I am Lauren, baby doll enthusiast

As a child, I seldom partook in the typical baby doll activities such as playing pretend family or pretend school. I thought it futile to try to talk to something with plastic appendages and cotton fluff innards. Instead, my baby dolls functioned as miniature models. I dressed them in real baby clothes, some of which could be found on my own body back in my infant days. My assortment of barbies donned outfits I could only dream of wearing some day. I arranged them in rooms created in my makeshift Barbie mansion (a bookshelf, what else?!) and they just sat there, until I decided it was time for a new outfit or a change of scenery.

Since those days, I've developed a growing fascination with dolls. In high school, while browsing a the crafty hot-spot, Hobby Lobby, I came across the happiest little kewpie doll that I simply couldn't resist. At $2, I of course had to have him. He found his home on the dash of my car, and lived there for several years. I became known for this nameless naked baby. "Why Lauren?" my friends would ask. "He just makes me so happy!" was always my response.

I was thrilled to find this gloriously tattooed kewpie at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art several years ago. It was part of a show featuring various works from Mexico. This piece in particular is by the Mexican artist and tattooist, Dr. Lakra.

I also was known for my "swinging baby earrings." I went through a phase of goofy jewelry making. Baby dolls were, of course, a prominent theme. I sold these cuties on ebay for a mere $5. I'm thinking I ought to make some more... and, yes, my hair did look like this, once upon a time.

This growing fascination quickly turned into an antique baby doll obsession. I'd scan second-hand stores for quirky additions to my ever-increasing collection. Here's how I have my favorites displayed at the moment.


Sure, they may at times be slightly disturbing, but I simply cannot resist their charm!


P.S. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a jacket like this?!?!

I am Lauren, swimming pool enthusiast

Riding around town yesterday afternoon, my friend Michelle and I came across what appeared to be a public swimming pool. Our intense enthusiasm and curiosity fueled us to confirm with the guy behind the window (apparently a former classmate of Michelle's) that the body of water is indeed intended for public use. Just one dollar to swim. Can't beat that.

I was more than thrilled. Minutes prior to our discovery, I had just admitted to Michelle that I much prefer the pool to the beach. Charleston is surrounded by beaches, and fairly good ones at that, but going to any of these beaches is something I seldom ever do. I think my main issue with the beach is the sand... the stuff just really wigs me out. I love the way the air feels at the beach. I like what it does to my skin, my hair. But the sand entirely ruins it for me.

I like pools because I like to swim. When I swim, my eyes stay open, so swimming in the ocean, for me, tends to be a terribly painful experience. In the ocean, I do all that I can to keep my head above water, but in the pool I know those chemicals will keep my eyes from burning quite so terribly. And, I love to dive... nothing fancy, just jumping into the pool head-first, and unless you have a fancy boat or immense rocky cliffs, you can't do such things into the ocean.

So, after enthusiastically announcing to my roommate, Kristen, that such a thing as a public swimming pool actually exists in downtown Charleston (and just blocks from our new house!) we promptly decided to go for an afternoon swim. I reminisced about my most recent public pool experience. Two summers ago, in Brno, Czech Republic... lots of topless sunbathers, speedos, and thongs... and, no, I don't mean flip flops.

I dove in, head first, losing my swimsuit as I always do, groping to get it back into place before my head surfaced the water. The pool was simply perfect for the sweaty summer day. But then a kid pooped... in the pool. Everyone scattered, yet seemed to stare at what must have been the turd. Kristen and I were playing in the deep-end, so we were slightly oblivious. We were amused by the lifeguard's poor turd fishing abilities... you'd think, working at a public pool, he'd have this down by now. Within twenty minutes or so the water was supposedly no longer contaminated. We dove right back in and swam until closing time (probably only 15 minutes later.)

I'll be back, no doubt. I've found a new (revived) summer past-time. Pool party, anyone?

I am Lauren, Christopher Kane enthusiast

My two very favorite blogs to follow are those belonging to mother-daughter duo, Judy and Jane Aldridge. I won't go into detail as to how incredibly fabulous these girls are, for I'd like to do an entire post on them in the near future, but I just can't resist gushing on mom, Judy's latest look. This Christopher Kane dress is too good to be true. I wish I had $2612.23 to satisfy the intense clothing craving that I'm having right now.

Judy's daughter Jane says,

"The genius of this dress is that such a compellingly bizarre and barbarous statement has been put on such a conservative canvas....such dichotomy allows for some pretty reckless styling! This dress could seriously go with everything."

It's such a perfect piece. The shape and tones of the dress are so simple and quiet that they allow the image to really pop, in more ways than one. Balance is key.

London-based designer, Christopher Kane (pictured above, handsome huh?), has been putting out some pretty neat stuff over the past few years, but his Spring 09 collection definitely has to be my favorite. The gorillas add something really special to the line. I hope he does more work with these graphics. Here are a few others that peak my interest.



SO when I have my own gorilla dress (perhaps Forever 21 will do a knock-off...?) this is likely how I'll style it...

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?!?!