L-SQUAREDPREMIERE ISSUE

Ted BakerSpring/Summer 2013 ColleCtion

designer spotlight

May 2013

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I am so excited to present to you, the very first issue of L-Squared, an online woman’s lifestyle magazine for those who love fashion, beauty and shopping on the web. Maybe you’re an online

shopping pro or maybe you get lost the second you arrive on a website. Either way, L-Squared will be right up your alley.

When I first met Allan, the founder of LustreLife.com, we instantly clicked and decided to delve deeper into what we could do with the site. And thus, L-Squared was born.

Our staff is full of established and incredibly talented editors who are here to present you with everything from new designer collections, to styled out ensembles that make navigating the web incredibly easy. We definitely want to get up close and personal with you as well and will show you some of our own favorite items and trends out there right now. As a matter of fact, right on the next page, I give you a sneak peek into my can’t-live-without beauty products.

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter so you can be one of the first to receive our latest shopping deals and stories.

Joyce HuangEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

from the deskEditor’sThe Premiere Issue

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Beauty INSIDERTake a peek at products I can’t live without!

Sea salt sprays never seem to work on my stick straight Asian hair…that is, till I found this one. While my hair is slightly damp, I spray liberally, braid it and let it air dry. From there I just undo it and give it a few more spritzes.

This is an oldie, but goodie. I went off of using this product for a year and you could definitely see that my skin made a

turn for the worse. Never again will I make that mistake. Now I make sure to keep extras in my cabinet.

The older I get, the less sleep I get, which is a major no-no. I’ve had to incorporate eye concealer into my regimen so I don’t scare children when I leave the house now. The tiniest bit of this always does the job. I’m shade #315.

Tigi Salt Spray $14

Origins A Perfect World $38

MAKE UP FOR EVERInvisible Cover Concealer $29

I am obsessed with YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks. Yes, they are a bit on the expensive side, but

they go on so silky and smooth, it’s hard not to become addicted. Plus the packaging is exquisite

and makes me feel so glamorous when I’m reapplying.

Yves Saint Laurent $34

T

PremiereIssueContents2 From the Editor’s Desk

3 Beauty Insider

5 Editor Picks

12 Get the Look: Jessa Johansson

14 The Trend: Stripes

16 The Trend: Romantic Lace

18 Feeling Blue: Swath yourself in blue hues & give yourself an instant pick-me-up.

20 Perfectly Printed: Dress around a gorgeous printed dress with sleek & modern accessories.

22 Peach Parfait: Peach is a shade that look gorgeous on all skin tones.

24 Great Transitional Piece: The Bomber Jacket

25 Shop the Issue

6Designer Spotlight

edBaker

May 2013

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153

2Editor

PicksItems that our staff is

OBSESSING over

steve madden Amplifyd snake-Print Pump $88“So HOT! Everything

from the rich teal color to the rounded platform makes this such a fierce design. You are going to feel like a supermodel

whenever you step out in them.”

marc Jacobs too hotto Party Clutch $230

“While this is a simple design, the snake

embossed leather and gold plaque up the ante

of this incredibly versatile clutch.”

milly rope Print Acapulco maillot in

Navy $176“This maillot swimsuit is so sexy. Not only do we

love the deep-V front, but the navy and white rope

print is perfect for the warm weather.”

Carolina herrera $1890“An embellished top

will instantly dress you up. We are loving the

combination of beading and feathers on this hot

number.”

4 6Alice + olivia Print Bustier dress $395

“It’s the perfect combination of sexy and

sweet. No one will be able to keep their eyes off of

you when you step into a room wearing it.”

free People roccoLace dress $128

“The rosy pink hue of this vintage-inspired lace

dress is too sweet and pretty to pass up!”

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Tdesigner spotlight

edBakerThe Ted Baker Spring/Summer 2013 collection won our entire staff over. With its romance and sweet whimsy, it was love at first sight.

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Get party ready with this alluring, Mad-

Men inspired cocktail dress. The light blue

hue has so much charm to it and looks

great on all women. Finish off your look with a bold lip and you are good to go.

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This entire ensemble will make you look

like quite the refined lady. The tailoring

is exquisite and will fit your body as if it were custom made for you. And there

is the intricate floral wallpaper print

that is incredibly luxurious.

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The Letaa dress is covered in fun

flowers and a sheer overlay. We are

loving the vintage-style buttons that run down the front. With its banded waist, you

will look itty-bitty.

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Not for the faint of heart, go ultra-mod

with this brilliant, window-themed dress. It is unlike

anything we have seen before.

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The statement pant is a must for this season, which is

why we highly recommend adding the Eleano bottoms

to your wardrobe. The multicolor floral print is to die for and

will liven up your entire appearance.

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Get the Look: Jessa Johansson from hBo’s Girls

-year-old Jemima Kirke plays the world traveling Jessa Johansson in the HBO hit series Girls, and along with the character’s free-spirited attitude and wild child sensibility comes an enviable global nomad sense of style. Jessa is originally British but has spent much of her life flitting from place to place, and her fashion sense reflects this by incorporating a variety of different cultural influences. So far in the series (now in its second season) Jessa has favored floaty printed chiffon kimonos, substantial piec-

es of tribal-inspired jewelry and fashionable tokens that likely have sentimental meaning or have been acquired during her galavanting.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the show or have never even heard of it, this season it’s easy to add a cultured, bohemian vibe to your wardrobe. The key to pulling off a hippie chick esthetic without looking overly retro or costume-y is to keep each element in your outfit in a similar color palette, and to accent your looks with pieces that have a lived-in, weathered feel.

