The Real Secrets to Mermaid Hair

Last week I got my hair trimmed, which was long(ggg) overdue.  The last time I had gotten a ‘trim’ was longer than I care to admit. Now I’ll be honest- I’m usually a complete spazz, eyeing the poor girl/guy about to barely take off an inch. However, this time I was all about getting a serious 5 inches snipped.  Yet, one question the stylist asked me was how in the world I had managed to go so long without trimming, and my hair still be healthy. This is where I’ll admit how long it had been: One year, and six months. I know, it’s horrid.

Brunching: Mozzarella Basil Tofu with Eggs & Asparagus

To celebrate my first Friday back blogging I wanted to share a little gem I discovered a few weeks ago. It’s crazy simple, looks impressive, and obviously absolutely delicious. It’s now become my brunch staple and perfect for lazy Saturday mornings. Literally you basically put everything in one pan, and wait. It’s pretty wonderful.

A.M. Routine: Drink Your Citrus

What I’m celebrating today: Happy just about February! This amount of happiness knowing January is about over is pretty much making my heart smile. Spring is that much closer. Ahh…and it’s Friday. Loveliness.

Lately, as you know, I’ve been a bit down and out. Winter has been especially horrid this year for me, but I can’t say I haven’t been a little more pro-active about it. (Although I might have indulged in serious heart-wrentching country music from the 90s lately- that shit isn’t for the faint of heart.) Why is that when we’re down we usually want to jam to songs that are just as sad? Allison Krauss, I’m looking at you. You know, I actually need an answer for that one.

 Anyhow, I used to run pretty avidly, however the past few years have definitely seen a big decline. So, in November before all the NYR’s started rolling out at the gym, I decided to start trekking back to where I used to be. Goal: Run past 15 mins. without looking like a zombie afterwards. Last week I finally(yyy) felt wonderful and happy about having to run. Pro-active score: one check for Laura.

Winter’s Neon + Vanilla Beet Smoothie

Hello loves, here I am. It feels like months and months since I last updated this lovely space of mine. I’d be lying if I said life has been all things sparkle and glitter lately. I’ve been brushed with a lot of emotion on so many different levels. Mainly, I cannot think of any other description besides this; life has been, winter. Since my last ‘mini-post’, writing- really anything- has felt a bit forced. Especially if I’m trying to share a fun post. So I’ve summed it into this: It’s another stage of this bright life, a time and place where we’re supposed to really pay attention to the present. Not document it so much.

Although, I’ll admit, that thought sometimes seems funny to me. Most of our lives almost have to be documented these days, in so many social standards. And I’m just as guilty as any other.

Pretty Picks December: She’ll Wear Red Velvet

If you have been following me for a while,  you probably already know I adore lipstick.  Any kind really, but the idea of a deep red has this timeless appeal that not many other colors can compete with.  So, I own a lot of red lipsticks to say the least, and I’m quite in love with most all of them for different reasons.  However- this one is a true love.  It’s Anthropologie’s Albeit lipstick in ‘Red Velvet’, a cyber Monday random buy.  I must admit, the prettier/simpler packaging first drew me to the ‘stylo sticks’ vs. the classic tubes.  Which was kind of a match made in heaven seeing the color options differ and none others in the line could stand against the deep, Christmas-party, red that I’m now having an affair with.  

They are all infused with vitamin-rich papaya so the ‘matte’ look is completely comfortable and winter-lip-friendly.  Plus, I read somewhere on Anthro’s site that the ‘Albeit-inspiration’ comes from old-hollywood hues, so it’s no wonder they’re are all so intriguing.  Hello, Audrey and Marilyn.  If you’re on the hunt for your new favorite color- look no further, my dear.  I’ve found it. 

xo, til’ next. 

Holiday Gift Ideas: Flowering Frame DIY

Hi lovelies! It’s a rainy, lazy, Monday here.  Plus it’s super cold and obviously miserable.  Seeing as I’m off work, my day will indeed consist of a warm latte, a movie that indefinitely will include Meg Ryan (i.e. When Harry Met Sally), and a couch. So, I thought why not share a post I never published from October? It’s kind of brilliant if you ask me, seeing as I threw it together literally last minute for a magazine I was contributing to at the moment. It’s super easy, budget-friendly, and actually really quite nice and unique. I’m thinking a perfect gift idea for the holidays! Oh, and if you’re wondering, the picture is of my parents from the late 70s. xo Hope you enjoy:

How To Give A Gift: Everyone Will Love

To start off, here are a few of my favorite odds-and-ends that are simple, festive, & bright.

