Let it Snow! [x 3]

I can't believe I still have another week before I have to go back to school! The winter break has been long, but much more enjoyable than I expected it to be. Now I'm spending a few days in the mountains of North Carolina with friends & hope to cram in some relaxation and skiing! I'm very excited for my vacation within a vacation!

When I travel I like to dress for the location. So, for this trip I'm packing lots of plaids, tights, ski-caps, and scarves in reds, hunter greens and black; i'm going for a woodsy lumberjack chic.

I stumbled upon this "vintage" editorial from Flare, a Canadian magazine. Wouldn't it be lovely if we could all look so glamorous out in the freezing cold?

xoxo, lauren

New Year's Eve Dresses for Every Budget

Like any fashionista, I love New Year's Eve because it presents another opportunity to get all dressed up! Another plus about New Year's is that you can get away with wearing sequins without looking like you're stuck in the 80's. Something about a sparkly frock seems perfect for this night. While I'll be spending my New Year's Eve in the mountains in North Carolina, don't think I'll let that stop me from going all out.

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday!

xoxo, lauren

All I Want For Christmas is..

Forget boys; clothes are at the top of my Christmas list this year! I've been lusting after these Alexander Wang boyfriend shorts for a looong time. I wanted to DIY them, but it's harder than you think to find a pair of baggy denim. The price tag is out of my price range and Santa's too, but a girl can dream!

I can't believe there's only a few days left till Christmas! I'm a bit in disbelief, I honestly haven't been keeping track of the days just trying to stay busy while I'm home. I've been occupying my time with christmas present wrapping, line dancing, and scrapbooking old photos! Also, working on the blog--- what do y'all think of the new layout? I think it's a nice update.

What have you been up to over Winter Break?

xoxo. lauren

T. [Tandon] Time

T. Tandon is an up and coming women's clothing line filled with unique designs and party dresses. While perusing the lookbook I realized the clothes pretty much compose my dream wardrobe. Each dress is named after a different stylish celebrity in mind like "Keira", "Kate", and "Gwyneth". I like that there is a dress for every style; classic or trendy.

The embellishments like beading, sequins and jewels turn basic black dresses into exquisite pieces. Tina Tandon, the designer, is an F.I.T. graduate finally fulfilling her dreams of building her own line. She says she tries to bring exotic beauty, natural materials, and a perfect fit to each garment she makes.

xoxo, lauren

Take Time to Stop & Enjoy!

I've only been shopping for a couple of days and I'm already sick of the lines and crowds! It's easy to get sucked into the materialism & hustle and bustle of the holiday. So, I think it's important to try to take some time to stop, relax and enjoy!

As much as I complain though, I love shopping for other people. I get alot of pleasure out of picking out the perfect gift for each person on my list. When it comes to giving gifts everything down to the giftwrap and tag has a lot of thought put into it. I've been enjoying the break from school and getting in the Christmas spirit.

xoxo, lauren

Buy Handmade: Part II

Last year I took the "Buy Handmade Pledge" & had so much fun picking out individual & personalized gifts for each person on my list and support independent crafters. This year, I've been inspired and I'm making my gifts for all of my friends. I think it means a lot to receive a gift that someone made & you can't buy in stores.

Etsy.com is the biggest resource for locating unique handmade gifts. These were just a few items that caught my eye, but I've literally spent hours on the site before oogling over the talent of everyone on the site! If you're up for saving some dough there are great DIY sites like DIYStyle & Craftster.org

Is anyone else making their own gifts this year?

xoxo, lauren

Last Chance to Win!

Don't forget to enter the

Naturally Knotty contest!

Leave a Comment to Win!

The deadline is SUNDAY at midnight.

(edit: sorry i can't even keep track of the days anymore!)

Feeling Festive

As promised I have a few pictures from my roomies & my first annual holiday party (it's going to be a new tradition)! It was a huge success; my friends, even the guys, loved getting all dressed up and we all felt pretty sophisticated. We baked cookies & my moms famous hello dolly bars and made the world's best spinach dip. We had christmas-y drinks & of course decorations. It was a fabulous evening before we all go home for the holidays.