27 written by stephanie Groves

Jessa Johanssonimages via HBO

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house of harlow Nomadic Necklace, $110. Designed by fellow boho style goddess Nicole Richie, this spike necklace from House of Harlow will add a stand-out accent to everything from white tank tops to cocktail frocks—but it’s especially perfect with a printed maxidress.

miss selfridge red Lace Zip Bra top, $35. In the first season of Girls Jessa was never afraid to let her underpinnings show, whether with a sheer dress that exposed her neon pink panties or with the flash of a lacy bra. This red corset top from Miss Selfridge is perfect for layering under dresses—or wearing on it’s own if you have the moxie—and will add just the right bit of raciness to any outfit.

haute hippie embellished silk-Crepe maxi dress, $518. Long, flowing dresses are the

epitome of bohemian chic, and this style—from the Jessa-appropriate “Haute Hippie”

line—is also extremely figure-flattering. The center vertical line accent helps to visually

elongate the body, while the horizontal stripe under the bustline highlights the smallest part

of the waist.

Yves saint Laurent Arty ovale Cuff Bracelet, $395. Iconic YSL (now rebranded as Saint Laurent) crafted this goldtone cuff bracelet with an off-center oversize glass stone accent. Although this piece is no doubt a top-of-the-line designer piece, it could easily have also been found in a jewelry stall in Istanbul.

Loft sydney Booties, $220. Who knew that LOFT was making such cool shoes? These western-style booties have

a lived-in, vintage feel and look like something that Jessa could have collected in her travels.

Jessa Johanssonimages via HBO

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STHE TREND:

tripesSo simple, but incredibly chic,

we can’t get enough of stripes this season.

MichaelKors $120

Fendi $480

Vince Camuto $89

FrenchConnection $52

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THE TREND:

tripesSo simple, but incredibly chic,

we can’t get enough of stripes this season.

Burberry $250

Saint Laurent $1120

VINCE $155

VinceCamuto $169

MichaelKors $148

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RTHE TREND:

omantic LaceSwath yourself in pretty lace pieces that will have

you looking like quite the lady.

AdriannaPapell $138

Alice + Olvia $385

Valentino $895

Reiss $285

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omantic LaceSwath yourself in pretty lace pieces that will have

you looking like quite the lady.

Dolce & Gabbana $1995

Valentino $895

AlbertaFerretti $1695

Milly $295

TadashiShoji $308

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Feeling lue“Whoever coined the term

“having the blues” had it all wrong: studies have shown that wearing shades of cobalt, navy and sky actually calm nerves, making you feel happier and

more relaxed! so go ahead and add a blue hue to your wardrobe

for an instant pick-me-up.” - Stephanie Dorothy

Perkins $14

B

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Feeling lue Topshop $32

Ann Taylor $98

Michael Kors $65

Marc Jacobs $1678

DorothyPerkins $14

ChineseLaundry $80

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Adrienne Vittadini $295

BananaRepublic $30

Marc Jacobs $48

Dolce Vita $40

KarenKane $158

Perfectly rinted

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Perfectly rintedP

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“Add juicy peach to your look with this stunning Diane Von Furstenberg Jacket. This color looks amazing on virtually all

skin tones and has a wonderful ladylike feel to it.”

– Hellie

Mango $30

PeachParfait

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VinceCamuto $140

Mango $30

Marc Jacobs $88

House ofHarlow $105

Diane von Furstenberg $375

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O

B omberJacketGreat Transitional Piece:

The bomber jacket has come a long waysince its military debut

by Holly B.

ver the years, the fashion world has seen the once loved aviator style resurface, but typically in the more traditional sense – boxy, cropped and not that flattering for the ladies. But lately it seems though that every designer took on the challenge of eschewing the ubiquitously tough, masculine look by featuring tactile fabrics mixed with florals, metallics, embroidered prints and sheer details. The variety of jackets sent down the runways for the Spring / Sumer ’13 shows ranged from athletic silhouettes to graphic prints to peek-a-boo cut-outs to softened leathers. Here’s a look at our some of our favorite styles.

Progressive sportswear – Modern day sportswear is moving toward a more luxe look. Case in point, the sporty bomber jacket featured at Stella McCa-rtney, Christopher Kane and Zoe Jor-dan. Thrown over bralette tops, mesh sweatshirts and boxy tees, this is one trend that’s going to stick around for a while.

3.1 Phillip Lim, $87

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mad for metallics – It wasn’t just pencil skirts, peplum dresses and textural tops that shined brightly in metallic sheens. Bomber jackets also stole the shimmer show, popping up at Jonathan Saunders and DKNY. There’s two schools of thought when styling your me-tallic bomber jacket – either pair the iridescent coat with toned down neutral colors or with vibrant hues of marine blue, emerald green and tangerine orange, some of spring hottest color trends.

the Look of Leather – If there was one catego-ry that dominated the bomber jacket trend, it was certainly the spring leathers. Loewe sent out sheer sleeved bombers decorated with rose petals, while Reem Acra showcased cut-out de-tails. Perforated, embellished, adorned, quilted, dipped in pastels or bright and bold tones – the leather bomber jacket is an incredibly versatile wardrobe staple for spring.

Burberry Brit, $1,995

L’Agence, $1,195

Printastic Patterns– Dripping in sweet and soft flo-rals and silk embroidered prints, the printed bomb-er seen on the Spring /Summer ’13 catwalks was transformed from the conventional neutral-toned look from the past to an ultra-feminine statement. Cynthia Rowley’s smattered prints were unexpect-edly fresh, Erdem’s floral lined jacket was draped over delicate sheer lace pencil dresses, and Emilio Pucci packed a punch with bolder colors accented with swirls of embroidery.

Fendi, $800