#FollowFriday

On this week #FollowFriday are four awesome #GirlBosses! They got style and kick butt running awesome business, write books and create amazing clothes and products.

Veronica Levy @ Lombard and fifth

You can check out her awesome blog here and shop Lombard and Fifth here.

 

Emily Schuman @ Cupcakes and Cashmere

You can check Emily's amazing life and style blog here and shop her Cupcakes and Cashmere collection here.

 

Elise and Emma @ A Beautiful Mess

For all your craft, DIY, recipe needs, check out their blog here, you can shop ABM here.

 

 

Have you read any of these blogs? How amazing are they?

 

Stop by my instagram and twitter to find all four linked bloggers social media accounts.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

(All images are owned by their respective blog/bloggers and should not be distributed without explicit permission!)

 

 

Seeing More Confidently with GlassesShop - Part Two

I recently got a chance to work with GlassesShop and got a pair of new prescription glasses! This was my  first time ordering glasses online. I love to save money - which is perfect for online glasses shopping. But I was always concerned about headaches or issues - which were surprisingly not issues at all. My friend did my measurements for me - and even with an astigmatism, there have been no problems.

Plus they are pretty freakin' cute! And purple (my fave)! Really only took me 5 minutes to pick them out. My only problem now? Wanting to order more!

GlassesShop is offering all the Letters to LALA land readers 50% off the prescription eyeglasses! Use GSHOT50! This code means you can have 50% off on eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded).

Healthy Snacks for the Busy (and/or Lazy) Bodies

I'm seriously one of the laziest, busy people you will ever meet. Running from one thing to the other, trying to jam some food in my pie-hole, and some sleep when I have a minute. Meanwhile there's 15 loose cards and 3 empty packs of gum in my messy purse, my socks don't match, and my hair is probably in a pony tail. Yet I still try to be healthy with what I'm stuffing in my face even though I hate planning meals (or cooking them). So here's my go-to healthy snacks! No fuss, no muss.

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Apples and cheese! So freakin tasty! Good for any time of the day snack!

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Hummus and pretzel chips! I could eat this every day. You can get a big container of hummus or little individual ones if that works too. YUM!

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Granola bars. There is so much variety that you would be hard pressed to find a winner.

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Cheap and quick. Veggies. So many options.

What's your go-to healthy snack?

OOTD - Leather Vest and a White Dress

I stay away from most light colored clothing- mainly because I tend to spill coffee- get lipstick or pen - on every piece of clothes I own. I wore this dress before (here) where I kept it simple, today I decided to toughened up the little white dress with a black leather vest and black accessories.

Dress: Marshalls

Purse: Steve Madden

Shoes: Michael Antonio

Vest: vintage

Sunglasses: Chanel

I love that just adding a leather vest gave the whole outfit more of an edge. What do you think?

Top 5 Tips For Using Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo can be your best friend against having to wash and dry your hair everyday. All in all, a lazy girls must have a staple. Because aint nobody got time for that! Oily hair is the enemy and dry shampoo is your weapon, but use it wisely. Here are some tips to help you use this magnificent invention.

1. Do not use it more than twice on unwashed hair it can irritate your scalp and build up in the root shaft. And while some ladies can pull of bald Natalie Portman circa her V for Vendetta phase (a fab movie by the way!) not all of us are that blessed so as with anything don't over due it.

2. I know it says it on the bottle, but you really do need to hold the bottle at least 10 inches away for even distribution and to avoid a chalky mess. You also avoid getting the product into the scalp. Start at the ear, and spray the dry shampoo from underneath your hair. If you don't start at the base of your hair, you won't reap the volumizing benefits, and your hair can fall flat as the day goes on. 

3. Okay this is THE TIP of all tips, apply the dry shampoo the night before it gives the formula more time to absorb the oils and any white residue is long gone by the time you wake up. Best advice I was ever given and boy am I glad they did. You can also add a little more in the morning to counteract any oil buildup while you slept.

