In Need of a Beautyfix?

 Beautyfix has each customer fill out a personalized survey of beauty product preferences. A panel of beauty experts picks an assortment of up-and-coming and well known brands for you to choose from. You can even read reviews on each product & receive glow.com gift cards for filling out your own reviews. Becoming a member of Beautyfix is a great way to try out new products & be in-the-know about the latest beauty secrets.

I had the opportunity to check out some of the products in Beautyfix's Spring 2010 line for myself and wanted to share my thoughts on the beauty goodies I tried out!

1. Purlisse Pur-Lip Comfort: Seriously my new go-to lip balm; it leaves your lips feeling insanely silky.

2. SpaRitual Nail Polish: The perfect pink color, in a chemical-free, vegan  formula.

3. Bella Bronze Self Tanner: A great non-orangey formula, perfect for a summery tan without the risk of skin cancer; works best on somewhat olive skin.

4. Bella Bronze Tan Extender: The olive oil & shea butter lotion will keep skin moisturized and smelling yummy all summer long.

5. Jonathan Anti-Frizz Volume Serum: The humidity in Florida is wavy hair's worst nightmare. This product was perfect for eliminating frizz and blow drying from the roots gave it some added volume.

6.Jonathan IB Revitalizer: Leaving this on overnight made my dry, color treated hair soft again. A complete miracle worker that gives your hair that just-came-from-the-salon feeling.

7. Global Goddess Eye Shadow: This shimmery gold is perfect for summer, with a great, brush on texture  isn't overly glittery

8. IQ Derma Hydrating Mask: I'm not a big facial mask user, but this I could and should make time for. It felt nice & cool on my face & would be a great beauty staple in winter temperatures.

Beautyfix is perfect for beauty junkies and those who aren't trying to hunt around for the perfect products for them! All of our lives can use a bit of glamour.

 To try it out for yourself & a $30 discount use code BFIX1 at checkout!

xoxo, lauren

Nautical by Nature

After a crazy week of road tripping I've finally made it to Madison, where I'll be spending the rest of my summer! This is one of my comfy/cute for the road options. This dress is stretchy and super easy to throw on & the navy braided belt gave it a nautical edge. I'm all about a little kitsch so I threw in the Sperrys for good measure for a look with some sailor girl sassiness.

I have a feeling this red rocking chair on  my cousin's front porch will be getting lots of use this summer!

xoxo, lauren

Bad to the Bone

Milwaukee, Wisconsin prides itself on being home of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. So, I played tourist and checked out the museum. Although, I'm far from a biker chick, I do enjoy a chic leather motorcycle jacket!

One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was a feature on women who were pioneers in the motorcycle world. I couldn't help but love the spunk of 20 year old  Vivian Bales, who traveled 5,000 solo miles on her Harley. Her leather corset belt seemed to make her outfit that much more stylish.

These are some other parts of the exhibit that caught my eye:


Yes, I purposely wore my studded vest for the occasion ;)

Biker chicks have been inspiring fashion for years!

she's a beauty!

I would drive a pink Harley in a second!

A vintage black leather biker jacket

Cheesy but awesome rhinestone covered bike

Who said biker chicks can't wear floral?

It was a very fun & hands on museum! Although, I probably won't be driving a Harley anytime soon, I can certainly appreciate the work that goes into creating one and the leather jacket wearing bad boys that drive them!

 xoxo, lauren

Walkin' in Memphis

The first stop on my road trip was Memphis, Tennessee. The home of rhythm and blues, arguably the world's greatest bbq, & the always entertaining Beale Street.

After a long 10 hour drive, my mom & I had a great time stopping at B.B. King's restaurant to listen to some live music, parading around the party scene at Beale St. & a trip to the Rock & Soul museum. I definitely have a greater appreciation for the roots of American music & that good ol' southern hospitality!

striking a pose on Beale St.


the birthplace of blues

downtown sights & sounds


the best BBQ ever @ B.B. King's restaurant & their specialty "hootchie cootchie" drink to match

All shook up in Memphis


Sun Studio, where Elvis used to record

A bedazzled suit at the Rock n' Soul Museum worn by "the King"

Even though I've been spending more starbucks-fueled hours than I'd like in a cramped Ford Ranger, I've had some priceless bonding time with my mom. We visited family in St. Louis for the last couple of days, and stopped in Springfield, Illinois (Abe Lincoln's hometown) today. Finally I've reached Wisconsin!

Have you all been on any fun roadtrips? I'm dying to take more now that i've got the travel bug!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Make sure to enter the Sex and the City Tour Giveaway!

Ultimate Day at the Spa!

There are seriously few things in this world I love more than a good pedicure! When Dove, as the sponsor of Spa Week 2010, offered me and the girls a day at the spa I enthusiatically agreed! I brought one of my good friends from high school, and our moms, for some quality mother/daughter bonding time before I left for the summer.