As a college student, I don't get too many oportunities to wear poufy party dresses so I went all out. Everyone told me I looked like a present in my tartan. I was going more for a gossip girl, or Dolce & Gabanna FW08 look, but I don't think they'd get the reference:)

me in my party dress!

My sartorial inspiration

Now that exams are over, I'm looking forward to going home and spending some time with the fam, and doing some (okay, all) of my Christmas shopping!

Don't forget to enter the Naturally Knotty contest below!

xoxo, lauren

For Not So Knotty Girls

If there's one thing I truly admire in a clothing/accessories line (besides the aesthetics of course!); it's a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. It's great to see an entrepreneur with whole hearted ambitions! Sustainability and purchasing items that are of superior quality and standards is something I'd really like to focus on in my wardrobe choices for the forthcoming year. I'd like to invest in pieces that will be with me forever.

Naturally Knotty uses textile factory scraps and overstock that would otherwise be thrown away to create their cute bags & clutches. The company hopes to create pieces that people will love and use forever opposed to wear a few times and toss or give away. Besides the morally good feeling from using something good for the planet they're totally practical. The laminated totes are perfect for poolside, the clutches make a colorful accent to an outfit, and the simple totes could lug all my school books.

Jasmine, the owner and a fellow blogger was kind enough to give away one of Naturally Knotty's clutches to a lucky La Petite Fashionista reader!

Leave a comment below for a chance to win! (Contest ends Sunday)

xoxo, lauren

SDRAWKCAB BACKWARDS Cardigan

If there's one thing I've learned as a college girl on a budget it's that you've got to be able to wear clothes more than once. Sure, it seems obvious, but sometimes at least for me, I get this celebrity state of mind where I feel like I can't be photographed out in the same thing twice.

That's why i love Blake Lively's reinvention of the ho-hum v-neck cardigan that's sitting in everyone's closet right now. Basically, it's just a cardigan on backwards with the V facing the back. Some people called her out on it saying it's a fashion faux pas, but I disagree. I think it's a risk, but she can pull off almost anything. I'm all about getting more than one use out of a garment & this is a creative way to do that!

What do you think.. creative or too out there?

xoxo, lauren

Daisy Duke Does Fair Isle

I used to HATE this ski cap. I would complain when my mom would make me wear it in the snow during our family winter vacays to Wisconsin. Now, I think it's so dorky that it's cute, tassels & all. The Fair Isle design is so traditional that it's trendy & it keeps my head nice and cozy. My mom made the scarf me during her knitting kick when i left for college.

How terrible that it's December and I can still be in shorts. These denim high waisted Levi's were calling my name when I was searching for something to wear this morning. Layered with tights it was the perfect combo for the ambivalent weather we've been having lately.

I have finals next week.. yuck. I'm not mentally prepared for them at all. Christmas on the other hand, I'm completely ready for.. My roommates and I are hosting a holiday party this weekend & i can't wait to bust out my poufy tartan blair waldorf dress!

xoxo, lauren

These Boots are Made for Kicking Butt

I always seem to have good luck hunting for boots at Target. My favorite pair that I've worn to shreds came from there a couple years ago. This year my perfect find is a pair of black knee high motorcycle boots.

I have to admit I feel like a bit of a badass in them. Even though I'm tiny their hugeness doesn't dwarf me; in fact it makes me look a little more statuesque. I try to avoid pairing them with leather jackets, studs, or harley davidson logos so I don't look like a biker chick. It's weird that pair of shoes can empower you, but these seem to do the trick.

Does anyone else have a pair of "magical" shoes that seem to transform them when they slip them on?

xoxo, lauren

The Most Wonderful Time of a Year

It's only December 1st and I'm in complete Christmas mode right now. I don't know what it is about this year. Call me cheesy but right about now I could use some holiday cheer; it's been a rough month.

Even though we're only going to be at school for another week and a half my apartment looks right out of a Martha Stewart magazine. We have a Christmas playlist blasting throughout the house. Our color coordinated faux christmas tree, garland wrapped columns, and evergreen scented candles are definitely getting me in the spirit.

I've yet to start my own Christmas shopping yet, but I'm going to provide lots of suggestions throughout the month for finding the perfect stocking stuffers, gifts, and of course outfits for all of your holiday extravaganzas!

our Christmas tree

xoxo, lauren