My Morning Date with Westward Coffee

Coffee bliss with the talented/ ma babes Karen Krum of Karen E Photo ( all images) 

It's early and it's not hard to tell what's on your mind once the alarm starts chirping ( do people still use alarms). My alarm is my hubby, he's a rooster. Seriously he wakes up at the same time, everyday, no matter what. Anyways, luckily it's the weekend and you can snooze once or twice before you dive into your weekend happenings. I shower and throw on some major comfy wear, laced with some style of course ( more on this outfit situation later). This weekend involved a serious coffee date with one of my babes.  We chat, eat bready things covered in sweet berry like concoctions and we sip away on delicious coffee. Coffee that makes your eyes smile at the sight  and smell of it. Coffee that requires a moment of silence as you cradle the cup in your hands and take that first sip....ya I know! It's java foreplay...get a room!! ;)  I'm sitting pretty in such a place. It's called Westward Coffee and Supply and it's the creation of mother and daughter Jessye White and Nicole Powell.  

Located on Main street in downtown Boise, these babes decided to bring a fresh take to coffee lovers in Boise, Idaho. They're doing so by taking what they call their "pocket size" shop and building something that goes beyond your morning latte.

What made you decide to open a coffee shop?

Nicole: "My mom and I wanted to open a family business in Boise and had both worked in coffee. I wanted to get away from "making it" ie: big city big job big commute etc. and reconnect with the things that make me happy--people, conversations, and face to face interactions."

What does Westward bring to coffee lovers?

Nicole: "We have a different vibe than most coffee places. We are more traditional in our menu and do everything with great specificity--every cup of coffee is ground and brewed to order.  But mostly, we really know the people who frequent our shop and we strive to get to k ow the new ones. For us it's not about having the most nuanced palette or creating an environment that is complicated or intimidating, it's simply about making damn fine coffee and connecting with people in a genuine way. We like coffee and we like people so it's a natural fit.

Your space has a beautiful calm to it... tell me a little about the design concept?

Nicole: "Our space is simple and efficient partly because it is so small! We wanted something minimal because we like the idea of the never ending movement of life through the space.  The base palette is whites and ashy blonde woods because they create a perfect background for this concept. It is also reflective of what we love about Idaho. The wide open spaces, the miles of empty roads, the quiet after a snow. It's a peaceful place and we want that to show! We also have amazing photography from Rick Kuttler of our favorite places in the west."

Where does Westward fit amongst the growing trend of great coffee spots in Boise?

Nicole: "Westward is the kind of shop I fell in love with living in bigger cities like SanFrancisco and Portland. It's small, intimate and well curated. We also carry and represent Idaho roasters. We carry maps (Hailey) Doma (Coeur d'alene) and AfroPhil (boise) We are not trying to take over as a massive chain or sacrifice quality for the bottom line. We are family owned and operated and happy about that. I think we are just trying to create a nice, approachable, third wave shop where everyone is welcome to experience amazing Idaho roasters."

What's your beverage of choice? 

Nicole: "A nice hot pour over!"

Nicole: "We believe that living local builds stronger communities and fosters relationships between the humans that live in them. Come in and have a cup before your next adventure or stay awhile and enjoy the atmosphere." 

Don't mind if I do. There's a closeness that happens as you sit down in this modern, bright and welcoming space. It could be Nicole's charming wit or the pour-over magic she's about to deliver. I have a feeling it's both and so much more. 

So now that you have your perfect latte in hand ( lucky you), lets chime in on the outfit situation. My obsession with style comes from a desperate need to be comfortable, like all the time. The audacity of me!! Merging both, especially when I style my clients is an exclamation that looking great can literally make you feel REAL good. I mean if that's not winning I don't know what is. So I work to create a fun balance with dressy and casual wear by mixing them together most of the time. No style stays in it's lane. We ALL play together. Sneakers with your lady like jacket, why the heck not?! :) 

This darling sweatshirt is from JCrew and it has velvet dots. That's right, velvet!! It's cozy, dress me up or down and yes, comfy. Sweatshirts are no longer ONLY privy to being stowed in your back drawer to be removed for Netflix-athon. They can be front, center and style ready.

