Tortoise

Tortoise Shell to Most, Refers to the Large Turtles - To a Design/Fashion Enthusiast We think of the Amber, Black & Brown Spotted Resin Inspired by the Uniquely Colored and Patterned Shell these Tortoise's have in Order to Blend and Protect Themselves.

In the Past the Actual Shells were Used for All Sorts of Things: Furniture, Dish-ware, Accessories etc...  Today we Replicate this Beautiful Pattern Found in Nature with a Plastic Resin Material.

My Love of Tortoise is in it's Blend of Neutrals (Black and Brown) but Even More so for the Rich Golden Amber Color.  Amber is a Mix of Gold and Orange; Combined with the Darker Neutrals makes for a Palette that Compliments Any Color Pairing.  The Pattern is Spotty but Abstract, with no Definite Lines or Distinctions. 

This Blouse is an Eye Catcher!  Rhinestone Beaded Detailing has been Present on Garments (Especially the Neckline) for the Past Couple of Years, but this Beading is Highly Distinct for it's Large Tortoise Flower Shaped Design.  It was a Must Have!

The Tortoise Beads have a Polished Luster that Contrasts Against the Super Sparkly Gems as Well as the Cream Canvas of the Blouse.  

The Neutral Colors of the Tortoise is Sure to Compliment All Skin & Hair Colors as Well as Any Color You Choose to Pair with this Blouse.  I Chose Emerald Green (For Red Head's it's Our Signature Color to Compliment our Ginger Locks!)  I Plan to also Pair with these Hues: Mustard, Blue, Gray, Black, Red, and Denim.    
For a Causal Look: Wear this Blouse Untucked with a Pair of Black Cigarette Pants and Heels/Booties = Super Chic!

Look for Tortoise in Your Sunglasses & Hair Clips - it's Softer than a Solid Brown or Black and Blends Nicely with All Hair Colors.

Tortoise Beaded Blouse: Ann Taylor | Green Pencil Skirt: J Crew |

Black Sling Back Pumps: Kate Spade Similar | Sunglasses: Target | 

Add Touches of Tortoise to Your Look

XOXO Sarah Louise

Blues

There's no Sadness in These Monday Blues.  I Love Pairing Shades of a Color Together. When Styling a Tonal Look be Sure to Incorporate Interest with Detailing or Accessories.

Here in the South Light Blue is Referred to as 'Carolina' Blue from the Signature UNC- Chapel Hill Color - Mr's an Alum so it's Favorite!
This 'Carolina' Blue Blouse Brings Interest & Femininity with it's Pleated Ruffles.

I'm Definitely a Blues over Blacks Gal.  While Most Gals Can't Get Enough Black Pieces in their Closet, I Hunt for Blues, Navy Blues.  Navy isn't Nearly as Easy to Find as Black, so When I Find a Great Navy Piece it Almost Always Comes Home.

P.S. You Can Totally Mix Blues & Blacks! (Sounds like a good post ... stay tuned)

I Added Some Bright to the Look with my Handbag and Spectator Pumps in White & Navy.

Carolina Blue Ruffled Blouse: ASOS || Navy Suit Pencil Skirt: Banana Republic ||

White Handbag: Michael Kors || Spectator Pumps: Brooks Brothers Similar ||

Sunglasses: Target || Essie Polish: Butler Please ||  

Be Beautiful in Blues

XOXO Sarah Louise

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale '14

That's Right Ladies, it's that Time, The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2014!!!

If You are a Cardholder You got a Chance to Shop Early and if You're Not (Shame on You) Now's the Time to Take Advantage of this Amazing, Biggest Sale of the Year at Nordstrom.

This isn't Just Any Sale.  This is the Sale that Allows You to Buy the Newest Trends Before the Season! And it's Nordstrom, so it's a Chance to Buy Designer Quality Pieces at a Huge Discount. 

I Look Forward to this Sale Every July.  It's Marked on the Calendar (Mr & I are Both Enthusiasts).  It can be a Challenge to Bring Yourself into a Fall State of Mind When the Temperatures Down here in the South are in the 90's ... but the Deals and Glimpse of Cooler Weather will Get You there, I Promise.  

Over the Years I've Scored some Major Finds, Boots, Jackets, Shoes, etc....
This is the Sale that You Don't Want to Pass Up ... Prices will Go Up August 4th and Nothing Haunts Us Like the Things We Didn't Buy!

