a personal style blog by Lauren Pfieffer

Monday, February 28, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

This past week I conducted a social experiment on my personal facebook page. I decided to create a formspring. For some of you who do not know what a formspring is, it is a website where you can anonymously submit questions or comments to a person without them ever knowing who you are. At my school, formspring is a site where people are ruthlessly attacked and ridiculed. It's honestly so sad to see how truly cruel teenagers can be to each other when they are given the chance to hide behind anonymity. On a whim I decided to create a formspring for exactly one week as a social experiment. Here is my overview I wrote to my classmates in the form of a note after the whole experience.

 
When I created a formspring, so many people in my life didn't understand my reasons for doing it. They told me to delete it because they didn't want to see me get hurt or have people attack me. I didn't listen to all of those people though because creating a formspring was something I had to do for myself. No, to all you people out there who think I was out to "get compliments," that's not the reason I created a formspring. It was firstly, to see what people really thought of me. All throughout my life I feel like people have never really told me how they truly feel about me. They sugar coat everything to my face, and then go behind my back and say what they actually feel. I wanted the opportunity to give those people the chance to say how they really perceive me and what they truly think about me. Because when you give people the chance to hide behind anonymity, their true feelings about you come out. I wanted to use these true feelings not to develop myself based on what people think of me, but to use their comments to improve myself. To have my faults and weaknesses put out before me in an honest way so that I could finally see them and the the chance to maybe work on some of those weaknesses. Another reason I created this formspring was to test myself. To see how strong I truly am and have become. For years (and still to this day) I've been put down, made fun of, picked on because of the way I dress. Because maybe I'm different than you. At first, those comments tore me apart and made me miserable. They made me feel worthless and want to shrink back in fear so all of the taunting would stop. Its been years since I've felt like this though because over the years I have grown stronger the more I've found myself. I wanted a final test through the journey I've made and the improvements I've had. I wanted to see if I could handle it. Would I fall apart and wilt away like I used to? Or would I take the comments and embrace them to make me stronger? To all of those people out there who gave me mean, degrading comments: you failed. You failed to make me feel inferior and awful about myself and my life. You failed miserably.


I feel so empowered and inspired by this experience. I've found things out about myself that I think I was oblivious to. Not only have I found out surprising things about myself, I've found things out about the people who care about me. The people who truly care about me that is. I also got the chance for once to show people who I really am through my responses and reactions to your questions. So very often I feel like my classmates don't understand me or know who I am. I'm just a walking, talking mannequin and not a real person. People just look me up and down to see what I'm wearing, and never bother to actually talk to me or ask how I'm doing. I walk through the halls of my high school, looking at the hundreds of faces who have no idea who I am. Yes, they may recognize my face and think, "Oh, that's Lauren," but really they have no concept of the person I am inside. For once though I feel satisfied because I got to share with you all a few little pieces of me that maybe you didn't realize were there. Maybe you think differently of me now whether it be for better or worse. Some of you still probably think "I'm full of myself." Some of you still probably think "I'm fake". Some of you still probably think that " I think I'm too cool, or I'm obsessed with myself," and every other mean thing you said to me. But I truly don't care because at least I had the chance to show you I'm not all those things and maybe, just maybe I proved you wrong. Whether or not you want to believe me is up to you. I don't regret creating this formspring for a week. I want to truly thank all of you who submitted questions or comments whether they were good, bad, truthful, or just an attempt to hurt me. I appreciate everything.


With much love, Lauren.
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Saturday, February 26, 2011

Take Me There.









Aqua High Waisted Shorts: Thrifted.
Black w/ Lace Bib Shirt: Forever21.
White Cardigan: Thrifted.
Patterned Tights: JcPenny's.
Black Heels: Thrifted.
Black Beret: Thrifted.

Hello everyone!


I was super excited to be featured in the Chictopia Style Gallery yesterday! Everytime I get in I feel like a little kid again who's filled with uncontainable excitement. Hope you all are doing wonderful!

With much love, Lauren.

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Life's Snapshots.













Hello everyone!


So I've decided to do a new kind of post every now and then called a snapshot post where I'll take some photos of different parts of my life. For this first one I took pictures of some of my favorite things in my room!

