 Happy almost-weekend, fam! I spent the majority of last weekend watching movies, shopping, and aimlessly meandering around the city, which means I didn't snap too many photos. So I figured that in lieu of my typical Weekend Recap post, I'd share the what I picked up at Trader Joe's this week. I get a lot of questions about how I manage to cook dinners and lunches at home when I live in a city filled with endless amazing food options, so hopefully this will start to inspire your own home cooking, too! Read on to see what I picked up this week:
 Total for the week = $49.37
One of my favorite things about Trader Joe's is how they get new items in every week, so there's always something new to try! Pro Tip: In general, I tend to heavy-up in the freezer aisle so that I can stock up on items that won't go bad if I eat out more than usual during the week. Some of my other staples from them include:
That's all from me! Leave a comment if you have any fave TJ's products or recipes to share, and have an amazing weekend! xoxo, Lara
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 Hello loves! I'm a little late this week, but it's better late than never... right? I tried to keep this weekend pretty chill since it was following a basically 2-week long OOO spree, but I still managed to pack in a ton of fun + adventures in along with some downtime. FRIDAY Being the end of a week that felt like a weekend, but also like a game of post-holiday catch up with work, I took Friday night off for some much needed me-time. I went grocery shopping when the Trader Joe's line wasn't insane (gotta love TJ's, but not on a Monday evening), took a stroll through the park, and cooked dinner at home. I followed this by re-starting The Office for the billionth time, and tbh it was the best decision I've ever made. I needed to rest up, because the next day was quite the adventure.  SATURDAY On Saturday, I got up bright and early to take the ferry out to New Jersey to see one of my BFFs, Alexis, who also happens to be a coworker (aren't they the best that way?!). I hadn't taken the ferry out to deep NJ before, so it was a fun and refreshing way to spend a Summer morning. If you're looking to take a trip from the city out to the shore, I took the Seastreak ferry. When I got there, we were STARVING, mainly because Alexis insisted I waited to eat until I could try NJ's signature pork roll. I'm not sure how I would describe it, other than a very thin version of SPAM. It was good, but I wouldn't give up my baconeggncheese for it ;). After that, we explored her favorite neighborhood haunts, including a stop by the Asbury Biergarten, which has the cutest little rooftop patio that was perfect for soaking up rays while knocking back a cold one. I highly recommend the Schofferhoffer, which is a delectable sparkling grapefruit beer that they have on tap. After a TV / nap break, we headed to Lighthouse for some cool Summery treats. The Italian Ices looked amazing, but I opted for a classic mixed cone. After taking the ferry home I was ready for bed (the last ferry leaves NJ around 7:30, but it was late so I didn't get back to the city until 9pm), but I decided to rally and see what my friends were up to. I ended the night bar hopping on the Upper East Side, which never disappoints.  SUNDAY
After basically two weeks OOO, I was really starting to feel the Sunday Scaries, so I was looking forward to a chill Sunday to end my extended weekend. I started off by walking to Strand Books, arguably the best bookstore in NYC. I had just finished the previous book I was reading (The Futures by Anna Pitoniak), so I was in the market for a new casual reading book. After scouring the discount racks outside (at $1-$5 you have to check!), I meandered around inside and settled upon Neon in Daylight by Hermione Hoby, which I've just started but am already quite enjoying. Can you tell I have a thing for books about people who change their lives by moving to NYC? I took my new book out to the park, and read while I laid out in the sun with a friend, which was exactly what I needed. As Summer progresses in NYC, I have lots of exciting things planned including concerts, day trips and more! Stay tuned for my next adventures, and as always, leave a comment below if you have any recommendations or questions regarding things to do around the city :). xoxo, Lara  It's that time of the week again! I'm back with a super exciting weekend recap, as I took a trip out to Provincetown, MA for my boss' beautiful wedding. It was an absolutely incredible weekend of partying, celebrating and exploring, and I'm excited to share my adventures with you all. Let's dive in. THURSDAY This weekend recap starts one day early, as the entire office left on Thursday to head out to P-Town. We took an Amtrak train out to Boston around lunchtime, and were lucky enough to snatch a table in the café car. Hello, dreams of working on a scenic train route whilst heading off to an even more scenic beach locale, where I could then work by the pool/ocean! Although the train ride was long, I really enjoyed getting that old American experience (with food and alcohol, natch). When we finally arrived in Boston, I could not believe how beautiful the city was! I had an idea of what New England looked like in my head from movies and the like, but I had never actually seen much of it in person. I quickly became obsessed with the mix of modern and old-town architecture, as well as the overall culture of coastal towns. However, what I gained in cultural exposure and experience I unfortunately lost in personal belongings... while waiting for our ride to P-Town, we decided to stop at a Shake Shack nearby. I'm a HUGE shake shack fan (though it'll never be better than Burgerville, for all my PNW'ers out there), so I was excited when we decided to stop by. Somehow, I set my wallet down while I was in the bathroom, and it was stolen shortly thereafter. FYI: suddenly becoming ID-less and money-less at the start of a vacation is not fun. 0/10, I do not recommend it. This is the second time in about a year that I've had my purse/wallet stolen, and while replacing all of my cards and belongings is expensive and incredibly frustrating (especially over a holiday weekend), I'm trying to keep a positive mind frame about everything. Thank God for Venmo, forgiving bartenders and good friends! Once we made it into Provincetown, we arrived at the cutest little ocean-side hotel, Surfside Hotel and Suites. It has its own private beach, a pool, and the cutest beachy aesthetic ever (not to mention a few of my favorite things -- free breakfast and pool-side margarita service). The men who ran the front desk were the sweetest ever, and made us cocktails until the hotel's bar closed down for the night. Needless to say, after a day of travel and wallet-losing, I was ready to pour some back and hit the hay.
