Personal Style

Sartorial Resolutions

January 5, 2012

Happy January, my dears! I am really on a resolutions kick, aren’t I? To continue, today I would like to make a few style resolutions. I may be able to put a room together, but when it comes to my own outfits I am sorely lacking. Especially since having a child, I have been really letting my sartorial sense go. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was really happy with an outfit I was wearing, and I’ve had about enough of that. To illustrate my resolutions, I’ve chosen a few favorite images from Kendi Everyday – don’t you just love her?

Sartorial Resolution #1: Practice the “rule of 3″

Have you heard about the “rule of three”? It states that adding a third item to your outfit (scarf/jacket/cardigan/etc.) is what makes it look pulled-together. Yes, I definitely need to do that.

Sartorial Resolution #2: Try new shapes.

I tend to reach for the same types of things when I go shopping. What’s the point of that? Next time I shop I resolve to try on a few things a bit outside my comfort zone. A long skirt looks fun and comfy for spring, don’t you think?

Sartorial Resolution #3: Wear more dresses.

They’re cute, and so easy. With thick tights and boots they work right through winter, and in summer there is nothing simpler or more chic than a sundress with flat leather sandals.

Sartorial Resolution #4: Wear a signature color.

I am thinking red. Whether in a small dose like shoes or a main piece like a coat, red cheers me up so why not make it a regular part of my wardrobe – what to reach for when I need a little boost. : )

Sartorial Resolution #5: Develop a few go-to casual running around looks.

Let’s face it, I am the mom of an active toddler. Most of my life is spent chasing him around, and I need clothes that work for playgrounds, playgroups, grocery shopping, and other mundane things – but that’s no reason I can’t also look cute and stylish, right?

So, those are my top 5 style resolutions for 2012…now I want to hear yours! xo Laura

(all images: Kendi Everyday)

{ 6 comments }

Drink This/Wear This

August 29, 2011

in Personal Style

Well, we made it through Irene just fine around here; a tree is down in our backyard which knocked over a section of fence, but otherwise no damage – we didn’t even lose power! Unfortunately, our neighbors had a tree fall right on top of the workshop they spent all summer building in their backyard by hand – so frustrating! :( Overall though, I feel lucky this turned out to be much less intense than predicted. In honor of hurricane/tropical storm Irene, I thought we could all use a nice cocktail. Preferably one mixed using Eva Goicochea’s mighty fine looking recipes on Monkey in Los Angeles. They come with coordinating outfit ideas and everything!

1. The Trail Blazer. So cute, right? Now, I am not a big drinker, but I do appreciate a well crafted cocktail from time to time; especially when made with top notch ingredients and fresh herbs from the garden, yum! Plus, I am such a sucker for nice packaging, and Eva seems to choose the prettiest bottles – perfect for setting on a cute little bar tray in the living room.

2. The Outside Land. I love ginger drinks, so these first two sound delicious to me…and the outfit above would be so cute on my hubby! I think he would really like the sneakers, and probably the sunglasses, too, but he’d likely veto the bag ;)

3. August Dusk. Have you tried absinthe? It has quite a history, and has been enjoying a revival here in the States recently. I wouldn’t recommend drinking it straight, it’s strong stuff! But a little mixed into a cocktail imparts a deliciously warming anise flavor.

4. Mister Bramble & 5. Boyes-enberry Bliss. That dress! Those shoes! The straws! And what a very pretty drink, too. Don’t you think “Boyes-enberry Bliss” and “Mister Bramble” would make wonderful signature drinks at a wedding? You can find all of the recipe details, sources for the outfits and more in the Swell Sips column on Monkey in Los Angeles.

Cheers to Monday! xo Laura

(images/layouts: Monkey in Los Angeles)

{ 6 comments }

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Spring Basics

May 18, 2011

in Personal Style

I have been subscribing to Gwyneth Paltrow’s weekly newsletter GOOP for some time now, and it is (surprisingly?) fun and smart. Gwyneth taps experts in all sorts of fields, from nutrition to spirituality to child development to share their best advice with her readers, along with her own favorite products and tips from her travels around the world. When this week’s edition hit my inbox I immediately knew I wanted to share: fabulous styling tips from GP? Yes please!