4. There are many different formulas find the right one for your hair type, there are formulas made specifically for dark hair like Batiste Deep and Dark Brown or Colorproof Dryspell Color Protect Dry Shampoo for colour treated hair it will help your hair stay vibrant and add heat protection. 

5. Section out your hair into two-inch sections and spray at the root of each section. If you don't section out your hair, product can get concentrated in one area.

What tips and tricks do you have? Any brand you prefer that I should try?

OOTD - Grey Skirt

Button down skirts are all over the blogosphere as the go-to 70’s inspired staple for the spring and summer. I love this suede high-waist gray skirt. It’s so comfortable and  is versatile so it  can be styled easily. It will also be easy to transition it back to fall by adding a chunky sweater or a crop top turtleneck. I paired it with a basic tank top and black accessories.

skirt: Marshalls

shoes: Michael Antonio

purse: Zac Posen

shirt: Aritzia

#FollowFriday x Fashion Revolution

If you are on social media you have seen the #whomademyclothes as part of Fashion Revolution that is asking brands to show us who actually made our items and to help set better standards for people who make all the clothes and jewelry. Keeping with this theme, on this weeks of #FollowFriday we bring you four brands we love. Check their instagrams and ask them who makes their stuff.

Bano eeMee

shop: here

Suka Clothing

shop: here

Workhall Studio

shop: here

Cloud & Lolly

shop: here

Most of you know that at Letters to LA LA Land we are love our local designers and shops. I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community where I live. Think globally, act locally I suppose.

Suka Clothing Dress || Bano eeMee Jacket 

 (All images are owned by their respective blog/bloggers and should not be distributed without explicit permission!)

5 Affordable Online Courses You Should Take to Boost Your Blog and Career

I am strong believer that you should continually learn new things, consistently work to improve your skills and get a little better every day. Not all learning is in a formal capacity, some things you learn by doing, others by talking to people but as long as you are learning that's what matters.

Classes can be expensive and time consuming so we found five online classes that can help you, your blog and career grow, all while not speeding a lot of money:

Social Media Superhero, $37
Social Media is everything now days and it not going anywhere.

The Photography Starter Kit for Beginners, $49
This not only great for blogger who take pictures every day, but for everyone who want to take better photos.

Become a Better Blogger: Content Planning, $14
This video class is offered via SkillShare and is a great for anyone who is trying to juggle a full time job, blogging and keeping any sort of a social life. While many things you ll know, they share few tips and tricks that can make your life easier.

Programming for Everyone, Free
One this I wish I knew more when I started blogging was programming/editing/html/coding- this class is a good start for this.

Become a More Effective Manager, $105
This class is part of a four class sequence but if you have anyone reporting to you, or looking to get into a leadership role this is a great resource.

Have you take any of these classes? What do you guys think?

OOTD - Purple Dress

Since I love dresses, I am always looking for fun styles and dresses that will suite my body type. In my search I have learned that A-line dresses are my friend.  They hug you in all the right places and let out at just the right spots. I picked up this purple a-line dress because it has pockets but I love the fun cutouts and panels on it. Any a-line dress is also a great outfit building block and can be styled in multiple ways. (add a belt and sweater, layer it with a leather jacket or throw on a long oversized sweater .. options are limitless).

dress: Ricki's

shoes: Valentino

Do you wear A-line dresses?

TV/Movies- Top 5 British Shows To Watch On Netflix

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I started binge watching a British show on Netflix over the weekend, and it sort of snow balled from there. I began watching only British shows and I've complied a top 5 list of British shows, all of which are available to watch on Netflix. So prepare for all the British slang and get your "Bollocks, Mates, Cheers, and Loves" on!

Downton Abbey

This show is a period piece set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate between 1912 and 1925 and depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crowley family and their domestic servants. Yup you read that right servants! They have their own quarters, and their own drama and scandal. Period stories are great you get to lose yourself in another time, don't worry I am not delusional I would have probably been a servant but one can dream. Who knew there was so much politics between footman and valets, who can work in the kitchen and who can and cannot  be a ladies maid. You just have to watch it you will be hooked and you are in luck because Netflix has just added Season 5.

