6/6 Thrifty Thursday

BEST ROSETTE TO COME DRESS
$99.99 at ModCloth

Roses are red. Violets are blue. There is no doubt on Earth this dress will look lovely on you.

Yes, you caught me. I'm a poet, and you didn't even know it. But more importantly than my inevitable future career with Hallmark greeting cards is this dress. I mean have you seen this dress?! Roses and bows, summer neutrals and blocks of fuchsia, what more could a girl want?

For $99.99 at ModCloth, the "Best Rosette to Come" dress can be all a girl needs this summer. Especially for a dress of this stature, the price is incredibly reasonable. How can you say no to that? However, with this amazing bargain of $100 for a retro-inspired dress made by Ryu, you would have enough money from your summer babysitting job to perhaps splurge on tomorrow's "Friday's Find" dress.

The "Best Rosette to Come" dress combines class and sophistication with style and elegance. The rosette-lined V-neck collar is so stylish and very timeless. The neutral color works great for this summer season, and the pop of fuchsia meshes well with the current color-blocking trend. The fuchsia bow at the waistline makes for the perfect touch.

This dress could be worn to numerous summertime occasions. For example, during the daytime I would wear this dress to a religious service, a graduation party or a wedding, and it would look best paired with a simple heel and minimal arm candy. This dress could also be worn out at night to a dinner or a semi-formal party. Despite the roses, bows and fuchsia, I truly do not believe this dress is too "girly." However, this is a very ladylike dress, so treat yourself like a lady, and invest in this dress.

6/5 Whine Wednesday

ANIMAL FACES

They are ferocious. They are horrifying. But perhaps the most tragic, they are here. Yes, I am talking about animal face prints. These animal faces, usually the face of a tiger, lion, cheetah or some other wild cat, are now trending in apparel. With this new trend, comes a slew of unanswered questions about this atrocity. How did we let this happen? Why is this happening? How did we go from sexy animal prints to scary animal faces?

There is nothing cute about a close-up of an instinctive killer animal's face with its fangs out ready to attack. These animal faces make the wearer look scary and unapproachable. Like they might just bite off your face dare you get too close. Clothing should invite people in to approach you and talk to you. Not scare them away in absolute terror.

Now don't get me wrong, I love animals. Hell, I even boycott the zoo because I believe it's wrong to keep animals locked up. But animal faces trapped on clothing? That is just wrong!

I don't even like when people wear other people's faces on their clothing, much less an unclean animal's. For instance, look at the lion's face pictured above. Those pointed teeth, those wet, black lips and that tongue! This proves that animal faces printed on clothing are way too up-close and personal. This trend in animal face prints is taking the whole jungle fever and "animal print" mania way too far. Sticking the face of an animal onto an article of clothing is too dramatic, and simply sticking to animal prints and faux fur will suffice.

6/4 Terrible Tuesday

RITA ORA

Double the trouble, Rita Ora has made my Terrible Tuesday list once again. You know what they say, any publicity is good publicity...wrong! Between sleeping around and dressing down, it would appear that this is the only publicity this one-hit wonder singer can get. What truly amazes me, though, is that some people continue to consider her a fashion icon. When was she ever?!

Rita Ora clearing wasn't when she was spotted on London's Carnaby Street wearing this hideous ensemble. If you take the pieces apart, the bright canary yellow bag, sunglasses, beanie and maybe even the beige thigh-high suede boots would be cute if they were worn separately. However, Ora's color palette for this outfit is larger than she is, leaving her looking like one big mess.

With an outfit as crazy as this, it's hard to even know where to begin. First there is the color-blocked white, red and black sweater. The sweater has then been paired with a white skirt that looks like a piece of plastic from the 90s. Talk about cheap and tacky. On second thought, the skirt is perfect for Rita. From the thighs down, Rita is wearing beige boots, and on her head, she has placed a black beanie and yellow-brown tinted shades. The bright canary yellow purse completes the look, giving the impression of disarray. If you ask me, Ora looks more like a model for a cheap secondhand shop rather than a world-famous Rihanna-wannabe.

Meanwhile, I'm just waiting until the day when Rita Ora becomes irrelevant. However, I'm not sure how much more my eyes can take until that day comes. Perhaps Ora should think about entering the world of television. There's a show on TLC called What Not To Wear that I believe Ora would be perfect for.

6/3 Movie Monday

THE GREAT GATSBY

One of my all time favorite novels, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been recreated through cinematography twice. Once in 1974, and once again in 2013. This timeless and tragic romance has spurred some of the best fashion from 1922. However, The Great Gatsby does more than just bring back the flapper. The Great Gatsby inspires an entire movement within the fashion community from which apparel and accessories in every category have partaken in.

