Tag: Laura Boswell

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Style Sessions We Recommend

Spring Moods and A Salute to Motherhood

This past week has been bittersweet as I assemble this spread for my final Style Sessions post. Choosing to say farewell to this endeavor has developed from shifting priorities and reflecting on life as a whole.

Over the past 3 years, the blog has given me a chance to meet an amazing variety of people. It was my hope to tell their story and capture their genuine style. The greatest joy was giving them images they were proud of and seeing their excitement for being spotlighted, particularly on a well-regarded platform like the Memphis Flyer. The Flyer’s cool factor proved to be universally known. I would be remiss if I didn’t take get a chance to express how forever grateful I am for this experience.

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As I thought about what my last post would be, I naturally remembered my first post 3 years ago as a contributor to Style Sessions. The “Fresh Air” spring fashion post developed from a simple photo shoot that honestly had no other intention but to get some new photographs of myself. It turned out to be a rewarding day of collaborating with local designers, hair and make-up artist Jennifer Ralda, and the incredible talent that is Dirk Olsen. In some ways, I wanted to relive that first spread by again pulling in local talent to help me venture out a bit more from my typical style. Right off the Memphis Fashion Week runway, the modern-day cape by Andrea Fenise became the foremost representation of the sophistication and strength I wanted to represent. Pulling in more patterns and dramatic shapes became the theme.

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With Mother’s Day approaching, the post idea soon evolved into a photo shoot with my little one (but almost taller than me) Atticus and a few fellow style bloggers who also happen to be moms. Laura, Alexandra, and Andrea along with Leighton, Jack, and Amira shared an afternoon with us to play dress-up but mostly to celebrate the beauty of motherhood. They all exude their own unique sense of style and strong identities as both fearless leaders in style and moms to, dare I say, future leaders in style.

SPECIAL THANKS

Make-up for Sophorn, Alex, and Laura by Alexandra Nicole.
Make-up for Andrea by Marnelia Roy.
Styling for Andrea and Amira by Andrea Fenise.
Styling for Laura and Leighton by Laura Boswell.
Styling for Sophorn, Jack, and Alexandra in group photo by Alexandra Nicole.

“Spring Moods” and group photos by dirk olsen.
All other photos by Sophorn Kuoy.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Kimono, Crazy Beautiful; Jumpsuit, Anthropologie; Earrings, City & State.

Cape and sequin dress, by Andrea Fenise.

Tank, The Attic; Skirt, The Ivory Closet.

Tie-Dye Tank Dress, bracelet, and necklace on Sophorn, The Attic.

Top on Alexandra, The Attic.

Dress on Laura, Free People.

Lace top on Andrea, by Andrea Fenise.

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Style Sessions We Recommend

Baby Style – Layering Up for Fall

October arrived with a preview of chilly fall weather, letting us break out our jackets and sweaters again. Not to mention all the extra fall gear like hats, scarves, and vests. Style mavens Alexandra Nicole and Laura Boswell point out the fun in layering – assembling your favorites all in one fantastic outfit. 

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Reuniting from the summer style feature, their babies Jack and Leighton show that layering up is both stylish and functional.

“Not only does layering provide warmth, but is also great for the accidental spit up moments!” explains Alexandra.

For Jack, Alexandra thinks of his wardrobe as representing a “little man.” With his polo style onesies and dress shirts, he works the persona of a little gentleman.

“Heaven knows that I don’t want him to grow up, but I love the grown-up style for the little boys. Vests are going to be a huge hit for boys this fall, along with rich colors, plaids, and stripes. I have observed a lot of yellow and olive on the store shelves as well as cable sweaters and zip ups,” she says about trends to try.

For Leighton, Laura often layers her outfit by adding leggings or tights underneath a dress or tunic then adds a wool peacoat. In this outfit, Leighton is wearing fleece-lined leggings with a plaid tunic and furry vest – all with details that scream style but won’t limit her ability to play her heart out.

“I also love putting her in cute beanies during the colder season. For myself, I love adding vests, ponchos, scarves, or capes to help bundle up,” she says.

The stylish duo shows that the key to layering is mixing color, pattern, and texture while allowing them to be able to peel away layers as they need to give them the perfect amount of warmth. 

On Leighton:
Carter’s Plaid Tunic
Gordmans Cable Knit Fleece Lined Leggings
Gymboree Wool Peacoat
Robeez Leather Shoes
Wolfpack Littles Faux Fur Vest
Bayou Belles Hair Bow

On Jack:
Carter’s Kids

Shoot location: Second Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch

Visit Laura’s blog Walking in Memphis in High Heels and Alexandra’s blog City Chic Living for their outfit details.

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Style Sessions We Recommend

Moms with Style – Laura Boswell and daughter Leighton – Walking in Memphis in High Heels

For Laura Boswell, author of the style blog Walking in Memphis in High Heels, the inevitable change is a positive one. As the first in the Moms with Style series this month, Laura shares her experience as a new mom while managing in the fun of fashion and life she’s always had.

Followers of her blog have been guided through Memphis by her warm smile that enhances her appeal as a pioneer of sorts, confidently exploring new trends. Candidly documenting her outfits during the week, readers get to discover real ways to enjoy the challenge of work wear. Her exploration of new trends begin to make work wear more chic and feminine.

Now a new mom to 6-month-old Leighton, Laura finds a way to incorporate comfort with style and, of course, includes baby in on the fun.


“I wear high heels most everyday, especially for work, but when I am out and about with Leighton (at the zoo for instance), I always pack a pair of sandals. I tend to go for rompers, jeans or shorts instead of dresses and skirts since I am bound to end up on the ground playing with Leighton at some point during the day.”

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“Layer when you can. It makes you look more pulled together even if you really just threw the first thing on you could reach for in your closet. I also throw a Chewbeads necklace or bangle in my bag so Leighton has something to chew on. I am notorious for carrying a huge diaper bag that doubles as my purse too,” she adds.

“My favorite part of style blogging is trying to come up with an outfit by mixing pieces I already have in my closet. I never got the artistic gene like my siblings, but I did get the artistic gene when it comes to picking out outfits. I love to mix and match pieces to try to create a new outfit that makes each piece look completely different depending on what you pair it with.”

She admits the act of blogging has attributed to her adventurous sense of style, helping her step out of her comfort zone. As for advice to other bloggers, she recommends what has worked for her – to “be yourself.”

“I think people will genuinely appreciate you and like you for being who you are best – yourself. I think it really shows through in your pictures and in your words, and others will see the passion you have for what you are blogging about. Also, try to take great pictures. Everyone loves a pretty picture, and it is the first thing they will see when going to your blog.” 

This Mother’s Day, Laura hopes to share a relaxed weekend with her husband Shane and baby Leighton. A significant day as it’s her first year celebrating as a mom and even more emotional since Leighton was a long-awaited.

“Our little miracle baby,” she says. “It was a long and emotional time, but it was worth every second of it.”

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Here also, Leighton has her first playdate with the baby boy of the next stylish mom featured in this series to be revealed next week but we’ll welcome any guesses you want to share.

In the meantime, click over to Laura’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide for some ideas for moms of all ages.

Outfit Details
On Leighton
Oh So Vera Bloomies & Headband
Old Navy Eyelet Top

On Laura
Francesca’s Collections Romper
Crazy Beautiful Boutique Denim Jacket
Sam Edelman Sandals
Rebecca Minkoff Diaper Bag
Ray-Ban Aviators