Doctor Foster

This is a show about a woman who suspects her husband is having an affair. After following several lines of enquiries far more is unraveled including a streak of violence below the surface. So that's what IMDB says, but you should really watch this show this woman does what every woman thinks and wishes she could do if she suspected her husband was cheating. I really don't want to give anything away so just go watch it. It is a five-part mini series; however, they have picked it up for a second series so lookout for that.

Happy Valley

This show is a crime drama television series and set in the Calder Valley. Sergeant Catherine Cawood is on duty when a flustered and nervous accountant Kevin Weatherill comes into her West Yorkshire station to report a crime. From there many things unfold, there's a kidnapping, a serial killer and many other crimes that are somehow connected in this crime drama. How does Kevin the ordinary accountant fit into all of this, watch the series and find out. Seasons 1 & 2 are on Netflix so enjoy.

Broadchurch
This is a series about the murder of an eleven year old  boy in a small coastal that sparks an unwanted media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart. There are a lot of secrets in this small town and everyone is a suspect. I don't want to give anymore away, so just go watch it.

The Fall
Jamie Dornan is in this of Fifty Shades of Grey fame, don't let that influence your decision on whether or not to watch this show though. I guess much to my surprise he really is a good actor. In this psychological thriller, he plays a serial killer and Gillian Anderson plays the detective that tries to catch him. If thrillers don't make you squeamish then I highly suggest this show!

What British shows are you watching? Any I should check out that didn't make the list?

Seeing more confidently with GlassesShop!

I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 16. My vision’s not that bad–usually when I’m at home I don’t wear them but I need glasses when I’m driving, especially at night or for seeing far away. I turned to contacts early on, because I felt I looked better with them and most glasses made me feel funny or I looked odd in them. Contacts are a pain, and both glasses and contacts are expensive.

I recently got a chance to work with GlassesShop and got a pair of new glasses . It is amazing what difference getting a new pair of glasses does for your appearance, I felt more confident, elegant and put together. GlassesShop is an online place that offers trendy, quality and affordable prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses.

Its funny how something as simple a pair of new prescription glasses can make you feel more confident. Its like seeing things in a whole new way.

GlassesShop is offering all the Letters to LALA land readers 50% off the prescription eyeglasses! Use GSHOT50! This code means you can have 50% off on eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded).


Which ones are your favorite?

OOTD - Business Casual

Having to dress business attire appropriate for work every day is exhausting. Also most business wear borderlines on boring. How many black, grey or navy suits can one have and wear? I try to add fun pieces to my work wardrobe that are easy to transition into everyday wear. I have previously mentioned my love for Joe Fresh, so I had to get this shirt when I saw it.  This butterfly shirt added much needed spunk and fun to my work outfits. I paired it with black pants, a black blazer and simple black pumps. How do you make your work outfits more fun?

pants: Reitmans

shirt: Joe Fresh

blazer: Banana Republic

purse: Winners

Music of the Month: Chris Cornell

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Chris Cornell: the ultimately sexy singer, songwriter. He's been a small (HUGE) obsession of mine since the first time his voice danced into my eardrums years and years ago. He's the lead singer for Soundgarden and Audioslave - many people love one band more than the other. I'm partial to Audioslave myself, but still have plenty love for Soundgarden even though they tend to be harder on the rock scale than my tastes normally lean.

Cornell has been putting out solo albums throughout his long and illustrious career - including my favourite Songbook which is acoustic. His raspy and perfectly pitched voice completely draws me in and make me want to have little Cornell babies. Such a fan girl.

 His new album Higher Truth is quickly becoming a new favourite. And he's on tour! In Calgary and Edmonton, he's playing smaller venues that are up close and personal which a AWESOME. Although not entirely sure about the other cities, it's most likely the same. Here's a video of the latest single, hope you love it too!