Swimsuits, Coverups + Margaritas

Hello Sunshine :)

The heat is on and we know what that means. We've got to get our shit together and slip on that bathing suit because ummm it's 95 degrees out and Mama's got to cool down. I know. Bathing suits can be a pain but I have some great tips to finding the styles that says  BRING IT! I've got your back!!

Stop hating on your goodness

Yes! I want you to embrace all the yummy curves and  non-curves ( I'm built like a 12 year old boy). I  know that we all have things we "ugh" about when it comes to our body but you know what, at the end of the day ( this is so my Mama talking right now) none of that matters. Mama is right! You embrace and love what you see and it will be the best thing you can add on with your swimsuit. A whole whopping dose of C O N F I D E N C E because girl, it looks good on you. 

Embrace the goods you've got

If you've got great arms, show them off with a halter style, like this. If you love your legs choose a style with a higher side cut bikini, like this. Loving on the "girls" aka your breast, rock a demi style bikini top, like this. If you've got some extra on the backside ( I hate you and can I have some :)  seriously, your girl got very, very little.  I recommend a style that actually shows a bit more cheek. I know, you think you want full coverage but you don't. Check out this style.  By the way, Aerie has launched a real women, no editing editorial to feature their swimsuits (love that). 

Lace cover, For Love and Lemons; Bikini, JCrew

Style it up

A coverup is a great way to add a bit of style and make you feel more pulled together when rocking a swimsuit. To avoid the frump factor I look for styles that drape well and that aren't necessarily a coverup. The For Love and Lemons ( shown above) style was perfect worn as a light jacket and I knew it would be airy enough as a swimsuit coverup. I must say I love the styles at JCrew like this one, which can be worn as a tunic or with shorts. I'm also a fan of an oversized linen shirt and a short slip dress. 

Enjoy it

You're wearing a bathing suit because I'm guessing some sort of luxuriating ( it's a word) is going to happen. That means, you're heading on vacation, hanging by a pool or taking it easy in your backyard. I don't know about you but those are all awesome situations to be in.  Enjoy hanging with your peeps, stop fussing about your bikini and use the tips I've provided to help you navigate this swimwear arena. I know, I'm bossy :)

 

Tunic top, JCrew

So I promised you a Margarita and here it is!! Are you ready for the best margarita you've ever had?? It's called the beet margarita!! My friend Sam told me about it and I'm officially hooked. Let's just say it's Summer in a glass, with a extra side of happy. Insert Mariachi music or some Beyonce here ( whatever strikes your dancing fancy).

Photo credit and recipe: Casey Barber

I found a great recipe on Casey Barber's Good Food Stories blog and it is pure delight. Click  here for the details and ENJOY. 

Side note: iIf you're not in the mood to deliver your own margarita bliss, meet me at Juniper, where I've had the pleasure of enjoying said drink.  Let's cheers to the weekend y'all :)

You are so enough

This bag is from Mulberry Press Co, a wonderful lifestyle brand that's dedicated to delivering inspiration and positivity. What's not to love about that :)

Y O U   A R E   SO   ENOUGH

Words are so powerful. I remember my husband saying to me "babe, you've got this" when we were in the first stages of me diving into launching my personal styling company. His relentless support was the exclamation that I needed to take the chance and trust myself. It's love.

The phrase "you are so enough" resonates with me, especially in those moments where I felt I was not doing enough or I feared being inadequate. I believe as women we have these endless standards that are comprised to make us feel uncertain about our capabilities. However, what I've found is that the only barometer that matters is the one that you set for yourself. I'm constantly trying to figure out what I can do better with my business to best serve my clients. For me, it's been a whole lot of learning, researching, big time listening and allowing myself to be true to who I am. Along the way, I saw this merger of me working on being a better person contributed to me being a better business person. Trust me the process never ends and the learning is endless but I think that's a great thing. 

The eggs you surround yourself with matters in a BIG way so they better be good :) I have been blessed to meet some of the most intelligent, driven, passionate, kind humans who are at the top of their game in their careers. They have supported, inspired and encouraged me along the way. It's vital for me to know in my heart that I'm enough to do whatever it is that I want. However, it helps to have a village and that means surrounding myself with great eggs that are honest, kind, inspire and have some major integrity. 

You are so enough to be what you want and when you have moments when you don't feel enough, which we all do, just remember you are not doing this thing all by yourself. I've got your back.  