While Mr was Living in DC, we were Fortunate to have Access to the Fabulous Nordstrom of Tyson's Corner, and at Home, Charlotte NC.  Since the Charlotte Store is Smaller it Pays to have a Go-To Sales Associate.  She can Give You Full Attention and Help Order Items not in the Store.  This Year (since we're living on the NC Coast) We Called Our Gal in Charlotte and She was Able to Text Pictures and Help Place Our Order for In-Store and Online Purchases.  This is Also a Great Route to Go as the Purchases Add to Her Sales Goals.  We Love Haley!

Tip:  I Make Friends with a Sales Associate at Every Store I Frequent.  You can Never Have too Many Gal Pals and it Makes for an Amazing Shopping Experience! 

So if You Haven't Already, Go Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to Add Designer Fall Pieces to Your Closet!!!

Shop the Trends: 

Leather - Lace - Asymmetric Lines - Moto 
Boots with Buckles - Brown - Fall Florals

These are my Top Picks ....

Leather

Leather is a Huge Trend.  I Loved this Dress ( A Must Have) for it's Quilting Detail and Defined Waist.

Nordstrom Brand Halogen Showcases Several Leather Dresses in Various Cuts to Fit Any Style: Pleated and Shift 

Moto Jacket

I Love this Jacket for it's Mix of Leather and Tweed.  The Tweed has a Luster and Asymmetrical Cut Along with a Rich Burgundy Color that Make it Irresistible. 

Fall Floral

I Smile at the Idea of Fall Florals.  Richer Warmer Hues that Keep You Holding on to Summer Blooms.  

This Skirt has a Subtle Flare and Interesting Lines in a Faux Wrap. See More Fall Florals Here and Here.

Lace Hem

I'm not Quite Sure How I Feel about the Lace Hem Trend... Has a Lingerie Look to it ... But I Love the Idea of & Feminine Detail .. Nevertheless it's on the Racks.  Shop this Skirt and Another Lace Hem Piece Here.  I Suggest Styling with a Conservative Top.

Asymmetric

Asymmetric Lines are in Abundance! Whether it's a Dress, Moto Jacket or like the Above Skirt  The Off-Centered Lines add Interest and Fun Detailing to Pieces. 

Over the Knee Boots

I've Always thought that Over-the-Knee Boots were Edgy and Fierce.  I Love these Boots as they have a Stretchy Back (and available in wide calf).  However, Your Hem line must be a Couple Inches above the Knee and I want to Make sure I have Enough Pieces to Pair with these Boots to Ensure Lots of Wear.  I also Need to Physically See these On as I'm Concerned they May Overwhelm my Petite Legs/Frame.  More Over-the-Knee Options Here.

Jewelry

I have so much Jewelry, that it's not high on my Shopping List, Unless its so Unique I just can't Live without it.  These Pieces Caught my Eye because they're Gold, Emerald Green (A Red Head's Signature Color) and Simple. 

The Earrings are Hammered Gold for Extra Shine and have a Vintage 1960's Look, but they're Clip-on so I Hesitate but Probably will Buy :)

I am All Over the Long Necklaces and Don't Have any like this Green Stone One by KS.

I Adore Big Cocktail Rings!  They are Best Paired with a Glass of Champagne, Cheers! KS Ring

Monogram Necklaces have been on Trend for a While Now (I have one from M&L) but I like the Unique take with Your Full Name on this Gold Bar Piece.

Handbags

I've been Lusting over a Rebecca Minkoff Bag for Sometime Now. The Sale is a Perfect Time to Shop. I've Also Been Embracing the Idea of a Blue Bag (I've got Plenty of Brown and Black), However I do Find the Two-Toned Bag Very Appealing.  Decisions! Decisions! 

I Like the Size, Big Enough for All, Clean Lines for Professional Use, and Longer Top Handles for Over-theShoulder (Almost All my Handbags are Elbow Carry).

Beauty

                    

I LOVE Nail Polish and have a Butter of London Addiction.  It's Free of the 3 Harmful Chemicals found in Polish and the Colors are Fab!  This Gift Set is a Steal! 

So Here You Have it, my Picks from the Sale.  Shop the Trends and Choose the Pieces that Suit Your Fancy.  Stay Tuned to See What Purchases Made it to My Closet!

Happy  Shopping at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Seersucker Suit

Seersucker: Cotton Puckered Fabric, Commonly Striped for Spring/Summer Clothing

The Seersucker Suit is a Staple in a Southern Gentleman & Lady's Summer Wardrobe. 
It's a Classic!
The Fabric is a Light Alternative to Dark Wool Suiting.  And Conveniently Doesn't Require Ironing Due to the Texture.  

