Friday Favorites: Jackets & Jeans

TGIF!  It has felt like Fall all week and I'm loving it! The mornings and evenings are cool but the afternoons are full of warm sunshine.  The highlight of this week was definitely the costume carnival at Vivian's preschool Wednesday evening.  The kiddos came dressed up for a costume parade and the parents handed out candy.  Then there was pizza!  I feed Vivian as healthy as I can, but gracious that gal loooooves pizza.  We had as much fun as she did seeing all the little ones playing and full of excitement over their costumes & candy.  It was also a great getting to know and spend time with the other parents.

I purchased two costumes with the intentions of picking one for her to wear and returning the other.  I neglected to return one so she was the coolest chick at the carnival and you'll just have to wait until next week to see her costume for Halloween 🎃

Now that the weather has cooled off jeans and jackets are wardrobe essentials.
I actually own all of these pieces or a very similar version and have had most for several years.
That's the fantastic thing about investing in the classics, yoru return is years of wear and countless outfits.

Tip: I purchased every single one of these items on sale.  Is there any other way to shop?!!

Here are some of my favorites ...

JACKETS

You can still hold on to your lighter tops, that's where the jackets come in for layering.
I believe in classic jackets so that you can have many years of wear.

Trench
Iconic! I've had my trench coat since before I got married and still love it.  It has a removable lining for all season weather.  AND I was able to find one in petite sizing.  An ill fitting coat is sloppy.

Denim
Cool, comfortable and casual.  I love pairing my denim jacket with dresses.

Field

This jacket is not just stylish, it's utilitarian with all it's pockets and waterproof fabric.

Quilted
A quilted jacket is so ladylike while still being casual.

Moto
This edgy trend is here to stay!  I love the shorter length.  I also like pairing this jacket with dresses.

JEANS

Just like jackets, I wear my jeans for years and years. Finding jeans that fit just right is a challenge, but when you find a brand/cut that works for you, my advise is to stick with it! 

Skinny
I've had these for a few years and can not sing their praises enough.  They're a dark wash but not too solid, perfect higher rise and stretch and just so nice with no distressing for those occasions where you need to look a little sharper (casual Friday at the office, socials or with your Mamma b/c she doesn't understand pants with intentional holes)

Demi-boot Crop
I got my first pair of this cut nearly 4 years ago and I was tickled when I saw this pair a couple weeks ago in store.  The wash is such a pretty dark blue with just the right amount of fading.  I also love button flies and these are in rose gold/copper.  The rise is super comfortable and the hem is a discrete cutoff.  I like that the length will show off any shoe I'm wearing. I've worn them 3 times this week!

Distressed
As ladylike and polished as my style is, I really love a distressed jean when I'm casual.  One extreme to the other.  But gracious they're soft, relaxed and just so comfortable. And I feel cooler!
These are in a higher rise and lighter wash (the term 'mom jean' is trending but I'm not a fan ... My Mamma would never wear these haha) I scored these on super sale!

Black
Black jeans are tricky because they're fantastic the first few wears but when you go to wash them they're all faded and gray.  These aren't a pitch black color but look as though they're been washed once so I'm pretty sure they'll just gradually fade nicely. The button fly is a fav of mine and I loved the raw uneven helm.  Again they're great for showing off shoes and for us petite statured gals. 

Straight

This cut is just right! Not skinny but not flared. They're also just the right amount of relaxed fit for being comfortable but not baggy. The trick with straight leg jeans is the hem length.  I believe it should be right at the ankle.  Too long and they bunch at your feet.
Tip:  Before hemming your jeans wear and wash them to work out any stretch and shrinking.

I hope you're enjoying this beautiful season!

Go outside and play!

Or find time to relax with a good book under the sun

Dress Beautifully in Classic Jackets & Jeans

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Walking on Sunshine

Gals, I'm literally walking on sunshine! Yesterday was my 35th birthday and I couldn't be more blessed to welcome this year.  Last year when I blew out the candles on my cake my wish was for God to gift us a healthy baby. Here I sit with the most beautiful baby girl!

It's amazing how much has changed in the past year ... I survived 8 months of pregnancy (puking my guts up daily), an emergency c-section delivery, a premie baby who is now 4 months old in 2 days and nursing with it's epic struggles. Crazy Changes!!!

