Bold Stripes

Be Bold.  Tomorrow I turn 34 and I've decided to enter into this year of life with boldness.  To trust, to be faithful and most of all to be grateful.  In all of these things I'm going to do so boldly.

I mean who wants to be so-so or half way with a mediocre attitude.  Be bold gals.

Everyone loves stripes because they're classic and go with everything.  As we enter into Spring I love to embrace a nautical vibe because who doesn't want to be on the water?! Nothing says nautical like white and navy stripes.

This top is bold. Big wide stripes. Yes!  I may just wear this tomorrow.  This top is actually designed to be worn off the shoulder but I prefer it up on my shoulders. I can move my arms with ease and honestly it creates an eye catching chic collar!

Fashion is what you buy, Style is what you do with it 

I paired it with navy trousers and ladylike slides to keep the focus on the top.

I was talking with my Mamma yesterday about how the basket bag is making a come back.  I remember her caring a rattan bag and I would play dress up with it.  Funny how things come right back around.  While I like the new modern styles I decided to see if I could find a vintage bag that would resemble the one my Mamma carried.  I love adding vintage pieces to my look. They have a story and it's true, they just don't make things like they used to. I found this one on etsy and love it!

Off the Shoulder Stripe Top  ||  Navy Trousers  ||  Navy Slides  ||

Vintage Rattan Bag - Similar  ||  Bangle  ||

Dress Beautifully in Bold Stripes

XOXO Sarah Louise

Wide Leg Crop Pants

I'm totally digging the wide leg crop pant design.  They're sleek and slimming.  Whether it's with flat loafers or high heeled sandals the strut is chic.

Dress them up or down with tees and blouses in the day or with an off the shoulder top for all the fun over the weekend.  Everyone loves stripes and showing shoulders and this top marries them both perfectly.  I say this because one of my pet peeves is when I have 't-rex' arms when wearing the standard off the shoulder (I'm talking about the restriction of not being able to lift your arms with out the top snapping up and then you have to yank it back down #annoying)
This neckline hits right at the edge of your shoulders with a short sleeve so you can move with ease and still showcase those collar bones.

I must say I'm going to style these pants with blouses tucked in or shorter in length.  I believe that will create a more flattering silhouette.  These pants have a higher waist line and when highlighted will create a very lengthening shape.

Add some variety to your standard straight trousers and add a little volume and gain a little pizzazz.

Striped Off the Shoulder Top  ||  Wide Leg Crop Pants  ||  Sandals  ||  Handbag  ||

Bangle  ||  Earrings  ||  Sunglasses  ||

Dress Beautifully in Wide Leg Crop Pants

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Night Out Tops

TGIF! This has been a fantastic week gals!  Lost of big happenings that have kept me hard at work. Stay tuned :)

For today's Friday 5, it's all about tops for a night out. Because Mr has Saturday night off!!! #YAY  Practicing medicine in the ER has him working almost every weekend and lots of nights. We are taking full advantage of this rare weekend evening together!

When it comes to a night out either a date with your man or with the gals getting gussied up is part of the fun.  It's an occasion to look snazzy.  I like pairing a fun neckline that shows a little skin with a pair of skinny jeans and heels.  And definitely a fun statement earring!

Here are some tops sure to have you feeling fabulous ...

Off the Shoulder Cami  ||  Champagne One Shoulder  ||  One Shoulder Ruffle  ||

Crossover Top  || Halter Top

Dress Beautifully in a Night Out Top

XOXO Sarah Louise

Shoulders & Squares

Spring is all about shoulders, stark white and row and rows of gingham squares!

This look encompasses those sweet elements and then some.  I added a bright pop of color with turquoise earrings and several inches (without teasing my hair) in these amazing wedges.

I love the feminine details on the sleeves with delicate bow ties and ruffles!

Gingham Off-the-Shoulder Top || White Jeans || Wedges ||

  Turquoise Earrings || Sunglasses || 

Dress Beautifully in Off-the-Shoulder Gingham

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Everything Sundress

Sundresses are a staple for Spring/Summer.  Aesthetically they're feminine and pretty, functionally they're cool and comfortable. #winning

This sundress has all the elements of perfection: stripes, ruffles, bows and it's shoulder baring (apparently they're the 'It' body part).  I'm actually fine with the exposure of off-the-shoulder designs. Shoulders/collar areas are the smallest and daintiest part of a lady and it's not revealing in the cleavage department as the line is straight across.
Note: I'm NOT ok with low cut necklines or super short hem lines. #modesty

This sundress is designed to be a true off-the-shoulder, however I find the lack of arm mobility so frustrating due to the constraint around the bicep area.  Picture this, you're sitting at dinner and you reach for your glass and Snap! the elastic strap springs up on top of your shoulder. sigh Now you have to pull it back down in place.  I just feel like my arms are glued down by my sides and I can only bend at the elbow ... makes me feel like a t-rex.

Sooooo, because of the construction of this dress I was actually able to wear it as a strapless by not putting my arms through the shoulder straps. Genius if I do say so myself.  The dress is very pretty both ways so wear it which ever way suits your fancy.

I paired it with my favorite new wedges and I can't tell you gals enough how comfortable these are. AND I feel super tall which never happens as high stilettos make my feet hurt just looking at them.

This sundress will not only keep you cool in the Summer heat but it will bring the chic to any occasion.

Sundress || Wedges || Earrings || 

Dress Beautifully in a Sundress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Denim Dresses

I'm ready to start the weekend! Who's with me?!!

One of my favorite things about Fridays, is that most offices allow for casual dressing.  I absolutely love polished and professional pieces but it's nice to ditch the wool and super tailored for cotton and comfortable.

Denim is the foundation for casual and comfortable.  Denim doesn't just denote pants.  It's a common fabric to find jackets, tops and dresses made of this durable blue cotton.
Denim comes in a variety of  washes, blends and densities to provide just the right design and fit.

When it comes to a denim dress the weave should be light weight for easy breezy movement.  And in this Summer heat essential to prevent heat stroke.  Denim is a blank canvass for styling. EVERYTHING goes with denim - all colors, prints and textures compliment.  So embrace your personal style and create a look that presents your uniqueness.
Dress it up with a statement necklace, a vintage broach, or printed scarf. Dress it down with a baseball hat, cross body and cute sneakers.

Here's some denim dresses I've rounded up for you ....

Sleeveless  -  Off The Shoulder  -   Shirtdress  -  Lace Up  -  High / Low Trapeze

Dress Beautifully in a Denim Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Cold Shoulder

This shoulder baring top is perfect for summer! The flutter sleeves add the perfect touch of femininity and the strappy design adds just the right amount of sass.

I like this design for several reasons, there’s no need for elastic like you find with off the shoulder tops, the straps offer support and allow for movement and you don’t look/feel so bare and exposed having straps.  The flutter sleeve adds a delicate element and brings a hint of that 70’s style vibe.

I also like that it’s dressy enough for an evening out but is just as chic paired with a pair of distressed jeans.  I paired it with a pair of ivory trousers for a more polished look. 

This top comes in ivory and navy – my two very favorite neutrals.  I pushed myself to go with navy as my white/ivory inventory is off the charts and I’m glad I did!  It’s a nice change to add some darker shades and perfectly fitting with my white jeans. 

I’ll be shimmy-shimmy shakin in this number over this July 4^th Holiday! 

Strappy Off the Shoulder Top: Ann Taylor - More Options || Trousers: Ann Taylor || 

Sandals: Tory Burch & Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in a Strappy Off the Shoulder Top

XOXO Sarah Louise