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    Key Pieces to Make a Statement Outfit

    Making a Statement

    As soon as we hit Spring, Dallas starts looking like a totally different city. All the outdoor restaurants and shops are busy again, and I love how people come together to catch-up on many different interests and topics while enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.

    This is a fun time for me because it means being outdoors; whether it is spending time on coffee dates with friends or more intimate outings with my family. Whatever the occasion, finding a few key pieces can transform your wardrobe into simple chic. There are so many great ways to add texture to your outfit without resulting in you looking like you really made an effort.

    The most exciting part of personal styling is your ability to play with your look in a fun and playful light. There’s something about the feminine elegance that a skirt brings to an outfit that draws me to them. This three-layered tulle skirt is not only flattering but surprisingly versatile. It is the perfect transitional piece for the Spring season.

    Skirts just never go out of fashion and with so many textures and styles there is a flattering skirt out there for everyone. Making a fashion statement does not have to be seasonal. Selecting the right pieces can make any look absolutely cute and give you room to enjoy the outdoors.

    The Outfit

    The art of selecting the right key pieces can either make you look stylish or have the opposite effect altogether. I carefully selected this three-tiered tulle skirt because of how light and airy it feels. Maxi skirts are so versatile and feminine. The black elastic waistband adds a pop of color to the rather pale pastel color of the skirt. I simply cannot count how many times I have worn this gorgeous skirt! Since this skirt is no longer in stock, I have included similar skirts in the “shop my favorites” link below.

    This crushed velvet minaudière is on point and the perfect ensemble to any look. What I love about the minaudière is the drop-in chain strap with clasp closure. The velvet material is super soft and can be worn up or down to accentuate your style.

    For the shoes, I went with Vince Camuto. The color is neutral and it was a pleasant surprise to find that they are quite comfortable. You can wear this pair with jeans, skirt, or a dress. For someone who easily gets blisters in new shoes, these ones passed with flying colors.

    I decided to stick with my style and add a denim jacket to the look. By the way, denim jackets always look amazing with any style and we all know it was necessary for any typical spring weather! I also quickly grabbed a pair of sunglasses to protect my eyes on my day out, because we all know sunglasses are a necessary protection for your eyes.

    As with most of my outfits, I like to add a few pieces of jewelry. Jewelry pieces can make a statement too! Depending on your preference, jewelry can be an added touch to a timeless classic and effortless look.

    How do you plan to add key pieces to your wardrobe this Spring?

    Getting the Most Out of Your Casual Wear

    Never underestimate the importance of simplicity. I particularly enjoy casual chic since it is a great look for everyday wear.  Color and style can make a difference when selecting outfits for your wardrobe.

    When I shop, I usually keep in mind a couple things; 1) how much wear i can get out of the outfit, 2) quality, and 3) cost.  So, I was pleasantly surprised when I accidentally stumbled on this bow cuff long sleeve blouse from Target on one of my shopping errands. The day was beautiful and I was enjoying my grocery shopping spree when I saw the blouse from the corner of my eye, and immediately knew I had to get it. I guess it was “meant to be”. This blouse is also available on Poshmark.

    I love to mix and match my brands. I also don’t think there is anything wrong with mixing high end brands with more affordable outfits. In fact, it is genius! You can create a very stylish look by just adding a nice designer piece and you can get the most wear out of it. It really is all about how you feel good on the inside.

    The Outfit

    Let’s start with the bag. I got this Cole Haan square leather satchel from Saks Fifth Avenue as a gift last year. I believe it is still available and now on sale so an even much better deal! I am infatuated with the color and how many compartments it has. The perfect satchel to carry all your essentials because we all know that a woman can’t have enough extra stuff in her bag! I have only used it a few times and it sits perfectly in my wardrobe until I need a change.

    My shoes are surprisingly comfortable. The heels aren’t awfully high and give the perception of height. I usually love nude color shoes because they are like a blank canvas and can go with almost any look. For this look, I went for some easy pieces to mix it up.

    Jeans can be so versatile and are the perfect wear for day to day activities. These high waisted original distressed vintage skinny ankle jeans from Express fits well and I think is super comfy. Simple accessories like earrings and this essential oil diffuser necklace can be part of the look, right? I am a big fan of essential oils so this is the perfect necklace for me.

    This ultimate hydra-plump lip booster serum from Make Up For Ever is the ultimate touch for everyday wear. It hydrates and smoothes, adding fullness to your lips. The color (o1 Cinema) is beautiful and I really, really love it.

