Style How-To: The Button Up

Fashion | 10 January 2012

Button-ups are coming back in a big way and we’re loving it. Whether they are bright, plain, printed, or vintage-inspired, we love them all. Plus, they are the perfect key piece for a fall to spring transition. Check out these awesome outfits, the inspiration behind them, and get some great tips for how to wear our fav button-ups!

Transition into Spring with a Miami Vice twist. Keep your sky-high booties and bright jeans, but pair with a neutral blazer and a pastel digi image buttoned to the top for that extra clean look. It’s sophisticated and fun, and would make the perfect day-to-night by just ditching the blazer and adding the perfect muted moto jacket with it.

Get the look:

Christie Brinkley Beige Blazer

Berkeley Babe Sheer Floral Print Top

Volcom What the Twill Turquoise Skinny Jean

Chelsea Crew Truffle Ankle Boots

Double up your button-ups with this sweet, cutesy number. This beautiful bird print is super adorable, plus super hot for spring. Since the skirt was button-up as well (see what we did there?), we paired it with a pussy-bow blouse that had a covered placket, so it wouldn’t be too overwhelming. We broke the skirt and shirt up with a skinny belt, and topped it with some buckled booties and socks to tie in the sweetness of this outfit.

Get the look:

Office Envy Long Sleeve Magenta Top

On the Wire Bird Print Skirt

Skinny Mini Black Belt

Qupid Miley 21 Black Nubuck Buckled Ankle Boots

The final look we put together was a classic color block look, inspired by some of our favorite street fashion, with a side of edgy chic. We can’t get enough of cobalt nor wide leg pants, so we paired them with one of our favorite, and most minimalistic, button down. We added splashes of saturated pinks with the shoes and the belt and topped the whole thing off with circular sunnies, a current obsession of ours.

Get the look:

Glam Fam Peach Top

Cool Atmosphere Royal Blue Pants

Yum Bubble Gum Pink Skinny Belt

Lovely People Agnes Multi Fuchsia Color Block Loafer Pumps

Sister Act: Interview with Dog Party

Music | 09 January 2012

by Sienna

Gwendolyn and Lucy Giles are a musical force to be reckoned with, as the Sacramento-based garage band Dog Party. These teenage sisters will surprise you with their raw talent, sweet looks and spicy fervor for hard-rockin’ music with songs like P.A.R.T.Y. and the amazing Andy Wu. After being handed a copy of their newest album, P.A.R.T.Y., I was able to catch up with the sisters for an interview.

So, I think you are the youngest artists I have interviewed. How old are you currently?

Gwendolyn: 15
Lucy: 13

How did you get started in music?
We’ve always had music in our lives, and once we started playing instruments, a family friend, Zach Goodin (who was in an LA based band Bargin Music and now runs Half of Nothing Records) , had us play together instead of in our respective rooms.

Tell us about your first live show.
Our first live show was in June ’08 at the Fire Escape, and we opened for Agent Orange. We played a three song set with one encore. It was crazy and our first experience with moshing.

How many shows do you think you’ve played?
Over the last 4 years, we’ve played a little over 200 shows.

What about balancing music with school and your social lives. What is an average week like for you?
Gwendolyn: My average week day is school, track/cross-country practice, homework, dinner, homework, sleep, and repeat. My weekends in the winter are up in Tahoe because Lucy and I ski race for Squaw Valley. Any other weekend, we are playing shows.

Lucy: During the week I go to school, take pictures, draw, do homework, and play music. On Tuesdays I go to drum lessons, and on weekends I either ski or play shows.

So Gwendolyn plays guitar, Lucy plays drums and you both sing. Do you have any other instruments in your lives?
Gwendolyn: On both of our records, I play the bass tracks, and for one of Dog Party’s earliest songs, I played keyboard.

Lucy: For acoustic shows, I play the guitar and sometimes Gwennie and I swap instruments in electric sets.

I hear a lot of early 90′s Grunge/Garage Band in your music, but you two probably weren’t even born yet. Do you think that the 90′s have influenced your music?
We listen to a lot of different music old and new, but when it comes to song writing, we don’t try to make it have a certain sound. We just play and make it happen.

Who are your biggest musical influences overall?
Gwendolyn: I like Green Day, Kepi Ghoulie, Agent Ribbons, and Cage the Elephant.

Lucy: RAMONES!!!!!!! Meg White, The Groovie Ghoulies and their female drummers- Scampi and Wendy.

Do you have other hobbies besides music?
Both: Sports are a big thing for us.

