Success.

The dinner party was a hit! I can't post any of the food pics yet (per the contest rules), but here is a glimpse into the evening festivities.....we ate yummy food, drank lot of wine and played games at the end of the night. I had so much fun, I can't wait for the next one!

I meant to get a better outfit picture, but I forgot! Oops!

Shorts and boots?

{via}

I'm a little torn on the boots and shorts outfit. I think it looks adorable when I see pictures, however I really do think unless you have a body like this you can't pull it off.....

A lovely Friday dinner party.

Hello darlings!

Sorry for the lack of post these last couple weeks. Between traveling and then getting back to work, I just fell short on time! I'm sure you can relate! Any wonderful plans for the weekend?

I am going over to my good friend, Andrea's house tonight. She is entering a contest on how to cook a quick & easy dinner party with friends! How lovely, right?! Andrea is Italian and cooks up some very yummy dishes! She has an adorable little place in Brooklyn and we'll be serving dinner in her garden!
{via}

She has her menu in place and the garden is ready.

Menu:
Starters~
Brie & another yummy cheese
Crackers

Entree~
Clam linguini tossed in a garlic and olive oil sauce, served with french bread for extra dipping
A fresh garden salad tossed with walnuts, blue cheese

I was told to bring over drinks. At first I was thinking wine, but then I found this recipe for a Thyme Lemonade Cocktail. I can't think of anything more perfect! I actually have a small herb garden (yes, it sits in our window facing all of NYC), so we will have home grown thyme. With the garden setting and serving a light fresh pasta and salad, I believe this cocktail could not be more perfect!
Games galore will take place after...a traditional dinner party with friends is one great way to celebrate the kick-off to fall!

I'll post pics (outfit and party) when it's all said and done....so stay tuned!

Blogger sin.

I committed a blogger sin. I went away on a little vaca and didn't let you all know I was going to be gone....I thought about and knew I needed to write, but then the days just slipped away. So you're probably wondering were I scooted off to...well, I got on a jet plane and went to Hawaii. One of my very good friends married her love this past weekend and I had the honor of being in the wedding. The wedding was a lovely Hawaiian affair. Each and everyday was filled with many activities, from snorkeling, laying on the beach (most strenuous of course), watching the waves, hiking to the tops of mountains, wedding stuff (rehearsal, dinner, wedding, BBQ), pearl harbor and more of the beach! Charles and I literally got up every morning by 7 am and we were off on another adventure! It was a well needed getaway, as this year has proved to be a little rough...And now I'm back to NYC and all it's wonderfulness (meaning being woken up by trucks barreling down my street at 5am-yes, I can't wait to move apartments)!!

Regular blogging will continue from here on out...I promise, no more unannounced vacations for me!

xoxo

Etsy love.

Is anyone else obsessed with Etsy?? I find myself spending hours on Etsy, going through pages and pages of products. I get such joy seeing what other people are creating and selling. Here are a few of my favorite Etsy finds from this week

A sweet soft vintage blouse *( I adore this color).

A unique gold necklace.

The sweetest Katie Did coin purse.

Custom sapphire stacking rings, yeess please!

A cardigan to ward off the fall chill.

Ride away....

How lovely, this makes me want to jump on a bike and ride into the sunset..*(yes, my bike obsession is coming into fall with us)*...

Via....

Dear Frye Boot.

I LOVE YOU

XOXO

Tooth ache.

So sorry for the lack of posts this week! It was a busy week and I had dental surgery on Friday (I hate the dentist, can you relate). Stitches in the mouth and the works! So I've been feeling a bit under the weather and grumpy because my mouth is in pain....
The worst part...I will be getting one of these in the next 6 weeks. Yes, that's right folks I have to get a gold cap on my very very back tooth (no one should be able to see it...I hope). I was really bummed after my dentist told me this little fact, but then I had a thought, maybe it's chic to have a gold tooth?

{Images via}

The woman behind the mask.

Beauty and strength is within each of us. Have you taken off your mask to look at the real beauty you hold inside? You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you take a close look at who you are and the strength you hold within.

A few inspirations quotes I love. Paste them somewhere you'll see everyday.