They included a sample of their new Dove Ultimate Deodorant and a "PitiCure" bag for us. Shaving is extremely drying and irritating for underarms, so proper moisturization is an important part of everyone's daily beauty routine. The Dove Ultimate Deodorants contain a tri-moisturizing system for this purpose.

I in all honesty have a hard time finding deodorants I actually like (no white marks left on clothes, overpowering scent, etc.), but this one met all my criteria and actually felt like it made a difference! Dove reccommends using a Pond's exfoliating cloth before shaving & then applying deodorant for a "PitiCure" with best results!

I got my toes painted magenta to match the pink ruffl dress I was wearing that day & used a tie dye scarf to cinch the waist.! It was the ultimate girly day thanks in great part to Dove wonderful company!

I've now hit the road with my mom; had a wonderful time in Memphis and enjoying  couple days in St. Louis.. lots of pictures and updates to come!

xoxo,  lauren

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

There's just something so perfectly nostalgic about a polka dot bikini, it's a bit of that 1950's innocence with a pinch of va va voom Vargas girl. This image from French Glamour Magazine perfectly evokes those feelings. This vintage style, J. Crew bikini would be equally as cute in an editorial as it would for frolicking in the ocean.

Would you wear an itsy bitsy teeny weeny (yellow) polka dot bikini? :)

xoxo, lauren

LPF Goes Live: My 1st Video Blog!

So, please don't laugh at my feeble attempt at video blogging (why must I sounds so cheesy?!). I gave it a go to feature on a few of my favorite summmer dresses in my closet. And yes, that is Madonna's "Open Your Heart" in the background, I've been on such a Madonna kick since the Glee episode!

I hope y'all enjoyed the video, I may try it out again sometime in the future if I don't look/sound too ridiculous!. Please let me know if you have any ideas! All this potential embarassment because I love you guys! :)

xoxo, lauren

"An Education" in 60's Fashion

Last night I watched "An Education", a film about 16 year old Jenny, who is swept off her feet by a 30-something playboy in 1961 post-war London. In the coming-of-age story she debates abandoning her plans to attend Oxford for a life of fashion, glamour and excitement with an older man. Newcomer Carey Mulligan was even nominated for an Oscar for her role! As fantastic as the movie was, I was most captivated by the sixties fashion in the film.

It's so interesting to see her style evolve from Catholic school girl to sixties siren. Rosamund Pike as Helen, was my favorite, her obnoxiously large statement jewelry and winged eyeliner definitely stole the show. The film's slim fitting shift dresses, pillbox hats and  poufy updos are enough to make you want to slip into the wardrobe closet!

Has anyone else seen the movie?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Contemplating doing a video blog! Any questions for me/ideas on what to talk about?!

La Petite Fashionista is on Facebook!

image from miss unkon's SS10 lookbook

I can't believe in one short week I'll be spreading my wings, making a 1,000 mile road trip up north, and be living for the next 3 months in an entirely new place. It's all very excting and scary at the same time. If any readers have ever been to or are from Wisconsin, let me know of some must-sees while I'm there!

Also, wanted to share the news that La Petite Fashionista is now on Facebook! By becoming a fan of the page you can get notifications of new contests & fun posts that go up on the site.  (plus, it's cool to put a face to some of my non-blog writing readers)! Feel free to post a link to your blog's facebook page in comments too!

xoxo, lauren

LPF Book Club: "Glamour: Women, History, Feminism"

I'm back with another book review! This time, I bring you Glamour: Women, History, Feminism by Carol Dyhouse. The book explores the definition of Glamour throughout the year and what the word meant for women of each era. I think a foundation in fashion history is important for every fashionista!

Here are a few interesting highlights from the book:

1920's Flapper

The "glamorous" woman of the 1920's was often identified as a flapper. She wore clothes inspired by Orientalism, Paul Poiret and Madeline Vionnet. Traditional ideas of feminine curves were abandoned in favor of an androgynous, boyish silhouette. She was marked by a streak of controversy by doing things usually reserved for boys like voting, drinking, and driving a car.

Diamonds, Fur, & Feathers

Diamonds became a status symbol in the late 1930's due to a large marketing campaign by De Beers, emphasizing the link between diamonds and romance.  Marilyn Monroe made diamonds iconic with her "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" performance in Gentleman Prefer Blondes". Furs and Feathers were worn by Hollywood actresses like Greta Garbo, linking glamour with sable coats.

Hollywood Dreams

Hollywood cinema sparked dissatisfaction in women's ordinairy lives. It sparked desire to look like startlets from their silk gowns to the perfect red lips. Cosmetic companies like Max Factor began to thrive and featured actresses like Joan Crawford. Young women everywhere strived for a life of beauty and glamour and a disposable income to match.

