Arrivederci 2011

[beautiful day at my desk]

        As a very dear (and diplomatic) friend put it, 2011 was a year of "education". And while I couldn't agree more, I still wanted to take a look back at all the bright moments of the past year. I'm thrilled that 2012 has arrived and cannot wait for the new adventures and amazing experiences that await! Looking forward to a few changes here, can't wait to unveil them! Wishing you all a wonderful year full of the hope of new beginnings, health, happiness, and the strength to live fully. Cent'anni!

[my collection of makeup brushes]

[exotic eyes]

[alexander mcqueen exhibit at the metropolitan museum of art in NYC]

[alexander mcqueen:savage beauty | 'jungle remix' photoshoot]

[two friends, summer love]

[las vegas birthday trip | 'hot hues' photoshoot]

[reading terminal market | crepes and cappuccino]

[inspired by my surroundings: spiked railing | vince camuto studded bow flats]

[st. augustine, fl: champage toast | historic downtown at dusk]

[attention-demanding lips | crystal cascades at the ritz-carlton]

['blazer gets dressed up' photoshoot | christmas in love park]

[absolutely adore the ben franklin bridge]

[taking a walk on the wild side in my fur vest | bcbg leopard pony hair flats]

[twinkling tealights | sparkling on new year's eve]

All content property of Lauren Mantilla.

Holiday Gifting Guide: $50 or less

[Henri Bendel Link Bracelet $38]
This gold-plated link bracelet is a beautiful gift for your bestie, sister, or other special girlie.

[J.Crew Nordic scarf $49.99]
The wintery pattern and the warm wool knit make this a perfect holiday gift.

[Pottery Barn Mirrored Dresser-Top Trays sm$29 lg$49]
A mirrored tray is a pretty addition to her dresser and allows her to showcase her favorite jewelry or pretty perfume bottles. To make it extra personal, have her initials engraved on it.

[Pottery Barn Silver-Plated Jewelry Box s$30 m$49 l$89]
Know a girl who is all about her gems? Then she'll love this engravable jewelry box that's just as pretty on the outside as the baubles inside!

[MAC Cosmetics 'Make It Perfect" brush kits $49.50]

Got a girlie on the go on your list? These fantastic brush kits are available in three different options, each with a bag to easily pop into your purse for easy touch-ups!

[Deborah Lippmann 'Trendsetter' nail set $35]

This fun set of Deborah Lippmann polishes are a great gift for the girl that is put together from head to toe!

[Victoria's Secret Pajamas 'The Fireside Long Jane' $49.50  'The Dreamer' $39.50  'The Angel Sleep Tee' $30 or 2/$35]

After a long day, every girl loves to put on a new pair of pjs and relax. Victoria's Secret offers a lot of great options, these are a few of my favorites.

[Menu Winebreather Carafe $50 available at Neiman Marcus]

This dual carafe-wine aerator is a unique and useful gift for the wino couple or friend with a new apartment.

Holiday Gifting Guide: $25 or less

[Henri Bendel Holiday Votive $15-2.6oz. $30-9.4 oz.]

Henri Bendel candles are my year round favorites. So it goes without saying that their Holiday votive is a great gift. And once the candle is fully burned, you are left with a beautiful glass container. (I use all of mine to hold my makeup brushes.)

[Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker soundtrack $13.70 on Amazon]

Everyone loves traditional Christmas carols, but the beautiful classic music of this Christmas ballet will be a gift to enjoy for many years to come.

[philosophy Sparkling Cranberry duo $18 & SIlent Snowfall duo $15]

These indulgent bath products come in cute seasonal scents and the packaging is so festive all that's missing is a bow!

[J.Crew Factory long button gloves $19.50]

I like small details on gloves, like these buttons, and the longer length will ensure no cold breezes sneaking up their sleeve!

[Style: A to Zoe by Rachel Zoe $15.99 on Amazon]

Never know what to get that stylish friend? A book complimenting her excellent taste is a a fantastic gift!

[Pottery Barn Diamond Quilted Velvet Jewelry Roll $16]

If you have someone on your list that is always on the go, this velvet jewelry roll is a lovely present. I like that it can be personalized with their initials.