The female lead role is characterized by Daisy Buchanan, the girl everybody loves to hate. Everybody, but Jay Gatsby that is. As the title implies, the story is about Gatsby's efforts to win the love of Daisy Buchanan and live happily ever after with her by his side. However, with Daisy now a married woman, this task is harder than it would seem for the endearing main character.

Dress- Hoss Intropia
Scarf- Molly Bracken $31
Shoes- Casadei $576
Headwrap- Deepa Gurnani $99
Bracelet- Tallullah Tu $16







Coming from old money, Daisy is a more refined character with a more refined taste. Daisy's style consists mostly of diamonds and pearls with her light-toned dresses also consisting of many embellished details and bows. In almost every scene, Daisy is seen wearing a jeweled head wrap.

To modernize Daisy's classic look, look for a dress with a drop waist, plenty of detail and possibly a bow. Throw on a shawl for those chilly nights out on the town. Don't forget the most quintessential piece: the head wrap. To top off the look, be sure to layer on the diamonds and pearls from the top of the head down.

Jordan Baker is introduced in one of the first scenes at a dinner party hosted at the Buchanan's residence. Jordan is a friend of Daisy's and a professional golfer. She and Nick Carraway, the character from whom the story is told, become paired up together throughout. Although Jordan appears to be mysterious, she acts as a guide for Nick.

Dress- Giselle
Shoes- Christian Louboutin $1295
Clutch- All Express
Headpiece- Vivien $890
Ring- Saks Fifth Avenue $1550








Although Jordan is an athlete, the athletic fashion of the 20s is not a pair of Nike running shorts and a t-shirt. Jordan, too, possesses her own style, and one that is slightly more darker and mysterious. Elaborate black gowns and fashion forward head pieces make up Jordan Baker's look. To tone down her attractive pieces, she wears simple silver jewelry with smaller diamonds.

Myrtle Wilson is trapped. She is the wife of a poor car mechanic and the mistress of Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband. She wants nothing more than to leave her husband and run off with Tom to live the life she believes she truly deserves. In an effort to run away one night, Myrtle fatally mistakes Gatsby's car for Tom's when she is hit and killed on impact. However, it is not Gatsby driving the car. It is Daisy.

Dress- Joseph Paule $265
Shoes- Michael Kors $115
Headband- Rockabilly $9.28
Necklace- A&C $15
Bracelet- Matthew Williamson $95







On a budget, Myrtle's fashion is filled with bold colors and prints popping out at every angle. She loves polka dots and thick head bands. Rather than diamonds and pearls, Myrtle accessorizes with chunky bangles. The heart necklace represents her love for Tom.

Upon Myrtle's death, which was believed to be caused by Gatsby, George Wilson seeks revenge. In his pool, the great Gatsby is shot and dies all alone. Daisy and Tom leave New York City together, and Nick Carraway is left to clean up the mess of these careless people. Like the past, fashion constantly repeats itself. The 1920s are back with drop waist dresses, head wraps, and all the pearls you can get your hands on.

6/2 Sunday Showdown

TORI PRAVER VS. GIFTS IDEAS
Bikinis

Rather than judging which model is prettier, skinnier or has the bigger thigh gap, I'm here to determine one thing and one thing only: which bikini is the better deal. My obsession with this mint toothpaste color began during the dreary winter months, long before I had skin kissed by the sun. However I have come into an unhealthy craving to purchase everything known to man in this color, which enhances that dark tan I slave away laying in the sun for hours on end to obtain. While both of these bikinis tear at my mint-colored heartstrings, the price difference breaks one and soothes the other.

The Tori Praver "Sea Glass" triangle bikini set costs a total of $220. The baby ruffles on the top are cute and creates the appearance of bigger boobs. Depending on the personality of the wearer, this bikini can be both girly and bohemian.

From Gifts Ideas comes a light blue ruffle front silky-soft bikini set for $43. That's like taking 80 percent off the Tori Praver for a similar bikini. This bikini has larger tiers of ruffles compared to the Tori Praver. However, this bikini has a sparkling factor in that it is embellished with tiny, shimmering trimmings.






I definitely prefer the smaller ruffles on the Tori Praver as I'm not the biggest fan of the larger ruffles on the Gifts Ideas bikini. Although, I do like the embellishments on the bikini from Gifts Ideas.

Taking both bikinis into consideration, I have to choose the light blue ruffle bikini rom Gifts Ideas. It is by far the best deal. The embellishments, which would drive the price up, still make the bikini way cheaper than the Tori Praver. Smaller ruffles are not worth the extra $180, and I can learn to live with the larger ruffles. This Sunday Showdown is a great lesson that a little searching on obscure sites can be worth your time and money.

