Crisp White Shirt Dress

I have an obsession with crisp white cotton!  I have for as long as I can remember.  I get it from my Mamma and Grandma who always wore white cotton tops.  It's just so clean and fresh. 
I also like how lighter brighter shades compliment my fair complexion.

Bright whites just make you look and feel invigorated.

I even have 5 crisp white cotton dress shirts for my maternity wardrobe!  They are each a little different with ruffles, cuffs, and buttons.

This crisp trapeze dress is one I purchased from Anthropologie a few seasons ago but has been a great transition piece for my baby bump.  To give it more of a cold weather look I paired it with over the knee boots.  Adding boots is a great way to style dresses into the colder months.

I added a broach to the buttoned collar rather than a necklace.  I think it makes it more sophisticated and sharp.

Laughter looks beautiful on everyone!

Crisp White Shirt Dress  ||  Over the Knee Boots  ||  Handbag  ||  Broaches  ||  

Dress Beautifully in a Crisp White Cotton Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Pearl Studded Shoes

TGIF!  It's been a few weeks since I've done a Friday 5 post, sorry gals.  Today I'm talking pearls on your piggies.  I mean nothing says classy like pearls and now you can wear them from your head down to your toes.

Keep your strut classy!

One  ||  Two  ||  Three  ||  Four  ||  Five

Dress Beautifully in Pearl Studded Shoes

XOXO Sarah Louise

Moto

Everyone has a style box.  Perimeters that we dress within a majority of the time.  For example I would categorize my style as classic, polished and ladylike.  But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate other styles. I believe it's important to incorporate elements that aren't your instinctual go-to.  It would be so boring and predictable if you didn't.

So, I make effort to add preppy, sporty, boho, glam and edgy pieces into my wardrobe to add variety and to stay modern.  If you venture too far outside of your 'style' box I can promise you won't wear it. The key is to find pieces that you actually like (don't choose something because someone or everyone else is wearing it) and avoid going to the extreme.

I knew I wanted a moto jacket to add an edgy element to my wardrobe. The leather moto jacket while trending huge this past year has been around for decades. I chose one that's fairly basic in black.  I didn't go for one in color, with fringe, or with embroidery or grommets.  That would just be too much and I'd feel like I was in a costume.

I also try and keep the investment lower on pieces that are more trendy or outside of my style box. So, I went with faux leather and purchased on sale when choosing this moto jacket.

I styled weekend look on the greyscale.  This moto jacket paired with my weekday office garments (sheath dresses, trousers & blouse) or a feminine floral piece and you have a very modern and chic outfit.

Moto Jacket || Blouse || Grey Jeans || OTK Boots || Polish || 

Dress Beautifully in a Moto Jacket

XOXO Sarah Louise

Shiny Strut

Classic pieces are the key in building a beautiful wardrobe.  Add a little shine and you've got style!

Remember the post on luxury shoe look-a-likes? I wasn't kidding when I said I owned 4 of the 5 featured. These gold fringe block heeled pumps have brought some show stopping shine to my strut over the past few weeks. Seriously though, I've been stopped and complimented often on these beauties.  Dorothy had ruby but I've got gold!

Metallic shoes are neutral and truly go with everything.  They also give just a touch of fancy to those foundation pieces.

Blouse || Blazer || Jeans || Loafers & Here || Handbag || 

Dress Beautifully in a Metallic Shoe

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Luxury Look-a-likes

Whew, the holiday hustle is in full swing! While I may not be running around store to store shopping for presents (I made my list early and tackled it quickly), I am enjoying all the holiday soirees and cheers with dear friends.  This weekend is all about Christmas musicals at my church and my Mamma's.  At my church the kiddos are putting on the show and my Mamma is in the choir performing at hers.  I'm so proud of the hard work that goes into putting on these beautiful shows that fill us with the true spirit and love of Christmas! #Jesusisthereason 

When it comes to shoes I'm not your average gal.  I am not overly enthusiastic and have a small inventory compared to most (Mr has a hard time grasping this) but it's the truth.  Like I am constantly sharing with you gals, quality over quantity.  I purchase well made shoes that check the top box of comfort. I also believe that low heeled shoes are far classier and a wise investment. 

Nothing is worse than painful shoes - Can I get an Amen?!!

High end designers make beautiful shoes but they also come with a sky high price.  While I have noticed that recent styles have embraced a lower heel height the cost is still too steep for my wallet.  So, I scout out shoes whose outer, lining and soles are made of leather and look for sewn in soles rather than glued.  These are trademarks for a well constructed shoe.  Just like your garments, shoes should be made of natural elements.

This allows for breathability and for the shoe to conform to your foot for a glove like fit. 

These look-a-likes maybe be a fraction of the cost but they are 100% full of quality and style.

