On Friday We Wear Leather

Two things: 

1.  This ivory skirt is leather (faux).  You can’t tell in the pictures so I felt like it was important to point that out, because it’s magnificent and I feel really great in it.  I also love that I got it for 40% off at Ann Taylor. Score.

2. It’s Friday, and I am so ready for the weekend.  Who’s with me??

Hashtag: ExcitedtobingewatchHouseofCards

I love leather! Especially soft leather in feminine silhouettes and sleek designs.  It contradicts the stigma of leather being edgy, making it wearable for office and weekend.  

For casual Friday I paired this leather pencil skirt with a light weight chambray button down and grounded the light shades with black pumps & handbag. 

Leather Skirt: Ann Taylor || Chambray Shirt: Target || Pumps: Nine West ||

Handbag: Prada || Earrings: Towne & Reese || Gold Bangle: Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in Leather

XOXO Sarah Louise

Ginger Jars

I'm ALL about Blue and White when it come to my home decor.
It's crisp clean and classic. Even Mr likes it! #winning

Home styling is fairly new to me.  We've lived apart up until the past 2 years ago and we don't own our home (military life).  So I've tried to be patient in purchasing and choosing pieces that will compliment whatever home we live in.
PSA: Decorating is crazy expensive!!!

I'm so glad that we are starting this process now in our 30's as I'm more mature and smart with my style.  I'm traditional with pops of modern.  I want my decor to last as long as possible!

So, until I can paint, buy more furniture and wallpaper, Yes, I said wallpaper!!! I'm going to use what I can to add some style to my home.

Ginger jars were one of the first things I added to my shelves and table tops.  The bright blue and white  adds print and color and a bit of culture to a room.
Ginger jars originated in China hundreds of years ago. They are porcelain containers that were used to store food items. Today, we use them for storage, vases and decor.

I have them scattered through my spaces to instill some continuity throughout my home.
This year Mr & I have BIG plans that include moving to a city we love and owning our own home (Screeching with Excitement!!!) and I can't wait to see what I will do with these gorgeous jars!

Follow me on Pinterest to see lots of pins using Blue & White!

Living Room End Table - Jar from Hobby Lobby 

Hallway Shelf (belonged to my Grandma) Jars from Marshalls 

Living Room Table - Vase from Hobby Lobby 

Guest Room Secretary Desk (Family Heirloom) Jar from Marshalls 

Dress Your Home Beautifully with Ginger Jars

XOXO Sarah Louise

Black & Blue

I get asked often if pairing black and blue is ok.  It's more than ok gals!  I personally love pairing the two shades.  Since I don't wear a lot of black, it's key to add some color when I do.  

The 'Midi' length is a huge trend and one I've been dying to try but being petite I was extremely apprehensive that it would make me look shorter than I already am.  I've found that a lot of the midi length skirts are full and pleated.  By opting for a midi length that's fitted or less voluminous you get more of a sleek long look.  To me the midi length is very feminine and reminds me of those elegant ladies of the 50's!

This black dress has subtle and sophisticated stripes and a lot of stretch to create a fitted shape. I paired it with cobalt blue pumps and coat (y'all it was crazy cold taking these pics!).  For the summer months I plan to pair this dress with sandals and wedges for a more casual look.

Photos BMD

Dress: Ann Taylor || Pumps: Nine West || Coat: J Crew Similar || 

Handbag: Prada || Earrings: Kate Spade || Bangle: David Yurman || 

Dress Beautifully in Black & Blue

XOXO Sarah Louise

Shop my Closet!!!

Snow days are for shopping right?!! or cleaning out your closet!

I've got quite a collection of beautiful garments in my closet and over the years I find that there's more additions than subtractions.  My excuses are that I haven't changed size and I still like all my clothes! Or "I was going to alter that to fit" and Never did!
But Mr is really encouraging me to thin the herd (I had to hide the fact that several pieces still had tags! No judgement!)

So here you have it, an opportunity to shop my closet!
Surprisingly several items have already sold within hours of listing so move fast gals!

Click Below to Shop:
Sarah Louise's Closet

If you are local or know me in real life please feel free to conduct transaction offline :)

I created this image via Pinterest ... Closet Dreaming! 

Dress Beautifully 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fringe

Fringe is on the scene!  It's definitely a stand out detail that must be worn carefully and in small doses.  I first really started to look at these textured strands on the last season of Project Runway.  Fringe can be elegant, fun and modern.  What you don't want is a costume look such as Pocahontas or an 80's rock star.

Below I've scouted this trend in shoes, handbags and jewelry ....

Ankle Fringe   D'Orsay Flat   Sandal   Cage Heel   Peep Toe Bootie   

Crossbody   Hobo    Tote    Clutch   Satchel Crossbody

Studs    Art Deco Pendant   Bangle   Crystal Drop Earrings   Leather Bib   Chain Bib

Dress Beautifully in Fringe

XOXO Sarah Louise      

Bouquet

This coat is Everything!!!

Let's back up ... the designer of this coat is everything!  Elizabeth McKay has been at the top of my list of favorites for over 5 years now.  Her pieces are made of silks and cottons in feminine silhouettes.  The fun prints and colors along with elegant details make them absolutely gorgeous.  My closet houses quite the collection of these pieces!  

When this collection launched last Fall this coat was the piece I just had to have.  When I got an email for a sale last month I knew it was mine!  Use code CANDY for 75% off! 

I have a thing for topper coats as you've seen in previous posts featuring green and leopard.  They polish a look and are so versatile.  I fell in love with the abstract rose blooms in such a rich royal purple. It's definitely a show stopper.

For this look I styled it with an olive green blouse, cream trousers and a grey bootie.  I've been slightly obsessed with olive green for several months now.  It compliments so nicely.  