[MAC Cosmetics Kids Helping Kids holiday cards $10]

These fabulously festive holiday cards are not only a unique way to spread Christmas cheer but also benefit an amazing cause. These cards were illustrated by children living with HIV/AIDS and all the proceeds benefit the MAC AIDS Fund which supports all ages, all races, and all sexes worldwide living with HIV and AIDS. For more information, visit http://www.macaidsfund.org.

[various black and white posters at Target $14.99-24.99]

For the world traveler, these gorgeous prints will remind them of their travels and decorate their walls in style. 

[Bloomingdale's Little Beauty Bag $18]

A tiny totable version of the classic Bloomie's Medium Brown Bag to store their makeup and other beauty necessities. 

'Tis the Season

        As I'm sure many of you are, I find myself trying to understand where the days have gone and grasp the idea that Christmas is actually 8 days away. These last few weeks have flown by, as time always seems to when you're super busy, so I just wanted to stop and share a few of the moments that have made up the merry madness of my holiday season thus far.

 [Philadelphia architecture adorned with Christmas greenery]

 [Rittenhouse Square Christmas lights]

 [Christmas tree outside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel]

 [Christmas tree upstairs at the Park-Hyatt at the Bellevue]

 [Poinsettias in the lobby of the Park-Hyatt at the Bellevue]

 [LOVE Park Christmas tree]

[Rittenhouse Sqaure Christmas tree]

[A pair of Christmas elves...]

[A cappuccino and spiced gingerbread at Starbucks]

 [Even my furry family members are in the Christmas spirit]

[Stockings hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there]

All content property of Lauren Mantilla.

Blazer Gets Dressed Up

 [model: Anna Rudenko. blazer: BCBG. dress: French Connection. tights: Hue. booties: Max Studio. clutch: vintage Bally. watch: Michael Kors. necklace & ring: vintage.]

        A constant go-to of mine is my favorite black blazer, so I had been on the hunt for another in a neutral shade to incorporate into my wardrobe. When I spotted this one, and in navy, no less! (which has been my black substitution lately) I knew it was meant to be. It has great structural detail and the black lapel lends a modern edge. The length of the sleeve is great, allowing anything adorning your wrists to be showcased. For a night out, I chose a striped dress that works with the strong details of the blazer and whose shade of red adds bold, attention-grabbing color. For a subtly unexpected touch, I added black booties with a little edge.

All photo credit: Lauren Mantilla.

Gold accessories look lux against the rich shades.

All content property of Lauren Mantilla.

Big Girl Bows

[model: Anna Rudenko. dress: Moschino. shoes: Boutique 9. headband: Forever 21. lips: MAC Media.]

        There are some pieces that are meant to have a moment. This dress demanded its moment. However, it didn't begin as a showstopper. Originally, this dress had long sleeves and a much longer skirt. I had the sleeves removed and the skirt hemmed. The sash I styled as a dramatic bowed necktie. Adding a statement making bow headband and caged booties with leather bow accents kept the look girlie but daring.
  

All photo credit: Lauren Mantilla

Bows, head to toe. 

All content property of Lauren Mantilla.

School Days

 [model: Anna Rudenko. skirt: Guess. sweater: French Connection. tights: Hue. scarf: Nordstrom. shoes: INC. bag: Gucci. watch: Michael Kors. necklace: South Moon Under. earrings: Nordstrom BP. eyeshadow: MAC Antiqued]

        As a child, every year on the first day of school, I would pose with my younger brother for a photo in our new outfits. And while the school year does technically start sometime in early September, I find myself most nostalgic for my younger school days when the trees turn shades of orange and yellow and their leaves begin to cover the ground. Instead of going with traditionally fall shades, I opted for a fresher, more modern, preppy look with transitional pieces that allow for easy layering. The high-waisted denim skirt and white tights add a bit of whimsy balanced by the sweater with shoulder detail. The green cashmere scarf provides a pop of color and keeps away the Autumn chill. 

A little Halloween twist.

All photo credit: Lauren Mantilla.

All content property of Lauren Mantilla.