Hi Again!

Apologies for the radio silence lately... I took some time off before and after Christmas and ended up getting a couple extra days off thanks to Winter Storm Hercules (seriously with that name?) So needless to say, it's taken me some time to get back into the swing of things. Not to mention I've been feeling a bit uninspired. Maybe it's the Christmas cookies sticking to my hips or the fact that the only pants I feel comfortable in are my bulky, fleece-lined sweatpants (hey, just being real!) but I'm hoping once the polar vortex lifts, (again, seriously with the apocalypse-esque terminology?) my mood will follow suit. 

Seeing outfits I've posted from the past year helps and blogging is truly something I have enjoyed over the past two years. Have you ever hit a lull like this? How do you pull yourself out of the funk? I'm getting back into the gym and starting a 7 day cleanse next week (check it out here if you're interested in joining me!) and I vow to blog/tweet my experience and results along the way. Hopefully I'll be back to regular posting soon!

Thanks for sticking with me!
xoxo,
L

Leaf Peeping

Kimono: ASOS; Tee: Gap; Jeans: 7FAM; Boots: Tory Burch; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Nails: Essie "Mind Your Mittens"

I took a quick trip home to Central New York this past weekend to visit the fam and peep some leaves. Unfortunately most of the leaves were past peak but the view of the Adirondacks from atop McCauley Mountain more than made up for it. Fall in CNY is one of my favorite things in the world. And this bonafide city girl never forgets her rural roots. Anytime I'm feeling overwhelmed or anxious, a trip home is the perfect remedy. 

xoxo,

L

Leather Repeat

Blouse: Zara; Shorts: French Connection; Heels: Shoemint (old); Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Medium Pashli; Necklaces: Stella & Dot, Madewell; Rings: Topshop, Stella & Dot

These shorts have been on repeat as of late. Why? Because they're the perfect summer to fall transitional piece. Once the temps dip a bit lower, all I have to do is add a fun pair of tights and a chunky sweater and head on my way. Oh, and I may or may not have a new friend named Pashli. Isn't she cute?

xoxo,

L

Overcoat

Jacket: Zara; Blouse: Madewell (another cute version HERE); Jeans: J Brand; Clutch: Tory Burch; Bracelets: Stella & Dot and The Fashion Truck; Necklace: Stella & Dot; Rings: Stella & Dot; Heels: Zara

Fall in New England is my favorite time of year. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say it is hands down the best season for fashion. I love layering light jackets over silk blouses. This cream Zara number is so versatile because not only does it look great with jeans, but I can easily throw it over a dress for a night on the town. 

Also a fun little trick -- do your sunglasses come in a cute case? Mine did! So I used it as a clutch to add instant glam to my somewhat plain outfit. 

xoxo,

L

Currently Craving...

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Mom's Marinade + Chicken Pineapple Kabobs

With August coming to a close, it's more important than ever to squeeze every last bit of outdoor fun out of my weekends. So J and I got a good group together, made some amazing food and spent the day on a boat. For my part, I made some delicious chicken kabobs with my Mom's ridiculously amazing marinade. 

What You'll Need:
(I usually double this)
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
generous sprinkle of garlic powder

Cut the chicken (or steak) into bite size pieces and cover with marinade. Let meat sit in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours. Alternate marinated chicken, bell peppers, onions and pineapple onto skewers. Then grill and enjoy!

I love this recipe because it's simple, it utilizes fresh summertime veggies and it's a total crowd pleaser. Plus they're easy to eat on a boat -- no silverware needed! 

How are you spending the last few weeks of summer? 

xoxo,
L

Floral Peplum

Blouse: Yumi Kim; Jeans: Hudson; Sandals: Zara; Bag: Michael Kors; Watch: Michael Kors

Are you sick of floral and peplum yet? Clearly I'm not. And I'll give you a little friendly warning: I've already purchased two more peplum tops for fall. I'm psyched that this trend is sticking around for another season. It's just such a fun and flirty twist on the simple blouse.  

My family was in town this past weekend to move my sister into her freshman college dorm. We packed a ton into two short days -- the pictures below pretty much sum it up.

Clockwise from top left: Every weekend ends with a stop at Richie's Slush; Taylor & me after lunch; delicious bucket of Snow Crab legs at Barking Crab; Taylor's new digs

Hope your week is going well so far!

xoxo,

L

The Magic of a White Blazer

Romper: BCBGeneration (old but another fun one HERE); Blazer: H&M (similar HERE); Wedges: Famous Footwear; Necklace: Stella & Dot; Chevron rings: ASOS

Alone, this romper might have looked a bit sloppy because of its slouched fit and casual (and easily-wrinkled) material. But simply add a crisp white blazer and your favorite pair of wedges and voila, you've got yourself a bright and summery outfit perfect for date night or girls night out. 

How do you dress up your casual pieces?
xoxo,
L

Not So Girly Girl

I'm not your typical girly girl. I love heels, ribbons, ruffles and anything with a feminine shape. But then there are days when my feet can't stand to be at an awkward angle a moment longer, days where tight pants seem like cruel and unusual punishment, and days where I'm drawn to pieces that could easily be dubbed tomboy. 

Case in point: this Forever21 military jacket. I could have easily paired it with my favorite boyfriend jeans and really gone to town with the whole "I'm a dude today" look, but instead I wanted to strike the perfect balance between both feminine and masculine. So I paired my jacket with a hot pink skirt. I mean really, what's more feminine than that?

Jacket: F21 (available in navy HERE); Skirt: J.Crew (in denim and on sale HERE); Tank: Gap; Shoes: Ann Taylor

This ended up being the perfect outfit for frolicking down by the water, grabbing lunch outdoors and running errands. What do you reach for when you go casual? Would you wear a look like this?

xoxo,
L