Gang, I’m so excited to share a little interview we did with Laurel Card of Solo Rhythm. I’ve been taking Laurel’s dance classes three times per week for months now, and I can’t get over how life-changing they are. Not only am I in much better shape, but I swear dancing this often (and constantly trying to learn new choreography) is changing my brain for the better. If you ask me, dance classes are the perfect antidote to mom-brain.
It also doesn’t hurt that Laurel is just….crazy, crazy fun. Her outlook on life is so inspiring, as is her drive and her passion. She somehow manages to juggle single motherhood and running a business (wellness coaching, private lessons, and classes for adults and kids) in such a happy, spirited way, that knowing her feels like an honor.
Watch the video to get a sense of what Laurel’s classes are like (and don’t be surprised if you find yourself hunting for solo salsa classes in your area), as well as to learn a bit about Laurel herself, and how she attempts to create a work-life balance.
Laurel’s Thoughts On Beauty and Style
Just for fun (and because we didn’t want to make a really looooong video), Laurel’s responses to our style and beauty questions are below.
Can you take us through your beauty routine?
I use oil to moisturize and cleanse, but there’s a lot of different kinds of oils so you have to be careful or you can really mess up your skin. I just got pumpkin seed oil and it’s amazing. But the other most amazing thing is washing your face with raw honey.
What?
Yea, that’s what I do in the morning when I’m not rushing like crazy.
Do you just scoop it out?
So…you wet your fingers with water and then just scoop some honey out. And it has to be raw honey, so it’s not like, from the little honey bear. And you just rub it all over your face and leave it on there for a little bit and you can taste it if you want. It’s so stupid, but I’m always like mmm! I just leave it on for a couple of minutes then wash it off.
Do you put it around your eyes too?
Yes.
Ok. Now….makeup. What are your favorite products?
I love anything organic. Like Vapour Beauty. No chemicals, no testing on animals, and the way it feels is amazing.
psst! her favs, here….
Illusionist Concealer | Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation | Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfecting Primer
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m still trying to figure out my style. I like the athletic look but….sexier. So like athletic but feminine, or maybe urban…?? Help me, Stylist!
So….maybe a combination of Posh and Sporty Spice?
Yes! I still love to feel sexy and feminine, but with an athletic twist to it. That’s why I love leggings! So leggings but with a sexy top – I really love off the shoulder stuff. I’m always drawn to 80s and 90s stuff.
High heels or sneaks?
I wear sneakers now because I’m always running around but before I was running around, even before Gia, I was always wearing heels.
So the perfect outfit is leggings, heels, and an off the shoulder top.
Outfit Details
Weekend (Outfit 1)
Top | Bottoms, (similar: pair 1, pair 2) | Shoes
Work (Outfit 2)
Top | Bottom (Laurel recently turned us on to Target’s Joylab line. I mean….whoa. Good stuff.)
Salsa Nights (Outfit 3)
Top | Bottom | Shoes (these are dance shoes, BTW!)
Laurel, thanks for doing all the crazy stuff you do. We just love you to pieces.
xo,
S
Hey Philadelphia! Laurel’s next salsa night is Saturday, March 24th! Book a sitter and get your butts over to Urban Movement Arts (21st between Chestnut and Sansom). She does these monthly – they’re a blast. Follow @solorhythm on IG for more details! (And – dear god – to see clips from our dance class. GULP.)
Love this so much!! I grew up dancing and still always finding ways to include it in my life at 44 – the mind/body connection through movement is everything. I loved Laurel’s take on dance as a tool for women’s empowerment – shine your light indeed!!!
Oh my word! I LOVE this whole thing! The interview, the video, Shana and Laurel together, Laurel’s insights. If I lived in Philly I would be there every single day. Every. Single. Day.
I first saw Laurel highlighted on TME, maybe on your IG feed? And fell in love with this form of movement. I have searched high and low from Boston, MA to Providence, RI and haven’t found anything that even comes close. Laurel, you are a gem!
Isn’t she?????? That’s the perfect way to describe her: a gem. (BTW – Laurel is now all, ‘oh hey, maybe we should do a road trip…’) . 🙂
OMG! Please do a road trip! Y-E-S! That would be AWESOME!
Another Boston vote up here – YES YES YES!
Boston please–yes!
The rose gold sneakers were on crazy sale and so I bought them on a whim. And then had immediate doubts. Should a 36 year old woman wear shiny shoes that a reviewer says she bought for her teenage daughter? Blacks and greys are my primary wardrobe colors. Will shiny pink shoes go with all my black and grey pants?? I can always return if I hate. .. It’s good to try things not in your usual style, right?! I only switched to skinny pants 2 years ago (always with the bootcut and flares of my youth) and i wish I had forced myself to wear them earlier. …arghh. stepping out of your box is so stressful.
Thanks mom edit! (I mean that. I bought the rag and bone jeans you suggested and I like those despite my fears on the high rise being too high so….. taking the plunge again….)
I 100% support shiny pink shoes at any age. The key is how you feel when wearing them. Happy is happy is happy, ya know? I’ll bet you look great. xoxo
I am 49 and just got a pair of Converse Washed Metallic lowtops in Dust Pink. They are rose/silver/copper metallic and seriously my new fav shoe! I wear a lot of black and gray and they’re perfect for spring-ifying/lightening it all up. They’re my kind of statement shoe. If shiny pink shoes make you happy, then they’ll go with everything–go for it!
Franchise Laurel! Franchise!!!!! Pure Barre has nothing on your gig!!!!
I love the fashion, sales, dressing room selfies, etc. but truly, posts like this are why I keep coming back to TME. LOVE this post, the story, the inspiration. And really – please come to Boston!