“You have worth, you have purpose and you are always more than enough in this life. When we love ourselves, we make room for others to love us and share our journey. Love is a powerful thing and it starts with loving everything you already are.”

— Sera, founder of Mulberry Press Co

How to hug in Portland

Japanese garden in Portland, OR

Okay I will fess up!! The hugging routine of Portlanders is no different from ours but I will say this I felt the love from all  the wonderful eating spots, cool boutiques, local bars (images not available ;)  and the oh so rad hotels we stayed in.  

I mean hospitality oozes from every pore and that just makes this girl very happy. 

Our stay in Portland, felt like this beautiful picture above taken by my girl Karen of Karen E Photography. Karen has an amazing eye and when we get the chance to work together, it's pure fun. I have so many ideas in my head and she's able to frame it perfectly.  Our trip was a combination of work and play but when your work is your play it all melts together seamlessly. We stayed at this amazing boutique hotel in downtown Portland called, The Society Hotel . It was originally built in 1881 as a boarding house for sailors. Quaint, cool and walking distance to so many yummy eating spots. Portland, you know how to treat a girl with all your amazing eats. Seriously y'all, every meal, fantastic. We mixed it up for our last night and stayed at the uber modern Hotel Eastlund. We've decided that hotel hopping was going to be a definite do on our next adventure, why not right?!!  

The Society Hotel 

Hotel Eastlund 

FOODPORN:   Brunch- Eat at Broder Nord. Order the Swedish pancakes that I would describe as foreplay...yes, they're that good. If you think all tater tots are created equal- try these badboys at McMenamins- Kennedy School. It's a game changer. Toro Bravo...heaven for dinner. The dishes are served tapas style and we enjoyed a long dinner with awesome company. Hey Nicole :)

THIS AND THAT- We visited so many great shops. Local nurseries that made me want to remedy my non-green thumb; Proof that KK is a tiny little thing and Mama's a tall drink of water; Cool floors at FETCH; KK loving on our hotel bed; Visit Por que no for Mexican eating that taste like grandma's loving. A great recommendation from our friend Em. 

I got to snap a shot of this beauty. 

KK: Karen and I have spent a lot of time together in the last year. I get the chance to create with someone who I respect and has a bit of that oddity, like myself,  which allows for some fun outside the box happenings. She's cool, talented and knows how to take those pics. For more Karen goodness check her out at Karen E Photography and IG @karenephoto. 

HELLO OUTFITS - These gold shoes were a staple. I wore them with everything on our trip...seriously, I did :)

Coat and turtleneck- JCrew; denim- Frame; Shoes- a steal at a LA vintage shop with my girl Jess. 

I hope you felt the HUGS!! Every getaway fuels my passion and it connects me to what really matters. I get so excited to share with you all my cool finds and loves. If it helps me grow, fuels my passion, enlightened a new perspective and allow a cute outfit to happen, yep, I'm sharing it with you. Thank you for allowing me to do that. It's your hug to me :)

The truth about leggings

Exploring Portland's Japanese Garden :)

When I see styles I love, I react in a few ways. Screams of joy, a happy dance and the outfits, oh the outfits y'all. Mama see's all the many ways one can wear this peice and how I can bring a fresh take on rocking it. Leggings, I will admit, I wasn't a huge fan. However, never say never ;) Leggings can go bad real fast worn the wrong way. I won't harp on the unsavory details of what not to do whilst wearing leggings but Mama will certainly give you my tips to rocking them in oh so cute ways.  

When I wear leggings it's all about finding that balance between comfort and looking pulled together. With that said, my first go to tip is to elevate your look by wearing something a little dressier with your leggings. In this case I'm rocking my gold oxfords. I know I'll be buried in something gold, I just LOVEEE!! I mean, rocking it certainly ups my swagger ( which we all need, right :) Ok, I digressed from the legging situation. 

