Resolution Sunday

'Ello poppets! Yep, tonight you are getting a pretty cray-cray version of me! Too much fun+lack of sleep= une femme de folle! I hope you all had amazing weekends! I certainly enjoyed my reunion with school friends. I admit, it is always so hard to leave them behind each time though. 

First things first, I want to congratulate Erika of Cafe Fashionista on winning my Elle for a Year giveaway! I hope you will enjoy every page turn. I'll send you an email very soon girl with details :) Thanks to all who joined in the fun and stay on the lookout for more fun giveaways to come! 

To continue with the theme of ringing in the new year and introducing changes to the blog, I wanted to kick off my first Resolution Sunday! Mara introduced the idea of setting smaller, more attainable weekly goals rather than year long goals that are often forgotten about within a few weeks. I loved the idea and decided to jump on board, but slightly late seeing as I missed the first Resolution Sunday. I decided to start off on a very practical foot, so this week's resolution is to complete a major closet cleanse! It has become so time consuming to sift through the multiple items that I never wear every morning to try and find the wearable clothes. Some are outdated, some just don't fit and others were merely bad purchasing decisions. Any way you look at it, these sad neglected items just don't have a place in my closet anymore. It is time to sort, organize and cleanse. Not only will I be able to create a much more workable closet, I will also help myself to become a much more practical shopper as I will now be able to clearly see what purchases are necessary, and which would be just impulse buys with no real justification. All in all, I think this is the perfect jumping off point for my weekly resolutions and year of change. And seeing how it goes, maybe you will get a peek into said closet to see the finished result!

So ladies, anyone else participating in Mara's little challenge? Making any smaller resolutions on your own? Any advice on a closet cleanse??

I'd love to have a pretty little closet haven like this! Something to hope for :) 

Bisous! 

Introducing Fashion Challenge Friday!

Bonjour lovers! Happy Friday! It has been such a busy week so I am very excited to welcome the weekend. I hope you all have a scrumptious weekend planned. I will actually be heading down to the wonderful state of North Carolina and hitting up my alma mater! It has been a whole 2.5 months since I have seen my college friends and I am going nuts! Yes, I know it isn't all that long but when you go from seeing people everyday to every few months, the transition isn't always easy!

Ladies, the last time we talked I told you about some new features I wanted to try out on the blog. If you remember, I mentioned that Friday posts will now be featuring a personal fashion challenge that I am working on overcoming. I honestly don't have this all worked out, but usually I will be featuring a trend/style/idea that I have been wanting to try and didn't have the courage before now, or have been struggling to make work. My thoughts right now are that these posts will be less text heavy than my usual posts (what can I say I just love to write) and mainly focused on the clothes themselves. I truly welcome your feedback on this new feature (well I'd love your feedback on anything on the blog!) as this will be a new experiment for me. Feel free to tell me if you don't think I have really overcome the challenge and you'd like to see me try again. I am a fan of honesty :)

If you look at all the NY resolution lists that have been made in the last week, I would venture to say that a large majority of them have several commonalities: exercise, lose weight, eat healthier, get organized etc. Well, if you tackle the last one from the perspective of a fashionista, the object of affection is likely the closet! There have been all kinds of stats tossed around about how most of us only wear 20% of our wardrobes 80% of the time, and while I don't think my situation is quite at those numbers, I definitely have perfectly good items hanging in my closet that have hardly seen the light of day. And that is just not fair to the clothes! Though one of my resolutions for 2011 may be to majorly cleanse my closet of items that don't fit right and likely never will again (anyone else still holding hope that those jeans will one day miraculously fit again??), or items that I will never wear again, my first Fashion Challenge is to find ways to revive the hardly-worn-but-still-amazing items! Let's see how it goes...

Cardigan: American Eagle, Bandage skirt: H&M, Tank: White house Black Market,  Skinny belt: Kohl's, Tights: Forever 21, Heels: Simply Vera Vera Wang via Kohl's, Earrings: Forever 21, Necklace: Gifted, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Christmas gift from cousin via Juicy Couture, Ring: Grandmother's vintage

So I think I have had this cardi hanging in my closet for almost 2 years now, and can count on one hand the number of times I have worn it. 

