We all want to look good. But do we know why we want to look good? Is it to impress others, or is it to simply satisfy ourselves? 

{Photo via Much Info}

Fashion is everywhere and these days it's easy to say that anything goes. But does it really? Yes, everyone has the freedom to wear whatever they want, but that doesn't mean it makes them look good. But then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? 

That whole first paragraph was just to get you thinking. Now, you are here reading my style blog, so that must mean that you like fashion or that you need some guidance around fashion. First, the question I would like you to ask yourself is:

Why do I want to look good?

That is the first step in finding your style. Figuring out your "why" is key to just about anything that you want to achieve whether it be finding your style, weight loss or whatever you want to do. Once you figure your why around being fashionable, then you will be on your way to having great style!

The second step to finding your style has to do with stepping out of your comfort zone and being willing to try new things. If you are not willing to take a step out of your box, then forget about fashion. 

And the third step to finding your style is to be confident about who you are. I know this might sound a little crazy, but if you just look in the mirror and stare into your own eyes and accept your flaws, accept that you have made mistakes in life and hopefully learned from those mistakes, and tell yourself that you are beautiful. Some of us are afraid to tell ourselves that we are beautiful because we are afraid that might make us seem cocky. So on that note, there is a balance that you must maintain. You are beautiful, but you are not perfect and you make mistakes and you learn from them every day. 

Now clean out that closet and go shopping! 

Happy Friday!

The Laura's Style gals were lucky enough to be able to visit the gorgeous Samoset resort in Rockland Maine again this summer. What a vacation! This place is so beautiful and relaxing. It is a land where everything is perfect and you can feel free to kick back and enjoy the scenery. This was the view from our room. Spectacular!

And when we spotted this skirt from Chicwish we couldn't help but dream about our vacation. We wish we were still there enjoying the scenery. Wearing this skirt means that we could keep that vacation front of mind and maybe we could help someone else escape for a minute or two as they enjoy the view.

Tell us where you might be escaping to this weekend!

Let's face it. Pearls go with EVERYTHING. They can take a look from casual to dressed up in an instant. They are the most called upon accessory for every women, especially those who have a hard time "dressing up." They know that they can always count on pearls to do that for them. Watch the video below for a few ideas on the types of pearl necklaces you may want to own. If anything, you should have at least one simple single strand of pearls in your jewelry box. That's our opinion. We welcome yours!

SHOP PEARLS

The short answer to this question is of course no. But there is nothing wrong with doing so if it just so happens to work out that way unintentionally. It was a a fashion "rule" back in the 50's and 60's which carried slightly into the 70's to always match your shoes to your handbag and I think that your belt was supposed to match too. In the 80's this rule went right out the window. There were a lot of bad things that happened with fashion in the 80's but luckily one good thing came out of that era!

Below you will find some examples of handbags paired with shoes that look perfectly cool but do not match at all. And yes, the last look is a navy handbag paired with black shoes. Contrary to popular belief, navy and black should be worn together!

More handbags I am loving for the upcoming season!

More shoes I am loving for the upcoming season!

A couple of days ago I wrote a blog post about embracing August, our last full month of summer. But I just couldn't help but experiment with this fall/winter color called Marsala. It's such a rich color and I happen to love it. Not just because it's Pantone's color of the year, but because I feel like it really works well with my complexion. I have to admit, I do struggle with color during the summer months. I feel like I wear jewel tones and deeper colors better, but they are hard to come by in the summer.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

{Photo via Hadley Court}

I just happened to find this sweet flutter jersey from Talbots hanging in my closet. I couldn't find anything like it on the internet! I was hoping to find something similar in a close color so that I could refer you to it just in case you wanted one for yourself. However I did come across some adorable flutter sleeve tops for you to shop.

SHOP FLUTTER SLEEVE TOPS

TOP AND SKIRT FROM TALBOTS | VINTAGE RING AND EARRINGS FROM THE CANNY CANARY | SHOES FROM MODCLOTH

Watch the inspirational video below to learn more about my favorite color, Marsala.

It's HOT outside. So why do women choose a trend like maxi dresses to wear in this mid summer heat? That is what our favorite street fashion photographer Bill Cunningham is asking. 

Little does Bill know, maxi dresses are actually cool. They may skim the pavement, but they are loose fitting and flowy so they let air in and keep it moving. The other thing that we love about maxi dresses is that they cover a multitude of sins. I know that I don't really dislike my legs but they really are not all that tan, so if I can hide them vs going through the whole process of putting on my Sally Hansen airbrush legs tanning lotion, I'm gonna hide them. At least for one day. A girl needs a break once in a while.Below are a few of our favorite maxi dresses of the season:

Is it just me or has there recently been an influx of fab fashion brands coming out of Australia!? First The Fifth came across to Asos alongside the likes of Finders Keepers, and then I was introduced to the effortlessly cool label, JAGGAR. Perhaps I'm just unobservant, but anywho, I seriously want to move to Australia right now!

Clean, tailored and cool with a rock and roll edge, JAGGAR radiates that seemingly unattainable, (for me any way), "off-duty model" kinda look with a luxe twist. Here I'm wearing their leather Stork Embroidered Skirt. At first glance I seriously said out loud, "oh my gosh, that's mental", but then I tried it on... and now I don't want to take it off. Ever! Not only is the fit PERFECT, (I'd been looking for a well fitting leather skirt for at least a year), but it feels great and although it's a tad "out there" I'd say, in comparison to the rest of my wardrobe, I've fallen in love with it! I've also got my eye on this Daze Dress by JAGGAR too - so pretty!

PLAID MOHAIR-BLEND SWEATER BY M MISSONI

STORK EMBROIDERED SKIRT FROM JAGGAR*