Proportion matters. Leggings for me is that style where the butt check happens on a regular when being worn. As in, can you see my butt? Is my shirt long enough to cover said butt :) The shirt should be long enough to cover your derriere but not so long that if you raised your hands in a "raise the roof" manner and we still don't see your booty, that means the top is too long. The top should cover the front assets completely. So if you want to wear a crop top layer it with a longer shirt, left open in a jacket like style. I mean this one ;)

If it's too thin, feed it! Your leggings that is. Fabrics that have a bit more substance make your leggings fit better ( no bagging out) and holds all the goodness in ( looks fabulous). We like that! This particular one is a moto style and has a great mix of mostly Rayon, some Nylon and a bit of Lycra. It's a few years old and still works great. I couldn't find this brand to feature but I've provided my other loves. I'm a fan of this one and these.  The price is great and you can wear the JCrew ones with boots come winter.  Yes please :)

I believe in a lot of things, a little magic never hurts" Maddie, 10 years old

I have a bonus post coming your way tomorrow. It's all about my Portland work and play adventure with my girl Karen of Karen E Photography. If you want to learn how to hug in Portland I suggest you visit me tomorrow :) Cool as hell places to stay, pretty pretty photos and oh yeah, the food!! Need I say more. The love is real!! MUAH!

Wear What You Love

I'm wearing a vintage high waisted gold pencil skirt with gold oxfords and it makes me happy.  It makes me want to drop it like it's hot ( aka dance) and walk with an extra skip in my step. Seriously, putting on this outfit sets my day. It says "girrrlll, it's gonna be a good one."  Wearing what you love is a blissful combination of self- expression embodied with whatever kind of sass you want to deliver. I can sense when my clients are not comfortable in an outfit, even when their words say otherwise. The body is incredibly expressive.  I pay very close attention to those movements that tells me we're out of the "comfort zone" or the uncertainty that comes with newness... "can I really wear this."  One of my goals as a personal stylist is to navigate style in a way that highlights the best path for my client in the simplest way. 

Style is ubiquitous, which fuels and inspire self-expression in so many ways.

So what does it take to wear what you love? I have to admit, when it comes to style I have a very strange six sense. My clients call me the "outfit whisperer"  :) because I  see the outfits I want on them. For myself, I learned all about what looks work on me and it doesn't hurt that I'm obsessed with fashion and style. So, this allowed me to discard any other stuff that comes along my way that I know won't work and spend that time on better things. I also listen to myself ( you know that gut feeling that says, take that BLANK off, it is not the one). I'm also blessed with  fantastic peeps who deliver honest critique with a hug :)  

Wearing what you love, with the emphasis on YOU. I had the privilege to style this fantastic Mom of 5, yes 5 kiddos :) She has amazing curves and struggled to embrace said curves and find styles that worked for her. We all have our own body struggles. What I saw when we met was her amazing waist, great legs and wonderful shoulders. My mission- liberate all that goodness so that she too can begin to appreciate them in styles that compliment all those great assets. In turn, feeling great in what she wears.

Wearing what you love is REALLY loving you in what you wear. What's not to love about that :)

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 :)

Easy ways to rock neutrals

Wearing neutrals just makes me swoon about summer. It's light, fresh and modern. Summer will be here in about 6 weeks peeps and I'm counting :)  Wearing all neutrals is about texture and picking the right shade. I'm a fan of whites, ivory and grays. Since the weather will be slipping on its fancy 70 degrees and up temperature our way,  here are a few of my "how to" tips to rocking all neutrals and keeping your cool. 

Texture is your friend. I'm wearing these  ivory denim shorts from JCrew and paired it with this darling eyelet  top from Banana Republic. The eyelet gives this color palette some texture and makes the outfit more playful. By the way guys, this top was on super sale in the store so go snag yourself one now :) The ivory top was a bit darker than the shorts but this is why having texture is so great. The shades do not have to be an exact match, which makes pairing easy. Mama likes that!

the sun shining through :)

Accessorize to add a little something something ;) I paired this grey bag from JCrew ( so cute right) and my little coral puffball name Javi  ;)  to give the all ivory look some anchor. When it comes to styling myself and my clients, looking great should be a simple and easy process. Neutrals allows this ease because you don't have to worry about matching or coordinating since you're using the same color palette. They all play nicely with each other. 

If you want to wear all white, choose white denim and a silk-like top or knitted top with a smooth cotton bottoms. If you want an all grey look, wear light grey on top, dark on the bottom with a fun printed bag. Are you guys picking up what I'm throwing down?! Wonderful!! Now go and get your style on. MUAH!! :)

Lessons learned from Mama #MamaKnowsBest

So let me explain my Mom to you just a bit. She is 5’4” maybe, on a good day, full of energy and doesn’t mind telling me what she thinks (with or without request). She’s my favorite person and she drives me crazy. It’s the most wonderful and maddening love ever :)

Growing up, my Mom was a bit of a hard ass ( yah I said it, sorry Mom but you were). Ugh, those days where I just wanted to scream at you and slam the door because I thought you were trying to make my life a living hell. I realized, eventually, how thankful I was for those moments. I’m so happy that you demanded more from me than I did myself. 

