Inspiration.

Enough said.

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Loving...

These round glasses. Such a chic and updated look for fall!

Ideal Sunday recipes.

Today has been one of those long rainy days. The sort of day that you just hang out and be lazy all day...I did manage to run to the market and pick up some ingredients for a perfect rainy day lunch (thanks Martha)!

Tomato & Basil Grilled Cheese....

& Split Pea Soup....


Ideal for warming your belly as we head into fall!

Garden party wrap-up.....

Hello My Dears!

So the voting has come and gone and due to the rules of the contest I was unable to post anything on my blog...Don't you hate rules?!

However you can still view the entry here and get the recipe for Andrea's Spaghetti and White Wine Sauce.

I encourage you to try it it is such a wonderful dish!

Fall thoughts...

Happy First Day of Fall!!

I love changing seasons. It's refreshing to feel the air grow crisp, watch the leaves change from green to deep shades of yellow, orange and red. I love sipping hot drinks curling up with a good book, hiding in the corner of a cozy bar drinking wine to escape the cold and chatting up good friends. Changing your wardrobe, adding boots, chunky sweaters, deep rich colors and tights. Aw, it's here, fall is here. The hope of change and thoughts of new adventures on the horizon. I hope to have a wonderful fall/autumn season....I am welcoming the fall season with open arms!

A few things that I've had on my mind for fall....

Foliage trip.
Pumpkins. Carving pumpkins, decorating pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin candles, pumpkin lattes...I love pumpkins!

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Boots.


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Layers.


Rich colors, perfectly paired.

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Tights.

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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?

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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!
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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!)*

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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!*

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Pop of color.

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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?