Friday Favorites: Bump Up The Basics

TGIF! It still hasn't sunk in yet that it's 2020 (and that my baby is 2!).  But gals, the world keeps on turning and here we are in a brand new year and decade.

My favorite ways to make my typical outfits, which are white or solid colored tops and jeans look interesting and new is to add color and print with my shoes and handbag.

Note: I am VERY proud of myself for adding a whole lot more print in my wardrobe last year ... but still NO black and heavens no grey.

One concept that I really want to emphasize to you is that it's far more fun to add color to color than color to neutrals.  What I mean is, your ensemble doesn't have to be white, black or blue jeans to add a bright color or print.

Here are some ways I add color and print to a solid outfit .....

Sweater | Jeans | Snake Booties | Red Handbag

Fleece | Jeans | Sneakers | Handbag

Turtleneck | Jeans | Boots | Handbag

Purple Sweater | Pants | Pumps | Handbag

Sweater | Pants | Pumps | Handbag

Dress Your Solids Beautifully with Color & Print

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday 5: Houndstooth

Gals, so yesterday I shared with you this silk houndstooth drop waist dress with a ruffle hem.  I also shared the importance of investing in quality, timeless and versatile pieces.

So, as promised, here are 5 different ways I plan to style this dress for the Winter season.
Now, come Spring/Summer I'll be ditching the jackets and boots for sandals and maybe a fun silk scarf and/or bright colored jewelry.

Cheers to TGIF!

Houndstooth Dress

Casual:  Denim Jacket  -  Saddle Bag  -  Boots

Girls Night Out:  Leather Moto Jacket & Here  -  Red Handbag  -  Booties

Church:  Coat  -  Quilted Handbag  -  Mary Jane Pumps

Holiday:  Red Coat  - Velvet Clutch  -  Heels

Office:  Blazer  -  Dress Shirt  -  Handbag  -  Pump
(Try layering under with a crisp white shirt)

Dress Beautifully in Houndstooth Wherever You Are

XOXO Sarah Louise

Houndstooth

The weekend is just a hop, skip and a jump away!  I know we just had a big long Thanksgiving holiday ... about that, sorry for the blog break but a timeout was just what I needed and besides I'm hoping you were like me, soaking up moments with the ones you love and focusing on all there is to be grateful for!

When it comes to the holiday season, tis the time to dress beautifully for all those festive fetes. As much as I love sparkle, lace and shine I don't find it wise to invest in cocktail dresses that get worn once maaaaybe twice.  I believe in owning pieces that are versatile and that means investing in classic, quality pieces that fit for multiple occasions and this dress fits the bill.

This dress is not only fun with it's flirty hem ruffles but it's in a brushstroke houndstooth print, my Most Favorite print EVER! Houndstooth has been my favorite since my college days.  It's timeless and not overly anything.  What I mean is isn't not too feminine/masculine, not too graphic/abstract, not too warm weather/cold, not color/neutral specific and perfect in any home designed in drapes/upholstery.

You can wear this beauty to the office, date night, holiday party, church, basically anywhere you want. The silk fabric gives it a luxurious sheen and all season wear.

Stay tuned - Five ways to style this houndstooth number on tomorrow's Friday 5 post!

Oh and I finally jumped on the tassel earring trend!  I went with black as I knew they weren't an everyday kind of bauble and black goes perfectly for dressy occasions. I must say, I wish I had jumped on board sooner.  Despite their slightly heavy weight they're fun, elongating on the face and show off nicely with a pulled back hairdo.

Houndstooth Dress || Over the Knee Boots || Tassel Earrings || 

Dress Beautifully in Houndstooth

XOXO Sarah Louise

ALL the Pretty!

Color, color, and more color and it doesn't stop there!  This dress has print, beading, ruffles and all the intricate detail you can squeeze into one dress. Oh My!  It's everything a sundress should be, swingy, bright and pretty.  And that's exactly how I felt when I tried it on.

I shared with you gals my new movement to embrace shift and swing dresses here & here.  I must say, I'm having a lot of fun strutting around in these numbers.

