Category Archives: fashion

“Time to Take a Map” Necklace from comuse

It’s no secret that I LOVE TO TRAVEL. So, when the founders of comuse contacted me to review their world map necklace, I did not hesitate. Comuse is an online store that sells travel inspired items meant to spark and reflect your sense of adventure. I’d definitely say this store does exactly that.

time to take a map necklace

“Time to Take a Map” necklace is a zinc alloy gold-toned world map. The 4 x 1.75 inch pendant is on a 17 inch adjustable chain and is quite the statement piece. EVERY TIME I wear this necklace I receive so many compliments. I’ve worn it casually and dressed up – it really goes with anything.

With the holiday season around the corner, do you have a wanderlust traveler in your life that would like this amazing necklace or would you just like one for yourself? You can go to comuse and include this unique promo code LolasTravels for 15% off all orders until December 31, 2015.

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OR you can enter to win one right here. Lola has an extra to give away. For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post and tell me where in the world you would like to wear your world map necklace. I just wore mine to Machu Picchu!! This step is required.

Also, follow the steps listed in the widget below for your comment to count, and for additional entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest starts Monday, October 26 at 12am EST and ends Monday, November 2 at 12am EST.

Comuse  is an online venture run by husband and wife team, Neel and Dawn Bulchandani. Ideas sprout from dream-seeds. Such is the case with the birth of comuse. Neel and Dawn adore travel. They also relish opportunities to inspire travel in others. That, braided with their desire to work together more, brought about comuse. Now, they get to champion the dreams of others in tangible ways via advocating travel, adventure, discovery, wonder, whimsy, and the eminently hopeful reality that every person can be a positive change agent for their environment and the world.

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Filed under fashion, style, travel

Fun Jewels on Loan with Rocksbox

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Have you ever heard of Rocksbox? It’s a new discovery I have found that I simple adore. Rocksbox is a premium jewelry subscription box where you become a “Shine Insider” and rent from an ever-changing inventory of designer jewelry – unlimited – for as little as $19 a month. As a frequent traveler, jewelry is one of the smallest, easiest and best ways to change-up an outfit so I love the idea of borrowing items for trips. AND it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to sign up. Look…

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As a “Shine Insider” you get $10 every month to apply toward anything you’d like to purchase from your Rocksbox at an “Insider” discounted price. You may be thinking where’s the catch… there is NONE. Your Rocksbox is shipped free to you with a free pre-paid return label for when you are ready to ship your jewels back. The wish list process is simple. You take a survey to help curate your style. Next, you can look at every option or narrow your options down by your interests. For example, I almost always wear the same earrings so I only chose rings, bracelets and necklaces for my wish list. You can leave feedback expressing specific things or you can leave it up to a Rocksbox stylist to curate your box. I left it up to the stylist and was so excited to receive my first box. I was not disappointed. It was like receiving a birthday gift.

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The Rocksbox arrived in a darling sturdy box with a big ribbon bow to untie. Once you open it up there’s a personalized note from the stylist. I was super impressed with the quality and presentation of everything in my Rocksbox and have literally worn the two items that the stylist chose for me almost daily.

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Even better, Rocksbox asked me to be a #RBItGirl and that means YOU can try Rocksbox for free for your first month using my promo code LAURENDIXOXO. I can’t wait to receive my second Rocksbox soon. Watch my Instagram to see what the stylists selected for me next!

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Rocksbox treated me to a three-month trial subscription so I could review and share my thoughts on their service. I LOVE IT – it is completely LOLA APPROVED!

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Catrinka – Every Bag has a Story

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I’m very excited to tell you about this amazing company I’ve discovered Catrinka that makes ethical fashion accessories from around the world. BUT there is so much more to these bags and accessories than that… Every bag really has a story because these bags are employing women in countries that meet Catrinka’s ethical criteria.

Catrinka is about leveraging the power of women and girls to invest in each other and the future. Catrinka pieces are made by women, who invest twice as much of their income in their families as men. And with each bag sold, Catrinka provides a week or more of education and mentoring in crucial life skills for adolescent girls on the margin, so that they have the tools to take charge of their own future. Girls who have the ability to postpone marriage and childbirth beyond the age of 12 or 14 can make a better life for themselves, and then invest in the next generation.

Now, this all sounds well and good but even better is that these bags are just wonderful. I’m in LOVE with their new Indian Summer Collection. India is a colorful country I recently visited and this collection reflects that wide range of brilliant colors. India is also a place of extreme poverty and opportunities for women are far less than men. Here are the stories behind the Indian Summer Collection.

