A Little Leather

 Gals, I love adding a little leather to my outfits. It provides an edgy and expensive looking element to the look. Leather can be styled dressy or casual but regardless is a timeless texture.

MY VEST

Style Tip: Adding leather (jacket, vest, boots or belt) to a girlie dress/skirt creates an interesting contrast!

Here are some pretty leather pieces to style:

JACKET

I love the texture on this one

PANTS

This wide leg crop cut is flattering

also in brown & black

DRESS

also in black

SKIRT

The long length of this skirt is so flattering & chic!

Dress Beautifully in Leather

XOXO Sarah Louise

Seeing Stars

Gals, I'm not big on kitschy pieces, although cute.  Save the characters and graphic tees for the kiddos. I also believe that your wardrobe shouldn't just be comprised of just solids, stripes, plaids ... you get the idea. Don't be boring!

Incorporating a fun (not tacky) print brings life to your closet.  Especially if you are in the office all week, you need some whimsy! It also adds detail to your wardrobe which can also give it a richer feel.

It was my lucky day when this sweater and I met. It was before Christmas and I was doing some shopping at Marshalls/Homegoods (PS Homegoods has the BEST toys!) and I spotted this sweater.  It's by Rebecca Taylor which has quickly become one of my favorites - BUT she's expensive!! The sweater was 65% off the retail price.
I scooped it up and brought it home without even trying it on.

I want to encourage you to shop outside the mall - Amazon, Marshalls, TJ Maxx etc...  Even nice consignment boutiques.  I promise you'll find unique pieces to add to your closet.

I HATE the color gray - like can. not. stand. it! but in clothing I can tolerate it in small doses. I actually like it in this design because it's lighter and compliments the muted blue stars.  When doing a fun print subtle shades are probably better than bold.

For a modern/edgy look I paired with coated jeans (y'all I've had these for a good 5 years) and a heeled bootie.

Star Sweater - Similar & Here | Coated Jeans | Booties | Earrings |

PS I bought these star earrings for my bf and then had to go back and get the fo me :)

Dress Beautifully in Stars

XOXO Sarah Louise

Jacket + Shorts

Blazers & jackets are my thing.  I maybe own 2 cardigans as I prefer the structure and sophistication of a jacket.    The construction of a blazer/jacket provides shape on the body and is more durable for many years of wear.  Jackets also give a more polished look to any outfit.

Blazers/jackets have come a long way over the years and I'm loving all the fun details in the modern designs with unique fabrics, prints, asymmetric hems, and zippers.  The zippered mid-closure and functional cuff zippers bring a hint of edgy to this jacket.

It can be hard to think of putting a jacket on in this summer heat so opt for a light shades and fabrics in linen/cotton as well as for your foundation pieces.

Pairing a jacket with shorts is a chic way to be casual and cool. The geometric print on this jacket is trending but also interesting because when your really take a close look, the woven pattern is tiny little hearts!  Since I rarely wear black, blues are my go-to neutrals.  This jacket's color palette is primarily ivory and blue but with hints of black threads throughout and on the zippers you can carry it through all seasons.

Jacket: J Crew Factory || Silk Tank: J Crew || Shorts: J Crew Similar & Here || 

Pumps: Nine West || Pearl Necklace: Kate Spade || 

Dress Beautifully Pairing a Jacket with Shorts

XOXO Sarah Louise

Snakin Day to Night

I'm bringing a lot of snake print into my closet this season.  I love animal prints, and snake is sophisticated and edgy.  

I've shared my love of local boutiques before but may I remind you that shopping local businesses supports your community and also makes for interesting 'one of a kind' finds!

One of my favorite boutiques is Sovella's.  The owner Mallory is a gem with her sweet personality and eye for all things pretty.  I saw this tank in her store and instantly knew I had to have it and mentally was going through all the way's I'd style it. The soft colors: green, grey, ivory, and taupe go with everything!  You could pair it with any neutral. 

Follow on Instagram for first looks @sovellasboutique ... She Ships! 

I'm showing you two looks, one for day/work and another for evening/weekend.  It's as simple as ditching the jacket and opting for jeans. 

I kept both these palettes dark but make no mistake this tank is going right on a pair of white skinny jeans after Easter! 

