Thanksgiving Pants

This year, my husband and I will be hosting family at our home for Thanksgiving.  Everyone is helping out by each bringing a few dishes so not all of the cooking will be happening right in our kitchen.  However, we are still cooking about five dishes, cleaning the house, and decorating a little too much. So, I want to feel casual, but still look like a hostess who took more than two minutes to get dressed. Enjoy feeling festive this holiday and dressing with a little extra effort for Thursday, with a side of comfortable.  And remember, it's ok to wear your pair of pants that give a little extra for those second and third helpings (no one can see the elastic waste band).  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Xo,
Laura

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Vince (similar style) | Pants: Estelle and Finn (similar style by Old Navy) | Shoes: Sam Edelman

May your coffee be Strong and Your Monday be Short

"May your coffee be strong and your Monday be short"

I woke up this morning seeing this quote a few times and decided to accept it as my Monday mantra.  It's going to be a busy work week and a fun, festive time to get ready for Thanksgiving next Thursday.  So I'm sticking to my late Fall uniform of jeans, a warm, comfortable sweater, and boots.  It is a common trend of mine, and I don't plan on changing it.  Enjoy your cup of coffee (cups for me) and fill your day with hard work and some fun!

Xo,
Laura

Outfit Details: 

Sweater: Kensie | Jeans: J Brand | Shirt: Caslon | Boots: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Sweater Weather

With all of the leaves almost fallen to the ground and the nights getting almost below freezing, my sweater wearing is in full effect.  I seem to always be cold and always needing another layer to add to my outfit.  Finding cozy sweaters makes me happy and keeps me cozy.  I definitely need to wear a layer under my sweaters though so I love this sweater because it allows me to have two layers plus it's very long and fits loosely.  I added my new favorite scarf from Target to indulge myself in my ever continuing fall obsession, including plaid.  For me it feels good to bundle up, keep toasty under all my layers, and enjoy the season.  Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here! 

Xo,

Laura

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Rachel Zoe (similar style) | Pants: 7 For All Mankind (similar style) | Boots: Ariat | 
Scarf: Target | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban 

Halloween Colors

Happy Halloween! So even though I am not the biggest fan of Halloween (even though it is a fall holiday), I wanted to try and get in the spirit for the day.  My husband and I will be going to a costume party later tonight at a friend's house, and we are going to dress up.  I'm excited to see what everyone will be at the party, and I love to see how creative people get for the occasion.  You'll have to wait until later tonight to see who we decided to be...

But for the day, I decided to be Halloween colors.  Simple, easy, and maybe a little bit spooky.  Enjoy the weekend, eat too much candy, tell a few bad jokes, and have fun!

Xo,
Laura

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Vince (similar style) | Skirt: French Connection (similar style) | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Purse: Stella McCartney

Friday Night Out

It's been a long week, you need someone to cook for you, and you definitely need that glass of champagne.  As much as I love to cook at home with my husband most days of the week, sometimes by the time Friday rolls around, we need a break from the stove and oven mits.     

Last Friday night my husband and I decided to put on some nicer clothes (meaning something other than our usual jeans and a sweatshirt) and head out to try a new restaurant.  We were away for the weekend so it was a great excuse to give somewhere we had never been a taste test.    

It was nice to get a little dressed up, brush my hair, and put on a pair of heels.  Every once in a while a dinner out is needed to spend a little extra time looking at each other and having a meaningful conversation.  So many nights we cook up a storm and then from exhaustion, sit down at our table and turn on the TV to watch episodes of Scandal (I know, it's a good time pretty much most nights).  

But tonight I am encouraging you to put on that special sweater or new boots, experiment with a new lip color, and find a new restaurant to try or make a reservation at your favorite spot.  It's good to love home, but it's also necessary to get away for a few hours to realize how much you love home and how much you love when other people cook for you.  Enjoy your Friday night out and have a great weekend!

