LBD & The Weekend

TGIF Gals!

Today is the 5th and final day of wearing the same black dress.  What a humbling week it’s been!  My gratitude has grown immensely for the comforts I have in my life.

By simply reading my posts this week you have supported the fight against poverty by raising awareness and for those who have donated, YOU have provided the means for us to make an even bigger impact. THANK YOU!

Today's the day!!

YOU can make a difference by clicking below

Help Fight Against Poverty

If just 10 or 20 of you gave $10, that would add up to a significant amount of money! 

 

5 days, 1 dress, 1 goal – WE are making poverty unfashionable!!!

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are for being casual and comfortable.  To relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor with the ones you love.  To kick back, laugh and celebrate the good and wonderful blessings in your life.  Tomorrow I'm going to be blessing a dear gal pal with a baby shower.  There's nothing more joyful than the gift of life! Amen!

Being casual doesn't mean you loose style.  It's a matter of choosing and swapping.  Choose lighter fabrics and looser fitting garments. Swap pumps, blazers and totes for flats, jackets/cardigans and a crossbody bag.

The easiest formula in going from weekday to weekend is to add denim.  Pair those cute blouses and tops with a pair of jeans and you've got a comfortable and chic weekend look.

I hope you've enjoy this week's series on styling a LBD and maybe gained some inspiration to style your own.  I'd love to hear about it and please send me a pic :)

LBD  ||  Denim Jacket  & Here  ||  Crossbody Bag  ||  Shoes - Similar  ||  Earrings  ||

Dress Beautifully in a LBD & Casual Elements

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Denim Dresses

I'm ready to start the weekend! Who's with me?!!

One of my favorite things about Fridays, is that most offices allow for casual dressing.  I absolutely love polished and professional pieces but it's nice to ditch the wool and super tailored for cotton and comfortable.

Denim is the foundation for casual and comfortable.  Denim doesn't just denote pants.  It's a common fabric to find jackets, tops and dresses made of this durable blue cotton.
Denim comes in a variety of  washes, blends and densities to provide just the right design and fit.

When it comes to a denim dress the weave should be light weight for easy breezy movement.  And in this Summer heat essential to prevent heat stroke.  Denim is a blank canvass for styling. EVERYTHING goes with denim - all colors, prints and textures compliment.  So embrace your personal style and create a look that presents your uniqueness.
Dress it up with a statement necklace, a vintage broach, or printed scarf. Dress it down with a baseball hat, cross body and cute sneakers.

Here's some denim dresses I've rounded up for you ....

Sleeveless  -  Off The Shoulder  -   Shirtdress  -  Lace Up  -  High / Low Trapeze

Dress Beautifully in a Denim Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Camel + Black

Camel and Black, a traditional, neutral and contrastingly sharp pairing. This isn't basic nor is it plain.  I detest those words.  It's classic and timeless.

I find there is great beauty and elegance in a clean and uncomplicated look.

I love prints, embellishments and all the color I can get but it's nice to reset with a clean slate.

I believe that when you are wearing a neutral look that you should add some shine with jewelry and a soft print like animal in a belt, handbag or shoes.  Python is one of my favorites! Keep your jewelry and print in a minimalistic size.

Add some sophistication with camel & black.

Black Turtleneck: Banana Republic - Similar - Similar & Here || Camel Coat: Similar - Similar & Here ||  Jeans: AG - Similar ||  Snake Wedges: Tory Burch || Earrings: Trina Turk ||

Dress Beautifully in Camel & Black

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Flare

TGIF! Most weeks I'm super excited for the end.  This week is unique, Mr and I have been enjoying our 2 week vacation in our new home - we've slept in (anything past 5:30am is late to us). We've shopped for our home, enjoyed meals in our sunroom and even hosted lots of friends and family.  I thrive on routine and structure in my world but I must admit it's refreshing to just slow down and enjoy the moments that matter.

Now that the weekend is ahead, we look forward to lots of cheers with each other and our friends but a part of me is broken hearted as these are the last days having Mr in our home until next summer.  I know he's needed overseas to practice medicine, serving marines and sailors and I'm proud of his sacrifice but I honestly can't comprehend not seeing his face or hearing his voice for 9 months :(

Oh a brighter note, lets talk about this Friday's Findings - Flare Jeans! I can honestly say I can now sympathize with the disappointment my mamma had when trends from her past would resurface - the 90's are coming back gals .. sigh There are some things I wore I simply must forget (like big clunky shoes!)
But Flares, I'm ok with. Because 70's fashion - the origin of flares, is my favorite!  I'm probably the only gal besides Rachel Zoe that loves the 70's but I don't care.

Since skinnies have been the go-to for several years now, I'm sure like me, most of you have donated your old-school flares.
I'm not saying we should prepare for switching our skinnies for bigger legs - but adding a pair of flares can be a fun break in your denim collection.

If you're apprehensive to embrace the trend I have a solution.  I hit up my favorite thrift/consignment shops to scout out a pair of flares. There are a lot of benefits to buying used: it's green, economically savvy, and they're already broken in  for a perfectly comfortable fit!  I scored these 'Citizens of Humanity' flare jeans for less than $20!  #winning

Tips for for finding the right flares:
Mid to high waist rise
Flare should begin right above the knee
Hem should come all the way to the ground
If pairing with a loose top, tuck in to balance

Broken in Flares - Citizens of Humanity

Shop these Flares I Found ..... 

