Basics & Brown Sugar.

Since I know I'm going to be in Charlotte longer than I ever planned... I've decided to try and "explore" the city that I've lived in for over 20 years of my life! I'm all about some local flavor, especially compared to cities like Boston and New York, and although Charlotte isn't quite known for it's local flare, I like to hunt it down until I find my favorite spots that are unique to the Queen City. Since I'm a hard-core coffee connoisseur, my go-to adventure is seeking out local coffee shops. Rush Espresso is my new favorite, located in Ballantyne Village, but I also found a little place called Mugs that I tried out with Sean.

One of my favorite things to do is to get up and get a jump start on the day by going out for coffee or breakfast. Throw on some basics, sneakers and your boyfriends tee if you want some extra comfort, forget that messy bed-head, and drive to your ideal spot. Mugs was so much fun to try out! Any quality time I spend with my love is perfect to me. The atmosphere wasn't my favorite, but I got an absolutely delicious almond milk brown sugar latte. It was the perfect ratio of sweetness to espresso. I would definitely go back to get a latte to-go! Yum.

Here are my pictures from that morning...

Tee, Sean's undershirt. Shorts, American Eagle. Sunglasses, Lou Lou's. Sneakers, Converse. Watch, N/A. Bracelet, Fiore Boutique. Ring, Pandora.

Basics & Brown Sugar.

Monday, August 25, 2014

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(Past) Boston: Style Files.

This Thursday I'm leaving for Boston to visit my twin sister! If you don't remember from earlier this year, I had a trip planned a couple months ago to visit Laura, and the week that I was supposed to leave I was struck down with a killer kidney stone. So now, finally, I am going on the trip I've been looking forward to all year! 

Boston holds a special place in my heart. Not just because my sister lives there, but because I lived there for 3 months. The history, the architecture, the food, the shopping... it's a magical place. I love how you can wake up in Boston and step outside your door to find the city awake and alive. It's almost electric! It has a cozy, homey, cultural feeling, while still filling you with the excitement and thrill that a big city always does! The atmosphere sends a current through you, feeling even more realistic with the hum of the T under your feet, sending you into coffee shops, bookstores, and breakfast spots galore. You can hunker down in the public library with your novel of choice, or go out for an authentic Italian feast with close friends. 

I'm so, so excited to be back in Beantown! Hugging my twin, and exploring new spots that she's come to call her own over the last year. Cheers to Boston! 

Here's a look back at a few Boston style files...

(Past) Boston: Style Files.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

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No Makeup & Nutella.

Yesterday, while doing an hour of cardio at the YMCA and watching Pretty Little Liars, I started day-dreaming about sweets. Surprising right? I tend to think about food the most when I'm exercising. Oops.

One of my favorite things is a chocolate croissant. Man how I miss that decadent goodness. Flaky, buttery, sweet... yum. Nothing better than starting the day with chocolate! 

I was working away, feeling the burn, when I remembered one of my favorite breakfast places here in Charlotte, Cast Iron Waffles. Not exactly a chocolate croissant, but just as delicious. My mom and sister and I used to go there all the time before I realized I have a gluten intolerance, and I was so sad to say goodbye to it! Feeling hopeful, I decided to look up their menu once I left the Y to see if they added any gluten free waffles... It was a sign from heaven!! They expanded their menu, and my heart expanded with joy. I told my mom the minute I walked in the door that we needed to go there the next morning! 

So here's a little peak into my early morning waffle adventure. No makeup, no stress, messy hair, extra nutella, and a soy almond joy latte. 

Top, Urban Outfitters. Vest, Urban Outfitters. Shorts, American Eagle. Shoes, Converse. Bag, Versona. Hat, N/A. Watch, XOXO. Ring, Hand Picked. Sunglasses, Madewell.

No Makeup & Nutella.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

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All American.

Sometimes I really love a classic look! Easy, effortless, minimal, comfortable... just a perfect combination of the essentials. Bright white chucks, acid washed denim, a needed pop of color and a little bit of pattern, it's bound to be a match made in heaven! I feel that most times you can't go wrong with simplicity. Here's a late recap of my July 4th ensemble...

Location: Myrtle Beach

Shoes, Converse. Bag, Urban Outfitters. Denim shorts, American Apparel. Top, Forever 21. Turban, Fab'rik. Ring, Pandora.

Photos by: little laura

Happy belated Birthday, America! Xoxo.

All American.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

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Grecian Gold.

Top, Urban Outfitters. Denim, Target. Gold Jaguar Necklace, J.Crew. Flower crown, Claires. Messanger bag, Goodwill. Coral Stone Necklace, Forever 21. Sandals, Target. Watch, Belk.

Photographs - Lauren Bell - ImLaurenBell.com

Grecian Gold.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

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