Most Stylish Lumberjack Ever

I can't stop oogling this shot of Kate Bosworth. It's the perfect depiction of how I'd like my winter style to be. Chunky knit sweaters, slim black leggings, a plaid shirtdress paired with leather combat boots are an easy combination that amount to insta-chic. The aviator sunglasses are the too-cool icing on the cake. I love how effortless yet put together she looks!

Hope everyone has a fantastic New Year's Eve!

xoxo, lauren

My 2010 Fashion Resolutions

I'm really excited for 2010! I have a feeling it's going to be a great year. I'll be wrapping up my degree in fashion merchandising-- getting a minor in communication & business to explore the fashion p.r. side. I've got great friends & family who support me endlessly (blogging friends included)! It's been wonderful watching La Petite Fashionista grow from daily musings to a great readership base of people who love fashion just as much as i do.

What are your resolutions for the new year?

xoxo, lauren

Who's That Girl: Christine Centenera

I first took notice of this girl's killer style back in October in an image of her in a shoulder padded blazer & boyfriend shorts, but didn't know who was behind the look. After seeing her turn up on several street style sites I did a little research. Her name is Christine Centenera, a fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar Australia. I can also tell she has a penchant for studded heels, kohl eyeliner, leather, blazers, and a mess of accessories. I LOVE.

What I love about her outfits is that she looks like she actually re-wears items of clothing from her closet (well, maybe a really expensive closet); just reinventing them in different ways.

xoxo, lauren

P.S. I'm working with awesome fashion resource Modelinia to help enter people to win a $1,000 Ann Taylor Shopping Spree & trip to NYC! Just send me an email with a favorite outfit photo, birthday & full name (by DEC 31st). Good luck!!

la Belle et la Fete

How beautiful is this editorial from the December ELLE France titled "La Belle et la Fete". It depicts Dree Hemingway as a modern day Cinderella chasing around a gritty Paris backdrop with perhaps every girl's first high heeled love; the famous glass slipper.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. I spent some quality time with the family in florida weather a bit too warm for my liking (no such thing as a white Christmas when its in the 70's)! Santa treated me well; lots of cute new clothes, accessories & fashion books!

xoxo, lauren

P.S. Congrats to entry #12, antiquated treasures for winning the LOFT giveaway! Look for more giveaways to come in 2010 fashion lovers! :)

Happy Holidays from La Petite Fashionista!

I hope everyone is enjoying their time off from school and work and has the opportunity to kick back & relax with family. I love everything about the holidays, from the tree decorating, to the present buying, to the sparkly party frocks. But, most importantly I like the reminder that the important things in life are not things :) Although, opening presents Christmas morning at my Gramma's house is a tradition i'll never get tired of!

On a christmas-y side note, if you miss the old door to door caroling, check out TJ Maxx & Marshalls youtube caroling contest for Toys for Tots. Upload your video carols for the chance to win gift cards and a $5,000 shopping spree!

xoxo, lauren

Nouveau Navajo

If you've followed my blog for a while, you know by now that I've got a teensy bit of fascination with all things Western. I'm a line dancing loving, boot wearing, country music listening cowgirl cassanova at heart.

Imagine my excitement when I scored these caramel colored ankle cowboy boots at Marshalls for only $25 & this vintage navajo sweater from my favorite thrift store for $3!

I love the navajo print & overall western trend that has seeped its way into textiles, apparel, and housewares. It's one of my favorite trends because it's truly timeless and so easy to incorporate into your wardrobe. Try by incorporating turquoise jewelry, a traditional print, or a big metal belt buckle.

xoxo, lauren

Model Musings: Part 2

This is Part 2 of my interview with friend and model, Carley! If you missed Part 1 you can find it here. Check out her gorgeous creations- as soon as she gets an online store up I'll post a link up on La Petite Fashionista.

Where do you find inspiration for your jewelry designs?
I just play around with the pieces until I find something I like. My rule of thumb is that I always create something I would want to wear myself.

