Fashionable Gifts For Her

Oh my, gift guide season! Is it just us, or do you guys agree that this year is THE YEAR for gift guides? Influencers/lifestyle sites/and brands do gift guides every year of course, but it seems that everyone and their sister has an incredible gift guide this year! A few of our favorites are c/o of goop, sezane, hobo, anthropologie, brunch on chestnut, damsel in dior, cuyana, the catt walk, and everlane. This is the first of several LSK gift guides to come in the new few weeks, so scroll down to see our list of fashionable gifts for her- her meaning that woman in your life who loves all things beautiful, fashionable, and effortlessly chic. We are really drawn to Cuyana's gifting philosophy of giving better, fewer things this year. The idea of intentional, thoughtful gifting is really compelling and makes so much sense. Not only is it financially wise and embraces the minimalist concept, but when we keep this idea in mind, we are likely to choose the best gift for our loved one- something that they will use and love for years to come. Here's to a beautiful season of gifting! xo

SHOP THE COLLAGE:

ONE: faux shearling coat from Abercrombie | TWO: collar necklace from Pamela Love | THREE: scarf from Everlane

FOUR: heart shaped jewelry case from Cuyana | FIVE: convertible backpack/crossbody bag from Hobo

SIX: sunnies from Anine Bing | SEVEN: gold cuff from Elizabeth & James

EIGHT: lace-up boots from Kelsi Dagger | NINE: ruffle fingerless gloves from Rebecca Minkoff | TEN: hat from Janessa Leone

THESE + MORE FAVORITES:

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feature image via sezane 

Sweater Weather

Hello, sweater weather. We have expressed our love for Abercrombie many times here on the blog as well as on Instagram, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that we are D-Y-I-N-G over their sweater collection this season. From chunky knits to cool boyfriend-style cardigans, Abercrombie has nailed it once again. Sweaters are seriously the best; they obviously help keep us warm, but they are also stylish, classic, and can be dressed up for a cold-night-out or cozied down for a cold-night-in with sweats and socks. Below are our nine favorite sweaters from A&F right now, enjoy xo.[show_boutique_widget id="654581"]

Home Sort: Closet Edition

For those of you that know me know that organization is the key to my heart; the Container Store was my second home when we were moving into ours, label makers are dreamy, glass pantry containers are way better than packages, and organized closets and cabinets and drawers are top priority. #sos! All of that to say, when Home Sort reached out and wanted to ultra-organize my closet, I was all in and legitimately was counting down the days until the transformation. There was something about my closet that I couldn't get fully right, so I knew their magical touch was all it was going to take!First of all, the Home Sort sisters, Ryan and Brandie, felt like immediate friends when they walked in the door. They have the most contagious joy and they are just so much FUN. I love their love for people and organizing and serving others through their job. It is truly refreshing + they get the job done! I was so blown away when I walked into my closet that I held back tears (insert laughing emoji).All of that to say, all Californians, call them ASAP.  They are mastermind organizers and will exceed your expectations! I also love that if you are on a budget, you can pay for their master plan, and you do the work for such an affordable flat fee. See their services here. Also, scroll down to see the entire process! xo 

BEFORE

THE PROCESS

THE REVEAL

Video by Scott Allison Films // see him on InstagramPhotos by Christy Johnson Photography // see her on Instagram