Mama lesson learned: TRY HARDER

When I did poorly on something my Mom would ask me in her very thick Jamaican accent “How hard did you try? Did you prepare yourself so that you could produce the best result? If you tell me yes, then I know you tried.”
Yep…I just wanted to yell at her because she was right (grrr)  and my poor performance was usually the result of being ill-prepared or really not being interested whatsoever. 
So now,  I work towards trying to be better on whatever job I take on. I learn something new after every project and I ask myself, what can I do better for my clients. I’ve noticed that there is always something to improve upon. Better isn’t about perfection, to me it's about allowing meaningful progress. Experience is a good teacher. 

Mama lesson learned: BE YOUR OWN CHEERLEADER

I actually learned this from a few of my "Mamas" - amazing women whom I love and admire a great deal. I'm grateful to have each of them in my world. They've provided amazing support,  love and pushed me to see my value in so many ways. 

You know that little voice that creeps up inside your head that says "babe, you've got this" or that moment ( visualize hands on your hips, legs apart, superwoman stance, cape blowing in the wind) YES THAT! Mama wants you to  hold on to that with all your might and believe in yourself like the champion you are. Yes, I have my moments when I'm dropping f-bombs (privately) because something is not vibing the way it should ( it's life). I take a breather and then work to see how I can kick the problems booty. Having my own back, keeps me accountable for my actions and inactions. It also let's me acknowledge that things will be okay because I've got my back.

Mama lesson learned: LOVE BIG OR GO HOME

When I visit my Mom, she has a menu laid out of all my favorite meals because as she puts it "baby, they don't feed you enough food in Idaho"...such a  Mom thing right!!! That's the best kind of loving, Mom's home cooking ( insert happy dance here and here). 

What does all this home cooking chatter mean?? If you're going to love, love fully. My Mom shows me her love in the biggest and best way she knows how by taking care of what fills me body and soul. I had to learn this love big thang the hard way a few times because loves great but sometimes it hurts bad, real bad.  So why love big Laura?? Well my awesome peeps, it made me appreciate how awesome it feels when this full love came my way. Not just from my hubby but from the people who care about me in the deepest way. It filters all the other mess out. It's amazing. Having that in my world allowed me to be grateful and appreciate what love means in the realest way. Loving big for me is a all-in commitment not naivety, understanding and being your loves sound board. It's hard, easy and everything in between but so worth it. 

I always thought I would get to this point where I would have this "stuff" figured out or least most of it. Nope, not the case for me. I'm learning all along the way with more clarity as I go. Mama does know best and she's trying to share it in her own way. Some of those lessons go over a bit smoother than others, some I learned in my own way. 

To quote my wonderful stepdaughter Maddie..."Moms are pretty awesome." I couldn't agree more :)

The perfect white tee: DO GOOD + LOOK GOOD #TheStitch

feeling the great vibes in our #TheStitch white tee...SO MUCH FUN!!

Do you believe in magic?? Well I do and not the hocus-pocus kind but the belief that we can create moments that can transform someones day, life, world and our own.  We can find these avenues in so many different ways and it doesn't take much. When I was asked by Ashley, the absolutely adorable and wonderful wife of Speak Your Silence founder Matt Pipkin to style this fun photoshoot featuring cool ways to rock #TheStitch white tee, I said hello outfits!!! ( insert hands in the hair emoji ;)

We got our style on with the adorable Ashley, the beautiful Lacey of Ditching Normal and the fantastic photography skills of Jean Mazac of Double Take Photography. 

By wearing "The Stitch"  you become a voice that can help move the issue of child sexual abuse from a taboo to a cause people love and support. 100% of the proceeds, yep 100% of the proceeds funds counseling that is transforming lives. To learn, join and become a champion for this great cause visit www.speakyoursilence.org. 

The perfect white tee is certainly a staple that I covet. A perfect white tee that promotes a greater good, even better. Here's some great ways to rock this pretty rad tee!! 

Casual Styles

I'm all about comfort. Ashley looks so fresh and cool with these skinny cargo pants and Adidas kicks #yesplease 

Boyfriend jeans and metallic silver sneaks, ummmm need I say more. Okay a little more, this look is all about effortless cool. Lacey nailed it! 

