My Superbowl Sunday

Photo Credit// Stephanie Fantauzzi
Sweater// on Sale at all LF Stores 60% off (similar sweater here)
Skirt// LF  (similar skirt here)
Shoes// Matisse Footwear (similar boots here)

I imagine that most of you spent your Superbowl Sunday with an excessive amount of guacamole, 7 layer bean dip, and whatever other kind of wonderful food you are capable of cooking and for good measure some beer while you watch Katy Perry perform and more commercials in one sitting then you will watch the rest of the year (and I guess the game). I however am not a fan of the Superbowl, including the halftime show and commercials. I've tried to get into it a few times, went to some parties in college, occasionally watch the halftime show and commercials online so I know what the rest of the world is talking about the next day...but I couldn't really find it in myself to care this year. So I did what any non loving SuperBowl human would do, I brunched! I picked up Steph and we headed to Square One Dining in East Hollywood (fun fact it's across the street from the Scientology Center). I've been wanting to try this spot for a while, the last time my mom was in town visiting we attempted to go there for breakfast but after 30 minutes of searching for parking we gave up and headed to GRUB one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. I will admit parking is quite difficult, and there was about a 25 to 30 minute wait for a table but it was absolutely worth it! The restaurant kinda looks like a whole in the wall but it has a very charming outdoor patio that we were lucky enough to be seated in. This place really cares about the quality and freshness of their ingredients. After debating between the pancakes with a bacon infused carmel sauce and breakfast tacos, I went with the tacos and a fruit salad that consisted of mangoes, apples, pears, oranges, and pomegranate seeds. It was easily the best fruit salad i've ever had, and I wasn't complaining about the tacos! I can't wait to go back and try the pancakes. 

 While very slowly cleaning out my closet the last few weeks I've discovered that I have too many pieces that I've either never worn or only worn once or twice. When I was getting dressed for brunch I decided to try to wear some of these neglected pieces. I honestly can't tell you the last time I wore the patterned skirt, and almost positive my Matisse shoes have never seen the light of day. I love the look of an oversized sweater thrown over a short dress or skirt, and this sweater is especially fun because of the low v back.

 What did you guys do for Superbowl Sunday?!

-Xoxo Becca

The Unpacking Game

Mesh Top// LF Robertson Blvd
Bralette// Victoria's Secret Pink
Skirt// Windsor Navy Plaid Sweater Skirt c/o
Shoes// The Blonde Salad X Steve Madden ( on sale from $149.50 to $44.98!)
Coin Purse// LF Robertson

 Why do you always need a vacation after you go on a vacation?! Whenever I come back from a trip whether it's someplace like Hawaii or London (this time Quebec City) I need multiple days to learn to function like a real human being again. One of the most dreaded things about returning from a vacation is the process of unpacking. I put it off for dayyyssss, and the longer I put it off the worse I feel and the more anxiety I get. So lately when I unpack I tend to place dress up. I try to figure out new ways to wear things in my suitcase with things I didn't bring along with me. It clearly does not shorten the unpacking process, and often causes my room to become a disaster for a few hours, but it does make the process a little more bearable and I come out of it with some great new looks! While I started this trips unpacking process I took my Blonde Salad X Steve Madden shoes out of my suitcase (why I thought they would be appropriate for 0 degree weather is beyond me) and realized that I have never actually worn these shoes...and I bought them last year. I decided that I absolutely needed to find a cute outfit to wear them with! My goal was also to make sure the outfit was appropriate daytime wear, because I tend to become a homebody at night and don't go out that often. I paired the shoes first with my cozy Navy Plaid Sweater Skirt from Windsor  , and  began trying to straighten up a mess in one of my closets which led me to the white mesh top I picked out. I love this outfit because it's easy and comfortable but left me not looking like a homeless person. You could easily wear this out on a lunch date, a coffee meeting, or even a shopping trip. I could also see myself swapping out the white mesh top for a cute leather crop top and wearing this out on a Friday night.

I'm trying to come up with some new post ideas for the new year, is there anything you guys would love to see?! You can comment below, email me, or find me on instagram @leather.lace.andcupcakes and send me a message.

