Spring Trends: French Style

This editorial from Marie Claire France gives the perfect editorial depiction of spring trends. The fact that they're all spelled out in french makes me love it even more! This makes me anxious already for warm weather & the clothes that go along with it! From beige dresses to bold florals there are so many things to be inspired by!

What spring trends are you anxious to try out?

xoxo, lauren

LPF's Picks: Le Mode Accessories & Lulu's

Today's post is dedicated to two of my awesome sponsors! Both have stylish and affordable selections & I'm a huge fan and supporter. So, check out my picks for each of the stores!

Le Mode Accessories Polyvore

Le Mode Accessories has a huge variety of affordable accessories, from turquoise cocktail rings, to chandelier earrings, to studded clutches. Almost everything in the boutique is $15-$30, and super trendy!

Lulu's Polyvore Set

Lulu's is the ultimate resource for stylish and inexpensive dresses, tops, and denim. It's my go-to for going out and party looks! Can you believe all of these cost less than $40?!

xoxo, lauren

UNIONBAY Giveaway!

UNIONBAY sent me a copy of their Spring Lookbook & I was instantly drawn to their street style inspired looks and on-trend pieces! The olive green skinny cargo pants they sent me fit like a glove and paired perfectly with a touch of leopard accessories and silky pink button down. I also recently purchased this dusty brown utility fur hood utility parka which is equally as cute as it is warm.

What I'm Wearing:

Cargo Skinny Pants: gifted from UNIONBAY

Silky Button Down: William Rast for Target

Kitten Heels: Lands' End Canvas

Fur Trim Utility Jacket: Old Navy

Leaf Earrings: gifted from Trendenzas, a new, stylish daily flash sale accessory site

In celebration of their spring line UNIONBAY is giving away one of their oh-so-cute slouchy bags  perfectly oversized for all of you girls-on-the-go like me!

To win this bag:

Enter by 2/1/11 at midnight e.s.t. and "like" Unionbay's facebook page & leave a comment telling me why you'd like to win!

For extra entries:

+1 entry:"Like" La Petite Fashionista on Facebook

+1 entry: RT about the contest on twitter

Good luck everyone!

xoxo, lauren

Mary-Kate's Maxi Skirts

Funny story about Mary-Kate Steinmiller, one of the most stylish Voguettes on the fashion circuit..

About four years ago I attended Teen Vogue's Fashion University program in New York City. One of the things on my schedule was to tour the Teen Vogue offices, which I was incredibly excited for. My tour was led by none other than (then intern), Mary-Kate Steinmiller. She was incredibly stylish yet down-to-earth and told us about her big dreams of working in the fashion magazine industry. A few years later and look at her now.. an associate Market Editor for Teen Vogue; asbolutely inspiring!

I fell in love with this street style picture of her outfit! She has an incredibly way of pairing uber trendy but making them very wearable. I also noticed, she has a thing for printed maxi skirts and statement necklaces and it's making me anxious to try one out (though she's probably a solid foot taller than me!)

Would you wear a maxi skirt?
xoxo, lauren

Spring 2011 Makeup Trends to Try

Lately I've noticed a ton of beauty and makeup editorial and runway images stockpiling in my inspiration folder! I think as my professional career draws closer, I've been loving all the crazy and colorful looks, from vividly hued eyeshadow to sultry smoky eyes, to bronzed cheeks, to orange lips.

Here are a few of my favorite looks I'd love to try out:

smoky purple shadow

orange lipstick

blue eyeliner

a subdued smoky eye

blue shadow

bronzed skin

bold jewel tones

 The best way to experiment with editorial beauty looks is with affordable makeup! The lovely people at e.l.f. (that's eyes.lips.face.) recommended I tell everyone about their inexpensive assortment of  beauty products including eyeshadow palettes,  perfect for creating runway ready looks without breaking the bank. I've also discovered a great source for all the beauty tips a girl could need!

Some of  the most anticipated beauty trends of 2011 using e.l.f. products include:

Nude lipstick: Pair with a peachy blush for a sunkissed look.

Smoky Eye Shadow: Go for a more subdued look by not using eyeliner underneath the eye

Kabuki Brushes: These large brushes are perfect for sweeping on bronzer

Purple Shadow: Wear the color of the season paired with grays and blues

Orange Lip Gloss: Coral hued orange lips were all over the runways for Spring

Crazy makeup application definitely calls for the proper occasion. I'd love to rock one of these looks at a party for some added drama to a basic palette like a LBD.

What beauty looks are you trying to work up the courage to try out?

xoxo, lauren

Janie Bryant Does Sixties Chic

I found this video webseries called "Style Innovators" on Caroline's blog, Style of a 20-Something. I don't even watch Mad Men (maybe I should be!), but it's easy to see the influence their  Emmy award winning costume designer, Janie Bryant has had on fashion.

I absolutely loved the peek inside her own closet, adorable southern accent, a look at the archives where she finds inspiration, and look a cocktail party she throws. I  know y'all would enjoy watching!

In the video you learn that Janie has had a love of  vintage since she was a kid. She'd wear her mom's old dresses to school in the 80's and scoured thrift stores while living in Tennessee. Her passion for vintage has never left, Mad Men is the perfect job for her! Janie just released a new book, the Fashion File, which I already know I'm going to need for my coffee table! She also has a clothing line called MOD for QVC.

Do you watch Mad Men or get inspired by 60's style? I can't get enough of maxi floral print and shirtdresses, faux fur, giant cocktail rings, and statement-making chandelier earrings.
xoxo, lauren

Curly Girly

Lately, I've been on the quest for perfect hair, but I don't need it to be silky straight or huge and voluminous. I love the look of big, loose, sometimes messy supermodel curls. I found a great tutorial via famous beauty video blogger JuicyStar07 and went out to buy a 1.5 inch Conair curling iron on the mission to learn how!

I just like the shift from slick straight, ironed hair and something that looks a little more natural:

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It's been a lot of wasted hairspray & trial and error but I think I'm finally starting to achieve the look I want! This was an attempt before a recent girl's night out.

How do you like to wear your hair?

xoxo, lauren

"I'm a Cowboy, on a Steel Horse I Ride.."

"

I'm a huge fan of the song "Wanted, Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi & couldn't get it out of my head for a blog post title featuring my Wanted boots! I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of tan boots so I was super excited when Wanted Shoes let me select a pair from their site! I love that they arrived with a worn-in, equestrian style & how comfy they are. I also love my faux fur collar, I've been playing around adding it to different jackets.

What I'm Wearing:
B&W Skinny Striped Tee: H&M
Chambray Blazer: Urban Outfitters
Faux Fur Collar: Talbots
Mauve Knit Skirt: H&M

Tan Boots: Wanted Shoes

I'm SO excited it's finally friday; TGIF! What are your weekend plans?

xoxo, lauren

Proenza Plays with Print

I've been a fan of Proenza Schouler since they first debuted in the fashion industry. Lazaro and Jack are such a talented duo & never fail to disappoint every season. I still think its amazing that their senior collection at Parson's was purchased by Barney's. Their Pre-Fall 2011 collection has that same level of beautiful construction and creativity they're known for.

One of the things I absolutely adore about Proenza Schouler is their ability to mix vivid prints and bold patterns and make them look cohesive. It's all about keeping the prints within a similar color palette!

Are you a fan of Proenza Schouler's playful use of print and pattern?

xoxo, lauren