Embracing Imperfection

I am heavily inclined toward being a perfectionist. It feels like an instinctive internal pressure that I have to train against, and to fight against the fleeting desire, I have to be very aware of when I am falling into the unnecessary personal trap. Another realization: the perfectionist pressure does not come from an outside source. It is completely internal, and what could appear as external is merely comparison, which is completely internal. It’s getting deep, y’all. Who can relate?The Idea of Emotional PerfectionI moved from Dallas to Los Angeles a little over three years ago, and it was as though I put myself on this subconscious timeline; I expected myself to feel settled in six months, and I was confused why I wasn’t even close. I felt like I should have deep, long-lasting friendships built right away and was discouraged when they were still at the very beginning stages even a year-in. I launched my blog, dry shampoo, and charity in January, and the fight against having every thing in perfect order was a struggle. It is all a battle of control, isn’t it?Not to mention, accepting my imperfect body with the loss of my left hand and eye is a daily battle.My mom just launched an amazing podcast called Thriving Beyond Belief, and she always sends me the rough interviews (I love it so much!). In her discussion with Jamie Ivey, Jamie brought up this premise: why don’t we view our stories as God's redemptiveness and His presence rather than a list of insecurities? He made us so carefully in His image, and our story is a reflection of His beauty and purpose. That hit me so deeply, and I love remembering that in my weakness and insecurities is His strength. My imperfection is a reminder that I need Him because only He is perfect!A ShiftThe key word my husband has so lovingly infused in my brain is RELAX. Incorporating the definition of this word into every aspect of life is a game. changer. It shifts the perspective from viewing things as must-do projects and rigid to-do lists to enjoying the journey that every day brings. It helps you go with the flow without internally panicking. It leads to more laughing, greater appreciation, acceptance, and deeper joy even in the messy moments. I'll take that over pressure and anxiety at any moment, but it truly takes an intentional awareness, decisions, and shifts to instill this.ConclusionI am looking three years of living in California in the eyes, and I kinda, sorta, slightly feel like L.A. is home, and that’s okay. We are rebranding our dry shampoo, Stranded, and it’s so exciting. I sometimes go an entire week without working out or going to the grocery store after a busy travel schedule, and in that, I embrace date nights out and pizza nights in. These all seem so imperfect, but I now view them as lovely.I was reading a blog post a friend wrote last week discussing thirty things she learned in her thirty years of life. These four statements confirmed the concept of accepting and resting in the idea that we will never be perfect.Life is imperfect and imbalanced always.Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.Love is uncomplicated.Hard work doesn’t always give me what I want.We all have one life to live. Relax, live confidently in every part of our story, and enjoy life to the fullest capacity.Do you struggle with imperfection? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below! xoThis post is in collaboration with The Refined Collective Series.  Be sure and check out the other ladies in this wonderful group: Julien Garman, Brynna Watkins, Tutti del Monte, Jackie Viramontez, Sarah Shreves

Tulum: The Most Magical Beach Town

My recent trip to Tulum (AKA, the most magical beach town) may be one of the most special experiences of my life thus far. My best friend, Anna, invited me to join her in this magical, jungle town in Mexico for her 30th birthday, and it was full of the sweetest memories that I will never forget. We stayed at Sanara, which is truly the most peaceful and quaint hotel on the beach. I loved this boutique stay - every morning, they would have a beach bed reserved for us along with the most lovely staff who became immediate friends! They offered yoga with the ocean breeze in full effect (one of my favorite experiences), sublime wellness treatments, and the coziest rooms along with spa water galore made with Mexico's delicious limes as well as a bowl of homemade candies with local honey and sesame seeds. Sigh. Not to mention, an adorable straw beach bag sat at the bench below our bed filled with homemade essential-oil bug spray (much needed!), dead sea salt bath scrub, coconut oil for lotion, and toxin free shampoo and conditioner.Also, can we talk about their restaurant, The Real Coconut, for a moment? It is dedicated to all that is conscious living and follows the foundational health and wellness philosophy that plants form the key to our vitality and that gut health and digestion are paramount to optimum well being. Their entire menu is grain free, dairy free, gluten free, and GMO free + it is full of adaptogens, coconut everything, bone broth, wild locally-caught fish and pastured chicken. Everything I ordered was absolutely delicious. I would start off each morning with the coconut probiotic yogurt with fruit compote and the charcoal lemonade. We would either order the plantain pancakes or avocado toast for the table, too, which were both outstanding. I also loved the fish tacos made with their homemade coconut tortillas, and the golden broth was unreal. This hotel gets 5 stars from us!

Our day to day.