-Xoxo Becca

New Years Resolutions

Sweater// Free People 
Dress// Wonderland Honolulu c/o
Hat// Janessa Leone
Booties// Jeffrey Campbell 

Happy New Year!!!!! I hope everyone had an amazing New Years Eve/Day, and didn't struggle to much during the recovery process. I tend to find New Years a bit overwhelming and always choose to stay in watch a movie (Pitch Perfect this year) and order some yummy pizza (Dough Pizza on Sunset Blvd is my new fav). My mom was still in town from our trip to Quebec so she joined my pizza fest, and asked if I had any new years resolutions. To be honest, I'm not a fan of resolutions at all. I don't understand why we wait until the first of the year to try to improve our lives, and usually by day 2 we have broken them anyway. Some of you may or may not know but I moved out to LA in 2011 for grad school. I got my Master's in Clinical Psychology, and when I graduated in 2013 I went to USC for a post bac premed program because I thought I wanted to go into psychiatry. After a miserable year, I was able to admit to myself that medical school was clearly not in my path. I was really scared to leave the program, because I felt like it provided me stability and structure. After a lot of praying, talking to family and friends I decided that, that's what was best. So I left USC and I've spent the last year gaining research experience and doing a lot of volunteer work while applying for doctoral programs. Leaving the program at USC really forced me to step outside of my comfort zone, and I realized how important it is to do that in life. If you don't leave your comfort zone you can miss out on so many amazing opportunities. I've tried to spend the last year actively stepping out of my comfort zone whether it's trying a new food, wearing a new color, taking a trip to a new country, or whatever life throws at me. So I guess my new years resolution is really to just continue doing that!

I'm usually not a fan of body con dresses at all, but when I saw this dress from Wonderland Honolulu I thought this would be a great chance to try something new. It can be difficult to buy clothes online because you're never to sure how it's going to fit. The top of this dress was a bit big on me, so it took me a little while to figure out how I could style it. I thought this Free People cut out shoulder sweater looked really cute over the dress and made the dress easier to transition into a fall or winter piece. 

I really can't wait to see what 2015 has to bring. Starting this blog and applying for doctoral programs have been two of my biggest ventures of 2014, and i'm so thankful to all of you who have been so encouraging along the way it means so much to me! Do you guys have anything you'd really love to see on the blog?! Let me know, i'd love to hear! I'd also love to hear what your resolutions are for 2015!!

-Xoxo Becca 

Oldie But a Goodie

Photo Credit// Stephanie Fantauzzi
Top// LF Robertson Blvd
Jeans// Express
Choker// LF Robertson
Shoes// Steve Madden
Star Bracelets// A Marketplace in Maui

I don't know about you, but I tend to keep things in my closet for wayyyyy to long. I really hate cleaning out my closet, it takes more time and energy then I feel like I have. The bright side to my lazy disposition and somewhat messy closet, is that every once in a while I stumble upon an old gem. I recently found these old jeans I got from Express when I was an undergrad at Baylor University. I probably haven't worn or thought about these jeans in five years!! I'm absolutely loving everything about them now, probably more then I did when I first bought them! 

After being gone for Thanksgiving and being sick with Strep AND a Sinus Infection for what seems like forever, this weekend was about watching Netflix and catching up with friends over coffee! I paired these newly found favorite jeans with an oversized black button down (that boyfriend look) with a sheer back, and a bunch of large bracelets for a more put together look. I also wore my favorite black velvet choker with a large cross, it really makes me feel like a product of the 90's. It was the perfect outfit to wear in order to be comfy but cute while still feeling slightly under the weather. 

Do you guys tend to save items in your closet for too long?! Have you recently found an old item of clothing that you now love more then when you originally bought it? I'd love to hear! Also don't forget if you want to be featured on my blog or instagram account on Wednesday's hashtag your pictures #llcstreetstyle or feel free to email me laprade.rebecca@gmail.com 

I've put together some similar looks below that you can shop! Have a great week beautiful people :)

Oversized Button Downs 

Similar Denim

-Xoxo Becca 

Cyber Monday

Hat// Free People
Top// LF Robertson
Skirt// LF Robertson
Tights// Free People
Knee socks// Free People
Shoes// Dolce Vita 

So originally I was going to do a Black Friday post and even mentioned it in an instagram post on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving night though in the middle of dinner I got really sick with a fever of like 103 (yuck!) and ended up having Strep and a Sinus infection, so i've been bedridden ever since...it's taking forever to get better!! So I thought instead of sharing some of my fav black friday sales, i'd show some good Cyber Monday deals! Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. 

