Last Minute Halloween Costume

Happy Halloween y'all! Here at Disney it's been "Halloween" for the past two months. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party kicked off September 1st and has been happening at least twice a week ever since. I've gotten to work during a lot of these parties so I've gotten to see thousands of great costumes. Some of the best costumes I've see are also the most simple, and can be pulled together with items you already have in your closet!

The spin off of the 90's sitcom, Boy Meets World, premiered this year and I've loved getting to relive my childhood and see my favorite characters on tv once again. I know I'm not alone when I say that BMW is one of my favorite shows of all time, so what better time to pay homage to this classic show than dressing up as one of its main characters- the always stylish Topanga!

Topanga's wardrobe encompassed pretty much every 90's trend and provided the perfect inspiration for a super easy Halloween look! Just layer a floral sundress over a white tee, add a denim vest and combat boots, pull your hair up into a voluminous high-ponytail and viola- you'll look just like the sassy Ms. Lawrence!

Hope you all have a fun and festive Halloween! xo

-Lanie W.

A Tasty Combination

'Tis the season for tasty treats! One of my favorite things about the fall/holiday season is that cozy feeling of sitting in the cool outdoors while sipping a yummy drink that warms you from head to toe. Not only are holiday beverages delicious, but holding a hot mug makes your bulky gloves obsolete (#win)! Since you don't have to hide your hands away, why not have your mani match your favorite autumn-inspired drink? I love the idea of your polish coordinating with your drink so much that I've picked three classic holiday beverages and matched them with their Essie counterparts - take a look!

apple cider + twin sweater set || hot chocolate +  hot cocoa || pumpkin lattee + alligator purse

I'm pretty partial to the apple cider/red polish combo, but nothing beats a steaming mug of hot chocolate! Which would you choose? xo

-Lanie W.

Timeless x Trendy | No. 3

Happy happy Friday y'all! I'm back today with the third installment of my latest series "timeless x trendy". Today I'm focusing on an item that's been huge this fall and will likely continue in popularity through the winter months- the zippered sweater.

I really love the juxtaposition of the hard and soft elements in this weeks pick. The unexpected combination of these two ordinary fashion items really elevates the two to a new level. I love that by simply thinking slightly outside of the box you can create a result that feels brand new and totally chic. My favorite retailer (J. Crew, duh) really hit a home-run with this trend and is rocking it better than anyone else I've seen. Take a look at my favorite picks- one from the OG and one from Factory.

timeless: the classic crew-neck shape and cotton material || trendy: asymmetrical zippers and color-blocking

Standing ovation to Ms. Lyons and co. - I definitely need that navy/olive sweater in my life now. Cheers to a fun, festive, fall activity-filled weekend ladies! xo

-Lanie W.

Elbow Patch // Pumpkin Patch

I'm back!! This past weekend I managed to take a spontaneous trip back to South Carolina and had the best fall-filled few days. I squeezed in as many activities as I could while I was home and checked off a ton of items on my autumn bucket-list. I watched the Charlie Brown halloween special, drank apple cider, enjoyed an outdoor fire, went on evening bike-rides with my parents, got a fall mani, and even fit in a couple days in my favorite city (Charleston) with my bestie (Emily)!

One of my favorite parts about this visit was our morning at the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch! I absolutely adore fall, so I was overly excited to be able to visit the farm and pick out the perfect pumpkin (my criteria? good coloring/shape, and it must have a pretty stem). Em and I might have been the only people there that didn't have little kids, but we had so much fun regardless #noshame.

sweater // jeans // flats // purse

Seriously obsessed with that sweater. I bought it back in August and have been dying to wear it ever since. On Sunday the temps dipped below 70 and I happily proceeded to wear it alllllll day. It's the perfect color, length, weight, and is beyond soft. It's definitely going to be my go-to favorite this season!

PS- if you want any tips on how to decorate your own pumpkin this year, check out my latest post over at the Rich Girl Rags blog! xx

-Lanie W.

Rich Girl Rags: Take Notes

OH my goodness y'all. My favorite Charleston boutique, Rich Girl Rags, has truly outdone themselves with their latest lookbook- Take Notes. I'm seriously obsessed with everything!  From dresses, to cardigans, to sassy thigh-high boots, their latest collection has everything your wardrobe needs for fall. You have to check out the entire thing, but here's a little sneak preview featuring some of my very favorite shots to get you started!

 

So gorgeous, right? Which pieces are you favorite? I definitely need that navy window-pane blouse in my life asap! Shop your favorite looks here! xoxo

-Lanie W.

Style Crush: Chole Grace Moretz

It's been a while since I've discovered a new style crush, (read about my others here, here, here, and here) so I was super excited when I stumbled upon an article about Chole Grace Moretz while still reading the September issue of Vogue recently. Intrigued, I hopped online to learn a bit more about her and realized that girlfriend has some seriously great personal style. I pulled together a few of my favorite looks to share with y'all- take a look!