 FRIDAY On Friday, I started the day off lounging by the pool, getting some color and working by the water. I've now decided it's my life goal to figure out how I can do this all the time -- traveling and working by pools and oceans full-time sounds a lot like how I want to live my life. Anyone have any leads here? For lunch, the team had an off-site outing at Pepe's Wharf, an adorable waterfront restaurant that was legit Instagram aesthetic goals. We sat right by the water, sipping tropical cocktails (although basic, I highly recommend the Strawberry Daiquiri) and catching up. I felt like I had to get at least one Lobster Roll while in MA, so I wasted no time and got one here. It was SO good, and was of course the perfect first meal in P-Town. After lunch, we all went out on the beach to talk about our goals + desires for the rest of the year. We then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, which took place that night at the historic Provincetown Inn. I wore the above matching set from Necessary Clothing, which if you follow me on Instagram, you'll remember is a fave that I also wore for my birthday this year. They're one of my absolute fave places to shop for occasion outfits (and everyday outfits too, tbh). The evening was absolutely beautiful -- the weather was perfect, the food was delicious (a traditional North East BBQ, featuring decadent chicken wings, potato salad, lobster rolls and more), and the open bar was flowing all night with Summery drinks. We even played some good ol' rounds of bingo and corn hole, which I can never say "no" to! Overall, it was a great night of celebrating love with some amazing friends + coworkers.
 SATURDAY Saturday was wedding day (finally!), but we also had some extra time during the day to explore more of the area, which was great. We started the day off by the pool once again (how could you not?!), and then headed off to scout out a place for brunch. We started at the cutest rooftop spot Spindler's for some tiki-themed cocktails, and then walked over to a Mexican-type eatery called Yolqueria, where I had some amazing chicken & french toast. They also had the STRONGEST Spicy Paloma of my life, which I tried to soak up with one of their fresh-made cinnamon rolls. Life is all about balance, amiright? We had some spare time to kill before getting ready for the ceremony, so we headed out to the beach for some sunshine + sand. There's nothing like laying out with the seemingly endless ocean a foot away from you, sand between your toes. Bonus points if you have a great cocktail in hand, too. The wedding ceremony, which also took place at the Provincetown Inn, was absolutely beautiful. The bride and groom were stunning, the backdrop was insane, and the ambiance was incredible. I always get teary-eyed at weddings, and of course, this one was no exception. It's so heartwarming witnessing so much love shared between two people, from their subtle gestures of intimacy, to the way they looked at each other with excitement while promising a forever together. It makes me that much more excited for my special day sometime down the road! For my look, I wanted something that was breezy and light, so I opted for this flattering H&M slit dress. It comes in a few colors, and was only $25 (I also had a coupon!), so it was a total no-brainer. After the ceremony, it was of course time for even more celebrations. We started with well-appointed appetizers ahead of the speeches, and then settled into dinner (the steak was INSANE) ahead of the traditional first dances before the entire venue took over the dance floor. It was such a great time, making some amazing memories with some amazing people. Once that venue died down, it was time for the after party! They even had "party trollies" to transport everyone from the ceremony to the next stop, which was a fun little dive bar on the water called Pied Bar. They had a pool table, dancing, endless drinks, and of course, pizza for all. It was absolutely amazing, and the perfect night cap to an incredible day and weekend in general.  SUNDAY
Sunday was mainly a travel day for me, but I'm also gearing up for a week of remote work as our CEO and her new hubby are out on their honeymoon. I'm excited to take some time to explore and work from different parts of the city, meet new people, and squeeze in some Independence Day celebrations with friends. If anyone has any recommendations for fun spots to work/hang at during the week in or around NYC, let a girl know in the comments below! I'm all about a great coffee spot, pool, bar, etc.. That's it for now! Thanks for following along all weekend on IG and IG Stories, and for reading this post if you've made it this far. I'm excited to continue sharing my adventures with you all, so stay tuned for another post next week! xoxo, Lara  Hello loves! I'm back with a quick recap of what I was up to this weekend. I love reading what my favorite bloggers are up to, so I figured I'd start sharing more of my life in New York City with y'all, too! I'm truly blessed to live here, and I feel like I don't share my insights on this incredible city with you enough, so here we go. This weekend was VERY eventful for me, so buckle in, kids. This one's a long one. FRIDAY My Friday was supposed to be like any other Friday -- get up, go to work, make it to the weekend -- but it turned out to be anything but. I got up bright and early to head to Times Square (I know, why?), because my Dad was being featured on a Billboard! I sat out there for a good long while, which was very difficult being that A) I was in Times Square; B) It was 7am on a Friday; and C) I had no idea where I was supposed to be looking and when; but after a while I finally saw him and it was so