There's so much detail in this dress with the elaborate print and delicate beading throughout.  You just can't appreciate it's ornate design through pictures.  I feel that this dress is perfectly pretty for day time, evening and just about any summer soiree.

Because of the array of colors you could pair it with almost any colored shoe or purse.  I chose cobalt here but wore those pink heels from this post to church and the office. To let the dress speak for itself I believe a neutral shoe and handbag would do just that.

Simply put, this dress has all the pretty!

Dress: Anthropologie ||  Blue Heels: Similar & Here || Earrings: Kendra Scott || 

Dress Beautifully in a Colorful, Printed Sundress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Dot. Dot. Dot.

When your talking classic, forever prints, polka dots are going to be near the top. Now I don't have a lot of polka dot print in my wardrobe.  It's not that I don't like it, I just like other prints better.  I also find that polka dot pieces can either have a juvenile or retro vibe.  I neither want to look too young nor like I'm ready for a midcentury costume party.   Another reason why I may not have brought these spots into my closet is that I prefer lighter and cleaner/less busy palettes.

When I saw this dress it spoke to me! Ladies that's how you should approach your wardrobe and interior design for that matter. It's bright white (my favorite color to wear), the spots are larger with more blank space, and the silhouette is ultra feminine.

Sleeveless dresses are my go-to for all year wear.  They're cool in the summer and perfect for layering over and under in lower temperatures.   This high neck creates more interest than your basic crew or v neckline and you can't go wrong with a waist cinching sash.
Styling Tip:  Exchange the self fabric sash with a leather belt to create a contrast and add texture.

I wore this dress to church and added some pizzazz with a pair of shiny red patent leather sandals.  For the office, I believe you can still strut in red sandals but in letting the dress and print speak for itself I opted for classic black pumps in this look.

Go ahead, sport some spots ...

Polka Dot Dress: Ann Taylor || Pumps: Nine West || Polish: Essie || 

Dress Beautifully in Dots

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mod

"Soooo SL" says my Gal Pal a Couple Weekends Ago as I held Up this Top Beaming with Delight as I Couldn't Get into the Dressing Room Fast Enough!

We were Shopping at Anthropologie, a Fairly New Store to Me.  I've Always been Intrigued by the Abundance of Unique Clothing & Prints and Over-the-Top Store Front Decor.  One of my Favorite things about Anthro is that they Carry Pieces with Vintage Designs.  

The Challenge with Styling my Authentic Vintage Pieces is that You don't want to Look like You're in Costume (or Smell like Moth Balls ... this has Happened!)  New Garments with Vintage Design Elements is a Sure Way to have a Mid-Century Style in a Modern Way.

This Top Screams "Mod" with it's Folded Boatneck Collar, Boxy Cropped Cut, and Bold Print.  I'm a Fabric Snob and Adore the Luster and Slight Stiffness that Creates a Great Shape and Shine.  And What About this Print??!!  It's a Blend of Floral & Graphic Swirled Together.

I Feel that it's Important to have Pieces of Interest in Your Wardrobe.  You Definitely Stock Your Closet with the Basics First but it's the Details that Set Your Style.  Incorporate a Few Garments that Speak to Your Personality... this Top is a Great Representation of my Style: Classic, Southern with a Hint of Fancy!

For this Look I Paired this Mod Top with Black Skinny Pants and Pumps.  I Kept my Makeup Fairly Simple but Added Drama with Bold Black Liquid Liner.  To Highlight the Neckline of this Top I Coiffed my Mane in a Big Ballerina Bun. 

Mod Blouse: Anthropologie || Black Pants: BCBG || Pumps: Nine West ||

Oxblood Polish: Butter London || Cateye Sunglasses: Target Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in Mod

XOXO Sarah Louise

#SummerinLilly

I'm Strutting this Summer in Lilly, Lilly Pulitzer that is. 

She's the Iconic Designer for Resort Wear.  Her Designs are Exceptional for their Prints and Vivid Colors.  My Mood Brightens and I Feel Extra Girly when I'm Wearing One of her Pretty Pieces.  

Since the Summer Heat of the South Ranges from Hot to Hotter, Dressing is a Delicate Matter.  In Presenting Ourselves as the Sweet Stylish Belles that we are, Maintaining Our Ladylike Appearance with just a Little Glow (We Don't Sweat We Glisten) is Essential.

