Yup, I think I went a little overboard this summer and ended up with two very different looks on the Fila disruptor athletic shoes! It all started when I went into the store to pickup athletic shoes for my son (you know how kids feet grows every few months)! Anyway, I decided to try a shoe or two while in the shopping process and ended up leaving with a little more shopping than I had originally planned for.
Y’all these sneakers are just so comfortable. I was initially skeptical because they looked rather bulky but after trying them on, I was sold. Usually if I like something, I end up getting them in multiple colors and this was no different. I also got one my daughter too …talk about loving a brand!!! If you see me walking around Dallas and running errands wearing these, please say hello!
I’ve linked the shoes and my Fila crop shirt below. Do you have a favorite brand of athletic shoes?
As a kid, I always loved sneakers and style. The beauty of modern luxury is the absence of rules.
Hi guys!! Today, I wanted to highlight my city, give you a sneak peak into my daily schedule, and also share five looks on the blog in partnership with MaggyLondon, which I am utterly excited about! These dresses are gorgeous and an easy transition from work-to-evening wear which makes them functional and totally worth the investment.
So if you’ve been following me for a while, you will know I am a working mom with two very lovable kids, a darling husband, an 18-year old cat, and one rambunctious puppy. If you’re new on here, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Louise Millen and I started blogging as a creative outlet and a way to share my passion for all things beautiful. As a working mom who is always on the go, I’ve learned how to manage my schedule to maximize time in the office and still make time for family and a healthy lifestyle. I specialize in Change Leadership, which has connected me with people not only from different areas of the organization, but from all over the world! My evenings are usually laid back and filled with cooking (since I love to cook!) and stories from my kids about their days–amid squeals and laughter, of course! So now that you know all about me, let’s move on to the amazing city I live in.
Yes, I live in Dallas, Texas, the cultural hub of the region, and absolutely love it! They say everything is bigger and better in Texas…and they are right! It is a city that continues to expand and there is always so much to discover. There are so many options and things to do in Dallas. From shopping to eating at new restaurants to exploring the various entertainment venues–we LOVE it here and I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be….now if only we had beaches, it would be perfect but I will settle for our beautiful lakes.
This summer has been phenomenal. You see, I grew up in Ghana which is a tropical country all year round so I love the hot summer months. I especially look forward to the longer days in Dallas! This summer, we’ve already had two trips out of town and getting ready for another vacation in a couple weeks. When we are not traveling, you can usually find us at the pool or headed to an outdoor restaurant. We always try to take advantage of local farmer’s markets, parks, and hiking trails throughout the city. We also love outdoor movie nights under the stars and visiting all the kid-friendly places Dallas has to offer (like the Perot Museum, Dallas World Aquarium, and TopGolf!)
Style doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be effortless. My style is simple-chic. I gravitate toward timeless, classy pieces and love clean lines. Outfits that are versatile, fashion forward, and easy to transition from work-to-evening are usually what you will find me wearing. These Maggy London work wear dresses are great for Summer and such beautiful pieces! If you do get one of these dresses, I would love to see it!! Please drop me a note or tag me on Instagram, along with Maggy London. xoxo Louise
Summer is in full swing, people! I cannot believe we are already in July!! It is so surreal. I love Summer and the warmth it brings with longer sunny days and lots of activities and events. I have to confess that I have been getting lazy around here lounging in light flowy dresses and shorts most days but enough said about that. This summery dress reminds me of the color of the sun and sunflowers (btw, I LOVE sunflowers; they are my happy flowers)! The dress is perfect for work and an easy transition to a cocktail or evening attire. You can even wear it to a wedding and still look amazing! I mean how good is that shade of yellow with all the pretty ruffles? I got the dress on sale at Dillards! You will be surprised what you can find in that store. My shoes are Gianni Bini and I am obsessed with the transparency of the straps. I’m sure you’ve all seen me style this crossbody bag a few times…#guilty (lol) but it’s just so cute!
I’ve linked this look below along with another dress I have my eyes on. Have you been to any events this Summer?