ASOS (click here) Use the promo code ILOVEMONDAYS to get 30% off your entire purchase!!

Bauble Bar (click here) Use the promo code CYBER 20 to get 20% off of your purchase

Piperlime (click here) Use promo code CYBERSALE to get 30% off the entire site, plus an extra 40% discount on sale items

Revolve (click here) you can get an extra 20% off of all final sale and new markdown pieces

Prism Boutique (click here) Use promo code ITSON10 to get 10% off of everything (this one ends at midnight tonight so it's not quite a cyber monday sale)

Windsor (click here) Use promo code QUIRKY to get 25% off of selected items (today only!)

Missguided (click here) Use promo code CYBER30 to get 30% off entire purchase

Modcloth (click here) Use promo code CYBERMONDAY to get 25% your entire purchase

H & M (click here) 30% off entire purchase + free shipping on all orders over $50

Intermix (click here) 20% off of full price items + free shipping

Shopbop (click here) Spend $250 save 15%, spend $500 save 20%, spend $1000 save 25%

-Xoxo Becca

Overall Love

Photo Credit// Mom
Overalls// Washed Denim Overalls
Top// Chaser High/Low Boxy Top
Steve Madden// Free Bird (similar here)
Necklace// All The Wire
Bracele// Lucky Brand

Top// LF Robertson
Overalls// LF Robertson
Shoes// Report Signature 

I have such a deep rooted love for overalls, so obviously I've been so happy that they have made a come back. I've been sporting them since summer 13'. I remember one of the first pair of overalls I had as a child that I literally couldn't live without and continued wearing them even as they were way to short. They were a dark washed long pair with Esmeralda on the front. They were everything!

I've linked a few of my favorite pairs of overalls below! Hope all of you guys have a beautiful Thanksgiving!! I can't wait for all the sweet potatoes my tummy is going to consume.

-Xoxo Becca

The Year Round Crop Top

Photo Credit// Stephanie Fantauzzi
Crop Top// Wonderland Honolulu c/o
Leather Vest// Aviatrix Leather
Flannel// LF Robertson blvd
Jeans// Carmar Denim (bought at LF Robertson)
Key necklace// The Giving Key

I absolutely love hanging out at the Grove around the holiday season. The christmas tree, and the snow that falls makes it feel like a magical winter wonderland.  I had such a wonderful day strolling around with my bestie, looking at all of the Christmas decorations, grabbing lunch at the farmers market (best iced coffee at Short Cake LA), and popping in at the Revolve Pop Up shop where I purchased a House of Harlow Ring I'm beyond obsessed with. 

The weather in LA is a bit bipolar. One day it's hot outside and the next day there is a brisk chill. This can make it a bit difficult to get dressed in the morning. I absolutely love this new crop top from Wonderland Honolulu it's so soft and comfortable and can be easily worn all year round. Pair it with ripped jeans and a flannel in the fall or a skirt and knee socks, and a pair of cut offs in the summer. Nothing better then a basic crop or a basic tshirt, I feel like I can never have enough! 

Are you a fan of crop tops in the fall/winter? Would love to see how you style them if you are!

-Xoxo Becca 

Casual Chic

Photo Credit// Regina Saldivar
Blazer// Zara (Similar one here)
Top// Southward Apparel
Skirt// LF Robertson Blvd
Key Necklace// The Giving Key
Shoes// Converse

This was a quick comfortable outfit I put together to run errands around the city and grab a quick breakfast at Urth Cafe with a friend. I purchased the ACL top from Southward Apparel after missing Texas a little bit and being envious of all the pictures my friends were posting at ACL last month (fun fact: I've only been to one concert in my life...bonus points if you guess which concert). I found this blazer in the back of my closet from Zara...I'm pretty sure I bought it in London when I was an intern at a fashion/lifestyle PR company. I remember being obsessed with blazers and American Apparel body suits that summer, and by the time I got back to the states I was over it. Now they are growing on me again and making a comeback in my daily outfits. Blazers are one of the best ways to give an outfit a pop of color, or to make a super casual outfit like this a bit more chic!

