New Year, New Fitness, New You {Sticking to your plan}

Good afternoon beauties!

With the New Year coming up, I know many (if not all) if you are working on your resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. I'll be joining you with the list making, though some of my goals will be built upon things I've accomplished in this past year.

I'd say most of the resolutions people make involve their health, fitness, or weight. Loads of men and women vow to stay on their diets or even wake up at 5 am every day to go for a run. While those goals may be great, they may also be unrealistic in some ways. But don't worry, today I'm going to help you stick to your plans!

This last year I have spent a great deal of time researching health-related subjects, particularly nutrition. I've never been one to crash diet because those don't work for me, and chances are they may not be working for you either! I've recently (the past year) become more aware of what I eat, and how that affects my body and how I feel. For the first 3-4 months of marriage, I was waking up every morning feeling nauseous, and often getting sick. No, I wasn't pregnant! I was eating foods that were terrible for me. Now, I cook 'clean' just about 95% of the time, so what was up? Gluten. I have become more sensitive to gluten, and when I eat it regularly I suffer a multitude of unsavory symptoms. Dealing with my new dietary changes has been a challenge but it has also opened my eyes and shed new light onto my eating habits! In this new year I'm working on adapting my diet and eating even better.

When you're making plans to change your diet, or fitness routine, there are some key things to remember. Firstly, you are making a lifestyle change, not going on a diet. I can't stress this enough. You're not on a diet, you're changing old habits and making new ones, for the sake of your health and wellness.

Source: pinterest

Secondly, indulge occasionally, and plan your 'cheat meals/days'. I eat well but I still enjoy chocolate, pizza, and other goodies. The key? Moderation. Plan your treats accordingly so you don't go coco-crazy and demolish a carton of chocolate ice cream.

Lastly, every day is a new opportunity to change. Just because you fell off the wagon, that doesn't mean that you have to give up! With that being said, remember that you don't have to go cold turkey and change everything at once! Start making small changes (give up alcohol, only eat pizza once a month, etc.) and then gradually build up to what you're working towards.

Source: pinterest

I hope that these help a bit, if you need encouragement feel free to email me anytime ; )

So....what are your goals/resolutions for 2014?

Xx,

LG

Holidays are Hard

Helloooooo out there!


I have been gone a. long. time. In all seriousness, I am sort of embarrassed that I've left my blog for over a month, but my time away has been packed with work, friends, and a lot of stress.

The day before Thanksgiving my family went through a pretty unfortunate event. I won't give any details (at least as of right now) but let's just say it is a situation that has been tough for all of us. I was so shaken up after the incident that I sort of shut down, and I couldn't bring myself to write, especially not on my blog. Here I am, two holidays later finally getting my footing back.

As of right now I also work retail, and as many of you may know, retail during the holidays is quite a whirlwind adventure (to put it nicely). I have seen some cookey crazy people, been chewed out for the silliest things, and realized what the season is truly about. Yes, I'm a cheeseball.

I feel like I have so much to fill you in on, so stay tuned for future posts (which are soon to come), and in the meantime, excuse me while I catch up on all of my lovely reader's lives!

Xx,

LG

Hiatus

Good morning beautiful babes!

So....I haven't blogged in quite some time, I promise I can explain!

In all honesty, things have been nuts, I've been dealing with some family stuff, and I left my computer charger at my in-law's so my laptop is currently hibernating.

I'm working on a few posts for you but in the meantime enjoy this Friday inspiration!








Xx,

LG

Dealing with Mean Girls

Goooood morning!!

I have dealt with many, many mean girls, and I'm sure you have too! They're everywhere, at the gas station, in the store, and maybe they're even your "friends" but fear not, I will help you learn how to deal with the mean girls out there!

Now, it's important to identify what type of mean girl you're dealing with. There's the, behind your back mean girl, the up-in-your-face mean girl (who says stuff so mean that you're literally stunned), and the manipulative, "I'm scared if I say no she's gonna blow up mean girl." There are other different breeds of mean girl out there, but it would take me years to list them all, and some are even weird hybrids, don't get me started on those.

In the past couple of years I have dealt with some meanies that have really scarred me, one so terrible that I have literally had nightmares about her. (If you're reading this, congratulations). She got under my skin so badly that seeing her literally gave me anxiety attacks. She was the worst, y'all.