I've also worn it with a black pin striped dress for a mixed print look and with jeans and grey sweater. 

Don't let the purple or print hold you back!  This coat goes well with pink, navy, grey, greens, poppy and teal ... the options are limitless! 

Photos BMD

Rose Print Coat: Elizabeth McKay (use code CANDY for 75% off!) || 

Olive Blouse: Factory J Crew || Ivory Trousers: Loft Similar and here  || 

Booties: J Crew (old) love these || Necklace: Towne & Reese || 

Dress Beautifully in a Floral Topper

XOXO Sarah Louise

Bedazzled Boyfriend

 

These jeans are it! Running to the grocery, throw on the boyfriends. Brunch with your gal pals, throw on the boyfriends.  Date night with Mr, throw on the boyfriends.  I think you get it.

Boyfriend jeans are a loose cut, low rise jean designed to be forgiving in the fit much like men's jeans.  They're casual, comfortable and have that soft worn in feel.  Boyfriends are the answer for those 'I've gained 5 lbs' days, bad hair days and running late days.

These boyfriends are fancy!  Kudos to Loft for these jeans - they call them 'relaxed skinny'.  The embellishment of beaded clusters along the pocket seams takes these straight to causal chic! The bling allows you to take these up a notch by pairing with heels and a silk blouse and you're evening ready. Pair with a tee/sweater and flats/sneakers and you're weekend ready. 

Truth:  I've slid these on for every after-hours errand I've run over the past 5 days ... I'm addicted. 

Bedazzled Boyfriend Jeans: Loft (50% Off!) || Striped Sweater: Target Similar and here || 

Heels: Nine West || Sweater Scarf: Brooks Brothers Similar Styles || 

More boyfriend styles here here & here

Dress Beautifully in Boyfriend Jeans

XOXO Sarah Louise

Ladies Who Lunch

Today I hosted a luncheon for a group of lovely ladies and fellow military wives.  We are all members of 'Gourmet Club'. We meet once a month to enjoy a 5 course meal and great company.  There is a rotation amongst the members to host and cook (I clearly host!)

Hosting a dinner party can be intimidating to some, for me southern hospitality is in my blood.  Welcoming others into my home is a way to serve and extend love.  My home isn't grand nor do I have the fanciest of serving ware. Here's the truth: the company is what matters! (and maybe the food, hence I leave that to someone else)

We vary the cuisine each month sampling the delicious flavors of different cultures from all over the world.

I joined this club over a year ago to meet other women and in great hopes of learning to cook.  Regretfully, I still dread the kitchen but I do have a new appreciation of a delicious meal and friendships I cherish.

This month our luncheon captured the cuisine of New Orleans in celebration of Mardi Gras.

For my tablescape I kept it simple but with vibrant colors.  I filled glass cylindrical vases with ornaments I already owned and strung beads throughout.  I added a few masks and used gold for the place settings.  

For the cocktail I made a King's Cup.  It's tangy and includes a topping of champagne and colored sugar! And if that wasn't enough, I was able to use my new bar cart, Cheers!

Tip: to add sugar to the glass rim simply coat a paper napkin with coconut syrup and apply to the rim, then dip into a plate of sugar. I used a mix of purple & green for extra fun!

For the appetizer we nibbled on Muffuletta Skewers and Spinach Balls with Creole Mustard Sauce 

We sipped on a White and Rose Wine. 

Spring Salad with Spicy Sweet Pecans & Strawberries 

Oyster & Artichoke Soup

Shrimp Étouffée with Rice

Banana Foster 

Cheers! 

Tip: straws save your lipstick ... and they add extra fun :) 

Host Gracefully

XOXO Sarah Louise

D'Orsay Flats

Have a seat and get off your feet ...

Strut Worthy!  
These chic and comfortable flats are trending and the moment you slide your feet inside you'll know why.

Heels are sexy, but with the gain is pain!  These flats have the sophistication of a pump with the exaggerated pointed toe but won't leave you wincing as you walk.  

D'Orsay: A pump style shoe in which the sides are cut away, revealing the arch of the foot

These d'orsay flats were a must have for me for their fit and color.  My favorite shades for shoes are nudes and metallics.  They lengthen the leg (stretching to 5'2" I need all the length I can get) and go with everything! I also love that the toes are completely covered.  I have unfortunate feet so any shoe that can flatter and doesn't hurt is a Need! 

D'Orsay Flat: Franco Sarto 

I'm loving these ...

Shop the above at J Crew 

Shop more styles at my favorite shoe sources Nordstrom & Zappos 

Dress Beautifully in D'Orsay Flats

XOXO Sarah Louise

Brick & Blue

 

How fun is this skirt?!!  J Crew has the amazing ability to catch your eye with a pop of print in every collection they launch. This skirt was on the front table of the store and made it in my arms before I could even browse a rack.

The colors are saturated and unexpected.  It's somewhat contradictory having such deep hues in a floral print, I tend to think of pastels for blooms but I'm digging the darker palette. It almost reminds me of a painting you'd see in a museum from hundreds of years ago. 

Having auburn locks, I'm quite fond of the rust color. It's a muted version of red but is just as much fun.  I decided to pull from the blue with a menswear inspired, striped button down opposite the feminine floral. 

Since the ground hog was right in predicting several more weeks of winter black tights were a must!

You can find this firework print in various other pieces here.  For me, the fabric in this skirt was of a heavier wight and conveyed a more intense version of the colors. 

Skirt: J Crew || Button Down: J Crew || Tights: J Crew || Pumps: Nine West ||

Dress Beautifully in Brick & Blue

XOXO Sarah Louise