But, I can't even tell you how many times I have pulled it out and tried to put an outfit together with it, pouted unsatisfied in front of the mirror and promptly discarded it back into the closet abyss.  

There is no real explanation for this: it is my favorite color, it has stripes (obsession!) and has a longer very comfortable boyfriend fit. Nothing about this cardigan screams fashion challenge! 

But it just never seemed to work. It gaped in all the wrong ways if it was buttoned up and if I left it unbbuttoned it ended up slipping uncomfortably off my shoulders.    

I even tried just buttoning the middle button and leaving the rest hanging, but something was still missing. Oh wait, what if i grabbed my skinny belt, buttoned just one button and then placed the belt strategically over that button? Voila! 

You are probably thinking, girl you are not all the creative- all you did was belt a cardigan like the rest of us have been doing for years! But what you have to know, is I had never embraced the power of the belt (skinny, wide or regular) before a few months ago. I thought they were merely an accessory only needed for pants that didn't stay up. 

So, while this is definitely a very tiny victory, it is still a check mark nonetheless in my personal fashion challenge quest. Hey, baby steps are always good, right? 

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win Elle for a Year before Sunday!

Bisous!

Ringing in a new year

Hi darlings! I hope everyone is having an amazing start to 2011! I know I am very excited about what this year will bring. The first few days of a new year are always wonderful, because everything is new and fresh and you know the year ahead is a blank slate for you to decorate. Ok, wow I so did not mean to make that corny rhyme. I guess you just never know what will come out of these fingers!

In honor of the new year I have been thinking a lot about this little blog of mine and where I want to take it this year. It means so much to me and I definitely want to continue building on it and improving it with each post. One of the things I have observed from other bloggers that I really like is the concept of feature posts such as Cafe Fashionista's Tightwad Tuesday or Closet Fashionista's This Week in Fashion. I've decided to give feature posts a whirl starting with Fashion Challenge Friday and Resolution Sunday. Friday posts will now consist of a specific challenge I have been wanting to test out, but just hadn't quite worked up the nerve to try. I think this will really help me diversify my style and expand my fashion horizons. On Sundays I will be joining Mara in posting about my resolution of the week. She has vowed to set a manageable goal each week and blog about it each Sunday and she has invited other bloggers to join. I love this idea of setting smaller, more attainable goals to keep me on track all year, so I am accepting the invitation! I think these feature posts will really help me streamline my goals for this blog and help me to develop my blog voice further. So tune in Friday for the first fashion challenge and I can't wait to see how it goes!

New Years Eve is honestly one of my favorite nights to get dressed! That sounds so silly, but I truly do look forward to it as a kind of last crazy hurrah before the end of the holiday season. Plus, it is a night where everybody gets all glammed up, so it really challenges me to step up my fashion game in order to still stand out in the crowd. I guess I just always like ah challenge :) This year I decided to ring in the new year with one of the greatest guys I know and some of his friends. This guy has been my rock for 19 years and has put up with me even through my pain-in-the-butt teenage years. He loves me unconditionally, makes me laugh harder than anyone I know and most importantly he has always been, and will forever be, my best friend. Who is this fantastic, wonderful man you ask? Well, for those of you who read my blog regularly you might have guessed already that I am speaking about my one and only little brother (not so little anymore)! Yes, I had an amazingly fun evening hanging out with the brother and some of his friends, who over time have become some of my closest friends as well. And they even nicely indulged me in my idea of turning the party into more of a soiree if you will, which included dressing the part of the fancy sounding name! How I convinced the boys that they really did want to don a dress shirt and tie for NYE I will never know! But we all showed up looking quite classy if I do say so and we finished out the year with a bang! I was so glad that we did decide to dress up so that I could debut the gorgeous sapphire cocktail dress and silver sparkle shoes that my amazing mother had given to me for Christmas! My mom said when she was younger, her mother would buy her a NYE dress as a Christmas present every year and she wanted to carry on that tradition now with me. I told her I was a huge fan of that tradition, especially since my mom knows my taste in style perfectly! I loved wearing a brightly colored dress on NYE and I was still able to incorporate my love of sparkle with the shoes! I also got to debut my new haircut that I mentioned last week and I had been a little unsure about it, but everyone was so sweet and complimentary that I felt much better!