Snake Tank: Sovella's || Jacket: Factory On Sale!  || Skirt: Ann Taylor || 

Mules: Nine West || 

Tank: Sovella's || Coated Jeans: Ann Taylor (On Sale for Under $30!!) || 

Cage Heels: Nine West || Polish: Essie || Necklace: Similar || Ring: QVC On Sale! ||

Dress Beautifully for Day & Night! 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fierce

I have a thing for jumpsuits.  It comes from my love of 70's fashion.  To me jumpsuits are fierce! But you MUST get the fit right.  It's a one piece so it can be a challenge to find a jumpsuit where the proportions and rise are fitting.  I find them very comfortable with the wide leg pant.  Think of wearing a maxi dress but with legs. 

What makes this black jumpsuit shine out from the rest are the gold moto zippers.  I love gold and are drawn to garments with bold zippers.  They add a modern and edgy look.  (For this jumpsuit they serve a functional purpose in making it easy to take on and off ... essential for trips to the ladies room)

Depending on your work environment this can totally be office appropriate as well as take you straight to happy hour & evening. 

When I found this one, an try-on selfie was in order.  When shopping alone it's essential to have good gal pals you can reach out to that can give honest opinions.  Amen to technology! I sent this to a special friend that recently moved to the other side of the country.  

Her response confirmed it was coming home! xoxo 

Jumpsuit: Calvin Klein from Marshall's Purchase Here & Here || Pumps: Nine West || 

Earrings: Towne & Reese || Gold Bangle: Similar || Sunglasses: Ray Ban || 

More Jumpsuits: Here Here & Here

Dress Beautifully in a Jumpsuit

XOXO Sarah Louise  

Shades of Grey

These Shades of Grey are Far more Conservative than the Popular Book - which Probably Came to Mind.  

A Monochromatic Look is Refreshing, Sharp and Clean.  

And there's nothing Dull and Gloomy about the Color Grey.  I find Grey to be Cool and Crisp. 

These Gold Zippers on this Moto Jacket Do Add a Pop of Shine and Since it's Made of Thick Wool it Wears as a Part of Your Look or as Outerwear. 

I prefer a Charcoal Grey Over Black in this Sheath Dress.  It's Softer and Grey Fabrics Tends to have Texture to them. 

I Paired these Grey Hues with a Black Heeled Mule but a Nude or Navy Pump would also be Great and Still Keeping in the Neutral Palette. 

Jacket: Ann Taylor || Charcoal Dress: Similar || Mules: Nine West || 

Sunglasses: Ray Ban || Earrings: Honora || Polish: Butter London || 

Dress Beautifully in Shades of Grey 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Water Color

This Water Color Blouse is Gorgeous!

The Brushstrokes of Color and Flowing Wrap Design is oh so Feminine!

It's So Fabulous that When Shopping with Two of My Best Gal Pals 

We All Three Decided We Had to Have it!!

I Foresee Us Checking In to Avoid a Matchy-Matchy Situation

I Contrasted the Ladylike Blouse with Some Edge in a Pair of Moto Coated  Black Jeans.

Water Color Blouse: Anthropologie || Coated Jeans: Ann Taylor ||

Grey Booties: J Crew || Earrings: Moon & Lola || Polish: Butter London ||

Dress Beautifully in Water Colors

XOXO Sarah Louise

Marbled

Black and White are the Ultimate Contrasting Pair and will Always have a Sharp Styling.

I've Noticed this Season that the Two have been Marbled Together in Almost All Types of Garments.
The Texture gives a Dimensional Look.  Rather than Just Gray - Weaving Black & White Presents a Richer Hue.

When Investing in Pieces - Particularly Jackets (Major Weakness), I like to Get the Most Out of them by Going Beyond Work Wear to the Weekend.  
Pairing with Jeans and Tees is the Easiest Way to Create a Casual Chic Look.

I Searched for Quite Sometime for a Dressy Moto Jacket in a Nice Fabric Rather than Leather. So I Found it, in Black. Black is One of my Least Favorite Colors to Wear; However it's Sophistication makes it Timeless and a Wardrobe Staple - I Just Keep it in Small Doses :)

This Jacket Sold me with it's Snake Skin Textured Panels - Love Adding Touches of Animal Any Chance I get!

By Pairing the Black with a Marbled Tee, the Contrast is Soft.  I added a Pop of Color with a Large Stone Pendant in Purple from one of my Favorite Local Boutiques.  Shopping Small Lends to Finding Unique and Artistic Pieces while Supporting Your Community. 
Follow @fancifriendsboutique on Instagram - they ship! 

Marbled Tee - Target || Snake Moto Jacket: Tahari Similar || Jeans: J Crew ||

Booties: Similar || Necklace: Fanci Friends Boutique || Polish: Butter London ||

More Marbled Pieces Here: Dress - Sweater - Jacket

Dress Beautifully in Moto & Marbled 

XOXO Sarah Louise