Grid Lock

And it's Monday.  New week, new goals (I have a lot to accomplish!) and a whole lot of green in the forecast since it's St. Patrick's day on Friday. Green is my second favorite color to wear (white is #1), because nothing compliments a red mane like emerald.
Side note: Despite my fiery locks and billions of freckles I'm don't have a lot of Irish in me - I'm primarily German and English (according to Mamma) ... Maybe one day I'll check into one of those ancestry searches.

So I told you my gingham game was going strong, and clearly I'm not exaggerating.  But this dress while advertised as a gingham print, to me 'grid' is more appropriate.  It's such a large graphic pattern.  Gingham is better saved for a smaller scale. In classic black and white these crisp lines make a great palette for style!

While the dress is sharp and fitted I wanted to contrast with soft elements and color.  So I added a silk scarf in a gold hue that has it's own architectural sense with black angled lines and an emerald green topper coat. I've shared with you gals before that almost all of my silk scarves are vintage and while hunting for treasures from the past isn't for most, I'm happy to share that these pretty printed squares are making a come back in stores!

This dress is fitted to the body, constructed in super stretch making it a comfortable and flattering fit.  The bodice is designed with a cut in shape at the shoulders but don't let that intimate you.  A racer back bra (a must have) aligns just right.

This look balances the starkness of a graphic black and white print with the softness of silk and color.

Grid Dress  ||  Sandals  ||  Similar Jacket  ||  Scarf (Vintage) Similar  ||

Handbag - Similar  ||  Sunglasses  || 

Dress Beautifully in a Graphic Grid Print

XOXO Sarah Louise

To a Tee

Crisp dress shirts and pretty blouses are more 'me to a tee' than a casual cotton tee.  But when the weekend comes sometimes I just want to keep it simple and slip into something soft, cool and comfortable.  But y'all know I'm not going to just put on some random old sorority shirt with paint stains and holes (I save my bin of those for working in the yard or those rare occasions I work on a messy project).

Just about all clothing retailers have gone above the basic tee and offer tees with linen blends. super soft washes and prints to suit any style.  Take advantage of all the options of patterns, cuts and graphics to show off your personality.

A 'Me to a Tee' tee would have magnolias, lemons or will look like this one I found on a target run with Ariel The Little Mermaid on it.
Story:  When I met the little boy next door while living on the military base, he ran up to me and said I looked just like Ariel! We were instant friends :) 

Ariel Tee

You won't see me wearing these often, but they fit the bill for those Saturday morning errands or backyard relaxing.

Here are some tees I found that might fit you to a tee ....

Garden Tee 

Polka Dot Tee

Cloud Tee

Floral Tee

Camel Tee

Sleeveless Tee

Tunic Tee

Dress Beautifully 'To a Tee'

XOXO Sarah Louise

Graphic Embroidery

Embroidery is one of my favorite embellishments.  I find it to be classic and sophisticated.  Sure rhinestones and beading are fun but save that for special occasions or use jewelry.

I've noticed that colorful, floral 'boho' styled embroidery is trending for this year's spring and summer.   Especially in a front bib design, like this sundress. I appreciate the detail and ethnic vibe, but my style's a bit more ladylike and polished.

This top brings a sophisticated take on the embroidered trend.  In a graphic design, this front bib detail is sure to be noticed.  There are even little dark beads on the bib giving a little luster and texture.  The geometric lines add a modern touch.

The embroidery is black but honestly you could easily style as navy because the detail is so small.  My personal rule - if you can't tell if it's black or navy, you style as both!

I love to mix my dark shades with pastels.  It's a way of transitioning those fall/winter pieces into the warmer season and spring/summer pieces into the colder season.  It also conveys unexpected contrast.

I paired this top with powder blue straight trousers (check out the side slit hem) black shoes & handbag to compliment the black embroidery.  Powder blue is one of my favorite colors to wear - It literally goes with everything!