Unfortunately I'm not the only one who has had to face issues like this. Whether it be walking into a room full of people who just got done making fun of you, or facing the culprit face-to-face, dealing with the hurt and insecurity you feel is down right hard. It truly saddens me to think of how far bullying has gone in the world today.

Here are some things that might help you next time you encounter one of these creatures:

1. Let their harsh words bounce off of you, just like rubber. Now I know this is way easier said than done, but you have to really remind yourself that their attacks are cowardly, and you are strong and beautiful!

2. Realize that they are hurting in some way. I believe that these people behave in the way that they do because of some sort of pain or deficit. To you, you might think that they have everything, but they're probably falling apart on the inside and their harsh demeanor is just an outward expression of their pain.

3. Pray for them. Yes friends, pray for them. Will it work for them? I don't know, but I do know that your heart will be changed drastically. Friends, God will fight for you and protect you, so remember that truth as you go into face them.

4. Hold your head higher than a giraffe's. Sometimes these mean girls just want to bring you down, there's something about sadism that they seem to enjoy, so when you stay strong it only wrecks their attempts. (If you need to run home and cry your eyes out, that's fine, just don't ever let them see you cry).

I hope these little tips will help the next time you have to deal with the meanies! And remember, you are beautiful, strong, and kind!

Xx,

LG

Reading List

Good afternoon beauties!

How are y'all on this fine cold day? The weather has me curling up with a hot cup-a-joe and a great book, which got me thinking about books that I'd like to read in the near future. My husband and I (mainly myself) can be guilty when it comes to vegging out in front of the TV, or in my case, Hulu plus. I just can't help myself sometimes. To combat that bad habit, I have been trying to put my Kindle to good use. Below are some of the books that are on my reading list:

1. A Confederacy of Dunces. This book has been talked about so much in my house that I would be disowned if I never read it!

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma. Kinda terrified to read this one, only because I'm weird enough about food as it is...

3. Pride and Prejudice. Need I say more?

4. Wheat Belly. I've read parts of this, and, being that I'm gluten free it just makes sense!

As you can tell, I am all over the place. I really like reading medical journals and books, but I enjoy fiction as well. What are some good books you've read lately? I'm really looking for some new recommendations!

Xx,

LG

Urban Legends: Dry Shampoo

Happy Thursday beauties!

I seriously hope that everyone is having a great week thus far, if not, email me and I can send you hilarious Youtube videos to perk you up. (I'm not joking, I have a whole list of them).

It seems lately that there are beauty products popping up left and right, and sometimes it's hard to decipher whether or not they're worth it, what to splurge on, etc. Well friends, today I'll tell you all about my journey with dry shampoo!

A few years ago after one of my surgeries, I was beginning to smell a bit like a cheesy dog, since I couldn't wash my hair and I could only take sponge baths (I'm cringing at the thought). My mother dearest bought me some dry shampoo to help make me feel a bit more like a human and less like a stinky swamp creature with a chopped up foot. That was my first real experience with dry shampoo. It was not a pleasant one. My mother covered my head in the stuff and I nearly suffocated (really though, it was hard to breathe through the fumes), and to make matters worse, my hair only got more oily. Things went from gross to grosser.

Since then I have read reviews, asked salons, the whole shebang! I believe that I have some products that are worth giving a try! You should know that my hair is super thin and very oily. I have infant hair, though actual infant probably has more volume than mine does. Moving on.
My hair is oily but I can't wash it every day or the ends will get dried out, it's quite the double-edged sword over here. Dry shampoo is a perfect solution for me, especially now that I have side bangs...

So without further adieu, here's the starting lineup!

1. Tresemme Fresh Start. I can't tell you how much this product did NOT work for my hair. It literally did nothing but make it super oily. Again, I have thin hair, but I wouldn't recommend this product. Also, most dry shampoos will emit a white powdery substance, this one did not...

2. Osis. I really really liked this product, it's probably my favorite dry shampoo because it smells great, does its job, adds volume, and it doesn't leave my hair feeling weird. The only problem? It's almost $25 for a teeny tiny bottle, which didn't last me very long at all. It's definitely worth the splurge if you can swing it!

3. L'Oreal Everstyle. This is a close second for me (Osis being my favorite) but this product smells nice and absorbs the oil well. The only problem I've had with this one is that it occasionally leaves my hair feeling chalky and it becomes difficult to style. With a $6 price tag though, it really can't be beat!

So there you have it! What are some of your favorite (and least favorite) dry shampoos??

