Friday Favorites: Beautiful Black Bags

 A polished black handbag is a timeless piece. It's something you'll carry daily over many years, compliments any outfit and for these reasons is a wise and beautiful investment.

MY BAG

Purses can be extremely pricey! I believe that a quality bag doesn't have to exceed your mortgage.

I look for real leather, slight texture (hides scratches & scuffs), light weight and moderate size. I also prefer a leather strap for comfort and one that can adjust from shoulder to crossbody.

Tip: Discrete bags with minimal to no branding are classy!

Here are some beautiful black bags ...

SHOULDER BAG

CROSSBODY

CROC EFFECT TOP HANDLE

ITALIAN LEATHER

this one is 40% off

several colors

SUEDE

ZIP TOP TOTE

COMVERATBLE

several colors

HOBO

BUCKET

Dress Beautifully Carrying a Black Bag

XOXO Sarah Louise

Classic with a Twist

Gals, the crisp white shirt is the foundation for any classic wardrobe - I have countless and I'm not sorry and refuse to downsize. So there!
While they're great for the office or for casual wear with jeans adding some embellishment can bring modern style to the basic shirt.

This one has ruffles across the chest and shoulders for a slightly prairie/frontier vibe.  The western look is trending hot! I'm happy about it as I like a modest and southern look.
 So I paired this button down with black skinny jeans and my most favorite booties in my favorite animal print for a causal look. Add a cross body and you're ready to go.

This is casual elevated!
What I mean by that is, this outfit is very comfortable but isn't too laid back say if you were wearing a t-shirt and sneakers. And since this top can be work to the office you are making your wardrobe work across the seasons and occasions.

Now, let's chat about black jeans.  Love them because they offer the saturated contrast that you usually achieve in your trousers during the week but have the casual coolness of denim. However, many gals are turned off because when you wash them they inevitably fade.
These I've had for years so now they're more charcoal but I've grown to really like it.
I suggest if you really want 'black' that you choose a pant like these that are more of a rider in synthetic material that doesn't fade.

Ruffled Shirt & Here | Jeans | Snake Booties | Handbag | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully with Modern Take on the Classics

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Bag Lady

Pre Mamma life handbags were shiny gems in my closet. Ok, they still are.  I invest in them and purchase them with great intent. I absolutely have champagne taste when it comes to my fine leather goods. I save and typically purchase them once I have earned them by reaching a goal.

These days I'm not traveling to the office with my notepads, planner and business cards. But I am toting around toys, snacks and notepads with to-do lists (Mamma brain is sooooo real).

Handbags and watches fall into the category of every day items that should be selected careful because it's something you will wear/carry with every outfit.
Keep it classy.

So here are some Mamma bags that check both the form and function box:

Totes

Louis Vuitton Neverfull - Mr surprised me with this bag at my baby shower.
I knew if we ever did have a baby this would be my bag.  I'm wasn't a tote kinda gal before hand but let me tell you gals, it's so useful! I opted for the grand size and when I don't need all the room I pull in the side straps.  It's great for travel! This bag is definitely a splurge.

This leather tote is much friendlier on your wallet. It's extremely durable and classic. It will last you decades!
It comes in several color options and you can monogram it.

Backpacks

This small leather backpack is chic and keeps you hands free! All my mamma pals are jumping on this trend. eh, it's not my style but I totally get it, when you're wrangling kiddos this would be a lifesaver.

Now this is technically a 'diaper bag' but who would ever know?!! My gal pal has it and loves it.
You can wear it several ways. Stock it with everything the baby needs and add your wristlet or drop in your wallet, keys phone and a lipgloss and you're off.

Crossbody

I never appreciated the benefit of a crossbody until I had Vivian Louise. Hands free really is necessary. I'm just wearing the handbags I own, I didn't go out and get any. So they are sometimes a bit fancy :)
But that's me. I'm a fancy gal and Mamma. This one is my most casual and I wear it often.

This is an easy category for you to shop but here are some crossbodies by some of my favorite designers: Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch, Madewell, J Crew and if you're really feeling fancy Gucci!

Diaper Bag

This is our diaper bag. Simple and black because I wanted Mr to carry it and for it to endure many years without showing it's age in wear and tear.

