When cuteness + comfort collides

top: JCrew  denim shorts: Forever 21   Sandals: Madewell

A really awesome thing is happening right now in fashion. You can look fantastic and guess what peeps, be comfortable. Yes!! Let's get it straight, not so comfy you're lounging hard on the sofa. I hear this word from clients all the time and my job is to show them how we can have both. Let's break down this "comfort" situation a bit. I want you to wear styles that look and feel great on your body. You want to feel comfortable and wear styles that won't sacrifice looking great. It's doable and I'll show you how.

How to keep the comfort whilst still engaging the cuteness: The things that I find a bit unusual is what I tend to gravitate towards. This darling bell sleeve top from JCrew was just that. It's fancy but in a cotton t-shirt type of feel, which brings it right back to comfort zone. Look for styles that allow you the versatility to pair with a dressed up or dressed down style. So I can easily rock this top with denim shorts or a fancy skirt. Look for prints and texture: polkadots, stripes, chevron or a modern floral. These types of tops pack a big punch for your closet and makes you look great, effortlessly. Hallelujah! :)

I'm not saying to stay away from trends but I only date trends, not marry them ;) I find the styles I love and my clients go to over and over again are the classics. Simple, chic and you won't regret the purchase 1 year later. That doesn't mean you're entering plainJaneville (I know, it's not a word but it just felt right).  It's best to look for styles that have a classic look like this stripe top but with a little fun, the bell sleeves. Include trends in small doses. So instead of an entire tassel dress, go with a darling tassel top. 

Break some rules: Wearing navy and black together was a no no in the fashion rules arena. We can wave goodbye to it and rejoice. I'm wearing a navy and white stripe top with black distressed denim shorts. For me, it's all bout texture and print. The stripe is forgiving and I don't have to worry about matching. So you can pair your navy polkadot shirt or navy stripe with black and go about your fantastic day :)

Don't forget the FUN : Accessorizing is a great way to add a little bit of fun and the unexpected to your style. This darling Rebecca Minkoff backpack does just that. It's practical and brings a dose of happy in this blush color. These sunglasses are from Fetch Eyewear. I saw them in Portland and fell in love with the unique and simple style. Then I learned more about what they represent and fell head over heels in love. I am constantly searching for great style and brands that serve a  bigger purpose with fashion as the medium. 100% of the profits ( YEP, 100%) is donated to animal rescue. This makes my better world momentum uber happy. Click here to learn more about this amazing company, it's mission and drool over the many fabulous eyewear #purchase. 

I have to send out a really BIG HUGE GIGANTIC HUG with a squeeze for the kind and sweet messages from my last post, Loving on U.S.A. This is what I meant about feeling like home. It's love, kindness and having each others back. Now go get you some comfy cuteness and share with me your favorite finds. 

How to put your closet to work!

coat + fringe sweatshirt - JCrew, denim- Frame

My clothes are my worker bees. I was once in a place where I would stumble on an item and really couldn't remember the last time I wore it or worse yet, didn't remember purchasing it.  Those days are long gone my friends because I no longer buy what I don't love, truly love. That means, I know why I'm getting it and how I'll be wearing it when I'm in the store. It's the best moment in your potential closet happiness. Why am I getting so darn deep you may ask? It's because you're my peeps and I love ya, so listen up!! This will save you from the frustration of having styles that's not loved and are now taking up precious closet real estate. Every single piece of clothing I purchase for my clients ( yes, every) has a purpose and I know exactly how I want them to wear it. Yes, I might be on the scale of neurotic when it comes to fashion and style but that's why you love me ;) 

So let's get to the corn beef and cabbage of this conversation ( I'm married to an Irish lad and it's St Patty's day y'all...just go with it ;) When you narrow it down to having only those styles you love in your closet, it's like having a fantastic flashlight that beams on all your goodness i.e clothes (insert magical harps playing). You can really SEE what you have and that means you can REALLY use the pieces that you own. If you don't know how, you have my digits  :) So, these styles can be put to work by creating outfits in ways you've never seen before. 