I Paired this Suit with a Navy Jeweled Top and my Favorite Shoes, a Spectator T-Straped Pump in White & Navy.  I Love them for their Unique Vintage Flair.

Feel Free to Separate the Suit.  Top Summer Dresses with the Jacket and the Skirt with Bright Colored Blouses.

Seersucker Suiting: Brooks Brothers Jacket, Skirt, & Pant Option | 

Spectator Pumps: Brooks Brothers Similar | Jeweled Navy Top: J Crew Similar | 

Handbag: Michael Kors | Sunglasses: Maui Jim | Essie Polish: Marshmallow | 

Classy & Cool in a Seersucker Suit

XOXO Sarah Louise

Celebrate Cheerfully

Cheers to Dress Beautifully's 100th Post!!!

I've Loved Sharing my Style in Dressing Beautifully, Hosting Gracefully and Celebrating Cheerfully!  

And What Better Way to Celebrate Cheerfully than Sippin' on a Jar of Sweet Summertime Lemonade?!

OK, Champagne is my FAVORITE but that's for Tonight :)
And that Recipe Goes like this:

It's no Secret I have a Love Affair with Lemons and I'm Delighted to Share One of my Favorite Ways to Enjoy them with a Refreshing Lemonade Recipe:

Recipe:

1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice (7-10 Lemons)

3/4 Cup Sugar (I used 1/2 c Stevia in the Raw)

5 Cups of Water

Garnish - Slice of Lemon & Fresh Mint

Serve on Ice

 Slice

 Squeeze

  Drain Juice
  Add Sugar

 Mix and Add Water

Garnish & Serve

One For Mr & One for Me

ENJOY!

 

Blue Dress: J Crew Similar | Lemon Necklace: Kate Spade |

 Cheers to the Next 100 Posts!!!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Designer Crush Elizabeth McKay

My Crushes are Rarely of the Hollywood Type.  I Find Awe in the Talent & Artistry of Designers.  Sure the Fancy Haute Couture Pieces are Beautiful and Sometimes Fascinating but What Gets my Heart Fluttering are Simple, Feminine and Colorful Designs.

Elizabeth McKay, Holds the Top Spot on my Favorites.  She's an American Designer (Her Family originated from NC!) who Studied in NYC.  Her Designs Make a Statement with their Detailing and Prominent Prints (Usually Graphic or Safari Inspired).  
McKay is my Muse for my Future Design Goals!

Her 2 Signature Designs the 'Scotland Wrap Dress' and 'Elizabeth Blouse' Live in my Wardrobe by the Multiples!  They Each have a Ruffled Neckline that Adds a Feminine and Sophisticated Touch.  The Dress comes with 2 Sashes: One with 2 Large Shiny Gold Buttons and the Other Made of Self Fabric for Tying.  The Blouse Contains Cufflink Style Hardware Holding the Ruffles in Place (I've Interchanged with my Own Collection of Cufflinks for a Personal Flair).  

It's All About Quality.  EMcKay Pieces are Constructed from Beautiful Silks and Cottons with Rich Colors and Distinctive Patterns.  It's these Fine Qualities that Make Each Garment Perfect for All Occasions: Office, Church, Weddings, Luncheons/Showers Etc...

For the Past 5 Years I've been Collecting EMcKay Designs.  Mr Showers me with at Least One Piece, Sometimes 2 or 3! Every Birthday and Christmas.  I Own Over 30 Tops & Dresses and Just Can't get Enough!  Mr Even Took me to Her Showroom Store in NYC a Couple Years Ago ... Amazing!! Mr & The Store :)

You can Find EMcKay in Specialty Boutiques, I Frequent Charlotte's in Raleigh, NC and Sherman Pickey in Georgetown, DC for All My Must Haves. 

This Summer Scotland Wrap Dress is in a Cotton, Orange Striped Fabric.  The Gold Button Sash Suited My Fancy for this Look but I've been Know to Shake it Up with Various Belt Options. 

Scotland Wrap Dress: Elizabeth McKay | Wedges Kate Spade: Similar |

Turquoise Earrings; Kendra Scott | Handbag: Michael Kors |

Sunglasses: Maui Jim | Essie Polish: Clambake |

Who's Your Designer Crush?!

XOXO Sarah Louise