Fashion Randomness

Stylish and Functional Laptop Bags

laptop

Q- I will be receiving a laptop for my work in the next few weeks and will be required to bring it to and from work with me.
I have been looking around for a nice laptop bag to tote with me that will be stylish and business fashion forward. I knew if anyone would have some great ideas it would be you. 🙂

I need a bag that is large enough to also pack other things in it as well, like my lunch and umbrella. I commute on the train to and from work and lugging too much around can become a hassle very quickly.

Any suggestions or maybe what store to look at would be very helpful.

A- I am always hunting for the best way to lug my laptop, my lunch, and notebooks to and from the office. I have gone through a ton of laptop bags that I loved (then got sick of) and many other “carrying” case options. Right now, I am working with a Betsey Johnson laptop sleeve (that has a handle) and am tucking that inside a large canvas tote. That option is actually working out quite well for me. It looks pretty chic on the outside, but is fun and kinda crazy on the inside.

If you don’t want to play with that option, here are some of my favorite and roomy laptop cases:

– Maeve laptop tote, which is sold at J Tote for $145. I like it because its stylish and looks like a handbag.

– The Athena, which is sold at Kolobags for $49 (originally $81)

– Then there is the mack daddy of the laptop totes (pictured above) … The Minimalist for $285.

Fashion Randomness

Win a Dress from Erin Fetherston on Closet Couture

erin

One of my favorite sites, Closet Couture is giving away a dress from Erin Fetherston in a style contest. So I thought I would pas the word along to all of you beautiful people. Basically, you get a chance to tap inside of Erin Fetherston’s closet to create a look. Erin herself will choose the best look and the creator of that look wins the dress.  I don’t know how you feel, but I feel that’s pretty cool. If Erin Fetherston deems you stylish, then you pretty much rock the house.

Here is how you enter:

1. Head over to Closet Couture.com

2. Go to Erin Fetherston’s page and click the “Follow” button to get access to her closet.

3. Go to “Create a Look” (under My Closet) and then click “Switch” and select ErinFetherston

4. Create a look for Erin (using at least one of Erin’s items) and save the outfit “For Erin”

Enter as many times as you like… Erin herself is going to pick her favorite outfit on Sunday night! The winner will be announced next Wednesday.

If you want to see outfits made for Erin so far, go here>>

Terms and conditions apply

Style How-To's

Back to School Style: Boarding School

preppy

Q- I’m going back to my boarding school soon, so I can’t bring to many items of clothing to wear on the weekends, as I have a pretty small cupboard. I love the preppy look and I have a Ralph Lauren blazer I am obsessed with. I have 2 pairs of loafers, a few polo tops and some jumpers. I’m not sure if I am getting the ‘look ‘ right??

A- Sounds to me like you nailed it. I would add in a few cardigans, some pearls, ballet flats, and of course jeans to complete the look … a tank or a tee shirt would be useful too. Here are some preppy combinations for ya:

Look #1- Jeans + polo + Blazer + loafers

Look #2- Jeans + 2 polos layered + pearls + ballet flats

Look #3- Jeans + tee shirt/ tank + cardigan + pearls + ballet flats

Look #4- Jeans (rolled up) + tee shirt + blazer + loafers

Fashion Randomness

Alexander Wang Obsession

alexander_wang_fall_2009_shoe_collection

I have become more and more obsessed with Alexander Wang every single day. I love his pieces. They are loose, casual, but also extremely sexy. That’s not an easy combination to master. Anyways, I have been collecting my favorite pieces on ThisNext so I thought I would share them with all of you. My ultimate favorites have to be the hooded cocktail dress and the fringe shoes — so amazing.

Alexander Wang Obsession
Fashion Randomness

Back to School Style: Style Tips for Students

school

Q- I got accepted to University and I’m over the moon! I’m so happy! But now that I’m about to be a student (with no money) I was wondering if you could give some tips and pointers as to some “must haves” for students!