    Wishing you a lovely Friday, hope you are all having a great time!

    How To Perfect the Between-Seasons Outfit

    Getting Ready

    As Spring is fast approaching, our wardrobe choices begin to transition as well. While it is not quite time to ditch your Winter outfit for your sprint one, it is time, though, to find a happy medium! In Dallas, the weather can be 70F degrees one day and then drop 30F degrees by night or the next day. This makes it important to invest in a practical jacket that is comfortable and practical.

    Since the weather is still cool enough but not warm just yet, I wanted to show you few transitional pieces that I thought are simple enough and will take you through the end of Winter into Spring. Luckily, transitional pieces like this Michael Kors jacket are the perfect solution for those confusing weather days.

    People often wonder why do bloggers wear certain things, like a pair of mules in winter or a spring shirt underneath a winter jacket. The thing is, I love mixing it up especially around this time of year, so I hope that this post will inspire you. As always you can read about the look below in the next few photos and shop my favorites.

    What I Wore

    When it comes to outfit for this look, I really wanted to wear a spring color in shades of blue. I went for a blue Michael Kors jacket and paired it with dark blue jeans. To tone down the shades of blue, I mixed it with a white top and white mules.  For the accessories, I stayed with an affordable Guess crossbody bag which I have worn a few times, and kept my jewelry to a minimum.

    I think the different shades of blue and the “little boy blue” pantone spring color is so much fun! Although I usually tend to stick to neutrals, I have found that the occasional additional color to an outfit can give you the freedom to experiment, and express your sense of style and fashion.  For an almost spring look, I couldn’t resist pairing the overall look with this trendy and affordable mule. Like most of us, I love to find a good pair of shoes that is reasonably priced and stylish.

    At the bottom of the post you can find my picks for both casual and high end, so hopefully you can find something you like too!

    How to Dress Comfortably without Compromising your style

    At this time of year, when the days fluctuate between cold and chilly, all anyone wants to do is snuggle into your comfiest clothes and hope you still look fashionable and put-togethether, or at least stay home by the fireplace in your comfiest sweater!  In an ideal world, I would love to be able to wake each morning and easily choose an effortlessly stylish attire that I can wear to work, or to dinner with friends, or even wear at home when spending time with my family; but this very rarely happens.  As a working mom on the go, I have learned to be mindful of how I choose my daily outfits and to take care in how I invest in my clothes, so that my pieces are not only versatile but I can reach for them time and time again.

    Thankfully, with a few tips, you’ll be able to choose your daily outfits knowing you will look effortlessly put-together and still comfortable – because who doesn’t want to feel cozy and also great at this time of year?

    The Cozy Sweater

    An essential part of any winter wardrobe is choosing a comfortable sweater with a neutral palette to create a look of earthiness and sophistication.  I usually have a variety of sweaters that range from conforming to lightly loose-fitting.  I should confess that my favorites are the oversized loose-fitting sweaters because they are just super comfortable and you can almost snuggle in them. It is very rare for me to have a sweater with multiple colors but I love to dabble in colors every now and then, and pastel colors are less saturated than primary colors and have a calming effect. This sweater can equally be dressed down with sweatpants for an ultra cozy look or worn with jeans or black leggings with heels for a day out.

    Opt for Jeans

    You can never go wrong with jeans for a smart casual look or an easy relaxed style. For this look, I am wearing skinny jeans since that is a look that can complement an oversized sweater and is an essential piece to layer with heels or tall boots. Always remember, when in doubt, go with the classic skinny jean style. Skinny jeans is really a wardrobe classic and a timeless denim silhouette. You can roll up your jeans to change things up every once in a while.  Get creative with your look! Whatever your favorite jean style is, you can always count on denims forever being a big part of any wardrobe.

    The art of accessorizing

    Lastly, never underestimate the art of accessorizing! Whatever your style preferences, an accessory is a reflection of your personality, so understanding this is a very important part of choosing the perfect pieces to wear with your outfit. I usually opt for simple yet elegant pieces to add to my collection. It is key to always invest in pieces that can add a touch of sophistication and elegant luxe to your look no matter the occasion.

    I hardly ever make a designer purchase on a whim. In fact, I often buy an affordable alternative first to see how much use I will get out of it before deciding to invest in making a purchase for the designer option. A nice way to get a look of sophistication is to mix high and lower price pieces to create a fun and luxe touch to your outfit.

    Do you have any tips on how you are staying stylish and comfortable in winter? If so, please share in the comments below.

    @LOUISEMILLEN