  • My extensive collection of Seventeen Magazines
  • (Some) of my shoes
  • My two fashion Bible
  • The jewelry box where I keep my bracelets, earrings, and rings
  • My three favorite perfumes I use
  • (Some) of my vintage hats
  • My small collection of TeenVouge magazines

Hope all of you are doing wonderful! I had yet another snow day today (fifth one this month) and goodness I think I'll probably be going to school until July at this rate...

With much love, Lauren.
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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lessons Learned.




Denim Jumper: Forever21.
Brown Ruffle Blouse: Thrifted.
Olive Green Jeggings: Target.
Brown Wedges: Thrifted.
Leaf Necklace: Target.


Hello everyone!
I was brought back to my freshman year of high school when I pulled out this denim jumper from my closet. I remember the first time I wore it was the beginning of my freshman year. I had no idea how to style it, so I just wore it as a dress... Yikes. Didn't I realize that this jumper barely would cover my behind? Hm, guess not. I got busted by the principal for the dress code (dresses have to touch the knee) and I remember being so upset and wondering why I had gotten in trouble. Sheez, I'm glad I've learned my lesson since then. When in doubt, put pants underneath :)




With much love, Lauren.
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Moonlit Nostalgia.




-Lace and Tulle Dress: Modcloth-


Hello everyone!
Here in Ohio we were hit by this incredible and unexpected blizzard that just came out of nowhere! Today I have the day off of school, and what better way to spend it than blogging, gathering inspiration, and writing? I've been going through this deep inspirational period recently and have been going with it by doing everything I can to feed my creative hunger. I've mainly been inspired by really whimsical, romanticized things, and I think that reflects in some of my recent blog posts.


I've been trying to experiment around with my camera lately with the different settings it has, and also dip my toes into doing more whimsical shoots versus just plain blog outfit pictures. I wanted to do a soft, 1960's romantic inspired shoot, and I knew that my lace Modcloth dress I wore for homecoming would be just perfect. I did the photos purposely at night because I wanted the lighting to be minimal and low so that there was a soft feel to the pictures. I'm somewhat content with the way the pictures turned out, but definitely not fully satisfied. I'm really wanting to improve my photography skills and try and think outside my usual box. I'm just dying though to have a nicer camera. I've already put back a little money towards it, but I want really more than anything to own a quality camera that takes better pictures.


Hope you all are doing lovely!
With much love, Lauren.
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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Whimsical Wishing.

-Dolores Contrast Dertail Tea Dress-

 
-Joy Topstitch Collar Tea Dress-

-Betty Spot and Stripe Lattice Playsuit-

 
-Hope Crochet Collar Multi Flower Dress-

 
-Courtney Spotty Playsuit with Tassel Belt-


Hello everyone!
I recently stumbled upon an adorable little boutique shop out of the UK called Dahlia that has the sweetest dresses and playsuits. Dainty polka dot prints, peter pan collars, girly bows, and vintage floral fabrics make these pieces some of the most darling clothes I've ever seen. Modcloth has some competition...

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
With much love, Lauren.
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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rockabilly.







Hello everyone!


I had such an incredibly lovely and rejuvenating day. This past week has been really stressful on me, so I decided to wind down today with some of my favorite past times: thrifting and antiquing. I was so lucky to find this beautiful 1950's inspired dress for only $2 at one of the thrift stores and visited at. I also did a little antiquing and went to the quaint one in my town's downtown district. There's just something I absolutely love about antique shops that puts me at such peace. After exploring the antique shop I visited a local art gallery I had never been to before, and was blown away by the unique pieces by local artists. It was so inspiring.


With much love,Lauren.
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Friday, February 18, 2011

Spring Has Sprung (Sort of).






Floral Dress: Mejier (I know crazy, right?)
Green Silk Shirt: Thrifted.
Pink Beaded Necklace: Thrifted.
Tan Clogs: Target.
Yellow Bow: Stolen from my little sister.


Hello everyone!
So I know it's only February. And I know that just yesterday there was snow on the ground. And I definitely know that it is way too early to be wearing spring clothes, but... I will admit that I have contracted spring fever. And I have it bad.


For me to resist wearing spring clothing is like trying to resist scratching a mosquito bite. You know you shouldn't do it and at first you resist, but as time goes on the urge gets greater and greater... Then finally you give in and the itch feels so good. Err, you could say that's how I feel about wearing spring clothes during the winter, ha. I get the urge to do it all winter, then finally near the end I just give into temptation and start to wear my spring clothes.