The bro and I keeping it classy on NYE!

My brother's best friend since they were 4 (aka my other brother)

The boys looking fly!

These were my favorite outfits of the night! I apologize for cutting off their shoes, but they looked so amazing! I mean who doesn't love some fierce stripes and a total sequin dress for NYE?!

Ok so confession time: I was having such a good time on NYE that I didn't take proper outfit photos, so I had to recreate the look. Except... I don't currently have the shoes because I am staying at my dad's house this week! So if you wouldn't mind ignoring that I am barefoot and instead imagining that these babies are bedazzling my feet, I'd be so grateful! Thanks :) Oh and as I promised, a big THANKS to my sweet dad for playing photographer tonight. You're the best!!

Both the dress and shoes were Christmas gifts from my mom. The shoes literally arrived the morning of NYE and I was SO excited to wear them! For the party, I donned my favorite bow ring, a cocktail flower ring with a fake pearl as the center and a pair of dangly silver earrings. I didn't add a necklace, as the neckline was statement enough. My fingernails were painted a shimmery Orly silver polish and my toes were a perfect OPI blue to match the dress (can't remember either polish name).

This photo kind of makes me look like I have a huge badonk-a-donk, but in real life it was one of the more form flattering dresses I have ever worn!

I was so shocked to see Dad had hung lights on the porch of his apartment, since he never put them on the outside of our house. But they gave it a nice homey feel, which I like. We had to take these photos quickly before I froze my tooshie off!

I love all the folds and ruffles of this dress. Gives it character!

I am still getting used to styling these bangs, so bear with me :)

Dad started getting into the whole photography game and suggested a second location. Secretly, I think he just wanted to show off his newly decorated pad! But it is so nice, that I don't blame him!

I never did a great photo of the round embellished neckline, but I adore the extra oomph the adornments gave to the dress!

Loves, I am so sorry for being quite this late with a NYE post. I hope you subscribe to the better late than never mentality! Don't forget to enter my Elle for a Year Giveaway before midnight on Saturday and tune in Friday for the first installment of Fashion Challenge Friday. 

Bisous!

Read all about it!

Happy belated New Years loves! I hope you all had fantastic evenings filled with sparkles, shine, bubbly and midnight kisses! Mine included 3 of the 4, but I'll just let you wonder which three :) I have been meaning to show you photos from my night, but I was having camera trouble all weekend. We should be back in business tomorrow, though!

On December 23rd I achieved one of the first goals I had set for this blog: to have 100 followers before Christmas. I could not have been more excited! It means so much to me that you wonderful ladies take time to stop by and read my random musings. I learn from each and every one of you and I always look forward to checking out your lovely posts. I have been promising a giveaway to thank all of my followers for awhile now and I always deliver on my promises! When trying to decide what would be good enough for you fabulous fashionistas, I took some of my own advice and turned to one of my Fashionable Giving posts and immediately spotted the perfect giveaway item! To thank all of my current (and any possible future) followers I will be giving one lucky lady a year subscription to Elle Magazine! I am always so inspired by the beautiful spreads that the magazine produces month in and month out, not to mention the top quality writing content that the incredible editors churn out. I would love to bestow this gift upon one of you dears.

The rules to enter are pretty simple, but please feel free to ask a question if you need any help entering!! You can leave a comment, or you can always email me at lwainman321@gmail.com. I hope you will all join in the fun before midnight (ET) January 8th! I will use random.org to pick a winner and announce the winner Sunday.

To enter:

1. You must be a follower of A La Mode et Plus either through Google Friend Connect or bloglovin' and don't forget to tell me how you are following.

2. Leave a comment on this post about whatever your heart desires!

3. Please leave your contact info (either blog address or email address) so I will know how to reach you if you win. 

4. Note: Unfortunately, this giveaway will only be open to my U.S followers. Sorry international readers, but I will make it up to you soon!!

For extra entries (separate comment for each please): 

1. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect AND bloglovin'

2. Follow me on twitter (laurachanning)

3. Tweet about this giveaway, and please leave the url to your tweet

4. Post about this giveaway on your own blog

5. Share your best blogging tip!

Good luck chicas!! I can't wait to see who will win and stay tuned for several more giveaways to come!