6/1 Saturday Rave

CHEETAH ACCESSORIES

The first signs of the start of a trend begins with the accessories, as any fashion forecaster will tell you. Applying this fundamental lesson, let the rise of the cheetah commence! Pops of cheetah print have been materializing since the fall season, and the trend has continued all the way up to this summer, and girl, we are glad it has!

The collection of neutral tones that comprises the coat of a cheetah is perfect for the sizzling summer weather. Accessorizing in cheetah print creates the right amount of sexy to turn your summer outfits from mundane to fabulous.

One way to accessorize with cheetah print is with a belt. Cheetah print belts should be relatively thin and subtle. However, belts are not restricted to merely keeping your pants from falling down. Use a cheetah print belt to define the waistline on a solid-colored dress or add it to a skirt for some extra oomph!

Turn cheetah print bohemian by draping it around your neck. This style would look great paired with combat boots, high-waisted shorts and simple crop top. Or like the picture above, style your scarf with a maxi dress or a maxi skirt.

Perhaps you are looking for a new purse for the summer? Rather than turning to the typical white or pastel hues of summer, opt for a cheetah print handbag or cloth. Cheetah print matches well with virtually every color, so you won't have to worry about your bag coordinating with your outfit of the day...or night. A cheetah print bag is a faultless investment for your summertime wardrobe.

Just like the purses, shoes guarantee multiple uses. Cheetah print shoes offer a sexy, yet subtle representation of the trend. And what better combination is there than matching your purse with your shoes? The cheetah print design goes along well with all colors of the rainbow, as well as all of the colors in between. The addition of cheetah heels, sandals or even Oxfords would make a fantastic statement in a sea of black and neutral toned footwear.

The best part about accessories is the unlimited use and options that come along with them. You can reuse a belt with different dresses, skirts and shorts. A scarf can be slung around your neck with anything (or nothing, I suppose) down below. And of course, the amount of wear we get out of our shoes and handbags is limitless. Cheetah print, to an extent, will always be in style. Coming from a cheetah girl, my only suggestion is to bulk up on the cheetah accessories while they last!

5/31 Friday's Fix

ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH
"Cool Kids" Controversy

Since its conception, Abercrombie and Fitch has been the cause of much controversy. Between selling sex to children and advertising homoerotic images, it would appear that the company is far too liberal to receive your grandmother's blessing. Recently, controversy has resurrected over a statement made by Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries in a 2006 interview with Salon.

Mike Jeffries: "That's why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don't market to anyone other than that."

Causing an uproar within the country, this statement has given us another reason to hate A&F, and as a result, many angry customers have boycotted the company. This statement alone brings up many arguments concerning discrimination. First and foremost, during the hiring process, the company discriminates against their employees. Who are they to judge whether or not a person looks good enough to work in their stores? Secondly, the company discriminates against people who are not cool or good-looking enough to shop in their stores. Who are they to decide who is and is not worthy enough to shop in their stores? Lastly, the company discriminates against people who are not cool or good-looking enough to wear their clothing. Who are they to determine what other people put on their backs?

To be perfectly honest, I do not see one thing wrong with the business plan and concept of A&F. They are a business, and just like any other business with a plan, they must decide on a specific target market to cater directly to. A&F is running their company no differently than any other company. For example, Chanel markets to the wealthy. Should we riot against Chanel because those who are less well off can not afford their clothes? Craftsman markets to the handyman. Should we boycott Craftsman because they do not sell tampons? A&F markets to cool, good-looking people. Why, in this situation, are we disturbed simply because the company wants people to look good in their clothes? More importantly, why would you even purchase and wear clothes that you don't look good in? That's how you make the Living Like Lily "Terrible Tuesday" list.

The statement made seven years ago by the CEO should not in any way affect the company's business. A&F caters to cool, good-looking people because those are the people who are going to buy their clothing. It's like a company not making body-con dresses in plus sizes. Why make a product for customers who will not represent the brand well and who will most likely not even purchase the product in the first place?

Many workers were unhappy with the CEO's statement, as well. I do not see anything wrong with a business owner wanting to hire good-looking people over slobs. First impressions are everything. If you don't look good, I wouldn't expect a company to hire you. Especially if your job is to sell clothing, a company would want their employees to offer customers a good representation of their clothing line.

As Jeffries would likely say, everyone needs to stop being so cynical and just be cool, dude. A&F is a brand, and they have every right to determine their own target market and image and select their own method for hiring their employees.