worth it. I felt like I made his day when I sent him the pics/video I snapped. I didn't have any solid plans for Friday night, so I decided to do something unexpected. I booked myself a spot in the Write-In at Gotham Writers, an organization that offers writing workshops + classes of all kinds in NYC. You can pay cash at the door, but I decided to pay + register online so that there could be no turning back, no matter how tired I told myself I was on the subway ride over. I'd been wanting to get back into writing for quite some time (and by writing I mean really writing, not just the typical rambling I do over here on the blog), and this seemed like the perfect way to start. Their Write-Ins are super casual and take place every Friday night, and at only $20 a pop (or $45 for 3), they are super accessible, too. The Write-Ins last for 2 hours, and are essentially filled with two 15-minute free writes (based on random prompts given out by the instructors), with free food, wine and socializing stuck in the middle of them. The nice thing about the quick writes is that you can read your work aloud for non-critique-y feedback, or you can opt not to. It's basically a writer's paradise. Because I'm feeling extra vulnerable today, I'm gong to share one of my quick writes from that night with you below. I haven't sat down to actually write write since college, so take it easy on me!! Prompt: Cringeworthy "Why am I like this?" I'd ask myself for the umpteenth time after doing something even slightly embarrassing. It could be anything really -- an awkward intro, a trip on (or, more likely, down) the subway stairs, a text message sent before its prime. And while it would only take a second for that feeling to sink in, it'd take me an hour of sipping wine and searching through cheesy Pinterest quotes like "Don't try to be perfect, just be yourself!!!!!", with too many exclamation points added to the end for emphasis, to soothe me down to normalcy again. But what even really is "normal," anyway? "I'll sure never know," I grimaced to myself as I pressed "send" on a half-baked reply: "Sorry, Jack, I can't make it tonight." His name was James. --- On my way home after class, my BFFs texted that they were heading out to one of our favorite local haunts, so (fresh off my regained writers' high), I switched directions and met them out for some much-needed drinks and catching-up. It was the perfect way to kick-start the weekend.  SATURDAY Once again, I went into my Saturday thinking it would be rather chill. You know, one of those sweet weekend days where you sleep in, and then lazily lounge around with Netflix and a bottle of wine in your PJs (or is that just me?). However, the universe had other plans for me. I started the day off with lunch and errands uptown, as I needed to find a dress for a wedding I'm attending this coming weekend. I had some old clothes that I was able to take into H&M for a discount, and luckily enough, I was able to find the perfect dress there as well (score!). I had also intended to watch the new Incredibles 2 movie that day, but when we got there, it was sold out and running wild with children... which made me glad the stars weren't aligned for that one anyway. After that, I headed home for a quick nap, before meeting friends out for dinner in Greenwich Village. Even though seafood isn't usually my vibe, we finally settled on this amazing little place called Mary's Fish Camp. I had the Cod sandwich, and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I might actually come back here sometime to try a more "fishy" meal, that's how good this place was. 10/10 would recommend. After that, we had a bit of a sweet tooth, so we took a walk and ended up at Cookie DŌ, which never disappoints. The prices actually aren't bad for how popular and Instagrammable the place is (you can get a single scoop for $4), but keep in mind the scoops are RICH, so less really is more here. I don't think I made it through more than half of my single scoop before it became too sweet, but man, was it satisfying. Still after that, I met one of my other best friends at a relatively new rooftop bar, The Roof at the PUBLIC Hotel. It was dark out so I didn't get any pictures, but trust me when I say it's one of the cutest, sexiest places to go for a night out in the city. Between the outdoor roof deck and bar, and the indoor restaurant, couches (with blankets!), bar games, and (you guessed it) more bars, there's a little something for every type of night here. I can't wait to go back.  SUNDAY
Sunday was PRIDE day here in NYC, which means lots of people, lots of rainbows, and of course, lots of booze. I met a group of friends for brunch at Barraca, which I don't know how I haven't been to before because their sangria menu is to die for. But what nothing could prepare me for, was the insanity that would be trying to navigate the lower Manhattan streets when literally every single sidewalk was shut off due to the parade route. But we eventually made it to brunch, and once the bottomless sangria started flowing, all was right with the world. After brunch, we bar hopped around in the area, in what I can only assume was a myriad of rainbow jello shots and thematic cocktails. I wish I could tell you more, but I really don't remember much, if that tells you anything about how my Sunday went. Needless to say, my night ended with Taco Bell and Westworld in bed. Whew, what a weekend! That's it for now, but I'm going to really try and keep up with these recaps every single weekend. Of course, that means I actually have to go out and do stuff instead of Netflixing in bed, so we'll see how that goes. Until next time, xoxo, Lara
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, y'all!
