i like my clothes, like i like my coffee.

dress / necklace / booties / hat

look what i found! an old post from a couple months ago, that in the mess of school & life i forgot to post. better late than never, right? this dress was one of my favorites this winter season because of its versatility. i've transitioned it into spring, too. its light & stretchy fabric works well for all seasons. i've quickly realized that filling your closet with staples items, rather than random pieces is the best & easiest way to expand your wardrobe!

xoxo. lauren. 

spring has sprung.

same & similar : dress / jean jacket  / shoes / necklace / purse 

the happiest first day of spring! i celebrated the only way i know how: in a comfy sweatshirt dress & some slip ons! spring comes in a close second for my favorite season of the year. the fresh air & blooms are so refreshing after months of frigid temperatures. this dress makes a perfect transition from winter to spring. transitioning your wardrobe from is the best way to save some cash just by shopping your closet!

xoxo. lauren. 

marron swoon.

similar / sweater / skinnies / ankle booties / necklace /

winter is still lingering here in the midwest, so unfortunately i have to still dress like it. i can't wait until i can whip out my spring clothes & purchase some things i've had my eyes on. colored denim has always been my go-to for mixing up my otherwise boring winter wardrobe. maroon is perfect because it transitions nicely from fall into winter. i dressed this look up a little with ankle booties & my all time favorite necklace. 

xoxo. lauren. 

keep not settling.

my mother visited me at school a couple of weeks ago, & she said something to me on our lunch date that has been in the back of my head ever since. 

"you settle for the b, when you know you can get the a."

i realized that this statement applies to all areas of my life.

i settle with my grades & accept them, even when i know i can do better. i settle with relationships & accept treatment that i don't deserve. i settle with my job. i settle with my faith. i settle with my body. settle. settle. settle.

this isn't where i want to be.

let's face it, giving your all, 100%, everyday is a damn hard job. it's exhausting. but, when i look to where i want to be in five years, i know i'm not going to get there by being average. you've got to bust your ass in your professional life & your personal life to maintain above a 70% in your life outcomes.

i don't want this to sound like i drag my feet in everything i do. but, i think my problem lies in staying motivated. i get these big gusts of motivation that only stay with me for a couple weeks & then i unfortunately go back to my half-assing ways. 

this got me thinking. how can i keep my gusts of motivation to stay with me for the long run? 

remind yourself of your short term goals & your long term goals. write them out. sing them out. dance them out. just get them out.

keep yourself moving, some hard work is only temporary. 

reward yourself for accomplishing your goals. have your eyes been glued to a pair of shoes? buy them (within reason). 

let your mistakes be your biggest motivators. finding out the correct way to do things gets me that much more excited to get it done right the second time around. 

you can silently shout a big "f-you" to people who tell you you can't do something. if there's one thing you don't need, it's negative energy. 

you will never get what you don't ask for.

i'm letting this serve as my reminder that i don't have to settle in any area of my life. i don't want to be a settler & therefore, i'm not going to be a settler. i have the strength & ability to keep pushing myself until my goals are reached to the high standards i give myself. 

you do too.

xoxo. lauren. 

cobalt cable knit.

/ sweater / flannel / skinnies / boots / necklace /

i hope this post finds all of you well, i have no complaints from my end! you've heard me write about easy & simple outfits many a times before, & i don't think that will change anytime soon. as a college student, there is no other way to do it. i scored this sweater on a clearance rack a couple years ago, but my style has changed since then. this easy & cozy layered look is perfect for mid-week when your feet start to drag. cute, simple, & warm! a perfect pop of color too! 

xoxo. lauren.

what's that? a hat.

my dear friend ali, who also takes my pictures for this blog is a jack of all trades! the girl can photograph, paint, draw, can whip up just about anything on photoshop, & can knit! she recently opened up an adorable shop on etsy & is ready to sell these beauties! a knit hat is the absolute perfect accessory for the chilly days that have already arrived & are unfortunately going to continue.

start shopping here and show her some love!

xoxo. lauren. (& ali.) 

red hot.

dress / heels / necklace / coat / purse / 

(in true lauren fashion, here is my post for valentine's day three days late) 

i love this time of year. single or in a relationship, i can't get enough. how can people hate a day devoted to love and candy?! it truly is the perfect combination. i do believe it is possible to go overboard with your valentine's day wardrobe, but i also think it's the time of year where your hot tamale-red can come out & play. i love this simple & classic option from forever21. they have pages upon pages of cocktail dresses if you're not looking to spend a fortune. (which, who is?!) i paired mine with my favorite leopard heels & a gold chain. apparently, i should've paired it with a tan too. oops.

i hope you feel loved all around today & every day. xoxo. lauren.