The Kanta Weekender

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The Kanta Weekender is a hand drawn Indian street scene embellished with hand embroidery and mirrors by a mother-daughter team in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The bag is named for Kanta, the 33 year old daughter on the team. Bhagwati, Kanta’s 52 year old mother learned the embroidery craft from her mother and taught Kanta when she was 10. Kanta and Bhagwati were both born and raised in Jodhpur, known as the blue city for its tradition of washing homes in light blue. This dreamy bag fits this imagery perfectly, don’t you agree?

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The embroidery work used for the snowflake pattern comes from Chikankari, originating out of Lucknow, and is called the Ulta Bakhiya stitch. The mirror work is traditional to Jodhpur. Each panel takes 2 days to complete. Locally, Kanta and Bhagwati are known for their hand embroidery talents, and Catrinka is excited to bring their work to the world. Each bag made provided 3 days of fair work to women in India. The sale of each bag will provide a week of life skills mentoring for adolescent indigenous Mayan girls through Catrinka’s NGO partner, Redmi.

Lalita Beach Bag

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The Lalita Beach Bag is a Lola Approved item since it is SO PINK! And, PLEASE, don’t the “beach” fool you. This bag has become my full-time summer bag. The inside is lined with contrasting fabric and 3 pockets perfect for holding everything from your iPhone to your favorite lip glosses. lola_blackpinkThe bag was stitched and assembled from market fabric in a small woman-owned workshop in New Delhi by a number of women including Lalita. The workshop was established in 1996 with the motive of reviving the dying arts of India, and providing regular work to home workers – women in India who traditionally work irregularly from their home to earn income while also retaining responsibility for their work at home. The workshop’s directors also run and fund a girls school that offers free tuition and midday meals. Each bag provided 1 day of fair work to women in India. The sale of each bag will provide a day of life skills mentoring for adolescent indigenous Mayan girls through Catrinka’s NGO partner.

Anita Bucket Bag

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I just adore the Anita Bucket Bag. It reminds me of a dear friend, also named Anita, who just loved colorful things and would have worn this bag with true style. The bag was stitched and assembled from market fabric in a small woman-owned workshop in New Delhi by a number of women including Anita. The workshop was established twenty years ago to preserve the dying arts of India, and providing regular work to home workers. The workshop’s directors also run and fund a girls school that offers free tuition and midday meals. Each bag provided 1 day of fair work to women in India. The sale of each bag will provide a day of life skills mentoring for adolescent indigenous Mayan girls through Catrinka’s NGO partner.

Educating a girl is the single most effective way to reduce poverty around the world, and can literally change the world. We invest in girls because when girls have full access to their rights and are empowered and supported, they transform structures of poverty and inequity. That not only positively impacts their own lives, but entire communities, countries, and the world.
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More on Catrinka’s NGO Efforts

Since early 2014, they have been working on a pilot project with a Population Council program called Abriendo Oportunidades (AO) and one of their NGO’s, Redmi in Guatemala. AO is a community-based initiative (it was founded by the first female Guatemalan doctor) to provide education and life skills mentoring to indigenous Mayan girls aged 8-19. In Guatemala, 14% of girls start secondary school, 3% graduate, and only 1 in 10,000 goes to university. There is enormous work to be done to make it possible for these girls to access the life skills and basic education they need to survive, and the further training and education they need to thrive. AO has found that many girls who enter the program between the ages of 8-12 face enormous pressure not to continue past age 15, because they need to generate an income. The pilot project with AO is to develop a mentoring program for these girls (aged 15-19), which will give them an excuse to spend time in their safe spaces; while they are there to be educated on reproductive health and other crucial information by the mentors in our program; to develop their social network with their peers; and to practice and deepen their financial literacy skills.

HOW LOVELY that you can do all of this just with the purchase of a beautiful bag!

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Filed under fashion, india, travel

Practical Panty Set Perfect for Traveling by Clara-Olivia

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In the upcoming weeks you are going to see Lola partnering up with more fashion and lifestyle brands. Why? Because it makes sense with travel. I mean, don’t you think about and use ALL KINDS of products before, during and after travel? Yeah, that’s what I thought. And, let’s face it, some are better than others for the traveler.

Freya Pasty Bra

Inspired by the idea of traveling light, practically but always fashionable, I give you the Freya Patsy Black underwire bra and matching thong found on Clara-Olivia. I love this set for several reasons. One, it’s just adorable. A bit retro and definitely sexy, Freya’s Patsy is also comfortable. Two, I like that I can wear this set with a t-shirt and shorts, dress or jeans. It’s simple enough not to get in the way of any outfit. Three, we ladies know how important it is to try to keep our packing to a minimum.