Bisous!

The best laid plans

Bonsoir beautifuls! I hope you enjoy the last day of 2010. I can't believe how fast this year went. It feels like we were ringing in the new decade just a few weeks ago. 2010 was a wonderful year for me, filled with a lot of exiting changes, but I plan for 2011 to be even better! I've decided to go out with a bang in 2010 and get a semi-radical hair cut tomorrow. Ok, maybe not even close to radical but anything more than a trim always seems radical to me. If it turns out the way I want it to, then I will have plenty of NYE photos to show you. If it goes badly, well then, I guess I will just take headless outfit photos for awhile :)

So pretty much everyone and their mother has been posting year-end wrap ups and plans for the new year. I'm not usually one to just jump on a bandwagon, but I am kind of a fan of this bandwagon so I thought I would hope on board before it was too late! I truly do feel very good about what I accomplished this year and while I usually don't believe in dwelling on the past, I think it is ok to occasionally reflect and be excited at what the future has to offer at the same time. 2010 was a year of self-discovery and learning. Life has thrown me a few curveballs, but I can honestly say I am very happy with how things have worked at and can't wait to see what will happen next!

Highlights of 2010, in order of occurrence:
1. Gaining a pseudo sister

In January my sweet little cousin moved in with us and it was an adjustment for all of us at first, but I  absolutely love this girl! She has become the sister I never had (and always wanted). We have a blast together doing all kinds of girly stuff I could never do with my brother, and I will miss her oodles when I move out! 

2. Watching Matt pitch at LSU

Watching my little brother pitch is one of my all-time favorite things to do! I am his second (mom is definitely first) biggest fan and this February we all got to see him pitch in front of 7,000 people! It was one of the coolest days ever and he did an amazing job. I am incredibly proud of him all the time, but seeing him on a big screen, performing in front of thousands was just unbelievably wonderful. 

3. Getting my camera and finding a new passion

For my birthday in March, my mom gave me the greatest gift ever: my Nikon D5000! I am completely obsessed with it and it has created a burning passion for photography. I still have SO much to learn, but it has been a fun process experimenting, and getting to do some fun shoots for friends! 

4. Falling in love with my college

Yes, I know this should have happened long before my senior year of college but it really didn't. But it doesn't matter  when it happened, because I was totally head-over-heels in love with Elon by the end. And it is a direct result of the incredible bunch of people above. They will forever be my best friends and they made my senior year unmatchably wonderful! 

5. Graduating college

In May, everything I had worked for academically finally came to fruition as I got to walk across the stage, shake President Lambert's hand and receive my diploma! And I got to do it with my wonderfully supportive family in the audience. The only thing that could have made the day better was if little brother was there, but I know he would have been there if he could.

6. BFF getting married

In June I had the pleasure of standing next to my best friend as she made vows to a wonderful guy who could not be more perfect for her. They had been together since we were 16 and their big day was completely beautiful and I was so blessed to be a part of it. 

7. Starting my first real job

Horrible, horrible picture of me, but it was my first-day-of-work picture that mom insisted on. We have photos just like this from pretty much every year of school, so this major step seemed like it needed to be documented. I have absolutely loved every minute of my 6 months of working for USA Today, and I will love my last 6 months as well. We will see what happens after June.  

8. Spending a week at the beach with great friends

In August little brother and I rented a house on the beach for the week and had an AMAZING time with our friends.  It was one of the best vacations of my life and I made wonderful memories that will forever make me smile. 

9. Starting this blog

My first outfit photo :) I never would have thought that I would be brave enough to start a fashion blog, or to show pictures of my outfits to people I don't know, or that anyone would even want to see them! Most importantly, I never would have known how much joy blogging could bring me. It truly is something I look forward to doing every day, and I have all of you lovelies to thank for that. Even though I have never met any of you (although I hope to change that in 2011), I feel as if I have made some great blogging friends and I hope to strengthen those friendships in the coming year! 

10. Beautiful Stella was born

My current love of life is this little bundle of  joy. I hope that I see a loooot of her in 2011, because I love her so, and her parents (my cousins) are pretty awesome, too!  