"In each of us there are places we have never gone. Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them." Joyce Brothers

"Our greatest joy is not in ever falling, but in getting up every time we do." Confucius

"The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for." Oscar Wilde

A gorgeous image and a few inspirational quotes for the start of a beautiful day.

*(P.S. Isn't this mask wonderful, if you must wear one, make sure it's this chic!)*

{Via}

A very exciting annoucement...

I've been diligently working on a creative project these past few months. It started as a hobby and has evolved into a creative wardrobe and personal shopping business! Style Me Laura will de-clutter, organize and style both you and your closet! Go here for a glimpse into what's to come....


Questions & Inquires? E-mail me at laura@stylemelaura.com

It's the weekend?

Some of you may wonder why I don't always have those cute little "Happy Weekend" and "Happy Friday" posts. Don't get me wrong, I love a good weekend as much as anyone! But to be honest, since I work on a sporadic consulting, freelance, gimmie-gimmie work basis... in other words, I work all the time and at all hours! So forgive me for my non "Happy Weekend" posts, because honestly I forget what day of the week it is and it's just another day, as in any other day of the week. BUT, today I remembered, it's Friday!

So here is one big "Happy Friday" post!

{Lovely images via here & here}

Pop of color II.

Another pop of color that is irresistible!

*Orange? Absolutely BRILLIANT!*

{Via}

Pop of color.

{Via}

I'm a hat person, which you might have already guessed from my previous post and my profile picture! I love how a hat can completely transform an outfit from boring to uber chic in about 2 seconds.

Next on my list...an adorable hat in a bright pop of color. What a fabulous way to update this simple black dress!

Jewelry storage.

I store my jewelry in vintage trays on my dresser. I can visually see my outfits come together when I have my jewelry laid out. Perfect for keeping bangles, bracelets, watches and earrings neatly separated.

I found these vintage bowls on Etsy and think they'd be a perfect addition to any dresser to display jewelry.


{Available here & here}

Crazy for Elizabeth and James.

I'm a huge Elizabeth and James fan. I love their unique and sharp style. Very downtown is perfectly mixed with a floral dress or layered with a chunky cardigan for fall.
{Image Via}

*I just love fall, don't you?

Monday treats.

I've been procrastinating on work this morning and looking at the lovely blog from Once Wed. It has adorable ideas for DIY wedding projects.

A few things things I couldn't resist from sharing...

A unique program ensuring guests stay cool at an outdoor wedding.

A unique cake.

A sweet DIY center piece.

An inexpensive way to give your guests a little treat.

Motto.

{Via}

Mad about Mad Men.

I've been excited for the new season of Mad Men to start....but I have to make a confession, I haven't actually seen it yet! I've been waiting for the first season of Mad Men to make it's way to my into my mail box from Net Flix. So after reading all the excitement about the new season, I quickly logged on to my Net Flix account and under status, it states "Long Wait." Wait a sec, I have to wait?! And a long wait at that, how long are we talking here?? So I'll have to keep myself entertained by looking at all the great fashion associated with the show. I'll also admit, another reason I am so desperate to see Mad Men is because I hear the fashion is fantastic! If you're a regular reader, you'll know how crazy I am for 60's fashion and vintage inspired pieces....I could wear A-line day dresses, scarves, pearl necklaces and high-waisted pencil skirts everyday of the week.....find these and more here!

Stack it up.

I love to layer. I once had a very good friend tell me that she watched me take off 6 layers of clothing when I got to her house (it was winter...). My obsession with layering still continues strong these days, whether it's winter or not. There is something special about finding separate pieces that create pure harmony when paired together. When I stumbled upon these stacked rings I did a double take...wait, they are a pile of separate rings, varying in size, shape, metal, jewels, crystals and pearls. Oh my, oh my...I squeal with delight, these charming treasures must be mine!{Via here & here}

Simple treasures.

Brook Farm General Store has arrived in Brooklyn and I'm officially obsessed with the old school charm of this store. Brook Farm General offers an array of old and new products. The products are focused around being simple, useful and timeless.

What I would pick up...

A market basket to carry all my goodies...

Just because, an antique level is unique...(not sure what I'd use this for, but I love it anyway)
A recycled rubber basket to store my beloved magazines that I can't give up, just yet...

Childhood memories...(Yippie, I can re-live my childhood!)

A few Moroccan tea glasses for a tea party in the backyard...