About Annie

After growing up in the East Bay, with summers in the Poconos, a couple years in San Diego, then a couple more at the University of California, Davis, plus one magical summer studying abroad in Scotland, Annie is happy to have landed here at LuLu*s in lovely Chico, California. She is thrilled to be putting her English degree to use writing about everything that she thinks every girl will love. Her free time is all about her love for film, reading, writing, and decorating her new apartment.

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Victoria Beckham Covers Harper's Bazaar UK AND China

Celebrity | 18 April 2012

It’s a Bazaar month for Posh, who rocked the covers of both Harper’s Bazaar UK and China for their May issues. The dueling covers and corresponding spreads are worlds apart, with a soft, retro appeal for her poolside UK shoot, versus a striking, bright red coif and heavy metallic accents for HB China. Naturally, she rocks them both.

(Images courtesy of The Daily Mail, Fashion Gone Rogue, & Who What Wear)

The Heidelberg Project

Art | 12 April 2012

Frustrated with the run-down, abandoned neighborhoods that plague the streets of Detroit, artist Tyree Guyton decided to do something about it. The Heidelberg Project is two city blocks-worth of artwork, mainly from found objects, that has taken back a street full of empty lots and burned out houses. 26 years later, the project lives on.

“The Heidelberg Project offers a forum for ideas, a seed of hope, and a bright vision for the future. It’s about taking a stand to save forgotten neighborhoods. It’s about helping people think outside the box and it’s about offering solutions. It’s about healing communities through art – and it’s working!”

“The HP works with neighborhood children to educate them on art, community and environment. These children walk to school past burned-out houses, rubble, debris, crime and decay. Our purpose is to offer them another view, another perspective – to positively change the environment the children see every day. In the process, we help build self-esteem, encourage cooperation and foster a sense of pride in their community.”

(Images courtesy of The Heidelberg Project & Urban Ghosts)

Guerilla Gardening Takes It to the Streets

Art | 05 April 2012

I’m all about guerrilla art, and the pothole gardeners of the world are just the kind of awesome activists that make me smile. Guerrilla gardening has been around for a looong time, (Johnny Appleseed, anyone?), but I fell hard for the work of two British “pothole gardeners“: Steve Wheen and Pete Dungey.

Both men (separately) were “gardener(s) with no garden” in urban environments, and decided to take their planters to the streets. Part activism, part beautification, the pothole gardeners add some blooming charm to the concrete jungle, while simulatenously drawing attention to the less-than-stellar state of the streets they decorate.

A sample of Pete Dungey’s work

Steve Wheen takes it a step further, adding tiny props to his miniature gardens, adding an element of whimsy to the already delightful scene.

Wheen’s tribute to the Eye of London (see it in the background?)

(Images courtesy of Urban Ghosts, designboom, & the pothole gardener)

Trend Alert: The Red Carpet Romper/Evening Jumpsuit

Fashion | 28 March 2012

Rompers and jumpsuits have had their (deserved) day in the sun, but this casual cutie is ready for some black tie nights! The one-piece has been popping up all over the red carpet and runway alike, with nods from designers like Valentino, Elie Saab, YSL, and Monique Lhullier, to name a few.

Adding a little edge to the classic gowns of the red carpet, the current trend embraces everything from flowy, culotte-inspired almost-dresses (a la Angelina Jolie, Freida Pinto, and AnnaLynne McCord), to more tapered, streamlined silhouettes (seen on Kristen Wiig, Emma Roberts, and Kate Beckinsale), and everything in-between. Whichever you choose, just rock it with confidence and keep on rompin’ in the free world!

Little Black Jumpsuit, anyone? From short rompers to floor-length jumpsuits, these ladies are looking flawless!

It’s no surprise that fashion phenoms Rose Byrne and Rachel Zoe both nailed this risky look, with beads and sequins galore! Also, loving the length of the stylist extraordinaire’s onesie. What’s not to love in a little romper/jumpsuit hybrid?

However, this is just something I cannot get behind. Nope. Never.

(Images courtesy of Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Style.com, & Google Images)

It Girl: Jennifer Lawrence

Celebrity | 22 March 2012

Sign: Leo

Status: Academy Award Nominated actress, superhero/villain, and star of The Hunger Games.

Serious Chops: She is the second youngest actress to ever be nominated for a Leading Actress Oscar (from her breakout role in last year’s Winter’s Bone). Did you see it? The girl earned it.

Love Triangles: Now she’s stuck between Gale vs Peeta, but who remembers Beast vs Magneto?

Feeling Blue:Donned some serious body paint to play Mystique in last year’s X-Men: First Class.

Currently: Hitting the promotion circuit hard for The Hunger Games, out tomorrow!!!