Have you ever heard that most people either have a talent for decorating their homes or dressing well – but not both? Ha ha. Well, I am afraid that does fit for me – and you know I have a lovely home, so…! Really though, I know what I like when it comes to clothes but I have trouble stepping it up and getting out of my comfort zone of jersey top + jeans + ballet flats. In other words, I could use some serious style inspiration/motivation!

One thing I loved about this GOOP article was that Gwyneth showed how to wear each of her favorite pieces two ways, like the gorgeous long jersey dress above. I could see myself wearing a long dress like this to Bixby’s first birthday party in our backyard with a fun necklace, flat sandals, and a light cardigan.

All of Gwyneth’s picks are available to purchase at Net-a-Porter – but of course if you are like me, your wallet is not fat enough to buy these exact items! Luckily, there are so many other good options these days from Anthro to Old Navy, it shouldn’t be too hard to recreate some of these looks on a real-world budget. You can see the full article along with all of the past archives (and subscribe to get it weekly in your inbox) on the GOOP site. Enjoy! xo Laura

(all images: GOOP)

{ 3 comments }

Shabby Apple Giveaway & Reader Discount

March 2, 2011

in Personal Style

Well hello again, lovelies! I am back with a little treat to brighten up your Wednesday: the sweet folks at Shabby Apple are giving away one of their dresses to one lucky Lolalina reader, and I got to choose the dress…

Let me tell you, it was difficult to pick just one! I ended up choosing La Tour Eiffel because I love the simple chic striped top and black a-line skirt, I could see this being worn well by all different kinds of people and body types.

And if you don’t win the giveaway, don’t despair – Shabby Apple is also offering a 10% discount on anything from their shop for Lolalina readers :) Simply enter the code “lolalina10off” at checkout. There are tons of adorable choices in the shop, and I wish I knew about their cute maternity line, Mama Apple, when I was pregnant with Bixby! If you would like to enter the giveaway, visit Shabby Apple and then leave a comment below between now and Tuesday, March 8.

And remember…

Include your first name and last initial, along with a valid email address (only I will see your email address); no anonymous entries will be accepted.
If you have won a giveaway on Lolalina in the past year, you are not eligible.
Get a BONUS ENTRY if you “like” Shabby Apple on Facebook – to do this, leave one comment as your regular entry, then come back and leave a SECOND comment after liking Shabby Apple’s Facebook page.
Get a SECOND BONUS ENTRY if you blog or tweet about this contest and link back to this post. To do this, leave one comment as your regular entry, then leave ANOTHER comment with a link to your post or the caption of your tweet and your twitter username.
Only one entry per person, unless you have “liked” Shabby Apple on Facebook or tweeted or posted about the contest!
I will announce the winner in a new post on Wednesday, March 9.

Now doesn’t this make Wednesday a little more fun? :) Good luck everyone!!!

{ 100 comments }

Monday Style Inspiration

January 10, 2011

in Personal Style

Good morning! If you are anything like me, it is always a struggle to figure out to wear, especially on Monday mornings. I was so inspired by the comfy looking, basic but chic outfit below (via this Pinterest pin) that I decided to pull together a few more things to go along with it to style up your commute and workspace as well.

I love how simple this outfit is, and so easy to change up with accessories. Just for fun, I am imagining that this lovely lady above is going to work at her job in the Art Department of a small literary magazine…

(I must apologize in advance for a few items that are no longer available – they will have to be for inspiration only!)

While walking from the train station she uses this witty umbrella (it means shit, it’s raining ;) to keep her dry. At her workspace she perches on this little stool and makes herself a cup of tea using her favorite teapot. While waiting for her jasmine green to brew, she enjoys looking at the art above her desk: an Inaluxe print which inspires her color sense & a Paper Jam Press poster that makes her smile. She flicks on her lamp and makes a few calls using her fire engine red telephone, jotting off notes on chic gray stationary before joining her team to meet about the new issue.

So happy Monday, friends! Let’s all get off to a stylish start, shall we?

(images: linked to sources above)