What I'm loving: ripped black denim // slip on sneaks // vertically striped top // boxy tee // utility jacket // cool sunnies

Just so darn chic (she reminds me of an off-duty model!). What makes her style even more awesome is that she's only sixteen. When I was her age my wardrobe was an embarrassing assortment of logo-laden t-shirts and unflattering boot cut denim #letsbehonest . Whose style is inspiring you lately? Do tell! xx

-Lanie W.

Statement Slippers

Hi all, hope your weeks are off to a good start! My boyfriend visited me here in Orlando this past weekend and I had the best time exploring the parks with my favorite person. He hadn't been to Disney since he was three so everything was basically brand new to him. I love being a leader/sharing my Disney knowledge so being able to play tour-guide was just so much fun. However, because we were on the go all weekend I didn't get a chance to schedule any posts #whoops.  I hope you'll forgive me for getting todays post up late!

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Fun smoking slippers have been on my radar for a while now. I think they're adorable and love that there's such a variety to choose from. Whether you're into critters, patterns, or monograms you can find a version of these bold kicks to fit your style pretty much anywhere.

I haven't taken the plunge yet, but when I saw the C. Wonder Southern Belle Smoking Slippers on Carly's Instagram a couple months ago I knew I had found my match. I've been waiting (and waiting) for them to be available online and they were finally released last week! Navy velvet + kistchy gold writing + an homage to my southern roots? Yes, please! If you're reading this Santa, I'm a size 7. ;)

*insert heart eye emoji here* PS - If you aren't a "southern belle" there's also a "city girl" version available. Happy shopping! xo

-Lanie W.

Current Gratitude | 10.12.14

I'm taking my weekly current gratitude post in a bit of a different direction today to discuss something I've been thinking about a lot lately; hope you don't mind!

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I'll be the first to admit that I have a terrible tendency to over-plan/over-think all aspects of my life. I'm type-a through and through and nothing makes me happier than a well-curated schedule and knowing exactly what's going to happen in the future. If it was possible to have every day for the next three months detailed out in my planner I would be in OCD heaven.

My obsessive ability to plan/schedule/daydream about the future can be a great thing, but it can also be one of my biggest downfalls. I dream up so many ideas about how things will go and when they inevitably turn out differently I get disappointed and frustrated. Life lesson: expectations are, more often than not, just disappointments in advance.

The simple (albeit, scary) truth of the matter is that there is no real way to know exactly what's going to happen in our lives. That seemingly obvious fact is also incredibly hard to digest, especially for a person like myself. But by taking a moment to change my perspective I've realized that I spend way too much time trying to predict the unknown when I should really just be soaking in the present.

I think we all need to take a step back and make sure we're living in the present from time to time. Don't forget to enjoy the place you're in right now because you're too busy thinking/worrying about/looking forward to the future. It's so easy to spend your days wishing for the weekend, or your next stage in life, or the day you'll "have it all", but the only thing we're guaranteed is today. So take a look around and appreciate your life as it is; invest yourself in the moment you've been given. Live in the now. xo

-Lanie W.

Timeless x Trendy | No. 2

While some say that print is a dying form of media, I'm continually inspired by the stories and images that my favorite magazines provide. There's something so nice about being able to hold a substantial issue with your two hands, tear out pages that you love, and circle items you want to buy.

During one of these magazine reading sessions recently I spotted this photo from the Michael Kors fall 2014 collection and was immediately intrigued by the twist on the traditional gold watch. After some further research I knew I had to feature it in my latest timeless x trendy series. Adding a bright, saturated color to the otherwise simple item takes the watch from just another accessory, to the centerpiece of an ensemble. Take a look-

timeless: classic gold band and minimalist vibe || trendy: bold, jewel-toned face 

What do you think about this funky update to the classic gold watch? Fun, or too much? Have a great weekend!

-Lanie W.

Ankle Bootie | Splurge vs Save

Isn't it funny how you can dislike something for so long then one day you turn around and your feelings have totally changed? This happens to me all the time, especially in regards to fashion. I've loved chunky heeled ankle booties for a couple years now, but until this season flat booties haven't given me the best vibe. However I've really been digging them lately and have been on the online shopping grind to find the perfect pair.

In my crazy search I stumbled upon a pair of Sam Edelman booties and immediately fell in love. They're the exact height and style that I was looking for, and their cognac color is just gorgeous. However, my post-grad budget can't exactly justify 100+ dollar shoes at the moment so I set off on a hunt to find a similar pair at a better price point. I was so happy when Pinterest lead me to the Khols website where I found a pair of Simply Vera - Vera Wang booties that are a total dupe for the Sam Eddleman version- take a look!

So similar, right? I just love when this happens. Have you found any good style-dupes lately? If so, please share!

-Lanie W.

