A Port Washington woman enjoys turning nature into art. Lauren Bardsley uses locally grown flowers and creates one-of-a-kind botanical artwork.

Before Bardsley started Lauren B. Leaves in 2019, she had been pressing and preserving flowers as a hobby in college. “I would go to the library with the intention of studying. I would take the leaves and flowers that I pressed, go into the library, and use the laminating machine," said Bardsley.

This hobby was a distraction as she faced challenging times in her life. "Truly, the day I got sober was the day Lauren B. Leaves started. I needed an outlet. For me, doing this allows me to stop and smell the roses," said Bardsley. She does all of her work at home. "I started off by Bayside on the floor of my one-bedroom apartment, and now I'm in this shed thinking, how did I do that?"

She works with brides across the country. "I am eternally grateful for where I am today, and I do thank Lauren B. Leaves - it's a play on words. Lauren believes because all you have to do is believe, and you can do anything you want."