Hair Tutorial | Double Side Braid Three Ways

February 12, 2017

Today I'm sharing one of my go-to hair styles for my 4 day unwashed hair. Braids are deceiving in that they can seem like they are a time-consuming endeavor; but t's easily become one of my weekly hair styles. I love that each of the three styles offer a completely different look and you can take them from day to night with ease!

I've been wanting to share some of my braids with you for SO long! I am glad I can finally sit down and take the time to film and publish a hair tutorial. Please let me know if this video was easy to follow/hear/see, etc, and if not I'll update with your tips and criticisms for the next video!




I can't wait to hear what you think! 
Let me know what kind of braids or styles you want to see next!


xo. L

How I Get Our Cloth Diapers Clean

February 09, 2017

*Thank you to Persil ProClean for sponsoring and inspiring today's post. As always, all opinions and reviews are my own.
As some of you may have seen in prior posts or on Instagram, we have been using cloth diapers for Gracie since she was six months old! We absolutely love using them, but I'm afraid to admit, that it's taken around a year to perfect our wash routine. I'm sure you can imagine how sensitive, and potentially messy a cloth diaper routine can get, so it's important to have a good method set in place.

One of the things I've learned is that part of a good cloth diaper wash method is having a powerful detergent! Cloth diapers are exposed to all kinds of crazy germs and smells. Some moms have to deal with things like yeast and mold if they aren't careful and have a good, preventative wash routine in place. For this reason, I am pretty religious about making sure I do these three things.
HOW I GET OUR CLOTH DIAPERS CLEAN

1. Wash cloth diapers at least twice a week.
Depending on your stash size, you may want to wash more frequently, but at this point we get a away with twice a week. When our dirty diaper bin is full, we wash, whether or not we've used the whole stash. It honestly keeps the whole house smelling better, haha.

2. Utilize an exceptional detergent. 
In the beginning, I tried several detergents. I even tried to make my own at home once; that was a disaster. I just could not figure out how to make Gracie's cloth to stop smelling bad. Then I figured it out...there are just some things you must succumb to, one of those is the power of a good detergent. Persil ProClean has a 2-in-1 pro-lift cleaning power that I think really aids in getting those diapers squeaky clean. I haven't had any smell issues since I started using it! I picked it up for a great price (using this $2 off coupon) at Walmart.

3. Know your washer settings; they are different for everyone.
For someone who has never used cloth before, it's so overwhelming when you go to wash them for the first time. I found this chart from Fluff University to be very helpful. It allows you to look up the model of your washing machine and adjust the settings accordingly. We do a pre-wash with a 1/2 cap of Persil ProClean 2-in-1 detergent, and then a main wash with one capful of the same detergent! It's proven to work very well for us, and the diapers are now smelling super fresh, thankfully. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: 
Do you use cloth diapers? I'd definitely recommend this Persil ProClean if you're on the hunt for one that gets them smelling fresh and clean! There's also a new Pro10 formula coming soon and it features TEN dimensions of clean! How great does that sound for cloth? Here's a $2 off coupon to pick one up at your nearest Walmart store. Happy washing!

xo. L

Date Night Style + A Link-Up

February 08, 2017

Date night can look different for everyone - this is my romantic take on a date night look! I styled a romper from Pitaya (they have such great options!) and I love the simple grey with the leopard wedge! What's your idea of a perfect date night? I really like going to dinner, or walking around beautifully lit downtown areas. However, don't get me wrong - PJ's, popcorn, and a movie is also an amazing date night ;)
OUTFIT DETAILS: Pitaya romper c/o | Similar Shoes c/o | Similar Hat

 *Photos by Brittany LeSueur Photography@brittanylesueurphoto

SHOP THE POST:




Jacqueline and I post our link-ups every Thursday! Each week we style a specific theme and share it with our readers + fellow bloggers alongside a special guest host! We love the community it encourages and learning about everyone's unique take on a specific trend. Come back weekly to visit us! This week our theme is date night style!

1. We kindly ask that you follow the two hosts: L from Living in Color on Bloglovin', Jacqueline from Stylin' In St. Louis via Bloglovin', and our guest host Ashlee of Little Lovelies on Bloglovin'(The first 3 links in the link-up.)

2. Please link back to Larissa and Jacqueline's blog on the post you linked to, stating that you joined in on the fun over at Spotlight Weekly.