I guess this gorgeous weather we've been having here in Ohio has been tricking my mind into thinking it's spring time already. Fifty degrees and sunny? I'll take that any day. Unfortunately though Ohio likes to play with my heart strings, and is taking the temperature back down to snowy conditions starting Tuesday. Ohio, you are such a little tease.


With much love, Lauren.
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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Dress Of My Dreams.




White Eyelet Sundress: Avon; Gift from my parents.
Tan Trench: Kohl's.
Lace White Socks: Mine from when I was a little girl.
Tan Heels: Gabriel Brother's.
Pearl Necklace: Thrifted.
Silver Headband: Old Navy.

Whenever I have panic attacks or a time when my OCD gets out of control, I imagine this...
It's summer time and the sun is shining brightly down on a large, open field. There is a big, beautiful tree that streches up as far as my eyes can see and it has hundreds of deep green leaves attatched to its branches. I'm laying underneath the tree wearing a pretty, white eyelet sun dress and I have long sun streaked hair and I'm not wearing any shoes. I lay underneath the tree and look up into its branches and watch leaves fall gently down and into a crystal blue river babbling next to me. The leaves land softly in the river and float down, down until they vanish from my sight.


I just dream of actually finding this place someday. I was so excited when I recieved this white dress from my parents for Valentine's Day because it is exactly the dress I picture in my dream. This summer I plan on going on all sorts of adventures to find this dream place of mine, and you can bet I'll be wearing this dress when I find it.


With much love, Lauren.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Listen To Your Heart.








Floral Dress: Urban Outfitters.
Black Ruffle Blouse: Thrifted.
Black Socks: Gift from my Aunt.
Black Combat Boots: Thrifted.

Hello everyone!
I've been really into 90's grunge looks consisting of black, combat boots, and layered looks as of late. It's funny because I never really consider the 90's necessarily "vintage" because I was born in the decade, but I'm slowly starting to grow on the styles and looks. I believe I desperately need to stop watching early 90's sitcom re-runs...


I had an incredible amount of homework to do tonight, and even more to do tomorrow. Bleh I hate school :(


Hope you all are doing well (and not spending your whole evening studying...)
With much love, Lauren
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Two Is Better Than One...






Black Velvet Dress: Forever21.
Pink Cardigan: Forever21.
Pink Bow Headband: Forver21.
Patterned Tights: JcPenny's.
Pearl Charm Neckalce: American Eagle; Gift.
Drop Silver Clip Earrings: Thrifted.
Black Combat Boots: Thrifted.

Hello everyone!

I actually had two Valentine's Day outfits this year. The one I posted yesterday was what I actually wore on Valentine's Day, and this outfit is what I wore the day before when Matt and I celebrated. This dress is way too short for school, but I still really wanted to wear the outfit. So, I just wore it as my "pre Valentine's Day" look. Hehe.

Hope you all are doing wonderful!
With much love, Lauren.
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Monday, February 14, 2011

Roses Are Red...









Lace Dress: Forever21.
Tights: Gift.
Red Bow Headband: Claire's.
Red Rose Earrings: Thrifted.
Black Heels: Thrifted.

Why hello everyone and Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

I think Valentine's Day is really such a silly holiday. A day to celebrate the love you have for someone whether it be a significant other, a family member, or even just a friend. I think that the love a person has for the people in their life should be shown everyday, rather than especially just one particular day. I don't think Valentine's day should be about the decadent chocolates or the biggest stuffed teddy bear, but rather showing the people in your life you care about how much they mean to you.

With that in mind, Matt and I decided not to buy each other gifts for Valentine's Day this year. This will be our fourth Valentine's Day together and each year has been something special. We used to buy each other extravagant gifts and make heartfelt homemade ones,too. This year I was just as happy though going out to eat to our favorite restaurant (Applebee's!) and watching a non-romantic movie (Paranormal Activity 2. It was fantastic by the way). Not your typical mushy gushy I love you fest, but just the way I wanted it to be nonetheless. Spending time with the person who means the most to me in my life and whom I can always count on to be by my side. Nothing is sweeter than that.

Hope you all are doing just wonderful and your lives are filled with overflowing love from others...

With much love, Lauren.

P.S. Matthew slightly broke our "no gifts" rule. He got me a single red rose because he knows they're my favorite :)
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