Print & Color Forever

Two elements for a beautiful outfit are color and print. Make it bright colors and animal print and you've taken it to next level stylish. 

This outfit I put together from pieces I already owned in my closet AND the blouse and jacket were purchased at resale shops.  This jacket is J Crew circa Spring 2013! 

I'm striving to wear and inspire you to style what we already own in new creative ways. 

I encourage you to mix an animal print blouse with a colorful jacket.

Current Options: ANIMAL PRINT SHIRT & PINK LADY JACKET & BLUE

Dress Beautifully in Print & Color

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fuchsia Fancy Pants

They call me 'fancy pants' and you know what, I am!  Being different from the rest is fine by me.  So what I like to dress up and wear red lipstick and gold jewelry. It doesn't make me less cool, it makes me, me.  I'm proud to have my own unique fancy style and when I saw these fuchsia pants I thought to myself, how perfectly fitting! 

Bottoms, skirts and pants, are most commonly designed in neutrals/darker shades.  While I agree that it's a flattering and stylistically smart it's fun to switch it up and strut in a bold color.  

And just because these fuchsia pants make a statement all by themselves, it doesn't mean your top has to be boring.  I went shiny with this silver blouse but plan to also pair with a crisp white shirt, denim, a black/navy or camel sweater and for extra femininity a floral blouse. 

Since this look is color blocked, I opted for these snake pumps for a pop of print. Scarves are another way to add print to a solid look.

Embrace color and put on a pair of bright pants!

Silver Blouse || Fuchsia Pants & Here || Snake Pumps & Here || Handbag ||

More colored Pants: Here Here & Here || 

Dress Beautifully in Fuchsia Pants 

XOXO Sarah Louise

ALL the Pretty!

Color, color, and more color and it doesn't stop there!  This dress has print, beading, ruffles and all the intricate detail you can squeeze into one dress. Oh My!  It's everything a sundress should be, swingy, bright and pretty.  And that's exactly how I felt when I tried it on.

I shared with you gals my new movement to embrace shift and swing dresses here & here.  I must say, I'm having a lot of fun strutting around in these numbers.

There's so much detail in this dress with the elaborate print and delicate beading throughout.  You just can't appreciate it's ornate design through pictures.  I feel that this dress is perfectly pretty for day time, evening and just about any summer soiree.

Because of the array of colors you could pair it with almost any colored shoe or purse.  I chose cobalt here but wore those pink heels from this post to church and the office. To let the dress speak for itself I believe a neutral shoe and handbag would do just that.

Simply put, this dress has all the pretty!

Dress: Anthropologie ||  Blue Heels: Similar & Here || Earrings: Kendra Scott || 

Dress Beautifully in a Colorful, Printed Sundress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Orange & Hot Pink - Southern Style

Take 2 Bright Summer Colors Orange & Hot Pink, Swirl them Together & What Do You Get??!!!

A Fabulous Dress Saturated with Color and Fun!

I'm a Belk Girl, Always have been.  My Mamma was Shopping with Me at Belk Before I was Even Born (It's a Family Tradition for Mine & Mr's Family).

Belk is Headquartered in my Hometown of Charlotte, NC - The Queen City 
And for 6 Years I was in Heaven Living 1 mile from the Flagship Store at Southpark Mall Charlotte, NC ... Those were the Days :)

All Southern Gals Shop & Register at Belk 'Modern Southern Style'
(I Seriously Wish I had Coined that Slogan - It Fits me to a T!)

One of my Favorite Things About Belk (Besides it's Family Values, Amazing Merchandise, and Customer Service) is that they have Featured a Southern Designer Showcase.  

One in Particular is LaRoque - A Designer I Absolutely Adore from South Carolina for her Feminine Boutique Flair of Beautiful Fabrics, Prints and Bow Finishes.  You can Find her Designs at Boutiques throughout the South. 

This Spring LaRoque Launched their Line at Belk.  I Couldn't Wait!  The Pieces were Just as I Expected - Colorful, Ladylike and Full of Style.

So Naturally I couldn't Pick Just One, so I Narrowed it Down to 3 (Stay Tuned Blog Posts to Come) 

This One Instantly made the Cut.  The Wide Collar, Swirl Print & of Course the Orange & Hot Pink Colors = Sold!

Dress - LaRoque for Belk (On Sale!)

Gold Pumps - Nine West 

Gold Coin Necklace - Towne & Reese Similar

Shop 'Modern Southern Style' at Belk

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fancy-Schmancy Pants

Every Gal Needs a Pair of Fancy Pants in their Closet.

They're a Great Alternative to a Snazzy Dress or Skirt.

Fancy Pants in a Straight Cut are Modern and Sleek, and a Great Choice when the Weather is Cooler.

The Metallic Brocade of these Pants gives some Shine to Your Strut and Freshened by the Soft Springy Mint Color.  The Vintage Feel & Look of this Fabric is very Reminiscent of the 1960's.

