Myth #1 about Charleston: It is a tropical paradise.
Okay, maybe that’s not an actual myth. But to an Upstate NY girl who has only lived in the Northeast her entire life, I pretty much figured I’d be living in Key West-type weather all year when I moved to Charleston two years ago. Needless to say I was wrong, but have still LOVED the chance to live in a warmer climate while being able to enjoy the seasons.
Despite the damp, dreary day yesterday, I had a great time shooting in downtown Charleston by the waterfront. What was more exciting was meeting with Julie Hammond for the first time, a very talented and aspiring local photographer who agreed to collaborate on the blog!
It had been several months since I’d last blogged; mainly because I didn’t like the idea of asking friends to take my pictures. The truth (and I know I’m preaching to the choir), is that having a legitimate blog is a lot more work than I anticipated. I didn’t quite realize the amount of time that goes into taking decent pictures, writing, and creating a worthwhile product. One aspect that seemed particularly difficult to me was developing a strategy for photo shoots, as I felt self-conscious and annoying asking friends to be behind the camera. I decided I’d feel more comfortable collaborating with a photographer and having the chance to help each other grow and develop our platforms. One evening while out to dinner, a good friend of mine mentioned that her co-worker was a photographer, and recommended we connect. And voilà- Julie and I were introduced!
I’ve recently been inspired by Carly Heitlinger’s blog, Carly the Prepster. I identify with Carly’s style because it is classy yet simple. Out of all of the bloggers I follow, Carly’s style is probably the closest to what I’d realistically emulate on a day-to-day basis. She loves navy, stripes, and basic pieces with a fun twist, similar to the outfit I wore for this shoot. Somewhat surprisingly, I’ve gotten a lot of use out of the basic red-and-white striped t-shirt this spring. I originally purchased it at the Skinny Dip Charleston (featured in a previous post!) to wear to Gasparilla, an annual pirate festival in Tampa, FL. I initially bought the shirt because I thought it looked kind of pirate-y, but had no idea how much I’d enjoy wearing it on a regular basis! Furthermore, I am LOVING this white scalloped tote from Draper James. Its scalloped edges and bright blue interior are such fun details, and I love its size and overall quality. Finally, for anyone wondering- I’ve been wearing this navy blue sweater from Lilly Pulitzer RELIGIOUSLY for the past two years. It might be the most versatile piece I own- I’ve worn it out to nice dinners, I’ve worn it to bed, and probably to everything in between. It continues to be a timeless item and worth every penny I paid for it.
Pictured Above:
Top: Buru
Sweater: Lilly Pulitzer (old)
Jeans: Flying Monkey
Tote: Draper James
Photography: Julie Hammond
I am no Sommelier- but I do love a glass of wine! For Christmas, my wonderful friend Emily sent me a copy of The World Atlas of Wine. We had both recently read Stephanie Danler’s stunning debut novel, 
I returned to Charleston late last night after a week spent at home in upstate New York…and let me tell you, it’s nice to be back in double digit temperatures!
This time of year just feels so magical. It’s amazing how something as simple decorating a little tree with lights feels so cozy, homey, and beautiful. This was the first year I’ve gone to get a tree on my own. Of course I chose a time when the weather was truly frightful, and it took some wrestling to get the tree inside…but it was so worth it! The most special part is that the tree is from a little farm in upstate New York, which is where I grew up. It’s like having a little piece of home right in my Charleston living room!
If you’ve made it to my page, thank you for reading! My name is Lauren and I’m 25 years old and living in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. I’m here to share some of my favorite outfits and the inspiration behind what I wear!
Style by Lauren Elizabeth 