I don't know about you guys, but to me long weekends should be filled with good people, good food, good music, and good vibes. To help with those last two at least, I've created a quick lil playlist for you to enjoy this weekend. The playlist features a mix of my favorite easy, breezy, "I'm OOO"-vibey songs -- and it's a fun combo of EDM, R&B and more. Give it a listen while you do you this weekend -- whether that's practicing self-care with a bubble bath, jamming out with friends over a grill, or tanning away on your fire escape (guilty... outdoor space is highly coveted here in NYC), and let the worries of your work week melt away. Random fun fact: My sister realized recently that she and I know Trevor Dahl, head Singer/DJ of the Cheat Codes trio -- he was the son of our middle school science teacher, and he even previewed some of his OG songs for us as he got his start with Plug In Stereo! The world is insane. Let me know what songs you're currently loving in the comments, and have an amazing long weekend! xoxo, Lara  Happy Festival Season, Fam!! If you've been following around on my Instagram this past weekend, you know that Elliott and I attended our first ever Coachella this year -- and it was a blast! I don't know if I can say it was my favorite festival that I've been to, but it was certainly an out of this world experience, and I can't believe I was able to see so many of my favorite artists in one place. And who doesn't love getting some much-needed sunshine in Palm Springs while you're at it?! I was lucky enough to partner with the amazing Brooklyn Cloth while I was there, who outfitted Elliott and I with killer clothing and outerwear during our trip. The two denim jackets above came in clutch for those windy desert nights, and I got so many compliments on the super cool "Hold Your Breath" patchwork on the back of my jacket. It's funny because it works both ways at a music festival -- both playing tribute to the breathtaking music being played, and the insane amounts of dust covering the festival grounds (I never thought I would miss NYC's air quality, but life is full of surprises).  Elliott was able to cool off by the pool during our festival pregames in this amazing BRKLYN jersey, which is both lightweight and durable. You've gotta rep what you know, you know? Once we were actually inside the festival, it was a whirlwind of wandering through beautiful artwork, electric stages, and a maze of food and beverage vendors. I always love trying new eats at festivals, and Coachella did not disappoint. I also love getting lost in the artwork, especially at night when it's all lit up, and just sitting back and letting the sights and sounds flood over you. I don't know if I can pick a favorite act, but Beyoncé (duh) and Odesza are definitely at the top of my list.  After the festival, we got to spend some much-needed downtime at our favorite hotel in the area -- which is probably one of the most Instagrammable places in the entire world. But let's take a second to talk about this incredible bomber jacket -- how cute is the embroidered map of the City?! I love how I'm able to bring a little piece of NYC with me wherever I go with this baby in tow, and I'll definitely be rocking this one for years to come.
Coachella might be officially over, but remember, it's only the start of Festival Season. Be sure to check out Brooklyn Cloth's latest drops here for all of your Summer needs! This post is sponsored by Brooklyn Cloth, but all opinions are my own. Shout out to them for sending us so many amazing items for our trip! 
Happy Monday, Babes!