3. Enjoy reading other blogs and make new blogger friends!



SPOTLIGHT: This week's spotlight is Rachael of Threads for ThomasJacqueline and I adore her look from last week's link-up! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello.
NEXT WEEK: Next week we are styling pink! Thanks so much for linking up each week! Have a fabulous rest of your day!

  xo. L

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February Capsule Wardrobe | Week One Recap

February 06, 2017

I've been doing a capsule wardrobe challenge for the last week! I survived week one, and I must say, I'm having a blast. There was one day that I didn't even want to get dressed (ha!) but I ended up throwing something on for a quick trip to the store anyway. I can't believe there's only three more weeks left!

Overall, I find getting ready in the morning to be very relaxing, and I honestly feel like I'm wearing my favorite pieces anyway, so it doesn't feel like I'm limited in any way. My only critique is the shoes - there was one day where I wanted to wear my tan booties but opted for gray since that's what was in my capsule. I can definitely see myself doing this more often. I already feel the need to purge my closet, and, honestly, my entire house LOL!

DAY 1 OUTFIT: Shop Stevie top | jeans | booties
DAY 2 OUTFIT: tee | cardigan | leggings | shoes
DAY 3 OUTFIT: sweaterShop Stevie pants | shoes
DAY 5 OUTFIT: jeans | booties | hat
DAY 6 OUTFIT: tee | jeans | shoes

Read more about what a capsule wardrobe is here and watch my YouTube video on what I chose for my capsule here! It's never too late to start with us! There's still three more weeks left :)

WEEKLY FEATURE PHOTOS:
These women styled these adorably stylish and practical outfits from their capsules this week! Make sure to join our Facebook group here to get more info and see what other women are styling in their capsules!  


xo. L

Recipe for Looking "Put Together" + A Link-Up

February 01, 2017

You won't believe how easy this outfit was to put together. It looks complicated, but really the formula goes something like this. Start with black leggings - they are the blank canvas! Add a sweater. That is the deciding factor in your color palate. I went with burgundy, so when choosing a hat, the obvious choice was bordeaux. Lastly shoes and bag! The brown combo of these boots and my refurbished (almost real) Louis Vuitton bag are a classic, and can be paired with almost any color-combo. And voilĂ , you've got yourself a "put-together" look. See my outfit details below!
OUTFIT DETAILS: SIMILAR SWEATER | BOUTIQUE AMORE FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | BOOTIES | SIMILAR HAT | BAG (REFURBISHED)

 *Photos by Erika Greene Photography | @erikagreenephotography

SHOP THE POST:



Jacqueline and I post our link-ups every Thursday! Each week we style a specific theme and share it with our readers + fellow bloggers alongside a special guest host! We love the community it encourages and learning about everyone's unique take on a specific trend. Come back weekly to visit us! This week our theme is faux leather!

1. We kindly ask that you follow the two hosts: L from Living in Color on Bloglovin', Jacqueline from Stylin' In St. Louis via Bloglovin', and our guest host Lauryn of Lauryncakes on Bloglovin'(The first 3 links in the link-up.)

2. Please link back to Larissa and Jacqueline's blog on the post you linked to, stating that you joined in on the fun over at Spotlight Weekly.

3. Enjoy reading other blogs and make new blogger friends!



SPOTLIGHT: This week's spotlight is Blaire of Sarah Bell of Trendy & TidyJacqueline and I adore her look from last week's link-up! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello.
NEXT WEEK: Next week we are styling date night looks! Thanks so much for linking up each week! Have a fabulous rest of your day!

  xo. L
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Mom & Baby Valentine’s Gift Guide

January 31, 2017

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

It's no secret - I'm a fan of all things hearts. Therefore, Valentine's Day is extra special, in my book! I've put together a Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Mom and Baby. These items are sure to wow you with their practicality, colorful vibes, and chic monochrome tones. I personally own several and plan to utilize them to spread the Valentine's Day cheer!

I started with sharing two of my favorite carriers from Baby Tula. One of them is 'Love Sucre', a wrap conversion carrier, and the other is 'Wild Hearts' a fully printed canvas! These make great, and long-lasting gifts and come with baby snuggles and sleepy dust! Along with the adorable carriers I included a darling sweetheart headband from Little Lilla Boutique, and an adorable white and gold heart mug for all of that mom fuel that's needed!