Babes!! Shorts and sandals. It doesn't get any easier than that. This look gets me ready for cruiser rides and summer strolls. Who's ready?!!

Classy Styles

I wanted to feature some dressed up ways to rock our white tee. I love showing the versatility of styles. Remember your clothes should work for you not the other way around. I'm rocking all white by pairing my #TheStitch tee with this white denim skirt from JCrew. Hey, Summer date :) Lacey has a bit of edge with her look with her streamline leather skirt, so cute!! The ankle boots brings a cool print to a very minimalist look. I saw these shorts on Ashley and immediately loved them on her. The print and the bow are so darling, which is perfect on this beauty. 

Fun Styles

Cue Cyndi Lauper, girls just want to have fuunn and we sure did! :)

How happy and playful is this look on Lacey with this amazing gold metallic skirt from JCrew and perfect nude gladiator heels?!! It's so fun!

Yes, I'm this excited!!! Overall and gold oxfords makes any look a bit more playful. 

Kauuttee!! This pop of happy colors on Ashley with the coral skirt and yellow Bit necklace gets me Summer mode ready. 

I know exactly how you're feeling right now. YOU WANT THIS TEE!! For the month of April Piece Unique  in downtown Boise will carry #TheStitch tee and 100% of the proceeds goes to this great cause. I know April is almost over but don't worry you can head over to www.speakyoursilence.org to snag your new favorite tee! Hello doing good!! I'm so proud of you guys. Remember to show how your rocking your #TheStitch tee :)

This girl + stripes

happy as a clam with J.Lee Photos in Vegas

What is it about stripes that makes us covet it so much?! My friends and I see it, immediately want it, must have....ahhh NEED IT!! I love that it embodies both a classic and modern look. I can wear a stripe tee with skinny jeans and ta da...cute outfit!! It doesn't get any easier than that. 

I'm a fan of the JCrew perfect tee styles. I paired it with this overall denim skirt from Madewell which gave this classic tee some edge. I find a small or medium stripe style is best especially in the tee style. If you spot a stripe dress that is loved,  I would go for a medium stripe, like this style because it creates a more flattering visual. Everyone can wear stripes,  it's really about paying attention to the size of the stripes. 

Top: JCrew perfect tee

Its been a busy few weeks and I have some amazing collaborations that I'll be sharing with you all!!! I'm so thrilled to have you on this journey with me. Thank you for having my back and showing this poofy hair girl a whole lot of LOVE!!!

Summer staple: denim shorts

happy place

Warm weather does something amazing to my soul!! It's the Jamaican in me. The sun on my skin and the sight of everything illuminated makes me feel charged! My trip to LA was immersed with so many great experiences, a big one was the fantastic sunshine.

 My friend Jessica of J.Lee Photos took some beautiful photos and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to places to dine and immerse in laidback LA life. This darling spot is called The Alcove and as a foodie, I was giddy with joy. 

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This place was surrounded by flowers and rich green succulents. The simple homey vibe makes you want to hang out  for most of your morning. 

Shorts: Current Elliot      T-shirt: JCrew       Shoes: Madewell

Most of you know that I'm a strong advocate for comfort and style. These Current Elliott denim shorts are a soft denim and I got them a few years back at Fancy Pants in downtown Boise. They have some great new styles that are loved. The fit and length doesn't leave me feeling as if I need to yank them down every 5 minutes ( you know what I mean!!).  My guide to denim shorts is to choose one  with a softer denim, sits on your hip and is slightly loose, like these.  It allows for a shorter length without feeling like you have booty shorts on ;) If you want a bit longer length,  I love these.  They can be rolled up or down to your liking. You can find find similar styles at Piece Unique in downtown Boise.

This grapefruit was picked from Jessica's front yard....LOVE!!!

My Summer wear is light, simple and all about keeping my cool. What are your must have Summer staples??  It's going to be a good one!! :)

Journey to wow, a style story

I'm a hunter! I'm always on the search for those special and cool  styles that will upgrade an outfit. You notice it the moment you see it. When it happens for me, there's usually a squeal and a mini dance party ( ask my hubby and my girlfriends ;)  This special find makes a simple outfit sparkle 💫.  