Dior's New Look:
                                                          
1947 brought Dior's groundbreaking New Look collection. Christian Dior almost single handedly redefined the of-the-moment silhouette for women. Gone were boyish figures; women now craved hourglass looks, big bust and hips, with a tiny waist. Dieting became a hot trend,  in order to fit into the dresses; overt feminimity became "in", and independence fell into the shadows.

Revolution

The late 50's and 1960's brought dramatic change in the sense that fashion and glamour began to gain inspiration from the streets.  Youth became in vogue; British designer Mary Quant popularized beatnik style, and minidresses. Media was in a frenzy over young people's general attitude of defiance, with girls wearing trousers and boys in long hair. London was the root of the "Chelsea Girl" look; in the U.S. Edie Sedwick was its poster girl.

I thought Glamour was a fascinating look at how the definition of glamour has changed over time! What I also thought was interesting is that it seems like women have never been completely satisfied with themselves! They've always had a look that they've idealized. So let's change that girls. Let's be the first generation to be happy with ourselves the way we are!

xoxo, lauren

Cowgirl Cassanova

As you all know I have a bit of a southern girl/ rhinestone cowgirl side to me.  Needless to say I've been loving the denim, cowboy boots & tiny florals that have been everywhere lately. The picture in the left hand corner is me at my favorite line dancing bar in my vintage fringed boots & I had that editorial image stored in my inspiration folder.



Western looks at F/W 2010 Shows via Stylecaster

(1) Moschino (2) Zac Posen (3) Diesel (4) Derek Lam (5) Christopher Kane (6) Chloe

Denim dresses can be kept from looking too country by being paired with sturdy gold bangles & lace up espadrilles. An embroided tan leather bag adds a rustic touch. Cowboy boots look modernized in an ankle boot style paired with skinny jeans & an oversized white tank.

Will you be singing the denim & boots cowgirl blues this summer?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. It's always interesting to see the trickle down effect in fashion.. so many trendy looks for this summer were inspired by the D&G SS10 show: see my post here!

Getting Carried Away.. Again- SATC Tour Giveaway!

It's almost that time again. May 27th is the night that fashionistas around the country will gather around the silver screen to see Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha continue their adventures in the Sex and the City 2 movie!

With Patricia Field on board as costume designer, her signature over the top yet oh-so-chic trademark is stamped all over the movie. Sequined harem pants? White fingerless gloves? Spiked epualet shoulders? Yep, it looks like the fashion in the sequel will not disappoint. I'll drink a cosmo to that!

In celebration of the new film, On Location Tours is offering one lucky winner a pass that never expires, for them and a friend to experience NYC just like the Sex and the City Girls. You can see the sights made famous in the movie & show like Magnolia Barkery for cupcakes, the church where Samantha seduced the friar, NY Public Library where Carrie & Big's wedding was, and the boutiques that Carrie frequented!

To be entered to win the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me which character fits you best; Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda (& why!)

The contest ends on the day of the movie release (May 26th at Midnight EST) & is open to U.S. & Canada residents! Enter even if you don't live in NYC, the pass never expires so you could use it any time on a future vacay!

xoxo, lauren

Nothing's Sweeter than Summertime

I spent the last 2 days at home for a whirlwind trip. I try to pack lightly and borrow all my sisters' clothes while I'm there. I borrowed this oversized black v-neck wither skinny metallic stripes & had fun posing on our gazebo. It's my favorite escape in my home sweet home &I love spending time out there when I visit with its jasmine covered whitewashed porch.

I tried pairing it two ways, once with turquoise shorts & black satin vans sneakers for a glam skater girl look & another with acid washed shorts and my black stretchy aldo sandals for an Erin Wasson-esque style.

Whose closet do you or would you like to raid?

xoxo, lauren

Back in Khaki

I've been seeing the khaki blazer look popping up everywhere lately, especially street style sites (which means it's only a matter of time before it seeps into mainstream fashion). I especially love it in an oversized style a la Kate Bosworth & chictopia's Fashion Euphoria; it's the Summer 2010 spinoff of the infamous black boyfriend blazer.

I think I may need to invest in one for my summer internship wardrobe (only a few weeks to go)! Such an easy piece to throw on and make a simple sundress or basic tee & jeans a bit more polished.

On a side note, hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of sweet summertime!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Congrats to (Comment #4) Lipstick && Lace for winning the Meg Cabot "Runaway" Giveaway & (Comment #9), Style Phenomenon for winning the Tarte Mascara Giveaway! Keep checking back, I have some more great giveaways in store in the near future :)

Urban Outfitter

I've been really skeptical of the sweatpants as outerwear look, but this ELLE Italia editorial did it right! There's a fine line between looking sloppy like you just rolled out of beds and like a perfectly slouchy, causal city girl.

I think this editorial really captures the feeling of living in a city; people aren't always dressed to the nines like Carrie Bradshaw, but they have their own unique and comortable style.

How do you feel about the sweatpants & sweatshirts look making its way into fashion?

xoxo, Lauren