If you're heading to Westward shoot me a message...there's always room for good company and great coffee :)

Coat: Burberry  Sweatshirt: JCrew  Jeans: Grlfrnd ( Fancy Pants)   Sneakers: New Balance  Bag: Coach

How To Transition Your Summer Dress Into Fall

Saying goodbye to Summer is never an easy step for me. I love the heat but my lure for ankle boots, cozy sweaters and latte bliss gives me that extra nudge I need to get excited for Fall. I'm always trying to figure out how to make the most out of every piece that I buy. This beautiful Summer dress by Alice and Olivia is no exception. I saw this dress at Fancy Pants in downtown Boise and knew that it was meant to be. I had the chance to wear it a few times this Summer but knew that Mama wanted to rock it just a bit longer as Fall looms it's lower temperature our way.

Insert blazer and ankle boots. 

I added this blush pink tailored blazer which not only provided warmth but gave this breezy dress some structure. The lower profile black ankle boots added a bit of edge to an otherwise sweet dress and made it Fall friendly. If the temperature was colder I would have worn black matted tights underneath. You guys know that I do not like to be cold :)

pardon me while I drool over the embroidery details on this dress :)

Transition those Summer silk tops or sleeveless tees under a cozy cardigan or under an oversized sweater. I love to layer so this is a great way to still incorporate those Summer loves. Textured tights are a great way to wear that flowy skirt a bit longer into October paired with a light sweater. Your closet is working now! What's your favorite Summer wear that you rock into Fall? Share below and click the adorable heart if you're loving on this look. See you next week my peeps!

blazer: White House Black Market  Dress: Alice and Olivia   boots: Cynthia Vincent 

Style Game Changer: rocking sneakers

Happy as a clam moment captured by the awesome Karen of karenephoto

Let me take a moment to send a little love letter to sneakers, sneaks, kicks ;)  Dear sneakers, thank you for coming back in style like a champ. My entire wardrobe and feet thank you! :) The resurgence of comfort wear for me is an exclamation that "we"  have entered into this median of style where we can create our own definition of style. Say hello to my converse. These beauties have been with me for years and have allowed extreme comfort  amongst my style game. Peeps, I'm going to preach it all day every day. You can look great and be comfortable.  Sneakers can add a bit of sass and ease to a dress, flirty skirt (or non -flirt;) anything. 

sneakers: Converse   Dress: ALC at Fancy Pants 

My quick tip is to maintain a sleek profile when wearing a dress or skirt. These converse are lightweight so they don't add bulk to my feet. It allows the dress to still be feminine because it's not trying to compete with a bulky sneaker.  I'm pretty loyal to great classics.  Brands like Converse and Vans are my main go to when it comes to sneaker wear for me. I'm also currently loving on a few of the Superga styles as well for a more edgy wear. 

Don't be afraid to mix your looks. This high/ low style is perfect with sneaks.  It can allow you to dress down just about anything without overdoing it. 

See you next week my awesome peeps. Fall is around the corner ( I know!! ) and I have some fun, easy and oh so stylish ways to make the transition from Summer painless. MUAH :)

What to wear when it's H O T!

keeping my cool captured by the talented Radion Photography

It's a 100 degrees out and the thought of putting on clothes makes me sweat just thinking about it. I know peeps, I feel what you are going through. I have some quick style tips that will tackle the heat and leave you feeling breezy. When it's this hot I tend to go to the easiest style I can find that makes me feel great without the fuss. A dress is a great way to get this ease and keep your cool in check. Bah bye sweaty armpits :) Dresses are our style angels natural air conditioner and unless you can strut around in your bikini everywhere, it's my go to for temperature control styling. 