A cozy throw, a comical plate, a beautiful magazine, lovely glow-worthy skincare + nailart, etc., are simple and definitely no-brainers that many times are a hit among holiday gift-giving (girl-edition, at least.)  However, sometimes it’s definitely not so easy.  Especially when perhaps you don’t know someone that well, or maybe you don’t know their interests.  So I’ve organized some rules that I’ve come up over the years that are really helpful in giving a great gift, to everyone:

Rule 1 Okay, so maybe not everyone, but I’m talking in reference to things not many people don’t like.  Take a topic that is always a ‘win’, enter: food, health, useful home decor/tools (I’m staring at you never-been-used-bread-makers), your own favorite skincare products (Om Aroma & Co.), good spirits, etc.  It’s a simple rule when buying gifts; be thoughtful & unique, and always think to yourself would like the gift if you were the one being gifted.  When you start thinking about gifts that you would like yourself, you’re more likely to be on-point of what others might enjoy, too.  For instance: think of some of the go-to restaurants in your general area that you really love, like a bakery.  Do they ship their speciality items?  Same for local wines, a local brewery, etc.  I mean, how many people don’t like great food and good alcohol.  I can’t think of anyone I know…

Rule 2 Words that work magic together during the holidays: ‘One of a Kind.’   There is something so magical about giving something no one else has.  Yea, it sounds a bit conceited, but it’s really not.  Truthfully…it’s just plain awesome and, well, one-of-a-kind. It’s a no-fail. (p.s…have you ever heard of ‘Of-A-Kind‘? It’s pretty much equivalent to a hidden-rare-jeweled-crusted website of treasure.)

Rule 3 Get your hands dirty with creativity so you don’t overspend. Cheesiest remark ever? Yes, indeed.  However, good gifts aren’t always expensive gifts.  Why is it that so many feel this way?  To be honest, some of my most treasured gifts are well under 30 bucks. For instance, my Dad once bought me a gorgeous ceramic pitcher that has this adorable little lid you can place your teabags around as they steep.  And yes, I’ll probably be the old lady who hands down a tea pitcher as if it were a rare piece of jewelry. My point with this story, yet again: don’t overspend.

Rule 4 Go ‘local.’  I’ll never tire of this statement.  Rev-up your local economy + get an awesome gift for someone?  Pretty sweet gig if you ask moi.  Plus, it pretty much entangles everything we’ve gone over above.  Unique, one-of-a-kind, thoughtful, interesting, etc. There are so many talented people in your own community who spend their days creating something awesome, why not find em’ and know about em’? Oh, and obviously the best part: share them.  (p.s…here is one of my local favorites: My A La Mode)

Rule 5  Think of ‘places’ they seem to be a lot, then go from there.  You want to get them something they will use everyday, or at least a lot. Are they in their office space (insert: a calming & inspirational print for their wall,  some low-matenience greenery- I think these guys are too fun, etc.), kitchen, living room space, outdoors.  When you think of the places they spend most of their time, chances are your gift will reflect a certain thoughtfulness a lot of people, often times, miss when gifting.  How many times did you get a gift that was totally not…you.  It’s these simple references that’ll help you get a little closer to the ‘them.’

So lovelies, hope this helps! If you like what you see, I may start a series leading up to Christmas of quick tips and tricks to give a great gift that comes from your heart, not your wallet. So feel free to leave comments and questions! xo, loves!

 

In My Cup: And Where Have You Been, Darling?

To answer the question posed, I could probably say, “I’ve been being 24.”  Sliding from sunny, yellow, days…into shady, gray, moments that seem a little surreal.  Perhaps, I could even say it was the fact that the shrimp and oyster festival (read above post and you’ll understand the reference) got rained out and ruined my mood for three whole months. But then again- that would just be sad- oh, and a little pathetic.

