Try This Trend: Knotted Maxi Skirts

I did a trend spotting post a while back about the knotted shirt trend (which I'm still loving btw!). Now, a new trend I've noticed popping up are knotted maxi skirts. I personally love this as a petite girl, because then it's not so overwhelming on my frame!

get the look:   tie dye skirt via billabong // coral skirt via swell // tribal skirt via tobi// teal skirt via mango// yellow skirt via asos

Above are some of my favorite colorful skirts for summertime (they're also all super affordable!). I've also seen some stylish trendsetters pull this look off perfectly. Get inspired by the way they wear the knotted maxi skirt trend.

via pinterest

via stockholm-streetsyle

via lovely-little-things

via thrift juice

For all of you a little intimidated my maxi skirts (this girl), this is a fun way to wear them! I can already envision myself poolside in of these!

xoxo, lauren

Mint & Pink Peonies

Lately I've been feeling nostalgic about my little mint house! I am so excited for my move to "the city" but I will definitely miss the first place I've ever lived on my own. This is the small town where I've learned more about myself, decorated and made it a home, and adjusted to a new life in the Midwest. 

I came home today to my peony bush in full bloom from the hot weather we've been having. I couldn't help but notice that my mint pants & pink top perfectly match my little home!

I've been majorly loving colorful pants lately I found a purple pair & the mint pair I'm wearing on a recent Target trip for less than $25! I also picked up a Webster for Target white top, some summery Essie polishes, pretty little notebooks and paint dipped serving utensils!

So much to look forward in the next couple of weeks; blogger wine night with Carly, my move & little sis coming up to help me, and finally.. the start of summer!

xoxo, lauren

LPF Cooks: Honey Lime Chicken Kebabs

The other night I was feeling extra ambitious and decided to put one of my pinned recipes to the test. The weather was absolutely perfect, so I wanted something summery and perfect for dining al fresco!

 I tried out a made-from-scratch marinade and made some delicious grilled chicken kebabs on the George Foreman grill (affectionately called, "George" in my house). The boy & I love pineapple, so we grilled some of that as well. For a side I made grilled Mexican corn which was delicious and topped off the meal with some infamous beergaritas.

pretty perfect evening right?

Admittedly, I usually take the lazy route and do a store bought marinade. I'm so glad I took the extra 5 minutes to whip one up from scratch because it was oh-so-good. We even made a 2nd batch to use as a dipping sauce.

I've got a printable recipe here for you to try out for yourself!

recipe card via Kelly Ashworth

I'm so excited to move in a couple of weeks and have a nice big, beautiful kitchen and new appliances! Expect many more recipes to come :)

What summer recipes have you been making lately?

xoxo, lauren

Latest Lust: Chambray & Printed Pants

I just discovered the style blog, Pink Peonies, through pinterest of all places! Rachel, has the most amazing effortless style! I so admire fearless fashionistas like Blair, Hannah, Taylor & Alicia who can pull off every trend (check out their blogs if you haven't!).

Anyways, one of the looks I was most enamored by was the printed pants & chambray. I love this combo! I think I'd probably try it with a pair of colorful printed shorts & baggy bleached chambray button down for summer!

Which fashion bloggers style do you admire most?

xoxo, lauren

To Dye For

I have a tiny confession for y'all, and you can't tease me. I have a major thing for tie-dye. I think it's the boho loving surfer girl in me, but I've always loved it, even when it's not trendy. I am pleased that tie-dye has taken a high fashion turn, I mean even Isabel Marant & Proenza Schouler have shown it in their collections!

I think there's a really sophisticated new way to do tie-dye and dip dyes that's not so much reminiscent of 60's woodstock, but feels a bit more polished. These are some of the pieces i'm looooving for summer.

Still not convinced? This my friends is tie dye done right:

isabel marant tie dye pants via tuula

i've always LOVED this Proenza look: P.S. I Made This DIY's it here

pretty colorful, would make such a cute beach coverup! via pinterest

tie dye napkin DIY via Good Housekeeping

gorgeous dip dye via pinterest

absolutely want to try this DIY via Swell Mayde

So lovelies, would you rock the tie dye trend?

xoxo, lauren

Latest Lust: Beautiful Branding + Design

I'll never forget sitting in a Teen Vogue Fashion U classroom and listening to Tory Burch give a course on Branding. I find her incredibly inspiring to see the lifestyle brand she's created under her name and greatly admire her entrepreneurial spirit. Now, I'm trying to figure out the branding for La Petite Fashionista, first blog, now magazine, hopefully some day a boutique too!

I'm in the process of creating a brand identity for La Petite Fashionista; a stylish & attainable lifestyle for us modern day renaissance girls; lovers of fashion, interiors, party planning, fitness, travel, and lovers of life! 

This is some of the branding and design I've fallen in love with in my brainstorming- so inspiring!

everything Dear Miss Modern does is BEAUTIFUL

fun typography on Jamie Oliver's food line

so loving the watercolor (you'll see how i was inspired later in the post!)

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

so much creativity at the Alt Summit!

Everything Hanna does at Gadabout is gorgeous! I love her work.

obsessed with this letterpress style from Stitch Design Co.