This darling Theory dress is from Fancy Pants and I snagged it a few weeks ago. It has been in my happy rotation of go to styles for the past few weeks and has worked for pretty much every event I had to run to. The length is just short enough to teeter on sexy but the plaid adds in that classic element that makes it oh so classy.  I recommend finding styles in cotton, linen or silk, cotton blend. I don't recommend all silk. I've experienced the sad facts of serious pitt sweat stains (we're friends right ;) from wearing a "breezy" silk dress that ended up clinging to any sweaty surface of my body...UGH! That is NOT cute y'all. So I'll save you the hassle. 

Here's a few of my favorite breezy finds. This pretty little dress from Zara is one of my faves. It's a little short but the loose fit makes it work.  I'm also a fan of this style from The Gap. It's a great price and looks cool with sandals or sneakers. Breezy doesn't get any easier than this! 

To finish the look, I paired it with these Madewell sandals that you guys know I've been rocking hard all Summer. They are beyond comfortable and makes any easy style looks more pulled together. It's cheating stylishly ;) My rule is if it's not simple to wear and looks great, then you won't wear it. It's one of the main things I tackle whenever I wardrobe any of my clients or edit and organize a closet. The styles you own should be a genuine reflection of who you are or who you're striving to be. My job is to come in and refine all of that goodness for you so that you can get dressed with confidence.  

What are some of your favorite "go to" styles for beating the heat?? Friends share :) Stay hydrated and now very cool with some of the tips I've shared and if you purchase any of the cuteness above...message me so I can see how awesome you look!! Muah!

The "it" dress for any occasion

dress: Cynthia Vincent      shoes: Joie      MOOD: breezy ;)

If your Summer is anything like mine, it's busy and chock-full of events. That means finding styles that can do double duty so that you're ready to tackle any event, stylishly. I'm an auto yes girl when it comes to wedding and I drag my hubby ( who has to wave goodbye to his socks and sandals for a few hours) to every one. I love to get dolled up, celebrate love and yes, the dancing y'all!  So RSVP for that wedding, bridal shower, gala, dinner gathering or fabulous date night because I've got you covered. 

When it comes to finding that "go to" dress I look for a styles that I can wear with at least three types of shoes. A pump or strappy heel, a wedge or flats. If I find a style that can be worn easily with these shoe types then I know I can rock this dress to many events. I look at fabric and zoom in on classic styles that has a little something extra. 

For this dress, it was this amazing tribal print anchored by a simple fitted shape and a very lady like side slit ( so fun).  When it comes to fabric, opt for dressier. I look for silks, lace, eyelet or even a drapey cotton or crepe fabric. It's much easier to dress something down than dress it up, especially a dress. I snagged this beauty a few years ago ( see what I mean about the classics, they stick around) at Fancy Pants in downtown Boise. There's certainly some new loves so I would recommend a visit. If you're looking online I loved this style and this. Both styles are playful but has a great classic look. The lightweight chambray dress, ummmm LOVE! I would say that you are ready for those photo-ops and if I see you at a mutual event come say hi to your girl :)

SIDE NOTE: If you're in LA, visiting Abbot Kinney is a must. The stores, people and vibe is beyond cool. I had a blast hanging with my girl Jessica Rieke of J.Lee Photos. All the great shots are taken by this talented babe. If you are a ice cream lover, get ready to fall head over heels in love. You must and I mean must visit Salt and Straw. It's taste bud bliss!! 

Big hair and breezy wear

My hair is curly, kinky and wild. It's delicate and strong. It reminds me that there is nothing more freeing than allowing what is most natural about myself to simply BE. I stopped straightening my hair because I had enough. Ugh, it seems so cliche but the real talk is that I got to this point where I noticed that I no longer felt the need to edit who I was, which included my mane. It wasn't an overnight or lightbulb moment but this progression of experiences that made me acknowledge that  "yah, I'm ok with me AS IS". For the most part, straightening my hair was an extension of figuring out the uncertainties about myself. I didn't really know what I wanted and it took getting through my f-ups, learning, listening, challenging myself and meeting good eggs along the way, you know...LIFE. The process is a journey. 