I hope your week is off to a killer start. As we begin a new week, I just wanted to pop-in and give you an inside look into how I give myself enough #SelfCare to make it through the week as cool, calm and collected as possible. My first bit of advice? Never be afraid to treat yo 'self! From buying yourself flowers at the local market, to lighting a candle and unwinding with a nightly skincare routine, there are many ways to treat yourself -- and it doesn't have to break the bank. Personally, I love putting on a good face mask and letting my mind wander while I sit at my window (or on my fire escape when it's nice out... cliché New Yorker over here). 
This week, I'm partnering with Bioré to keep the self-care love going all week long.
I've loved Bioré's nose pore strips for longer than I can remember (am I the only one who thinks it's cool/fun to see all of the gunk they pull out of your nose?!), so I was SUPER excited when I was asked to try out their new Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips. These innovative nose pore strips work like a grime magnet, lifting out deep-down oil and removing blackheads from even your most clogged pores. And the best part? The black charcoal strips allow you to easily see all of the gross things that are no longer on your face -- what more could you ask for?! If diminishing your pores and removing grime is on the top of your skincare priority list, I recommend using these once a week for maximum stripping action. 
While pore strips are great, my absolute f a v o r i t e way to de-stress and give myself some love is by putting on a face mask, turning on some music I love, lighting a nice candle, and just letting my mind run free. However, with this special Charcoal Self-Heating One-Minute Mask, no distractors are needed!
This mask is SO cool because it literally heats itself right on your face, delivering a spa-like treatment to your face, in your own home, in under one minute. And when I saw spa-like, YOU GUYS, I mean it -- this felt so good on my skin that I couldn't believe it came in a small little packet, and it only took 1 minute to complete. Plus, it's infused with natural charcoal, so you know it's going to be good for you. 
As Winter ends and Spring (finally) gets closer and closer, I'm excited to use both of these amazing products to get my skin ready for warmer weather.
What are some of your favorite ways to take care of yourself? Let me know in the comments below, and get shopping for these babies on Amazon or your local drugstore! xoxo, Lara  Happy March, loves! I hope your month is off to a great start! Is anyone else confused as to how we're already closing in on being a quarter of the way through the year?! As you may have seen me mention on my Instagram, I'm a big believer that confidence starts from underneath -- both physically and mentally. That's why I'm stepping a bit outside of my comfort zone this week and partnering with BootayBag, the super cute underthings subscription service I'm sure you've seen all over IG. At first, I was hesitant about taking this one on (what will my Mom/boss/etc. think?!), but then I remembered that if I were modeling a bikini, nobody would think twice, so I thought, "why the hell not?!". I'm all about encouraging others to feel comfortable in their own skin without the fear of what others may think, as it's a constant struggle I'm going through myself. My favorite thing about BootayBag, aside from the general positivity the brand spreads, is that it helps you keep your undie game strong, so that you always feel ready for anything. They send you two cute pairs a month (you can choose always thong, never thong or a mix), for just $12/month. They are always switching things up with new colors and patterns, so check out their Instagram for a sample of past pairs!   So, what are you waiting for?! Sign up now and you'll have an adorable present to you, from you to look forward to every month!
xoxo, Lara This post is sponsored by BootayBag, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make laravlw.com possible!  IMHO, Valentine's Day should be a year-round mindset. Sending flowers, planning surprise date nights, spending time with those you love (including yourself)... count me in! This year, my bae and I decided to share special experiences together -- from a dinner-and-movie night to an upcoming staycation in the city! While experiences truly are the best gift, I also love keeping his style in check from season to season. Sprezza Box makes it easy to do just that for just $28/month. They feature a variety of stylish designers each moth, and send a curated box of goodies straight to your man whenever you'd like.  Just in time for Valentine's Day, my boyfriend received this perfect set of blue-hued goodies that fit his style perfectly. He wore the tie and tie clip out to our romantic dinner, and it was a hit!
How was your Valentine's Day -- and more importantly, how do you plan to keep the romance going? Let me know in the comments, and have a great weekend! xoxo, Lara   I can't believe it's already February! January seriously felt like it lasted a full 12 months, and I've been enjoying the change. It's been v cold here in New York, but with each passing month, we get closer and closer to those warm Summer days! Valentine's Day is a very interesting time of year. Whether you're in a relationship or not, it always brings about a series of interesting emotions. But no matter who you're spending it with, it's the perfect time of year to show yourself some love! If you've been following along with me this year, you know my #1 priority this year is taking care of myself. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is SO important, and it's one of the best ways to learn to love yourself (inside and out!). In my quest to love who I am, I've been starting to live more intentionally; I've been going to the gym regularly(ish), eating better, focusing on skincare, and getting more in-tune with my mental health. Let me know how you're loving yourself this Valentine's Day in the comments, and go pour yourself a glass of wine.
xoxo, Lara |
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