All mamas need a stylish and functional (and heart-printed) bag, right? A Tula Torba helps stylishly store all of the gear moms (and babies) need, and some chic heart-shaped sunglasses! Lastly, a gift guide isn't complete without some snuggly blanket options. I mean who doesn't love a soft and cozy Tula blanket? Speaking of feeling snuggly...wouldn't it be nice if the Tula blankets came in adult sizes? A little birdie may have told me about a special surprise coming soon! Be sure follow Baby Tula on Facebook for updates on that special surprise. ;)

Just in case you still aren't sure what to buy your loved ones for Valentine's Day, don't forget that a Tula gift card is always the right answer! I hope you enjoyed this list of items, and hope you have a blast shopping for those special loved ones in your life.

xo. L

Vegan & Eco-Friendly Baby Registry Guide

January 30, 2017

*Gugu Guru sponsored this post, however, all reviews and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

I'm stoked to be sharing these registry ideas with you! I've put lots of hard work, along with Gugu Guru, to curate some amazing eco-friendly products for the new mom and baby! I actually found each of these through an amazing baby registry site called Gugu Guru.

Gugu Guru is a baby registry website that specifically targets mom and baby's lifestyle because we all know that baby products are not one size fits all! Some caregivers prefer to bottle feed, while others exclusively breastfeed. Some caregivers want a crib, while others prefer a bassinet or co-sleeper. It all just depends on lifestyle. The products on Gugu Guru's site are curated by parents and experts in the baby industry!

It's so easy to navigate too, all you do is answer some questions about what you think your experience during baby's first year may be. The questionnaire ask everything from sleeping plans, feeding plans, to specific personalizations and then the list of products is curated for you! I also love that it's completely private and only those who have your unique link (once your registry is published) can view it. I'm all about protecting information and privacy. 

The products above are all things that are available through Gugu Guru, so check them out, and if you're a new or expecting mama or caregiver, be sure to check out Gugu Guru, it's completely FREE!

Product Links From Top to Bottom:
Adorable Mitz dino spike dress with spikes made from recycled plastic

G is loving her new Stokke high chair! It's one of the best baby products I've ever used, honestly. It was easy to assemble, and so incredible to clean - no crevices or pesky fabrics. I'm so happy Gugu Guru helped me discover it!

SUPER EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:

I have a super exciting announcement!!! Are you ready?!?! ..........................................................

I am completely rebranding my blog and its' look! It's been so LONG since I've updated it.  The logo, the content, the platform...I've actually been blogging since 2012. Some of you know me as a fashion blogger, that's how I got started! Then since having Grace and becoming vegan, I've transitioned more into lifestyle content and I honestly can't tell you much I enjoy writing about these things. I NEVER saw myself as someone who would share recipes in the blog world, but it's one of the things I enjoy doing most! I plan on having the site go live sometime this week so be sure to look out for it! I hope you love it as much as I do :) Also, if you want, you can take a look at my Instagram Stories, and view a sneak peek there!

As always, thank you so much for reading and for following along!

xo. L

A Sequin Skirt for Any Occasion + A Link-Up

January 25, 2017

I've been all about the sequin skirt, lately! I've worn this for several years, actually. I wore it a few Christmases, a couple of dates, and on Valentine's Day last year! It really is perfect for any occasion and looks fabulous with heels, OTK boots, etc. Keep reading for outfit details!

 *Photos by Erika Greene Photography | @erikagreenephotography

SHOP THE POST:






Jacqueline and I post our link-ups every Thursday! Each week we style a specific theme and share it with our readers + fellow bloggers alongside a special guest host! We love the community it encourages and learning about everyone's unique take on a specific trend. Come back weekly to visit us! This week our theme is winter white!

1. We kindly ask that you follow the two hosts: L from Living in Color on Bloglovin', Jacqueline from Stylin' In St. Louis via Bloglovin', and our guest host Hillary of Style in a Small Town on Bloglovin'(The first 3 links in the link-up.)

2. Please link back to Larissa and Jacqueline's blog on the post you linked to, stating that you joined in on the fun over at Spotlight Weekly.