My hubby always asked me why I straightened my hair and would beg me to leave it natural. I thought he was crazy! Although I loved his support and encouragement, no one can make you act on those moments. They can influence but you're the one that's paving your path. As a black woman, the struggle to accept what is naturally you, especially when it comes to our hair is such a difficult journey. It's not the norm. I rarely see anyone with hair like mine but I also live in Boise, Idaho. I love that I was able to fuel who I am in a state where, let's be real, there's not many people of color.  What I experienced from those around me, strangers and friends, was this fantastic celebration of my natural hair. It really stunned me. People would come up to me and tell me how much they loved my curly hair. In my head, I was saying "really, you think my natural hair is pretty....who knew." It was as if I was able to experience acceptance of "me" moreso than I ever accepted myself.  

The more I dived into learning about my curly hair and how to care for it, I saw this common thread amongst so many women of different races and backgrounds who had a familiar story to share about untaming their mane. We hear the mantra that "you're free to be you" but we don't see it. So it takes these individual movements where each of us declare who we are, naturally. That's not to say I will never straighten my hair, I will when I feel like mixing it up. However, the decision is driven by me and not some cultural/ social demand. The relief of no longer having to protest why your "imperfections" are pretty darn perfect for you. It's an exclamation that normal is diverse, unique and feeds tolerance, its soul food. 

Laura, what about your outfit girllll?!! I know I got a bit deep on y'all so here are the yummy details. I love these breezy tops but they can look a little frumpy ( no thank you frump McGee). I look for styles that either gathers at the waist like this one or has an open neckline like this style (so cuteee, right!) I paired it with these boyfriend denim shorts that are a little more fitted as not to compete with the looser fit of the top. 

Top: Rebecca Taylor, Shorts: Rag and Bone ( Fancy Pants)    Shoes: Madewell

"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well"  Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I want to hear from you!! What's your hair story? Share, comment and click on the little heart below (it's adorable). We can tackle this journey together :)

Temperature control styling

Yep!! Springs here y'all!! We've sprung forward and the light stays with us a bit longer. This gets me all revved up for warm sunshiny drenched days. I know, you want to put on your shorts and run into the sunshine. Hold your horses because the chill factor lingers but thankfully the freeze has gone bahbye :) So what can my babes wear when the weather is nice but you might need to bring a jacket?! Layering is our BFF. 

You can't go wrong with a little fur vest ( faux or real...your preference).  It's a great layer that looks chic and will actually keep you warm (win win). I paired it with this awesome fitted stripe skirt by Greylin that I snagged at Piece Unique downtown.  There is so much cuteness in that store! It's high-waisted and holds all the goodness in with its structured fabric. This light weight sweater is from JCrew and is slightly fitted as not to compete with the fur vest. So it's time to wear those puffer vest like this and pair with your button down shirts. Really digging on this style. You'll stay warm but when the temperature decides to up its game 5-10 degrees, all you need to do is remove a layer to keep your cool.  I also want you to give cardigans some love!! You can pair with a tee, skinny jeans and some great sneaks ( I love these).  Before the release of our little piggies in the full sun,  ankle boots are still on full rotation. These are from Fancy Pants downtown, they have such a great selection so brace yourself. I wear these boots with almost everything!!

I love the four seasons because it allows me to refresh my wardrobe and venture on a fun style journey with the change in weather. There's a bit of renewal that comes with Spring, at least for me. I get this extra charge from the excitement of nature changing it's decor as well. It's a pretty fantastic welcome, don't you think.  

I have so many ideas brewing under this curly poof!! It's kind of crazy! Thank you for connecting with me and giving me your feedback.  I'll be sharing more of my plans/outfits,  including the style workshop details on my Instagram @seelaurastyle. If you want to join, email me at fashion@lauratully.co subject style workshop.