What types of materials do you use in your pieces?
They're a combination of thrift store finds, old necklaces from my grandmas, pieces off clothing; just a mishmash of everything.

Whose style inspires you?
My mom always joked that I have a hooker sort of style because I love all things sparkly, pink, and high heeled. One of my style inspirations is "Alabama", a hooker in the Quentin Tarantino movie "True Romance".

What are you favorite places to shop?
I love Intermix, Lohemann's, and the thrift store. My favorite designers are Yves Saint Laurent and Jimmy Choo.

What do you like to do in your downtime?
Shop, make jewerly, I play on a co-ed softball team and bowling league in Miami. I was surprised how easy it was to make friends in Miami Beach; it's like a little community down there.

What music fills your ipod right now?
I love country & 90's music so everything from Taylor Swift, to Van Morrison & Counting Crows, to Jack Johnson & the Beatles.

Who is the person you've been most excited to meet?
I met (Victoria's Secret model) Alessandra Ambrosia through a friend. She was so funny, sweet and down to earth. She was showing me pictures of her baby girl the whole night.

It was great having the opportunity to chat with a peer that's begun to make her mark in the fashion and modeling industry.

xoxo, lauren

Gift Guide for: the Rocker Chick

Dress: Forever 21, Jacket: William Rast, Tattoo Bandaids: Fred Flare, Boots: Forever 21, Shoulder Epaulettes: Babette Epaulette

It's funny-- if you looked at me you'd probably never describe me as a rocker chick. But, maybe I have an inner wild child? I do tend to gravitate towards all things leather, studded and metallic. I even got a tiny tattoo with my sister last month, which was a rebellious move for my normally conservative self. Baby steps right?

So, who is the Rocker Chick?

She has a rebellious spirit, or at least pretends she does. She's the fashion risk taker and works a leather motorcycle jacket better than any Harley rider. Music is her creative outlet & probably has an ipod at its capacity. She's the life of every party!

Don't forget to enter the $100 LOFT card giveaway!

xoxo, lauren

LOFT: Holiday Fashion Fix

One of the most frustrating things about a winter wardrobe is that often a heavy jacket ends up covering what would have been a cute outfit. My holiday style tip is to choose a sweater, like this knit biker vest and pair it with a statement necklace to give it a festive flair.

LOFT is launching their newly redesigned e-commerce site full of stylish classics with a twist. Check out the site to fill all of your holiday needs from cozy sweaters to tailored trousers to trendy accessories. They've transformed their look to cater to a more fashion forward audience (that's you!).

In celebration of this & the holidays, LOFT is offering one lucky La Petite Fashionista reader a $100 gift card to the store!

To enter: leave a comment with your holiday style tip & visit LOFT's facebook page.

The contest ends Wednesday, December 23rd at 12 PM EST (open to US residents only)

xoxo, lauren

Pantsless Mannequins?

I spotted these pantsless mannequins in the windows at Forever 21 while shopping on vacation.. Lady Gaga is definitely taking over the fashion world!

Would you ever rock the pantsless look?

Xoxo, Lauren
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Model Musings: Q&A with Carley

One of my friends from high school, Carley, is now a working model living in Miami and designing her own jewelry. She was sweet enough to sit down with me and offer some insight into her life as a model and her blossoming jewelry collection. She's a completely down to earth, gorgeous girl with great success ahead of her.

How did you get started modeling?
I started at an agency in Tampa when I was younger. When it came time to graduate, my agency set me up with an agency in Miami and moved me down there to start working.

What are your future plans after modeling?
I want to go to fashion school, maybe study journalism and work at a fashion magazine.

Miami Modern Magazine

What are the craziest things you've ever had to do for a photo shoot?
If there's ever a bathing suit story being shot it always seems to be in Winter.

Cosmo Magazine

What are the coolest places you've visited for modeling?
My favorite was in Aruba at an all inclusive resort. One of my guy model friends was there too, so it was fun to work the job together? I also just spent the last 3 months in Barcelona, Spain; but it's definitely different being there to work and being there as a tourist- a bit lonelier.

