was designed by Mota along with Aéropostale’s design team.

The line was inspired by Mota’s own personal Californian style (think beanies, graphic tees, and crop tops) and her many fans who all seem to love the new clothes. 

Like other celebs Mota has a nickname for her beloved viewers and fans, Motavators. Many of these fans have been wearing their MOTAVATOR t-shirts in support of their favorite YouTube sensation and her new endeavor.

The launch of Mota’s first collection for Aéropostale was so successful that her Spring Collection will be making its debut shortly. There is an option on Aéropostale’s website where fans can unlock outfits from the Spring lookbook before they are released by tweeting the hashtag #MOREMOTA. The first look is already 97% unlocked (according to my last refresh) and will most likely be open for viewing by the end of the day.

Judging by Mota’s winter pieces, the Spring Collection will most likely include floral patterns, skater skirts, feminine details, animal motifs, and graphic tees. Overall buyers can expect fun, wearable, and most of all affordable fashion from this YouTube fashion and beauty superstar.

Here are some of my favorite picks from The Bethany Mota Winter Collection.

My Favorite Picks from The Bethany Mota Winter Collection by beverlylorraine on polyvore.com

Check out The Bethany Mota Collection and find out how to unlock more Spring looks here.

-BL

*This is NOT a sponsored post*

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Must Have of the Week: Charlotte Russe Wedges

OK so Valentine's Day is still weeks away but these shoes would be perfect to celebrate in. Nothing says 

V-Day more than a feminine pair of red Mary Janes. These wedges from Charlotte Russe are perfect for styling because they would look good with a variety of different outfits, whether you're going for a casual or dressy look. Also, compared to stilettos they'll be much easier and comfortable to walk in. What's not to love? See what I did there? Love, Valentine's Day, anyways moving on. 

Pick yourself up a pair of these Mary Jane Wedges here.

-BL

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