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different” ~ Coco Chanel
“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Blouse and Skirt by Ann Taylor // Shoes by Sam Edelman // Bag by Kate Spade NY
Keeping it simple today guys. I’m sharing a few finds from Ann Taylor today along with the “friends of Ann event” 40% off every single thing sale that ends soon!!! I just thought I will spread the love a little bit (lol). For the working woman, they have some lovely skirts, blouses, and dresses. For the more casual look, there’s also a few items like the skinny/straight crop/and wide leg jeans along with a few dresses and accessories (or statement pieces). If you decide to take advantage of this sale, use code FRIENDS40. ~xoxo Louise
Look 1
Anyone else love animal print? I love this skirt so much that I have worn it a couple times with different blouses already! For this look, I paired the skirt with a plain solid-colored shirt and nude pumps. This is a great office look yet adds some fun elements with the print skirt ;).
Look 2
Sticking to the minimal look, I got this shirred mock neck blouse which is the perfect answer to crisp days in the Spring. I added a statement piece to the black skirt with a bold belt, and finished off the look with black pumps and bag. It’s also a lovely office look if you don’t want to be too distracting during a meeting or if you are not one to play with bold colors.
Either way, there’s a dress for everyone with this awesome sale at Ann Taylor!! I have had a few of their clothes in my closet that’s 8-years old and since they have classic pieces, they do not necessary go out of style. Let me know if you do take advantage of their sales.
Blouse by Ann Taylor // Skirt and Belt by Ann Taylor // Shoes by Charles David // Bag by Kate Spade NY
Obsessed with this cardigan! Love the subtle neutral striped colors which is easy to mix and match with any look. Also these Calvin Klein mules are surprisingly comfortable and under $100. I have worn them on repeat since I got them at Nordstrom last year. You can still find these at Overstock.com
Latest Obsession
Sweater weather and layering is in full force and I have been getting in the spirit. It is so hard to resist with all the amazing deals (and so has my shopping bag haha). I’ve also been finding a few reasonably priced items and wanted to share some of my recent buys. This cardigan is one I saw and as soon as I tried it on, I knew it was going to find a home in my closet! I love the colorblock shades and ballon sleeves that makes it so pretty. Just the perfect way to bring a little fun to any wardrobe and still stick to a Fall theme look. These come in two colors at Nordstrom Rack.
Obviously my mules are on repeat and I love the gold detailing on the back of the heel. Surprisingly my clutch purse was one of those lucky finds at Target. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find these online so it may warrant a trip to a Target store if you like them as much I do. I have linked a different color for you. They are just so cute that I have plans to wear these with my Uggs when it gets a tad bit colder in Dallas..haha. These jeans are a great fit and also under $100! I have a tiny waist and wider hips so it is always such a challenge finding jeans that fit but these are absolutely perfect and a big selling point for me. Some of these items are currently on sale so you can get great deals.
I’m always on the lookout for pieces that I can wear multiple ways, and one of the my favorites is solid colors like this grey pewter dress that has some patterns and designs! I got this dress from the Loft on sale and under $40 (I love shopping deals), and I’ve already worn it multiple ways. I wear sleeveless outfits more than you might guess in the summer, however I am usually cold so I almost always carry along a light scarf or jacket. Now that we are transitioning into Fall, I will likely be layering this piece with heavier scarfs, jackets, and patterned colored stockings!
I love how a solid color like this grey can be worn with just about any color. I paired this eyelet flutter dress with these bright colored shoes. I also love how flattering this sarong looks wrapped around my bag or as a head or neck wrap. It makes for a perfect combo and such a flattering touch to the outfit.
Another effortless way to wear this dress or any solid colored grey dress is accessorizing. For a different look, you can wear a belt or dress it up with pretty earrings, and voila! You can also wear the look with a belt AND scarf, and still look great. As you can see, I try to keep accessories at a minimum but I’m still obsessed!
Start by selecting tones that are neutral or a color palette like a black/white contrast. If you do this, you likely can’t get the rest of the ensemble wrong and it will be easy to layer pieces or accessory to the look. These pants are just the basic black but I love how loose fitting it is and how it tapers down giving the perception of longer legs and an effortless classic feel. I added this white and black polka dot ruffle henry shell blouse from Ann Taylor Loft and love how the look can be transitioned into an office wear by adding a jacket or seamlessly into an after work look for cocktails or dinner with friends.