What I know for sure is that I will make the relentless efforts in my own way to let EVERY girl and woman know that she is wonderful, special and necessary. I know I'm not alone and I'm so happy that you're joining me. HUGS!!! 

Can I wear THAT?!

What I wear is a reflection of who I am and there's so many ways to inject personality into an outfit and make it fun! I mean come on! Can we have a little fun?!! At the end of the day, the styles I put together for myself and my clients must be real and practical ( NOT BORING) but wearable. Overalls are comfy and in my book, pretty cool. We are expanding how we wear our denim and that includes exploring it in all forms. These overalls are a modern take on a classic workman's wear. It's a narrow skinny fit packaged in black denim...LOVE.

So if you've asked yourself "can I wear that?!!"  Damn it, I say yes!! Here's how. I'm keeping it simple with just a dash of fancy. I paired this JCrew silk ivory blouse to add a bit of contrast with the hard denim of the overalls. I finished the look with these super fun patent peep-toe vintage pumps by Marc Jacobs and layered with simple gold necklaces. When I shop for my customers, I'm always looking for styles that are timeless, like this blouse and pumps. Therefore it's easy to navigate them paired with a trend that you like or in my case these fun overalls.

So you're not ready to fancify (not a word but I had to say it) your overalls. Here's a few tips to rock them casually cool. Wear with lightweight fitted turtleneck and ankle boots. Want a comfy Sunday look, wear with a fitted tee and a structured oversized cardigan with your favorite sneaks. The structured cardigan makes the overalls look more pulled together. I got these a few years ago from Fancy Pants but you can snag similar cuteness from here and here.  What does it take to wear something you've always wanted to try but never took the plunge?! A little style guidance from a GF (me) and being okay with doing what you want. After all, they're just overalls ;) #YOUGOTTHIS

Real talk- denim

Who's ready for the SUPERBOWL?!! This cool lounge for the residents at the Owyhee Place is a pretty sweet spot.

What's your favorite pair of jeans?? You know, the one you've worn 3 times this week ( guilty)...it's so good! We all have that one, maybe two pairs (lucky you) that fits perfectly and makes you feel like a boss. Denim is my style liberator. To think there was a time when women couldn't and wouldn't wear jeans.  Half of my wardrobe is denim! We can pick and choose as we please- boyfriends, highwaisted, straight leg, skinny...a girls gotta have options. We are going to up our denim wearing game and kick the mundane look to the curb. Normally, we think of denim as casual wear but it's so much more my loves. To start, I use it as a way to anchor dressier styles and to bring a bit of the unexpected to an outfit.

My gf gave me these distressed lovelies and they have been on heavy outfit rotation ;) I paired them with this delicate teardrop lace top from Banana Republic.  I adore this top and the hunter green brings a bit of edge to the lace. You can find similar denim styles here and at FP in Boise. The trick is to mix pieces that you might not normally pair together. So those somewhat fancy and very fancy tops can and should be rocked with your favorite jeans. Okay, are we still struggling to find that golden pair of jeans?! Start with these, you can also get them at Piece Unique in Boise. They feel great on (you can breath) and the fit works on different body shapes. YASSS!! For a non-skinny jean option, I'm a fan of these. It's the boyfriend fit that makes your booty look good ;) Before you run out and start the "add to cart" situation, audit the jeans you currently own. If they don't fit, are dated or uncomfortable (you can't even breath- I know, I did it too, what the hell were we thinking?!)...say goodbye. You can donate to your local Rescue Mission or Idaho Youth Ranch.

I've reached a point where if don't love it, I don't wear it. That's a big part of my job. Every single closet I visit, my goal is to have my clients wanting to wear what's in their closet. Trust me, it's a great feeling.

One of my favorite shots from Deborah Hardee. BTW, how cool are these chairs at the Owyhee Place?!! LOVE!

2016 is showing me the LOVE and yes I'm eating it up! I must send a big, melt me to the core THANK YOU for all of your support and fantastic feedback. Next week, I'll be giving some love and getting so much more in return.

