Safari Style

The Days are Heating up as Summer Approaches.  And the Nights are Filled with Dreams of Sunny Vacations to New and Exciting Places.

One of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth is Africa.  Full of Natural Color and Prints

And Since a Vacation to Africa isn't in my Near Future, Why not Create a Inspired Safari Look.  Being a Dressy Gal, Cargo Shorts & Vests were not an Option - Mini Skirts & Silk Blouses, Why Yes that's a Fit.

Kudos to Zebras for being the First to Style Stripes

I like that this Skirt's Zebra Print is in Brown & Cream ... a Softer Version of the Classic and Sometimes Harsh Black and White. 

This Emerald Jewel Toned Silk Blouse Compliments the Rich Brown and Reminded me of the Brilliant Gems Found in Africa.

I Kept my Shoes & Jewelry Neutral to Let the Print and Bold Color Shine on their own.

Emerald Blouse Similar - Zebra Mini Skirt Michael Kors 

Create a Worldly Look with Safari Style

XOXO Sarah Louise

Faux Crop Top

Trending Huge this Spring - The Crop Top 

But I have a Rule: "Just Because it's Trending Doesn't Mean it's Pretty"

As a Gal in her 30's hummmm   it's just not Becoming to be Strutting Around in a Crop Top... I mean When and Where is that Situationally Appropriate?? Date night? Vacation? To Me it's just Not a Good Investment Piece

However - You Can Create the Look of a Crop Top with the Cut of Your Pieces!

Shape & Cut are Key -   The Top should be Boxy and Made with a Stiff Fabric.  The Cut should be Straight but Fitted at the Shoulders and Chest. 

Pairing:  The Bottom Piece Must be Fitted!! - Otherwise you'll have too much Volume and No Shape.
Pencil Skirts & Super Skinny Pants are a Perfect Match.  Aim for a Higher Waist Fit

This Top Satisfied my Desire for a Crop Top in a Mature and Classy Way:  
It's Constructed with a Light Weight Thin Shell with a Hint of Stretch 
(Allowing it to Cling to Your Body Separating from the Boxy Overlay) 
and a Stiff Graphic Eyelet Cropped Layer on Top.  The Large Circular Holes Give Illusion and Texture. 
The Tones are Perfection.  The Nude Creates a Flesh Tone Canvass that's Soft against the Lighter Cream Eyelet Lace.

For This Look I Tucked the Shell Layer into my Skirt - Keeping the Eyelet Layer on the Outside

Another Alternative for the Crop Top Look:
Find a Boxy Stiff Top & Hem the Bottom a Little.  Not Too Short ... again You want the Look while Maintaining Class & Sophistication.  
Test - Raise Your Arms ... If you can't see skin you're good! Higher Waisted Skirts & Pants Compliment Best.

This Skirt Caught my Eye Last Year when it was First Showcased in J Crew's Collection Line.  But Since it was a 'Collection' Piece it was Out of my Price Point.

Luckily, it hit J Crew Factory and I Scooped it Up!!!  The Whimsical Floral Print and Pastel Tones are Refreshing.  I can't wait to Pair it with Carnation Pink, Navy, and Maybe I'll be Daring with a Red! 

Pics Obviously Taken Pre New Mane Coiffing/Cut

Top Ann Taylor Skirt J Crew Factory   

Get Creative with the Crop Top Trend

XOXO Sarah Louise

Spring Sabbatical

It's been a Spectacular Spring Sabbatical but.....

I'm Back a Year Older with New Red Hair & Fabulous Southern Flair!!!

I've Spent the Past 2 Weeks with my Friends & Family, Traveling throughout the South and Cheerfully Celebrating my 31st Birthday!!!

Here's a Peak into my Spring Shenanigans  ..... 

 Visit to Charlotte to See my Gal Pals

Purple Cut Out Dress J Crew Similar 

New Hair Do

Mamma Visits my House 

Easter Egg Tree by Moi 

Early Birthday Celebration with my Family

Birthday Wishes on Lemon Cake 

Out in the Queen City 

EASTER SUNDAY

Mr's Look: Brooksbrothers - Shirt Bowtie Pants Alligator Belt Blazer
My Look: Dress Lilly Pulitzer  

Scragley Bunny

Ladies Who Lunch #NavyWife 

 Dress Black Halo Similar

 Backyard Birthday Champs 

Mrs Champagne Flutes Kate Spade 

 Gals Weekend in Charleston SC 

Birthday Celebration 
Tanks J Crew Skirt Anthropologie

Charleston Sites & Dream Homes 

Southern Dining at Magnolias - My Favorite Flower 

Dress Kate Spade

Celebrate Cheerfully!!!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Nicely Neutral

I Dress Colorfully Most of my Days, but I do Appreciate a Nice Break with Toned Down Soft Neutrals

Light Neutrals can be Challenging 

Most Gals Fear the 'Washed Out' Look

When Choosing Light Neutrals, Opt for Saturated Tones, and Rich Fabrics. They Combat the Dull Appearance.

This Blouse Caught my Eye for Several Reasons: Light Peach Color, Python Print, Delicate Thin Silk Fabric, Bloused Cut & Satin Trim

Tip: A Skin Colored Cami becomes Virtually Invisible Under Shear Tops ... You Don't want to Compete with Your Blouse with Unsightly Undergarment Silhouettes 

Predictably,  I wanted to pair it with Ivory but in Looking at the Tones of the Snake Print I Felt that a Taupe would Really Bring out the Subtle Brown Shades.