Kid Bags

Vivian Louise has this hungry caterpillar mini backpack and here are more options. I use it as her toy bag when we are out or as a quick diaper bag with essentials.

Dress Beautifully with your Mamma Bag

XOXO Sarah Louise

Athleisure

Athleisure.  What does that mean anyways? Sounds like some word made up for marketing purposes.  Well it is; sorta.

According to wikipedia it 'is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as during work, casual or social occasions.'

spot on.

Now, I'm sticking to my strong belief that gym clothes are for exercise only and not appropriate elsewhere. But I am softening a bit and incorporating some casual and relaxed pieces into my weekend wear.

Gym clothes are NOT everyday clothes! They are meant for exercising, by all means do that daily.  I believe it all began when gals started wearing yoga pants as pants because they were stretchy. It's lazy, sloppy and unflattering! Stop reading if you must but leggings of any sort are NOT pants.
Only underneath a tunic/shorter dress with your derriere concealed is it acceptable.
Honestly, it's more effort to squeeze into those tights than it is to step into a pair of pants.

Think of it as wearing an evening gown to the grocery store - situationally inappropriate!

Off my soap box and onto what is appropriate for a casual and comfortable dressing...

These track pants with their soft, flat-front elastic waist and tailored leg incorporates elements of comfort with the style of a dress pant.  (wearing them as such in a later post!)

A semifitted tee/tank in a solid color or with a cute quote that shows your off your personality = Yes.  An oversized t-shirt you got for free at some promo event = Fail.

Add a light weight sneaker, denim jacket and cross body or tote bag and you're ready to go.

More options: a duster cardigan, field or bomber jacket, quilted vest, slip on sneaker, sandal and scarf

Please don't opt for: fleece jacket, heavy running sneaker, tight tank exposing undergarments and cleavage, or flip flops

It's all about the pant when it comes to athleisure wear.  You're basically swapping out your jeans or if you're guilty of wearing leggings/yoga tights (repent now) for a loose but tailored lightweight pull-on pant.

I'm obsessed with this pair! They literally look like dress pants. Flat front so no bunching or added volume around the hips, skimming yet roomy leg and ankle length with no elastic hem (ew).
These are perfect for ALL - even those gals that are expecting or post pregnancy.  It's a hard time for dressing but these make it easy.

Go get yourself a pair of these pants - I wear them at least once a week #truestory.  They define go-to.

Track Pants || Tank || Denim Jacket || Sneakers || Crossbody bag || 

Dress Beautifully in Athleisure Wear

XOXO Sarah Louise

Boyfriend Mix Up

You invest in quality, timeless pieces to be worn over and over, mixed and matched.  But what about the weekends? You left the office behind and don't want to face it again until Monday.  And you don't want to put money into pieces that can be worn only on Saturdays and Sundays after church nor do you want to look sloppy.

Solution: Boyfriend jeans. Swap out your trousers/pencil skirts for a pair of roomy, maybe distressed boyfriend jeans.  They're loose = comfortable, distressed =  modern, and casual = NO office feels!

By mixing the classics with casual pieces you have a very chic and stylish look that makes the most out of your wardrobe.

This ivory blouse can literally be worn with everything, the blazer is neutral and clearly can be worn with everything and the loafers are not only sharp for work but they're comfortable for running around in too. Remember this designer shoe look-a-like post from a while back? I am loving these Gucci like loafers and so does my wallet! No compromise on quality or style here.

It's all about the mix up!

Don't limit your pieces to the desk atmosphere.
Except for the distressed jeans; those can't be reversed to office wear, but you can swap out your daytime flats or sneakers and fancy them up with a snazzy top and heels for evening.

Accessories: ditch the work tote for a hands free crossbody bag and add print with a scarf.  Big scarfs aren't my thing (I feel smothered) so I opt for the small silk square ones.  This one is a favorite I found in a vintage shop several years ago when Mr was studying medicine in DC.  Actually, all my silk square scarves are vintage.  They were a standard (along with a strand of pearls) mid-century and I'm so happy they're coming back!

Details are important, so choose an accessory that exemplifies your style.

Blouse || Blazer || Jeans || Handbag || Loafers || Scarf (vintage) Similar || 

Dress Beautifully Combining Classic & Casual Pieces

XOXO Sarah Louise