Win Fall's Cutest Scarf from Chickdowntown.com!

So excited about the cold front that's suddenly come on;can't wait to start wearing my favorite scarves.They are so easy to throw on and instantly spice up an outfit (and actually functional since they keep you warm too)! Tolani Scarves are lightweight, luxurious with gorgeous prints. Take cues from the celebs & pair it with a slightly oversized tee & skinnies or contrast it with a patterned dress. Chickdowntown.com was awesome enough to sponsor a giveaway of their Tolani Turquoise Pebbles Scarf for my lovely La Petite Fashionista readers!

Chickdowntown.com has a huge and amazing selection of fashion lines ranging from the well known (Elizabeth James, Anna Sui & William Rast) to the more obscure (Gryphon, LNA & Mink Pink), and even a new vintage section. It's an online store that's pretty much any fashionista's best friend. Follow chickdowntown owner, Amy's twitter; she has daily giveaways and behind the scene twitpics!

This contest is open to U.S. residents until October 14th and there are 2 ways to enter:

1. Answer this question: What are you most looking forward to about Fall/Winter?
2. Re-tweet this or post about it on your blog for an extra entry!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Also check out the Chickdowntown LNA legging giveaway at Being High Maintenance

Glory Days

Everyone's been raving over Alexander Wang's S/S 10 Americana & high school football inspired collection (the leather, shoulder pads, and those amazing braids)! If it's been a while since you've graduated from high school and you have no quarterback boyfriend to borrow clothes from, no worries.. you can customize your own varsity jacket! They kind of remind me of Happy Days but I think it could be an updated look with skinny jeans and black ankle boots!

I'm heading back to my old high school next weekend to escort my little sis in the homecoming court parade and football game (wearing my '07 homecoming queen sash no less). I'm definitely glad I've moved on and graduated, but it's fun to look back on all the traditions of high school as an alumni.. and sport your school colors at the homecoming football game.

Would you ever wear a varsity jacket?

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Congrats to Jacqueline @ Fashion Snag for winning the nuNAAT giveaway! Stay posted for a giveaway from chickdowntown coming SOON!

Wild Wild West

I personally love any collection that gives me an excuse to break out my favorite pair of cowboy boots. D&G's Spring/Summer 2010 collection was no exception. Everything they showed was super wearable from the white lace mini dress to the denim western shirts and knee-high fringed boots. Sure, it's a bit cheeky and themed, but I can totally see myself wearing these outfits anywhere from line dancing to a crazy night on the town.

And who said you have to wait until next Spring to start rocking these looks? I've picked out some similar styles available now. When the temperature dips just pair these looks with cognac colored leather jackets and cozy ribbed tights!

xoxo, lauren

Do you love me, do you Surfer Girl?

Ever since I saw the boys of Proenza Schouler on a little fashion documentary called Seamless, I've had a major designer crush on Lazaro and Jack. Last year I got to listen to them speak at Teen Vogue Fashion U and fell a little bit more in love. I just relate to and adore all of their designs!

But this SS10 collection has topped them all for me. You all know I have an inner surfer girl, and this collection is exactly what she would wear! It's bohemian without being sloppy. Tie dye has been totally overdone, but this is a fresh take on it. Loving the bold use of color and youthful shapes to the garments! This is finally a collection that's really targeting the audience who loves their clothes!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Don't forget to enter the nuNAAT brazillian hair care giveaway!

Dressed to Thrill

A break from fashion week posting; because I know it can get quite old sometimes. I had to post some images from this amazing editorial with Anja Rubik from Vogue Germany's October issue. I've been obsessing over lingerie and lace inspired pieces lately.

Thus, I pretty much love everything about this editorial.. the moody lighting, underwear as outerwear, and tousled bedhead curls/smoky eyes (and how about that Marilyn Monroe dress?!) So beautiful!

Ah, don't these images make you want to parade around your house in extravagant dresses and stiletto heels?!

xoxo, lauren

Luscious Locks in Harsh Winter Weather

Although I loved the messy surfer hair at Erin Wasson's SS09 show for RVCA, it''s just not healthy! Dry weather in the winter is so damaging to hair; it's important to deep condition once a week to keep your locks looking luscious. Brazillian hair care line, nuNAAT is offering to give away their deep conditioning cream with Brazil Nut for dry hair with split ends. The cream is designed to moisturize from roots to tips leaving hair soft, healthy, and shiny.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents until next Monday, September 28th1 All it takes to win a bottle of your secret weapon is to answer this simple question:

What's your fall/winter beauty secret?

xoxo, lauren

All Mixed Up @ Marc by Marc Jacobs

I feel like I always have the same reaction to a Marc Jacobs collection. First I hate it, then I'm confused.. then I see the thought and inspiration behind it & can't help but love it for being original and uniquely Marc. He never fails to surprise me, and this collection for his Marc by Marc diffusion line was certainly a lot to look at. It may seem thrown together and chaotic, but, on their own all of the pieces feel really new and trendsetting.

Maybe people won't exactly be sporting 90's graphic print Bill Cosby sweaters next spring, but I wouldn't be at all suprised if they do! haha. The prints in this collection are ohmygosh amazing.

What's your take on the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection; too out there? or unique & fun?

xoxo, lauren

80's for the Ladies

My roommate's 21st birthday was this weekend and she chose 80's prom as her theme. As promised I have some fabulous photos from our "night to remember". It was so fun scouring thrift stores for authentic dresses and breaking out the crimping iron. We even painted a prom portrait background and had a pop filled playlist to get us in the spirit.

yeah. that's my crazy make-up expertise hahaha.

how amazing is this tie?!