These gold oxfords were a sweet find and I knew we were going to be friends the moment I saw them. Why they work. Well they're gold, I mean...LOVVVVVEEEEEE and they add a bit of the unexpected to an outfit. Whether you're wearing skinny jeans, pencil skirt or some sleek dress pants they're going to make you feel amazing and ready to take on the world. These are a few years old by Sam Edelman but you can snag similar styles here. I'm a believer that what you wear can transform how you feel. This is why I love my job as a personal stylist. I get to experience this wonderful magic where my clients completely shine when they have on an outfit that looks great on them. It empowers them to be their most amazing self and isn't that we are all trying to do. It's pretty cool. 

This JCrew brushed wool scarf is a style that they've repeated in the last few years. I have a few of these because the colors are beautiful and adds this richness to any outfit. The chevron belt is pure cuteness! The texture and print offers a cool pop and is a little different amongst the spectrum of belts. It's those little details that keep your outfit from looking wamp wamp wamp.  So search for those styles that will add a bit of wow to your look. Yes, you might not want to wear an entire gold outfit ( I mean, I would but that's me) but you can rock some gold loafers. A complete ombre look head to toe might not be what we want but a scarf that drips some beautiful hues against your skin, YES!! 

I met this amazing woman the other day and I was told that I'm officially adopted ;) She has this vibrancy and style that's contagious and uniquely her.  Style is another fun way to express your uniqueness and as my new friend said "everyday is an opportunity to get dressed." AGREED! I'm keeping this one. 

What to wear in the Mojave Desert....

Free as a bird 

Along this journey call life....I've learned to embrace all the moments I'm given and always say YES when planning anything with Jessica Rieke ;)  I had the amazing opportunity to work with my wonderful friend Jessica of J.Lee Photos. Our trip led us to Vegas where I got to experience the wonderful mania of being a photographer. We were joined by Alicia from Mink Photography, who is by far one of the coolest peeps I've had the pleasure of meeting. She captured some amazing behind the scenes images from a few of the photoshoots and I'm so excited  to share this with you. Our trip ended in LA, where I was inspired, connected and got to revel in all things fashion, whilst Jessica worked her camera magic. Our goal was to get 3 to 4 amazing photoshoots and we out did ourselves with 10!! WHAT?!! I know...I'll be sharing this fantastic journey with you all in the coming weeks. 

As I navigate this life, I appreciate more and more the importance of building a strong foundation of friends. Every person that comes into my world brings something of value and helps to build the person I am. My friends push me to try harder, demand that I grow and love me flaws and all. It makes the hard times, manageable and the good times, sweeter. Jessica introduced me to her creative community that fuels each other by supporting and building a network. It was motivating to see "community over competition" in action. 

free as a bird.....captured by Mink Photography 

The Mojave dessert and the Joshua trees does something to my soul. It envelopes a sense of calm and freedom for me. One of the best parts of working with Jessica was the manner in which she allowed the elements of our surrounding to just be. She captured moments that were organic and beautiful. 

 I wanted to wear an outfit that softly complimented this raw environment. It felt light, easy and flowed. This beautiful top was given to me by stepdaughters mom, Britney. We have a great relationship, built by effort, trust and the big picture of love and family. She found a box of styles by designer Valerie Porr while cleaning out her Grandmas garage. The designer made beautiful creations and helped to pave the groundwork for the Soho fashion scene. She created custom styles for celebrities including Jimi Hendrix. Pretty COOL!  She's since left the fashion world and has made some amazing strides in the treatment and research of BPD, Borderline Personality Disorder. In 1994, she founded TARA APD a Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder. I found her story to be fascinating and moving. You can read more here. The pieces are beautiful, airy and has a whimsical quality to them. To tame that sweetness I paired this top with these distressed black denim shorts from Forever 21. The fit, loved; the wash, edgy and the price crazy good.  

This foldover clutch by GAIA is my new favorite love; shoes, Joie 

As a fashion stylist and blogger,  I believe in creating a platform where fashion is accessible, intimidation free and serves a greater good. I find myself being drawn to brands that believe in the bigger picture of fashion for good. This beautiful fold-over clutch is from GAIA. Every GAIA product is handmade by resettled refugee women in Dallas, Texas. The result are beautiful styles and a relentless commitment to employ, encourage and guide these amazing women so that they can prosper and flourish. It's invaluable the moment you realize how powerful a purchase can be.

The coolest part about all of this learning and doing is the sharing. Thank you for allowing me to do that. Keep your seat belt buckled because the goodness gets revved up from here #DOMORE #BETTERHUMAN

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!!! 

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!!!!