I can't wait to share with you some of the logo and branding ideas I have for LPF mag! Check out our official logo by Christine of Greak Oak Circle that I'm totally in love with :)

xoxo, lauren

Cinco de Mayo Style + Fiesta Worthy Beergaritas

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite celebrations! First of all, I seriously never get tired of Mexican food (luckily K. is always craving it too ;). I can make a mean chicken enchilada when I want to. It's also my bestie, Kelly's (@ hello boudreau) birthday. So I have fond memories of celebrating it w/ her drinking beergaritas (see recipe below) out on the island we'd take a boat out to (ah, the things we take for granted!)

I'm SO in love with the Striped Baja Shorts from Free People. I feel like they'd be such a fun summer wardrobe staple!

As I mentioned above, we used to make some killer beergaritas back in our island beachy days. I made this recipe below (adapted from the Blond Cook) last night for a "Tres de Mayo" Dinner party and they were a hit. These would be perfect for any Cinco De Mayo celebration or a tasty cool-down beverage in the summertime.

I'm not throwing a fiesta of my own this weekend, though this party from the Hostess with the Mostess blog is really making me wish I was!

My friend Sarah over at Events Uncorked has an awesome guide to throwing a Cinco de Mayo party as well! A Mariachi band serenade would be amazing?! Annnd lastly, the music to top off the evening via 8tracks.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo, lauren

Summer of Shopbop Blog Giveaway!

I don't think I can ever go on shopbop's site without making a mental wishlist of all the things i'm loving! It's like their buyers can read my mind, I swear. Everyone knows that if it has some crazy print, brightly colored it's something I'd wear. I also love the shopbop blog for a behind the scenes look at all things shopbop!

These are some of my latest lusts from the site from colorful pants to summery sundresses to sea creature studs.

Get the Look: 1. Shoshanna Dress // 2. Neon Sequence Bracelet // 3. Rebecca Minkoff Ikat Bag // 4. Peter Som // 5. Juicy Couture Seahorse Earrings //  6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Neon Diver Watch// 7. Dannijo Kaliedoscope iPhone Case // 8. Victoria Beckham Jeans // 9. Maians Shoes // 10. Pour La Victoire Colorblock Heels// 11. Camilla Antigua Caftan

So, I'm so excited to share that I've partnered with Shopbop to give away another $100 giftcard! I've even made it SUPER easy to enter with this new widget that makes it easy to track + share your extra entries.

I'd love to hear what additions you'd make to your summer wardrobe with the $100!

xoxo, lauren

Latest Lust: Caribbean Blues

The first time you see the waters of the Caribbean it is absolutely unreal. The water is crystal clear & vibrant shades of turquoise, teal, & sea green.  Pictures just don't do it justice! I have my sights set on a Caribbean vacay. For now, I suppose I'll just be inspired by the beautiful colors!

Get the Look: dress // nail polish // cocktail napkins // shorts // necklace // ring // sandals //  towel // earrings

Not going to lie, this groupon deal for a a Jamaican beach resort with oceanfront bar nearly had me booking a trip. I can just imagine my Bob Marley on repeat and sipping a drink out of a coconut on the beach. Ahhh, pure relaxation.

I'm staying busy building my team of LPF Mag contributors & brushing up on my inDesign! You are going to love this first issue, I already know it. 

If you haven't yet tweet or email me @LPFMag a picture of your favorite pieces in your closet (clothes, accessories, shoes, etc) and you'll get a spot in Issue #1!

xoxo, lauren

Exciting News for LPF!!

Drumroll please.... I'm so excited to share with everyone that I've decided to launch a digital fashion/lifestyle magazine, LPF Mag! It's something I've been wanting to do for a really long time, and after an inspiring chat last week I've decided there's no better time than the present!

So, what will LPF Mag be about?

Aritcles and stories on everything from fashion, interior design, travel, DIY, entertaining, beauty, inspiring women entrepreneurs + more! The spin on this will be that I want to make everything I feature truly attainable, real, and relatable for readers (think summer dresses for $65 or less, real girl's home tours, parties w/ DIY touches, etc!). 

I mean, love a fancy designer dress as much as the next girl, but it's definitely not within my means.  I know there are so many readers with a lifestyle like me, who love fashion, party hosting, decorating and still manage to have glamour and style in their life while still being in college, a young professional, or starting a new family! This is why I am so passionate about creating a magazine that features just that.

I hope you're as excited about this as I am and it resonates with you as well :)

I want readers to feel as involved as possible in the content! Here's an easy way to be a part of the first issue--- tweet or email me a picture of your favorite item in your closet!

So, here's what I need from you...

If you have any interest in contributing, whether your talents lie in writing editorial content, photography, graphic design, editing, PR, or even story ideas. Send them my way! If you're a brand and want to get involved please contact me as well, there are plenty of advertising and editorial opportunities!

Email me: LPFMag@gmail.com

Tweet me + follow us on twitter: @LPFMag

Once LPF Mag launches, I'll need your help to spread the word + will have lots of fun in store for readers. I'm so excited to already have interest and support. I can't wait to start this journey with you all while I follow my dreams. It's going to be quite a project, but something I really believe in!

xoxo, lauren