Confession:  I am guilty of owning 4 of the 5 lood-a-likes below. (the exception of the red loafer because I already own these red shoes and don't need 2 pairs of horse bit loafers and my lace up flats are nude)

Gucci is on FIRE and I'm grateful to have found similar looks for less. But I won't be scouting out any impostures when it comes to this handbag - It's #1 on my wish list!

Luxury: Metallic Loafer  ||  Horsebit Loafer  ||  Red Horsebit Slipper  ||  

Velvet Slipper  || Lace Up Flats ||

Look-a-like: Metallic Loafer  ||  Horsebit Loafer  ||  Red Horsebit Slipper  ||  

Velvet Slipper & Here  || Lace Up Flats  ||

Dress Beautifully in Luxury for Less

XOXO Sarah Louise

Foxy & Fabulous

"I say, dress to please yourself. Listen to your inner muse and take a chance. Wear something that says 'Here I am!' today." - Iris Apel

Foxy & Fabulous!  That's how I feel in this arctic blue fur number.  It's a statement, a bold statement, and I L.O.V. E. it! Fashion is about wearing pieces that make you feel beautiful and confident and this piece does just that.

I literally have been frustrated over the past few weeks that the weather hasn't been cold enough to rock this beauty.  But finally Winter has shown itself and I'm strutting out in my pale blue faux fur coat.

Now, not everyone is a fan. What??!!! Bless them.  #haters
What some may think is over the top, gaudy, tacky, or crazy I find to be stylish, glamorous and down right fabulous! (I can't use that adjective enough)

So, if you share my sentiment let's talk about this blue wonder.  It is faux fur and in a slightly cropped design the fit and thickness doesn't overwhelm with too much volume.  Cropped hems leave room to showcase your top and shorter sleeves leave room for movement of your arms and hands while allowing space to let your cuffs or bracelets shine. I also adore the necklace neckline.  With no collar it leave the space open around your neck and face which is slimming and again leaving room for layers and highlighting accessories.

The fur is super soft and has an eye-catching luster that makes the ice blue pop.  There are hook and eye clasps for closure.  I apologize for not capturing the lining but it's in a small damask print in navy and burgundy.

Tip:  Always look to the lining of jackets/blazers for color pairing options.

I stayed neutral in color pairings with this fur.  I went with a semi-casual look with a silk ivory blouse, grey skinny jeans and suede over the knee boots. Mixing casual and dressy is the name of my game.  It allows for optimizing wear of my 'work' clothes and investment as they are almost always more expensive due to the nature of their quality and it takes my weekend/evening looks from basic to chic!

I'd rather be interesting that blend!

I plan to pair with navy, ivory, grey, burgundy suiting pieces for the office for a more subdued palette. For the weekends, it's all about color with printed pieces containing the colors mustard yellow, emerald green, purple ... the sky's the limit!

While the silk blouse, boots and fur are more on the fancy side of the style scale the jeans and cross body saddle bag are more relaxed.

When you take garments out of their intended style box and blend them together you create a blended look that sure to set a fabulous tone!

Maybe a colored fur coat is a bit much for you; I sorta get it.  Then maybe you should try a colored faux fur collar or simply try embracing a piece that is outside your box that makes you smile.
Clearly I don't let others dampen my strut and you shouldn't either.

Here I am in my blue foxy fur!

I seriously feel like I'm snuggled up in a luxurious stuffed animal

It's simplistic yet chic when the coat comes off 

Party on the outside and business on the inside

Blue Faux Fur Coat - Similar & Here & Here & Here || Silk Blouse || Grey Jeans || 

Over the Knee Boots || Saddle Bag || 

Dress Beautifully in Faux Fur

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

Pink & Plaid

Til the season for layers which is great because more is more right?! Well, it depends, but when it comes to style I love that cooler weather allows for endless combinations of textures and colors.
This time of year in the South can be a struggle.  Down right cold in the mornings but by lunch you're breaking a sweat. And then it's cold again come supper time.  #SMH

Yes it can be annoying but use this indecisive weather as a styling opportunity to pile on the pieces.

Take this look for example, it's has all the elements of chic style: color, pattern, texture and shine.

Let's break it down ...

Color: Pink is all year pretty ladies and it's fun to add lighter shades to the season of darks

Pattern:  Plaid Plaid Plaid is everywhere come September, this patterned plaid is called 'Glen plaid' and it's my favorite.  It's more sophisticated than your typical lumberjack check

Texture:  This jacket in a structured warm wool contrasted with the delicate ruffled blouse adds interest and depth to the look.  Not to mention these soft suede boots!

Shine: Those gold block heels are strut worthy! You can always use jewelry for this element.

Layer on Ladies!

Blouse || Jacket || Skirt & Similar || Boots 

Dress Beautifully in Plaid & Pink

XOXO Sarah Louise