Water Color

This Water Color Blouse is Gorgeous!

The Brushstrokes of Color and Flowing Wrap Design is oh so Feminine!

It's So Fabulous that When Shopping with Two of My Best Gal Pals 

We All Three Decided We Had to Have it!!

I Foresee Us Checking In to Avoid a Matchy-Matchy Situation

I Contrasted the Ladylike Blouse with Some Edge in a Pair of Moto Coated  Black Jeans.

Water Color Blouse: Anthropologie || Coated Jeans: Ann Taylor ||

Grey Booties: J Crew || Earrings: Moon & Lola || Polish: Butter London ||

Dress Beautifully in Water Colors

XOXO Sarah Louise

Over the Knee

Boots are 'The' Shoe for Fall/Winter and Over the Years Designers have taken their Creations from Basic to Fabulous Creating Unique and Strut Worthy Shoes Gals Can't Resist. From Riding Boots to Booties and Now Trending Over-the-Knee, there's a Plethora of Styles for Every Gal.

My First Introduction to Over-the-Knee Boots was Pretty Woman ... No Offense but Safety Pins and Tiny Spandex aren't my Thing ...  Let's Keep it Classy Gals! 

I wasn't sure I Could Pull Off a Pair as I Skim 5'2" with a Little Teasing of my Mane. 
I wanted to Keep the Heel Closer to the Ground for Comfort and a Modest Look. I didn't want Any Stretchy Elastic on the Boot - It's very Common on Over-the-Knee Boots to Allow for Fit and Movement. 

Tip: I have bigger legs for my shoe size of 6, so I often go a 1/2 -1 shoe size up to allow for more room in the calf so that I can get my jeans in. Just wear a thicker sock to fill the foot space :)

Oh and I didn't want to Spend a Fortune and Let's Face it Quality Leather Boots aren't Cheap!

These Boots were it! They are Soft Black Leather, Flat, and a Pointed Toe for a Dressier Look.

How to Wear 'Over-the-Knee' Boots:

It's All About Proportions!

- Over Jeans: Skinny Jeans are Best to Prevent Bunching. Your Top Should Not Extend Below Your Hips.
- With a Skirt/Dress: The Hem Should be 1-2 Inches Above the Boots
- Leggings: Great for Comfort! Pair with a Tunic/Longer Top that Covers Your Derrière.   

OTK Boots: Vince Camuto || Ivory Flippy Skirt: J Crew Similar and at Factory || 

Beaded Herringbone Sweater: Old J Crew Similar and Here || 

Dress Beautifully in Over-the-Knee Boots

XOXO Sarah Louise

Golden Elephant

This Skirt is Holiday Perfection!

It Incorporates Two of My Favorites - Gold & Elephants 
I Paired it with a Poppy Red Blouse for Added Christmas Cheer but I'd Love to see it with Ivory, Black, Green or Even Hot Pink!
Don't Limit Yourself to Just Special Occasion Wear; Top it with a Chambray Shirt and Flats for a Casual Look. 

I Love Brocade Fabric for its Luster and Rich Texture as Seen in these Posts: Fancy Pants and Leopard.  This Skirt Done in a Wrap Design is a Slightly Shorter Length - Tights are Key for Warmth and Coverage. 
(These Tights are From Last Year - With Delicate Care they can Surely Last: Hand Wash & Hang Dry.  Avoid Jewelry that will Snag)
It's Fitting for Any Holiday Occasion and Definitely Office Party Appropriate.

This Look has an India Feel to it with the Shine and Saturated Color. I Plan to One Day Ride an Elephant in India and Come Home with Beautiful Fabrics and Jewels (Bucket List)

Spread Holiday Cheer in this Fun Skirt!

Gold Elephant Skirt: J Crew || Red Blouse: J Crew now at Factory ||

Tights: J Crew || Pumps: Nine West || Earrings: Towne & Reese || 

Dress Beautifully this Holiday in Gold Elephants

XOXO Sarah Louise

Southern Comfort

 TGIF!!!

I Believe in Celebrating Cheerfully on Fridays! We Hustle All Week Long for the Reward of 2 Days Packed of Fun and Relaxation with Favorites - Favorite People, Activities, Food, Bubbles, and Favorite Cozy Pieces.

During the Week we Typically Strut Around in Dressy Duds - Blazers, Pencil Skirts, Pumps etc..
So it's Nice to Slip into Relaxed and Soft Clothing.

For Me, my Favorite Casual Cozy Pieces for the Weekend Look Something Like this:
Sweater, Jeans, and Boots.