Xx,

LG

My, how things have changed.

Happy Wednesday snuggle bunnies!

Can we just take a moment to mourn the loss of summer? Don't get me wrong, I love fall and all, but these freezing cold temperatures are really not fun. Plus with the wind and the static, my hair has become the perfect home for a family of small rodents. Gross.

This time of the year is really special and fun for me and my hubby, over the past few years a lot of precious moments have been held in the fall. This year we are no longer dating or engaged, but married, and that got me thinking about how much we have changed. So buckle down and get ready for a trip down memory lane.

This was one of our first "dates" together and our first picture together as a couple. He was sweet enough to be my date to a semi-formal at my college, even though he hates parties and dancing. (In some ways, we are polar opposites- I love parties and dancing)

One of my first trips to his parent's house, he took me for a ride on the 4-wheeler and made every attempt to get me covered in mud. I guess he needed to give me the "yuppie girl" test, I passed.

Our first Christmas together, please ignore the awkward smiles, but note the reindeer antlers, those are tradition now.

On November 12, 2010 he asked me to be his wife. A week later we celebrated our one year anniversary. 

We've attended quite a few weddings together. (Sexy boot ya got there, Laurel)

We've posed for many pictures.

2 and 1/2 years after getting engaged, I finally became his wife.

He's nursed me through many sick days, and carried me into my house after 3 surgeries. He's slept on my floor so that he could wake up to give me medicine, once while I was sick he even slept outside my door so that he could hear me if I woke up. We've laughed until we cried, cried and then ended up laughing, and loved each other through our ugliest times. He truly is my best friend and I couldn't imagine a moment without him. We might not stay up until 3 am talking (on the phone) anymore, but I prefer our 9:30 bedtime and old married couple routine.

Do you have a special someone? If you do, how have you changed since you first started dating?

(Sorry to get all mushy on you, I'm just so full of love today, must be the coffee)

Xx,

LG

Love, Heal, and Bless

Good morning pretties!

A few months ago my husband got a new job, not the one in Raleigh that we had been hoping for, but one in Lynchburg that was a serious step up from his old job. (I won't even mention some of the horrible things he went through at his old job). This job is a blessing in so many ways, (um, hello, he has a job!) but one of the biggest blessings is the group of people that he works with. Everyone is so nice, it's kind of unreal, I once asked him if he worked in the twilight zone because it just didn't seem possible.

While there are many people I could write a post about, today I'll be talking about a very special lady! I haven't spoken with her about sharing her story in this space yet, so for the meantime I'll just call her Catherine.

Catherine is such a warm and welcoming person to be around, the very first time I met her she made me feel so important and special. My husband works near her and he has told me of plenty of times that she has made him smile, even if his day wasn't going very well. She's kind and genuinely cares for people. Oh, and did I mention that she works full time (often working late), has a husband and two kids (teenage boys), and is going to school?! She definitely has her hands full.

Sadly a about a year ago she was in a car accident and she broke her arm pretty badly. Despite numerous operations and having her arm in a brace for all this time, her poor humerus still hasn't healed. Next week she will be going in for another surgery. As if the thought of going "under the knife" isn't enough stress, her husband has also been having heart attacks recently.

With the worry of all this, my husband and I have decided to make her family a few days worth of meals and deliver them to her home, that way when she gets out of surgery she can focus on healing and not on feeding her family! My husband, being the amazing man that he is has coordinated with the people in his office so that she can have meals for the entire week! I tell ya, I oughta marry that man...

Our secret "meal plan" has been under wraps for almost two weeks now, and today my husband finally shared the secret with Catherine. Right after this I got a call from her thanking me and she was in tears. Ya'll I can't even handle how precious this woman is, add tears and I'm crying on the floor like a baby!

One of the things she said really hit me, she thanked me for letting God use me, and honestly I didn't even know what to say. In that moment I realized that God was using her more than He was using me. God has used her to open my eyes. The circumstances she's under have greatly put stress and burden on their family, being able to speak with her, do little things to make her smile, and hopefully comfort her have changed my hard, calloused heart into one that is more obedient to the Lord and has more love for people than once before.

I'm not writing this post to brag about how awesome and humble I am, I am challenging all of you to serve others in some way, shape, or form. God will put opportunities in your path, listen to His spirit and follow!

Can you be praying for Catherine and her family? Her surgery is next week and I know they'll be needing the prayers as they head into her operation!