High Waisted Flare

Dark Wash Flare - More Here 

Vintage Wash Flare 

Black Flare

Distressed Flare

Shop more Flare washes and fits HERE

Dress Beautifully in Flares

XOXO Sarah Louise

Embroidered

Brightly colored embroidery is a huge trend for tops and dresses.  To me the embellishment is cultured - reminding me of something you'd buy on vacation in another country. Some call this style boho, tribal, or aztec; especially on non-sturured pieces such as peasant tops or dresses.

I personally love embroidery over many other types of embellishments such as beading or fringe.  I embroider all my towels and linens with our monogram as well the cuff of my dress shirts for work.

This past week the South has been hit with an intense heat wave - I seriously feel like my freckles are on fire!!! When Mr and I went to Beaufort, NC last weekend this dress was perfect to keep me cool since we were outside most of the day.
It's made of light weight linen in a shift design. I don't normally  wear shift dresses as they are designed in a straight cut with no waist seam.  Being a curvy gal, smaller upper body and larger lower body, I  feel that shifts can hide my shape making me look a bit boxy.  This dress, though it didn't define the waist, has side seams that are cut on a curve skimming the body.  When it's scorching outside you want something that's loose with lots of movement.

 The embroidered bib gives it structure and adds interest with the sunburst detailing.  I also loved the bright orange and blue together against the stark white.  I'm obsessed with the blue and white color combo and orange is seriously climbing the list.  I paired this dress with strappy blue mid-heels to show you styling for causal friday at work or for a summer soiree (showers, brunch, church, date night etc.)  Opt for flat sandals or espadrilles for casual occasions or when lots of walking is involved.

For extra measure to beat the heat, I pulled my hair back in two braids along my front hair line and pinned them in place.  I like my hair down as it's my favorite physical attribute - but it's also like wearing a furry bear on your head and will darn right 'cause a heat stroke.

Add some fun to your summer wardrobe with colored embroidery.

Embroidered Linen Dress: J Crew also in a top version & Here || 

Shoes: Similar & Here & Here || 

Dress Beautifully in Colored Embroidery 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Polished Popover

Crisp dress shirts are a favorite for a professional look.  For the weekends I like to be a bit more casual while still looking 'put together', This popover shirt is a perfect balance of easy and polished.  When it comes to weekend wear I don't believe in going to extremes.  Sure abandoning pumps and pencil skirts is freeing but you don't have to revert to looking like a sloppy mess or like you've borrowed clothes from a teenager's closet.

Opt for pieces that have casual elements - like the cuffed sleeves, longer shirt tail hem and pull over style of this shirt.  It's comfortable yet still conveys a hint of sophistication with it's pinstripe print and crisp construction.  Style is important all the days of the week!

I believe in making the most out of your wardrobe and than means pieces that can go from day to night and workplace to weekend. Depending on your office this look may be appropriate for casual Fridays.  This shirt pairs nicely with trousers or pencil skirts and with jeans or shorts.
Versatility is key gals!
Styling Tip:  Tucked for the week and untucked for the weekend

Popover Shirt:  J Crew || White Jeans: Loft || Shoes: Similar ||

Earrings: Kate Spade Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in a Popover Shirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Easy Breezy

Linen is one of my most favorite fabrics.  For summer in the South it's essential for staying cool in the humid hot temps.  These cotton linen pants are easy breezy! 

In a wide leg cut and drawstring waist they're an easy fit.  The trick with white linen is to ensure the weave of the fabric is thick enough so that it isn't transparent - your undergarments are not to be a visible aspect of your outfit!

I styled these linen pants for a weekend/resort look with a simple tank, fedora and wedges. 

Tip:  If your pant or skirt is voluminous keep your top fitted - it's the same for the reverse, if your top is voluminous keep your bottom fitted.  It's all about balance. 

These pants are too long for me, hence the wedges.  They're going in for a hem so that I can pair with simple flat sandals for ease and comfort. 

Linen Pants: Target || Tank: Similar || Fedora: J Crew I like this one too || 

Dress Beautifully in Linen Pants

XOXO Sarah Louise

Bermuda

Bermuda shorts or some call them walking/city shorts are simply shorts that are a longer length hitting right above the knee. I like them for their modesty and comfort. I also find them to be sliming! 

Of course for they're great for weekends with a tank or tee but in a dressier fabric/design, they can certainly be styled for casual Friday in the office.  Depending on your office environment of course. Think of them as a pencil skirt but cut down the middle to make legs.  Add a fun blouse, blazer and pumps to jazz it up.   When wearing a casual piece it's important your pairings and accessories are sophisticated. 

This printed top with beaded & neon accents at the neckline keep it modern and fun.

Ditch the jacket for happy hour and replace the pumps for wedges for a chic weekend look. 

Bermuda Shorts: Peck & Peck (Available in lots of Colors) || Top: Sovella's || 

Blazer: J Crew || Pumps: Nine West || 

Dress Beautifully in Bermuda Shorts 

XOXO Sarah Louise