What would your inner rockstar look like? How would you dress if everyday you put your best foot forward? These are the questions fluttering around my head recently as I contemplate what my rebrand is going to look like and how I want to move forward into the new year. To begin the process of 'hammering it out', this morning Dom and I got up early to do a quick photo shoot before his bus came. 

I studied art and literature in college, and I'm often surprised to find how much fine art inspires my wardrobe. I've spent afternoons wandering the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the morning, found myself unknowingly rifling through my drawers in attempt to channel Degas' "Little Dancer" or John Singer Sargent's "Madame X" whose slight frame and black dress is in reference to Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. 

There are more cold than warm days this month but that isn't stopping anyone from heading to the river. Even on the cusp of brisk Fall months, the river is as captivating as ever. 

At the beginning of summer, I had the opportunity to jump on a call with Francesca Kennedy, the founder of IX Style.  I was moved by her powerhouse entrepreneurship and commitment to women.  

Is anyone else super excited for Fall fashion?! I can feel it in the brisk morning air and I'm ready to snuggle into sweaters and boots. Leaves are beginning to change here and I want to spend the day swirling around listening to Fleetwood Mac on my record player. Is it possible to request Stevie Nicks as my spirit animal?

1. The Sun Kissed Contour

Contouring is all the rage these days in makeup application.  I’ve noticed that the most important note is to make sure you’re hitting all the right angles.

The bridge of your nose, along your cheekbone (not too high, too low or too close to your smile), in the center of your chin, under your chin bone and along your hairline. Confused? Here are some tutorials I pinned for you. To make this a sunglazed look add blush alongside the four main contoured lines and blend REALLY, REALLY WELL.

Summer is ending far too quickly! 

I love the shift in colors in these roundups. These are the items that are the most clicked by you guys and it's fun to see the shift in trends and taste as the year moves along.  

If you're new to Lu Curates above are July's hottest and not-already-sold-out items from my late night shop hours on Twitter. Catch em' before they sell out by joining @LuCurates every Monday-Thrusday 9-11pm PST with #ShopLu. Or head over to Pinterest to follow our #ShopLu Picks. 

Interested in hosting a night on #ShopLu? Become a Sponsor Here! 

I met Mandy at a blogger meet-up I hosted on behalf of my first business.  One of Pittsburgh's most enchanting qualities comes from how willing its creative community is to venture into the unknown, meet new people and collaborate. It is a force of nature. 

Mandy is not only the founder of The Curvy Blogger, but her own photography company and most recently, Be. Photo Sessions, a project centered around her fierce stance on self-love and acceptance. 

When I was starting Lu Curates, I knew I wanted to meet Mandy again before I moved back to California. I found her opinions and style inspiring. ....

Since the beginning of Lu Curates I've wanted fashion and lifestyle to be a focus. Posing for outfit posts seemed simple enough, but quickly unearthed a slew of body insecurities and fears. It turns out modeling and styling photos takes a lot of skill?!?! Go figure. 

As I learn, I hope you all can learn too. Here are a few tips and some awesome blogger links/references I've discovered along this journey.  

Farewell June, HELLO July! 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe 4th of July. 

Here are June's hottest and not-already-sold-out items from my late night shop hours on Twitter. Catch em' before they sell out by joining @LuCurates every Monday-Thrusday 9-11pm with #ShopLu. 

Interested in hosting a night on #ShopLu? Become a Sponsor Here! 

June is upon us! 

I know, I know... I'm a little late.

But here are May's hottest and not-already-sold-out items from my late night shop hours on Twitter. Catch em' before they sell out by joining @LuCurates every Monday-Thrusday 9-11pm with #ShopLu. 

Interested in hosting a night on #ShopLu? Check out our sponsor page for more info! 

ENTER TO WIN ISSUE 05 OF SUSPEND MAGAZINE WITH HAYLEY KIYOKO
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"To create – is to, unknowingly – arrest one’s mind. SUSPEND Magazine is an ongoing conversation between creative thinkers and endless believers."

In conjunction with the release of their latest issue we have partnered with Suspend Magazine for a giveaway.

To win a copy of this limited edition publication like both Lu Curates + Suspend on Facebook and tell us about your favorite street artist, brand, or hangout in the comments. 

Today I did a little bit of photo-shooting indoors. I wanted to throw a shoutout to the military green pant trend that resurfaced this year before it is too hot to wear them! I also needed to get myself out of my no-photos-please cave and take some pictures of my new bangs.  

Happy May!

Here were April's hottest and not-already-sold-out items from my late night shop hour on Twitter. 

Catch em' before they sell out by joining @LuCurates every Monday-Thrusday 9-11pm with #ShopLu. 

To describe my style, I would say it's a cross between artistic casual and bohemian professional... except for the days I decide to dress super girly.

Happy April Fools Day! 

As we leave winter behind, I'd like to honor March by introducing my new roundup series featuring the hottest and not-already-sold-out items from my late night shop hour on Twitter. 

Catch em' before they sell out by joining @LuCurates every Monday-Thrusday 9-11pm with #ShopLu. 

One thing I love is writing about style, I haven't quite perfected it in terms of my own personal style posts but check out my most recent article about New York Fashion Week for MeDusa. MeDusa is a contemporary designer handbag company founded in Tel Aviv that I am falling more and more in love with everyday. 

I hope you enjoy! Did you go to #NYFW?

ML

I love the peace found in the woods, or on the ridge of river mountains and the air feels, oh so, familiar. I spend my days with family and friends; people I was only able to see once a year when I lived in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, I deeply miss the 'burgh and the people I left there. 

It's so hard for me to figure out what to buy men during the holidays. Here are a few of my gift buying inspirations. 

While traveling I haven't spent too much time thinking about Christmas. I wanted to throw some of these ideas out there for any of you last minute shoppers. 

With me driving so much these days I need to make sure I’m packing easy and simple go-tos. I discovered American Apparel’s Tri Blend Deep V in college. I always keep two to three colors in my closet. I don’t usually feel comfortable in t-shirts but the drape-y nature of the fabric makes for a good fit. 

First, I have to say thanks to Next Pittsburgh and all the support I recieved from my recent home tour of Ryan Lammie and Maddison Fyffe’s brickstone in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville. I hope to be doing more of these home tours while travelling.

The last couple weeks at my day job were hard. Emotionally, I still feel like I haven’t quite processed everything, especially my move west. It felt lonely to go in, day after day, as my workload was slowly being scaled back. Change is lonely. Traveling is lonely. Personal growth, can be lonely. Of course, all of these things are good and exciting, and most often worth it, but sometimes they just kind of drag.