Xxo,
Laura

Sweater: 360 cashmere (similar style) | Pants: J Brand | Heels: Sam Edelman | Bag: Stella McCartney

Into the Woods

It's Friday and another beautiful fall weekend is ahead of us.  Every weekend my husband and I enjoy getting outside with our three dogs and taking advantage of the amazing fall scenery and colors.  Whether you go for a hike, a stroll around your neighborhood, or a nice walk through the woods, just get outside.  The fresh, crisp air is good for your lungs and for the soul.  I promise.  And if you can take some pictures with an extra cute Beagle, consider yourself lucky.  Have a great weekend!

Xo,

Laura

Shirt: Three Dots (similar style, similar style) | Vest: L.L. Bean | Jeans: AG Jeans | Boots: L.L. Bean | Socks: J. Crew | Beagle:  My own

Weekday Style

Coat: Vince | Sweater: Vince | Jeans: J Brand | Boots: Russell and Bromley (similar style) | Leg warmers: Nicole Miller (similar style) | Hat: Adora (similar style , similar style) | Bag: Tom Ford

After this weekend, I think the fall weather is here to stay.  So I am embracing the crisp, cool air and adding layers to my outfits.  This coat I know I have shown before, but it is just so easy to throw on and keeps me warm-and it's still 60% off!  I purchased the leg warmers at Tj Maxx, but many styles are available from different designers right now for the season.  So get your warmer layers out or shop this look, be adventurous and try a new style (I'm loving hats right now), and bundle up to enjoy the fall weather.  

Xo,

Laura

A Plaid kind of Weekend

It's Friday.  It's the first weekend in October.  It's Fall.  All of this means it's time for more plaid and getting outside to enjoy this beautiful fall weather.  Have a great weekend!

Xo,
Laura

Jacket: Elliott Lauren, past season (Forever 21  has similar style) | Tank top: Gap | Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (on sale!) | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, past season (similar style, similar style) | Nail Polish: Essie-Fishnet Stockings

Fitness from 9 to 5

Does anyone ever wake up with the best intentions to get dressed in their work out clothes, go to the gym or for a run, and then start doing ten other projects and never actually make it to the gym? But somehow you're still wearing your work out clothes? Well...this happens to me, a lot. At least a lot more than I would like it to during the week. 

I like to have the best intentions in the morning and take the first step and get dressed for a work out and then actually go work out.  But sometimes other unexpected events happen as the day unfolds or I need to run a few errands or meet up with someone for lunch.  Or...maybe you just like to wear work out clothes with no intention of going to the gym because those leggings and t-shirt are just that comfy (yea that happens to me a lot too).

Regardless of the reason, I have been noticing lately more fitness clothing companies are actually encouraging us to wear our gym clothes to more than just the gym.  Awesome women's fitness clothing companies such as me2Roo (my favorite) or lululemon are even providing us with the pieces to complete these looks.  My clothing for these photos are from Fabletics.  With a few simple adjustments to the outfit, a shoe change, and a necklace, you are transformed from going to the gym to having coffee with a friend or going to a casual business meeting.  So I thought I would give this idea a try.  To my surprise, it really isn't too hard (I did try on a few sweaters and shoes to figure out what I thought looked best for my style). 

Check out my photos below and try to picture taking some different shoes from your closet and your favorite sweater or fall jacket and pair them with your gym clothes.  If you want to add a little something extra try a casual scarf or a statement necklace.  While I always encourage actually fitting some form of physical activity into your day, sometimes you just have one of those mornings you need to get dressed for the gym, but you may not actually get to the gym until later in the day (or at all).  Just remember you can be comfortable and stylish at the same time.  Happy work out (aka work out dressing!)

Xo,
Laura


First Look: Actually going for a run

Top and bottoms: Fabletics | Sneakers: Nike | Sunglasses: Chanel


Second Look: Running errands or grabbing coffee

Top and bottom: Fabletics | Shoes: Toms | Sunglasses: Chanel | Scarf: Fabletics | Purse: Stella McCartney

Third look: Lunch date or casual business meeting

Top and bottoms: Fabletics | Sweater: Vince | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Purse: Stella McCartney | Sunglasses: Wish I was wearing them! | Necklace: Monica Rich Kosann