Xx,

LG

Black is The New Black

Good morning y'all! Can you believe it's November? Crazy stuff right there.

So a few weeks ago I got a job, just a small one, but it's pretty fun and it has been super easy to catch on! The only downside to working where I do is that I have to wear a.) clothes from the store (which aren't exactly my style and don't really fit, or b.) all black.

I hardly owned ANY black when I got this position, I'm just a very colorful dresser, so black isn't a huge part of my "color wheel." With the help of a very fashionable friend (who also works at the same place) I was able to pick up a few more black pieces to add to my wardrobe.

Not only is wearing all black hard for me, but with a limited number of options, and a need for many work outfits, I have become pretty creative with putting together new outfits. And as much as I may have strayed away from black in the past, it's growing on me! An all black outfit, done well, can be super chic and much easier than you think! So today I'm going to show you a few ways to wear black!

I have a few little "guidelines" for styling black, which I've learned from my experience with dressing for work!

1. Your blacks don't have to match perfectly. Okay, this one is super hard for me because I like things to be as close to perfect as possible, but it really isn't a huge deal! (A funky, super faded sweater, or other item, may be an exception to this rule)
2. Mix fabrics! I can't emphasize this enough, mixing fabrics will break up your outfit a little, it will also help give your outfit a little pop! I love my sheer black blouses because they go very well with all of my black bottoms and they add a little something different!
3. Add prints! All black can be drab, so add a fun printed tight, or spicy top!
4. Black and brown can be worn together. There. I said it. I think that black and brown are acceptable together (when planned). In the 3rd photo, that lovely woman is pulling together her ensemble by adding brown accessories, so when you add brown, do it intentionally! 
5. Accessorize! This is your chance to bust out that funky jewelry or sassy pair of shoes! Whether you go bold, or stay clean and chic, make it your own!

There you have it! I'll be trying to document some of my work outfit choices so you can see how I style my black, in the meantime hashtag #styledallblack on instagram so I can see how you wore it! 

Xx,

LG

Heavy Heart {But Full of Love}

Helloooo friends!

I hope that everyone's week is off to a great start, Monday was great for me but the rest of the week is looking a little busy!

Today I'm going to talk about something tough and sad for me, any many others, especially my sweet friend (and basically sister) Scarlett.

October 30, 2012 was a normal day for me. I rode my horse, went to class, and spent time doing homework, that day was normal until my best friend told me some of the worst news I've ever heard. Bravely, she told me that her 16 year old brother Jackson had been killed in a car accident. Honestly I was in disbelief, I knew that my friend wasn't be lying to me but I couldn't understand how it was true, even today almost a year later, it's hard to understand how it's real.

If you know me, then you might have heard about Scarlett and her family, they are seriously the strongest, toughest, most loving family and group of women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. You see, they've been through a lot. Our sophomore year of college Scarlett was kicked in the face by a horse and spent the following few weeks of her life fighting to stay alive. Not only did she come out alive and as beautiful as ever, she finished that semester, only having to drop 1 class. After what Scarlett had been through I thought that she had an easy pass for the rest of her life.

I constantly tell Scarlett how much she and Jackson were similar, for starters they looked almost like twins, and they both had the same silly smile and lighthearted outlook on life. Jackson and I only shared a few moments together but I always treated him like he was my own little brother, I constantly ragged on him and did everything I could to shoot down his teenage ego. Jackson was confident, and he had every right to be- he was a Nationally ranking wrestler (as a sophomore in high school) and an incredible football player, despite having a heart condition that would hold others back. To say he was a special kid is a massive understatement. He was a miracle.

As the one year anniversary approaches, I have a heavy heart, but I can only imagine the way Scarlett and her family feel. Pray for them, and if that isn't your thing, send light and love their way every time you think of them.

Hold the ones you love very tightly, tell them you love them, and enjoy every moment together!

Xx,

LG

It's Time to See

Good morning pretties- you know what day it is! (I'm not gonna say it)

I don't know about you but it feels like fall has come on full force this week, I've broken out tights and fall coats, and I love it!!

Lately I have been noticing how horrible my vision has gotten, especially when I'm driving and especially at night. I constantly tell my husband (as he's riding in the car with me) that I can't see very well, in particular, road signs. I'm sure that makes him feel super comfortable and at ease, ya know, just riding with a blind lady. It's definitely safe and totally legal as well.