The grown up take on sexy wear, rated PG13

I'm experiencing this voracious need to be immersed in above 70 degree temperature, donning bare legs and covered in sunshine. How are you guys holding up?? Are you ready for sweet warm sunshine??  Although Spring hasn't officially arrived,  I wanted to wear something light and simple and yes I have clothing underneath ;) I got the chance to do an amazing photo session with the fantastic Vlad Radion of Radion photography. My warmth provided courtesy of The Mode Lounge. This spot is cool, eclectic modern and get ready to be wowed by their cocktail selections. I call it grown up and classy. 

These pumps can make any day better! You can snag these here.

This outfit made me feel grown up and sexy ( insert hands in the air and me saying "girllllll" ;) Sexy to me is a combination of confidence and just a bit of skin. In my 5'10" frame, the skin being shown here y'all are legs. I'm wearing a lace tank underneath with highwaisted pinstripe shorts.  At times the descriptive of wanting to look sexy and be sexy can sometimes feel disempowering for women. I think that comes from our cultural hijack of the word sexy. I see it as a WELCOMED ownership of ones own body, mind and soul. In other words, I embrace all the good and the "ok" stuff about myself which allows me to"own" the styles that I wear and not the other way around. The best part of my job is seeing my clients feel confident in the styles I put them in. You can fake confidence but it's short lived. No fun there, right!  I prefer we operate on truly working on our "stuff" and gain that confidence. Real confidence....way more fun!

A few of my favorite pieces in the sexy arena is a silk blouse, like this and a tailored blazer, like this. There's just something about silk and the way it drapes ( not cling) that says "hello lover". Well at least that's what I hear ;) The blazer with it's tailored silhouette can hug all the right places whilst still having that cool menswear feel. Classy is sexy.

PEEPS, the feedback has been amazing and I'm feeling the love!! I hope you guys are feeling it too. INSERT BIG HUG HERE!! The fashion filled journey continues and so much goodness coming your way!!  Let's get our sexy on!!!

Hello curves, I love you!

One of my favorite pictures captured by Vlad of Radion Photography

My Mom was certainly a huge influence when it came to embracing oneself and being my own biggest cheerleader. This wasn't always an easy journey, in fact it was difficult most of the times. As I get older the idea of feeling comfortable in my own skin seems less and less foreign to me. I think it is a combination of life experiences,  hard knocks learning and well, growing up.  Style has allowed me to figure out what I love the most about myself, this positive mind frame then infiltrated other avenues of my life. This is a BIG part of why I love personal styling, I get the chance to show my clients what I love about them and the best way to show it off.

I don't wear fitted dresses. That was just something I had as part of my style repertoire. My peeps will tell you that I love drapey, boyfriendy...you know loose anything ;)  Times they are a changing and I no longer put "I won't" but more "how can I." In other words, "how can I wear a fitted dress that I like and still be me ?" I saw this fitted crew neck dress at H & M and loved the simplicity of it and the color. It really hugs the body but in a soft way. To make it "me" I layered this amazing lace jacket by For Love and Lemons from Piece Unique. This lace number was one of those "love at first sight" moment and oh the outfits!!! It's light and airy and the color reminds me of the golden tones in sunsets.

If you want to wear a fitted style focus on fabric, fit and function. The fabric should have some weight to it, which allows for a smoother fit along those curves. I prefer those with structure, stretch and a more streamlined style. The fit should hug your body not constrict. You should be able to move around and sit comfortably. I want you to be able to breath, okay :) If the fit is right, then the ability to function should fall into place. That means we can walk with ease the way our body was intended.

I use to feel it was necessary to constantly combat what I was naturally given, long limbs that I wasn't always certain what the hell to do with, curly wild hair that wasn't the norm around me and a boyish shape that made me feel less like a woman. I learned to appreciate my long limbs (can I grab that for you in the top cupboard? ;) I stopped straightening my curly mane and a few slight curves popped up ( not many) that made me appreciate the beauty of being a woman. The less you try to fit in, the better you fit with yourself. It's the coolest thing. I want you to do something for me. Everyday this week and the rest of next week...every morning that you wake up I want you to say something really nice about your body to yourself. I'm serious, this embracing your goodness thang starts with you and the mental conversation you have with yourself. Trust me it's going to blow your mind and the exhaustion of picking yourself a part will be gone. Hallelujah!