Since I'm a Southern Gal these Pieces are Made of Natural Materials (Cotton & Leather) and Represent Our Distinctive Culture.  

I'm Passionate in Supporting Small Business and Entrepreneurship - 
My Boots, Purchased on a Business Trip in Houston TX from a Family Owned Shop.
My Necklace - Made by Local Designers from my Home Town Charlotte NC - It's My New Favorite!! Created from Leather, Horsehair and Natural Beads it's Unique and Definitely a Showstopper wherever I go. Check Out Twine & Twig and their Amazing Designs!

Cable Sweater: Loft || Jeans: Paige || Boots: Cavender's Houston TX ||

Necklace: Twine & Twig || 

Dress Beautifully in Southern Comfort Pieces

XOXO Sarah Louise

Green Glam

I Speak for All Red Heads when I say that Our Color is Emerald Green!  It Compliments our Fiery Locks like Pearls on a Little Black Dress.

The Coolness of Green Next to the Warm Orange Tint is Utterly Striking.

Naturally I Gravitate to Green and Add it to my Wardrobe as Often as I can. 

There are Many Shades of Green - Lime, Kelly, Hunter, Mint, Pine, Olive ....
But my Favorite is Emerald. Rich like the Gemstone.  When I think of Emeralds, I see Elizabeth Taylor Showered in Diamonds and Jewels.  No One was More Glamorous!

Especially, now that the Holidays are Quickly Approaching (35 Days til Christmas Ekkk), Looking Glamorous for Parties is One of my Favorite Parts!

I Found this Green Topper a Few Years Ago and Feel Glamorous Each Time I wear it.  I Pair it Often with Work Wear as well as with Jeans and Blouses on the Weekends.  For Special Occasions it Finishes a Dark Cocktail Dress with Vibrant Color.

For This Look I Mixed my Dressy & Casual: Black Jeans, Silk Ruffled Snake Blouse and Heeled Mules; Making it a 'Wear Anywhere' Ensemble.

Green Topper: Old Similar Here Here & Here || Snake Blouse: Old Similar  and Here ||

Black Jeans: Similar || Mules: Nine West || 

Dress Beautifully in Green

XOXO Sarah Louise

Marbled

Black and White are the Ultimate Contrasting Pair and will Always have a Sharp Styling.

I've Noticed this Season that the Two have been Marbled Together in Almost All Types of Garments.
The Texture gives a Dimensional Look.  Rather than Just Gray - Weaving Black & White Presents a Richer Hue.

When Investing in Pieces - Particularly Jackets (Major Weakness), I like to Get the Most Out of them by Going Beyond Work Wear to the Weekend.  
Pairing with Jeans and Tees is the Easiest Way to Create a Casual Chic Look.

I Searched for Quite Sometime for a Dressy Moto Jacket in a Nice Fabric Rather than Leather. So I Found it, in Black. Black is One of my Least Favorite Colors to Wear; However it's Sophistication makes it Timeless and a Wardrobe Staple - I Just Keep it in Small Doses :)

This Jacket Sold me with it's Snake Skin Textured Panels - Love Adding Touches of Animal Any Chance I get!

By Pairing the Black with a Marbled Tee, the Contrast is Soft.  I added a Pop of Color with a Large Stone Pendant in Purple from one of my Favorite Local Boutiques.  Shopping Small Lends to Finding Unique and Artistic Pieces while Supporting Your Community. 
Follow @fancifriendsboutique on Instagram - they ship! 

Marbled Tee - Target || Snake Moto Jacket: Tahari Similar || Jeans: J Crew ||

Booties: Similar || Necklace: Fanci Friends Boutique || Polish: Butter London ||

More Marbled Pieces Here: Dress - Sweater - Jacket

Dress Beautifully in Moto & Marbled 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Blanket Scarf

The Blanket Scarf is Trending .... Just in Case You've Been Living Under a Rock and Didn't Know.

Trend: Something that is currently popular or fashionable.

Gals I Must Share this Rule: "Just because it's Trending Doesn't Mean You Should Wear it!"

So Here's My Criteria for Embracing a Trend:
- Is it Flattering?
- Can it be Worn Next Year and the Year After?
- How Often Can it be Worn?
- Price, Can You Rock it Inexpensively Until You've Decided to Invest?

When it came to Jumping on the Blanket Scarf Trend the Answers were All Positive. 
It's flattering (well it's an scarf so it's great for all shapes and sizes), it's a plaid print in traditional colors so a classic that can be worn for years, it's an appropriate accessory for work & weekend looks, and since you can find them at almost all apparel retailers in a variety of fabrics there is sure to be a price that fits your wallet. 