I own glasses but they're teeny tiny and were definitely made for small children, so needless to say I'm in the market for new glasses! I've done the glasses.com at home try on but none of them worked for me, they were all so odd on my face and I didn't find a single pair that I liked, le sigh. I've gotten the courage to shop around again and I'm really looking into Warby Parker's! If you're not familiar with their campaign, check them out, and who knows maybe you'll be sporting a new pair of specs!

I've browsed around and narrowed it down to a few pairs that I like, I'm sure they'll be different "on" but which ones do y'all like? I can be so indecisive sometimes!

I definitely like the tortoiseshell, but we shall see! Stay tuned for another post where I try them on!

Do you have any favorite glasses brands? I'd love to know what you wear!

Xx,

LG

God is Funny- Here's a Bunny

Happy Monday Fall Friends!

Something funny happened to me last week, and I won't waste any time telling you my little story!

Last week my husband and I took as little trip to the pet store, per my request. I never have any intention of buying a critter, I just like to look at all the cute fluffy animals and dream about the day that I'll have my own little furry friend. I'm seriously pet deprived y'all. While we were at the store, I took a liking to a few little lionhead bunnies- they are just so stinkin' cute and their hair is a hot mess. We didn't buy one (for obvious reasons) but I left feeling a little sad because I didn't have a pet of my own.

Fast forward to the next morning, I couldn't sleep (and had to go to work later) so I just decided to get dressed and head over to Starbucks to get some work done. I finished up most of what I needed to do so I went back to our apartment so that I could make some lunch. As I was stepping out of my car I noticed a furry black object under the car next to me. HOLY THISTLE BUSH, IT'S A BUNNY! And booooy was he cute. I noticed that this bunny had lionhead hair and was definitely not a wild bunny. (I leave wild animals alone). Try as I might, the little guy wouldn't come out from under the car, so I let him be and went inside.

Telling my husband about the little snugglefluff outside, he suggested I try to coax him out with a carrot. (He later regretted this). Well, it worked. I went out to the car, offered the carrot to my furry friend, and he came out enough for me to grab him! He didn't kick or fight, and he seemed comfortable with me picking him up.

Well...I had the bunny inside, happily munching on a carrot, but I didn't have any sort of enclosure (I'm not a crazy enough animal lady to be fully stocked on the essentials), so little bunbun got to play in our bathtub while I went to work!

Little babybun

I went to work for a few hours, hoping that the rabbit hadn't hurt himself or trashed our bathroom but once I got home I found him just hanging out on his little blankie! I couldn't wait for my husband to get home so that he could meet our little friend, and being the gracious loving husband that he is, he let me keep little 'pumpkin'.

Sadly though, as much as I tried to give him everything he needed (as recommended by bunny experts on the world wide web) our little pumpkin never perked up and he seemed to be uncomfortable. I thought that I was smothering him with attention so we bought him a little cage and everything else he needed and we left him to get used to his new environment. The next morning he only seemed worse, and within a few short hours pumpkin had crossed the rainbow bridge into bunny heaven.

I was heartbroken. As stupid as it may sound, I was pretty sad about this little guy passing, I was also angry at the people who had let this poor animal loose while it was cold and rainy outside! (People moved out shortly before I found him and we think that they let him go).

I thought that God was blessing me with a companion, but in less than 24 hours he was gone. As sad as I was to see him go, I am comforted knowing that this poor little critter died in a warm cage surrounded by love, food, and water- instead of being scared, alone, and in the rain. It may seem silly to learn a lesson from a tiny bunny that I only had for a day, but I am reminded by this that life is short, it's precious, and we should be great stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

I hope that little pumpkin is happily hopping through fields of clover! RIP little friend!

Xx,

LG

Wednesday {Shine}

Good morning beauties!

I'm off for my first day of work, at my little part time job! Is it anything major? Absolutely not. But I am blessed and happy to have a little something until my big girl job lines up!

I just wanted to post a little mid-week inspiration for all of you! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful week!!

Xx,

LG

Fabulous Fall Recipes {Guest Post}

Hello Everyone! My name is Alina and I am the girl from The Sassy Gator Blog. I am so excited to be able to do a guest post today on Laurel’s blog. She was my first follower and is literally the sweetest person ever. All her blog posts are such a treat to read and with my upcoming wedding I obsessed over her amazing wedding!

 We decided we wanted to a do a post about some fun “fall” recipes and this is what I’ve come up with. They are pretty easy and above all super yummy!