Gwendolyn: I like to make videos and take/edit photos. I also like fashion!

Lucy: I paint, draw, and make stencils a lot. I also like to take pictures and eat Mexican food.

(photo courtesy of localindiemusic)

Are there any current fashion trends that you’re into? We want to hear about your personal styles.

Gwendolyn: I’ve had a LOT of different looks for shows. Right now I am rolling a vintage look with my combat boots and an assortment of dresses.

Lucy: I’m in a Ramones phase at the moment so I wear a lot of black, stripes, studded belts, and leather jackets/jean vests.

What would you like to be doing in five years?
Gwendolyn: Rockin’ and a rollin’! I’m still going to college in a couple of years, but music will always play a huge roll in my life.

Lucy: Playing music.

Any words of wisdom for young aspiring musicians?
Gwendolyn: Don’t try to sound like another band. Just play and let the music find you

Lucy: You can’t just sit in your room with your headphones on and play to yourself. Go out, start a band, and do something or else nothing is going to ever happen.

Listen to my personal favorite from the album, Andy Wu and check out Dog Party’s Facebook or tumblr to find out about the new album and upcoming shows!

<a href=”http://dogparty.bandcamp.com/track/andy-wu”>Andy Wu by Dog Party</a><br>

Wine Snob 101: Popular Types of Wine

General | 09 January 2012

by Laurie Hartt

One of my favorite college memories is of the time I lived in France and my host brother brought me and a friend to a wine tasting party. While they all tasted kinda gross at the time, the experience really sparked my interest in wines, their histories, and their creation.

However, there are a dang LOT of different kinds. Even now, I am confused half the time about what I’m drinking unless I read the bottle or Google. BUT…having a general idea of what you’re drinking is a really good knowledge to have, especially if you’re bringing a bottle as a hostess gift or serving it with a meal.

As such, I’ve created a list of some popular kinds of wine you might find in the supermarket, what they taste like, and what you might serve them with. I’ve left out a ton, but hopefully these will get you off to a good start!

White Wines

Chardonnay

Taste: Wide bodied, buttery, velvety, and often with fruity citrus and melon, as well as creamy coffee, coconut, toffee, and vanilla flavors

Pairing: Fish, Salmon, Chicken

Pinot Grigio

Taste: Crisp and dry

Pairing: Versatile

Savignon Blanc

Taste: Normally shows a herbal character suggesting bell pepper or freshly mown grass. The dominating flavors range from sour green fruits of apples, pears and gooseberries through to tropical fruits of melon, mango and blackcurrant.

Pairing: Seafood, poultry, salads

Reisling

Taste: Light and fresh with an aroma of fresh apples

Pairing: Chicken, pork, and especially fishes like tuna and salmon. Also good with Japanese food

Reds Wines

Pinot Noir

Taste: Delicate and fresh; it has hints of cherry and strawberry, often with notes of tea-leaf, damp earth, or worn leather.

Pairing: Excellent with grilled salmon, chicken, lamb and Japanese dishes (especially sushi!).

Cabernet Savignon

Taste: Full-bodied, but firm when young. Hints of Current, bell peppers, and oftentimes vanilla

Pairing: Red meat

Merlot

Taste: Scents include blackcherry, plums and herbal flavors

Pairing: Versatile

Zinfandel

Taste: A zesty flavor with berry and pepper.

Pairing: Tomato-sauce pasta, pizza, and grilled and barbecued meats.

Syrah

Taste: Meat (steak, beef, wild game, stews, etc.)

Pairing: Aromas and flavors of wild black fruit (such as blackcurrant), with overtones of black pepper spice and roasting meat.

Others Wines

White Zinfandel

Taste: Aromas of strawberries and raspberries, with a subtle sweetness

Pairing: Good for cooling down spicy foods or for a refreshing drink on hot days

Moscato

Taste: Sweet and fruity

Pairing: Desserts!

Santé!

(Wine info paraphrased or quoted directly from French Scout. Pics courtesy of Pinterest.com.)

Name the Dress Contest #82!

Contests | 09 January 2012

by LuLu*s !

The contest has ended. Be sure to enter again next week!

Winning Dress Name: Star-Spangled Beauty

Winner: Erin W.

Memories of Paris

General | 06 January 2012

by Laurie Hartt

Can’t quite afford a trip across the pond at the moment? Then daydream your way through Paris with this collection of “memories” I’ve composed especially for all of YOU lovely LuLu*s ladies!

Preparing for the trip