I wanted to Pair these Fancy Pants with a Saturated Color and this Silk Orchid Racer Tank was a Perfect Match.  I'm Loving Cut Aways Shapes on Tops & Dresses, it Shows Off Shoulders Nicely.

For a Casual Look, Pair your Fancy Pants with a Denim Shirt or Simple Tee.

This Outfit Definitely Incorporates Color - Pattern - Texture - Shine 

 Gilded Aqua Jacquard Brocade Pants J Crew Now Available at Factory

Silk Orchid Tank J Crew Similar Here & Here

Gold Pumps Similar Nine West Earrings Moon & Lola Sunglasses Maui Jim 

Treasured Navy Quilted Purse - Belonged to my Grandma Similar

Have Some Fun in Fancy-Schmancy Pants

XOXO Sarah Louise

Classic All American

Today's Presidents Day. Today we Honor the Leaders of our Country.

We are all so Blessed to Live in this Free Land.  

Being the wife of a United States Naval Officer reminds me everyday of the sacrifices made for our Freedom!

When I think of America the Colors Red, White & Blue come to mind.
When I think of Classic Style, Blazers, Jeans, and a Crisp White Shirt are at the top of my list.

Crisp White Shirt, J Crew School Boy Blazer, Paige Skinny Jeans

Belt, Hat Vintage, Sunglasses, US Navy Earrings

Love America

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mint & Mustard

Mustard is one of my Favorite Colors to Style as a Neutral.. Probably because it looks like GOLD!

I have a slight ... ok Severe obsession with blazers!

When I saw this one a few Winters ago it was a must have.  
The mint is soft and fresh for winter.  
Don't get me wrong I love pulling out my rich dark tones 
but taking my favorite spring pastels and incorporating them in winter fabrics (wool, tweed and cashmere) is icing on the cake!

Nude Pumps not only elongate the leg but pair nicely with lots of color  

I Grounded the Colors with Navy - Found in the Brass Buttons and Striped Lining 

All Pieces J Crew- Hacking Jacket, Sleeveless Beaded Button Up, No. 2 Pencil Skirt
Nude Pumps - Tahari, Nail Polish - Butter
Watch - Michael Kors, Earrings - Kate Spade, Ring - Sapphire & Diamonds (Gift from Mr)

Rolling the Cuffs Adds a Pop of Print and Showcases your Wrist Baubles

(Functional Buttons on the Cuff - A Blazer Must Have)

Freshen Your Look with Mint 

& 

Garnish Your Style with Mustard

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Pink Suit

Jackie O. One of my Fashion Inspirations. She Defined the Iconic Pink Suit

And every lady knows that Pink is the ultimate feminine color!

So it's no Surprise that a Pink Suit was a Must have for my closet (I have one for winter and summer)

This particular Pink Suit I found at J Crew... I love the Schoolboy Blazer! 
Confession - I have a collection of them.

The pant is also a favorite for it's modern straight cut creating a flattering fit. 
I often separate the pieces pairing them each with denim.

This Winter Suit is made of a Wool Herringbone fabric with specs of yellow and orange for a warm tone.

I don't limit myself to pairing with neutrals (white, cream, grey, navy & brown) ... I've styled it with lavender, peach, blues and floral prints.  I've even added a printed t-shirt for a casual look.

To exaggerate the femininity I chose a Kate Spade silk blouse with a large bow at the neckline.  

For my shoes and clutch, I chose my favorite- Gold!!!  I LOVE to accessorize with Gold 

Who's Your Fashion Inspiration?

And What's a Must Have in Your Closet?

Is it Pink :)

XOXO Sarah Louise

Colored Pencils

No. 2 Pencils are going to carry you just as far as they did in school....

Only this time they make you sharp... looking that is :)

And we all know the best type of pencils are in COLOR!

 Target 

                             J Crew                                                                                                                        J Crew

                           J Crew                                                                                                                                     J Crew

Talbots

I LOVE COLOR! 

It makes for a happy and brighter look.  And is still as easy to style.

- Add Neutrals (Black, Navy, Tan, Gray, Leopard) with a Blazer or Cardigan. And yes ladies, leopard is a neutral... Posting soon!

- Add Print & More COLOR! with a Blouse, Scarf, or Shoes

Pencil Skirts are Feminine and Flattering and help create a long tapered look if fitted correctly.

Fit:

- Should hit right above the knee - hem if you're petite or if you're one of the blessed with granddaddy-long-legs check to see if the designer carries in Tall or if there is a hem to let out.

- Size according to your largest area - then tailor down the waist and/or length.

- Lining is Necessary!  It allows for a smoother line on the body, masks undergarments and tucked in tops as well as prevents the uncomfortable "stuck-between-your-legs" look when you walk. 

Where to Buy:

I've purchased mine from the 'Big Box Stores' J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Loft, Talbots ....

I must give kudos to Target brand 'Merona'!  They have pencil skirts with lining and pockets! (which I choose to leave sewn shut to prevent poking out at the hips = Slenderizing) 

So Sharpen your Look with a Pencil 

& 

Trade in Your Neutrals for  COLOR!

XOXO Sarah Louise