SATURDAY. We arrived in Tulum on Saturday afternoon after a day full of travel. Note to travelers: fly into Cancun rather than Cozumel. It is much easier and more direct + it cuts out the ferry ride! We checked into Sanara, and we were so hungry, so we immediately went to The Real Coconut for their nacho bowl, fish tacos, and homemade guacamole. With fully bellies, we went back to our room to unpack and settle in and explore the property. That evening, we walked down the beach and arrived at Casa Violeta for dinner. It was the most darling restaurant on the ocean. As we were headed that way, we saw a group of families and the cutest kids hovering over something on the sand, and it was a group of baby sea turtles being freed into the ocean. It was the most incredible thing to witness. P.S. Anna and I were about to head to dinner and came to the conclusion that we would stay in our beach clothes because we would be immersed in sand and the humid air anyways. I wondered if we would be allowed to eat in that attire and soon concluded that there are NO RULES in Tulum. The waiter at the restaurant wasn't even wearing shoes. Halleluiah! We enjoyed a homemade pizza and crispy brussel sprouts alongside the ocean and indulged in desserts back at our hotel.SUNDAY. The next morning we woke so rested and immediately put on our swimsuits and walked down to the beach for breakfast. Anna and I are both the type that enjoy relaxation on vacations rather than a line up of activities, so we started every day in the sun and would explore in the afternoon! We set up our beach chairs, listened to a podcast on detoxing heavy metals (lol), had the best conversations, and swam in the ocean (it is perfection!). Also, today was Anna's big 3-0, so the celebration was in full effect! In the afternoon, we decided to go explore the town, and by town, I mean a two-mile stretch of land lined with the most beautiful shops, delicious restaurants, and boutique hotels. I loved how both sides of the hotel were very contrasting in the best of ways: the peaceful ocean and the bustling street! Before walking into town, we made a quick stop to our room to grab some shoes and money, and the room was decked out in birthday decor! This hotel truly went above and beyond.We had the most incredible time exploring the shops filled with locally crafted dresses, swimsuits, cover ups, blankets, and straw bags that were all so beautiful! We passed by fascinating spas, burning incense galore, stunning restaurants filled with vintage rugs, twinkle lights hanging from the jungle trees, and local menus. We grabbed some matcha and chocolate coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell at the Matcha Mama hut and ended at BE Tulum, a gorgeous rustic hotel at the end of the street. Across from that was a spa that immediately caught our attention. Yaan Wellness was so dreamy. After talking to the lady who worked there, I realized you could come to Tulum specifically to detox and reboot your body. They offer everything from colonics with the necessary diet available to lymphatic flow massages to yoga. Yes please. I would come back to Tulum specifically to experience this.After a few hours of shopping and exploring, we went back to the hotel for a nutrient-filled smoothie and took the yoga class at sunset. It was a mix of challenging and relaxing vinyasa flow. Soon after, we walked down the street to eat dinner at Casa Jaguar, a beautiful eatery nestled in the jungle. This may have been my favorite food on the trip! We had the tuna fish tostadas, tacos de carnitas, prawns a la sal, and ended with the most delicious churros. Also, stop by their gorgeous hotel store, Todos Santos. It is interior goals. Anna and I walked back to the hotel for a surprise birthday cake we had made for her! It was one of the most special nights.MONDAY. We woke up and did what had become our Sanara routine: coconut probiotic yogurt, health shots filled with phytoplankton, and then straight to the beach bed to catch some rays. We worked on our tan for quite a while and had the most fun swimming in the crystal blue water. We ordered way too much lunch, but enjoyed every ounce - homemade sweet potato fries, hemp plantain bolitos, the super green salad, and the sopa de lima. We had a spa treatment in the early afternoon and left feeling so renewed. We ate dinner at the beautiful Gitano that night. It is a cozy spot in the jungle, and their handcrafted cocktails are must try and their food is sublime! We then walked down to Origami Gelato for some homemade ice cream and called it an early night after a lot of sun and walking! One thing I love about Tulum is that the stores stay open until ten, so you can pop in stores you discover to and from dinner! It makes you feel like you will never miss a beat.TUESDAY. It was our last day, and we wanted to soak in every moment! We started the morning off in the sun, and as we were laying out, we came to the decision that we should venture to a cenote. We took an afternoon trip about thirty minutes away to Casa Cenote and went snorkeling with our guide, Oswaldo, for almost two hours. It was one of our favorite experiences. We swam under the roots of trees and saw huge fish, a baby alligator, and a baby blue crab. The water was crystal clear! We loved this cenote but may want to go to a more private, rugged one next time. After our experience there, we had our driver drop us off at the opposite end of the road that we had not explored yet, and we shopped until sunset. We walked by Posada Margherita to eat, but they only take cash and we had just used it all that day and the near by ATMs were broken, so we tried to go to Hartwood, but they were closed two of the nights that we wanted to try! Those two places are most definitely on our list for next time. We were pretty exhausted, so we decided to have a cozy dinner at The Real Coconut and end the night with their coconut milk hot cocoa. It was one of the frothiest, most delicious drinks I have ever had and perfectly sweetened with the purest coconut sugar!WEDNESDAY. We woke up and had a few hours to enjoy the beach and the delicious food before we had to pack up and leave for the airport. What a gift this trip was. We left with full hearts, renewed energy, and the greatest memories! Oh! And a box of homemade coconut flour tortillas and chips for the road. xo