Add Classic Pieces
Accessorize by adding simple yet timeless classic pieces. For this look, I opted to stick with the monochromatic colors so black bag, shoes, and bracelet all add a varying tone of color. You may be inspired by how you can turn a black and white piece into simple elegance with just a few accessories. Even black accessories can have patterns too! So, for the shoes, I opted for a Charles David polka dot pump since it adds a little bit of flair to the white polka dot blouse. You can still go for a plain colored shoe and still look great. I love jewelry pieces from Michael Kors so this cuff bracelet which you can purchase online or at Neiman Marcus adds a bold statement without being too gaudy. I have also linked a similar bracelet under the “Shop My Favorites”. Finally, always complete your look with a favorite bag but keep your color palette and tone in mind.
Confidence
Finally, own the clothes you wear. Keep in mind that it is not always about what you wear, but how you wear it. With that said, wear your clothes with self-confidence and you will always look amazing! This means whatever the brand or price, wearing any outfit in a dignified manner and character, will exude a level of self-confidence and carry through in making you look great!!! Now isn’t this what every woman wants?
Is there anything more convenient than transforming your Summer look into an Autumn look? Well, that is if you live in Dallas where our Autumn weather tends to fluctuate between warm days and some cooler nights. Every season I try to look at my wardrobe and see what I can wear into the next season and what I can’t. I especially love this look because anything lacy equals femininity and can easily be layered with a light coat or jacket, or even scarf for a more Fall-ish look.
The best part about finding casual pieces is versatility. If you know me, you will notice that I have had these wedges and jeans on repeat. These wedges are on sale and if you don’t own a pair of wedges, then now is the time to invest in one. For our Dallas temperature, I can pull off this look on most days. The lacy top is light and just gorgeous. There is also something about the neutral cream color that goes well with almost any look. For a quick pop of color and to embrace the holiday season quickly approaching, I wore this Michele watch and invested in this extremely reasonable bag from Target and have linked a similar one here. You will be amazed on the finds at Target and I must confess that it is quick becoming one of my favorite stops.
Do you ever re-wear some of your Summer outfits into Fall?
My love for warmer temperatures and the beauty of Spring is not really a secret. Maybe it is because I grew up in Ghana, a tropical country filled with rich culture and history, or it could be that I am just the happiest when the weather is warm but not too hot.
Recently the weather was so gorgeous in Dallas that I decided to step out and enjoy the city. Downtown Frisco was the place to be with restaurants and the Frisco Heritage Museum that consists of early and mid-20th-century buildings with various period exhibits.
For those who do not know much about this city in Texas, it has become one of the fastest-growing city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. It is also home to “The Star”, a 91-acre campus that hosts the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys.
For this blog, I wanted to show you a few Spring essential pieces and accessories that are simple enough for this season into the early Summer months. Where else would I shoot it than by these antique buildings that have so much character right next to the Frisco Heritage Museum.
As always I am curious to hear your thoughts about the location as well as about what you like to wear in the Spring months. Who else is excited about this season? Now let us talk about my fashion choices.
The Outfit
Spring Essentials
Recently I went to Frisco and caught up on some beautiful scenic areas in this gorgeous city. I wanted to be comfortable and stylish at the same time, so here is the outfit I picked out.
Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater – Yes, with our Dallas weather fluctuating in temperature, I opted for a light turtleneck sweater on this cool cloudy day. I usually pick neutral colors but this mustard colored sweater is just so fun and fresh. It feels good to wear something that is soft and light. The color reminds me of Spring; think sunflowers, marigold, and chrysanthemum.
Trendy Sneakers – I simply love these Adidas sneakers! I remember getting them with my daughter early in the year. We had such a great time shopping for similar outfits and matching shoes. I went with the rose gold design and she went for gold which is one of her favorite colors. I plan on wearing these during Spring, Summer, and most likely during the Autumn season.
Denim Culottes – Style is great but comfort is a necessity especially when you are out and about. I went with this calf-length jeans in washed denim. The high waist and style reminds me of the 70’s! It is currently one of my favorite outfits so I decided to purchase a similar one, also in white, with frayed raw-edge hems.
Spring Accessories – For a huge bag lover getting this Rebecca Minkoff crossbody mini bag was a last minute decision. When choosing the perfect bag to wear with your outfit, it is important to take into account the occasion. For this casual outing, I wore an almond brown bag because it matched my DKNY leather cuff bracelet and complemented my watch and sunglasses.