Tell me your superbowl plans! Who are you rooting for and more importantly (in my book) what cha wearing?!! The boyfriend jeans will be on full display because for some reason there's always a yummy bacon wrapped something that I can't stop eating. Keep the comments coming and click away on the little heart...it feels good :)

HOLIDAY!!! CELEBRATE!!!

Christmas, gifts, snow, travel, parties, what to wear-ugh it's freaking cold but I wanna look cute, food- oh the FOOD!!! ahhhhh!!! BREATH and come to my "happy place"...I've got yo back and it's covered in something chic and cozy.

I'm currently doing some major shopping for a few of my lovely clients and can I just say, there is so much cuteness out there! OH MY GOODNESS!! Let's talk about some of my favorites. I'm becoming more of a pajama girl ( I use to rock old tees hard ) but as I get older I just want to feel good even when I'm about to power down. You can find the coziest and cutest jammies here.  I'm currently loving on Sugarbums Intimates uber cute Cosabella Amore pj set and Skin ribbed shorty set. I also love the JCrew bow flannel pajama pants...ummm they have bows ( so cute) and the dreamy cotton stripe pj's #slumbergoals. I'm a brushed cotton kind of gal but the silks, flannel and lace are pretty sweet as well. TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING!!! So what do you get the friend that has everything?!! I find it more meaningful to go for the heartstrings (kleenex please). Make it personal and thoughtful.  That means you might have to bust out a DIY skill but don't worry this one is on my level of amateur status. All you need are treasured photos and a pen. I'm sending out some cute and chic personalized cards with a little surprise attached. I used the app PRINT STUDIOS (download here) to turn some of my favorite photos into my own cool stationary.  There's tons of options out there for ACTUALLY utilizing the 2,453 photos you have ( guilty, 5,629) on your iphone or smart phone. This one is awesomely fantastic and you can upload your photos directly from your computer, tablet or iphone and pull from your Instagram or whatever photo library you utilize. SUPER DUPER ( and I don't use that duper word lightly) EASY. THE PRODUCT- it is beautiful ( see below y'all) - printed on amazing paper and your photos become a work of art!! poof, ping, wow- those are my "magic happening"sounds.

There's 3 things I love in life ( okay I've got tons of stuff, things and people that I love but I'm partial to these 3 things for the moment). FIRST,  a great party outfit (any...as in I will go to ANY holiday party because I love to dress up and it's freaking FUN). SECOND, staying warm (cute and warm must be combined in the winter months for me...seriously ask my GFs). Third, wearing all my clothes. Yes, I have my seasonal put away stash but for the most part I wear most of my clothes all the time, mixing and changing up how I wear them. Unless it's a booty short and it's winter. I'm a fan of mixing high pieces (fancy, dressy, ta-da) with low pieces (casual, cozy, pass me my coffee on the sofa comfy styles).

I paired this flannel JCrew beauty with one of my favorite Spring/Summer skirt from Alice and Olivia that I got a few years back from Fancy Pants. You can find similar styles here . It's one of my faves (I've got tons of faves, so hang in there with me). It gives an elegant but not overdone look. So attack your closet and pull out your fancy styles ( yes, I know you bought it to wear to that special what-cha-ma-call-it, so what! you bought it, it looks great on you, so wear it #bossypants.

SHOW ME YOUR FANCY!! Share with me on INSTAGRAM your high low and fancy blends with #SHOWINGMYFANCY and tag me @lauratully.co.  I'll repost my favorite ( but you know I love you all) and I'll have a LITTLE SURPRISE for my fancy instaPOSER!!  WOOHOO, CAN'T WAIT! I'm soaking up all the love like Buhl butter on warm artisanal toast!! THANK YOU!! KEEP THE LOVE COMING...it won't go to waste, comment below and click the heart icon (it's adorable). I've got some goodness coming your way next week so buckle your seat belts and make sure you've got snow tires!! LET'S GO!!