Share this with your best peeps and spread the love. The process is a journey and it's not as bad as you think.  I've got your back :)

How to put the CHIC in Comfy wear #yesplease

So it's your day off and you have 223 errands to get done. You want to be comfy and plug away at your "to do"list. Before you reach for those leggings, can you and I just gab a little about how we can upgrade our comfy look?! I sensed an eye roll...so I'll have to get a little bossy :) You can still look pulled together and revel in comfort, seriously. One of my client is this amazing mom of 4. Her schedule requires a combination of meetings, picking up the kids, dropping them off and running errands. When I style her she can easily navigate from quick meeting with grown-ups to soccer matches. So how do we look comfy and stylish?? It's all in the little details.

These tuxedo style dress pants from JCrew are cool and a bit unexpected paired with my Vans sneakers ( my faves). The low profile of the sneakers works with the streamline look of the pants. These pants are tailored and polished without compromising the COMFY factor. I paired with a lightweight fitted turtleneck that off sets the somewhat looser fitting pant. The ladylike coat pulls it all together and makes comfy wear look chic. Other comfy "go to" looks include my boyfriend jeans paired with a dressier top and ankle boots. The key is to have an elevated piece paired with a casual style.

These gloves from Banana Republic makes winter days better :)

When you're tempted to throw on those leggings or sweatpants, I want you to know that you are softy killing your homegirl over here ;) Okay maybe I'm exaggerating just a bit, however I know and you know that looking good makes you feel good no matter the task of the day. So just think, what if I ran into George Clooney( is he still a big deal?)  today or whomever your "Clooney" in your head is ( we all have one ;). I want my peeps to look pulled together, effortlessly.

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

Get dress + do GOOD

Wearing this tuxedo lapel blazer with my favorite tee from The Stitch.

As a stepmom, I want nothing more than to do everything in my powers to help my stepdaughter be a great human. I want her to know, TO KNOW, that she's capable of anything. That means allowing her to learn that progress requires productive action from her, no matter the size. She is kind, smart, conscientious and pretty darn cute. With Valentines day approaching, I wanted to do something that highlighted more than just the flowers and candy. So I thought I'd share what's near and dear to my heart by featuring styles that look great( hello outfits) and contribute to an even bigger cause (Hello "doing GOOD").

I met Matt Pipkin a few years ago and we immediately clicked. He's a ball of energy (like myself) and funny as hell (I ain't too shabby ;)  Matt is the founder of Speak your Silence a nonprofit on a mission to end the stigma associated with child sexual abuse. 100%, yes 100% of public donations and profits from the Stitch funds in-person, one-on-one counseling nationwide for those personally affected by sexual abuse. Maybe it's age or just life making a little more sense to me, I'm more mindful of what steps I can take to make a difference. I think that's what creates the volume for change, is each and every individual making efforts within their own arena to foster a movement.

"I want people to smile more...it feels better and looks better" LT

I've had the opportunity to participate with Matt and the amazing team of Speak Your Silence whenever needed to support his cause. This awesome tee that I'm rocking is a very cool part of how you and I can support the Stitch. The Stitch represents a non-verbal way to communicate your support and really make the conversation happen without as Matt puts it "...feeling heavy and dreary".  Speak your silence has created a space that "...moves child sexual abuse from a taboo issue to an inspiring cause that you can be excited to champion." Matt presented a great feature on his SYS blog that really touched the core of it's mission. You can read it here. He mentions that "It became clear to me that child sexual abuse is not a cause, but rather, it’s an issue. There’s a BIG difference. To me, issues represent problems; problems with no obvious solutions. They don’t leave me feeling excited, but instead, feeling heavy. Causes, on the other hand, represent solutions. They inspire me to take action. They leave us feeling enthusiastic, feeling good about ourselves, and feeling confident about a bright future." I couldn't have said it any better if I tried. I have about 20 different ways to rock this awesome tee and it comes in gray!! LOVE!!! Learn more by clicking here, your outfits and your heart will thank you.

When I decided to start my own personal fashion stylist service it was to feed my endless passion for all things style and design but also to create a platform where fashion was accessible and intimidation free. I want you to feel great about how you look which builds confidence and is empowering. Style then functions as this great supporting role that acts as a catalyst for you to conquer your fears and make a difference in your own way. I want to use my passion as a way to fuel a path which leads to making an impact for the better.  Sounds a bit cheesy but oh how life changing it can be.  I'm doing a little happy dance because there is so much GOODNESS, awesome outfits and great features coming up. I feel blessed that I get to share it ALL with you!! The love is real y'all!!! Comment, share and do GOOD!! MUAH :)