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SHOP THE POST: 

swim top | swim bottoms | one-piece (and similar)

beach pant (different pattern) | sunnies | head wrap (different color)

one-piece | swim top | swim bottoms

white tank (similar) | sandals | hat

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Current Color Scheme That We Love

There is a current color scheme that we love...red, ivory, and camel. There is something so cozy and warm about this combo that makes us think fall and holiday season, while still keeping things light and bright. Below are a few pieces from a few favorite retailers that fit into this color scheme including a red mock-neck top from Free People, a camel cardigan from Abercrombie, and ivory (AKA, the most perfect shade of winter white...) pants from Anthropologie.

RED

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IVORY

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CAMEL 

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image via Pinterest 

Letting Go

I think sometimes we only think of letting go when it comes to BIG specific things, like a dream that didn't come to life or an opportunity that didn't turn out as we had wished. However, what if we were to "let go" more than just when we have to? Scroll down to read more!If we make letting go a daily way of life, it will become habitual and natural to release the tight grip that we have on our own dreams, plans, and thoughts. Doing so will ease our burden and allow us to surrender control of our lives over to the One who is actually in control. "Letting go" can be a constant lifestyle and a forever frame of mind, versus just an act when you are in a situation or circumstance that forces you to let go. A yoga teacher once said during class, "Let go and let God", and that has forever made an impact on my life. If we choose to live in a "let go" state, we open ourselves up to all that He is capable of doing! A few thoughts on how to actually do this...

-Praise Him each morning by praying, giving thanks, reading His Word, and turning on worship music as you get ready for the day;these things put the focus on Him versus ourselves and set our minds in a place that is open to His direction.

-When you start to feel stress over figuring something out, or obsession over an outcome, or worry over what could happen "if"...stop, breathe, and say out loud "Jesus, I give this to you. I lay it down." Or something like that! It is amazing how the act of saying those words actually changes our mindset and causes peace to settle in.

-Keep Moving. This is a funny one because at the same time that we are to "move forward" we are also called to "be still" in waiting for His guidance and direction. Even though they sound opposite, they actually can be and should be lived out simultaneously. Read this previous post for more!

-If you feel like your mind can't let go of something, journal about it or call a friend or family member to talk it out. I had a great conversation with a friend recently and she made a comment about letting things work themselves out, which is another aspect of letting go. Give things time to happen, but in the meantime, write down your thoughts and seek wise counsel.

We would love to hear your thoughts on letting go in the comments section! Here is a passage of scripture that we find so comforting and encouraging when it comes to letting go, surrendering, and trusting Him:

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 

I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. 

When you walk, you won't be held back; 

when you run, you won't stumble. 

Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. 

Guard them, for they are the key to life.  

Proverbs 4:10-14 (NLT) 

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SHOP THE LOOK + SIMILAR TOPS THAT WE LOVE:

jeans (c/o) | boots | sunnies (similar, similar) | top (c/o...print sold out, sadly!)

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Crane and Lion Giveaway

It has been such an honor partnering with Crane and Lion active wear to create a capsule collection. They are truly the most lovely company with the biggest hearts, and the most exciting part of this partnership is that 30% of all sales from this capsule collection will be donated to The Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation through the month of November! This is such a blessing because we will provide for three recipients by January of next year, and we can only continue giving to these sweet girls through donations, and this avenue is such a fun way to participate.I am so thrilled that you can enter to win an entire Crane and Lion outfit (the Keyhole Sports Bra, a pair of Original Tights, the Modern Pima Tank, and the Quilted Pullover, which is a $325 value) by doing the following:

• Follow @craneandlion and @laurenscruggs on Instagram
• Tag at friend in comments of my IG post on @laurenscruggs
• Sign up for the Crane & Lion newsletter

Check out the sweet interview we did together on their website, and be sure to take a look at the capsule collection I created.P.S. Here is a fun shopping surprise: use this discount code to receive 20% off your entire order: Lauren_Scruggs_Kennedy, and this is limited to one use per customer. Happy shopping! 