Our birthday girl prom queen and all of us girls!

I knew there was a reason for stocking up on 80's party dresses for all these years!

xoxo, lauren

Silly Sailorette

Karen Walker's sixties inspired nautical collection was the perfect balance of kitsch and wearability. The patterns were the highlight of the collection, from the streamlined sailor stripes to seagulls to sunburst patterns. The ruffled waves mimicking the ocean accent each of the mini dresses paired with authentic looking boat shoes. Ladies, we better start our sailing lessons stat for a head start on S/S 2010.

xoxo, lauren

Welcome to the Jungle

Diane von Furstenberg always seems to read my mind each season and knows exactly what I want to be wearing each season. She never strays away from bright colors, loud prints, and piled on jewelry. I'm loving the new spin on last season's trendsetting floral headpieces. DVF does the floaty summer dress like no one else! Crimping irons have also become my new best friend (but more on that when I post my 80's prom pics!)

xoxo, lauren

Cheeky at Charlotte Ronson

What I love about Charlotte Ronson is her distinct signature style. All of the models walking down her runway could easily be her with the knotted bun on top of their heads and toughened up girly looks. She really knows her customer so they're great basics mixed with some of-the-moment trendiness. I think I could wear all the pieces right off the runway!

xoxo, lauren

Streamlined in Silver @ Jenni Kayne

Jenni Kayne is another one of my early fashion week favorites. Everything in her collection was completely wearable with a trendy edge. The new mom designed easy to wear items for the busy but stylish woman. Yellow is my favorite color so I love the bold use of it in some of the garments. Plus, those skinny sequined pants are giving me disco fever! I love.

Who are your fashion week faves so far?

xoxo, lauren

Ruffian's Rugged Charm

NY Fashion Week is back in full force and I can assuredly say all my free time lately has been devoted to pouring over the collections. Ruffian is one of the lines that has piqued my interest so far. I love all the quirky details that go into the garments. The patterned oversized jackets are so very 90's power suit and the sheer fabrics offer the perfect amount of feminine appeal.

xoxo, lauren

"Ooh girl, shock me like an electric eel"

I've been loving all MGMT songs lately, especially around fashion week; they all seem like perfect runway tunes! I picked up this coral silk tank dress at forever 21 for like 10 dollars a couple weeks ago. I didn't think I'd have much opportunity to wear it but I've already worn it out for the weekend and to class today. I toughened it up with a studded belt and these freaking adorable flats.

These Electric Avenue by Poetic Licence flats make such a statement. They are so ME. I love being able to liven up a simple outfit with such an eye catching pair of shoes (and lime green toes to match haha). I love the peep toe, splash of bright colors, and mini leopard/floral print thrown in there for good measure. Seriously obsessed!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Just wanted to congratulate the randomly generated winner of the Pulse Yoga giveaway; comment #9: Taylor Sterling of Sterling Style!

Stay tuned for an awesome beauty giveaway, coming soon!

Stylish Swedes

Oh my gosh. Whenever I'm feeling uninspired I turn to my favorite Swedish fashion bloggers for sartorial tips. It seems they're all gorgeous tan & blonde, part time models who know how to rock a leather motorcycle jacket. Even if I can't read any of the text, the images are all you really need to see to get inspired!

Here are a few of my favorite stylish swede fashion bloggers:

heygia

ellin claesson

style by kling

fashion flash

Do you have any favorite foreign language/swedish fashion blogs?

xoxo, lauren

Born to be Wild

I don't know what it is about Wildfox Couture's lookbooks.. maybe its the kitschy slogans, irreverent styling, or cheeky poses? I just can't get enough of the label's screen printed tees, and shredded shorts. The lookbooks are so low-key, but so much fun. The mini editorials remind me of my late night sleepovers in high schools where I'd dress up my friends and do photo shoots in my living room. Ah, those were the days!

Can't believe we have to wait until NEXT summer for these adorable looks!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. don't forget to enter the Pulse Yoga giveaway!

Keep Your Balance

My life and schedule borders on the edge of crazy sometimes, but I always try to find the time to squeeze some fitness into my schedule. Yoga has always been my favorite form of exercise because it helps me stretch, unwind and get my mind off of the million things going on. Model Christy Turlington is a huge advocate of yoga and even claims it contributes to her seemingly anti-aging beauty!

The lovely people at Pulse Yoga are doing a giveaway of their Pulse Yoga Express DVD; a full body yoga routine targeting specific problem areas. It has the added benefits of a cardio workout, weight training, and pilates. It's perfect for all of us busy fashionistas who might not have time to make it to a gym.

The contest is open to U.S. Residents and is running until next Wednesday, September 9th. RT on twitter or post on your blog for an extra entry!

To win just answer this question and leave your email if it's not in your blog: what is your favorite form of exercise?

xoxo, lauren

Peek-A-Boo

Sometimes bras are sort of a taboo subject for fashion blogs, but, I just bought the cutest lacy bra last week and I've been having lots of Carrie Bradshaw moments with it. Like last week, I wore this pink silk dress and had it peek out the back . It looked a lot like the girl from the Sartorialist; just the perfect bit of flirtaciousness without looking trashy.

The visible bra is going to be a big trend for this fall! It was everywhere from runways (Miu Miu and Proenza Schouler) to red carpets (Paris Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld). It's definitely one of those riskier trends that could easily border on the scandalous side but if done right is really very pretty. It's a nice skin baring alternative to midriffs and low rider jeans.

Would you ever wear a lacy peek-a-boo bra look?

xoxo, lauren