Hi y’all! I’m Laura Leigh of Louella Reese. Louella Reese is a fashion and lifestyle blog. This little space of the internet was created to help me share and also find my passion. I’m a 20-something newlywed living in Charlotte, NC with my hubs and twelve-year-old yorkie, Reese. During the day I work as a Sales Trainer at one of the biggest companies in NC. Come 6pm, it’s all about blogging though!
I really enjoy spending time with my hubs, working out my stress and clearing my head at the gym, traveling to new places, Oreo’s, and Freixenet champagne. If you haven’t tried this champagne, you need to, ASAP! I’m not a spokesperson for them but totally should be :)
I am so beyond flattered to be a part of Emily Ley’s Simplicity Series. As in I let out a giddy YAY when I received the email asking me to take part! So here’s a little more about me and how I handle this crazy thing we call LIFE!
How do you take care of yourself so that you’re physically and mentally prepared to be your best self for your loved ones?
The best thing for me to do is get a work out in before I head to work in the morning. It gives me the perfect amount of me time while also helping feel more prepared for the day. I’m more alert, energized, and I feel good about myself. When I’m getting cranky or feeling worn down, the best thing for me to do is take some alone time to pamper myself. Paint my nails, do a face mask, load my hair with coconut oil, and write a blog post. After that I come back refreshed and ready to be my best self for myself and my loved ones.
What’s your favorite beauty secret?
Coconut oil. The stuff is amazing! I use it for dry lips, skin, and a hair mask weekly {sometimes bi-weekly}. Using coconut oil has completely transformed my hair! If you haven’t tried it before go buy a jar stat! You won’t regret it, promise!
What’s your favorite outfit for a quick, polished look?
For the fall season we’re in right now, my go to look is a flowy mini dress with a chunky sweater pulled over and booties. I also typically throw on my favorite navy suede cross body. The handbag adds the perfect polished touch.
What’s your favorite quick-prep dinner for your family?
Since I’m recently married, making dinner for two is something new to me. What I’ve been doing though is getting a large amount of ground beef and browning it Sunday night to use for different recipes throughout the week. Pasta with meat sauce, tacos with veggies and rice, or sloppy joes. Super simple but always a hit!
Tell us your favorite Instagram account to follow, and why?
I love following SMPLiving. Mainly because the home decor they share is so swoon worthy but also for the recipes and dreamy tablescapes. Really everything they share just makes my eyes, mind, and heart happy.
What tradition or routine is important to you?
I am such a routine person. I’m also really big in following traditions set by my mother. It’s SO hard to pick just one. I can tell you one that always pops into my mind when I think about traditions and one I will absolutely do when I have children. Every year for Christmas, my mother would gift us an ornament the night before. Every Christmas Eve I remember having this extreme amount of excitement knowing I would have a new ornament on the tree, just for me.
What’s in your purse?
Lipstick, chapstick, my wallet, bobby pins {so many}, a hair tie or two, a snack bag of almonds, a pinch emergency pouch, pen, and small notepad.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration for fashion and beauty comes from fellow fashion bloggers and celebrities {Reese Witherspoon and Blake Lively}. For life, it truly comes from my mother. She’s the strongest, hardest worker, and most passionate person. Not to mention she inspires me constantly to take a step back, trust God, and let it be. A reminder I need often!
We know you’re a busy lady! How do you balance all of your work responsibilities along with your home and personal life? Any tips for our readers?
This past year has been NUTS between a full time job, blogging, and wedding planning. I truly don’t know how I balanced it all but somehow I survived {my loved ones too, ha}. What I believe helps me the most to stay organized is to have several to do lists to keep me straight and on task. I have one in my planner and one in my phone. The one in my phone is items that need to be completed stat! The list in my planner are tasks I would like to complete but don’t have a deadline. Having the two separate lists helps to keep me sane and not overwhelmed by a lengthy list. I also say taking the time to have me time is extremely important. This allows you to breathe, reflect, and decide what is truly important and what you can say no to or let go of.
What’s your favorite app (or other tool!) for helping you do life?
I LOVE Myfitnesspal! This app is perfect for woman on the go who are trying to keep track of their food and exercise. It often motivates me to get moving throughout the day after plugging in what I’ve eaten. It helps me keep on track without having to spend too much time thinking about it.
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