Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

1 week til Christmas!!!

While time is limited to do ALL the things before the big day one thing you shouldn't be stressing is your outfit.

Every year stores pack their racks with shiny sparkly pieces for the holiday season. I'll bet money that you've purchased one or three over the years, wore it to an event and it's hanging up collecting dust or you've donated it.

I get a gleam in my eye at sequins, beads and metallic numbers too but I also know that they will only be worn once a year and I certainly don't need to give a percentage of my wardrobe to them.

Here are 5 ways to style a holiday statement outfit using pieces that you can get lots of wear out of and quite possibly right out of your closet!

1. COLOR

Red, green and black aren't the only shades for the season.  Bright colored pieces are bold and give you all year wear.

Pink Pants

Ruffle Blouse

Available in 5 colors

Pleated Skirt

Available in 5 colors

2. WINTER WHITE

My FAVORITE!!! I would wear head to toe white every single day if I could. Did I mention it's my favorite?! It's so clean, crisp and everyone's dreaming of a white Christmas.

Faux Wrap Top

Halter Dress

Long Sleeve Dress

Pants

Skirt

3. LACE

Lace is so feminine with it's delicate texture.  In colors and lighter designs it can go from dressy to casual by pairing it with a pair of jeans.

Lace Top

Available in 5 colors

Lace Dress

Available in 3 colors

4. FUR COLLARS

I adore fur!  I know it's a controversial topic so I'll tread lightly.  Most of my fur is vintage and I have quite the collection of collars.  These days it's easy to find faux fur options to accessorize your winter ensembles. Think of them as a necklace that you can add to dresses, blouses, sweaters or even a jumpsuit for a luxurious look.

Light brown faux fur stole

Faux fur collar with poms

Grey Fur Stole

Fur Scarf

5. RHINESTONE JEWELRY

A statement piece of jewelry easily pairs with just about anything in your closet. And great for occasions such as weddings and nights out.  They instantly shine up even the most basic of garments.
Tip: Be careful of knits as they can snag

Crystal circle earrings

Available in 3 colors - Matching Necklace

Ribbon Floral Necklace

Cluster Stone Necklace

Dress Beautifully for the Holidays & Remember Not to 

Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

XOXO Sarah-Louise

LBD + Extras

BRRRRR! Baby it's cold outside!  ... and time for my first outfit post of 2017!

Here in Charlotte, NC the word (or hashtag) snow has been overused to say the least over the past 3 days.  We don't get to use it very often and we're not quite sure what to with it other than to make sure we have bread and milk on hand. hahaha - neither of which I eat so it didn't bother me that the shelves were empty.

Out home in the city got a mere dusting while the suburbs got several inches.  I honestly woke up disappointed Saturday morning as the inner kid in me really wanted to make a snowman. But I lived vicariously through everyone else's posts and took advantage of our clear roads to venture out to the gym & target (the only places open to get our wiggles out).

If you know me or have been following along, you know I LOVE fur!  All of mine is vintage so animals lovers please don't freak out.  If it's not for you stick with faux - I have some of that too.

Over the summer the go-to Douglas Montaldo's Hertzberg Furs had a huge estate sale that I took advantage of.  Must confess, it was a bit difficult to shop for fur in July. 

But I was counting on colder temps for the winter and sure enough they're here and I'm wearing this beauty! 

So the point of this post is not the fur but how this fur and other elements can take a little black dress (LBD) and add style. There are occasions that call for the minimum (interviews & funerals or days that's just the best you can do) but by adding a few extras your LBD can have maximum style.

Vintage furs often have the original owner's name embroidered in the lining.  I find it sentimental and added a patch with my name embroidered over the owners.  It's as if I'm carrying her memories as I make my own.  Her name was done in a matching ivory thread. I decided to be fun and went with a bright cherry red. In the South we like to leave a personal marks with monograms or all out with our full names ... some of us even have double names :)
If a fur coat isn't your thing, opt for a colored coat.

This dress was designed with an attached bow sash around the neckline with contrasting white piping. It adds feminine and timeless detail that doesn't overwhelm.  It's professional for the office but can certainly be fun with a pair of colored heels. The classic aline design with natural waist seam and subtle pleats create a very flattering fit!  This dress is perfect for all year wear I certainly plan to do just that for years to come.

For another extra element of style I paired with polka dot tights.  The dots are tiny so they have the Monet effect ... from far away you wouldn't even know, up close super fun!
And mary jane pumps or any pump with straps are great when wearing tights as they prevent your foot from sliding out.

Dress - Similar & Here || Mink Coat || Tights || Pumps || Handbag || 

Dress Your LBD Beautifully with Style Extras

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Findings - Fur Vest

I LOVE fur!  Not to step on any toes but I almost exclusively wear real fur... beaver, rabbit, mink and even fox.  I must say with the exception of two pieces my real fur was purchased vintage/used.  It truly is the warmest garment you can wear and the most durable - think about it, it's survival for animals out in the elements.

For many years, fur coats were a luxury statement piece that women lusted after; along with a classic string of pearls.  Today's gal is all about handbags and shoes.
Personally, I still love the classics. I feel that they are misrepresented as an mature old-school way of dressing.  There's a way to wear those string of pearls, tweed suits, broaches and ladylike handbags that don't make you look like you raided your grandma's closet.  (that's another post - 'Mixing the old with the new')

Real fur has been and still is pricey.  For several years now faux fur has stepped up it's game.  10 years ago, you wouldn't catch me touching the fake stuff.  It looked like a matted worn out stuffed animal.  Today the synthetic textile is engineered so well you sometimes can't tell the difference.

The modern way to wear fur is in a vest or along the hood, collar and/or sleeves of a coat.
It's a less overwhelming way to wear the thick textured textile. Your arms are free yet you're body is warm.  It also adds a natural element to your look.

I confess, I have both real and faux fur vests.  The key to wearing faux is the quality and construction.  You want a fur that appears to be real and that is designed to fit the body to avoid added volume and looking like a big bear.
This will also allow you to pair with your office wardrobe without looking too trendy or unprofessional.

You can top off almost any look with a fur vest; dresses, jeans, and evening wear for warmth and style.

Here are some faux fur vest's I've found that are sure to add fashionable warmth to your look...

Light Brown  ||  Cream  ||  Black  ||  Grey  ||  Green  ||  Multi colored  ||

Dress Beautifully in a Fur Vest

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

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

Fur Finishes

Fur is my Favorite Winter Accessory!

Not only is it beautiful, soft, and luxurious but its practical! It's the best way to keep warm.

Most of my fur is vintage.  I love the idea that it may have been worn to a fancy party, special celebration or to a simple afternoon tea .... Vintage Dreams!

I don't save my fur for just the fancy nights, I wear it any time I'm cold or want to add a touch of luxurious warmth to a dress or sweater.

I do have a few faux fur pieces.  It's amazing how realistic synthetic fur is today... but nothing beats the thick supple feel of real fur.

 Tahari Rabbit Fur Vest

 

Mink Cuffed Sweater Gloves (Belonged to my Grandma) 

 Calvin Klein Faux Mink Crop Jacket

           

           

My Favorite Most Fabulous Fur Piece

Blue Fox Fur Collar - Vintage

          

Mink Collar - Vintage

Falorni Italia le Borse - Mink Shoulder Bag 

Mr. Scragley Paul Kitty - My Fabulous Alive Fur 

Add the Finishing Touch to Your Winter Looks with Fur!

XOXO Sarah Louise