Who Wears Short Shorts??!! We Do, ok well Not Too Short, but they're Key To Keeping Cute & Cool.  

The Lilly Pulitzer Callahan Short is a Favorite.  The Prints are Full of Fun Colors Allowing for Lots of Pairing Options in your Top. The Best Part is they're not Too Short and not Too Long!  

Wear them with a Tee/Tank & Sandals for a Casual Look or a Blouse & Wedges for a Dressy Look.

Mr & I will be Beachin with Friends this Week in Celebration of Independence Day and 

These Shorts are Sure to Be Seen! 

Pink Silk Cami - J Crew

Shorts in 'Sea & Be Seen' Print - Lilly Pulitzer

Wedges Kate Spade Similar 

Mother of Pearl Earrings - Kendra Scott 

Enjoy Summer in Lilly

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Wrap Dress

Wrap Dresses Add Extra Wonderful to the World of Fashion!

Thanks to the Fabulous Diane Von Furstenburg DVF, for making the Iconic Wrap Dress a Forever in Women's Fashion.   I have a Small Collection of DVF Vintage Wrap Designs that are Saved for Special Occasions. 

What makes the Wrap Dress so Iconic?? 

It's Skims the Feminine Figure, Wraps the Waist with a Sash and has a Skirt that Sways with Movement.

This Wrap Dress Caught my Eye with its Vibrant Ocean Blue Color and Geographic Print.

Note:  Prints are Amazing at Camouflaging! Keep your Prints Proportionate to Your Frame.

I was Hesitant about the Long Sleeves but I've Decided it Gives this Dress a Sleek Look.

I Kept with the Blue Hues with my Navy Quilted Bag that Belonged to my Grandma.  
I like to Add Sentimental Pieces to my Looks.  Its adds Extra Swing to my Step.

Wrap Dress - Banana Republic

Handbag - Belonged to my Grandma

Nude Pumps - Nine West

Wrap Yourself in Wonderful

XOXO Sarah Louise

Gemstone Mini

All Gals Love Gems!  It's the Sparkle, the Colors, the Shimmering Facets; Gems are just so Fancy!

So I Decided that Strutting in this Skirt's Gemstone Pattern was a Must!

I've been a Solids Gal Practically my Whole Life but Over the Past 3 Years I've been Embracing Pretty Prints and I must Say my Looks have New Life and are Much more Interesting.  The Trick I've Found, is to Find the Prints You Love ( For me it's Houndstooth, Gingham, Geometrics, and Small Florals)

This Geometric Mini wasn't "Love on the Mannequin" but in Efforts to Stretch Myself I had the Sales Associate Place it in my Wardrobing Room.

I've been Obsessed Over Silk Strappy  Camisoles ... Especially in Bright Colors with Adjustable Straps (No 2 Gals Fit the Same so Adjustments Make for an Assured Fit)

Minis can be Tough. They Require Confidence.  I'm a 'to the Knee' when it Comes to Hem Lines.  But in All Honesty, for Petite Gals a Few Inches Above the Knee is Elongating.  
Tip:  Where Nude Shoes & a Coat of Tanning Lotion - Both Give the Illusion of Long Lean Legs 

Because there are so Many Colors in this Skirt I Kept my Top Solid & Bright.  Whatever Color you Choose will Influence the Palette of the Skirt.  

Instinctively I Paired a Cobalt Blue Cami Matching the Hints of Blue in the Skirt.  But I was in a Pink Mood and instead of "Matching"  I went with a Shade.  There is a lot of Blush Pink, so I Opted for a Darker Pink. Now the Skirt Presents more of a Pink Appearance.  

White, Brown, Navy and Chambray are also Great Pairing Shades.  Opt for a Button Down for a more Conservative Look or a Basic Tee and Flats for a Casual Look.

This Look was Perfect for a Night Out with my Gal Pals! 

Hot Pink Silk Cami - J Crew

Geometric Mini Skirt - J Crew

Pumps - Nine West 

Shine Like a Gem in this Mini 

XOXO Sarah Louise