11. Acceptance of where my life is and, more importantly, where it isn't quite yet: There isn't a photo for this as it is really more a state of mind. I tend to spend a little too much time focusing on what I don't have, and that is something I wanted to stop in 2010. I would say it has been pretty successful, seeing as I am very happy with my life even if I didn't accomplish every one of my goals this year. I am now able to be comfortable with where I am and accept that everything else will come together in due time.

And of course this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning a sampling of things I hope to accomplish this coming year. If it goes according to plan, 2011 will once again be a year of great change and excitement.

Resolutions for 2011:
1. Work out 4 times a week- Ok, this is totally cliche, but i really do intend to make good on this promise. I have missed having a regular routine and schedule for my exercise since I graduated and stopped swimming.
2. Be 10 pounds thinner by June- Goes along with the first one, but I know I will be interviewing again for my next job and it can't hurt to be a tiny bit skinnier, right!
3. Have 200+ followers before 2012- I am 100% thankful for where my blog is right now after 4 months, but also very excited about the improvements I can make over the next year!
4. Blog quality content daily- Currently I tend to blog every other day, or every 3 days when I am super busy, but I am looking forward to getting to a point when I am blogging daily.
5. Land a permanent job that I love- The job I currently have is a one year fellowship, so my time is up in June. My goal is to have something else lined up that I love just as much after June. Cross your fingers for me, please?
6. Move into my own place in DC with Sam- I am officially moving out of my mom's house in the beginning of February, but I'm not moving far. My friend Sam and I are temporarily staying in my grandmother's old condo until we both have stable jobs and can afford a fabulous place in DC. Can't wait for that day!!
7. Cook twice a week- I really love cooking, but don't do nearly enough of it. I am determined to try out many new recipes this year and experiment more in the kitchen.
8. Do a major closet cleanse- I have waaaay too many items hanging in my closet that I don't ever wear anymore and I think it is time for a major clothing overhaul.
9. Find my next great love- Ok, so I know this one can't really be planned but a girl can hope, right! My love life has been absolutely dead for two years and I would really love to not be able to say that next year.
10. I don't have a number 10, but it just seemed weird to end the list on 9 soooo pretend that I have a number 10, please?

Ok, my loves I wish you all a blessedly happy New Years Eve and can't wait to see photos from your festivities! I will be ringing in the New Year with those same awesome people I went to the beach with and I am definitely looking forward to it. What plans do you girls have? Keeping it low key, or going all out for 2011?

Bisous! 

Fashion show

Hello divas! I hope you didn't find it too terribly difficult to make your way back to work this morning after such a lovely break. Ok, confession: I definitely did! Isn't waking up early after four luxurious days of sleeping in just the pits? So are any of you lovely ladies snowed in from this snowstorm?? We (unfortunately) only got a fraction of the powder they said we would be hit with, although it was enough to give everything that nice white dusting look that I do adore. And we even got a light flurry on Christmas, so I was granted my wish of a white Christmas! No complaints here :)

For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite things to do on Christmas day after the hullabaloo of present opening is complete is to model all of my new clothes for my family! My mom always insists on it anyways so that she can judge her purchasing skills, but I admit she doesn't have to do any arm-twisting to get me to participate! What can I say- I have always harbored a penchant for showing off my clothes. This year, however, something was slightly different.Yes, beautiful clothes were still unwrapped and my mother rhetorically asked if I would model them for her. But this year the clothes just seemed to be begging to be shown to another audience as well. Can you guess who that audience might have been my smart little lovelies?? Yes, it was you! The whole time I was showing my family (because yes, my mom does drag my poor brother and dad into the mix) my newest acquisitions, I just couldn't stop thinking about outfits I could create to share with you. You're just that important to me :) So I got to work pairing pieces together to share with my favorite fashionistas! And for my first day back at work after the holiday outfit, I just had to go with something sparkly to keep that Christmas spirit alive!

Sequin tank: Simply Vera Vera Wang via Kohl's, Half cardigan: Anne Taylor Loft, Skirt: gifted from mom via White House Black Market, Tights: ?, Booties: Steve Madden, Earrings: gifted, Black ring: Amrita Singh via HauteLook, Bow ring: gifted via Lichen and Lychee

My mom knew that I had been drooling over this high waisted pencil skirt for weeks, and that my wardrobe was lacking in the skirt department so she very graciously granted my wish! I had picked up this sequin tank on Christmas eve (yes I know, bad to shop for myself then) to finally indulge my craving for sequins and as soon as I unwrapped the skirt I knew they just had to be paired together. 