Lola in Freya Pasty

BUT what I really like about the Freya Patsy set is that it IS lingerie. So it’s a twofer. What I mean is it’s practical for everyday wear but is also a little hot number. I cannot stand the whole I have to dash off to change into something “more comfortable”. First of all that totally breaks any mood and spontaneity but also, I’m not gonna lie, A LOT of lingerie is NOT “more comfortable”.

Freya Pasty Thong Panty

Finally, as a self-confessed panty addict, I know quality. The Freya Pasty bra is priced at $48 and matching thong at $22.50. I think that’s a fabulous value for the quality of this set! Oh, and, if that’s not enough incentive to check out Clara-Olivia’s collections, I can offer you 15% off your purchase plus free worldwide delivery for anything on their site.

Use my code LAUREN15 – Valid until July 31st lola_blackpink

Where would you wear your new Clara-Olivia lingerie set? I think mine looks like a night in NYC with a cocktail at a speakeasy, no?!

More about Clara-Olivia

Clara-Olivia is your one stop shop for all your lingerie and swimwear needs specializing in B to K cup women. They stock many well-known brands with one of their most sought after lines being the Freya collection. The collection consists of Freya swimwear and Freya bra & panty sets as well as many other individual items that can be purchased by themselves. Freya lingerie is famous because of the way it fits a woman’s body perfectly while looking amazing.

Although I was gifted the Freya Pasty set, I couldn’t agree more about the fit!

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Surviving Long Haul Flights

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Anyone who travels often surely has tips and tricks to surviving flying. Whether it’s what seat to pick on certain aircrafts or how dress, frequent flyers always have things that work best for them. I, too, have my travel necessities for surviving flying and, in particular, long haul flights.

Stay Hydrated

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I’ll be the first to admit that on many overnight long haul flights I’ll have a glass of wine or two to help me fall asleep but that’s not a good way to stay hydrated. You truly have to drink a decent amount of water. Yes, you may have to visit the onboard lavatory more than you’d like but you will feel much better when you reach your destination.

Distract Yourself

People always seem concerned about the length of time for long haul flights and avoiding becoming stir crazy. As odd as it may sound, I have started to enjoy the really lengthy long haul flights. I distract myself with movies, reading, writing and, most of all, listening to music. I always have a couple sets of earphones just in case one stops working. Music is my ultimate distractor in my every day life and I find it relieves stress and even helps me to sleep when I fly.

Sleep If You Can

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Even if you only sleep a little bit, it can help in keeping you feeling refreshed. When traveling on a long haul flight you are going to be crossing many time zones and that can be exhausting. One thing I’ve found that really helps me is an eye mask. This may seem very obvious but I only recently tried it out on daytime flights and it really works.

Avoid Jet Lag

Jet lag is a tough thing. It can definitely take a toll on you and your body. While staying hydrated and sleeping can help, in addition I take a homeopathic chewable called No Jet Lag during the flight. I’ve had no side effects and, more than anything, I’ve found it simply aids me in staying awake until it’s bedtime in the new time zone that I’ve arrived.

Staying Comfortable

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Staying comfortable in your little space on the aircraft can be tricky. Wearing loose clothes can certainly keep you comfortable as well as help in the rest and relaxation department. Traveling with layers is also a good idea in case it’s chilly during the flight. I have one dress that I almost always wear during long haul flights. No, it’s not my most traveled dress but it’s close. It’s sleeveless, so great when I’m hot, and is t-shirt material, so feels like pajamas. I also travel with a cardigan, scarf and/or denim jacket. All these items can be useful in keeping you warm but also can double as blankets, pillows & face masks.

Don’t Let Your Skin Suffer

Maroc100 flight cocktail face cream

Since you’re hydrating your insides why not hydrate your outside too. Water consumption definitely is a good thing all the way around but that airplane air can dry out your skin and lips like you’ve been visiting the desert. I carry hand cream, Kiehls #1 lip balm and Maroc100. Kiehls is a product I use every day and it truly keeps my lips from drying and cracking even during the harsh New England winters. Maroc100 Flight Creme Skin Rescue Cocktail  is a new product that I have tried on several long haul flights and can say that my face stays moist and I arrive with a glow upon touch down. Best part is after trying it out multiple times this sensitive skin gal has had zero problems with a reaction.

Arrive refreshed

All of the above will help you to arrive to your destination refreshed but there have been too many times where I land starving or in need of the bathroom. I’ve wised up and now always have small snacks in my bag that never go bad like nuts or power bars. Also, I always try to go to the restroom on board the plane not long before landing. Often, with long haul flights, you are arriving in a new country which means immigration and customs awaits. It’s no fun needing to relieve yourself through that entire process. Another tip is to either brush your teeth or have some gum or mints. I’m telling you that wakes you up and everyone you encounter will appreciate your fresh breath.

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