Pumpkin Soup

1 can {29 oz} pumpkin puree

½ a large sweet onion {diced very finely}

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 can evaporate

1-cup water

1 can chicken stock

2 tsp. mild to medium Indian curry powder {this is optional, but trust me its makes it sooooo good!}

Get a large pot and sauté the onions until they are brown in the olive oil.

Add the pumpkin puree and stir.

Add chicken stock and about half a can of water

Next add the evaporated milk and use a whisk to blend this all together. You can add more water to this mixture to create your desired consistency and thickness.

Add the curry powder and cook for 20 minutes.

Turn off and leave in the pot for 2-3 hours.

When you are ready to serve heat it up and you are all ready!

This soup is so crazy easy I think once you taste it you will love it. My mom makes this all the time and I can never get enough.

Dessert time! Staying with the pumpkin theme this is a recipe for pumpkin pudding.

Pumpkin Pudding

Traditional pumpkin pie mix found in stores

1-½ cups of walnuts or other nuts you prefer

½ cup dark brown sugar

Take a large, square baking dish and spray with your choice of cooking spray.

Pour the pumpkin pie mixture into the dish then spread the brown sugar and walnuts over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes {or usual pie cook time} and your done!

This is literally one of my favorite things to eat during the holidays because it is so yummy!  It is kind of similar to sweet potato casserole with the marshmallows and nuts but with pumpkin.

 That is it for the recipes. I hope y’all will try them out and love them as much as I do, I love using ingredients like pumpkin in different ways and making it delicious.

 Big thanks to Laurel for having me on her blog today! I am sure we will come up with some other fun guest post to do again in the future! Don’t forget to check out my blog to see the amazing recipes Laurel put up today! You won’t want to miss it!

  <3

The Sassy Gator

I don't know about you, but Alina's recipes are making my mouth water, I can't wait to try these delicious treats out!! Be sure to check out her blog, she's getting married soon AND building a house, so her posts are always fun and full of adventure (like picking out bathroom tile!). Thank you so much Alina, I can't wait to work with you again : )

Xx,

LG

Reasons Why I'm a Complete Weirdo

Y'all, it's thursday! Where did this week go?

Apart from stubbing my toe (it's purple now), getting bitten by a spider, and catching a cold I would say it's been a great week. In all seriousness though, this week has been pretty great.

Anywho, lately my husband and I have been trying to keep track of some of the weird things I do, which led us to this list- I'm sure there will be more to come but I hope you enjoy part I!


1. Even though I have a fancy tempurpedic pillow, every night I roll over and steal my husband's pillow. I've also been known to snatch the covers. Which leads me to number 2...

2. Mine and my husband's pillows have to be lined up and touching, so that if I roll over my head doesn't fall off of my pillow.

3. I lay diagonally in our bed. This doesn't work so well when my husband is there, but every morning when he leaves, I flop over and take my position.

4. I talk in weird voices and make less-than-attractive faces, frequently. I just can't help myself.

5. I have to eat something as soon as I wake up from a nap. If I don't I will start to feel sick and I'll be very grumpy.

6. If I put on clothes, even for like 5 minutes, I consider them dirty and toss them in the hamper.

7. I never finish drinks. I'll get all the way to the bottom of them but I just won't take the very last sip, it grosses me out!

8. I always steal food (not from strangers, that's gross) my husband and my mom are my usual victims of choice. I find that food (and drinks) taste better if they're not yours.

9. I rarely answer my phone and don't listen to voicemails. period. They give me anxiety!

10. I don't like taking my own shoes off, it isn't that I'm super attached to them or anything, I just don't like the process of doing it. Sometimes I ask my husband to do it for me.


So...there you have it! What are some odd things that you do?

Xx,

LG

5 Necessities for Fall {Guest Post}

Woohoo, it's already Wednesday!

I hope that everyone is having a great week so far and I hope that this special post brings you joy!
Today I'm so excited to be hosting Lindy, from Trendy Lindy! She is just the sweetest little thing and since our first email exchange I have almost felt like she is one of my "real life" friends- definitely check out her blog and get to know her, I can't tell you how precious she is!

Lindy is sharing her "5 Fashion Necessities for Fall" and if you want to see what mine are, head over to http://www.trendylindy.com/ so without further delay, here we go!
_________________________________________________________________________________

Hello everyone! I am so excited to be guest blogging for Laurel today! We have created such a quick and effortless friendship over blogging and I’m so thankful for our random connection. Isn’t she the best? I love her blog and her sweet personality!

