Pleated Leather

This Week it's All about Leather, but in a Fabulously Faux Way.

Most Often I Believe that the 'Real' Thing is Far Better than the 'Wanna Be' ; But in this Case Faux Leather Textiles have Come a Very Long Way.  Designers have Used a Light Coating of Polyurethane to Create the Imitated Texture and Shine of Real Leather.  This Makes for a Lighter Material Giving the Garment More Movement and Fitting Easy.

This Skirt Combines Two Big Trends: Pleats and (Faux) Leather.  

It Feels Luxurious (So Impressed with the Realistic Feel!) and Very Classic.  Leather has such a 'Tough' Reputation but Contrasted in this Feminine Pleated Design, it Melts Away to a Soft and Flirty Look.

I Paired it with a Structured White Button Down Embellished with Collar Beading for a Simple Clean Look.  I Plan to Style this Skirt with Sweaters, Silk Blouses as well as Tights & Boots.  

Beaded Button Down: J Crew Similar || Pleated Leather Skirt: Calvin Klein ||

Peep Toe Sling-Back Booties: Nine West || Polish: Butter London ||

Dress Beautifully in Pleated (Faux) Leather

XOXO Sarah Louise

Classy Occasion

I Absolutely LOVE to get Gussied Up.  This Kate Spade Dress is a Go-To for Feeling Fancy. 

Kate Spade is a Favorite Designer of Mine for All Things Beautiful!!

It's a Classic in it's Shape and Color-block Black & Ivory Design.  It's Perfectly Fitting for Any Occasion, All Year Long.  
For more Casual Styling Pair with Ballet Flats, a Cardigan/Denim Jacket, and Simple Jewelry.  
For more Dressy Styling Pair with Bright Heels, a Shaw/Fur Jacket and Statement Jewelry.

Don't be Afraid to Spring for Colored Tights for Extra Fun in the Cooler Months.

I Added Pops of Pink in my Shoes, Jewelry and Lipstick.

This Dress is a Great Investment to have for Years.  For Dresses I want to have a Place in my Closet Beyond a Season or Two, I Opt for an A-Line Cut for it's Forgiveness on the Figure.  The Box Pleats Add Movement without too much Volume. 
And they're Great for Twirling! 

I Make it a Best Practice to have a Stylist at my Most Adored Retailers.  Relationships are Key to my Life.  It's the People Around You that Shape Who You are and When it Comes to Style You Want the Best of Influences.
*Kristin at Kate Spade Center City Washington DC - She's a Doll XOXO

Dress: Kate Spade Similar Here Here & Here || Hot Pink Pumps: Nine West Similar || 

Necklace: Kate Spade ||

Dress Beautifully in a Classic Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Porcelain

Though You May be Missing the Bright Whites of Summer, You can Still Present the Striking Clean Palette with the Softer Spin in Ivory.   

White is my Favorite Color to Wear and I'm not Shy in Creating a White-Out/Monochromatic Look.  For the Fall & Winter Months I Opt for Creamy Shades (Winter White) in Wools, Silks and Tweeds.  

To Keep the Look Fresh I Choose Soft Neutrals with Blush Pumps & a Taupe Handbag.  I Kept my Jewelry Simple with a Rose Gold Long Pendant as to not Disrupt the Pristine Canvass of Ivory.

Blouse: Loft (old) Similar || Wide Leg Trousers: Ann Taylor (old) Similar || 

Blush Pumps: Nine West || Handbag: Kate Spade Similar || Rose Gold Necklace: Stella & Dot || Polish: Essie Clambake ||  Eyeshadow: Naked 3 ||

Dress Beautifully in Porcelain

XOXO Sarah Louise

Teal & Mustard

Teal + Mustard - What a Lovely Color Combination!

Mustard Yellow is my Favorite Shade of Yellow because of it's Rich and Saturated Hue.
I Style Mustard Yellow as a Neutral much as I would Gold.   Mustard is One of the, 'Peacock Colors'.  Peacock Feathers Contain Deep Gorgeous and Bright Shades of Teal, Purple, Green and Gold.  I used these for my Wedding so I have a Sentimental Fondness.

For this Look I Paired my Mustard Skirt with a Shiny Silk Teal Blouse.  The Snake Printed Belt Breaks Up the Color Block and Adds some Print & Texture.  I Opted for a Black Pair of Cage Pumps for a Little Edge and a Fur Vest for a Touch of Warmth.

Teal Blouse: Trina Turk Similar || Mustard Skirt: J Crew || Fur Vest: Tahari Similar ||

Snake Belt: Ann Taylor Similar || Cage Heels: Nine West ||

Dress Beautifully in Teal & Mustard

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tweed Vest

I'm ALL About the Vest! 