Style Inspiration | Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls has been my absolute favorite tv show a solid ten years. I first discovered the fast-talking drama on ABC Family the summer before 7th grade and quickly fell in love with Stars Hollow and its quirky residents. I watched GG religiously until it concluded in 2007, and have missed seeing the two Lorelai's and their crew so much since then. It may sound silly, but I'd be lying if I said Gilmore Girls hasn't influenced my life in a major way. I really grew up alongside Rory and will always hold the show super close to my heart.

When I read that Netflix was finally acquiring the series I literally squealed out loud of pure happiness (even though I own all of the seasons on DVD). While I was crazy excited, I was honestly surprised with the public's reaction to the news. I thought the GG fan-base was much smaller, but after the Netflix announcement the internet literally exploded with posts about the show. So crazy!

Other than their whip-smart humor and endless pop-culture references, Rory and Lorelai's distinct personal style is one of my favorite parts of the show. I love that  even though they're so alike in many ways, their style reflects the different parts of their personalities. While Rory's style is conservative and laid back, Lorelai's is more quirky and sexy. In honor of the show's triumphant return, I've put together two looks inspired by their respective personalities.

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Rory: A self-professed bookworm and straight-A student, Rory is really low-maintenance when it comes to fashion, but that's precisely what makes her the character we know and love. She tends to keep her look classic and simple with easy basics like cotton pants, sneakers, and her trusty denim jacket.

Lorelai: This lady knows how to have fun with fashion and has an obsession with bold, funky accessories (like these star print pumps!). She looks great in just about anything, but really rocks dresses like these when she's working at the Dragonfly (or Independence) Inn.

Whose style do you prefer? Are you just as in love with Gilmore Girls as I am? Let me know! xo

-Lanie W.

Current Gratitude | 10.5.14

It's interesting how my Sundays have changed over the past couple months. When you're in school Sundays are all about writing papers, studying, working on projects, and catching up on your required reading. I used to dread Sunday and all the work + stress that came with it, but now that I'm a post-grad I've been relishing in the relaxation that this day brings. While I still have to work work later in the day, I've really been enjoying my Sunday mornings without the looming stress of a crazy school week ahead. Sometimes, change is nice.

What I'm grateful for this week:

That my boyfriend is coming to visit me in Disney for the first time this week

That my favorite show ever, Gilmore Girls, is now on Netflix

That I was able to spend time some quality with my family + friends during my trip home last week

The fact that my passion and professional aspirations completely align with one another

The amazing, rare fall weather we're getting here in Florida today

What are you grateful for this week? I hope you have a peaceful, relaxing Sunday! xx

-Lanie W.

Autumn Activities

Happy Friday loves! Hope your week was great (but hey, if it wasn't then #TGIF)! Let's kick the weekend off with an exciting announcement, shall we? :D

Starting today I'll be partnering with Rich Girl Rags on weekly blog posts for their website!! (insert sassy salsa dancing emoji here). I completely adore the boutique and its team and am beyond thrilled to continue working with them. My Rich Girls blogs will be more diverse than my (primarily) fashion-centered Classically Current posts, so I'm super excited to broaden my content into new subjects! Be sure to bookmark their site and check back every Monday and Friday for new posts!

To start things off, I've compiled a bucket list of fun activities! By following this diverse list you can  ensure that you'll get the most out of this wonderful time of year. From classic favorites like apple picking to silly fun like watching cheesy horror movies, I've got you covered! Head over to the Rich Girl Rags site to read the full post!!

Which activities are you going to check off?? I'm not going to get much of a "fall" here in Florida, so I need to live vicariously through you and your autumnal fun! xo

-Lanie W.

Fall-ing for Charleston

Hello and happy October! I had a great mini vacation at home last week. It was so nice to see my family, friends, and boyfriend again for the first time in over a month. South Carolina holds my heart for sure and I'm so excited to see what life there has in store for me in the future!

When I found out I was going to have a free day during my trip I immediately texted Emily begging her to schedule a Charleston day with me. Thankfully she was able to make it work and we got to  do what we do best for an entire day- explore, snap tons of pics, shop, and eat. We spent way too much money on King Street, walked until our feet hated us, and finally ate at Dellz for the first time (it was beyond delicious - definitely a new favorite!). To top it off the weather was blissful and I got to wear my first truly fall outfit of the season (insert praise hands emoji here).

I always love hanging out with Em because we totally just get each other's blogger sides. I took full advantage of her great eye for photos and recruited her to snap some outfit pics for me. My outfit made me so, so happy and was totally me in every way shape and form. Gingham, tortoiseshell, smoking slippers, and my beautiful new purse = one happy Lanie.

Design Darling Necklace || Factory Gingham Shirt || Jeans || Kate Spade Purse || Smoking Slippers

Oh Charleston, you continue to make me fall in love with each and every visit. I cannot wait to be a permanent resident of your beautiful city once again. xoxo

-Lanie W.