Okay, so you're in the fitting room and trying on those thingamajigs you liked. You look in the mirror and nod with slight approval. You then exit to get confirmation from your girlfriend ( note: a great girlfriend tells the truth, kindly).  She says "it's cute". If these thoughts pop into your head "I like it, but what am I going to wear with it" ;  "when am I going to wear it" or it tugs, pulls, scratches, pretty much anything that causes discomfort, put it back. An item that's uncomfortable and a style that in the store you're not sure what to wear with or when you'll wear it, is one less piece blocking your view of the styles in your closet that you really love and wear. Trust me, your next shopping day will be frustration free. 

It's been pretty busy and I absolutely love the creative chaos!! It means so much having you on the adventure with me, it just feels good!

Peeps, are you ready for a fabulous and fashion filled "how to" style workshop hosted by me + some pretty awesome friends of mine??? It's in the works my wonderful friends. If you are interested  and want to be a part of this fashion filled FUN and you know it'll be fun,  email me at fashion@lauratully.co with subject Style workshop. I can hardly wait!!!!

Shine BRIGHT!

shine bright like a diamond!!

I have to admit that I'm basking in a bit of post Christmas bliss. The festivities continue and so shall the outfits!! I get so excited about putting outfits together it's a bit insane. I think of all the possibilities... HELLO OUTFITS!!  A little sparkle and shine can upgrade an outfit, lift a drab mood and jump start a NYE party outfit like a champ!! This metallic pleated skirt from JCrew fits the bill perfectly! So, what are you going to wear to your NYE bash?!!! Well let's start by injecting a little shine and a whole lot of chic glam. Granted I will be on the ski hill getting cozy with my neck warmer and other ski accouterments but you have parties and shindigs to attend.

I'm all about dancing when I attend a party, so that means I want to wear something I can drop it like it's hot in!! So as you sip away on your champagne here's a few goodies that will allow you to ring in the New Year in style, whilst getting your groove on. I saw this dress and immediately fell in love with it! All you need to add my party ready friend is a pair of metallic or silver pumps, like these , ear bling and tada!!!! I would even rock this dress with some fun ankle booties, if you're not a pump wearing kind of gal :)  I love these lace pants because they're a fancy, comfy pant ( I mean that's a whole lot of winning in my fashion book). Pair with ivory silk top, necklace bling and some killer pumps like these (aahhh...DROOLING) and you'll feel and look like #winning.

Let me digress for just a bit because I'm feeling extra lovey-dovey ;) It's important for me to include something that brings a layer of meaning and relevance to each of my styling shoots. I was really excited to have this beautiful rug be a part of the photoshoot.I wish you could see it in person!! It belongs to my homegirl Syb and she shared its cool meaning. It's their Berber wedding blanket. They are hand woven in anticipation of a wedding by the bride's female relatives. It can take many hours or even weeks of work to attach the mirrored sequins once the weaving is complete. WOW! It is thought that during this collaborative task, the bride's relatives teach her all about the birds and the bees, among other marital duties and expectations. After the wedding ceremony, the bride wears the blanket tied around her neck as a kind of cape. The process of hand-weaving is thought to endow the textile with baraka, or blessings. When complete, the wedding blanket serves not only as warmth and decoration for the bride, but also to ward off evil and to bestow fertility and good luck upon the newlyweds.

As we ring in a new year, I'm sending all sorts of wonderful blessings your way. I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled I am to dive into 2016. A fresh start to attack my growing "get done" list and letting those that I love know how much I treasure them. So brace yourself for some Laura loving!! I had one of those life experiences this year that made me realize in a BIG WAY...how to be grateful. I won't peg it as an aha moment but I call it my UN-RUDE AWAKENING. I have amazing people in my life that made me realize that LIFE is about the NOW, meaningful progress, making a DIFFERENCE, true KINDNESS, LOVING BIG, sharing, never settling and having some badass fun. I am incredibly grateful. I'm dying to know what's on your 2016 "must do or else" agenda. SHARE!!!  Are you scared to attack it??!! I know at times it might be scary (btw... that's a good thing)  but you've got more support in yourself and from those that truly love you than you think. I'm ready, so let's do this!!