The Satin Trim with it's Sheen Contrasts Against my Skin - Prevents it from just Blending in.

Textures & Prints are Key to Creating Interest When Wearing Neutrals

Sheer Peach Python Print Blouse, Taupe Suit Skirt Similar, 

Nude Patent Pumps Similar, Tory Burch Handbag, Earrings

Look Nice in Light Neutrals 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Anchors Aweigh

This Nautical Trend Deserved a Two Part Post...  

Yes, You Can Have too Much of a Great Thing, but in this Case ...
I say Skirt the Rules!

I've kept the Anchor Print Varied in Diverse Pieces - Skirt, Dress, & Pant 
       Advise:  Be Cognizant of your Frequency when Wearing a Common Trend/Print   
                     You Don't want your Style to be Stagnant and Predicable

Retailers have gone Anchor Crazy!  
Putting the Shape on Just about Everything - Shirts, Skirts, Shorts, Tops, Pants, Dresses, Shoes, Totes, Tees .... 

Kudos to Old Navy for Incorporating the Print on Versatile Summer Pieces at a Purse Friendly Price!

The Anchor Print on Both the Pant & Dress Below is Small & Scattered - Leading to a More Discrete  and Subtle Interest - Large Prints can be Overwhelming 

This Pixie Pant is Super Stretchy and Fits my Frame like a Glove! 

Pixie Pant, Top, Sneakers, Handbag (Closet Veteran) Similar, Watch  

This Cotton Jersey Dress is Cool & Comfortable.  The Halter Tie Neckline and Cinched Waist Create a Flattering & Feminine Shape. 

I Mixed My Nautical Prints Adding a Pair of Striped Espadrilles 

Anchor Dress, Striped Espadrilles, Earrings, Watch  

Sail into Summer with an Anchor Print

XOXO Sarah Louise

GET NAUTI

TGIF! 

Nautical is Trending High on the Seas this Season

As a US Naval Officer's Wife and a Coastal NC Resident, I'm Personally Grateful to Retailers for Making the Anchor Oh So Accessible!

I Found this Anchor Pencil Skirt from a Small Designer whom I have purchased several skirts from. 
I Have a Passion for Supporting Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses. 

It was Super Exciting to Dust Off My Favorite Pair of Wedges from their Winter Storage!

I Kept this Look Classic Nautical with Navy & White. 

Navy Peplum Top Similar  -  Anchor Pencil Skirt Corilynn & Pleated A-Line Style

Sling Back Wedges Kate Spade Similar Mr's Watch J Crew Timex

Earrings Kate Spade Sunglasses Target 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Flowers & a Flippy Mini

It's Spring so Onward with the Adornment of Floral Prints 

Again, I'm loving the Cut-Away Tanks!  They Show off Arms & Shoulders and Draw Attention Upwards. - Slight Drawback: Strapless Bra Required 

This Tank Drew my Attention because it was Silk.  I Automatically knew I could Dress it Up or Down

The Floral Print was Romantic but at First Sight the Colors and Tones didn't Thrill Me.  Once I Tried it on... Chemistry!

The Dusty Blue & Orange Tones are Actually Perfect and Compliment my Red Hair, the Peach Undertones of my Complexion & my Millions of Freckles a.k.a. 'Sunkisses'  

Reminder to Always try it on because 'You'll Never Know!'

The Skirt - 'Flippy Mini' as I like to call it (It just Sounds So Fun!!) was a Must Have

I Spotted it in the J Crew Catalog Last Year and Anxiously Awaited it's in-store Arrival.  Of Course being the Creature-of-Habit that I am I Choose it in Ivory.  It has Since Come Out in Several Colors.

I Love that it has the Higher Waist & Flat Front/Back of a Pencil Skirt but also has the Flounce of an A-Line.  A Hybrid of the Best Cuts in the Skirt World.

Confession: It's on the Shorter Side for my Taste, although Flattering for Petite Frames

These Flippy Panels Make this Skirt So Cute & Fun to Wear!

Floral Cut-Away Tank J Crew (On Sale!) 

Flippy Mini Skirt in Ivory J Crew (Lots of Other Colors too!)

Gold Pumps Nine West Clutch Tory Burch 

Add Some Flounce with Flowers & a Flippy Mini

XOXO Sarah Louise

White Snake

White & Animal Print

You Rarely will See the Two Combined - most Animal Prints are Based on Dark Tones

Snakes are the Scariest Creatures on Earth, but they Make for Spectacular Garments

I Feel that with Snake Prints you can Almost Feel the Scaly Texture
And it's the One Animal Print that Can be Done in Lots of Colors and Medias  
Skinned Bags & Shoes Be Still My Heart!

My Affinity for White Overtakes Most of my Looks, so When I saw this Light Gray/White Pencil Skirt it was a Must Have! 

Yes, Pairing with Color will Look Amazing, I'm thinking Peach or Navy 

For this Outfit I Stayed True to me and Paired this Snake Skirt with White Creating a more Monochromatic Look but with Pops of Texture and Shine with Print and Metallic Silver Pumps

Snake Skirt Ann Taylor (On Sale Now!) Silk Bouse Ann Taylor Similar

Silver Pumps Nine West 

Wear White & Snake Like a Rock Star

XOXO Sarah Louise