Happy Weekend, Loves

{finally starting this book for weekend reading, super excited}

What happens when we make promises? We randomly get super busy. That’s what happened to my updates lovelies. Mostly it’s been me trying to get some professional aspects a-going, which has been a bit of an up-and-down sorta’ ordeal. Seeing I haven’t updated much of my current life lately, I am now working as a Medical Aesthetician for a wellness spa. Of course, as of right now I’m also helping with the website, social media, and things of that nature seeing as it is a new place trying to get their feet on the ground. I’m clearly a product junkie so working there will definitely be equal parts like a candy store in my eyes. If I find any goodies in the lines we carry, you know I’ll be sharing them with you guys ;). The downside is I’m driving a good bit to get there (45 mins…eh), but as I know- life comes with a good bit of balance, whether good or not so good.

Fairs, Friends, Flowers, Pink Skies, Birthdays, and Hiding.

{p.s. it’s officially fall and oxblood is now my favorite color ever/all my outfits- can you tell?}

As it’s beyond obvious, I’ve flown into a bit of a slump/ and or/ in hiding. One of those slumps that happens in our 20s in the most unexpected times. Times where, in the middle of our unstoppable laughter, we stop laughing. I’m usually good with being honest with myself and keeping myself grounded, but a few weeks ago I realized life wasn’t quite reflective of where I thought I would be. Some predisposed notion of where I was supposed to be kept wrapping itself around my mind. A certain place, with certain things, and certain titles, that would validate any shortcomings or be some sort of trophy for obstacles I’ve been through. Perhaps a pretty white office, with fresh flowers, and streets of eccentric people were the answer. Some kind of world governed by Pinterest and Domino magazine was what I was hoping for? The more I felt it ‘haunt’ me, the more I began to ask myself exactly why I was feeling this way.

I’ve came up with a pretty good answer in the past week. Sometimes in the midst of modern communication and feeling inadequate to the constant surge of success we get to compare ourselves to, I often forget to simply and truly…let go. Fearing moments where we don’t feel like we’ve accomplished much takes up a lot of life.  Especially when we’re so connected to how others are doing and where they are in their own life. The funny thing is we often forget we don’t even truly see what we’ve accomplished and left behind in this world until our life is nearing the next world- or whatever we believe in. So, that’s why I’ve been a little, well, gone for the past few weeks. I’m pretty big on giving myself time to reflect and ask ‘why’ when I feel out of balance, it gives our minds a certain independence of thought. So, mostly what I’ve been doing lately is trying to get used to being okay with they way things are now, right now. Maybe I’m not where I thought I would be, but that doesn’t mean I’m not where I’m supposed to be. If I think back at all the steps I’ve taken until this very moment, a lot of them weren’t taken in assurance or even in acceptance, but they did make me grow and become better. That’s all I can ask for. So, maybe these feelings were meant to be so I can eventually get me to another stage of life. Life is a circle, a beautiful circle.

Anyhow, honestly, writing is one of the only ways I feel like my soul is completely whole. And sharing my ponders with you guys is beyond therapeutic, so I don’t think I’ll be gone that long again anytime soon. 🙂

Into lighter news, I’m now 24- my birthday was this past Wednesday. So I suppose I’ll officially be sharing another year in my 20s with you guys. This past one was…colorful, so I’m sure this year won’t be anything less. I could ramble for another hour, but I believe I’ll just breathe and share some of my current photographs I’ve taken of life lately, instead. I have so many that I really couldn’t wait to share some of them. It’s literally a bit of everything- bright sunflowers for bday presents (are the best), pink sky sunsets with friends, my family’s cabin in the mountains of NC (there has been a good amount of reconnecting with nature/the little white shack isn’t the cabin, haha), a pre-baby roller coaster freakout with my niece (while she was totally fine) + her Tinkerbell-inspired birthday, a fun idea for using christmas lights (i.e…my fireplace is epic now), DIY ice-cream cone cupcakes (perhaps a post coming soon?),  oh- and veggie nachos can cure any feeling of being down, my boyfriend picking wildflowers for moi (ahh), etc. Warning: Serious picture randomness is about to take place.

    

Hope you find a little inspiration in this post to find you, and be her without doubt (or just a little less than before.)

🙂

til’ next my loves, -xo