Working in Aruba for a resort

What is your advice for aspiring models?
Start out by talking to local agencies. Send them some pictures and see if they'll sign you. If they see something in you, they'll book you jobs. Just be persistent.

One of Carley's first big jobs, in Teen Vogue.

So, what are male models really like?
In my experiences they're actually pretty dumb. A lot of them float by on their good looks. It's also a lot harder for them to book big jobs.

the face of Cosabella

What are the best and worst parts about modeling?
The hardest part is never knowing the next time you'll have work. The best part is that there's a lot of downtime, so living in Miami I have plenty of time for the beach and nightlife. Another good part is the connections you make while you're working. You met a lot of people that can help you with your career.

This is the first part in a two part series with Carley, check back soon for more about her personal style, shopping habits, and amazing jewelry pieces!

xoxo, lauren

"Walk, Walk Fashion Baby"

From the surreal Alexander McQueen shoes to the sleek Carrera aviators Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video is one for the fashion books. I seriously can't listen to it without busting out in song ("..je veux ton amour"), how did she know French verses are my weakness?! Why are all of her songs so darn catchy?

The Carrera "Champion" aviator sunglasses Lady Gaga is wearing in the video are part of their new "vintage" collection based on a design from the early 80's. The Carrera brand is a foremost brand in trendsetting and innovative eyewear designs. It seems like everything Lady Gaga turns to gold, theses sunglasses included- they're sure to become the next must have pair of sunglasses. Though you definitely don't need to be a fashion daredevil like Ms. Gaga to pull them off; slipping them on will let you channel your inner rockstar.

xoxo, lauren

Gift Guide for: the Glamour Girl

Dress: L.A. Made, $110; Solid Perfume Ring:(Very Hollywood by Michael Kors), $40; OPI Polish in "We'll Always Have Paris", $9; Bib Necklace: Fred Flare, $26, Book: Who What Wear, $13

As much as I love shopping for Christmas gifts, sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming trying to find something special for each person on your list. That's why I'm creating a series of La Petite Fashionista gift guides to help in your hunt for the perfect gifts.

So who is the Glamour Girl?

She's the fashionista who always know what celebrity is wearing who, is perfectly put together, sports the hottest nail polish shade of the season, and rocks red carpet worthy dresses for daytime. She always incorporates a daily dose of glitz and glamour in her life.

Keep checking back for more holiday gift suggestions for everyone on your list!

xoxo, lauren

Belle of the Ball

Belle of the Ball by lapetitefashionista

Tonight is the night my roomies and I have been waiting for all year. Our apartment is decorated with christmas lights, garland, lit up with glittering candles and a faux tree. Our stockings are hung by the stairwell with care. I love to entertain, it's so fun making my nana's helly dolly's and decorating.

There will be pictures to come of my party ensemble, I assure you. Above is what I would wear if I had money to spend on party outfits instead of buying Christmas gifts! I'm obsessing over jewel tones like the teal cocktail dress and lacy tights.

What are you wearing to your holiday parties?

xoxo, lauren

Stationery with Style: PosePrints Giveaway!

As all of us classy ladies know, a thank you note is proper ettiquette during the holiday gift giving season. I always try to pick out cute stationery to send out to loved ones. It leaves a great impression & is a thoughtful touch often lost in these technological times.

PosePrints are customizable caricatures (that's supposed to be me in a Parisian themed thank you) on notecards. There are hundreds of combinations of features and props to pick from to make it your own. There are also several backgrounds to choose from whether for a special occasion like a bachelorette party or the everyday. They're a cute and unique way to keep in touch.

PosePrints is offering a giveaway for my awesome La Petite Fashionista readers so one lucky person can design their own note cards!

All you need to do to enter is to answer the question (leave an extra post below if you twitter about it as well for an extra entry):

"What's on your holiday wish list this year?"

[Deadline to enter is December 16, at midnight EST; US residents only, i'm sorry!]

xoxo, lauren