It's a Great Piece for Fall to Add a Light Layer.  But the Tweed is the Best Part.  It's my Favorite Fabric for the Cooler Temps with it's Thick Texture and Patterns of Warm Colors.  

The Tweed is Patched with Plaid and Herringbone Designs.  It's the Remix of the Patterns, Textures and Colors that make it a Piece of Interest.  And for Added Pop, Compliment the Carmel Hues with a Pair of Bright Red Wide Leg Trousers.  I Adore Red and Honey Brown Together. 

And these French Peep Toe Booties,  #HelloLover! Peep Toe Booties are One of the Hottest Trends this Season and this Pair Tops the List.  The Leather Feels Like Butter! It Took All I had not to Walk Out of the Store with them on my Feet (But the Summer Heat was Still On So I've been Counting Down for a Cool Day to Strut in these Beauties). 

The French are Amazing when it Comes to Quality,  Whether it's Food or Fashion they are the Creme de la Creme! This Brand of Shoes has my Name All Over it, Literally!! The Construction on these Booties is Impeccable, sure to Last and Make Every Strut Comfortable.  The Tan Color is Flattering and Elongating on the Leg and the Gold Trim & Lining on the Heel Makes Every Step Shine.   

It's Official, I've Packed Up my Summer Sundresses, Whites and Linens and Brought Out the Blazers, Leather, and Tweeds to Fill my Closet for the Cold.

Hello Fall!

Ivory Silk Blouse: Ann Taylor Similar || Tweed Vest: Old Similar || Red Trousers: Old Similar ||

Booties: Louise et Cie || Handbag: Tory Burch || Watch: Michael Kors Similar || 

Sunglasses: Target ||  Earrings: Kate Spade Similar ||

Dress Beautifully in a Tweed Vest

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tuxedo Vest

This Vest Screams Sophistication but in an Edgy and Hint of Elegant Way.  It has it ALL.

It has the Class of a Suit Jacket, Uniqueness with it's Sleeveless One Button Design, and a Touch of Formal in the Elongated Hem.

For a Tuxedo Look I Paired this Vest with Ivory Straight Trousers and Added a Modern Twist by Cuffing the Pants Over a Pair of Sling Back Mules.  

Mules and Peep Toe Booties are a Must Have Trend for Fall .... I've Already Added 3 Pairs to my Closet! 

Black Vest: Similar Here and Here || Ivory Trousers: Loft Similar ||  Mules: Nine West

Dress Beautifully in a Tuxedo Vest

XOXO Sarah Louise

Cobalt

I'm Currently Craving the Color Cobalt this Season! 

Cobalt is a Rich, Saturated & Bright Blue Hue.  I Style it as a Neutral and Think of it as a Fun Alternative to Navy.  

I've Successfully Splashed Cobalt in my Closet with Dresses, Blouses, Skirts, Pants, a Coat and Shoes!! Still Missing ... A Handbag!! A much Tougher Challenge as I'm Very Particular about my Purses - Stay Tuned!

For this Wear-to-Work Look I Styled my Favorite Blouse Design the 'Secretary' - a Blouse with a Neck Tie Sash Typically Tied in a Bow.  I Adore this Design in Silk Fabric and a Big Feminine Bow. 
And The Houndstooth Glen Plaid Print - it's My Favorite of All Prints!  To Give this Blouse Interest a Pop of Cobalt Runs Through the Plaid Lines. 

Add Some Cheer to Your Look with Cobalt Blue Hues!

Glen Plaid Secretary Blouse: Brooks Brothers Similar Here & Here || Black Pencil Skirt: Ann Taylor || Cobalt Blue Shoes: Jessica Simpson || 

Dress Beautifully in Cobalt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Bedazzling into Fall

Bedazzling was ALL the Range in the 90's ... and Today Designers have Embraced the Sparkling Gems in a More Sophisticated Way Using Broach-Like Clusters of Rhinestones.

Bling isn't just for Evenings and Formal Wear.  Today the Simplest of T-Shirts are Jazzed with Bling.

I was Drawn to the Beading on this Cynthia Steffe Dress for it's Sunburst Pattern, Turquoise Color, and it's Not-So-Sparkling Beads.

This Dress is a Great Transition Piece for Fall as it has Light Colors (Cream not White ... a True Southern Gal Stays True to Tradition = No White!)  and a Bit of Dark with a Black Bottom.  The Fabric is of a Heavier Weight, Pairing Nicely with a Pair of Black Tights for the Colder Months Ahead.

Bedazzled Dress: Cynthia Steffe ||  Pumps: Nine West  ||  Bracelet: Vintage Similar  

Dress Beautifully in Bedazzles

XOXO Sarah Louise