Today I am going to talk to ya’ll about my Five Fashion Necessities for Fall! These looks are simple, easy and ideal for autumn! I paired an item that you can go ahead and purchase with a personal photo showing how I styled it. I am so excited to share this with you! Let's get started, trendsetters...

Combat Boots

Buy these boots here.

Combat boots pretty much speak for themselves. Everyone knows how popular this accessory is right now, and I think they can be mixed into pretty much every ensemble. They give girly outfits a little edge, and edgy outfits the ultimate kick. I love them in black, but my color of choice is caramel. This decadent hue can be worn with browns or blacks and is an amazing neutral.

Oversized Glasses

Buy these glasses here.

I am 100% certain oversized glasses are my staple accessory! It doesn’t matter if they’re real or fake, large frames immediately make you look on trend. Tortoise shell, solid black, or icy gray, I love them in every style.

Perfect Lipstick

                                                                Buy this lipstick here.

I never used to wear lipstick because I had this silly fear that my lips were too big, but lately I’ve become a little bit obsessed with it. I wear it probably 4 days out of the week. I love pretty pinks and vibrant reds, and I think once you find your perfect shade you’ll become addicted as well! Don’t be afraid to try something different!

Oversized Sweaters

 Buy this sweater here.

I can never say no to a chunky sweater. Cardigans or cable knits, they’re always fun for fall! If you don’t want to spend money on one, head over to a consignment shop and pick one up for a couple bucks! It’s amazing how cute an old grandpa sweater can become.

Turban Headbands

Buy this turban here.

Many girls don’t think they can pull of turbans, but these headbands are nothing to shy away from! Wear them hippie-style around some long, wavy hair, or push back a topknot and wear it as a headband! Solid colors or crazy prints, turbans are a must have accessory for fall 2013!

What do ya’ll think? Do you want to go shopping now and try out one of my Five Fashion Necessities for Fall? Follow me on Intstagram, tag Laurel and myself, and hashtag #Five4Fall if you try out one of these fun trends! We can’t wait to see how you style it!

Isn't Lindy great? I know that I'll definitely be putting my own spin on these great fashion ideas! Thank you for reading and don't forget to check out her blog!!

Xx,

LG

Much Needed Time

Haaaapy Tuesday darlings!

Monday is over and we can rejoice! I'm particularly excited today because I have a little job interview-- nothing too serious, but it will be a fun job for me, so stay tuned!

Lately I have been feeling like I needed a little something more, yet I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but yesterday it hit me that I had been missing one of my best friends. Katie had moved quite far away to Alabama a few months ago but fortunately for me she is back in Lynchburg (for now) and we got to have some quality time yesterday...it was time that I desperately needed, without even knowing it.

We spent our wonderful girl time walking down the beautiful Blackwater Creek trail in Lynchburg- which is an absolutely beautiful path perfect for running and biking, and perfect for us! Apart from a yellow jacket incident, our walk was idyllic.

I didn't manage to take any good pictures but Katie snapped this one. Breathtaking, right?

I can't tell you how happy I was (and am) to have had that special time with her, so get out there and have some girl time, you may need it more than you think! 

What are some of your favorite activities to do with friends?

Xx,

LG

Downtown Brunch: Blogger Meetup!

Hey Y'all!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend, I know that I certainly did! The cherry on top of my weekend was getting to spend a lovely couple of hours with a few fashionable bloggers!

When I started my blog one of the things I looked forward to was meeting other bloggers and making new friends, totally lame right? Well, today that got to come true! I got to have brunch with Rebecca from Life With rMe and Breck from Whim of The South. Rebecca and I went to college together (and she is actually one of my "sisters") so it was great to catch up with her and all the happenings at my alma mater. Breck is in the Lynchburg area, so it worked out perfectly for us to meet up! I can't tell you how charming and adorable these classy ladies are, it was such a great time-- we are already planning our next outing!

Though the weather was a little hot for October, our brunch was perfect. We went to The White Hart cafe in downtown Lynchburg. If you haven't been, it's a really neat place with great drinks, music, and food- definitely worth a trip!

Here are some photos from our simply charming day:

Rebecca and myself

Rebecca and Breck

Me and Breck

Tomorrow I have a special guest post, so stay tuned!

Until next time! Xx,

LG