I love when I can multitask with an outfit and fulfill two clothing desires in one. Wearing sequins and stripes all at once was the perfect antidote to the back-to-work post holiday blues. 

I don't know if you can tell, but our poor Christmas tree has passed on. We just aren't quite ready to toss it out and admit that Christmas is over. Between my sparkly outfit and our droopy tree, you might think I am in denial... but that is a LIE!! A lie I tell you!!

This is one of my favorite new pieces that I got for myself several weeks ago, and have been meaning to show you. I love how it is the perfect combination between edgy and girly-almost an angry looking flower, but how angry can a flower really be!  

And a ring that has not left my finger since its eagerly anticipated arrival! I won this delicate bow ring from a Lichen & Lychee Jewelry giveaway on another blog and I just can't bear to take it off. They say you should tie a ribbon bow around your finger to remind you of something. Well, every time I see this ring I am reminded of how much blogging means to me! Can't ask for a nicer reminder :)

So beautifuls, did you do anything special to make heading back to work easier? Or am I just stuck in the mindset of a college student and missing those glorious five week long vacations? Man, weren't those the best!

Bisous! 

Fun in the sun!

Merry Christmas darlings! I hope you got everything your little heart desired and that you will share photos of your treasures soon. Though the festivities of the day may be over, the holiday season is still with us. So get a little more wear out of your sequins and glitter and rock those satiny red pumps with confidence before it is too late.

The Holidays are always a joyful time spent relaxing with family and friends and reflecting on all the blessings in our lives. For many of us, this time off will be spent vacating our every day lives and indulging in a little holiday trip! And what better place to relax than in a tropical locale where you can escape the cold, soak up some rays, get a little color and simply lounge around! Whether you are on a cruise to mix and mingle or enjoying the serenity of your own private island with a sweetie, you will want to look radiant- even when you just throw on your favorite cut off shorts and a tank!

One of the my favorite activities to engage in during a tropical vaca is a day at the beach! What could be better than laying on the sand, being warmed by the sun and listening to the soothing crash of the waves? Absolutely nothing in my mind! In order to achieve the perfect goddess of the sea look, you will need a slamming suit. Whether you prefer a sexy bikini or the allure of a hip-hugging one piece, accessorize your suit with a darling cover-up, a pair of face flattering sunglasses, simple thongs and your favorite over-sized beach tote and you will be ready for a relaxing day of water-side lounging. Fair warning though, be ready to turn heads all day long!

If you are looking for a little adventure during your sunny stay in paradise, why not opt for casual chic attire that allows for all day exploration! You may not think that jean shorts can be glamorous, but when paired with a flirty tank, understated sandals, dangly earrings, lots of bangles and a fabulous fedora you will be the picture of boho perfection! But if you are a girly-girl through and through who wouldn't consider wearing garments with two leg holes on principle alone, then don't forget to pack your flowiest sundress and elegant gladiator sandals. Go light on the accessories, with bangles and earrings that pick up the colors in your dress. Even if you are traversing through rain forests, you will be the queen of the jungle!

After a long day of water-side lounging, a dinner at the best restaurant in town will be the perfect capstone to your perfect day! For a fancy night out, don your favorite colorful summer frock, your hottest pumps and glam yourself up with your most fun accessories. I am personally head over heels in love with this peacock dress and would love to see you ladies strutting your stuff with this feathered clutch clutched in your hands, and this knot headband perched atop your head. With a wrist full of bangles, sweet rose studs decorating your lobes and an overly shiny bauble resting on your dainty finger, you will surely be the most dazzling woman in any room!

Alright kittens, you are now totally ready to rock the beaches and make waves wherever you go! I can't wait to hear about your fabulous holiday voyages. But if paradise for you comes in the form of snow rather than sand and sun, head over to the delightfully sweet Tasha's blog to check out my guest post on snow bunny attire! Again, Merry Christmas dolls!

Bisous!