I feel so blessed (do not confuse that ... my life is NOT problem free) that I struggled to come up with a wish this year. Vivian Louise has certainly changed my perspective on things that really matter and the things that just aren't so important any more.

Now, I still care about what I wear.  Although  nursing makes me look at the functionality of outfits first ugh (still not a fan but still doing it and still feeling like a dairy cow)
Note: this dress is not nursing friendly but I don't let that run my life, I'll just limit it to shorter outings/occasions like church, dates or with my gal pals

Eyelet is my sister's favorite fabric so when I saw this yellow dress I immediately thought of her.  I love the midi length and the tiered design.  The pom pom balls are added fun :)
Kate Spade designed a very similar dress last year but it was a bit pricey.  This one looks just like it!

I don't really own much yellow in my wardrobe so adding this sunny dress brought some happy to my closet.

Note: This dress is from the Crown & Ivy line at Belk - sadly I couldn't find it online

Similar: Yellow Dress & Here  ||  Wedges  ||  Denim Jacket  ||  Handbag  ||  Earrings ||  Sunglasses  ||

Dress Beautifully in a Yellow Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Simply Striped

Stripes are simply a classic print that every gal must embrace. A classic black and white striped top and dress are staples for your wardrobe that I promise you will wear over and over. 

They pair beautifully with everything – colors, textures and even other prints, like leopard!

This dress is a maternity dress.  I don’t technically need it quite yet, however I don’t want to reach a point where I literally have nothing to wear and find myself scrounging and paying full price at the store.  So, I’ve taken advantage of sales and promotions and have been purchasing ahead. 

This dress has amazing structure and shapely paneling that creates confidence for a growing silhouette.  Like I shared before I’m not a fan of cotton/jersey fitted dresses.  I didn’t wear thin unstructured fabric garments before so I have no desire to start now.  I believe clothing pieces should skim the body. It’s just flattering and classy.

I styled this dress how I would normally style a striped dress.  I plan to keep my maternity style as close to my normal as possible -  I already have crisp dress shirts, pencil skirts and A-line dresses.

Since we are technically in Fall despite the just plain hot temps, I layered with another classic, the denim jacket.  You should all have one and if not shame on you.

I added a pop of color with my red bag so I kept the shoe neutral. Check out the back of this dress J

Don’t hesitate to style with added print with a scarf or shoe.  I foresee a trench, camel sweater and boots pairing next month … maybe even tights & colored coat come November.  Seriously the options are endless.

If you do happen to be like me (there are a couple of you sweet gals aka belly buddies) on a mission of  ‘being a babe while having a babe’ you NEED this dress!

And for the rest of you I’ve linked less roomy options down below. 

Striped Dress & Similar ||  Non-maternity Striped Dress  & Here  || 

Slides & Here  ||  Denim Jacket & Here  ||  Handbag & Similar  ||  Earrings  ||

Dress Beautifully in a Striped Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

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

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

Floral + Denim

TGIF!!! I love this Friday because it means tomorrow is my Birthday!

I love my birthday; not because it's a day to celebrate myself but because it means I've been blessed with another year of life.  God still needs me here to continue his purpose. I'm excited to be 32 and for the new adventures that await! 

Simple and Pretty sum up this look.  A cotton floral dress, denim jacket and wedges are the perfect pieces for a causal but chic outfit.  Everyone should own a denim jacket - in my opinion.  They're soft, warm and never go out of style (I've had mine for 4 years now). Rather than a blazer, the denim jacket dresses this look down for casual fridays or weekends. 

Florals make you feel bight and cheery.  This big floral print caught my eye with it's contrasting dark abstract print against the stark white.  The cut is ideal for it's waist hem and small subtle pleating. 

I have lots of blessings to celebrate this weekend - even though it may not be your birthday weekend I say you always have reasons to grab a glass of bubbles and cheers!!

Dress: TJ Maxx Similar || Denim Jacket: Gap || Wedges: Kate Spade Similar & Here ||

Handbag: Tory Burch || Sunglasses: Target || 

Dress Beautifully in Floral & Denim

XOXO Sarah Louise