A- Congrats on getting into school, that’s awesome! I am also excited that you are thinking about your college style. Nothing makes me more upset than college students who just throw on sweats, or even worse pajamas, and head to class. I don’t know why people think the rules of getting dressed in the morning don’t count in college.  Anyway, I am getting myself worked up …

There is a way to be comfortable and stylish at school, while being on a budget. Here are some of my must have pieces for college students:

– Great fitting pair of jeans that make sense for your body

– Ballet flats (stylish and practical for running to class)

– Cardigans (a great alternative to a sweatshirt)

– Great fitting tees and tanks

– Stylish messenger/ tote bag for books and essentials

– Simple accessories like hats and scarves

Forever 21 at ShopStyle
Style How-To's

Back to School Style: Punk Rock Chic

sex-pistols

Q- Schools going to be starting soon,and I’m going into the 7th grade. I really want to try out the punk-rocker mixed with chic.I don’t really know where to start except for that I really like skinny jeans and plaid!I was really hoping you could tell what’s in for the punk rocker chic look!:)

A- This is one of my favorite looks, so of course I can help. Below are some of my favorite pieces for a punk rock chic look and some winning combinations for them. Enjoy!

Look #1 – Skinny jeans + black tank top + white blazer + peep toe boots

Look #2- Skinny jeans + plaid button down + fur vest + Dr Martens

Look #3- Gray tank dress + ripped leggings + Dr Marten boots

Look #4- Black jersey dress + open plaid button down + fishnets + Boots

With all of these looks, sprinkle in fun accessories like studded bracelets and safety pin earrings as desired 🙂

Fashion Randomness, Style How-To's

Long Tops and Cardigans

cardigans1

Q- I am starting my first year in college for journalism and I was hoping to look the part. I don’t have any style in particular, just classy/classic pieces seeing as I don’t have time to go shopping. I am pretty slim, 5’6″ but my body is a little hard to dress for. I was hoping you could help me find long cardigans that are a bit loose but have a band around the bottom, obviously button up. I like darker colors (navy blues, dark brown/gray, black) but I can pull off most colors well.

I was also hoping you could help me find long shirts. Ones that reach around the bum. The new baggy tanks are also pretty good on me but I can’t find any less then $50. I don’t mind shopping online but I only have a $150 spending limit.

A- Sounds like what you need is a good boyfriend cardigan and some affordable Alexander Wang style tank tops.

For cardigans I recommend:

– Boyfriend cardigan from Barney’s CO-OP for $148

– C&C California boyfriend cardigan for $84

– Extrafine wool cardigan from Banana Republic for $90

For tank tops I recommend:

– James Perse Long Tank Top for $45

– Splendid Whisper Tank $44

– Edun Shadow Tank $30

Hope those work out for you and good luck in school.

Style How-To's

Stylish Vintage Look on a Budget

audrey-1

Q- I love the whole ‘vintage-40/50s-silver-screen’ ish look. I adore how classy the clothes are from this time. I really love the silver screen stars like Grace Kelly, Aubry Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot and their style. But I’m pretty unsure how to work their vintage clothing into my laid-back, preppy style.

I also live in a really small town and I’ve been to all the antique markets and second hand stores in town and none of them have a large selection of stylish vintage clothing, and if they have jewelry or accessories, they are super expensive heirlooms. When I do go to the city, we I usually hit the malls and not the Salvation Army.

Soooo my question for you is how can I get this stylish vintage look by buying online or from commerical stores like Wal-Mart or Zellers AND without breaking the bank.

If you could also put some looks together for me to get an idea of how to wear vintage/vintage looking pieces, or other ways (like makeup?) to add a touch of oldHhollywood to my look, that would be really helpful! I’m also not really a skirt, heel or hat wearer 😉

A- You can get yourself a comfortable classic look in a snap (and on a budget.) You need to channel Audrey. I am talking black cigarette pants, black tops, little ballet flats, pearls, and sunglasses. Those pieces are so classic, so you can buy them pretty much anywhere.

Rampage at ShopStyle

As for hair and makeup, go simple too! Pull your hair back loosely and away from your face and wear minimal makeup.

Fashion Randomness

Welcome to My New Home!

Welcome to my new home, LaurenMessiah.com!

After careful consideration — all right, it wasn’t that careful – I have decided to ditch the name “Fashion Kitty.” I just felt it was time to reclaim my name because lets be honest, it’s a darn good name.

Don’t fret, not much else has changed! I will still be styling all of you and taking on your fashion questions. So enjoy the new site.

xoxo,

Lauren Messiah

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