3. Enjoy reading other blogs and make new blogger friends!



SPOTLIGHT: This week's spotlight is Blaire of Peaches in a Pod. Jacqueline and I adore her look from last week's link-up! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello.
NEXT WEEK: Next week we are styling faux leather! Thanks so much for linking up each week! Have a fabulous rest of your day!

  xo. L


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Babywearing | How to do a Double Hammock Carry (DH)

January 24, 2017

I've been babywearing G since she was born! I absolutely love wrapping her. Once she hit around two months I learned a specific back carry called a "Double Hammock" and I love it because it provides so much support! You'll see what I do in the video - it's a bit difficult to type out/explain, but PLEASE let me know if you have any questions!

*NOTE: DO NOT WEAR A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 10 MONTHS ON YOUR BACK. This video is for experienced babywearers to learn a new carry. If you are new to wrapping your baby, please attend a Babywearing International (http://babywearinginternational.org/) meeting and learn more about carriers + types of wraps before attempting this on your own.

HOW-TO VIDEO:


HAPPY BABYWEARING!

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER BABYWEARING POSTS:

xo. L

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Intro + My Capsule Items

January 23, 2017

Have you ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? They were very popular a few years ago when blogging was first on the rise, and then they sort of fell by the wayside. Some of my favorite bloggers, like Kendi Everyday, and What I Wore used to do them often, so I decided to bring it back! 

During the whole month of February I am going to be styling the same thirty clothing itemsI am so excited to be trying a capsule wardrobe out because it is something I've wanted to do for so long! Because I adore the community that blogging brings, I'm asking my readers and friends/family to participate with me! I already filmed a video (see below) on the items I chose, and even created a Facebook group to share daily outfit threads for people who want to share what's in their capsule! Read on to learn more about what a capsule wardrobe is, and why you should try one out!
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?

A capsule wardrobe is where you choose a specific number of key clothing items, usually basics or neutrals, and mix and match those pieces for a specific amount of time. Some prefer to do it monthly, while others have a capsule for specific seasons! This time, I am just trying it out for a month, but who knows? I may love it so much I'll want to purge my whole closet.

WHY SHOULD I USE A CAPSULE WARDROBE?

There are really three reasons that people use capsule wardrobes. They are all really great reasons, and will differ from person to person!

1. To shop their own closet.
Some people (myself included) cannot believe how many items of clothing they own, yet do not wear! You won't believe how giant my closet is, and how much stuff I own, but I probably wear 30% of it, if that.

2. To save money.
Husbands around the world are rejoicing at the thought of saving money on clothes, am I right? No, really, we all love to save money!

3. To declutter and practice simplicity + minimalism.
I watched a couple of documentaries (I'm a total documentary junkie) and it made me realize how many things I have, and how obsessed I am with owning stuff, and I wanted to do this to take a step back from the fast-paced "I have to own everything that's cute and new" world that fashion can entail, and get creative!
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN A CAPSULE WARDROBE CHALLENGE?

Like I said, we are doing a capsule wardrobe challenge starting next week (FEBRUARY 1st) and I would love for you to join us! All you have to do is follow the steps below:

1. Pick 30 key items.
Ideally 5 bottoms (pants/jeans/skirts), 10 tops (tees/dressy/sweaters), 5 shoes (a variety is best!), 10 miscellaneous items (so dresses, hats, scarves, etc.) Note: The items you choose depend on your lifestyle. I'm a stay at home/working from home mom, but when I was teaching my items would have been drastically different, so keep that in mind! Also, we don't include PJ's :)

2. Set your items aside and photograph them to share in our Facebook group!
I would love to see what items you chose and what you do during the day, are you a working professional, college student, mom? Let's get to know each other!

3. Get dressed and SHARE! 
The work is really all in step one - haha, but before you leave or at the end of each day, snap a picture of what you wore, so you can show the world how you styled the same 30 items for 28 days! You'll be a pro after February is over!
WHICH ITEMS DID YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR CAPSULE, LARISSA?


I filmed a little video showcasing/explaing the items I chose to style! I am still going back and forth on a few colors, but the clothing is definitely a go! (I have soooo many hats - there are like 5, guys) I need to narrow some stuff down but for the most part this is it! I hope you enjoy!
I cannot wait to have you join in on this challenge with us! Be sure to use our hashtag (see below) and our Facebook group to share your outfits each day!

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP HERE.
LIKE LIVING IN COLOR ON FACEBOOK FOR OTHER UPDATES
Use the hash tag #LICCAPSULEWARDROBE on Instagram for a chance to have your photo featured on my blog+social media channels!

xo. L

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