I am Lauren, boiled peanut enthusiast

Growing up, road trips meant boiled peanuts... guaranteed. Perhaps this had something to do with the destinations of such trips. Having 2 parents from central/south Georgia most likely had everything to do with it. Like okra and collards, boiled peanuts are a symbol of southern culture and cuisine.

One can find boiled peanut stands scattered along the sides of curvy country back roads. This past weekend on my way to and from the Blue Ridge mountains I passed countless "p-nut" stands, each equally as tempting as the one before it. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I resisted the urge to pull over, yet craved them all the while.


Boiled peanuts just might be the ultimate snack. Their soft, boiled down texture and significantly salty flavor provide for quite a sensory experience. And not to mention, they're full of antioxidants! On May 1, 2006, Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill making boiled peanuts the official snack food of South Carolina. Imagine that!

In grade school I was known for the eccentric contents of my lunch bag. These canned boiled peanuts were a must-have. Not nearly as incredible as those found road-side, but delicious nonetheless.
Since I seldom journey through country back roads these days, I've found another way to satisfy my boiled peanut cravings, besides the canned variety. Believe it or not, the Piggly Wiggly down the street from my house has its own boiled peanut stand! In fact, I'm munching on some as we speak... mmmm.

I am Lauren, oxford enthusiast

Ever since last fall I've been on a hunt for the most perfect oxford flats. I wanted a pair that weren't too menswear, and was having a heard time finding anything that I thought I'd actually wear... until I found these at Urban Outfitters. When I saw them in the store, I knew immediately they were the ones. I told myself, "If they fit, I'll buy them," even though they were still full price (I never pay full price for things, so that says a lot)! They fit perfectly. I promptly took them to the lady at the register.

I've not regretted this purchase, not once! These shoes are proving to be my staple summer accessory. They're incredibly comfortable and they're simply perfect for bike rides around town.

This look reflects how I've been wearing them most lately...

or for a grungier look, I'd likely go for something like this

What is your summer staple?

I am Lauren, home sweet home enthusiast

The past few years I've spent dreaming of the day when I would have a home of my own to infiltrate and outfit. And the past few weeks I've spent doing just that. It's literally a dream come true. My time has finally come... to satisfy my irresistible urge to settle. And it just so happens that I get to fulfill my dreams in the most adorable house ever!

I know this urge is unusual, especially for someone just shy of 20 yrs, but it's something I can't shake; it is my nature to nest. I like to make things my own, in all arenas, so when it comes to something as personal as creating a home environment, I can't help but assume tremendous responsibility to make it mine. This isn't one of those nagging responsibilities, but an enthusing, consuming compulsion to cultivate space... personal space.

I have always had a rather keen awareness of my surroundings and I feel strongly that the arrangement of space is crucial to well-being. It's all about balance. Perhaps I should look into becoming a feng shui master...?

The home is something that I value and cherish as the ultimate personal/shared space. I spent roughly 17 years in the same house, so perhaps that has something to do with why I feel so strongly about the importance of a sense of permanence in the home environment. I hope/plan to spend the next 2 years in this little green house. And after that...? To be honest, when it comes to the future, my nesting nature frightens me a bit. It conflicts with my sense of adventure and my desires to see the world, to get to know other places. How can I settle if I'm jet setting? Will I find a balance? Can I find a balance?

One of these days I'll give you a peek of what's happening inside (and outside!) of the house... looking lovely, but still a work in progress!

I am Lauren, cheese enthusiast

I've always been a little different... never quite the norm. I've been aware of this for quite some time, but for some reason it took a $15 hunk of Manchego cheese for it to really sink in... I am so not normal.

College students are supposed to eat Velveeta and Kraft, not fine exotic cheeses. What's wrong with me? I get such a thrill from just browsing the gourmet cheese stand in the grocery store... and about once a month I let myself splurge on a new type of cheese. I used to go through these cheeses like they were blocks of cheddar from the dairy isle, until I realized why I could never leave the grocery store without spending less than $60... it's the darn (but delicious) cheese! So now I stick to my trusty (yet tasty) $3 Kraft Extra Sharp Cheddar for everyday use and save the Havarti, Emmentaler, and Edam for special occasions.

Unfortunately, this is often how I feel when I share my delicacies with others...

Those who have attended any of my dinner parties might possibly relate.

Now, I'm not a total cheese snob! Just this morning I had cheese toast topped with a slice of American. I'll note, though, that it was most certainly NOT the individually wrapped kind. I like to keep a pack of American slices for grilled cheese and cheese toast. mmm. Everything else I've tried just gets too greasy... especially cheddar.

I'm not afraid to try new types of cheese... stinky cheese, slimy cheese, creamy cheese, chunky cheese, you name it. So far, I've only encountered one cheese that I never care to taste again... the Czech Republic's famous olomoucké tvarůžky, known for its pungent smell and deep yellow color.

yuck! I can't even begin to describe it... if you're ever in the Czech Republic, you simply must try it for yourself.