This top is all year with blazers/jackets and all occasion paired with dark jeans and colored skirts/shorts.

Embroidered Top: Ann Taylor (Dress & Jacket Version) || Trousers: J Crew Factory || 

Heeled Sandals: Nine West || Handbag: Prada || Bracelet: David Yurman ||

Dress Beautifully in an Embroidered Top

XOXO Sarah Louise 

On the Grid

This skirt is a modern match made! 

When you mix sharp graphic lines with soft feminine lace you get a perfect blend of style.

Lace & graphics are on two opposite ends of the spectrum.  For some, lace is too feminine and vintage feeling, while graphic can be too harsh and modern.  Combining the two is genius - best of both worlds.  

I call this 'grid lace' - because that's what it looks like to me :) 

I'm obsessed with all things white, so my eyes gravitated to this skirt.  I love the shape - not too poofy.    The grosgrain waistband, pockets and unlined hemline are details that make this skirt shine in it's uniqueness. 

One of the cool things about a-line skirts is that you can vary your size giving you the ability to choose how high or low it sits on the waist. I went down a size in this one so that it would sit slightly higher - a more classic shape and so that it would fall slightly shorter on the leg line - I'm petite so I must be careful of pieces that fall below the knee. 

For skirts that are more mini in design I often choose a size larger than normal for added length or for comfort.  Ladies, you've heard it over and over but seriously don't get caught up in the numbers! Rather concentrate on fit and shape. 

We've had lots of warm sunny weather here in the South so I styled this look fitting for the season.  When I have a garment that is structured I like to pair it with a piece that's soft and flowy.  These strappy tops are my favorite - so naturally I have 6 in all different colors :)

This grid lace skirt is going to be on serious repeat! Pair it with button downs for office or tees, denim tops, sandals/wedges for those casual days in the sun. 

Grid Lace Skirt: Loft || Silk Tank: J Crew & Factory || Pumps: Nine West || 

Dress Beautifully in Grid Lace

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Graphic & Metallic

Mix Your Metallics with a Graphic Print and You've Got a Look of Interest.
Typically You'll Find Your Prints in Tops and Dresses, but Printed Pants are Totally In.
They are a Pop of Cool so You Only want a Pair or Two and May Not Want to Invest Major Dollars for the Amount of Wear. 
I scored these on super sale from an in-store online return - Lucky Me!

I Tend to Keep My Focus on my Upper Body -It's my Better Half - but if Kept in a Dark Color Palette and Classic Print I'll Venture to Shift. 

These Pants aren't a Pair You'll See Everyday ... Which is Why I Couldn't Resist.  The Navy & Radiant Orchid Pattern were Softer in Contrast while still Bold Enough to Command Attention.  
I Think that's the Key to Printed Pants.  Look for a Color Palette that's Pretty and Complimentary to Your Style and a Print that's Traditional (Florals, Checks, Plaids, and Small Stripes) 
Fabulous is a Much Better Look than Funky!

Metallic  Anything is Just Simply Marvelous! 
It Adds Shine and a Sense of Fancy.  And it's a Neutral!! 
So Why Not in a Shoe?! Goes with Anything :)

These Penny Loafers take the Menswear Classic to Fancy Feminine.

Confession: I've Even Taken My Love of Gold & Silver Beyond my Wardrobe and into my Home Design with Mirrored Furniture, Lamps and Decor. 

I Toned Down this Look with a Denim Shirt and Kept my Jewelry to a Minimum Since I had Enough Shine in my Shoes.

For a More Sophisticated Styling Opt for a Silk Blouse, Blazer and Pumps.

Branch Outside the Box with a Pair of Printed Pants! 

Denim Shirt: J Crew || Printed Pants: J Crew Similar and Here  || 

Silver Loafers: J Crew || Earrings: Kate Spade || Polish: Essie || 

Dress Beautifully When You Pair Graphics & Metallics

XOXO Sarah Louise