Have you ever worn an item so much or a style that you've burnt out on it and now it's starting to grow on you again?! I'd love to hear about it, or see pictures! Don't forget to email me your pictures or #llcstreet style on instagram to be featured on my blog and insta account on Wednesdays!

These are just a few blazers that have caught my eye!

-Xoxo Becca 

November Necessities:It's all about the Accessories

November means it's holiday season! I start dreaming about pumpkin pie, black friday, sugar cookie tea  (yes this is a real thing, and it's magical), what it's like to live in a city where leaves turn colors, and how every pair of tights I own from last year seems to have a run in them. This month for my necessities section i'm focusing on some of my faves/crave accessories and shoes. 

Hats

As you can tell from my blog and Insta feed if you've been following, i'm maybe a bit obsessed with hats. To be honest this obsession is very recent. Before I cut my hair a year ago, I never ever wore hats. With my shorter textured hair, hats have a whole new feel on me, and they really complete an outfit! They also honestly make me feel more comfortable when I take pictures for the blog and instagram. Here are some hats currently on my wish list. 

Tights/Socks

I have ALWAYS been a lover of tights and socks. When I was five my mom used to dress me in mis matched lacy and slouchy socks, in high school I wore knee socks everyday with my school uniform and doc martins, and now I see them as the perfect way to keep wearing that skirt or dress all year round. I love to layer socks over tights and each other and use them to add a pop of color or texture to an outfit. These are some of favorites that I find to be a must for my closet.

Over the Knee Boots/Sneakers

Every season I am on the constant look out for the perfect over the knee boot! I have absolutely been in love with them for the last few seasons, but find it a struggle to find ones that stay up on me all day long and don't start slouching. I think it may be time to invest in a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots, from what I hear they are perfection. I've also been starting to build a bit of a sneaker collection! I find that one of my favorite ways to wear them is with a simple leather skirt, sweatshirt, or tshirt. 

Bags

I really own a handful of bags and purses. I tend to just use the same ones over and over. I like to keep a big tote bag, small cross body bag, and a backpack or two. I also tend to stick with neutrals and blacks. In the last few months I've started to covet more and more purses, maybe i'll add some of these to my Christmas list! 

I know I haven't been keeping up with the blog in the last month, but when my applications are completed and submitted for grad school December 1st, I promise i'll get better! 

I have decided that I would like to a weekly street style section. I'd like to roam around town and take pictures and interview people who inspire my style, feature people from Instagram, and who send in email submissions! If you'd like to be featured send me an email (laprade.rebecca@gmail.com) with a picture of you in an outfit that makes you feel wonderful and confident, your name, occupation, and your current style must haves and must nots! Or you can tag me on instagram or #llcstreetstyle and every Wednesday i'll do a feature on my blog and Instagram. You guys can let me know if you love it and want me to keep it up, or I should ditch it. 

-Xoxo Becca 

Fall Florals

Photo Credit// Stephanie Fantauzzi
Leather Vest// Aviatrix Leather (bought at LF Robertson)
Floral Blouse// Bought at LF Robertson
Leather Leggings//Mink Pink
Booties// Matisse Footwear
Hatt// Bought at LF Robertson
Bag//Marc by Marc Jacobs

After a long week of volunteer work, research, and working on grad school applications I had a wonderful weekend with some very close friends. I had brunch on Saturday at an adorable little spot in Venice called 26 Beach. If you're a french toast fan I highly highly recommend it. I had the Monty Cristo French toast and it was unreal, and my coffee was served in a princess mug...so that was a plus. I then spent the evening at Halloween Horror nights at Universal studios, one of my favorite halloween traditions. On Sunday, I ventured into Los Feliz and ate at this cozy little spot called Home. It was nice and cool in the morning so I chose this dark floral blouse and paired it with my faux leather Mink Pink leggings. I got so many comments the last time that I wore this vest that I decided to bring it back! I'm also obsessing over my recent hair cut by the amazing Marissa Marino at Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood. If you're looking for a great place to get your hair done I'm convinced they can do no wrong.

If you guys have any posts you want to see or questions feel free to comment below or send me an email! I'd love to hear from you guys. Below i've included links to shop items similar to what I wore.

Dark Florals
Leather Vests
Leather Leggings

-Xoxo Becca