10 Questions with Angela Lanter

Hey guys! We are so excited to have one of my besties on the blog today, Angela Lanter! Ang and her husband, Matt, are two of my and Jase's closest friends and we absolutely love doing life with them. Read the Q&A below to get to know Ang as she dishes on all things love, beauty, pregnancy, and blogging. xo- How did you and your husband meet and when did you know that he was the one?Matt and I have a mutual friend from church, Courtney, who played matchmaker.  She was convinced that we were perfect for each other…  Turns out she was right!  I knew very early on that Matt was the one for me.  I didn’t have a moment, per se, that it dawned on me.  I could feel that something was different about our relationship than any other relationship I’d ever been in.-When did you start your blog and what was the journey of becoming a blogger like for you?I launched Hello Gorgeous in January 2013, just a few months before our wedding.  I didn’t have much time to put into my blog at first because I was planning a wedding and working full-time as a fraud investigator.  After we were married, I quit my job and we moved to New Orleans for Matt’s show, Starcrossed.  I had time to focus on my blog and turned my passion into my career.  I launched my YouTube channel in September 2013 and never looked back.  I’ve always loved beauty, so I knew this was the field I wanted to be in, I just didn’t know how to make that a reality.  Blogging has allowed me to take the things I love and turn them into my own business.-We love your Instagram so much! What is your approach to managing that social platform and connecting with your followers?I try my best to keep my posts as real as possible.  Social media has a way of making things look so perfectly perfect…  But that’s not reality.  I love connecting with my followers, my Gorgeous Girls, on real-life issues, so I focus on creating content that’s relevant to what’s currently going on in my life that others can relate to.  I also do my best to respond to as many comments as possible to show my appreciation to those who take the time to follow along and share their lives and thoughts with me.-Give us a brief description of your personal style. Where are your favorite places to shop? I consider my style feminine casual.  I like to be cute but also comfortable…  Especially now that I’m pregnant!  My favorite thing to do is mix highs and lows.-What is your typical morning beauty routine + a few of your must-have products? I’m big in exfoliation, I try to exfoliate 2 times a week to keep my skin looking and feeling soft.  My basic morning products are: cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream and moisturizer with SPF.  I can’t live without a good eye cream!-How do you stay so healthy & fit!? Share a few tips + a some of your favorite foods.I would love to say that I have this awesome workout routine and diet that I stick to…  But I don’t, lol.  I try to do yoga whenever possible and I’m constantly on the go, so I tend to walk a lot.  We try to make smart choices when cooking and eating out, but I also really love my desserts…  It’s one of my pregnancy cravings for sure.-Congrats on your first baby-to-be! What has been the most surprising thing about pregnancy so far? The most surprising is the amount of symptoms that I have experienced that I was clueless about.  You would think with as many cousins and girlfriends that I have who have had babies, I would know it all…  But no one does.  Each and every pregnancy is different and I made the mistake of thinking that what I’ve seen others experience would be exactly what I experience.-Tell us about your and your husband's podcast, Hello Bump! How did that idea come about? I had been throwing around the idea of launching a podcast for over a year, but my husband’s job moved us to Vancouver last summer and we put that idea on the back burner.  When we found out we were pregnant, we thought, this is the perfect time to jump into the podcast world!  We didn’t even know if we would ever release it, but after listening to what we recorded, we decided it was too fun not to share.-It must be so fun working on the podcast with Matt! Do you feel that sharing the journey with your followers and fans has been a gift for the both of you as expecting parents? I think so.  I’ve had so many women reach out to me after listening who relate to me because of my endometriosis journey, or different symptoms I’ve experienced.  I’ve had a lot of women say that the podcast has been such a fun way for them to relive their own pregnancies, even many years ago.  I think it’s just a fun, easy listen and people can relate to what we’re experiencing and feeling.-What is the one thing that you are looking forward to most about being a Mom? Bonding with my baby.  I wanted a girl so badly, so I’m so excited to get to share things like my love of makeup and clothes with her (hopefully she’ll love those things too, lol!)  I can’t wait to dress her and do her hair…  Basically, just be a girl’s mom!

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