Bonus: It's Warm! 

I'm more of a Silk Scarf Enthusiast so I Opted for a Blanket Scarf that Looks & Feels Expensive but at a Price that You can't Walk Away from. 

And for Even More Fun, I Paired it's Many Colors with Pattern, Texture, and Shine

Stripes, Plaid, Fur Oh My!

Blanket Scarf: Target || Striped Dress: Saint James Similar || Fur Vest: Tahari Similar ||  

Gray Boots: Cole Hann Similar || Hobo Handbag: Marshalls Love this One from Madewell || 

'S' Bracelet: C Wonder Similar || Earrings: Kate Spade || 

Sunglasses: Target || Polish: Butter London || 

Dress Beautifully in a Blanket Scarf

XOXO Sarah Louise

Graphic & Metallic

Mix Your Metallics with a Graphic Print and You've Got a Look of Interest.
Typically You'll Find Your Prints in Tops and Dresses, but Printed Pants are Totally In.
They are a Pop of Cool so You Only want a Pair or Two and May Not Want to Invest Major Dollars for the Amount of Wear. 
I scored these on super sale from an in-store online return - Lucky Me!

I Tend to Keep My Focus on my Upper Body -It's my Better Half - but if Kept in a Dark Color Palette and Classic Print I'll Venture to Shift. 

These Pants aren't a Pair You'll See Everyday ... Which is Why I Couldn't Resist.  The Navy & Radiant Orchid Pattern were Softer in Contrast while still Bold Enough to Command Attention.  
I Think that's the Key to Printed Pants.  Look for a Color Palette that's Pretty and Complimentary to Your Style and a Print that's Traditional (Florals, Checks, Plaids, and Small Stripes) 
Fabulous is a Much Better Look than Funky!

Metallic  Anything is Just Simply Marvelous! 
It Adds Shine and a Sense of Fancy.  And it's a Neutral!! 
So Why Not in a Shoe?! Goes with Anything :)

These Penny Loafers take the Menswear Classic to Fancy Feminine.

Confession: I've Even Taken My Love of Gold & Silver Beyond my Wardrobe and into my Home Design with Mirrored Furniture, Lamps and Decor. 

I Toned Down this Look with a Denim Shirt and Kept my Jewelry to a Minimum Since I had Enough Shine in my Shoes.

For a More Sophisticated Styling Opt for a Silk Blouse, Blazer and Pumps.

Branch Outside the Box with a Pair of Printed Pants! 

Denim Shirt: J Crew || Printed Pants: J Crew Similar and Here  || 

Silver Loafers: J Crew || Earrings: Kate Spade || Polish: Essie || 

Dress Beautifully When You Pair Graphics & Metallics

XOXO Sarah Louise

Top Cat

It's No Secret I Love Animal Prints and Things that Shine.  
Another Love of Mine are Toppers - a Lightweight Coat.
This Brocade Leopard Topper Fits the Bill! 

Living in the South Our Winters are Typically Mild, Perfectly Fitting for Just a Topper. 
Toppers are More Decorative than Functional as they Don't Need to Provide Significant Warmth which Requires Heavy Fabric & Construction but can Rather Take Advantage by Embracing a Variety of Fabrics.  

Brocade: a Richly Decorative Fabric Often Made of Silk with Gold & Silver Threads.  It's Italian Root Name Meaning "Embossed Cloth" is Fitting as it has the Appearance of Embroidery.

The Gold Metallic Threads of this Brocade Topper Gives a Rich & Elegant Luster.

I Purchased this Leopard Topper and Matching Pants from Ann Taylor Last Year '13. Ladies, Leopard is a Neutral - See this Post, One of my Firsts on the Blog! But because this Fabric is so Bold & Distinct I don't Pair them Together but Split them up for a Variety of Looks. 

The Topper is a Car Coat Design - a Boxy Straight Cut with my Favorite Bracelet Sleeve Length.

I Paired it with a White Silk Blouse for a Soft Contrast to the Structured Topper and a Poppy Pencil Skirt for a Pop of Bright Color.   The Strappy Cage Heels Add a Touch of Edge. 
Tip: Take advantage of Fall's transitional temps with wear of your peep toe and strappy shoes before colder temps hit.

Leopard Brocade Topper: Ann Taylor Similar & Here || Silk Blouse: Similar ||

Pencil Skirt: Similar || Cage Heels: Nine West || Earrings: Kate Spade || 

Necklace: Similar || Sunglasses : Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in a Leopard Topper

XOXO Sarah Louise