One of these days, I hope to be some kind of wacky cheese connoisseur. Perhaps I'll take a class at a culinary institute or even go on a European cheese tour (seriously?!). But for now, why don't we share a lovely cheese plate at Caviar and Bananas...

p.s. does anyone remember the stinky cheese man?!?!

I am Lauren, red nail polish enthusiast

Nothing beats a good red. Sure, I'll go for various shades of pink and purple, but a solid red just can't be beat... It's classic and it NEVER goes out of style!

My red polish of choice, these days, is O.P.I.'s "The Thrill of Brazil." It works wonders with my creamy (pasty?) white skin, which is slightly ironic, for I highly doubt that anyone remotely as pale as myself could be found in a place like Brazil! Perhaps the polish is so powerful (it does work wonders, after all) that it could make a person like me stand out among those stereotypical Brazilian babes... Gisele Bündchen better watch out!! Or, maybe it gives me the thrill of Brazil without the trauma of being seen in a Brazilian bikini!?!

Regardless... it looks good... and it's the right red for me!

Finding the right red isn't easy! It can be truly overwhelming, considering how outrageously many shades of red are out there! It can take time, but, trust me, finding the right red is truly worth the hunt!

Just look what it does to this look! Imagine your juicy red toenails peeping out of the insane Givenchy wedges!! The right red polish is the perfect accent to this already fabulous outfit!
(and some red lips couldn't hurt either!!)

So be it "The Thrill of Brazil," "Big Apple Red," "Cajun Shrimp," or "I'm Not Really a Waitress," your remarkably right red polish is out there waiting for you to find it!! And once you find it, you'll be ready to tackle an even more foreboding task... finding the right red lipstick!!

I am Lauren, Fun Dip enthusiast

A few weeks ago, my friend Kristen, in an arbitrary yet curiously genuine manner, asked me, "Lauren, what's your favorite candy?" Her sincere, childlike question rendered what some might read as an equally child-like response. Normally, favoritism inquisitions are unnaturally difficult for a person like me, but I was surprised at how quickly I came up with an answer. "Fun Dip," I replied with an odd look on my face, for it had been years since I had even thought of this wildly under-appreciated treat. Her response surprised me even more than my answer... "FUN DIP?!?!?" She was flabbergasted!

What's wrong with Fun Dip, I ask? Apparently, cultured, well-traveled people with a taste for the finer things in life are not supposed to like the mass-produced sugary mess. Kristen expected my favorite candy to be some kind of exotic foreign delicacy, but no, it's Fun Dip, the stuff that turns your teeth blue.

Weeks later, I come home to find a mound of my very favorite candy neatly wrapped with a pink bow- the perfect Valentine's treat! What a pleasant surprise! (thanks K!) As I devour the Fun Dip, I am reminded of why I love it so much. The the mild, milky stick dunked in the colorful, tart powder results in one of the most interesting sensations that stimulates all the senses. The combination of colors, the juxtaposition of textures, the interaction of flavors, and the kinetic experience all contribute to the enjoyment of the fabulous (and especially fun) Fun Dip! Though I may not be your typical Fun Dip enthusiast, I do believe that my favorite candy reflects me as one who delights in often overlooked details and explosions of sensory experience.

I'd sincerely like to know, what is your favorite candy and how does it reflect your personality?

I am Lauren, Lady Gaga enthusiast

This morning, while enjoying my coffee, and scanning Yahoo's OMG! page (a daily exercise), I came across these pictures of Lady Gaga...


Who in the world is Lady Gaga and why am I just now finding out about her? Where have I been??? Well, nonetheless, anyone who can rock this hairstyle, automatically earns my respect and devotion. The "do" is reminiscent of my very favorite Project Runway Season 3 contestant, Allison Kelly's design...no? She got kicked off for this one, ugh!


While I absolutely adore Allison, and her designs, I have to give it to Lady Gaga for truly pulling off this hairstyle. The bangs soften the look, and make all the difference. She says that the style is inspired by a 2008 Jean Paul Gaultier runway show, but while I've scoured the web for images of all his recent shows, I've been unable to find anything likened to this. Here are some more images I found of Lady Gaga and her signature do!

tights are not paaaaaaants!!!

LOVING the white jumpsuit!!!

I could tell, just from those 2 initial images, that this girl has got it going on! The more I read about her, the more I'm impressed. So who exactly is this Lady Gaga who's got me so worked up? After doing some research, I found that she is an American singer-songwriter and musician, known for her work in the pop/electronica genre. I have to admit, I was rather impressed with the 3 music videos I saw. While her songs tend to be about seemingly trivial and superficial subjects like parties, money, and dancing, I found myself truly appreciating the aesthetic quality of the set, costuming, styling, choreography, etc. She says of her 2008 debut album, The Fame...

"[It] is about how anyone can feel famous. Pop culture is art. It doesn’t make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it’s a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle."

What great dresses!! I wish I knew who made these!
(I prefer the pale Gaga)

Maybe one day I'll get to see her perform live!!! Apparently she's on tour right now in Europe with the Pussy Cat Dolls(another obsession)... if they do a U.S. tour together, I am SO totally there! Hopefully her back-up dancers will wear these sandals... a nice touch, don't you think?